A/N : the two songs that I used was Remember Me by Mark Schultz but slightly different. And the other one was I believe by diamond rio. They are theirs alone and I can't take credit for them. They seemed to fit in at this point in the story. I would also like to apologize for the lateness of this chapter. My best friends uncle passed away on 10/08/2009. So this chapter is dedicated to Vernon May he rest well in the angels arms. We will miss you. But we will meet you in the morning Vernon. Keep our seats warm up there.

Chapter 29

The room was still silent as Harry's sobs slowed. Over the past few hours they had learned more about Harry than they had in seven years of knowing him. He had opened up more than anyone expected him too. Harry slowly sat back up and looked at them thru dark pain filled eyes. Ginny could tell he was waiting for the rejection that he was sure was to come. She could feel it in her heart and it caused a hurt almost as much as hearing his story did.

Edward held Bella who had started to cry softly and looked at Carlisle. The vampire family knew more about pain than most and even they were touched by Harry's story. How he grew up and was able to love anyone was a miracle in itself. The thing that they noticed most was that Harry didn't realize just how special that was.

Molly looked at the young man she thought of as her seventh son with awe and a new found understanding. She could see how he was raised had effected the young man and how he judged himself. She loved him and it hurt to hear the pain he grew up with. Somehow she would help him.

Arthur thought that he had heard and saw most everything he could hear and see during the war. But after today he felt naive. He knew that there was things they hadn't known about the young man. But he had never thought about how much there could possibly be.

Bill and Fleur watched Ginny comfort Harry and thought about how difficult things were going to be for the young couple. It should have been the happiest time in their life but it was marred by the pain of the past. They held each others hands as they tried to figure out what to say.

Charlie didn't know what to say. He never was good with emotions he had always been more comfortable with his dragons. He understood them. This was far beyond his comprehension. It wasn't that he was unintelligent but he was never comfortable with feelings.

Percy had never felt so guilty in his life. He had never dreamed that Harry had been mistreated. He had always sensed Harry was unhappy but never that it went deeper than that. But then again he had often been to busy trying to succeed to notice much about anyone around him.

George hid his face the best he could as the tears fell from his eyes. He realized as he heard his story that Fred had been right when he said that there was more going on at the Dursley's than Harry let on. As he thought about the feeling Harry had shared he thought about his own. He realized that he didn't hurt half as bad as Harry did. Yes he had lost his twin and that hurt but it wasn't killing him like he once thought it would. Just after the battle he thought that he would die from the pain. But never had he wished it was him.

Ron and Hermione were staring at each other softly. They knew that the next few hours were going to be difficult. They had walked Harry thru things like this before but never at this magnitude. Hermione had to admit for as well as she knew Harry he could really hide his emotions. She knew he felt the guilt of surviving. She knew he felt the pain and the anger. But she had never thought that he would wish himself dead or not realize that people actually loved him. As for Ron he knew but it hurt worse to hear it spoken out loud. He had learned long ago to not just listen to what Harry said but to listen to what he didn't say.

Ginny quietly rubbed Harry's back as they waited for some one to break the silence. She knew the prolonged silence would only hurt Harry more but she understood why everyone was so quiet. The story had taken them by surprise in many ways. No one had expected that he would open up that much. No one had suspected how much pain he was in. They knew he was in pain but no one could have guessed how much. How could they have when she didn't even know? She marveled slightly at how well he kept it hidden.

Arthur looked up again and slowly composed himself enough to speak. It was with a ragged voice he spoke. "Thank you Harry for telling us all of this. I know it was hard for you to do. I can't imagine how scared you must have been while telling us. I also realize that this has been a major act of trust on your part. It's not easy to trust others with the bare truth of your life. Especially with how you have been treated by people who were supposed to love you."

Harry's surprised look caused Molly to finally speak up. "Harry dear did you think that we would walk away from you just because you have some problems that you need help with? We love you dear. Nothing you ever do or could do will ever change that. And you may not realize this but you have been a part of our family long before Ginny and you started dating. We are going to help you thru this as a family should. You may have never known a family's love before but you will from now on."

Ginny slowly got up and knelt in front of Harry so he had to look at her. She touched his face lightly and sighed.

"Love, I wish I could just take all the guilt and pain away from your with a snap of my fingers. But I know that wouldn't solve the problem. What I do know is the man I see when I look into your eyes. When I look in your eyes I see not only one of the strongest men I've ever seen but the kindest. I see the horrors of the past but also the promise for the future. I see the pain and the hurt and the guilt. Someday I want to see those looks disappear from your face. But do you know what the most important thing I see when I look into your deep green eyes? I see my future, my hope, my dreams, and most importantly my life. Harry I love you and nothing can change that not now not ever."

Harry's heart jumped slightly to hear that despite everything that he had just told them that they still loved him and more importantly that Ginny still loved him. He tried to look at everyone else but he could only seem to bring himself to look straight into the eyes of the woman who loved him despite everything. She smiled a small reassuring smile and slowly taking his hand pulled him into a tender embrace. They pulled apart after Ginny was sure he wasn't going to break down again.

Carlisle had been listening to everything that was being said and watching body language. He could tell that the room full of people loved Harry and wanted to help him but he doubted that they other than Ginny knew how. He thought carefully before he spoke. He thought maybe since he was far from the situation he could give a view that would be objective and helpful.

"Harry, I know I don't fully understand what you all have been thru but if I may say something it might be of help to you. You asked some very good questions that deserve answers. You asked what kind of person would be happy to see a person die. My answer is it's either someone who knows that if some one didn't step in that person would kill more people or they are confused as to what they were really happy about. May I ask you a question Harry?" Carlisle asked kindly.

Harry nodded hoping the answer wouldn't be difficult to say. He had enough things to say that had been hard.

"I need you to really think hard about this. Were you happy that she was dead or was it merely because Ginny was safe from her regardless of how?" Carlisle asked. Harry opened his mouth and then abruptly closed it. Could Carlisle be right? Was he really happy that Bellatrix was dead or was it that Ginny was safe? As he let his mind wander back to that day he let his mind drift to the moments after Molly had sent that curse. He thought about the relief that coursed thru him at seeing Ginny alive. He searched his memory for what might have triggered the guilt and it was when he really thought hard about it that he realized what he was actually guilty about.

"I was happy that Ginny was alive. I didn't start feeling guilty until I didn't feel bad about her dying." Harry answered honestly.

"Why would you feel guilty about Bellatrix dying after her killing Dora and so many others? Ron asked confused. "OW" he exclaimed as Hermione elbowed him in his ribs muttering something about needing more tact.

"Ron don't you understand, regardless of what she had done she was still a human being. That should have meant something to me. It always had before. I don't know why at that moment it changed and I guess it sort of scared me. I mean if I could not care about what happened to her what would stop me from becoming like him?" Harry said in an ashamed voice.

"Harry no matter what you thought about in those moments you could never become like Voldemort. The simple fact that you feel bad for not feeling bad shows a big difference. He could kill anyone at anytime and feel nothing ever. You can't do that. Life has always been important to you. You always try to give people a honest chance to choose the right path. What makes you different from him is your ability not to just love those around you but that you care about those you meet on your daily routine. Look what you did for that slytherin boy Toby. You didn't know him but you cared enough for him to step in and you shared personal information to help him thru a really tough time. Voldemort wouldn't have helped him he would have used that as an opportunity to gain power." Arthur said sincerely. To tell the truth he was shocked that Harry would even think he could ever turn into anything remotely like Voldemort.

"Harry the one thing that bothered me during your speech was you asking what kind of friend would let some one get hurt fighting their battle. You have to understand that it wasn't just your fight. I realize that the prophecy made it sound like it was but you couldn't do it all on your own. That any of us got hurt truly wasn't your fault. We all fought because it was what we felt was right. Do we love you? Yes. Would we help you any way possible? Absolutely. But that being said you have to understand that we trust you just as we trusted you then that has never changed. You bare no responsibility in our injuries. We chose to do what was right instead of what would have been easy. We chose to take a stand beside you because you over and over time and again proved that you were the right man for the task at hand. You care about all of us and we knew that you would fight for us as we fought for you and if something happened you would be there in the end." Bill said.

"You still trust me" Harry said in a surprised tone.

"Yes we trust you. The problem is Harry that you don't see yourself as we see you. We don't see you as just a hero or the boy who lived or the chosen one but as Harry the strong intelligent, determined, caring fair man who you are today. We see what the world never could. We see beyond the press statements and the rumor mill. We can't be swayed by public opinion or ignorance because we know who you are from the inside out. That is why we can trust you." Charlie said openly as others started agreeing with him.

"I guess sometimes it's hard for me to see past my own insecurities to see what others see in me."

"Oh Harry it's not your insecurities it's the way those damn muggles brought you up. They taught you to never value yourself properly. They were so blinded by their own prejudice that they couldn't see the precious person you are and in turn they used it to hurt you and degrade you. A child learns what they live. If a child is taught that they are worthless that is what they will believe even when it is wrong. After everything they did to you it's a wonder that you even know what love is. But you do and the world is better for it." Molly said fighting off the urge to say worse about his so called family only to be taken back by the low whispered words he said in reply.

"I learned it from you." he said it so low that it was a miracle that they all had heard them at all. Molly swept him up dragging Ginny with him in a crushing hug with tears in her eyes. It took several minutes for her to calm down enough to let him go. She let go and sat back down next to Arthur dabbing her eyes.

Ron sat quietly thinking about every thing that was being said and while he agreed with it all something was nagging at him. Harry had said something about not being able to comfort a friend that had seen his brother die in front of him. That bothered him because he could understand why he couldn't. If he could why couldn't Harry. It was in a confused state of mind he started to speak.

"Mate I know that you couldn't comfort Percy or I right after Fred was killed. We understood then and we understand now. It's not what you could do then that matters it's the fact that you stood by us even when one of us was a prat about things now. You were there at his funeral. You held each one of us when we cried. Never asking for anything in return. You take care of Ginny for us and help George when we don't know what to say. Don't be ashamed for being to hurt yourself to help us then. You've made up for that a million times over." Ron said.

"Ron you and your brothers are as close to brothers to me as I have ever had. I just feel like I wasn't there when I was needed."

"You were there Harry when we needed you. And you still are. We still need our adopted brother." Percy said as the others agreed. Ginny just held Harry's hand crying slightly to hear her brothers acknowledge how much they thought of him. She knew he needed to hear it more than he would ever admit.

George waited quietly for his chance to address something Harry had said. As he waited he caught a glimpse of Fleur and realized that she was doing the same thing. As he looked at her she looked up and nodded towards him. He knew this was his chance to say something.

"You know Harry a wise person once told me that I had to stop wishing it was me instead of Fred that died. You know who that was?" George asked and waited a few minutes for Harry who never tried to reply. "You told me that a couple of nights after he died. I was at one of my lowest points and you found me in the corridor where it happened. I had cried on your shoulder and told you it should have been me. You told me there was a reason that it was him and not me. That I may not know it then but someday I would understand. I remember arguing that I would never understand it. But I think I do understand it now. He always seemed the strong one or the leader. But that was because no one really understood him like I did. He wasn't good at leading if it didn't have to do with a prank. I think I survived because I can handle it. He wouldn't have been able too. I'm better with emotions than he had ever been."

No one spoke for several minutes after hearing George talk about his twin in such raw honesty. George softly spoke again.

"I think you survived because you were meant to survive. It wasn't you because it just wasn't your time yet. I don't know if you were the only one that got the chance to come back and maybe you were. But I know that I couldn't have gotten thru everything right after the battle if it wasn't for you. You were the one who could answer the questions I had about what he had gone too. You were the one I could count on to be there when my heart felt like breaking. I think I can answer every one when I say I'm glad you chose to come back to us. I don't think any of us would be doing as well as we are with out you. With out you and Fred our family wouldn't have survived it."

Harry listened slightly shocked to hear his own words make their way back to him again. He never expected George to remember them as emotional as he had been. He was just about to say something when Fleur started to speak.

"Harry I can't understand how you would say that no one would miss you. We would have missed you. Harry you do not understand how much we love you. All of us do. You are more than a hero to us. You are family and no matter whether it is by blood or by love it would hurt us the same. You are important to us all but most especially to Ginny. You were the first person to make her smile after Fred died. You were the person she went to when she needed to cry. You made her feel safe enough to feel weak. No one else could have done that." Fleur said softly.

Remus and Dora listened to everything and they hadn't been surprised to hear him hold himself accountable for Teddy being an orphan. They had known the risks and they each had decided to take it. Not because they were thrill seekers but because of the future they wanted for Teddy. They wanted him to live in a world and not be scared to be who he was. Remus slowly decided on what to say as Fleur came to an end.

"Harry I need you to listen to me carefully. You are not responsible for Teddy being an orphan. Dora and I decided to fight that night. We knew the risks but decided they were worth taking because of the future we wanted our son to have. We don't want our son to live in fear like we did. And we knew the only way to secure that was to fight. We certainly wish it didn't end the way that it did. But that is what happened. But we can rest in peace because we know we will never be forgotten. Our son will know who we were. We will be able to watch him grow up from where we are. We also know what kind of man he will grow up to be thanks to the two main people that will be raising him and the supporting family behind them. Harry we know that you will see to it that Teddy grows up knowing how much he is loved. We trusted you with him because we know you will want what is best for him always. And that you would never dream of taking him away from Andromeda but be supportive in every way. Because that is who you are." Remus said with firm conviction in his voice. Dora murmured her agreement as he went along.

Sirius was silent for a long time after Remus talked to Harry. He knew he had to say something but he wasn't sure what to say. He wanted nothing more than to make Harry feel better but he knew that nothing he could say would ever be enough. But he had to say something.

"Harry you and I need to have a talk. Please you can't keep blaming your self for me dying. I went there because I chose to go. Yes you were in trouble but that wasn't really your fault. Full grown witches and wizards were often tricked by Voldemort. So of course you were tricked. And yes you had told Severus but at the time you didn't really know that he could be trusted. I died because I got cocky and wasn't paying attention to where I was. If I had been paying attention to what and where I was I probably would have been fighting in the final battle by your side."

"I just miss you so much. I miss you all." Harry said looking away.

"Of course my dear boy you miss us. That is only natural for you to miss those you have lost. But as a wise man told you once the ones you love never really leave you as long as you carry them in your hearts. But do not fear you have a big enough heart for them all." Dumbledore said before he started to tell Harry what he absolutely needed to hear. "Harry I owe you an apology. I never realized what you were trying to tell me all those years ago. I should have checked on you more as you were growing up. And when others brought up their concerns I should have taken it more seriously. I have failed you in many ways but that was the worst of my failures."

"It's ok Professor I never told you exactly what was going on. After so many times of telling an adult and nothing happening I didn't think anyone would care or do anything about it. But that isn't your fault."

"Harry you are a very special young man. You deserve as much love as you can get. And I want you to know you have never let me down. You have always done us all proud with dignity and respect." Dumbledore said truthfully.

Harry looked up in surprise. This was great praise coming from his old mentor. Everyone noticed the surprise including a certain cranky potion master who had a little explaining to do himself.

"Mister Potter, I too should apologize to you not only for how I treated you in school but for failing to protect you in every way possible. Yes I did what I could to protect you from Voldemort but I didn't do anything to protect you from those relatives of yours. I would have noticed had I not blinded myself with my own troubles with your father.". "I treated you just as badly professor I should have trusted you with everything."

"I didn't give you much reason to trust me." Severus said sadly.

Molly noticed the time and sighed. "Why don't we go down and get some lunch we can come back up and talk more after a good meal?"

Everyone agreed and started making their way down to the great hall when they noticed that Harry and Ginny wasn't with them. Ron quickly told them that they would be along soon. He hadn't been told that but he knew they would need a few minutes before they could join the rest. Well truth to be told mainly Harry needed the time and there was no way that she would leave him behind.

Ginny held Harry's hand as he sat lost in thought. She knew he needed to hear it all from her family. But she also knew he now had a lot to think about and it would take time. A lot of what was said surprised him and it was a lot to take in at one time. But she knew that when it was all said and done he would be better for it. It had taken a lot of courage for him to open up and talk about things he had hidden for so many years. So there they sat among the silent portraits holding each other's hands.

"Harry are you ok?" Ginny asked in a concerned voice.

"Yeah I will be. I just didn't expect after they knew that they would be so understanding. I didn't expect anyone to still love me."

"Like my brother told you love people who truly love you won't stop just because you have some problems."

"I know it's just that I was afraid it would be to much for everyone. I know in everyone's lives there comes a breaking point."

"Not where you are concerned Harry. May I ask what brought this need to tell us everything came from?"

"Please don't get mad. I felt I needed to let you know what you were getting being married to me and all. I thought you should know how damaged I really am. I wanted your family to understand what I was going thru."

"Our family, Harry they are our family." she answered. Then she thought a little bit and said. "that thing with Percy and the rest really bothered you didn't it?"

"Yeah a lot more than I wanted to admit. It hurt to hear him say those horrid things to you. I know deep down he didn't believe a word he was saying either to you or to me. But part of me really believed him." Harry admitted shyly.

"Let's talk to him about it later than. But right now we better get down to lunch before they come looking for us." Ginny said standing up still holding his hand.

Harry stood up next to her and looking into her eyes he leaned down gently kissing her as the portraits looked on. "I hope you never doubt how much I love you" He said before kissing her again.

As they broke apart she smiled at him as he put his arm around her and lead her out. "I love you too Harry" She said as they left the portraits behind them. The portraits all smiled to them selves.

"those two remind me of James and Lily just before they got married." Sirius said reminiscently.

"Yes they do. So young and so in love." Remus replied looking nervously at Severus.

"you know if they love each other half as much as James and Lily did we can be assured a long future in front of them." Severus said thoughtfully.

"Severus you don't sound like you hate James anymore with that statement." Sirius stated in surprise. "what happened?"

"Harry did." Severus said as they all fell silent.

Harry and Ginny was smiling slightly over something one of them had said as they made their way to the great hall. Harry's smile fell slightly as they entered the nearly empty dining hall. They joined the family at a table and ate quietly. Ginny's hand never left Harry's making it difficult for them both to eat but no one said a word. Minerva stopped by their table to ask if everything was ok. Molly sighed and answered as honestly as she could.

"no it's not but it soon will be."

Minerva left soon after and the meal passed with out incident. Harry slowly stood up and lead them back to the room arm in arm with Ginny. Harry found a seat and settled in next to Ginny. He could only hope that the next few hours would be easier than the morning had been. But some how he knew it would be difficult on a whole new level. He watched as everyone slowly got as comfortable as the situation would allow them too. He couldn't help but notice that he wasn't as uncomfortable around them as he had been the past few days. Something had changed and it certainly felt like for the better. He noticed the quiet ease in which they all seemed to be talking with. It felt like some of the tension had been released.

Bill noticed the change in the group as well. He had to smile as he watched Harry lean back into a chair with his arm hung loosely around Ginny's shoulders. He couldn't tell whether Harry had noticed the change going on around him or in himself for that matter. For once it didn't seem like there was an elephant in the room that no one would acknowledge. Harry's own behavior spoke volumes in the change of the atmosphere they were experiencing. He had a slight smile as he watched Ginny play with the hem of her shirt Bill took Fleur's hand and squeezed it slightly.

Edward sat down feeling like an intruder for the first time. The thoughts he did hear was all about family and how they would get thru and while it wasn't all that personal he still felt like an eavesdropper. He wanted to slip out of the room but the look Alice shot him changed his mind. Sometimes her being able to see the future changing because of decisions made could be a major pain.

"Harry you look a bit more relaxed than you have in a while." Rosalie offered kindly.

"I know what you mean I feel better than I have. I'm not saying I'm completely better but I am better than I was. I guess there was a lot of things I had to get off my chest. Things I had been terrified of admitting. Things I'd always tried to forget. But I never could get away from it. I think the thing that really made me realize that I had to open up was the fact that it wasn't fair to Ginny. I was having problems that I can't deal with on my own and that in turn caused problems with me and her family. It put her in the middle and her being asked to choose. Well that just sort of finished it off. I couldn't no I wouldn't be the force that would bring her family down simply because I couldn't deal. I also came to the conclusion that it wasn't fair I knew so much about her. She deserved to know just how damaged I was. I guess in a way I thought that would give her a way out if this was all too much."

Ginny slowly took his hand that was still draped loosely around her and squeezed it gently. She smiled slightly before she spoke causing others to look quizzically at her.

"Harry even with as many problems as you are going to have for a while, your not damaged beyond repair. All of your issues will take time but you will heal. You will be able to completely trust the people you love. You will learn that no one here will purposefully hurt you. You will learn to deal with your emotions. You will be able to move on someday. I think that this Saturday will be a start. Not that you won't still have days where you don't want to get up or that all you want to do is train. But it will be the start of our lives together. You will know that you will never be alone. Together we will keep those nightmares at bay. Together we will build a life surrounded by love not only ours but of our family." she said firmly but yet kindly.

"Your family Gin they are your family" Harry corrected in a quiet voice. "mine is gone remember."

"Harry dear I know it really hurts that your parents won't be there on Saturday. I wish that I could do something to bring them back. But as painful as it is now it would be more painful for you to have to say good bye again to them. But I know they will be there in spirit. They are going to be looking down from above and smiling as you wed my daughter." Molly said as she sat down in front of Harry. "Now you know I have always considered you family. You have often been thought of our seventh son. Arthur and I know we can never take the place of your parents nor would we ever want to do that but we would like the chance to be your family. All of the family feel that way. We just want to love you if you'll let us."

Harry wanted to believe her. He didn't want to think maybe it was only because of who he was and what he had done. He was afraid to ask but he knew that if he didn't he would be plagued with doubt the rest of his life.

"Why would you want that?"

"Harry let me tell you a secret. I've felt like you needed me from the first day I met you as a scrawny eleven year old boy on that platform all alone. I've watched you as you grew to be a man. It wasn't because of the things you have done or the fact of who you are. But a fact of a young man that just needs to be loved for who he is on the inside. The truth is that being a hero is only a very small piece of who you are. You are compassionate, and wise beyond your years. You love despite everything and ask for nothing in return. Your fiercely loyal to anyone you care about and ready to stand up for them in a moments notice. You are sincere and honest. Polite and reserved. Not to mention the fact that you are a very easy young man to love." Molly said with a tear rolling down her cheek.

It was the sincerity in her voice that caused him to sink into her embrace as she cried. As they hugged tears welled up in his eyes and slowly spilled. It was true that all he had ever wanted was someone to love him. And it seemed that he had found a mother figure in Molly Weasely. Deep down he had always known that was what she had turned into for him but it was totally different to acknowledge it. As he cried he just allowed himself to finally feel. To feel what had been there for years that he kept pushing back in fear. Molly clung to him as he sobbed stroking his hair soothingly. She let him cry for all the wasted years and for all the pain he had gone thru. She let him feel what he needed to in that moment. She may not have been his mother by birth but she loved him like a mother should unconditionally.

Harry slowly quieted down into manageable tears as he pulled away he murmured softly in her ear "I love you too." she wiped her eyes as she went back to sit with her husband. Ginny had heard the low spoken words he had said to her mother but said nothing. It was a quiet moment between her mother and her husband or husband to be how ever you wanted to think about it at the time.

Percy was sitting there looking and listening to everything. He felt guilty for many things but nothing more than his behavior the past few days. He had treated Harry unfairly and to be honest he had done some of it on purpose. He didn't mean to feel jealous of Harry but he did. It sometimes felt like he had been replaced in the family by Harry. So many times it was do what Harry says or listen to Harry. No on seemed to care about what Percy thought or did. Percy knew that he had been wrong to act that way. He knew that deep down no one had replaced him just as no one would ever take the place of Fred. He was just being insecure. But it was his own fault though He did abandon his family.

"Harry I owe you an apology. I've been unfair to you over the past few days. I picked fights with you and nit picked at wounds that I shouldn't have. I wish I had a better reason but all I have is the lame excuse that I was jealous of you. I felt that you had taken my place in the family and that no one cared what I thought or did. But I was wrong. You aren't taking any one's place in the family because you have your own place to fill in it. You've been family for years. I let my guilt over abandoning them get in the way with what I know is the truth." Percy said ashamed of his own actions.

"I never wanted to take anyone's place in any ones family. I just wanted to be loved." Harry said sadly. He could understand how he had felt. He tried to put himself in Percy's shoes and he could understand how he might feel that way. He didn't know what to say to make it better.

"Harry you have treated us all like your own brother even me. You were never in the wrong in this situation I was. Brothers don't do things and say things that would hurt their brother intentionally like I did. I mean I went for the jugular with some of my comments. I would do anything now to take it all back but there is nothing I can do but apologize." Percy said.

"apologize and move forward Perce. All you can do is apologize and let me forgive you and move on. I can forgive you if you can move on." Harry said sincerely. Percy smiled and stepped forward extending his hand for a handshake only to be pulled into a hug by Harry. Percy jerked in surprise but relaxed into it. He had never thought Harry would forgive him. He wasn't sure anyone would but yet again he was surprised by Harry.

"Harry this isn't easy for any of us. Talking about everything you have gone thru and everyone we lost. I know you feel it too. But here you are doing what would have been impossible not that very long ago. I'm trying to understand why you didn't trust us I really am. If you would have just told us we would have gotten you away from the Dursley's. I just don't understand." Hermione said with tears in her eyes.

Harry could see the pain in his best friends eyes even Ron had a hint of pain in them. But he didn't know how to explain it to them. How did you explain to the people who love you the most why you couldn't trust them? Especially when you don't understand it yourself completely. That was Harry's dilemma. He wanted to tell the whole truth but yet he wanted to hold some of it back. Ginny could sense his inner struggle and whispered in his ear "Just take the chance and tell them the whole truth. I'm right here beside you."

Ron watched as Ginny whispered into Harry's ear. It angered him to think that is little sister had to pressure him into talking to them. He had been his best friend first. Hermione and himself had trusted Harry with their lives and He in turn couldn't trust them with any piece of his own.

"Never mind Harry. If Ginny has to force you to talk don't bother." Ron said angrily. Harry looked up in surprise as did every one else. Ron just looked at him with a heated look.

"I'm sorry if this takes me longer to answer the question but it's not an easy thing to answer." Harry started only to be interrupted by Ron again.

"It can't be that hard. We trusted you with our lives why couldn't you do the same for us?" Ron snarled.

"My life I trust you both with but my past is something totally different. I made that mistake once. I was about eight years old and I had this really nice teacher. She didn't believe the stories of how bad I was or anything like that. I let myself trust her." Harry said standing up and making his way to the window. He stared out the window while everyone watched him in concern. " I told her about the Dursley's. Let myself believe that she would help me. The school investigated as did the government but the Dursley's' lied out of it. Told them I lied all the time. They believed them. They just asked them questions and let it go. I was punished at home but worse I was taken from the one person who I thought believed me class and put in the same class as Dudley. The next time I saw that teacher she berated me as a liar. From then on I learned not to tell. I haven't told any one the extent of the mistreatment."

"You told Kingsley after he hit you. It couldn't have been so bad you couldn't tell me." Ron argued.

"I LIED TO HIM! Don't you get it. I couldn't even trust Kingsley with the complete truth." Harry spun around and stared at his shocked friends. Ginny sensing his need walked carefully towards him. She wrapped her arms around him telling him it would be ok. Slowly she looked up at him and asked. "How bad was it Harry? Trust us now with what you couldn't then. Let us help you pick up the broken pieces."

Charlie watched as his sister led him back to his chair. It hurt him to think about how much this young man was hiding from them. It was almost scary when he thought about it. He wanted to slip out of the room before Harry spoke again. He wasn't sure he could handle it. He looked at his parents. His mother already had tears in her eyes and his father wasn't far behind. He had only saw his father truly cry maybe three times in his life. Once when they found out that Uncle Fabian and Uncle Gideon were killed and when the potters were killed and the last time was after the battle when they were all surrounding Fred's body. Bill had a stoic look on his face obviously trying to be strong for Fleur who was already sobbing. He watch Percy's face turn pale as he realized what Harry had said. But it was Ron's face that interested him the most. His face had went from the redness of being angry to pale to almost green as the realization of what Harry said hit him. He could begin to see the beginnings of fear in his eyes. George and Ginny were strangely calm almost like they had suspected something like that all along.

Harry sat down and slowly drew his knees into his chest. Ginny put her arm around his shoulders and stroked his hair as he tried to compose himself to speak. She had known without being told that he had lied to Kingsley. She knew it hadn't been the first time that the man had hit him. He had never told her but there was things he didn't have to say that she just knew.

"It started with little slaps for doing something they didn't like. Then suddenly that wasn't enough if I burnt the toast or didn't mow fast enough I would get slapped hard enough to get a red mark. And when that didn't sooth his rage it turned into full out beatings. Just for looking at him. Once I started school He was very careful. He never would leave a mark that could be seen. It was the summer months I'd suffer the most. He'd hit me every where and anywhere. I had to where long sleeves all year round. He would beat me then put me in the cupboard or in my room and lock me in. wouldn't feed me or let me out to use the restroom. There were so many times it would hurt so bad that I wished for death but it never came. It only stopped once I got my Hogwarts letters because he thought that the school had someone watching the house." Harry said to the stunned silence. Ron was the first to find his voice.

"Harry I didn't know. I could never have guessed. Why didn't you tell me? I would have fought harder for you to live with my family."

"Ron when was I supposed to tell you? When would have been a good time to tell you? Maybe while I was fighting for my life with a professor with Voldemort in the back of his head. Or maybe when we were trying to figure out how students were being petrified. Maybe I should have told you when the dog drug you into the shrieking shack or maybe during the whole time you didn't talk to me. Fifth year would have been perfect except for the fact I was a little busy trying to teach you all spells to fight back with. Or maybe when you and Hermione was so busy arguing you barely knew I was there. Yeah in the middle of no where with people hunting us down seemed like an ideal time to tell you." Harry said finally angry. "Don't you get it by the time I was able to let myself trust you I was supposed to be this strong hero. I was supposed to be this person. What would you have thought about your supposed hero if you knew that I was so weak that I couldn't even protect myself from them? I couldn't let you all down. I just couldn't. Everyone was counting on me."

"Harry no one would have thought less of you because you couldn't protect yourself. You were a kid. Kids aren't supposed to protect them selves from the ones who are supposed to love them. You are right though everything we went thru did make it hard to tell us exactly what was going on. I just wish you would have tried." Ron said sadly.

"Me too" Harry said suddenly sounding drained. "As much as it hurts to think of the past I think what we have been going thru since the end of the war hurts a lot more. I'm just tired. I would love to have one more night of no nightmares. I would love to just have some time to heal but there doesn't seem to be enough of that. Sometimes it's hard for me to think straight I get so mixed up with all the memories jumbling up with all my thoughts. Sometimes it feels like I'm going crazy."

"Harry your not crazy. Your just mourning and it takes time. With the amount of losses going back so far it's no wander why its taking you so long. But opening up will help you can't keep it inside. It'll eat you up. I can't tell you it's going to be easy in fact I can promise it won't be. But I can tell you that you don't have to go thru it all by yourself anymore. Let us all help you." Carlisle said kindly.

"What if it gets to be to much?" Harry said in a frightened voice.

"Love, Your stuck with us. You let us worry about how much we can take and you focus on getting better. First thing first we learn to take each day as it's given to us. We learn to do this day by day together as a family. We've been separate people long enough. It didn't work because together we are stronger than we could ever hope to be separately. You, George and I will go back to Forks. We will start living our lives. Go to school and all that. On Saturday we will do what training we need to do and Sunday dinner with the whole family there in Forks. We will talk together with open hearts and honesty." Ginny said looking at each member of the family.

No one spoke but everyone nodded. They all a greed with what Ginny had said but no one wanted to really talk about it. It had been a draining afternoon. Molly noticed that it was dinner time and announced that they should head down to eat. Molly and Arthur lead the group once again to the great hall. Harry hung back a little unnoticed by some of the family but not Ginny. She slowed down allowing Harry to catch up.

"Are you Ok?" she asked taking his hand.

"Yeah just really tired. I'm not very hungry." He answered in a tired voice.

"try to eat a little love. You need your strength." she said concerned. He simply nodded his agreement as they continued down the stairs. They wordlessly joined the family. Harry ate as much as he could force down and stood to excuse himself. He made his way slowly up to where they would all be sleeping that night and changed for bed. As he laid down he found himself in tears. He cried as he laid alone in the dark. He fell asleep with the tracks of his tears running down his face.

Ginny excused herself after finishing and hurried up to check on Harry. As she looked down at his face her finger lazily traced the track of the tears. "Oh Harry" she murmured. As she started to cry softly a voice from across the room startled her.

"He's ok Ginny. Sometimes he is going to have to cry on his own still. But he knows he's not alone in his pain anymore. He knows you all love him." the voice said.

Ginny turned around to see Edward smiling sadly at her. She nodded her understanding as he began to speak again.

"But I do not think he would object to wake up to your arms around him once again. Today has been very draining. And it has brought memories up he has tried to forget. He'll need you." He said as he walked out the door.

As if by cue, Harry started to whimper slightly. Ginny didn't even stop to think she pulled the covers off of one side of the bed and climbed in stopping long enough to take her shoes off. She slowly managed to snuggle close to the struggling young man. As she put her arms around him he calmed instantly. She looked up at his face to see more silent tears flowing. She held him closer as the tears fell harder and turned into soft sobs.

Molly was worried as she and her family followed her and her husband up the stairs to where they were all sleeping. She worried about Harry and Ginny. She worried about how her family was going to heal. Most of all she worried about the future. She was lost in thought as she entered the room. She stopped as she spotted the bed near the end of the room. She took a step towards the bed only to be stopped by Ron. She looked at him in shock.

"Mum, he needs her right now. Listen to what's happening. He's upset. Look how she comforts him. Mum, we can't help him right now but she can. Just let her do what needs to be done." Ron said calmly .

Molly watched as Harry started to sob and as her daughter just silently held on to him. She realized that was what Harry needed. Not someone who would wake him up or make him talk. Just someone who would hold him and allow him however briefly to feel what she felt. She sighed softly as the sobbing eased and quiet snores resumed. She never noticed the Cullen's reenter the room or walk up next to her. She jumped slightly at the sound of Edwards kind voice.

"I told her to lay with him. I saw the dream he was having and I knew it wouldn't be long until he needed her. She loves him and he loves her. I have seen a lot in my years as mortal and vampire but I have never saw two people more fit for each other than those two. She seems to understand how much it cost him. I'm not saying that you don't but there are so much that she can feel that he can't explain." Edward said kindly looking towards the bed.

"Everyone keeps talking about it costing him. What could finally being open with us possibly cost him?" Charlie asked confused.

"For every truth there comes a price that must be paid. Sometime it is pride. Sometimes it's just some dignity or a chink in their armor. And with some the price is much higher. It's with pain and sleepless nights that those truth causes that is their price to pay." Carlisle answered.

"Pain that is Harry's price. That is what it cost him to tell us everything he did." Ron said more as a question than a statement.

"Yes it is. He shared things that he hasn't shared for a long time and it brought back horrible memories that he has tried to keep buried. I would say his cost was also his pride but from what I've seen he doesn't have much of that left. He's been left with just his basic emotions. Love, fear, and sadness mainly. He has to relearn what it is to be truly happy. But there are moments I think he knows what happiness is and he feels it. And most of those moments are tied to that young woman next to him." Carlisle answered.

"What do we do now?" Molly asked.

"Today was a huge start. He is starting to open up and try and trust you with all of him. Not just the good parts but the broken parts too. And that isn't an easy thing for any one with the emotional baggage he has. He has learned some behavior that he is trying to relearn. He's trying to see himself the way you all see him and he is becoming frustrated. But the fact that he is trying to heal is an improvement. Now we must keep him talking. We will set up our group support meetings and pair each of you up with someone else so that you all have someone to turn too." Carlisle said taking a deep breath. "Now all we can do is continue to build his trust in all of us. But I must caution you all that we can not afford anyone to thoughtlessly speak to him. We must be careful when we disagree with him what we say. Again I caution you to use some tact. Show ourselves to be trustworthy. You won't always have to be so careful but while the wounds are so recently reopened we mustn't be to quick to be harsh."

They all nodded their agreement before heading off to their own beds. The Cullen's all took their usual spots watching over the sleeping family. Edward especially watched over Bella. She had been so quiet during the whole thing. He quietly worried over her. He wished he could read what she was thinking. He looked down at her again only to meet her quiet eyes. He walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. She climbed over and put her arms around his waist. He gently put his hand on her head and stroked her hair softly. She looked at him and sighed.

"Bella what is wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing would not put that look on your face. Tell me what your thinking."

"Edward I have never known anyone that has been treated this badly before. I want to help him but I don't know how."

"there is nothing we can do except be there for him when he needs us. He has a lot to deal with right now. But he will get better. He is already starting to heal. Now how about I hold you and you just go to sleep."

"Just like usual." Bella said allowing him to slide into the bed next to her. Rosalie watched carefully as the two interacted. She noticed the love that radiated off of the two. She was lost in thought as Emmett walked over to her. He put his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. She sighed lightly although it was not needed but it had become habit as she interacted with humans daily.

"hmmmm what could have you so lost in thought?" he said roughly in her ear.

"About how unfair I've been to Bella. How could I be so cold to someone who makes Edward so happy? I've gotten so angry because she would give up everything I wanted. She isn't me. I somehow have forgotten that. She has her own decisions to make. I need to stop judging her for making it her choice to become what I've always hated." she answered never moving her eyes from the couple.

"you know there is something about Bella that I've always admired. Maybe it's the fact that she accepted us knowing what we were. She has shown us what we never thought was possible. She showed us that maybe we aren't as much of monsters as we once believed we were. Edward is happy. Truly happy. We never really thought that was possible. I think you could give her a chance but maybe you need to accept that you aren't the monster you see when you look in the mirror." he said quietly in her ear.

It shocked her to hear some of her own deepest thoughts coming out of his mouth and it hit her hard that he was right. She had to accept that maybe she wasn't the monster she once thought herself to be. She looked away from Edward and Bella to another young couple. She felt a stab of sadness fill her heart as she thought of every thing he had been thru. With everything he had faced he knew what love was better than she had ever known. Even she could sense the selfless nature that filled the young man and a quiet strength that he never realized that he had. He thought himself broken but when she looked at him she saw more than that. She saw a young man who didn't know how strong he truly was.

Emmett continued to hold her as she thought. He followed his gaze to Harry and Ginny. He thought about everything he had heard. He certainly couldn't understand it all. How could he blame himself for the deaths of so many people? He had gotten to know the young man quite well and even though he hadn't known him for long he could tell that there was something good about Harry. But looking at him he could see how his unselfishness cost him dearly at times. Harry worried about every one but himself at times. Emmett shook his head not understanding the young man at all.

Jasper could feel their confusion and walked over to where his siblings stood watching. He smiled as he felt Rosalie come to some peace. And he grimaced at Emmett's frustration. He came to stand by them and smiled at them.

"It's interesting watching those two couples. They are similar in some ways you know. Edward and Bella love each other as much as Harry loves Ginny. Edward would die for Bella as she would for him. Harry did die for Ginny and Ginny if need be would do the same. They are both strong couples. Harry has his insecurities. He doesn't think he deserves to be loved. But so does Bella. Hers is that she isn't pretty enough for Edward."

"Not pretty enough? She is gorgeous." Rosalie said in shock.

"She like Harry doesn't value herself as others around her do. She doesn't realize that she is as pretty as Edward says she is. She sees herself as just an ordinary girl who isn't worthy of Edwards affection."

Jasper left them to mull over his observations. He wandered over to where Alice stood with Esme. They were quietly talking about what still needed to be done for the wedding on Saturday. They hoped that they would be home in time for the caterers and flowers. But with their money they was sure as long as they were there by Wednesday they could pull it off. They decided to ask Harry when they would be returning to forks.

The next morning broke to a quiet room. The Cullen's all had quieted down to their own thoughts. Molly was the first to wake and smiled as she saw Esme look towards her. She slowly got out of the bed and made her way to the family standing at the edge of the room.

"Good Morning. Just so you know I'm hoping to go back to Forks today. We will have Poppy check Harry out before we leave but as long as she clears it I see no reason to remain."

Esme and Alice smiled at her gratefully. Edward looked up from where he was laying next to Bella and grinned. They would all be happy to get home. Gradually everyone woke up. They were all stirring about the room gathering their meager belongings when Harry woke with a gasp. Ginny sat up quickly grabbing Harry as he started to fling himself out of bed.

"Harry it's ok. I'm right here. Nothing is happening. Just relax it was just a dream." she said pulling him towards her. She rocked him for only a few seconds before he sat up and leaned over the edge of the bed. She rubbed his back and conjured a cool rag for his neck as he threw up beside the bed. "It's ok Love. It's going to be ok."

Molly rushed to their side bustling about cleaning things and feeling Harry's forehead. He was cold to the touch and very pale. It worried her to see him look like that. He had a lost look in his eyes briefly as she looked at him closely.

"Mum he's ok. It's just a reaction to the dream he just had. We knew that when he finally opened up that his dreams would get worse and they have. Just give him some air to breath. And maybe a glass of water to clear the taste out." Ginny said still rubbing his back.

Ron suddenly appeared with a glass of water. Hermione followed with a basin for him to spit it out in if he needed to. Molly stepped away allowing them to tend Harry and turned pale face herself to her husband. He quietly put his arms around her and held her as she started to cry.

Edward stepped towards Bill and whispered something in his ear. Bill nodded and as he did so a piano appeared near Edward. Edward than walked over to Rosalie and whispered low into her ear. She smiled slightly and agreed with a nod. Edward walked over to the piano and started to play a muggle song. As he played several members of the D.A entered followed by Minerva McGonagall and other professors who had been in the Order. Andromeda and Narcissa followed slowly not knowing if they should. Bill looked at them questionably and Neville simply lifted his coin. Bill smiled knowingly as the music began to swell and Rosalie's soft beautiful voice joined in.

Harry sat up leaning on Ginny as the song rang out in the room. Others joined him around his bed. Silent tears fell from their eyes as they listened to Rosalie.

"Remember Me, when you look into the sky above the clouds, remember me we saw you standing there among the crowds and age to age and heart to heart bound by grace and peace. Child of wonder child of grace I remember you remember me."

Tears fell from Harry's eyes but not of pain but of the sorrow he felt as he remembered those he lost. He remembered all the stories of his parents and the memories Severus had given him of his mother. He remembered the quiet times of talking with Sirius. He remembered how it felt to realize that some one wanted him. He remembered Remus and his patient instructions on doing his patronus. He remembered the joy his old professor and friend had at the birth of his son. As he remembered Tonks he took the baby from Andromeda and held him close. He remembered her klutzy tendencies and all of the times she had made them laugh. He remembered Fred and the look on his face when he gave them the money for the shop. He remembered the pranks and the joys that he had shared with him. As he listened to the song he could remember all the good times.

"Remember Me, that it wasn't just a memory they gave remember me we gave our lives you see that is the mystery for eternity and age to age and heart to heart bound by grace and peace child of wonder child of god. I remember you remember me."

Harry cried and looked at the baby and then to the portraits who just watched him with silent sad eyes.

"I will remember you. I will remember you the way you deserve to be." He murmured so low that only Ginny could hear him. She gulped the lump that grew in her own throat and pulled him and the baby a bit closer. As she watched Harry mourn and grieve she heard the music change. Jasper had walked up towards the piano. Everyone watched as the song swelled and he began to sing.

" Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin I feel you come back again and it's like you haven't been gone a moment from my side like the tears were never cried like the hands of time are holding you and me. And with all my heart I'm sure were closer than we have ever were."

George sat down next to Harry and put his arm around his sister and his almost brother. He thought about what he had lost in the war realizing that even though it hurt it was nothing in comparison of what they could have lost. Yes he had lost his twin but he would recover slowly and painfully but could he have recovered from losing Harry too. Silently the answer came to him. No he knew that he wouldn't have. Harry despite all the problems had given him the strength to go on.

"I don't have to hear or see I've got all the proof I need. There are more than angels watching over me I believe Oh I believe that when you die your life goes on it doesn't end here when your gone every soul is filled with light it never ends then if I'm right our love can even reach across eternity I believe."

Percy looked at the portrait of his brother and tears filled his eyes. As he listened to the song he started to think about how he thought of death. He started to think about how maybe he was wrong. Maybe there was more than just what they face here. Maybe life did go on. And if it did maybe he had been wasting time blaming himself and angry at the world. He started to listen closer to the song.

"Oh I believe forever your apart of me forever in the heart of me and I'll hold you even longer if I can. The people who don't see the most say that I believe in ghosts and if that makes me crazy than I am. Cause I believe. There are more than angels watching over me I believe Oh I believe. Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin I feel you come back again and I believe."

Everyone seemed lost in thought as the song ended. Percy looked towards his family thinking of a way to say what was on his mind.

"Do you think that we go on to a different place when we die?" he asked quietly. Every one started to answer until they heard a quiet voice start to speak. Molly turned to watch as Harry started to speak handing the baby back to Andromeda. He pulled Ginny close to him as he spoke. They all fell silent.

"I know that we do. I've been there. When we die we go to a wonderful place it's so peaceful and quiet. No more pain, no sorrow, no parting just beauty as far as the eye can see." Harry answered. Every one looked at him they knew about the killing curse but they didn't think they had came that close to losing him. They had all believed that he had just been knocked out.

"There not like you know alone up there are they?" Ron asked shyly.

"No they are all together and they know each other. I was met up there by Professor Dumbledore. He explained a lot of things to me. He was also the one that told me I had a choice."

"what choice Harry?" Ginny asked holding him tighter.

"the choice to come back or stay. I told you about that remember. But what I didn't tell you is how close I came to staying. I knew about everyone who had died and it was so peaceful there. By that time I was so tired and just wanted to rest but as I thought about it I realized that there was only one choice to make. I had to come back. I had to finish what I started and a certain young red head of the female persuasion wouldn't let me stay. I had to come back for her if nothing else." Harry said calmly.

Ginny cried into his shoulder as she realized what he had said. Several pairs of eyes watched as he pulled her to him comforting her this time. Molly noticed that Harry knew just what to do and what to say to make it better. She knew that this relationship was special. But she had never thought that her daughter would bring him back from the brink of death. Suddenly the two young people in front of them took on a whole new light. They were truly made for each other.

"Edward could you tell me where you ever came up with those songs and how you knew they would help?" Arthur asked kindly.

"They are two songs from the states. You hear them quite often played at funerals and their message often help those who are mourning. I thought that they might help you at this time." Edward said.

Molly and Arthur started talking with Minerva when Harry sighed and walked over to them.

"I think it's time we all head on home. We have disrupted the school for far too long. And if I'm not mistaken we still have wedding plans to finish. I hope that you will be there on Saturday Professor." Harry said kindly and sincerely.

"Of course Mr. Potter you couldn't keep me away. And feel free to visit us here anytime." Minerva said truthfully.

The families hurried about preparing to leave for Forks that day. Harry seemed a bit distracted at times. But Carlisle kept saying that it was all normal beings how many bad memories he had drug up during the days before. So they tried to ignore the tiresome tension that seemed to cover them all. No one knew what to expect as they watched Harry gathering his meager belongings that he had there. He turned and smiled slightly taking Ginny's hand and lead the way to the fireplace.

Every one arrived at his small house in Forks with in minutes. Bella was nervous about what they were going to tell Charlie but Harry promised to go with her to explain things so she went to stay with the Cullen's until Harry was ready. Slowly they put things away and got settled back in. Molly and Arthur said their goodbyes saying they would be back well before the wedding. They wanted a little time to process everything they had learned over the past few days. Soon enough every one followed their lead and left Harry, Ginny and George alone to rest in their own home. It had been such a bad few days that even they couldn't help but want to be alone.