You Can't Deal Alone

Chapter Five

"I still can't believe it," Mrs. Wealsey exclaimed the next morning as she put away dishes. "You really traveled to all those places? Moscow, Paris, America..."

"Yes, Mum," Ron interrupted. "But it wasn't some big holiday. Dumbledore..." Ron stopped abruptly and bent his head. Mrs. Weasley also stopped working for a moment.

"Ah, Ron," she said finally. "We can't be too sad. There's no other way he'd rather go. He was a happy man - a smart man. There may never be another wizard as great as Albus. A good man, he was, and a dear friend of mine." The two sat in silence.

"Anyway, Mum, for the longest time it seemed as if we weren't helping anyone at all. We had to keep up with our school work, of course. But then we fought, more than I'd have liked. It was bloody scary, doing real defense against the dark arts. Remember how serious we were when we visited home on holidays? Well, we didn't have much to smile about. Not even family - not when people were dying on every side of us. Bloody scary." Ron's eyes glazed over. He looked back up and continued. "Thank Merlin Hermione and I went with Harry. I wouldn't want to see him if he had had to do this alone."

"I have a feeling Dumbledore meant for you to go with him," Mrs. Weasley commented. "I'm so glad to have you back, Ron, so glad."

"I'm glad, too, Mum," Ron said. Mrs. Weasley put the last plate in a cupboard and reached into her apron pocket. She pulled out a galleon and planted it firmly in Ron's fist. At Ron's astonished look she laughed.

"Go on. Take Harry and Hermione out to lunch in Diagon Alley. You deserve it."

***

It was late in the evening after a long trip to Diagon Alley, but Harry had other things on his mind. As soon as he and Ginny were away from prying eyes they intertwined their fingers. When they closed the door to Harry's bedroom, Ginny discreetly applied chap stick.

Harry rummaged in his trunk and then turned to Ginny holding a small oblong box.

"Harry, you didn't have to," Ginny said, touching his arm.

"It er... reminded me of, um, you," he said, placing the box in her hands. Ginny opened it gingerly and gasped when she saw what it was.

"Oh, Harry," she gasped. Harry smiled. "Is it a - "

"A diamond necklace, yes, but there's more. Put it on." Harry walked around and clasped it for her. When he was done he wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered into her ear. "Whenever I'm near, it shines brighter."

Ginny looked down. She was wearing a black dress she had received for Christmas, and the heart-shaped diamonds were radiating, sending prisms of light onto the dark silk and setting off her skin beautifully.

"And when, er, if you need me," Harry continued. "Just hold the heart in your hand and wherever I am, I'll know."

Harry stepped so he was facing her and looked her in the eye. Ginny was surprised by his new straightforwardness but also found it extremely sexy.

"Gin," he said, still staring into her eyes. "You know that I'll come if you ever need me, don't you?"

Ginny smiled and nodded. Soon she lost herself in his soft lips, the diamond shining stunningly bright.

***

It was the first day back to Hogwarts after Christmas. Ginny sat at her breakfast table next to the new Headmistress McGonagall. On her left was an empty chair. Ginny dropped her napkin and bent down to retrieve it. As she did so, a man slipped into the chair next to her. Ginny sat back up and looked inquisitively at the stranger. He certainly hadn't been there before the holidays - she would have noticed him.

"I'm sorry," he said, beginning to stand. "Was this seat saved?"

"Oh - no," Ginny said. "I should be the one apologizing. I'm afraid I don't know who you are." The man laughed. A nice laugh, Ginny decided.

"My fault. I should've introduced myself," he said with a faint Irish accent. "William Donoghue. I'm taking over for Professor Flitwick while he recovers."

"Virginia Weasley. I teach Transfiguration." Ginny wasn't sure why she had used her full name.

"Nice to meet you," he smiled broadly. Ginny found herself returning it equally large. He was looking into her eyes and she couldn't seem to break away. She finally flushed and looked down.

What was that? She wondered while sipping her tea.

***

"...He was loved by all, and shall never be forgotten."

Harry watched McGonagall step down from the podium. Always the strongest, she was the only woman with dry eyes. He knew she was more hurt than anyone else - her and Albus had always been close companions - but she had her own way of showing it, like forming a scholarship in his name.

Harry felt a soft hand slip into his. He turned and saw Ginny quietly crying. He squeezed her hand, not knowing how else to comfort her.

After the memorial service Ginny and Harry took a walk. The service had been held at a cathedral in London. The sky outside was the same clear blue that Albus's eyes had been.

Ginny's eyes were bright with tears as they walked in silence. Harry didn't cry. He knew that Sirius's death was one of the hardest he could've been put through. His first year of fighting in The Second Great War, as it had been named, had brought him to terms with his godfather's passing. The next four years had seemed to be nothing but deaths, including Percy's and Snape's along with Dumbledore's. Harry mourned the losses but had learned to control his grief. Harry had realized that death really is but the next great adventure.

Harry glanced over to Ginny. She was staring at the ground, obviously lost in thought. He still couldn't believe that she was his. Harry was never the possessive type, but the words brought him comfort. She was so dependable, so caring, so real.

Checking to make sure she wasn't watching, Harry reached into his muggle coat pocket and closed his fist around a small box.

A small box that contained a diamond ring.

Harry left the box in his pocket. It wasn't the right time.

"Let's get you back to Hogwarts," Harry spoke. "You have class tomorrow and I have to get back to the Tornados." Ginny nodded. Harry put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the portkey.