A/N: Most unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter

A/N: Most unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter. Also, for the most part, this follows the story line but I may stray from it if it fits my story.

Harry Potter slowly woke up and as he did, the events of the previous day came flooding back. The war, the defeat of Voldemort, the death of so many of his friends. A dull ache filled his soul as he laid on his four poster bed trying to summon the strength to face another day. Harry looked around him. If it weren't for the events that had just taken place, it could have passed for a normal morning at Hogwarts. Ron, Seamus, Neville, and Dean were all sprawled in their beds asleep. Harry, along with the majority of the survivors from the battle, had elected to stay at Hogwarts for the night. People made makeshift beds in classrooms or any unoccupied room they could find. Except for the Slytherin common room. No one slept there. Not even the few Slytherin's that were on their side. Harry finally sat up on his bed. He was not looking forward to the many funerals due to take place over the next week or so, yet he refused to miss a one. Harry dressed and headed downstairs to the Gryffindor common room. He wasn't looking forward to facing anyone yet. He hoped he would be the first one up. He reached the bottom and thought he was alone but then he heard someone crying softly from one of the big armchairs by the fire. Harry didn't know if he should go over or pretend like he hadn't heard anything. Then he saw the slip of red hair.

"Ginny?" Harry asked softly as he moved to face her.

Ginny Weasley sat curled up in the armchair, a box of tissues in her hand. Her eyes were red and swollen from the tears that she had shed.

"Please, Harry, just go away." She said softly as she made the effort to dry her tears.

Harry kneeled down in front of her so that he was eye level with her.

"Ginny, I'm sorry-" Harry took her hand.

Ginny snatched her hand away and interrupted him. "Don't!" she said in a choked voice. "Please, Harry, please just go." She whispered.

Harry's shoulders slumped as he obeyed her wish and headed down to the great hall. As he was walking down the hall, he ran into Hermione.

"Hi, Harr-" she greeted, then stopped as she noticed the look on his face. "Are you okay?" she asked gently.

"No, Hermione, I'm not. Ginny is in the common room crying her eyes out, probably over her brother. She won't let me stay. She practically begged me to leave. I knew she was mad at me, but I didn't realize how she really felt about me. I think she despises me, Hermione. Maybe even hates me. And I can't blame her. I dumped her and wouldn't let her come along with us. She had to stay here and endure the Carrow's torture. Then Fred died fighting my battle." Harry's voice cracked. "It was my battle. Why did all these people have to suffer? Why couldn't it have been me? I was ready for it!"

Hermione grabbed Harry's hands in hers. "Harry, none of this is your fault! Because of you, Voldemort is no longer a threat! You're a hero. And, I don't think Ginny hates you or despises you. She just has a lot to process right now.

Harry looked at Hermione. "Could you please talk to her? I don't want her to be alone like that."

"Of course, Harry. I'll go right now. But are you going to be okay?" Hermione asked with a concerned look in her eyes.

"I'll be- good enough." He said. "I'm headed downstairs. Please tell Ginny that I would like to talk to her if she will let me."

The two friends hugged tightly and parted ways.

Harry headed downstairs to the great hall and found that people had started to get up and around. There was a quiet buzz of conversation among the various groups that were scattered throughout the hall. Harry saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and went to say hello.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Harry said quietly and then instantly regretted his choice of words. There was nothing good about it. His face reddened and he opened his mouth to apologize. Mr. Weasley cut him off.

"It is a good morning, Harry. It's the beginning of a peaceful era in the wizarding community, thanks to you."

"Sir, how can you say that?" Harry asked brokenly. "I'm lucky that you're even speaking to me. "It's my fault. It's all my fault. I should have been the one to-"

This time Mrs. Weasley interrupted him. "Now, now, Harry dear. I don't want to hear those kinds of thoughts coming from you. None of this is your fault. Arthur is quite right. We have you to thank for defeating Voldemort. " she said this as cheerfully as she could but Harry saw through her red swollen eyes. She was grieving for the son that she could never get back. Why was he putting additional pressure and worry on them?"

"Sorry to be so depressing, you guys. I'll be fine, I promise. But is there anything that I can get for you? Anything at all?" Harry forced a positive tone.

"Nothing, Harry, thanks." Mr. Weasley replied as he put his arm around his wife.

"Harry, we're going to be leaving in a bit to go back to the Burrow to make pr-preparations." Mrs. Weasley faltered over the words. "You'll be coming with us, so have your things packed, okay? And pass the word to Ron and Ginny. Oh, and to Hermione too."

"Mrs. Weasley, thanks for the invitation, but I don't know if that's a good idea." Harry objected. How could he live among this family that had lost so much because of him?

"Nonsense, Harry. I'll hear none of that. You're coming to the Burrow and that's that." Mrs. Weasley overruled.

"Well, thanks. I appreciate it." Harry acquiesced.

Harry headed back up to the Gryffindor tower to pass the news along to his friends. He hoped that Hermione had been able to calm down Ginny. Harry's head filled with thoughts of him and Ginny during their brief time together. His heart ached to be that way with her again. But it would probably never happen now. He shook his head. Did he really think she would just jump into his arms the moment this was all over?

Harry forced the thoughts out of his head as he entered the common room through the portrait. He didn't even realize that he hadn't been asked for a password.

Once inside, he found Ron and Hermione sitting together on a couch, talking. He walked over to them. "Hey." He said tentatively. "Ron, your mum said we were leaving soon and to come to the Great Hall. You too, Hermione. They want you to come to the Burrow." Harry stopped. He looked at Ron a bit awkwardly. "Er, do you know where Ginny is?"

Hermione answered. "She's upstairs packing, Harry. I'll tell her we're leaving."

As Hermione left, Harry turned to Ron. "Listen, mate, I just want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt your sister. But somehow I have and I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Harry. I don't blame you. She's all mixed up about Fred." Ron said.

Hermione and Ginny came down the stairs then, Ginny trying her best to avoid Harry. "Ready then?" Harry asked. They headed to the Great Hall.

Harry and his friends spent the remaining time saying goodbye to their friends and promising to get together once everything settled down. Finally, it was time to leave. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's gathered by the fireplace in the Great Room. The fireplace had been connected to the Floo Network for the day so people could get home quickly.

Harry was the last to use the fireplace. With a heavy heart, he quietly but firmly said, "The Burrow" and disappeared through the flames.

A/N: Please review! They inspire me!