A/N: Latest update - hope you like. I'll update so soon you won't believe it (no lie)

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Chapter Three

After the Battle

Everyone was still amazed at how Harry had just killed Tom. Mum, Dad, what was left of my brothers, Harry, Hermione and myself all went home to the Burrow. We all cleaned ourselves up, especially Harry, Ron and Hermione who'd been camping for over six months, and went to enjoy the lovely dinner that Mum had cooked, though we all ate in separate rooms. Hermione, Harry and Ron ate like they hadn't done so in years. They were all shockingly thin, even my brother who has never been underweight. I tried to get Harry alone but every time I had the chance I'd decide otherwise. What would I say to him? To be honest, I just wanted some alone time. I wanted Harry too and neither of these things were hard to come by so why was I being so ignorant towards myself?

Three weeks had gone by and the house grew quieter every day. I wasn't even sure if anyone else was home.

The Burrow was extremely quiet apart from the almost silent conversation going on in the attic where Hermione and I had spent most of our time as not to disturb the mourning family living in the house.

Both of us would've gone home to give them their space but neither of us had any family to go to. The Dursleys wanted nothing to do with me now that I was seventeen and of age. Mr and Mrs Grangers' memories were erased by Hermione herself in order to keep them safe. They had no idea who she was nor did they know anything about the 'other world' that existed. There was plenty of space for myself and Hermione at the Burrow now that its only residents were Mr and Mrs Weasley, Ron, Ginny and temporarily, George.

Me and Hermione were the only occupants in the Burrow that weren't still grieving their loss. Well, I'd spent most of my life grieving my family and friends. My parents died when I was a year old followed by my godfather, Sirius Black. Remus Lupin, my father's other best friend and only connection to my parents died along with many more in the recent war. I was glad to still have Hermione, Ron and his family. Hermione was grieving her parents who hadn't died but were still gone.

So, as I was saying, the Burrow was silent apart from mine and Hermione's whispered banter in the attic.

"You should go talk to him," I said.

"You do it," Hermione argued, "You're his best friend!"

"And so are you. Just 'cause I'm a guy doesn't make him closer to me. As a matter of fact I have spoken to him."

"Well he doesn't need me to then!"

"He does, he told me."

"Oh, really?" she snapped sarcastically.

"Yes, really. He misses you, Hermione. He thought you two had something special. So did I but now he thinks you didn't mean anything by it."

"Didn't mean anything by what?!"

"By that kiss! You kissed him, Hermione and you held onto each other for almost all of our 'near death camping experience'. You spent that battle defending each other you made him feel like you finally wanted him and now by pushing him away you're making him feel like it was a joke. Like it was all because you pity him."

"I, I never, I didn't mean..." she couldn't get the words out.

"I'm sorry, what?" I said sarcastically.

Hermione took a deep breath, "It wasn't pretend. It was real, every second of it and you know that. You know what I feel for him and you know how much I want him; how much I need him," she drew another breath, "but he doesn't need me. Not now. What he needs now is time. He needs time to mourn Fred."

"That's what I thought too. But then I realised how stupid I'd been." My voice rose slightly as an urge to finally say what I'd been keeping in for so long suddenly erupted, "Ever since I've set foot in the magical world I've been mourning all those who died. Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself but it's true! When I heard more about my parents' death, when Sirius died, when Dumbledore died, when Remus died, when Snape died. All of them died with their heads held high but it hurt me. They were my parents, my godfather, my mentor, my last connection to my family and one that was most surprising, the man I'd despised as long as I'd known him, my protector. It hurts like hell. Like hell and beyond but all I wanted at first was space but after a while I just wanted my loved ones back. I wanted you and Ron and Ron's family and our friends and everyone to treat me like normal. To comfort me too but to get me back into routine. That's what I needed and that's what I got and that's what Ron wants and needs. We can't hide in the attic forever, Hermione. We need to remind this whole family that they still have each other and that they still have Fred deep down in their hearts."

During this speech I'd had risen to my feet. Slowly I sat back down again feeling relieved that I'd finally told someone how I feel.

"I understand now. And Harry I'm so sorry for all you've lost and you're right. So here's the deal: I will talk to Ron if you go talk to Ginny."

"Ginny?" I asked. I was not expecting that.

"She needs you."

A while later, I heard Harry and Hermione finally come downstairs to the kitchen for a bite to eat. I wondered what they'd been doing up there and why wasn't I or even Ron invited. Were they a thing now? Mum was in the hall way and Ron in the living room. I came down the stairs and went to sit in the living room, not knowing it was occupied. "Oh, sorry I thought-" I stammered.

"Oh no, no, come in." Ron gestured to the space on the sofa next to him.

Slowly I came and sat next to him leaving room for a whole other person between us. We sat in silence for a bit when Ron asked, "So, umm, you okay?"

I felt myself shaking, "No," I said in a wobbly voice and before I could stop myself I was howling. It was so embarrassing! I never cried, ever, but Fred had taken that with him when he left us. In between sobs I managed to speak. "I'm sorry, it's just it's not the same!" I turned my head in the opposite direction of Ron.

Ron was shocked. He hadn't seen me cry like this since I was a baby. Carefully he put his arm around me. I snuggled into his warm body and he held me while I cried, letting a few of his own tears fall too. "It's okay. It's painful now but we just need to move on really. Fred will never leave us; he'll always be in our hearts." Ron began to stroke my now ratty ginger hair and dry my eyes. "He'd be sad to see us so miserable. He'd want us to be enjoying life and celebrating the downfall of You-Know-Who, bloody hell, Voldemort. Yes I'm saying his name because I no longer fear him. We all helped in that battle. Fred died in dignity. He died so we can live happily because he loves us so much and we love him."

"I love you, Ron" I whispered rather shyly.

"I love you too."

I turned to see that the whole household were gathered at the entrance of the living room watching us, the youngest Weasleys, showing our love for each other. I was quite embarrassed then realised that I didn't care. This presentation of affection was unheard of when it came to myself and Ron. Mum had tears in her eyes as she quietly told everyone to leave us be.

That evening, the beautiful smell of Molly Weasley's home cooked food wafted throughout the house. By seven o'clock, the entire household were gathered around the dinner table for the first time in almost a year. Food was passed around in silence until George of all people said, "This is amazing, mum."

"Why, thank you, dear!"

And after that, polite conversation was made which soon turned into friendly laughter and even a few jokes. It was almost a normal meal. I took this as an opportunity to speak to Ginny. When I'd done my share of cleaning I looked for Ginny. She wasn't downstairs, she wasn't in her room. I decided to wait a few minutes in case she was just in the loo but after ten I decided she wasn't and resulted to the garden.

There she was, standing by a large oak tree. The wind blew her beautiful ginger hair and I suddenly realised how much I'd missed her. Quietly I walked up to her until we were less than an inch apart. "Ginny..." I breathed.

She turned around. I couldn't help but grin as her delicate brown eyes looked straight into my fiery green ones. I waited for her to say something but all she did was look down at her feet, not even smiling.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, confused.

When she looked back at me, there were tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It's Fred isn't it?" I said putting a hand in her shoulder. She pushed me off and shook her head.

"Don't act like you don't know!" she said coldly.

"Hermione. She said I should talk to you. I didn't realise you'd be this angry at me." I took a step back from her, "I didn't mean to leave you at Bill and Fleur's wedding. I wanted to say goodbye, tell you that I was doing this for you."

She looked into my eyes once more and stepped closer to me, "for me?"

"Well, for everyone. But at times I felt like giving up because I didn't really have much to lose but then I thought of you. I had to go on for you." I smiled broadly at her, "And After the battle I wanted to hold you close and tell you that I was here for you but I decided you needed space and that I shouldn't be the one to come to you first. I went to Ron because he'd been through a lot with me and he is my best friend. I owed him that especially because I'd been spending an awful lot of time with Hermione in the attic. I was going to come to you but I kept putting it off thinking you'd be a wreck and that you wouldn't want me anymore."

"I'll always want you." she insisted.

"Well, I know that now."

"Come," she said pulling me by the hand to a faraway place. We walked for a long time and talked about how dreadful Hogwarts had been for Ginny that past year. I told her my plans to go backs to Hogwarts and she was thrilled that we'd get another year there together. I also talked about Auror training and what I want to do after school.

Finally we arrived at a pond. There was a swing on a tree and without thinking I grabbed Ginny around the waist. She screamed and laughed as I put her down on the swing. Planting a kiss on her cheek, I began to push her on the swing going higher and higher. Ginny took a tremendous jump off of the swing and landed in the pond. I was terrified for a second but her pretty face popped out from the water and her laughter filled the air.

"Come in if you dare!" she said chucking both her shoes at me.

I stripped off my jacket and shoes then jumped into the pond. The water was surprisingly warm considering it was evening and we were in Britain. I could touch the bottom but I doubted Ginny could. She swam towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself so our bodies were touching. Her legs wrapped around my waist and I held her up undernethe her upper thighs. Our foreheads pressed together and our lips met. I'd waited almost a whole year for this moment.

I'd missed Harry so much and now we had this wonderful moment to ourselves. Our kiss was passionate and lasting. When we pulled away I smiled and he smiled back as he helped me out of the pond. He took off his shirt and I took off mine still wearing a vest underneath. We squeezed the water out of them before laying them out on the grass. We lay our socks out next to them. I ran and did a cartwheel then carried on running and jumping around. I probably looked like an idiot but that didn't matter. I grabbed Harry's hands and we span around in circles before flopping down onto the soft grass. We lay there peacefully, fingers intertwined, making shapes out of clouds.

Before we knew it, the sky was dark and the moon was shining high above us. Harry's pale skin stood out in the darkness.

"I think my shirt is dry," he said going over to the spot where we'd left our clothes. They weren't wet anymore but they were still damp. I pulled on my shirt and socks and Harry did the same. He crept up on me while my back was turned and lifted me by my waist and held me close to him. Playfully, I hit him on the arm and he kissed my neck. I hurled myself towards the soft, grassy ground brining Harry down with me. He rolled over so I was on top of him before leaning in to kiss me again.

"Where have you two been?" my mother asked furiously.

"The lake." I answered.

"The lake? Well that explains your damp clothes." she started bustling about the living room and eventually handed two blankets to Harry and myself. "Next time, go in the day not when it's dark and cold."

We sat in the living room drinking hot chocolate with blankets draped around us. Ron and Hermione were playing a very intense game of Snakes and Ladders. Harry and I found it hilarious. Neither of them liked to lose. Dad and George were fumbling with a muggle item which Harry and Hermione explained that it was a "telephone". It took Dad, George, Ron and I all a while to fully understand that you use it to speak to people. I'm still not sure how they fit inside that tiny box.

After that, life was pretty simple for once. Ron, Mr Weasley, Hermione and I started to help rebuild Hogwarts with many others too and soon it was just as it had always been! The previous school term had ended early so I still had almost the whole of the school holidays with my "family". Ginny forgave me and we spent our days by the lake or playing Quidditch with the others. Life was easier now that Voldemort was gone. Many of the Death Eaters were captured; some came out of trances and re-joined our side while some went off into hiding. It would take a while to get them all but for now all that mattered was getting back what I'd lost that last year.