Part Two: Harry Potter & Ginny Weasley
As Far As An Eternity…
As she stood on the front step of The Burrow, her long auburn hair rippling gently in the breeze, Ginny Weasley sighed audibly. Inside the house, even as she stood here watching the scarlet sunset, she knew that he was packing his things to leave. There was a creak as the ancient front door was opened and a figure stepped out of the house to stand beside her. Looking around, she locked eyes with Hermione, whose brown eyes were filled with unshed tears just as hers were.
'He's almost finished packing.' She said quietly, reaching out to touch her younger friend on the arm, 'You should come and see him – spend a little time with him before he leaves.'
Nodding bravely, Ginny held her head up proudly so that her eyes shone a startling orange reflected from the sunset, almost the same colour as her hair.
'I'll be in, in a minute.' She said hoarsely, which Hermione knew was her cue to leave.
Where you are seems to be
As far as an eternity
Outstretched arms, open hearts,
And if it never ends then when do we start…?
Hearing the door creak shut again, she felt the emptiness in her stomach increase. Clearing her throat loudly, as if she were trying to psyche herself up for a Quidditch game, she blinked back the stinging tears at the back of her eyes and marched proudly into the house.
Looking up when he heard her enter his room, Harry surveyed her sadly through bespectacled emerald eyes. Setting down his wand so that his bag stopped packing itself, he moved towards her so that they were standing almost nose to nose.
'I came to say goodbye.' She said softly, looking up into his eyes.
'I know.' He replied, his voice low and harsh.
'I'll miss you.' She continued, her voice breaking slightly.
'I'll miss you too.' He said mechanically, as though there was something he felt he needed to say.
…I'll never leave you behind
Or treat you unkind
I know you understand
And with a tear in my eye
Give me the sweetest goodbye
That I ever did receive…
Looking away, Ginny hiccoughed slightly, the tears overpowering her.
'Don't go.'
'You know I have to.' He said truthfully, the honesty of his words echoing through the room.
'Let me come with you.' She said, knowing the answer before she even said it.
'You can't.' he said steadily, 'it's too dangerous.'
She whipped around to face him, her eyes flashing with an un-vented anger.
'You know that I can take care of myself Harry!'
'Yes I know that!' He said exasperatedly, 'Do you think I don't know that! You're a Quidditch player Gin; I know you can look after yourself! But I also know that if anything happens to you, I'll never forgive myself!'
'But nothing will happen to me, because I can take care of myself!' she hissed back.
'Ginny, you have no idea what you're talking about! I am talking about going after VOLDEMORT, Ginny… This isn't just another Quidditch game, this is real…' he said, his voice rich with urgency.
'I know this isn't some stupid game!' she shouted, 'I was there at the ministry, in case you haven't forgotten! I've faced Death Eaters!'
'I KNOW YOU HAVE!' he yelled, 'But this is VOLDEMORT! I will probably die Ginny… I will most likely die… And I don't want you to die too.'
…Pushing forward and arching back
Bring me closer to heart attack
Say goodbye and just fly away
When you come back
I have some things to say…
Stunned into silence by his premonition of his own death, she stared at him fearfully.
'Don't say that.' She choked, tears streaming down her face, 'Don't you dare say that.'
'Say what?!' he exclaimed, his anger taking over his logic.
'Don't you dare say you'll die!' she shrieked hysterically, 'You can't die, Harry…'
'Everyone dies at some point Gin,' he said quietly, her words going though her like a knife.
'You can't die, you self sacrificial martyr!' she screamed.
'AND WHY CAN'T I DIE GINERVA! I'M NOT BLOODY IMMORTAL!' he bellowed.
'BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!' she shrieked, her face soaking in tears now and her hair falling into her eyes, whilst breathing heavily.
Also breathing heavily, he didn't know what to say to make her understand. He loved her too, so very much so, but that was exactly why she couldn't come with him.
…How does it feel to know you never have to be alone
When you get home
There must be someplace here that only you and I could go
So I can show you how I feel…
'I love you too.' He said quietly, turning away as tears sprang to his own eyes.
'Then let me come with you…' she said barely above a whisper.
'Ginny, you can't,' he said, 'what if Voldemort reads my mind? What if he kills you? I couldn't bear to lose another loved one Gin, you most of all.'
The bitter sweetness of his words broke her heart: walking over to him she folded herself into his arms. Holding her to him tightly, he blinked his tears away, wanting to be strong for her.
'Write to me.' She whispered into his chest.
'As often as I can.' He promised, kissing the top of her head lovingly.
…Dream away everyday
Try so hard to disregard
The rhythm of the rain that drops
And coincides with the beating of my heart…
Pulling free from him suddenly, she launched herself back at him, capturing his lips with hers and engulfing him in a passionate, angry and needy kiss, venting all of her frustration into it. Returning her kiss just as hungrily, Harry pressed her to his body, needing to feel her in his arms just one last time before he left. Her hands gripping his messy raven hair, and his fingers twisting through her long auburn locks, they were leaning up against the guest bedroom wall, when all of a sudden the door slammed open.
Leaping apart, they turned to look guiltily at Fred and George, who had come to say their goodbyes to Harry. Sniggering, they nodded and said something about coming back later before closing the door again and running off.
The moment ruined now, Harry looked down at his watch.
'I have to leave very soon; Lupin will be here any minute.'
'Come back as soon as you can.' She said softly, looking him in the eye.
'As soon as I can.' He agreed, reaching out to take her hand, which he stroked the back of lovingly.
…I'll never leave you behind
Or treat you unkind
I know you understand…
'I guess we better go downstairs.' She said stiffly, interlacing her fingers with his and pulling out her wand with the other hand. Waving it, she finished his packing for him and hovered the bag in front of her.
As they walked downstairs in companionable silence, they gripped hands tightly, as if they couldn't bear to let go.
There was a household full of teary goodbyes, and then, ten minutes later, Harry and Lupin were standing side by side ready to dissaparate.
Nodding at them solemnly, Harry ground his teeth together to stop himself from crying. He met each of their eyes in turn – Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Neville, Luna and finally… Ginny.
…And with a tear in my eye
Give me the sweetest goodbye
That I ever did receive…
Standing apart from everyone else, her tears streaming freely down her beautiful face, she locked eyes with him.
'I love you so much.' He said quietly, as she choked.
'I love you too.' She replied just as quietly.
There was an awkward silence, before Lupin coughed and nodded at Harry, who raised his wand. He was just about to wave it, before Ginny ran to him and hugged him again, planting a kiss on his cheek. He really wished she would stop, it was just making his resolve crumble even further: it was already killing him to leave her. She seemed to sense this and pulled away, biting her tongue to keep from sobbing.
…Pushing forward and arching back
Bring me closer to heart attack
Say goodbye and just fly away
When you come back
I have some things to say…
Nodding resolutely, he raised his wand again, but she spoke again.
'Harry?'
'Yes Ginny?'
'Come back to me alive.'
…How does it feel to know you never have to be alone
When you get home
There must be someplace here that only you and I could go
So I can show you how I feel…
Nodding bravely, he locked eyes with Lupin and they both waved their wands, disappearing with a resounding 'crack'.
…And with a tear in my eye
Give me the sweetest goodbye
That I ever did receive…
Note: song lyrics used: "Sweetest Goodbye" by 'Maroon 5'