Chapter 21 - Coming Home

Hermione made her way quietly to the front door and opened it slowly.

"Harry," she breathed before throwing her arms around her husband's neck and letting out a small sob.

"I am so sorry. I was an idiot. Can you ever forgive me?" Harry clung to his wife, punctuating each sentence with a kiss.

"It doesn't matter. None of that matters. I'm just so glad you came." Hermione said returning his kiss. She felt as if it had been much longer than a day since she had last held him. "Come in, everyone will be so glad to see you."

He hesitated. "What's the matter?" She asked.

"It's been a long time," he said quietly.

Hermione immediately understood his hesitation. She too had been concerned with how the Weasley's might react to their return, but the remembrance of what they had been to each other made her forget her doubts.

"It'll be ok," she said taking his hand. Together they walked into the kitchen. All the Weasley's had regained their seats around the table, though no one was eating.

Simultaneously they all looked to see Hermione enter with Harry. Despite their current circumstances, they all beamed when they saw him. Ginny rushed forward and embraced him, followed by the twins and Bill. Harry smiled and hugged everyone in turn exchanging small words of greeting.

Ron hung back, waiting. When everyone had hugged and greeted Harry, they parted allowing the two old friends to see each other. Hermione tensed unsure if either of them were up for this meeting at the moment. She knew there was much to say between the three of them. There had been two years of strained letters and cancellations of visits and there was bound to be some tension, but she hoped both boys realized that now was not the time to address that.

"About time you got here," said Ron seriously.

"Yeah, it is," said Harry equally serious.

Hermione gave a small push on the small of Harry's back that no one but himself noticed.

"It's good to see you, Ron," said Harry, stepping forward and extending his hand.

Ron looked at him indecisively before stepping forward and embracing his oldest and closest friend. They didn't exchange any more words. For now, no more words were necessary.

Eventually the entire group ended up in the Weasley's living room, and Harry couldn't help smiling, remembering the time he had spent in this room with all these people.

None of the Weasley's were too keen on the idea of talking about why they were all together again. The subject was still too painful to be talked about in the open air of day. Instead, they preferred questioning Hermione and Harry on their lives.

"So what have the two of you been doing as far as work goes?" Asked Bill.

"Well actually," began Hermione. "I've been in school. There's a wizarding university a town away from us. I just finished my first semester."

"Are you going back to school once the baby comes?" Asked Ginny.

Hermione gave a side-long glance at Harry.

"We haven't exactly worked all of that out yet," answered Harry honestly.

"Why? Do you want her to give up school and stay home and be a mother," asked Ron evenly. There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Actually," said Hermione carefully, taking Harry's hand and feeling the tension in it. "Harry wants me to go back to school and he wants to stay home with the baby."

Fred and George snickered. "What, do you want to be Mr. Mom, Harry?" Fred asked.

Harry laughed. "Hardly. It's just that one of us has to stay home with him and I know how much Hermione loves school. It might be tight for a while, but I still have some of my inheritance left. If we're careful, it could get us through a year."

"But then you'd have to give up your job and you love it," interrupted Hermione.

Harry turned to her and said quietly. "Not as much as I love you and him."

Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand affectionately. Ginny beamed at her friends and Bill, George, and Fred looked as if they either wanted to laugh or gag. Ron kept his expression carefully controlled.

"At any rate," continued Harry with a sigh. "We still have a lot to work out."

"Better work it out quick," said George. "Hermione looks as if she's about to pop any day."

Harry patted his wife's swollen stomach. "Her doctor said that some women carry a little larger than others, but I have to admit that we both thought we were having twins more than once. We're not," said Harry quickly seeing the twins excited faces.

"Damn," said Fred. "There's so much we could have taught them."

Hermione clutched her stomach in horror. "God forbid," she said and everyone laughed.

When the laughter had subsided, Bill caught Harry gazing up the stairway that led to their parent's room.

"Did you want to go up and see mom and dad, Harry?" He asked.


"Oh," blushed Harry, embarrassed at having been so obvious. "That's ok. I don't want to be in the way."

Bill stood up. "You couldn't be. Come on," he said beckoning him forward. "You might be just the thing mom needs."

Harry nodded and allowed Bill to lead him upstairs. When they were out of earshot of the others, Harry asked the question he had been afraid to ask downstairs.

"Bill, before we go in, can I talk to you, privately?"

"Of course," said Bill immediately. "Do you want to talk in my room?"

"Sure," said Harry and they slipped into Bill's empty room.

"What is it, Harry," asked Bill.

"Voldemort," said Harry and was pleasantly surprised to see that Bill didn't even flinch. "I want to know how strong he is."

Bill regarded Harry seriously. "I won't lie," he began. "The number of his followers has grown since you left. Our side is holding on and we're always making inroads, but we're also losing ground. I guess I would say that we're at a temporary stalemate."

"Temporary? Do you anticipate that either side will get the advantage?"

"Eventually," said Bill. And he continued before Harry could ask. "It all depends on how many of the other side one of us can kill."

Harry looked at him sharply. "Is it at that, then? It can't be so simple. Surely Dumbledore has some plan."

Bill didn't answer.

"Bill?" Prompted Harry.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I can't. You're not a member of the Order."

The words, which were not meant as an insult, stung even so. "I know this may sound selfish, but I have to know." Harry paused. "How much danger is Hermione in being here?"

"Danger? Hermione?"

"Yes, the last thing that happened before we left was Voldemort trying to kill her, because of me. Will my wife still be a target?"

"We're all targets, Harry. No one is safe."

Harry nodded.

"Look at Percy," said Bill quietly. "He wasn't doing anything. The attack on the Ministry was just a show of power. Something Voldemort did to strike fear into our people. Percy wasn't a member of the Order. He wasn't actively fighting. If anything, Fudge has had all his people doing as much as they can to hide the truth. Fudge believes that as long as life continues on as normally as possible, the Death Eaters will just go away. Meanwhile," he continued his voice full of bitterness. "More and more people are dying every month. We're in the middle of a war, Harry. When was the last time anyone was safe in a war?"

"I didn't want her to come," said Harry quietly.

"Look, mom and dad came to love you and Hermione just as if you were one of us. Which means, you guys are a part of our family. We're not going to let anything happen to Hermione or you."

Harry smiled appreciatively. "I know. It's just that I'm this close to having everything I've always wanted. I guess I can't help but feel that something's going to go very wrong."

"The funerals tomorrow, There will be plenty of Order members around. Trust me, Harry. Nothing will happen."

Harry nodded. "I think I'd like to see your parents now."

"Sure," smiled Bill, putting his arm around Harry in a brotherly sort of way.

Bill led Harry to his parent's room and knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," called Mr. Weasley. Bill opened the door and stuck his head in. "Someone's here to see you both," he said.

"Charlie?" Asked Mrs. Weasley, sitting up in bed.

Harry walked in. "Not Charlie, sorry."

"Harry," exclaimed both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Weasley got off the bed and pulled Harry into a bear hug. "It's so good to see you, son," choked Mr. Weasley. He released him after a few seconds and Harry went over to Mrs. Weasley.

He stood before her like a repentant child, knowing that he owed her so much better than he had given in the last two years. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for everything, for her son, for leaving, for not coming back the second he had heard. But Mrs. Weasley didn't care about any of that. She merely opened her arms and welcomed him home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That night, when everyone had finally fallen into an exhausted sleep, Harry and Hermione lay awake in Ron's bed. Ron was bunking with Bill.

"I'm so proud of you for coming," said Hermione softly.

"I was just being an idiot," said Harry.

"You've said that already," she smiled.

"It bears repeating."

"It doesn't matter. The point is you're here."

"And I'm not going anywhere," he said tightening his hold on her. They lay silently for awhile. Harry stroked Hermione's belly feeling their son stirring. "The little one's awake," said Harry.

"You don't have to tell me," said Hermione, running her hands over the baby's movement. "I'll never get any sleep tonight," she sighed.

Harry put his mouth to her belly. "Go to bed. Your mother needs her rest."

Hermione giggled and waited. After a few seconds she turned seriously to Harry. "I think we're going to have a very rebellious child."

Harry laughed. "Just as long as he's nothing like us. Imagine the trauma we'll go through if he gets into half the scrapes we did."

"Yes, and if he wants to play Quidditch," Hermione shuddered.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with a little Quidditch. It'll make a man out of him."

"But I don't want him to be a man. I want him to be my baby for as long as possible."

"Oh God. You're going to coddle him, aren't you?"

"No," Hermione protested, smiling. "Not too much, at least."

Harry kissed her forehead. "You're going to be a wonderful mother."

She smiled. "And you're going to be a fabulous father."

They lay quietly in each other's arms. "Do you know when the last time I saw Percy was?" Asked Harry quietly.

"No," replied Hermione turning so she was looking in his eyes. "When?"

"That night. The night you were kidnapped."

"What? You never told me Percy was there," said Hermione quietly. In truth, they never talked about that night.

"Well he was. He came to head the investigation for the Ministry." Harry hesitated, not really want to tell Hermione all the horrible details. "We argued," he said lamely.

"Why?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I was so afraid when I didn't find you in that cabin and I thought he wasn't taking your disappearance seriously enough.?"

Hermione scrutinized him. "Harry, my dear husband, you forget that I can tell when you're hiding something from me. What aren't you saying?"

"All right. The truth is, well you know how Percy was, so ambitious. He saw your disappearance as a way to bolster Fudge's position against Dumbledore. I overheard him talking and just about lost my mind with rage. We fought and I called him, well it wasn't nice, anyway I think I've hated him for what he did ever since."

"Oh Harry," whispered Hermione.

"I don't now. He was young and stupid. I don't feel that way anymore. I just wish I could have told him, before."

"I know. Believe me all the Weasley's are feeling the same thing. I don't know that they'll ever get over this. It would be one thing if Percy and the rest of them had made up, but..." she trailed off.

"I know," said Harry. "It can't be easy to let go of someone when there is so much unfinished business."

"Percy's death has made me realize something, Harry."

He waited knowing what was coming.

"Please don't be mad, but I want to stay here, at least for a little while. I want to see my parents and I want our baby to be born here." She rushed on before he could interrupt. "I'm not saying we have to move back here, although I think we should at least think about it. But at the very least, I want our son to know where he comes from."

"I know," said Harry quietly. "I knew if we ever came back, it would be that much harder to leave again. I'm not saying that I want to stay permanently. But when I saw Mrs. Weasley today, I just knew this wasn't going to be a short term visit."

Hermione smiled sadly. "I know you're worried. If we're being honest with each other, I am too."

"Why don't we just take things one day at a time then," said Harry.

"I think for now, that's all we can do."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning the Weasley's house was silent as everyone got ready for the funeral. Hermione helped Harry straighten his tie and adjusted his robes so they fell evenly. "I forgot how handsome you looked in robes," she said softly.

Harry smiled and kissed her softly. "How did I get this lucky?"

"I have no idea."

Harry smacked her playfully on the shoulder then pulled her into a kiss. "I love you," he whispered.

Hermione smiled and gave his robes one last brush. "Ready?"

He nodded.

She squirmed uncomfortably. "These robes are too small on me," she complained. Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a quick spell. Instantly Hermione's robes loosened around her middle.

"Thanks," she smiled.

"Anytime," he replied linking his arm around his wife.

They joined the Weasley men downstairs. Charlie had arrived very late the night before. "Ginny's still helping mom get ready," whispered Ron to Hermione and Harry.

"Should I go up and help?" Asked Hermione quietly.

"No that's ok. They'll be down in a minute," said Ron. Right on cue, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley came downstairs. Mrs. Weasley hadn't seen the downstairs of the house in several days. Hermione was sad to see that despite having been in bed nearly the entire time, Mrs. Weasley looked as if she hadn't had a moment's peaceful sleep.

Mr. Weasley stood and surveyed his brood. "Let's get going," he said quietly.

Everyone stood and filed out of the house. There were three taxi's waiting to take them to the cemetery. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny squeezed into the back of one cab. They were so tight, Ginny had to practically sit on her brother's lap. They rode in silence all the way to the cemetery.

The funeral seemed somewhat surreal to Harry. He couldn't quite believe that Percy was really gone. He half expected him to show up, take a seat next to him and give him an excruciatingly boring report about the recent inflation of the galleon.

For the most part, all the Weasley's held up pretty well. Although Mrs. Weasley cried the entire time and Mr. Weasley maintained a lost unbelieving stare. Harry couldn't imagine what they were going through. Even though he had lost his parents and Sirius and Remus, somehow he knew that losing his child would make that pain seem mild in comparison.

He couldn't help remembering back to fourth year and having to sit with Mr. And Mrs. Diggory and relate how their son had died. His heart constricted and then swelled with indignation. He couldn't help feeling how unfair it was for so many people to have their lives cut off too soon.

After the funeral, there was a small reception at the Weasley's home.

Harry watched Hermione like a hawk. Everyone was happy, or at least as happy as they could be considering the circumstances, to see that they were back, but Harry tried his best to disappear. He was still, after all these years, uncomfortable in the lime light. Hermione's size made it a bit prohibitive to just disappear and Harry worried that she would get tired.

After about an hour of standing and smiling, Harry could tell she was getting tired. He walked up behind her quietly while she was talking to one of Percy's co-workers.

"Excuse me, I need to steal my wife for a second."

Hermione followed him wordlessly into the next room. "What's up," she asked.

"You look tired," he said simply.

Hermione's lower lip quivered and she burst into tears.

"Hey, hey," he said pulling her into his arms. "It's ok. Don't cry."

"It's just so awful," she said crying into his shoulder.

"I know. Percy was too young."

"It's not just that. Harry," she said pulling away to look him in the face. "Things are really bad. Do you remember Ernie Macmillan?"

"Of course."

"His father was killed last year in an attack. And so were Hannah Abbott's aunt and uncle. And then there are a bunch of people who went missing." She dissolved into tears and couldn't continue.

"What? What is it?"

"One of the people missing is Katie Bell."

"Katie?" Said Harry in horror. "When? Why didn't Ron tell us or Ginny could have."

"I don't know. I just can't believe it. Things couldn't get much worse around here." Suddenly she pulled away angrily. "We should have been here. I should have never let you convince me to leave."

Harry stepped back as if she had physically slapped him. Immediately, Hermione felt horrible. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you're right," he said quietly.

"No, I'm not," said Hermione firmly brushing the tears off her face. "I'm just upset."

Harry nodded. "All of this isn't good for the baby. You should go upstairs and lay down."

Hermione hesitated. "If you come with me," she bargained.

Harry shook his head. "The Weasley's might need something."

"Then I'll stay too."

"No," insisted Harry. "The stress isn't good for the baby. He's your priority. Go upstairs." He kissed her on her forehead and gave her a little nudge. She looked uncertain, but knew he was right.

He watched her trudge carefully upstairs and with a sigh rejoined the rest of the guests. A couple of hours later the house had emptied and Harry and Ron were sitting in the living room exhausted.

"I'm glad that's over," said Ron.

Harry nodded. "How are you doing Ron?"

Ron threw his legs over the side of the chair he was sitting in. "I don't even know how to answer that question anymore. How am I doing? It changes from hour to hour."

"I know it's not enough, but I'm here if you need to talk or whatever."

"Yeah, for how long," said Ron bitterly.

"Oh come on, don't you start too."

"Too?"

"Forget it. I know you're angry with me. You've wanted to get this off your chest since I got here. So go ahead, Ron. Give it to me."

"Stop being so melodramatic," said Ron waving his hand dismissively. "That's always been your problem. You think everything's about you."

Harry bit the insides of his mouth, not wanting to respond angrily. He knew Ron was hurting, he remembered how that felt. He remembered feeling like his heart was going to burst and just wanting to hit somebody, just for the sake of making someone else hurt too.

"I...," Harry began, but was cut off by a knock at the door.

Ron looked toward the door in disgust. "Could you just get that and tell whoever it is to go away."

"Sure," said Harry tiredly. He pushed himself off the sofa and went to the door and opened it.

"Professor Dumbledore," said Harry in surprise when he saw who it was.

"Harry. It's good to see you again."

"Thanks. It's good to see you too." Harry stepped aside. "Come in. I'll tell Mr. Weasley you're here."

"Actually," said the older man seriously. "I've come to see you. Will you join me outside?"

Harry hesitated before stepping out into the yard and closing the door behind him. "How did you know I was here?"

"The explanation would take too long. I don't have a lot of time. I need you to come to Hogwarts tomorrow, alone."

"Why?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"There are some things you and I need to discuss."

"This isn't really a good time, sir. Maybe next week..."

"No," interrupted Dumbledore. "I wish this could wait, but it can't."

Harry looked at him curiously. "Ok. You know Hermione's here too. Should I bring her with me?"

Dumbledore smiled. "I know. I understand the two of you are expecting your first child in a couple of months."

Harry couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, a boy."

"I'm happy for you. A child can do a lot to heal a painful past."

Harry nodded. "So I should bring Hermione?"

"No. Come alone."

Harry wanted to question him further, but something in the older man's eyes told him to just accept what he was being asked to do. "Ok, I'll come tomorrow."

Dumbledore looked toward the house. "Will you tell Arthur that I will stop by and see him and Molly in a few days.

Harry nodded.

"Until tomorrow, then," said Dumbledore and with a crack he had apparated.

"Until tomorrow," said Harry quietly.