Alright a few words from your friendly author.

First, sorry for taking so long to update, myself and my beta-reader have been swamped by work, and other projects. I, myself, am trying to finish up my pilots license, deal with work, a girlfriend who just got back from a month if Vegas (I got to go to work everyday and she would call and complain about missing me. Boo-hoo, such a hard life, right?), and a number of other things…lots to do. Isn't that how it always is though?

Second, I'm going to make the chapters a bit shorter, as per a review request. Sorry about the length of the last chapter, it was loooong…even for me, but I posted it that way anyway because it was already written.

Please drop me a review if you feel so inclined. This chapter is a bit 'boring' on the action front, but all things have their slow moments.

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Chapter Three Reunions

With a corresponding flash of light and a slight 'pop' to the one with which he left the United States, Harry Potter arrived in the dingy dark entryway of a house he thought he would never want to see again: Grimmauld Place. Not that he ever had any real burning desire to set foot back in the 'most noble and ancient house of Black' however over the past few years he had often longed for a connection with his friends and family back in England (or at least the people he considered family). Although it had now been many years since Sirius had died in the department of mysteries Harry still missed him dreadfully, and while Sirius had always hated this house Harry had come to have somewhat of a grudging respect for it. Mainly due to the fact that he and Sirius had gotten to know each other the best within its walls over the summer and holiday's he had spent here.

Harry quietly walked into the living room where his luggage and shrunken belongings lay in a neat pile once he had portkeyed them here. The house was deadly quite, dust caked every surface, and the windows were dingy and grimy. He could only sigh looking around at the lonely place. Not that he had expected anybody to greet him, however the building seemed so strange without any of the order members he was accustomed to bustling around. As he was looking a sharp tapping could be heard coming from one of the back windows and no sooner had he turned to go investigate than a bright flash of flame erupted several feet in front of him.

"Well hello Fawkes, I suppose you're getting under Hedwig's feathers again by transporting yourself in here while she has to wait on me eh'?" Harry asked the Phoenix who let out an ethereal trill in response and swooped down to the dingy, moldy sofa to use as a perch. Harry just rolled his eyes at the bird and went to let his owl in. After returning to the room a moment later with his snowy owl friend, Harry began to speculate on what to do about the house.

"Well you two, what do you say to me cleaning this place up a bit so we don't have to sleep in the dirt?" He asked the birds, who just looked at him. Harry imagined that if they had human faces they would have been giving him the 'duh, I can't believe you didn't think of that earlier' look; a particular look that Hermione excelled at. He just grinned at the animals and held his wand aloft, slightly above his head.

"Scourgify." He intoned lightly. However instead of the small area usually affected by the cleaning spell a wave of magic erupted form Harry's wand, and spreading outward in a circular pattern, anything in its path was instantly cleaned to like new condition. The dirty gray walls became a dark rich wood again, the glass in the windows became clear and bright, metal hinges and knobs became polished and shining, and even the bathroom fixtures sparkled with cleanliness (though he could not see them at the moment). Despite the display of magic Harry just nodded and looked around, rubbing his hands along the walls and sofa to see if they were indeed as clean as they looked. Once satisfied he returned to the center of the room and eyed the still broken down sofa carefully. While the cleaning spell had cleaned everything, some of it was still broken or in poor condition. So once again he raised his wand slightly above his head.

"Reparo." Harry lightly intoned again, and another wave of magic emanated from his wand repairing everything in its path.

"Well then, that's a fare bit better." Harry said looking at the two birds that were his companions and looking proud of the job done. The house really looked different, nothing like even after they had cleaned most of the summer before the Department of Mysteries. However, Harry wasn't done just yet.

"What about a bit of redecorating, eh?" Harry asked himself as much as he did the two birds, and without waiting for a chirp of response from either one he swished his wand in a wide arc before him, and across the room.

"Presto Change-o!" Harry declared lightly, chuckling and smiling to himself for the use of the absurd term muggles used for magic. Really there was never any need for him to use incantations, mentally or out loud anymore, he could do most magic by shear will alone, but he taken to amusing himself, and young friends the past few months with his wildly strange uses of magic (at least compared to the strict magic they were used to seeing out of George.). Each time he could make his friends laugh with mirth at his antics sent his eyes sparkling, and his lopsided grin found its way to his face. At times like these anyone who had known him before he had left England would be hard pressed to believe that this was the same Harry Potter, the serious strong and sometimes self-destructive person who had once occupied his persona.

As Harry swept his wand a wave of change overtook the room. The dark stained wood became a slightly lighter, but richer shade of brown, the ceiling took on the color of midnight blue, close to the color of the night sky, and the wall paper became a crisp clean looking off white color with a subtle light gray pattern. The sofa changed into a modern comfort oriented one and took on the same midnight blue as the ceiling. Harry smiled at the changes, now the room was a comfortable living abode, one in which he could come to relax. He waved his wand again and one of his shrunken boxes from the center of the room un-shrunk itself and all of it contents started pouring fourth arranging themselves around the room.

By now Harry was grinning ear to ear, looking around the room he decided it wouldn't take long before eth entire house looked completely different, which didn't bother him in the least, so he (along with his two feathery companions) set off to make some changes to the rest of the house.

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It was a bustling and bright day in Diagon Ally. With school beginning so soon all the shops were open and the entire ally was packed with witches, wizards and magical creatures of all ages. There were older students, bustling about by themselves in small groups, picking up re-fills from the apothecary, and new books for their new year. There were younger students, crowded around the Quidditch shop and the Owl Emporium looking at the latest brooms and the beautiful graceful birds on their perches. There were mothers and fathers, shopkeepers and young professionals… in short everyone was in Diagon Ally on a beautiful London afternoon. It was sunny and bright, some might have argued it was a little hot, but either way everyone was out enjoying the ally making their purchases, talking to friends, and some just window-shopping.

It was into this varied menagerie of people that a tall, regal looking wizard, dressed in a fine set of black robes trimmed in white, apparated into existence just on the inside of the barrier separating the leaky cauldron and the ally from the muggle world. His arrival went largely unnoticed, except for a small group of young withes entering the ally who smiled at him as they moved out of his way, but otherwise said nothing to the man.

Harry smiled back at them as they walked away (the group of young witches that is) and as he did so he noticed one of them giggle and quickly whip around to talk with one of her friends at her side, as if telling her the secrets of the universe while occasionally looking back at him while they all moved into the ally. He grinned and chuckled to himself as they began to disappear amongst the crowd and turned to observe the people as he walked. He smiled warmly as he strode down the narrow street; his eyes seemed to sparkle in overdrive as he observed the laughing, happy people bustling around the marketplace, making their purchases. As he walked he nodded to several adults and grinned at the children he made eye contact with, even going so far as to offer and hearty 'good afternoon' to several, however nobody seemed to take a particular interest in him. To most people he was just a friendly face offering them warm greetings. Harry supposed it was a good thing he had enough command of magic so that he could manipulate notice-me-not charms in such a way, otherwise he might be inundated with people and not enjoying this trip to the ally at all.

Harry reached out with his 'other' senses as he liked to call them. It was hard to distinguish differences between wizards and witches with so many others around, however he was looking not just for a particular person, but a whole family, and since many families shared similar qualities (in physical traits, and magic) it should make his search much easier. After only a moment of quite contemplation as he walked Harry knew where he needed to go; not that it would have been all that hard to figure out before hand, however he wanted to be sure to catch two people in particular before seeing others.

Harry likened the experience to what it might be like to walk into a beehive. As soon as the door opened a wave of sound hit him as he entered the small shop located a good way from the ally's entrance. Kids of all ages were everywhere, some carrying large loads of the stores products in their hands, some just looking longingly at the display's, and some being dragged out of the shop by their mothers. If Harry expected a sleepy place that he could have a quite conversation in, this was not it; no Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes was not a place you came for peace and quite. At the back the shop were two obnoxiously dressed individuals (dressed in nicely clashing magenta robes) and their brother, all with flaming red hair. This was the first person Harry was looking for, his best mate Ron…and wherever Ron was these day's his brilliant wife, and Harry's other best mate, was sure not to be far behind.

Harry took his time approaching, being sure to inspect many of the new products he saw lining the shelves. Many, many new products seemed to have been developed in his absence the past seven years, however some of the old standby's still remained: Puking Pasties, Canary Creams, and their first big hit, the skiving snack boxes, all still adorned the shelves closer to the cash counter. By the time Harry had wandered close to the three Ron had his back to him and Fred and George were facing him as he approached; neither seemed to notice him until both looked up, and over towards the cash counter where a large sale was being made. As soon as they did, though, the grins they had been sporting as the talked with their younger brother slid off their faces, and were replaced by a looks of utter shock and amazement.

"What...What's wrong with you two?" Ron asked, suddenly confused by his both of his brothers expressions, when only a moment before they had been grinning and telling him of their latest idea for a new product line. After a second he determined that they must be looking at something behind him but as he started to turn around he felt an arm wrap itself around his neck and a hand land on his should, it's owner grabbing him an a sort of one armed hug. Quickly looking over and starting to back out of the hug Ron came face to face with a man he hadn't' seen in person in seven years. There stood the boy-who-lived himself and his best mate, Harry Potter.

"Har…Har…Harry!" Ron exclaimed, stuttering out his response, the tips of his ears turning bright red in typical 'Ron is excited and befuddled' mode. Ron backed away at first and then grabbed Harry by his shoulders and held him out as if to look at him, with his mouth gaping in shock. Harry just chuckled and gave his mate one of his famous lop-sided grins.

"That's my name Ron…and yes it really is me, mate." By now Fred and George had resumed their excited grinning and laughing at an even more feverous pitch and moved to grab their friend and investor each into a one armed hug much like he had given Ron…who was still staring and gaping.

"Good to see you Harry…we've been meaning to write you about our newest project were just telling Ronniekins here about…" George started, acting as if they had just seen him a few weeks ago and not seven years.

"…But now that you're here, we can just show you what it does." Fred picked up where his brother left off.

"Now, now guys…there will be plenty of time for that later. Right now I have some catching up with Ron to do."

"Harry…mate…it's just…wow…you're here! You're actually here!" Ron exclaimed smiling and shaking his friend, and reclaiming Harry's shoulders in his hands after braking out of his temporary stupor. Harry just grinned back at him, and Ron took a moment to survey his friend.

Harry was different. Not loads different, just slightly. He was taller, by two or three inches at least, however still short compared to the tall Weasley men, himself being the second tallest now behind Bill. His famous scar, perched upon his forehead was slightly lighter, not gone, but less noticeable than it had once been. The scars he had received in the war on his face and hands were faded, but the largest change was the fact that Harry looked healthy. Gone was the emaciated look he had when they last saw him. His frame, which had previously always been thin, even when his Mrs. Weasley had tried to fatten him up; was filled out; proportioned more correctly. His skin and face were bright and warm looking, a far cry from the stretched pale look he had sported the last two years of the war and on through his three years as an Auror. And his eyes…they shown with that bright emerald they had always when he was happiest, but now…now they seemed to sparkle and twinkle…just like Ron remembered Professor Dumbledore. Ron let his friend go after a moment and steeped back continuing to survey him.

"Bloody hell mate, you look like a hero or something." Ron finally declared his face dissolving into a look of wonderment, as he reached back out and rubbed the him of Harry's robes between his forefinger and thumb. Harry just gave him a questioning look.

"What are you talking about Ron?" Harry asked.

"Well look at you. You walk in here after seven years looking like you spent the last few years at a resort beach instead of working in the states. And look at these clothes…they make you look like you're supposed to be on the cover of one of those female magazines that 'Mione likes to read." Ron stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, releasing Harry's robes and gesturing to his friend with a sweep of his hand.

"So Gred, Forge…when did you first realize that your brother was a complete loon?" Harry deadpanned, to Ron's two brothers.

"We've always known mate…" George began.

"Just look at those beady eyes, and that red hair. He's either a psychopath or a complete loon, that one." Fred continued.

"Oy! You both have the same color hair as I do!" Ron declared, still bewildered by Harry's rapid change in topic. Harry and the twins finally broke out into laughter at Ron's constant bewildered state.

"Good to see you too mate." Harry declared after a moment, smiling a clapping a hand on Ron's shoulder. By now Ron had gotten the joke as was smiling, but characteristically red at his ears.

"Ronald Weasley! You told me that you would be back waiting for me at the leaky cauldron ten minutes ago, and now I find you standing around with your brothers telling jokes!" All four men cringed and quit laughing as a familiar bellow reverberated off the small shop's walls and momentarily quieted the children scurrying about salivating over the wondrous produces for sale in the store.

"Hasn't mellowed much in recent day's has she mate?" Harry asked turning to his friend, who was contemplating running or facing the wrath of his overly hormonal and very pregnant wife.

"You have no idea." Ron answered, before slowly turning his rapidly re-reddening face and ears towards his wife who was standing several feet away, glaring at him; with her hands on her hips; busy hair pulled back into a messy bun, and her pregnant belly protruding proudly.

"Hermione…the thing is…I mean…" Ron started under her glare.

"Better give it up mate, she's mad and we all know when Hermione gets mad it's best just to let her vent." Harry stated turning beside his friend so that he could look at both of his friends.

"And you, Harry James Potter, encouraging him by showing up and delaying everything. You know very well we've got to get home to get to dinner over at the burrow tonight…." Hermione started, but trailed off as she realized just who she was lecturing; for a moment or two she just stood there staring at him with her mouth dumbly hung open.

"You know 'Mione, I'm beginning to think being married to Ron has made you develop some of his bad habits." Harry said with a cheeky grin at her.

"eeeeeeehhhhhh" Hermione screamed as she impacted into Harry, gathering him up in a bone crushing hug and kissing his cheek as she went, yet somehow she was still conscious of her pregnant belly and kept it from getting squeezed as much in the process.

"Oh, my gosh….oh my gosh…Harry! It's really you!" Hermione practically screeched into his ear while trying to break his ribs.

"Hermione…Hermione…breathe." Harry choked out between gasps for air, yet the plea did not seem to register with the pregnant woman, who by now had dissolved into tears of joy as she clung to him.

"Hermione, dear…you need to let go, your crushing him." Ron appealed to her as he came up beside the two and put a hand across his wife's back, trying to get her attention.

"Oh…sorry." She said, Ron finally getting to her with his third try. Harry just gasped for air as she released him.

"Well Hermione it seems childbearing has not had any affect on your grip." Harry said after catching is his breath and straining up to face is friends. Fred and Gorge had wondered off somewhere snickering a moment before and Ron was still fighting is own laughter at watching his best mate nearly crushed to death by his overly emotional wife. Hermione just continues staring at him, tears running down her face. Harry himself, fought an eye-roll at her 'emotionalism', Ron didn't even bother to fight it, knowing his wife was too preoccupied inspecting their recently returned friend to notice his exasperation. After a few moments of silent staring Harry was starting to feel fidgety at being under the microscope again and tentively risked breaking the silence.

"Well….how've you all been since we last talked?" Harry asked a bit awkwardly.

"How can you ask that after just dropping in here on us after SEVEN years Harry….we've got a lot of catching up to do and now that you're back we're going to have to tell you all about the baby…and we need to get you robes for the christening once her or she is born…come on you two, lets go, we need to get to the burrow, Molly will be so pleased you're back…you know Harry…" Hermione started going a mile a minute, once Harry broke her out of her staring stupor again and her brain kicked into high gear.

"Just great mate….just great…you had to get her going." Ron commented dryly to Harry as Hermione grabbed both of them by their arms and started dragging them out of the store towards the Leakey cauldron. Harry just shrugged.