A/N: J.K Rowling owns Harry Potter, Hogwarts and loads of other cool things. I own my laptop.

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Claire looked open mouthed at Harry; to say that she was beginning to feel overwhelmed would be an understatement. Knowing that Harry had not only kept his word but delivered so much more had left her feeling a little envious of Hermione, and a little unworthy of everything that he had given her. She knew that this was a ridiculous way to feel but she couldn't help it, but looking in his eyes she could the uncertainty in him.

Ollie had told her all about Harry, how this young unassuming boy had had great fame thrust upon him, fame that had extracted an insurmountable price from him before he was two years old and demanded more from him every year. He had told her of the battle of Hogwarts, how Tom Riddle demanded Harry face him alone, and how Harry had walked to his death alone in order to stop the killing.

Looking at him now she could see how every death during the war still weighed heavily on him and if he lived for another hundred years, he would still feel responsible. Claire looked at Hermione and she saw the same look in her eyes as she saw in Ollie's whenever he spoke about Harry; it was a mixture of pride and humility. Pride for what the love of her life was doing and that she was able to be part of it, and humble enough to know that without Harry and everything that he had had to suffer, no one of this would have been possible.

Claire had heard from Ollie, the unwavering loyalty that Harry generated in his friends and how it was reciprocated by him. She could feel herself growing evermore loyal to this man, if loyalty was as tangible an emotion as love then this was how she assumed it would feel. She gripped their hands tighter and simply nodded her head in response to Harry's question, as she couldn't trust her voice to betray her emotional state.

Harry beamed at Claire and pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it 'If you'll excuse me I have a couple of things to attend to before the memorial next week.' Harry and Hermione stood, for the briefest of moments they shared an unspoken conversation before she embraced him. He breathed an almost imperceptible whisper in her ear 'I love you Hermione Granger' and then he walked from the room.

##

The majestic Eagle owl flew in through the window of the Burrow and perched its self on the back of a chair. Arthur looked up and saw the personal owl of the Minister for Magic; this could not be good news.

"Arthur,

The date of Molly's sentencing will next Tuesday. We have arranged an emergency session of the Wizengamot for that morning as Lord Longbottom has lodged a motion to have the proposed sentence commuted to something less severe. As this is a matter of great importance to you and your family I have given permission for you all to be in attendance. I wish I had better new to share with you, my old friend.

Kingsley."

Arthur new that this day would come; he had lived in the hope that there would be something that could be done but he knew that Molly had to answer for her actions and no matter what the outcome he would not hold it against Harry or Hermione.

He got up from his chair and floo called Shell cottage, Fleur said that she would get Bill bring the rest of the family. He got up from the fire place and walked to the kitchen, from the corner of his eye he noticed the family clock for the first time in a long while. For the first time since they got the clock the hand the bore the likeness of Molly was currently pointing at "Mortal Peril"; he took the clock of the mantle and threw it against the wall with a bellow of rage fuelling his throw. As the clock impacted the wall Bill walked out of the fireplace closely followed by the rest of his children.

'Are you alright dad?' asked Bill with a note of concern in his voice.

'I've always hatred that damn clock, your mother bought it when her brothers died and said it would give us peace of mind. The bloody thing has been nothing but a pain.' He looked at Ginny and said 'did you know that the entire time that you were writing in that diary your hand never moved from "School" you'd think that it would have hinted that you were in danger.'

'Dad, Fleur said that you had a letter from the minister.' Percy as always wanted to get right down to business.

Arthur took the folder piece of parchment from his pocket and handed to his son before heading to the kitchen. Percy unfolded the parchment and read it aloud so that everyone could hear.

'Why is Neville asking for her sentence to be commuted?' enquired Charlie, it was the question that they all wanted to ask but couldn't summon the courage to be the first.

'You've been in Romania with those Dragons for too long Charlie' George playfully nudged his older brother 'Harry asked him to intervene on his behalf as a respected member of the Wizenagamot.'

His siblings all turned their head in unison and looked incredulously at him.

'What? You think that because I own a joke shop I don't know things? You wound me!' George exclaimed in mock outrage.

Arthur called from the kitchen 'that was exactly my thinking, even after everything that has happened to him by members of this family, he is still trying to doing what he thinks is right.'

'Dad, have you had a chance to speak with Harry since the trial?' asked Ginny

'No, I've stayed out of his way, why do you ask?'

'He's been in a really bad way Dad, Hermione said he's been having really bad panic attacks. They came to visit me at the cottage, he told me that he had invited Draco and Narcissa back to the Black family and then he had a massive attack and just about collapsed.'

'What was that you said about the Malfoy's?' asked George

Ginny told them all about the visit, Harry's admission about the Malfoy's and how Hermione had helped him. She then told them that she had taken a long hard look at her life and decided that she couldn't take his money and will be moving out of the cottage.

Arthur couldn't help feel a little proud of his daughter's maturity, she had certainly taken the second chance she had been given and was trying to change.

##

Harry Apparated to Dorset, he had a meeting with Garrick Deverill and Dennis Kneen, the current manager and owner of Puddlemere united. He had a feeling that this would not be a pleasant meeting. He walked through the door and stood in the foyer, he had discovered many years ago that if he stood still anywhere for long enough then someone would appear to speak with him.

'Can I help you, sir?'

Harry turned and before he could say anything the voice said 'Stone the crows, you're Harry Potter!'

'Last time I checked. I'm-'

'The name's Willkie Abbot, I'm the kit man round her. I tell you, what I wouldn't give to put your name on the back of one of our shirts.'

'I'm here you see-'Harry tried again but to no avail.

'I saw you play against Slytherin in your first game. I could see then that you were going to be someone to watch, Mr Potter. Not even Krum was as natural a flyer as you were.'

Being compared to Krum took him by surprise, 'Mr Abbott, Krum was an outstanding flyer, I was just happy to be in the team.'

'Yeah but you was fearless, Mr Potter, on a broom there weren't nothing you couldn't do. I would bet a penny to a pinch of snuff that even now there wouldn't a seeker in the league that could match you.'

Harry had never seen Quidditch as anything more than a hobby that could help him relieve stress and give him the freedom from being the boy-who-lived, even if it was only for a while.

'Mr Abbott, it has been a pleasure speaking with you but I have a meeting with Mr Deverill and Mr Kneen.'

'Well I'll take you to them lad, the boys down the Thimble won't believe that I was talking to THE Harry Potter...heehaw.'

'Tell you what Mr Abbott, you tell them from me to keep an eye of the Prophet next Tuesday. There will be a big story that will concern Puddlemere; I can't say too much just now you understand.' At this Harry tapped the side of his nose, the universal sign that this was a big secret.

Willkie Abbott walked away after showing Harry into the manager's office, his excitement was bubbling away to almost boiling point.

'Harry, what can Puddlemere do for you?' asked Dennis Kneen whilst shaking the younger man's hand.

'Firstly thanks for seeing me at such short notice; I appreciate how busy you are. What I have to tell you is not good news I'm afraid.'

Garrick sat up a little straighter 'Director Potter, has something happened?'

'I'm not here in my official capacity today, in fact what I'm here to tell you, is known only to a select few.' Both men looked at each other their interests were peaked.

'It pains me to have to inform you that Oliver Wood has died.'

The news caught both men completed by surprise. Their eyes became wide with the shock of Harry's statement and they both paled significantly.

'Three years ago Oliver was in Glasgow with his wife of 18 months and he was set upon by two muggles. In the ensuing attack he was stabbed twice in the chest, he was taken to the hospital and place on life support. One of his Doctors was magical and advised his wife that while his magical core was trying to repair the damage, he had lost too much blood. He was on life support for three days before the decision was made to let him go. Needless to say Claire, His wife was devastated.'

He let the news sink in before he carried on, 'next Monday, we will be holding a memorial for Oliver at Hogwarts. Everyone that was in school with him will be there to pay their respects to his memory and to pay their respects to his wife. I felt that would be fitting that his club be in attendance.'

Dennis was the first to speak 'we will be there; the entire team will be there to show solidarity with his widow. He was a fine young man, the lads will be devastated when they hear, and I'll tell you that for nought.'

Garrick stood and said 'I'm sorry...' before rushing from his office.

'Oliver was best man at Garrick's wedding to Bev. He'll be in bits. Gimmie a couple of minutes and I'll go see to him.' Dennis took his leave and left Harry to his own devices. While waiting for Dennis and Garrick to come back he had a look round the office. There were photos of all the players, both past and present. Cards from player's children, letters from fans and a few mementoes from Garrick's playing days. Pinned to the wall behind his desk was a thank you card, it was a little worse for wear.

Inside it read "Gar,

I finally did it, I asked her and she said yes! Can you believe it? I'm getting married. I cannot thank you enough for the kick up the arse you gave me, I really needed it.

You and Bev are of course first on the invite list! Just wait till you meet her!

Cheers Ollie"

Harry put the card back; he felt that he was intruding on something very personal. He sat back and waited for Dennis and Garrick to return and after a few moments they appeared.

'I'm really sorry for storming out like that Harry; it was very rude of me.'

'Listen, Garrick you have nothing to apologise for, I would have done the same.'

'Don't you worry about the memorial, as Dennis said; we will be there.'

'Can I ask one favour? Claire has felt abandoned by the Magical world and I gave her my word that this was to be only about honouring Oliver's Memory and paying respects to her. Anyone that flouts this will answer directly to me. Can you make sure that your boys know this?'

'Consider it done Harry. Anyone of them steps out of line and I'll make sure that they never play another game again.'

Harry shook hands with both men again before leaving the stadium, he wanted to be with his own thoughts for a while so he Apparated to the forest of Dean and sat on a rock near the stream. Listening to the sound of the water gurgle as it passed over the rock was soothing to his weary mind. He slowed his breathing and slowly began to relax. It had been a long day and it wasn't even lunch time yet.