Begin Again: Harry's Life Post-War
Prologue:
Harry Potter knew more things now than he had ever known in his life. He knew that Voldemort was gone, never coming back, he knew loss; he knew how to love despite the loss and knew now where his life was going. It was six months after the war. Ginny had reluctantly returned to Hogwarts. Harry had told her to return, to get an education, to get some distance from the real world so she could come to terms with Fred's death. He wanted her to have a normal life, as normal as you could get given the circumstances. But he missed her. He was looking forward to when he could hold her in his arms again.
Harry himself had lost too many people. Remus and Tonks had left a huge weight on Harry's heart. He was now partially responsible for their small son, Teddy. He didn't mind, he wanted little Teddy to grow up knowing about his parents, and Harry planned on telling him about them, ensuring him that they would always love him. Having grown up without parents, and not knowing enough about them, he felt it his duty to tell Teddy about his parents. Andromeda was in pain, nothing could replace her daughter and husband, but Teddy gave her some small comfort. Harry wanted to help her as best as he could.
Percy had reconciled with his parents in the most profound way. He was bitterly sorry about the pain he had caused his parents, sorry for not believing them, sorry for abandoning his own family. While he was working at the Ministry, he met a young woman by the name of Audrey Walters, a worker in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. She had long, dull blonde, wavy hair, and dark, chocolate brown eyes. She was pale, had a heart shaped face, which beige freckles dotting her nose and chin. She was a lovely girl. She and Percy had announced their engagement.
Ron and Hermione were in the neophyte stages of their relationship. Hermione, with Ron's blessing had returned to Hogwarts to get her NEWTs. She had been offered a job in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement by Kingsley Shacklebolt, who knew of her intelligence and strong will, but Hermione felt she needed to complete her education to feel worthy of working in such an influential department. Besides, she really wanted to work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, to help improve the lives and working conditions of house elves. She had been newly inspired by Kreacher's change in attitude after Harry began to be nice to him. She also wanted to improve the relations between magical creatures and wizards. Her experiences with centaurs had strengthened her desire. Ron was working with George in Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. George had been having difficulty managing the shop without Fred, and Ron decided to pitch in and help out.
Harry was working in the Auror office. He felt it his duty to try to capture as many of Voldemort's followers as he could. He wanted to make a change. He didn't want to face the evil he faced during the war again. He also wanted to make a change for the next generation. Some small part of him knew what his future would be. He would be with Ginny. They would have a family, and be the normal, happy people they deserved to be. He wanted to make the world a safe and better place for when that happened.
Harry still feared though. He feared the unknown. He feared a world without having to fight evil. As much as he enjoyed peace, fighting evil was all he had ever known. What was his life now? What was his purpose? These were questions that may never be answered, at least not yet.
Grief still pervaded. There were open wounds that needed healing. They would in time. Harry knew that all wounds heal when given time. When the raw feelings died down, only then could acceptance and moving on happen. This was murky, rough territory. A grey patch in the colourful tapestry. Threads of colour would return to break the grey. Harry just had to hold on and remember that.
The ticking of the clock. The dull beating of the heart. Harry counted these to mark the passing of time.