One week in France and Harry was enjoying himself immensely. Surprisingly he found the training to be stimulating and enjoyable. Funny enough it reminded him of Privet Drive. Wake up early and work, small breakfast usually an egg or toast and then they would work some more. All day instructors were in their faces yelling do this, do that, can't you get anything right. Harry thought they really lacked the malice they intended. One of his instructors had actually gotten in his face and yelled at him for smiling while he was being yelled at. When he asked Harry if he enjoyed getting yelled at he had responded, "By you Sir I don't mind it at all. I know your purpose in it is to make me a better person and I can take that."

The dumbfounded instructor said "What?" in a very confused voice. But then he went back to yelling and spread it out across the rest of the recruits. Harry had been shunned at first because the other recruits didn't like how he was enjoying the punishment they were going through. But then they had the first session in dealing with the physiological part of being an Auror. They found that for Harry this wasn't punishment.

Each person had to introduce themselves and tell what they considered to be their worst experience or memory and their best. He heard tales of breaking sentimental objects and performing under aged magic to hid it, lies told and tests cheated on for the bad stuff. On good things he heard all manner of fun. When it was his turn he sat and thought for several minutes. Finally one of the other recruits being funny said, "What's wrong Potter, can choose from all the fun you've had?"

"No," Harry had missed the malice in the recruits voice as he had said it, "I'm just trying to narrow it down. I mean fighting the basilisk when I was twelve was bad. But I don't think I'd call it my worst. Same with the Troll, the Cerberus and even Voldemort. I guess it would be when I figured out that what I hear when a dementor is near is my mother screaming just before she was murdered in front of me when I was fifteen months old. I think that's... maybe not."

"How old were you when you figured that out Harry?" the Healer in charge of the sessions asked.

"Thirteen." Harry said thoughtfully, "No that's not the worst. The worst was last Christmas. Voldemort showed me his memory of murdering my parents. That was the worst, the cupboard doesn't even compare to that. Yes I'll stick with that as my answer."

It was a good thing that Harry was the last to talk because no one else was functioning for a few minutes. The healer prodded, "And your best memory?"

"When I found out Sirius was innocent." Harry said.

"Can you tell us more?"

"Oh, sure." Harry laughed then explained the whole story of wormtail and padfoot ending with, "The only really bad part is that the ministry wouldn't acknowledge his innocence until after he was murdered by Death Eaters."

As these sessions continued through his time at the program Harry was able to get a lot of stuff off his chest. He always felt free to talk because they had all made an unbreakable vow not to talk about anything that was told in these sessions. The very worst of his life though was not approached during this time. He was the only one who also has single sessions with the Healer. There he delved into the deepest recesses of his mind and feelings. When he was done with the program Harry wouldn't have said he was clear of any problems stemming from his life but he did understand himself and his reactions better.

It only took one week for the other recruits to realize that his life hadn't been a picnic. His enjoyment they had taken as him thinking he was better than they were, was not that at all. His enjoyment was because this training wasn't as harsh as his life had been. Meals weren't meager portions they were normal for Privet Drive and he had lived on less. Being stared at, talked about and generally disliked had been experienced in abundance over the years. It didn't bother him because he thought it was just normal human reactions, it was what he had always seen. It only took a week for Harry to find friends that would last.

Every night when the others were relaxing and talking Harry would be back in the training room working alone. It took until the end of the second week before any of his friends felt comfortable in asking why he didn't stay and visit.

"I don't want to dwell too hard on personal matters." Was all he would say. One evening his friends grabbed him and wouldn't let him work out during rest time. They didn't bring up any personal issues they played chess, exploding snap and gobstones all evening. That night they were all woke up when Harry's nightmares caused him to break through the silencing spells. He apologized for waking everyone and reset his spells before he went back to sleep. During the physiological session the next day the other recruits brought up his nightmares, "I have them almost every night. They're not usually bad enough to break the silencing spells I use. Last night was the worst in a long while."

After that every evening two or three recruits would exercise with Harry instead of having rest time. The group alternated it so no one would have to do it all the time. Harry's time at the program was passing quickly and he couldn't help but wonder if Ginny was still mad. Were Ron and Hermione mad at him now too? He tried not to think about it too often because it tended to make is nightmares worse.

One of the things they tried to accomplish during the program was finding your breaking point. At just what point would your emotions get the better of you. It took almost the entire six months but with the help of the Healer, the instructor finally pushed Harry over the edge. The result, the instructor would say, was nothing short of spectacular.

"Harry you know the exercise. Today I'm going to make you lose it, are you ready?"

"You may try instructor Mayes," Harry smiled, "but I'm planning on being the last to give in."

"You are the last." He said, "The others broke months ago."

"Maybe I can be the first to leave without breaking." Harry taunted.

"I'm taking that as a personal challenge." Then the man started in. He insulted Harry's parents and his friends. He said all the things he usually did to upset Harry. When he had reached the farthest point the man had ever reached he went one more step, "You failed to save your brother, Fred." At that point the man was very glad he was not within reach of Harry Potter. He was very glad they used magic to pipe his taunts and jibes in from across the campus. He was astounded when the wall behind Harry disintegrated because recruits didn't have wands during this process. Every single window on campus shattered. The buildings trembled. The building Harry was in collapsed but didn't hit him. A wave of magical energy disabled everyone within twenty meters of its center which was Harry. A single screamed word echoed across the area. "No."

Hours later as things were finally finished being fixed Harry was talking to the Healer and the instructor. Not only had Harry found his breaking point, he had had a break through. He finally understood why all the bad things that happened weren't his fault. He didn't have to take the weight of the world on himself. He deserved as good of a life as anyone else. And he was worthy of life, love and happiness. It had taken a long time but Harry could finally put his past in the past and know that it wasn't all his fault. The lessons taught to him by his Aunt and Uncle had diminished. Harry had self confidence. And yet he could still be humble, polite and courteous.

The first thing that struck Harry was that his nightmares had decreased. He had been prepared for bad ones following the breaking incidence but he had actually had better dreams. Gone were the visions of all his friends and family murdered at the hands of Voldemort or his followers. Gone were the dream voices telling him he was the cause. He still dreamed about the battles and things but his mind quit adding to the atrocity.

On the last day of the program the Ministers for Magic and Head Aurors were invited for each participant. Harry was extremely glad to see Kingsley Shacklebolt, although the other man he had never met. For Kingsley the first shock was that the young man who approached him had a far different build than when he had last seen him. He was no longer the skinny boy that looked half starved and doubtful of his abilities. Instead was a man built for purpose, projecting confidence and strength. He reached out to shake Kingsley's hand.

Kingsley reached up and moved the hair off his forehead, noting the scar he stepped back and shook the offered hand, "Sorry Harry had to make sure, you sound the same and look fairly similar but the attitude is all new."

"Thanks I think." Harry grinned.

"It's a complement really." Kingsley chuckled, "You aren't a skinny little kid anymore and the self confidence is much better."

"Yes, the angsty teenager is practically gone." Harry said, "Girls are the only thing left on that list."

"I don't think they ever truly move off it." The Head Auror said shaking Harry's hand, "Gawain Robards, Head Auror."

"Pleasure to meet you Sir." Harry said, "How are things at home?"

"Getting better." Gawain said, "We still have some rogue Death Eaters wandering around but we have the inner circle we think. I'll be glad when you get back and start bringing some of them in."

"I'll do my best Sir." Harry replied.

As they were chatting another man walked up. He introduced himself as the French Minister for Magic. He requested that before Harry leaves France he visit their ministry. He said that Monsignor Delacour would be honored for him to stay with them for a few days while the visit takes place. Harry replied that he would be delighted to visit and thanked the man. Harry made plans to use a portkey to the Delacour residence the following morning.

Upon arriving he was greeted by Fleur and her family. Fleur cried, "Harry you have changed so much. I hardly recognize you at all."

"That's what Kingsley said yesterday. He even checked for my scar to make sure." Harry laughed.

"Ginny is going to be so happy to see you." She said softly.

"As long as she's happier than the last time I'll be happy." Harry replied just as quietly, "Is there somewhere I can go shopping for some new clothes and things? These are entirely too tight."

"Harry I have much to catch you up on before we go out in public." Fleur said then she proceeded to tell Harry what Neville found out, "Since the Christmas Holidays are still upon us we didn't want you to get caught up in her scheme before we could catch you. Daddy pulled in a favor to get you a visit to the ministry, we'll still go but the whole design was just to get you here so I could talk to you first."

Harry hugged Fleur, "Thanks, I'm glad my friends have my back. I need to tell Ginny how sorry I am that I believed that… person."

"Neville and I said the same thing, only not as nicely." Fleur chuckled, "Come lets go shopping. We'll get some things that Ginny will really like."

"That sounds like serious trouble for me." Harry grimaced.

"Harry, you thought the girls were all over you before. That's nothing to what's going to happen now. Lets hurry we only have a few hours before we need to visit the ministry and our portkey returns home at eight tonight." Fleur smiled.

The two young adults spent time shopping around magical and muggle Paris before arriving at the ministry. He was welcomed by the one French man that had been in the program with him. Theirry escorted them through the ministry. They visited every department and Harry shook many people's hands, the day passed in a blur. Before he left there was a ceremony in the Ministers office where they gave him a medal and thanked him for stopping Voldemort before he could terrorize the entire world.

When they finally returned to the Delacour's home Harry was tired of French everything, except possibly Fleur. He touched the portkey that she was holding and they were whisked away. They landed with a thud at the Burrow. Harry stopped for a moment taking it all in before yelling, "I'm home." There was a commotion at the door before the smallest red head shot out of the crowd and threw herself at Harry.

As the others filed out the door Harry gathered Ginny in his arms saying, "I'm so sorry I believed her. I should have known. Fleur told me everything. Can you ever forgive me? Can I kiss you?"

At the same time Ginny was saying, "I've missed you so much, don't you dare leave me again. Don't worry about that I almost believed it was me too. Neville showed me the memory. There's nothing to forgive. If you don't I'll hex you."

They kissed but it didn't last long as they heard Ron yelled, "I could really go without seeing that."

Ginny yelled back, "Then leave."

Harry chuckled and put her down and she pulled him to greet the rest of the family. Molly's hug was just a tight as he remembered them being. When he hugged Hermione though she exclaimed worriedly, "Harry, what did they do to you? Last time I hugged you my arms went all the way around and overlapped. Now I can barely reach. Did they work you to death?"

"Kingsley actually checked his scar to make sure it was Harry." Fleur laughed, "Theirry one of the other students said Harry was the only one to actually gain weight during their time there."

"Most everyone lost weight in the first two weeks and then gained it back over the six months. I started gaining weight right away." Harry grinned.

"That's because you had nothing to lose." Hermione grumbled, "You have been only skin and bones for so long."

As they settled in the living room George said, "That's right you've always been a scrawny little kid, but now I think one look at you and the death eaters will be scared before they know its Harry Potter that's after them."

Harry laughed but stopped when he heard a pop from outside, Arthur stood to go into the kitchen, "Relax, Kingsley is stopping by. He wants to talk to Harry about something."

Harry followed Arthur out into the kitchen and shook Kingsley's hand. Arthur suggested they return to the living room unless they needed privacy.

"No privacy needed. Besides everyone always finds out what was talked about anyway." Kingsley laughed, as they relaxed he continued, "Harry how did you like your training?"

"It was fantastic. I learned more than I thought possible for just six months."

"Excellent, I have good reports from all your instructors too. I understand you had a really good breakthrough a week ago. You want to talk about that?" Kingsley grinned mischievously.

"I'm sure you know all about it."

"I do but I think you should share anyway."

Harry decided to talk directly to Kingsley since he didn't feel it would be safe for his own emotions if he saw anyone else's reactions, "Fine. One of the processes we go through is to find your breaking point. When will you lose control of yourself and your magic. They take the time to push every button you have to find it. They found mine about a week ago."

"Most of them break within the first month." Kingsley said, "No one has ever lasted past the end of the second month. Harry lasted until a few days before the end of training. Please continue."

"They'll tell you anything to make you blow. They insult your friends and family and tell you how stupid you are. For me the insults would just roll off, I have years of practice with that. But then they started using the information from the listening sessions. What broke me was when they said it was my fault Fred died; I still hadn't come to grips with that yet. They explained later that it was a risky maneuver on their part it could have back fired and I would have been in worse shape. But it didn't I felt like I was yelling that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't save everyone, Voldemort is the one who should be blamed and all that. But all that came out was no."

"And…" Kingsley prodded.

"And a magical blast that destroyed the building I was in. Rendered everyone within 20 meters of me unconscious. And broke every window on campus."

"Wow." Ron said, "So then you finally understood that it wasn't your fault?"

"Yes."

"About time mate." Ron stated. Harry chuckled as Ron rolled his eyes.

"Give it a rest Ron." Ginny said, "It didn't help that he had other people telling him it was his fault right after the battle."

"By the way what did you do to get back at her?" Harry asked.

"Not much yet…" Ginny said.

"I've charmed her camera but other than that we're letting her believe she's getting away with it, for now." George said, "We thought you may want in on the torment."