2

2

Quiet for Sleepers

Harry left the room. In the hallway, he leaned against the wall, trying to clear his mind. He shook his head and went back down to the kitchen. When he entered, everyone looked at him. Harry walked right passed them and left the Burrow. He heard the door bang open and someone running after him, but he didn't look back. He didn't want to.

'Harry! Where are you going?' Hermione demanded.

'Home. I made a mistake coming here.'

'What are you talking about?'

'I thought that Ginny wanted me here. But after what just happened, I now know that that's the last thing she wants.'

'Harry James Potter, you know that's not true! Ginny needs you more than ever. We all need you. Harry,' she walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. 'Without you, Ginny won't stop being afraid; she'll have those nightmares for years, possibly the rest of her life. I know that you don't want that, I know that the biggest reason you came back was because of Ginny. Harry, you two need each other. Just admit it.'

Harry sighed and said nothing.

'Go back inside, go to Ginny and tell her that you're not leaving her. Tell her the truth, Harry. Explain to her everything that happened.'

'You mean, she doesn't know?' Harry asked, surprised.

Hermione shook her head.

'Why didn't anyone tell her? That could've made a world of difference!'

'She was already having the nightmares. Her parents didn't think she could handle it.'

'Hermione, what if, what if she meant what she said, about not wanting to see me?' Harry said quietly.

'She doesn't. Don't worry Harry, if you explain what happened in the forest, she'll understand. Now, go.'

Harry took a deep breath and walked right back into the house. He walked back up the stairs and collided with Ginny as she made her way down the stairs. Harry grabbed her arms to make sure they wouldn't fall down. Ginny wrenched her arms free and stared at him. Harry desperately wanted to avert his eyes but knew he couldn't.

'Just the person I was looking for.' Harry said.

'Piss off Harry.' Ginny retorted, trying to push past him.

Harry stood his ground.

'No, I don't think I will, thanks.' Harry replied.

'What do you want?'

'To talk.'

'No.'

'I will force you.'

'You wouldn't dare.' She said, narrowing her eyes.

'Watch me.' He replied.

Harry bent down as though he were going to pick Ginny up, but she had already turned around and was heading back up the stairs. Harry followed her inside her room.

'What?' she spat.

'Hermione told what's been going on around here.'

'So?'

'So, I want to help.'

'How can you help?' she demanded.

'By telling you the truth. I want you to promise me that you won't say anything until I'm done, okay?'

'Yeah, fine.'

Harry started to pace. 'During a battle, people need to make split second decisions. You need to know who's with you, who's against you and most importantly, who will switch sides. Going into that war against Voldemort, I knew who was against and who was with me, but I never knew who would switch sides. A lot of things happened that night, some good but most bad. In the Forbidden Forest, Voldemort tried to kill me, but I somehow survived again. I had laid motionless on the ground -barely daring to breathe- when Voldemort ordered someone to make sure I was really dead. Then and there, I had thought I was a goner. I never thought that Narcissa Malfoy would go against Voldemort for the life of her slimeball of a son. She lied to Voldemort's face and he actually believed her. He had them carry me out and dump me on the ground in front of everyone including you. Everyone thought I was dead- everyone was wrong. I had waited until Voldemort made a speech to act. I had pulled my invisibility cloak over me and everyone went crazy. Neville killed the snake, which made it possible for me to kill Voldemort. From there on, I'm pretty sure that you know what happened. So, in truth, I never died, I just acted like I had to save everyone. I don't really know understand why no one told you, I mean, you deserve to know as well as anyone else.' Harry thought it would be best for him to not tell Ginny that he had indeed died and had spoken with Dumbledor.

Ginny sat speechless.

'But,' she paused. 'but it looked so real! Harry, are you sure?'

'Positive. I couldn't lie to you, you'd catch me too easily.

'What else did Hermione say?'

'That I was an idiot for trying to leave. Honestly, sometimes I think that she knows me better than I do.'

'Thank-you.'

'For what?'

'For not leaving, for being here when I needed you, for protecting me, for making me listen; take your pick.'

'You're welcome, for all of them. Are you going to be all right?'

'I think so.'

'Good.'

Harry turned to leave but Ginny swung him around to face her again.

'You're doing it again.' Ginny said.

'Doing what?' Harry asked, confused.

'Leaving.'

Harry chuckled quietly. Ginny moved toward him until they were only inches apart.

'Harry.' She whispered.

'Yeah?' he said hoarsely.

'Kiss me.' She said, pressing closer.

'What?'

'Kiss me.'

Harry kissed her. He pressed her to him. He kissed her like he had always dreamt of kissing her.

'God, I've missed you.' He said thickly, after they had separated.

'I've missed you too. When are you leaving?'

'Never.'

'Are you hungry?' she asked.

'Starved.'

'Me too. Let's raid the kitchen and see what we can find.'

'Sounds like a plan, let's go.'

In the kitchen, Ron and Hermione were waiting impatiently. Hermione looked around, seeming nervous in her own skin while Ron had the massive volume on Post Traumatic Stress propped open. When Harry entered the kitchen with Ginny beside him, Hermione beamed.

'Hello you two.' She said.

'Hi Hermione.' Ginny said.

'Ron, I think you can return that book to the shrink you stole it from.' Harry joked.

'Hope you're right, mate.' Ron said with a lopsided grin.

Harry smiled and he and Ginny set to work getting their dinner. Once they had finished eating, the four friends sat talking.

'Ginny, are you back to Hogwarts in September?' Harry asked.

'Yep. I wonder how different it will be. I mean, the war…' she trailed off.

'I'm sure Professor McGonagal will have the school in shape for September.' Hermione said with a nod.

'Hermione, half the school's been blown to bloody pieces! I don't think it'll be ready in a few weeks!' Ron cried.

'Ronald! When are you going to learn-' Hermione started.

'That Hermione's always right?' Harry interrupted.

Ron went bright red round the ears and the four burst out laughing.

'Whew! All this laughing is making me thirsty, anyone else want something?' Ginny asked, standing to get a drink.

The other shook their heads. While Ginny was up, Mrs. Weasley came bustling in looking flustered. The smiles on all their faces faded and Ginny froze where she was standing. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry, Ron and Hermione each a stern look before scolding them.

'I was outside and I heard you laughing. With that kind of volume, you'll wake Ginny! So quiet down or it's off to bed with the lot of you!'

'But mum, I am up.' Ginny said.

Mrs. Weasley glared at her youngest child. 'Ginny Weasley! What are you doing out of bed young lady?'

'I was hungry.'

'Have you eaten?'

'Yes.'

'Then get to bed.'

'But I'm not tired I've been sleeping for a month now! Please mum, let me stay with Harry! I haven't seen him in so long.' Ginny begged.

'All right, but don't be up too late. Harry, will you be all right sleeping with Ron in his room?'

'That will be fine Mrs. Weasley.' Harry replied.

'Good. I'll go get your room ready. Don't let your sister stay up too late Ron, got it?'

'Yes mum.' Ron replied lazily.

'Good. I will see you all tomorrow morning. Goodnight.'

'Goodnight.' The four answered.

Mrs. Weasley left the kitchen.