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Harry woke up to sunlight creeping in through the gap of his bed curtains. He reached for his glasses and shoved them on his face before sitting up and stretching. He noticed his clothing that he had discarded on a chair was now neatly folded and there were spare clothes next to them too. Harry reckoned Kreacher must’ve found them.
Harry grabbed his watch that he had received as a birthday present from Mr and Mrs Weasley. It read 4pm. His body ached but he felt slightly refreshed after sleeping. No one else was in his dormitory so he headed out the door and noticed a figure sat on the sofa in the Gryffindor Common room. As if they sensed his presence they looked up and Harry felt his stomach swoop.
Ginny smiled up at him, wearing new clothes and a smile on her grief-stricken face. Harry knew he would have to explain everything to her and he would. He would tell her everything, even things Ron and Hermione knew nothing about. She deserved it nonetheless.
“Everyone’s down in the Great Hall. Or what’s left of it at least. No one wanted to disturb you but I came back up here anyway. I thought you wouldn’t want to wake up alone.” Ginny said as Harry made his way down the stairs.
“Smart witch you are.” Harry chuckled.
Ginny continued. “Mum says you are to go and see Madam Pomfrey before you come back downstairs. And that you’re to come back to the Burrow with us.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You’re part of the family. You always have been. And we’re not leaving family on their own.” Ginny held his hands.
Harry could feel tears forming in his eyes but he kept them at bay. “Then I guess I better go to the hospital wing. Can’t keep my family waiting.”
“Before you go, aren’t you forgetting something?” Ginny raised an eyebrow.
Harry looked at her, momentarily confused before he cottoned on. He grinned. “You’re right. I can’t forget my wand, who knows, some dangerous dark wizard might decide to come and attack me as I eat my breakfast.” He pretended to walk away.
Ginny pulled him back to her with one hand, a smirk on her face. “Prat.”
“Your prat.” Harry grinned before pressing his lips to hers, he could smell the flowery scent he craved so much, how he had missed it these last nine months. But Harry knew he had all the time in the world now, he could bask in this forever.
The need for air became great and Ginny pulled away, burying her head into Harry’s neck, he could’ve sworn he felt a couple of tears hit his skin.
“I thought you died.” Ginny’s muffled voice said.
Harry held onto her tightly. “I’m here Gin. And I’m not going anywhere.”
“Only to the hospital wing. We should head there before Mum comes looking for us.”
Harry and Ginny set off to see Madam Pomfrey, hand in hand and with a smile on their faces.
— — — — — — — — — —
Harry had been attended to by Madam Pomfrey and was given the all clear, Ginny had stayed with him the entire time, holding his hand and providing a comfort Harry had craved these last few months. They were now heading back to the Great Hall where the rest of the Weasley family were.
“No one blames you. You do know that.” Ginny said as they reached the entrance to the Great Hall.
“They don’t?” Harry asked. He had a feeling that they might hate him. That he was responsible for Fred’s death. But when Ginny told him that he was part of the family, he realised those thoughts were all wrong. He had been a part of the family for years, there was never any doubt.
Harry and Ginny walked into the Great Hall and over to where the Weasley family were sat.
“Harry! Thank goodness you’re alright.” Mrs Weasley stood up and pulled him into a hug.
“I’m sorry about Fred.” Harry said sheepishly.
Mrs Weasley looked at him. “You have nothing to apologise for.”
“We don’t blame you Harry. None of us do.” Mr Weasley said.
Harry glanced briefly at the rest of the Weasleys who all nodded, even George who had stood up. Ginny grasped his hand tightly.
“Thanks… it means a lot.”
“Now we’ve organised a portkey to take us back to the Burrow. We’ll need two because there’s so many of us. But I think we’ll manage.” Mr Weasley said.
After a lot of jostling and a journey that made Harry feel sick after what they had all endured, he found himself staring up at the Burrow, a place he now had to call home. He didn’t head straight into the house, instead, he chose to sit outside and enjoy the setting sun. He felt someone sit down beside him and the flowery smell he loved so much invaded his nostrils and made him grin.
“I hope you’re not avoiding everyone.”
“No, I just needed time to think. It’s time I told you everything. Everything that happened over the last few months.” Harry said.
Ginny sat up straight and took his hands in hers. “I’m all ears.”
And so he told her. From the minute they left the wedding to the final moment Voldemort was defeated and everything in between. The Deathly Hallows, the Horcruxes, the escape from Gringotts. All the hidden meanings behind various encounters. He held off on one thing, waiting for the right moment.
“There is one other thing. Two things actually now that I think about it.” Harry said.
“What is it?” Ginny said.
Harry took a deep breath. “Snape was on our side, working for the Order. He was in love with my mother, he was trying to protect me all these years.”
Ginny’s eyes widened. “But the way he treated us all-“
“A mask. He couldn’t give anything away. If he did, Voldemort would’ve murdered him. He got to do that anyway. But he was loyal to us all right until the end.”
Ginny listened for a moment. “That’s going to take some time for others to get used to.”
“I plan on everyone knowing the full story soon, these next few weeks need to pass by first. I’m not saying anything until I’ve paid my respects to all those that have died.”
Ginny smiled. “You’re a good person Harry. What was the other thing you wanted to tell me?”
Harry turned to face her. “When I walked into the forest to face him, I saw my parents, Sirius and Remus. The snitch had the resurrection stone in it and I was able to see them. They were with me when I faced him. And my final thought was of you, everything about you. I thought I’d never see you again.” Harry said, tears falling thick and fast down his face.
Ginny pulled Harry into her arms and he didn’t hold back on the tears as she let a few of her own fall. As the tears dried up, he sat up.
“My whole world fell apart when Hagrid carried you back to the castle. You can’t imagine my reaction when I realised you were alive.” Ginny pressed her forehead against Harry’s.
“I came back for you. Not to just finish him off but because I want to be with you. I love you Ginny. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Harry smiled.
“Oh Harry.” Ginny presses her lips to his before breaking away. “I love you too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you too. I didn’t think we’d ever get to think about this.”
“But we can. And we have so much to look forward to.” Harry said.
Ginny stood up and pulled Harry up. “It’s all thanks to you. Let’s head back inside and start thinking of that future.” She smiled.
Hand in hand, they walked back to the Burrow, ready to plan their futures with each other.