A/N: Hey guys just to give you a fair warning the first 3 chapters have no Draco because I decided to ease into that gently as I plan to make this a long fanfic :) didn't want to start things off in any hurry wanted you all to know what Harry's been up to the last 22 years.
I also may warn you that there may be a few mistakes, I have gone through it again and again but I always find a new one haha.
Below I have put some of their ages to give you a good clue what time this story is set in the future. Just to be clear I do not own anything apart from the story line and a few odd bits here and there, most of the characters and their past and the world belongs to the queen of imagination JKR. (Who I'm very excited to meet in October :'D)
So yeah hope you guys enjoy and don't forget to leave reviews if you like :) Thanks!
Harry: 39
Ron: 39
Hermione: 39
Malfoy: 39
James Sirius: 16
Albus Severus: 15
Lily Luna: 13
Scorpius: 15
Rose: 15
Hugo:13
The clocks hit 5 and I'm still in bed. I'm just lying here in the silence; with the curtains drawn and the bed covers over my head. I've been stuck in my flat for 2 weeks, the fridge freezer is now empty and dirty plates and cutlery are stacked up in the sink waiting to be washed. My clothes cover the cream carpet of my bedroom and envelopes are scattered across the rug in front of the door, most likely containing bills and letters from people wondering where I am.
I know I shouldn't be living like this and I know I have no choice but to go out soon in the fresh air, unless I want to starve to death and become dehydrated, but I just can't bring myself to make the effort just yet. An awful smell fills the air and I have a feeling it's coming from me, I can't remember showering for a few days. Nothing particular has happened to place me in this position, I just seem to have given up recently.
Life's treated me well since the end of the war, I got married to the girl I love, Ginny Weasley and had 3 wonderful children James, Albus and Lily. I got a good job at the Ministry of magic after deciding the job of being an Auror was not for me. I spent the first half of my life practically being one; but not officially, I thought now was the time to take a break from all that. But the last year however has gone downhill. I got fired from my job after losing important paper work and fighting with my idiot of a boss, and I broke up with Ginny. We haven't been getting along for a while now, we were fighting all the time none stop over silly things, until she decided that she had had enough and kicked me out. Ginny still had that caring nice side to her even then; as she made sure I was safely put up in a flat before chucking my things out of the door at my feet. That was all a year ago, but my life hasn't really gotten any better since.
After everything with Ginny I haven't seen The Weasley family apart from Ron since the divorce. I remember when they found out…
Tears fill Molly's eyes and her husband hugs her in the kitchen of mine and Ginny's house. Ginny just went to the burrow to stay with a few over night things after yet another fight, we've already decided to split up but it's been proven that we can't stay in the same house together without shouting at one another while I find somewhere to go. She obviously went home and told her parents everything because half hour later Mr and Mrs Weasley enter the house via the Floo network and join me in the kitchen.
"Harry dear, please give Ginny some time, you two love each other! You both don't really mean anything you say right now, you're just having a bad few days" Mrs Weasley explains with tears falling from her eyes. "Just think about the children, you wouldn't want to break apart your family would you?"
"She's the one who's kicking me out and said she wants nothing more to do with me, I'm sorry but we're getting a divorce and that's that. We both think this is for the best, the kids wouldn't want us to be unhappy and fighting all the time, it's not fair on them to see that" I explain while I make them both a cup of tea.
"You just need time to work things out – "
"No, we haven't been ok for almost a year, we've given each other enough time" I hand them a mug each and sit at the table in the corner opposite them "we've just fallen apart I'm sorry"
We sit for a minute in silence taking sips of our own tea. Then Molly Weasley looks at me, her eyes all red and wet from where she's been crying "She still loves you"
"Does she?" I ask, knowing the real answer already. Yes she loves me, but as her kids father and an old friend. We both don't hold those feelings anymore for each other that we should do as a married couple. I frown; I didn't know it would affect Mrs Weasley so much. Mr Weasley is staying silent; I'm not sure how he feels about any of this, which kind of worries me for some reason.
"Of course she does! Please just try speaking with her"
I sit there looking at the hurt in her eyes, but I can't do this anymore. Me and Ginny are over and there's nothing more to say or do. "I'm sorry Mrs Weasley" I get up from my chair and place the half full mug on the side. I hear the kids laughing in the other room, they're playing monopoly. "I really must be getting the kids to bed" I say trying to get them to leave. Mr Weasley stands up from his chair but Mrs Weasley stays put.
"I never thought of you as one to give up Harry Potter" She whispers
I don't really know what to say, I just stand there while her eyes are fixed on mine "I think you should leave" I break eye contact and stare at the floor. The room becomes silent for a minute or two before I hear a scrape of a chair and footsteps coming towards me, but I don't look up. Mr and Mrs Weasley just walk straight past me and through the door. I follow them out without saying a word.
"You're making a mistake" Mrs Weasley turns suddenly to face me. Mr Weasley rests his hand on her arm as if to say 'leave it now' but her watery eyes stare into mine once more "You have everything, and you're stupid to let it all go".
"Molly please –"
"No, If you leave Ginny, you leave your family" Anger shows up on her face but it's pain that can be seen so clearly. But what does she mean my family? Is she going to turn her back on me? The worst thought pops into my head. No! She can't! She can't make me stop seeing my kids, surely not! I wont let that happen!
"What do you mean?" I asked a little scared to hear the answer.
"It won't ever be the same again, and you know it"
Oh. I can't help but feel a little relieved, but I should know Mrs Weasley could never be that low, she just means there won't be the family get together. But I'm still friends with them all, I'm sure it won't be that bad. Yes It will mean having to spend time with Ginny but I don't mind that, I still want to be in her life, just not so deep in to her life, just friends. "I don't want to be out of your lives, or out of Ginny's life, I just don't want to be…to be…"
"Married to my daughter?" She finishes my sentence.
"Um… Yeah I suppose? I just don't want to be unhappy, and I know Ginny feels the same way, we've just fallen apart"
"Yeah, you've said" She snaps. And slowly the couple head to the fire place. "Please make sure you're doing the right thing, talk to her just one more time. That's all I'm asking" she says so quietly facing the other way so I can only just hear.
"I will"
"Thank you" she says and a quick nod from Mr Weasley and then they're gone.
I've gone over these last year's events in my head a million times the last two weeks. Lying here on my bed between the sheets in the silence there's really nothing else to do. I miss the Weasley family but Molly was right, It's not the same as before, I find myself not wanting to go and visit because I feel I have hurt them all so much, and it will be awkward going to see them now after a year. I still see Ron and Hermione but I never go to the gatherings and all that. But still, I don't regret my decision to break up with Ginny, It was hard at first but I still see the kids and Ginny seems more relaxed. I don't think I could carry on with my life before and not really love her anymore, it wouldn't be fair on her or myself.
I find myself drifting to sleep slowly until… BANG! What the hell was that? I sit up in bed quickly and stop to listen, I hear footsteps outside the bedroom door then – "Harry?" Hermione's voice calling out. "Harry, where are you?" she must have unlocked the door with her wand.
"In here" I moan and retreat back under the covers. Why the hell is she bothering me? I was just about to go to sleep.
"Oh there you are, I've been knocking for a good few minutes" She rushes into the bedroom "What the hell are you doing in bed at this time? Are you ill?" She quickly runs over to me and lifts the covers off my face and places her hand on my forehand, probably to check if I'm burning up.
"No, go away" I moan once more trying to pull the covers back.
"Look at the state of you, you smell awful Harry" She waves her hand as if to push the smell away "When was the last time you showered? And look at the state of your room, and the kitchens the same." She complains kicking a pair of my boxers out from under her feet. "What's wrong Harry? You're a mess"
"Hmm" Why is she having a go at me? I wish she would leave me alone.
"Harry James Potter! Get out of bed right now and clean this all up, actually no get out of bed, take a shower and then clean it all up"
"Mione, why you here?" I ask against the pillow
"I'm here because no one's seen you for about 2 weeks or more and you haven't been replying to my letters, which I see are unopened on the floor. I thought something was terribly wrong"
"I haven't had chance to read them" I mutter into the pillow once more.
"Oh yes, I can see your ever so busy here" I hate when she tries to be sarcastic. "Harry, what's wrong? Why are you like this?" She slowly moves the covers off of my face.
"I'm fine Mione, just having one of those days" I look up at her clean face covered in the tiniest lot of make up, her hair is neatly bushed back in a bun, she looks beautiful as always. I've missed seeing her face.
"Looks like it's been more than a day" She says quietly looking concerned. "Harry" She starts then takes a breath "I know your life's not been too great but it's not the worst it could be. Please get out of bed and get washed and dressed so I can take you for a drink?" She smiles with a hopeful look upon her face.
"Now?" I moan.
"Yes now." Now she's making it sound like a command. "I'll wash up the dishes while you hop in the shower, common!" She gets up and strolls to the door. "Now" she giggles and I can't help but smile, and do as I'm told.
I quickly take a shower and dress in simple dark blue jeans and a grey top. I must admit I feel so much better being all clean and dressed. I look at my bedroom floor, how did I let myself get like this? Now that I have seen my friend and made myself smell and feel a little better, I regret being so lazy and messy. But the thought of going out made me feel like I wanted to get back into bed and sleep. You would think after 22 years people and the press would leave me alone, but no I get stopped all the time in the street and I'm in the Daily Prophet most days. I remember the headline when I got fired from my job at the Ministry:
'The Boy who got fired'
And I remember the headline when the news got out that Ginny and myself were getting a divorce:
'No more Weasley'
Then of course the Daily Prophet a few days later had to comment on how I've lost everything this last year. So now I don't just think my life has gone downhill, I have a printed reminder.
"Are you decent?" Hermione's voice calls from the other side of the door.
"Yeah"
She peers through and smiles "That's better, common lets go" she makes her way through the living room and towards the front door. I swing my jacket over my shoulders and follow her out.
"So, have you thought about trying to get another job yet?" Hermione asked then taking a sip of her white wine, I look at her as if to say Do you have to bring up this conversation again? Hermione discusses jobs and relationships whenever she can with me now, she feels bad for me and tries to make me go for interviews and go out on the town to try find someone new. But to be fair I'm ok as I am… Aren't I? My mind flicks back to the last 2 weeks… maybe not. But I don't want her forcing me into things, there is no rush I will do all that in my own time when I feel I am ready.
"No" I reply making it short trying to hint I don't want to discuss this with her.
"Oh Harry. I know you don't exactly need the money but you need to get out of the flat and keep yourself busy." She looks at me in sympathy "You know what your problem is?" She taps her nails on the wood of the bar were sat at.
"What?" I'm not sure I want to hear the answer.
"Your lonely and you need someone to –"
"No" I cut her off "I don't want to hear it, I'm fine as I am. I've just been having a few lazy days and to be fair I feel a lot better after it" I lie hoping it will make her drop it.
"Well that's good" she holds up her hands in defeat. "It would just hurt me to think my best friend's not ok"
"I'm fine Hermione" I snap. I know I shouldn't be angry with her, it's not her fault. But I'm just in no mood for one of her lectures. "I'm sorry, I know you're just being a good friend, I just… I mean I know… I guess I'm just fed up, and… ok yes I'm lonely but I don't want a relationship, not just yet."
"Would you rather me and Ron see you more? I know we haven't been round as much or invited you out it's just been a little… hectic, you know with Rons job and looking after the kids." She tries to explain herself.
"It's fine Mione, I think maybe I miss the family, Christmas was hard knowing you all were together and I was stuck in my flat drinking my day away"
"Harry, you know I said we could have popped round and bought you a Christmas dinner but you didn't want us to"
"I didn't want to bother you and ruin your day. You know… only Lily wished me a happy Christmas that day, the boys were too busy with their new presents. Which of course they would be but it made me think they don't miss me and I'm in the back of their minds now" I just blurt it all out, everything I've been feeling, and it's only clear to myself how I feel when I say it out loud. I wish I was a bigger part of their lives still.
"Is this what it's all about? The kids?"
"Partly yes, I noticed Ginny signed my birthday card from all of them, they usually want to sign it themselves"
"They're getting older Harry, I mean James is 16 now, you know how teenagers can be with their parents when they're that age, like we were always interested but we were working out life ourselves and got carried away to much to notice some mistakes we made. I did it all the time with my parents, it didn't mean I loved them any less"
"Hermione my parents were dead since I was one if you've forgotten"
Hermione closes her eyes in disgust at herself "I'm sorry Harry, forgive me?" I nod and she places her hand on mine "Talk to Ginny, see if you can work something out to see them more, maybe that will help?"
"It's not just that, I miss all the Weasley's, I get the impression they don't want me in their life anymore, me and Ginny are fine now, we talk like friends and see each other now and then" I think the drinks making me say all of this, it's true but I don't usually want to bother Hermione with my problems.
"Harry, I'm sure they miss you too but they don't want to hurt Ginny, she's not perfectly fine, she misses you" She looks into my eyes as she says the last 3 words. My heart stops for a moment, Does Ginny still love me? Part of me hopes not, I don't want to be dragged back into my old life. I suddenly sit their confused and Hermione looks at me her brows knotting together.
"What?" She asks, keen to know what I am thinking. But truth is I'm confused about what to do next in life. I'm not happy with my life right now but I don't want to go back to before either. What do I actually want?
"I don't know"
"Do you miss her too?"
"No" I know that for sure, I don't want to go back to the fighting and hurt and plus I'm positive I don't love her anymore, all those feelings have gone. I'm happy being friends with her like I am now, she's not the reason I'm confused. My mind doesn't know what it wants to think. I'm a mess and I need something to help me get back on track.
"I wish I knew what you were thinking"
"I do to"
She stares at me wondering what the hell I'm talking about "What do you mean?"
"My minds not really with it, I'm just tired and need to think about what to do next to get my life back on track"
"Of course, well we can get one more round and I will let you get back to your bed, but no staying in it the whole day tomorrow. Understand?" She glares at me and I just nod my head. I've missed her loads. Since her and Ron got married, had the kids and got high jobs and at ministry they haven't been able to spend as much time with me. But it was all ok until I found myself living alone, now I wish I saw them more. I miss the old times, Always something to talk about and always someone to talk about it with.
Hermione got the next round in and we talked about job possibilities. Not the conversation I wanted to have, but the drink was starting to hit me and I suddenly found myself not caring. Hermione just wants to help me in my aim to get back on track.
"You could always join me in the Law enforcement area at the Ministry"
"You think they would forgive me for making such a mess up and allow me back working in there?"
"Yeah of course Harry, It was more your boss not liking you, everyone else still see's you as the amazing Harry Potter" She giggles.
"Urgh" I moan "He was the worst boss imaginable"
"What actually went on? You never really talk about it"
"He just didn't like me… he thought I loved the attention, which he didn't like at all. I guess you could say he was jealous, but little does he know I dislike the attention."
"He fired 2 people for sticking up for you after you left. They found the paperwork in the end too, they didn't put that little detail in the prophet because it makes you look good and they want a good story" She rolls her eyes.
"Oh really? Who were the 2 people?"
"Some people called Barry and Godfrey"
"Oh yeah, both worked close with me in that department, Barry just became a dad a few days before, bet he's not happy"
Hermione nods and looks down at her half empty glass.
"What?" I ask
"Barry's in St. Mungo's, he got hit by a combo of unknown spells from behind 3 days after he got fired, they don't know who attacked him, but I have an idea"
I can't believe what I've just heard. "Oh my god, is he ok now though?"
"Yes, he's recovering slowly but surely, he should be out in a few days"
"Good, and who do you think it is?"
"I can't be certain, but Barry remembered seeing a brown coat with small black detail on the shoulders, Cathy in the office said she saw something like that coat before in a shop in Diagon Ally. The man in the shop told us it was limited edition from some well known designer, I've never heard of him but he said only 5 of them were sold, so he obviously isn't that great"
I start to feel Hermione's going to trail off and start talking about clothes and designers "So what did you find out? Who do you think it is?"
"Well we traced the 5 coats, and one was bought by a Mr Ethan Ferrell"
"My boss…"
"Yes, your old boss. I was told not to look any further into the case but I reckon firing Barry wasn't enough for Ferrell, I reckon something went down between them two when Barry was sticking up for you"
"Hmm" I was trying to think the way Hermione was thinking. Ethan Ferrell was a nightmare towards me and I'm pretty sure he never liked me and wanted me out of the ministry the minute I got there. I know he could be a violent man and I had a feeling Hermione could be right"
She ruins my moment of thought "Anyway never mind about that right now, it's just something I came up with after over thinking the whole matter" She finishes her drink and stands. "I have to get going, Hugo's at his friends and I'll need to pick him up, Rose will be waiting for me at home with Ron, I promised I'd cook something nice tonight."
I follow her out of the bar and head home myself after giving her a hug goodbye.