Chapter 1 – After the Battle

Harry stood in the doorway of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. He was contemplating entering, but as he looked in at the grieving families, he felt like an intruder. None of those who laid under sheets in the hall were family to him. Not by blood at least. He stood rooted to the floor and surveyed what had once been a place of so many happy memories. The Great Hall's stone walls appeared undamaged, at least from the inside, but the floor bore a number of scorch marks. The magical ceiling that once reflected the outside sky was dark black and featureless. Most of the tall stained glass windows were shattered. Someone had cast protego spells around them to block out the nighttime wind. The four house tables were shrunk small and pushed into a corner, leaving the floor clear to receive the injured and worse. Students and some family members congregated in small groups around those laying on the floor. The dead were all covered except one. Colin Creevy laid to one side, looking peaceful in his final state of repose. Harry wished they would have covered Colin. Maybe the healers ran out of sheets. The healers from St. Mungo's were also in the hall, but they did not congregate. Instead, they flitted from patient to patient, administering potions and deciding who should be evacuated in what order. It was all too much after everything that had happened to Harry in the past hours, weeks, months. Harry felt numb. He wondered what was wrong with him? Shouldn't he be crying, screaming, something? Instead, he did nothing but stare, unsure and unable to do more. As his thoughts drifted back over the events of the night, Harry heard a voice. The voice sounded familiar. Harry shook his head briefly and his eyes focused on a pair of sad brown eyes looking at him. It was Ginny.

"Harry. Come. Come over with the family."

"I don't want to intrude Ginny."

"Really? Sometimes I think you're as thick as Ron."

Ginny took Harry's arm and the feel of her touch finally uprooted his feet as he plodded alongside her. The feel of her fingers on his skin made him tingle and Harry knew that he needed to talk to her about them, about everything, about what was next, whatever that was. Now was not the time though. Now was the time to grieve. But, if it was time to grieve, why did he feel numb? They reached the corner of the hall where the Weasleys gathered around a sheet that covered the long body that was Fred. Harry looked down and wondered how a simple sheet could contain the boisterous, naughty, infectious person who had been Fred Weasley. It was all just wrong. George sat cross legged on the floor next to his twin. He stared at nothing, appearing catatonic. His parents stood behind him, holding each other. Ron and Hermione stood to their left. Ron had Hermione wrapped in his arms. No one said anything about them, it just seemed natural. Ginny's other brothers stood around to the other side of their parents. Charlie was the only one of them crying, as tears poured down his face silently. The others all looked on in awe, only a step away from the catatonic state that had claimed George. Harry stopped with Ginny as they stood next to Ron and Hermione. Ginny began to tremble and leaned into him. Without thinking, he put one arm around her. As she melted into him, he wrapped her up completely in his arms and buried his face in her hair. Taking strength from Harry, Ginny let him hold her up as she let go and began to softly cry. Harry didn't know what his status with Ginny was anymore, despite what he wanted. For now, she needed him and he was there.

Many long minutes later, a healer approached the family. They needed to move Fred and the others. The Ministry would be taking care of the initial arrangements and would be in contact with the family. Nodding at the healer, Arthur sniffed and slowly moved his wife away and across the hall. Bill and Charlie reached down and lifted George, one on each side. They all followed the elder Weasleys, unsure where to go. As they neared the door, Professor Flitwick appeared. The tiny professor's arm was bound across his body and he had a large burn mark down the side of his face. Despite his appearance, his voice was strong as he addressed the Weasleys.

"Arthur, Molly, I've been sent to talk to you. Minerva suggests that you and the family stay in Gryffindor tower for the night. Everyone is too tired to travel safely. The tower should have plenty of space since the younger students were evacuated."

"Thank you Filius. I think rest is the best thing for everyone at the moment."

As the family began to make their way to Gryffindor tower, Harry knew he needed to take a moment with Ron and Hermione. He leaned into Ginny and whispered in her ear. Understanding, she nodded at Harry and followed the family. Harry stopped Ron and Hermione with a hand on each of their shoulders. Turning, they followed Harry to a nearby classroom. As the door closed, he turned to them.

"Ron, Hermione, I wanted to take a couple of minutes with just us. We haven't talked since right before the final wave when I told you about Snape's memories. There's so much to say, but you know I'm not great with words. I wanted to thank you for being the two greatest friends I could wish for. I know I can be difficult and moody, but the two of you have been my anchors. None of this would have been possible if any one of us weren't together on this journey. We've each brought a unique and vital element to this war. I know everyone is going to be wanting the story, and I intend to divide the credit as much as possible."

"Harry…"

"No Hermione, it's true. Anyway, I just want you both to know I love you. I have a feeling life is still going to be difficult, but I'll always be there for each of you. Also, I'm thrilled the two of you finally figured out your feelings. You make a brilliant couple."

Hermione came over and put a hand to Harry's cheek. Then she put a hand on Ron's cheek. There were tears in her eyes as she pulled both of them close and trio hugged each other for several long minutes, bonded tighter than an unbreakable vow. When they pulled back, Ron was uncharacteristically choked up.

"Mates forever Harry."

Harry nodded and the trio turned to make their way to Gryffindor tower and the family. What should have been a quick walk turned difficult shortly. At one turn they were blocked by a large pile of debris and turned back to the stairways. They proceeded up the central stairs, but then reached a section that had been blasted as it moved between two floors. They doubled back and went around by the transfiguration classroom before finding a back stairway that was intact. From there they trudged on to Gryffindor tower. By the time they reached the Fat Lady's portrait, they were near collapse. The portrait hung at an angle by one corner and the Fat Lady was nowhere around, so Ron pushed the portrait sideways and everyone made their way into the common room. The tower was partially intact, although one hole had been blasted in the south wall and a large stone blocked the stairway to the girls' dorms. The rest of the family was waiting for them and looked up as they entered, except Percy who was using the last of his strength to cast a protego on the hole in the wall. Bill and Charlie still had hold of George and Bill was the first to speak.

"Charlie, George, come, let's go to the first years boys' dorm. That way we don't have to climb."

As the three brothers turned to the doorway on left of the common room, Ron looked down at Hermione. She was bleeding from several large cuts and was barely standing as she clung to him silently. Looking at his parents, Ron was the next to speak.

"Mum, Dad, we're going up to the third years. You take the second years' dorm."

Ron didn't wait for a response as he led Hermione to the stairwell. Harry and Ginny followed silently behind with no objections voiced by the elder Weasleys. The three remaining members of the family stood staring at each other for a minute before Percy sighed and took his mother's arm as he led her up one floor. The second years dorm had five beds and, as soon as they arrived, Percy picked one and collapsed before he could wish his parents a good night. Molly looked at Arthur and fell into his arms. Too exhausted to cry, tears rolled down her face silently. Arthur pulled his wife over to a bed and sat her down on the edge. He held her for a few minutes as they consoled each other in silent communion. Once Molly had settled, Arthur spoke.

"Molly, before we sleep I want to check on everyone. Will you be alright for a few minutes?"

Molly looked in her husband's eyes and drew strength from him. Taking a deep breath, she choked out a reply.

"You go downstairs and check on the boys. I'll go upstairs and check on the others."

Arthur looked at her concerned, but was pleased to see a glint of her fortitude returned. Nodding, he pulled her up off the bed and gave her one more hug before they separated to check on their children. When Molly reached the third years' floor, she opened the door and stood in stunned shock. Harry was propped up on a bed with his shirt off as Ginny ran a wet cloth over recently healed wounds. His chest was a maze of fresh, pink scars and purple bruises. Ginny herself had blood crusted along her hairline, but looked to be the least injured. To their right, Ron stood in his boxers with a large gash down his leg that showed evidence along it's edges of a recent application of dittany. What really shocked her was the person that Ron was leaning over. Hermione laid on the bed without a shirt, wincing in pain as Ron applied salve to a large bruise on her shoulder. She also showed recent evidence of dittany on several cuts that were just above her bra. The look on Ron's face was tender, but pained as he tried to reassure Hermione. Still, the state of undress that the three of them showed was distressing and Molly gasped and began to protest as soon as she opened the door.

"Ronald Weasley! Where are your pants and what are you do.."

Ron turned to his mother and the look in his eyes was fierce enough to stop her in mid-sentence.

"Mum, NO. You have no reason to object. We are injured, but not enough that any of us wanted to take the healers' time. The three of us have been living together in a tent for months, caring for each other. That is what we are doing now. I can't believe you would think we had anything else in mind after everything. We're too bloody tired, but we had to heal ourselves before we can rest."

Ron turned and rummaged around in a small potions kit before he found a pain potion. Taking it, he tilted it to Hermione's lips and urged her to drink. Harry meanwhile rolled over and Ginny began applying dittany to his back. The four of them paid no more attention to Molly and she backed out of the room quietly. When she returned to the second years' dorm, Arthur was waiting.

"Come Molly, let's try to get a couple of hours sleep. The boys are almost asleep downstairs. Charlie got a sleeping draught from a healer and George was resting already when I arrived. The first floor has a bit of damage to one wall, just a couple of small holes that Bill and I managed to plug. How are the others?"

Molly was still a bit stunned by what had happened upstairs, but she found a reply for her husband. "They're fine Arthur. They're caring for each other."

Molly and Arthur settled onto the bed and Molly let herself be pulled into her husband's embrace as she listened to Percy's whistling breaths and eventually willed herself to sleep. Upstairs, Ron had done all he could for Hermione. As the pain potion took effect, he grabbed her beaded bag and rummaged around inside. Finding something smooth and silky, he pulled out Hermione's nightgown. He placed the nightgown over her head as she began to drift off, then carefully pulled her arms through it before pulling the nightgown down her body. Gently lifting her, he changed Hermione's position from semi reclining to flat. She let out a small sigh and her face relaxed. Ron stared down at her and brushed a few wisps of hair off her face. She was exhausted and injured, but never had she looked more beautiful to him. They had traded one fateful kiss in the heat of the battle and Ron knew he loved her. The time was all wrong to tell her, but someday soon he vowed he would. Finally unable to hold himself up anymore, Ron crawled in next to her and held her. Hermione turned in her sleep and nestled into him closer. Ron glanced over at Harry and saw that Ginny was curled up next to him. The thought no longer bothered him. He certainly couldn't pick anyone better for his baby sister. Returning his gaze to Hermione, Ron planted one gentle kiss on her head before pulling a blanket over them and surrendering to sleep.

A few hours later, Arthur was awakened by his eldest son gently rubbing his shoulder. Opening his eyes, Arthur saw that the sun was well up and knew that it was time to face the first of many long days. Nodding at Bill, Arthur turned and kissed Molly awake. As he did so, he brushed her hair off her face and noticed that her fiery tresses were showing more glints of silver. Molly awakened and, as her consciousness and memory returned, a sadness set into her face. Sighing, she looked up at Bill and then sat up next to Arthur. Bill looked at his parents and yawned.

"Mum, dad, Minerva sent a house elf up with some food. It's waiting in the common room. I've been awake for a while, but we should probably have a family meeting now. I woke Charlie and George already."

Percy sat up as he heard his brother speaking. Bill looked over at Percy and a knowing look passed between them as Bill answered Percy's non vocal question.

"Percy, you're my brother. Yes, you've made some horrendous mistakes lately, but in the end you came around and you fought with us. I can't speak for mum, dad, or the others, but you're part of the family too. Although, I hope you will never make the mistake of placing ambition ahead of everything else again."

Bill then turned and left the room, heading back downstairs. Arthur stood and looked over at Percy, then at Molly.

"Arthur, why don't you and Percy head downstairs and I'll go retrieve the others upstairs ."

Arthur nodded and gestured Percy in front of them as Molly followed behind and went the opposite direction. When she reached the door to the third years' dorm, Molly paused to brace herself for what she expected to find. When she opened the door, the room was flooded with light, illuminating the burgundy bed hangings on the four posters. Two of the beds were occupied. Molly looked at the four young people and shook her head. She wasn't happy with the sleeping arrangements, but they did look peaceful and she was happy to see that everyone was clothed. She supposed that companionship was what they needed most last night. Crossing to Ron and Hermione, she looked down on them and smiled. It seemed that her son had finally realized where his feelings lay. She wondered what had occurred while they had been gone. There were so many questions still left to be answered, all in time. For now she needed them to wake and join the family, so she put out a hand and gently shook Ron. As his eyes opened, he saw his mother and tightened an arm around Hermione as his look turned hard.

"Easy Ronald. I just came to wake you. Breakfast is in the common room and we need to have a family meeting."

Molly then turned to the second occupied bed and looked at Harry and Ginny. What did she think about this pairing? Honestly, she could think of no one better for her daughter, but Ginny was still just sixteen. Yet here she lay, sleeping in the arms of a boy. Correct that, a man. Certainly after everything Harry had been through he was no longer a boy. Was Ginny really a girl anymore? No, adulthood was not something granted by a calendar Molly realized. Her daughter may not be legal, but she had already seen and handled more than witches twice her age. Molly regretted the loss of the last of her daughter's childhood, but that was the nature of war. As she stared at them, she realized that she would need to loosen the reins a bit. Still, she hoped they did not plan to continue these sleeping arrangements at the Burrow. Molly sighed and reached over to shake her daughter, then she turned her back on them and looked at Ron. He was helping Hermione out of the bed. Then he turned and looked at his mother. His look softened a bit, but his jaw remained firm.

"Mum, I need to apologize about last night. I know I was a bit harsh. It's just that you need to understand, Harry, Hermione, and me have been through a lot. I'm not a little boy anymore."

Molly nodded and took her youngest son in her arms. As his chin rested on her head and his powerful arms enclosed her, it was quite obvious that her boy was indeed grown. She pulled back and looked up at him.

"Thank you son. We all have adjustments to make. Now, I'll let the four of you wake up. Then we need all of you downstairs for a family meeting. And yes, that includes you Hermione as well Harry."

As Molly headed downstairs, four other students came down from upstairs. She recognized one as Seamus Finnegan, but then the other boy and the Indian girls she wasn't familiar with. They nodded to her before proceeding on down the stairs. She followed them down and they were greeted by Percy, who invited them to breakfast. A few minutes later, the last four members of the Weasley clan made their way downstairs. Also joining them were Alicia and Angelina, who appeared to have slept in a corner of the common room. Percy took it upon himself to introduce them, as well as Seamus, Dean, Parvati and Padma to the rest of the family. As Harry looked around, he realized someone important was missing.

"Hey, has anyone seen Neville?"

Padma was the one to respond. "I saw him and Luna heading to Ravenclaw when I came this way to find Parvati."

That brought a few smirks and then everyone sat down to a subdued breakfast. The food was quite good, consisting of eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, porridge, juice and tea. It seemed even a monumental battle couldn't throw the house elves off their game. The conversation was minimal, but mainly focused on what everyone was planning to do next. The students felt a need to help at Hogwarts, but many were also needed at home by parents who were anxious despite emergency owls having been sent notifying their families that they were well. As the debate continued, Minerva arrived and settled herself in a chair that Dean vacated for her. Reaching for a slice of toast, Minerva looked at the group and addressed them as a whole.

"Good morning everyone. I know you've all had little sleep, but I thought I should come talk to you. Obviously the school is closed for this school year. What are everyone's plans?"

"We were just discussing that professor. Our parents want us home, but we also want to help here at the school. There's going to be a lot of work to get done before September. You do plan on starting school again in September?"

"Yes Parvati, we will do everything possible to open school again at the usual time on September 1st. While I appreciate your desire to assist, everyone needs to have time to heal and grieve, so I am closing the school grounds for one week. You will all need to return home for that time. If you wish to return and assist after, then you will be welcome."

McGonagall's announcement caused the conversation to start up again as everyone kept eating, including the professor who had been handed a plate of eggs and bacon by Alicia. Once everyone was fed, McGonagall excused herself and Arthur called his family to attention.

"Alright Weasleys, and Harry and Hermione. We need to have a family meeting."

The rest of the Gryffindors drifted away to allow them space as the Weasleys gathered at the long study table in the center of the common room. Arthur took a moment and looked at his family. They were one less now and the twin who survived looked like a shadow of himself. Then Arthur looked at his youngest son and the woman perched on his lap. Well, sometimes it took catastrophe to wake a person up and Ron had certainly been oblivious to his feelings about Hermione for too long. Continuing to look around the table, his eyes next settled on Ginny, who had her head resting on Harry's shoulder. That also was a pleasant surprise. Coming out of his reverie, Arthur took control of the meeting.

"Alright, so we need to decide what are our next steps. I certainly want to return to the Burrow, but we have to be prepared for what the Death Eaters may have left behind. I think we need to rely on Bill here. He has experience breaking into tombs, returning to the Burrow should be similar."

Everyone nodded and turned to Bill. Looking at all of his family, Bill took a breath and took the hand-off from his father.

"Alright, I think we should approach the Burrow in stages. The wards are probably down, but they were at 400 meters. I suggest we apparate in at 450 meters and start to probe the boundary. If everything is clear, then we move to 390, just inside the old wards. We'll probe again, using several revealing charms for people and objects. We'll also use a dark magic detection spell and work our way closer in 50 meter increments. Then we'll move in the last 40 meters and do a final probing. We can't be sure what we'll find, so let's make sure we have all shields up. I propose that we start with a six person arrangement at equidistant points. Myself, Hermione, Charlie, Percy, Mum and Dad. Ron, don't put your hackles up. If Hermione's willing, we need her. She and I talked quite a bit last summer and she is probably second only to myself on understanding curses. The other four of you will remain back ten meters behind us, ready to assist if needed or to send for help if anything goes bad. Does this sound reasonable? Hermione, any concerns, you're my second on this?"

"No Bill, the approach is well thought out. I appreciate the confidence, especially since I'm not family."

"Hermione Granger! You should know by now that we consider you and Harry family. Which brings up something else that we've assumed, but not discussed. We want you and Harry to stay with us as long as you want. I know it will take a while to decide on next steps from here."

"Thank you Molly. I appreciate that. So, when are we doing this?"

"Well, it's almost ten now, I don't see any reason to delay."

"Alright then. I know that Filius re-established the anti-apparition wards in the castle, but they haven't been spread to the grounds yet. Shall we go to the courtyard and apparate from there?"

Everyone nodded and turned to leave. On the way out of the tower, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny stopped to talk to their fellow Gryffindors and everyone promised to reunite at Hogwarts in a week to start the rebuilding. Then they exited and made their way to apparate to the Burrow.