His night was not peaceful. Feeling too tired to be awake; he was disappointed sleep did not capture him. He lied with eyes shut on his back. As expected, Ron and Hermione shared the bed beside him.

Thoughts whizzed through and circled in his head. Too many to give any useful amount of thought into. Kreacher bounded to the front of his mind again. Why had he not seen him today either in the corridors or the kitchen? He accepted he had not looked everywhere.

He supposed he could just call Kreacher.

Not wanting to wake Ron and Hermione, he decided to wait until morning. Where ever Kreacher was, he was an independent elf. And Harry just wanted to give him gratitude – and explain why they never returned after their break in of the Ministry.

At last, light, turbulent dreams found Harry. He was in Tom Riddle Sr's graveyard, burying his friend, tied to a headstone.

He was flying on Buckbeak with Hermione, and below him children of all ages were being taught a lesson on thestrals. Every child could see them.

Voldemort was laughing.

Harry sat upright. Uncomfortable. Sweaty. Not in serenity.

Deciding there was plenty to do, and that it was best he didn't lie and think, he slipped on his shoes and wrapped himself in the dressing gown hanging from it's previous owner on the hook of the bedpost. Once again, the clothing was large on him, but he couldn't deny it was comfortable. Not wanting to dig around for pajamas earlier, Harry had simply ditched the pants and shirt he had donned that day before getting into bed.

The common room was not empty as he had expected. Although no one was sleeping in the room tonight, Ginny was in an armchair writing in her diary.

Harry couldn't just walk past her out to the rest of the castle.

"Hi," he called out from the foot of the stairs of the boys' dorms.

Ginny started, and looked up. "Hey," she responded.

Harry walked over to her and asked how she was. She replied she had a lot to think about and wanted to get it out, raising her diary with one hand. Closed, she set it on a table beside her.

"Do you want to sit and join me?" she inquired.

Nodding, Harry sat on the couch near her.

Ginny thought of when joining her had meant sharing the armchair she was currently sitting in. Sitting sideways across Harry; resting her head against his chest while they talked or joked back in her 5th year.

Harry commented about Teddy, and she told him about what her family was doing to help in the recovery efforts. Harry's buzzing mind was calming down, relaxing and listening to her. He knew there was a lot he should tell her, and ask her, at some point; if she wanted to hear it.

Ginny could tell Harry was relaxing. She was glad. She liked being there for him.

"Where were you heading anyway? When you came down?" Ginny asked.

"Out to clean the castle or something," Harry half-heartedly answered as he repositioned himself to lean against the back and side of the couch.

"Will you come home with us? After the memorial?" She inquired warmly, daring to given his peaceful state.

"Not sure what I'll do," he softly replied with his eyes shut.

Discouraged, was definitely one of the emotions Ginny felt. Harry's lack of plan was disheartening. She had hoped he would have had a clear picture of what he wanted for the next steps of his life - like he had been so certain of himself down in the Great Hall at dinner.

Not wanting to prod, and realizing if she stayed quiet Harry would sleep, she closed her eyes too.

**xx**xx**xx

Again, it was light that woke Harry. Stiffness greeted him like the day before, but this was due to his sleeping position not injuries.

They had slept down here last night.

Moving slowly and rising into a sitting position, he felt he shouldn't leave Ginny curled up in the arm chair. She must be stiff too.

Placing a kind hand on her knee, he called, "Ginny".

No response. Typical, he thought. Ginny was good at so many things – including sleeping.

Getting up and crouching before her, he lightly rubbed her shoulder back and forth as he continued, "Ginny, we fell asleep in the common room. I think you should probably head to your dorms."

This woke her enough for her to briefly open slits of her eyes at him. Smiling lightly, eyes closed, she lifted her arms a tad towards him. She wanted him to carry her. Merlin.

Letting out a quiet slow breath, Harry made his decision. Wanting the world for the woman in front of him, he'd gladly carry her like old times to the dorm.

Gingerly, he put one arm under her knees and the other behind her shoulders getting ready to lift her. On quo, she wrapped him in her arms and held him as he lifted her. It was so comforting to hold her.

Walking towards her dorms, he knew he wouldn't be able to go up. With her head against his chest and eyes closed, he figured she wouldn't be pleased to be set down. Feeling more relaxed than he should, knowing he didn't mean anything scandalous for Ginny, he turned and carried her up to his dorm after standing for a moment at the base of the girls'.

Hermione and Ron were fast asleep, cuddled sweetly.

Harry lowered Ginny on the bed he had used, pulled over the covers, and kissed her on the forehead. He was heading for breakfast. Hopefully he would find Kreacher in the kitchens.

**xx**xx**xx

"Herrmiioneee" Ron whined as he rocked her back and forth gently by the shoulders waking her. He was distraught. Ginny was sleeping in Harry's bed.

"Ronald," Hermione answered curtly.

"Hermione, there's a problem!" Ron emphasized.

In taking a breath, Hermione rubbed her eyes and sat up; ready to hear Ron's problem at this ungodly hour.

"Hermione, I just woke up, because I was hungry you know? And look!" he said pointing to the bed beside him.

Hermione followed his arm and saw Ginny. Fast asleep, and alone, in Harry's bed.

"Mhm?" she offered Ron calmly, hoping to diffuse him.

"You don't think? Why is she here? Where is Harry? Again he's gone."

"No I don't think, and I don't know. And I don't know." Hermione shook her head. "This isn't something to get worked up over. We can just ask her when she wakes up."

Hermione made to get dressed and Ron followed. Wanting an answer, Ron dallied. He wanted to speak with Ginny.

"Oh this is absurd," Hermione breathed as she sat back on Ron's bed facing Ginny. Ron moved to sit beside her. Her comment seemed to be enough to rouse Ginny.

Slowly turning over, she swiped at her eyes with her hands and started to sit up.

"Where…" Ginny made out but stopped. Where was she?

She looked to her right and spied Ron and Hermione. Feeling confused but comforted at seeing them, she said, "We're in the boys' dorms?"

"Yes, you're in Harry's bed." Ron offered ungently.

"Oh," was all Ginny got out, sounding intrigued. Then, with a chuckle, she flopped back down on the bed.

"When did you get here?" Ron questioned.

"I don't know" Ginny replied. "I fell asleep in an armchair in front of the fire last night. Harry was asleep on the couch. Guess he brought me here."

"So you didn't sleep together?" Ron asked brashly.

"Oh no," Ginny affirmed, letting out another laugh despite herself. "Harry wouldn't ever even dream of that. Noble one. And besides, we're not together."

Turning and raising her head to face the couple across from her she continued. "But you two…" she smiled with raised eyebrows – her smile reaching her eyes.

Hermione blushed politely and smiled back.

"Okay, I'm going for breakfast," Ron announced. "I'm glad Harry respected you."

"Ron, if Harry is in his own world so much as to not even hug me, I wouldn't worry."