A.N.: Hi everyone :) This is my story From Out the Golden Mist. Its all DH compliant except that it basically replaces the epilogue. Think of this chapter as a sort of prologue for the story though. I plan for the actual story to take place during the 19 years gap, and possibly even beyond. This chapter is basically Harry stepping out of the Mist. This is Harry finding himself in a world that is right and good for once, and having to deal with the strangeness of it. Hope you enjoy, hope you review :)

- TheSiilverLining

A.N. from Aug 2011: Hello Dear reader :) Just want to let you know a little bit about how this story is developing. I originally started this story 4 years ago, very soon after the release of DH. I wrote a few chapters, but then life took over and this story was abandoned since then. I took up this story again near the end of this July and have been steadily chipping away at it. For the time being at least, you can expect SOME sort of regular update. Nothing as long as 4 years, promise :) The second thing I want to say is that from the time that I started this story till now, there are pieces of information that JK has shared with us outside of the books that change some of the details already written. Due to that, and because my writing style has certainly changed in the last four years, I am going to work on reworking up all of the chapters that were written earlier. The story will NOT change, just some minor details and the writing. That all for now :) Enjoy reading!

- The Siilver Lining

Immediately, the world righted itself. Harry fell forwards onto his knees on the wonderfully solid ground. He felt temporarily limp with shock. He took a deep, steadying breath, then got up again, and hurried forwards, looking back over his shoulder as he ran out of the golden mist, which twinkled innocently at him in the moonlight.

-Goblet of Fire

From out the Golden Mist

Harry savoured the slowness of life after the Final Battle. He rather reveled in the safeness of it, and the sureness that every new day brought. He was gone. Gone. There was once a time when he couldn't see past the blinding green light that had once, twice robbed him of everything dear. Harry had lived enough of life for 7 people during his 17 years on the planet. He thought he had lived it all; and then, it was as if he walked out from that golden mist. Suddenly the world had righted itself. The sky once rent with darkness was now drenched in light. As if this had not been difficult enough to comprehend, this new sunlight-dappled world was inked with sadness. Oh, there was sadness. How not after the deaths of so many he loved? And there was guilt. As far as Harry was concerned, it was his fault his small godson was now parentless, an eerie echo of his own fate. Dobby who had died with Harry's name on his lips, and Hedwig who had deserved a much better manner of life than she had at Number 4 Privet Drive had served him as friends of unwavering loyalty. There was guilt and grief for even those who Harry had not harboured great fondness for such as Rufus Scrimgeour.

It was only later in life that Harry understood that in this period of receding darkness it was easier to deal with the feelings of sadness, of sorrow and guilt. These sensations were familiar to Harry; thus far it was nearly all that he had known in life. It was much more difficult to contemplate this strange sense of safety and relief. It was stranger to think that never again would he be forced to peer into the mind of Tom Riddle and see cruelty and death. Never again would he be sent retching from the ice hot pain in his forehead. Never again would people he loved feel Voldemort's cold hand of death close on their lives…

And yet, it was too late to bring them back; Lupin, and Tonks, Fred and the many others that had died in Harry's name. It was in anguish that Harry had approached Mrs. Weasley, the mother of his heart, after the Final Battle. Harry did not know what words would be enough to explain the tearing feeling of remorse. He did not know how to tell her that he was sorry she would have to bury her own son. How does one ask for forgiveness for putting an entire family into danger? What could he say to her to make her recognize how very sorry he was for putting her through all this? Her husband lethally attacked, her eldest son scared for life, one son estranged, one maimed, her youngest son pushed to his breaking point, and her only daughter abducted by evil itself. And of course…there was Fred.

In the hours after the last stand, Harry walked again into the Great Hall and made his way towards where the Weasleys were congregated around three covered bodies. Mrs. Weasley, with tears on her face stood when Harry drew near. His heart was filled with sorrow but there also lurked a selfish desire and hope that the Weasleys could forgive him, that he would not lose them too. He knew that they could never intentionally hurt him, but deep inside he wondered whether Mrs. Weasley could bear to call him Son again. However the time for misery in Harry's life had passed.

"Oh Harry, Dear" Mrs. Weasley whispered as she reached up to take his head in her hands. She lowered his head towards her and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Oh Harry, your alright. Thank goodness you're alright." Her voice croaked and she closed her eyes against the fresh tears.

It was too much for Harry, he did not fight the tears that came to his own eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley." He whispered to her, a trace of plea in his voice. "I'm so sorry."

But she was shaking her head now, a trace of a smile on her face. She drew him into an embrace and whispered so that only he could hear,

"It's alright now, Harry."

And Harry knew it really would be alright.

There was a sense of closure as Harry came to accept his new life. He relished every second knowing that many more happy moments were his. He spent the summer with the Weasleys and Hermione playing quidditch in the orchard and degnoming the garden. He filled himself up on Mrs. Weasley's excellent cooking and to his credit learned some of her tricks. Harry resumed his steady relationship with Ginny once again. It was slow, painfully, teasingly slow. Ginny was sharp however, and she knew that it was what Harry needed. She knew that his greatest fear was that one day he would awake with his scar burning and Voldemort's cruel voice ringing in his ears. She could not blame him for thinking it was all too good to be true. She was patient, and she would wait for him as she had before. Harry on the other hand took sheer joy in knowing that they had their whole lives ahead of them. The pressure to say the right thing at the right time was lifted and every second spent in the company of Ginny was like a benediction. With time on his side, he and Ginny made up for the stolen time. He took pleasure in every midnight broom ride with his arms about her waist, and every second spent cooking breakfast with her. That summer he was everything he wanted to be: a good boyfriend, a good son, and free to live his life.

Harry's 18th birthday was a quiet bittersweet affair, with only his most beloved friends in attendance. An afternoon of quidditch ended with an evening of Mrs. Weasley's finest food and cake. After that, the summer seemed to fly by, each day more glorious then the last. Soon it was September 1st and Harry, Ron and Hermione accompanied Ginny to the Hogwarts Express. Harry had not yet told anyone that his own personal limbo greatly resembled King's Cross Station. It made sense however, he mused. This had been where his life had turned; this is where he entered that golden mist that threw his life upside down. It was only fitting that it would be the place where he would step out of it, where things would for once be right. Harry smiled vaguely as he helped Ginny with her trunk and kissed her goodbye. It's not really goodbye at all, he thought as he stood with Ron and Hermione and watched the train pull away.

With the help of Mr. Weasley and Aberforth, Harry, Ron and Hermione had found a small cottage which they rented for themselves at Hogsmeade. It was a cozy dwelling with two levels and three bedrooms. There was also a pleasant kitchen and small sitting room. Hermione beamed as she walked around the small upper level of the house, which was to be hers. She had always detested the lack of privacy afforded in the school dormitories and relished the idea of an entire floor of her own. There was even a small sunlit room with scores of shelves for all of her books. Harry and Ron had claimed the ground level of the cottage. Although, Harry mused snidely, remembering the enthusiasm that which Hermione and Ron had kissed during the Final Battle, he wondered how long this arrangement would last. Then again, Harry was not sure that Hermione could bring herself to abandon her library on the top floor.

They would only be staying in this house for a year, however. Though all three of them were awarded honourary NEWTS, Hermione insisted that they stay close to Hogwarts to be tutored by its professors in the evenings. Professor McGonagall who was now Headmistress greatly approved of the idea, and welcomed her three former Gryffindors. Even Ron rather liked the idea. He and Harry had come to the unspoken conclusion that now that the Ministry was in competent hands, they would aim to be Aurors. It seemed the natural thing to do for both of them. Hermione was less decided and welcomed the opportunity to learn all she could in order to make her choice. Harry did not bother pretending why he was so pleased to be near Hogwarts once again. He never once missed watching Ginny in a Gryffindor math.

Professor McGonagall sighed as she looked up from her desk and out the window. She was not as young as she once was, and although her love for Hogwarts was unwavering, she did not pretend that retirement had not crossed her mind. Her eyes scanned the pink horizon and she watched the graceful sun setting across the lake. Her old eyes then fell upon a rather more beautiful sight.

"Filius, come and see this a moment."

Professor Flitwick was in the process of removing the protective enchantments from the portraits of the circular room. They were in due need of a good cleaning. He promptly lowered his wand, though at McGonagall's request.

"Yes, Minerva?"

"There, under the beech tree. Tell me, who do they look like?" She asked softly.

Professor Flitwick's expression softened as he smiled through the window.

"Why, if I didn't know better, I would say they were –"

"Lily and James." interrupted the voice of Professor Slughorn, who had just entered the office. "Goodness, the likeness is almost eerie, wouldn't you say?"

The three professors simply smiled as they spied on a man with a shock of unruly black hair and a young woman with long red hair dressed in Gryffindor quidditch robes, their arms entangled around each other.

"Miss Weasley ought to be indoors, it's nearly dark." commented the Headmistress without much conviction.

"I think we can look, the other way this once. After all she is with Harry Potter."

Ginny smiled into Harry's shoulder as he wrapped his cloak around them both against the chilly October wind. It was cold and it rustled the leaves of the beech above them, but Ginny shared Harry's warmth and they were quite cozy. She closed her eyes as Harry held her to him.

"What did you think of the new Beaters?" Ginny inquired lazily.

Harry considered for a moment before answering. "Nothing to your brothers, but they're not bad at all. The larger one swings too early though."

"I'll mention it to him." she said, but Harry wasn't listening. His lips had found hers and they both descended into a state of rather ignorant bliss. Quite ignorant enough not to notice three professors watching them, all with tender expressions on their faces.

Soon the grounds were covered in a blanket of crisp snow, and their little village resembled a picture from a Christmas card. Snow collected on the sills on the cottage's windows, and icicles hung from the eaves. The little cobblestone path leading from the gate to the entrance was kept clear of snow on most days by Harry and Ron. The days leading to Christmas were spent in a whirlwind of snowball fights and quiet nights by the fire. Ginny joined them the weekend before Christmas holiday and the four of them spent the day wandering the streets of Hogsmeade, Harry and Ron begrudgingly laden with bags of Christmas shopping while Hermione and Ginny flitted from store to store adding more to the boy's arms. Christmas at the Burrow was as spectacular as always, but no one tried to hide the hole left by the absence of Lupin and Tonks, Mad-eye and especially Fred.

Christmas day dawned bright and cold. Harry had heard the click of his door being opened and raised his head an inch, squinting into the brightness of the room. He recognized the small figure with flaming hair cascading down her back. Ginny, already dressed in her Weasley jumper tip toed across the wooden floor towards Harry's bed. She had not noticed that he was up, and Harry thought he might humour her. Ginny quietly crept on the bed and straddled what seemed to be Harry's sleeping form. She laid a sweet kiss on Harry's jaw and whispered into his ear wickedly,

"Harry Potter, stop pretending to be asleep, wont you?"

Ginny gasped as Harry opened his eyes at once and maneuvered Ginny so that she was lying nearly on top of him.

"Morning, love." he said calmly.

"Oh you quick devil!" she laughed, as she laid her head on his chest. "Happy Christmas, Harry."

"You too." He replied as he shifted to kiss her. Just then though, Ron and Hermione bounded into the room their fingers entwined, their faces glowing. Ron swept aside their hasty explanations and instead lifted Hermione's left hand so that Harry and Ginny could see.

"She said yes!" Ron exclaimed, an expression of rather manic delight on his face.

"Of course she did, mate! Congratulations!" Harry embraced Ron and thumped him on the back.

"Ohhh! It looks even more beautiful on your finger, Hermione!" cried Ginny, her hands around Hermione's. It was lovely indeed. A simple silver band with a glittering oval sapphire set inside a cluster of ten tiny, gleaming pearls. Ginny laughed at Hermione's slight confusion.

"You didn't think we'd let Ron go choose one all by himself, now did you?" remarked Harry as he released Ron, and gave Hermione a warm hug as she laughed. "So have you two decided on a date?"

"Not yet," said Hermione. Her hand had found its way back into Ron's. Harry was thrilled to see his best friends so joyful finally. They were young, but it didn't matter; they had been through more together than most people endure all their lives.

"We've decided to wait. Hermione wants to get qualified first, and we're waiting until we both have secure jobs. I just thought I should claim her before someone else does" grinned Ron, looking down at his fiancé.

"Never mind that," said Ginny matter-of-factly, "The important thing is that there's time still for Hermione to see sense and change her mind!"

In a jumble of laughter, they descended the rickety staircase into the Burrow's kitchen. They had dallied in Harry's room, and the Kitchen was already filled with familiar faces, here for Christmas breakfast and opening presents. Ron stopped on the bottom step and addressed the whole room with his announcement. There was a roar of approval at his words, and Mrs. Weasley burst into tears. Ron's hand was shook by every one in the room, and Hermione was kissed by all.

"Oh I knew, I knew!" cried Mrs. Weasley as she held Hermione's face in her hands, tears streaming down her careworn face. Hermione beamed at everyone and Ron looked pleased as punch.

Harry and Ginny hung back slightly from the loving chaos and watched in amusement. Harry put his arms around Ginny, and watched from behind her shoulder the scene before them. Shifting slightly, he silently summoned something from his room. Turning Ginny around, he placed a long red velvet box into her hands.

"Merry Christmas, Love."

Ginny opened the box in her hands, and Harry saw her face light up. Inside was a charm bracelet, wrought of the finest gold Ginny had ever seen. Harry had toyed with the idea of a locket, but after the Horcruxes he was rather put off by them, and he wouldn't have been surprised if Ginny felt the same. The bracelet was lovelier than anything else Ginny owned. Dangling from the chain was a miniature snitch, its delicate wings nearly transparent, a tiny broomstick, the Gryffindor lion and crest, a heart, a rose a lock and key, and finally a small bolt of lightning. The bracelet exuded a soft golden glow that lit Ginny's face.

"Oh, Harry - - Harry, it's so beautiful." Murmured Ginny in amazement as Harry fixed the clasp around her wrist. She put her arms around him and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. It was sweet and gentle and when it was over Ginny laid her head on Harry's shoulder, still held close to him.

"I love you, Ginny."

He had waited so long to say it, and it was with tears in her eyes that Ginny returned his affection, the words tasting sweet like honey in her mouth.

"I love you too, Harry"

A.N. Well there it is :) please REVIEW if you enjoyed.