-CHAPTER ONE-

The Morning After

Harry opened his eyes. The light burned them and it took him a second to realise where he was. It had been long time since he had been in the comfort of his own bed at Hogwarts. The light that had blinded him was streaming in from the window nearby. He looked outside. The devastation was unbearable but he could already see Professor McGonagall, (in fact all the other teachers), Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the other survivors casting numerous spells about the place, attempting to put it back to the way it was.

"It must be noon by now," Harry thought to himself, turning and looking around the room. But no one was there; no other bed looked slept in. As he was lost in his thoughts of where Ron and Hermione were, the events of yesterday dawned on him.

The previous day had been too much to take in and sleeping on it hadn't helped. After sitting on the edge of his bed contemplating his life for quite some time, nothing had become any clearer. So many had lost their lives and he had been so close to being one of them that the thought overwhelmed him. Harry wanted to cry, laugh and vomit all at the same time. He stood up and abruptly started getting dressed. He had made his decision. There was nothing to think about; it was an end of an era and there was no point in dwelling on what had happened. He had won and that was the end of it. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Harry, can I come in?" Hermione asked as she opened the door a fraction.

"Yeah, sure, is Ron with you?" Harry replied a little surprised that he was not alone in the Gryffindor tower. He looked up and gave Hermione a small fleeting smile as she entered which she painfully returned.

"No, he slept in the Great Hall with his mum, comforting them about Fred, you know." Hermione looked a little disappointed. "He went back when we left the office," she sighed. "I didn't really speak to him last night."

"Well, I wouldn't expect any less of him; I put his family through a lot." Harry's voice quavered, each word heavy with all the grief and guilt inside of him.

"Come on, Harry, they would have fought no matter whether you were Ron's friend or not." Hermione's voice was full of anguish; she'd been worried about this. Harry could so easily crack after all he'd been through. The guilt she knew he felt was not his to feel. None of the deaths were his fault, all the hurt, grief and terror rested solely with Voldemort. She squeezed his hand in an attempt to comfort him.

"I guess." mumbled Harry, not really wanting to continue with the subject. He knew what she and everyone else would say 'it wasn't your fault, you shouldn't feel guilty.' But that wouldn't change what happened or how he felt. Hermione couldn't possibly make him feel any better right now so he made an attempt to change the subject. "Anyway what about you? Where did you stay last night, what did everyone else do?"

"Stayed in the Hall mostly. Some went to different common rooms or went home. Nobody else came in here except you, me and Ginny." Hermione brightened. There was hope for Ginny and Harry yet and just maybe true love could keep Harry from going off the rails. "She came back here with me hoping you were still up, I suspect. We fell asleep in the common room. We were up talking and then just dropped off."

"And is she okay?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Not exactly. She is still down there. I think you two need to talk." Hermione spoke slowly and calmly feeling that she was treading on egg shells.

"But…" Harry was interrupted by Hermione.

"Just do it. I'm going to my old room to give you two some peace. Get Ginny to give me a shout when you are ready to find Ron."

"Thanks, Hermione," he blushed, as she flounced off looking pleased with herself.

Harry waited a few minutes while he made the bed, then he cautiously headed into the common room. He did not know whether he was ready for this, but he had to return to reality somehow and talking to Ginny was as good a start as any. As he reached the last step he lifted his head and there was Ginny, as beautiful as ever. She was sat on the sofa with her back to him and head in her hands. She sounded as if she was muffling a cry. Harry instantly thought of Fred and wondered why she was not with her family. However he was surprised, as Ginny was usually so strong and did not cry easily.

"Ginny?" Harry asked with caution as not to make her jump. He moved round the sofa to where she could see him.

"Oh Harry, it's you…um, how are you?" she mumbled whilst furiously wiping her eyes. Harry took the opportunity and sat next to her.

"I'm okay. All the better for seeing you." He attempted to get a smile from her and failed. "Anyway that's beside the point, are you okay? I know how it feels, losing someone. Losing Fred will be hard to recover from," he said solemnly.

"No, it's not Fred…I'm fine really, it's just, it's, it's just that…I can't…really… I…it's nothing," she stuttered, turning away trying to muffle yet another cry. Harry took her hands and knelt on the floor.

"Ginny, I know there is definitely something. Look at me, you can tell me anything." Harry stared into her eyes; they were wide open, slightly swollen with tears pouring from the corners, yet still they sent his pulse racing. He wanted to kiss her, but this was more important. It was not the right moment.

She sighed. "Harry, it's just you saved everyone, you were willing to die for us; I could have never seen you again." Harry didn't understand, was she crying over him?

"Yeah and I would do it again if I had to. Do you think I liked the prospect of not seeing you again?"

"But you didn't say good bye! I am lucky to be able to have known you let alone be talking to you now. But everything will change; now you're this big hero." Ginny knew it was selfish. She should be with her family grieving for Fred but all she could think about was Harry. The pain she felt when Fred died was nothing compared with the emotions that overcame her when she saw Harry lying in Hagrid's arms.

"I didn't say goodbye because I couldn't stand the thought of leaving you. I couldn't speak to you, Ron or Hermione. I didn't want to hurt you and as for being a hero, I don't want to be one. That wasn't why I did what I did. Even so I don't see how that upsets you."

"You don't get it. You were about to die, and at that time you thought you weren't coming back, yet you didn't want to say good bye to me. I thought I was spe-…I thought you l-…"

There was a slight pause. Ginny broke the silence. "What does it matter? You lived; you have your whole life ahead of you. You will be so famous, you can do anything you want to, be anyone." Ginny let out another sob and stared into her lap then said under her breath so Harry could not hear "and be with anyone."

"I still don't understand. I wanted to speak to you; I really did. It's just that, if I had spoke to you I don't think I could of gone through with it. I didn't want to think about what was about to happen. I just had to think about why I was doing it. So you see, I couldn't speak to any of you," Harry said slightly bemused. Ginny stopped crying and stared at him.

"I thought I was different," she mumbled. Harry couldn't quite make it out. "Don't you realise you could have any girl you want? You are not just the Boy Who Lived, but the boy who came back from the dead and killed You-Know-Who! What would someone like that want to do with me?" Ginny gave a hysterical laugh that soon turned to a sob as she once again turned away. Harry smiled placing his finger underneath her chin and turning her face toward his. Ginny knew all of what she had said had been childish. There were much worse problems in her life than Harry possibly not wanting to be with her anymore, but concentrating her energy on a minor issue stopped her being crushed under the mountain of more painful ones.

"They would want everything to do with you," Harry said, realising this was the right moment. He leant in placing his lips softly on hers. She kissed him back rather more passionately than he had expected, but he wasn't complaining. Harry somehow knew that he was serving as a distraction for Ginny from the real issues, but he also knew they would need each other to get through the real issues.

Eventually they broke apart. Harry had no sense of time. His mind was far too occupied to worry about how long they had been there. Ginny looked into his eyes. She was now sat in his lap after a lot of shifting around during their kiss.

"And you're sure this is what you want." Ginny smiled.

"Definitely. You know I spent a whole year away from you and there was not one moment I wasn't thinking about you," Harry beamed back at her. Though the words were unsaid Harry could tell by her reaction that she had felt the same way about him.

The couple sat silently, purely enjoying each other's presence and company. They understood each other perfectly. Harry was overjoyed. Finally things were going their way, even though Ginny had thought otherwise. He still couldn't believe she had thought like that; she should know him better. However, he realised that even though Ginny's and his love life was worked out, there was another couple in need of help.

"Ginny, as much as I would love to not move an inch away from you for the rest of today, could you possibly go and find Hermione while I go find Ron, then meet us in the Great Hall in about fifteen minutes? I think they need some help."

"Agreed," Ginny said laughing. "But they're your best mates. Hermione is like a sister to you. I mean, don't you feel a little awkward? I know I do, my brother and my best friend," Ginny shuddered then laughed.

"I do, but I can't stand another year of them two flirting round each other and getting nowhere. Besides, they practically snogged the face off each other yesterday."

"They didn't! Yuck! Hermione never told me!" Ginny protested looking gob smacked. "Did she make the first move? Ron wouldn't have. Maybe if we leave them they will sort it themselves." Ginny continued.

"You're right there. Hermione flung herself at him when he said something about saving the house-elves. Oh the irony!" Harry laughed at his sarcasm. "By the way don't tell Hermione that I told you," he added.

"Well, you weren't exactly tactful, but I won't, don't worry. And since when has Ron cared about house-elves… oh well, I'll go get Hermione." She stood up and kissed him lightly on the cheek and skipped off towards the girls' dormitories feeling lighter than she had done in years. "I can't wait to watch them squirm," she smirked disappearing up the stairs. Harry grinned then got up himself and left to find Ron. He had a feeling he wouldn't still be in the Great Hall.

Harry was right as only half way to the Great Hall he bumped into Ron who evidently was going to look for him in the Gryffindor tower.

"Hi, you all right, mate? I was looking for you," Ron called to him running up the stairs before they changed.

"Yeah, I'm more than all right, though yesterday still hasn't sunk in," Harry replied, as they both turned and headed back down.

"Oh right. Where are you heading? Have you seen Ginny and Hermione?" Ron went slightly red at Hermione's name and Harry at Ginny's.

"Err yea, I have. I was heading to the Great Hall to find you. They are meeting us there. Listen, there is something I need to tell you on the way."

"I think I already gathered. I saw you grinning to yourself on the way up. It had to be Ginny. She is the only one who could put you in this good a mood today. It was only a matter of time anyway." Ron smirked.

"Ron, you are all right about it, aren't you? I mean I am not putting her in danger anymore and I promise I won't muck her about."

"Yeah, I know. I can't stop you but it's still awkward. Oh and by the way, you might want to wipe the lipstick smudge off your mouth and cheek before anyone else sees," Ron smirked.

"She didn't! I am going to kill her." Harry couldn't help but laugh. Today was a brighter day.

As they turned into the Great Hall still deep in conversation about how the rest of the Weasleys were doing, Narcissa Malfoy came flying towards him. As she reached him it was clear to see that she was not quite sure what she wanted to say. She opened and closed her mouth twice before settling on, "Thank you. Thank you, Harry, for saving my son. Thank you for killing the Dark Lord for he surely would have slaughtered my family. I don't think you will believe me but I never truly supported him. I just didn't want to be killed and Draco was so young first time round." her tone was hard to judge. It was somewhere between her usual haughtiness and true gratitude. She was fighting to remain dignified, though her words were failing her. At the time Narcissa had told herself she only had lied about Harry living, due to the fact she needed to find her son, but seeing him now made her realise she really had lost all loyalty to the Dark Lord. Her pureblood pride, however, remained very much in tact as she looked down her nose at Harry and Ron.

"I can, surprisingly, believe you, though I cannot say the same for your husband. However I will not bad mouth him to you. As for saving your son, I cannot claim any heroics in that; I do not even claim to like Draco. I simply saved him because I could not watch him die. Like you, I don't believe he truly chose the dark side. He just simply followed in his parents' footsteps," Harry replied quite frankly.

Narcissa looked severely shocked. She stared at him before saying, "Why then have you not turned us in yet and sent us off to Azkaban?" she looked distressed and Harry knew the answer to this instantly.

"You did not flee, therefore there was no reason to capture you and I believe you needed some family time before you do get sent to Azkaban, which you will. Yet, perhaps the Ministry will feel a little more kindly toward those who helped our side, however selfish their reasons were. But you never can tell." Harry eyed her suspiciously; he could not tell if she was being truthful with him or looking for an escape route from Azkaban.

Draco and Lucius at that moment walked briskly towards them. Lucius looked highly uncomfortable and Draco was rather embarrassed. Harry could not bear to be around them. He was too cheery to let them bring him down.

He simply said, "Your wife has given me all the thanks I need; there is no need to put yourself out. Enjoy the limited time you have as a family." The whole family looked very pale and stunned. Harry smirked as he turned away; he couldn't help but look back and add, "See you in a few years maybe, Draco, if you're lucky." Harry then walked off briskly, leaving the Malfoys dumb struck. Ron quickly caught up with him, also struck dumb as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard. Harry was not pleased with himself but the Malfoys were the last people he wanted to see. His rudeness and frankness was due to frustration more than anything, Harry wasn't himself today.

He and Ron went in to the Great Hall. It was practically deserted though the bodies of those who lost their life remained affectionately laid at the front on the stage. He turned to Ron who was shaking his head in disbelief. "What?" Harry asked. Ron laughed.

"You, after all of what happened yesterday, you have such a cool head and are actually really happy. Then you just go and tell the Malfoys where to go! I don't get it."

"Ron, saying I am happy is going a bit far, don't you think? Yesterday over fifty people died, good and bad alike. I thought I was going to lose my own life when I walked into the woods. I just can't think about it. The simple reason Ginny, you and I have been able to laugh this morning is not happiness but ignorance of the truth. The thing is none of us have taken any of it in. If I do think about it I want to throw up!" Harry blurted out.

"Okay, okay, calm down, mate, easy does it. I know you're right. We are all in a daze. 'Specially Mum and George - they wouldn't go near Fred's body this morning." Ron said quietly, a bit embarrassed how untactful he had been. "I'm sorry it's just that it is still too fresh, you know. I can't bear to talk about it."

Harry heard a clattering of feet behind him as Ginny and Hermione ran towards the boys. Both smiled but slowed to a walk and grimaced at the sight of the bodies. Ginny spoke first.

"Hi, um are you two hungry? I'm starving, though I suppose it will have to be brunch."

After Harry told Ginny that Ron knew about them and they all had deliberated over how they were going to get any food (since most of the inhabitancy of the castle had been served three hours ago), Kreacher appeared.

"Master Harry, I come to offer you breakfast. I saved you lots. Shall I bring it to you? And can I just add how all us elves were overjoyed at your triumph!" For a second Harry was lost for words, for not only Kreacher's appearance and thanks, but the thought of food had him momentarily stunned. A small smile flickered across his face; it was good to see another familiar face alive. Harry noticed a similar feeling wash over Ron and Hermione as they both caught his eye, Ginny however looked a little perplexed. Harry looked at her trying to convey that he would explain later, then turned back to Kreacher. The way he now acted towards Harry reminded him of another elf but Harry could not bear to think about that now. So stumbling over his words slightly he answered the eager elf.

"Err, yes, yes, please do. Thank you for remembering us."

"Forget you, Master Harry? Never. And your friends are quite heroes in their own right."

Ron and Hermione went very red at this but in no time they were eating and talking at the far end of the Gryffindor table. Ginny and Harry sat on one side. Their legs entwined under the table whilst Ron and Hermione sat on the other side, blushing every time they brushed against each other when reaching for more food.

Ginny whispered to Harry as they left the Hall, "This is fun. I didn't think they would be this bad. I thought one of them might've said or done something. No one would know they were snogging just yesterday." She gestured towards Ron and Hermione who were walking in front together, but far apart and in silence. Harry laughed as she took his hand and led him out into the grounds where all of the survivors were working to rebuild Hogwarts. He smiled watching them pull together using the best of their ability as they had done in the fight. He let the thoughts of yesterday enter his head again for just a moment, but banished them once more. He would go mad repeating the events of this year; the future was all he needed to concentrate on. Suddenly there was an explosion that woke Harry from his thought. He immediately assumed the worst. But no, it was applause! Harry slightly bemused was surrounded yet again by all those who had supported him that year.

"Harry, Harry, oh dear, dear me. How are you today? I was worried when you didn't come back. Oh you are so brave: the hero of a generation!" It was Mrs. Weasley who had got to him first. She then changed her tone slightly "Ginny dear, oh, holding hands together. Harry, you - I didn't know." Mrs. Weasley stuttered not knowing whether she was pleased. She didn't want Ginny, her only daughter, taken from her, but then Harry was like part of the family anyway and no longer in danger.

"How wonderful." Mrs. Weasley beamed at them at last. Harry and Ginny went slightly red and Harry began to get his hand shook and back patted by so many people he lost count. They were all looking up to him and hailed him as a hero. Harry could not get a word in edge ways. He just couldn't take the praise. He screamed, "LISTEN!"

Everyone took a step back and stared at him, then yet again it was Molly Weasley who spoke. "Harry, dear, what ever is the matter? You won, you are a hero; enjoy it. You deserve a break."

Harry looked at her, she gazed at him lovingly. He squeezed Ginny's hand. She knew what he was about to say and do. Reluctantly, she nodded and let him go. Harry struggled to the front of the crowd so instead of being in the middle he was now outside facing them all.

"That's just it! I am no hero nor do I want to be. Please, just let me speak," Harry said as Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth to interrupt him. "I haven't had a normal childhood or a normal school life. I have had Voldemort after me for seven years. Can you think how it feels to have killed him? You don't know what I know and believe me you don't want to. I can't handle it. I want to explode under the pressure even though it's all over." Harry took a short sharp breath. "I can't take in the fact that the war is over, no more fighting for survival; I can't comprehend it. You all look at me as if I have done something incredible. But I didn't, I did what I had to do. I didn't want to walk in to that forest to be killed but I had to. You all would have done the same." Harry's eyes were stinging. He could not continue. Ron and Hermione knew that he was thinking about Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin and his parents. They ran towards him and both put their arms round him.

"Come on, mate, you don't need this," Ron whispered but Harry shook his head.

Hermione glared at Ron; he should understand the pressure Harry was under. Then she looked into Harry's eyes and seemed to change her mind. "You don't have to do this now, leave it, wait until your feeling stronger. We'll tell them to back off, I know you are hurting," she said weakly. Harry rolled his eyes they all knew he had to finish.

Harry stood up properly again, took a deep breath and stared at his audience. "Many people very close to me have lost their lives fighting and the fact that some of them were doing it to save me is unbearable. Those who lost their lives should be named heroes. Those who are standing beside me now should be named heroes. They stood by me and risked there lives repeatedly from the age of 11; the best friends anyone could ask for. Finally, all you people in front of me. You all risked your lives too, a lot of you twice before I was even known as the Boy Who Lived. You are heroes, not me. I was given this title, I was chosen by Lord Voldemort, I could not choose, I was helped and survived on luck time and time again. Don't praise me; I cannot take it. Not now. I am no hero," Harry sighed.