Chapter five
Minerva tapped Harry on the shoulder who was still being kissed by Charlie Weasley.
'That was a magnificent speech Harry, but your arrival was surprising, just like you are surprising.'
Harry grinned his cheeky lopsided smile, 'It keeps life interesting…Minerva. But thank you, I think that speech went okay.'
'It was more than okay. But why did you stay away so long?'
'I needed space, time, I needed to find myself. My life changed so suddenly that night, so I had a lot of contemplating and soul searching to do. But it's good to see the castle back the way it was, you did a good job.'
'Thank you and like you said in your speech, I had a lot of help. But there is someone behind you that won't wait much longer before he sees you,' Minerva caressed Harry's face, 'You've grown up, but you are still the Harry Potter I always knew and I'm very proud of you.'
Harry nodded, 'Thanks,' he couldn't say more as he felt the lump rise in his throat, then he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, 'Hagrid,' he turned and was instantly hugged, 'I missed you too.'
'You shouldn't have come back sooner Harry.'
'No, I needed time, but I'm back now. You're looking as good as ever, still seeing Madame Maxime?'
Hagrid gave a shy smile, 'Yes, when we can.'
'Whoa,' Harry yelled as Grawp picked him up, 'Hi Grawp, please don't drop me,' Harry could see all his friends laughing, but some of the guests looked worried.
'Harry,' Grawp grinned.
'Hey Grawp, his mine, so can you put him down?' Charlie called loudly as he looked up at Harry.
Grawp looked down at Charlie, 'Careful Charlie, it seems Grawp wants to play with me,' Harry laughed.
'Behave Potter and make him put you down.'
Harry laughed again, 'Okay Grawpy, can you put me down now.'
'Harry friend.'
'I'll always be your friend Grawpy,' Harry patted his large hand that was holding him then he was slowly lowered to the ground, 'Thanks Grawp.
'That was some entrance Mr. Potter,' Neville grinned then hugged Harry.
'Did you like that Neville, I thought I would shock everyone.'
'You always shock or surprise everyone, so that's not knew,' Seamus said then hugged Harry, 'I heard you gave my girl a ride.'
'Only on the bike Seamus, I ride men, not woman.'
'Not men, me, only me,' Charlie said possessively as he put his arm around Harry pulling him close.
'So possessive Charlie,' Harry smirked, then turned back to his friend, then one by one they all hugged Harry before he finally made his way over to Andromeda Tonks, 'Hello Mrs. Tonks.'
'Hello Mr. Potter, why don't you sit and meet your godson.'
Harry sat, 'It's Harry, please and I'm sorry I haven't been here for him, I really did need some time away.'
'You do not need to explain. Remus and Dora told me a lot about you, so you did the right thing by leaving. Teddy this is Harry, your godfather, I showed you a picture of him remember?'
'It's loud,' Teddy pointed to the bike.
'Yes, it is a bit loud, would you like to sit on the bike Teddy?'
Teddy looked up at his grandmother, 'You won't take him for a ride will you Harry?'
'No Mrs. Tonks, not until his a lot older.'
'Then if Teddy wants, he can.'
'Do you want to Teddy?'
Teddy nodded, 'Yes please,' he held out his hand to Harry then hoped off the seat and they walked through the crowd. Harry lifted Teddy until he was sitting on his bike, 'Big bike.'
'Yes, it is a big bike,' Harry saw some flashes and looked up, 'They're taking our picture Teddy, smile for them.'
Teddy lifted his head and smiled hugely before someone spoke, 'Who is the child Mr. Potter?'
'My godson, Teddy Remus Lupin.'
'That's Remus Lupin's son, he was friends with your father wasn't he?'
'Yes, one of his best friends.'
'Like Sirius Black?'
Harry stared for a minute before answering, 'Yes, Sirius was my father's closest friend and my godfather as I'm sure you know. But I need to get Teddy back to his grandmother, come on sport,' Harry lifted the boy from the bike but never put him down, just carried him through the crowd, 'I'll let you sit on it longer another time, too many reporters,' Harry looked at Andromeda who nodded in understanding.
'You know where we live, so drop in anytime.'
'Thanks, I would like to,' Harry knelt in front of Teddy, 'I would like to be friends Teddy, I'll come visit okay?'
'Okay, on the bike?'
Harry chuckled, 'Yes, I will come on the bike. Do you think I could have a hug?' Teddy instantly hugged Harry making Andromeda smile, 'Thank you Teddy, I'll see you soon.'
Harry walked towards his friends before he was stopped again by reporters, 'Why did you arrive like that Mr. Potter?'
'I am a half blood, I live in the magical world and the muggle world. I get around on my bike, so if I'm going anywhere that's how I arrive.'
'Do you travel by apparition or floo at all?'
'Yes, but I prefer my bike, it's a nice way to travel, very relaxing.'
'You've changed a lot, is there a reason for how you look?'
'I grew up, last time I was here I was only just of age. So being away, thinking about me for a change I decided it was time to work out who I am and how I want to be now I had the chance.'
'But why stay away so long?'
'It was the first time in my life I could do what I wanted. I was always being guarded, either at my friends home, my godfather's home or here. Once he was gone I decided to travel and see the world.'
'Is that why you're back, you've finished seeing the world?'
'No, I came back because my friends asked me too.'
'I'm sure they asked you before, what makes this time different?'
Harry glanced around and nodded his head towards Hermione and Ron who both stood on either side of Harry. He explained what they asked so his friends explained that they were getting married, Harry was their best man. Finally they were asked for pictures so the golden trio stood together while they had their picture taken. Then Harry alone before the DA joined with Harry in the centre, but someone asked if the DA would hold their wands. So the group all looked at Harry who nodded, they all took their wands in hand, folded their arms and posed for pictures. So even though the group knew two were missing, Colin and Lavender, they realised it could have been a lot worse.
'As you all know, we are here to honour the people that died in their fight against Voldemort. As Harry stated earlier, some people died going back thirty, forty and fifty years ago, that is when Voldemort first started to want and gain power. This memorial wall that stands next to Albus Dumbledore's tomb has a picture of every person that lost their lives from the time Voldemort started his reign of terror. Hogwarts will open its gates for one day a year so all of you can pay your respects to those people that sacrificed their lives that allow us to live today.
We had many meetings to decide what to call this award, but in the end it was unanimous, so I will read the names of the deceased then the name of the person that will receive the Harry Potter bravery award. The first name I wish to read out is James Potter, receiving his award, his son Harry Potter,' Kingsley waited until Harry stepped on stage then pinned an award to his chest, then shook his hand before putting his hand on his shoulder, 'The next award is for Lily Potter again Harry Potter will receive his mother's award,' Kingsley again pinned the award to Harry's chest, 'Since Harry is still here, the next award is for Sirius Black and his godson Harry Potter will receive his award,' Kingsley pinned a third award to Harry's chest, 'The award for Albus Dumbledore was originally going to his brother Aberforth, but Aberforth said as he and his brother never got on, he believed his brother's award should be presented to the one person Albus only ever got close to, Harry Potter,' Kingsley pinned a forth award to Harry's chest, shook his hand then let him leave the stage. Then one by one people received their awards for their lost loved one. Tears were falling when Andromeda stepped onto the stage with Teddy, he received his parent's awards while Andromeda received her husbands.
'Even though today is not the day, but on the anniversary of the fall of Voldemort we have decided it will be an official holiday, and it will be called the Harry Potter holiday.'
'What?! Harry blurted out and his friends all laughed at his shocked look.
'It seems I just shocked our hero,' Kingsley smirked down at Harry, 'Then everyone get their camera's ready because I'm about to do it again,' Kingsley moved his wand and a thirty foot statue of Harry Potter appeared before the crowd, 'This statue of Harry Potter is our symbol of hope, our symbol of freedom and our symbol of peace. All the people that fought that night has their names on this statue which will stand on the other side of Albus Dumbledore's tomb who mentored Harry for years so he would be ready to face Voldemort even though he was only a boy,' Kingsley chuckled as he saw Harry's mouth hanging open as he stared at the statue then turned and glared at him, 'Oh, I think I'm in trouble,' Kingsley laughed again making everyone laugh at the look on Harry's face, 'Stop giving me death stares Harry, I haven't finished yet young man.'
'Oh you are going to get yours one day…Minister,' Harry growled.
'I hope it's what you did a couple of weeks ago, that was fun. Anyway, the order of merlin: third class,' Kingsley started to read out the names of everyone that fought in the battle of Hogwarts that fought on Harry Potter's side. 'The order of merlin: second class is awarded to every member of Dumbledore's army and the order of the phoenix,' Kingsley again read out the names of all recipients, 'The order of merlin: first class is awarded to Mr. Harry James Potter for his self-sacrifice, his bravery, his courage and naturally for ending the worst dark wizard in history,' Kingsley waited until Harry stepped back up on stage, 'You are glittering there Harry, they must be weighing you down a bit,' Kingsley slipped a large medallion around Harry's neck.
'You tricked me Minister, you only mentioned awards for the people that died, not for the rest. I'm not sure I'll trust you anymore.'
'Oh Harry, you deserve these awards and the applause people are showing you right now should prove that. Now accept them gracefully and go join your friends,' Kingsley hugged Harry this time then allowed him to leave the stage and again straight into Charlie's arms.
'Did any of you know about these other awards?'
'Of course we did, we knew if you found out you would not have turned up today,' Hermione said smugly.
'You're lucky you're my friends, but look at me,' Harry gazed down at all the awards covering his body.
'I'll take them off one by one when we leave here Harry,' Charlie said giving him a very seductive smile.
'As long as you take everything off and not just the awards. But I need to speak with your father for a minute, stay with this lot,' Harry shook his head then headed over to Arthur Weasley, 'Can we talk for a minute Mr. Weasley?'
'Of course Harry,' Arthur smiled and led Harry away from the crowd, 'Is it Charlie?'
'Yes, I asked him for us to take this slow, but he's really become possessive. I'm not sure how to handle this situation and I don't want to hurt him in anyway. I care about him Mr. Weasley but he's moving way to fast.'
'He told us only this morning when he got home that he has fallen in love with you, but he knows you don't love him.'
Harry sighs, 'I've been hesitant to let myself love anyone, that's why I stayed alone. I didn't want to chance falling in love.'
'Because of Sirius?'
Harry nodded, 'Yes, he was the first person I said those words to. I care for Charlie but I'm not sure I can allow myself to love again, not like that even if it's different for how I felt about Sirius to how I feel about Charlie,' Harry sighs again, 'I'm not sure what to say to him.'
'Just explain, he's heard the stories on how you were after Sirius died. He might not have been here to see it, but he did hear it. Tell him you need more time, just reassure him that you do care for him.'
'I can do that, but there's something else. Even though it's only been two weeks and he's told you he loves me, I've been getting these strange looks from him, he's been leaving so much of his stuff at the apartment, not that I mind that, it's easier than always going home to change if we're going out. But he's brought a few personal things like his books on dragons. I think Charlie's either going to ask us to live together or um go even further.'
'You mean marriage?' Arthur looked over at his son who was watching Harry but with a wistful look on his face, but Arthur also noticed that Charlie kept rubbing his finger on his left hand. He realised Harry was right and it was too soon for Charlie to be thinking about such a serious relationship with Harry when they had only just started to see each other. Like Harry, Arthur did not want to hurt Charlie, but maybe he also needed to speak with his son.
