Hi people! I'm so sorry that it has been so long! I got back to school and at first it was fine but then i had lots of work and i forgot to write more! Anyway, i have the next few chapters part written so it shouldn't be too long before more is up.

Please forgive me! I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's not very exciting though. :(

Walking Free

Purple Goo

Sitting at the window in his room, Ron thought over what had been discussed the night before. It had been rather strange to be talking about Harry again. Since he had been sent away to Azkaban no one ever brought him up in meetings as it was a touchy subject. It had hurt Ron to have his best friend taken away from him so suddenly and he had had trouble dealing with what had happened. For months after the ordeal, he spent most of his time in his room, trying to process what Harry had done. Half the time Ron refused to believe that his best mate could betray him like that but then he would see the situation from the other side and begin to doubt himself. School had been particularly hard without Harry. They had been inseparable for years. They would go around together, do homework together, eat together and generally live together. Ron had always thought of Harry as another brother and it pained him to move on without his brother by his side.

Ron had also discovered that many of his and Harry's friends were still on Harry's side but there were a few who completely lost their trust in him. Seamus, for example insisted that he had known all along that Harry was on the Dark side and tried to convince Dean and many others that Harry was not to be trusted. Ron was thankful that, despite a few morons who actually listened to Seamus, Harry's close friends were still not convinced and open to ideas. Some people often asked Ron how he could still trust Harry when he had used Cruciatus Curse on his sister. He would tell them, either that it was none of their business or if they were really persistent, that Harry would never do anything like that to Ginny. Although he said this with confidence, there was something in the back of his mind that told him otherwise. In truth, Ron had no idea what had really happened. There was a large amount of evidence against him which would suggest that Harry had really done those things. After a while Ron gave up on trying to reason with people about Harry and he tried to forget all about it. He and Hermione became very close and quite dependant on each other. Things started to get better at school and at home for Ron but it was never the same as it had been. He became more studious as Harry was no longer there to go on exciting adventures with or to mess around with. This pleased Hermione and his mother and Ron to some extent but he would much rather have his brother back than all Os in his NEWTs.

With a sigh Ron sat up straight to observe Hermione who was sitting at his desk. She was bent over a stack of work papers that she wanted to finish ahead of schedule. As if on cue, she looked up at Ron and gave a small smile. Ron reached out his hand, indicating for her to come closer. At first she looked hesitant but she soon gave in. When she got close enough, Ron wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a kiss on her cheek. Mumbling something into her shoulder, Ron squeezed her tight to his chest.

'What?' Hermione giggled. 'What did you say?'

'Nothing.' Ron sighed.

'No, tell me.' Hermione insisted, pushing gently away.

'I was just thinking about the meeting last night.' Ron looked up at Hermione and brushed back her wavy hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. 'I guess I'm just worried, you know, about the attack.'

'You mean Harry?' Ron turned away, loosening his grip around her. 'Ron, there is no reason why you shouldn't be worried about Harry. He was, no, is your best friend so of course you should care about what happens to him.'

'It's not that, Hermione. I'm not…ashamed to be his friend or any rubbish like that, I'm more upset with myself.'

'What do you mean?'

'Hermione, Harry thought of me as his best friend and then I went and abandoned him, letting those people send him to Azkaban and now he might not even be guilty. I feel like the worst best friend ever!' Ron wailed.

'Oh, hush.' Hermione pulled Ron close again and tucked her head under his chin. 'Harry will understand. How were you to know, Ron? Anyway, we don't even know if he is innocent or not.'

'Don't say that!' Ron moved away from Hermione's embrace and flopped down on his bed. 'I don't want to think about that. Knowing that he could be innocent has gotten me really…you know…' Ron furrowed his brow in concentration, his face turning slightly red. Hermione was about to tell him not to strain himself when someone did it for her.

'Calm down, Ron. You don't want to destroy any of the few brain cells that you actually posses.' Hermione smiled at Ginny as she sat down next to her brother.

'Very funny, Gin.' Ron grumbled. She smiled cheekily back but the two could both see that she was struggling to keep up the happy pretence.

'Is there anything we can do for you, Ginny.' Hermione asked.

'You were talking about Harry weren't you?' Ron huffed into his pillow while Hermione nodded slowly. They were all silent for a while until Hermione tried to lighten the mood with some innocent banter.

'Nice weather for Quidditch isn't it?' The other two glanced out of the window at the grey sky and the rain pelting down onto the glass. 'Or not.'

'Cut the crap guys! Why didn't you tell me that you went to see Harry?'

'Why should we tell you?' Ron shot up from snuggling with his pillow and frowned at his sister. 'It's none of your business.'

'Ronald!' Hermione bat him atop the head with an old magazine from Quality Quidditch Supplies. 'Don't be so rude. Sorry, Ginny. He's in a foul mood today.'

'I am not!' Ron cried incredulously. 'Look, Gin, we didn't tell you because we wanted to go alone.'

'Oh really? Then why did Fred and George go with you then?'

Hermione shoved Ron out of the way and sat on the bed next to the younger girl. 'You know why we didn't tell you. We didn't want to upset you.'

'But I-'

'Ginny, please don't get angry. We just didn't want you to get upset about it so we didn't tell you. We didn't really see him anyway.'

'No, just got a huge bruise on my backside.' Rom mumbled.

Ginny gave him a puzzled look, her cheeks going slightly pink. Ron huffed once more and buried his head among the duvet.

'Urm…just an incident with a few tins of tomatoes, that's all.' Hermione explained briefly with a sigh.

'Bloody tomatoes…'

Ginny leant over Hermione and walloped her brother's leg in frustration. 'You're just changing the subject. You lot went to see Harry and you didn't tell me!' She pulled at her hair and swallowed, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. 'Look, I don't want to hear anymore right now but the next time you go to see Harry or get in contact with him at all, I want to know.'

'We're really sorry, Ginny.' Hermione muttered again as the girl stood and strode out of the room.

'That went real well, didn't it?' Ron muffled sarcastically from under his blankets. 'I told you she didn't need to know. I knew from the start that she wouldn't believe us. "We didn't want to hurt you".' Ron mimicked in a girly voice. 'Yeah, like she'd believe that!'

'But it's true!' Hermione exclaimed. 'And I do not speak like that…do I?'

Ron couldn't help the laugh that escaped him as he sat up and pulled the brunet into his lap. 'No,' he mumbled into her neck. 'Well sometimes…'

'Ron!'

Ron grinned widely, kissing her on the lips. At first Hermione looked displeased but she was soon happy snuggled up to him as he played with her hair, planting small, loving kisses over her brow.

Fred Weasley groaned and rubbed his sore back. He had been lifting and unloading boxes of merchandise all morning and had received very little help or sympathy from his twin, George. Speaking of his twin he hadn't seen or heard from him in over an hour. He wouldn't be surprised to find that the idiot had gone off to the Leaky Cauldron, leaving his brother and co-worker to do all the work.

Fred went behind the counter and through the door to the back room. He grabbed his coat, ready to go join his twin in the pub when he heard a loud pop. Realising that it had been the sound of Apparation, Fred quickly dashed out to the shop, ready to give his brother a good clout around the head.

'George, you little bugger. Why d'you leave me to-' He cut short when he noticed that the man in front of him was not his twin.

'Hello, Fred.'

'Harry?'

The raven headed man raised his arms with a wide grin. 'The one and only.'

This was followed by slightly awkward science as Fred wasn't sure if he was seeing correctly.

'What the hell are you doing here?' Fred hissed, rushing passed Harry to pull down the blinds over windows and the door. 'You can't be seen you idiot! You managed to escape from Azkaban, how I am still completely clueless, and then you go around in public as if nothing ever happened!' Fred panted slightly as he stared at Harry in shock.

'Wow.' Harry whooped. 'All I was expecting was a friendly "Hello".'

'Don't joke Harry.' Fred scolded. 'Look, it's not that I'm not happy to see you, it's just…' Fred rubbed a hand over his weary face. 'Harry, you're the most wanted criminal out there at the moment and you're willing to through away your chance at freedom by coming to visit?'

Harry shrugged, strode over to the counter and hopped up onto it. He swung his legs and looked up at Fred as he watched Harry, not believing what he saw.

'How can you be so…so cheery?' he asked, scratching his head, a bit like Ron did.

'Well, I'm free aren't I?' Harry smiled, picking up a toy from the counter and squeezing it in his fist. It gave out a loud bang before melting into goo in his palm. Giving the odd, purple goo a baffled look, he surreptitiously wiped he substance on his jeans. 'So, where's George?'

'Oh um...at the pub I think, but um…don't change the subject! You may be free now but people are still after you. We have a long way to go before we can prove you innocent. Until you have the all clear, you have to stay in hiding.'

Harry frowned at the redhead like a small child would to his mother after she had forbidden him from playing in a muddy puddle. Fred could tell that Harry didn't like being told what to do, even if he was only trying to help. Harry had been as stubborn as a mule before Azkaban and it seemed that three years there hadn't changed that at all.

As the two lapsed into silence again the shop door opened to reveal George, carrying a box of fire whisky bottles.

'Hey, Fred.' he called, still not having looked up to notice the other occupant in the room. 'Sorry I left without telling you. I just went to the Leaky Cauldron to get some more whisky.' George dumped the box down and bent down to open it. 'Anyway, on my way back I got kinda hungry so I stopped off at Florean Fortescue's Ice-cream parlour. Man, now they have some good grub!' The younger twin stood, holding two bottles of fire whisky and handed one to his brother. 'Oh, Harry, sorry didn't see you there, here,' he bent down and retrieved another bottle. 'have a drink.'

Harry caught the bottle firmly in his fist as it flew towards him, reminding him of his school day as Gryffindor's Seeker. It was only as he tossed the bottle that George realised, really who it was.

'Wait, what are you doing here?' George exclaimed.

'Thank you!' Fred looked up at the ceiling, as if praying. 'Now that was the kind of reaction I was expecting.'

'Hey man, I see you've found our new "Exploding Purple Goo"! D'you like it?' George cried with a grin, distracting himself and the other two from the previous conversation.

'Umm…it's great.' Harry lied. 'Is that really what you called it? Just, "Exploding Purple Goo"?'

'Aww man, don't say it like that! You take all the fun out of it!'

'Sorry George, but it's not you're best invention ever.'

'It is actually.' Fred muttered over his shoulder.

'Fred!' George cried at his brother.

'So what does it do?' Harry asked, trying to stop the impending argument.

'Umm…explode.' George answered sheepishly.

'Is that it? Really? Doesn't it make your face erupt in boils, or makes you swell up into a big purple raspberry? Anything?'

The twins were silent for a moment before they both themselves erupted into an argument.

'Why didn't we think of that?' George whined.

'I don't know. You were the one who invented the damn thing.'

'Hey, it wasn't just me, you helped! If it's a complete fail, you are just as much to blame as I am!'

'The only thing I did was help you to think of something to make. It's not my fault you botched up the potion and ended up inventing that crap!' Fred pointed, critically at their newest product. 'The only reason I let you put the bloody thing on the market was because I'd the only thing you've invented in months that actually does something, god damnit!'

George's face flushed and his eyes were held in a cold glare at the floor. Fred slammed his hand down on one of the display tables before running his fingers through his hair. Clearing his throat Fred approached his brother and slung an arm around his shoulders. George looked up at his twin and wrapped one arm around his waist and gave a gentle slap to his chest.

Harry watched on as the brothers had fought over a small and insignificant matter and then as they shared a silent but no less loving apology and appreciation of one another.

'Sorry, Harry.' Fred sighed, giving his brother's shoulder another squeeze before letting his arm drop to his side. 'We've been a little on edge recently and it's caused our work to suffer.'

'We've been really worried.' George continued. 'When we found out that you had escaped we were both happy and nervous. We really wanted to help you, let you stay with us but I guess we never had the courage to do it. You do know that we believe you didn't hurt Gin or kill those Aurors, don't you?'

Harry nodded, giving the worried and stressed twin a calming smile. 'Don't worry guys, I'm fine. Remus and Tonks are taking good care of me and in return I watch Teddy for them when they go out, you know, to Order meetings and stuff. I mean, the real reason I came here was to thank you. You guys and Remus are the only ones who are still on my side. I think I own you at least a visit. Oh, and I also wanted to thank you for putting all my school stuff in the attic at the Burrow.'

'No problem.' the twins answered in unison.

'You know,' George started.

'We're not the only ones,' Fred followed on.

'Still on your side. Ron and Hermione-'

'Have been really worried about you and-'

'When they were at school Ron practically murdered anyone who said anything bad about you.'

'And while Hermione also tried to convince your friends that you're not a killer,'

'She did it slightly more discretely then our dear Ronald.'

Harry nodded briefly, taking in this surprising yet rather touching news. 'What…what about…err…Ginny?' he asked almost in a whisper.

'Err, she's okay. She did really well in school you know, got all Es and Os in her NEWTs.'

'George, you know that's not what I meant.' Harry sighed.

'Yeah, I know.' Fred and George exchanged a look. 'I'm sorry Harry, we really don't know. She's been so quiet about the whole subject. She never talks about it and neither does anyone else. Mum and Dad are still in shock, even after all this time they still can't believe what happened.'

Harry took a sip from his forgotten Fire Whisky, thinking about Ginny. He didn't know why but he felt even more hurt at the thought that Ginny was against him than he was when he thought Ron and Hermione were. She had always been close to him but not as close as Ron and Hermione had been so why did it hurt so much more?

Not wanting to think about it further Harry slid down from the counter, took a few more sips of his drink before taking his leave. He thanked the twins again for all their help and promised to see them soon if he had the chance. He Apparated from the shop to an ally a few streets away from Remus and Tonks' house, somewhat glad to be back.

Harry had been worried that Remus would be angry that he head left without telling him. The couple had taken Teddy to Andromeda's house for the morning and so Harry had left a note telling them where he was just in case they came back before he did.

However, as he approached the front door it swung open and an annoyed looking Remus stood in the threshold.

'Hi, Remus.' Harry waved his hand pathetically and when Remus turned into the house Harry's hand flopped down. He knew instantly that he was in for it.

'I'm very disappointed in you Harry.' Remus said for the hundredth time as he paced the small space of the living room.

'I know, Remus, I'm really sorry I went out. I won't do it again.'

As soon as Harry had entered the house Remus had sat him down and talked at him. Harry had listened at first but after about ten minutes the message had been put across and understood but Remus was simply extending his little speech for as long as possible, as if it would get the point across better. Harry knew that the elder man was only trying to help and that he cared for him but Harry was tired of being told what he could and couldn't do. He had been locked away for three years and now all he wanted know was to be free. He wanted to be away from all the rules of school and his elders. He wanted to have his own life and not let other people control it for him. His one moment of independence in ages had been crushed by Remus acting like an overprotective parent, scolding his young son for taking treats from the cookie jar.

'Harry, are you listening to me?'

Harry looked up and nodded. 'Yeah.'

'Hmm. Never mind. Just remember what I told you. Do not go out unless either myself or Tonks is with you. D'you understand?'

'Yes.' Harry replied impatiently. 'I can't do anything on my own, once again. I have to be escorted everywhere, helped with everything! Why don't you just put me in a crib, dress me in a bonnet and be done with it!'

Harry stormed from the room and marched up the stairs. Remus flinched when the door to Harry's room slammed with unnecessary force. Teddy, who was sat in the corner, playing with his toys, began to cry. Remus sighed, bending to pick him up. The young child clung to him and immediately calmed down. Remus smiled down at the small infant as he sucked his thumb whilst clinging onto his father's shirt.

Remus kissed the boys soft brown hair which then flashed turquoise. 'I love you, Teddy.' Remus whispered into his son's ear. 'But if you turn out like that, you're on your own, Buddy.'

Yay! Another chapter up! I hope you all liked it.

Allen Pitt- Don't worry, Ginny comes into the story a lot more now. She is in some of the next few chapters so we should find out what she thinks about it all. Thanks for reviewing. :)

pinkyroo- Yay! Thanks for reviewing! Sorry for making you all wait so long.

Please R and R