Goodbye

Chapter 1- Come Back Soon

Rain pounded on the window, thunder clapped loudly and a lightning bolt lit up the night sky. It was not the storm that was keeping the young redheaded girl awake, not anymore at least. She rolled over, her bright brown eyes focusing on a crack on the blank wall.

Creak.

Swish.

She recognized the sound of her bedroom door opening; she recognized the sound of someone tiptoeing towards her bed. It was a sound she had known to come from her Mum when she wanted to check to see if she was breathing. She felt the weight on the mattress shift as the newcomer sat down on the edge of her bed, she didn't move. She knew who it was.

"Ginny? Are you sleeping?"

After a moment she rolled over, just as the lightning lit up the sky once more. She caught a glimpse of a familiar face, and she saw a pair of emerald green eyes looking down at her before the room was cloaked in darkness once more.

"No, the damn storm's preventing that. What is it?"

The youngest Weasley child spoke softly, so as not to awaken her sleeping roommate, Hermione Granger.

"I came to say bye."

He had her full attention now and she pushed herself into a sitting position, looking up at him.

"I thought you said you were leaving in a few days."

He shook his head and she felt her heart drop. She tried to say something, but her voice caught in her throat.

"I know that's what I planned, but I've been thinking about it. I can't risk Ron and Hermione's lives by allowing them to come along, by doing it this way they won't be able to follow."

Ginny bit her lip, finally finding her voice.

"So… you're just going to leave? You're not going to say good-bye to them?"

"No, you are the only person who knows I'm leaving. You're the only person I'm saying good-bye to."

A tear slid unwillingly down her cheek as she looked at him. Of course, she'd known this was coming. She'd sensed that something was wrong at the wedding; she'd known he was going to leave. That was the real reason she hadn't been able to sleep, she'd been wondering if he'd be there when she woke up.

"You'll come back, right?"

She looked at him, still crying.

"Gin… I don't know if I'll make it back. I probably won't… because of that, I should want you to move on. I shouldn't want you to worry, or wait for someone who probably won't come back… but I'm too selfish for my own good. I want you to wait for me. Can you do that, love? Will you wait?"

She looked up at him; her tears subsided and slowed, almost stopping.

"You know you don't have to ask me to wait. I would have waited anyway. I'll wait forever if I have. I've already waited four years for you to notice me… I can wait a little bit longer. I love you."

Her voice cracked as she spoke, but she merely looked at him as she waited for his reply.

"I'm glad Ginny; it'll be easier, knowing you're waiting for me. I love you too."

One last tear slid down her cheek and Harry wiped it away with his thumb.

"Don't cry Gin. Please, not in front of me. This is hard enough without having to watch you cry."

He pulled her into a tight hug, a hug that she returned.

"Just be careful Harry. Take care of yourself."

He nodded, pulling away slowly and kissing her forehead lightly.

"I will, and I'll write as often as I can. Those letters will be just for you, so don't let Ron or Hermione get ahold of them."

She smiled feebly, still holding back the tears. He kissed her lightly, full on the lips, and stood up. He walked back over to the door and opened it.

Creak.

Swish.

Light filled the room, casting shadows onto her face and giving her a clear look at Harry. He was blinking furiously and she could tell that he too was holding back tears.

"Bye Ginny."

Creak.

Swish.

Click.

The door closed, waking Hermione and leaving Ginny in darkness.

"What's going on Ginny?"

Hermione spoke sleepily and Ginny fought to hold back the tears and keep her voice strong as she spoke.

"Nothing Hermione. Go back to sleep."

The storm had stopped, and only a light drizzle tapped the windowpane. Hermione slumped back into her pillows, but Ginny stood up, walking over to the window and looking out into the yard just in time to see Harry turn and look back at The Burrow. Ginny couldn't tell if he could see her, but she had a feeling that he knew she was there. She watched as he stood there for a minute and looked at the house one last time before he turned and disapparated, leaving Ginny watching the grass.

"Goodbye Harry."

Her voice cracked as she whispered it, and a pearly white tear ran down her cheek. She placed her forehead against the cool glass and broke down, crying silently. Wondering when she would see him again.

"Come back soon."