Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own Harry Potter. I also feel I must inform you that I have gotten some ideas from forums, but virtually these are my predictions for the seventh book.
The months following Dumbledore's funeral were some of the hardest ones Harry ever had to endure. There was not a single day that went by where he did not think of his mentor. As it turned out, the Weasley's had managed to get their old Ford Anglia back and working. The flying car had always been one of Mr. Weasley's favorite possessions and whether he went through some elicit means to get it back was unclear, but the flying car was there. Without hesitation, the Weasley's had offered Harry and Hermione a ride to The Burrow, where Bill and Fleur's wedding would be taking place in a little under a fortnight.
The journey to The Burrow must have been one of the most uncomfortable experiences for Harry. Arthur, Molly, Charlie, Fred, and George were all seated comfortably up front, where the seats had been adapted for maximum occupancy. While Charlie was uncharacteristically immersed in a book about magical creatures, Fred and George were discussing their joke shop. Their parents were quiet; they were reflecting on the loss of the greatest wizard who had ever lived. In the back were Bill and Fleur, Ron and Hermione, and Ginny and Harry. At first they were all pretty quiet, thinking about Dumbledore, but that passed quickly. Since Mrs. Weasley was still not the biggest fan of flying the newly repainted light blue Ford Angela, they were driving. The trip was long enough while flying as Harry recalled from his second year, but driving took forever. After the first rest stop, all silence was gone. Bill and Fleur were giggling and laughing nonstop for the rest of the ride. Ron and Hermione were obnoxious. They would whisper to one another for hours and then start arguing about nothing. Repeatedly. It was a nightmare. And then there was him and Ginny. Somehow they had gotten stuck sitting next to one another, but they weren't speaking. Every so often one of them would say something, but it would be followed by a long and awkward silence.
When they finally got to The Burrow, Harry was annoyed beyond belief. The next week was filled with preparations for Bill's wedding. For the most part, Harry tried to stay out of the way. He mostly hid out with Ron's room, but pretty soon that was taken over by the rest of the Weasleys who had been kicked out of their rooms due to Fleur's relatives arriving. Harry basically had no escape. All he could think about was Dumbledore and watching him die. He was still in denial about it, and it was tearing him apart. Every time he closed his eyes he replayed the scene over and over again. He would wake up in the middle of the night screaming at the shock of seeing Snape kill the headmaster. Harry could not wait to find Snape. He would avenge the death of the man he so loved like the father he never had. He had contemplated how he would kill his former professor but could not decide on a slow and painful death or a simple and quick one.
Also constantly in Harry's mind was the quest to find the Horcruxes. The locket, the cup, the snake, something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's… There was a continuous struggle with his brain to figure out where each was hidden. It never ceased. He could not wait to get on his journey, though. He knew he had to make one last stop on Privet Drive as a promise to Dumbledore, but then he would be leaving the Dursley's for good. He thought he might also say a last goodbye to Mrs. Figg. He had seen her at the funeral, but didn't really speak with her. After that he would make his way to Godric's Hollow. It seemed odd to him that he suddenly had the feeling to go there, but he was determined to go. It would be good to visit his parents' grave, too.
The wedding was nice. It was held in the Weasley's backyard, and it was small. The newlyweds looked happy as they cut their cake and then Harry had to walk away from it all. He was still in mourning about Dumbledore, and he didn't feel right enjoying himself while so many murderers were on the loose. Apparently he was not the only one. He had snuck over to where they used to play Quidditch and he had run into Ginny. She was leaning against a tree crying. Tentatively Harry went over to her. He tapped her on the shoulder and then made sure it was okay before sitting down next to her. He was not sure for the exact reason of why she was crying, but he knew she had a lot of possible reasons. Her oldest brother had just gotten married for starters. Then there was the whole thing between them. Not to mention the death of Dumbledore among others. Together they just sat there by the tree until Ron and Hermione found them. It was dark, and they had been searching for the pair for an hour. They murmured apologies before awkwardly getting up and returning to The Burrow.
Two days later, Harry was determined to leave. He was plagued night and day by returning to the Dursley's, and he wanted to get it over with. The sooner the better, right? Mrs. Weasley was beside herself when he told her he was leaving that afternoon. She had been getting breakfast prepared when he informed her, and she started hysterically crying. Fred and George had insisted that she hadn't been that upset when they had told her they were leaving school for good to open a joke shop or that they were leaving home, but that only got them an evil glare from her. Then there was the other matter Harry had to deal with: Ron and Hermione were still insisting that they come with him. He knew the Dursley's would not want him alone there. He could only imagine the look on their faces if he showed up with two of his wizard friends. All hell would break loose. He knew that he would not win this argument, though. His two best friends were determined to go with him much to Mrs. Weasley's, along with his, dismay.
They said their goodbyes. Harry started with Ginny first. He wasn't sure what their status was since the wedding, but he felt he had to at least say goodbye. He could tell that she was still sore from their breakup, but she gave him a hug and then kissed him softly on the lips before whispering softly into his ear that she could wait as long as it would take. He walked out of her room – both of them were in tears. Then he made the rest of the rounds ending with Mr. Weasley. He pulled the trio outside and gave them what he called a goodbye-for-now present: the dearly beloved Ford Anglia. Ron asked his father if he was sure and when it was reaffirmed, he could not believe his luck. In the back of his mind he thought they would be forced to use The Knight Bus constantly, but this was ten times better. They gave Mr. Weasley one last thank-you and a goodbye and then they were gone. Ron was driving, more like flying, the repaired Ford Anglia to 4 Privet Drive.
About an hour later, Harry started to recognize the town where he spent his miserable childhood. He told Ron they were close, and he went in for a landing. This time, it was a lot smoother than previous ones, namely the experience with the Whomping Willow. Ron landed perfectly onto 4 Privet Drive, but not before passing Harry's old room. An immediate flashback of Ron, Fred, and George rescuing him from the window hit Harry. He remembered arriving at The Burrow at the first signs of morning only to have Mrs. Weasley greet him and her sons with such concern. Even though she was furious, it was the first time he had seen someone so loving and caring. Looking at the house they had just parked in front of, Harry took a deep breath. He was not sure what he was going to find inside. He felt better knowing that Ron and Hermione were with him, and for a few selfish seconds, he was glad.
So, I hoped you enjoyed it! Please R&R with some constructive criticism...Thanks!
