Breaking the shadows

The bench by the lake.

1996

Sunday October 3rd

As we walk towards the lake in silence, I think about what Harrys said at dinner, I don't know what he meant by: "You didn't take Ginny from me" but how did he even know that was what I was thinking? Could he have read my mind? No that's impossible. He didn't seem like himself, did he? But he was right in one thing, Ginny isn't a material that anyone can steal or own, humans can't be stolen from other humans, because we are not objects, we are living creatures with a mind and feelings. Ginny chose me over Harry, because she wasn't happy with him, and I chose Ginny over Sebastian, because I wasn't happy with him either.
But what if I never told Ginny that I had feelings for her, what if I was still with Sebastian? Then what would have happened? He would still be gone; he has left Hogwarts and he is never coming back. I received a letter from him over the summer, saying that he was sorry for how things had ended, and that his sister had died. He told me that Dumbledore had send him a letter that if he wanted to return to Hogwarts he could because his grades were so good, but after the loss of his sister, he would never return he couldn't bear the feeling of not being with his family after the funeral. And I understand him. I have never been to a funeral but I lost my childhood dog so I can't imagine how it is losing a family member.
But I'm glad that he told me, and I wrote back sending my condolences.
I snap out of my Sebastian filled thoughts when Ginny says: "Luna told me about a bench on the side of the lake if you want to check that out?"
"Yeah sure"
I'm a bit confused but I follow Ginny. I've never seen a bench at the lake, and I've walked all around it multiple times, but Ginny leads me to a bench hidden behind some berry-bushes, no wonder I never noticed it. Maybe because I walk in my own thoughts. We sit down on the bench and Ginny places her hand on my thigh, I place my hand on top of hers, and she says: "I'm sorry for what Harry said earlier, I'm sure he's happy."
"I hope he is, I'm just glad that you could stay friends after the break-up."
Ginny: "Most couples can't but I think we make it work pretty well."
"I think so too, I wish I could've stayed friends with Sebastian."
Ginny: "Really? But you would never get to see him, where did he even go?"
"His sister was sick so if she died, he wouldn't return to Hogwarts."
Ginny: "So his sister died?"
"Unfortunately she did die."
Ginny: "That must be hard on his family, they were muggles right."
"They are muggles and he was the only wizard."
Ginny: "But let's forget him and Harry and just be us?"
"Yes no more boys."
Ginny: "No more boys."

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As the sun began to set, Ginny and I sat on the bench by the lake hidden behind berry-bushes, holding hands and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The birds were chirping, and the trees were swaying in the gentle autumn breeze.
I turn to Ginny smiling, my heart fluttering. Ginny looks back at me and our eyes met. We leaned in closer to each other our breaths mingling.
Slowly I close my eyes, and Ginny did the same. Our lips met in a soft tender kiss, and I felt a spark of electricity between us. I wrap my arms around Ginny's neck, deepening the kiss, while Ginny's hands slipped around my waist pulling me even closer.
The world seemed to fade away as we kissed, lost in the moment, and the passion between us grew stronger. We pulled apart, breathless, and looked into each other's eyes, feeling our deep connection that we both knew would only grow stronger with the years.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we lean in to another just as passionate and emotion filled kiss. With Ginny I had stopped thinking about Sebastian and Harry, it was just us, us against the world and nothing could stop us. Not even homophobes.

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Puplished: 31-05-23