Chapter 1 – The Morning After
Ginny awoke to the feeling of strong arms around her. As her eyes fluttered open she realised it was Harry, she smiled before snuggling closer into his side. She took a deep breath and took in his scent, it was gorgeous, manly and just so Harry. As she became more awake, Ginny realised that this was the first time since Bill and Fleur's wedding that she had woken up and felt happy. It was a glorious thought and Ginny wished she could stay snuggled up in Harry's bed forever.
Ginny looked across at the alarm clock on Harry's bed side table and realised it was 12 o'clock. She looked up at Harry, he looked so peaceful when he slept. It would be a shame to wake him, he needed a good rest after all he'd been through these past months. But now he'd finally done it! He'd finally defeated Voldemort and lifted the dark cloud that had been looming over the Wizarding World. Ginny smiled, life was perfect.
Well, almost perfect. Ginny felt a lump forming in her throat as she remembered Fred's death. The thought of his lifeless form lying on the floor of the Great Hall was enough to bring tears to Ginny's eyes – and Ginny Weasley never cried. A tear escaped down her cheek and landed on Harry's t-shirt, turning the dark green to almost black. She felt guilty that she was this upset over Fred when she thought of all that Harry had lost. He was so strong, she thought, she would never have been able to survive all the losses he had experienced.
Her tears were making a rather large wet patch on Harry's top now but she just couldn't stop them. Her thoughts kept drifting back to all those who had been lost in the battle against Lord Voldemort; her good friend Colin Creevey, Remus, Tonks and… Fred. She felt a surge of hatred for Voldemort, it was his fault all those people had died. But he was gone now, thanks to Harry and all his supporters. Ginny felt proud of Harry, he had achieved so much and he was still so young. She looked up at his sleeping face and smiled, now he could be the teenager he was without the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Harry awoke to the sound of soft sobbing, he looked down and realised it was coming from Ginny, who was curled up in his arms.
"Gin," he said softly, his voice husky from his long sleep, "what's wrong?"
"Harry!" she smiled, "You're awake."
Harry wiped the tears from Ginny's cheeks with his thumbs and lifted her chin up so he was looking into her deep brown eyes. They were still brimming with tears and Harry felt bad that he had not been awake to comfort her earlier.
"What's the matter?" he asked. His features showed his worry and Ginny thought he looked adorable.
"I was just thinking of everybody we lost in the battle," she answered quietly. "Especially Fred." She added after a short pause.
Harry's face filled with sadness as he too thought of those they had lost. "It's upsetting, I know. But we will get through this." He smiled down at her and she tried her best to smile back. "At least we don't have to worry about Voldemort anymore," he reassured her, "He's well and truly dead."
Ginny smiled at him and said, "Thanks Harry. You always know just what to say." She settled back down against his side and they lay there in silence for a few moments, enjoying each others company.
A soft rumbling broke the quiet. "Was that your tummy Miss Weasley?" Harry asked, his serious tone now gone.
"It might have been."
"You're such a Weasley, you're always hungry!" Harry laughed and Ginny chuckled too as she gave him a light slap. "Now there's the Ginny I know." He smiled, glad Ginny was back to her normal self. "And look, you've made my nice new t-shirt all wet! This was clean on after the battle you know!"
"I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" she pouted up at him.
"I'll think about it." Harry replied in mock outrage.
After a few moments Ginny broke the silence again. "Harry, I'm hungry," She whined. "Can we go and have some breakfast?"
Harry glanced at the alarm clock. "More like lunch! It's quarter to one you know."
"Alright, can we go and get some lunch then?"
"What's the magic word?" Harry teased.
"Expelliarmus?"
"I was looking for please, but that will have to do." Harry got out of the bed and went into the bathroom to have a shower and get dressed. Ginny lay there feeling lonely, the bed just didn't seem as nice without Harry in it.
Fifteen minutes later, they were both ready and exited the room in a comfortable silence.
The pair entered the Great Hall to find the rest of the Weasley family and Hermione (minus Percy who had gone back to London to sort out his flat) already sat at the Gryffindor table. The Great Hall looked suprisingly normal after the battle and Harry was once again amazed at what magic could do.
"Ginny! Harry!" Mrs Weasley was the first to notice them, "Did you sleep alright, dears? You will have needed a good rest after all you've been through!"
"Fine thanks, Mrs Weasley." Harry replied as he was engulfed in one of her enormous hugs.
"It's Molly to you dear," Mrs Weasley replied as she ruffled his already messy hair.
"Yes Mrs- I mean, Molly." Mrs Weasley chuckled at him and moved on to embrace her daughter.
Harry sat down opposite Ron and Hermione and piled some scrambled eggs and toast onto his plate. He tucked in, enjoying the delicous Hogwarts food once again – he was only just beginning to realise how much he had missed it.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Hermione asked him, shooting Ron a disgusted look as he shoveled food into his mouth beside her.
"Much better, thanks. It feels so good to not have to worry about Voldemort anymore."
"So, are you and Ginny together again now?" Hermione enquired after a short pause.
"I don't actually know. We haven't really talked about it."
"I think it's important that you do talk about it, you two –" The conversation stopped as Ginny slid onto the bench next to Harry.
"I've missed you three," Ginny said with a smile, "Hogwarts just wasn't the same without you."
"It sounded like you had quite an exciting year to me." Ron said.
"Oh, it was great. That is if you like getting tortured and having to perform the cruciatus curse on innocent first years." Ginny felt Harry stiffen on the bench next to her.
"I don't understand how anybody could be that cruel," Harry said, his voice sounding puzzled, "Why would anybody in their right mind want to do that?"
"That's just the thing Harry. They were crazy." Ginny shuddered remembering her horrid scenes she had seen at Hogwarts that year.
"I think the Carrows sound like some of the vilest people on earth." Hermione stated with a look of disgust. "What they did was just wrong."
"Darlings!" Mrs Weasley was calling to them down the table. "Arthur and I were thinking that perhaps it's time for us to go back to the Burrow now. I can make you all a lovely roast dinner for this evening."
"That sounds lovely Molly!" Harry said and the rest of the table nodded in agreement. Well, all except George – he just sat and stared at the table as he had been doing for the last thirty minutes.
Molly shot Arthur a worried look as they both glanced over at their son with concern. They were trying to be cheerful and hoped everyone would follow their example – Fred would not want his family to be upset.
"Right," Mrs Weasley announced, "Arthur and I will apparate first and I want you all to apparate after us in pairs."
A second later she and Arthur were gone, followed by Bill and Fleur. Charlie grabbed George's arm and the pair disappeared with the familiar pop, George's blank expression not changing. Ron and Hermione then left, leaving only Harry and Ginny. Harry took Ginny's arm and smiled, she smiled back – she had a feeling she was going to enjoy this summer. The pair disapparated leaving only the empty table behind them.
