AN: Story is mostly canon and follows HP book timelines strictly including Cursed Child
Disclaimer: The HP universe and all related characters belong to Mrs. Joanne K Rowling and associated partners.
Edit: Basis inputs from my biggest critic and supporter, I will be adding dates to the events of the chapter. The story will involve many muggle-wizards interaction situations. Though the focus will be wizarding events and incidents, a lot of major events which shook the muggle world and the ripple effect on the magical community will also be discussed.
Time: Halloween '98 (Covering 6 months after the Battle of Hogwarts in the form of flashbacks).
"Charring Cross Station", the cool automated voice of the train announcements rang on a slow Tuesday afternoon.
Commuters, mostly young kids skipping school, excitedly sprang from their benches crowding around the entrance.
A young boy with round glasses carefully balanced the many items he was carrying, one hand firmly in his pocket. It looked like an old habit, something his body seemed to have gotten used to. It didn't seem awkward to him anymore when he magically seemed to balance an ungodly number of mismatched items with only one hand. Today he was carrying four filing boxes stuffed to the brim with official looking documents, a large silver cage, a giant silver basin and a seashell lamp. He peered through the gap between the lamp and the cage to make sure his path was clear as he stepped into the train.
A curious onlooker smiled as he rose and offered the young man his seat.
"Thank you." Harry breathed, as he clumsily sat down, setting his items carefully below his seat.
"I respect that." said the pale young man in an American accent. "I wouldn't make two trips neither. Can I keep this?"
The young man with the dreadlocks shoved his phone into Harry's face. Harry looked back at himself, a serious look on his face peering through a silver cage. It really did seem an impossible feat to single handedly carry all those things. He suppressed a chuckle at the caption. He couldn't like it. He knew he couldn't let it get online. He was not sure how many Ministry of Magic employees were part of the internet phenomenon. It seemed unlikely that the ones who were followed the dreadlocked man. But experience had taught Harry to be weary.
Harry swallowed a little. The Hermione in him muttered Confundo as he quickly deleted the picture and downloaded a random cat photo.
"Yeah." Harry muttered, as the dreadlocked man blinked once in confusion, his brows slowly coming together. "The cat's quite funny."
The look of confusion intensified on the man's face as he took his phone back.
"Hey, man..." He said, his voice a little worried. "The brownies here in London are not the brownies one might find... in say... Amsterdam."
Harry shrugged in response.
"I must be f-ing high to show a stranger a cat photo!" He exclaimed raising his hand and shoving his phone back in his pocket.
He walked away, shaking his head repeatedly, as Harry settled in for the short ride.
It would have been easier to apparate. He had gotten quite good at it over the last year. But every cell in Harry's body wanted to slow down. This was the first time in his life when he wasn't entangled in a death battle with the most feared wizard in modern times. A quiet train ride might seem boring to some wizards but to Harry, it was 30min of quality time just taking it slow.
He took out his headphones and popped them into his ears. He pressed "Play" on his new Walkman, a birthday gift from Hermione. Growing up in the muggle world didn't keep him upto date with their music for various reasons. And as per Hermione, musical taste evolved with time. The reason Harry couldn't relate to new music was because he didn't listen to the old ones to develop his taste. So Harry added to his "List of Stuff I Can Do Now" a list of popular 80's songs with his walkman becoming a must-have along with his wand.
It had been 6 months since the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione had gone back to school the moment it reopened. She had immediately rejected getting an O in all her NEWTS and was currently in the final leg of her final year with Ginny. Ron and Harry were only all too happy to accept the Os. There were even talks of making Harry the Junior Minister of Magic. But Harry was glad that it died down almost as soon as it began.
He looked out of the window at the dull underground, his vision blurring following the brick wall.
He was walking back to the castle (whatever was left of it) after the battle. He was finally ready to sit next to Ginny, to join the Weasley's in their shared grief. He looked at the outline of the owlery in the distance.
His feet faltered when he reached the entrance. Going to the Great Hall would make everything real. The cost of the war. The destruction of the only home he knew, the death of his friends who were his family. His hands trembled as he walked into the destroyed room which once represented warm meals and content stomachs.
Almost immediately, the shrill crying of a baby brought the Great Hall to sharper focus. A lot of people collectively groaned. Most remained seated huddled around each other.
"She doesn't like the door open." Hermione hissed as she shut the door to the Great Hall behind him.
She quickly waved her wand to make sure the door stood without a frame. Harry was too emotionally exhausted to even frown. He looked at the familiar heads of red hair, his heart a lump.
Hermione rushed over to the direction of the crying baby, who still hadn't calmed down. Harry slowly closed the distance between him and the Weasley's, the rhythmic sound of a woman trying to shush a baby matching his steps. For a wild moment, he thought the voice belong to Professor McGonagall. But the thought quickly left his mind as he reached his destination. He wordlessly sat between Ron and Ginny, taking Ginny's hand into his own. It looked like Mrs. Weasley had finally stopped crying, collapsed into a heap on her knees. Harry just stared at the crack on the ground. He looked at it until it was the only thing in his vision.
"Honestly..." Mrs. Weasley suddenly exclaimed, quickly rising to her feet.
Ginny and Mr. Weasley followed suit. Harry looked at Ron, who hadn't looked up. He followed Ginny's slight tug, matching her feeling of not wanting to be separated. They walked towards what used to be the Hufflepuff table, a small crowd of onlookers around a very haggard Professor Flitwick and a tiny megaphone of a baby. Harry hadn't heard many babies cry before. So the sheer volume and shrill pitch of the cry was a little surprising. He looked at the tiny clump of dark auburn hair sticking out of a Gryffindor scarf. Professor Flitwick looked close to tears himself, with Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout briskly walking among the mourning and the survivors.
Harry frowned.
"Where are her parents?" Harry asked hesitantly, fearing the answer.
Professor Flitwick squeaked in response.
"Oh.. Potter.." He said over the baby crying, his eyes trailing towards Mrs. Weasley.
"Molly!" Flitwick squealed, firming up his grasp on the baby. "I'm so sorry about this. Is the baby bothering you? She just wont calm down."
Mrs. Weasley quickly took the baby and put her over her shoulders. She then quickly started pacing around the hall, the baby's cry fading with her. Professor Flitwick softly punched his shoulders.
"Where are her parents?" Harry asked again, tearing his eyes away from Mrs. Weasley.
"Professor Sprout and McGonagall are looking for them." Flitwick said. But his tone conveyed his dismay.
And suddenly Harry had a flashing image of a shaggy bearded giant picking up a toddler from a destroyed crib, a woman laying motionless next to him. He didn't even know how it happened but he found himself next to Professor McGonagall, still holding Ginny's hand. However, just one stern glance from Professor McGonagall was enough for the couple to jump apart.
"Potter" McGonagall nodded, as she continued bustling around the Great Hall.
"You haven't been able to find the baby's parents." Harry said out loud.
McGonagall didn't reply.
"Oh.. Ms. Weasley..." McGonagall added over her shoulders, as she walked away from a group of people huddled around a deceased Hufflepuff boy after they shook their heads. "Could you find Mr. Longbottom? He was the one who found the baby. Ask him to find me."
Ginny nodded and directed Harry towards Neville. But Harry's eyes were glued on the baby. This was it. The final straw. He wanted to join the screaming baby and share their pain.
Seventeen years ago, a prophecy decided that Harry would be an orphan for thwarting an enemy he didnt know. A prophecy decided that he wouldnt get the warmth and love of his parents but instead the cruel neglect of the Dursleys. A prophecy decided that his time at Hogwarts would be punctuated by life-or-death situations. A prophecy decided that the fateful battle at Hogwarts had to happen for Voldemort to die.
Unfortunately, this meant that the prophecy also decided that this baby would now be an orphan. Hagrid had once told Harry that a lot of wizarding families wanted to adopt him. But that wasn't what came to be. The prophecy needed him to be with the Dursleys, a prophecy which was largely fulfilled by his mother's sacrifice. A prophecy that was made stronger by his mother's sacrifice of love came true only in his suffering. And in that crying, scared baby Harry felt all of it. He felt not just enormity of the burden that was thrust upon him but also guilt of the magnitude of his decisions. By choosing to fulfill the prophecy, was he responsible for orphaning that baby?
"Harry..." Ginny said, her voice almost a whisper.
-XX-XX-
"Waterloo East" The automated announcement rang through the train.
Harry watched as a few more passengers got on, screaming in delight when they saw the young crowd of people who screamed back in response. Harry smiled a little.
Girls are loud. He thought to himself, as he pulled out a box from beneath his legs and pulled out the first folder from the top.
He kicked the box back under the seat as he looked at the golden and red MOM seal. But it wasn't the seal that caught his attention. Below the MOM seal was a small ink-stamp. The stamp was of a blinking eye with Department of Mysteries 31101981 written in block letters below it.
"Harry!" A very haggard Ginny who was in town for Halloween woke Harry up.
He frowned as he put on his glasses and saw the time on his watch, a gift for his seventeenth birthday. He groaned, wondering if he could get a white noise machine to work in the wizarding world. He squinted at the faint hints of sunlight streaming into the room, just the minuscule amount of light ,enough to bring back his fatigue at full gusto. He groaned again, screamed softly and jumped to his feet ready for the day.
He walked down to the dining room to a sea of red hair with one brown haired head intermittently springing up.
"When is Hagrid coming in?!" Hermione squealed in a low voice as she sprang from her armchair.
"Now-ow-ow-ow-ow..." Ron responded yawning wildly.
He clicked his deluminator , stole the light from one of the lamps and bravely walked into the fog. Hermione watched as the light grew smaller and smaller.
"Yes!", Hermione suddenly exclaimed. "Harry! Come here! Quick!"
Harry frowned as he looked up from his warm onion soup. But the look on Hermione's face immediately alerted him. He quickly covered the distance between them, nearly knocking Percy's glasses off the table.
A silvery lynx stood patiently in front of them. Because it was so unexpected, for a brief moment, Harry wondered if the owner of the patronus was looking back at him.
Meet me at my office. The lynx said in a deep monotone. One way floo network has been set up.
Harry looked at the small flames flickering feebly on the fireplace. Harry quickly waved his wand creating a roaring fire and took a handful of floo powder. Mrs. Weasley looked worriedly at him, as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Your soup!" She exclaimed, as Harry stepped into the green fires.
Not wanting to end up in Knockturn Alley again, Harry chose not to respond and tucked his hands in for the ride.
He skipped out of the fireplace, dusting off the soot on his sleeves.
"You're a little bit on fire there." Kingsley said, in a low voice.
Harry patted himself as he looked around the office of the British Minister of Magic, the highest post in the wizarding community. The room was large, with high ornate ceilings. Snoozing photos of previous Minsters of Magic decked the walls in a neat line encircling the room. Right above the bright fireplace hung the portraits of Rufus Scrimgeour and Pius Thickenese. The fire flickered in Rufus' eyes as he studied Harry. Pius seemed to e avoiding eye contact with the rest of the ministers, pretending to read the evening edition of the Daily Prophet.
"I wanted to see if we could hang a portrait of Dumbledore here." Kingsley said, as he stood next to the fireplace, facing Rufus' portrait.
He bore the unmistakable signs of someone who had aged rapidly. His normally crisp clothes looked like they had been worn for days. His handsome chocolate skin looked dull and pale. Harry wondered what troubled Kingsley, misreading the empty desk that took up the most space in the office.
"He never wanted to be Minster." Harry replied, a few moments later.
"Neither did I." Kingsley replied, still lost in thought. "Not really. I wanted the freedom Aurors have too much. I miss that. And certainly I did not want to be the Minister of a broken and mistrusted government. For the first time since our inception, the muggle Prime Minister refused to meet the new Minster of Magic. Though it isn't a big problem as we are unofficially in correspondence from my time protecting the wartime Prime Ministers."
Harry nodded slowly. He could feel the minutes ticking by. His anticipation was probably apparent because Kingsley quickly bustled over to his desk and tapped a corner. A stack of documents sprang up, arranging themselves as they overflowed onto the desk.
"I leave for Bulgaria in a while." Kingsley said, as he waved his hand at the assembling documents and a folder flew neatly into his out-stretched hand. "But this had urgent on it. And I had to be the one to give it to you. I guess it's push-back for the Department Audits. Either way, I want to be in their good books and I wanted to talk to you about other things as well. A lot of packages for you seemed to have been backed up here at the Ministry, including the 7th year notes that Hermione sent Ron."
Kingsley handed the folder over to Harry. Harry felt the insides and figured that there were two small sized books in the over-sized folder. Harry looked up to see filing boxes being neatly assembled around him.
"You rejected your NEWTS." Kingsley said, in a matter of fact tone. "And the offer for being my intern, where I clearly intended to train your skills in the battle against the dark arts."
"My war is over..." Harry responded, in a low voice. "I've been fighting since I was a baby. I just wanted to take some time off... Let the Ministery handle rounding up the Death Eaters, giants and dementors."
"And I understood." Kingsley replied. "I respected Dumbledore but we didn't agree on everything. This quest for the Horcruxes shouldn't have been undertaken by a man as young as you. This was a job for the entire Order. But Dumbledore chose to put his trust in you, a lot more than what would have been expected. Remus trusted you unquestionably. Though I can argue all night if the trust was justified, there is one fact I cant deny. I trusted Dumbledore and Remus unquestionably."
Harry waited for Kingsley to continue. He felt like he had had this conversation before. The conversation where Kingsley tries to voice-out his thought process. He half expected Harry to challenge him. But the thing Harry liked the most from these conversations was the conclusion. The conclusion was always a compromise where Kingsley took Harry's views into account and gave Harry the time and space he needed to make a decision. Kingsley respected Harry's wish to live a peaceful life.
"But Harry..." Kingsley continued, as he tapped his desk again. "I've been confused the past few months when it came to our decisions. You accepted and then rejected your NEWTs, you rejected the internship and you've been spending the last few months cooped up at home. Now, I understand the circumstances but Harry... I know its unfair for me to ask this question so soon. But do you remember the last time we spoke?"
Rufus let out a dry cough. Harry thought back to the last conversation that he had with Rufus. It was very similar to the one with Kingsley.
"I know you don't see it for yourself." Kingsley pushed on delicately, as he watched Harry study Rufus' portrait. "But you're a symbol of hope. Hope which arose from so many misfortunes and sadness. You're the hope of a happier time, Harry. And I've tried my best to be transparent with you in my plans for the Ministry. Harry, I know pushing this would probably make you resent me. But the Ministry needs you. You represent all that is good, pure and honest about the wizarding world and unfortunately, the Ministry represents otherwise. I need to you to be a part of the Ministry to help me change it from the within."
Harry didn't respond. He thought back to the onion soup he didn't have that morning. He liked remembering what he had for breakfast everyday. That was easy because he spent most of his time at home, going out only for errands. He even managed to get away without bathing for 3 days before a howler from Ginny pushed him to shower. He didn't know if he was happy now. But he was content. And he wanted to hold onto that.
Harry's eyes met Kingsley's. He wanted to ask Kingsley for more time. He would be their poster boy after Christmas. And whatever be it, he missed being around magic. Though he didn't mind at first, but lately, he had been wanting to finish his education. Though going back to Hogwarts was not an option.
"I want to apply for the Auror's office the normal way." Harry said, finally half-making up his mind. "I want to apply after getting my NEWTs."
"I can have that arranged..." Kingsley said, quickly waving his wand and making memos.
"No..." Harry continued. "I want to write the NEWTs when they're due. I want to pass them and then apply for the Auror's office. Hermione sent her notes to Ron to give to me. But Ron hasn't gotten them by yet. Being a Junior Auror assigned to his father keeps him busy."
"Yes..."Kingsley nodded approvingly. "Ron and Arthur have been great. Though it isn't important, it helps that they're an old family who are at the forefront of muggle relations."
"And the time will be right in a few months." Harry continued, gathering up the boxes and dropping the envelope in the nearest one. "Hermione has applied for an internship at the newly formed division of Magical Being Relations."
"She was the perfect choice." Kingsley said, nodding approvingly, his former youth returning a little. "She applied to write the NEWTs as an independent student too. I'm glad she will be able to work more in the Ministry. She's a smart one."
Harry waited for a few moments, before looking back at the fireplace. Maybe he could have a few moments with his soup before starting the day. He did skip dinner the previous night. Kingsley seemed to be deep in thought, his brows furrowed in a sort of meditation.
Harry made a slight motion towards the fireplace, the boxes slowly rising around his feet.
"Wait!" Kingsley exclaimed.
-XX-XX-
"Lewisham." The announcement rang.
Most of the commuters remained seated. But Harry disembarked, shuffling most of the things with his feet. He sat at a bench as the train took off again.
Harry was still looking at the numbers on the Department of Mysteries seal. Kingsley had told them that these the seal was a spell. The Department of Mysteries would know who is reading it and if they had the proper authorization. Evidence from the Department of Mysteries rarely got released. Harry broke the seal and emptied the contents onto his lap. Two old leather bound journals with faded yellow parchment landed on his lap. Harry flipped through the pages, the words appearing and disappearing as he saw them. It looked like the journals had been unused for a very long time. He opened the first page of the journal with lesser writing. It seemed like only the first few pages had been filled in.
J+L=H,D
Harry ran his fingers through the familiar handwriting of his mother, his fingers trembling. He had read the letter he found at Grimmauld Place many times over. He had memorized the loops in her Ls and the horns on her Hs. He wasn't expecting his mother's journal. Especially not today.
Neville and Luna seemed to be huddled in a serious discussion, with Dean looking on with folded arms. Ginny slowed a little and coughed, announcing her presence. But Harry quickened his pace and almost ran into Dean who had turned around at the cough.
"Did you find the baby's parents?" Luna asked, frowning at sounds of crying. "The baby must not be feeling very well. Professor McGonagall even tried singing to her."
"My mum used to give my sister some warm mlk whenever she was fussy." Dean added thoughtfully. "But I think she used to be a lot older. This one looks like a new born."
New-born? Harry thought, thinking back to the small head of auburn hair sticking out from under a Gryffindor scarf.
"Yeah..." Neville added, his head in his hands. "I was just doing a final check of the courtyard when I saw this tiny lump move from under... from under Voldemort's robes."
Dean shivered while Luna just looked at Neville wide eyed.
"I reckoned it was Trevor..." Neville's voice trailed. "Not that he had escaped again. Anyway, I walk towards You-Know-Who and slowly poke around the robes. And I joke you not, my wand shot out red sparks. I backed away and that was when she started crying. Merlin's beard! It was a powerful scream. Not one you'd expect from such a wee baby."
"And she hasn't stopped since." Dean added. "It looks like she was born mid battle. Neville reckons that her mother probably rejoined the fighting after giving birth and ..."
Dean didn't need to continue. Ginny had her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. The crying baby was spreading a cloud of grief over the Great Hall. Every time the baby cried, gasping for breath, an adult would join the baby letting out their own grief and anger.
But Harry knew different. Harry felt an unmistakable bond of understanding with that baby. The baby was born into a war and all she wanted was her mother. And deep down Harry knew that no mother would leave their new-born to fight a war, unless she knew for sure that the child was safe.
And once again, Harry's feet automatically carried him towards the baby. Ginny stayed back, talking about how terrible the situation was.
"Shush, love!" Harry heard Mrs. Weasley say, crying softly. "You're too young to be so sad. I know we will find your mama. Just be patient."
Mrs. Weasley quietly swayed on the spot, wiping her face with her shoulders.
"Could you show me how?" Harry asked, his voice soft and calm.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and carefully handed over the baby to Harry, instructing him to hold onto her head. Harry had braced his muscles before taking the baby, his mind trying the push back the never-ending tears that were threatening to flow. He was surprised again as to how small the baby was. Her face was still screwed up, threatening to cry if Harry did anything to offend her. Harry slowly pulled the baby close to him and kissed her head.
"It's OK." Harry whispered. "I know what you're going through. I'm here now. There... There..."
Harry pulled back a little and saw a small wrinkly face staring back at him with watery hazel eyes. The baby was bald save for the thick tuft of auburn hair sticking out of her pink head. And the baby did the most unexpected thing. She laughed.
Ms. Weasley looked at Harry confused.
"They aren't supposed to laugh this early." She said, moving to take the baby from Harry's hand.
But the baby was clinging onto Harry's index finger, her tiny arms and legs wrapped stubbornly around Harry. She let out a warning cry when Mrs. Weasley approached him.
"Did she laugh?!" Professor McGonagall said briskly, appearing out of nowhere.
When she looked at the baby carefully snuggled in Harry's palm, she collapsed to a heap.
"She wouldn't stop crying..." McGonagall hiccuped as gasped for air.
Harry was soon surrounded, everybody softly cooing at the baby and breaking down to tears themselves. But tears wouldn't come to Harry. They wouldn't come to him for a really long time.
-XX-XX-
Harry turned the page on the journal, suddenly hungry for his mother's company. He ran his fingers through the words she wrote, hoping some residual warmth would reach across time. But he had to settle for he words, words which he would come to read over and over again all his life.
Dear I-Wish-I-Knew-The-Perfect-Name,
I've been going on and on about you to Harry all day! Which is typical of your mother. Your father didn't know I liked him until Mary told him! I keep writing this thinking I'm speaking to you as you're now my love. But I know you probably wont get to read this until you're much older. And by then I hpe we can be close enough for you to know how scary this is all for me.
When I had started school, I wanted to become Minister of Magic. But here I am, at eighteen, worried every time somebody walks down the street.
Harry closed the book and roughly stuffed it into the filing box, breathing rapidly.
What the hell. Harry thought, as he took a few calming breathes. Why the hell did they give this to me?
Harry watched as his train arrived. He started the whole process of getting onto the train with his luggage again, this time deciding to apparate home. Though thirty minutes didn't seem like a lot of time, Harry didn't want to deal with a howler from Ginny on the train.
"We found a couple of things..." Kingsley said, delicately.
Harry nodded.
"We gave her a proper burial." Kingsley added as he handed Harry, Hedwig's cage.
Harry hesitantly accepted the cage.
"And I got an urgent package from McGonagall this morning." Kingsley said, pointing to his desk. "She wanted me to approve handing it to you. Though she said it wasn't because she was dealing with bureaucracy."
Kingsley sighed as he handed Harry the package along with a penseive and a lamp.
"More gifts from the Department of Mysteries." Kingsley added, as a clipboard sprang next to him, checking off items.
"What exactly does the Department of Mysteries do?" Harry asked as he waved his wand and the parcel packed itself into a fourth filing box.
"Research." Kingsley replied, as he tapped his desk clean. "I think Magical Research."
-XX-XX-
Harry looked at the parcel containing small vials filled with swirling silvery fluid. Harry wondered where McGonagall had found it. The tiny letter "D" on the vials revealed that they were Dumbledore's memories. Had Kingsley known?
Harry's hand found his mother's journal again. He took a deep calming breath as the words began to appear in the journal.
I constantly look out the window, afraid that a very dark wizard would be peering in, finally catching up to us. Your father is more confident. Sirius, Remus and Peter are out there, fighting their hardest for us. I know James is torn but I also know that he is better off here with us.
My darling, I hope you're a girl. I've always wanted a sister I could be close to. Maybe Harry, Dudley and you can finally mend a very important relationship. Family is the most important thing in the world, Maggie. I hope Harry and you live by that. I hope you make a lot of friends, muggles and wizards alike. I hope you're surrounded by all the love in my heart.
James doesn't know I am late yet. Being late at nineteen may be a cause of worry for you some day into the future. But know that your father, brother and I will always be there for you. There is no force on the planet that can keep us from you.
I want you to travel the world, meet so many different people, discover so many new things about our heritage... maybe you would be Minister of Magic. I will throw a wilder party putting Christmas last year to shame. (PS. If your Uncle Sirius offers you firewhiskey, you come find me. PPS. Maggie isn't right. You're not a Maggie.)
I keep saying this to Harry all the time. And I know you've heard it a couple of times by now. But I want you to know this. I love you. With all my heart. With all my being. I know I just found out. And I know you may think it's too early. But I know you. I already know who you are, Daisy Potter. And I have already dreamt of a bright future for you. A future away from all this madness.
I think I hear your Dad carving out the pumpkin. Or atleast that's what I hope he is doing. I'm going to start early for you, Daze. Because you are the miracle I prayed for, my beautiful baby girl.
"Greenwich." Rang the train announcement.
It seemed like Lily had written down various thought popping into her mind. Harry mechanically got up, his hands shaking. He didn't care that he performed magic in public, sending the rest of the items to his new home. He hoped nobody was looking right under his seat and did pause to give a cursory glance. He shoved the journal into his coat pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper with an address on it. He jogged across the road as he left the station, thanking the motorists who slowed down. He turned a dark alley and disapparated.
-XX-XX-
Harry appeared outside a modest apartment complex. The pristine white pillars at the entrance invited him to a broad glass double-door. He looked up to his new home and pressed the buzzer for apartment 2B.
"Yes?" replied Hermione's voice, after a few moments.
"It's me." Harry said, clenching and opening his hands a couple of times.
"Oh.. Harry..." Hermione said, a few moments later in a high voice. "We don't know how to let you up. Mr. Weasley is working on it... Ouch.. Ron!"
The door swung open letting Harry inside. He smiled at his new downstairs neighbor as she peered at the new arrival. He hoped Ginny had remembered to pick up the pies he wanted to give his new neighbors.
Harry was greeted at the door by a livid Ginny holding out a screaming baby to Harry. The baby stopped crying as soon as she saw Harry and promptly started drooling and spitting up milk.
"No!" Ginny exclaimed as she put the baby over Harry's shoulder, ruining his last good jacket.
"Maybe we should kiss at the door like normal couples..." Harry said, grinning as he held the baby, who was now gurgling excitedly, her round hazel eyes studying the new house.
"Not with spit up on you..." Ginny teased, before swiftly kissing Harry on the cheek.
"You took your time." Percy said, adjusting his glasses. "The baby just wouldn't pipe down. Mother is resting for a while. Father, Ron and I were almost late to work. We only took a few hours off to help you move. Maybe we should have left with Hagrid."
"I took the train." Harry said, as he walked into his small two bedroom one bathroom apartment.
"Really?" Ginny said, her eyes narrowing a bit as she bit into her breakfast which Ron had made.
Ron tried to silence Harry with a look. But Harry obviously missed it, cooing at the baby. Ron then quickly went back into the small open kitchen and started on the dishes.
"Yeah..." Harry said looking hungrily at Ginny's breakfast, taking a bite of the eggs.
"Even when you know that the baby doesn't keep quiet without you." Ginny continued, her tone a little too restrained.
"I just..." Harry replied, his voice faltering. "I just had a lot of information to process."
Ginny frowned but did not reply. Everybody in the small living room had their ears turned their way.
"How about the wizarding economy, eh?" Ron said, trying to change the topic. "Who knew a galleon is worth a 100 pounds? And when the goblins want to make nice, they really pull out all the stops. They gave us Gryffindor's sword.. Literally, gave it to us and they exchanged wizard money for muggle money. My mind is still blown."
"But are you sure this is where you want to stay, Harry?" Hermione added, taking over for the blubbering Ron. "This is a muggle community. You wont be able to do magic."
"Magic is over-rated." Harry added as he watched Percy get on his feet and tap his watch meaningfully at Ron. "I will see you guys soon. Drop by whenever you can."
Mr. Weasley nodded as he shook Harry's hand. They all cooed at the baby as they left, a forced habit as the baby didn't like people leaving the room when she isn't looking. Ginny and Hermione left soon after, afraid they would miss the train to Hogwarts. Hermione would be back in a fortnight to start her internship at the Ministry.
Harry kissed Ginny goodbye and closed the door as they left. He walked to his room and knocked on the door. The door opened before Harry could knock again.
"Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley said, flustered. "I must have dozed off. Is the baby hungry? I can get the formula ready in a jiffy."
Harry shook his head. He didn't remember his mother's voice. But whenever he imagined Lily Potter talking, he heard Mrs. Weasley's voice. He didn't know when it had been etched in his mind. But he wondered if he would even recognize his own mother's voice.
Mrs. Weasley took a step forward, silent tears running down her cheeks again.
"I must be really exhausted..." Mrs. Weasley added hastily as she wiped her tears on her sleeve.
Harry knew Mrs. Weasley cried often for Fred and George. Though the reason for her grief for the twins were different, she still cried for the both of them. And with Harry staying at the Burrow over the last few months, she was unable to deal with her loss. She occupied herself with Harry. She rarely slept and hardly ate. Harry wondered how well his own mother had slept when she was worried about losing her son. But Harry knew the only thing that would help was time. And her grief needed her time more than Harry did.
"Arthur has made an appointment late this afternoon at St. Mungo's." Mrs. Weasley said, as though reading his mind. "And later we will go to a muggle doctor who helps families who have lost children. I don't remember what they're called but this one is highly recommended for helping with...loss..."
Mrs. Weasley dramatically shook her head.
"Let me show you how an oven works." Mrs. Weasley said, briskly walking to the kitchen.
Harry nodded. He knew Mrs' Weasley would one day be alright again. And on that day, he will tell her how much she means to him and how grateful he is to have met her. But today was not the day. Harry conjured up a notebook. He was definitely taking notes in this class.
-XX-XX-
Mrs. Weasley put on her coat as Harry gathered up her belongings.
"Now, don't be a stranger, dear." Mrs. Weasley said, one hand on the door knob. "Are you sure you don't want us to raise the baby? I know we've talked about this. And I know you even went as far as adopting her. But we've grown quite attached to her. Besides, this is the first time you'll be living on your own. You've been doing quite well over the last few months but I don't think it will be easy to raise her on your own."
"I'm the only one who can subdue this monster." Harry said, as he kissed the top of the baby's head.
The baby giggled in response.
"Besides..." Harry continued. "As we have discussed many times before, great school, great location, great muggles. I want her to experience a good muggle life too. I think it'll be good... for the both of us..."
Mrs. Weasley smiled as she pulled Harry into a one armed hug.
"We should atleast name her..." Mrs. Weasley said, shaking her head.
"Daisy." Harry replied. "Her name is Daisy Potter."