Bite The Dust

High

New chapter! Hope whoever reads it likes it. H/G

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Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley sat on the dewy grass outside The Burrow, staring up at the night sky. Although both knew that being out after dark was liable for a severe telling-off from Mrs Weasley, neither showed any inclination to leave.

After Harry had broken up with her at Dumbledore's funeral, Ginny had avoided him as much as possible. This proved a relatively simple task up until Bill and Fleur's wedding, at which point Mrs Weasley invited Harry to stay a few days.

Having been shunned by Ginny all day, Harry had cornered her that night and convinced her to speak to him privately.

Currently there was a lull in the conversation, which was mainly based around Harry's decision to not return to Hogwarts the following year. And, of course, their break-up.

Lost in his own thoughts, Harry was startled out of his reverie by a small sound escaping the girl beside him, a quiet yet unmistakeable sob. Placing a hesitant hand on her arm, he used his free hand to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear. "When you're close to tears, remember someday it'll all be over."

Ginny smiled at him, the boy who had invaded her thoughts nearly every day since parting with him. Wrapping her arms about herself, she stared out at the night sky. "It's darker than December."

Harry nodded absently. Looking around the Weasley's garden, his gaze fell on the broom shed. He smiled a little, memories of playing Quidditch with Ron, Fred and George filling his mind.

Ginny followed his gaze and sighed, wistfully thinking that it would be a good night to go for a fly. Unfortunately, Mrs Weasley had cast a spell on the Weasley children forbidding them to fly higher than the roof of The Burrow. Smiling, she remembered a particularly fond time one summer when she and Ron had snuck out during the night to go flying.

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(Flashback)

A 9 year old Ron got up slowly, after once again being thrown off his old broom. Gingerly rubbing his backside, he peered up at the sky with a scowl on his face. Climbing back onto his broom, and motioning for Ginny to do the same, he slowly flew up to the topmost point of The Burrow.

Reaching out a hesitant hand, he raised it above his head until it came in contact with what seemed like a solid, yet invisible, wall. As soon as his hand touched the invisible barrier, he was thrown off his broom, landing with a resounding thud in the grass below.

A young Ginny sighed, flying down to Ron. Pulling him up, she brushed off some of the grass that was clinging to his back, before turning to stare up at the dark sky.

Noticing her wistful gaze, Ron slung a comforting arm around his younger sister's shoulders. "One day we're gonna get so high!"

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Harry exhaled slowly, hugging his knees. "The end of the day…" He mused quietly, more to himself than to Ginny. Turning to her suddenly, he studied her profile. "Remember the days when we were close to the end?"

Ginny, who had been a bit taken back at his question, nodded slowly. Thinking of the Chamber of Secrets, the encounter at the Department of Mysteries and, more recently, the fight against the Death Eaters at Hogwarts, she shuddered. "We stayed so close to the end." She spoke slowly, as if unsure what affect her words would have on him.

Harry turned away, remorse washing over him. He had wanted to be with Ginny so badly, but he knew that doing so would be putting her in danger. "I'll remember." He pulled his knees in closer, resting his chin on them. Although he tried to tune her out, Harry felt himself being drawn to the fiery redhead once again, fond memories coming to the front of his mind.

Harry turned to her slightly, studying her profile once more. He could sense her sadness, the pain she felt. Reaching out a tentative hand, he once again tucked some strands of hair behind her ear. Moving his hand down to cup her cheek, he gently turned her face towards him.

Ginny let her eyes flutter closed, yearning for his lips to once again be on hers. Instead, she felt Harry's hand leave her face. Opening her eyes, she inwardly sighed as he turned away.

Harry could feel her eyes on him. Turning his head away from her, he frowned hard at the ground. He didn't know why he had pulled away, knowing full well that he wanted the opposite. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Ginny's hand finding his. She intertwined his fingers with hers, giving him a gentle squeeze.

Harry's immediate reaction was to pull away, but the feel of Ginny's soft hand interlaced with his was what he had been longing for. When he squeezed her hand tighter, Ginny turned to him, seemingly reassured. "Don't you think it's time you started?"

Rolling her eyes at his bemused expression, she continued. "Doing what we've always wanted?" Moving closer to him, she ran her free hand up his arm, testing him.

She seemed to tease him, pulling away just as Harry got his thoughts straight. He frowned a little, finally having made up his mind. Pulling her towards him, he pressed his lips against hers as one of his arms found its way to encircle her neck. He was gentle at first, but applied more pressure as she accepted the kiss.

Finally pulling away, Harry smiled at her. The gesture was returned, and Harry pressed his forehead against hers. "We're gonna be forever."

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And there it goes. This chapter might have to be rated a little higher, I think. Juust a little. Hope you enjoyed it.