A/N; Hi everyone. I am new here. And this is my first story. I would welcome critics. And want you to enjoy my story. HAPPY JOURNEY.
Disclaimer: I don't own harry potter…
CHAPTER ONE: Back to Hogwarts.
Harry stepped down the Hogwarts express. White cloud of smoke blocked his vision when he found a small warm hand slip into his. He recognized the scent. It was Ginny. He passed a smile to her and looked ahead. A crowd of student and nearby villagers has gathered to see Harry Potter return to Hogwarts. Slowly his vision cleared. Everyone was chanting his name: he was their hero, their savior. Yeah, he knew too how they saw him but it was not right to get all the credit, when many others gave up their lives to save this world. So many unnamed names. Then a boy came forward, handing him a flower. He looked so much like Colin, he thought. Such a young boy! He never deserved to die. He just kept staring at him for a while. Then he felt a small hand on his shoulder. It was Hermione.
"Harry, don't start blaming yourself. Please?"The concern was evident in her voice.
Ginny gave a quick squeeze to comfort him.
"I am fine really. You two should stop babysitting me." Harry said.
Then a huge figure started towards him, shooing people away. He gave him a rib cracking hug and patted Hermione on the cheek making her go off balance. And passed a smile to Ginny.
"Hey harry, how're yeh?" Hagrid voice boomed over the crowd. "And you Hermione? Ginny?"
"Fine, how are you?"
"Good. Better. But where's Ron?"
Indeed Ron was nowhere to be found. Hermione started toward the train scanning through the windows. Then Ron came out, dragging his trunk.
"Where were you" Hermione asked, sporting a frown on her forehead.
"Relax Hermione. It's just that git. He has decided to return Hogwarts." He looked around expecting reactions. Ginny gave out a tired sigh. Harry remained silent as ever. Hagrid looked confused as to who he was referring as git. Hermione's frown grew even deeper.
"I know."
"You know? How can you possibly know everything? How does she always know everything?" he looked around the lot
"Come on, we will get late. Bye Hagrid." Ginny said, completely ignoring Ron.
"See you lot later." Hagrid went the other way. And they walked towards the carriages, as Ron kept on mumbling.
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They sat in the Great hall. Sorting was finished. The beginning feast of the year has started. Ron as usual was grabbing everything that was in reach. "Ron eat slowly"
"Why do you care?"
"Because I hate pot bellied men. And the way you eat, you will spread right in the middle." Hermione said.
'You are kidding." Ron chortled in his food. He looked confused, eyes wide open, as if never considering that possibility.
"Try me."
"You base your love for me on me being fat!."
"Precisely"
"Hermione I thought you're different."
"I am the girl who dated Victor Krum"
Ron snorted. "He looked nothing less than a troll."
"That's why he has dreams of snogging him at night." Ginny said. The two burst out laughing.
"Butt off Ginny."
"You can see him pouting at night." Harry added.
Ron threw his hands up as everyone laughed. "Harry you betray your best mate for these girls"
Ginny tucked her hand with Harry, raising an eyebrow.
"Coming to think, why Harry gets special treatment from his girlfriend. Hermione, you are my girlfriend."
"What do want me to do?"
"Normally what girlfriends do."
"What do normally girlfriends do?"
"You know like preferential treatment, like Ginny…"
"Shut up."
Luna and Neville were into a lively conversation before Luna turned her head to look at them.
"I saw both of you snogging behind the tapestry during the war and on the staircase afterwards so I thought you two must be dating, so that's all right. And always knew Ron is kind of rude as he has been to me couple of times before. But people in love don't fight, do they? Luna asked.
"Believe me, that's how they fell in love" Harry said, taking in a mouthful of truffles.
"That's weird because Neville and me never fight."
Neville who was silent from that time looked visibly awkward. He choked on his pumpkin juice once before turning to Harry.
"You all right, Harry?"
'Yeah, thanks Neville, how's at home?"
"Grandma's great. She apparently never tires telling about the war and you over again and again. Gets bit tiring really."
Harry passed a polite smile at the boy .Then he looked at Luna. The girl always looked visibly pleased about something. He cleared his throat once.
"Luna how's your Dad?"
"Oh he is fine. He hopes you would drop by our house someday." Luna said, passing one of her dreamy smiles.
Harry heard Ron mutter 'git'. After that incident, he couldn't really blame him.
"Dad owled Kingsley asking for an interview." She went on, "like how it feels being the Minister of magic after the Wizarding War. But he didn't reply."
"He must be busy handling all those chaos around. It's just a wonder how the school opened in time. " Ginny said.
The stone walls were still engraved with the marks of war. Large chunks were missing of some walls. Some upper floors were still under construction. But Hogwarts was a proud remainder of the victors of the war. It has undergone history. But it still sent chills down her spine to think of the doorway. The place where Fred had lost his life. She must have shivered once looking out of the door because Harry brought his face near her and asked softly, "you okay?" Ginny sniffed back tears and laid her head on his shoulder. He leaned more forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. He gently tracing her cheek with his fingers said "It going to be okay. I promise." It always gave her strange comfort being just near him. Just being with him makes it all okay. Then bringing her mouth near his ear she breathed once. She could feel him stiffen. She almost had the urge to giggle. Slowly , she muttered, "I love you." She could imagine him grinning right now.
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After the feast the Headmistress stood up, clinked the glass with the spoon. Everyone turned their head to look up at her. She came forward and took her stand before everyone. Harry found it weird not to see Professor Dumbledore coming up to the stand. Many things have changed after the war. And changes are not something one is comfortable with. But some things never change. He looked at his two best friends bickering at each other. He smiled. It was good to see them alive. He could never thank them enough for sticking with him till the end. Then he felt Ginny's weight leave his shoulder as the Headmistress started her speech.
"A very warm evening to all of you. At last the war is over." She gave a glance at Harry and quickly passed a smile to which harry returned politely. She went on, "A terrible thing like war leaves back shrilling silence. Something which is much more dreadful than the war itself. For those who sacrificed their lives for our beautiful tomorrow, we offer our prayers in their loving memory. Everyone please stand up." Screeching of benches were heard when everyone got up. Harry could not help but glance at Malfoy once. He stood up too but almost mechanically. There was no smugness in his attitude or his face. It was just vacant.
After few minutes of silent prayer everyone opened their eyes, muttering "AMEN." Luna almost abruptly asked Harry ,though her voice appeared dazed. "Harry, whom did you pray for?"
He looked confused. "Err…everybody."
"Oh. I prayed for Voldemort. He must be in hell, burning while others are in heaven. He needs prayers the most."
"Wonder why these thoughts don't cross my mind." Ron said with a hint of annoyance.
"Maybe because you can't imagine much." Luna said point blank.
Not expecting a reply from her took Ron off-guard. Everyone blurted out laughing. He slowly sat down.
"What?" he snapped irritated.
"You lost to Luna too." Hermione said.
"Anyone sensible would." He gave a disgruntled snort and determinately looked forward.
"Ron, come on. You know I didn't mean it like that. Ron…"
"Will I ever live up to your expectations?" he slowly muttered, still looking ahead.
"Ron I was just having a laugh."
The headmistress went on going "Let's respect the bravery of the lost souls. Let's build a better Wizarding world, for the one they hoped and fought for. That's all for today. Goodnight everyone."
Everyone started filling out. The terrified first years followed their house heads. Filch stood silently in the corner. Not saying anything. Ron dragged his feet forward to the portrait hole, pushing away few people. Then someone suddenly grabbed his collar and dragged him out of the crowd. Then went past a few dark corridors and banged him against the stone walls.
"What-?" he almost shouted when a small finger shushed him .