Harry had slept on and off for more than 24 hours, before he felt like he could go back to the real world again. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were waiting down in the common room to take him to breakfast in the great hall.

All three of them looked up, when he emerged from the staircase.

And, before any of them could ask, he answered the question that had been on all of their minds.

"I'm alright." he said, shrugging.

The three of them gave him disbelieving looks, but remained quiet.

Harry went and sat on the edge of the sofa, sighing as he sat down. his body still hurt in odd places, especially his chest and ribs near where Voldemort's killing curse hit him.

"You all right, mate?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded.

"Well, might as well go face everyone." Harry said.

Together, he, Ginny, Ron and Hermione walked down to the great hall together.

Ron and Hermione walked hand in hand, and kept getting odd looks from Ginny as if she expected an explanation.

"So, mom was right then. when she said you two were together?" Ginny questioned them.

Ron shrugged, before saying "Hermione is my girlfriend."

"Well, it's about time." Ginny mumbled before continuing towards the great hall.

At this Harry chuckled slightly. he had missed Ginny more than he could say, and was hopeful to pick up where they had left off the previous year, but he also knew the time for that would come soon.

for now, Harry knew that it was the time to be supportive to those who had lost loved ones, and help the ministry, and give information to those who needed it. And, most importantly, it was time to start to grieve for all they had lost, and celebrate all they had gained.

The great hall wasn't overly packed, and Harry was thankful for that. A lot of people had left the following the afternoon. Now, all that remained, was most of Dumbledore's Army, a few stray Order members, the Weasleys, the Hogwarts teachers, and a few ministry officials, including Kingsley.

Harry took a deep breath, and walked into the great hall.

Just as he had expected, everyone's eyes fell onto him, almost immediately. Soon, He and Hermione, Ginny and Ron sat down next to the other Weasleys.

Still starving for a good meal after so many months on the run, Harry quickly filled his plate to it's capacity.

He was glad he wasn't the only one. Ron and Hermione had done the same.

Soon, Mrs. Weasley had come over, and started to fuss over them.

"Just make sure you all have everything ready to go." She told them.

"We'll be going back home later today, now, now that all the arrangements have been made, she said quietly.

Harry felt like a hot knife had pierced him. He physical hurt for the Weasleys, for the horrible loss they had suffered.

"What - what's happening with F-Fred?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Mrs. Weasley sighed heavily, like it pained her just to talk about it.

"Fred is - is g-going to stay here, in a few days there will be a service here for all the fallen. We decided that would be easier on us than having a private burial." Mrs Weasleys voice broke.

Ron made to get up, but Percy bat him there. Mrs. Weasley sobbed into Percy's shoulder.

"OH. mom. I'm so sorry." Percy cried. Percy had said that to his mother

"Oh, ow' orrible'." Fleur said, in her thick French accent. But, Mrs. Weasley and Percy didn't notice this, and kept crying.

But, Harry felt like he was drowning, like their was no air left to breathe. In an attempt to get more air, Harry quickly excused himself from the table, rushing from the great hall.

Harry gasped, bent over, he put his hands on his knees to help brace himself. He felt like he could of fallen over.

"Not interrupting am I?" Harry heard the curt voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt behind him.

Harry straighten up to face Kingsley, knowing exactly what he had wanted.

"I saw you leave, and thought talking in private would be better." Kingsley said.

Harry nodded. He knew what Kingsley would ask, he'd want a play by play of all that had happened that year.

"I know you have questions. And, I can try to answer them. I just don't want to have to do it more than once, so today before I leave we can go over everything. It should just be you and Professor McGonagall though."

"Okay, does one o'clock in McGonagall's office work for you? I've suddenly found myself with quite a busy schedule to attend to you see." Kingsley told him ironically.

"Ha. yes minister, that works for me."

And, with that. Kingsley shuffled away quickly. After all, The country wasn't going to reform it's self.

Closing his eyes, Harry leaned back against the crumbling wall, attempting to steady himself once again. When he felt a small warm hand reach out and grab his own, he knew who it was before even opening his eyes.

"Hey." he greeted her.

Ginny didn't say anything, but She embraced him, and he held on to her in return.

"so, how're you really doing?" She asked him quietly so only he could hear, scratching and rubbing circles into his back like she was comforting a small child.

Harry sighed at this question, feeling relieved that someone else knew how he was feeling.

"Not that great." he admitted.

"Yeah, me either." Ginny told him sadly. resting her head in the crook of his neck.

Harry held onto her tighter. Wishing he could take away some of her pain.

"Walk with me?" He asked her, not wanting to go back and socialize with anyone else.

Ginny nodded. And, with that they walked off, hand in hand.

Later on, Ginny and Harry found themselves in front of the headmistresses office.

"you gonna be okay? I can come with?" Ginny asked him.

Harry kissed her hand.

"Thank you. But I'll be okay. I'll see you soon." Harry told her. he knew he needed to do this one last thing himself.

Ginny walked off, back towards the great hall.

He approached the office, but realized he wasn't sure he knew the password still. "Dumbledore." he said.

And, then the stone gargoyle opened up to reveal the entrance to the headmistresses office. Harry had visited he office often while the office had belonged to Dumbledore, and had grown accustomed to the password being some kind of sweet treat.

Harry emerged from the top of the stone steps to find McGonagall and Kingsley were waiting for him.

"Potter, good you're here." McGonagall welcomed him curtly.

Kingsley shook Harrys hand, greeting him.

"So, Potter. We have some questions for you, and if you could help us out with some answers that would be most appreciated." McGonagall told him.

Kingsley nodded in agreement.

Harry took a deep breathe before speaking. Very glad he had gone over what he had wanted to say with Ginny while they walked around the castle before.

"Well, the most important thing is that Voldemort should never be able to return again. Ever. We made sure of that."

That's great. but, we were hoping you'd be able to tell us how you've accomplished this?" Kingsley said.

McGonagall nodded in agreement.

"Um, well. Voldemort - he." he started before stopping. Not too sure what to say he decided to use the words that Voldemort had once used.

"Voldemort went further than any man ever had, towards full immortality." Harry explained

But McGonagall and Kingsley looked slightly puzzled at this statement.

"So, that means, what exactly?" Kinsley clarified.

Harry felt like there was no other way to say it, so he just told them the truth.

"He had Horcruxes."

Both gasped slightly, and Harry was relieved they understood the severity of that statement.

"And you're certain there all gone Potter?" Kingsley asked concerned.

Then behind them they heard a small cough he recognized. It was Dumbledore. He had suddenly appeared in his portrait above on the wall.

"If I could interject. Harry and I insured that all of Voldemort's ties to life were destroyed, fully and completely. There is no chance for him to ever return to power again. Feel free to tell the world, the Dark Lord will never rise again" he explained to the room.

Kingsley nodded.

"So, it's really true than Albus?" McGonagall asked him.

"Yes. I'm afraid it is. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes. Each very skillfully hidden, and even harder to destroy I might add. We should all be very proud of the work Harry, Ron and Hermione have done for us."

"Then it's settled. Order of Merlin's, first class are in order for each of them." Kingsley boomed happily.

"I don't want an award." Harry interjected quickly, putting his hands up.

McGonagall and Kingsley both gave him puzzled looks. But, Dumbledore gave him a knowing look, as if he had expected him to react that way.

"Now, Harry. Don't go saying things like that. People want to- no. People need something to celebrate right now. Kingsley told him.

Harry sat back and thought about what he wanted to say.

"Okay." He told them. "But, I have some demands, then"

McGonagall and Kingsley both looked at him with raised brows.

"You heard him Minister, the chosen one has some demands." Albus told them, winking before retreating from his picture frame.

"Well, what exactly are these demands Harry?"

"If the three of us are getting awards. Neville gets one too. He helped kill Voldemort's snake, the last Horcrux. And, without that I wouldn't have been able to finish Voldemort at all, and, The 50 people that died definitely deserve them too. Same as countless Order members "

"deal." Kingsley told him, solemnly.

"And." Harry continued. "Severus Snape gets one too, and he gets recognized as a member of the Order, not a death eater.

At this, McGonagall and Kingsley looked at each other, they had been told by Dumbledore that morning the truth of Snape's actions but were weary still.

"We do know that Severus was indeed a double agent, and truly on our side. I will try my best to see what I can do but its possible the Wizengamot will block the order. I promise to try my best though." Kingsley told him.

Harry nodded. it was the least he could do to try to get Snape recognition for his years of bravery and duty to the Order.

"Any other demands?" Kingsley asked him.

"No, that's it."

McGonagall and Kingsley both nodded.

"Soon, well have an award ceremony at the ministry, to honor all those lost and such. " Kingsley explained.

"Well, that's it Potter, you can go, I'll be in touch soon no doubt." McGonagall said, dismissing him.

"Ill come with you." Kingsley told him, as he stood up to leave.

"I have to speak with Percy Weasley." Kingsley explained, when Harry looked over at him.

Once Harry and Kingsley had made it back down to the great hall 10 minutes later, Harry went over to sit with Ron, Hermione and Ginny to update them on all that had happened with McGonagall and Kingsley.

But, barely a minute into his explanation, Percy started shouting. drawing everyone's attention.

"NO. no, I wont go back to the ministry." He yelled at Kingsley.

Everyone stared at Percy in shock.

"You could work for a good minister this time, a better one." Kingsley said calmly. "I really need someone i can trust in the department of transportation. That section was completely run by death eaters and i need someone there to put things right, you have the most experience with the ministry out of all my options and I trust you the most."

Mr. Weasley spoke to his son. "Percy, this could be your chance to really make a difference, to help reform what the last administration ruined." his father told him delicately.

Percy looked conflicted.

"Look, just think about it okay. Id need you there first thing on Monday, we have an unfortunate amount to resolve." Kingsley told him, before striding off.

Percy sat down and sighed, this wouldn't be an easy choice for him. He had swore just a day before that he'd never work for the ministry again. Now, he was being offered his own department to run.

10 minutes later, Mrs. Weasley told them it was time to go back to the Burrow.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny lined up to go back to the Burrow. They were going to be using a portkey.

Together all four of them gathered around an old book.

"You ready?" Ginny asked, just before their portkey was supposed to leave.

"Yeah, I'm going home." Harry said, smiling at her.

With that, they joined hands and in a flash, they were gone.