The Death of a Soul

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*SQUEEE* It's finally done! I have been waiting for years to tell the story of what happened to Ginny!

And here it is!

Please let me know what you think!

Annie

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Chapter Forty One

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"I think you need to ask her what she wants to do," Draco interrupted. He gestured with his head for Harry to turn around and look behind him.

Harry's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened. He barely shook his head in denial, but Draco nodded.

"Harry," a woman's voice called out from somewhere behind him.

Now Harry's heart fell to his stomach. In slow motion, he turned and held his breath, disbelieving what his eyes were seeing.

There, sitting on a bench, bundled up in a blanket from her shoulders to her feet, was Ginny.

Ginny Weasley.

"Oh, God."

Harry rose to his knees in shock, then looked back at Draco, panicking. His eyes pleaded with Draco to help him. Help him speak, help him breathe, but mostly, help him to move. This was the moment Harry had always dreamed about, but that’s all it ever was. A dream. Harry never once dared to believe that he would actually see her again. Hoped? Yes. Believe? No.

But yet here she was, and just a few feet away...

...and Harry was suddenly and absolutely terrified. He honestly didn’t know what to say to say to her. And it wasn’t because he was in shock and would sound like a bumbling fool, but he was also afraid of the answers to the thousands of questions he had.

Harry continued to silently plead with Draco, but the blond simply smiled at him and nodded. "Go on," he mouthed. “She's waiting for you."

Harry’s eyes widened briefly, but then quickly reminded himself that Draco was never afraid of Ginny. Only him. Harry and his confused feelings for the blond and for--

“Potter!” Draco hissed quietly, snapping him out of his scrambled thoughts. “Go on,” Draco mouthed.

Harry closed his eyes and took a couple of quick but deep breaths to calm himself. When he opened his eyes he noticed that Draco was smirking at him and shaking his head in amusement.

“Merlin, Potter. Close your mouth,” Draco whispered. “And go to her before I hit you,” he finished with a grin.

Incredibly, that small bit of teasing relaxed Harry, and he gave Draco a tiny embarrassing smile and turned back to Ginny.

Ginny was smiling at Harry like Draco was, but it was a different type of smile. One that Harry knew all too well. It was the smile Ginny had always given Harry right before she screamed with excitement at seeing him again after being apart for a long time. In an instant, Harry was filled with all the memories he had held on to and the unconditional love he remembered.

Harry wanted to run to her so badly, but he knew he wouldn’t have been able to. His body was shaking too hard from happiness, and at the same time...nervousness. And so Harry began to crawl on his hands and knees; he didn’t trust his legs enough to support him if he had tried to walk. Thankfully, she wasn’t that far away from him.

When he had finally reached Ginny, he sat back on his heels, swaying slightly. Again he asked himself: Was this real? Was she really sitting before him? Or was this just one of his dreams? Harry quickly blinked away the tears (which he wasn’t aware of until now), so he could focus properly, and then looked into her beautiful hazel eyes. It was then that he noticed his stream of tears matched hers.

Harry opened and closed his mouth several times, unable to find his voice. He swallowed hard and tried again.

"G-ginny," he finally managed to choke out. "I...I thought I'd never see you again."

Ginny closed her eyes, obviously savouring the sound of his voice. She opened her eyes and smiled lovingly at him. "Harry," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Now it was Harry's turn to close his eyes. A quiet sob left his lips as he let her soft voice wash over him. He gasped and immediately opened his eyes when he felt warm familiar fingers caress his face.

"Harry," Ginny began again. "I always knew..." She suddenly stopped to stifle a sniff. "...that I would see you again."

"Ginny," Harry cried softly and lay his head on her lap, wanting desperately to hold her and never let go. "I've missed you so much," he whispered, trembling. It was a full minute before Harry slowly raised his head to look back into her eyes. New tears fell. "Where...where have you been?"

Ginny reached down and instinctively wiped his tears away, causing Harry to inhale sharply and lean into her hand. All too soon, though, she pulled her arm away and buried it back in the blanket. Ginny lowered her head and quietly sighed.

"Much to tell you..." she whispered softly. "So much has happened."

She looked back up at Harry, and then slowly glanced over to her right. Leaning against a large tree, stood a tall, burly man. Harry followed her eyes and instantly his mouth fell open. He gaped at the young man, who was no older than he was, and then turned back to Ginny in horror. Ginny smiled and shook her head.

"He's only a friend, Harry," Ginny said reassuringly and held her sincere gaze until Harry visibly relaxed. "His name is Andrei Krum.” Harry frowned, wondering if he was… “Yes, Harry,” Ginny replied, answering Harry's unspoken question. “His older brother is Victor. I met him at Durmstrang and he ..." She closed her eyes and paused for a second. Ginny opened her eyes again, looking ashamed. "…helped me get away," she finished quietly.

Harry's frown deepened. "But why? Why did you have to go away?" he asked, voice wavering.

Ginny softly sighed, bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. A tear escaped. "It wasn’t something I wanted to do, but...I couldn't bear the thought of me being so close to you and ... not being able to see you."

Harry opened his mouth to argue that it wasn’t her fault, it was her father’s.

Right on cue, Ginny opened her eyes and explained further. "It was my idea, Harry," she said quickly. Harry looked up at her, surprised. "It was my idea to leave Hogwarts. I just couldn't..." She paused to take a breath. "I thought it would be harder on you if I stayed." She looked down, hugging herself tighter in the blanket. "And me as well," she added, whispering.

"But...why did you leave home?"

Ginny closed her eyes tightly and took another deep breath. "I knew if I stayed, he would have ... I couldn’t let him..." She shook her head and inhaled deeply, apparently calm down and collect her thoughts. "I did some research, Harry,” Ginny declared matter-of-fact once she had opened her eyes. “He had already taken you away from me and I couldn't bear it if he took ..." Ginny pursed her lips together tightly and new tears ran down her cheeks. She blinked quickly and then sadly looked back at Harry. "It would have been his right, Harry."

Harry pinched his brows together and tilted his head, lost.

“Don’t you see? I had to leave,” Ginny quietly sobbed. “It wasn’t enough to leave Hogwarts. I had to...” Ginny inhaled deeply and then tried again with more tears escaping. “Once I knew for sure, I just had to...Oh Harry, I was so scared and I panicked!”

Harry’s brows remained furrowed as he desperately tried to understand what she was trying to say.

Seeing this, Ginny’s worried look left her and it was replaced by a gentle and loving smile. She reached out for Harry's hands and the blanket parted slightly. As she pulled Harry closer to her, the material fell silently off her shoulders. Harry kept his eyes solely on Ginny the whole time and let himself be guided to his knees. Gazing into her caring eyes and warm expression, everything else was lost to Harry. It simply didn’t matter. She was here now. That’s what mattered.

He sighed contently as she cupped his cheeks and he let his eyes flutter shut. He reached up with his hand and covered hers.

“Harry,” Ginny whispered.

Harry slowly opened his eyes and smiled lazily at her.

Ginny's smile had turned into a full grin. She removed her hands from Harry’s face and pulled slightly on Harry's wrists, bringing him that much closer to her. She gently placed Harry's hands on her protruding stomach and it took a moment before Harry understood the significance of this move. He glanced down at Ginny's stomach and frowned, confused why it was larger than...

Instantly, Harry gasped loudly. His mouth fell open and stared in wonder. She was...she was...

“Oh my God,” Harry whispered.

He quickly glanced up at Ginny, still needing a confirmation. She smiled in amusement and nodded. But suddenly, Harry's heart filled with dread. What if it was...? He looked over at Andrei then back to Ginny with terrified eyes.

Ginny shook her head with a small smile. "No, Harry. He's yours." Harry gasped sharply. "Ours."

Harry glanced back and forth between Ginny and her stomach. "M-mine?"

"Yes, Harry. Yours."

“Mine,” Harry echoed. After a moment of awe, he looked back at Ginny and frowned. "But...but...I don’t understand. We were only together...once."

Ginny smiled playfully and squeezed his hand. "I guess that's all it took."

Harry blushed slightly as he lowered his gaze to her stomach and caressed it with care. "Mine," he mused, but then it dawned on Harry what else Ginny had said and looked up at her. "He?"

Ginny's grin widened as she nodded. "Yes. A boy.” She paused briefly and then whispered solemnly, “Now you know why I had to leave. He would’ve taken him."

Harry winced at that thought but nodded; his eyes never leaving his hidden son.

"Harry," she said, tugging his wrists to get his attention. He looked up. "I knew...I knew you'd be free and that we see each other again...before he was born."

Harry was confused. "How did you know ...?" Then he remembered. She knew. She always knew. She never knew how she knew; she just did. Ginny was gifted that way.

“And I knew you would have figured out what really happened,” Ginny said with certainty in her voice.

Harry sighed loudly. “No,” he whispered, voice trailing. “I didn’t.”

"You did get my present, didn't you?" she asked with a sly smile and a wink.

"That was you?” Harry gasped. “You gave me the 'truth' ball?"

Ginny nodded. "I knew it was all a lie. Don't ask me how I knew. I just...did."

"Then why didn't you come back and tell me? Tell everyone?"

"Nobody would've believed me, Harry. They would've thought..." She paused. "I didn't have any proof. Besides, I knew you would've figured it out by yourself. And you did," Ginny finished, smiling.

Harry blushed. "With your help," he whispered.

Suddenly, Harry’s face grew tight and he looked away.

"What’s wrong, Harry?" Ginny asked, squeezing his hand automatically.

"I'm sorry," Harry said quietly.

"For what?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"For not believing you. That day. If I just would have listened to you, we could've left and we would have been able to--"

"No," Ginny interrupted firmly. "You and I both know that he would've found us. It was...better this way. For both of us." She stroked her stomach. "For all three of us."

Harry nodded reluctantly and looked down at Ginny’s tummy, frowning. Damn Severus Snape.

"Harry," Ginny whispered, gently touching his cheek and nudging it enough so he would look up at her. "We're together now."

Harry nodded but then quickly pulled his hands away and sat back on his heels. He looked at the ground and closed his eyes. "Ginny, I ..." he began, but his voice left him. How was he going to explain himself? How was he going to tell her that he wasn’t worthy of her? That she shouldn’t waste her time with him?

And neither should Draco.

"Harry. Harry, look at me." He shook his head. "Harry," Ginny said more firmly.

Harry lifted only his eyes and peered through his fringe.

Ginny leaned down and stroked his hair. "You've been through so much," she said, trying to show him just how much she cared and how much she understood.

Harry looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

"Harry," Ginny whispered soothingly. "It wasn't your fault. There's nothing to feel guilty about. You did nothing wrong."

Harry released a small sob. Harry closed his eyes and he could feel tears falling. “I let him--”

“No!” Ginny snapped and Harry opened his eyes and jumped. “You did nothing wrong! It was he that...” Suddenly, Ginny stopped and clenched her jaw, obviously not wanting to say more. She inhaled deeply, looking like she was trying to calm herself down. She exhaled slowly and took Harry's hand.

"Harry,” Ginny said softly. “You’re not ready for another relationship. Not this soon."

Harry’s head jerked up and he opened his mouth to say, “Yes, I am!” but Ginny forestalled it with a shake of her head.

"No, you're not. And you know you're not."

Immediately, a thought occurred to Harry. He turned his head and looked over at Andrei with fear. Was she just saying this because of him? Did her feelings change because of him?

"No, Harry," Ginny said as if she read his mind. "He's only a good friend. He has helped me a lot." Ginny laughed. "It's not easy being around a pregnant woman. Especially a red-headed one."

"And a Weasley," Harry chuckled, remembering all so well Ginny's temper.

"I think I scared him a few times," she whispered and then laughed again. "Of course, he is getting better at dodging flying objects."

Harry looked back over to Andrei sympathetically. He turned to Ginny and worried his lowered lip with his teeth. “Ginny,” he began softly. "It's all right if anything did happen between--"

"But it didn't," she said firmly. Ginny sighed as she looked at Andrei sadly. "I know he wants more, but I can't..." She paused. "He's always been there for me, and he knows what I have been going though, but..." She sighed again and looked away. "I know it doesn't make any sense."

"Hey," Harry whispered, taking her hand in his and rubbing it. "It does make sense. It does. And I do understand. It's not...fair."

Ginny smiled then looked over Harry's shoulder. "For him as well."

Harry's head whipped around to Draco, who was trying his best to pretend that he wasn't watching. Harry spun back around, embarrassed.

“Ginny! I--”

Ginny's smile deepened. "It's all right, Harry. I know he's helped you." Harry's face turned redder. "And I'm glad he's been there for you."

"Ginny," Harry said, still panicking. "Nothing happened. I swear. I just...I mean we just..."

"Harry,” Ginny said, shushing him. “It’s all right. And it's all right if anything did happen." She linked their fingers together and leaned towards him. "I know you're confused right now, Harry, and I know you're not ready to decide anything just yet." She smiled again and stroked his hand with her thumb. "I can wait.” Ginny glanced at Draco. “We can wait."

Harry jumped to his knees. "But you shouldn't have to! All of you should just--"

"Harry James Potter!" Ginny hissed loudly. "Don't you dare tell me or anyone else what we should or shouldn't do! That will be our decision and not yours!"

Harry instantly lowered his head. "But...I don't want to hurt you," he said quietly. "And...I don't want to lose you." He swallowed hard. He looked back at Draco. "Or him," he admitted, blushing.

“And you won’t. You won't hurt me, and you will never lose me." She pulled him up to his knees. "And I know you'll never hurt Draco. Or lose him.”

"But it doesn't make any sense," Harry replied. He paused for a moment and then covered his face, embarrassed. "I shouldn't be feeling this way. It's not right. It's not--"

"Harry, listen to me," Ginny said, stopping him. "What you're feeling. It's perfectly normal."

Harry looked up and shook his head. "No, it's not. It's not normal."

Ginny smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "It may not seem like it now, but it is."

"How can you say that?" Harry asked sincerely. "What if I can't..." He looked away. "I mean what will happen if--"

"Shh, don't worry about that right now," Ginny whispered. “Right now you just need time to heal."

"Time," Harry echoed distantly.

"I love you, Harry Potter. I always have and I always will."

A tear fell as he looked up into her hazel eyes. "I love you, too."

Harry closed his eyes and then leaned forward to close the small distance separating them. Their lips met and they both moaned into each other’s mouth as the kiss deepened. When they finally parted, they both smiled as they wiped each other’s tears away. Ginny pulled him close and hugged him the best she could over her large stomach.

"I'll always be here for you, Harry. No matter what you decide." Ginny hugged him tighter. "And so will Draco."


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To be concluded in the Epilogue...

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