Hello everyone! Hawk2010 here bringing my first ever story. I've been an avid reader of fanfiction of all kinds, series, movies, animes and everything that interests me. I have recently wrote a Harry Potter fanfic that takes place after the Battle of Hogwarts. It's a relatively short story that goes from the end of the battle to the Epilogue. It will stay relatively canon (except for a few changes here and there), and it will focus on Harry.

This story is Harry x Ginny as you guess, and constructive criticism is appreciated as I am an amateur and the story is far from perfect. The story is already finished, but in Portuguese, so I'll have to translate it, I'll update regularly, maybe once every two or three days. But enough of that, enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 1: Thoughts and Reconciliations

Harry Potter: The-Boy-Who-Lived; The Chosen One; the one who defeated the Dark Lord; was in peace for the first time. The final battle had been destructive, deadly and horrendous. The defenders of Hogwarts lost many of their own, but Harry drew comfort in the fact that it could have been a lot worse. And now, after years of trials and suffering, he finally managed to vanquish the most dangerous Dark Wizard since Gellert Grindelwald. Now, Harry was finally free to choose his own path; no more manipulations or obligations.

Harry was in the Gryffindor Common Room on the last year's dorm, which surprisingly, was intact. He was lost in deep thoughts about what to do now while munching a sandwich that Kreacher enthusiastically prepared for him. Harry had just arrived from the Headmaster's Office where he had a talk with Dumbledore's portrait along with his two best friends – Ron and Hermione. He casually palmed the Elder Wand, which he had used to fix his broken Holly Wand few minutes ago.

Despite not being interested in its power, Harry knew he couldn't risk putting it back in Dumbledore's grave; not now that the whole school was aware of its existence. He decided to do the same thing the late Headmaster did; becoming the guardian of the wand and ensuring the most sought Hallow doesn't fall into the wrong hands. His mind made, Harry ripped a splinter of wood from the bed and, with a wave of the Elder Wand, transfigured it into an exact replica of said wand, amazed once more at the ease in which he performed the spell with it. He hid the true wand and looked at the fake he planned to put in the Headmaster's grave with everyone witnessing.

Now that the biggest problem was solved, his mind drifted once again to how he would live his life from now on. Harry quickly made a list of his biggest priorities at the moment. The first one was no doubt his relationship with Gringotts as the Goblins were certainly not impressed with his stunt of breaking and robbing their bank. He needed to have a word with Kingsley: the new Interim Minister, and ask for his help in repairing his relationship with the bank, and maybe a few tips with Bill to raise his chances; Ron and Hermione where on the same tight spot. He had hopes that after hearing his side, the Goblins would understand his actions.

Another problem to solve was finding Hermione's parents and restore their memories – even though Hermione said she would take care of it herself. Harry had no problem in accepting that, but he suspected Ron would convince the girl to take him with her. Harry let out a small smile at the image of Mr. Granger with his arms crossed and a severe expression while looking at a very nervous Ron and letting out an "What are your intentions with my daughter, lad?"

Another matter was his future itself. What would he do about school and career? Harry quickly decided that despite everything he went through, he still wanted to be an Auror and as such, needed to finish his education. But despite considering it his first home, Harry didn't have any desire of returning to Hogwarts for his last year. There were too much memories.

Maybe it would be possible to take his N.E.W.T.s as soon as possible without coming back? And maybe get a few O.W.L.s in other subjects? Hermione had taken her Ancient Runes and Arithmancy books on the Horcrux Hunt and after a peek to pass time, Harry found them to be extremely easy and asked her to teach him; which she had had done happily as it took her mind off Ron's abandonment at the time. This ended up in revisions of the entire curriculum of Hogwarts – that Hermione practically memorized – and made them refine their magical abilities both in practical and theory. And thanks to Hermione's paranoia, who bought all the books for Hogwarts' seventh year before the fall of the Ministry, they dived into them and went to a level where both were confident they could take the N.E.W.T.s with an Outstanding in all subjects.

Runes and Arithmancy ended up being a surprise for Harry. Once believing Runes were made up entirely of useless and boring translations and Arithmancy of numbers and math problems; he had been shocked at finding out Runes were essential to create wards, enchantments and magical objects; and Arithmancy was the main key to create spells, enchantments and even potions by analyzing the proprieties of the ingredients. Without much surprise, Harry declared – with no shame at all – that he had bitterly regretted wasting his time with Divination and not taking such useful electives before; which made Hermione laugh. With Ron's return, he took to studying as well and while he was not on the same level of his friends, he was much better.

His level of knowledge and N.E.W.T.s were not a problem. At least the last year was not wasted on that front.

Now it came his biggest concern: Ginny Weasley. Spend an entire year away from her, and taking to observing her dot on the Marauders Map as a source of comfort and strength made him realize something he had already been suspecting – he had fallen truly in love with her. And now that it was all over, nothing more stood in way of a possible future between them. But did she still want him? It has been a year since he broke up with the girl in an attempt to protect her, and she seemed to understand it. Months later she kissed him in such way it took his breath away – that Ron had the kindness to interrupt. But were her feelings the same? Have they changed in the last few months? Have…

"No! No more doubts! This won't answer anything! The only way to know is asking her directly!" Thought a determined Harry. He quickly looked through the Mokeskin Pouch that Hagrid gave him on his last birthday, took the Marauders Map and activated it. After a few minutes of search, he had been both surprised and relived to see Ginny in the Astronomy Tower, alone and without anyone around the area, which would certainly give them the time and privacy to talk.

"Maybe fate is finally giving me a rest." Thought Harry before covering himself with the Invisibility Cloak to avoid drawing attention of the still celebrating crowd and went to the tower.

After a few minutes, he finally arrived at the stairs that would take him to the top of the tower and took off the cloak, knowing the area was clear. At each step he took, he felt his heart beating faster, but he knew postponing this conversation would do no good. He finally arrived at the top of the tower and saw Ginny bent over the rail while observing the forest brightened by the sun. Harry's throat went dry at the sight. The sun was shining on her beautiful face, making her freckles stand out, her curvaceous body was relaxed, seeing there were no more threats, and her flaming red hair was being moved by the gentle breeze. The dirt and superficial wounds Ginny had from the battle few hours ago made nothing to diminish her beauty.

It took a few seconds for Harry to calm his pulsing heart down, then he gathered up all his courage and stepped closer to the girl. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" He remarked in what he hoped was a calm voice.

Ginny jumped slightly, obviously not expecting someone would find her. When she saw Harry, her tense posture deflated and she went back to watching the forest. "It is." She said in a relaxed manner.

Harry took to admiring the view as well while they stayed in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. "How is Fred?" He asked, trying to find a way to get to the point while having true curiosity about the state of Ginny's brother.

"Madam Pomfrey guaranteed he will be fine despite the severe injuries. She said your timely Protego Maxima was the only reason he was still alive after that explosion." Explained Ginny, giving Harry a grateful smile that made his insides burn. "You saved him."

"It was the least I could do after everything your family did for me." Said Harry with sincerity.

Ginny took his hand with her own. "You owe us nothing, Harry. We and the entire Wizarding Word are the ones who owe everything to you." She squeezed his hand gently. "Thanks to you, Tom is finally dead."

Harry smiled and returned her squeeze. He knew how to proceed now. "I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you."

Ginny blinked, seeming surprised. "For me?"

Harry nodded. "All the times the burden became too heavy, thinking of you helped me carry it. Remembering you gave me the courage to face Tom on the Forest." He looked her on the eyes. "When I saw that Killing Curse nearly hitting you, I was already running to Bellatrix with my wand lifted when your mum got there before me. Just the thought that I could have lost you there fills me with terror."

Ginny was surprised for a second before laughing weekly. "The way you said all this makes it look like a declaration of love, Mr. Potter. Or have I gotten it wrong?" She asked with a slight smile.

Harry returned it. "Yeah, I think you got what I'm trying to tell you. But if you want me to say it, I don't mind; I love you, Ginny" He declared after once again gathering all his courage.

Ginny smiled. "You know, the last year was filled with suffering. Hogwarts became a torture playground for the Death Eaters, fear became the main emotion of everyone here. I kept asking myself all the time if my family was safe…just like I kept asking myself if you were safe." Her eyes suddenly became watery. "When I saw you on Hagrid's arms, apparently dead, I felt like a part of me died with you. I felt like my heart had been shattered and that I would never find happiness again. And the joy I felt when I saw you alive was indescribable; and it was at that moment I knew I loved you."

Harry squashed the stab of guilt at making her go through so much pain by believing he was dead, deciding to focus on the happiness he felt on the declaration of love Ginny just made.

Ginny sighed. "The suffering we all endured was great but this is in the past now. And if the past is a place of pain and suffering, and without you and me in it, then…let's stop living in it." Declared the girl.

Harry smiled in a way he hadn't done in a long time. "That works for me." He said before kissing her passionately, being immediately reciprocated.

The feeling of his lips pressed against Ginny's made him see stars. How could he have gone without that for such a long time? Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck and he did the same with her waist, getting even more close to each other. The kissed in a way of making up for all the time they were apart; there were no more dangers, fears or threats; at the moment, there were just the two of them.

They split their lips and smiled, still wrapped together. "What happens now?" Asked Ginny, looking at the green eyes she loved so much.

"Now we move on and live our lives, no more guilt or apologies. We are free." Said Harry, earning another smile from Ginny.

"I agree with that plan." She said. Harry laughed and kissed her one more time, but in the middle of it, they heard an "Ah-Ha" and separated with a noise of displeasure. There were no doubts about whom it was; the voice was a dead giveaway.

"Really/Are you serious?!" Both Harry and Ginny said at the same time with an irritated face towards the culprit.

Ron Weasley stood on the end of the stairs, a half embarrassed half angry expression on his freckled face. Hermione was behind him, looking like someone who had a pleasant surprise at witnessing the scene.

"We didn't know you two were here." Hermione quickly explained, sounding sorry for interrupting them. "So, this means you are back together?" She asked with a radiant smile.

Ginny nodded "Yes, we are." She said before shooting a thundering look at Ron, as if challenging him to say something against it. Luckily, the boy noticed said look and had the common sense of not saying anything other than "I'm happy about it.".

"Now wait a second." Said Harry before narrowing his eyes at his best friends. "If you didn't know we were here, what are you two doing here, then?" He asked, smirking at seeing the blush that crept into their faces.

Ginny understood what was going on and giggled. "You came here to snog, didn't you?" Accused the girl, making them profusely embarrassed.

Harry laughed out loud, surprising everyone as he hadn't done that in a very long time. "How about we let the lovebirds enjoy their time a little, Gin? They do deserve it." Joked the boy, making said lovebirds even more embarrassed.

Ginny smiled. "I totally agree. Let's give them privacy." They walked out hand in hand, laughing at the embarrassment of both Ron and Hermione.

Harry had a feeling that everything would be okay now.

One of the things I hated was Fred's death. It was not necessary in my opinion and if I'm not mistaken even J.K. said she regretted killing him off. So Fred is very much alive here. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter and stay tuned for more.