Eleven Years Later

The early rays of morning were pushing through the net curtains in Ginny's bedroom. Opening her eyes slowly she blinked. The yellow of the walls brought a smile to her face. On the wall were posters of 'The Weird Sisters'. Suddenly in the new light her memories came flooding back. She was home.

Stretching she headed down to the kitchen. The ashes in the fire place had long died out giving it that middle of the night feel she remembered from sneaking down before dawn as a child. The morning air was calling to her. She needed to be out, needed to feel the breeze on her face.

Stepping out into the garden she took in the smell of grass and flowers. It was perfect just like she remembered. The old shed was calling to her senses and she had to go there. Opening the door she looked and saw her own broomstick. It was old and probably very much outdated but she didn't care.

Stepping out into the field she straddled the wood and kicked off. A feeling of freedom that she had long been missing took over her. She felt light as if the troubles of her past had fallen from her shoulders. She loved this feeling so much.

As the sun rose Ginny flew. She didn't know how long she was up in the air but it was long enough to give her the need again. She had forgotten the feel of the broom. The reaction of the wind to your movements. This was what she was made for. In another life under different circumstances she would have been the best Quidditch player in the world. But war destroys more than you can ever imagine.

Feeling refreshed, almost born again, Ginny landed. She was surprised when she heard a small cough from the shed. Turning she spotted someone that stopped her heart. She couldn't help the small smile that came to her face. Her heartbeat increased as she remembered all the feelings that once had filled her heart for this man.

"I heard you were back."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"You know Ron can't keep a secret."

Ginny couldn't help but smile as the man ran a hand through his black hair. She watched as the tips stood more on end than she had ever remembered. Slowly her eyes met the twinkling emerald of the mans and smiled.

"It's good to see you again Harry."

"And you Gin."

She placed the broom into the shed and headed towards the Burrow. Harry fell into step beside her.

"I've missed you."

She just smiled. It was strange but she didn't know what to say to him.

"Gin it's still me. You can tell me anything you like."

"You're reacting better than anyone else to my return, well except maybe Luna."

"I never believed you died."

"Why's that then?"

"Because Death Eaters wouldn't be able to kill you."

A small blush came to her face.

"If I didn't know any better Harry Potter I'd say you were flirting with me."

"Well if you can't tell I'm obviously not doing a very good job."

Ginny stopped still in her tracks and looked at the man. He grinned widely and she caught the twinkle in his eyes.

"Harry Potter…"

He laughed and ran towards the house. Ginny went after him but he was faster than her on foot. He made it into the kitchen seconds before she did. As he went into the living room at a dive her mother emerged from the stairs.

"Ah Ginny you're awake. Just time for breakfast before you leave."

"Where you going then?"

She turned to see a Potter head poking around the door into the kitchen. Her mother jumped slightly turning to him.

"What are you doing here Harry?"

"Came to see my favourite ladies."

Ginny watched as her mother's face softened. It was just like she remembered. Harry was defiantly one of her mother's sons there was no doubting it.

"Breakfast. Come on sit down you two."

Ginny was pointed to a chair as was Harry. The man slowly came out hands held high to show he didn't have a wand. Ginny watched as he lowered himself into the chair and smiled at her.

"You didn't answer my question."

"I didn't catch you either."

"Ah well don't be upset about that. Nobody's ever caught me, only reason I'm still alive."

It was said so lightly that to anybody that didn't know the man well it would seem like a simple passing sentence. Ginny knew better.

"Dad's sending me to France to go see Bill."

"Good idea since Ron knows."

"Yeah and since Renee knows too."

Harry raised an eyebrow putting a small smile on his lips.

"Ah the lovely Renee the goddess of most dreams."

Ginny just laughed kicking Harry under the table.

"Men!"

"What's that mean?"

"George had the same dreamy look on his face about her too."

"He would since she's his girlfriend."

Ginny couldn't help the grin that came to her face. That's what the whole little thing at Hogwarts had been about then. After a few seconds she became aware of the fact that Harry was watching her carefully.

"What?"

He smiled slowly as if to himself. His eyes travelled her face before stopping on her eyes.

"You haven't changed a bit."

"My hairs brown."

"Well okay. You haven't change a bit except for your hair. That better?"

She laughed gently.

"I've change Harry, more than you could ever imagine. You have too mind. You're more mature I think. There's this ease around you that you lost for a while. I mean there was no way you were able to tease me after fifth year you were too tense. It's nice to see that side of you again."

He nodded as her mother put food between them.

"Hermione told me to lighten up one day and I did. I have to be all serious most of the time but why can't I be light-hearted with my family."

"Exactly."

Ginny took a bit of the bacon roll and watched Harry eat his scrambled eggs. They were silent just watching each other for a while. Then Ginny decided to bridge the unbridgeable gap.

"It wasn't your fault."

"Pardon."

"Hermione told me about the accident. You can't blame yourself."

"Gin –"

"No let me finish. You've given so much of yourself for the wizarding world. You've lost more than most wizards could even contemplate but you still do it. Most wizards would have given in years ago but you're still fighting. Harry you need to let go of the guilt because that won't help you. It wasn't your fault."

"I know. It's just hard."

"Want to tell me."

"Not really."

He fell silent taking a mouthful of coffee. She allowed the silence to grow not knowing where to go from here. She was a little surprised when Harry spoke up.

"There's one thing that I regret about this whole war and that's giving you up."

"Harry …"

"No just listen. I love you Ginny, I suppose I always have. I know I never told you that while we were together I didn't really know. But watching you with Malfoy always tore at my heart. I don't know how many times I came close to punching him because he took you … he took you away from me."

"You let me go Harry. You were being all noble and going off to war and leaving me behind. You said you had to because you didn't want to stand at my funeral knowing you'd put me there."

"But that's just it Ginny. I did put you in the grave. Or at least that's how I felt. Voldemort came after you for two reasons, he said so himself. One was to get at Draco for becoming a traitor and the second because he knew you were the only one I loved…"

"Harry please –"

"I love you Ginny. I know that things are different now but I just hope that … I hope that maybe you still haven't given up on me completely. That now Malfoy is gone – which I'm sorry about – that you'll be able to find that part of your heart again and maybe in time allow it to love me like I love you."

Harry suddenly stood up and walked over to the fireplace where her mother was standing.

"Thanks for the breakfast Mrs Weasley."

He kissed her mother's cheek and left the house. Ginny just looked at her plate knowing her mother had listened to the entire conversation. Her head was spinning with so many things. Could she ever love Harry again? Could she put Draco to rest? Slowly she closed her eyes trying to remember when life had been simpler.