Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was so long in coming. I went through several drafts, but I kept losing the plot. I think this one keeps it on track nicely. The next one (Which will be up sooner! I hope.) will move the story ahead more, I promise.
Schatje: At last someone sympathizes with Ginny! I felt bad about doing that to her the day they found Harry, and it'll really cause her problems later on, but I needed it. And, yes, he is. I thought I was being sneaky, too. Kind of. I realize now it wasn't that difficult to guess. Oh well. Thanks for your reviews. Please keep them coming!
Wolf's scream: In this chapter, people's reactions are shown in more detail, and the stealing of the spotlight issue is addressed. I would like to also point out that Richard was a bit drunk and thought it would be a great idea. And I've always seen Ginny as a character that might make big decisions like that a bit impetuously. She was under severe emotional stress, too, so I feel like she was so caught up in her feelings and the "opportunity" that she just made a decision.
SCANDALOUS: Thank you so much for your review! It made me incredibly happy. I read it right after I threw out one of my bizarre versions of this chapter when I was completely crazed and confident that this story was awful. It gave me a bit of a self-esteem boost. Thanks a bunch!
pink gecko: Alas, you figured it out too. I really must be stealthier in the future. Thanks so much for your review! I was really in an ill temper at the time, caused by, what else, this chapter, and it let me clear my head a bit and just finish this one so I could move on to the next chapter which, I solemnly swear, will be better.
Disclaimer: I own no characters, places, etc. Except Richard. But you can have him.
The silence was rudely interrupted by a loud CRACK that rang through the night.
A man suddenly appeared at one end of Swallow Drive. He was middle-aged, though his mostly grey hair and lined face made him look older.
Scanning the houses along the street, he raised his eyebrow. It reminded him strongly of a place he knew Harry would never wish to remember. His eyes then focused on a house that looked out of place in the neighborhood of immaculate homes. The yard was wild, and house looked like a gust of wind would knock it over. It had a distinctly gloomy air.
That'll be the place, the Minister thought to himself, smiling faintly.
Shaking his head, he began to make his way down the street.
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Hermione surveyed the happily hugging group thoughtfully. Ginny and Richard were getting married. Interesting.
She frowned slightly as she remembered the conversation she had had with Ginny earlier. Surely Ginny wouldn't have accepted Richard's proposal to use it as a way to move on and forget about Harry. She cringed as she looked at her friend and realized that that was the very thing Ginny would do.
Ron was slightly put out. This was his engagement party, after all. His eyed narrowed as he looked at Richard.
He planned this! Ron thought. He wanted to steal the attention. Nasty, attention-seeking, annoying prat.
Ron couldn't suppress a scowl.
Ron doesn't look very happy, Ginny thought nervously. It was a bit stupid to do it tonight. Maybe we shouldn't have told anyone. Maybe I shouldn't have said yes.
Ginny mentally shook herself. She mustn't second-guess her decision. It was a good decision. She didn't know how many times she would have to tell herself that until she would believe it.
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The Minister found himself standing on the porch in a shorter time than he would have believed possible. He eyed the door suspiciously, as though afraid of what he would find inside.
It had been seven years since he had seen Harry. He had no idea why Harry had left, just like the rest of the world, and he was extraordinarily curious. But he was also frightened.
He felt a rush of emotions as he recalled his experiences with Harry. The Minister remembered a young boy, encountering and conquering things grown wizards had never faced. He remembered a boy determined to do his best to fight the fights that needed fighting. The Minister recalled a boy that had faced the normal troubles of a teenager, with some success, and had saved the world from the greatest power that had ever been known.
The Minister was scared because he had known the boy so well, and he knew nothing about the man he was about to meet.
Taking a breath, he knocked on the door.
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Harry was startled out of his reverie by a knock at the door.
He frowned. No one ever visited him. He was quite certain they all thought him quite mad and told their children to stay away.
Getting up, he made his way down the stairs and towards the door. He could barely see the outline of a figure through the layers of dust that had collected on the door.
Harry cautiously opened the door. His eyes widened as he saw the man in front of him. Memories flooded his mind. Questions raced through his head as he stood staring at this most unexpected visitor.
"Hello, Harry," the Minister said pleasantly, though he was obviously nervous.
Harry merely gaped.
Eventually, he found his voice.
"Remus?" he whispered.
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After Lupin assured him several times that he was very comfortable, and, no, he didn't want anything to eat, Harry sat opposite his guest and looked at him searchingly.
There was one question in particular that Harry desperately wanted to ask his old teacher, but he decided that Lupin would tell him in his own good time. Instead, he asked another question that had been bothering him.
"How did you find me?"
Lupin smiled. "You know how we can detect underage magic?" Without waiting for a response, Lupin went on. "With a bit of tweaking the system was able to be manipulated to detect your magic, too."
Harry nodded. He had thought it was that. Curse that window.
The old friends sat in silence for another couple of minutes, each sipping their tea awkwardly.
Unable to wait any longer, Harry opened his mouth to ask why Lupin had come when another though struck his mind.
"Why did they send you?" Noticing the confused look on Lupin's face, Harry asked, more specifically, "When they located me. Why did they send you?"
Chuckling a bit, Lupin set his cup of tea down.
"Well, Harry," he began. "No one sent me." He hesitated. "I'm the Minister of Magic."
Harry dropped his cup.
Laughing now, Lupin cleared the fragments with a wave of his wand.
"Surprising, isn't it?" he said merrily.
Startled, Harry looked at him.
"No! I mean, why wouldn't you be the Minister? It's just that… What I mean is, well… What about your problem?" Harry inquired significantly.
Lupin laughed still harder at this.
"It was a… An obstacle," Lupin admitted. "But it turns out I'm rather popular," he continued proudly. "You know, after Voldemort and—" Lupin stopped suddenly.
Harry did know. He knew too well. Impatiently, he pushed those thoughts out of his head. Looking back at Lupin, Harry managed a faint smile. Of course Lupin would be popular. He had fought very well.
Cringing at his mistake, Lupin continued cautiously.
"Harry, we've been looking for you for seven years."
Harry looked alarmed at this. Lupin continued.
"Why did you leave, Harry?"
Silence greeted his question.
Mutely, Harry got up from his chair and walked to the window. He didn't know what to do. Rubbing his temples, he turned to face Lupin.
"Not tonight, Remus," he said quietly. "Not tonight."
Lupin understood. So he moved to the next subject he needed to touch on.
"Harry, I won't pretend to have any idea why you left, because I haven't got a clue. But there is one thing I must ask." Harry looked at Lupin warily.
Taking this as his cue to continue, Lupin asked, "Will you come back Harry?"
Harry looked helplessly at his old friend and flopped wearily onto a chair. He didn't have an answer.
Author's Note: Reviewing makes me post faster…
I realize this chapter was kind of pointless, but I felt like I needed it to get to the point where I could get the story moving. It really moves ahead leaps and bounds in the next chapter. So review, and I'll write.