Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 13
Harry walked into the living room after a few minutes of staring at the door after Ginny. He was stunned that she had kissed him, but very elated. His heart beat wildly and he couldn't help but feel happy.
He continued on into the kitchen and proceed to clean up the breakfast dishes, while looking into what to make for dinner. Evelyn was usually hungry after a temper tantrum. Harry was well aware from all his studies that it was normal for a parent to send a child to bed with little or no dinner in this scenario but because of his upbringing Harry could never ever even consider withholding food from Evelyn. Or any child. If anything he was annoying in making sure they ate more food.
Deciding on what to make for dinner, a simple grilled cheese sandwich with some tomato soup, he figured Evelyn had had enough time to settle and proceeded up the stairs. The noise from her room had lessoned in the past half hour signaling that she was probably calm enough to be a bit more rational now.
He knocked gently on the door before opening it. Evelyn laid on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. He looked around at the mess her room was in. Toys thrown everywhere, clothes everywhere. Everything everywhere. Defiantly using the punishment of cleaning her room was a good idea.
Harry walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge of it. Evelyn shifted a bit burring herself further into her pillow. Harry reached out and rubbed her back in gentle circles in a calming manner.
"Evelyn." He simply said. He waited a minute. Still no response except for more squirming. He didn't expect anything really. "Sweetie, whats wrong." He asked her soothingly. After another minute of this he got down on the floor and knelt by her bed, his fingers creeping up to tickle her neck. She squirmed and giggled and turned to look at him, her green eyes, just like his wet with tears. He reached over and wiped a few away.
"Honey, what was that downstairs?" He asked her. "Do you not like Ginny?" She shook her head no the best she could with her face still mostly hidden by her pillow.
"And why not? She likes you ya know." She reached out to him and he grabbed her, dragging her from her bed to hold her in his lap. He cradled her in his arms as she sniffled into his shirt. They sat there like that for a little bit. He was rubbing soft circles on her back again.
"Are you ready to talk?" He asked softly into her hair, giving it a little kiss.
"I don't want you to go away." She said pulling away a bit to look up at him.
"I'm not going anywhere Evelyn. I'm staying right here, with you." He said firmly.
"But you're going to go away with Ginny." She pouted, tears starting to poor from her eyes. Harry hushed her and pulled her into a tight hug again.
"No sweetie. If anything, I want Ginny to be with us. Both of us." He said reassuringly.
"But she doesn't want me she wants you. Everyone does." At that she started crying again. Harry's heart broke at that. He had tried really hard through the past few weeks of rediscovering his family to make her feel included, special and important. And discovering that he had failed hurt him more then he could ever explain. He pulled her away from him and forced her to look at him.
"No. Listen to me Evelyn." He said getting right in her face to make sure she was paying attention. "They want you too ok. They are just very happy that I've come back but they want you and they love you ok? There's no doubt about it. And if there's someone who doesn't want you as well then we'll just have to not have them. Because we go together ok? Its me and you. Say it." He demanded firmly.
"Me and you." She said quietly.
"Louder." He said.
"Me and you!" She said louder giggling a little.
"I'm sorry Ms. Potter but I can't hear what you said." He put his ear closer to her.
"ME AND YOU!" She shouted loudly. He put his hand to his ear and pretended to pout. She giggled louder at that.
"You don't gotta shout you know." He stuck his tongue out at her. "That's what I like to see. You smiling and laughing." He hugged her closer kissing her head again. "I hate when you cry and are sad."
"Me too." She said. They sat there for a few more minutes. Harry glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing it was 7pm and almost time for Evelyn's bath and bed time. He pulled her away again, running his hand through her hair.
"You know I love you right?" He asked her.
"I love you too daddy." She said giving him a wet sloppy kiss on the mouth.
"Good!. Lets get some dinner." With that he helped her to stand up before leaning on the bed to get up himself. Hand in hand the two went down the stairs and had a nice dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Ron stood outside of the Muggle elementary school a few days later. Hermione had been royally pissed off at him for his apparent behavior Saturday night at dinner and had consequently been ignoring him or scowling at him. Life in their household was not very good.
He had attempted several times to apologize to her for it, but she just ignored it all. He tried everything from flowers, to sweets, to books. He even bought her a super nice quill. But all his efforts were in vain for Hermione would not forgive him.
The previous night however, after another attempt to get back on her good side, he had made a lovely dinner for her. It was quite romantic he though with candles, music and everything. They had fought for as long as he could remember, but rarely dose she ever get so mad that she doesn't fight back, and he hated those times.
Hermione sat at the table the previous night, enjoying being waited on by Ron and softened up a bit. She finally told him that she's not the one he needs to apologize to. That he needed to apologize to Harry. Ron still didn't understand why, so Hermione, being herself and ever ready to educate someone had explained it t him.
That Harry left them and the Wizarding world. A world that had worshipped him at his height and bashed him down in his lowest. That praised him for his good deeds and turned their backs when he most needed them. He left a world of war and destruction and pain, and that he had established a life here, that he didn't want interference on. Especially where Evelyn was concerned.
She brought up the point he had made just himself not to long ago regarding unwed parents and their children. And while she doubted Harry knew anything about that she asked him why he would want to just throw Harry into that unprepared. That he already had to think about that in the future years when Evelyn eventually goes to Hogwarts.
Ron understood her reasons. And he understood Harry's reasons for not going to anything. Even though he did think he should at least consider the Quidditch match, if anything then to just support Ginny. He thought all this over as he laid in bed with Hermione that night, unable to sleep, and grateful he didn't have to sleep in the guest room again. He mentally made a note to change the room to be more comfortable.
That's what brought him outside the school that morning. He figured if he could talk to Harry in the line of sigh of other people he'd be less incline to knock Ron out. And even more less inclined if it was in front of little children, and better his own class.
He sighed and took a deep breath and walked into the building. It was nothing like any other school he had ever seen. Mind you he's only seen Hogwarts. His mother had taught him all the basics and such in the years preceding Hogwarts. He walked to the office asking where he could find Harry. The staff was hesitant to allow him to walk around the school but after a call to the classroom and the ok from Mr. Potter another teacher escorted him to the his classroom.
Ron looked around as they walked the halls. They were full of colorful pictures made by children and announcements. The floor echoed as they walked towards the classroom where Harry taught. It wasn't too far away being it was only kindergarten. When they reached it, the teacher motioned to him of the room and then proceeded down the hall to her own classroom.
Ron peeked in the window of the door watching Harry teach. He was teaching them numbers. He had asked some question that couldn't be heard through the door, but he couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic hands that shot up in the air to answer it. It reminded him of Hermione, and he wondered if she had done this in elementary school as she had done at Hogwarts.
Eventually after a few breaths he decided it was time to go in and see Harry. He waited a moment before opening the door. Every eye in the room turned to look at him, and he was suddenly very nervous to be stared at by about 20 little kids. He looked over at Harry who motioned for him to come up to the front.
"Class, this is my friend Ron. Say hello." Harry said.
"Hello Ron." The class said in unison.
"Good. He'll be joining us for a bit. Ron why don't you go sit by Catherine over there." He said to Ron. Ron looked over to where he pointed next to a small brunette child. He nodded once and went over to sit. He was horribly uncomfortable, obviously not made to fit in such little chairs in such a little desk. He felt like a giant.
He looked over to the little girl next to him. She was staring at him with a silly grin on her face that made him feel a little uncomfortable. He looked up to the front at the sound of Harry's voice talking again, teaching the children and silently hopped this would be worth it. Especially after the little girl leaned onto the desk with her head in her hands so she could stare at him better.
Recess eventually came, but to Ron's relief. He stood up and stretched as the kids ran to their cubbies and hooks to get their jackets and things. They stood single file at the door and waited for Harry who led them calmly and quietly down the hallway to the playground. The kids ran off to play their various games, leaving Harry and Ron alone finally.
"You're a good teacher." Ron complimented him after a few minutes of silence. Harry nodded, not taking his eyes off the playground where his students played.
"I do try." He said. They stood there in the thick of things supervising. "So what brings you here?" Ron thought for a moment.
"Er….I just wanted to say I'm sorry, about the other night." He said. "I don't want you to stay mad at me." He confessed. Harry glanced over to him for a few seconds before turning back
"I wont stay mad Ron. We've lost too much time for that." Harry replied simply. "Hermione got to you huh?" He asked. Ron chuckled.
"Of course." Again silence descended them. Harry shouted at some little boy to stop chasing another little girl who was trying to get away from him.
"You should marry her Ron." Harry said out of the blue. He looked at Ron again. "Its time."
Ron spent the rest of the recess with Harry. They exchanged boring family news. Ron was surprised, though secretly pleased that he had spent all Sunday with Ginny. Once Harry blew the whistle for the kids to file back into line to go back to class, Ron gave his goodbye to him, and promised to stop by in a few days. Once he was out of view Ron apparated back home, still in thought Harry had told him.
It was time marry Hermione. He and Hermione had agreed that once they find Harry they would marry, and they had found him right? There really is no reason now to put it off any longer. His heart beat faster at that. He was finally going to marry Hermione.
He walked into the house and was surprised to see her sitting at the table drinking some tea and taking notes. Books scattered all around her. His heart bead wildly. He loved her. He loved everything about her. Her bushy crazy hair, her book obsession, her know-it-all attitude. All their fights, her passion for whats right and wrong. Everything. He wanted her to be his wife, and officially start their lives together.
She looked up as he entered the house and smiled at him. He loved her smile. He thought lastly before approaching her and bending down to meet her lips. They kissed for a few minutes, reveling in the feel of being in love and expressing it. When they broke apart finally for air Ron looked directly into her brown eyes.
"Marry me Hermione." He simply said. She nodded her approval, kissing him again. They've been together for what seemed like forever, but right now their lives were officially going to begin.
The crowd cheered loudly as the seeker of the Holyhead Harpies caught the Snitch. The game was over and the Harpies won the game against the Ballycastle Bats 240-80.
Ginny landed on the ground hard and was scooped up in mad hugs with the rest of her teammate in the excitement of winning. They had worked hard all year and had turned out the victors. The only thing that would make this better, Ginny thought, was if Harry and Evelyn was there.
The celebration continued on for what felt like hours. Eventually however, she broke away from her team, stating she wanted to go celebrate with her family for a bit now. They had supported her through everything, her brothers were the ones who taught her how to play Quidditch in the first place. She was one of the top players in England on the number 1 team, and she owed it all to her family.
She went home from the bar that her team had ended up at after a few drinks and cleaned up a bit before apparating to right outside the wards of the Burrow. She couldn't stop the grin that spread on her face as her brothers whooped and called as she approached, clapping and cheering. They had all been there at the game, and that made it even more special.
Her smile spread wider as she looked behind the group and saw Ron exit the house with Harry and Evelyn in tow. Her heart felt lighter at seeing him, remembering their last meeting the previous Sunday, where he confessed that he had never stopped loving her.
She approached him after untangling herself yet again from her brothers in their happiness, only to be embraced by Harry as well. Again it felt good to be in his arms. As they separated he gave her a light peck on the cheek congratulating her on her win. She was even more surprised however when Evelyn let go of her fathers hand to wrap her arms around Ginny's leg saying some form of 'congratulations' to her.
Ginny looked up at Harry, his grin as wide as hers. She looked down at Evelyn, and patted her gently on the head.
'Thank you Evelyn." She said Evelyn looked up and grinned at her.
"Why don't you go play with your cousins sweetie." Harry suggested to her She promptly let go and ran out into the field to play. Ginny looked at him bewildered.
"What was that?" She asked. Harry shrugged.
"We had a little heart to heart after you left. She was quite excited to come over today." He admitted.
"This was planned already?" Ron walked up to his sister and put his arms around her shoulders.
"Of course it was. We weren't going to disown you cause you lost a game of quidditch ya know." He stated.
"You wouldn't, but I totally would." Angelina shouted from across the way. Everyone laughed at that statement. Harry grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Ron towards the table. Her mother gave her a hug and congratulated her as well before turning to Harry and squeezing the life out of him. Ginny could tell by his face that he was having trouble breathing but was too polite to tell Mrs. Weasley so, but she eventually let go of him.
Their hand holding didn't go unnoticed by anyone. Most people just turned their heads and smiled at their spouses, others however, one in particular named Percy, scowled. Harry tried to ignore it while Ginny just looked at him scowling, daring him to say something. But he would just turn his face away and begin talking with Audrey.
Everyone sat down at the table to begin feasting on the wonderful food Mrs. Weasley had prepared. The children fluttered in and out around the table grabbing something quickly to eat before running back out to play. Except Evelyn who sat on Mr. Weasleys lap and chatted up to him as they ate. Harry could hear giggles explode from her now and then as Mr. Weasley asked her questions about her Muggle living.
Harry and Ginny sat next to each other holding hands still even as they ate. They would occasionally steal glances at each other. They both couldn't wait to be alone together. A bit of snogging sounded good to both of them. Soon the food was cleared away, Evelyn went back out to play, and the adults sat together chatting up.
George, who was across from Harry next to Ron and Hermione was giving Harry an update on Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, being as despite Harry's protests, he still considered him a partner in the business.
"Sounds like you guys are doing really well. You'll put Jonkos out of business at this rate." Harry commented. George and Ron looked at each other for a moment, as if communicating something.
"Well, actually that gives us a great opportunity for an announcement." George said, clearing his throat. Everyone's eyes were on him at that proclamation. George stood up, pretended to clear his throat and straighten his clothes acting all nervous. Ron rolled his eyes, knowing that this could take awhile.
"We've been in the talks to buy out Jonkos and they've agreed. We'll be signing the contract later next month." Ron announcing the good news. Everyone cheered and clapped, congratulating them on their business success.
"You could have let me tell them." George complained, sitting down.
"You were talking to long." Ron commented ignoring him.
"So tell me about the others." Harry said, interrupting what he knew would be a very annoying name calling argument.
"What others?" Ron asked confused.
"Like Neville and Luna and the others from our year and such." He clarified.
"If you were here you would already know whats going on." Percy mumbled. Mrs. Weasley looked over at Percy giving him a warning look. He promptly scowled into his cup of pumpkin juice. Audrey patted his hand on the table in support.
"Well, Seamus got married to a girl named Allison. She's from Spain. They met while he was on business there. Dean actually lives in the Muggle world. He plays soccer." Hermione said, thinking.
"That was mental to find out. He sent us one of his poster things that he used to have on the wall in the dorm but of him. Bloody thing didn't move either." Ron commented. Harry laughed, still amazed at how some things still baffled Ron.
"Yes well." Hermione said, giving him a glare. "Neville is working at Hogwarts as an apprentice to Professor Sprout. She's retiring next year and he's going to take over Herbology."
"Really?" Harry said surprised. Neville had a gift for plants and growing things and such. Herbology was the class he excelled at best. He was quite pleased that his friend and former Gryffindor had found his place in the world.
"Yeah, you should see him, he's changed a lot!." Ron exclaimed.
"But he's still the same ol' Neville. He's still sweet and kind. I hear the students love him." Ginny piped in. That was good to hear.
"And what about Luna?" He asked. He always thought Luna was a strange girl, but she always held a special place in his heart. She was usually kind for the way others treated her and she had a unique and different way of looking and expressing things that always seemed logical in the end. He will always be grateful for her friendship.
"Well Luna joined the Quibbler officially after she left Hogwarts, and about 4 years ago her father made her a partner and she is going to take over for him in a few more years so he can retired and hunt snorklebacks or whatever." Hermione scoffed at that, still not believing of the creatures that the Quibbler published.
"They used to have an article each month about you after you left actually." George said. Harry looked over at him curiously.
"What did it say?" He asked.
"It was called "Where's Harry". Very original I know. But basically people sent her tips on where they think they saw you and then her and her father would spend a weekend a month searching the area and then reported it." Ron said.
"Did she ever spot me? " Harry asked, he started fidgeting a little. Ginny looked over at him curiously but he wouldn't meet her gaze, she just pulled his hand into her lap and started running her thumb up over his hand.
"Well, no." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Well not really anyways."
"Whats that supposed to mean?"
"Well, the last article that was printed was about a year and half after you had...well...you know. It said that you had been located in some small town in eastern Ireland and that you lived with a bunch of people. It said that while you didn't look like the old Harry but you looked healthier. No one really believed it though." She said. There was a silence amongst the group.
"It was true." Harry said quietly. No one knew what to say. "She found me." Ginny looked at him bewildered. He was staring at the table, eyes glazed over and kind of frightful.
"Harry?" Ginny said. Harry just closed his eyes and shook his head.
"What were you doing in Ireland Harry?" Hermione asked him.
"Did she post where? Any details? Anything that people can find me?" Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.
"No mate, nothing. Just that you were in Ireland. Her article basically just said we should leave you alone." Ron said. Harry nodded his head again, a look of relief on his face.
"Good. Good." He took a deep breath. "I don't think I could have taken. well…be found at that time."
"I still don't understand why Harry." Hermione said sadly.
"Because he was in an asylum." Percy stated nastily.
"Don't." Harry replied stiffly.
"Percy, you're being a prat again. Stop it." Bill chimed in finally. He was seriously getting annoyed with his brother.
"Why? I've kept silent for years." Percy stated with haughtily. "And I think, now is as good a time as ever to reveal some of the secrets of the Great Harry Potter!"
"Seriously Percy, your sister just won the Quidditch championship. Are you really going to ruin it by being a know it all ass?" Bill asked him.
"Yes, because I'm sick and tired of everyone worshiping this…this lunatic." He pointed at Harry. Nobody said anything after that. Ron sat by Hermione, anger radiating from him. He wanted to know what happened with Harry as much as anyone but he wanted his best friend to tell him. Not to be spat out by his arse of a brother being a jerk. Hermione was holding him tightly to keep him down, her face scowling.
"Percy, just, stop please." Ginny practically begged him. Harry was facing with a hard expression on his face. Harry was not liking the way this conversation was going. But he was still curious on what Percy was talking about.. Did the ministry know where he was the whole time?
"Ill tell you where Harry was the first year or so after he felt he didn't need you anymore. He was in Ireland alright. But not with roommates." He spat. "Like that ridiculous article stated. He was wondering the streets for about 3 weeks before he was finally picked up by the Muggles. He was declared incompetent and sent to a psych ward at the local hospital." He paused for a moment. Nobody said anything, Harry was still staring at him with no expression on his face, with Ginny staring at Harry. Ron was glaring at Percy so hard his face was a bright red in anger.
"After several failed suicide attempts the hospital decided to transfer him to the local asylum due to lack of manpower and capabilities to handle him. And that's where he stayed for over a year. For some reason they released him into what the Muggles call 'halfway homes' or a 'group home' where he had stayed for about 6 months."
He leaned over the table toward Harry glowering. Harry for his part didn't even move, didn't show any expression. He was stiff as a board and didn't appear to have really noticed what was going on.
"After that you disappeared again. The Ministry wasn't able to find you. But we knew enough. You are crazy, and unstable, and the Wizarding world was better off without you!" He shouted at him, spit flying as he spat those words. "Why couldn't you have stayed gone Potter? Everyone was moving on. Everyone had a chance to live without fear. Without all your damn drama."
Ron stood up at that. Hermione no longer holding on to him. He marched straight over to Percy and punched him straight in the face.
"You bloody arse! I'll kill you if you say anything like that to him again! You were gone over a year. Turned your back on your family like a coward, and we accepted you back." Percy stood up in front of his youngest brother. Nose dripping full of blood. "And you know what? More of us cared what happened to Harry then you. Because he cared about us, and loved us, and he was more family then you ever were or could be."
"Family? Love? Care?" Percy spat back. "He really showed that as he left in the dead of night when you were trying to help him. He showed it fabulously by being gone 8 years leaving all of you to worry about him." He turned to Ginny. "He showed how much he cared for you and loved you by sleeping with some other woman and having that thing!" With that he pointed towards Evelyn, playing in the field.
Ginny's face was turning as red as Rons in anger. She gripped Harry's hand so tight she was sure he was feeling some kind of pain. Yet Harry had yet to show any emotion, or stand up for himself.
"I think the bigger question is, is that you knew where he was back then why the hell didn't you say anything especially since you knew Ron and everyone else was searching so hard for him. You said the Ministry felt it was better but what about you? Despite your feelings for Harry, why wouldn't you do it for your family?" Hermione accused. She stood up and walked next to Ron, getting right in Percy's face as well.
"Because I agreed with them. I didn't want him anywhere near you guys." He growled. Silence followed around the table with tempers flying, tears falling and shocked in abundance. The silence stretched on for several minutes, and was broken by a loud scream and then loud crying behind them.
They all turned to look towards the children. Little Molly Weasley was on the grass, crying with Evelyn Potter standing over here with her hand on her shoulder. Audrey audibly gasped in fear, saying her daughters name in a strangled sob. Percy however, was seeing complete red.
"You get away from my daughter you little brat!" He shouted at Evelyn marching towards the children. He reached the two little girls and shoved Evelyn very hard away. She landed a few feet away looking very stunned. All the adults around gave into the shock and all ran towards them. Evelyn started crying at being treated so.
However one moment Percy was standing over his daughter asking if she was alright, then the next second he was blasted 20 feet away, landing hard on his side. He looked up to see what happened. Harry stood where he had just been, wand out. Ginny had quickly run over to Evelyn and was cradling her, trying to comfort the distraught child.
"You will never, ever, touch my child again. If you ever hurt her, you will regret it." Harry stated dead calmly. Power seemed to radiate him. Percy tried sitting up, and not look intimidated.
"And what then Potter?" He said.
"You don't want to know." With that he turned around and walked over to Evelyn. He picked her up from the grass, cradling her tightly and walked back to the table where Mrs. Weasley stood, hand to her chest in fear and shock, Ginny trailing after him.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley but I'm afraid we must be leaving. Thank you for the lovely meal." With that he started for the house to Flew back to Ron and Hermione's. He turned back at the door and looked at Ginny, shifting Evelyn to get a better hold of her. They stared at each other for a moment.
"Mum, I gotta go." She said simply. She gave her mother a quick hug and kiss on the cheek and ran up to the door with Harry. They entered the house together, on their way home.
TBC
AN: I wish to apologize for yesterday. I didnt mean to sound whiny or like i was begging. I appreciate every review i get, i feel it helps me grow as a writer and also encourages me. Next chapter tommrow.