Lonely Road

Author Note: As some Green Day fans may have noticed, the title and Harry's outlook on the prophecy was very much influenced by the song, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” I listen to it all the time these days because it really does remind me of Harry and the situation he's in.

Without classes, the day passed quickly for Harry as he wandered the campus, thinking of what he'd say to Hermione. He'd already told her too much. Now she'll think I'm jealous of her relationship with Ron now. Idiot Harry scolded himself. At least I didn't tell her I'm excused from exams; she'd have really dug into me if she found out. Come to think about it, it'd probably be best if I didn't tell anyone about that. Don't want everyone to think Dumbledore's playing favorites. His inner-ramblings were brought to an abrupt stop when he walked right into a pile of red hair.

“Ginny! Sorry about that” Harry apologized to the youngest Weasley, helping her up. “What're you doing here?”

“Me? I should be asking you that” Ginny said, dusting herself off. “I just got out of Divination and if memory serves me right, you should be on the other side of the grounds getting out of the Potions dungeon.”

“Oh, right. Well I didn't have to go to classes today so I found myself kind of just…wandering around for a bit.”

“Well from the looks of your wandering, you were pretty lost in thought there. I should have a nice bruise on my bum to prove it.”

“Yeah, sorry again.”

“It's fine. What had you so caught up though? Is everything alright?” Harry told his friends he was fine so often, it seemed like an automated response. But looking into Ginny's eyes, for some reason he couldn't find the energy to hide anymore. He didn't even want to. For once he wanted to be honest.

“Actually Gin, I don't think so. Thing's haven't been alright with me for quite some time.” There was a brief silence between the two before Ginny replied.

“Harry.”

“Yeah?”

“Get your broom and meet me at the Pitch” Ginny demanded before rushing off and leaving Harry rather bewildered by the request.

After dropping by the dormitory to retrieve his Firebolt, Harry made his way towards the Quidditch Pitch. When he arrived Ginny was already there awaiting him leaning on the goal post, broom in hand. As she noticed him approach, she gave him a curious nod before mounting her broom and kicking off.

“Well what're you waiting for?” Ginny called down to him. “The air's nice tonight, c'mon up!” Harry shot her a grin before mounting up and kicking off. That old familiar feeling from the previous night was back. The freedom was beyond refreshing. It cleansed his soul.

“I thought this might cheer you up a bit” Ginny said pulling up next to him. “With a smile like that, it's obvious flying is in your bones. Wouldn't be the same without it would you?”

“No doubt about that one” Harry answered, brushing loose strands of his unruly hair from his face.

“I know how you feel. The sky can be pretty liberating, nothing quite like it. So are you warmed up then?”

“Warmed up? For what?”

“For this” the sneaky Weasley answered, pulling a golden ball, no bigger than a walnut, from her robes. It was a Snitch.

“How'd you get your hands on that?” Harry asked a bit shocked, his smile widening.

“Being on the team has its advantages, but let's get this game started, shall we?” Ginny extended her arm and released the Snitch from her grasp. The second it was freed its golden wings sped it out of sight. “On three. One. Two. THREE!” Both Gryffindor Seekers took off around the stadium, minds filled with but one worry in the world: a single golden Snitch.

Hermione stomped into the Great Hall, a look of great frustration on her face.

After her final class of the day, Potions, she had gone to the library to study for a few hours. When she was satisfied, Hermione decided it was time to finish her conversation with Harry. It had been weighing on her mind heavily and not much of the day's lessons, after their talk, had gotten through to her. Her thoughts were too occupied with concern. She made her way to the common room in hopes of finding him, but the only ones she found were Seamus and Lavender playing a game of Exploding Snap. She asked Seamus if Harry was in their room, but he wasn't. After letting out a sigh,

Hermione left the common room and headed outside for the lake. Harry enjoyed the calm of the lake and often went there alone to think. “But apparently not tonight” she muttered to herself as he was no where to be found when she arrived. Now she was irked. The Great Hall she realized angrily. He's probably stuffing his face with Ron.

She very carefully scanned the Gryffindor table, searching for the raven haired boy but found only the familiar red head with an empty seat beside him. She very quickly stalked over to her boyfriend who hadn't noticed her come in yet. “Where is Harry” she asked icily.

“Oh bugger! Hermione?! You scared the daylights out of me” Ron complained holding his chest.

“Have you seen him?”

“No, I haven't seen him since you two left on your walk at lunch. Where've you been? I saved you a sea...”

“Neville, do you know where Harry is” Hermione asked the rounded boy sharply, cutting Ron off. The look on her face was truly menacing and it frightened the fellow Gryffindor nearly to death.

“I…I…I…” Neville stammered.

“I saw him” said a voice dreamily from behind.

“What?” Hermione turned around and came eye to eye with the Ravenclaw, Luna Lovegood. “Oh, Luna. You've seen him then? Where is he?”

“I saw him outside a few hours ago, holding his broomstick” replied Luna calmly not even looking at Hermione, but staring up into the enchanted ceiling.

“Flying, of course” said Hermione before running out of the Great Hall, leaving an angry looking Ron staring after her.

Hermione was about to explode as she approached the Pitch. First Harry distanced himself and wouldn't reveal to her why. Then when she finally got him to open up some, their conversation was disrupted and ended by Hagrid. Finally she couldn't even locate him for the better part of the evening only to have his obvious whereabouts pointed out by Loony Lovegood. “Harry James Potter is going to get an earful for putting me through this rubbish” she told herself.

The moment she entered the Pitch she spotted him high above the ground racing his Firebolt. She was ready to call him down when another person flew into view beside him. Though they were fairly high up, Hermione could distinguish that long red hair anywhere. “Ginny?” Hermione whispered to herself, squinting towards the sky. She was bit taken aback by her presence with Harry, especially after getting a good look at his face. Spread across it was a very visible and wide smile. It was the first genuine look of happiness she had seen him wear all year.

Well Ron would be relieved at this sight Hermione thought to herself. Ron had told her over the summer that he hoped for Harry and Ginny to get closer this year. “Better my best mate than possibly some arse I know nothing about” he had told her. Hermione had never given the statement serious thought because Ginny had told her that she was over Harry and even if she wasn't, Hermione assumed that Harry didn't reciprocate her feelings. Or does he? Seeing the two together, alone, like this made the clever witch doubt her previous assumptions and doubt was no ordinary occurrence for the brightest witch in Hogwarts. But there was something else Hermione was feeling at the moment, watching the two friends together. A feeling she couldn't place, but it made her chest tighten and stomach unsettled. It wasn't a good feeling to say the least. Her frustration from earlier dissipated and she suddenly couldn't bring herself to interrupt them so she made her way back to the castle. Harry was happy. For now that'd do.

“CAUGHT YAH!” Harry raised his hand in triumph; the golden Snitch secured in his palm.

“That brings the total to what? Seven to one” Ginny huffed out of breath. “Even after being suspended for a season, you can still out fly me!”

“That's not true Gin. My Firebolt's beating you if anything. Not me. And from what I remember, it wasn't a suspension. It was a lifetime ban.”

“Harry, don't be silly. You know all you have to do is ask McGonagall and you'll be back on the team now that that cow Umbridge is gone.”

“I know you're right and I was considering coming back but…I'll have my hands full this year. I honestly don't think I'll have the time.”

“But the team needs you Harry and besides, busy with what? You won't have to run the D.A. this year now that the real Moody is heading Defense Against the Dark Arts and you're still not prefect.”

“Maybe I'll tell you some other time but for now let's head back in. I'm starving!” Ginny let out a small sigh of disappointment before submitting.

“Fine, but I'm sure dinner has been over for a while.”

“We'll sneak into the kitchen and I'll have Dobby whip us up something really quick.”

“Sounds good to me, lead the way.” The two decided to fly to the castle gates before finally dismounting. Upon entering the castle they very quietly made their way to the painting of a bowl of fruit. Once they reached their destination, Harry tickled the pair which let out a giggle before revealing the entrance into the kitchen. They were happily greeted by a number of house elves, all of whom offered their services to them. Harry kindly refused their help until he saw the elf he was looking for.

“Dobby!” called Harry upon seeing him across the room. The little house elf's eyes lit up at the sight of him and he quickly ran over to greet his wizard friend.

“Harry Potter has come to visit Dobby! Oh what a very kind wizard he is! What can Dobby do for Harry Potter this fine evening?” asked Dobby, his big round eyes seemingly glossed over with tears of joy at the chance to help the boy who set him free so many year ago.

“Well I haven't had a bite to eat all day so do you think you would prepare some sandwiches for me and my friend?”

“Oh yes sir, yes sir! You and your pretty friend just wait right here!” said Dobby delightedly, running off to prepare the food. While Harry and Ginny waited at a small wooden table, they made small-talk with Dobby's friend, Winky, who was wearing a hat that was unmistakably knitted by Hermione. Winky was apparently getting used to being free. It wasn't too long after when Dobby hobbled up to them; a large tray in hand with sandwiches and two goblets of pumpkin juice. He set everything down in front of them then took Winky off to help him with chores. Both teens too hungry for any pretense of manners took huge bites into their food and large swigs of their juice. Midway through the meal, Harry decided to make conversation.

“Whatever happened with you and Dean? I remember you saying you were interested in him last year.”

“Oh, that ended before it even really started. We talked a bit at the beginning of this year and found out we really don't have much in common.”

“Oh. Well that's too bad. He's a nice guy.”

“I've met nicer” Ginny simply stated, briefly making eye contact with Harry before returning her concentration back to her plate. They finished eating in silence.

“Wow, you out did yourself Dobby” Harry proclaimed, his mouth slightly agape in satisfaction. “Thank you. I'm sorry to have put you through the trouble this time of night.”

“Oh no, no, no, no, no trouble at all sir!” replied the enthused elf. “Harry Potter never need apologize to Dobby! Now you two go have a goodnights sleep. Come visit Dobby whenever you please!” Harry and Ginny bid their friend a final goodbye before departing for Gryffindor Tower.

The common room was deserted and very dimly lit. The waning fire looked ready to breathe its last breath as Harry walked Ginny to the staircase that led to the girl's dormitories.

“Ginny, I really don't think I can thank you enough. I really needed this tonight.”

“It really was no problem at all. Anytime you wanna fly or just talk even, I'll be here.”

“Thanks Gin. I'll definitely take you up on both of those offers sometime.” Harry leaned down and gave her a warm hug. “And don't forget I offer the same services to you. Any time.”

”Thanks Harry.” They broke apart, but not until after Ginny leaned in and, on tip-toe, gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. “G'night” and on that final note she ran up the stairs, leaving Harry with a lopsided grin on his face as he made his way up to his room. However, as Harry closed his door there was a small noise back down in the common room. A chair creaked from its occupant slowly rising in the shadows, a head of bushy hair framing a very flushed face.

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