Love Rekindled

Chapter 1: Funerals, Teddy, and the Beginning

It was barely a few days since the end of the war, yet Harry was nearly exhausted from the amount of emotions he was feeling. There was joy of winning and realizing that his life could finally begin. But there was also pain and grief from losing so many in the process. It would take time, Harry was sure, but someday soon things would start to feel normal again. Only better.

After the battle, Harry along with the Order and the remaining Hogwarts professors had worked tirelessly to repair the damage done to the school. Luckily with magic, it was much easier than it would've been in the muggle world. Twenty-four hours after the battle, everything was rebuilt. However, all the students had been sent home anyway, the professors feeling that everyone should be able to spend the time with their families to process the recent events.

Harry returned to the Burrow that night, not exactly sure where to call home after all these months living out of tents. But the Burrow seemed to be the closest thing to home he had, and Mrs. Weasley would never turn him away. She had simply pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, telling him that he was welcome always. He crashed into a spare bed in Ron's room, sleeping peacefully for the first time in years.

Now, three days after the battle, Harry sat in the den with Ron and Hermione as Mrs. Weasley was making lunch in the kitchen. The other Weasley's were somewhere around too, but everyone was still reeling and grieving Fred, so they were not hanging around much to talk.

"So, we should only be gone for a couple weeks if all goes well," Hermione explained. "I just hope I can reverse the spell so my parents can come home sooner rather than later."

"I'm sure you can," Harry said. "You've never found a spell you couldn't do... When do you leave?"

"After the funeral," Ron answered.

Harry nodded. "S'pose while you're gone, I can start cleaning up Grimmauld Place to move into soon."

"You can keep crashing here, you know," Ron told him. "Mum won't mind."

"Yeah, but I can't stay here forever. Especially when I technically do own a home to live in," Harry said.

"It's only been three days," Hermione replied. "It might be good to stay around people right now."

And maybe she was right about that. The more time Harry spent with his own thoughts, the more guilt was beginning to feel. If only there was a way to bring back those they lost.

Fred's funeral was two days later. They had decided to do it at the Burrow out in the garden. Chairs were set up around in the grass, and were slowly being filled with all the friends and family of the Weasley's. All of their school mates, Hogwarts professors, and the Order were gathered. Less than a year ago, they had been here for Bill's wedding. But now...

Harry found his seat next to Ron in the first row of chairs. Hermione was on Ron's other side, leaning her head on his shoulder. Both of them were teary-eyed and sniffling. Harry felt a wave of sadness engulf him as well.

Just as the funeral was about to begin, Harry felt someone sit in the chair next to him.

It was Ginny, of course. She gave him a tearful look as she sat next to him. They hadn't really gotten a chance to talk things out. He'd been afraid of overstepping after losing Fred, and Ginny seemed to have been keeping a distance after everything as well. Still, when she gave him that look, there was an understanding that ran between them.

Harry didn't think too much about it, but reached for her hand. She took it instantly, not hesitating even a little bit. And they both held on tightly until it was over.

***

Harry was standing in the crowd of people as they began to disperse from the funeral. The weight of Ginny's hand in his own was gone now, but he hoped not forever.

"Harry!" a voice said from behind him. He turned quickly to find Andromeda, carrying a small bundle in her arms.

Harry did his best to smile, even though the small infant in her arms was a reminder of two people who should still be alive. "How are you?" he asked politely.

"I'm alright," she said. "Little Teddy here has been keeping me busy."

Harry smiled at the little one, just then realizing... He's this child's godfather... He should be helping with him.

"Andromeda, if you ever need help, I can babysit or just come over to keep him company while you get some rest or-" He was rambling now. He wasn't even sure if he knew how to take care of a baby, but it seemed he should probably learn quickly.

"Harry, I know you are his godfather, but I would understand if you didn't want to be so involved. You are still so young," Andromeda said, cutting him off. "You've done so much already."

"I'd still like to help. Remus and Tonks chose me for a reason, I'd like to be there for Teddy. I grew up without parents, so... I guess it would be nice to help someone like me have a bit happier of a childhood," Harry told her.

"Well," she sighed. "I suppose a little help would be nice every now and then. I can't say it's been easy."

Harry nodded in understanding. "Send me an owl anytime you need a break."

She smiled a little tearfully at him before pulling him into a side hug, avoiding waking the baby in her arms. "Thank you, dear."

"Of course," Harry replied honestly. It would be a lot of responsibility to take care of a baby and accept his role of godfather, but he was starting to really like the idea. It would be an honor to Remus and Tonks.

***

Later that night, Harry was having trouble sleeping. It seemed as though an absence of danger did not do much to keep the nightmares entirely away, although they were getting less frequent. He found himself down in the kitchen, putting on some tea to calm his nerves.

As he was making it, Ginny came down the stairs, finding him.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

Harry shook his head. "Bad dream."

Ginny gave him a sorry look and went to stand next to him. "It's been a long day," she finally said.

Harry nodded. "I'm sorry about Fred."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Ginny replied quickly. "None of it was your fault."

"But so many people died because of me," Harry said.

"Harry, do you even realize how many lives you've saved? You can't blame yourself for all the ones that didn't survive the war. We all made a choice to fight. Myself included. It is not your fault. It's Voldemort's," she told him. "Don't let him win after he's already lost. You don't have to apologize to anyone. Not even me."

"I broke up with you," Harry said. "I think that warrants an apology."

Ginny just shook her head. "It doesn't. You had more important things to worry about than dating."

"I don't exactly like that statement," Harry said. "It implies that you are not important to me, which is extremely far from the truth."

Ginny smiled. "And that is exactly why you don't have to apologize. Because even though you broke up with me for a stupidly noble reason, you never really meant it. Not in a permanent way, that is... Or I hope, it's not permanent... Perhaps you could clarify that for me?"

Harry smiled back, taking the opportunity to move closer to her and kiss her softly for the first time in almost a year. "I've missed you so much," he said, leaning their foreheads together.

"Me too," Ginny muttered, leaning in to kiss him again.

But then, someone coughed, breaking them apart, although neither one of them moved more than a couple inches away.

Ron stood sheepishly several feet away, unsure how to respond after disrupting such a serious moment between his best friend and his little sister.

"Sorry.. Just... wanted a glass of water," he finally said. "But um... is this..." he pointed between them, "happening again? Because if it is, that's great, but if it's just another.. Like, hook up? Then I don't think-"

"Oh come off it, Ron," Ginny interrupted, before looking up at Harry as if to ask how he wanted to respond.

Harry smiled, grabbing Ginny's hand before turning back to Ron. "Promise, this time it's real."