Chapter 3: And Listen Closely To What I Say

"I don't really want to go back," said Ron as they walked down the corridors. Hermione looked slightly crestfallen.

"I just don't know!" she said nervously. "It would be great, but..."

"But what?" asked Harry.

"So much has happened to us here. I don't think I could take it," she said quietly. Ron put his arm around her.

"Well it's totally your decision. I don't want to go back, but if it was what you wanted, you could."

"I'm not sure I want to go back either," said Harry very quietly. "But let's not tell your mum just yet. Enough is going on right now."

The trio walked into the Great Hall. Ginny stood up at the Gryffindor table and waved them over. Harry sat down next to Ginny and Ron and Hermione sat next to him. Mr. and Mrs.Weasley were sitting on the other side of the them and were accompanied by Bill, Fleur, Charlie, and Percy. They all had the same look on their faces: Like they were filled with grief, but relief that the battle had been won.

"Good morning," said Harry awkwardly. "I'm so s-"

"-Don't," said Mr.Weasley firmly. "It is not your fault. You ended the war. People die in war, it's a sad truth. We want to thank you."

"But-" This time Charlie interrupted him.

"-Harry. Don't blame yourself. Please." Harry felt Ginny grab his hand.

"It's not your fault," she said as she looked him straight in the eyes.

"So what did Headmistress McGonagall and the Minister want?" asked Percy.

"Oh, to just talk about the future of Hogwarts...and us," said Hermione. "They're going to repair Hogwarts, they're announcing when the funerals will be this evening, they invited us back to Hogwarts for a seventh year, they've asked Ron and Harry to train for Aurors, and are even going to help me get a position as a Healer."

"Well that's excellent they've invited you back. You'd be in the same year as Ginny when she comes back-"

"Mom, actually I don't w-" started Ginny, but Mrs.Weasley raised her voice to drown out Ginny and continued as though Ginny had said nothing.

"-and you'll be able to train as Aurors when you graduate..."

Harry gave Ginny an inquiring look, but she looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. He pulled her closer to him and put his arm around her waist. They ate breakfast and discussed what was going to happen now. Suddenly Harry realized that George was not there.

"Where's George?" he asked.

"You know... I havn't seen him since earlier yesterday," said Hermione with a worried look on her face.

"I'll go look for him," said Ron as he stood up. "Join me?" he asked Hermione, holding out his hand.

"Sure," she said as she took his hand. They left the Great Hall. Harry stared down at his plate. Fred should be here...he should be celebrating the end of the war with us...he shouldn't be dead... he thought over and over.

"I'll be right back," he said quietly. He hurried out of the Great Hall and ran to the beech tree by the lake. He hid behind it and sat down. He couldn't help himself. He let hot tears stream down his face and into his lap. Pain, grief, and mourning. He knew these feelings all too well. He knew happiness would come eventually, but he wished the time in between didn't have to be so difficult. He let every tear out of him before he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Then he layed his head back onto the trunk of the tree and breathed deeply. He felt the sun's warmth spread across his face and he could feel the breeze in the air. The weather seemed to be mocking him. He felt something scratch his nose and he snapped his eyes open. Ginny had levitated a leaf and was repeatedly causing it to tap his nose. She gave him a timid smile and sat down next to him. She started to ask him the question he knew he'd be hearing a lot.

"Are you-"

"I'm fine."

"No. You're not. And I'm not thick enough to believe you are."

Harry took a deep breath. Nothing got past Ginny.

"It's my fault," he said. He was surprised at how steady his voice sounded.

"Fred? Or everything in general?"

"Everything," he said quietly.

"Harry no it's not. If it weren't for you we'd still be in fear that Voldemort was going to kill more people. He's gone now. And Fred knew there wasn't a guaruntee he'd be safe. He knew he might d..." she choked on the last word. Harry, who had been staring out across the lake, looked up at her. She had tears falling down her face. She made an attempt to steady herself and then said:

"He knew he might die fighting," she said in almost a whisper. Harry pulled her towards him and put an arm around her.

"He should be here," he whispered.

"But he's not..." she said very quietly.

"But he's not..." he repeated. The tears started to fall from his eyes again as he kissed her head.

Woohoo new chapter! I've been so busy with CRCT coming up and deciding my high school classes I'm glad I've got a new one up. Well please review!