Disclaimer: I have long ago come to terms with the true yet unwelcome fact that I do not, indeed, own the characters or really anything but the storyline and ideas. I am pretty sure this is mostly unnecessary, unless some of you are thick enough, and actually believe that I am J.K. Rowling, in which case, I am sorry to disappoint you: I am not.

This story, as I have said, starts directly after the ending of the last chapter of The Deathly Hallows. If, by chance, you have forgotten the end, which I did not expect you to remember, I have included a recap. By recap, I mean direct quote, which is why it is in italics. Things that are in italics will not always be direct quotes, most of the time they will be thoughts of a character. I may also sometimes include direct quote recaps of the last sentence or two from the previous chapter to help understanding. I am sure you are familiar with this italicism (Is that the proper term?), so I will go on. I am always interested in a beta or to beta someone's stories Without further ado:

Chapter 1: Explanations

"That wand's more trouble than it's worth," said Harry. "And quite honestly," he turned away from the painted portraits, thinking now only of the four-poster bed lying waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower, and wondering whether Kreacher might bring him a sandwich there, "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."

The threesome bid their last goodbyes to Dumbledore, Harry with a tear in his eye, and descended the spiraling staircase.

"I can't believe you just threw away the most powerful wand in existence." said Ron, looking at Harry with a mixture of wonder and respect. "Why'd you do it?"

"I'm not throwing it away," explained Harry patiently, "I'm choosing not to let it control me like it did to so many others. I'm going to put it back in Dumbledore's tomb where it belongs. That way, when I die, a natural death, it will become a normal wand like any other. Then no one more will die because of greed and competition for power."

"I think that is a wonderful idea," said Hermione supportively, glaring at Ron, "Besides, I don't think you need a powerful wand to be a powerful wizard. I mean, looks at the magic you've done in just the past few hours alone, coming back to life and defeating Voldemort. And I bet it will only get stronger without him on your mind. You are a great wizard."

Suddenly Harry was reminded of the first time Hermione had told him that, back in his first year beneath the trapdoor when he defeated Quirrell. But he wasn't that great of a wizard.

"That was just a load of luck and help from you guys. I couldn't have done it alone. I'm not that special.

"You are Harry, it wasn't just luck. You shouldn't discredit yourself so much. Without you, none of us would be here. You came back from the dead, all on your own, without any help, and defeated Voldemort, without any help. You saved us all from a horrible life by coming back from the dead. If you hadn't, the war would still be going on. We all owe you our lives."

"Yeah mate," agreed Ron, " My whole family owes you our lives many times over. Do I have to remind you?"

Hermione could see Harry was deeply embarrassed by their praise, so she thankfully changed the subject, much to harry's relief, until she mentioned a certain someone.

"Speaking of that family of yours, why don't we go find them?" Hermione said, "I'm sure we all have people to talk to. Relationships to mend. I'm sure Harry has someone to talk to."

Harry ignored the intended stressing of someone. he did want to see Ginny, needed to see her, but he was sure she would blame him for Fred's death. He was sure all of the Weasleys blamed him. He didn't want to face the Weasleys, let alone anyone right now. He didn't think he could. he had caused them all so much pain. All the grief, pain, loss, everything. It was all his fault. So many had died because of him. Harry dreaded talking to the Weasleys but he knew he had to, and he needed most of all to talk to Ginny. He had too much to tell her. He needed to tell her how he had missed her, needed her, and how it wasn't over for them yet. In fact, he felt it was only the beginning for them. He had been away from her far too long. He needed her comfort. She needed his comfort too. He just didn';t know it yetr.

The three friends walked down the hall and into the great hall. The floor was covered with rubble and the bodies of all the casualties of the battle. Families and friends stood in tight knit groups, comforting each other and mourning the dead all around them. Harry felt a pang as he saw Lupin and Tonks lying next to each other, hands still reaching for the other's grasp. Harry thought sadly of their son, Teddy, orphaned as Harry had been, both parents lost to the wars. The little boy would never know his parents. Harry vowed to himself silently in that moment that he would be the father figure that Teddy would never know.

Harry Ron and Hermione scanned the great Hall, searching for the rest of the Weasleys. They stood and sat around Fred's ever still body, in their own circle of grief. Harry saw Ginny and Mrs. Weasley sitting on a bench from one of the hose table, and he felt his chest tighten at the sight of Ginny. Ginny had her head on her mother's shoulder, eyes closed, and Harry thought she was sleeping, but then her eyes opened and met Harry's. In that instant, they understood each other perfectly. Such understanding passed through them and Harry knew. He knew that she didn't blame him, knew that she still loved him, that she wanted to talk and that she needed him every bit as much as he needed her. Harry moved over to Ginny and sat down next to her. They both reached for each other's hand, needing a physical connection. As their fingers intertwined, Harry felt something he hadn't for a while, something he knew he'd always find with Ginny. For the first time in months, he felt content. As they held hands, Harry felt a hole in his heart heal. With Ginny's hand in his, he knew she'd always be the one for him. He'd been away for so long that he had forgottn how good it felt to hold Ginny's hand again, he had forgotten what it was like to love and be loved. He had lost a piece of him in those months away from him and he felt that piece coming back to him in Ginny. Harry turned to look at Ginny and she looked back at him too. Harry could see the love in her eyes, but also the grief and the pain. He wanted to hold her and tell her that everything would be all right,, that he loved her, but he didn't want to take her away from her family. So he just sat there and looked at Fred, but he couldn't handle it, so he looked around at the Great Hall and everyone else.

McGonagall was waving off an ever-present Madam Pomfrey who was tending to everyone at once. Luna and Neville were holding hands and she had her head on his shoulder, his arm around her. Harry smiled to himself at the sight of the two of them. They were the perfect couple, both different in their own way. Harry saw Seamus sitting by Lavender who was unconscious on a makeshift bed, covered in bandages. Seamus was unusually pale and worried looking, and Harry wondered if there was more to the two than he had originally thought. He saw Parvati mourning Padma and he was struck by a sudden thought. George had lost Fred and Parvati had lost Padma. Both pairs of twins had been separated. Harry looked over at George. He was looking numbly at Fred, unmoving. Harry was worried about George. He was worried about all the Weasleys.

Harry looked over at Ginny, who was staring straight ahead, unseeing. He let go of Ginny's hand and she looked at him, confused. He took her into his embrace, arms wrapped around her. . She laid her head on his shoulder, and he kissed the top of her head. Harry's heart was so full, he thought it would burst. He needed to let some of it out, just so he wouldn't explode. He needed to talk to Ginny, let her know exactly how he felt. They had both been, and were, something for each other to hold onto, to go to, and Harry never wanted to let her go. He took his arms away from her and she looked up at him questioningly. He took her hand and stood up, pulling her to her feet along with him. She stood and let him guide her from the hall. He felt eyes on his back, and he knew they must have felt their strength and hope and salvation leave the room with him, but Harry ignored them, marching on, focused on his goal, the oak doors to outside.

Finally they made it out of the suffocating, misery-filled Great Hall and into the entrance hall. Harry felt a weight of responsibility leave his shoulders. He wasn't a brave war hero, he was just a boy in love. The two walked out onto the grounds and it was just him and Ginny and the starry night sky. It was dark out, but it wasn't cold. Harry and Ginny walked around the lake and sat under their favorite tree. Harry put his arms around Ginny like he had in the Great Hall, like he had so many times before. He looked around at the night. Across the lake lay the whole of Hogwarts, injured as she was, yet still standing strong. Harry knew, looking at the proud castle, that Hogwarts would always be there to welcome him home. Because Hogwarts was his home. It was the only place, other than the Burrow, where he had been loved, appreciated. Harry thought back to all those years at Hogwarts, the times he'd had, the friends he'd made, the love he'd had and lost, and gotten again, and knew he'd sorely miss it all.

AN: Finally done typing that. I don't have a computer at home, so I have to write it then type it in the little time I have. But I'm not asking for sympathy. I am asking for help. If you have ideas, or even just corrections, please feel free to comment and follow and all that. Thank you so much. Writing about all his love has made me sad again. I'm sorry for the weird ending, I just wanted to get this out there. Also, chapters will be longer in the future. Also, please check out my other stories. I have been thinking about writing a cancer fic. Should I? If any of you are willing to help with that, please tell me.