Chapter 8

            Harry appeared outside, almost where he had expected, the long distance was never going to be his forte, he could tell. He sighed, and walked around the corner, Ginny was hugging Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley was looking about anxiously. She beamed a wide smile at Harry. "Happy Christmas Harry" she said laughing and folded him into a motherly hug "and welcome home."

            Harry hugged her back, knowing she was right. He was home. "Thanks Mrs. Weasley."

            Mr. Weasley pumped his arm and placed another 'round his shoulders. "Come on in! Come in! There's hot tea in the kitchen, and we are off to get the twins."

            "Where's Ron?" Mrs. Weasley asked anxiously.

            "Saying goodbye to Hermione, I'm afraid you may need to wait a bit." Ginny said.

            Molly's eyebrows shot up "Oh? Anything I should know then?"

            "A few things Mum, for one Harry and I are engaged, and I believe Ron will most likely ask Hermione over Christmas." Ginny beamed at her mother and removed her mitten to show Molly the ring.

            "I – I need to sit." Arthur and Ginny helped Molly into the house and sat her down. "You – you are only fourteen!"

            "Mum, no. I'm twenty, and besides it's not like we are married. We are engaged."

            "For quite some time, I might add." Harry added, placing his arm around Ginny's waist.

            Molly looked to Arthur, who appeared quite stricken. Wordlessly, he nodded, seeming to know what Molly wanted. "Harry, d'you have a moment, son?"

            Harry looked slightly panic stricken, but nodded. He smiled weakly at Ginny, "Well then, tea anyone?" and followed Arthur into the kitchen.

            Arthur was setting cups on the table, and seemed to be in deep thought. "Blast, the water's gone cold." He murmured to himself.

            Harry watched him pat his pockets looking for his wand, and smiled as he removed his own, and cast a heating charm on the pot.

            Arthur watched all this with bemusement. "Yes, well, that will do just fine. Now, Harry, d'you think you could bring down the tea?"

            Harry nodded and summoned the container of tea, and went about filling the strainer with the loose leaves. Arthur seemed to be occupied with something.

            "Harry, please sit." He gestured to a chair and Harry sat down looking to Arthur expectantly.

            "Now Harry, I – I know under normal circumstances that your parents would have had a chat with you by now, but, well I mean we all know that they couldn't. So, I – I mean Molly and I decided that we should have this talk with you."

            He looked up to see a somewhat bemused look on Harry's face, and something crossed his mind. "You have had this talk then?"

            "Oh depends on the version, but I am pretty sure I have."

            "Oh, of course, Sirius would have talked to you." Arthur's face showed signs of obvious relief.

            "Well, yes, but honestly, Sirius is hardly a good example to follow. He mostly talked about ways to not get caught." Harry said taking the strainer to the pot.

            Arthur's face drained slightly of color. Oh I am so going to enjoy this. Harry thought smiling to himself. "Of course Professor Dumbledore had something to say too, but it was mostly confusing."

            Harry was watching Arthur out of the corner of his eye, "So we asked Madame Pomfrey, and she gave us some excellent charms to use." Arthur's color has vanished.

            "And then Remus Lupin added his two Knuts, and personally, I think that Remus and Sirius had their talk from the same person, who I am certain was my father."

            "Bu – You didn't actually do anything?" Arthur was looking a bit more relieved.

            "Mr. Weasley, I'm going to be quite frank about this. Ginny and I are engaged and yes we have been intimate, however we have been exceptionally careful, and we both intend on spending a lifetime together." Harry checked the temperature of the water, and satisfied with the contents began pouring the tea into the service that Arthur took down.

            "Per – perhaps we should have Molly and Ginny join us." Arthur stood to call the two of them in.

            Harry stifled a laugh, as Arthur walked opened the door to find his wife and daughter laughing and carrying on like school children. "Tea is ready, and I think we are ready for the two of you."

            The two women followed Arthur back into the kitchen, and Molly turned to Arthur, "Are you ok dear? How did your talk go?"

            "Fi – fine Molly, but I fear it was a bit late."

            Molly smiled broadly, and winked at Harry "I know, Ginny told me all about it, while I am not pleased, I am sure that the two of them will behave themselves. After all they are legally adults; we really have no say in the matter Arthur."

            Arthur looked at his wife in mild surprise. He had expected Molly to be shocked and throw a fit. But here she was being quite logical about the whole thing. "ho are you, and what have you done with my wife?"

            Molly scowled and slapped him on the arm. "Come on Arthur we are going to be late getting Fred and George. Knowing those two, King's Cross will never be the same."

            Just then Ron came through the back door, "Lo, sorry I'm late, I – I ah, just wanted to makes sure everyone was off safely."

            Arthur looked at Harry, "Yes, well we must be off."

            Molly and Arthur vanished just then, with the clock showing them as 'Dangerously Close To Late'.

Ron sat and sipped some tea. "I don't want to be here right now." He stood and vanished.

Harry smiled at Ginny. "Well, that went better than planned."

"Dad's an easy-going wizard, I'm sure it was just a shock with you being casual about everything."

"Oh there is nothing casual about…"

"About what Harry?" came a male voice from behind him, sounding cool, yet poised.

Harry whirled around and found himself staring at Bill's wand. "Now, Harry I'm sure you were about to compliment my sister and I'm sure it wasn't for anything inappropriate?"

Think fast Potter, this is not Ron or the twins. "Yes, actually Bill, I was about to tell your sister, my fiancée, that there is nothing casual about my feelings for her."

The wand vanished, and Bill grabbed Harry's hand and began shaking it "Welcome to the family Harry, this is terrific news!" his voice was warm and friendly as ever. "It's nice to have the second-best seeker Hogwarts has seen in the family."

Harry smiled at Bill. "Naw, you've always been part of the family Bill, now the best seeker is joining too."

The three laughed and Bill sat down taking a cup of the tea. "Where's Ron?"

"The Grangers I reckon." Ginny said. "He actually made it fifteen minutes before Disapparating there."

"So little Ron has a girlfriend." Bill looked smug.

"Ron's not so little anymore you know." Ginny replied looking earnestly at her brother.

"Yeah, Dumbledore warned us all. Though to be honest, while Harry's grown quite a bit, you are not much different than before."  Harry choked on his tea. "Something on your mind Mr. Potter?" Bill asked looking at Harry's red face.

"Aaaah, no." Harry was mopping up the spill, and pouring himself another cup of tea.

Bill looked at Ginny again taking in young woman she had become. So what had elicited… Oh no, not Ginny. He turned to look at Harry his eyes darkening slightly. "So Harry, how long have you and Ginny been dating then?"

Harry looked at Bill and they locked glares. "Since the end of last year. Ginny kept me company in the hospital after the Tri-Wizard affair." Unbidden the images fleeting past over his mind's eye, giving him a haunted look, that passed as rapidly as it had come.

Bill watched this with interest. "So Harry, I'm glad to see you have recovered from the incident with Cedric Diggory." He watched Harry carefully looking for something.

This time the incident came back full force, Harry watched everything in agonizing detail. A soft voice broke him out of the memory. "Bill, stop it."

He felt a pair of arms wrap around him in a comforting embrace. He felt out and could tell the woman holding him was Ginny. He relaxed into her, and let the memory fade. Whatever Bill had been looking for he had found it. He stood then, and walked towards the living room. "See you both then. Harry, when you have a moment, I'd like to talk to you; alone."

"Well it seems I have caught the attention of your brother then." Harry muttered staring at the door Bill had closed behind him.

"You needn't deal with this alone Harry." Ginny said still holding him. Her voice was so comforting when he could feel it vibrate in her chest against his cheek.

Harry shook himself mentally, and stood, kissing Ginny softly. "I'll catch you up in a while love. I need to talk to Bill."

He found Bill in the living room looking over his Firebolt. "Ok Bill, what can I do for you?"

Bill picked up his own broom and handed Harry's to him. "Come flying Harry. I always feel more myself when I can fly."

Harry had to agree, flying was the one thing about being a wizard that had truly defined him. No spell, potion or monstrous being compared to the simplicity of flight on a broom for him.

His hands closed over the handle of his broom, and he smiled and nodded to Bill. "Ok, yeah. Let's fly."

They kicked off and for several minutes they just flew, Harry saw a familiar look in Bill's eyes. The wild abandon and sheer joy of flying was evident in his face. Ginny's right, Bill and I are a lot alike. He let his mind wander, and his thoughts cleared up.

"Are you sleeping with her?" The question came out of nowhere.

Oh god, now what do I say. I need Ginny's help. Harry panicked, and searched his mind for a clue. "Well that's a hell of a way to start a conversation."

"I asked you a question Harry. Are you sleeping with Ginny? It's simple, requires a mere yes or no as an answer." His voice was calm; on the other hand Bill was a curse breaker, and a damn good one at that.

"Yes Bill. I am." Harry was amazed at two things: first he had admitted this to Bill, and second he had done it with a complete lack of shame or embarrassment.

"I see, and is that why you are marrying her?"

Harry stopped his broom, and turned to glare at Bill. "If you have an issue with this Bill, let's settle this once and for all. No one in this entire world cares for me like Ginny does; no one. I have no idea what I did to deserve her, but whatever happened to cause it, I for one am bloody grateful. She is everything to me, and nothing, and no one is going to stand between us." His eyes had become hard and cutting, "that, Bill includes you." He turned his broom to the house and landed.

He was just dismounting when he felt Bill land beside him. "Good answer Potter; very good answer." He also dismounted the broom and preceded Harry into the house.

Ginny walked downstairs dressed in muggle jeans, and a jumper a few minutes after Harry and Bill entered the house. "Harry, please go change, and let's take a walk to Ottery St. Catchpole. I have a few things I need to pick up." Harry smiled at her, and headed upstairs to change. As he was heading to his room, he heard Ginny's voice "So William what did you and Harry talk about?" Her voice was icy cold; Harry shuddered and climbed to his room to change.

He gave the siblings a bit of time, and made his way rather noisily down the stairs, and met with a somewhat disturbing sight. Ginny and Bill were glaring at one another, and Molly and Arthur were refereeing. Harry sat on the last steps and watched the ruckus. Oddly enough Molly was the one attempting to calm Bill, and Arthur was talking in low tones to his daughter.

In the midst of this, Harry saw Ron pop in looking like the cat that ate the canary. He took one look around and settled in next to Harry. "So mate, looks like Ginny and Bill are bloody brassed off at one another. Do I want to know why?"

Harry grinned lopsidedly at Ron. "I highly doubt it; do you want to talk about where you've been for the last couple of hours?"

"Nope, not at all." Ron and Harry had come to the perfect solution. They didn't talk about It. 'It' being Harry's relationship with Ginny, and Ron's relationship with Hermione. By mutual consensus, the topic was forbidden, and they simply didn't talk about 'It' at all. As much as it frustrated the women, the two men found this to be a completely amiable compromise.

"So, you two are in muggle clothes. Are you walking into town then?" Ron asked him.

"Yeah, Ginny needs a few things, and reckoned the walk would be nice."

Ron nodded "Well, I'm off to kip a bit, Herm- Disapparating kind of wore me out." Ron stood and headed upstairs to his room.

            Harry suppressed a chuckle and watched his friend ascend the stairs before turning his attention back to the thick of the 'discussion' in front of him. He amused himself by transfiguring his cloak into a parka.

            Finally he stood and cleared his throat handing Ginny her cloak, "Shall we then Gin?" She smiled weakly at him, and they headed out the door leaving Molly and Arthur talking to Bill.

            Then first half of their walk was mostly Ginny spouting off about Bill, and finally just outside the small village, her hand slid into his. They walked about the town making purchases here and there, and talking to themselves.

            They had their parcels in hand and walking up to the house, when Ginny tugged on Harry's arm and when he turned to see what she needed she kissed him softly. "Thank you for listening and well, just being you."

            Harry smiled at her, and they walked into The Burrow.

            Bill was sitting in a chair thoughtfully reading a book, and Arthur beckoned to Harry and Ginny. They went into the kitchen where Molly sat with a plate of sandwiches and tea laid out for four.

            Arthur locked the doors and cast a silencing charm on the room. "So, we have a bit of a discussion to complete I believe."

            Harry steeled himself he was going to have to actually do it this time, and have 'The Talk' with his future in-laws. He fixed a charming smile on his face and sat down, "I believe you are right Mr. Weasley."

            Several hours later Harry felt drained, and somewhat claustrophobic, he had planned on purchasing some gifts, and excused himself "I need to go to Diagon Alley for a few hours." Ginny brightened. "Alone." Disappointment was painfully obvious on her face.  He smiled and kissed her softly. "It'll only be for a bit love, I just have some shopping to do."

            She grinned at him, and held him close "Stay safe Harry Potter, I can't lose you now."

            He grinned, "Like it'd be that easy to get rid of me then?" She punched him playfully on the arm as he grabbed his cloak. "I'll be back shortly."

            Ginny watched him vanish. "It's hard to see him go, isn't it?" Her mother's voice came through to her.

            "Yes, dreadfully; I'm always afraid he's going to get hurt, or worse never come back."

            "He'll always come back to you Ginny." Ron stood in the doorway grinning, spinning his wand. "Oh, dad, you really need to do a better job on your locking charms."

            "How do you know Ron?" Ginny looked at her brother curiously. "You seem to know something."

            "It's simple really," he shrugged heading towards the sandwiches and tea, "nothing could prevent me from getting back to Hermione, and I know Harry feels the same way about you."

            "But what if he were killed?"

            Ron looked at her with an intensity she had only seen in Harry's eyes before. "Nothing Ginny." He walked into the living room balancing a stack or sandwiches on his teacup.

            Her breath caught in her throat. Deep inside her she knew that Ron was right, and she'd come back even from death to be with Harry if there were any way at all.

            Charlie was due in in a few hours, so she went upstairs to change from the warm clothes to her comfortable sweats and wait for the arrival of her last two brothers. "When are we selecting the tree then?"

            "Once everyone has rested up, tomorrow morning." Arthur said. "I have picked out a few, and we'll go make a selection tomorrow morning."

            The twins grinned mischievously, making the tree spectacular is something they did every year, and Ginny was eagerly anticipating the look.

            Diagon Alley was full of people shopping; Harry however had something planned for a while. He walked into Gringott's. "I'd like to see someone about making a transfer."

            "Do you know the vault number then Mr. Potter?" The goblin asked after taking down the information.

            Harry opened a small piece of parchment, and read off the Weasleys vault number. The goblin looked up and then asked Harry a question that floored him. "From which account Mr. Potter?"

            "What do you mean, which account?" he was perplexed.

            "Well, there is your trust account, your parent's account, and the Potter Family account. Since you are obviously of age, as the sole inheritor of the Potter Estate, and Lily and James Potter, the accounts are yours now."

            "How much is in the accounts?" the Goblin shuffled some paperwork around, and grumbling made a few calculations. "If you convert the coins, and add the current value of the bonds the sum worth is seven million four hundred fifty seven thousand eight hundred twelve Galleons four Sickles and one Knut."

            Harry sat down hard, disappearing from view from the Goblin, and barely heard "This does not take into account the property, which is valued at eight million Galleons."

            "Property?" Harry clambered up and looked at the goblin. "What property?"

            "As I said; the Potter estate. Young people never listen." The goblin chuffed. "I assumed you were here to get this transferred to your name legally, am I correct?"

            "Yes, please." The goblin picked up the papers and motioned for a guard. "Griphook! Take Mr. Potter to the legal department, he needs to sign for his estate."

            Griphook took Harry into the back rooms and through corridors until they reached a door with "Legal Department" painted neatly on the door's glass. Inside were rows and rows of secretaries.

            It was nearly two hours before Harry had managed to complete signing for his estate. Slightly dazed he walked back into the foyer with a map, and keys in his hand. "Mr. Potter!" a goblin called, Harry walked over curios. "You never finished your transaction. Which account did you want to transfer to the Weasley account?"

            "The trust account."

            "And how much of it?" The goblin asked jotting down some notes.

            "All of it." Harry said

            "Including the non-monetary contents?"

            "What non-monetary contents? No, never mind, I'll get to that later. Transfer all the money to the Weasley vault, and all other contents to the vault of my parents."

            "Very good Mr. Potter." The goblin bowed and called for Griphook, handing him the parchment. "See that Mr. Potters' requests are fulfilled Griphook."

            Harry walked out into Diagon Alley. He had much to do, and little time to do it in. He ran from shop to shop making purchases, and an hour later, laden with bags and boxes, Disapparated to the Burrow.

            Molly was about to enter the kitchen, and Harry stopped her. "Wait one minute Mrs. Weasley. I'll be right back down, and I'm taking everyone out to eat."

            He dashed upstairs dropping the packages on his bed, and running back downstairs.

            "What's this all about Harry?" Molly asked.

            "I wanted to do something nice for you all. Tonight, I'm taking you out to eat, my treat." He smiled. "Dress robes for all." Grinning he bolted back upstairs.

            Ginny's mouth was open, "He's gone mental mum."

            "Perhaps dear, perhaps…." She was smiling slightly, "then again perhaps not. I believe Mr. Potter has discovered something."

            They dressed, and met Harry in the living room; he was holding a silver platter in his hand. Eyebrows were raised at him. "Uhh, portkey." He offered it to the others who all touched it. Harry tapped his wand and they vanished.

            The restaurant was exquisite. Molly felt mildly uncomfortable in the place, but held herself with a dignity Harry had seen in few people. He did not recognize anyone in the place, but they all knew him.

            Arthur grabbed Harry's arm "Harry," he whispered in his ear "do you have any idea where we are?"

            Harry blinked and said "Merlin's Robe?"

            "Harry, this is the best restaurant in wizardling London."

            Harry nodded, that had been the point, and he had used the fire to ask Sirius the name of the best restaurant in London. "Yes Mr. Weasley, I know."

            "Harry, we can't aff.." Harry cut him off with his hand.

            "Mr. Weasley, first of all I am paying for this, you are not. Second of all, I think you'd be surprised at how much you can afford."

            Arthur was taken aback by this, and was contemplating it when they were escorted to their table.

            After dinner drinks were brought, coffee and a sweet pastry. They smiled and Harry stood to discuss something with the waiter. The waiter bowed and got the manager, bringing him back to their table.

            "Mr. Potter, I am so glad your family has opted to reacquaint yourselves with our fine establishment. Shall I send for your portkey?"

            "Yes, please."

"Where shall I have your portkey set for?" The manage asked

            "Potter Estate."

            "Indeed, yes Mr. Potter." The manager left.

            Fred and George looked at Harry "Potter Estate?"

            Molly smiled to herself. So he has found out. "Now boys, mind your manners."

            The manager returned with the platter, and bowed to Harry. "If you'll sign here, Mr. Potter, we'll arrange the payment from your vault." Harry nodded and wrote the account for his parents vault and signed the parchment. "Please, keep the portkey, with our complements. It can be used to come at any time."

            Harry smiled and accepted the platter. "Well, let's see what this estate looks like then." They all grabbed the tray and Harry activated the portkey.

            They appeared in a small veranda, obviously designed to be an Apparation point. The first thing he noticed was the garden and stone walk leading to the rather large house. The laws were meticulously maintained. He stepped out onto the walk way, and lights flared up on either side of the walkway, softly illuminating the way to the door.

            Instinctively, his hand found Ginny's and they walked carefully to the house. On the door was a rather simple knocker with the letter 'P' engraved into the plaque. He raised the brass ring and let it fall.

            Moments later the door opened, and Harry was looking into the face of an elf. "My I helps you sirs and ladies?"

            The elf appeared to be dressed in a miniature butler's uniform, and had bowed to them as he had greeted them.

            "Y-yes, I'm Harry Potter." Harry said.

The elf froze, and his looks darkened slightly. "Mr. Harry Potter is not dues here for three more years, he is being a student at Hogwarts, now please sirs and ladies, leaves before I is calling Aurors."

Harry smiled and knelt down to be face to face with the elf, and brushed his hair away from his scar.

"Mr. Harry Potter! How is this happening to you? You are older than you shoulds be!" The elf looked shocked and bowed them in.

Harry looked to the house elf, "What is your name?"

The elf blushed. "Mr. Harry Potter was too young to remembers me," the elf blushed "I is called Korv Mr. Harry Potter. I is the head house elf." He puffed his chest out importantly.

"Korv, please show me and my friends around."

"But Mr. Harry Potter, we is not prepared." The elf looked miserable. "There is dust Mr. Harry Potter, and closed rooms!" the look of panic was almost comical.

"Oh yes Mr. Harry Potter, we can't have you treading on dust." The twins mocked.

Korv looked almost ready to agree with the twins. "Korv, please the lawns look amazing, show us around."

Reluctantly he was shown around the lower floor of the manor. "How about the bedrooms Korv?"

The elf looked distraught. "Now is nots the bestest of times for that Mr. Harry Potter."

"Why not Korv?" Harry had learned much in the kitchens of Hogwarts and from Dobby.

"The Aurors sir, theys never says it is ok to clean after…"

Harry's head bolted upright, "You mean we are in Godrick's Hollow?"

"Of course Mr. Harry Potter, this is the family home of the Potters." The elf looked a bit put out.

"I had imagined, I had heard…" Harry's voice trailed off.

"Harry, I'm afraid the elf is right, this is not the best place for you to be right now." Harry turned to see Sirius in the entry way. "It's not something you need to see." His voice was soft, and caring. "You should seriously reconsider your actions right now."

"But the paperwork says the house was destroyed." He looked around at the house. "This does not look destroyed."

Sirius smiled. "Harry, this isn't where the attack was. It's not that at all. That house is a mile from here, or rather what's left of it. It's just a small cottage that James and Lily moved into while under the charm."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "So what can't I see upstairs?"

Sirius regarded Harry carefully, and lead Harry upstairs himself. They reached the top of the stairs and Sirius headed right. Harry followed him. Pictures were on these walls, some of him, some of his parents, but everywhere were images of Remus, Sirius, Peter and James growing up, obviously in Hogwarts, and finally their wedding day. Harry was shocked by the sheer number of photos.

Sirius stopped, and opened the door to a room, inside were toys meant for a small child. "It's your room Harry. What the elves mean is that your room is not ready for you it's ready for the last you to have been here."

He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder to comfort him; Harry looked like he was going into shock "It-it's my room."

The room was painted in a light blue, the ceiling had an image of the sky it was perpetually sunny, with light fluffy clouds lazily drifting along in the imagine breeze. A bay window looked out over the garden they had walked up, and on the window seat sat four stuffed animals, a deer, a wolf, a black dog, and a rat.

"You never really liked the rat, your mum said it was normal, but we used to tease Peter about it. When you went into hiding, your mum said we should leave the bulk of your toys behind."

Harry sifted through the toys, a soft plastic wand, and a toy broom that hovered only inches from the ground, stuffed animals, and blocks both of muggle and wizard make, and a tiny cauldron. He sat in the center of the room trying to remember each item. On the bookshelf were dozens of colorful books, many of them muggle in origin, many of them wizard in origin.

He wandered aimlessly in the room, and finally settled at the crib. A soft blanket lined the bottom, and another was folded neatly at the foot of the bed. He felt the material, of the blanket, trying to remember, straining for any faded memory to return.

He walked out the door and opened the room across the hall. The four poster bed was covered in a thick down comforter; soft white curtains covered the windows allowing the light in. He parted the curtains and looked over the front of the house, and was somewhat surprised to see a driveway leading to the front door.

Each cabinet on the sides of the bed had a small lamp on it, stacked on both sides is a small pile of books. A small dressing table holds a brush, and a small number of makeup items.

"You mum didn't take to makeup Harry." He heard Sirius, "hell, she didn't need any of that stuff. Lily was a natural beauty."

"I know Sirius, believe me, I know."

He spent some time wandering about the upper floors. He came to a decision rather shortly. "Korv, could you do me a favor please?"

"Of course Mr. Harry Potter, Korv is here for just those reasons." The elf bowed low to Harry.

"Ok, two things then, first stop calling me Mr. Harry Potter," the elf looked panicky "just call me Harry."

"Oh no! I-I can'ts be doing that!" the elf looked scandalized by the mere thought.

            Sirius chuckled "How about calling him Master Potter?"

            "Dammit Sirius, sod off." Harry glowered at his god father.

            "Master Potter it is." The elf looked highly pleased with himself.

            Harry sighed, resigning to get even with Sirius at another time. "Second, I'd like the bedrooms packed up, and I'd like to pick out new furnishings, this place just does not suit me."

            The elf practically vibrated with enthusiasm. "Is Master Potter moving ins?"

            "Not right away Korv, but soon I'm sure…" Harry smiled at the elf and he and Sirius headed to the stairs. "Oh, and Korv?"

            "Yes Master Potter?"

            "Make sure that all photographs stay. I'll want to go through any of the personal items my parents left behind."

            "Of course Master Potter." The elf looked longingly at Harry.

            "Thank you Korv, I think we can make do from here." The elf vanished in a puff of smoke.

            "Well, this is certainly going to take a lot of getting used to." Harry walked down the stairs and saw the Weasleys enjoying tea and biscuits in the sitting room.

            "Harry, we couldn't stop them." Fred smiled at Harry.

            "They forced us to accept tea, I swear." George nodded.

Molly nodded sadly "Those poor elves, no one to serve in fifteen years. Must have been driving them barmy."

"Well then, shall we return to The Burrow?" Harry asked.

The gathered members nodded and Arthur used a rock to create a portkey. The pull took them all to The Burrow, and the somewhat subdued groups filed into the house Harry had felt was home for so long now.

Harry went to bed that night feeling on the top of the world, he had so much to look forward to. He had his own home, a place for him, and his family. He fell asleep dreaming of moving in, and children playing around a Christmas tree.

The next morning the odd group trudged out into the snow to see the trees Arthur had chosen, it was noon before a very cold, but elated group came into the Burrow, and Arthur completed the summoning charm to bring the tree they had eventually chosen into the living room.

As they were eating, a tawny owl rapped for entrance. Molly let the owl in, and it dropped a letter for Harry, perching, obviously waiting for an answer. Harry opened the letter.

Harry James Potter,

            Allow me to introduce myself and my firm. We are the solicitors who have historically represented the Potter Estate, and I'd like to set up a meeting between you and my associates.

            I am aware that these are odd times, and there are some questions as to the validity of the claims that you have come of age. Please return owl with a time we can meet at Potter Estate to go over some paperwork. This is of the utmost importance Mr. Potter; please do not delay in returning.

Roger A. Penfield III

Solicitor

Penfield, Wolfgang, Wolfgang & Civer

            Harry blinked, and re-read the paper. Why did this bode ill? He handed the paper to Arthur wordlessly, and waited for his reply.

            "Set up the meeting for today Harry, I'll go with you." He handed Harry quill and ink.

            Harry responded that he'd meet with Mr. Penfield at three thirty at his estate, and attached the note to the owl.