Chapter fourteen

'Why didn't you ever tell us you could paint like that?' Hermione asked as she stared at the beautiful big picture.

'Well you knew I could draw, I saw you watching me. But I never got a chance to paint though, they wouldn't buy me anything. But one day when we were staying at Grimmauld place, I was in Sirius' old room and found some old paint, found out I liked it. I didn't realise I could paint as well as I could draw, but I seemed to be able to. So I wanted to start with this one.'

'But you got them to move Harry, how did you work that out?' Ron asked.

'One of those books I bought had the charm that needs to be attached to the canvas. You and Hermione were concentrating on your books not what I bought.'

Mrs. Weasley went over and hugged Harry with everyone staring at them, but all we're smiling.

'Do you realise how much that painting would cost if we were to buy it?' Arthur asked.

'No, I just wanted to paint this for you. I noticed you didn't have a family portrait, just that small picture.'

'Well I'll tell you, at least two thousand galleons mate and that just an approximate amount. I went to see how much a family portrait would cost years ago. One half that size would have been just on a thousand galleons,' Charlie said.

'Well money doesn't interest me, I just enjoy painting. I've got a lot I want to do now I can.'

'But how did you get so good Harry, because you didn't just paint all of us, you can see our personality and I want to know why you put me surrounded by my brothers?' Ginny asked.

'Well first, all the times the Dursley's locked me up, I used to draw to stop myself going insane with boredom. I mainly drew Hedwig though, sometimes Ron and Hermione. Now as to why I put you with your brothers around you, think about it Ginny, they are very protective of you, so I portrayed that in the picture.'

'That's what I thought and I wish they weren't so protective, I can look after myself.'

'We know you can Ginny, so don't go hexing us. You're the youngest and only girl, we just can't help ourselves,' Bill said.

'If you have a girl Fleur and if Bill is like this with his sister, imagine what he will be like with a daughter,' Harry laughed.

'More zan he is now 'arry,' Fleur smiled as she put her hands over her stomach.

'So I think I could probably guess what you will do next, well out of two,' Molly said as she sat with her husband.

'You're probably right, my parents and Sirius. I'll do my parents first, then Sirius, then I want one of Hermione, Ron and me together.'

'Um Harry, when you've done them, could you do one for me?' Hermione asked.

Harry smiled, 'Of course I will, you just have to get me a picture of your parents Hermione, I only saw them once and not from close up.'

'Thank you,' Hermione got up and kissed Harry's cheek.

'She didn't even need to say what she wanted. But I think we all understand why.'

'Yeah, but we can sometimes read each other really well. So I knew she would ask for one of them eventually.'

'Can I come in Weasley's,' Kingsley called.

'Of course Kingsley. Is something wrong?'

'I went to Harry's but he wasn't home, so I thought I'd check here. But that is a beautiful painting. When did you have that done?'

'We didn't, Harry did it and just unveiled it. It's beautiful isn't it Kingsley. Harry really captured all of us. Ginny said it, he caught all our personalities,' Molly beamed.

'You certainly did Harry, that is amazing,' Kingsley stepped over to the picture, 'That is one of the best I've ever seen and you attached the charm to it.'

'Yeah, I bought a book on how to do the charm. So Mr. Weasley, you just need to hang it up. Tonight I'm going to start on my parent's portrait, then Sirius.'

'I would love to commission you to do mine Harry. I was notified that I am now the full minister for magic and I have to get a portrait done and I want you to do it. The ministry pays for it.'

'But that will be the official portrait Kingsley, don't you want someone experienced?'

'You have the experience and you do bring it to life, bring out what someone is really like. Look at Fred and George, you can tell how mischievous they are just by looking at them. You can see the love Molly and Arthur have as they gaze down at their kids. It's truly amazing Harry, so will you do mine?'

'Um, sure if you want Kingsley, and since it's the official one, you'll be in full ceremonial robes won't you?'

'Yes, with medals or awards I might have, they have to be worn as well.'

'Well okay, you just have to let me know when you can pose, I just need to make a quick sketch, which will only take about an hour.'

'I'll send you an owl when I know I have time. But I don't want to take any time from you doing your parents.'

'It won't, this only took just over five days. But I know all the Weasley faces so well and what they're like, so I didn't need a sketch them. I might know you Kingsley, but I haven't really spent a lot of time with you that wasn't official, either as an auror or the minister.'

'I get it, so I'll contact you. There just is one thing and I hope it doesn't change your mind.'

'Okay, what because I already know I'm not going to like it.'

'When the minister has his official portrait done, it's presented by the artist to the minister at an official ceremony done at the ministry.'

'Oh bloody hell Kingsley, you know I hate ceremonies and the ministry.'

'I know, but it'll be me getting the attention and you don't need to say anything. I have to make the speech about accepting the job and say something nice about the artists and his work, that sort of thing, but it's mainly about me accepting the job. So are you still going to do it Harry? It would really mean a lot to me having it done by someone I know and trust.'

Harry heard Hermione, Ron, Charlie, Bill, George and Ginny laughed, 'shut it you lot,' Harry scowled, 'Alright, as long as you give me your word I do not have to talk or make any speech. I just have to present you the portrait and that's it?'

'I promise, all you need to do is wear dress robes. So what do you say, are you going to do it Harry?'

Harry stared at Kingsley, 'Well, you've never lied to me, so okay, I'll do it.'

Kingsley hugged him, 'Thank you. Now I should explain why I wanted to find you in the first place. Tim and Connie caught one of the escaped death eaters. Now he said they do want you dead, but they are working on how to kill you since they all saw you get hit with the killing curse and survive. So their working on plans but he still said they were talking about it, nothing was set. Now even though they don't know the truth, they are still going to plan something to do with you. So you really need to keep your eyes and ears open whenever you're out and about. If I had some spare aurors, I'd put one with you, but I don't.'

'Forget that Kingsley, I don't want to have guards around me anymore. It was bad enough when I had to before, I wasn't of age then, I couldn't fight you, now I can. But I recently found out I'm not keen on crowds, so I'm trying to stay away from places like Diagon alley. Ever since that night, I can't be surrounded, I start to panic and I never panic. I'm not scared that something is going to happen, it's strange, I feel like I can't breathe when there's too many people around me. I couldn't even stay in George's shop the other day.'

'So because you were in the forbidden forest with him, his death eaters, snatchers and giants and basically you did die, then right after you face him again with crowds around you, it's made you wary. I get it Harry, and makes a lot of sense. Just be careful when you do go anywhere though. If they want to do something they might keep an eye on your parent's house, or the cemetery. You live in Godric's Hollow, they don't know that yet, but you haven't hidden the fact that you do. So what I wanted to suggest was that you put the fidelius charm around your place.'

'You know I've been thinking about that. It means I have to give permission to the people I want to invite over.'

'If you want to be your own secret keeper, yes.'

'I'm not letting anyone else put themselves in danger Kingsley. So I'll work it then I'll give a note to Mrs. Weasley that she can give that to you or anyone else I know; if that's alright with you Mrs. Weasley?'

'I don't mind Harry dear and I agree with Kingsley, it would be safer.'

'Okay, well I bought that book the other day, so I'll work on the charm when I head home.'

'Good, and I'll contact you about posing for my portrait. Thanks again Harry,' Kingsley shook his hand, said goodbye to everyone then left.

'That is a very important job Harry, only famous artists ever get to paint the Minister for Magic. You do know that it's a very large portrait though?'

'Yeah, I know Mr. Weasley, I saw the one of Fudge that Kingsley had moved to the history room. So I've got my work cut out for me, but I don't think of it as work but fun because to me painting is fun.'

Everyone noticed that Harry looked content when he spoke about his paintings and realised that this is what Harry was always meant to do he just had to wait until Voldemort was gone from their world before he could do it. Harry's life before was all about Voldemort and danger, now he could finally think of himself and do what he wants to do.