You Can't Deal Alone

"Please excuse us, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said and exited the room, followed by a very tousled and embarrassed Harry.

As soon as they were out of sight Ginny rolled onto her stomach and groaned into a pillow.

"Bloody hell," she said aloud. Her cheeks were still on fire.

She lay on the bed, demanding her cheeks to cool off. Unfortunately as soon as they would return to their normal colour, Ginny would imagine what, exactly, the special treatment was, and the blush would return.

Several minutes passed, leaving Ginny to wonder what was so urgent that Dumbledore couldn't wait one more day for the start of term. After quarter of an hour Ginny stopped pacing and decided to go take a shower. Preferably a cold one.

Ginny changed into her lavender dressing robe and headed for the lavatory. As she opened the door she heard footsteps. Harry was leaving his bedroom and walking towards Ginny's, head bowed. He stood in front of Ginny's door for awhile without moving, as if gaining courage. Ginny grinned. He raised his fist to knock when Ginny called out, "hey, Harry!"

He turned and gave Ginny a weak smile. Ginny ran over to him, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into the WC.

She tilted her head back for a kiss, but stopped when she saw the melancholy look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked, searching his deep green eyes for an answer. "What did Dumbledore say?"

Harry sighed heavily and sat on the beige toilet lid. Ginny observed his profile; he look as if he quite literally had the world upon his shoulders. Ginny stood wringing her hands for a minute, not knowing what to do. She wanted so much to hold him, comfort him. She could only imagine how Harry felt - her encounter with Voldemort had left her depressed and anti-social.

She walked over to him and gently slid into his lap. Her robe fell slightly off her shoulder, exposing pale skin. Harry quickly replaced it with wide eyes.

"Er... Ginny?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you... erm... have anything else on?" He looked at her nervously.

"Um... no," she said and laughed. "Well I was going to take a shower!" She tousled his hair fondly. At this gesture of affection Harry grabbed her wrist.

"Ginny, you can't," he said. She stood up and he followed.

"Harry," Ginny demanded. "What did he say?"

"I'm leaving."

Ginny sat back down in shock. "W-what?" she stammered, looking to Harry's face for answers.

"I'm leaving," he repeated. "I have to."

"Why?" Ginny asked incredulously.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Dumbledore didn't have time to explain."

"Why would you have to leave?" Ginny asked, confused. "And for what?"

"We're in a war here, Ginny!" Harry snapped. Ginny felt her anger bubbling up, but Harry's remorseful face paired with the news calmed her temper.

"I - I'm sorry," she apologized. "When are you going?"

"Right now."

"Now?" Ginny exclaimed. "NOW?" Harry nodded weakly. Ginny felt as if she was in a bad dream.

"I don't know when I'll be back," said Harry. "Or where I'm going. I came to say g-goodbye." Harry's hands clasped hers, willing her to understand.

"Goodbye," Ginny whispered to herself, not wanting to believe it was true. It couldn't be, she had just found him. Ginny felt pressure on the top of her head. Harry was bent over, his hands still around hers.

Ginny stood and met his lips gently. The pain she was feeling was worse than any unforgivable curse could be. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pressed against her, pulling her tightly against him. He slowly pulled away. Ginny opened her eyes.

"Goodbye, Harry," she said quietly. She wondered if her face looked as melancholy as his. She hesitated. "I lo-"

Harry cut her off by placing his fingers on her lips. Ginny shivered at how cold they were.

"Don't make it any harder," he pleaded. "You don't. G-goodbye. Thank you."

Harry closed the door behind him. Ginny stood completely still, her mind blank. She felt a horrible cold wrapping around her. Choosing to fix the chill instead of dealing with messy emotions, she left the lavatory.

She opened her bedroom door and saw Hermione picking up her trunk.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked, still shivering. "Why do you have your cloak on?"

Hermione got a funny look on her face. "D-didn't Harry tell you?"

"Yes," Ginny answered impatiently. "He told me he was..." Ginny trailed off, realizing what all this meant.

"You mean," Ginny whispered, "that you're leaving, too?"

Hermione bit her lip and slowly nodded.

"And that means..." Ginny faltered, horrified at her realization. "Ron?"

"Oh, Ginny," Hermione rushed at her, hugging her friend tightly. "We just - we're not going to let Harry go off by himself."

Ginny didn't respond. Harry and Hermione was bad enough news - but Ron? The only brother she had left, her favourite brother, her closest brother, leaving? They might be headed somewhere dangerous. If anything happened to any of them...

"Gin?" Hermione interrupted her thoughts. "I have to go. Ron's downstairs if you want to, you know, say goodbye."

Ginny nodded weakly and followed her downstairs to say three of the hardest goodbyes.

5 Septembers and 3 months later...

Ten figures, seven of them red-haired, sat on various couches and armchairs. A fireplace radiated heat into the room and light onto the tall Christmas tree. The group of people were talking and laughing until someone stood, yelling, "A toast! A toast!"

Everyone quieted and looked to the man standing. His robes were a faded black with small patches sewn near the bottom. His happy face drew attention from thinning hair on top of his head.

"It brings me great joy to have all of you here tonight," he said, raising his glass. "Although my son, Ron, and Harry and Hermione haven't yet returned, I'd like to wish all of you a very happy Christmas."

"And it is even more special," Mrs. Weasley said and joined her husband in standing, "as this is the first Christmas in five years that Voldemort has not been in power!"

At this statement everyone was on their feet, cheering, sipping wine, hugging loved ones. Ginny, now twenty and out of Hogwarts, embraced her mother tightly. When she pulled apart there were tears in her mother's eyes.

"Mum," Ginny said gently. "What is it?"

"Five years," Mrs. Weasley said and sniffled. "One day Ron just leaves, I don't know where he's been, he could've come to the same end as P-P-Percy, he's off fighting Voldemort..."

"But Mum," Ginny interrupted, smiling. "Ron's alive and well. And V-Voldemort's gone, for good. You know the story, how they..."

"I know!" Mrs. Weasley was crying now. Her husband came over and put an arm around her shoulder. "You'd think since he's gone they could make it home for Christmas!"

Someone knocked loudly. Everyone became silent, not daring to hope it was their loved ones finally coming home.

***

The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.

Three cloaked figures watched the house appear. The cold December snow dusted their shoulders.

"Should we ring the bell?" asked the tallest.

"Well, we don't have a key," replied a girl's voice testily.

"Why don't we knock?" suggested the third wearily. He raised his fist and let out three quick raps. They waited for the sound of screaming, but none came. They looked at each other, baffled.

"I bet the picture came down when Voldemort was defeated," the girl spoke again. The others nodded.

A red-haired woman opened the door and looked at the visitors suspiciously. "Yes?" She peered into the dark.

"Mum?" The tallest person pushed his hood back, revealing the same fiery locks.

"Ron?" The woman asked with wide eyes. Upon seeing his face she pulled him inside. "Ron!"

The two others followed their companion inside; smiling at the smothering hug Mrs. Weasley was giving her son. Upon releasing him, she saw the other two. "Harry! Hermione!" she exclaimed, pulling them both into an embrace.

Mrs. Weasley ushered them into the sitting room where a Christmas tree twinkled merrily.

"Look who it is!" announced Mrs. Weasley. All nine people let out a happy roar.

Ron ran forward to meet his father, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ginny. Hermione was hugging Tonks. Harry stood in the doorway, watching.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Remus Lupin strode toward him. They started to shake hands, but Lupin pulled him into a fatherly embrace.

"Feeling better?" asked Mad-Eye Moody as he greeted Harry. "You look it."

Harry felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He saw Moody and Lupin walk away; Lupin was politely pretending to be occupied, but Harry knew Mad-Eye was watching with his magical eye.

The owner of the hand was standing shyly in front of him. The colour of her cheeks matched her hair, but not from embarrassment. No, thought Harry. That's excitement.

They stood grinning like idiots at each other until Harry couldn't wait any longer. He picked her up in a tight embrace and spun her around once before saying, "Happy Christmas, Ginny."

"Happy Christmas, Harry," she replied, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.

"Don't cry, Ginny. You know what happened last time," joked Harry.

"Hmm... maybe I want to then," teased Ginny. She looked around - the rest of the guests at Grimmauld Place were watching openly now, causing Harry and Ginny to blush. "Why don't we discuss this later?"

"Right." Harry moved to greet Fred and George, who were visiting for the holidays.

***

It was late after dinner and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were in the drawing room with tea. Ginny saw Harry yawn. Thoughts of how to keep him awake made Ginny flush.

"How long d'you think they can wait before asking us where we've been?" Ron wondered aloud, taking a sip of tea.

"Not much longer," laughed Hermione. "Fred and George kept trying to bring it up during dinner, I could tell."

"They'll probably apparate on top of my head at 2 in the morning," said Ron, rolling his eyes.

"If we're going to be up late explaining things, I better get to bed," said Harry, standing up from the green velvet armchair. "Goodnight, everyone. Happy Christmas." They all echoed him and Ginny stared at Harry meaningfully before he turned to go upstairs.

"We should be going - oof!" Ron was interrupted by Hermione elbowing his side. Ginny pretended not to see her jerk her head towards Ginny and then towards the stairs.

"Hey Gin... could you, um, bring..." Ron stuttered, looking around the room. "Er... bring my..." Ginny sighed loudly, knowing Ron was trying to get her into a bedroom with Harry.

"Don't break a sweat," she quipped, but then smiled to show she was kidding. "Goodnight." She winked, then laughed and followed Harry upstairs. She could hear Ron and Hermione whispering fervently, and she had a hunch that it was about Harry and her.

Ginny knocked lightly on Harry's door and entered without waiting for an answer. The room was empty. "Harry?" she called out tentatively.

"He's not here," said a voice blandly from a blank portrait.

"Oh, erm, thanks." Ginny closed the door behind her, puzzled. Disappointed that she wouldn't have a full-frontal snogging session, she crossed the hall to her room.

As soon as she had closed her door two arms were around her waist. Before she could scream, familiar lips were on hers. Letting out a little sigh she settled in for serious kissing.

Harry pulled away and Ginny looked to see what was wrong. His eyes, free of glasses, were closed, and he licked his lips. Ginny couldn't help but smiling. Harry opened his eyes and whispered in her ear, "I've missed you." Ginny felt a jolt snake down her spine.

This intimate feeling set off an alarm in Ginny's head. She knew that she wanted this, but something was holding her back. She had never been so dangerously close to someone in this way before. It was a delicious feeling, but there was a small hook holding her back. She couldn't figure out what was making her so nervous, but Harry's actions distracted her.

Harry was gently kissing behind her ear and down her neck. At the same time he was playing with the short hem of her new Christmas dress. Ginny found the motion endearing. When he ran his fingers on her bare leg she found it positively explosive.

Somehow they found themselves on Ginny's bed an hour later, Ginny in her kickers and bra - Harry in only boxer shorts.

Harry rolled off her, breathing heavily. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Ginny continued to lie for awhile, catching her breath, before sitting up and giving Harry a back massage.

"I better get to bed, Ginny," he said quietly, putting on his glasses. "I can't stay here and not... well, you know."

Ginny laughed. She put her pajamas on as Harry pulled on his kaki pants. She finished dressing before him and watched him finish. She thought of his strong chest and stomach muscles dreamily.

They said goodnight and Harry opened the door to leave.

"Harry," Ginny said, stopping him. "That was my Christmas present. Oughtn't you have one for me?" She smiled teasingly. Harry returned the smile.

"Only if you've been a good girl," he joked. "We'll have to discuss it tomorrow, though. I'm a bit tired right now..." Ginny laughed as he closed the door behind him.

Taking out her muggle diary, she wrote:

Tonight was double cool with knobs. Let's just say Harry and I have given a totally new meaning to the word "snogging..."