I do not own Harry Potter and co. I am just a fan that does not want the magic to end!

Just One of the Guys

Chapter Three

A Hero's Return

The smile that spread ear to ear across the handsome face of Harry James Potter was the first to appear there since the arrival of the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross at the end of his fifth year. Hogwarts was more like a home for the shy almost 16 year old then any he had ever known, apart from the Burrow of coarse.

The smile that reached his brilliant emerald eyes was a sure sign of the pure bliss he was feeling at finally being allowed to escape the dismal life he was forced to lead at the home of his only living relations, the Dursleys. The fact that he had only been forced to endure two weeks of their company, if you could call shut up in his room avoiding every other living person that occupied that house company, was still regrettable, but it was no matter now that he was finally free.

Not only was he free after a record short period of time of being forced to live at 4 Pivet Drive, but he was also presently on his way to his second most favourite place on earth, and was being escorted by the illustrious Headmaster himself, Professor Dumbledore. Harry was finally heading towards the Burrow to spend the lion's share of his summer with the people he loved the most.

The Weasleys had taken him in as one of their own, without question. He was never treated as either an honoured guest or something found under one's shoe. He was accepted and treated as one of the boys, expected to pull his weight in household chores, and he loved it. Unlike the forced labour he was to endure at the Durlseys, the work he performed contributed to the smooth running of the Burrow, and was appreciated, which made all the difference. To the Weasleys he wasn't Harry James Potter, the boy-who-lived and saviour of the Wizarding world, he was Harry, just Harry, and it was the best feeling in the world.

"If you would be so kind Harry, to take a secure hold of my arm we will side-along apparate to our final destination." Professor Dumbledore spoke softly with the ever-constant twinkle in his eyes. "I am sure Molly will be anxious to fatten you up and bring you back once again from death's door step."

Harry smirked at the description of the Weasley mother's attitude toward his appearance; it was just like her to fuss over his health. He often wondered what would happen should she ever meet his Aunt and Uncle, who seemed to take great pleasure in his discomfort and malnutrition.

Hesitantly Harry asked "side-along apparition, sir?"

Dumbledore looked down onto the boy he had grown to care for, maybe more then he should have allowed himself to. However, once meeting him almost six years ago, he couldn't see how he could have stopped the inevitable from happening. Harry Potter was a pleasant mixture of both his parents, two people whom the kindly Headmaster had missed immensely.

"Yes, Harry, it will be slightly uncomfortable, I'm afraid. It is a sensation one must become accustomed to." Holding out his arm, he indicated with a nod of his head to grab hold as previously requested.

The moment Harry had a firm grip, the oddest feeling came over him. It was like being tugged from the navel through a straw, and at one point he was sure he had stopped breathing. Thankfully, the whole unsettling experience lasted no more then two or three seconds.

His hands let go of the Headmaster's arm, and quickly traveled over his entire body in search of all his appendages. Sighing with relief, he spoke dryly towards his traveling companion. "I think I prefer flying to that."

An amused chuckle reached his ears as he looked into the kindly face of one of the most endeared people in his life. He met Dumbledore's amused grin with his own trademark smirk and shrugged his shoulders.

"Sir, how will I get my trunk and Hedwig?" It surprised him that he had not thought of that earlier but with the surprise of finding his Headmaster on his doorstep, added to the happiness of finding out he would be spending his summer with Ron and his family, the details understandably slipped his mind.

"Not to worry Harry, I have sent them along and they should be safely waiting for your arrival. Now let us continue our short walk as I am sure Molly is looking forward to declaring you far to thin and most unfortunately neglected once again." His chuckle and sparkling eyes took the sting out of the far too truthful descriptive words. No one knew quite how much it saddened the kindly Headmaster to have to send Harry back every year knowing what type of family awaited him there, but unfortunately he had yet to find a better solution, and his top priority had always been keeping the youth safe from the evil that haunted his existence.

The two walked on, chatting in the early sunlight, as they marched along the well-beaten path from the Apparition site towards the loving home known to many as the Burrow. It was a sight that made Harry's heart skip a beat, and as his mind lightened its heavy load, the feeling of returning home spread through him like a warmth of a welcoming hug.

Molly Weasley was just finishing the breakfast dishes and preparing for the start of lunch. There was always something to keep her busy, especially when she had all her children with her, but you would never hear her complain. She was fussing with another load of laundry in between meal preparation when the sound of the happy knock coming from the kitchen door grabbed her attention.

Shuffling towards the door, she asked with one hand on the handle the other on her wand, "Who is it?" Her voice was strong, with a slight quiver betraying her feelings to only those who truly knew her well.

"It is I Molly. I have brought you young Harry for the summer as requested." The Headmaster chuckled looking into the questioning eyes of his young charge.

"Oh wonderful," she remarked. The door handle twitched, then fell silent without another movement.

Why was she not opening the door Harry wondered, and what is with this whole cloak and dagger stuff?

Harry was going to voice his questions when the voice of Mrs. Weasley was heard once again through the heavy oak door. "Harry, what question did my Ginny ask you when you first arrived at the Burrow before your second year, and Albus, what did I say to you to change your mind about Harry's arrival date this summer?" Silence enveloped the warm sunny morning and Molly waited, anxiously for their replies never letting her grip loosen on her wand.

Harry looked panicked, that was along time ago, he set his mind working quickly to drag up this distant yet happy memory. He heard the soft chuckle of his Headmaster before he answered his question with ease.

"Well my dear, I do believe you threatened to retrieve our young friend here your self, and no doubt would have given his Aunt a piece of your mind in doing so, therefore naturally I agreed." He nodded his head in submission on an act well played in the constant struggle for young Potter's welfare.

Harry looked up, startled. He didn't know why he was released from his own personal hell early, but it looked like he had Mrs. Weasley to thank. Albus looked down at him in anticipation, which served as a gentle reminder that Harry had not yet answered his question.

"Oh….erm…..Ginny asked for her jumper….is that right?" He was hesitant and hoped that was the answer she was looking for. The door open swiftly and he found himself the recipient of Molly Weasley's bone-crushing hug, the warmth filling him immediately.

"Oh Harry love, we've missed you," she clucked. "Come in, come in, both of you…I'm sorry about all that but Arthur made me promise, well you know…" she trailed off with a slight hint of aggravation, these silly questions she had to ask before answering her own door were starting to grate on her nerves.

"Quite right Molly, they are an unfortunate annoyance, but a necessary one during these questionable times," Dumbledore said while shutting the door behind him. He turned and bestowed a gentle smile towards the older witch.

" I trust young Harry's possessions arrived, along with his delightful owl?" He turned to take in the cultured but cozy kitchen, spotting nothing out of place.

"Yes, oh yes.They arrived but not a few moments ago," replied Molly Weasley. "Ron has taken your trunk up to his room dear." She turned to Harry, "along with Hedwig's cage. I do believe she is out giving her wings a good stretch."

Harry smiled his thanks and turned to hear the regal Headmaster bid his fair well. "Well I leave you in the competent hands of Molly Weasley," Dumbledore said with a hand placed on Harry's shoulder. "I will see you again on the first of September."

He made his way gracefully towards the door. "Thank you, Molly, for everything. I would trust no other during this time." With a pleasant nod, he exited quickly and quietly, leaving a teary Molly Weasley overwhelmed by his trusting words.

Wiping her eyes with her apron, she turned to Harry. "Well now, lets get a look at you," she clucked, while fussing with his hair at another attempt to control it. "You're too thin. Well, we will have to fatten you up this summer, now won't we!"

Her kind smile reached her eyes as she looked adoringly upon her adopted son. Those horrible Muggles would one day get the telling off they so deserved, but for now her attention would be on showering all the love and attention she could on Harry before school was to begin.

"Hungry, Harry?" She didn't wait for his answer, and immediately began preparing a large breakfast for him. Her own children had long since finished their own breakfast, but it would still be a while before lunch. She would not let him go hungry in between, or her name wasn't Molly Weasley!

Harry simply nodded his head in agreement, and motioned his intent to take his usual seat at the well-worn but pristinely scrubbed solid oak table.

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable in the front room," suggested Mrs. Weasley. "I think Ginny is in there, and I am sure Ron will be down shortly if he ever gets his room sorted out." The last part was mumbled more under her breath, but still clearly heard, resulting in the happy chuckle from Harry.

Harry smiled and placed a quick kiss on the older witch's aged cheek. This was the first time he had ever initiated any form of physical affection to anyone other then his beloved Godfather.

Molly was momentarily stunned. Tears ran down her kind face as she watched Harry disappear into the parlour in search of one of her children. Shaking herself out of her stupor, she set straight to work. This would be the best breakfast she had ever made, and it would be served with a heaping side order of love.

Harry heard happy whistling as he left the kitchen on his way to root out Ron. He didn't know why he kissed Mrs. Weasley; he just suddenly felt the urge to do so. She was the closest thing to a mother he had ever known, and although they only knew each other in passing, he was sure his mother would have approved of her affections for her only son.

Sorry the delay, I have no excuse other then to say that my children have been taking up my time (as they should do…really) My oldest son (Jarred) made the competitive select baseball team and he will also be playing on the house team, plus my youngest (Thomas) is on his house team. Add that to both kids soccer schedule and I am almost as busy as Hockey season. Oh well, hopefully things have slowed down enough to get into some type of schedule for me to add my own hobbies (i.e. fanfiction stories)

So here is my humble apologies for making you wait so long, I have the next chapter ready and will send it to my wonderful beta ASAP and update fast to help make up for the delay. The next chapter starts to get a bit funnier with the interaction with the kids (namely Harry and Ginny).

Thanks for holding on, hope you like it so far. Remember how much a few kind words can do for someone's ego and review…..nicely 