Ch 1: A new beginning

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this. If I did I would be filthy rich.

Making his way up to the Gryffindor Tower Harry couldn't stop thinking of what had happened just hours earlier. Scenes from the battle kept popping into his head, as well as the people who were lost. He thought of Remus and Tonks who would never get to see their son grow up. Also of Fred who would no longer be able to play tricks with his twin brother George. He also thought of Colin Creevey who should not have been there.

But there was one person who he could not stop thinking about, that certain red hair girl. Ginny Weasley. If he wasn't at the point of collapsing from exhaustion he would go find her and make up with her. Then a sudden realization occurred to him will she forgive me and take me back. He knew he would have to talk to her to see where they stood.

As he rounded the corner to the portrait of the fat lady he heard a two familiar voices calling his name. As he turned around he saw Ron and Hermione running towards him hand in hand. Seeing this sight brought a smile to Harrys face. He knew they would eventually figure it out and be together.

As they reached Harry, Hermione was the first to speak "There you are Harry. We've been looking for you"

"Sorry, I saw you two needed to talk and figure things out" Harry replied with a grin on his face, seeing how his two best friends finally admit their feelings for one another.

"Yes... Well... you still should have told us you were leaving" Said Hermione as she started to blush.

At this point Ron had not said a thing, but he too was blushing. He was as red as his hair. He gave a small chuckle and started to rub the back of his neck with his free hand.

As Hermione opened her mouth to say something, Harry cut her off "look guys I really am sorry for not telling you guys I was heading here, but I'm exhausted and want nothing more than to sleep"

All she could do was agree with him, she was exhausted as well, and wouldn't mind resting. Then she said "Alright then lets go and get some rest, you two look like hell" This was true, all three of them were covered in dirt and blood.

The trio made their way to the Fat Lady, when they got to there Ron brought up good point "umm... Any of you know the password to get in"

They all stood there frozen not knowing what to do, Finally Harry stepped forward "Umm... Excuse me fat lady... would it... umm be ok if... um you let us in so we could get some rest"

Not knowing if that would work, Harry felt that his request would be denied when suddenly the fat lady spoke "off course my dears, anything for you three" she then swung open to let them in.

Walking into the common room they noticed that it was untouched by the battle. This was a relief to Harry because the castle was in shambles. He wasn't to sure if it would be able to be restored.

Ron and Hermione made they way to the big arm chair that was in front of the fireplace.

Ron turned to see Harry heading up toward the boy dormitories, then he returned his gaze towards Hermione. He felt so lucky to have her, he knew he would need her to help him through the pain of losing his brother. His thoughts drifted to his family wondering if he should be down there with them. After all he hadn't seen most of them since Bills weeding and that was nearly nine months ago.

As they both sat there in silence for a few minutes Hermione drew herself closer to Ron. She snuggled up next to him. Finally Ron spoke "I think I should go down to the Great Hall and see my family. I need to see how mom is holding up. And we should let her know where Harry is"

She looked up at him, and gave him a worm smile, She stood up and stretched her hand towards him indicating she wanted him to take it. He looked up at her and she said "Come. I'll go down with you"

...

Harry made it up to the sixth year both dorm, he smiled because it nothing had changed. Then he remembered the last time he was in this room, it was right after Dumbledore's funeral. He made his way to his old bed he didn't have time to remove his trainers, he collapsed on the bed and in a matter of moments he was asleep.

...

It was sunny outside when Harry opened his eyes, as he moved he felt how sore his body was. He wasn't surprised, he had been running around during the battle, as well as avoiding hexes, and curses that were coming his way. As he took a deep breath he felt it was a little hard to breath, must be the effect of taking the killing curse.

He slowly reached for his glassed on the nightstand "Thats funny, I don't remember taking my glasses off" he thought to himself. As he looked around he saw that he was alone in the room, but he could tell someone had slept in Rons old bed. It was then he noticed that at the foot of his bed were clean cloths laid out for him with a note on them.

He very slowly got out of bed feeling very sore to the point where he was struggling to walk. Harry reached for the note and read it

Harry

Ron and I went down the Great hall to get food. I left you some clean clothes for you to change into. Once you've leaned up meet us there, the Weasleys want to see you.

Sincerely Hermione G.

Harry stood there rozen staring at the note. "Why do the Weasleys want to see... Probably so they can blame me for the Death of their son" That was all Harry could think. New wouldnt blame them if they saw him as the reason Fred died, because he felt responsible. He saw it happened and he didn't do anything. He was the reason for the Battle. As all these thoughts came to him Harry couldn't control his emotions and just began to let it all out.

But his guilt wasn't only for Fred's death but everyones, Tonks, Remus, Collins...

Then it hit him, what about little Teddy Lupin. He would have to live without ever knowing his parents, Harry could sympathise with him he knew what that was like. But still no child should know that he knew he had to make sure Teddy never had the life he did. Harry would Make sure his godson would have a happy life, well as happy as it could be for a child without parents.

How could Harry show himself to not only the Weasleys but the rest of the families who lost someone.

Finally being able to get a handle of his emotions Harry made his way to the bathroom so he could shower. He turned on the water, and promptly stepped in. As the warm water touched his body all his sore muscles seemed to relax, it had been a while since he felt so... relaxed. As he looked down the drain he saw just how much he was covered in dirt, and soot.

As he stayed in the shower his thoughts once again drifted back to Ginny, he wondered if she hated him for leaving her. If she blamed him to for the death of her brother. Harry didn't know what to do. As he got out of the shower he got dressed, he knew it would be better to face her and her family sooner rather then later.

...

Making his way down to the common room he heard two people having a hush conversation he knew those two voices it was Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas

Harry could hear Dean saying "Right after the battle was over I Pulled her aside and told her I wanted to be with her again"

Harrys heart started to race he knew Dean was talking about Ginny, he listen in closely

He heard Seamus speak next "so what did she tell ya mate"

"she told me she wasn't interested in me anymore, she had feelings for someone else"

"Let me guess it Potter she is fancing"

"She didn't say..." There was a pause then he heard Seamus speak again

"Its alright mate. Come on I'm hungry lets go get some food"

Harry waited till they left the common room to make his way down the stairs. He waited a few more moments before going though the patriot hole. The whole time he thoughts were on the conversation he just overheard. He desperately wanted to know who it was Ginny was referring too"

Lost in his thoughts Harry didn't realize just how bad the condition of the castle looked, There were whole walls missing. There was debris everywhere. It was a miracle anyone made it out of here alive.

Before he knew it he was standing in front of the two large doors that lead to the Great Hall. Taking a deep breath Harry said to himself "Lets get this overwith"

As he opened the doors and the Great Hall came into view he saw that the four house tables were once again back to where they belong. And the bodies of the deceased had been removed and taken somewhere else. He looked around and he noticed everyone was staring at him. Suddenly there was a giant uproar of cheers.

He was surrounded by hundreds of people who wanted to thank him for what he did. All this made Harry feel overwhelmed. He didn't know what to do. Let alone how to react, this was all too much for a seventeen year old child to take in.

Suddenly he felt a giant hand down on his shoulders. At once he knew it was Hagrid coming to save him from this mob of people.

"Alright ya lot move it along, Leave poor 'Arry here alone" feeling the Half giant pushing Harry though the mob of people, Harry felt grateful to have Hagrid as a friend. After all he was the first person he befriend after he found out he was a wizard.

Harry looked up and Hagrid and said "Thanks Hagrid I owe you one"

Hagrid just nod at him. Harry didn't realize it but Hagrid was leading him towards the Gryffindor table where most of the Weasleys were gathered. He knew it was time to face them.

Since the moment Harry entered the Great Hall the Weasleys never took their eyes off Harry. Their expressions were hard to read, he didn't know if they would welcome him or yell at him. There was only one way to find out.

At one end of the Table sat Mr and Mrs Weasley, with George sitting in between both of them. Gorge had a somber look on his face, his eyes were red and puff. That was obviously due to crying for his fallen twin. On the other end sat Bill with his wife Fleur, Charlie, and Percy.

It was then Harry realised that the Ron and Hermione were missing, and more importantly Ginny.

As the finally reached to where they were he looked them all and gave them a weak smile and said "mind if I join you"

At that moment Mrs. Weasley stood up, Harry flinched thinking here it comes. Next thing he knew he was in one of Mollys world famous bone crushing hugs. And at that moment Harry knew she forgave him. He didn't realise it but he began to cry in to Mrs. Weasleys shoulder, he then felt a reassuring hand on his back which he knew must have been from Mr. Weasleys.

In those few moments it clicked, these were the closest thing he would ever come to having parents. He loved them both so much, and he knew they both saw him as if he were their own son.

Finally Harry spoke Mr. Weasley im sorry about F-Fred, its all my Faul..." Harry didn't finish his sentence when Molly but a finger over her lips. Her worm expression turned to a very stern one and spoke "Harry dear, don't you dare for one second blame yourself for what happened. Not for Fred or anyone elses death for that matter"

That was all it took to get off that subject he knew not to press it. As he sat down next to he saw that everyone was still looking at him but he decided not to let it bother him, he had been use to it since he was eleven and he found out he was the famouse HARRY POTTER.

He was wondering were his two friends and Ginny where, he looked around the Hall but no sign of them. He saw Neville over at the Ravenclaw table talking with Luna. And up were the professors sit he could see Professor Mcgonagall sitting in the Headmaster's chair.

Mr. Weasley who had been observing Harry finally sooke "they're not here Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. They were starting to get worried about you, so they went to go see if you were alright"

"Yeah, but I got Hermiones note saying they were waiting for me here"

"Harry that note was left there yesterday morning"

Harry was surprised to hear that, he didn't even think about just how long he had been asleep for.

"Umm Mr. Weasley just how long have I been asleep for"

Arthur chuckled a little at the question " Well id say you've been asleep for almost two days straight. But that all right Harry if anyone deserved the rest it was you.

"TWO DAYS!" Blurted out Harry, he was shocked he had slept for two whole days "why didn't anyone wake me"

"Well we thought you deserved the rest, after everything you have gone through these last few years, as well as the battle that took place. We all thought you'd earned it"

Harry didn't know what to say, he still wanted to know where his friends were at, if they went to go look for him they must still be up at Gryffindor tower. Slowly Harry raised from his seat and began to walk away when he heard Molly say "And where do you think you're going Harry James Potter!"

Hearing her use his full name in that voice tone sent a shiver down Harrys spin

He turned around to face her and tried to explain to her he was going to go look for his friends, but the look Molly was giving him made it hard on Harry to form a coherent sentence.

"I... well... you see... I was going to go look for Ron and Hermione"

"youre leaving without eating. Look at you, you're skin and bone, you need to eat food, when was the last time you had a decent meal. No you stay right here and eat, do you understand young man"

Just was harry was about to sit down he heard George who the whole time had been looking down at his plate say " Oh Come on mom, let him go he will be right back. Won't ya Harry"

"Aaa... Yeah I will, as soon as I find them. I promise"

Thats all it took Mrs. Weasley knew she was defeated. Harry didn't miss his chance he ran out of the Great Hall and went straight for Gryffindor tower. Within a matter of moments he was that the patriot hole. As the Fat Lady saw him coming she opened straight away.

As he entered the common room he was stopped dead at his tracks.

There she stood Ginny Weasley, the person he most wanted to see. She stood there staring at him, her eyes fixed on his. But neither of them moved. Neither Harry nor Ginny realized that Ron and Hermione were frozen staring at them.

It wasn't till Harry opened his arms to invite Ginny in For a hug. That was all it took for Ginny she charged Harry as fast as she could. Then in that one magical moment Ginny and Harry shared and embrace that brought both of them to tears. Neither one saying anything, at this times words where not needed. They both understood perfectly what they other was trying to say.

After a while Harry looked down to see Ginnys beautiful brown eyes, He lifted her chin with his finger and they shared a passionate kiss. It was a perfect moment.

During all this Ron and Hermione stood there watching both of them. Hermione was crying with tears of joy watching as these two people were reunited was again. Ron on the other hand was not so happy. He was downright angry with Harry, Memories of Harrys seventeenth Birthday came back to him were he clearly remembers telling harry not to mess with his sister.

A few moments later he felt Hermione tug on his shirt and whisper "i'm so happy for both of them. Isn't it amazing seeing them reunite in the same spot they shared their very first kiss"

"Huh? Oh yeah sure. Well Harry better enjoy it because it the last time he messes with my sister"

"Ronald!" Hermione yelled at him. Upon hearing Rons name was all it took for Harry and Ginny to come back to reality.

A\N: I have been reading quite a few PostDH and thought I give it a try.