It was Harry's first day back at work and he was feeling slightly nervous. It had been a while since he stepped foot in the Auror office. He was also dreading bumping into Mr Weasley it had only been a couple of days but he still hadn't returned back to The Burrow yet.
As he walked through The Atrium people was stopping to stair and whisper among themselves. Nobody knew where Harry had gone, and all of a sudden a guy who looked like him had appeared.
'Harry Potter, so the wander returns,' said a familiar grating voice running to keep up with his pace while he made his way to the elevators.
'Morning Rita, yes I'm back for good,' he answered walking faster still.
'Happy to be home?' she asked
'Very happy, it's been far too long.'
'So been anywhere nice?'
'Can't say sorry.'
'Can't or won't?' she sneered.
'Top Secret information. I literally can't speak of it, you know with the spells put on me to prevent it. Goodbye,' he said squeezing in the full lift.
He got out at Level 2 - Department of Magical Law Enforcement and headed towards the Auror offices. He approached the head of department Mr Gawain Robards door, knocked and entered.
'Ahh Mr Potter welcome back,' said Mr Robards shaking his hand warmly.
'Good Morning Mr Robards. It feels good to be back,' he responded warmly.
'Please take a seat.' Harry sat down and waiting for Mr Robards to speak.
'So Mr Potter-'
'Please sir, call me Harry. Mr Potter is far to grown up,' he laughed.
'Very well Harry. Have you settled back into normal life?'
'No not yet. I am staying at a Muggle Cousins for the time been until I find somewhere to live. The Ministry got me a room at The Leaky Cauldron but I felt too… surrounded. I wanted to readjust before being bombarded and since I aren't close with anyone in this world I asked Dudley if I could stay and he was more then happy to put me up,' smiled Harry.
'I thought you were close to the Weasleys?' asked Mr Robards. 'Weren't you dating the daughter?'
'I used to be,' he said simply.
'What happened?'
'I got hurt. Hence the reason I changed my mind about that mission… I've been to see them but I… I don't know. I'm not sure I'm wanted around there anymore. I will fight for my son though. He is all I have left in this world now.'
'You have a son?' he asked shocked. 'James is your son?'
'You didn't know?'
'No. I knew Ginny Weasley had a child but nobody knew who the father was.'
'Hasn't anyone put two and two together?'
'We tried but nobody could figure it out. Rita Skeeter was all over the story but the father of her child was anonymous. Is that why you left?'
'Didn't I just say I was hurt?' he snapped. 'Look I'm sorry. It's complicated but I've only just found out myself a couple of days ago.'
'Very well Harry.'
They spent a good half hour talking about the job, what role he would now play. He also got offered counselling for the time he was away. He declined. He felt his time away was like counselling. He battled his demons and worked through most of his pent up anger from childhood. He then got introduced to his colleagues, most of whom he recognised and greeted warmly. The new faces seemed in utter awe to be working along side Harry Potter.
He was just coming of his lunch when a figure stepped from an office across the way from his cubical and called for a word. Harry stood and walked into the office taking a seat without been asked.
'Harry how are you? Settling in alright?'
'I'm well thank you Mr Weasley. Yeah things seem to be going well,' he smiled.
'How would you like to come to dinner this evening?' he asked him.
'Dinner? I-I don't know. I don't think I'll be welcomed by some,' he said rather gloomily.
'Harry you will be welcomed by all. You should have heard what Ron and George said to Ginny after you left. They feel awful and Ginny has only been putting a smile on her face for James's benefit. When he goes to bed she would usually sit down and chat with us all, or go and visit Ron and Hermione. Instead she hides in her room and cries. We want to make peace Harry, please let us make peace. And we want you to get to know your son. He is such a bright, caring child Harry.' Harry didn't answer, he just sat in thought. 'Think about it Harry,' said Arthur. He then handed him a leather bound book. Harry opened it and saw it was pictures of a baby, as he turned the pages this baby grew into the little boy he met the other day, and he couldn't help but smile. 'Dinner will be ready at seven. Please consider it Harry, if not for us, then for James.' He finished by opening the door and holding it open for him.
Harry went straight to his cubical, sat down and opened the photo album. He stared for a long while at the picture of James as a baby in Ginny's arms. He didn't know if it was him but he understood how Ginny knew he was Harry's, what puzzled him was how the rest of the world didn't know.
Everyone was over at The Burrow, Ron and Hermione, George and Angelina, Percy and Aubrey, Bill, Fleur, and Victoire, and of course Mr and Mrs Weasley, Ginny and James.
'Is he defiantly coming dad?' asked Ron, again.
'I said I'm not sure, he didn't say but the look on his face when I gave him that album… that look said yes,' said Mr Weasley smiling.
'I hope he comes,' said Ginny fastening a tie around a struggling James's neck. 'James stop struggling.'
'Me don't want it mummy,' he said madly.
'You want to look smart for Harry don't you?'
'No!' She eventually won the battle with him. He looked so adorable in his little shirt and tie, black trousers and shoes.
The clock struck seven-fifteen and there still was no sign of Harry.
'Doesn't look like he is coming dear,' said Molly to Arthur. Everyone looked disappointed. She dished up the starters and everyone had just started eating when there was a knock at the back door. Everyone looked up at each other and Arthur stood up to answer it.
'Sorry I'm late Mr Weasley,' said Harry. He was wearing a white shirt which fitted nicely, neither to tight nor to slack; you could see his strong arms at the sleeves, and a pair of straight leg black jeans, finished off by a pair of white Skater style trainers.
'No problem Harry. Please sit down,' said Molly. She placed him at the opposite end of the table next to Hermione and George.
'I've brought these,' he said taking three bottles of wine from the bag. 'Not sure what everyone liked so I brought red, white and rose. I also brought this.' He placed a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey on the table. The men liked this.
Mrs Weasley placed his starter in front of him and everyone started to eat again. 'We didn't think you were going to show up Harry,' she said. 'Otherwise we would have waited for you.'
'It's fine. To be honest I wasn't sure myself. I have been changing my mind all day. Only decided an hour ago.'
'Well least you come now,' she smiled. After everyone finished there starters Mrs Weasley and Ginny started applying the finishing touches to the main course.
'Ginny go take James and introduce him to Harry,' whispered Mrs Weasley.
'I already have.'
'Does he know Harry is his father?'
'Well…'
'Go on, before he gets to sleepy and before you all have a little too much to drink,' she said kindly. 'Fleur, Hermione couldn't give us a hand could you?'
Ginny gave up. She picked James up from his chair and took him into the living room interacting Harry to follow.
She sat down with James on her knee and Harry sat next to them.
'James sweetie, do you remember Harry from the other day?' she asked him. James nodded his head.
'Well do you know how you sometimes ask why you haven't got a daddy like Victoire?' James nodded.
'You said Daddy wasn't around because he was a brave man and working out of England but that he loved me,' he said looking at her puzzled over the questioning. Harry's eyes filled up.
'You really said that?' he whispered to her.
She smiled and nodded then looked at James. 'Well James, I have some good news for you. Your daddy is around now.'
'Who?' he asked looking at Harry.
'James sweetie, Harry is your daddy.'
'Harry?'
'Yes Harry,' James just stared at his father. He didn't know what to think.
'Why do you have that scar on your face?' he asked Harry. Harry smiled.
'Well when I was away there was a mean man and I had to arrest him. He didn't come quietly and did this to daddy,' he told him. It was the truth to a point. The full story was rather gruesome and inappropriate for a child.
'Did it hurt?' he asked wide eyed.
'A little bit.'
'Did you cry?' he asked him again.
'No… no,' he said looking at Ginny shaking his head. He then leaned into James and whispered into his ear. 'I did really, but we don't want mummy to know I cry do we?' James giggled at this thinking his mum couldn't hear.
'What are you two giggling at?' asked Ginny playing along for James's amusement.
James looked at Harry. 'Shh… don't tell her,' he said to him smiling and giving him a little wink. 'It's our secret.'
'Not allowed to tell you mummy,' he told her giggling again.
'Come on then two, let's go and see if Dinner is out yet,' said Ginny. She put James down and all three of them went into the kitchen.
'Can I sit next to Harry Mummy?' asked James.
'Of course you can darling,' said Mrs Weasley smiling. Everyone seemed to be. George and Angelina Moved down a couple of spaces so James could sit next to Harry and Ginny next to James.
'Harry?'
'Yes son?' "Wow it felt good to say that," he thought.
'Do you have anymore scares?'
'I have a couple,' he said to him.
'Can I see them?'
He showed him his most famous scar and the one on his arm from where Nagini bit him. 'Wow did they hurt?'
'I don't know. I was younger then you when I got this one,' he said pointing to his head. 'And I was asleep when I got this one,' he said pointing to Nagini's bite.
'Really? How did you get the one on your head?'
'That son is a story for another time,' he told him.
James spent the night asking Harry question after question. About where he'd been, why him and is mummy weren't like Victories parents, why he came back. 'Thank you for such a lovely meal Mrs Weasley, I sure have missed your cooking,' he said rubbing his full tummy after he eaten desert.
'You're welcome Harry,' she smiled warmly. James gave a big yawn after his desert and was very sleepy.
'Come on James lets get you washed, teeth brushed and off to bed,' said Ginny standing up.
'But I'm not tired mummy. I want to stay and talk to Harry,' he said while yawning and rubbing his eyes.
'Come on James, you are tired,' she said picking him up.
'Can Harry take me to bed then?'
Ginny looked to Harry and Harry nodded. 'Of course he can sweetie,' she said putting him down. 'Go say goodnight to everyone.'
James went around the table giving everyone a kiss and hug. He then ran to him mum who picked him up, he gave her a big sloppy kiss and a big cuddle. 'Love you James.'
'Love you Mummy.' Ginny then handed him over to Harry. He said goodnight to everyone.
'Which is your room then James?' he asked.
'That one,' he said pointing to the room which belonged to Percy. He should have known. His door was decorate with his name and Hippogriffs flew across the door.
'Really? I stayed in that room for a year before I had to go away,' he told his son. When he entered the room the walls were a pale blue colour, with posters of Chudley Cannons, Holyhead Harpies, Martin Miggs: the Mad Muggle, and Hippogriff posters. He also had a couple of pictures of himself with Victoire and a boy with different coloured hair. 'Right, where are your Pyjamas?' asked Harry.
'On my bed silly,' said James grinning while pointing to his bed where they were a pair of fresh, clean pyjamas. Harry helped him change before taking him to the bathroom where he brushed his teeth and washed his face. He then took him to his bedroom and tucked him in.
'Where's Buckbeak?' asked James.
'Who's Buckbeak?' asked Harry.
'My teddy.'
Harry got his want out; 'Accio Buckbeak' and the next second Buckbeak came soaring through the air towards him.
'Who called him Buckbeak?' asked Harry smiling at the Hippogriff before giving it to his son.
'Hagrid, he gave him to me and that poster,' he said pointing to the poster of the Hippogriff.
Harry then went into the bag next to him. Inside he pulled out a teddy of a snowy white owl and gave it to him.
'Thank you Harry,' said James beaming.
'I got you that because it reminded me of my old owl,' Harry told him.
'What was your owl called?'
'Hedwig, Hagrid bought me her for my eleventh Birthday,' he said smiling.
'Hagrid is nice, I like him,' he replied sleepily.
'I also brought this,' he said showing him a picture of Himself, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They were all out in the snow laughing, it was taken during there last Christmas before Harry left. James got out of bed and placed it on his desk.
'Thank you Harry and I am calling my owl Hedwig,' he smiled. Harry tucked him in again. 'Don't forget to leave that light on,' he said pointing to a small lamp which looked like a night light. Harry lit it straight away before turning the larger one off. He then told him a story. He didn't know what it was a bout he made it up as he went along. James eyes were closed. So Harry stood up and kissed him lightly on his head.
'Sweet Dreams son.'
'Night Daddy,' James said quietly in barely a whisper. Harry's heart swelled and he felt his eyes fill up. He wondered how, after only spending a few hours with him, how much he loved his son. He stood and watched him for a while as he settled himself, cuddling both of his soft toys. As he left the room he bumped into Ginny who was stood outside his door way listening to everything that was said.
'Thank you Ginny,' said Harry quietly.
'For what?'
'Giving me a second chance to be with my son,' he replied.
'I would never stop you seeing him Harry. Especially now, he has really taken to you tonight,' she said smiling.
Harry and Ginny arrived back in the kitchen at the same time Bill came down stairs. 'She is hard on asleep,' said Bill. He had been and put Victoire in The spare bedroom.
They cracked the wine and Firewhiskey open. 'Glad you came tonight Harry,' said Ron as he poured him a glass of Firewhiskey.
'Yeah so am I now. James is a great kid, you've done a fantastic job Ginny,' he said smiling around at everyone.
'Thank you Harry, but I couldn't have done it without this lot.' She smiled.
'He has really taken to you Harry,' said Mrs Weasley proudly.
'Yeah I have him as well,' he said. The topic soon changed to where Harry was staying.
'I'm staying at my cousin Dudley's,' he said to them all. 'Until I can find somewhere else to live.'
'Harry dear, why don't you move back in here? There is plenty of room you know,' said Mrs Weasley.
'Thank you Mrs Weasley but I think it would be too awkward.'
'Well the offer is always open,' she smiled to him warmly.
'I've got an idea Potter,' said George.
'What's that then Weasley?'
'The flat above the shop, I don't live there anymore. It has two bedrooms so James can stay over,' he told him.
'George… that is a brilliant idea,' said Harry thoughtfully.
'And best of all it will be free of charge,' George smiled to everyone else's shock. Well everyone apart from Angelina.
'George no, I will pay you rent,' he said seriously.
'You will not,' he said hurt. 'You helped pay for the place. Gave Fred and I our start up loan. It's the least I can do.' After a small argument between everyone it was settled that Harry wouldn't pay rent.
'So how did you get your latest scare?' asked Ron indicating to Harry face. Harry told them all about the swords man he had to fight. He his unbuttoned his shirt to show him he shoulder. Ginny, Angelina, Hermione, Fleur and Aubrey eyed him up with pleasure. He was a very fit man. Very toned and tanned. His chest and stomach bearded several scares but nothing serious.
'Harry is that a tattoo?' asked Percy as he walked past the back of Harry.
'Yeah. It's a little something to remind me of why I'm still here.' It was a tattoo of the letters D.A. with 'Dumbledore Army' written around it twice forming a circle. It was coloured in Red, Blue and yellow. The colours of the three houses' that chose to join.
'Let's see then,' said Angelina. He turned around and took his shirt off to show him his shoulder. Again the girls eyed him with pleasure, he had a very strong back and shoulders.
Over all it had been a good evening. Harry arrange with Ginny to come and see James tomorrow after work and with George to move into the flat at the weekend. He was just about to leave when George stopped him.
'One more thing Harry.'
'Yeah?'
'You free Saturday after next?'
'Should be why?'
'Well you've got a wedding to be at. The best man can't miss it can he?'
'George I asked you,' said Ron embarrassed.
'I know you did bro, but Harry is your best friend. I think it will mean more to you both then it would me,' he said. 'Don't get me wrong Ron it was an honour to be asked but I'm afraid I will have to decline,' he said looking at the hurt look on his brother's face.
'You sure George?'
'Positive.'
Ron looked at Harry. 'What do you say then? Up for the job?'
'Only if you really want me there,' said Harry.
'Cause I do mate,' said Ron taking his longest friend into a manly hug.
The following day Harry was once again walking through The Atrium more people were pointing more then ever. "POTTERS RETURNED READ ALL ABOUT IT." He hard a young lad shouting, Harry walked over and bought a copy of the paper.
Once at his cubical he unfolded it. The front page was covered a picture of himself smiling from yesterday.
"A HEROES RETURNS"
By Rita Skeeter. While walking through the Ministry of Magic yesterday I got the shock of my life when I saw none other the wizarding worlds Hero, Harry James Potter. I walked up to him to try and get an interview. He answered a few questions while continuing walking. However he seemed very happy to be back home. Continued page 13.
