A/N: I own none of these characters. But J.K. Rowling does!
Chapter 1
Harry stood on the now-repaired steps of Hogwarts, gazing out into the sunset. The lake glinted in the fading light, and he could just make out Dumbledore's tomb in the distance. Two days ago, he had replaced the Elder Wand to whom Harry considered the rightful owner, and had stood vigil for a few hours after. He had done so alone, as he stood alone right now. He preferred things that way. Those who had remained behind to help clean-up efforts at the school had begun to treat Harry with a sort of divine reverence, for which Harry had little tolerance.
Well, he shouldn't say that all treated him that way. There were a few notable exceptions. Harry was treated no differently by neither Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neviille, nor the entire Weasley family.
"The Weasleys," Harry murmured. Every time he thought of their family and what they gave to the fight he felt sick with guilt. Fred was gone, because of him. Harry had caused Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, George, Ron, the others, and worst of all Ginny, an immeasurable amount of pain. He couldn't fathom how he could be forgiven, so he had done what he did best: avoided everyone.
Ironically, what Harry longed to do most was to comfort those he hurt. His arms ached to be around Ginny, pressing her body into his, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair, soothing all of her pain and never letting her away from him again. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. He avoided almost everyone, trying to stay busy helping with cleanup, taking solitary walks around the grounds, taking his meals in the kitchens, or pretending to be asleep in Gryffindor tower.
Truth be told, what Harry pondered on these solitary ventures made him feel even more guilty. Because while he mourned the dead, he also worried about what he was supposed to do now. Now that Voldemort was gone forever, Harry's entire world had opened up. For once, Harry felt like a normal teenager, trying to get a handle on things. It was a wonderful feeling, but entirely inappropriate given the circumstances.
Harry felt movement beside him. He looked over to see that Luna had joined him.
"Hello, Harry Potter." Luna greeted.
"Hey Luna." Harry replied.
Luna didn't look at him, but started to watch the setting sun. Harry looked again too. They stood in silence for a few minutes. That was one of the many great things about Luna; she never really cared if there was conversation. She was equally comfortable in silence, which Harry appreciated.
Finally, she broke it.
"Coming to dinner?" She asked.
"I don't think so."
"Are you sure? The pudding will be good."
Harry chuckled. "I'll bet it will be." Harry sighed and continued in a slightly lower voice, "Are they all in there?"
"Yes. And they're quite worried about you. They're going to be leaving in the morning." Luna responded.
Harry had been worried about that. He didn't respond to Luna's statement.
"Don't you want to go and talk with them? They're having a tough time of it too, you know."
"I know Luna. It's just…" Harry trailed off.
Luna just looked up at him with her big eyes and waited. She blinked a few times before Harry finally got the guts to finish.
"It's just, I can't be around them without feeling that it's my fault." Harry was ashamed and put his face in his hands. He continued speaking through his twined fingers. "How can I sit with them as family, when I know that I helped in his death?"
"I didn't realize that you had been the one who had blasted the wall apart." Luna replied calmly.
Harry was shocked. "I wasn't!"
"Then how did you have anything to do with Fred's death?" she asked.
"Because he was there, fighting MY fight. Every death, on both sides, was MY fault. How can they not be?"
Harry looked at Luna with pleading eyes. For some reason, he felt that he could confess this to her, without her judging him. And he hoped beyond hope that she would have an answer for him.
"Harry" Luna began. "Sometimes, you are the most self-centered, ridiculous person on the face of the earth."
Luna had stated this all matter-of-factly, and Harry's mouth actually dropped open.
"Wh…what?" Harry stuttered.
"Do you honestly believe that if it had been somebody else who had led the battle, that any of us would have responded differently? Would we not have come here and fought?" She asked.
He thought for a moment. "Yes, you would have. And I would've joined in as well." He answered.
"Exactly." Luna said. "You may want to think that it was your fight, but in truth, it was our fight. Contrary to popular opinion, most of us don't want to be enslaved, forced to perform dark magic, and torture Muggles."
At that, Harry gave a weak laugh.
"Nobody died in vain." She continued softly, lightly touching his arm.
"I know you're right." He paused. "You know, Luna, I must say that this has been the most coherent conversation that I've ever had with you. What's changed?" He asked.
Luna laughed. "Well, when all of your friends fight for their lives, then see one of them come back from the dead, it tends to give you some perspective."
"I suppose it does." Harry replied.
Luna sighed. "Enough of this sunset. Get into the Great Hall and eat. Quit hiding out. People are going to start thinking that you're weird."
"You're right." Harry agreed. "Thanks Luna. You're a good friend."
"I suppose I am. You are too, despite what I've heard."
With that, Luna drifted back through the entryway and headed towards the clamor of dinner being served. Harry sighed, and with one last look at the setting sun, he too made his way into the Great Hall.
