Chapter 23 - Touch and Arrows (Prompts)

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Going back to the Burrow to get his things wasn't as uneventful as Harry had thought.

Fleur fussed over him, thankfully in a way that was touching and not overly maternal; Bill and Percy helped make sure that he didn't leave anything behind, and Charlie tried to convince him to stay. He was told that George had finally fallen asleep after staying up the whole night. Ginny still wasn't on speaking terms with him, and he couldn't help but feel regret whenever his eyes fell on her.

And even though he had expected as much, he still found himself mildly surprised when Hermione came forward with that beaded bag of hers. "I told you I won't let you stay alone."

He shared a small smile at her before he refused even more food that Fleur insisted he take with him.

"You're going with him, then?" They both looked towards the entrance to the kitchen to see Ron, his gaze solely on Hermione.

Hermione looked between them before her gaze fell on Ron pleadingly. "I can't let him go alone."

"Then you two should stay here."

They both looked at him, letting him know that the decision was in his hands. Harry looked awkwardly between them. The truth was that he needed to be alone. He didn't know how to act around a grieving family, and he felt like an intruder. But the last thing he wanted to do was cause a rift between his two best friends. Reluctantly, he looked at Hermione. "You should stay. I'll be fine." He tried to ignore Ron's mouth twisting into a small smile from the corner of his eye.

The tables were suddenly turned on her, making this her decision. She looked between them helplessly, almost as if she was worried of making the wrong choice.

Harry decided to make the decision for her. Lifting his rucksack over his shoulder, he nodded to all those in the room before he started towards the exit of the Burrow. He was aware of how Hermione's eyes followed him, her lips parted almost as if she wanted to say something to stop him. Which she didn't.

Harry made his way to the Apparition point quickly, determined to go to Grimmauld Place and rest. He found himself suddenly tired from the day's excursions, and all he wanted to do was have something warm to drink followed by uninterrupted sleep. He was also aware of the Auror who followed him a fare distance away, just as Kingsley had promised.

Getting to Grimmauld Place wasn't as unsafe as Hermione had made it out to be. If anything, knowing that Aurors were following him made Harry just a bit more reckless in where he Apparated and the stops he made on the way to the house. It was almost like a game, looking over his shoulder to see how far these wizards were behind him every time he stopped at a shop just to pass the time. Finally getting bored with this game, he entered the house he hadn't seen in nearly a year.

Nothing had seemed to change. After going through the wards with no problem, he dropped his rucksack and started walking through the house, stopping in every room as the memories washed over him. From the first time he set foot in Grimmauld Place, there had always been a sense of urgency about the place. People going in and coming out throughout the day, fighting a war that was now over. He had to repeat it to himself. The war was over. He felt this relief in his chest along with the same painful clenching in his gut at the thought; almost as if an arrow was twisting his insides causing the pain to become even more prominent than the brief feeling of happiness he had felt over that thought. He could remember happier times in the house he was standing in. One where everyone had laughed, played jokes and were undeniably alive.

A sudden sound startled him, breaking his reverie and causing Harry to pull out his wand out of sheer habit. In his mind he knew that Grimmauld place was safe, but it didn't stop his instincts from taking over and demand that he check whether all was right.

Moving slowly, so as to not make a sound, Harry kept going until another sound stopped him in his tracks. Someone had opened the door. His fist clenched around his wand as he shifted carefully, so as to see who had come in. He let out a happy breath when he saw who it was.

"You left this," Hermione said with a small smile.

Harry quickly pocketed his wand before he took the packaged food the Fleur had prepared for him with a grateful smile, his fingers lightly touching hers. She moved her hand back quickly, her body language showing him exactly how uncomfortable she seemed to be around him.

"We didn't want you to starve."

"Thanks." His eyes fell on the beaded bag that hung from her shoulder.

Her eyes followed his gaze before she looked up at him with a small smile. "I told you I wouldn't let you be alone." Then, almost as if she had shaken off whatever strange thing that had happened between them, she started for the kitchen. "Come on. It's nearly dinner time. We should eat something."

Harry followed her, a near giddy expression on his face. He suddenly felt relatively happier.

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