Chapter two

Not long after moving into his home, Harry got himself a wolf and a couple of horses and even though horses weren't that popular in the wizarding world as the muggle world, it was something Harry always wanted, he originally was going to get a dog, a large one, but when he saw the wolf, he fell in love with him. He had some riding lessons, taught how to look after a horse, how to saddle one and everything else he needed to know, his horses were called Prongs and Padfoot after his father and Sirius. His wolf was a large white wolf which was a great guard dog but also a great friend that Harry called Spirit. Another thing Harry did that was different from the wizarding world was have electricity in parts of his home. He loved to watch the odd movie or documentary and he also got himself a computer, then he had to learn how to use one. He set up one of the living rooms into a cinema type room with a huge flat screen television, then a couple of squashy comfortable sofa's that he could slouch on as he watched a movie.

On Teddy's first birthday, Harry bought him his first children's broom then chased him around the house much to Andromeda's delight watching her grandson laughing as he flew his small broom. Harry had wanted to get his godson his first broom because Sirius had given Harry his first broom at the age one and Harry still had that picture that his mother took and his father's legs chasing him as he flew through the house, scaring the cat.

Harry was sitting in his room watching a movie while he waited for Charlie when he heard Spirit growling menacingly. He hurried out and saw Spirit growling at Ron and Hermione who were huddled together just inside the door.

'Spirit, come,' Harry called and the wolf instantly walked over to Harry, sat beside him but kept staring at the two people in his master's home, 'You should have let me know you were coming, Spirit could have attacked, that's what he's trained to do if anyone tries to get in here.'

'Bloody hell Harry, why do you need such a vicious dog?' Ron asked still panting heavily from fright.

'He's not vicious, just protective, he's my mate and his not a dog, his a wolf, aren't you Spirit,' Harry rubbed the dogs ears which made him give a low howl then gave Harry a lick, 'So what brings you here after all this time?' Harry gestured for them to follow him into one of his living room where Spirit jumped up next to Harry, putting his head on Harry's lap.

'We wanted to know if the three of us could go to the memorial ball together,' Hermione said but kept watching the dog.

'I'm not going, so you two will have to go with each other.'

'But Harry, their expecting the three of us to turn up together,' Ron said.

'Not my problem, I sent a letter back saying I wasn't going to be part of all that.'

'Um, Harry, I've always been afraid of dogs especially big ones, can't you put him outside?' Hermione asked.

'No, he's my mate and lives inside, and I just said he's not a dog, his a wolf, he stays, so get used to it. But you'll be right Hermione as long as you don't make any sudden moves, he's very protective of me, aren't you Spirit?' Harry laughed as Spirit licked him again, 'How about you get me a drink, want to do that?' Spirit hopped off the sofa and ran through the house and was back with a can of beer in his mouth, 'Thanks mate,' Harry scratched his ears then had a drink, 'He even holds the reins for Prongs or Padfoot for me when I need to leave my horses alone for a minute.'

'Dogs and horses, when did you get all them and this house, it's huge?' Ron asked.

'I've lived here for eight months, I supposed since you've been busy you wouldn't have noticed and his not a dog, how many times do I have to say it, he's a wolf. But you did come at a bad time, I was just heading out, it's time for Spirit's walk down along the beach.'

'We haven't seen you in ages Harry, can't that wait?'

'I've been here the whole time Hermione, not my fault you two have been busy. I went to visit you and you didn't seem interested then, so why should I now. So you know you're way out, let yourself out, Spirit, let's go to the beach,' Harry finished his beer, got up and walked outside with Spirit at his side. The large wolf growled again and Harry looked around, 'I thought you were leaving to go do whatever it is you do?'

'Why won't you go to the memorial Harry, it's an important occasion?'

'Not to me it's not and why are you so interested in what I'm doing or not doing all of a sudden?'

'They want the three us there together to give us a special award, it wouldn't be right if you didn't go,' Ron said.

'Oh, so because they want us together, so do you. Well as I said, I'm not going, now I have to go, I don't think Spirit will be too happy if you were still here by the time we get back,' Harry walked off towards the back of the property and through the trees.

'What's gotten into him, it's like a completely different bloke.'

'I don't know Ron, but let's go, I don't want that dog to come back,' Hermione shuddered then they both left to head back to the Burrow.

'So what did Harry say?' Arthur asked.

'He won't go and he's acting strange,' Ron said feeling frustrated.

'He has this massive vicious dog, horses, and this huge house. It's nothing like Harry at all.' Hermione said.

'How would you two no. How many times have you seen him since the battle?' Charlie asked.

'What's that got to do with anything?' Ron asked.

'You're so thick Ron, I'll tell you anyway, twice in almost a year you've seen you're so called best friend. I think he feels like you deserted him, so why would he do anything for you when you haven't even bothered to see him. He visited here a few times to see you, sent you owls quite a lot for the first couple of months and you two kept telling him you were busy. So it looks like Harry's got his own life now which doesn't include you two and you know what else, I don't blame him because you did desert him. And Spirit isn't a dog, he's a wolf,' Charlie got up and headed outside.

'He's right you know, neither of you have bothered paying Harry any attention at all over this last year, so it's not a surprise he turned you down,' Molly said then went back to her dinner preparations.

Hermione took Ron's hand and they went into the living room, 'Do you think that's what this is about, that Harry feels like we deserted him because we wanted to spend all our time together?'

'No, I think Charlie's just having a bitch Hermione. We saw Harry a few times, he knew we wanted to get to know each other as a couple and not friends. But I can't believe Harry won't go to the memorial, we won't get our award if the three of us aren't together?'

'You don't see it do you, you two did desert Harry and I don't blame him for not wanting anything to do with either of you. I get why Harry didn't want us to resume our relationship, after his life, he wanted to get used to having a normal life. But it also gave us both a chance to work out what we want, I'm glad he did because I realised I was more infatuated with Harry then liking him in that way. I've seen Harry more than either of you have in the last year, and I've visited his home. Spirit's not vicious, his Harry's guard and friend, companion, which is better than the last two he had, meaning you two,' Ginny shook her head then left the living room and headed outside to talk to Charlie about what both of them said about Harry and the way Hermione and Ron had treated him.