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It was a tense couple of days as the Potters prepared to leave. Albus, after shouting himself hoarse, had opted for stony silence. The Healers didn't much like the idea of apparition, even if it was side-long, nor did they think flooing in Albus' condition was a good idea. So they were going by train to King's Cross Station where Ron would be waiting to pick them up. As Harry had anticipated, Albus knew he was behind the unwanted desking right away. Of course, because he did indeed worship the man, he didn't argue with Arsenius. He waited until his supervisor guiltily retreated to vent his anger.

"How could you?" Albus had hissed at his father, his eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't, Dad, just don't. I know you're behind this. You know, up till this point I never had any doubt about your ethics. I had always held you up on this pedestal but now, now you're just asking favors for your own gain, manipulating everyone who disagrees with you. Clearly the Ministry hasn't changed as much as you've said it has." Albus' words stung deeply. He didn't feel right about asking for favors but Albus could never know how different things were now. He had done what he'd done to save his son, not advance himself, not to usher in a new age of muggle-free carnage. Harry sighed.

"Albus, I know you're angry but-"

"You don't know! You have no idea how I feel right now!" Albus shouted hysterically. "Here I was finally, I was finally independent. I was finally something by myself. I wasn't famous for some stupid reason like having a famous father. People saw me, Albus Potter instead of Harry Potter's son. I was good at my job; I had a girlfriend. I was living my own bloody life. But no, you're right, you're always right. No one ever knows best; you have to poke your nose into everyone's business," Albus ended bitterly. Harry thought that was a bit harsh but at least partially understandable under the circumstances.

"It's not like you're a sodding stranger Albus. You are my son and like it or not, I have a, a duty to protect you."

"Yeah? Well at the moment I don't really want you as a father do I?" That was when the silence started. Albus hadn't spoken a word to either Harry or Ginny since. Harry couldn't help being the slightest bit bitter and resentful. He was just trying to do what was right and, like so many times before, it had blown up in his face. As much as he wanted to convince Albus that he did know what it felt like to want to be normal and not to be famous for some "stupid" reason, he knew his stubborn son wouldn't listen. The straw that broke the camels back, however, came the morning before they were set to leave. Madhavi came. She was dressed in a low-cut pink tank top and a pair of hole-filled jeans. Ginny tensed the moment she saw her.

"May I have a word alone with Albus?" she asked solemnly. Harry nodded quickly and ushered Ginny out of the hospital room.

"What'd you do that for?" Ginny asked in indignation, rubbing her arm.

"She wants to say goodbye Gin. We can give him that at least."

"What happened to not trusting anyone eh? She could be in there force-feeding him poison."

"I don't think it was Madhavi; she had plenty of opportunity to hurt him. They lived together didn't they? I don't think it was her. I think it was that other translator, Rajish. He looked mighty irritated when I went in to see Arsenius. He's the only one other than Madhavi who didn't go through the Ministry background check and he was one of the only ones who had access to the research room other than the crew."

"So why haven't you arrested him? Then we wouldn't be dealing with all of this mess!" Ginny exclaimed.

"I don't have enough evidence on him unfortunately. I'm having someone do a background check on him right now. I'm going to keep all of the doors open though. It really could have been anyone." Ginny was about to respond when a tearful Madhavi emerged, brushing her dark hair from her face. She swept past them as she let out a deep sniff. Ginny and Harry rushed into the room to find Albus looking glumly at the wall. They had never seen him look so dark.

"What happened darling?" Ginny asked, sitting down beside him and taking his hand. He pulled it away from her and glared at Harry.

"Maddy broke up with me. Are you happy now?" Albus spat.

"Oh, Al I'm sorry," Harry said honestly. "Why would she do that?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe it's because I'm leaving the country and she's finally seen what overprotective prats I have for parents."

"Well, maybe it wasn't meant to be," Ginny reasoned. Harry noticed her brightened tone.

"There's always Liz Longbottom," Harry joked. Albus looked back at the wall, his jaw tensing. His profile was so familiar, so reminiscent of himself that Harry almost had to do a double take. Albus had always been so much like him. He was always first to blame himself, (when he wasn't blaming Harry that is), far too noble for his own good. It didn't help matters that he looked exactly like Harry had at his age.

The train ride was, if possible, even more awkward than their last few days in the hospital. Albus was secured in a bed, blankets wrapped tightly around him. As he hadn't gained full strength in his legs yet, Harry had levitated him into the train. He hadn't liked that one bit. Harry was painfully aware of Albus' frustration. He just didn't know what to do anymore. The only thing he knew for sure was that Albus would be safe back in England where he could keep an eye on him.

Though the train was magically powered to at least ten times the speed of a normal train, the trip still seemed to drag on forever. They arrived in London in the early evening to a steady drizzle. Ron was waiting at the station, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. Harry levitated Albus out of the train and Ginny transfigured a ball of yarn into a muggle-style wheelchair.

Ron and Harry took care of the luggage and Ginny wheeled Albus through the barrier, out into the muggle-filled station. Ron, sensing the tension, didn't speak until they were safely in his flashy red sports car. "We're so glad you're okay Al. You had us rather worried for a tick. If you're feeling up to it, Mum wanted to have everyone over to dinner, that is, everyone who's not at Hogwarts." Albus tried to answer but Harry beat him to it.

"That sounds fine Ron. Let's just get the luggage back home and then we'll go. Do you want to floo or drive?"

"Oh, I'll drive. Hermione doesn't give me much chance without her in the car. She seems to think I'll do something stupid." Harry didn't say that he thought Hermione was probably right or that he had been hoping that Ron would opt for floo, giving him a chance to drive his own car. While Ginny and Ron took in the luggage and deposited most of it in Albus' room, Harry made a couple of modifications to the wheel chair. He wanted Albus to feel as independent as possible.

"See Al, it hovers now so all you have to do is fiddle with these buttons here," he gestured at the newly formed violet buttons on the right arm rest. Albus didn't say anything, purposefully turning his head away from his father. Harry groaned. "Al, you can't ignore me forever. You'll see someday that what I did was for the best. It was done out of love and-"

"Spare me," Albus quipped coldly. "I don't really much feel like going to the Burrow so I think I'll just stay here."

"Albus Severus Potter," Harry began, his voice deadly calm. Albus recognized that voice; it was the one Harry always used when he was at the end of his rope. It was a voice Albus had feared above all others through his childhood. "Your family has not seen you in over a year not to mention we thought for a few brief minutes that we had lost you entirely. You will go to dinner and you will be civil. If you put even one toe out of line-" but Albus had hovered his way out of the room. Harry immediately regretted making the modifications.

The car ride to the Burrow was uncomfortable to say the least. Ron was a bit put off by Albus' new demeanor. He had always been the most even-keeled of the Potter children. He was not easily ruffled and didn't hold grudges long. That facet of his personality, however, seemed to have disappeared. Albus didn't say a word through the whole trip, ignoring Harry's every endeavor and civilized conversation. Ginny seemed almost close to tears. The sooner they got out of the car, the better.

They pulled up to the Burrow to see the family in its entirety standing out on the lawn. Fleur was trying to distract Bill from Teddy and Victoire who were playing footsy on the grass. Charlie had his arms wrapped around his long-time girlfriend Maureen who was looking at him adoringly. James was snogging Sophie, his girlfriend, shamelessly against the side of the house which didn't go unnoticed. Mrs. Weasley was looking at the two with disapproval. Rose was sitting cross-legged, a book in her hands. Hermione was talking animatedly with Percy who was being prodded by his youngest, Molly. Angelina and Audrey, George and Percy's respective spouses were shelling peas with their wands and Arthur was showing George's eldest Fred and Bill's second daughter, Dominique a new addition to his car.

Ron honked the horn and all eyes turned to them. Harry chanced a glance at Albus who had suddenly gone pale. Ron got out of the car first and Hermione walked over and gave him a kiss. Ginny got out next with the now shrunken wheelchair. She enlarged it and looked at the two imploringly. "Come on Al," Harry coaxed gently. Albus shook his head slowly, looking at his hands.

"I don't want them to see me like this Dad," he whispered. "Too much fuss, I, I can't, not like this."

"Come on Albus, it's your family. They won't care."

"Just get out, I have to do this myself," Albus breathed. Harry got out of the car and stood aside, pushing the wheelchair to the door. Albus pointed his wand at the wheelchair and it transformed into crutches. Harry bit back a groan. Albus struggled to hoist himself to his feet, sinking into the crutches. He grunted and wobbled dangerously. Harry lunged forward but Albus shook his head quickly, sending his father a warning look. He steadied himself and turned to the family who were all looking at him sympathetically. Even James had looked up from Sophie albeit grudgingly.

"Hi," Albus greeted lamely. It broke the flood gates though and the lot of them descended upon him. Harry looked on worriedly. He noticed the distinctly green pallor Albus had taken on. Less than two weeks before, he had been in a coma and at the moment, he looked it.

"We were so worried!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, embracing him tightly. He let out a slight groan and she released him. "You gave me such a fright! I looked at the clock and, well, I'm glad you're back."

"Indeed!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed, warmly embracing his grandson. "But you look dead on your feet; let's get you inside. Harry followed the crowd inside, glad for a little respite from Albus' constant daggers. A large dinner followed, one that virtually incapacitated all involved. Afterward, they all sat around the living room, digesting. Harry must have dozed off for when he came to the sky had dimmed and the first stars had twinkled into being. He looked around the room and didn't see Albus. A sharp pang of panic went through him.

"What's up Dad?" James asked behind him. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"James, have you seen Albus?"

"Yeah, he went outside for some fresh air, why?"

"How long ago?" Harry asked quickly, standing up and gazing at his eldest intently.

"I don't know, around ten minutes ago. He left around the same time Sophie did." Harry walked swiftly out the door, followed closely by James.

"Albus!" Harry called, breaking into a jog.

"Dad, why are you so worried? He can't have gone far on those legs," James joked. Harry gave him a look that shut him up. He heard a slight moan from the garden. He hurried over and saw Albus splayed on the ground, groping for his wand which was just out of reach. His crutches lay at an odd angle.

"Have you fallen and can't get up Al?" James asked, chuckling. Albus groaned and buried his face in the grass.

"Can I not have one bloody moment's peace for Merlin's sake?"

"What happened?" Harry asked, bending down to examine him.

"What does it look like? I fell and my wand fell out of my pocket."

"You shouldn't have been using those bloody crutches. You know your legs aren't up to it at the moment."

"Of course not, because that would give me some power. This way all of the control is in your hands, how silly of me."

"That's enough Albus. I know you're upset with me; I'll deal with it. But you are weak and you are doing yourself a disservice. You will stop this foolishness right now. James, help me get him up. We're going home." With James' help, Harry got Albus up. "Hold on Albus," Harry ordered. With a wave of his wand, they were standing in the living room of Grimmauld Place.

A moment later, Harry realized why the Healers hadn't wanted Albus to apparate in his condition. Albus doubled over and lost his dinner. "Oh Al, I'm so sorry. Let me just get your mother." He sent his patronus to Ginny and a second later, she materialized beside him. They levitated Albus up the stairs and into his bed. Albus was too weak to protest.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. It's a bit shorter than the previous ones but I think it came to a close. REVIEW!!!!!