The flight to Dublin was a short one, considerably shorter than Hermione's 22-hour flight. Before he knew the plane had landed at Dublin Airport and harry was waiting to exit the plane and go into the airport to collect his bags. Harry consulted the book on Ireland he had purchased and told the taxi driver where he wanted to go. Arriving at the pub Harry headed inside. It was called The Ferryman; it had a cozy feel to it.
He looked around the bar there was wood paneled flooring and walls, pictures adorned them, wooden stools and tables covered the large area. Harry spoke to a lovely Irish woman behind the bar and was soon on his way up a sweeping staircase met by a long corridor. He found his room about halfway along using the key he had been given Harry stepped inside the room and put his trunk and rucksack on the floor. The room had a large bed, bigger than any bed harry had ever slept in. a small bathroom, tea and coffee making equipment.
Harry ate dinner down in the bar, he enjoyed the atmosphere immensely happy to sit and listen the conversations around him. He was amazed at all the different accents he heard French, German, American. The food was fantastic; he even tried the local Irish beer Guinness. Back in his room Harry looked through the book again mapping out where he might go after Dublin. He came across a place called Kildare, it looked like a larger version of Hogsmeade, very quaint and peaceful, he decided that would be his next port of call. Finally giving into exhaustion harry changed and climbed into the soft comfy bed, he was asleep in seconds.
Refreshed and ready for a day of sightseeing Harry set off for the bustling streets of Dublin. Wandering along Harry noticed a large red bus had pulled over to the curb; it reminded him of the Knight bus he had taken in his 3rd year at Hogwarts. It was a hop on hop off city sightseeing tour bus, he couldn't think of a better way to see all the sights so he purchased a ticket climbed aboard went right to the top and waited for the tour to begin.
There was an onboard commentary pointing out places of interest and giving a small spiel of the significance of the landmark. Harry saw old cathedrals, an old college that reminded him of Hogwarts. They went past a Guinness storehouse a lot people left the bus for a look inside. Harry decided to get off when they came to a whiskey museum. He was quite partial to Firewhiskey in the magical world so he was interested to see what it tasted like in the muggle world.
Purchases from the museum in hand Harry wandered the cobblestone paths, looking into ornate shops, pathways filled with goods, fruits, vegetables, and cafes with tables for outdoors seating. He stopped at one and had some lunch. He relished the peace he felt, his time entirely his own, no one nagging at him, no Weasley women dropping hints about relationships and Merlin help him marriage. Here he could be what he always wanted to be just Harry. Fed and watered he continued his journey along the streets; he came to a large park. The Phoenix Park, it put him in mind of Fawkes the phoenix from Hogwarts he had belonged to Professor Dumbledore. Sadly when Dumbledore died Fawkes had left Hogwarts.
He walked through two large metal gated with the name of the park on either side. Harry got his first look at what would be many shades of green that made up the Emerald Isle. The park was so big it housed a zoo, Harry felt like he was young again as he bought a ticket and wandered through the grounds. Many of the animals he had seen once or twice before, some he had never heard of. Harry emerged 2 hours later, he found a bench and sat down, consulting his book again he decided he would head back to the pub, have some dinner and leave for Kildare the next morning. There was a train that traveled from Dublin to Kildare. He would take that the next morning.
Grasping his ticket, Harry lugged the heavy trunk onto the train and found an empty compartment. Hoisting the trunk up to the rack above him Harry plopped down onto the seat out of breath. It was almost a 2-hour journey to Kildare so Harry sat back and watched the scenery pass him by. The train pulled into the station Harry got off the train and began to look around for a taxi he didn't fancy having to lug his trunk on foot.
Finding a taxi Harry got in and told the young man where he needed to go. Harry had chosen to stay at a place called O'Connor's. Harry went up to his room, put his trunk away then went out for a bit more sight seeing. He walked through gardens, saw ancient buildings; something called a round tower that was near a church. Harry had some lunch in the Kildare Village; you could have put Diagon Alley in there and still had room to spare.
It was later afternoon when Harry returned to the pub. He was feeling a bit weary with the early start he had in Dublin, so he laid on the bed and closed his eyes. Seamus walked into the dimly lit bar and took his usual seat. The bar tender nodded in his direction and appeared moments later with a glass of Guinness in his hand. 'Evening Seamus' he said cheerfully. 'Evening Dom. Thank you' replied Seamus taking the glass and sipping.
'Your Mum and Dad get away alright did they?' the man inquired. 'Left yesterday headed for Scotland' Seamus answered. 'They'll be sure to have grand time' said Dom as he headed back towards the bar. This had become a regular occurrence in Seamus' life ever since the Battle of Hogwarts had been won and he had lost his best friend, Seamus had sought solace in the pub, hoping that the dark black ale would numb his pain.
Harry woke looked out the window and realized he had slept longer than planned. He showered and dressed for the evening. He walked down the stairs and into the bar. He was looking for a place to sit when a familiar face caught his eye, not quite believing what he was seeing Harry went over the table that was in a dark corner. 'Seamus?' Harry asked still not quite sure it was him. Seamus looked up from his beer 'Harry! What are you doing in Kildare?' Seamus was surprised to say the least. Harry sat down and began to tell Seamus everything that had happened before he had left London. 'I don't blame you for leaving, Ginny has been obsessed with you for years, I'm not surprised that you left I would have to.' He mused.
'What are you doing in here?' Harry asked. Seamus told him about his parents leaving for a trip around Europe now that it was safe they decided to go. He found himself telling Harry all about Dean and how hard it was to accept that he was gone. They had been best friends as long as they had been at Hogwarts. By the end of the story he was sobbing into his ale, Harry placed a comforting arm around him and let his friend cry. Embarrassed that he had fallen apart in public Seamus invited Harry back to his house for a drink. He lived not far from the pub.
Seamus poured Harry a FireWhiskey and sat across from Harry in the sitting room of his parent's house. 'Sorry for falling apart back there' murmured Seamus. 'Its fine Seamus I know how you feel, it takes a long time to get over the grief of losing someone. I still haven't gotten over everything that happened in the war, but I'm here anytime you want to chat' Harry said kindly. 'Thanks Harry' smiled Seamus.
They caught up on other news, Harry filled him in on Hermione going to Australia to find her parents and restore their memories. Seamus told him who would be going back to Hogwarts to do their final year Seamus had decided not to return, the memories would be too hard to keep at bay. Harry told him he wasn't returning either, but thought he might travel for a time.
Seamus offered to give Harry a guided tour the next day, he thanked Seamus for the drink and headed back towards the pub. Walking into the bar he saw the barman give him a small smile, Harry returned the gesture and wandered up to his room. He had felt bad for Seamus he knew how close he and Dean were, almost like brothers.
He had that with Ron at one time, but the war had changed him, after Ron had run off leaving him and Hermione alone for weeks, some of the trust he once had for the redhead had ebbed somewhat. He let his mind wander to the memories of the war something he had tried not to do for fear of breaking down like Seamus had earlier. He really hadn't had time to process anything over the last months, all his energy put in to keeping Ginny and her advances at bay.
Unable to sleep Harry went back down to the bar and had another drink, he sat watching the patrons around him and thought about the path his life would take now that Voldemort was dead, the magical world was safe once more and he wasn't returning to Hogwarts. Most of all he thought of how he could help Seamus come to terms with Dean's death. He wondered if Hermione had made it safely to Australia and how she handled having to sit still for 22 hours. He hoped that she would be able to find her parents and successfully restore their memories.
He eventually took the stairs to his room and slumped into bed. He stared at the ceiling for a long time before sleep took him, for the first time since the war had ended Harrys dreams were plagued with images of the Battle, or the death and destruction, of his own life ending then returning so he could end Voldemort once and for all. He tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning when he was able to get some rest. He woke the next morning feeling tired and drained he showered and went downstairs for breakfast and a strong cup of coffee while he waited for Seamus to arrive.