Chapter seven

Charlie decided to take the position as part time charms teacher and mainly because there was danger and probably more for Harry. So he if was at Hogwarts as a teacher, he would hear things from the staff, where Harry and his friends would keep their ears and eyes open for anything suspicious from the students. Charlie went to Hogwarts a couple of times so Minerva could give him a basic run down on how to teach. Harry went with him but he mainly spent time with Hagrid. One thing Hagrid told him about Filch, made Harry think about the grumpy old caretaker. Even though he was a squib, he never ran that night, he could have when he escorted the younger students out the tunnel, but he came back and helped, even without magic. So for that, Harry decided to do something. Before Charlie had his last meeting with Minerva until he needed to be there officially, Harry and Charlie met up with all the friends to do their shopping for Hogwarts with one addition thing Harry wanted to buy.

After spending a wonderful day with his friends, Harry and Charlie left. They headed home, Harry left all his stuff in the spare room then headed to Hogwarts with Charlie. This time while Charlie was meeting with Minerva, Harry went in search for the old caretaker.

'Mr. Filch,' Harry said giving the old man a smile.

'Potter, is there something I can help you with?'

'No, but there is something I want to do for you,' Harry reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a tiny little grey kitten and held it out to Filch, 'You could have ran that night Filch, but you didn't. I heard that Mrs. Norris didn't make it. I'm sorry for your loss, so I got you this little female kitten. It's not Hogwarts without you and your cat Mr. Filch, just like it's not Hogwarts without Hagrid and Fang.'

The old caretaker stared at the tiny kitten, then slowly reached out and took her into his large hands, he gave Harry a smile, the first one Harry had ever seen on his face. He could see how emotional the caretaker was, so Harry patted his arm then left to head down to Hagrid's. He turned once and saw Filch laugh as the little kitten kept swatting his face.

'You're a good man Harry,' Hagrid said nodding his large head towards Filch.

'Well, as I said to him Hagrid, he could have ran and being a squib he couldn't defend himself with magic, but he stayed. But it's like you Hagrid, it's not Hogwarts without you, it's the same with Filch and his cat.'

'He was badly hurt but he did stay. Now come have some tea while we wait for Charlie,' that is what Harry and Hagrid did, but they sat outside Hagrid's now repaired hut and Grawp sat with them. The giant kept patting Harry on the head which made him sink into the ground, but Harry laughed, patting Grawp back. As Harry watched Hagrid and Grawp he knew these two men, giant and half giant would always be his friend, so Harry realised that they would be able to keep an eye out for any danger. Another thought came to Harry and even though he didn't want to put anyone in danger, being a giant and half giant, they can withstand a lot of spells hitting them without being hurt. So maybe Harry could mention to them about whatever it is that's going on, they would keep all the students safe, but especially Harry and his friends who were all close to Hagrid and Grawp.

After a couple of hours with Hagrid and Grawp, Harry met up with Charlie and they headed home. They only had just over a week before they were returning to Hogwarts for the final time. That night they were all heading to the Burrow to meet the Granger's and it will also be the last time in the year that they will all be together to enjoy Mrs. Weasley's wonderful cooking.

When Harry and Charlie had been in Diagon Alley getting things they needed for Hogwarts, Charlie also had to get fitted for robes as he would be a teacher, so he needed dress robes for the feast and normal robes for his class. Harry left him to do that while he went to organise a surprise for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

After spending a couple of hours making love, Harry and Charlie showered, dressed and headed to the Burrow. The moment they stepped inside, they hugged Mrs. Weasley, kissed Fleur, Hermione and Ginny, then hugged the rest of the Weasley boys, but Harry also hugged an old friend that he didn't know would be there, Angelina Johnson. Charlie put two bottles on the table before sitting down next to Bill as Hermione introduced her parents first to Harry, her best friend, then to Charlie.

'Hermione explained that it mainly came down to you that stopped your war. That's remarkable for someone so young Mr. Potter.'

'Harry, please. Well, I did kill Voldemort, but it was due to a lot of help that let me do that. Hermione and Ron of course, but I got a lot of information from Professor Dumbledore before he died and Professor Snape just before he died. So it was a combination of a lot of people helping that let me end it.'

'Still a very courageous thing to do. Hermione has been filling us in and showing us pictures of that man, he seemed very frightening, at least to me,' Mrs. Granger gave a small shudder.

'He never scared me Mrs. Granger, my fear was for everyone else, especially anyone close to me, like all the Weasley's and Hermione, Angelina as well, since we are good friends. None of us wanted to live like that anymore, so we all did what we could to end it and have the life we wanted instead of being dictated to. Voldemort reminded me a lot of Hitler, I know most magical families have no idea who he was, but to me, Hitler was a muggle version of Voldemort. He persecuted Jews, he hated anyone that wasn't the right race, the right look. Voldemort hated anyone that wasn't pure blood with their blood line and magic. So even like Hermione who is born a witch, you aren't magical, that is something he did not like at all. They both wanted to rule the world and killed thousands to achieve that. It took a world war to end Hitler, it took a large group of people, some as young as us to end our war, so similar in a lot of ways.'

'From what Hermione has told us Harry, yes, it does seem like that. So even though all of you have magic, you still have your Hitler types. I suppose that's the same in any culture, magical or non-magical,' Mr. Granger said.

'You will have to explain about this man Hitler even though we do know that muggles were fighting a war, I never heard the name before,' Arthur said.

'I'm sure Hermione could tell you word for word all about him. I only learned a little when I was primary school. But before it gets any later, I have something here,' Harry stood up and walked over to stand between Arthur and Molly Weasley, 'To the best substitute parents anyone could ask for and I can say this with absolute certainty that my parents would be honoured, proud and very overwhelmed with emotions for these two wonderful people who took me in. They took a young orphan boy into their home even with the danger that surrounded me. So to mum and dad Weasley, this is for you,' Harry handed them a large envelope before kissing them both on the cheek then sitting back with Charlie ready to see the reaction from Molly and Arthur Weasley.

All the Weasley's, Hermione, Angelina, the Granger's and Harry watched as Arthur pulled out three pieces of parchment. Molly Weasley instantly had tears falling down her face and her hand was over her mouth, Arthur Weasley sat there stunned with his mouth hanging open.

'The suspense is killing me, Harry what did you give them?' George asked.

'I'm not saying,' Harry smirked.

'He wouldn't even tell me, I even tied him to the bed and wouldn't let him go until he did, he still refused. I had no choice but to untie him since we were coming here,' Charlie chuckled.

'Just don't go saying what you did Charlie, we do not need to hear that,' Bill said.

'Harry, oh Harry,' Molly raced over, pulled him to his feet and hugged him, 'How did you know?'

'I hear things Mrs. Weasley.'

'Dad, tell us what's going on?' Fred said sounding frustrated.

'Um, three things. First Harry bought the Burrow and gave it to us.'

'What?!' All the Weasley's yelled as they stared at Harry.

'Second, since all of you either have your own homes or going to be at Hogwarts for the next year, he's given us an all-expense paid holiday to anywhere we want to go over the next six months.'

'Oh my god,' Ginny gaped at her parents then back at Harry.

'Third, he's financing a restaurant for Molly and I, our own business.'

'Your dream,' Charlie said as he stared at his mother who finally let Harry go, 'That's been your dream since I was little, I used to hear you talking about it.'

'Yes, I always wanted to own my own restaurant, Arthur did as well. Oh Harry,' Molly hugged Harry again making him laugh.

'Blimey, I knew you were well off mate, but you're more than well off aren't you?' Ron asked.

Harry slowly let Molly go, 'You could say that Ron. So I wanted to do this for your parents because they have been my parents for years even with the danger I brought with me. They never turned their back on me, your mum even mended my clothes, your dad helped with a lot of advice, especially for a growing boy. Since my parents are gone, I did get the best substitute anyone could ask for.'

'You're making us look bad Harry, we buy mum a new dragon hide coat, you buy her a restaurant,' Fred grinned wickedly.

'Yeah, but you're her actual kids Fred, I'm just a mate of Ron's she got stuck with, but she never acted like that or treated me like that. So since I happen to be very rich, I thought I would give them their dreams. So Ron, are you going to stop fighting me when I want to buy you something?'

'Yes,' Ron said making everyone laugh, 'you keep your money mate, spend it on Charlie.'

'He won't let me either, it must be a Weasley thing. But your parents couldn't say no, it's all paid for, done. If they turn me down, I've wasted a few million galleon's.'

'That is the only reason we aren't having a go at you or trying to stop this, you paid for it already. But Harry, thank you and as Molly and I have said countless times, we do think of you as a son. But also think of this, you are with Charlie, so hopefully in the near future you will be officially a member of this family.'

'I knew they couldn't resist for too long,' Charlie laughed, 'Harry and I want to take our time, so maybe a bonding ceremony will be in the future, we can't say just yet.'

'Oh we have so much to do Arthur, Harry has organised everything, it's just up to us where we go first.'

'We'll get to that tomorrow Molly. But Harry I'm saying this and you better listen just like my other children have to listen me. No more, never again, nothing, you hear me young man?'

Everyone laughed, 'Yes…dad,' Harry gave his usual cheeky grin.

'Oh Harry, that is not playing fair. I think all of us are rubbing off on you,' Ginny said as she saw her parents faces.

'I think you're right Ginny, I'm learning a thing of two about being sneaky and how to get around your parents, just like you do all the time. Fred and George try, sometimes they succeed, Charlie, not so much, even if he still tries.'

'We taught him too good George, might have to do something about that.'

'Charlie, save me,' Harry grinned then sat on Charlie's lap to a lot of loud laughter around the table.

'So the hero needs a hero,' Charlie smirked, 'I think I can fill that role for the man I love.'

Harry sucked in a sharp breath as the smile that was on his face changed to shock. Everyone around the table sat and stared at Harry and Charlie, wondering what was going on.

'Oh shit,' Harry kept staring into Charlie's eyes, 'Really?'

'Yes, really, so is that all you have to say about what I said?'

'Of course I love you Charlie you bloody big oaf, I wasn't sure how you felt,' Harry put his palm to Charlie's face, 'Blimey, I never thought I would, or could, ever, not after Sirius.'

'Hermione told me about that, so I've been a little worried about how you would react.'

'What's this about Sirius?' Bill asked.

'I told Sirius I love him not long before he died. He was the first person I ever said those words to. Then Dumbledore told me it would be love that would end Voldemort. So I started to think love and death went together, that they were linked. I figured if I loved someone again they'd die. I know I do, all of you, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.'

'The wars over Harry and we've always known how you felt about us and why you could never say it,' Hermione said kindly, 'All of us love you Harry Potter, you bloody big prat,' she chuckled making everyone laugh.

'I love everyone here,' Harry yelled then kissed Charlie while everyone laughed at Harry's exuberance. But Arthur and Molly could see it, see Harry healing, right before their eyes. He finally felt like he was really part of the family, but the main reason was Charlie, Harry's love for Charlie and Charlie's love for Harry, that has made him part of a family. One day they both hoped Harry and Charlie would make it official.