Ginny was dead on her feet. As she sneaked into the kitchen, she rubbed her eyes and sighed.
The kitchen looked more like a battleground. Mutinous groups of elves rearranged pots and pans and knives that they had used to fight the Death Eaters with, and packets of pepper and chili flakes littered the floor - Ginny would have had been extremely amused if she hadn't been so exhausted.
''The bloodtraitor brat is here, Kreacher wonders what she wants.''
Ginny looked down, startled. Kreacher, of course, stood there, a huge locket hanging proudly on his bony chest. He wore a tea towel imprinted with the Hogwarts crest.
Ginny frowned. The locket looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. It was extremely unusual for house-elves to sport jewelry though, and she cocked one fine eyebrow at him.
''Kreacher. I was wondering if you could pack some sandwiches and a jug of pumpkin juice for us – for Harry , actually- he's sleeping now but I am pretty sure he'd be ravenous when he wakes up – ''
Kreacher started nodding his head almost maniacally.
''Kreacher will bring food to Master Harry, oh yes he will, right away –''
And off he went, followed by three other enthusiastic elves as they set about buttering breads and preparing the grills.
Ginny was astonished. Master Harry? Since when did Kreacher take orders as such?
Shaking her head as if to get rid of thoughts, she decided to ponder later. She dragged her feet and exited the kitchen, the door shutting firmly behind her, and spotted Hannah Abbott.
''Hello Ginny. Have you heard about Megan Jones? ''
Ginny nodded, already feeling sick. ''She's alive, isn't she?''
Hannah burst into almost hysterical laughter. ''Oh, Ginny, every news isn't horrible!''
Ginny sighed, nodding, allowing a small smile. '' Go on then. What did she do?''
''Pansy Parkinson was in the Great Hall, apparently looking for Malfoy, and she said something nasty about Harry and Hermione, and Megan hit her with the Rana Effusorium hex. Madam Pomfrey said she was too busy to deal with childish pranks so now she has to wait till someone fixes her.''
Hannah finished with great relish. Ginny laughed.
''So now she's just sitting in the Great Hall with Frogs coming out of her nasty mouth?''
Hannah nodded, laughing. '' Malfoy tried to fix it with wandless magic- wonder what happened to them – not a single Malfoy has a wand on their person – and just managed to change it from frogs to toads. ''
They snickered for a while, when Hannah asked the inevitable.
''D'you know where Harry is? He's alright though, isn't he?''
Ginny nodded, and leaned in to whisper – ''Dead tired, sleeping like a log- don't tell anyone – I have no idea how there are already reporters in the great hall!''
As Ginny walked up the spiral stairs to Harry's dorm, she thought about what Hannah said.
''V-Voldemort took down the wards right before the first attack, you know- I heard Professor Flitwick talking about it. Until the wards are back up, anyone can enter the grounds and leave as they please.''
She wanted to talk to someone about this- with so many Death Eaters on loose, shouldn't they try to put the wards back up?
As she pulled an armchair to sit in front of Harry's bed, she swished her wand and produced a feeble patronus.
''Tell Kingsley the wards are down and anyone can come and go as they please. This is a security risk.''
The horse neighed silently and galloped away, as Ginny tucked her wand behind her ear and gave in to sleep, but not before sending off another patronus to her father.
Kingsley Shaklebolt wasn't very impressed with his Aurors.
''The orders were very clear, Dawlish. Contact the Magical Law Enforcement and Department of Magical Travels to ensure no one – No One leaves the country.''
Dawlish sniffed, levitating a fallen gargoyle out of the doorway.
''You aren't the boss, Kingsley. Even so, the ministry is in disarray. Dolores Umbridge needed some urgent work done – ''
''Dolores Umbridge is a criminal, as I am sure you very well know! The urgent work she needed done is fleeing from the country- ''
A horse patronus galloped next to him and started speaking in Ginny's voice.
Kingsley cocked his head, listening, and nodded. The same thought had, of course, occurred to him as well.
''Please, now you are taking orders from teenagers?'' Dawlish snorted, ill-disguised contempt in his tone.
''Teenagers who dueled with Bellatrix Lestrange while you quaked in the corner and attempted to stun a wandless Lucius Malfoy, and missed.''
Having said his bit, Kingsley turned on his heel and stormed out of the ruins, looking around for Professor Flitwick and McGonagall.
At least temporary wards need to be put up.
Mrs. Weasley frantically looked around for her two youngest and Harry and Hermione, a terrible panic twisting her heart.
''Oh, Arthur, what should we do now! They aren't here! ''
''Calm down, Molly, they are all together I am sure- ''
''I'll go have a look-''
''No Bill, the castle is huge – where would you even start looking- ''
''The hospital wing is a good start I reckon- Charlie can check out the dorms- ''
''Yes mum don't worry-''
''Boys! No one is going anywhere!'' Arthur interjected firmly, then nodded at the horse waiting silently by his side.
The patronus opened its mouth, and Ginny's voice said –
''We four are in the dorms, sleeping- Neville and Seamus and Dean is here too – I told the elves to bring up some food so we are all set here for now. Don't worry, Dad. I won't be leaving Harry's side. I might strangle Ron, though- he's snoring like a pig.''
Charlie gave a weak chuckle as Bill relaxed his grip on his wand. Arthur nodded.
''Right then. We must leave for home, boys – none of us is in any shape to do anything other than sleep for a while.''
Mrs. Weasley really wanted to bring the four along with her, but Arthur persuaded her otherwise. Finally, they decided to use McGonagall's floo – which was remarkably still working, and went back to the Burrow.
When Harry woke up, it was dark outside. His mouth was uncomfortably dry, and his body felt as if it was being pricked by numerous little pins. Was it the aftereffect of cruciatus curse? His stomach rumbled, and he felt around for his glasses.
He was surprised to see Ginny, curled up like a cat in an armchair next to his bed, snoring softly. She had evidently taken a shower- her red curls were shiny and damp, fanning out behind her as she slept. Harry was so mesmerized he forgot everything for a second- the war, the people he lost, and most importantly, a brother she lost because of him.
Fred.
It was like a punch to his gut, as he realized all over again that Fred Weasley wasn't coming back, no matter what he did.
He looked around- the bed to his left was all rumpled up, and he could barely see Ron tangled in all those blankets. Only his flaming red hair was visible, spread over the pillow.
He noiselessly flung his blanket aside, noting the pain in his ribs. He had acquired so many wounds over the course of a few months he'd stopped counting them.
He sat at the edge of the bed for a second, unsure what to do. Then he spotted the plate of sandwiches next to his bed and the pumpkin juice next to it- someone had put a cooling charm on the jug – and realized his stomach was grumbling.
With a start, Harry realized he hadn't eaten for at least two days. He tucked into the food, eating as much as he could- the plate kept refilling.
Harry fished out his cloak from within the mokeskin pouch, and tip-toed out of the tower. He had no idea where he was going, he only knew he needed to get away, away from all the bodies lain down in the great hall, away from the injured in the hospital wing, from the ruins of his first home.
When he finally stopped walking, he realized he was in front of the Forbidden Forest. Centaurs milled around, sniffing, apparently trying to locate his scent. He gingerly avoided the herd even as he saw Firoze and Bane arguing about sending herbs to Madam Pomfrey for healing cuts and wounds.
What was he looking for? With a jerk, Harry straightened up. Unbeknownst to him, he had been looking for the resurrection stone.
Harry started running in the opposite direction, breathing in short deep bursts – the resurrection stone was the deadliest hallow. He couldn't use it again – isn't that why he decided to let go of it?
Finally, he stopped near the pumpkin field behind Hagrid's cottage.
No, it wasn't enough.
''Kreacher!'' He hissed out. With a soft pop, the elf appeared beside him.
He bowed low, nose almost touching the ground.
''Master calls for Kreacher?''
''Take me back to Grimmauld place, please.''
Kreacher nodded, and took hold of Harry's hand. They disappeared with a pop! -that startled Fang the boarhound, who had been sniffing about for some rabbits.
Gryffindor Dorms were in chaos. Ron and Hermione, immediately after waking up, panicked for a good five minutes, then determinedly set out to search for their friend. Anybody they came across, they held at wand point and demanded to know whether they'd seen Harry. After a while, they both realized it was a fruitless endeavor, for Harry rarely travelled without his cloak.
Ginny sent several Patronus to the aurors they knew, including Kingsley, who hurried in to the common room along with McGonagall and in hushed voices promised them to look around for Harry and warned them to not let the word spread that their savior was missing less than a day after the war was over.
Exhausted, Hermione plopped down into the red couch in front of the fireplace, almost in tears.
''What if a Death Eater caught hold of him? What if they are torturing him now?''
Ron, grim-faced, sat down next to her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulder.
''This is not a public place, you know- you need a password to get in – no regards for rules, you lot-'' The fat lady continued berating, as a harassed looking Arthur stepped in, straightening his cloak.
''Right, listen up.'' He spoke, and everyone fell silent.
Arthur had meant to capture the attention of his own kids, Hermione, and possibly Neville. As the whole Gryffindor swiveled their heads around to look at him, he felt quite nervous.
''Right, so err, this can't go on, obviously. The professors and Aurors are searching the castle. We are quite sure Harry isn't at his Aunt's house, so that leaves the ministry – although Molly thinks he isn't there either – we'll have a look at Lupin's cottage, Diagon Alley, Godric's Hollow, and any other place he might be-''
''Please, Mr. Weasley, what about Grimmauld Place?'' Hermione asked, raising her hand as if she were in class.
''Blimey, why would he be there? Place is a nightmare!'' Ron exclaimed.
''Couldn't hurt to look.'' Ginny shrugged, already reaching for her wand.
And so it was decided. Pairing up, they set off to look for their troublesome friend.
Hermione and Ron approached Number 12 Grimmauld Place with some trepidation.
''Are we sure this is safe?''
''As safe as it ever was, I reckon.'' Ron murmured, wand out.
The front door was slightly ajar, and Hermione gasped. There was an eerie silence within the hallway- the troll's leg was knocked over, as if Tonks had tripped it as she very often did, and the place looked desolated.
''He can't be here- look at the state of this place-''
''Shh!'' Hermione hissed at Ron to be silent. The hair at the back of her neck stood up, as if expecting someone to leap out from within the shadows to curse at them any minute now.
''Expelliarmus!'' Harry's voice rang out from the stairs above them.
There was a bang as the curse was deflected, and another, deeper, scratchy voice yelled out- ''Crucio!''
Ron leaped forward and ran up the stairs, taking two at a time, while Hermione followed him in hot pursuit-
''Protego!'' Harry yelled, followed by a quick Reducto. There was another bang as something heavy dropped to the ground, shaking the entire second floor.
Ron reached the second bedroom to the left, where Harry stood by the window, panting. Across him lay a man pinned to the ground by a heavy shelf. Harry jabbed his wand at the intruder and stunned him, before turning to Ron.
''What spell did you use to knock out the troll in first year?''
''What – err Wingardiam Leviosa? Although that didn't knock him out- the stupid club did.''
''Harry! Who is that?'' Hermione demanded, skidding to a halt beside Ron.
''I think he might be Edmund Rowle. '' Harry said, binding the stunned death eater.
''Thorfinne Rowle's brother?'' Hermione asked, brows scrunched up. She remembered that enormous blonde death eater from their sixth year.
Harry nodded, then looked around. ''did you see anyone else when you came in?''
Ron shook his head. '' How come he brought you here?''
Harry glanced up, very confused. ''Who brought me where?''
Hermione pointed at the now bound death eater –
''Didn't he kidnap you from Hogwarts?''
''What are you talking about? Kidnap? Kreacher brought me here!''
Instantly, Harry realized it was probably the wrong thing to say. Ron looked furious, while Hermione narrowed her eyes like a hawk and advanced towards him, wand raised threateningly.
''You mean to say, Harry James Potter, that you voluntarily came here? Without warning anyone or even leaving a damned letter explaining your whereabouts? Immediately after the war? With Death Eaters fleeing everywhere and seeking revenge – you – you arse!''
Hermione's voice had become very shrill indeed, and Harry yelped and ducked as her wand shot a bit of sparks.
''I-well – Hogwarts felt a bit, I dunno – suffocating, so I thought- ''
''So you thought you'd disappear into thin air and we'd just sit there twiddling our thumbs waiting for you? It never occurred to you what we'd feel- waking up and seeing you gone – ''
''That was a shite thing to do, mate.'' Ron nodded sagely, inching away from Hermione whose wand was now almost at Harry's nose.
''I am sorry. Sorry!'' Harry pleaded, his back almost to the wall.
Hermione waved her wand and huffed. Harry felt his nose grow very round, and very red.
As Ron started laughing, Harry quickly turned to the mirror and sighed.
Hermione had turned him into a clown.
Figures.
''Come on let's go back – everyone is worried.'' Ron said, after his snickers stopped.
Harry shook his head. ''I can't okay?''
''Why not?'' Hermione demanded, hands on hips.
Harry wearily sat down on the dusty bed, casually stunning Rowle again, who had begun to stir.
''It's my fault. All those people – Remus, Tonks, Colin, F-Fred – '' Harry choked up, half expecting Ron to clout him over the head.
''Lost his plot, he has.'' Ron threw his hands up in air.
Hermione gingerly sat down beside Harry, and put a hand on his shoulder.
''Harry. What are you talking about? How is any of this your fault? If anything, you saved us all-''
''No!He wanted me – he said as much! He only wanted to kill me, and I hesitated – if I had gone sooner, if I found those darned horcruxes sooner, none of this would happen – ''
''Harry.'' Hermione interjected firmly. '' Look at me, Harry. I am a mudblood. ''
Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Hermione silenced him with a glance.
''Say you did go to him when he demanded. Do you really think everybody else would have survived? All the other mudbloods would be dead, Harry. And the Weasleys? Lovegoods? Bones? Abbotts? Longbottom? – Bloodtraitors, all of them. They'd be the next target. You saved them. You saved us.''
''You stopped the war, you prat. Fred….no body blames you for that.'' Ron said, coming to sit on the other side.
After a while, Ron stopped talking and simply listened to Hermione as she consoled and cajoled the stupid git. Ron was rubbish at consoling people – halfway through the previous conversation he said something like Colin would've followed Harry to the ends of the world even in death, and Hermione had glared at him as Harry looked absolutely miserable.
In the end, at Harry's request, they left him there in Grimmauld Place.
''I need some time. I can't face anyone right now.'' Harry had moaned.
As Ron and Hermione apparated back to Hogsmeade, they couldn't help but worry for their friend.
True, Harry Potter saved the world.
But who will save the Savior from his own misplaced guilt?
Not for the first time, Ron fervently wished Sirius Black could be here.
Guys, I have no idea where I am going with the story. A little feedback would be nice.