~ 2 ~

Diagon Alley still had this constant bubbling feel which reminded Harry of his first years in the wizarding world. During the war against Voldemort, it is true that numerous businesses closed, and distrust spread far and wide, spoiling the happy-marketplace atmosphere the alley usually had. Walking this street that had been his first touch with the world of magic, Harry was relieved to see business owners open shop early at dawn, prepared to face the client desiring a new feather or the latest cauldron.

Even if he had been unable to see it for himself, Harry had received several rapports regarding the state of elation that spread after the fall of the dark wizards. The new Ministry had swiftly intervened to limit the number of personal retaliation and defamation. For a few days, it was possible to blame its neighbor of helping the dark wizards as quickly as chopping a bunch of vegetables – which is arguably very fast with a wand. Investigative commissions had been deployed, took over and assessed every accusation with care. In the end, the wizards finally allowed themselves to focus on celebrating the closure of a very dark age for everyone. This helped trade and social interactions recover.

Harry was not there to marvel at the new items displayed in the shops front, but his sharp analysis was simply an excuse to distract himself from the girl silently walking next to him. After quite a long time, because he knew he could not escape it, and because he had faced worse danger than this – he hoped – he turned to Ginny.

Great weather today, right? he said sheepishly.

Ginny sent him such an intense death stare he stammered an apology. By pity, and maybe just a little bit bashful, Ginny answered "sure" coldly.

Harry felt a bit crushed by the tension. To track down the last Death Eaters, no problems. But to discuss with Ginny… He had not forgotten the strength of her spells and hoped he would not be on the receiving hand of them today. The conversation in itself was worrying, but its outcome was terrifying. He was only partially aware of it, but if this exchange went badly, he would have nothing left. Not even hope.

- Let's stop here, Ginny suggested – or maybe ordered.

Harry nodded while looking at the front of this weird restaurant. On a sign, he read in big letters: "ONLY APPETIZERS AND DESSERTS". It was fortunate, as he was too agitated to digest a full meal right now.

- I travelled a lot, answered Harry while nibbling on its bun. The Ministry sent me to numerous countries as a diplomat. I did what I could, but I was never taught how to act in this kind of political salon. To handshake left and right, to thank governments for the helping hand they never extended, to accept with a smile the harsh critics on our handling of the matters with Voldermort and his followers… It was not easy, and when I was not on the move I had to work directly at the new Ministry. Kingsley explained numerous times how my presence was necessary to set up legitimate new institutions. And sometimes I was put into an Aurors' team charged with the hunt for Death Eaters, even though I'm not trained for the job. Little down time and difficult work hours to sum up. I am obviously very happy to help, but I must confess I pondered leaving them handle it by themselves quite a few times.

Ginny was looking straight at him, without softening her gaze. She had absorbed all this information and took a few moments to digest everything, before replying with an accusatory tone:

You want me to believe you did not get one day of rest in the last nine months? I will agree that Kingsley is not one to skimp around, just looking at how fast everything went back in order is enough to realize that, however he is not a tyrant.

Harry scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

Well… I indeed had one day… Three months ago. But…

Only one! Well, he might be a bit of a tyrant then, she smiled lightly before continuing coldly. And what did you do on this fine day, three months ago?

The boy was obviously hesitating, almost shameful of his answer.

Ah… Yes. Well actually… Let's say…

Detecting what was an exaggerated sign of impatience from the young lady, Harry took a deep breath and declared without looking into her eyes:

I went to see the Dursleys.

Ginny said nothing. She did not even move. Only her face expressed her astonishment mixed with mistrust at this announcement. She frowned looking at Harry, as if she could not believe the person facing her was the one she knew.

After some times, she got a grip and back on track:

You went to see people that despise you and that you hate while there was a house, a home, full of persons that love you and were worried about you?

Harry denied quickly, hoping the discussion would not go askew because of this day off.

It's not that. They remain, despite all the… issues, the last family I have. And ever since I moved out of their house, they got a bit… better? As long as I don't mention our world, everything is…

He stopped talking, facing the crumbled face of Ginny that was strangely focusing on spinning her spoon in the empty cup.

What is going on? he asked, worried. I am really sorry I did not visit you, but with Fred and everything…

Shut up, said Ginny, in the angry and sad voice of someone that was deeply hurt. You don't have the right, you are simply not allowed to talk about my brother, to hide behind his death to justify your mistakes and your egocentrism. I forbid you to mention him as an excuse in front of me when you abandoned all of us!

Ginny was far from yelling, but her harsh words still somehow reached the ears of the neighboring customers. Nobody said anything however, by fear of stepping in the middle of a nasty fight. This was actually a blessing, focused on their meal, they did not recognize Harry. Not sure it was a blessing for him however.

Ginny did not stop in her tracks:

And seriously? The Dursleys are your family? I thought… We all thought you considered our family to be yours. And we were wrong, you made that very clear! Despite the adventures, despite the joy and love, despite the welcome you received at The Burrow, you do not consider us as your family. Well, that's just too bad Harry, too bad. And I am sorry we do not hold this place in your heart, because on our side we included you a long time ago. My parents looked after you as they did their sons, Ron and the others consider you a brother and I…

She choked a bit on her own words. After a short silence, she started again in a lower voice.

I thought you would come back. That you would be here for me as I was here for you. Face with the war against Voldemort, I agreed to let you go. Because there would have been no point in forcing you to stay, and because deep down it was also to protect me. But I never imagined you would disappear without a word after the victory. There were so many deaths, so much sadness and despair, the only thing that was important to me was to be around people I love. And after the bare minimum of politeness, you went off with Kingsley and became impossible to catch up with.

Ginny… started Harry in an uncertain voice.

I am not done, she said calmly, as if each sentence was helping her reduce the sadness weighing on her. I started writing letters so many times, and every time I could only feel anger and disbelief in front of your silence. I did not understand, and to be honest I still don't. How could you stay away from us? We needed you. I needed you. And you also needed us, it's obvious just looking at your face. I was there on your worst days, but I have never seen you in such a bad state.

She took a bite of her pumpkin pie to compose herself after her monologue. Harry had trouble thinking. Of course, he never wanted to hurt anyone, especially not the loving Weasley family, but stayed away to let them grieve. What he had forgotten is that he was also one of them, not by their blood but by their heart. And his absence had scorned this link.

Get your life together, dropped Ginny while getting up after finishing her plate. Stop running away from people that still love you, despite how short sighted you are, and stop punishing yourself. Nobody holds you accountable, so get a grip. You can continue to save the wizarding world because this is your calling. But don't forget some people need Harry, not the The Chosen One.

Looking at Ginny leaving from the window of the restaurant, he felt a tear running down his cheek. He had done everything backward. After this conversation, he had trouble finding a good reason for his actions. He was only a bit wrong at every turn, but that led him towards a very bad place. He hurt others, himself, everyone… Now he just wanted to take it all back, to go back in time. Or at least to right his wrongs. He even surprised himself imagining how happy he would feel spending an evening at The Burrow, with Ron and Hermione, the Weasleys, and Ginny.

Without a Time-Turner on hand, he knew changing the past was impossible. However, he could follow Ginny's advice and "get a grip". Slowly, like someone afraid of using a limb that had been numbed for days, he got up, paid for his meal, and went out. He knew what he had to do.

This is one of my old projects I am translating as practice. A somewhat grimmer take on the aftermath of the war, but hope is just around the corner. Literally for Harry.

Chapter 3 is almost translated. I seem to have lost the following chapters so I will need to recreate them from scratch, but I will happily continue to give it my all. Well maybe give it my best. Scratch that, I will do what I can ;)

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