"It's getting late," said Hermione. "We'd probably better get going too, especially if we're going to uncharm mum and dad tonight."
They stood and looked around the room. George had indeed found Lee. They were sitting at a table with and unusual arrangement of people. Charlie, Percy, Bill, Fleur, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Arthur & Molly Weasley, Professor McGonagall, Andromeda holding Teddy, and Hagrid were all laughing hysterically.
"And then you," they overheard an uproarious Mrs. Weasley say pointing at George, "tossed Mad-Eye's magical eye to your brother who proceeded to run under the coffee table."
"And because of his Santa suit, and the bag of gifts, and all the wrapping paper on the floor Moody couldn't get to Fred," chimed in Arthur.
"An' 'member he wuz missin' his eye! So he's fallin' all over all o' us, screamin' 'I'll get you little Weasleys!'" Hagrid said slapping his knee and tearing up at the same time.
"How old were we, again?" asked George loving every word.
"You two had to be just 3 or 4," said Charlie, "because I remember I was still scared of Mad Eye back then."
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, & Harry laughed and felt heartened that some healing had begun. They slowly turned toward the entrance, away from the people they loved the most, ready to make their own memories.
Hermione turned to Harry and said, "You know you're welcome to come with us. It won't be the same without you."
Harry grinned at Ron who was standing behind Hermione shaking his head, indicating to Harry he should not tag along as a third wheel. But once the joke had passed, Ron said, "Seriously Harry, you're always welcome with us."
Harry could not believe he was about to leave his two best friends. He knew it was not for good, but he understood it would be different from this point forward.
"Nah," Harry shrugged. "I mean thanks, but you two have got books to write and surfing to do, I'd just be in the way."
"Never," said Hermione genuinely.
"Right," said Harry as he started to move away, "well, we knew this would happen someday."
"We did?" asked Ron. "Yeah, well we thought we'd all be dead, so I see what you mean." Ginny punched his arm.
"Before we go, can I talk to you for a second?" Ron asked Harry.
They left the girls to say their goodbyes.
When they had walked a safe distance away from the Ginny and Hermione, Ron said, "It's hard to imagine we're all getting on with our lives."
"Yeah," agreed Harry taking it in. "What's this about, Ron?"
"Oh, you mean you and me talking. I guess I just wanted to say…"
"Hey, I love you too, man," said Harry.
"What? You're a nutter. No, I just wanted to reiterate again that if you break my sister's heart, I will break your neck."
Taken aback, Harry smiled. "How did two dumb blokes like us land such great girls?"
"I do not know. But they are wonderful and we do not deserve them."
"You've got that right," said Harry, "but we can never let on that we recognize this."
"Of course not, Are you kidding?" Ron affirmed. "So, I've changed my mind. You should dump Ginny, then I could rightfully kill you and would become the possessor of the Elder wand."
Harry snickered. "Okay, if I break her heart, you have my permission to kill me and own the most powerful wand known to man."
"Not that I need your permission.
"Right," said Harry. "But if I find out you've mistreated Hermione, whom I love like my own flesh and blood, in any way, I will gladly give you the Elder wand."
Ron thought about this for a second, "Now what?"
"Yes," Harry said with an amused expression, "If you break Hermione's heart, you will soon find the Elder wand rammed so far up your ass…"
"Okay, okay, I get it. We'll take care of the girls," said Ron.
"Agreed."
They walked back over toward the tearful girls as they were hugging goodbye.
Hermione looked at Harry. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you, Harry Potter."
"Please," Harry said with false bravado, "you're going to be writing me letters daily about your amazing book, asking for my expert opinion. It'll be like I never left. But don't write anything about the Hallows, okay?"
"Give me some credit," said Hermione, "Just because the book will be truthful, I know I can't write everything. You think we need every non-muggle searching for the three objects which you alone know the whereabouts? I'm smarter than you think."
"Not possible, Hermione."
"I will write you this time," she said.
"I know you will," Harry hugged her.
She kissed his cheek, to which Ron, who was hugging Ginny, raised an eyebrow in jest.
"Hey, hey," said Harry, "This isn't goodbye. You guys come to Grimmauld Place when you get back from Australia. I'll have Kreacher whip us up a good dinner and it'll be like old times."
"Old times?" asked Ron, "except now we can Disapparte to your doorstep without the cloak, right? And the whole fearing for our lives part, that part's changed too?"
"For sure." And as Ron and Hermione turned to walk away, Harry said, "Thanks… for everything, you two." He loved them. They waved goodbye and walked toward the exit, arms locked around each other and excited about another adventure.
"So now it's just us," said Ginny.
"Yeah, just us."
"One of these days you're going to fill me in on everything, right? Like the sword? Or horcruxes? Or what are Hallows?"
"Ginny," said Harry, realizing how little she knew about his last year. "I'll tell you everything, just not tonight."
She nodded in agreement.
"Hogwarts, huh?" Harry asked, probing her about the decision.
"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't have time to tell you before."
"Well, I'm sure if I hadn't slept yesterday away it would have come up."
"Yes, it would have," she said, "Harry, I just think it's important that I figure out who I am and what I want. But I know you're part of that too."
"I agree," said Harry.
"Really! You're not upset?"
"Upset, no of course not. I need time to figure out my next step too, and it'll be nice to know you're here at Hogwarts safe and happy while I'm doing that."
"But we'll still have Christmas break. And Easter," she offered.
"What have you got planned for this summer?" he asked smiling.
"Well, I was planning on visiting Grimmauld Place….I've heard that place is a wreck, and could really use a woman's touch."
They walked hand in hand toward the school's grand entrance. Before walking down the staircase, Harry abruptly stopped.
"Ginny, I have a confession," Harry stated bluntly.
"Oh?" she asked with a puzzled look.
"I'm afraid you might be sore with me."
"You know you can tell me anything," she said reassuringly.
"Well, here goes… At Bill and Fleur's wedding last summer, I told Viktor Krum you had a boyfriend," he said shaking his head in mock shame.
"Harry!" she shrieked, half relieved and half embarrassed she had been naïve enough to encourage his yarn.
"Well, since you are being completely honest with me, I suppose I should be honest with you," Ginny began.
"Oh?" Harry mimicked her, though he was intrigued.
She leaned towards him and whispered, "I told Krum I had a boyfriend too."
Harry brightened. "You did?"
"Yep."
"Big bloke? Jealous type?" Harry asked, now strutting in his step.
"Actually, I think I said he was a bit bookish," Ginny said smiling.
"Bookish!" Harry exclaimed as he reached for her. She lunged away from him and ran down the marble staircase, careful to jump over the holes. Harry chased her for a few moments, both of them laughing as they ran through the school yard.
"Petrifio!" Harry said with the flick of his wand and Ginny's feet were frozen to the ground.
"Completely unfair!" Ginny protested, shocked and amused, as Harry caught up to her.
"I was just wondering," said Harry as another wand movement released Ginny's feet, "if you would care to join me for one last walk around our lovely lake here at Hogwarts?"
She wrapped her arms around him and said, "No magic?"
"I can't make any promises…" Harry Potter said holding Ginny.
"Even better."
The End
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