Chapter five

So the night of the party, Kingsley was invited as a guest, but he also said he'd act as an auror just in case it was needed and had the only other auror who survived the war there as well. So the large marquee was crowded with people, mostly the young people that were friends with George, Ron and Ginny, but there were a far few older people there as well. Even though none of them liked Muriel, she was invited along with all the extended Weasley family.

Again, Harry would listen to conversations, occasionally say something when asked, but never really got involved in anything anyone was saying. Ginny did get Harry up to dance once, which was to a slow song, so she cuddled up to Harry as they danced. The moment the song finished, Harry let her go and went to get a drink, Ginny sighed in frustration before joining some of her other friends who were either talking or dancing. She did get asked to dance by a few male friends, so Ginny thought she'd ask Harry, he said for her to have a good time, which again frustrated Ginny thinking her boyfriend was fine with her dancing with other blokes. Kingsley had spoken to Harry during the night, he wanted to know if Harry was still interested in being an auror, which Harry said he was and was determined to get the best grades so he could go into the training. But he did make Kingsley promise to treat him like anyone else, so if he couldn't pass the test, then Harry should not be allowed to be an auror. So finally Kingsley agreed, but he wasn't worried, he knew Harry would pass the test no problems and he also knew that Harry would make an excellent auror. Kingsley spoke to Arthur and Molly a lot because he was concerned about why Harry seemed so distance and hardly spoke, so they explained that seems to be how Harry was now.

But the party was a big success, everyone had a wonderful time and of course, no danger. The party went on till early hours the following morning before people slowly drifted off home. Ginny decided to go home with Harry because she knew once they were at Hogwarts, they wouldn't get much time alone and hardly any privacy. The Weasley boys didn't like this at all, but they also realised they couldn't stop their little sister having sex with Harry as they were both adults. Whenever one of the older Weasley boys tried to talk to Harry about this, he just said it was private then walked away, again hardly saying more than a few words. But it just seemed to be the way Harry Potter was now so they realise they would have to get used to it.

Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and all their friends returned to Hogwarts. The first thing Harry did was give the captains job of the Gryffindor team to Ginny stating he didn't want to play, all he wanted to do was study. Ginny, Ron and even Professor McGonagall were all disappointed because Harry was one of the finest seekers the school had ever seen. The other reason they were upset, it was hard to get a really good seeker. But no matter what anyone said to Harry, he didn't want to play, he wanted to spend all his time studying.

So the first few weeks even with how hard the lessons were, everyone enjoyed being back at Hogwarts. Hermione of course spent a lot of time in the library, but Harry was also in there and sometimes more than Hermione. She would spend some private time with Ron, Ginny wanted some with Harry, but he always said he wanted to study. The staff found that there were a lot of students like that now, after the war, they really wanted to get good grades, one of these students was Draco Malfoy. Since he was released without punishment, thanks mainly to Harry's testimony, he also spent most of his time alone and always in the library. One thing that upset Ginny, but also Ron, Harry never even went to any of the quidditch games, he always said he needed to study. Hermione was the one everyone thought would be like that, but she did take a break to watch her boyfriend play quidditch.

Harry was sitting in the great hall surrounded in books when Ginny sat down next to him. She stared for a minute and Harry still never looked up from what he was reading.

'Harry, I thought you might like to know that we won the game.'

Harry slowly looked up, 'Oh, good Gin, I'm happy for you,' Harry said distractedly then went back to his reading.

'Do you think we could spend some time together later?'

'I really don't have time right now, I've got to get this assignment done. Maybe I can later tonight, I'll let you know,' he said but this time he never looked up.

Ginny sighed then slowly walked away with the eyes of Minerva McGonagall watching her. She had been watching Harry since school started and couldn't believe the change in him. She had her suspicions as to why Harry was like this and was going to speak with him, but usually he was deep in studying, so she didn't want to disturb him.

At dinner that night, Harry was eating while he had a book opened beside him and again never joined in with any of the conversation or took any notice of what was going on around him.

'Harry, you're wanted,' Ginny snapped.

Harry lifted his head, 'Sorry, did you say something Ginny?' she never answered just pointed at the young boy standing behind Harry, 'Did you want something?'

'Professor McGonagall asked me to give this to you Mr. Potter,' the boy said nervously holding out a note.

'Okay, thanks,' Harry took the note then quickly read, 'Bloody hell,' Harry snapped, closed his book then stood up.

'What's going on Harry?' Hermione asked.

'McGonagall wants me in her office, I need to study, I don't have time for this,' Harry snapped again then grabbed his bag and walked off.

'All he does is study, I know he wants to be an auror, but the way he's going, he could teach by the time he's finished,' Ron said.

Harry knocked on the door and heard her called to come in, 'You wanted to see me Professor,' Harry couldn't help sounding rushed and frustrated.

'Yes, I did Mr. Potter, please sit down,' she pointed at the seat.

Harry sighed then sat down, 'This can't be about something I've done, because I haven't done anything but work.' this time Harry sounded harsh and cold.

'It's not about that, it's about you and the way your acting.'

'Acting, all I'm doing is studying.'

'Yes I know Harry and that is what I'm talking about. You never talk, you never interact with anyone, you don't even go watch your girlfriend and best friend play quidditch.'

'I want to get good grades Professor, surely you understand that?'

'Yes, I do, but everyone should have a break occasionally. Now I want to know why you're like this?'

'I want the best grades I can get, I want O's in everything and I'm determined to get it.'

'Yes, and since I've been watching you over the last few weeks you will get all O's. But the real reason Harry, is this just because of what you went through or is there more to it?'

Harry sighed and thought this could be the answer that would satisfy her, 'Fine, after the last few years I'm going to make sure no one ever goes through another war, not if I can help it. I've heard the stories and read the letters that people send me, so many suffered because of that…' Harry hesitated, 'him. So I want to go into the aurors proving I can do more than just what everyone thinks they know about me. Sure, I killed him, but a lot of that was luck, I still need to prove I can do this job, a job I believe I'm meant to do and a job I think I'm suited for.'

'Yes, I believe you will make an excellent auror, but you also need more in your life than just fighting dark witches and wizards. Everyone needs companionship, they need their friends, they need someone to share their life with, but most important Harry, they need love.'

'I don't, I just want to work.'

'Harry, what was the main thing I told you that would help you defeat Tom Riddle?' Albus Dumbledore said from his portrait.

Harry sighed, 'Yes, I know, love, but I don't need it and I don't want it.'

'Because of Sirius,' Albus said sadly.

'Don't bring him into this,' Harry snapped and his voice was hard like his face, 'As far as I'm concerned you killed him,' Harry got up and picked up his bag, 'Sorry Professor,' Harry nodded to Professor McGonagall then hurried from the office and headed straight up to the library. He sat at one of the tables, pulled his books, parchment, quill and ink out of his bag before searching shelves for the books he wanted but tried not to think of Sirius, that's why he worked so hard, it keep his mind of Sirius and off his heartache.

Hermione stood in a dark corner watching Harry work and had no idea how to get through to him. Ginny was angry and she was now refusing to even try to spend time with Harry or even talk to him anymore. Ron was angry that Harry was ignoring Ginny, but he realised that they were adults, so it was their business even if he wanted to stop his sister being hurt again and as far as he was concerned, Harry was hurting his sister. Hermione sometimes sat with Harry while he studied, but anytime she tried to talk to him, he always said he needed to concentrate, so she finally went to her own table and left Harry alone.

Late that night, Harry packed his books up and headed up to Gryffindor tower. Just as he was getting close to the portrait of the fat lady, Ginny stepped up to him, took his hand and pulled him towards the room of requirement. She wanted to give Harry one more chance at them finally being a normal couple. So when she pulled him into the room, she undressed then undressed Harry who looked a little impatient, but she had to try everything. Once she started to kiss him and his body, he started to respond and participated in their love making. The moment they finished, Harry got up and dressed, Ginny realised it didn't work, nothing will work, so she dressed then stepped in front of Harry.

'We need to talk.'

'It's late, can't it wait until tomorrow?'

'I've tried to talk to you through the day, you're always studying, so it's now.'

Harry sighed, 'Fine, what did you want to talk about?'

'Us, you never spend any time with me, you don't kiss me, you won't even hold my hand, now you don't even talk to me. I thought if I could show you how good our sex was, how loving it could be you might finally show me some affection, but that didn't even work. I enjoy our sex, but you act like it's a job.'

'I explain I wanted to get the best grades I can, I don't have time for anything else. As for affection, I don't feel the need to keep kissing or holding hands especially when I'm trying to study,' Harry said impatiently.

'Yes, I know, so since that is what you want and not what I want I thought I should tell you that it's over. I can't deal with the way you are anymore, so cold, so hard, you're nothing like I expected. So I think we should just end this.'

'Fine, if that's what you want and it's probably for the best because once I start working that's all I'll be doing. So it might be better to find someone that wants all this touching that you want. Now I need to get some sleep, I'm knackered,' Harry moved past Ginny, left the room of requirement and headed to Gryffindor tower.

A few minutes later Ginny stepped into the common room and sat on the sofa staring into the fireplace.

'Did you speak with Harry?' Hermione asked as she sat down then saw tears falling down Ginny's face, 'What happened?'

'He said fine, so we're through, but he acted like it meant nothing, our love making was nothing. I told him that I love him, but he was just so cold Hermione. Why he is like this?'

'I don't know, I've tried to talk to him but all he said was he needs to study. Maybe if you just give him some time, things might change after he starts working.'

'No, he said it would be better to end it since all he'll be doing is working. I don't want that type of life Hermione, I want affection, I want to feel loved, I won't get that with Harry.'

'If that's what you want Ginny and I wish I could tell you he would get better. But I've finally realised that our Mr. Potter has changed and nothing we do will change him back. Anyway, it's late, we should head to bed.'

Ginny nodded, wiped her face, then followed Hermione up the stairs to the dorm room. Now she had to get used to a life that didn't involve Harry, something she had been hoping since she was twelve years old, a life with him, now that's over and she just had to live with the fact that she never will.