Chapter 1

18 months earlier - set a month or so after the final Battle

July 1998

Everyone tried to get back to normal after the Battle of Hogwarts. Key word being tried. There was a lot of scarring - both mental and physical.

The remaining Weasley's went home, back to The Burrow, missing one but having regained Percy. Hermione went back to The Burrow too, temporarily at least, until her and Ron were packed and sorted for the trip to Australia to find her parents.

Harry felt at a loss. The last seven years had been spent with one purpose, defeat Voldemort. But that had now finally been accomplished. So what next. Where did he belong. Not back at Privet Drive, that was for certain. And Hogwarts was in ruins, plus too many faces came to haunt him when he thought of school, maybe that would have changed by September. Harry really hoped so, he'd heard a rumour that Professor McGonagall was inviting those who didn't complete the end of year exams to come back, he was still waiting for the owl with more information.

Harry's thoughts turned to his family. The Weasleys had invited him to live with them, however Harry couldn't bear it at the moment. Every time he saw the tears in Molly's eyes or George turning to tell his twin the punchline of a joke before he realises he isn't there, these cut Harry deeper each time. So for now he can't go back there. Family though. He had had a family. Sirius made sure to provide for him before the faithful day, The Battle at the Ministry. Two years since already. Harry stood shocked as his brain raced through the last few years. It did mean Harry had a house though, a space of his own, whether it was hospitable or not he was about to find out. Harry apparated to his new destination...

"Master Harry. You returned" said an enthusiastic Kreacher, as he met Harry is the spotless hallway.

Ever since they holed up there looking for Horcrux and Kreacher had been given Regulus's locket the house had been more well kept.

"Hi Kreacher. Yeah I'm going to be staying a while, at least till term starts in September. Is there food in to make a meal tonight?" Asked Harry.

"Certainly there can be Master, Kreacher is more than happy to make Master his favourite meal. And if Master is staying, Master may wish to tell Kreacher how he wishes the house to look?"

Harry is stumped by that last part. He knows what his favourite meal is and tells Kreacher that sausage, mash and Yorkshire puddings would be great. The second part, redecorating, he needs to think about. He's never had somewhere to call his own before. The cupboard didn't have much scope for being made homely and neither did Dudley's second bedroom. Harry felt most at home in the dorms at Hogwarts, but those memories were still too raw. Harry decided to tell Kreacher he just wanted the place liveable, for now.

That evening, finally feeling comfortable for the first time in a long while, Harry starts to write to the people he cares about to let them know the living arrangement situation. He writes to Ginny, Ron and Hermione, Neville and Luna. Just as he's about to put the quill away he hesitates, his thoughts turning to Draco. Letter written he shakes his head to try clear his thoughts. Where did that come from. He quickly grabs the letter to Ginny and adds a ps

Ps - now we have some privacy shall we start to take our relationship to the next step?

He hopes she understands the hint and lays his fears of thinking about Malfoy to one side. Harry decides to head to bed and nip to the post office to sort the owls in the morning. And with that he heads to Sirius's old room to try sleep.