Alethea here! I was so happy that so many read this in such a short time! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the follows! I'm hoping to post a new chapter every day, so make sure to keep checking in!
"I wish you didn't have to go," I say quietly into the dark. My auburn curls are splayed on Harry's bare chest and his newly-cut fingernails brush my shoulder gently.
"I know," he replies, his voice slow and soft. His warm palm presses flat against my shoulder, squeezing it. "I don't want to leave."
"So stay here with me," I offer quickly. "Let Ron and Hermione hunt down the horcruxes and just stay here with me forever."
"Right here? Forever?" he asks, laughter creeping its way into his content voice. "My arm would fall asleep."
"Sorry," I apologize hastily, moving so I'm laying next to him on the mattress, my face at an upward angle so I can see him. "But I'm serious-"
"You're not Sirius, you're Ginny," he interrupts, laughing softly.
I shove my shoulder against his. "Come on, we're having a serious conversation. This is important."
"You know it's just a fantasy... I have to go," he reminds me.
"I know. But I don't want you to," I repeat. I fidget slightly as I fall silent again. We both know that he can't stay. We've known that for the two weeks that we've all be home from Hogwarts, and still, we can't actually break up. We can't stop kissing, holding hands, acting like a couple, despite the fact that it's dangerous for both of us. "I love you."
"I know. I love you, too," he responds instantly. "When I come back…"
"Yeah," is all I can say back. We don't dare plan for after he gets back because everything is so uncertain. This is a war, a real war now, and there will be casualties. Harry and I could both be casualties. "Just try not to die."
He laughs a little. "I'll try my very hardest," he promises.
Then we just lay there for a while, the only sound our relaxed breathing. I lay my head back on his chest as I fall asleep.
When Harry and I go downstairs together the next morning, no one says anything. I know that everyone feels bad that Harry's going to be gone. I know I do.
It's three more perfect days of skinny dipping in the little lake, of lounging around the house, of just lying in the gnome-ridden backyard together. At least we're the first half of the romance movie before we become the second half.
But then comes the goodbye. The dreaded goodbye.
"Ginny…"
"I know." I know that he needs to leave, but why? Why can't he just stay here with me?
"You know how much I want to stay here."
"Mhm."
He just keeps saying it, as though it makes it any better. As though it means he can stay. But he doesn't.
"Ginny, you've got to let me go," he whispers, stroking my hair as I cling to him, preventing him from leaving.
"I know," I tell him. I don't let go, I can't let go.
"Goodbye, Gin." He gives me one last hug before stepping away, swinging his bag back onto his shoulder. "I promise I'll come back. I love you."
"Love you, too."
I watch him go, walking between Ron and Hermione to the edge of the protective bubble around the Burrow. He turns around and gives me a sad little wave before they all apparate away from me, possibly forever.
"It's ok, Ginny," Fred says, without a joke for once in his life. "He'll come back, and Voldemort will be gone, and you'll live happily ever after."
"Thanks." I let him wrap his arm around me as I stare sadly at the place where my boyfriend vanished.
This is a horrible feeling. How could things possibly get any worse?
-Ok, so it was kinda slow, but let me know what you think and please remember to favorite, follow, and review!