Harry turned on his heels and left the headmasters study. He figured Ron and Hermione would want to be alone together for a long while. Harry trudged back to Gryffindor tower, hoping Kreacher would bring him a big sandwich. Harry couldn't remember the last time he ate.
When Harry found the familiar way through all of his short cuts, up to Gryffindor tower the Fat Lady swung open wordlessly, entering him into a home he hadn't realized he missed. Harry nodded at some of the younger students who refused to leave, and some much older witches and wizards who looked battle stricken. Harry stopped for a second as his old dorm mates and friends, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan clapped him on the back and cheered. Harry gave them half a smile, but he couldn't stay and cheer when he felt every loss so hard and all of his sleepless nights and missed meals were catching up to him.
Harry's school trunk and his things had somehow appeared at the foot of his four poster, most likely brought by Kreacher. Harry felt a twinge of love towards the house elf, who he knew was now loyal, even if he despised Harry when they first met. "Kreacher?" Harry softly called, settling into his bed. "Yes Master Harry?" Kreacher asked. "Kreacher has just been helping people in the great hall, yes he has. Oh yes Master Harry, Mrs. Weasley told Kreacher he has a real knack for healing." Kreacher said, to Harry's great surprise. "Oh, erm Kreacher that's very good, nice work. Maybe you could bring me up a few turkey sandwiches, and now that I think about it, please send up Ginny. Maybe you could even sit on the staircase after that, I wouldn't really like company other than Ginny right now, but Ron and Hermione are always ok," Harry finally finished, watching the house elf to make sure all of his instructions were understood. "Kreacher can do that, yes he can!" Kreacher announced, followed by a loud pop, and he was gone.
Harry pulled open his trunk and started sifting through his old robes and books looking for the marauder's map, he had a feeling he knew where Ron and Hermione went but he wanted to be certain. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." Harry said as he tapped the old parchment with his wand and watched it come to life. He was wrong about Ron and Hermione, they weren't in an abandoned classroom, but a greenhouse, they must not want to be disturbed Harry thought. Harry spotted Kreacher down in the kitchens, now all he wanted to do was find Ginny. He began to grow worried as he scanned the map and couldn't spot her. After a few tense minutes he found her with Professor Sprout at the bottom of the north tower.
Harry watched Ginny for a while until Kreacher brought up his sandwiches he dove into the plate, finally realizing how hungry he was. When Harry looked up Kreacher was gone, he hoped he had gone to find Ginny.
Once Harry had scarfed down all of his food he went back to the map to find Ginny. He immediately saw Kreacher, sitting outside the door to his dormitories. Harry looked up to see if he left the door open, and there was Ginny walking towards him. Harry couldn't help but grin, Ginny looked so strong. "Mischief managed." Harry said giving his father's old map a light tap. Ginny perched herself lightly on the end of the bed and then curled up into a ball, tears were silently streaming down her face. "Ginny-" Harry started, he was cut off by Ginny kneeling up and pressing her mouth hard to his. This was all too much for Harry, he was barely keeping it together now.
After what could've been forever, Harry pulled back. "You don't know how much I've wanted to do that, since I last saw you at the wedding." Ginny said. "Well I guess that means you want to get back together then." Harry said trying to laugh. "But hey Gin, I really need some sleep, and I've got Kreacher making sure no one comes in so maybe we could get some rest." Harry said regretfully, he wanted to go back to snogging, something he'd waited almost a year to do. Without answering Ginny flopped down next to Harry and pulled the covers up to her neck. Harry pulled Ginny close to him and said, "Gin I know this is kind of fast to be napping together after we've only just been back together for five minutes but-" "We need to be there for each other right now. Ginny finished. Harry smiled to himself, this is why he liked Ginny, she understood him. They quickly stopped talking and fell asleep because they were both exhausted.
When Harry woke up his heart leapt in his chest when he realized Ginny was lying next to him. Ginny was already awake next to him, "hey sleepy" Ginny said once she realized Harry was awake. "How long's it been?" Harry asked Ginny. "I dunno, but I've heard Kreacher yelling 'keep out' several times." Ginny said with a laugh. Harry rolled over so he was on his side facing Ginny, he just wanted to look at her face. "We should probably head downstairs now." Harry said remorsefully. "You're Mum would have a fit if she knew we were here." Harry laughed. Ginny stood up slowly and pulled on her sweatshirt, socks, and trainers. Harry did the same and they wordlessly reached for each others hands, as the walked down the stairs past Kreacher, and into the common room.
The common room was mostly abandoned, just a few stragglers remained now. "Master Harry and Miss Ginny!" Kreacher proclaimed. "Will you be needing anything?" Kreacher asked. "Yes please Kreacher." Ginny said eagerly. "My family, Hermione, Fleur, Luna, and Neville. Maybe some breakfast too." Ginny said to Kreacher. "Alright Miss Ginny, but it's 3 in the afternoon you slept for two and a half days!" Kreacher exclaimed. "Oh erm, make it lunch, then." Harry said. Then, Kreacher disapparated with a loud crack.
Harry sat in his favourite old arm chair by the fire. Ginny curled up at his legs as they awaited their family. Harry was happy and completely at peace, for the first time in forever.
Harry and Ginny watched the portrait hole as family members slowly trickled in. Hermione and Ron hand in hand, came first. It must've been raining, because all of their clothes were absolutely drenched. Hermione quickly ran to the fireplace and pointed her wand her wand at the hearth. Massive,warm flames immediately sprang to life warming up the whole tower. Ron smiled gratefully, rubbing his soaking hands together near the flames. Hermione grabbed a blanket from one of the other stuffed arm chairs and walked over to Ron. Shrugging it over both of their shoulders. "Ron! You're such a prat! Nosing about my relationships!" Ginny said shrilly. Harry took the part about relationships plurally the wrong way and kneed Ginny in the back. "Now Gin, this is not the time for the stuff, we need to be grateful for who's still with us and mourn those we've lost. I'm going to bloody kiss you whenever I like, because I'm so overcome with joy that we're both okay, so don't beat on Ron and Hermione for doing the same thing." Harry finished. With that he pulled Ginny on his lap and held her tightly.
"Well said Harry" Said a voice from behind. Harry turned around to see his parents, Dobby, Fred, and Sirius. Harry just stared as the family he thought he had lost filled into the chairs around him. There was a long silence until Ron stupidly said "So what happened to you?" Ginny leapt off of Harry as her parents entered, not looking very surprised to see the supposedly dead.
Lily moved to embrace Harry as Molly wrapped her arms around Ginny. "Ginerva Molly Weasley! I've been searching for you forever, then I come up here and find you like that! No wonder that house elf of Harry's wouldn't let me up to the dormitories!" Molly stopped and burst into tears. Ginny just laughed and patted her on the back. They sat down on a loveseat and Molly continued to sob and clutch Ginny.
"How" Harry whispered. "When you destroyed Voldemort, because you had a piece of him inside, the people you lost because of that, were returned to you." Lily said softly as harry began to move down the of hugs. He spent a long time with his Dad. Harry could barely see, tears were streaming down his face now. "You did beautifully." James whispered into Harry's ear, giving him a final squeeze before letting go. Sirius was next, Harry began to fully sob now, he had a family again. Finally after clapping Fred on the back he moved to Dobby. One of his best friends, he watched die. Harry picked up Dobby as the little house elf squeaked, "Harry Potter! Dobby is back!" Harry couldn't help but laugh as he set Dobby down.
Ginny wriggled out of her mother's grasp as she to started to move down the line. She lingered particularly long on Lily, as Ginny relayed their relationship and Harry's life in rapid whispers. Harry could already see a great bond forming between them, as Ginny moved down to Fred and Harry made his way back to his Mum. Everyone else had arrived now, Harry could distantly hear Fred and George and his Dad and Sirius, making up for lost time. Even with all of the turmoil going on around him, all Harry could think about was his family. He vaguely realized Lily grabbing Ginny out of thin air into the embrace and James coming up on Harry from behind, and then Sirius, until everyone had joined in. Harry was about to start a life he never knew he could have.