Forever, Ginny

i need help

"Hey, Harry," Ron greeted him, his voice confused as Harry's knuckles were bruised, and he had one or two small scratches on his cheek, and his hair was much more ruffled up than usual. Ron yawned, "Where've you been?"

"Nowhere, just hanging about," Harry replied easily, twisting his wand about his fingers as he sat down on the couch next to Ron, "I went and visited Dobby."

Ron rose a skeptical brow.

"Why're you're knuckles all bruised up?" Ron questioned, turning to his friend, and Harry shoved his hands into his pockets, "Did you punch a wall?"

"My knuckles aren't bruised, and no, I don't punch walls." Harry said, rolling his eyes and smacking Ron on the shoulder.

Ron wasn't convinced, "Have you been fighting?"

"No." Harry said, pulling out his textbook and reading it as he grabbed an apple from his bag and bit into it. Ron eyed him, the gears clicking and slowly turning in his brain.

"You've been fighting like a muggle!" Ron exclaimed, pointing at Harry.

"No, I haven't," Harry said defensively, though he was lying through his teeth. Well, not entirely—he used some magic on Crabbe.

"Who was it? Tell me they deserved it, or st least that you won!" Ron begged, and Harry slammed his textbook shut and stood up.

"I haven't been in a duel or fight, it's alright," Harry said firmly, biting into his apple and brushing his hair back, "I'd never do that, I don't go looking for trouble." He half lied, because no, he didn't go looking for trouble, but yes, he did go after Goyle.

Ron stared at Harry suspiciously, but before he could say anything more, Harry turned and walked away.

***************************

A week had passed, and Ginny was slowly recovering. So was Harry. Slowly, but together.

Ginny still slightly flinched when Harry leaned in to kiss her. She jumped whenever anyone hugged her waist.

Harry still jumped severely when he heard bangs or flashes. The PTSD had gotten worse because of the Death Eater attack and Harry knew it. He also knew it would never go away. Not completely. He pushed that thought away. He didn't want to deal with that.

Ron and all of Ginny's brothers had been informed of the incident. Crabbe had gotten a very bad smelling WWW trick played on him. One that made the whole hall laugh, even if all of them didn't know what happened.

Ron was furious. Harry and Ginny didn't want to tell him, but it slipped out. Well...

Ginny and Hermione were studying by the common room fire one evening, not really needing too, just needing something off their minds before they could think about Dumbledore's funeral. It was a silent day, no one really talked, only small chatters and short conversations, hushed conversations.

Ron and Harry were chatting, coming through the portrait and Harry walked over to Ginny, and she smiled. He dropped his book bag and plopped himself next to her.

He leaned in for a kiss, but it was rather quickly, and Ginny flinched. Harder than usual, and Ron obviously noticed.

"Why'd you flinch?" He asked and Ginny blushed, and glanced at Harry for help.

She rolled her eyes, "I didn't flinch."

Ron looked between the two. "What'd you do, Potter?" Ron turned to Harry, his expression accusatory. He really did jump to conclusions really quickly. No one really looked over, they were all used to Ron yelling at Harry.