Hiding in Plain Sight (A Hinny Fanfiction)

Haunting

"I can hear you!" Ginny yelled out to the hall in front of her room at the Coliseum Hospital, where Harry had his head bowed together with the healer who had been helping Ginny since they arrived. He thanked the witch before coming in with a plastered smile on his face.

"You're supposed to be resting," he said in a sing-song manner.

"I heard her speaking English to you. When I talk to her, she pretends she doesn't understand."

"I don't know why. You seem so friendly and approachable," Henry mused before ducking a pillow.

"I'm ready to go," Ginny announced, swinging her still-bandaged leg over the side of the bed. Harry nearly missed catching her when it gave out but was able to wedge his arms under hers just in time. She still squirmed as he returned her to a reclined position.

"You know Skele-Gro takes a day or more to take effect. We've been here an hour." Ginny gave no response, instead choosing to look out her window at the mass of people milling about in Rome's magical neighborhood under the Coliseum. She noticed many families, with children leading their parents across the street from one shop to the other. Then it dawned on Ginny: school would be starting soon. She loved this time of year, mainly because that's when Harry Potter would arrive at her house. Things were a little different this year.

Aside from the motorbike accident, she had loved her time with Harry out in the Muggle world, but it calmed her to know she was amongst her people again, able to talk freely and feel safe again. She could even perform magic at will - if Harry hadn't taken her wand away during her first tantrum.

"Why can't you..." Harry began before realizing the error in what he was about to say.

"Why can't I what?" she asked as she turned back to him with narrow eyes. Too late.

"It's just... Ron never seems to mind being laid up in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts."

Ginny's ears, already red from frustration, now looked as though they were glowing. "So you were going to say why can't I be more like Ron?"

"l..." Harry felt himself unconsciously inch his hand to his wand pocket.

"You're so lucky I don't have my wand right now," she growled.

"I know," Harry whispered, looking out into the hall for help... any help at all. It wasn't coming. Meanwhile, the patient was still giving him a stare.

"You know, some of the worst times of my life have been in hospitals. My father after the snake attack. Hermione after I petrified her in my first year. If you only knew how much time I've spent watching over you in the Hospital Wing after accidents that I usually saw myself. I would sneak in after everyone else had gone to sleep, always fearing the worst even though everyone else thought you were untouchable. So you will excuse me if I'm a bit uncomfortable with my current situation."

Harry turned back to her, his eyes still fearful but softer. "I knew."

"You knew what?"

"I knew about you sneaking into the Hospital Wing. Most of the time I was just pretending to be asleep."

Ginny shot up from her pillow. "What? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because if I did, you would've stopped coming," Harry replied simply.

And just like that, Ginny's will to remain furious at him deflated like a balloon. She took his hand.

"You wouldn't have gotten rid of me that easy. Still can't."

He smiled at her. "Besides, it's about time I get to return the favor. I felt horrible having to leave you in that Muggle hospital."

"I understand, Harry. You needed to figure out another way. I wouldn't have survived a month in there, with their butchers cutting me open every chance they got. I'm grateful."