Disclaimer: The magical world of Harry Potter and all the people who live within it belong to the wonderfully creative mind of J.K. Rowling. However plot and any names you don't recognise from the books probably belong to me.

A/N The more people that read this fic, the more motivation I have to write. So please tell me if you like it. It will have more Harry/Ginny in it and I'm a romantic so it's sure to be fluffy. I hope to have the next chapter up soon though so I hope you enjoy the story. And thank you for reading, please review!!!

Chapter 1. Introductions

Most of the wizarding world doesn't know about my life as a child. They know me as the "boy who lived" not, "the boy who lived in the cupboard under the stairs." I don't look for sympathy, because I have had a great life. Hard, but great and that's what this book will be about. I am writing this so that the right people will go down in history as heroes. To make sure that those who fought endlessly by my side are given credit for their bravery as equals in a battle about being different. And so the facts of what I have learned during my life can help future generations not to suffer as we have suffered and so that they can learn from past mistakes.

Harry looked at the final draft of his introduction; pleased with the result considering it had taken nearly a month to get right. He didn't want to give the wrong impression. He looked around at the Gryffindor common room, taking in the warmth of the fire and glad to be back in a place he could call home for the first time in a long time. He glanced once more at what he had written and then placed it carefully in his bag before heading up the stairs to his bed. As he went he thought about how good his life had suddenly become.

After the battle, his life became a blur, he couldn't remember a happier time. What had plagued him for the past seven years no longer existed and he was free to make his own choices and live his own life. He enjoyed spending some time alone with Ron, Hermione and of course Ginny. Although only friends, he still had strong feelings for her but he was certain he shouldn't rekindle their relationship quite yet even though it hurt him a lot not to. He could see Ginny felt the same way about him and he felt he owed her an explanation.

He got the perfect opportunity when the four of them went back to the burrow for the summer.

It was a beautiful summer's morning in mid July and Harry had just walked into a kitchen full of the smell of bacon and eggs being cooked by Mrs. Weasley.

"Morning Harry," she said as she spotted him wearing a bright smile.

"Morning Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied tiredly.

"How many times Harry? It's Molly!"

"Right, sorry… Molly"

"Hey Harry," said George as Harry sat at the table next to him and across from Ginny. He seemed to be improving in mood as the days went by after Fred's death. As of course did the rest of the Weasley family but it had hit George the hardest.

"Hi," Harry replied and nodded his head towards Ginny saying, "Ginny."

"Harry," she answered slightly mockingly and with a smile.

"Right, breakfast is ready. How many sausages would you like Harry dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley bringing over a pan of delicious looking food.

"Oh, I don't mind," said Harry.

Mrs. Weasley gave him one of those smiles and poured the whole lot onto his plate. George looked at the lot his mother had given Harry and proceeded to ask her for the same amount. When she said no because he hadn't been living off scraps for half the year, he answered indignantly, "But I lost an ear!"

"Urgh!" said Ginny annoyed. "And you don't stop going on about it, why don't you just put an extendable one there instead if you're that bothered!"

"You know sis, that's not a bad idea," George replied; impressed.

"I was joking!" she said exasperatedly.

"All good things come from jokes," he said giving Harry a wink who laughed.

Harry looked over his pile of sausages at Ginny who looked more radiant than ever with the sun shining in on her hair through the window. Now would be the best time for the talk without too many possible interruptions. "Ginny, can I have a word?" he asked her calmly.

"Sure, do you want to go outside?" she said in reply.

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

They both got up from the table and walked into the front garden. The garden itself had changed a lot over the past year. During the war it seemed the flowers that had once stood so tall and beautiful had sensed the emotion of the wizarding world and changed their appearance to a deadening colour with little life in sight. As Harry took in the appearance of the garden now, with the roses and tulips returned to their original splendor along with the wizarding plants Harry had yet to learn of, he felt that everything had turned out the way it had supposed to and he hoped this garden would be a reflection of his friendship and relationship with Ginny.

There was a very gentle breeze as they carried on further from the house and Harry couldn't help noticing how Ginny's hair was blowing in it somehow making her even more beautiful to him. He desperately wanted to brush the hair from her eyes. They walked in silence until Harry placed his hand gently on her arm indicating for her to stop and look at him.

"Ginny…" Harry began but before he could continue, Ginny had interrupted him.

"You know the last time we were both here, I was the one who asked you for a word and we ended up kissing," she said vaguely.

Harry smiled fondly at the memory but continued with what he was trying to tell her. "I know. And that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." He paused but Ginny stayed silent. "I love you," again he paused and looked to see if Ginny had a reaction. She looked happy that he had said this but also like she knew what was coming. "…but I have to be on my own for a while. I feel like I've been living my life for other people and I need some time to find out who I am before I can share myself with someone else."

During this speech Ginny had been looking deeply into his eyes, edging closer and giving Harry the very intense feeling that she would have been very good at legilimency. He could tell that she knew this was how he was feeling even before he did but her continuous movement towards him was somewhat confusing.

"I guess I can understand that," she said and now he could feel her warm breath ever so slightly on his face.

"It won't be forever," he said looking into her eyes thinking about how he was the older one and should know what to do and be doing it, however liking the fact that she had this controlling ability over him. As she got closer he could feel her eyes staring deeply into his and now he new what was going to happen. He couldn't help brushing the hair from her face.

She looked down for a moment and then up at Harry again and this time he noticed the trace of liquid in her eye. She didn't look sad but her emotion didn't settle into a category either Harry or Ginny new of.

"I'll wait," she whispered before their lips finally met in a slow and passionate kiss that neither of them wanted to stop because it would mean the end.

Harry couldn't remember why he wouldn't be experiencing this in the future. The kiss increased in intensity and he prayed it would never stop. When eventually they did break apart it was as though the heart they had been sharing had been shattered very suddenly into two. Although their lips were parted their eyes were locked and as silent as they were the looks in their eyes told each other volumes.

Ginny took Harry's hand gently and with a smile and a curt nod said, "This is something you need to do, but that was something to remember me by." She then let go of Harry's hand equally as gently and walked back to the house. Harry waited a few seconds before following in her wake.

When they walked into the kitchen they found Ron and Hermione had joined the kitchen table. Though they spent years trying to get together; they now spent hardly a second apart. It was sweet enough until they got a bit too carried away, forgetting that they weren't alone. Harry was happy that they had finally admitted how they felt about each other but at the same time the dynamic of the trio had changed. The bickering was still the same which Harry was pleased about because it felt like things were back to normal, but the arguing did seem for a different reason nowadays.

None of the Weasleys were very surprised when Ron told them about their relationship. They had all seen it coming for longer than either Ron or Hermione had. This piece of news lightened the grievous atmosphere a respectable amount. Whenever having a conversation among a group they would be holding hands and just being happy so that consequently the whole group began to feel the same way. They seemed to be the silver lining of the cloud.

"Hi Harry," Hermione said cheerfully. Although staying with the Weasley's at the moment she had plans to go to Australia in a couple of days to get her parents back; body and mind.

Ron had agreed to go with her and they were going the muggle way; on an airplane. Harry could sense Ron wasn't pleased at the prospect of flying without the protection of magic and had even offered to fly alongside Hermione on his broomstick whilst she stayed on the plane. In response to this comment she told him it would be breaking the law not to mention the fact that he would freeze to death. He backed down after that although at any mention of the trip he would go very pale and lose the ability to speak for a time.

"Alright mate," he greeted Harry who smiled in reply.

"Oh, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley began. "I forget to mention earlier that Professor McGonagall said that she would be popping in for a word with you three."

"Okay, thanks," Harry answered slightly surprised. "How's the restoration on Hogwarts going? Do you know?"

"Quite well apparently. They think it'll be ready for September with any luck.'

"That's great. When will Professor McGonagall be coming?" Harry asked wondering what she would want to talk about even though he thought he already knew.

"Actually she should be arriving any minute. She's coming by floo powder."

At that moment Professor McGonagall stepped swiftly out of the fire place wearing a black traveling cloak and looking younger than she had in months.

"Ah, Professor, there you are, we were just talking about you," Mrs. Weasley said to the Professor. "Would you like some breakfast. There's plenty…" she didn't get to finish her sentence as she was interrupted by a baby crying. "Ginny could you go and see to Teddy please. I'd like Andromeda to get some sleep; the poor things had a rough time at the moment looking after that one what with both Ted and Tonks gone. Thank goodness she's staying here where we can help."

"Sure Mum," said Ginny hopping down from the table and exiting the room obediently.

"Sorry Professor, where was I?" Mrs. Weasley continued.

"I think you were offering me breakfast but I am afraid I will have to decline your offer. I have a fair bit to do seeing over the reconstruction of Hogwarts so I can't stay long," she replied kindly. Then turning her attention to Harry, Hermione and Ron, "Right, you three, can we talk in the other room?"

"Sure," the three agreed and walked with the Professor to the next room. They all took a seat and waited for Professor McGonagall to speak.

"Well, first things first," she began. "I'm sure you've discussed this but I would like to know. Are you wanting to come back to Hogwarts to finish out your N.E.W.T. year?" Although she wasn't addressing anyone of them in particular, it was Harry who answered.

"We have discussed it and we're all in agreement that we would like to come back to school if we can."

"Of course you can Mr. Potter. Actually I'm glad you said that as I have a favour to ask you all. I haven't been able to get another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and I was wondering if you might consider sharing the first to sixth year classes between you?"

"You mean teach them?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Yes, that is what I mean Miss. Granger. I am told Mr. Potter proved to possess very good teaching skills when you were meeting with "Dumbledore's Army".

"Yeah, Harry was a great teacher and Hermione has brains. But why would you want someone like me?" Ron asked clearly shocked at this invitation.

"Mr. Weasley, you have accomplished more than most students at Hogwarts. I am sure your friends will agree that you do not put as much faith in yourself as you should. You fought in that final battle with as much bravery and intelligence as either Mr. Potter or Miss. Granger."

"She's right Ron mate," Harry said to him. "I couldn't have done it without either of you. You have the skills, now you can pass them on. I don't know about you two but I would really like to do this. I've missed teaching since the D.A. finished."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other and then agreed that that's what they wanted too.

"Won't this get in the way of our studies?" Hermione asked the Professor curiously.

Professor McGonagall had obviously already thought of this and her reply came straight away, "I will get your subject teachers to tutor you whenever you have any free time and of course you will be able to ask for help whenever you need it. Of course as teachers your grades will have to set an example for younger students so you must work hard."

"We understand," Harry said. "Thanks for this offer Professor. It means a lot."

"You have no idea how many students would love to be taught by the famous Harry Potter and his friends. I'm sure parents will sleep comfortably knowing their children are learning from the best."

"Thank you Professor."

"Oh, there's one more thing. You have all been given an award for outstanding bravery and loyalty to the school along with Mr. Longbottom of course. There is to be a ceremony sometime this autumn. The Daily Prophet will be reporting on this event so my advice is just to be careful what you say," Professor McGonagall said lightly. "I'll see you on September 1st, report to my office for instructions. Thank you." She walked to the fire, called out a goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and disappeared in the flames.

"Wow!" Hermione breathed.

"This year should be fun!" Ron joined in.

"I can't wait!" Harry said excitedly, laughing lightly at Ron and Hermione's reaction as well as his own. The thought of a year at Hogwarts without any thought of Voldemort filled him with a giddiness he had never felt before.

A/N R & R please!!!!