Chapter One

The New Beginning

The sky turned from black to dark blue. The sun began to rise and would eventually shine on a beautiful cloudless morning. This was Harry Potter's new favorite time of day. He woke up from a dreamless sleep while rooming with Ron at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley would not allow Harry to stay anywhere else at the time. Harry put on his glasses and quietly rose from his bed. Ron was snoring loudly in his corner of the room. Harry quietly passed all the other bedrooms going down the several floors of the Burrow and into the garden. Harry had his special spot picked out along the hill adjacent to the Burrow. The sky began getting brighter until the sun began to shine on his face. Harry looked forward to this each day since his arrival. The bright sky is as bright as his future. Lord Voldemort is no more. Harry now had his entire life ahead of him. One week has passed since the Battle of Hogwarts.

A half-hour later, Ginny walked out to Harry with a plate of toast prepared by Mrs. Weasley.

"Open up you," Ginny said as she fed Harry a piece of toast.

"Thanks."

Ginny sat next to Harry then placed her head on his shoulder.

"The sky is really beautiful," she said.

"Yeah," he replied.

They went back inside to find Mrs. Weasley eating breakfast with Ron, Hermione, and Percy.

"Ah Harry dear, you and Ginny have a seat, I've just made eggs," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley."

Harry can remember the first awkwardness he felt around her after the battle. Fred had died and Harry felt like it was his fault. He didn't want to face the Weasleys. The afternoon following the battle, Harry had rehearsed his discussion before talking to them.

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm sor-"

"Don't you dare say sorry Harry Potter, without you our whole family and many others would be dead. Fred knew what he was getting into. He died fighting for our freedom. Don't you dare be sorry for one minute. You saved Ginny during her first year. You saved Arthur in your fifth year. You saved Ron in your sixth and now all this. We owe you our lives Harry. You are a son to me Harry Potter."

Mrs. Weasley burst into tears as she embraced Harry in a hug. Harry cried for Remus and Tonks. Teddy Lupin did not have any parents now. Harry was going to be the Godfather to poor little Teddy Lupin. Rest assured, Harry Potter will be there to tell stories to little Teddy about his parents. He would make sure to let him know what they died for.

The following days after the battle were not easy. Harry was least looking forward to Fred's funeral. Harry never wanted to see the shape that Mrs. Weasley was in ever again. The funeral services for Fred were held in the garden at the Burrow. Everyone in Dumbledore's army and the Order of the Phoenix. Only one person was notably absent from the funeral, George Weasley. George did not attend his brother's funeral. For days, George stayed in his room without eating or communicating with anyone outside. Harry could hear muffled cries coming from his room. Fred was buried near the garden next to the Burrow. It was a grim mood at the Burrow for the rest of the day with very little talking amongst the rest of the Weasley family and guests. In the middle of the night, George left to go back to the joke shop he opened with Fred. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes stayed closed for several days.

Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys had plans to visit George at the joke shop in Diagon Alley. Today was the first day that George opened it.

Arthur Weasley was promoted to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, a huge promotion given to him by the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Dad loves his job," said Ron while he and Harry got ready in his room.

"Kingsley insisted that he take it. Reckon he's one of the few he can trust since we all stuck with the Order for the longest of times. The Ministry is trying to regain its feet. They're trying to sort out all the lot of chaos up there after Voldemort was in charge of it." Ron continued.

Harry was delighted to see Arthur promoted to one of the most important jobs at the Ministry. The Weasley family no longer had to worry about being at near-poverty. Arthur Weasley received a massive pay upgrade compared to his old salary. Harry smiled as he thought that the Weasleys would no longer have just a single galleon in their vault at Gringotts, like the time he saw it prior to his second year.

Harry and Ron headed downstairs to greet Mrs. Weasley and Percy. Ginny and Hermione were still upstairs. Mrs. Weasley was relieved to have Percy back in the family again. He disowned himself from the Weasley family when he was working for the Ministry. He bought into all the propaganda against Harry and Dumbledore like they were planning to overthrow the Ministry. He disowned the Weasley family because of their support for Harry and Dumbledore. Percy barely spoke to his family for over two years and sent his Christmas presents back to his mother unopened.

"Ah Harry I've been meaning to tell you. You should write to your Aunt and Uncle and tell them you and everything is okay," Mrs. Weasley said.

"HA! Why would Harry want to do that?" Ron snorted. Harry half-chuckled at the idea.

"Because they are still his family and it is Harry's responsibility to let them know he's alright! Honestly Ronald you will understand a parent's responsibility someday if you're not so thick!" Mrs. Weasley said.

Percy chuckled at Mrs. Weasley's remark, infuriating Ron.

"What are you laughing at you traitorous bas-"

"Ronald Weasley! Haven't I told you to stop using foul language especially in front of your mother!"

Hermione was barking at Ron as she came downstairs followed by Ginny.

"I.. er- okay." Ron replied, not wanting to argue with Hermione.

"Alright are we all ready?" Mrs. Weasley said.

Harry felt a sharp jab in his chest, almost like several pin needles being poked through his skin. He clutched his chest while trying to catch his breathe as it slowly became difficult to grasp any air. Sweat began to pour from his head while he started to stumble from trying to remain balanced.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked.

The room began to spin.

"Harry!"

The room turned black as Harry collapsed to the floor.