Chapter 1
Finding a Bit of Peace
Harry Potter watched as the clock on his nightstand changed from 11:59 to midnight. He was now officially seventeen. He sincerely hoped that seventeen would turn out to be a better age than the previous few, but Harry knew better than to keep his hopes up. Harry had been here, at the Dursleys, since the end of his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The train ride back to London after Dumbledore's funeral was an odd one. Harry had always thought that his last trip on the Hogwarts Express would be a celebration, a time of remember-whens. Instead it was a silent, morose journey. Himself, Hermione, Ron and Neville had sequestered themselves in a compartment together and had ridden home mainly in silence, lost in their own dark thoughts. He hadn't seen Ginny since walking away from her at the funeral. He wondered how she was taking everything. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. In short, he brooded, because brooding is what Harry does best.
The ride from the station to the Dursleys home was even more silent, if that was possible. The Dursleys didn't seem to know how to react to the new Harry they had picked up at the station. A determined, if glum, man had replaced the sullen angry youth they had last seen. Harry hadn't spoken to them much in the intervening weeks.
An owl then flew in his window, interrupting his musings. It was a sleek, small grey owl Harry didn't recognize. She hooted imperiously and Harry cautiously took the letter tied to her leg. Unrolling the letter, Harry began to read.
Monsieur Philippe Delacour and his wife, Bianca Fairfax Delacour wish to extend an invitation to the upcoming nuptials of their daughter, Fleur Titania Delacour to William Arthur Weasley.
The invitation continued on, in much the same vein, at great length, but Harry already knew the details and read no further. Harry was greatly looking forward to this wedding. He looked upon it as one last carefree day before the war broke in earnest. He hoped he wouldn't be disappointed. Lost in his thoughts, Harry finally drifted into an uneasy sleep.
Harry awakened before the rest of the Dursley household, as per usual. A ghost of a smile, the first one in weeks, crossed his features. Today, he thought, Today I might just have a bit of fun.
Petunia Dursley awoke to a delicious smell wafting from the kitchen below, and quickly pulled on her robe to rush downstairs and investigate. When she arrived in the kitchen, she froze, stunned. Harry was standing in the middle of the kitchen with…that Thing in his hand, waving it madly. Pancakes were flipping themselves, eggs were scrambling, coffee was pouring itself from the pot into mugs, and worst of all, the table settings were floating lazily into the dining room table and setting themselves. Petunia found herself unable to form words and could only squawk with rage. Harry seemed not to notice her anger.
"Good Morning Aunt Petunia!" He called cheerfully "Sit down, have some breakfast. The eggs are nearly ready. Scrambled, just the way you like them!"
Petunia could only open and shut her mouth wordlessly and thank the heavens above that Vernon and Dudley were late risers. Harry finished the cooking and dishes began to make their way onto the table to join the silverware.
"What are you waiting for Aunt Petunia? Your eggs will get cold."
Petunia finally stammered out a response "But…you cant….Expelled….what?"
"Oh, that. The decree for underage sorcery. Right. Well that hardly applies anymore, now does it?" Considering the matter settled Harry began to apply himself to the task of consuming breakfast.
Petunia suddenly felt like all of her worst nightmares were coming true. The only thing that could make matters worse…
"Good Morning dear." Vernon arrived, pressed a kiss to her cheek and settled himself down at the table. "Everything looks lovely this morning." Vernon ignored Harry, as was the custom this summer, and began filling his plate.
Petunia couldn't decide which was worse; telling Vernon he was about to consume a meal made by magic, or actually allowing him to consume it. The decision was taken out of her hands, however when Harry casually pulled out his wand and offered to warm Vernon's plate. He seemed terribly concerned that the pancakes might have gotten cold. Vernon's rage was palpable.
"BOY! I will have none of that unnaturalness in my household!" he bellowed, turning a marvelous shade of magenta. "You put that-that THING away immediately!"
Harry merely gazed at Vernon for a moment, then tucked his wand away. "Suit yourself."
This only served to infuriate Vernon more. "And I will have none of that…that….Agggh!" Vernon raised a hand to strike Harry, but was marginally too slow.
"Petrifucus Totalus"
And with that, Vernon froze where he was. Harry, meanwhile, stood up, wiped his mouth with a napkin and turned to Petunia.
"I think I'll be going now. Thanks for everything." He turned to leave, paused and faced Petunia once more "Oh, by the way, the curse should wear off on its own. Eventually." Harry then walked up the stairs, leaving her gaping in the dining room. A few seconds later, Petunia heard a small "Pop!" from the direction of Dudley's second bedroom. She rushed up the stairs, threw open his door, and saw…nothing. At that moment, the door to Dudley's bedroom opened, and his sleep tousled head poked out.
"Mum, what's going on?" He asked sleepily.
Petunia's mouth opened and closed a few times. Had anyone besides Dudley been in the hall to see her, they would have been strongly reminded of a goldfish. Fortunately for Petunia, however, there was not. Petunia finally regained composure to reply:
"Nothing, Duddykins. You just go right back to sleep. You're my growing boy and you need plenty of rest." She tucked her precious baby boy back into bed, unable to deny the feeling that a huge weight had been lifted off her bony shoulders.
Harry smiled to himself as he gathered his trunk and Hedwig's cage. He knew he was leaving the Dursleys residence for the last time, and he couldn't be gladder about that fact.
With a quiet "Pop!" Harry appeared in the drawing room at 12 Grimmauld Place. He looked around the room with some trepidation, but was pleased to discover the changes wrought there. No longer dank and gloomy, the room had been repainted. The Slytherin snakes that had covered every available surface were gone and the room appeared uncluttered and cheerful. He hoped the rest of the house had similar changes. Perhaps this would help to relieve him of some of the memories associated with Headquarters. Leaving the drawing room behind, Harry continued on to the kitchen, where he was to meet with Professor McGonagall.
Shortly before his birthday, the professor had shown up at 4 Privet Dr. to take him for his apparation exam. While he was not legally allowed to apparate until his birthday, it had been arranged for him to take the exam early. All parties involved felt that Voldemort and his cronies would be expecting him to show up at the Ministry for the exam on his birthday, and that this should be avoided. It was on that day the two of them set up this appointment.
When Harry entered the kitchen, he found McGonagall waiting there for him at the table. A tea service and biscuits were waiting there for him also. Not one to indulge in small talk, the professor immediately got down to business.
"Harry," she began "I know that it is your intention not to return to Hogwarts this year, but instead to begin your search for the Horcruxes immediately. I also am aware that if I try to dissuade you from this task, I would fail miserably. Please know that I have no intention of any attempt to convince you to put off this task. But I do believe that you should return to school for you final year."
Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Professor McGonagall was a step ahead of him.
"If you and your friends, for I know that where you go, Ron and Hermione will follow, do not return to Hogwarts this coming year, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…"
"Call him Voldemort." Harry interrupted "Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself."
McGonagall looked at him questioningly.
"Professor Dumbledore used to say that." Harry replied flatly.
"Oh. Well." She paused for a moment, her eyes suspiciously bright, before continuing "V..Voldemort will know that something is happening if you do not return to Hogwarts. We do not, under any circumstances, wish for him to become aware of your hunt. I have no doubt that he will send spies into my school this upcoming year, and I have no wish for them to have any news to report to their master."
Professor McGonagall began to outline her plan to him, stopping any further interruptions before they had begun. She had planned her case well, knowing Harry's objections almost before he made them. Her idea was to have the trio return, basically as token students. They would be taking very few classes, all with professors that were trusted by them both. A story about Hermione's very sick mother was to be planted to excuse the many absences that they would rack up. This would cover the boys also, for Hermione could hardly be expected to venture out un-escorted in these times of danger, now could she? Not to mention the emotional support she would need, for her mother was so very sick with some complex muggle disease with no known cure. Also, the feverish research, unconnected to their schoolwork, that Hermione would undoubtedly be doing that year, could be explained as "searching for a cure." Harry quickly found himself agreeing to "at least, think it over,"
McGonagall had one last parting shot for him. "Don't forget also, that Hermione would be able to take her newts in any subject she pleased if she were a student at Hogwarts. The examiners do not require for a student to actually be taking a particular subject for them to be allowed to sit the test. Oh, and do have a Happy Birthday Harry." And with that, she departed.
Harry knew how important the newts were to Hermione. He was also surprised that she hadn't pressed him to make his decision immediately. He then realized what a brilliant witch McGonagall was. He had been played like a game of poker. But somehow it didn't leave Harry feeling manipulated. She had left the decision in his hands. The fact that she knew what choice he would make was somehow irrelevant. That last comment about Hermione and her precious tests had only sealed the deal for him, and McGonagall knew it. That guilt card, her trump, was played handily and was well timed. All said, Harry could only chuckle at how well his Head of House knew him.
Harry had just finished unpacking his trunk upstairs in his room when he heard a thump from downstairs. Wand in hand, he snuck down to the drawing room. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he slowly turned the corner, and entered the room. His view was immediately obstructed by a vast quantity of brown, bushy hair.
"Harry!" Shrieked Hermione, launching herself at him. "Happy Birthday!" Harry gingerly hugged his best friend back with one arm, attempting to smooth her hair down, out of his eyes. Accomplishing this goal, he looked over the top of her head (when had that happened?) to see his other best friend grinning at him from a few feet away.
"Happy birthday mate." Ron grinned crookedly at him. "Good to see you." Harry disentangled himself from Hermione and walked over to Ron, thumping him on the back.
"I've something I need to talk to you about." Harry began hesitantly. Glancing at each other nervously, Ron and Hermione took seats on the new drawing room couch. "How would you guys feel about returning to Hogwarts next year?"
He was immediately interrupted by two indignant voices.
"You can't ditch us now mate, you're stuck…"
"Harry James Potter! You know right well…"
Harry quickly interrupted. "That's not what I meant. I'd be going back with you."
That stopped them in their tracks.
"But, Harry…" began Hermione hesitantly. "What about the Horcruxes?"
"Oh I don't intend to give that up either. Listen" Harry quickly told the two of them everything McGonagall said, with one exception. He refrained from mentioning her parting comment about Hermione and her NEWTs. As he finished, he found himself suddenly fending off bushy hair for the second time that day.
"Do you know what this means Harry?" Hermione was positively glowing. "This means we can still take our NEWTS!"
"Actually, it means that you two can take your NEWTs." Harry replied "Somehow I don't think I'll have time for a distraction like that."
"I'm not taking them either." Ron interjected. "Harry and I won't need them, Hermione." Hermione looked slightly crestfallen at this, but quickly brightened up.
"After all," She said, "The Department of Magical Law Enforcement can hardly turn down two Auror applicants who have defeated Voldemort." Ron perked up as well.
"Yeah! It won't matter that I didn't get into Potions." Harry chuckled at his friends' new enthusiasm.
"Speaking of Potions," Harry interjected "We need to figure out what classes to take next year. Definitely Transfiguration. McGonagall will excuse any assignments we don't finish while we are away from Hogwarts."
"Brilliant!" Ron cheered up even more, if possible. "What about Defense?"
"Ron!" Hermione jumped in "We don't even know who is teaching Defense this year. Three of our past professors have been working for Voldemort" Ron shuddered at the name "Honestly Ron. We certainly should not sign up for Defense and simply hope that the professor is trustworthy!"
"Hermione, I'm hurt." A new voice interjected "Not trust moi?" The three turned around to see that Tonks had entered the room unknown to them.
Three voices spoke up at once
"You're the Defense professor! Brilliant!"
"Doesn't the Ministry need you to remain on active duty? I thought they were short on Aurors…"
"Tonks! How did you get in here without us hearing!"
Tonks laughed and attempted to respond to all three at once. "Wotcher. Long story guys. Basically, since I can't morph or apparate for the next seven months I was taken off active duty. Once Kingsley got wind that you two" At this, she nodded at Ron and Harry, "wanted to become Aurors, he demanded that I go straight to McGonagall and request the Defense post so I could, and I quote 'start training them up right!' McGonagall agreed immediately, so here I am."
Hermione looked at Tonks as if attempting to solve a great mystery, which she probably was, then gasped and hugged the older woman.
"You aren't!" She shrieked.
"I am!" Tonks shrieked back.
Harry looked over to Ron, who looked as confused as Harry felt. Hermione rarely shrieked. This must be good. Then Dawn broke through the clouds of Harry's mind.
"Really?" He asked. "Then you and Remus…?" Tonks nodded.
"Well, Remus and I got married last month…" she began, but was cut off by Hermione
"But how? I mean, since…" She stopped, then quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to…"
"Its all right" Tonks interrupted. "According to wizarding laws, werewolves can't marry. We had a muggle ceremony with a Justice of the Peace. Anyway, Remus wanted to wait a while to start a family, but obviously, I won that little tussle."
Ron's expression cleared "Really? Congratulations!"
Tonks looked as if she was about to thank Ron, but Hermione broke in.
"When are you due? Is anyone throwing you a baby shower yet? What did Remus say when you told him? Was he happy?" Tonks laughed and led the excited girl towards the doorway.
"I think they boys would appreciate it if we kept the girlie talk confined to another room. Come on, let's go have a cuppa." She said as she led her away.
Harry glanced over at Ron. Ron's shoulders were shaking with suppressed mirth. Ron looked up at him
"Remus sure moves quickly. That randy dog." Harry couldn't help but join in the laughter. Only later did they remember they never did choose classes.
Harry was nervously waiting with Ron and Hermione in the drawing room at Grimmauld place. He had been forewarned that Mrs. Weasley was planning a small party for his seventeenth birthday. Harry was certain that Ginny would be arriving also. Ron had been curiously silent on that point when telling Harry of the plans for his birthday. A few members of the Order and a nice dinner was all that was planned, fortunately. It had been a long day and Harry wasn't certain he had the energy for anything more. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a small whoosh from the fireplace. Mrs. Weasley had arrived. She brushed a small amount of soot off her sleeve then rushed over to him, giving him a great hug.
"Happy Birthday Harry, dear." She began to fuss. Harry found it strangely welcoming. He somewhat enjoyed the motherly attention she never failed to give him. She hugged him tightly and continued "My, you have gotten so thin. You really ought to eat more, dear." Harry was fairly certain that she continued on that vein for quite some time, but he was understandably distracted by the whoosh that announced Ginny's arrival.
He was certain she had grown a bit taller in the time since he had last seen her. And her hair hadn't been quite so long either. The beast in his chest gave a pathetic little whimper, but Harry viciously told it to shut up. She was far better off without him, in much less danger. She would stay at Hogwarts, where she would be safe. Maybe, after he defeated Voldemort, things could be different, but until then, well, it was better not to even think about her. Somehow that was easier said than done.
"Happy Birthday Harry." Ginny said softly, determinedly looking anywhere but at him.
"Thanks Ginny." Harry said to his shoes. Hermione huffed from behind him.
"Come on you two." She said to Ron and Ginny. "There is plenty of work to be done in the kitchen if we want to get dinner on the table before everyone else gets here."
"I'll help too." Harry offered.
"Oh, no you won't, Harry." Mrs. Weasley insisted "It's your birthday and I won't hear of it. But you may come along, sit in the kitchen and visit with us, if you like."
Harry agreed and followed the group downstairs to the kitchen. He still felt a bit awkward. Seeing Ginny again was difficult, but he knew he was doing the right thing for her.
Lying in bed that night, listening to Ron's soft snores in the bed next to his, Harry thought about the party earlier that evening. It had been nice, really, seeing everyone again. It was the first day he had seen most of his friends since Dumbledore's funeral. His heart gave a little wrench at the thought of the great man. He put on a brave face, but inside he missed Dumbledore terribly.
The more he had thought about it, the more he realized that Dumbledore had really been like family to him. Who else, besides family, do you love and respect despite their mistakes? Who else can make you so angry you want to punch something, and yet you still forgive them? Dumbledore might not have always done the right thing by him, but he did it out of love for the little boy he had been, not out of any desire to manipulate his life. And with that realization, Harry fell into the first restful sleep he could remember in quite some time. Without realizing it, Harry had found a bit of peace
a/n New beta-ed version; thanks to Heather for the speedy beta!