Chapter 6- Flashback

"Ginny?"

She looked up at him from her spot in the chair, a half smile crossing her face as she looked to him. She shifted slightly in her chair, enough to make room for him as she stared into the crackling flames.

"Hi Harry."

He slid into the chair she was in, though there was barely enough room for both of them. The fire was doing amazing things to her hair as she watched it in the dark room. Nearly everyone else had gone to bed, or they had at least gone upstairs. He solved the lack of space by curling his arm around her waist and pulling her into his lap.

"That battle takes place tomorrow…"

Ginny took a deep breath as she leaned into him.

"I know."

He lowered his head, kissing the skin of her shoulder, which was exposed by the thin straps of the tank top she was wearing to try and escape some of the summer heat.

"I don't know what will happen…"

She closed her eyes, feeling his breath on her skin. She'd been fighting tears all day.

"I know."

He kissed her collarbone, feeling her shudder at the gentle touch of his lips on her skin.

"I don't want you there. Please, please stay here. It's too dangerous if you don't."

She shut her eyes tighter, fighting the tears that were still struggling to break through the barriers that she had set up.

"But… I don't think I can handle the waiting and worrying."

He tightened his hold on her, bringing his lips up to her neck.

"I have to do this Ginny. I have to fight him, and beat him. This is my chance. I can finally end this; I won't have him hanging over me like an enormous shadow, killing everyone I touch… I need to do this so that when it's all over… we can be together, and not have to worry about the danger."

Ginny nodded, understanding what he was saying.

"We will be together after this, right?"

She opened her eyes and shifted in his lap, turning to look at him.

"Of course we will. You know full well that I wanted to be together months ago…"

He sighed, he'd heard the argument before, and she'd heard his side.

"It doesn't matter now. The point is that you need to stay here. I'm not going to put you into anymore danger than is absolutely necessary."

She bit her lip as she looked at him.

"Okay, you win. I'll stay."

He breathed a soft sigh of relief, his eyes being drawn magnetically to hers.

"Thank you."

They said nothing for a second, and she leaned in, kissing him gently. He pressed back instantly, this was the first chance they'd had to be alone in months, and the first real kiss they'd shared in a long time. Mostly, they'd been sneaking soft, quick, light kisses when they thought no one was looking. For a second they both pulled away, perfectly content with their current arrangement, then she spoke.

"After it's over… you promise that we'll be together… right?"

He kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss that left her wanting more. So much so, that she whimpered when he pulled away, her lips following his as she leaned in for more.

"I promise Ginny. After it's over tomorrow… we'll be together. I promise…"

Ginny smiled softly, turning her attention back to the fire as she rested her back comfortably against his chest. They fell asleep that way, Ginny in his lap and Harry's arms around her. He woke her up with a swift kiss, and left her with a soft murmur goodbye and two promises. One was that he would return, the other was that when he did, they would be together.