Disclaimer: I do not own any of Jo Rowling's characters, creatures, or their personality traits.
A/N: This is my version of how the characters would deal with the aftermath of the Battle at Hogwarts. HUGE DH SPOILERS- You have been warned.
Speeches and Kisses
"It was not my curse that killed him; it was his own…"
The Gryffindor common room was packed, yet an intense quietness possessed the room. It was the early hours of the morning, and small groups of students, teachers, and members of the Order sat huddled together about the room. Some of them were whispering excitedly while others sat with their arms around one another attempting to comfort each other; and then there were the Weasley's. The Weasley's and Hermione sat and stood around the Gryffindor fireplace; none of them speaking to each other; all lost in their own thoughts.
Ginny Weasley sat on the couch staring into the smoldering coals of the fireplace. Hermione sat beside her; a hand resting on her shoulder; half asleep.
Upstairs in the 7th Year Boy's Dormitory; Ron Weasley sat upright on his four poster bed waiting for his best friend to say something. Harry had only been asleep for a few hours, but there was a growing feeling of relief inside of him. The sun was up, and he could hear the distant sounds of birds chirping in the forest. He didn't know what to say to Ron; he'd lost his brother. Harry looked over at him.
"Everyone's waiting for you downstairs," Ron said quietly looking at his feet. "I-I was down there when you were asleep; they want to thank you or-something," he finished weakly.
Harry took a deep breath and sighed. "I have no idea what I'm going to say to all of them…how do you explain what happened how-how-"
"Beats me Mate, but you've got to do it at some point," Ron said matter-o-factly.
"I guess you're right," said Harry; watching Ron get up from his bed and walk over to the door.
"I'll tell them you're coming," said Ron a reluctant smile on his lips. He turned, opened the door, and disappeared through it.
Seamus and Dean were waiting impatiently outside the door.
"What did he say-"
"Is he alright?"
"When's he coming down?"
"Can We-"
Ron held up his hand in protest. "He'll be down in a minute, give him some room to breathe." He descended the rest of the staircase to find every head turn towards him as he entered the common room. Hermione practically sprinted across the room, and flung herself onto him. He had to suppress the urge to laugh, but simply smiled down at her.
"Are you okay Ron?" she asked sweetly and he reached down to touch her face.
"Yeah…I'm okay." Ron replied, and she smiled.
Hermione took his hand in hers "How's Harry?"
Ron squeezed her hand lightly, "he'll be down in a minute."
Hermione pulled Ron over to sit beside her on the couch, and Ron pulled Ginny into a hug and heard her sob softly in his ear. He looked around the room until he found George; sitting in the farthest corner and staring blankly at the wall. Ginny pulled away from him, and whispered to him, "is Harry alright?"
"He's fine he-" but Ginny wasn't listening, her eyes were fixed on the young man standing at the foot of the staircase. Ron turned as Ginny rose from her seat, and saw Harry standing there awkwardly.
Harry's eyes darted about the room taking in the large number of surprised faces that looked back at him. Most people were getting to their feet, and he sensed the beginning of a series of unwanted applauses as Kingsley, Hagrid, and Flitwick; who were grouped closest to him brought their hands up.
"Please," Harry began by raising his own hand in protest to the crowd's sudden lunge for celebration. "Look... I know you probably all want to show your-appreciation for what I did, and I'm not going to say that it wasn't difficult or important, but I'm not the only one who brought upon Voldemort's death…you all helped. You have already given the best kind of support and appreciation you could offer; you all fought, you all stood beside me to bring them down-to bring Him down... You have no idea how much that means to me, I couldn't have done it without help, and I want you all to know that.
I want to thank Ron and Hermione, who stuck by me this year while we"- Harry caught Hermione's eye –"researched how to bring down Voldemort, and I am eternally grateful for their unwavering loyalty." Harry smiled for the first time since he had started speaking as he looked upon his two best friends arm and arm
I know that many of you have suffered losses, and it's not wrong to be sad for those who lost their lives, but you can't lose sight of what has happened," and he smiled for a second time as his eyes fell upon Ginny. "He's gone, and we don't have to live in fear anymore. There is so much to be thankful for…" his body seemed to be pulling him across the room as his gaze was locked with Ginny's. He took a few steps towards her and spoke weakly to the room as a whole, "…and I know that I've done this before, but…" he was level with her now. "I…" he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply not caring in the slightest that there were at least one hundred people watching. It had been too long and he had missed the feeling of her body so close to his.
Finally the suppressed applause broke out, but it wasn't until Harry broke apart from Ginny that he even noticed the sound, and he couldn't help but smile for a third time as he saw a small grin cross Ginny's face. He looked over the top of her head to see Hermione laughing while hugging a beaming Ron, and he couldn't help but think that it was all worth it.
"Let's take a walk," he whispered to Ginny and he spared a quick glance back at the room as a whole before pulling Ginny by the hand across the room and through the portrait hole.
They raced through the empty hallways; Harry hardly noticing the severe damage that had been done to the castle because the sun seemed to be shining resolutely brighter than he had ever remembered. He looked over at Ginny; her hair ablaze in the sunlight, and pulled her a little closer to his side; lacing his fingers through hers.
The Great Oak front doors were hanging off of their hinges, and there were large gashes in the castle walls, and out on the front steps of the castle; dozens of photographers and reporters.
"Crap!" Harry mused attempting to guide Ginny away; to take a different route.
"Oi-It's him! It's Potter!" One of them cried excitedly, and they all charged forward into the Great Hall; clicking their camera's repeatedly. Ginny gripped Harry's arm; a slightly fearful look in her eyes as the crowd encircled them.
"I Say!" a strangled voice came from outside the crowd. "I told you that you could wait outside!" It was McGonagall, and she bustled forward with authority in every stride. The crowd dispersed reluctantly.
"Can't hide in here forever Potter," Rita Skeeter cackled.
"Rita, don't you know you think that this young man has been through enough?" McGonagall asked.
"What?" Rita said, carelessly waving her hand about. "Just want to get his side of the story…" she trailed the last reporters out of the hall.
Harry turned to Ginny, "I have to go and talk to them," he said simply
"I know," she replied, and his eyes shifted to McGonagall; quickly pacing the hallway her lips pressed tightly together. He took a step towards her.
"Professor," Harry began tentatively. "I'll just go and talk to them, and then they should clear off…alright?" She met his eyes, and he could see the strain she felt behind them; he half laughed. "Why don't you get some sleep? I'll take care of this…"
For a moment she hesitated, but then she put a hand on his shoulder, "T-thank you Harry…" she turned to leave, but paused. "You know, I know everyone says how much you're like your father…but I rather think you're more like your mother Harry. They would be so proud of the man you've become Harry; so very proud…"
"Thank you Professor," Harry said, and as she turned to leave he thought he heard her sniffle. He turned to Ginny once again, "wait for me here..?" he asked.
"No," Ginny took hold of his arm. "I want to go with you."
"Kay…"he agreed, and he stepped out onto the grounds as she trailed behind him.