Chapter 1

The Aftermath

Everything seemed open and hopeful to Harry. He felt guilty for feeling happy when many of the people he loved had died. It was something that he couldn't stop. The feeling peaked when he entered the Great Hall and saw Ginny. As she spun around, to face Harry, all he saw was a bur of red hair. He couldn't help but remember another great red-headed woman. She gave him a smile but, her eyes were fulfilled with tears. Harry sat down with next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder. Mrs. Weasley gave him a watery smile.

"Have you eaten yet Harry, dear?" she asked.

"I had a little chicken." he said with a smile.

"While you still look a bit peaky so have something else, please?" she said handing him a bowl of mashed potatoes.

He took a couple of spoonfuls and got some rice as well. All the Weasleys sat around him, they ate slowly and mostly just pushed their food around their plate.

After, about eating in silence for half an hour, Mr. Weasley said "Professor McGonagall said that you kids will be staying in the Gryffindor Tower tonight, we will figure out everything tomorrow."

Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny stood up and walked to the common room.

"Password?" said the Fat Lady as they got to the top of the staircase.

"O, we didn't know we still needed one" said Ginny looking confused.

George came running up the stairs, when he reached the top he said "Fred" clearly out of breath.

The door swung open. They were the only ones staying; everyone else had left with their families.

"I am going to bed, Good Night." George said quietly.

He went up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. Harry sat on the couch and wrapped his arms around Ginny who sat next to him. Ron and Hermione sat in front of the burning fireplace and leaned up against coffee table in behind them. Hermione's head rested on Ron's shoulder and his hand was wrapped around her waist. Everything was quiet and peaceful, for once. Harry couldn't remember a time when he didn't have to worry about his future, because now he actually had one. All he could think of was that hopefully it would stay this way.

"I think I am going to bed." Ginny said looking up at Harry.

"Me too." he said still holding onto Ginny.

"How about you two?" Ginny asked getting up and pulling Harry's hand with her.

"Ummm…" Ron said looking over his shoulder at Harry.

"I think we will stay here for a while." he said looking at Hermione.

"Okay, Good Night." Harry said going to the stairs.

When he and Ginny reach the girl's dormitory door, Harry pulled Ginny into a tight hug. It felt like they were holding each other for hours. They broke apart and Harry looked into Ginny's vast brown eyes.

"I Love You, Ginny." Harry said with all his heart.

"I love you, too." Ginny said with a soft smile.

Harry kissed her softly. All she could do was smile and she turned around entering the dormitory. He stood there for a couple of moments, and then walked to his own dormitory. He dressed in his pajamas. The minute his head touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed about eating treacle tart with everyone who ever meant something to him. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. It was like Voldemort never existed.

The sun shined though the window next to Harry's four-poster bed. He woke up as it shone on his face. Harry was the only one in the dorm. He got dressed and laid back down on the bed. For once he could relax. His scar didn't even prickle a bit, it was just another scar. There was a knock at the door; he placed his hand on the door-knob. For a second he thought about Voldemort or a death eater standing on the other side of the door but, he still opened it. Gladly, it was Ginny smiling up at him.

"Good morning, did I wake you?" she said.

"No, I was already up. So, should we get breakfast?" Harry answered.

"Yeah, sounds great" Ginny said and grabbed Harry's hand.

They walked down to the common room. But as they passed by the couch Ginny stopped and pointed at it silently. Ron was sitting on the couch sleeping, leaning against the arm rest. Hermione's head rested gracefully on Ron's lap, his hand placed softly in her hair. She was stretched out on the couch with a blanket laid upon her. Harry had seen his best friends together as more then friends for a while. He was scared that if they were together it would ruin their friendship however, now he realized that Ron and Hermione needed each other. He was happy for them but, he knew that the bickering would not stop.

"Should we wake them?" Ginny whispered.

"No, Ron may be mad that he missed breakfast but, I think he will be angrier if we wake him." Harry whispered.

They went to the Great Hall. The other Weasleys sat near the front eating. When Ginny and Harry walked over they were greeted with many "Good Morning"s. However, they returned to their silent breakfast. Harry and Ginny sat in between George and Mrs. Weasley. Harry had toast, eggs, beacon, and porridge. He was hungry. The silence was so awkward; they all had Fred and the others who passed in the battle on their minds.

"So, did anybody 'ear from Kingsley?" he said with a chuckle.

Percy almost choked on his toast. Ginny smiled and giggled slightly. Mrs. Weasley let out a sob and George ran over to her.

"Mum, I think he would want us to have fun and laugh. I am sad too, more than you know." He said softly with his arm around her.

"I know dear, I just miss him." Mrs. Weasley answered with a watery smile.

The rest of breakfast was spent talking about Fred. Mr. Weasley remembered the time Fred let two gnomes loose in the house and they started to breed. This explained the burrow's gnome problem. That was something Harry didn't need to know.

After breakfast, Harry and Ginny started walking to the common room. Ms. McGonagall walked up to Harry.

"Mr. Potter, I thought I should inform you that some reporters have showed up on the grounds. The castle is secure and they prove no danger but, I think you would like your privacy. So, try to keep a low profile." she said and with a wink she turned away.

Harry knew that he would eventually have to talk to the world about what occurred but, now he only wanted to be with the ones closest to him. So, he pulled his invisibility cloak from his pocket. Ginny looked at the cloak and pulled it over herself. She was gone in a blink of an eye. Harry slipped under the cloak as while. They walked to the common room.

"Fred" Ginny said causing the Fat Lady to jump.

"I should be use to that" said the Fat Lady as the door swung open. Harry and Ginny slowly climb through the door.

As the door shut, Ron woke up suddenly. He and Hermione was in the same places that Harry and Ginny left them. Ron yawned loudly and Hermione woke. Harry and Ginny froze.

"Good Morning!" Ron said smiling down at Hermione.

"Hi" Hermione said still laying in his lap.

Ron bent over and kissed her softly on her lips. She smiled up at him.

"I can't believe we were down here all night. What time is it?" she said rubbing her eyes.

"Ummm… Bloody Hell¾11:56 a.m.!" Ron said looking at the watch he got for his 17th birthday.

"We missed breakfast." Hermione said lazily.

"O, well lunch will be soon" Ron sighed.

Hermione sat up looking appalled

"The whole time we were gone, you complained about being hungry and now you aren't!" Hermione said half angrily and half amused.

"Well… I didn't have you laying on my lap them." He said smiling in a matter-of-fact way.

Hermione sighed "Ron, now I am serious, are you okay… I mean with Fred?"

She looked into his blue eyes, her own eyes filling with tears.

"I…I don't think he would want us to be sad but I don't know how to feel. Everything is safe and okay, Harry is okay, and I have you with me. At the same time, Fred, Lupin, Tonks, and everyone are gone and aren't coming back…" Ron said with teary eyes.

"Ron, you can feel happy and sad at the same time… but, I really think they would want you to be happy. I am sure they are in a better place. I will always be here for you." she said placing a loving hand on his face.

"I know" Ron said. Hermione rested on head on his lap again.

" 'Mione…I Love You… I always have." Ron said looking down at her.

She sat up suddenly looking slightly out of breathe.

"I Love you, too, Ron" she said smiling.

He kissed her deeply. When they broke apart, the foreheads were still touching. Ron kissed her forehead and pulled her up, holding her hand. He put his arm around her shoulder and she put her arm around his waist.

"Let's go find Harry and everyone else." Harry pulled off the cloak. Ron and Hermione jumped back.

"Oi! How long have you been there?" Ron shouted while Ginny and Harry laughed.

"We just got down here. Calm down mate." Harry lied.

"O well that is good." Ron said his face turning scarlet.

Hermione was holding onto Ron's waist but, was laughing hard. They all started laugh but, it suddenly stopped when the portrait hole opened.