I am so sorry to everyone for this incredibly, incredibly late update. I moved yet again. I also, I dare say, lost interest along the way. I know it's a short story and all but still. A thousand apologies (each for a day I haven't updated). I know there's no good excuse. However, I wanted to complete this story before the release of the last book because if Harry really does die, like many people have predicted, I'd be too bummed to finish. Please accept my sincerest apologies. )

Chapter 4

Harry saw a small tear run down Ginny's pale face right before he placed his mouth over hers. Merlin, she felt as soft and warm as she did over two years ago and he basked in the tingly sensation that ran over his entire body. She even tasted the same and it was driving him crazy. He released an arm and wrapped it around her waist, molding her against him.

When she moaned all coherent thought left his head. Harry released his other arm and ran it down the side of her face, wiping away the wet path of her tear. In response, she wrapped her own arms around his neck, deepening their kiss.

Harry felt triumphant. He kissed her cheeks, her chin, and moved towards her neck, latching his mouth securely on top a row of freckles. Ginny shuddered and her legs became wobbly, much to his delight. He grinned and returned to her mouth, releasing all the pent up desire he had mustered over the years. Any doubt he had about Ginny's affections before disappeared as he felt her tongue lave across his lips begging for entrance. He happily obliged and when they both finally stopped to catch their breaths, he flashed a happy smile down at her.

Harry was caught off guard when he felt a hot white flash of pain surge through his left leg. He collapsed, gripping his shin, rubbing furiously. He looked up just in time to see Ginny storm out the room and heard her footsteps race downstairs. He groaned and reached for his wand, muttering a temporary healing charm. While the pain subsided his confusion grew as he stood up wondering what the bloody hell had just happened.

Harry Potter, famous auror, the Boy who Lived, the Chosen One, limped towards his freezer and took out a bag of frozen peas. He hobbled to a sofa and stretched out his throbbing limb on the coffee table, letting out a sigh of relief as he pressed the cold bag against it. He laid back his head replaying the kiss and the painful kick to his shin over and over again.

Exhausted, he was about to close his eyes when he heard the soft pop! of someone apparating in his flat. He grabbed his wand and turned around.

"Ron?"

"What did you do?" drawled the red head angrily.

Harry paused. He didn't really feel like telling his friend that he had just snogged his little sister.

"Ginny's a bloody mess and I…"

Harry stood up, ignoring the ache in his leg.

"Is she alright?" he demanded, worry etched on his face.

Ron looked taken aback. He had actually come to his best mate's flat to teach him a lesson after witnessing his sobbing sister run into his girlfriend's arms, but the look on Harry's face made him lose his resolve.

"No," he started, finally calming down. "She's crying and Hermione's with her in the kitchen."

Harry slowly sat back down, dejected and numb. Ginny was crying because of him. He recalled how she fled to her room and how she pushed him away when he tried to talk to her. The image of her running out the door with tear stained cheeks tore at his heart. He lowered his head. He was wrong. It was painfully clear she didn't want him.

Ron frowned down at his friend and finally noticed the bag of peas on the floor and the sprawled out leg.

"Did she kick you?" he asked after an awkward moment, and sat down next to Harry.

"Yeah, right after I kissed her."

Ron's eyes narrowed.

"You what?.." he growled.

"But she kissed me back," interrupted Harry.

Ron paused, his expression changing in an instant. "Are you sure?"

Harry scowled at him. He was under enough stress already without his friend's annoying ignorance.

"Yeah," he replied. "I'm sure."

"I don't get it. Then why's she crying?" Ron asked.

Harry looked away, ignoring the dull throb in his leg. "She's regretting it." After a brief pause he buried his face in his hands and groaned. "Why did I do that? I messed everything up, again."

Ron patted him on the shoulder.

"It'll be okay," he reassured then added, "I think."

Harry said nothing and sighed heavily, sinking himself further into the seat. Ron cleared his throat, trying to think of something comforting to say.

"Hermione's with her. She's always on your side, and you know how good she is at explaining everything."

Harry shook his head.

"She hates me," he said with a defeated groan.

"No, she doesn't," Ron replied indignantly as he stood up and walked to the kitchen. He came back out with a handful of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. "Look, mate," started Ron, his mouth full, "Ginny's my sister and it's really uncomfortable for me to say this but," he swallowed as Harry looked up, "you're both perfect for each other. I mean you made her happier than those idiots Michael or Dean ever did."

Harry gave a small smile despite of himself.

"Come on, you're Harry Potter for bloody sake. You killed the most evil dark wizard ever to exist and lived. Stop feeling sorry for yourself."

The young auror slowly nodded, his mood lifting. His occasionally dense friend was right. Harry remembered how often his best mates and he would have to sleep in cold desolate caves, with no fresh water, no showers, wearing the same clothes for days, while searching for Voldemort's horcruxes. It was the most horrible time of his life, but there was a war going on, and he was in the center of it. The tremendous burden and pressure he endured greatly affected him even after the dark lord's death. He couldn't imagine going through anything tougher.

"Do you love her?" Ron asked suddenly, repeating the same question Hermione had asked earlier, catching his friend off guard.

Harry stared at him, suddenly remembering the warm full softness of Ginny's lips and body, and swallowed hard before nodding again.

"More than anything," he murmured softly.

Ron smiled and slapped his mate on the shoulder in approval.

"Good," the red head replied before gulping down his milk.

It was true. Harry loved her, missed her, wanted her, and thought of her constantly. He ignored his desires when they became friends again and it took all his inner strength not to grab her and kiss her whenever she walked into a room. Harry narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw resolutely. Ginny had every right to be angry with him. He had not only ended their budding relationship but also ruined their newfound friendship.

But no matter what she thought of him he wasn't sorry for his actions. She may have hated him now, but even she couldn't deny the passion that raged between them earlier. Harry knew what he wanted and was determined to win Ginny back no matter what.

Sorry again for the long wait.

P.S. Did anyone buy Entertainment Weekly? Mine has Ron, my favorite character, on the cover.