Harry Potter: Rebuilding Life and Love and Hope

Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter and I am not JK Rowling. I just wish to add to the amazing world of Harry Potter fan fiction and I hope you all enjoy this story. It takes place directly after the DH final battle and covers the 19 years that J K Rowling left open to interpretation. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Harry , Ron and Hermione gave one last glance at Dumbledore's portrait in the headmaster's office. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled through his half moon glasses and his voice was full of emotion. 'Remember my teachings Harry: live life with love, and pity those who live without it.'

Harry smiled at Dumbledore. All those years ago when Dumbledore said his greatest strength was love, it was only recently he realised just how truthful those teachings were. 'Yes, professor. I'll do my best, goodbye.' With one last smile Harry, Ron and Hermione left the headmaster's office.

As they walked along the corridor, Harry's attention was brought to the destruction that lay before them. Stone walls had been blasted though, with huge chunks of debris leaving gaping holes in the castle walls. Suits of armour lay cascaded on the floor. Pools of blood were eerily deposited all over the place as they walked towards the grand staircase. Windows were shattered, the glass scattered across the floor, reflecting the first rays of the morning sun. Despite all the carnage, Hogwarts still had a sense of beauty about it.

A new day had dawned, but it did not ease the ache in Harry's heart. His thoughts were with everyone they had lost in the battle to end Voldemort's evil reign. he thought of his Mum and Dad. How he wished they could be with him today. His Mother's words from the resurrection stone stayed with him, giving him the comfort he so desperately needed. She would be with him until the very end. Harry realised in that moment, that his mother meant she had never left him. She was a part of him, as was his dad and as long as Harry lived, they lived within him. The comfort he initially felt however was short lived as his mind wandered to Mad Eye, Tonks, Lupin, Sirius, Dumbledore, Snape, Fred, Dobby, Colin Creevey and countless others who had lost their lives. Harry felt responsible. He felt responsible that he had sealed his godson Teddy Lupin to the same fate as him, to a life of emptiness without his mother and father. He felt responsible for Fred's death and dreaded seeing the pain etched in Mrs and Weasley's faces. If only I had of been faster, thought Harry. If only I could have stopped Voldemort in time to save everyone. Harry walked in silence, his thoughts plaguing him as Ron and Hermione walked in silence behind him, their hands entwined. As they reached the grand stair case, Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. 'I want to thank you both for everything. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you two. I am so sorry, Ron. I am so sorry for Fred. So sorry...' his voice cracked and his tears fell unashamedly. Ron grabbed Harry and pulled him into a brotherly embrace. Hermione placed her hand on Harry's shoulder, pain and renewed tears etched on her face. Ron let his tears fall. He cried for Fred, he cried for everyone who had passed. A short while later, Ron pulled back and firmly looked at Harry. 'I want you to know that none of us blames you, Harry. Fred was of age, he wanted to fight for what he believed in. I know that if he had the choice, he would give his life ten times over of it meant we could all be free and have peace.' Harry smiled at Ron and looked at Hermione who nodded in agreement. They were right, thought Harry, but it did little to ease the pain they were all feeling.

They carried on their journey to the Gryffindor tower and it was only upon arriving there that they realised none of them knew the password. The Fat Lady however beamed at them upon their arrival and opened the door without need of the password. They all muttered their thanks and headed inside the common room. Harry was relieved to find it was empty. He was not ready to be around crowds of people, apart from Ron and Hermione. They walked up the stairs to the boys dorm room. Harry was thankful to find his bed waiting for him. He crawled into it and the sound of his rumbling tummy broke the silence. Ron laughed as he and Hermione climbed into beds of their own, 'Hungry, are you?'

'Starving!' replied Harry. 'Time for that sandwich I think. Kreacher!'

A loud CRACK erupted into the dorm room and there appeared Kreacher, his head in a low bow. 'What can Kreacher do for Master?' he said. Harry looked tentatively at Hermione. He knew how she felt about house elves and he chose his words carefully. 'Kreacher, if it's not too much trouble I was wondering if you could rustle up some sandwiches for us please? Nothing too fancy, I know how exhausted you must be.' Harry looked at Hermione and was relieved to see she approved of his request. Kreacher beamed at Harry. 'Oh yes, Master! Of course, Master! Kreacher is honoured to serve the Noble House of Potter!' and with a loud CRACK he dissaparated into the Hogwarts kitchen to prepare the food. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione with confusion. 'Noble House of Potter?' he said. Hermione looked thoughtful as she said, 'Think about it, Harry. With Bellatrix gone, that ends the Black line. You inherited Kreacher after Sirius died. Now that the Black line has ended, Kreacher now serves the Potter line.' Harry nodded in agreement. 'I'm going to make sure Kreacher is treated fairly. The Potter line will never treat him the same way the Black line did.' Hermione beamed at him. Once more, a loud CRACK erupted in the dorm room and this time Kreacher arrived with three other house elves. Each of them carrying trays of sandwiches, mince pies, treacle tart and pumpkin juice. 'You didn't have to go to this much bother, Kreacher!' said Hermione, concern evident on her face as Kreacher balanced large trays in his tiny hands. Kreacher bowed at her and said, 'It's no trouble, Miss. Master Regulus fought against The Dark Lord. Master Harry and his friends finished Master Regulus's work. Kreacher is proud to be of service in the Noble House of Potter!' Harry smiled at him, 'Thank you Kreacher,' he said, 'Now please go and go and get some rest, you've more than earned it.' Kreacher bowed once more and left with a CRACK along with the other three house elves. Harry Ron and Hermione ate their sandwiches in silence and eventually succumbed to a long and much needed sleep.

Harry's dreams were frightening. He dreamt of Horcruxes, of dragons and the Final Battle. A jet of green light hit him directly in the chest and he awoke abruptly, sitting bolt upright, looking around his surroundings and breathing heavily. As his senses adjusted to his familiar surroundings, he was vaguely aware of a long red hair and a sweet strawberry smell that filled him with a feeling of warmth. He quickly found his glasses and looked up to find Ginny Weasley sitting in a chair next to him.

'Hi' he said. 'How long have I been asleep?'

'20 hours,' replied Ginny. 'Mum, Dad and everyone are downstairs in the common room. I haven't long since came up here to sit with you.'

Harry looked at her. He had never been so happy to see her. All the days and nights looking at the Marauder's Map and hoping she was safe had bubbled to the surface. As he looked at her, he saw pain of loss etched into her face. She had lost weight, her eyes were red, puffy and swollen and she looked like she had not slept for days. She looked at Harry with the blazing look he knew all too well. He also sensed uncertainty in her expression too and he became overwhelmed with his desire to tell her how he felt.

'Ginny, I'm so glad you're here! I've missed you so much. I thought about you every day that I was away from you. I'm really sorry for everything that has happened. I hope in time we can find a way though this together. I love you.' Ginny's blazing look went into overdrive as she flung her arms around Harry and kissed him deeply, putting all her unsaid words into the kiss. Harry returned the kiss with just as much passion. He put all his emotions into the kiss. One hand caressing her back and the other hand entangled in her fiery red hair.

'Oi! Some of us are trying to rest! Hands of my little sister you git!' Said Ron. Harry completely forgot he wasn't alone in the dorm room. He winced and looked at Ron nervously who was still lying in bed, but was relieved to see Ron's expression had softened. Ginny looked at Ron with the most Mrs Weasley-ish stare and said, 'One more word from you and I'll Bat Bogey hex you!' Ron gulped and Hermione laughed as she unravelled herself from Ron's bed, still fully dressed in her robes. 'Now Ronald really! Your sister is of age and you are a filthy hypocrite!' Ron's ears went red as everyone laughed, then he shrugged and bent down to kiss Hermione. Harry was happy for his two friends. They both deserved to be happy. He smiled at Ginny, and his thoughts wandered to Dumbledore. Not even twenty four hours had passed and Dumbledore's teachings were evident. They were living life with love.

Author's Notes

Thank you all for reading the first chapter of my take of what happens in the 19 years leading up to the epilogue! I really want to do this justice and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it! xxx