A/N: Hey guys, I have decided to continue on in the same story. I think I would lose readers if my next summary read: This is the sequel to Life Goes On which is a sequel to The Wedding. People would just say, Screw it. You know? So, here it is. Life Goes On is here to stay!
"Goodbye Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley. I wish there were something I could do to stop you, but I suppose not…"
"Professor, you know we'd just sneak out and cause more trouble than it's worth."
"I know, Mr. Weasley. That is why I am escorting you out. Have everything you need? Ms. Granger, your parents are aware that you are on your way?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Very well…good luck, then."
The three teens stood in a clearing halfway between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts as Professor McGonagall walked away leaving them with Professor Lupin. The two teachers had been made aware of the fact that they were leaving, no doubt, by Professor Dumbledore's portrait. Lupin remained and surveyed the faces of his students and friends.
"You three had better be careful," he began, "Do you have a plan at all?"
Looking from Ron's deliberately blank expression, to Hermione's worried one, to Harry's preoccupied face, he sighed.
"I don't really want to know, do I? Listen, send Hedwig to me at any time if you need me, do you understand? I'm going to be here at Hogwarts, so I'll be easy to find. You three…I don't even know what to say. You show the most determination of any seventeen year olds I have ever met. True, you're also reckless, but hear this: you are all very talented and intelligent."
Ron gave a derisive snort.
"No, Ron, even you. You can handle yourselves. Be safe, and be prepared."
Hermione gave a small squeak and threw her arms around Lupin's neck. He patted her back with a small laugh.
"You're the best Defense against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," Hermione said in a small voice.
"Good," Lupin laughed, "Use what you've learned."
Hermione pulled back, wiping her eyes. She moved into Ron's arms and they began to move their trunks, still holding tight to one another. Lupin walked towards Harry, who had not spoken since they had left the castle.
"What is it, Harry?" Lupin asked softly.
Harry did not answer and Lupin gave a nod of understanding, "Ah. This wouldn't have anything to do with a small redheaded girl, now would it?"
"She didn't cry or beg me to take her with me. Nothing," Harry said in a dumbfounded voice, "She didn't do anything I thought she was going to do."
Harry remembered the farewell that had occurred not a quarter of an hour ago. Ron and Hermione had started out of the portrait hole to meet Professor McGonagall in the entry hall as had been arranged. Harry stood with Ginny. She looked at him with a sad smile on her face, her eyes gleaming not with tears, but with pride.
"Harry, you are so predictable," she said with a small laugh, "Off to save us all, aren't you? And you don't even really want anyone to know. You're a hero Harry."
Harry stared at this girl—no, woman—with awe. He took her into his arms and held tight.
"What did I do to deserve you?" he asked, speaking mostly to himself, but Ginny laughed into his chest.
"Well, you pined for me for five years without even realizing it, and, let's see, you survived how many attacks on your life? I finally just decided that you'd worked hard enough, and I let you have me."
"Ha ha," Harry said sardonically, "Sure you did. Listen, Ginny, seriously. I want you to know that no matter what happen-"
Ginny cut him off, "You love me. I know, Harry. You don't have to tell me. Just like I don't have to tell you that I love you. It's just there. We both know it."
"Yeah," said Harry, "but I do need to say it. I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt."
"Oh, honestly, you overachiever. I know without you having to tell me. It's in your eyes."
"Ok, see you've lost me there. Is that a girl thing?"
Ginny laughed again, "Oh, Harry. You're such a boy! Always need to state the obvious and don't bother to understand anything of a sensitive nature."
"You're not going to tell me that I'm the most insensitive wort you've ever had the misfortune of meeting, are you?"
"No, that would be reserved for Hermione. Harry, let's not make this any harder. Just kiss me goodbye, and come back to me."
Harry smiled and obliged. He kissed her as if he'd never see her again. Who knew if he would? The thought brought on thoughts of a much darker nature, and all humor left him. This could be goodbye. For good. Who would take care of her if he never came back? Would she find someone else? If he died and Voldemort lived, would he come after Ginny? He broke away from Ginny, and looked down at the only person he'd ever loved this much, and wondered how on earth he was supposed to take those steps out of the empty common room.
"Harry, you should go. They're waiting for you," Ginny spoke softly. She was not crying and she did not show visible signs of being at all upset. Confused, but realizing that he did, indeed, need to go, he gave her one more kiss whispered, "Goodbye." into her hair, held her close for a moment and turned to leave with a small wave. He turned back before he headed down the stairs to see the beautiful redhead whisper, "Not just yet, please," to the Fat Lady, and she watched him, silhouetted in the light from behind her.
And so Harry did not have the energy to speak as they made their way to a point where they could Apparate. Lupin was staring at him with sympathetic eyes.
"Harry, you have found a remarkable woman. She reminds me quite a bit of your mother, actually. She wouldn't ever do those things. She knows you, and she knows that you will protect her by whatever means that you see to be fitting. She is smart enough to know that crying and pleading will not change your mind. Ginny is proud of you, Harry."
"I don't understand how I managed to get her, Professor."
Lupin laughed in an almost bittersweet manner, "Harry, you're very much like your father in that way. Ginny is drawn to you. You may not even realize how well she knows you. She's the one who's not afraid to stand up to you and tell you when you're being ridiculous, when you're being too noble. Harry, she may have let you go quietly tonight, but I expect you haven't heard the last from our fiery little Ms. Weasley."
"Harry! Are you ready to go?" Hermione voice called to him from a place twenty feet away where they would be able to Apparate.
"I guess I should go," Harry said.
Lupin nodded, and grasped Harry's hand firmly in his, "Harry, remember that I am here. I am also to tell you that Molly wants to be kept involved in what's going on. If you stop owling her at any point, it will be my fault. Well, you know how frightening that can be."
Harry laughed, "Alright, Professor. Bye."
He didn't know what else to say. He had always trusted Lupin to give him advice, to teach him. Lupin had never let him down. How did he say goodbye?
"Oh, and Harry! I imagine you didn't know, but Nymphadora and I are getting married next summer. Do try and stick around long enough to come."
"Are you joking? So many weddings! Fred and Angelina, George and Brooke, and now you and Tonks! I may survive this, but I don't know if I can do three more weddings!"
Lupin laughed, "Well, make it through this, Harry, and I think you may very well be strong enough to handle it. Although that many women with lace and tulle," he gave a shudder, "good be quite frightening. Take care, Harry."
Harry nodded and moved off to join Ron and Hermione.
"Everything all right, Harry?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"It will be," Harry said, "Soon as we do this, and get it over with."
"Hermione, I've just thought, what do your parents know? I mean, do they know about You-Know-Who?" Ron asked.
"Ron, they're going to be more concerned with the fact that I'm bringing you home to meet them. I'm not sure how Dad will respond to having my boyfriend sleeping under my roof."
"What?" Ron's voice cracked.
"We'd better be off, then," Hermione said quickly, "Meet you lot there. Remember the pictures I showed you. Picture it in your mind. Bye!"
And with a loud crack, she was gone.
"Bloody hell! She had to drop that on me now! AS if we didn't have enough to worry over. You're lucky, mate, my parents love you. You didn't have to worry over this."
"Better you than me," Harry laughed, preparing to Apparate.
"Wait; don't go until you've helped me figure out what to say. How to act. Harry! Harry, I don't do well under pressure. Harry-"
CRACK!
"Bloody hell. They think this is a ruddy joke. Oh, this is going to be bad," Ron murmured as he stood alone staring at the place where his best friend and his girlfriend had stood moments before.
"Oh, I'll get them back for this. If I can manage to get through this weekend. Blimey, I can't survive a weekend with my own mother. It can't get much worse."
With that, Ron Apparated, hoping that in his nervous state, he would arrive safely at Hermione's house. Then he thought that perhaps if he ended up somewhere else, he may be better off. Either way, he'd have to meet her parents at some point.
A/N: Ok, it's short, but it's transitional. So, I saw GoF at midnight on Thursday, and OMG! It was amazing! I just thought you guys should know. I sobbed hysterically, not even joking. It was soooo good. That being said, please review this chapter. Love you guys! Thanks for reading "Tears of Apology" too. It's something I'm really proud of, and I'm glad I could share it with you.