Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of Harry Potter. All ideas, plots, and characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Just a little oneshot I wrote about Harry and Ginny after the war. Boredom can do interesting things to the mind. I hope everyone enjoys this! I worked hard on this—but I bet it would be easier to post a review! I'd love some feedback!

Now That the War Was Over

It was over. Everything—the war, the fighting, the murders—everything. Voldemort was gone. This time—for good. But for some strange, unbeknownst reason, Harry Potter, once again, felt secluded from the rest of the world. As the echoes of his admirers rang through his mind—none seemed to stand out in particular. Harry sat slumped under the shade of the beech tree by the lake, knowing in some ways—it was a piece of history, just as he had become.

More than twenty years ago, his father sat under this tree, trying to seduce a then, fifteen Lily Evans. He had failed horribly—but all the same was important. It was a turning point. Had his father not triggered Snape's anger, calling Lily a mudblood, then Harry knew—his last name might have been Snape. He shuddered, and with a sigh, continued contemplating his thoughts.

Now that the war was over, everything seemed to be pulling together. Ron and Hermione finally decided that their feelings for each other were more than that of a simple friendship. Much to his amusement though, Harry dismissed the pair, knowing that they would probably be snogging by this point in time. Then there was Percy, who had finally come back to his family—with apologies. The Weasley family, as a whole, was slowly getting over the death of Fred, one of the many exuberant members of the family. Overall, it had been a time for forgiveness.

Not in Harry's case. He had not forgiven himself—for so many things that he had done. For not listening to Hermione in 5th year after seeing the fake visions of Sirius being tortured. That death—it had been his fault. He hadn't forgiven himself for taking out his anger on so many people. It wasn't intended—and no matter how many times he had tried to apologize, Harry didn't feel right about it. He also had not forgiven himself for all the times he refused to listen to Dumbledore—he had been so blind—to ask something as trivial as his linage. Who knew that in the end, would have helped him defeat Voldemort?

But most of all, placed higher than all the unforgivable things he had done—was leaving Ginny—for her own safety.

He loved her.

Now that the war was over, would things go back to normal? Would Ginny forgive him? Would she understand? Could they ever truly be together?

Speak of the devil. Harry thoughts gloomily, noticing the vivacious redhead walking towards him. Her face carried a faint smile, a refreshing change for Harry, seeing as nearly everyone else was ecstatic. Ginny and he always managed to share emotions—almost as if they carried the same connection that Voldemort did to Harry.

"Hey." Harry murmured, meeting her beautiful eyes. Without a word, Ginny wrapped her arms around his body, squeezing it tightly—never wanting to let go. Harry did the same, placing his chin on the top of her head. She placed a hand on his cheek, still dirt streaked from battle. Leaning forward ever-so-gently, Ginny closed the gap between her and Harry's lips. "I love you, Harry." She whispered into his ear, not moving away.

Harry smiled—a genuine, true smile. He kissed her again, deeper this time, before leaning towards her ear. "I love you too, Ginny." In that moment, all his questions were answered wordlessly in his mind.

Now that the war was over, he could love.