Chapter 1 Christmas

The first Christmas after the war, after Voldemort's defeat. The Wizarding community was truly partying in the whole country, but at the Burrow the mood was completely different.

Molly Weasley was in the kitchen, preparing the Yule dinner, every now and then wiping silent tears from her face.

Arthur had been back from the Ministry early in the afternoon, and was in his garage, playing with some Muggle gadgets but not really doing anything, just staring in the void or at the object in his hands. Bill and Fleur were in the living room, decorating the Christmas tree and placing gifts under it. Every now and then they share a kiss, or just touch hands, but their hearts were heavy too.

Charley and Percy were sitting on a couch, quietly sipping their wine without much talking.

George was expected to arrive any minute now, he sent an owl to tell them that he would be a bit late because of late customers in the shop for last minute gifts.

Ron, Ginny and Hermione were just back from Hogwarts, where they were attending their 7th year. Ginny has gone directly into her room, and barricaded inside not talking to anyone, while Hermione and Ron were in Ron's room, sitting down on his bed and holding hands.

"I should go and talk to Ginny - said Hermione in a small voice - but I don't really know what to tell her…"

"We played the optimistic role too many times! - answered Ron - it is not going to work any more… Bugger! I was sure we would have found him here: it's the bloody Christmas!"

Hermione's lack of reaction to his wording, told Ron that she was really distraught:

"I was hoping to find him here too…" then she whispered, looking at him with tears filled eyes: "Do you think he is still alive?"

Ron hugged her, as she quietly cried on his shoulder. He could not answer her question, because he didn't want to lie to her, but he could not tell her what he believed either: Harry was most probably dead.

There have been some Death Eaters activity even after Voldemort fall and Ron was convinced that Harry would have found the way to send them some messages if he was still alive, but he adamantly resolved with himself never to make his convincement apparent to his sister or Hermione because both of them would have been devastated at the simple thought.

The sound of the front door opening together with Arthur and George voices told them that even the last Weasley had arrived. Hermione went into the bathroom to wash her face and Ron went downstairs to greet his brother.

Arthur went into the kitchen, hugging his wife and gently stroking her shoulders. Molly looked at him and whispered: "We have lost two of our children… Fred and Harry are gone… the first Christmas without them… how can we cope with that?"

"We need to be strong and help the kids - he said, his voice strained too - Ginny and George need us now, but especially Ginny"

"Yes - she said - George at least has a grave to mourn, while she doesn't even know whether Harry is dead or still alive…"

He sighed and then said "Let's go and try to have a Yule dinner as serene as we can"

They all sat down at the table, and at a flick of Molly's wand the food appeared: "Merry Christmas!" she said as cheerfully as she could manage.

A very subdued choir of "Merry Christmas!" answered her and all started to fill plates and eat, while very little conversation was going on.

Molly looked at Ginny, who was seated between her and Hermione. She was poking at her food but not eating anything.

"Ginny," she said quietly, but her daughter showed no sign that she had heard her.

"Ginny - she said again - look at me honey" even the very little conversation that was going on around the table died. Everyone was looking at their own plates, not to put too much pressure on Ginny, but everyone was sneaking glances at her.

Ginny slowly raised her bloodshot eyes to meet her mother's, which were full of love and concern. Molly raised her hand to slowly caress her daughter's face: Ginny leaned onto her hand blissfully, closing eyes and relinquishing into her mother's caresses.

"Try and eat something, dearest" said Molly in a low voice.

Ginny looked at her "Mum?" in a very small voice

"Yes dear?"

"Why didn't he come back to me?"

Molly's eyes filled with tears: "I don't know honey, but I'm sure there is a very good reason why. Harry loves you."

"How can you say it?" Tears were now slowly rolling down on Ginny's cheeks.

"He does! - said Hermione clutching Ginny's hand - when we were on the run, every night he was looking at the Marauders Map looking for you, I have heard him muttering your name while sleeping. It was terrible for him to be away from you…"

"But he is gone…" Ginny sighed heavily. After a short pause, she continued.

"I met Luna and Neville before we left Hogwarts…- her voice was low and hesitant, but the silence around the table was perfect.

"They met Harry, just outside the Great Hall after the battle." She stopped, and seemed not to be able to continue.

Arthur looked at her and said encouragingly "What did they tell you, Ginny?"

Ginny sighed and continued as every word was weighing a ton for her: "They told me Harry was shattered at the sight of all the people who died in the battle. They told me that he was especially stricken by Fred, Remus and Tonks deaths. He told them it was his fault and ran away".

"Blimey! - Ron exclaimed - if he is convinced that it was his fault, the guilty must have eaten him alive!"

"But how could he disappear in such a way? - Hermione sounded quite out of herself - I asked to McGonagall, but neither she nor other teachers have had any news about him"

"...hem… - Percy said, looking into his plate and fidgeting his collar as if it was too tight - I have asked the Aurors at the Ministry…"

Everyone looked at him surprised

"And?" Molly said glaring at him

"Nothing! - he answered quickly - They looked for him everywhere but they were not able to locate him. They know he went to Grimmauld Place, but he disappeared from there. One of them told me in confidence that he didn't think it was possible for any wizard to avoid being located by them. None has been able to do this before Voldemort and now Harry."

There was a long pause.

"I talked to Kingsley this morning - said Arthur quietly looking straight into his daughter's eyes - he confirmed to me they were not able to locate Harry. He was terribly frustrated, like his Aurors" a strained smile flashed on his lips and immediately disappeared.

"...ehm… - said Bill, and all turned to him - I have asked within Gringotts. They too have not seen Harry since your escape from the bank. Grishook told me that after the battle, he didn't take anything from his vaults either".

"WHAT? - Fleur exploded - you talked within Gringotts about Harry and you didn't tell me anything? You KNOW I'm sickly worried for him! And yet you didn't say anything?"

Bill averted his eyes and looked down "I hadn't any good news to tell you. I know how affectionate you are with Harry, but I'm sorry, I hadn't really anything. I'm sorry" he repeated.

Fleur seemed to deflate, her shoulders sagging down. She didn't say anything, only clutched her husband's hand between hers.

George jumped from his chair and started to pace the dining room: "I talked to Angelina, neither she nor Oliver have had any news from Harry. None of the quidditch team has had any contact with him. I also talked to Katie Bell since she is working at St Mungos': Harry has not been in the hospital".

The silence remains hoovering within the room. Ginny was looking at her siblings: her eyes still filled with tears but with a thin, sad smile on her lips.

"You all asked about him! You all looked for him… Thank you, you are all such a wonderful family! - her smile died on her lips - But now there are very few options left: none met him, not even the Ministry is able to locate him, he was not getting any money from his vaults. How could he possibly survive?" In front of the raw desperation in her eyes, both Molly and Hermione jumped up to hug her.

All others remained looking at their plates, Fleur leaning her head to Bill's shoulder, Ron threw his fork on the table swearing. None wanted to say in a loud voice what was clearly in their minds: Harry was most probably dead.

Only George, who was leaning his head against the warm stones of the fireplace, was able to hear a single knock at the door…

He looked warily at the door wondering who might knock at their door in the middle of Yule night. Then he clenched his jaws, his mouth set in a thin lipless line, and went to the door taking out his wand but keeping it concealed behind him.

He opened the door and squinted at the hooded figure that was standing outside, in the pool of light coming out from the door, the dark cloak covered by a thin layer of snow. The person at the door slowly raised his gloved hands to lower the cloak hood: "Are you going to hex me George?"

The voice was too low to reach other members of the family, but George recognized it immediately, and was simply petrified by surprise, his mind not really able to accept he was there, in front of him.

Arthur was the only one who saw George going to the door and asked:

"George, who is at the door?" startling all the others that turned as one towards George who answered in a strained voice with one word: "Harry!"

Chapter 2 Harry after the war

George made a single step forward and hugged Harry on the doorstep "Merlin beard mate, it is great to see you again!".

Then placed his arm on Harry's shoulders and gently pushed him inside, closing the door behind.

Harry made a few steps into the dining room he knew so well, taking out his cloak and dropping it on a chair while everyone was still frozen, gaping at him but unable to move.

Hermione was the first to react: she ran across the room and threw herself within Harry's arms almost knocking him to the ground. Then broke the hug, took a step behind and slapped Harry yelling: "Where the hell have you been, all this time…" Ron jumped to stop her but it was not necessary: she stopped in the middle of the sentence gaping at the ugly parallel scars that marred Harry's face.

"Harry…" the little voice from Hermione was barely more than a whisper

"Harry - Molly's voice was breaking - how are you my boy?" She held his face in her hands, kissed his forehead and then hugged him fiercely.

"I'm good, or about…" Harry answered with a smile

The sound of his voice broke the spell that have parlyzed all of them: they were clearly going to jump at him, everyone wanted to hug him, but they restrained and made a step behind clearing the path. Ginny was looking at him, blinking tears out of her eyes: she was looking at his thin frame, scars on his pale face, the heavy dark shadows under his eyes.

She moved to him slowly.

He removed his gloves while keeping eye contact with her.

It was clear to everyone that in this moment they were only seeing each other, the rest of the world had disappeared for them.

"Harry" she whispered. His fingers traced her face, just lightly touching her skin

"Ginny"

They kissed with blissing love and passion, completely oblivious of her whole family presence.

Fleur clutched Bill hand motioning him to look at Harry's hands, which appeared badly bruised and ruined even if almost completely dived into Ginny's fiery red hairs.

When they stopped kissing, after an inordinate amount of time, Ginny hugged him, hiding her face into his chest. Harry looked at Molly and Arthur and started to say "I'm sorry, please…" Arthur raised an hand stopping him

"We understand my boy, don't worry, why don't you sit down on the couch?" gently moving them both toward the couch. "Would you like to eat something with us Harry? - Molly's eyes were reflecting all her concern - I made the treacle tart! Do you want a slice?"

Harry seated down on the couch with a sigh of relief, Ginny sitting down next to him, curling her legs under her, running her fingers into his hairs while resting her head on his shoulder, eyes closed.

"No thank you Mrs Weasley, I do not feel like eating now"

All others take their seats around him. Hermione on the arm of the couch next to him, placing her hand on his shoulder, to offer him her support as always, and maybe to reassure herself that he was really there with them. Ron sat on the floor at her feet. They didn't ask any questions, simply waiting for Harry to talk without pressing him.

"I'm here this evening to spend the Yule with my family, the most wonderful family I could find in the world - Harry started in a low voice - Mrs Weasley you have been to me the best mum I could possibly dream, and you Mr Weasley the best dad."

"You can call us mum and dad if you like, you know that Harry, don't you? We would be honored" Arthur said with a smile

"I'm honored, and I'll never thank you enough for that. You all - and he locked eyes with all the Weasleys - are like brothers and sisters to me, and I'm including you Fleur and of course you, my dearest Hermione in this definition." Hermione squeezed lightly his shoulder looking at him with a smile and tears filled eyes.

"And you - turning to look at Ginny and she opened her eyes to look into his - … what can I tell you apart that you are the one, the only love of my life, and you will always be. You are the one who taught me what my life might have been…" Ginny blushed deeply but her eyes never left his.

"You all are my family, my world! Tonight, in this room there are all the people I love"

Chapter 3 Harry's gift

"I'm here to tell you Merry Christmas, and I'm here to give you my gift"

Ginny's hand gently made him turn his head to look at her: "Having you here is the best gift you could ever do to me and to all of us!"

Molly added: "Absolutely Harry dearest: having you here is a blessing for us! I was so afraid I had lost two of my children… " Tears rolled down her face.

"We missed you so much…" added Hermione

"But this is the most important thing for me: everything I did, I did it to arrive to this evening, to be able to finally tell you…" an harsh coughing fit interrupted Harry.

Ginny patted his back while worriedly looking at both Hermione and her mother.

"Sorry - said Harry - what I wanted to tell you is: YOU ALL ARE FINALLY SAFE!" He almost shouted it, almost a fever shining in his eyes.

"Now you can really start to live your lives without any more fear or worry. No more Death Eaters hidden in the night, waiting for you, stalking you!"

Breathing heavily, he leaned back

"What do you mean son?" Arthur asked perplexed

Harry started to talk again in a much lower voice: "After Hogwarts battle, I went to the great hall: I have seen you all there, I have seen Fred, and Remus and Tonks… I was distraught to see how many people died, and it was my fault, my responsibility."

"No!" George, Ron, Hermione, and all the others voiced their outcry at this.

George was the one who lean toward Harry and said forcefully:

"Listen to me Harry: Fred was my brother, my twin. I'll never be the same without him, but we fought together with all the others because it was the right thing to do! We all fought for our freedom. He died because of a bloody Death Eater and because of Voldemort, not because of you!"

Harry averted his eyes, and continued to talk softly:

"I felt awful, I felt so guilty that I ran away and, as soon as I was out of Hogwarts, I apparated to Grimmauld Place, and spent the night there thinking and thinking and thinking again to all people who died"

Harry remained silent for a moment, and Ginny hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

Harry sighed and start again to talk:

"The morning after I have been attacked by Death Eaters" shouts of dismay filled the room.

"I'm still alive because I have been saved by some Aurors, they were looking for me and arrived just in time. Two of them died to save me... - he paused looking down - again!"

"The very same morning we went to the Ministry, talked with Kingsley and he gave me a team of Aurors who survived the battle at Hogwarts, and we were on the run again. We only had one mission: Death Eaters hunt!"

"Why didn't you call us?" Ron was clearly upset

"Yes! We would have joined you immediately, as we already did!" added Hermione

"We would have been with you, as always" Bill was clearly ready to jump and run for the battle in that same moment.

"Oui, we would be with you!" Fleur was not less willing than her husband.

Harry looked at them all with a small smile, clearly warmed by their loyalty and evident love for him.

"You left me behind again…" Ginny was sad. Harry took her hand and pressed it to his lips. When he talked, he mainly answered her, but at the same time he talked to all of them.

"The Death Eaters reorganized very quickly after the battle, because they found a new Dark Lord: he was Rudolph Lestrange, Bellatrix's husband, who was able to recall and reunite a lot of Death Eaters that were disbanded after the battle.

His main target was the same as Voldemort's, to get absolute power, but his first targets were me, and you all, but especially you mum, - he looked briefly to Molly - to avenge his wife. His plan was to attack you to force me to jump in to defend you and then kill us all.

Do you remember when you were attacked by Death Eaters?"

"Yes but they didn't seem so dangerous to us…" Arthur was perplexed

"And there was a group of Aurors who jumped in very quickly to help us: were they your teammates?" asked Charlie

"The reason for this was that Lestrange sent a few Death Eaters to attack you, not his full forces and not the strongest ones: he himself and the others were hidden behind the hill waiting for me to intervene, to jump in and kill us all.

And no, the Aurors that came in your help were a team that Kingsley had stationed here to protect you. He promised me he would have done it, and he did. Me and my team were here too, ready to join the battle if necessary." Harry made a thin smile

"Really I was more than ready… do you remember Hestia Jones?"

"Yes of course: she was in my year at Hogwarts" answered Molly. Arthur nodded, joining his wife.

"I remember I saw her: she was in the Order of Phoenix" Hermione said

"She stunned me to stop me from jumping into the battle!" exclaimed Harry

"What!" Ron and Hermione were flabbergasted

"I'm sorry Harry, but I think she was right! - Arthur said reasonably - If it was a trap, she did the right thing by stopping you!"

"I imagine she told you not to go, but you didn't listen to her, as you never listen to us!" Ginny said reproachfully

"I could bet on that!" Hermione huffed.

"I still think that you should have called to us for help" George said

"NO!" Harry exploded! Another nasty coughing fit stopped him from continuing for some minutes.

Molly jumped and brought him a glass of water that Harry took gratefully

"Thanks mum!" he said with a raspy voice. She beamed at him and caressed him.

Harry started talking again and everyone noticed the change in him: his eyes were steely and cold, they seemed even to have lost their emerald green to a far darker shade, almost black.

"When we went on the run with Ron and Hermione, the search for Horcruxes, it was a holiday trip compared to what we went through this time. Hestia has been killed two weeks ago! None of the Aurors team that went with me survived… I'm the only one who survived… barely!

Do you really think that I could have risked looking at your body laying there George, as I have seen Fred? Do you really think Ron that I could look into your lifeless eyes, like I did with Cedric's?"

The silence in the room was absolute.

"And we hunted them down, one by one. No pity, no merci from both sides. Few of them are now in Azkaban, all the others are dead! I killed Lestrange three days ago…"

Harry made a long pause then he straightened his back. "You are now safe, there is none left who might try and kill you. I killed them all." again the steely hardened look in his eyes.

"If I ever have involved any of you in this fight, you would be dead now. I simply couldn't and cannot bear the thought."

"Harry…" Ginny started hesitantly…

"No Ginny, - Harry interrupted her - look at me: I'm afraid to touch you because I'm afraid to contaminate you! I've killed so many people… my hands are dripping with blood!" he stopped talking again, looking down at his own hands. The silence lasted a long time.

"I understand if you don't want to have anything to do with me any more, I am what I am, that is a killer." he whispered still looking down, then turned again to look into Ginny's eyes: "But now you're safe and free, you're fully free, and this is the only thing that really matters to me." He sighed again

"Last time, against Voldemort, I fought because I was the Chosen One, it was my fate to fight for the Wizarding World. Everyone told me this since I was 11. This time it has been different: I chose my fight, I chose to fight for you, because I love you all and it is fully worth the price I paid"

"My son - said Arthur very seriously - you saved us all, and you risked everything for us. We love you, and even without the debt of gratitude we have with you, we would never turn our backs to you. You did what you had to, but for us you're our Harry, and nothing will ever change this. Welcome back home son! Welcome back to your family! And thank you for your gift: indeed it is priceless"

Chapter 4 A goodbye

Harry was deeply moved by the love and acceptance he was looking in the eyes and in the smiles of all his family, but before he was able to answer another coughing fit hit him. This time he was prepared for it and clutched a handkerchief to cover his mouth and nose.

Molly looked at Arthur, her eyes full of worry but she was quick to go back with a reassuring smile when she saw her daughter looking at her while trying to help Harry holding his shoulders and keeping a hand on his forehead.

Finally the coughing ended and Harry tried to put the handkerchief back into his pocket but was blocked by both Ginny's and Hermione's hands that grabbed his wrist. Ginny took his handkerchief and both the girls looked with horrified expression to the bright red blood spot that was widening in the tissue.

George, Bill and Charlie all reacted immediately and converged towards the couch:

"Mate you have a problem here" Bill said and Charlie continued with a no nonsense tone: "We are going to go to St Mungo now!" and George added: "There will be time tomorrow to continue talking but right now you do need some medical attention".

Everyone jumped and started collecting cloaks and overcoats, but Harry simply raised his hand and said: "I came here from St Mungos. I was there the last two days..." everyone stopped and looked at him puzzled

"WHAT? - George exploded - I'm going to kill Katie!" He roared

"I know you asked Katie Bell, George, and she gave you a sincere answer" Harry said soothingly, "She was not informed that I was there. Only Leticia Goldshands, the Head Healer, and few others of her restricted team knew I was there."

"But are they healing you? And why did they allow you to leave the hospital while you're clearly not well enough?" to say that Ginny was upset was an understatement, "I swear I'll bat-bogey hex them all!"

Harry laughed, and for a moment the boy they all knew so well was back.

"Do you know someone who can keep me from doing what I really want to do?" he smirked

"For sure not!" Ron smiled as Hermione and Ginny

"But now I think we should bring you back to the hospital - Hermione said - Don't worry, we'll be there with you while you recover, you'll never be alone again"

"You can be sure about that! - Arthur said - now let's go son, you need help!"

"No" Harry simply said, and again everyone stopped at the tone of his voice. For a few seconds, none said anything looking puzzled to Harry who firmly looked back.

"What are you hiding from us?" Hermione looked at him worried

"You know me too well, don't you?" Harry flashed a small smile to her, then took a deep breath and continued:

"I came here to say Merry Christmas to my family, I came here to say I love you all, I came here to give you my gift, but I came here to say goodbye as well"

All Weasleys appeared to be confused, not really understanding his words.

Hermione was the first, putting her hand on her mouth while she started crying. Ginny became ghostly pale, her hands clutching Harry's hand, her eyes never leaving his; Molly started silently crying while Arthur put his arm around her shoulders to support her.

"Why did you say that?" Bill's expression was like he has been hit by a club.

Fleur went to him and said with a shaking voice: "Harry… what…" she was not able to continue.

"As I said, three days ago I killed Lestrange" Harry's voice was serene "He hit me with a curse during the fight, a very ancient one: slow, but invariably deadly. I'm dying."

"NO!" Ginny cry was desperate while she buried her face in his shoulder. A flash of pain crossed Harry's face while he hugged Ginny and caressed her hair.

"That's not possible! - Percy was jumping from his chair - the Healers in St Mungo's are the best in the world! They will be able to help you for sure!"

"Leticia has her full staff working now, despite the fact that it is Christmas, all of them working madly, they have but one desperate task: saving my life! Even Prof Slughorne is there, brewing potion after potion trying to find something to stop it. But it is a desperate task…" Harry's tone was flat, quiet.

"I thought for the last two days, asking myself whether it would be better to come here, and explain everything to you personally, or just leave Kingsley to tell you about my fate afterwards, trying to guess what would be the least painful choice for you…" he smiled thinly.

"In the end I was simply not able to resist: I needed to see you one last time, to talk to you one last time, to tell you I love you. I'm sorry I'm weak, I'm causing you nothing but more and more pain!"

He turned to Ginny: "I wanted to look at you one last time, to kiss you one last time, to tell you I love you one last time."

Ginny looked at him, a fierce determination in her eyes taking his face in her hands: " No! Harry the Healers will find a way to help you, in the meantime you'll stay here, I'll put you in bed in my room right now. We'll take care of you. You'll never be alone again."

"That's for sure!" Molly no nonsense tone was sharp and determined.

"Don't worry mate - Ron was confident - we'll help you!"

Harry looked sad while shaking his head: "You're wonderful, all of you! But I'm sorry: Leticia has been quite honest. This curse… it is terrible and I don't want any of you having to look at me dying in this way. Especially you Ginny. - looking straight into her eyes - and you mum and dad"

He turned again to look into Ginny's eyes, taking her face in his hands: "I want you to remember me as I am, as I was, not the pathetic wreck I'll be in the end. I want you to live your life: a full and happy life! As much as I hate the thought, I want you to find a good guy, to fall in love again, to marry and have children… All we dreamed for us, I want it for you!" He kissed her again with all his love.

For a long moment after the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers,

He stood then, leaning on a chair to steady himself, then wearing his cloak and turning to Arthur and Molly: "Mum, dad… thank you for everything, thank you!" and hugged them both. "Oh my baby!" Molly cried kissing him and caressing his face. Harry leaned to her whispering: "Please help Ginny and take care of Teddy Lupin for me!"

"Of course we'll do, son" Arthur answered, hugging him.

He moved to all Weasleys, one after the other. He had a long hug with George, and then hugged and kissed Fleur tear stained cheek: "Say goodbye for me to Gabrielle and Viktor, will you?"

"I will"

He shared a quick hug with Bill and moved to Ron. They simply shared a long look and a hug, without any word, then he moved to Hermione who hugged him fiercely and said tearfully: "This is the second time I have to tell you goodbye!" He hugged her even more and whispered to her: "please help Ginny, don't leave her alone. She'll need you, I need you to do whatever you can for her!"

She simply looked into his eyes and nodded, and she was very reluctant to let him go.

Ginny was waiting for him at the door.

Again they seemed to drown in each other's eyes for a very long time, and then they kissed blissfully: they knew there was not a tomorrow for them.

When they broke the kiss, Hermione was there and hugged Ginny. Harry turned one last time looking at them in the blur of tears, then opened the door and ran away, slamming the door closed behind him.

Chapter 5 Christmas

On Christmas morning, at 8 o'clock, a weary Arthur and Molly, after a sleepless night, were knocking at Kingsley door at the Ministry.

Not surprisingly he was there, in his office, and opened the door personally, motioning them inside, having them seated and taking a seat himself with a grim face.

"Arthur, before you and Molly try to kill me, I want to tell you that I'm sorry I lied to you, but it was Harry's decision" he made a thin smile.

"We are not here for that Kingsley - Molly replied, a determined look on her face - we want you to allow us to take him out of St Mungo's."

The lines on Kingsley's face seemed to become deeper and deeper.

"I don't think it is a good idea Molly" he said finally, with an expression that made them think he was tasting something really awful.

"Is it that bad Kingsley?" Arthur frowned.

"It is, believe me Arthur. Leticia and her team have not slept for 2 days now, Slughorn and McGonagall the same…" Kingsley made a pause looking more and more troubled "This thing those bastards made him is really terrible"

"Kingsley, - Molly was even more determined - I won't let him die alone in a hospital bed. Do you think Lily would have left him alone? Do you really think that?"

"No Molly, Lily would never have left him" the two looked straight into each other's eyes.

"And I won't do the same. When things will become too hard and difficult I'll stop the kids from visiting him, but I'll stay with him till the end. I won't leave him as I wouldn't leave any of my own children"

Before Kingsley was able to answer, someone knocked at the door and without waiting for an answer, Percy made an irruption into the Minister office, and stopped surprised to find his parents there.

"Yes Percy, I hope there is at least a fire in the Ministry building for you to jump in like that!" Kingsley glared at him

Percy snapped out of his surprise and said: "Sorry Minister, we have a problem in St. Mungo's: someone made an irruption and is looking for Harry!"

"What!? - Kingsley jumped - call my guards and Aurors quick intervention units to join me at St. Mungo's immediately!"

"We are with you" Arthur said and they all immediately apparate to St Mungo's while Percy ran to raise hell in Aurors' quarters.

In the waiting hall in front of the St. Mungos' Department for Curse Caused Illnesses Treatment, they apparated in the middle of a confrontation that was going on. Professor Slughorn and Leticia Goldshands, a minute middle aged woman with iron grey hairs and a severe face were facing Bill, Charlie and George. With them there were Fleur, her sister Gabrielle and an enraged Viktor Krum that was towering over the Head Healer, who was not at all intimidated by him.

"Bill! - shouted Molly - What do you think you're doing here?"

For a moment Bill, even being a full grown up married man, seemed intimidated by his mother wrath, but then he straighten his back and answered calmly

"We are here to take Harry home. We cannot leave him here to die alone. We have already prepared a room for him in our cottage, Gabrielle is a trained nurse so she can assist him and we'll take care of him till the end. We owe him at least that."

"Oui, Je serai sa nourrice, I won't leave him!" Gabrielle made a step forward and for a brief moment a huge bird of prey seemed to be hovering on her shoulders

"And you better not try and stop us!" Viktor Krum growled, aiming his wand at the Aurors that arrived with Kingsley.

"Stop! - Kingsley roared - Wands down!" he glared at his guards who reluctantly obeyed. "You can go back to the Ministry, I need not you here."

"But Sir! - one of the Aurors tried to object without taking his eyes away from Viktor and the young Weasleys - it seems to me…"

"This is an order!" Kingsley voice was menacingly calm

"Yes Sir!" all Aurors disapparated back to the Ministry.

"Kingsley - said Bill reasonably - Harry doesn't want mum or Ginny to assist to his last days, and I understand this, but we cannot leave him alone. We have a Floo in our cottage so Mrs Goldshands and her Healers will be able to be there within seconds if needed."

"We cannot leave him here alone" Fleur added, her eyes shining

"Oui, he saved my life and risked his own to do so during the Three Wizard Tournament and I was nothing to him - Gabrielle has a steely determination in her eyes - I won't leave him alone"

"And none will be able to threaten him there!" Viktor Krum growled

Kingsley looked at the Head Healer: she returned a calm look: he thought that she had aged a lot in the last two days.

She sighed and said "My opinion is that Harry can go: whatever we could do for him, we did. If we find something else to try, we can go there and treat him. In the meantime for him to be in a familiar environment would be better for his morale"

Arthur went to talk to Slughorn: "Horace, can you do something?"

Horace Slughorn had deep dark shadows under his eyes, and seemed to have lost all his buoyant attitude: he looked back at Arthur as a defeated man.

Molly went to her son and her hand landed a caress on his scarred face. She looked at Fleur and all the others with a sad smile and told them: "Don't worry, we are here to take Harry home, at the Burrow. We reached the same decision you have had: we won't leave him alone. I'm so proud of you all! You are all exactly the kind of human beings I wanted you to become."

Gabrielle made a step forward, her eyes shining and watery: "Please Madame, please let me help! Je lui suis redevable, une dette que je ne pourrai jamais rembourser…"

Molly hugged her: "Of course dear! We'll help him, all of us. Now let me go to him"

She moved towards the rooms and none stopped her.

Slughorne took Arthur's arm and put a vial in his hand: "Give this to him: it is all I can do at the moment."

Arthur looked at the golden shining potion in his hand: "What is it?" asked puzzled.

"Felix Felicis" Slughorne answered

Arthur nodded and looked back to him: "Will you continue to try?"

"I'll never surrender. Now let me go back to work" Slughorn walked away with a determined expression.

Arthur was startled to find Leticia Goldshands at his elbow: she didn't make any noise approaching him. She looked at him and motioned Fleur and Gabrielle to join them: "When pain will start, call me. We can at least spare him the pain"

She turned and left without another word.