The Return
by S. L
The news had shocked even Hannah to no end. After only knowing of the wizarding world for a few days, it still occupied her mind. She knew she wasn't even feeling half what other witches and wizards must be thinking at this time- if they knew yet. Harry had told her horror stories of the Dark Lord... she could only imagine what his return could bring.
For his part, Harry was had quit going to work, and had taken up pacing the house. Sometimes he would stop long enough to gaze out the window or to turn his wand over in his hands as if memorizing it. The odd bird had stayed with them. Harry later explained to her that his name was Fawkes and that he was a phoenix, but he would say no more.
Hannah was being torn apart on the inside. On one hand she loved her home, and being near her family. Then on the other, she had this thirst for knowledge, to know more about the wizarding world and to help them. She also knew that no matter what Harry said, he desperately wanted to return. He hadn't said too much about his part in the fight against the Dark Lord, other than he had been the one to administer the final curse.
She had no idea what to do. She would follow her husband to the ends of the earth, she loved him that much, but from what he said, it would be dangerous, especially for her and Jane. She couldn't risk Jane, but she could loose Harry.
The problem whirled around her head for days. During that time, neither Harry nor Hannah spoke much, they only exchanged soft looks and warm quick kisses, nothing more. But now, Hannah had finally decided what was to be done.
Harry had much to think about. Voldermort, Hannah, Dumbledore, his old friends, his old life, his wretched horrid old life... no he shouldn't think that, it wasn't all bad, just the end of it. There was also Jane and magic, he couldn't leave his child in the dark about the magical world, after all she would most likely turn out to be magical herself, but he couldn't risk her in the fight.
A fight he eventually decided he had to join. Whether Hannah and Jane came with him or not. No matter how much he hated being The-Boy-Who-Lived, he was nevertheless. He was the one destined to destroy the Dark Lord, though he had failed twice already, he was the one whom the wizarding world trusted.
He turned Dumbledore's words over in his head. "He has returned," well of course, Harry already knew that. "You know what must be done," yes, he had to return, he really had no choice. "Bring them," that's what confused him. How did he know about his family. Then again Dumbledore always knew. But how could he ask Harry to risk them? "Don't be a fool," he supposed this was his old mentor's humor. Most likely if Harry didn't return in a week at the most the old man would storm his Irish house himself to get at his young friend.
But it all came back to Hannah and Jane... what to do... what to do...
"Harry?" The words blew away the cloud of thought through his head. Hannah was standing over him, her hands wringing in front of her.
He blinked several times to regain himself. He didn't answer, but she sat down ready to go on anyhow.
"I've been thinking, very hard about all this." She took a deep breath. "I think we should go with you. Back to your world." Then she snapped her mouth shut, as if afraid her words would be thrown back into her face.
Harry blinked several times more to digest this. He couldn't let her do this, could he? Voldermort would find out about them anyways, wouldn't he? So why shouldn't they be protected in say... Hogwarts instead of left alone with the muggles.
He thought for a couple minutes more, working out a new plan in his head before answering. "You're absolutely sure about this?"
"We're behind you Harry," his wife said with the start of a smile playing upon her lips.
He smiled for the first time in days and swept Hannah into a hug. "Oh god," he said. "You don't know what this means to me."
Little Jane was probably wondering why her parents were laughing and crying all at once when she came to look for them.
"Mummy?" She asked in a light tone, it was strange, but she was always quite polite. "Daddy? What a'e you doing?" She still had a little trouble pronouncing her 'r' sounds.
Harry bent to pick his daughter up immediately. She resembled him only slightly. In that her eyes were a brilliant green and she had inherited his messy black hair. The latter however did not look bad on her at all. It had already grown to the small of her back and actually looked rather nice and unusual, rather than bushy or ratty. In the rest of her features she took after her mother completely.
Both of her parents hugged her at once. "How would you like to move into a giant castle?" Harry asked his little daughter. Two pairs of eyes looked up at him.
"Castle?" Hannah said in a perplexed voice.
"Cattle?" Jane said. (She also had trouble with the 's' sound.)
Harry smiled slightly. "Yes of course, my old school. Hogwarts, it's a castle. I'll explain later," he looked back to his daughter. "Well princess?"
Jane nodded vigorously. "I'll be a prinez in a cattle!" This made both her parents laugh and temporarily forget about the Dark Lord.
Harry sighed, then looked around their small house. "Well, then. I suppose we best be off." He smiled sadly.
"Be off?" Hannah said curiously. "Harry dear, I know I said we'd go, but we obviously can't go right now!"
When met with her husbands blank stare, she threw her hands up in exasperation. "Dear, it takes weeks, months to make a move like this. We've got to say goodbye to everyone, set our affairs in order, sell the house, find a new house, pack everything up... and, well a whole lot more stuff! We can't just 'be off'." She snorted finally.
To her surprise Harry actually laughed at this. "'A move like this?' Trust me, you've never made a 'move like this.' We do things a lot differently than you muggles." He set Hannah on the floor gently, giving her a push towards the door. "Go play princess, I'll be up in a moment to say goodnight."
He turned back to Hannah. "I know that normally these things do take a while, and I know that I am rushing things even my magical standards, but things are quite grave. If Voldermort," Hannah shivered, despite herself. "Has returned, I've got to get to work immediately. I've already lost several days, and will miss several more getting us situated once more."
He sighed. "Listen darling, I really do want to stay and really do not want to return to that place... no matter how much I miss it sometimes. I wish we really could take months to gradually move, but we're going to be lucky to get a week. We really do need to leave now, tonight. You can tell your family you are going to be away for a few days, I'll pack some things, then I'll take us to one of my friends houses."
Hannah was ready to protest, but Harry held up his hand.
"In a day or two, you will be able to return with some moves- magic or course- and.. do whatever you need to do then. For now, we really do need to go immediately. The sooner our things can be straightened out in my world, the better."
He looked up at her with sorrowful eyes, as if apologizing to her and begging her at the same time. After a few moments she gave in, after all, this was what she agreed to. Besides, Harry had given up his world for all these years for her. At least she could give up her boring old life and take a look into his life. Besides, she really was looking forward to seeing what the magical world really was.
"Alright," she said, making Harry smile slightly. She couldn't help, but smile a little too. "I'll talk to my family and you take care of getting our things together. Though I daresay I'd better hurry, or you'll not get anything we'll really need!"
Harry smiled again. "Excellent, but you take all the time you need. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
That was why, the next morning, the family found themselves all gathered in the living room. There were no trunks, or packages about them to show that they were really leaving, for Harry, amazingly, had shrunken everything. In fact, Hannah was carrying their entire bedroom, in her pocket! They hadn't packed everything of course, only a few essential things, and things Harry had just thrown in there. The living room itself, looked as if it hadn't been touched at all.
Hannah stood with Jane in her arms, the poor thing was half asleep. Both her and Harry were surveying their home, the finality of it all sinking in. Harry even looked bleary eyed, but Hannah knew better than to say he was crying. At last he sighed and looked at her.
She nodded that she was ready and braced herself. Harry had explained what he called 'apparation.' It sounded very confusing to her, but she trusted him to see them to wherever they were going safely. She closed her eyes and hugged Jane to her, expecting a flash of light, of pain, or of whirling darkness. There was nothing. She was simply standing in her Irish living room one moment, then the next when she opened her eyes she was standing on the doorstep of a very peculiar looking house.
The sign on the side of the doorway read 'The Burrow.'
Harry was breathing heavily, with his fist placed in front of the door. His hand was shaking and he looked as if he was trying to build up confidence. It must be hard, Hannah thought, returning after all these years. This was what he left, and now he doesn't know what to expect.
So she said nothing while her and her baby waited for Harry to gain control. It took several minutes and when he hit the door he did it in a nervous rush. Though it was funny, his knock came out casual and almost lazy.
A rustle could be heard behind the door, then the faint voice of a woman that grew louder as she reached the door. "I'm coming, don't worry! My, I wonder who'd be using the door to call? Quite unusual, hope it isn't any of those muggles again. Ahh, never mind- I'm coming!" She called the last bit out loudly.
A second later the door opened a Hannah could just make out a plump looking woman holding a rather large dinner plate in one hand and a rag in another. A stricken look crossed her face when the woman found whom she was looking at.
Harry himself was standing quite still, as if waiting for approval. He didn't move a muscle.
The plate shattered as it hit the ground, Hannah leapt back, but the woman and Harry embraced one another warmly. The dear woman was crying almost hysterically now, and Hannah waited for several minutes, until Harry had calmed her down again.
"Oh Harry!" The woman sobbed. "Is it really you? Oh my, I can't believe it! You don't know how much we missed you!" She took a few more quivering breaths then dabbed her eye with her drying rag. Finally her eyes settled on Hannah and Jane. They narrowed for a moment, then opened in surprise once more. "And who are these lovely ladies?"
Harry placed his hand behind Hannah's back and moved her forward. He was smiling slightly. "This is my wife Hannah and our daughter Jane. This is Molly Weasley."
Weasley, the name clicked into Hannah's head. Of course she knew who she was. Harry had told her all about that family.
Molly Weasley at this moment looked ready to have a heart attack. Her eyes flickered between Hannah and Harry, until she looked ready to burst out crying again. Then her mouth opened in a wide smile and tears flowed down her checks, though much slower this time.
"Oh Harry," she said with a cry. "Oh Hannah darling! You don't know how happy I am!" She flung herself on Hannah.
For her part, Hannah felt the hug quite nice, though when they broke apart, she found Jane had been transferred from her arms to Molly's.
"Oh-" Hannah began, ready to take her daughter back, but Harry silenced her.
Molly was rocking Jane back and forth and backing up into the house. "And hullo darling. Why don't you come with Mummy Molly and see what we can find for you?" Jane laughed happily at the funny woman, and reached her hands out to tickle her face. Molly feigned surprise. "You know, I think we just might have some pastry left from breakfast!" She turned back to the parents with a wide smile. "Do come in, please, I'll just go get the tea."
Hannah watched as the delightful woman and her daughter left the room chuckling happily to one another. She stepped inside the house after Harry, and what a house it was.
Everything had a general shabby look to it, but it was all so wonderful. Evidence of the wizarding world was everywhere, and Hannah didn't know where to look first. Harry seemed quite acquainted with it all, but stared with her nonetheless. After several moments though he gave up and led her into what had to be the kitchen.
There Molly sat whirling around the kitchen, using her wand to make things fly from their usual shelves and drawers. Hannah gasped. Jane however seemed to think it was all quite marvelous. She sat in an old high chair, clapping her hands together playfully and laughing at 'Mummy Molly's' antics. It seemed the two had taken to one another immediately.
Harry smiled and took a seat, Hannah sat next to him carefully. Molly turned around with a tray full of tea and goodies and moved towards the table. A plate and cup were set before the three adults and a little plate toped with a nice flaky looking pasty was set before Jane, complete with little silverware and a sippy cup.
After the tea was porn, Molly faced Harry happily. "Now dear, I won't ask why you've left, nor nothing of that sort." Her eyes softened. "I understand though I won't pretend like I wasn't worried sick," she sighed. "And I am more than happy to see you. I had hoped you would return."
Harry patted the old woman's hands. "Of course I would have come to see you Molly. I missed you very much. I missed everybody," he added sadly. "I hope you don't know what's brought me back?"
Molly's eyes narrowed and she looked as if she was running something through her mind. "No..." she said hesitantly.
"Good," was the answer. "It's Dumbledore's business I'm afraid," he looked at Hannah and smiled weakly before turning back to the woman. "I'm also afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to keep my return a complete secret. Along with the fact that I have a family now. No-body-is-to-know. Do you understand?"
She didn't miss a beat. "Of course, I do, though please do tell me how all this happened." She smiled again at Hannah.
That began a very long discussion between the three parties. For their part Hannah and Harry told Molly about how they met, Jane, Ireland and basically everything they had been doing since they had met. Molly told them, or really Harry, what had changed and what everyone was doing. Hannah only really paid attention to two parts of the conversation.
Once was greeted by a loud yell of surprise. "Ron and Hermoine?" Harry said carefully, after he got himself under control. Molly was laughing. "My best friends Ron and Hermoine? Married? You're kidding right?"
"I know!" Was the answer. "It came as a big surprise to us as well. Got together right after..." she didn't say anything more, but Hannah knew she was going to say 'after you left' good thing she didn't too.
Harry was marveling. "I mean I always knew they sort of liked each other, but I never thought they'd actually do anything," he laughed. "I can still remember the Yull Ball when we hadn't gotten dates yet. 'hey Hermoine,' Ron had said. 'You're a girl, aren't you? You can be one of our dates!'" He laughed. "Man, he was so thick headed sometimes."
"Yes, well they are exactly as they were before, still arguing constantly as well. Though they love each other. Working for the ministry too."
Hannah had zoned off after that, but was shaken after Harry nearly spit out a mouthful of tea. "She retired? McGonagal, finally retired? Wow, she must have been teaching there for years, taught me and my father."
"Me as well," Molly put in chuckling. "I thought she was going to outlast Dumbledore himself!"
Then they went on talking, while Hannah slid to the floor where Jane was playing happily with some magical toys. She wasn't there long when Harry's chair scraped across the floor and his tone grew serious once more.
"I've got to ask a favor of you Molly," he said picking Jane up and restoring Hannah to her seat. "I am going to be needing my things from Gringotts, as well as new robes, and robes for Hannah and Jane. I'm sure Hannah would love to go through a couple of books as well. You wouldn't mind taking them to Diagon Alley would you? I'd go but..."
"Of course dear," Molly said, though Hannah herself didn't understand at all. "I'd be more than delighted too. Oh, we'll have so much fun!" She looked at Hannah. "Besides it would give me a chance to get to know your wonderful family!"
Harry smiled. "Excellent. You're also to buy a few nice things for yourself Molly. I'll not have you doing this for nothing!" They argued for a moment, until Molly finally gave in.
"Harry," Hannah said softly. "Do we have the money to go shopping right now? We didn't bring much when we left, hardly anything really."
Her husband smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I've got a bit of wizarding money hidding beneath London. In a wizarding bank, we're fine, nothing to worry about."
"I wouldn't call it 'fine.'" Molly said with a snort and a smile. "You're better off than that Harry," she turned to Hannah. "The man has got to be one of the weathiest wizards in the country! 'Fine' indeed!"
Hannah didn't know quite what to think. She was quite anxious to see what shopping in this new world would be like... after a quick look of Jane's smiling face, Hannah nodded. "When can we go?"
Harry had been on the fire with Dumbledore all day. Arranging appointments, setting his affairs to order, and all that nonsense. Albus Dumbledore had been the only soul who knew where Harry had been all those years. Right before he had left Harry had confided in his mentor, and begged him to let him leave. He had never told anyone, and none of his friends knew that their old Headmaster had known all this time.
After the greetings, and the talks, and the arguments, now came the hard part.
"Albus," he cringed. "I'm afraid that I can't talk to Sirius. I can't face him over the fire, I'm afraid he'd wring my neck. Do you think you might tell him for me?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Want me to get killed instead Harry? No, I'll tell him later tonight, though I expect he'll be over there the instant I do. He has been quite worried about you... We all have."
Harry looked down at his feet ashamed. "Everyone must hate me now... I just, I couldn't stay here a moment longer. Now that I'm back though, I'm so glad. I'm so glad to just be here again." He blinked. "I really shouldn't have come here, but I wanted to be at the Burrow again, and..."
His old Headmaster nodded understandingly.
"I want to tell Sirius tonight, then I'll tell Ron and Hermoine tomorrow. Anyone else can be told a little later on."
"I also suggest you schedule a press conference later this week, or you'll have fans jumping on your back and carrying you back to the Ministry!"
Harry laughed, though he really wished he didn't have to deal with it all. "Agreed. So I'll do that, and you'll call Sirius once we're finished."
"Certainly," his mentor smiled. "And by the way Harry, it's great to see you again."
"You too sir." Then the had of Albus Dumbledore disappeared from the fire.
Harry looked around the room. Molly and the others should be back any minute now. He had taken the liberty of making dinner while talking to Dumbledore, and the meal was spread out across the table. Six seats in all. Molly, Hannah, Jane, and him made four. Arthur Weasley, whom he was expecting sometime later, would make five, and Sirius six.
Fortunately he didn't have to wait long for the shopping trip to end. Not a second later than Harry ending his conversation with Dumbledore, the others fell through the fireplace, loaded with parcels.
At first he had been nervous about the floo, but he had been convinced, and he had to admit, Hannah had handled it well.
"Oh Harry," Hannah said glowing. "It was so wonderful- I can't explain it.. just so wonderful!" He laughed at his wife's excitement. He supposed that was the way he felt when he had first seen Diagon Alley.
Jane looked unfazed. As if it had been any normal day of shopping, though she did seem quite excited to show Harry her new maroon robes. "Maroon!" Harry snorted, remembering Ron, he would like those on his Jane.
Molly came next, praising Harry for dinner, and placing her parcels on the floor. "Thank you so much Harry, my it's wonderful to come home to dinner! Arthur shall be home in a bit, so why don't we sit down?"
They all gathered around the table, which was much larger than Harry remembered, without all seven Weasley children crowded around it. As dinner went on Harry listened as Hannah and Molly told him all about their trip. Molly had received his trunks and books, and other things he had left in his vault and had bought his new robes. Hannah was marveling over all the gold in his vault and how amazing everything had been.
It was right around then that Arthur Weasley arrived home. When he found Harry and his family seated around his table, he had shouted and nearly fainted. It took quite a while to get things calmed down after that. During which Hannah announced she'd just take Jane up to bed, as they were staying the night.
The three remaining adults took their seats and continued with dinner.
"Who's the last plate for Harry?" Molly asked curiously.
Harry nearly chocked. "I've had Dumbledore tell Sirius I'm alive and... here actually. Which means, he's going to come here after my blood." He laughed. "I figured food would be a nice diversion."
The others laughed as well, until a great slam of the back door broke the calm of the house.
Hannah heard the loud smack and the sound of someone making their way towards the dining room furiously and noisily, as she walked down the stairs. She jumped immediately, and backed up against the wall, listening as carefully as she could.
"HARRY I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" She heard a deep voice cry out suddenly, she gasped and scurried down the stairs and flung open the door.
Molly and Arthur, whom she had met earlier, were still seated, though they looked ready to spring up at a moments notice. Harry was backed up against the wall, a tall, black haired man was pinning him there by his shoulders.
The stranger looked murderous, though Harry looked relieved and anxious all at once. Hannah didn't know what to do, she was almost going to go to her husbands side, when Molly ushered her towards the table. She obliged reluctantly.
Harry coughed. "Sirius- you...you're, ch- ch- choking me!"
The man merely pulled Harry's face close to his own. "If you ever do anything like that again I really will kill you." Then he burst into an ecstatic smile and embraced Hannah's husband.
Molly she noticed was crying, and Arthur looked excited. Harry and the stranger though were hugging like family. Hannah still didn't know what to think. Then the two broke away, though 'Sirius' still gripped Harry's arms tightly. They were both smiling at one another.
"Dinner Sirius?" Harry asked, trying to lead him to the table. "It's really rather good..."
Sirius released Harry immediately, and perked up. Instead of the dangerous, criminal man he had looked upon entrance, he now looked years younger. A middle aged child with a wide smile and a messy black hair, almost like Harry's. "Food?" He said as if Christmas had come early.
In a second he had seated himself next to Hannah and began ransacking the table, taking a little bit of everything. Molly laughed, and Harry took his seat. Hannah leaned a little bit away from the man.
Only after several mouthfuls of potatoes did Sirius look up at Hannah. "Hullo," he said swallowing. "Don't think we've met. I'm Harry's godfather Sirius Black," Hannah's mouth fell open.
"Black," she turned to Harry. "So that's where you got the name!"
Harry smiled. "Yup, though it's definitely Potter now."
The hungry man leaned over to Hannah again. "Sorry, but I dunno who you are yet."
Hannah didn't know quite what to say, so she was relieved when Harry took over.
"Sirius, I'd like for you to meet my wife Hannah."
The man stopped and literally spat out his pumpkin juice, nearly spraying Molly. He stared at Hannah in wonder, then answered in a dazed voice. "How nice to meet you." Hannah looked sidelong at Harry, who remained calm then back at the stunned Sirius.
It took a moment for him to recover, and when he did he gave Hannah a life threatening hug that knocked the air from her. "Welcome to the family!" He screamed in her ear, finally letting her go. He had a huge grin on his face and was now pumping her entire arm in an over enthusiastic handshake.
When she finally got her arm back it was aching. Sirius smiled again then returned to the food. Eating seemed to be the most important matter at the moment.
Hannah turned to Harry in wonder. His godfather was sure a strange man, but she couldn't help, but like him. He just seemed so... fatherly.
Harry leaned back in his chair and smiled at the table. "It's good to be back."
Hope you like this chapter. I was going to make it two, but I think just one extra long chapter is nicer. Um, yeah please review and tell me how you think the story is going. I'll definitely continue if I get good reviews, and I'll probably continue anyways, so just tell me what you think. THANKS!!!
Thanks to those who reviewed too!
~steph
~INYANG
~Keara Jordan
~Emily
by S. L
The news had shocked even Hannah to no end. After only knowing of the wizarding world for a few days, it still occupied her mind. She knew she wasn't even feeling half what other witches and wizards must be thinking at this time- if they knew yet. Harry had told her horror stories of the Dark Lord... she could only imagine what his return could bring.
For his part, Harry was had quit going to work, and had taken up pacing the house. Sometimes he would stop long enough to gaze out the window or to turn his wand over in his hands as if memorizing it. The odd bird had stayed with them. Harry later explained to her that his name was Fawkes and that he was a phoenix, but he would say no more.
Hannah was being torn apart on the inside. On one hand she loved her home, and being near her family. Then on the other, she had this thirst for knowledge, to know more about the wizarding world and to help them. She also knew that no matter what Harry said, he desperately wanted to return. He hadn't said too much about his part in the fight against the Dark Lord, other than he had been the one to administer the final curse.
She had no idea what to do. She would follow her husband to the ends of the earth, she loved him that much, but from what he said, it would be dangerous, especially for her and Jane. She couldn't risk Jane, but she could loose Harry.
The problem whirled around her head for days. During that time, neither Harry nor Hannah spoke much, they only exchanged soft looks and warm quick kisses, nothing more. But now, Hannah had finally decided what was to be done.
Harry had much to think about. Voldermort, Hannah, Dumbledore, his old friends, his old life, his wretched horrid old life... no he shouldn't think that, it wasn't all bad, just the end of it. There was also Jane and magic, he couldn't leave his child in the dark about the magical world, after all she would most likely turn out to be magical herself, but he couldn't risk her in the fight.
A fight he eventually decided he had to join. Whether Hannah and Jane came with him or not. No matter how much he hated being The-Boy-Who-Lived, he was nevertheless. He was the one destined to destroy the Dark Lord, though he had failed twice already, he was the one whom the wizarding world trusted.
He turned Dumbledore's words over in his head. "He has returned," well of course, Harry already knew that. "You know what must be done," yes, he had to return, he really had no choice. "Bring them," that's what confused him. How did he know about his family. Then again Dumbledore always knew. But how could he ask Harry to risk them? "Don't be a fool," he supposed this was his old mentor's humor. Most likely if Harry didn't return in a week at the most the old man would storm his Irish house himself to get at his young friend.
But it all came back to Hannah and Jane... what to do... what to do...
"Harry?" The words blew away the cloud of thought through his head. Hannah was standing over him, her hands wringing in front of her.
He blinked several times to regain himself. He didn't answer, but she sat down ready to go on anyhow.
"I've been thinking, very hard about all this." She took a deep breath. "I think we should go with you. Back to your world." Then she snapped her mouth shut, as if afraid her words would be thrown back into her face.
Harry blinked several times more to digest this. He couldn't let her do this, could he? Voldermort would find out about them anyways, wouldn't he? So why shouldn't they be protected in say... Hogwarts instead of left alone with the muggles.
He thought for a couple minutes more, working out a new plan in his head before answering. "You're absolutely sure about this?"
"We're behind you Harry," his wife said with the start of a smile playing upon her lips.
He smiled for the first time in days and swept Hannah into a hug. "Oh god," he said. "You don't know what this means to me."
Little Jane was probably wondering why her parents were laughing and crying all at once when she came to look for them.
"Mummy?" She asked in a light tone, it was strange, but she was always quite polite. "Daddy? What a'e you doing?" She still had a little trouble pronouncing her 'r' sounds.
Harry bent to pick his daughter up immediately. She resembled him only slightly. In that her eyes were a brilliant green and she had inherited his messy black hair. The latter however did not look bad on her at all. It had already grown to the small of her back and actually looked rather nice and unusual, rather than bushy or ratty. In the rest of her features she took after her mother completely.
Both of her parents hugged her at once. "How would you like to move into a giant castle?" Harry asked his little daughter. Two pairs of eyes looked up at him.
"Castle?" Hannah said in a perplexed voice.
"Cattle?" Jane said. (She also had trouble with the 's' sound.)
Harry smiled slightly. "Yes of course, my old school. Hogwarts, it's a castle. I'll explain later," he looked back to his daughter. "Well princess?"
Jane nodded vigorously. "I'll be a prinez in a cattle!" This made both her parents laugh and temporarily forget about the Dark Lord.
Harry sighed, then looked around their small house. "Well, then. I suppose we best be off." He smiled sadly.
"Be off?" Hannah said curiously. "Harry dear, I know I said we'd go, but we obviously can't go right now!"
When met with her husbands blank stare, she threw her hands up in exasperation. "Dear, it takes weeks, months to make a move like this. We've got to say goodbye to everyone, set our affairs in order, sell the house, find a new house, pack everything up... and, well a whole lot more stuff! We can't just 'be off'." She snorted finally.
To her surprise Harry actually laughed at this. "'A move like this?' Trust me, you've never made a 'move like this.' We do things a lot differently than you muggles." He set Hannah on the floor gently, giving her a push towards the door. "Go play princess, I'll be up in a moment to say goodnight."
He turned back to Hannah. "I know that normally these things do take a while, and I know that I am rushing things even my magical standards, but things are quite grave. If Voldermort," Hannah shivered, despite herself. "Has returned, I've got to get to work immediately. I've already lost several days, and will miss several more getting us situated once more."
He sighed. "Listen darling, I really do want to stay and really do not want to return to that place... no matter how much I miss it sometimes. I wish we really could take months to gradually move, but we're going to be lucky to get a week. We really do need to leave now, tonight. You can tell your family you are going to be away for a few days, I'll pack some things, then I'll take us to one of my friends houses."
Hannah was ready to protest, but Harry held up his hand.
"In a day or two, you will be able to return with some moves- magic or course- and.. do whatever you need to do then. For now, we really do need to go immediately. The sooner our things can be straightened out in my world, the better."
He looked up at her with sorrowful eyes, as if apologizing to her and begging her at the same time. After a few moments she gave in, after all, this was what she agreed to. Besides, Harry had given up his world for all these years for her. At least she could give up her boring old life and take a look into his life. Besides, she really was looking forward to seeing what the magical world really was.
"Alright," she said, making Harry smile slightly. She couldn't help, but smile a little too. "I'll talk to my family and you take care of getting our things together. Though I daresay I'd better hurry, or you'll not get anything we'll really need!"
Harry smiled again. "Excellent, but you take all the time you need. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
That was why, the next morning, the family found themselves all gathered in the living room. There were no trunks, or packages about them to show that they were really leaving, for Harry, amazingly, had shrunken everything. In fact, Hannah was carrying their entire bedroom, in her pocket! They hadn't packed everything of course, only a few essential things, and things Harry had just thrown in there. The living room itself, looked as if it hadn't been touched at all.
Hannah stood with Jane in her arms, the poor thing was half asleep. Both her and Harry were surveying their home, the finality of it all sinking in. Harry even looked bleary eyed, but Hannah knew better than to say he was crying. At last he sighed and looked at her.
She nodded that she was ready and braced herself. Harry had explained what he called 'apparation.' It sounded very confusing to her, but she trusted him to see them to wherever they were going safely. She closed her eyes and hugged Jane to her, expecting a flash of light, of pain, or of whirling darkness. There was nothing. She was simply standing in her Irish living room one moment, then the next when she opened her eyes she was standing on the doorstep of a very peculiar looking house.
The sign on the side of the doorway read 'The Burrow.'
Harry was breathing heavily, with his fist placed in front of the door. His hand was shaking and he looked as if he was trying to build up confidence. It must be hard, Hannah thought, returning after all these years. This was what he left, and now he doesn't know what to expect.
So she said nothing while her and her baby waited for Harry to gain control. It took several minutes and when he hit the door he did it in a nervous rush. Though it was funny, his knock came out casual and almost lazy.
A rustle could be heard behind the door, then the faint voice of a woman that grew louder as she reached the door. "I'm coming, don't worry! My, I wonder who'd be using the door to call? Quite unusual, hope it isn't any of those muggles again. Ahh, never mind- I'm coming!" She called the last bit out loudly.
A second later the door opened a Hannah could just make out a plump looking woman holding a rather large dinner plate in one hand and a rag in another. A stricken look crossed her face when the woman found whom she was looking at.
Harry himself was standing quite still, as if waiting for approval. He didn't move a muscle.
The plate shattered as it hit the ground, Hannah leapt back, but the woman and Harry embraced one another warmly. The dear woman was crying almost hysterically now, and Hannah waited for several minutes, until Harry had calmed her down again.
"Oh Harry!" The woman sobbed. "Is it really you? Oh my, I can't believe it! You don't know how much we missed you!" She took a few more quivering breaths then dabbed her eye with her drying rag. Finally her eyes settled on Hannah and Jane. They narrowed for a moment, then opened in surprise once more. "And who are these lovely ladies?"
Harry placed his hand behind Hannah's back and moved her forward. He was smiling slightly. "This is my wife Hannah and our daughter Jane. This is Molly Weasley."
Weasley, the name clicked into Hannah's head. Of course she knew who she was. Harry had told her all about that family.
Molly Weasley at this moment looked ready to have a heart attack. Her eyes flickered between Hannah and Harry, until she looked ready to burst out crying again. Then her mouth opened in a wide smile and tears flowed down her checks, though much slower this time.
"Oh Harry," she said with a cry. "Oh Hannah darling! You don't know how happy I am!" She flung herself on Hannah.
For her part, Hannah felt the hug quite nice, though when they broke apart, she found Jane had been transferred from her arms to Molly's.
"Oh-" Hannah began, ready to take her daughter back, but Harry silenced her.
Molly was rocking Jane back and forth and backing up into the house. "And hullo darling. Why don't you come with Mummy Molly and see what we can find for you?" Jane laughed happily at the funny woman, and reached her hands out to tickle her face. Molly feigned surprise. "You know, I think we just might have some pastry left from breakfast!" She turned back to the parents with a wide smile. "Do come in, please, I'll just go get the tea."
Hannah watched as the delightful woman and her daughter left the room chuckling happily to one another. She stepped inside the house after Harry, and what a house it was.
Everything had a general shabby look to it, but it was all so wonderful. Evidence of the wizarding world was everywhere, and Hannah didn't know where to look first. Harry seemed quite acquainted with it all, but stared with her nonetheless. After several moments though he gave up and led her into what had to be the kitchen.
There Molly sat whirling around the kitchen, using her wand to make things fly from their usual shelves and drawers. Hannah gasped. Jane however seemed to think it was all quite marvelous. She sat in an old high chair, clapping her hands together playfully and laughing at 'Mummy Molly's' antics. It seemed the two had taken to one another immediately.
Harry smiled and took a seat, Hannah sat next to him carefully. Molly turned around with a tray full of tea and goodies and moved towards the table. A plate and cup were set before the three adults and a little plate toped with a nice flaky looking pasty was set before Jane, complete with little silverware and a sippy cup.
After the tea was porn, Molly faced Harry happily. "Now dear, I won't ask why you've left, nor nothing of that sort." Her eyes softened. "I understand though I won't pretend like I wasn't worried sick," she sighed. "And I am more than happy to see you. I had hoped you would return."
Harry patted the old woman's hands. "Of course I would have come to see you Molly. I missed you very much. I missed everybody," he added sadly. "I hope you don't know what's brought me back?"
Molly's eyes narrowed and she looked as if she was running something through her mind. "No..." she said hesitantly.
"Good," was the answer. "It's Dumbledore's business I'm afraid," he looked at Hannah and smiled weakly before turning back to the woman. "I'm also afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to keep my return a complete secret. Along with the fact that I have a family now. No-body-is-to-know. Do you understand?"
She didn't miss a beat. "Of course, I do, though please do tell me how all this happened." She smiled again at Hannah.
That began a very long discussion between the three parties. For their part Hannah and Harry told Molly about how they met, Jane, Ireland and basically everything they had been doing since they had met. Molly told them, or really Harry, what had changed and what everyone was doing. Hannah only really paid attention to two parts of the conversation.
Once was greeted by a loud yell of surprise. "Ron and Hermoine?" Harry said carefully, after he got himself under control. Molly was laughing. "My best friends Ron and Hermoine? Married? You're kidding right?"
"I know!" Was the answer. "It came as a big surprise to us as well. Got together right after..." she didn't say anything more, but Hannah knew she was going to say 'after you left' good thing she didn't too.
Harry was marveling. "I mean I always knew they sort of liked each other, but I never thought they'd actually do anything," he laughed. "I can still remember the Yull Ball when we hadn't gotten dates yet. 'hey Hermoine,' Ron had said. 'You're a girl, aren't you? You can be one of our dates!'" He laughed. "Man, he was so thick headed sometimes."
"Yes, well they are exactly as they were before, still arguing constantly as well. Though they love each other. Working for the ministry too."
Hannah had zoned off after that, but was shaken after Harry nearly spit out a mouthful of tea. "She retired? McGonagal, finally retired? Wow, she must have been teaching there for years, taught me and my father."
"Me as well," Molly put in chuckling. "I thought she was going to outlast Dumbledore himself!"
Then they went on talking, while Hannah slid to the floor where Jane was playing happily with some magical toys. She wasn't there long when Harry's chair scraped across the floor and his tone grew serious once more.
"I've got to ask a favor of you Molly," he said picking Jane up and restoring Hannah to her seat. "I am going to be needing my things from Gringotts, as well as new robes, and robes for Hannah and Jane. I'm sure Hannah would love to go through a couple of books as well. You wouldn't mind taking them to Diagon Alley would you? I'd go but..."
"Of course dear," Molly said, though Hannah herself didn't understand at all. "I'd be more than delighted too. Oh, we'll have so much fun!" She looked at Hannah. "Besides it would give me a chance to get to know your wonderful family!"
Harry smiled. "Excellent. You're also to buy a few nice things for yourself Molly. I'll not have you doing this for nothing!" They argued for a moment, until Molly finally gave in.
"Harry," Hannah said softly. "Do we have the money to go shopping right now? We didn't bring much when we left, hardly anything really."
Her husband smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I've got a bit of wizarding money hidding beneath London. In a wizarding bank, we're fine, nothing to worry about."
"I wouldn't call it 'fine.'" Molly said with a snort and a smile. "You're better off than that Harry," she turned to Hannah. "The man has got to be one of the weathiest wizards in the country! 'Fine' indeed!"
Hannah didn't know quite what to think. She was quite anxious to see what shopping in this new world would be like... after a quick look of Jane's smiling face, Hannah nodded. "When can we go?"
Harry had been on the fire with Dumbledore all day. Arranging appointments, setting his affairs to order, and all that nonsense. Albus Dumbledore had been the only soul who knew where Harry had been all those years. Right before he had left Harry had confided in his mentor, and begged him to let him leave. He had never told anyone, and none of his friends knew that their old Headmaster had known all this time.
After the greetings, and the talks, and the arguments, now came the hard part.
"Albus," he cringed. "I'm afraid that I can't talk to Sirius. I can't face him over the fire, I'm afraid he'd wring my neck. Do you think you might tell him for me?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Want me to get killed instead Harry? No, I'll tell him later tonight, though I expect he'll be over there the instant I do. He has been quite worried about you... We all have."
Harry looked down at his feet ashamed. "Everyone must hate me now... I just, I couldn't stay here a moment longer. Now that I'm back though, I'm so glad. I'm so glad to just be here again." He blinked. "I really shouldn't have come here, but I wanted to be at the Burrow again, and..."
His old Headmaster nodded understandingly.
"I want to tell Sirius tonight, then I'll tell Ron and Hermoine tomorrow. Anyone else can be told a little later on."
"I also suggest you schedule a press conference later this week, or you'll have fans jumping on your back and carrying you back to the Ministry!"
Harry laughed, though he really wished he didn't have to deal with it all. "Agreed. So I'll do that, and you'll call Sirius once we're finished."
"Certainly," his mentor smiled. "And by the way Harry, it's great to see you again."
"You too sir." Then the had of Albus Dumbledore disappeared from the fire.
Harry looked around the room. Molly and the others should be back any minute now. He had taken the liberty of making dinner while talking to Dumbledore, and the meal was spread out across the table. Six seats in all. Molly, Hannah, Jane, and him made four. Arthur Weasley, whom he was expecting sometime later, would make five, and Sirius six.
Fortunately he didn't have to wait long for the shopping trip to end. Not a second later than Harry ending his conversation with Dumbledore, the others fell through the fireplace, loaded with parcels.
At first he had been nervous about the floo, but he had been convinced, and he had to admit, Hannah had handled it well.
"Oh Harry," Hannah said glowing. "It was so wonderful- I can't explain it.. just so wonderful!" He laughed at his wife's excitement. He supposed that was the way he felt when he had first seen Diagon Alley.
Jane looked unfazed. As if it had been any normal day of shopping, though she did seem quite excited to show Harry her new maroon robes. "Maroon!" Harry snorted, remembering Ron, he would like those on his Jane.
Molly came next, praising Harry for dinner, and placing her parcels on the floor. "Thank you so much Harry, my it's wonderful to come home to dinner! Arthur shall be home in a bit, so why don't we sit down?"
They all gathered around the table, which was much larger than Harry remembered, without all seven Weasley children crowded around it. As dinner went on Harry listened as Hannah and Molly told him all about their trip. Molly had received his trunks and books, and other things he had left in his vault and had bought his new robes. Hannah was marveling over all the gold in his vault and how amazing everything had been.
It was right around then that Arthur Weasley arrived home. When he found Harry and his family seated around his table, he had shouted and nearly fainted. It took quite a while to get things calmed down after that. During which Hannah announced she'd just take Jane up to bed, as they were staying the night.
The three remaining adults took their seats and continued with dinner.
"Who's the last plate for Harry?" Molly asked curiously.
Harry nearly chocked. "I've had Dumbledore tell Sirius I'm alive and... here actually. Which means, he's going to come here after my blood." He laughed. "I figured food would be a nice diversion."
The others laughed as well, until a great slam of the back door broke the calm of the house.
Hannah heard the loud smack and the sound of someone making their way towards the dining room furiously and noisily, as she walked down the stairs. She jumped immediately, and backed up against the wall, listening as carefully as she could.
"HARRY I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" She heard a deep voice cry out suddenly, she gasped and scurried down the stairs and flung open the door.
Molly and Arthur, whom she had met earlier, were still seated, though they looked ready to spring up at a moments notice. Harry was backed up against the wall, a tall, black haired man was pinning him there by his shoulders.
The stranger looked murderous, though Harry looked relieved and anxious all at once. Hannah didn't know what to do, she was almost going to go to her husbands side, when Molly ushered her towards the table. She obliged reluctantly.
Harry coughed. "Sirius- you...you're, ch- ch- choking me!"
The man merely pulled Harry's face close to his own. "If you ever do anything like that again I really will kill you." Then he burst into an ecstatic smile and embraced Hannah's husband.
Molly she noticed was crying, and Arthur looked excited. Harry and the stranger though were hugging like family. Hannah still didn't know what to think. Then the two broke away, though 'Sirius' still gripped Harry's arms tightly. They were both smiling at one another.
"Dinner Sirius?" Harry asked, trying to lead him to the table. "It's really rather good..."
Sirius released Harry immediately, and perked up. Instead of the dangerous, criminal man he had looked upon entrance, he now looked years younger. A middle aged child with a wide smile and a messy black hair, almost like Harry's. "Food?" He said as if Christmas had come early.
In a second he had seated himself next to Hannah and began ransacking the table, taking a little bit of everything. Molly laughed, and Harry took his seat. Hannah leaned a little bit away from the man.
Only after several mouthfuls of potatoes did Sirius look up at Hannah. "Hullo," he said swallowing. "Don't think we've met. I'm Harry's godfather Sirius Black," Hannah's mouth fell open.
"Black," she turned to Harry. "So that's where you got the name!"
Harry smiled. "Yup, though it's definitely Potter now."
The hungry man leaned over to Hannah again. "Sorry, but I dunno who you are yet."
Hannah didn't know quite what to say, so she was relieved when Harry took over.
"Sirius, I'd like for you to meet my wife Hannah."
The man stopped and literally spat out his pumpkin juice, nearly spraying Molly. He stared at Hannah in wonder, then answered in a dazed voice. "How nice to meet you." Hannah looked sidelong at Harry, who remained calm then back at the stunned Sirius.
It took a moment for him to recover, and when he did he gave Hannah a life threatening hug that knocked the air from her. "Welcome to the family!" He screamed in her ear, finally letting her go. He had a huge grin on his face and was now pumping her entire arm in an over enthusiastic handshake.
When she finally got her arm back it was aching. Sirius smiled again then returned to the food. Eating seemed to be the most important matter at the moment.
Hannah turned to Harry in wonder. His godfather was sure a strange man, but she couldn't help, but like him. He just seemed so... fatherly.
Harry leaned back in his chair and smiled at the table. "It's good to be back."
Hope you like this chapter. I was going to make it two, but I think just one extra long chapter is nicer. Um, yeah please review and tell me how you think the story is going. I'll definitely continue if I get good reviews, and I'll probably continue anyways, so just tell me what you think. THANKS!!!
Thanks to those who reviewed too!
~steph
~INYANG
~Keara Jordan
~Emily