Disclaimer: Well we all know how this goes...
A/N: I don't know, I'm preety ummm... estatic about this,,, idk maybe...It was fun to write, but was it worth my time.As from reading with summary i guess you already guessed what this is all about. This is FanFic... so that means i can make up anything i want to... right? Please don't hate it... or at least don't tell me becasue that'll just lower my selfe-esteem... and it's preety high... lol. What i'm really doing is begging you all to review... please... it'll make me want to finish a story for once... so please tell me if you like it or not, so i can know wether or not to waste my time on it. I think it's crap... well not really but.. i think it's very corny... tell me what you think please!!
Well enjoy!!
NO, no…NO…aaaaaa…Hagrid, RON, HERMIONE!!!... NOOO, not Neville too.
Harry Potter twisted and turned in the four poster bed of the dormitory he had spent six years in. The bed, though a comfort to him, would bring him terrible dreams, but never of this sort.
He ran around the grounds of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry once more, checking, making sure, they couldn't all be dead, they just couldn't… 'Noooooooo, GINNY!!' His scream pierced the deserted school grounds. He crouched down at the limp figure of the red head, cradling her head in his arms. He didn't feel like living this moment, how could he fail, he even dragged Ron and Hermione into this, and then the loss of Lupin and Tonks just when their son was only months old… he'd failed… he didn't deserve to live… if only…Harry, Harry.
"Harry!"
His eyes shot open and he regretted it instantly, the glare of the sun dangerous ray hit him square in the face before someone sheltered him by sitting down on his bed. He squinted at the petit figure on his bed trying to make out the outline.
Sitting straight up on the bed, which felt familiar yet strange, he reached for his glasses, placing them on his face his fingers brushed against the lightening bolt shaped scar that had marked him, unwantingly. The scar now quite smooth though he was still able to feel it, used to cause him remarkable pain in the mornings, though, for the first time, didn't even seem to be there. He must have stayed too long holding his scar, for his visitor moved into view with a questioning look on her face.
"Harry, is everything alright?" A female voice asked grabbing his attention; he shook his head once, as if to break himself out of his reverie, looking towards her he couldn't help but to leap on her in excitement. It was Hermione, the Hermione that he had believed to have seen the corpse of out in a treacherous battle field.
Hermione hugged him back quite uncertainly at first then more forcefully when she reasoned there could be no harm done. They broke apart at the clearing of a throat at the corner of the room. Harry recognizing his best friend Ron stood up from the bed and hugged him even more forcefully. It was a relief to see that what he had believed to be their dead bodies was in fact the effects of a horrid dream. Now he just had to see the others to make sure.
"Where's Ginny?" Harry, asked as soon as he felt it safe to let go of Ron, fearing this would be the end and he would truly wake up from his dream now. Ron looked questioningly at him, but Hermione beat him to an answer.
"She's still in the dorm," Hermione said sending a worrying glance over to Ron who shrugged then she turned back to Harry adding, "Is something wrong, are you feeling okay Harry?"
"Yeah, yes, I'm brilliant; I just need to see Ginny, just to make sure…" He trailed off as he exited the room, heading straight to the girls dormitory, still wearing his lime green pajamas, Ron and Hermione in hot pursuit.
Jumping the steps to the boys' dormitory three at a time he was able to make it to the entrance of the girls' seconds before Ron and Hermione.
"HARRY!" Ron shouted coming through the door of the boys' dormitory right as he saw Harry jump the first step, "You can't go…" He trailed off, expecting to see Harry slide down out of the entrance due to the spell which prevented boys from entering the girls' dorm. He continued to run down towards the girls' dormitory and following Harry's example he took two steps at a time.
"HERMIONE," Ron shouted out behind him as they ran up the spiraling light burgundy steps. "Why the hell can Harry and I get up here?"
"Ronald, have you noticed the state of which Hogwarts is in? Don't you think that if the major spells have lifted, the small spells would as well?" Hermione said, trying her best to keep up with the boys.
"OH, I GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT!" He shouted back down to her.
"And would you PLEASE stop the shouting, people are sleeping up here." Hermione said evident disgust in her voice.
"Sorry." Ron said, taking a chance to look around at her. He turned back around and slammed right into a rigid back standing at the top of the steps.
"HARRY, what the hell are you doing?" He asked to Harry's back from the spot on the ground where he had fallen. Hermione came panting silently behind them.
"Ron, please stop the shouting," She said in-between staggered breaths, "Harry, are you alright?" She asked her breath a bit more even. Harry looked about the slightly lightening corridor, which on either side a door would be about 3 feet from each other. He continued look from left to right much to the agitation of Ron and Hermione. "Harry," Hermione said firmly, "please say something."
"I… where… I don't know where Ginny's room is." He turned around and looked at Ron who looked incredulously back at him, then he look over Ron's shoulder down at Hermione with a pleading almost desperate depressing look. "Will… will you take me Hermione?"
"Harry," Hermione said silently glancing up at Ron who simply shrugged, "I well of course I will." Stepping from behind Ron she walked in front of the boys and headed down the corridor.
Ron let Harry walk off before him, allowing himself to take in the pictures in the corridor of the girls' dormitory. The females in the pictures followed Ron and Harry curiously, pointing at Harry and giggling at Ron, running off into the frame of their pictures when Ron looked their way. Harry though, had notime to look at the maids in the pictures, his mind was reeling off with things to say, what he would do when he saw Ginny.
Hermione took a turn at what seemed to be the end of the corridor, though ending up only at the last door on the entire dorm. She opened the door and Harry held his breath.
"Ginny?" Hermione said pushing the door gently open. No one answered, Harry pushed her aside much too roughly which caused an uproar from Ron though Hermione quickly silenced him; she was concerned for Harry, why was he acting so strange this morning.
"Ginny?" He enquired once again, his voice was rough, and he hadn't used it much this morning. No answer. "Ginny?" He said more firmly this time, walking determidly into the room looking around.
There were four beds in the room though they were not like the ones in the boys' dormitory. They were wider and much higher off the ground. The room smelt flowery fresh, though there was some amount of debris all over the floor. Harry walked over to the bed that was closest to what he presumed was the window. The beds hardly looked to have been slept in and this troubled Harry deeply.
"You said she was here, Hermione, where is she?" Harry asked his back towards the friends he left at the door. Hermione looked around the room, then looking at Ron, who also looked as worried as Harry. "WHERE IS SHE?!!" Harry shouted spinning around to face them, a burning fire in his eyes.
"Harry, I don't know, and please be quite, there isn't to be shouting in this dormitory." Hermione said looking around terrified.
"You said she was here, where is she?" Harry asked walking back to the door standing in front of Hermione who was still looking around the room as if something were to pop out any moment. Harry, his frustration getting the better of him, grabbed onto Hermione's shoulders, shaking her vigorously while shouting at her, "YOU SAID SHE WAS HERE, WHERE IS SHE?!"
"No Ron, its ok, leave him," Hermione said as she saw Ron, fists brandished and face red, heading towards Harry; he backed off slowly on Hermione's orders. Hermione tried her best to steady herself against Harry's violent shakes. "Harry, I don't know where she is now, but I left her here this morning and I swear she is…"
But Hermione was cut off by cries for help out in the corridor. Harry stopped shaking Hermione once the sounds reached his ears, it was Ginny and she was in some type of danger. He beat Ron to the door, and turned down the corridor. He came to an abrupt halt, there was Ginny chest heaving, hair sticking to her face as sweat washed her face. They looked at each other for what seemed like hours. Not sure who made the first move, but in mere seconds they were both wrapped tightly in each others arms.
"Ginny, what's the matter?" Ron asked, after what he felt was ample time for them to relieve themselves. "Where were did you go?"
Ginny reluctantly pulled away from Harry, and Harry reluctantly let go though he let his arm linger on her waist before meeting Ron's unapproved gaze which made him let it limp and slide off her.
"I…" Ginny started, catching her breath and glancing over at Harry slightly, apparently disappointed that he had released her. "I couldn't sleep, nightmares still. So I went to mom and dad's room, spent the rest of the morning there. Then I was carrying up something for Harry to eat, and when I didn't see him or you I started to worry, I went looking for Hermione but I couldn't find her anywhere either… so I came back here hoping she ended up here as well… and oh I thought something awful had happened." She said going to hug Ron who welcomed his little sister warmly.
"Same nightmare?" He asked quietly, though not quietly enough for Harry heard. Ginny nodded into his shoulder, and then looked up at Ron, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh Ron, they just keep getting worse and worse every night, not even the dreamless draughts help, I should have been there… maybe if I just knew how it happened… I'd be at some ease." She said looking at Ron, who avoided her gaze, patting her shoulder reassuringly.
"Wait, what's going on here, what nightmare is Ginny having, why was she carrying food to me?" Harry asked, searching Ron and Hermione's face, looking as puzzled as ever.
"Harry, there's something we need to tell you… well something Hermione needs…well volunteered to tell you.." Ron said looking pointedly at Hermione.
"Thank your, Ronald." Hermione said looking squarely at Ron.
"Anytime, 'Mione." Ron said smiling broadly for the first time this morning.
"Well… how about we umm… lets go back into Ginny's room shall we?" Hermione said leading the way back to Ginny's dorm, Ron and Ginny waited for Harry to move off then Ginny detaching herself from her brother and followed behind Harry, Ron taking up the rare.
"Have a seat please Harry." Hermione said closing the door behind Ron. As they had planned Ginny sat with Harry, they knew the day would come when they would have to explain to Harry and knowing how hot his temper can get quickly, they hoped the presence of Ginny would be able to cool him, since neither of them ever managed to. Ron and Hermione sat opposite them.
"Well Harry, this is the first time you've woken up in three days… well really woken up… you have woken up before but just for the essentials, like eating and using the bathroom." Hermione began quite uneasily, "That's why Ginny went up to your room this morning to bring you your breakfast."
"Wait… what do you mean I haven't woken up in three days... I practically just went to sleep." Harry began.
"Harry, just let her finish, then ask questions, ok?" Ginny asked softly, her gaze easy and settled on Harry.
"Right, thanks Ginny." Hermione began once again, seeing that Harry wasn't going to say anything. "Well, Harry, after you… ummm… passed out in Dum- The Head Masters office, you haven't really woken up. Well yes you have, as I said before… for the essentials…Madam Pomphery said you'll be like that, and that we were just to watch you. So Ron and I watched over you night and day, we stayed in the dorm with you as long as we could, coming out occasionally only to get food, because some one wouldn't bring us food as well…" Hermione said looking pointedly at Ginny who simply stuck out her tongue. "Madam Pomphery said you must be exhausted… after what you'd been through… and all of it without a wink of sleep the day."
"Wait, sorry but, what happened?" Harry asked unable to stop himself.
"Well, mate, you killed Voldemort, Madam Pomphery said this would happen too… said you might think everything three days ago was just a dream, and so we'd have to explain to you, though one thing would jog back the memories… did that help?" Ron asked almost too excitedly.
"Well... I know Voldemort's dead, I can remember that well enough, but what happened before and after that is, I guess a blur… unless nothing happened and we did all this damage?" Harry said looking at his hands then back at his friends. They consulted one another but neither three of his friends said a word, they left him to continue and he did. "What nightmare have you been having Ginny… how bad could it be?" He asked turning a concerned eye her way.
Ginny looked away from him, refusing to answer and Ron had no intention of bringing that back up so Hermione replied to Harry's question.
"Well Harry, we would have hoped you would remember that… no ones really spoken of it since." She began.
"Spoken of what… what happened?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Harry… Fred's dead." Hermione said simply and quietly not wanting to upset the two siblings of the diseased.
They never expected Harry to react any different than how he looked now. He looked bewildered, looking over at all three of them, though the Weasly siblings refused to make eye-contact. Hermione simply looked at him worriedly.
"How… how did he die?" Harry asked after realizing that this was no joke, that Fred Weasly really was dead. "He didn't die trying to help me did he?" He asked the thought running through his mind and making him queasy.
"Oh Harry, it wasn't anything like that… I mean we were all trying to help you…" Ginny began hoping beyond all hopes that Harry wouldn't start blaming himself. "And well Fred… he… um" she was spared the trouble of having to finish by Hermione.
"He was doing well Harry, it's just that… he never saw it coming… no one saw it coming… and when we recovered… he was…" She found it difficult to continue, Ginny had turned her head away from the group, and Ron began clenching and unclenching his fists, Hermione couldn't help herself, the tears were burning her eyes and she released them onto her cheeks. "He died, Harry, there was nothing we could do."
Harry clasped his hands together; his mind bursting with thoughts…Fred was dead, trying to help me, trying to help me defeat Voldemort… died in battle… I couldn't save him, the first Weasly I failed to save… my friend…if only that wall hadn't exploded. And as if hit by lightening, he sat bolt right. The dream last night came back to him, everything that happened that night came back to him, Fred, Remus and Tonks, Collin, Crabbe, Voldemort, Dumbledore, him dieing, it all came back.
"Remus and Tonks." He said more to himself than to the room.
"Yes, Harry, their…gone too." Hermione said quietly, not realizing that Harry had gained back his memory of the fateful night.
Harry nodded solemnly then went back to his thoughts, they had gotten the lost diadem, and the fire that killed Crabbe destroyed it, then he sacrificed himself for his friends, and then he killed Voldemort, with help from Neville for getting the last horcrux, and then he fell asleep in the dorm… clothes on and all. He was jogged from his memory by the sound of silent tears beside him, Ginny had started crying, not wanting to alarm anyone she tried to stay quiet but the reality of it all overwhelmed her and she broke apart. Ron made a move from consoling Hermione to go and attend to his sister, but Harry beat him to it.
Harry wrapped his arms around her shoulders and turning to him she cried into his shoulders, grabbing a handful of his shirt, holding on for fear of losing him too.
"I don't know why I can't get over it, he's been de-…gone for three days…" Ginny managed to say steadily. "Mum… mum has gotten over it… she… she's not as bad…as…as I am…she doesn't cry every night…not even George is as shaken as I am… why… what's…what's wrong with me?" She asked forcefully taking a stronger grab of Harry's shirt.
Hermione removed herself from Ron's arms and sat on the bed beside Ginny, rubbing her back she said softly:
"Ginny, I've told you already, don't beat… don't beat yourself up." She said trying her best to keep her voice under control. "You're the closest to the twins out of your whole entire family; you have a right to take long for this to register and for you to feel better. Mrs. Wealsy doesn't want to upset anyone… she still grieves but I believe by herself… she knows how you're taking it. She knows you're having trouble sleeping, suppose you saw her crying over Fred… you'd break apart Gin."
"Yea Gin," Ron said cutting off Hermione, "and if it helps Gin, you were always Fred's favourite." Ron said trying to soothe his sister.
Ginny erupted, "How's-that-supposed-to-help-me!" She shouted at Ron, whose face flushed red. Hermione looked pointedly up at him. She shooed Harry and took up his position on the bed, trying harder than ever to soothe Ginny. "Ron take Harry for something to eat, he must be star…"
"I'm not leaving." Harry said firmly.
"Harry please, this isn't the time, just go." She said exasperation evident in her voice. Ron grabbed Harry by the arm, not wanting to cause anymore trouble.
&&&&&&&&&&&&
They both left the girls in Ginny's dorm room and head out to the Gryffindor common room. They walked along in silence, Harry not noticing the eye's following him in the common room. He was so used to it by now that he hardly notices it anymore. His mind was elsewhere to pay much attention anyway. Fred was gone, Remus and Tonks died only months after they had their son Teddy, he couldn't help but blame himself… he was glad he defeated Voldemort though… hopefully it would put them at rest to know that the son they had left was safe forever and being godfather, Harry would make it his duty to be as much as a father to Teddy as he possibly could, he knows what its like to grow up without parents at your side. Plus it's the least he could do for Remus and Tonks.
Snape, Harry couldn't believe it, Snape really was a Good Samaritan. And Dumbeldore would have died whether or not if Snape killed him. Snape couldn't do harm to Harry, he reminded him too much of Lily, the love of his life, the reason he left the Dark Lord. In a way it all came together…
"Harry, are you really okay now?" Ron asked breaking the silence as they slowly made their way down the steps to the entrance hall.
"Yeah, I hope so." Harry said more to himself than to answer Ron's question. "Teddy, Remus' son… is he alright?" He asked the need to know how Teddy was overwhelming him.
"Oh he's great, he's with Tonk's mother, she's in quite a state though, losing her husband then her daughter." Ron said softly. "Poor kid though… to loose his parents and have to stay with his grandmother. When Neville heard about it, he got upset… well not mad but, its obvious he felt sorry for the little kid. Teddy looks a lot like Remus, he's a metamorphamgus like his mum, not a werewolf though, Mrs. Tonks is glad for that bit.
"She's a bit mad in the head I say, came up here the next day crying like crazy, holding onto Ted for dear life, something about not wanting to loose the little she had left. Ted's a bundle of joy, kept changing for anyone who'd give him a sweet... Hermione and Ginny should be blamed if he has dental problems in the future." He laughed at this bit then stopped dead in his tracks, Harry followed suit. "Are you sure you're alright Harry?" He asked looking down at his feet.
"I'm great Ron, reall…" He started but was cut off when Ron pulled him into a giant bear hug. Harry hugged him back after awhile of bewilderment and quickly Ron pushed him off.
"Good," Ron said awkwardly, "Those girls are hell." He gave Harry a pat on the back and then walked off; Harry laughed then jogged to catch up to him.
"What'd they do?" He asked to get conversation flowing.
"Oh man Harry, they were in one right state over you. Ginny would worry about how cold the room was, we're nearing summer dam it, 'Ron, we can't let Harry catch a draft, go get him extra sheets.' I'd get them of course, then Hermione would come in, 'Ron, why's Harry so bundled up, he'll suffocate under all those.' Not wanting to fight with her I'd move them, but then Ginny'd come in and it'll be the same thing all over again." Harry laughed but Ron continued.
"Mum was the craziest, 'Why girls, what on earth is Harry doing in the same solid clothing? Ronald, dear, change him for me.' Now she must be barking mad. Harry, you're my best mate and all but never in the world would I change your clothes, I won't even change my brother's clothing. So when she mentioned clothes I bolted out of the room, when I got back you were changed, but only Ginny was in the room. She said mom did it, but I have a feeling it was her, she was red all day…."
Ron was now a buzz in Harry's ear. The idea of it being Ginny who changed him made him uneasy. He hoped beyond all hope that it was Mrs. Weasly who changed him; he couldn't bear the idea of Ginny looking at his…
"Harry, Harry, you're awake." Came the voice of Neville Longbottom half way across the entrance hall. Harry waved in his direction before entering the Great Hall.
It wasn't as full as it would be during the summer season of Hogwarts, there were still quite a few students here still. Waving and shaking hands with those he passed, sending a smile or two at his closest friends he made his way to Gryffindor table, he assumed it was, for that's where a majority of his Gryffindor classmates were.
"Ron, why are so many people still here?" He asked as they found somewhere to sit.
"Well, you see the students that are still here are afraid to leave, and well their parents are afraid to come." Ron said taking a plate half filled with bacon.
"Well why are we still here?" Harry asked stacking his plate with three biscuits and sasuages.
"Well mom didn't want to move you, and Madam Pomphery decided against it as well. Plus dad wants to see that all the students have left and reach home safely. So I guess it safe to say that we'll be the last to leave Hogwarts." He said beginning to eat.
Harry left it at that and putting jam on his biscuits and began eating. His mind drifted to Ginny again, he thought of her removing his clothes but this time he was conscious and she wasn't doing it because he needed a change of clothes. But then Ron's face entered his thoughts and Harry returned to his plate.
"Ron?" He said swallowing a mouthful of pumpkin juice.
"Mmm, yesh?" Ron said his mouth filled with bacon.
"About Ginny and I…" Harry began but Ron cut him off.
"You'd want to go out with her again wouldn't you?" Ron said swallowing what he had and looking at Harry.
"Well… yeah… I really like her… more than you can imagine." Harry said holding Ron's gaze.
"Harry, she likes you too… a lot I reckon… I can't stop you guys, if she wants you back then you'll know… right now it's up to her." Ron said pushing his plate aside. "Just don't rush her; she's having a hard time already."
"Alright." Harry said nodding his head; he too pushed aside his plate, not able to take in anymore. "Just as long as you don't have a problem." He said but Ron never heard him, he had stood up to wave over Hermione who just entered the entrance hall with Ginny in tow.
"You and Hermione?" Harry asked Ron as he sat back down.
"Yeah." Ron said, eyes shining. "Well, I mean you saw us in the room of requirements." He said with a shrug.
Harry, smiling, moved down to make room for the girls. Hermione sat in between both Ron and Harry, and Ginny sat beside Harry and hurriedly drew a plate to herself. She smiled at Harry then disappeared in her food. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, the former filling the latter's cup with pumpkin juice.
"Is she okay now?" He asked her.
Hermione nodded, then swallowing what was in her mouth added. "Try not to say anything smart from now on." She said teasingly to Ron. Ron pouted then responded.
"Well I wouldn't, if I weren't trying to impress you."
"Oh Ron, you don't have to impress me, I like you how you are." Hermione said smiling at him. Harry turned around towards Ginny. He felt like an intruder into their conversation. He had expected it… for years now, but he still couldn't get over the fact that it was now reality, that Hermione and Ron were now a couple. He watched Ginny eat for a few seconds, then hoping to drown out the kissing noises to his side he dragged her into conversation.
"Have they been like this for the three days?" He asked. She raised her head and looking over in their direction she nodded and returned to her food. Harry smiled, she was being quite, but he'd get her to talk, he hadn't hungered for her voice this much before and he needed a distraction from Ron and Hermione. Now he knew how Ron felt when He kissed Ginny. "I hear that you changed my clothes for me… thanks." He smiled as he saw her face go pale and then bright pink and finally red.
"Who… who told you that?" She asked looking up though she couldn't look Harry in the eyes.
"Ron, so you admit that you did?" Harry asked.
"I… well… jeeze Harry…I'm going to kill Ronald." She said pushing away her plate.
"So you admit it?" Harry persisted, the smile on his face growing.
"Well… I…. mom…Ron… oh gosh Harry… I had to… sorry… if…" It was so funny Harry had to laugh; Ginny was now almost invinsicible amongst her fiery red hair and now her equally red skin.
"Ginny its okay... really... did you like what you saw though?" He asked in between his laughter.
"Oh Harry, I swear I didn't look… I just did what I had to do." Ginny said, her face now surpassing her hair. "Oh Harry please stop laughing, people are watching." She said when Harry's laughter carried across the room and everyone looked towards him. Harry couldn't care less, he hadn't laughed this much in... well for as long as he could remeber he hadn't laughed this much and hard, he had to remove his glasses to free the flow of tears from his eyes.
"What's his problem?" Ron asked looking over Hermione's shoulder at Harry. Ginny glared at him. "What'd I do?!" He shouted at her.
"You pompus pig… how could you tell Harry!?" She shouted back at him, and with that she jumped from the bench and ran out of the room. Harry, still laughing, went off after her.
"Ron, what'd you do?" Hermione asked.
"Oh how I wish I knew." He replied looking down at her.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Harry spotted Ginny on the front lawns of the school. It looked different, debris lying all over and most of the trees gone. He couldn't ever have imagined Hogwarts in such a state, but here it was. The front steps had been blown away in chunks and there were blood stains where the giants had caused damage. He had stopped laughing now, the battle coming fresh in his mind. It was night when he had last walked through the grounds of Hogwarts, and pretending to be dead he wasn't able to take in most of the scenery. He stood at the end of the steps and looked around the grounds, there were trees still on the compound, uprooted and dying. Half of the building was lying on the side of the grass, where occasionally the wall would begin. He walked to the corner of the building where it looked as if the grass was changing its colour, only to realize it was a picture. He knelt down and picked it up. It was Teddy Lupin, he recognized him right away though he hadn't seen the child in real life yet. Teddy, as Ron said, really was the splitting image of his father, and the colour change Harry saw was Teddy modifying the colour of his hair.
This was where they died, Harry said to himself, placing the photo in his pocket. He couldn't help what happened next but before he knew it, he was now crying, not like in the Great Hall, these weren't tears of laughter but tears of greif... something he knew he would have to get used to.
Shielding his eyes from the sun he looked around the grounds for Ginny, he found her at the lake, sitting under the tree that he usually sat under. He made his way down to her, wiping the tears from his eyes, though he wasn't able to muster a smile just yet.
"Sorry Ginny, I didn't mean to upset you." He said sitting beside her, looking out at the lake which looked unsettled.
"Oh Harry, you didn't upset me, I was just embarrassed I guess… though I'm sure you could have gone about it a different way." Ginny said smiling at him. He smiled weakly back at her and mumbled his agreement. "What's wrong?" She asked him.
He extracted the picture from his back pocket and simply handed it over to her. "Oh Harry, it's Teddy, you… oh." She said realizing why this picture would cause a change in Harry's previous jovial mood. "Harry, it wasn't your fault. None of the deaths were your fault, everyone chose off their own will to help. If I remember correctly, you were refusing anyone's help. If it's to be anyone's fault it's theirs, don't beat yourself up." She said taking hold of his hand. He smiled at her then returned to gaze at the lake.
"I did it didn't I." He said, Ginny nodded and squeezed his hand lightly. "Now I can have a life." He said smiling at her.
"Yeah now everyone can have a life." She said smiling back at him. He looked at her for seconds upon minutes till she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and looked away.
"Ginny?"
"Yes Harry?" She said turning back to look at him.
"I want to give us another try." He said, his eyes searching hers.
"Harry… I…" She began but he cut her off.
"Do you remember my birthday?" He asked her.
She blushed, "How could I forget." She said looking away from him.
He released her hand and replacing her hand with her face he made her look at him.
"As far as I'm concerned," He said, his eyes roaming her face and lingering on her lips for seconds on end. "We were interrupted." He didn't wait for a response, but instead drew her closer to him and kissing her on the nose first, he went and kissed her lightly on the lips. He only began kissing her forcefully when he was sure she wanted this, and for Ginny to reply by kissing him softly back he got all the invitation he needed.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Hours passed before they made their way back up to the castle, hand in hand, Ginny catching her breath lightly. Harry couldn't just leave the tree where they were having a marvelous snogging session and just re-enter the castle. No, he had to stop every opportunity he got, spin Ginny around and kiss her like there was no tomorrow. He wanted to make sure that Ginny was always there, that no time soon was she planning to leave him, seeing as how his future was now bright and clear; he saw no reason to be careful anymore. He wanted to be with Ginny for the rest of his life and hoped terribly that she wanted the same thing.
"Where have you two been?" Ron demanded the moment Harry and Ginny entered the Great Hall. They both looked at each other and smiled; they had just spent more time than necessary on the steps of the school. They hadn't been holding hands when they entered for Harry used his hand to hold open the door of the entrance hall for Ginny. They didn't bother to answer Ron, but Ginny scooped up Harry's hand back in hers and with a smirk at her brother led him off down the hall. Harry smiled over his shoulder at Ron, who looked on in bewilderment.
They walked slowly down the hall way just enjoying one another's company. Turning a corner they met up on Luna Lovegood who was looking through a small crack in the wall.
"Hi Luna." Ginny said mirthfully.
"Oh, hello, Ginny, Harry, I see you're awake." She said straightening up. She spotted their united hands and smiled happily. "I see you two are back together," Ginny nodded happily, "that's good, between you and I Harry, she was a disaster without you." Ginny blushed professedly and Harry smiled.
"Luna, how's your dad?" He asked to stop Luna in the path of making Ginny anymore uncomfortable than how she already was.
"Oh, he's perfectly fine thank you Harry, he's to meet me tonight, and we're going home in the morning." She said, happiness oozing from her very soul.
"That's wonderful; I'll try to see you two off tomorrow." Harry said politely, though he wasn't all too ready to see Mr. Lovegood anytime soon. Luna smiled gratefully at him and then returned to her kneeling position at the crack. Ginny and Harry didn't lag any longer and bidding Luna goodbye they made their way down the hall. Not sure where they were going but just on the move, they went through corridors then more corridors till Ginny got tired of walking and Harry was prepared for more snogging.
&&&&&&&&&&&
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked as she entered the classroom where Harry and Ginny were making-out. She was unable to see Ginny, for Harry had her propped up on a desk, blocking her from view of the door, and anyone who just happened to walk in. Hermione, not realizing Harry was alone, thought he was having trouble keeping his head still, and with his hands on the desk, which was really Ginny's hips, she thought he was about to be sick.
"Hi, Hermione." Ginny said, her smiling face appearing over Harry's shoulder.
"Oh, Ginny, hi." Hermione said felling embarrassed for walking in on them. "Sorry to… um…interrupt, but Mrs. Weasly is going ballistic… she's looking for Harry."
"Oh, right." Ginny said coming off of the desk as Harry moved aside. She walked in front of Harry, out into the corridor.
"How bad do we look?" She asked Hermione, while she straightened out her clothes and shook out her hair so that the back looked less tangled. Harry exited the classroom with a slight smirk at the corner of his lips.
"Well, you could say you were running," Hermione said, fixing Harry's collar for him, "and that you collided with an unseen wall." She added seeing the red puffy lips.
They laughed and Ginny began walking in the direction of her parent's room.
"Harry," Hermione said halting their process, "wipe that smirk off your face, it's kind of a give away." Harry sobered up best he could, but since he woke up this morning, he couldn't help keeping a smile from his face for over a minute. Voldermort was dead, he and Ginny were back together, and he couldn't help but smile. "Much better… oh and have you two seen Ron?"
"Oh we left him in the entrance hall; I doubt he's moved, he was pretty shocked to see Harry and me." Ginny replied and with that she and Harry went to see Mrs. Weasly.
"Does Mrs. Weasly know about Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked while they were going up a flight of stairs.
"Well, you saw them this morning, its not like they're hiding it." Ginny said matter-of-factly. "Mom's kind of glad… between you and me… she always wanted them to get together."
"What about you and I… does she know that we were together last year?"
She shook her head, "Besides Ron, I only told Fr- I only told Fred and George." She said, her face falling for awhile. Harry grabbed her hand and she smiled up at him.
"So we'll tell her today." Harry said. He didn't feel like hiding anything from the Weasly's and the fact that it was something with Ginny, he felt the need for all of them to share in on his happiness as soon as possible.
"Are you sure you want to?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes, why not, they won't have a problem will they?" He asked stopping her in the middle of a corridor.
"Well, no, I hope not. I mean Fr-Fred and George were happy for me, they knew that I liked you for a long time now." She said happily.
"Then what's the problem?" He asked, happy for the fact that Fred and George, had no objection to it.
"I… I don't know, let's not tell them yet. We can tell Bill and Charlie." She offered.
He couldn't believe it, Ginny was willing to tell her brother's yet not up for telling her parent's, her brother's would be the first to know, but not her parents, each one of her…
"What about Percy?" He asked realizing she hadn't mentioned him. Harry watched as a dark shadow crossed her face and she turned away from him.
"I don't know who you're talking about." She said folding her hand's over her chest.
"Percy, Percy Weasly, your bro-"
"He-is-no-brother-of mine." She said roughly.
"Ginny, did something happened between you and Percy?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. The third Weasly, who after a year of working for the Ministry disowned his family, but in the end, when they needed all the help possible, he showed up. He showed up to help Harry, Harry who he warned Ron, his youngest brother and possibly his favourite, to stay away from. Percy Weasly, who slammed a door in his mother's face when she came by him for Christmas. Percy Weasly, who had to be dragged by Ron away from Fred's dead corpse. Percy Weasly who fought like no other to avenge Fred's death.
"He and Fred where fighting together, side-by-side." Ginny said, and it struck Harry square in the face, Ginny regretted that it was Fred who died, when Percy was so close to him, Percy who abandoned her family, and spoke ill of his own father, Percy who the rest of the Weasly's forgave, Percy who lived instead of Fred.
"Ginny, you can't possible be saying that you wan-"
"Of course that's not what I wanted!" Ginny spun around and shouted at him, "I would have preffered it neither Fred nor Percy died… but why Fred… why not Percy, after what he did to us! PERCY SHOULD HAVE DIED! Not Fred." She ended on a tearful note. Harry was appalled, he never knew Ginny had that much love for the twins, he wondered if it was the same way George was feeling. Ginny was now mumbling beneath her tears, Percy not Fred, Percy not Fred. Harry brought her to him and they stood there for half an hour before Ginny was ready to go up to her mother.
&&&&&&&&&&&
"Why Ginny, what's the matter?" Mrs. Weasly asked when she saw her daughter's puffy eyes and red nose.
"Hi Mrs.Weasly." Harry said to distract Mrs. Weasly from Ginny, while Ginny went and took a seat at the desk.
Professor McGonagall had placed Mr. and Mrs. Weasly in the Headmaster quarters. The room was spacious, like a small house dormitory. There was the common room, which not as big as a usual common room in the school, seeing as how it only housed one person. It had two couches one desk and chair and a single fire place, and then one single staircase to where Harry presumed was the bedroom.
"Oh Harry dear, how are you?" Mrs. Weasly asked ushering him unto the couch glancing at Ginny who sat in the corner watching them silently.
"I'm fine thanks, Mrs. Weasly." Harry said sitting on the couch.
"We were hoping you would wake today. Arthur has left for the ministry," She said, conjuring something for him to drink. "Did Ron or Ginny tell you?" She asked, excitement oozing from her.
"Tell me what?" Harry asked taking a mouthful of the pumpkin juice.
"Harry, dad got promoted again." Ginny said smiling.
"Oh that's great!" He said to Mrs.Weasly. Mr.Wealsy had been promoted last summer and now he was promoted again. Harry felt great for the family, now they might just be a bit more on the wealthy side, not needing anymore second-hand supplies, Harry always felt awkward around them at those times when he would go shopping with them.
"Yes, yes thank you. He's still working with muggles, he's now head of the Statute of Secrecy department. He makes sure the muggles are well looked after. Kingsley appointed him, Arthur's really happy." Mrs. Wealsy replied beaming wildly.
"That's great, really. How have you been though Mrs. Weasly." Harry asked, referring mostly to the death of her son.
"Oh… oh I've been great, Harry, helping where I can, mostly Madam Pomphery and I are doing what we can in the Hospital wing, she needs all the help she can get really." She replied knowing fully well why Harry had asked. "It hasn't been easy, but I'm managing… I have to be strong for Ginny." She added silently so Ginny wouldn't hear.
"Where have you two been, I've been looking for you everywhere?" She added after a few moments of silence, where Harry took the time to finish the pumpkin juice and Ginny made her way over onto the other couch opposite Harry.
Ginny and Harry looked at one another, then Ginny beat him to the response. "Harry was surveying the damage and I went with him." She said to her mother, refusing to look at Harry's appalled face.
"Oh well, it is pretty bad, their not sure the school can open back up in time for September, that means it'll cut into you summer time Ginny." Mrs. Weasly said the last directly to Ginny.
"I already told you mother, I'm not coming back." Ginny said fixedly.
"And I already told you Ginny, you have to and you will, you have your NEWTS to do."
"Oh come on mom, be sensible will you, the ministry isn't ready to mark any NEWT papers, much less to give out the examination. They're still short on employee's and it's been three days, do u really believe that they'll be ready?!"
"Don't raise your voice at me young lady," Mrs. Weasly said angrily, "and we've also been through that, if there are to be no NEWT exams this year, then you'll take them the next year!"
"Mother, you must be joking me, I'll be next year, I am not taking any exams when I'm 18!"
"Ginny, you shall leave school when you have done your NEWTS. It takes three years for the ministry to sort out themselves then you'll do your exam in three years time. You are my only daughter and you shall have a proper education! And that's final!"
"NO! There is nothing final about that, I am not coming back to school. Ron never did Fred and George never did, neither Harry nor Hermione did and I will not!"
"Ginny, Harry and Hermione are not my children, I have no say in their education… though I would have preferred if they had finished." Harry pretended to be drinking from the empty goblet, this was a mother daughter conversation, and he was not willing to get in-between them. "There were no exams this year even so no need for Ron to take. Fr- George doesn't need his NEWTS, he has a successful shop and I have no problem with that. You are my only daughter and my last child. YOU shall finish you schooling."
"Damn it woman," Ginny said rising to her feet, red in the face, "HAVE ANOTHER EFFING DAUGHTER THEN!" She marched off to the door, holding it open she turned back in her mother's stunned direction, "And THAT'S FINAL!" she slammed the door, and her angry steps down the stairs echoed in the room.
Mrs. Wealsy stared at the door, looking as if she had been slapped in the face by a pigmy-puff. Harry shifted uncomfortably and rising to his feet, he bid a befuddled Mrs. Weasly good day.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Harry didn't see Ginny for the rest of the day, and thus decided to hang out with Neville, only spotting Ron and Hermione twice. Once, he saw them shouting each others heads of and the next they were forgiving each other profussedly.
By the end of the week Ginny was still in a hot temper, she would even lash out at Harry a couple of times which cause him to stay his distance from her for the rest of the week. He knew she was just upset and there was nothing he could do about it.
He and Neville spent most of the week together, Neville describing more to Harry of his final year at Hogwarts.
Harry found himself waking up smiling in the mornings. He was finally duty-free and able to behave as a normal teenager would, pulling pranks on the few adults that were there, and when a parent came for a child he, Ron and Neville would send gnomes running them down the lawn, cursing at them for being so late in picking up their annoying child. George and Lee Jordan would join in on the fun, but when one of the five of them did something Fred-like, George would simply walk away laughing.
"He's been like that since the day Fred died," Ron said to Harry on one of these occasions, "He shouts out at night, 'ALRIGHT FRED GIG'S UP, I'VE LEARNT MY LESSON, NO MORE CORNY EAR JOKES!', of course there'd be no answer, then he'd either laugh or cry, it's pretty depressing, I mean not only was Fred his twin brother, but his best friend. He tries his best not to act that way around Ginny though."
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It was the day of their departure; all the students had left already. Hermione had left a day early to go look for her parents and lift the charm off them, refusing for either Harry or Ron to come with her and promising that she'll be back in time for the funeral(s).
The Weasly's were to go back to the Burrow; Harry was debating on whether or not to go back with them. He could either go back to the Burrow or go to Grimulda place. Grimulda place was his home after all but he had a strong urge to visit number 4 Private Drive.
"Have you decided where you're going yet Harry?" Ron asked as they were descending the steps to the boy's dormitory for the last time in their lives.
"I think I'll stop by my Aunt's and Uncle's, just to see that their okay I guess," He couldn't help but feel worried for them, their departure was touching to him, well the one he received from Dudley, and he just had to make sure that Dudley, if not anyone else, was still alive. "Then I'll head over to Grimulda place, I'm ready for the steak Kreacher prepared." He said smiling at Ron. Ron laughed gaily and they made their way down to the entrance hall still chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Ginny asked when they made their way over to her.
"Inside joke." Ron said simply, she scowled at him and he made his way past them over to consult with his father. They were to apparate out, and he was having second thoughts about side-apparating with Ginny.
Ginny followed Harry outside past Ron and Mr. Weasly who were arguing.
"-but dad, she's annoying." Ron said angrily.
"Ron please, I don't have time for this, just co-operate." Mr. Weasly said.
"Harry," Ginny began as they turned a corner to be out of sight of others. "Where will you go?"
"Well, I'm going to Grimulda place of course; I need to stop by my Aunt's first." He said turning to face Ginny, he pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest. "I'll come by the Burrow tomorrow."
"Good, it'll be hard with mom there. I don't think I can manage her by myself, and I'm not even sure when Hermione will be back. And you'll be at the funeral as well right?" She asked looking up at him.
"Ginny have you gone mad, of course I'll be at the funeral!" Harry said looking appalled at her.
"I know that… DUH… just kiss me already." She said pulling his face to hers.
They pulled away after a few minutes, not wanting anyone to form a search party for them. They made their way back around to the front of the castle where everyone was in pairs for departure.
"Harry dear, take care of yourself… though we really have nothing to worry about." Mrs. Weasly said to him.
"Will do Mrs. Weasly," Harry said smiling at her, "I'll be around tomorrow."
"Ok gang, one after the other now." Mr. Weasly said, "And Ron, please don't leave you sister anywhere, if she's gets splinched, I'll cut you up!" and with that he spun on the spot and disapperated.
Mrs. Weasly followed quickly after, and as she spun Harry gave Ginny a quick kiss, which he got reward by a slap for.
"Suppose she saw us Harry, really now!" Ginny shouted at him, he smirked and nodded at Ron as Ron grabbed onto Ginny's had and spun on the spot.
Harry smiled and looked up at the school, with a sigh he thought Number 4 Private Drive, spun on the spot and Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry became a blur in the daylight, but never in his mind.
&&&&&&
He landed on the door steps, he hoped no one saw him, but he felt it best not to apparate in on them. He knocked on the door, the area was as sedate as usual but after his second knock, there was something odd about the sedate-ness of the place. He turned the knob but nothing happened, the door was locked. He knocked again but there came no answer, extracting his wand from his pants pocket, he whispered alohamora.
The door swung open to an empty, dark hallway, closing the door behind him he made his way down to the living room. The lights from the turned on television set was flickering, but there was not one soul in any area of the room. Leaving the room he saw a square light in the kitchen, there was someone here after all.
Quietly and with his wand extracted he entered the room. A large mass was blocking the little light that was illuminating the room, the fridge door closed and he was plunged into darkness. Brandishing his wand, he spoke into the darkness.
"Who's there?" Harry asked into the dark room. When no reply came he lit his wand and roved the room with it. "Dudley?" He said aghast when he saw his cousin sitting at the kitchen table eating and enormous cherry pie.
"Oh, hi Harry." Dudley replied barely looking up at Harry.
Harry made his way over to Dudley at the table, holding the light up in his face he observed his cousin. Dudley's eyes were red as if he spent a week crying non-stop, he smelt slightly but nothing too bad. "Dudley, what on earth happened to you?" Harry said resting his wand on the table and sitting opposite his cousin.
"Oh I'm great, it's dad who doesn't look too good." He said matter-of-factly, Harry waited for him to elaborate. "Dad's dead actually." He said finally.
"Dead," Harry said finding it hard to believe, he had expected them to be safe, after all that is why the Order made sure they went into hiding, hopefully to prevent any of them from dieing. "What do you mean he's dead, you guys were safe?"
"Not for one night, the wi- the wizard that was to be watching over us, said he had to go, said they needed help at that school you went to." Dudley said simply.
"He left you?...but I never saw him during or after the battle." Harry said incredulously.
"Well that's because he never made it to the battle, came back with two blokes wearing a mask." Dudley said pushing away the pie, unable to eat anymore. "Dad wanted to know what was going on… green sparks… he fell… mom and I were scared, we ran… they were running after us then they shouted something… more green sparks, and the guy who was to be protecting us fell too, the masked-guy's disappeared when we turned around." After he finished he pushed himself from the table then walked out of the room. Harry picked up his wand and followed behind him. "Dudley, wher- where's Aunt Petunia?" He asked the thought of her being dead as well hard to believe. Dudley pointed towards the stairs and Harry took them two at a time.
Harry couldn't believe it, his uncle was dead. Though he hated the man with every inch of his being, the prospect of him dieing struck Harry hard. Knowing that the Dursley's were the only family he had left he felt a connection to them unlikely to him before, and the fact that his uncle had died, struck him as hard as if he had loved him.
He made it to the end of the hall where he heard movement behind a closed door, opening the door he found the room as dark as it was in the kitchen, flicking the switch Aunt Petunia spun towards the door, looking worse than Dudley, her entire face wet and red.
"Harry," She said breathlessly, "how are you?"
Harry was stunned, never in his life, well as far back as he can remember, had his aunt asked him how he was. "I'm okay Aunt Petunia, h-how are you?"
"Good, good. Well I'm fine, just looking for Vernon's will, want to get it out of the way you see… I just can't seem to find where it is… he- he never told me." She ended tearfully, bursting into tears on the bed.
Harry stood looking at her for a moment; he never saw his aunt like this, so… so sad. "Accio will." He mumbled under his breath, a single envelope came soaring across the room for the top shelf in the closet. Harry caught it in his hand and sitting beside his aunt on the bed, handed it to her.
"Oh, thank you Harry." She said taking the will from him. It shook in her hands for seconds before she opened it. Harry sat quietly on the bed while she read it. He couldn't help but feel sorry for his aunt and cousin, no matter how much resent he felt against his uncle, he was glad he stopped by, who knows when Aunt Petunia would have found the will.
She handed the letter over to Harry, and getting up from the bed crossed the room towards the window. Harry looked bewildered over at her then scanning the letter found his name. It was written in pen ink while the rest of the letter was typed. It seemed as if Uncle Vernon added it last minute, and in a hurry, Harry wondered if it was on the eve of their departure. Still puzzled he read the contents of the letter:
To my nephew Harry Potter,
I know I haven't been the best uncle to you, and if I could, I would be glad for you to accept my apology of it.
This may not be enough to compensate for what I have put you through, but I leave you my favourite pen. I acquired this pen from my father who died when I was the same age as you were when your parents died. I hope you treat it as if it were from your own father.
Once again Harry I would like to say I'm sorry. Please look after Petunia and Dudders, I'm afraid to say I haven't brought him up to know how to care for himself.
Yours Truly,
Vernon Duresly.
Harry was befuddled; his uncle left him something, but why? There was nothing more in the letter, just his apology and a request for Harry to look after his Aunt and Cousin. Harry though, was very appreciative of the fact that Uncle Vernon had left him the pen of his own deceased father. Well just for the fact that Uncle Vernon apologized, Harry would go by his wishes.
"Aunt Petunia," He said turning to her, "is there something you would like me to do?"
"Oh no Harry, thank you, but I'll just call up the lawyer tonight and head down to courthouse tomorrow." She said turning to him.
"Well I'll just be on my way then." Harry said not able to think of any other way to help the family. "I'll come by tomorrow and accompany you to the court house." He said standing.
"Oh Harry, there's no need really, don't go through all that trouble, you have a life to live." She said walking towards where he was standing.
"It's no trouble at all," Harry said grabbing a hold of her shoulders, "we're family; I'll be here in the morning."
"Where will you go tonight?" She asked him.
"To the house my Godfather left for me." He said smiling at her. She nodded at him and gave him a slight smile. "You'll be alright?"
"Yes, yes, you go, we'll see you in the morning then." She said smiling at him. Harry stepped back and spinning on the spot he disapparated into the hallway of number 12 Grimulda place.
A/N: Well... how was it... PLEASE REVIEW... i'll be your bestest friend!
I've already started on chapter two and will try to get it up before i go back to school in two weeks...
PLEASE REVIEW!!!... even if its to tell me it sucks... i can change !!! i'm willing to!!
