Author's note: Hi all! Thank you for checking out my story! Any comments and critism are appreciated, as I would love to improve my writing. As you most likely know, anything you recognize belongs to the genius JK Rowling. I just borrow them Happy reading, and please review!!

The clattering of silverware against dishes and the din of voices laughing and chattering were giving me a headache. I glanced up at my family, glad that there was a sense of peace after the war. There was Dad, sitting at the head of the table, Mum and Fleur on either side of him. Fleur had announced her pregnancy the week after the Battle of Hogwarts, and was now looking quite exhausted as she rested her head on Bill's shoulder. Bill was laughing and joking with Charlie, who had taken some time off from working with the dragons, and George. I was glad to see George smiling- he had grown quite serious after Fred's death. Percy sat next to George, trying to engage in their conversation but not quite in synch with them. Hagrid was reminiscing about various monster pets to Ron and Hermione, both of whom looked exasperated and amused at the same time. Andromeda Tonks and Mum were gushing over baby Teddy's changing hair colors; Andromeda was relieved to have him off her hands for the night. Harry stood a distance away near the woods, Teddy in his arms, who cooed and laughed at whatever faces Harry made at him. Harry was surprisingly good with his godson, and I knew they would have a very special bond.

I excused myself from the table and went out to him, gazing over his shoulder at the infant Metamorphmagus. He had Remus' bright, intelligent eyes, and I felt a pang of grief at the thought of the late werewolf and his wife.

"He's adorable, isn't he?" said Harry adoringly, bouncing the baby in his arms.

"He really is," I smiled up at him. "You're really good with him."

Harry blushed. I couldn't help admiring the picture that Harry holding Teddy made. He seemed extremely comfortable with the baby, and perfectly at ease. I could tell just from the way Harry held Teddy that Harry was going to be a great father some day. The thought made me a little wistful, and I got a sudden image of a bunch of red-haired children with green eyes running around the Burrow. I quickly shook the image out of my mind. I had no idea if Harry still felt that way about me.

"I just… I want to take care of him," Harry admitted. "I owe Remus that much."

His voice was full of pain. I knew Remus' death had been hard on Harry; he was the fourth father figure of Harry's to die in the war. I put my hand over his, which was resting on Teddy's blanket.

"Remus would appreciate that," I said quietly. "He made the right choice in godfather."

Harry rewarded my efforts with a small smile and held Teddy out to me.

"Would you like to hold him?"

I removed my hand from his and nodded.

"I don't know how, though," I admitted.

Harry put Teddy in my arms, fitting him snuggly in the crook of my arm.

"You put your hand on his head, like this," he took my hand and showed me, "because his neck won't support his head yet." Harry smiled at me, his eyes betraying an emotion that I couldn't quite place. "You've got it," he said encouragingly. I grinned and bounced the baby a little.

"Who's a handsome boy? You are!" I cooed, as Teddy laughed and pulled a lock of my hair.

"Oh, no, Teddy, don't pull!" Harry cried, gently freeing my hair from his tiny fist. Harry absentmindedly wound the red lock around his finger. "Merlin, I love your hair," he said softly.

I stared at him, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. He had first told me that he liked my hair the day before Dumbledore's death, during a rare joint free period on the grounds. I hadn't heard him say it since then, as circumstances had not really allowed for such times.

"Well," I said in what I hoped was a flippant tone, "I'm rather fond of yours as well."

It was Harry's turn to blush.

"Sorry… I shouldn't have said that…"

My face fell. I hadn't expected him to maintain his feelings for me, but I had certainly hoped… nothing had changed for me while he was off fighting Voldemort. I had missed him terribly, and any boy who showed interest was promptly inflicted with a Bat-Bogey Hex. When I had received word from Neville that Harry had arrived at Hogwarts, I had stolen Auntie Muriel's Floo powder and set off for the Hog's Head without further ado. Seeing him again was like seeing the sun again after being locked in the Chamber of Secrets. It filled me with an intense happiness that not even the thought of impending doom could ruin. I had thought he felt it too, judging by the look on his face when I arrived in the Room of Requirement, but I was obviously mistaken.

I looked down at the ground so he wouldn't see the pain on my face, and turned towards the path that led into the Quidditch orchard. I began walking, planning to sit on the bench with Teddy, who was getting heavy, and collecting my thoughts.

"Where are you going?" asked Harry, as he sped up to walk beside me. I groaned inwardly and stopped.

"I'm going to the bench in the orchard," I said, and continued walking.

"Wait!" said Harry, grabbing my wrist. "It's Teddy's bed time. I have to take him inside." He reached his arms out for Teddy, and I handed the infant to him.

Harry adjusted the baby in his arms and looked at me.

"Can I come sit with you once I help Andromeda put him to bed?"

"If you want," I said indifferently, spun on my heel, and marched off to the orchard.

The wind blew my hair gently away from my face as I stared up at the stars, my arms hugging my legs to my chest and my chin resting on my knees. The air was a bit chilly, but I didn't want to go back to the house and risk seeing Harry. I wondered vaguely if my mum would let me go stay with Charlie for a while so I could try to get over him. I knew she wouldn't- not so soon after the war, and not when we had agreed to help rebuild Hogwarts for the new school year.

Minerva McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts, had made an executive decision to have the school open in the fall, despite the tragedy that had occurred there not long ago. I was excited- it was my seventh year, and Ron, Hermione, and Harry were going to do their seventh year as well. At the same time, I was dreading having to spend the whole school year with Harry- if he hadn't been going back, I could have gotten over him and dated someone else. The more realistic part of me told me that I wouldn't be able to get over him even if I never saw him again.

I jumped as a twig snapped behind me, and I spun around, whipping out my wand. I searched the dark trees behind me for a sign of life, all my senses on red-alert. The Ministry of Magic believed they had caught all the remaining Voldemort supporters, but there was no definite way to tell. The Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, warned the Wizarding community to be on high alert.

I tensed as a figure, shrouded in shadows, emerged from the trees. The figure was tall, thin, and foreboding, his cloak fanning out behind him. I raised my wand as he lifted his hand to his hood, and I braced myself to see a Death Eater's mask.

"Planning on killing me?" the stranger said, taking a step closer.

"If it proves necessary," I replied, trying to steady my shaking hands.

The stranger laughed, taking another step closer.

"Stupe-"

"Expelliarmus!"

My wand flew out of my hand into the shadow of the trees, and I stood there, defenseless, as the stranger lowered his hood.

Oooh, a cliffhanger! I'd love to hear who you think the stranger is! Any reviews are appreciated! See ya next chapter, guys! *waves*