Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Harry potter. They all belong to J.K Rowling. I wish I did then I would be rich lol.
Authors notes: This is based after Deathly Hallows. I got a few ideas after I started to write another story. I have a LOT of chapters waiting to be BETAed by my friend so hopefully I should be able to update quite regular. Please R&R, it will help me in the direction I take things. Let me know what you like and don't like, even though I have chapters done I can go back and edit. Anyway I hope you enjoy and if you have any question please message me.
Getting Back on Track
It was 6 weeks after Harry defeated Lord Voldemort; the pain in his heart was at his heaviest. He had lost so many people he loved in that battle. He didn't know what to say to Ron, or any of the Weasley's, they had not only lost friends but a son and brother, he felt the pain for Fred as well, Fred was like a brother to him he was also his friend. He felt sad for Teddy and Andromeda, Teddy had lost his parents, Andromeda her Husband and Daughter as well as son-in-law, he had been to Visit Teddy everyday since. He could talk to Andromeda, Teddy's Grandmother, about everything, he told her about how he misses Remus and Tonk's also, how feels for the Weasley's he told her how he loved Ginny but they have being distant since that last battle, he told her how confused and angry he was with the world. He didn't know what to do with is life, and mostly, he told her "I am scared Andromeda" He admitted one day when he visited Teddy. He was giving him his feed and was talking to Andromeda.
"Look Harry, I think you should talk to Molly, she worries about you a lot. You should also talk to Ron and Ginny." She told Harry one visit.
"I know but I don't know how, or what to say"
"I know Harry but you will if you try"
"I don't think I will, everywhere I go there's tears, I know how they feel because I feel it too, Ron cries every night. He thinks I am asleep, I go to the bathroom and I hear Ginny crying in her room, Mrs Weasley crying on the shoulder of Mr Weasley, he is crying as well."
"What about Hermione? Is she ok?"
"Yea I think so, she is staying in Percy's old room, they offered me it to I said I was ok staying in with Ron, to be honest, I don't want to be alone at night. How childish dose that sound!"
"Look Harry, It isn't childish it's just you feel comfortable with Ron around. I mean you spent all of your Hogwarts life sharing a room with Ron, you spend a good 1/3 or more of your summer holidays at The Burrow, sharing a room with Ron. He probably feels the same as you. Harry, do you… Erm… have you cried at all?"
Harry was taken back by this question, he was not expecting it.
"No… no I haven't. I don't think I can"
"It may help. But in your own time ay? There was one more thing I wanted to ask you Harry"
"What's that… Eww Gross" He replied as Teddy was sick on him
Andromeda laughed, did a cleaning charm "Have you spoken to your Aunt and Uncle yet?"
"No. I don't intend to" he said shortly
"Harry have you even checked up on them?"
"No I figured if anything was wrong I would be told" in a short tone again
"Harry, think about what has gone on. You should go check-up on them. You owe them that much"
"I don't owe them nothing, the way the treated me. No I don't owe them a thing"
He gave Teddy a kiss on his head and left. 'What does she mean I owe them? They ruined my childhood, they lied to me, they didn't care for me, they forgot my birthday every year, they starved me, they gave me hand-me down clothes which where miles too big for me, they watched as I got bullied, laughed as I got chased up a tree by a dog. They hated me. No I don't owe them a thing' was his thoughts as he walked around the lakes near Hogwarts. It was the first place he though of coming for some peace.
Back at The Burrow the mood was the same as usual, but after everything, he still felt welcomed. They sat and ate dinner in peace, after dinner Harry and Hermione read, Ron and Ginny played wizard Chess, George decided to he didn't want to go back to the flat and went back up to his and Fred's old room, Molly knitted and Arthur was in the garage, properly messing around with his plugs. Ron and Ginny had finished their game and both won two games a piece when Ginny decided she was going to bed, Harry followed, then Hermione and Ron shortly after. Harry was laid in bed thinking about today conversation with Andromeda when Ron came in, he got into bed and Harry could hear him crying. He made his mind up, he was going to talk to all the people he needed to talk to. But now was not the right time, he was going to start with Molly.
About an hour after Harry had fallen asleep he woke with a start, another flashback to that night again. He was sweating and he was thirsty, he went downstairs to get a glass of water and bumped into Mrs Weasley who was still up.
"Hello Harry Dear, you ok? You look pale. Sit down and I will you use a cup of tea"
Harry sat at the table thinking while Mrs Weasley made the tea. She came over placed a mug in front of him and sat down opposite.
"Thank you"
"Your welcome dear, So Harry how have you being? We haven't had chance to talk have we?"
'Sigh' "Am ok thank you"
"Come now Harry I know you better then that. Now tell me what's wrong"
"Am ok, honest, you have your own problems and… erm… well… grief to deal with without worrying about me"
"Now Harry, you are one of my problems… I mean in a nice way… Look what I am trying to say is I am worried about you. You're showing no emotion Harry. You need to let it out. If you're not ready to talk yet, or would rather talk to someone else then I understand, just know I am here if you need me. Ok"
"I don't know how to deal with it, I miss him as well, I knew him seven years and he was like a brother to me, I saw him get killed and there was nothing I could do. It was my fault all this happened, it's my fault, my parents are dead, my fault Dumbledore, Sirius, Snape, Remus, Tonks, all those kids at Hogwarts, little Colin Creevy, it's my entire fault their dead. Its my fault Teddy is going to grow up without parents. It's my fault you lost your son, that Ron lost his brother. I lost a brother" He sobbed unable to control himself, he just let it all spill out. Mrs Weasley handed him a tissue, he looked at her though his tear soaked eyes and saw she was crying aswell.
"It's not your fault Harry, It was Vo… Vol…" She took a deep breath "Voldemort's fault, there all dead Harry, you didn't make anyone fight you understand, you didn't make anyone do it. They all fought because it was the right thing to do. They all fought so the future would be a better place. Fred died a hero, I am more proud of him that I have ever been. Remus and Tonks fought knowing that if anything happened to them he would be cared for by Andromeda, they know you would be a father figure to him, Colin died because he knew it was the right thing to do. Sirius, Dumbledore and Snape died protecting you Harry, they all loved you. Even Snape loved you, he just didn't realise it until the end. It is not your fault you hear me NOT YOUR FAULT" by this point she has moved to sit next to Harry and took him in a hug. He cried like he had never cried before, he let all his pain inside come out on to Mrs Weasleys shoulder, he just hugged her back. After about 10 minutes he had calmed down and Mrs Weasley let go of Harry and held him by his arms and looked him in his tear soked eyes.
"It is not your fault"
"I know, but it just feels like it is. I have nightmares about that night. I wake up in hot sweats" he just sat there quite thinking for a bit, Molly had made Harry a hot chocolate and sat opposite him again, just looking at him.
"Mrs Weasley, I have something I want to say"
"What is it dear, and please, call me Molly. We have known each other for far to long and you are an adult now" Harry went to protest but Molly opened her mouth before he had chance to say anything "No Harry, it is not disrespectful. I know you respect me enough from your mannerism around me, please call me Molly"
"Molly… I just wanted to say… god this is strange to say out loud… Well I just wanted to say that you're my family, I love you all. I look up to you and Arthur as parents. You have always treated me the same as Ron. You have never treated me different because I was 'The-boy-who-lived'. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George have always treated me like a brother always looked out for me. And Ron well you know he is my best Friend, we have had any share of arguments, stupid ones at that. But Ginny, Ginny is something else" He said that last bit with a stupid grin on his face.
Molly eyed him strangly but decided not to say anything else about that matter. She was however crying again but this time she looked Happy.
"Harry dear, you are as good as a son to me and Arthur. You always treated all of us with respect. You defened our family name, especially towards the Molfoy's. You save our little girl. You was always willing for fight for Ron, always protecting him. That first summer you came and stayed with us, we fell in love you with you Harry. We even asked Dumbledor if you could live with us permentelly, however he explained about how you had to return back to them… them awful muggles"
Harry smiled
"Thank you, Aunt Molly" He smiled at the last bit and Molly turned her back and buisied her self, but Harry knew what she was doing. He finished his chocolate.
"Right am off back to bed. Thank you Aunt Molly, for listening, for this talk. I feel like a heavy weight has being lifted from my shoulders" He hugged her once more wished her good night and set off for bed, when he had one more thing to ask her.
"Aunt Molly"
"Yes dear"
"I was thinking of going to check on my Aunt, Uncle and cousin, maybe tomorrow"
"Ok dear I think it would be a good idea" she replied
"I was wondering if you would come with me please?"
She shot from the kitchen to the stair were Harry was stood.
"You sure you want me with you? I mean you don't want to go alone?"
"No I don't want to go alone. You know what they are like, I just want to go see if they are ok and say good bye proply. I have decided that even though I don't want to be part of their life again, it would be nice to have them on my christmas card list. Especially Dudley, he came to his sences before he went into hiding and even thanked me for saving his life"
"Of course I will come with you dear"
"Thank you, well night night"
"Night Harry, sleep tight"
Back in bed Harry did feel better. He would have to go and apoligies to Andromeda for the way he spoke to her. However he still wanted to speak with Ron, Hermione, George and he wanted to sort things out between him and Ginny. Yes he still had a long way to go but he felt better then he did an hour ago.
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He got up the next morning, and he was dreading it. He noticed Ron was still asleep so he left as quietly as he could and headed for the bathroom, as he opened the door from the outside somebody opened it from the inside and they banged into each other. Harry noticed Ginny was rubbing her head were they both collided.
"Oh, sorry Ginny, you ok?" he asked awkwardly
"Yeah, fine thanks you?" She asked going as red as her hair they both looked at each other in an uncomfortable silence, you could cut the tension with a knife.
"Well see you at breakfast Harry" Ginny said squeezing past Harry and the doorframe Harry just smiled at her
'God she is beautiful, I miss her' he though as he watched her leave,
"Ginny wait" he shouted as he ran the little distance towards her
"Yeah"
"Look Ginny, could we talk? Later I mean, maybe after dinner?"
"Err… yea sure, but why not before dinner" she asked puzzled. Harry had a feeling he knew what was going through her head she wanted this as much as him.
"I have plans today; I am going to see my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. Aunt Molly is coming with me"
"What? Why are you going to see them?" She asked even more puzzled. "Hold on, Aunt Molly?" She said with an amused grin, puzzled face and a slight laugh to her voice.
Harry smiled back at her, "I'll explain later, so after dinner ok with you?"
"Yeah will be ok" and she stared into Harry eyes, it was the most they had spoken since returning back from Hogwarts, the tension and awkwardness seemed to lift a bit as he looked back into her eyes. He just wanted to grab her face and kiss her, like the last kiss they shared on his birthday, before he left to destroy the Horcrux.
"See you at breakfast Harry" Said Ginny as she walked away, Harry had missed that moment, and whispered "I love you, Ginny Weasley" and turned into the bathroom to get washed.
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After breakfast Harry was sat in the garden, reading Quidditch through the ages again when Molly came out "You still want to go to your Aunt and Uncle's Harry?"
Harry took a deep breath "Well I defeated Lord Voldemort, battled with Death Eaters, saw loved ones died in battle and spoke to my parents, god-father and Remus. So why am I am so scared of going to visit them?" Molly just looked at Harry; she knew it was a rhetorical question.
"Harry dear, you ok?
"What?... Oh yeah am fine thanks. Well in response to your first question, Yes I would still like to go" Harry looked at Molly and held out his hand "Will you still come with me?... please?"
Molly looked at him and he reminded her of a lost little boy, who still needed guidance. She took Harry's hand "Of course I will still come with you Harry"
A minute later they had apparated and arrived at outside 4 Privet Drive. Harry let go of Molly's hand. "Would you like me to come in with you Harry?" Harry just nodded in response.
Harry walked towards the front door, he noticed his uncles car on the dirve and knew they were back, at this point nerves were bubbling in the pit of his stomarch. He took a deep breath to regain himself and knocked on the door, he waited about 30 seconds, and the door opened. To his shock his cousin lept forwards and wrapped his arms around Harry "You're ok, thank god you're ok. I have being worried all year. I knew this Volly guy must have being killed or gone because they let us come home! Harry come in, come in." Harry stood there is utter shock he was not expecting that from any of them, he know him and his cousin come to a little understanding a year ago but him worrying about him… now that was strange
"Err… Dudley, Hello. This is Molly Weasley, she is my best friend Ron's mum. It who I always went to say with before school and since the battle. Aunt Molly, this is Dudley my cousin"
The thing that Dudley did next shocked Harry all the more "Hello Mrs Weasley" Dudley said taking Molly's hand and giving it s small kiss "Please come in and make your self at home, I will go at get mum and dad, there in the back yard" and he turned his back to them and walked towards the kitchen and he didn't cover his behind which he always did around Witches or Wizzards, he even did it to Professor Dumbledor two years ago.
Harry led Molly to the living room and they sat down next to each other. Molly was looking around the room, amused with all the 'Muggle' things. She noticed the TV and was staring at it with a bemused look on her face. Harry walked over and turned the TV on and Molly jumped at the sound of it, her eyes fixated upon the picture on the screen (it was the local news) and the sound coming from it. "Ohh Harry, you wait until I tell Arthur I have seen this Velletivion. He will be so jealous" She said excited. Harry had never see her act like this before. She was so engrosed in the TV she didn't realise that his Aunt, Uncle and cousin had come into the room. They was staring at her bemused with the look on her face.
"Whats up woman? Never seen a TV before?" Said his uncle in his usual, 'you're a freak' tone while truning the TV off.
He looked at Harry like he always did, like he was the scum of the earth, his Aunt Petunia however seemed more pleased to see him then ether of them could imagen.
"What do you want boy?" said Uncle Vernon
"Well… erm… Lets start with Hello first. Hello Uncle Vernon" he said holding his hand out to shake. His uncle just looked down upon his hand and scowled. "Oookay" He let his hand drop and turned to Aunt "Hello Aunt Petunia" Holding his hand out once more, she took his hand and pulled him into a hug.
"Oh Harry, I am glad you are ok. I know we have mistreated you in the past and I am truly sorry and I hope you can forgive me for it. Vernon, put the kettle on please dear" His uncle went to protest but decided that if he made a pot of tea he would be away from these 'freaks'. "So Harry, what happened? We hared that the man you was after died. Is it true? How did it happen? I want you to tell me everything"
Harry was finding his visit more and more strange, "Oh before I start. Aunt Petunia this is Molly Weasley, my friend Ron's mum. I believe you met her husband 3 years ago when he came behind the fire and picked me up. Aunt Molly this is my Aunt Petunia. The man through there is my uncle Vernon but he doesn't seem interested in meeting you so I won't." Molly and Petunia greeted each other and sat back down. By this point his uncle had arrived with a pot of tea and 5 cups, his Aunt made him go back for the biscuits. He then reeled his story of what had happed this past year to his Aunt, Uncle and Cousin, Molly filling in the blanks and taking over when he got dry. His Uncle kept scowling and commenting clearly not interested but his Aunt and Cousin was hanging on his every word. After he finished his story his Aunt was wiping tears from her eyes, he cousins were glassy but Harry knew he wouldn't cry, was to much a man to do so.
"So you killed him Harry?" Said his cousin
"You're a Hero!" Said his Aunt
"A load of collywobbles if you ask me" said his Uncle
"A LOAD OF COLLYWOBBLE, MY SON DIED" Yelled Molly. "Harry lost friends, people he cared about, he loved, people who cared for him" she said more calmly. Harry put his arm around her. His Uncle was just happy that he upset the 'freaks'. It was almost dinner now and decided it was time to go back to The Burrow. After all Harry had a date with a hot girl.
"Harry, you are welcome to move back in if you wish, you are more then welcome" said his Aunt.
"Thank you, but, no thank you. I am happy where I am at the moment. I am around people who have being what I have being though, and I am nearer my god-son" He took a photo of Teddy and handed to his Aunt who smiled at the laughing boy with his hair rapidly changing colour. "Thank you anyway"
"Ok if your sure, but your welcome to come visit when ever you wish, and if you need a break or want somewhere else to stay for a night your more then welcome"
He hugged his Aunt and Cousin goodbye; once again his uncle refused his handshake. Wished them farewell and he and Molly apparated back to the Burrow.
"Well Harry dear, that went better then I expected"
"Yea I know. I cant believe my Aunt and Cousin were acting so… well… nice" replied Harry.
That night at the dinner table Harry and Molly told everyone about his visit to his Aunt and Uncles. George, Ron and Arthur who had met them all before where shocked on his Aunt and Cousins behavour but was not surprised by his Uncle. While eating desert and the converstation had changed Molly remembered something.
"Hey Arthur, guess what I saw today?"
"Other then a muggle house and family? No idea" Replied Arthur
"A Vellytivion, and it was switched on. It was so wonderful. A little man was talking to us and telling us about the news in the area"
"A Vellytivion? Your joking? Can we get one now you seen them" he said hopfully. Molly tutted and carried on eating.
"Excuse me Mrs Weasley but I think you mean Tellyvision, not Vellytivion" said Hermione. Everyone tutted and laughed at this.
After dinner Harry approached Ginny.
"Hey Ginny, you want to go for a walk?"
"Yea sure"
They headed outside and Harry apparated them to the the lakes near Hogwarts where they walked around in silance, both of them going to say something then changing their minds. Harry sat on the grass which overlooked lake and you could see Hogwarts in the distence to the North, the sun was setting over the lake and the site was beautiful. Harry couldn't of picked a more beautiful spot and the evening sun was warm on them. After sitting in silence for awhile longer it was Harry who decided to finally speak first.
"Ginny, I miss you" Ginny just looked at him. She didn't know what to say. She felt the same way had done since his 17th Birthday. Since she was silence he decided to continue "I didn't want to say anything about us after the battle. You know with Fred and… well… you know what I mean. I missed you from the second I left The Burrow, I used to get the Maulders Map out and just watch your dot, I just wanted to go to you. After I killed Voldemort, I just wanted you, I just wanted to run up to you and kiss you bu-" with that Ginny just pushed him down and kissed him, with such love, passion and longing. They finally came back up for air breathing heavily
"I missed you too Harry. I didn't think you wanted me back until this morning. I have being thinking of you all day"
Harry leaned in and kissed her gently "I love you" he whispered, I have loved you for years, it killed me to leave you. When I was in the forest, you was the last person I thought of, when he though he killed me, you was going though my head"
"I love you too Harry, more then you could ever know"
After the sun set and a breeze came over the lake Harry gave Ginny his jacket. They sat there for a couple of hours just talking, catching up. Harry was getting cold and asked Ginny if she wanted to go got a drink in the Three Broomsticks, Ginny doubted she would be allowed as she was not yet 17 but they decided to try anyway. When they entered the place just cheered and Harry and Ginny had drinks bought for them all night. Madam Rosmerta turned a blind eye to Ginnys age, afterall she was the grilfriend of the greatest Wizzard of their time, the savour of the world.
It was late when they arrived back at The Burrow, a bit worse for wear. Mrs Weasley was sat up waiting for them and was not happy to see Harry and Ginny arrive back so late, especially drunk. They tried to explain to her why they was like this but not able to understand a word they said she sent them off to bed and said she would talk with them tomorrow. When Harry and Ginny reached the third floor they kissed each other goodnight and Harry made his way to the top of the house, Ron's room.
When Harry arrived upstairs Ron was still awake, he was laid reading his book and Harry could tell he had being crying again. He walked over to Ron "I…I love-love you ma-mate" He staggered out. "Harry your drunk, go to bed" said Ron amused. "Yep, I mhink I tight" said Harry. "But ton with-in I hug" Ron laughed at Harry's behaviour and he gave Harry a hug and helped him into his bed. Ron turned the light out and got into bed himself "Am Sarry Ron, I miss him four" Ron laughed again "I know you do Harry" "Come ear hand gave em I hug" Ron got back out of bed and gave Harry another hug. "Night Mate" said Ron. Harry was asleep now. Ron got back into bed, he felt better now his best mate acknowledged his pain, even if he was drunk. People spill their truest feelings when there drunk, good or bad.
Well what did you think?
I would like to thank my Best Friend Cheryl (livingdeadgirl616) for being a Beta for me. She helped me a lot with spelling and grammar. Cheers Dude! She is also starting to post after many years of writing (she was afraid nobody would like it) check out her work.
Anyway, please review, it dose not take 5 minutes and it shows appreciation. Just press the button under the story. Thank you. Hopefully a update soon.