Summary: Post-Deathly Hallows, Pre-Epilogue fan-fiction. Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts, which is slowly being reconstructed after the Battle at Hogwarts. This story will take
you through the relationships of Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione. Also, many of the surviving Death Eaters are still free. Will they get revenge for the death of Lord Voldemort? Witness love, drama and suspense in this fan-fiction. Point-of-views will switch between Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny through-out the story. Ships: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, and maybe others. WARNING: DH SPOILERS!!

Chapter 1
Aftermath

Harry groaned and turned over on the four-poster bed in his dormitory. He pulled the covers up.

"Very funny, Harry," the voice said, "Please wake up."

Harry turned back over and opened his eyes. Without his glasses, everything was a blur. Someone with red hair was standing next to his bed.

"Five more minutes, Ron," Harry said.

"You don't even know your girlfriend's voice!" Ginny said, slapping Harry in the stomach, "Get up or I will go tell Ron you think he has a girl's voice!"

"I do not think that!" Harry said, reaching lazily for his glasses, "Why did you have to go and hit me. Where are my bloody glasses?"

"Right here, you bloody git," Ginny said.

Harry felt his glasses go into his hand. He sloppily put them on and sat up.

"Where is Ron anyway?" he asked, looking over at the empty four-poster bed across from him, which was Ron's.

"Probably in the Great Hall with Hermione and my family," Ginny said, "You know the professors and everyone are already doing plans for a funeral? Apparently it will be a large funeral. Right out in the grounds. That is going to take up all the grounds, I expect. With how many people that –"

Ginny couldn't finish her sentence. Harry knew she was thinking about Fred. The last time Harry had seen Fred's body, it was in the Great Hall beside the other forty or so wizards and witches who had died during the Battle at Hogwarts. It pained Harry to even think about it, and he didn't want to talk about it at the present time. He decided to quickly change the subject.

"How did you get up here anyway?" he asked Ginny.

"Used the stairs, of course," Ginny said, rolling her eyes, "Just because boys can't go into the girls' dormitory, doesn't mean we can't go into yours."

"I never saw the point of that," Harry said, "You can't tell me girls are more trustworthy than boys."

"Oh and why not?" Ginny asked.

"You came up here without permission," Harry said.

"I wanted to wake you up!" Ginny said, "Otherwise you would have slept in all day."

"I doubt that is the only reason you came up here," Harry said, "You know as well as I do that we haven't had a decent conversation since the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding."

Ginny sighed and sat down on Ron's bed.

"All right, all right," she said, "I did want to come up here for other reasons. I worried about you. Do you know that, Harry?"

"Of course I know that, Ginny," Harry said, "I worried about you too."

"I came up here to see whether or not you were still here," Ginny said.

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Harry said, "I have been asleep since late last night."

"I have just had a lot on my mind," Ginny said, "Everyone thought you were dead, Harry. I didn't believe a word of it. I had faith. And then I saw you in the Room of Requirement, and I was relieved. But then there was the moment that you were being carried into the castle by Hagrid."

Harry sighed. He knew what she was going to say.

"I thought you were dead, Harry," Ginny said.

"I know," Harry said, "I was trying to fool Voldemort. He thought he killed me. Draco's mother, in the forest, she told Voldemort I was dead. I couldn't tell Hagrid I was alive. Voldemort made Hagrid carry me up to the castle. I am sorry, but that was the only way I could have survived that."

"I know," Ginny said, "I just don't know what I would have done if… if –"

Harry stood up and walked over to Ron's bed. He sat down beside Ginny and put his arm around her. She cried into his shoulder.

"I am alive, Ginny," Harry said, "I am here with you. Nothing is going to change that. I promise. Hey… look at me."

Ginny looked up at Harry.

"It is okay now," Harry said.

Ginny gave a tearful smile.

"Thanks for waking me up," Harry said, "Now, let me get dressed then we can go to the Great Hall."

Ginny smiled and kissed Harry on the lips. She stood up and left the dormitory. Harry smiled as he watched her leave the room. He couldn't blame Ginny for what she thought. Ginny had been just as scared for Harry's life, as much as Harry had been for Ginny's life. Harry felt like explaining everything about the previous year to Ginny, but he would wait, perhaps, until they were alone at the Burrow.

Harry dressed quickly and walked down to the common room, where Ginny was waiting for him. They left the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry hadn't noticed the previous night, but the portrait of the Fat Lady had been nearly destroyed. Harry hoped that the Fat Lady had fled before the portrait had been destroyed. This reminded him of his third year when the Fat Lady had fled the portrait when Sirius had threatened her.

"No one knows where the Fat Lady is," Ginny said, noticing that Harry was looking at the portrait's remains. "Though I think Nearly-Headless Nick has made it his personal mission to find her."

"So anyone can get into the Common Room now?" Harry asked.

"Of course not," Ginny said, "Professor McGonagall put a spell repelling anyone who was not a Gryffindor student. Every professor is doing their part to get this castle back to its original state. Well, they will be. I expect every one of them is down in the Great Hall."

"Yeah, you told me," Harry said.

"Yeah… right," Ginny said.

Harry took her hand and Ginny smiled up at him. They walked toward the Great Hall.

---------------------------------------
Twenty minutes later, they had arrived in the Great Hall. Three tables were set up for students as well as others who had remained at Hogwarts after the battle. On the left side, the Slytherin table was propped against the side of the hall. The bodies of the witches and wizards who had died were lined up on the floor where the table should have been. Most of them were covered with blankets so they wouldn't be seen. Some of them were being carried out toward the grounds by professors and other people. Harry looked toward the Professors' table. Those who weren't carrying bodies were writing something on parchment.

"Good morning, Potter," a voice said behind Harry.

Harry turned around. Professor McGonagall was standing there.

"Good morning, Professor," Harry said.

Professor McGonagall was about to go over to the left side of the hall, but Harry stopped her.

"Professor McGonagall, may I ask you something?" Harry asked.

"Of course, Harry," McGonagall said.

"I was wondering if you had found Professor Snape's body yet," Harry said.

"Snape?" McGonagall asked, "I wasn't aware that he had died."

"Voldemort killed him," Harry said, "I saw it. His body is in the Shrieking Shack."

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry with shock.

"Professor, did you hear me?" Harry asked.

"I heard you, Potter," McGonagall said, "Someone will retrieve his body, yes."

"I was hoping I could assist them," Harry said.

Professor McGonagall looked amazed. Even Ginny had looked at Harry with amazement.

"Now, why in the world would you want to do that?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Snape wasn't as bad as you thought he was," Harry said.

"Harry, he killed Professor Dumbledore!" Ginny said, "He is the reason George only has one ear! You don't know what it was like this year here at Hogwarts! One of the reasons I left was because of him!"

"Right before Snape died, he gave me some of his memories," Harry said, "So I immediately went to the Pensieve to look at them."

Harry paused. He wasn't sure how much he wanted to reveal of Snape's memories. But he knew he needed enough to prove to Professor McGonagall that they had been wrong about him.

"Yes, he killed Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, "But it was on Dumbledore's orders."

"What are you saying, Potter?" McGonagall asked, "Albus would never have requested it."

"He did request it, Professor," Harry said, "Professor Dumbledore was going to die anyway. The curse on his arm was getting worse. Snape tried to slow the process down, but it wasn't working. Professor Snape had participated in an Unbreakable Vow with Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy. Draco was supposed to kill Albus, but he couldn't do it. Albus didn't want him to do it either. If Draco didn't do it, Snape had to. If Snape didn't do it, he would have died. Dumbledore would have died anyway. Professor Snape was always on Dumbledore's side."

Professor McGonagall stared at Harry. Harry knew that McGonagall was trying to see if he was telling the truth. After a minute, she smiled.

"Okay, Potter," McGonagall said, "I believe you."

At that moment, Hagrid had walked into the Great Hall.

"Hagrid," McGonagall said, "There is another body to retrieve."

"Another one?" Hagrid asked, "I thought we found 'em all. Who is it?"

"Snape," McGonagall said.

Hagrid's eyes widened.

"His body is in the Shrieking Shack," McGonagall said, "Harry will come with you."

"Why?" Hagrid asked.

"He witnessed Snape being murdered by Voldemort," McGonagall said.

"We better get goin' then, Harry," Hagrid said.

"I will be back, Ginny," Harry said, "Tell everyone where I am."

Ginny nodded and walked away toward the middle of the Gryffindor table where Hermione, Ron and the other Weasleys were sitting. Harry followed Hagrid out of the castle and they walked toward the Whomping Willow.

When they arrived, Harry expected the Whomping Willow to attempt to attack them. But it stood still.

"I don't get it," Harry said, staring at the tree, "I thought it would attack us. Was it injured in the battle?"

"It won't attack us," Hagrid said.

"It won't?" Harry asked.

"Not if it knows what is good fer it," Hagrid said, "I have raised that tree. I have watered it and looked after it. Trust me, Harry. It won't attack me. And it won't attack you since you are with me."

"Why didn't you tell me that?" Harry asked, "Do you know how many times I have been attacked by this tree?"

"I am sorry, Harry," Hagrid said.

"It isn't your fault," Harry said.

"I should ruddy well think not!" Hagrid said, "You shouldn't go near this thing if ya don't have to!"

"I don't think there was one moment in my life where I went near this thing and didn't have to," Harry said, "Every time I came over here, it was for a purpose."

"Well, be careful next time," Hagrid said, "Now let's go in before the tree changes its mind."

"Will it do that?" Harry asked.

"You never know," Hagrid said, and he walked into the passageway.

Harry followed him in. It took them five minutes to reach the Shack and another five minutes to find the room where Snape's body was laying on the floor.

"Why did Voldemort kill him?" Hagrid asked.

"Voldemort believed that Snape was the actual owner of the Elder wand," Harry said.

"What was that?" Hagrid asked.

"One of the Deathly Hallows," Harry said, "It was also known as the Deathstick."

"That was real?" Hagrid asked.

"Yeah," Harry said, "Voldemort had it. But I took it from him."At this, Harry thought of something. He was reminded that he needed to bury the Elder Wand. This brought up another idea as well, but he wasn't sure who would agree with him, though.

"Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry?" Hagrid said.

"Is it possible for Snape to be buried next to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

For a split-second, Harry thought that Hagrid was going to argue with him, and say that it wasn't the right thing to do. But to Harry's surprise, Hagrid smiled.

"I think it would be okay," Hagrid said, "Have ter see what Professor McGonagall thinks. Right now, I think we better get out o' here. We can take Snape ter the graveyard. That is where the rest o' the bodies are goin'."

Hagrid picked up Snape's body with both hands and started walking out of the room. Harry followed him.

"I would have conjured a stretcher," Hagrid said, as Harry followed him down the flight of rickety stairs, "But I don't think it would be wise with all o' these stairs."

Hagrid and Harry walked out of the hole at the bottom of the Whomping Willow, and they headed toward the graveyard.

"Where is Grawp?" Harry asked.

"In the Forbidden Forest ," Hagrid said, "I expect he is tryin' ter make peace wi' the centaurs."

Harry laughed at this. "What?" he asked, incredulously.

"Well, he is goin' ter be livin' there, ain't he?" Hagrid said, "He has ter try ter get along wi' 'em."

"Yeah, I guess so," Harry said.

"He wanted ter help rebuild 'Ogwarts," Hagrid said, "He thinks he is a part of the reason that parts o' the castle is destroyed."

"He was helping us, though," Harry said, "Fighting those giants. That was amazing. Pretty brave of him."

"I know that," Hagrid said, "I just don't know if he knows it."

"Well, I am sure the other Professors wouldn't mind if Grawp helped," Harry said, "It might make the job easier."

Hagrid didn't respond. Harry expected that he was deep in thought about Hogwarts and the battle that had destroyed parts of the castle. Hogwarts had been Hagrid's home for a long time. It was true, Harry did call Hogwarts his home, but with Hagrid it was different. He had lived in that little hut for a long time. Hogwarts was literally Hagrid's home.

A few minutes later, Harry and Hagrid had arrived at the graveyard. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout were there, having brought down more bodies from the castle. Harry looked around the graveyard and noticed something that was being covered up in a large purple and gray tarp. Harry wondered what this was.

"Ah, Hagrid, Harry," McGonagall said, "You are here, good. You can put Snape's body by the others."

Harry was about to speak, but Hagrid interrupted him.

"Er, Professor," Hagrid said, "Harry was hopin' that Snape could be buried next to Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall looked from Hagrid to Harry. Her expression went soft. This was strange to Harry, because McGonagall had always kept a strict, solid expression over her face.

"This is what you want, Harry?" McGonagall asked.

"Yes, mam," Harry said.

"Very well," McGonagall said, "Hagrid, you may lay Snape's body near Albus' grave."

Hagrid carried Snape to the front of the graveyard.

"Professor, what is that thing that is being covered up?" Harry asked McGonagall, as he nodded over to the purple and gray tarp.

"Something the other Professors and I planned," McGonagall said, "You will see it tomorrow at the funeral."

"All right," Harry said.

"We are going back to the castle, if you want to come with us," McGonagall said.

"I will be up there in a few minutes," Harry said.

Professor McGonagall understood. She nodded and followed Hagrid and the other Professors up to the castle.

Harry sighed. He knew what he needed to do. He put his hand in the pocket of his jeans and took out the Elder wand. The wand had been, in a way, passed down throughout the century. So much blood was shed; so many people were murdered because of this wand. For a split-second, he thought of snapping the wand in two, ending its reign of terror. His hand was itching to snap the wand, but he exhaled and refused. He would bury the wand. No one could use it but him, unless he was defeated in battle and killed. But even then, Harry was the only one who knew where it would be buried.

So Harry took the spade that was laying on the ground and starting to dig a small hole a couple of feet from Dumbledore's grave. He dug three feet into the ground, then dropped the wand into the hole. He then used the same spell that Bill had used to cover Dobby's grave. This time, the dirt and grass went back to the place where it used to be. The ground didn't even look like it had been disturbed.

Harry started to walk back to the castle, but as he passed by Snape's body, he turned and looked at it.

"I didn't ever think I would be saying this if you ever died, Professor," Harry said, "But I want to say that I forgive you. I forgive you for everything you did to me and my parents. I thought you hated every inch of ground we ever walked on. Now I know that I was wrong. Thank you for what you did. I want you to know that you were probably the bravest man I have ever known. Dumbledore trusted you with his life. If you were alive, I would trust you with mine. Goodbye, Professor. Rest in peace."

Harry wiped a trickle of tear from his eye and turned around. He walked back to the castle where the only family he had left in the world was sitting, waiting eagerly for him to return.