I do not own HP
Thanks to my beta Sharptooth
Chapter 4 – Night and Day
It had been a day of days for the Wizarding world. Not since the last days of World War II had there been such a battle and many would go on to say that what happened then was nothing to what had happened at what was to be know at 'The Battle of Hogwarts'. Many had perished that day from both sides and of all ages. On both sides children wept for their deceased parents and many parents on the winning side were in heavy despair at the lost of their children. However, there was a sense of peace that had not been felt in many years. It was a feeling that many would go on to share at pubs and inns around the country with their friends and even strangers that had not been felt since after the defeat of Grindlewald over a half century before.
In the years that would pass, many would say that 'The Battle of Hogwarts' was the last battle of the war and it would become accepted as fact. Many would be mistaken however. What many did not know is that several hours after the fight at Hogwarts and when many of its inhabitants when to rest, newly named temporary Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt led a small group of loyal, well trusted aurors into the ministry itself. Their mission was to deal with those still loyal to Voldemort and his ideals that were holding up in the ministry. It was a short battle and no aurors were lost. The remaining death eaters and their supporters of the last year were all rounded up, including one Dolores Jane Umbridge. The tedious part of the day is what followed the capture of all those within the building. Questioning and interviewing everyone to make sure that no one slipped through the cracks like the last war or got off with a large bribe. It was for this reason that the minister took his place in most interrogations and authorized the use of veriteserum.
Kingsley Shacklebolt sat in the Minister of Magic's office and wondered how the hell he had gotten there. Not even twenty four hours ago he was leading a group of students and adults onto the grounds of Hogwarts to deal with the invading death eaters and now he was practically in charge of Wizarding Britain; a severely damaged and hurting Britain that was going to need a lot of work to not only overcome the previous year of terror, but the many years that led up to it. It was the early morning hours of the day after the battle that found Kingsley to be where he was. He had not slept a wink since he got the message that Harry had arrived at Hogwarts and it wasn't looking like he was going to get any for several hours. Kingsley was unsure of how to proceed into the future.
The past few years since Voldemort, aka Tom Riddle returned, it had been all about warning the ministry and reacting to what the death eaters were doing. It was never discussed how they were going got manage things after the war was over and this was Kingsley's main problem right now. He knew that with the right people they could come up with new policies pushing the Wizarding world towards the future, but there would still be pureblood holdouts. He also realized that with Harry's help he could get the public behind him quite easily and they would be able to do what they wanted, but could he do that to Harry? Harry was never one to be used as a figurehead and Kingsley knew this. It was with these thoughts that sleep finally claimed Kingsley as he stared into the portrait that was connected to the Prime Ministers office.
North of London and far up in Scotland it was quiet as a tomb throughout Hogwarts castle. Even Peeves had recognized the heaviness of the day and despite his victory song earlier in the day had decided to keep quiet. Many wizards and witches had opted to stay the night, either from fear of returning home and finding nothing or from deciding to stay and help those that had been injured or had been injured themselves. Even the house elves after many diligent hours spent trying to repair the castle or helping bring food to those around castle were resting wherever it is they rest within the castle. Though the castle looked much better than it had earlier in the day, it still looked worse than it ever had since its construction nearly 1000 years ago. The families that had decided to stay at the castle were all being housed in the house dormitories their children that were in that particular house, friends as well. All the houses were occupied, except for Slytherin which had no one to stay in it. Those from Hogsmeade who had not returned to the village and their homes were rooming in the guest rooms that the castle occasionally provided. It is finally in Gryffindor tower that we find the Weasleys, and all except two were crashing and sleeping the best that they could in a first year dormitory.
In one bed Arthur held Molly as she silently cried in her sleep for her lost son. Arthur himself was asleep, but the effects of the day were seen on his weary face. Seeing friends and school aged children die will do that to a man. It had just started off as just another day, besides the living in fear thing, with Arthur and Molly waking up early and drinking tea with their Auntie Muriel while listening to her complain. It had been just over a month since they had moved into her house for safety and she was wear on people. Not that they didn't appreciate her taking them in, but she was one from the old world and a lot of her opinions and ideas got on everyone's nerves. It was no wonder to Arthur and Molly that the kids all stayed upstairs or in another part of the house as far away from Muriel as they could. It was a wonder to both of them that Fred and George had not tried and prank Muriel directly with all the comments she had directed towards them.
The day passed on normally from there for them and when they heard of the Gringotts break in they were not sure what to believe with all the lies the Wizard wireless network had been spreading the past year. The rest of the afternoon was spent worry wondering if the story was true and if it was if the trio was all right. The rest of the day went past as the others had and they realized all that could do was wait. Molly and Arthur had been getting ready for bed when Kingsley patronus came into view. "Harry, Ron and Hermione are at Hogwarts, the battle is tonight" came his deep voice. Not even a second later there was a loud knock heard downstairs. They soon heard some muffled talking and then what sounded like more than a pair of feet pounding up the stairs. Arthur opened the door just as Bill and Fleur came into view. Before Bill could even open his mouth, Arthur told him that he just got Kingsley message.
He told Bill and Fleur to go get Fred, George and Ginny while he and Molly got ready to leave. Arthur and Molly were already downstairs when Bill and Fleur came rushing down to inform them that none of three were upstairs and that they only found a note to said they had gone to Hogwarts. Molly looked ready to tear someone's head off with the idea that her baby went to fight. However, with a look from Arthur, Molly settled down and they all walked outside to pop over to the Hog's Head.
The battle was something that they will never forget for the rest of their lives and when Percy came carrying in Fred's body after Riddle called for an hour break tore away a part of both of their hearts. Though Molly always gave the twins a hard time, she hoped that Fred knew how proud she was of him. Arthur though hurting himself was more worried for Molly and George whom he had never been away from. From when Harry was carried out of the forest until Riddle's body hit the floor all passed in a blur and it would take a while for it all to sink in. It was nearing nightfall when they decided to just spend the night at Hogwarts and wait for Harry to return before they headed to the Burrow the next day and it was with heavy hearts that they turned in for the night and some of those days events came back to them.
Bill and Fleur were cuddled up on another bed in the room right next to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Except for a few bruises and cuts on his scarred visage, Bill looked almost at peace with his wife in his arms. Fleur was snuggled in close to Bill and the only evidence of the previous day that showed on her were the tear stains on her beautiful face. After figuring out what the trio were up to earlier in the morning all they could do was just sit around and wait with Luna and Dean who were the only one's to remain at Shell Cottage. When Bill finally heard about the Gringotts break in later in the day, he wasn't surprised that his guess was correct, but he was still a little shocked that they managed to accomplish what they had set out to do. After dinner Bill and Fleur spent sometime out in the garden and both were caught off guard as Luna and Dean came out dressed as to go somewhere. Luna told them of the enchanted coins and how that Neville contacted them about Harry being at Hogwarts ready to fight. Bill and Fleur went in to grab their cloaks and were on their way out to grab Mr. and Mrs. Weasley when they got a patronus message from Kingsley confirming what they already knew. During the battle Bill and Fleur stuck together and worked extremely well as a team. They fought in a group with Lupin and both were saddened when they saw him go down. They both fought well and bravely and heavily thanked Merlin that they made it through the day. It was with heavy hearts that night when they turned in from bed, but they were gladdened to see a future where they could raise children in peace.
Charlie Weasley sat asleep in a chair that sat in between Bill and Percy's bed. It was very early in Romania when he heard word about the battle taking place at Hogwarts. He spent the next few hours after hearing about it trying to arrange a way to grab an international portkey and get back to Britain to help out. By the time he reached London and apparated to Hogsmeade Harry was being carried out of the forest by Hagrid. He arrived at the edge of town and just caught the last of Professor Slughorn's speech rallying up the villagers to give aid to the defender of Hogwarts. Charlie eventually caught up and passed Professor Slughorn to lead the charge though he didn't fight as long as the other's, his appearance was a relief and greatly welcomed. His family was greatly appreciative of his presence and it would help keep his family from falling to deep in despair the following days and would lead to him transferring to the Dragon reserve that was in Holyhead.
Percy Weasley's day started off as most of his for the past year had, in fear. He had long ago come to terms with his mistakes and it was only his ego and embarrassment that kept him from returning and apologizing to his parents. By the time he had worked up enough courage the previous fall the death eaters had taken over the ministry and there was not much he could do, but pretend to go along with what they asked. It was during the Christmas holidays when he was all alone and found himself drunk at the Hog's Head that he managed to see a light at the end of the tunnel. He was drunk and mumbling to himself when Aberforth approached and sat to talk to him. Percy was fearful at first and didn't want to be seen with him for fear of what the death eater's might think, but he found himself going back there every couple of weeks and after a few months worked out a communication system with Aberforth. When he was contacted by Aberforth about the battle that was about to take place at Hogwarts he finally saw his chance to do the right thing. You see with Percy, authority and rules was always his calling. He felt that those in positions of power knew what they were doing and anyone that broke the rules, regardless of the reason was someone beneath him.
It took him a long time and many talks with Aberforth, but he finally came to the conclusion that it was easier to go along with authority and government, but it that didn't make it right. Sometimes right was following your heart and it was those thoughts that he fell out of the secret entrance and saw his family in the room of requirement. The reunion was short lived, but it made all the Weasleys, even Fred and George feel good about going into the coming storm. Seeing Fred die before his very eyes changed Percy. It wouldn't happen right away, but the guilt in not being there for his family and the belief that he could have done something to save them weighed heavily on his mind and would do so for years to come. It was with little wonder that he slept uneasily that night in the dorm and would continue to do so for some time to come.
The bed next to Percy was empty. After everyone had fallen asleep George had gotten up and left the room to wander around the castle trying not to think of Fred and how he looked lying there peaceful, but dead, which resulted in George thinking about Fred. The day had started off on a bright note, so much differently than how it had ended. He and Fred along with Lee who was visiting for the day and helping with owl orders for the joke shop were taking a break and trying to cheer up Ginny who was upset and that was putting it mildly. They were all upset that they couldn't visit Harry, Hermione and Ron at Bill and Fleur's, but they all understood the reasons for it except for Ginny. So that left it to the three of them to try and cheer her up or at least distract her from worrying and thinking about it. At the same time they were doing their best to drive Auntie Muriel bonkers as she annoyed them greatly with her remarks and it gave them great enjoyment to see her complaining.
They passed most of the day away in the same manner until they were informed to tune into the radio. Though they didn't show it, George and Fred were greatly worried about Harry and the gang until they heard about how they had managed to escape on a dragon and thought it was the most brilliant thing that they had ever heard and that led to them dancing around Ginny and Lee celebrating another of the trio's great adventures and finally getting a laugh out of here. It was a while later with things settling down and Ginny had gone to her room when she came running back into George and Fred's room with the DA coin and told them what it said. They gathered their cloaks and wands and without even telling Mr. or Mrs. Weasley headed for the Hogs Head.
It was all these thoughts and guilt that George was feeling as he continued roaming the castle. He felt guilty for not fighting with Fred when he went down and wondering if he had been there if things would have turned out differently. Taking shortcuts that he knew like the back of his hand George eventually found himself up on the mostly intact astronomy tower. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize how he had got there. If one were to see George Weasley right then they would tell you that they hardly recognize him from the cheerful ever upbeat Weasley twin that he was. George was unaware of how long that he sat up on the astronomy tower with his legs hanging over part of the tower where a chunk of the wall was blasted away. He just stared into the clear night sky which soon turned into the early morning sky feeling numb and watching the all the things that he and Fred ever did pass through his mind.
When the sun started to show itself George managed to gather enough wits to head back to Gryffindor tower before his Mum woke up and found him missing and lost it. On his way back he noticed that even with the job the house elves did the castle would still need a lot of work over the next few days if not weeks to be back to where it once was. Entering the tower he was surprised to find Ginny in a chair facing the portrait entrance with a slight scowl on her sleepy face and even more surprised that when the portrait closed loudly for her to jump at the noise and look up at him expectantly only to realize who it was and sit back down looking disappointed and disgruntled crossing her arms over her chest.
Ron and Hermione spent the rest of the morning and afternoon together and catching up with old friends when they could. After the air of celebration had died down, the total effect of what had happened had taken over and there was an understandable somber mood that hung around the castle. Though they were slightly worried about Harry heading off, they knew he could handle himself and would get back as soon as he was able. They didn't mention it aloud, but they both were glad that Harry gone to inform Tonks by himself. Ron and Hermione had both been friends with Tonks as long as Harry had, but neither had been as close as Harry had been with her even if he did find her a tad bit annoying at times. With Ron it was obvious that when he was younger he was thinking lewd thoughts about Tonks ability to change her appearance and Hermione it was because she felt that Tonks was too playful and never serious enough.
They both noticed the time Sirius, Harry, Tonks, and when he was around Remus, spent together cleaning a certain room and they felt it only made sense with what he had told them earlier too. The other reason was because they wanted to be together. As much as Ron's family was going to be hurting, they would still be together and there would be others to take over if the emotions of it all became too much. Whatever they did for the rest of the day they kept as close as humanely possible to one another, either by holding hands or just leaning on each other. Many thought it was for support and they would be right, but it was also because they had finally come to an understanding with one another and though everything looked bleak, things for Ron and Hermione and their relationship were looking up.
As the day grew on they headed to Gryffindor tower with the rest of the Weasley's and other friends staying there. They were a bit worried for Harry as the night grew darker, but they figured if it came down to it that he would take a kip at the Tonks'. They both noticed Ginny acting a bit particular and distant from the rest of the family, but put it down to how she was handling everything that she had seen and been through for the day. Once they settled down for the night they pushed two beds closer together in the room along with the Weasleys and fell asleep holding one another's hands.
Ginny never slept or even set foot in the dorm room that night. She, even though she acted like it was nothing, was very upset at the fact that Harry had never come to see her and embrace her like she thought he would, or rather dreamed he would after nearly a year apart. If that wasn't bad enough he wouldn't even allow her to visit him when he was at Bill's, but the way he reacted when she came out of the tunnel into the room of requirements was disheartening.
She couldn't forget the fact the way that Harry's face had lit up when Cho "bloody" Chang had come out the tunnel. He had looked happy to see her, but when he had seen Ginny herself he had looked quite upset which made her worry about what he had been up to and with who while on the road. Maybe he did meet some veela on the road and Ginny was worried that Harry was not going to come back to her. Ginny loved Harry, she really did or what she thought was love. Ron was not the only Weasley that had jealousy issues and though she hid better than most, it did show from time to time. She had hoped all year long that things would work out and Harry would defeat Riddle and then he would sweep her up in his arms and take her out and show her off to the world as the one he fought for.
In her more rationale moments Ginny knew that she was being a silly with dreams like that, but with hearing about the-boy-lived from such a young age and then finally having Harry feel something for her made her wistful of a fairy tale ending more and more often. Ginny was very good at keeping these delusions of grandeur from even Harry himself when they had been going out and she was hoping with all hope that these dreams were going to come true. Ginny had no idea that only one person could keep all this from happening and she wouldn't realize it until it was too late that that person was her, but that is for later in the story. She had been extremely upset that Harry had left before really seeing her and even more so when he had not returned by the time of dinner. She missed her brother Fred terribly, but the more upset she grew with Harry not being there with her and her family, the more she withdrew from the consoling and family grouping. Eventually when her family headed to bed, she drew a chair towards the entrance of the common room and stared at the back of the portrait waiting for when Harry would return. As the day grew longer and the darkness grew darker her eyes started to slowly close along with a grimace that appeared on her face. She ended up sleeping slouched on the side of the chair with a look of great disapproval on her face.
*0*0*
Andromeda came down in the middle of night after sitting with Teddy and watching him sleep when she no longer heard voices down stairs. When she reached the living room she allowed a small smile appear on her tired face for a brief second at the sight that met her. It looked to her that Nymphadora had fallen asleep while leaning on Harry because they were now snuggled up close on the couch with Harry behind her with a protective arm around her waist and her daughter almost looked peaceful as she snuggled in close to him. She realized the events of the day and their overall exhaustion must have taken a toll for she doubted they would have slept like this normally. She sighed wistfully thinking of how her and Ted use to cuddle up like that when he introduced her to movies and they would cuddle up like that on the couch as they watched late into the night. She grabbed a blanket from the closet and placed it over them as she gave them one last look and headed back upstairs to bed.
Tonks woke up the following morning with a content smile on her face. She felt comfortable and safe and then the previous day's events played back in her mind and she lost her smile. Her face became one of misery and she started sobbing as the idea that she would never see Remus again and that Teddy would never see his father hit her. As she sat up she felt an arm go around her shoulder. "I know it's hard Nym, but I want you to believe that you will see Remus again and know that as hard as it is now, it will probably become worse for a while. Eventually the pain will subside and you will be able to move on, but know that Remus will always be in your heart and in your mind. I was told once and I believe more now than ever, that the ones we truly love never really leave us.
"Hold onto him Nym, but don't forget that he would want you to live and give Teddy the best life that he could get." Nym, who tensed a bit when Harry had put an arm around her shoulder had slowly leaned into his embrace and sobbed even harder as he spoke, but she would find on as the days went by that those words Harry said to her would stay with her and make it possible to keep moving forward, as painful as it was. They sat there like that with Tonks' shoulder on Harry's shoulder for a while with both just lost in their thoughts with a soft cough got there attention.
Tonks wiped her eyes and gave a weak smile to her Mum. "Good morning Mum." Andromeda gave Tonks a mall smile and pulled her into a hug.
Harry stood up as well giving Andy a smile. "Why don't you two ladies go get ready for the day and check on Teddy and I'll make breakfast?" They both looked at him as if his head had fallen off, but when you live with Ted Tonks for many years you begin to believe that no male could cook a decent breakfast. With just a few words about how he had to cook at the Dursley's both women patted him on the arm and headed up stairs. He walked into the kitchen thinking about many things besides breakfast. He was thinking ahead for a change and was wondering where he could stay and what he had to do over the coming days and weeks to make it happen when an idea him.
"Kreacher?" It only took a few seconds, but the house elf appeared with a loud crack.
"Master called for Kreacher?"
Harry smiled down and Kreacher and kneeled down to eye level. "First Kreacher, I wanted to say that I am very proud of you, what you did yesterday was a great thing and I know that Master Regulus would be extremely proud of you." At those words Kreacher began to sob as he sat on the floor. Harry sat down next to him and patted him on the back as he waited for him to calm down.
When his cries subsided his wrinkled face looked up into Harry's and croaked, "Thank you Master Harry."
Harry smiled at him and helped him to his feet. "Kreacher did you and the other elves get enough rest and food after the battle yesterday?"
Kreacher nodded his head while replying, "Yes Master Harry we got to sleep for a couple hours after we started working on fixing the castle and making food for everyone."
Harry didn't look to happy about that, but let it go for the moment. "Kreacher in what kind of shape is Grimmauld Place in?"
"Not very good Master Harry, the death eaters did a lot of damage while looking through the house and tried to destroy Mistress' portrait as well, but I moved it to a safe room before they could and then went to Hogwarts."
Harry sat there thinking for a few moments when his face lit up in a smile. "Good job Kreacher, I have a few things for you to do for me if you would. First could you make breakfast for three adults please? Second, after you get some rest, and I want you to tell the other elves to make sure they get proper rest too, I want you to head back to Grimmauld Place."
Harry looked at Kreacher and he nodded to Harry, but then Harry had another idea. "Kreacher, I imagine that Grimmauld Place is in bad shape and it needed a lot of cleaning before the death eaters ransacked it. Would you appreciate some help and some company? Don't worry Kreacher, I know you could do it by yourself, but I figured it would never hurt to have someone to do with you." He added the last bit because Kreacher looked a bit insulted that he could not do it by himself. "Then why don't you ask Winky after you leave here if she would like to help? If I remember correctly she wanted a family to serve as well, so ask her if she would like to serve the Potter's and if she does tell her I will happy to have her along and that I will call for her later today if possible."
Kreacher looked at Harry for a few moments with his brain catching up to everything Harry had said and then smiled with his smile showing the a few gaps where Dobby had knocked out some teeth a year prior. "I think she would like that Master Harry."
Harry gave started to stand up and thought to add one more thing for Kreacher to do at Grimmauld Place. "Kreacher, why don't you set aside a special room to keep your Mistress' painting and you might as well add Phineas Nigellus' painting as well and all the Black artifacts as well. We can put them on display in that room, I think your Mistress would like that. Also, when you talk to Winky, follow her lead on redecorating if you wouldn't mind, but a nice earthy feel for the house would do wonders I think." Kreacher looked at Harry for a few seconds seeing if he could remember everything and if there was anything his Mistress wouldn't like and didn't, so he agreed and headed off into the kitchen to make breakfast.
Harry headed upstairs to see if he could get a shower as well and was met with Andy and Nym coming downstairs with Teddy on Nym's hip. Andy was the first to speak, "If you want to use the shower Harry it is upstairs and on the right." Harry nodded and waited from them to finish coming downstairs before he went up to take a shower.
In the kitchen was the last person or being that Andy or Nym would ever expect to see in a Muggle house and making breakfast for them. For Andy herself hadn't seen the elf in over twenty years and the last time Nym had seen Kreacher he had been calling her and Remus all sorts of names that she would rather not repeat. What neither could figure is what to do, so they just stood in the entrance between the living room and kitchen and looked on as Kreacher worked and Teddy giggled at the weird looking creature.
Harry had taken quite a while in the shower, but when he came down stairs fifteen minutes later Andy and Nym were still standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He walked up to them silently and softly spoke. "He won't hurt you you know. He was alone for a very long time and listening to his just his Mistress made him act the way he did, but once we found out about Regulus and how he tried to destroy a horcrux we kind of reached a new level of understanding and since then Kreacher has been acting like this."
He saw Nym turn to say something, but he forestalled her with a raised hand. "You have to think rationally about Nym. I hated him for what he did to Sirius, but remember the way Sirius treated him and then you have to remember that Sirius' mom and Regulus were very kind to Kreacher. So, or rather so Hermione told me and Ron, he followed their beliefs and probably felt that anyone who was a friend of Sirius at the time was more worthless than dirt so that is why he treated all of us like he did and called us names, but don't worry because that has all changed now." Nym still didn't look too happy about Kreacher being there, but Andy nodded her head in understanding and they made their way to the tables where Kreacher was setting the food.
"This is excellent Kreacher," was Andromeda's reply and Kreacher looked at her and noticed Nym nodding her head in agreement as she was also trying to feed Teddy.
"Thank you Mistresses," he croaked. "If Master Harry doesn't need anything else Kreacher will be going now." He looked to Harry with his question that was more of a statement.
"Yes Kreacher, and remember what I said about getting some rest ok? You deserve it like everyone else. Thanks for making us breakfast and I'll see you sometime soon" and with a large crack that startled Teddy, Kreacher was gone.
Andromeda stared at the spot Kreacher had left from for several moments before she spoke with a thoughtful look on her face. "Harry if you are Kreacher's Master now, does that mean you are Head of House for the Blacks now?" Harry just looked at her with a blank look on his face and turn to look at Tonks to see if she knew what was going on, but she just looked at Harry waiting for him to reply.
"Umm, I don't know. Dumbledore told me I inherited Grimmauld Place and Kreacher and a lot of gold and that was it."
Andromeda looked at Tonks for a quick moment but Tonks just shrugged her shoulders. "Harry didn't you see Sirius' will or go to a reading for it?" Harry just shook his head no not really understanding what she was asking. "Harry when you inherited all the Potter titles d….."
"All the what? What Potter titles?"
Andromeda really looked perplexed now, but continued with her questioning and the sinking feeling that Harry really had no idea what she was on about. "Harry didn't you go see the Goblins at Gringotts for your 17th birthday?"
Harry got a very worried look on his face at the word goblin like he had forgotten something that he should really remember that was very vital, but put it at the back of his mind for the moment. "No Andy, I didn't and Dumbledore never mentioned anything about me becoming the Head of House Black. He kept me kind of sheltered and I wasn't really aware of having to do that stuff, but for this past year it didn't really mattered because the ministry fell and I couldn't really afford to be seen going there out in the open, but then again I could have taken polyjuiced potion. I mean it did work when we broke…."
At that Harry's eyes widened as he remember what he had forgotten. "Oh crap. I broke into Gringotts that is going to cause so much trouble. I better try and fix this somehow before they come looking for Hermione, Ron and I even if we did defeat Riddle." Harry stood up as the other's finished breakfast intending to head over to Hogwarts and see if Bill and Fleur would be able to help sort this problem out since they worked at the bank.
Andromeda stood as well and gave to Harry a surprising hug and mentioned to him that if things worked out that he should find out about his inheritances. If he was indeed head of the family then he could induct Andy back in which is something she really wanted and she would be able to help him understand everything. Harry gave her a smile and hugged her back before making for the door. Nym had given her mum Teddy and walked over to Harry to say goodbye.
Harry wasn't one for being all touchy feely, but he could tell what Tonks needed and gave her a big hug and held onto her as she tried to control her emotions. "Hey! I'll be gone for a while, but you still got your mum and Teddy to look after you" he said with a smile. "Seriously though, if you need someone to talk to just give me a shout later. I should be at the Burrow by the end of the day, but if I'm not there call for Kreacher and he'll find me ok?" Harry felt her nod into his chest and squeezed her once more before letting go.
He was about to walk out the door when Nym stopped him for a second. "Thanks Harry" was all she said even though it seemed like she wanted to say more.
Harry gave her hand a squeeze and left her with these parting words: "It may seem like you are alone right now Nym, but just know what we are never alone, even when we are" and with a few more steps and a soft pop Harry was gone. Standing in the doorway five minutes after he left was a still confused Nym, but she finally found some semblance of truth in what he said and shook her head with a small smile as she walked back into the house to find her mum and play with Teddy.
*0*0*
Hogwarts to Harry looked pretty much the same as it had yesterday, but he found it to be more eerie today than before. It was like finally looking at a place where many tragedies had taken place and the castle itself was in mourning. He followed the path up to the castle doors noticing that the grass was cleared of almost everything except for what looked like burn marks left over from all the dangerous and dark spells that were used. As Harry entered the castle he saw a few friends and teacher's up and about, but it was still rather quiet. He could understand though that the toll of yesterday had left many a person drained and for them to be sleeping in or taking it very slow was easily understandable. Harry eventually made is way to just outside the Gryffindor portrait where it sounded like Ginny was yelling at someone, but he couldn't tell about what.
Ron and Hermione surprisingly woke before any of the other's in the room besides the two empty beds and decided to make their way downstairs to see if Harry had made his way back yet. They were just getting to the bottom of the stairs when the portrait closed rather loudly and rushed down only to see George making his way into the common room. They saw George not really looking around and that he had his eyes on the ground. He was walking towards the window to look out of the tower when Ginny's voice came from a chair facing the portrait. "Have you seen Harry, George?"
George took a seat and didn't look at her but answered in a voice he hadn't used since early the day before, "No" and he leant his head against the side of the chair to continue to look outside. As Ron and Hermione were making noise running down the stairs Ginny had jumped out of the chair again.
"Ha…Oh, it is you two. Harry isn't up there is he?" she asked in a demanding tone. Ron didn't seem to notice the tone, but Hermione did, but figured she was tired and really all of them had a reason to be on edge.
"No Ginny, haven't seen him since he went to see Tonks' yesterday. I'm sure he will be back pretty soon" was Ron's reply. You could see Ginny's face tighten up as if she was fighting her anger, but it look like a little jealousy came out regardless.
"What could have kept him so long? All he had to do was tell her that Remus was dead and come back. He should have been here CONSOLING ME and being here FOR ME!" It was at these last words that the portrait hole opened up again and in walked Harry just as Hermione was going to say something to Ginny, but was forgotten now.
"What's the shouting about?" Harry asked looking around noticing George sitting by the window.
Ginny turned around and smiled at Harry and walked over to give him a hug. "It was nothing Harry. I'm glad that you're back though." Harry smiled at her and gave her a hug and then Ron and Hermione one in return. He walked over to the window and gave George's shoulder a squeeze which he acknowledge by looking up and Harry just nodded his head and walked away after squeezing his shoulder one more time. By this time they heard movement from up the stairs and realized the other Weasley's were finally up.
Hermione was the one to break the silence. "How did it go Harry?"
Harry who had looked up the stairs when they heard the noise turned around to face Hermione. "As well as expected I guess. She didn't take it well and so Andy, Nym and I got to talking and eventually it was just Tonks and me talking on the couch until we feel asleep and woke up about an hour or so ago."
Hermione noticed how Harry had called Tonks Nym for a second, but didn't say anything as Ginny's loud voice was heard from her chair. "WHAT?" but before she could continue the rest of the Weasley's had come downstairs and where giving Harry hugs, well Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Fleur were, the other guys just gave him handshakes and as a result Ginny's outburst was forgotten by all as she didn't want to make a scene then and there about her boyfriend sleeping with another girl.
They all stood and chatted for a few moments when Mrs. Weasley brought that they should be getting back to the Burrow. It was at this time that Harry got Ron, Hermione, Bill and Fleur's attention. "What's up Harry?" Bill was asking.
"Well, I was at Tonks' when I realized that we are going to have to deal with the goblins and was wondering if you would be willing to come to Gringotts with me and help?" There was silence for a moment, but then Harry continued. "I know now isn't the best time, but you know goblins Bill and I think we need to deal with this as soon as possible. I was hoping, don't feel obligated, but you know goblins the best out of anyone I know, and was hoping you could come with me and help smooth things over somehow?"
Hermione looked at Ron and someone communicated without talking with one another and so Ron spoke. "Harry? Do you really think that is a good idea? If all three of us show up a day after I imagine that they will be pretty upset with us and well, if we maybe waited a few days and then went things would be easier?"
It was Fleur's turn to interject her point now. "Non! It eez a good idea to do this now and I will go wiz Bill and 'Arry. Nothing against you two, but eet will be easier wiz just us and 'The Hero' of the wizarding world. It will also make eet easier to escape if there are fewer of us, non?" she finished the last bit looking at Bill. Bill stood there thinking it over for a few moments when Mrs. Weasley's voice carried over to them.
"Come on you lot, its time to get back home." Bill winked at Fleur and walked over to Mrs. Weasley. No one could here what he was saying, but Mrs. Weasley didn't look happy about it, but laid a hand on her shoulder and nodded to Bill.
"Are you sure about this Harry?" was Hermione asking him looking worried and like this wasn't a good idea, but knew he had already made up his mind and had to ask anyways.
He smiled at her ruefully, "No. I don't think it is a good idea, but they have all our gold and the last thing we need is a rebellion this soon after a war. Best thing is to go there and figure something out." She acquiesced, but hugged him before and her Ron headed off with the rest of the group with Ginny looking back angrily at Harry because he wasn't bring her along before Charlie laid an arm on her shoulder and leading her away.
"Arry, I hope you know we may have to use your fame to get a good deal out of this and make sure you still have money in your account left over?" He took a deep breath and nodded and by that time Bill had come back with a broken table leg.
"It appears with everything that has gone down that Minerva has allowed the common rooms for portkeys so we won't have to walk to the front gates. All three of them looked at one another, grabbed the table leg and were gone.
They landed in a room set aside for portkeys in the Leaky Cauldron and made their way through with Harry trying to flatten his hair before anyone recognized him. They made almost half way to Gringotts when a familiar reporter saw him walking buy and made to catch up to him before he entered the bank. "Harry Potter, how about an exclusive interview for one of the very few people who truly knows and understands you, your close personal friend Rita Skeeter on where you were this past year?" The whole of Diagon Alley which was fairly busy with celebrating witches and wizards stopped as Rita Skeeter shouted that question at Harry.
Harry paused for a second as Fleur grabbed his arm, but he did not turn around. "BUG off Rita," and he continued up the stairs for the bank. Unfortunately for Harry he didn't see the look on Rita's face as he said that and unfortunately for Rita she didn't realize that this would be one of her last stories before everything would come crashing down on her and she walked away with her infamous quill scribbling away. Bill and Fleur paused half up the steps as well to take in all the damage that the dragon had and looked at Harry ruefully.
"This is not going to be easy Harry. The goblins are going to be pissed!" was Bill's remark. Harry could see how that was as there was a large nearly dragon shaped hole where the front doors use to be that were badly repaired and parts of the stairs were cracked and falling apart from the force of the dragon.
"Thanks Bill. I realize that." He paused for a second. "I just wanted to thank you guys for doing this for me. Especially so soon after, well after everything." He got a pat on the back and his arm squeezed before all three of them made their way inside only to find themselves surrounded by goblin spears and a host of surly looking goblins. "Oh bollocks!"
sorry for the long delay. lot of things popped up and I can't say it won't happen again, but I am always working on this story regardless. originally this chapter was going to be a lot longer, but i got overwhelmed and trimmed it down. i realized it was still too long after that and ended it with walking into gringotts instead. sidenote: i changed the rita dialogue with this posting as a comment i read gave me a better idea!!! and as always, thanks for the reviews!!!