Okay so I'm lame for updating. So to make it up to the one person who read the start of this story. Here's a ridiculously long chapter! Seriously! Enjoy and review thanks.
Oh and I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter!
The sun poured down against Harry's face and Harry tilted his head back with his eyes clenched shut so as to bask in the heat. A cool breeze that was keeping the day from getting too warm swept pleasantly across his brow. Music and laughter drifted through the air and Harry thought to himself: Now this is magic.
Harry opened his eyes to a wonderful world of dancing colours, twirling and turning in front of him.
Harry slowly wiped his glasses and returned them to his face. Where there had been a mass of floating colours there was now, suddenly, a multitude of swaying and swirling people, all dancing, laughing, talking and mingling in perfect merriment.
What a terrific day it had been. Harry smiled at the sheer quantity of red haired people he could see bobbing around in the beautiful chaos. Who could possibly have thought that there existed so many different shades of red?
Fleur and Bill's wedding had been a spectacular event. Fleur, of course, looked immaculate in her stunningly white dress that somehow flowed and moved magically around here. Harry figured that a girl could tell him all the minute details that made the dress look great but it was spectacular to him all the same. And Bill… Well people had been so worried about his appearance after the whole werewolf incident but somehow he managed to wear his scars handsomely. The scars had drastically changed his appearance but Bill had made them his. They had healed as well as were to be expected but Bill had never let them get to him but instead he wore them proudly. The only time Bill's appearance had a frightful affect on people was when he would feel the urge to devour practically raw steak. The scars did give Bill a terribly fierce look but Bill's good heart and kind spirit shone through more than the scars could ever disguise.
Harry was more a spectator than anything at this wedding. He was enjoying himself but couldn't bring himself to actually mingle. Instead he had bee hiding away in corners for most of the day, enjoying the spectacle from a distance.
Then he saw her, dancing there. It was like a spotlight had been suddenly turned on over her head. All day he had been trying to avoid looking at her, sneaking glances here and there but always avoiding making eye contact, but now, now he couldn't take his eyes off her. Across the crowded dance floor and through the mass of people, she stood out. Harry watched amazed at the way the light seemed to attach to her. Harry wasn't too sure what colour her dress was. He wanted to say green but that didn't seem quite right. Either way she looked beautiful despite the horrible bridesmaid dress she had been forced to wear. She glowed as she spun on the dance floor and Harry's heart jumped every time he caught her smiling or thought she might notice him away in his corner.
How had this happened? Harry wondered as he watched her dance, her air like licks of flame jumping at the air and her delicate features bursting with joy. Ginny Weasley. She had always been around, always there, somewhere nearby, but it was different. Back then she had been just Ron's little sister, Ron's barely noticeable, sometimes annoying, little sister, nothing more. But unexpectedly that had all changed. She wasn't so annoying anymore and she was definitely more noticeable. Harry wasn't sure quite how or when this had happened exactly but something had changed last year and now he found himself head over heels for the girl. Ginny Weasley, she grew up, she… well she was beautiful and Harry just couldn't get enough of her. So Harry sat there, watching her, trying to soak her all in.
Harry would have been reluctant to turn away from Ginny for anything but out of the corner of his eye he noticed two familiar figures approaching rapidly and obviously upset with each other.
"Oh you're such an idiot sometimes, you know that?"
"What? What did I do? Harry can you believe this"
"Um uh, yeah, Sure" Harry said distractedly
Ron and Hermione stood looking at the distracted Harry for a moment and then Ron burst out.
"Harry! You're not even listening. You're just staring off into space."
"What? Oh sorry" Harry said pulling his attention away from Ginny and letting the figures of Ron and Hermione come into focus.
"Honestly mate, you're such a spacer sometimes" Ron announced unwittingly. Hermione, however, knew better. It wasn't space Harry had been staring at.
"So, what's up with you two?" Harry asked and immediately regretted that he had as he could see the frustration flare up in both their eyes.
"Well…" Ron started while Hermione stood there pouting and humphing at everything Ron said. "So I was dancing with nut job here when I offered, like a gentleman, to go get her a drink. After fetching the drink I paused momentarily to welcome some of Fleur's relatives to the family. There I was trying to be nice when all of a sudden this loon comes storming over and starts yelling at me in front of everyone."
Hermione just stood there fuming at first with her jaw nearly on the floor.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley! You, you…BOY! You went to get that drink nearly an hour ago. I was worried sick about you and started to look all over for you and where did I find him, Harry? Right in the middle of all of Fleur's cousins showing off and, and flirting!"
"I wasn't flirting! I was, I was just being friendly. Y'know? Welcoming them to the family and all. There was no need for you to go all crazy. You're crazy you are. Tell her she's crazy Harry."
"What? Not a chance Ron."
"See, See. Harry thinks I'm right."
"Harry, how can you be on her side? We're best mates."
"He's my best friend as well Ronald, you, you…"
"Boy" ventured Ron sarcastically.
"Exactly!" Hermione scowled back at him.
At this point Harry had had enough. Ron and Hermione were always putting him in the middle of their arguments and he didn't like it. Ron and Hermione hadn't admitted it yet but they certainly had been acting more and more like a couple lately. The only problem was they seemed to bicker more and more lately, as well. It was always the same tempers would flare, they would put Harry in the middle of it and then after a little while they be back to staring googly-eyed at one another. Harry wasn't going to put up with it this time.
"Now wait just one minute. I'm not taking anyone's side. You two are always doing this to me. You get into silly arguments and then you try and put me in the middle of it. Well not this time! It ruddy well isn't fair! As far as I'm concerned you're both crazy and you're both wrong!"
Ron and Hermione stood there staring at Harry for a moment searching for something to say but Harry just kept on going.
"Ron, if you told Hermione that you were going to get her a drink, that's exactly what you should have done. You shouldn't have left her waiting for so long and you shouldn't have been flirting with Fleur's cousins instead of getting back to her."
Hermione let out a sharp "Ha!" directed straight at Ron but Harry then turned his attention her.
"And you. Fair enough you were worried about Ron and when you saw him you were annoyed and angry and whatever but that doesn't mean you can start shouting at him in front of everyone! All you did there was to embarrass Ron, make yourself seem like a loon and thus, by throwing a wobbly, you only made the situation worse."
It was Ron now who turned to Hermione sticking out his tongue to which he received a swift punch in the arm from Hermione.
Harry sighed: "Oh what's the point you're as bad as each other!"
Ron and Hermione watched Harry slump back down into his chair rubbing his temples and then looked at each other. Try as they might to keep the annoyed looks on their faces they just couldn't. The pair burst out laughing. Harry looked up at his two friends and thought it's always the same with these two, one minute they're at each others throats and the next…well it was generally more the lip area they were at.
"Sorry Harry." Hermione gently offered. "I guess we are always putting you in the middle of our silly fights."
Harry let out a little chuckle at this and told them that it was okay. Ron and Hermione sat down in the seats opposite Harry and Harry noticed that as they were sitting Ron had quickly taken Hermione's hand and mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to her, to which Hermione whispered back "Me too." Harry smiled as the two adjusted themselves into their chairs with their little wry smiles at one another. Did they really think he wouldn't notice these little interactions?
"So Harry" Ron started, after he had settled, "How's everything going with the search for the 'you know whats' that belong to 'you know who'?"
"As well as can be expected, I guess, but lets not talk about all that today. Today is meant to be a celebration right? So I just want to enjoy myself today and not even think about any of that other stuff."
"Okay, Harry, in that case, let's talk about why you've been hiding in corners all day." Hermione said with a knowing smirk curling on her lips.
"I haven't been hiding. I'm just not really a mingler is all."
"And why we're at it" Ron chimed in, "what's the story with all the black clothes, it's kinda creepy."
"What? I thought I looked good dressed like this"
"I don't know Harry. There are some unpleasant people who like to dress all in black and hide in corners."
Harry quickly thumped Ron on his arm.
"See! Unpleasant." Ron whined as he rubbed his arm, "And why must you two always punch me on the same arm?"
All three of the friends couldn't help but laugh at this and the next little while was spent laughing, talking and reminiscing about all the good times they had had together, while they glazed over the bad times.
This is just what I needed thought Harry. The dark task that lay ahead of him had been draining him of any good spirit left. There was such a burden on his shoulders and he knew he wouldn't be able to shake it off till Voldemort was taken care of, so Harry revelled in the chance to forget about all that and enjoy a moment of peace and joy with his friends while he could, no matter how brief the moment was.
Harry knew that this relief from the stresses of his destiny would soon end and eventually Ron and Hermione stood up to go and return to mingling with the other party-goers. They tried to convince Harry to come mingle with them but he insisted that he was happy were he was.
As they were about to leave Harry stood up and caught Hermione by the arm.
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Hermione ushered Ron on letting him know that she would catch up with him in a minute and turned to Harry, her face full of concern.
"What is it Harry?"
"I've got something really important to ask you."
"You're going to go look for the horcruxs and…V…Voldemort on your ownand a day. Aren't you?
Harry had to smile a little, not much ever got past Hermione.
"Yes" Harry replied grimly, "That's right. Too many people I've cared about have been killed already and I can't put you and Ron in that sort of danger again."
"But Harry, it's our choice." Hermione protested.
"Not any more."
Hermione stared into the stone faced expression that Harry now wore and knew that there was no real point in arguing. Harry wasn't going to bend on this. Harry could disappear whenever he wanted and it would be practically impossible for her and Ron to find him. He was going to do this alone whether she liked it or not.
"Why are you telling me this Harry? You could have just left and we probably would have never been able to find you."
"I'm telling you because I don't want you to even try and follow me. I want you to stay safe and I want you to keep Ron and, and well everyone else safe. I knew I had to tell you because, well, honestly, you're more likely to listen to reason than Ron is. So I need you to stop Ron from trying to follow me. I knew you'd realize that I wasn't going to change my mind on this. Ron wouldn't."
"But Harry…" Hermione began to plead in one final attempt to change Harry's mind but Harry quickly cut her off.
"Please Hermione. Do this for me. Keep safe and don't try and follow me and please, please don't let Ron try and follow me. I have to do this on my own. It's my responsibility and if anything were to happen to you lot I just couldn't live with myself."
Hermione desperately wanted to beg Harry to change his mind, to try and convince him that they would be safer if they all stuck together, that he was being silly. She didn't know what she would do if anything happened to Harry and she hadn't been there to help. Tears welled up in her eyes and she felt like shouting No Harry! We're coming with you and that's final!But it wouldn't do any good and she knew it. Harry wasn't going to change his mind no matter how much she protested. And so, Hermione just stood there nodding sadly at Harry all the while fighting back tears.
Harry pulled Hermione in close and whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to lose."
Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up into the face of Harry Potter. How he had changed from when she had first met him. He seemed so much more serious now and older. His face was stern and filled with hurt and as she stared into his eyes she could see the deep wells of sorrow and pain that pooled there now.
"Okay Harry, I'll do it. I'll make sure Ron doesn't follow. I'll make sure nobody tries to follow and I'll do my best to keep everyone safe till you get back. But you have to do something for me."
"What?"
"Dance with her."
Harry looked at Hermione, confused by what she was asking him to do.
"You said today was supposed to be a celebration. You said this was the one day that you weren't going to worry about what you have to do. So I want you to celebrate. I want you to have fun. I want you to dance with her."
Harry began to understand what Hermione was asking him to do but he was still hesitant to reply.
"Harry I saw you looking at her. Please Harry, just go talk to her, dance with her, be happy, even if it's just for today. Do it for me Harry, do it for her but more than that, do it for you."
Harry smiled and hugged Hermione again.
"Thank you Hermione…you've got a deal."
Harry slowly let go of Hermione and started to make his way over to where he had last seen Ginny. Hermione tentatively watched him cross the dance floor as a ball of fear and concern began to grow deep down inside her.
Harry found himself paused behind the figure of Ginny Weasely, basking in her presence and soaking up her scents and sounds. He nervously reached out his hand and gently touched her shoulder mumbling out a hello.
Ginny spun around beaming. The pure happiness on her face spilling out and into Harry.
"Would you like to dance?" Harry uttered and he felt Ginny's grip tighten around him as she pulled him onto the dance floor.
"I'd love to!"
Harry stared at Ginny as the swayed to the music. She truly had become a beautiful young woman and he rejoiced in her touch and the feel of her waist beneath his fingers as they danced.
It was perfect they danced and laughed and talked as if nothing had changed between them, like they were still happily together.
They floated across the dance floor, eyes firmly fixed on one another. They were alone in this crowded room and loved it.
However, somewhere deep down in Harry, something stirred, reminding him that he wasn't supposed to be happy. He wasn't meant to be having fun. There was too much for him to do. Too many lives depended on him. Great danger lay ahead of him, danger that had cost him so much already. So many people he loved had been lost. He was a danger to all around him. He was putting everybody at risk, simply by being there. Sorrow and pain and death were now his path and he didn't plan on losing anyone else dear to him along the way.
Harry began to slow down, losing pace with the music and loosening his hold on Ginny. He was no longer dancing.
Ginny stared up into Harry's eyes and watched the sorrow rise to the surface. She didn't let go, she didn't back away, instead she pulled Harry in closer, holding him tighter then before and tried with all her heart to comfort him.
Harry looked down into the pleading eyes of his beautiful Ginny and remembered his deal with Hermione. He smiled sweetly at her and held her tight once more. He was going to be happy, even if it was only for today. Harry bowed his head down bringing his face closer to Ginny's till he could feel her breath on his and gently kissed her. Harry heard a few people cheering around him but he didn't care. He was happy. The two started to dance again lost in each others eyes.
Suddenly Harry felt pressure pushing against his neck. Something was choking him but he couldn't see what it was. He looked nervously at Ginny but she was still happily dancing as if nothing was going on.
Harry couldn't tell what was choking him. There was nothing visibly at his neck and no-one else seemed to have noticed that he wasn't able to breathe.
This isn't right. Harry thought. This isn't what happened that day. This is all wrong! This is not what happened that day! That day was a good day! That day was the last good day!
"This isn't what happened that day!" Harry tried to shout but the pressure on his neck was too strong and the words barely came out. Harry's vision began to get blurry and it became hard for him to think let alone breathe and eventually everything went black…
A/N Please Review And a by the way. I don't consider myself a shipper of any relationship I'm just following the story in the book but I feel I need to defend the Harry/Ginny relationship as something plausible. As someone who has dated one his best friends little sisters, let me tell you all, it happens. For years I barely noticed her, she was just my best friends little sister, why would I notice her? Then one day after not seeing her for a while it was just like "WOW" that's your little sister? She hot! Of course my friend wasn't too thrilled but hey what can you do? So I just felt I should share the fact that a guy falling for his friends little sister in what's seems like an out the blue sort of move is something that can actually happen. One day she's your best friend's barely noticeable little sister the next she's your girlfriend. True story
