"The nurse told me you might be here," someone said behind her.
Ginny turned her head quickly, her hair distorted her view momentarily and the speed at which had moved made her eyes blur for a second. Once she regained her wits, the speaker was clearly visible. Unruly hair covered his eyes and Ginny could just see spellotape wrapped around the bridge of his glasses. There was a smile on his lips. His shoulders hunched slightly because his hands were stuck in the pockets of his jeans with his thumbs out. How had he managed to get his street clothes back? Ginny was suddenly very conscious of her own lack of clothing. She was still wearing the loose white hospital gown the nurse had given her, and nothing more
"Harry!" Ginny cried, running to throw her arms around him but stopping mid-gesture, once she realized the awkwardness of the situation.
"Right, erm… how are you, Harry?"
"I'm, I… I could be worse. You?"
"Fine. I'm alright," Ginny smiled, despite her best efforts to refrain. She could tell just how uncomfortable he was. All his muscles had tensed up and he shifted his weight from side to side. Ginny looked up at his eyes to see if they would tell her anything. He had never been too good at hiding his feelings from her.
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Why are your eyes closed?" She asked, bewildered. Had he gone blind? Was he sick? Did he not want to look at her? Was she so hideous? He looked perfectly normal… as normal as one could be in these … extenuating … circumstances.
"The nurse got frightened when I opened them. I didn't want to scare you… I… I was hoping…"
"You were hoping what?" asked Ginny impatiently but beaming, and hanging on to his every word.
"I was hoping that… the two of us… things between us would be normal as possible."
Oh. Well, Ginny hadn't really been expecting that, but it was a step in the right direction. He had come to find her. He wanted to talk to her. Was that a good thing? What about Neville? Did she love him?
Did she have to choose?
Right, back to the present situation, "Harry, open your eyes."
"No," his voice was stern but Ginny also detected something else. Fear, maybe? Apprehension? Whatever it was, Ginny was sure she could sway Harry. He had loved her, after all.
"Please, I'll tell you what they look like."
Harry's eyelids flew open.
"Oh," was all Ginny could said before she could stop herself.
"Oh? Could you elaborate a bit?" the corners of Harry's mouth twitched upward with the passing shadow of smile but the rest of his face remained clearly filled with concern.
"They're…" there were so many things to say yet no words seemed to be enough. Beautiful? Horrifying? Spectacular? At first the astonish clarity and brightness of the green coloring took one's breath away. Ginny looked past them and realized that light was radiating off of them. They were glowing. His eyes seemed to possess some terrifying beauty thus far unknown.
"Can you see?"
"Yes."
"Could you see when they were closed?"
Harry paused and Ginny waited for his answer, "Well… I hadn't thought about that… I mean, I found my way here from people who looked hungry. I guess I could. I think so. What do my eyes look like? Why was the nurse so shocked?"
"You're eyes are… green," Harry opened his mouth to interrupt but Ginny continued, "Greener than before. They're greener than the essence of green. Not like anything I've ever seen."
"Does it scare you?" asked Harry. Ginny supposed this had been the question he was getting at.
"No," Ginny replied automatically. She didn't hesitate. It was a bit scary but nothing Ginny couldn't get used to eventually if… if… it was permanent.
"You're lying."
The statement took Ginny by surprise. Lying was a strong word for not validating Harry's premonitions and fears caused by some nurse.
"I didn't lie, Harry."
"Yes you did. You've lied twice now."
"Okay! I lied! They're a bit scary, yes! Does that make you feel better? It's something I'll get used to. We all changed."
"I'm glad you're okay," Harry decided. Suddenly, they were standing much closer to each other, "everything is okay. We're all safe. You and I are safe." He was whispering now. His forehead touched hers, barely. His skin was hot. If Ginny hadn't known better, she would have thought he was feverish. She took his hands in hers. His lips met hers for a fleeting moment. Ginny kissed him back, harder, more sure of herself. They had lost so much time.
Ginny felt a combination of butterflies and fireworks explode in her stomach, or, perhaps, fireworks in butterfly shapes… maybe exploding butterflies?…