A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed. I really appreciate it.

Chapter 14:

Harry walked into the living room after a few minutes of staring at the door after Ginny. He was stunned that she had kissed him, but very elated. His heartbeat wildly and he couldn't help but feel happy.

He continued on into the kitchen and proceeded to clean up the breakfast dishes, while looking into what to make for dinner. Evelyn was usually hungry after a temper tantrum. Harry was well aware from all his studies that it was normal for a parent to send a child to bed with little or no dinner in this scenario as punishment, but because of his upbringing Harry could never ever even consider withholding food from Evelyn. Or any child. If anything, he was annoying by making sure they ate more food.

He shook his head from that line of thinking. He didn't like remembering his time at the Dursleys, especially when it was in regards to food. He hated remembering the sharp pangs of hunger as he sat in his cupboard while the family ate. Worse was after he was old enough to cook. He would have to cook every meal for them, the smell all around him but not be allowed any of it. Punishments for his supposed crimes were no food at all, or worse, they would make him sit at the dining room table and watch them eat the food he cooked, then send him to his cupboard, starving, after cleaning up.

Catching his reflection in the window over the sink, Harry stared at it for a moment. He hated looking at himself. Hated the way he looked. Due to the nine years before Hogwarts, and then several months during the summer of malnutrition, Harry was stuck looking slightly emaciated all the time. No matter how much he ate, he always looked bone thin. He hated when his female friends commented how jealous they were of him. He could easily shut them up by informing them of his years of starvation during the important growing years of his life, but he didn't want people to know.

Deciding on what to make for dinner, a simple grilled cheese sandwich with some tomato soup, he figured Evelyn had had enough time to settle and proceeded up the stairs. The noise from her room had lessened in the past half hour signaling that she was probably calm enough to be a bit more rational now.

He knocked gently on the door before opening it. Evelyn lay on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. He looked around at the mess her room was in. Toys thrown everywhere, clothes everywhere. Everything everywhere. She was definitely going to be cleaning her room up before she went to sleep.

Harry walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge of it. Evelyn shifted a bit away from him, burying herself further into her pillow. Harry reached out and rubbed her back in gentle circles in a calming manner.

"Evelyn." He simply said. He waited a minute. Still no response except for more squirming. He didn't expect anything really. "Sweetie, what's wrong." He asked her soothingly. After another minute of this he got down on the floor and knelt by her bed, his fingers creeping up to tickle her neck. She squirmed and giggled and turned to look at him, her green eyes, just like his, wet with tears. He reached over and wiped a few away.

"Honey, what was that downstairs?" He asked her. "Do you not like Ginny?" She shook her head no the best she could with her face still mostly hidden by her pillow.

"And why not? She likes you, you know." She reached out to him, and he grabbed her, dragging her from her bed to hold her in his lap. He cradled her in his arms as she sniffled into his shirt. They sat there like that for a little bit. He was rubbing soft circles on her back again.

"Are you ready to talk?" He asked softly into her hair, giving it a little kiss.

"I don't want you to go away." She said, pulling away a bit to look up at him.

"I'm not going anywhere Evelyn. I'm staying right here, with you." He said firmly.

"But you're going to go away with Ginny." She pouted, tears starting to pour from her eyes. Harry hushed her and pulled her into a tight hug again.

"No sweetie. If anything, I want Ginny to be with us. Both of us." He said reassuringly.

"But she doesn't want me, she wants you. Everyone does." At that she started crying again. Harry's heart broke at that. He had tried really hard through the past few weeks of rediscovering his family to make her feel included, special, and important. And discovering that he had failed hurt him more than he could ever explain. He pulled her away from him and forced her to look at him.

"No. Listen to me Evelyn." He said getting right in her face to make sure she was paying attention. "They want you too ok. They are just very happy that I've come back but they want you and they love you, ok? There's no doubt about it. And if there's someone who doesn't want you as well then, we'll just have to not have them. Because we go together, ok? It's me and you. Say it." He demanded firmly.

"Me and you." She said quietly.

"Louder." He said.

"Me and you!" She said louder giggling a little.

"I'm sorry Ms. Potter but I can't hear what you said." He put his ear closer to her.

"ME AND YOU!" She shouted loudly. He put his hand to his ear and pretended to pout. She giggled louder at that.

"You don't gotta shout you know." He stuck his tongue out at her. "That's what I like to see. You smiling and laughing." He hugged her closer, kissing her head again. "I hate it when you cry and are sad."

"Me too." She said, they sat there for a few more minutes. Harry glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing it was 7pm and almost time for Evelyn's bath and bedtime and she still needed to eat dinner. He pulled her away again, running his hand through her hair.

"You know I love you right?" He asked her.

"I love you too daddy." She said, giving him a wet sloppy kiss on the mouth.

"Good! Let's get some dinner." With that he helped her to stand up before leaning on the bed to get up himself. Hand in hand the two went down the stairs and had a nice dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Ron stood outside of the Muggle elementary school a few days later. Though they had talked after the incident, Hermione was still royally pissed off at him for his behavior Saturday night at dinner and had consequently been ignoring him or scowling at him. Life in their household was not very good.

He had attempted several times to apologize to her for it again, but she just ignored it all. He tried everything from flowers, to sweets, to books. He even bought her a super nice quill. But all his efforts were in vain, for Hermione would not forgive him.

The previous night however, after another attempt to get back on her good side, he had made a lovely dinner for her. It was quite romantic, he thought, with candles, music, and everything. They had fought for as long as he could remember, but rarely did she ever get so mad that she didn't fight back, and he hated those times.

Hermione sat at the table the previous night, enjoying being waited on by Ron and softened up a bit. She finally told him that she's not the one he needs to apologize to. That he needed to apologize to Harry. Ron still didn't understand, according to Ginny, Harry was fine. But Hermione, being herself and ever ready to educate someone, had explained it to him again.

That Harry left them and the Wizarding world. A world that had worshipped him at his height and bashed him down at his lowest. That praised him for his good deeds and turned their backs when he most needed them. He left a world of war and destruction and pain, and that he had established a life here, that he didn't want interference in. Especially where Evelyn was concerned.

She brought up the point he had made just himself not too long ago regarding unwed parents and their children. And while she doubted Harry knew anything about that, she asked Ron why he would want to just throw Harry into that unprepared. That he already had to think about that in the future years when Evelyn eventually goes to Hogwarts.

Ron understood her reasons. And he understood Harry's reasons for not going to anything. Even though he did think he should at least consider the Quidditch match, if anything then to just support Ginny. He thought all this over as he laid in bed with Hermione that night, unable to sleep.

And that's what brought him outside the school that morning. He figured if he could talk to Harry in the line of sight of other people, he'd be less inclined to knock Ron out. And even less inclined if it was in front of little children, and better, his own class.

Ron sighed and took a deep breath and walked into the building. It was nothing like any other school he had ever seen. Mind you, he's only seen Hogwarts. His mother had taught him all the basics and such in the years preceding Hogwarts. He walked to the office asking where he could find Harry. The staff was hesitant to allow him to walk around the school but after a call to the classroom and the ok from Mr. Potter, another teacher escorted him to his classroom.

Ron looked around as they walked through the halls. They were full of colorful pictures made by children and announcements. The floor echoed as they walked towards the classroom where Harry taught. It wasn't too far away being a kindergarten class and therefore near the front of the school. When they reached it, the teacher motioned him to the room and then proceeded down the hall to her own classroom.

Ron peeked in the window of the door watching Harry teach. He was teaching them numbers. He had asked some question that couldn't be heard through the door, but he couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic hands that shot up in the air to answer it. It reminded him of Hermione, and he wondered if she had done this in elementary school as she had done at Hogwarts.

Eventually after a few moments he decided it was time to go in and see Harry. He waited for a beats before opening the door. Every eye in the room turned to look at him, and he was suddenly very nervous to be stared at by about 20 little kids. He looked over at Harry who motioned for him to come up to the front.

"Class, this is my friend Ron. Say hello." Harry said.

"Hello Ron." The class said in unison.

"Good. He'll be joining us for a bit. Ron, why don't you go sit by Catherine over there." He said to Ron. Ron looked over to where he pointed next to a small brunette child. He nodded once and went over to sit. He was horribly uncomfortable, obviously not made to fit in such little chairs in such a little desk. He felt like a giant.

He looked over at the little girl next to him. She was staring at him with a silly grin on her face that made him feel a little uncomfortable. He looked up to the front at the sound of Harry's voice talking again, teaching the children, and silently hoped this would be worth it. Especially after the little girl leaned onto the desk with her head in her hands so she could stare at him better.

He listened as Harry taught the children. It was quite a thing to watch. Harry was clearly in his element, capturing the attention of the small children. Encouraging them to participate in the lesson. It was clear on his friend's face that he loved what he was doing, and it made him feel happy that his friend had found his place.

Recess eventually came, much to Ron's relief. He stood up and stretched his joints popping as the kids ran to their cubbies and hooks to get their jackets and hats. They stood single file at the door and waited for Harry who led them calmly and quietly down the hallway to the playground. The kids ran off to play their various games, leaving Harry and Ron alone finally.

"You're a good teacher." Ron complimented him after a few minutes of silence. Harry nodded, not taking his eyes off the playground where his students played.

"I do try." He replied. They stood there in the thick of things supervising. "So, what brings you here?" Ron thought for a moment.

"Er…. I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the other night." He said. "I don't want you to stay mad at me." He confessed. Harry glanced over at him for a few seconds before turning back.

"I won't stay mad Ron. We've lost too much time for that." Harry replied simply. "Hermione got to you huh?" He asked. Ron chuckled.

"Of course." Again, silence descended them. Harry shouted at some little boy to stop chasing another little girl who was trying to get away from him.

"You should marry her, Ron." Harry said out of the blue. He looked at Ron again. "It's time."

"I know." He replied.

Ron spent the rest of the recess with Harry. They exchanged boring family news. Ron was surprised, though secretly pleased that he had spent all Sunday with Ginny. He knew that she had gone over to his house after the dinner but didn't know they had made plans. It seemed he owed Hermione another apology.

"What is going on with you and my sister?"

Harry stayed silent, staring off into the playground. The stretch went on so long Ron didn't think his friend would answer. "I honestly don't know Ron." He confessed. "I still love her."

"I know you do."

"But there is so much she doesn't know."

Ron stared at his friend. "Then tell her."

"What if she hates me then? I don't think I can bare to lose her again."

Ron thought for a moment. It was a legitimate fear, he could admit that. But he couldn't think of any scenario where Ginny would hate Harry. Okay, he could but from what he currently understood of his friends past and present, he couldn't find anything. But then again, he didn't know everything.

'Why is everything so complicated with Harry?' He thought.

"It's a risk you're going to have to take." He said, patting the other man on the shoulder.

Once Harry blew the whistle for the kids to file back into line to go back to class, Ron gave his goodbye to him, and promised to stop by in a few days. Once he was out of view Ron apparated back home, still in thought Harry had told him.

It was time to marry Hermione. He and Hermione had agreed that once they found Harry they would marry, and they had found him, right? There really is no reason now to put it off any longer. His heartbeat faster at that. He was finally going to marry Hermione.

He walked into the house and was surprised to see her sitting at the table drinking some tea and taking notes. Books scattered all around her. His heartbeat wildly. He loved her. He loved everything about her. Her bushy crazy hair, her book obsession, her know-it-all attitude. All their fights, her passion for what's right and wrong. Everything. He wanted her to be his wife, and officially start their lives together.

She looked up as he entered the house and smiled at him. He loved her smile. He thought lastly before approaching her and bending down to meet her lips. They kissed for a few minutes, reveling in the feeling of being in love and expressing it. When they broke apart finally for air Ron looked directly into her brown eyes.

"Marry me Hermione." He simply said. She nodded her approval, kissing him again. They've been together for what seemed like forever, but right now their lives were officially going to begin.

"Well, you certainly have put yourself in a pickle Harry." Andromeda told him as he took a sip of his tea. He had apparated over to her house after work, needing someone to talk to. The older woman had become a great confidant to him over the years and always welcomed her advice.

"I just don't know what to do. On one hand I want her to know but on the other I'm afraid."

"Yes, I can see why, truly I do. But if you want to be with Ginny you are going to have to tell her. And tell her everything." Andromeda advised.

Harry nodded and looked over to the desk in the corner of the living room where Teddy sat doing his homework. He couldn't believe the boy was about to turn nine soon. While he had missed the first two years of the boy's life, Harry had made a point to be there ever since. He had instantly fallen in love with the little boy as if he were his own and had spent as much time as he could with him.

Harry thought about the past eight years of his life that was absent from the wizarding world. There were things he didn't want her to know. Things he had done, things that had been done. And not just from the past eight years. There were things far before that. Things that had happened at school, things from before Hogwarts with the Dursleys. There were things that nobody knew that he guarded deep inside and never wanted to come to light.

But he loved her. He wanted to be with her. It had always been her. Every person he had ever been with never lasted long because they weren't Ginny Weasley and they had just been a momentary distraction. And once that distraction was over, he would go back and focus on his work and his daughter.

"What are you thinking about?" Andromeda asked him, breaking him from his own thoughts.

He looked over to the older woman, grateful to have her. It had taken awhile to get over how much she looked like her sister Bellatrix, but unlike the evil woman, Andromeda was kind, gentle and loving. "Just how grateful I am to have you."

"And I too." She replied. "You and Evelyn. Which brings me to another question. How is Evelyn dealing with all this change?"

"She was fine at first, but things got rocky. After you dropped her off Sunday, she had a melt down at seeing Ginny and I asleep on the couch."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I should have woken you up."

"Its fine. But we had a talk that night. She was feeling as if everyone wanted me and not her. I assured her that we were a pair. That there was no me without her."

"As well it should be with a child."

After their talk Evelyn had become excited again about having more family. She babbled all through dinner about her cousins and how much she loved that her new grandmother smelled like cookies and gave such warm hugs. It warmed his heart. He was going to tell her tonight about the party on Saturday after Ginny's quidditch match. It was going to be a hard week as the anticipation grew for the little girl.

"But I stand by what I said." Andromeda interrupted his thoughts. "You need to tell Ginny everything, before you start anything with her."

"I know."

"Good. Even if you just want the Weasley's in your life, the fact of the matter is you can't keep out the wizarding world. They are in it, and Evelyn will be too once she goes to Hogwarts."

"I know."

"As hard as it is right now to talk to Ginny about some things, it will be easier than explaining it later if and when something comes out. And knowing the wizarding world and its fascination with you, it will come out."

Harry took another sip of his tea and looked over at Teddy again as he let her words sink in, knowing she was right. But that didn't stop the fear in his heart.

The crowd cheered loudly as the seeker of the Holyhead Harpies caught the Snitch after only an hour and a half in. The game was over, and the Harpies won the game against the Ballycastle Bats 340-80.

Ginny landed on the ground hard and was scooped up in mad hugs with the rest of her teammates in the excitement of winning. They had worked hard all year and had turned out the victors. The only thing that would make this better, Ginny thought, was if Harry and Evelyn were there.

The celebration continued for what felt like hours. Eventually however, she broke away from her team, stating she wanted to go celebrate with her family for a bit now. They had supported her through everything, her brothers were the ones who taught her how to play Quidditch in the first place. She was one of the top players in England on the number one team, and she owed it all to her family.

She went home from the bar that her team had ended up at after a few drinks and cleaned up a bit before apparating to right outside the wards of the Burrow. It was early evening and her family had set up lights all around the property, lighting it up as if it were the middle of the day. She couldn't stop the grin that spread on her face as her brothers whooped and called as she approached, clapping and cheering. They had all been there at the game, and that made it even more special.

Her smile spread wider as she looked behind the group and saw Ron exit the house with Harry and Evelyn in tow. Her heart felt lighter at seeing him, remembering their last meeting the previous Sunday, when he confessed that he had never stopped loving her.

She approached him after untangling herself yet again from her brothers in their happiness, only to be embraced by Harry as well. Again, it felt good to be in his arms. As they separated, he gave her a light peck on the cheek congratulating her on her win. She was even more surprised, however, when Evelyn let go of her father's hand to wrap her arms around Ginny's leg saying some form of 'congratulations' to her.

Ginny looked up at Harry, his grin as wide as hers. She looked down at Evelyn and patted her gently on the head.

'Thank you, Evelyn." She said, Evelyn looked up and grinned at her.

"Why don't you go play with your cousin's sweetie." Harry suggested to her She promptly let go and ran out into the field to play. Ginny looked at him bewildered.

"What was that?" she asked. Harry shrugged.

"We had a little heart to heart after you left. She's been quite excited all week to come over today." He admitted.

"This was planned already?"

Ron walked up to his sister and put his arms around her shoulders. "Of course it was. We weren't going to disown you because you lost a game of quidditch ya know." He stated.

"You wouldn't, but I would." Angelina shouted from across the way. Everyone laughed at that statement. Harry grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Ron towards the table. Her mother gave her a hug and congratulated her as well before turning to Harry and squeezing the life out of him. Ginny could tell by his face that he was having trouble breathing but was too polite to tell Mrs. Weasley so, but she eventually let go of him.

Their hand holding didn't go unnoticed by anyone. Most people just turned their heads and smiled at their spouses, others however, one in particular named Percy, scowled. Harry tried to ignore it while Ginny just looked at him scowling, daring him to say something. But he would just turn his face away and begin talking with Audrey.

Everyone sat down at the table to begin feasting on the wonderful food Mrs. Weasley had prepared. The children fluttered in and out around the table grabbing something quickly to eat before running back out to play. Except Evelyn who sat on Mr. Weasleys lap and chatted up to him as they ate. Harry could hear giggles explode from her now and then as Mr. Weasley asked her questions about her Muggle life. Ginny spent a good deal of time watching Evelyn with her father, she called him grandpa and was enthusiastic as he gave her his full attention and asked her questions, taking her answers seriously.

Next to her, Harry sat, still holding her hand while they ate as he conversed with Ron and Hermione. Occasionally he would look over in her direction and smile at her, causing butterflies in her stomach. Soon the food was all consumed and the dishes cleared away to make room for tea and dessert. With a hug and kiss from Harry, and surprising Ginny with another hug, Evelyn went back out to play, and the adults sat together chatting and relaxing.

George, who was across from Harry, was giving Harry an update on Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. They were expanding to another shop someplace in southern England. George had been working nonstop to come up with new products to launch at the grand opening that summer.

"Sounds like you guys are doing really well. You'll put Jonkos out of business at this rate." Harry commented. George and Ron looked at each other for a moment, as if communicating something.

"Well, actually that gives us a great opportunity for an announcement." George said, clearing his throat. Everyone's eyes were on him at that proclamation. George stood up, pretended to clear his throat again and straightened his clothes acting all nervous. Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother's antics. She didn't think George had been nervous for a day in his life.

"We've been in the talks to buy out Jonkos and they've agreed. We'll be signing the contract later next month." Ron announced the good news. Everyone cheered and clapped, congratulating them on their business success.

"You could have let me tell them." George complained, sitting down.

"You were taking too long." Ron commented, ignoring him.

Harry clapped Ron on the back congratulating him. "That's great guys." He proclaimed. "Congratulations."

The conversation moved to discussing the buyout with George and Ron speaking on how they were working to rebrand the whole thing. She listened to George as he seemed to want Harry's opinion. Harry asked questions and made suggestions, all of which George wrote down on a pad of paper he conjured, taking Harry seriously. She wondered, not for the first time, if Harry was perhaps the mysteriously secret partner that they had been waiting for.

"So, tell me about the others." Harry said, interrupting George and Ron as the conversation got heated, descending into what Ginny knew would be a very annoying name calling argument.

"What others?" Ron asked, confused.

"Like Neville and Luna and others from our year and such." He clarified.

"If you were here, you would already know what's going on." Percy mumbled. Mrs. Weasley looked over at Percy giving him a warning look. He promptly scowled into his cup of tea while Audrey patted his hand on the table in support.

"Well, Seamus got married to a girl named Allison. She's from Spain. They met while he was on business there. Dean actually lives in the Muggle world. He plays soccer." Hermione said, thinking.

"That was mental to find out. He sent us one of his poster things that he used to have on the wall in the dorm but of him. Bloody thing didn't move either." Ron commented. Harry laughed as Ginny rolled her eyes again.

"Yes, well." Hermione said, giving him a glare. "Neville is working at Hogwarts as an apprentice to Professor Sprout. She's retiring next year and he's going to take over Herbology."

"Really?" Harry said surprised. Neville had a gift for plants and growing things and such. Herbology was the class he excelled at best. Harry looked quite pleased that his friend and former Gryffindor had found his place in the world.

"Yeah, you should see him, he's changed a lot!" Ron exclaimed.

"But he's still the same ol' Neville. He's still sweet and kind. I hear the students love him." Ginny piped in.

"And what about Luna?" He asked. Harry always thought Luna was a strange girl, but Ginny knew Luna always held a special place in his heart. She was usually kind for the way others treated her and she had a unique and different way of looking and expressing things that always seemed logical in the end.

"Well Luna joined the Quibbler officially after she left Hogwarts, and about four years ago her father made her a partner and she is going to take over for him in a few more years so he can retire and hunt snorklebacks or whatever." Hermione scoffed at that, still not believing the creatures that the Quibbler published.

"They used to have an article each month about you after you left actually." George said. Harry looked over at him curiously.

"What did it say?" He asked.

"It was called "Where's Harry". Very original I know. But basically, people sent her tips on where they think they saw you and then her and her father would spend a weekend a month searching the area and then report it." Ron said.

"Did she ever spot me? " Harry asked, he started fidgeting a little. Ginny looked over at him curiously, but he wouldn't meet her gaze, she just pulled his hand into her lap and started running her thumb up over his hand.

"Well, no." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Well not really anyways."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, the last article that was printed was about a year and half after you had...well...you know. It said that you had been located in some small town in eastern Ireland and that you lived with a bunch of people. It said that while you didn't look like the old Harry, but you did look healthy. No one really believed it though." She said, there was silence amongst the group.

"It was true." Harry replied quietly, shocking her family. No one knew what to say. "She found me." Ginny looked at him bewildered. He was staring at the table, eyes glazed over and kind of frightful. She could feel him shake slightly next to her and she held his hand tighter.

"Harry?" Ginny said. Harry just closed his eyes and shook his head as if shaking himself from his own memories.

"What were you doing in Ireland Harry?" Hermione asked him.

"Did she post where? Any details? Anything that people could have used to find me?" Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.

"No mate, nothing. Just that you were in Ireland. Her article basically just said we should leave you alone and then they dropped the article." Ron said. Harry nodded his head again, a look of relief on his face.

"Good. Good." He took a deep breath. "I don't think I could have taken it if I had been, well…been found at that time."

"We still don't understand why Harry." Hermione said sadly. "We could have helped you."

"Because he was in an asylum." Percy stated nastily.

"Don't." Harry replied immediately, his body going tense.

"Percy, you're being a prat again. Stop it." Bill chimed in finally. Ginny was seriously getting annoyed with his brother.

"Why? I've kept silent for years." Percy started haughtily. "And I think now is as good a time as ever to reveal some of the secrets of the Great Harry Potter!"

"Seriously Percy, your sister just won the Quidditch championship. Are you really going to ruin it by being a twit?" Bill asked him.

"Yes, because I'm sick and tired of everyone worshiping this…this lunatic." He pointed at Harry. Nobody said anything after that. Ginny felt anger at her brother. She wanted to know what happened to Harry as much as anyone, but she wanted Harry to tell her when he was ready. She didn't want her brother revealing it to all out of spite. With the anger burning inside her, she wanted to storm out, or at least get up and hex Percy but Harry had an ironclad hold on her hand keeping her there. She felt electricity where they touched but nowhere else, leaving her to wonder if he was using her to ground him.

"Percy, just, stop please." Ginny practically begged him, alarmed. Harry was facing the man with a hard expression on his face. Clearly not liking the way this conversation was going. Ron moved to stand up, but Hermione held him to his seat.

"I'll tell you where Potter was the first year or so after he felt he didn't need any of you anymore. He was in Ireland alright. But not with roommates." He spat. "Like that ridiculous article stated. He was wandering the streets in Ireland for about three weeks before he was finally picked up by the Muggle police. He was declared incompetent and sent to a psych ward at the local hospital." He paused for a moment. Nobody said anything, Harry was still staring at him with no expression on his face, with Ginny staring at Harry, afraid. Of him or for him she couldn't say.

"After several failed suicide attempts the hospital decided to transfer him to the local asylum due to lack of manpower and capabilities to handle him. And that's where he stayed for over a year. For some reason they released him into what the Muggles call 'halfway homes' or 'group homes' where he had stayed for about six months."

He leaned over the table toward Harry glowering. Harry, for his part, didn't even move, didn't show any expression. He was stiff as a board and didn't appear to have really noticed what was going on.

"After that you disappeared again. The Ministry wasn't able to find you. But we knew enough. You are crazy, and unstable, and the Wizarding world was better off without you!" He shouted at him, spit flying as he spat those words. "Why couldn't you have stayed gone Potter? Everyone was moving on. Everyone had a chance to live without fear. Without all your damn drama that follows you."

Ron stood up at that. Hermione no longer holding on to him. He marched straight over to Percy and punched him straight in the face.

"You bloody arse! I'll kill you if you say anything like that to him again! You were gone over a year. Turned your back on your family like a coward, and we accepted you back." Percy stood up in front of his youngest brother. Nose dripping full of blood. "And you know what? More of us cared about what happened to Harry than you. Because he cared about us, and loved us, and he was more family than you ever were or could be."

"Family? Love? Care?" Percy spat back. "He really showed that as he left in the dead of night when you were trying to help him. He showed it fabulously by being gone eight years leaving all of you to worry about him." He turned to Ginny. "He showed how much he cared for you and loved you by sleeping with some other woman and having that thing!" With that he pointed towards Evelyn, playing in the field.

Harry reacted then, sitting up in his chair and glowering at Percy. She could feel that electricity in the air that had appeared that first meal when Percy had verbally attacked Harry. Ginny's face was turning as red as Rons in anger. She gripped Harry's hand so tight she was sure he was feeling some kind of pain.

"I think the bigger question is, if you knew where he was back then why the hell didn't you say anything, especially since you knew Ron and everyone else was searching so hard for him. You said the Ministry felt it was better but what about you? Despite your feelings for Harry, why wouldn't you do it for your family?" Hermione accused. She stood up and walked next to Ron, getting right in Percy's face as well.

"Because I agreed with them. I didn't want him anywhere near my family." He growled.

"He's our family too." Ron bit out.

"No, he's just some crazy lunatic that played on your sympathies to manipulate you into caring for him."

Ron punched him again, Percy flying back from the force. Everyone stood but nobody reached to help him up except his wife who glared back at Ron, stunned.

Silence followed around the table until it was broken by a loud scream and then loud crying behind them. They all turned to look towards the children. Little Molly Weasley was on the grass, crying with Evelyn Potter standing over her with her hand on her shoulder. Audrey audibly gasped in fear, saying her daughter's name in a strangled sob. Percy, however, was seeing complete red.

"You get away from my daughter, you little brat!" He shouted at Evelyn, marching towards the children. He reached the two little girls and shoved Evelyn very hard away. She landed a few feet away looking very stunned before breaking out into her own tears. All the adults sprang into action, and all ran towards them. Evelyn sat there on the grass crying as Ron reached her first.

However, one moment Percy was standing over his daughter asking if she was alright, then the next second he was blasted 20 feet away, landing hard on his side. He looked up to see what happened. Harry stood where he had just been, wand out. Ginny had quickly run over to Evelyn, taking her from Ron and was cradling her, trying to comfort the distraught child.

"You will never, ever, touch my child again. If you ever hurt her, you will regret it." Harry stated dead calmly. Power radiated off him and saturated the air. A hard breeze started, and Ginny clutched onto Evelyn tighter to shield her. Percy tried sitting up, trying, and failing to not look intimidated.

"And what then Potter?" He said.

"You don't want to know." With that he walked over to Evelyn, taking her from Ginny's arms. Cradling her tightly he walked back to the table where Mrs. Weasley stood, hand to her chest in fear and shock, Ginny trailing after him.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley but I'm afraid we must be leaving. Thank you for the lovely meal." With that he started for the house to Floo back to Ron and Hermione's. He turned back at the door and looked at Ginny, shifting Evelyn to get a better hold of her. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Mum, I gotta go." She said simply. She gave her mother a quick hug and kiss on the cheek and ran up to the door with Harry. They entered the house together on their way home.

A/N: Please R&R.