Before Harry knew it, it was time to wake again, for the start of the new day had come. The sky going from purple to pink, the sun was rising. Breakfast was made by Kreacher and Winky, and already set on the long table in the dining hall. Oliver and Katie left the night before, as did Bill and Fleur. Charlie was going to leave with Percy after breakfast. As for Fred and George, they planned on staying until Monday came around, which didn't bother Harry one bit. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley didn't want to burden Harry, as much as he insisted that they weren't, decided to stay until Monday also. Leaving the house mostly empty. Harry invited his granddad and grandmum to stay until the new semester, but they were going to leave at the end of the week.
"I've got to run some errands, after breakfast, alone, but I shouldn't be very long."
"Alright dear, you know where to find us if you need anything." said Mrs. Weasley, after passing the toast.
"Please don't get hurt Harry, and don't take too long." added Ginny.
"I'll be fine, but I'm glad you care Ginny. I hope I won't take long either, I've got other things to do today, the new semester is coming soon, and I've got to leave earlier than you."
"That's right you do don't you. I totally forgot."
"So did I until I got my lovely letter from Minerva."
After helping clear the table Harry left for Godric's Hallow, which no one knew that's where he was going. He arrived in front of his house there and stepped into the yard. Immediately a man came around the corner. He was very old, and hunched over, with greying hair. He had a plump stomach, and leathery like hands. Harry assumed he worked to keep the yard in order, considering the weeds in his hands. "Sorry sir you can't go in there, only the owner can." said the man in a horse voice.
"I am the owner sir, my name is Harry James Potter, 'the boy who lived' I've got the key, right here." Pulling the key out of his cloak pocket, and turning it over so the man could see it.
"Oh dear I'm so very sorry Mr. Potter I didn't recognize you." And he gave Harry a low bow. "Please excuse my manners, go on in, please. I've touched nothing inside, just the garden here." Pointing at the garden bed in which he had just weeded.
"Thank you sir. Please there is no need to bow as you did. I'm a man of great luck is all, nothing more."
"Ah but you are the boy who lived, weather luck or not, you got rid of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. For that I bow, as low as I can in your honour. I must say though I never knew you were this modest."
"I did indeed kill Lord Voldemort, that was my destiny, whether I wanted to or not, but I didn't do it alone. I can only assume I won't be able to persuade you not to bow, but I'd prefer if you hadn't. Thank you for your kind words, but if you'd excuse me, I must finish what I came here for." Harry himself bowing at the old man, turned toward the door of the destroyed house he once lived in.
Walking into the gravely familiar house, washed a new emotion on Harry. He wasn't happy or sad, but grateful that he set things right. That he levelled the playing field with Tom Riddle. Tom killed his family and many other countless people, so Harry killed him and his followers that night. And those who didn't die were sent to Azkaban. Even though this would still never level the game, it was suddenly more in his own favour. He had done more in a shorter time. He had vanquished the most powerful wizard of the time, he only a seventeen year old man at the time.
Harry walked into what he supposed was the living room to find pictures that weren't destroyed, and a racing broom he could only assume was his dads'. He grabbed them and took another look around the room making sure he got what he wanted. Next he went into the kitchen, not knowing what he'd find, which indeed he found nothing.
Breathing in the air that was full of mystery he slowly walked up the stairs to the exposed upper level. He found what he could only assume was his room, full with a crib. Shockingly he saw something glitter in the sunlight. Making his way across the room Harry noticed it was his mums' engagement ring. Picking it up slowly and fidgeting with it for awhile, he pocketed it too. Harry hadn't wanted to go into his old room for that's where Voldemort had killed his mother, but he had gone in there.
Taking out more pictures, awards, jewellery and robes, that looked so new. He set for the door, to return home. The man was still outside working in the garden. "Sir, do you work in this yard every day, all day?"
"Oh no only on the weekends, trying to make it presentable, it's stayed just as it was on that chilly eve, never once changed."
"May I ask why you don't use magic?"
"I can't I'm a Squib. I have no magic to use."
"I'm very sorry sir, I didn't know. I do thank you for making it look just as it had before my parents' unlucky fate. I'll be back again someday, have yourself a good year if I don't see you again soon." Harry bowed and walked from the yard.
"Mr. Potter sir!" The man came after Harry with a wand, pointing it straight at him. "You killed my Lord. I must now kill you, you insolate fool. And you passed the Auror test. Couldn't even figure out that I'm a faithful servant of the Dark Lord's."
"Ha I knew, don't let that fool you sir, I came here last year and the place looked as if no one had ever pruned the gardens. But you don't dare touch me, I'm much more powerful than Tom Riddle ever was."
"How dare you say the Dark Lord's name? And to insult him as you did, I will be glad to get this over with."
"Go, try you won't be able to. But if you wish to duel, we can duel to the death."
"Yes, yes that sounds very good, very good indeed. Better alert the Prophet for the precious Harry Potter will be found dead where he should have the first time."
"Let us begin then, no more talk. We duel to the death."
They both raised their wands. Harry suddenly had the Elder wand in his hand. The very wand that could lose no battle, to its master. They bowed, and began, first with stunning spells. Harry who had become really good at invisibility charms, and repelling spells, was never hit. This old man couldn't find him, let alone hit him with a jinx. Finally Harry cast a capturing spell upon his enemy. The old man fell to the ground, and couldn't move, before he could even look at the now visible Harry, the Azkaban dementors came, and wisped the man out of sight.
"Harry are you alright, you could've been killed. Ginny heard your Sneakoscope go mad, in the direction of your picture. At once we knew we had to find you. I do have to ask why did you come here of all places Harry?"
"I'm quite fine Mr. Weasley he never even touched me, and he thought I didn't know he was a Death Eater. I, Harry Potter not being able to tell of a man using Dark Magic. I actually have to talk to you about something Mr. Weasley, something kinda important."
"Okay Harry, talk I'm listening."
"I wanted to ask you if could –er have Ginny's hand in marriage? You see in the muggle world we ask our hope-to-be-future-father-in-laws this."
"Really? How interesting of muggles to do that. But either way Harry I'd love it if you would. I can't think of a more perfect man for her to marry."
"Really, wow that was easier than I'd thought it would be. Now to answer your question on my I came here. I was searching for my mums' engagement ring, which I found up in my old room." Pointing to the spot missing the most roof. "Here it is." Now pulling the ring out of his pocket to show Mr. Weasley.
"That is quite beautiful, isn't it? May I ask when you're going to ask her Harry?"
"I was thinking about Christmas morning, while everyone opens their gifts. I was going to keep it in my robe pocket, so it looked like I had forgotten to get her something. Then I was going to ask her. What do you think? Do you really think she'll like the ring?"
"I think it's a lovely idea, I've never known anyone to ask in that way. And I'm positive she'll love the ring Harry. Now I think we should get ready to go back home, before Molly, Ginny and Hermione start to how would you say it, freak."
"Agreed. Mr. Weasley you're not going to say anything to anyone are you?"
"Never Harry that's your story to tell people. I won't even tell Molly if you don't wish me to."
"I've got a feeling she already knows. But if you tell anyone anything it would be her."
Both of them sweeping from the spot, and returning at the door step to the House of Potter. They stepped into the doorway, hanging their travelling cloaks, and walked into the kitchen. "Oh Harry dear, your back, we were all worried after the sneakoscope went off. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley, everything is under control."
"Good dear. You look like you could use a drink, sit I'll get you something. Is there anything you two would like to tell me?"
"First, where is everybody?"
"Fred, George and Ron went to the shop – there was an incident. Hermione and Ginny are in the yard, getting rid of the gnomes. Why do you ask dear?"
"Well I don't want anyone to hear. It's kinda a secret."
"Alright no ones here right now, spill. I promise I won't say a thing."
Harry pulled the box with the ring out of his pocket, and opened it. "Mrs. Weasley I'm going to ask Ginny to marry me." That was it, he just came out and said it, but he hadn't gotten an answer yet. Holding his breath waiting, finally Mrs. Weasley replayed.
"I think that's wonderful Harry, where did you get that ring?"
"I went to Godric's Hallow. I found it in my old room, next to the crib. It's the real reason I left latter. I knew it would be there. But I also found these." Taking out a box holding what should be two wedding rings, from the same pocket. "I can only assume that they had two sets, because they're wearing their wedding rings, yet I found them."
"Harry dear, only your mums' ring is in there, where's your dads'?"
Harry raised his left hand so Mrs. Weasley could see. He indeed was wearing his dads' wedding ring on his own finger. "I wanted to try it on, to see if it fit. I completely forgot I was wearing it." As he took it off and put it on his right hand. He felt glad that he had found the rings. He wanted to use all of them for his own wedding, someday. Shortly after switching the ring, he had heard the back door open.
"Harry! Good, your back, in one piece." stated the laughing Ginny.
"You doubted that I would be? Gee you show lots of faith in me." Harry also had to laugh.
"Harry, you know I was just kidding. I knew you'd be okay. What did you get?"
"Come upstairs and I'll show you."
"Okay, mum, dad if you'll excuse us." As she and Harry strode out of the kitchen and into the hall. Leaving Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen to talk. Ginny with her arm linked with Harry's, and her head leaning on his shoulder. "Where exactly did you go Harry? Dad only guessed where you were. He did find you, right?"
"Ya, he found me, so did the dementors. They took away this old man who was trying to kill me luckily I had this." Reaching into his pocket once again, but this time he pulled out the Elder Wand. The wand that will always win it's master a duel, and that can only be used by him, unless otherwise won.
"Harry, how did you know you would need it?"
"I didn't, but everything that's happened, I thought I should have it just in case. Turned out I needed it. But the man is still alive, in Azkaban. Where he will go mad, anyway." Hugging Ginny tightly around her shoulders.
"So where did you go anyway?"
"Godric's Hallow, why?"
"Harry, you went without me? How could you?"
"Easy I wanted to go there for once, without anyone else. The first time was with Hermione, I almost died then to. Maybe I shouldn't go there anytime soon. You can go next time with me, I promise." Now standing in front of the closed door, in which lied their bedroom, Harry stopped Ginny. He grabbed her hand away from the handle. Pulled her close and kissed her.
"Shall we go inside now?" he asked Ginny, after their kiss ended. Going for the handle and pulling it open, ushering her inside.
"WOW!" said Ginny, while looking at everything that was on the bed. Pointing and asking, "is all this from Godric's Hallow?"
"Oh that –er yes it is, why?"
"That's quite a lot of stuff Harry. Did you take everything?"
"No, not everything. Do you want to help me go through everything?"
"Of…of course I want to Harry, why would you ask such a question? Let us get started shall we?" Before Harry could respond, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Harry asked, with a kind of annoyed tone.
"It's Lupin, may I come in? I heard you just got back."
"Ya, come in, door's open." And surely enough Lupin opened the door and came in, slowly, hoping that he wasn't disturbing anything really important. His face softened when he saw the condition of the bed.
"Let me guess Harry, Godric's Hallow? You certainly didn't take your time, now that you've got the key." Closing the door behind him, he shook his head.
"How'd you know that's where I went? And I guess not, I was just too excited, I suppose."
"Harry, I practically lived there, I was over there so often, that I could tell you the whole house plan, with my eyes closed."
"Than can you help me with some of this? I have no clue who some of these pictures are of, and who's things these were."
"I'd be delighted to help Harry. But you do know your parents are downstairs they could always help you too." Looking for a place to sit in the immensely polluted room while saying this. Finding a place, and sitting down, looking at Harry. He continued, "But of course I'll help you to the best of my knowledge Harry."
"Thank you Lupin, I really appreciate it. I did practically take everything out of the house. Not knowing what it was I was taking." Out of nowhere James and Lily appeared, looking at the now covered bed, in awe.
"Well it seems that someone has been busy, what is it you have Harry?" asked Lily, knowing well what he had.
"Ya, it was. I've got pictures and loads of them." Laughing as he stared at the bed, and floors. Picking up his fathers' broom.
"Ah, couldn't leave that now could you Harry? It was the fastest racing broom at the time, now probably the slowest." James to laughing at the sight of his old broom.
"Well it must've been good enough for a seeker. But I don't think it'll hold up to my Firebolt. It still works though, I'd assume." Staring his father up and down.
"In it's time it was good enough for a seeker Harry, we never lost a game when I was on the team."
"We have with me, but not because I couldn't catch the snitch, it was more, either being nearly killed in mid-air, being in the hospital wing, or dementors. Otherwise we never lost. I always had the best broom also, I don't know why."
"Well you bought them didn't you?"
"No, my first broom, which crashed into the Whomping Willow, was given to me by Minerva. My second by Sirius." Turning his head toward his Firebolt, against the wall.
"I'd have surely thought you bought them yourself. I would've gone crazy with that cell at Gringotts." Half smiling, half laughing at what he just said to his son.
"Just the opposite with me dad, I wanted to save the money. You don't know how many times I did almost buy that Firebolt, but I told myself I couldn't spend everything."
"Harry I think that that is very smart of you to do." added Lily.
Now looking at the pictures, and every once in a while asking questions, the room was fairly silent. Harry came across a picture that he had to show everyone. "Gee, this looks oddly familiar, don't you think so Lupin?" holding the picture so he could see who it was. It showed Lupin holding Harry as a baby, in the old back yard.
"Hum, why yes it does Harry, I do remember that day. Your first birthday, we all got pictures with you. Keep looking you'll find one of you and Sirius, somewhere. And if I recall correctly Sirius gave you your first broom, really. There's got to be a picture somewhere, of it." Quickly glancing for the picture, clearly not finding it, he returned to the one in his hand, then spoke again, "Only if you found that broom, that would be very funny." Chuckling and sighing.
"Oh, you mean this?" Harry asked pulling the broom from pile on the floor next to him. "I found it in my bedroom closet."
"You really did take almost everything, didn't you? I wonder if it still works?"
"Let's try it out then. I should be able to balance on it."
"No you will NOT, Harry!" muttered Ginny. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, Harry couldn't think who it would be, it wasn't time for lunch yet. Before he could answer, Ginny had, "Come in."
"Potter, I've got something for you." Muttered Snape, handing Harry a cage that was covered with a cloth. "Sorry I don't have time to explain, I'm already late." And he let with no further word.
"What is it Harry?" asked Lupin and Ginny at the same time. Shrugging, he pulled the cloth off, to see a golden little bird.
"A Golden Snidget. Wait there is a note." Everyone coming closer to see what the note said. Harry reading it out loud;
Potter,
If you haven't already guessed this is a Golden Snidget. She's only a baby, I've had her for two months. I so appropriately named her Lily. She is trained, and comes when her name is called. Do NOT catch her as if she's a snitch. You'll kill her. For further information, read a book for a change.
Severus Snape
"Well she's so cute. And it's truly nice of Snape to give her to you."
"Let's let her out Harry, she looks like she could use a flight." suggested Lupin. Nevertheless right after Harry opened the case door, the snitch on the bed rolled off, and began to fly also. Everyone looking around to see which is which. "Harry call her name, she'll come down." stated Lupin.
"Nope, I think it'll be the perfect time to test out the broom." With a matter of fact gaze upon his face, as he picked up the broom. Right then Lily and James swept from the room, apparently not wanting to see the outcome.
"Harry you can't, you could get hurt." Ginny said with a scowl on her face.
"Don't be silly, I've flown on brooms, while trying to balance on my feet. We ended up winning the match. I can't go to fast, or high, just high enough to catch the snitch."
"Harry, what if you don't catch the snitch?"
"Ginny, you should have more faith in me, I know what I'm doing. Please let me try? Lupin help me here please?"
"Harry I'm just gonna sit back and watch this, it's something your dad would've done, so I'm just going to enjoy it. I could use a good laugh." After he finished, Harry mounted the broom, and started to wiz around the room, nearly a foot off the ground. Just as soon as he mounted, he had caught the snitch. Possibly his fastest catch, but he's in a room now, not a field.
"Harry, at least you caught the snitch." said Ginny who looked like she was hyperventilating. Shortly after Lily came and flew into her cage, to eat. Which completely satisfied Harry, he had another smart bird. They had finished when Ginny was called downstairs by Mrs. Weasley to help with dinner.
"Harry, I noticed you grabbed all the robes too, I was wondering...?"
"Don't ask, of course you can, help yourself Lupin. I would be offended if you didn't."
"Well I figured that, well they were James', I just thought that…"
"Don't worry, take what you need, it's what I got them for."
"Thank you Harry, you are much like James. As well as Lily." Lupin reluctantly walked over to the side of the bed, and grabbed some robes, for himself, looking cautiously over his shoulder at Harry.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I got this for you Lupin." Handing Lupin a new briefcase that read Professor Remus J. Lupin Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding-Transfiguration. In large golden letters.
"Harry you shouldn't have. I can't accept this." Trying to hand it back to Harry. But Harry wouldn't take it back.
"No, it's yours, an early Christmas present you could say. I know you needed a new one, so I stopped in Hogsmeade before going to the house, take it."
"Harry I don't know how to thank you. You've given my family and I place to stay, a new briefcase, and robes. Everything that I was worried about you've taken care of. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"You don't have to Lupin, dad would've done the same. You are family, you don't need to repay me." Finally satisfied that Lupin wouldn't argue it anymore, Harry continued. "So, on another note, I've invited everyone over for dinner again. We are going to have a Quidditch game out in the yard, and Kreacher's going to take family pictures. How does that sound, right before another year at Hogwarts?"
"Sounds wonderful Harry. Are you sure they're be enough people to play?"
"Of course, Fred and George called our friends from Hogwarts, Dean, Seamus, Oliver, Katie, Angelina, Alicia, Neville, Lee, Luna and I'm under the impression that Viktor Krum is coming also. We're taking a huge group photo, and some silly photos of us all playing."
"So you're really having everyone back? I assume everyone's bringing their own broom?"
"Not at all, I've got fifteen Nimbus Two Thousands in the broom shed. They were given to me for my birthday from the Quidditch shop. Along with goal posts, the balls, gear, and robes plus the charms to keep the balls in bounce. Oh, and several servicing kits. Ops I almost forgot and a megaphone for Lee." With a gaze of triumph on his face, and in his voice.
"That was really generous of them, and it sounds like it will be a grand time. Another party, and a game. Oh how I loved watching James playing on the field, at every match." With an air of mystic in his own voice.