Ginny wasn't sure if she could rightfully say she'd experienced the worst night of her life yet, since she was only fifteen, but it sure felt like she had. The ball had started off so well, too. She'd been on Riley's arm and noticed more than just a few other girls casting her jealous glances. She'd also mostly made up with her brother before the time of the dance, so she was eagerly planning to formally introduce him to her Ravenclaw boyfriend.
That was the end of her happiness, as soon there were giant spiders flooding the hall and nothing but screams and spells to be heard. She'd quickly jumped into the fray, happy to note that her boyfriend did just the same even though he hadn't been involved in the insanity that she had with Harry and the others over the years. He was her soldier after all, and she knew they'd always be protectors at heart.
Ginny had quickly lost sight of her brunette beau, but she knew he'd be alright. She had to know that, because if she worried about him she would be distracted and distraction could very easily mean death. After she'd managed to kill a few of the monstrous creatures, she'd seen a flash of red hair in the distance and heard a familiar squeaky scream of utter terror. Distraction. Death. No, not death, but she was hit in the leg with a long, poisonous fang.
The scream almost tore from her throat, but she held it back and turned away from where she was sure she'd heard her brother screaming. Now wasn't the time to worry about her family. It wasn't the time to try and be a hero to everyone. No, now was the time for her to follow Harry's instructions and help the younger years escape. She needed to help the most people survive.
Of course, she ended up running along with Harry for some of his adventure and she figured out that Hermione had what seemed like a psychotic disorder and Dumbledore had lost it, oh, and she was pretty sure she'd seen Malfoy turn into a bloody wolf, but that could have been her brain going barmy since she had just figured out that Sky was being tortured and she wasn't allowed to join the main fight in the inner chamber. Really? Guard the door? She was so much better than 'guard the door'.
It was easy for her to accompany everyone to the hospital wing once all was said and done, especially since her leg was turning a strange shade of green and was numb all the way into her groin. That wasn't good, she had a feeling. Skyler had most of the attention in the hospital, but Ginny did manage to get some anti-venom shot into her affected leg along with a pain potion forced down her throat. She thought that would be all she needed until Riley came in.
The news wasn't even a shock, given what she'd heard back in the Great Hall. She knew that scream. It was the kind that meant real danger. She'd just hoped that Ron wasn't a goner. Of course, she couldn't help but lose it a little. Her brother couldn't be dead. Surely one of the 'Golden Trio' couldn't die so easily! She'd denied it even though her heart knew it was true. Merlin, her heart ached.
By the time she'd woken from her dreamless sleep and gone back to the tower to shower and find some clothes, Ginny didn't feel like staying in the castle. She didn't want to be anywhere that her brother should have been, and on a Sunday after a busy night he definitely would have been lounging in the common room... Pulling her wet hair up in a messy bun-thing, the girl slipped along toward the castle doors, wincing and looking away when she passed the Great Hall.
Her jeans were a baggy pair of Ron's that had shrunk in the wash and gotten too short for him. She charmed the waist smaller and wore them so her mum didn't have to buy more for her two summers ago. She hadn't worn them in at least a year, but now, it just seemed natural. Her shirt was a simple black tank that fit tight and left nothing to the imagination, and a hoodie she'd 'borrowed' from her boyfriend was sitting on her lap. She was freezing, but at least she felt a little numb.
There were no more tears left for Ginny to cry after last night and early this morning before and during her shower. Now she just sat there in the middle of the pitch, staring into nothing while the gentle cold wind dried her hair. She felt lost. She'd fought with Ron so much, and she barely ever told him how much he meant to her. She loved him, and now he was gone. Merlin, it hurt.
"Riley..." she sighed, leaning back against his chest and letting him hold her. She didn't even have any other words to say. All she could do was hold the dogtags he'd slipped into her hand and close her eyes, wanting to cry but still finding her eyes too dry. Her breath was caught in her throat and she was shaking slightly.
As soon as she found her voice, Ginny sighed. "Thank you. Thank you so much, you amazing, wonderful man. For everything. For being my Soldier and my shoulder to cry on, and for making sure his body was safe as well. I... Riley, I love you, so much. I don't know what I'm going to do. I... I think mum and dad and everyone will come for the service here whenever McGonagall holds it. Would you meet them? I... I want them to know how you honored him. I want them to meet the man who will protect me in his place."
She still felt lost and sad and scared, but she had her anchor with Riley holding her like he was. She felt content in a way, because she knew he wouldn't let her lose it all. He'd take care of her and help her through the hardest things she faced. "I don't know what I would do without you."