Time's Forgotten Whispers

                                      Chapter Two: Unbreakable

         Long after Sirius' light had shut off from his upstairs room, Harry and Sterling remained on the porch. Harry had used his wand to conjure up some drinks for them, and the two young teens sat together sipping the cool beverages. Occasionally, one would speak, but for the most part they were silent. Finally, Harry saw Sterling turn towards him, the younger boy's eyes flashing in the darkness.
     "We're much alike, you and I." he said. Harry nodded, sensing that Sterling didn't want a reply. Instead he stood up, streaching his arms over his head.
      "I'm off to bed, Sterling. You should probably think about turning in soon, too." Sterling continued to stare up at the red moon, but Harry saw him nod his head slowly.
       "You're right, Harry. It's been a rough few days. I imagine this was how it was like for you when you discovered about your mum and dad and what happened to them."
       "Mmm, it was. Its going to be hard, and there's still more we have to hear. But if you don't want me to sit in next time, I won't." Harry said quickly. Sterling shook his head vehemently.
        "No, no! I rather like having someone else there. I like to think that perhaps, since Sirius is your godfather and my father, maybe we're like brothers?" Harry was struck by the hopeful tone in Sterling's voice. Although he was only four months younger then Harry, it often seemed as though emotionally he was several years Harry's junior. Harry passed by Sterling's chair, and gave the thin shoulder a squeeze.
         "We are brothers, Sterling. You, me and Ron." Without waiting for a reply, Harry quietly opened the door and stepped inside, leaving Sterling alone with his thoughts.
        As Harry climbed the stairs to his and Ginny's third-floor room, he mused over all he had heard. He knew there must be much worse coming tomorrow, for why else would Sirius have broken the story up into small bits? Harry knew Sterling must be dying to know, he had lived almost eighteen years without knowing anything of his past. Harry had felt that same way when he discovered his past, he had been desperate to know everything he could about the parents he had really never met. When he was younger, he was constantly searching for something to fill that dark spot in his heart, the angry place that had  made the Sorting Hat wonder where to put him all those years ago when he had first arrived at Hogwarts.
       Harry stopped on the landing outside his room, his hand resting lightly on the doorknob. He heard something that made his heart stop, and in and instant he had thrown open the door and raced to the bed where Ginny lay screaming. He snapped on the bedside lamp, and collapsed on the bed beside Ginny, who lay twisting and writhing in agony, while she vocalized the pain she felt.
        "Oh god! Not my baby! Harry! Please, get up! Help me! Harry, get our daughter back, please!" Harry lifted his young girlfriend's body into his arms, holding her small frame against his own lithe body. Slowly, he rocked her back and forth, making small noises to soothe her. Soon, tears began to fall from his eyes, and several landed on Ginny's face, bringing her back to consciousness. She blinked awake, and then seemed surprised to see Harry there. She reached up and entwined her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck.
         "It was that dream again, Harry! Why am I always having that same nightmare? I know I can never have children, but still, she's so real, so there..." Ginny broke into fresh sobs as Harry's tears came faster. During a battle with Voldemort, the Death Eaters had kidnapped both Ginny and Hermione, and used the Crustacious Curse upon them. Although Harry and Ron had saved them in time to avoid permanent mental damage, it seemed the Death Eaters had done what they intended to do; see to it that Harry Potter's bloodline would end with him. Despite any medical treatment that was tried, Ginny would never be able to have children.
         "Shhh, Ginny. It's going to be alright. Once we've finally defeated Voldemort and things get back to normal, then we'll go to the doctors again." Harry smoothed back Ginny's short, brown hair from her face, remembering when it had been long, and red like a sunset. She had cut it and dyed it to avoid standing out, flame-red hair was too uncommon and these days, they never knew who they could trust...Harry kissed Ginny's forehead, and he flushed checks, his lips finally touching hers. She kissed him back with such passion that the embers always smouldering between them caught fire and she allowed herself to be comforteded.
           Later, Harry held her in his arms and kissed her sleepy eyelids.
       "I love you." he said softly. Ginny sighed and snuggled closer to his warm chest, feeling secure in the warm circle his arms made around her.
        "I love you too, Harry. Forever, with an unbreakable seal, my heart belongs to you." Harry was touched by her words, and he leaned over, reaching behind him to a drawer in his beside table. He removed a small box and turned back to Ginny, who was watching him with half-closed eyes, a soft smile playing at her lips.
        "Ginny, I don't know if now is the right time to ask you this. We're living for the moment now, making each day count. I know that if I die in our next encounter with Voldemort, I'll die with you on my mind and your name on my lips. What I want to know though, is that I can die knowing you and I fully belong together. Ginny, will you marry me?" he finished, opening the box. Ginny's eyes filled with tears as he slipped the diamond ring on her finger. She kissed him again and Harry knew he had his answer.

             to be continued....