Chapter 3: Reunions!
Ginny Weasley sat alone at the table in the kitchen at the Burrow. It wasn't that she didn't love her family. It was just that they were all just certifiably insane. Every single one of them had lost their minds four years ago. On the occasion that Ginny actually spent the night at the Burrow, she liked to be up, and out before any of the other Weasleys were awake. She was eating breakfast (buttered toast) and dreaming of Harry Potter. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice the figure of her mother enter the kitchen.
"You're up awfully early," Molly told her only daughter as she began to prepare sausages and eggs for the rest of the family.
Ginny gave her mother an impassive look. "Didn't sleep well. Besides I'm always up early, you just never notice," Ginny retorted emotionlessly. Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to notice her daughter's succinctness.
"Are you coming home after work?" Molly asked Ginny.
"No, I'm going to London. I'll be spending the rest of the week with Remus and Tonks."
Ginny could hear her mother give a soft "tut" at the mention of the Lupin family.
"You should visit Ron and Hermione while you're there," Molly said as if she hadn't heard the last part of Ginny's comment.
"Why? So I can be lectured by someone else about the 'error of my ways?'" Ginny howled at her mother.
"VIRGINIA MARIE WEASLEY!" Molly screamed as she whirled around from the stove to face her only daughter. Her face was red with rage as she continued to do her impersonation of a howler. "I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN TO LIKE THAT BY MY OWN CHILD!" She stared Ginny down for a few moments before visibly relaxing. "I'm sorry dear. It's just that, we all care about you. We don't want you to continue having these idealistic dreams about someone who will undoubtedly bring death and destruction."
Ginny almost lost it, but was able to keep her calm. "Mother, what exactly has Harry destroyed? Who has he killed that you wouldn't have killed yourself given the chance? Mom, you know Harry. You have known him for years. He was like a son to you. How could you turn on him like you did?" A solitary tear of sadness ran quickly down Ginny's cheek, leaving behind a streak that glistened over her fair skin.
Molly gave Ginny a look that was void of any emotion save contempt. "Harry Potter is the one who turned on us. He was like a son to me once, yes. But that Harry is gone. The Harry that is left is nothing short of evil.
"I don't want you going to visit that werewolf and his family anymore," Molly continued as Ginny stood to leave for work.
Ginny froze in her tracks. "I am an adult witch, and I'll visit with whomever I see fit."
"You live under my roof, therefore you will live by my rules," Mrs. Weasley said, her voice rising in pitch again.
"OH, THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING TO BE?!" Ginny screamed, easily matching any yell Mrs. Weasley could muster. Without warning, Ginny disapparated. It was only a matter of minutes before she reappeared with her trunk floating in the air behind her.
"Consider myself out from under your roof," Ginny said coldly. She grabbed hold of her trunk and disapparated again.
Mrs. Weasley sat at the table and began to cry silently. It wasn't until the overpowering smell of burning sausage reached her nostrils that she was roused from her self-pity.
~*~*~
Harry appeared with a small pop just inside the entrance to 12 Grimmauld Place. He was struck instantly with the smell of dinner warming his lungs. It had been too long since he had a hot meal. Living off of sandwiches, biscuits and crisps for four years certainly left him desirous of a good home cooked meal.
Harry started to make his way forward, but was slammed back against the door by the sound of a familiar voice.
"Please be still, Lily. As soon as I button your jumper you can go," he heard Tonks say from the room just past the kitchen. Suddenly, Harry was too nervous to go further. The people he was about to see had been nothing more than memories and dreams for so long that the notion of seeing them again was more than terrifying.
"C'mon Potter! Stop being such a coward. You've come this far, what are a couple more steps?" he mumbled to himself.
"More than you realize," he answered himself.
"Is someone there?' Tonks called from the kitchen. Harry was rooted to the spot. He could hear her footsteps growing ever closer with each step. The thought of disapparating away briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
Suddenly, there she was. Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin. Her hair was bright green; apparently motherhood has not affected Tonks' sense of style. She was not yet showing, but Harry could see the special aura that indicated pregnancy for a witch.
"Harry?" she whispered slowly. She was walking toward him cautiously with her arms stretched out toward his face. Harry took a tentative step forward. Slowly Tonks' hand made contact with Harry's cheek. She then ran her finger along his scar. Quickly, the woman he had come to love as a sister enveloped him in a hug that would rival the best of Mrs. Weasley's.
"What are you doing here?" she asked franticly, afraid if she let go he would disappear and it would have all been a dream.
Harry pulled away and looked deep into her eyes. "Remus a dit que je viens, donc je suis venu," he said hoarsely.
"What?" Tonks asked.
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "Remus wrote me and told me to come."
"Well you're just in time for dinner. Would you like some food?"
"Yes, if you only knew what I've been eating for the past few years."
"Tonks, is everything okay? Who's here," Harry heard Remus call just before he entered the entrance hall. He stopped in the doorway to the dinning room. "Harry?" Remus ran to the young man and pulled him into a tight embrace while spinning him around.
"It's so good to see you, Harry," he continued.
"It's good to be back," Harry responded as the two men let go of the embrace.
"Wait right here," Remus said as he disappeared out of the foyer. He returned seconds later holding a small girl, roughly three years old. "Lily," Remus said to the little girl, "I'd like you to finally meet your godfather, Harry Potter."
The little girl's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Remus put the girl down and she ran to Harry.
"Uncle Harry!" she said as she clung to the Gryffindor's leg. This behavior bewildered Harry. In four years he had not received one ounce of human affection. Now this little girl who didn't even know him, save for the stories she heard, was offering him all of the affection she had.
Harry quickly patted the young girl on her back before gently prying her off of his leg.
"Let's have dinner, shall we," Tonks said, trying to ease Harry's obvious fears.
The four of them sat down together to a wonderful feast. They spent the time laughing. Remus and Tonks recounted many stories of Lily as a baby, much to the toddler's chagrin. Lily spent the entire meal vying for Harry's attention, which he always gladly gave her. She was the first child Harry had ever been around, and he was growing to love her more every second. She was having the grandest time telling Harry about her stuffed hippogriff "Poochie."
"And he has green feathers on his back," she said matter-of-factly.
"Is that so?" Harry asked, amused.
"Uh-huh. And he protects me at night. He's brave like you, Uncle Harry."
Harry blushed each time Lily called him that. The little girl continued to talk about topics ranging from Quidditch to going to school at Hogwarts. Tonks watched in awe as Harry interacted merrily with Lily. His letters had been getting progressively darker; maybe this was what he needed to get him out of that state of mind.
After a few more minutes, Remus became rather pensive.
"Remus, is everything alright?" Tonks asked.
"Tonks, could you please take Lily into another room, I need to talk to Harry alone."
"Sure," she said, turning her attention to the child that was pulling Harry's arm, trying to get him to tell her a story. "Come on munchkin, let's get you cleaned up." Tonks collected Lily and left the room hastily.
"So, I take it you received my last letter," Remus said to Harry.
"Yes, that's why I came," Harry said.
"Something has happened, but I'm not sure what."
"I figured as much," Harry replied darkly.
"What do you mean?"
"Earlier tonight my scar exploded in pain."
"What?! That hasn't happened since. . ."
"Voldemort," Harry interrupted.
"But, Voldemort is dead. You made sure of that."
"Yes. I'm not sure exactly why it happened. However, we are digressing."
"Yes. The other night, while I was transformed, I felt the call."
If Harry was shocked, it didn't show.
"The call of the dark?" he sounded almost uninterested as he asked.
"Yes. Someone is building another strong following somewhere on the Isle."
Harry snorted. "And?"
"Well, something needs to be done," Remus said drastically.
"And you thought I was the person to contact about it? Remus, my friend, I love you to death, but I could care less about another dark wizard."
"But Harry, how can you say that. Of course you care." Remus was appalled at Harry's attitude on the topic.
"Do I, Remus?" Harry said indifferently.
Remus was at a total lack for words. The Harry he knew would do anything to help anyone, whether he knew them or not. This Harry was cold and uncompassionate. Harry seemed to have read his mind.
"Don't get me wrong, Remus, I don't want people to suffer. All I'm saying is that I've done my part. I was meant to rid the world of Voldemort. I refuse to be a pawn again, especially for a world that would just as soon see me dead as the next dark lord. In fact, how much are you willing to bet that I'm the first person suspected when this new group of wizards starts attacking the public?"
Remus sank in defeat. "I know you're bitter about what happened."
"BITTER! I was bitter three years ago, Remus! Now I'm fucking pissed off!" Harry managed through clenched teeth. The air around Harry was cracking with pent up rage. His eyes were involuntarily changing colors from his normally calm emerald green to a bright red inferno of fury and pain.
"I need some time alone," Harry said calmly. In a matter of seconds, his hair changed to a long, sandy brown mane. His jaw squared off and he grew a neatly trimmed goatee. His eyes, however, stayed the sinister shade of red they had become moments earlier. Without even a second glance toward Remus, Harry dissaparated away from Grimmauld Place.
~*~*~
Walking alone through Muggle London was not much different from walking through Muggle Paris, nor was it the same. It was nice being back in his home country, but it still didn't feel like home. Something was missing from this place. Even Grimmauld Place was lacking. Harry couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew that something was missing.
Walking along the sidewalk, Harry replayed the conversation with Remus in his mind. Shaking his head, he cursed inwardly.
'Who the hell does he think he is? Asking me to do something about this.'
A cold chill blew in the air and icy drops of rain began to fall; yet still Harry walked in silent rumination. His thoughts were like jumbled words on a crossword puzzle. Emotion conflicted with emotion. Pride conflicted with reason.
Mesmerized by the sight of his breath in the cold, Harry stopped walking and watched. At first, his breath was thick. After a few moments, it dissolved away into nothing. When the wind would gust, his breath would disappear instantly.
'I'm such and idiot,' Harry thought to himself. 'How could I talk to Remus like that? When all is said and done, he will always be on my side.'
He looked to the pub on his right, and realized he was directly in front of the Leaky Cauldron.
"How ironic," Harry said to no one in particular.
Harry slowly began to walk toward the entrance to the old pub. Pausing for only half a beat, he entered. He was automatically hit by the smell of smoking tobacco and strong alcohol. He recognized the barkeeper Tom instantly.
"Can I help you, sir?" Tom asked as Harry approached.
"Fire whiskey," Harry replied with a disguised American accent. Tom began to pour a clear liquid into a small shot glass. "The whole bottle," Harry said. Tom looked at the stranger in disbelief before nodding and placing the bottle directly in front of Harry. Harry paid the bartender the appropriate amount of galleons and sickles before picking up the bottle and retreating to a relatively abandoned corner of the tavern.
As he uncorked the bottle, the smell tickled his nostrils. Harry had to try hard not to be sick at its strong scent. Harry wasn't much of a drinker, especially something as hard as fire whiskey. However, the circumstances called for something to ease his nerves.
Raising the bottle, Harry eyed it in disgust before placing the cold glass rim to his trembling lips. Tilting it upwards, he felt the warm liquid leach down his throat. Somehow, Harry took comfort in the burning of his throat brought on by the whiskey. It was somewhat. . . refreshing.
Harry thought back to Remus and their argument. 'Why did I have to yell at Remus like that?' he thought. 'I haven't been back in England for three hours and already I'm alienating one of the only people who believe in me.'
Harry spent an extensive amount of time dwelling on the revelations of earlier. About half way through the bottle, Harry was finished drinking. He was almost completely pissed, and he just couldn't stomach it anymore. His thoughts wandered aimlessly until they fell upon a red headed witch. For the first time tonight, he realized that he was closer to Ginny than he had been in four years.
Suddenly, it hit Harry. It was like he had been in prison and he was now free. True, he couldn't walk the streets as himself; he'd certainly be thrown in Azkaban for real. However, this was the next best thing. At least he wasn't in bloody Paris. That was a city he would just as soon never see again.
A voice coming from a few tables down from Harry, grabbed his attention.
"Did you hear what Matilda Fletcher said about Harry Potter? Said she seen him stalking around the shrieking shack in Hogsmeade."
"I heard Simone Tailor say she saw him down Knockturn Alley, wearing a cloak that hid his face."
Harry audibly laughed at this last comment. "Begging your pardon, sir, but if his cloak hid his face, how did she know it was Mr. Potter."
The old man that made the comment turned to stare at the disguised Harry. His face showed that he was considering Harry's comment. He snorted and turned back around, muttering something about "strange American wizards."
Harry just smirked and listened as the conversation about him unfolded further.
"His own best friends have sworn up and down for years that he's evil. If anyone would know, it would be them," one old wizard said from across the room.
"I don't believe it. It's no secret that Harry Potter killed You-Know-Who. It's because of Harry Potter that we all have the freedom we enjoy now," said a middle-aged witch at the table next to the previous speaker.
"Ron Weasley said he killed You-Know-Who because he didn't want to share power. Potter was just getting him out of the way," retorted the wizard Harry had chastised earlier.
So, Ron was spreading rumors about Harry. Not that Harry was surprised, just disgusted. Harry then decided that when his day of reckoning came, Ron Weasley would have hell to pay.
It was then that a booming voice from another corner sounded out above all of the murmuring.
"That' 'll be enough talk 'bout Harry Potter. He's done nothin' ter deserves the kinda treatment the likes o' you've been dishin' out. Harry's hero, and all o' you should be thankin' him fer what he did."
The crowd grew quiet at the command. Harry turned his eye upon the speaker. He couldn't see anything but shadows, but the voice gave it away: Hagrid. Harry's heart leapt. Hagrid believed in him too. Harry stood, leaving his bottle on the table. He slowly but steadily walked toward his old friend.
Hagrid was sitting alone at the table. Harry sat directly across from him, a huge grin shining on his face. Hagrid looked at the intruder like he had grown another head.
"Be gone! I don't want ter talk to ya."
The grin on Harry's face persisted. He lifted his finger to his lips, signaling Hagrid to be silent. Before Hagrid could react to this gesture, Harry lifted his bangs from over his forehead. It was dark in their corner, but Harry could tell by Hagrid's eyes that he saw what Harry was trying to show him.
"Come. Let's go somewhere safe to talk," Harry whispered. He stood and Hagrid did the same. Harry led the way out of the pub and back into Muggle London. Hagrid had no trouble keeping up as one of his strides matched at least three of Harry's.
"Where 'r we goin'?" he heard Hagrid ask. Harry just shook his head, indicating that now was not yet the place to begin talking.
Harry led Hagrid through the busy Muggle streets for almost an hour before ending at the famous Tower of London.
"Can you apparate?" Harry asked.
"I'm not surposed to," Hagrid responded.
Harry sighed and grabbed Hagrid's arm before apparating both of them to the top of the famous British landmark. Harry closed his eyes, stretching out his senses magically to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. Satisfied that they were truly alone, he opened his eyes as all of his features transformed back to his normal look.
"I'm so glad to see you, Hagrid!" he exclaimed as he quickly hugged the half giant.
"I'm glad ter see you too, Harry. I never thought I'd get ter see you again," Hagrid squeezed Harry hard to make sure it wasn't just his imagination.
The two men separated and Harry spoke first.
"It's worse than I imagined," he said.
"What, the people talkin'? Don't think on 'em, Harry."
"How can I not, Hagrid? They want me dead. And the minister of magic is more than willing to satisfy that urge for them."
"Well, Minister Umbridge is keen on findin' ya. But, Kingsley Shacklebolt's been holdin up the search."
"Kingsley believes me too?"
"Yup. All o' the members o' the Order do. That is all 'cept the Weasleys."
Harry's blood boiled at the mention of the Weasleys.
"So, where ya been, Harry?"
"Bloody Paris,"
"Paris? Nice city from what I heard."
"It's worse than hell," Harry said bitterly.
Hagrid frowned. Harry's behavior was different than Hagrid remembered.
Harry glanced down at his watch. "I've got to get back to Remus; I've been gone too long."
"Could ya help me down first, Harry?" Hagrid pleaded.
Harry sighed impatiently. Again he grabbed Hagrid's wrist and apparated back down to street level.
"Ya do know yer not surposed to do that in fronta muggles," Hagrid said.
Harry smiled. "Since when have I cared about the rules? I have to go, Hagrid. I'll contact you again soon."
Hagrid nodded and before he could blink, Harry was gone.
~*~*~
Harry apparated in a dark alley just out of Hagrid's view. Harry closed his eyes and retransfigured his face to the way it was before he revealed himself to Hagrid. Slowly, Harry began walking back towards Grimmauld Place. He was in no hurry, and was still considering things regarding Remus' request.
The rain returned, and with it the chill. Again, Harry was transfixed by his breath disappearing with the wind. It came to him then. His breath was the people, and the wind was Voldemort. Once the people were happy and alive, visible. But when Voldemort came swiftly, the people were wiped out. He realized that if it weren't for Voldemort, he never would have grown up not knowing his parents. Sirius would not have spent the better of his life in Azkaban or been killed.
"Something has to be done," he said out loud. Harry didn't want anyone else to have to lead the life he had been forced to lead. No one deserved that.
He thought of Lily. What would become of her? She shouldn't have to live her childhood in fear of a wizard like Voldemort. He would be damned before he let that happen. Remus was right; someone had to do something.
~*~*~
With a small 'pop,' Harry apparated into the foyer of 12 Grimmauld Place. Remus must have heard him arrive, as he was before Harry in an instant.
"Harry, please don't do that again. Do you know how dangerous it is for you out there?" he reprimanded.
"I'm sorry Remus," Harry replied.
The older man drew Harry into a brief embrace before holding the young man's shoulders at arms length.
"I just don't want to lose you again, Harry."
"Remus, I've been thinking about what you said. You're absolutely right. Something needs to be done. I don't want Lily to grow up like I did."
"So you'll help?" Remus asked.
"I'll do whatever is necessary to keep you, Tonks, Lily, and Ginny safe."
Remus smiled appreciatively at Harry. "Thank you, Harry. Come, I want to show you something."
Harry followed Remus down the hallway and into the large den. There, talking with Tonks was the vision that has haunted Harry, this time live and in person. Ginny Weasley
"'I never saw so sweet a face as that I stood before,'" Harry said to himself as Remus left his side.
"Ginny, come here, I want you to meet someone," he heard Remus tell the red head. She was absolutely beautiful. The picture Remus sent did her absolutely no justice. She followed Remus back towards Harry. Her hair flowed over her shoulders like a sea of red. The torchlight reflected off of it causing an elaborate dance of light. She was dressed in muggle blue jeans and a lilac top.
"Hi, I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley," she said as she held her hand out to greet Harry. All he wanted to do was to reach out and touch her porcelain cheek, but he kept his nerves in check.
"My heart has left its dwelling-place and can return no more," Harry continued the poem aloud.
"Excuse me?" Ginny asked a confused smile on her face.
Harry blinked, red eyes changing back to green. His hair faded to its normal raven black and shrunk to its usual length. His jaw and other facial features then melted back to their normal shape.
"Harry?" Ginny's voice trembled as she spoke his name. She held out her hand to touch his face. She needed to touch him to confirm that he was real and not some cruel dream. As her fingers touched Harry's smooth cheek, a single tear ran quickly down Harry's face. Ginny smoothed the trail of salty water with her thumb before the two figures locked together in an embrace that has been four long years in the making.
~*~*~
A million thanks to dolphingirl79 and the Keymaker for reading through and picking out my many mistakes. If the story is any good then it's because of them. Also thanks to all of my reviewers (Phoenix'z, The Keymaker, dolphingirl79, youknowwho8881, natbag, met19, hedowl5, Eric2, Hell's Reaper, maguswizard, dementorchic,). I have received an overwhelming response to this story, so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I hope the next chapter won't take as long as this one did. Also, the little poem Harry quotes is a small snippet from John Claire's "First Love." Thanks to Imogen for that idea. Again, thank you all.