Chapter 5: Letters and Dreams

Harry and all the characters in this story belong to the esteemed J.K. Rowling. I’m not making any money off it, and after all isn’t imitation the best flattery anyway?

That night Harry sat down to write a response to Ginny’s letter, he’d been working on what to say ever since he got the letter. He was sure now that he wanted to tell her how he felt, but now I a way that shouted ‘I love you!’ It had taken him two hours and about four feet of parchment but Harry finally managed to get his thoughts down on paper.

He re-read it to make sure it said what he wanted it to, signed the bottom and walked over to Hedwig.

“Ok girl, this is for Ginny, take it directly to her room ok?” Hedwig nipped his finger as if in understanding, turned on her perch and flew out of the open window into the night.

It’s out of my hands now. I only hope that Ginny likes me in that way, and I wasn’t reading too much into it thinking that she liked me.

Harry laid down on his bed, fully clothed, and closed his eyes to another fitful night full of bad dreams.

Ginny was in her pajamas combing her hair, she had just taken a shower and was about to go to bed. She’d been worried about how Harry would take the letter she had written him. I hope it wasn’t too vague; I want him to know that I still do like him. But maybe he doesn’t, will he just think that the letter is just from a friend. I could swear that sometimes I see a glimmer of something in his eyes; those deep green eyes. Get a hold of yourself Gin’! If he likes you then he’ll write back, if he doesn’t then he’s just a friend.

Ginny stopped suddenly hearing a tapping noise on her window, Hedwig was there holding a letter. Her heart leapt as she raced over to the window. Throwing it open she let Hedwig in and took the letter from her. Hedwig looked around for a moment then flew off.

Ginny didn’t know why but her hands were shaking out of nervousness. She sat down and tore the envelope open.

Ginny, or is it Gin’?

Thank you for the letter you sent me, it’s nice to know that there are people out there who care for me. Sorry I didn’t write back sooner I’ve been trying to figure out what to write.

First thing, I am glad that you consider me to be a friend, I am sorry that I haven’t ever really noticed you before, I guess it was just me being afraid of your brother’s reaction, remember how he responded to you and Dean.

For some reason I feel that I can talk to you about this, I hope you don’t see me as weak once you’ve finished this letter. I’ve been having trouble sleeping, every single bloody night I get nightmares. Ones where Ron, Hermione, Lupin, even you, are killed in some way that’s my fault. And if it’s not that dream then I just replay the battle in the department of mysteries. I get only a couple of hours of sleep a night… blimey I’m so tired even right now. I remember you saying that you had nightmares after the chamber of secrets, do you still have them? Can you get rid of them? It would be nice if I could get at least a couple of hours more sleep.

I know that Ron will always protect you, but maybe he would let up a little bit if he knew I was with you. You really are a good friend, and I’m so sorry that I dragged you into the Department of Mysteries, I should have made you stay. You’re too important to me loose, I don’t know why I didn’t notice it last year.

Anyway, I hope I don’t seem defenseless or weak to you now, I just had to tell someone and you offered to listen to me. Can’t wait to see you all again, hopefully soon.

Love, Harry

Ginny’s eyes fogged over with tears, she couldn’t believe that he’d actually written back to her, and exposed himself to her so much. It also seemed that Harry was looking at her differently, he said that he was afraid of what Ron would do if he went out with her. I can take care of my brother, maybe then he’ll make his move.

She looked back down at the letter, he’s having bad dreams? Well, how couldn’t he after everything he’s suffered through, I’m just surprised he hasn’t completely snapped under the weight of everything.

The first few months after Ginny had been rescued by Harry from the young Lord Voldemort she had barely been able to close her eyes in fear of being repossessed. It had taken the combined efforts of Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore to finally allow her to get a decent night’s sleep, and that was with the aid of a dreamless sleep potion. Why wasn’t Dumbledore giving him that same help she got? Was it because he couldn’t help? Or was it to make sure it did not interfere with Harry’s trespasses into Voldemort’s consciousness?

Emotionally exhausted Ginny crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep thinking of Harry’s continuous plight and how she might help him.