AN: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.
*THIS IS JUST A LITTLE STORY THAT POPPED IN MY HEAD. PLEASE READ AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK. RATED M TO BE SAFE.
*ENJOY!
June 2005
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were nervous. But, they knew they needed to do this. It had been long enough, and they were ready. Finally.
Seven years ago, about a week after Ginny and Hermione went back to Hogwarts, they took off. They knew what was expected of them in life, and decided to go on a few non Voldemort related adventures first.
Harry knew he was expected to marry Ginny, become an Auror, and become a boring old man. He wanted a family of his own someday, but the thought of being a regular wizard before he was 20 was a scary thought. When he said 'someday', he meant down the line, not in just a few years. He needed to sow his wild oats so he would have no regrets when he got older. He didn't want to resent Ginny and any kids they might have in the future.
Likewise, Ron knew he was expected to marry Hermione, be an Auror and forever be known as 'Harry Potter's sidekick'. He wanted to be able to be known for something he had done, not just because of his best friend. Ron wanted to marry Hermione someday, but not soon. He needed to sow his wild oats so he would have no regrets when he got older. Like Harry felt toward Ginny, he didn't want to resent Hermione and any kids they might have in the future.
There had been girls here and there they kept company with, and it was nice. None of those girls knew either Harry or Ron, and expected nothing from them. They worked odd jobs in whatever town they were in for cash. They traveled in both the muggle world and the wizarding world. Harry had learned things about the wizarding world he hadn't known before, and Ron had become an expert in the muggle world.
They didn't mean to be gone for so long, but one thing led to another, then another, then another, and before they knew it, it had been seven years. Neither of the boys had written to Ginny, Hermione or anyone back home in around five years. Time had just gotten away from them. Harry and Ron felt guilty for that. They knew that life at the Burrow was probably different from the last time they were there, as well.
Harry and Ron weren't under any illusions that life without them had stopped, but hoped their old lives still had a place for both of them. They knew they wouldn't be welcomed back with open arms, and would probably have to work their way back in, but it would be worth it. They had missed everyone while they'd been gone.
If their witches would be willing, Harry and Ron were ready for their lives to go how they would've had they not left. They were ready to get married. Ready to be Aurors. Ready to have kids and settle down. To be those wizards who live boring lives. To get together once a week for family night at the Burrow.
Ginny and Hermione were the two people that Harry and Ron were sure would be happy to see them again. Growing up, Ginny had been wildly in love with Harry, having heard many stories of the 'Boy-Who-Lived', and Harry felt she would still be that. She would have waited for Harry to come back to her so they could have a future. Ginny had confided in him once that she had been practicing writing her name as Mrs. Ginevra Potter since she was a little girl.
Ron felt the same way about Hermione. She would be waiting for him, as well. Hermione had always said that she wanted to get her career established before she had a family. She would be willing to marry, but didn't want kids right away. Therefore, Ron had concluded a few times, Hermione would still be single.
The one thing that Ron knew would be the same was his mother's cooking. That was one of his top five things he missed while they were gone. There was no cooking, in his opinion, like his mother's. Especially her treacle tart. And her lasagna. Even her vegetable soup was the best. He also knew, as did Harry, that Molly Weasley lived to cook for her family. Anything she made was comforting for the Weasley children no matter what was going on in their lives. Once they had made their way back into the family's good graces, she would probably have a big family dinner to officially welcome him and Harry back.
Once they were reacquainted with the Weasley's, they had planned to catch up with their friends. Shy, awkward Neville and crazy, weird Luna. Neville and Luna, along with Ginny, had always been an extension of the trio, and they missed them. They were used to it just being the two of them, and were wanting to get back into their circle of friends.
Harry and Ron found themselves standing at the edge of the Burrow property, just inside the wards. The house looked just like it had when they left. It was a beautiful thing to see for the two wizards. The only thing they couldn't see was Arthur's shed. Where it had been there was now a playground of sorts. Even without the shed filled with all things muggle, it was a beautiful and welcome sight.
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were home. It was just a shame that it wasn't going to be the home they remembered.
SO? WHADDYA THINK SO FAR? REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW. XOXO
AN2: I KNOW THERE WAS NO HG/SS IN THIS CHAPTER-THERE WILL BE IN THE COMING CHAPTERS. JUST A HEADS UP.
*ALSO, THE CHAPTERS WILL BE LONGER IN THE FUTURE.