Chapter 1
Mornings had become a burden to Harry Potter.
In his youth, he was charged with making breakfast for the Dursleys and was always an early riser. Hogwarts helped to cure him of that, as he enjoyed lazy mornings before being roused out of bed by Ron to head to breakfast. That was a momentary reprieve, though. These days he found himself awakening early again, if able to sleep at all.
His thoughts consumed him at times. This morning, he had awoken before the sun. A fitless night of sleep left him weary but coffee would remedy that. Leaving his bedroom in Grimmauld Place, he made his way to the kitchen and set about brewing his favorite drink.
While the coffee brewed, he curled himself into a kitchen chair and allowed himself a moment of peace. He always loved the kitchen as an idea but now that he had made this one his own, he truly relished it. After the war, he came back to Grimmauld and sank a lot of sweat, time, and to be quite honest, galleons into making it habitable. Gone was all of the curling wallpaper and infested curtains and lightless rooms. Windows were added, amenities were updated. It became a place he was truly proud to call home. And in that home was the kitchen. Not just any kitchen, his kitchen. A large stove and counter space dominated the room to one side. The other featured a wall-length window that looked out onto the garden. A table marked the center and it was where everyone gathered when visitors came over. And so he found himself, looking out on the flowers and greenery in his garden, thinking about the past.
After his victory over Voldemort, the world was his. Everyone wanted a piece of him and he had to truly work to sate everyone. Throughout his years at Hogwarts he had always had his two best friends to help him wade through the incessant noise but after the war, well, things changed.
Hermione left. Not disappeared, no. But she was gone. After the final battle, Harry had left his companions to go back to the castle and help. He thought that the seemingly newly found couple needed a moment to themselves. Ron followed behind shortly thereafter, leaving Hermione alone on the castle grounds. She had said she needed to collect her thoughts. So the pair had gone to work, helping those in need, clearing rubble, whatever needed to be done. It wasn't until hours later that they realized that Hermione had left.
A letter was received weeks later. Hermione was firm in that she wasn't abandoning them or the magical world. Just that she needed time and space and that their paths would cross again when the time was right. With that single piece of parchment, Hermione was gone from their lives. It had been almost six years since Harry had last heard from her.
Harry removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He realized his coffee was ready and pulled himself away from his seat to prepare his drink. He removes the cream from his cooler, adding a splash to his cup along with a sugar cube. The smell helps to awaken his senses and his head clears. A full day is ahead of him, so it's time to keep going. Taking his cup with him, he heads back towards his bedroom to prepare for the day.
He chooses simple robes. Once, he had to wear a specific set, the robes of an auror. His career path after the war was what had been expected of him. He enrolled in the auror program and breezed through the training. Ron had joined him, desperate for direction. His friend quickly realized, though, that his heart wasn't in it. He bowed out before the end of the training regimen and joined George in running the joke shop.
It wasn't until a few years later that Harry realized Ron had chosen wisely.
Harry checks himself in the mirror and sighs.
"Good enough," he mutters under his breath. He checks that he has his essentials and turns on the spot, apparating to his next great adventure.
He arrives to bright cerulean skies. Where had he ever picked up that word? Must have been Hermione and her secret obsession with colors. He looks up at the castle that dominates the skyline ahead of him. Back once more, he starts the walk to Hogwarts' entrance, a sense of home settling over him.