Chapter 2: Everything will be ok

Ginny lay by the lake with Harry and chuckled, "You know, I think Malfoy was actually shocked at how right we were." Harry rolled his eyes, "Yeah, it's about damn time, isn't it?"

Ginny turned to face him and kissed him gently, "You were brilliant and straightforward with him. It was so sexy."

Harry laughed and kissed her back, "It's because he shouldn't dare mess with what is mine."

Ginny sighed and said, "I'm going to miss you so much when you are gone. My heart is aching already."

Harry stroked her hair, "I know. I'm going to miss this place so much. I'm going to miss you though, most of all."

Ginny scowled and asked him skeptically, "And remind me again why I can't join you?"

Harry sighed and replied slowly, "Because you are underage and if anything happened to you...I will never forgive myself. Neither would your entire family. That's not worth the risk."

Ginny pouted and grumbled, "It's so unfair! I do not want to be stuck here. On my own."

Harry sighed and muttered, "You won't be on your own. You have Colin, and Neville and Luna and Demelza."

Ginny sighed and nodded, "Yes, I know. They're just not you. And I can be helpful in wherever you are going. You said so yourself, I've become much better at spellcasting etc."

Harry muttered, "Ron would kill me if he even thought you knew about this whole situation. You're not supposed to."

And that was the end of that discussion. Technically, they had broken up already, but Ginny refused to let Harry go so easily. Not when it had taken her years to be with him in the first place. They were trying to keep their relationship as secret as possible and that was hard to do with Ron and Hermione around. They didn't want others to think their relationship had been more of a deal than it was. It was going to be challenging enough to erase memories of Draco's friends. And still there would be people bound to remember.

Ginny knew they'd had this conversation a thousand times at this point. But it still irked her that she was never fully part of the Harry, Ron and Hermione group. It felt sometimes like they didn't trust her. And that hurt. Hurt a lot. She knew she wasn't getting all the information and they were just giving her snippets. But it was tiresome and lonely.

Harry sat up suddenly as he saw a figure approaching. They weren't sure from this distance who it was but it was entirely better for them to not be seen alone together. Harry had placed a people repelling charm around them but that only lasted for so long.

They quickly packed up their belongings and went and hid behind the trees. The figure grew closer as they watched from her hiding place.

It was Snape. He strode to the lake in an effortless way and Ginny took ahold of Harry's hand tightly. Snape still sent fear into her spine even when she knew he didn't care much about her.

There was a moment of stillness and then a shadow appeared in the middle of the lake. It was a ghost. Ginny peered around the tree to watch and had to hold in a gasp. It was Dumbledore's ghost!

Harry stared in disbelief and whispered to her in her ear, "Should we get closer?"

She nodded and they hurried through the trees just to hear Snape saying, "...I hope it wasn't painful, Sir?" Dumbledore shrugged and hovered over the lake, "It was so fast I didn't feel a thing. Thank you, Severus."

Snape sighed and muttered, "I'm sure the whole world will hold this against me forever."

Dumbledore shook his head, "I've given Harry the knowledge. When the time is right, he will discover the truth for himself. Tell me...how is he doing?"

Snape grumbled, "Not well. He broke up with the Weasley girl a day or two after you died. I have not seen him much since. There are rumors that he will not be back at Hogwarts next year, only fueled by the breakup."

Dumbledore nodded sadly, "Him dating Ginerva was the happiest time I have ever seen him. So unfortunate that it had to end so soon."

Ginny glanced up at Harry and clasped his hand tightly. He stared at her, unmoving and disbelieving that they were talking about him.

Snape muttered, "Have you left enough clues for the boy? Knowing you, it will not be so easy." Dumbledore nodded slowly, "I think so, yes. It will take time, given the limited knowledge I have myself. But he should be able to find a way. He is smart. He will be able to piece it together."

Snape gritted his teeth, "And the girl? How am I supposed to keep her safe? And Malfoy?" Ginny grasped Harry's hand tighter until she could see he was causing him pain. She loosened her grip a little. Dumbledore continued, "I think we need to get a potion ready for her. An anti-truth telling serum. Could you do that? McGonagall can give it daily. She won't trust you."

Snape nodded and whispered, "I can do that, Sir. But I do not understand why she will not be going with them. Surely, she would be safest there?"

Dumbledore shook his head sadly, "Too many unknown dangers, Seveus. Here, at the very least we have certain measures in place for underage witches and wizards In the world...it's not so."

Snape nodded and asked one more question, "And Potter?" Dumbledore sighed, "What about him?" Snape paused for a second, "Will he get through it all?" Dumbledore shrugged and replied, "One hopes so, Severus."

The conversation ended there, Dumbledore disappearing into the night and Snape heading back to the castle. Ginny glanced up at Harry to find him as pale as a sheet. She kissed him gently and whispered, "See, Dumbledore has a plan for you. Everything will be ok."

Harry stared down at her unseeingly, "Let's hope you're right."

They headed back to the castle, lost in thought.