Disclaimer all characters, settings, etc, are the copyright of JK Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing
The Return
Chapter 5
The wizarding world celebrates
The word about Harry's return had spread through the wizarding world like fire, by the end of the first day there were celebrations going on all around the Wizarding world. Hundreds of different tales of how the great Harry Potter had returned to the wizard community were being passed around.
As the celebrations spread things got a little out of hand, from Lands end to John 'O Grote's Muggle's were witnessing witches and wizards performing magic.
In a little village somewhere in Devon someone had cast a spell that turned all the villagers' clothes to ultra bright colours.
In Wales the dragons on the Welsh flags were dancing roaring and spitting flames, the Muggle fire fighters were in turmoil. In Yorkshire someone had set off long lasting fireworks.
Ministry Obliviator's were run off their feet performing memory modifications, after two days the celebrations were still in full swing. The minister for magic was forced to issue a statement through the daily prophet, it read,
The Minister of magic this morning confirmed that Harry Potter, slayer of Voldemort and catcher of death eaters, has indeed been restored to health. since it had come to the notice of the ministry that he had not died as had been thought but had been in a sort of 'death like sleep' similar to the one mentioned in the old fairy tale, 'sleeping beauty', ministry healers have worked ceaselessly to find a cure ever since they found out.
Mr Potter was not available to comment, his present where about's are not yet know, although a ministry insider said that he was now enjoying some time getting up to date on every thing including visiting a young lady and his friends, all of whom it seems are also unavailable. The ministry asks that some restraint be shown in your celebrations.
The welcome back party at the Burrow lasted two full days, all the remaining members from the order of the phoenix were there and the fact that it had all over shadowed Ron and Luna's wedding they did not mind at all.
Hagrid had brought Hedwig, Harry's owl, and Buckbeak the hippogriff, Harry was elated being reunited with his pet and Buckbeak.
There was a lot of talk about the meeting with Harry's parents, James and Lily, and how Sirius along with Dumbledore had won in the case against death. Members of the order wanted to know about the elf kingdom, but did not press the matter once told of the vow.
Hearing all about their wedding from Ron, including his knees going wobbly and how Harry's appearance had caused a big stir, Harry said "I wondered."
"I know" said Ron "you wondered when we would finally get together, why does every one say that."
"Well we all knew years ago, in our fifth year at Hogwarts," said Harry.
The following week, as their lives settled back to normal Ron and Luna set off on what was left of their honeymoon.
Harry paid a visit to London, first to see the minister and then to pay a visit to Gringotts bank in Diagon alley. There he found himself being treated like a pop star. Where ever he went young witches followed him around and begged for his autograph, a large number of wizards wanted to become his friend.
The ministry wanted him to take a position with them, Harry though had different ideas so to get away from the crowds; he went back to the Burrow and the Weasley's, where he was with his friends.
With them around him Harry soon got back to normal, well as normal as he could be, everything considered. Together they decided that if Harry were to get away from all the fuss he and Hermione should go to visit Hogsmeade village for a long weekend break, and to visit Professor McGonagall and Hagrid at Hogwarts, perhaps spend a few days at the castle.
Harry was offered and accepted a position at Hogwarts; he would start September the first as defence against the dark arts teacher. Having been to see the headmistress Professor McGonagall, who had nearly crushed him she hugged him so hard.
In all the years he had known her, Harry had never seen her lose her composure before, but she had stood there with tears running down her cheeks and told him she thought of him as the grandson she had always wanted.
He and Hermione were invited to stay at the castle accepting the offer they decided to take a walk and to visit their old friend Hagrid. As they strolled hand in hand down to Hagrid's cabin, Hermione kept giving Harry's hand a squeeze then looking into his eyes, finally explaining that she just wanted to be sure he was actually there, and it was not just a wonderful dream.
Hagrid was not home, so they decided to sit in the shade of an old beech tree and wait. As they sat there Harry remembered how it had been in those last few weeks before Dumbledore's funeral, and how, after it he had made the mistake of not telling Hermione how he felt about her, the love of his life.
He looked at the girl he had watched grow up from an eleven year old who was known as a bossy bookworm, who loved to study, to this beautiful young woman who was now leaning on his shoulder. He took a deep breath; she still had that fresh flowery scent that drifted from her hair.
He lifted her chin gently kissed her and asked, "Hermione, would you consider being married to me, as your future occupation?"
"Mrs H. J. Potter," said Hermione idly, as she sat in his arms under the tree looking out over the black lake.
"Yes, I think I like the sound of that very much and yes Harry, I would love to marry you," she reached up and they shared a wonderful love filled kiss.
When finally they paused for breath, Harry reached into a pocket and retrieved a small box, opening it he offered it to Hermione.
"I hope you don't mind, it was my mothers, I had it with me before…" he ran out of words and just watched the look on her face as a small tear ran down her cheek.
"Oh Harry it's so wonderful, I love you Harry James Potter, till the end of time and beyond," Hermione said as she cried tears of happiness.
Hagrid returned in time for supper and explained to them that he had been telling his half brother Grawp the good news of Harry's return, "He's looking forward to seeing you again Harry."
Hagrid was of course the first person they told about their engagement, his words were simply "It's about time too." After supper all three of them took a walk around the castle grounds. Hagrid was reminiscing, recounting the days when Harry, Ron, and Hermione were at Hogwarts.
"And the thing I miss most is you all visiting me an fang," Hagrid said, as they returned to the main entrance of the ancient castle. It was soon time to say good night.
"Wish I had had a son like you Harry," Hagrid blurted out as they bid him goodnight.
He rushed off towards his hut mumbling "I shouldn'ta said tha, I shouldn'ta said tha"
Harry and Hermione walked back into the castle chuckling.
.
.
Ron and Luna had arrived back late the night before having had a splendid honeymoon; they were both still asleep when Mrs Weasley burst in through the door.
"Ron, Ron, Luna, oh wake up you two, here look," she shoved a card into Ron's hand, "look, look," she said smiling fit to burst.
Ron blinked to try to get the sleep from his eyes, "here Luna love, you read it, you're better at this time of day than me."
He shoved the card at Luna, she sat up and holding back her long blond hair with one hand, she read the card out.
"To Mr and Mrs Ronald Weasley, you are herby cordially invited to be best man, and chief bridesmaid at the wedding of Mr Harry James Potter and Miss Hermione Jane Granger, (as soon as her dad says it's ok).
Yours,
Professor H. J. Potter.
Head of Gryffindor house
Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Blimey say that again," said Ron.
"To Mr and Mrs…"
"Not that bit the last bit."
"What the address?" said Luna "Yours Professor H. J. Potter, head of Gryffindor house, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
"Blimey Harry a professor, well I never," said Ron as he got up. Ron and Luna entered the kitchen to see Mr Weasley with a tear in his eye.
"Harry and Hermione finally getting married, they both deserve it, and I hope they have a long and happy life together. Ah well at least Hermione fell in love with a real wizard not some peacock strutting twit who thinks more of his work than his family," he glanced at the clock that told where all the Weasley's were. Percy showed at work as usual.
"Harry's got a professorship at Hogwarts, I will bet a weeks pay that he will be the best defence against the dark arts teacher there ever was. He taught a whole bunch of us when we had that Umbridge," said Ron.
"Talking about Umbridge dad, have you heard how she's getting on with the dementors at Azkaban?" said Luna.
"Oh do wake up dad, Luna was talking to you," said Ron.
"Goodness gracious me, ah yes, father in law, dad, yes good grief never gave it a thought," said Mr Weasley as Molly came in from collecting eggs
"Never gave what a thought dear?" she asked.
"Yes dear that's right," Arthur said.
Molly stared at her husband.
"It's ok mum, I think that letter asking him to act as Harry's father when they get married has thrown him a bit, that and Luna just called him dad when she asked a question. Gone to pieces for now anyway," said Ron laughing.
Molly smiled as she looked at Arthur, "Is it anything I can help you with?" said Molly looking at Luna.
"Ron mentioned that Umbridge woman and I was just wondering how she's getting on with the dementors, now they are back at Azkaban," Luna Said.
"Serves her right, she should have got life, setting dementors on Harry and his cousin, it was the first time that 'Dursley' did anything decent reporting her, though I suppose he did it for spite and revenge, more than anything else, wonder how he knew it was her?" said Arthur.
"That would be our fault, at Harry's funeral we were talking about her admitting it that day when she thought she had caught Dumbledore's army, and Harry's aunt over heard us," said Ron.
"You back with us then dear?" laughed Molly.
