Ginny couldn't hold the tears back. Harry's letter might have been short, but it meant the world to her. HE REMEMBERED THE VALENTINE. She thought by now he might have thrown it away, or forgot about it. But he didn't. The tears wouldn't stop no matter how hard she tried to hold them back. They were happy tears not sad. Hermione walked in on Ginny's moment with that short letter. Hermione thought someone was hurt, or missing, or dead. She grabbed the letter from Ginny. Ginny didn't fight back. Hermione read it to herself. She looked back at Ginny with tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe that Harry was so open with Ginny. Not that it was a bad thing; it was just a different perspective of Harry that she never saw before.
"You know he loves you, a lot." Ginny smiled. "Has he told you about us being on the run?" Ginny shook her head with a sparkling tear falling down her left cheek. "Before, he went to sleep every night; he would stare at your dot on the Marauders map. I think you comforted him the most. When we got news about you being caught for attempting to steal the Sword of Gryffindor, he thought about it for days. I'm almost sure that he was worried that you didn't just get detention with Hagrid. I think that's why he seemed so frantic about the scars on your arms and face. I think, he thinks those were from your second round of detention. I spoke to Neville about it again, and he assured me that no one got second rounds of detention. He also told me that you got tortured more than once or twice. Ginny if you love him so much, I think that you need to tell him every Cruciatus you endured and every reason. He might be shocked at first but it's the right thing to do."
"Hermione, he knows that what I told him isn't the whole story. He told me to wait until I'm strong enough to resume it. He told me he's proud of everything I did last year, even if I was a psycho-path. I just poured my heart out to him in my last letter, and he wrote back the best reply I could ask for. I know that if I tell him the truth nothing will change but I don't want to reenter my memories from last year. I tried and look what happened. I left the Burrow for an entire night. I just can't talk about it right now." Hermione patted her friends shoulder.
"That's okay Ginny. I just wanted to make sure that you would let him know soon enough. I stopped listening to Neville when it got too scary. And Ginny, in the past year I've seen some pretty scary things. You know what I think?" Ginny looked up at her bushy haired friend. "I think you faced things that Harry would cower to, and let me tell you something, Harry cowers down to nothing." Ginny snorted.
"I hate how everything works out. You know, like I stand up for what I believe in and now I have to explain the hardest thing in my life to my family. I date the love of my life and then we have reporters trying to ruin it. Why can't that all just not exist?"
"Because without it, life wouldn't be interesting." Hermione said standing up from the Common Room couch. "Are you coming?" Ginny looked up with confusion.
"You know, Hagrid invited us for tea today. Didn't I tell you?"
"Hermione, you tell me the most unneeded information like homework and test dates, and you forget to tell me the important stuff like couples and invites. You need to work on it." Hermione snorted but Ginny's expression didn't change.
"You're kidding right?"
"No."
"Ginny, I think homework and test dates are more important than couples and invites."
"Not in my world."
"Oh, it's only beginning of November and I am already about to pull my hair out." Now Ginny snorted. They made there way to Hagrid's hut for tea.
"You came!" Hagrid said with a very large smile on his face.
"Of course we would, Hagrid. Why wouldn't we?"
"Oh, I don't know, I thought you two only were friendly with me because of Harry."
"Of course not. You have been a friend of mine since first year!" Hermione said hugging the half giant.
"So, how's school been going? I haven't spoken to either of you for a while now."
"Well, you know nothing much has happened. This year I'm trying to catch Ginny up on all the things she didn't learn in her sixth year."
"Yeah, I suppose last year wasn't the best for you, eh?" Hagrid asked Ginny.
"No, not at all. I think the most enjoyable part was when we got detention with you. Mainly because you didn't crucio us."
"Yeah, Pomphrey, McGonagall, Sprout, Binns, Flitwick, Slughorn and I were the only ones." Ginny nodded with a half smile planted on her face. "Anyway, it's better this year, eh?"
"Loads." Ginny responded.
"Speaking of which, how's the boys these days?"
"Good actually. They got promoted on Monday, not even three days ago. Well not promoted, they were chosen to skip training and become aurors without being fully trained. I think it's amazing but apparently Harry thinks it's preposterous." Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"You know Harry, doesn't like being ahead of anyone. Speaking of Harry, how's he doing?" Ginny knew exactly what he meant.
"Well, he got out of his first depression at the end of May end of June, then summer break went okay. But when we returned here, he fell back into a depression. So, I took a week off of school, well I wanted to take two days off but McGonagall insisted on a week. Anyway I got him back on his feet then came back. Now they're trying to catch remaining death eaters."
"Good for him overcoming that. Not many people can. That reminds me, Ginny, McGonagall told me that you didn't choose a career to do last year."
"True."
"She told me that you said, 'I don't think I'll live that long.' That's a bit worrying."
"Hagrid, the entire year was a bit worrying. That comment meant nothing compared to my actions last year." Hermione listened to the two in utter shock.
"Well, what are you planning on doing?"
"I'm starting to think I should play Quidditch. I mean my grades are absolutely terrible, I'm good at Quidditch, maybe that's what I'll do."
"Well, you should have a backup plan. Not that I don't think you can make it in Quidditch, it's more of, Quidditch is risky. You can get injured to the point where you can't play anymore. If that happens what would you do?"
"I don't know maybe I'll just live out of my parent's house. They don't want me to grow up." Ginny said with a gigantic grin on her face.
"Okay then…Hermione, what are you planning on doing?" Hagrid said to Hermione.
"Oh, I think I'll work for the Ministry to improve Muggle and Muggle-born rights." Hagrid nodded.
"I always knew you would grow up to improve the rights of something important to yer. I'm proud of the both of yuz."
"Thanks." The two girls said in unison.
"Well, the sun is setting so yuz better get up to the castle. Just because the punishments aren't as cruel as they were last year doesn't mean they don't exist." He said to Ginny, who turned bright red. The cruelness of the punishments last year didn't stop her then, how would softer punishments stop her now? The girls left the hut.
"Ginny, what did Hagrid mean by that?"
"By what?"
"Your comment to McGonagall last year."
"Oh nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Yes, Hermione, nothing. I didn't think that I'd live through the war. I thought once a battle broke out that I'd be a goner, okay?"
"No, that's not what you meant, I know it."
"What do you think I meant by it?"
"I think you meant that you were going to give as much hell to the Carrows to the point where they would kill you." Ginny paled. Hermione was spot on, but Ginny would never admit that.
"Come on, I have a lot of Homework due to Binns." Ginny said speeding up her pace.
Dear Harry,
I think that you need to talk to Ginny. I'm sorry but I promised Ginny I would never speak for her, but I think she was in more danger last year than she says. You know how McGonagall asks everyone in there sixth year what career they would like to pursue, right? Well, Ginny told her that she didn't think she'd live that long. Neville tells me the most scariest stories I've ever heard about Ginny, to the point where I question her sanity, I think you need to talk to her as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Hermione.
Hermione reread her letter three times. Every time feeling guiltier than the last. As she reread it for the fourth time she quickly crumpled it up and threw it in the fire. She couldn't tell Harry behind Ginny's back. That would be the best way to completely betray Ginny's trust. Every time she spoke to Neville she learned more about the year. She stopped talking about it with him, because she was afraid to hear more. She mentally couldn't take it. Ginny was truly a hero for her actions but a coward for not telling her family. Hermione knew that once they figured out, Ginny would go through the wringer with scoldings and shunnings. She thought that's why Ginny wouldn't tell her family. She was too scared. If only life was less complicated.
Harry couldn't stop thinking of Ginny now. Ever since he read that letter the redhead had been in his mind. He kept all her letters in the box that was meant for newspapers. He started to keep all the photos of him and her in there too. He even put the valentine from his sixth year in it too. The box soon turned into a box for Harry and Ginny keepsakes. Harry kept the box in the wardrobe of the study, next to it was his Hogwarts trunk that had been left open. He then turned to the box of fan mail that Robinson gave him. Every day Robinson gave him a sack of it with a mischievous grin on his face. Then the idea came to him. He'd let Ginny read them with him and they'd make fun of the girls together. Then an owl came scratching at the study's window.
Dear Harry,
Hermione keeps pressuring me to talk about my sixth year at Hogwarts. I plan to tell you soon. I plan on telling my family at Christmas with you by my side. Don't tell them these plans because I don't want them getting all worried. But I promised you that I'd tell you when I'm ready. I might be or I might not but if it gets Hermione off my arse then I'll go ahead and do so. What do you think about it? I'm afraid, which is weird because I'm Ginny Bloody Weasley and I'm the bravest one of my family. Hermione has riddled out a few stories by Neville, Hannah, Luna and Seamus, and she said I'm braver than you. I don't believe her, of course. I believe I'm a lot stupider and clueless then you. I think I make stupid decisions when an opportunity rises. I think that I could have been a lot smarter by following my mum's orders and keeping my head down. But here I am, a stupid girl with memories she'd do anything to change. If I could change the past I wouldn't but I'd change the fact that I'm haunted every night by the feeling I felt last year. The only days I'm not haunted is when I'm with you. The night we fell asleep on the couch together in each other's arms was the night I had the best dream of my life. Yes, it was about us but I'm not going to tell you because it's too embarrassing. The days I spent with you during the summer were filled with love and happiness. Whenever I walk down the corridors alone here, I'm haunted with memories. I know that the castle was rebuilt and it's not the same, but the memories are still here. The memories of being tormented and beaten. The memories of writing on the desks and walls. The memories of talking back to the Carrows. All of it, comes back and scares me. Everyday I was afraid of seeing an article about how Voldemort found you and killed you. Or someone found your corpse. Is it strange that those are still my worries? I still worry that you would get extremely hurt on the job or that you would find another girl that's better than the foolish, dumb, stupid, miserable bitch I am. I'm sorry for the depressing letter.
Ginny
Harry saw tear stains on the parchment. Something must have really been bothering Ginny for her to write such terrible things about herself. The farther he got into the letter the more depressed he felt.
Dear Ginny,
I think that if you feel ready to talk about it with us then you should. But don't feel pressured to do it. It's okay to be afraid, everyone does. I was afraid when I heard about you stealing the sword and getting caught. I do think you're braver than me. I would cower down if I was at Hogwarts. And Ginny, you are not stupid. You are one of the cleverest girls I know. If I knew you were being haunted so badly I would have done something about it. I wish I knew, but that's not your fault. I know how it feels to be haunted. I've been haunted every night since I was fourteen. If you ever need someone to talk to come to me. I know you know this because I'm your boyfriend and that's what every girl should do. But just to make it clear, I won't keep any secrets from you if you don't. It's not strange to have those worries. I know that it's tough dating an auror and a man who likes to look for trouble, but just remember, I'll never leave you without a proper goodbye. And no Ginny, I would never leave you. You are the love of my life. And you always will be. I am in love with you Ginny Weasley. I wish your last name was Potter instead. That's how much I love you. You are not foolish or dumb or stupid or miserable or a bitch. You are a clever, smart, brilliant, loving , beautiful, amazing, out going, carefree, genuine, classy, funny, sarcastic human being, who I can't get enough of. Gin, you mean the world to me and I never want to see you, or read you, so sad. It breaks my heart to see you cry, to see you weak, to see tear stains on a letter. Yes I can see those. Hang in there, Christmas is coming soon, and there is only two and a half more weeks to get through until I see you again. I love you, Ginny. I can't put it more plain and simple than that.
Love,
Harry James Potter
Rookie Auror
Harry attached the letter to the owl's leg. He remembered that he still needed to name her because ever since he bought her she has been known as the owl and that wasn't too pleasant. He'd wait until Ginny came back. He would rather her name it because she's better at names than he is.
Truth be told, Harry was nervous and worried about Ginny. Something must have really hit her for her to break like that. And he was almost sure that it wasn't Hermione. He was completely sure it must have been something else. He spent the night tossing and turning under the covers because he was filled with such worry. Hopefully Ginny wasn't spiraling down in a depression like he did. She was stronger than him and so much more. There was no way that she'd make the same mistakes as him. Would she?
Ever since she got Harry's letter, Ginny could stop feeling emotional. They were so open with each other it was unbelievable. She never imagined that she'd be letting him know of all the things she had told him. She never meant to make him worry about her. She could tell by his handwriting that he was writing fast and trying to make sure she understood how much he loved her. It had been exactly a week since she last saw him face to face. The longest week in history. The most emotional week in history. And Ginny Weasley couldn't believe that it even happened. Now all she wanted to do was see Harry. She didn't think that she'd make it until next Hogsmeade weekend. She just wanted to see him so badly. But she knew that if she left Hogwarts again, her parents would have kittens. She might even fail her seventh year at Hogwarts. All she wanted was Harry to be there, holding her in his arms and not letting go. But she needed to finish off the next two weeks right. She needed to focus her mind and maybe the weeks would just fly by.
Harry woke up with a smile on his face. The three weeks had passed and today was Hogsmeade weekend. He was able to go see the love of his life and enjoy his day off.
"Harry, I hate telling you this, but can Hermione and I have the day to ourselves. I mean, like just us two. You and Ginny could hang out by yourselves. It's just I haven't had a good date with her since Ginny left to help you and it wasn't that enjoyable because all we could do was think of you."
"It's perfectly fine, mate." Harry and Ron were having the conversation while walking into the Three Broomsticks. There they were, sitting at the same table as always. Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger. The girls who stole these boy's hearts.
"Hello ladies." Ron said before kissing his girlfriend and hugging his sister.
"How's your day been?" Harry asked after kissing his girlfriend and hugging his sister.
"Good." The girls said in unison.
"Okay well, Harry and I talked about it and we decided that we were going to hang out separately today. You know we haven't actually had a full on date together since summer. And I'm dying to have one." Ron said to Hermione. Hermione completely agreed. And not to mention Ginny who was over the moon in love with the idea.
"Alright, well we'll see you two later." Ginny said after finishing off her butter beer and grabbing Harry by the arm and practically sprinting out of the bar. The only thing she dreamed of was being alone with Harry.
"Wow, Ginny, you seemed like you really wanted to get out of there." Harry said laughing.
"Well nothing against them, just I wanted alone time with you too." Ginny said taking Harry up the street.
"Ginny, where are we going?"
"To our tree. You haven't been there in two years and I haven't been there for about three days. It's time we go and visit it." Harry laughed at Ginny's observation. It had only been three days since she visited the tree and she seemed like she was desperate to go back to it. The couple walked over to the tree after begging Filch to let them go to it. When he finally agreed that no harm could be done, they sped walked toward it.
"I missed this place." Harry said sitting down on the ground.
"I missed it the most when I was here without you." Ginny said sitting next to him. She looked into his eyes and smiled bigger. "So, did you remember that valentine off the top of your head or do you actually still have it?" Harry's smile grew larger.
"Ginny, this is where dating a complete slob and unorganized prat comes in handy. That valentine was stashed in my Hogwarts trunk the day I got it and I never emptied the bloody thing out. Something about your letter reminded me of it. I think it was because you said that couldn't believe I was yours and when you described my eyes and hair."
"Actually, I never intended on requiting that bloody letter. I guess I just did. Its how I feel. But when I read your letter back to me. I cried…a lot. I don't know why. I think it was happy tears or tears of amazement that you actually had it still."
"Of course I would have it still. It was made by the girl of my dreams." Ginny bit her lip and Harry knew what that meant. He leaned in only a slight bit until Ginny smashed her lips against his. The kiss felt like it lasted days, months, even years maybe. But it only lasted around five minutes. They only pulled away once or twice to breathe but then quickly resumed. Ginny's hands were intertwined with his and her forehead was against his at the end. They both were staring at their hands. "Your hands fit perfectly in mine." Harry said with a small chuckle in his voice.
"Like we were made for each other." Harry pecked her again on the lips.
"It's not like we were made for each other. We are made for each other." Oh that does it. Waterworks coming back! Ginny thought as a sparkling tear ran down her cheek. Harry took his thumb and slowly wiped it away.
"Harry, do you mean that? Or did you just see that in a magazine and thought it was clever to say?"
"No, I mean it. Unless my hearts a magazine."
