Disclaimer: Not mine.
After the scene in the Headmaster's office, the trio decided it was time for sleep, sleep they rightfully deserved. Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way back to Gryffindor Tower, happy to be home for one last night. Thankfully, no one was around and the three friends stayed up in the common room. Few words were exchanged, mostly they sat and enjoyed being in the presence of one another. These three shared a comfort that could never be duplicated and it was something they reveled in. Lost in his thoughts, Harry lost track of the other two, until at one point, he looked up and saw them asleep on the couch. He smiled, glad that after all these years they had realized what had been in front of them the entire time. Harry left them for his old bed in his old dormitory. One last night before having to face the world.
Harry awoke the next morning feeling better and worse. The sleep had helped, he didn't feel so exhausted like the night before. It was worse, however, because the shock had worn off. The bruising, the battle, and the deaths had set in. Grief swelled within him.
After cleaning up, he walked out of the common room, briefly glancing at his two best friends asleep, and snuggling on the couch. He made his way through the sleeping castle, taking hidden passageways, just in case someone else should be awake too. Harry left the castle, looking for something but unsure as to what it was. He was anxious, depressed, relieved, feeling so many things and wanting to feel nothing at all.
Before he realized it, Harry found himself at the lake. The water was calm, nothing at all like Harry's current feelings. Anger roared within him, grabbing the closest thing-a rock the size of a bludger.
"Aaaargh!" He yelled as he threw the rock into the lake.
"Angry, Harry?" a lilting, familiar voice behind him asked.
He wasn't sure of what to say to her, after a year of being away and now everything that had happened just yesterday...Harry was speechless. Ginny didn't seem to care, however. She grabbed his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze as if to say, "It's alright. I understand.". Harry really looked at her then, realizing what she had also gone through. Losing contact with her brother, best friend, and boyfriend for a year, not knowing if they were alive or safe. The stress of dealing with the Death Eaters who had taken over the school. Helping Neville shield the other students from them, being tortured and punished for it too. And, possibly worst of all, her brother Fred dying.
"Oh, Gin..." Harry started, pulling her into a tight embrace.
She sniffled against his chest, "It's ok, Harry. It'll be ok."
He couldn't believe it, here she was, having gone through so much, and she was comforting him. His heart swelled, realizing just how much he had missed her, how much he needed her. Never again would he willingly leave her side.
"I love you, Ginny," he whispered into her hair, letting loose the tears he had held in.
Ginny looked up and gave a small smile. She brushed his tears away, leaned her cheek against his and whispered, "I love you too, Harry."