It was the end of July and the castle was so close to being finished. With just a week left until it was due to be opened, they were trying to gather more and more people to help finish the place. It was looking more like the building she knew and loved. The Entrance Hall was being pieced back together and the so was the dining room and the courtyard.

Her mother had also decided of her own accord to come back and help a few days ago. It had been hard on her, but ever since their talk they had grown stronger together. They'd helped each other through the pain and misery, as Harry had helped her and her father had helped her mother. Having one other person around to comfort you when you most needed it made the world of difference.

Luna and Neville also seemed to be getting particularly close. Ginny often caught them eyeing each other and then one would look away. It was so cute to see and Ginny asked Luna about it at lunch that day. They were sitting beside each other and Neville was sitting on the far end of the table with Harry, Dean and Seamus. She asked her quietly, "So…how's things with Neville, Luna?" Luna blinked at her in surprise and Ginny smiled. She had been right. The blonde haired girl asked quietly, "Is it that obvious?" Ginny chuckled and whispered, "To me. Only because I know you both well."

Luna blushed and Ginny couldn't ever recall seeing her friend turn red before. It was pretty amusing as she ate some fruit and waited for her reply. Luna finally commented, "I suppose I never really felt like I wanted, or needed someone, you know? Like he just was so brave and daring throughout the war. He basically took on Harry's role without anyone asking him to. He's a leader and I think he would go for someone like…like Romilda Vane."
Ginny automatically made a face at that name. She scowled and commented, "Luna, don't ever underestimate yourself! You're brave and you fought in the war too. And you came to the ministry with us. I know Neville. He would like someone for their personality and not because of how vain or popular they are. Besides which, he's been looking at you too, you know."

Luna smiled then brightly and said, "I thought so but then I thought I had imagined it." Ginny grinned and shook her head, "Nope, you're not imagining anything." Luna sighed and said in a toneless and dead whisper, "But Ginny, I'm different. I mean everyone knows that. I know that. Why would he like me?"

Ginny was confused. She had never seen her friend so helpless before. So confused and so unsure of herself. And once again Luna had the horrible knack of speaking the honest truth and it made her feel incredibly awkward. She wondered if the war had changed Luna…made her more cynical. Because this definitely was not the friend she knew.
Ginny sighed, "Luna, you are unique. Everyone is unique in some way or another. Some just show it more readily than others. And I don't think it's a bad thing." Her friend smiled nervously, "Thanks Ginny. You're so kind." Ginny nodded, "Anytime Luna. I'm here for you."
They finished the rest of their meal, talking about school and how excited they were to get some real learning done. They speculated over who would be the new teachers. Someone had to replace Snape and the Carrows.

Eventually Harry came and sat with them. He smiled at Luna and said friendly, "Hey there. How are you doing?" Luna shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "Alright thanks. Ginny's been a good friend here." Harry smiled, "I'm not surprised. She's a good person." This made Ginny smile and Harry took her hand, "Gin, do you mind if I go and see Teddy this evening? I feel like it's been too long."

Ginny smiled and squeezed his hand, "Of course Harry. You don't need to ask my permission." He smiled and whispered, "Will you come with me though, is what I'm asking." Ginny grinned and replied happily, "Of course! I'd love to see Teddy!" Luna asked curiously, "How's he doing?" Harry smiled happily, "He's so good. He just lies there and lets you play with him or he sleeps. Not much else." Ginny chuckled and replied, "Let's wait until the terrible twos. Then we'll have some fun."
Harry frowned and asked, "What are they?" Luna and Ginny glanced at each other. Ginny smirked, "Luna, you can explain to Harry please what the terrible twos are. I'm going to go upstairs and find some things I left in the dorm." She got up from the table and Harry watched her intently. She was about halfway upstairs when he caught up with her, "Hey! You're not going up there alone are you?" The way he emphasized alone made Ginny feel excited. She shrugged her shoulders, "I mean I was planning on it, but I wouldn't object to company."

Harry's green eyes were blazing as he took her hand in his. She felt herself practically bounce in anticipation as he whispered in her ear, "Because I mean we haven't had alone time in quite a while…" Ginny snapped her attention to his face as she said playfully, "Harry, don't give me promises you can't keep." Harry chuckled as he put a hand up her back, "Oh…I intend to keep them, alright."
Just as he said this, she heard a voice behind them, "Harry!" Ginny groaned and turned to find her brother and Hermione running after them. Hermione seemed to have seen Harry's hand on Ginny's back and she tried to prevent him from interrupting at least. She said, "Ron, I think I need more food. Let's go back in and…" But Ron was already halfway up the stairs and out of breath. Hermione gave Ginny an apologetic smile which Ginny returned.

Ron said excitedly, "Guess what Hermione heard from Kingsley!" Ginny turned to her friend, "Oh yes! How did the meeting go?" Hermione smiled embarrassedly at Ron's excitement. She whispered, "Kingsley has traced them. He knows exactly where they are and he's trying to convince a member of the Auror department to come with them so that he can help me restore their memories. Apparently there is one who knows how to do it. But you have to pay him." Ron rolled his eyes angrily, "A lot! It's so expensive!"

Harry looked at Hermione and asked unconcernedly, "How much?" Hermione jolted in surprise, "It doesn't concern you Harry." Harry raised his eyebrows and said irritably, "Hermione, you are like a sister to me! Of course it concerns me! And I'm the reason you had to erase their memories in the first place!" Hermione stared at the floor and shook her head, "I couldn't ask you that Harry, even if you are my brother I wouldn't ask you that." Harry grumbled under his breath but dropped the issue.

XXX

When they were alone that night, Harry was holding Teddy and Ginny was watching something on the tele. She was so tired though that she was practically falling asleep on his shoulder. He got said in a whisper, "I'm going to get up and put Teddy to sleep now." Ginny nodded in agreement and sat up so that Harry could put Teddy down.

When he came back minutes later, he whispered, "So about that alone time we spoke of earlier." Andromeda had gone out for the evening and Ginny suddenly felt very alert and self-conscious. She sat up and Harry walked towards her with a smile on his face. She watched him warily as he leant forward and lifted her face up so that he could kiss her. She kissed him back so as not to hurt his feelings but he felt the reluctance in the kiss.

He pulled away sadly, "You don't want to…?" Ginny shook her head and whispered, "No! It's not that…it's that you're not the one normally instigating this. That's normally me." Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I suppose…I know I need you Ginny. I'm not going to live my life without you. I've done that once and that nearly killed me. If you hadn't sill been alive, I might not have chosen to come back at all."

There was intense pain in his eyes as he said it and they tightened around the edges. Ginny swallowed hard and whispered, "I didn't know that…" he nodded and kissed her lips gently, "Now you know why I came back." She felt bewildered and ever so loved. She would never doubt how much Harry loved her as he pressed his lips against hers again. And again. And Again.

It got to the point where she had to pull back for air, and then he just simply moved from her lips to her throat. Ginny inhaled sharply and she lay back on the couch, his lips following her neck. She ran her hands up his back and she felt him groan and she sighed in contentment. It was the physical affection that had been craving from him for so long. She didn't think she'd have to wait for it for so long. She'd thought she'd receive it straight away. How wrong she had been! But having been forced to wait for it meant that now it was so much more satisfying.

They didn't do more than just kissing and touching though. Harry had stopped after she'd pulled his shirt off and he had taken off hers too. It was the time she had been shirtless in front of him and she hadn't felt any embarrassment at all. He had been feeling the rims of her shirt and tracing his fingers there. And she had quite readily encouraged him to take it off. He'd done so without question and she was relieved to find that he wasn't going to stop this now that he had started it.

But then she'd thought too soon when he had prevented her from unbuckling his belt. He had said it was too much too soon. And he was probably right. She didn't want to get carried away and do something she would regret. But the thing is…it would never be regret. She knew that Harry was the one she wanted to spend her life with. That was never a question.

A/N: Hey all! I had time to kill today and so here is chapter 16 for you guys! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a happy new year! This chapter was a fun one to write…not as dreary as my last few chapters. And I go on vacation today so maybe that will give me more time to write! We'll see.

Anyway I hope you guys enjoy it and thank you topofthemuffin for the cool feedback. Will give me something to consider.