A/N I had only intended for "Goodbye" to be a one shot, but I decided to also do a reunification fic.

When he woke, it was dark. Was it as dark as it had been when he fell asleep? He wasn't sure. Checking his watch, Harry saw that it was 3 in the morning. But what day was it?

Rising from the bed he'd slept in for the better part of six years, he noticed the bed next to him occupied by both Ron and Hermione. Though he struggled to feel very strongly about anything in this particular moment, he did have the same concerns he had always had about their relationship. He tried to focus on being happy for them, but couldn't entirely put aside his worries. Harry walked downstairs, to the common room which had thankfully avoided much of the damage from the battle. To his surprise, he wasn't the only one awake at such an unseemingly hour. Ginny sat facing the fire, unaware of his entrance.

What should he say? They had said so much, and while Harry knew he meant everything regardless of anything else, did she? Is it possible she regretted her words, or felt lied to? How could he explain how he was still alive when he really didn't understand it himself?

Pondering these questions, Harry realized that there was no avoiding this conversation. Walking over to the couch she was sitting on, Harry saw that she was staring directly into the fire. The flames flickered in her brown eyes while never breaking contact to blink or glance at Harry.

"Hey. Mind if I sit with you?" As soon as the words left his mouth Harry cursed himself. This was a much too casual opening to this conversation. Watching Ginny sit unblinkingly in the dark though was concerning. He hovered awkwardly, too close and too far from her all at the same time. Finally, she glanced up towards Harry in response to his question, but it seemed as though that was the only answer he would get. Staring up at him, Ginny squinted her eyes before looking back to the fire. Mercifully, she relaxed back into the cushions and looked around the room and back at Harry again. He sat down, leaving an uncomfortable amount of space between them. Fleetingly, Harry pondered the potential that this awkwardness would never dissipate. Could their goodbye have been permanent in a way he didn't expect?

"Don't take this the wrong way, but what happened? Why aren't you dead?" Despite the particularly stiff air around them, Harry chuckled. Ginny continued to stare into the fire,

"I'm not sure I really know how to explain that one, Gin." Harry ran his hand through his hair before leaning back and turning to face her.

"Oh goody. Yet another instance in my life where people are refusing to tell me anything."

She rose from the couch, walking toward the staircase without glancing backward at Harry. He scrambled up to follow her, tripping over the couch in his haste.

"Wait! No! Listen, I didn't mean it like that Ginny, just-"

Bright red hair flared out as Ginny whipped around, facing Harry and taking quick steps towards him.

"No, YOU listen! You DISAPPEAR for nine months Harry- You're just gone and no one hears from you. Then you show up, say nothing, explain you're looking for something you don't know anything about, THEN you tell me you're going to hand yourself over and FAKE YOUR OWN DEATH. Do you have any idea what it was like to see your DEAD BODY? And then when I ask for an explanation you tell me you don't know."

"Come here, please. I'll tell you everything I know, Ginny. I promise, every single thing. I just don't know where to start and I don't understand it all myself. Everything, Gin, I promise."

To his horror, Harry could see tears welling in her eyes again. She crossed her arms, staring at the ceiling to keep herself from crying. When would he stop making her cry? Harry stepped forward, thankful when she didn't recoil, and placed his hands on her elbows, pulling her to his chest. A great wail erupted from her, cheeks already damp with tears and pressed against Harry's chest.

"Ginny. It's okay Ginny. Don't cry, I'll tell you everything, I promise." He stroked her hair while racking his mind to find anything comforting to say.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be upset with you. I'm so, so happy that you're alive but," she sobbed. "I'm sad about Fred, and guilty for being happy about you and I'm mad and I just don't know what to do anymore." Her words brought on a new round of sobs. Harry brought his hands to the back of her neck, tilting her head back to look up at him.

"I'm sorry Ginny. I'm so sorry, for everything." He kissed her forehead, wrapping his arms around her small frame and leaning closer to speak softly. "Just tell me when you're ready to talk, but we don't have to do that until you're ready. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it."

Though her voice was muffled by the fabric of his shirt, Harry was sure there had never been a more beautiful sound than her next words.

"Do you have to go? Can you stay? With me, I mean?"

"For as long as you want, Gin."

"Even if it's forever?"

"Especially if it's forever."