Chapter 14

Harry worked silently, packing the last few remaining items in his home here at what was once his families home in Godric's Hallow. He had just sealed the final box when he heard a sharp knock at the front door. He walked to it, opening it to reveal the unmistakable figure of Kingsley Shacklebolt looking crestfallen.

"Hello Kingsley, came for another go have you, well you'll find my answer the same as the last ten times you tried to convince me, ands that's my decision is final, I can't do this anymore, I'm tried my friend, tried of fighting, of pain, grief and loss, I'm just tried, I need some peace in my life," Harry said through a very deep breath, letting the truth of the words shine through.

"I figured as much but I had to try, it's hard losing a man as good as you," Kingsley said slowly taking Harry's shoulder.

"Maybe so but I have faith in my choice of replacement, Viper, I mean Cross is a good man, he's more than up to the challenge," Harry said.

"I know, having studied under you I have no doubt of that, but still no one can fill your shoes completely," Kingsley said sounding thoroughly downcast at losing his best man.

"Well that may not be so true, not now anyways, I don't know how good I'd be now anyway, my hearts just not in it anymore, and its better to leave before you burnout," Harry responded.

Kingsley nodded, "Arthur was glad you postponed your departure until after the funerals," Kingsley said, speaking to the joint funerals for Ron and Ginny held just yesterday. The memory of the event caused Harry's jaw muscle to tighten slightly.

They were lovely services, held at the burrow, all of the Auror department and half the ministry were in attendance to give them a proper send off. Harry remembered painfully when he had been informed by George that it was Molly, who had become worried from her absence during the families grieving for Ron, who had found the lifeless body of Ginny in her apartment. George had informed him that a bottle of ally boy had been found, and it was concluded that she succumbed to an accidentally overdose.

This shocked her family who had already endured one tragic loss. Though they never thought Ginny to be an addict they had to admit she had been somewhat withdrawn from them in recent years, and her drug use was attributed to the lingering pain she had lived with due to her injury. That didn't ease the pain of her loss though.

Harry was the only one who knew the truth, and true to her final wish he would never reveal it to anyone. He thought this better for the Weasleys to deal with than knowing the truth behind Ginny's death.

Harry sat with Hermione as the funerals progressed. He and his team all served with Ron's brothers as pall bearers, securely guiding Ron to his final resting place at the cemetery in Ottery St. Catchpole. Though all the Wealsyes, Molly included tried to insist it wasn't his fault he still couldn't stifle the guilt he still carried. He would always have to carry it, he thought, it was his lot, and he had to live with it.

He had made up his mind once he saw his family gathered at Roses bedside that he could no longer be an Auror, he couldn't subject his family to that kind of danger.

So he took a job offered long ago, to teach dark arts defense at the Salem institute of Witchcraft in The United States of America. He was pleased when Hermione heartily agreed that it was best for not only him, but the whole family if they left this place and struck out for a new life. Leaving behind all these painful memories.

Really all they had here now were stark reminders of all they had lost. Harry couldn't stomach the idea of living here day to day, looking into the eyes of the people who've lost those they love under his watch. He needed to get away if he would have any chance of living in peace.

He had said all of his goodbyes, and while there were many a protest, and the shedding of a tear or two he made them all understand that this was what he and his family needed for true happiness, after that the protests ceased.

James was overjoyed though when his father had consented his return to Hogwart's, it for James, like Harry before him had come to feel like a home. Hermione had returned him there herself before she took Rose after the funeral to begin setting up a new home given to them by the American Wizarding council in Salem, Massachusetts.

Harry had been working all day, sending along all their belongings and was now finally finished. He turned to the still waiting Kingsley, "Well my old friend I guess this is it," Kingsley said as Harry magically sent the last box to his waiting wife.

"Well its not really goodbye, not forever at least, my son is still going to Hogwart's and no matter what happens I'll always have the blood of an English Wizard running through these veins, no my friend its not an eternal farewell, will I ever come back to stay to that I cannot say, but you've not seen the last of me that I can promise. But for now I'm looking forward to settling into a nice quiet life with my family. So until we meet again may life treat you better," than it has me, Harry said the last part in his head, extending his hand shaking Kingsley firmly, who pulled him into a warm embrace.

They broke apart and Harry took his cloak from the hook, gave the empty house one last look and clasped it to his neck, before he turned and vanished. Leaving all the pain, loss and bad memories behind and hopefully finding the peace he's earned.

The End.

Author's Note: Ok my friends here it is, it's a bit shorter than I intended but it couldn't be helped, I'm moving out of state and I have a lot to attend to, I will be posting new stories just as soon as I get settled until then I hope you enjoyed this, if so please review and let me know, and may life always treat you all very well.