Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, any of the places or Characters.

A Harry/Ginny story. It's what i think may have happened between the final ad the epilogue. Harry has to deal with the death, destruction, and find a new purpose in life... Mostly canon... will involved Hermione/Ron and Luna too.

Chapter 1 – The first day.

"Well that's over. What's next?" Ron asked the group aloud.

"Quite." Chuckled Dumbledore's portrait.

"Lets go to your family Ron." Hermione said as she placed her hand in his and started to walk to the office door. Ron's head instantly lowered as Hermione looked back over her shoulder.

"You coming Harry."

"I'll catch you up." He replied, with a sad smile. Hermione nodded as she led Ron out the office and towards his family.

"How are you feeling Harry?" Dumbledore asked, looking down from his portrait.

"I'm not sure Professor." Harry said honestly. "Confused, Guilty, Sad, Alone."

"There is no blame on your shoulders Harry. There is only praise and Thanks." Dumbledore began. "You have saved this world from much more pain and death." There was a pause as Harry looked up to his old Headmaster. "You have once again shown yourself to be a better wizard and a better man than those around you. I am very proud" Harry looked to the floor as Dumbledore praise him.

"I didn't do it alone, professor." Harry explained. "With out Ron and Hermione I would never have survived."

"Yes." Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, it is true that Mr Weasley and Miss Granger both deserve tremendous thanks and praise, but you led them. You are once again selling yourself short, Harry. You, yourself deserve a lot of the credit as-well."

"Everyone in the Great Hall fought harder than I did. They deserve the credit. Not me."

"They fought to defend their families." Dumbledore explained. "If you had not finished your task, they would still be fighting now."

"But-"

"There are no buts Harry. You finished what nobody else could." There was a pause as the two parties looked at each other.

"You have lost more than most Harry, more than anyone can know." He continued in a quite tone. "Yet you are still willing to meet your own death, face to face, with your head held high... To save the lives of everyone else." There was a pause as Dumbledore smiled slightly. "That is why you deserve their thanks. A true Gryffindor indeed. Your parents would be proud."

Harry could only nod as he remembered his journey through the forest. They both remained silent as Dumbledore watched Harry carefully.

"There was a specific person on your mind, while you waited." Dumbledore said in a caring tone. "I will not say any more." He finished with a small chuckle at the blush on Harry's face. "But I believe she is waiting for you in the Great Hall. She will need you more then before, Harry. She will need you to help get over her brother."

Harry nodded as his mind flooded with thoughts of Ginny. Turning to leave the office, Harry smiled at his old Professor.

"Thank you Professor." Harry said with a small smile. "You made this all possible."

Dumbledore only nodded with a sparkle behind his half-moon spectacles. "Don't be a stranger Harry. Goodbye."

"Goodbye Professor." Harry replied as he stepped out the office.

Walking down the spiral stair case Harry was silent. All the work and hardship he had been through in the last year was over and it was finally sinking in to him. Everything he had worked for his entire life was over, he was free. No longer a targeted man, no longer needed to fear for his loved one's safety. No longer the need to be alone. No longer the need to be alone... from Ginny.

Harry wasn't really paying attention to where his feet were taking him as his thoughts circled around the battle, he could not get the thought of Ginny fighting Bellatrix Lestrange out of his head. Her curse was inches from hitting Ginny and he had no idea what he would have done had it hit. His thoughts shifted to his walk down to the Forbidden Forest, how he walked past her. He wanted nothing more than to run and embrace her, but he knew if he had, he would not have been able to leave her again. Bowing his head as his tears threatened to fall, Harry slowed down his walk.

His mind started to come back to reality as he realised where he was approaching. There was a quiet buzz coming from the large doors of the Great Hall, as Harry slowed himself down to a stop as he approached the doors. Looking forward where he knew the crowd was, Harry couldn't force himself to move forward. He wasn't ready to face the crowd... to see the dead.

Staring forward, Harry was interrupted by a voice that made him feel a little happier.

"Hello Harry." The voice said dreamily.

"Oh, Hey Luna." Harry replied with a small smile as he turned to hug his friend. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh I'm alright. Just cuts and bruises. Daddy wants me to be checked over by Madam Pomfrey." Luna answered with a smile. "Then I might have some pudding. "

"You heading there now?" Harry asked.

Luna gave a large nod and a smile. "Would you like to come? You look like you need to." She finished, still smiling.

"Thanks Luna." Harry said with a smile, his first real smile in a long time. "Lets got going."

As they walked away from the Great Hall and made their way through the many halls and corridors of Hogwarts, Harry couldn't help but think of all the things Luna had helped him with over the years.

She was one of the only people who believed him after the Tri-wizard Tournament, he remembered how relieved he felt to have someone believe him. He remembered how she could also see Hagrid's Thestrals, how she told him her mother had died. He started to become closer to her once he realised they had both lost parents. She had joined the DA in the same year and even fought along side him in the Ministry, something which Harry was incredibly grateful for after.

Harry had even taken her to Slughorn's Christmas party, something she had been incredibly excited about and even Harry was glad to have taken a good friend, someone he was comfortable with. Luna had been one of the only people to respond to the DA call on the night Dumbledore died, one of the two people who missed the meetings the most.

During the last year, Harry had heard about Luna, Ginny and Neville taking up the DA, fighting in his and Dumbledore's name. He had even visited her room during the last year and seen the drawing she made of all her friends, he felt a serge of respect and love for her.

He had forgiven Luna's father after he had tried to turn him in, he had only attempted it to get Luna back. If he was honest, he was relieved she had a father that cared so much about her. After Dobby had rescued them from Malfoy Manor, she fought along side him in the battle, she had even saved him, Ron and Hermione from dementors. She had also been the one to take him up to the Ravenclaw tower to search for the diadem.

"I never did say thank you, Luna." Harry said as they walked through the corridors. "For all your help over the years." He finished with a smile.

"That's alright. It was just like helping a friend." She replied with a smile .

"You are my friend Luna. One of my best friends." Harry replied as she just smiled and grabbed his hand giving it a squeeze before letting go.

"This reminds me of the Christmas party you took me to." Luna said with a remembering smile after a few seconds of silence.

"Yeah." Harry replied, remembering how he really wanted to take Ginny to that party.

"Ginny missed you." Luna started, noticing Harry's look. "Last year." Harry looked up before she continued. "She told me what happened at the funeral, and on your birthday." Luna continued, again showing her ability to say the uncomfortable truth.

"I hope she will forgive me... for...you know... dying and all." Harry said with half a smile, as Luna just looked back at him.

"She will." Luna said with a smile. "Ooo where here." She finished as they reached the doors to the hospital wing.

The visit to the hospital wing was not a quick one. Luna had several minor injuries that she sustained at Malfoy Manor, but Harry had a few rather major ones. Madam Pomfrey was completely lost at how Harry could survive a venomous snake bite, a cursed locket strangling him and having the killing curse hit him straight in the chest.

"You are a medical marvel, Mr Potter." The school nurse sighed after she finally finished looking him over. "How you are still alive will never cease to amaze me." She finished with a smile as Harry pulled his t-shirt back on.

"I've been wondering that for years." Harry said with a small laugh, his time with Luna had taken his mind off things.

"Come on, Harry." Luna said as she started to walk towards doors, slowing down when she reached them to allow him to catch up.

They walked side by side as they reached the doors to the Great Hall. Luna smiled at Harry before skipping off towards her father who was sitting a few spaces away from Neville and his grandmother. Harry's eyes followed where she was heading and met the eyes of Xenophilius Lovegood. Xenophilius look ashamed, but Harry gave a small smile and a nod to show he held no bad feelings. He was responded with a nod as Harry moved his eyes around the hall, his improved mood disappearing rapidly.

Looking across the hall Harry noted all the death and destruction that had happened. He first noticed that Voldermort's body had been moved. He guessed to the Slytherin common room or down to the dungeons, but he didn't really care at that moment. His eyes next fell upon the body's of Lupin and Tonks. They were side by side and Harry suddenly felt a huge surge of guilt flow through him, if he had only went to Voldermort sooner, he could have avoided all the horrors that had taken place for him. Feeling tears in his eyes, he forced his eyes away from the last person he had looked to as a father figure. He looked around for a huddle of red hair that he knew he would be welcome at, but he found the body of Colin Creevey first. He couldn't take looking at his body, he knew there would be time for him to mourn but Harry continued his search for the Weasley's.

He found them all looking up at him, Hermione was beckoning him to come over, but his eye's fell on a wave of fiery hair just next to her. He looked at her to see she had a small smile at the sight of him. He wanted to go over to them, to just be happy again, but then his eyes rested on George kneeling on the floor behind them all. He hadn't looked up to Harry but kept his eye's on his fallen twin lying at his knees. Knowing that he would be welcomed as a member of the family, Harry couldn't help but feel like an outsider, no matter how welcome they made him feel.

He started to turn to head back to the Gryffindor tower but was stopped by a hand being placed gently on his shoulder. He looked at the hand and turned around. He was surprised with who he saw, but he also felt a great surge of appreciation and love towards the the one person who had never left his side and had fought with him in every battle since they first met.

"Hermione...?" Harry asked.

"Come to the table with us Harry, they want to thank you, Ginny wants to thank you.." Noticing she wasn't convincing him Hermione changed her tactic.

"They consider you family Harry."

Looking up into her eye's he sighed and spoke softly. "You feel the same way I do Hermione...they all welcome us like a brother and sister, but were not, were outsiders...they need each other now..."

He noticed she was thinking the same so he pressed on before she could speak back.

"You go to them Hermione, Ron needs you...I...I need to spend time with my family..."

Harry turned his back and started to walk away as Ron came running up to Hermione who had a very sympathetic look on her.

"Where's he off?" Ron asked her.

"To be with his family." Hermione replied with a sigh, turning to walk back to the rest of the Weasley's

"But he hasn't-"

"Exactly." She interrupted before he could finish his question. She walked with her head down as her and Ron approached the table and sat down with Ron's family.

"Where's Harry?" Asked an eager Ginny leaning forward on to the table from the other side of her mother.

"He wanted everyone to be with their families after the battle...so he's went to be with his..." Hermione explained.

"I still don't.." Ron began but was once again interrupted by Hermione as she started to explain.

"He has no family, not technically...he wants us to be with our families...so he's with what's left of his...but you know Harry...when has he ever put his self first?" There was a pause before she started to speak again.

"Someone needs to go to him."

"I'll do it." Volunteered Ron but Hermione shook her head.

"No Ron, You're is best friend...but he doesn't want a friend now, he needs a family." Noticing the whole Weasley family looking at her, she volunteered.

"I'll go."

"But why you?" Demanded Ron and Ginny, the latter causing a few looks in her direction from her family. Looking more at Ginny than anyone else Hermione explained her reasoning.

"Ron's his best friend, I'm more his sister than anything else.." She climbed to her feet and placed her hand on Ron's shoulder.

"I love both you and Harry, Ron. Harry as a little brother, you as something better..." She kissed his cheek as she started to walk away.

"What about me?" Demanded a desperate Ginny, who had stood up and and ran to catch up to Hermione. With a sign Hermione turned to her and gently grabbed Ginny's hand.

"I know how you feel about Harry, and I know Harry feels the same way...but he has just been freed from everything he has been forced to do since he lost his parents. His heart is struggling as it is with all the death and destruction in the castle...he's blaming himself...he can't handle anything else...good or bad..." Looking at the despair in Ginny's eyes, Hermione pulled her in to a hug.

"There will be time for you and Harry...its just not right now." Feeling Ginny's silent sobs she tried to cheer her up.

"I'll get him to come down to us." Ginny managed a small smile as Hermione turned away to find Harry.

"He'll have the cloak you know, he wont want to be found." Ron called after her.

"I know.." Was her only reply.

Returning to the table, Ginny was immediately comforted by her mother. "He'll be alright, dear." Mrs Weasley assured in a soft voice.

Reaching the common room, Hermione climbed the stairs towards the boys dormitory. She entered the door for the seventh years and noticed Harry's bag on one of the beds.

Kreacher must have brought this up... Hermione thought to herself as she approached the bag.

Pulling out a piece of parchment, Hermione tapped it with her wand with a smirk. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Searching the map, Hermione set off towards the Astronomy Tower. Arriving at the tower, Hermione smiled slightly at the empty room.

"I know your here Harry, I have your Map." She heard Harry curse to himself as his body suddenly appeared, sitting in front of her. "You wanted to be with your family Harry...could you not at least wait for your sister to arrive?" She smiled to him as she lowered herself next to him.

"Har-" She began.

"Hermione. I need to tell you what happened after I left you and Ron yesterday...I need to tell somebody." She was interrupted as Harry begged her to listen. She grabbed his hand, gave it a squeeze and waited.

"After we found Snape, he gave me his memories. That's why I left you two when you and Ron went into the Great Hall." Hermione nodded when Harry paused. "I used Dumbledore's penseive. Snape was on our side the whole time, his love for my mom drove him to betray Voldermort." Harry could see the unconvinced look in Hermione's face. "Dumbledore was dying. He was cursed when he picked up the ring, remember his hand? Snape agreed to kill Dumbledore, to keep up Snape's image, to stop Dumbledore suffering and they also wanted to protect Malfoy." Harry could again see a look on Hermione's face, it wasn't often she looked confused. "Snape's soul was already torn by previous murders, Malfoy's was still whole."

Hermione's face straitened as she thought about the what she had just been told. "But how does this effect you?" She asked carefully.

"It was Snape." Harry started. "Who sent the Doe." He paused as Hermione seemed to be working out what this meant. "He spend the year defending the students, and knew we needed the sword. He hid it in the lake." There was a pause as Hermione's mind began working out all the details.

"There were seven Horcruxes, Hermione." Harry said quietly after the small pause.

"Seven?" Hermione asked, interrupted from her thinking. "I thought there were only six?"

"Voldermort accidentally created a seventh." He answered with a sigh as he pulled back his over grown fringe and revealed his scar, trusting Hermione to work the rest out. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long.

"When your parents-?" Harry nodded. "When you got-?" Hermione asked quietly, throwing her arms around Harry. "So that's why you went down to the forest?"

Harry responded with a nod. "He knew I was after them, the Horcruxes, he would only drop the protection around Nagini if I was dead. He would have stopped the battle after I was killed, to save magical blood."

"So you sacrificed yourself... for the rest of us." Hermione whispered as she sat back next to him tears started flowing down her cheeks.

Harry nodded again. "Dumbledore knew all along. He trusted that at the right time, I would be willing to sacrifice myself to save you. That's why he allowed me to tell you two about my task, knowing you would both fight on after I had died." Hermione could only nod, words escaped her.

"It had to be him to kill me." Harry continued, his voice failing. "You know that my mom created a shield that protected me until I was seventeen, right?" Hermione nodded.

"I created a sort of shield like that. It was my love for you, my new family, for Ginny that forced me to do it." Harry paused, realising that he just told Hermione that he loved Ginny. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind and forced himself to continue. "When he resurrected, back in our forth year, he used my blood, so as long as my blood was in his body, he could not kill me." Harry paused, he could see Hermione preparing to interrupt.

"So when it hit you..." She said quietly. "Only his soul was destroyed."

"Yeah." Harry replied, thinking how he would explain this next part to her. "I met Dumbledore... after I died." He said slowly.

"Har-"

"I know, I know, he's dead" Harry interrupted. "But just because it was in my head. Doesn't mean it wasn't real." Harry smiled a little as Hermione started to pout.

"What ever it was. He told me I could go back." Harry continued. "My soul was killed, but it stayed on a sort of stand-by, Waiting for my choice."

Hermione looked closely at Harry, knowing just how close she came to losing him.

"You came back for Ginny?" Hermione asked smirking slightly. "I noticed you mentioned your love for her before."

Harry just gave a sad smile as he continued. "It was Malfoy's mom that saved me." Harry said bluntly, noticing the look of shock on Hermione's face

"She was ordered by Voldermort to check if I was actually dead this time." Against her better judgement, Hermione grinned at Harry's comment at the end but it quickly faded. "She asked if Draco was still alive, so I told her he was. She lied to Voldermort to save her son, saving my life in the process. I would not be here if it was not for her." Harry said bluntly. "And you know the rest."

Hermione froze for a moment before throwing her arms around him again. She cried silently into his shoulder, she hated that she couldn't have been there with him.

"I saw some of Snape's memory's involving my mom." Harry said with half a smile as Hermione released him and he began talking about what he had saw in Snape's memory. He opened his heart to her, the first time he had ever opened up to anyone, but he felt he could trust Hermione in a way he could trust no one else. He told her about how he'd lost everyone he had ever looked to as a parent, his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin. About how their deaths were his fault, his parents for defending him, Sirius for trying to save him, Lupin and Tonks fought for him. He couldn't help feel guilty for all the deaths. Fred, Colin, Dobby.

"I know your telling me its not my fault, Hermione. I want to believe you, but I can't help feel this way...I just need time."

"I'll be here next to you until your ready."

"What about Ron?"

"He's putting his family before his best friend...so am I"

"Whad'ya mean?"

Hermione sighed and looked slightly scared to tell Harry but she needed to tell him, better to hear it from her than anyone else.

"Well, Ginny was trying to come up and see you, but I said it should just be me for now. I thought you needed time to get your self sorted before you got back together with her."

She was looking at the floor in shame, but was forced to move as Harry hugged her again.

"You always know what's best." He told her with a small smile.

"What about her family though?" Harry asked quietly. "I'm not sure they'd be happy with me and Ginny."

"Well if I know that family I know Fred and George would be on yours and Ginny's side. They'll know you make her happy, so will Bill and Charlie. Percy and Ron on the other hand... but they will be too scared to do anything to you. Not when you just killed Voldermort, I'm here with you and Ginny's Bat Bogey's will be waiting for them." Hermione said with a small smirk.

"But Hermione I didn't kill him, the elder wand forced him to kill him self." Harry protested.

"Yeah I know, but they don't." Hermione replied with her smirk growing, that Harry couldn't help himself and laugh at. His laugher died down as he felt a purge of guilt flow through his body, he shouldn't be laughing while everyone else is mourning.

"I walked past her." Harry said softly. "On the way to the forest." He watched Hermione's expression as her face changed to sympathy. "There's a reason I didn't come and tell you what I needed to do." He watched Hermione smile sadly. "I looked for you. And the Weasleys. And Luna..." Her started but his voice began to leave him. He noticed Hermione's hand enclose his and she squeezed.

"I just wanted to see you again..." He chocked. "But I kinda glad I didn't. I wouldn't have been able to leave."

His head bowed as Hermione tightened her grip around his hand.

"I told Neville what needed to be done." He continued, trying to to stop. "He agreed without question. Then I passed Ginny." There was a pause, Hermione knew how hard this was for Harry to say, so she waited patiently for him. "I wanted nothing more than to say good by to her... But she wouldn't have let me leave...I wouldn't have wanted to leave. So I just walked past."

There was a moment of silence as Hermione slid over and sat as close to Harry as she could and held him. There was nothing else she could do for her brother, he had suffered more than most, and sacrificed himself to save everything.

"You were right, by the way." Harry started. "About the snitch Dumbledore left me. The Resurrection stone was inside it."

"How did you get it to open?" She asked with the feeling she wouldn't like the answer.

"I open at the close." Was all he said.

Hermione sighed with a look of understanding n her face and held Harry's hand again. "He really thought this through." She said, trying to not brake down. "Can I ask who you called?" She finished carefully.

Harry tried to give her a smile before answering, but he knew he failed. "My mom and dad, Sirius and Lupin." He said quietly. "They talked to me, I have never been so scared Hermione. Or felt so loved... my mom... she was beautiful..." Harry said, squeezing her hand. She didn't reply, so he continued.

"But I dropped it. Some where in the forest. So I left it there."

Hermione just nodded her agreement as she move back to hug him. They just sat their, holding each other, like a true brother and sister.

"Come on." Hermione ordered after a couple of minutes silence.

"Where too?" Harry replied with a confused look.

"There's someone you need to see." Hermione answered as she pulled him up by his hand and guided him back through the corridors of the castle. They walked hand in hand and in a comfortable silence through the halls of Hogwarts.

Reaching the door of the Great Hall, Harry paused as he looked back across the people.

"You'll be fine." Hermione whispered as she turned to hug him. "There's some one who wants to thank you." She finished with a whisper before kissing his cheek and walking backwards into the hall, holding out her hand which he still held. Their hands separated as they reached their full stretch, but Harry's eyes were looking past Hermione, at the small mane of fiery hair behind her.

Ginny was sitting on one of the benches in the Great Hall. Her head was resting on her mothers shoulder as they held hands. Bill, Charlie, George and Percy were taking Fred to a empty class room. And the the rest Weasley family were in silence. Most of the hall was in silence.

Looking up and around the hall, Ginny noticed something that cause a ray of hope to shine inside her. Her eyes fell upon the back of a bushy lump of brown hair. Hermione's back was to her and to the hall, but she could see two arms around her friend. Ginny climbed to her feet, watching Hermione kiss Harry on the cheek and walk away from him and into the hall. Their hands were still together, but they split as Hermione walked further away.

Taking a few steps forward towards Harry, Hermione squeezing her shoulder as she passed. Ginny failed to notice the eyes of most of the hall were on her now, watching her move slowly towards Harry. Her family watched with curiosity and a sparkle in their eyes, just how close was their Ginny to Harry?

His eye's met with hers, the one who he thought of during his last breaths, the one he thought of constantly for the past year. There were a few minutes of silence as they look deeply at each other.

It was Ginny who took the first step.

As she took her first step, her second seemed to come to her quicker.

Harry had started moving forward too. Their eyes never leaving each others as Ginny broke into a full sprint.

Harry sped up to a jog as Ginny dived straight into his arms, forcing him to take a step back from her strength. Her legs wrapped around Harry's waist, her arms around his neck and she kissed him. She threw a year's worth of love in to the kiss, and Harry responded just the same.

The hall was silent as they two reunited. Hermione, Luna and Neville all wore smiles, Ron looked up at the ceiling, but the rest of the Weasleys were in an shock. They were silent, until a tearful Molly Weasley broke out in to a cheerful smile.

"So when did this happen?" She asked with a sparkle in her eyes, to Ron and Hermione.

"Last year, Mrs Weasley." Hermione replied. "But Harry broke it off before the summer."

Molly just nodded her understanding, making a mental note to ask for the details at a later time, as she placed her hand back over her husbands, who also wore a small smile. They knew Fred would have been the happiest of them all to know Ginny was happy with Harry.

The hall was silent as they watched the two of them hold each other. Harry had lowered Ginny to the floor after their kiss and her head was buried in his chest and her arms were tight around his waist.

Harry just held her and gently stroked her beautiful hair as she sobbed into his chest. He had never Ginny cry, her toughness is one of the things he loved about her, but right now he just wanted to hold her.

Harry was about to ask her if she wanted to go and sit down, but he was interrupted by Ginny forcefully pushing him away, before slapping him hard across the face.

Holding his cheek Harry looked at Ginny in shock and fear.

"Gin?"

"DON'T YOU 'GIN' ME, HARRY JAMES POTTER!" She screamed at him, her finger poking his chest forcing him to walk back as she walked towards him. The rest of the hall looked on in fear Hermione started to get to her feet, but was held back my Mrs Weasley.

"Let her get this out of her system dear." She explained. "She wont hurt him." Hermione nodded and sat back down but still looked concerned.

"I SWEAR TO GOD HARRY, IF YOU EVER MAKE ME THINK YOU ARE DEAD AGAIN, I WILL ACTUALLY KILL YOU MYSELF!" Ginny continued to scream as Harry's back hit the wall behind him.

"Now! This is for leaving me!" She shouted as she slapped him hard in the same place as before.

"This is for making me worry for your safety for a year!" She slapped him again, but on the other cheek.

"This is for making me think you were dead!" She slapped his second cheek again.

"And this if for surviving, saving us all and coming back to me." She said in her normal voice as she stood on her tip toes and kissed him.

Harry's shock slowly started to disappear as kissed her and in the back of his mind he could hear the rest of the hall chuckling.

Ginny lowered herself back down before putting her hand in Harry's and pulling him back across towards the rest of the Weasleys.

They were about ten feet away from the Weasleys and Harry's mind was just filled with confusion. He'd never understand women, and he'd have to explain why he sacrificed himself...that would not go well. He was pulled from his thoughts, however, by a crushing hug from Mrs Weasley.

"Oh Harry! I'm so happy your alright! And for you and Ginny!" She said with smile as she hugged him tighter.

"Mrs-Weas-ley." Harry tried to respond , gasping for breath.

"Mom!" The voice of Ron called. "He can't breathe." He finished with a roll of his eyes as Mrs Weasley let Harry go quickly.

"Oh I am sorry dear." She said as she forced him to sit down. "Now eat. Your even skinnier than you were when I first met you."

Mrs Weasley sat down net to Harry, as he started to eat. Her head bowed as her thoughts about Fred returned. Ginny had moved to stand behind Harry, her hands running through his overgrown hair.

"He would have been so happy for you two." Mrs Weasley said as she fought to hold back her tears, but when Mr Weasley put his arm around her, she broke down into his shoulder.

"I'm sor-" Harry started, but the combined voices of Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley, Ginny and Hermione forced him to stop.

"NO!"

Harry froze where he was, His fork was just out of his mouth and Ginny was grabbing his hair rather tightly.

"I'll take this one, Ginny dear." Mrs Weasley said softly to her daughter who just nodded and returned to play with Harry's hair.

"Listen to me Harry. I will not be happy if I have to repeat myself." Harry gulped. "There is nobody in this hall who blames you. You defeated him. Because of you we are all here and alive. Because of you. Most of my family is alive. Because of you most of your friends are alive. I don't know the details of what you done last year, but according to Ron and Hermione who predicted you would say this. There is nothing you could have done to save Fr- Fred." She finished. Holding back her tears at saying her late sons name.

"Mrs Weasley's right, Harry." Hermione said. "There's no way you could have saved anyone. Your task was to kill Voldermort." Everyone startled a little at the name. "You completed your task. You even managed to save Luna and Dean on the way."

Harry bowed his head. He knew they didn't blame him. But he blamed himself. His thoughts trailed to Dobby, who they could not argue died to save him. He was so lost in this thoughts about his good friend, he didn't hear Ginny question them about Luna.

"What do you mean Luna and Dean?" She asked in confusion, looking between Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"We'll explain the whole story to you, soon." Ron started, looking at Ginny with a stern face. "It's for the best that we don't explain little bits at a time."

Ginny reluctantly nodded, but over heard Harry whispering something.

"Dobby." His voice said softly.

"Do-" Ginny started, but she was yanked away by Hermione.

"Ginny. Don't." She said harshly, her tone quickly changing back to normal. "Dobby save us three, Luna, Dean and Mr Olivander, but he was killed in the process." Hermione said softly. She had always liked Dobby.

"Dobby? The house elf that works here?" Ginny asked. "The one that always talks about Harry?"

"Yeah." Hermione said softly. "Did you know him?"

"We used to visit the kitchens last year." Ginny explained. "Dobby knew I was Harry's girlfriend last year. He said something about looking after the younger of Harry's Wheezys." She finished with a confused look as Ron's voice interrupted her.

"He used to call me Wheezy." Ron said with a sad smile. "I'll never forget that elf." He finished with a bow of his head.

"But Dobby loved Harry." Hermione continued. "And Harry was very fond of Dobby. Almost as much as he loved Hedwig."

"I forgot about Hedwig!" Ginny said in a loud whisper as she put her hands over her mouth.

"Hedwig was an amazing animal." Ron said. "Remember that time she left Harry to come and pick his birthday presents up?"

"Or when she pecked away at our hands for not telling him anything." Hermione added.

"Or how she just made you think of Harry. And you knew everything was going to be alright." Ginny finished in a whisper.

The three of them waked back to Harry who had started eating again. Ginny returned to playing with his hair, as Ron and Hermione sat next to each other, holding hands under the table.

"So he's the one who had Ginny all worried this past year?" The voice of Charlie said over the four of them. Harry freezing with his fork still in his mouth.

"Don't try and deny it, Potter." Bill said, smirking from behind Harry who couldn't see him smile. "We saw your little reunion from outside the hall, and getting slapped a few times."

"I liked that bit." Charlie added with a chuckle.

"Well if she has to fall for someone..." Bill added again.

"Might as well be one that's more powerful than all of us..." Percy added, getting a few looks. People still weren't used to the new Percy.

"Not to mention the most noblest git the world has ever known." George added with a small chuckle. "Fred would have said something about him being one of the richest in the country too." George added quietly, causing the group to give little smiles.

"Wait... Wait...Wait..." Charlie interrupted. "Richest?" He asked looking around. "Just how much do you have Harry?"

"Er..." He answered, turning around to see the curious looks on Bill, Charlie and Percy. The rest knew about Harry's money. "I don't really know."

"Well," Hermione intervened. "He is the sole owner of the full Potter fortune. I believe the full owner of the entire Black fortune. And owns at least two houses. And every company and property they own."

"I do?" Harry asked. His shock matched the shock of the other Weasleys.

"He's so rich he doesn't even know it." George said, pausing waiting for a follow up comment from Fred. "Oh..." George finished.

Harry's improved mood quickly dissipated again. He was guessing the rest of the group felt the same way as silence fell upon them.

There were a few minuted of silence. George had moved to sit on the bench next to his father, his head in his arms on the table. Bill and Charlie were sitting opposite them, they seemed to be planning to move Fred home. Percy didn't know what do to with himself, he just sat next to George, holding his head in his hands. Harry had lifted up his hands to his shoulders, his palms facing up, allowing Ginny to slide her hands into his. They both appreciated the touch of the other, both knew they were here to help. It wasn't long until she sat next to him, her head on her shoulder. Her tears dripping on to Harry's shoulder. Harry just kept his arm around her, gently rubbing her arm on her other side.

"Mrs Weasley?" Harry asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes dear?" She asked, her eyes red and puffy.

"We need to explain to you all what we done last year." He started. "I'll tell you now, that you will not enjoy it." He paused as the rest of the Weasleys looked from Harry to Ron and Hermione. They had their heads bowed, Hermione was shaking.

"I don't think any of us can tell it more than once..." Harry started, his voice leaving him.

"Would you two spread the word with the staff?" Harry asked, looking towards Charlie and Bill.

"Sure Harry. We'll get Kingsley. He's acting Minister now." Charlie answered but Harry just nodded.

The silence was long, but no one dared speak. They didn't want to be the one to start the tears. The group sat in relative silence for a little while longer. The only noises were the hushed conversations between the couples on the group or between Charlie and Bill. It wasn't long after Ginny had stopped replying to Harry, that he noticed she was asleep. He tapped the shoulder of Mrs Weasley and pointed to Ginny. She nodded, and Harry carefully picked her up bridal style, and started off towards the Gryffindor Tower. Leaving the group, Harry overheard the hushed voice of Professor McGonagall.

"Molly, Arthur." She said softly, her hand on each of their shoulder. "I have set up beds in the classroom across the hall for you and your family. Although they can use the tower if they wish." She finished with an attempt at a smile, although the events of the previous night were having an effect.

"Thank you Minerva." Arthur said with a nod as he stood and guided his wife to the room. He waited by the door as his family entered one by one, but held out his arm stopping Ron and Hermione..

"I need you two to go to the Gryffindor Tower and keep an eye on Harry and Ginny." Arthur said softly. "Not in that way," He added noticing Ron's look, "But I think this is affecting them both more than we know."

"It is Mr Weasley." Hermione said as she started to walk up towards the tower, hugging Ron's arm as she walked.

"What do you mean it is?" He asked carefully, not wanting to argue with Hermione.

"There's something you don't know." Hermione said with a sad sigh. "It's better you know before we tell the whole story tomorrow."

They stopped outside the portrait and sat on the top of the stairs outside the common room and Hermione explained everything. She explained that Snape was innocent, that Harry was a Horcrux, that he knew he had to walk down and face Voldermort alone.

"Noble git." Ron said after she had finished explaining. "He could have told us first."

Hermione sighed again before replying. "If Harry came up to us, your family, Luna and Ginny. Then he told us that he has to walk down through the forest alone and be killed. One, would you believe him? And two, would you let him?" She asked, knowing she was being harsh but it was the easiest way to explain it.

Ron just shook his head. "Come on, lets get some sleep." He said, pulling Hermione up and leading her through the portrait hole.

They entered the common room expecting it to be alone, but they found Harry sitting in one of the single arm chairs, Ginny curled up on his lap, with a happy smile on her face.

"Ron. Leave them be." Hermione ordered, knowing Ron's reaction. "Look at her smile. When was she last that happy? You know Harry wont do anything."

Ron just nodded and sat down on the sofa, Hermione sitting on his knee, her arm around him. They moved closer.

"Are you two official then?" Harry's voice called out to them in a whisper. Making them both jump and go red, but he held a finger to his lips and pointed to Ginny on his lap.

"I couldn't carry her to her dorm. I can't go up there." He explained noticing Ron's look. "It was her idea to lie here." Ron just nodded and placed his arms around Hermione.

"Did you tell him Hermione?" Harry asked.

"She did." Ron replied. "You still could have told us two."

Harry sighed, he had hoped Ron would just accept his decision. "I wanted too..." Harry said softly. "But if I did... I wouldn't have been able to leave. I even walked past Ginny... but I couldn't stop, we would all be dead now if I had stopped."

"We could have came too-" Ron began.

"No. You couldn't have." Harry said. "I had to go down alone. With my head held high. Accepting that I was going to die. I gave you lot the same sort of shield that my mom gave me."

"I knew he would stop the battle if I was dead." He continued. "You saw it yourself. He was willing to stop, to spare all you all. He only wanted me. It was the only way to lower the shield around Nagini."

"Fine, we couldn't have helped, but you didn't really die." Ron reasoned, still not liking Harry's sacrifice.

"I did, Ron." Harry said softly. "Both souls in me shut down. Both Voldermort's and mine."

He noticed Ron's confused look but Hermione continued. "Harry's blood was in Voldermort. His mothers protection allowed his a chance to return, as long as Voldermort survived."

"I had a choice...Stay dead and be with my parents, Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Dumbledore..." Harry continued but was interrupted by a forth voice.

"Or come back." Ginny's soft voice joined the conversation. Harry looked down at the figure curled up on his lap, but he was met with a pale face. She almost looked scared, as if she was staring at her greatest fear.

"Gin, I-" Harry started to explain, but she jumped off and ran up to the girls dormitory.

"I'll go talk to her." Hermione said with a sigh. "She only knows that you sacrificed yourself. Not about you being a Horcrux or anything." Hermione explained. "Just give her time."

He collapsed back on the chair, his eyes closed. He silently cursed his luck. He had sacrificed him self to save Ginny. But she thinks he gave up. Quitting the fight because it was too much for him.

"Give them time, mate." Ron 's voice called out to him. Harry just nodded and climbed to his feet.

"I need some sleep." Harry said before failing to hide a yawn. "I've got to tell everyone tomorrow." He finished with no enthusiasm before leaving Ron in the common room and heading up to his bed.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked softly as she opened the door to her dorm. Hermione notice the girl lying on her side, her back to the door.

"Come on Ginny, Harry's fine." Hermione whispered as she sat on the bed next to her.

"You were in more danger than you were letting on during the summer, weren't you?" Ginny asked softly.

"More than you could ever know." Hermione said softly, but she noticed Ginny turning over to continue the conversation. "Ginny please." She begged. "The three of us went through things we'd rather never live through again." She said softly, tears streaming down her face. "We're going to tell you all tomorrow. Everything that happened. Just don't make me do it more than once."

Ginny had a look of sympathy, as she pulled Hermione into a hug.

"Harry's been through things like this for his entire life." Hermione said bluntly. "I'm not sure even he could relive some of last year." Ginny didn't say anything, she just nodded.

"I've never seen the Harry that I saw when Dobby died in his arms." Hermione finished.

"Come on." Ginny said after a couple of minutes. "I know just what you need." She finished, pulling Hermione up by her hand and heading back into the common room. Ginny pulled her friend all the way up to the boys dorms, pausing at the door.

"Gin-"

"You want to be in there as much as I do." Ginny interrupted. "I wont say anything if you don't."

They both nodded and moved silently into the room. Ginny moved over to Harry and Hermione to Ron. They both smiled at each other before climbing into the arms of their boyfriends.

"Hermione?" Ron asked groggily, noticing the bushy mane of brown hair in his face.

"My and Ginny are in here." Hermione said bluntly.

"Gi-"

"Leave them alone Ron or I'm leaving." Hermione interrupted.

"That's my sister in bed with my best friend, over there." Ron exclaimed in a loud whisper.

"And I'm Harry's sister in bed with his best friend, over here." Hermione retorted. "What's the difference?"

"Your not actually his sister." Ron said in a mumble as he put his head back on his pillow.

"He's as good as." Hermione replied, lifting up to be looking down a him. "I love him like he's my little brother." She moved back down to rest her head on his chest. "Be happy for them Ron." She finished in a yawn. He thoughts still lingering on the fear she had over Ron.

(With Harry and Ginny)

"Harry?" Ginny whispered as she lay down next to him, moving his arm so it was behind her and her head was on his chest. But there was no reply, just the sounds of his deep breathing.

She hadn't noticed Harry was topless. Normally she would be ecstatic about sleeping in the same bed while he was topless, but she couldn't take her eyes of the black mark on his chest. The mark was right over his heart, bigger than her hand, covering about a third of his torso.

She propped herself up on her elbows, trying to find away to lie in his arms with out hurting any of his injuries. Looking across his chest for a place to rest her heat, was when she noticed the deep engraved outline of what looked like a locket. She moved her fingers over his chest and ran them gently around the outline of the engraved locket.

Drawing her eyes away from his injuries, Ginny desperately wanted to sleep, but not with out Harry. She decided that if she could hold Harry during the night, he would hold her.

She lay her head down on his arm, her back to him. Reaching behind her, she pulled his other arm over so it was wrapped around her. She felt a warm feeling flowing through her as she lay there.

"You could have just asked you know." Harry whispered into her ear, causing a huge blush to flow over her.

"I didn't want to hurt you by lying on your injuries...I didn't want to wake you..." She whispered, her back still towards him.

Harry just smiled and kissed the back of her neck before lifting up the quilt, covering them both, before wrapping his arm around her and holding her close to him, falling asleep with her in his arms.

Well, let me know what you think :)