To make a home
"Ron I must go. I have to spend time with them, their awfully confused! They deserve explanations!" Hermione pleaded.
"Yes yes" Ron replied shortly. "I'm just not fond of…you leaving I suppose."
Hermione looked at him softly.
"But I agree this is time for our families. We shall see you at Snape's memorial then, eh?" he asked brighter.
"Of course" Hermione kissed him on the cheek and apparated.
Ron looked at the spot she left from with sad eyes. Harry clapped him on the back.
"I'm gonna go check out sirius's place. Fancy comin' with me? I invited George too. Get his mind off all this." Stated harry.
"Yeah alright" shrugged Ron.
Harry half expected to return to a wrecked house, because he'd last thought it would go under a heavy search. But it was spotless, and brighter than usual. He smiled, knowing it had to be Kreachers doing.
"Kreacher! Come on out here!"
A small, big eared head popped out from the kitchen.
"Master Harry! I knew you would return soon enough. I was beginning to get worried!" said Kreacher with a smile.
"yes well…there were funerals to attend to. I should've dropped in though, sorry"
"Do not be sorry to me, it is who should be sorry. Supporting someone such as dark lord for so long. But you defeated him, master. And we house elves played a part!"
"I know Kreacher, job well done!" exclaimed George.
"I suspected you would take master sirius' room so it is nice and tidy. Shall I prepare a room for your friends?" asked Kreacher.
"well here's the thing Kreacher. We have to talk. As much as I know you want preserve your erm, mistresses room I think I'll have to change it a bit. But I will keep Regulus' room just as it was and no one will stay there it's just I need a guest room."
Kreacher frowned. "I expected so. But whatever your will is will be. Come to dinner now"
Kreacher prepared a plentiful meal of roast veal with a fresh picked salad. The boys were full when they set to Potter-izing the house.
"ya know Harry" started Ron, as he levitated a creaky old desk "My mum thought you'd live with us for a bit before you moved in here. We still have lessons and such we have to make up, she doesn't consider you an adult yet"
"ron" replied Harry "we just saved the wizarding world from a certain terror. I'm pretty sure I can handle myself. And as for the schooling thing, wouldn't I be living at Hogwarts anyway? I mean if it means that much to your mum I'll live with you all for a bit."
Ron shrugged. "Getting here's easy enough, it makes no difference to me. I'm sure once you get things cooking with Ginny my mom'll want you outta there anyway."
Harry nodded as he sorted through papers.
"Speaking of Ginny…I suppose you haven't ya know?"
"no not yet. There's lots of stuff to sort out. It's been on hold this long, a few weeks more shouldn't matter right?" Harry asked, not even buying his own story.
"I s'pose." Ron said while George entered the room.
"So we'll spend the night here and head back to the burrow tomorrow then?" asked George.
"Sounds like a plan" said Ron.
Harry bid creature a fond farewell, and the boys headed back to the burrow. He made various trips back throughout the week. Before one such a trip Ginny approached him.
"harry I don't suppose you'd let me come along?" asked Ginny shyly.
"no, yes- your welcome. Come on then" replied Harry, flustered.
"Return at a reasonable hour then?" called mrs. Weasley from upstairs.
Ron raised his eyebrows at Harry, and they were on their way.
"Oh Harry it's nothing at all like I remembered!" exclaimed Ginny.
"Well Kreacher and I have been hard at work to make it my own" replied Harry placing his bag on the floor.
"oh" mumbled Ginnny. "I- well mum thought you'd be living with us. And er- returning to Hogwarts?"
"well I plan on staying at your place for a while, and perhaps even Hogwarts. I know you've got another year" blushed Harry.
"yes although I think after what I've gone through I should be done" smiled Ginny kicking her foot.
"my thoughts exactly" laughed Harry. He became aware of how much taller he was than her. She had to cradle her head upwards to get clear view of his face. He really liked that.
"Harry…" she began but stopped. Shaking her head, she said "what can I help with?"
"oh little things here and there. But first you can help me by saying…if I wait to- well get a move on with things…that you'll still be there waiting for me?"
"I'm not sure I understand…" replied Ginny quietly.
"there is a world of things that I need to say to you. That I want to shout to you. But there a world of things that need to be settled…before I can give you my full attention. Which i plan on doing" Harry's tone was desperate.
Ginny without warning reached her fingers up to brush the hair from harry's eyes.
"you need a haircut" she murmered, pulling her hands away. Pulling out her wand, she whispered the words to trim his hair. When finished, her smile shined bright.
"Now I can see those eyes." Ginny said softly. " And I agree…the time isn't right yet."
Harry took her hands in his and kissed them. She then pulled away and they set to work.