Disclaimer: I do not own HP… it belongs to J.K.Rowling. And this is the last time I'm going to say it.
~*~
Harry watched the meadows pass by in a blur, trees standing up tall, their branches swaying in the breeze. The light movement of the train was lulling Harry off to sleep… but it was more due to boredom than anything else. He was alone in the compartment. Ron and Hermione had excused themselves for a moment and Harry knew all too well, that as they were already half way to London, they were saying their private goodbyes to each other. He sighed. Ginny had left when the journey had just begun. Her friends her sought her out and taken her away. For who knows how long, thought Harry, irritated.
Just then, the compartment door slid open and in came Ginny hurriedly, her hair quite a mop of red at the moment. She slid the door shut behind her.
'I'm so sorry, Harry but they weren't letting me go!'
'I assumed that,' said Harry, his sour mood evaporating in an instant. 'What were you on about?'
Ginny flushed red. 'Uh… um… you'd rather not find out.' Harry chuckled and she sat down next to him.
'Don't tell me,' she said, 'Ron and Hermione have deserted you again.'
'You could say that,' said Harry half-heartedly. Ginny took out her wand and pointing it at the door, muttered a spell.
'What was that?' Harry asked. Ginny giggled. 'Nothing.'
Harry knew it wasn't "nothing" but decided to keep quiet about it for the moment. He knew he would miss her terribly, very soon; the thought had been coming back to him repeatedly that day and it made him feel worse every time.
Ginny smiled at him. 'I don't want to leave Hogwarts either…' she said, leaning on the seat, her face turned to him.
Harry smiled. 'I know… but it's not only Hogwarts… Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, you.'
Ginny bit her lip, looking at her hands. 'I'll miss you too… but… it's only for a while… and Dumbledore will let you come over.'
'Not too soon, he won't,' said Harry, failing to keep the glumness out of his voice.
'We can owl,' said Ginny, looking at him intently. 'Yeah,' said Harry, taking her hand.
'I wish I could take you along to the Dursleys,' said Harry, then burst out laughing. 'I bet they'll be more than glad to have a witch in the house.'
Ginny giggled, smiling at him. Then, she touched the side of his face with her hand, holding it there for several moments and brushing her fingers across his skin.
'I'll really miss you,' she said, in barely a whisper. He could feel sadness come into her tone. He squeezed her hand,
'Gin… promise me you'll stay safe and owl me.'
She nodded and leaning forwards, Harry raised his hands to her face, brushing his fingers on her cheeks just as she had done to him. She looked perfectly angelic, he decided, watching him through half open eyes and bending his head, he kissed her softly.
Just then, there as a sound from the door. Harry sprang away from Ginny, hoping not to be caught in an embarrassing situation. He was sure he wouldn't be able to survive the teasing if it were the Weasley twins.
The door was jangled once but it didn't open.
'Harry?!' called Ron from outside. The door was jangled again but… it didn't open.
'Alohomora,' said Ron but it still did not open. Outside, Hermione was heard saying something to Ron.
Ginny giggled beside Harry.
'You,' he said, amazed that she had performed a spell on the door, powerful enough to block the Unlocking spell. She giggled harder as Ron said,
'Blasted door! Harry are you in there?'
Harry was torn between what to answer but Ginny ended his debate quite simply by drawing him into a kiss again.
~*~
Outside, Hermione pulled at Ron's shoulder.
'Ron! Come on!'
'What? My things are in there!'
'Ron!'
'Okay, okay!' he said, as Hermione dragged him away, 'but I don't think mum will like the idea of Ginny, unchaperoned –'
'Shut up, Ron!'
'Why?'
'Just stop being so irritating!'
'Hermione, trust you to get off the Hogwarts Express, holding up an argument!'
'Argument! You're the one who's breaking into their privacy!'
'Well, if you had told me what Ginny –'
'Ron, you are a git! I sometimes wonder what I see in you that – mmpsph!'
After a moment, Ron pulled away, grinning at her.
'I hate it when you do that,' she said, though softly. 'It still sounds nice, coming from you,' he said, leaning towards her again.
'Well…well…well…!'
Ron and Hermione looked up to see none other than Fred and George, their arms folded, smiles pasted upon their faces. Hermione buried her face in Ron's shoulder.
'Bugger off!' Ron said heatedly.
'Okay,' said Fred, stepping into a compartment. He waved something in the air. 'I thought you'd like this nice little photograph of you both…'
Ron just gaped as the twins vanished into a compartment and locked the door.
~*~
Ginny observed Harry hadn't let go of her hand ever since they'd gotten off the train. She could understand how he was feeling and it didn't make her happy. She watched as her parents stepped through the magical barrier to the Muggle side. Fred and George hurried through next, as Ron was following them, looking quite sour. Ron ran through the barrier to catch up with Fred and George and Ginny knew it was Harry's and her turn; her family would be waiting outside.
Harry pushed their trolley forward, loaded with their trunks and belongings, keeping his eyes trained on the wall. But he stopped within an inch of the barrier and Ginny looked up, puzzled. Harry opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again, looking at her. He sighed, taking her hand.
'Write, okay?'
Ginny smiled. 'I will, Harry.'
He swept her into a hug and kissed her softly before letting go. She smiled at him as he took her hand and led her through the barrier into the Muggle world.
Ron and Hermione both hugged Harry goodbye, promising to write, and pushed their trolleys to the gate.
Ginny smiled at him, reached up and kissed his cheek.
'Goodbye,' she said, grinning at him as she turned and followed Ron out.
'Here!' A voice snapped Harry out of his thoughts and he inwardly groaned as he saw his uncle, standing some distance away, as bulky as ever. Harry sighed, glancing in Ginny's direction to see her wave at him once before vanishing around the gate. He smiled. Maybe, he thought, as he followed Uncle Vernon to his car, it wouldn't be too long…
…THE END…
And so, we come to the end of "Time Changes Everything"!
There's so much I want to say at this moment, and I will too! Firstly, let me declare it's been a wonderful year, writing this story. It was the first one I wrote that actually had a plot in it. I'm really glad I've progressed from chapter 1 back in July 2001 to the Epilogue today, September 2002.
I've made lots of friends on the way… all of them reviewers. Some of you, I got to know better… and they were there every time I updated. I'm thankful to the reviewers that they never once flamed me in about 5oo reviews. Coming to the number of reviews – and thankyou Munku for keeping a track of them :) – it was a dream of mine to be able to get even…3o reviews. I got 36 overnight for my story "Is It Too Late?" and I had been overjoyed! 5oo are just perfect!
By the way, Dindranesdefender, they did not do what you thought they did! No, I'm not like that! Am I? They were tired but all they did was… kiss. Really. I'm not ready to be a Queen of H/G yet. :D No offense to anyone. :)
Before I go on to thank all the reviewers, there's something I'd like to add here that I think, for me, has been part of the spirit of this story. Time does change everything, I have always believed. It washed away pain, brings in joy… and it turns impossible things, dreams into reality. Ginny never thought Harry would like her but eventually, Harry did see her… it was with time that his opinions of her changed and, to be quite frank, he was being a total git, not seeing her what she was and her unconditional love for him. It is another thing how J.K. Rowling will go about it! :)
I'd also like to make a little wish here that the person I see as Harry comes to his senses soon enough. :) Strangely, he's just as thick as Harry, and a Leo too, so I wonder what it will take to get it through his head that… oh well. As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm in exactly a Ginny situation… and I blush just as well so I can't continue any longer. Pray for me. Please.
I'd sooooooooooooo love to thank the reviewers again for always being there for me! Here are the people who have been in contact with me about the story and I love them dearly for being so concerned and so interested in my story AND for complimenting me and pushing me to update!
Munku – Official Fic-guardian, make-me-blush –er, cool compliment -er, hehe! I've loved your long reviews! Thankyou!
Varity – Thank you for honoring me by asking me to beta your story and still liking me after I was a terrible beta, holding your chapters for weeks. Sorry. :(
You've been thee since the beginning! I love you for it!
Abba (Skip-E)– I didn't know you up till quite late but you're a great person to talk to! Definitely a cheer up –er and a very faithful reviewer! I've never seen a negative comment from your side! Thankyou so very much and I really hope you stick around for the sequel! If you don't, I'll block you (you know what I mean!)!
Nimbuschik – You've been a great reader and I really loved your story as well! I haven't been able to read the latest though but I'll try to, as soon as I am able to squeeze through some time from my overwhelming studies! :( Please stay for the sequel!
And… everyone else who reviewed! They're so many, they fill up 32 pages worth of reviews on fanfiction.net! However, I did go and get all your names down here in this Epilogue. Believe me, all of you are worth all that effort! Thankyou so much –
ArmednBladed; Audra Lachesis; Alan; Alli; Amy-Jennifer; Abigfan; Angie; Amber Staklin; Aeris Deathscythe; Anime Neko; Akemi chou; Ani; Artic-Aurora-Dragon; Ax; Andrea; AkemiAngst; Aria Star; A star beneath the stairs; Books; Bart154ce; Briana Lupin; Blunder; Bucky; Bec; Bob33; Baby G 2007; Bob; Bohemian Vixen a.k.a. Q.O.S.; Burning Light; Bluebubblegrl; Bragg247; Budgiebird; Coolone007; Clarke24; ClairPotter; Carmen I. Black; Coventina; Confused-magenta; Cherryblossom; Carmen-sama; Ciarra Moondagger; Cygnus Crux; Carrie; Courtney-chan; Celtic Ember; C.P.; Crydwyn; Corky; Cheap-o; Dindranesdefender; Danielle; Dookie; Darkhaven; Eleanna; Eden; Emilie; EliCa; Equasar; English Rose; Emiru; Epitaph Munku-JGSPTV; Fireblaze; Fio; FyreFaerieGinny; Female Fred; Ginny192646; Goddess Teasha; Graham; Genesis; Goggle Boy; Gin-Herm2004; GinnyPotter406; Griffgal; Ginny; g; *~*GinnyPotter*~*; Hermmes; HottieHermione; H/g shipper; Happythoughts; Jockaroo; Jade; Julephenia; Joyful; Jas; Julia2CJ; Joelle; Jane; Jer; j; Joe McEwing's Girl; Jennyt; Kiyomisa; Kateen; Krista of StarTress; Kami Potter; Kat; Krum-lover; Kiera Aislin; Kelly; Kristi; K i w i; Luna Rose and Phoenix child; Lady Lupin; lbj; Leanne; Lily Evans Potter; Leigh; Lockreed; Lise; Little Witch; LaLa; Lapucia; Lotusgirl15; Makuti; Mistress Cresacre; Max; Miyuki; Madison; MoonBunni; Magicalmischiefmaker; Mimi; Me?; Maddy; Mr. White; Minerva; Myshawolf; MidniteSunrise; MoNmon; Mionee; Nari; Nimbuschik; Nikki; Oak; Pudadingding; Plasticparadox; Rogue1615; Runechild; Rosa; Raggie; RiverDragon; Reader; Ryuko Dragonhalf; Rikku; Raine Lionheart; Rachel; Rae; Rane; Red dragon Nebula; SleepieCareBear; Sereda; Skip-E (Abba); Sew2100; Sayin Shinigami; Sakura; Sofalina; SatanicGnomes; Squeejum; Spangle*Star; Sony Lewison; ShortNSweet; SpoiledGurl12687; Sammi; Suze; SailorChibi; Teazer; Tidbits the moldy corndog; Twilight; Terayne; Tinabedina; Trueblades; Trixie_the_witch; Unicorn; Videl86; Visbond; Victoria; Very Impatient; Vianne Rocer; Varity; WoodLove16; Well; WN; WHERE IS IT; Ximera; Y-lime the Geek; Yawer; Yukito Forever; :-) .
So there! 189 GREAT reviewers! Thanks guys! And if I've missed out any, please forgive me.
***SEQUEL***:
Please stay for the SEQUEL… it will be up very soon! I have it all "thought up" and I have to put it into writing. I'll start asap but anywhere between 1-2 weeks could pass before I get to put up the first chapter of – n, I haven't thought of a very good title. "Of Love And War" sounds too cliché, don't you think? If it doesn't I'll keep it. :)
Also, I'm putting up two single-chapter stories along with this one… "Eternally Yours" and "Memories". They were lying half-finished in my computer and recently, I finished them… and now, they're up! I hope its compensation enough for the time I took to take out this Epilogue as well as the time that I will take for taking out the first chapter of the sequel. Please read and review!
About the "Explanation" that I had promised earlier, I just want to find out if anyone still thinks it will be worthwhile? Please say so in your review if you want to see it and I'll write it for you. :)
Book 5 News: Update on book five! It is almost done and may be out, if J.K.R. ties up the lose ends, by Christmas 2002! Wooo! Also, it is about the length of Goblet of Fire! I know she said no book would ever be as long as GoF but it seems now, as she wrote, it turned out to be longer or at least the same length.
People, let me also take this moment to congratulate J.K.Rowling on the wonderful news that she won the Stouffer law case!
The best news for last! Once again, congrats to Joanne about the news that she's expecting a cute little baby in Spring! Isn't that cool?! We have another "Potter"!! Our best wishes!
And so, from this story, I shall sign off at last! I could speak on for hours more but I know better!
Take care of yourselves, good luck and goodbye!
Love,
Ameera Khan a.k.a. Aimen.
In time only, can you find peaceAnd in prayer…
And when you see your dreams come true…
You realize…
Time changes everything…
- Composed by me while I was day dreaming… :)