Chapter 20
The next morning came in a hazy rain that seemed to fit the mood of the house. Harry woke and slowly got up to take his shower. As he dressed he asked Emboro to make sure everyone was at breakfast as he was unsure when lunch would be served. Slowly he made his way down to the dining room. It was hard for him to walk as tired as he was.
As he entered the dining room he noticed that everyone was there that he had invited. They all looked up. Several tried to hide the shock of his appearance and pretend that he looked like he always had. Harry found his seat and motioned for Ella and Emma to serve the food. Conversations around the table was subdued as they were all quite worried about Harry.
"I'm very glad you all could come. Hopefully most of the story will be told today. Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon have you met everyone here?" Harry said in a very weak voice.
"Ah yes Harry Everyone has introduced themselves and has been so kind much kinder than we could ever hope to deserve." His aunt said as her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
"I'm glad that you are here. Please remember that I don't hold anything against you. You are here for me now and that is what matters." Harry told the three Dursley's.
The meal went by painfully slow for Ginny. It hurt her to watch Harry so weak and to look so old. He was 17 but acted more like an old man. As she pushed her eggs around her plate she thought of the conversation she had had with the small house elf the night before.
"You still love Master Harry do you not?" the voice said stirring Ginny out of her thoughts.
"Yes. I hurt him so much in my own pain. I didn't even think it through. I feel like I betrayed him."
It seemed like hours before the small elf answered her.
"Master Harry still loves you Miss. I think that is why he has pushed himself so hard over the past few days."
"But I don't understand all I told him is that I needed space. I didn't want an explanation. Of course one would have been nice but that's not what I needed."
"Miss I think Master Harry wants to tell you all the story because he has known he was dying for a while. He is desperate that if he is going to die that those that love him understand why. It's not just the heartbreak from you Miss. It's the memories. The haunt him still. Mister George has had to hold him several nights while he cried out."
"I know I love him but I don't know how to fix this."
"It won't be easy. But there is always hope. But you must be strong and patient. The next two days will test both of you. You can't expect him to just return to you like nothing happened just as he didn't expect it of you. Just be there for him. Be willing to hold his hand as the worst of his memories pass. Just show him that you aren't going any where."
"You mean there is a chance he might survive. I mean it sounds pretty likely he won't."
"Miss I think there is always hope. Just hold on to him. Give him strength by just being there for him."
Ginny was pulled from her memories as she heard the scraping of the chairs around her. Harry was asking a question to some one but she was so lost in thought that she didn't know who. She looked around the table to see somber faces.
"Emboro please lead our guests up to the projection room. I will be along very shortly." Harry said to the small elf.
Ginny held back waiting to see if anyone would help Harry. After seeing him telling everyone to go ahead she knew it was time for her to act. She waited until everyone else had left the room before walking up to Harry who was now looking at the floor. She tried to fight the urge to run up and throw her arms around him.
"Harry, Can we talk for a few minutes?" She said nervously.
"Of course Ginny what do you need?" Harry said sighing heavily.
Ginny took a seat across from Harry and looked into his dead green eyes. She took a long breath before she tried her voice. Fear filled her as she tried to talk.
"I want to you to know that you don't have to do this but if you are determined too I'm here for you. I know I hurt you and I wish I could take it all back. I would do anything if I could go back and never say what I did. I should have handled things a lot differently. I should have talked to you and trusted that you could handle it. I've handled you with kid gloves since you made that attempt and now I realize that all I was doing was cause us more pain. I should have been honest with you and told you that I didn't understand why you felt the way you did instead of always telling you I did. I would like to ask your forgiveness. But if you can't I do understand. I don't know if I could forgive me if I was in your place." Ginny said as a tear slid down her face.
Harry looked down at the table unsure of what to say next. He knew that people were upstairs waiting but he knew that this was more important. He looked up at the door way and saw Bill and Charlie just outside. He couldn't be sure but he thought that they had heard every word that Ginny said. He sighed as he thought about what he could say.
"Ginny, You don't have to ask for forgiveness if anyone should be apologizing it should be me. I haven't been fair to you or to your family. I should have been telling you instead of hiding behind the pain. I've leaned on you so much that I almost broke you too. If I would have spoke to you about everything you would have understood what I was going through. I wish I knew how to do that. But I don't know how to tell you how I feel. I've never had anyone who really cared about how I felt. Growing up I couldn't tell anyone I was hurting. If I did no one would care. But I should have tried."
"I guess we both are guilty for the mess we are in." Ginny said grimly. "So where do we go from here?"
"I don't know Gin, I know I still love you but right now I can't think of a future together. We've hurt each other to much and right now I still kind of am doing this day by day." Harry said honestly.
"Harry I love you too." Ginny didn't know what else to say. Her heart was crumbling thinking that she had blew her one chance. Her thoughts were interrupted by Harry.
"Gin lets take this day by day. I know we can't be together right now but maybe if we keep talking and being friends maybe we can figure this out. But it won't be easy."
"Ok Harry I can accept that. Let's try to figure this out day by day." Ginny said trying not to smile. Harry looked up to see Bill and Charlie enter the room. He smiled lightly as he greeted them.
"Bill, Charlie you all must be anxious for me to get up there. I'm afraid a friend of mine kept me for a bit. Let's get up there so we can get this over with."
Ginny moved over to Harry and helped him stand up as he murmured his thanks. Bill and Charlie never said a word just watched the two head out of the room. Slowly they followed watching for signs that Harry needed them. Ginny held on to Harry as they went up the stairs. As they entered the room Ginny dropped his arm. Her hand fell limply to her side. Harry looked straight ahead as they went deeper among the chairs of people. Harry wobbled a little and as his hand grazed Ginny's he wrapped his fingers around hers. She looked up in surprise but said nothing as they found their seats.
Every head in the room turned and watched the two young people enter the room. Some looked lovingly at them holding hands. No one spoke as Harry seemed to be thinking of what to say. He felt so nervous as he looked into the faces of his friends and family. Hermione and Ron looked at Harry who was still holding tight to Ginny's hand.
"I've set this up so that our story will be told through our memories. We will stop every so often so that you can ask any question. What you will find out in this room can not leave this room. Kingsley if you feel you need to tell any of the Ministry please make sure they can be trusted." Harry said. Kingsley looked up and nodded in approval.
"The first few are from our sixth year when I was taking special lessons with Dumbledore. They will be of great importance they will explain why we had to do what we did." Harry said as he tapped the first Pensieve.
The scenes of Harry and Dumbledore filled the screen of their first meeting. People gasp as they realized what the memories they were watching was. Ginny squeezed his hand as they watched Ron being poisoned. The Weasely's cried at the memory but Harry sat stoically next to Ginny. The closer it came to Dumbledore's death the more tense he became. He knew they would have to stop for lunch after those scenes after the funeral. He hoped that Ginny would still be beside him as he relived it yet again.
He watched helplessly as he forced Dumbledore to drink the potion. As the scene progressed He silently let the tears fall down his cheek. Ron and Hermione from time to time would look over at him staring at the scenes. Deep down they would all know his nightmares by the time this was all thru. Ginny said nothing but merely held his hand.
Harry visibly was shaking as the scene of Dumbledore's death played. They all gasp at the memory of Bill's attacked form lying in the bed. They all cried again at the headmasters funeral. Then the seen of Harry breaking it off with Ginny played and silently Harry tapped the pensieve not bothering to look at anyone. Bill and Charlie looked angry enough to kill at Harry before storming out followed by Percy. George slowly followed to calm them down.
"They are mad at me." Harry said in a very low voice. Ginny had to strain to hear what he said.
"Harry it's not your fault they are angry. I never told them when you did. They assumed it was some time later through a letter. I never told them differently. It's my fault they are mad."
Molly watched as her daughter tried to calm Harry down. She smiled wryly at the pair. She hoped that this young couple would get this all straightened out. It was clear to her that her daughter needed him as much as he needed her.
"Gin, I've got to go try to explain. You don't have to follow if you don't want too." Harry said.
"I'm going you might need some one if only to hold your hand."
Harry walked outside the small room followed by Ginny who still held his hand. Ron and Hermione followed them just in case they were needed. As they entered a small parlor on the second floor Harry stopped short as the three oldest Weasely's turned to glare red faced in his direction. Bill looked down to notice that Ginny was holding his hand and only glared harder as he spoke.
"Let go of her hand Harry. You don't deserve her after you abandoned her like that. She needed you that day."
Harry tried to let go but Ginny held on tighter. "Harry don't listen to them. They are wrong. You deserve so much more than me." She said quietly in his ear.
Bill walked over angrily and yanked Harry's hand away from Ginny's roughly. "I said get your hand off of her." He snarled thru his gritted teeth.
Ginny was stunned she had never known Bill to be as aggressive towards Harry before.
"None of you understand. I'm trying to show you. You just don't understand." Harry said in a breaking voice.
"Oh and what does his Royal Highness deem that we are unable to understand? Maybe our feeble minds can't understand that of the Great Harry Potter." Charlie said scathingly.
"Charlie stop." George said.
"We already know you are on his side George so you just stay out of it." Percy said.
Harry couldn't take the pressure any longer with all the strength he could muster he stepped further into the room willing himself to say what he had to say with out tears.
"You don't understand that I broke it off with her to save her. Not only because she would be targeted like I told her but for more important reasons."
Bill and Charlie looked even more angry. Percy looked confused.
"What could those possibly be?" Bill asked with an icy tone.
"I didn't expect to survive the war. I just didn't I knew about the prophecy and was sure by the end of it I would be dead. If I was still together with Ginny I would have promised her that I'd return to her. I would try to alleviate her worry as much as I could have. I couldn't do that to her. I couldn't make her a promise that I was so sure at the time I couldn't keep. My only thought was that if we weren't together and she didn't have that promise it would be easier for her to get over my death. I know it doesn't make any sense to you. But I love her to much to hold on to her when I didn't think I would return to her. I know that it sounds incredibly selfish and stupid but I just wanted to do what I could do to ease her heart and mind when what I thought at the time was going to happen did." Harry said as he started to sob. Hermione and Ron ran over to their friend.
"Harry let's go upstairs and get you lying down for a bit. You need to rest for a little while." Hermione said as Ron shot his oldest brothers a dirty look. Hermione put her arm around Harry and helped him walk out of the room.
"Hermione can you handle him for a while I'm going to deal with my wayward brothers if George and Ginny will let me help." Ron asked. Hermione simply nodded. As Ron closed the door to the parlor behind him the door of the pensieve room opened and stunned people finally made their way out. Arthur seeing a weeping Harry ran over to give Hermione a hand at getting Harry up the stairs.
"Was it that bad?" he asked.
"Yes it was. Bill and Charlie was just so cruel. George tried to calm them down before we got there but it didn't help." Hermione said as they put Harry in his bed. Quietly Hermione sat next to the bed and after reassuring her that Molly would be up shortly to check on him Arthur went down to deal with his children. He had never been more furious at his oldest children in his life. Molly was waiting for him outside of the Parlor. Inside they could hear a few shouts from various members of their family. Fleur stood next to Molly looking as angry as Arthur felt.
"I have found out from Hermione that it was Bill, Charlie and Percy that was angry at Harry. George had merely went to try and calm them down but failed to do so. We also know that Ginny and Ron was not angry with him as they were by his side for most of the argument." Arthur said in a steely voice.
Molly and Fleur nodded in agreement. Arthur quickly pulled the door open and allowed the two ladies to enter the room before slamming the door behind him causing every one to jump. What ever the occupants of the room was going to say died in their throats at the angry look their father gave them. Molly looked questionably at Arthur and he simply nodded at her. She cleared her throat and more calmly than she felt said "George, Ron, Ginny you three may leave. Ron, Hermione is currently sitting with Harry while he rests. Please tell her I will be up as soon as I can. Ginny please have Poppy check him over. George please watch over those two."
With three choruses of Yes Mum they were out the door. Arthur turned back to the three men who had shrunk into the woodwork as much as possible.
"You three sit down now." he said in a voice that the boys had never heard their father use. They quickly sat down looking at their feet.
"I have never before felt so ashamed of you three nor so angry. I can not believe that you would put his life in so much jeopardy over something that happened over a year ago. Something that is between your sister and Harry. Don't you dare give me that she is your little sister. She is my daughter. If she can forgive Harry who am I to hold it against him. I don't know how you're going to do but you better figure out how to make this a whole lot better in a hurry. Molly Do you have anything else to add?" Arthur said firmly.
Molly looked at her three boys. She had never been so shocked by their behavior. Even the twins had never done such a thing. She took a deep breath hoping she wouldn't cry before she was done.
"Your father and I did not raise you to be so ungrateful unforgiving selfish spoiled brats. Harry didn't have to share this story with any of us. But he decided that we deserved to know what this war was about. I know you love your sister but it's time to grow up. She has. She is older than her age. She has seen as much as we have and even more. She needs Harry as much as he needs her if not more. Do you even realize how much you have hurt her? You say you love her. If you love her you wouldn't hurt her like this. Did you look her in the eyes before she left? Couldn't you see the pain you caused?" Molly said as a single tear fell.
"Mum We didn't hurt her Harry did. Over a year ago and he is doing it again." Bill said defensively.
"Non Beel. Your zizter has been hurt by you more than by 'arry. He vas at least more honest even if not completely with her than you. He vas trying to keep her from 'urting in the long run vhile you have been trying to keep her a leetle girl. She isn't a leetle girl any longer. She loves him like you love me. Like your parent's love each ozzer. I have never known you to be zo cruel. Beel you vill be sleeping on the couch unteel you vix this." Fleur said angrily.
Molly and Fleur silently left the room as Arthur began his tirade again. They made their way up to the bedroom where Poppy was just exiting.
"Poppy how is he?"
"Physically he's the same Emotionally he is a mess. He's curled up in a ball crying his eyes out. I don't mean any disrespect to you or Arthur but I'd love to get my hands on those boys of yours."
"Poppy you go right ahead and have your turn." Molly said as she passed the healer to enter Harry's room. She could hear a familiar voice inside talking soothingly to Harry. Quietly Molly opened the door allowing Fleur and herself to enter almost unnoticed. Hermione looked up from where she was watching Ginny talking to Harry. Molly fought the tears back as she watched his agonizing pain cover his face in tears.
"Harry they were wrong. I know they were. You did it because you love me. Please calm down. It's ok Harry." Ginny said rubbing his back in soothing circles.
Poppy could hear Arthur yelling at the three men in the parlor as she approached. She had never felt so angry with anyone. She knocked loudly on the door. She waited impatiently for the door to be opened by a very red faced Arthur. He ushered her in and inquired about Harry.
"Physically he is as he has been but emotionally he is almost as bad as he was just after the battle. From what I have gathered from talking with George Harry has been reliving the battle again in his dreams. When I left he had curled into what is known as a fetal position crying hysterically. Ginny can't even calm him if it continues I will have to give him a potion to knock him out. I've never seen him this bad and I have seen him in some bad shape." she said before turning on the three men sitting still staring at the floor.
"How dare you put his recovery in danger? Do you ever use your brains before speaking? Your little tantrum might have just pushed him to far to be reached. I just hope for your sakes that that isn't the truth. Now if you will excuse me I really must report to Minerva. I was standing next to her when George came for me."
Poppy stormed out of the room. Arthur looked at his sons with sadness and anger. How these three could have said such horrible things was beyond him. It was a half an hour later when a quiet knock broke them from their revere. Arthur opened the door to find a teary eyed Ron. He opened the door and Ron buried his face into his fathers robes.
"Ron what's wrong?" Arthur said deeply concerned.
"It's Harry. He stopped crying but he won't talk to anyone. He just stares at the ceiling. Mum is sobbing. Ginny is inconsolable. I don't know what to do Dad. I wanted to stay but I couldn't stand it anymore."
"I know son. I know. Why don't you go down to the dining room and I'll go check on your mother. You three had best be deciding on a plan of action. And it had best include a very sincere apology."
Arthur led his youngest son out and down the stairs where he found Andromeda and asked her to sit with Ron. She nodded and put her arm around the young mans shoulder. George soon joined them. Teddy happily played on the floor unaware in front of them.
Arthur entered Harry's bed room quietly and put his arms around his sobbing wife. Ginny had laid down next to Harry and placed her head on his chest. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Hermione sat next to Fleur crying also.
"Hermione Ron is down in the dining room with Andromeda. He's quite upset."
Hermione nodded and slipped out of the room as she went down the stairs she ran into Bill, Charlie and Percy heading up towards Harry's room. She tried not to say much more than she had too. But managed to say "Don't you dare hurt him more. Just don't you dare." She continued to run down the stairs. Ron looked up as she entered.
"how is he?" Ron said loudly causing everyone to turn towards her.
"He isn't crying but he refuses to look or talk to anyone. Bill, Charlie and Percy were heading up there. I think they plan on apologizing. Hopefully Ginny will let them. Ron he looks so lost. So vulnerable." she said running into his arms.
Minerva shook her head as tears fell down her face. She felt helpless. It was an unusual feeling she usually knew exactly what to do in any situation to help her students. She wished she could take the pain away that the young man was feeling.
Bill knocked on the door and waited nervously for some one to answer. Slowly the door opened far enough for them to see their mothers face.
"Mum we came to apologize and try to help." Bill said.
Molly opened the door and sent a furious Ginny down to the Dining room. Ginny wanted to argue but she knew it wouldn't work. She soon joined Ron, Hermione, and George in their worry.
"Harry I need to apologize. I never thought about what I was saying I just reacted to what I saw. And I was wrong. I should have waited and asked you later why you did that not accusing you like that. I hope that someday you will forgive me." Bill said before moving beside his wife who merely nodded at him. He knew she hadn't fully forgiven him and he would be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future but he had started making amends.
Charlie stepped up and shuddered at the sight of Harry. He cleared his throat and with a weak voice said "Harry I just want to tell you I'm sorry for being the worlds biggest prat. I spoke to you with so much disrespect that I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me. But I hope you do someday."
Percy stepped up right away and spoke "Harry I was wrong as well. You comforted me when I needed it most and I repaid you by treating you like you were a monster. I never meant it. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I can't find the words to describe it." As he spoke he fell to his knees sobbing.
No one moved or spoke. Harry slowly turned his head and on seeing Percy sat up and put his arms around Percy and cried with him. Bill and Charlie slowly joined them. It seemed like hours that they remained that way. Soon the tears ebbed and Harry and Percy were on their feet. Harry wasn't saying much but at least he was moving.
"Let's go get some lunch Harry. Then if you are up to it we can continue the story." Arthur said leading the group out. Harry simply nodded. Every one smiled when they saw Harry joining them. They couldn't help but notice that he wasn't saying a word to anyone. But the fact that he was up and eating gave the group hope. Petunia took the opportunity to prod Harry to eat more and try and soothe him. He even melted into her when she hugged him. Molly smiled at the woman who was so obviously trying to make amends.
After they ate they sat and talked some about the memories they had saw. Harry didn't say a word but simply stared at his Godson who was slowly turning red and was on the verge of crying. As the first cry hit the air Harry quickly rose beating Andromeda to the crying baby. He picked Teddy up and surprising the room started talking to the crying baby. Soon the cries stopped. Slowly he put Harry back into the portable crib that they had set up and rejoined the table. He started to join in the conversation explaining some of the more difficult to understand memories.
"Well shall we return to the memories of this past year?" Harry asked. Every one nodded and got up. He let the group up to the Memory room and after taking Ginny's hand again started the memories.
The memories started at the Dursley's with Harry arguing with them about them leaving. Everyone laughed at the memory of Vernon trying to put the luggage with the weights in them in the boot of the car. Even Vernon had to laugh at it. The Dursleys though looked a bit uncomfortable and worried. They knew that when these people saw how they had treated Harry everyone would be angry with them.
In the memories Harry had just reminded Dudley of the dementors. They all watched as the family said their goodbyes. Vernon looked down in shame at his behavior. Seeing it from Harry's perspective made it all the more real and shameful for him. He had known he was wrong but he never thought about how it affected the boy. Several shocked gasps where heard through out the little tour Harry did with Hedwig. Soon the order arrived and they watched as they transformed and took off. Harry turned his head as he listened to himself begging Hagrid to go back to help the others. He heard his agonizing scream as Hedwig was hit by the killing curse.
He looked back to see himself recognize Stan and then looked in shock as Voldemort arrived. He shook with anger and fear as he watched himself fight with Riddle and then dive towards the earth. Ginny rubbed his hands as Hermione put her arm around his shoulders. They all watched as Harry waited with Molly and Ginny for his friends to all arrive. They watched as they all started to arrive. As the scenes played Harry drew his legs to him and hugged them closer to him. Ron watched his best friend. He knew that this hurt Harry more than any of them. He looked up to see Charlie watching Harry with a strange look on his face. Charlie wasn't angry in fact he was feeling more sorrow for Harry than any of the other losses they had faced. For the first time since the battle he saw past his own pain in losing his brother and friends and saw the hurt of a young man who had faced something that looking at the memories He wasn't ready for.
After the scene of Harry defending everyone there it fast forwarded to his birthday. Ginny smiled as she remembered their last kiss before he left. She watched in fury as she watched Ron yell at Harry over it. Watched in shock at Harry telling Ron that it wouldn't happen again. Ginny looked over at Molly who had noticed the tear in Harry's eye in the memory that went unnoticed by Ron and Hermione at the time. After that it sped up to the wedding and the stories about Dumbledore and then to the escape.
Everyone sat transfixed to the screen as they watched them stun the men in the café. Petunia cried as Harry found the letter to Sirius from Lily. They watched as Kreacher told his tale. Andromeda looked on with tears in her eyes at the knowledge that in the end her cousin had changed enough to know that Riddle wasn't the man he thought he was. They watched as Kreacher returned with Mundungus. They laughed as Kreacher smacked the thief in the head with a pan and begged to do it again. They smiled as Harry told him that he could if they needed him too. Arthur looked on in pride as the house elf changed towards the trio. Everyone watched as the trio planned their infiltration of the ministry. Several gasps were heard when they watched who turned into who.
Arthur looked at the Harry in awe as he heard Runcorn warning him. He felt a tug at his heart at the realization that Harry had tried to warn him for his family's safety. Percy watched as Harry entered the court room and with Hermione's help stunned Umbridge and Yaxley and managed to get all the muggle borns out of the courtroom. They all watched as they fought to get them all out of the ministry. Shock filled the room as they were discovered and escaped. Fear gripped them as they apperated to Grimmauld place and then again to a secluded wooded area. Molly sobbed as she watched Hermione work on healing Ron. Harry watched as the mood in the camp changed. They listened to Griphook and the others discuss how things were going in the outside world. They listened to the tale of Ginny and the others breaking into the headmasters office. Everyone felt a pang of anger as Ron left the group. They listened as Hermione cried night after night.
Ron watched mournfully as Harry and Hermione went to Godrics Hollow. He cried as his best friend finally saw his parents graves and a gain at the sight of his house. He sat stunned as the fight with Nagini started gasp as Harry was bit and sighed with relief when they escaped. He was afraid of what was coming next. He watched as Harry followed the doe then as he dove into the icy water. He then watched with pride as he saved Harry from drowning. He hid his face as Harry opened the horacrux and it taunted him. He looked again to see himself stab it. Then he watched as Hermione attacked him when he returned with Harry.
Harry tapped the pensieve and sat in silence for a few minutes. Then after a deep breath he asked if there was any questions. No one spoke and He figured they all needed some time. He slowly led them all down for Dinner. Dinner was a quiet affair. Harry tried to make small talk as they ate but failed miserably.
Charlie finally cleared his throat and gathered all of his courage.
"Harry, Why are you showing us all of this? I mean it has to be really hard for you."
"I am showing you all of this because you deserve to know what you all were fighting for and this is a major part of it. I want you all to see that we weren't running away. Or avoiding anything. I guess some of it is selfish of me but I want you all to see what I went through. I just want you to understand."
"Harry that doesn't sound selfish to me. I think seeing everything. Knowing the whole story will help me understand what happened over the year. There is so much of it I don't understand and I want too." Charlie said.
Harry nodded as he stood up and led them back for more memories. Ginny sat down next to Harry again and took his hand into hers. They weren't back together yet but she was determined to make sure he knew that she wasn't going to leave him. Harry tapped the pensieve again
They watched what happened to the Trio. In horror they watched them being captured by the snatchers. They watched with despair as Draco tried not to identify them. They watched Harry and Ron being taken to the dungeons. They saw Ron go crazy trying to get to Hermione while she was being tortured. Hermione sat staring with tears flowing freely down her face. Ron put his arms around her and softly whispered comforting words to her. Harry again had brought his knees up beneath his chin and was hugging them to him. He buried his face in his knees. Ginny slowly rubbed circles on his back while trying to hold his hand too. Molly and Arthur looked over to see what the small sounds were coming from. Molly cried when she saw the three friends. Every one in the room was in shock. They knew it had been bad for the trio but they had no idea it was as horrifying as what they were seeing.
The house elves sat at the back of the room. Harry had called all of them in including Kreacher to see their tale. They watched with pride as Dobby saved them all and with a few tears as they watched him stabbed as he saved the trio. Harry rocked back and forth slowly as tears fell. Ginny hugged him tighter as he continued to cry.
The room watched as Harry worked on the screen to bury the house elf. Kreacher looked at his now distraught master and bowed his head ashamed at how he had treated him in the past. How could he have misjudged him so badly. He hurried over followed by the rest of the house elves and threw his arms around his master crying with him. Everyone in the room watched in awe of the spectacle. They had never seen anything like it.
As the scene changed to show them in Bill and Fleur's home and into a bedroom with Griphook they listened in shock as the trio came up with a plan. They watched in awe as the trio broke into Gringotts and got the cup. They watched in horror at the melting gold that burnt them. In Awe they watched them escape on the back of the dragon. Charlie looked at the trio with pride.
Suddenly the room got ominously quiet as the trio arrived in hogsmeade. Harry curled further into a ball as they entered the room of requirement through the tunnel. They silently as they watched Harry stun the Carrow in the Ravenclaw common room defending Professor McGonagall. They watched in horror as the battle began.
Harry could hear the Weasely's sobbing as Fred fell. He could feel the sobs of those around him as the break was called. He looked up to see himself walking into the headmasters office. He watched as the room became aware of what the memories from Snape meant. They watched as Harry walked out of the castle saw him flinch as he passed Ginny. They held back tears as Harry's family promised to stay with him until the end. They failed to hold back the tears as they watched Harry fall from the killing curse in the forest. They all listened to Dumbledore explain what happened and sighed as Harry chose to return. Andromeda cried as she watched her sister lie to save Harry's life. They watched as Neville fought the flaming hat and killed Nagini.
Ginny watched in awe as Harry tried to make his way to save her from Bellatrix only to be beat by Mrs. Weasely. They watched as he threw the shield up to protect Molly. They watched as Harry dueled with Voldemort and watched as he fell. Harry tapped the pensieve. No one spoke or moved. Tears fell out of many eyes. Harry leaned back and closed his eyes fighting his own tears.
Finally Harry moved. He shakily stood up and started to leave the room. Ginny stood beside him and put her arms around him to support him as they walked. Slowly the rest started to follow him. He led them to the parlor where the house elves were going to serve tea before everyone went to bed.
Molly was the first one to find her voice. "After everything you all went thru it is amazing that you three survived. I am so proud of you all."
"You went through more than we did at Hogwarts." Ginny said quietly.
"Ginny please don't think we are trivializing what you went thru this year. I just wanted you all to know what happened. That is all." Harry said sounding exhausted.
"Harry I had a question. When we had our fight today you told us that you didn't think you would survive the war. But according to the memory you didn't find out about having to die until Professor Snape gave you the memories. I don't understand how what you told us during our fight is true. Could you clear that up for me?" Charlie asked.
"Charlie you really should…" Molly started but was interrupted by Harry.
"No Mrs. Weasely Charlie has asked a very good question and deserves to be answered. Charlie let me clear that up for you. When I broke up with Ginny I did not know that I was going to have to die to end this war. However I felt that I wasn't trained enough to take him on. I felt that I would most likely die trying to finish him. My one concern was not making a promise that I didn't know I could keep. After I watched Professor Snape's memories I felt that I had done the right thing. At the time I didn't know I would be given a choice. I thought that if I died it would be permanent. Does that answer your Question?"
"Yes Harry Thank you." Charlie said honestly.
"Harry may I ask you a question?" Petunia asked.
"Of course Aunt Petunia."
"How did you manage to walk to your death? I don't understand how you could just sacrifice yourself like that. Also I'd still like to know how you can forgive us for how we treated you?" She said. Every one turned to watch Harry answer the question.
"Aunt Petunia I will try to answer your questions as honestly as I can. I can't really explain how I managed except that I knew what I had to do. Once I saw the memories I left the headmasters office and put my invisibility cloak on and kept it on until I was in the forest. If I had been seen and had to talk to anyone I would have not been brave enough to keep going. So I just kept moving not looking at anyone except for the brief moment I saw Ginny. I know that doesn't clear it up but it's all I have." Harry said looking into her eyes.
Petunia nodded and then silently waited for the answer to her second question. Harry did not make her wait long. After taking a deep breath he continued.
"As for why I can forgive you for your treatment to myself that's easy. My mum would have. I can't hold on to the anger and resentment. It would eat me from the inside out. I have enough stuff that does that. I fought in this war to fight prejudice. What we all need is to be a witness that we can change the world with our own actions. I chose to forgive you because I don't want the hostilities to continue. Aunt Petunia you are the only living reminder of my mum I have left I can't lose her again. I'm not strong enough for it. And truth be told we need each other." Harry said turning his head trying to hide the tears that were falling.
Petunia said nothing but pulled her nephew in her arms hugging him closely. Vernon joined them hugging them both. Dudley didn't know what to do so he just patted Harry on the back. No one moved or spoke. After a few minutes the group broke up and Harry announced that it was getting late and if anyone wanted to stay over they were more than welcome to stay again.
Every one quietly went up to their rooms. Kingsley took a few moments to fire call his office to tell them to tell everyone that he would be in an important meeting away from the ministry again the next day. The house soon fell silent as everyone fell into fitful slumber.