Chapter 5: Home Again

Hermione tossed her book aside, and quickly stood up. There, standing in front of her, was Harry and Ginny. She rushed over to Harry, and threw her arms around his neck.

"Hello, 'Mione," he said in reply. He couldn't believe how different she looked. Her hair had been cut to her shoulders, and she had it in layers. Her chocolate eyes were as bright as ever, showing knowledge beyond anyone's comprehension.

"God, Harry. I can't believe it's really you," she said through her tears. "I can't believe your back."

"Hey, mate," said a male voice from behind Harry. He spun around, and was face-to-face with Ron. He was still tall, but was less awkward. His fiery red hair was slightly longer then when Harry had last seen him, but it was still the same Ron.

"Hi Ron," Harry said quietly. He could tell that Ron was reluctant. Harry could look into his eyes, and tell that he was mad at him for leaving his sister. A heavy silence fell upon the friends. No one knew what to say, they were just happy to be back together again. The silence was broken by a shriek from Mrs. Weasley.

"Harry! You're back!" she yelled. Harry felt himself being engulfed in a giant hug by the only woman that had ever treated him like a son.

"Mum! Mum! Get off of him!" Ron yelled. Mrs. Weasley backed away from Harry, and tried to compose herself, but the tears were now flowing down her face.

"I can't believe you're finally back," she said.

"I know," Harry said. "I'm staying too. If that's alright with you, of course."

"Of course it is, but I live back at the Burrow. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny live here. I'm only visiting for the evening," explained Mrs. Weasley.

"It's much quieter here since the Order's moved their Headquarters. We still have visitors at strange hours, and meetings here, but their not very often," said Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry and said, "Harry, darling, I must be leaving now. Take care, and I'll see you all soon," she turned to Hermione and Ginny. "The kids are asleep, and there's food in the kitchen. Keep it away from Ron." Before anyone could reply, she was gone with a pop.

"Shall we go inside then?" Ginny asked. Everyone agreed, and they made their way inside Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Once everyone was seated at the table, no one knew what to say.

"So," Harry said at last. "How have you 2 been?"

"We got married around five years ago," Hermione said.

"Ginny told me that much. She also told me that you have 2 kids," replied Harry.

"Fred and George were over last night, so everyone was up real late. Mum made them rest, and they all fell asleep. Even…" Ron stopped short. He didn't know if Harry knew about Lily, and didn't want to be the one that told him.

"Even Lily," said Harry quietly. Ron looked at Ginny who was staring at her hands in her lap. Another uneasy silence fell upon the trio. No one knew what to say. Harry didn't seem mad about Lily, but he might have already vented about it.

Hermione was the first to speak this time. She asked Harry where he had been living, and how he had been.

"I moved into a small house in Ireland. It's in a wizard village, but was built like a muggle home. Apparently, Neville and Luna own an inn in the village," he explained.

"We just found out about the inn too. We knew they were married, but that's about all they said about their personal life. We didn't push them, if they didn't want to tell us about their private life, that's their choice," Hermione said with a shrug. The sound of padded feet moving about upstairs ended the conversation.

"I'll go and see what they're up to," Ron said. Before anyone could argue, he was making his way upstairs.

"Harry, has Ginny told you what Lily looks like?" Hermione asked as she got up, and began to set the table. Harry followed in suit, trying not to act like an guest, but a member of the family.

"No, I have no clue what she looks like," Harry said as he got out some cups.

"She looks exactly like your Mum. Lupin said it's kind of creepy to see her sometimes. It's a good thing they share the same name, or he'd call her Lily accidentally all the time." Harry laughed. It felt good to be back home.

The kitchen door banged open, and three small children came barreling in. One, was undoubtedly Lily. She had her Mother's fiery red hair, and freckles, with Harry's emerald green eyes. She climbed onto Ginny's lap, and continued to chatter with Ron and Hermione's kids. One had fiery red hair like hers, but his eyes were brown like Hermione's. The other had more of an auburn hair with Ron's crystal blue eyes. She sat down next to Lily and Ginny, and was talking with her incredibly fast. Only when Hermione quieted the children, did they notice Harry.

"Mommy, who's he?" Lily asked, nodding at Harry. Ginny bit her lip. She could either tell her that he was her Daddy now, or wait until a better time. Lily had waited 8 years to meet her Father. Ginny couldn't bare to make her wait anymore.

"That, baby, is your Father," she said quietly.

A/N: There you go, the rest is up to you! I'll have the next chapter up in a few days, so review until then. Don't forget to check out my other fan fics! Thanks to my beta, cause without her, this chapter would be a load of crap, and yeah, that's all. 'Til next time!

Tina101