Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (I wish) however I do own the little plot bunny.

Warning: Eventual Slash!

Summary: After Sirius dies in the MOM Harry doesn't return to the Dursleys but instead goes back to the burrow. The Weasleys are worried about Harry who is withdrawing himself steadily from the world around him. Bill, seeing this, takes it upon himself to bring the boy back to reality, falling in love along the way. This is going to be a drabble fic spread out over the years ( 5th- 7th not sure how many parts there will be, but I do know that this is basically the background story/ lead up to my Advent Calendar entries about Bill and Harry) There won't be many as they can only be within the summers.

I'll Bring You Back

Garden Walks

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Charlie and I stood together in the kitchen, watching through the window as Harry walked around the garden aimlessly. He'd been out there for nearly five hours already. It was the summer, so we weren't worried that he would freeze to death, but even from this distance it was easy to see that he was far paler, and far skinnier than he should be...something that had only gotten worse after Sirius died.

My heart ached as we watched him, lost and hurting as he obviously tried to come to terms with what had happened. I'd barely moved from this spot the entire time he'd been out there...watching as Ron, Hermione, mum and even the Twins with their box of magic tricks had tried to coax him back inside, bribing him with food and other things, to no avail.

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I stayed there with Charlie, keeping vigil, until I was called away by my dad, some urgent Order meeting he'd dais...although I knew nothing could possibly be as important as looking after Harry, bringing him back to us. It was a selfish thought, I knew that there was still a war raging around us, but all I wanted was to help Harry heal, to bring the vibrant young man back from his grief and wait until he turned 17, when I could finally allow myself to feel what I so desperately wanted to feel for him.

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When I returned, Harry, my mum informed me, had already returned to the shelter of the house and was currently in the front room with Charlie. I didn't stop to think, I'd barely even said hello to Ginny and my mum before I was rushing through the house. I only stopped when I heard my name spoken by that beautifully soft voice. He was talking about me with Charlie? I stopped just outside the door, leaning forward so that I could better here their conversation. I know it was wrong, but my ego was feeling a little gleeful at the prospect.

"I'm messed up Charlie," Harry stated softly.

"No you're not Harry; you're grieving, it's normal."

"But I feel so guilty."

"Sirius' death wasn't your fault, Harry. You know as well as anyone that he would have wanted that, to die fighting for those he cared about."

"I know...one last big adventure. I just...I should have realised that it was a trick, should have waited until I could get word to someone first...I should have done something, anything different and he would still be here."

"You can't think that way, Harry. It wasn't your fault. You shouldn't have to be doing anything like that. You should be enjoying your teenage years with the joy and fun expected, not fighting a war. It's not your fault that you've been dragged into the middle of this by that madman."

"That's not even the worst of it though, Charlie," Harry muttered, sniffing a little as he tried to fight back the tears. "Do you want to know the first thought that popped into my head when I saw Sirius falling through that veil?"

There was a pause.

It wasn't shock or fear, anguish or grief at losing my godfather, the only parent I've even known. It was relief. As I watched him fall through that veil, as I watched Sirius die, all I could think was 'thank Merlin it isn't Bill." I couldn't stop my gasp at that, as both happiness and anguish flooded my body. Happy to know that Harry felt just as strongly for me as I do him, but anguish to know that those same feelings have been causing him such guilt and pain. I nearly burst into the room as I heard the first sob leave Harry's mouth, but I knew my presence would only cause further pain at that moment. I knew that Harry was in safe hands with Charlie, my brother's naturally protective nature, and soft nurturing ways—inherited from my mum, in a less busy and strict way—would be a comfort to the broken angel behind this door.

"I wasn't'...wasn't trying t-t-to reach for Sirius when Remus grabbed hold of me, I was t-t-try-trying to go around it, trying to get to Bill, to k-k-know he was alright."

"You shouldn't feel guilty about feeling that way, Harry. I know you loved Sirius, but the love you held for him would never match the feelings you have for Bill. Loving someone and being in love with someone are completely different things. Bill, for you, is the most important person in the world to you and everyone, whether it's Sirius, Remus, me, Ron or Hermione, even you parents...we all fade in comparison to him. Bill was there fighting too. It's only natural that you had been worried about him the most. You know you can carry on living even with Sirius gone. You know that you can face whatever comes next as long as you have Bill beside you, right?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, of course. He's the only reason I get out of bed in the morning," Harry stated, the sobs ebbing now.

"Well, imagine that Sirius and Bill's places had been reversed. Could you carry on then?"

No, Merlin...even the thought..." Harry started to choke up again, then.

"Shhh, it's okay," Charlie soothed, "Bill's fine. You see? Feeling relieved that Bill was okay after focusing all that energy on worrying for his safety is a natural reaction. It doesn't make you a bad person. Sirius would have understood, Harry."

"Thank you, Char," Harry mumbled sleepily, and I knew it was time for me to leave.

I went straight to the room Charlie and I were sharing and sat on my bed, head in y hands as I thought back on the conversation I'd overheard. It was the furthest thing from what I was expecting. I didn't know what to do, but my resolve to bring Harry back was increased tenfold. I will bring him back to us...to me.

So, there we go, another chapter finally. I hope to get back into posting stuff more regularly, although I do expect a short hiatus for exams in June. However, for now all should be on track...the next chapter is nearly finished. I hope you enjoyed.

Multi x