Title: Picking up the Pieces
Category: General
Sub Category: Romance
Rating: R
Spoilers: For all Harry Potter book.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended
Chapter 1: Still a lot more life to live.
The sun shined brightly over Hogwarts. Harry Potter sat alone, underneath a tree near the lake. It had only been three days sense the battle that had taken Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Colin Creevey and countless others. The services for them had all been held yesterday in the same spot as Albus Dumbledore's service had taken place at. It had been an emotion day for everyone.
Harry was surrounded by the people who considered family as they grieved for their losses and it took a lot of effort for Harry not to bottle up everything inside and shut himself off from everyone else. The Weasley's just wouldn't seem to let him and Harry was grateful. He felt like healing could begin now. Today. Harry wanted to move forward but he didn't seem to no where to begin.
Hogwarts was already well on its way to being rebuilt. Harry and everyone would be helping out with the effort. That was his start Harry told himself. The Interim Minister of Magic Kingsley Shackelbolt had let him no that the Gringotts Head Chief wanted a sit down meeting with him the day after tomorrow at 10 in the morning. Harry wasn't too worried about it, although the Minister made it seem like a huge deal.
"Harry, I thought I'd find you here." Ron said walking up with George, both who promptly took a seat on the grass next to him.
George looked a shell of himself without Fred, but he was trying to stay as positive as possible.
"I need some time to clear my head." Harry said as Ron and Fred just nodded respectively understanding.
"It was Hermione and Ginny that knew you were missing. We volunteered to come get you." Fred said hopping to his feet in a flash, "Its dinner time. Mom and all of them didn't want you missing it." Ron finished as Harry just followed them along back to the castle.
Fred set a fast pace and they were there in a flash. The improvement of the castle and grounds was already considerably better, and the time they made in to the entrance hall, Harry truly believed that it would only be a couple days for everything was back to normal. Or as normal as it could be. Harry doubted that the memories of the other night would ever fade in their minds. Mrs. Weasley have Harry a big smile when she saw him and slid over so he could sit in between her and Ginny. She rubbed a soft hand through his hair affectionately, rubbing his back.
"I'm glad they found you, I didn't want you to miss dinner." She said lovingly.
Harry looked over at Ginny, who smiled at him and gave him a wink. This was the first time that Harry had seen Ginny smile for a long time. Harry felt his lips curve in to a smile. His first true smile sense everything happened. Hermione happened to look over at the same time and beamed. Ron put a comforting arm around his girl and smiled at Harry.
"It is good to see you smile like that again Hermione." Ron whispered in her ear for only Hermione to hear it, and she kissed Ron the cheek.
Harry couldn't help but smile at his two best friends. He began to dig in as much as he could eat to satisfy Mrs. Weasley who said he hadn't been eating enough the last couple days. Harry knew that Mrs. Weasley had been fussing over everyone even a lot more than before to take her mind off the loss of Fred.
"Can I have everyone's attention." Headmistress McGonagall asked when the feast was done, tapping her wineglass with her spoon before standing up, "I would like to make a couple announcements today. This Friday a banquet will be held in honor of everyone who fought in the war. Awards will be handed out. Interim Minister will be leading this event along some members from Wizengamot. Everyone is invited. Secondly, just as importantly, Hogwarts Board of Governors has decided that Hogwarts will be reopened come September and everyone who was unable to attend this year or finish will be able to attend again to get your proper education!" The Headmistress said excitedly as a loud applause rang out through the Great Hall.
'Step one.' Harry thought himself before giving a nod to Hermione and Ron that told him that intended to come back.
…
Harry walked through Gringotts with Arthur Weasley, The Minister of Magic Kingsley Shackelbolt and a man that Harry introduced to as Rodney Bishop, an attorney that works differently with the Ministry on matters pertaining to different magical creatures. Rodney seemed likeable from what Harry saw.
"Please wait here, I will go tell the Head Chief you have arrived." The goblin escorting them said quietly walking in to the large office door that stood in front of them.
"Make sure your respectful Harry." Rodney said as soon as the door closed.
"Who do your think your talking to Rod, this is Harry Potter." Arthur sad with a smirk as Kingsley smiled.
Kingsley and Rodney were most nervous about the meeting. Arthur seemed to know it was going to be fine. Harry felt the same. He wondered if it was a bad thing he felt absolutely no nervousness when he was being led in the office.
"I didn't expect a party this big otherwise there would be more chairs." The Head Chief said politely as offering Harry and the Minister a seat with her hand, "As you know I am the Head Chief Goblin of Gringotts, you can call me head chief or Chairman which ever you prefer. Rodney, I am surprised to see you here. You Wizards didn't think we were going to hold anything against Mr. Potter here for his little break in attempt did you?" The Chairman said as everyone in the room let out a long breath.
Harry didn't even know he had been holding it.
"Of course not." The Minister said sitting up straight in his chair.
"Good, because we aren't. We have lost a lot of Goblins because of Voldemort so we decided to call it even and forget the break-in ever happened." The Chairman said looking from the Minister to Harry, "You did great thing, for everyone, not just the Wizards. Just don't ever try to break-in to someone else's fault again."
"This obvious wasn't the reason you called him here today then." Arthur said with a raised eyebrow.
"No it wasn't." The Goblin said with an ugly smile, that it seemed every goblin had, "It was to do with Mr. Potter's inheritance from both Sirius Black and his parents."
"I guess we won't be needed here." The Minister said standing up patting Rodney on the shoulder and waving Arthur to follow.
"Arthur will you stay?" Harry asked as Arthur smiled and nodded taking the now vacant seat of the Minister.
"Let's get down to business Mr. Potter. You were never able to receive your inheritance because the War. The only reason why I am personally talking to you about this is because of the amount of money we are talking about you coming in too. Will start with your parent's personal vault, this doesn't include your school vault." The Chairman said handing him a small stack of paper, "Scan through it and sign at the bottom of the last page.
"1 million galleons!? 400 thousand sickles and 600 thousand knots!?" Harry said with wide eyes passing it over to show Arthur.
"That's enough to live comfortably the rest of your life son." Arthur said with a smile before handing it back.
"All that doesn't include the other assets such as property and business interests. Also your three other Family Vaults separate to just your parents vaults, the Potter's and the Dearborn's. " The Chairman said as Arthur turned his head thoughtfully and Harry looked at the Chairman perplexed.
"I was related to the Dearborn's?" Harry asked trying to remember the face of the man he saw in the order of the Phoenix picture at Grimmauld Place all that time ago.
"You're Grandma was Cynthia Dearborn before she married your Grandfather, Ryan Potter. The last heir to the Dearborn fault had been Caradoc Dearborn who was very distantly related to your grandma, who died without a heir making the vault yours. If you turn to page 6, 18 and 27, you'll be able to see the figure in both of those." The Chairman said as Harry just let out a long breath.
Harry couldn't believe his eyes with the amount of money he was seeing.
"You're net worth with all the vaults, properties and other assets come out to about 8 billion galleons, with a sickle or a knot give or take. 4 billion net worth coming from the Black family vault. 3.5 billion coming from the Dearborn vault and the other .5 coming from the Potter's and your parents vault." The Chairman said with another ugly smile as he finished reading the document and sign, "It was not too long ago I sat here talking to another young wizard about your age. He had come in an inheritance about a quarter of the size that you have received. I told him that he needed to do something do with his money, but he just laughed at me telling me to stay out of his business. I'm going to give you the same advice any way. Use your money to better the world. You have enough not to ever worry about it. Make sure to invest, make more money, do as you will but make this world better. For everyone." He finished as Arthur smiled at Harry who just tried to take it all in.
"I will try to the best of my ability." Harry said as the Goblin just nodded.
"It's all ask. You seem sincere from what I can tell. If you ever need any thing, let me know and we will set up a meeting. I know a few people that can help you find investments and the works." The Chairman said as Harry smiled.
It was all finally sinking in.
"I'll defiantly take you up on that offer Sir." Harry said as the Goblin gave him another smile, even though it looked unpleasant like most Goblins smiles do.
The meeting ended shortly after Harry asked him to move all this assets in to one account and was given a card several to a muggle credit card. Harry silently asked Arthur not to tell anyone the amount of money he had come in as they walked out to meet the Minister and Mr. Bishop. Arthur agreed not to without question.
Harry and Arthur left the Minister and Mr. Bishop to catch lunch at a small muggle restaurant in London on Harry sense they missed lunch at Hogwarts. It was one of the first times that Harry was able to spend some one on one time with Arthur and he realized even more why he was so beloved by his family. He was genuine interesting person, highly intelligent. Harry seriously was wondering why he hadn't gone far in the ministry by the end of their lunch.
Harry and Arthur apparated back to Hogsmeade and walked the rest of the way to Hogwarts to go get ready for the banquet that would start at six. Harry said his goodbyes to Arthur and went back to Gryffindor Tower where he was staying. The Castle was completely back to normal now. The houseelves and the students had finished up this morning. The wonders of magic Harry thought to himself as he gave the fat lady the password "Victory" and went through the portrait hole.
The common was empty much to Harry's surprise. Harry took a seat in an armchair decided to relax a bit. Having money didn't really matter it Harry, but the idea of what he could do with made Harry excited. Many kids would be orphaned and many people would need help paying for school. Harry planned to give them that help. Harry didn't no when his mind wondered or when he fell asleep but soon he was being shaken awake.
"Wake up Harry, the banquet starts in thirty minutes." Ginny said smiling as Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "Mom and I picked this up for you to wear so hurry up and go get ready." She said handing him a package.
20 minutes later, Harry met Hermione, Ron and the rest of the Weasley's excluding Percy down in the common room wearing an all black robes with a white vest. It seemed that Mrs. Weasley had picked up everyone up new dress robes because everyone seemed to look extra sharp. Harry must not have noticed Ginny was dressed up because she looked kind of angry and Hermione didn't look too happy either.
"Everyone looks wonder." Harry said opening that would put the two girls at ease.
Mrs. Weasley was the only who smiled at the comment. Harry looked at Ron who only raised his eyebrows and shrugged. George saw the look and walked over to Harry, giving him a small pat on shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. She'll forget about it in a couple hours." He whispered in his ear before walking over to talk to Bill and Fleur, who were silently talking to Percy and Charlie.
The Weasley's and Harry arrived at the Great Hall and were ushered to a table to the front of the Great Hall. Harry was seated with Ron and Hermione at the top table where the Minister and several other high Ministry officials sat. Arthur and Molly both sat near the Minister himself with Percy. Bill, Fleur, George, and Charlie sat at a table in the lower levels with the rest of the families. Harry was happy to see that Neville and his Grandmother sitting at the same table as Harry a little ways down. It took a little while longer to get every seated before the Minister stood and walked up to the podium to address the crowd.
"Welcome all, I am to gather everyone here tonight to celebrate the end of the War and to give out awards to the people that have allowed this war to end. It is also marks an end to the reconstruction of Hogwarts and everyone will be going home so the staff here can get ready for school to open this September!" The Minister screamed as a thunderous applause rang out through the hall, "For those of you who have lost their homes, and sadly do not have a home to go too, arrangements have been made for you to stay in several homes that have been made available to you until your homes can be rebuilt. This war has cost the Wizarding World a lot of great witches and wizards. I will list the names as following…"
Harry sat as he heard many great wizards listed off. He felt his heart sink as he heard his parents, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Albus, even Severus Snape. The list seemed to go on for more than 10 minutes and many people were crying out as they heard their loved ones names read off. When Kingsley was finished, he paused an allowed people to compose themselves before continuing,
"Before we dine, five awards will be handed out. I'm proud to say that the four awards will be going to students here from Hogwarts. All four of these individuals, although young played one of the most vital roles in ending Voldemort's reign of terror and the Wizarding World. The first three awards will be handed together. I am proud to award to The Order of Merlin Second Class to Ms. Hermione Granger, Mr. Ronald Weasley and Mr. Neville Longbottom!" The Minister said as a standing ovation came throughout the Great Hall.
Harry was clapping aloud as anyone. Molly was silently crying on Arthur's shoulder. Ron, Hermione and Neville were in a state of shock as they walked up to receive their awards at the podium, a crystal orb filled with red smoke that was most defiantly magic.
"With these awards, each of these individual will also receive 10 thousand galleons in a bank account at Gringotts to use at their leisure. It also allowed them when they become the age of 20 years old to become members of Wizengamot. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger showed dedication and true loyalty to the Wizarding World by following Harry Potter and helping him in his quest to bring the downfall of Voldemort." Cheers began again and it took a few moments before the Minister continued, "Neville Longbottom showed he was a true Gryffindor when he pull the Sword of Godric Gryffindor out of the sort hat and killed Voldemort Snake. I can not tell you why this was so valuable to our cause because some information is to danger to put out, but I can tell you Harry Potter never have been able to bring Voldemort down without that snake dead. The Wizarding World thanks you for everything you've done." The Minster said shaking every one of their hands individually.
Shouts of "Neville hero!" "Truest Gryffindors!" and "Your all heroes!" followed the trio back to their seats. Molly stood up and hugged all of them proudly. Neville's Grandma did the same. Minerva McGonagall had never looked so proud in her life.
"I am now very proud to give out the last two awards of the night. Will be giving these awards out separately so the people receiving can give out a few words. These individual will be receiving Order of Merlin First Class and a lump sum of 50 thousand galleons in a vault at Gringotts for them to use at their leisure. They also will be allowed to join Wizengamot, no matter their age. The first person I would like to give out the Order of Merlin First Class is a wonderful person, who I have known for years, and was able to take Bellatrix Lestrange down in a duel." Applause rang out as soon as the words left the Ministers mouth, "Yes the legend of the duel will go down in the History books I'm sure that are already being written, I'd like to award the Order of Merlin First Class to Mrs. Molly Weasley!" The Minister said as Molly Weasley gave the Minister a shocked look.
She defiantly hadn't expected it, but she composed herself and with the help of Arthur and Ron walked up to the podium. She took the award, a clear crystal orb filled with white smoke from the Minister and gave him a huge hug before taking out a handkerchief and wiping the tears out of her eyes. She received an even louder applause than Ron, Hermione and Neville did.
"This award is quite an honor. I was just protecting my babies." Molly said calm and confidently before just nodding and walking with Ron and Arthur back to sit down.
"Short and sweet and to the point Molly." The Minister said looking over at Molly and clapping after a few moments as the crowd quieted down, "And that is how I want to award this next award. He is reason we are all sitting today. I am very proud to award the Order of Merlin First Class to Mr. Harry Potter!" The Minister said as Harry received an ovation that made all the other ovation pale in comparison.
Harry had been ready for it. He had expected it. It didn't stop the butterflies from filling his stomach as he stood up and walked over to the Minister. He held out his hand but the Minister waved it away and gave him a friendly hug before handing him his crystal white orb. The chants of "speech, speech, speech!" rang out through the hall. Fred, Charlie and Bill seeming to the loudest.
"I haven't prepared speech for tonight. I didn't really even realize I would be getting an award tonight until I realized I was sitting at the table where people who got awards were suppose to sit. Ya my mind has been else where." Harry said as a roar of laughter came from the crowd, "It is hard for me to come to grips with the fact that I am standing here and so many others dead. I truly didn't believe I would make it through this war. Many great wizards died fighting for what we have now. I wish all of them could be here today to see what it feels like to not have to worry the shadow of Voldemort being just a few thoughts away of killing them. I don't expect to be rewards for bringing down Voldemort. It was what I had to do. I was prophesized to do it. It was predetermined that it had to be me. I was the one only that could so I did what I had too. I don't ask for anything besides to just be treated like anyone else, a human being, just another person. That is why I have decided to donate the 50 thousand galleons I have received for this award to help the Witches and Wizards who lost their homes to Voldemort. I accept this award for everyone who has died to make this possible." Harry said as thunderous ovation roared through the hall, many people had tears in their eyes and some were weeping openly.
"I would also like to dedicate this award to Severus Snape. I know a lot of people hate Severus Snape and believe he was a no-good Death Eater that killed Albus Dumbledore. I would like to tell you the part of the man you didn't know. The man who made a mistake and paid for it for the rest of his short life. Severus Snape made a rash decision and joined Voldemort as Voldemort was on the raise to his power. He realized quickly that made a bad decision and went to Albus Dumbledore for help. He turned spy for Albus as most of you already know. He saved countless of lives with the information he gave Albus over the first and second war.
A year before Albus Dumbledore died, he made a fool mistake and put on a cursed ring of his finger that would have killed within the hour if Severus's spell work had not been up to trap the curse in his hand that he had put the ring on. Both Severus and Albus knew that what Severus did wouldn't last forever and Albus would soon died from his mistake. Voldemort had at the time given a student a mission to kill Dumbledore before the year was out to prove himself or he would kill the student himself for being incompetent. Both Albus and Severus knew of this. Albus made Severus take an oath that he would kill him before one of his students was forced to ruin his life by Voldemort. Severus kept his oath and when Voldemort took control, Severus was given the duty as Headmaster where he help countless of students from not getting cruel punishment.
He also helped me in my quest to bring Voldemort down although it was indirectly. I will never say I under the man that was Severus Snape, but he was a hero and this could never had ended without him. Thank you." Harry finished to a stunned crowd.
Harry sat down before it all started to sink and the loudest applause of the night took place. Harry felt right with telling Snape's story. He really would never understand the man's hate towards him, but the man had his respect.
…
Harry moved in to Burrows the next day. He would be staying there the rest of the summer before heading back to Hogwarts in September. The first week went by in a blur. Atmosphere was still gloomy over Fred and everyone, but Arthur and Molly tried to keep everyone occupied. There was reviewing all their old textbooks to get back in form before school started. There was visiting some of the families who were staying in tents on the property until their houses were built.
Harry also went to visit Teddy and Andromeda almost every day sometimes taking Ron and Hermione. Sometimes Ginny by herself when Hermione and Ron wanted to be alone a while. Sometimes all three. Harry also went flying with Ron on the new brooms Mrs. Weasley had bought them both, two firebolts. There was also helping Hermione moved back in to her parents house after the Ministry went and got them, fixing their memory. Overall Harry was pretty busy.
Harry was usually the first one up. He found Molly and Arthur sitting in the kitchen, talking. Kreacher was cooking breakfast. This was the first time Molly had actually let him cook by himself. She just wasn't used to having a houseelf in the house.
"Hi Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley." Harry said sitting down at the table.
"Molly and Arthur, Harry." Arthur corrected as Harry smiled and nodded.
Harry still hadn't been able to break that habit. He was trying. He wasn't comfortable calling them Mom and Dad like they said he could although they had never brought up again after they said it. Harry enjoyed sitting and listening to them chat every morning. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
"Arthur, what are they going to do with all the orphan children from the war?" Harry asked as Arthur frowned his brow.
"A lot of them are going to live with relatives, the ones with none will be going to muggle orphanages sense there is no Wizarding orphanage." Arthur said as Harry nodded slowly.
"So you think you two can help me…"
…
First Chapter up. Please review, another chapter in a couple days. Sorry if the format is messing up im trying to fix it