Ginny gazed around the dimly lit ballroom. The music was loud; the entire venue was filled with beautiful people in beautiful clothes. One more late night. One more big budget party. She looked beautiful, she knew. She had been told so many times by the press, and those that wanted something from her.

"The prettiest member of the Holyhead Harpies team."

Tonight her long red hair was curled and placed in low side ponytail that cascaded over her shoulder, and she wore a plum one shoulder mini-dress that complimented her fair skin and well toned legs. She had turned many men's heads that evening, and the young 21 year old was bored.

This had been her third extravagant party in two weeks. Sure, she should be glad to wear beautiful clothes and rub shoulders with beautiful people, but after her first year on the team, she had figured out quick that along with fame comes monotony. Superficial witches and wizards concerning themselves with pure blood and old money.

Scanning the room, her eyes found Della, her team mate, wrapped around some good looking wizard on the dance floor. Ginny just chuckled to herself. This was no shocking behavior from her good friend. They had both joined the team at the same time two years back, and stuck together, despite their very different personalities, and moral convictions.

As her eyes continued about the room she thought she saw a dark head of unkempt hair…No. She must be seeing things. It was getting late and she had already had a drink tonight.

She kept scanning until she found Eddy. It was no surprise to see him chatting with a few of his mates from his team. Of course he'd said he'd be right back with drinks and had been gone for over a half an hour. But that is why she enjoyed him so much. He was so good.

Yes, the fact he was a gorgeous, blonde, professional quidditch player helped, but he might be the nicest guy on the planet. He never met a stranger and although he wasn't the brightest of men he was the most likable. Everyone enjoyed his company and it was often he would find himself being pulled into conversations. This was nothing new to her.

Knowing he would not return for a while, she made her way to the bar for her own drink. Heading that way, the young quidditch player thought about how long she needed to stay before she could gracefully bow out of the festivities and get back home to her apartment. She pushed her way through the crowds on the dance floor, where Della, taking a moment to extricate herself from tonight's pleasure, came over to talk to Ginny.

"Isn't he beautiful?" the dark girl asked her redheaded friend.

Ginny smiled, "He's just your type Del."

"I wanted to let you know that I won't be home tonight," She told Ginny, and with a mischievous grin added, "So you and Eddie can have the apartment all to yourselves, and finally get up to some no good!"

Ginny's cheeks turned the color of her hair, and she gave her friend a look, "Della! Give it a rest."

"Relax Red. Let loose and have a little fun! It would do you some good," Della teased, rolling her eyes at her prudish friend. Ginny just gave a weak smile and headed for the bar.

Della knew just how to make Ginny squirm. Have a little fun? All she had been doing this last year and a half was having a little fun. Playing quidditch, going to expensive parties and events, meeting handsome rich men, was of what all her time consisted. She'd be lying to say she hadn't enjoyed it, but Ginny knew she needed something more substantial.

Reaching the bar she found herself growing more and more agitated. The dim lights of the room were a dark contrast to the crowded neon lit bar. Bar tenders were running back and forth trying to take and fill all the orders that were being given. Ginny stood there, feeling worn. She needed a drink.

She began to push her way through the dense crowd, and was quickly pressed back out. Again she tried, but in vain. It seemed as if the whole crowd of people were gathering around one person in the middle, forming an obnoxious barrier around the bar.

Try as she might, there was no getting through. Ginny was growing ever more frustrated, never one to be pushed about, and marched straight into the thick of the chaos. Bumping into more people than she liked. "Excuse me," was all she uttered towards the thronging faceless people. She was going to get a drink.

Ginny felt an elbow to her arm, and was shoved back and forth until she finally caught sight of the bar. The buzz of chatter was so loud she could barely hear herself think. Only a few more steps and she could finally order her drink.

With a step forward she suddenly collided too quickly with someone hard. Ginny could feel herself losing footing, and she just knew that the press would take this moment to snap her picture and write some snarky story of 'the youngest Harpy was partying too hard.' When suddenly arms came around her from behind and steadied her.

"Are you alright Miss? This is my fault." The pair of hands asked concerned. The voice sounded oddly familiar.

"Yes, thank you. You've saved me from a load of embarrassment." Ginny answered, as she righted herself and turned around. The man's hands were still close, making sure she didn't topple again. Her eyes travelled up those hands to his arms, to familiar looking shoulders, that held a very familiar looking face.

The face of a phantom. "Harry?"

...

"Harry…Harry?" Ginny spluttered as she lost her footing again, and stumbling into him. The crowd around the bar was buzzing, but it was if the whole world was spinning and only she and Harry were in focus.

He smiled, righted her again and responded in a nostalgic tone, "Ginny Weasley. I never expected to run into you here." Ginny looked up at him absolutely shocked. They hadn't seen each other in almost a year and a half, and here he was, standing before her.

Of course she'd thought about this moment, when they would inevitably cross paths again, dreamt of it even. What she would say, how she would act, and she always meant to be cool, composed and unaffected. Now having fallen into his arms twice and mumbled his name like a fool she mentally berated herself. She was a strong, independent woman and she was just fine! Ginny did her best to shake off the shock and have a bit more composure.

Determined, she looked up at him to respond when he spoke for her. "You wanted a drink, didn't you? This is my fault, I've yet to get used to these crowds that seem to follow me. Here," and he turned to a bartender who gave Harry his full attention, which irked her. "A firewhiskey for me and a andaloose sweet for the lady," he finished and turned back with the same confident smile he picked up on his travels.

…He remembered her favorite drink. Ginny didn't know what to think. This was all happening so fast. She hadn't seen Harry for a year and a half and that time was short and awkward, and before that a year had passed with little contact.

Harry was here, standing in front of her, buying her a drink, looking just as handsome, if not more, than the day he left her. He spoke to her as if their history was just a sweet friendship. 'Ginny, you can do this. Ginny get a hold of yourself!' she internally cheered.

She would show Harry just how fine she was. Ginny began to speak when she was once more interrupted.

"Ginny, this is really a surprise!" he told her in a tone of incredulity, handing her a purple drink, "I rarely ever see any of the Hogwarts mates at these types of things. You must come meet my mates!" and with that he had a hold of her arm was and guiding her through the crowd.

Hogwarts mates?! Since when was she just his Hogwarts mate?! Oh the time she'd wasted on this boy! Obviously he'd spent no time thinking of her. Ginny thought, as he pulled her along.

More than ever she was determined to show that Harry Potter, how little she concerned herself of him.

As they managed their way through the crowd she noticed just how many people stopped to look at him. Men wanted to be his friend and women wanted to be with him. She herself was thrown a few nasty looks from the witches who noticed his hand on her arm. So this is what it is like to be Harry Potter. Harry of course seemed oblivious to most of it.

The pair reached a group of five wizards and witches that were lounging at a booth in the corner. Ginny noticed how they were all very different. The three men and two women, sat casually talking, and sipping their drinks.

"Heyo, Harry! You've finally returned from the dead sea over there. I told you, you would cause a stir mate," Greeted a young man, with long wavy brown hair, a short beard, and a lovely smile.

"Yeah, you were right, Gabe. But I found myself a damsel in distress, so I had to come to her rescue." Harry with a shake of his head, answered and turned towards Ginny. The eclectic group all turned and look towards Ginny, noticing her presence for the first time.

All eyes were on her, some seemed skeptical and others intrigued. Composure, composure, composure. She chanted in her head. No blushing, no fumbling, confidence. She gave them all a cool smile and a friendly, "Hello."

"Who's this Harry? She looks familiar," One of the witches asked, who sported pink hair and a nose ring. Ginny was stopped short. She looked familiar to his friends? Did they know about her?

"Oh, I've got it now! You're a Harpy, aren't you?" the pink haired woman asked confidently. Ginny promptly deflated from her speculating.

"Yes, you're correct. I'm Ginny Weasley. Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies," She told them, with not quite her usual enthusiasm. Although the group seemed to perk up at that bit of information.

"I knew it! That flaming red hair is a dead give away. The name's Edith Gosen, but everyone calls me Edie. Excellent game on Wednesday, if I do say so myself. You've got a lot of guts. Big fan," The pink hair girl finished. Ginny smiled with pride. She did have a lot of fans, but it was always nice to hear that people were cheering for her and her team. She knew she had this Edie's approval.

"So Ginny, is this the first time you've met our Mr. Potter?" asked another young man who was sitting next to the empty space that Harry must have filled before he left them. Ginny turned her head to see him, and noticed a look in the young man's eye that she couldn't place. He was tall, had floppy brown curly hair that gave him a boyish look, and was very well dressed.

Ginny halted for a moment. How should she respond to that question? But before she had to, the pink haired Edie piped up, "Don't be so daft. Look at that hair. She said her last name was Weasley! She's got to be Ron's younger sister." So they knew about Ron. Of course they did. Everyone knew about the Golden Trio.

She felt like she was back in third year again. Completely invisible.

"Of course! I am daft." The young man replied in a mysterious apologetic tone. "So you and Harry were at school together?" Ginny noticed Harry shoot a look at his friend that was almost too quick to be spotted.

"Yes, Ron is my older brother, and yes, Harry and I were at Hogwarts together," Ginny answered, trying her best to pretend she didn't notice. This was absolutely awkward. Ginny just wanted to bolt to the door. A silence passed.

"Well, it was nice meeting all of you." Ginny interjected through the quiet, "I really must be off though. Harry..." she started, as she backed away from her standing spot by the booth. She had no idea how to finish that thought. "...this was nice," she said, but it sounded more like a question. With that turned and waved.

Ginny barely heard the murmured farewells of the group seated around the booth. She did hear one of the guys say something about bringing more beautiful women like her back to the booth more often. Ginny gave herself a mental high five for wearing that dress tonight.

She waded her way back through the crowds and tried to put as much distance between herself and that booth. Her head was spinning. She had just talked to Harry. He had bought her a drink. She had met some of his new friends. She had survived it. She didn't burst into tears, she didn't tell him she dreamed of him nearly every night. She had remained as cool as she could be. Although she didn't have much time to speak, but no matter. Ginny slowed and straightened up. She was okay. A feeling close to pride swelled within her. She took a long swig of her drink, and a smile erupted on her face.

"Ginny?" and there he was again, never letting himself get too far from her thoughts. Ginny's eyes closed to the sound of his voice. When he said her name this time, he sounded more like the boy she knew. With a deep exhale, and she turned around.

"Yes, Harry?"

There they were again. Face to face. She screwed her smile on tight this time. He would not see her slip.

"I didn't get a chance to ask how you were. You were off so quick." Harry replied taking a step towards her. His voice was so sincere it was almost disarming. Almost.

"Yes, sorry. I have friends here too. But, I'm great Harry. Really, I am. Very busy. I train constantly. But I get to play quidditch for a living. How lucky can a girl get?" Ginny could hear herself rambling. She had said this so many times to her friends and concerned family. She was on autopilot.

"That's great Ginny. I'm happy that you're happy." He told her, as if relieved.

"I am happy." She reiterated maybe too firmly.

"Hey beautiful, I've been looking for you everywhere," came a warm voice from Ginny's right. Soft firm lips were pressed against her cheek. Never had she been more pleased with Eddy and his impeccable timing, than she was at this moment. This would show Harry how far removed she was from him.

Ginny snuck a glance toward Harry to see him stiffen at the sight of this display of affection.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long to get you a drink. I was caught up talking to a few of my team mates." Eddy apologized. She smiled up at him with a look of utter gratitude.

"It's alright Ed. I figured someone wanted your attention." She replied, running a hand up his arm.

"Here, a kitch-martini, your favorite," Eddie told her, as he tried to hand her the pink drink. Out of the corner of her eye, Ginny saw a satisfied smirk roll across Harry's face.

"Oh, thanks, but I already have one," Ginny raised purple drink to show him. Harry was looking at them triumphantly. "But I'll need that one too," she added as she took another swig from her purple glass.

That was when Eddy suddenly noticed the man standing with Ginny. Eddy gestured a head nod to Ginny to introduce them.

"Oh yes, how rude of me!" she turned to Harry. "Harry this is Edward Westwick, the Seeker and captain of the London Larkin's. He's leading his team all the way to the Quidditch Cup this year." She ended her speech with a kiss on Eddy's cheek. Harry nodded with a smile.

"Eddy, this is Harry Potter…the boy who lived." Ginny said flatly. Who could compete with that?

"Are you fooling?! You're Harry Potter?" Eddy exclaimed. Ginny just couldn't win tonight. Eddy stepped forward and shook Harry's hand.

"Wow what an honor it is to meet you. I remember reading about you in the papers. Really fantastic. So brave. I've been asking Ginny about you for months and she wouldn't say a word," Eddy rambled on.

Ginny could have died from mortification. Now her boyfriend had a crush on her ex. Harry raised an amused eyebrow at Ginny. There was nothing to say. She just smiled defeatedly in return. But Eddy was not finished, "I knew she must've known you pretty well, because her brother's your best mate, and you two were at Hogwarts together. And here you two are chatting on."

"Eddy." Ginny stopped him. "We should dance. Goodbye Harry."

She gave a quick nod to Harry and grabbed Eddy's hand and ushered him away. "Really great to meet you Harry, you must come to a game of ours…" Eddy continued to prattle as he was dragged away.

Ginny pulled him all the way to the dance floor, ignoring all of his invasive questions about the Harry Potter.

She downed her purple drink, and then tossed back the pink, letting the loud music drown out the memories. She just wanted to forget the last hour.

...

"Hey Ginny, I think I'm ready to go home. What do you say? Split a cab with me?" Eddy asked me as we finished dancing. He was watching me with sweet concern. We had been out on the dance floor for a while now, and I had drank a few more of those pink drinks than I usually do. I slowed for a moment, realizing my head was spinning. I never act like this, but that boy comes back and I barely recognize myself.

I stumbled a bit, but caught myself. Shaking my head, I looked up at Eddy sweetly, and nodded with a sleepy smile on my face. "Yes, Ed. I think I'm done for the night."

"Come on then tiger, let's get out of here." He smiles back, relieved it seemed. Eddy put a protective hand on my shoulder and led me through the crowd towards the entrance.

"Wait here, I'll get our cloaks." Eddy offered, and I just smiled once more. It felt nice to be out of the crowd. The cool air that breezed through the doors helped my head to stop swimming. Leaning against a pillar, I stood there breathing in deeply, taking the crisp Fall air all the way down to the bottoms of my lungs.

"There you are," a voice from behind me called. I turned towards Harry who had come from the crowd. Well, here we go again. "I hoped to catch you before you left."

"Harry," I stated, with a plastic smile. The alcohol in my system giving me an ease I hadn't felt before.

"We can't keep running into each other like this," I joked.

Harry responded with an easy smile. Damn that crooked grin! He swallowed my sarcasm with grace. "I was thinking-"

"How long have you been in town Harry?" I interrupted.

He gave me a look I couldn't quite read. "Just two days now. I came in to do some work at the Ministry," He finished in a friendly manner.

"That sounds really important… I'm sure you heard about the engagement?" I answered. My tone lightening, I could see his shoulders relax a bit.

"Of course. Ron owled me months ago, to talk to me about it, and then again the day it happened. About time, wouldn't you say?" Harry answered with a familiar smile. He almost looked like the boy I once knew.

"Too right," I replied. My eyes wandered toward the direction Eddy had gone to retrieve our cloaks. I didn't know if I wanted him to be returning, or to be held up.

"You look really stunning Gin," My eyes snapped back to Harry's. His look held an intensity that bore into me, and his defined jaw flexed. I'm sure my face showed every emotion I felt.

Only he called me Gin, and he knew it. I never let anyone to use that nickname since he had left. I didn't know what kind of game he was playing. But I could play too.

Breathe. Keep it together.

I composed myself and record time and replied with a smile. "Me? Look at you Harry. How long has it been now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. My tone turning icy.

"A year and a half," he answered tightly.

"Yes, I dare say you are right. And I must admit, although I can't understand how it happened, but I believe you've gotten taller?" I emphasized this by craning my neck to really look up at him. "You look like a man now Harry." I added with a wry smile. Knowing it would dig at him. And he really did. He had to be at least 6'0 now, which made him seem to tower over my 5'4 frame, even in heels. His face was more angular, with a hint of stubble growing on his cheeks and chin. His dark hair was still a mess, but kept in an almost sophisticated manner. I shouldn't have been noticing.

His intense look never changed, as he stood there, taking my scrutiny. His gaze was hard to bare, as his eyes never left mine.

"I am a man now Ginny," he said, moving toward me. This caused me to really crane my neck to keep his gaze. My breath hitched, as the space between us seemed to vanish.

"Harry! So good to see you again," Eddy's friendly voice broke through the haze. Harry stopped short, a few feet away from me, and nearly transformed himself into what he had become over the past year.

"Ed, yes I wanted to say goodbye to an old friend," He smiled, as if nothing had just happened. Had something almost happened?

"Yes, Ed," I began, moving closer to him. "Harry was just saying goodbye," I said the last word with slight emphasis. Which caused Harry's eyes to flick to mine.

"Well it was great to meet you mate!" Eddy said, shaking Harry's hand. Eddy really was too nice for his own good.

"Of course, and best luck for the rest of the season," Harry replied. I could tell by the way my boyfriend was looking at Harry, Eddy was sold.

"Thanks, if you're in town you should come watch a game. Tickets on me, as my personal guest. Come with Ginny," Eddy added still shaking Harry's hand.

Harry turned his eyes to me. "Maybe. That would be refreshing," He smiled. Making me cringe in frustration.

"Let's be off now," I interjected. And Eddy began to help me into my coat. Harry took that as his cue, and turned to leave with a nod. The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. "And Harry, if you're going to be in town for a short while. You must stop by the Burrow. You know Mum would be so pleased. The whole family really. They worry about you," with that I took Eddie's hand and headed out into the night. Leaving Harry standing there.

I laid in bed late into the early morning. My mind racing. Knowing I would have a hangover when I awoke, and big mess to sort through. When I did finally fall asleep, I dreamt of him. Again. A dream of the last time we saw each other.

...

BING! BING! BING!

My alarm goes off. I reach my arm out from under the covers and slam my hand down on the wretched machine. 8:00 AM. Why I keep up this weekend routine, I don't know. Every Sunday morning for the last few months I had been going over to Hermione's (AKA Ron's) place, and we'd go on a long run through the park, near their apartment. Well Ron and I would run, and Hermione would ride her bike. Ron's idea, ironically. Helps him keep in shape for his job as an Auror, and me for quidditch season. It's also a great excuse to see them every week. But this week I wanted to crawl back under my covers and pretend that the world didn't exist.

I finally sat up in bed, my hair a mess, make up smeared across my face, and I see my dress in a pile on the floor. And no Eddy next to me. I couldn't do it. Not having seen Harry last night. And luckily Eddy never pushed the subject. He never even inquired. We'd gotten close once, but I had stopped us.

I turn and put my feet on the floor. My head is throbbing. Standing, my head really starts to pulse. Ugh. I hate hangovers. Which is probably why I never really drink. It wasn't worth the next morning. Before I talk myself out of it, I throw on some training shorts, my old Gryffindor's jersey, my hair goes back in a long pony tail, and wash my face. I make the water ice cold in order to really wake me up. I dry my face off and look into the mirror.

What happened last night? I wonder if Hermione and Ron know if Harry is back in town?

…

Knock knock!

I knock on their apartment door a half an hour later. I hear the quick light footsteps of Hermione. She opens the door with a big smile on her face.

"Good morning party animal!" my curly headed friend greets me. Hermione gives me a look that tells me that I still look like a mess. I walk into her apartment I look down at myself and see I threw on neon pink shorts and my old Gryffindor team jersey. I just shake my head.

"You have no idea what kind of night I had," I start. I couldn't wait to talk to someone about what happened. Hermione was the closest thing I had to a sister, and it seemed like she was the only person I could really open up to lately.

"I'm sure you and Eddy, had a great time last night," Hermione assured knowingly. I could tell she implied more. "We had a pretty exciting morning ourselves," she added, with a slight blush. Great. I didn't want to hear about her and my brother's sex life.

"No, it's not that, you will never believe me, but I ran into Harr…" I began, but then heard two masculine voices coming from the kitchen. And then Ron and Harry Potter entered the entry hall. "Harr…Henry Lowton," I finished disjointedly, my heart beating wildly.

Ron interjected excitedly, "Henry Lowton from the Bulgarian Team?"

"Yeah, I thought you would appreciate that," My eyes avert Harry's at all costs. "He seems nice. I mean, I'm not to sure because he was wrapped around Della most the night," I found myself rambling, rather convincingly. Oh I am going to kiss Della for hooking up with a guy last night whose name began with H!

"Harry surprised us this morning!" Hermione exclaimed with a huge smile on her face. Of course he did. I looked at Ron and Hermione. They looked so joyful, and so expectant that I should feel the same way. If only they knew.

"This is a surprise," I admit, calmly. Turning to Harry I add, "I see you took my advice about visiting the family."

"What's this about?" Ron asked, confused. Looking back and forth between Harry and myself.

"I quite literally bumped into Ginny last night at the Gala," Harry stated as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Well perfect! Harry is going to join us on our exercise this morning. Then we can all have a big breakfast and catch up," Hermione finished. She shot me a look as if to ask if I was ok. I just gave her an overwhelmed smile.

"Right mate," Ron started in a teasing tone. "Well, we like to do about 5 miles, so I hope your world traveling didn't make you go soft on us."

"I think I'll be able to manage," Harry replied with a smile and a shrug.

They all started to shuffle out the door, and I peaked a glance at myself in the hallway mirror. I really did look disheveled. My face was thankfully clean, but my hair was piled up on my head, with the same curls from the night before, and the pair of the burgundy shirt and neon pink shorts were quite an eyesore. Of all days, today would be the time I didn't check myself in my rush to get over here.

Harry passed behind me as I stared into the mirror. He suddenly stopped and caught my eye in the mirror. "I was wondering where my old jersey had gone," he said with a confident smirk, and continued out the door.

No.

I whipped around and looked over my shoulder into the mirror. There in gold lettering where WEASELY should have been was the backward POTTER...

How? How had I pulled out his jersey this morning? I had forgotten I'd even had it. Now looking down, it did seem rather large on me.

One more deep breath. I decided to just run. I wasn't going to think about the dark haired man with me. Just let this run work out my frustration.

The group was gathered on the corner, where we usually start, waiting for me. It was so surreal to walk towards them. It was a common scene from Hogwarts. I felt 13 again. Intimidated and small. But things had changed. I had changed. We had all grown up.

"Ready Ginny?" Ron asked, as I approached.

"Aren't I always?" I replied with my head held high and a genuine smile on my face. Ron shrugged with a look that said, she's right. I put my headphones in my ears and tuned out the world.

"Let's go," said Hermione from her bike, and we took off.

We began at a pretty nice pace. The three of them talking easily. I wasn't going to wait for them. I picked up my pace. A true training pace. They sped up with me but it wasn't long before Hermione fell back. I could tell they had stopped chatting and had to focus more on their breathing. A satisfied smile rolled across my face.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked over to Ron. He held up his hands to signal to slow down. I gave a quick shake of my head saying no. He shrugged at me and gestured back to Hermione behind us on her bike. Meaning he was going to slow down and run next to her. I just nodded in understanding. Ron gestured to Harry to go with him. But Harry just nodded toward me. Ron gave him a look that said something along the lines of suit yourself.

Harry and I continued on. I stared directly ahead, not letting my eyes wander over to to him. As much as I tried to ignore him, it felt almost as if heat was coming off of him; some magnetic pull I had to fight to ignore. And I fought it. After a few minutes I felt a nudge on my arm. I looked over to Harry.

He opened his mouth to talk, but I just pointed to my headphones. I mouthed the word sorry, though not feeling very sorry, and pumped my legs even harder. He fell back behind me. I would show him. How I had been doing just fine without him. I had become a world famous, first string Quidditch player. And he could just eat my dust. After a minute or two. Something to my right caught my eye, and there he was.

Keeping up. He just smiled at me, as if this pace was no trouble.

Frustration seeped through me. How is he perfect? How is he unaffected by our meeting? How can he act like nothing ever happened between us?

My anger gave me a surge of energy and I sprinted ahead. We had less than one mile left in our loop that would leave us at Hermione's front stoop. Harry kept pace with me as I exited the park and was on the last city block. I set my eyes straight ahead, full focus on the end. We ran, in an unspoken race. He would gain a foot or so ahead of me, then I would push past him.

Back and forth it went like this till we reached the last few feet. We were almost to the stoop when out of nowhere a little boy on his tricycle pedaled right into my path. I was so startled that I had to leap over the boy and his trike in order to keep myself from running into him. I landed with a wildly on my feet and looked back at the boy who barely noticed and continued down the street. When I looked to Hermione's porch, Harry was standing leaning against the side, giving a very polite applause.

"Impressive acrobatics," he commented, eyebrows raised. I stood there gasping for air. He barely looked out of breath. And the sweat that dripped from him looked…sexy. Life was not fair.

I just shook my head in complete shock from what had just happened.

"Great pace too. I barely get to keep that pace with my mates," Harry kept going. "Hey, you don't look so good, Gin. You're as white as a ghost," he said with a very concerned look.

"Don't call me…" I began, but couldn't finish, because I had to figure out why the sidewalk kept moving. I brought a hand to my head, trying to get myself to stop spinning. I felt my knees go weak, when his hands were on me before I could hit the ground.

"Ginny! Ginny, are you ok? Ginny can you hear me?" I heard Harry ask, but his concerned voice sounded distant and muffled.

"I'm fine. I'm fine," I said into the blackness. I could feel his arm sweep under my jello-like legs, as he completely lifted me into his arms. No. This was not supposed to happen. I was not a damsel in distress and he did not need to save me.

My vision started to come back. "Harry, put me down I'm ok!" I slurred out.

"Ginny, can you hear me?" Harry all but shouted to my face.

"Yes, I can hear you! Stop yelling. Put me down," I insisted, starting to struggle out of his arms.

"Not a chance, you were just completely limp in my arms thirty seconds ago!" Harry argued, trying to restrain me. I managed to get my feet on the ground and I reached to the arm rail that ascended Hermione's porch.

"I just need to sit down," I muttered out sinking onto a porch stair, still feeling rather dizzy.

"Fine! But you're not getting up until your brother and Hermione get back," Harry ordered me.

"Great. Can't wait for him to get here and start bossing me around too," I replied sarcastically.

"Some things never change do they," He muttered under his breath, and raked a hard hand through his tousled hair. I just shut my eyes willing my head to stop spinning, praying Ron and Hermione weren't too far behind.

"Hey guys, you two were flying!" I heard Ron say after a while.

"Woah! What happened to Ginny?!" Hermione interjected.

"My guess, is she partied a little too hard last night, and pushed herself too much this morning," Harry answered, sounding miffed.

"I'm fine," I argued, with my eyes still shut, head leaning against the railing.

"Yeah, she's fine. I'm sure she usually passes out after her runs?" Harry asked.

"Ginny! You have got to pace yourself. What if Harry hadn't been here?" Ron asked. His annoyance evident.

"Then it would be no different than every other day!" I argued back shooting up out of my seated position. I could feel all the blood rush down to my feet. My vision went black again, and I could feel myself falling into someone's strong arms.

...

I woke up in bed. Thank Merlin it was all a dream! ...But the sheets felt different. And the bed was bigger than mine. I opened my eyes to find myself in Hermione's room. Her sunny yellow walls were a stark contrast to my mood.

"Hey, you're awake," Hermione's hushed voice called out.

"Yeah," I answered sitting up. "Merlin, how long have I been out?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"For a few hours. It's two o'clock now," She replied, and flipped on her lamp.

"It's so dark outside," I observed. It felt more like night time.

"Yeah, it stormed a bit while you were sleeping," She explained. "How are you feeling? I just made some tea for myself, here you have some," she insisted, handing me a mug. I took it and sipped it gratefully.

"I'm a bit groggy, but I feel much better."

"Good, I was worried about you," Hermione answered sweetly.

"How did I get in here?" I asked confused. I hoped my guess was wrong.

"You don't remember?" she asked.

I just shrug, with a confused look before taking another sip of the tea. Hermione got up and came to sit on the bed with me. "Odd, you were awake there for just a while. But you were so out of it… No matter, you should probably hear this from me." I braced myself for the worst.

"Don't tell me I got sick all over Harry or something," I asked mortified.

"No, nothing like that. But, when you fainted Harry caught you and carried you inside. This might be a bit hard to hear, but we got you into the living room, you sort of woke up. ...But you seemed really out of it. You looked up at Harry, and he looked really concerned about you. And you whispered something to him."

"Oh Merlin, what did I say?!" I moaned, hiding my face in my hands.

"I was wondering the same thing. I'm not sure, neither Ron nor I could hear. Sorry Ginny, I thought you ought to know. There is a bit more," Hermione added. "You rested your head on his shoulder, and said something like, you only see him in your dreams anymore. You really don't remember?"

"Please, just Avada Kadavra me now!" I groaned, falling back into the pillows. "Did Harry just drop me and run?"

"No, Harry wouldn't do that," defended Hermione. "He stood there holding, you. He seemed frozen to the spot. I actually had to break him out of his thoughts and lead him to my bedroom."

"Is he still here?" I asked looking up in panic, my voice dropping down to a whisper, as if might over hear.

"No, he left an hour or so ago. He had a meeting at the Ministry" she answered. That was a relief. I could tell she was trying to read my emotions.

After a moment of silence Hermione finally asked, "So, how often do you dream about Harry?" I wanted to answer her. I felt like I was at my breaking point and had to tell someone.

"Almost every night," I answered defeatedly.

"How could you not tell me?" Hermione asked hurt.

"I'm sorry! I didn't want to admit it to anyone, not even myself. I had gotten so much better, and I really thought I was moving past it, but then he showed up again, and I start all over," the words come spilling out of me.

"Wait, do you mean yesterday, or…" she trailed off, the thoughts ticked through her brain. She was the brightest witch in her year. "You mean two summers ago?" she asked shocked.

I nodded my head.

"But you two barely spoke. When we all got together at the Burrow, it was like you didn't exist to each other. Although thinking back to it, that is a bit odd for two people who had been in love to completely ignore each other. I mean everyone thought you two were going to get marr…that's not the point," She seemed to come back from her thoughts. "Would you tell me what happened?" she asked reaching over and taking my hand.

"You have to promise you won't tell anyone, especially my brother."

"I promise, Ginny," Hermione answered. I could tell she was sincere.

"And you can't let it affect your relationship with Harry."

"I promise," she stated again.

"Alright. Do you remember that summer I had that internship at the Ministry?" I asked her. She nodded in confirmation.

"Well earlier that same day as the Burrow, Harry came to the Department of Defense to debrief with some Aurors. I hadn't seen him in a year before that, and the next thing I knew, he was standing there, and I was being introduced to him. Theodore Foghorn, my superior, had found out we had been at Hogwarts together, although he did not know our personal history, and made me his guide for the day. I was still so angry at him for severing contact with me, I barely spoke to him, and wouldn't look at him all day. It really irked him, which was my goal, and by the end of the day he pulled me into a file closet, and we…not that Hermione, I was at work!" I explained, because her eyes were as huge as saucers.

"Sorry, continue on," she said quickly, a pink blush gracing her cheeks.

"We had a had a huge row. He told me I was being petty and childish, and I told him that he was the one being childish, if he couldn't have the guts to face me and tell me he didn't care for me anymore. And I said that at least I didn't run halfway across the world to hide from a girl. Oh we were so mad, we had both drawn our wands!" I added thinking back to the emotions of that day.

"Did he hex you?" Hermione asked, so captured with my story.

"No, but I almost hexed him. He had nothing to say after that, and I knew I was going to cry, so I just turned and left. I wanted nothing more than to skip dinner, but I knew it would be obvious why. So I went, avoided him like the plague, and slipped out early accounting for work the next morning."

"So that was the last time you saw him?" Hermione asked, almost understanding.

"No..." I replied looking down at my lap. Hermione squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I got back to my little flat in London I'd kept that summer. It was storming that night, and about an hour after I arrived back there was a knock at the door."

"Harry." Hermione said, no questions about it.

"He was standing there in my doorway, soaking wet. His face was so desperate. I didn't want to care, Hermione, really! I wanted to yell at him, scream at him for how he'd hurt me. I even started to. I opened my mouth to tell him he was wasting his time, but before I could, his body was against mine. He had me pinned against my hallway wall. His breath was against my mouth, his hands on my face, running through my hair. 'I need you Gin,' was all he had to say, and I was sixteen again."

"You two?" she asked, seeming to know the answer.

"Yes…I know it was foolish of me to think anything would change. But I didn't care that night. The next morning he left to travel the world," I finished.