You Can Always Come Home

by Tatt Skywalker



Chapter Five:

Nearer To Home

Day broke and Harry and family were up with the sun. Paul was jumping up and down as his parents packed up the camp. "We're going to the castle! We're going to the castle!" he shouted and ran around with Nemo at his heels.

Harry and Ginny both smiled. A few minute later, they were on their way home.

Paul and Nemo ran up ahead as usual. The boy and dog ran up over a hill and stood at the top, waiting for Harry and Ginny. Paul took advantage of the higher ground and looked around. It was about that time he saw another small group walking along the same road as them.

Paul ran down down the hill to his parents. "There is someone on the road!"

Harry told his wife and son to stay down at the foot of the hill as he and Nemo went back to the top of the hill. He saw the group and looked them over for a moment. They didn't look dangerous but it was best not to chance it.

Harry and Nemo came back down the hill. "Doesn't look like trouble," Harry told them. "We'd better take a longer route, though."

Paul looked up at his father. "Will we still get to the castle today?" he asked.

"Of course, Paulie," Harry said and ruffled the boy's hair. "I wrote Sirius saying we'd be there on Sunday and that is today."

Paul smiled. "Yay! We're going to the castle, Nemo! The castle!"

Ginny smiled and then said, "A little quieter, Paul. I want Lili to get as much sleep as she'll be awake when the others see her."

"I'm going to meet Uncle Ron, right? Like I did Uncle Percy?" Paul inquired. "Does he have kids?"

"I dunno, dear," Ginny told him. "I haven't seen him in ten years. I'd think so."

The family started walking again, taking a longer route around the hill instead of going over it. They hoped to make it to Hogwarts before dark but couldn't be sure they would. It wasn't long before Paul and Nemo resumed their positions as they ran up ahead.

"Does Ron have kids?" Ginny asked Harry. "You said you'd found out he was at Hogwarts. Is he married?"

"Oh, Ginny!" Harry shouted. "How could I have forgotten to tell you?"

"What? What?" Ginny asked excitedly but calmed down as Lilith stired.

Harry smiled. "Ron *is* married... he and Hermione got married," Harry told her.

"I knew they would," Ginny grinned. "I always knew it."

"And they have three children from what I heard," Harry said. "I know that the oldest, a boy, is named Arthur but that is it."

Ginny looked like she would cry. Harry put his arm around her. Her father, unlike Percy, had not survived the destruction of the Ministry of Magic building. And at that time, her mother too disappeared. It had been hard for her and had prompted her accompanying Harry on his venture of leaving the wizarding world. Then they had fallen in love and then...

They walked in silence for a while.

It was begining to get dark now and they picked up their pace. Paul and Nemo were still as energetic as every and were still up ahead.

"The castle!" Paul shouted "I see the castle!"

Harry looked at Ginny and they both ran up to where their son was.

"See? The castle!"

Harry and Ginny looked over the partially ruined castle.

"Are we going to live here, Daddy?" Paul asked. "I like it."

Harry smiled. "So do I, son. I hope we will live here... but... we'll see."





A/N: Dont forget to Review!