Disclaimer: I don't own Harry, or anyone else here. Also, I'm not a billionare. If I were, the words you're reading would be written in platinum.
"Thanks, Ginny."
"For what?"
"I don't know, for always being there for me. For being here now. For believing in me. I don't know."
"I always knew you'd win. I just didn't know it would be like this." A single tear dripped from her eye onto her cheek, and she threw her arms around Harry, sobbing softly into his shoulder.
"I missed you…I was soo worried; sniff and then you came to Hogwarts. I had to get here to see you. Nothing could keep me away." Then Ginny lifted her head up and looked Harry straight in the eyes, light hazel to bright green. Ginny's eyes looked tired, worn down, grief stricken. She said in a shaky voice, "You…were…dead…" then a blazing looking came into her face and she yelled, "DON'T YOU EVER DIE ON ME AGAIN, HARRY POTTER!" She sounded so much like Molly Weasley when she said it, Harry couldn't help but to let out a snort.
Then Ginny smiled. Then Harry smiled. Then they both busted up laughing, absolutely hysterically. Not so much because this was that funny, it was a bit, but it was more so a release of built up tension and fears. After they both laughter themselves hoarse, they hugged, and just held each other for another couple minutes.
"So, uh…" Ginny began hesitantly, "Are we… Am I… still your girlfriend," she almost blurted out the last part.
"Are you kidding, of course, if you still want me to be your boyfriend, that is," Harry answered, cheeks turning a bright red, almost comparable to a Weasley.
"Well, you did just defeat Voldemort, 'the Dark Lord'" Ginny used finger quotes in the air, "come back from death, and are the hero of the wizarding world. You'll do," Ginny giggled playfully. The her demeanor changed substantially, and her face became completely serious. "In that case, you can have this. I've been saving it for you."
Harry's eyes got wide and his eyebrows rose inquisitively as Ginny leaned toward him very slowly, closer and closer until their lips met. They kissed, drawing themselves together, until they were out of breath.
When they broke apart, Harry remarked, "Wow. That was almost worth the wait."
Ginny giggled, "Almost?" Then they hugged again.
"Harry," Ginny began, "it's George. He's not taking this well. I should get back with the family."
Harry looked into her honey eyes, and answered after taking a deep breath, "Let's go."
"Thank you, Harry. And please remember, everyone is so grateful for you. It wouldn't do to go back to blaming yourself."
"I'll remember that."
The teens walked out of the portrait hole, back into the castle halls. The devastation was immense; large chunks of wall and ceiling littered the walkway. They headed down the stairs toward the main castle entrance, and looked out the gaping opening that had been the large double oaken doors but one day prior. There were three enormous pavilions, two of which were lit with a soft magical green light.
"Fred is over there," Ginny pointed a shaking finger to the left-most pavilion.
Harry squeezed her hand, and led her over to the entrance.
"Harry!" A young voice called.
Harry looked over to the right of the pavilion to see Dennis Creevy running up to him. Harry was dreading this encounter. Dennis' brother, Colin, had stayed behind the previous day after all underage students were ordered to leave the grounds, and he had been among the dead after the battle.
"Harry, they said you did it. Tell me it's over now, and no one else has to... die." There was a pleading, frantic, almost hysterical look in Dennis' eyes.
"Voldemort's dead, Dennis. I'm sorry about Colin."
At the mention of his brother's name, the frantic look gave way to one of agony, and Dennis replied, "Colin wanted to fight. He gave his life so me and my family could live free." After a brief silence where Harry didn't know how to respond, Dennis said, "And so you did it again. Everyone's talking about it, Harry. You sacrificed for us, didn't you?"
"I guess," Harry mumbled.
"Thank you," Dennis sincerely stated, then walked slowly back the way he had come.
"Oh, great," Harry said to Ginny. She gave a weak grimacing smile in return, then they stepped inside the pavilion.
There were three rows of raised dais, containing large silver caskets with the Hogwarts crest and the victim's name etched in gold lettering on each. The room had rows of green burning torches along each wall, and there were chairs next to teach casket, most holding grieving family members. Harry noticed many friends in the pavilion, standing next to their deceased loved ones. Andromeda Tonks was down on the right, holding little Teddy Lupin, tears falling, no doubt by Tonks' and Remus' caskets. The Weasleys were a little further down on the left. Molly was no longer hysterical , but she was still crying, and being held by Arthur. George wore the same blank look he had the prior day. Ron and Hermione weren't there , but Charlie and Bill both had their arms around Percy.
"Excuse me for a minute," Harry said to Ginny, nodding toward Andromeda and Teddy. Ginny forced a smile and nodded back.
Harry walked over to Andromeda who was sitting with a sleeping Teddy, and said, "I'm sorry."
Andromeda responded, "Don't be, Harry. I know Nymphadora and Remus had to come here. They wouldn't turn away from a battle, either one of them. I can only imagine what he will be like," a small smile coming to her face as she looked town at a green haired Teddy, showing his metamorphagus qualities even while sleeping. "He's all I have left," she stated bluntly, exactly as Harry was thinking how Fred Tonks had been killed by death eaters just a few weeks earlier.
"I know you're his godfather, Harry, but don't you think he should live with me, at least for the time being? He'll definitely keep me busy. I want you to come by as much as you can, though, any time, night or day, but I'd really like you to learn how to take care of a baby before he's thrust upon you. What do you think?"
"Of course, Andromeda, that sounds like a great idea." Harry gave Andromeda's shoulder a little squeeze, and after looking again at his sleeping godson, and promising to visit soon, excused himself to go over to the Weasleys.
Ginny had her arm around George's waist, and he was leaning back into her.
Molly looked over as Harry approached and pulled him into one of her patented hugs. "Thank you, Harry. No one else will have to die now," she said, looking toward her remaining children present. She then hugged Harry even tighter, and Harry could feel his still tender ribs complain before she let him go. She then took each of her kids in turn, hugging them before saying, "Let's get some sleep," looking at Arthur, "we have another busy day today. We'll need a few hours."
The rest of the Weasleys filed out, leaving George, Ginny, and Harry behind.
George watched them go and looked past Harry saying, "He doesn't feel gone. It's like he's going to jump out of this box laughing about how this was the 'greatest prank yet'. But he's not, is he?"
At this statement, Harry saw George make eye contact for the first time since Harry had seen him since Fred died, "I don't think so, George," Harry answered.
George's eyes moved to the floor, he sighed, and looked back up with a slight twinkle and said, "You came back, didn't you?"
"That's different, but definitely a story that I have to tell you. All of you," Harry said as he looked over to Ginny, "but not here."
The glimmer went out of George's eyes again, and he nodded. "You two go ahead. I'm just going to stay here." George pulled out his wand and transfigured the chair into a recliner, and sat down.
Harry couldn't help but admire George's wand work at a time like this.
"Are you sure, George?" Ginny asked.
"Sure, just don't get into too much trouble, you crazy kids," George forced a smile, then looked away, it falling instantly from his face.
Harry raised his eyebrows at Ginny, and she beckoned him outside. "Take care, George. See you soon."
"K."
Other people thanked Harry, and he murmured responses as they made their way to the entrance.
"How about a walk?" Harry asked Ginny. She nodded as they held hands and walked up to and along the black lake. A little further ahead the teens spotted Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Neville all sitting under the tree that Harry once saw the marauders resting under in Snape's pensieve memory.
Neville said, "Hey, Harry, Ginny."
"Hey, Neville," both Harry and Ginny responded as one. They looked at each other, and sat down, too, smiling.
"What now?" Harry asked, as Hermione had some parchment and a quill out.
"Well, I've started a list," Hermione said, as Ron, who was sitting next to her, rolled his eyes. "I'll go over what we have so far.
"First, Ron and I talked to Kingsley while you were sleeping," (Ron yawned pronouncedly) and Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
"Hey, that hurt."
"Well, this is important."
"So is sleep," Ron muttered, but smiled after.
"Harry, Kingsley is the acting minister of magic, and would like a statement." Harry groaned. "Of course it's your decision, but I wouldn't go into what it was that we were looking for. He's just looking for reassurance that V..Voldemort is gone for good this time."
"Is he?" Neville asked.
"Yes, you made sure of that," Harry answered.
"The snake?"
"The snake."
"But how?"
Harry lowered his voice, and said, "Neville, Luna, have either of you heard of a horcrux?"
"No," Neville answered.
"Of course," Luna said, "A part of the soul is stored in something."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron stared at her for a moment, open-mouthed.
Hermione was the first to recover, "Well, yes, a piece of one's soul is ripped from the body, and stored in another item, so if someone tries to kill you, you don't completely die. You can be brought back by the piece of soul which still exists."
Neville's eyes got huge, "Nagini was a horcrux?"
"It was the last one. He had seven." Harry's voice got even quieter. "I was one, too." At that piece of news, Ginny, Luna, and Neville gasped.
"You knew?" Ginny asked.
"Harry told us yesterday," Hermione answered.
"I was given a choice to go on," Harry looked to Ginny, "or come back" he looked over to Luna and Neville, "and finish it. And this time Riddle would be gone for good."
Hermione said, "We should tell Ginny, Luna, and Neville the whole story, at least the parts they missed."
"Okay," Harry said, "but you tell it." He laid down on the soft, cool, grass, and stared over at the black lake, watching a tentacle break the surface, as Ginny leaned her head on his chest. Harry breathed in the beautiful flowery scent that came from her, as Hermione talked for close to an hour, just going over the story briefly. By then, Ron was leaning against her snoring softly.
Hermione looked back down to her list and continued, "So Kingsley wants to talk to you at 10:00 this morning. I took the liberty of saying you'd be at the headmistress' office at that time."
"Great," Harry said sarcastically.
"That gives you about 3 hours.
"Next," Hermione said, and lowered her voice slightly, "Kingsley is scheduling a memorial. And this is partly why he wants to see you, Harry. He wants you to give a speech tomorrow."
"WHA? I don't want to give a speech! Kingsley would know that," Harry ranted, his voice echoing in the still morning.
"Of course he does, Harry."
"Then why would he ask that?"
"Harry," Hermione started exasperatedly, "You're the hero of the wizarding world, remember?"
"Don't remind me."
"Well, you are. Again. And you're going to have to start getting used to it. This isn't something that's going to die down, like, ever. People are going to want to see you, shake your hand, and thank you, probably for the rest of your life," Hermione explained.
"Great," Harry sighed.
"I've written a small speech," Hermione ventured cautiously.
"What? When did you get time to write a speech?" Harry asked.
"Honestly, Harry, writing doesn't take that long."
Harry rolled his eyes, and said, "Thank you, Hermione." He took the parchment Hermione offered him, and after a little while his eyebrows rose incredulously, as he looked back at Hermione.
"Well, make it your own. You don't have to use it if you don't want to, you know."
"No, no, it's really good. It's just, I don't know, I'm not really one for giving speeches, but thank you again, Hermione. I really do appreciate it."
"You'll do fine," Luna said, and Neville agreed.
"Next on the list: Harry, you're going to get the Merlin, 1st class."
"No way. I am not!"
"Well, you'll talk about that with Kingsley, I'm sure," Hermione interrupted, before Harry could go on another of his patented rants.
"Sounds like a great meeting," Harry said.
"Harry, I think we're all getting Merlins. Everyone who fought here. Even those that," Hermione's eyes flicked to Ginny, then to Ron next to her, "didn't make it. Their families will be getting their awards. And if they don't have any, it will be picked up by their head of house."
"That's well deserved," Harry stated.
"That's a lot of Merlins," Neville said, his eyes aglow with a very happy look.
"Yes, it would be the most that the Ministry has ever given out at once, by a long shot.
"Next," Hermione said, looking back down at her parchment. Harry groaned, but smiled when Hermione looked up with a slightly irritated look. "Next," Hermione started again, "Gringott's. Harry, I hope you have enough gold for a while, because since we made off with their dragon the last time we were there, I have a feeling the goblins are not going to be very accommodating. Maybe that's something you can bring up with Kingsley, when you talk to him."
"That was really a nice thing you did, Harry," Luna stated serenely.
"Er, what?"
"Freeing the dragon. I'll bet it really enjoyed the flight after being locked up for so long."
"Uh, yeah, I suppose."
"I wonder where she is," Luna said thoughtfully.
"She?" Harry asked. "How do you know..."
"Goblins always use females as guard dragons," Luna responded as if she couldn't believe Harry didn't know that fact.
Harry imagined Grimmauld place with a Hungarian Horntail guard dragon roaring, and Mrs. Black screaming, and visibly shivered.
"Are you cold, Harry, or are your Nargles back?"
"No, Luna. I'm okay. Thanks," Harry answered, smiling.
Hermione was looking at her parchment, and suddenly started crying. Ron woke up and immediately pulled her to him.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Her parents," Ron answered, "they're still in Australia with their memories modified. She's dreading their reaction when she tells them what happened."
Hermione stopped crying after a minute to two, and said, "I'm sorry. I just don't know how I'm going to tell them."
Ron was still holding her close, as she said, "And last on my list is Grimmauld place. We have to make sure it hasn't been infiltrated by death eaters before you think about moving back. So just keep that in mind." Hermione yawned loudly.
"Ron, lets go get some sleep. We're going to need it." Ron and Hermione stood up, and holding hands, walked off toward the castle.