" Go home, Harry."

Ron's voice was as weary as Harry felt. He'd just been checked over and patched up by the Auror's healer and released back to the department.

They'd been out on a case, six of them, when they'd been ambushed. Their team had done everything right by the book, and had captured two of the perpetrators, but an innocent life had been lost.

"Has someone notified next of kin?" asked Harry, and Ron nodded.

"It's taken care of. Go home, all right?"

Ron glanced at the clock, then back to his best friend and auror partner.

"Ginny should be home by now, yeah?"

Ginny. He was hit by a sudden need to be home with her.

"Yeah, I should get home," Harry agreed. "I'll see you tomorrow, say hi to Hermione for me."

Ron nodded tiredly. "Will do."

He watched Harry prepare to leave, then called out to him.

"Hey, Harry."

Harry turned to look at Ron.

"It was just a really bad day; don't overthink it. Tomorrow, we'll do better."

Harry smiled sadly. "Tell that to the deceased."

"Harry..." sighed Ron, knowing of his friend's ability to brood about their cases.

"Good night mate," said Harry.

"Take that pain potion," he called out to Harry's retreating back, already knowing that he wouldn't.

Harry raised his arm and waved without looking back, having no intentions of having the pain potion.

He Floo'd to the Leaky Cauldron and walked home to Grimmauld Place from there.

Kreacher greeted him as he came in the door, taking his auror robes and satchel. He informed Harry that Ginny was upstairs in their bedroom.

She looked up as he entered, setting aside the playbook she was reading on Quidditch manouvers Gwenog wanted them to trial.

Harry toed off his shoes and removed his pants, climbing on the bed as she watched with interest.

Usually she would make a quip as he undressed but she seemed to know his mood, and said nothing as he lay his head on her abdomen. Instead, she ran her fingers through his hair in a soothing way.

"That feels so good," he told her softly.

She could feel the melancholy coming off him in waves.

"Come here," she said gently, and he moved further up, resting his head on her chest and wrapping his arms around her.

She rested her head on his, her hand gently caressing his neck.

"I've got you," she whispered, as he fell asleep.

He was home.

Safe.