(A/N: well we're beginning to reach the end here, so I'm guessing only a few more chapters to go. I'll be relieved once it's all done, but I will sorely missing writing it! But have no fear, I'm thinking of an idea for another story, we'll just see how that goes...Whew! What a crazy week! I've got activites every day except Friday but that is when I unfortunately need a social life and Saturday where I earn my money for the week babysitting so...this leaves Sunday night. I wish it could be differently but for now...we'll just have to adapt. A big thanks to those who reviewed! Here's 31 and I'll say it upfront: it's got no D/Hr so for those of you who want them...just wait until a later chapter. I promise I'll do something with our favorite couple. That's about all I have to say so enjoy!)

Usual Disclaimer

To my lovely reviewers...

Dracoisahottie13: you're review was so enthusiastic it made me sit down and write! Thank you, it was exactly what I needed since I had no idea where I wanted to go with this chapter! You have no idea how much your words meant to me, I'm thrilled to hear that I've gone above you're expectations! So a big thank you to you!

SOBs 4 Sirius 223: yes I'm rather glad they're both alive myself, too much death lately! Hope this chapter's good enough for being so awaited! Thanks for your review!

Smiles28: thank you so much for telling your friends about this story. It's so nice to hear...I'd love to hear from some of them! Hope this chapter is to you're liking! Thanks again, for reviewing!

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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: SURRENDERS

Neville slowly opened his eyes; his blurry vision finally adjusting to the brilliant sunlight that made it's way through the white curtains in the hospital wing. Looking around him, he noticed that several beds were full...more than normal, and he was confused. But then, the events from yesterday tumbled atop of him, drowning Neville in memories.

As his recollections ended, he frowned. Harry was back...

Silently cursing himself for his selfishness, he sighed; he was happy Harry was back, he really was. There was only one thing that made him look at Harry's return as a negative thing....a certain female Weasley, and it was she, who was the cause of this internal turmoil.

Neville had known she loved Harry. She'd said it herself many times after his death, and Neville had been there by her side trying to help ease her pain. But knowing she loved someone else didn't hurt...not when he knew that that person was not a threat. But Harry was back! He was back and it was obvious that his feelings towards Ginny hadn't changed at all since his death. And to this Neville fumed, he and Ginny were on the road to a solid relationship, he knew that he had been her second choice and couldn't have been happier about it...so why did Harry have to come and ruin everything? What did he have that Neville didn't?

To the last remark, he chided himself. How could he have so daft? Harry was THE Harry Potter, he was rich, famous, a fabulous Quidditch player, and a much better student than Neville. He was Ron's best friend, and with that status alone, everything could work out with Ginny, for Harry was the first candidate Ron would choose for his baby sister's boyfriend.

But since being jealous of Harry was nothing new, Neville did what he always did... he swallowed his feelings.

Glancing at the people surrounding him, Neville's gaze immediately fell on the red-head who laid in the bed to the left of him. Her pale but freckly skin, her vibrant red-head that fit her passionate fiery personality perfectly, and her full pink lips were all resting peacefully. Besides a few cuts and bruises on her arms, she appeared to have not been harmed. For this, Neville was grateful.

Maybe it was because Ginny felt Neville's eyes on her, or maybe it was because the morning sun had risen much in the few moments Neville had been awake, but either way, her eyes fluttered open. "Neville?" she whispered, confused when she noticed he'd been staring at her

His heart leaped. He'd never heard his name be the first to pass through her lips in the morning, and he feasted in the realization, fully aware that it would not happen again.

"mm?" he responded

Apparently not having a question that she'd wanted to know the answer to; she looked around the hospital wing at Harry lying to her left, and Ron, Draco, and Hermione on the opposite side of the room. "How are they?" she asked

Snapping out of his trance, Neville glanced at the three faces from across the room. "Ron was hurt the worst. And he and Hermione are going to have the worst emotional scars I think"

"Them and Harry" Ginny said simply.

Neville cursed, why did everything suddenly relate to him now that he was back?! "Yea" he said not knowing what else to say

"But that's almost not fair to say," Ginny continued "I think we all went through some pretty heavy stuff yesterday. I mean first with the Death Eaters attacking Hogsmeade, and then Draco and Hermione leaving, Hermione getting captured, Harry coming back, Hermione having to choose between Draco and Harry, and then that last battle. It really is bloody amazing that we all made it out of there alive"

"We were lucky Dumbledore got there, when he did. I think Wormtail would have killed me seconds later."

Ginny blinked a few times, eyes focused on Neville intently. She smiled sadly at him and then leaned closer on the edge of her bed. "I never got to thank you for saving me yesterday. With Wormtail I mean. I'm very grateful, and I'm sure Harry and my family and well...everyone who cares about me will thank you at one point or another"

"I care about you Ginny. And that's why I did what I did. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if you'd died."

"I care about you too Neville. And I will be forever in your debt for saving me. Just think, I would have never been able to see Harry once he was back" With this, she glanced fondly at the raven-haired boy in the bed beside her; a look that was like a slap in the face to Neville.

"S-So you two are back together then?" He asked timidly

"Yes of course. Who would have guessed huh?" She smiled

"Y-Yea." He said solemly, suddenly becoming very interested with his thumbs.

Ginny frowned. "Neville you don't still have feelings for me do you?" she asked slowly

No response.

Sighing, Ginny heaved herself out of bed and walked the foot or so to Neville bed, where she sat lightly on the edge and lifted his gaze to meet her alight eyes. They sat like that for a few moments, Ginny staring in Neville's eyes, attempting to see past all the barriers he'd put up.

"You still love me don't you?" she whispered finally

Taking a deep breath Neville nodded. "Yes"

"You weren't counting on Harry coming back were you? You wanted to be with me."

"I doubt anybody was counting on Harry coming back" He said gently

"And now you don't know what to do since you know that I still love Harry; is that right?"

"Bloody Hell you're good"

She shrugged, "I try"

Letting out another sigh Neville said, "Yes you're precisely right"

"Well what do you want to do about it?"

"Do? There's nothing to do! I love you and you love Harry. It's as simple as that"

"No it's not. Love triangles don't work Neville."

"I'm not asking for this to be a love triangle. In fact, that's the last thing I want."

"I'm so sorry this had to happen Neville, I truly am."

"It's fine, it's nothing new. But--"

"No it's not fine. You're my friend. You've been my best friend and I would have never gotten so far after the war without you. You've given me everything I needed. What have I given to you?"

"Look Ginny, you mean more to me than you think. Just being around you and being able to hug you and stuff was enough. Of course I'll always have wished things could have gotten more serious but it's cause you mean so much to me, that I'm stepping down. You're happiness means a lot of me and even though it seems like there will never be anyone else, I'm sure someday there will be"

"Neville--"

"Ah! No! Stop it!" A voice rang out. Looking in the direction it came from, the two saw Harry fidgeting in his bed, arms thrashing everywhere. Tears slipped down his face as he cried out.

"Go on" Neville said softly, motioning to Harry. Ginny looked up at him, eyes glazed over.

"You sure?" she asked

"Positive. I'll always love you Gin. Just remember that I'm here."

"I promise. Thanks for everything Neville." She said kissing his cheek.

"Go on" he urged again "He needs you more than me"

Nodding, Ginny made her way across the room to where Harry lay, twitching more than ever, caught in his dream world. Bending down, Ginny softly brushed her hand up and down his face, smoothing out his hair with the other.

"Shh....it's okay. I'm here." She whispered lovingly into his ear. After several moments of coaxing Harry finally quieted and opened his eyes, his face breaking into a grin the moment he saw Ginny.

"Hey" he whispered

Laughing, she rested her head on her elbows, sitting on the floor, her face lying on the edge of the bed, only a few precious inches from Harry's. "Hey"

"What a day yesterday huh?"

"Yes...it was quite a day"

Without warning, Harry suddenly captured her lips with his, showering her face with kisses. "I'm so lucky you're mine" he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

Suddenly, uncomfortable with Harry's words while Neville was only a few feet away, she looked up to see his reaction. Giving her a reassuring smile, Neville said to no one in particular, "You've got no idea how lucky"

(A/N: Almost done here I can feel it! Review please!)