Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and what not in Harry Potter, though I wouldn't mind being Jo, that woman's brilliant. I will claim to own an original character in this fic that I'm rather fond of.
Now, on with the fic... Hope you all enjoy and remember, R&R!!!
Chapter 1: Hair and Nails Done
A darkness swirled around the three solitiary figures, still working mechanically upon renewing and rebuilding the pulverised ruins of Hogwarts. The trio, who had been living on barely any sleep for several days, muddled on with their work, hardly conversing unless to suggest better ways to help clean up the mess from the Battle for Hogwarts, only a day before hand. None of them wanted to sleep and slow their pace as they all couldn't bear to come completely to terms with all that had happened and all they had lost.
Watching his other counterparts futively as he leviated a rather large clunk of Hogwarts wall, Harry gave into a small smile before his mind drifted unwantedly towards what he had gone through. This last year had been a whirlwind and if he hadn't beared the scars emotionally and physically he would of believed it had happened to someone else. The battle of Hogwarts, the search for Horcruxes and not to mention months and months spent camping outside as to keep his whereabouts unknown seemed to condense into small flashes of leaving Privet Drive, the wedding, breaking into the Ministry, the doe patronus, Malfoy Manor, Gringott's and then Voldemort's downfall. It seemed fitting to Harry that because of Tom's misconceptions that he was impalled by his own sword, so to speak.
A quiet sigh escaped Harry's lips as his mind drifted to the ones he had lost over the year. Remus came to the forefront of his mind, the last of the Marauder's together at last with both his friends and his wife, Tonks. A strong twinge of pain of grief erupted from Harry's heart as he thought of little Teddy, who is now an orphan just as he was. Closing his eyes, Harry moved from the thought of Teddy to many of the others that had sacrificed their lives for this war. He thought of Mad Eye, of Colin, Dobby and even Hedwig. He then brought himself to the memory of Fred, his eyes always beaming with mischief and happiness, no matter what was going around him. His last moments had actually indeed been one of joy, laughing with Percy for what seemed to be the first time ever. He undoubtably thought George was feeling the loss most, keeping to himself mostly since it had happened. Harry hated seeing any of the Weasley's suffering and to see them all bewildered with grief was too much for Harry, who still needed to process everything in his head.
The only people Harry felt totally comfortable with during these times was Ron, Hermione and Ginny, if she wasn't with her family. He had been aching to be with her since a couple of hours after Voldemort fell but at the same time he felt he had tonnes of time to be with her and explain everything. In his mind he believed there would be time for him to tell her everything, days, months, even years to explain all that had gone on in his life but at this moment, he felt it wasn't the right time.
Sighing once more, Harry went back to repairing piece by piece of the ancient building, not even realising the cloaked figure moving silently towards him,holding his ward aloft. Turning quickly when he heard the steps getting closer, he pointed his wand back at the cloaked man but was too slow. A flash of vibrant blue light hit Harry squarely in his chest, surrounding his body and blinding both Ron and Hermione. The last thing Harry heard was a scream, coming from high above him in Hogwarts, then nothing. Harry was gone.
Seven years later...
"Ginny! Ginny! Wake up, you were having another nightmare." Charlie shook Ginny quickly.
A dreary Ginny opened her eyes and looked around at her surroundings, taking in the familiar beige of her tent. She then turned to see a worried look on her brother's face, a look that had played across his features every time her dreams took the better of her. Smiling, Ginny stretched her arms into the air and shook her head at Charlie, trying to make out that her nightmare hadn't affected her, "You know, I was having a really good dream, why did you have to wake me?"
"Don't try it Ginny, I know when you've been having a nightmare, whether you like it or not."
"Oh really Mister Smarty Pants, when did you learn to read minds?" Ginny retorted, trying to keep her firm smile across her face.
"You can't bluff me Ginny, I've known you all of your 23 years of life. You dreamt about Harry again, didn't you?" Charlie asked, the concern written plainly across his chiselled features.
Ginny closed her eyes quickly to hide her hurt before smiling again, "What makes you think I was dreaming about him?"
Charlie smiled slightly and took a seat on the packed bag laying on the floor, "Oh no reason, just that you were screaming his name for a couple of minutes. Something you've been doing quite often actually. Are you OK?"
"Yeah I'm fine, really. I guess it's just been playing on my mind as of late, that's all."
"It happened this time 7 years ago, right? You sure you're alright? You know you can talk to me."
A laugh slipped out of Ginny's mouth before she could help herself, "Good try Charlie but I'll think I'll leave the delicate stuff for when I see Hermione tomorrow. I'll leave my deep and meaningfuls with you for when I'm having trouble with Norbert. Thanks for the offer though."
"Damn, I was really looking forward to getting my hair and nails done while you told me your problems." Charlie smiled as he ruffled his sisters hair.
Ginny shook her head at Charlie while trying to brush her hair back down, "And mum wonders why you're still single. Getting your hair and nails done? Honestly?"
"Hey, a guy can dream can't he? Anyhow, I'm overdue for a manicure."
"Merlin, you are such a boofhead! I wonder how I've worked with you all this time! Now, get out so I can get back to sleep, we need to get up early so we can go home." Ginny said before ushering Charlie out of her tent.
Frowning, Ginny sighed while she thought that, even though working with Dragons is an amazing job and being in the open air was wonderful and her brother was great to be around, the only downfall was his over protective side which, Ginny now believed, was due to their mother's influence. She was so glad when Charlie suggested that instead of staying in the Burrow wollowing away, she should leave the British Isles and come work with him in the Dragon conserve but of course as soon as she left and arrived in Romania, her mother's aura still hung around her by the means of Charlie. If Ginny sneezed, Charlie seemed to there with a tissue and a Pepper-up potion if he felt there was a need for it. She had to agree though, it would be a lot worse when she arrived home for the holidays. Her mother will be all over her, worrying that she was turning anorexic due to the poor food at the dragon camp they live on. Ginny never complained about it though, it was refreshing not having to stuff her face full of several helpings of food but she did miss the warm sensation that her mothers cooking seemed to do as each morsel slid down her throat.
Taking a deep breath before laying back down again, Ginny's mind zoomed back to Hogwarts, the place her heart broke forever, never to be mended again. Again and again the bright light flashed across her eyes, the last thing she saw of Harry before he disappeared out of her life. And disappeared is the appropiate word for there was no sign of him except for the ripped shreads of his clothes, his glasses and his wand. A tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered the moment she saw the lone figure walk straight towards Harry without his, Ron's or Hermione's notice. Ginny had been so bitter towards the wizarding word in general, telling herself if only they had not been so blaise about everything after Voldemort was defeated, if only there was someone to stop that Death Eater from coming and destroying her life all together. It wasn't until recently that Ginny realised that no matter what happened, Harry may never of been meant to live after the fight. It was a harse reality for Ginny, who had hoped and dreamed that one day she would be happy in the arms of the man she had loved all her life, but it was never to be. Ginny had resigned to believe that maybe her life wasn't suppose to be all smiles. Wiping away the last of her tears, Ginny laid her head back and let her mind fill with dreams that would never be.
Meanwhile, on the edge of the Dark Forest...
A cold breeze overtook the darkness of the summers night, silencing the animals that came alive at night in the forest. The only movement in the whole field was a youthful Auror who had been patrolling the edges of the school. Yawning, the red head hummed quietly to herself to keep from falling asleep for the second time that night. Feeling her eye lids begin to heavy again, the Auror conjured up a deep mug filled with black, steaming coffee, only to drop it when she heard an illegible scream echooing through the night then a vibrant blue light surrounding a spot near the edge of the forest. Drawing her wand, the Auror quickly ran to the commotion when the light dispersed to reveal a man laying on his side, naked. The Auror pulled off her cloak and wrapped around the man before checking if he was alive. A few moments passed before the man gasped and stared around at his surrounding.
Taking in a deep breath, the shocked Auror finally brought herself to speak, her strong Australian accent echooing through the still air. "Hello? Are you alright?"
The man blinked furiously as if trying to focus then stared blindly at the Auror with his vibrant green eyes, "Where am I?"
"You're at Hogwarts, do you know what that is?" the Auror asked.
The man shook his head and tried to look around again as if searching for an explanation. "Who are you?"
"My name's Briohny McAllister, what's your name?"
The man pulled the cloak closely around himself then ruffled his black hair subconscienciously as if straining to think, "I'm- I'm not sure."
The morning arrived suddenly for Ginny, who had barely put her head down to rest before she was woken up by her heavy handed brother. "Come on kid, I want to leave soon, you know."
"If I didn't know better, Charlie, I would think you're excited to get home, but that wouldn't be it!" Ginny replied sarcasticely as she hopped out of her stretcher bed.
"I just don't want to miss out on breakfast, I haven't had a good feed of bacon and eggs in ages, that's all." Charlie replied back, swinging Ginny's bag over his shoulder.
A grin tweaked across Ginny's face, hidden only by the towel she was cleaning her face with, "Weasley men and their food. It's a wonder the family name hadn't died out because of their obsession with food and lack of interest in anything else."
"Nah, we like other things too much as well!" Charlie laughed.
"I don't want to know, that's too much information." Ginny shuddered.
Charlie laughed and shook his head, "How do you think mum and dad got 7 of us? Owl order?"
"That's even more than I want to think about in a lifetime Charlie! I may have to go into therapy now."
"Don't worry sis, you needed to go into therapy years ago. And I wasn't meaning that, I was meaning things like Quidditch." Charlie grinned back.
Ginny furrowed her brow then rolled her eyes, "Get out, you and let me get dressed since you are so eager to get out of here." Ginny finally said, pointing Charlie out. "If I didn't know better I'd say I'm the older one while he's the kid!" Ginny then said to herself.
"OI! I heard that!"
"Good, now let me get ready. We may as well get off in a couple of minutes." Ginny called back as she pulled her robes over her head, laughing when she heard a little squeal escape from her brothers mouth. Ginny loved the fun going yet serious nature of her brother, finding him at least good for a laugh when she is feeling down. Those aspects made his protective moments bareable. Running her hands through her long red hair, she quickly pulled it up and walked out of her tent, smiling when she found her brother with his hands on his hips and her bag still slung over his shoulder.
"Ready?"
"I guess so, we flying or apparating?" Ginny asked, glancing around for their for their form of travelling, hoping her brother hadn't choosen flying.
"Not if we want to get there for breakfast, we won't. We're been given a portkey for the trip, apparating that far is too much." Charlie then picked up a tin can and pointed his wand to activate it. "Ready, on the count of three we'll go." Ginny quickly placed her hand on the can and looked beyond Charlie to where fire had came from a small Antipodean Opaleye Ginny was rather fond of. "Ok. 1, 2, 3!"
Ginny felt her navel being pulled suddenly then the wind swirling around her. Ginny tried futilely to gasp for air but no matter ho hard she tried, the air escaped her lungs but before she knew it, Ginny stumbled and landed heavily on the moist grass. Pulling herself up, Ginny looked around at the familiar hills that surrounded the Burrow, smiling once she finally laid eyes on her family home. Ginny thought of all her happy memories that engulfed the house, bringing herself again back to the painful memory of Harry and her brother Fred. Closing her eyes, Ginny hid her hurt and smiled again, following quickly after Charlie who was mesmerised by the aroma of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, kippers and pancakes, from what Ginny could tell. Once Charlie and Ginny came closer to the Burrow, they heard an excited squeal followed by a loud bang of the door opening forcefully. Before they knew what hit them, Ginny and Charlie were engulfed in a tight hug from their mother.
"Geroff mum, it hasn't been that long." Ginny gasped as her mother squeezed tighter.
"Oh Ginny, Charlie. I'm so happy you are here. Are you hungry? You both look a bit peaky, you need feeding up." Mrs Weasley squealed again.
"Merlin mum, you'd think we'd been away for 18 years, not 18 months." Charlie laughed before adding, "But I won't say no to some breakfast."
"I'm just so happy to see both of you. We haven't had the whole family home since, Ron and Hermione's wedding. Well, nearly all of the fam-" Mrs Weasley paused and looked at Ginny intently.
Ginny pulled away from her mother and patted her shoulder, "It's ok mum. We know."
Mrs Weasley smiled misty eyed and hugged her daughter tightly, "And Harry, he'll always be called as part of our family. I know you miss him dearly, today must be hard-"
"I'm fine, really mum. Now, why don't we go and get some breakfast."
Mrs Weasly nodded before making her way back into the kitchen. Ginny made to follow but was pulled back suddenly by Charlie's firm hand, "Lier."
"Leave me alone, I'm perfectly fine, really." Ginny whispered back.
"Well that's debatable." Charlie retorted with a tweak of his lip before he turned serious again, "And you can't fool me, I know when you are lying."
Raising her hands to her hips, Ginny inspected her brother before rolling her eyes, "OK, I'm not fine but I'll talk to Hermione, I promise. Just don't say anything to mum, I hate it when she fusses."
"Come on dears, you don't want your eggs to get cold." Ginny heard her mother call.
"Coming mum." Charlie called back. He then turned back to Ginny, "You know I'm always there."
"Yeah I know but I don't think I'm really up to having a D & M with you just yet, I mean I doubt I could of handled doing all that girlie stuff when I was younger, let alone now and with you!" Smiling Ginny began to walk up towards the house, "Come on, better get a move on, I'm sure mum has a feast waiting for us."
Back at Hogwarts...
Briohny paced up and down the hospital wing as she waited for Madam Pomfrey to finish examining the man she had found laying naked at the edge of the forest. Even though her shift had finished hours ago, she felt obligated to find out who the young man was and how he was getting on. Pausing, Briohny frowned as Madam Pomfrey came out from behind the curtain with a perplexed look on her face.
"Could it? No, that's not possible. Is it?" Madam Pomfrey muttered to herself.
"What's not possible, Poppy?" Briohny asked, concern etched across her brow..
Madam Pomfrey looked up and finally noticed the young Auror standing in front of her, "Oh, I was thinking of how similiar this young man is to a boy who was at school here a couple of years ago, but it can't be him."
"Did he tell you his name?"
"No, he's very unsure of a lot of things. He seemed to recognise the name Dumbledore though, so I guess that's a sign." Madam Pomfrey replied as she made her way back to her office.
"So, he's not a muggle then?" Briohny asked.
"No, he's a wizard." Madam Pomfrey's voice seemed to be coming from a distance as she shook her head again. "It just can't be him, he doesn't even have the scar."
Briohny lent over Madam Pomfrey's desk and looked into the woman's tired eyes. "Who do you think it is, Poppy?"
Madam Pomfrey looked up again, blinking furiously, "I'm not sure, I need a second opinion but this man looks very familiar to Harry Potter."