I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Defiance of Fate
Chapter 14 – Homecoming, Part 2
"Mister Weasley? Someone is asking to see you."
"I'll be right there." George adjusted his eyepatch and walked out onto the floor of Wheezes. He nodded when Verity pointed out a man wearing a large jacket and had a bandanna wrapped around his head. "Hello there! How can we help you at Weasely's Wizarding Whee-" His jaw dropped open when the man turned and he saw a very familiar owl sitting on the man's shoulder. Then he saw the man's face. "Harry?"
"Hey George," Harry said. He smiled and did not look at George's eyepatch, instead taking the whole man in. "You're looking good."
"Harry!" George grabbed him around the shoulders and shook him. "You're back! Welcome ba-OW!" He withdrew his hand, glaring at a ruffled Hedwig that had pecked him hard. "Hello to you too Hedwig," he said ruefully.
"Be nice," Harry chided gently and Hedwig looked away. "Sorry, she's a bit touchy."
"Guess I deserved it." He hugged Harry slowly, keeping his face away from the owl. "Anyways, welcome home Harry! When did you get back?"
"This morning, literally. Right after midnight."
"Are things over officially then?"
"Technically, yeah. They haven't announced it officially I don't think, but things happened and I came back sooner."
"Ah, you being you and almost killing yourself to protect others." He grinned at Harry's look. "Fleur of course."
"Of course," Harry sighed. "She's who I am going to see next but decided to pop by after getting some things for her and Victoire."
"You can use our Floo to get to Shell Cottage. We're linked. Come on back." George led Harry up the stairs to the flat above the store. "Fred! Are you decent?"
"Never!" Fred looked at the door as it opened. "Why do you ca-Harry!" He rose and rushed over, hugging Harry hard.
"Why doesn't she go after you?" George asked indignantly.
"She likes me more," Fred said smugly, scratching at the burn scars on his face. "Welcome home mate. How're you?"
"I'm okay, glad to be home. Thanks for fighting for me over here by the way. You didn't have to."
"The hell we didn't," they said in unison.
"That wanker, doing that to you after all you've done," Fred said, his face twisted in a scowl.
"We're citizens and we just wanted to make our opinion known via some products that we graciously gifted," George said with an evil grin.
"What did you send?" Harry asked, sharing the smile.
"Concentrated stink pellets, maximum strength sticky bombs, the pixie dust that just gets everywhere and makes you irresistible to things that like shinies, the sound bombs…" George counted off his fingers.
"I'm surprised you guys didn't get arrested!"
"We actually got an order from the Aurors for the sticky bombs and the pixie dust," Fred snickered. His glee evaporated. "Did you really try to kill yourself again?"
"I didn't just try to kill myself," Harry sighed.
"But seriously mate, you have to stop it. It's bad for the folks around you," Fred continued.
"And don't give us any tripe that you saved lives in doing," George followed. "How bad was it this time?"
"I…healed faster than the last time," Harry said lamely.
"Uh huh. All of you?" George asked.
"My magic is still healing and I don't know if it will be the same," Harry mumbled.
"Fucking hell. Harry, please. You got to take care of yourself. You don't have to do it." Fred noticed Harry's look. "Stop blaming yourself for shite you didn't cause or can't control. Besides, my scars are mostly faded and I'm told I looked distinguished."
"Which is polite for butt ugly," George laughed.
"Hey if my face looks like my arse then that's a good thing because my arse is fantastic," Fred said proudly.
George rolled his eye. "Keep telling yourself that."
"I've missed you two," Harry smiled. "I'm going to visit your parents tomorrow probably but do let them know I'm back if you talk to them later today. I'll want to see the other Weasleys too soon of course. Is Ron back yet?"
"He will be in a week or two. They never had a strict itinerary," Fred said.
"I'm glad he's enjoying himself," Harry said.
"Well we'll lord it over the others that you came to see us first," George said smugly. "Leaving out the bit that you're using us to see Fleur and that you were going to see her before the rest despite knowing them first."
Harry sighed. "Only because she knows I'm back through her father and cousin and she would literally hunt me down. You lazy lot would wait for me to come to you first!"
"Just taking the mickey mate," Fred laughed.
"I'm telling Fleur what you're threatening," Harry grinned.
"No need to be cruel," George sniffed. "Let me call over and see if she's free." He threw a pinch of powder into the fire and called out, "Shell Cottage," before putting his head in. "Heelllooooooo!" he yelled into the very comfortable sitting room on the other side of the Floo.
"Hi Uncle George!" A small girl with large blue eyes and long blonde hair knelt at the hearth.
"Hi Vicky!" George said back with a big smile. "How's my favorite niece?"
"I'm your only niece," Victoire frowned.
"Doesn't mean that you're not my favorite, and you better take advantage of that now before you get some competition."
"What nonsense are you filling her head with?" Fleur walked into the room and knelt too, glaring at George.
"Our secret," he said and blinked.
"Uncle George said I should take advantage of being the only niece right now."
George gasped. "Traitor!" He wilted at Fleur's angry glare. "Before you get too mad at me, I have good news."
"Hurry up and say it then," Fleur said, brandishing a chimney brush.
"I have a handsome bloke on the other side here that wants to come and visit."
"Tell Fred that no matter how handsome he says he is, I am still reasonably happy married to William," Fleur smiled.
"Oi!" Fred could be faintly heard through the fire. "I heard that!"
"Are you so reasonably happy you won't want to see another handsome bloke then? A speccy one that doesn't know how to take care of himself?"
Fleur mouthed the words slowly before her eyes popped open. "Harry? He is there?!"
"Uncle Harry!" Victoire shrieked.
"Send him over, now!" Fleur commanded.
"Alright then, hold your feathers." George hastily withdrew his head as Fleur poked the fire with the brush. "You sure you want to go over mate?"
"I won't provoke her like you," Harry smiled. "Any more than I have anyways." He looked at Hedwig. "I'm going to Shell Cottage. Might be a bit of a flight for you to get there then turn around. Do you want to head back to Luna's to wait?"
He blinked as Hedwig climbed down his front, wriggling into his collar and securing herself in his shirt. She popped her head out of his jacket front and hooted.
"Are you sure? You hate Floo travel."
She nipped him.
"Alright! Okay then."
"Someone doesn't trust you to be on your own," Fred observed.
"She's not the only one," Harry muttered. He shook their hands. "Good seeing you two. See you at the Burrow soon or I'll pop by again."
"You better!" The twins waved as he stepped through the Floo. He stumbled out the other end, wincing at Hedwig digging her talons into this shirt and chest. Then he was falling over, propelled by a tiny missile slamming into his side.
"Uncle Harry!" Victoire shouted as she hugged him.
"Hi Victoire," Harry wheezed. He pulled down his zipper, releasing a very disoriented Hedwig who fell out and flapped her wings drunkenly, hooting in a disgruntled way. He hugged the small girl tightly. He then clambered to his feet, hampered by her, and the moment he did he was swept up into Fleur's arms.
"My friend," she said, weeping softly. "Welcome home!"
He hugged them both tightly. "It's good to be back," he said sincerely. "I brought some things." Oddly, Victoire set the candy aside and went back to hugging him.
"You don't like candy anymore?" he asked, worried.
"She missed you more you imbecile," Fleur sighed. "Let him go for a moment, chick, so we can sit comfortably. Then you can cling to him." She led them to the couch and Victoire did just that, climbing onto his lap and hugging him tightly.
"Is it bad that I didn't know she felt this much for me?" he asked sheepishly.
"It has grown since you were away," Fleur said as she summoned coffee and cups from the kitchen. The tray flew in and the pot poured itself into two mugs. "She missed you and she was told stories of your exploits. When she realized you were responsible for healing her uncles and aunt, her care for you grew."
"Poor thing, lied to at such a young age," Harry chuckled.
"Accept the accolades you stubborn man," Fleur chided. "Also, it is good that she is holding you in place for the moment for now you will be unable to flee."
"Your father already gave me a lecture," he said, hoping to lessen the incoming one.
"I know and when you come to France with us to see Maman and Tante Melanie and the rest, you will be in for more." She held out her hand and waited for Harry to put his left into hers. She sighed as she ran her fingers over the scars. "They look worse than Sophie described."
"I'm used to it," he shrugged.
"Sadly you are. And you have no idea if your magic will recover?"
"It has kinda. It takes a little more effort to cast things and I haven't tried casting anything major. But no, I don't know if I'll be like I was before. It feels diminished but not gone completely, thank goodness."
She looked distressed. "Can it be healed?"
"There are treatments for curses and the like. Some exercises and therapy. But I'll have to do some researching to see if this has ever happened before and was ever recorded. I don't know but I guess I'll find out."
She smiled softly. "You will figure something out. You always do. And you will have us to assist you."
"Thank you," he said softly.
By then Hedwig had mostly recovered and at Harry's nodding, she started poking at Victoire with her beak. Soon the little girl was chasing the owl around the house, their hooting and laughter mingling pleasantly.
"Be careful!" Fleur called after them. "I thought owls hated Floo travel."
"She does but she's keeping an eye on me I guess."
"Good. And where are you staying now?"
"At Luna's. She asked me to."
"Also good. That will be nice for the both of you." She smiled when she saw the French badge on his jacket. "Ah, you have been accepted by the French Auror Corps. That is very rare, for them to gift that to someone who is not French or one of them."
"They're good people. Scary good at their jobs," Harry said fondly. "I got to be good friends with Sophie, Dylan, and Leena."
"Oh Dylan. He enjoys courting danger. Fortunately for him, my cousin loves him and tolerates his jokes."
"He does enjoy ruffling feathers."
She rolled her eyes and poked him. "Not you too."
"I couldn't resist."
She noticed how he sat, the way his eyes were not completely still. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"You seem restless."
"I do?" He thought for a few moments. "Oh, guess I'm still thinking that I'm on the front. Always checking."
"You were like that during the last war too, but you are more so now." She looked sad. "Do you not feel safe?"
"No, I mean, I know I'm safe. Just…I guess I still feel a little vulnerable still, especially with my magic on the mend. On the front I was constantly moving, having something to do, a duty to perform. To sit and relax like this is a luxury but I can't fully enjoy it." He laughed mirthlessly. "How messed up is that?"
"Understandably so," she replied, patting his hand. "It will take you time to relax once more. Another reason I am happy to hear that you will be staying with someone. Especially Luna, she will take good care of you."
"She didn't look too great when I saw her, exhausted. Said she hasn't been sleeping well," he said quietly.
"She took you not being here very hard. And then when we heard about your injury and the lack of news, she took it harder still."
"You didn't tell her what Sophie told you?"
"Sophie did not tell me much more than that you nearly died sacrificing yourself once more." Her eyes flashed. "She only told me yesterday that you were well enough to return home early and I did not have a chance to tell Luna." She squeezed his hand. "Do not be overcome by guilt. She cares deeply for you. You can be there for her now."
"I care a lot for her too," he said softly. "I realized it more when I wasn't here and well, yeah I guess that's why I went to see her first."
"That is very good," Fleur smiled. "About time you realized things."
"It does take me a while, doesn't it?" he chuckled. "Don't know why she or anyone puts up with me really."
"Because we want to," Fleur said severely.
"If you say so." He winced as she pinched him. "Okay I was kidding!"
She rolled her eyes. "Perhaps you have learned how to be irritating like Dylan."
"No I was always like this. You just forgot when I was gone."
After some visiting Harry looked at his watch. "I should head back. I'm still pretty tired. I'll have to visit more people tomorrow and try to see about getting my job back or some kind of work."
"You will have time for that later. Take your time, relax some."
He released a breath. "I guess. Never had the time to do that before. There was always something that needed doing."
"And now the only thing you need to do is care for yourself and you will not do it alone," Fleur said. "Victoire? Your Uncle Harry is leaving, bring Hedwig back and say goodbye."
"You'll be back soon?" she asked with wide eyes, arms wrapped around him.
"Of course," he replied, hugging her back. "Give your father a hug for me later, okay?" He looked at Fleur. "I'll probably go to the Burrow tomorrow or the next day."
"We will get everyone there," Fleur said.
"I'm probably going to apparate back to Luna's. Do you want to fly?" he asked Hedwig.
With a hoot of suffering, Hedwig squirmed down his jacket once more and latched onto him through his shirt. She hooted when she was ready.
"It was good seeing you," Fleur said, hugging him gently.
"Likewise. See you again soon." He walked into the garden and with a wave, disapparated away.
-0-
Luna blinked as she woke slowly. She felt very fuzzy headed, unsure of where she was. A cavernous yawn split her mouth and she scratched her face, eyes trying to focus as she looked about. Her memories filtered back to her slowly and she remembered seeing Harry there as she felt his bandanna rub against her cheek. "Harry!" she shouted.
A loud thump and a stifled curse made her head turn and she looked to the kitchen, climbing over the back of the couch. Harry appeared from behind the counter, rubbing his head. "Luna! What's wrong?!"
She hugged him. "Nothing, I was scared. I dreamt that you returned and you weren't here."
"Oh, whew, okay. No I'm here," he said as he hugged her back.
She looked around at the floor of the kitchen, at the parcels and bags. "Did you go grocery shopping?"
"Yeah. I came back and poked around your kitchen and you had no food here. All you had was tea and bacon. What do you eat?"
She blushed. "I…usually get take-away or eat out. I haven't been eating much lately."
He shook his head. "That's not good for you."
"Do we need to get into a 'who has done less good for themselves' comparison?" she asked with glittering eyes.
"Point taken," he laughed. "I'd probably lose that one. Well I went and got us food and will take over cooking duties."
"You don't have to do that," she protested.
"You're letting me stay here Luna, it's the least I can do. Besides, you used to like my cooking."
"I think I still do," she said happily. She saw Hedwig lying on the counter. "Oh no, what happened to Hedwig?"
"We went through the Floo and an apparition," Harry said. "She refused to fly and now she's feeling a little sick. How do you feel about some breakfast for dinner? Some bacon will perk her back up I imagine."
At the magic word Hedwig hooted feebly, her head coming up slightly.
Luna sat at the counter and picked up Hedwig, cradling the owl in her arms and lap. "I think that sounds splendid. Did you have a nice time visiting people?"
Harry put the groceries away and started cooking. "I did. I saw Hermione, the Tonkses, the twins, and Fleur and Victoire. They're all doing well. Only got fussed at a little."
"Everyone is happy to have you back," Luna said as she gently ran her fingers down Hedwig's head and feathers. The owl made soft cooing noises as she enjoyed the petting. "I'm sure once they overcome the happiness you will receive your deserved fussing."
"You're probably right," he smiled. "How have you been?"
She shrugged lightly. "I was lost in work for a while. I didn't want to think too much and was able to focus on commissions. I was rather surprised I had so many. I fully expected to not get any after what I did at the Ministry."
"I still can't believe you did that," he said. He tried to scowl at her but his smile ruined the expression. "I also can't believe you were arrested."
"I did disrupt things and broke a law," she replied prosaically. She looked solemn and contrite for a moment before giggling. "I have no regrets however so being arrested did little to me. Though manacles are uncomfortable."
"They're supposed to be," Harry said as he put butter in the pan and laid slices of bread into it.
"I was told they could be pleasurable."
"Ah." Harry flushed. "Those are…" he sighed at her increased giggling and her not-quite innocent look. "You're having me on. You know the difference."
"I've missed this," she said, giggling turning into throaty laughter.
He joined her. "Me too," he said warmly.
She looked at him. "I missed you," she said softly.
He looked back at her. "Me too," he said just as softly. He cleared his throat, cheeks red. "Here we are. Bit of a fry up." He put the platter of bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomatoes, and eggs between them and put the fry bread on another plate. He put rashers of bacon and slices of sausages on another plate for Hedwig. She clambered onto the counter and started munching eagerly.
Harry shook his head at the two. "There's plenty, don't make yourselves sick. I can always make more."
"It's wonderful," Luna sighed through a full mouth and Hedwig cheeped agreement. "I think the last time I ate a home cooked meal here was before I left on my trip."
"That was a long time ago," Harry said as he dug in. "You don't know how much you miss regular bacon and eggs until you've gone without it for a while."
"Is army food as bad as they say?" Luna asked.
"Not that bad but it definitely had an odd taste to it. Which is weird. It was more or less the same, maybe some more preserved things than others. I did learn a few things from other units. Really got into a type of coffee from America and Cuba."
They finished dinner and sat together on the couch, talking about happier times. Luna gently asked questions about his experiences and he gave her a lighter version of things but focused more on the friends he made.
"They sound lovely. I hope to meet them one day," she said wistfully.
"I'm sure you will. Lukas and the Eisendrachen will be around, they said. And if I go visit the others, you'll come with me. Only if you want of course."
"I would like that very much," she said with shining eyes. She saw him yawn. "We should call it a night. You've only just got back and the time difference must be dragging on you. I can sleep on the couch-"
"No," he said firmly. "I'm not kicking you out of your bed. I'll be perfectly fine on the couch. It's really comfortable."
"Okay. Tomorrow I will move my things out of the second bedroom. I use it to hold my finished work and supplies."
"There's no rush really." He smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you for offering me a place to stay, Luna. I feel a lot better being here."
She hugged him. "Me too."
-0-
Hours later, well past midnight, she woke up. She looked around her bedroom groggily, wondering why she was awake. Despite the long nap earlier, she had fallen asleep easily. After a moment, she heard more noises coming in from outside her bedroom and she got up and hurried out.
Harry groaned in his sleep, tossing and turning. His skin was slick with sweat and he mumbled things fitfully.
"Harry," she said softly and knelt beside him. "Harry, you're okay. You're safe." She gently shook him. "Harry, you're safe," she repeated urgently. Her words were not having any effect. He continued to shake in his sleep, trapped in a nightmare.
She pressed his head to her chest, his ear over her heart. "I'm here," she murmured. "You're safe Harry. You're home."
He stilled in her arms and his breathing slowed. After a few moments he groaned once more, waking up. "Huhn? Wha…Luna?" He blinked slowly, as if unsure what he saw. "Is that you?"
She nodded, still holding him. "It's me. You're back in England. You're with me."
"Oh, thank goodness." He rubbed his eyes. "I was dreaming. It was Hogsmeade and the front all in one. So much fighting and screaming." He felt her arms tighten and he relished the contact. He then realized his position. "Uh…I didn't do anything inappropriate, did I?"
She chuckled and he enjoyed hearing the sound in her chest. "No, you did not. When I was little, my mum used to do this when I had a nightmare. She held me close so I could listen to her heartbeat. It was very soothing and comforting." Her cheeks went red. "I just thought…it would help you."
"It did," he said, his cheeks red too. "You have a very…nice heartbeat."
"I'm glad," she said, eyes shining.
Long moments passed, her holding him, him being held.
"I think I'll be okay if you want to get back to bed," he said weakly.
Luna let go reluctantly. As she got up, she looked down at him and thought for a moment. Throwing caution to the wind she climbed onto the couch and rested her head against his chest.
"Luna?" he asked softly.
"I wanted to hear your heartbeat," she explained. "It's very nice too."
"Oh, that's nice."
She pulled the blanket over them and snuggled closer to him. "Is this okay?" she asked in a very small and shy voice.
"I feel like I should ask you that," he said.
"I think it's okay," she said.
"Me too," he replied.
"Good." In a shockingly short time she fell back asleep, lulled by the sounds of his heart. It took him a little longer, marveling at how warm she felt lying against him. Her presence seemed to warm him inside and out.
"Good," he echoed and fell fast asleep.
-0-
When he woke again, morning had come. The sun was up and the light pooled into the flat. He yawned and stretched, stopping when he found himself slightly trapped. He looked down and the events of last night came back to him. Luna's head rested on his chest, her mouth slightly open and she drooled a little. He gently wiped the drool away, smiling softly.
She woke at his touch. Grumbling and burying her face into his chest. She took a deep breath before she too remembered and her head snapped up. She looked at him, slightly embarrassed. "Oh, good morning." She looked down at his front. "Sorry, I think I drooled on you."
"I don't mind," he said honestly. "I slept much better. Thank you."
"So did I." She laid back down, resting her head on him. "This is very nice."
"It is."
She blinked slowly. "It would be a bother to clean out the second room. My paintings like to be stored there. Is that okay?"
"Sure, I'd hate to upset them," Harry said, bemused.
She looked at him shyly. "You can join me in my bed then. It's bigger than the couch and more comfortable."
He flushed. "That does sound nice. If that's okay."
She wrinkled her nose at him. "Harry, I invited you into my bed. Yes, it is okay with me."
He laughed. "I accept then."
"Good," she said. She snuggled closer.
"Good," he repeated and wrapped his arms around her.
-0-0-0-
Guest - Thank you, glad you do.
diffident-serpiente - I'm glad. I was trying to make it feel realistic and keep it from being over the top.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Not much of one from Fleur, well maybe a little as you see. You'll have to wait for Daphne's reaction.
alix33 - Back-hooting.