Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or gain any money from this
Chapter 1
It had been three weeks after the battle, I realized while I was digging through the rubble, trying to find anything salvable for the new castle. Inspecting 'my troops', Dean, Neville and Seamus, I saw that neither of them had found anything of value in what used to be the East wing of Hogwarts. Some hairy legs were sticking out under the rocks, which I determinately ignored and continued our time-consuming task.
'Guys?' Neville spoke up, after yet another wasted corridor with no prize to show. 'I think we can mark this area as checked and blast the rubble so the House-Elves can start rebuilding. Seamus and Dean nodded in agreement, but I was distracted by swift approaching steps.
I'd recognize that pace everywhere, 'Let's wait till Harry's here. He should be here any second. Then we can divide the area fairly.' The words weren't out of my mouth yet or Seamus' hand shot to the ground. 'Dibs on the big rock over there!'
"Shite, I wanted that that one. No spider legs or blood near it, and a nice full power Reducto would clear my mind from the thoughts about Fred."
While we were inspecting the rest, Harry finally joined us, and from his expression I could tell his conversation with my sister didn't go as planned. Us being guys, we exchanged panicked looks. Silently, they all came to the same conclusion I had. He was my best mate, she was my sister, so I should be the one to broach the subject. Well, I wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing, right? Let's get this over with. Hermione better be proud.
'Harry?' Saying his name was enough for Harry to trigger his wand-grabbing reflex. I wasn't worried, he might pull his wand to my face but it took a lot for Harry to hex his friends. Even when Charlie accidentally woke him up Harry only shot sparks but stopped in time to recognize my brother instead of a threat.
'Are you okay?'
'Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it.' Ha. Typical, as if I wasn't expecting that one. Looking at the others' faces, they weren't surprised either.
'Sure, what did Ginny say?' Inwardly I cringed. "I knew Hermione would be better at this!" She would gently start the conversation, then ease him into the subject of my sister and finally make him confess what happened. Too bad she isn't around, as she was retrieving her parents from Australia.
She'd felt bad enough for obliviating them, so I wasn't surprised when the minute she got the chance, she jumped to find them and restore their memory. Before she left, she gave me instructions to watch over Harry, she was worried he'd lose himself since this was the first time in seventeen years he was free to do as he wished. When I told her I got his back, the radiant smile told me I was getting better at this relationship stuff. Plus, the Goodbye-Kiss she gave me was brilliant enough to make my Patronus rival Harry's.
'I don't want to talk about it.' Harry's reply got me back into the real world. Mentally I noted in my brain, "Don't think about Hermione when you need to focus!".
Seamus, good ol' Seamus seemed to realize I wasn't up to the task, so he took another approach. 'Look Harry, we really don't have time for this. You can have my big rock over there if you tell us what happened.' This seemed to get his attention. It really was a nice rock. Harry seemed to contemplate this.
'Alright fine, but promise you won't laugh.' Everyone nodded.
Harry took a deep breath, before spilling his story. 'Well, I just wanted to talk to her you know. See how she's doing, I mean we buried Fred last week for Merlin's sake and she was stuck in this hellhole for most of the year fighting off the Slytherins' and Carrows.' Not trying to dwell on that familiar ache when someone mentioned Fred, I just nodded again.
'I told her I wanted to be there for here, like I held her during the ceremony and help her see the light, like she did for me on my birthday.' Harry snorted, but it was without humor. 'That alarmed look she shot me then and there should've been enough but I wanted to know if she'd like that. She told me after this year she just wants to be normal.'
Ouch, we Weasley's really need to learn some tact. Dean winced and even Neville looked slightly angry hearing those words, even though he's grown a lot closer to Ginny the last year. But knowing Harry, he wouldn't give up without a fight, so apparently there was more. When I voiced that thought, Harry blanched.
'Well, when I was about to tell her that I wanted nothing more than live a quiet, normal life a couple of reporters found us and starting snapping pictures. I was blinded by the flashes, and when my eyes cleared I saw Ginny running outside, not once looking back. That's when I realized I could never give her what she wants. I'll never be normal.'
Dean, always the kind one, slapped Harry on the back. 'Harry, I know it sucks right now but it'll get better.' Looking Harry in the eye, he added, 'Trust me, I know how you feel.' Harry looked shocked, like he'd forgotten Ginny dated Dean before he and Ginny got together. I hadn't, but hearing this I might forgive Dean for that transgression. But Dean wasn't finished, 'And if it makes you feel better, I'm really happy you're not normal. 'Else we'd never escaped that bloody Manor and Luna told me some stories..' He shuddered, not able to continue.
Neville also clapped him on his back, as did Seamus to signal their support. Time to get my best friend back from these wankers. 'Harry, now might be a good time to start on that rock.' I called out.
That got him out of his stupor, as he looked at me with a shocked expression on his face. Did he think I'd blame him for trying to get back together with Ginny? Or maybe that he failed to get back with her? But then his shock was replaced with a soft smile, which morphed into a devious grin.
'I wasn't finished.' Harry said, that stupid grin still on his face. 'That was about two hours ago, I first went to speak with Dumbledore's portrait before I visited his grave. After that I went for a stroll in the Forbidden Forest.' I didn't need Hermione to tell me why he went to those two places. I grinned back.
'Why settle for normal, if you can be great, right mate?' I said, and Harry seemed happier, more whole than I've seen him all year. He drew out his new wand and aimed at the rock. We all felt the magical power build up before Harry cried out.
'Reducto!'
The rock exploded, leaving nothing but sand. The others eyed Harry with an awed expression. Harry just grinned as he crossed his arms across his chest, with the Elder wand in his right hand. I could just see ring around his left hand ring finger and from his pocket I saw the glistering material of his Invisibility Cloak.
Inwardly I sniggered, "Hermione's going to blow a gasket."
*Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi*
September first was bittersweet. Ginny and Hermione were going back to Hogwarts. After Hermione had found her parents, she spent the remainder of the Summer with me, occasionally Flooing back to her parents' house to eat with them. At first they were mad, but when they noticed the scars on her arms and neck, they relented. It'd probably helped she brought her Order of Merlin, Second Class. Even Muggles understood that something named after Merlin was a big deal.
The biggest downside of this Summer, after losing my brother and the general mood of course, was that Harry wasn't spending it at the Burrow. Ginny seemed shocked by this, but I wasn't surprised. Neither was I surprised that he wasn't going back to Hogwarts. Me and Neville, or, as Hermione kept reminding me, Neville and I, are starting in the Auror Replenishment Squad Expeditiously. Apparently the abbreviation finally made Hermione realize she needed to rename SPEW.
What did surprise me was that Harry didn't apply. I knew he wouldn't play Quidditch for a living. Retrieving the Deadly Hallows just for that would be ridiculous, but I thought he wanted to round up the remaining Death Eaters after the battle.
Turns out the prat wanted that as well, but silly little job titles as Aurors or Hitwizards didn't appeal to him anymore. Turns out he applied for a partnership with the Unspeakables, and he could consult with them at his leisure about everything and nothing. Harry Potter, Master of Death did have a nice ring to it.
Checking the clock, I noticed it was almost time for the girls to get on the train. Mum was still fuzzing over Ginny, while Dad helped Bill get both trunks on board. Recognizing the look Hermione shot me, apparently that's a job for the boyfriend to do. Whoops.
Smiling, I hugged her while apologizing with her hair in my mouth. Merlin I loved those bushy locks. When sunlight reflected on it, it really seemed alive. Releasing her slightly from my grip so I could bend my head down, Hermione happily obliged and faced upwards. I knew then and there that kissing her would never grow old.
Only mere seconds, or minutes for all I knew, we were disrupted by a familiar voice.
'Is this the moment?'
Breaking the kiss, I smiled at my best friend, who looked at me with a smug smile. Remembering the last time he asked the very same question, I replied, 'It's now or never, isn't it?'.
Harry looked better than three months ago. No longer skin and bones, though he wasn't sporting huge muscles. He had added a few pounds, none of them appeared to be fat. His face wasn't as white as it used to be and his eyes were less haunted. As I'm checking what he's wearing, I notice with a smirk that he's wearing a shirt Andromeda gave him. It's navy blue, with written in neon green letters Best Godfather ever. Guess that's another one of his 'mature fans', right along with McGonagall and Mum.
Hermione squealed and threw herself at Harry. Now noticing he wasn't alone, I turned to his blond companion, who was looking at me with wide eyes. 'Hey Luna, how's it going?' I hugged her, which startled her, if her slight jump was any indication.
'Why thank you Ron, I'm doing better than last year. The Nargle infestation at Hogwarts seems to be cleared so I think I'll do fine.'
Grinning, I shook my head. I'll never get used to Luna and her crazy theories, but she's looking much better than the last time I saw her. Saying that to her, she blushes. Luna Lovegood blushing! I thought I'd never see the day.
'Why thank you Ron,' she said again. 'I'm glad my appearance is appealing to you. I do hope it has the same effect on other boys.' What. That wasn't what I was going for. Fortunately, Hermione saves the day by hugging Luna fiercely, and Harry smacks my shoulder.
'Hi Ron, good to see you again.'
'You too mate, how's Kreacher and Grimmauld Place?' I really missed the little bugger and his amazing cooking. Not to mention he never nagged me to clean my room, as he'd gladly do it for me.
Harry laughed, 'Dunno, I've been staying at Luna's. Her father's in St. Mungos and I thought she shouldn't be alone now. Kreacher's been helping at Hogwarts and Andromeda.'
O wow, I quickly eyed Ginny, who'd turned red at Harry's answer. Harry appeared oblivious, but as he turned to greet my sister, I could see his shoulders tense. Slowly, he moved to meet her and gave her a short hug, giving her no time to reciprocate. 'Hi Ginny, I hope you have a perfectly normal year.' Mum got a short hug as well, only he whispered something in her ear that seemed to placate her.
Turning back to Luna, Harry didn't notice Ginny's eyes widening at his remark, nor did he see them narrow when he hugged Luna a lot longer, who in turn kissed him on the cheek before skipping to the train. Hermione gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as well, with the promise to write and dragged Ginny after her to the train. When the train started to move, Luna threw herself almost out of the window to shout, 'Harry! Don't forget to visit the Veela colony for leads on the Succubus for the Quibbler! You promised!'
All heads turned to where Harry stood a second ago, only to find him gone. Nervously, I play with my wand in my pocket. There's a piece of parchment that wasn't there before. I quickly pull it out.
Hey mate,
Knowing Luna, I'll have to disappear without really talking to you. I'll be out of the country for a while, doing Ministry business. Good luck with Auror training! If they give you or Neville shit, just ask what they were doing May first.
Or prank them, Fred and the Marauders told me they prefer that.
See you,
HJP
There are days that I question his sanity. Other days, like today, I'm questioning if Hermione's really the smart on out of the three of us, or if Harry's just playing a giant prank on us.
*Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi**Kiwi*
Of course, during the summer, Harry had been around to celebrate his birthday. Because he wasn't living at the Burrow, he only came around during dinner. After that, he went away with some of the DA to do something fun. Me and Hermione were invited of course, but because Ginny wasn't (Harry'd said what he'd planned wasn't normal enough to know for sure she'd like it, which shut Ginny up), Hermione didn't go so I left early after drinking some Muggle Lagers.
That night Harry'd made the front papers again. Apparating drunk into St. Mungo's with Neville in tow, Harry stumbled to the ward where Neville's parents were. Now I'm not sure if the Prophet's a reliable source for this, but Harry blocked the ward from all Healers and the next half hour you could hear him shouting Finite Incantatem, Reparo, Episkey Maximus, Protego Horribilis and for some reason Wingardium Leviosa.
Then, a loud plop was heard, the ward was accessible again for everyone and the Healers found Neville embracing his parents, completely cured, even though they continued to float.
On Ginny's birthday, Harry outdid himself. Now, I'd like to note that I love my sister very much. She's just screwing around my best mate who happens to be my brother in all but blood, so I'm siding with him on this. It's not that he has anyone else backing him up except Hermione, and Ginny has 4 other older brothers, so there.
Back to Ginny's birthday, Harry showed up, gave her a present and told everyone he couldn't stay as he wasn't working normal hours and a case he'd been working on was almost finished. Before anyone could question it, he'd apparated away. Ginny didn't look happy, but quickly opened his present. It was a Guinea pig in a cage, with a manual called "Care for Not-So-Fabulous Creatures, a Study into the Mundane". Yes, that is correct. A. Bloody. Guinea. Pig.
Her face was priceless; I'd prefer to have a photo of her face than the Canon's winning the League.
Of course, Harry being Harry, he'd also given her a real present. A Firebolt to be precise, with a note attached "For the new Quidditch Captain, may the broom serve you as well as he did me".
Huh, maybe Harry's not giving up on Ginny after all.
That's all. I hope you enjoyed the story from Ron's point of view. I'd love to hear what you think about the story, so please leave a review!
