Disclaimer: Don't own it, don't particularly want it. It's just fun to think about stuff through the characters.
Harry Potter had been through a lot. He had lost many people. He had been told countless times, especially in the last two months, "We never truly lose the people we love." He was beyond sick of it.
Yes, he had lost many people. The most recent ones he had never had the chance to properly mourn. The past year had, on the whole, flashed past in so many moments of panic, fear, and desperation that the moments of loss were buried. It had begun with Hedwig, with so many others falling past him into that veil between this world and death. Dobby, Tonks, Lupin, Fred, and even more than that. He even felt a type of affection for those he hadn't known who had been willing to die in that grim battle for Hogwarts. Had been willing to die for him, he supposed, so that he could live to defeat Voldemort. And still, his parents, though he could never truly know what he had lost. Even that had been taken from him, that October evening sixteen years ago.
And here he was, not far from where it had all taken place. He stood looking down at the graves of his parents, and he couldn't help but think of the last time he had stood in this spot. The fear, desperation, and so much else that had been left at the graveyard gate. The calm, aching sadness of an orphaned boy, safely borne within the little fence.
This time he had remembered to bring flowers. He had stolen away from the warmth of the kitchen at the Burrow, found some flowers that he hoped wouldn't eat Muggles as they passed or something equally problematic, and Apparated to Godric's Hollow. It wouldn't be long now until someone noticed he was gone. Hermione would probably be able to guess where he had gone, perhaps even Ginny.
As usual, his heart swelled at the thought of Ginny. Whatever he had lost, he had at least gained her. This was almost more important to him than the fact that finally, after sixteen years, he never had to fear Voldemort again. He didn't care to think about it. The complications that would arise would be far too bothersome. And Harry definitely felt that he deserved a break from anything resembling strenuous.
Thoughts of Ginny inevitably led to thoughts of her family, then to the rest of his friends. The kitchen he had left behind had indeed been warm, and full of love, chatter, and the simple joy of living. There were still moments when the losses they had all suffered elbowed their way into the happiness, but they were not borne for long. Harry still found himself expecting Fred to finish George's sentences, or to join George in a battle of witty one-liners at the expense of one of their siblings. It would probably have been Ron. George had been abusing Ron enough on his own to make that certain. The appearance of Andromeda Tonks, carrying baby Teddy, had been a temporary damper thrown on them, but not for long. Teddy was cooed over by the women, awkwardly but earnestly admired by the men, and Harry had even gotten to hold his godson. At his first protestations, Andromeda had told him that Lupin and Tonks had informed her of their wishes, and she saw little reason to change them. With that, the baby had been placed in his arms, and he looked anxious enough to send Hermione and Ginny into fits of laughter. Any sadness still lingering had dissipated. Soon afterward, Harry had slipped away in the chaos of George setting off some sort of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes prototype.
The gate opened behind him, a light step was heard, and it clicked shut again. He didn't turn as they walked towards him, the gravel path crunching. He had a feeling he knew who it was.
"Hey," Ginny said softly, stopping beside him and taking his hand. He pressed her hand, unwilling to speak, then put his arm around her and drew her close beside him. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder, looking down at his parents' graves with him.
They stood like that for a long time, it seemed. It was probably only a handful of minutes, but it was long enough. Harry cleared his throat, and straightened a little. "Sorry," he said.
Ginny smiled at him. "Don't apologize. At least, not to me. If you must apologize, apologize to Mum. She nearly had a heart attack when we realized you were gone. George graciously pointed out that you had survived Ron's stupidity, not to mention Voldemort's wrath, so you were perfectly at liberty to go for a walk."
Harry snorted. "I'm sure she appreciated that," he said.
"Near about took his other ear off, she yelled so loud," she said, a mischievous quirk in her smile. "Then Teddy started howling, of course. Dad was trying to calm her down as I snuck out."
"How'd you find me?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I guessed. Or-- I dunno. I just had a feeling I should look here," she replied. She paused. "D'you feel ready to go back? Or do you want more time here?"
Harry took a calming breath and gazed at the headstone one more time. "No, I'm ready." He laid the little bunch of flowers he had brought on the grave. He stood just in time to see Ginny pulling a bouquet of lilies from her wand.
She laid the lilies beside his flowers and looked at him sheepishly. "I know it's lame," she said, "lilies for Lily, but..."
"No," he said, his throat for some reason clogging with emotion. "It's not-- well, I-- thanks."
She took his hand again, and they walked through the village to the outskirts. Together, they turned on the spot and Apparated to the Burrow.
A/N: Hooray for sappiness! I promise that most of the other ones will be joyous and mirthful. Reviews appreciated, more ideas for me to write more than appreciated. Much love, all!