Look at that! She updates! Praise Merlin! Anywhozzles…thank you guys so so much for your reviews and for not completely giving up on me. Please read and review!
Hermione stood, her heart beating wildly. Ron took her hand, her stomach flipped over and he led her, smiling, into the kitchen. Harry and Ginny stared after them, their mouths hanging open.
They entered the kitchen and Ron reluctantly let go of her hand, missing the warmth of her fingers in his. He walked to the counter and leaned against it, facing her, and folding his arms across his chest. She stood near the island, her hand resting on it, feeling nervous and excited. Perhaps this was finally it. Perhaps now they could stop playing this game they had been playing for the past six years.
Ron smiled at her, blushing despite himself, but no longer feeling nervous. It finally dawned on him in a startling rush of realization. They were meant for each other. They had been ever since that first day on the train when she'd asked "Has anyone seen a toad?" He finally realized that he didn't have to worry about telling her because if she was as smart as he knew she was then she already knew. He didn't have to wait for the perfect moment because every moment was perfect for them. He listened to the pretty music trickling in through the open door. He sighed contentedly, enjoying his new found sense of confidence. Hermione cleared her throat. "Ron?"
He pushed himself away from the counter. He smiled. "I can still here the music. Can you?"
She nodded. "It's beautiful."
He held out his hand to her once more. "C'mere." She stepped carefully towards him and placed her hand in his. He pulled her to him, uncharacteristically graceful. He placed his hand firmly on her waist, his other hand clasping her. Her hand was resting on his back, she moved even closer to him, enjoying the sensation of his warm hand on her hip. She felt his cool, sweet breath on her face and neck and knew that if she turned her head ever so slightly, they would be close enough to kiss.
He swayed her back and forth, in time to the music, enjoying the wonderfully twisty feeling in his stomach. He tightened his grip on her before dipping her. He looking into her eyes and they both laughed. He adored the sound of her laugh, her eyes dancing with joy. He slowly pulled her back up, and snaked his arm around her waist, his other hand let go of her and he ran his fingers slowly up and down her back as they moved with the melody.
She moved her hands to his shoulders, still beaming. "I didn't know you knew how to dance." She said, looking surprised.
He gave a chuckle. "I didn't either."
"I guess you're just full of surprises."
"I guess so."
"Do you have any other surprises for me, Ronald Weasley?" She teased.
"Yeah." He leaned down and kissed her softly and slowly, pulling her closer against him. She kissed him back, entwining her fingers in his soft red hair.
They broke away, staring at each other. "That was quite the erm," She coughed. "Surprise."
Ron grinned. "Oh that wasn't the surprise. I've just been dying to do that. The real surprise is I can juggle."
She laughed at that, leaning up to kiss him again. This time when they broke away he rested his head on her shoulder, nuzzling his face into her neck. "Mm…I love you." He said quietly.
Hermione beamed. "You do?"
He looked up. "I really, really do." He put his hands on either side of her face, kissing her more passionately than before. After a few moments they pulled away.
"I love you too…Won Won." She giggled.
"Hey!" He cried in mock outrage. He tried to tickle her but she burst free of his grasp. He chased her round the island before finally catching her in his arms once more. "Tell me you love me!" He whined, tickling her.
She gulped back tears of laughter but he refused to let go and he refused to stop. "Okay." She gulped for air. "Okay. I love you, Ron." She smiled at him and he stopped. They fell to the floor and he made certain to keep his hand behind her head so she wouldn't hurt her self. He stared down at her, also smiling. "I love you." She repeated. "I always have."
He stroked her cheek. "Good." And he leaned down for another kiss, a smile on his face.
Harry and Ginny sipped their butter beers in uncomfortable silence. It was only broken when Bill came to the table and dragged Ginny to the dance floor. Harry sadly watched her smiling and laughing as Bill spun her round and round. Finally, after having seen enough of the happy scene he knew he could never be a part of; he drained his bottle and wandered off.
He made his way farther into the Weasley's garden, where there were large trees and a swing set. He sat at the base of a tree, leaning his head back against the trunk and for a moment allowing himself to enjoy late summer's evening.
The sun was almost fully set now, only the horizon still held the orb's orange glow. Harry marveled at the mixture of orange, yellow, and pink and the golden rays of light that shot through the clouds as the sun began to die. But like a phoenix it would be reborn in the morning, as glorious as it had been the day before. He looked up, the bark of the tree rough on the back of his head. The sky was getting darker as the minutes wore on, moving slowly from dusky blue violet to a deep midnight blue. He looked up completely until he saw the night sky beginning to come out. The stars that he could see winked at him through the treetops, tiny bursts of light caught on a dark velvet blanket. Huge white clouds slowly passing over a luminous half moon.
Looking at the moon brought him back down to earth. He thought of Lupin and the pain he would endure later that month. Then he remembered why he had come here in the first place. He sighed, resting his head in his hands. He tugged at his unkempt hair in frustration. He let his head fall back against the tree trunk, letting another sigh escape him. He stared, unseeing, at the beautiful night sky.
Ginny finally released herself from her great aunt Matilda. She gasped for breath; her cheeks flushed pink from all the dancing Matilda had her doing. Her aunt grabbed hold of her next victim, Fred, and began swinging him around the dance floor. "Run!" Fred mouthed at his younger sister, his eyes opened wide in mock terror. Ginny giggled but hurried off the floor back to her table. She was surprised to find it empty. She flopped down into her seat; staring at the one Harry had been sitting in. She furrowed her brow, tearing the wrapper from her butter beer bottle absentmindedly.
She sat there sadly, and began to feel lonely. She looked around at the empty table where Harry, Ron, and Hermione had sat. She hoped that none of them would ever really be gone from her life. Her stomach twisted in uncomfortable knots at the thought of the journey ahead of them and the dangers they would face. Then suddenly she realized that she had never told Harry. She stood up, looking around her for a handsome face and jet black hair. She sighed, when she couldn't find him and began to wander around.
Her feet were bringing her to the farthest part of the garden, her favorite spot with the swing set that her father had put up when she was six. She smiled at the memory of her father, beaming with pride at the set that he'd put together with his own hands-no magic and her mother, secretly redoing it with her wand. Ginny gave a little chuckle but stopped short when she had reached the swing set. Harry was sitting, his back against a near by tree, staring up at the sky. She stepped towards him and cleared her throat, shaking him out of his reverie.
Harry looked up and saw her standing there, the slight breeze rippling her red hair and he smiled despite himself. What could one more night hurt? What could telling her hurt? I'll never forgive myself if I don't do it. He held out his hand for her. She put her hand in his, smiling shyly at him, and he pulled her down on the grass next to him, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders. She nuzzled herself against him, sighing inwardly feeling content for the moment.
He kissed the top of her head, enjoying the warmth of her body against his and the familiar twisty feeling he got in his stomach whenever they touched. After another long and enjoyable moment he finally whispered "I love you," into her hair.
She looked up at him, feeling embarrassed by the tears that were coming to her eyes but refusing to look away. "Harry, I love you too."
He leaned forward a little bit. "Kiss me."
She moved a little closer to him and kissed him passionately on the mouth. A few sweet seconds later, Ginny broke the kiss. She gave a little giggle. "I've waited so long to hear you say that." She admitted.
"Which? 'I love you' or 'kiss me'?" He teased.
"Both." She answered seriously.
He let his head fall on her shoulder. "Gin," He started. "I'm so sorry. I made so many mistakes. I'm so sorry…."
She caressed the back of his neck slowly. "It's okay now."
He sat up a little straighter, put his hands on her hips and looked seriously into her eyes. "No, its not. You didn't deserve any of it. All you did was love me. And what did I do? I broke up with you and then all but ignored you….All because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Of loving you."
"Of loving me? Harry, what are you-"
Harry stroked the side of her cheek. "Voldemort wants me," He started, feeling pleased that she no longer shuddered at the name. "And he might use anything to try and trap me or hurt me. If he found out about us- if he-" He couldn't bring himself to say it. "I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you."
"And I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you. And besides, Harry, even if we're not together Voldemort would still know you cared about me. He would just come after all of us Weasleys."
"That makes me feel even worse!"
She smiled a bit. "I'm not trying to, but Harry, why can't we take the risk. If loving you will put me in danger then that is a risk I am willing to take."
"But, Ginny-" He interjected.
"No, Harry. This is my decision. I love you and I care about you. That's why I'm coming with you and Ron and Hermione tomorrow."
"Wait just one minute. I can't let you do that, Ginny. It's too dangerous!"
She chuckled and shook her head. "What did I just say? And besides, you seem to be forgetting the time I went with you guys to the Department of Mysteries? I didn't give up then, what makes you think I'm going to give up now?"
He sighed and pulled her into a tight hug. "Just be careful."
"You sound like Mum."
He gave her a mock scowl, feeling happier than he could ever remember feeling. He had the best friends and the greatest girlfriend anyone could ask for.
"Wait- this does mean you're my girlfriend again, doesn't it?" He asked, feeling doubtful.
She kneeled in front of him and nodded. "Mhm." She said.
"Oh good." He laughed. And he pulled her closer for another long kiss.
Fin….for now
Hehehe! I am done. But never fear! A squeal is fast approaching so look out for it! And review this one! I hope you enjoyed it. 'Cause I know I loved writing it.