A/N I have been sat on this since July in one form or another. I have not totally worked it all out but I hope you enjoy seeing where this goes. Reviews always welcome. This is a pretty angsty start but it doesn't stay that way I promise!

After

Harry, Ron and Hermione trudged up to the Gryffindor Tower after resealing the elder wand into Dumbledore's tomb. The three of them skirted the edges of the common room and headed straight to the seventh year's boys dormitory. The familiar comforting feel of home washed over Harry and despite everything that had just happened in the last week he felt a sliver of peace soothe his battered soul.

He turned towards his old bed as Ron and Hermione lay down on Ron's, drawing the coverings around them, "night Harry," whispered Hermione as she smiled and nodded her head towards his old four-poster bed. Harry looked over, his hangings were already partially drawn and curled up tight with her back to him was Ginny. Harry smiled to himself, feeling yet again some peace settle into him, along with a brief flare of relief. Ginny was here, Ginny was safe. He shrugged off his top layers and his shoes and crawled in beside her. Pulling the hangings completely around the bed, he cast a silencing charm and a warming charm on the bed.

"Hey," he whispered in a low tone, he wasn't sure if she was asleep already.

"Hey yourself," Ginny replied as she rolled over towards him.

He took a deep breath, savouring the smell of fresh flowers. He moved his hand up into her hair and sighed happily. They let the comfortable silence expand around them, settling into their bones. Harry spoke first, "This is it, Gin," he murmured, as he reached for her hair, "We don't have to be anywhere right now or go anywhere or see anybody. Just us."

Ginny smiled up at him, through puffy eyes and with tear stained cheeks "Just us," she agreed.

Harry stroked her face, wiping at the smudges and staring into her deep brown eyes. "I thought of these eyes," he whispered, "I thought of these eyes just before I died."

"Harry, I," Ginny paused, fighting for control, "I'm glad you're not, dead I mean," she finished softly.

Harry smiled, "Me too Gin, me too." He reached for her across the bed and Ginny folded herself into him as if she was made to fit in his arms, Harry fell asleep clinging to Ginny as she clung to him.

Harry woke the next morning and stretched, the luxury of sleeping all night in a bed was not lost on him. He rolled over, reached for Ginny and smiled. He stroked her face gently as she stirred and ran his hands through her long red hair. His stomach growled and Ginny opened her eyes.

"Hungry Harry?" She smiled at him through long auburn lashes.

He laughed a little awkwardly, "Like you wouldn't believe." They both sat up, intertwining their fingers. Harry hesitated and took a deep breath. Awkwardness twisted inside him and he huffed in annoyance at himself. "I missed you so much Ginny, I know there's nothing I can really do about the last year," he brought his hand up to her cheek, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

Ginny scowled "Potter, please don't, as we agreed yesterday, I don't need you to protect me," she grinned "I did miss you too though."

Harry leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Ginny sighed happily and responded, increasing the pressure. The spent a few minutes reacquainting themselves with each other. Ginny hummed in pleasure and Harry made a mental note to explore the ways he could get her to do that again. Ginny ran her hands up his back and into his hair, and resisting the urge to press her deeper into the bed, Harry pulled back.

"We should go and see your family, your mum," he trailed off.

"I know, I know, just it's easy to pretend in here," she gestured at the bed hangings, "I can pretend in here that it's just us."

"I know, but we shouldn't worry your mum, she's been through enough last night." Harry took down his charms and swung out of bed. "I'm going to shower and I'll meet you down there?"

"Sure, I'll go get a wash too and see you in the common room" Ginny smiled and headed out the door. Harry watched her go with a grin on his face. Somehow, they would get through the next few days he thought to himself as he padded through to the bathroom.

Harry headed downstairs after his wash, feeling at least clean if not entirely restored. He made his way down to the common room. Sinking into the couch by the fire next to Ron he lay his head back. The common room was fairly quiet, many students and families had left after the battle. The Weasleys had to stay until the burrow had been cleared and wards reset which would allow them home safely.

Ron didn't say anything and the boys sat in silence. Silence seemed to fill the spaces after the battle, spaces were people used to be. Harry rubbed at his chest absentmindedly as if he could physically feel the losses. "Ron," he started, "I don't think I said, yesterday, after," he hesitated, running his fingers through his still damp hair. "Fred, he was, well he was just brilliant and I'm sorry."

Ron didn't speak, but he smiled faintly "he was excellent, wasn't he?"

Harry returned the smile hesitantly "the best."

They settled back into silence, neither of them feeling the need to fill it. Harry thought back to all the long stretches of silence from the Horcrux hunt, at least he'd never have to endure those silences again. The silence of waiting. The silence of pressure. Waiting for him to have the answers.

Hermione came down from the girl's dorm a few minutes later and Ron stood. Harry glanced behind Hermione, expecting Ginny to be following. "Molly came up a little while ago and asked Ginny to go down with her Harry," Hermione commented, "she said she would meet you at breakfast."

Harry frowned, he had wanted to walk down with Ginny but he rearranged his features quickly. "Sure, great," he answered evenly, I'll just come down with you two."

The trio headed through the portrait and made their way down to the Great Hall. Harry forced himself to look, to see the damage. To notice the shredded portraits, with their disgruntled, displaced occupants. The walls were scorched in places, lingering magic tingled over his skin as they passed great gaping holes in the very fabric of the building. They had to skirt a couple of corridors, skip extra steps in staircases and everywhere a sombre feeling permeated the very castle itself. The trio walked in silence, Harry didn't have to look to know his two best friends were holding hands and he smiled to himself. Some good things come of war.

They entered the Great Hall and the low murmurs of conversation paused. Harry shoved his hands in his pockets apprehensively, eyes darting around the room. To his surprise and discomfort, they stood. Within a few seconds, cheers broke out and clapping. Harry awkwardly raised a hand and then ducked into a seat. Hermione followed as Ron beamed and waved at the gathered crowd. "Sit down," she hissed "honestly!"

Ron sat with a pink tinge to his cheeks. "Pass me the bacon," he asked gruffly, Hermione passed a plate and squeezed his thigh reassuringly, and leaned in to whisper to Ron, Harry didn't hear what she said but Ron's cheeks flushed redder. Harry internally eye rolled and looked around the now settled room for Ginny. He noted the missing spaces, friends not used to the extra room looked awkwardly at each other. Blank faces, tear stained faces, so much grief hung in the room.

His heart contracted painfully and he looked again for Ginny, seeking her face to ground him. He wondered why they weren't here yet. As he searched he caught Arthur's eye and knew suddenly something was wrong, without thinking on it any further he stood and walked over.

"Where is she?" he asked firmly.

"Harry, I think it's best we chat about this in private," Arthur replied evenly.

"I don't want to talk about it in private, I want to know where Ginny is," his voice had dropped threateningly low and with a start, Arthur realised the young boy had been replaced with a man. He placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Harry," he paused "you have to understand, she's our only daughter, it's temporary," He added placatingly.

"I want to know where she is!" Harry asked again, holding Arthur's gaze, "Please..."

Arthur flinched and suddenly Harry found himself surrounded by Weasleys. They escorted him out of the hall and he broke angrily away.

Ron stood by his side, "what's going on dad?"

Arthur stared at the floor, he didn't raise his eye when he spoke next. "You don't understand, I can't deny your mum, she's lost so much already," he pleaded softly "Ron, it will keep her safe,"

"What will?" Ron asked.

"The Fidelius," Arthur whispered. And with those two words, Harry felt his world go black.

A time later Harry sat up and felt anger course through him immediately. He made to stand and Ron pushed him roughly back down. The world swam in front of his eyes and he touched his hands to the rough stone floor, the cold of the castle walls seemed to seep into his very being. The Fidelius he thought, he eyes stung embarrassingly and he took a deep breath. Arguments were happening over his head and he let them, fading in and out as the voices became more heated. Bill and Arthur seemed to be arguing, he thought as their voices began to pierce his brain fog. His stomach rumbled uncomfortably again and he realised he hadn't actually eaten at breakfast and wasn't sure when his last meal had been.

"Dad you can't be serious, how did Ginny agree to this?" Bill huffed a breath and ran his hand across his roughly scarred face. Arthur grimaced, and Bill's eyes widened "You mean she hasn't agreed to this." His face was stony and Harry reflected internally that at least he wasn't the only one who thought this plan was bonkers.

"William, your mother is very distressed and if placing Ginny, temporarily, under the Fidelius will help then I am willing to let that happen. They have gone to Muriel's, it will probably be done shortly and then your mum will come back and make us secret keepers and then when things calm down we will lift it." He looked up at Bill, who avoided his father's eyes.

Bill turned, "Ron and Hemione, take Harry, we'll go to the Burrow to continue this conversation." He turned grimly and started out of the main doors towards the grounds and the apparition point beyond.

Harry felt Ron reach down and lift him from the floor. "C'mon mate, let's get going."

Harry shrugged off the support roughly and stalked after Bill. He continued to feel lightheaded but was determined not to show it. He walked past Arthur, averting his eyes. He did not feel in control of his anger right now and the last thing he wanted to do was lose it. He felt Hermione's light touch at his elbow and briefly closed his eyes. He drew strength from that and together they walked down, the rest of the Weasley's following on behind.

With a gentle pop, Harry and Ron appeared on the edge of the wards for the Burrow. Harry stepped aside and turned his head, retching painfully on his empty stomach. Ron started towards him and Harry held his hand up. "I just need a second, I am fine," Harry said irritably.

"Bloody hell mate, when was the last time you even ate?" Ron asked.

"Well, I almost ate breakfast until your mother decided to hide Ginny away from us all," Harry retorted. Ron, to his credit, didn't say anything and that almost irritated Harry more, why wasn't he angry? Hermione appeared just a second later and made a sympathetic face at Harry, who hated that she knew what had just happened. His hands felt clammy and his legs wobbled.

"Let's just all get inside yeah," he turned wearily towards The Burrow, "Maybe it hasn't happened, maybe Ginny will talk your mum down," he looked over at Ron who was staring at his house with a glazed look on his face.

"I hope so," he whispered, "After Fred, I thought the nightmare we are living would be done." Ron grabbed Hermione's hand, who then grabbed Harry's and the three of them headed up the path.

Bill was in the kitchen, already furiously putting things to rights. Harry and Ron sunk into chairs at the table and Hermione joined Bill, her wand swishing as she muttered multiple spells. The room seemed to be almost in flux as items hurried across the spaces, repairing, reorganising, settling back into familiar places. The Weasley family clock was uprighted and Hermione conjured a throw which she used to gently cover it. Ron smiled in thanks at her and she moved to sit with him.

"Harry, have you check in with Kreacher?" Harry startled out of his stupor at Hermione's question. She continued "Haven't you thought to see if he is alright?"

Harry nodded "Kreacher?"

With a crack he appeared, nose to the floor, "Master and his friends," he began.

Harry cut him off brusquely, "yes, no need to say anything else, we errrr, we need breakfast, tea and then I would like you to help put the rooms back together here," he looked over at Hermione, who smiled encouragingly at Kreacher and frowned at Harry, "and we would like you to make sure you eat too," Kreacher flinched but didn't reply. He nodded then disappeared. Hermione raised her eyebrows but Ron pulled her back into a hug, whispering in her ear. Harry saw her tense and then relax. He assumed she hadn't meant for him to give Kreacher a job to do, he caught Ron's eye and nodded in thanks, Ron brushed it off.

Arthur and the others appeared then, with a resolute Molly in their wake. They all trudged in, sitting around the table. A sea of sombre and silent redheads, united in grief. Harry noted painfully that there were two empty seats.

"it's done then?" He asked, looking up at Molly. Molly nodded, her eyes swimming.

"Harry, dear, I had to, just had to," she paused awkwardly.

"Tell me then," he stared at Molly,

"Well hang on a minute dear, I hadn't agreed yet who I would share with," Molly backed away.

Harry felt his tenuous grip on his anger slip and it seemed to flare out of him, "TELL ME," He yelled and the room visibly recoiled from him.

Ron laid a hand on his shoulder, "Easy mate,"

Harry took a deep breath and looked back up at Molly. "Please," he pleaded, his world hanging by a thread.

"I didn't say I would tell anyone" Molly, dabbed at her eyes and broke away. Arthur followed, escorting her from the room.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, "Eat something Harry, please, you need to keep up your strength," Hermione, ever practical in a crisis pushed a plate in front of him. Harry stared at her blankly for a few moments and Hermione nodded encouragingly. Harry looked up around the table, he hadn't noticed that the room was suddenly full and he ate mechanically. He did not miss the look that passed between Ron and Hermione and inwardly his anger flared again.

"We will fix it you know, we just need to give mum a little time," Ron turned to Hermione for reassurance, "We can fix it can't we Hermione? You can fix anything."

Hermione smiled bracingly, "We will work it out. We always do." Harry stared at his plate, suddenly feeling nauseous again, he pushed his chair back and left the room, angrily slamming the front door behind him. George spoke for the first time "I'll go." he followed Harry out leaving the rest of the family to their thoughts.

Ginny watched Harry go numbly. She still couldn't quite comprehend what was happening. She sat watching her family reel from their latest shock and not a single one of them could see her. She knew the Fidelius was a powerful charm, old magic, magic which was bound to her now. But she hadn't truly appreciated it, not really understood the full expanse of the intricate web of power. Until she watched her Mum deny Harry the secret, and then she watched him leave. It was as if she watched from afar, separate, disjointed from her family.

It was an out of body experience.

She was perfectly still as if carved from solid granite stone whilst the maelstrom of emotions railed around her. She watched as Harry, her anchor, walked out the door and felt her heartbreak for him, for her, for them. The familiar sights and sounds of the burrow brought little comfort without the family camaraderie that came with them. She realised now that her home was just a vessel, that her family was the real home. Unable to stand the silence anymore Ginny stood, tears slipping silently down her cheeks and made her way to her room. Ginny shut the door, not that it mattered she thought wryly and lay face down. She cried herself to sleep.

Harry and George spent the rest of the evening outside. Neither of them had to say anything to each other. George had interrupted Harry blasting random holes in the ground and then they just lay on their backs in the field neighbouring the house until it felt like time to come in. Harry smiled grimly at George as they crossed the threshold and clapped a hand to his shoulder. George nodded and took himself off to bed. Harry did the same, but couldn't sleep.

He listened to Ron's rhythmic snores on the other side of the room and tried to conjure Ginny's face in his mind. He felt a momentary panic when he couldn't decide if the freckles across her nose were quite right. He felt jumpy and sweaty and so swung his legs out of bed and padded out the door. He crept down from Ron's room towards Ginny's room. Creaks and groans moved through the house as if it was protesting at the recent treatment it had received. He moved silently, avoiding the creaky stair on the way down, he turned into the hallway, taking a breath as he saw her door.

He moved softly over and slid down to a sitting position against the door. Leaning his head back he pressed himself hard against the door as a now familiar feeling of panic worked its way over his body. As he had at the castle he pressed his palms onto the floor, blowing out a slow breath and closing his eyes.

Eventually, sleep claimed him.

Harry woke the next morning stiff and sore. Momentarily disorientated he realised he was on the floor outside Ginny's room. Somebody had covered him with a blanket and he hadn't noticed. He turned, pressing his head against the wood of the door. Breathing deeply as if that would end his suffering, he tried to recall the smell of Ginny's hair. Desperately he pressed his palm to the door as if he could feel Ginny through it. "I know, you are probably here," he started, his voice low, "I just wish I could see you. I don't understand how to make this better, but I will Gin, I love you" he added softly. He got up then, and headed across to the bathroom, hoping to dissolve in the shower.

On the other side of the door, Ginny listened to Harry speaking but didn't bother to reply. She also pressed her palm against the wood and sighed as she opened the door and moved downstairs. She paused at the door, leaning on the frame she observed the family she loved so dearly struggle on. The usually rambunctious breakfast table was quiet and low murmurings of conversation stilted. Bill and Fleur, Charlie, Percy and George ate stoically, opposite the trio and two empty seats. At the head of the table Arthur alone sat, Molly had not come downstairs. The very air felt strained with thick tension and palpable grief.

Ginny slipped into her seat and began to eat in silence too, she watched her family's eyes slide over her face as if she was not there, catching each of them starting at a small movement in the corner of their eye and then her heartbreaking as they each in turn glazed over, or turned back to breakfast, or stared at her without really seeing her. After a while, she couldn't take it anymore and so she pushed her plate to one side. Ginny went upstairs and made her way to her parent's bedroom. She crawled into bed with her mum, who turned and gathered her into her arms.

"Please mum, tell them, please just tell them," She let a sob escape and then bit back her emotion, "I know you are worried about me, but honestly, Harry will keep me safe, he loves me."

Molly sighed, stroking her thumb over her daughter's shoulder absentmindedly, "I loved Fred, and it didn't matter," she closed her eyes, "I can protect you this way Ginny, I can keep you safe."

Ginny's eyes burned and this time she let the tears fall. The sobs wracked her body and the whole time her mum stroked her shoulder and whispered comforts as only a mother can.