Disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 6: Misunderstanding

(Hermione's POV)

"Ginny, if you're that anxious about him, how about you go talk to him?"

Ginny looked down and started to play with her hands. I looked around and saw Dean talking to Mrs. Weasley. She looked a bit annoyed. Merlin Gin, what did you get yourself into? Dean's been unfaithful to us all during the war. Instead of going off to war like the rest of us, he stayed behind saying he wanted nothing involved! Nothing involved with this! Harry just saved the future of the wizarding world! I've never met such an insolent person of such arrogance. It just makes me sick.

Glancing back at Ginny, I turned and saw that she was looking frantically in one direction. She quickly walked away to join Fred and George by the food buffet. Looking in the direction that made Ginny so nervous, I cracked a knowing smile.

"Hermione!"

Harry looked at Ron. He seemed to be excited to see Hermione again. His face brightened up and his eyes twinkled as Hermione glanced back at us. For a second there, Harry thought he saw Ginny but he quickly shook that thought away. Ron's voice boomed over the music.

"Hermione!" Ron started to run to the girl of his dreams. Once reaching Hermione, he quickly wrapped her in a hug and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She seemed shocked for a second before she returned the kiss, with just as much enthusiasm. Wrapping their arms around each other, the young couple could be happy for the rest of their lives just staying in that position.

Minutes passed…more minutes passed. Harry wasn't uncomfortable in front of a couple showing their love, no, he was happy for them. Those two were in the dark so long before finally gathering their wits and telling each other how they felt. If this was the outcome, it wasn't so bad.

Harry glanced around observing the rest of the party. It seemed as Mr. Weasley arrived when Ron and Harry were talking by the lake and was now helping Mrs. Weasley prepare the feast. Dean was nearby; talking to the twins while Ginny sat on the table and listened. Harry felt an unnecessary churn in his stomach whenever he glanced at Ginny.

Harry whipped his head back to Hermione and Ron who were now deepening their kiss by the second. Harry had to stop this before he would be cursed with the never-ending nightmare of what his friends were doing…nocturnally.

Harry cleared his throatrather loudlybefore turning his head to glance at a nearby tree. Hermione and Ron immediately stopped their kiss with guilty looks on their faces. They had been so caught up in their kiss that they forgot all about Harry standing there.

Now that Harry knew they stopped their…activities, he looked back at the couple. Hermione had a hint of a blush for embarrassment. Usually, she was the one able to keep her feelings in check but Ron was like the key to her heart. She couldn't deny him any of her love.

Ron had a sorry Harry look on his face before he grabbed both Harry's and Hermione's arms and lead them inside into the living room. Sitting with Hermione on the love couch, he gestured for Harry to sit on the single recliner directly opposite of the love couch.

Harry sat down uneasily knowing what the conversation was going to be. Hermione glanced at Ron and immediately understood the current situation. I mean, they have some kind of secret language in their eyes. Bloody scary sometimes Harry thought. Harry usually didn't put up his emotional feelings right on the outside. He almost always kept them inside. But these were his best friends in the world, he trusted them with his life.

(Harry's POV)

A long awkward silence followed before one of us said something. It was Hermione.

"Harry, we know about your feelings with Ginny." Damn, she always gets to the point.

I glanced at her and stared directly into her chocolate brown eyes. Sighing, I was defeated. My emotions are out, my heart is on my sleeve... To tell you the truth, I felt a little uncomfortable. "I know Hermione…"

Ron decided to join this conversation. "Harry, I want you to get this straight before we start, we are your friends, and do not keep anything from us. It will be easier for all of us."

He laid a hand on Hermione's shoulder and continued. "This will be one of the most difficult question that you will have to answer in your life, and certainly the most important. Simple, but an important question nonetheless."

I breathed in a breathe of air and stare directly into Ron's eyes awaiting the question. The suspense…

"Do you love Ginny, Harry?" Here goes nothing…

"Yes Ron, I've loved her since fifth year… I'm just thinking…Ginny might've moved on. I mean, I'm definitely not the best boyfriend, it was so short and the war!" I sighed.

"I only had so much time to spend with her." All this conversation was taking its' toll on me. My emotions were starting to run loose.

Ron looked at Hermione urging her to continue. "Do you regret anything that you've done with Ginny?" Both Ron and Hermione looked anxious.

I smiled, "Not at all."

Ron and Hermione relaxed with knowing smiles. They stood up and walked towards me beforehe was in front of me kneeling. "Well, I'm sorry for this but we can't fix this. Sadly, we're not gods." He smirked. I said nothing. Ron and Hermione smiled sadly acknowledging that I didn't want to cooperate.

I couldn't take this anymore. I needed to release my feeling. Both Ron and Hermione were slowly walking towards the door. "Ron, Hermione, What I'm about to say comes from my heart and soul. Please, once I start, I may not be able to stop." They both sat down carefully giving me their full attention.

I sighed. "Ever since sixth year, these feelings that I started to experience came within me. At that time, I had no idea the meaning of those feelings. I felt jealous, I felt worthless, and I definitely felt anger whenever one of Ginny's boyfriends kissed her, hugged her, or even be a little intimate with her. I was stupid Ron, I pushed those feelings back."

I started to play with my hands, and scooted a bit in my couch to get comfortable. Ron and Hermione still haven't moved from their couch.

"But a light came when dark times were running amok. Dean broke up with Ginny and all feelings of depression, worthlessness and frustration changed into hope, and maybe even love." I thought back, smiling lightly.

"I gathered up courage from where, I have no clue, but the best part was that I did it and asked Ginny out." I grinned, remembering.

"She accepted."

I looked up and saw Ron and Hermione smile a little too.

"Ever since we were…a couple, I felt the happiest that I've ever felt in months, years. I loved her touch, her voice, and her soul. Ron, I loved every part of your sister."

My smile disappeared.

"But Voldomort was still at large…Having any relation to me was a deep risk. If he weren't here, I would probably still be with your sister. I would love her for the rest of my life. We would love each other…" I wished so much that the dream could come true, but reality hit me. I'm in this room right now, without the love of Ginny.

"Dumbledore died, right in front of me. I felt so weak to be able to do nothing and so helpless. If I couldn't save Dumbledore, how could I keep Ginny safe? An inner war raged in me for days on end until the funeral. I would make a decision that I will probably regret for the rest of my life.

I tried to hold my emotions back. My friends were being so helpful to me and they made it easy for me to express my deepest feelings.

"I broke up with Ginny…Not because I didn't love her anymore, but because I wanted to protect her from death's gates. Voldomort had already gotten into my mind and found Sirius, the one person who I cared as real family…Someone who knew my parents. Voldomort broke into my mind and found my relation to him. He manipulated me to break out in complete confusion and barge into the Department of Mysteries."

I sat back in my recliner and moved my hand through my hair.

"Sirius found out and came to try to rescue me. He…" Hard, this was extremely hard to do reminiscing in my past most darkest memories.

"He died trying to protect me. I lost him…forever. I couldn't take it anymore. Too many people died to save me. My parents, my godfather, and in my mind…the next would be Ginny." My voice started to waver.

Hermione walked over to me and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I found myself become stable emotionally again from feeling her warm hand.

"Ron."

Ron also walked over to me and put one of his hands on my shoulder as I buried my face into my hands.

"I knew Ginny would come save me if I was in trouble, I knew that she would risk her life. I already lost so many people in this war that I couldn't, wouldn't lose anymore. I knew you two wouldn't let me go alone. I couldn't afford to lose any of you. But you wanted to come because you cared for me. You don't know how much I thank you two everyday. Whenever I was broken, you would repair me by just reassuring me. Thank you, for the millionth time guys."

Ron and Hermione had soft smiles on their faces, their eyes bright and sparkling in the sunlight coming in from the window.

"I knew Ginny would be like you guys. She wouldn't stop herself from coming with me. She would put herself in grave danger. I had no choice. I had to break it off with her. I know that I hurt her completely but I had no other choice. If I still won the war but Ginny had died, there would be no other reason to live. This feeling."

I put both of my hands on my heart and looked up. Staring into Ron's blue eyes, I saw understanding and staring into Hermione's eyes, I saw a few tears attempting to leak out.

"I hurt myself terribly by making this decision an I probably hurt her even more. But one thing kept me alive during the war. I knew she was safe, and knowing that, I was able to sleep."

I looked at the family portrait located above the fireplace. There was the whole Weasley family during my fifth year. There was Ginny, happy and smiling at the joke that Fred and George performed on Ron. Poor Ron, his skin was green... Shaking my head, i returned to my rantings.

"During the funeral, she said that she understood. That eased me for a moment but deep inside, I knew that she was hurt. Even more badly, I had hurt her. I had just broken the heart of probably the most important girl in my life. I didn't want to do it but I was forced to. All because of the war and Voldomort."

After saying the name, I felt something prying itself loose deep inside me. I felt power, I felt the need for revenge at Voldomort. Pure hatred. My friends, quickly realizing my outburst of magical power for the room started shaking, hugged me and tried to calm me down. Ron grasping my hand into one of his and Hermione hugging me and whispering words of reassurance. I felt myself become calm again. I breathed in and I felt the room breathe with me, the walls slowly move in and out.

Hermione and Ron let go of me and moved back slowly. "Harry…"

I looked up at Hermione's calm face. "Yes."

"I would just like to say these words. Me and Ron both understand your difficulty and want to help you but this is your life Harry. Ginny is alive thanks to you. We are all alive thanks to you Harry. You are a hero Harry, not because of your birth but because you deserved it. You just defeated the darkest lord of this age. The only thing that I want to say to help you is to talk to Ginny."

"Great words of wisdom from Hermione." Ron chuckled elicting a soft punch from Hermione. "We both want to help but as you see, only one person knows how Ginny feels... Ginny herself. Talk to her Harry."

I stood up and smiled. My friends, always giving me great advice. "Thanks guys."

Ron and Hermione both grinned. "No, Thank you Harry."

(Normal POV)

The trio walked out of the house to the backyard where the small party was still in full swing. To Harry's and Ron's amusement, Fred and George had somehow turned Dean into a quacking chicken. The twins were howling in laughter spilling their drinks everywhere. Ginny was trying to calm Dean down but to no success.

Harry looked around. Bill had arrived with his wife Fleur. She was as beautiful as ever, not even a day older. Quite crazy to Harry. Bill still had his trademark ponytail and looked quite happy holding his 4 yr old daughter, Grace.

Grace had her mother's hair, and her father's family great sense of humor. She giggled as Bill spun her around continuing to talk to Arthur Weasley.

Charlie had also arrived. He was talking to a newly arriving Percy about his latest dragon breeding and Percy seemed mildly interested occasionally yawning. After talking with all the new arrivers, Harry was confronted by Grace.

She was the cutest girl in the world. Her blue eyes sparkling with mischief and her long silver silky hair flowing past her shoulders. She ran up to Harry and hugged his knees.

"Uncle Hawy!"

Harry cracked a large smile before picking up the squealing girl and placing her on his shoulders before running around the backyard causing peals of giggles from the young girl. Bill looked at Harry and smiled before waving and returning to his conversation with Mr. Weasley. Harry was definitely good with kids.

Harry was just about to give Grace another ride when a someone tapped him on the shoulder. Twisting around, he showed shock as the person who tapped him was Ginny. Presenting herself in all her glory in the sunset, she looked like a goddess. Her soft red hair flailing softly in the wind and her eyes, sparkling with emotions.

Harry put Grace down with much protest from the small girl before Fleur came and scooped up her child thanking Harry. Harry smiled at Fleur before turning his attention back at Ginny.

She seemed uneasy.

"Harry, we need to talk."

Harry visibly tensed up. Following Ginny to the well-worn trail to the lake, he stuffed his hands into his pockets before Ginny looked back at Harry. The atmosphere was tense and uncomfortable.

"Ginny."

"Harry."

Harry and Ginny smiled at each other before Harry gestured Ginny to continue.

"Harry…I just-"

"Why did you do it Ginny?"

Ginny was surprised at the sudden outburst from Harry. "Why did I do what?"

Harry seemed annoyed as a scowl appeared on his face. "Why did you go out with Dean." Harry looked up to see Ginny's expression turn from anxious to anger.

A sting could be felt on Harry's face as he was suddenly slapped by Ginny. Tears were starting to appear in Ginny's eyes as she tried to shake them away.

"Why Harry! Why! Because he came to me! He helped me and cheered me up in my most time of need! YOU LEFT ME! Do you know how much that hurt!"

Harry tried to make a remark but held it in wanting Ginny to express her anger. He felt he deserved this. Staring helplessly into Ginny's temper filled eyes, the redhead was beginning to release some of her Weasley temper on poor Harry. Harry hung his head.

"Day by day I cried Harry. I knew that you wanted to protect me. I knew that but the good old days of falling for Harry Potter were over for me. I thought my dream had come true when you asked me out and you were a perfect boyfriend! It all ended for me at Dumbledore's funeral! I thought you didn't love me anymore! I thought you didn't want me around!"

Harry looked up quickly. In a soft cracked voice, he replied. "I didn't want you to get hurt Ginny. I-"

"You didn't want me to get hurt Harry! Are you going to act like one of my brother now! I've had protection all my life and I'm tired of it! I thought you didn't want to see me anymore. Did I do anything wrong Harry! WHAT DID I DO!"

Harry saw Ginny was now flowing freely of tears and had the extreme urge to hug her and comfort her but reality hit him, hard. She wasn't his. "Nothing Ginny, nothing at all. It's because-"

"Because what Harry! Was it because you only wanted me to get a snog or two! Is It! Why would you not let me help you with the war! Why-"

"Because I LOVE YOU!" Harry shouted out at the top of his lungs. Slowly, his piercing gaze held Ginny's. Ginny crossed her arms in front of her chest. Surprise evident in her tear-streaked eyes.

"The reason that I did it was because I love you Ginny! I knew that you wouldn't want me to go without you! I knew that and it hurt that I had to break it off with you! It hurt every single day and night!"

Ginny was silent.

"I knew that you would risk your life for me when I'm at war Ginny and I couldn't let that happen! I've lost almost everyone I've cared for. Sirius, My parents, Dumbledore! I wouldn't let you do the same! I didn't want to do it Ginny! Tell me one thing! If I was about to die, would you sacrifice your life for mine!" Ginny stayed silent before a remark automaticall came out of her mouth.

"Not anymore Harry…" Ginny immediately regretted saying that for she saw hurt evident in Harry's eyes.

"Well I would Ginny." Harry spoke softly and clearly. "I would sacrifice my life any day for you. If you were to die..."

Harry sighed, head still hung low..."I wouldn't be able to live on. I wanted you to be safe Ginny. If Voldomort found out, you would be in such danger…I didn't want that to happen. I didn't want to do it Ginny but I had to…The only reason I slept every night was knowing that you were safe…I did all this, because I love you. I still do."

Harry looked up, his emerald eyes were soft and tears were appearing in them that made Ginny lose herselfin the piercingswirls of greenof her once lover.

Harry looked at Ginny. She slowly walked forward. His heart was suddenly pumping faster. She looked like she was going to kiss Harry…Harry put his arms around Ginny's waist as Ginny's lips came closer and closer.

Harry was just about to kiss Ginny but deep inside, an inner war had been won. He pushed Ginny away. "No, this isn't right Ginny…You told me yourself that you…don't love me anymore."

Harry choked out these words. Glancing up he saw Ginny trying to shake her head into a 'no' but Harry's hope was all lost.

"Besides Ginny." Ginny looked up at Harry with tears flowing freely in her eyes. "You have Dean."

Harry slowly walked away from Ginny before giving her a sad smile. Turning he slowly started to walk back up the path back to the Burrow. He was gone.

Ginny stood there regretting every minute of this conversation. Yes, she had definitely wanted Harry back, but her inner Weasley anger pushed all that away. Why did she have to be so stubborn! Harry had said that he loved her…

Those few words echoed in Ginny's head. Because I love you Ginny.

Ginny wanted torun to Harry and kiss all sense away from him but something held her back. That wretched anger. She had misunderstood Harry completely. He did this…for her…for her safety. Harry's hero side had appeared to his fullest glory with love right behind and Ginny had pushed all that away because of the misunderstanding. She had just broken Harry's heart, the heart so pure that he tried to keep her safe. He would sacrifice his own life for her…

Weak in the knees, Ginny sat down near tree base and buried her face in her hands sobs getting louder. Deep inside she knew that she had just broken off any hope of being with Harry again…

What have you done Ginny...

Author's note: Well, this chapter was extremely hard to write. Hope you review and if you have any suggestion, feel free to tell me.