Chapter - 1

DOWNFALL

Harry was standing in one of the dark corners of Three Broomsticks, leaned against the wall. Dressed in a black overcoat, he looked exhausted. Under his eyes were black bags, his stubble was dense with black stiff hairs and on his face were numerous little cuts, which he hadn't tended to. On the top of table, front of him was a bundle of flower and a gift wrapped in shining wrapping paper. He sighed and dropped in the chair, careful not to draw attention on himself. His eyes swept around the Three Broomsticks, taking in the surrounding; occasionally resting on the door and windows.

Harry sighed again. Ginny was late again. And it wasn't the first time, she had been late for the date, it was third time, straight in a row. The last one was a disaster. Ginny had come late, saying that she had to go back. Harry had gone mad, but was able to control himself and apologized afterwards. And the first one Harry planned in Hog's Head, which turned out to be a worse decision. So, in reality this was supposed to be their first real date and Ginny and Harry had agreed on this date. Harry had glanced at the watch and sighed, yet again. She was around 2 hours late. His eyes lingered on the battered watch of Fabian Prewett. It brought back fond memories of the Burrow and most of all Ginny and the time they both had spend in the secluded corners of the orchard and the quick kisses they used to had, when Ron was looking away. His mind was lost in the blissful and euphoric thoughts of Ginny, of her flowery smell and without even knowing, a small smile tugged on his exhausted face, lighting his whole face up like a lamp.

Harry was snapped back in reality, when someone spoke something. Harry gazed at the person face, and found it to Madam Rosmerta.

"Do you want to wait more Harry?" asked Madam Rosmerta, "I don't think she's coming. It's nearly an hour past curfew."

Madam Rosmerta paused, seeing the look of disdain on Harry face. Harry inside started to churn, and he didn't want to think that Ginny wouldn't come. She would come, she had promised her. Believed, the last fight had gone a bit overboard. That's why Harry had made time for this date in his tight schedule to clear any to every type of misunderstanding between Ginny and him.

When Madam Rosmerta continued to look at him with questioning eyes, Harry lost his calm demeanor and snapped at her, "Will you give it a stop? She will come."

It looked as Madam Rosmerta was not accepting this kind of answer. She looked taken aback and even to Harry and his exhausted eyes; the hurt in Madam Rosmerta eyes was very profound. Madam Rosmerta after a fleeting glance at him retreated to the counter to attend to her other customers.

When Harry saw the strained smile on Madam Rosmerta face, he felt genuinely bad. The guilt was overcoming his heart, as he remembered the usual sweet behavior Madam Rosmerta had shown toward him. Feeling at fault and need to make amends, Harry got up from his chair, and headed toward the counter, making sure that his head was bowed low. When he came face to face with Madam Rosmerta, Harry said, "I'm sorry, Madam Rosmerta. I didn't want to act or behave rudely. It's just that their had been many things happening in my life at this point of time and I'm under a lot of pressure."

"I know," said Madam Rosmerta, giving him a understanding smile, and she continued, "Do you want anything, up to you know, you wait for Ginny?"

Harry couldn't help but notice the incredulous tone in Madam Rosmerta voice. Trying her best to ignore it, Harry said, "No, I don't want anything. I need a bit of fresh air. Would you mind to tell Ginny to wait for me, if she comes before me."

Harry turned to leave out of the doors of Three Broomsticks, but stopped turned and added as a after thought, "I will be back in a couple of minutes."

Harry pushed opened the door, and shivered a little when cold December winds attacked her face. He clutched his overcoat tightly to his side, as snowflakes fell all over his body. Harry slung his head down, not wanted to be recognized. He very well remembered the incident, prior a week, when he had tried to march straight pointedly in Hogwarts to apologize to Ginny and had found himself amidst a mob, all wanting his autograph and a picture. Harry had to fled the scene after he had given around a couple dozen of autographs because their was a owl from the Ministry.

But today the streets were empty as the time was nearly ten and no one wanted to roam the Hogsmeade street in these cold nights. But still it wasn't worth a risk.

As Harry roamed around the deserted white streets of Hogsmeade, same question popped in his mind again and again. Why haven't Ginny came? Many answers sprang in his mind, but none of them were appealing and Harry disregarded them as soon as they came. His mind was now speeding with coming and going thoughts, like cars on a speeding expressway. Only two thoughts settled with his mind and were persuasive enough to make him ponder on them. Did McGonagall forget?

No, she couldn't have, Harry thought, I Flooed her half an hour before the settled time to tell her that Ginny might be out of curfew with him.

Then the hardest of his conclusion hit his mind, Was she still angry?

Harry disregarded the thought too. If Ginny was still angry, she would've point blankly declined to meet him. Somehow relieved after countering his own line of thought, Harry let out a sigh of relief and cleared his head, thinking that Ginny must had been caught up in something.

Harry headed back towards the Three Broomsticks, and he had just turned a corner, when he heard some very familiar cursing. Harry broke into a run and from corner of his eyes saw red hairs swishing in the air just before the door of Three Broomstick closed. A grin spread across Harry exhausted face as he wove a plan to surprise Ginny. He slowly and steadily headed towards the door of Three Broomsticks and Harry opened the door just a crack.

"What the hell do you mean 'he isn't here'?" Ginny yelled at Madam Rosmerta.

Madam Rosmerta said, "He just got out to get so—"

"Walked out on me," Ginny interjected haughtily, "that git."

"You were the one that came late," Madam Rosmerta retorted, "so you have no right to accuse him." The anger building Madam Rosmerta was so palpable that he felt like the anger was building inside him, not Madam Rosmerta. It could have been partially true, but Harry couldn't know or do anything. He was rooted on the spot, his mouth agape as he drew deep and ragged breaths.

"Don't you dare poke your ugly head in our relationship," hissed Ginny, viciously, pointing her finger accusingly at Madam Rosmerta face. Harry could feel the tension building between the two witches. Harry saw Madam Rosmerta face turned into a snarl and her mouth being opened for a vicious retort. Before she could even say a word, Harry shouted, "STOP IT."

Madam Rosmerta jaws dropped and Ginny turned around to see the new arrival. Harry could feel the color draining from his face as he nodded towards Madam Rosmerta, who retreated back, glaring at Ginny and managed to gave a small smile to Ginny.

"Ginny," said Harry, walking toward her, "pleasure seeing you."

Harry knew it wasn't even remotely appropriate line, but his mind was a haze of confusion and a feeling of betrayal. So, he said the first thing that crossed her mind. Ginny didn't look happy at this remark, as her face took a disgruntled look and she snapped, "Don't start on me, Harry."

Harry heart took a deep blow, which was fragile after hearing the conversation between Madam Rosmerta and Ginny. He felt bile rise to his throat. He gulped it back, and said, "I was not."

"Oh yes! I'm sure," Ginny said. Sarcasm was dripping from every syllable of her short sentence.

"Ginny calm down. Take a deep breath," said Harry, "Let's sit and talk."

"Don't act like I'm a bloody patient," snapped Ginny again, her feet firmly planted in her place.

The controlled demeanor of Harry was threatening to shatter in pieces. He took three deep breaths, his hand balled in fist under his pockets of his overcoat. Applying every single ounce of self control he could muster, he said, "Ginny, calm down. Let's go outside. A walk will do both of us good."

"Do you think I'm a small child or a bloody psycho?" yelled Ginny. All the bar occupants turned their head to look at the fight between Britain most famous couple.

Harry's dam of patience broke. His face turned a fierce shade of red, as his hand started shaking with controlled fury. Harry turned on his heels, and walked out of Three Broomsticks, stomping his feet on the cold flagstones.

Harry looked around, half of his mind crying to Apparate right away. Instead he set on a clearing, flicked his wand to make the snow evaporate from the spot. The moment Harry sat on the grass, Three Broomsticks door was banged open, revealing a angry Ginny standing in the doorway. Ginny came stomping toward him, pointed an accusing finger at his face and shouted at him, "Don't ignore me, Harry."

Harry was half in the mind to cry, 'Or what', but he controlled his bubbling anger and unleashed it instead by casting a silencing and Disillusionment charm around them, to give them some privacy. Ginny continued to glare at him, and looking as she was waiting for Harry to say something. But Harry kept quiet, not trusting his mouth to speak the appropriate words. Because if he said something out of place, it wouldn't do good to any of them.

"Answer me," demanded Ginny, after a moment silence. Harry continued to sit silent, trying to ignore her outburst and hoping that she would come to her senses soon. But when he didn't said anything, Ginny demanded more furiously, "I want an answer, Potter."

Harry registered the use of her surname, one thing Ginny had never done before. Even in playful squabbles, she would use his full name, not his surname. Harry gulped the feeling of nausea and kept quiet, still not trusting his mouth to speak. This seemed to be too much for Ginny, as she screamed at him, "For Merlin sake, answer me. Or even a simple statement didn't penetrate your thick skull."

"You want an answer," Harry yelled in response, Ginny screaming getting the better out of him, "I will give you answer. You come late, third time straight in the row and start yelling me like you have caught me sleeping with some other girl. What do you think of yourself, huh?"

Harry chest was heaving as he drew deep, ragged breaths to control the onslaught of emotions that had been raging inside him. Snow around him started to melt and branches began to shook as he found himself unable to control his magic, thanks to the raging war of emotions that had been going inside him.

"Oh," hissed Ginny, vehemently, "so that's what you want to do, cheat on me. The great Harry Potter couldn't stick to his own girlfriend, without groping his mouth here and there."

"I wouldn't cheat on you," said Harry through gritted teeth, "I just asked you why you are always bloody late and then take out all your anger on me as I'm some kind of a emotional punching bag for you."

Harry put a hand over her shoulder to make her understand his position. But Ginny shook his hand off and hissed menacingly, "I don't need to tell you anything. You're not my mother, nor my father and I'm surely not your wife. So, who give you a right to demand any answer from me in the first place."

Ginny paused for a moment and then added, "And if I remember correct I was the one who demanded some answers, not some stand alone lies."

This was the last straw for the line of defense, Harry was using to control himself from fully raging at her. The anger he had been bottling up from a month, spilled out, overtaking Harry sense of understanding as he yelled in response, "FINE. YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME ANSWERS, YOU WILL GET THEM."

Harry drew in a deep breath, trying to control the powerful surge of emotion which was flowing inside him, which caused the near-by glass panes to shatter in thousand pieces. After a moment he continued, "YOU CAME LATE, AND THEN START TO YELL AT ME, AS I'M LATE. WHAT ABOUT THE PREVIOUS DATES, YOU CAME LATE OR JUST LEFT AFTER A PETTY EXCUSE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I'VE TO ADJUST TO GET THESE LITTLE TIME OFFS. ESPECIALLY TODAY. WHY DO YOU CARE? I COME BACK FROM A MISSION AND AFTER REPORTING I CAME DIRECTLY HERE ONLY TO MET BY YOU SCREAMING YOUR LUNGS OUT AT ME. JUST WHO DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF AS?"

Harry added as much coldness as he could to his last words. His anger was reflected around him too as more snow melt, branches shook vigorously and glass panes shattered.

Ginny was taken aback. She looked as she wasn't excepting this kind of cold response from Harry. But she quickly regained her composure, drew herself to her full height and yelled in response, "DO YOU KNOW IN HOW MUCH PRESSURE I AM?" — Harry couldn't help a derisive laugh — "OH YES! WHY DO YOU CARE. YOU ARE THE GREAT HARRY POTTER, THE SAVIOR OF THE WIZARD-KIND. YOU WON'T BE WORRYING YOURSELF WITH THESE SILLY PROBLEMS OF YOUR GIRLFRIEND. DO YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH I'M DRAGGING MYSELF TO COPE WITH MY STUDIES, QUIDDITCH AND EVERYTHING, BUT ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS WHY I'M LATE! HAVE YOU ASKED ME HOW WAS I DOING?"

Ginny paused and drew a deep breath, looking accusingly at Harry. Harry, on the other hand, was too startled to do anything or say anything. He was shaking from head to toe, not because of anger but because of fear. He didn't wanted to believe what his ears heard. He shook his head trying to get those words out of his mind. But it was to no avail. The words rang in his mind like an ever-lasting buzzing.

"Ginny," Harry said, pleading with his eyes to make her understand. He took a step forward in desperation and Ginny took a step back and said, "Don't you dare, touch me."

"Please, Ginny listen," Harry said, his mind at the verge of tears.

Ginny looked untroubled by it. She looked straight in his eyes, a smug and cold smile forming on her face, as she said, "Harry, you should also feel it. How it feels to be nearing a mental breakdown. When I was at the point of breakdown, you weren't there. You never have been with me in my hardest times of life. And this is the reality."

"We are diverging from the topic," said Harry desperately, trying to shift the conversation on safer grounds, "Let's have a peaceful dinner and then we will talk about anything you want." Harry gave her his best smile he could muster at that time.

"No, Harry," Ginny snarled, "we will do anything else later. We are finally on the topic of roots of our problem and I want let you worm your wait out today."

"There is no problem between us," said Harry, "it is just a little bit of misunderstanding, Ginny. That's all."

"Yeah," scoffed Ginny, "it was misunderstanding that Fred had to die and you lived and many other lost their families but you lived. YES, YOUR LIFE IS FULL OF MISUNDERSTANDINGS."

"Please, stop it," said Harry, falling on his knees. Tears spilled across his face, damping his clothes. Ginny didn't even looked a bit taken aback by her slip-out. Harry bowed his hand down, as remorse and guilt took over him. It was like someone had unleashed the Cruciatus Curse on him. His inside felt like they were on fire and the place where his heart should have been, now seemed as a pit of despair, misery, guilt and fear.

After all what he had gone through, for what he died for, he was being deprived of the same thing he carved the most. Love. If now he had gotten a choice, he would have embraced death more peacefully than he had done the first time, at least he wouldn't be known as the savior of the Wizarding world there and wouldn't had to live to a hero standards.

"Please, stop it, Ginny," Harry said again, with all the power he could muster. Still his voice was nothing more than a whisper.

"No, Harry," said Ginny, "You never have been their. When Fred died, you weren't there by my side. Even in this year, where everyday is like a year to me, you still aren't their. It has always been Neville, Seamus, Dean but never you."

"No," shouted Harry, slapping his hands on his ears. Every word Ginny spoke was like ice shards, piercing his heart in one go, making him weaker and weaker by each word. Harry was now crumbled on the floor in a heap as his mind, by every passing second was getting nearer and nearer of having a breakdown.

"Truth hurts," snarled Ginny, with a cold smile on her face.

These words pushed Harry at the inevitable edge. His heart now carved for Ginny more than ever, as his mind danced at the verge of breakdown. Harry moved to touch her, to hold her, as it was the only thing that could keep him sane. Touch of Ginny. For him, Ginny touch was the only real thing in the world. His eyes swayed around and found Ginny. Harry took small steps towards Ginny, as everything except Ginny became invisible to him.

"Don't come near me, Harry" warned Ginny, taking a step back. Harry didn't understood. His senses were now not in his control. Just seeing Ginny speak, flared his desire to touch her more. His pace increased, though he still took small steps toward her.

"Don't come near me," Ginny warned again, but this time she stood her ground not backtracking. Seeing the still form of Ginny, only increased Harry's urgency to touch her, to feel her love and to know that what he had heard just moments before was only his imagination. He took a step forward.

SMACK.

Ginny planted a slap on Harry's face. But it didn't seem to thwart him. It only made Harry carve for Ginny more. The pit of guilt, fear, misery his heart had became, felt like heart when Ginny had touched him, and he felt like human. He took small quick steps toward her. Ginny backtracked few steps, whipped out her wand, pointed it threatingly at Harry and said, "Harry stop right there, or you are going to regret it."

Harry didn't stop because he was now oblivious to everything happening around him. The feeling which Ginny brief touch had given her, had acted as a drug for his heart. And like every drug, his heart had became addicted to it, overpowering his brain. Harry continued his walk toward Ginny like a Inferi, his eyes set at her with a hungry look in them, taking small but quick steps and his mouth little agape.

When Harry didn't stop, Ginny slashed her wand in mid-air and yelled, "SECTUMSEMPRA!"

A deep gash appeared over Harry chest and blood started sprouting out of it, dampening his shirt. The gash was not very deep because of the protective layer of gauze and bandages, as he was medicated for a deep scar just before coming here to meet Ginny.

But it did what Ginny slap couldn't do. It pulled Harry out of his obnoxious state and the first emotion which crossed his body was a deep surge of pain issuing from his chest. Harry absent-mindly ploughed a hand over his chest and was amazed to see the blood sprouting from it. He looked at the new gash on his chest and then looked at Ginny wand pointed at him. Slowly understanding dawned on him. His heart broke into thousand pieces and the pain was so severe that it easily bypassed the pain emitted from the gash.

"Okay," said Harry, while tears fall freely from his eyes, "If this is what you want, I want deny you."

After a moment break, Harry spoke and it looked as every single word was making him more and more weakness, "You want to break-up with me."

Ginny stood there, glaring at him, her face emotionless. With a stab of betrayal and panic, his worst fear was confirmed. His legs swayed dangerously, his vision blurred, as he choked out between sobs, "You don't have to break up with me. I break-up with you. That's what you, huh. Now, you are free of me and I promise you I won't ever come in your life again. Go, have a good life with Neville, Dean, Seamus or whomsoever you want. May Merlin bless you."

Harry turned on the spot feeling extremely weak. Harry didn't know where to go, where he would be welcomed. As the familiar feeling of Apparition engulfed him, his mind still thought about Ginny's words. Does everyone think that way of me?

Harry landed on a ground. As soon as his feet hit the ground, a pain he had never experienced, issued from every part of his body. Harry didn't know he was screaming, screaming in agony, up to the point he felt his throat became dry and no other sound came from it, despite his brain orders to scream. His vision was blurrier than ever. In the calmness of the ground around him, Harry heard a couple of pairs of feet running toward him. Harry didn't turn his head to see who was running toward him, nor did he had any energy left to do so.

And then his surroundings illuminated and new pain issued from every single part of his body. His brain felt as tear apart as he opened his mouth again and again, trying to scream, but no voice came out of it. His body felt as someone was burning him, trying to break every single bone of his body. Harry prayed to God to end his misery to just kill him. But no, he didn't died.

He saw Ginny face and then everything turned to black. The pain ended and he felt at peace again.

Harry got up. He didn't knew for how much time, he had been asleep. He glanced around. He was in a strangely familiar room. He scrutinized his body. Their was no trace of any injury on his body. Harry stood up and looked outside from the window. The scenario in front of his eyes looked like as it was Godric Hollow. And with a lurch of realization, he remembered that he was in his parent house. The room looked similar to the one, where Harry had seen his father die from the hands of Voldemort. A sob escaped from his throat and the door of the next room opened. Harry instinctively whipped out his wand and stared at the new arrival.

His heart tried to jump out of his ribcage, as he saw the figures of his Mum and Dad, closely followed by Lupin, Sirius, Moody, Tonks and Dumbledore.

"What happened, dear?" asked his Mum, moving closer to his son.

"Wh… who are y… you?" asked Harry, though in his heart he prayed that what he was seeing was true.

"Harry, she is your Mum, if you don't want to trade her with her another Mum," jested Sirius and earned a snarl from his Mum in return.

"Harry dear, come," said his Mum, engulfing him in a hug. Harry hugged her back and the feeling of safety and euphoria, which he felt at that time was priceless, better than he had felt in his whole life. He could've heartily emptied his Gringott's vault if anyone asked for price for the feeling he felt under his Mum touch. His Mum guided him to a couch, and Harry rested his head in his Mum's lap, his Mum running fingers through his hair. Every other person present in the room, huddles around Harry, still keeping so much distance that Harry didn't felt confided, locked. A high pitch sound reached Harry ears, "Do Harry Potter in need of anything?"

And from the corner of his eyes, he saw Dobby, his bulging green eyes looking excitingly at Harry.

"Dobby," Harry breathed and then repeated again, almost shouting it, "Dobby!!!!"

"Yes, Harry Potter," said Dobby, "I is Dobby."

"But you were…" the word caught up in his throat. Harry tried to force the word out of his throat, despite his better judgment.

And suddenly, their was a puff of purple smoke and a blinding flash. Harry turned his head in her Mum lap, and saw Colin, standing their, a camera in his hand and a grin on his face.

"Hi, Harry," said Colin, taking another photograph.

Harry was too stunned to speak. Everyone he had lost during the battle, was standing around him. The emotions which were raging inside him were making him feel better than he had felt in a quite a while.

And then suddenly his Mum spoke, "Don't go, Harry, when they call you."

"Where Mum?" asked Harry, sitting on the couch.

"Back," said his Mum, "I know I am being selfish, but I don't want you to go again when you are so close to me."

Tears trickled down his Mum cheek, as she spoke. Harry wiped them away with the back of his hand and said, "I'm not going anywhere Mum. I too, want to be here with you all."

"Lily, I'm hungry," whined Sirius, "go fetch me something to eat."

His Mum face turned red as she whipped out her wand and said, menacingly, "Let see. What about a whipped Sirius for lunch."

"You won't do that," said Sirius, smugly, "I'm after all your husband best mate and James wouldn't be too happy, if you did anything to me."

Harry saw his Dad shaking his head vigorously, confirming to his wife that he had no objections. Sirius didn't miss the exchange too and muttered, "Whipped!"

Everyone stumbled in fits of laughter.

And then he felt pain. His eyes bulged out, and he screamed.

"Harry don't go back," his Mum pleaded. The tears in his Mum eyes, eased the pain. Harry drew deep breaths, feeling the pain slowly ebbing away.

"Good," said his Mum, when she assured that Harry was fine, "I'm going to make dinner. All your favorite, Harry."

Smiling she turned and marched into a room.

"A game of Exploding Snap," said Sirius, and everyone agreed.

They played for some time, before Harry excused himself to use the washroom. Harry after freshening up, looked in the mirror. He looked fine, still he had a feeling that he didn't belong here. And then the pain was back and he saw the flashes of a girl, looking coldly at him. The pain which he now felt was unbearable, as he banged his head on the floor, trying to stop the pain.

And then everything went black again. But before he completely blacked out, he heard his Mum shout, "HARRY! DON'T GO."

The pain he felt before, eased. He tried to move, nothing happened. He didn't even had the energy to lift a eyebrow. He then heard voices.

"We should try it again," one of the voices said.

And then after a few moments, the pain was back, worse than before. He withered and twitched in pain and blacked-out again.

His Mum was towering over his limp body, tears falling from her eyes. Harry opened his eyes and smiled, "Mum, I am back."

Harry didn't know what made him say this, but it felt like just the right thing to say. And it was. His Mum smiled, helped him up and said, "I know."

Harry felt a throbbing pain in his forehead. His Mum tapped her wand on his forehead and the throbbing vanished.

They all sat and ate dinner. After eating the desert and being stuffed to the point of blasting, Harry got up, murmured his thanks and fell on the floor, sleep engulfing him.

"Don't sleep here," said his Mum, and guided him to his room and helped him lie on his bed. His Mum turned, but Harry grabbed her hand, shifted on his bed and said, "Mum."

His Mum smiled fondly, lied on the bed beside him, her hands running through his hair and patting his back as she hummed a lullaby. Harry felt secure, more secure than he had ever felt in his life, as he drifted to sleep, a peaceful sleep.

Harry woke up. Everything around him was pitch black and his Mum was still by his side. Harry stood up and drank a glass of water. It splashed across his chest and then with a pang of panic, he saw flashes of a girl aiming the curse on me, looking coldly at him, slapping him, he falling down on the ground and the last thing he saw before blacking out. A face of a girl, with red hairs and chocolate brown eyes. She looked strangely familiar to him and even thinking about her brought a unbearable pain in his heart.

He felt his Mum hand rubbing his back. He was sprawled on the floor, and all the occupants of the house surrounded him, worry etched over their faces. Harry gulped and asked, "Mum, where am I?"

"Harry," his Mum scolded, lightly, "you are home."

The word home, brought him memories of a crooked, high storied house, he felt he knew very well. And then several red head popped in front of his eyes. His body began to shake as his memories started came back to him. He jumped from the floor and away from all of them and asked, "Who are you? And where am I?"

"I'm your Mum," said his Mum in a heavy voice, "and this is your house."

Harry lips quivered and his voice shook as he spoke, "My Mum and Dad are dead. You all are dead."

""Remember Harry," came Dumbledore calm voice, "our loved one never leave us. They never die from our imagination."

"So, what is this, my imagination," yelled Harry.

"Even it is," came Colin voice, "it is better than the reality, Harry."

"Yes Harry," said Dumbledore, "you have every right to be happy now and you are happy here."

"But it is not — not real," Harry choked out.

"But its better than real," said his Mum, her eyes pleading to him to understand, "no one will hurt you here, ever. I promise."

"Harry," said his Dad, "stay with us. We want to know our son and you want to know us." Their was desperation in his voice, which tore Harry heart.

His Mum pleading eyes and his Dad desperate voice was making it harder for him to face the reality. It was so much better, better then the pain he had to feel in the real world.

"Harry," came Sirius voice, "be the fourth Marauder."

But then a voice echoed in his ears, 'Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.'

"Professor Dumbledore," said Harry, "you once told us that we always has a choice between easy and right."

"Yes, I did Harry," said Dumbledore, "but it was only for that point of time. Now the war is over and you have every right to choose what's easy."

"Harry," came his Mum voice, "stay with me. I will keep you safe and you won't have to fight again, not live like you had to."

"But you said that I'm brave," said Harry.

"You are brave, Harry," said his Mum, "but you don't need to be brave anymore. Now you could enjoy the years you have to struggle for your life."

Harry heart longed for the touch of his Mum as it had did for Ginny. As soon as the name came back to him, every thing became clear to him. He didn't belong here. He needed to get back.

"Mum, I'm sorry," said Harry, tears dripping down his cheeks, "but I can't stay here. I don't belong here."

And with the effort of his whole body, he said, "How can I go back?"

"No, Harry," said his Mum, "you don't need to go back."

"Mum," cried Harry, as tear fell down his cheek, "how can I go back? I need to and I will go back."

As soon as he said this, he felt his surrounding dissolving in black. But before everything went black, he saw the smiling faces of his Mum, his Dad, Dumbledore and everyone present in the room, like they were proud of him, proud of that he had left him.

And then darkness groped him and he lost control of his senses as he drifted in a place he didn't knew about, remembering the past months.

Author's Note: Hope you like this. This chapter is like a preface, but I warn you it will not be repeated. Now, I will write about Harry days after he won the war.

If anyone liked this short story, and wanted to read it more, please review, as I need some encouragement to work on this story, because I'm writing another story too, 'The Year Alone', which is published in FanFiction archive.

And again, one more warning, this story may be changed to M rating in the future chapters. Thanks, review, if you want to read the second chapter.