Harry walked through the small wood that separated the Burrow's garden from the pond. He stopped at the edge of the clearing and watched as Ginny furiously skimmed stones across the water's surface. He walked forwards cautiously – but made a point of stepping on a few twigs so that Ginny was aware of his presence. She didn't turn around.

"So...um – you're good at that – the skimming I mean," Harry said as he watched her latest pebble bounce five times before finally sinking into the murky water, "...I've never been able to do it."

Ginny tensed and dropped the stone she had just picked off of the ground,

"Fred – taught me," she choked,

"Oh G-god!" she sobbed sinking to her knees with her head in her hands.

Harry rushed forwards and scooped her into his arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." he whispered into her hair.

"No, no! Stop saying you're sorry!" she demanded thickly through her tears,

"Fucking hell, I'm sorry. Ugh! I'm such a mess, I'm sorry."

She sat back on her heels and looked at Harry. She stared deeply into his eyes – they were soft, but underneath, she could see just how exhausted and discouraged he looked. At that moment she'd never felt more like an inconsiderate bitch – she'd been so wrapped up in her own head she hadn't even spared a thought on how Harry.

"Oh fuck, I'm such a bitch," she breathed - Harry looked at her bemused.

"No, you're not..." he said uncertainly, wondering what the hell she was on about, 'Maybe now she'll tell me what's going on in her head.'

Her tears were still flowing as she started rambling, "Yes, yes I am. I'm being all bitchy; I haven't even asked how you are. How are you? That's such a stupid question, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm so selfish, and after everything – everything you've been through – and I know what you've been through – you bloody well showed me. I'm sorry..."

"Stop saying you're sorry," Harry chided gently; Ginny made a noise halfway between a sob and a laugh, "Why are you sorry anyway? You haven't done anything – except maybe act a bit weird and distant; but I guess it's just about...Fred, right?" he asked tentatively, "Tell me."

Harry crossed his legs, sat his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his linked fingers. Ginny sighed and shifted herself into a more comfortable position resting on her hip with her arm leaning out behind her. She swiped her other hand over her cheeks and sighed,

"Well, yeah. But..." she hesitated. Harry's eyes widened and his brows drew up and together in encouragement for her to continue. Ginny opened and closed her mouth a few times trying to find the words, "But I – no you – and I mean – gah! Why aren't you crazy!?" she blurted.

"Um...what?"

"Why haven't you gone crazy yet? Why aren't you shouting and punching things? Why aren't you mad? It's in your eyes – not the crazy – in your eyes you look so tired and...broken. I guess I'm just waiting for you to clam up or get angry, or something. I can't believe that this calmness you have is going to last. You've always gotten angry. Especially because of how you were when Sirius died."

Harry's jaw tensed and he breathed deeply through his nose. Ginny cried harder. She sat up on her knees again and shuffled forwards until she was mere inches from his face. He wouldn't meet her eyes and Ginny grabbed his face in her hands. Her lips were trembling as she continued,

"And Harry, I can't bear to see you like that. I'm not strong enough to carry you and me through this – maybe I used to be but after the year I had – I just can't fight anymore. That's why I'm a bitch, Harry," Harry's eyes were filled with tears as he finally met hers,

"I'm being selfish, because I can't do it – having the cruciatus done on you for detention takes the fight out of you. You deserve a fighter – someone strong and that's not me anymore – everything's different. After everything you've been through you deserve better – someone who's not a bitch and can help you and be there for you – like you should have. And I'm sorry that person isn't me and I really wish it was – but I can't cope anymore and I'm sorry."

Ginny started to get up and began to release her hold on Harry's face, but he grabbed her wrists. He gave her an intense look as the tears fell from his eyes,

"Don't – you can't just say all of that and walk away. You are a fighter. If you had really let what those fucking bastards did to you affect you – you wouldn't have fought like you did in that battle. You wouldn't have charged into the room of requirement and demanded that your parents let you fight – you wouldn't have taken on Bellatrix Lestrange if you'd given up. And you're not a bitch so stop fucking saying it. You're amazing and I know you feel helpless just now. I'm not getting mad because I'm tired – I can't fight anymore. My whole life has been about fighting and I've had enough. I don't know what's going to happen now, all I know is that I can't do it without you. I've lost so many people and I don't want to lose you. Neither of us wants to fight anymore; but I'll still fight for you – I'll always fight for you – because I know I want you, I know I need you."

They were both crying in earnest as Harry released his hold on her wrists and threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her towards him. Ginny threw her arms around his neck and pulled him up to her lips. Their kiss was desperate with need. It wasn't gentle or tender – it was passionate. They kissed with fervour as sobs and whimpers escaped their lips.

"Please Ginny I can't live without you..." Harry breathed between kisses.

"I don't want to live without you..." Ginny whimpered as Harry began to kiss her neck...

A/N: Hey guys I hope everyone's enjoying the story.

Hope you had a nice Christmas

Review please ly xoxo