When Harry awoke, he was completely aware of his surroundings. Although his vision was fuzzy, he could feel Ginny's head resting half on his chest, half not, her dainty hand on his neck and her leg was bent around Harry's left leg. His left arm was Ginny's pillow and his fingers could feel the nightstand. Reaching for his glasses, he made sure not to move too much so he wouldn't wake Ginny and passed them to his other hand and managed to put them on.
The room was still dark indicating that it was night. Ginny's hair was scattered across his chest and her chest slowly moved up and down, expanding and shrinking, evenly. Harry smiled. She was safe.
Then he heard the voices that had initially woken him up.
"It's my sister Hermione," Ron hissed out of Harry's sight.
"Harry wouldn't take advantage of her. Ron you are overreacting." Harry could see Hermione's left side in the moonlight from the window. She was sitting on Ron's bed, still.
"But he dumped her. Ended it. Finito!" Ron sat next to Hermione, his arm raised to put it over her shoulder but he retracted it quickly.
"Don't you understand why?" Hermione looked at Ron who's face was blank with confusion. "Harry knew he would be constantly on the move. Hunting for horcruxes. He didn't know if he would return. He couldn't leave Ginny waiting. He wanted her to lead a happier life, not one where she was constantly on edge waiting to hear of his capture."
"But she ended up doing that anyway," Ron injected, still slightly angry according to his voice.
"Yes but he didn't mean her too. He didn't account for how she felt but he did what he thought was right by her at the time."
"And now they are lying in his bed together?"
Suddenly, Hermione slapped Ron around the back of the head. "You really are an idiot Ron. The battle is over. Voldemort's gone forever and Harry has no reason to not be with her. Let them have some happiness. Harry deserves at least that after all he has had to endure."
Hermione raised her arm up again, more slowly and Ron winced, not wanting to get slapped once more but instead Hermione hugged him, her arms wrapping around his neck. By the look on Ron's face, Harry could tell he was overwhelmed and not too sure what to do. As Harry watched, Ron's arms slowly reached up and he awkwardly patted her on the back.
Trying hard not to laugh, Harry bit down at his bottom lip and looked down at Ginny who was, to Harry's surprise, staring straight back at him, smiling warmly. Harry put his finger to his lips and pointed in Ron and Hermione's direction. Ginny, who was facing the other way, slowly turned over on the bed to get a good look. She froze, making sure her movements didn't make Ron aware of her and Harry closed his eyes. When he felt Ginny's body relax, he opened his eyes and Ginny was sitting up in the bed.
"Ahem!" Ginny crossed her arms and Harry slowly propped himself up. "Why am I not allowed to be with Harry and be happy but it's perfectly alright for you to date whomever you decide? How the hell is that fair?"
Ron's reaction to Ginny's voice was something that should have been recorded and shown to the world. A typical Weasley moment. His face looked as though he had just been caught stealing from a bank and in a split second, he slipped off the bed in an effort to slide away from Hermione and landed on the floor with a thud.
With her cheeks burning, Hermione giggled and then suddenly felt insecure. Ron however was slowly making his way back on the bed, his ears red and his hand rubbing his head.
"He left you Ginny. I was there all summer whilst you cried yourself to sleep. I was there when you were yelling about Harry in your nightmares. I don't understand how you can take him back like that after everything he put you through."
Harry was shocked to hear how Ginny had reacted to the parting of ways as she had. He had always considered her to be a strong young woman who could hold her nerve. Shrugging to himself, he assumed that Ginny loved him so much that it wounded her.
"I forgave him Ronald. He explained everything to me and I understand why he took such actions. I don't agree with those actions. Personally, I think Harry underestimates me but he did everything to protect me and our family and everyone else loved in his life. He sacrificed himself for me. And you. And Hermione and I thank and love him for it. If you don't like us, then piss off." Ginny reached for the curtains for the four poster bed and swung them around, sticking her tongue out at Ron before closing them completely.
Harry reached for his wand and pointed to the curtain, whispering 'Muffliato' and then 'Lumos' before laying the wand on the bed. Harry briefly thought of the wand that was hidden under his pillow; the Elder Wand would remain there until it was time to put it with its true master. Then he looked at Ginny and smiled, taking hold of one of her hand. She shuffled closer, wanting more of her body to touch his.
When Harry spoke, his voice was hoarse and husky, these being the first words he'd said since awaking. "Did you really have nightmares about me Ginny?" The thought alone made his heart tear at the seams. He didn't know how to cope with her saying the words out loud.
"They weren't nightmares about you. There were of Voldemort finding you."
A single tear rolled down her cheek and Harry wiped it away swiftly with his lips in the form of a kiss.
"He was stalking you through Hogwarts. He was hiding behind tapestries. I was yelling at you, trying to warn you but it was like I was invisible. I tried touching you but it was like there was a force field that stopped me from touching you and then the dream would end the same. He'd catch you and then I'd wake up. Mum said I was screaming and shouting all night. Every night was the same dream and then you came for the wedding and on the first night, I slept soundly."
Ginny had been crying all throughout the story. Her cheeks were drowned in tears and no amount of kisses could make them all disappear. Harry realised that Ginny's pain was so deep and that she needed him like he needed her.
"Hey, Ginny, I'm here. I'm alive. That dream never did and never will ever happen." Ginny nodded understandingly and kissed Harry's cheek.
"When I was camping, I usually spent my days watching the Marauders Map."
Ginny looked up at Harry curiously. "Why?" she said, using a corner of the cover to wipe away her tears. She shuffled closer almost in Harry's lap. Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer and tucked her head under his chin.
"I missed you. It was comfort knowing where you were and what you were doing. It gave me a smile. I never told Ron and Hermione. They thought I was looking at Snape."
Ginny yawned and closed her eyes.
"Why don't we get some more sleep? We have the rest of our lives to talk," Harry said, kissing the top of Ginny head. He took off his shoes and jacket and shuffled out of his trousers, leaving everything at the end of his bed. Ginny took off her jumper, jeans and shoes and did the same, leaving them next to Harry's.
Harry picked up his wand and flicked it in the air. "Nox." The pair of them lifted the covers over themselves and Ginny huddled closer to Harry and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. She kissed him, pulling herself towards him until there wasn't even air between them. Harry's right arm wrapped around her waist; the other was caressing her cheek. When she pulled away, Ginny didn't moved her face. She snuggled into Harry's hand and closed her eyes.
"You are beautiful," Harry whispered, closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep once again.
The next day, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked out of the castle onto the grounds surrounding Hogwarts. The castle still looked like a disaster zone but Filch was doing his best to clear the rubble. Not many people remained at Hogwarts. Only the teachers and a few others stayed.
Kreacher bought Harry breakfast in bed and a fresh pair of clothes for him and Ginny. Then they left the dormitory to find Ron and Hermione in the common room. Hermione was reading a book and Ron was swinging his legs, looking extremely bored. To Harry's surprise, Ron was civil and happy with them, compared to last night. Harry explained what he wanted to do first.
Hermione packed her book away and Ron sat bolt up right, preparing himself for what needed to be done.
Minutes later, there they were walking down the grounds towards the white stone that had been broken maliciously. The sight brought back such bad memories and Harry knew that Ginny was feeling that exact same way. This was where he broke her heart. Harry's hand was filled with Ginny's and together they stopped at Dumbledore's tomb. Harry heard Ron and Hermione stop several paces behind them.
Rolling his sleeves up, Harry pushed the cracked marble slab out of his way with the help of Ginny. She managed the smaller pieces whilst Harry heaved the biggest and heaviest piece. As the stone crumbled to the floor, a pale skinned wizard with a black hand that looked charred and a beard that remained tuck in his belt as it always, laid motionless. Harry stared at the body of his favourite headmaster. He almost expected him to move, to open his eyes, to speak wise words, even to twitch a finger but nothing.
Ginny caressed Harry's hand soothing and footsteps sounded behind him and soon Hermione's hand folded into Harry's spare. She was holding Ron's hand too. The four of the them didn't move. The only noise was their breathing and sounds from the castle.
The more Harry looked at Dumbledore, the more it pained him. The Elder Wand felt heavy in his pocket, like someone had attached a ball and chain to it. The burden of carrying it made Harry feel vulnerable for himself and the three surrounding him. Unlatching his hand from Hermione's, he reached into his pocket and pulling out the cursed wand that had only ever brought trouble. He stepped forward and Ginny followed, not even loosening her grip. Dumbledore's hands had been resting on his beard, empty. Harry replaced the wand and squeezed Dumbledore's hands so they could take hold of it once again.
"It belongs here," Harry whispered, a single tear dropping onto Dumbledore's face.
When he stepped back, he took out his wand as did Ron, Hermione and Ginny. With all four of them pointing their wand at Dumbledore's grave, they whispered "Reparo," and the marble slabs rose up and started colliding with each other. Instead of breaking, they made one solid slab of marble and resumed its place, completely covering Dumbledore's body.
Ginny sniffled and Harry looked over to see her crying softly. He moved in for a hug but Ginny shook her head and pointed her wand at the grave. "Orchideous," she said hoarsely, her voice squeaking and a bunch of white roses grew from the tip of her wand. When they were fully grown, they floated down next to Dumbledore's grave. The sight of this made her burst into hysterics and this time she let Harry comfort her.
Harry slowly rubbed her back in circles and turned to look at Hermione. "Could you?" He nodded to the tomb and Hermione understood, stepping back and raising her wand to the sky.
"Cave Inimicum," Hermione said, trying to sound strong and with a zigzag motion of her wand, a blurry but transparent glow beamed around Dumbledore and then there was nothing. Hermione's wand dropped to the floor and Hermione fell into Ron's arms, almost collapsing like all her strength had been used up in one spell and all she could do was cry.
Harry smiled weakly at Ron and led Ginny back up the hill toward the castle. Next on the agenda was to release one statement about the event and hope that the press would leave him be. Harry knew it was a long and hopeless shot but Kingsley had insisted.
Thankfully Ginny was calming herself down. Harry knew she hated crying because she felt weak and too emotional to think clearly. He had told her that there was nothing wrong with crying but Ginny insisted it was a sign of weakness.
As they walked into the Great Hall, it was obvious that this was the first thing to under go clean up. The windows were complete. The holes in the walls had been filled over and all the rubble and debris had been cleared. According to Ron, Filch had been working all night long. All the House tables had returned but there was no Head table. All the teachers weren't present. They were probably repairing the rest of the school. The biggest change was the lack of dead bodies. They had all been moved to the hospital wing. No one really knew what to do with them. The bodies of dead Death Eaters had been thrown into the Black Lake on request of the giant squid that lurked below. Apparently evil had a sweet taste.
Mrs Weasley was talking to Mr Weasley in hushed tones and when Harry and Ginny walked in, the talking stopped and Mrs Weasley hurried to hug the pair of them. Mr Weasley stood up slower and walked towards them. Kingsley Shacklebolt saw Harry enter and walked over to them, stopping just inches behind Mr Weasley.
"Oh my goodness, Ginny, you've been crying again haven't you?" Mrs Weasley fussed around in her robes and found a spare, neatly folded tissue, handing it to Ginny who took it and blew her nose.
"Harry, can we get this statement done? There's lots to be done and as Minister of Magic, I've got to find a good burial site." Kingsley was tapping his foot impatiently and kept re-crossing his arms. Harry nodded and kissed Ginny's hair before walking away, following Kingsley to a vacant stretch of table. He sat down opposite Kingsley and saw Ginny being led to another table with Mr and Mrs Weasley.
Then his attention turned to Kingsley who had a quill in hand and a piece of parchment under his elbow. "I just want to get what happened briefly and then hopefully that can end the attention on you. So start where you think is appropriate."
Harry thought for a while. He could talk about Voldemort's troubled past and just talk about what happened in the Forbidden Forest. Finally he decided to give everyone enough information but keep enough to himself that people wouldn't feel sorry and give him more attention.
He looked at Kingsley who was waiting patiently, looking at Harry. It was time to begin.
"When I was just one, my mother's love created a shield that Tom Riddle couldn't penetrate. He had been neglected and alone as a child and had never known the true feeling of love. So he hadn't expected my mother's sacrifice protecting me.
"And again, in the Forest, my mother protected me, and my father and everyone that had already died in battle. Their alliance protected me and as Riddle fired the Killing Curse at me, he didn't realise that it hadn't worked." Harry didn't want to lie to everyone but he knew what a curious mind could accomplish if he cared enough.
"I pretended to be dead. I wanted to increase my advantage and make Riddle fear what was unknown. When the time came, I revealed myself to him and duelled like many saw. Everyone was protected. His curses were missing their targets. My sacrifice protected everyone who was still fighting. And then, our wands connected and his Killing Curse rebounded but this time, he wouldn't have the chance to return for he was a mortal man, just like me.
"He's dead. The world can breathe a sigh of relief because he is never coming back. It's safe."
Kingsley capitalised the last statement and then he rested his quill and folded his arms. "You've been very brave. The entire wizarding world has you to thank-"
"I don't want any special treatment or fame from this," Harry interrupted, ruffling his hair, revealing his lightning scar by accident. "But mention Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna. They deserve as much praise as me."
"I understand Harry and the Ministry will do everything in its power to keep you and those around you out of the spotlight. Unfortunately I can't guarantee that those like Rita Skeeter won't stalk you at every outing you take but at the moment, she's serving a community sentence for not registering her Animagus status. Anyway, a couple of reporters shouldn't prove to difficult for you," Kingsley winked and started rolling up the piece of parchment and quill.
"Congratulations on becoming Minister of Magic by the way. You deserve it, after everything that's happened," Harry said, smiling as Kingsley looked up from what he was doing.
Kingsley smiled back and for a moment, his age appeared in his weary eyes. It seemed the whole ordeal had taken its toll. "Thankyou Harry. It's only a temporary thing but the Wizengamot Court is holding a discussion in the near future to determine the length of my stay."
"Well I hope you stay in office. Finally, there might be a Minister of Magic that I like …" Harry's voice trailed off because a red headed girl stood up, catching his eye.
"Please," Ginny pleaded to her parents and Harry and Kingsley walked closer to the Weasley family. "I need him. Please?" A couple of tears were streaming down her face and Harry immediately took longer steps until he was behind her shoulder. Ginny awkwardly found Harry's hand an held it tightly between both her hands. Confused, Harry looked at Mr and Mrs Weasley for answers to what was going on but they were staring at each other, sharing a silent conversation with their eyes. Then Mrs Weasley looked at Ginny and Harry and bowed her head. Quickly Ginny kissed her parents' cheeks and pulled Harry back to Kingsley who was waiting a few feet behind Harry.
"Alright, well I have your statement. I would advise not to talk to any reporters and merely say that you've given your statement and that is all. I should be off to the next task in hand," Kingsley said, bending over the nearest table to shuffle his pieces of parchments.
"Erm, Kingsley, I mean, Minister, I heard you mention that you weren't sure what to do with the causalities. Maybe you could bury them in front of Dumbledore's grave with a plaque, awarding them with a high honour." Harry pulled Ginny closer to him. "It was just a thought," Harry mumbled before exiting the Great Hall. As soon as they were in an empty corridor, Harry turned to Ginny. "What was that about?"
"Nothing to worry about," Ginny answered, kissing him on the cheek.