Will You Ever Return to Me?

Chapter 5.

"Ginny..." Harry whispered. "Damn..."

"Harry? Is it really you?"

"What's left of me, anyway."

"How?"

"I faked my death to escape."

Ginny's face twisted. "How could you--"

"How could I what?"

"Never mind--"

"No, Ginny. You very clearly told me your life is your own. I accept that, so please do the same. My life is mine... as is my death."

"How do you think I felt, Harry? I was tormented for months! Ron told me at the funeral that your death was my fault!"

Harry was surprised to hear that. He looked at Ginny intently.

"You think he's right?"

Harry didn't answer.

"That's not the Harry I remember."

"And the Ginny I remembered wouldn't have married Malfoy."

"You know how that turned out."

"So why did you stay?"

"I wish I knew."

"That's not the answer you gave me before. You told me you loved him."

"I... I love you, Harry."

"Oh, now you love me," Harry said sarcastically. He wished he could believe her.

"You don't believe me, Harry," Ginny said.

"Words are cheap."

"I always loved you, and if I could go back, I would never marry Malfoy."

"Words, Ginny. What do you expect me to do, rush into your arms just like that?" He felt strange saying this, since for many months, he had told himself he'd do just that. He was even disappointed that he didn't want to. But he was no longer the same after his stint in Azkaban.

Ginny looked resigned. "We make quite a pair, don't we? One's in love with the other when the other doesn't reciprocate. Three weeks in my fifth year as an aberration--"

Harry gave a small laugh. It seemed all too true. He also, for the first time, didn't think she'd understand him. He didn't like that, but there was nothing to be done.

He changed the subject. "How'd you end up here, Ginny?"

"I've been pursued by a dark wizard since your 'death', Harry. One dark wizard in particular."

Harry ventured a guess. "Hund."

"That's what he called himself."

"What did he want with you?"
"He offered me to join him in some mysterious organization. I refused. And Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"You may not believe it, but there is a very specific reason I refused."

"Which was?"

"He insisted on calling me 'Mrs. Malfoy'."

Harry was shocked again. "Ginny--"

"I don't expect anything from you--I never have. I was just informing you of a fact. Goodnight, Harry." She departed before he could say a word.

Harry sank into a chair. "Damn it..."

"Can I get you anything, Mr. Potter?" Melissa Lyman asked.

"Tea, please. And information on Hund."

Diana Clarence sat down. "This will take all night."

"I'm in no hurry."

The Headmistress sighed. "I've already told Ginevra this when she arrived, but I believe having you go to her would be cruel to both of you. But if you want my advice, don't reject her. She has a strong heart..."

"That was never in doubt. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to handle it."

"All right," Clarence began. "Alan Hund was the most talented student I've ever had."