Pairings: HP/DM SS/RL NL/BZ RW/HG PP?
Rating: R, drama, angst and sap. Post Hogwarts
Warnings: R, bad language. All flames will be made fun of! THIS IS SLASH! How many times will I have to say that for you homophobic guys understand that you shouldn't be reading these kind of fics I don't know… But you have been warned so I again tell you… All flames will be made fun of!
AN: This is not the first Harry Potter fic I've written, but the first I've ever published.
Disclaimer: I asked Dumbledore to magically give me the rights over Harry potter and crew, so now he has been arrested for plagiarism and fraud! Now I own nothing but the story T.T
Getting you back.
By Black Komagoro
Harry left the two men quickly and started his way towards his second task, confronting Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys. Remus wished him the best of lucks in silence, looking at the young man leaving the premises from the window in Snape's office.
"Severus… Would you really ask him to stay away from Malfoy?"
He turned to look at the other man, who was again on his chair behind his desk.
"My godson has suffered enough Remus, it'll hurt him yes, but it'll pass…"
Remus sighed and approached the desk, not really knowing if he should get nearer the potions master or not.
"What if Malfoy refuses? Will you force him to stay away?"
Snape snorted, he knew that no matter how much Draco loved him, he wouldn't do as his godfather said if he didn't want to.
"I'll see to it when the time comes… Right now my priority is taking Draco out from wherever he is at the moment"
Remus smiled slightly, that was almost like saying he wouldn't interfere whit whatever the blonde decided to do. It was good Severus couldn't se him or they would have ended fighting, that was no good.
"Well, tell me what do you need and what should I get started…"
Snape smiled, thinking of the many things he liked about the wolf; that was one of those knowing the perfect time to stop a future argument and changing it to something Snape would like. He wrote some things on a piece of paper, with a quill Remus had given him, made especially for him, it would write perfectly everything he said or thought.
"Get these ingredients from my personal stock, take them to the lab and get the gold cauldron and the sliver spoon, turn the fire and put one litre of water to boil, once it starts boiling add one quarter of litre of dragon blood, low the fire and leave it like that for an hour exactly… Let me know about ten minutes before time"
Remus nodded while answering ok, leaving promptly to get what Snape had asked for. Once the potions master was alone he smiled.
I hope you succeed Potter, let's see if your will is as strong as you want people to believe.
Harry landed in front of The Burrow, nervous as hell but ready to do what he had to do.
Merlin… Please help me
He approached the house and knocked on the door, he heard the steps, the door being opened and then the red haired and freckled face of his best friend. Who was looking at him with very wide eyes and a shocked expression that soon turned to one of anger.
"YOU!"
"You fucking insensitive bastard!"
Harry landed on his butt, looking at Ron's angry face, he lowered his and let the other boy to yell at him till he clamed down enough.
"Who the hell do you think you are? My mother has been so fucking worried because of you! My father wouldn't stop trying to locate you! Hermione always ended crying when your name was pronounced! And I was scared shitless that something horrible had happened to you!"
Ron took the front of his shirt and hit him again sending him back to the ground a few feet away, Harry cleaned his nose and noted that he was actually bleeding.
"Ron…"
"Don't say anything! I'm still not done!"
Ron was breathing hard, clearly trying to stop himself from hitting Harry into oblivion.
"What were we to you? Mere helpers? Someone you could use to win the war and then leave behind?"
"What?!"
That he didn't expect, and it ignited his own anger.
"So low do you think of me?! Do you really think I would have done something like that?! So our friendship didn't really mean anything to you?!"
Harry stood up and went to Ron, grabbing him by the robes.
"Didn't ever occur to you that maybe I needed to go?! That something had gone so horribly wrong for me that I didn't want to come back?!"
Ron grabbed hi shirt in the same way and answered him.
"And what the hell did you want me to think?! TWO YEARS HARRY! TWO! You didn't even try to contact us. Not even a single owl!"
Harry let go of him and tried to calm himself, he was supposed to ask for forgiveness, not getting into more trouble, but even though he couldn't stop himself.
"And I'm fucking sorry for that! I know I screwed up Ron! But I was destroyed by what happened!"
"And you think we didn't?! Harry, my sister died as well as Percy! And then those news!"
He was breathing hard and had his fists clenched, but Ron was slowly getting calmer.
"Dumbledore told us you were ok, alive and all… But still, my mom couldn't understand why you had gone, what could have happened to you, dad was desperate trying to find you… Harry, you are part of my family, you may be a Potter, but you also have some Weasley in you… Like it or not…"
Harry felt horrible, but was too tired and angry to even think to cry, besides he had said he wouldn't cry anymore.
"I'm sorry Ron… I really am, I know I should have written, but I didn't know what to say and I didn't want to remember… It hurt too much, so many people; they should be alive and happy, enjoying the happiness that came with freedom…"
"Yes, they should, but they died fighting for what they thought it was right… You just left, not caring a shit for those you were leaving behind"
"Ron, do you really think so low of our friendship?"
Ron sighed, and let himself fall to the ground, sitting there with his arms resting over his raised knees. Harry copied him, sitting next to him but not too close.
"Harry, you were like other of my brothers, to me and Hermione you were not only our friend you were family"
Ron was talking in past tense, maybe it was too late.
"You still are, but you hurt us deeply… We could have helped you with whatever you needed… And just so you know, Charlie had to be taken to St. Mungo's, I broke his nose when I punched him…"
"WHAT?!"
"He told us you had been living with him for the first year and that he always knew where you were after you left… What did you expect, that I would be happy that my own brother lied to me?"
Harry sighed, he would have to go to St. Mungo's and apologise to Charlie.
"I asked him not to… Ron, there's something I need to tell you, but I don't want to because I know you will get even angrier, and it's difficult to deal with you this angry already… I don't want to go to the hospital too"
Ron looked at him with one eyebrow raised, thing Harry was sure was taken from Hermione.
"If you do, then it's because you deserved it… Now tell me, guess it's better to end this once and for all…"
Harry gulped, Ron had grown a lot and could easily make Harry pulp if he decided it.
"The reason I left… I saw something during the fight… That was what helped me to end Voldemort's life"
And thus, Harry told Ron everything and noticed how his friend's knuckles got whiter and whiter. Even though Draco had somehow stopped his insults and fights with Ron and Hermione, the animosity never disappeared completely.
"So… You came back because of him, not because you thought we wanted to see you… And now you want Hermione to help you cure him?!"
"Ron, I thought he was dead! I left because it hurt too much, everything hurt too much, you injury, Ginny's death, Percy's death… All of those who were my friends, that died or were severely injured. Those who opposed his family to fight for what they thought it was right, those who died for following their parents, not really knowing what they were getting into… Those who were ready to give their lives to save mine…And those who did because they were saving someone else's"
Ron was still too mad at him.
"But it was his 'death' what finally made you react, no Ginny's, not Percy's… No the others, his and no one else's… I don't get it… At least give me a good explanation"
And now he knew he would lose his best friend forever.
"Ron… I know that what I am about to say will make you hate me for ever, that it will make you fell sick just looking at me, but is the way things are…"
"You're scaring me Harry… What could you possibly have done, or what could be the reason that you think I'll feel that way?"
"Something I don't think you ever expected… I… I love him Ron"
Ron turned at him and frowned.
"Damn…"
Harry couldn't believe it, he was sure Ron would start screaming murder, that he would punch him so hard that his face would be impossible to recognize.
"What?"
"I owe Hermione and the twins twenty galleons…"
"WHAT?!"
"Back in seventh year, a few weeks before the battle they told me you liked him that way… I said that couldn't be possible, we made a bet, and now I owe them"
Harry closed his eyes, maybe he wouldn't lose his friends after all.
"I'll pay your debts then… I don't get it though, you should be angry"
"But I am! Just that I'm too tired Harry… These two years stressing over the question of where were you did affect me… Now that I have finally seen you, well my body finally can rest, so excuse me if I go to sleep later and don't wake up till next week"
Harry smiled, thing were going to be ok.
"I'm so sorry… I really didn't want you all to get so worried, I just-"
"I understand… Somehow"
Ron interrupted him suddenly, he was looking at the grass under him his voice was low and sad.
"I may not understand what you saw in someone like him… But you love him, and if I put myself in your place, if I had seen something like that happen to Hermione… I don't think I would have reacted very differently, the prophecy said you possessed a power Voldemort didn't know about… Love finally killed him, it gave you the final rush you needed"
Harry nodded, after a long time he understood that finally, but he decided not to think about it ever again, because it hurt him too much.
"And at the end, it was not what I thought…"
"Maybe it was the way it had to be, for you to gain the power he needed to die… Just not literally, it's unfair yes, all that grief and pain but it worked… At least you can bring him back to you"
Harry snorted, not very sure that would be possible.
"I'm not sure it will work that way… I don't think he'll accept me, I did that to him after all"
"But for what you said, it wasn't just because of that…"
Harry turned his head to look at his friend.
"Yes, but I started it… Whatever was done to him just made it worst, but my disappearance was the catalyst"
Ron let himself fall back, looking at the stars, it had gotten dark and they had not even noticed.
"He would be an idiot if he didn't, I'm pretty sure your visit to the greasy git was not a walk through the park… And I can only guess how many times you have been slapped or punched… Not counting what it is to come, be assured Hermione won't be happy to see you… She couldn't believe it when Charlie told us, actually she was the first to hit him, slapped him pretty hard, that woman sure has a heavy hand…"
Harry laughed, even when he was pretty scared at the prospect of meeting her again.
"You should know…"
"Oh yes I know… Thinking back now, I actually deserved it…"
Harry laughed even more.
"Don't know if I want to know why… Sure I will anyway"
"Yes, but not now"
Ron sighed and stood up, dusting his clothes and then offering a hand to Harry.
"You know? Even though all this is quite bizarre, I have the feeling that was destined…"
"I would prefer not thinking that, I hate to think that my life has been already written. I kind of like the idea that I'm the one in control of it, I've had enough with just one damned prophecy"
Ron laughed and helped Harry get up, they looked at the house and Harry shuddered in anticipation.
"I don't really want to go in there…"
"Too bad, you're going anyway"
"Sadistic bastard…"
The scarred mad said lowly, though Ron heard him anyway.
"Not really, but I do think you deserve to be punishment and I want some retribution… So there you go, two birds with one stone"
"Again, sadistic bastard… You're enjoying this way too much"
"Were you in my place you would too, so stop complaining and start walking"
Harry snorted but did as he was told.
"Dead man walking"
"Not dead, but very much bruised"
"Ha ha, you're so funny"
"Oh yes I am…"
They got to the front door and as Harry suspected there were a lot of people waiting for him, he entered and Ron closed the door behind them.
"Erm… Hello?"
Even though he was somewhat smiling, his expression showed his shame and regret. As Ron had said Hermione was the first one to come close and as they thought she slapped him. Harry held his red cheek with his hand and stayed silent, waiting for the yelling and insults, but they didn't come.
"God Harry… I'm so happy to see you again"
Hermione was crying and he now found himself being hugged tightly, he relaxed a bit and hugged her back, comforting her in silence.
"We didn't know if you were hurt or not, if you were ok and had some place to live, or if you were feeding yourself properly… We were so worried, you stupid prat!"
Even though she was scolding him her vice wasn't high.
"I'm sorry Hermione… Be sure that was not my intention, as you are aware of, I never really think things through… I'm a selfish bastard, because I though of myself and no one else, that wasn't fair to any of you"
He raised his face and looked at the others, Molly was crying, Arthur was frowning but slowly relaxing, Fred and George had a mixed expression and he knew he would be the test subject of a good amount of products in the near future. Bill looked relieved but that wasn't really comforting, since he knew something would come soon.
"I'm really sorry, for not contacting you… I had my reasons for leaving back then, I don't really have any strong reasons to have stayed away for so long…"
Hermione was still sobbing and hugging him tightly, her face hidden in his shirt, he had stopped using robes for a long time now.
"You're an idiot Harry Potter, a really big, stubborn and impossible idiot… But I'm very happy to see you again"
Hermione let him go, though not completely, she was still holding him by his arms and looking him at the eyes.
"I've been told so already… And I agree with them and with you"
She smiled at him and let him go, though not before he kissed her on the cheek. As soon as she was gone it was Molly's turn to hug him.
"I'm glad to see you again Harry…"
That was all she said, she was sure that whatever she had wanted to say someone had told him already. And they all had witnessed Ron's 'greeting', there was nothing much to say anymore. What they didn't hear was the talk Harry and Ron had after the fight, they had talked lowly and weren't close enough for the others to hear, so he would have to repeat himself.
"I'm very happy to see you too Mrs. Weasley…"
She sniffed and let him go, combing his hear with her hands, thought it didn't do that much for him, he would never be able to control that bird nest he had for hair. Arthur gave him a firm yet short hug and said nothing, but his eyes revealed his feeling quite clearly. Bill followed his father's motions but Fred and George wouldn't be so calm and collected.
"Fred? George?"
They smiled evilly and Harry felt the urge to run, again.
"Harry, Harry, Harry"
"Our dear, dear friend…"
"We have a lot of products in the store"
"We would like for you to test"
Harry gulped, he hoped they would let him do what he needed to do before taking him to the store and transform him into a test dummy.
"Ah… Well, that's good… I think"
The twins kept their smile, but their eyes betrayed them.
"We're glad"
"You're back"
They showed their relief but also there was a tinge of fear, one that everyone there had felt. They had thought that Harry, for some reason or another, would never come back, and it would have been like losing another member of their family.
"I'm glad I'm back too…"
The two embraced him but soon let him go, for they all knew, that now came the time for explanations and in Hermione's case a favour to ask. Ron's mother dried her eyes and smiled getting herself into motion.
"There's a lot to talk about, I'll get some tea and something to eat, I'm sure you're hungry Harry…"
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley…"
He smiled in return, still feeling very guilty for hurting these people who had taken him into their family without asking anything in return. Bill guided them all to sit in front of the fireplace and then went with Hermione to help Molly with the tea and food. Once everyone was ready Harry stared his story, what had made him leave so fast just after he finished Voldemort, why had he stayed with Charlie and why the man had said nothing to anyone. He explained where had he been living and doing till then.
"How come no one had thought of doing something like that before? It sounds like a good way to make money"
The others nodded with the exception of Hermione, who understood Harry's reasoning.
"That's easy Ron, because most wizards and witches don't know about muggle technology, this is why muggle studies are so important…"
"And those who know or are muggle born find other ways to make money, fixing things is not a career, I did what I could with what I had… It is a nice job and I make my own schedules"
Ron liked the idea, he had been working as a salesman in a quidditch store in Diagon alley and really didn't like the fact that he couldn't really dispose of his time as he pleased. He knew being a quidditch player wouldn't let him do it either, but at least he would be doing something he liked. The injury in his back still bothered him and he knew any kind of opportunity was not possible now.
"Maybe I'll follow your example, and I wouldn't have to take orders from someone like Mr. Stone…"
He smiled sadly, Hermione took his hand but said nothing, that subject was really delicate within the family. However Harry smiled, he had the feeling that maybe Ron wouldn't be working there for long.
"Don't worry Ron… I think things may get better for all of us…"
One of the reasons he had stayed away was that he didn't want the attention, but now that he thought about it, maybe the attention was just what he needed. Being the saviour gave you some rights to do things that would have been impossible other way. His smile didn't last much though, if he wanted things to start moving then he had to get moving himself.
"I still haven't told you the rest, yes, the reason I left was the war and watching how someone I loved died… Now, I ask you to please let me finish before saying anything and please do not judge me…"
He pleaded to them with his eyes, they all nodded, not really expecting what was to come. Harry started, saying all that he had already told Pansy and the others, including Ron and Remus. They looked at him shocked but stayed silent, waiting for him to finish, he continued, grateful they let him do so. He told them about the trip and his visit to the school, about his talk with Snape but not about his conditions, though he knew he would have to tell them later, if Hermione accepted to help them.
"So, that's more or less everything…"
"Harry…"
Hermione looked at him with mixed emotions, yes she hated Malfoy for a long time but she also had noticed how Harry looked at him during school. And she tried to put herself in his place, it would have hurt horribly and she couldn't even grasp the idea of how painful must have been to him.
"He's created his own world, lives in a place where he's not my enemy, more like friendly rivals and where his father's not an enemy…"
"A safe place… I understand that, it's muggle psychology"
Harry nodded at Bill, though he didn't correct him that it was humans in general, not only muggles.
"However, I think there's something more…"
Ron interrupted them, actually impressing all of them with his reasoning.
"That's obvious… I may not like the git, but that's not the way he is at all"
"You're right Ron… The Draco I know wouldn't have stayed still doing nothing, he would have looked for proves. If Pansy's right, then he would have looked for me, dead or alive… This state he's in is not normal"
Hermione frowned, thinking about all the psychological hexes and potions she had heard about. She was still studying to become a mediwitch, and had already seen that part, thought not completely.
"You think he was hit with a curse or poisoned?"
"Yes…"
"Has he been checked?"
"No, he refuses to leave the house or to let anyone unknown to get close to him"
She nodded understanding.
"Hermione could you please explain it to us, hopefully in simple words? We're not mediwizards you know?"
She looked at Ron apologetically and nodded.
"Well, Malfoy created this realm where he is safe, but deep in his mind he knows that's not the real thing, the hex or potion he was given stops that part of his mind to let him see the truth… So when someone who can become a threat to his depressive state comes, the curse makes him react in a way that would stop the outsider to get to him"
They all were deep in thought, how can they help someone who didn't want to be helped?
"That's why I need your help Hermione… Since Snape can't see, he needs someone skilled enough to be his eyes, Remus will help but even though he understands potions, he's not the best… You on the other hand, are the best after Draco and Snape"
He leaned towards her and took both her hands in his, looking at her with pleading eyes.
"Please help him… Help me fix this mistake"
How could she say no to him, pleading like that? She couldn't, and so she nodded not knowing what was to come and making it impossible for her to refuse when she heard Harry's next words.
"Thank you… I won't be with him ever again, but at least he will have the chance to get a decent life… I'll be forever indebted to you"
"You're over reacting Harry, you'll owe me nothing… And I'm sure, even when he'll probably be angry, Malfoy won't kick you out of his life"
She was smiling, so sure of her words ignoring that Snape had put a price for his help.
"It doesn't matter if he wants me or not… I made a promise and I intend to keep it, after Draco gets well I'll leave"
"WHAT?!"
Seven voices yelled at once, and Harry winced at it.
"Harry you're delusional if you think we'll let you disappear again!"
"You yourself said you'd stay for good!"
Harry raised a hand to stop them but they wouldn't do it.
"If you think you can come and ask me that and then leave again you're seriously mistaken!"
"Harry-"
"Stop!"
They all shut up at once, but he knew he better said something fast or they would start again.
"Please understand, it's the only condition he put, I have to leave… But that doesn't mean I'll disappear the same way I did before… I'll be in contact, I'll visit from time to time and write as often as I can… But I can't stay in the country"
"You don't have to do as he says! Once Malfoy is cured he can't do anything to stop you! And I doubt he'll do something to him!"
"But my word is all I have right now Ron… Draco's his godson, he's blind and didn't think he could actually help him till I came with this idea… He wants me out because it was me the one who started all of this, Draco's state is my fault"
Arthur shook his head, frowning and crossing his arms over his chest, that sole motion said how angry he was.
"Then he'll have to hear some truths, whether he likes it or not… What he's asking for will hurt more than one person Harry, he should be aware of that"
"No, please… For the first time in my life I can decide for myself to do something because I expect it of myself, not because others do it. Do you really think he wouldn't help Draco if I said no? I don't know if he's testing me or if he really meant it, but I gave him my word, it is my choice and I will honour it"
He knew Hermione wouldn't understand it so easily, but by Ron's and the other Weasley's expression he knew they did.
"Hermione, you yourself gave me your word… Please help him"
She looked about to slap him again but was clearly restraining herself.
"Ok Harry… I'll work with Snape, I'll help Malfoy… But be sure I won't work in silence"
Harry smiled at her, and hugged her though it didn't last long, as she pushed him away quite fast.
"Don't touch me, I'm really angry right now Harry Potter"
"I'-"
"DON'T!"
The look she gave him was the scariest he had ever seen, even Voldemort couldn't scare him the way she did.
"Don't you dare to say you're sorry! Because you aren't! You wouldn't be doing this if you really meant it! So save your apologies and just do what you have to do! As always"
She left the house, crying once again and there was nothing he could do, he knew she was right some how. He did felt sorry for not being able to stay, but he didn't feel sorry for helping Draco to this extent.
"Man… You really know how to mess things up don't you?"
"Harry, I understand how you feel, and that you want to help Malfoy to any cost, but I think this time you're wrong… As well as Snape, what he asks for is not logical and quite cruel… It makes me rethink my opinion about the man"
Harry looked at Molly, and nodded, because he thought the same and they were not the only ones. Snape had won a place in their hearts, he had fought so hard and showed that he could be as fierce as any lion when protecting those he cared for. However, his actions showed that he may not be the man they thought he was.
"It doesn't matter now… What's done it's done"
Arthur frowned and sighed.
"I'll have to talk with Dumbledore"
"NO!"
They all looked at Harry startled, that they didn't expect.
"You will not mention any of this talk to him, Dumbledore has meddled with my life for long enough… Don't misunderstand me, I'm grateful to him for his help and everything, but he made a lot of mistakes too, pretending to help me he made a lot of mistakes… I refuse to let him intervene in this, there are no evil wizards or dangers now. This is something that has to do with my life, I'm confiding in you because you're the closest thing I have to a family. He's not part of this family and I would like it to stay that way"
They all nodded for they all knew Harry was right, Dumbledore was a powerful man, and a very talented wizard, but they all knew, he was also very manipulative. They had never said anything because they also knew he was intelligent and wanted the whole wizarding world to be safe.
"Thank you… Now, if you'll excuse me I have a friend to comfort and let her hit me again if she pleases…"
He heard the twins laugh hard, and smiled too from them all those two were the most reliable ones, even Ron could betray him if he considered that would protect him. He knew the twins would be the ones to really take care of the Dumbledore problem.
Thank you guys…
He saw Hermione just a few feet away from the house, with her arms crossed and looking at the sky.
"I wont' say I'm sorry, but I want you to know that I'm not doing this without thinking…"
"I know, still hurts so… You're my best friend, you were there every time I had a fight with Ron, and you were there every time I had a problem or was just tired… I lost you once Harry, I don't want to lose you again because of someone I don't even like…"
He got closer till he finally could touch her, embracing her again and letting her to rest her head over his shoulder.
"I feel honoured, I didn't know you thought that way of me… Thank you"
"You're an idiot Harry, but that comes with being a man… So I guess I'll just have to forgive you"
He laughed softly.
"Thank you, for being to patient with me… I'm just a stupid man, what is even worse a man in love…"
He let her go and raised her face to look at her eyes, he smiled softly and kissed her on the forehead.
"I won't be gone for long, as you see Snape's not the only one who can plot things. I do have two misfits as teachers, I have learned well"
She laughed at that, it was something she couldn't deny, Ron's brothers were a pair to fear.
"I heard you by the way, and I agree with you it's better if Dumbledore doesn't know about this. I won't tell him anything while I'm there"
"Thank you…"
She smiled and turned towards the house, Ron was by the door looking at them with a bored expression.
"Are you finished? I really was waiting for the slap, or punch, or both… You people are no fun"
"I think it's time for the twins to go back to their house, they're corrupting you Ron"
Ron showed them the v sign and entered the house with the other two in tow, now that everything had been said came the tales, what had happened with whom during those two years. That and it was quite late, Harry was hungry and Molly's food had always been the best. He would stay there for the night and once he was rested he would take Hermione to Hogwarts and he would go back to the manor with Snape, while Remus and Hermione worked under Snape's instructions.
TBC
Hope you liked it and waiting to see some reviews puppy eyes