Disclaimer: I don't own any of this other than the odd stranger who sometimes will be popping in to help Harry out. All of the unique creatures, characters, and previous events of this universe belong to J.K. Rowling.

Also sorry for taking so long to post, real life kicked me in the nuts with death of a friend's parent, I haven't really been able to get much time.

Ginny gasped as she jerked awake. She looked around to find that she had somehow gotten onto the grounds of Hogwarts. She raised herself off of the ground, and noticed that the air seemed stale, and the grounds themselves were deserted.

"Hello?" she yelled as fear started coursing through her. "Is anyone here?"

She continued wandering, and was near the lake when she heard a whispering voice.

"The one with the power…. Vanquish…. Born as the seventh month dies…. Power… Dark lord knows not…."

'I wonder what all of that means.' She thought to herself as she turned around to make her way towards the school. As she reached the halfway point between the forest and the school, a large rumble behind her caused the ground to shake, and brought her attention to the forest. She stared in shock at what appeared to be a large black mass on the edge of the forest, yet upon closer inspection she realized that the mass was an army of black figures. She stared at the army of darkness, terrified, when they suddenly started marching towards her. She turned around and as she started to run, bumped into someone. She started falling to the ground, and was surprised when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her, pulling her back to her feet. She looked up, beyond her saviour, and saw a mass similar to that near the forest, except made of a golden light. She heard the rumbling behind her increase and the army in front of her started charging towards her to meet the darkness. She looked in fear into the eyes of her saviour, and met a familiar stunning green.

"Har… Harry?" She whispered as he pulled her closer to him. She looked at his face, wondering what was happening. She noticed that while he looked normal, there was a scar a few inches long starting above his right eye, and going down to his cheek. Her studying stopped however, as he pulled her even closer, and lowered his face down to hers. He suddenly closed the distance between them as they he shared a tender kiss with a stunned Ginny. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, and they broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.

The shaking of the ground caught her attention however, as she realized that the armies would collide in just moments. As they were about to collide, she heard Harry call her.

"Ginny." He said as she turned to him. "It's time to wake up now."

"Ginny!"

She sat up quickly as she looked around the familiar Hospital wing of Hogwarts.

"What? Where's Harry?" She yelled as she turned to see her friend Hermione, and her brother Ron beside her.

"Ginny, are you ok? You only just woke up." Hermione said as she got up to prevent Ginny from leaving her bed.

"I'm fine." She said testily as she sat back down. "But where's Harry?"

"He's in the private ward Gin." She cringed as her brother used her private nickname. "He was almost dead when Dumbledore brought him in." Ron said quietly as he looked to the floor. "He stayed behind at the Burrow so that Dad could get you and me here. Dumbledore told us all this morning after Madam Pomfrey had checked us over, that Harry had used practically all of his magic."

Ginny's eyes widened, as tears started falling down her face. The truth was, she had never really gotten over her crush on Harry, she had simply given up trying to get his attention, and settled for being a friend.

"What happened to everyone else?" She asked as she turned to face them again.

"Everyone is pretty much okay, but still shaken up a bit. Charlie, the Twins, Dad, and the rest just suffered the effects of the dementors, while you got knocked out by a curse that hit you. You've been unconscious for most of the day." Ron explained.

"Your mum also patched up my mom before we came here." Hermione added.

Professor Dumbledore chose that moment to enter the hospital wing and approach the group.

"Ah, Miss Weasley, it is good to see you have woken." He said as he reached Hermione and Ron.

"Professor…" Ginny started quietly. "Is Harry going to be okay?"

Dumbledore sighed as he looked down at the youngest Weasley. "Alas, I do not know, while Harry did you most of his magic while in the fight with the Death Eaters, his magical reserves are currently expanding. I have no idea why, but while his reserves are growing, his magic has not started to replenish itself yet, and without his magic, Harry will not survive, but have faith child, Harry has beaten the odds more than I can count." Dumbledore said as the teens' eyes all watered. "But, if you wish, you may stay here overnight with him, and inform me if he makes any change. I'll be in my office, and I have taken quite a liking to sugar quills."

As Dumbledore left the Hospital wing, he didn't have the heart to tell the children that on Harry's medical report, the list of spells that Harry had been hit by had two killing curses on it. He could only hope that wherever in his mind, or wherever Harry may be, that he was not in danger, and that he would awaken soon.

"Hello?"

There was no response.

"Hello!?" Harry yelled as he continued moving around, an expanse of white in each direction. The last thing he remembered was Bellatrix sending a killing curse at him, and feeling his magic leap out towards it. Soon after, he had awoken in this place. He had been wandering for what felt like hours, seemingly getting nowhere.

"Hello."

Harry spun around quickly to see a man in plain black robes standing in front of him. He reached into his pocket for his wand, but found that it wasn't there.

"Looking for this?" The stranger asked as he twirled Harry's wand around in his fingers. Harry tensed as he watched the stranger play with his wand. Resigning, he asked,

"Who are you? Where are we, and why?"

The stranger grinned at Harry as he said, "Well, my name is Thomas, and I am your guide. What was the next question? Ah yes, where." He said as two recliners appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"But before we continue, I suggest that you take a seat."

Reluctantly, Harry sank into a chair and stared at Thomas.

"What did you mean when you said that you were my guide?"

"You're dead."

Harry laughed at Thomas, but stopped when he saw that Thomas wasn't laughing.

"You're serious?"

"Well, actually, I put that the wrong way… you're dead-ish. You see, in that little disagreement that you had with your godfather's cousin, you used up so much magic that you could have drained yourself completely dry, and then some."

"But… I felt my magic increase, I didn't think using magic could kill me." Harry said quietly.

"Oh no, you've misunderstood, your magical core, reserves, whatever, they increased, not your magic itself. It's like a bottle of water, you can dump the contents of a water bottle into a bigger water bottle. The amount of water stays the same, but the container size increased. It probably would have taken another few days for your core to be filled to its new capacity. Granted, most people would be hard pressed to deplete their magic live you did, but then again, your magic helped you survive two more killing curses." Thomas explained.

Harry deflated thinking about that, and wondered how he could have survived two more killing curses, and how Voldemort would be stopped without him, when he suddenly remembered something Thomas had said.

"Wait, you said that I'm dead-ish, what do you mean by that?"

Thomas sighed as if considering how to explain, and said, "Think of this place as a train station, where all of the trains lead to the afterlife. Now, the vast majority, and by vast, I mean ninety-nine decimal nine percent of people get on these trains, and off they go. However, there are a few people every century that arrive at the station far too early, and if they pass a test, they are allowed to go back where they came from, without getting on a train."

Harry stared quietly at the man, wondering why he was given this opportunity when he was responsible for so many deaths.

"Whoa, hold it there little guy." Thomas said as he raised his hands. "First thing you gotta know is that you wouldn't be getting this chance if you actually were responsible for those deaths. Anyway, I thought the other young man made that clear to you earlier?" Thomas stared at him, waiting for a reply, but started laughing at Harry's face when he realized that Thomas had read his mind. "Oh come on Harry, did you really think that I would get to be a guide for the dead without getting some sort of special abilities or perks?"

Harry seemed to accept this as he sighed and explained. "I can't help but feel that they died because of Voldemort's obsession with me."

"Well you better get rid of that mentality quickly, because if you make it back to the real world you really shouldn't waste your time on self-pity."

Harry sat up quickly realizing that he had already forgotten that he would have to pass a test in order to return to the land of the living. "What do I have to do?" He asked nervously.

"Why do you fight?"

Harry was caught off guard by the question. He had never really thought about why he didn't just give up.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean it quite literally Harry, what do you fight for?"

Harry thought it over in his head, and decided to try to get a little more information.

"How will you know when I've answered correctly?"

"Well, there is one answer that I am expecting, but any answer that you truly believe will be correct, as long as you actually believe it. Oh, and don't worry, you can answer as many times as you like." Thomas said as he moved into a relaxing position in his chair.

As Harry thought over how he should answer. Many things went through his mind; he could answer to kill Voldemort, or to avenge his parents…

"But you'd be wrong." Thomas said from his position on the other chair.

Harry sighed mentally, 'This is going to take a while.'

After what seemed like a day, Harry still hadn't come up with an acceptable answer, to him, or Thomas.

"OH SHIT!" Thomas yelled as he jumped up from his chair.

"What?" Harry asked as he too rose from his chair.

"Uhh, there were a few people who I was supposed to bring you to visit as soon as I finished explaining to you, you know, to help you answer, but… oh damn she is going to murder me." He said as he grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him through a door that had appeared.

"Thomas, where have you been!?" A shrill voice came from across the new room.

"Lily love, calm down, I'm sure there was a reason as to why he's late." Harry heard a familiar voice say back, while he heard another person chuckling.

"Sirius, quiet!" The voice yelled back. "And James, don't you dare back him up."

Harry didn't know what to think. Standing in front of him bickering were his godfather, and his mom and dad.

"Sirius… Mum, Dad?" Harry managed to squeak out before all three surrounded him in a hug.

"Harry." Lily said as she hugged him. "You've gotten so big." She added as she backed up to look at him.

"But…. How?" Harry said as the two men also backed up to stand beside Lily.

"When we heard that you were coming, but getting the chance to go back, we asked if we could come say hello." His father explained.

Harry didn't know what to say as he felt warm tears come to his eyes. He suddenly ran forward and embraces all three in another hug.

"I've missed you all so much." Harry sobbed as they all hugged in return.

"We know honey, we know." His mother soothed.

They remained like that for several minutes, simply taking comfort in each other. Finally, Thomas hesitantly approached them, and put his hand on James' shoulder.

"Uh, I'm truly sorry, but, you guys can't stay much longer." He said with sadness and regret in his voice.

All four shot him a dirty look as they separated.

"I want to stay with you." Harry pleaded to the three.

Sirius approached his godson and grabbed him in a hug that would put Molly Weasley to shame. "You know that isn't true lad."

"Harry cried into Sirius' shoulder as he said, "Padfoot, I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be sorry Harry, you didn't have anything to do with my death, I died being able to protect you, and I wouldn't have had it any other way." Sirius comforted. "The only thing I regret however is that I won't be beside you when you kick Voldie's arse."

Harry grinned at Sirius making humour in the situation, and hugged him tightly before he released him, and his parents approached him.

"Harry, son, we love you so much." Lily said as they pulled Harry to them. "I'm sorry we didn't have more time with you, but know that even when you return to the living, we will always be watching you, and we are so proud." She finished as she backed off to let her husband speak.

James felt tears going down his face as be backed away and put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Harry, there are a few things that I've wanted to tell you for a while, but haven't been able to. First, I know it is hard for you, but don't push your friends away, they will help you no matter what, and you need them, so please, do not push them away." James said, and then adopted a grin as he continued. "Secondly, and somewhat related to the first, because you could be tempted to isolate yourself, we Potter men have a curse, I call it a blessing, but nevertheless, we are 'doomed' to fall in love with a stunning woman with red hair. I don't know why, but the last ten generations of Potter have been ensnared by redheads. You Harry, are no exception, and I do believe you know who I'm talking about." He said as he winked to his son, and Lily interrupted.

"You need to tell her how you feel Harry, and don't push her away, she'll be in more danger without you." Lily finished

All three then approached Harry and pulled him into another hug as they started to fade.

"Just know Harry, that we all love you so, so much." Lily said as they backed away, and then faded completely. Harry felt as though a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, and he turned to face Thomas.

"Harry, I know you would've wanted more time with them but…"

"No Thomas, I think just being able to see them has helped." Harry said, interrupting his guide, and drying his tears.

"That's good Harry." Thomas said as he smiled at the boy. "But there is still one more place I would like to take you before you try to answer again. While we're there, we'll be invisible, not being able to interact, almost like a pensieve."

"Let's go." Harry said as he grabbed hold of Thomas' arm as he led them through another door.

They came out in what Harry immediately recognized as the Hogwarts Hospital wing, and was shocked to see himself laying in one of the beds, surrounded by the darkness of the early morning.

"Thomas, why are we in the Hospital wing, and why in the middle of the night?" He asked his guide.

"This is happening right now Harry, you've been out for damn near a week, with barely a pulse or hint of magic in you, and as to why, well, she should be here any minute…"

Thomas was interrupted as the door to the hospital wing opened, and to Harry's surprise, Ginny Weasley came through the door. She closed the door silently behind her, and approached Harry's bedside and sat down.

"Hello again Harry." She started nervously. "You've been asleep for six days now, and I came to see how you are doing again."

Harry stood there listening, wondering why she sounded so nervous.

"Oh this is ridiculous, why is it so hard to talk to you even when you can't hear me?" She sighed. "Well, I heard from Ron and Hermione what you did for us at the Burrow… Oh by the way, those two finally started going out." She giggled. Suddenly, her face got serious again. "I guess I've been coming to try to make up for everything you've done for me. You are such a wonderful person, yet you always have the worst things happen to you. You do the most amazing things, but people seem to ignore that when you need it the most. In your first year you protected the philosopher's stone from Voldemort, something which no eleven-year old should have to do. In your second year, well, you remember what happened in your second year. Then the rest; Sirius and Pettigrew, the Tri-Wizard tournament, Voldemort's resurrection, Umbridge, and the Department of Mysteries. You survived all of this, and always seem to help people in need. Like me, Harry. I was only Ron's little sister, yet even so, you went into the Chamber of Secrets to rescue me, and rescue me you did."

She seemed to be having difficulty continuing and she had tears in her eyes by now, and Harry sat down beside her as she kept going.

"I guess that is the real reason that I came Harry. You do so much for people, even though it may cause you harm, and, I guess I just wanted to tell you that it is one of the reasons that I love you."

Harry sat dumbstruck beside her as she looked at him laying on the bed. He watched as she started crying and lay down next to him on the bed, hugging him closely.

"Thomas… I know why I am fighting." Harry said as he stared wide-eyed at the sight before him.

"Yes, I thought you would." Thomas replied quietly from where they had first entered.

Harry stared at the girl in front of him, clinging to his body for dear life. He realized how it must be for her, not knowing whether or not the boy that she loves would ever wake up, and then he realized that he hated having her feel that.

"I'm fighting for love." Harry said quietly to Thomas. "And it is also the power that Voldemort doesn't have. He has power, and maybe even hundreds of followers, but they only follow him out of fear, or for power. I have friends, and I realize now why they came with me to the Department of Mysteries. They came because they cared about me. That is why I'll beat him."

Thomas smiled at the boy as he responded. "You got it kiddo. Keep that attitude and Snakeface won't know what hit him."

Harry smiled at the man as he realized that he was being pulled towards his body. He looked up at Thomas and saw that a door had appeared. He watched as his guide opened the door, and was about to walk through when he yelled.

"Thomas!"

"Yeah?" The man responded as he stopped in the doorway.

"I know we've only been together for a few days, but thanks for your help." Harry said as he felt the pull grow stronger.

Thomas smiled at Harry as he started. "No problem Harry, now, just so your mother doesn't kill me, get back into your body and tell that young lady how you feel." And he closed the door behind him as Harry was pulled completely back into his body.

As Harry joined back with his body, he felt a sudden rush of energy flow through him. 'Must be my magic replenishing itself' he thought as he opened his eyes slowly, looking at the beautiful young woman hugging him.

"I love you too Ginny." He said quietly as he gently returned the embrace.

It took all of Harry's strength to catch Ginny as she promptly fainted and almost fell off of the bed.