They appeared in the apparition area on the side of the Ministry of Magic building. They rushed to the front doors.
"I don't know why we're even doing this now. There probably won't be anyone here right now."
"It's always worth a shot." replied Greg.
"I guess so. We'll try the Minister first. Though I doubt he's in. It's 11:30 already." They rode the magical elevator up to the 20th floor to the Minister's office. When the three emerged, they saw a light coming out of an office on the other side of the large room they were in. The room they were in was like a loft. It had a big desk with the name Virginia Weasley on a name plate. Two plants were situated on either side of the desk. There was a kitchen, a sitting area with big plush couches and chairs. A door to the left of the lit room was presumably the bathroom. They walked over to the room and knocked on the door.
"Come in." They opened the door and found a man sitting behind a desk who was about 45 with greying black hair. He had light green eyes and laughter lines around his baggy eyes. The man's name was Albert Curring. He had taken Cornelius Fudge's place as Minister after Fudge was kicked out of office. He stood up to reveal that he was about six feet tall. The Minister looked at them carefully.
"May I help you gentlemen with something?" he asked kindly but there was a hint of nervousness in his voice. His eyes strayed over to Greg and Brian who were quite intimidating because of their size. Harry smiled kindly at him.
"Don't worry, we intend no harm to you. We just have some information for you." His face relaxed and sat down.
"Please do take a seat. What is this bit of news?"
"Well, we have evidence of Death Eater movement again."
"Ah, yes. The aurors have been picking up on this the past couple months. Thats why I'm here now actually. We're trying to track down somebody who could be useful to us. He used to be an auror, and a very good one at that. So...what is this evidence of yours?"
"Greg, do you have the second letter?" Greg handed him the letter that Harry had just received as Harry pulled the first one out of his pocket.
"This one I received earlier this evening and this one came about twenty minutes ago." Curring took the first envelope and read the name.
"Ah! That's who you are! I knew you looked familiar. You've been all over the Daily Prophet." He opened the letter and read it. A look of confusion crossed his face. "I don't understand. They addressed the envelope to James Newark but the letter says Harry Potter."
"Oh yes well, you see I actually am Harry Potter. I'm just using the name James Newark so I could play Quidditch without worrying about the press asking so many questions about where I've been and if I really did kill Voldemort. I wasn't ready to answer all those questions."
"Wait a minute. You are Harry Potter?"
"Yes I am."
"Good gracious. Well you're the man we've been looking for to help sort out this Death Eater mess."
"W...what? I'm the one you're looking for?"
"Well yes of course. You were the best auror we had since Mad Eye Moody and he certainly can't help us now that he's stuck in St. Mungo's."
"But...but I don't know if I can do this again. It's....I would have to tell everybody who I am and I don't want to yet."
"Well then...nobody has to know its you. There are plenty of spells and potions that you can do that would be a pretty good disguise."
"Oh no. I didn't expect this. I'll have to think...wait no. I can't waste time thinking about it when I know my answer will be no."
"But why not Mr. Potter? I would have thought that you of all people would want to get rid of the Death Eaters once and for all."
"Yes I would like that and I am willing to capture some if they come across my path but I will not go out looking for them. It would be impossible with Quidditch. I'd have no time for sleep. It seems I will be dealing with Death Eaters whether I like it or not, so whatever information I receive, I will certainly pass it along to you and the aurors." The Minister sighed.
"Very well Mr Potter. It seems I cannot persuade you otherwise if I try." He opened the second letter and read. "So I see you are back in touch with the Weasley's. If you want, I can have Mr. Ron Weasley handle this directly. I'll have to give him the letters."
"No, please use someone else. He doesn't know who I really am. And I would appreciate if you could also keep it from your secretary, Ginny."
"Of course, nobody else will find out who you are besides for the auror handling the case."
"Thank you Minister. We must be going now. I'm truly sorry for not helping the Ministry out more than I can."
"It's all right. I'm glad that I have gotten the chance to speak with you again and now this search can be called off. I do hope you'll be in touch again."
"Of course, thank you for speaking with me so late. I'll be in touch." They shook hands and then the trio left the Ministry building and apparated back to the front of the hospital. A swarm of reporters enclosed around them.
"Mr. Newark, what brings you to the hospital?" Brian and Greg started pushing through the crowd with Harry in between the two.
"Get away you vultures." growled Brian. "This is a hospital. Show some respect."
"Is it true one of your friends just died giving birth?" one of the reporters yelled. Harry stopped dead and then sprinted ahead of his bodyguards, battling his way through the people.
"James! What do you think you're doing?" yelled Greg. Harry broke through and into the hospital doors. Not even waiting for the two other men. Once out of the elevator on the 9th floor, he sprinted down the hallway, robes billowing behind him to the waiting room the Weasley's were in. When he crashed through the door, everybody jumped out of their seats.
"Is Hermione OK?" he said through deep breaths.
"Yes, as far as we know. Ron hasn't been in here since just after you left. So we haven't heard anything." replied Mrs. Weasley who was visibly startled. Harry dropped down next to Ginny.
"Damned reporters. One of them asked me if it was true one of my friends died giving birth. Sorry about scaring you; but that reporter almost gave me a heart attack." Harry then noticed two more people in the room and gave a start.
"Oh James, these are Hermione's parents, Bradley and Janet. This is James Newark." Greg and Brian came running into the room.
"James! Why did you run away like that? Those vultures could have crushed you."
"Well they didn't and I had to make sure Hermione was OK. We weren't making any progress anyhow so I decided to run for it."
"It was still stupid. Especially in light of recent er-events." Harry glared at them both that made them both cower into seats by the door.
"Yes I know but like I saw before...I. Can. Handle. It. I have before and I will again. Now drop it, please."
"Yes sir." came their mumbled replies. Ginny laid a hand on his arm and leaned in close.
"What exactly can you handle James?"
"It's nothing. Really don't worry." Ron walked in the door and whispered something to his mother and Hermione's. They both got up and left. Ron walked over next to Harry and sat down with a great sigh. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes wearily.
"Is Hermione doing all right?" Ron snapped his head up and looked at James.
"Oh yes, she's actually doing better but they are going to do a C-section in about an hour. She just asked to see my mum and hers. I'm not much of a help; I don't really know what to do. Hopefully I'll be better next time we have a baby." Harry smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I'm sure you will be."
"I thought you left. You weren't here last time I came in."
"Oh I did for a bit. I had some business to attend to but its pretty much settled now." They fell silent for a good ten minutes and just stared at the wall while everyone else was nodding off. Angelina was curled up in Fred's arms, while George was lying on the floor. Charlie had Ginny lying on his shoulder while his head was on the wall behind him. Mr. Weasley and Dr. Granger both had their heads in their hands and were both snoring gently. Greg and Brian were leaning their heads on the wall fast asleep. Some bodyguards. Harry thought with a smile.
"What are you smiling about?" asked Ron.
"Oh I was just thinking about what good bodyguards I have. Asleep on the job." Ron laughed.
"Best kind to have I reckon." he sighed an exasperated sigh and muttered, "Damn it."
"Hey, what's wrong? You're baby is going to be born soon and you don't look very happy."
"I am happy. I would just be a whole hell of a lot happier if Harry were here. It would stop Hermione thinking that you are him and it would lift a big weight off my shoulders. I feel completely responsible for him leaving." Harry was starting to get really annoyed with Ron's feelings towards him leaving. The conversations were going in circles.
"I can't take it anymore Ron."
"What? I'm sorry. You asked me what was wrong so I told you." Harry laughed at him
"No, you misunderstood me. I need to talk to you."
"Uh, well talk then."
"Not right here. Let's go somewhere private." They walked out of the waiting room and looked around. Not seeing anything, Harry approached a nurse who had just come on duty.
"Excuse me, could we have a room to talk in for a few minutes. Somewhere private?"
"Sure that room across the hall is an empty waiting room."
"Thank you." They walked into the room and closed the door. Harry lit some lights and put a silencing charm on the room.
"What are you going to kill me or something?" Harry laughed.
"If that were the case, I wouldn't have bothered lighting the room. I think you've been an auror far too long." Ron grinned.
"Yeah probably. If I'm not careful I'll turn into Mad Eye Moody."
"We wouldn't want that happening." They fell into an awkward silence. Ron finally broke it.
"So....you wanted to talk to me about something."
"Er-right." He took a deep breath. "Ron, I don't know how you'll react to this. Just promise me you won't kill me if you're angry I didn't tell you right away."
"I promise. What could be so serious? You're starting to worry me."
"Well you see the thing is...I'm....and Hermione..."
"You want to spit it out any day now James?"
"Yeah, that's the thing. My name isn't James Newark." Ron furrowed his eyebrows.
"What? I'm...what is it then?"
"Harry Potter." he said in barely more than a whisper.
"Sorry what? I didn't catch that."
"HARRY POTTER!" he yelled. Ron's lips parted in shock and confusion before laughing. He carried on for quite some time. He was bent over clutching his stomach. After a few minutes he finally got his wits about him and stood up straight still slightly chuckling.
"OK, sure. I've had my doubts about you and I've thought you were him at times but there's absolutely no way you are. I mean you don't have a scar on your forehead, or glasses. Your eyes are blue." Harry sighed. This had been one of the reactions that he hadn't thought of. He moved forward and moved one of the contacts so that his green eye showed.
"Nothing contacts can't fix. As for my scar. It disappeared when I killed Voldemort."
"Bull shit. Why should I believe you?"
"Because I'm your best friend. You're mine. You need more proof? Ask me a question."
"What?"
"Ask me a question that only I would know."
"Er-what animal do I turn into."
"Fox."
"How did we get into the Slytherin Common room in second year?"
"Polyjuice potion. We turned into Crabbe and Goyle and locked them in a broom closet so they wouldn't walk in while we were trying to get out of Malfoy if he was the heir of Slytherin or not."
"Nah, Hermione could have told you all that."
"Then ask me something that I would know or only you would know about me." Ron grimaced.
"OK, who did you lose your virginity to?" Harry smiled at the memory of Ron's reaction. He had always thought it gross for some reason.
"The one and only Parvati Patil." Ron shuddered.
"You know, I heard she was a prostitute now." Harry laughed.
"Yeah right."
"Yeah I know. I was lying. But the way she dresses! She might as well be one."
"So...you believe me yet?"
"I don't know..."
"Oh for...Ron you know perfectly well I only told you about having sex with Parvati. Hermione would have scolded me until my ear fell off. That's why I didn't tell her anything about my little sexual adventures afterwards because as you know there were quite a few after Parvati." He let out an exasperated sigh at the look of uncertainty still plastered on his friends face.
"OK, let me think. I got it!" He conjured some thick black rimmed circular glasses out of mid-air, turned around and took out his contacts and stuck the glasses on. He then waved his hand over his head and made his hair grow out all over the place; the way he always had it before he left. He turned back around to Ron who's mouth dropped.
"Ring any bells now?"
"Harry." he whispered.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you, you great prat." Ron crossed the space between them and embraced him in a brotherly hug.
"God Harry, I've been so worried all these years. I'm so sorry for blaming you for Percy's death. I was so stupid. I should have known that the mark was forced onto you." They pulled away and Harry saw that Ron was crying. He had never seen his friend full out crying like he was at that moment. Tears welled up in Harry's eyes and before he could stop them, they were rolling down his cheeks.
"Ron, I understand about you blaming me for his death. You don't need to apologise. I don't need to hear it."
"Why....why did you leave?"
"Well, for one I was a coward. It was just too much to handle. After I killed Voldemort, I went to talk to Dumbledore to have him tell everybody that I was leaving and not to worry. But he died just after I told him. I didn't even find out he was dead until Sirius found me a couple months ago. Its my fault he's dead."
"Harry, it wasn't your fault. I was there when it happened. It couldn't be helped. Don't blame yourself for everybody's death."
"You were there? What happened?"
"Let's not talk about this now. I'm still trying to take in the fact that you're here." he laughed while wiping tears away. "I have my right arm back now." Harry smiled and embraced him in another hug. They both started crying again.
"I've got mine back too." he whispered. They pulled away from each other and Harry threw the glasses aside. "Horrid things. They're so heavy." He wiped his eyes. "I wish I could come out there as Harry."
"Do it. Mum would be overjoyed to know who you are."
"I can't, I'm James Newark still." he thought for a moment. "I think I've got a plan though." he fixed his hair short again and put his contacts in. "Just follow my lead." They walked out of the room and walked to their waiting room. Harry poked Greg and Brian awake.
"We're leaving now." he then went to Ginny and woke her up by placing kisses all over her face. "Ginny, I have to go. I have practice in the morning you know."
"But I thought..."
"Yeah I know but I need to get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." They kissed good bye and Harry left the room followed by Ron, Greg and Brian. "Ron, no need to tell Hermione I left. Just tell her I'll be back soon and tell her you know about me. Don't tell anyone else. I'll see you in a bit." Harry and his bodyguards left the building and apparated to Harry's house.
Once inside, Harry hurried to his room. He pulled on some bottle green robes then went to the bathroom to take his contacts out and put on his black wire rim glasses. He then made his hair grow out again.
"I need the scar. Brian! Greg! Come to the bathroom a moment." A minute later they appeared in the door. "Do you have any ideas how I should put my scar on? You've seen old pictures when I still had it." Brian shrugged his shoulders but Greg stepped forward.
"Hold still." He pushed back Harry's hair and pointed his wand, made a zigzagging motion and then mumbled a few words Harry couldn't make out. "There. Your scar is back. Take a look in the mirror, does it look right?" Harry looked and saw that it looked quite accurate.
"Yeah, looks good. Well as good as a horrible scar can look. You will be able to get if off won't you?"
"Of course. I'll teach you how to do it later."
"OK, good. You two can go to bed now. I'll be back later. I don't actually have practice so don't worry about me."
"I really think this is a bad idea."
"I know, but I need to do it. I want the Weasley's to stop worrying about me. I'll be back." With that he apparated to the hospital. A couple reporters turned and gasped as they recognised him. Before anyone could react, he had run into the building. Up on the 9th floor he asked the nurse where the Weasley's were just so that he wouldn't seem suspicious. She directed him to the waiting room.
"Could you tell Ron Weasley to come into the waiting room? I need to see him."
"All right." Harry turned and walked nervously to the waiting room. How would everyone react? Would they even be awake? He opened the door quietly to see that everyone was asleep. He sank into a chair next to the door and waited for Ron. Five minutes later the door opened and Ron walked in.
"Act surprised." Harry whispered.
"Everyone's asleep though." he whispered back."
"Who cares." Harry stood up and turned his back to the rest of the Weasley's to face Ron. Ron did the same mouth drop that he had done half an hour earlier.
"Harry?" he asked quietly and then muttered so only Harry could hear, "Ginny's up."
"Ron, I'm sorry I haven't gotten in touch with you sooner." Ron shook his head.
"I don't care now. You're here now." They smiled at each other before hugging again. When they pulled away a minute later, they were both crying again. The two laughed at each other.
"We are a couple of women aren't we?" asked Ron jokingly.
"Certainly seems so."
"Let's go and see Hermione. She'll be really happy to see you. She's going to be having a C-section in about 15 minutes."
"OK, let me hang my cloak up first." He turned around to hang up his cloak and heard a small gasp from the other side of the room. Harry looked up and saw Ginny staring wide eyed and open mouthed at him.
"Ginny."
"Harry." She jumped up and threw her arms around him. "I can't believe you're here! I never thought I'd see you again! I've missed you so much it hurts."
"I've missed you too Gin." She pulled back and smiled.
"I love it when you call me that. You and my boyfriend are the only ones who can get away with it." Harry smiled and almost kissed her but then quickly pulled away from her. Luckily Ron broke in to cover the awkwardness that had descended over the two.
"Harry, we need to go now if you want to see Hermione before the C-section."
"OK, I'll talk to you later Gin." he kissed her on the cheek and left with Ron. Once outside the room, Ron turned to Harry and smiled at him.
"She's really gotten to you hasn't she?"
"More than you know....I just hope that she won't be too angry when I tell her the truth about me."
"I'm sure she'll be shocked but if she feels the same way, she'll get over it. I personally have never seen her look at anybody the way she looks at you, James. Well, actually she used to look at you, Harry that way in school. I'm confusing myself. You know what I mean don't you?" Harry laughed and slapped him on the back.
"Yeah Ron, I get it."
"So in other words, she's never felt that way about anybody else but you. She just doesn't know it yet." Ron opened the door to Hermione's room while Harry waited outside.
"You've got another visitor honey."
"Ron, I don't think she should have any more people in here." came Mrs. Weasley's stern voice.
"I don't mind Molly, really. Ron let him in." Harry walked in to see Mrs. Weasley mopping up Hermione's head and Hermione's mother holding her hand. Hermione's face broke out into a huge grin.
"Harry!" she laughed, "You're the last person I expected. I'm so glad you're here." Mrs. Weasley had stood up and was fanning herself and taking deep calming breaths while tears rolled down her face. Harry smiled at Hermione. He knew she was expecting him but just putting on an act.
"Me too. I had to come once I found out you were in labour." She held out her arms and Harry sat down on the bed and hugged her. They started crying once again.
"I've missed you." they said in unison. They pulled away and Hermione kissed both his cheeks and then whispered so only he could hear.
"You even have your scar on again. You're amazing Harry Potter."
"Not as amazing as you 'Mione." The doctor came in.
"It's time. We'll be taking you to surgery now." Harry kissed her forehead.
"See you when you wake up beautiful."
"Not if I see you first handsome." They smiled and Harry got up so Ron could kiss her.
"Don't worry Ron. I'll be fine. I have my two best friends waiting for me and a baby." Ron followed the bed to the doors and watched his wife being taken away. Harry stayed rooted to the spot, tears rolling down his face. He felt eyes on him and turned to see Mrs. Weasley smiling at him, also with tears on her face. He smiled warmly at her.
"Mrs. Weasley." Before he knew what was happening, she had him in a hug.
"Oh Harry, don't you ever try to pull that disappearing act ever again. Arthur and I have been worried sick. I'm so glad you're OK. You look so much healthier than when you left. Probably that job you had as an auror. Well, whatever you've been doing these past years. It's done you good."
"Come on mum, Janet, Harry, lets go to the waiting room." They followed Ron and walked into the room.
"Harry, come sit by me." Ginny said patting the seat next to her. He complied and Ron sat next to Harry.
"So, Gin. How have you been? What kind of work are you into now?" For the next quarter of an hour the two were deeply immersed in conversation on Ginny's life, work, home, James. Ron finally broke in.
"OK, Ginny my turn. He was my friend before he was yours. If I remember correctly, you were too scared to even speak to him until mid way through your fourth year."
"Oh shut it Ron." Ginny said angrily while her ears turned red. Harry smiled at her and squeezed her hand gently before turning to Ron.
"Getting a bit possessive over me?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes, I've only had ten minutes with you since you showed up."
"Now now Ronniekins. There's enough of Harry to go around." Harry laughed as he messed his friends hair. Ron scowled.
"Shut up Harry. And don't call me Ronniekins. You know I hate that."
"Oh is ickle Ronniekins getting angry?" He loved getting a rise out of Ron. His face would turn red and his eyes would bulge out of his head. Ron let out a grunt of exasperation. Keeping his voice in a tone as if he were speaking to a small child Harry continued teasing him. "Does Ronniekins want me to stop teasing him?" Before he knew what was happening, Ron had tackled him to the floor. They began wrestling. Harry laughing loudly the entire time. Between efforts to pin Harry's shoulders Ron gasped,
"When...did you...become such...an insufferable...git?" Harry flipped Ron onto his back and replied while trying to pin him.
"I don't....know. You know.....you....missed....ME." With the last word he pinned Ron's shoulders and sat on his chest. "Have you always been this weak or is this a new development?"
"I'm not weak, you've just become freakishly strong and heavy. Get off me before you crush me."
"OOPS. Sorry mate." He jumped up and held out his hand to help Ron up. They turned to sit down again but found that everybody had woken up and was staring open mouthed at Harry. Ginny, Mrs. Weasley and Hermione's mother were laughing at the little show the two friends had just put on. Harry smiled jovially.
"Hello. Sorry to wake you. Ron here got a little carried away with his temper there." Mr. Weasley got up and gave Harry a fatherly hug.
"We've been worried sick about you Harry. I'm so glad you're here for Ron and Hermione now. Did they tell you that they're naming their son after you?" Harry decided to feign surprise. It wasn't hard since tears always threatened to come when he thought about it.
"No, they didn't tell me." Right on cue, a tear ran down his face. He turned to face Ron. "I...I really haven't a clue what to say. Thank you." Ron smiled.
"No problem mate. It just seemed right to name him that." The next twenty minutes were spent speaking with the other Weasley's. Ron paced about the room the entire time mumbling under his breath about Hermione. Finally a doctor walked in with a broad smile on his face.
"Ron? If you'll come with me, you have a new son waiting for you." His face was crossed with the most intense look of happiness Harry had ever seen on it. After a few seconds, Ron managed to speak.
"And Hermione?"
"She's doing wonderfully. She'll wake up in about ten minutes." He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Can I take Harry with me?"
"Of course." Ron turned to Harry.
"Coming?"
"Are you sure? I can always come in later."
"No you'll come in now. I want to share this with you." Ron said so firmly that Harry found no other option. He didn't mind but he thought that Ron would have wanted to be alone with his new family for a few minutes. The pair followed the doctor along two long hallways before coming to the room where Hermione lay sleeping and little Harry was being held by a nurse. The nurse turned as she heard them enter. She crossed to Ron and placed a bundle of blankets in his arms. The doctor and nurse left and closed the door behind them.
Harry watched as Ron looked adoringly into the blankets. A tear dripped down his face and he began speaking softly to the little baby.
"Hey, I'm your daddy. As long as I'm around, nothing will ever happen to you." A small hand popped out of the blankets and wrapped around Ron's offered finger. A small laugh escaped Ron's lips and he bent down and kissed his son on the forehead. He rocked him a bit more before handing the bundle over to Harry.
He finally got his first look at his friend's baby. He had a tuft of light red hair with hints of brown. His eyes were blue like Ron's but he figured they might change since most baby's eyes were blue. Harry could see a definite resemblance to Ron. Harry smiled down at Harry JR. and then looked at Ron.
"He's beautiful." Ron smiled back at Harry and nearly jumped out of his skin as a small voice met their ears.
"Can I see how beautiful my baby is?" Harry walked to Hermione and laid the baby in her arms and adjusted the bed so she was in a sitting position. Hermione's tears ran freely down her face as she looked at her son for the first time.
Thirty minutes later, Ron and Harry were seated on either side of Hermione. Harry was starting to feel uncomfortable being there.
"Er-I'll just be heading back to the waiting room."
"No Harry! We want you here!" exclaimed Hermione.
"No 'Mione. You two do need to be alone with your son for a bit. I'll see you later." Hermione's voice became strangled as she began to speak again.
"Harry. How come I get the feeling that if you walk out right now that I won't see you for a long time again?"
"'Mione, you know I'm not going anywhere. I live here again, I have a job, I'm not about to leave again. I am just going to the waiting room. I'll come back in here in a little while. All right?"
"Fine, but you better be here in a while."
"I promise." He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. He put a hand on Ron's shoulder and left the room. As he was walking to the front, he saw the elevator opening. His face immediately dropped and he turned to the nurse.
"Honestly, does this hospital have any security at all?"
"Um, yes. But they aren't doing a very good job tonight are they?"
"I would say not." Flashes started going off in his face.
"Mr. Potter! Mr. Potter! Where have you been all these years? Is it true you killed You Know Who?" Harry waved them all off with his hand.
"I have no comment right now." He wearily pushed his way through the crowd. When he got through, he started at a run, fully aware of the reporters running along behind him. He flew into the waiting room; once again startling the people inside. Leaning against the closed door he wiped his sweaty brow.
"I've been spotted. And they tipped the press. Damned reporters. They're like vultures. I swear this hospital has no security! How in the world do they manage to function with the press in and out of here so often? It's completely ridiculous." Ginny looked at him suspiciously.
"Deja vu." she said simply.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, it's just that the same thing happened earlier tonight with James. He said the same thing you just did."
"Oh, its true all the same. I hate being in the media. What did I expect though when I came here again?" Harry sat in his spot next to Ginny and they began berating him with questions about the baby. After a while, all fell silent again. Harry stared through the blinds and caught glimpses of reporters trying to see in. To his left he felt eyes staring him down. Turning, he saw Ginny looking at him funny.
"What?"
"Nothing its just that...you and James are so much alike. Looks, personality. It's almost like you are brothers or twins."
"Oh well there are people who say that everybody has a twin out there. I guess you found mine." He smiled devilishly at her. "Couldn't stand being away from me for so long so you went and found yourself a duplicate did ya?" She punched him playfully. "It's all right Gin. I wish I would have been as lucky as you and found your duplicate." They smiled shyly at each other while Ginny turned a deep red colour. Harry finally looked down when Ginny looked down and started twirling her hair around her finger. Neither one noticed the sad smiles that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchanged.
They both thought highly of their only daughter and felt only one man was fit for her. And that man was Harry Potter. They had always expected them to get together. Not that they hadn't taken a liking to James Newark; no man could replace Harry. There was a knock at the door and a nurse squeezed in.
"Sorry to interrupt. This came a minute ago for Harry Potter." She handed him a letter written in red ink. His heart dropped but he smiled at the nurse and thanked her. She smiled shyly and went to fight the sea of reporters outside. He opened the letter hastily and took in the same stationery as before.
Dear Harry Potter,
Very clever move, coming out as yourself. People will stop suspecting James for being you Harry. Why don't you have a little chat with the reporters outside that door?
He folded up the letter completely baffled. What kind of threat was that? There was something fishy going on. His confusion must have showed on his face.
"Is there something wrong Harry?" asked George.
"No, everything's fine. Just a bit unclear about a few things. It was just a letter from Sirius. I'll just talk to him later about it."
"Oh has Sirius known where you've been all this time?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"No, but he's the one who found me a couple months ago."
"And you haven't come out until now?" Ginny asked baffled.
"Pretty much. He's been telling me everything that's been going on. He somehow heard that Hermione went into labour tonight so he called me and told me to make up my mind."
"So, where exactly did he find you? You still haven't told us where you've been all this time." said Charlie.
"Oh, I have been in New York. I've been living in Manhattan. There's a little wizarding part of it that I've been going to and lived." It wasn't a complete lie. When he had first left England, he had gone to New York right away and did live in Manhattan. "They had to rebuild the wizarding part though after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. Some shops were in there and were completely destroyed." (A/N: I'm going by the assumption that Harry graduated from Hogwarts in 1998 and so the current year in this story would be 2003.)
"Oh were you there?" In fact he had been there with Steve. They had been on vacation together and were just a few blocks down the road when the first plane hit.
"Yeah. I was there. Just a few blocks away when it happened. I've seen a lot of horrible things and I'll tell you that that is near the top of the list as the worst. Probably third on my list." Harry shuddered. Ginny tentatively took his hand.
"You don't have to answer, but what are the worst things?"
Harry swallowed loudly. "Er-I fell into a Pensieve once. The first memory was of the night my parents died. I saw Voldemort kill my dad and then my mum. And when he tried to kill me. It was...the most sickening thing I ever saw. They..." his voice started to go down to a whisper.
"Who's pensieve was it?"
"Lucius Malfoy's. He was with Voldemort the entire time."
"What is the other thing?"
"When I....when I killed Voldemort. I didn't know that....I didn't know I was capable of such hatred to do that to a person. Even though that's not what he really was. It was like I wasn't really me anymore. Like someone else took over my body and controlled what I did..." he took a deep shuddering breath. Why was he talking like this? He didn't want to talk about it. He didn't realise he was crying until Mrs. Weasley had him wrapped up in her arms.
"Harry, I knew you would be having trouble dealing with all this. I wish I could have been there for you. Well, I can be now. You always know where to find me dear. You know I have always considered you like another son. Don't hesitate to come to me."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." he mumbled into her shoulder.
"Call me Molly and call Arthur by his first name. You're not a child anymore."
"OK." She pulled away from him and smoothed his hair away from his face. Harry sat back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. Everybody was silent for a long while and some were starting to fall back to sleep. They were jerked awake however by the reporters outside the door starting to make a lot of noise. Harry sighed and got up to tell them off.
"This is a maternity ward. I suggest you keep it down for the babies and new mothers. Nurse, could you call..." he never got his words out because directly in front of him a blinding flash went before his eyes and he felt a cool mist being squirted onto his face. The smell of the mist was intoxicating. It suffocated him, making him dizzy. From far away he heard somebody calling out his name. He felt himself falling to the floor before everything went black.
A/N: How's that for a cliff-hanger? I sure am being mean to you. The last couple chapters have had cliff-hangers. So please please review!!! I would really appreciate it. I can't believe that I've gotten so many good reviews already. It makes me so happy! *Wipes tear from face* :) Just kidding. Oh and somebody asked who the letters were from. Sorry if that wasn't clear to everybody. But they are from Death Eaters who have gotten out of going to Azkaban. Next Chapter:You'll find out what the heck is going on with Harry. Hmmm. Should I say anything else? I don't think so. It would give away too much. OK, just so everyone knows; this is a WIP (Work In Progress) I only have about 6 and a half chapters written. So Chapter six will most likely be out by tomorrow. While I'm not sure on Chapter 7 because I have gotten the dreaded writers block! I know what's going to happen in the story but it's just getting there that's the problem!! So I think I've said enough. Please Review!