Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own the characters (With good reason)
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Harry held up the Elder Wand, and Ron and Hermione looked at it with reverence that, even in his befuddled and sleep-deprived state, Harry did not like to see.
"I don't want it," said Harry.
"What?" said Ron loudly. "Are you mental?"
"I know it's powerful," said Harry wearily. "But if was happier with mine. So…"
He rummaged in the pouch hung around his neck, and pulled out the two halves of holly still just connected by the finest thread of phoenix feather. Hermione had said that they could not be repaired, that the damage was too severe. All he knew was that if this did not work, nothing would.
He laid the broken wand upon the headmaster's desk, touched it with the very tip of the Elder Wand, and said, "Reparo"
As his wand resealed, red sparks flew out of its end. Harry knew that he had succeeded. He picked up the holly and phoenix wand and felt a sudden warmth in his fingers, as though wand and hand were rejoicing at their reunion.
"I'm putting the Elder Wand," he told Dumbledore, who was watching him with enormous affection and admiration. "back where it came from. It can stay there. If I die a natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won't it? The previous headmaster will never have been defeated. That'll be the end of it."
Dumbledore nodded. They smiled at each other.
"Are you sure?" said Ron. There was the faintest trace of longing in his voice as he looked at the Elder Wand.
"I think Harry's right," said Hermione quietly.
"That wand's more trouble than it's worth," said Harry. "And quite honestly," he turned away from the painted portraits, thinking now only of the four-poster bed lying waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower, and wondering whether Kreacher might bring him a sandwich there, "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."
"Amen to that," said Ron, thinking about all the trouble Voldemort had caused them. "Let's just hope there aren't any new Voldemorts out there,"
"C'mon Ronald! Harry!" Hermione shouted from the gargoyle, beckoning for them to come with her. "There may still be some Death Eaters on the grounds, so we have to get the wand back quickly!" The two boys clampered over the gargoyle and followed Hermione down the spiral stone staircase.
As the three teenagers traveled through the halls, they were greeted by much applause and cheering. Horace Slughorn came over and gave strong pat on the back. Nearly Headless Nick tipped his ghostly hat to them as he glided through the hall. Even Draco Malfoy nodded his head ever so slightly, as if reluctantly congratulating them. It was the most Harry could hope for, since his family had done Voldemort's bidding for the past twenty years. Even though Harry did save Draco's life.
Everyone seemed cheery except for Dennis Creevey, who's face was red and covered with hot tears. He flashed Harry a quick smile to show his appreciation, but it was obviously fake. It was clear that he was in great pain at the loss of his brother, Colin, which made Harry feel increasingly guilty.
When they managed to escape the castle and its hordes of Potter fans, they navigated the gardens and found themselves at the great White Tomb. They were surprised to be greeted by a round-faced boy, a dreamy-faced blonde girl, and wild-haired man about the size of a minivan.
"Ah, Harry!" Hagrid's voice boomed as he gave him huge pat on the back, which almost knocked him to the floor. "En' yers too, Hermione, Ron!" He grabbed them all and pulled them in for a monstrous hug.
"Great job with you-know-who," Neville congratulated. "I mean, Voldemort. You were really inspiring."
"Well if it weren't for you, that bloody snake would still be here," Ron complimented, making Neville feel appreciated.
"Well, there's more than just congratulations in order," said Luna dreamily. "We have good news." Luna then told about how her father had been released from Azkaban. Neville told them that Professor Sprout was retiring, and that he was the new Herbology teacher. Hagrid then explained that McGonagall, who was now headmistress, had allowed him to return to Hogwarts as a student for the five years he missed because of his expulsion.
"…In the mean time, 'fesser Grubbly-Plank'll be teachin' Magical Creatures." After the stories were finished, Hagrid assisted Harry, Ron, and Hermione in lifting the cover of the tomb.
"So what do you need with Dumbledore's tomb?" asked Luna. "If you're using nargle repellant, then that's a good idea. Make sure those pesky nargles don't take over his body."
"No, we're not using noodle repellent or whatever," Hermione responded, slightly irritated by Luna's outlandish belifs. "We're returning something that's been stolen." Hermione then took out the Elder Wand and put it in Dumbledore's hand, where it should have been since the day he died.
"We're heading back to the Great Hall, you coming?" Neville asked.
"No, we're going up to the Gryffindor Tower," Harry explained. "I'm pretty tired from the battle." These words were unusual for Harry. By this point, it felt like it was years since Voldemort had truly fallen.
"See you, Hagrid," said Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "You too, Neville, Luna!" The three then went to the Gryffindor Tower, while the others made their way to the Great Hall. Soon, they found themselves in front of the Fat Lady's painting.
"You may enter," The Fat Lady said without even asking for a password. The door to the tower flung open, and the three of them entered the common room. As soon as he entered the room, Harry jumped onto the couch to rest. This was interrupted by the rumblings of a familiar little friend.
"Greetings Master," Kreacher said happily to Harry. "Would you like a sandwich? Kreacher made your favorite in honor of your glorious triumph." He then thrust a sandwich to Harry's face.
"Thank you, Kreacher," said Harry, wolfing down the sandwich. "I really appreciate it."
"It was nothing, Master," Kreacher said. "Though Kreacher always enjoys his work being appreciated. By the way, there is a young lady at the door. Shall I bring her in here?"
"You're not a butler," Harry said. "You don't have to get the door."
"But Kreacher insists." The elf then went to the door and opened it, revealing a young woman with vivid red hair.
"Hi Harry," Ginny said as she walked over to the couch where Harry was sitting. "By the way, Ron," she turned to her brother. "Mum wants to talk to you." Ron then exited the Common Room, followed by Hermione, who exchanged glances with Ginny before closing the door. Kreacher snapped his fingers and disappeared from the room as well.
"Mum didn't really want to talk to Ron," Ginny stated, a slight smile on her face. Harry smiled weakly as well, as he was very tired from what he had dealt with that day. Ginny took a seat beside him on the couch.
"So, how are you doing, Harry?" Ginny asked him concernedly. She gazed into Harry's brilliant green eyes, as he gazed into her golden-brown ones. He saw pain and sadness etched into her face that he had never seen before. Harry knew that this was because of the loss of her brother.
"I'm fine," Harry responded softly. "I'm just glad you're safe,"
"I should be the one saying that to you," Ginny said, her voice filling with the pain that he had seen in her eyes a second earlier. "When Hagrid came in the castle, carrying your body, it was-" she paused for a second. "It was the worst moment of my life. And with what happened to Fred…" She began to sob openly into Harry's arms. It was the first time Harry had ever seen her like this. "Please, don't ever leave me again. I love you."
"Ginny, I love you, and as long as I live, I will never leave you," Harry told Ginny and then he was kissing her as he had never kissed her before. He knew they would never part, that he would be with her forever, her soft hands around his neck and his hand caressing her long, sweet-smelling hair.
"Ron, I'm telling you, we should stay in the Great Hall." Hermione said to Ron as the door of the common room opened. She had clearly noticed Harry and Ginny on the couch, and was trying to stall Ron. "Harry needs his rest."
"I know, but Mum asked me to come get Ginny," Ron explained. As he walked, Hermione pulled him out into the hallway and gave him a fiery kiss. While Hemione was eating Ron's tongue, Harry and Ginny had enough time to separate before Ron noticed them.
"Not that I mind, but what was that for?" Ron asked, still holding Hermione.
"Just letting you know that I love you," Hermione responded as they walked into the common room hand in hand. "Oh, Hi Harry, Hi Ginny!"
"Oh Ginny, Mum wants to talk to you." Ron said.
"All right, I'm coming," Ginny responded. "See you Harry." One by one, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny left the room, and Harry was left to his thoughts. Now that there were no more distractions, Harry remembered how tired he was. He ambled up the stairs and entered the Boys Dormitory. Sleepily, he walked over to the bed, dropped into the bed, and fell into a deep slumber. It was the first good sleep he had in a long time, where he was looking forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow, he would be returning to the burrow, where all the people he cared about were there. He couldn't wait.