Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Change of plans
The next morning, Harry awoke to the sound of Ron's bedroom door being slowly opened. He sat perfectly still and listened intently to the soft footsteps approaching his camp bed. Harry had been dreaming about the wonderful day he had spent with the Weasleys, still worried that it had been a dream. Now, he was ready for action. Tightening his grip on his wand, he opened his eyes and looked at the pair of bunny slippers before him.
Ginny jumped as Harry let out a very loud laugh. She had obviously thought he was asleep and was surprised by his sudden movement. Harry stood and helped Ginny off of the floor. He paused for a moment, cradling her in his arms, but quickly placed her back on her feet. Ginny had a broad grin on her face, but she quickly hid it as Ron gave a loud grunt. Ginny pointed to the door and Harry nodded his agreement. They both crept quietly out into the silent hall. Ginny proceeded down the stairs and into the kitchen, Harry at her heals.
Once they were downstairs, Ginny put a kettle on the stove to make some tea. While she was running around the kitchen getting cups, Harry took a seat and began to watch her. He missed her, and this was the first time he had been alone with her since they broke up. Trying to distract himself, he began to think about his presents. This didn't help though because his mind kept falling on Ginny's watch. He knew why she had given it to him, and he knew that it was the same reason why she had come to get him this morning. Ginny obviously still wanted to be with Harry, but, as much as he wanted to be with her, he had to nip this in the bud. He decided that now was as good a time as any. When they were both seated, Harry began.
"Ginny, that was an amazing gift. I didn't know what to say, and I still don't. You don't know how much it means to me." He said.
"Harry, of course I know how much it means to you, that's why I got it for you. That's why you didn't have to say anything, I knew you'd like it."
"I know. I just wanted to say thanks, I really do love it."
"I'm glad." Ginny responded with a large grin, "It took me most of the vacation to make, and I even had to get help from Hermione, Mum, and Fred and George. It was worth it though, just for the look in your eyes."
Harry smiled back. He knew what she was thinking because he was thinking the same thing. He couldn't help but like Ginny, and she was the same when it came to him. He wanted nothing more than to ask her out again right then, but he knew he couldn't get her hopes up. No matter how difficult it was, he had to reaffirm his decision. He knew this year would be dangerous for him, and he didn't want to involve her. Harry could feel his grin dropping as he thought of all of the horrible things that could happen to her.
Ginny must have noticed his sudden change of mood because she said "Harry Potter, what's wrong? You aren't thinking about Voldemort are you? Why do you think I got you the watch? Why do you think Mum and Dad put your name on the Clock? Why do you think everyone is trying to help? I'll tell you why, because we're not going to let you do this alone. We're here for you and we'll do anything in our power to make your life easier."
"I won't let you come along Ginny. I already told you, I can't risk it. I know you want to help, but you can't be with me. I appreciate your help, but I have to do this alone. I couldn't stand the thought of anyone else I love dying."
"What about Ron and Hermione?" Harry looked at Ginny with shock, "They already told me that they're going along. How can you let them go but not me? Haven't I proved myself? Don't I have just as much reason to go as anyone else? I've taken away every excuse you could have for not letting me go with you, and Ron and Hermione agree with me. I should be there with you."
Harry stood up and looked down into Ginny's eyes, his gaze penetrating her thoughts. "I can't let you come. It's different with Ron and Hermione. They've been with me for six years through many dangers. They know what they're risking and they can handle themselves. Plus they can watch out for each other."
"And who's going to be watching your back Harry? Who's going to be there for you? You may not have noticed, but Ron and Hermione are drifting away from you and closer together. And I may not have been with you for the past six years, but I've been through plenty. I was at the Ministry and I was there at Hogwarts last year. Can you remember who was in the Chamber five years ago? They may know what they're getting into, but not like you and I do. I've seen Tom Riddle, I've been possessed by Voldemort. You and I know more than anyone else. That's why you need me. You said it yourself, it's different. I know you feel it too. This isn't just some fling, this is more."
Harry was torn. In one hand he didn't want to endanger Ginny anymore than necessary, and in the other he knew he didn't want her anywhere but by his side. Ginny was right, he had felt it too. It was like everything Dumbledore had said and more. It was love.
Harry could feel his resolve breaking down as he looked into Ginny's eyes. She had always been able to read him like a book. He hadn't noticed before, but when they had dated, she had always known what he was feeling. He knew there was no getting around it. She was right, he had to let her come.
"Alright, you can go too." he finally said.
Ginny jumped at him and hugged him tightly. "I didn't think you'd let me come. I can't believe it."
Harry pulled her away and sat her back down in her chair. He was glad that she was happy and he hoped he had made the right decision. Now he had to explain everything to her.
"Ginny, before anything else, I have to explain a few things to you. Firstly, there are some conditions that you must agree to before you join us. If you are going to come with us, you must obey every order I give. This means that if I tell you to leave me and save yourself, you will do so. You will not hesitate or try to save me as well. You will leave me. Do you agree?"
Ginny paused for a moment, and Harry could tell that the battle in her mind was the one in his on the night that Dumbledore said the same words.
Eventually, Ginny nodded, "Of course Harry, whatever it takes."
Harry couldn't help but melt at the look in her eyes. He could see them burning with passion and love. Harry had to take a moment to reorganize his thoughts before he began to tell her about his lessons with Dumbledore and anything else he thought may be important.
After telling Ginny about Voldemort's history, the horcruxes, the prophecy, and Dumbledore's death, he waited for Ginny to absorb it all.
"So that means that you have to face Volemort in the end?" she asked with a note of sadness in her voice.
"It doesn't mean I have to do anything." Responded Harry, "I thought the same thing when Dumbledore told me, but he explained it to me. I don't have to face Voldemort, but I am going to. I need to face him. Even if I had never heard the prophecy, I would face him. All the prophecy means is that I have the tools to face Voldemort, and that is enough for me."
Ginny smiled at this. "I'm glad we're on the same page then. Like I've said before, I always knew you'd never be able to stop until you'd finished him off, and like everyone else has said before, you're a great wizard Harry. I've never doubted you, and I'm glad that now you don't either."
Harry couldn't help but smile. He hadn't really known Ginny until three years ago, but now it felt like they knew each other better than he knew Ron or Hermione. When he looked at Ginny, everything just made sense, life became easy, and all his worries just melted away.
"Harry, you've got that dazed look on your face again," came Ginny's voice, "I'm the one who should be dazed. I still can't believe you're letting me come. I really didn't think you'd listen to anything I said or did."
"Ginny, there was nothing you could have said or done that would have changed my mind." Harry paused at the confused look on Ginny's face "I am letting you come against all of my better judgment. My mind is screaming at me to keep you safe and push you away, but my heart is telling me what I already know. The safest place for you is right next to me. I am letting you come because I need you to come. I love you Ginny, and love is all I need right now."
Ginny looked like she was about to burst. Tears were beginning to for in her eyes. She seemed unsure of what to do, so Harry action. He took her into his arms, and kissed her like he had that first time.
The feeling was electric. Harry could feel it in his toes. Ginny held onto him tightly and ran her hands through his hair before pulling away. This time however, Harry did not look around for approval. Instead, he rested his head on Ginny's shoulder and let their feelings wash over them.
Harry glanced up just as the rest of the Weasley's walked into the kitchen, Hermione and Fleur in tow. All of them were beaming at the couple still standing there, locked in each other's arms. Harry smiled back and gently let go of Ginny and took her back to the table. Everyone else joined them, the girls giggling and the boys clapping Harry on the back.
As Mrs. Weasley began cooking, Harry started to think about everything that had happened so far, and what was to come. He was starting to feel much better about this year. There was darkness on the horizon, but things were off to a good start. He had had his first real birthday and he was looking forward to a year of freedom. True, there would be difficulties ahead, but he would have his friends with him and he would have Ginny, his Ginny, with him every step of the way.
