In Nomine Amoris

Chapter Two: Games and Entertainment

Ginny did not glance once at Harry for the entire meal, and she left early on her mother's orders to request that Celestina and the band play Bill and Fleur's song soon.

As his attempts to reconcile with her were shot down again, Harry once more looked around himself. Ron was helping Hermione out of her seat so they could join the rest of the couples on the makeshift dance floor. Harry then watched Ron step on Hermione's foot twice as they moved, though she seemed unperturbed by his awkwardness.

Harry was so amused by this that he had not noticed Ginny's return to her place. Only after she made a noise with her silverware did he acknowledge her presence. Finally having her cornered, he began to speak.

"Ginny, I--"

"Save it, Potter," she snapped nastily, taking a bite of wedding cake.

"I won't," Harry said exasperatedly. "I won't leave while you're upset with me."

Ginny put down her fork and folded her arms, signifying that Harry was now treading dangerous waters. "Guess you can't leave, then," she quipped sassily.

"Now's not the time to play games, Ginny. We're in the middle of a war."

She laughed falsely. "But you can?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, befuddled.

"You're playing a game yourself, Harry. First, you dance around me for a year. Then we go out for about a month, and then you decide to let your hero complex kick in." Ginny's eyes were brimming with unshed tears. "And now you're saying you want things to be okay between us, when things obviously aren't okay for you? I should know exactly"--she hiccupped--"why you're so dangerous. Voldemort may be after you, but you're--you're not the enemy in this." Ginny was now crying, wiping her eyes with her napkin.

She has every right to know.

"I'll tell you what you need to know," Harry finally said, though the thought of breaking her heart even further was overwhelmingly painful.

He scooted his chair next to hers and put an arm around her for comfort, but she squirmed out of it. He instead let his arm fall limply to his side.

"There's no easy way to say this," Harry continued. "The prophecy that Lucius Malfoy wanted in the Department of Mysteries concerns Voldemort and me. It says that Voldemort must kill me, or I must kill him, in the end."

Ginny gasped and placed a hand on Harry's knee lightly. "Oh, Harry. I always wondered why he chose you to go after... But do all prophecies come true?"

"Voldemort will make sure it does. He'll always chase after me."

"You have a choice!"

"And I choose to stop him from killing all the Muggles in the world," Harry stated firmly.

Ginny sat in shock, trying to blink back more tears. She and Harry barely realized Bill and Fleur had risen for the traditional dance of the bride and groom. "So you're seeking to kill him?"

"If I want to, it's the only way."

When Ginny still looked puzzled, Harry explained himself, "He won't die by a single Killing Curse. He's hidden pieces of his soul--six of them--in different objects with significance to him. These are called Horcruxes, and you have to kill someone to make one. I have to destroy those Horcruxes before I can go after the seventh part of his soul, which is in his fully-returned body.

"Two Horcruxes have been destroyed already--Tom Riddle's diary, and his grandfather's ring. I tried to find the third with Dumbledore, and we did, but later on I found it was fake; someone else had already taken it so Voldemort could never find it. Lot of good that did," Harry added darkly, feeling that journey to the cave alone had cost them Dumbledore.

"Well," said Ginny drying fresh tears, "I'm going with you."

"No, you're not," Harry refused, rising from his seat.

"I won't let you do this alone," Ginny said stubbornly, mirroring his action.

"I won't be alone; Ron and Hermione are coming with me."

"Oh, so I get to sit around at home, wondering if you're still alive or not?"

"Ginny, this is not how you're supposed to be taking this!"

They were yelling now, and attracting many stares.

"And how am I supposed to take it? Like a good little girl who does everything she's told, and wait patiently for your return, even though I have no idea when you're coming back?"

"Maybe!"

"That's it! Harry James Potter, if I never speak to you again it will be too soon."

"Fine," said Harry dumbly as he watched her storm off. "What are you looking at?" he asked the gathering crowd menacingly.

Many rolled their eyes, and Harry could have sworn he heard someone say "puh-lease."

"Actually, Harry, they were trying to watch the bride and groom, but you and our darling sister were putting on a more...entertaining show," said Fred Weasley, seemingly popping up out of nowhere.

And George wasn't too far behind. "I give that little fiasco four stars. That'll put you right behind Celestina Warbeck on the charts."

"Cut it out, you guys," Harry warned.

"Or what?" Fred asked confrontationally.

"Or I'll be telling your mother, Fred." Hermione appeared on the scene, towing Ron along by their interlaced fingers.

"Telling her what, exactly?"

"That you and George attempted to stuff the wedding cake with Canary Creams, but only didn't when you saw Moody come around the corner," Hermione said, smirking.

"Oh, go find a trellis with our little brother," George muttered with a sneer as he and Fred trudged back to the party.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said gratefully.

"Any time." She smiled reassuringly, and so did Ron.

After a spell of silence, Ron said, "You know, er--Hermione, um...George--well, he--he didn't have such a--uh--bad idea." He winced slightly, apparently fearing a harsh rejection.

However, he did not receive one. "I suppose he didn't," Hermione agreed coyly.

Ron gave Harry a look of requesting permission, and Harry returned it with a look similar to one Ron had given him after he first kissed Ginny.

Harry chuckled as Ron, blushing deeply, led Hermione away. They're too perfect for each other...quite a bit like me and Ginny... No, not so, he reminded himself. I can't. If I lo--if I'm with her, anyone could use it against me.

Harry resolved at that moment he would walk alone. He would, even if Ginny did not understand, for she was much too precious to lose.