Empty Chairs and Empty Tables

As I walk through the empty halls, I think back to all the good times. The times when, despite the fact that there was always a constant threat to everyone in my life, they remained steady and true to me. They never turned their back on me once. But what's the use now? Now that the evil is gone, so are they. All of those people who were so good to me, I couldn't even repay them.

All those mornings sitting here in the great hall, talking about Quidditch and girls, homework and classes. They had no idea what would become of them. And if they did, they never once let on. I think it was because they didn't want to worry me. I think all along I knew. I knew he would come after those in my life.

I tried to push them away; I tried to make them hate me. I did all in my power to protect them before it was to late, but they are all so damn stubborn. Telling me that they will always be there no matter what I try and do.

Damn them. Why couldn't they just stop caring so much? Why couldn't I stop caring so much? I just want to fall. Fall to the ground and never get up, not until the pain is gone. Will the pain ever be gone?

I see them still. They haunt my dreams.

They are closing in on me. I can't breath. I can't see.

"Harry! Harry where are you? Oh! Harry."

Her voice brings me back. She is the only thing keeping me alive. She was there; she saw it all just as I did. She fought by my side through everything, the same as Ron and Hermione. The same as Sirius and Remus. The same as Professor Dumbledore. But one thing was different about her, for some reason, she survived. She fought just as hard and just as long as all the others, but she survived.

Sometimes it seems as though she lived for me, she knew how much I needed her, and still knows how much I need her. She stays by my side, through the nightmares and the sleepless nights. Her love has never faltered or failed. Everyday that I am with her I feel more complete then the last. She is the only light in this dark place that I'm at.

I see her and it's over whelming. She consumes me in her being and I am no longer the lost little boy I once was. She makes me strong again; I need to be strong for her.

Her comforting arms surround me and I am at peace. She always has that effect on me.

"Why did we come back here? What was it you wanted to see, Harry?" she asks me barely above a whisper.

"I needed to find myself, my love. This was the only way to get some closure," I reply.

"It has gotten you so upset though. I can't stand to see you this way," she says searching my eyes for something unknown to me.

I submit to her pleading eyes. "Alright," I say to her as I take her hands in mine, "We'll go now."

"Thank you," she whispers, "It brings back so many memories that I can't stand to think about. Good and bad," she concludes.

As we step into the sunlight, I feel a great deal of relief, as if a weight has been lifted from a hollow in my chest. I survey my surroundings. They are so beautiful, more beautiful then I have ever remembered them being. The bright sunlight is reflecting off the lake onto the trees beyond it.

I take a deep cleansing breath and place my arms around the waist of my love.

She tips her head back and whispers to me, "I love you, Harry."

I plant a soft kiss on her check. "I love you too, Ginny."