"Ginny, love, come down already! Breakfast's ready!"
Ginny rolled over on her back, squinting her eyes, as she adjusted to the orange light that now swathed her room in a fiery glow. She lay still for a few minutes, thinking about all the day's tasks that lay ahead. As if she needed a reminder, her eyes fluttered over to her bedside table where lay a piece of expensive stationary paper smelling of lilacs and lilies.
Urgh. Fleur and her stupid scented stationary!
Grabbing the paper, her eyes scoured over the neatly listed and detailed tasks that they each had to take care of. Her mother, Fleur, Gabrielle and Mrs. Delacour had divided up what each one of them was in charge of, so that the wedding would go off without a hitch. Since Ginny was in no mood to participate in conversations which included much giggling and many discussions of garters and wedding night jitters, Ginny had chosen to go outside and throw the quaffle around. If not anything Ginny hoped it would help clear her mind, take it off Harry.
As Ginny got up and wrapped her pink robe around her, she let out a heavy sigh. The Quidditch idea isn't a good idea at all, she thought darkly. There were too many memories tied in with spending many an afternoon with Harry on the Hogwarts quidditch pitch, or meeting at dusk near the broom cupboard. Everything somehow always led back to Harry. Ginny gave herself a shake and thundered down the stairs.
"Good morning everyone," said Ginny, in as cheery a voice as she could muster.
"Good morning ickle Ginevra," said Charlie Weasley, grinning, as he carried a huge box of what looked like wedding decorations, past her into the parlor room.
"Morning Ginny!" said a familiar voice. Ginny looked over to the far end of the kitchen table and saw Hermione sitting there.
"Hey Hermione! Um, when did you get here?" A sudden thought occurred to Ginny, and she immediately looked around the room and peeked through the door into the parlor.
But all she saw were two brown suitcases with the initials H.G. No sign of any other suitcases or an owl cage for that matter. He's really not coming she surmised, as she felt the cold disappointment and reality sink in. Ginny gave herself a shrug and proceeded to sit down at the kitchen table. As she tried to reach for the plate of sausages she was careful to avoid calling Ron to pass the plate. Her darling brother, Ron, was too busy grinning away like a lovesick puppy at Hermione. Hermione although had a prominent red blush plastered on her cheeks, tried to act normal. "I got here around 5 a.m. My parents had a flight to catch you see, so they figured they might as well drop me off earlier. Yeah, they are heading out to Japan for the summer."
Ginny, munching on some toast asked, "But how come you didn't go? I mean I thought you were supposed to do some training at that famous Japanese med wizard's clinic?"
This seemed to have caught Hermione off guard as her blush deepened to a dark scarlet shade. "Oh mm.. I promised Fleur and Bill I wouldn't miss their wedding. You know how persistent Fleur can get right? I might be leaving a bit earlier than planned though" Ginny almost giggled outright when she saw Ron, who had proceeded to take his dirty dishes to the kitchen sink, almost drop his plates at this piece of news. Ginny couldn't decide whether Ron was happy that Hermione had come earlier or mad that she might have to leave a little earlier than planned. Hermione kept her eyes downcast, although there was a hint of a smile.
Just then Bill and Fleur walked into the kitchen, followed by a rather flustered Mrs. Weasley. Fleur saw Hermione and her lips broke into a radiant smile.
"Hermy! You came! Bill and I are so very glad you could make eet!" Fleur sashayed over to Hermione and planted two kisses on both of her cheeks. Fleurs eyes grew as big as dinner plates as she exclaimed " Thees ees perfect! You can be ah bridesmaid! My cousin..oof do not make me begin on her now! She cannot come because she 'as to cheer for ze Bulgarian team! You know? Votre Krum d'ami, il joue sur l'équipe ! I know you remember Krum", Fleur said with a wink. "You two , ah.. you were involved yes?"
Immediately Ginny felt her brother Ron tense up. Ron scowled and mumbled he had to go and help Charlie, Fred and George set up the arch outside. Hermione could only smile weakly as she protested ever having been involved with Krum to a very adamant Fleur.
Ginny quickly helped her mother clear up the dishes. She knew that a long day lay ahead.
Even as she busied herself in the wedding preparations, which was to take place in 5 days, she couldn't help feel lonely and sad that he really would not be coming.
----------------------------------
Harry Potter slammed yet another book shut. Hermione was crazy to ever suggest that doing actual research would be helpful to find the remaining Horcruxes! But as Harry got up and went to pick out another book from the many that lined Dumbledore's personal study, he knew that at a time when they had no information to where the Horcruxes were, or where Lord Voldemort himself was , any bit of information he might come across would be helpful. Even if it means I wile away in this sodding place, he thought grimly as he eyed the scores of many books still left. He had been placed under heavy protection. With Dumbledore gone, Scrimgeour had refused to take even the slightest of chances with Voldemort running around, with the Deatheaters and none other than Severus Snape himself. Even now Harry woke up at night; all drenched in sweat and tears, as his dreams were haunted by the nightmares of his past. Over and over again he relived the death of his beloved schoolmaster. The green light. The dull thud as the spell hit Dumbledore. Harry came out of his reverie and focused on the titles of the books in front of him. Grabbing the one he was looking for, he went back and jumped onto the couch near the window, where he had dumped his satchel of belongings. As he did he felt something cold and hard under him. Reaching under him he pulled out a ring. It was engraved with the initials G.W and H.P, and the band was carved in with little hearts. He had given the ring to Ginny, as a token of the relationship they shared. As he stared at the ring, memories flooded through him. Memories of happier times. Spending afternoons lazing about the lake. Evenings spent curled up and cozy in front of the common room fire. The stolen moments at midnight atop the astronomy tower, just gazing away at the stars.
Harry sighed wistfully as he imagined Ginny's smile, the floral scent of her perfume, her vibrant brown eyes, and most of all the feeling of her heart beating against his as they held on to one another during their shared moments. As he carefully tucked the ring away into his pocket, he heaved another heavy sigh. He knew that parting ways had been the best option, nay, the ONLY thing they could have done. Harry knew he was the fire which would burn and ravage everything and everyone he loved most in the world. That's how it had always been. And he knew Voldemort wouldn't spare Ginny if he ever found out how much and how deeply he felt for her. Harry knew deep inside, that had Voldemort ever captured Ginny and the trade off was the world and Harry's life, Harry would have agreed to it in a minute.
It was not that he had any problem giving up his own life for Ginny. Harry was afraid that alongside his own life, he would even be willing to sacrifice the rest of the world just to ensure Ginny's safety, had Voldemort ever asked this of him. That is why Harry knew it was for the best. He wished he could do the same to Hermione and Ron; however he knew they would never ever leave his side. A part of him knew that they considered Harry's fate to be fates of their own. So desperate was Harry to severe ties with Ginny, that he had declined to attend Bill and Fleur's wedding. But a part of him now seemed to gnaw and ache just to catch one glimpse of Ginny.
Am I stupid enough to actually think this will work?
The answer was very obvious.
Harry got up and walked to the window. The sky was pitch black, scattered sparingly with some clouds here and there. One or two stars shined through the darkness, their luminosity too great for the night to envelop. Perfect he thought. Harry looked down, his green eyes scanning over the grounds. He went back and grabbed his wand, his broom from the closet, and his invisibility cloak.
He was sure no one would notice his absence. Heck everyone thought he was the Ministry's Boy now, and had nothing on his mind other than finding a way to bring down the Dark Lord. That was partly right, Harry thought. But he's not the only thing on my mind. He knew it wasn't worth taking the chance. But he also knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate on the task at hand, unless he saw her just one more time. With a final glance over his shoulder, Harry proceeded to the window and threw it open. And in the flash of a moment, Harry Potter disappeared into the night sky.