Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and do not wish to profit off this story.

Chapter 1; What comes Next

Harry was still feeling the anguish of seeing one of his dads best friends lying on the cold floor of the Great Hall. It had been just over an hour since he'd killed Tom, but it still felt like a dream somehow. As he walked the corridors of the castle he could see the damage caused by the battle. Pock marks here, blown walls there, even the gaping hole where one of his best friends brothers was killed.

He stopped, looked to the left and saw the Weasley family all in the Great Hall. He couldn't face them, not yet. They have lost so much that they need their time to morn, he thought. With that he turned the other direction and proceeded to make his way to Gryffindor Tower and some much needed sleep. As he neared the portrait of the Fat Lady, he finally realized that he didn't know the password.

"There's no need for a password for you Harry," the portrait said, "You just go on in, I'll let no one pass without your consent." and with that she swung forwards to let him in.

"Please let the Weasley's in if they come looking for me." He said as he past the portrait.

The common room hadn't changed since the last time he was here, and his feet where already pulling him in the direction of the dorms. He scaled the steps to his old room, opened the door and looked around. The room hadn't changed; the house elves had even kept his bed in tip top shape in case he returned. He made his way to the bed, and without taking off his clothes just flopped down and was asleep before his head hit the pillows.

Back in the Great Hall Ginny was beginning to worry; Harry was still not back even though Ron and Hermione had long since returned to the Party.

Knowing him, she thought, he's probably in the dorms.

She quietly got up from the Gryffindor table and made her way to the Great Halls big doors, she was almost to the staircase when she heard her name being called from behind her.

"Oy, Ginny, where you off to." yelled Ron from the bottom of the steps.

"I thought that I'd turn in for the night, I'm quite tired Ron," her voice was a little strained. The grief she felt was bearable but it was on the verge of overwhelming her.

"Oh, okay," he said turning back towards the Great Hall, "See you in the morning then."

Ginny turned and started to make her way up to the common room. As she shuffled along she kept thinking back to a year ago when she and Harry had split up. She was so heartbroken when he did it, but also she understood why he did what he did. As she was lost in thought she didn't realize that she had finally made it to Gryffindor Tower. She looked up and was about to give the password when all of a sudden the Fat Lady just swung forward.

"He said to let you in if you or your family came, dear." She said.

Ginny didn't know what to say, so she just nodded and shuffled into the common room. As she reached the stone steps up to the dormitories, she paused. Gazing up to the boys dorms she needed to make a decision, should or shouldn't she forgive him.

Yes he did break her heart and make her worry for all of last year, but he also came back and defeated the most powerful wizard of their time. For the moment I think I'll just check up on him. So she changed directions and proceeded up to the dorm room that she thought he was sleeping in, opened the door and peered inside. Lying on the bed closest to the window was a very sound asleep Harry Potter; she gave a big sigh as she remembered the times spent with him and how sometimes they would fall asleep on the common room couch in each others arms. She turned to leave, when all of a sudden she heard her name.

"Ginny." She turned back, only to see that Harry was still asleep. "Ginny I'm so sorry," he was talking in his sleep.

Tears welled up in her eyes, she was confused and she needed time to sort things out, so she quietly closed the door and left Harry to his slumber. She went to her dorm room and as soon she too was sound asleep.

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It was two days before Harry finally awoke from his exhausted slumber but when he did he found both Hermione and Ron staring at him from the comforts of Ron's bed.

"Well good morning mate, it's about time you got up," Ron smiled as his best friend slowly sat up in his bed.

"W w water?" Harry croaked out. Hermione pointed to the pitcher on the nightstand.

"Thanks," he whispered as he took a big swig of water, and then looked over at Ron and Hermione, "how l long have I b been out?"

"About two days, you really where zonked out Harry." Hermione answered.

"I need to ask you guys something." Harry said.

"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked

"I want to tell Ginny what's happened this past year, but I don't know if she'll talk to me."

"Harry it's not your fault mate," Ron said, "I'm sure…"

"Ron I think she'll need a bit of time right now." Hermione interrupted, "She's really confused at the moment Harry, just give her a bit of space okay." Harry grudgingly nodded.

"In the mean time lets go get something to eat I'm starving," Ron stated matter of factly.

Harry chuckled at the fact that Ron's stomach usually ousted any other thought in his head. "I need a shower first, I'll meet you down in the Great Hall." Harry told them as he got out of bed and hobbled to the washroom.

"Ok mate, see you in the Great Hall then." Ron said as they left the dormitory.

Harry showered and dressed, and finally got down to breakfast. As he entered the Great Hall he saw the Weasley's sitting at the Gryffindor table, they had all turned in his direction as he neared the table.

"I'm so, so, sorry Mrs. Wea…" But before he could say anything else Mrs. Weasley had snatched him up in big hug.

"No Harry, It was not your fault. None of this was your fault, you did what you had to do and that's all there is to it. I don't want to hear another word on that subject is that clear?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley." As she let him go he caught a glimpse of flaming red hair as it turned the corner out of the hall. He didn't know why he did it but, " Hey Ginny, wait," he yelled after her. When he got to the entrance hall he caught up to her.

"Ginny, there wasn't a day that went by that…" He began but was stopped by the fingers of Ginny.

"No Harry, right now I need my space, I need to figure out what going to happen now that he's been finally defeated."

"I understand Ginny, I just wanted you to know that I care for you, and that I will always care for you, no matter what you do."

At these words her emotions took over and she just had to get away, so she turned and fled up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room and finally up to her bed. She lay there for the good part of the day until she heard the creak of her dorm room door.

"Ginny are you awake?" Hermione's soft voice asked.

"Y yes, I'm awake, what would you like Hermione?"

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to talk?" She said.

She looked up at Hermione silhouetted against the landing, her eyes felt puffy from the crying she'd been doing. She nodded and Hermione came around and sat at the foot of the bed. After a few minutes she just blurted out

"I don't know what to do Hermione, on one hand I really want to be with him, but on the other I don't think I can handle another break up."

" Ginny?"

" Yes Hermione."

" Do you now what Harry did the whole time we were on the run when he thought we weren't looking?" Ginny shook her head.

" He would lay on his cot and just stare at the Marauders Map for hours on end, and when he would fall asleep I'd walk over to see what he was looking at, and every time it was always on you. He loves you Ginny and that will never ever change." Hermione finished and looked up at Ginny, but she was already getting up.

" Where are you going Gin?" Hermione asked.

" To do what I should have done earlier this evening." and with that she slipped out of the dorm room, down the stairs. When she reached the bottom she froze, there lying on the couch was Harry, fast asleep. He looked so peaceful right she hated waking him, but she knew they needed to talk.

" Harry," Ginny slowly prodded his arm, " Harry."

With a final prod Harry groaned and opened his eyes, " Gin…"

" We need to talk Harry." she said. He could only nod in agreement.

So there's the first chapter. I hope you like it, and please don't be afraid to R&R I won't bite….. Much. Hehehe.