Author's Note: I own nothing. All belongs to J.K. Rowling. Also, thanks for the reviews! As a new author, I'm really glad you like it :)

Chapter Three

Harry and Ginny strolled hand in hand back into the Great Hall just as the orange sun was setting behind the castle. It was hard to keep track of the time that had passed since the battle. Hagrid had returned with Kingsley and several others after disposing of Voldemort's body. Neville was gone, and Mr. Weasley had evidently convinced George to return to the Burrow.

Hermione looked up and smiled as the pair entered the room. Ginny blushed and took a seat beside her when Harry leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I'll be right back." She watched as he walked over to where Professor McGonagall was sitting with a few of the other professors who had stuck around.

"Ginny, dear, you need some sleep." Mrs. Weasley said, coming up behind her daughter and patting her on the shoulder. "I'd say it's about time we go back to the Burrow."

"What's Harry doing? I want to wait for him." Ginny barely looked up at her mother. She didn't want to take her eyes off Harry.

"Yes, of course, we can wait for Harry." Molly Weasley sighed and sat down next to Ron.

Percy was chatting with Kingsley, and although he had experienced a change of heart with regard to his family, it appeared that his pretentious attitude was the same as always. He strutted over to his mother, planted a kiss on her cheek, and said, "I'm going home, Mother. Kingsley told me he'll be in touch about my job. I'll be around to the Burrow soon, I promise."

"Alright dear, please be safe." She squeezed his hand tightly, but didn't have the sense of excitement that one would expect from a mother who had recently reunited with her son. Perhaps the horrific loss of Percy's brother was finally catching up with her.

Ginny really didn't feel like sitting with her family anymore, so her curiosity overcame her and she slowly walked over to where Harry was standing with Professor McGonagall. She half expected him to stop his conversation when he realized she was standing there, but to her delight he took her hand and pulled her closer to him.

"Of course I understand, Potter. We can certainly discuss it more later this week. The other Professors and I will be here trying to clean up the damage. Just come by whenever you're ready and I will be most willing to hear your tale." Professor McGonagall smiled, patted Harry on the shoulder, and walked away.

"What was that about?" Ginny inquired.

"I feel like I need to tell her what happened. Why we were gone, and what we were doing. I just…don't think I can tell her right now. I also wanted to tell her that I'm going to come back and help with cleanup. I just need to spend a little time with my friends and girlfriend first." He grinned down at her. She returned his gaze and silently led him to where the remaining members of her family were awaiting them.

"Harry, could you come outside with me for a moment?" Mr. Weasley asked suddenly. Everyone had been sitting silently around the dinner table, and all but George looked startled by this seemingly random request.

"Uh, sure, Mr. Weasley." Harry slid his hand out of Ginny's grasp and followed the older man out the door. Arthur Weasley said nothing as they walked across the dark yard. Finally they came to a stop in front of the shed where he kept all of his muggle artifacts.

"I have something for you, Harry. I've been working on it for a while, and it's finished. I didn't know when you'd be back so I hurried to get it done in time, and, well, it's just been sitting here for months so I figure now is as good a time as any to give it to you." He opened the door to the shed and pointed proudly to Sirius's old motorbike. "I'm sure you'll still prefer a broom, but as this belonged to Sirius, and then you rode in it with Hagrid, I thought you might want it."

Harry's mouth had dropped open. "Of course I want it! Thank you, Mr. Weasley! This is fantastic!"

"I thought it was one more thing for you to have to…remember…Sirius." Mr. Weasley's voice cracked. Harry's ecstatic euphoria vanished. He was suddenly hit once again with the realization that the Weasleys were grieving so heavily over Fred, and he had been utterly selfish to intrude on their suffering.

"I really appreciate it, Mr. Weasley." Harry said slowly. "And it will certainly serve as a reminder of my godfather, but I've learned that the most powerful reminder we have of those who have gone is the memory of them we carry in our hearts."

Mr. Weasley looked straight into Harry's eyes, his own glistening with tears. "So young, yet so wise. I guess life has given you plenty of practice with this type of thing, Harry. Thank you."

They walked back into the house. Ginny, Ron, Hermione, George, and Mrs. Weasley were still sitting around the dinner table, but Bill and Fleur had arrived and were both leaning against the kitchen counter. No one was speaking, and even though Harry longed to comfort them, he felt that his presence in this private family gathering was unwarranted. Ginny looked up at him, and he could tell by her expression that she wanted him to stay. He nodded at her and then motioned outside. Hermione caught this expression and looked at him questioningly, while soothingly rubbing Ron's back. Ginny stood up and followed him into the living room.

"You're not leaving?" She asked in a desperate, almost threatening tone.

"Just for a little while. I really need to speak with Andromeda Tonks, and I need to check on Grimmauld Place…I can't imagine the state it's in.."

"Why do I feel like that's an excuse to get out of here?" Ginny crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Well..I just…your family needs time to grieve together—"

"Harry, you ARE part of the family!"

"—and I'll be back soon, I promise. As soon as I take care of a few things." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Ginny still wasn't happy about the situation, but she didn't say anything else as he quietly left the room and walked out into the darkening night.