Hi! Sorry it's been a while! I was away for a bit so i couldn't write.

I hope you enjoy!

Walking Free

Returning

It was late in the evening when Harry and Ginny moved into the kitchen where they continued chatting long into the night. They sat at the table, each cradling their sixth mug of tea. Ginny smiled up at Harry, enjoying the moment of comfortable silence that had settled between them.

'It's really nice to just finally talk again.' Ginny sighed happily. 'I remember all those times at home in the holidays when we would sit together in the living room and chat for hours.'

'Yeah, although, it's a bit different now.'

'How d'you mean?'

Harry swirled the remaining tea in his mug before he tipped his head right back to get the last drop. 'Well, Ron and Hermione aren't here which is really the main difference but I think it also feels different because we're no longer going to school. We've grown up since that time and I remember that when we were young, despite all the troubles that we faced, we always had something to laugh and joke about. Now, now everything is so serious and it feels like if we even relax for a second the whole world will come falling in. No matter where I am or who I'm with I can never feel comfortable enough to relax properly.'

'Harry, this war, I know that it is causing a hell of a lot of trouble for all of us but you can't let it take over your life. You may be the 'chosen one' who is supposed to save us all, but you're still a person, just a normal human being. It's perfectly alright to forget about all your troubles for a day or two and just let yourself let go. Also, considering all you went though I should think that you deserve a break more than anyone.'

Harry chewed at his bottom lip as he rolled his empty mug between his hands. 'Hmm, I guess…d'you want another cup of tea?'

'Hn? Oh, don't worry, I'll get it.' Ginny stood from her seat and took hers and Harry's mug to the counter by the kettle. With a quick flick of her wand she boiled that water in the pot and filled up the two mugs. As she put the kettle back down on the hob she noticed a dirty gold object sitting next to a pile of sauce pans and dishes by the sink. Out of curiosity she picked it up and turned it over in her palm. 'Harry, what's this?'

Harry looked up from his gazing at the table and narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Oh, that's nothing…um.' He stood and approached Ginny as she continued to toy with the object.

'Hey, I remember this.' Ginny suddenly exclaimed holding the locket up by the chain. Harry stared at her confused. How did she know about it? 'It was just after my third year. We found it somewhere in this house when we were cleaning. D'you remember when we all passed it around trying to open it? Hmm, Kreacher must have taken it away so Sirius wouldn't throw it out.'

'Kreacher?' Harry repeated, quite perplexed.

Before either could say anymore, there was a loud crack as someone appeared in the kitchen. Had it been any other day, Harry would have extracted his wand immediately, gripping it firmly in his hand ready to oppose the intruder at any moment; however, his brain, which had only just started to operate properly after his many cups of tea, remained sluggish and as such, his

reactions were almost non-existent.

Ginny let out a small screech as the tiny elf appeared out of nowhere in front of the two of them. His pale skin hung limply off of his petite frame as did the disgusting rags he wore. White hair grew out from his bat-like ears in copious amounts and his customary scornful look had not changed since their last meeting.

'Master called Kreacher?' croaked the elf as he bowed spectacularly low in front of Harry before he shot a thoroughly disapproving look at Ginny. 'Kreacher has not seen Master in my mistress' old house for many years. Kreacher had hoped that Master had died.'

'M-master? What is he on about?' Harry questioned as he looked up to Ginny who remained standing with the locket in her grip.

The redhead grimaced at the elf's filthy rags before her eye's met Harry's.

'Sirius left you everything in his Will, didn't he?' At Harry's slow nod, she continued. 'Well, he must have named you as Kreacher's new master so…'

'Right' came Harry's slow reply as he turned toward the elf who was now studying Ginny with expression that could only be described as pure horror.

'The blood traitor Weasley has stolen Master Regulus' locket.' Kreacher cried out in his bullfrog voice as his bony arm slowly rose to point at Ginny. 'You stole it from Master Regulus! Give it back!' The elf was now yelling viscously at Ginny and Harry found himself glad that he had had the initiative to put up silencing charms earlier so that Malfoy would be non the wiser of their conversation.

'Kreacher, STOP' Harry screamed as the elf began to run at Ginny, his eyes locked on the necklace she was holding. The elf immediately obeyed as Harry's heart started to beat rather fast. Why had the elf had such a reaction to the locket? Harry could only think of one reason; after retrieving the horcrux, Regulus must have left it in the house. Remembering now what Ginny had referred to earlier when they had all tried to open the locket, he recalled that Sirius had thrown it in the rubbish pile. Throughout that cleaning process, Kreacher had tried to sneak some of the items back to his den and the locket must have been one of them. If the one that Ginny held was really the fake Horcrux, and the elf had such a fierce reaction to it, then Kreacher must have the real one.

'Kreacher, you will not harm anyone in this house, nor will you refer to them in such derogatory terms as 'blood traitor' and the like. Understand?'

The elf, frozen on the spot, turned slowly to Harry before he nodded in understanding.

Harry moved towards Ginny and gently took the locket from her grip. Turning it over in his hands a couple of times, Harry held the necklace by the chain and allowed it to dangle before the elf.

'You recognize this, Kreacher? You recognize this locket?'

'It is Master Regulus' locket. Master Regulus told Kreacher to take the locket and to destroy it.' Tears began to fall silently down the elf's face and he fell undignified onto the floor where he began to rock back and forth as if he were on a ship that travelled on the rough sea.

After raising an eyebrow at the sudden change in the elf's behavior Harry continued, 'How did Regulus get the locket, Kreacher?'

'Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord when he was young.' spoke the rocking elf, his arms gripping his knees as he cuddled himself in what appeared to be a protective position. 'About a year after Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord, Master Regulus told Kreacher that the Dark Lord required an elf, he wanted an elf to do job. Master Regulus, Master…'

Kreacher faulted a couple of times as more tears cascaded down his face. The rocking increased and the elf's breath hitched as he spoke.

'Master Regulus told Kreacher it would be an honour to work for the Dark Lord and Master Regulus…he told Kreacher to followed whatever…whatever the Dark Lord ordered Kreacher to do.'

'And what did Voldemort make you do, Kreacher?' Harry's voice was soft and calm as he called out to the elf.

'The Dark Lord make Kreacher drink a potion form inside a cave. He…he made Kreacher drink the potion that made Kreacher see all of these terrible things…he made Kreacher drink all of the potion… and then the Dark Lord sailed away in his boat and he left Kreacher…he left Kreacher on the island and Kreacher needed water…'

Harry looked up at Ginny completely confused. A potion inside a cave? Voldemort on a boat? What was he on about? Ginny appeared to be just as confused as Harry; however, neither of the two said anything. They turned their attention back to the elf who was rocking as hard as ever. His voice was coming out in great sobs.

'…Kreacher tried to get a drink in the black lake but…but dead hands came at Kreacher and they pulled Kreacher into the black water and under the surface…but Master Regulus called. Master Regulus called Kreacher back to the house and told Kreacher to stay hidden from everyone so Kreacher stayed in his cupboard. Kreacher was a good elf…Kreacher did as Master Regulus asked and he stayed inside the house.'

Kreacher let out a great sob as his bloodshot eyes stared straight ahead.

'One night…one night after Kreacher escaped from the dead hands…Master Regulus came and he made Kreacher tell Master Regulus all that the Dark Lord had ordered Kreacher to do…but Master Regulus…Master Regulus was not himself…he was ill and Kreacher knew. Kreacher knew Master Regulus was disturbed in the mind and Master Regulus made Kreacher take him to the cave where the Dark Lord had gone with Kreacher…'

Another great gulp and a sob were emitted from the tiny elf as he remained on the floor rocking himself.

'…and Kreacher showed Master Regulus the cave and the potion in the basin on the island and…and Master Regulus, he told Kreacher to…he ordered Kreacher to change the locket in the basin for the one Master Regulus was holding and he ordered Kreacher to leave after he did that…he ordered Kreacher to take the locket home and to…he wanted Kreacher to destroy the locket. Master Regulus…he drank the potion…and Kreacher was a good elf and…and swapped the lockets and then he left Master Regulus and…and he was dragged under the water by the…by the dead hands…'

Kreacher was now wailing into his thin legs in his curled up position. Harry was at a complete loss at what to do as the inconsolable elf swayed to and fro, back and forth. Finally, after a while of howling, Kreacher had calmed down enough to continue relaying the story.

'Kreacher never could destroy Master Regulus' locket…Kreacher tried and tried but Kreacher could not destroy it, so…so Kreacher had to punish himself often for he could not complete Master Regulus' orders…and then Kreacher saw bad Master Sirius try to throw it out but Kreacher saved it and took it to his new house when Kreacher's new Master did not come.'

'Where did you go, Kreacher?'

'Kreacher went to Mistress Bellatrix and Mistress Narcissa but the blood traitor stole the locket! The blood traitor-' The small elf once again ran at Ginny, his thin arms flailing through the air.

'Kreacher' Harry yelled above the elf's accusations, 'do not call her a blood traitor' But the elf was already punishing himself, violently hitting his head against the cupboard.

'Kreacher, stop. Stop punishing yourself.' The elf complied and sat silently on the floor, curled up in his protective ball. 'Good, right. So, the last time you were with Bellatrix and Narcissa, you had the locket with you?' The elf jerked his head in confirmation. 'Okay, Kreacher, I want you to return there and to bring all of your belongings back here. You are not to go back there afterwards. I am your Master now, okay? Do you understand?' Once again, Kreacher nodded and without standing, he left the room with a crack.

The room was silent for a moment as the two occupants stared at the place that the elf had been sat.

'Well, that was unexpected.' said Ginny quietly as she stood up from the crouched position she had taken up when the elf had begun to cry. Her knees gave an audible crack as she moved to sit on the hard back, wooden chair.

'Yeah. That was, well, weird.' Harry added as he joined Ginny at the kitchen table.

'Why do you want the locket? Is it really special to you or something?'

'Er..Dumbledore came to me with that one' he nodded towards the locket that now rested on the kitchen table, 'and asked if I had seen one similar. He seemed to think it would be here and asked me to give it to him if I found it.' Harry felt bad for not telling her the truth about the Horcruxes but it was not like it was a complete lie. Dumbledore had come to him with the fake Horcrux and in a roundabout way, had made it clear to Harry that he needed to find the real one. He decided that Ginny did not really need to know about the Horcruxes anyway. They would probably just scare her and he wasn't sure that he was up to explaining them to her. Taking a glance at his watch, Harry was surprised to discover that it was nearing one in the morning. Had they really been talking that long?

Silence filled the room again as Harry and Ginny sat around the kitchen table waiting for Kreacher's return. Brushing a hand through his hair, Harry sighed and looked up at Ginny. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she rested her face in her hands. He smiled softly and butterflies entered his stomach, as they always did when he looked at her.

'Look Gin, you should go. You're falling asleep at the table.' He grinned at her when she looked up at him with a guilty smile.

'Are you sure? I don't mind waiting up for Kreacher with you.'

'Yes, I'm sure. You're dead on your feet. Go home and get some rest. The moment he comes back I'm going to head up to bed.'

'Well, if you're sure?' At his nod, the two of them stood up. Ginny made her way over to Harry and enveloped him in a hug. He returned it all too enthusiastically and burned bright red when she gave him a small but sweet kiss on the lips. He looked into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes and wished now that she wasn't going.

'I really enjoyed talking to you, you know? Even though it was a bit…weird.' He smiled in agreement, 'I always feel so much lighter after talking to you.'

She let go of his grip and slowly made her way to the fireplace where she grabbed a handful of floo power and threw it into the fire, calling out 'The Burrow' as she did so. The green flames engulfed her and she disappeared.

When Kreacher reappeared twenty minutes later with a handful of bedding and a meager pile of possessions, Harry told him to put his things away before returning with the locket. Kreacher returned a moment later, clutching the golden locket in his old, wrinkly hands.

Harry bent down so that he was now at eye level with the elf. 'Kreacher, if I gave you this locket, which was also Regulus', would you give me that one so that I can help you fulfill Regulus' order to destroy it?'

Kreacher slowly released the Horcrux into Harry's opened hand, placing it carefully on the palm before he took the other locket and gently placed it over his head, fresh tears falling down his cheeks. Harry followed suit and placed the Horcrux over his head, deciding that the locket was probably safest if he wore it until he visited the Headmaster in the morning. The moment the heavy gold touched his chest, he felt a mysterious ticking from inside, almost like a heartbeat emanating from the golden object.

Dragging his feet through the thick snow Harry gazed around at the grounds of Hogwarts. Despite his frozen toes which he was sure were now frostbitten, the raven smiled as a sense of home filled him. Because of his bad childhood living with the Dursleys' Harry had always thought of Hogwarts as his real home. It was where he had made his first proper friends who loved him for who he was and didn't mock him for being different. He fitted in, to some extent, with everyone else and he felt like he finally belonged. As Harry approached the school, climbing the slight slope up to the grand castle, he couldn't help but pity himself for missing his last two years of his school life, a time that he would never be able to get back. Even if he had tutors to catch him up on the work he missed he would never get to go back to the school with his friends, go to lessons, eat in the Great Hall or wander around the huge building in the middle on the night with his best friend. Everyone and everything around Harry had grown and moved on, leaving him behind.

Reaching the tall front door of the school Harry slipped inside and cast a quick charm on his shoes to clean off the snow. Taking at look at his watch he realised that he was later than he had hoped. He had planned to leave home at seven so he could make his way up to Dumbledore's office before the students came down to breakfast. Unfortunately for Harry he had had trouble getting out of bed that morning. When he had finally managed to drag himself out of the warm confines of his duvet, it was already seven thirty. Harry had then gone on to blame his nonexistent alarm clock for not going off on time. By the time he had dressed and made his way to Hogsmead it was ten to eight and then he still had to walk all the way up to the castle which he found took longer than he remembered.

From where Harry stood at the door he could just about see into the Great Hall where most of the students were sat at their tables, munching tiredly on their breakfast. Harry half expected to see his friends waiting for him, Ron leaving a space next to him for when Harry came down from Gryffindor tower. With a weak smile Harry set off on his way to the headmaster's office. On his way up the long, never ending staircases Harry passed a few girls and boys making their way to the Great Hall. Most of them ignored him as they chatted to their friends but a few of them obviously recognized him as they hurriedly cut their conversations to stared widely at him as he passed. Once they thought he was out of earshot they continued in hushed whispers, their voices full of excitement at the prospect of meeting Harry Potter. Harry didn't really mind the whispers or the stares from the children. He knew that they would get excited and want to gossip about it. It was only natural. When you went to a boarding school gossiping was really the main source of entertainment among the students and often among the staff members.

It was only when young Ravenclaw girl, probably in second year, walked passed with her friends and said proudly 'My father, who works in the Ministry, thinks that Potter should be sent back to Azkaban. He believes that he really did kill those people. I agree, Potter's not to be trusted.', that Harry rolled his eyes, a frown falling over his face.

Stopping at the top of yet another flight of stairs Harry stopped and glanced at his watch again. It was already five passed and he was sure that he was lost. As Harry begun mumbling to himself at his sudden loss of memory he heard his name being called from behind him. Turning he saw Dennis Creevey waving erratically at his from across the hallway.

'Harry! Harry, it's me! It's Dennis Creevey! Remember me? Harry, hey!' The boy was soon jumping up and down as he made his way over to Harry and the staircase. Harry lifted his hand slightly and gave a small wave, not sure why the boy was being so enthusiastic. They barely knew each other. When the sixteen year old reached Harry had grinned widely, baring a set of large white teeth. 'Hi! How've you been? I'm fine, by the way. I haven't seen you in ages, Collin would say hi but he's not here but I guess you already know that. Sixth year is great you know? I'm really enjoying it. How was your sixth year? I bet it was better than mine is but mine is still really great! The lessons are fun aren't they?'

'I wouldn't know.' Harry grumbled. Dennis, who was about to burst into another tornado of words quickly snapped his mouth shut, his cheeks flushed pink. 'Hey, um…look, could you direct me to the headmaster's office, I'm a bit…lost.'

As if the passed thirty seconds hadn't happened Dennis jump started into his usual, happy self and pointed behind him, down the corridor that he had just come from. 'I just went to see Professor Dumbledore 'cause I accidently smashed a window this morning with my shoe. It really was an accident, I swear. Natalie, my best friend, McDonald was throwing my best shoes around the common room, McDonald is her surname by the way, and everyone was laughing! And then when I-'

'That's great, Dennis,' Harry said tiredly, 'but I'm running late so I better be going.' Dennis' face lit up when Harry said his name and he waved once more before rushing off after his friends.

Harry followed the boy's directions and soon found himself in front of the giant gargoyle. However, just as Harry gave a rather large sigh of relief he remembered that he needed the password to get through. Wracking his brain Harry tried to remember what Dumbledore's last password had been when he was at school but all that came to him was a long list of sweets.

After trying what felt like hundreds of wizard sweets and cakes Harry was becoming quite desperate. Although he doubted that it would work he started trying some muggle sweets such as 'Mars bars' and 'Snickers', but as he suspected these were also incorrect. Giving up Harry backed away and slouched against the stone wall, waiting for someone to pass and give him the password.

It was only a few minutes later when someone did pass by but it wasn't exactly someone that Harry was keen on bumping into. Professor Snape swiftly glided down the short staircase, obviously having just left Dumbledore's office. When he noticed Harry he scowled, sneering at him with small, black eyes. The two stared at each other, each holding a cold glare. Although it didn't show, Harry felt a shiver of fear scurry along his spine. At seeing his old Potions master Harry's mind had been cast back to the awful memories at Malfoy manor when Snape himself had been one of the many to torture Harry mercilessly. He tried to shake the thought from his mind but the man's harsh eyes sent Harry's body into a state of panic.

Suddenly Snape continued on his way, brushing passed the teen, his head in the air. Harry turned back to the gargoyle just as it began to close. He was about to hurry to the entrance before it fully shut when Snape grabbed his arm roughly. Harry gasped breathlessly and stared up into the greasy haired man's eyes once again.

'Toffee drizzle.' the man murmured before dropping Harry's arm and disappearing down the long corridor.

Hey guys! Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it!

Allen Pitt- Don't worry, the story isn't over quite yet. He's finally talked with Ginny and they've sorted things out but he still has to sort things out with the rest of the Weasleys as well as his old friends from Hogwarts. I hope you liked this chapter and I can't wait to hear more from you.

Caelhir- Yeah, sorry that happened to me before. In chapter one (not the prologue) it said three years later and it cut it in half. No matter what I did I couldn't get it to work and that happened again in this last chapter. Sorry. I also know that there where some spelling mistakes cause my beta (my sister) didn't have a chance to look through it and I didn't bother to. Sorry. Yay for Ginny and silly Harry.

Punk-Rebel-Chick- Yeah, sorry for the spelling mistakes, I do have a beta but she didn't read through the last chapter and I didn't either. I hope that this one will be better. I really liked your comments on Ginny and Harry, thanks.

Bob Hammilton- Awww, that was cute too! Thank you! Please review this chapter and let me know what you think!

Crazyme03- Aww, thank you. I'm very glad that you like it. Please let me know your opinions of this chapter!

Junky- I don't really understand what you mean by saying that Harry isn't serious. I think that Harry thinks that he deserves to do what he likes now that he's been freed. They did after all accuse him of murders that he didn't commit. I think that maybe he's scared and reluctant to do what needs to be done because of all that happened. Yeah, he tried to fight Voldemort again with the skills of only a fifteen year old but he's done that sort of thing before and he did try to teach himself some sixth and seventh year syllabus. Also about him being immature, I wouldn't expect him to have grown up that much as even though he has aged, he had no influence from the outside world whilst in Azkaban to help him learn and grow mentally and emotionally. He had been isolated from everyone so he still feels like a fifteen year old boy inside. I hope that this helped a little bit but I didn't really understand what you were trying to say. Please review and let me know if there are any other questions that you have. I will be happy to try and answer them. Thank you.

pyrou- YAY AND UPDATE! I hope you liked this chapter. Please review to let me know what you thought about it.

Zoie- Aww, thanks! I hope this chapter was to your liking!

Please review!