One Shots pt 6

by phoenixgirl26

Another selection of one shots.

6. Chapter 6

Lost and found:

Harry Potter never thought he could lie convincingly and get away with it. He also never thought he was a good actor. But as he stood staring around at all the guest that came to his and Ginny's wedding, none of them suspected he knew the truth.

Harry found out that Ginny had slipped him a love potion towards the end of his school year when he was fifteen. He realised the truth while he had been away with Hermione and Ron searching for the horcruxes. He knew within a couple of weeks that his feelings for her changed. He did like her then, as a friend but he knew she saw the-boy-who-lived, not the boy. He decided then that she was not the right girl for him when she only saw the myth, not the actual person.

The moment Voldemort was dead, Harry had gone into the muggle world, opened an account in a normal muggle bank then went to Gringotts. He had received a letter from the new people running the bank to explain that now he was of age, he could claim the Potter family vault. He planned to take most of the money from his vault and the one Sirius left him and put it in the muggle world. He wasn't going to take the chance that Ginny could slip him the potion again and take his money. He never told anyone, he just went there and found out just how much he had. But what he found was something that would make sure Ginny nor anyone else could use a love potion on him again.

Harry found a ring that belonged to his father that his mother had placed runes on. They were small engraved runes on the inside, so no one would see it. It would protect the wearer from poison, love potions and also any type of mind magic, which included legilimense and obliviation. After Snape put him through legilimense and after Lockhart had tried to obliviate him, not to mention the love potions Ginny gave him, Harry wasn't going to risk anyone doing anything to him again. Harry put the ring on straight away, then worked it for three quarters of the money to be transferred to his new muggle account. He also made sure that no one could give out any information about him or his vault. He knew that would change if he was married but if the ring worked, then he had already worked on plans to deal with Ginny.

Harry thought back to the day when he felt the ring heat up. Going on the notes his mother left in the vault, the ring would heat once if there was a poison near him. If he drank a love potion, it would heat up for around ten seconds, go cold, then heat up again before the potion was neutralised. If someone tried legilimense or tried to obliviate him, it would rebound back onto the person who cast the spell. He had been told his mother was very smart, now he was seeing just how intelligent and powerful she was. She had given her son a chance to escape being forced into a loveless marriage or being obliviated.

Harry had been sitting at the Weasley's table enjoying a great dinner that Mrs Weasley cooked while he spoke with Hermione and Ron. He had taken a drink from his cup and felt the ring heat up, go cold then heat up again. He acted like normal but he knew the runes on the ring were making sure the potion was neutralised. He did glance up through his hair to see both Ginny and her mother smile at each other. It was right then that he knew what he was going to do. They had tried to take his free will away from him by making him believe he loved Ginny. He would not allow anyone to get away with using him like that.

Right after he killed Voldemort Harry said to himself that he would do whatever he had to so he could get the life he wanted, without danger, without any type of manipulation and without the threat of death. He even said he would kill if he had to. He would never allow anyone to force him to do anything he didn't want to. Ginny and Molly Weasley were trying to force Harry into a relationship with Ginny.

Harry acted like the potion was taking affect. He glanced at Ginny a few times, giving her a smile. By the end of the night they were again a couple and snogging. One thing Harry did though was to make sure to get some satisfaction. He basically told Ginny that since the war was over and since they were adults, he expected an adult relationship, meaning sex. At first Ginny said they have to wait until they were married. Harry said then they wouldn't stay together and got up to leave. She instantly changed her mind. Harry overheard Ginny and her mother talking later that night. He was hiding under his invisibility cloak. They both believed it might take longer for the potion to work which meant Harry could leave. Ginny agreed to have sex with Harry but only if she couldn't stall him. Harry made sure that didn't happen. They had gone out for a walk and Harry apparated them back to Grimmauld place and kept hold of Ginny's hand while they walked up to his bedroom. She didn't get a chance to back out because she knew if she said no, Harry would tell her it was over. She had to give the potion time to work so she could get the chance to marry him. It meant that they ended up having sex.

Now Harry was getting ready to finalise his plan. Ginny wanted a month long honeymoon, Harry said he could only afford a small amount after giving a lot for the wedding. Ginny ended up getting a loan from her Aunt Muriel and her father gave her the rest. She wanted a honeymoon that she would brag about for years to come so she alone planned the whole thing. That's what she told people like Hermione but Harry had heard the truth from Ginny and Molly. Ginny planned to work it so Harry ended up either so badly injured he would never have a normal life or have children, she could then divorce him because she would say she wanted children. Their other plan was to just kill Harry, which would take longer to plan. They decided on an injury and worked on it for a week after they left for the honeymoon.

When it began to get very late, Ginny walked up to him with a smile.

'I think it's time for the newly married couple to leave.'

'I've just been waiting for you to let me know. Let's go say goodbye to everyone. I do hope you told everyone that we will not be accepting any letters and no one will know where we are.'

'Yes, you and I are the only two who know where we're going and we'll be staying in mainly muggle areas.'

'It's only because of how people keep wanting to see me. We'd never be able to do anything if we stayed in a wizarding area.'

'I know. We'll visit wizarding areas occasionally but mainly stay in muggle areas. Also, I'm looking forward to the beach where I can wear my new bikini.'

Harry laughed, 'So am I.' Harry watched as his treacherous wife went over to her parents. Harry decided he would speak with his friends for a few minutes before they left.

It was a week into their honeymoon when Harry thought it was time before Ginny decided to hurt him or just kill him. Harry was going to get her first.

Harry slipped the wand that used to belong to Draco Malfoy into his pocket along with his charmed knife. He had already told Ginny he would like to walk through the forest as he promised Neville he would show him his memory of what he saw. Neville wanted to know if there were any type of magical plants that he didn't have or couldn't get in England. He knew for part of the plan to make it seem like they had been attacked was that he could end up with another scar on his face and hands. He was willing if it meant getting rid of his wife who used a potion on him so they would be together. It also allowed her to use the fact she married the saviour to get anything she wanted. He knew she wanted to be a famous quidditch star and she hoped the play for the Holyhead Harpies. Who would say no to the wife of the saviour. But Ginny also liked being popular and again, as the wife of the man that killed Voldemort, she would be almost as known as Harry was. It wouldn't matter if he did get injured which allowed her to divorce him, with story she came up with, many would still see her as Ginny Potter.

The Weasley's along with their friends were beginning to worry. Harry and Ginny should have returned from their honeymoon just over a week ago but they hadn't and no one could find them. Arthur had spoken to the minister, who was a good friend to see if he could get the aurors to investigate. Kingsley assigned two aurors but he was also working on the two missing people. The hardest part was, no one knew where Harry and Ginny had gone on their honeymoon. They wanted privacy so they refused to say where they were going.

It was almost a month since Harry and Ginny should have returned, but so far, the aurors had not turned up any information. That's when Kingsley Shacklebolt got word that Harry was in a hospital in America. He instantly contacted the minister for magic of that country and worked on going straight there. He didn't want to tell the Weasley's or any of Harry's friends until he could get all the information on what happened to Harry and Ginny Potter.

Kingsley took an international portkey, along with his two auror guards. They arrived in an empty room where an American auror was waiting.

'Minister Shacklebolt, Minister Collins asked me to escort you to his office.'

'Have you had any luck in finding Mrs Potter?'

'The minister asked if you wait until you see him.'

'Alright, lead the way, Auror…?'

'Auror Skully.'

'Auror Skully. These are Auror Proudfoot and Auror Hammer.'

The four walked through the American ministry and straight to the minister's office.

'I wish we were meeting under better circumstances Minister Shacklebolt.'

'As do I Minister Collins. Now you said Harry is in a hospital.'

'He was found in a dense forest, unconscious, bloody and with his wand in his hand. The aurors did determined by the look of the area that there had been a fight, a magical fight. Mr Potter had a lot of deep cuts and gashes over his face and hands, a few on his legs. The healers were able to remove most, but the one on his left side of his cheek was done by dark magic. They healed it as much as they could but it will leave a scar. There is also another scar on his left hand that was done by dark magic. Again, the healer was able to heal it but it left a long scar. He only regained consciousness late last night. The only information the healers could tell me was he was very confused but he also doesn't remember anything about the attack or even where he was at the time. When the aurors questioned him all he could tell them was the last memory he had. It was when he and his wife had breakfast on their balcony at the hotel before they apparated away. He doesn't remember anything after apparating away.'

'And Mrs Potter?'

'Still no sign, I have our military force searching many places but one of the waiters at the hotel, who brought them their breakfast said he heard the Potters talking about going into a forest. They never said the name, so the search is mainly centered around all the different forests.'

Just then a flash appeared and some paper appeared on the desk. The American minister read it.

'I'm sorry to have to tell you this Minister, but they found Mrs Potter's body. They did basic scans and found she was hit with multiple dark spells including the killing curse. They also determined she was stabbed, they just can't say if it happened first or after the other dark spells were used.'

Kingsley sighed, 'I'll tell the Weasley family when I get back that way I can give them all the information I can. I would like to be the one to tell Harry. We met when he was fifteen and instantly became friends. Will you be able to organise for her body to be sent to the English ministry, but not until I leave.'

'Of course. Auror Skully can show you to the floo that leads directly to the hospital. I will have the full report in a few hours. If you return after lunch, I'll make you a copy.'

'Thank you.'

Kingsley and his two auror guards stepped into the room to see Harry lying pale on the bed. They could see the scar on his cheek.

'Harry.'

Harry turned his head, 'Kingsley, blimey, have they found Ginny?'

Kingsley sat on the chair near the bed, 'I'm so sorry Harry. Ginny didn't make it. Do you remember anything about what happened?'

'No, oh god, Ginny,' Harry shook his head, 'Um, I've been thinking non stop trying to remember, nothing. The healer said I had lots of grass, twigs, leaves and other stuff that you'd find in a forest on me. I know we planned to visit some while we were here, I just don't remember if that's where we went. Ginny,' Harry stared down at the blanket, 'Do the Weasley's know?' He asked softly in a hoarse voice.

'I'll tell them when we get home. I spoke with the healer before coming in. They are organising a portkey for you to St Mungo's. I need to know where you were staying so I can get my aurors to pack your belongings.'

'Um, it was the Beverly Hills Hotel. It's a muggle hotel. Room 204.'

Kingsley nodded to his two aurors who left the room, 'Tell me how you are feeling, health wise?'

'Still a bit sore, weak. The healers here said I need to remain in hospital for another two weeks, for the potions I have to take.'

'Yes, but now you'll be at St Mungo's which means you can see your friends. I'm going to go with you later today. Did the aurors here question you?'

'Yeah, they even asked permission to use legilimense. Somehow, the auror ended up thrown back the moment he tried to enter my mind. Once he recovered, he asked if he could take the memory of when they were having breakfast. He hoped it would show us talking about where we were going. No memory would attach to his wand. I've removed memories before, I did for you so you would have proof of what people like Umbridge and Snape did.'

'Yes, you did, so that is a bit strange. Maybe its the auror, he might not be powerful enough. He would need to be near you in power or at least more powerful than you to be able to enter your mind. It could be due to your injuries which is why your memory is blocked. Let's not worry about it now. Maybe after your fully healed you'll be able to give me the memory.'

'Yeah, alright. Hopefully it will work for you. When are we leaving?'

'In a few hours. I have to return to speak with the minister here and get a copy of all the files. They will continue to work on this to try to find out what happened. I just need to know the facts for our records and for you and the Weasley family.'

'It's strange Kingsley. See, at first I said we should keep our relationship a secret in case any of the ones that escaped go after her. They would go after the ones I care about before going after me. I really thought keeping it a secret would be better and safer. They all argued with me, which is why we worked on secrecy oaths until the wedding.'

'And why I agreed with you about having aurors and hit wizards around the Burrow and mingling with the crowd. There are only a few that did escape. For all we know they left the country but they could be still there, working on plans. They could have escaped to this country so they might be the ones that attacked you. After the things you went through, I thought Molly, Arthur, Hermione and Ron would understand how much danger Ginny could be in.'

'Yeah, which is why I kept trying to get them to agree with me. They wouldn't. Do you think it was the ones that escaped that attacked us?'

'Even though there is no evidence, yet, yes, I do. They saw you survive the killing curse for the second time so they would believe you can't die. They decided to use other curses on you to make you suffer. Since they couldn't kill you, or so they believe, to get you, you get the ones you care about. I already filled in the minister here when we talked via the floo. He has pictures and a list of the names of those that escaped. The aurors here will search and see if they are here. It's strange though Harry. It's nearly a month since you were due to return, yet you were only found early yesterday.'

'So they must have kept us prisoner somewhere. I just don't remember anything. Since we arrived here, we would always have our breakfast delivered and eat it on the balcony. It's beautiful sitting there. Ginny had planned the whole thing but the forest trip was for Neville. He wanted to see just what type of plants they had here. We figured we would do that for an hour or so before heading to one of the beaches. How did they find out where we were going?'

'The waiter did hear you say you were going to a forest so he will be checked out. For all we know he could be a wizard or even a squib. He may be innocent and spoke to someone else about what you said and he was overheard by the wrong person. We may not get answers until we find them.'

'If you find them.' Harry sighed. So far, he had been lucky. No one had picked up on the fact that he hated Ginny. Now she was dead, by his hand. After he used many painful dark curses on her, with her begging to stop the whole time, he stabbed her, then he cast the killing curse. He did tell her he knew the truth about everything and how he was protected from love potions. He decided she didn't deserve to live for forcing him into a relationship he did not want for what they planned for Harry so she could divorce him and get his money. Once she was dead, he cast a spell to send her soul on so she couldn't return as a ghost. Harry wasn't taking any chances. He made sure her body wouldn't be found for a few weeks.

After Ginny was dead, Harry had used some muggle disguises and went away, alone. He wanted some time to himself but it would also help with his story. Those memories had been removed completely and destroyed. He found a rare dark spell in the Black library that would protect his mind from not just legilimense but also to stop anyone taking a memory. When you remove a memory, it's only a copy and you could only remove one copy. He destroyed the copy and protected his mind using dark magic. He now knew he was safe from anyone finding out what he did.

At one time Harry did think of just obliviating Ginny, but completely, then work on some reason why he didn't want to stay married to her. But he knew people like Molly, Hermione and maybe others would say he had to stay with her since he married her. That's when he decided to get rid of her altogether. But it was also because of what Ginny and Molly planned for him. They were thinking of killing him. He decided to get rid of her first.

Once Harry was ready to "be found" he again used the old wand of Draco Malfoy's on himself, just enough for the aurors to pick up dark magic. Once he had finished, he destroyed the wand by reducing it to ash, then made sure he was lying in a spot where someone would find him. He had used a potion to knock him out, so it would look like he was unconscious. It would work for twenty four hours but Harry had a feeling he would be found before then. Going on what the American aurors said, they found him only a couple of hours after he had taken the potion. So far, everything had worked out exactly as he hoped.

The two aurors arrived back with Harry and Ginny's belongings. The aurors had to go into the minds of the muggles to find their belongings as they had been removed from the room when Harry and Ginny disappeared. They also had to erase all evidence of Harry and Ginny from everyone at the hotel and the muggle police who were called when the two went missing.

After Kingsley got a copy of all information from the American minister along with the time that Ginny's body would be transported by portkey to the English ministry of magic, Kingsley and his aurors went back to the hospital. The healer had the portkey to St Mungo's ready. All four of them were taking that portkey. Kingsley wanted to make sure Harry was settled before having his two aurors work on a roster so there would always be an auror guard outside the door to Harry's room. When he left, he went straight to the Burrow to inform them that Harry had been found, badly injured but Ginny was dead.

The following morning, Harry got his first visitor, Hermione, alone, without Ron.

'Oh Harry, look at you,' Hermione very gently ran her finger down the scar on his cheek.

'Another to add to the collection. It's fine. How are the Weasley's?'

'No coping well at all. They are determined to find out who killed Ginny. Bill was able to find out that Ginny planned the whole thing.'

'Yeah, she did. All I asked was to visit some beaches, along with museums but also visit the forest. Ginny wanted to visit everything so it worked. How did Bill find out when Ginny was determined to keep it a secret?'

'He found Ginny's planner. It had everything, all the details about the wedding, along with the clothes, to what she planned for the honeymoon. So you were America, in one of the big fancy hotels?'

'Yeah, Ginny heard about how rich people stay in those hotels. Originally, she had it planned to stay for only a few days, because of how expensive it was. But we both loved where it was and we could come and go from the room without anyone knowing. We would make sure the people who worked there saw us. Damn, who did it, have you heard anything?'

'No, Kingsley said that his two aurors that went with him to get you, they are running the investigation. They said they will keep you informed. He did say that he believed it was some of the ones here that escaped. Somehow they found you, whether they heard you were going there or just happened upon you. Kingsley explained to the Weasley's, you are the one that has to be told everything first. Molly went right off about that. She kept saying Ginny was her daughter. Kingsley had to explain that from the moment Ginny married you, you were her next of kin, legally. Everything gets told to you and you get to say who gets told, if anyone. Kingsley explained that if you wanted to, you could keep them completely in the dark. We know you wouldn't, but it seemed to calm her down. She would realise that if she did say something to you, you might turn around and not tell her what's going on.'

'Sometimes she has to have it told to her in the worst way to get her to understand.'

'Will you be returning to Grimmauld place when you leave here?'

'No, Ginny and I planned to completely strip the place and decorated it how we wanted. All I said to her was I wanted it homey, comfortable, not cold and uninviting. I also said I don't want any type of fancy furniture. We never started it so I'm going to Godric's hollow. I'll stay there, for now, until I get another place.'

'Doesn't the ministry own that house?'

'No, I spoke with Kingsley about it. He said the ministry could not legally take the house but they could buy it from me, once I reached an adult. Kingsley already knew I would say no. He was the one that showed me how to do the fidelius charm. I plan to do it on that house to stop people staring at it. It is only temporary, until I buy a place. Um, Hermione, you haven't mentioned Ron and he didn't come with you.'

'We decided it wasn't working. We realised that you kept us from fighting most of the time. When you were gone, we realised all we did was argue about everything and we actually have nothing in common, apart from being your friend. We're both fine with it and we both said it was good that we realised it now, before we got married. Even though Ron's been friendly since we broke up, I have a feeling part of the reason he wanted to break up is because I refuse to advance our relationship. I wanted to know if we would work before going that far.'

'I get you there Hermione, you've always been cautious, this is just another way. You and Ron did argue, about everything. I wasn't sure if you two would make it but I couldn't get involved since it was your personal lives. No one has the right to interfere with a couple's relationship. He should have respected your decision. It was Ginny's idea for us to...well, go further. I would have been fine with waiting if I had to. But it's good that you can stay friends, since you are both my best friends.'

'So how long do you have to stay?'

'At first I was told two weeks, but the healer that I saw when I arrived here said only another few days. He said I have to take the potions for two weeks but I don't need to stay. I can take the potion home, as long as I rest.'

'Good, then you have to organise Ginny's funeral.'

'Oh, right, I forgot it comes down to me. Well, there's not really much to organise. She'll be buried in the family cemetery, near Fred.'

'I wasn't sure if you would want to put her there or Godric's hollow.'

'No, she should be with her family. I mean if I die I want to be buried with my parents, or near them, if it's possible. It doesn't matter who I'm with, I want to be buried near them. I made sure that was written in my will. Ginny should be with her family.'

'Yes, and even though you wouldn't be thinking about this yes, in another year or so you could end up with someone else and that person will be your family.'

'Even though I don't want to think about that, I did actually, not long after Kingsley told me. I figured sooner or later I might date. It won't be for a year, minimum, probably. I'm not really worried about that and it's too soon to think about it. So even though you're living back with your parents, did you spend time at the Burrow, until you broke up with Ron?'

'Yes but after, I figured it would be best if we didn't see each other for a while. It will give us both time to get used to not seeing each other all the time. We're fine, it's just a little awkward right now.'

'Then I can organise to see you separately, at first.'

Harry got a few more visitors before Hermione finally left and one was George, so far the only Weasley to visit. Ron still hadn't visited and Harry wasn't sure why. He really didn't care, he was used to the way Ron acted. He told Ron after he left them in the tent that there would be no more chance, he had been forgiven for the last time. Harry would just wait until he saw his old friend before he decided if that friendship was done. It could be innocent, he might be too upset about his sister and since Harry was married to her, he might not be able to see Harry, just yet. But he would wait and see.

The following day Bill and Charlie came to see him, apart from George, they were the only Weasley's to visit. Apart from seeing how he was, they did want to ask about their sister's funeral.

'Mum is going nuts, saying she's planning it. Dad had to pull the head of the family to get her to understand that legally, it's you that decides. Dad ended up telling her that you could have her buried without any of us being told when it is or where it is,' bill said.

'We told dad we'd come to speak with you and find out what you want,' charlie said.

'She'll be buried near Fred. Its only right to have her buried with her family. I just need a few days though. The healer is releasing me this afternoon but he wants me to stay in bed for the next two days. I made sure my will said I was to be buried with my parents. I think everyone should make sure it's known what they want. Anyway, um, if you want, could you ask your dad to organise the funeral for Friday? I can't do much being stuck in bed.'

'We'll talk to him,' Bill said.

'Will your mum realised she will have the name Potter, not Weasley?'

'Dad already spoke to mum about that, so don't worry.'

'Also, all the wedding gifts. Dad stored them in Percy's old room and sealed the door. Mum wanted to open them to see what you got and what you might need but again dad stepped in. He said they are yours and it's your right, no one else',' charlie said.

'Blimey, I'm glad she didn't. A few of our friends said they planned to get us...well, sex toys. Most were going to be joke stuff but who knows what they could have given us. I know Seamus probably got real stuff that would send your mum into shock. I'll organise to take it home after the funeral. I'll go through it, when I'm up to it.'

'There's no hurry mate. Just get better,' Bill said.

'We'll tell dad so he can keep mum occupied while you pack it all up,' charlie said.

Harry was able to leave that afternoon, but the auror outside the door had to go with him, just to make sure he got settled. Harry got to talk to Tim Proudfoot while he had been in the hospital and found he liked the man. He could easily see them becoming friends. He was still planning on being an auror and Tim was a senior auror who would be training him. He was the same age as Tonks and since Harry always felt older, he knew Tim would make a great friend.

Kingsley turned up that night, just to see how Harry was but also be there when Harry cast the fidelius charm. Kingsley believed it would be safer if Harry did that straight away. He also wanted to make sure Harry was up to it.

Harry found the charm easy enough to do, then gave a permission note to Kingsley, Tim, they could also show Connie, who was working with Tim on the investigation into Ginny's death. Harry would work on giving Hermione and maybe Ron a note after the funeral. He would also get one ready for Luna and Neville. He really didn't want anyone else in the house. Kingsley was going to send Hermione's permission note to her when he left. He figured since Harry didn't have an owl and couldn't really leave his bed for a couple of days, he thought it best to send Hermione's straight away.

The following morning Hermione did arrive. Since she had been given permission, she let herself in.

'Harry, are you awake?' Hermione called.

'Yeah, upstairs in bed. Come on up.'

Harry smiled when his friend walked in, 'Hey.'

'Hi, how are you feeling?'

'Still a bit weak but okay.'

'I thought I could come early to see about doing some shopping for you.'

'It's fine, Kingsley had Tim and Connie do a bit, just the basics but enough for a few days. I was thinking of calling Kreacher so he could cook breakfast but I really didn't want him to beg to stay. He's better at Hogwarts.'

'I can make some basic things, so I'll do that for you now. It'll just be eggs and bacon with a cup of tea. Will that be fine?'

'Actually, just a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee. I found I preferred coffee in the morning. But you are wonderful Hermione, thank you.'

'You're welcome. I won't be long.'

Harry could get up, but he had to keep his act together. Since the healer said to stay in bed for two days, he would or he would make others believe he would.

Hermione couldn't help looking at everything as she got Harry his breakfast. She thought the house had a cosy feel to it. She liked it and she knew Harry would even if it wasn't his parents home. It was his parents home, she had a feeling that whether he lived here or not, he would want a home to feel like this home did.

Harry used the bathroom while Hermione was downstairs. He just got back into bed when she walked in with a tray.

'I need to buy another owl but I was hoping you could go and send Ron, Luna and Neville their permission notes so they can visit.'

'I'll do that when I leave. They shouldn't show anyone. The trouble is Ron, sometimes he doesn't think so he could leave the note lying around.'

'No, see, Kingsley showed me how to charm the note so only those they are addressed to can read it.'

'But my parents read your note.'

'Huh, must not work on...non magical people. I might have to explain that to Kingsley, for security reasons.'

Hermione talked while Harry ate his breakfast. She planned to stay for a few hours, just to give Harry some company while he was stuck in bed. She also wanted to help him since his left hand was still healing. He wasn't supposed to use it. The scar was nasty looking and still red. She did not want Harry to hurt it if he used his hand.

Friday morning Harry showered and dressed. He put a small bag in his pocket that had the space expansion charm on it along with a feather light charm. It was for all the wedding gifts. He was thinking of sending them back to everyone but thought for now, he would pack them up and store them in the spare bedroom. He could put a statement in the quibbler thanking everyone but he planned to return them when he could. He was still deciding whether he should or not.

Harry arrived at the back of the cemetery. He wasn't surprised to see a couple of aurors. Tim and Connie were standing there with their wands in their hands.

'Did Kingsley want you here?'

'Just in case Harry,' Tim said.

'Yeah, I get it. I would rather the Weasley family not put up with anything when they are about to bury Ginny.'

'We'll make sure no one disrupts the service,' Connie said.

'Have you found anything yet?'

'We got word that the American aurors got a tip about one of those that escaped. We haven't heard back from them. The moment we do, you'll be the first to know.'

'Okay, thanks.'

Harry and the two aurors walked towards the Weasley family plot. Many of their friends were already there. Luna and Neville instantly hugged him before Hagrid did. Hermione hugged him but Harry could tell she was trying not to cry. She had become close friends with Ginny but she didn't know the real Ginny and what she was willing to do. All Harry's other friends hugged him as well.

It was only a few minutes later that the Weasley's arrived, along with George's girlfriend, Angelina and Percy's new girlfriend, Audrey. Fleur was walking with Bill, who had his arm around his wife.

Harry stood directly in front of the freshly dug grave with Hermione on his right. Ron remained beside his parents who were standing to Harry's left. Harry had noticed that Molly had tried to get closer but Arthur had kept hold of her.

Molly broke down and Arthur had to pick her up as she had fallen over Ginny's coffin. Harry could tell Arthur was trying to stay strong for his wife, but anyone could see how much pain the man was in.

Harry couldn't feel sorry for any of them. If Ginny and Molly hadn't planned to get rid of him and to force him into a relationship with Ginny, nothing would have happened. He was determined that no one was ever going to use him or force him to do anything he didn't want to, not again. He also didn't want to keep looking over his shoulder, wonder if today would be the day they killed him.

Harry placed a bunch of roses on top of the coffin before everyone else did. At first, Harry thought of buying lilies but he didn't want the flower his mother was named after associated with Ginny in any way.

Everyone walked slowly and quietly back to the Burrow. Bill and charlie gave Harry a hug and whispered that now would be a good time. Harry got Hermione's attention and they slipped into the house and upstairs.

'What are you going to do with all this?'

'Since every gift has a card and on the card is the gift they gave, I know what people sent. I'm still trying to decide if I should send them back.'

'I believe everyone who bought you something would rather you keep it. You were married and had been for six weeks. Normally you would have opened these and might have used some by now.'

'Well, I might read everything but I won't know if I'll use any but I suppose I should keep all this. I might still put a thank you in the quibbler.'

Harry pulled the bag out of his pocket, the two friends packed all the gifts into the bag then Harry shrunk it. They went back downstairs. Harry did get to speak with Arthur and he hugged the man. He wasn't involved in the plans Ginny and Molly had. He still cared for Arthur and felt sorry he was going through all this. But he knew if he didn't do something so drastic, he would be always worry that Ginny and Molly might resort to their other plan. He had enough danger to last him a life time, he didn't want to risk his life again.

'Tim and Connie said the American aurors got a tip about one of those that escaped from here. They haven't heard back yet but they said they will let me know the moment they find out anything.'

'Thank you Harry. Molly keeps wanting to go speak with the aurors but I finally got through to her.'

'Yeah, Hermione, Bill and Charlie explained. The moment I hear anything I will let you know. I better go speak with Ron.'

Harry did go to Ron, who barely said a word. One thing Harry could tell straight away, Ron was really angry. Harry knew he would be but right now, Ron wasn't angry at Harry, he was angry about his sister and who killed her. At first Harry thought Ron would blame him but he had seen the red head glance at the scar on his face. He finally realised that Harry had been hurt as well and could have been killed. He was sure Bill and Charlie would have told Ron how Harry had been hurt. Harry believed Ron would eventually calm down but he would never give up trying to find those escaped death eaters.

Harry wanted them blamed then if they were seen, they would probably end up dead. They would fight and if people like Ron or even Bill and Charlie saw them, they would go all out. Harry knew if Ron saw them, he wouldn't hesitate, he would go as far as use the killing curse. He wanted to kill death eaters during the battle of Hogwarts right after Fred had died. Harry knew Ron was serious so if he saw them, he would believe they were the ones who killed his sister. Ron would fight and he would kill.

Harry finally left the Burrow and knew he probably wouldn't visit again any time soon, if at all. If he ended up dating someone else, he wasn't sure it would be a good idea to visit the Burrow with another woman. They might not take it too well. He would invite people to his home but apart from who already had permission, he would wait until he had another home. The home he wanted to live in, not one that Ginny had anything to do with. He was only staying in Godric's hollow until he found a home. It also gave him time to go through all his parents things.

Harry had spoken to Tim and Connie about joining the aurors and said that he just needed some time, which they understood. It wasn't because of Ginny, this would give Harry time to find the perfect home and it would be a muggle home.

Harry did find the perfect place. It was in the country, which means he didn't have anyone close to his home. The house was a large four bedroom, three bathroom home. It also had some old stables that Harry thought would be perfect to use to store Sirius' old motorbike. The garden needed some work but Harry didn't mind gardening, as long as it wasn't roses like Petunia's garden. No, Harry was going to plant lilies and other flowers, he just hadn't thought about all of it yet.

Once Harry moved in, he packed up some things he wanted to keep that belonged to his parents. He then sealed his parents home in Godric's hollow. He cancelled the fidelius and re-did it. He went and got himself another owl, that he named Orion, then sent permission notes to his friends so they would know he now had another home.

It was only the day after Harry moved in that Hermione visited. She planned to visit but she also found out that Ron, Bill and Charlie had gone after some death eaters.

'Mr Weasley couldn't tell me how they found out. None of them had heard from the aurors. Have you spoken to them?'

'Yeah but they are still investigating the sightings in America. They plan to speak with me once they returned. I would say the Weasley's have been going out doing their own investigating. The thing is, if they were the death eaters that...um, you know, it was in America. They wouldn't return here knowing they are wanted for the murder of Ginny but also what they did as a death eater.'

'Maybe that's where they went, to America. Bill would have contacts due to his job for Gringotts. For all we know Charlie has friends in America.'

'You could be right. I'll wait to hear from Tim and Connie. They know I needed some time and this time allowed me to find a home. I'm going to give myself another month before joining the aurors. I have to speak with the boss about getting to the office though. I doubt I will be able to walk through without being stopped.'

'You will, at first. Once they see you arrive every day, they will stop since you won't be doing anything except arriving for work, like a lot of people.'

'I hope your right. But about Ron, Bill and Charlie. If they went to America and hurt or killed those death eaters, couldn't they end up in jail there?'

'Yes, at first. If they find proof that they were death eaters that killed, then the Weasley boys may just get a fine or they might do a few months in their jail for taking the law into their own hands.'

'I get why they are angry but to risk their freedom, or death. Those types like to kill and they enjoy torturing. I doubt Mr and Mrs Weasley could handle another child dying, not after Fred and now...Ginny.'

'I don't believe Mrs Weasley will, Mr Weasley might be a quiet man, he is a strong man but everyone has their limits though. They are not thinking of their parents.'

'No, they aren't. I wanted to ask you something though. You know how I tried to get them to keep our relationship a secret, for Ginny's safety, yet they wouldn't. Now they are paying for that decision, we all are. Why do you think they wouldn't listen to me about her safety.'

'Well, with Ginny and Mrs Weasley, I think both of them liked the fact that it would be known that you were now part of their family. You might be considered family to all the Weasley's but this would make it legal and official. Ginny wouldn't want to hide the fact she was Mrs Potter, not when she had been hoping to marry you for years. With Ron, I just think he can't help listening to his mother. It's like before our fifth year when Professor Dumbledore told us not to write to you. I wanted to, I was determined to but Mrs Weasley made sure Pig and Errol stayed at the Burrow and Hedwig always left straight away so I couldn't give her my letter. Ron though, he instantly agreed because his mother said so. He is still very immature and a bit of a mummy's boy.'

'Yeah, I noticed that myself. But why didn't you tell me you tried to write? It would have helped with how I was feeling, deserted.'

'I know but after you arrived and how angry you seemed, I didn't want to make you feel worse. I also got a bit worried that you would have a go at Professor Dumbledore.'

'Oh, I did that, during our first meeting in his office. I yelled and swore at him and called him a fucking old goat.'

Hermione's eyes widened and her mouth fell open, which made Harry laugh. He actually felt good but it was the first time since he killed Ginny that he could show he was happy. He had to keep up his act of grieving, of losing someone he loved. But now it had been a few weeks, he could show he could smile and laugh if he wanted.

Harry shocked Hermione more that day. He explained more about his feelings for Dumbledore and how he came to hate the man. Many were disappointed in Albus Dumbledore and some of his decisions but she had never heard anyone say they hated him, unless it was people like death eaters. By the time Harry finished explaining some things to her, she understood why Harry did not like Albus Dumbledore and at the same time, she had lost all her respect for the man.

Over the next few weeks, Harry did have some of his friends visit. One night he had all of them so instead of a dinner, it ended up a small party. Everyone was having fun, laughing, eating and drinking. Harry had enjoyed himself that night, more than he ever had before. He did keep up his act by occasionally staring at the picture of him and Ginny. But he also made sure to have some fun. His life was his own now and he was determined to live it.

Tim did contact him about the tips they received. Two of the escaped death eaters had been found, dead. After the examination, it was determined that they had both been tortured before they were killed. Harry was suspicious that it was the three Weasley boys, more Charlie and Bill then Ron. He knew Ron had enough hatred to kill but Harry had a feeling that Bill and Charlie wanted to get the people who killed their little sister.

Harry finally began his auror training and was surprised to see so many of the DA had joined. The only one that didn't surprise him was Susan Bones. She had said during a DA meeting that she was always going to be an auror, like her aunt. Harry never got close to any of them even if they were friendly. Now they were work colleagues.

During this time, Harry never saw any of the Weasley's except George. Harry wanted to see how he was coping but also how the shop was going. He thought Fred would want George to open the shop again and he did.

'Got a minute Harry.'

Harry looked up, 'Sure Tim.'

Harry followed Tim into the conference room, 'I just got word from the American aurors. Bill and Charlie Weasley have been arrested for killing the last death eater. From our talk, they will do about a year and that's only because the one they killed did have the dark mark.'

'Hermione and I thought they might go after them. What about Ron, he went with them?'

Tim sighed, 'I'm sorry mate, he was killed. It happened right before the two Weasley boys both hit the death eater with the killing curse.'

'Damn, this could really hurt Mr and Mrs Weasley enough to push them over the edge.'

'From everything I've heard or found out, the mother will be the one who might not be able to continue on. It will come down to how much her husband and remaining two sons can help her. I figured it should be you who told all your friends.'

'Yeah, I'll contact them the moment I get home,' Harry sighed. He still knew he had to get rid of Ginny but it seems to be hurting the rest of the Weasley's. This time it was their own doing. They should have left the death eaters up to the aurors. Now another son was dead and two in jail.

'I believe you should do it now, before word leaks, which it always does.'

'Alright, I'll make up the hours tomorrow. It's not like I do a lot of an evening so I can back later.'

'Your choice.'

After Harry left, Tim told the other aurors who had been friends or knew of the Weasley's about Ron, Bill and Charlie. They all realised why Harry left for the day. He had to see the Weasley's and some of their close friends.

Hermione ended up crying into Harry's arms. They might not have stayed together but Hermione had dated Ron for six months.

Harry couldn't help feeling a little guilty. He wanted Ginny gone and Molly to suffer for their plans for him. He never expected Ron to be killed or the two other Weasley boys to end up in jail. Even though he did feeling guilty for what the rest of the Weasley's were going through, he wouldn't have changed his plans if he knew what was going to happen. He may have tried to get Ron to let the aurors deal with the death eaters but he also knew just how stubborn Ron can be, especially about his sister.

It was nearly a week later that another Weasley was buried in the family plot. There wasn't as many people at Ron's funeral as there had been at Fred's and Ginny's. Harry knew not many people liked Ron, due to the way he ate along with his attitude of saying cruel or rude things before thinking. While listening to man who conducted the service, Harry kept watching the rest of the Weasley's. He wasn't the only one. Arthur Weasley never took his eyes off his wife who was just standing there. She wasn't crying or going hysterical like she did at Ginny's funeral. It was like she had completely closed down.

It only took a week before Tim spoke to Harry privately again. It seems Mrs Molly Weasley had a complete breakdown. The healers did not believe she will ever leave the mind damage ward at St Mungo's.

Harry was sitting in the small country pub. He had just finished eating dinner and now he was having a beer. He just finished it when Hermione sat beside him.

'If there was such a thing as a bad luck charm, I would say someone cast it on the Weasley's.'

Harry sighed, 'Yeah, I thought the same thing. First Fred, it was luck that saved Ginny in the chamber of secrets and again from Bellatrix. Then Ginny dies by some random death eaters in another country, now Ron dies and the two older boys are in jail. It is like bad luck was attached to them. I saw all of them together before we went to the quidditch world cup. They were all healthy and happy, like nothing could ever touch them as long as they had each other. Now, there's only Mr Weasley, George and Percy. Bill and Charlie will eventually be released but they might not return here or to the family. Both worked overseas, they might go back.'

'Fleur went to France, I would say that marriage is over.'

'I know all the Weasley's had tempers, well, except Mr Weasley and the twins but to go that far, which caused more suffering. I don't know Hermione. Everything just seemed to go wrong from the battle to now. Have you done any type of research to see if there could be some curse that could attach to a person?'

'No, I did research to see if there was any type of bad luck spell. Many had tried to invent one, none of them worked. But now a curse, that could be the answer. Maybe someone like Bellatrix worked on a curse so if she died, the one that killed her would suffer. I might research, when I get time.'

'Now we're working, we don't get a lot of time, at least until we've settled in or like me, finished training. I hate saying this or even thinking this, but I might steer clear of the Burrow. I've had enough bad things happen to me over the years, I really don't want anymore. I'm nineteen and a widower. We didn't even get a chance to begin our married lives. I'll see Mr Weasley at the ministry and see George when I go to Diagon alley but I'm not going to the Burrow.'

'You could be right, it might be best to stay away, at least for now. If there is such thing as a curse, hopefully it will wear off after some time. It's only a month and it will be a year since...he was killed. Maybe this curse will expire that day. There are many curses that have time limits.'

'We'll just have to keep our eyes open. But you didn't have to put it differently you know. I did kill him, but I know it had to be done. Anyway, let's get off all this bad luck and stuff. It's time to start our new lives as working adults. Maybe in a few years we will find someone to share our lives with.'

'I'm sure sooner or later we will. Yes, I think it's best to put all that behind us and start our lives as adults. It might be different to what we thought our lives would be and even though we lost people we loved, it's time to put that behind us.'

'I'm with you there,' Harry finished his drink, got and left the pub with his best friend. They might have had the odd argument, but Harry and Hermione will always be close. One thing that both of them hoped but never said, they hoped if they did meet someone to love and share their life with, their partners will get on with their best friend.

As Harry lay in bed that night he couldn't help feeling happy but also guilty. He did want Ginny dead and he wanted Molly to pay for being part of the plans to force Harry to have a life he didn't want. He got that which is why he was happy but the rest of the Weasley's were suffering. He always had a niggling that Ron's temper would get the best of him, one day. He just didn't expect him to be killed and so young. Bill and Charlie will eventually be released and hopefully help their father over losing two sons and a daughter, along with his wife.

Even though he was feeling guilty, Harry knew in his heart that what he did was the only way he could finally have a life he wanted. He got that now, with the job he wanted, his own home and maybe one day in the near future, he would meet the woman who would end up his wife. He smiled as he closed his eyes, yes, his life was finally looking up.

The end: