Harry didn't know exactly when he passed out, but he woke up with a certain redhead standing over him.
"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed. Ron shifted in his sleep, but didn't wake. Harry figured he had passed out, too.
"About time you woke up, that took me about twenty minutes."
"How long have I been asleep?" asked Harry, reaching for his glasses.
"About eighteen hours." said Ginny. Harry looked at her.
"You want to know why I made you think I was dead." said Harry. Ginny nodded.
"Just so you know, Ron and Hermionie thought I was dead, too. Everybody did."
"I know that. Just explain yourself before I decide to hex you." said Ginny. Harry sighed.
"I went into the forest during the break in the battle. I thought I was going to die, myself." said Harry.
"Why, though? There wasn't any reason, other than being your noble self."
"There actually was. Have you ever heard of a horcrux?" asked Harry.
"No. What is it?" asked Ginny.
"It's a part of somebody's soul that they conceal in an object. You have to split your soul to make one, and for that you need to murder somebody." said Harry. Ginny seemed shocked.
"And Voldemort had one?" she asked.
"He had seven. His Diary, the Gaunt ring, Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem, and his snake, Nagini." explained Harry. Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"Harry, you said there were seven. You didn't mean there were seven parts to his soul, don't lie." said Ginny. Harry thought for a minute. He hadn't had to directly say it to Ron and Hermionie because they already knew all about the horcruxes, but Ginny didn't.
"I was a horcrux, too." said Harry quietly. It was the first time Harry had said it that directly. It still scared him, but he just had to remind himself that he wasn't a horcrux anymore. To Harry's slight surprise, Ginny didn't look at him like he was contagious.
"Why does that lead to you getting yourself killed?"
"Because Avada Kedavra is one of the three ways of destroying a horcrux, and It's also the only painless way. I really didn't fancy getting stabbed with a Basilisk fang, or being set on fire. Besides, Voldemort wouldn't have rested until he killed me." said Harry. Ginny still seemed angry, but she seemed to be less angry then when Harry had first woken up.
"And why did you ditch me for eight months?" she asked.
"We were hunting down the horcruxes." Ginny's eyes narrowed again.
"Why didn't you tell me what you were up to?"
"We had protective enchantments everywhere, and we were on the run." said Harry.
"That doesn't excuse you, Potter." said Ginny. Harry laughed, which annoyed Ginny.
"Really, we're resorting to surnames?" he asked her.
"Yes, unless you're willing to accept being hexed into oblivion." said Ginny cooly.
"You were the last thing I thought of. Before he hit me with that killing curse." said Harry quietly. Ginny bit her lip. Suddenly, another figure rose from Ron's bed.
"What did you just say?" Ron asked angrily.
"I said Ginny was the last thing I thought of before Voldemort hit me with a killing curse." said Harry, swinging around to face him. He was still sore where Voldemort had hit him with the killing curse. Ron's eyes narrowed.
"And what exactly are your intentions with my sister?" asked Ron, his eyes still menacing.
"I love her, plain and simple." said Harry. Ron didn't move.
"Prove it." he said. Harry raised his eyebrows.
"You sure you want me too?" asked Harry. Ron's face seemed to relax.
"Yeah. I do." said Ron confidently. Harry turned to Ginny, and pressed his lips onto hers. She didn't object. He grabbed her around the waist and gently pulled her onto the bed on top of him. He kissed her passionately, even more so than back at The Burrow all those months ago. He ran his hands through her hair, wrapped in the sweet flowery smell he had grown so accustomed to last year. He had missed this. After what felt like an eternity, they broke apart. Harry hadn't noticed another figure rise from Ron's bed, watching. Harry felt himself go red.
"That was quite a show, Harry." said Hermionie, giggling. Harry ignored her comment.
"Does that prove that I love Ginny?" asked Harry.
"Yeah. Yeah it does." said Ron faintly. Harry then turned to Ginny.
"Do you forgive me?" he asked pleadingly.
"Yes. I forgive you." she said. Harry kissed her cheek in response.
"Don't think I've forgotten that you're both in bed together." said Harry, turning back to Ron and Hermionie.
"I didn't mean to," said Hermione defensively. "I just fell asleep."
"Don't kid yourself Hermionie, you wanted this." said Ron, grinning. Suddenly, George Weasley opened the door to the dormitory, and he seemed slightly surprised to see Hermione sitting in Ron's bed.
"I was going to say that Mum wanted you three to come eat something, but I've obviously missed something here." he said, suppressing laughter. "Since when were you two an item?"
"Since last night. It only took me yelling at them to break apart." said Harry. Ron shot him a look.
"Why?" Ron mouthed. In an instant, Harry was reminded of Fred's death, and his heart sank.
"I'm so sorry." said Harry in a hollow voice. "It's all my fault. If I realized- I would have gone straight to Voldemort, nobody would have died."
"It's not your fault, Harry. Fred knew the stakes, we all did." said George. Harry could tell it was the first time he had said his twin's name since yesterday, and Harry felt even worse. George left the room, and Harry had never felt more guilt in his life. He had wrenched a family apart, and it wasn't even necessary.
"I was so stupid. I should have realized I was a horcrux, it was obvious. It explains mine and Voldemort's connection, how I was a parselmouth-"
"Harry, you weren't stupid. That hasn't ever happened in history." said Hermione.
"C'mon, let's go eat. I'm starving." said Ron. Harry nodded. He walked hand in hand with Ginny, Ron with Hermione. As they made their way to the great hall, they passed the wall that had been blasted apart. Harry let his hand slip out of Ginny's and stared. It was worse than he had remembered. The dust and stone lay strewn over the sight where Fred's life was lost. Ron and Hermione had realized, too. Ginny had been walking a little ahead until she noticed the three standing at the wall.
"What is it?" she asked. Harry couldn't say it. It was too horrible. Ron tried to speak, but couldn't. Hermione took the last decoy detonator from her beaded bag and placed it in the center of the mess as an explanation. Ginny suddenly understood. She embraced Ron, and he hugged her back.
"Let's go." said Hermione quietly, and Ron and Ginny broke apart. Harry wasn't looking forward to seeing the Weasleys, but it was better than standing here. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley greeted the four of them warmly, and they all wolfed down a large breakfast.
So, Harry, Andromeda told me she was able to get you shared custody with her for Teddy." said Mr Weasley as soon as they finished. Harry almost choked on his juice. He had forgotten all about Teddy.
"I completely forgot. Some godfather that I'm being." said Harry. Everybody laughed. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.
"You realize you'll be like his aunt and uncle?" he asked. They both looked at him with confused expressions.
"Uh, how?" asked Ron.
"Easy. You two are like the brother and sister I never had." said Harry. Ron's ears turned bright red, and Hermione flushed a brilliant shade of magenta.
"It's a shame Lupin will never know his son." said Ron quietly after a while.
"Yeah. They're all back together, though. My dad and Sirius and Remus." said Harry.
"I'm still shocked you aren't slightly regretting joining your family." said Hermione.
"Let's just say I had some last words from them." said Harry. Hermione smiled.
"The resurrection stone?" she asked. Harry nodded. Just then, Ginny came over and leaned into Harry.
"Oi, give it a rest, will you?" said Ron.
"Come off it, mate. You've seen us together." said Harry. Professor McGonagall came striding over.
"Ah, Potter, Granger, Weasley. Would you mind a word?" she asked.
"I'll be right back, all right?" said Harry. Ginny nodded. The three followed Professor McGonagall to the Headmaster's office, which was now her own. She conjured two more chairs alongside the one Harry had occupied the previous year. They all sat down.
"I daresay you three have fulfilled Dumbleodre's orders?" she asked.
"Yes." they said together.
"Would you mind explaining, then?"
"Horcruxes." said Harry. "Voldemort had seven. Dumbledore had the right idea by removing them. Nobody should be able to do what he did again." Professor McGonagall nodded.
"Well, you three have each earned Order of Merlin, first class, and awards for services to the school. If you wanted to return to Hogwarts next year, you would be more than welcome." said Professor McGonagall. She paused for a moment, as though considering if she should speak.
"I wanted to add that I am extremely proud to have taught you three for the past six years." she said, her eyes glistening. "No matter how much trouble you caused, I was for the best." she turned to Harry.
"I also know how proud your mother and father would have been." Harry nodded in return.