Chapter 1: The funeral

Harry awoke to the bright sun light shining on his face. The light danced across the room and made the wood of his four postred bed glisten. He rolled over and buried his head under his pillow "Arg" he thought "why is the tent flap open". He sat up with a start believing there might be something wrong. How did he end up here in the boys dormitory? Was the last year all but a dream? And how did he end up in his bed. He took off his glasses and rubbed a sore spot they had made from sleeping in them. If it was just a dream, where were all his dorm mates?

"Dean? Seamus? Neville?.. Ron? Anyone here?"

Then he looked down. his cloths were smeared with blood dirt and grime. They were filthy.

"So it wasn't a dream" he thought to himself.

Then where was everyone? shrugging it off, he trudged over to the showers.

As he let the hot water loosen his tense muscles, he thought of everyone lost. How could everyone loose so many and yet he still lived. He lived! The boy who lived again but many didn't. How is it that everyone who decided to stand by him, decided to step in front of him when there was a fight. If only he would have stepped up sooner and face that mad man.
"I Should have turned myself in sooner!" He punched the wall. "Harry?" came the concerned voice of his best mate Ron Weasley. "In Here" Harry called back.

"Is everything alright? Thought I heard a loud bang."

"Oh. Um...Yeah. Everything is fine. I didn't hear anything." Harry lied.

"Well, alright" With that Ron left Harry to finish his shower.

After his shower, Harry dressed and headed down to the common room to see Ron and Hermione. What he saw made him stop in his tracks. there they were on the sofa Hermione with her head on Ron's shoulder and Ron with his head resting on the top of hers. They were sitting like a normal couple. This reminded him of the previous night where they shared a kiss. What were they now? Where they dating? If so, were does he fit in? Not knowing how to ask, he left it.

" Where is everyone?" Harry asked as he plopped down next to Hermione.

" Everyone went with mum and dad back to the burrow. They had to see to the..." Ron left the sentence hanging.

" Oh" was all Harry could say.

" It's OK Harry. We stayed to make sure you were OK. the funeral is later today. We still have about... 3 hours" Hermione said as she checked her watch. " Have you eaten?"

To answer her, he called for his house elf Kreature.

" Yes master? What can Kreature do for the great Harry Potter killer of dark lords sir?" He asked with a deep bow.

" Can you bring us something to eat from the kitchen? I'm famished." Kreature stood up and with a snap of his fingers a miniature feast appears.

" Is there anything else Kreature can do for master?" questioned the little house elf.

" Yes. Actually we need new dress robes, yes Ron you will accept them, for a funeral. Can you-" but before he could answer Kreature was already there with his measuring tape getting all of their measurements.

" Is that all master?"

" Yes Kreature thank you." With that the house elf was gone.

Ron, Harry, And Hermione ate in silence. Finally Ron broke the silence

"So what now?"

" I'm not really sure right now. I think I'm just going to take it day by day. I haven't ever really thought past Voldemort."

As Harry spoke Hermione's head shot up.

" Harry, have you ever thought of coming back? To school I mean? I think I want to. We are going to need our NEWT's for any possible careers."

Harry thought about it for a moment.

" I'm not sure right now. I'll probably have a better answer later."

Hermione wasn't satisfied, but let it go. She knew it would take a while for him to decide. She could at least plant the idea in his head. They sat in silence for a while.

Finally, Harry spoke " What time is the funeral?"

"In... 45 minutes. I'll just go up and get changed." Answered Hermione

"Yeah. Me too." said Ron. Without another word Harry followed Ron up the stairs to their dormitory. When they got to their dorm room, they walked straight to their bed.

" Wow. No frills, no lace- I'm liking Kreature more and more every day." said Ron with a chuckle

The corner of Harry's mouth turns up at the thought of the Yule ball. But his thoughts quickly turned back to the dress robes in front of him. There wasn't anything terribly flash about them. They were straight black. The slacks were creased and crisp, the black traveling cloak was light , his black button up was nicely pressed and the tie was a shiny black silk. That's when it hit him. He was going to Fred's funeral. Fred Weasleys funeral. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

" I died for nothing." whispered Harry with tears stinging at his eyes.

" What was that?" asked Ron

" I DIED!!" Screamed Harry " I died and all for nothing." he collapsed in his bed with his head in his hands.

Ron was shocked to say the least. He stood there with a gob smacked look on his face for a minute. Finally Harry's words sank in. Harry got up and started to get dressed.

" What do you mean you died mate? Your right here." Ron stuttered out. " And you know none of this is-" He was cut off when Harry exploded at him.

" WHAT DO YOU KNOW!" He yelled

" I should have turned myself in sooner." Harry said as he broke down into sobs

" What do you mean you should have turned yourself in sooner? I thought-"

" WELL YOU THOUGHT WRONG! I walked into their hide-out with a wand and my invisibility cloak hidden on me, but knew I couldn't use them. I knew what needed to be done because... because... I was the 7th horcrux. I saw Neville on my way out and told him to finish of Nagini because I thought I would never get the chance. Killing myself was the only way he could die. I had a piece of his soul trapped inside of me. If I sacrificed myself that would help protect everyone. Ron I...I..

" You what?" Ron asked as tears sprung to his eyes.

" I took the killing curse Ron. It wasn't painful. Only peaceful where I was. And I have no idea where I was."

"I died." He finished with a whisper. The haunted look in his eye was something Ron would never forget.

Ron sat and processed everything his friend said while Harry finished dressing. When harry finished he walked out of the room without another word. This brought Ron out of his musing. He threw on the rest of his robes and ran down the stairs after Harry. He came to the bottom of the stairs just as Hermione came down the girls stair case. He started towards Harry

" We need to-" But he was cut off by Harry

" Later. If you don't remember we are burying your brother today." His voice was hard and lifeless.

Hermione sent Ron a questioning look. He mouthed " Later" to her and they exited through the portrait hole. Harry stalked through the hall with his robes billowing out behind him. Ron and Hermione walked side by side in an awkward silence. When they reached the gate, Harry asked " Where to?"

" The burrow." Answered Ron as he disapparated with a crack.

As they walked up to the house Harry pondered over his reception. Would he be welcomed? would he be shunned? Was he even considered family enough to attend the funeral? what would Ginny think. This thought brought his heart up into his throat. Would she welcome him back? He knew she would be angry for him leaving her but he would get past this somehow. When they entered the house, all was quiet. Gone was the normal hustle and bustle of the house, replacing it was an eerie silence. They immediately pulled out their wands thinking there might be intruders. Harry silently told Ron and Hermione to check up stairs. He tiptoed to the backdoor and slowly opened it. The garden was empty. He slowly walked the path through the garden admiring the sweet smell of roses and honeysuckle. This made him think of HER again. Ginny. As he continued he started to hear voices.

"Better... with... Ron..." he recognized Percy's voice and thought of what they were talking about. When he reached the gate he undid the latch and walked towards the red headed group. Everyone heard the gate open and turned to see him walking towards them. The look on their faces made him stop in his tracks. Molly's eyes were puffy and hard with tears spilling down her face. Charlie, bill, and George were all red faced with hard, stoic looks. Arthur's face was blank. Percy had a murderous glare on his face with his eyes piercing right through Harry. Fleur was the only one not looking at him with contempt on her face. Hers was one of pity. But Ginny's face was the most devastating. It was blank. Gone was the fire that lit up her eyed. Her hair was dull and her face pale. She slowly turned her head to look Harry straight in the eye.

" Leave." she whispered. Harry's heart shattered at the finality in her tone.

Then Percy pulled his wand and jumped in between Harry and Ginny. "LEAVE!!" He shouted.

Harry was taken aback. He didn't know what to do. So he stood there frozen with shock. Then Mrs. Weasley walked up to him and what she did brought tears to his eyes. She slapped him across his face. All of Harry's reality came crashing down on him. "This has to be some horrible nightmare." he thought. But the red mark on his cheek stung too much to be from a dream.

" Oh great Merlin. They do blame me." he thought to himself.

" I thought I was family. I was the 7th Weasley son. This can't be happening." he thought again.

" Harry Potter. You are trespassing on private property. You will leave before we make you leave. Defeater of Dark Lords or not we will throw your sorry ass off this property!" shouted the pompous voice of the 3rd eldest Weasley.

Then Molly hissed "You are no longer welcome here."

With tears streaming down his face, Harry stumbled backwards and ran for the back door. He then ran through the house. As he passed the stair case on his way to the front door, Ron and Hermione came down. They watched as he ran by with tears in his eyes to the front door.

" Harry-" was all Hermione got out before Harry reached the front door and threw it open. Ron and Hermione gave chase but with no luck. He reached the apparation point and disappeared with a pop. Ron and Hermione stood there for a moment thinking on what they had just seen.

" I didn't think he would get so worked up over Fred. I know they were close and all but-" But Ron was cut off when Hermione gasped.

" Oh no, Oh Merlin, Oh no." Hermione kept repeating as she threw open the front door and ran thru the house.

When Ron caught up he grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. " What is it Hermione?" he asked. With unshed tears in her eyes, she whispered " They blame him." Ron's face paled.

" They wouldn't" He tried to convince himself.

Hermione pried herself from his grip and turned to march out the door. She stomped angrily through the garden with Ron hot on her trail. When they arrived at the gate, Mrs. Weasley walked and enveloped them both in a bone crushing hug. "Oh Ronald, I'm so happy to have both of you here." She cried.

" What about Harry." Said Ron in an accusatory tone.

" What about him" said Molly coldly. " To even think he had the nerve to show his face here after...after... he killed our son." Molly started to cry openly again.

"Mum you don't mean that" Ron denied. Then Percy spoke up again.

" The hell we do!" He shouted

" FRED DIED because he was too much of a coward to face he-who-must-not-be-named to start with. Harry put a wedge in this family because he was trying to make his name even more famous. And YOU got pulled into it along with the rest of our family. I say good riddance." The rest of the Weasley boys nodded in agreement. Ginny just sat there with her quivering lip.

" Your all barking!" Stated Ron incredulously.

" You can all turn your back on him just like that?" asked Ron with a snap of his fingers.

" And you Ginny. He-" But he was cut off as Ginny started shouting at him.

" I WHAT?" I SHOULD JUST FALL AT HIS FEET? 'Oh Harry, I still love you even though you left without so much as a letter' or 'Oh Harry, it doesn't matter that Fred or Tonks or Professor Lupin are dead let's just forget about them and be happy.' I'M SORRY BUT NO THANKS. IVE HAD MY HEART BROKEN ENOUGH!" Cried Ginny. She turned and started sobbing into Bills shoulder.

" But he loves you" stated Hermione with tears in her eyes.

" He loves all of us, but you most of all Ginny. I hadn't seen him that happy since I met him and you just killed him."

" I KILLED HIM!!! I KILLED HIM..!" Screamed Ginny but Ron cut her off.

" He died for us. He died for us all and it was all for nothing." Ron looked up at the sky as he started to cry.

Percy looked at him like he was barmy.

"Ron you've lost it. We all just saw him." Ron looked at his brother with narrow eyes.

"He's not dead you dimwit, but he did die for us. All of us. And this is how we thank him? He saves us all and the entire wizarding world and this is his reward? Well I'm sorry, but I'm embarrassed to call you family. Don't forget if not for him we would have two less here today. Yes I put myself into that situation our 1st year, but he was there for me. Ginny he saved you from the chamber when he barely knew you. He had to because you were someone in trouble. Not for the glory because he almost died himself, but because that's who he is. He's been there for everyone. And now you've just made him the biggest victim of this war."

Then Charlie asked with genuine curiosity " That still doesn't explain how he died and yet he is still here?"

" Does anyone know what a horcrux is?" asked Ron hardly. Bill and Fleur's faces ashened. " A piece of a soul..." whispered Bill.

" Are you telling us that Harry created a horcrux?" asked Bill with a disgusted look on his face.

" No. Harry is too good of a person to willingly kill someone who didn't deserve it. What I'm saying is he was one." Bill and Fleur looked at each other with shock on their faces.

" But 'ow iz zat possible?" asked Fleur

" I don't know, but he was. That's where we've been for the past year. Voldemort-" everyone shuttered. " OH GROW UP! Voldemort created horcruxes so that he could make himself immortal. But he didn't just create one, he created seven." Ron said. Bill and Fleur's faces grew even paler.

" So for the last year we've been out there searching top and bottom for them. There was the diary, yes Ginny Harry saved you from a piece of Tom Riddles soul, a ring that belonged to the Gaunt family, a locket that belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself, Voldemorts pet snake Nagini, Hufflepuff's cup, and Ravenclaw's diadem. But we couldn't figure out the 7th one. But Harry did. He figured out the last horcrux and never told us. We would have tried to stop him. He was the last horcrux. He had to die in order for Voldemort to be defeated. So he walked to their hideout , unarmed I might add, and took the Avada kedavra for everyone. He died. And when he died it took the piece of Voldemorts soul instead of his. So he remained intact while the last horcrux was killed. So when I say he died for us then that's what I mean. He make the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be together for Fred. And this is how we treat him. I think Fred is looking down at us right now wondering what the hell happened to his family. Because I know I'm ashamed to be called Weasley right now." With that Ron and a shocked and sobbing Hermione conjured three lilies and place them on the lost Weasley's casket.

" Fred, I wish you were here to beat the bloody hell out of your brothers right now." Then they turned and made their way back through the garden and back into the house. When they got inside Hermione turned and started crying into Ron's shoulder. As they stood there embraced Ginny came running into the house.

" He really died for us? he wasn't just faking?" Hermione pulled away from Ron and walked over to her friend.

" Ginny, you of all people should know how he is. He wanted to make sure we all had a future even if he didn't. I think he loves you too. More than you will ever know. I don't think he's realized it yet, but all I know is that when he thought no one was watching he would pull out the map and make sure you were alright. You were the one he was scared for the most. This war would have been lost if anything happened to you." Hermione was trying to make her understand what Harry did.

Ginny stood there with tears of fear prickling at her eyes. " Oh no. What have I done." she thought to herself.

" What are we going to do?" said Ginny with determination.

" Well knowing Harry he went to #12 to think. I really don't think he will let anyone in right now, so why don't you go and write him a letter and sent it to him. You know how he broods so I don't think we should leave him for long, maybe just for the day and go check on him tomorrow if he doesn't show up by then." said Ron.

" Actually I really should go to the ministry and get an international portkey so I can go and get my parents. I need to reverse their memory charm and that may take a while. I also know they are going to be angry with me." said Hermione with a defeated voice.

" I'll come with." said Ron. Hermione responded with a smile and turned to Ginny.

" You coming Gin?"

" No I think I'll go and write Harry that letter. The sooner the better." she replied.

" OK. You know where we'll be." Stated Ron. He turned and escorted Hermione through the door and to the ministry.

Ginny walked up the stairs to her room and sat at her desk. " What have I done." she whispered to herself as tears started to spill down her face.

" Will he ever have me back? Oh Merlin." She said as she broke down into sobs.

When she calmed down enough, she pulled out her quill and parchment and started on her letter. When she was about two pages into her tear splattered letter, she noticed a knock on the front door. She leaped up hoping to all Hope that it was Harry. When she pulled open the front door and saw who it was, she immediately reached for her wand.

" What the hell do you want" Said icily. Her infamous bat bogey on the tip of her tongue. Standing in front of her with his hands in the air and a surprised look on his face, was none other than Draco Malfoy.

" Easy Weasley. I have information your family might want."

" If you haven't noticed, Draco, the war is over. We won. So we won't really be needing any information from a junior Death Eaters like yourself." She said with contempt.

" Fine. Then I won't tell you that Potter is leaving the country." Said Draco. He turned to leave, but immediately found himself stuck to the ground with a sticking charm.

" What do you mean leaving the country? How would you know?" Ginny asked nervously.

" If you would be so kind as to release your charm and invite me inside I will tell you of my encounter with Potter." Sneered the Slytherin.

So she released him and put on a bright smile. " Please do come in. Can I grab you something to drink." she hissed.

" No thank you" smirked Draco.

" Well then, get on with it." she said impatiently

" Mother and I were at Gringott's, when who else should walk out of Ragnok's personal office but a very depressed looking Harry Potter. I learned quite a bit and developed an appreciation for what he did. Never thought I would see the day. Anyway, I asked what he had in his hand and he told me it was a muggle plane ticket to the United States. I asked him where he was going and he said it was better if we didn't know. But, I only saw one ticket and usually that means a one-way ticket. Wherever he's going I don't think he plans on coming back." When Draco finished the look on his face was one of genuine concern.

Ginny was at a loss for word.

" What I want to know is what was his reason for leaving?" Mused Draco.

Ginny's face paled. " Oh god." She said to herself.

" What is it?" Draco asked

" I think I know why he left." The dread in Ginny's voice made Draco more curious.

" What happened?" Draco asked.

" Suffice to say we made it very clear he wasn't welcome here anymore." Said Ginny as tears stung her eyes yet again.

Draco was speechless. The his face turned to one of anger.

" After all he did for you and all the years he stood by your family's side you just turned your back on him." He stood up and clenched his fist.

" We didn't know the whole story." Ginny whispered.

" AND THAT MAKES IT RIGHT" Draco yelled. " He was a damn good friend to you for years and this is what he gets? And to think I was envious of you. I always wished I had a friend like him but my father and the Dark Lord forbid it."

" WE DIDN'T KNOW!" Sobbed Ginny. " But I'm going to make it right." Said a teary eyed and very determined Ginny Weasley.

" Come on Draco. We are going to find him. Let's go." She Grabbed Draco by the arm and dragged him up stairs.

" Where are we going." Asked a wide eyed incredulous Draco.

" To my room to pack. We are going to find him and bring him home." She turned on him. " If you really believe everything you say then you will come with me." Ginny said with fire in her eyes.

" let's go. We need to go to Gringott's first to get money and tickets to wherever he's going." Said Draco with a smirk.

Her face fell. " I don't have any money."

" Don't worry your pretty little head. I'll pay." smirked Draco.

Draco and Ginny continued up to her room. They grabbed her suitcase and started throwing clothes in. She grabbed her stash of money from her wardrobe and put it in her purse.

" You have a lot of muggle cloth." Laughed Draco as he held up a pair of her knickers.

" I like them better and they are more comfortable than robes and if you don't mind those are mine" She snatched them away from him.

He chuckled and followed her to her bathroom. She started throwing soaps and lotions into another travel bag. " How long do you think it will take you to get packed?" she questioned Draco.

" Oh. Right. TIPSY!" He yelled. A little house elf with a shabby pillow case appeared. " Yyyes mmmaster Draco?'" she stuttered with a curtsy.

" I will need my things packed and ready to go in two minutes. I'm going over seas for a while. Tell mother I will send her an owl when we get where we are going and not to worry. Now get." he ordered. The terrified house elf curtsied "Yes Master Draco. Right away master Draco." And with that, she was gone

" You know you could be a little nicer to them. They maybe house elves but they are still living creatures. You don't have to be so mean." she stood there with her hands on her hips and glared at him.

" What do you mean?! They are house elves. How else are you suppose to treat them!?" She answered with a growl and started tapping her foot.

" Oh all right" An exasperated Draco said. He called the little house elf back. " Tipsy!" She appeared with a pop " Yes Master? I's have your luggage sir and Mistress Malfoy send her love and wished master and his friend good luck." she said with a curtsy.

He sighed and looked a Ginny with pleading eyes " Go on" She said

" Thank you Tipsy. Your service has been most helpful." Draco finally said.

A wide eyed Tipsy looked up at him as if he were crazy. " It is Tipsy's honor to serve the most ancient and noble house of Malfoy" Then with a pop she was gone.

" Are you happy now?" Draco said, aggravated.

" Yes." Replied Ginny with a smirk.

" I'm beginning to see what Harry likes in you. Are we done here?" said a smiling Draco.

She smirked back and said " Let's go."

Draco grabbed their luggage and with bow said " Ladies first."

She smirked and said " Thank you."

They made their way down the stairs and came into the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley and the rest of the Weasley brood were eating dinner.

" Ginny dear have you washed up for..." She stopped mid sentence when she turned around and saw who she was standing with. The other Weasleys turned and saw Draco Malfoy standing with their youngest. They all jumped up with their wands pointed straight at Draco's face..

George spoke through his teeth " Where in the hell do you think you are going with our sister Malfoy"

Ginny stepped between them and pulled her own wand. " That's none of your business George. I'm leaving to go find and beg forgiveness from someone you all have given up on."

"GINEVRA WEASLEY I DEMAND YOU DROP YOUR WAND AND DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE THIS HOUSE!!" Yelled a very cross Molly.

" Mum I'm done. I'm done living under your thumb. You made me believe that what Harry did was wrong, when in reality he is the bravest man I have ever known. I'm done mum. Goodbye." With that she grabbed Draco and ran for the door. They made it through and were running to the apparation point when they see the first streak of red flew by them.

Draco yelled " When we get to the point grab hold of me and don't let go!" As they ran she nodded and grabbed hold of him when they reached the point. And with that they were gone to find their wronged friend.