Chapter 18: letters
Harry-
We had our first practice yesterday. The rumors are true about Gwenog. She really does work the team hard. How was your first day back to work? I hope they're not planning on sending you on any assignments for a while. I really want you to come to my first game in two weeks.
I keep thinking about our last night together. That was the most perfect night I've ever had. I miss you so much. Write soon.
Love,
Ginny
Ginny sat on her bed re-reading her letter to Harry. It had been two days and she already missed Harry terribly. When she deemed the letter complete, she turned to her teammate and temporary roommate, Rebecca Gibson.
"Becca, can I borrow your owl?" she asked. "I wanted to send this letter to Harry."
"Sure," said Becca. She looked up from the book she was reading and stared at Ginny closely. "Hey," she exclaimed, catching Ginny off guard. "That's where I know you from. You're dating Harry Potter."
"Um . . . yeah," said Ginny. "I thought you knew that."
"Well, as you may have guessed by now, Gwenog's practices leave you quite exhausted. Doesn't leave much time to catch up on any gossip."
Ginny laughed. "I'm starting to see what you mean."
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Ginny-
I just got your letter. I'm sure practices will get easier once you get used to them. I went back to work finally, and no, I don't have assignments to go on for a while. Actually, they're preparing the trials for the Death Eaters captured in May and Kingsley wants me here to testify.
I can't wait to see you play in your first game. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I can't stop thinking about our last night together either. It was amazing. I never thought I could feel like this for someone. When I'm with you, I feel like I can do anything.
I'll try to write again soon. Can't wait to see you.
Love,
Harry
Harry folded up the letter and walked over to where his owl, Abby, was perched by the window.
"Can you take this to Ginny," he said.
Abby ruffled her feathers and nipped his fingers, and after he tied the letter to her leg, she soared out the open window. Harry stood and watched her disappear into the night sky, wishing it were him flying toward Ginny.
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Ginny awoke the next morning to an insistent tapping noise. She walked over and opened her bedroom window allowing a small, snowy owl to soar into the room.
"Abby," she exclaimed as the owl landed gracefully on her dresser. She glanced at her alarm clock and cursed under her breath. She only had an hour before practice was scheduled to start. She quickly untied the letter and stowed it away in her underwear drawer so she could read it later.
Harry-
I just read your letter and I have great news. I'm coming home for the weekend! Gwenog decided that since the team is doing so well at practice that we could have the weekend off. I can come stay with you if you want. I can't wait to see you!
Love,
Ginny
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Gin-
Of course you can come stay with me! I still can't believe you're coming home for the weekend. I miss you so much. When are you coming?
Got to go, I'm writing this at work and Valentine's walking in my direction. I love you.
Love,
Harry
Harry quickly folded up his letter and shoved it into his desk.
"Potter," said Valentine. "Kingsley would like to see you in his office."
Harry looked up at Valentine in surprise. "Yes, sir," he stammered as he stood from his desk.
Once he arrived on level one, he knocked on the Minister's office door. Hearing Kingsley beckon him to enter he opened the door and stepped into the office, closing the door behind him.
"You wanted to see me, sir," he said.
"Yes, Harry. Have a seat," said Kingsley, indicating the chair across from his desk. When Harry sat down, he continued, "I've spoken with the school governors and the Wizenagmot about Severus Snape and they've agreed to the trip to Hogwarts."
"Great," said Harry in surprise. He hadn't actually expected them to agree. "When?"
"Friday," said Kingsley. "I hope you don't mind accompanying us to the castle like we discussed before."
"No sir. Not at all," said Harry.
"Good, good," said Kingsley. "I'll be sure to clear up your schedule with Valentine."
"Thank you sir," said Harry as he stood and shook the Minister's hand.
Back at his desk, Harry pulled out his letter to Ginny.
-P.S.- I'm going up to Hogwarts this Friday for the whole Snape thing. Wish me luck!
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Harry-
I just got your letter. I'm coming home Friday afternoon. I'll go to the Burrow while you're at Hogwarts. Mum said that if you're back in time she wants you to come over for dinner. Good luck. I can't wait to see you!
Love Always,
Ginny
Ginny sighed and leaned back on her pillow. She was exhausted from quidditch practice and was just a bit homesick. She knew she didn't have to actually live in Holyhead and she was starting to rethink her decision. She heard Becca come in and hastily stuffed her letter to Harry under her pillow.
"Writing another love letter to that dreamy boy toy of yours?" asked Becca. Ever since she had found out Ginny was dating the Harry Potter, she had been hounding Ginny with questions about him and she was starting to get annoyed.
Ginny nodded. "Just letting him know I'll be home Friday," she said.
"So, what's it like dating Harry Potter?" asked Becca.
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "He's not Harry Potter to me. Just Harry. He's just a normal person, no different from us."
"Not any different? But . . . he's HARRY POTTER!" said Becca, as if that explained everything. Ginny let out an exasperated breath. It seemed as if she was having this conversation with Becca almost every night.
"I guess," she said indifferently. She was starting to see what Harry had been saying about how people treat him different. She reached over and turned off the lamp by her bed.
"Night," she said.
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Ginny-
I can't wait until Friday. I know it hasn't even been a full week since you left but it feels like forever. I just heard today that the first trial I'll be testifying at will be Umbridge's. I can't say I'm looking forward to seeing her. Hopefully it will be quick. I hope your practices are getting better. I wish you were closer to home. I really miss seeing you everyday.
I'll see you when you get here.
Love,
Harry
Harry sighed as he folded up the letter. This will have to do, he thought. It seemed like he couldn't properly express what he was feeling in his letters. He called over Abby and tied the letter to her leg. "Take this to Ginny," he said. Abby hooted softly before soaring out the window. One more day and he would see Ginny. The only thing he had to do before then was get through his trip to Hogwarts.
When he went to bed that night, he lay for a long time clutching the pillow Ginny had used when she had stayed the night. He had been doing the same thing every night since she left, only now, it no longer smelled like her. Something was going to have to change.
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A/N: Please review! :)