Harry Potter was not someone who would open up a lot in his life. His life was one of secrecy and quiet reflection. His friends knew that he never spoke about his life in the muggle world and although they would try and get him to open up, he would just simply change the subject of the conversation and if they pressed the issue then he would just stop talking altogether. The war had changed that slightly as now he spoke about little things. Still, no one knew anything about the major events of his life, nor did they ask anymore and he was grateful for that. Many had asked him what he planned to do now that there was peace. That was when people began to know who Harry Potter really was.

It began slowly, just a small fight here and some sparring when he was bored. Then Harry told his friends that he was going full time as a boxer. Hermione wasn't the biggest fan of his choice of profession, but she cared about Harry and told him that she would always support his decisions and that if it made him happy then she was happy. Ron hadn't seen muggle boxing, though after one of Harry's first fights he was hooked.

Harry's build and years of dodging spells had made him the perfect featherweight title fighter. At first, Harry was modest about his newly acquired fame in the muggle world, until he realised that he had earned it himself and that made him feel great.

It took him four years and two attempts, but Harry became the English featherweight champion. That was when the problems started. He had kept his relationship with Ginny going and the two of them had welcomed little James Sirius Potter into the world when he was nineteen and she was eighteen. Fatherhood wasn't going well for Harry and Ginny knew that. It had a year since their break up and Harry hadn't so much as asked to see his son. His magical friends rallied around her to show support and most hadn't spoken to him since. So there she was, sitting across from him in some shitty muggle café he would often go to when they needed to talk.

"What do you want, Ginny? I sent you the money last week."

"I know. And thank you for that...but..." She wiped her eyes. It was hard to speak with him as of late. "James wants to see you."

Harry sighed, sipping his cup of tea. "I thought you didn't want him around my friends?"

She frowned. "I don't want him around your druggie friends. Are you still clean?"

He nodded. "No coke for two months now. I told you that."

She smiled slightly. Harry's drug habits began after the war. She couldn't say anything about it though, she herself often smoked marijuana and her friends did the same. But she'd never do it when James was around or awake. Harry turned to heavier things as the years went by. The icing on the cake for Ginny was when she came home and found him snorting coke with his friends in front of James. She left him that night.

"I'm glad to hear it." She said truthfully. "Are they still at your flat all the time?"

He shook his head. "Keeping temptation away from me. I only see 'em at the gym or the bar."

"Do you want to see him?" She asked bluntly, keeping her eyes on his.

He stared into her eyes, observing her carefully. "Do you want me to see him?"

She scoffed. "Always dodging the hard answers. He's your son, Harry. He doesn't care what bad things you've done...he just wants to see you."

"You're the one who left me! What bad shit have I done to him?!" He shouted, slamming his hand on the table.

Ginny didn't flinch at his display of anger. She knew he would never harm a woman. "Doing drugs in front of him. The loud parties at 3a.m. when he was trying to sleep. Any of this ring a bell to you?" She shouted back. "Merlin, whatever happened to you as a child it doesn't excuse your failure as a father!"

His eye twitched at her words. "At least I can provide for my child. He doesn't wear second-hand clothes like you did. He never has to worry about things like that either. Plus, I've been providing for you since you quit the Harpies. Not to mention I pay for his preschool and his speech therapy."

She grit her teeth. "How dare you...maybe my father couldn't get us new things, but at least he was there for us! At least he loved his children! I quit the Harpies to look after our son! And James finished speech therapy five months ago! We called you to let you know the good news, but you didn't answer as usual!"

He stopped in his tracks once he heard that. "He finished..?"

She glanced at him. "Yes." She reached into her handbag. "Hear him for yourself." She placed her phone in his hand. Hermione had gotten her one of the new camera phones that were becoming affordable for people to get.

"Say hi to auntie Mione, Jamie."

"Hi Mione! Can you get daddy to answer his phone? Mummy keeps trying but he won't pick up."

A small tear trailed down his cheek as he listened to James talk. No stuttering. No shyness. "He's so clear now..."

She dropped a wad of cash on the table. "£1,500. Every penny extra from the therapy. Unlike you, I was raised with respect."

Harry looked at the money. "Keep it..." He wiped his eyes. "I...bring him by tomorrow. I'll take him to the zoo or something."

She nodded. "What time?"

"Bring him by in the morning. 7 if you want me to feed him breakfast. 7:30 if you're feeding him." He spoke softly.

############

Ginny walked towards the flat, holding James' hand in hers. "Now don't forget, tell daddy to call me when you're going back here for dinner."

"Ok." The small toddler smiled, knocking on the door. "DADDY!" He shouted.

Harry opened the door with a small smile. "Hey Jamie." He grinned, kneeling down to hug his son. "You hungry buddy?" James nodded quickly. "You eaten yet?" He asked Ginny.

"I was going to head for lunch later, I'm fine." She whispered.

"Nonsense. Come in." He smiled.

She walked into the flat. Well, got dragged in by James but she did follow. The flat had changed a lot since she moved out. The sitting room was an absolute mess and the kitchen table had boxing gear spread around it.

"This place is like a barn." She commented.

"I Only sleep here to be honest. Whenever I'm not here I'm usually training or volunteering." Harry explained. "I've got bacon and eggs for breakfast."

Ginny chuckled. "Like father like son." She commented lightly. "You volunteer?"

"Soup kitchen. Twice a week." He replied. "Then three days at the charity shop and my weekends at the children's hospital visiting dying fans."

She smiled at him. "Still got a heart of gold."

He shrugged. "Parents write to me. Ask me to come. Offer to pay me. I do it for free...their kids deserve to be happy...especially if..."

She nodded silently. "Yeah..."

He placed two plates in front of them. "Dig in."

"Where's yours?" She asked.

"You know I can't eat in the morning." He reminded her.

She had forgotten that. Harry never ate properly in the morning. If he did then it would usually end up being vomited up an hour later or would end up with terrible cramps. "Why is that?" She asked. "I've asked a thousand times."

He looked at her. "I never got breakfast in the Dursleys." He explained. "And if I did, it was a piece of bread."

She frowned. "Y-you weren't fed in the mornings..?" She asked horrified.

He shook his head. "If I was lucky, I ate once a day. And that was in school. Until the lunches in school cost money...sure, I got money for it...but Dudley would just rob it." He sighed. "I started therapy."

"When?" She whispered.

"Two months ago." He sipped his coffee, leaning against the counter. "It's a real help."

She nodded. "As long as you feel better."

Harry watched James closely. "It does. You and James both come up once in a while during sessions." He smiled at his son. "I'm working through the difficult stuff."

She brought the plates to the sink. "Good. So where are you and James going?"

"Well I was thinking about something reckless at first, but now I'm thinking about that new museum exhibit about nature."

Ginny stared at him. "Even Hermione would consider that dull." She smirked.

Harry smiled sadly. "How is she?"

She stared at him. It'd been a long time since they talked. "She's good...she and Ron broke up. He's in Romania for the World Cup and she's staying with her folks in Crawley."

He nodded quickly. "Huh." He ran a hand through his hair. "Guess school romances don't work on us." He pointed out with a humorous smile.

"Not one bit." She giggled. "Seriously, you'll put him to sleep with that idea."

Harry sighed again. "Damn. I can't bring him to the gym."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Harry stared at her. "My friends are there."

She slapped her forehead. "Right. Sorry...where's your next fight being held?"

He sipped the last of his coffee. "Local fight, little bar in town tonight. It's a charity thing my agent set up as part of a local council charity. Why?"

She grinned. "He'd love to see you fight."

He shook his head. "No way. He's three, I don't want him to see anything that violent."

She rolled her eyes. "He saw your title fight. He loves boxing..."

He bit his lip. "Fine. But that's hours away."

She handed him the money from the previous day. "Shopping spree then. Buy him some basic gear."

"He's too young. The stuff starts at age seven." He explained.

She frowned. "Well...what about a trip to Godric's Hollow?"

He gulped. "I haven't been there since..."

"I know. But I know Hermione goes once a month. To honour their memory. In her eyes, without them, you wouldn't have been able to defeat Voldemort."

He nodded. "I agree. Without their death...I wouldn't have been able to...you know."

She hugged him slightly. They had talked about the last battle a few times. Especially when Harry had walked to his death. She felt him tighten the hug with a small sniffle. "Shh." She rubbed his back. "I know...I know."

He let go a moment later, wiping off the tears. "There's one thing I've been wanting to do." He whispered. "Wanna join us?"

"Depends, what is it?" She asked nervously.

He just grinned. "You'll see."

###############

Ginny chuckled as she saw her son zoom around the toy store with more speed than a Firebolt. "You're insane. Bringing him here and telling him to buy whatever he wants...you're going to spoil him."

"I never got to come to places like this, Gin." He sighed. "I never got presents...not until Hagrid made me a cake and bought me...Hedwig."

She squeezed his shoulder. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're raising him the best way possible." He smiled. "Good thing I brought extra cash."

"Should we stop him?" She smirked.

"Not yet. He's only at £2,500." He laughed. "Dr. Andrews said the average upper class family from '81 to '98 would spend £50,000 within three years. I plan to spend £300,000 on him within five years. I know it sounds stupid...but he's a great kid. Money is nothing to me, Ginny. All I want is for him to be happy."

She couldn't help but smile. "Speaking of. What's with the muggleness? You're never in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade anymore. Not to mention my parents haven't seen you in years."

"I like the muggle world. True, I'm famous here too. But I've earned this fame, Ginny. I have fans who say that they want to be like me. Who want to know my training routines and diets." He grinned. "I'm no longer the boy-who-lived, I'm finally Harry Potter."

She rolled her eyes. "You were always Harry Potter to me."

"I know. But we could never just go out in the Wizarding World, Gin." He pointed out. He watched James closely, smiling at him.

She couldn't fault that fact. "Fair enough. Harry, are you sure you can afford all this?" She asked nervously.

"I settled things up with Gringotts last year. Between that and my endorsements, I'm fine financially." He whistled over at James. "Come on mister, leave some for the other kids."

"Ok." James ran over to them.

"Jamie, why do you have dollies?" Ginny asked gently.

"For Victorie, Roxanne, Molly and Dominique." He said softly.

Harry smiled. "That's my boy." He ruffled the boy's hair.

Ginny walked to the checkout with them, shaking her head at the multiple bags. "He's got to be the best cousin ever."

Harry nodded slightly less enthusiastically. "Yeah..."

The three of them walked out of the store, walking towards a great looking park to relax. James went straight towards the playground, allowing the parents to relax on the grass.

"What was Dudley like?" She asked softly.

"Brutish, small minded and a psychopath. His friends were just the same. I've lost count of the beatings and burns I suffered from them. He's sort of better now. He calls me from time to time but I never answer. In my experience, people never fully recover from things like what he put me through." He walked towards an ice cream truck, grabbing three cones. James ate his on a swing while Harry and Ginny watched him. "I stopped caring about them a long time ago."

"I understand that. I think they'd be detrimental to your healing right now." She licked her cone. "Remember the time we shagged in this park?"

"Was it this one?" He smirked. "I thought it was Hyde Park?"

She laughed. "We did it there too. But we shagged here when you started boxing. Remember, we got chased by the police. God we were perverted back then."

"It was a challenge back then." He smiled, laying back on the grass. "I think the best time was the Burrow."

"When we got caught?"

"Yeah. Remember Ron's face?" He laughed.

She thought for a moment. "Yes! Oh he nearly had a coronary." She giggled.

"Well if I saw my baby sister bouncing on some guy's cock I'd be the same way." He said softly.

She blushed. "We were so active back then. It's hard to believe we've only one son."

He nodded. "Yeah. We were. I'm sorry, Gin."

"For what?" She asked.

"Ruining our relationship." He whispered. "For throwing away the best thing that ever happened to me in my pathetic life. For choosing drugs and alcohol over you and James."

She turned to look at him. "Harry..."

"I was an arrogant prick to you and I was a terrible father to James. I don't have a lot of regrets, Gin...but losing you and James...that killed me..." He wiped his eyes.

"We're still here, Harry." She whispered.

"Not like you used to be." Tears slipped down his cheeks as he spoke. "You did the right thing, leaving me..."

She rubbed his back. "Therapy is really good for you." She whispered, holding onto him. "I don't think I've ever seen you this open."

"It helps." He wiped his eyes. "I miss you." He said softly. "I miss you loads. I've never been as miserable as I've been without you and James in my life." He reached out and stroked her cheek. "You're an amazing mother." He kissed her forehead.

She kept her hold on him, smiling. "I like this new sensitive Harry. Though his friends probably hate him."

He chuckled. "Little bit." He admitted.

"You're an amazing person, Harry. You've had problems in the past few months and I think you're going on the right path now." She stroked his cheek gently. "I miss you too. But it'll take time...you chose drugs instead of him...I need time to forgive..." She didn't know when the tears started, all she knew was they weren't stopping. "I love you, but he comes first."

"I know." He wiped away her tears. "I love you too, Gin. But James needs us to be able to work together. I'm not ready for a relationship yet. I'm still a mess."

She nodded, holding onto him. "We both are." She laughed slightly. "I have panda eyes now."

"I think you look lovely." He held her close. "I'm going to work harder with him. I'm ready to be his father."

"You were always his father, Harry. You're starting to become what he needs though, his dad." She lay back on the grass. "So, charity fight?"

Harry nodded, resting his head on his arm. "I wanted to help a local charity. So I've set up an event. One round against me. If they last three minutes, I'll donate a grand. Ten rounds, ten grand."

She smiled. "You're going to throw the fights, aren't you?"

"I'll throw one or two and then I'll beat the crap out of whoever they put against me. Then I'll do something cool." He smiled, watching James playing around. "He's a giant now." He gave a lazy grin. "It's hard to think he's nearly four. Only five months to go." He wiped his eyes again.

"Yeah. It'll be time for preschool then." The fear in her voice was evident to him.

"Hey. He'll be fine, Ginny. Let's be honest, it's hard for magical parents to let their children go to any form of school." He turned to her, smiling at her. "It's the start of his education and the start of his important socialising years."

Ginny watched him. "Have you been reading child psychology books?"

He nodded. "Yeah. They're really interesting. Plus, I don't plan to box forever. I've two years max left before serious damage could be done to my head. I'm thinking about working in the Wizarding World to help it come into the 21st century. Psychology isn't something that's available in our world. Take our first years in Hogwarts. My encounter with Voldemort and yours should've gotten us therapy for our respective traumas. Bellatrix Lestrange should've been given medications for her psychosis problems."

She watched him with curious eyes. "And you're going to change things?"

He nodded. "I'm studying to be a psychologist in my spare time and Dr Monroe has agreed to help me if I choose to pursue it as a career."

She ruffled his hair gently. "You're such a...a changed man. I've always known that you were sensitive about your upbringing and I never tried to push you too much, but I'm really proud of how far you've come."

"I'm not healed yet, Ginny." He closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of nature.

"I know you're not. But I'm glad to see you talking about it." The sight of him relaxing on the grass brought back memories of their relationship that she had missed. "Remember when you proposed?"

He laughed quietly. "I do indeed. You said no..."

She bit her lip. "I didn't want to see you tied down because we were going to be parents. You were finally living and...I didn't want you to feel shackled by me..."

"You assume I would have felt shackled down, that I only proposed because of him." He opened his eyes, turning to her. "I proposed to you because I love you. It hurt when you said no, but I hid the pain...I hid the tears." He whispered.

Ginny stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry." She whispered back.

"Have you dated anyone in the last year?" He asked curiously.

"No. I've been focused on James and the family." She rested her head on his chest. "What about you?"

"I've had sex a couple of times." He admitted.

She chuckled. "I well...let's just say aunt Mione helped Mummy with some 'personal stuff' last month."

"Damn! Aunt Mione's a freak." He grinned. "Is she a screamer or a squirter?"

She slapped his arm gently, feeling him stiffen up. "Sorry..." She bit her lip. "Talk about it...I'm here." She whispered.

He closed his eyes, shaking slightly. "I was a grade A student at one time. The Dursleys didn't like that I was smarter than Dudley. When report cards were issued, so were the bruises." He sighed. "That scar on my back,"

"The one from the Horntail?" She asked curiously. She remembered the scar well.

"I got it from a belt..." He whispered in a low voice. "I hate that scar, Gin. I hate that I let myself become a fucking moron because I was scared of that damn belt...I hate myself for what I allowed myself to become...I had a future, Gin." He cried gently.

She held on to him, whispering comforting words in his ear. "Don't hate yourself, you're an amazing person Harry. They treated you like a...a slave." She watched James approach them. "Daddy's ok baby, he's just a little tired." She whispered softly.

James snuggled into his parents, holding onto his daddy. Harry placed an arm around him, kissing his forehead as he tried to relax himself. He couldn't let his son see him like that. After a few minutes he managed to compose himself enough to sit up and tickle James.

##########

The bar Harry was fighting in was a quaint little one that reminded Ginny of the Leaky Cauldron and she had to admit, their make shift 1800s boxing ring was an impressive one. She had James on her lap, relaxing as she glanced at the walls. Pictures of a local children's football team flooded the otherwise bare area. She could see the locals were big fans of Harry's and she was glad to see he was still a down to earth person.

"Ladies and gentlemen," The announcer called out. "Welcome to the Jumping Horse Fight Night. I'm Jack and I'll be your announcer, referee and pain in the butt until 11pm. Welcome to the ring, Harry 'Lightning Fist' Potter!" He screamed.

Everyone cheered as Harry walked into the ring. He wore his black shorts and matching gloves with the now trademarked lightning bolt patterns on the sides. He gave a couple of shadow punches, bopping his head around. He stood in the middle of the ring, grinning widely.

"Got any words, Champ?" Jack asked.

Harry cracked his neck. "I hope you have a fleet of ambulances on standby." He laughed.

A round of hoots were blasted at him as he raised his arms. Ginny laughed at the cocky way he acted when he was in the ring. He watched as the first person got in the ring. She couldn't believe the man, he had to have been close to sixty.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this man needs no introduction, but let's give him one anyway. The local legend, the man from Japan whose punches feel like a transit van. Welcome to the ring, Hadashi!" Jack screamed. "One three minute round. Ready? Fight!"

Harry tapped gloves with the man, throwing two quick jabs to his ribs. The man threw a fierce left uppercut to Harry's chin.

"Ooh, a harsh shot from Hadashi. The man is a killing machine." Jack whistled.

Harry stood fazed for a moment, blinking his eyes as he dodged another punch. He was originally going to throw the fight, but he didn't have to. Hadashi was a tough cookie. He felt a large pain in his jaw as he hit the ground. He blinked again as he sat on the stool.

"And the round one winner is Hadashi!" Jack laughed.

One by one Harry fought and defeated the other nine contenders. He was panting as he stood in the middle of the ring. "Ok. The agreement was a grand a round. Hadashi managed to get the local club one thousand pounds. Let's be honest, it's not a lot for these kids to get a new indoor pitch. Jack told me that the team needs £30,000 to get everything. Well, Hadashi got them a grand...and I'm giving the remainder! I love this community. You've all been there since my first local fight and you've stood by me since then." He handed Jack a cheque. "These kids are big fans and Harry Potter takes care of his fans." The people cheered loudly for the young man in front of them. He took one bow before he got James to come over to him. He sat James on his shoulders, grinning widely. "Besides, what kind of father would I be if I didn't set a great example for my son?" He placed the boy back on the ground, kissing his forehead.

Ginny grinned at the sight of her son and Harry in the ring. He placed his arms around his son, smiling widely. She smiled back at him, sipping her glass of wine. The atmosphere of the pub was great for the kids who were present. She watched Harry walk over to her and sat down.

"That was fun." He smirked, rubbing his swollen jaw.

"Want some ice for the pain?" She asked, chuckling at the redness. "That old man packed a mean punch."

He shrugged. "Hadashi is one of the oldest fighters around here and he's a damn good sparring partner."

She rolled her eyes, placing a glass of ice at the tender spot. "You'll never be normal, you know that, right?" She teased.

"I know." He smirked. "I'm used to all this stuff now, Gin." He smiled as the lounge girl brought him a pint. "Thanks. Published it on my tab and tell everyone that the next one's on me." He sipped the cold lager.

Ginny chuckled. "If he's buying, then I'll have a vodka tonic with a slice of lemon." She smiled at the girl. "Any plans for tomorrow night?"

"None. Why..?" He thought for a moment. "No! There's no way I'm spending a Sunday at the Burrow. Your mum wants my balls in a vice!" He shook his head.

"Please?" She begged. "I want you to try and mend fences with my family..."

Harry watched her for a moment. Things didn't go well the last time he had been at the Burrow. Molly's discovery of his drug use had caused a large canyon between him and Molly. "You know that won't happen..."

"She's not angry, Harry. She was, for a long time...but she knows she had no right to speak to you like that. For James, please?"

He sighed softly. "Fine." He nodded.

##########

Harry stood outside the Burrow, smoking a cigarette while he had a moment to himself. The dinner so far had been tense and he needed a moment to himself.

"Any chance I can rob one of those?" A feminine voice called out softly.

Harry nodded, placing the open carton close to her hand. "Help yourself, Fleur."

Fleur smiled at him, lighting her smoke. "I needed this. The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife."

He scoffed. "Who you telling?" He took a long drag. "I get it. I fucked up. I chose drugs over my girlfriend and son and I fucked up..." He shook his head. "I'm only human, Fleur."

She glanced at him. "What happened? You and Molly were once so close."

Harry chuckled. "I haven't been here since a week after the break up. I came to talk to Ginny and Molly gave me this huge speech about how much I should be ashamed of myself and how I should put James and Ginny first." He finished his smoke. "She was right of course. But then she started criticising my parents...saying that I'd be more well adjusted if my parents hadn't been so idiotic and died..."

"She didn't..." Fleur gasped.

"She regretted it. I could see that." He said softly. "But...I lashed out. I told her at least my parents had the common sense to ensure they could afford to have a child."

"A fair point." Fleur pointed out.

"I shouldn't have said it." He closed his eyes. "They hate me, Fleur." He chuckled weakly. "I have become Phlegm."

She laughed at the old nickname Ginny used to use for her. "Fuck them." She whispered. "We don't deserve the shit we've taken from them. You are a good father, Harry. You made mistakes but you're trying to make amends for them."

He smiled. "Thanks. I just want to be a good dad."

She looked over at him. "Bill doesn't like the fact Victorie is Veela. I can see it in his eyes. He wants her to be like the rest of them..." She wiped her eyes. "I'm sick and tired of feeling like shit. I've just had another baby and I deserve some personal time."

He nodded. "Congrats by the way. Hard to believe Victorie's three this year."

"Oui. Your goddaughter has missed you." Fleur smiled. "As has her mother. Gone are the days when I 'repaid' you." She smirked. "Do you remember that night?"

Harry laughed loudly. "Indeed. You bloody terrified me."

She slapped his head gently. "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it."

He laughed again. "Mon chéri, it was one of the best nights of my life."

"Mine too..." Fleur sighed. "Does she know?"

"Nope. Does he?"

"No." She finished her smoke. "We had good fun back then."

"That we did." He looked at her. "Let's head back inside.

She sighed. "Yeah..." She walked in beside him, immediately going to her children.

Harry sat beside Ginny, listening to Percy and Bill argue about some stupid magical thing.

"What do you think, Harry?" Percy asked.

Harry thought for a moment. "Well...what are you talking about in the first place?"

Bill smirked. "Percy thinks that Azkaban should be closed and a new prison formed to show that the new administration is not going to revert to the ways of the Fudge and this dummy thinks that it'll be a good idea."

Harry sipped his wine, thinking for a moment on the actual point of conversation. "It has merit. But it would have to depend on the budget that the Ministry can allow for it. If the Ministry tries to push it through then it could cause a recession and according to this morning's paper, the magical economy is still in a delicate state."

Percy scoffed. "Things like Azkaban should be closed and I would think you'd agree with that, Harry."

Harry frowned. "Why? Because Sirius was imprisoned unfairly?" Everyone held their breath for a moment. Harry never spoke about Sirius without it ending badly. "Sirius was a case of government mishandling." He reminded Percy. "Azkaban should be closed down, but not until they have the available tax money to build a new prison."

Molly entered as he finished his sentence. "And how will they get taxes when most citizens are leaving to the Muggle World? An economy is only as strong as the people who spend within it."

"That's true. But if the Wizarding World continues to live in the 20th Century then the more liberal citizens will leave to a place where they're not judged by others for living their lives in whatever way they choose." He sipped his wine.

Molly observed him for a moment, sitting across from him. "You never were subtle."

"Neither were you." He chuckled. He removed his jacket, earning a gasp from half the women at the table.

"When did you tattoo your arms?!" Molly demanded to know.

Harry thought for a moment. "Six months ago. Maybe seven." He shrugged.

"And why would you mark your body like that?" She asked sternly.

"Because it's my body, Molly." He said simply. "I knew coming here was a mistake." He stood up.

"And what do you mean by that?" She asked coldly.

"I mean, I'm sick of being treated like a bad guy for making an honest mistake." He shouted. "I'm sick of you insulting me because of last year. I apologised for my remarks while you just ignored it." He put his jacket on. "I told you this wouldn't work." He said to Ginny.

"Mum, Harry...stop this." Ginny begged.

Harry kissed her cheek. "I tried." He whispered softly. "But I'm done feeling responsible for everything."

George glanced at him. "No one here blames you, Harry."

He sighed. "I did for long enough, mate. I sat here and I took whatever shit that Molly said to me about everything from my parenting skills to my choice of job." He frowned. "I'm a human, just like you and everyone else in this room." He walked towards the door. "Thanks for reminding me why I left the Burrow in the first place."