After the War

Chapter 1

Harry looked around the Great Hall, all of the Death Eaters had fled or died, and Lord Voldemort's dead body lay only a few yards crom him. Only 20 short minutes ago, Harry had beat him. The cheers had stopped as everyone went off to grieve over the dead. 

Harry caught sight of the Weasleys and Hermione huddled around Fred's body and went over to join them. He stood at the back of the group in silence for several minutes, before deciding to go over to Lupin and Tonks. Kneeling down next to their bodies, he said "I'm so sorry, you'll never get to see your son grow up or enjoy life after the war. I promise I'll take care of him, he'll know how brave you were and he'll never feel un-loved..." Harry had to stop talking, tears were falling down his face and he couldn't speak through his sobs. He felt someone take his hand in their's and their warm arm press against his, the flowery scent from the Burrow flooded over him and he looked up at Ginny. 

She simply looked at him, gave him a small reassuring smile, and then turned back to Remus and Tonks. They sat there for a long time together, crying over those lost, there was no need for words, just holding eachothers' hands was the best comfort. 

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"Everyone is welcome to stay at Hogwarts tonight. We will hold a funeral for all of our fallen witches and wizards tommorrow afternoon." Proffesor McGonagall's voice rang through the Great Hall, "You may choose to sleep in the dorms, or the Great Hall." Harry watched as she stepped down from the platform, he and Ginny then stood up and started walking back towards the Weasleys. 

"Mr. Potter, if I may speak with you for a minute." Harry and Ginny turned around to see McGonagall walking towards them. Ginny gave his hand a small squeeze and walked away. "Yes Proffesor?" Harry said. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, then closed it. She stood there simply staring at him, clearly she forgot whatbshe was going to say. With a sudden great rush of affection for her, Harry stepped forward and hugged her. He felt McGonagall hesitate, clearly suprised, before hugging him back. "Thank you for watching over me, Proffesor." He said "It was no problem." She answered, they stepped back and Harry gave a small laugh, knowing that he had been a big problem for her.  She gave him a small nod and he walked back to the Weasleys.

It was decided that Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley were staying in the Great Hall with Percy, Charlie, Bill, and Fluer, while he Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would go up to the dorms. 

So, they met up with Dean, Seamus, and Neville, who was holding a bandaged Luna, bridal style, and started walking back to the dorms. As they were walking, Luna, in her blunt manner, suddenly said "You know Neville, you're very handsome." This statement caused Neville to turn scarlet and all of the boys to snicker. "Oh um, thanks Luna," Neville stuttered "I actually think you're really pretty..." Luna looked suprised and said "Well, we're probably supposed to have some sort of dramatic conversation, but I have to go to Ravenclaw Tower." She was right, they were right next to the hall that led to the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower. Neville looked at the rest of the group, he was still holding Luna "I, um, I'll carry her there and meet you guys back at Gryffindor Tower." He said. Dean, Seamus, and Ron all snickered and said "All right, Neville meet you there." and Seamus actually handed him a breathmint.

As they were walking back to the tower, Harry noticed that he and Ginny weren't the only one's holding hands.