It was the morning of Dumbledore's funeral. It was a week after the battle. Snape had fled the school grounds and everyone was whispering about he had been the one to kill Dumbledore. Ginny wondered when Harry was going to break up with her. The circumstances had changed…and like they had agreed upon this between them would change. Change change change. Such a nasty word. Now she was just waiting on tenterhooks for the time when he decided it would be best…
Ginny groaned and she lifted herself up off her bed to shower and get ready for the day. She wore a black, lacy dress and a headband to go with it. She applied a little make-up to look more formal. She felt rather numb, because the reality of all of this still hadn't sunk in.
Once she was ready, Ginny headed downstairs. Harry was leaning against a wall in a corner, lost in thought and staring aimlessly through the window. Ginny walked up to him and took his hand, before kissing his cheek. He smiled weakly, "You look beautiful…even at a time like this." This caused her to smile grimly, "Thanks Harry. You look smart. Are Ron and Hermione?" He said in a deadpan voice, "They're meeting us downstairs at breakfast."
Ginny stared at him and whispered, "I'm not hungry." Harry grimaced and pushed a strand of her hair out of her face, "Neither am I." She whispered hoarsely, "Do you want to go for breakfast then?" He shook his head and whispered, "Can we just stay here, please? Or do you want to go down to the lake?" Ginny had an aching feeling in her chest and she nodded stiffly. The lake was their place to sit when they needed some alone time. Ginny nodded in agreement, "I think the lake is a good idea."
They walked through the castle in silence, hand in hand. Some people nodded at them as they walked past but otherwise no-one commented. The silence was comfortable as they both didn't feel a need to say anything. Ginny knew what was coming, but Harry would be the one who would have to say the words. She didn't have the heart to.
When they reached the lake, they saw some people setting up for the funeral. They walked around to the trees and she felt her heart tearing apart for many different reasons. Dumbledore was gone…that was depressing enough. But now Harry had to break up with her too because of…circumstances. She sighed heavily and Harry whispered, "What's up?"
They sat at the far end of the lake, watching the people levitate chairs around. She turned to him and whispered, "Are you doing what I think you're doing?" He shook his head and grimaced, moving a stray piece of blowing hair behind Ginny's ear, "No Gin. I was hoping we could have this last little piece of time to each other. Without anyone interrupting us. I think we need it."
Ginny forced a smile and Harry lay back on the grass. She lay beside him and he turned his face so they were staring at each other. Harry whispered, "You've been the best part of my life this last year, you know." Ginny couldn't smile anymore. She didn't know how to. She rest her head on his arm and stared up into the sky, "And you've been mine ever since I first saw you at the station."
He turned so they were both staring at the dark and dismal clouds above them. Ginny thought back to all those years ago. How her first year of school had been hell. How she had fought Riddle- the same man who had appeared in the ministry and looked like a snake. How much she had changed between now and then. Ginny had gone from a small little nobody, to Harry Potter's girlfriend. It wasn't the title that she was thinking of now, but the confidence she had gained in between. She said softly, "You know I've become a lot more confident since we've been together. I think it's because you treated me like a friend. It really helped matters."
She could see Harry smile as he said, "I've always thought you were confident, even without me around. You will always be my friend, Gin, no matter where our paths take us." This caused her to smile and kiss his cheek before she drifted off to sleep in his arms. The peaceful wind blowing her hair didn't bother her in the least. Harry was right next to her and that was all that mattered.
XXX
Ginny was shaken awake by her brothers' unpleasant voice, "Ginny! Ginny! Wake up!" She sat up in a panic, "What, what?" Ron stood looming over her and said in an untactful manner, "Come on sleepyhead! The funeral is starting in five minutes!" Ginny groaned and then gently shook Harry beside her. It seemed he had also dozed off.
Hermione looked pretty in a light pink dress. Ginny complimented her and she forced a smile. It was difficult to say anything as the group of them traipsed over to the white decked out chairs. Most of the seats were already taken. Ginny sat beside Harry on the isle and took his hand in hers. A man dressed in long black robes came to the fore, "Thank you everybody for gathering here today who felt the need to pay this great man the love and respect he deserves. I'm sure he would be very touched to see such a gathering."
The minister then launched on into a speech that Ginny didn't really pay much attention to. Instead she thought about how Dumbledore had believed in her, and believed in her being with Harry. It had meant so much to her and she never really got the chance to properly thank him. Ginny made a note to herself that she should go and thank his portrait when it was up.
It was the weirdest feeling knowing that the box that levitated behind the minister held her former headmasters body. She squeezed Harry's hand and glanced over at him to see how he was holding up. It turned out he was smiling a little- probably at his memories of Dumbledore. His smiled convinced Ginny that he would be ok. He would be alright. He would go on with or without her. Even if he moved on from her, he could still someday be happy and that was all that mattered to her. Ginny just wanted him to be happy-to stop suffering. To stop being in pain. That smile indicated that this was a possibility in the distant future. He glanced at Ginny and she felt a slight tear falling down her cheek. He moved to wipe it off gently and then she rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
XXX
When the funeral ended, some people began filing out. Ginny looked at her brother and Hermione. Hermione was sobbing on Ron's shoulder, and he had a tear falling down too. Harry turned to look at her and she could see the resolve in his eyes…how they were tightened in pain and his sadness shone through. She knew what was coming. She had known it every day since Dumbledore died. It was the inevitable and it was happening now. She had just hoped she had a lot longer before it came.
'Ginny, listen...' he said very quietly, as the buzz of conversation grew louder around them and people began to get to their feet. "I can't be involved with you anymore. We've got to stop seeing. We can't be together." She said, with an oddly twisted smile, "I know Harry. It's because circumstances have…changed. Like we discussed." Harry paused for a minute, gathering his thoughts. Then he whispered, "It's been like...like something out of someone else's life, this last year with you,' said Harry, "I know we've had our ups and downs, and I still love you nonetheless. In fact it's made me love you more, if that even possible…" Here she even smiled and Harry continued, "But I can't...we can't...I've got things to do alone now." She did not cry, she simply looked at him.
Harry continued adamantly, like he had to get it out of his system or else…, "Voldemort uses people his enemies are close to. He's already used you as bait once, and that was just because you're my best friend's sister. Think how much danger you'll be in if we keep this up. He'll know, he'll find out. He might even know already because of the ministry…He'll try to get to me through you."
Ginny stared at him and whispered hoarsely, "I know, Harry. Trust me out of anyone I know. But what if I don't care?" she said fiercely. "I care," said Harry. "How do you think I would feel if this was your funeral... and it was my fault..." She looked away from him, over the lake. "I never really gave up on you," she said "Not really. I always hoped... Hermione told me to get on with my life, maybe see some other people, relax a bit around you, because I never used to be able to talk if you were in the room remember? And she thought you might take a bit more notice if I was a bit more - myself."
Harry nodded and sighed, "Smart girl, that Hermione." He continued, "I just wished I'd asked you sooner. We could've had ages... months... years maybe..." She interrupted him, "But you've been too busy saving the wizarding world," said Ginny, half-laughing. She sighed then again and continued, "Well I can't say I'm surprised. I knew this would happen in the end. I knew you wouldn't be happy unless you were hunting Voldemort. I mean I've known it for a long time. Now it's just becoming a reality. It's a scary reality. How will we know if you're safe?"
Harry stared at the ground now and whispered, "This is the hardest part. I don't think you can. Not without looking like an accessory. The less you know the better. You already know too much. I wish I could wipe your memory of all that you know, but I know I know you would kill me first if I tried." He smiled genuinely and this actually caused Ginny to laugh, "Well you're right there. How about Hedwig?" Harry shook his head, "Hedwig is too obvious. She'll stand out."
Ginny sighed and whispered, "I have the whole holiday. There simply must be a way." Harry nodded grimly, "If you find it, please let me know?" Ginny nodded and Harry leant forward, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. She saw the flash of a camera and saw Colin capturing it. He smiled apologetically, "Sorry, that moment was too sweet to not…"
Harry nodded at him, "Thanks Colin." Ginny stared into his eyes one last time before he turned his back on her and walked towards the edge of the lake. Ginny felt her heart sink and splinter into a thousand pieces. She couldn't cry it was too painful. All she could do was sit and watch the love of her life walk away from her. She hoped he would at least turn back and look. He didn't. She would have to hold in the tears until she got to the dormitory.
XXX
The following three days were awful. She couldn't eat much and she didn't have an appetite, although she forced food down. Ginny felt like her world had been turned upside down. Every time she looked at Harry, she felt her heart breaking. She suffered in silence though, not wanting anyone to know her pain.
On the last day at breakfast, Romilda Vane approached her. She saw Ginny sitting on her own. Ron, Harry and Hermione weren't downstairs yet. Romilda said to her in sugary-sweet tone, "I'm sorry about you and Harry." Ginny rolled her eyes, "Oh please. You're not sorry in the least. In fact you probably couldn't be happier."
She shrugged her shoulders and replied, "You know you're right. It's about time the two of you broke up. You're just not suited." Ginny bit a piece of toast and glared at the girl. She'd heard Romilda was spreading rumors about their break up. She wasn't so surprised that girl was confronting her now. The raven-haired girl persisted, "So, why was it? He likes someone else? Lost interest?" Ginny couldn't stand it any longer.
Just then, Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall as Ginny got up. Romilda followed suit and Ginny said firmly, "Listen here. It's never been your business what happens between me and Harry. It never was your business. And it never will be your business." Romilda blinked innocently and Harry reached us, "Ginny, is everything ok?" He could tell this girl was upsetting her.
Ginny huffed and said, "I'm fine thanks Harry. Just putting a certain someone in her place." Harry raised his eyebrows and Romilda hurried out of the hall in embarrassment. Ginny smirked a then followed Romilda's lead. She needed to be on her own. He followed after her and called, "Ginny! Ginny hold up." She stopped and sighed, "What?" Harry shook his head, "Was she giving you a hard time?" She shrugged her shoulders and whispered, "It doesn't matter, Harry. I can take care of myself."
Harry stared at the floor now and he said curiously, "You haven't spoken to me since…I'm just trying to make sure you're doing alright." I shrugged my shoulders, "I know. I'm probably going to need space. It would be for the best, I think." Harry sighed and took her hand. She bit her lip and he stared into his green eyes, "This has been really hard for me too. You're not alone in this. I'm still your friend, remember?"
Ginny nodded and wanted to hug him or kiss him, but felt like she couldn't. She hadn't cried since three days ago and she hadn't spoken to him. She'd kept to herself. Hermione had tried to get her to talk about it, but she really didn't want to. Her friend had said, "Come on, Ginny! You can't bottle it all up! You're going to explode." What good would it do to talk about it?
She faked a smile and replied steadily, "I'm ok. Thanks Harry. Romilda just wanted me to confirm our status." Harry glanced down the floor morbidly, "Oh…" I nodded and he whispered "Don't you want to join us for breakfast? You know…as a friend? Hermione really misses you not being around." Ginny raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had never expected that. She debated it and then shrugged, "Ok sure…as long as you guys want me there." Harry nodded and took Ginny's hand, "Yes, we'll always want you with us Gin." This caused her to smile and her breathing to intensify.
This was a new development. Hermione and Ron never seemed to want Ginny around their little trio. It was always the three of them, since the beginning of time. But now that Hermione was actually missing her, maybe things would change. Maybe they'd want her to come with them they left to go and hunt Voldemort. Maybe there was still hope.
A/N: Hey guys! End of fifth year yay! I really was looking forward to writing this chapter for you. As sad as it was to write…and yes I did borrow some of the original story from JKR. I just thought that scene is one of my favorites and it should have been in the movie. Without it, they made Harry and Ginny's relationship seem airy fairy and like it was all left up in the air. So come the seventh movie you don't even know what's going on with them. So frustrating! Anyway hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it!
Anyway onto more important matters: so sixth year is next. I've decided that Ginny will be at Hogwarts for a bit…but since Molly takes her out at some point…I'm going to see if I can find a way for her to join the trio on the hunt about halfway through…hopefully. Anyway please let me know thoughts! Much love.