Yay, new chapter(: I don't have much to say so, here you go!

Chapter 16: If You Can?

Harry was crouched behind a large rock. He listened for any hint of a sound. All he could hear was his own breathing. He peered around the rock and into the darkness when he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He whipped around and pointed his wand at the figure that was advancing towards him.

"Stupefy!" he yelled.

The figure flew backwards and slammed against a rock nearby.

The lights suddenly turned on and Harry heard Kingsley's voice echo through the training room.

"Nice one, Harry. That's good enough for one day. Meet me outside."

Harry went over to Ron and held out his hand. Ron took it and pulled himself up.

"Sorry mate," Harry said as Ron shook off the dirt on him.

"No problem. Just lucky these things are pads, not actual rocks," he replied, nodding to the rock-shaped pad he had just been blasted into.

The pair left the training room and entered the lobby outside where Kingsley was waiting for them.

"Nice job today you two. You're really making progress."

It had been nearly three weeks since Ron had started the same schedule as Harry down at the Ministry of Magic. Training was getting tougher and tougher and now they were doing simulation practices as part of their field training.

"How long 'til we can get out into the field?" Ron asked eagerly.

Kingsley chuckled.

"You've still got a ways to go, the both of you. I'm not saying you guys wouldn't be successful but the training will prevent simple mistakes. Plus, it's only fair."

The two nodded.

"Well I'll see you both tomorrow, 8 a.m."

"Bye, sir," they said in unison.

As they headed back to their cubicles to collect their things, Ron brought up Harry's birthday. It was just a few days away.

"So Mum wants to know what you'd care to do for your birthday," he said as they headed onto the lift.

"Er-"

"-Not too much of a fuss, we know," Ron interjected, reading his mind. "But besides that."

"Honestly just a nice meal with everyone is fine."

"Good luck with that mate," Ron laughed.

Harry sighed. When they reached their cubicles Harry turned to Ron.

"You coming back to the Burrow tonight?"

"Nah, I promised Hermione I'd stop by. Tell Mum for me? I'll be back around 10."

"Sure thing."

Ron thanked him, turned around, and was gone.

XxxX

Harry walked into the Burrow's kitchen where was washing dishes.

"Hello ," he said.

"Oh hello dear, how was work?"

"Tough," he replied. "Ron wanted me to let you know he's going to Hermione's and will be back by 10."

"Thank you. Here, have a bite to eat. You must be starving."

Harry thanked her and grabbed a bowl of soup.

"Where's-?"

"Ginny's outside."

Harry's ears turned pink. smiled as she left, watching Harry stumble a little off his stool in embarassment and headed towards the door. He stood in the doorway and watched Ginny while she sat outside in the garden, reading a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages with her wand as light. Harry walked outside and sat next to her.

"150," he said.

"What?"

"Oh, I was just telling you how many times you've probably read that book," he said simply.

She stuck out her tongue at him and then smiled.

"You think you're so funny," she joked.

"You think I'm funny."

"Good point."

Harry laughed and kissed her.

"I've wanted to do that all day," he breathed after a few minutes.

"What, not a lot of love at the Ministry?"

"Let's see. Curses, drills, simulation battles... Nope, no love."

Ginny's face fell for a fraction of a second and she tried to cover it up by kissing him again. The feel of her lips on his almost made him forget, but he reluctantly pulled away.

"Ginny, what is it?"

Ginny looked like she was having an internal battle, but finally said, "You being an Auror scares me."

Harry met her intense stare that he knew so well.

"It's not like I don't want you to become an Auror, because I do. It's just, you know, you being in danger that scares me. I was terrified that whole year you were gone."

"It won't be like that, though," he tried to reassure her. "My whole life Voldemort has been after me and it's finally safe. There are still bad people out there but compared to Voldemort... I can make it."

He grabbed her hand.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You don't think you're putting me in danger again? You're not gunna just decide that it's too dangerous for us to be together again?"

He tried to look into her eyes as intensely as she was looking into his.

"No," he said thruthfully. "I'm not going anywhere."

XxxX

(Ginny's POV)

Hermione and Ginny appeared out of thin air at the end of the street in a Muggle neighborhood. Hermione led Ginny down the street and into her house. Hermione said hello to her parents and Ginny followed her up to her bedroom. Ginny looked around the small, bright room. It was covered in books and pictures. Ginny could recognize which photos were from the wizarding world, because occasionally you'd see the people in the picture move. She was looking at a picture of Hermione, Ron, and Harry when Hermione said,

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Well... Are you going back to Hogwarts?"

"I've been thinking about it ever since I got a letter from Professor McGonagall... But yes, I believe I've decided I'll go back. Aren't you?"

Ginny shifted uncomfortably.

"Er, well, for a while I was sure there was no way I wanted to go back... But after I got my letter I've been undecided."

"Well what do you want to do?"

"I think I want to go back."

"Have you talked to anyone else about it?"

When Ginny shook her head she continued, in a very Hermione-ish sort of way, "It really is best for you to finish your education."

Ginny sighed and nodded. The two talked for a while longer about school and what it might be like going back after everything. The sun was beginning to set when Hermione told Ginny she should probably be getting home. Hermione grabbed Ginny's hand and they Dissapparated. Ginny looked at the Burrow, knowing that a talk with her mother was inevitable.

"You can't avoid talking to your mum about it," said Hermione knowingly.

"Right.. See you tomorrow."

XxxX

(Harry's POV)

Harry was awake, but kept his eyes closed, hoping to fall back asleep. His week at the Ministry had been exhausting and he was thankful it was finally Saturday. He was slowly drifting back to sleep when he smelled something amazing. First it was the familiar flowery smell he recognized as Ginny, then the smell of eggs, bacon, and toast. Harry opened his eyes.

"Happy Birthday," smiled Ginny.

Harry smiled as she sat down next to him and placed the tray of breakfast in front of him.

"We couldn't let you sleep away your birthday," she continued. "Happy Birthday, Harry."

"You said that," he joked.

Before she could say anything else he kissed her, thinking of nothing else except for how good it felt as he weaved his fingers in her hair...

"Ahem."

They broke apart as fast as they could. Hermione laughed.

"It's alright," she said as she sat down at the end of Harry's bed. "Just fix your hair before Ron sees. Happy Birthday Harry!"

Ginny blushed and started combing through her hair with her fingers. Ron walked in just as her hair no longer look disheveled.

"Happy Birthday mate," he said.

Harry thanked them and they talked while Harry ate his breakfast.

The four spent the day playing two a side Quidditch until called them in.

"Go get ready dears, everyone should be arriving in an hour or so."

"You told her I didn't want a fuss right?" he asked, looking at Ron as they climbed the stairs.

"Of course," he laughed. "But when has mum ever listened to that?"

Ahh, there you go, a new chapter. Next chapter is Harry's birthday! Woot. I was gunna fit it into this chapter, but I wanted to get you guys a new one sooner.