Lessons and classes continued at Hogwarts even though Harry and Ron weren't in attendance. Both had the best intentions of making breakfast in the dining hall like old times with Hermione, Ginny, and their friends but their bodies were just too exhausted from their trip from Bulgaria to Hogwarts and they simply slept.
After showering and changing , Harry and Ron ate a lonely breakfast ( everyone was already in classes by the time they arrived downstairs) and then decided to go pay Hagrid a visit since they hadn't seen their old friend since their return.
Though his hut had been burnt during the war, Hagrid had rebuilt as so many had . Buck beak, the hippogriff, lounged outside, and called a greeting as they approached.
It was familiar and they both recognized this was what they needed as well.
Hagrid was thrilled to see them and they spent a pleasant hour visiting their old friend over a pot of tea and catching up.
They caught up with Madame Hooch as they walked out to the familiar Quidditch pitch where they had spent countless hours playing for sport and simply fun.
The brisk coach had insisted on running some quaffles with them. Harry and Ron eagerly obliged her as they both loved the sport and it was simply energizing .
" We'll get together a team,' Suggested Madame hooch," set up a game. You two will continue playing Gryffindor as it will always be your house team and Verity's team can play against. I'll set it up with McGonagall and be in touch"
When the last class had ended for the day, Ginny handed off her books to Luna, begging for her to drop them off in her dorm for her as she raced upstairs to the Astronomy Tower. She found Harry staring pensively out the window and waiting for her.
The echoes of the cries and the screams of the battle echoing in his head .
" I'm sorry I couldn't get out of Charms," Ginny clung to him, tightly," I did try'
" I would have felt guilty , if you had," offered Harry, threading his hands through her profusion of glorious hair that lit like sun fire and drew her into a deep, lingering kiss.
She drank from his lips as if he was the very nectar of life. Desire burned along the edges and though he wanted her , always had wanted her, he knew what they had was special.
He had realized it before he had left so long ago and while he had been away from her; Harry had discovered just how vital she was to him. He pulled away, slowly.
"Have I mentioned how lovely you are, Ginny' complemented Harry.
"No," Ginny rested her forehead against his," and your sweet for saying it. I love you, Harry, but why do I get the feeling your not really up for a snog with me right now?":
He kissed her, swiftly." don't be ridiculous," said Harry," I love kissing you"
" I never said that you didn't and a girl can tell," Ginny twined her fingers in his," now can you tell me what's bothering you?"
He guided her over to the window, looking out to watch the water ripple across the Black lake then turned back to her.
"Not exactly," started Harry," Ron and I went down to the dining hall around nine this morning since we both overslept. Of course, all of you were already in class so it was mainly us and a couple of fourth years. Ginny, I went to help myself to the cornflakes and I just …I froze…"
"Go on," urged Ginny, had a strong idea about what he was reacting to.
" I froze,' continued Harry," looked around the room for Colin Creevey . I ..I guess I expected him to take them from me as he did ever other morning " His voice choked with pain," Colin is dead. Funny, talks too much Colin is gone and so many others that shouldn't be, gone. Dean- he was with us at Shell cottage. How is it that he's still missing ? Seamus isn't here because his parents are still afraid that the war really isn't over-that its not safe again to be back here"
Ginny let go of his hand and wrapped her arms tight around him." I know it hurts," said Ginny," Colin was my friend, too. We all, every one of us, have a bad day here now and again and I imagine we still might occasionally. Its okay, Harry, to be sad"
"I fought ," Harry practically spat out the words," we fought for so long and its finally really over. Has been over for a while now …it had to be done. We had to win. My scar hasn't burned since the day I killed Voldermort but sometimes I still have the nightmares"
She held his gaze, steady and strong." I would be afraid if you didn't ," said Ginny," you saved our world. Its time for you to finally let it go and live yours. Really live, Harry"
Harry moved her into a kiss, soft as dew and as tender as a shoot of sweet peas in spring.
"How do you do it," wondered Harry," you always know what I need"
" I have been in love with you for quite some time," quipped Ginny,' I understand You"
"Yes, you do," Harry held her closer," Gin, we haven't really talked about us…since the war ended. I mean, our relationship, and since Ron and I started our training , it isn't exactly fair to you"
Ginny's lips curved in an amused smile." Harry," brought up Ginny, who like any self-respecting young woman madly in love , had already given this a great manner of consideration," I have another term yet after this one. You will be a full-fledged Auror when I graduate from Hogwarts."
" I am aware of how old you are,Ginny," said Harry,' I don't know how my schedule will be or if Ron and I will have to travel more . I want to be deserve that"
"Harry," Ginny let go of him to better make her meaning clear," I haven't complained once and if I did it was only to Hermione and Luna in the ways of missing my fellow. I haven't changed all that much and your supposed to know that"
"What if you decided you fancied somebody else while I was away?"
" I will admit that Neville has grown rather handsome in a year," rattled off Ginny in her teasing way," however, we're neither one to fancy something happening there. Seriously, Harry, did that vampire knock you out ? Unless you have ideas about being noble and since you've already saved the world, nobility isn't an excuse you can use anymore.
Or is there someone else you fancy?"
"I don't fancy anyone but you, Ginny Weasley," declared Harry, exhausted just listening to her. Good Lord, it was almost a toss up between who got riled up more- The Weasleys or Hermione ? He didn't remember Ginny to prattle this much.
"Good and I don't fancy anyone else," stated Ginny," and we can write each other while your away and visit each other. It's not as if you've gone back to the Dursely's and you are rooming with my brother . Diagon Alley isn't that far from the that it then?"
Harry thought of his best mate and Hermione and felt his tongue thicken up.
"I do love you, Ginny," said Harry, thickly," and it means a lot that your willing to wait for me' He let out a strangled sound that had her staring oddly at him."W..what about …marriage? I….that is..I have no clue what I am doing. I'm not asking …not now because your Mum would likely kill me first. I just thought I'd run the thought by you and we…could maybe ..talk it out"
Ginny clasped her hands to her heart as it felt as if bunnies were leaping wildly about in there."Merlin, Harry," Ginny felt herself tumble a bit more in love with him at that moment," I'll love you forever and a day but neither of us is ready for such a leap yet."
" I've just turned sixteen and I do have plans I would like to follow through with and I know that you just need to enjoy being Harry for a while before we talk wedding gowns, flowers, and I adore you for thinking it worth a mention"
" good," Harry didn't bother to hide the sheer relief from his face," we're on the same page then' Ginny walked her fingers up his chest." We could talk about it again," Ginny nibbled at his lips," in, oh, three years or so would be acceptable"
"Three years is a solid number" agreed Harry, readily as she slid her arms around his neck.
" Ron's asking Hermione finally?" asked Ginny, knowingly.
"That's part of his plan," declared Harry, matter of fact.
A cool breeze wafted through the cracks of the boarded up windows of the Shrieking Shack ruffling the orange Chudley Cannons blanket but the couple entwined in each others arms were oblivious to anything but each other. Their joining had been swift yet wondrous. " That was just…perfect," sighed Hermione, kissing a welt of a red scar on his shoulder. He had so many scars and bruises from his auror training.
" I cannot believe how much I have missed you"
He drew her in for another searing kiss." Maybe I should go away more often, hmm"
" Don't spoil it, Ron," murmured Hermione, tugging the blanket over her legs," I cant believe that we only have five days! Unless your staying on..Sunday then ?"
" I would love to, sweetheart," Ron nuzzled her neck," but mum's expecting us for lunch"
Hermione's face fell."oh right. Of course, you need to spend time with your family," says Hermione," naturally I understand that. They miss you, too. It's just that we have so little time together and the letters though wonderful but not nearly enough"
She felt moisture well in her eyes and willed them away. She would not cry-not now-once he was gone then she'd have herself a good cry." I have to think about this"
She bit her lower lip, contemplating the best course of action that would allow her to spend time with him as well as Harry yet not take him away from the others.
He grinned, amused, because it was so like her."It's not a test, Mione"
She glowered at him but her chocolate eyes were bright."Yes, I realize I'm being a bit over the top," admitted Hermione, sheepishly," and being the selfish girlfriend wanting all of your time .You'll be wanting to go to Hogs Meade to Rosemerta's with Harry and Neville, I imagine. Verity and most of the school are already really excited about this Quidditch game with you and Harry. Like old times at Hogwarts…"
"Hermione," Ron silenced her with another heart stopping kiss," stop. You worry way too much .Sure Harry and I will probably do all of that but I came to be with you" He sifted her brown curls through his hands," I've missed you desperately, love"
Hermione nipped at his chin." Did you like all the letters I sent you?"
"Read them every night," admitted Ron, his lips moving across her jaw line," read them so much , I memorized them" She ran her fingers through his shaggy red hair, enjoying how it felt." Harry's still watching Ginny on that damn map nowadays"
Hermione giggled." Gin will love to hear that"
" Don't be telling her," Ron feigned outrage on behalf of his friend," Harry's sensitive about it"
At this point, Hermione couldn't prevent the laughter that bubbled forth.
"Sensitive, my foot," says Hermione," as if we weren't supposed to know he was watching her on that thing while we were searching for the he's working and watching where she's at, I think it's a marvelous sign. I think those two are much stronger now"
"Like we are," Ron moved on to her shoulders," and I think that's enough talk about my sister and Harry when we have much better things we could be doing"
He wagged his eyebrows suggestively and Hermione giggled , as she rolled onto his chest.
"You did bring them up," pointed out Hermione," and Harry is really happy"
Ron grew serious." True," replied Ron," and its about time, finally"
Hermione sank into him and as they tumbled gloriously into a place reserved for lovers, Ron knew with certain clarity how he would ask for her hand in marriage.