IceRise

[Ginny Weasly]

-It's stupid...-
She looked down as they walked, picking her way around tree roots and such.

[Xaver]

-I don't care,- he returned, sincerity in his tone.
Xaver glanced at her, then clambered over a fallen tree. His movements felt somewhat strangled to him, and though the fluidness and agility was not gone from his thoroughly muscle-clad form, the usual grace and alertness seemed to be temporarily. He was exhausted, and as usual, was happy with Ginny's decision, this time being to return to the castle.

[Ginny Weasly]

_It's...just. I was so worried...and I..._ She stopped, suddenly tierd as well. They were now out of the forest and on school grounds.

[Xaver]

Xaver stopped near her, curiousity flickering at a higher degree in his eyes. He said something aloud, though it was heavily accented and incomprehensible. He had said it, just to create noise, and keep Kylie asleep.
-And you...what?- he asked.

[Ginny Weasly]

-I thought...I might never...see you again...- These words rang in his mind softly, for she thought them softly and hesitently.

[Xaver]

Xaver watched her for a moment, his eyes softening. With his free hand, he reached out and softly touched her cheek.
-Nothing and no one could ever keep me from coming back to you, except your own will, Ginny. I-..-
His pale cheeks colored slightly.

[Ginny Weasly]

"You what?" She asked, outloud, softly. She shook her head then, blushing slightly.

"Ummm, come on."

[Xaver]

He really didn't mind, anymore. Kylie was asleep, he doubted she would awaken any time soon. He gave Ginny a sidelong glance, his eyes soft, though slightly nervous.
"I love you.... Did you know that?.." he said softly, hesitantly..

[Ginny Weasly]

"Xaver, I know...alot of things. But I didn't know that. I guessed that, but I didn't want to go and have your mind think it before you were ready to say it." She said, she looked at him.

"One of the things I know, is that I love you."

[Xaver]

"I've never said it before," he admitted honestly.
He watched her with a surprised, but comforted look, his eyes calculating like mad.
"But I don't think any other time before now could have been more truthful.."
He leaned close to her, and smiled.

[Ginny Weasly]

"I think, we should put Kylie to bed." Ginny whispered, blushing like mad now.

[Xaver]

"Right as usual," Xaver agreed. He winked at her.
With an inane grin, he swooped down and tenderly kissed her lips, savoring the moment, before he fell away, with his free hand, reaching out and taking hers. He smiled slightly, and started again, toward the castle.

[Ginny Weasly]

She walked beside him, blushing still. As they reached the steps, Ginny pushed the doors open with her free hand.

[Xaver]

"Thanks," he said softly, passing through.
He led the way up the staircase to the blissfully empty commonroom, and to Ginny's room without collapsing. He brought Ginny's hand up and gently kissed it, before slowly letting go, turning, and slowly setting Kylie onto the bed. He removed her shoes and socks, coat, mittens and cap, then found that enough, knowing Kylie would sleep comfortably, anyway. He tucked her beneath the covers and set her head onto a pillow, then kissed her forehead, before turning once again to Ginny, soundlessly padding back over to her, resting his tired head against her shoulder.

[Ginny Weasly]

She put her arms around him, holding him close. She loved being close to him.