Life Goes On- The Third Chapter

Chapter 3

"I wonder how Harry's doing." Ginny remarked casually, her voice quiet, as she pushed a piece of broccoli around on her plate. She tried not to look at Blaise as she said this; she knew he hated hearing about Harry, especially from her. Ginny knew the name scared him- she knew he was scared of her leaving him, and going back to her ex-husband.

But she desperately wanted to know how he was. She hadn't heard from him in ages. He'd sort of retreated into his own misery, vanished from every family get-together...and she'd tried sending him a letter- several, in fact- but he hadn't replied.

"Ginny, you know he's fine." Blaise's voice was reassuring and gentle, but Ginny could hear the slight note of jealousy that was always there whenever they spoke about Harry. "You see that he's all right every single day."

Blaise gestured towards the day's copy of the Daily Prophet, where, on the front cover, striding along, his head down, hunched over, was Harry. The phrase "all right" didn't really strike a chord in Ginny's mind. She knew that Harry was still mourning for their marriage.

"Yeah, but….still…." She trailed off, sighing. Blaise reached out and took her hand from the other side of the table. Ginny silently stared at their entwined fingers. Blaise sighed; he let go of her hand and, standing up, he walked around the table. Kneeling beside her, he lifted her chin with his finger, and Ginny wanted to cry when she saw the pain and sadness in his dark eyes.

"Ginny, please don't do this to me. I hate seeing you miserable."

"I know...it's just…"

"Shhh….." Blaise breathed, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Ginny sighed happily as their lips moved in perfect synchronisation. Her hands went to his chest and clutched at his shirt; his arms slid around her waist, and he held her closer to him.

Pulling away from her, Blaise slowly kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment.

"I love you." He whispered, his hand caressing the side of her face.

"I love you too." Ginny murmured, before his lips were on hers again, just for a moment.

Grinning, Blaise picked her up and spun her around. Laughing with him, Ginny wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

How could Blaise feel worried about her leaving him? She was so obliviously happy with him, so utterly in love with him. He had to sense that, surely.

Blaise put her down and looked in her eyes, his laughter gone. Ginny frowned questioningly at him; he had put those walls up in his mind, and she didn't know what he was thinking.

"Look, darling…." He paused, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. "Uh…"

"Yes, Blaise?"

"Go and see him tomorrow."

"Really, Blaise?" Ginny gasped, hugging him out of sheer joy. That was the first time he'd ever encouraged her to see Harry. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"I know you'll never be completely at ease if you don't, my love." He smiled ruefully. Ginny felt like her heart was going to burst with love; she could see in his face how much he hated his own suggestion.

"Thank you." She whispered, kissing him gently.

"No problem." Blaise grimaced. "Ginny, you know how much I hate entertaining the idea."

"Shhh...don't think about it. Just focus on me and you, here and now."

Blaise grinned slyly, and pressed his lips onto hers, kissing her slowly. Ginny smiled, and opened her mouth underneath his, moaning slightly as their tongues intertwined. Putting her hands onto his chest, she pushed him back from her. Grinning, she gazed into his dark eyes.