Stockholm Syndrome

Home Again

Chapter 7

Home Again

The next morning, Harry awoke to find himself alone in the hospital wing. He supposed Ginny had left either after he fell asleep the night before, or early in the morning.

Just as he started wondering where she'd gotten off to, his stomach let out an enormous rumble, reminding him he hadn't eaten at all when he'd woken up the day before.

As if in answer to his thoughts, Ginny came through the double doors just then, bearing a tray of bacon, eggs, toast, and two glasses of pumpkin juice.

"Hey," she said cheerfully, flashing him her most brilliant smile. "Thought you might be hungry, so I went down to the kitchens and scrounged up a few things."

Harry could feel his mouth beginning to water at the smell of freshly-fried bacon and scrambled eggs. "Thanks," he said hastily, as she set the tray down on his lap.

He handed her one of the two plates set upon it, then dug into his own with gusto. After only a few eager bites, a soft giggle distracted him.

He turned to where Ginny was seated in a chair by his bed, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. She had her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "What?" he asked self-consciously.

Forcing herself to calm down, she replied, "I was just thinking that you're acting like my brother Ron."

He grunted, knowing very well it was an insult from the various stories she'd told him about her family. He decided not to dignify the comment with a retort, and went back to his own food.

Once he was finished, he eyed Ginny's half-finished plate hungrily.

She smiled and shook her head ruefully. "You really are as bad as him. Go ahead, I'm finished." She handed him her plate.

He held her eye for a moment, making certain she really didn't want any more. She nodded, and he couldn't control it any more. He dug in again, hungrily.

When both plates were empty, he set them aside and leaned back, sighing contentedly. "I can't believe I was so hungry," he said.

"Well it's been quite some time since you last ate," Ginny replied, laughing.

They lapsed into silence, each unsure of what to say or how to act regarding their new relationship.

After a few moments, exasperated at himself, Harry patted the bed next to him. "C'mere, Gin."

She complied, settling herself down next to him hesitantly. He put one arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him, and she stiffened immediately. She soon relaxed, however, melting into him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"We shouldn't be awkward about this," said Harry, trying to quell the nervous butterflies that seemed intent on eating his stomach from the inside out. "We have nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. Let's try not to be uncomfortable, okay?"

"Okay, Harry," she murmured, smiling up at him.

The silence was more comfortable this time, as they simply sat and enjoyed one another's presence. Harry decided to bring up the subject of her family again, after a few minutes.

"Gin, about your family . . ."

"No," she stated firmly, fixing her stern gaze on him. "I know what you're going to say, and I refuse. I'm not leaving you until you're well. I'll go and see them when you can come with me."

"Now that'll be a fun meeting," Harry muttered with a grimace.

She smiled encouragingly and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry; I don't intend to let my family kill my new boyfriend." As soon as she said it, she clamped a hand over her mouth and flushed red with embarrassment. She tried to scoot away from him, but he just held on to her tighter.