Harry Potter and Responsibilities

Rated T

Disclaimer: All rights belong to JK Rowling and Co.

A/N: Still nothing? Okay, just tell me what you think, suggest some ideas maybe???

Chapter Two

Whistle Whilst You Work

Harry told them everything, everything he knew. It took him hours, not including twenty minute breaks in which he vomitted, cried, and thought. His friends had asked him more than once to take a break, to get Kreacher to get something to eat, but the dreams of a nice sandwich and days on end of sleep were over.

"But now he's dead, and it's all over," Harry concluded.

"No, it's not," Ginny said. "If it were all over, you wouldn't be in this state."

"It's hard!" Harry shouted. "I'm responsible for all of this!"

"Harry!" Hermione scolded. "The only one at fault is--"

"Will everyone shut up about that snake faced loser?" Harry leaned back in the sun, wanting to block out his memories.

...Luna's father...Death Eaters...Hermione screaming at the Malfoys'...Wormtail strangling himself...

Harry rolled over and vomitted in the Black Lake again. He was sure that the Giant Squid would be protesting soon.

"I'd like to go up to bed now," he said shakily.

"I think I'll go check on Mum and George," Ron replied quietly. He grabbed Harry by the shoulders. "Mate, please take care of yourself. I'll see you later."

"I'll go with you, Ron," Hermione said. She squeezed Harry's shoulder lightly and he patted her hand.

Ron and Hermione... Ginny the morning of Dumbledore's funeral... Mrs. Weasley's Christmas presents... Christmas with Sirius...

Harry smiled up at Ginny. She returned his look weakly, and he stood and pulled her by his side.

"I need to go get cleaned up," Harry murmured, almost leaning on her. "Kreacher, come here!" Kreacher popped out of nowhere, muttering to himself.

"New master would like something?" Kreacher asked. Harry noticed a change in Kreacher since they're important exchange involving Regulus Black.

"I am going to be resigned to the top dormitory of the Gryffindor common room until clean up formally begins," Harry croaked. "You are to bring my meals up there and inform me of any necessary presences I need to make, please. Can you do that for me?"

"New master is nice to Kreacher," the old elf sighed. "New master say please. New master gives Kreacher presents. Of course, Mr. Harry Potter, Kreacher will take care of sir." Harry took Ginny's hand again and they went up to his dorm.

"That was awkward," Ginny muttered. "He didn't even call me a name."

"He's different now." Harry brushed his teeth and cleaned himself up.

The next few days crept by almost monotonously slow. Ginny sat by Harry, informing him on newly found bodies and how her family was coping with the loss of Fred. Each of the Weasleys had been up once to see him at least, and Ron and Hermione came by to check on him.

"Mr. Harry Potter, Kreacher knows they is doing repairs on Hogwarts tomorrow," Kreacher announced one day. "They is requesting your help."

"They who, Kreacher?" Harry asked, standing and stretching, his back popping.

"They, Kreacher knows not, just they. All of them." Harry shook his head.

"I'll be down," he told the elf. "Thank you, Kreacher." Harry cleaned himself up and headed for the Great Hall. Most of the people that had been there the first day were gone now, leaving only the determined.

"Harry," a voice called. Oliver Wood was motioning him over. Harry plodded to him as if it were mandatory.

"Harry, George has been a wreck," Wood said. "He won't even talk to Ginny or Mrs. Weasley or anything. Keeps muttering like he's talking to Fred. We've all tried everything. Clean up starts today so I was hoping you could get him out of it." Harry sighed. The Boy Who Lived, to the rescue again.

"I need to focus on what McGonagall wants, then I'll talk to George," Harry replied slowly. Oliver went to protest, but Harry held up a hand. "When I lost someone, the last thing I wanted was to deal with everyone else's sympathy." Harry's head already hurt. He looked around, trying to find a redhead somewhere. He spotted a brush of it and followed until he saw a big brown bush join it. His friends.

"...McGonagall's looking for him now, so he can't be that far away," Hermione was saying. Harry noticed the way they walked, closer than he was used to seeing but all the same almost leaning toward each other.

"He's probably right behind you, if you're talking about the Boy Who Doesn't Give a Damn." Harry smiled at them.

"Harry, we didn't know you were there," Ron said, spinning around. "Boy, you look like--"

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "It's nice to see you down here, Harry." Harry kept his grin frozen on his face.

"Are you doing magic? Let's see then." ... Hermione obsessing over Lockhart... Winning his first Cup... Trips to Hogsmeade... Christmas with Sirius...

"There you are, Mr. Potter," McGonagall announced, practically swooping down on him. "We decided to put you on curse removal for now. You'll be in the west wing of the ground floor with Ms. Lovegood and Mr. Weasley--er, Charlie, that is. Too many to take care of." Turning to Hermione and Ron, she added, "You two, on the other hand, are going to help usher any magical creatures back to where they belong, whether it be the kitchens, the Forest, or even Ireland for all it's worth." She left without saying another word, organizing the troops.

"We'll see you later, Harry," Ron said.

"Wait, Ron, where's Ginny?" Harry asked, just as Hermione was turning away.

"She's with Mum and Dad right now," Ron said. "Don't worry, mate, she'll be back soon enough. Oh, and Harry, 'Mione's scared for you. We all are. You're going to disappear into nothing if you don't watch it." Ron stared at his best friend before turning away and following Hermione.

Harry went over to the west wing, where he found Charlie and Luna already at work. A spark flew from Charlie's wand, hitting a statue. Several sparks came from that same statue.

"That one was a mild hex, Luna," Charlie explained. "Oh, hello Harry."

"Hey," Harry greeted. "What exactly is it we're doing?"

"When we were surveying the damage last night, we found out that there were many curses throughout this wing..." Charlie began to explain the proccess, and together they worked diligently until Percy came to tell them dinner was in the Great Hall. Luna, having accidently backfired a charm or two on herself, was glad to be out of there, Harry could tell.

Harry went to bed that night, exhausted from enduring several hexes that had shot out of the wing. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard footsteps coming toward him. He grabbed his want and pointed it at the door. Lumos!

"Calm yourself, it's just me," Ginny said, stepping into the light. "Ron said you were looking for me earlier."

"Yeah, I haven't seen you in a while," Harry said, sitting up. Ginny sat on the edge of his bed.

"We've been trying to console George," she replied slowly. "He's so lost right now."

"I'll go with you to see him tomorrow," Harry told her. "I'd like to talk to him."

"Oh, by the way, an owl came for you early this morning. I was going to wake you but I got swept up with Mum and Dad. Andromeda has Lupin...and Tonks...and she wants to discuss Teddy." All Harry could think about was how much he had on his plate.