Disclaimer: I own no part of this story except for the plot and spell work. J. K. Rowling owns everything else, including dozens of hours of my life that I am dedicating to this story.

Author's Note: You just thought that I was going to forget to update before I left for Cancun. Well guess what? You don't have just one chapter but two! Although the first is short, what was said was needed and the second…well there's nothing quite like a Quidditch match. But, by the time you finish reading these chapters, I'll likely be relaxing on the warm beaches of Cancun…thinking about what I need to do next week when I update sometime. Until then, enjoy.

Chapter 11: True Love Pulls Through

"We are facing difficult times; times in which hope is hard to find and even harder to grasp and not let go of. We are surrounded by despair; the loss of friends and loved ones continue to stack upon one another as we continue to experience the terrible effects of war. Voldemort is strong, but he is using something even stronger than himself to defeat us. We face fear on a daily basis; the fear of Voldemort— we fear for our families—and we fear for ourselves."

"Each day we return to our homes, hoping and praying that we will not find that death has taken our family members from us. Each day we fear that it might be the last day that we will be able to spend time with those we love. Each day we fear that this day might be our last."

"Fear is a powerful ally. Fear cannot be beaten on any physical battlefield nor can it ever truly be destroyed. Voldemort knows this and has worked hard to create an image of fear that constantly surrounds him. With this image, Voldemort believes himself invincible against the helpless defenders of the Light. However, Voldemort is wrong; fear can be fought. Fear can be pushed away for it is only an emotion. But to push fear away, we need an even stronger emotion to fill the void that is created in its absence."

Harry looked over the assembled reporters. They were all taking notes as quickly as possible, hanging on his every word. Harry knew what this interview would mean. This was a chance to battle the despair that had plagued England since Voldemort had returned. This was a chance that they could not lose. A chance to finally turn the tide of this war around.

"Only two emotions are truly strong enough to fight against fear; one of which is hope. After the battle at the Ministry, my speech to the Aurors was broadcast across Europe. You have heard me speak about hope and how crucial it is to our struggle. Each of the brave men and women who defended our Ministry were fighting for hope. Every man and woman who lost their lives in that battle was fighting for the hope of living a life without Voldemort. You all know about hope and how it allowed us to triumph over Voldemort during that battle. Hope I have spoken to you about—love I have not.

"Love; it is one of the most complex words in the English language for there is no true definition for it. Love can be an emotion that we feel towards those that we hold dear. Love can be the choice of putting someone else's needs before yours. Love is a simple four letter word that can change someone's life."

"Since the beginning of time, love has battled the darkness that has threatened to consume our world. The Dementors are among the darkest creatures that walk this earth and can be fought only with the love that we focus into a Patronus. The Dementors, the epitome of evil, cannot stand love and neither can Voldemort."

Harry paused and took a deep breath before continuing.

"It was my mother's love that allowed me to survive Voldemort's attack sixteen years ago. It was my mother's love that allowed our magical world to return to the way it was before Voldemort had begun destroying all that we hold dear. The love of a single person influenced the world in an unimaginable way…The love that we have for our friends and family can still influence our world in an unimaginable way."

"You don't have to be an Auror to fight Voldemort. You don't have to be on the front lines trying to protect those who cannot protect themselves. You do not have to play an active part in this war to make a difference. You only have to exhibit two emotions that will allow our fight against the darkness to continue. Love and Hope are two things that you can provide for those who are actively fighting Voldemort. Love and Hope are two emotions that will help the light triumph over darkness. Voldemort cannot win this war as long as we still hold true to these two emotions."

"There are many people in life that I love and who love me in return. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I love them and have fought to keep them safe ever since I first stepped into Hogwarts. Ron was recently killed by Voldemort while saving my life, but I can still feel his love and it guides me on a daily basis. Arthur and Molly Weasley have treated me like a son since the first day I met them. Their love had helped me overcome struggles that I would have previously believed impossible. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin have always been there for me as they were there for my mother and father. Sirius is also on the list of those killed while fighting Voldemort, fighting once again to protect me."

"Albus Dumbledore; words cannot express what Albus Dumbledore has done for me. He has been a constant friend, guardian, and teacher and will always have a special place in my heart."

Harry paused, knowing that he had to continue, yet hesitant because he knew that there was no going back after he said this statement. Harry had been constantly thinking since Hermione had spoken to him about Ginny shortly after Ron's death. Harry had weighed the consequences and had done his best to persuade himself that he was right; that what he was doing was best for both himself and Ginny. Finally, after many hours of thought marked by indecision, Harry had finally come to the conclusion he had been so adamant in avoiding.

Harry began once again in a quiet voice that the reporters were barely able to catch.

"Ginny Weasley; Ginny has been my source of strength and companionship for several years. What started as a friendship developed into much more. I could not have survived my seventh year at Hogwarts without her constant love and comfort. I would not be here today, celebrating our victory over Voldemort and mourning the loss of many fine men and women, had it not been for her. I owe Ginny Weasley much more than I can ever pay back. However, rather than continue sharing my love with her in hopes of appeasing some of my everlasting debt, I isolated myself to protect her. Her devoted love was ignored and unreturned by someone who thought that he was doing them all a favor. I was foolish in my thinking, but I have taken to heart what I have spoken to you about today. Ginny Weasley, while not on the battlefield, has been providing me with the love and hope that I have needed. I will no longer ignore her love because it has been the only thing that has allowed me to live as long as I have. Ginny Weasley's love, while just the love of one person, has made a monumental impact on my life and possibly on the world. Take to heart what I have spoken to you about today. All will be lost if you ignore it. "

"Yesterday marked a momentous day in the war against Voldemort. Yesterday's battle at the Ministry was the first battle won by the light, one of many more to come. The road is still going to be difficult and we will still lose some of those that we hold dear, but we will defeat Voldemort and his followers."

"However, we must still remember those who have lost their lives fighting against Voldemort. We go on with our lives, but we will never forget the ultimate sacrifice these men and women made. Honor them and mourn their loss, but do not forget what they were fighting for. These men and women gave their lives for their beliefs and I can only hope that, if the time ever comes, we will all be able to do the same."

Harry stepped down from the podium as cameras flashed from every direction. Harry slowly began to walk towards the doors, nodding and speaking quietly to those he knew; providing an excellent opportunity for the reporters to get candid shots of the famous Auror.

However, there was one reporter that sat still in her chair; one reporter that covered her face as tears began to flow. She knew that many of her fellow colleagues were unmoved by Harry's passionate speech, but such was the life of a reporter. Few reporters actually had a heart anymore; they were simply looking to get the story they were assigned. She looked over her notes, making sure that she had caught everything that Harry had said. She would make sure that every word was published in its full splendor, because not everyone was as heartless as her fellow reporters are. She too had been as heartless as her colleagues once, but Harry had caused an unbelievable change in her life. She now felt and returned the love of her family and friends and lived a life that she thought she had lost forever. Harry spoke of owing Ginny so much, but it was nothing in comparison to what she owed Harry. Harry's speech would make a difference in this war; she would make sure of that.

Rita Skeeter slowly composed herself, taking no note of the streaked mascara caused by her tears, and walked silently out the door to return to the Daily Prophet.