George turned his head towards the sound of his name, and anger surged through him when he saw who was talking. He shook his head slightly before spinning round and punching Harry in the face. The Weasleys looked shocked at his outburst, Harry however showed no sign of anger only acceptance. Harry’s reaction confused all the Weasley’s except Ron who, with Hermione at his side, moved towards Harry.
Before they reached him, George spoke, “Harry... I’m...Ssso” He stammered, breaking into a fresh torrent of tears. Harry placed a hand warily on his shoulder, waiting for George to shrug it off. When he didn’t Harry knelt beside him, and pulled him into a hug.
“How did he manage that?” Mrs Weasley muttered to her husband. “He won’t let anyone get that close to him.” She continued to watch the scene unfold in front of her. George and Harry continued hugging, both of them with tears constantly running down their faces. They stayed like that for another ten minutes before breaking apart.
“I just needed someone to blame,” George explained to Harry. “And you were the easiest target. I’m so sorry!”
“Stop apologizing George.” Harry said quietly, but forcefully. “I know exactly how you feel. I blamed Dumbledore when Sirius died. Smashed up his entire office, so I reckon a punch to the face was fair.” George nodded slowly, apparently deep in thought. Turning around, Harry noticed the look on Mrs Weasley’s face before she looked away. What he saw there confused him; she appeared to be relieved but also a little jealous. He raised an eyebrow questioningly towards George.
“I didn’t want any of them to touch me” he explained for Harry’s benefit. “It didn’t feel right, because they can never touch Fred again.”
“Then why did you let me?” Harry asked.
“Because I knew you would understand the pain I feel. You have lost all of your family, and feel guilty for all the people who died today. I know my family have lost one member of their family, and some of their friends, but all of this affects you more” George said this slowly, making sure Harry truly understood what he was telling him.
“Thanks. But I reckon your family need you right now. I know I needed mine after Sirius died. Your family is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real family, and I couldn’t have made it through without all of you.” While saying this, Harry looked over to all the Weasleys, except Ginny.
“You are our family. We’ve thought that for a long time Harry.” George said quietly.
“Fred’s moved onto a better place. He’ll be happy there, and you’ll see him again one day.” Harry said softly.
George looked at him, “How can you know that? Your still alive, how can you know what happens when someone dies?”
“I’ll explain later. But you should know I did die.”
At this point Harry stood up, held a hand out to George, and pulled him to his feet. Together the two grieving men walked towards their family. Mrs Weasley walked tentatively towards George, who to her relief welcomed her hug instead of backing away.
“Thank you!” Harry turned to find Mr Weasley standing next to him. “Molly needed to hug him, but he wasn’t ready for it. What made him change his mind?” Arthur asked curiously.
“I told him I never would have gotten over Sirius without the help of my family, without all of your help.”
Harry was pulled unexpectedly into a bear hug by Mr Weasley. “We have considered you as part of our family for a long time now; I’m delighted you feel the same way.”
“That wasn’t all, I told him I knew where the dead went because I had died. “ Before Arthur could interrupt him, Harry continued. “But I’d rather not talk about that just now. Not until I can tell everyone at the same time; in one go.”
Arthur looked confused, but nodded his agreement.
*****
Ginny’s feet were sore; she had been running around helping Madame Pomfrey care for the injured for most of the day. Her mind wasn’t completely focused though; she kept being distracted by Harry. How he was lying dead as Hagrid carried him out of the forest, how he was lying on the floor at Voldemort’s feet, and then appearing out of nowhere to kill him. She wasn’t sure if she admired or hated him more at this point in time. And now he’s disappeared again! Why hasn’t he come to talk to me? Does he still love me? Do I still love him? Where is he?
*****
Harry waited patiently until Professor McGonagall had finished speaking to Professor Flitwick. She was one of the first people he’s spoken to besides the Weasley’s since returning to the Great Hall. McGonagall cast a quick glance over Harry’s appearance; He hadn’t changed since before the battle, and his clothes had holes from all the curses. He had bags under his eyes, and the way he walked suggested he was both extremely tired and injured.
“What can I do for you Harry?” He was surprised at the use of his first name, it was the first time she had ever used it as far he could recall.
“I was wondering if you could gather some of the professors, the DA, and anyone else who you believe has the right to know where we’ve been for the last year. I want to get it over and done with, and in front of everyone so I don’t have to go through it more than once.” He said slowly, his voice breaking slowly at the end.
“Of course I can. But I think this should wait until tomorrow. You look exhausted; and by the looks of it you haven’t had your wounds looked at.”
“Fine; I’ll go to bed now, and see Madame Pomfrey first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Very well, I’ll make sure everything is arranged while you get some rest.”
“Thank you.”
With that Harry walked towards the Weasley’s and told them where his was going. All of them were now very curious as to what had occurred; Arthur and George had shared his cryptic remarks with the rest of the family.
*****
Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room, Harry was staring into the eyes of none other than Ginny Weasley. Before he had a chance to react, she threw herself at him and proceeded to hit every part of him possible.
“I thought you were dead!! I don’t see you for a year, then you turn up for seemed like minutes, and then you were dead! But oh no, all of a sudden you were there duelling Voldemort. How could you do that for me??”
For a second all Harry could do was stand and stare. “Gin.. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry! I thought you were dead, and all you have to say is sorry??” Ginny spat out in her anger.
“No. I want to tell you everything. But I want to do it with everyone there, so I don’t have to repeat it. Can you understand that?” Harry practically begged her. Ginny proceeded to stop hitting him and look into his eyes, after what felt like hours she nodded.
“I’ve arranged a meeting for tomorrow, to explain everything. I hope you’ll come.”
“Of course I’ll be there.” She said matter-of-factly, “Who else?” she added with curiosity.
“Your family, the Hogwarts Professors, Members of both the DA and the Order, and anyone else who McGonagall believes has the right to know.” Harry listed.
“That’s going to be a lot of people. Are you sure you want to do it front of everyone?”
“Yes. Everyone has the right to know what we’ve been up to this last year, and why we had to come here.” Harry explained simply.
“It’s very brave of you.” She decided to carry on before she lost her nerve. “I missed you.”
Harry almost cried, “I missed you too, you have no idea how much. I don’t want to rush you, but now that the danger is over, and the reason I gave for us breaking up is no longer valid, I was wandering...”
He didn’t have the chance to finish; Ginny silenced his words with her lips. The kiss started off tenderly, but as the minutes went by it became more passionate. Harry lifted Ginny off the floor, while she responded by wrapping her legs around his waist. He walked with her in this position over to one of the sofas in the common room, where he proceeded to lie down with her on top of him. She moved into a comfier position straddling his hips, all the while carrying on the kiss. The pair of them showed no signs of stopping , until they hears someone cough.
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