Happily Ever...

Chapter One

Harry's POV

The Hogwarts express brought back a familiar feeling of warmth to my heart. The war may have caused a lot of change but somethings just always stay the same. I didn't really want to go back for my 8th year, but Hermione told me that just because I was the Chosen One doesn't mean I will just get guaranteed a job. I highly doubted that, but still I went anyway. Ron and Hermione were together now so I let them be in their own compartment, I picked out an empty one and sat alone in my thoughts the entire way there.

The real reason I did not wish to return to Hogwarts was because of the memories. The memories of all the students and teachers, now gone. All dead because of me. If only I had gone to die sooner, maybe I wouldn't have come back then. Maybe I wouldn't have to feel guilty every time I saw memorials or anytime someone thanked me for what I did. What was there to thank me for? The hundreds of sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers that are dead because I thought I could defeat him by myself. The families that were torn apart because the chosen one happened to be me, a useless child who only knows a handful of spells. Or maybe they thank me for the school I helped destroy. Only one of those things can be fixed by magic.

I felt like crying, I always felt like crying. But I had cried so much over the summer I might have been out of tears. The compartment door opened, I expected Ron or Hermione, but it was Ginny. She had been so sweet to me over the summer. Giving me my space not pushing me to pursue a relationship with her.

"Hey Harry, we've arrived. Do you want me to walk with you to the carriages?" She asked.

"No thanks, I'm ok. I'd rather be alone." I replied, I didn't think I had said it too harshly but she looked hurt anyway.

I gave her a small smile, which seemed to satisfy her since she left me to walk alone. I didn't feel like riding to Hogwarts with anyone so I waited right outside the train until I saw only one carriage remaining. Before getting in I pet the thestrals that pulled it. Thankfully I was the only one left so I got to ride to the large castle, that I had always thought of as home, by myself. I missed the sorting ceremony for the first years but I was just in time for McGonagall's welcome speech.

Ron and Hermione waved to me from the Gryffindor table and I sat next to Ron with a smile. Even though I wasn't very excited to be at Hogwarts again, I was going to make sure to at least try to have fun and enjoy my last year here. McGonagall stood up and approached the podium.

"Welcome Hogwarts students! First, a big thank you to all of those who volunteered to help rebuild Hogwarts over the summer. Also before I continue I would like to welcome back all of our students who agreed to return to Hogwarts for their eighth year, in order to complete their NEWTS. During the rebuild of Hogwarts we were able to build all new dorms for our eighth year students. Miss Granger has already volunteered to show you all to the dorms and give you a little tour." McGonagall said loudly, she didn't even need to use her wand to amplify her voice.

I gave Hermione a questioning glance, she shrugged.

"I helped design the common room and helped build it." She explained simply.

"When did you help rebuild Hogwarts?" I asked, clearly I didn't pay enough attention to my friends.

"Over the summer dumby, weren't you listening." She laughed. I felt my eyes roll in response.

"Ya mate. Didn't you ever wonder why we were gone for half of the days on the weekends?" Ron asked between mouthfuls of food.

"Don't tell me you helped too." I said, man I really need to start paying more attention to what my friends are doing. "And for the record I always thought the reason you two were never around on the weekends was because you were shagging." That made Hermione blush profusely.