Harry's Grief - 2

Harry broke off with a strangled catch in his voice, and Ginny's throat ached. It was all she could do not to break down and sob, but she fought it. It was her turn to be strong for him. Despite her resolve, she couldn't stop the tears that trickled down her face. She had to offer him some kind of comfort, but she also knew that he'd bolt at the slightest hint of pity in her voice.

"Because he loved you," she said. "And he loved your parents, and that's what people who love each other do."

"Tonks knew his power alone wouldn't do it. She sacrificed herself to give him that extra power so we could all escape," he said, his voice scratchy.

"Because she loved him," Ginny replied, her voice growing stronger as his weakened.

"Love is scary if it makes people do things like that," Harry said quietly.

"It's powerful, and it's what you are so full of inside," Ginny said, resting her hands on his chest above his heart. How could she explain love to someone who couldn't remember ever having it? She suddenly felt guilty for always having such an abundance of the one thing he'd always been lacking. She had to try and make him understand. "Something both more wonderful and more terrible than death because of the lengths people will go for it."

Harry pulled back, staring at her. "Dumbledore said something like that to me once. He was talking about the locked room at the Department of Mysteries."

"Come inside, Harry," Ginny said gently, taking his hand. "You're freezing out here. The fire's warm, and you look frightfully tired."

"I am," Harry whispered, leaning heavily against her as if she'd just released the wind from his sails.

"I'll get Dobby to bring us some hot chocolate, and we'll curl up by the fire," Ginny said.

"I want to talk to Dumbledore's portrait. Maybe he can help give me some ideas on where to look for the missing Horcrux," Harry said as they began walking back toward the castle.

Ginny knew that Harry had been avoiding talking to the portrait, making any excuse not to go up into McGonagall's office. She knew because Hermione had been up there several times trying to work out a way to get the Horcrux out of Harry. Perhaps talking to Dumbledore's portrait could help him deal with Remus's loss. She hoped so, anyway.

When they reached the common room, they found it surprisingly empty. She supposed it had been a long night for all of them. Whatever the reason, she was glad to find it deserted. She gave Harry a gentle shove, and he tiredly sunk onto the couch by the fire.

"Why don't I run down to the kitchen and get us some hot chocolate and some biscuits?" Ginny said. Harry's eyes were drooping so heavily, she was certain he'd be asleep by the time she got back.

He shook his head. "I'm not hungry, thanks. Just come sit for awhile."

"You look knackered, Harry. Why don't you just go on up to bed?" Ginny said gently.

Harry shook his head again. "Can't sleep up there. Your brothers snore too loud," he said, attempting to smile.

Ginny could understand that. All of her brothers snored quite loudly on their own, but when they were all together at the Burrow, it was deafening. Her mum had created a special soundproofing charm that she'd applied to all the walls. She couldn't imagine poor Harry being stuck in the room with four of the Weasley boys. Ron, alone, was bad enough.