Will You Ever Return to Me?

Chapter 6.

February 2000, 12 Grimmauld Place.

A letter an owl just brought fell on the kitchen table.

Rejected. The Auror program was rejecting him.

He had no one but himself to blame, of course. He wasn't putting in enough effort--because he was researching domestic abuse. He couldn't forget Ginny, or give up on her--and he tried. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe Padma wasn't the right woman--there was nothing wrong... well, yes there was. Padma wasn't Ginny. And that wasn't something either of them could do anything about. But no matter how nice, funny, or pretty she was, Harry felt that they'd never have anything beyond friendship.

Friendship... with benefits. Despite all her outward cheer, Padma was still grieving deeply for the loss of her sister. She wasn't intend on settling down with anyone yet--even if she liked him enough to let him into her bed. In some ways, he envied her. Parvati was taken away by death. Harry lost Ginny no less deeply, but Ginny was still there. She chose to leave him. That hurt far more than the loss itself.

But he was alone now. Padma would be very disappointed at finding this out, of course. He could easily imagine what she'd say... "It's not the end of the world... you can always apply again... and training or not, you're better than I am at fighting." No matter how true this was, he didn't want to hear it.

A loud knock outside brought out the portrait's wails. Harry struggled to close the curtains and opened the door.

"Ginny!" he exclaimed. She stepped in. Now, there was no mistake. She'd been cursed and beaten--possibly not just with fists, either. In her hand, she clutched a broken wand, held together by splinters. How she Apparated with that...

"Come on," he said, almost carrying her upstairs. He got out his healing potions. "Damn," he frowned. As an Auror trainee, he was provided with a steady supply--but that was over, and he wasn't keen on making these potions himself.

He lathered her bruises, fed her a pain relief potion, and had her lie down. She told him she wasn't hungry, so he simply brewed a pot of tea and placed a hot, steaming cup in front of her.

Ginny quietly sipped the tea. Harry sat across from her, watching intently, but not asking any questions.

"Harry, stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Pretending you aren't curious."

"I am not. I'm waiting till you're ready to tell me."

"You can ask."

"What did he do to you?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing that causes you to show up here at one in the morning, nearly dead? Ginny, you didn't get this hurt when you faced Death Eaters!"
"Draco did nothing--"

"And that's better? He's letting his wife to come to this?"

"Harry, you just don't understand--"

"Then explain! Start by telling me what you got beaten up with."

"What do you mean, with what?"
"Ginny, I know what bruises made by fists look like. I should, considering how much I had been on the receiving end. What you came in with today... that was more serious."

"A Beater's club," Ginny whispered.

Harry sat back, numb. "I'll kill him," he announced. "I. Will. Kill. Him."

"Harry, don't."

"Ginny, you can't think of going back to him!"

She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "I am. We love each--"

"Some love," Harry said. "A Beater's club--"

"I said he did nothing!"

"Exactly. He. Did. Nothing."

"Just because it's not perfect--"

"Not perfect?! Ginny, look at yourself! Is this what the rest of your life going to be? Periodically beaten and running to me to patch you up? What if I am not here?"

"I can take care of myself, Harry."

"Can you?" he asked.

"I hadn't come here to argue." She paused. "Can you get me a drink?"

"You've taken to drink? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. And you're telling me you're all right?"
"Just get me a drink, Harry."

He shook his head, but went into the kitchen. He just had an idea... that could solve everything. He returned with a bottle of cognac a few minutes later. Pouring some into two glasses, he lifted his.

"To safety," he said.

Ginny nodded and dumped the drink into her mouth. She gasped. "Har--"

Harry caught her as she dropped to the floor. He shook his head. The sleeping potion turned out to be more powerful than he thought.

Harry set his own drink aside--his plan required complete clarity of thought. He gently lay Ginny down on a couch and covered her with a blanket. Then, heading upstairs, he retrieved his invisibility cloak and broomstick, and checked his wand.

"Goodbye, Ginny," he said, before leaning down and kissing her. "I love you."

He wrapped himself in the cloak, stepped out the door, got on his Firebolt, and took off.