Harry Potter, Heir of Gryffindor

Tears

As things began to wind down Harry glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost midnight. Oh, great, he though, Filch is going to love this. At that moment Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked over and Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a hug. "Harry dear" she said, "It's so good to see you."

Harry smiled and hesitantly patted her on the back. "It's good to see you too," he said. Then, stepping back and, motioning Mr. Weasley over, murmured, "I haven't told Ron and Ginny about our little arrangement yet. I figure Christmas will be soon enough so I hope you don't mind if I don't call you Mum and Dad just yet."

Mr. Weasley smiled. "We understand, Harry. It is, after all, on a need-to-know basis and after tonight's little demonstration we cannot help but trust your judgment on this."

"Erm . . . there's something else you should know that might complicate matters a bit," Harry said hesitantly.

"What's that, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Well," Harry said, feeling an uncomfortable tightness around his collar, "you see, . . . er . . . Ginny and I . . . well . . . uh . . . we kind of fancy each other. It's nothing serious yet. We are just getting to know each other as people right now. But I thought you should know."

A broad smile spread across Mr. Weasley's face and he burst into laughter as he clapped a hand across Harry's shoulders. "But that's wonderful, Harry. However, I must warn you. There are some things about the Weasley women that can be quite intimidating."

Mrs. Weasley scowled at her husband but before she could say anything Harry let out a sigh of relief and laughed. "I know" he said. "Boy do I know. If looks could kill I would have died five times last week alone."

This seemed to do the trick as Mrs. Weasley smiled and began to laugh as well. Then, turning serious again, she said, "When did they learn to produce a patronus?"

"Last week," Harry confessed. "I know how important it is to you that they be able to defend themselves and I figured the best way to let you know that they could do it was to have them participate in the demonstration."

Mrs. Weasley hugged him again. "Thank you," she said, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so glad you did."

Harry patted her on the back again and smiled. Looking over at Mr. Weasley he smirked and shrugged his shoulders. Tears of joy brimming from his eyes as well, Mr. Weasley stepped into the hug and said, "You have no idea, Harry. You have no idea."

Harry looked up and, seeing Charlie standing behind his parents, pulled a face and shrugged his shoulders. "Er, . . . Mum, Dad," Charlie began hesitantly, "do you mind letting him breathe so I can ask him a couple of questions?"

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley turned to look at their second oldest son and smiled through tear stained faces. Charlie stepped quickly back, clearly shocked to see his parents in tears, but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stepped aside and disappeared into the crowd. "What'd you do?" Charlie asked in awe. "I've never seen them like that before."

Harry shrugged modestly. "I just made sure they knew Ron and Ginny could defend themselves against a dementor."

"Oh," Charlie said, following his parents with his eyes. "Yeah, that dragon was something else. And Ginny's lion . . . well, let's just say I don't envy those dementors. If that lion has half the temper Ginny does they don't stand a chance."

Harry laughed nervously. "Yeah, I know."

Charlie laughed as well and then changed the subject. "Say, Harry, I was wondering if you could find some time to come to the dragon preserve to teach our people about your charm and how to do a decent patronus charm. It's not a very common talent you know and you seem to be one of the best teachers around."

Harry's face darkened. "I don't know," he said. "I'm more than willing to do it but it's the security thing that gets me. I mean, you know they're after me, Charlie. I'm safe here at Hogwarts but what am I going to do in Romania. I'm not defenseless by any means but I don't want to put you guys in any danger."

Charlie nodded. "I understand, Harry. Believe me I understand. But we need your help. If you're willing to do it I'll talk to Dumbledore and see if something can be arranged."

"Alright," Harry said. "You talk to Dumbledore and if something can be arranged I'll come."

"Good!" Charlie said and started to turn away.

"Hey, Charlie," Harry called after him, "I just though of something."

"What's that?" Charlie asked, turning back.

"How's Norbert?"

"Who?"

"Norbert, Hagrid's pet."

"Oh," Charlie said as understanding dawned, "The Norwegian Ridgeback."

"Yeah."

"Norbert's doing just fine. In fact, he's one of our best fliers."

Walking over to stand beside Charlie, Harry said, "I was wondering, how hard would it be to put together a photo album of Norbert for Hagrid for Christmas?"

"Not hard at all," Charlie said smiling. "We have tons of photos of him in our scrapbooks. All we'll have to do is pick out the best of the best and put them in an album."

"Thanks," Harry said. "It would mean a lot to me and I know it would mean a lot to Hagrid. However, I want you to let me pay you for it."

Charlie thought for a moment then said, "I'll tell you what, Harry. Being as it's a gift for Hagrid I have a feeling a lot of us are going to want to chip in. But if you want to buy the album that'll be fine."

The next people to approach Harry, after Charlie had left in search of Bill and Fleur, were Neville and his gran. Neville tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Hey, Harry."

Harry spun around to see who had said his name and when he saw that in was Neville he let out a quick, but audible sigh of relief. "Oh. Hi, Neville. Thanks for helping with the demostrations. How'd you do on the charm?"

"I got it right on the first try, thanks to you."

Harry blushed slightly at the credit he was being given for his friend's success. "Now, Neville," he began, "you know as well as I do that the ability comes from within. All I've done so far is help you begin to realize your potential."

Neville started to say something but was interrupted by his grandmother, who was standing behind and slightly to one side of her grandson, clearing her throat. Neville glanced up nervously. "Oh, yeah. Harry, I believe you know my Gran..."

"Er, . . . hello, Mrs. Longbottom," Harry said. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, thank you, Harry," she said. I want to thank you again for everything you have done for Neville. You have no idea how much it means to me that Neville is able to produce a corporeal patronus, and at sixteen as well. It's simply amazing what you have been able to do."

Harry was about to object and explain that most of it was Neville's doing but he was saved the embarrassment of having to respond to such high praise from a woman who so obviously commanded a great deal of respect by Professor Dumbledore who chose that moment to approach with Luna Lovegood and a dark haired man with the same, slightly protruding silver-blue eyes. Harry guessed that he must be her father. "Ah, Amanda," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "I see you've met our youngest professor, Professor Potter."

Mrs. Longbottom's eyebrows shot up and she looked more closely at the young wizard in front of her. "Professor, did you say?"

"Yes," Dumbledore chuckled. "Harry is one of our defense Against the Dark Arts professors. He is not teaching any classes, yet, per se but he is teaching one of our labs. A lab to which your grandson and this lovely young woman belong I might add," he said, indicating Luna.

Mrs. Longbottom eyed Luna suspiciously for a moment then, returning her gaze to Harry, said, "Well, Albus, with people like Harry teaching your Defense classes I don't think I will have to worry about our children not being able to defend themselves after graduation."

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Ah, Amanda, I fear that with people like Harry on hand they will be able to defend themselves long before graduation."

Harry blushed slightly as Mr. Lovegood stepped forward and shook Harry's hand. "Oddment Lovegood, Professor Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you at last . . ."

"Please," Harry interrupted him, "call me Harry. I've never liked titles and I'm just helping them learn."

"Be that as it may, Harry," Mr. Lovegood said, "Luna has told me so much about you and your classes; and that interview you gave last year was the only time in The Quibbler's history that we have had to run an article more than once. Add to that the fact that you are helping my little girl grow up in ways I never could and I will be forever in your debt."

Fatigue was catching up to him at this point and Harry could feel the long-suppressed emotions of anguish and grief rising up within his soul. As his eyes began to tear up he said, "I don't think you guys get it yet. I'm just trying to help. They do most of it themselves, I just . . ."

Then, quickly shifting gears to acknowledge the source of his grief, he said, "If you're talking about what happened back in June I think you should know that I've never done anything on my own. I've always had help. If you want to meet the true heroes talk to Luna, Neville, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and everyone else who has put up with me through the years and stood by my side when times got tough. They're the true heroes. I'm just a guy who is lucky enough to have such good friends."

By this time his voice was starting to crack and it was evident that he was about to do something he had never let himself do before. "In fact, Mister Lovegood," he choked out, "you are just as much a hero as I because you had the guts to print that story and both you and Mrs. Longbottom are heroes because you have raised two wonderfully talented, courageous and intelligent children who had the guts to follow me on an ill-fated mission that cost my godfather his life." Harry was gasping for breath by this time and his tears were falling unhindered. At that moment he felt someone take hold of his hand. Glancing down he saw that it was Ginny and that she was looking at him with concern written all over her face. "Now if you will excuse me . . ." With that he brushed past Neville and Mr. Lovegood and walked rapidly off the field, up into the stands, down the stairs and out of the Room of Requirement.

Ginny caught up with him as he collapsed against the wall just short of the portrait of the Fat Lady who was looking at them with concern. Harry was in tears by this time and was barely able to stand up, let alone walk. Ginny scowled at the Fat Lady and said, "Just open up already. He's hurting and I don't even want to think about your stupid password right now."

The Fat Lady harrumphed but acquiesced and swung open to let them pass.

Once in the common room Ginny guided Harry over to the couch in front of the extinguished fireplace and rocked Harry in her arms as he cried his heart out for the friends and family he had lost. Some time later, after Harry had cried himself to sleep with his head resting in Ginny's lap, Ron, Hermione and Neville came through the portrait hole and Ginny motioned for them to be quiet and pointed to Harry who was curled up on the sofa, his head resting comfortably in her lap. Ron and Neville went up to their room, Ron returning a few minutes later with a pillow, which he gave to Ginny, and a blanket, which he used to cover Harry. Before he left he leaned over and whispered, "You really are a lot like Mum, you know."

Ginny smiled up at her brother and whispered, "Thanks."

Before she went up to her room, Hermione started a fresh fire in the fireplace and brought two glasses and a pitcher of water down from the girl's washroom and wished Ginny a good night. Ginny thanked her and began humming lullabies as she gently ran her fingers through Harry's tangled hair.

Ron, Hermione and Neville came down early the next morning, after only a few brief hours of sleep, and found Harry and Ginny, sound asleep, comfortably sharing the couch, blanket and pillow in a chaste embrace that respected their dignity as human beings. As they descended the stairs from their respective dorms Remus stepped through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor Common Room. When he saw Harry and Ginny asleep on the couch he walked over to Neville and said, "You know, I should probably give you guys the morning off because we were all up kind of late last night but we've only got three more days to get you two in shape for Saturday."

Harry groaned. "I heard that, Remus."

Remus chuckled. "Good," he said, walking over and pulling the blanket off of the pair on the sofa. "Then you won't mind if I don't give you a break."

Harry grumbled. "You're asking for it, Remus. I hope you guys are ready for the duel of a lifetime on Saturday."

Laughing out loud Remus said. "Bring it on, Harry. The only thing you can't use on Saturday is your elemental abilities."

"I won't need them," Harry said as he tried to figure out how to untangle himself from Ginny. After several seconds he decided that there was no other way out of his predicament so he murmured, "Erm, Ginny? Are you awake?"

Ginny giggled. "Mm Hmm."

"I'm sorry," Harry murmured, "but I've got to go train. You can probably get another three hours of sleep but my slave driver doesn't know the meaning of a good night's sleep."

Remus chuckled again. "Get up you lazy bum. Go get your sweats on and I want you back down here in three minutes."

Harry grumbled and, sitting up, once more apologized to Ginny before asking where his glasses were.

Ginny picked his glasses up off of the end table and handed them to him. "Here," she said putting his glasses in his hand.

After standing up Harry helped Ginny to her feet and, hugging her briefly, whispered a heartfelt thank you then turned towards Remus. "Alright, Wolfman. I'm up. You satisfied?"

Remus checked his watch and said, "two minutes and thirty seconds."

"ARGHH!" Harry cried out in exasperation as he ran up the stairs to the boys' dormitories to change.