A/N: Than you so much for reviewing. It has inspired me to continue writing as much as possible.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, blah blah.
Harry Potter and the Final Horcrux
Chapter 2: Arrival
The Knight bus took Harry directly to the Burrow due to the fact that absolutely nobody was traveling on the bus that particular night. Harry guesed that many believed the Knight bus to be a likely target for Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Harry, however, believed that Voldemort probably had bigger targets in mind. Whatever the reason, Harry felt glad to arrive so quickly. He had never much enjoyed traveling by way of Knight bus.
It was an hour and 27 minutes exactly until Harry would turn 17 when he paid the new conductor of the bus. Harry was upset to see that they had yet to realease poor Stan Shunpike from Azkaban. If only the ministry would get their priorities straight. A loud bang brought Harry from his ponderings about the ministry's mistakes and signaled that the Knight bus had left. Harry heaved his trunk and Hedwig's cage onto the Weasley's front porch. Harry knocked loudly on the front door-- his mother's ring now shone brightly on his right ring finger. There was a slight scuffle behind the door before Mr. Weasley's voice broke the silence.
"Who's there?" Mr. Weasley said with a hint of anxiety in his voice.
"Sir, it's Harry Potter," Harry said shyly, not really knowing what to say.
"Harry?" Mr. Weasley's voice was obviously shocked. "I'm afraid I'll need some proof before I can let you in. Tell me, what is Ginny's nickname for Bill's fiancee?"
Harry smiled before answering, "Ginny calls Fleur Phlegm. Now, I suppose I should get some proof from you. How did Ron and I get to school in our second year?"
Harry didn't know it, but Mr. Weasley was also smiling now. "You took my flying Ford Anglia." With that, the door flew open and several bright red sets of hair came flying at Harry.
"Come in, come in! I'll make you some tea," squealed Mrs. Weasley, hugging Harry very tightly before releasing him. "Arthur, get Harry's things."
"I'm so glad you're alright," said Ginny quietly as she too released Harry from a hug. He was quite relieved that Ginny harbored no ill feelings towards him even after he had broken off their very short relationship together. Harry noted that the monster in his stomach was still very hungry.
"Good to see you, mate," said Ron somewhat darkly. Ron then helped Harry through the front door and sat him down at the kitchen table. Mrs. Weasley was running around, preparing tea. Her family clock remained unattached to the wall-- all of the hands were still pointing to mortal peril. Mr. Weasley had just finished floating Harry's things upstairs and closed the door.
Harry took a moment to survey everyone in the room. Although there was always a somewhat happy feeling when Harry returned to the Burrow, things were definitely darker now. Mrs. Weasley seemed as if she had been crying for ages, Ginny and Ron both looked much older than they should, Mr. Weasley had lost weight and looked like he was caring the world on his back; everyone had bags under their eyes. Apparently they hadn't been sleeping very well either.
"Bill and Fleur are sleeping upstairs," Mrs. Weasley said, trying to make conversation. ". Fred and George are at their shop. Also, Hermione arrived earlier today. Her parents have gone into hiding and she'll be staying with us for a while. Charlie is home too now" Mrs. Weasley suddenly dropped the cup and saucer she was holding and began crying violently. "And..." she sniffled. "P-P-Percy, we don't know where my dear Percy is!" Mrs. Weasley wailed and collapsed into a chair. Arthur rushed to her side, hugged her, and said:"There there, Molls. Our boy will turn up." Everyone else looked as if Percy's name hadn't even been mentioned, but Mr. Weasley's words seemed to have calmed Mrs. Weasley because she stopped crying. Standing up, Molly flicked her wand at the broken china on the floor.
"How clumsy of me," she said, still drying her tears. A few minutes later, they were all seated at the table with steaming cups of tea in front of them. "We are so glad you came, Harry," Mrs. Weasley was the first to break the silence. "I feel so much better when everyone is together." A few more minutes passed in silence. What should he say? Harry had never felt so uncomfortable in the presence of the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley again broke the silence. "We should all get some rest," she said quietly. "Ron, Harry will sleep with you in the attic. There should be an extra bed already prepared." With that, everyone left the table to go to bed. Harry and Ron went to the attic.
Harry sat down on a bed and looked at Ron. "Your mum seems pretty upset," Harry stated the obvious, desperate for conversation—the feeling of normalcy.
"Yeah," Ron responded. "If Dumbledor--" Ron stopped himself, unsure of whether or not is was safe to mention the passing of the man nobody thought could die.
"It's alright," said Harry. "You can talk about it. We're all still pretty upset about that incident." Ron didn't notice the fire that flashed in Harry's eyes when he mentioned Dumbledore's death.
"I was just gonna say," Ron was still uncomfortable. "Mum's been upset enough as it is with Dumbledore gone. Percy going missing hasn't helped her much." Ron looked around the room, hoping to find something to change the topic. Finally, his eyes landed on the ring Harry now wore proudly. "What's that?" Ron said pointing at it.
"Oh, this?" Harry said, twisting the ring on his hand. "Turns out my aunt didn't completely forget about my mum." Harry related the conversation he'd had with his aunt shortly before arriving. "So, it belonged to her. I don't know, but I'm sure there's something special about it."
"Well, it sure looks cool," Ron said with a weak smile. Minutes later, both boys were asleep and Harry was seventeen. It was the first time that either of them slept peacefully since Dumbledore's funeral. For that night, they both knew that their closest friends were safely in bed in the same house. The next morning, that feeling of peace would not linger...