TWO YEARS LATER -

GINNY'S POV

My stomach was in knots. It had been exactly two years since that fateful night Voldemort had been killed and Harry had taken Death's place. two. years.

Everyone had searched for Harry. Some because he was the Savior, some because he was their family, some because he was their friend.. me? Because he was and will always be my only love.

Things have never been more peaceful in the wizarding world since Voldemort's death. The whereabouts of the great "Harry Potter" remain a mystery to all. Only me and my family know the truth. The sacrifice he made.

The sun was starting to rise over the hills of the burrow. The birds were chirping, the breeze blowing.. the world moves on.. time moves forward.. but I never will.

Newspaper clippings and stories of Eulogies litter my floor. Interviews with people who have claimed near death experience plaster my wall..

I'm losing my mind.

As I head downstairs I hear whispers from my family. I know what they're talking about. How could I not?

"STOP. whispering," I spat. I walked into the kitchen and looked at my hands. I couldn't take another minute of their pity stares.

two years, today.

"Ginny, we want to help, we want Harry back just as much as you," my dad said quietly.

One sentence and I was undone, I couldn't control the sobs that wracked my body. I wanted to be strong today, but my heart and soul betrayed me. "What… what if… if… he doesn't come back… or.. what if if he does.. then he he.. just leaves again…" The what if's were eating me alive.

I looked up and saw my whole family sitting around the table, including Hermione.

"Ginny. ENOUGH." Hermione yelled. Ron shifted uncomfortably beside her.

"We know these past two years have been excruciating. Not just for you, for ALL of us. Listen to me CARE-FULLY. We are going to see him today and we are going to find a way to keep him for good." She huffed.

Silence followed. My eyes watered, "Thanks Hermione, I needed that…" I whispered.

"Well, that went way better than I expected.." Ron stammered. "Who's ready to eat? Gotta look our best when we finally get to see that good-for-nothing, bloody infuriating, friend who thinks he can just disappear, little piece of —"

"I'd be careful how you continue with that, Ron, you know Molly wouldn't be too happy with your choice of words."

I whip my head toward the sound of that voice.

There, at the doorway stood a figure in a cloak as black as night.

I was frozen still. I didn't even realize my entire family had their wands pointed at the figure at the door.

I slowly stumbled forward, I couldn't even hear my families protests even if I wanted to - I was drawn to the figure, my heart knew what my head had yet to realize.

"Harry."

"Ginny" he whispered. It's as if he'd been waiting an eternity to say that name. I immediately fell into his arms.

He wrapped his arms around me, slowly, cautiously..

"Oi, show us your face, prove that you're Harry!" Ron cried out.

Slowly the figure lifted up his hood..

Unruly black hair appeared and my heart leap. And then, he looked up.

Gold eyes replaced the green I loved oh so much. His skin was pale and his features as dark as night.

He was unearthly. Beautiful, yet sinister.

All I could do was stare. Was I dreaming?

"Hhharry?" Hermione whispered, "is it really you?"

"It's me." everything was deathly silent

He looked down at me, I hadn't even realized I was still holding onto him.

"I.."

"Do you know the hell you've put Ginny through? That you've put US through? What were you thinking you noble, self sacrificing TWIT," Ron shouted as he stumbled forward to hug Harry.

Before he could reach him, Harry recoiled and my arms were ripped from around him as he flew to the nearest corner.

It was silent. Harry stayed planted in the corner.

"I'm sorry, Ron, I'm not used to being able to touch the living," he panted.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked his voice laced with hurt.

"For the past two years, everything I touch dies. Everything.." he whispered as his voice trailed off.

I slowly began walking to him, as I crept forward, he looked up.

"Ginny, I'm so sorr - "

"DON'T. What I need from you right now is to hold me and never let me go," I said as I crashed into Harry's arm.

We both let out long breaths. I was revelling in his touch - his breath - his nearness. It felt like we were holding onto each other like we were the others lifeline.

"I only have until sunset," Harry stated. My moment of happiness vanished.

"Harry.." Hermione breathed, "what has happened the past two years? Is there any way to save you from this fate?"

Harry looked up - his gaze intense.

"I have been fulfilling death's role. When it's time to collect souls, I appear, I comfort and I take. It's agonizing to rip loved one's from each other. It has to be done. The rules must be obeyed.." Harry paused.

"Saving me from this fate? Not unless I condemn another."

"It's been done before, we can do it again!" I started to protest.

"No, Ginny, I can't condemn another to this life."

"But you'll condemn me to a life without you? You'll condemn your friends? Your family?" I seethed with anger.

This is not how I wanted this to go, but my anger could not be contained.

"Gin, I thought you would move on that everyone would move on." Harry stated plainly with sadness lacing every word.

"How, pray tell, do you expect us to EVER move on? Don't you get it, Harry? I'll speak for myself here, but I will NEVER give up until I get you back." Ginny spoke strongly but was betrayed by a sob escaping her lips.

"I'll never give up either." Hermione whispered.

"Me either, mate." Ron said

"Same" "Bloody hell I won't" " we'll never give up, deary" was followed by the rest of the Weasley clan.

I looked up at Harry, still clutching him as a lifeline.

The house was silent, waiting for Harry to respond. Finally he spoke.

"How can you expect me to put my own happiness before anothers?" Harry whispered.

"We know we can't expect that from you Harry, you're too bloody noble," Ron started

"BUT you haven't even given us a chance, Harry," said Hermione, "What if we find someone more than willing to take your place?"

Harry sighed.. he knew he was losing this battle.

"I'll take that as a yes" I quickly said before he could respond. My heart was racing. Now it was up to us to bring Harry home for good.

"Harry, you're one of my best friends, you know me better than most, which is why I know you'll believe me when I say we're going to fix this," Hermione stated as she moved forward.

"Now come over here and hug me so I can get to work." she continued.

Harry couldn't help it - a ghost of a smile graced his face.

I let him go, he looked at me, walked forward and slowly embraced Hermione. Wherever Hermione was going, I was going with her.

Seconds later, she broke the hug, tears leaking from her eyes.

Next was Ron. "Come here mate," he started as he and Harry embraced. "You know I didn't mean all that stuff about you being a royal twit and stuff, right?" he laughed.

"No, you meant it." Harry replied cheekily, which earned him a punch in the arm from Ron.

Harry continued to hug the rest of the Weasley's. Aurther patting his back rather hard, Molly almost breaking his ribs, George giving a firm shake and Percy giving a nod.

"I'll see you soon with a solution," Hermione quickly said and turned to leave.

"WAIT, I'm coming with you" me and Ron said simultaneously.

"Ron, come on. Ginny, absolutely not."

"WHA.." I started to yell but Hermione quickly responded -

"You're staying here with Harry. No but's. Trust us to fix this and enjoy the first day of forever." Hermione finished.

I was crying again, overwhelmed and continually betrayed by my emotions.

"Thank you, Hermione.." Harry whispered.

I looked into his now golden eyes. I loved him with everything in me.

Before I knew it Hermione and Ron were gone, my family had left the room and it was just me and my love.

" Tell me everything," I demanded.