Time after Time

Ginny Weasley tossed and turned underneath her bedcovers as she tried to sleep. It was her first night back at Hogwarts, and sleep would not come. Most of her friends had graduated the previous year, and she and Luna Lovegood were now the only members of their group that remained.

She looked up as the clock in her room struck midnight, and glanced toward the doorway, where the light from the common room below still shone through the bottom of the door. The past summer had been one endless party after another as the entire wizarding world celebrated Voldemort's downfall. She thought all the parties had ended, but it seemed as if everyone wanted one last go before the new term began. She couldn't blame them though, they deserved to celebrate.

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you...

But she was one of the few that had fought on the front lines, and she had been hailed a hero all summer, and quite frankly she was getting rather tired of it. She wasn't a hero, she thought, her friends were. And so were those that gave their lives so that others could be free...like Charlie and Percy. They were heroes, not her. All she wanted now was to get on with her life.

But the absence of her friends weighed heavily on her. Well, one friend in particular anyway, she thought. Ginny sighed and climbed out of bed. She walked over to the window and sat down on the floor in front of it, and stared our across the darkened grounds.

Turning in circles confusion--
Is nothing new...

You couldn't tell that a battle had been fought there only a few months ago. The damage had been repaired extraordinarily fast. It was one of the few things that the Ministry had acted quickly on, she thought bitterly. There were still reminders though, of what they'd lost. She wiped a tear from her eye as her gaze stopped on Hagrid's hut, its lights forever darkened. The forest beyond was eerily silent as if still mourning his passing.

The moon broke through the clouds in the sky and cast an eerie glow over the entire area. Hogwarts, which for so long had been a place of wonder and comfort, no longer felt like home. Now it seemed a cold and distant stranger.

She hadn't felt this alone since she was eleven years old, during that whole fiasco with Tom's diary. But Harry had saved her then, just as he had many times since. He was the one person she could always count on. And at that moment he was the one person that she missed the most. "Harry," she said softly as a smile mixed with sadness crossed her face. She hugged her knees to her chest as her thoughts drifted back to that morning.

Flashback to warm nights--
Almost left behind...

****

Platform 9 and ¾ was unusually boisterous on the morning of September 1^st. Laughing and shouting that hadn't been heard in several years was prevalent now that Voldemort had finally been defeated.

But not all families were jubilant that morning. Arthur and Molly Weasley stepped onto the platform, unusually subdued, alongside Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny, who would be leaving that morning for her final year at Hogwarts.

Ginny led the way, pushing her cart in front of her. She seemed nervous and was lost in thought as she unconsciously pushed ahead of the others.

Suitcase of memories,
Time after--

Sometimes you picture me--
I'm walking too far ahead...

"Ginny! Wait up!" Harry called after her, trying to catch up to her. He limped forward as fast as he could. "Ginny!" he called again. She finally realized what she was doing and slowed to a stop. Harry hobbled up beside her on his crutches, newly acquired during his final duel with Voldemort. "Slow down love," he began, "I can't keep up." He smiled over at her. He was still pale after the last battle, even now months afterward, though he was slowly beginning to regain his color.

Ginny smiled nervously. "Sorry," she said, "I guess I'm off in my own little world this morning."

You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you have said--
And you say--go slow--
I've fall behind...

Ron and Hermione approached with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "Luna's saved you a seat near the back," said Ron, his facial scar puckering as he spoke. It ran from his scalp, down along the side of his nose, and all the way to his chin. It had been a gift from Lucius Malfoy, right before Ron had defeated him.

"No Ron, the seat is in the back." Hermione said a little louder than she meant to.

"That's what I said Hermione." Ron said absently.

"Sorry?" she asked.

Ron leaned over and spoke into her other ear, "That's what I said...in the back."

"Oh," Hermione replied in embarrassment. Ron smiled sadly and pulled her close. They weren't quite used to Hermione's hearing loss yet, which was yet another casualty inflicted by Lucius Malfoy. But they'd get through it though, together.

"Have you got all your things dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes Mum," Ginny replied for the hundredth time that morning.

Mr. Weasley gently grabbed his wife's hand and said, "Let's let them say goodbye to one another Molly." He hugged Ginny with his other arm. "Have fun this year darling," he said.

Mrs. Weasley pulled Ginny into an embrace. "I'm so proud of you dear," she said through the tears in her eyes. Mr. Weasley led his wife back towards the platform entrance, leaving the four friends to stand quietly beside the train.

Ginny nervously shifted her weight from one foot to another as she considered what to say. How do you thank someone for being your best friend for six years? What do you say to someone you've laughed with...cried with...fought with...and bled with? How can you possibly thank them with just a few words?

Ron broke the silence first. "Well...good luck," he said, smiling sympathetically. "And make sure you beat Slytherin," he grinned, "keep the streak alive and all that." Ginny barely heard the last part as Ron sniffled and looked down at the ground. Ginny fought to fight back the sudden swell of tears that were threatening to form in her eyes.

Hermione pulled Ginny into an embrace. "Remember...don't put off studying for your N.E.W.T.S. Start preparing right away," Hermione began in a trembling voice, "that way, you won't have to study so hard before hand." Ginny laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She nodded, still unable to speak.

The clock suddenly struck eleven, and the last train whistle blew, signaling that the Hogwarts Express was about to depart. Ginny and Harry looked at one another in panic as they had not yet said their goodbyes.

The second hand unwinds...

"We'll put your stuff on the train," said Ron, quickly kissing his sister on the cheek. Ginny and Hermione quickly embraced one last time before Hermione helped Ron and Mr. Weasley with Ginny's remaining luggage.

"Harry..." Ginny began, as tears began to streak down her face.

"I know Gin," replied Harry, taking her hands in his and leaning forward until their foreheads were touching, "I know."

Every moment that they had spent together suddenly flashed through Ginny's mind. She began to panic. "I'm not ready to leave," she said through tears. She looked up at Harry frantically, saying, "I'm not ready to be without you!"

If you're lost you can look--and you will find me
Time after time...

Harry smiled and brushed a stray lock of hair out of Ginny's face. "You won't be without me," he said gently, "you'll never be without me."

If you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting
Time after time...

The train began to slowly pull away from the station.

Ginny kissed Harry quickly and dashed toward the nearest door. Luna was waiting for her in the doorway and pulled her on board. Harry, Ron, and Hermione waved from the platform as the train pulled away.

If you fall I will catch you--I will be waiting
Time after time...

Ginny and Luna waved back, until they could no longer see their friends. Ginny then sat down heavily on the steps of the car's entrance and began to sob. Luna sat down next to her and put a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulder.

****

A knock at the door to her room brought Ginny back to reality. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood. A third year girl named Katherine was standing at the door. "Yes?" Ginny asked.

After your picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray...

"There's a visitor here to see you," the third year said.

Ginny pulled on her robe and followed the girl downstairs. The common room was empty as everyone had at last gone to bed. A lone figure stood in front of the fireplace, wearing a hooded emerald green cloak. Ginny pulled her robe tighter. "Yes?" she asked tentatively.

Watching through windows--I'm wondering
If you're OK...

The figure turned to face her. He pulled back his hood, revealing a mess of unruly dark hair. The lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead was barely visible above his round frame glasses.

"Harry!' Ginny exclaimed in delight. She rushed forward and threw herself into his arms, causing him to drop his crutches.

"Oh Harry! I can't do this, I can't," she sobbed, "not without you here with me!" She looked up at him pleadingly. "Please don't make stay here alone!" she begged.

You say go slow I've fall behind...

Harry hugged her tighter. "It's okay Ginny," he said soothingly, "everything will be fine." Ginny continued to sob. "I've come to take you home," he said. Ginny sniffled and looked up at him in surprise. "I've spoken to Professor Dumbledore, and your parents," he began.

"Harry, what are you...?" Ginny interrupted.

"You don't have to stay here to finish school! You can do it from home!" Harry said excitedly. "You know, go to school during the day, and then return home in the evenings! Even Snape agreed," he finished, still seemingly surprised by the snarky Potions Master's approval of his plan.

The drum beats out of time...

Ginny laughed for the first time since leaving for Hogwarts. "Are you serious?" she asked in disbelief.

"Completely," said Harry seriously. "If you'll have me of course," he said before pulling a small velvet box from his robes and handing it to Ginny. And with considerable effort and pain, he got down on one knee.

If you're lost you can look--and you will find me
Time after time...

Ginny inhaled sharply before taking the box from Harry. She opened the box and pulled out an exquisite diamond ring. "Oh," she said breathlessly, "oh Harry."

"Oh Harry what?" asked Harry quickly, not wanting to rush her, but in obvious pain.

"Oh Harry yes!" Ginny exclaimed, pulling Harry to his feet. "Yes, yes, yes," she said as Harry took the ring and slid it onto her finger.

If you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting
Time after time...

The room suddenly began to spin, faster and faster, and Ginny felt the familiar tugging sensation through her midsection. When she and Harry finally stopped spinning, they found themselves alone, in the middle of an empty sitting room, on the first floor of a large empty house.

Ginny knew the house immediately even though she had never set foot in it before. It was the home of her dreams, her and Harry's. She smiled to herself as she looked around. It wouldn't be empty for long, she thought. She suddenly pictured a small dark haired boy with emerald green eyes, chasing a little red haired girl with bright brown eyes across the room. The sounds of their laughter echoed throughout the house.

If you fall I will catch you--I will be waiting
Time after time...

Harry leaned in close and whispered, "Welcome home."

Time after time.