Disclaimer: I, sadly, don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1:

Harry woke up to light streaming through the open window of the Gryffindor common room. A light breeze was softly blowing the curtains around his bed. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. That's when he noticed how sore he was. The events of the last night suddenly came cascading onto him, forcing him back in bed.

Harry curled up into a ball, ignoring his aching limbs, and tried to stop the tears that were threatening to splash onto his pillow, but failed. He cried as he saw Fred, laughter etched on his face, falling over and over again. He saw Tonks and Lupin, their bodies still, lying next to each other in the Great Hall. He saw Lavender Brown, lying on the ground, after Greyback had administered the life changing bite. He saw Colin Creevy, his tiny body being carried into the castle. He saw countless others, each of their faces appearing suddenly, then floating away.

Deep down, Harry knew it was pointless to blame himself: Voldemort would have killed all these people anyways, but he still couldn't help but remembering that it was he who made Voldemort come to Hogwarts in the first place.

He sat in a puddle of misery and sadness for hours and was rescued by the person whom he most wanted to see: Ginny. She looked like she hadn't slept at all and there was black mascara streaked down her face, like tiny river beds, mapping where tears had fallen.

"C'mon, Harry. You need to eat something." He was surprised by the strength in her voice.

He let himself be led out of bed and down the deserted hallways to the Great Hall. A cheer erupted as he walked in, people standing, straining to get a look at the boy who had saved the wizarding world.

"Sorry, I should've known this would happen." Said Ginny as she pulled him through the ocean of people to the table that was occupied by the rest of the Weasley family.

"It's ok." He replied, giving her a quick peck on the forehead before taking a seat next to Ron and Hermione.

As he looked at the sad and solemn faces of the Weasley's, weighed down by the loss of their son, he couldn't help but feeling guilty.

"Er…" He tried to speak but his throat wouldn't cooperate. He tried again, "I…I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry about Fred. I know that anything I say won't make it better, but… he was like a brother to me. And if you can't forgive me, I understand-"

"Harry, don't blame yourself." Said Mr. Weasley, "We all knew the risks of fighting in this battle, and we all chose to participate anyway. Fred was of age, and it was his decision."

Harry decided not to push it, but knew that he would always feel guilty for what happened to the Weasley's son.

He nodded and then reached for a slice of toast and some butter. His hands shook as he tried to spread it. Ginny placed her hands over Harry's, steadying them and then she took the knife from him, buttering his toast.

"Thanks," he said, taking the toast from her. They then ate for a while in silence, listening to the constant stream of chatter from around them.

Finally Mrs. Weasley spoke up, saying that they would be leaving for the Burrow the next day, after the memorial service for the people who had lost their lives in the battle. "You can come, too," She gestured to Hermione and Harry.

"I might come for a day or two but I have to go to Australia. To bring back my parents," Hermione said.

"You shouldn't go all the way there on your own," said Ron, "I can go with you."

"Oh, no, that's ok."

"No, Hermione. I'm not letting you go to Australia on your own with Death Eaters still on the loose." Ron argued back.

"Thank you." Hermione smiled at him.

"I'll stay at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said.

"Of course, Harry, dear." She got up from the table, "Why don't you all go pack your things so that we're ready to leave tomorrow."

The rest of them followed suit, and went up to the Gryffindor dormitories. Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have much to pack, as everything they needed was in the small beaded bag. The rest of the Weasley family, having not brought anything with them when they came to fight the battle, had summoned quite a few necessities from home.

"Do you want me to help you pack?" Harry asked Ginny as she climbed through the portrait hole.

"That would be nice, actually." She said.

He followed her through the common room and was about to start up the stairs to the Girl's dormitories when he remembered the time Ron tried to climb up and the stairs had flattened. He decided to try his luck anyway and gingerly placed his foot on the first step. Nothing happened, perhaps the step sensed his good intentions, and he ran the rest of the way up.

Once he reached Ginny's dormitory, he began helping her organize her things into her trunk.

"So, Ginny," He said when they were finished, "Y'know how I… er… broke up with you after Dumbledore's funeral."

"I could never forget, Harry."

He cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. "I just want to be clear that the only reason I did it was to try to protect you. I still love you very much, and I hope you know that."

He saw her beautiful brown eyes fill with tears as she nodded.

"I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore, but-" Harry was interrupted by a kiss, long and passionate.

"Harry," Ginny said, once they broke it off, "I was so worried about you when you were gone. I cried myself to sleep almost every night. And, when I saw you in Hagrid's arms, I swear, I was so scared. I'd thought I lost you forever."

"I promise that won't happen again."

Harry put his arm around her and enveloped her into a hug. They stayed there a long time, unsaid love floating through the air.