Leaves crunched beneath her feet, as she trudged towards the forbidden forest, on one late October evening.
The sky was turning dark, and the remaining light cast long shadows on the ground.
The forest was strangely quiet, the trees looked sinister, and the sounds of birds and crickets faded as she ventured deep inside the forest.
Ginny shivered and rubbed her arms when a cold gust of wind blew, carrying faint sounds of her friends calling for her, searching for her.
But she didn't care. She purposefully walked towards a secret hiding spot in the forest she had found in her second year.
It was situated deep inside the forbidden forest, surrounded by a circle of large trees.
Plants and vines grew around the trees providing a perfect cover for anyone looking to hide, to be left alone. She had found this spot comforting when she had returned to Hogwarts after the Chamber Debacle. Whenever she wanted solace, a good cry or venting out her frustrations, Ginny would seek this spot after classes.
She reached the place and crouched down to slip between some plants. Easing inside the circle, she crawled towards the largest tree in the circle to lean against the thick trunk.
She let out a long suffering breath and looked up at the evening sky.
The canopy of leaves painted the sky with strange designs.
Her entire body ached and twitched, courtesy of the Carrow's Cruciatus curse.
The thuggish siblings hadn't taken well to how Snape had handled their attempt to steal the Sword of Gryffindor. The current headmaster had shooed Neville, Luna and her to the forest with Hagrid, as a punishment.
But the Carrows had anticipated giving them a fitting detention, which involved few doses of Cruciatus , and their recent fancy, caning and beating up students.
Ginny found out about their brutality when a third-year girl from the DA had been on its receiving end.
Neville and Parvati were enraged by this and tried sending letters to parents and informing heads of houses about the new development.
But, this plan backfired spectacularly when the letters were intercepted before the owls could get out of the grounds, and the professors were threatened to be fired if they were to make serious allegations without solid proof.
But the Cruciatus curse did not leave any physical mark on the body, unfortunately.
The Carrows twisted the reports showing unexplainable tremors, weakness, and cramps, some standard diagnosis of Cruciatus after effects, saying "The brats were faking it.".
As a result, the professors agreed not to interfere with how they handled punishments and stayed in the castle to help the students from inside.
Alecto suspected Ginny to be the mastermind behind this scheme.
She had screamed and slapped her.
Thank Merlin, Amycus hadn't been present this time around. Or else, he would have been even worse.
Ginny had got out of detention with few rounds of the torture curse, and one or two slaps. Her friends wanted to talk to her about this as soon as she came out of the Dark Arts classroom.
When Ginny returned to Hogwarts for her 6th year, the absence of Harry, Ron and Hermione was very obvious.
Not even a single muggle-born student was present in the castle this year.
The first glance at Hogwarts this year had felt ominous. Something wasn't right. It no longer looked comforting. On a strange note, the remaining students from DA and other houses except Slytherin, had designated Ginny to be their new leader.
They had thought, and still did think, that she would replace the trio.
The 6th and 7th years, who had not believed a word that Harry broke up with her, showered question after question, asking for the trio.
"Where are they? When are they coming back? What will Hermione do, now that she is wanted for questioning? And what about Harry, undesirable No.1 and all?". But she had no answer for that.
With each day that passed, she felt the pressure squeezing from all sides.
Worrying about other students, arranging the DA meetings, making sure that everyone is away from the Carrow's radar, and worrying about the trio. She was tired.
She missed Ron, now that she is the only Weasley in the castle after a long time.
She missed Hermione's comforting presence.
More than anything, Ginny missed him. She had thought that her feelings were unrequited. It is nothing more than a crush.
But, when she was almost over him, her feelings were returned.
He had kissed her, sought her company, fancied her, and had been her boyfriend for a few glorious weeks. By the Way he had held her on his birthday, the Way he had kissed her, she knew, had understood, that the breakup was painful for him as well.
She wanted to believe that he broke her heart, toyed with her emotions, and left her for another girl.
But, the summer preparing for Bill and Fleur's wedding weakened her attempts to forcefully remove him from her system, had failed.
He wanted her as much as she wanted him. He also carried the blame of initiating the breakup and breaking Ron's little sister's heart. Ginny ran a finger over her lips.
How his lips had quenched her thirst for him, all the while increasing the need by a thousand times.
The warmth she found when she was enfolded in his arms...
She didn't want to let go of him. She still remembered every touch and caress—, his soft lips gliding over hers—, the feel of his shoulders as she held on to him—, and his palm running through her long hair—.
His warm breath had fluttered on her face in a soft sigh.
Ginny jolted up with a gasp.
She frantically cast her eyes around.
The sky had darkened even more, leaving a dim light.
She just remembered about the kiss right?
Where did she feel someone's breath? She could swear it felt as real as the forest around her.
Her gaze fell on the opposite tree.
It looked... It looked as if someone was standing there, gazing straight at her. A twig snapped nearby, and she whirled towards the sound.
From the shadows emerged a tall figure, with glowing green eyes, and an all too achingly familiar face.
"Har..., Harry?", she asked, her voice barely audible in the wind picking up speed. "Ginny.", came his voice, from behind her.
Ginny turned behind her, and there he stood, his arm stretched out, reaching for her. She blinked in confusion.
But he had disappeared.
"Harry? Where are you? What is going on?", He was just standing in front of her. "I'm here, Gin.", He spoke from another direction.
She turned at his voice, again.
He stood next to the tree where she had sat. He took a step forward. His hand reached out to caress her cheek.
"I had missed you a lot.", He twirled a strand of red hair and tucked it behind her ear. Ginny was overcome with immense joy, sorrow and relief. Soon her brain caught up with her eyes.
He shouldn't be here. "You shouldn't be here. Go.", She urged. "The Death-Eaters will come here. Snape and the Carrows are ruling Hogwarts now.",
She was panicking.
He smiled softly and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Ginny, it is over. Come with me.", Harry Murmured.
"Er, what?", She wondered.
Just before her eyes, his form started melting, as if he was sinking into the shadows, becoming one with it.
"Harry?",
"Come with me. We'll fly away?",
"What? Can you stop disappearing? What is this, apparition?".
Why was he speaking weirdly? Flying away?
"I'll come soon Ginny.", He whispered from her left.
Her eyes darted at his voice.
He stood there. But again, he disappeared.
"It is so hard, Gin. I'm tired of it all.". She heard his voice from all around her.
"I can't do it anymore—...". "...I will come, one day.",
"I love you...".
"I'm here... I promise I'll never leave you—...".
Ginny felt dizzy. Harry would appear and disappear before she could blink.
He touched her, hugged her, and stood very far and near.
She looked up at the sky. It was not yet dark.
But it was strangely lit up. "Wh. What is happening? Stop this. Stop IT!", She shouted, her heart thudding loudly against her ribs.
The rapid appearance of Harry looked as if many Harrys were talking to her. One of the Harrys appeared in front of her and took hold of her hand.
"Come with me Gin. We'll go. Come on love.", He urged, pulling her hand.
"I don't... Harry! No!",
A jet of green light hurtled between the trees and hit Harry squarely on his back.
He stumbled and fell forward, his limp hand still gripped in hers. "NO!", A scream was ripped from her throat.
She sat up gasping, her eyes wild with panic...
Icy wind blew against the battling autumn leaves still clinging to the trees, in a huge and empty forest, apart from a little tent standing in the distance.
A lone figure wandered between those trees, his green eyes betraying a hint of sorrow and hopelessness.
The wind ruffled his messy mop of hair.
Once in a while, his lost gaze turn to glance at the tent.
Harry Potter felt lonely without his best mate Ron.
He had left Hermione and him a week ago, undoubtedly due to the influence of the Locket.
Hermione was still with him, sure. But she had been quiet since the row.
They hadn't spoken a word, apart from the essentials.
Of all the three of them, Ron was the chatterbox. He would talk so much, joke so much, and help keep up their spirit.
Of course, he was hungry most of the time. It was unbearable on days he had nothing to eat.
But he would get over it soon, after a small bite of something. But, he should admit, his temper also got the better of him when the fight broke out.
Where-ever Ron was, Harry hoped he was safe, and find his way back to them.
He fished out a folded piece of parchment from his robes. Opening it, he tapped his wand against it, muttering the password to reveal the Hogwarts map.
Ink spread over the parchment showing Hogwarts Castle and the grounds, along with the current occupants.
His eyes glanced over some familiar names of students in their respective common rooms.
The professors were gathered in Dumbledore's—, now Snape's office. All his old professors were there, along with Alecto and Amycus Carrow , the Death-Eaters, who had replaced Charity Burbage and Snape.
Soon his eyes found the dot he had been searching for, sitting with Parvati, Demelza, Lavender and Neville, in the Gryffindor common room.
They must have been doing their homework, as they were sitting around a round table. Her dot moved towards the girl's dorms. She climbed up to 6th year girl's room and went towards her bed.
It was situated close to the window, overlooking the forbidden forest. She remained there for long.
Was she asleep? Or sat there thinking about him?...
If so, he wanted her to know that he too, was thinking about her now, and all the time.
"I wish you were here, Ginny...", He spoke to her dot.
He gazed at her dot intently, as if he could pull her out of the castle, make her appear out from the parchment. "I'm sorry about Ron... We weren't in a good place, being on the run without proper food and rest. It just...", He swallowed.
"Hearing about your condition at Hogwarts, the desperation that we were not making a headway in our hunt, and the locket Horcrux having a hold on our bloody minds..., brought the worst in us." " he confessed.
"I hope he is fine. Gods Gin, how did you fight him the entire year?".
He brought his finger to caress her dot.
"I miss you a lot. I wish you could just pop out from the map. I thought you would be safe at the castle... But, never in my dreams, had I expected Snape to become the headmaster, and Carrows would be your teachers.".
He kept staring at Ginny's dot for a long time.
He thought hard, willed and willed her to appear in front of him.
He imagined the pinprick of a dot to stretch and mould into the shape of a human.
A girl with long red hair, freckles scattered on her face, and large brown eyes, blazing with a fire that is just Ginny. He wanted to hear her voice. Talk to her, and wished she could just speak once to tell him off or make a sassy remark about all that was happening.
He heard someone calling him from afar. Probably Hermione, he assumed.
Deciding to see things at the tent, Harry brought his finger to his lips, kissed it and placed the finger on Ginny's dot. "Harry...", He heard someone say his name.
He looked at the tent. But Hermione was visible from where he stood.
She was reading The Tales Of Beedle The Bard. She had her head bent while scribbling some notes.
It wasn't her. Then who was it?
He cast his eyes around, to see if they had been found out.
"Harry.", It sounded as if...
"No, how could it be?", Harry wondered.
He stared at the map.
"Ginny? Can you hear me? Did you just speak?", He asked, feeling foolish talking to the map.
But he didn't want to take any chance.
"Harry.", She called again softly.
The wind blew faster, carrying her voice, and the flowery smell he associated with her.
All of a sudden, the map was ripped from his hands, and he was no longer standing in the woods. He was floating somewhere.
But still, Harry could see the map fluttering in the wind—, and to his utter horror, it had caught fire and it was eating the map, inch by inch. Ginny's face floated up from the burning map, her face and hair streaked with dirt and blood.
"HARRY!, NO!", She screamed, her devastated gaze locked on his. Tears burst from her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.
The fire was just behind her head. He wanted to shout at her, tell her to get out. How did she even manage to come to where they had camped?
He opened his mouth to tell her.
But his chest felt heavy—... Something was pressing down on his chest.
He couldn't breathe... Apart from his chest, everything was lighter. He was floating in the air.
He thought someone hit him there with a heavy iron rod. He was choking and gasping for air now.
With a last heavy breath, he opened his eyes to a ceiling covered in orange posters.
Ginny sat on the front porch of the Burrow nibbling on a piece of toast.
The days-old bread tasted like mud on her tongue.
The war had affected the economy of the British Wizarding World, resulting in price rises on food and other commodities.
They had to pass by whatever was available at a cheaper rate. Weasleys were no strangers to poverty.
But since they were on the frontline during the battle, it had been extra tough, dealing with grief and their traumas. Her father had to work for long hours and was paid a tad less than what he earned during her 5th year.
The ministry was running short on employees as well as finances.
When Harry, Ron and Hermione were awarded the Order Of Merlin, First Class, they were given the golden trophy, which used to be given with a price money of 10000 Galleons, before the war.
As if rubbing salt in the wound, the bloody goblins had started levying heavy charges on the bank services.
To put it mildly, being a Witch or Wizard in Britain sucked.
The home was quiet except for low murmurs of Harry and Ron, and her mother puttering in the kitchen.
Ginny had woken up with a headache and a vague dream that made her feel dizzy. Dusting away the crumbs from her clothes, she stood up and headed towards the pond. It was farther from the house for some needed privacy and close enough to keep watch if anything interesting occurred in the house.
She plopped on the edge of the pond and removing her shoes, she dipped her leg inside the cool water. A while later, Ginny heard footsteps approaching the pond.
"Hey. Didn't see you at the breakfast?".
She fluttered all the time she heard his voice. He sat gingerly on the edge, his back to the pond.
"You know, one should not sit close to the pond with their back to it. Especially if you wear glasses.", Ginny gestured at his round glasses.
"Oh yeah? I think when a certain someone is around you, more like." He replied, adjusting his glasses.
"Maybe, may not be. I just said, in general.". He stood up and turned around, sitting facing the pond.
"Stop avoiding the question. Why were you not there, during the breakfast?".
"I took my breakfast outside.", She shrugged.
"Plus, I didn't fancy being around the dining table when Mum and you eventually have your argument about the money.".
He grimaced. "Point. But why does she refuse though? I don't mind. I would love it if it was for the family. I am your family. All of you say so.",
He ran his hand through his hair. "Don't do it.", she said sharply.
"What!?".
"Sorry. Don't run your hand too much through your hair." " she clarified. "It is falling a lot. At least, try avoiding it.", She pointed at small strands of black hair on his shirt. "Oh, ok. Alright. I thought... Never mind.".
"Look, Harry. This is just what I think. Of course, you are family. But mum hesitates to take money from anyone except dad. She even refused money from Bill and Charley when they started earning. She believes children must save money for their future.".
"But I have too much money. I don't think I can even make a small dent in it if I give it to you. I eat and practically live here at this point. It is only fair if I give some money.", He explained, agitated.
"She is accepting some money right?".
He nodded.
"That in itself is a big deal to Mum. Give her some space. It is hard for her to take money from you, and Charley. Now you might think that you've got a lot of money and are ready to spend it to meet all our needs. But there could be a day when that pile of coins is not enough. And who knows how long it might take for the economy to recover?". Harry was playing with a blade of grass, his head bowed.
"True, I concede. I'll just watch out for my limits on giving money. But that doesn't mean I will stop though.", He frowned.
"that's all I'm asking. And know that we all are grateful for your support at this moment.".
They sat in comfortable silence.
They stole glances at each other, hoping the other wasn't noticing.
"Did you have a potion's lesson on Amortentia ? The love potion?", Harry asked.
"Yeah. Slughorn taught some basics about it. We didn't brew it though.".
"Did he show you?".
"No. The curriculum this year suffered a lot. What the Death-Eaters wanted us to know, was the curriculum.
Why? Do you want to brew?". "No I didn't. In our 6th year, Slughorn showed the potion that us. A cauldron full of it.".
Ginny nodded.
"It had smoke rising from it. It didn't smell like old Sox or dead rats, or, burnt plastic. It smelled like... Broomstick polish, Treacle tart, and... A flowery fragrance, I had smelt somewhere around the Burrow." "It reminded me of beautiful summers in the Burrow. Freedom from my relatives, flying, Quidditch, and recovering from Sirius's death... Healing I mean.", He continued.
Her heart leapt up.
"Um, ok. I'm glad the Burrow means a lot to you.". "Yes. It means a lot to me. And so do you.", He looked straight into her eyes.
"You mean the world to me. I'm sorry if this feels like coming from nowhere, or overwhelming. But this is the truth, Ginny.".
Her face remained passive.
"I am sorry for how it had ended with us last time. But, on that day, it was the only thing I could do, the only thing I knew. But I want to try this properly.", He waived a hand between them.
"Without rushing, or...",
"Or hiding secrets.", Ginny finished.
"Or without hiding things and having secrets.", He agreed.
"Harry, it is no secret that I like you, very much. But, I'm hurt. It’s not just about how it ended between us, I understand, even though I might notlike it. But I'm hurt by people, the war, and...", She took a deep breath.
"And your supposed death. I—, I thought I had lost you forever. But you came back, thank Merlin.".
"I want to know what happened. If not immediately, sometime later, when you are ready. I too need to share my story..., if we want to go further another time.". "Thank you, Gin.", He sniffled, discretely rubbing under his eyelids.
"That is all I ask for.".
She smiled slightly.
Before she could say something, Harry placed a hand on her shoulder and drew her close.
Ginny leaned forward and buried her face in his chest.
His arms encircled her body, and a hand ran through her hair.
He dropped his chin on her head and kissed her forehead.
"That is not enough.", she demanded.
Raising her head, she pulled him for a kiss.
Their lips met gently at first, gliding smoothly on the other. Soon it turned desperate and demanding.
They had to make up for the lost months. Missed birthday and Christmas.
I had a strange dream where there were so many of you, speaking nonsense you know?", She said, after a while, between heavy breaths.
"Yeah? Strange. I dreamt you calling me from the marauder's Map when we were on the run. I think I saw your head floating from it.".
"Marauder's Map? Of all the things?", She chuckled.
"Er, I may have stared at it during the run.", He muttered sheepishly.
"At a particular dot...". Ginny laughed and kissed him on his lips.
"On the note of confessing, I want to tell you, it was I who had nicked your jumper with a captain logo and a snitch.". They both laughed at their silly attempts to hold on to the other, for a while.
When they stood up to walk to the burrow, their hearts were a tad bit lighter, and a small ray of hope shone, that they would work together for that one day, when things would be easier, lighter and moments brimming with love.
The End.