Chapter 10: Resolutions

Harry headed off around the corridors of the castle with Jamie in tow. He soaked in the surroundings, smiling at the memories of everyday things he and his best friends did. He showed Jamie everything he could as they made their way up to Gryffindor tower. He told her stories and what turns to take to different classes. He neglected to point out where Fluffy stayed and the room of requirement, but stuck with more positive experiences as he headed to his old room.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, people were starting to get anxious. Everyone was itching to go after Harry, but the intelligent ones were talking sense into them as they hoped he just needed some time. After a while, though, they started to worry about him. Where had he gone anyway? Tonks flooed back to Grimmauld, Remus went to the park, and Dumbledore checked his office, but Harry could not be found. The majority of the group went home leaving only Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus Ron, Hermione, and the kids.

Hermione turned to Ron finally and asked, "Maybe we should go home and check? Maybe he's waiting for us?"

"That's it Hermione! Ron shouted as the answer dawned on him, "He's gone home!"

"Home? You mean back to Bristol?" Sirius asked worriedly.

"No, back to Gryffindor tower. He always said it was his home here at Hogwarts. He must've gone up there."

"If he has gone back there, should we go check? Could he have gotten in? Or would he be back by now?" Hermione asked trying to piece everything together

"I'll go. I'll talk to him."

"Ginny? What are you doing here? Didn't you go home?" Ron asked his sister who had snuck up from behind.

"Yes, but I was too worried. I need to talk to him anyway." Ginny replied.

"I-uh-I don't think that's a good idea." Ron said, looking at Hermione.

"Ron's right. That's probably not the best thing he needs right now." She agreed sadly.

"But, I –" Ginny started.

"No." Sirius cut her off, "Harry's not in a stable state of mind right now. Whoever approaches him needs to have no previous strings attached.; no emotional baggage with him."

Everyone looked around.

"Well that's none of us, is it?" Ron said grimly.

Harry and Jamie approached the Fat Lady' portrait "This is the door to Gryffindor Tower, where I lived. It was my home." Harry said.

"I don't see a door Daddy." Jamie replied.

"Yes, it's hidden behind this picture. I don't know the password though. Maybe we should go back to the others." He said sadly.

"Harry Potter?" Asked the portrait in front of them that had just woken.

Jamie jumped back startled, but Harry answered, "Yes, hello."

"Figures you'd be the one waking me up during my vacation - even after all these years." The Fat Lady said fondly. "You know it hasn't been the same around this castle without you, and I believe I'm grateful for that." She finished with a wink.

"Good to see you, too." Harry said with a slight laugh. Then he looked surprised, he hadn't laughed in so long. . .

"Is it possible to get in here? I don't know the password, but I wondered. . . ." Harry asked.

"Of course!" The Fat Lady interrupted, "anything for Harry Potter, you saved us all – even us portraits, just imagine what the Hogwarts walls would be like if He-who-must-not-be-named had gotten control, "She shivered, "but here you go." She said with a smile as she swung open.

Harry wandered around his old dorm room. Mamie sat in the common room looking at all the old hangings and other decorations. Harry sat on his old bed. There were only four in the room now, but his was still there.

Harry smiled t himself. It felt good to be home after so very long. After all that had happened, to him and his friends and his family. He felt selfish to wish it hadn't, to think it could've been someone else.

But it hadn't been. It was him, always him. The universe seemed out to get him. But then why did it let me come back here? To all of this? To show me what I've lost. Or to give me another chance?

He sat there thinking for a few more minutes. He sighed then abruptly stood up. He walked to the window. Remembering all of his years of staring out that window, he realized that this was another chance, and just like all of the others, this one wouldn't be easy, but he could take it. There wasn't much more he could lose anyway.

Down in the Great Hall, Harry's friends were still bickering over what to do, when Harry and Jamie entered.

Harry smiled and quirked an eyebrow. "Miss me?" he asked as five stunned faces turned and five equally stunned jaws dropped. "Go play Jamie." Harry instructed and his daughter took off toward the Weasley children. Sirius was the first to snap out of it as he ran up to Harry and grabbed his shoulders. "Where have you been? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I was just showing Jamie around the castle. You know, it's still the same. Even the common room." Harry answered with a wistful smile.

"You got into the tower?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, the Fat Lady recognized me and let me in." Harry answered , still with a touch of a smile on his lips.

Remus leaned into Dumbledore and whispered.

"Do you think he's been hit by a curse? Should we check the castle? Or has he. . . "Remus was afraid to voice his worst fear that the young man's mental state might have finally gotten the best of him.

However, Dumbledore whispered back, "He's fine, he's accepting," his eyes twinkled and a smile graced his face as he beamed at the young man discussing old times with best friends. This was how it should be. "He was looking for help when he came back, but he didn't truly believe in it. He's finally accepted that it's possible for things to be better. Watch him Remus. Explain it to Sirius. Harry will have his moments, he will stray, but we can help him now, because he's started to help himself. He'll let us in."

A/N: Sorry!! Please don't pelt me with tomatoes! I finally got a chance to type this all out, I've really missed writing this story. I hope to continue and finish because I have a great idea for another one! Ha! So, I'll understand if you give up on me, but I appreciate everyone who hasn't. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I can't wait to write the next one: "Encounters" I think. Please review!

Thank you all and happy holidays.

Stevie