At the bottom Harry was shocked to see who it was curled up in a tight ball on the sofa. She looked up to see who was there. "Harry..." she breathed before resting her head back on her arms. "Ginny" Harry stood there awkwardly.
Ginny sniffed and sat up a little straighter and wrapped her arms around her legs. "What are you doing down here?"
"I could ask you the same question"
"But I asked first so..."
"I couldn t sleep." and then after a while he added," Nightmares."
"Me too"
"Can I help?"
"No" said Ginny quickly.
"Are you sure maybe if you talked about it?"
"I said no Harry" There was that awkward silence again.
"Well maybe it's just best that I leave you to it" Harry turned to climb back upstairs.
"No Harry please don't, I'm sorry" she said in a weary voice.
"Don't be, it's fine" Sometimes Harry was just too forgiving.
"No, no it's not, I shouldn't have snapped like that it's not fair" Harry was still stood there on the opposite side of the room leaning against the wall. "I'm just so tired; it feels like I haven't slept in days." I was only then that Harry notice the huge bags under her eyes and ghostly pale skin.
"We've all got a lot on our plates at the moment"
"I guess you're right about that. Can I help you with yours?"
"No, I'll be fine." Ginny frowned at Harry.
"So we can't help each other then."
"We could if you let me. I miss you."
"Harry don't I can't do this"
"Why?"
"Because I can't trust you"
"You never will do if you don't let me try to show you that you can because I'm going nowhere"
"But I'm scared" "Of what?"
"I barely coped the last time you left and when you do it again I just... I don't think I can go through that again" Ginny broke down into fresh waves of sobs. Harry crossed the room and gathered her up in his arms. She didn't exactly melt into his embrace but she didn't push him away instead she rested her weary head on his bony shoulder. He let her cry for a while as he knew she needed to let go. It wasn't just nightmares or him that she was crying about it was Fred too and Colin, one of her best friends, and Tonks and Remus and everything else wrong in the world.
"I'm not leaving you. Ever." he said fiercely.
Ginny looked into his eyes through her blurry ones. His eyes were shining with truth and determination. She knew he meant it and the niggling doubt eased in her mind but not completely disappeared. She would never forget no matter how much he promised but she was going to try. He deserves a second chance, everyone does.
"Ok then"
"What?" not quite believing his ears.
"Let's try again. Last chance."
"Last chance."
"But can we take it slow, start over."
"Whatever you want." Harry s insides had unknotted and he felt like a new man. One more chance.
"Let's start over." she said as she wiped her tears away from her eyes and sitting up so she could look at Harry better.
"Ok then," Harry jumped up like a child at Christmas, Hello, I'm Harry Potter." he grinned cheekily, eyes twinkling and full of mischief. This is probably what Lily saw in James thought Ginny as Harry stuck out a hand for her to shake. She grabbed it and he shook it enthusiastically. Ginny giggled. Harry thought it was the most beautiful sound in the world. Would you care to join me for an early morning walk? ummm... sorry I don't quite know what your name is"
"Ginny"
"Ahh a beautiful name for a beautiful woman," Ginny blushed and giggled again.
"Maybe later Mr Potter but now what I would really like, is to go to sleep," Ginny yawned as if to emphasise the fact. "Then I shall let you, shall I escort you to your room Miss Weasley?"
Ginny giggled again and Harry smiled. "No thank you I think I'll have my nap right here." she looked him in the eye, "Care to join me?" Harry took a deep breath and dropped the pretence. "If that's ok with you" Ginny nodded.
Harry swallowed and grabbed a blanket to put over the two of them. Then he stared at the sofa pulling out his wand and quickly waving it so the sofa expanded to allow them to both lay down comfortably. So this is us taking it slow?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "To be honest at the moment all I want to do is sleep. I couldn't care less."
Harry laid down first near the back of the sofa. Ginny lay next to him so close that he could feel the heat radiating off her. They pulled the blanket over them. "Sweet dreams Gin," and he quickly kissed her forehead not wanting to push it.
"Sleep well Mr Potter"
They both closed their eyes grinning and fell into a fitful sleep not noticing Arthur sitting on the bottom step listening happily to their whole conversation. Content he turned around and returned to his room eager to tell Molly of this newest revelation. But forgetting the tea she had asked for.
Please tell me what you think :) Next chapter Fred s funeral :(
