Four Years Later
Part IV: Someone To Welcome Me Home

"Ginny!" Arthur called as he walked in the door. He took his shoes off as he passed through the living room. He looked at the clock with a forlorn expression. Fred and George were home (their apartment), Fleur was at work, Bill was traveling, Charlie was at his home, Ginny was at Home, his own had just switched to home, and Harry's, which had been added after the final battle, just after they'd removed Ron and Molly's, said visiting...

WAIT! Arthur looked closely at the clock again. For four years Harry's hand had held steadily on traveling.

"GINNY!" he called as he came into the dining room. for the last four years, no matter what her brothers and father said, Ginny was always setting dinner down as Arthur walked in. there in the dining room standing near the table was Ginny wearing what had to be one of the biggest smiles he'd ever seen on her. Standing beside his daughter was him. The boy who lived, the chosen one. It was Harry Potter, alive, well, and in his house again.

"My boy," Arthur said, on the verge of tears as he sat down hard in his chair. "Do you know how worried we've been?" Arthur's voice never seemed to convey anger, this was astonishment, and amazement, and even joy.

"I'm sorry Mr. Weasly," Harry said, tears near his own eyes. "And I'm so sorry for..."

"No," Arthur cut him off, taking the boy in a fierce hug. Arthur knew exactly where Harry was going. "Don't you take away from their deaths by blaming yourself. They went down as heroes... That's why I haven't stopped living," he said. "Molly wouldn't want me to shut down." He patted Harry hard on the back, "And She'd want you happy." he forced Harry to sit at the table, with Ginny between Arthur and Harry. Throughout the meal Arthur noticed that his daughter and this boy he'd always tried to protect as a son were holding hands.

"So," Arthur mused aloud. "Harry what exactly are your intentions with my daughter?"

"Daddy," Ginny growled with a smile.

"I hope that she'll marry me," Harry said without hesitation.

Both Weasly's stared at him. "I'm here to stay," he reaffirmed. "And Ginny is the only person I really want by my side for the rest of my life."

Ginny gripped his arm hugging him.

Arthur smiled widely. "You've always had my trust and love Harry," Arthur said. "I can think of no man I'd want to see marry my daughter than you."

Harry smiled and blushed despite himself.

"That said," Arthur said. "Given these modern times and attitudes, I would understand if certain... relationships happened between you two."

Ginny and Harry blushed brightly, laughing at the permission that they'd been given.

After dinner, Ginny dragged Harry away from the table. It had been an early dinner so she was determined to have him visit his old friends. They apparated to Diagon Alley where the Twins assaulted Harry with hugs and a few pranks. They made Harry promise to stop in a few times during the following week for publicity purposes, and stop in at least once a week at their Defense supply store. Harry agreed that he would be happy to go to a place named for his best mate.

The next place they apparated was Hogsmead. As it was summer, the gates hung wide open and the gargoyles seemed to smile at Harry and Ginny. Ginny explained that she had permanent permission to enter and leave the grounds as her brother was teaching there. Ginny went to see Bill straight away. Harry However went to a small cabin on the edge of the forest. he knocked on the door.

From inside there was almost silence. Ginny had told Harry that Fang had passed on last year from age. "I'm comin'" came his old friend's deep voice. The door swung inward and Rubeus Hagrid stared down at the face of one of the few friends he'd ever had. "Harry?" he asked.

The two embraced, Hagrid nearly squeezing the life out of Harry. "Does Ginny know yer back?" Hagrid asked.

Harry told Hagrid how the Weasly's were the first he'd gone to see.

"Well tha's sommat innit?" Hagrid said. "Half o' the Wizardin' world thinks yer dead, but not me. I knew Ye' had t' be out there som'eres."

they had a few cups of tea. Hagrid told Harry how Grawp was now quite good with english and was as much a fixture at Hogwarts as the Giant Squid. Harry laughed at some of the stories Hagrid told of Grawp popping up to scare First years away from the Forbidden Forest. Firenze was apparently still not allowed in the forest, but the Centaurs weren't still violent with him. Hagrid mentioned a student who'd been a frist year last year. "Had to talk ter 'em like I did you," he elaborated. "Muggle Born but..." Hagrid smiled. "Some good talent 'ere. I also Reckon he's got a bit of an adventurous streak... not that 'E's got much of a choice."

Harry gave him a confused expression.

"Boy's a Muggle born, the first in my memory to be sorted into Slytherin house."

Harry's jaw dropped as they chuckled. "Boy's good enough on a broom, an' he's got friends from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."

"I'm sure he'll do fine," Harry agreed.

Hagrid looked at Harry. "I remember th' firs' time I met you. Not as a baby, but when I came ter collect ye f'r Hogwarts." He clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Ye' did grow up ter be a thumpin' good wizard didn' ye?"

Harry smiled as he saw Ginny outside. They continued to talk for a few minutes more, reminiscing on old Care of Magical Creature's classes, and talking about what Hagrid was doing now. They talked about how Hagrid didn't have time to find anymore "special" pets with taking care of Grawp and classes. Harry didn't say it, but he figured that was for the best.

"I better let ye be gettin' home, I'm sure Dobby'd be tickled pink ter see ye." Hagrid rose and opened the door.

"Dobby?" asked Harry.

"Hasn' he seen it?" asked Hagrid, looking at Ginny.

"No," she said with a smile. "Thats where we're going next, it is getting dark."

"Well Then, ye'd bes' be gettin' him home," Hagrid's eyes twinkled. Harry had missed his friends.

"This time," Ginny said as they walked outside the Hogwarts gates, "you Side-along with me." she kissed his nose and apparated them to Godric's Hollow where Harry couldn't believe his eyes.