Obviously I don't own Harry Potter nor any of the characters. However I did once own one of those wands that were for sale after the first film. I gave it to a friend. I never got it back, he never got my friendship back either.
The story is basically AU, it is Deathly Hallows compliant (Except the epilogue). The story is basically a day by day account of what Harry does after the Battle of Hogwarts, what is going on in his head, and what is going on in the wizarding world at this time. I don't know how long it will go on for. Lets find out together. I have the first 20+ days planned though, some of them have little beyond character development, some have more pressing matters.
As the whole 'characters included' thing suggests, this will end up being a Harry/Fleur story. How exactly that occurs? Well hopefully you'll all find out. Please forgive any poor updating timetable, I'm at university, and I'm notable for my terrible laziness.
If you enjoy the story leave a quick rating? Perhaps? Or even if you have some constructive criticism.
3rd May 1998
Everywhere he looked lay dead corpses strewn about the place. Harry noted as he walked around the castle. Everyone was sleeping, but nothing had yet been tidied. Every now and then the mutterings of a survivor could be heard. He bumped into Filch several times who looked at him strangely each time.
Harry didn't know what to do with his life now. For the past 7 years it had been his purpose of living to kill a Dark Lord, to avenge the dead; his parents. Now his last serious connection to his parents lay dead beside his wife. Harry didn't know what he was meant to do. He could settle down under the career of Dark Lord hunter, or maybe he could try and get a mastery and return to Hogwarts, but Harry doubted Hogwarts would ever be the same for him.
Harry had wandered about the castle for several hours before thinking about maybe becoming a professional Quidditch player, he could approach his former-captain Oliver Wood, he was in the castle, and he had fought last night. But Harry feared that if it were his career he wouldn't enjoy it much. He had been given what had been called a large fortune from Sirius, not to mention his own family's money. He guessed he had to deal with that soon. Hopefully the goblins won't hold it against him for breaking in. It was for the sake of war, he hoped they'd understand.
The biggest worry Harry had was that he was going to have to deal with the press. He hated the press, always begging him to tell them how he enjoyed his ice cream, and for the past year, writing about how he was a murderer, he knew he had to deal with the Daily Prophet soon enough.
The Weasley were another thing that plagued his thoughts as he strode about the castle. He didn't know how to act around them. Fred had been a great friend, he had loved him like a brother, and now he was gone. He couldn't grieve alongside the family, as he was not one of them, despite Mrs Weasley's assurances. Then there was Ginny, months ago Harry planned on getting back together with Ginny the moment war ended; now he wasn't so sure. She was still as pretty as ever, as brave as ever, but Harry knew he had changed; Ginny was no longer the person he wanted to be with. He just hoped the Weasley's would accept that fact.
The sun was beginning to break into Hogwarts' windows, ushering in a new day; for Hogwarts, the wizarding world and Harry Potter. Harry looked forward to it. He wondered what would happen. Who would become the new Minister of Magic? What about capturing any runaway Death Eaters? Not to mention cleaning up the ministry seemed an impossible task, he wasn't envious for the future minister.
The first to rise were the teachers. Flitwick slowly walked around the great hall looking at the lined up dead, and locked eyes with Harry giving him a solemn node. Sprout, dressed in black, was the next to enter the hall. She brought with her flowers that she rested at the feet at all of the lost students, people and freedom fighters. Harry did not bear to watch more enter the hall.
Outside Harry looked upon the corpses of dead Giants. How many now stood in the world? Not many Harry knew, this had essentially been an extinction event for them. Harry looked at the centaurs that walked about the Hogwarts grounds proud and weary at the same time, as thestrals stood atop the dead giants. As Hagrid's half brother happily chuckled.
Reentering the hall after an hour or so, he found the hall had become full with life. The Weasley's had retaken their place beside Fred's corpse and were clearly preparing to move him. Harry awkwardly stood in the entranceway as people passed him by congratulating him, with thanks he didn't deserve. They had all done the same as him last night, Harry thought, it is I who should thank them, they were not obliged, born to fight, unlike me.
Mrs Weasley's eyes locked with Harry's as she called him over, he awkwardly shuffled towards her.
"Hey Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley, other Weasleys." Harry said with a weak grin.
"Oh Harry." Molly Weasley said before pulling Harry into a squeezing hug. "Call me Molly dear, and Arthur too. You've more than earned that." Molly said with tears slowly forming once more in her eyes.
"Leave the poor boy alone Molly. He may have killed You-Know-Who but he can't handle another Molly hug." Arthur said with his signature light-hearted smile. He received a smattering of chuckles from the surrounding Weasleys.
"How you doing Harry?" Percy said while appraising him gently. "You don't look like you slept well." Percy said with a frown.
"I'm fine. Just found it hard to sleep." Harry said looking distinctly at the floor, when Hermione suddenly tangled herself into him with a hug.
"Are you sure Harry? Have you been to the matron?" Hermione said with worry evident in his eyes.
"There are other people who need Poppy more than me." Harry uttered, "I might get myself a pepper-up potion though. You got one of those?" He said looking at Hermione.
"Somewhere, I'll get you one when I get my hand on it okay?" Hermione said again checking him for injuries.
"Leave him alone Hermione, he's a big boy he can cope." Ron said with a warm smile on his face.
"Big boy or not he may be seriously injured" Hermione said continuing her check, behind her Charlie muttered 'Big Boy' before chuckling and suddenly turning quiet upon receiving a glare from Hermione.
Approaching the family came Bill and Fleur Weasley, as they strode across the hall towards the collected Weasleys. Harry couldn't help but notice Fleur's bloodshot eyes and her frown on her lips, with Bill wearing a more disgruntled face as he joined the group. Fleur noticeably stood by Harry and Hermione rather than the other Weasleys when she joined them.
"So what are your plans now Harry?" Arthur said with a smile, bringing Harry back to his thoughts on what he was going to do.
"I don't know really, I mean I wanted to be a auror, but I might have had enough Dark Lords for my lifetime." Harry said with a soft grin.
"We're going to take Fred back to the burrow in a minute. Are you going to come and stay? Perhaps?" Molly said with her voice breaking at the mention of Fred.
"I'm not sure that's the best Idea Molly." Came the booming voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt. "I think it would be best if he stayed someplace less busy, but with allies."
"He can stay with me and Bill." Fleur said looking at Harry and Kingsley. "If that's okay with Bill of course." Harry couldn't help but think that she put a bit more bile into the word Bill then ever before.
"If that's okay with mum." Bill muttered looking at Molly.
"If you think that's best Kingsley, I mean Minister." She said with a small sad smile.
"Minister? You're the new…" Harry began.
"Yes Harry. It seemed the smartest idea. I was head of the Order while you were away." Kingsley interrupted. "We'll hold an election though soon enough, once the death eaters are arrested and their supporters are as well. "
"What are you doing with the ones locked up in the castle?" Harry questioned.
"They'll be moved to the Ministry by the end of tonight hopefully. Maybe tomorrow though. The press will likely be here soon, so I'd best start working on my answers, I'd recommend the same to all of you, especially Harry." Kingsley said as he almost gracefully moved on towards another group of people.
"Great. The press." Ron said looking distasteful.
"If I see Rita Skeeter I'll be surprised if I don't accidently hex her." Hermione said with venom in her mouth.
"Well I'd say you should get out of here soon then." Percy said. "They'll be here before 10 I reckon. I'm planning on staying though, and helping Kingsley deal with the whole Ministry fiasco, you too dad?"
"Errr yes! I can't wait to kick out some of those inbred fanatics." Arthurs voice almost started jumping with excitement.
"I think the rest of us should head home." Molly said sadly, looking once more at Fred. "We'd best get some potions as well. Charlie would you mind getting some."
"Right away mum." Charlie said as he hurried off towards Professor Slughorn who was sat beside Aberforth Dumbledore.
"Right. Well Fleur can you take Harry to Shell? I think I'd best head to the burrow. Plus I think I'm going to offer to help about Hogwarts." Bill said giving the castle a soft look over.
"Yes, I shall." Was Fleur's prudish response, earning her a look from Molly. "Shall we go 'arry?"
"Ummm, yeah sure. That'd be okay." Harry said as the two stood and started walking out of the hall. On his way out Harry turned looking at the two Weasley's who had not spoken: George and Ginny. Ginny's face looked red as her eyes followed Fleur and Harry, while George had not moved his head the entire time as he sat on a conjured chair not leaving his brother's side.
The walk down towards Hogsmead was silent and awkward between Fleur and Harry. Harry was too busy thinking about his future and worrying about running into a journalist; while Fleur seemed busy thinking about her own issues.
"You did well 'arry." Fleur broke the silence with. "You did great."
"How did I do great? Did you not see Hogwarts?" Harry said sadly. "It is broken, and I have good friends lying dead in there, waiting for relatives to arrive to take them to a hole in the ground." Harry spat out.
"You do not really think that. You are not stupid." Fleur said quickly.
"Maybe I am stupid. Maybe…" Harry wasn't allowed to continue.
"Because of you alone, the greatest Dark Lord of the 20th century is dead! He died to your feet, people died to his as well, you are responsible for his death, not our friends." She said fiercely. "You are a hero. Even if you don't want to be one." She said before pacing forward and taking his hand as they apparated outside Fleur and Bill's home, when she pulled him into the kitchen settling him down. "What do you want to eat?"
"Nothing really, I had Kreacher bring me some snacks over the night I'm not sure I'm hungry." Harry said. Fleur's face seemed to suggest that she did not believe him but she let him be, and swiftly went about the room tidying and picking up stuff, as Harry headed out to the beach.
The beach was silent, perfect for Harry. He really enjoyed it out here. The winds were soft, and the sand comfortable. Harry couldn't tell you how long he sat out by the sea, but when he turned to come back to the cottage he noted that the sun was setting.
Within the cottage Harry could hear shouting coming from Bill and Fleur. He worried about them, and deeply hoped they weren't fighting over him staying here. He slowly wandered into the home, trying not to make a sound as he moved up the stairs when he was interrupted.
"Harry! You're alright?" Bill said with a questioning tone.
"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks for letting me stay Bill." Harry said quietly.
"Thank Fleur. She thought you needed some people who'd be nearby. I know the rest of the family are going to busy for the next while. As am I. So Fleur being around should help you." Bill said with an understanding smile.
"I'm not sure I need anyone about." Harry pointed out to Bill.
"Well no, not if it's a threat from a Dark Lord, you don't need anyone." Bill laughed. "But Hermione kept on saying you're likely blaming yourself for Fred dying. That isn't your fault. Don't worry. Okay?" Bill said with an understanding smile on his face.
"Okay." Harry murmured as he turned and headed up the stairs to sleep. Harry decided that perhaps staying with Bill & Fleur was a good idea. For how long could he get away with it though?