Harry Potter - Journeying to a past he's unsure of what to feel about.
"I don't think you're a waste of space."
Dudley's words from nearly a year ago reverberated in Harry's ears. Finally, he had defeated the Darkest Wizard of all time, had found and destroyed all the Horcruxes, made peace with Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape, and spoken separately with Ron, Hermione, and most importantly, Ginny.
Harry, accompanied by Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, was travelling in a ministry car to the tiny hamlet of Elm St. Edmund where Hestia Jones and Dedalus Diggle had arranged for the Dursleys hiding the previous year. On one side of Harry sat Ginny.
On his other side, he heard Ron ask, "Should we really go?"
"They matter, Ron. Just because they're muggles doesn't mean the war hasn't affected them. I share the same feelings as you, but we are doing this for Harry." Hermione reminded Ron gently. "Besides, they also deserve to go home. Like you, me, and Harry."
"Yeah, after all, Harry did arrange for their protection last year." Ginny added, bringing her head back to Harry's shoulder after speaking. Harry closed his eyes wearily as Ginny patted his back comfortingly.
Harry did not know if he wanted to accompany Ron and Hermione to Australia. He supposed he had to give them privacy and leave them alone. Afterall, they had spent years at his side fighting a big, bald, noseless piece of crap who had wanted to take over the country.
"By the way, Nev asked Hannah out finally, Harry." Ron broke the silence.
"What?" Harry exclaimed, his face splitting into a grin.
"Yeah, that Hufflepuff prefect." Hermione said.
"She and Neville had worked in pairs during the Carrows' regime and got to know each other better." Ginny supplied.
"I'm so happy for him." Harry said. The others nodded, and Harry was lost in thoughts just like he frequently did these days.
The last two weeks weren't easy for Harry. He had to attend many funerals, the hardest being Lupin's, Tonks', Fred's, and Colin's. He also had to deal with the loss of so many people, with added guilt, although everyone assured him it wasn't his fault. Percy, for instance, assured him it wasn't his fault by apologizing to Harry for how he treated Harry and Dumbledore for the last three years. Embarrassed, Harry had told Percy that all that mattered was Percy's family's reactions. If the Weasleys forgave Percy, Harry too did. And the Weasleys accepted Percy with open arms.
The Weasleys and Hermione were very supportive of Harry. Never once did they show their weakness in front of Harry, but always comforted him. Harry was forever grateful for that. He didn't think he would be able to see them break. The only people he had seen breaking down were Ginny and Ron and Hermione. The four teenagers were among the worst traumatized in the entire war and were trying to cope.
Ron and Hermione remembered Harry of the sixth year where Ron dated Lavender Brown - with another horrible pang, Harry realized Lavender would never recover from her scars. Thankfully, she had a permanent job in Parvati Patil's Indian restaurant chain in Diagon Alley, so she wouldn't have to struggle to make a living. Although Parvati was an entrepreneur, Padma Patil was a potioneer. She worked at an apothecary in Diagon Alley. With a second pang, Harry realized not all twins were as lucky as the Patil twins. Talking of twins, George was rekindling his relationship with Angelina but was hesitant about returniong to his shop. He claimed he needed extra help anyways. Just then, the car slowed down and halted.
Ginny was the first to get down. She lent her hand to Harry and looked at him like he was a five year old.
"I am alright." Harry said.
"When you are alright, I will know." Ginny said, as Harry alighted. He watched as Hermione and Ron alighted from the other side.
"In that case, I have to ask. How are you?" Harry asked Ginny, holding her shoulders. Accepting his embrace and snuggling into him, Ginny said, "I am fine." Harry held her briefly before letting go.
When they turned back, they saw their dear friends engaged in a passionate snog. Ron's hands were in Hermione's bushy hair that had become more bushier. Hermione held on to Ron like her very life depended on it. That was the moment Harry decided it was best that he not join the two on their trip to Australia. He would be the awkward third wheel again, and would rather spend that time with Ginny.
Ginny made a disgusted noise and Ron and Hermione broke apart.
"Oi! Don't interfere with us! Have we ever interfered you guys after the Battle?" Ron asked.
Ginny was all set for another fight, but Harry and Hermione dragged Ron and Ginny away.
"He's right, Ginny. Neither he nor Hermione interrupt us. Ever since the Battle. Besides, it's good they are busy with their snogging sessions. That way, we get to have our own." Harry winked at Ginny, who smirked at him, "Not so soon, Potter."
Elm St. Edmund was a remote and relatively unknown village with a dying population, abandoned huts, and plentiful of nature. The Church and the marketplace were the only places people met and socialized. You could take a tour of the entire village between breakfast time and afternoon tea time, since there wasn't anything attracting a tourist apart from nature. A jungle leading northwest bordered the village.
"They would love this place!" Hermione squealed.
Harry actually laughed out loud. Hermione scowled at him.
"Enjoy- enjoy this place? Hermione, you haven't met the Dursleys! I mean, no fancy cars, no fancy apartments or houses, no shining indoors, no video games, only one radio for the entire village, dirt and grime in many places, and absolutely no television..."
"And no friends either!" A voice came drifting. "Everyone here is old. Not when their grandkids arrive, though."
Harry turned around. In the place of the immature and insensitive bully from his past stood a taller, muscular, thoughtful man. Perhaps the only things that hadn't changed about him were his obviously blonde hair and his name. Harry decided that his nickname hadn't changed either.
"Hey, Big D!"
With the same grin of his past self, Dudley said, "Hey Harry!" and the two firmly shook hands.