Harry woke up in the early morning hours, the morning after Kingsley's press conference. At first he wasn't sure what had woken him but realized a set of voices had startled him.

Harrry turned around, Ron wasn't alone. Hermione was with him and they were whispering quietly, heads pressed together, laying next to each other on his small bed.

It took him a second to realize Hermione appeared to be crying.

"It'll work out. You have to stay positive. We'll find them." Ron was whispering to her, rubbing her arm softly.

Hermione nodded.

Ron glanced up and noticed Harry as he sat up.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" Harry asked.

Hermione sniffed and wiped her face, sitting up.

"It's just my parents. I'm worried we won't be able to find them." She explained.

"You're brilliant. If anyone can find them it's you." Harry assured her, soberly, whipping the sleep from his eyes.

Ron nodded appreciatively.

"See, Harry agrees with me. I told you." Ron said, self satisfied.

Hermione smirked just slightly at this.

Just then the trio were interrupted.

"Morning." Ginny greeted them quietly, leaning against the door way to Rons room. Harry thought she looked lovely.

"You have some mail downstairs Harry." She told him.

"Oh, okay." He said, trying to sound casual. He stood, getting up to follow her without question.

About half way down the stairs he wondered his suspicions out loud.

"I don't actually have mail do I?" Harry asked, taking her hand.

"No, you actually do. It wasn't just a story to get you away from Ron. But, I like your thinking." She winked at him, pulling him close to her and kissing him.

His head spun a little at this.

"C'mon." She pulled him down the stairs quietly. Not wanting to wake everyone else in the house.

As they descended into the kitchen, a wave of heaviness came over him. He felt like something horribly heavy was sitting on his chest for some reason all of a sudden.

As if he'd been living on a high since the battle, and now was falling down.

He came crashing hard back down to earth the second he stepped into the kitchen.

George was standing in front of the sink like a statue looking out the window.

For some reason seeing George there alone had an immediate effect on him.

"We're going to have to do something. There's more of them now." George said, shifting in front of the sink, not looking at either of them.

"The reporters?" Ginny asked, frustrated.

Harry sighed. He couldn't help but feel he was an inconvenience to the Weasleys at this time.

"I'm sorry. I'll get rid of them." Harry promised, feeling horrible.

Ginny squeezed his hand.

"They'd probably stay longer if you went out there, you'd just be giving them what they want." George explained, flatly.

Harry wasn't sure what to say. He was glad when Ginny filled the silence.

"Well, if needed we'll set mom on them."

Ginny said, gathering a stack of letters from the table.

George nodded sadly, sitting down.

"I could make something for breakfast?" Ginny offered.

"No, I'm not very hungry right now, thanks, Gin." George said.

Harry could tell Ginny was worried about George. And, Harry figured she probably had good reason to. Losing your twin must have be incredibly painful. He lamented on that for several long moments before Ginny responded.

"Okay, we're gonna go back upstairs for a bit, maybe a little later?" Ginny replied.

George nodded but didn't say anything.

Together, Harry and Ginny retreated back upstairs to Ginny's room with a stack of letters in tow.

"I'm so sorry about the reporters. I know it doesn't help." Harry said to her quietly as they walked into her room. Harry was distracted by the thought of George standing alone by the sink and didn't notice Ginny close the door behind them.

Harry had scarcely been in Ginny's room. He could count the times he'd been in it on one hand. Her room was oddly comforting though.

He sat down on her bed with her.

"It's not your fault that the reporters are out there" Ginny told him.

"They could've waited longer too." She added bitterly.

"Do I really have to read these?" Harry asked, trying not to sound as miserable as he felt.

"Actually no. Because some of these aren't for you. This one's addressed to Ron." Ginny looked up, surprised.

Now that he was looking properly, he could clearly see a few of the letters were addressed to Ron and Hermione as well.

Harry sighed. Figuring he should read them.

"Will you help me?" He asked.

She nodded. Grabbing a nearby envelope.

Harry ripped open the first envelope.

It had fancy lettering on the front and it caught his eye.

He opened the letter inside.

He read out loud, quietly just so Ginny could hear.

"Dear Mr Potter,

I just wanted to formally inform you that I will be completing a biographical novel on you over the next few months. I am sure you can understand the public's current fascination with you given recent events that have taken place this past week.

I personally would love your support and input on this project. However, I do plan to continue regardless of your assistance, at least at this stage.

I truly hope you are well. The wizarding world is truly in your debt, Mr Potter.

My best, and utter thanks.

Eldred Worple."

the letter was signed.

"Oh, what a prat. He plans to do it regardless of my assistance?" He questioned.

Ginny's brow furrowed, "let me see that?" He gave it to her.

She scanned it quickly.

She scoffed. "That's ridiculous"

"We met him last year, at Slughorns party, didn't we?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, that's the one." Quipped Harry, negatively.

Harry discarded the letter, wanting to deal with it later.

"whose that one from?" He pointed to the one in her lap.

"Oh, it's from an admirer." Ginny joked.

Harry gave her an amused look.

"I'm serious." She chuckled.

"It's from a 25 year old woman in Kent. She says she wants to marry you." Ginny chuckled, handing him the letter.

"Oh, for Merlin sake." Harry said as he read the letter.

"Well, it's gonna be a no from me." Harry grumbled folding the letter and putting it aside. Grabbing another letter.

Ginny chuckled, "can i write her the denial letter?" She joked.

"Ah yeah sure, Gin." Agreed Harry, distractedly, looking over the letter in his hands.

"What is that?" She asked, noticing that he was engrossed with it.

"It's-it's an invitation to be a Warlock on the Wizagmont." Harry said, his mouth slack in surprise.

He blinked and so did Ginny.

"Are you serious?" Ginny gasped.

"Ahh, yeah. Look." He showed her, dumbfounded.

She gasped again.

"Harry, do you know how big a deal that is? You'd get to go to all the trials coming up." Ginny exclaimed.

"Fair point. It says I have till June 1st to decide." He explained. Not sure what he'd decide.

It was too much to decide at that moment.

"I'll make my decision soon." he added.

Ginny nodded, her brow furrowed looking at a new letter.

"It's addressed to me?" She questioned seeing the name it was addressed.

"Oh, it's from Slughorn." She explained, confused.

Her face fell when she read the letter.

"W-what is it?" He asked, grazing her arm.

She shook her head.

"He's just offering his condolences. About Fred." She said quietly, her face contorted in pain.

Harry's heart broke. That probably wouldn't be the only letter someone in the family got either.

"I'm not so sure I want to keep looking through letters now." Ginny explained sadly.

"Agreed. It's a lot." Said, Harry.

"Will you lay with me, just for a few minutes?" She asked, picking at her cuticles unconsciously.

He nodded, agreeing immediately.

She suddenly looked exhausted.

Harry laid down next to her, holding her close, and she snuggled into his chest.

Harry blanched slightly. It was only 5:30 in the morning, if Ginny's clock was right.

He couldn't help but worry why she'd been up so early.

Harry stroked her hair for a few minutes, and he was pretty sure she cried. Occasionally, he heard her sniff into his t shirt.

"Did you sleep okay last night, when did you wake up?" He asked eventually.

Ginny shrugged. "Not really. Didn't really ever go to bed I guess. Hermione was upset and then went to sleep with Ron eventually and then I was alone." She murmured, quietly into his chest.

Harry's heart broke slightly. He hadn't realized that Hermione had been in their room so long.

He kissed her on her top of the head stroking her back. Hoping to comfort her. And, she looked up at him, her eyes red.

"Can I ask you something about, about when you died?" Ginny asked, holding onto him, her face snuggled into his chest again.

"Yes. Of course." He agreed, sure he knew what she'd ask.

"What happened when you- you died? Is there an afterlife?" She asked.

He felt saddened even further at this question. He was correct in his assumption, and instantly knew why she'd asked the question.

He hadn't given anyone this much information before.

"Yes, there is. Or, at least I went somewhere. It was almost like limbo, a sort of in between where I went. Dumbledore was the only person there though. But, he told me that if I wanted to I could board a train and go on. I assume that's where the others are, that have died."

"But you didn't go on?" Ginny clarified.

"No, I needed to come back to the people that were still here. To finish Voldemort. I was meant to return." He explained.

"I'm really glad you didn't take the train." She admitted.

"But, I was only allowed the choice because of the part of Voldemorts soul within me. It was like he killed that part of him instead of me. I don't think that's a common occurrence." He added kindly.

Death after all was not usually reversible. Afterall, he hadn't truly died really. Not in the same way Fred, or Remus or Tonks had.

She nodded, looking up at him again.

"Harry?" She mused softly.

"Hmm." He murmured, gazing at her.

"Do you think we'll see them again?" She asked, lip quivering just slightly.

He nodded, agreeing.

"I do." He assured her, delicately touching her bottom lip sweetly before gently kissing her.

They kissed softly for a few seconds, their lips fitting together just so.

Harry could still feel Ginny's lip trembling a little as he pulled away.

"It's okay to be sad about it. I'm pretty sad too." Harry admitted, stoking her hair.

"I am too." Her voice broke along with the rest of Harry's heart.

She rested her head into his chest again and cried quietly, she shook with sobs, as painful emotions wracked through her body.

Harry held her close to him until she was calmer.

Eventually, he noticed that her breathing had changed and realized that she'd cried herself to sleep.

He continued to stroke her hair, as he breathed in her sent.

Eventually his eyes closed too and he fell asleep holding Ginny.

Downstairs, George sat on the sofa, watching as the sun slowly rose over the distant hills out of the windows.

Tears flowed silently and quickly down his face and neck. He wiped them away occasionally.

He swore softly, closing his eyes.

"Freddie. What the hell am i supposed to do here without you?" He asked to no one in particular, laying his head on the back of the sofa.

He and Fred had spoken about what both of them wanted if the worst ever happened and death separated them. But, now that it had actually happened he felt numb and unknowing. Unusual.

He wiped the tears off his face yet again.

He tried to compose himself, sipping on a glass of water. it was one of the few things he'd managed to keep down over the last few days.

He wasn't even sure if he'd accepted what had happened yet. it was still excruciating to consider and to try to process.

George was startled by his father coming into the house.

Arthur had clearly not been expecting to find anyone in the living room.

"George." His father said simply, walking over to him.

"It's just you down here?" Arthur asked gently.

Arthur could tell he had been crying.

"Hmm. Yeah." George murmured.

"Do you need anything son?" Arthur asked him soberly.

"Not right now, thanks dad." George replied, courteously.

Arthur took that as his sign to retreat from the living room, and finally deciding to get some rest. He hadn't slept the night before, he was plagued by endless visions of Fred, and all the interactions that they'd had over his life.

In grief, Arthur often find it difficult to sleep. But, Molly was the opposite. She'd slept for 12 hours a day since the battle.

Arthur crept up the stairs quietly, knowing it was still early.

He stopped outside the landing to Ginny's room, noticing the door was shut. He quietly pushed the door open and peered inside.

He was surprised to see Harry there with her. But, he also noticed Hermione wasn't in there. He sighed. It appeared innocent enough, but when he went to his room he left her bedroom door open.

It could be addressed later, he thought to himself.

Arthur snuck into his bedroom to find Molly still lying in bed.

he thought she was asleep until he walked to the other side of the bed, and saw her looking up at him.

Her eyes were red and puffy. He could tell she'd also been crying.

"Molly." He said sadly, sitting down on their bed.

"Can I do anything for you?" He asked, desperately.

Molly shook her head.

"Where have you been?" She asked, not unkindly.

"I've just been keeping busy in the workshop, tinkering. You know me." He explained quietly.

The truth was Arthur had spent most of the night in his workshop out in the backyard, crying.

Molly nodded.

"Is anyone else up yet?" Molly asked looking at the time. It was 615 in the morning.

"I think just George?" Arthur explained.

"I found him downstairs when I came inside." He added.

"He's alone?" Molly asked, sitting up more.

"He-looked like he probably had been crying. I think he might want to be alone right now." Arthur explained delicately, worried Molly would rush down to be with him.

" well, there's a bit of that going around at the moment." Molly sniffled, crying.

"Molly." His voice broke. Arthur put his head in his hand and he cried too.

Many hours later, late in the afternoon when most of the day had gone, everyone gathered in the kitchen together.

Even George was there, and Percy too.

Only people still missing were Bill, Fleur and Charlie.

It was one of those moments Harry knew would happen after the war. It was an atmosphere so filled with hope for a better tomorrow, but yet they were still so bereaved.

They were huddled around the kitchen table as dinner neared, telling stories of their times apart and their cherished memories from the past.

"Okay, the roast will be done in about 20 minutes." Molly said, not with any of her typical cheer.

Everyone thanked her in kind.

Soon everyone began devouring dinner. Ron, Harry and Hermione especially.

They were all still fairly malnourished from the months they spent on the road and greedily ate triple helpings of every dish.

After dinner they all sat in the living room and kitchen quietly, talking amongst themselves.

"Oh, the paper is coming." Percy mused, pointing towards a set of three owls each carrying a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Hermione jumped up and grabbed all three of the papers, setting them down.

Arthur took one into the living room to read with Molly, and Hermione and Harry each took one as well.

Theresa Prophet at first glance appeared to have much of the same information that Kingsley had shared with the public the day prior in his press conference.

But, Harry's heart stopped when he saw that the paper contained a compiled list of all those who were confirmed dead since the fall of the ministry.

His heart constricted as he realized the list went on for three pages. There were hundreds of names all in alphabetical order.

Harry was so busy scanning the list that he didn't hear what the others were saying.

He made it through the A's and the B names. He shuddered as he passed Lavender Browns name among the dead.

Harry's breath got caught in his throat when he got to the Cs. He went to go look for Colin's name when a name at the very top of the Cs stopped him dead in his tracks.

"No. No" he said, disbelieving.

"W-what is it? Someone we know?" Ron asked quickly, looking at the paper in Hermione's hand instantly to see what it said.

Harry felt there wasn't enough air in the house at that moment. He stood up, white and shaking.

Hermione audibly gasped. Looking down at the paper in horror. Perhaps she'd seen the name he'd had. The name that made him want to crawl out of his skin. The name that was making it so difficult to breathe.

Or perhaps she'd seen a different name, another death that was was just as shocking and unimaginable as the one he was attempting to mentally cope with.

Harry needed to escape from the house in that moment. He barely made it out to the back steps before breaking down, his head on his knees.

Inside Hermione was pointing to a name on the list, showing Ron why Harry was so upset.

"No." Ron shuddered.

"Mary Elizabeth Catermole" Hermione said quietly.

Hermione briefly explained to the rest of the house who she'd been.

Mrs Weasley put her hand on her heart, and Ginny looked utterly crestfallen.

Meanwhile, Ron sat in his seat, his mouth slightly agape, apparently disillusioned by this new blow.

Hermione kindly put a hand on his shoulder. He patted it.

"I thought she got away." Ron said, shell shocked.

"well from this list doesn't look like the rest of her family is on it. They got away." She explained to him.

Back outside, tears fell down Harry's cheeks as he cried, his head resting on his arms, over his legs. He wasn't even sure why this particular death was leaving him feeling so bereaved.

He felt a small warm hand on his back and he knew who it was automatically, without turning around.

"Harry.?" Ginny said, rubbing small circles on his back.

He wiped his face, looking over at her.

"Will you tell me who she was?" Ginny asked, wanting to give him the chance to tell the story.

Harry told Ginny the full story about breaking into the ministry. He explained, all about the planning and preparation and about going to the court rooms, and watching Umbridge tormenting muggle borns. About stealing the locket.

She listened quietly and Harry found he could tell her the story easily.

"You're not responsible for what happened to that poor woman, Harry." She told him, soberly.

"You know, Hermione checked the rest of the list, it doesn't look like the rest of her family was on it." She explained.

"Really?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded.

"You guys did a good thing." She assured him.

Harry sighed, if it was true, and that her husband and children had lived, perhaps that was something to hold onto.

It was a stark reminder that those were the people who would now benefit under this reconstruction period, and the new era that would soon come with it.

"I think I'm going to take the position on the Wizagamont." He admitted, suddenly.

"You are?" she asked him.

"Yeah." he croaked.

"I need to help fix this." He admitted.

He like Percy believed that he had a duty to help put the world right again after so much evil had occurred. Even if he hadn't been the cause of it.

They sat outside together, talking until the sun had started to set behind the distant mountains.

"Oh." Ginny said, pointing out what appeared to be magical fireworks flying through the sky a few miles away.

Together, they sat alone watching the fireworks until Ron and Hermione joined them a few minutes later.

Harry sighed, as he watched the fireworks sparkle in the darkening sky. It was the reminder he'd needed. The war was over.

When the four of them joined the others back in the kitchen a little later, the rest of the family. Molly, Arthur, George and Percy were in a full scale discussion about the funeral tomorrow.

It seemed like perhaps they were arguing.

Ron looked around the room, his eyes settling on Percy. Percy answered his unspoken question.

"He says he's not gonna go." He murmured quietly.

"No, I'm not. I have no interest. I won't say goodbye." George was saying firmly.

Arthur was standing, his hands in his pockets.

"Son -." He started.

"You cannot do this. Don't do this." Moly interrupted.

Harry felt like he was barging in on something uniquely private, he wondered if Hermione felt the same.

"I'm sorry. But I'm not going" George stayed firm.

"He. He was a part of me." George said quietly.

Next to him Harry saw Hermione's ears turned red, and Ginny looked close to tears.

He squeezed her hand.

"He was apart of me too!" Shouted Mrs Weasley angrily, crying now.

"I'm not going either then." Molly protested, crying.

Arthur looked at a total loss as what to do.

At the end of the night. nothing had been resolved. And, both George and Molly were now strictly refusing to go to the funeral the following day.

The next morning, before Harry left for the funeral he attempted to prepare himself to bear witness to the pain of those who had supported him throughout the war. Those who'd lost loved ones, and those who'd been injured or imprisoned, or otherwise persecuted.

He had new black dress robes on, comprised of a simple long black tail coat and pants with a dark gray tie and under shirt that went up all the way up to his neck. He also donned black shoes that had an odd buckle on the top. Uniquely wizardly in appearance.

He wasn't so sure it was something he'd have chosen for himself, Kingsley had sent them all outfits the day before. So, he'd had limited options, but he supposed this suited him well enough.

He glanced at himself once more and wondered if he should've shaved.

He sighed, looking at the time on his old golden watch that he treasured so much. It was just about time to leave.

'This will have to do.' He thought to himself.

He undid the very top button of his shirt, struggling to breathe.

He willed himself to find the strength to endure and continue.

But, as he looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, a small part of him wished he'd taken that train with Dumbledore.

That was until Ginny showed up in the door way a few seconds later. she looked beautiful, albeit sad.

Grief and raw emotion was evident on her face.

"We have to go now, Harry." She said, trying to remain composed, her sweet bottom lip trembling again.

Harry nodded, looking at her. His eyes welling with tears. He rubbed his face a little, before shakily walking to the hallway.

"You look beautiful." He sniffled, quietly, kissing her on the temple delicately.

She had a mid length black satin dress on with tiny straps, that floated around her majestically. She had paired this, with a cropped, long sleeve black crocheted shawl that had clearly been made by Mrs Weasley. She also had a small onyx necklace on and a small clip pulling some of her hair back. She had small black flats that had a chunky red broach on them.

She gave him a small sad smile, and it nourished his soul in that moment. "Well it's just a loner." She mused, pointing to the dress.

Harry smiled, knowing how she felt. it did feel a bit bizarre to wear borrowed clothes from the ministry.

"C'mon." She reached her hand out to him endearingly.

When he grabbed it, he relished in how soft it was and was immediately grateful for his life. The life he could now be truly free to live. The life he could make with her.

Harry and Ginny walked downstairs hand in hand. At that moment, Harry felt like there was no more perfect thing in the world than holding Ginny's hand. One other thing was certain too, he was pretty sure he wanted to hold it forever.

Together, with all the Weasleys, minus Molly and George. They all set off for Hogsmeade, that cruel sunny day in May.