Author's Note: My apologies for the long wait of this chapter. Took me forever to actually work on this one and to fit it to my liking. Relationships are a lot of work, involving healing, mending, and sometimes, self-sacrifice. Understanding the motives of these two young lovers was tricky, but I believe that I finally got it. Review and tell me what you think of the conversation. Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 19: Redemption

Harry stared at his plate full of oven-roasted chicken before slowly lifting his head and taking a good look at Ginny. Her long, burgundy hair fell in waves with a few long tendrils framing her face. Her dark brown eyes focused on Harry as she stood there, frozen in place. Harry glanced over her body until he met her face again. Her body was curvaceous as those teasing women's curves fit well with her sweater and dark brown skirt. A soft blush was evident on her emotion filled face from the wind that blew outside. Harry was speechless; Ginny was here again, making him unable to utter any coherent phrase.

Ginny, while standing there frozen, took in Harry's masculine features. His well toned arms lying on the dining room table, his broad shoulders. What caused Ginny to become speechless was Harry's most noticeable feature, those piercing emerald eyes. She felt those eyes sweep across her body, looking her over once more. It was making Ginny tug on her collar a bit. Those eyes alone made Ginny's stomach do twirls. The room was now getting considerably hotter as Ginny was feeling herself become warmer by the minute. A blush was now evident on her face.

Mrs. Weasley, having evidently noticed the silence and tension, decided to shatter the unnecessary stillness of the room. This was a family dinner and nothing was going to ruin it. Little did Mrs. Weasley know, it was not anger and frustration that Ginny and Harry had on each other, rather, it was lust, shock, and a tinge of surprise that they would meet on this particular night.

"Come Ginny, you're just in time for dinner. Sit"

Hermione, being observant as she always was, noticed the unmistakable darkening of both of Harry and Ginny's eyes. Clearing her throat, she nudged Ron under the table.

Ron stood up and pulled a chair right next to Mrs. Weasley's seat. "Come sis, you're just in time for dinner; eat, before I eat it all." Ginny, knocked out of her stupor, slowly sat down in the chair to the right of her mother and right across from Harry. As she sat down, she folded her hands in her lap and looked down, not daring to meet Harry's eyes.

Hermione needed to break the overwhelming silence of the room. Ron was definitely not helping; he was chomping on his chicken as if nothing was happening. Mrs. Weasley, now finished with dinner, was cleaning up plates and dishes in the kitchen sink. This left Hermione with only one choice: start the conversation herself.

"So Ginny how was your day?" Ginny tentatively looked up at Hermione, trying her best to not glance at Harry's strong male features. She felt herself getting warmer by the second by Harry's penetrating glance on the side of her face.

Harry sat in his seat, with his strong arms folded across his chest, and occasionally glancing at the beautiful redhead in front of him before looking back down at his plate. Ginny had turned her attention towards Hermione and was talking in a soft, barely audible voice.

"Work was on a good scale today. Warrington got fired for accepting a bribe from the mob, Langston wanted me to meet with him tomorrow for a new briefing, and our last case was a success." Hermione frowned, Ginny's usually demeanor of happiness and sense of humor was now unapparent.

"Hermione." Hermione whipped her head around to face Harry.

"I'll be by the lakeside if any of you need me." A sweeping sound was heard throughout the dining room as Harry swiftly stood up, pushed in his chair, and walked out the backyard door without looking at anyone. His face was expressionless as he disappeared into the night air.

Ron, having finally finished his food, looked around.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione rolled her eyes. Ginny didn't know what to think. She was scared of how Harry would react when she had walked into the dining room, to say the least. Ginny tried to decipher Harry's face but it was emotionless.

Using her newly acquired Legilimency skills, she tried to tap into Harry's thoughts to try to get some input on Harry's current conditions. No such luck. Harry's mind was locked and no one could penetrate its defenses. Harry was a professionally trained Occlumens. Harry, noticing Ginny trying to tap into his mind, did the same to Ginny. Ginny's mind defenses were much weaker than his and he broke through easily. Having realized her inner walls crumbling fast, Ginny broke eye contact with Harry quickly,realizing that some of her most precious fantasies were probably locked in Harry's mind at the moment. Ginny looked away, too embarrassed to look straight into Harry's eyes. The surprised expression on Harry's face told her that he had seen her fantasies. She blushed as she wished he hadn't seen them.

Harry was entirely surprised to see some of Ginny's most precious fantasies. Harry excused himself from the table as he stepped out of her mind and decided to take a nice, peaceful stroll down to the lake. Ginny noticed Harry's unusual demeanor and swiftly turned her head towards Hermione.

"Harry seems a bit…shadowed tonight." Hermione gave her a serious look.

"Ginny, he's confused. After all that has happened in the last two years, he doesn't know what to think anymore." Ginny, being much more sensible than Ron, understood Hermione immediately.

"Ginny, I think that you should go talk to Harry. You two need to set things straight"

Ginny's worst fears had come true. She had dreaded the day Harry would return when he had left the Ministry Ball in a rage. It was all a misunderstanding. Ginny thought back on Dean. She planned to break up with Dean that night and confess her love to Harry, but luck had not been on her side that night. Everything was ruined.

"Hermione, what if he hates me now? What if he…you know, leaves again." Hermione nudged Ron in the ribs. Ron, almost finished with his sherbet pie, looked at Hermione confused. Once the two made eye contact, Ron seemed to immediately understand.

Ginny inwardly felt jealous of the young couple in front of her. They had spent so many years together that they could literally have a conversation through eye contact. "Sis, listen to me for a moment. How would you know if Harry still likes you if you never talk to him? Are you going to avoid him because of this"

"But Ron, I don't-"
"Do you love him?" Ginny leaned back in her chair, speechless. Through her whole life, Ron had never been this blunt to her before. Such a question to ask now. Ginny felt her outer walls crumble to her older brother's serious look.

"Y-yes Ron…I still love him." Ron folded his arms in front of his chest and looked at Hermione. Hermione had a small smile on her face.

"Point made Ginny."

"Hermione, can you at least tell me if he still likes me?" Hermione's eyebrows quirked up before answering in a nonchalant voice.

"That is for you to find out Ginny." Ginny crossed her arms, blowing on some of her long hair that had fallen onto her face. "Can you please tell me?" Hermione and Ron looked at each other before saying in one, firm voice.

"No"

The night was peaceful. Above, owls hooted their night song as the moon shone its' lone rays of light towards the darkened Earth. Nearby, a lake gleamed silver as the water's ripples played their own melody crashing softly upon the banks. Harry walked down the trail, causing soft crunching sounds as his sneakers raked among thousands of fallen leaves. The slow wind blew through Harry's hair as he tugged on his robes to keep the warmth.

The lake was now visible as Harry unconsciously walked towards the banks, thinking to himself. One thing that plagued Harry, confused him, and somewhat frustrated him to no end. Throughout his life, Harry has always understood people's motivations and what they thought. Throughout his life, Harry had never had a young woman confuse him to this extent. Harry sighed as he sat down on the bank, the soft ripples creating miniature waves crashing upon the sand. Harry picked up a nearby pebble and started to unconsciously rub his thumb against the smooth texture of the rock.

What had Ginny been thinking inside her mind all this time? Did she want Harry to suffer, for her own personal pleasure? Was she playing mind tricks with Harry? Harry shook his head. No, Ginny would never do that. Throughout his life, Ginny had always been in the shadows of Harry's adventures. The two had never had a decent conversation where they got to know each other well since they met. Harry was too preoccupied with other matters, including a blasted Voldemort knocking on the door. Their conversations were either a meeting in the hallway or a small conversation in the Great Hall during meal times.

Now that the rough times were over, Harry had much more time to enjoy life.
He was going to settle down and let life take him wherever his path led him. Harry's path…Harry's path was always laid right in front of him. There was only one thing shining in Harry's adolescent life. Defeat Voldemort, save world. Harry had help along the way, but he always understood what he had to do.

Now that his supposed 'destiny' was completed, he had never been so lost before. Harry had no idea where to go after this. Scratching his head, Harry threw his pebble into the lake, causing small ripples to reappear upon the moon glistened water.

"Harry?" A soft voice was heard behind Harry. He knew who it was immediately.

"Harry, are you okay?" Ginny looked at Harry's shadowed form from the trees. A long silence was heard as the crickets chirped their melody. Ginny, being overwhelmed by Harry's attitude, wanted so badly to just rush over to him and just hug him. Her conscience battled with her and won, pouring cruel reality into her system.

She had started all of this. She had made the decision to go on dates with Dean. She had apparently thought that Harry had not loved her back then, twofateful years ago. Ginny had made so many mistakes in her life, causing pain and anguish.

Her first year when she picked up Tom Riddle's book. There she lay, in the Chamber of Secrets, thinking above all else how stupid she had been actually to converse with the Dark Lord's memories. She had caused grave danger to knock on Hogwart's walls throughout the year through her need to keep a secret.

Not from the outside, the castle's ancient defenses could keep any danger at bay until all students were safe from danger. No, she had unleashed a monster from within the castle walls causing petrification and almost death among the student body.

Her life was now over, only eleven and in her first year of Hogwarts. Ginny's one mistake had made her injure numerous students and endanger herself now. Ginny felt her life being sucked away from her, a shadow was starting to appear right beside her. It was Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort's memory. She was being sucked into a typhoon of never-ending darkness...

Little did she know, her life was not about to end yet...

One person stood between her and death. One person stood firmly, fighting the large basilisk with the sword of Gryffindor. One person helped her fight the slow darkness and come back into the light.

Ginny woke up, dazed,to find Harry sitting in front of her, shaking her tiny shoulders. It was love that was on her side, it was Harry. Ginny looked around the chamber. There, dead on the floor, was the dead 60-foot basilisk. She gazed at a twelve year old Harry, surprised. His messy hair was all over the place and his robes were tattered.

Ginny was automatically hypnotized into Harry's dark green eyes, full of determination and raw power. He was clutching his right arm. Ginny looked down to find a large fang bite there. Worry immediately kicked in.

"Harry, are you alright?" Stupid question, he just got bitten by a 60-foot snake!He showed no sign of annoyance or anger at her having read the diary. Instead, he reached one weak arm and shook Ginny's shoulder.

"Ginny, I want you to get out of the Chamber, right now. Ron is on the other side waiting for you." Ginny's crush on Harry flared up as another wave of worry set into her system.

"What about you Harry" Harry had a small smile of determination upon his face.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Harry winced, holding his bite. The large, gleaming Gryffindor sword was laying on the ground, blood stained. Tom Riddle'sdiary was destroyed, ink oozing out of its' pages. Ginny remained where she was, partly of admiration of Harry and partly of her worry. Harry had risked his life to save Ginny. He sacrificed his life for her, there had to be some reason of it. Her thoughts immediately came upon Ron. He did this just because you were his sister.

Ginny wasn't going to leave Harry to die. She had to find some way to help him. That fateful day was cemented into Ginny's mind.

Now, almost a decade later, Ginny finally understood the motive for Harry. Her self-reason had improved and her common sense yelled at her. Harry didn't save her because she was Ron's sister. They had barely talked in her entire first school year. The real reason hit Ginny like a fast moving wave of cold water, splashing cold reality into her face. Harry had cared about her. It was not love since they were too young to know about that. It was care, compassion, and respect for each other.

Ginny looked back at Harry. He was still staring at the lake, wind blowing through his messy hair. Part of Ginny urged her to run her hands through that hair; it just looked so soft and smooth in the soft moonlight.

Millions of things were now coming together into Ginny's head. Out of those millions of thoughts, one slapped Ginny right into her face.

You caused this Ginny. This is entirely your fault. Ginny felt tears welling up in her eyes. Her legs wobbled as she leaned on a nearby tree trunk to support herself. She had messed this up.

That one day, Harry had told her that he loved her. He wasn't lying. Memories all channeled through Ginny's mind supporting that statement. Harry had been so caring to her. He respected her like a true woman, he cared for her, he worried every night about her. That was the one true reason why he had to break up during her fifth year.

Ginny lay in bed the next few nights, blinded by anger and frustration. Her heart had thought that Harry had to do this to protect her, that he really did love her. Walking throughout the corridors one day in Hogwarts, Ginny kept walking into couples breaking up. Boys dumping girls and the poor females weeping for days. What angered her the most were that the boys didn't show any emotion at all. It was like they had just swatted a fly off their arm.

Anger bubbled in Ginny's mind. Her brain had kicked in, putting her common sense into her place. Did Harry do this just to get rid of her? Was she that annoying to him? They had barely dated for a few weeks until Harry had called it off. Those few weeks were the best days of Ginny's life, and Harry himself was taking it all away from her.

Asleep in bed one day, Ginny came to one final conclusion. Harry had used her. He had manipulated her crush on him just to experience her. Angrily, she pushed out all of her heart's pleadings telling her that Harry had cared for her. Frustration built into Ginny's body. She had to get revenge on Harry. Her solution came walking in on her on the platform of the train station.

It was her old boyfriend, Dean. Smiling inwardly, Ginny had confessed her fake love to Dean and the two were now back together. Ginny had longed for the day of Harry's return through the years of dating.

Harry would come back, proud and courageous, until she had appeared with Dean. The moment she saw Harry, part of her felt that deep crush she had on him. Pushing those feelings back, anger immediately flew in. Harry seemed to have wanted to run away from his loss. Harry kept avoiding them.

Ginny was not through with getting back at Harry. She had to have a one on one talk with the man. Watching Harry from afar playing with Bill's daughter, Ginny couldn't help but smile at Harry's playfulness and personality towards the kids. The kids enjoyed his playful presence. A voice in her head told her that Harry would truly make a great father someday.

The day was fine until Ginny thought back to their breakup. Anger was back now, at full force. She walked calmly over to Harry and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Harry, we need to talk." Harry nodded. Little did he know, he was walking right into Ginny's trap. That argument, it all started with that one sentence. All hell broke loose once Harry asked that sentence.

"Why did you go back to Dean, Ginny?" That was it, all of those years of hurt and anger came out onto an unsuspecting Harry. He was really in for it now.

Ginny's fierce anger lashed out on Harry unmercifully. Little did she know, Harry was being his usual chivalrous self again and staying silent, letting her vent out her anger on him alone. Nobody had ever just stood there, not arguing back at her before. Her brothers almost never let her win. Her mother and father would put get her grounded, and her teachers would give her detentions. Even Dean yelled back at her.

What hurt her the most was that sometimes Dean would completely lose it and come to physical anger on her. He would always stop himself at the last minute, with a teary eyed Ginny backed against the wall.

This was completely different. Ginny's shock had worn off at Harry's silence until all her anger was vent out. She had realized her very insulting use of words during her yelling session. Harry soaked those words into his heart, breaking down inside piece by piece until he couldn't take it anymore. There, he confessed his love to Ginny, he told her his reasons and his motives. They hit Ginny like cold water splashed in the face. She was speechless until those faithful words were spoken.

"Do you love me, Ginny?" Ginny's heart exploded with love and passion until all she wanted to do was go over and kiss Harry. She almost did, until her damned temper flared again. She crossed her arms and said the words that finally broke Harry's heart.

"Not anymore Harry"

Those few words ringed in Ginny's brain over and over again, haunting her for the past two years. She wanted to take them back so much, but her chance was gone. She had said those cruel words to Harry and all he did was just walk away, walked right out of Ginny's life.

Minutes passed as the whole argument re-winded and played itself in Ginny's mind. Those hurtful words, Harry's love for her, and finally, when she had broken Harry's already weakened heart. She had just made the biggest mistake of her life. Ginny would have never thought out of all those years that one conversation could hurt so much inside. It tore her up from the inside out until she was a pile of nothing. What hurt her the most was that she had caused all of this. Ginny and her stupid temper, breaking any contact with what her heart had to say. This was her fault.

Two years without seeing Harry's handsome face or his kind heart. Two years… Every time Ginny came home from work, she would inwardly hope to see Harry there, so that she could get another chance. One chance was all she hoped for. She went to Ron and Hermione, who now knew of the whole situation. Ron was disappointed in Ginny for hurting his best friend, bur didn't blow up like Hermione did. Hermione, having the overly protective mother personality over Harry that she developed couldn't believe what she heard. She gave Ginny a few choice words before leaving the room to find Harry.

Harry was now here, ten feet away from her. She had just about lost hope of ever getting Harry's love back. She was not prepared for this, Harry was finally back. She mentally slapped herself. Harry wasn't going to stand there forever! She needed to fix this.

"Harry." Silence again. Ginny tentatively walked forward, the soft sand leaving footprints among the ground. She slowly turned towards Harry, about to open her mouth.

"I'm sorry Harry. Please-" Harry held out one palm signaling her to stop. Hurt mingled within Ginny. Harry had become so angry with her that he couldn't stand to hear her voice.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Ginny vaguely noticed that Harry hadn't called out her name. This time, Ginny forced any rational thought out of her mind and let her heart speak for itself.

"Yes, beautiful night." Ginny's voice was soft. Harry turned to look right into Ginny's eyes, his own emerald ones hypnotizing Ginny.

Ginny felt her legs wobble slightly as she lost herself in those wonderful eyes.

"Ginny, I want you to hear me out." His voice was grave and serious. Ginny braced herself to face the anger that Harry was now about to unleash on her.

Ginny was mistaken, for all Harry did was turn back towards the lake and sigh, his breaths coming out in mists from the cool night air. His voice was calm and soft.

"We both made some very bad mistakes in ourlives Ginny…" Ginny looked up, surprised. Out of all the things that she thought Harry was going to yell at her, this would have not crossed her mind in a thousand years. His voice was soft and smooth.

"No Harry, I'm sorry-"

"I'm not finished, Ginny. This time, I want you to hear about what I have to say." Ginny nodded slowly.

"I finally understand Ginny. Through all those years, it has never been clearer." Ginny was afraid of what was going to come next. She couldn't hold herself, she had to ask.

"Do you...hate me, Harry?" Her voice quivered. Harry glanced at her, before shaking his head, sighing.

"No Ginny, I don't hate you, but there is one thing that we have made a mistake of being."

"What"

Harry ribbed the back of his neck. "Idiots, we have both been idiots all our lives."

Ginny couldn't help but smile slightly. Harry had a smile upon his face too.

"To tell you the truth Ginny, I have been an idiot throughout my whole adolescence. My heart told me that I cared for you, that you were important to me. My brain told me to not think about starting anything romantic with you. Instead, I went out with Cho, and then Voldemort was at large. I couldn't think Ginny."

Harry scratched his head. "Merlin, I was probably thicker than Ron." Ginny smiled before hugging herself. The night was now getting cold.

"Harry, I've been the bigger idiot. When you broke up with me, I thought that you just went out with me to experience new things and then dump me like trash. I…just never listened to my heart." Tears were welling up in Ginny's eyes as she hugged herself tighter.

Harry, noticing Ginny's condition, walked slowly towards her. He pulled off his cloak and wrapped it around the woman's small frame. Ginny immediately felt warmth spread through her, silently thanking Harry. He looked up at the sky.

"Do you see any stars in the sky, Ginny?" Ginny looked up and noticed that no stars were apparent.

"No, Harry." Harry smiled and pointed to the moon, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Do you see the moon?" Ginny looked up at the moon's blaring rays that lit up the dark sky. Its silver beams gleamed stunningly on the lake.

"During the war Ginny, at night, I would always walk out onto a cliff and stare at the moon all night. During my war against Voldemort, I have truly learned to admire the moon's secrets" Ginny admired the full moon with its rays shining down upon them.

"The moon, such an essence. Its beauty, its light of hope, and its never ending light during dark times. I looked to the moon to find my hope"
Ginny nodded, realizing now the moon's true beauty.

"I would sometimes talk to the moon, and it would always listen to me, in silence. The moon was my hope, Ginny." Ginny nodded. "There's one person who I felt in my heart that portrayed the power and hope of the moon. Do you know who it is, Ginny"

"Who"

Harry smiled once again. "You, Ginny." Ginny's tears that were once held back were now unleashed. A few tears escaped her eyes. Harry was not finished yet.

"You are strong Ginny, never giving up and having the will of diamond. You are beautiful, having uncommon beauty that I would always admire. Your ray of hope pierces any darkness, heading straight for my heart." Harry placed a hand on his heart.

"When times were tough, I would always think of you, Ginny. There was someone that I was fighting for. Someone special to me. That was all I needed to continue through hardships. That was all I needed"

Ginny clutched her aching heart as she sat down on the ground, sobbing. Harry, having immediately noticed Ginny now on the sand, ran over to her.

"Ginny, what's wrong?" Harry rubbed a hand up and down Ginny's smooth back as her sobs grew.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Ginny looked directly into Harry's eyes, tears flowing freely.

Harry scratched his head. "You don't need to be sorry. I'm not-" Harry yelped in surprise as Ginny launched herself onto Harry, tightly hugging Harry from on top. Harry was now pinned to the ground by her body, unable to move anything but his hands as Ginny continued to weep into his chest, her small back rising and falling. She kept muttering 'sorry' to Harry.

Harry couldn't think. He was not very good with crying girls so he did the only thing that came into mind, he rubbed his hands up and down Ginny's back trying to calm her down. Slowly, her sobs grew softer until a few sniffs came out.

"Ginny…" Harry couldn't feel his legs anymore and this blasted root was sticking into his back. Ginny realized her position on top of Harry and immediately rolled off of Harry.

She longed for Harry's warmth again. She slowly stood up, brushing the sand off her knee length skirt. Harry stood up himself and rubbed his back. That blasted root…

Harry looked right at Ginny. Instantly, the girl was blushing like a schoolgirl again. Their position on the ground did nothing but increase Ginny's hidden feelings for Harry.

"Harry," Harry rubbed his arm. "So we're both alright, right"

"What do you mean?" Ginny cringed, the sentence she was going to say didn't come out right.

"You…don't…hate me…right?" Ginny looked like a lost puppy. Harry gave a reassuring smile at Ginny, causing her to flush again.

"No Ginny, never." Harry yawned. Ginny let go of the large breath that she didn't realize she was holding. She felt like crying out for joy. Love could come later. Now, all Ginny needed was that Harry cared for her.

Harry looked at his watch. His eyebrows raised. "Merlin! Look at the time! I'm late for a meeting with my construction builders!" Harry looked at Ginny. "Ginny, if you need me, I'll probably be at Gringotts in my vault." Ginny nodded. Harry gave Ginny a crooked smile before walking straight up to her and kissing her on the cheek. He gave one last smile before apparating away.

Ginny was now alone. Her anxiety was extinct and what replaced it was sheer joy and happiness. Ginny jumped up and yelled for joy. Her laughter was short lived for her wand vibrated in her sweater pocket. Opening Harry's robes, Ginny took out her wand. It was her boss. Ginny sighed and apparated to the Ministry with a 'pop.'

Author's Note: Alright, enough fluttering around. Danger will lurk nearby and around every corner. A dark and powerful secret will be found and Harry goes on an unexpected trip with Ginny to aquire an ancient artifact. Prepare for the adventure of Harry's life!