The canonical characters from the "Harry Potter" books and movies belong to Joanne K. Rowling, as does the Wizarding World and all associated concepts. Ms. Rowling is utterly unaware that I or my stories exist, and is probably happier for it. This story is written to serve as nothing more than an outlet for one of my hobbies. I'm doing it because I felt like it and am not planning to realize any sort of monetary award for it.

The plot for "Harry Potter & The Search For Peace" is mine.

"Happy birthday mate," Harry heard Ron's voice. He searched for his glasses and put them on. Three months had passed since the Battle of Hogwarts. The nightmares had reduced significantly, they had regained their strengths, everyone was healing.

"Thanks Ron. When is Hermione getting here?" Harry asked. She was living with her parents, although she spent most of her time at Burrow – her parents had resumed their practice and were busy. Percy and George had moved to the flat over Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Charlie was the only one who had remained at the Burrow (except Ron, Harry and Ginny).

"She is waiting for you downstairs. Her parents will be joining for dinner at Godric's Hollow." Harry smiled at that. He had asked Ron to live with him in the house, suggesting that Ron could contribute in the expenses. Ron had agreed almost instantly and later they had convinced Mrs Weasley (Mr Weasley reminded her that Harry and Ron were no longer kids).

Fleur Weasley had helped Harry with the design and decoration of the house. She had been instructed by Ron and Hermione individually that the house should not have a cupboard under the stairs. Harry had overheard both the conversations and couldn't help feeling grateful for having such friends.

"Happy birthday Harry," Mrs Weasley wished him as he entered the Kitchen, "Charlie, Ron, Ginny and Hermione are outside, Arthur is at the Ministry. He asked me to wish you. And oh! Our gift is over there." Harry looked in the direction she was pointing. It was her clock with eight hands, each inscribed with the name of a family member. Harry had avoided looking at the clock since after the Battle, when Fred's hand had fallen out of it.

Harry looked at the clock carefully and noticed that it again had nine hands – the ninth hand was his. He could hear Mrs Weasley telling him that they should have done it sooner but he didn't care. He moved forward and engulfed her in a hug. She patted his back as he let out a few tears. The Dursleys had never welcomed him in their house but this woman had always thought of him as her son. No words could ever tell her how much she meant to him.

"Harry, you have a letter," Ron's voice prompted Harry to break the hug. Mrs Weasley patted him on his arm. When Harry turned to take the letter, he knew that his best friend had understood what had happened in the kitchen.

The letter was from Dudley. He had borrowed an owl from Mrs Figg to send the letter. "He wants to meet me," Harry spoke out loud. At Ron's questioning look, he explained, "Dudley has wished me a happy birthday and wants to meet me. He has also sent something he found in Aunt Petunia's old things." Harry looked inside the envelope and found his mother's photographs.

"You are not going alone," Ron declared. Harry chuckled – he had known that.

The house at Godric's Hollow looked better than Harry expected it to. It was a two-story house – the living room, library and kitchen were downstairs and the bedrooms were upstairs. There was a guest room too. Harry looked around at the people who had gathered to celebrate his birthday. The Weasleys and Grangers were there as were Andromeda and little Teddy. Harry could also see Professor McGonagall, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and the most noticeable Rubeus Hagrid.

"Are you ready for the gifts, Harry?" Ginny asked him. He smiled. He didn't need any gifts. All of them here were the best gift for him – they were his family. He told them so. "So, you don't want the Quidditch Pitch?" Bill asked. Everyone looked at Bill who moved forward and opened a door, which led them to the backside of the house. "This is your present from Fleur and me," Bill told them.

"And this is from me," Charlie pointed towards the Quidditch equipment, "You can let out the Bludgers here, the place is charmed. No trouble with the Muggles." "This is amazing," Ron was almost jumping in joy. Harry thanked them all.

Hermione's gift was a book about Potions. "Potions are important for Aurors," she told him in a Hermione-way. Neville had brought him a photo of their parents together and the knowledge that they were Godbrothers, "My mother is your Godmother and yours was mine. I found my mother's old journal in the Gringotts Vault." Harry had hugged and thanked him.

Hagrid had got him a large brown owl, "His name's Barney. I know it can't replace Hedwig but I wanted to get yer one, like I got yer Hedwig." Harry smiled and let Barney out of his cage to hunt.

The next few gifts brought tears to his eyes. George had gotten him a Pensieve and a box full of memories, "They are from Andromeda and Professor McGonagall. These contain memories of Marauders and your Mum at Hogwarts, your parents' wedding, Remus's wedding and few others." Harry had no words to thank them.

Ron led Harry to a covered painting on the wall. When Harry unveiled it, he found himself looking at himself surrounded by everyone he loved. There were his parents, Godfather, Remus and Tonks holding Teddy, all the Weasleys, Hermione, Neville and Luna, Hagrid, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall. The picture seemed to be breathing, it was Luna's work. "I can add more people if you want," she told him.

The last gift was a box from Ginny, "I found it in Remus's belongings. It was labelled 'for Harry'. I am just passing it to you." Andromeda had not yet gone through the belongings of her daughter and son-in-law. It had been difficult for her; Harry did not blame her. He opened the box to find Marauder's Journal, old photographs, letters and a few memories.

"Why so many things?" he asked the room in general. Why had they given him such meaningful gifts? It wasn't like Harry didn't like them – he loved them – but there had to be a reason.
"Because you are important to us, Harry. And we want you to smile and be happy. We want you to know that we love you." Ginny's words explained the reason. She was horrified when he had told her that no one had told him that he was loved. She had taken everyone's help and planned all of this.

"We love you, Harry," Mrs Weasley told him, "We want you to know that, to remember that. You will always have a family with us."