InsaneJournal

Aftermath [Harry Potter, Harry/Ginny, G]
Title: Aftermath
Series: Harry Potter
Rating: PG
Genre: Vignette
Words: 403
Notes/Warnings: Deathly Hallows Spoilers. Done for 31_days, theme 'six. feel the freedom like no tomorrow'
Summary: The summer after Harry's final year, he comes to a realization.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyright J. K. Rowling, and this derivative work is done without permission.


Even after the Battle of Hogwarts, there was cleanup to do. And mourning -- Ginny folded herself into the arms of her family and Harry and Hermione, taking comfort in them, even though there was still this Fred-shaped hole left.

It was a month or two later. She was asked by her mother to find Harry for supper. He was seated out in the garden, staring up at the clouds. He faced her as she walked up. "It just occurred to me that he's really gone. Voldemort, I mean."

Ginny nodded, sitting next to him on the grass. Harry continued, "I think this is my first summer where I don't have to think about what he'd try to do next year at Hogwarts. It's peculiar."

"Are you going back to Hogwarts?" Ginny asked. "Since you skipped last year?" Some of the muggleborn students were, to get their missed year back. The younger ones had been sprinted away by Order members to safety at Beauxbatons, and some parents had asked to continue this. Wizarding Britain didn't feel safe to them, after the Death Eaters. Her father had been helping with that, on top of all the other work.

"For the NEWTs. But Hermione has a study program designed," Harry smiled. "Once she gets back from Australia, I mean. So we can stay here, if your parents don't mind, or at Grimmauld Place. It just wouldn't be the same at Hogwarts without Seamus and Neville. And Lavender and Parvati."

Ginny wanted to say that she and Luna would be there, but she could understand the sentiment. Amazing how much the people in your year and House shaped you. "What will you do instead? Besides help Hermione practice teaching?"

"I hadn't thought about it. I once told McGonagall I was trying for Auror, but-"

"You'd try to save the day again anyway, so you might as well get paid for it, like Dad and his collection," Ginny said.

Harry nodded. "He's really gone. I can be an Auror, if I decide to. Or a… I don't know, a Quidditch player. Or even help George with his joke shop." He laughed, sounding truly happy.

"Right. Anything you… we want." Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder, and sat there until her mother came outside to see what had been taking so long.