After The Battle – Rating M

Chapter 02 – Hospital Wing Mayhem

Warnings – Contains violence, swearing and scenes some readers may find upsetting in this chapter

-After The Battle-

Hospital Wing, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

03 May 1998

The sun rose through the Hospital Wing window, forcing itself through the blinds. Harry turned in his bed. Suddenly he felt an urge that something was going to happen. He sat up, turning towards the perceived threat. He grabbed his wand from the bedside table and without realising, stunned the threat

Amycus Carrow! I thought he had learnt his lesson when he threatened McGonagall? Obviously not as he has tried to attack me and Ginny. Harry thought, his chest pumping quickly, scanning the area for other threats. He knew there wasn't any others, but didn't let his guard down. You'll never forgive yourself Potter if Ginny gets attacked. You love her. She looks like she's been through hell and back.

One of the Aurors that was near him ran over to Carrow, grabbing his wand from him, pulling a circular tube from his pocket, placing the wand in the tube. He shouted for the other Aurors to restrain Carrow whilst he was revived. Madam Pomfrey ran from her office, shouting "What in the name of Merlin is going on?"

"Potter should be the one the Aurors should be arresting." Carrow said, spitting at Madam Pomfrey, "Potter used a Unforgivable on me, then killed my master! Minerva will back me up."

"I will not back up a piece of Death Eater scum" Professor McGonagall said, running into the Hospital Wing. "Even if Mr Potter did use an Unforgivable Curse, which I will never confirm nor deny, I have it on the word of the Minister for Magic that he would never be punished for it."

"You...you bitch! That filthy Half Blood killed my master. He used a Unforgivable on me and he deserves to die." Carrow said, rushing towards Harry. The Aurors grabbed hold of him, using a spell to bind him.

"You call me a "filthy Half Blood"? Have you stopped and worked out what Riddle was?" Harry said, standing up, pointing his wand menacingly at Carrow. "Your "master" was the son of a Squib and a Muggle. Or did you lot think he was a Pure Blood?"

"You dare talk about the Dark Lord like that? Your slut of a Blood Traitor girlfriend was very good as a target for the Cruciartus Curses!" Carrow shouted, reaching for his wand, discovering that it had been took away. "The Dark Lord will be avenged, and you Potter, you will die first!"

Suddenly Carrow felt himself being attacked by a non verbal spell from Harry, his face incensed at the thought of what his Ginny had undergone, tortured at the hands of a Death Eater.

"Harry! No, don't do it. It will make you as bad as them." Ginny shouted from behind him, upset that Harry was angry.

"It's all my fault," Harry thought, his head dropping when he saw Aurors dragging Amycus Carrow away from the Hospital Wing, obscenities being shouted throughout the corridors. "I should have been here, here to protect Ginny. Instead I go wondering round the country looking for Horcruxes while Ginny is being attacked. It's all my fault."

Suddenly Harry started clutching his chest, pains shooting from where Voldemort cast the Killing Curse. "Harry…help…Molly…Kingsley…collapse" was all he heard, then suddenly he fell down on the floor, and all went black for him.

Ginny noticed Harry clutching his chest, his eyes all bloodshot. "Quickly! It's Harry! He needs help!" Suddenly Harry collapsed on the floor, struggling to breath. She rushed to him, holding his hand. "Please don't die on me Harry. I can't cope with you dying too" she thought, tears coming to her eyes.

"Minerva, fetch Molly and Arthur, tell them to come here." Madam Pomfrey shouted to the new Headmistress, "Fetch Kingsley Shacklebolt too. Tell them Harry has collapsed."

Between Ginny and Madam Pomfrey, they managed to get Harry back on to the bed. Ginny put her head close to Harry's mouth, trying to see if he was breathing. She felt his breath, but it was irregular, almost as if he was giving up. "Come on Harry, I need you to stay with me. I just can't bare to even think about living without you" she thought, her eyes filling with tears. She moved her head so her lips were touching his, and kissed him with all of her might.

After what felt the hardest few minutes of her life, she heard footsteps rushing in to the Hospital Wing. She turned instinctively, drawing her wand out of her pocket. She saw her parents and Kingsley Shacklebolt coming towards her. She pointed it at Shacklebolt, unsure if it was the real person.

"What was the last thing your Patronus said to us, and what form does it take?" Ginny shouted, her face looking at him menacingly.

"It's a lynx, and I told it, on the day of Bill and Fleurs wedding to say "The Ministry has fallen, Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming." Does that satisfy your questions Miss Weasley?"Kingsley said, shocked at the questioning, yet relieved at the fact that Ginny knew what she was doing.

"Sorry Kingsley, but I had to do that as we had Amycus Carrow come in here, looking like he was about to do something to the pair of us. Before i knew it, Harry stunned him, then sent another non verbal spell when Carrow…Carrow…said something which made Harry look like he wanted to murder him." Ginny said, putting her wand back in her pocket. "I was scared that Harry was going to actually kill him given half a chance. His eyes, they went completely green with rage. Then he started getting pains in his chest and collapsed.

"I don't think I cope with Harry dying," she said, grabbing a tissue from the cabinet next to the bed where Harry was lying. She sat on the bed, right next to where Harry was. "When Hagrid brought him from the forest, when V-Voldemort said he was dead, I-I just wanted to die. I wanted to be with him. When Ron stunned him, making him hit the wall after I kissed him, I wanted to hit Ron so bad that if it wasn't for Hermione I would have. And now, the stress his body has endured after what happened with Carrow, I-I'm scared that he won't pull through. I love him too much to see him die again."

"What do you mean, die again?" Arthur said, heading to hug his daughter. "Do you know something we don't?"

Ginny nodded, tears coming fast and furious. "Harry told me that he had a piece of Riddle inside him. That's why he went into the forest, because he had to get rid of it."

Kingsley gasped, remembering a earlier conversation he had with Ron and Hermione. "Ginny, Molly, Arthur. What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room. As an Auror, I've seen this type of magic once before, so I know what I am saying. That piece of Voldemort Ginny has just mentioned was what is known as a Horcrux. It is a piece of dark magic which is part of a soul, splintered off. It takes a murder to create a Horcrux.

"From what Ronald and Hermione have told me, the first Horcrux was a diary that was originally owned by Tom Riddle when he was at school here." Kingsley said, noting Ginny rushing for a bedpan. "That's what enabled the Chamber to open originally, using Ginny as a host. It was what possessed Ginny and allowed the Basilisk to petrify all those students. Albus told me that Harry had destroyed both the Horcrux and the Basilisk.

"If my discussions are correct, and I will need to speak to Professor Dumbledore's portrait, that's what Harry, Ron and Hermione were hunting for all year." Kingsley said, noting that Ginny was holding Harry really tight. Molly looked as white as a sheet when she heard about what happened to Ginny. "Arthur, Molly. Based on what your daughter has just said, it looks like Harry was one of his Horcruxes. I think that was what allowed Harry to have that unique connection to Voldemort."

"But surely Harry hasn't been possessed?" Molly said, shaking like a leaf. "People would have noticed it."

"He had been once. The night in the Ministry when Sirius was killed by Bellatrix, that night that Fudge saw that Voldemort had returned. Voldemort." Ginny said, pulling another tissue out because more fresh tears arrived. "Voldemort wanted Dumbledore to kill Harry, but using Harry's own body and voice to tell him." She looked down to Harry when she remembered the words used. "If death is nothing, Dumbledore, kill the boy". She shuddered at the memory. "If only I wasn't concentrating on making him notice me by dating that dickhead, Corner, I could have helped him through the aftermath of it all. He had lost Sirius, one of the only links to his family. He had his mind invaded by evil scum, and now yesterday he lost the only other person he had knew for certain had knew his parents. Then bloody Carrow decides to try something today to him."

Molly stepped towards her daughter, hugging her. "Listen to me. We all dropped the ball on that one. When your dad and I came in last night to check on you two, I noticed that you two were made for each other. You were both laying down, together, and by the look on your face, it reminded me of the night your Uncles Fabian and Gideon died. Harry's dad was in St Mungos after an attack by Death Eaters. When I saw you, you pair reminded me of James and Lily Potter, totally made for each other. You need to help Harry through this. We all do."

Madam Pomfrey came over to Ginny with a goblet containing some Dreamless Sleep potion. She handed to Ginny.

"Drink it all, Harry won't forgive us if you become worse because of him being unwell. I've had words with Ronald so he won't be bothering you unless it's urgent." Arthur said, hugging his daughter. He helped her lay fully on the bed so she was next to Harry, allowing her to sleep.

Hospital Wing, Hogwarts School

7th May 1998

The darkness seemed to love Harry, as though he was a long lost relative. Harry knew he deserved it, knew that eventually his time would be up. Suddenly a flowery smell came wafting into his nose, one he associated with a certain red head.

Suddenly a mist appeared, one which last time he saw it, he was coming back. "Ginny. She's here." Harry thought, trying to open his eyes. "I need my Ginny."

"Harry! You're alive," he heard. He tried focusing on where the sound was coming from. He felt another waft of that flowery smell, the one that he knew was her. "Madam Pomfrey! Mom! Come quickly! It's Harry!"

Harry saw the outlines of the two women running towards him. He tried to focus but couldn't, like his glasses were missing. Suddenly he felt the glasses being slipped on to his head, allowing him to see better.

"Harry dear, you had us all worried!" Molly said, gripping him in a vice like hug. "Ginny was in tears about you."

"How long have I been out?" Harry asked, trying, and struggling to sit up. "The last thing I remember was seeing Amycus Carrow being forced out by Aurors. I remember a pain in my chest, then nothing else."

"You've been unconscious for three days. The memorial is tomorrow." Ginny said, stroking his hair, "Kingsley told me some of what happened with you, Ron and Hermione. I'm sorry but I had to tell him about the piece of Riddle that was in you." She started crying, thinking she had betrayed his trust. "Ron and Hermione told Kingsley everything about the other Horcruxes."

"Ginny. Don't cry. It was better that Kingsley knew." Harry said, looking into her chocolate brown eyes. "I just wished I had realised sooner, realised that I had to give myself up so the Death Eaters didn't kill anyone. It's my fault in the end, all my fault.

"Mrs Weasley, do you know what is going to happen to the body of Professor Snape?" he asked, trying to comfort Ginny at the same time. "He deserves a proper funeral."

"Snape was a traitor to us all. He killed Professor Dumbledore in cold blood." Madam Pomfrey snarled. "Thank Godric he's dead!"

"Professor Snape was following Dumbledore's orders. Ask his portrait if you don't believe me." Harry shouted, feeling the pain come back. The darkness claimed him once more.

Hospital Wing, Hogwarts School

10th May 1998

"Your friends died for a weakling like you!" the shadow said, coming closer to Harry. When Harry looked, the shadow turned into the form of Professor Snape. "You're just like your father Potter, arrogant and weak."

"I'm nothing like my father." Harry shouted back, his anger seething.

"It's your fault my brother died." Another shadow said, pointing it's wand at Harry. It stepped closer to reveal Ginny. "If you surrendered when you were told, Fred would still be with us! I will never love a murderer!"

"I'm sorry Ginny." Harry said, looking into her chocolate brown eyes. He wanted to hug her but she refused to allow him.

"I was happy with Dean, and with Michael too," she said, laughing her head off. "Michael was twice the man you'll ever be! My brother is dead and it's all your fault!" Suddenly, a second shadow appeared, taking the form of Michael Corner. He held Ginny's hand's in his, connecting their lips, forming a kiss.

"It's all my fault. It's all my fault." Harry said, crying. He fell to his knees, upset about what he saw. How could Ginny love him after everything he's done. He doesn't deserve her. "I should have been the one that died."

"It's not your fault Harry. You need to fight it," he heard. It sounded like Ginny, but Ginny was accusing him. "I love you."

Suddenly everything went black as the darkness caved into him once more. A light suddenly appeared and then everything went foggy.

Ginny woke up suddenly. She could see Harry but he was shaking violently, his face was as white as a sheet.

"I'm sorry Ginny." Harry said, the shakes getting worse. Ginny felt waves of worry falling into her. She needed to act fast otherwise Harry would fall victim to another nightmare. She moved closer to him, trying to hug him.

"It's all my fault. It's all my fault." Harry shouted. "I should have been the one that died."

"It's not your fault Harry. You need to fight it," she said soothingly. She knew she had her work cut out but Harry was the only one who deserved it. "I love you."

Suddenly Harry stopped shaking. After a few minutes, his breathing became regular again. His face regained colour and his head lifted. "Ginny?" he croaked, his throat dry from the lack of liquid passing through him. "Do you really love me?"

"I love you with all of my heart and soul" Ginny said, weeping into a tissue. "You had me worried. You collapsed the first time and looked like you had pains in your chest."

"I don't deserve your worry. Especially when you know the whole truth about what happened during the lead up to the battle, the Cruciartus I inflicted on Carrow, t-t-the deaths of people during it too." Harry said, trying to shuffle away from her. "In that nightmare, you was in it, you and Corner. You said that he was twice the man that I'll ever be. Then...then you kissed him passionately."

"Harry. You are the only one I love. Even when I was with them, you were the only thing on my mind." Ginny said, trying to pull him towards her. "I don't care about what you did to Carrow. I know you had good reasons, and Professor McGonagall said that Kingsley had told her you wouldn't be punished for it."

"McGonagall said it was the Minister who said I wouldn't be punished, not Kingsley. Unless he's the new Minister?" Harry asked, responding to her touch.

"Yes, Kingsley is the new Minister." Ginny said, "McGonagall is now Headmistress too. It's all thanks to you."

Harry turned to Ginny, who was smiling at him. "Gin, I'm sorry," he said, crying, "I'm sorry about Fred. It's all my fault. I don't deserve to be thanked, I don't deserved to be thanked at all. I should have given myself up earlier, quicker to Voldemort. At least then Fred would still be alive. Teddy is going to end up living without his mom or dad. If I had given myself up earlier, Remus and Tonks would still be alive."

"Harry, nobody blames you. If you had given yourself up, Voldemort would have won." Ginny said, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket. "You said it yourself when I woke you in the common room, you fought so we didn't live under the rule of Riddle." Suddenly Harry grabbed Ginny's hand.

"Ginny. I-I need to know something, something important." Harry said, bracing himself in case he was to offend her. "After all this time, after all the upset I put you through, would you ever take me back?"

"Harry, even after Dumbledores funeral, the Order knew that you still loved me." Ginny said, taking Harry's hands in hers, "Even though the Slytherins kept targeting me because they knew we had been together. I knew that we couldn't really be together until Voldemort was finished, so what I used to do was when I was sad and wanted you, I'd head to the Room of Requirement, the DA Headquarters, and look at that photo of us two kissing.

"Before Easter, me and Neville raided the Gryffindor dressing room down at the Quidditch Pitch, and we took your flying robes. When we were stuck at Aunt Muriel's, I would hug them as if I was hugging you." she said, pulling him closer to her. "I will always love you Harry James Potter, now and forever." She put her lips firmly on his, sending feelings of love and emotions to him. After what seemed like forever, Ginny lowered her head to his chest, keeping him in her arms.

"Ginny Molly Weasley, I know that I upset you by allowing Voldemort to kill me, but I was given a choice of moving on or coming back." Harry said, his fingers rubbing the side of her face, "I chose to come back because of one certain red haired, Bat Bogey Hex loving, Holyhead Harpies supporting Weasley named Ginny. I know I owe you a full explanation of everything, and I will give it to you in time, but this last year proved one thing. It proved that I need you."

"Kingsley, Ron and Hermione filled in the blanks. Even Professor McGonagall said what you did, helping those Ravenclaws, and herself, was very noble. Just promise me that you will never die" Ginny said, a smile forming on her, "At least not without my express permission."

"Harry, I'm sorry" a voice said, coming up behind Ginny. "I'm sorry for stunning you, I'm sorry for shouting at you, and I'm sorry for bursting in on you and Ginny on your birthday."

Harry looked up from Ginny and saw a tear filled Ron, Hermione following him, sitting down on the bed next to him. Ginny sat up, turning around, pointing her wand at him.

"It's ok Ron, I understand," Harry said, getting off the bed. "I just hope Mrs Weasley is alright." He turned to Ginny, grabbing her hand. She stood up, still pointing her wand at Ron "Gin, everything is alright between me and Ron. He may have made me go backwards into the fireplace in the common room, and he may be a git, but I really appreciate everything that he and Hermione have done."

"Have you seen today's Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head, obviously having been unconscious for most of last week.

"Most I've seen is nightmares or Ginny." Harry said, waiting for Ginny to get back on the bed with him. "What does it say?"

Hermione pulled the paper from her bag. Ginny saw the front page and grimaced at the headline.

"The Chosen One Dead?

By Rita Skeeter

"For the past week, neither hide nor hare has been seen of the one they call The Chosen One, or nowadays, The Slayer of You-Know-Who. Since the battle which happened on May 2nd, Harry Potter, The Chosen One, has disappeared. Rumours have since started since his disappearance that, following the alleged cry by You-Know-Who that he was dead, he has since died. These rumours seem to be added credence due to the disappearance of Miss Ginevra Weasley, the last in a long string of partners of the late Mr Potter.

"Further correlations show that former partner Miss Hermione Granger, who was involved in a love triangle between the late Mr Potter and Bulgarian National Seeker Viktor Krum during the TriWizard Tournament three years ago, has been making frequent visits to the Hogwarts School Hospital Wing in the company of Ronald Weasley, a close friend of Mr Potter, and sister of Miss Grangers successor for the Chosen Ones affections.

"Speculation is rife on the cause of death, but for some, the sight of seeing their Saviour passing will prove crushing for their cause. Ministry officials declined to comment, as well as staff at Hogwarts."

"Bloody Skeeter!" Ginny said, fuming. "I'm going to kill her myself, saying my Harry is dead. I don't care if I get thrown into Azkaban or not, she better run for the hills sharpish or I will get the cow!"

"Pipe down Ginny," Harry said, wincing at the sight of her temper. "I doubt even Kingsley will be able to keep you out of Azkaban. I need you, you and that amazing Weasley salinity, to stay with me. Just let your mother sort her out, or Kingsley."

"Harry, thanks. I would have killed the cow you know." Ginny said, slowly calming down. "By the way, I know you wanted to attend the memorial, unfortunately it was today."

"What do you mean, was?" Harry said, his face turning into one of guilt and upset. "Don't tell me I've missed it?"

"Harry, I'm sorry." Ginny said, looking at his face, stroking his arm, trying to get him calm again. "Mom wanted me to go, she wanted me to sit with the family, but I insisted…" she moved her head to Harry's shoulder, starting to cry on it. "I insisted on staying with you. She said she understood, but I don't think she forgives me. I miss Fred."

"Ginny, your mother is one of the most forgiving people I've ever met." Harry said, stroking her hair. "I miss Fred too. He made me laugh. When I was in my first year here, I ended up in the Hospital Wing having fought off Riddle from getting the Philosophers Stone, him and George sent a toilet seat to me. Professor Dumbledore kind of objected to it slightly, but even he saw the funny side. Fred would understand everything."

"Even Snape got a mention at the memorial, the greasy git." Ron said, looking for answers. "Why would Dumbledores murderer get a mention?"

"Because he didn't do it for Riddle." Harry said, looking at Ron. He hoped to tell a condensed version of the truth. "Professor Snape was following Dumbledore's orders. Dumbledore was cursed by one of the Horcruxes, and asked Professor Snape to kill him. That's why Dumbledore had an injured hand, it was all because of a Horcrux. He was on our side ever since the prophecy was released. Dumbledore knew all along what the reason why Professor Snape turned. It was all because of a thing called love. Love with Riddle didn't have."

Suddenly they heard footsteps coming towards them, heavily at first, Ron, Hermione and Ginny turned to see who had arrived, hoping it was friend, not foe.

-After The Battle-

A/N – Story based on characters and storylines introduced in JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. All rights to their various owners/creators. Some of the text was from JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The Confessions series poll results will be announced on the Facebook page on 12th April 2016. Just like "GryffindorTom" on Facebook to get all of the latest news, bits I'm working on, story updates and much more.

Coming up in Chapter 3 – A visit from Minevra provides some shock to one of the members of the DA, Order of Merlins are announced and everyone's favourite Daily Prophet reporter gets some comeuppance