Finding Solace In The Aftermath

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked down the half demolished staircase, away from Dumbledore's old office.

The three walked in mostly comfortable silence, in only the way one can with whom they are most comfortable.

Harry cleared a path in front of them with his wand, replacing some broken bits of stair as he went.

"What do we do now?" Ron asked.

"I don't know about you, but I'm gonna crash. I just need quiet." Harry said. Wanting to find comfort and quiet more than anything.

Both Hermione and Ron agreed. After a few more minutes Harry noticed that they were holding hands. He smiled slightly, glad that they were finally being honest with how they felt.

Upon entering the Griffandor common room

Harry was relieved to see that no one was there, and that the whole of Gryffindor tower had sustained no apparent damage.

He really needed the solace and the peace at that moment.

"Harry you should go rest, we'll make sure no one bothers you." Hermione told him.

"Thank you." Harry said, before going to walk up the stairs.

Harry had a thought and turned back, "it-it would be okay though, if-if Ginny wanted to come see me though." Harry said, trying to sound casual and not too excited at the prospect.

Hermione smiled a little at him, but Ron scowled.

"Oh, really?" Ron said.

"I want to tell her what happened and what we were doing when we were gone." Harry explained.

"Mhm, okay." Ron said, still looking indignant.

But Hermione nodded.

Harry took that as his chance to leave, setting up the staircase towards the boys seventh year dormitory.

Harry collapsed onto the nearest four poster bed immediately. He hurt, was exhausted, starving, and filthy. he couldn't help but feel somewhat elated over finally being free from the dark shadow of Voldemort. But, at the same time he felt incredibly guilty that he felt happy even a little. They had lost so much to get this far.

Harry groaned as he attempted to take a shower. The hot water was amazing on his skin, it had felt like it had been so long since he had a proper shower. he took his time, dressing slowly afterwards.

When Harry emerged from the bathroom awhile later, it was to find Ginny sitting on his bed.

She was leaned against the headboard, looking over at him.

Harry went over and hugged her. He didn't ever want to let her go.

Harry looked at her, she had a cut on her cheek, and looked so severely sad. It killed him. Harry sat down next to her.

"I'm so sorry, about Fred." Harry said, his voice breaking.

"If there was something else I could have done." He continued, before being interrupted by Ginny. Ginny hugged him fiercely.

"Shh. Shut up. It's not your fault." She whispered to him, putting her fingers up to his quivering lips.

Harry just hugged her back. He ran his hands across her warm back, wishing he could stay there with her forever.

Harry pulled back. Looking at her.

"Gin, I have some things to explain to you, if you're okay with hearing?" Harry asked,

Ginny nodded. "This is about what you've been off doing?" She asked him.

"Yeah."

Harry tried his best to explain everything to Ginny, starting with the beginning.

Ginny stayed mostly quiet, listening to the story.

At the end of the story, Ginny asked, "one of those terrible things was inside of you?"

Harry nodded.

"And, the diary?"

He just nodded again.

"Oh, Harry. I knew it must be something horrible like this that the three of you were doing.I hope you know, I didn't think that you were leaving because you wanted too. I knew you didn't have a choice."

Harry reached out and rubbed Ginny's arm.

"I would never have left unless I had to. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. You were the last thing I thought of, before-before he killed me."

Ginny kissed him passionately.

"Did you know you would come back? She asked, pulling away suddenly.

Harry didn't want to tell her the truth. but decided to anyway.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. But I was prepared to die for all of you. in a way Voldemort helped me by trying to kill me in the forest." Harry said.

Ginny stayed quiet, listening to him.

"He killed the part of his own soul that was inside of me. And, I was allowed to return after." He explained. It seemed like the most simple answer.

Ginny hugged Harry. She had tears in her eyes.

"I don't know what I would have done if you had really died. Don't ever die for any of us ever again." She told him fiercely, smacking his chest with her hand.

Harry nodded. Understanding that she meant what she had said. Ginny was not exactly a girl you wanted to argue with.

"I'll try my best, I promise." Harry said.

Ginny held on to him. They looked into each other's faces. Ginny leaned over and they were kissing each other.

Harry wasn't sure she'd even want to kiss him after being gone almost a year.

But Ginny Softly danced her tongue across Harry's. And, Harry slid his hands across her back. Harry sighed, it was nice, being able to enjoy her presence for the first time in a long time. And, not just be with her physically, to be able to fully be present with her, to not have to worry about Voldemort for a few moments was glorious.

Harry pulled back after a minute or so.

"I'd really like to keep doing this, but I'm starving and exhausted." Harry told her honestly .

Ginny nodded, she understood he needed some time to decompress after all that had happened.

They'd have a lifetime to catch up.

"Do you think Kreacher could bring you something to eat?" Ginny asked him.

"Probably, I'll have to ask." Harry said.

Continuing, Harry spoke. "Kreacher." He called out into the empty room.

Suddenly, with a loud "crack" Kreacher was there.

"Master. You called" the elf said, bowing low to Harry.

"Do you think you could get me something to eat, Kreacher?"

"Of course. I live to serve you, sir."

Harry stuttered at being addressed so formally.

"Uh, thanks Kreacher. I'd love some pumpkin juice and a sandwich if you can find it."

"Of course." Kreacher said. "Would Miss Weasley like anything?" He continued.

"Tea, please Kreacher." Ginny said.

"Of course." Kreacher bowed low, before disappearing with a 'crack'. And within a few minutes he had returned with their requested items.

Ginny sipped her tea quietly, while Harry enjoyed every bit of his meal.

After eating, Harry and Ginny laid next to each other, talking.

"I'm still mad at you. You let us think you had died." Ginny said. Her voice broke slightly.

"If it could have been done in a different way, I promise I'd have done it."

Ginny nodded. Snuggling close to Harry. Soon Harry drifted off to sleep.

But, Ginny couldn't manage to rest, her brain was so full.

Ginny decided to take advantage of the completely empty dorm and made her way to take a shower of her own. Ginny felt disgusting as black dirt ran off her body as she stood under the running water.

Ginny inspected herself, realizing just how many new cuts and bruises she had. She sighed. She had plenty of scars beforehand from the Carrows and their student cronies. but now she felt like she looked even worse.

Several floors down, Ron and Hermione had similar thoughts, and were also taking advantage of the empty first year dorms.

All the first years were gone, so both took long, and desperately needed showers.

~

After showering, Ron sat perched on one of the steps outside of the bathroom, waiting for Hermione to come out. He rested his head against the cold stone wall, lost in thought about all that had happened in the last few days. a small noise startled him, looking back he saw Hermione coming down the stairs.

"Hey" he said quietly.

"Hey, you doing okay?" She asked.

Ron smiled at her, she was so caring.

"A little better now."

Hermione blushed a little, sitting down next to him.

He brushed a small piece of her hair behind her ear. she touched his hand with hers lightly, as he grazed her face with his fingers.

"You know. If what happened before, that was just a heat of the moment type thing. Well. I'd understand." He said, glancing over at her.

"You mean, when we kissed." She said lightly.

"Well yeah. I-I mean, we'd thought we were goners I suppose."

At this, Hermione look slightly wounded.

Ron felt a small wave of panic hit him.

"Good job. Your gonna mess this whole thing up." He thought to himself.

But, Hermione's expression softened. And, reaching out, she kissed him softly on the lips.

Pulling away, Hermione smiled a little at him.

"W-what was that for?" Ron asked shocked.

"Couldn't have you thinking I didn't mean it before." She told him, quietly.

Ron said nothing at first.

"I meant it to." Was all he could say.

And, For a few seconds he just looked at her. Then without warning, Ron grabbed Hermione by the face and kissed her hard on the mouth. He kissed her like he meant it, The way he had wanted to for so long.

After several moments, they broke apart. Gasping for breath, they both looked at each other, and snickered.

"Hermione. W-would you like to, go on a date with me sometime. You know, without anyone else there?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Hermione chuckled a little.

"I'd like to do a little more than that." She told him.

"O-oh. Well, it's settled then." He said matter of fact.

Hermione just looked at him. "What's settled."

"That you want to be my-my girlfriend." Ron admitted, shyly.

Hermione chuckled again. "Is this you asking?"

Ron nodded.

"Well, then it's settled." She smiled, mimicking his previous words to her, grabbing his hand.

Ron laughed, and kissed her. More softly this time.

Just then the portrait hole swung open.

"Percy is getting married, and now this!? What else don't I know. I want some answers!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed.

"What?! Percy? But he's a prat." Ron said.

He laughed until he saw the look on his mothers face.

"I want some answers now!" Mrs Weasley repeated herself. She clearly didn't think Percy getting married was funny at all.

"What have the three of you been off doing this whole time that no one else could know about, and how long has this been going on?" She questioned, pointing to both of them.

"What, have you two been off living in sin together this whole time?!?" Mrs Weasley shouted the last part.

Ron looked horrified.

"MOM! that's not true! And, I just asked Hermione to be my girlfriend." Ron said, blushing at his mother's accusations.

"Oh, well. That's-that's very nice. I'm sorry if I was rash." Mrs Weasleys voice broke.

At this Ron sprung up to embrace his mother. he patted her on the back.

"I love you, mom." Ron told her.

At this, mrs Weasley cried even harder.

"What-what a sweet boy." She cried.

After a moment of two, they broke apart.

"W-wheres your sister?"

"Ginny's sleeping Mrs Weasley." Hermione added, so Molly wouldn't go interrupt Harry and Ginny let she just had for them.

"Okay. Well, I think perhaps I should try to sleep as well." Molly said.

Ron helped his mother find an empty first years bed, and kissed her on the forehead before retreating back to the common room.

He found Hermione falling asleep on the couch.

"Hey." He said, sitting down next to her, grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch.

"Here." He said, wrapping her up on the blanket.

Hermione laid across the couch and Ron cradled her head, while he propped his feet up on the short table. Together, they dosed in and out of sleep, until late afternoon.

(An: Hope this was enjoyable. Trying to make this not just about the trio and Ginny, but to include a majority of the battle survivors.)