Two weeks since the Battle of Hogwarts had been won and the darkest wizard in the history of magic had been killed. Harry had never been so tired in all his life. Being on the run for almost a year then killing a madman certainly took it out of you. He would have given all his gold to be back fighting something anything he wasn't fussy, than be where he was listening the constant hints that were dropped on a daily basis from Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. While he was on the run he had sorted out that he preferred men to women. He had dated Ginny before the war, broken it off when he was on the run looking for Horcruxes. He knew that a relationship with Ginny was something he didn't want to pursue once it was safe again. The Weasley women would have none of it, they hinted and pushed daily. Right now Harry was feigning sleep in the room he shared with Ron.
Harry escaped to Hogwarts when he could to help with the rebuilding, but it was hard to relive all that had happened here, the grief of losing so many people the worst. He had lost good friends and those he considered family. Most of the time he walked through the orchard on the Weasley's property. A soft knocking at the door woke him. He rolled over and saw Hermione walk in and sit on the edge of the bed. 'Nearly time for dinner' she said smiling at Harry 'ok' he answered sleepily swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. 'Could we go out after dinner just you and me?' she looked hopeful. 'Sure but you know that Ron and Ginny are going to want to tag along' Harry replied. 'We will just have to insist that its you and me only I need to talk to you.' Hermione had a desperate plea in her eyes. 'No worries we will sort something out' they walked down to the kitchen and sat at the table.
It was like Harry had a magnetic force field around him that attracted Ginny to him every time he entered the room. She sat down beside him and tried to take his hand, Harry picked up his glass just before she could latch on. During dinner she was like an Octopus, hands all over the place, he wondered how on earth she managed to eat anything when her hands were roaming all over Harry. He had tried to have a conversation with her about not getting back together she had clearly taken no notice; he would have to be blunter this time around. As Harry and Hermione had expected the two youngest Weasley's insisted on accompanying them out to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Harry was very firm that this was just an outing for him and Hermione. Not giving either a chance to argue the point the pair left quickly.
He and Hermione had decided to go into London using the small village pub as a ploy, knowing full well Ron and Ginny would mysteriously appear. Ordering drinks and sitting in a booth Harry breathed a sigh of relief. 'I don't know what I'm going to do about Ginny, she wont listen or take no for an answer. Mrs. Weasley is no better, thinks I'm going through a phase thinking I'm gay, just need to rest as if that's the cure.' He was running out of patience. 'She is no better with me and Ron' said Hermione exasperatedly. ' I've told her that we are remaining friends and nothing more and she answers with You would look nice in Purple for the wedding dear I don't know how much longer I can last Harry I'm losing my mind.' 'I understand Mione; if it keeps up I will be leaving' Harry said taking a sip of his drink. 'Where will you go?' she asked. 'Thought I would go to Ireland always wanted to just never got the chance.' Harry mused. 'I'm going to Australia to look for Mum and Dad I just need to save a bit more then I can go' she explained.
'I'll lend you the money Mione, I have to go to Gringotts tomorrow anyway so you can come with me and I'll get extra out for you while we are there' Hermione came around to where Harry was sitting and threw her arms around him. 'Harry thank you so much, you are truly wonderful I didn't ask you out to get money I really did want to get away from the Burrow' she smiled. 'I know how important finding your parents is Mione I'm happy to lend you some' he gave her a squeeze. The rest of the evening was spent dancing and having a good time. They were both reluctant to leave. Next morning Harry and Hermione left for Diagon Alley it had been destroyed by the war as well, but slowly it was being repaired. Harry went into Gringotts and took some money from his vault, enough for his travels and enough for Hermione to go to Australia and find her parents.
They went to Hogwarts and help there for a time, enjoying the peace and quiet they seldom got at the Burrow. He loved the Weasley's like family, but he couldn't stand the constant interference into his personal life. Mrs. Weasley had always been that way, pushing him and Ginny together for years. Maybe it was because Ginny was the only girl in a house with six brothers, she had always been a little spoilt.
Harry didn't think too much on it, just enjoyed the peace while it lasted. He and Hermione returned to the Burrow late in the afternoon, most of the family were seated around the table. They sat down after putting their belongings up stairs. Mrs. Weasley gave them both a cup of tea. As usual Ginny was trying to permanently attach herself to Harry and Ron was doing the same to Hermione. Making his escape he walked through the orchard, sitting between rows of trees where he wouldn't be visible from the house.
A fortnight later Ron turned 18 there was a party held in the backyard of the Burrow a marquee had been erected, much like the one at Bill and Fleurs wedding. Family and friends attended. Some of the students from Hogwarts came. Neville, Luna, Parvati, Padma. It was mostly made up of Weasley relatives. Harry did his best to keep away from Ginny and talk to the others. There was a dance floor in the middle of the room, Harry and the others danced to the music. Whenever a slow song came on he made sure he was sitting and talking to someone or he was too tired to dance anymore.
Feeling overly enthusiastic from the amount of Firewhiskey they had drunk Bill, Charlie and George talked Ron, Harry and Neville into a night game of Quidditch up on the hill. The night air was cool on Harry's face a he flew through the air, he loved nothing more than riding his broom, he had really missed the feeling it gave him. Harry raced Charlie who had been a star Quidditch player while at Hogwarts. The game lasted well into the early hours of the morning. Instead of going into the house and waking everyone, they found the tent they had used while on the run, set it up on the hill and stayed there.
Breakfast was in the marquee the next morning when the campers stumbled in. piling their plates high, they quickly ate their food and headed back to the hill for more flying and Quidditch games. Ginny was less then impressed that Harry was avoiding her. She complained to her mother, Molly suggested that she make a romantic dinner for Harry just the two of them. Ginny wasn't sure that Harry would go for that so she thought of something else. Maybe the four of them could go out then it wouldn't look like she was trying to get Harry alone. She would talk to Ron about when they got back.
Most of the family left later that day, Bill and Charlie were staying on for a few more days before Charlie returned to Romania and Bill and Fleur went back to Paris. They played exploding snap, set fireworks from Georges shop off in the Orchard, and challenged each other to games of Wizards Chess. Unfortunately it came to an end when it was time for the two eldest Weasley to leave. Harry was sorry to see them go, they were great company and also a welcome distraction from Ginny. Harry knew he would have to talk to her again sooner rather than later he was delaying it as long as possible hoping she would take the hint.
A week later Ginny and Ron found Hermione and Harry in the sitting room talking. 'We thought the four of us could go out to a club or somewhere just a bit of fun' Ginny said. Feeling like they had no choice in the matter Harry and Hermione agreed. In the days leading up to it the pair talked about what they would do when Hermione went to Australia and Harry to Ireland. Harry wanted to see if there really 50 shades of green in the country like he had heard about. Hermione wanted to see an Australian animal.
The night arrived and the four left the Burrow with Molly grinning madly as Harry was sure this had been perceived as a date. Harry took them to the same club he and Hermione had been to. He hoped with the large crowd of people that it would be easier to avoid Ginny's wandering hands. He deliberately chose a booth Hermione slid in beside him before Ginny had the chance. He could see that she was far from happy about the seating arrangements. He really didn't care. He and Hermione danced while the other pair sat and shot daggers in their direction. A slow song was being played and before Harry had a chance to escape Ginny had grabbed him around the waist and was swaying to the music.
Her hands strayed onto Harry's arse he moved them away, she tried rubbing herself against him in a manner that could not be mistaken. He pushed her off. She tried to kiss him. That was the last straw; Harry grabbed her hand and dragged her outside the club into he busy London Street and into a quiet alleyway. 'What part of I don't want to get back together because I'm gay don't you understand Ginny?' he snarled. 'Its just a phase Harry you'll see, we are meant to be together, use just need some time to get used to the idea.' Ginny swooned. She really is thick Harry thought ' I know you love me, now lets go back inside and dance' 'I don't love you nor will I ever love you, for a start you're a woman and second I don't feel that way about you so give it up' Harry shouted. Leaving Ginny in the alley he turned in his heel and stormed back into the club.
He strode over the booth and picked up his jacket. Hermione sensing something was wrong looked at Harry. 'What's wrong Harry?' she asked. 'I'm leaving I have had enough of Ginny's wandering hands and her inability to take no for an answer.' He fumed. 'I'll come with you' she said sliding out of the booth. They left the club together found a quiet spot and apparated back to the Burrow. He went into Ron's room grabbed his trunk, packed it and went to sleep in Bill and Charlie's old room. Hermione stayed in there with him. Harry charmed the door so no one could get in and placed silencing charm around him and Hermione. The decision was made that the next day they would both leave the Burrow for Australia and Ireland.
The next morning Harry and Hermione came down to the kitchen and were greeted by two scowling faces. Molly bustled around the kitchen cooking the breakfast pots and pans floating around, dishes washing themselves in the sink. Harry took a deep breath and decided to just get telling everyone they were leaving over with. 'Mrs. Weasley Hermione and I will be leaving today, Hermione will be travelling to Australia to find her parents and I'm going to travel for a while.' 'How will you and Ginny be able to work things out if you're not here? She could always go with you I suppose give you time alone' she sounded pleased at the suggestion.
'There is nothing to work out, I don't feel that way about Ginny I'm gay that wont change no matter how long I stay here or whether Ginny comes with me.' Harry tried to explain. 'What about you Hermione do you feel the same way?' she asked completely ignoring Harrys comment. 'Yes Mrs. Weasley the only thing Ron and I can ever be is friends.' 'Well I think it was very cruel of you both to take Ginny and Ron out for a night giving them the impression that something was happening then leaving them stranded when they acted on their feelings' Molly growled.
'We gave them no impression of the sort; your daughter seems unable to take No for an answer. Thank you for letting us stay here, but we really need to get going' Harry turned on his heel and walked through the back door Hermione close behind. They walked to the edge of the property and apparated away. Coming to land in the Alley next to the Leaky Cauldron Harry and Hermione went inside and ordered themselves some breakfast. The conversation focused on how reluctant Molly was to see what was right in front of her, the need for control far out weighed the need to actually listen to what was being said.
After breakfast they caught a taxi to Heathrow airport. Hermione had always wanted to ride in a Muggle Airplane. She went to one of the counters and booked a ticket to Australia she used her Muggle money and beamed when the woman handed her the ticket. Harry was inspired by Hermione's excitement so he bought a ticket to Dublin.
They had a few hours to kill so decided to explore the airport it had many shops scattered throughout so Harry and Hermione wandered around, they found a shop that had book on different countries Harry got one on Ireland and Hermione Australia. Hermione found a small café where she and Harry grabbed some lunch. It was time to head to their respective gates and wait to board their flights. Hermione hugged Harry tightly, she gave him a piece of parchment with the address of the hotel she was staying in, he promised that he would write to her and send it the Muggle way. Harry gave her a kiss on the cheek told her he loved her and walked to find this gate number.
Harry settled himself into his designated seat on the plane; he had kept his rucksack with him. There was a small screen in front of him, and buttons built into the arm of the seat beside him. Picking up a pamphlet of some description he perused the contents and learnt that the screen and buttons were to watch something they called in flight movies. The plane filled up quickly to Harry's delight there was only one other person in his row of seats and there was a gap between them. The doors shut, the flight attendants gave a demonstration on what to do should they find themselves in an emergency situation. The plane started moving slowly towards the runway. Moments later they were up in the air Harry couldn't help but look out the small window, tiny dots that resembled the airport below them and fluffy white clouds effortlessly floating past.