Getting Answers

The next morning was not met with the happiness of the day prior. Harry knew what he needed to do but that did not make it any easier. He owed everyone an explanation, especially Ginny. With a sigh he swung his legs over the bed in his old dormitory, a little too fast it seemed. He was still sore from the injuries from the Battle of Hogwarts. He just sighed again rubbing his shoulder where the killing curse struck him as he stumbled off towards the showers.

His new scar covered his right pectoral muscle and extended towards his collarbone. This time the scar looked to be an array of lines spiraling to the center of the wound like a kaleidoscope. But the warm pounding of water seemed to sooth the aches and pain from his muscles.

Harry only forced himself out of the shower once the water began to get too cold for his liking. Harry just threw on a pair of jeans and his only t-shirt he had left with him besides the singed and shredded shirt from the battle.

After repairing his glasses, Harry headed down to the Common Room. He stopped half way down the stairs as his heart skipped a beat. Ginny was lying down on the couch, her fiery red hair blazing from the beams of light streaming in from the window. Harry could only stand there stunned by her beauty. He still could not believe she was his.

The thought struck him. Ginny was his, all his. His eyes were suddenly radiant and a grin stretched across his face from ear to ear.

Harry continued down the remaining steps as quietly as possible with his own plan on how to wake his lovely girlfriend. As he reached the couch he knelt down beside her head taking in her floral and flowery scent. He leaned in, kissing Ginny ever so lightly on the lips while brushing her hair out of her face.

Ginny's eyes fluttered open and flashed a peaceful grin as she gazed deeply into Harry's emerald eyes.

"Morning beautiful." Harry chuckled. He was thoroughly enjoying this moment. "Morning to you too. I wouldn't mind much waking up like that every morning." She chuckled too. Ginny was utterly happy, it had been a long time since she had laughed and even longer since she heard Harry laugh. It felt nice.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of Ginny's stomach grumbling. "I guess that answers my next question. Let's go down to the Great Hall and grab some breakfast." Both Harry and Ginny doubled over laughing again.

They stepped out of the portrait hole hand in hand moving towards the Great Hall. When they reached the entrance the two were met with sadness and quiet weeping. Families huddled together around the tables that were now back in place.

Harry and Ginny meandered over to where the Weasleys were sitting. "Gin, I know I owe you some answers but I want to tell just a few people and all at the same time in the Room of Requirement." Harry whispered a little urgently in her ear. "We can wait till after breakfast Harry. Take your time, I won't rush you." She gave him a reassuring smile.

Harry led everyone he felt deserved the whole story to the Room of Requirement shortly after they were finished eating. They entered to sit around a large oval shaped wooden table. Harry sat at the head with Ginny immediately to his right and Ron and Hermione to his left. Neville and Luna were there, they had stuck by him, the DA members and Ginny these past few years so Harry felt like they should know the whole truth. All the Weasleys were there along with Kingsley, who was now the Minster of Magic. The remaining people were some of the teachers who Harry loved and could not even thin about holding information from. McGonagall and Hagrid had treated him like family and he wanted to give them some answers.

Harry cleared his throat. "So I think you all know at least parts of the story of what happened this past year, but I wanted to give you all the chance to fill in the spaces. I want to give you answers. But before I go on I need you to promise that all that is discussed in this room will never leave this room. Dumbledore gave me a task in secret and I want these horrible events to remain that way to avoid inspiring any other dark wizards.

Everyone agreed never to speak the secret to anyone not already in this room. And with that Harry began to recount the past two years beginning with Dumbledore's secret task given to him and Ron and Hermione. Harry with their help explained Horcruxes and went on to tell how Dumbledore died from his view.

Harry was beginning to loose some strength so Hermione and Ron took over replaying their adventure beginning with the escape at the wedding. "You children should have told us…" but Mrs. Weasley couldn't continue for she was starting to break down into fresh tears as Mr. Weasley comforted her.

Harry just sighed. He had expected this much. "If we had, we never would have been able to complete the task left to us. I'm sorry for the pain I caused you and I never did congratulate you two on your marriage." He was now looking at Bill and Fleur who were sitting together in a tight embrace. Bill nodded and Harry pressed onward.

He explained their constant movement, the Ministry break in, the time during which Ron had left, Ron was receiving a few exasperated looks and glares during this point in the recounting. He described Godric's Hallow and their near escape. Harry talked of Ron's return and how he saved his life and the torture the Horcrux put them through.

Ron took over to recount the trip to the Lovegood's and the discovery of Luna listening along with another near capture. There were more gasps but the trio kept on recounting the tale. It was Harry's turn again when he explained their capture by Greyback and their fight to escape the Malfoy Mansion.

More gasps were emitted and some tears fell while listening to the seventeen year old recount the fight and Hermione's torture. Luna added in what happened during the time she was held there as well.

Harry's voice broke and eyes welled with tears as he explained how Dobby helped them get away to Shell Cottage at the expense of his life. As he recounted the burying of the brave elf Ginny placed a soothing hand on his thigh. Harry went on about their deal with Griphook first looking at Bill and then to Neville, then continued to speak of their break into and robbing of Gringotts. He spoke about the dragon and the Horcrux found in Bellatrix's vault.

Harry told of how Abaforth and Neville helped them into the Castle, but stopped in part to allow Neville and Ginny explain their tale during the year, but mostly to regain control of his body and mind. He had started shaking and feeling dizzy as the memories resurfaced. When Neville and Ginny finished they looked to Harry to make sure he was ready to finish the adventure.

Harry recounted the final bits of the story. He made sure to explain in detail this final part so everyone would understand Snape's innocence. He recounted the murder, but stopped there. Harry flicked his wand and a pensive appeared. "I want to show you all this next part. Severous helped to save all our lives and was one of the bravest men I knew."

After the memories had finished everyone went back to their seats but they all looked like ghosts. "So you really did die…but how…?" Ginny was starting to cry when Harry smiled and told her he would explain that next.

"As you all have seen I was the final Horcrux, I was the accidental one and that is why Voldemort lost his body because I was the one too many." Harry dove back onto the tale telling of his trip to face death.

Harry again cleared his throat before he began again. "When I was hit by the curse I did so without defending myself, I did for you what my mother did for me. That magic is the reason why none of Riddle's spells completely worked that night." Harry finished with explaining the conversation he had with Dumbledore and what he told him.

"He said I had a choice when Voldemort hit me with his killing curse." There were a few more gasps but Harry ignored them.

"I had a choice between moving on to be with my parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Dobby, Lupin and Tonks…all of them. I could have left and given in to peace. Or I could come back to all the pain and grief and finish what I started. Dumbledore said if I came back I had a good chance that I could live and actually have a shot at a normal life. I came because I wanted to try to have a life beyond Voldemort. I had already died and I was not scared at the thought of dying again. Ginny was my last thought when the killing curse hit me and she is the reason I came back to finish Voldemort for good."

Ginny sat there stunned at what she had just heard. She could not believe it. He came back for her, to be with her. She felt a wonderful warmth envelope her body and she even cracked a small smile.

Harry just concluded with the explanation of the Elder Wand and what few questions those gathered in the room could muster before the group filed back down to the Great Hall for lunch. Harry stopped Neville and again discussed the promise he had made to Griphook. Neville understood and willingly gave Harry the sword, which he had shrunken down to fit in his pocket.

"Neville I'm sorry that I have to take the sword, but I have a feeling I'll be returning this more than once cause whenever a true Gryffindor is in need they will be able to pull the sword from the hat too. I want you to have this." Harry gave him the replica that had fooled Bellatrix. Neville just stood there amazed. "Thanks Harry." He sputtered. "I know it's not the same but it is the least I could do for all of your help." Harry just smiled. He had duplicated the replica so he could have one for himself as well.

Harry held Ginny back after he received a few hugs including a bone crushing one from Mrs. Weasley.

"You died for me." Ginny had not missed the subtle meaning of her being Harry's last thought and she was on the verge of tears again.

"Yea I did, but I came back for you too and I also don't plan on leaving any time soon. Let's not forget you almost left me too. That killing curse missed you by mere millimeters. I meant what I said to Ron and everyone here. I came back for you, to have a life with you." Harry stated plainly. He was no longer whispering to her, thinking they were alone. But undetected by the two teens were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who had also remained behind but stood hidden at the top of the staircase leading out of the Room of Requirement.

Ginny relaxed a little at this and Harry enveloped her in a tight embrace. She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Harry passionately like on his seventeenth birthday. Harry returned the kiss with one hand on her neck and the other at her waist. Ginny's hands were tangled in his already messy jet black hair as she began to press herself up against him. Harry took note of it but just continued the snogging session only to pull away a few moments later. Ginny had moved one hand to his pants and had tried to undo the button on his jeans. She looked up questioningly with a frown, she clearly wanted to go further but was unable to understand why Harry stopped.

Mrs. Weasley was about to charge back down the stairs but Arthur held her back. "Wait just a few minutes, lets not jump to conclusions yet." She nodded hesitantly before continuing to use the extendable ear to listen in on Harry and her daughter.

"Gin, don't get me wrong I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, but we need to take steps not leaps. We have the rest of our lives together for this and I want us both to be ready." Harry held a finger to her lips to stop her from arguing before he forged onward. "I know you aren't going to like what I have to say next either but you need to listen to me." Harry gazed intensely into Ginny's warm brown eyes and she nodded.

"You are also underage and I know you might care less about this fact I do care. I want to do right by you and your family. I wish to remain a part of this family so we are going to play by the rules on this one. I know it will be really hard but we can and we will get through it. You still have a whole other year of Hogwarts and if I can help it I will be joining you for my seventh year.

Ginny's head, which had moved to resting on his shoulder, now snapped up to confirm what he had just said. Unable to control himself, Harry burst into a fit of laughter. Ginny followed suit after she playfully wacked him on the arm. They were so happy and relieved that they had the rest of their lives ahead of them.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had poked their heads around to see exactly what the two were up to. "I knew we could trust him Molly. I have always said the best thing that ever happened to this family was that day we met Harry at the platform." Arthur whispered into her ear and she smiled back. Her daughter would always be safe with Harry and they owed this boy so much. The two exited quietly so as not to reveal their presence to the young couple.