Coming Home

Part 1 – The Boy Who Lived Again

By SnakeEyesHannah

Harry ran his hand through his dark, messy hair nervously although he knew it was an impossible battle. He stood in front of the big, shabby house that he knew so well. He couldn't understand why he was so nervous. He had been here at least a thousand times, and that was this year alone. He straightened his dark green jumper he'd received from Molly Weasley for his birthday a couple of weeks ago.

The worn oak door opened almost immediately after his knock and Harry found himself wrapped in the crushing embrace of Molly Weasley. He smiled; Mrs. Weasley was so kind to him.

"Harry, dear, oh I'm so glad to see you. How are you? What have you been up to these last two months? You didn't eat properly - you're so skinny. Come in, come in, I've just put on some tea. The pie is on cooling…"

"I'm fine, thank you, I've just been playing Quidditch, you know… The usual. And you're absolutely right; I haven't gotten enough to eat", Harry confessed with a smile. Mrs. Weasley smiled motherly at the twentyfive-year-old wizard in front of her and patted his cheek before pulling him inside.

She ushered him into the clutter that was the kitchen of the Burrow. The redheaded woman that had been his surrogate mother since he was eleven years old practically pushed him down into a chair and began putting out plates, cutlery and quickly put on a pan, cracking several eggs in it.

"Mrs. Weasley, please… Some tea and the pie will do just fine", Harry protested, raising his hand to stop her from putting out even more food for him to eat. Mrs. Weasley looked slightly put out for a second, then she smiled and with a flick of her wand the plates, glass and cutlery returned to their places, the pan with the eggs disappeared and instead a cup was placed in front of Harry.

"Black currant, strawberry, mint, green leaf or wild fruits?" she asked him, holding out several bags of tea for him to choose. Harry smiled; it didn't matter what food he was offered, even something so simple as tea, the Weasleys still had multiple flavors to choose from.

"I'll have the black currant, please", Harry said after a moment of pretend thoughtfulness. Mrs. Weasley smiled before taking the kettle of hot water from the stove and pouring it into Harry's cup, adding the black currant.

"Of course it's black currant. You're the black currant type", she stated, like she always had known Harry preferred black currant tea. Harry chuckled lightly and took a sip.

"Harry!"

Harry spun his head around as he heard his name being called. Once again he found himself in a crushing hug, but this time it was long brown hair in his face, not short red.

"Hello 'Mione", Harry greeted his best friend. "Missed me?" he teased her. Hermione Granger-Weasley swatted his arm lightly when they pulled back, but the big smile on her lips gave her away.

"Why are you always gone for so long and never send us an owl to let us know when you're coming?" she scolded him. Harry grinned, but said nothing, only shrugging innocently.

"RON!" Mrs. Weasley called for her youngest son through the kitchen window. The lanky seventeen-year-old boy he had been was long gone. Instead there was a long, muscular, rather handsome redhead that walked through the door, grinning widely as he spotted his best friend by the table.

"Harry, mate!" he stated calmly, as if it was only yesterday they met. "Wicked match against the Bratley Bees", he complimented the Seeker. "That catch was bloody brilliant. I knew that move was going to be a hit."

Harry laughed, stood up and held out his hand. "Well, I can't thank you enough for teaching me how to do it", Harry replied humbly as he was being pulled into a brotherly hug. The two men patted each other manly on the back before stepping back and shaking each other's hands, grinning at each other.

"I hate to interrupt, but why are you here?" Hermione butt in, standing beside Ron, slipping her arm around his waist. Harry smiled fondly, he was glad his two best friends had finally admitted their feelings for each other just before the second war reached its peak. Nearly five months after Harry fulfilled the prophecy, his friends had decided to tie the knot. While the rest of the wizarding world was still recovering from the horrible war – Harry, the Weasleys and only a few of their closest friends witnessed the reason they had fought; love. Even now, eight years later, the two were still as in love as they had been when they got married.

"So now I need a reason for visiting my friends?" Harry asked, putting his hand over his heart in mock offence. "I'm hurt." Hermione stuck her tongue out at Harry childishly. Harry winkled his nose at her, ignoring her completely.

"Mommy, mommy!" a light, girlish voice reached their ears. Ron and Hermione turned around quickly as their only girl came running in through the kitchen door. "Mommy! Jeremy is burning up butterflies with one of Uncle Fred and Uncle George's inventions!" the four year old told her mother. The bushy redhead's blue eyes shifted from her parents around in the room, like she sensed someone else was in here. They widened as she spotted Harry.

"Uncle Harry!" she squealed loudly and ran into Harry's open arms. Harry picked up his goddaughter easily and spun her around.

"How you doing, princess?"

"Uncle Harry, you should have been here! Jeremy tried to fly daddy's broom, but mommy stopped him before he did anything. She yelled at him for at least ten minutes!" The girl's bright eyes shone as she told Harry about her brother's latest escapade. As if hearing his name being mentioned, a little boy of seven walked calmly into the now pretty crowded kitchen. He, unlike his sister, had inherited his mother's brown hair, but the eyes remained a perfect mirror of his father.

"Jeremy Peter Weasley!" Hermione yelled before the boy even opened his mouth. Harry had to cover up his smile; Hermione hadn't changed one bit. "You know better than to scare your sister like that! And what have we told you about playing with Uncle Fred and George's inventions?" She put her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently as her son squirmed under her blazing gaze.

"Never play with anything Fred and George invented", the boy said dully, hanging his head. Harry knew this wasn't the first, nor most certainly not the last, time he had to defend himself with that phrase. Hermione pursed her lips but looked pleased. She patted her son's head before pushing him forward.

"Uncle Harry!"

Harry laughed, this was the general way of greeting, but he never got tired of hearing and seeing his godson and daughter. "Hey champ!" He held out his free hand, which Jeremy took, squeezing with all his might. "Ow! You're getting stronger and stronger every time I see you!" Harry complained, nursing his 'bad' hand.

"Did you bring me anything?" Jane pushed in excitedly, poking Harry's shoulder to get his attention. Harry put on a face of horror.

"Dear Merlin! I forgot!"

"No you didn't!" Jeremy said triumphantly behind Harry's back. The boy was holding up a model of an Ivorytooth, the latest (and best) broom on the market, with a huge grin on his face. Jane slipped down from Harry's arms and rummaged through Harry's bag. She squealed as she pulled out a thin book – Muggle Fairytales And How They End by Margerie Clamp.

"Oh Harry, you spoil them!" Hermione stated, watching as she two children made their way outside again. "Say thank-you!" she called after them.

"Thank-you, Uncle Harry!" the two said in unison before disappearing out in the autumn sun. Hermione rolled her eyes at them, an affectionate smile on her lips.

"So, seriously mate, why are you here?" Ron butted in, taking a seat at the worn table.

"Oh, you know… Being a star Seeker with people kissing up to you, waiting on you hand and foot isn't all that fancy", Harry said with a deep sigh. "I just needed some time alone and a few delicious home-cooked meals from Mrs. Weasley", Harry added smoothly as he saw Hermione's look.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, dear", Mrs. Weasley said, a proud smile on her lips as she reached out and patted Harry's cheek.

"You wanted alone-time, and you come here?!" Ron shook his head. "You're mental!"

"Aren't we all?" Harry replied philosophically, taking another sip of his tea.

"What is this I hear about Harry being back?" Harry spun around, again, towards the kitchen door. "Sweet Merlin, Jeremy and Jane were honest! I though they were just pulling my leg!" Ginny smiled.

Harry gaped. He hadn't seen Ginny in over seven months due to his busy Quidditch-schedule and her odd hours at the paper she worked at. Never in a million years could he believe Ginny had become so beautiful.

She's always been this beautiful. It's just you who've been too bloody thick to notice it! Harry's inner voice piped up. 'I have not!' Harry retorted. 'Course not, it said sarcastically. Harry wisely chose not to respond to that. He merely smiled at Ginny. But there was something odd about her presence. Harry's eyebrow shot up in question as he realized she was carrying a baby on her hip. 'When on earth did she get that?'

"I don't believe you've met baby Jacob", Ginny said, as if hearing Harry's thoughts. She smiled and tickled the baby, who giggled excitedly. "Three months and cute as a button", she continued in an awe-struck voice, watching the baby affectionately. "He'll be a genuine lady-killer in Hogwarts! Won't you?" she added in a baby voice, poking Jacob lightly on the nose. "Yes you will, yes you will…"

Harry turned and looked at Ron and Hermione. They both looked in awe at Ginny and the baby, Ron's arm had snaked its way around Hermione's shoulders. They looked so proud. He looked at Ginny again and coughed, making her snap out of her trance.

"Oh sorry… This little angel just makes it hard to focus", she smiled. Harry felt a fluttering sensation in the stomach area. 'Stop it! I don't fancy Ginny!' he told himself. I never said anything! his inner voice said in a slightly amused tone.

"Give him to me, Gin", Ron said, snapping Harry back into reality. He was slightly surprised by his friend's action. Since when did Ron get so fond of babies? "You've had him all day, I think it's only fair he gets to see his ol' daddy too." Ginny sighed, but obeyed her brother and handed over her nephew. Harry felt a surge of relief go through him. So it wasn't Ginny's baby after all… The thought made him at ease.

"Harry?"

"Huh?"

"Hi!" Ginny laughed faintly, holding out her hand for him to shake. Harry looked at it, like it was an alien. "You're supposed to take my hand, shake it and say 'Hi Ginny, it's really nice to meet you again, how are you' and all that crap", the redhead smiled.

"Hi Ginny… And all that crap", Harry replied with a smile, standing up and wrapping his arms around his friend. He took a deep breath, realizing she smelled like lavender. So mister Loverboy has no feelings for this one? None what so ever? the inner voice mocked Harry.

"…-Remember how Neville asked Luna out?!" Ron gasped between laughter. Harry laughed out loudly, hitting the ground. He cast a sideway glance and saw that Ginny and Hermione wasn't any better than him. They were clutching their sides, tears streaming down their cheeks.

"…Face – so red! … Peed his pants!" Ginny supplied, throwing Harry further into fits of laughter.

"Oh my god", Harry managed to say after a few minutes. He wiped the tears from his eyes, breaking out in occasional laughs. The four settled down, smiling fondly at the memories. It had been sort of a tradition; the four of them went out for a picnic and just talk about things. Everything from talking memories to what's been happening to what their plans for the nearest future were.

"With the risk of sounding a hundred years old – those were the days", Harry grinned. Ginny giggled and poked him in the side.

"You're right", she smiled. "You do sound like a hundred years old!"

"Mean", Harry retorted childishly. Ginny replied by sticking out her tongue at him.

"Hey, you two", Ron interrupted. "What are you - five? Jane behaves more mature than you", he told the two friends. Ginny and Harry shared a quick look before turning to Ron and sticking their tongues out at him. Hermione giggled and gave Ron an 'you-had-it-coming'-look.

"MOMMY!"

Hermione's head quickly snapped around as she saw Jane come running towards them. She scrambled to her feet and hurried towards her daughter. "What is it, angel?" she asked in a worried voice.

"Jeremy stole my book!"

Hermione looked back at her husband and two friends. "I have to go and settle this", she excused herself before gathering her daughter in her arms, making her way towards the Burrow with long, determined strides.

"I am so glad she can take out the frustration on the kids nowadays", Ron confided in them. "It used to be me in that other end, and it's not nice." Harry sniggered, earning a half glare from his best friend.

"RON!"

Harry rolled his eyes, it seemed like they were going to finish this picnic some other day.

"Yes?" Ron yelled back at his mother.

"Your boss is in the fire!"

Harry almost laughed out loud at this statement. If he'd heard something like that when he was younger he'd take it the wrong way and think Ron's boss was suicidal. Ron got up and looked apologetic at Harry and his sister.

"Sorry guys, I'll be right back."

"I doubt it", Ginny mumbled as Ron quickly headed back to the house. Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "It's usually something 'important' that 'can't wait' but Ron isn't 'required' to go back to work", Ginny explained. "And you know Ron, he goes and is usually gone all night", she sighed.

Harry smiled. "Looks like it's just you and me now then, eh?"

"Maybe I should go and see if mum needs any help with preparing dinner", Ginny said in a half scared voice, scooting away from Harry on the red and white checked blanket. Harry put on a face of mock hurt. "Nah, I'm kidding", Ginny winked.

"You better be", Harry said in a threatening voice.

"Or else…?" Ginny supplied with a grin.

"Or else I'll… I'll…" Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I'll do something really horrible and make you feel so guilty", he decided. Ginny rolled her eyes before lying down, resting her head on her arms.

Harry felt butterflies flap around in his stomach again. 'Oh-no! I do not, in any way, think Ginny is beautiful!' Once again, I never said anything! Harry's inner demon, as he chose to call the voice, said.

"Looks like this generation of Weasleys will be male dominated too", Harry said after a few minutes of silence. Ginny looked up with a surprised look in her eyes. Harry grinned. "I have nothing interesting to say!" he defended himself.

"I can tell." She rolled her eyes. "But you're right. It's sad, really. Seven kids, only one girl, and out of them will probably come like eighty boys and three girls", she complained. "Poor Jane… I just pray to god that Bill, Charlie and the twins with have five girls – each!"

Harry laughed. But there was something about her statement that bothered him. "What about you?" he asked. "You're not having any girls?" he added as he saw her puzzled look. Ginny shook her head and waved it away as it didn't matter.

"You need a man for that", she said simply. Harry raised an eyebrow; he had thought Ginny was seeing someone for sure. 'How can a beautiful, clever, funny, witty witch like her be single?' he thought. Well look how bloody long it took for you to realize that! his inner voice snapped.

"So how is life as a famous Seeker?" Ginny asked, steering the conversation to more comfortable subjects. She didn't really like talking about her love life. Or the lack thereof.

"Not that much different from being the famous Boy-Who-Lived-Again!" Harry joked, an amused twinkle in his bright emerald eyes. Ginny laughed and Harry suddenly realized how much he had missed her laughs. You're doomed, his inner voice stated. 'I am', Harry agreed.

"But how is life as a journalist?" Harry asked. He was actually interested; Ginny had said she was working on a new magazine – called Jaded Pearl – but she never really talked about her work.

Ginny smiled. "It's brilliant! I'll tell you, if I'd known what fun it is to write I wouldn't have been unemployed for so long after school!" she said happily, her eyes lighting up.

"So what exactly are you doing?"

"At the paper? I'm an advice columnist and junior editor", she smiled proudly. "I started out as a freelancing reporter but obviously Jade - my boss - liked me and she hired me for a weekly article and then everything went uphill from there!"

"I take it as it's your boss the paper's named after", Harry said. Ginny nodded. "So what do you advice people on?"

"You know how Ron's always saying I like to stick my nose into things that isn't my business?" Harry nodded. "Well, since I like meddling in people's love lives, I thought it would be fun to actually tell people what to do, who to date and stuff without being afraid they'll be pissed at me…" Ginny looked thoughtful for a second. "I even think I got one couple married."

"Really?"

"Yeah… Either that or I made a couple file for divorce…"

"Sounds like you", Harry mumbled, earning a light slap from Ginny. He laughed. "Why don't you take your own advice if you're so good at this whole love-thing?" Harry asked. Ginny blushed and looked down on her hands, her long curly hair falling in her face, shielding her from Harry's view.

Author's note: Haha… First part up, second on the way!

Disclaimer: Characters belong to JK Rowling.