Work Text:
Starlight.
Summer 1996 - The Burrow.
Harry could not sleep. He was cold. Then he was warm. His mind was filled with Sirius and him disappearing in the veil.
After numerous times of tossing and turning, he finally admitted defeat and got out of bed. He crept quietly past Ron who was sleeping and snoring loudly.
He walked down the stairs and tried to be careful as he did so the stairs did not creak. He walked towards the kitchen, hoping for some fresh air. He was being so careful to be quiet he did not see Ginny sitting on the kitchen table. She glanced over her shoulder and exhaled deeply.
‘Bloody hell, Harry! You nearly gave me a heart attack!’ she said and held her chest.
‘Sorry’ he said in a loud whisper and walked over to her ‘What are you doing up?’
‘Erm, I kinda had a bad dream’
‘Kinda?’
‘Okay, I had a bad dream so I came down to make some Horlicks so I could try and sleep more peacefully’ she sighed.
‘I’m sorry, make what?’ he asked and sat next to her.
‘Horlicks’ she held up her mug and he still looked confused ‘oh, it's a muggle drink I thought you… Dad says it chases the dreams away’
‘I’ve never heard of it’
‘I see. What did you do as a kid when you had a bad dream then?’ she then asked.
‘Not much. I was too worried that leaving my cupboard would wake up my Aunt and Uncle so I just had to lay there’
She narrowed her eyes ‘I can’t believe they actually made you live a cupboard’
She sighed and jumped off the table ‘I’ll make you a cup. Everyone should experience it at least once in their life’
‘Ginny, you don-’ he stopped as he saw her grabbing a cup from the side then started to make the drink. There was silence for a few minutes then she handed him the mug with freshly made Horlicks.
‘Thanks’ he took the mug from her ‘Can I ask… what was the dream about?’
She sighed for a moment, picked up her own mug, took a sip then sighed again ‘Riddle’
He mentally gave himself a check as yet again, he forgot that the only person who could relate to him was her.
‘In what context? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, it is just…’
‘You don’t have anyone else to relate to? It is fine. I am happy to talk about it with you. It is better than you shouting all the time. That was understandable but still…’
‘I know, it wasn’t a great moment for me. But you put me in my place a few times so thanks I guess?’ He gave her a small smile and they just looked at each for a moment. It made him wonder when did things get so natural and easy with her.
‘It is silly really. He has more other things to worry about…’
‘Like me?’
She tutted and swotted his arm ‘Behave. I just get worried sometimes. He will come and finish what he started. That… he’ll kill me or at least get one of his followers to do it’
‘Well, you know I won’t let that happen’ Harry said after a moment, firmly.
‘And you definitely have more things to worry about’ Ginny replied and shook her head a little.
‘I mean it. If I can wing it at twelve years old with a sword, I think now I have a better idea what I’m doing, I can go more confidently into it’ he shrugged.
‘You call saving my life ‘winging it’? Way to make me feel safe’ she scoffed.
‘You know what I mean! I didn’t know what I was doing. I just knew I had to save you. As soon as possible’
‘Thank you then, for winging it and saving my life’ she said with a smile and held her hand up.
‘Anytime’ he replied and slapped her hand.
‘Did I seriously just high five you for saving my life?’ she said and laughed.
‘Yes, I guess you did’ he took a sip of his drink ‘Hey, Gin, this is actually pretty good!’
‘I told you!’