Chapter 3- Not Really Goodbye
The days passed quickly, and Harry stayed, not for a few days, but for a couple of weeks. After that first night, and a bit of arguing, Ginny's parents decided that if Harry and Ginny wanted to sleep in the same bed, then they could. Though it was a victory, it was only a minor one, for they felt that something had been placed in Harry's room so that her parents could watch them and make sure they weren't doing anything /inappropriate/. Still, they were happy. They were together, and clearly, her parents approved.
The night he planned to leave was different from all of the others. For one, it wasn't raining. The night sky was clear, the stars were visible and they were shining brightly, sparkling through Harry's window and into his bedroom. That was another difference. For once, Harry wasn't sneaking into Ginny's room in the middle of the night. In fact, Ginny was in /his/ room. Currently, she was in his bed, sitting, waiting, and thinking. It wouldn't be long before that dreaded moment would come.
"Ginny? I see you're still in here."
She looked up at him, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Yeah. You're leaving tonight, and I thought it would be a nice change if you didn't have to sneak into my room."
She wasn't crying. She wanted to, but she didn't. Harry knew that, and it was killing him. He sat down next to her.
"I'm sorry Gin. Really."
Ginny understood what he meant, and she shook her head.
"Don't be. You hate to see me cry because you love me. You don't want to make me cry, but you know you do. You know that, and you don't want to see it."
Harry hugged her, holding her tightly, burying his face in her hair, taking in that familiar scent of roses that always surrounded her.
"How is it that you know everything I think? How do you know everything I feel?"
She smiled, hugging him back.
"Practice, and because I love you. That's how I know."
He sighed into her shoulder, his voice muffled.
"I'm scared Gin. I've never been more scared in my life, I just keep thinking that… that I might not come back."
Ginny stroked his hair, comforting him.
"I know you're scared love, but you can't think that way. You have to keep telling yourself that you'll come back. Just keep telling yourself that I love you, and that I'm waiting. You'll come back. I know it, I can feel it."
He pulled away, smiling at her sadly.
"You are an amazing woman Ginny. I'm going to miss you, so much."
Ginny smiled at him.
"I know you will. I'll miss you too."
She looked at the clock. It was getting late. If he didn't leave soon, he wouldn't be able to leave at all.
"You have to go soon."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box and handing it to her.
"Here."
She fingered the box, trying to determine what it was before she opened it. It was too large to contain a ring…
"What's this?"
She looked at him curiously. He grinned back at her, his eyes sparkling.
"Just open it Gin."
So she did. A small, gold, heart shaped locket was visible, with a diamond set into the center. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at it.
"Harry… when did you… how did you… I can't accept this. It must have cost you a fortune."
She was utterly speechless and Harry grinned at her, taking it out of the box and fastening it around her neck.
"Take it Ginny. I bought it for you, when I went into Diagon Alley with your Mum the other day. Don't worry about how much it cost, I have more than enough money."
Ginny nodded as she fumbled with the clasp, her trembling fingers attempting to open the locket. Harry's hands moved around hers and she looked up at him.
"Not yet Ginny. Don't open it just yet. Not until I come back, or… if I die, but not until then. Alright?"
He lowered his hands and hers dropped from the locket into her lap.
"I love you. You know that right?"
He grinned at her.
"You've said it once or twice, but I never get tired of hearing it."
She smiled and leaned in, kissing him gently. He kissed her back and they enjoyed the moment, for they did not know how long it would be before they got to enjoy a moment like this again. Reluctantly, she pulled away.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but you really should leave. If you don't leave now, I don't think you ever will."
He sighed and stood up.
"You're right of course. I guess this is goodbye. Again."
Ginny stood up, taking his hands into hers.
"No. It's not really goodbye. Goodbye means we'll never see each other again. This is merely a see you later."
He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"I'll see you later. I love you."
Her hand slipped from his as he walked towards the door, fighting the urge to go and lay down with her by his side.
"I love you too."
Ginny watched as he flashed a feeble smile at her and closed the door. She made her way back to his bed, her hand closing around the locket he'd given her.
"It's not really goodbye."
With that last thought she slipped under the covers, preparing herself for a restless night.