Resolutions (Harry & Ginny Fan Fiction)

Our Hiding Place

Hermione's voice became shrill as she ranted once more about how "totally irresponsible" and "completely idiotic" Harry had been for trying a spell written in some "stupid book". Harry, however, was staring off into the distance his face as white as a sheet. But I could tell what was really wearing him down wasn't Hermione's speech, nor the curious stares of the Gryffindors still milling around in the Common Room, instead it was the guilt. I could see it in eyes. The sparkle normally found there wasn't, instead replacing by a dull green with no feeling other than the unmistakable self-blame growing in his eye. 

"Give it a rest Hermione! There is nothing you can say to me that I haven't already told myself." Harry snapped. 

The force behind his words shocked Hermione into stopping mid-sentence. None of them had heard him snap like that since the year before, and then he was a real mess. He had felt so excluded it had made we want to reach out to him - in ways that just weren't possible. He had lashed out at just about everyone and everything, not to mention that Umbridge and her malicious ways were a constant taunting of the disbelief of the Ministry. Her constant ignorance to You-Know-Who and all the things in between drove Harry over the edge. It was only Sirius who could reach him or make him happier whenever he got like that.  But now he is gone. Harry didn't have that role-model in his life right now - other than perhaps Dumbledore. 

Unable to handle the hurt and sorrow cascading over his body, I reached out placing a hand on Harry's arm, just to let him know that I was there. Though he seemed surprised by the action, I have him a small smile just to let him know it was going to be okay. To try and bring him back to the reality. He seemed relieved but turned back to Hermione before I could truly understand the look on his face. 

"You need to get rid of it!" Hermione said.

"Well of course he bloody does! But not right now!" Ron retorted. This did not sit well with Hermione and they started arguing, seeming to have forgotten that who this was not in fact about either of them. This was about Harry and I couldn't help but agree with Hermione; the sooner he got rid of that book the better. 

"Take my hand..."The words came out as barely a whisper, but Harry did not respond and instead just followed me out of the Common Room. 

Harry attempted to find out where we were going multiple times, however each time I shushed him and walked pointedly faster. Soon, however, we stood across from the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy on the seventh floor and he understood. 

"Gin!"

Ignoring him, I walked past the area where I knew the door would appear three times, telling it exactly what I wanted it to be. I need a place to hide a book. I need a place to hide a book. I need a place to hide the book. I opened my eyes to find that on the wall directly across from me was a door that hadn't been there before. The door itself was large and black, with swirl detailing dressing every inch of it - it seemed that even in secrets, Hogwarts was as grand as ever. 

I grabbed Harry's hand and led him inside the room. Looking around there were dozens and dozens of miscellaneous items all stashed and piled in a haphazard manner all the way around the room.  I was surprised that half of the piles were still upright. But then again this was a magical room. The largest mound closest to me was filled with an assortment of things: a broken chair with only three legs stuck out from the middle, its three legs sprawled in every direction. Further up there was a tiara, in prime position in its box, placed for all to see. Its blue jewel glistened despite the lack of light surrounding it.

"Close your eyes.....that way you won't be tempted." I whispered, my voice coming out hoarse as I tried to cough the embarrassment away. Suddenly, I was aware of the stifling hotness of the room, not to mention the fact that, despite we had reached our destination, Harry was still holding my hand. Or I was holding his hand. Either way, it didn't matter to me. 

Now with eyes closed, Harry took a step forward. I called for him to wait but I was too late as his foot came into contact with a pile of objects beside him. From the stack flew several cornish pixies which scattered around the room. I couldn't help but let out a giggle at the look of shock on Harry's face as his eyes flew open and he looked around manic and panicked, wand already drawn from his pocket. 

He turned and gave me a sly grin before closing his eyes once more. I took the potion book into the my hands and made my way across the room, careful not to make any noise that would notify Harry of my whereabouts. I couldn't let him find it again. 

I picked the most obscure place I could find, which wasn't difficult considering the room, and made my way back to Harry. I saw him stood there, eyes closed, features set. Had he not be standing, I would have thought he was sleeping. He looked so tranquil, the most calm I had ever seen him given his life and fate. I couldn't help but stand there and let the moment linger as long as I could. Seeing him stood there like that, I don't know what came over me, but suddenly I felt like everything was going to be okay, that Harry was just a boy standing in front of a girl who loved him. With that in mind, I stepped closer, slowly, cautiously. I was steps away.

 I slammed my lips to his before I could begin to convince myself otherwise. I could taste the peppermint tang on his lips and feel their softness as the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. It was like something I could have only imagined, but yet it was real. I was there. Harry was there. And that was all that mattered. 

But it couldn't last - it wouldn't last. The real world was calling, or rather my lungs, and with that very disappointing thought, I pulled away. Harry's eyes were still closed, a small smile playing on his lips. The lips I had just been kissing.  But, the timing was off, and I had basically just forced myself onto him. He seemed to kiss me back. But, until I found out how he felt....it was just best kept a secret. 

"I can stay hidden up here too if you'd like."

So I left. For now. 

Disclaimer - I don't own the Harry Potter series, or the characters, or the settings.