Harry didn't wake again until early the next afternoon. Immediately he realized that he'd not had the battle dreams at all and a smile spread across his face. Rather than the battle dreams, his head had been full of Ginny in dreams that rivaled the ones he'd had in his sixth year before they'd gotten together. It was an odd sensation to wake up smiling; he couldn't honestly remember the last time it had happened. Again he felt guilt over the happiness that was currently gracing his life but quickly pushed those thoughts from his head choosing to believe, at least for the moment, that he was entitled to a little happiness sometimes. He bent to gather clean clothing and a towel from the foot of his bed before heading to the bathroom for a shower.
"You're finally awake," Ron said, as he burst into the dorm, "Mum's been sending me up here hourly, since 8:00 this morning, to check on you. The first two times, you just pulled the blankets over your head and rolled over. The last time, you used some mighty colorful language."
"Sorry mate," Harry said with a smirk, "I was pretty tired. I haven't been sleeping well."
"I've noticed," Ron said, "What have you been dreaming about? The Voldemort dreams have stopped right?"
"Oh yeah, these are just run-of-the-mill nightmares, mostly about the battle," Harry replied.
"Oh, that's good," Ron said with a sigh, "Not that you're having nightmares, but that you're not having the Voldemort visions anymore."
"Well considering he's dead," Harry said, "That would be very disconcerting. I hope I haven't been keeping you and the guys awake."
"Nah, not like you did sometimes with those other dreams," Ron said with a shudder, "With those, it was like you were possessed and we couldn't wake you until the vision was over."
"Well, I'm going to jump in the shower," Harry said, becoming uncomfortable talking about his dreams.
"Okay, I'll see you down in the Great Hall for lunch then?" Ron asked, "I think they're handing out more jobs around the castle after lunch."
Harry nodded and headed into the shower. As he stood in the hot spray, he thought about how difficult the next few days would be. They would soon be leaving the castle and going home to the Burrow. The majority of the repairs that were left to be made couldn't be done by the group left at the school. Harry imagined that returning to the Burrow might bring about a fresh wave of sorrow over Fred. Seeing his room, his seat at the table in the Burrow's kitchen, or his old artwork and portraits on the walls was sure to prove difficult for the family. There would be funerals to attend soon; Fred's, Remus', and Tonks', for sure. Maybe Colin's as well. Harry wondered briefly if there would be a funeral for Snape; he'd have to ask Professor McGonagall. Harry was grateful that he had one bright spot in all of this, Ginny. Having one thing to look to, for happiness and the promise of a brighter future, would help him make it through the horrible days that were to come. Again the guilt washed over him thinking about how people like George, Andromeda, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were suffering. How could any of them possibly be seeing a bright spot in all of this? He knew eventually they would find something or someone to help them move forward. After Sirius' and then Dumbledore's deaths, Harry had been motivated to continue moving forward by focusing on eliminating Voldemort from all of their lives. His happiness over Ginny was making him feel selfish but he knew that he couldn't just deny it.
When Harry entered the Great Hall twenty minutes later, he saw the Weasley family and Hermione grouped together at one end of the Gryffindor table. He blew out a nervous breath as he approached. He had gotten past his need to be isolated; it wasn't that. But he wasn't sure how ready he was to be under the scrutiny of Ginny's five older brothers. He wondered idly if Ginny had shared the news of their reunion with anyone or not.
There was an empty seat next to Ginny and across from Ron, into which Harry gratefully sank. She turned slightly toward him and smiled.
"Harry," Molly called down the table, "I'm glad you finally had a good night's sleep. Feeling better?'
"Much better, thanks," he replied.
He felt Ginny grasp his hand under the table and whisper, "Any dreams last night?"
"Only about you," Harry whispered back mischievously.
Ginny blushed but didn't say anything further. Harry filled his plate and ate like he hadn't in a year. It seemed like his appetite improved when he was in good spirits.
"So Harry," Ron said, "I woke up around one in the morning and you weren't there, where did you go in the middle of the night?"
"Maybe I was in the bathroom," Harry said, trying to avoid answering the question.
"I was awake for about fifteen minutes waiting for you to come back. I don't think you were in the bathroom," Ron accused.
"Well you know those dreams I was telling you about earlier?" Harry said, "I have found that the longer I stay up, and the more exhausted I am before I go to bed, the less likely I am to have those dreams. So I wander around the castle, trying to stay awake."
Ron looked pityingly at Harry before asking, "Where did you wander to last night?"
"The astronomy tower," Harry said.
He felt Ginny stiffen a little at his side as Hermione, who was seated across from her, gasped a little and loudly whispered, "Ginny, didn't you say that you were up in the astronomy tower last night?"
"Sorry," Harry whispered to Ginny, "I guess we should have compared stories."
"So you two are back together then?" Ron asked keenly.
"Yeah," Harry and Ginny replied in unison.
"About bloody time," Ron said grinning, "When did this happy occasion take place?"
"Just last night," Ginny said, "I went up there to watch the stars when I couldn't sleep and Harry was already there so we watched together and sorted things out."
"Oh," Hermione cooed, "I'm so glad. Neither of you were happy when you had to be apart."
"Thanks," Harry said to Hermione, blushing. It was embarrassing to think that Hermione might have noticed, more than he'd thought, how much he missed Ginny during the last year.
If the rest of the Weasleys had overheard the news, they hadn't made any mention of it, which suited Harry, fine. He wouldn't have been comfortable with their relationship coming to light in such a troubled time for the family. Toward the end of the meal, Mrs. Weasley announced that the day after tomorrow they would all be heading home to the Burrow. Professor McGonagall approached their table and asked for volunteers to work on different projects throughout the castle. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry volunteered to work outside levitating pieces of the castle walls that littered the lawns into one large pile to be dealt with later. As the four of them left the castle, Hermione suggested that she and Ron start on the East side of the castle while Harry and Ginny start on the West.
"I wonder if the pairings are for our benefit or theirs," Ginny wondered aloud when Hermione was out of earshot.
"Probably both," Harry replied with a snort, "Are they together then?"
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, "I have caught them snogging three different times in the past week but when I asked Hermione if they were together now she seemed reluctant to say."
"Do you think they just want to keep it a secret out of respect or something?" Harry asked.
"Maybe," Ginny said, "I can understand that. I didn't really want to announce that you and I are back together until later. I think Hermione would tell me if they were together."
"Unless she didn't want to tell you either, because you and I hadn't found ourselves back together yet. I'll ask Ron about it later," Harry said, "I can't imagine why they wouldn't be together. They've been mental over each other for ages."
The couple worked quietly for the first half hour. It was slow work that required some concentration. Some of the chunks of castle wall were quite large and they needed to be moved into a heap near the edge of the forbidden forest. Once they got into a rhythm, it became easier and they began to talk to one another.
"Ginny, how are you doing?" Harry asked.
"I'm okay," Ginny said after a little thought. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you and your entire family fought in a battle, which proved to be fatal for one of your brothers, and you survived a school year, which the more I hear about it, sounds horrific at best," Harry explained, "I just want to know how you really are."
"You forgot to add that I thought you were dead for about fifteen minutes," Ginny said. She was quiet for a minute before, with tears in her eyes, she continued, "I am surviving at the moment. I can barely stand to think about Fred. I imagine that his death has't sunk in all the way. I'm scared to go home in a few days. I like to think I'm strong but going back to school in September is going to be traumatic for anyone who was there last year."
Harry took a step toward her and wrapped his arms around her, "Gin, I'm so sorry," he whispered.
But Ginny wasn't finished, "This is going to sound so selfish but I can't help it. The worst part was thinking that you were dead. I've been in love with you for so long, I couldn't imagine letting you go. So yes, I'm struggling with things, but the fact that you are alive and I get to go on loving you makes everything else somehow bearable. Its like I know that the future will be brighter because you are still going to be part of it. Does that make any sense?"
"Yes," Harry whispered, "Last night and all this morning, I felt guilty every time I let myself feel even a moment of happiness over you and I. It seems like I shouldn't be allowed to feel this joyous during a time when so many are suffering."
"You need to remember that this kind of joy and happiness is part of what we were fighting for. The end of the war signifies a time that we can get out from the wrath of Voldemort and the misery he spread. Also, no one would begrudge you something that makes you happy. Your entire life, since you returned to the wizarding world, has been filled with strife. You deserve some happiness," Ginny explained.
Stunned by the clarity of her reasoning, Harry was momentarily silent. Finally he said, "However, we don't need to advertise that we're back together."
"Exactly," Ginny agreed, "I would love to shout it from the rooftops, that you are mine again, but now is not the time."
Returning to their earlier topic, Harry asked, "You're really doing okay then?"
"I'm sure I'll have good and bad days, like everyone else," Ginny said, "But yet, for the moment, I'm getting by."
"Will you let me know when its a bad day and you could use a little extra support?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but only if you let me know when your bad days are, in return," Ginny countered.
"It's a deal," Harry agreed, "We should get back to work before we get caught slacking-off."
For another hour, they worked on moving the debris. When they had cleared everything they could find on the West side of the building, they moved around to the South side to continue their work.
"Harry," Ginny said after a bit, "How are you really doing?"
Wanting to be as honest with Ginny as she'd been with him, he took a moment to think before saying, "Surviving, like you. I don't think I'm really dealing with Fred, Remus, or Tonk's deaths yet. The battle dominates my dreams and, probably subconsciously, most of my thoughts. Whether I knew it or not, my life since I was eleven years old was moving toward that final duel with Voldemort. Now that its all over, I have no idea what I'm going to do with the rest of my life and that's terrifying. The only thing that I'm sure of right now is you and I."
"You didn't mention how you blame yourself for what happened and the guilt you feel over it," Ginny said, "Does that mean you've gotten over that?"
"Well, no," Harry confessed, "But every time I bring that up, everyone has something to say about it, so I kept that to myself."
"Wise move," Ginny said, "Because you are wrong and everyone else is right this time."
Together, they returned to work, secure in the knowledge that they really knew how the other was doing and knowing that they'd be there to support each other through the hard parts. After another hour of work, they'd nearly finished the South side of the castle when they heard someone calling their names.
"Harry, Ginny," called Molly's voice from around the corner, "Where are you?"
"We're here Mum," Ginny called back.
A moment later, Mrs. Weasley appeared around the corner and she stumped toward them with a large basket over her arm. "I brought you some pumpkin juice so you don't get dehydrated."
"Thanks Mum," Ginny said as she poured herself a glass full and took a long drink.
Harry accepted a glass too and drank it quickly. After Ginny had finished her second glass, Mrs. Weasley said, "Ginny, will you take this basket around to where Ron and Hermione are working and offer them some juice too? I need to talk to Harry for a moment."
"Sure," Ginny said shooting a quick glance at Harry.
Harry nodded at her, assuring her that he was fine without her. As Ginny disappeared around the Southeast corner of the building, Mrs. Weasley turned to him and asked, "Did I hear at lunch today that you and Ginny have gotten back together?"
"Um, yeah," Harry said, flushing with embarrassment.
"I am so glad dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "Ginny was miserable without you."
"And I without her," Harry added.
"I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to hide your relationship from us," Mrs. Weasley said, "And you and Ginny shouldn't feel guilty that you have this to be happy about. Arthur and I fell in love during the first war and were torn between the elation of true love and the grief and terror that accompanies a war. We gave each other an enormous amount of support."
"Thank you," Harry said as Molly gathered him into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry about Fred. I'm not sure I've been able to say that to you yet, but I am terribly sorry. He, along with Ron and George, was one of my first friends at Hogwarts and made my time there very memorable."
Mrs. Weasley cried on his shoulder before finally saying, "Thank you Harry."
"Are you coping okay?" Harry asked, "Let me know if there is anything I can do at all."
Mrs. Weasley sniffled before saying, "Don't you know how much you have already helped? Its because of you that I can rest safely knowing that Fred's the only one of my children who will die at Voldemort's hand. Others have not been so lucky. While there is great sadness in the losses we all have suffered, we are all rejoicing in the knowledge that the battle is won and there are brighter days ahead."
Harry opened his mouth to speak but closed it again when he realized he had no words.
"It gives me great happiness to see you and Ginny, as well as Ron and Hermione, together. All I have ever wanted was for my children to be happy and knowing that in all this turmoil, some of my children have found what will undoubtedly lead them into very happy futures, pleases me immensely."
Harry was surprised at how casually she seemed to hint that she believed that one day he and Ginny, as well as Ron and Hermione, would be married. Again, at a loss for words, he simply said, "Thank you."
"Just take care of each other and help each other through the rough patches ahead," Mrs. Weasley whispered, "And I wouldn't let any of Ginny's brothers catch you snogging, she is their only sister and the baby of the family after all."
Feeling the blush creeping up his neck, Harry shuffled uncomfortably and said, "I'd better get back to work on this rubble before we run out daylight."
When Ginny returned, Mrs. Weasley took the basket and hurried back into the castle. When she was well out of earshot Ginny asked nervously, "Did she give you a hard time?"
"No, actually I think she was giving us her blessing," Harry said, with a certain amount of surprise in his voice.
"Really?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, she said it makes her very happy to see you and Ron happy. She wants us to take care of each other and support one another and not to feel guilty about finding happiness in this troubled time," Harry said.
"Wow," Ginny said.
"She said she and your father fell in love during the last war, so she understands," Harry said, "Your mother is an amazing woman."
"I know," Ginny agreed.
After they, along with Ron and Hermione, had made sure that they had not missed a single piece of rubble, they wandered down to sit by the lake until dinnertime. Harry lay on his back, under a tree beside the lake, feeling more relaxed than he had in ages. Ginny curled up beside him and he tucked his arm around her as her head found its way onto his chest. His heart beat steadily under her head as he buried his face in her hair, breathing in her familiar scent. After what Mrs. Weasley had said today, it was hard not to see the logic in what she said. How could anything that made him so happy be wrong?
"Tonight, up in the astronomy tower, I want you to start telling me about what you, Ron, and Hermione did last year," Ginny said.
"Okay," Harry agreed, "And you will share some of your story as well."
"Yes," Ginny agreed.
Before dinner arrived from the kitchens below, Professor McGonagall stood at the head of the Great Hall and made an announcement, "It is my pleasure to announce to all of you that Kingsley Shacklebolt has been officially named the new Minster of Magic." She paused to allow for the cheers and applause that filled the hall before continuing, "One of his first orders of business, since being named earlier today, was to announce that Hogwarts will open as usual on September first." More applause filled the hall and an uncharacteristic smile spread across her face. "I have agreed to take on the position of Headmistress for next year and, as such, I would like to meet with all students after dinner. Thank you."
As food appeared on the house tables, hisses of conversation could be heard all around the Great Hall. There was much to discuss about the coming school year. How much of what they'd learned the previous year, while under Death Eaters' rule, would count? What would happen to students who had been unable to finish their studies during the previous year? Harry barely had a moment to wonder if Professor McGonagall's announcement had any meaning for Ron, Hermione and him, when she appeared at their table and said, "You three are included in the students I mentioned just now. I expect to see you at the meeting." Harry watched in astonishment as she made her way around the room, no doubt telling other seventh years the same thing.
Harry ate his meal mostly in silence, thinking about what he wanted to do about school. He noticed that Ron, Hermione, Dean, Seamus, Neville, Pavarti, and all the other seventh years were eating in silence equal to his own, no doubt contemplating the same thing he was.
When the plates were cleared away, the Great Hall cleared out leaving only students, professors, and Headmistress McGonagall behind. "Everyone please come to the front of the room so I don't have to yell to be heard," McGonagall asked. After a minute or two of shuffling seats, everyone was settled and she continued, "Shacklebolt and I have agreed that anyone who did not get to complete their magical education, due to the war, is welcome back for next term. While I plan to meet with each of you on an individual basis to discuss your education, there are some basic guidelines I will be following. If you missed the majority of last year, you will have to repeat it. If you missed less than half of last year, you will more than likely move onto the next year in your education. I must also tell you that as long as you're of age, you aren't required to return. If you would prefer to move on with life, and not come back here next year, that is entirely your own decision."
McGonagall sat at the head table where a large stack of student files had appeared. She summoned a folder from the top and called, "Abbott, Hannah."
Hannah made her way up to the front table and sat in the chair that McGonagall conjured in front of the table. Their entire conversation lasted less than five minutes before McGonagall summoned the next folder and moved to the next student. Harry reckoned it wouldn't take long to make it to his name. For the most part, only sixth and seventh years had remained at the school to fight. There were exceptions; a few students under seventeen, like Ginny, had ended up at the castle after the battle with their families. Additionally, not everyone old enough to fight had stayed.
Hermione leaned across the table and asked Harry, "Do you think you'll come back?"
"I don't know yet," Harry said honestly, "What about you?"
"I want to finish my education," Hermione said, "I'll be here."
Harry shifted his gaze to Ron who said, "I think I'll come back. I want to be wherever Hermione is next year. Besides, I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I've decided I'm not interested in being an Auror after the last year."
Ginny said nothing; just sat quietly and waited for her name to be called. Harry took her hand in his and gave her a tiny smile.
At the point in the list 'Potter' should have been called, McGonagall skipped past his name. In surprise, Harry glanced toward the front of the room. McGonagall caught his eye and made a motion for him to remain seated.
After every other student had met with McGonagall, she said, "Harry," and motioned him to the front. As he walked to the front of the room, he noticed that, suddenly, they were the only two left.
"I'm sorry for making you wait, Harry, but you are a special case indeed. I thought we might need more than the five or so minutes I spent with everyone else," She explained.
"No problem," Harry replied.
"Before we discuss whether or not you are even interested in returning to school next term, I have a letter from Kingsley for you," McGonagall said as she handed him an envelope with a heavy wax seal.
Harry opened the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
I would be a fool not to offer the person who rid us all of Lord Voldemort a place in my Auror Department. If you feel that you are ready to be done with school, you are more than welcome to take up the position you have rightfully earned. However, know that the position is your's whenever you are ready for it, if you want it. You can go back to school for your seventh year and then claim your position. Or you could go back to school for your seventh year and go onto to Auror training and then claim your position. My point is that there is no rush for you to move into this role. You have earned it and it will be reserved for you. I understand that you might be ready to become an Auror to help us round up the rest of the Death Eaters. But I also understand that you might want to step back, return to school and just live a normal life again. The decision is yours; choose wisely.
All my best,
Kingsley
When Harry indicated that he was finished, McGonagall continued, "Now, I'll outline your other option. If you return to school in September, you will be returning for your seventh year. You can continue with all the NEWT level classes you took during your sixth year. You would be the natural choice for Quidditch captain since you were the captain during your sixth year. However, Miss Weasley was named captain last year, in your absence, and so she has a right to it as well. I don't know what your feelings are about being prefect or Head Boy, but many of the professors, as well as myself, would like to see you awarded with an honor like that. I know that Kingsley's offer is attractive to you, but I would be dishonest if I didn't tell you that I really hope that you decide to put it off for a year, at least, to come back to school. Maybe, without the threat of Lord Voldemort hanging over all of us, you'd find that another career path is more attractive to you. There's nothing saying that you have to follow the path that that's currently in front of you."
When she finally stopped speaking Harry sighed and said, "I have no idea what choice to make. Part of me wants to come back, part of me wants to move forward."
"Coming back to school would be moving forward as well, just not in the same way," Professor McGonagall pointed out.
"I wasn't trying to make it sound like returning to school was a step backward," Harry clarified, "I need some time to think about it. How long until I have to decide?"
"Well, I suppose that you have until September 1st, technically. But I hope you come to a decision before then," McGonagall said.
Harry sighed again and said, "I'll consider it. If I were to come back, perhaps Ginny and I could co-captain the quidditch team? "
"I'm sure that could be arranged," Professor McGonagall said, "What about becoming Head Boy or prefect?"
"I'd honestly prefer to be neither, but if it's inevitable, I'd prefer prefect," Harry offered.
"Okay," she said, "You're free to go."
Harry left the Great Hall and was instantly bombarded by Ron and Hermione.
"So," Ron said, "Are the three amigos returning to Hogwarts together next year?"
"I don't know yet, I haven't decided," Harry said, "Where's Ginny?"
"She said you'd know where to find her," Hermione supplied.
Harry headed off in the direction of the astronomy tower with Ron and Hermione trailing in his wake.
"How come you haven't decided?" Hermione called after him.
"There are extenuating circumstances where I am concerned…" Harry told them.
"Aren't there always?" Ron smirked under his breath.
"But before I decide one way or another, I need Ginny's opinion," Harry explained.
"Oh, is that how it is now?" Ron asked, "Ditching your best mates for a girl."
"Yep," Harry said, "Her opinion means more to me than anyone's."
Ron surprised Harry by saying, "Good, she deserves that."
"Let us know what and when you decide," Hermione said as Harry hurried up the stairs.
Author's Note: Thank you to the three of you who reviewed the first chapter. Its encouraging! I'm, of course, hoping to hear from more people after this second chapter. I love to get feedback and suggestions. Let me know if I'm forgetting something or if there's something that you'd really like to see happen. I always take suggestions under consideration. The next chapter will be all Harry and Ginny up in the tower talking over Harry's decision and sharing the first parts of their stories from the year before with each other. If you have an opinion about which way Harry should decide, let me know! Thanks!