The Best Things In Life Are Free
'So be sure it's true... when you say I love you! – it's a sin to tell a lie!'
-The Ink Spots
He reached down for his suitcase, grabbed it firmly, shook himself, and marched out the door. Behind him, perhaps, he was leaving reconciliation, happiness. Perhaps, potential love.
It wasn't that he didn't care, he cared very much, but it was a platonic care, he had realized, and that, after all, was not what Ginny wanted. She sought romance, copulation, cuddling, sitting back, and relaxing, doing nothing – only socializing.
Going to parties, meeting the pureblood elite, that Ginny seemed so delighted to meet.
Harry had to admit, he was a man of action – Imagine that, even after the War, he still sought conflict.
And yet, was the War truly over?
Throughout his life, Harry may have thought, sometimes questioned, Why things were the way they were, But now, he had to truly ask, inquire, Why?
Why was wizarding society like this? Why did horrible people roam free from their crimes? Why were they allowed to usurp importantpositions in the government?
Harry had tried a ministry job, he had always aspired to be an Auror, and yet, when he got the job, they gave him a desk job. He wasn't out there, fighting criminals, catching the death eaters that got away. He was signing papers, and filling out paperwork.
Harry made an important choice, he decided he would think.
Think he would.
(~)
'Rain and tears – all the same! But in the sun, you've got to play the game!'
-Aphrodite's Child
Four months had pasted, and now it was December, and as he walked down the street, small whirling snowflakes fell around him, and the ground was covered with a fluffy layer of snow.
The atmosphere of Hogsmede was jolly, with Christmas and Yule celebrations hanging from storefronts and street lamps alike, and a roaring bonfire burning in the centre of it all, both adults and children surrounded it, all of them merry and dancing around the warmth of the flame.
Shuffling past the crowd, Harry made his way towards the Hog's Head, and came upon it. It was a sore sight for most, but for the members of the D.A, it was a sight for sore eyes.
The D.A had shrunk massively in the years following the War, most moved on, they lived, loved, created. But for a small sum of people, it was difficult to progress, to move on. After so much death and grief, Harry knew how it felt.
He opened the door, and let go of it, and it thunked shut with a mighty bang, some people glanced over, but turned back to their drinks and soft-voiced conversations. He walked over to the table – where five familiar people sat, chatting lowly.
"Neville. Luna. George. Hannah. Susan." he greeted each warmly and with a nod.
"Harry, good to see you." They chorused – it was almost tradition by now, Harry arriving late. He pulled up a creaky wooden chair, and plopped down beside Neville and Luna.
Aberforth came by with a round of ale, and whilst he never smiled, as always, he greeted them almost warmly.
"Thanks, Abe." Neville said, he passed a bottle to everyone, and we all smiled at each other.
"Merry Christmas, Dumbledore's Army!" Susan raised her bottle.
"Merry Christmas!" the rest of us echoed, and clinked our bottles together, and took a sip.
Several more rounds went down, and if Moody was still alive, and here, he'd probably be breathing down our necks, muttering "Constant Vigilance!".
"Constant Vigilance.." Harry repeated slowly, his friends raising their glasses in respect, and remembrance.
Luna was sleepy by now, liquor had always made her tired, and now she slumped across Susan, her lover, and Susan smiled fondly as Luna began lightly snoring.
"Should probably head out now." Susan said. "She can't sleep in a bar, after all."
He flashed back to before when they had no tradition like this. Susan had found Luna, blackout drunk at a less-visited bar, and had rounded up the rest of the D.A.
They say a problem shared is a problem lessened, perhaps there was truth in that.
He, Neville, George, and Hannah bade the two farewell, and a happy night, and Susan went on home with Luna, still cradled in her arms.
One by one, they left. First it was George, who stumbled off with the excuse of closing the shop, but they had all seen the tears shining in his eyes, they hadn't commented, of course. They all cried, after all. Perhaps more then other wizard folk.
Lastly, Harry bade Neville and Hannah goodbye, and was left alone in the late night silence of the inn.
Opening his eyes, the chair in front of him creaked, and Aberforth Dumbledore sat down.
:"Abe?" he asked blearily.
"Potter."
"You need help with anything?"
"Well, Potter, I think if anyone needs help here, it's you, and your group."
"Well, I don't think that's quite tru-"
"Potter, I'm old, not blind and deaf, just.. very... very.. old." He stated tiredly. "I've seen people come and go, and I've seen people fall apart, and get back together. But I've also seen people never get it back together."
"Potter, my end is nigh, and I have a favour to ask of you."
He was confused, but went in head first. "What? What is it?"
"Potter, this inn here has taught me a multitude of things, important things."
"Sir, I don't see what that has to do wit-"
"Potter... Harry, I think this inn can teach you important things, as well. When I pass, I want you to take it."
He was hesitant, but he had nothing better to do.
"Well... I guess...?"
"Good! Now get out! You reek of alcohol."
He could've pointed out that so did he, but sighed, and stood up, and with a farewell to Abe, made his way back to his small home is Hogsmede. Abe, always straight to the point.
:A|N;
Kudos if you got the references to some songs, there.
I very much appreciate comments, and constructive critique!
I'll try and keep this one going, I think it can lead to interesting thins.
Delta,
P.R.U.S.S.C