All That You Leave Behind

Hi all, Q here! Sorry for the delay in updating, but RL has been a bit of a sod for both myself and A. Still, we\'re back again with more!



Thank you to our reviewers, even the ones who are confused about whether or not this is a Snarry story. As a hint, yes it is. Once again, let us stress that this story is NOT a Severitus! There\'s a reason it\'s in the Snarry section, even if we haven\'t reached that point yet. We cannot make this clear enough. This is NOT a Severitus!



And a special thanks to Cravedom. Once again, you\'ve made us laugh, and so once again, we dedicate this chapter to you.



Chapter Twenty-Five



It was the last Quidditch match of the season: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, and the stadium was filling as usual with the students and family members come to see their offspring. Harry felt oddly out of place amongst the happy throngs. For so many years Hogwarts had been his home, had been where he had felt safe (despite it overwhelmingly not being a safe location for him) and where he had felt happy. Now though, his stomach churned with apprehension. How quickly things changed. It wasn’t just the fear that was making Hogwarts seem hostile to him, it was the fact that Severus wasn’t with him, and the older man had become a very important part of his life.



Over two weeks had passed since Severus had told him a few painful home truths, and Harry could honestly say he’d never given Snape’s words such close attention before. He had tried to justify his own views in his mind, but even to himself, his justifications had sounded weak. Finally, he had consciously accepted what he had unconsciously realised earlier: Severus had been right, he had been wrong and stupid to expect Ginny to give up everything she had wanted so that she could become his wife. He felt his face burn with shame as he remembered his actions and words to her.



He settled in the stands, sitting with the teaching staff rather than with the Gryffindors. House loyalties seemed so childish to him now; people had stood together and defeated the Dark Lord, what did it matter which House you had been in? His musings occupied him whilst the two teams flew out. He shook himself and looked for Ginny. She wasn’t too difficult to spot, her shining red hair was tied neatly back to prevent it whipping in her eyes. There was a determined look in those eyes that made all of Harry’s guilt and fear begin anew.



Harry enjoyed the game. Even worrying over what he would say to Ginny, he still appreciated the skill shown by her. She was easily the best flier out there, and seemed able to make her broom dance and jiggle its way out of problems that ensnared other players.



It came as no surprise to him that Gryffindor won.



The team landed and crowded around the seeker, triumphantly holding the snitch. Ginny thumped him on his back, making him cough. The players laughed and grinned as they walked off the pitch to the cheers of their peers.



Those in the stands began to move. Harry went with them, but fought against the flow returning to school to reach Ginny who was now apart from the rest of the team, an uncertain look on her face as she talked earnestly with an older woman who held a piece of parchment.



“Harry?” she said, eyes widening as she spotted him, “I didn’t realise you were here.” She glanced at the other woman, indecision written clear across her freckled face. “Er… Harry, this is Gwenog Jones.”



“Of the Harpies?” He said enthusiastically, holding his hand out. “What an honour!”



The woman smiled lightly, “Harry Potter is honoured to meet me? Surely that should be the other way around?”



He shook his head, dismissing her words. “What I did I didn’t do alone.” A thought suddenly struck him. “Much like in Quidditch, no one person wins or loses a match, it’s a team effort. Well, it should be a team effort. Any team that wants to win had better learn to work together, right?” He looked at Ginny, hoping she understood he was trying to apologise.



Gwenog smiled. “It’s charming to hear you share the credit for You-Know-Who’s defeat. But I imagine you are right, you did not succeed alone. And, now, if I might have a word with Miss Weasley, I believe she can help the Holyhead Harpies succeed.”



Ginny glanced at Harry, her cheeks red.



Harry met her glance and gave her a slow smile.



Her own face beamed. She reached for the quill Gwenog had produced from an inside pocket and signed the contract happily. She returned the quill and stood beside Harry, letting her hand fall into his.



“Congratulations, Miss Weasley. I look forward to practising with you in the coming months.” The older woman nodded to the pair, noticing the clasped hands, but made no comment on them. She turned away and made for the path back to the castle where Minerva McGonagall could just be seen, waiting for the guest.



Ginny squealed. “I can’t believe it! Harry! Did you see?”



“I’d be hard pressed to not see,” he grinned, squeezing her hand tightly. He swallowed. “Look, Gin, I’m really sor…”



She stopped him with a ‘shush’. “I know,” she said softly.



Harry gave her a rueful smile. “It’s what I love about you, you always do.” He paused before adding, “I was such an idiot.”



She gave him a tentative smile before replying, “I know,” she waited before going on, “and I know we’ll both no doubt be idiots again in the future.” She looked vaguely concerned as she said it. After all, she wasn’t sure if they had a future.



He nodded, reassuring her, feeling the knot in his stomach ease. He leaned in to kiss her, not caring that they were in a very public place. “I love you,” he murmured, slipping his free hand around her waist.



Just before his lips touched hers, she whispered, “I know," and smiled warmly.



He gave a low laugh and repeated, "I do love you, Ginny, so much."



She kissed him for only the briefest of moments before replying, "You know I love you too, right?"



He smiled against her mouth, the fear that had gripped him completely gone with her words. He hadn’t completely ruined things with her. “I know.”



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