CHAPTER ONE: NEW DAWN

The world was new and the sun was shining as the country was gripped in a wave of celebration as a long war was finally ended. In the north stood a vast, magical castle that stood in smoky ruin with its many towers and courtyards wasted by the ferocity of the previous nights battle. Moving about the smouldering rubble were hundreds of people united in celebration and grief; the battle had been terrible and the loss of life high but ultimately they had won. In one of the tallest towers, one of the few to have survived the battle relatively unscathed, overlooking the steep valley and surrounding mountains, was a small dormitory that was almost empty. In one of the four poster beds a teenage wizard was enjoying a dreamless and peaceful sleep; his name is Harry Potter.

It was late morning when Harry finally stirred from his sleep; he sat up slowly, his mind blank as he stretched his arms and reached out for his glasses and put them on. He was sat in a familiar four poster bed surrounded with maroon curtains, a sight and feeling of home he thought he would never experience again. He felt strangely light as if he hadnt a care for the world, he even wondered whether he had in fact died and this was heaven. His peaceful thoughts was ended abruptly as Ron Weasley came in with a bang.

'Harry, finally you're up!' he cried.

Ron had a smile on his bruised face but Harry wasn't fooled, the sadness in Ron's eyes was still there and no amounts of forced smiles or laughter would conceal that from him. He cast him mind back to the previous nights events where everything came back to him in blurred images. However no sooner had he remembered this then a sharp bolt went through him, a distant dark memory involving a graveyard and a cauldron. Harry leapt out of bed and on to his feet, his body aching from the injuries he sustained the previous evening and without really thinking cried out;

'What about his body? Voldemort where is it?' Ron looked alarmed and flinched at the sound of the name. Harry then realised that his outburst must have seemed disturbing to Ron as his brain finally regained control over his overactive imagination.

'I'm sorry,' he said, feeling stupid. 'I just panicked a little bit there; it's just that I always knew he was out there before and I just wanted to, you know, make sure he is gone, that last night wasn't just a nightmare or a dream.'

Harry sounded like he was pleading for a moment, desperate to make Ron understand. Ron, to his great relief, just gave a reassuring smile.

'Its fine, Kingsley had several Aurors placed at the Chamber door and there are two of them watching inside,' said Ron. 'They're planning to take it to a secure location later today.' Harry settled back down onto his bed. Ron turned back and made for the door but stopped as he was about to leave. He turned around to face Harry once more and Harry again felt relief that Ron had made it through with him.

'Me and Hermione are going to find her mum and dad so hopefully we'll catch you before we go; you should also go to the Great Hall as the house elves have made a breakfast feast and everyone's going to be there,' said Ron. Harry nodded at him before watching him leave.

Harry took his time in getting ready; he looked at himself in the mirror and saw a large purple bruise on his chest; the place where the Killing Curse had hit him. Though it hadn't killed him he winced from the tenderness. He put on fresh clothes which had been prepared for him and he now felt clean for the first time since he, Ron and Hermione had left Shell Cottage some weeks ago. He went downstairs to the Gryffindor Common Room and was surprised to see Neville sitting there. Neville had cleaned himself up from the battle; his hair had been cut, he was now clean shaven and looked, Harry felt, rather smart.

Neville stood up when he noticed Harry appearing at the steps and smiled. Harry smiled back at him. Neville seemed to make an attempt to say something but words seemed to fail him. Understanding fully and without saying anything, Harry stepped forward and embraced Neville as a brother. After a few moments they stepped apart.

'Shall we go to the Great Hall?' asked Neville finally.

Harry smiled and he now wondered if he would be able to stop smiling.

'I think we should,' said Harry and he and Neville made their way down to the Great Hall together.

As they walked along the corridors the undamaged portraits of Hogwarts cheered and applauded them both as they progressed through the ruined castle. 'All hail the boy who lived!' 'Hail Neville Longbottom, Snake Slayer' they cried. Harry and Neville just smiled, acknowledged and thanked them for their praise. They eventually made it to the Entrance Hall which was still marked by the recent battle. The stone steps were cracked and singed, there were blood stains on the floor but some effort had been made overnight to clear the glass and rubble. Harry noticed two Aurors flanking the entrance to where the bodies of Voldemort and the fallen Death Eaters were laid. He felt a cold sensation in his gut as he walked by but his attention was quickly brought to the Great Hall which had music coming from it and the sounds of movement from within.

Harry and Neville entered the Hall to find it filled with hundreds of people. The house tables had been restored and was filled by any who chose to sit there. The moment Harry and Neville entered the Hall and were seen there was a moments silence but this was quickly followed by loud cheers and applause. Harry looked around and saw Ron, Hermione, Luna, Aberforth, Seamus, Dean, Cho, his Gryffindor Quidditch team-mates, other students from Dumbledore's Army and even the new Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt and of course he saw Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, and Slughorn all applauding him. He smiled at them all. He walked in and took a seat next to Ron and Hermione whilst Neville went off to find his grandmother who was sitting with a group of people Harry had never seen before; he guessed that they were Neville's extended family. This was one of the most peaceful days of his life, for the first time ever he didn't have to worry about Voldemort, Dementors, dark wizards or even the Durselys. Everyone was cheerful enough but they also shared in their collective sorrow but Harry had not dared acknowledged his regret over his failure to prevent the battle, a feeling that he noticed had been growing within him.

He heard from some students near by that the centaur's were gathered outside Hagrids hut with Buckbeak and the Thestrals while Grawp was entertaining some of the younger and more curious students outside. The Weasleys however had gathered in the hospital wing where the dead had been laid, he did not want to interrupt their mourning as he remembered the pain of losing Sirius and how much he wanted to be left alone with his grief.

'Harry, how are you?' asked Hermione.

'Good,' he replied as he helped himself to some toast and filled his goblet with orange juice.

'When are you heading off to Australia?' he asked in a bid to change the subject, it didn't feel right that his own well being was being singled out.

'In just a moment actually, Kingsley managed to arrange a special Portkey just outside of Hogsmeade,' she said with uncertainty, 'I hope you don't mind us going so soon after everything?'

'Not at all, I'm sure your parents would be missing you,' he said truthfully.

'You could always come with us' said Ron although the way he looked at Harry suggested that the offer wasn't what it was meant to be and Harry was able to read the subtle hint and was ready.

'No thanks I better help with some of the rebuilding of the castle, you two go,' he said and Ron smiled at him, even Hermione smiled.

'Anything in the Prophet?' asked Harry.

'The front page predictably is all about You Know What,' said Ron and he handed Harry a copy of the morning addition.

HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED DEFEATED

The wizarding world is united in celebration today following the report that the dark wizard, He Who Must Not Be Named has been defeated and officially declared dead. This glorious news was the result of a lengthy battle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involving teachers, students, Ministry officials and the Death Eaters.

New Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, formerly of the Auror's Office, made the official announcement; 'it with great relief and happiness that I can officially announce the death of He Who Must Not Be Named this evening'. Whilst the Minister refused to go into specific details about the death of the said wizard, some sources have been quoted as saying that You Know Who was killed following a confrontation with Harry Potter who is currently unavailable for comment after spending the last several months a wanted fugitive.

Whilst news of the death of You Know Who has been greeted with great celebration all over the world, it has been tarnished by the tragic news coming through Ministry sources of the battle that took place. Tragically the Minister also had to announce the death of fifty people, some including students, who were killed in the battle. This news has generated shock and sadness in the magical community added only more with reports that the ancient castle has sustained heavy damage. Shacklebolt promised 'a time to grieve for the dead but for now celebrate the great victory that their sacrifice has allowed to happen this day'.

Harry relieved to see that they had left out the specific details; he couldn't stomach the idea of people seeing him as some sort of saviour especially considering what he was feeling underneath. He at least was able to have a quick word with Kingsley last night to congratulate him on his promotion and he also felt particular satisfaction in telling him about the crimes of Dolores Umbridge in the Ministry during the last year.

His mind and attention had returned to Ron and Hermione and he spent several more minutes with them before they finally bid their goodbyes to him and left the Hall preparing for their journey to Australia, Harry suddenly felt very alone. He had been with Ron and Hermione constantly for the last year and now all he had was his thoughts for company and it was in this moment that he realised that there was a lot for him to say to himself as he gazed around the Hall and surveyed the damage surrounding him.

The castle had been badly damaged by the fighting and many of the ancient charms that had made Hogwarts what it was had been destroyed. Harry was told by Professor Sprout that a special envoy of Ministry wizards had been summoned to commence reconstruction of the castle, the ancient charms could be restored in time but there was the issue of any hidden enchantments that the Death Eaters placed on the school. With the Death Eaters dead, imprisoned or on the run, there was no way to know what sort of dark magic may have been employed to secure the school and Kingsley decided that Hogwarts should be swept thoroughly for any such magic.

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table alone thinking about his life to this point; with his mission completed and Voldemort dead so what now? Harry barely had time to think of his options when he received a polite summon from Professor McGonagall. He got to his feet and approached the table where McGonagall sat and he sat down opposite her.

'Professor?' he said looking at her face which was adorned with cuts and bruises from the previous night's event, 'are you alright?'

'Oh I'm mending Potter thank you for asking,' she said gently and Harry was relieved to see that she was smiling, 'Potter I wanted to ask you about your future?'

'Professor?' he asked in surprise.

'No need to act so surprised Potter after all you never finished you education at Hogwarts and I was wondering what your intentions for the future are?' she said seriously and Harry, suddenly feeling under pressure, couldn't really think of an answer to give.

'Well, I, err … don't know Professor I haven't really thought about anything much beyond today,' he said truthfully.

Professor McGonagall's expression softened sympathetically.

'I understand Potter, really I do, this is after all quite difficult to take in,' she said looking around the Hall. 'I remember the celebrations when You Know Who first fell, on that occasion there was nothing but joy but this … this is much different.'

Harry felt the temptation to put his hand on Professor McGonagall's arm in comfort but it didn't feel right.

'Professor, he's gone now forever,' he said. Professor McGonagall looked at him. 'Really, there will be no next time'.

She smiled at him.

'I can only imagine the relief you must be feeling,' she said softly.

'In truth Professor, relief is not just what I'm feeling,' he said with a sigh. Professor McGonagall eyed him intently.

'Professor I need to ask you something important,' he whispered at her.

'Well,' she whispered back stunned by the seriousness of the question, 'since you've asked me you might as well go ahead.'

'Did I do the right thing last night?' he asked seriously.

Professor McGonagall blinked.

'What do you mean?' she asked.

'In not leaving did I do the right thing?'

Professor McGonagall paused for a moment to consider her answer, this was most serious and personal question he had ever asked her.

'I think it ultimately comes down to what you think,' she said finally.

'I'm not sure whether it was the right choice.'

'I told you at the time it was foolish to enter the castle Potter but you told me you had, was that the truth?'

'Yes Professor, there was no other way to beat him,' he said.

'In which case it was the only choice that could be made and He Who Must Not Be Named is dead as a result. I'd say it was worth it, don't you?'

'Fifty people at least are dead because of me.'

'Fifty people are dead because He Who Must Not Be Named killed them, not you.'

'But if I had left the castle …'

'Then many more would still be left suffering at the hands of the Death Eaters and as I'm sure you were aware, their love of cruelty didn't end at the gates of Hogwarts.'

At this moment he fell silent, unable to argue against her and it was here that she seemed to him the same Professor McGonagall he had known since first arriving to Hogwarts all those years ago.

'Harry,' she said softly and he was caught off guard, she never called him by his first name. 'A terrible price was paid last night but that blame lies with one person and that person is not you so I would only say to you again; isn't that worth the price that was paid?'

'I really hope so Professor,' said Harry.

There wasn't much else to say as far as Harry was concerned and Professor McGonagall finally offered him the chance to return to Hogwarts and complete his final year of study. Whilst he greatly appreciated the offer and it at least gave him an option, he didn't know how he would feel returning to the castle now.

McGonagall's words were the only source of comfort Harry felt he could accept, she didn't blame him either and she at least gave him another thought to focus on. Hundreds and thousands more witches and wizards would be able to live and grow up now without the fear of hearing Voldemorts name. Tom Riddle would vanish into the history books as the most feared dark wizard in history who met his match against a united wizarding community. Harry could imagine no better fate for Lord Voldemort; defeated by Pure-Bloods and Muggle-Borns in unity, Riddle would've hated it. But beneath it all, he still felt the guilt of all those who had died, Dumbledore once told him that his greatest strength was his ability to love and feel and he was proved right, but right now it felt like a curse.

After breakfast Harry decided that he would dare to venture out into the front of the castle and enjoy the Hogwarts grounds one last time; nearly a year ago he thought he would never see the castle again. Harry entered the Entrance Hall when suddenly someone through themselves at him, it was Percy . Harry was taken aback since Percy was only member of the Weasley family he didn't have a particularly good relationship with.

'You helped me move him to safety' cried Percy who was embracing Harry tightly, 'thank you Harry'. Harry's own subdued emotions over Fred's death were rising within him and he was desperate to keep them under control.

'You're not angry with me?' Harry stammered.

'Angry? No of course not, none of this is was on you,' said Percy confidently.

'Anyway,' said Percy as he now regained composure and his usual sense of dignity. 'I have to be off, Ron and Hermione have gone on ahead but they've left you this note to explain where they've gone.'

Harry wondered why Ron and Hermione had left him a message since he knew where they had gone but he assumed, naturally, that Percy's intentions to join them had changed their plans. He took the note and opened it.

Harry,

Looks like Percy didn't get the hint, and now we are gonna be stuck with him the whole journey, any chance you could delay him or try to stop him for us?

Ron

Harry laughed out loud at this but before he could help Ron with his request Percy spoke first.

'Sorry Harry, got to go, they'll get trapped in magical limbo without me, see you,' beamed Percy and like that he sped off without letting Harry say another word.

Harry started his walk, he first walked along the border of the Forbidden Forest remembering the last time he went into them seemed like a dream to him. He reached what was left of Hagrid's hut and went towards the Black Lake. He watched the small crowds surrounding the centaurs and other magical creatures as he went by, the only desire he had at this moment was for some peace and quiet and a time to think. He sat down along the bank of the lake and watched the calm and tranquil surface. He glanced around at the damaged grounds and felt a comforting warmth in his heart as he cast his mind back to the past. He stared at the castle and remembered the first time he saw it, he remembered the Sorting Ceremony, he remembered meeting Ron and Hermione, a floating club crashing down onto a Troll. He cast his mind back to all the things that made his life bearable, he barely noticed the tear running down his face.

He sat peacefully at the lake, watching the Giant Squid's tentacles rise to the surface before disappearing under again. He didn't know how long he had been there for before a voice spoke to him which brought him out of his day dreams.

'How you doing Harry?'

He spun around and saw the scarred face of Bill Weasley standing beside him his stomach dropped. This was the first time he had spoken to a different member of the Weasley family alone since the previous night, Percy was different since he had been there and seen what had happened but Bill? He wasn't sure what to expect.

'Hi Bill, how are you?' stammered Harry.

'Been better but alive at least, thanks to you,' he said softly.

Harry didn't know quite what to say, the last thing he felt he either needed or deserved was gratitude from someone who he felt he should be asking forgiveness from. 'Mum's been asking after you and wondered where you were,' said Bill more seriously though not unkind. 'She's starting to worry about you, frankly so was I.'

'I wanted to give all of you some space,' said Harry feeling that it was terrible excuse now he said it. 'I also needed some time'.

'I know what you mean,' said Bill. 'I look around and I feel sad, I had a great time here and to see the castle like this is like coming to the end of a long journey; in more ways than one.'

'It is, for all of us,' said Harry reflectively. Bill was watching him,

'But that doesn't mean all things need to change which brings me to my main point Harry and that is why are keeping your distance from everyone, especially with things as they are?'

Harry didn't know what to say to him. The last thing he wanted to tell Bill was what he was actually feeling and most of all he didn't want to somehow negate the sacrifice of Fred and the others by regretting the battle. What was worse to him was that he didn't know whether he truly regretted it or not or whether he was right to or not. But there was no getting around the issue no matter how selfish it may seem from his part; he had never wanted to get anyone else involved in this and had rather just gone searching for the Horcruxes himself. But Dumbledore knew him better; he knew he would need Ron and Hermione not just to finish the task but also to avoid the temptation of the Deathly Hallows, the same temptation that had ultimately proved Dumbledore and Tom Riddle's downfall.

'I really did think that you'd want some privacy, it's a family tragedy and I didn't want to intrude,' he said at last and Bill walked up to him until they were stood face to face.

'You think you're not part of our family?' whispered Bill incredulously.

'You'll never know how much I've wanted to be part of your family,' cried Harry in spite of himself, Bill fell silent. 'I love your family more than I can say but it is because your family is so close to me that I nearly got you all killed, Fred …' Harry suddenly couldn't talk.

Bill watched Harry for a few moments, his face showing signs of emotion, before turning back towards the castle.

'You know Percy was the brains of the family at Hogwarts,' he said. 'Charlie was a great Quidditch player, as is Ginny, Fred and George were the trouble makers but Ron. Ron had part of us all in him, brave, smart, a trouble maker, and a not too bad Keeper from what I've heard. And I tell you something else; every one of them has gained something extra through knowing you.'

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.

'I did nothing…' started Harry rather timidly, but Bill took no notice.

'You led Ron and Hermione after the Philosopher's Stone, saved Ginny from a Basilisk, Dad from a Snake, taught Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons and inspired all of us to stand against You Know Who and even now you feel unable to take credit from the good that you've done.'

'But Fred …'

'Fred,' interrupted Bill, 'never did anything he wasn't willing to do and I know both he and George were proud to take a stand against You Know Who.'

The speech ended and though it did make him feel better, Harry still felt no relief from the guilt that was built up inside of him. Bill made no mention of Fred's death or of his current feelings of the battle itself; Harry concluded that this was something he would have to face by speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley face to face.

'Where is Mrs. Weasley Bill?' he asked softly.

Bill seemed surprised for a moment before smiling a relieved smile at him, 'they're in the hospital wing with Fred,' he replied.

Harry nodded his thanks and left Bill there; he turned back and made his way back to the front entrance of the castle and Harry felt each step become more of a burden in anticipation to what was coming. His chest felt tight, he found it hard to swallow as his fears boiled to the surface; would they even speak to him or let him come up to them? Would they let him see Ginny again? Maybe Ginny would use a Bat Bogey Hex on him as he entered the hospital wing. All of these were on his mind so much that his journey to the hospital fazed out of his mind until quite suddenly, as far as he was concerned, he was staring at the door. He took a deep breath and opened the door and stepped inside.

The sight before him that would haunt his dreams for a long time to come; the wing had been magically expanded to accommodate the dead who had been laid out neatly so that their family and friends could pay their respects. Harry walked slowly past them and with each turn of his head his heart sank. He saw classmates and students he had learnt magic with lying dead before him, their faces pale and still, expressionless, at peace perhaps. He looked over and saw Colin Creevey's parents and his brother, Dennis who were grieving the loss of their son and he could not bear to look at them. He wondered where Remus and Tonks were laid as he carried on past the bodies until he found them; Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, two of the finest people he had ever known, were paying the ultimate price for associating themselves with Harry Potter. They had taken him into their home and had treated him like he was their own son; spent birthdays and Christmases with them, laughed and ate with them, as far as he was concerned they were the family he never had.

As he approached them he stopped, his fear was now at boiling point and his legs felt like they were filled with lead, making him unable to move to them nor walk away from them. He was trapped in a nightmare; surely about to be cast away by the family he loved so dearly, his breathing became difficult, his eyes watered as finally Mrs. Weasley looked up and saw him standing there. She got to her feet and rushed towards him; this was it, it was going to happen now, the screaming and shouting. He wouldn't blame her; he did the same thing when Sirius died. Mrs. Weasley rushed ever closer, just an arms length away, she would be able to strike out at him any moment now, he drew a deep breath as she reached him and he suddenly found himself pulled into a tight, warm but glorious embrace.

'Oh Harry,' she cried. 'Where have you been? Arthur and I have been so worried about you.'

She was worried about him? But how could they be worried if they blamed him for the death of their son?

'Oh .. well, I …' started Harry but Mrs. Weasley hugged him even tighter. He looked over Mrs. Weasley's shoulder and saw Mr. Weasley walking up to them. Mrs. Weasley let him out of her grasp and Mr. Weasley, for the first time ever in his life, welcomed Harry with an embrace of his own.

'So I see Bill found you then,' beamed Mr. Weasley, though they were smiling Harry could see the redness of their eyes.

'How's George, Ginny and Charlie?' asked Harry desperately to change the subject.

'Oh well, George couldn't face coming up here and so he and Ginny have gone back to the Gryffindor Common Room and Charlie's helping with the disposal of the giants, he felt his experience with large dragons might help the Ministry, they're coping the best they can' said Mrs. Weasley. There was a pause following this and Harry felt that he couldn't contain what he was feeling any longer. Mrs. Weasley turned away and sat back down besides a body which must be Fred..

'I'm so sorry,' cried Harry in an emotional whisper.

'Whatever for?' asked Mr. Weasley gently. Harry felt the time for holding guilt was long gone and he owed them this now.

'I caused this, if I hadn't got careless then the Carrows wouldn't have summoned Vol … him and the battle would have been avoided.'

Harry felt that by taking responsibility for it the battle it might alleviate his feelings of guilt at Fred's death. However he had no sooner than finished his words then a voice came up from behind him.

'It was not your fault, never say that' said Mrs Weasley who looked up at him.

'It was the Death Eaters who killed our boy and never believe otherwise' cried Mrs. Weasley and Harry noticed fresh tears running down her face.

'But the battle could have been avoided and then …' started Harry but this time Mr. Weasley interrupted.

'Then what? You Know Who would still be alive and many more innocent people and hundreds more families would have been torn apart and the battle would have come sooner or later and even more people would have died,' said Mr. Weasley seriously. 'No what happened last night spared many more people from a terrible fate and while it is hard to see it now; I know that the price paid tonight was worth it.'

These were words like sounded like pure magic to Harry; how could they be true? The Weasleys didn't blame him for Freds death but they also seemed to understand, even with their grief, that it had been a price worth paying. How could they feel and think this when he wasn't sure himself? Maybe this was how his grief was manifesting itself he wondered and maybe he should give himself time to heal; he had lost his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Dobby, Lupin; maybe now was the time for him to fully heal from the trauma. Maybe this is why he was feeling so much and as he did so he felt that wonderful sense of relief fill up inside him once more.

Harry finally saw things as a new beginning. Harry and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned downstairs to the Great Hall to gather with the other families and join in with their mourning and celebrations. Harry laughed with them and cried with them but for the first time in a long while, he finally felt free. Throughout the day he made emotional goodbyes to his class mates who were returning home for the summer, Dean left to be reunited with his family, Seamus and the Patil twins were picked up by their parents though Parvati wanted to visit Lavender one last time in the hospital wing. Luna left shortly before he did to meet her father who was being released from Azkaban but not before she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for everything. He stood in the Entrance of Hogwarts and felt emotional, wondering whether again he would return to this place which brought him so much happiness, he even wondered whether he would ever love it the same way again after all this. For now, as far as he was concerned, it didn't matter; he would deal with the consequences of his actions for weeks to come and he hoped that one day he will not feel guilty for what happened here. He left Hogwarts hoping for a much brighter future ahead.