Harry woke up with a start, his eyes were wide open and he was profusely sweating from the dream journey. He turned slightly to see Ron nearby him snoring. With a confused look, he checked Ron's bed to see his bushy haired friend sleeping. He noticed both of them have clean clothes on them. Even before he turns to search, he saw a pile of clothes in his bedside table and a quidditch jersey just below his bedside. His found his own name on it. Then it clicked to him. Ginny... It must have been with her after all she slept in his bed in several nights. Something wet he felt over his cheeks and touched it to realize his tears. He missed her terribly. He snapped out of his guilt, as there came a sleepy mumbling of Hermione calling him. He turned around to see her sitting form behind bed screen.
"Nothing Mione, just going to shower. Go back to sleep." he said. Then he rushed towards shower with the clothes in hand. While showering, he found a cut in his chest just over his heart, in the famous lightning bolt shape. He groaned and winced as he cleaned the cut and bruises. He slowly got dressed and came out to see Ron still asleep. Hermione is nowhere to seen in the dorm. Wondering where she is as he walked out of his dorm towards common room even though the sky is darkening. He checked his map and found his bushy haired friend in common room, George, and Ginny's dots still on great hall. He went down to common room to see Hermione eating some sandwiches. As he entered, "hey harry, want some? I've saved some for you too," she said.
"Went to kitchen?" he asked.
"No. House elves came to provide food for who were all staying."
"Staying?"
"Yes. Once it finished, most of the students were sent back. Only few of us were staying here."
"Oh! Um...I am going for a walk. Huh...meet you later" as he finished his sandwiches.
Hermione just watched him checking his map and hurrying out of common room. She wished he could tell his feelings to Ginny soon unlike last time. She can remember how he suppressed his feelings and how it exploded just with a victory hug from Ginny.
Harry ran straight towards great hall to speak with Ginny alone. He was rather grateful that the corridor is deserted. Probably everyone gone to sleep he thought as he ran towards Great Hall. His insides became warm as he noticed her red hair. He slowly begin to walk towards her and he became nervous.
What if she is angry with me? What if she doesn't want me anymore? What if she blames me for breaking up with her? What if she thinks Fred's death is because of me?
His mind came to a halt as he stood before her. There she is sitting on a narrow wooden bench; George sleeping with his head on her lap, her hand seemed to run over his hair unconsciously. And her eyes were shut, there is no tear track. But there were several bruises all over her hands and face. This made him blame himself. He wish to take away all the pain, hurt, wounds and all but didn't know how?
He kneeled beside her and took her free hand in his. She didn't move. He whispered slowly her name, again she didn't move. When he was about to call her quite louder he felt the presence of someone's hand in his shoulder. He turned around to see Weasley matriarch there.
"Leave her alone, dear. She'll come around" she said with a sad smile. He wanted to protest but he simply nodded.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Just after."
"Oh!" There is silence.
"Did you eat something?"
"Hermione gave some."
"Arthur will be here with boys i think. We have to wait for ministry to check F...Fred, Remus, Tonks and others."
"Why?"
"It's a procedure. They will make a list of death eaters and others separately and also to plant a memorial monument for them who died to save us." Harry's eyes widened as he never knew about this.
"There is also one for your parents on Godric's hallow" she added.
"I want to speak with professor McGonagall" he said to no one in particular.
"Well then I'll go and call her" said molly.
"There is no need for it. She is coming behind us" said who just entered.
"Hello Harry, are you doing well?" he enquired.
"Yes, " he lied as at present his brain is working on two things - to tell Ginny his love and to honour professor Snape by telling his true intentions.
Soon, all Weasley boys, Hermione and professors came there. Molly said about Harry's need to talk to Minerva.
"What do you want to talk with me, harry?" she asked her stern face now seemed to be edged with concern.
"Professor, its Professor Snape is not a death eater" he said abruptly.