Disclaimer: Thank you J.K. Rowling for this world I am playing in, it is her property and no one else's
Chapter 1: Exiting the battlefieldMay 5 1998
Two days after the battle Harry woke in the hospital wing and searched the side table for his glasses. He had spent the last couple of days in the infirmary, after having collapsed in the Great Hall. Madam Pomphrey said he was completely magically and physically exhausted and needed a couple days of rest. Madame Pomphrey was moving around her office and noticed he was awake. She looked at him and said with a motherly smile "I expect this is the last time I play host to you Mr. Potter, but that's probably too much to hope!"
Harry gave her the most innocent look he could manage. "Do you know where I might find the Headmistress and the Weasleys, Madam?" He asked.
"It is supper in the great hall. So I would imagine they are all there. If not then search me!" She responded. Harry hopped out of the bed and found himself on unsteady feet and with sore muscles he did not know he had. "Take care Mr. Potter! Best not undo my hard work." Madam Pomphrey said sternly.
Harry looked around and noticed that all the beds were empty. It had been full when he woke briefly the day before. He assumed the wounded had either been released or moved to St. Mungos. There was not much noticeable damage other than some scorch marks on the doors. Both sides must have thought there might be some need for the services provided in the wing and left it alone for the most part. He made his way through the castle taking note of the massive damage throughout. The paintings, that were still hanging and had their occupants present, all cheered or expressed thanks to Harry as he passed. He arrived at the great hall, the doors hanging oddly from their hinges. The rubble had been removed and the house tables and benches were in their place but the head table was not. The warriors of the battle of Hogwarts and their families that remained in the castle sat quietly conversing and eating. Ginny had been watching for Harry and was the first to notice him enter. She got up, went to his side, grabbed hold of his hand, and walked him back to where she had been sitting with the rest of the Weasleys. The hall fell silent and everybody watched them, but they let him be, and for that Harry was very grateful.
"Sit and fill your plate Harry dear. You need good meal in you!" Molly exclaimed.
"I feel like I could keep up with Ron I'm so hungry. While I'm doing that could you please catch me up with what is going on? ". Harry looked down the table and spotted Professor McGonagall. "I would like to meet with you in your office as soon as it is convenient Professor."
"There are a few things I need to discuss with you as well. So that would be marvelous Harry."
Hermione Launched into an update as Harry began to shovel food in a very Ron like fashion. "What could be found of the Wizengamot has elected Kingsley interim Minister. He has appointed Arthur head of the MLE. There are one hundred and sixty two dead and another one hundred and ninety wounded. Sixty two have been released from either the hospital wing, or St. Mungos. You probably noticed that the rest of the wounded have been moved to St. Mungos, of which there are one hundred and twenty eight. The dead have been placed in a large dungeon class room we have converted into a morgue and placed a preserving charm on it. The remaining four giants have been rounded up and moved into the forest until a way to get them home can be worked out. They seem to have lost their will to fight and are following Hagrid and Grawp's instructions. We also have sixty Death eaters and supporters imprisoned in the dungeon cells. There are fifteen Assorted Aurors and Hit Wizards guarding them. There is still all of the clean up and rebuilding to do and memorial services to plan."
Harry finished eating. "Thanks Hermione. Headmistress do you think we could have our meeting in an hour?"
"I will see you in an hour Harry" Professor McGonagall said.
Harry grabbed hold of Ginny's hand and asked "Would you please take a walk with me?"
"Of course, Harry." He led them out onto the grounds and upon seeing them almost wished he had not. They silently walked to the edge of the lake Harry thinking very hard about what to say.
He suddenly burst out. "Ginny I am a stupid git and do not deserve to have you! Please forgive me and give me a chance to be the happiest wizard there is by making you the happiest witch there is. Most of all please do not hex me into oblivion even if it is nothing less than I deserve. I love you!"
Ginny pulled Harry into a hug and whispered to him "You must be taking lessons from Ron because that was a pretty dodgy apology, but I accept it. I love you too! Then she gave him a soft kiss. They held hands and slowly made their way back to the castle and back into the great hall.
"After meeting with the headmistress I plan to go to Gryffindor tower, take a long shower and go back to bed. I hope to see you in the morning." Harry told Ginny.
Ginny nodded and Harry made his way through the destruction to the Headmistress' office. He arrived at a very sorry looking pair of gargoyles, one lying on his side, his nose and right leg and half of his left wing had been blasted off. The stairs were not moving so harry walked up. The door had been knocked off its hinges, and the office was the scene of good deal of vandalism. Professor McGonagall was sitting at the desk. "Ah Harry, I know you are here to offer your services to the wizarding community and take a part in what needs to be done to get back to normal. I have spoken with Minister Shacklebolt and we agree that destroying Tom Riddle is more than service enough for our world and more than you should have had to do. We would like you to go to the Burrow or Grimauld Place or wherever you would feel most at home and take a well deserved rest. We will let you know when and where memorial services will be held. The Wizengamot also awarded you the Order of Merlin First Class. The minister will arrange the ceremony with you. Before you start your well deserved rest the director of Gringots has demanded a meeting with you tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"
"First Professor I doubt I will be taking a rest anytime soon even if I am not involved in the clean-up and rebuilding of the school. I have noticed you are calling me Harry instead of Mr. Potter. I am very pleased that you are, but I may decide, if I am allowed, to take my seventh year and NEWTs so you may be back to Mr. Potter soon. I will be happy to meet with the director tomorrow but I am worried about what the possible consequences will be. With your permission I would like to spend the night in Gryffindor tower tonight and leave after breakfast tomorrow. Last I would like for you to view a memory."
When Professor McGonagall emerged from the pensive she wore a very sad look "Thank you Harry. The masks that poor man wore and the guilt he bore must have been quite a heavy burden. He was a hero after all. You are welcome to stay in Gryffindor tower tonight and I hope next term as well. Please until then call me Minerva."
Harry arrived in what had been his dorm in Gryffindor tower, the window was broken and the beds had been overturned and the room was a mess. He was turning to find another when Kreacher popped in and said "If Master wishes to sleep here Kreacher will have this room in order by the time Master is done cleaning up for bed."
When Harry arrived at the bathroom there was a towel and set of night clothes waiting for him. He showered and dressed and went back to the dorm. Kreacher was waiting for him. "Master's bed is ready but, Miss Ginny Weasley asks you to join her in the common room before you are going to sleep."
Harry went down the stairs and he realized that Kreacher was not the only elf working in Gryffindor tower. There was a dramatic difference in the common room already. Ginny was sitting on a clean couch with cups of hot chocolate waiting. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to re-warm them." She said indicating the cups. "Madame Pomphrey has sent a dreamless sleep potion as well, if you need it. I have really missed you Harry, I worried that you had been killed every night. Please don't ever make me worry like that again."
"I really missed you as well. I hope that I never worry you again, but I am Harry Potter, so I can't promise that. I will promise to never stop loveing you though."
"If that is the best you can do I guess I will take it. You are terribly good looking and dangerous. I hear that you have a dragon tattoo across your chest as well. Everything a girl could want and enough to drive a girl's parents mad."
They snogged until Ron and Hermione arrived. "Oi! No snogging my sister in front of me mate."
"No way Ron, I'll snog my girlfriend anytime and anywhere she wants. I'm in enough trouble with her as it is, I'm not looking for anymore." Harry then kissed Ginny one more time.
Hermione and a thoughtful looking Ron sat on the couch. "I guess if someone is going to snog my sister I can't think of a better alternative. I still shouldn't have to see it."
"Shut it Ron! You don't have to like it, you just have to keep your mouth shut about it. If you can't that slug vomiting hex of yours should do the job well enough."
Harry and Ginny held hands and sipped their chocolates while the four discussed the castle cleanup and rebuilding. Harry was surprised that Hagrid and Grawp had enlisted the other giants to help move the large loads of rubble that were not being put back where it came from and that rebuilding with magic made the job much quicker. The goblin nation had volunteered to help as well, and all the major repairs should be finished in a week with the minor odds and ends done in a month. Harry excused himself to the dorm and went to bed.
Daily Prophet
Headlines
Did Harry Potter defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or did the dark lord destroy himself? By Rita Skeeter
Order of the Phoenix takes over Ministry in Coup. By Kilkis Trecus
Pg 9 Where is the lawful Minister, Pius Thicknese?
Quibbler
Headlines
Snorkack sighting in Leeds.
Hero of Wizarding Britain to receive Order of Merlin (First Class).
Order restored by Order of Phoenix and remaining Wizengamot.