A/N: Hey all well as I am writing this I am using my new laptop I got for Christmas! Cool huh? Well I think so. So this fic is just something I am making up as I go along. At the moment I don't even know what I am going to write about. It is just a coming piece of writing. Anyway, enough of my dribble. Here we go…

DISCLAIMER: Not mine obviously.

Stone Heart

Chapter One: Affects of War

Ginny sighed as she sat down exhausted. Who knew being a Professor was so exhausting? Then again, she had been doing the job for two years now and the first day from holidays and term break were always the same- hectic and tiring. As Ginny prepared to stand up to go get ready for dinner in the Great Hall, Headmistress, Professor McGonagall walked in looking grim.

"Evening Minerva," greeted Ginny from the worn out sofa she'd collapsed on, "Is everything okay?"

McGonagall shook her head, "How are you handling helping Hermione teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Hectic but we have finally split the classes up between us both equally. Please tell me you have found a teacher to finally come and teach the subject? I am falling behind on marking all of the Arithmancy assignments. My seventh year students keep on asking when are they going to get their marks."

"Who I had in mind declined. I'm sorry Ginny."

Ginny smiled half-heartedly, "Who did you ask this time?"

"Harry Potter."

Ginny didn't reply. Instead she stood, patted McGonagall on the shoulder and walked out of the staff room. Harry… every time she heard that name her heart still managed to skip a beat. It was ridiculous really. Her still fancying him after three years. She could still remember seeing the sadness in his eyes when he broke it off with her at Dumbledore's funeral. Her heart had shattered at that moment too. The last time she had seen him was when she was heading to bed after her brother's wedding. The next morning she had woken to her mother crying and her father explaining him, Ron and Hermione had left to find the last of the Horcruxes. She never saw him after that. Not even when he returned from defeating Lord Voldemort. Ron said Harry just wasn't the same. Hermione declared he needed space. But he has had almost three years of space, how much more would he need?

"Hey Ginny!" called her best friend exiting from her office two doors down from the staff room, "Ready to join the feast?"

Ginny looked up from her feet and smiled at Hermione, "Sure. How was your day?"

"Hectic. I will be so glad when Minerva finds a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I didn't have one break today and tonight I have to mark four sets of exams and three sets of assignments."

"Well she didn't get the new teacher," replied with an edge in her tone, "Harry declined the offer."

Hermione stopped walking and looked at Ginny in surprise, "She asked Harry? And he said no?"

Ginny nodded and pulled Hermione by the arm to get her walking again, "That is what she told me. What about Ron? He'd take the job wouldn't he? He has said he is sick of the crap from the Ministry."

"He would take it. As long as he doesn't know Harry was offered it first."

The two walked down the entrance staircase discussing whether to tell Ron there was a job available at Hogwarts. They sat down at the teachers' table and waved to Hagrid who soon joined them sitting beside Hermione. When McGonagall took over the role of Headmistress at Hogwarts Hagrid became the Head of Gryffindor due to him being the only one wanting to help keep the school open in honor of Dumbledore.

"Hagrid do you think Ron would make a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" asked Ginny earning a glare from Hermione.

"Ron has seen a lot of terrible things, he has," replied Hagrid, "He could 'andle tha' job."

"I'll owl him tonight," smiled Ginny before taking a bite of her slice of meat pie.

At that moment McGonagall came hurrying into the Great Hall a letter waving about in her hand. She stopped at Professor Flitwick, who was Deputy Headmaster. They spoke quietly for a few minutes, while every one of the teachers looked at them curiously. The students weren't interested and remained talking loudly as they ate.

Ginny gave Hermione a confused look, who in returned shrugged her shoulders as McGonagall walked around to her seat and tapped her glass as she stood. Silence fell throughout the hall, with all eyes upon the stern once Transfiguration teacher. That post now belonged to Hermione.

"I am sorry to stop you all from enjoying your New Years feast. But I have news that concerns the junior students and the seniors who are studying Defense Against the Dark Arts. I have just received word that the new Professor will be arriving by broom in a few minutes after reconsidering the position," said McGonagall smiling, "I would like you all to thank Professor Granger and Professor Weasley for teaching you all for well over a year. I am sure they enjoyed teaching you all."

Hermione and Ginny smiled but gave each other worried looks. Harry was taking over the teaching role after being isolated from people for a long time?

As McGonagall sat down the Great Hall doors burst open, reminding Ginny of Mad-Eye Moody's entrance back in her third year… well it wasn't really Moody, but she thought it was along with the rest of the school's population.

"It's Harry," gasped Hermione taking in the view of her dear friend.

His hair was as messy as ever, with it needing a cut a long time ago. His once shining green eyes were dull and his robes needed replacing. It was as if the Harry Ginny once knew had died and was replaced on earth with an imposter.

"Ah," said McGonagall in shock of her past students appearance, "Please welcome Professor Potter!"

Ginny clapped then stopped when she realized the only spare seat was next to her. Harry trudged up the stairs and walked around the table to the seat beside Ginny. Her eyes connected with his and all Ginny could do was give him a small smile. Harry didn't reply, instead he sat down and began eating the meal that appeared in front of him.

"What do I say?" whispered Ginny leaning over to Hermione, "I'm worried that if I speak to him he'll snap."

"Then don't speak to me if you are scared," came Harry's reply making Ginny jump.

"Hi… Harry," said Hermione with a smile, "Long time since we spoke isn't it?"

"Two years… nearly three."

"What have you been up too?"

"Wallowing in self pity."

"Oh," said Hermione taken aback, "I see. Well Ron would like to hear from you."

"Okay."

"Maybe we could go to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"I don't do public appearances."

"Oh. Well maybe we could just talk in your office or mine?"

"Maybe."

Hermione just nodded and pushed her plate away. She stood up and left the Great Hall. Harry watched her and shrugged his shoulders. Ginny's mouth fell open at his manner and tapped him on the shoulder. Harry looked at her with bored eyes.

"Wallowing in self pity huh? Sure, Harry you have been through a lot in such a short lifetime. But every body else suffered as well, not just you. Hermione and Ron were with you every step of the way. You lost Sirius, so did they. You lost Dumbledore, so did they. You were never alone, yet you act like you were and now you have just pushed every one who loves and cares about you away. Congratulations," snapped Ginny standing and rushing out of the Great Hall to find her bestfriend.

G

Ginny pushed open the library door open and walked into the dim lit room. She knew exactly where her bestfriend would hide and walked straight to the restricted section. Sure enough, towards the back Hermione sat on the floor looking at a picture of her, Ron and Harry during happier times.

Ginny sat down beside her and waited for Hermione to speak.

"I used to be one of the few who understood his every mood swing, feelings and opinions. Now I can't even call him a friend. He doesn't even want to consider I do know some of what he is feeling because I feel it every single day! I saw all those dead bodies. I watched Luna Lovegood be eaten by those werewolves! I watched Neville give his own life to save Ron's… I saw you… watching on unprotected as Fred nearly died to save George. We were on the battlefront as Harry went off after Voldemort… sometimes I think you and me saw more then he did. He was inside away from it all while we had to watch the Death Eaters and werewolves take on the Order and D.A."

Ginny nodded with tears in her eyes, as she looked at the floor the images flashing through her mind. Her dreams were plagued with these images every night. A whole generation of Hogwarts students would be. Not just Harry.

"But we can't tell him that Herms. He doesn't want to hear it," whispered Ginny, "It's like he has no soul… his heart is made of stone."

Hermione nodded and wiped her eyes, "I still have Ron."

Ginny nodded and stood up, "Why don't you send him a letter? He told you he is always going to be there for you no matter what."

Hermione stood up as well and hugged Ginny before leaving to owl the one other person she could depend on apart from Ginny.

Ginny sighed and wiped the tears from her eyes and sent a small prayer to all those lost in the battle and that Fred was growing stronger as every day went past. With a deep breath Ginny left the restricted section.

She had marking to do and also had to inform Harry on what she and Hermione were teaching the students.

G

Two hours passed and Ginny managed to catch up on most of the marking. She grabbed the stack of Defense Against the Dark Arts work and left her office dreading the coming encounter with Harry. The teachers who passed her on the way smiled at her, which she returned. She walked up the staircase, up the corridor stopping at the office door with Professor Harry Potter written across it on a gold sign.

With a deep breath Ginny knocked and heard his call seconds later.

Ginny pushed the door open and walked in. Harry looked up at her with his lifeless eyes but didn't say anything.

"I brought you all the assignments from the past month to all the classes. They are all marked and here is a list of everything Hermione and I have taught them so you don't have to worry about communicating with anyone but your students."

Ginny placed the stack in front of him and turned to leave.

"That was low," spoke Harry.

"Low?" cried Ginny whirling around, "Low is you completely smashing yours and Hermione's friendship, low is you not talking to those who worry about you for nearly three years Harry James Potter!"

Ginny glared at him and stormed out of the office and back to her office muttering all the way.

G

The week past and the weekend was greatly welcomed by Ginny who woke early to begin her weekend away. Today she would be going to the Burrow to spend it with her parents and brothers... plus her sister in law. Her mother had arranged it so all of the family could make and made her children swear to not make any plans. Even Hermione had been invited.

Ginny dressed in the muggle outfit Hermione had given her that Christmas: loose jeans that sat on her hips with a red belt, red muggle sport shoes with white laces and soles, a white top with red writing saying: Sport Pro 81. She finished packing a small bag with clothes and another with her work she had to do. She headed to the Great Hall where Hermione met her smiling.

"Ginny why are you bringing work with you?" asked Hermione.

"Oh come off it Hermione. I know you have packed yours as well," chuckled Ginny knowing she was correct.

"Guilty."

The two laughed and ignored Harry as he walked past watching them with dull, heartless eyes. Yes it was immature but it wasn't as if he was going to attempt to talk to them.

McGonagall bided Harry a good morning and continued her way to the two laughing women. Unknown to any of them, Harry stood near the Great Hall doors to see what was going on and why Ginny and Hermione were holding bags.

"What time will you both return to Hogwarts?" asked McGonagall smiling.

"Tomorrow night at 9pm," answered Hermione promptly, "Molly wants to spend as much time with us as possible. Plus, we get to catch up with Ron, Fred, George and all of them. Apparently Remus and Tonks will be over for dinner tonight. Do you think you could make it Minerva? I'm sure Remus would like to see you."

"No. I have students to deal with. Those group of trouble makers from Gryffindor."

Hermione and Ginny laughed and said goodbye as they headed out of the castle to catch the coach to the school gates. From there they could apperate to the Burrow.

McGonagall waved to them and turned around to see Harry watching them leave, "Harry, I am sure Molly would love to see you. If you wish too, you can go with them."

"Not interested," replied Harry his eyes remaining on the red haired one.

G

"Ginny! Oh my darling girl!" cried Molly engulfing her daughter in a bone cracking hug, "How have you been?"

"If you would let her breathe Mum I'm sure she would tell you," teased George beside his laughing brother.

Molly let Ginny go allowing Ginny to answer her questions. Beside the mother and daughter were Hermione and Ron who were hugging each other tightly.

"Just kiss already!" cried Fred at his brother and Hermione, "You've been wanting too since you arrived Hermione."

Hermione blushed and pecked Ron on the cheek before stepping away and hugging Molly. Ginny hugged Ron and everyone sat down in the sitting room. Molly began talking straight off about what tonight's dinner was as Fred and George went over an order form from work. Ginny pulled out work to mark, as did Hermione. Arthur listened to his wife making suggestions for the chicken to be coated with Italian herbs or the apple pie base to be not too dry. Ron watched Hermione mark until Bill arrived with Fleur, followed by Charlie and his girlfriend, Sarah.

"Oh isn't this lovely?" smiled Molly, "All of us here together."

"Yeah," smiled Ginny as she graded a student an Exceeds Expectations, "So… Ron, Herms. How about we go for a walk outside?"

Hermione got the hint right off and put away a paper she was grading and stood up with Ginny. Ron got the hint a little slower and stood up as they were heading for the back door. Once outside Ginny let out a deep breath.

"Everyone is not here!" she snapped in annoyance, "The one missing is busy self pitying himself at Hogwarts."

"Who is doing that?" asked Ron in confusion.

"Hermione I thought you told Ron?"

"I was Gin, but I thought it was only right to say it face to face," argued Hermione in her defense, "Ron, Harry is teaching DADA at Hogwarts."

Ron's face broke into a grin, "Harry is back? That's great!"

"No it isn't. He isn't the same… he's completely miserable and wants nothing to do with anyone. He literally told me to just get lost and stop annoying him."

Ron looked at Hermione in shock, "Are you sure it is Harry?"

"It's Harry," nodded Ginny, "He is a complete prat. Its as if he thinks he is the only one who saw terrible things."

Ron sighed and hugged Hermione who looked close to crying, "Give him time."

"Time?" cried Ginny; "We didn't have time to get over everything that happened! He has had plenty of time to put it all behind him!"

"She's right Ron… maybe tomorrow night you could come to Hogwarts and speak to him. He might open up to you easier."

"Alright. Now, lets get inside. It's freezing!" said Ron leading Hermione in, his arm around her waist.

Ginny stood where she was and watched them walk in as though they were a couple, which they practically were if they would just admit their feelings. But Ginny wasn't worried about that, when she saw them she saw her and Harry. She was only fifteen yet she believed she had finally found her life partner in Harry. He understood her, could make her smile and believed she was truly going to be something great in life. Then he ended it. She understood why and did argue with him. Yes, she was heart broken but she understood his reasons.

"Ginny?"

Ginny spun around to see her father walking over to her, "Hey Dad."

"It's freezing, come inside or you'll fall ill."

Ginny nodded and walked towards her father with a heavy heart.

"Everything okay?" asked Arthur putting an arm around his daughter's shoulders.

"Just remembering how things were when Harry was… well Harry."

"I heard he was teaching at Hogwarts. How is he?"

"Cold… lifeless… uncaring. Not Harry at all. He had three years to get over everything Dad. I didn't… Fred didn't! We had to forget and move on. My dreams are full of images of people being eaten, murdered, tortured."

Arthur nodded, "My dreams are the same. Maybe you need to force Harry to speak about it. Perhaps you should deliberately mention it around him."

"Maybe I should."

G

"Pass the peas please?" asked Fred to Ginny.

Ginny robotically handed Fred the bowl of peas and continued to stew over what her father had told her too do. Would it work? Or would it backfire and make her come off as a fool in the end?

"So Ginny, how is your teaching going?" asked Molly trying to bring her silent daughter into the chatter at the dinner table.

Ginny jumped and looked at her mother forcing a smile onto her face, "Great thanks. The students are well… students."

"You were one once Ginny," smiled Lupin, "I remember you transfiguring that Slytherin boy's ears into horse ones."

"He deserved it. That taught him to never look down a girls blouse without her knowing. Even if it did loose the house 20 points."

Everyone laughed, though Molly was looking at her daughter in surprise. Arthur gave Ginny an approving look.

"You could have given him bat eyes," suggested Bill, " Bats are blind after all."

"Bit late now Bill," commented Ron grinning.

"Imagine all the things you lot will teach my grandchildren when I have some someday," said Molly shaking her head smiling.

Fred nodded and yawned. Though he was growing stronger everyday, his body still tired easily. He'd already had three naps during the day, just so he would be up for dinner.

"Oh Fred, go to bed. I'll save you some dessert so you can eat it during the day tomorrow," said Molly standing up.

Her and George lifted Fred from his seat and carried him upstairs. The scene brought tears to Ginny's eyes. Seeing her brother having to depend on others was heartbreaking. George never left his paralyzed brother's side.

"Do the MEDI doctors think he will ever be able to walk again?" asked Tonks softly.

"They can't find a cure. George has taken it upon himself to find one. He is constantly in his room making potions, anything that will work," said Arthur, "I have never seen anyone so dedicated to finding an answer to something."

Ginny sighed, "I want to help."

"You have your own job to think about."

"But before I was swamped down with DADA work. Now I have free time, I can help! He is my brother as well and like George I want to see him walking again."

Arthur reached across the table and took hold of his daughter's hand, tears were brimming in eyes and everyone was silent, "George would love you to help. I'm proud of you my baby girl."

Ginny stood and hugged her father before leaving the kitchen. She ran up the rickety staircase and into the room Fred and George still shared. Fred was already sound asleep but George was sitting on his own bed looking at his twin brother mournfully.

"Mum is in the bathroom if you want her," said George quietly.

"I came to see you actually," replied Ginny sitting beside him. She took hold of George's hand and sighed, "I want to help you find a cure for Fred. Like you I hate seeing him this way."

"Gin you have work."

"So do you. But I have free time now and resources at hand. I can help you from Hogwarts and send you any information that I find. Even if you say no, I'll still help you."

George sighed, "Well I can't say no when you put it that way Miss Stubborn."

Ginny smiled and hugged George, "You coming down for dessert? Ron will eat what we don't."

"Because he is an endless pit."

Ginny chuckled, "True."

"Race you down?"

George ran out of the room first but Ginny was hot on his heels. Everyone in the kitchen fell silent as they heard Ginny screaming to George to stop cheating. Molly stood up and went to the doorway wondering what was going on when George came flying into the kitchen, followed by a breathless Ginny seconds later.

"I win," grinned George.

"Only because you cheated," replied Ginny shoving him playfully, "Bet you I could beat you in a pumpkin juice sculling competition."

George handed Ginny a full glass of the drink, "3, 2, 1!"

A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed the chapter through the angst, happy and sad parts. Should I continue or not?

Bye for now!

Love yas!

Love Coz!