AN:/ Thank-you to all of you who are still reading this and have been patiently and/or impatiently waiting for this instalment. Unfortunately Harry Potter and the End of the Beginning is my primary story at the moment so this one has been taking a bit of a back seat. I caution any of you who particularly like Ronald or Ginevra Weasley that this is not going to be a good story for them at a lot of points. Ron is a fair git in this chapter as it is. I apologize to any who like them, but personally I've never been a fan. Well that's enough of my rambling, on with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Harry Potter or any of the characters/places/creatures etc. in this story.

Eventually Remus stood, "Well," he began. "It looks like we'll have to wait for Harry to return and continue to prepare in the meantime. He doesn't want us to look for him, that much is obvious. No matter how hard it is, we can't just disrespect his wishes for our safety."

The werewolf paused for a moment looking into the many pairs of red-rimmed eyes in the room before continuing, "I think we should continue with the wedding and other festivities as Harry wished. Unless the bride or groom wish to wait?" he glanced at the pair, Fleur was still crying like everything she loved in the world had been destroyed.

Bill looked at his fiancée and shook his head, "I think it may be best to postpone for a while so we can re-gather ourselves. I know I'm a little distraught, and though I can't speak for Fleur–"

"Yez, I would like to postpone eet too pleaze." Fleur cut in. Nodding, Remus went to the fireplace and flooed to Hogwarts in search of Minerva.

Less than 5 minutes later Remus returned with McGonagall hot on his tail. "What's wrong? Why is Remus acting so–"Minerva stopped talking upon seeing the sight before her.

Molly and Arthur Weasley were quietly comforting each other and crying; Ginny being comforted by Fred and George who were also crying. Remus, having returned to his previous position beside Tonks, was again holding her while they both tried hard not to cry, and Hagrid was blowing his nose so loud it puts cannon shots to shame.

Bill was holding his teary-eyed fiancée, who Minerva vaguely recognized to be Fleur Delacour, having not seen the blonde since the Triwizard Tournament three years prior. Fleur looks a mess, with tears streaming steadily down her face. Fleur looked almost worse off than Ron and Hermione, who were half-holding, half-clinging to each other, crying like the world was ending.

Minerva couldn't fathom what happened at the moment, so she asked tersely, "Would someone please explain what the bloody Hell is going on here?"

Tonks took a shuddering breath, her hair still flickering between a morbid inky-black and rather grisly grey colour, to steady herself, "Minerva, Harry is, well, Harry's…gone–"

Face contorting in silent horror, Minerva demanded, stricken, "Who–"

"Not dead Professor!" Tonks, rapidly amended, knowing where Minerva's thoughts had gone. "He-he ran away last night and only left a letter..." Tonks trailed off, passing the aforementioned letter to the elder witch.

Quickly reading the letter, Minerva let out slight gasps and sad chuckles as her face ran through a wider range of emotions than many had seen from her before whilst reading the letter. By the time she finished reading it she, like everyone else, had tears trailing down her face.

Minerva was a strong woman, no one would deny that, but even she had her limits, and Harry was her favourite male student, Hermione being the female student, since the Marauders' days.

Looking and feeling very much her age, Minerva, slowly sat down, sinking heavily into the chair with the weight of the loss lingering firmly in her bosom. Remus gave her a sad, knowing look as he spoke.

"Part of the reason I flooed you, Minerva, is because we were wondering if you could enlighten us what Harry meant when he said, 'especially Professor McGonagall. She's helped me far more than you or she may ever realize.'" There was question in Remus's green eyes as he spoke.

Slowly shaking her head Minerva responded, "I wish I did, but to be honest I have no idea what he meant." It was more than a little distressing for the Transfiguration mistress to feel so useless at a time when her student was missing and frustration shone brightly in her eyes.

Tonks, observant as always, caught the look. "Minerva this is hardly your fault. He said himself in the letter, 'She's helped me far more than you or she may ever realize.' so I doubt he was expecting any of us to know what it meant."

Minerva sighed, "Be that as it may, Tonks, I would have hoped I could be more useful in finding one of my own students! Merlin knows that he's been through far too much already...and now this! You-know-who making him a Horcrux of all things!" Minerva shook her head gravely.

"He has to kill himself to save us." The elder witch spoke quietly. "He won't ever get the chance to live his life… Harry's already lost his childhood to this war and now he'll die before he ever gets the chance to be an adult!" there was a pained anguish in Minerva's voice as she finished speaking that resonated throughout the room despite her low volume.

A heavy silence followed her words as the room processed what she had said. There was no denying the truth of it, no matter how much they detested that fact. Their friend, for many of them their family was going to die. That didn't mean that they couldn't wish it weren't true.

Hermione gasped suddenly, shattering the silence. "Wait! If Harry's a horcrux, wouldn't he have to die before V-Voldemort?" there was a collective flinch at the use of his name. "Honestly! We should be able to say his name!" Hermione snapped, peevishly before pressing on.

"If Harry can call Voldemort by his name than out of respect for Harry and Professor Dumbledore for that matter than we shouldn't be either." Hermione said fiercely, garnering a few nods from the group.

"'Ermione iz right." Fleur said, surprising some that she stuck up for the girl who had not long before been laughing with Ginny at calling her "Phlegm". "Eef 'Arry isn't afraid to say 'is name zhen we shouldn't be eizher." there was an awkward silence following the declaration, until Tonks finally broke it.

"Well sitting here won't do us any good, and Harry still has the trace on him, I'm going to speak to Madame Bones and see if she can locate him at all. If not I plan to look myself; I'll come back here if I find anything." The metamorph announced standing.

The response was a rather large number of confused looks. Some of them looked like they were going to ask to come with her but she gave the majority a harsh glare. Remus, however looked somewhat disapproving, having already voiced his opinions earlier though he remained quiet.

"Before you even ask I refuse to take anyone under 20 and/or over 30." Tonks stated bluntly, causing the twins to silently cursed still being 19, not unlike the majority of the room who found themselves cursing their age.

Fleur promptly stood. "I will go wiz you. I'm already 20 and I 'ave no reason to go to work because zee goblins kindly gave me 2 monthz off to enjoy my wedding." She said by way of explanation, earning a brief appraising look from Tonks before receiving a nod.

Bill made a move to stand but Fleur stopped him. "Bille, you cannot come with us. You 'ave to keep zese people updated!" Bill wanted to complain but knew better than to anger his fiancée; or Tonks for that matter.

Nodding he spoke, "Okay Fleur, but you had better come back unharmed." before the blonde could respond, an impatient Tonks grabbed her hand and disapparated the pair to the Ministry.

(With Harry)

Unaware of the turmoil at the Burrow, Harry was in the process of duelling two wannabe Death Eaters in a town not far from London using a wand he had nicked off of an unconscious wizard in an alley. Not the best of course, but he knew the trace was still on his other one. Good thing he liked a challenge.

He started to wonder if he should just give up and let them take him but that would mean that there would be undefeated horcruxes, and that wouldn't do. Two quick spells later the pair of Death Eaters were unconscious on the ground.

Harry sighed quietly; this was getting old really fast. That was the fifth attack in the last two hours. He wondered if the group he'd left behind the night before had read the letter yet...and what they thought of him knowing he was a horcrux.

So far he had yet to locate any other horcruxes, but he had a few ideas of what they might be...or at least where Tom might have left the pieces of his soul. Harry shivered. He could not fathom a time where such acts would make sense, but then again he was not a dark sorcerer hell-bent on taking over the free world and killing all non-purebloods. Although at the moment other thoughts were plaguing his already weighted mind.

'I wonder what Fleur is thinking of right now...probably the wedding. Damn. I should've gotten up the courage to ask her out back in fourth year. Seriously, what kind of Gryffindor am I anyway? Can't even ask one bloody girl out! A perfect girl, yes. But still a girl.' Harry mentally berated himself.

At the same time he felt great remorse and regret having left in the way he did, not because he wanted the people he cared about hurt or anything near that. But simply because he missed the comfort of knowing there were people around to talk to.

Harry was well versed in being alone; the Dursleys had made sure of that. However, he found that now that he had experienced friendship he missed having it around.

Harry sighed for a moment and decided to make a list of what he missed about each of the people he cared about. 'Maybe I'll send it to them someday.' he mused.

After putting up as many powerful wards as he knew, including some with Ancient Runes he'd read out of one of Hermione's text books, Harry sat down pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and began to write.

(Time-skip: The Burrow)

Tonks and Fleur had returned from their trip to the Ministry empty handed, thus when an owl carrying a letter from Harry tapped on the Burrow's kitchen window, a full week after the first letter had been found, everyone was in a frenzy to see what Harry had written. Finally when they were all seated in the living room again, Molly began to read once again:

"Dear Mr & Mrs Weasley, Ron, Hermione, Gred and Feorge, Remus, Tonks, Ginny, Hagrid, Bill, Prof. McGonagall and of course last but never least Fleur;"Molly was cut off by her eldest son.

Fleur was blushed lightly, as she wondered, 'Why does 'Arry keep addressing me zo differently zen ze others?' She was pulled from her musings as Molly continued.

"I find myself incredibly homesick tonight as I look at the stars. For after experiencing friendship it is not easy to give up but for your safety I would gladly do it 1000 times over." Fleur gave a slight whimper, and surprisingly so did Tonks.

"So I've decided to send this letter which lists some of the many things I miss the most about each of you in a rather random order. So here goes something." Molly paused, taking a shaky breath before continuing.

Ron Weasley:I miss the way he could always do something hilarious or just make everything seem slacker."Hermione snorted a little, and Ginny sniggered.

"He's right you know." Hermione stated, glancing sideways at the now slightly red boy beside hers.

"The way he puffs his chest up with pride at each compliment that he receives. How he always sets people off but fixes it all later with a brash apology." The people in the room, with the exception of Ron, laughed. Ron grew redder, realizing that Harry might be referring to any number of times he had done just that to his raven-haired friend.

"Hermione Granger:" the girl in question let out a slight squeak. "I miss the way she always put a smile on my face. How she put up with Ron and my idiocies and was always ready with amazing skill, knowledge and technique." Ron did have the decency to flush whilst McGonagall, Lupin and Hagrid shared a look before rolling their eyes.

"The flush of pleasure each time she wins points for Gryffindor, and the way she shares small smiles of appreciation with Ron and I when we got our homework done before she had to nag us."Almost everyone but Hermione cracked up at this.

"It-it's just s-so true!" Ron snorted as Hermione slapped his arm, scowling.

"The laughter in her eyes when Ron or I got duped by the twins, and how she would then turn around and scold the twins for pranking us."The twins high-fived and stuck out their tongues at their mother.

"See mum,"

"even"

"Hermione"

"appreciates our"

"pranks." Molly glared at the twins, still not happy about their decision to open a prank shop.

"I miss the way your lips twitch and your cheeks turn a pale, almost invisible pink when you're thinking about a crush or romantic action you've had-You're welcome." This earned Hermione a lot of questioning looks garnering a flush from the girl in question.

"Well, he means that he and I kind of snogged once or twice, at Hogwarts." Hermione said quickly, wishing the couch she was sitting on would swallow her up. She internally swore if she saw him again she'd kill Harry herself.

"Where the bloody hell was I?" Ron demanded as Hermione shrugged in response.

"I find that I miss you horribly right now just to talk about anything or dance to a non-existent song and beat."This served to gain Hermione a few more unwanted gazes.

"Dancing?" Fred queried

"To a"

"non-existent"

"song?" George continued.

"As in"

"with Harry?" Fred and George finished wiggling their eyebrows suggestively.

"And talking"

"about"

"anything?" the twins smirked lecherously at her, eyes twinkling with glee.

Hermione groaned, "It's not like that you perverted gits!"

"Fred and George Weasley:" The pair perked up at this, slightly surprised to have been mentioned so early on.

"I miss how they made every day more enjoyable, how they pulled pranks in even the most serious situations just to get a laugh."

"True heirs to the Marauder name, eh boys?" Remus said to which they stared incredulously at him, while McGonagall groaned and put her head in her hands.

"You just had to make them want to prank more, didn't you?" the transfiguration mistress grumbled, shooting Remus a mock-glare.

"Wait" George exclaimed

"you know about"

"the Marauders?" the pair demanded.

Remus laughed "Something like that boys." The twins glanced first at each other and then suspiciously back at their former professor. He knew something for sure, now they just had to figure out what.

"The mirth and mischievous looks they always share, and the peculiar way they could always tell what the other was thinking." The twins proceeded to laugh uncontrollably, startling everyone in the room, but when they calmed they gave no explanation. Eventually Molly just continued, deciding it best not to ask.

"How they always made the days seem less hard, and made tomorrow seem easier. How like every Weasley their faces would go bright red if or when they got embarrassed or angry." They flushed at that part causing every non-Weasley in the room to break out in a well needed fit of laughter; Molly 'humphed' in return.

"Arthur Weasley:"the Weasley patriarch looked surprised to have been mentioned.

"I miss how he was always on top of things yet totally disorganized." Arthur looked slightly put-out at the description.

"I am not totally disorganized, just somewhat cluttered in my thoughts." He tried in vain to defend, earning a snort from Molly.

"Dear, I love you, but Harry is completely right with that statement." The Weasley matriarch replied as gently as she could manage.

"The way he wants to be the father figure but the fun guy at the same time." The Weasley children high-fived at Harry's sentiment.

"The way he stopped every time he encountered a new muggle object, just to figure out how it worked and what it was used for."This point brought on more laughter from the audience, even if it was bitter-sweet given Harry's absence.

"Molly Weasley:" the woman in question blushed slightly, feeling strange reading aloud about herself.

"I miss how she always smiled at all the people who entered her home, always expressed love for everyone no matter what."Molly had tears in her eyes whilst reading this. She loved Harry like a son, and that he had written this warmed her aching heart.

"The way she'd reprimand the twins and Ron at the drop of a hat, but be hugging them less than ten minutes later." This caused the twins to burst out laughing whilst Molly went a nice Weasley red, garnering more laughter because Harry had pointed out what they all did that earlier.

Bill laughed, "He forgot to mention Ginny, Charlie, Perc, Dad and I." There was a slight flinch from Molly when he mentioned Percy before she pressed forward in the reading.

"Ginny Weasley:" The girl in question gave a slight squeak like a mouse that had been unexpectedly trodden on.

"I miss the way she could manoeuver a broom without even trying." Ginny, predictably, flushed what was quickly becoming known as 'Weasley red.'

"The way she would always try her hardest to keep up with those older than her; the determination to prove she was as good." Those in the room assumed Ginny's red face was still happy pleasure, but really the red head girl was mortified.

'Tried!' she internally screeched. 'How can my Harry only say that I tried to keep up! I am as good as them!' Ginny internally raged as Molly kept reading.

"Bill Weasley:"He looked more startled than anyone to be mentioned in the letter.

"I didn't know you long or very well, but I miss the way you could laugh off your mum's rage even though most everyone else cowers in fear." There was some more laughter at this, although a look from Molly shut them all down.

Fred and George spoke their twin speak once more though,

"He"

"does have"

"a good"

"point though."

"Doesn't"

"he?" they pointed out.

"The strange stories you told at dinner and the courage that was always present in your eyes."At this it was Fleur who smiled. "Zee Bille? Eet iz not just me zat sees eet."

Bill chuckled, "Whatever you say Fleur."

"Minerva McGonagall:"At this it became Minerva's turn to be surprised. She hadn't expected to be included in this letter.

"I miss how she was so very strict and intimidating but would do anything to protect the students and those close to her." There was a consecutive 'aww' to which the elder witch gave a mock glare.

"The small smiles that occasionally graced her lips when someone impressed her or did her or her house proud."

Minerva sighed, "That boy is too observant for his own good." She muttered, there were some nods of agreement from those whose names had already been read.

"The pride in her eyes in every situation and the blatant refusal to back down from what she believes in."What shocked everyone is that Minerva looked slightly embarrassed by the comment.

"What?" She questioned, seeing the looks. "It feels odd for Harry to say it." Minerva defended. The group agreed with that statement, nodding vaguely as the reading continued.

"The power and skill she always had, along with the courage and air of confidence."Molly was cut off by Minerva's muttering.

"I am the Gryffindor Head of House for a reason." There was a distinct note of pride in her voice that would surely have cause Severus Snape to roll his eyes.

"Remus Lupin:" the man in question gained an embarrassed but pleased look.

"I miss the subtle father-son conversation where stories and tricks were shared. The way his eyes looked so far away yet so very happy when he spoke of my father and Sirius helping him as kids." The entire gathered group of wizards and witches was in tears...again. Especially Lupin, Harry had just admitted to thinking of their connection in a father-son manner! Remus had never been so touched in his life.

"The way he was always ready to hear my problems." Tonks, who was sitting beside Remus, gave him a nudge in the ribs. "Harry did always love that about you, you know? He mentioned it to me before actually."

"When did you talk to Harry about Professor Lupin?" Ginny demanded.

Tonks rolled her eyes. "I am allowed to have private conversations with people you know." she pointed out in annoyance.

"Rubeus Hagrid:"A thunderous noise was heard as Hagrid blew his nose in his soiled handkerchief.

"I miss the way he was always so helpful to me and others the way he cares for all creatures and always tries so hard for his friends." Those who had been witness to said caring smiled at the half giant.

"I miss our talks in his cabin over tea and cake." Minerva's eyes widened. She wasn't sure whether to be impressed or concerned that Harry actually managed to stomach Hagrid's cooking. The man meant well, but half giant food was simply not meant for regular people.

"How loyal you always were to your friends, even if some of them are rather large and scary." The twins sniggered.

"Just a"

"little"

"scary"

"mate?"

"Reeeeaaaallly?" The twins finished in unison. Hagrid looked at the pair confused, his creatures weren't scary. They were just cute and misunderstood.

"I find myself wishing for your rock cakes right now...I believe I am desperate." That caused the room, Hagrid included, to break out in laughter. Although after the words sunk in, many hoped that was an exaggeration—Harry starving was not something any of them desired.

"Nymphadora Tonks:" Tonks scowled. "(Sorry about using the first name)" She rolled her eyes indicating that Harry was forgiven.

"I miss the way she always made anyone laugh and despite being clumsy always took people by surprise saying 'Wotcher!'." Tonks stuck out her tongue at the members of the room.

"He is right you know. I can be stealthy when it's necessary." Tonks stated proudly. The group gave a sniggering sound causing a few of them to be hit by curses.

"The way she never looked the same for more than a couple days." Smirking Tonks changed her hair yet again, it was now bubble-gum pink and just reached her shoulders.

"I miss the cool Auror stories and the quick witty comments and hexes."Tonks laughed, "I still can't believe he enjoys listening to those stories and as for the hexes..."she trailed off.

"I even miss the feuds with Moody/ Dumbledore /Remus over her name being 'Tonks' and not 'Nymphadora'."The lady in question glared at the last of the three named men. "I oughta hex you just for the reminder." she threatened, causing Remus to pale.

"I miss how she treated all of us like real people and not kids, if nothing else you could always trust her to treat you fairly; like any good Hufflepuff."The gathered teenagers all sent Tonks a grateful smile.

"The untidy flick to your wand on the packing spell that you still can't get quite as well as your mother can...don't worry it'll come eventually."Tonks rolled her eyes "Cheeky bugger..." she muttered.

"How close you were to Sirius even though you barely knew him; how you comforted Remus after Sirus' death even though you were hurting too." Remus gave Tonks' arm a gentle squeeze in thanks.

"Fleur Delacour: I miss the way the light dances off your hair and twinkles in your eyes when you laugh." Bill shot his fiancée a curious glance. "And just how, does Harry know that?"

Fleur shrugged in response, not seeing any issue. "We 'ung out together in zee tournament."

"Wha? When did you do that?" Ron demanded, face growing red in jealousy.

The blonde rolled her eyes at the boy. "While you were buzy being jealous or stupide." She retorted, causing Ron to look away.

"The way you put up with stupid people *Cough*Ron*Cough* always ogling at your beauty even though I think your intelligence and daring deserves more credit." Fleur went a brilliant red and Bill muttered something about "Stop hitting on my fiancée."

"The kindness you extended to the Weasleys once you got with Bill and the kindness you showed to Cedric, Viktor and I once you got to know us in the Triwizard Tournament." Bill smiled. "At least Harry appreciates your effort." he said glaring at his family.

"I even miss the French accent every time you spoke." As she rolled her eyes, Fleur mused aloud, "I zink 'e juste made fun of my accent."

"The way you were fighting off everyone after nearly drowning in the second task just to make sure Gabrielle was okay"Fleur blushed prettily and the rest of the group laughed.

"Now that I'd like to see!" Bill exclaimed earning him an elbow in the ribs from his fiancée.

"The love you showed and received from your family in the Tournament." Stupidly, Ron asked, "Why would he miss seeing you getting love and support from your family?" Fleur whirled on the unsuspecting boy.

"Idiot! Eet iz because 'e wishes 'e 'ad a family! 'E likes to comfort 'imself in knowing zat not everyone 'as to suffer. Zat zere are people who 'ave a nice family zat care about zem."

"Hey! He has our family! And he oughta be bloody glad for it!" Ron raged, his jealousy reaching a peak as the beautiful young woman defended Harry. Fleur glared bullets at redheaded boy.

"You...you vache! Eef you 'ad any idea 'ow much zat boy 'as gone through...'ow much 'e 'as suffered... you would be ashamed of every bad thought you 'ave ever 'ad about 'Arry!" Fleur spat in a cold fury.

In the awkward silence that followed, Molly continued reading "How you still put up with Ron even though he rather awkwardly half yelled-half asked you to go to the same ball with you."Fleur's glare at Ron impossibly intensified at the reminder.

Bill glared now too. "You asked my fiancée to the Yule Ball? By yelling the question at her?"

Ron shrugged. "Oh come off it! She's bloody hot okay! Of course I asked her! Not my fault I got nervous." Bill just continued to glare and Fleur's eyes flashed dangerously.

"And zat iz why 'Arry is a better person zan you! 'E treats me like a person and likes me for who I am. You only like me for my looks; comme un objet!" Fleur spat the last part her disgust causing her to slip into her mother tongue.

"Well duh. Isn't that what most people like you for?" Ron asked before his eyes widened comically. Bill had his wand pointed at Ron faster than even Fleur, who was only milliseconds behind.

Remus, Tonks, Minerva, Fred, George and Hermione's wands also rapidly found their target. "Ron. Shut-up." Bill said coldly as Molly tried to calm the room so she could finish the letter. They all bitterly agreed to hold off so the letter could be finished.

"The respect that you showed me after, I hope, I proved that it wasn't without reason."Fleur smiled gently, "Eet was not without reason 'Arry." she murmured softly.

Bill gently squeezed her hand, "It's okay, I'm sure Harry knows you cared about him..." he said quietly in her ear. Getting a weak smile out of his fiancée before Molly continued reading.

"…It's barely been two days since I left but it feels like forever." Molly sniffled a little as she read.

"Not just to you Harry. To all of us." Tonks murmured, as many people made noises of agreement.

"I hope you'll all continue to move forward, and forget about me, but if you for some reason haven't, keep trying. For me."

Harry James Potter;

Lord Gryffindor, Lord of Potter and Black, and of course,

The-Boy-Who-Lived.

The group was once again seeking comfort from each other, desperately wishing they could do something to make it false information. To let Harry continue to live, make all the hurting go away. Remus and Tonks were clinging to each other like their lives depended on it, arms around each other; shielding.

Fleur and Bill were in a similar position; although, Fleur seemed to be clinging more desperately than Bill. To Ron's great surprise, Hermione and Professor McGonagall were quietly offering comforting words to each other. Thus he and Ginny were left to look awkwardly at each other and resent their losses.

AN:/ So what did you think? Good? Bad? Why the hell are you writing this your writing is shitty? All feedback and reviews help me when writing the story to make different plots occur or think on whether certain things were good or bad ideas. All reviews will be read, so flame me to hell if you want, and I will read it and take it into consideration, the same as any other review. All favourites, alerts and reviews are greatly appreciated, and I hope you all have a great holiday!

~GGUC