Chapter Thirteen
Ginny was singing Ted to sleep when the urgent letter arrived. The owl ruined the progress that Ginny had been making with the fussy child, and she glared at it ruefully.
"What do you want? It had better be good," she said, taking the letter from the owl. In the next moment, her fake DA galleon was activated. It could only mean one thing… Upon opening it, she recognized the handwriting as belonging to Neville.
Ginny,
Harry is back! He's at the Hog's Head with Ron and Hermione. He's saying that the last horcrux is in Hogwarts, and You-Know-Who is on his way right now to check on it! Recruit everyone you can, and get here ASAP!
Neville
Ginny dropped the letter in shock. This was it. The final battle. It would all be over after tonight. Ginny hastily put Ted in his crib and Floo'd Tonks' mother to come watch him. Draco was gone. Remus and Tonks were gone. She had no way of knowing if they were aware of what was about to happen. Ginny wrote a brief note explaining where she had gone and what was going on. Then she sent an owl to her parents containing the same information.
With that done, Ginny gathered a few belongings and apparated to Fred and George's flat. She knocked hurriedly on the door. She heard quiet murmurs from behind the door, and she knew they must have been in the middle of a PotterWatch broadcast.
"Who is it?" Fred's voice asked from inside. Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes.
"It's your sister, Ginny. Fred, there's no time to lose. Harry's at Hogwarts. Voldemort is attacking tonight," she said to the closed door. There was a moment of silence before she heard the lock open. Fred appeared before her, looking skinnier than she had remembered, but mostly the same.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course, I'm serious!" Ginny exclaimed. "We have to go. Now. They're at the Hog's Head." She peered around Fred and saw George sitting on the couch with Lee Jordan. Their expressions were both grave.
"You heard her, George. Let's get a move on," Fred ordered. The three young men bustled around the flat, preparing for what was sure to be an epic battle of good and evil. When they were all assembled, they apparated away to the Hog's Head.
"Aberforth!" George greeted the tavern owner. "Did they leave already?"
"Headed back to Hogwarts just a few minutes ago," Aberforth replied.
"Thank you," Fred said, leading the way to the secret passage leading back to the school. Ginny's heart started beating twice its normal speed. She was nervous for a variety of reasons. First of all, the impending battle was wreaking havoc on her nerves. Secondly, she hadn't had a chance to see Draco before running off to fight. It was incredibly plausible that she wouldn't make it out alive. Thirdly, she was going to see Harry again. How was she supposed to handle that?
Before she had time to figure any of this out, the three Weasleys and Lee Jordan were climbing into the Room of Requirements. A great number of DA members were already assembled. Ginny locked eyes with Harry, and for a moment she felt horribly sick. In spite of everything though, she could not deny that she was happy to see him alive. She smiled brightly, trying to be optimistic that everything would turn out all right. In the next moment, she was nearly knocked over by Colin, who had captured her small frame in a giant bear hug.
"Ginny!" He exclaimed. Ginny laughed and hugged him back.
"Colin! How are you?"
"Excited…nervous," he admitted. "You?"
"Same," she replied. Ginny paused for a moment to see if they were being given instruction, but found that a plan had yet to be formulated. She turned back to Colin.
"Any further developments here at school?"
"Well...Luna is back. But I'm sure you heard about that."
"I'm so glad she's all right. She wrote me a little while ago to let me know she was okay."
"Good, good," Colin mused. Ginny looked into his eyes, and she could tell that he was terrified of what was about to happen.
"You're a great wizard, Colin. You're going to be fine," she said comfortingly. Colin shrugged modestly and blushed.
"Not as good as you, Ginny. Besides, Harry won't let anything bad happen to you." Ginny's heart wrenched at this, but she knew it was true. Harry was likely to give his life to save hers, but Ginny didn't know that she deserved such a sacrifice.
Suddenly, someone bumped into Ginny on her way towards Harry. Ginny recognized the girl as Cho Chang. She had been jealous of Cho for some time, but it had turned to a sort of bitterness now. Cho had never been particularly nice to Ginny, simply because of her connection to Harry. It was just plain rude. And to see her continue to go after Harry made Ginny angry.
She quickly realized that Cho was about to volunteer to take Harry to the Ravenclaw dormitories and decided that she had to intervene.
"No, Luna will take Harry, won't you, Luna?" Ginny spoke up. Luna readily accepted the task, and Cho turned to glare at Ginny. She pretended not to notice and turned back to Colin.
"So Harry's gone…what do we do now?"
"I guess we wait," Ginny sighed. "Doesn't seem fair, does it?"
"This is his destiny, Ginny. Not ours," Colin said matter-of-factly. At this moment, Hermione came over to Ginny.
"Ginny, I'm so glad to see you!" She exclaimed, hugging her friend. "I heard about the sword stealing. That was a very brave idea."
"Thanks…too bad it didn't work," Ginny said bitterly. Hermione's eyes widened and she shook her head.
"Yes, it did, Ginny. Snape moved the sword to Gringotts after that. Then Harry, Ron and I broke in and stole it."
"What?" Ginny gasped in shock.
"We got the sword, Ginny. Thanks to you." Ginny's heart soared with pride. Colin clapped her on the shoulder.
"See? It wasn't all for nothing."
"That makes me feel a little better about getting tortured," Ginny said wryly. Hermione and Colin exchanged horrified glances.
"What?" They asked together. Ginny frowned. She had forgotten that she didn't tell Colin. She didn't want him to feel bad.
"Oh…yeah, Carrow had Crabbe and Goyle practice their Cruciatus curse on me for detention. No biggie," Ginny said dismissively. Hermione's face was pale.
"Oh my God. Neville had mentioned they were using torture like that, but I couldn't believe it," Hermione breathed. Colin shook his head.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ginny?"
"I didn't want you to feel guilty or responsible. And there was nothing you could do about it after the deed was done." Suddenly, pops filled the air and several members of the Order appeared.
"Ginny!" Molly Weasley exclaimed, rushing over to her. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Ginny, I got your note," Remus interrupted. "Tonks went to her mother's to stay with Ted."
"Anything…else?" Ginny asked, hoping that Remus had seen Draco or had somehow gotten in touch with him. Remus seemed to know what she was asking and his eyes softened.
"No, that's all." Ginny nodded and looked at the floor. At that moment, the door burst open, and Harry and Luna returned.
"Ginny, dear, you can't stay. It's too dangerous," Molly began. Ginny frowned.
"Mum, I want to fight."
"You're much too young, Ginny. It's out of the question."
"No, Mum! I don't think you understand me. I'm going to fight."
"Arthur, please talk some sense into your daughter!" Molly exclaimed in frustration. Arthur sighed and shook his head.
"Darling, I think Ginny should choose-"
"Oh, what do you know?" Molly snapped furiously. "Ginny, you are going to go home and stay there until we get back."
"Mum! This isn't fair!" Ginny shouted. She dared to look at Harry for support. She soon found this to be a mistake; he shook his head, resigning her to deportation.
"Fine!" Ginny exclaimed in surrender. "Guess I'll just be going now." It was then that Percy arrived via Floo Powder in the fireplace. Ginny stared in shock as her brother climbed out of the ashes and attempted to apologize for his past behavior. With her family distracted, Ginny backed slowly towards the staircase. If she could just slip outside…
"GINNY!" Molly shrieked. Ginny froze where she was but let out a cry of frustration.
"Mum, all of my friends and family are fighting in this battle! I can't stand to wait at home and see who makes it out alive!" Ginny shouted, attracting the attention of many in the surrounding area. Remus cleared his throat quietly.
"Listen, Molly, perhaps we can compromise. What if Ginny stayed here, in this room? She could be closer to the action, but she doesn't have to necessarily participate." Ginny could have hugged Remus right there. Molly looked skeptical, but Arthur stepped in.
"I think it's a brilliant idea."
"Arthur!" Molly cried.
"Molly, we don't have time for this," Arthur pressed desperately. Molly finally gave in and nodded her consent. Ginny wordlessly thanked Remus, and he seemed to understand. With great rapidity, the Room of Requirements emptied out as everyone willing and able to fight reported to the Great Hall. Ginny stayed behind, muttering bitterly to herself. Remus hung back for a moment.
"Ginny, I know how you must be feeling. I did my best, considering who your mother is," he said almost apologetically. Ginny shook her head.
"I truly appreciate it, Remus. I really do."
"I'm sure he's all right, Ginny," Remus added, touching her arm gently. Ginny blinked away tears and forced herself to nod.
"I know." Remus pulled Ginny into a brief, comforting hug.
"Take care of yourself," he said seriously.
"You too." Remus gave a short nod and quickly disappeared from the room, leaving Ginny all alone.
It wasn't long before a soft pop announced the arrival of someone new. Ginny glanced up and frowned at who she saw.
"Tonks?"
"Ginny! What's going on? What are you doing here all alone?" Tonks asked in confusion. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Long story short, I'm not allowed to fight. What are you doing here? Where's Teddy?"
"I left him with my mum. I couldn't just hang back while everyone else risked their lives…" Tonks trailed off sadly. Ginny sighed.
"I know exactly what you mean," she replied. Tonks smiled weakly.
"Have you gotten in touch with Draco?" She asked carefully. Ginny's face fell. She had been hoping against hope that Tonks had managed to get a hold of him. But she shook her head.
"No…I have no idea where he is, or if he's all right."
"He is," Tonks insisted, sounding a lot like Remus. Another person arrived, this time climbing through the passageway from the Hog's Head; an old woman with a rather decrepit looking hat.
"Hello?" Ginny asked in confusion. "Are you looking for someone?"
"Yes, perhaps you know my grandson, Neville?"
"Oh, yeah!" Ginny exclaimed. "He's downstairs fighting. Although I don't exactly know what's happening at the moment." Luckily, Harry slammed the door open at this moment and fielded the questions Neville's grandmother had to ask. Before Ginny knew what was happening, Tonks had bolted from the room to find Remus. Ginny turned to look at Harry.
"What-"
"Ginny, you need to leave. Just for a little while. Come on!" Ginny was relieved to hear those words, and she immediately left the Room of Requirements. She started running down the corridor towards the commotion that was going on downstairs. The first chance she got, she began to fire all sorts of spells at Voldemort's followers. She caught sight of Tonks and hurried over to assist her in bombarding the Death Eaters on the grounds from a shattered window.
"Tonks, you have to go back to your mum's," Ginny shouted over the din.
"I can't, Ginny."
"Think about your son, Tonks! He needs you!" Ginny argued.
"The man I love is out there somewhere. I'm not leaving him," Tonks replied firmly. Ginny sighed and knew it was no use. She took aim and managed to hit one of the Death Eaters below square in the chest.
"Good girl!" Aberforth bellowed from behind them. Tonks whirled around.
"Aberforth, have you seen my husband? Have you seen Remus?" She asked, her voice thick with desperation.
"Last I saw he was dueling with Dolohov. No idea where he is now," Aberforth replied as he ran past them. Tonks leapt to her feet.
"Tonks, he's all right. I just know it," Ginny tried. But she knew the look in Tonks' eyes. It was the same look Ginny possessed whenever Remus or Tonks assured her that Draco was all right. It was an intercourse of disbelief and dread. Tonks bolted away, leaving Ginny with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"She'll be fine," Harry insisted. "Now, Ginny. Stay out of the way. Find someplace safe and stay there. We'll be back." Before Ginny could protest, Harry, Ron and Hermione had disappeared. Ginny rolled her eyes and glanced out the window to watch the battle unfold below her.
She wondered if Draco was there. And if he was, which side he was fighting for. She knew that he would be loyal to her at the very least, and he would not revert to his old ways. But to stay alive, he might be required to at least pretend to fight for Voldemort.
-
Ginny had just stunned a Death Eater from a window on the third floor when she heard it. Someone familiar calling her name. Footsteps approaching at a rapid rate. She stood up and searched for the source. She could have cried on the spot when she saw Draco running towards her. He swept her into his arms and nearly suffocated her in his fervent embrace.
"Ginny, thank God you're all right."
"Draco, I was so scared," Ginny whispered. She inhaled and frowned. "Draco, you smell like smoke. Is something on fire?" Draco's eyes darkened. He led Ginny into an empty classroom and locked the door.
"I've just recently become a member of the Harry Potter Saved My Life club," he admitted grudgingly. Ginny's eyes widened.
"What?"
"I was with Crabbe and Goyle. I was trying to convince them that I was still on their side, and that we needed to stop Potter from getting the diadem."
"The horcrux?"
"Yeah. So while we're retrieving the diadem, which I had planned to 'surrender' to Potter the next time I encountered him, the Golden Trio enters and a brawl breaks out."
"Oh no."
"Crabbe and Goyle were pretty much trying to kill them, and I had to stop that without making it look like I was trying to stop them. Don't worry," Draco added, noticing her facial expression. "They're all fine. But Potter had to save my life because I was busy trying to make sure those goons didn't kill anyone." Ginny tried to take it all in, but there was just so much.
"There's something else," Draco continued.
"I don't know if my brain can hold much more information," Ginny said with a weak smile. Draco shook his head.
"You'll like this."
"All right. Shoot."
"Potter has the Elder Wand."
"Excuse me?"
"The Elder Wand. It's part of the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Basically, because Potter has it, he's going to win this battle against Voldemort."
"How?"
"I'll explain it later, Ginny. I just have to go make sure no one disarms him and takes it."
"I'm coming with you," Ginny said immediately.
"Ginny-"
"Don't argue with me, Draco. People have been telling me all day that I'm not old enough, and I'm sick of it. I don't want to hear it from you, either." Draco smiled.
"All I was going to say is I love you." Ginny faltered for a moment. Then she threw herself into his arms and kissed him passionately.
"I love you too, Draco."
"Look, we can both fight, but we can't be seen fighting together. I'm going to find Potter. I suggest you go down to the Great Hall and see what's going on there."
"Sounds like a plan."
"If you've had enough, or you want to see me, send a pulse to my wand and I'll meet you back here."
"All right," Ginny nodded. Draco kissed her fiercely one more time before running out the door. Ginny found that her heart was much lighter, and she felt more prepared than ever to go to battle. She hurried down the stairs, hurling curses at any Death Eater within range. But her optimism was quickly stifled. She arrived at the top of the staircase leading to the entrance hall just in time to see a wall collapse, burying two of her brothers in the wreckage.
"NO!" Ginny screamed, increasing her speed. By the time she had fought her way down the stairs and through the battle, Percy was dragging Fred's limp and bloodstained body into the Great Hall to rest with the others who had fallen that night. Ginny didn't know exactly when she started crying, but her face was suddenly drenched with tears.
"Where's Mum?" Percy asked hoarsely. Ginny shook her head. "All right. Stay with him. I'm going to go find her." Ginny nodded and knelt down next to Fred's lifeless body. She touched his hand and felt her heart break. She couldn't even begin to fathom the pain she was feeling. It was just too much.
Suddenly, Ginny saw her mother rushing towards them. She tried to swallow but a lump had formed in the back of her throat, making the task impossible. Molly collapsed on the ground, flinging herself across Fred's body, sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing this was too much for Ginny. She couldn't handle it anymore. She walked away and stood in the corner, crying quietly to herself.
"Madame Pomfrey! We need your help!" A voice called urgently. Ginny looked up and saw a few students carrying another boy into the Great Hall. Blood dripped onto the floor, leaving a trail behind them.
"Put him down on the floor! I'll be there in a moment!" Madame Pomfrey replied, sounding utterly inundated. Ginny inched closer to the wounded boy. She turned and promptly dry heaved when she recognized him. Ginny weakly turned back to him and grabbed his hand.
"Colin! Colin, it's Ginny!" She pleaded through her tears. Colin's eyes opened slowly. It seemed to consume much effort to keep them open.
"Ginny…" he managed to say. Ginny shook her head and touched his face helplessly.
"Colin, what happened?"
"Sectum…sectumsem…" he tried to croak out. Ginny's stomach lurched, and she thought she might throw up again. She squeezed his hand gently.
"It's all right, Colin. You're going to be okay," Ginny insisted frantically. Colin's breathing sounded labored and painful. Ginny couldn't stop crying. Colin lifted his arm and cupped her cheek with his bloody hand.
"I never told you, Ginny…" Colin whispered. "I never…"
"Told me what, Colin?" Ginny pressed.
"I…l-love you," Colin choked out. He started to cough and wheeze, looking as though he was on the brink of death. And Ginny was sure that he was.
"Oh, Colin…" Ginny said, shaking her head. She tried to think of something comforting to say to him in his final moments. Something to give him ultimate peace. Finally, she leaned in close to his face and whispered, "I love you too, Col."
Then she kissed him softly on the lips. She pulled away in time to see Colin smile just moments before the last breath escaped his lips. Ginny lowered her head and cried, a part of her wishing that it could have been her life instead of his.
"Ginny," Arthur murmured quietly, putting a hand on his daughter's shoulder. She looked up at him and was horrified to see tears on his cheeks. She had never seen her father cry in her entire life. It was truly heartbreaking.
"Come sit with Mum. She's been asking for you," Arthur said gently. Ginny glanced at Colin's body one last time before obeying her father's wishes. Molly wrapped her arms around Ginny and sobbed. Ginny didn't even know how to begin to comfort her mother. There was nothing to say. She couldn't tell her that everything would be all right, because it was quite clear that nothing would be.
Kingsley Shacklebolt appeared with a somber expression. He was levitating two bodies behind him. Ginny was afraid to look. When she did, she immediately wished she hadn't. Seeing the lifeless bodies of Remus and Tonks was the last straw for Ginny. She cried out in anguish, beyond the point of tears. All she could think about was Teddy. And how he no longer had parents. The added grief caused Molly to throw herself across Fred's body, where she continued to sob.
This was the situation when Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived. Ginny had almost forgotten what they were all dying for. She found herself unable to look at Harry. In a twisted, demented way, she found herself blaming him for the death that was surrounding her. She knew it was wrong, but she was no longer thinking clearly. Ginny looked up and saw Hermione coming towards her. The older girl wordlessly wrapped her arms around Ginny and hugged her for a long time.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny," Hermione whispered.
"Me too," Ginny replied, her voice thick with emotion. The sound of hundreds of people crying in unison was driving Ginny mad. She pulled away from Hermione and wiped her eyes.
"I need some air," she said.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Hermione asked.
"No, I just…I need to be alone," Ginny replied weakly. Hermione nodded in understanding. Ginny practically ran from the Great Hall. When she got outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air and sighed in relief. Although it in no way dissolved the emotional turmoil she was experiencing, it somewhat cleared her thoughts.
Ginny heard a soft whimper in the shadows and she moved towards it slowly. She came upon a girl, not much older than Ginny herself, who was curled up in the fetal position on the ground. She was bleeding a little from a cut on her forehead, but she seemed to be all right otherwise.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ginny whispered cautiously. The girl gasped and looked up at Ginny fearfully.
"Is my mum here? Is she coming?" She asked hopefully. Ginny wished that she was somewhere else…anywhere else.
"What's your name?"
"Rebecca. Do you know my mother?" Ginny shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I don't. You should come inside so Madame Pomfrey can look at your head." The girl began to cry and shook her head.
"I have to wait here for my mum. She's coming."
"Do you want me to bring you anything?" Ginny asked. The girl shook her head.
"I just want to go home," she said in a pitiful voice. Ginny sighed.
"I know, Rebecca. It'll all be over soon. And everything will be all right."
"Mum!" Rebecca cried, catching sight of her mother on the grounds. "Thank you, uh…what was your name?"
"Ginny."
"Ginny! Thank you." Ginny watched the girl reunite with her mother before standing up and wandering across the grass. She felt a finger tap her shoulder, and she turned around in fear. She suppressed her immediate reaction to fight when she recognized Draco's face in the dark.
"Draco!" She whispered, throwing her arms around his neck. He held her tightly to him, never wanting to let her go.
"Are you all right? Your eyes are puffy."
"Oh, God. Draco, it's awful," Ginny sobbed. Draco's brow immediately creased with concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Draco, they're dead."
"Who's dead?" Ginny cried harder and shook her head, unable to speak. Draco gripped her by the shoulders and forced her to look him in the eyes.
"Ginny…who is dead?" Ginny inhaled deeply to regain some composure.
"Remus and Tonks. They're dead. And so is Fred. And Colin," Ginny managed to squeak out before dissolving into tears once again. Draco's face paled and he clutched Ginny to his chest comfortingly.
"Oh no," he murmured. "This is terrible." He stroked Ginny's hair gently.
"It's not fair, Draco. They were good people!" Ginny exclaimed. Draco kissed the top of her head.
"I know, love. Remus was the closest thing I ever had to a father." Ginny shuddered, suddenly cold. Everything was going so very wrong. But at least she still had Draco.
"Come inside, Ginny. It's not safe out here," Draco said, starting to lead her back to the castle. Ginny shook her head and pulled him into the greenhouses.
"I can't be in there anymore. It's so dreadfully suffocating. Just sit with me for a moment, please?" Ginny asked with a twinge of desperation. Draco couldn't have refused even if he wanted to. They collapsed onto the ground together and sighed in unison.
"Does Harry still have the Elder Wand?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah. Saved my ass again, too."
"What? How do you keep getting into so much trouble?"
"I'm trying to save Potter's ruddy ass! It's a dangerous job, seeing as everyone is trying to kill him," Draco retorted defensively. Ginny smiled.
"I know, love."
"Oh, and your brother punched me in the nose," Draco added bitterly.
"Which one?"
"Does it matter which one?"
"Oh, Draco, don't let it bother you." Draco mumbled something under his breath, and it was obvious that he was letting it bother him. Ginny smiled and shook her head. "Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?" Draco responded by capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. When they pulled apart, Ginny sighed.
"Draco…this doesn't feel right. We shouldn't be doing this right now. The war isn't over yet." Draco tilted his head slightly to one side.
"That's the point, Ginny. It's not over yet," Draco said softly. Ginny saw a flicker of fear pass across his eyes, and she felt the same emotion reflected in her heart. "And there's something else you need to know."
"What?" Ginny asked cautiously. Draco sighed and looked at the ceiling.
"Remus and I had talked about the final battle a lot. About what I would have to do when either side won. Since Potter is going to win…I think I should tell you what that entails."
"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like this?" Ginny asked quietly. Draco looked like he didn't want to continue, but he knew he had to.
"I have to do one last assignment."
"What?"
"The Death Eaters are going to get the hell out of here once Voldemort is killed. I know where they're going, and it's going to be my responsibility to get there and make sure they get turned over to the right officials."
"Draco…" Ginny began, shaking her head.
"Ginny, I have to do this. No one else can."
"No, we'll get someone else from the Order to do it!" Ginny suggested frantically. Draco shook his head.
"Who's going to believe me, Gin? Who's going to trust me after everything that's happened?"
"They'll believe me!"
"Think about it, Ginny," Draco said softly. Ginny didn't want to. She knew he was right. No one was going to believe either one of them. And Draco was right. He was the only one for the job.
"I thought we were done with this," Ginny said, resigning herself to the fact that Draco would be leaving her as soon as the war was over. Draco squeezed Ginny comfortingly and kissed the top of her head.
"I know, love. I don't like it either. But it's the last one. We've done this a dozen times before. It's not going to be any different," Draco insisted. Ginny sighed, not entirely convinced.
"How long will you be gone?"
"I'd give it two hours after Voldemort is dead. I'll portkey back to Remus and Tonks' place."
"I'll wait there for you," Ginny promised.
"No, Ginny. Your family needs you. You should go home."
"Draco, you are my home," Ginny cried. "Besides, I can't stand to be around so much sorrow. It'll drive me mad." Draco rubbed her cheek gently with his thumb.
"All right," Draco agreed. "And I hate to say it, but don't forget what I told you when we started this."
"Please don't," Ginny pleaded. "I remember what you told me."
"But I'm going to be fine, so don't worry about it."
"I know," Ginny replied. But the following silence was mutual acknowledgement that neither of them believed it.
--
When Voldemort dropped dead on the floor, Ginny felt a brief moment of elation that was quickly eclipsed by agony. At this moment, Draco was being whisked away to his final mission. Also not in this moment were Remus, Tonks, Fred, and Colin, just to name a few. And at the end of the war, when it was all over, she still couldn't get past the fact that they were actually gone.
Ginny felt arms surround her from behind and someone hugged her tightly. Eventually, she discovered the arms to belong to Hermione. Hermione looked radiant, even though she was covered in dirt smudges and her shirt was ripped in several places.
"It's over, Ginny!" Hermione squealed. "Isn't it wonderful?" Ginny forced a smile onto her face.
"Yeah, I almost can't believe it," Ginny replied in somewhat of a daze. Hermione ran off into Ron's arms, leaving Ginny alone again. But that didn't last long. In seconds, Harry was pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I did it, Ginny!" He exclaimed excitedly. "I beat Voldemort!" Ginny hugged him back, wishing silently that she would pull away and see that it was Draco instead of Harry. Her wish was not granted.
"I'm so glad, Harry," Ginny said, again forcing a smile. Harry grinned back and kissed her passionately. Ginny felt her gag reflex trigger, but she did her best to play along. She wasn't ready to end things with Harry just yet. It was going to break his heart, and he was so ecstatic from winning the battle. She just couldn't bring herself to do it tonight. Tomorrow, maybe. But not tonight.
"I have to go, but I definitely want to talk to you later, Gin," Harry said distractedly. Ginny nodded, fearing that conversation. Harry kissed her on the cheek and walked into a large crowd of cheering people. Ginny watched him and sighed. She was surrounded by hundreds of people, but she had never felt so alone.
-
Two hours after the fall of Voldemort, Ginny made an excuse to leave the Burrow. In spite of the joy that had spread like wildfire at the end of the battle, when the Weasley family had returned home, the pain of losing Fred was all-consuming. Molly could not stop crying, and tears were threatening Arthur's eyes. George was completely silent and stoic. He hadn't said a word since they arrived at home. Hermione was comforting Ron in the living room, and Harry was talking quietly with Bill and Fleur at the kitchen table.
Ginny found an appropriate time to take her father aside and ask for permission to leave for awhile.
"Dad, I'm going to go make sure Tonks' mother is all right with Teddy."
"Ginny, your mother needs you here."
"Dad…" Ginny tried again, her voice breaking. Arthur didn't say another word. He just nodded and gave his daughter a hug. Ginny left the house quietly, trying not to draw attention, particularly from Harry, and apparated to Remus and Tonks'.
It was strange being inside their house and knowing that they would never come home to it. There was an eerie silence when she entered her old bedroom, as though a horrific event had occurred and snatched all of the residents from their beds in the middle of the night. Her bed was unmade. Her alarm clock was going off. Had been for hours now. A reminder to feed Teddy.
After wandering through the entire house, she found it to be deserted. Draco had not yet returned. It was a little after two hours, so Ginny tried not to overreact. She went outside and sat down on the porch swing to wait for him. Against her own will, Ginny surrendered to the exhaustion plaguing her body. She fell asleep.
When Ginny woke up, the sun was rising over the hilltops before her. The birds were chirping gleefully in the trees, as though they were aware of the shifting of power in the wizarding world. Squirrels merrily went about their business, plucking acorns from the soft green grass. A rabbit hopped over into Tonks' garden and nibbled on some cabbage with carefree liveliness. Ginny looked around anxiously. Her heart sank.
Draco had not returned.