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.

Ron sat on his bed playing with the Deluminator. All of them had grown up hearing the story of The Boy Who Lived, the small boy who was powerful enough to defeat the Dark Wizard. He was a hero to them. They had heard tales about his power. He remembered reading (he did read once in a while) that Harry potter might be more powerful than the even Albus Dumbledore. The Death Eaters thought that he was going to be the next Dark Lord.

Ron remembered his own excitement when he had learned that Harry Potter would be in his year at Hogwarts. He had wondered how will the Hero of the wizarding world look like, how will he behave. But Harry Potter was very much different from his imagination. The Boy Who Lived was small, thin and did not know anything about their world. Ron had enjoyed telling him about everything – from Chocolate Frogs to Quidditch.

As they became friends, Ron became aware of the burden Harry had been carrying. Harry Potter was a hero to people he barely knew, people who barely knew him. Snape had called him a celebrity but Harry never wanted to be one. When Ron had been forced to explain to Harry the significance of Halloween, he had seen what people often forgot. He had seen the unshed tears, the pain and the grief and he was hit by a very disturbing realisation. The Boy Who Lived had no one – his Muggle relatives hardly counted; they wouldn't even send him proper presents. Harry was not even expecting presents for Christmas.

That was when Ron felt protective of Harry. His stupid friend barely had any sense of self-preservation – Ron wondered if it was because no one had ever told him how important he was to them. Ron had decided that while their world looked at Harry Potter as their saviour, he would become Harry Potter's support. He had read Rita Skeeter's article, claiming Hermione as the Brightest Witch, Harry as the Chosen One and Ron as the Chosen One's sidekick. It did not bother him. He knew he was more than that – he was the person Harry would miss the most.

Going through the trapdoor with Harry in their first year had been an easy choice. They were kids and it was an adventure. The Chamber of Secrets was easy too; he went with his best friend to save his sister. Standing up to Sirius was the easiest one – he was not going to let a lunatic murderer kill his brother. But when Harry came to back from the graveyard with Cedric's body, Ron understood why his choices mattered to Harry. Harry, unlike Ron, had known what it meant to stand with The Boy Who Lived. He could remember that night in the Hospital Wing. They had understood the meaning of war that night and Ron knew without a doubt what his role was going to be.

So, he stood behind Harry, offering his support whenever it was needed and taking the lead when required. He knew he had messed it up last year but he also knew that Harry had forgiven him. Watching Hagrid carry Harry's body, hearing Voldemort declare that Harry Potter was dead had been a nightmare. And then suddenly Harry was there and he had defeated Voldemort. That was the second time Ron had seen Harry crying and just like before, there was nothing he could do.

Pigwidgeon flew in with a letter. Ron caught hold of the owl, wondering who would be writing such late. It was Hermione. Ron quickly unfolded the letter.

Hey Ron,
I know you are still thinking about what happened at the Ministry today. Honestly, so am I, though I think Ginny was right. Harry found his real family at Hogwarts. And it is our responsibility to remind that to him forever. Don't think much about what happened. If he doesn't have many happy memories, let us just make sure to give him as many as we can.

How was your day in general? Did you learn some new defensive spells? Did you get any homework? Are any of our friends joining the Aurors? I know about Lavender, Parvati, Dean and Seamus. How is Lavender? How is she dealing with the scars Greyback gave her? You should suggest her to talk to Bill.

My day was quite boring. Going to Hogwarts without you and Harry was…it felt strange. Ginny and Luna were there and so was Demelza but after spending seven years with you both – there was no conversation about Voldemort, no Malfoy to interrupt us, no telling Harry to be careful – quite boring you might say.

We met the new Professors at Dinner. Professor Janet Hope for Defence Against Dark Arts, Professor Ethan Williams for Muggle Studies and Professor Mary Macdonald for Transfiguration. And Neville will be helping Professor Sprout with Herbology. He will also be assisting Professor McGonagall as Head of Gryffindor House.

After you left, Professor McGonagall told us about Mary Macdonald and her wish to meet Harry. I suppose Harry has already told you. We agreed that Harry shouldn't meet her. Although Ginny thinks she might deserve Harry's anger. Professor McGonagall wants us to be on our guard around her. What is your opinion about this situation?

Do write soon.
Hermione.

Ron smiled as he read her letter and sat down to write the reply.