This was it. The moment Harry has spent his whole life thinking about, anticipating, dreading. It's now or never, he thought as they marched across the swampy fields to the burrow.
"Ginny," Harry called over his shoulder. Ginny looked up and ran over to Harry's side, jogging to keep up with him. "I want you to know -" he began, looking directly in front, not looking her in the eye. "- That you mean more to me than life itself, and if I die tonight, I need you to remember that…That I will always love you."
"D-Don't talk like that," she said trying to make light of the situation. "Nothing is going to happen to you, you have me, remember?" Harry turned to look at Ginny. Tears were welling in his eyes. The sight of Harry showing weakness made Ginny take a sharp intake of breath. "I-I love you, Harry Potter." She stammered before throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug. At those words Harry felt his heart race against his rib cage. He began to sweat and his knees felt like buckling. No one had ever said that to him before.
"Don't…" he whispered in Ginny's ear. She drew back and looked up at him. She saw the tears building in his bright green eyes; it was enough to make her heart break. Seeing this new side of Harry made her realize what she was getting herself into. Harry was always so brave, so in control, but this was the first time she had ever seen him really, truly scared. Ginny felt the back of her eyes begin to sting. She took several deep breaths, desperate not to let Harry see her cry; but the pain was overwhelming. Ginny collapsed to her knees, her broken sobs echoing around the large field. Ron looked over at Ginny with shock; he had never seen his sister fall apart like this. Hermione watched as Harry knelt down next to Ginny and took her in his arms. They sat there, crying together. The sight was enough to make anyone's heart break, but Hermione knew she had to stay strong, for all of their sakes. She tugged on Ron's hand and signalled that they should keep going, and let Harry and Ginny have some time alone; Neville and Luna followed.
"I don't want to loose you," Ginny sobbed. Harry took her by the shoulders and pulled her back, he looked deep into her eyes. The sight of Ginny's dampenedface made Harry doubt whether what he was doing was right. For all he knew he could be leading these people - his friends - to their deaths. If he was to survive, how could he live with that guilt? And, most of all, how could he live without Ginny? He planted a gentle kiss on her lips. Ginny wiped at her eyes with her sleeve and sniffed.
"You know what? I can do this," she said, climbing to her feet and straightening her robes. Harry followed her lead and pushed himself of the ground, wobbling slightly as he caught his balance. Ginny nodded at Harry and marched after Neville and Luna. Harry scratched his head uncertainly but followed.
After five minutes of them near running, the group eventually reached the hill over looking the Burrow. "This is it guys," Harry breathed. "It's now or never. Are you ready?"
"Will we ever be?" Neville replied.
"Good point," said Ron "But this is what we have to do, for the sake of the Wizarding world."
"But who is going to go first?" asked Hermione.
"Why does someone have to go first?" replied Ginny.
"Can't we all just go together?" asked Luna.
"Well, I suppose Hermione is right. If we all go together, they could capture us all in one. We don't know what kind of trap is hidden in there," said Harry. Ron nodded slowly in agreement.
"I'll go," Ron said.
"No!" cried Hermione. She clapped he hand to her mouth and blushed. Ron's ears turned red and he looked down at his feet.
"I'll go," Luna replied in her usual dreamy voice. Everyone turned to look at her as she stepped forward into the middle of the circle. "That way, if I get captured, you won't be loosing a valuable member of the team." Once again, Luna's knack for making those around her feel uncomfortable triumphed.
"Luna, you are valuable…-" Harry started, but Neville cut across him.
"She's right," he replied. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all turned to face him, a look of shock on all of their faces.
"That's a bit mean don't you...-" said Ginny tried but once again Neville cut across.
"No I don't mean about Luna, I mean, she's right about the invaluable person from the group should go first, which is why I volunteer." Hermione gasped and Ginny's eyes widened. Luna, on then other hand, turned to face Neville, a kind smile played across her lips.
"Why don't we both go?" she asked dreamily. Neville smiled back and nodded. To Harry's surprise, Luna took Neville by the hand and they climbed down the hill together.
"This is bizarre…" whispered Ron. And if Harry hadn't have been so on edge about what was about to happen, he may have laughed. He felt an arm wrap gently around his waist. Ginny gazed up at him.
"Let's go," she said. And so they walked, hand in hand, down the hill. When Harry turned to glance over his shoulder, he saw Ron and Hermione were also holding hands. He nudged Ginny, indicating that she should turn around, which she did. Ginny beamed when she saw her brother and her best friend. If nothing good could come of today, at least true love was realized.