Chapter 3:

Harry went over to Ron and Hermione's for dinner that night. They talked about Quidditch and work all through dinner, but during dessert, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"Harry, Mum told me that you went and saw Ginny," Ron said. Harry stopped eating. He nodded. "How is she?"

"She still won't talk. I asked her if she'd come to dinner at the Burrow, but she seemed so stubborn about not going. I can't get anything out of her. She won't even give me the slightest clue about why she's doing this." Hermione placed a comforting hand over his.

"I think seeing you will eventually bring her around Harry. She's madly in love with you," she said. Both Harry and Ron looked at her.

"How do you know?" they both asked at the same time.

"Women's intuition," she said simply. "She may act like she hates you now, but most likely, you're the one she's going to open up to. I mean, look at me and Ron. We acted like we hated each other for nearly 6 years, but we really loved each other the whole time. Love's complicated, and yet very powerful. Just give her some time." Ron and Harry shook their heads. Hermione seemed to know more about Ginny than they did, and of the three of them, she actually was the least close with her, but not by much. Harry stood up from his seat.

"I don't know, 'Mione, I'm really worried about Ginny. It can't be that healthy for her to keep all these feelings bottled up inside. Once she comes out, if she ever does, I'm afraid that it'll lead to a total break-down."

"Let me know the next time you're going to visit her, I'd like to talk to her," Hermione said quietly.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to ask her before I just brought you over. The last thing I need is her mad at me." Hermione nodded.

"I understand," she said right before Harry Disapparated with a pop.

When Harry got home, he immediately pulled out a photo album that was resting on the bookshelf in his room. On the front, it said, Hogwarts, and under it was the emblem from the school. On the first page was a copy of the picture Harry had given Ginny. Each page had pictures and mementos from school. Harry had contacted Colin to see if he had any pictures that he could use. Slowly, he flipped through the photos. At the end was his favorite. It was back in his sixth year, when he had first kissed Ginny. He remembered the magic and spontaneity of the moment, and how angry Ron had been at him for kissing his kid sister. Harry smiled, as he lay down on the bed, the album still open.

Meanwhile, Ginny had taken the photo that Harry had given her down off the mantelpiece, and sat down on the couch staring at it. She must have stared at it for hours, deep in thought and memories, both good and bad. She remembered when Harry kissed her. She remembered fighting alongside him at the Last Battle, and she remembered….the fear of not ever seeing him again. Silent tears slid down her cheek as she too fell asleep where she was, picture still in hand.

That's where Harry found Ginny the next morning when he went to visit, asleep on the couch. He smiled as he saw her sleep peacefully. God was she beautiful! Suddenly, her face twisted into an expression of fear and panic. She began to thrash around, moaning softly.

"Ginny, Ginny!" Harry said firmly as he shook her awake. Ginny's eyes flew open; she had on an expression of pure terror. She sat up, and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, clinging as if her life depended on it. Harry began to stroke her back. "Don't worry, I'm here now, don't worry about it." He noticed that she was crying. "Was it about the Last Battle?" he asked, she nodded. "I'm here now, I'm going to protect you…don't worry about it."

Ginny let go of his neck, and looked deep into his emerald green eyes. Before either of them could comprehend what they were doing, they leaned in for the most passionate kiss they had ever shared. Ginny pulled back, and got lost in his eyes. She decided that the end to her silence was long overdue.

"Harry," she said in a raspy voice that was from years of disuse.

A/N: Short chapter, I know, but I'll make it up to you. Here's an update on my other fan fictions. A lot's going on at my house….my Dad's having heart surgery in a week, and my lovely teachers have selected now to assign more projects! Anyway, please keep my family, and my friend's family (his Dad has 6 months to live) in your prayers. There will be a sequel to Her Story and its called The Road to Recovery. It'll be short, but good….Ian makes an appearance! I'm also editing Hermione's Trial, and there will be a sequel to that one too. I'm also writing a Lily/James one called Perfect, I stopped writing it because it became a reality to me (you have to read it to understand it). So, that's the latest on my writing, much love!

Tina101