Toujours [HarryPotterFanFiction] **COMPLETED**

..Diagonalley..

I walk through the crowded streets of Diagonalley, my cloak blowing in the wind behind me. I listen closely as my boots click against the cobbled stone beneath my feet.

I look around at all the groups huddled around shop windows. Most families already had their arms full of term supplies, while others were merly window shopping.

I pass a group of first year boys with their noses pressed against the glass, staring at the new Firebolt. Oddly enough, it's the same one Ginny had at home. The bright smiles on their faces can be seen from a mile away.

I smile to myself before making my way into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

****

The shop is rather crowded today as the heat index claims today to be 90. I make my way towards the front when I notice a blonde headed boy sitting alone near the back of the shop.

When my eyes focus more clearly, I see Draco Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle. I watch as the three of them sit in the corner, whispering to one another. They seem to be in a heated discussion about something important.

I go walk towards them to get a better listen in when the guy at the counter speaks up. "Next" He says, looking rather impatient. "Oh, I would like a Raspberry and Chocolate swirl with chopped nuts please" I say, giving him a warm smile.

After I pay for the ice cream and it's delivered to me, I glance back to the table where Malfoy and his crew were sitting, only to find it completely empty. With a soft frown, and a lick of my ice cream, I make my way back out the door, the door closing softly behind me.

****

I was almost halfway finished with my ice cream before bumping into Ginny near Flourish And Blotts. She smiles at me when I approach her, only to have Dean Thomas show up at her side in a matter of seconds.

"Hey guys" I say, giving them a small wave, which they both return. "I was just about to head to the Magical Menagerie. Wanna join us?" Ginny offers with a warm smile. Since last year, Ginny was the only one I could really stop and vent to. I could of with Hermione, Ron, or Harry but things have been hard lately.

Waking up in the middle of the night, screaming out in pain, and the scar from where Jane attacked me on my arm feeling like it's on fire. I glance down at my arm, which is covered, frowning slightly.

I look back up to Ginny when I see Dean roll his eyes. "I mean, if it's going to be a problem with me going I can go find Hermione.." I say, glancing between Ginny and Dean. Ginny looks from me to Dean, then shrugs her shoulders.

I didn't give her a chance to talk, as I smile to the both of them, and excuse myself. I walk more down the pathway, shops upon shops passing by me each time.

I walk through various shops, nothing seeming to spark my intrest. I was leaning against the glass in the Wizarding Trading Shop when I felt a small tap on my shoulder.

Harry is peering down at me, his glasses twinkling in the light as he does so. He's wearing a warm smile, warm but tiring. "Wanna take a walk?" He offers, and I nod to him slolwy, as we make our way out the shop, and down through the streets.

****

I didn't really know much about Diagonalley's back streets, but Harry knew all to well where he was going. Walking quickly, a passed various shops and signs, one even saying Knockturnalley.

When we finally slower our pace, we cut through a small alley way, then through a large oak door. Once I shut the door, I turn back around seeing nothing but cash green hills, lined with tall Wheaping Willows.

We walk out towards an open field, before taking a seat. The sun has slowly started to set, giving the sky an orange glow to it. I turn to Harry, as he looks to me. "How are you?" He asks, causing me to shrug my shoulders.

"Just another day" I say with a small sigh. I can't tell him that I've been having those damn nightmares without him worrying. So, I look back to him, giving him a warm smile. "You?" Harry simply shrugs, no words needed.

I nod to him, before looking back out at the field. A few birds chirp in the distance as I look back to Harry, holding back my grin. "So, Ginny told me you guys were dating now" I say, smiling softly. Harry just nods, letting out a tired sigh.

"Does Ron know?" I ask, and Harry shakes his head. "Oh boy" Is all I manage to say, before looking back out to the field.

Its quiet for a few minutes before Harry turns to me. When I look to him, his eyes are a deep green. The dark circles around his eyes couldn't be missed. The sight alone was terrifying. Maybe his dreams were worse than mine?

"So, did you know Molly didn't want any of you all going back to Hogwarts this year?" Harry asks and I nod to him. "Yeah, her and Arthur don't think it's safe there. With Dumbledore being in and out of the castle. Not to mention he's gotten abit..." I pause, biting my lip.

When I look back to Harry, he's looking at me, waiting for me to continue. "Old" I finish, causing the both of us to burst out into a fit of laughter. It's the first time since everything's happened that things have felt normal between the two of us. That we actually felt like teenagers and not adults. That this was an actual Summer and not a ticking time bomb for Voldemort to show his face again.

After our laughter died down, Harry was the next one to speak. "Rose, I'm really sorry about your dad. I know what its like to loose someone you care so much about..." Harry says, as he picks a blade of grass.

I don't say anything, knowing all to well he's talking about his parents as well. Like him, I've lost both my parents. Both to wizards. I watched them both die. That's something I'll never forget.

I look down at the grass beneath me, as Harry let's out a soft sigh. Things remain quiet between us, as we both get lost in our own thoughts.

"Ginny told me about the nightmares, Harry" I say, looking to him. I watch as he sits still, before looking at me. "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, and Harry shakes his head, looking back down at the grass.

"This Summer wasn't one I really enjoyed. I spent most of my time riding the trains of London to help clear my mind. Most of the time it worked. Others..." He pauses, picking another blade of grass.

I watch as he twirls it through his fingers, before letting it drift in the wind. "Others, not so much" He finally says with a sigh. I close my eyes as the wind hits my face, but reopen them just as Harry looks back to me.

"I've been having them too" I say at almost a whisper but loud enough for him to hear. Harry's quick to look at me, looking worried, like I knew he would be.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He says, facing me. "Because, you had so much going on this Summer and so did we. We've been helping Sirius clean the entire house (Grimmuald Place) and then helping Molly get things ready for this term. Then she had her mini break down about not letting us go back..." I pause, shaking my head.

"It was my to much for one person to handle..." I finish, looking back to him. Harry simply nods, as we watch thunder clouds softly roll in the distance, heading in our direction.

"We better be heading back" Harry says, standing and offering me his hand. I take his hand, standing up and dusting my skirt off. Harry glances down at me, giving me a soft smile.

The wind blows around us, whipping my hair in every direction. I laugh softly, as the wind dies down. Harry pushes part of my hair behind my ear, his hand slowly brushing my cheek.

I smile to him, as he smiles to me. He offers me his hand again, which I take, and we head back through the oak door, down the alleyway, past the sign for Knockturnalley, and through Diagonalley, hand in hand.

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