It was difficult for many to cope with the losses after the final battle with the Dark Lord. Family and friends gathered around the bodies of loved ones, looking upon the faces of heroes. Tears of pride and melancholy was on everyone's faces. They knew that the war was finally over, and that their fallen comrades made a big difference in the outcome. Tom Riddle's demise was celebrated along with the courageous Harry Potter who gave up everything to protect the innocent. He was prepared to die for what he believed in. In one night he had lost several people that he cared dearly about, but he also gained the truth. Severus Snape was a friend all along, and Dumbledore's death was not accidental. He also felt his love for a certain redheaded girl, grow stronger and more defined. It pained him when he did not know of her whereabouts. She too, loved him more. For a brief instant she thought he was gone and in that moment, she froze. It wasn't enough to take her brother and friends, but to take the deepest love she ever had away from her? She couldn't take it.
After the smoke had subsided, and the people at Hogwarts were back in the castle, Harry decided to sneak away from the madness. With his Invisibility cloak on, he managed to escape from the constant cries and anger. Everyone seemed to lose somebody, and Harry was quite sick of hearing the commotion and being fussed over. He made it to the corridor when he ran into somebody.
"Harry..." a familiar voice whispered. His cloak had fallen off and he was hunched over, inches away from Ginny Weasley's face.
"Are you alright?" he swallowed hard. He had missed her dearly while he was away, and he hoped that his anxiousness didn't show. She seemed to feel the same way because she was stuttering.
"Y-yea, I'm f-fine considering. W-what about you?"
"I've missed you Ginny." he grabbed her hands, "I was always thinking about you. I didn't have enough time when I first saw you tonight...All I wanted to do was hold you-" He looked at her shocked face, and let her hand go. He backed away, surprised at his own boldness towards her. He turned to walk away when Ginny grabbed his hand, and pulled him closer.
"I love you, Harry Potter..." and with that, she pulled him into a kiss. This kiss surpassed his last one, on his birthday the previous year. He grabbed her waist and she ran her fingers through his messy black hair. Such passion between the two that could only be shown between those who are truly in love. Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter were meant for each other, and this kiss showed any onlooker that truth.
"Ginny!" Ron shouted at her, but his mother Molly simply elbowed him in the rib. Ginny looked over at her family, who was staring at her and Harry. They looked humble yet torn, for the loss of their son Fred. But this moment was Ginny's alone.
"Let them have their moment." Molly whispered to Ron.
Ginny smiled and Harry kissed her one quick last time. Fierce enough to make Arthur uncomfortable. When Harry pulled away, he looked toward the Weasleys and shifted. It was strange to have her family there. He simply shook his head, and took her hand. He pulled the Invisibility Cloak over the two of them and they couldn't be seen any longer.
It was strange how your choice of allies could change your entire life. Choose the wrong ones, you go astray, you are lost. Choose the right ones, however, and you could live life with no regret, you learn to trust. You are happy.
This is how Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy differed. If Harry had simply chosen to befriend the Slytherin in his first year, he would have most certainly come out different. Draco had no choices. He was confused. Perhaps he would learn to understand why certain things happen, and everything he should do should be for the greater good, rather than personal gain. He would learn just as Harry had learned that life can be filled with hardships, but it takes perseverance and positivity rather than fear.