"Harry, we need to talk"

-x-

Chapter 2

Harry sank back. He had known this was coming. It had just been a matter of time.

Ginny sighed. "Are you okay, Harry?"

Harry didn't know how to reply. Was he okay? What kind of a question was that? His friends, nearly all those close to him had died. It was like everytime Harry found someone to be close to, they left. Sirius. Dead. Lupin. Dead. Dumbledore. Dead. It was just a matter of time before he lost another Weasly. Fred. Gone, dead. It seemed a miracle that Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny….a miracle that they were still there. Looking at Ginny, her beautiful, caring face, he knew that she understood.

"I'm sorry, stupid question. I guess what I mean is, why haven't you come to see anyone? Everybody's here, in the Great Hall, waiting for you Harry. Are you deliberately avoiding us?"

Harry was shocked. "They're…they're waiting for me?"

"Of course they are! What did you expect?"

Looking deep into Ginny's eyes he said "I….I thought you were all mad at me. I mean, Fred, he…he died… for me! I thought that everyone would be blaming me, that you would all be angry"

It was Ginny's turn to be shocked. "Angry? Mad? Harry, are you crazy? You're a hero! People all across the world will be praising you, you've gone down in history! You saved us all, the entire magicical community from a fate worse than death. You saved us from Voldermort. Harry, you saved the whole world, the muggles to. You should be proud! Proud of yourself! And the people that died…. Harry, they didn't die in vain! Everyone that fought for us, for Dumbledore, were fighting for the future. They died a heroic death! Can you imagine Fred now? I bet he'd be boasting, boasting about the great cause he died for. Please Harry, please don't blame yourself"

Harry Potter stood up. "I've been a prat. A complete prat"

Ginny got to her feet and smiled.

Taking a deep breath Harry made a decision. "Come on, lets go in."

He held out his hand for Ginny, but she didn't take it. Turning around, he saw that Ginny hadn't moved. "Whats wro-"

Before Harry could finish, Ginny had thrown herself at him. She was hugging so fiercly, Harry almost fell over. But he kept his ground, and soon found himself embracing her as equally strong. It was like the world had stopped. Harry wished her could just stay there forever. But finally they had to break apart. Ginny was looking at him, with such passion in her eyes. He didn't know what to say.

"Shall we er.."

"Yes." Ginny seized his hand, and together they walked back to the school.

-x-

As soon as they entered the Great Hall, applause broke out. The whole room was packed with people grinning and cheering, all staring at Harry. It was quite awkward. But Harry didn't have to stand there for long. A whirl of frizzy brown hair came hurtling towards him, and Hermione Granger launched herself on Harry. She was followed by Ron, who clapped Harry on the back and said "Well done mate"

Harry spoke to nearly everyone, Luna, Neville, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Professor Mcgonagall,Bill & Fluer, and lots more. But then he was approached by Kingsly.

"Harry, well done" Kingsly said in his big, deep voice. "I was wondering, were you aware that I am now Minister of Magic?"

"Oh, no…Minister. Congratulations!"

"Thankyou. Now Harry, I would like you to meet my in my office sometime next week. I will send you an owl when I know the times and dates, but there are a few things I need to go over with you."

"Ok..Minister. Thankyou" Harry said. He was quite excited. What would the Minister of Magic want to talk to him about? He guessed it was about the battle, or maybe about where he, Ron and Hermione were last year.

"I will see you soon then Harry" Kingsly smiled, and left the room.