Last and second chapter (most likely, unless I do a third. Which I probably will end up doing in the end) of On The Path To Peace. I know it's not very emotional, and the actual conversation would be much more serious etc. but hey I've not lived through this stuff it's the best I can do (Grease moment). Please read and review xx

Harry walked into the dormitory slowly, Ginny right behind him, not relinquishing the tight grip on his hand. There had been a brief moment of confusion about the dormitory - after all, he hadn't actually been a seventh year, but he proceeded into the seventh year dorms anyway, which were empty due to him, Ron and Dean being on the run and Neville and Seamus hiding out in the Room of Requirements. Harry collapsed onto the bed before freeing his hand from Ginny's and placing his head in them, leaning over the edge of the bed and looking at his feet.

"Harry."

"Ginny." He sounded so old. Like he'd aged a hundred years right before her very eyes.

Ginny slid to her knees in front of him, ticking a hand under his chin, forcing him to look at her. She didn't know what to say, what he'd been through this year. How he'd suffered - without her. All she knew was that he was looking at her with such tired eyes, glinting with an edge of hope and dawning peace. She knew that as hard as her year had been, hiding in fear, it had been nothing compared to his.

"I'm so sorry." He placed a careful hand on her cheek. "So, so sorry. I ... shouldn't have kissed you."

Ginny gaped at the statement, as a brief twang of hurt rushed through her, and stood up, turning away slightly. Didn't he want her?

"I don't know what's been going on over the past year. Whether you've moved on or not."

Ginny shook her head wordlessly looking back at him. The idiot. She could hardly believe that he thought she would. It was almost insulting. "Never. I would never do that to you." She braced herself, needing to say it, but unsure of how her words would be received. "I love you."

Harry flinched very slightly and blinked. He'd never had someone say that to him before, up until tonight where he'd heard it from his parents. He didn't know how to feel about that, or indeed what to feel at all, but he was sure of his feelings for Ginny and after a long second he leant forwards to press their foreheads together and murmur "I love you".

Ginny's beautific smile was well worth the uncertainty.

They kissed once more, passionately, before she wrapped her arms around him and tugged at his hands until they were both standing, simply not wanting to let him go again.
"I was so worried you know? This year," he whispers, nuzzling at her neck.

"I was terrified for you."

Harry looked at her sadly. "At least I knew you were alright. You didn't. I'm so sorry."

"It's al- Wait. How did you know I was alright?"

"I had the Marauders map on me. I used watch you, make sure you were safe." He wasn't sure how creepy that made him sound.

Ginny didn't know what to say.

"I don't know how I would've survived this year if I didn't know you were alright. You keep me going, coming home to you. Even when Voldemort tried to kill me tonight."

"You will have to explain that to me." Ginny tried teasing, her voice only slightly breaking at the memory. If he ever tried that again she would bring him back just to kill him herself.

Harry nipped at her neck, at her pulse point. "I'll explain everything to you. I promise."

Ginny smiled slightly before glancing at the staircase. "I'm surprised she hasn't already sent someone up after us." She smiled slightly mischievously, still hardened by the day's battle. "I don't suppose I'll get away with shutting the door as well?"

"I don't think so."

Ginny peered at him anxiously, surprised at her own rapidly changing mood and barely wanting to look away just in case he disappeared from in front of her eyes. "You look tired." She rubbed the dark circles under his eyes tenderly.

"I am tired. So tired," he said the last bit near silently but Ginny still heard and tightened her grip, reminding him that she wasn't going anywhere at the minute.

"Get some sleep."

He shifted slightly, looking nervous about something.

"What is it?" she asked gently.

"Can you stay with me tonight?" She didn't answer. He rushed on, "Only Ron and Hermione have had each other all year and it seemed to really help and I don't think I could handle it if I woke up tonight and you weren't th-"

She cut off his ramblings with a quick kiss. "Breathe love. I'd love to stay."

Harry had a brief moment of wonder at her casual use of the endearment before taking her hand again. The two of them snuggled together on the bed, not even needing the blankets to keep each other warm, refusing to let go of the other's hand. And as Ginny drifted off to sleep, peaceful for the first time in months, not knowing whether she wanted this whole day to be a dream or not, she heard the faint murmur of 'I love you' whispered into her hair.

In her dreams she smiled.