Chapter seven

Over the next month, at least twice a week, Harry and Ginny would spend a long evening alone at their house as they had started to buy some furniture for it. Harry did decide to get contact lenses and everyone that saw him said it made him look completely different. Harry wondered what Hermione and Ron would say when they saw him in a few days' times at the Ministry's ball.

Glover had told Harry he's training was coming along faster than expected and if Harry kept working like he had been, he might beat the Minister's record and do it in six months. All the aurors got a surprise when they started Harry on their different fighting techniques. Harry was able to do every spell, hex or charm and his movements with his wand were fast and precise. Harry liked every one he worked with, they all got on well. He was being teamed up with an older auror named Maxwell to go out in the field to show Harry what they needed to do and how they had to behave.

The day of the ball arrived, Harry and Ginny had bought brand new robes to wear, but they also bought Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew robes as well. They knew they wouldn't see Hermione or Ron until later as the aurors and law enforcement squad's had to be there early just to keep an eye on security as the rest of the guests arrived. Then the large ball room would be sealed so no one else could enter.

So Harry and Ginny left the Burrow and headed for the ball room, greeted their work colleagues. Harry introduced Ginny to all his and she introduced Harry to all of hers. Then they stood together not far from the doors keeping an eye on everyone that arrived. Harry knew he was supposed to act responsible and like an auror, but the moment he spotted his friends, they surrounded him and hugs and kisses went everywhere. Hermione didn't want to let Harry go, but Neville and everyone else kept telling her to move aside until Ron finally put his arm around Hermione.

'I can't believe the way you look with no glasses. But the most amazing thing Harry, is I can't believe you're going to be my brother soon Harry,' Ron hugged his friend again.

Harry laughed, 'You knew it was coming Ron.'

'Yeah, but now it's official, you're engaged to my little sister. But we should move away from the doorway, we'll go over with mum and dad, talk to you soon.'

'Yep as soon as the last guests arrive, I'll be over there,' Harry and Ginny watched their friends move into the room.

Once all the guests had arrived, Glover sealed the doors, the aurors and magical law enforcement went to mingle with the guests. Almost instantly, every reporter headed towards Harry and Ginny who were dancing together in the middle of the floor.

'Can you confirm you're getting married Harry?' one woman asked.

'Yes, this is my fiancée, Ginny Weasley.'

'Are you the sister of Harry's friend?'

'Yes, Ron's my brother.'

'So when's the wedding?' a man asked.

'Sorry, not telling you that.'

'How many guest do you expect?' a woman asked.

'A lot, still working on that at the moment.'

'How do you feel now Voldemorts dead?' a man asked.

'Relieved, like everyone else. Aren't you relieved he's gone?'

Everyone laughed, 'Yes, very relieved. So how did you feel when you found out you had a piece of his soul inside you all your life?'

'You were all told no more than a couple of questions per guest. You're past that, so move on to some of the other guests,' Kingsley Shacklebolt said as he stepped over to the crowd of reporters surrounding Harry and Ginny. They slowly moved away, but kept looking back at Harry, 'Sorry about that Harry.'

'It's fine and I was expecting it.'

'Okay, go back to enjoying yourselves,' Kingsley smiled then walked off.

'So they cornered you Harry,' Ron said as he walked over with Hermione.

'Yeah, but Kingsley told me they were only allowed to ask a couple of questions to each guest. They couldn't see to help themselves though.'

'So how's Hogwarts?' Ginny asked nervously as she tightened her hold on Harry.

'Quiet, if you can believe it. Normal and pretty boring, which is a good thing.' Ron shrugged.

'Yeah, we never had any of those before. Oh looks like the Minister is going to make his speech,' Harry said as he turned to face the stage but kept his arms around Ginny.

'Welcome everyone, we're here to celebrate that one year has passed since Voldemort was defeated on the grounds of Hogwarts by Harry Potter. Now as he's told me countless times, he never did it alone. Everyone in this room had a part in bringing down the worst dark wizard in history. But as I keep getting reminded, it was Harry that actually finished him and was willing to die to do it. Some of Harry's closest friends were with him during the battle and have been with him from the time they all met at the age of eleven. Some he met a few years later. I met Harry when he was fifteen and we became instant friends because I could see how honest and trustworthy he was. One thing all his friends have said about Harry is that he never lies to anyone, if he can't tell you what he's doing, he tells you that, but he will never lie. They have all said he's brave, courageous and as Minerva McGonagall told me, very gallant. Ginny Weasley, Harry's fiancée told me Harry can be far too noble sometimes,' everyone in the room all laughed as they looked over at Harry and Ginny. 'One thing he is learning as an auror right now that he has never had before, is patience and not just doing what he wants and he is having to follow orders.

'Now we are also here to remember the people that lost their lives due to Voldemort. I don't just mean during the Battle of Hogwarts, I mean from the time Voldemort or Tom Riddle first started to gain power. If I am correct, everyone in this room has lost someone close to them, some lost more than one. Molly Weasley lost her two brothers during the first war. Harry of course lost both his parents. I lost a brother during that time. Everyone here has stories to tell of the people they lost. Everyone of course knows Harry Potter's story, but there are hundreds of the same stories just like his. So the Ministry has put together a book with a page dedicated to every life lost, even people that are alive but are unable to live normal lives due to Voldemort and his death eaters. People like Alice and Frank Longbottom. Neville Longbottom is one of people that fought in the Battle of Hogwarts alongside his friends and his story along with his parents are also in the book. Everyone here will be presented with that book as they leave, anyone else will have to buy it. Now before we continue on with the dancing, good food and music, I have one more thing I need to do.'

Kingsley started to read names of people and had them join him on stage. Harry noticed that all but a couple of the DA were up there, along with others. Then Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville, Luna and Harry's names were called, so they all stepped up on stage. First Kingsley handed out Order of Merlin: Third Class to everyone that fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Then came the Order of Merlin: Second Class, 'Mr. Neville Longbottom,' Kingsley pinned a medal to Neville's chest, shook hand before turning to face everyone, 'Miss Luna Lovegood,' Kingsley again pinned a medal to Luna's chest, shook her hand and turned back, 'Mr. Seamus Finnegan,' again Kingsley pinned the medal to Seamus's chest, 'Miss Ginevra Weasley,' Kingsley pinned a badge to her chest.

'Now the Order of Merlin: First Class, please step forward, Mr. Ronald Weasley,' Ron stepped over to Kingsley and he pinned the medal to his chest, 'Miss Hermione Granger,' Kingsley again pinned a medal to her chest, 'Mr. Harry Potter,' as Harry stepped up to him, he noticed the applause was deafening. Kingsley pinned the medal to Harry's chest, 'I have one more award to hand out, but before I do, every recipient of the Order of Merlin will have their own chocolate frog card which of course will update over the years. Now, this is a new award, it is for courage, valour and self-sacrifice. The Order of the Phoenix recipient is Mr. Harry Potter,' Kingsley waited until Harry stepped over to him, then slipped the new medal around his neck, then hugged him. 'Everyone here all deserve the praise and thanks of the whole wizarding world, but I think I can talk for everyone when I say Harry Potter is the one that brought our world out of the darkness that we had been living under long before he was even born. So please everyone, a round of applause not just for Harry but for everyone,' Kingsley started clapping, then everyone person, reporters, parents, aurors and normal ministry employees applauded so loud the walls shook. 'Thank you for you patient, now back to the music,' Kingsley turned to Harry, 'Sorry, but if you knew you wouldn't have come Harry. Hermione and Ron told me to keep it from you.'

Harry shook his head at his friend, but saw their worried faces so he smiled at them. 'It's fine and I do appreciate your words Minister. But now it's my turn to shock a few people.'

'Okay, I hope it's legal Harry,' Kingsley chuckled as he walked off.

'Prat,' Harry said as he watched his friend walk away, then kissed Ginny before he sat down at the piano and started playing, then he sung about freedom to a mesmerised crowd. But he never stopped at one, just sung another one to more stunned silence, then to louder applause than before. Harry thanks everyone then stepped down and put his arms around Ginny, 'Did they look as shocked as I thought they would?'

'Some where speechless Harry, but I'm proud of you for doing that. Those two songs had words that would reach everyone. How nervous were you though?'

'Only a little, I've gotten so used to the staring now. You've noticed how bad that is everyday we're here.'

'Well Harry, you are still surprising us,' Seamus said as he stepped over to him with a heap of their friends.

'I try Seamus. So did you all know about this?'

'We knew awards were going to be handed out, but not everything or to us,' Neville said looking at his medal.

'You all deserve it, like I told Kingsley, without all of you doing what you had to do, I wouldn't have been able to finish him. So even though I hate recognition and praise, I think we all do deserve these awards. I'm just glad it wasn't just me or that Kingsley would decide on a statue or something.'

'The statue will be erected on the grounds of Hogwarts, a large fifty foot one of you Harry,' Kingsley walked back over and put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

Harry stared up at the tall black man, looking completely shocked. All his friends started to laugh softly, then they just couldn't help themselves as Harry ended up turning white, they broke into loud laughter. Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean all picked Harry up and started chanting the saviour to more laughter from everyone.

'You can turn back to your original colour Harry, I was just winding you up. There's no statue, even if I was asked to have one of you put at Hogwarts.' Kingsley started laughing along with everyone. By this time, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had joined the group as well. Harry scowled down at everyone, but he noticed that even Ginny was laughing loudly as her father put his arm around her shoulder. Finally Harry shook his head and laughed with his friends because they weren't laughing at him. They were laughing because they were all free to act this way, to be a little silly or joke with their friends. They all knew it could have been very different. So from that moment on, Harry enjoyed the freedom with the people that helped bring that about.