Epilogue:

The battle was finally over. The war was finally over. It was all over. No more paranoia. No more fighting.

Ginny walked though the wrecked Great Hall. She had been at her mother's side with Fred's body until her father found them and could look after her. Now, she was visiting other groups trying to see who else had lived and died. After being hugged, consoled, and thanked by Neville and his grandmother, Ginny felt an invisible force pull her hand. She knew it was Harry, so she followed the tugging feel on her hand into a deserted hallway. Once the coast was clear, Harry removed his invisibility cloak. At first, they just stared at each other in silence. Then Harry pulled Ginny to his chest and held her close stroking her hair.

"Gin, I am so sorry for everything I've put you through. I don't even know what to say to make up for it."

"You don't have to say anything. I understand. You did what you had to do. And you've saved us all."

"But it was at such a high price. I am so so sorr…"

Ginny raised her hand and cut him off.

"It was a war. Sometimes the price of doing what is right is very high. No one here died in vain."

Harry pulled back from Ginny so he could look into her face.

"How do you always know the right thing to say?" he whispered.

"I don't" she replied gazing up at him. He kissed her, and she felt her heart swell. It had been so long. She knew this was where she belonged. She had a clean slate, and this time she would be the person that Harry thought she was, the person that Harry needed her to be. He deserved it, and so did she.

After spending a few more minutes together just holding one another, they broke apart and joined hands to walk back to the Great Hall to join their comrades. On their walk back they passed Narcissa Malfoy who seemed to be looking for a bathroom.

"What is she doing here?" Ginny hissed to Harry. "No one wants to see her or her family. They don't deserve to be here."

"I much as I would like to agree, that's not true. The Malfoy's deserve to be here," Harry said pausing in front of the entrance way.

"What makes you say that?" Ginny demanded.

"Narissa saved me in the forest. She told Voldemort that I was dead when she knew I wasn't. She could have easily given me away. And Draco didn't fight tonight."

"So, that doesn't exactly make up for everything he's done. What about Dumbledore?"

"He lowered his wand that night. He wouldn't have done it. I saw him. And he helped me, Ron, and Hermione out this year. He wouldn't indentify us for Bellatrix even though he had to have recognized us."

Ginny stood in shock. After the details of Dumbledore's death came out, Ginny had been a wreck. It was easy enough to explain, what with the death not to mention the break up from Harry that followed. But what had secretly hurt Ginny was Draco's involvement. She had hoped that he would change and that he would listen to her and join the right side. It hurt to lose that hope; it hurt to lose him. She hated having to see him at school that year, but she was too busy with helping Neville and Luna to ever dwell on it much. And she certainly never had the chance to speak to him. Harry continued talking unaware that Ginny's mind had went into overdrive at the news of Draco.

"It's time to forget about old stupid grudges. There are many more important things to worry about now. I just want to get on with my life. I finally have a future." He turned to face Ginny and took her hands. "I want my future to include you."

"Of course it will," Ginny responded. But after what Harry told her, she knew she had to talk to Draco. She didn't want to leave Harry. She knew her future was with him. It had always been with him, but she needed to know. She would always regret it if she didn't.

When they entered the Great Hall, Ginny scanned the room and saw Draco sitting by himself in the corner looking very out of place. His mother must have not gotten back yet. Harry had not replaced his invisibility cloak, so he was immediately overtaken by the crowd of well-wishers. Ginny squeezed his hand, and he gave her a look to let her know it was ok for her to leave. He would rejoin her as soon as he could.

Ginny broke away from the crowd that had surrounded Harry. She made her way unnoticed toward Draco's corner. He looked up as she approached. She gave him a slight nod to let him know to follow her.

When they were both out of the Great Hall and hidden from view, Ginny turned to Draco and spoke first.

"Harry told me that you lowered your wand the night of Dumbledore's death. He told me he didn't give you away at your manor when the death eaters caught him, Ron, and Hermione. He told me that you didn't fight tonight."

Draco gazed at the girl who haunted his thoughts since last year. All of this was true, and it was only true because of her. He lowered his wand when he heard Ginny's words repeated to him from the mouth of the past headmaster. "Come over to the right side, Draco." It was thoughts of Ginny that had kept him from giving away Potter and the rest of the Golden Trio at the manor even though he was so scared of the consequences. He had seen Ginny's bravery and determination at school when she faced the Carrows and defended the frightened first years. He tried to be brave like her. He tried so hard, but not speaking was the best he could do. He was not proud of himself. He would never forgive himself. He didn't deserve her.

"So, what does any of that matter?"

"It matters to me."

"Well, what do you want?"

"I… I want… you to tell me you care about me, that last year wasn't meaningless. That… that… you need me… that maybe you love me."

He only stared at her. She returned his stare, but he could see tears beginning to fill her eyes. So much had happened.

"Just tell me… do you love me? That is all I need. Say it and I'm yours."

"We both know that is not true. You could never be really mine. I'm not your future. I never was."

Ginny's gaze dropped to the floor.

"Please," she whispered. "I just want to know."

"Ginny, I…" he tried to think of something to say. He needed to be able to explain to her properly, but he couldn't find the words. He was drowning.

"Ginny, I don't love you."

Her face fell and a tear escaped her eyes, but she kept her composure.

"Fine. This is goodbye then." She turned on her heel and walked away never letting her head fall.

He had to struggle with himself not to chase after her. He had to stop himself.

"Why did you just do that?"

Draco turned to see Pansy emerging from the shadows.

"I thought you left at the first signs of the fight."

"I thought about it, but I knew I needed to stay. But you didn't answer my question. Why did you do that?"

Draco walked to the opening of the great hall and stared in. He saw Ginny sitting with her family by her brother's body. She was holding her mother while she sobbed. He watched as Harry came over and placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder. Ginny turned her head to him and smiled and sad smile of thanks. Harry was Ginny's future. He was what she needed and what she deserved. Draco swallowed hard. Pansy watched him then spoke again.

"I've never seen you look at a girl that way. That is the way I always wished you would look at me. But I was never that lucky, and besides you always want what you can't have I guess. But you could have had her. I still don't understand. Why did you lie? Why did you let her walk away?"

Draco took a deep breath.

"Because I love her, and I can't make her happy."

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed reading this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it. Once again some Gossip Girl inspiration… Reviews are very, very much appreciated. They are like Christmas presents!