Author's Note: in case you didn't look at my profile first, I will be changing my pen name to The Golden One - right modesty... But hey, it's the meaning of my English name - secondly, I am discontinuing my other stories, really am sorry.. If there is anyone who wishes to continue them for me feel free to tell me and the story is yours.
WARNING: Drarry, male male relationships, fem slash. There will be some er... action going on but no, this isn't M rated... So you have been warned.
Story begins after the war, not epilogue compliant.
Disclaimer: harry potter and all belongs to JK Rowling... Sadly...
Harry lay curled up in the corner of the bedroom, sobbing quietly. He had lost his best friend, a few people he considered family and all his close school mates the horrible war that had happened a mere 3 weeks ago. His first friend and his brother Ron Weasley had died in the war as a sacrifice. He gave himself to protect Harry from the Killing Curse that was meant for Harry. It wasn't only Ron who had been killed in the war. Fred too had been killed by a wall that was destroyed by one of the Death Eaters. There were many others like Parvati Patil, Colin Creevey, Seamus Finnegan, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Cho Chang, Terry Boot, Ernie Macmillan and a few others he couldn't identify.
He, the supposed Savior of the Wizarding World had taken so many lives indirectly because they chose to fight with him during the war instead of just handing him over to Voldemort. Also, because of Voldemort, he had lost two people who had guided him through the dark times he faced and taught him right from wrong. Sirius, his godfather and Professor Dumbledore, his mentor. Hermione Granger, his other best friend was one of the few people who survived the harsh times. She stuck with him through it all and even now, she stayed with him in No. 12 Grimmauld Place. Somehow, the house didn't look so grim anymore. Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys, Remus Lupin and Kreacher had worked together to make the place livable and managed to shut the shrieking portrait of Sirius' mother up. Right now, he was curled up in the corner of Sirius' old bedroom that was decorated with faded Gryffindor banners and pictures of the Marauders.
He hugged his knees to his chest tightly, his eyes screwed shut but the tears still poured down his cheeks. A soft knock was heard on the partially open door and Hermione came in looking very worried. "Harry, love. Come down and eat supper," she said gently and softly as she entered the room. The sight she saw curled up at the corner of the room made her heart wrench in pain. "Herm... It's my entire fault... I'm to blame...I killed Ron..." sobbed Harry as he rocked back and forth. Hermione dropped to her knees next to Harry and gathered him in her arms as she whispered soft comforting words into his ear. He sobbed quietly against her chest as she held him close to her warmth.
"Harry, you're freezing cold. How long have you been curled up in the corner?" asked Hermione worriedly as she felt his ice cold hands. "Since lunch," came Harry's muffled reply as he hugged Hermione. She sighed and rubbed his back in soothing circles and she felt his sobs subside and he relaxed slightly. She knew he thought himself as weak for always thinking of the War and breaking down, but she thought differently. Ever since Harry was a young baby, he shouldered so many burdens and now came the time for him to let out his pain. He hid his pain well and was always there for her. Now, it was her turn to be his shoulder to cry on when he needed it.
Finally, he sat up and wiped away his tears. "Thanks Herm..." he said thickly, his nose blocked. Hermione smiled at him gently and replied "I'm always here for you, sweetheart," They had started dating a few days after the war. Hermione loved every minute of the time they spent together and absolutely treasured it. She cared for him as he did for her. "Let's go eat. Kreacher has been worried sick that you've not eaten much during lunch," scolded Hermione lightly as she entwined her fingers with his. He gave her a small smile and pecked the top of her head affectionately. "Ah, bless his soul. To think I used to dislike him," mused Harry. Hermione giggled and they walked down to the kitchen in comfortable silence. They seated themselves at the small round table that was laden with hot soup and fresh bread with some butter. Harry's stomach grumbled slightly and Hermione chuckled "If your stomach can wait another 2 minutes, Remus is coming,"
Just as she finished her sentence, doorbell rang and Kreacher rushed to get it. A minute later he returned with a slightly healthier but shabby looking man. "Announcing Master Lupin," said Kreacher croakily as he pulled out a chair for Remus. Remus smiled at Kreacher and said "Thank you Kreacher," Kreacher gave a low bow and retreated to his room.
"Harry, how are you?" asked Remus lightly as he tore a piece of bread and dipped it into his bowl of hot soup. Harry shrugged while munching on his food. Remus caught Hermione's eye and the worry clear in her eyes told him everything. Harry looked like he hadn't been sleeping or eating well. What with the eye bags and the fact that he was practically skin and bones. "I'm fine Remus, just having a hard time falling asleep," said Harry quietly. Remus sipped his soup then replied "Harry, you need to be looked after... You look like you're about to drop to ground and never wake up. You need professional treatment for your insomnia,"
Harry stared at his friend in horror and shook his head. "No way, Remus! I'm not going back to Hogwarts," he said defiantly. Hermione sighed and took Harry's hand. "Love, you haven't been sleeping. All you do is sit in the living room and stare into the fire," she said softly, her thumb rubbing small circles in the back of his hand. Harry looked at his girlfriend and the worry was clearly etched into her face. At once, Harry conceded defeat and nodded his permission to be taken to Hogwarts infirmary. Remus smiled and said "Good. I'll owl Minerva later to inform her we'll be going to Hogwarts via Floo at 10 in the morning tomorrow,"
Hermione watched Harry in silence. She could tell that he was positively unhappy of the prospect of returning to Hogwarts. The one place he felt most at home and the one place that was filled with bad memories. Death and pain surrounded that school. Nothing could alter what had took place there just 3 weeks ago. To be stuck in the place where you saw your fellow schoolmates and friends murdered, it wasn't nice. "Harry, I know you don't want to… But at least get your insomnia heal first," said Hermione quietly as she took Harry's cold hand in her own. Harry smiled at her bravely and replied "Don't worry Herm, I'll be fine,"
Remus watched their exchange in silence as he finished up the delicious wild mushroom soup cooked by Kreacher. He too felt the pain of returning there. Where he's wife was murdered and he was left as a single father to raise his young son with the help of his mother-in-law. His son was now half a year old and was growing to become a good Metamorphmagus. Sadly, his mother wasn't around to see him. He cleared his heads of depressing thoughts and quickly finished the bread. "Thanks for inviting me over for supper. If you don't mind, I need to go home to Teddy," said Remus with a smile. He loved his son very much.
Harry smiled slightly and said "Okay, you and Ted are welcome here anytime! Say hi to him for me!" Remus nodded and with one last wave, he apparated out of Grimmauld Place with a soft pop. Hermione called Kreacher and helped him to clean up the bowls and plates while Harry wandered to the living room. He sat in front of the fire and stared into it. 'Ron… I'm sorry…' he thought sadly. 'I failed you as a friend… Herm may be right… You knew of the danger yet you adamantly insisted on sticking by me… You were like a brother to me…'
Flashback:
"STUPEFY! EXPELLIARMUS!" shouted Harry and Ron in sync. They grinned at each other and quickly moved through the battlefield, helping a few of their friends along the way. "Expecto patronum!" screamed Harry as soon as he saw the Dementors approaching. A white stag burst out from the tip of his wand followed by a small terrier. Immediately, he knew Ron had done the same spell.
They were brother in arms and best friends from the first moment on the train. They were closer then close and at times, they could sense what the other was going to do. As they celebrated the fall of another Death Eater, Harry failed to hear Bellatrix LeStrange shriek "Avada kevadra!" at him.
"Harry! Look out!" shouted Ron. Harry turned and saw the flash of green coming towards him and soon it was gone. He expected to feel the numbness wash over him and the life go out in him. But instead, Ron gave him a last smile and the light in his eyes went out as Harry caught him. "RON! NO! RON! PLEASE WAKE UP!" screamed Harry as he hugged his friend's body. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he shook Ron's body. Finally, he looked up. Fire burned in his eyes as he uttered "Crucio," Bellatrix writhed in pain and agony as Harry shouted every spell he knew that would inflict great pain on the opponent.
On the same day, Bellatrix died in the hands of Harry. Harry had avenged his godfather and best friend, yet he felt even more lonely and empty inside. He looked up and determinedly carried Ron's body while seeking out his other best friend on the battlefield. There was no way in hell he was going to see the life of another close friend die in front of him. He would do anything it took to protect Hermione.
End Flashback.
When Harry woke up, there was a blanket covering him and his head was pillowed by a soft feather pillow. He stretched out and sat up feeling very wide awake. He glanced at the grandfather clock and noted that it was 5 in the morning. Would Hermione mind if he snuck into her bed? All he wanted was to feel her warmth after reliving the past of his best friend's death.
He stood up and walked quietly to his girlfriend's bedroom and pushed open the slightly ajar door. Hermione looked so peaceful when she was asleep. A small smile was on her face at it made Harry's heart leap with joy. He quietly tiptoed to the other side of the bed and climbed in. He moved closer to Hermione and hugged her, enjoying the warmth and support she gave.
"Har? That you?" said Hermione sleepily as she turned to snuggle into Harry's well toned chest. Harry smiled and said softly "Yeah, it's me. Go sleep okay?" He felt her nod and instantly, they fell asleep.
Author's Note: So what did you think? Harry is kind of unstable but... Who wouldn't be after a war eh? So, review please! You may have a pleasant dream where Draco serves you the ice cream of your liking :D :D
