A/N-heres the next chap! hope ya'll enjoy!

Disclaimer: you know the routine...i don't own it!


Chapter 5: Afterglow

Here I am, lost in the light of the moon that comes through my window
Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses
It's you and the roses

I couldn't help but think while I waited. About everything there possibly could be to think about dealing with Harry. Was he really staying with Oliver, or was he just trying to trick me? How mad was he? Is there any hope for us? Should I go try and make up with him? Or should I wait for him to come to me? What should I say to him? Should I send him an Owl?

Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow
Heal me from all this sorrow
As I let you go I will find my way when I see your eyes
Now I'm living in your afterglow

I heard them coming before they got there. Seven pairs of feet, fourteen for all those mathematically challenged, could be heard running up the stairs, steadily growing closer. Dreading what was coming, but knowing I wouldn't be able to run and hide forever, I stood up and walked over to the door. I opened it to find Mum's fist raised in the air, ready to knock.

Here I am, lost in the ashes of time, but who wants tomorrow?
In between the longing to hold you again
I'm caught in your shadow, I'm losing control
My mind drifts away, we only have today

"Oh, Ginny dear," she gasped, embracing me in one of her hugs. Straightening up, but still holding my shoulders, her whole aura changed. "What is the matter with you? Have you no common sense? What made you think it was O.K. to do such a thing?" Her eyes were looking deep into mine now, and try as I might, the sprinkler turned on once again, and the tears poured. Suddenly her heart softened and she wrapped her arms around me once again.

Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow
Heal me from all this sorrow
As I let you go I will find my way
I will sacrifice 'til the blinding day when I see your eyes
Now I'm living in your afterglow

She led me back into my room and sent the others all away so we could be in privacy. We sat on my old bed and she placed her warm hand over my cold one. "Mum," I said, looking at the quilt lying on the bed rather than at her. "I've messed up this time, really bad. And worst of all is, I don't know how to fix it, how to make it right again." I then looked up at her hopefully, but her face was solemn.

When the faith has gone as I let you go, as I let you go

I looked down again, but she picked my head back up, forcing me to stare her in the eye. "Ginny," she said, face as serious as could be. "You must listen to me as I say this. You and Harry were meant to be together. Promise me that you will go on with your life as normal, and when the time is right, things will mend itself with time."

Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow
Heal me from all this sorrow
As I let you go I will find my way, I will sacrifice
Now I'm living in your afterglow

But I didn't promise. I couldn't. Not while I missed him so and our apartment that had shown us both such happy times was empty except for me. Whenever I think of him, my heart drops and I feel like nothing is worth the effort anymore. I may as well curl up in a ball and await death. What's the use of living when love has ever only been my reason to keep going, and now it's been ripped from you? Although you hold it tight, it's now gone and I'm left grabbing at it while it's dangled over my head as some sort of tease. What I used to have, but have no longer.

Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses
It's you who is closest

This amazing song was "Afterglow" by INXS and i thought it fit with what Ginny was thinking, so i wove it in! PLEASE COMMENT FOR ME!

luv, Laken