Harry was feted as a star Quidditch player after that match, where he defeated Puddlemere United and enjoyed "drinks on the house!" at the Leaky Cauldron with his team.  He invited the Wimbourne Wasps along, particularly Charlie and Oliver Wood who he knew outside of Quidditch.  Only Charlie came, and he wore a rather disapproving look when he saw Harry drinking beer.

"Lighten up, Charlie!" Harry grinned, "it's not like I have to go to school tomorrow!"

"You know Ron's going to kill you for not joining the Cannons?" Charlie asked, with a small smile.

"Nah, he'll just get pissed off with me for getting more fame," Harry shrugged, "but hey, I'm kinda used to it all now."

Charlie's eyebrow lifted as he slid into the booth with the team.

"Oi, Harry, mate!  Why'd ya bring Weasley along?" asked Kirwin, a strong Chaser, "he's your opposition!"

"And a friend of mine," Harry said firmly, "I have to say, the match was extremely close and Charlie is really the better Seeker," he shrugged, "I'm just lucky."

He and Charlie and the team slipped into a friendly banter, that was aided by several bottles of butterbeer and numerous other drinks with a much higher alcohol content.  Harry was still walking in a straight line when the night was over and he was in perfect condition to argue with Charlie about where he was going.

"You're coming to the Burrow, Harry," Charlie said when everyone else had left.

"Nope," Harry shook his head, "not tonight, mate.  I have to go home.  I'm bloody tired and I've got to work tomorrow."

"But mum and dad'll want to see you, and Ron's home for Christmas with Hermione."

Harry's face closed, "Nope.  Not coming.  Tell your parents I'll drop in in a few weeks."

Charlie blinked, "can you at least give me your address," he pleaded.

Rolling his eyes, Harry nodded and wrote it down, "Anyway, see you at the next game."

If Harry had realized what becoming a Quidditch player would entail, he might have thought twice, but he instead received over a thousand owls after the match, which he opened and read critically, responding politely to the fans and putting aside the letters that would require more thought.

There was an offer from the Chocolate Frog company to make a Wizarding card for him, which Harry was rather cautious about accepting as he wasn't all that keen to have more pictures of him around the place.  There were numerous reporters asking for interviews and it was three days later before he had finally finished all his fan mail and it had stopped coming in in huge amounts.

He sipped at his coffee, and was about to flick on his television when there was a knock on his door, "Ah shit!" he groaned as he carefully placed his coffee mug on the table and hurried over to the door.  He pushed it open, "How can I help you?" he asked cheerfully and then realized that there was a sea of red in front of his eyes, "Oh dear, would you like to come in?" he asked tamely.

"Yes, thank you, Harry," Mr. Weasley said as he pushed his family in to the room.

"Coffee? Tea?" Harry asked politely as the nine Weasley's stepped inside.

"Tea'd be nice, Harry," said Mrs. Weasley,

He nodded and immediately after, a cup of tea came zooming out of the kitchen and into her hands, "Have a seat," he said, motioning to the couches he had around the room.

There was an uncomfortable silence which nobody seemed inclined to break until Mr. Weasley cleared his throat, "How, -er, how are you holding up, Harry?"

Harry sighed, "I'm doing alright.  I have a few jobs going.  I'll certainly survive."

There was another silence, this time broken by Harry, "How's Hermione?" he asked Ron.

"She's alright," he shrugged."

"Congratulations, by the way," Harry smiled, "I heard about the two of you."

Ron blushed, "thanks!"

"Are you alright living here?" Mrs. Weasley asked, "you're welcome to live with us!"

"I really am doing alright, you know," Harry said, "I was angry and bitter at first, and very lonely, but I'm doing better now.  I've got things to occupy my time."

"And what about your education?" Percy asked, looking up at him disapprovingly, "You need some kind of education!"

"I'm doing my GCSE's by correspondence," Harry said slowly, "and I'm getting some assistance from my boss."

"But your magical education?"

"What magical education?" Harry asked bitterly, "I was expelled for killing Voldemort."

"Dumbledore tried to have the expulsion lifted," Mr. Weasley said slowly, "but until Fudge is removed in the next election, his hands are tied."

"It's alright, really," Harry said, "I'm not sure I want to go back to Hogwarts," he sighed, "I'm almost happy, now.  I don't think I'd go back unless there was a really good reason to."

"Sirius!" Ron said, "come back and live with him.  He's been pardoned, you know."

"Yes," Harry nodded, "I've been getting the daily prophet.  I won't go live with him though,"

"Why not?" asked Charlie.

"He doesn't need me there," Harry said depreciatively, "he's just got his freedom.  I'll bet he hasn't even thought of me."

"That's not true, Harry!" Bill inserted, "You've been on everyone's mind.  You're his godson.  How could he not have thought of you?"

"I'm just a one-time celebrity, Bill,"  Harry laughed sharply, "he's got friends to catch up with after years of imprisonment.  What would he want with a sixteen year old deadshit?"

Charlie sighed, knowing there was nothing that he could do to make Harry feel better about himself.

Ginny had been sitting there quietly, just watching the conversation, but now she spoke up, "Harry," she said, "I may just be Ron's sister or the girl you rescued, but," she placed her hand on top of his, "I know some of how you feel."

Harry blinked as he felt tears flick to his eyes.  He stood and hurried into his bedroom, furious with himself for being so weak.  He fiercely wiped the tears from his eyes and served up another cup of coffee as his other one was cold.

When he returned, he found the red-headed family looking at the various objects in his living room.  Mr. Weasley smiled at him, "Sorry, Harry, but we're always very interested in Muggle objects."