Chapter 1: Reunion of Two Hearts

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the Head's office in silence, each of them lost in thought. Just moments ago Harry had defeated Voldemort with a simple Disarming Charm and ended the battle between light and dark. While they walked on Harry noticed that his best friends were walking close enough together that their hands were touching every few steps but they didn't seem to be able to make the decision to reach out to each other. Harry smiled at the sight.

'It's about time you two,' he thought.

They continued in the direction of the Grand Staircase slowly while Harry watched them. When the stairs were in sight, Harry spoke.

"Guys, if it's alright, I'd like to go up to Gryffindor Tower instead of the Great Hall," he said.

Ron turned with a look of disappointment that dissolved as soon as he looked at his friend. Hermione turned as well with a look of concern as she spotted the exhaustion in Harry's eyes.

"Of course Harry, I'm sure that you want to get some rest," Hermione said in a tone of voice that she only used when making an observation.

Harry dropped his eyes for a second before nodding. The trio made their way up the stairs to the seventh floor stopping only when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. She looked at them, having to look down slightly, and smiled.

"Password," she asked.

"We don't have the password as we've not been to school this year," Harry said.

The Fat Lady's eyes grew to the size of galleons as she recognized Harry's voice.

"Oh dear, you three need no password," she squealed and then swung open to reveal the entrance.

The trio climbed through the portrait hole and walked across the common room to the dormitory stairs. Just as they reached them, Harry's legs finally gave in to the exhaustion that he had been trying to fight off just long enough to get into bed.

"Harry," Hermione screamed as she watched him begin to topple.

Ron reached out and caught his friend just before he fell and hoisted him up.

"Let me help you mate," he said as Harry tried to stand back up on his own.

"Thanks," Harry replied weakly as he allowed Ron to support him.

Hermione came up on Harry's other side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders in an attempt to help Ron get Harry up the stairs. Together they climbed the stairs all the way up to the top floor dorm. Once inside Ron and Hermione took Harry over to the four poster bed that would have been his and set him down on it. Harry smiled his thanks and bent down to take off his shoes.

"Harry? Hermione and I are going to go down to the Great Hall to get something to eat. Do you want us to bring you back something," Ron said.

"No thanks. I think I'm going to try to get some sleep," Harry answered.

Ron nodded and turned to leave but Hermione walked over and sat down next to Harry. As soon as she was seated she pulled him into a hug and kissed him on the cheek.

"Get some rest. Ron and I will be back soon," she said softly.

Harry smiled slightly as Hermione got up and joined Ron. Harry turned and lay down as he heard the door close.

Once outside the door Ron stopped and turned to Hermione.

"So what was that all about," he asked quietly, but with a hint of jealousy in his voice.

"What Ronald, the fact that I thought Harry might need a hug? Or is it that I tried to show him that I am still his friend no matter what happens between you and me? OR maybe it was me kissing my brother on the cheek? Pick one Ron because you have nothing to be jealous of," Hermione whispered hotly.

Ron looked utterly confused and a bit sheepish at Hermione's words. He knew at once that his insecurities with her had spoken for him.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Hermione looked into Ron's eyes for a moment before pulling him to her.

"It's okay Ron, we've been through a lot the last few days and I can understand you being a bit on edge. Look, let's go down and see your mum," Hermione replied.

"We can't do that, not without Harry! You know that mum will go spare if he's not with us," Ron said.

"We'll just tell her that he needed to rest," Hermione stated flatly.

"Like that's gonna work, but okay," Ron said in an unconvinced tone.

The pair turned and walked down to the common room together. When they reached the bottom step they found that several people had settled into chairs and on the floor in various groups. One of those was Neville, who looked up to meet Hermione's eye.

"Is Harry up there," Neville asked quietly as he approached.

"Yes Neville, he's up there. He wanted to get some rest," Hermione answered.

Neville frowned slightly but tried to hide it quickly hoping that neither Ron nor Hermione saw it. Unfortunately Hermione did.

"What's wrong Neville," she asked concernedly.

"There's a rumor that a few of the surviving Death Eaters are still loose and they could be in the castle," he answered.

Hermione looked over to Ron, who was looking at her, with a concerned expression.

"Well, we know where Harry is and we're pretty certain that we know where my family is so what should we do," Ron asked.

"Dean, Seamus, and I are going to take turns keeping watch over the Tower; Luna and Michael are watching for Ravenclaw, and Ernie is taking Hufflepuff but he'll need some relief eventually," Neville stated.

"We're going down to find the Weasleys but we'll be back soon," Hermione said quickly.

"Okay, be careful," Neville replied.

"We will," Hermione said.

She and Ron turned and walked out through the portrait hole and walked down the stairs. As they walked Ron slowly drifted closer to Hermione, eventually taking her hand in his. She looked at him and then their joined hands and smiled. Hermione stepped closer to Ron and kissed him on the cheek. They stopped together on the second floor landing and wrapped their arms around each other. Ron kissed Hermione softly as he pulled her close. She returned the kiss just as softly and leaned in to get more comfortable. They spent the next several minutes kissing before Hermione came to her senses enough to remember what they were doing. Pulling away, she smiled at Ron.

"We should go find your family," Hermione said.

Ron nodded, knowing that she was right. The couple continued down the stairs and entered the Great Hall. Once inside the pair immediately spotted the red headed family huddled together at the corner of Gryffindor's house table. They started for the table both thinking about what they might hear when they got there. When they got half way Mrs. Weasley looked up and gave a sad smile before getting up and running over to them. When she reached them she pulled each one into a bone crushing hug.

"Oh I'm so happy to see you two," she cried.

Ron returned his mum's hug the best he could, suddenly feeling what he saw sinking in. He looked over his mum's shoulder and saw his family huddled around Fred's body. He suddenly felt a lump in his throat that robbed him of the ability to speak. Hermione took in what she was seeing, and how Ron was acting, and knew that she needed to go to Ron. In two steps she covered the distance to him. Ron looked over to Hermione and immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Hermione knew that he would not allow himself to cry in view of anyone, including her, but she was okay with that.

"He's really gone," Ron muttered brokenly.

Hermione felt tears in her eyes as she squeezed him. It was then that Mrs. Weasley realized that someone was missing. Ginny seemed to realize this as well for it was she that asked the question on her mother's lips.

"Where's Harry," she asked.

"Up in Gryffindor Tower trying to get some rest," Ron answered.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to understand as she had actually witnessed the Final Battle. Ginny had also been right out front. She knew that he had survived but somehow, after watching Hagrid carry him from the forest, it all seemed too unreal to her. Mrs. Weasley turned to her daughter with a kind smile wrought with sadness and nodded.

"Go to him, make sure he's real," she said with a knowing look.

Ginny didn't need to be told twice. She jumped and ran from the Hall. On her way out Ron caught the look on his sister's face. He turned back to Hermione with a note of fear showing.

"I hope she doesn't hurt him," he whispered.

"Maybe we should follow her," Hermione suggested.

"Are you mad? I don't want to be on the wrong side of her wand," Ron said, eyes as wide as galleons.

Hermione thought about this for a moment and shook her head.

"We should follow her just in case. I have seen that look before and she is too angry to think straight," she said.

Ron nodded agreement but felt that they should stay out of the way.

Ginny ran up the stairs taking them two at a time until she reached the third floor. She slowed her pace hoping to drive back the urge to curse Harry well into his afterlife and then some. As she took each step all of the hurt and pain and anger began to make her blood boil, but her love for Harry kept her temper from exploding and causing her to start running up the stairs again. When she reached the seventh floor landing Ginny stopped and took a few deep breaths hoping to calm herself as much as recover from the climb. After catching her breath, Ginny walked on to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password," the portrait asked.

"Victory," Ginny said clearly.

"Too right you are," the portrait stated as she swung open.

Ginny crawled through the portrait hole to find Neville, Dean, and Seamus sitting in front of it, wands out.

"Who did you date in my fifth year when you tried to forget Harry Potter," Neville asked in a firm tone.

"Michael Corner," Ginny answered in a surprised tone.

"Sorry Ginny," Seamus said softly.

"That's okay I've heard the rumors too. Where's Harry," she asked.

"In his bed," Neville answered.

Ginny nodded and walked toward the dormitory stairs. Just as she reached the bottom stair she turned back.

"Thanks for looking out for him," she said to the group.

The boys nodded with proud smiles on their faces. Ginny climbed the stairs to the top floor dorm and opened the door as quietly as she could. When she stepped inside the room she spotted Harry lying in the bed that he used for six years, sleeping. She watched for a moment before closing the door with a soft click as the latch tripped and drew her wand.

"Colloportus," she whispered, locking the door.

She turned and raised her wand again, thinking about what might happen when she woke Harry.

"Silencio," she whispered clearly.

Stowing her wand Ginny approached the bed. She stood over Harry for a few moments, torn between hexing him and kissing him. While she watched Harry began to toss a bit as though he was being pushed around by an invisible hand. Ginny waited a few moments more before deciding to wake him.

"YOU INSUFFERABLE GIT," she screamed as she brought her hand firmly down against Harry's chest.

Harry jumped out of bed at the contact, wand out and ready to attack. When he saw a blur in front of him with what appeared to be long flowing fiery red hair, Harry lowered his wand. He reached over and grabbed his glasses and threw them on so that he could see clearly. As soon as everything came into focus Harry saw Ginny, and she did not look happy.

"Ginny," he croaked out.

Ginny launched herself across the bed at him ready to strike again. Harry dropped his wand in surprise as Ginny's left hand made contact with his cheek in a loud slap, knocking his glasses off. She screamed something loudly that he didn't understand at him as she slapped his chest and arms again and again, working out all of her anger and pain. Harry tried to stand firm and take the painful contact, feeling as though he truly did deserve it, but his knees seemed to have other ideas in his current state of exhaustion. Knowing that he couldn't get to his wand Harry started to think about needing to find a way to slow her down. As soon as he had an idea he felt her hand make contact with his cheek again, dazing him and dropping him to his knees. Ginny seemed to have run out of steam as the attacks stopped and he could hear Ginny sobbing nearby. He tried to stand but as he moved his head his vision suddenly swam and he suddenly slumped over feeling dizzy as a result. At that moment the door burst open revealing Ron and Hermione, both with their wands out. When Hermione saw Ginny she quickly ran over to see what was going on. She rounded the bed that would have been Ron's and spotted Harry.

"Ginny what happened," Hermione asked nervously.

Ginny only sobbed louder and held up her bruised hands for Hermione to see.

"Did he attack you," Ron asked in an angry tone.

Ginny shook her head violently and then slumped over toward Hermione. Hermione caught the younger witch and pulled her into a hug.

"Did you do this," she asked softly.

Ginny nodded against her friend's shoulder as she continued to sob.

"Okay Ginny let's get you up," Hermione said in a kind tone.

Ginny nodded again as Hermione gently pulled her up from the floor. After making sure that Ginny was sitting where she wouldn't suddenly fall, Hermione turned to Ron.

"Ron, could you get Harry back into bed please," Hermione asked in just as kind a tone as she had used with Ginny.

Ron nodded and walked over to his best friend. When he picked Harry up he saw the extent of the damage that his sister had done. Harry's cheeks were both an angry red, turning somewhat purple, and his lip was a bit swollen and bleeding slightly. As Ron hoisted his friend onto his bed Harry's tattered t-shirt moved revealing a purple palm print on his chest. As soon as Ron had moved away Hermione looked over and gave a sharp intake of breath.

"You know, Ginny, you could have just jinxed him. That would have done a lot less damage," Ron said.

Ginny looked at Harry and realized that she had done the very thing that she had not wanted to do. This brought on fresh sobs as she tried to get away and run out of the room. Hermione tightened her grip on the younger witch, holding her still.

"Shh Ginny, it's not that bad. He'll be just fine," Hermione whispered soothingly while she scowled at Ron.

"What? You act like he didn't do anything to her," Ron said.

"Ronald, sometimes you have no tact," Hermione said angrily and then returned her attention to Ginny.

"What have I done Hermione? He's going to hate me now! I was just so angry at him for leaving me and now he won't want me," Ginny cried out.

The commotion seemed to have caused Harry to stir slightly.

"'m sorry Ginny," he muttered.

At this Ginny buried her face in Hermione's shoulder, sobbing harder than ever. Hermione gently stroked her friend's hair and hugged her tight.

"Ron? Could you leave us alone for a bit? I need to talk to Ginny," Hermione said softly.

"What about Harry," Ron asked.

"I don't think he'll bother us," Hermione answered in a tone of finality.

Ron turned and left, scowling.

"Ginny, listen to me," Hermione said in a gentle tone.

Ginny gave a shudder and sat up, but stared, very determinately, at the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Ginny look at me," Hermione said.

Ginny shook her head very quickly and shut her eyes.

"Ginerva Weasley you look at me right now," Hermione growled in an imitation of Mrs. Weasley.

Ginny looked right up at Hermione, eyes wide open with fear.

"There, now listen. I know you were angry and hurt by what Harry did to you last year and all through this year. I also know that Harry did not, for one second, mean to hurt you. He cares for you so much Ginny. So much in fact that he was willing to hurt himself just to try to make sure that you were safe. Now, before you say anything, from what I've heard, his plan failed, at least partially, but that does not mean that he was either right or wrong. He missed you Ginny, so much. I don't know how many times I watched him staring at his map, watching your dot, even though he didn't know that I was awake. He'll still want you Ginny, I know it. I could see it in his eyes before Ron and I came down to find all of you, but I also saw fear there. He may not have said it but I think he's more afraid that you'll have moved on than he ever was of your anger. Now take a couple deep breaths and calm down, then we'll get you presentable so that you can talk to him," Hermione said, returning to her gentle tone.

"I'm scared Hermione. I'm scared that he'll find some other mission or dark wizard to hunt and that he'll leave me behind again," Ginny said in a shaky voice.

"I don't think that will happen, but you should tell him that, not me," Hermione said.

Ginny nodded and got up. She drew her wand and walked over to Harry's bedside. Slowly she muttered healing charms making each bruise that she had inflicted disappear. When she had finished she turned to Hermione.

"Could you leave us alone for a bit," Ginny asked.

Hermione nodded and left the room. When Ginny heard the soft click of the latch on the door she knelt beside Harry's bed and took his hand in hers.

"Harry can you hear me," Ginny said softly.

Harry stirred a little but didn't respond. He seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep again.

"Harry please wake up," she said a little louder and gently kissed his cheek.

He moved a bit more but still did not respond.

"Okay, you rest, I'll wait," Ginny whispered into his ear before she stood and gently set herself down next to him. Once she had gotten herself reasonably comfortable, Ginny leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes. She had no intention to sleep even though she was exhausted. She needed to stay awake long enough to talk to Harry when he awoke.

After an hour of waiting Ginny felt that she could no longer fight the urge to sleep. She gently slid down to the floor so that she could turn back the covers suddenly feeling completely calm. She kissed Harry on the cheek and was about to settle into the bed when her subconscious decided to remind her of what she had just done to Harry. It reminded her that she had attacked Harry in anger and hurt. She suddenly felt the guilt return that Hermione had helped push away. A tear slid down her cheek gently falling on Harry's shoulder. Ginny wrapped and arm around Harry's chest and gently squeezed.

"I'm sorry," she said softly before she moved away.

She crawled into what would have been Ron's bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. After a few moments she drifted into a restless sleep haunted with nightmares of the events of the battle.

A few hours later Ron and Hermione walked into the room and noticed that Harry and Ginny were both asleep. Hermione had filled Ron in on Ginny's actions after he had left. Ron saw that the pair were in separate beds and breathed a sigh of relief. He and Hermione pulled a couple trunks over to the bed nearest to the door and settled onto them.

"It's our turn to keep watch isn't it," Ron asked in a whisper.

"Yes Ron, it is, but tonight we watch over our brother and our best friend and make sure that he's safe. We watch over Ginny too and keep her safe," Hermione answered.

The couple drew their wands and leaned against each other and sat watch.

Harry awoke sometime later feeling as though he had just been hit with a Bludgeoning Jinx several times. He reached over and found his wand and glasses on the nightstand next to his bed and picked them up. Once he had his glasses on Harry noticed that someone had brought him some clothes and a fresh towel and wash cloth.

'Must have been Kreature,' he thought.

He continued to look around that room and spotted his two best friends leaning against each other asleep but with their wands out. He smiled slightly at the sight.

"Always there to look out for me," he whispered to himself.

Harry continued his scan of the room and noticed that the bed next to his contained a red head. Since it was Ron's bed, or would have been if the trio had attended school, the hair color of the person sleeping in it was not unusual but this person's hair was a long silky flowing plait of liquid fire, and this person also did not snore like Ron. All of that was beside the fact that Ron was currently sleeping near the door. This left only one other person as far as Harry knew. He quietly walked over beside the bed and drew back the blanket slightly. As he looked down upon the sleeping form of Ginny his ability to breath normally took a break as his eyes took in the young woman's appearance with the few rays of sun lighting her hair and features.

"She must be an angel in disguise," Harry mused to himself, only he soon found out that he had not been quiet as he had thought.

Ginny stirred as she felt the warm blanket move. Her eyes only opened to tiny slits blocking out any images but showing that a shadow loomed over her. This made her slightly nervous as she had no idea of who would be standing next to her bed or why. It wasn't until she heard a familiar whispering voice that she realized who the shadow was.

Ginny opened her eyes and looked up to find a pair of emerald eyes staring down at her through round rimed glasses. She smiled slightly but then remembered the events of a few hours ago. She jumped up and slid off of the bed away from him.

"Harry," she said softly but fell silent as he held up a hand as though asking her permission to speak. Ginny nodded her assent knowing from his posture and facial expression that Harry needed to say what he had in his mind before anything would get confused in conversation.

"Ginny, you don't need to apologize. I should be apologizing to you and you should hate me for what I've done," he said.

Ginny looked shocked at his blunt words.

'He blames himself. Why Harry,' she thought.

Harry took a deep breath as he watched Ginny. He was surprised that she looked shocked at his words. It seemed to him that maybe she had not let all of the previous nights events sink in so he decided to clarify.

"Ginny you should hate me for getting so many of our friends killed because I didn't act fast enough. You should hate me for Fred, and Colin, and Remus, and Dora and so many others. You should hate me for leaving you last year and again at Bill's wedding and not telling you why. And, most importantly, you should hate me for being here right now and not laying with the bodies in the Great Hall. I know why you did what you had earlier and I deserved it. Truthfully I wish you had hexed me but you got your point across with your hands and your have every right to be furious with me for all of the same reasons that you should hate me. So before I leave to go home, if it is still standing, I'm sorry Ginny, that you ever had the misfortune of meeting me," he said.

As soon as he finished Harry turned to go. About half way to the door, a small hand wrapped around Harry's wrist.

"Don't leave," Ginny said softly.

Harry heard the sorrow in her voice but wouldn't turn.

'How could she possibly want to be around me,' Harry thought.

Ginny held tight to Harry's wrist hoping that he would feel her need for him. It broke her heart to know that he blamed himself for the losses in the battle and that he thought that she should hate him.

"Harry, look at me," Ginny said softly.

He turned to face her but wouldn't bring his eyes up to meet hers. Ginny gently took his chin between her thumb and index finger and lifted it so that she could look into his eyes.

"Harry I could never hate you. I was a little angry at you and you did hurt me but neither my anger nor my pain would ever make me hate you," she said.

"Why don't you hate me? Haven't I cost you enough? Haven't I hurt you in the worst way? Ginny, if it had not been for me no one in your family would have suffered the way that they have," Harry said in a quiet tone.

He took her hand away from his chin and held it gently as he stared into her eyes.

"Harry if Ron had never met you, I wouldn't have been able to tell you that I love you, don't you see that? I would have died in the Chamber of Secrets and I would never have had the chance to get over my school girl crush and fall in love with you," she said desperately.

Harry dropped his gaze once again. He knew in his heart that she would not say these things just to make him feel better, but his mind would not accept what his heart's response would be. He turned quickly and took a step toward the door.

"Ginny, I'm sorry. As much as I want to start over with you, I care for you too much to hurt you again," he said.

"Then don't go! Stay here with me! I love you Harry and if you leave again you'll only hurt me more," Ginny cried.

Harry could hear the pain and love in her voice. He wanted to stay but his mind was telling him to run away. It hurt that he was torn but his mind seemed to win out.

"Ginny I'm sorry," he said in a defeated tone and ran out of the door.

Ron and Hermione awoke to hear Harry and Ginny having some kind of conversation, or argument. Neither wanting to interrupt, they stayed perfectly still while hearing every word. Ron got antsy after Harry had tried to walk out the first time but Hermione kept him still with a glare. After a few more words they saw Harry run out of the room and heard a soft thud on the floor. They looked toward the source of the sound and found Ginny on the floor in tears. Hermione ran over to Ginny's side and picked her up gently. Ron followed after a moment with a scowl on his face. Hermione knew immediately what he was thinking but felt that Ginny needed both of them more. She helped the young witch over to a bed and sat her down.

"Why'd he run Hermione," Ginny sobbed out.

"I don't know Ginny, but I will find out. Now you need to calm down. Everything will be okay," Hermione said soothingly.

"How will everything be okay? I've ruined my chances of getting him back," Ginny said through her continued sobs.

Hermione looked at Ron for a moment as though making a request. Ron somehow understood and nodded before taking a seat next to Ginny.

"Ginny I'm going to find Harry. Stay here with Ron for right now and get yourself calmed down. When I find him, I'll send you a Patronus once I've made sure that he won't run again," Hermione said.

"And just what makes you think you can keep him from running," Ron asked.

"I have a pretty good idea of what he might be thinking," Hermione answered simply.

With that Hermione turned and left the room.

Harry ran across the common room and clambered through the portrait hole doing his best to ignore the growing pain in his heart. As soon as he was on the stairs he turned toward the most direct route to the second floor. Once he got there Harry ran down the hallway as fast as he could. It wasn't until he reached a very familiar piece of wall that adjoined a very familiar door that he stopped. He turned toward the wall and noticed a few small markings. He approached the wall and began to make out faint shapes of letters. He knew what those letters spelled and felt a stab of pain deep in his heart.

"This would have never happened to you if your family had never known me Ginny," Harry said softly.

Just as he said this he felt a presence near him that he knew well. Harry turned slowly and found himself face to face with Moaning Myrtle.

"She seemed to think that she was very lucky that her brothers had met you," the ghost said.

"No! I'm the worst thing that has ever happened to that family. I've caused them so much pain and suffering and now I've cost them Fred," Harry bellowed.

"Funny, I didn't know that you caused that wall to fall on him," Myrtle stated glumly.

"He wouldn't have been there," Harry started but trailed off.

"I think you might be wrong about that. You see, he fought for you and Ginny to have a chance at a future. Ginny was in here a lot over the last ten months telling me how her family wanted to fight. On several occasions she even told me that she wished you were here. I could tell why she wanted you here too," Myrtle said.

"And why is that? I broke her heart when I left her. She deserves so much better than me," Harry replied.

"Oh I know that you broke her heart and I also know that she understood why you left her. She was in my toilet crying for you so many times that it wasn't difficult to put together that she had also forgiven you. She loves you Harry and judging from what you just told me, I'd say that you love her too," Myrtle stated.

A light switched on in Harry's mind. Suddenly he felt very sick. He leaned over and pressed his hands to the wall just before he vomited. As he lent against the wall Harry felt the blood flow to his head stop and he suddenly became dizzy. His thoughts kicked into overdrive as he remembered the words that Ginny had said to him only a short time ago. He had done the one thing that he didn't want to do. He had hurt her again by leaving.

Harry's head began to throb as he thought about what he'd done. He had hurt the only woman that he would ever love twice now and he felt like he should simply die, again, for doing it.

"I came back for her Myrtle and now I've most likely pushed her away forever," Harry croaked out.

Another wave of dizziness hit him and he fell to his knees. With his head spinning uncontrollably and his heart aching with guilt Harry slowly began to feel his will to go on slip away. He hated that he had once again hurt so many and caused so many losses, but most especially he hated that he had hurt her. He felt his consciousness begin to leave him as quickly as his strength as he fell to his side. Just before he gave into the darkness that seemed to be creeping up on him he heard a voice scream his name and another voice scream for help and then nothing.

Hermione ran out of the common room with determination. She somehow knew that Harry might run away from Ginny with his thoughts clouded with guilt and grief. She also knew that he would do his best to avoid his more predictable hiding places in his attempt to sort out his thoughts and realize what he was doing. Deciding that Harry might try to go to someplace familiar, Hermione turned and went down the stairs. When she reached the second floor, Hermione heard voices. She drew her wand and followed the sound with the intent to investigate. Just as she got near a familiar intersection, Hermione heard the unmistakable sound of someone retching. She turned the corner just in time to see Harry fall to his knees right next to Moaning Myrtle. She quickened her pace slightly to find out why Harry had been sick but got only three steps before he collapsed completely.

"Harry," Hermione screamed as she broke into a run.

Myrtle screamed for help while staring at Harry's prone form. When Hermione got to Harry's side it took her a few moments to calm the ghost before she could check Harry over.

"Myrtle go to the Hospital Wing and get Madam Pomfrey please. I'll stay here," Hermione said. Myrtle nodded and took off for the Hospital Wing at once. As soon as the ghost left, Hermione sent her otter patronus to Ron and Ginny.

Moments later Ron and Ginny were racing down the hall toward Hermione. As soon as Ginny spotted Harry her heart shattered.

"Is he," Ginny started but couldn't bring herself to finish her question.

"No he's alive but he won't respond to anything," Hermione said softly.

Ginny sobbed loudly as she ran to Harry's side.

"Don't you leave me again," she whispered as she pulled Harry's head onto her lap.

She sat softly crying as she softly ran her fingers through his hair and caressed his cheeks. Ginny knew that he would not have left her after their argument.

'He only needed a little time,' she thought.

No one noticed that Madam Pomfrey and Myrtle were rushing up the hall until they appeared, pushing their way through the group.

"Let me see him," Madam Pomfrey demanded.

Everyone but Ginny moved to allow the healer room.

"Miss Weasley," Madam Pomfrey said expectantly.

"NO," Ginny said defiantly.

The school healer looked at Ginny and saw immediately how arguing would turn out.

"Miss Weasley I must ask you to let me have a look at Mr. Potter. It will only take me a moment, I promise," the healer said gently.

Ginny nodded but only allowed the healer enough space to wave her wand over Harry. After what felt like an eternity, when in fact it was only a moment or two, the healer looked up.

"Outside of being sleep deprived and a bit underfed, Mr. Potter appears to be in perfect health. This leads me to believe that he seems to have lost the will to go on or that he is carrying so much guilt that it is eating him from the inside out. The only thing that will help him is the same thing that ended this war," Madam Pomfrey said.

Hermione seemed to understand and stepped toward Harry.

"Madam Pomfrey, we need to get him back to his bed but we're all pretty spent. Could you help us," she asked.

"I would be happy to," the healer replied.

Together Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Madam Pomfrey cast levitation charms and slowly guided Harry back to Gryffindor Tower. As soon as they got him into bed Ginny pulled the healer aside.

"What can I do," Ginny asked.

"Well you can do a few simple things like talk to him and hold his hand to let him know that you are there but it would be much better if you simply did what you have for the last ten months, love him," she said knowingly.

Ginny nodded and went back over to Harry's bedside.

Madam Pomfrey looked upon the boy that had spent so much time in her care over six years and felt a tear slowly make its way down her cheek. She was happy to see him surrounded by his closest loved ones yet it caused her heart to ache to see him in such a state.

"You've been through so much young man. Get better for her," she whispered to herself.

With that Madam Pomfrey turned and left.

Ginny sat down on the edge of Harry's bed and took his hand in hers. She couldn't help but feel that Harry's current state was her fault. She knew what she needed to do to help him get through this. She looked at Hermione and caught her eye. The older witch nodded and turned to Ron, whispering something in his ear.

"We're going down to let mum know what's going on," Ron said quietly.

"Ron, tell her not to come running up here until she's had some rest," Ginny said softly in return.

"I'll be sure to," Ron said.

Ron and Hermione got up and quietly left the room.

Ginny slowly settled herself next to Harry and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you Harry. Find your way back to me," she said softly as a tear fell from her cheek.

She laid down placing her head on his chest so that she could listen to the rhythmic beating of his heart. Very soon after she was asleep.

A few hours later Harry awoke to find that he was back in his bed. At first he thought that he had been having a very elaborate dream until he found a strange weight on his chest. He looked down and saw a very familiar head of long crimson hair lying over his heart. Slowly everything that had happened since he had argued with the redhead sleeping next to him came back. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently.

"I'm sorry that I ran out on you, Ginny. I hope that you can forgive me," he whispered.

Harry gently wrapped his arms around Ginny, holding her protectively as he lay. He felt at peace knowing that she was with him. Soon after he began to feel his eyelids grow heavy and he knew that he would fall asleep again.

"I love you Ginny," he whispered softly just as his eyes closed again.

Moments after Harry fell asleep the dormitory door opened to reveal Ron. He looked over to his best friend's bed and spotted his sister lying next to Harry. It took him a moment to realize that the only contact between the pair was Ginny's head laying over Harry's heart and Harry's arms wrapped protectively around Ginny. Ron smiled slightly even though his mind was telling him to curse Harry to frogspawn. As he turned to leave he found Hermione climbing the stairs. He smiled at his girlfriend as she reached him. Ron wrapped Hermione in his arms and pulled her close.

"How is he," she asked.

Ron turned her toward the door and settled his chin on her shoulder.

"I think they're gonna be okay," he whispered.

Hermione silently thanked every deity that she could think of as her eyes fell upon Harry and Ginny.

"Let's not wake them now," she whispered, smiling at the peaceful appearance of her best friends.

The couple turned and started to close the door when Ron stopped.

"What's up Ron," Hermione asked.

"Nothing really, just had something come to mind, "Ron answered.

He turned back and walked over to Harry's bed.

"I know that I don't show it well but I'm thrilled that you two found each other last year and I hope that you can work this out now," he whispered.

Ron returned to Hermione's side and closed the door as quietly as he could.

Ginny stirred as the door closed. She lifted her head just long enough to see that Harry's arms were wrapped around her. She smiled at the feeling of warmth that the sight gave her and what she had heard Harry say while she was asleep. Carefully Ginny turned her body so that she could see Harry's face and felt her smile grow as she saw something that she thought Harry would never show. His face had a peaceful smile on it, looking as though he didn't have a care in the world. Ginny slowly scooted herself up and gently kissed Harry's cheek. To her surprise Harry's eyes snapped open as her lips brushed his cheek. Ginny jumped in surprise and tried to wiggle out of Harry's arms. Harry released his hold and scooted away as though he had been burned.

"Harry I'm sorry," Ginny said as she stood.

"No I'm sorry, Ginny, I'm sorry for hurting you, I'm sorry for running away when you needed me to understand and I'm sorry that I scared you," he said.

Harry made to get up but found that his legs wouldn't cooperate. Ginny knew what he was going to try to do and decided that this time she needed to keep him in the same room. She drew her wand and flicked it toward the door and then conjured a chair for each of them in the middle of the room. Harry had just managed to stand when he saw the chairs.

"Harry can we talk," Ginny asked.

Harry thought for a moment as he stared at the chairs. He knew that they needed to talk if he had any hope of a relationship with her again. He also knew that leaving again would only make the wounds that he had already inflicted on her heart deeper. Slowly he nodded and walked over to one of the chairs. When he sat down Harry kept his gaze determinately on his knees. Ginny sat down in the opposite chair and looked over to Harry. When she saw that he was not looking at her she felt an ache in her heart.

"Harry, I heard everything you said when you woke up a little while ago. Tell me why you keep trying to run away, please. If those words have any truth to them, why would you choose to leave," Ginny said softly.

Harry kept his gaze down as he thought about his answer. He felt that she needed to hear more than just a simple truth but he needed to be sure that all of his words came out right.

"Ginny, the simple answer is that I was scared. I do love you, with all of my heart but I was afraid that I had hurt you too much to be forgiven. I'm afraid that you don't want anything to do with me because I hurt you. I'm afraid that I'll have to go on without you after I chose to come back for you," Harry replied in a soft shaken tone.

Harry got up from his chair and padded over to the window and leaned on the sill that he had sat on so many nights during his first year. Ginny had caught his statement about choosing to come back but decided that now was not the time to ask what he meant. She could feel the uncertainty and fear in Harry's heart and knew that she was the only person whom could push it away. She could also hear the pain and regret in his voice as he spoke and understood that he needed her if he was going to get past it. She got up and walked over to Harry. Gently she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close to her.

"If any of those fears had come true Harry, do you think I'd be here right now," Ginny asked.

"No, I don't suppose you would," Harry answered in a tone that suggested that he was starting to try to make sense of what was going on.

"It will take some time for me to forgive you completely but I want to and that makes a lot of difference. We have as much time as we need now, though, to work this out. Harry I love you, but I need you to promise me now that you're not going to leave me again like you did last year," Ginny said softly.

"I can only promise that I won't push you away like I did Ginny. I don't know what might happen when I start a career," Harry replied.

Ginny considered his response. It was true that work might take him away from her so it seemed reasonable that if they were together when Harry started working that a promise to never leave her behind again might be impossible to keep. He did, however, promise not to push her away again and that she knew was a promise that he would never break.

"I can accept that Harry," Ginny said sweetly.

Ginny looked straight into Harry's eyes at that moment and saw a light in them that she had only seen one time, when he kissed her for the first time. That light was, in Ginny's opinion, linked to the love in his heart. She pushed herself up and pressed her lips to his. Harry's arms wrapped themselves around her waist as he kissed her back, sealing his promise. After several moments the couple pulled back and stared into each other's eyes.

"I love you Ginny," Harry said softly.

"I love you too Harry," she answered.

With that they shared another kiss.