Everyone Deserves a Second Chance: Prologue

by Writers Paralysis

The war didn't end. 5 years of war has made Magical Britian war weary and its heroes aged beyond there years. The man who conquered shoulders a great responsbility and can't push on anymore. A Veela yearns for her own family and her husband no longer shares that dream. A temporary peace leads them to become lost. Yet, they will be given a second chance in ways they did not suspect.

AN: We finally have the new story. This is a prologue chapter/story. Please be on the lookout for the two stories: "EDSC(Everyone Deserves a Second Chance): Would you do it all over?" and "EDSC: To Come Home" as the "main" stories on AO3 as the story will be explicit. (Same name Writer's Paralysis) In the future I will probably add the prologue as the 1st true chapter to both stories on AO3, but this prologue is complete.

EDSC: To Come Home will continue this timeline, while EDSC: Would you do it all over? will have Harry go to a new world. Again, let me know what you all think and enjoy this prologue.

April 5th 2003

Lighting flashed in the empty cemetery on the late spring night. The rain poured as a raven flew overhead, its presence gripping the area in an uneasy feeling. The rain didn't touch it as its outworldly abilities allowed it to avoid the mortal plane. Landing on a tree the raven cawed as lightning continued to flash.

What is war? Glory, Fame, infamy, destruction, and death. War is a tool. War is a sad reality of human and wizarding nature.

What is the cost of war? Burying family. Grief. Living up to those that passed. Sacrifice. Spirit. The cost of war is the broken spirit of the ones who fought. The cost is the loss of innocence. The cost is the need to learn how to keep going.

How does one continue to live? A question with different answers. A question so complicated that whole studies of it exist both in the muggle and wizarding world. A question uniquely individual and collective. United in experiencing grief, but everyone grieves differently. How does one continue to live on?

Harry stared at the headstones of his parents and family at Godric's Hollow. Hidden under his invisibility cloak, he fingered his wand. The white wand captured the light of the lightning. A crack in the middle showing it had been broken, but melded back together. A beautiful gold ring with a black stone adorned said hand. The Deathly Hallows united at last by the man who conquered death twice.

"How did you all expect me to keep going?" Harry questioned no one. He began to think of the past years wondering what he could have done differently once again.

It was April 5th, 2003. Harry was 22 years old and although he tried to be present for Ted's birthday he did struggle to rationalize where his life had brought him. It had been almost 5 years since the defeat of Voldemort and the end of the second British wizarding civil war. Most inner circle death eaters had been captured and or killed.

Harry no longer cared, he lost the will to forgive in 2000. He wanted the war to fully end and had thrown himself at seeing it through.

Pockets of resistance and propaganda still existed when Voldemort fell. His original attack on Hogwarts included his best, but the man had left forces behind as a contingency. Once the Dark Lord fell, led by the surviving inner circle, the armies splintered and fled looking to fight another day.

Each force acted independently; some looked to revive their fallen dark lord, while others continued a fruitless coup on the country. They all influenced the government with their terror, politics and substantial wealth arguing that they now fought for fairness.

A splintered terrorist movement supposedly not fueled by pureblood supremacy, but different degrees of peace. Ideas of amnesty and peace talks had been thrown around with fruitless progress since then. In many ways, they were holding the nation hostage. To either give them a fair deal or we all continued to live in the shadow of war.

Harry had been at the center of denying most of these supposed fair peace deals. He was no fool, these wizards and witches didn't fight for a fair trial. The fact that each group had different degrees of wants made it even more difficult. Yet, a common throughline between all the peace deals was that they all wanted amnesty and not face punishment. Some wanted their crimes to be treated like the First British Wizarding Civil War as it was now called. They wanted to plead the Imperious defense while others wanted the charges wiped away.

Harry understood the spineless ideal of not taking responsibility for what they did. In his opinion it was in their character to act in such a way. Yet, the most egregious were the families that admitted what they did but simply wanted to pay fines. Fines that did not fit the crimes they committed. These families and death eaters acted as if there was a galleon value to the horrors they committed.

The death eaters had willingly attacked a school with children as its defenders. They had willingly hunted and killed muggleborns throughout Voldemort's reign. Thousands collected and killed like cattle while they enacted horrible laws that limited rights across the enriched themselves as the nation fundamentally collapsed due to Voldemort's inability to run a government. A fascist regime that acted with impunity with no care for international wizard or muggle law.

Harry no longer believed they deserved anything for the sake of peace. Yet, the terrorist movement had taken a turn recently and not one for the better.

Originally facing a splintered enemy with no real goal besides requesting amnesty; a new unified coalition appeared late last year right before the Yule Holidays. One inner circle death eater had been able to rally the forces of Voldemort under his singular banner.

Augustus Rookwood's defeat at the hands of Aberforth Dumbledore should have seen the man give up, but it only steeled his resolve. Escaping after the battle of Hogwarts, the man showed his determination to be a thorn in Harry's side the years after Voldemort's fall. Learning from his mistakes, the wizard had become a new threat fueled by cold hearted intelligence.

During the war Augustus was just a smart inner circle member in the background of the more cruel members. After the war the wizard became a large part of why amnesty talks were thrown around seriously. His use of educational diplomacy and historical diplomacy were core aspects of his political approach. Not only did he study, publish, and mingle via letters with international actors regarding salient subjects such as Dragon's Pox, vampirism and werewolf; he also argued publicly that magical Britain's core issues were a symptom of historical negligence.

A successful approach that hid Rookwood's true intentions in Harry's opinion, but pulled many to his side as a reformed and stable minded death eater. His ability to unify the other death eaters had been a surprise, but a welcome one to peace advocates.

Harry began to research the Rookwood family early last year fearing Rookwood's growing influence and had discovered a storied history. A history that made him think that Rookwood had rediscovered sources of his family's legacy; Ancient Magic. Magic from the beginning of creation.

Harry had been able to discover that it amplified spells, but he was lost on what more it could. In his own research, he had been able to find hints and mentions of it throughout history. Souls spoke of it as a primal force that could do anything. According to one of Rookwoods bitter ancestors, they recounted its ability to control the minds of any being. A useful tool they argued and one their family had coveted for centuries to have.

Harry, in turn, hypothesized that Rookwood had used ancient magic to submit the remaining death eaters under his thumb. He also theorized that the long forgotten ruins of Rookwood castle was Rookwood's base of operations.

A castle Harry had no knowledge of and was seemingly scrubbed from history. Augustus' own ancestors were unable to remember where their ancestral home was located. Charlus Rookwood theorized it was hidden using ancient magic itself, but he did not know of a spell that would work in such a way.

Regardless of what Harry knew, with this new unified enemy, the threat of another civil war was hanging over everyone's head once again. Rookwood had unified the leaderless death eaters and his promises of peace brought other individuals to his side. With that political clout gained, a 4 month truce still held.

The official talks for peace now had staying power and Harry wondered if he would have the votes to reject a peace talk this time around. Almost 8 years of continued conflict had made the nation war weary and desperate for peace. He was running out of time.

"How do I continue? All for Ted?" Harry asked again. Looking at the headstones his ring glowed. One spirit appeared over her headstone.

Harry smirked darkly and shook his head. "So they continue to ignore me?"

Dorea Potter nee Black looked at her grandson with sad eyes. "We told you we would no longer come to you, Harry. It's been almost 5 years. You come here almost every month asking for us. You are not living."

Harry yelled at his grandmother. "WHAT IS THERE TO LIVE FOR! What comes after? I can burn the castle to the ground once I find it. I am the head of DMLE and have my titles. I am the man who conquered death. Nothing can touch me. It's over after that. What do I get? What is my reward? I have nothing. No one. Everyone has moved on. I am stuck in my head and try to act as if I am a good father. I am no better than Sirius or worse. He wasn't there for me because of an injustice. I am not there for Ted out of choice."

Dorea had heard the same question with the same attitude multiple times. Especially this year it seemed inevitable that Harry wouldn't be able to listen to them. "We have told you Harry multiple times. You have to continue to live. It's what we gave our lives for.''

Dorea stopped not wanting to repeat the same statement, but she continued. "We did it so you could live. I know the life we gave you is a hard one, but we truly wanted you to live. Our sacrifice was one of care and love. Yes, being a father is difficult, but no parent is born with all the answers."

Harry looked murderous. The lightning casting shadows across his face under the cloak. "I know why you did it, but there was no choice for me. I gave everything for this war. What was I supposed to do? Let my friends die? Let the school fall? Leave Ted alone? It's all I had. I had the will to fight. I still do. Ginny left me once I couldn't stop fighting; but that was all I learned to do. To fight."

Harry grabbed his head in anger as his emotions got the best of him and he angrily cried. He tried to surpass the tears but the anger fueled them much to his frustration. "I was the only one willing to do what was needed. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR CHANGE. WHY!? WHY DO THEY ALL NOT SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE GIVE PEACE AND WHAT THEY REQUEST! IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE. ANOTHER GENERATION OF COMPLACENCY BEFORE WAR COMES AGAIN AND THEN WHAT? WE IGNORE OUR BLOODIED HISTORY FOR A MOMENT OF PEACE? MAYBE CHANGE TRULY HAPPENS? MAYBE? Always maybe."

Dorea sighed. The same argument and the same sentiment. It never changed. Always a cycle of venting, anger, screaming, to relenting and moving forward. Although she pitied her grandson and felt sorrow for him; there was not much she could do. Speaking to the dead was always a cold affair and attempting to find solace with the dead was a fool's folly; a slow fall into madness. "Harry. Reach out to your friends and talk. They can help and will help, you know this."

Harry sneered darkly, his eyes flashing. "Ron begs for peace now. He is tired of fighting and is fearing for Rose's life. He wants me to hang up my wand. He constantly argues that maybe peace is not a bad thing. Maybe Rookwood has a good head and leads his group with great effort while understanding our intentions. Herminoe, of course, supports her husband and continues to build on her original peace talk proposal. Certain families like Greengrass and Longbottom semi support the new agreement. They have been swayed by the idea of peace. "

Dorea was surprised by the new information and even questioned if it was real. Was Harry picking and choosing what he saw? Had his lust for blood clouded him even more? His own call for action seemingly pointed to it. "Is that what you see? Or is that what you want to believe?"

Harry didn't respond to her question and continued his repeated argument . "Rookwood is smart. His call for peace is not one of peace. It's one of freedom. The man wants no oversight; he wants to be allowed free reign to continue his experiments."

Harry stopped. Breathing in his heart began to race as he remembered all his research.

Dorea noticed Harry's hair begin to sway in the air. She wondered what it meant, but wasn't able to think much more of it as Harry continued. "He was the man who was given the full prophecy by Voldemort. He was the one that studied obscure history and dark arts for Tom. He researched the spells that saw Hogwarts wards and protections fail. He is a mad opportunistic scientist that hides behind whatever dogma allows him to experiment. If the pureblood movement gives him that then he will do what needs to be done to put them in power. That is what this peace will bring."

Dorea didn't respond. She knew this. Harry had told her multiple times. "That does not change my question Harry."

Harry breathed trying to calm himself as he began to pace around. "What does it matter? They are fools. They have cushy lives. They have children. All of them. I am the only one that seeks to guarantee their children's lives do not end up with seeing what we saw."

Dorea sighed and shook her head. "Ted?"

Harry caught himself and stared at the headstone of Tonks. He had decided to bury her and Remus with his family. She may have been a Tonks with Black blood, but her sacrifice was worthy of a Potter. Furthermore, Andromeda felt it was an honor. "I know—He is okay. I guarantee it. I spend all my free time with him, Fleur and Andromeda. We had a small birthday for him today. It's why I came–."

Harry got quiet and pulled a mirror shard from his robe pocket. He struggled to look at it and grimaced when he saw his reflection. Fearing what he would see he put the mirror shard away.

Dorea looked at Harry and floated closer to him. "You come and hope we can give you solace. There is no solace speaking with the dead, Harry. I tell you this every time. Ted is a symbol of what you can have; a family of your own. Cherish that and move on. End the war and live your lif–"In a quiet bright flash Harry was gone.

Dorea shook her head and understood Harry would ignore her. Like before the cycle would continue. Harry would be reminded of Ted and continue pushing on. Another month would pass and he would return with a broken spirit. A spirit she or no one long dead could repair.

Dorea just hoped Harry could find peace in some way. The war had dragged onto for too long and had cost too much. Maybe its end would grant him peace.

Break break break (May 1st 2003 midnight: Shell cottage)

Fleur felt someone had arrived at shell cottage through the fidelius charm. She opened the front door expecting Bill who was supposed to come home for a small vacation. He was currently leading an expedition on some Viking ruins that had been discovered in North America. He had taken more and more international trips ever since their big argument in late 1998.

Fleur was not sure how to bring up his new role, but it felt like he was avoiding not only her, but Ted. A year ago when Bill came home from another expedition he spent the whole night out with the boys.

Bill didn't acknowledge Ted was in their home until he returned later that night. Although not drunk based on what Fleur could tell, he argued that Ted wasn't her kid and that Harry should be more involved. He had shut up when he saw her face and knew what argument could follow. Ever since then Bill never brought Ted up again in any way.

Fleur briefly wondered about their last big fight. She had wanted to discuss her dreams of a family the last Yule holiday. In her opinion, with peace slightly on the horizon, maybe they could have a meaningful conversation. A dream that had been on hold for more than 6 years and a dream that had resulted in many arguments. Arguments that had only gotten worse since the Yule Holiday.

It was getting to a point where Fleur no longer knew what she could do to get Bill to see her side. Her mother told her to love deeply and she was, but what do you do at an impasse like this? His promises kept her here, but deep down it felt like he no longer cared. Ever since the new year she felt her love fadein-

Fleur looked at Harry and smelled the alcohol. Her thoughts went away and she scrunched her nose while giving him a look.

Harry tried to ignore it. "I had another long night in the office." Fleur closed the door a little and Harry knew she was signaling to stop his bullshit.

Harry sighed through his drunken speech. "I got drunk and spent time at the graves. Sorry. I didn't plan to. I just wanted to be alone. You know today-" Fleur further closed the door.

Harry put his foot to jam it. "I promise I didn't use the stone. I also don't plan to go back this week. I swear." Fleur opened the door fully; not responding and walked away.

Harry followed behind her, taking his robe off. He stumbled slightly. "Fleur I just-"

Fleur knew about the stone and what artifacts Harry had. She figured she was the only one or close to it. She honestly could care less what he could do. Power, jealousy, pride and envy were all issues that her younger self dealt with and moved on from. Respect, loyalty, duty, honesty and caring for your family were all values she now held dearly. "Sobering Potion is on the kitchen table. Give me your robe and I will clean it. Go freshen up. You know I am not letting Ted leave with you smelling and looking like that."

Harry smiled sadly and nodded. He handed Fleur his blood red Potter Family robe. Its beautiful color, griffon crest, and ornate gold accents were dirtied by the lack of care from its owner.

Harry downed the potion and allowed its effects to take hold. Once sober he walked up the small flight of stairs to get freshened up in the bathroom.

Fleur looked at Harry's retreating figure and shook her head. He had been religiously working at the ministry since Ted's birthday. Apparently a peace deal was in the works and Harry was nowhere to be found. What was he researching? No one fully knew within the ministry, but within the family rumors abound on a form of magic. Hermione argued it was a futile effort and that his help on a peace deal would be the better use of time then looking too undermine the current truce.

Regardless of what Harry was doing he was alone and purposefully made sure of that. The war hero and most powerful lord of their time alone on the most celebrated day of their time.

It was now 5 years since Harry defeated the Dark Lord and it seemed that the man never left the Hogwarts courtyard. His mannerism, actions, and beliefs all melded by that final year and all stuck there. Fleur never would have believed she would be hosting him almost every other night. Much less taking care of him.

Fleur always figured Harry would marry Ginny. He would then live up to the mantle of who he was and have his own family. He was living up to the mantle, but not of who he was. To her he was living up to the war portion of the war-hero. A man so focused on the war; that nothing else was given time.

Harry did have Ted, but seemingly never looked to build upon his family after Ginny left him. If anything he regressed and pushed his friends away. He couldn't and wouldn't stop fighting. The catalyst for this regression seemed to be when he killed the Carrow twins in the summer of 99.

Ginny during that time looked to relax and finally get to enjoy a peaceful time in her life after leaving Hogwarts. She had nailed a position as an international sports reporter and was set to travel the world. Who could blame her on the idea of a peaceful life?

Ever since Ginny's 4th year she had helped Harry. Being there at the battle in the department of mystery, at the battle of the astronomy tower and finally the battle of Hogwarts. Ginny had spent much of her youth fighting much like Harry had.

"I also fought and I still care." Fleur whispered to herself as she casted cleaning charms on the robe.

Fleur wasn't sure why, but she did blame Ginny. She blamed Ginny so much that she was bitter. Bitter that the harpy always badmouthed him. Bitter that Ginny had left Harry right before the Yule holiday.

It was during that Yule holiday that Fleur discovered Harry after he passed out from his day drinking. The first of many as she saw the man she had grown to care about become a shell of himself.

Ginny, in Fleur's opinion, was more weak willed than she expected. Harry could not just leave the remnants of the death eaters to terrorize Magical Britain. Someone had to deal with them and it was clear no one else would but him.

No one seemingly cared for the country that Fleur had grown fond of like Harry did. He wanted to elevate it and see its storied history carry on. Although he stopped talking of it, he had mentioned bringing the nation to the modern era. A true wizarding world superpower that finally moved on from its traumatic past and took its rightful place in the nations of tomorrow. A far cry from people like Ginny who now considered herself a citizen of the world and looked down on magical Britain as not worth saving.

As a result, Fleur grew to resent Ginny and barely could hold a conversation with the girl during family reunions. It felt that Ginny not only lacked care, but loyalty and a sense of duty to her family and country. Harry had done much for her family and even had gotten her the job she had. All she had to do was stand by his side and support him. Instead she called off the wedding and like the harpy she was slept with professional quidditch players left and right.

"To have the man-who-conquered as your man and not be willing to help him." Fleur scoffed as she finished cleaning the robe and began to fold it.

Fleur then felt something in one of the pockets and pulled it out. It was a mirror shard much to her surprise as she looked at her reflection. She wondered what it was as the image began to reform. It was her standing as three children waved back at her. They looked like her and somewhat like Bill. She wondered what the image meant and pulled her wand out to analyze the mirror when she heard Harry call to her in panic.

Fleur quickly put the shard away and hanged Harry's robe. She briefly noticed the children's eyes turn green and their features begin to change. Yet, unconsciously she made no further connections as she ran up stairs worried.

"What?!" Fleur walked into the small guest room they had and saw a dog sleeping where Ted should have been.

Harry spoke back. "Fleur, where's Ted? He isn't anywhere up stairs. When did you get a dog?"

Fleur walked in and looked at the golden retriever. The coat was the same blonde as Ted's hair. "I think this is Ted."

Harry was surprised and also recognized the coat color. "It was a full moon 3 days ago. I.I.I haven't been around here unfortunately. You haven't seen this?"

Fleur shook her head very surprised. "I checked up on him early in the night, but never this late. The moon is at its highest right now. I don't know." Suddenly the dog shifted back to Ted.

Harry quickly ran over and woke him up. "Hey buddy. You okay."

Ted looked at Harry and got excited. "Dad, your home! Mum was telling me some stories of when you were a kid. Did you really fight vampires?"

Fleur caught the slip up and decided to leave the room. Harry noticed as well and said nothing.

Ted had been raised by Fleur and Andromeda as his motherly figures. Yet, it was clear the boy had gravitated towards Fleur as a true mum figure ever since Christmas. Harry never brought it up and decided it was an issue Fleur and Ted could resolve with time.

Although Harry felt blessed that Fleur was a major support in taking care of Ted. Harry was not stupid and knew why Fleur had started helping him. She had truly come looking to understand the possible side effects of having children with an individual that was exposed to the werewolf curse. She had come hoping to learn and convince Bill that there would be no issues.

Harry did tell Fleur early on that Bill would probably not pass anything on, but much like everything after the war; it quickly became complicated.

Unfortunately for Fleur, Rookwood threw Harry's opinion out the window with his research after the war. His most recent addition to his studies argued it was possible that the werewolf curse could be amplified by powerful ancestors.

Harry knew that the research, much like everything Rookwood published, was passed around with fervor. A brilliant mind that not only made important observations for the academic world, but offered possible solutions that the general wizarding community read with fervor.

Harry knew these observations and fervor meant Fleur was in a worse position. The yearning for a family getting worse in her eyes; not too dissimilar from his. A fact that had made his interactions with her more and more complicated ever since the yule holiday. Interactions that led to emotions that he didn't want to explore

Harry focused back on Ted. "I didn't fight vampires until much older. Not too fun. Hey, can you tell me if you dream of being a puppy?"

Ted yawned and nodded. "I do! How did you know?"

Harry chuckled. "No reason. How about you go to sleep? I am going to talk to Fleur before we leave." Ted nodded and laid back down.

Harry closed the door as he left and saw Fleur in her room holding a blanket. It was an enchanted blanket made to honor her Grandma.

Harry knew why Fleur never became an enchantress; it was too expensive and of course bigotry. Yet, he always felt the reason was different and no longer bound by those ideals. He now wondered if it had been a change of priorities regarding children and Bill. She never asked him or anyone for help. Help that could have seen her become an enchantress years ago.

Harry's observations went to Fleur's hair and its glowing allure. An allure he never felt anymore; but yearned to feel. The feelings he tried to suppress just for a moment coming through.

Harry felt calm being with her, as if cleansed. A feeling that only appeared when the allure went away. He never understood why it went away and he never asked her. He reminisced on when it went away. It went away when recognized how beautiful she was and just how much she meant to him.

December 25th, everything Harry needed to know about Fleur became clear that day. She would be a great mother and he began to hate what he felt for her.

Feeling his emotions running from him Harry suppressed them again and laid on the door frame. "Care to talk?"

Fleur was not surprised Harry wanted to talk. They did it often this year, almost every other day. It helped greatly, but a slight sense of guilt rose up in Fleur when they did.

Harry smiled. "I am sorry I never said thank you for all the help you have given me in raising Ted. I do appreciate it."

Fleur was fake stunned and chuckled. "Who are you and what did you do to my Harry?"

Harry chuckled and was surprised he liked the possessiveness in her tone "Well. I can sometimes not be an asshole. If it's hard to believe, we do talk often."

Fleur smiled and shook her head. "That is doubtful. You have thanked me before by the way. You were in pain at the time so you probably forgot. Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks. "

Harry faked getting hurt. "Old dog? I am still younger than you."

Fleur stood up with the blanket in her hand and glared at him as she walked up to him. She stopped and swatted at him. "Never talk about a woman's age Harry. It's rude. Let's go downstairs and have some tea."

Harry rubbed his arm with a small smile as he followed Fleur.

Break break break

Tea was a quiet affair. They talked briefly about what was happening with Ted. Fleur offered to research it, but they figured that Ted had some form of transformation abilities.

The conversation then slowly turned to ideas of the future. Fleur always talked about her misgivings; not of her relationship. She would never bad mouth her husband to someone else, much less a man. Nor would she be open about the issues and arguments they had been having. She always felt some issues were sacred in a relationship. In turn, they discussed the idea of yearning for a future and how one may go about looking to get it.

A topic that joined their other discussions. Ranging from being a parent, understanding the past, grief, and moving on. All topics Fleur enjoyed talking to Harry about. All topics that she felt someone understood and shared with her. Core values in many ways.

Harry rotated his tea cup, balancing it, when it suddenly fell out of his hand and shattered on the floor. Fleur rolled her eyes. "I told you not to play with the cup." She was going to banish the shards when Harry summoned his wand and repaired it. Noticing some pieces missing he created gold from nothing and weaved it into the cracks.

Fleur marveled at the magic the elder wand could do. A true wonder of magic. She looked at the cup and realized he had magically charged it. Feeling that the cup had an enchantment now she studied it. Pouring tea into it she realized it gave the tea some form of healing properties. "You fix a tea cup and make a holy chalice."

Harry chuckled. "I am sorry for breaking it. As for your question on whether I have an idea of what I want if peace comes. I don't-" Harry looked at Fleur and decided to be truthful. "Truth be told, it scares me, Fleur."

Fleur was surprised Harry admitted it. He was never cagey, but she understood he was terrified. So many nights spent with him; she could see the past 5 months had made him aimless. 5 months of truce. 5 months of temporary peace. "You're terrified like I am. I am also unsure what comes after all this. You are blessed to have Ted."

Harry looked to be in pain. "He is lucky to have you as well. Again. Thank you. Thank you for coming that day. I know why you did, but I am extremely grateful. I am not a good godfather. In many ways I am like Sirius or worse. I can't fault him after what happened to me. I understand the want for justice, revenge and just pain."

Harry got quiet and looked at the scar on his hand. Umbridge's words rang in his head."I now understand how it blinded him."

Fleur smiled sadly and wondered. Maybe their conversations were helping Harry. He never talked of Sirius, but he must be really reevaluating himself to do so. It was a good thing in her opinion and maybe he could move on.

Fleur enjoyed it when they talked like this more recently. Harry was honest and listened to her. He usually didn't disagree with her; if anything he heard her out. If he did disagree, he never got angry, but as long as she gave a good reason he would see her point of view. Harry was moving on finally it seemed. Her thoughts were cut off by a patronus coming into the cottage.

The voice of Ron coming through. "Rookwood sent the new terms for peace. Shacklebolt wants to meet."

Fleur noticed Harry's eyes getting dark. The vivid green became a dark green not so different from the killing curse. She knew he didn't trust Rookwood. The man was many things and she would agree.

There were men that hid behind intelligence just as well as they hid in the shadows. The man was cunning to do so and clearly, in her opinion, had an agenda. It was too convenient that the man released research tied to some of the most fearful things in the wizarding world. From possible cures to dragon pox, to discussions of werewolves and vampires. In Fleur's opinion the man was using research and science to gain popularity and sympathy.

Harry got up and put on his robe."I have to go to Fleur. Is it okay if Ted stays?"

Fleur fixed his robe cuffs. "It will always be okay. Just like you are always welcomed to come here. My door is always open. Always come home to Ted, Harry."

Harry smiled but internally his heart fluttered and hurt. He didn't fully understand it but wouldn't do anything to understand it. He had plans; plans he felt more driven to follow through with.

Harry put on his robe and to his surprise Fleur hugged him and whispered in his ear. "You can rest when peace comes, Harry. That is what comes."

Harry was stunned as he stared at Fleur as she pulled away from the brief hug. The blue eyes were doing something to him. He stared at them and he yearned. "You will get the family you want. You are already a great mother."

Fleur was surprised by Harry's sincerity and looked at his green eyes with teary eyes. In that moment, she realized that she at least had someone in her corner that understood her dreams and wants. The sense of guilt came back, but it was squashed with a greater feeling of Hope.

Hope that Harry continued to give her.

Harry always gave Fleur hope that Bill would come around. Maybe he could help convince Bill. Maybe she could reach out to him for help. Maybe it wasn't wrong to talk about your relationship issues with those you trusted most.

Fleur smiled. She felt her allure reach out but she was emotional. It always acted up when she was emotional. Harry had to go and Bill would be home any minute. "Go." An empty feeling filled her heart when he flashed away.

Break break break

Bill had come home a few hours after Harry had left, but didn't say much once he realized Ted was present.

The next day Bill's mood only got better once Andromeda had come to pick up Ted. Harry had confirmed that he would be too busy whipping up counter votes to the new peace deal to watch over Ted.

Fleur hoped to spend the afternoon and night in her man's arms, but Bill had made plans to visit his family. Although she tagged along, the Weasley's quickly turned the small get-together into a discussion of politics. It seemed that Ron felt that peace could happen with the new peace deal, but was worried about Harry derailing the vote.

Fleur knew that Harry was looking to stop the peace deal from going through, but thoughts filled her head of what came after if peace did happen. The discussion she had with Harry made her want to discuss the issue with Bill.

A topic Fleur brought up the next morning and once again made her look at Bill with frustration. The thrown plate laid broken in their living room. The breakfast on it smeared on the walls and floor.

Bill spoke up as he stared at the plate he threw with contempt. "I am sorry Fleur. I just. I don't know what came over me. I told you I don't want to talk about it."

Fleur looked over at her husband across the table with utter heartbreak. "You promised me we would talk about it once peace was on the horizon. It's been almost 5 months of peace and you still ignore me or deflect my question. We argue every week or day at this point. You told me if I researched everything that you would consider it. 5 years now and you still deny me the ability to start our family. I want a kid Bill. I want to have children with you. What do you not understand-"

Fleur's anger was cut off by Bill getting up and shattering the kitchen chair against the wall. "Do you not see I am a monster? Do you want our children to be ridiculed? Rookwood's papers show it's hereditary. It shows it will be passed down and maybe even amplified. Ted is a good example of this. I don't want our children to suffer prejudices." Fleur stood up as well in anger but was not sure what to say.

After the Battle of Hogwarts Fleur wanted children. Bill wanted peace first and with peace not on the horizon it became more complicated. Almost 5 years ago the argument ended with an agreement that once everything became peaceful they would talk about it again.

In the meantime Fleur would research all she could on werewolves and understand the possible risks and dangers with having a child.

Fleur, of course, went to the only people who could help her in magical Britain in her opinion, Andromeda Tonks and Harry Potter. With their blessing she helped babysit Ted Lupin; washed him, read him bedtime stories, and taught him pre school subjects. She had been there when he first walked, first spoke and almost everything else in between.

Fleur brought herself back and realized she had been staring at Bill. "Ted is a good example of what we can have. A beautiful boy. A family. I want a family with you Bill! Your mother continues to ask me why I haven't given you a child. I do not have the heart to tell her it's you. She gives me attitude time and time again, much like the time before the Fenrir accident."

Bill was pacing. "I am sorry. I will talk to her. Tell her it's me who doesn't want kids.-"

Fleur looked appreciative, but Bill in his anxious pacing continued. "That I haven't wanted kids in awhile. "

Fleur felt a cold dread. Bill lied to her. He continued to lie to her. She responded in venom. "What do you mean you do not want children? Do you truly believe the propaganda the man is giving? Even if it is true, what is the risk? I have told you multiple times that Remus was an actual werewolf. You only have some side effects. You are so focused on what Rookwood publishes. Do you not see he is controlling-"

Bill tried to control his emotions and slip up, but quickly it all ran from him. He slammed his hand on the table, cracking it slightly. "It's not just tendencies. Rookwood is an academic!? He admits his failures. People change Fleur. His studies have been proven by people in your own nation. Do you think they would lie also? Do you think so little of the people we studied under in our internships!? We are educated and you keep going off one boy that is not even your child. We do not know what the interaction will be with Veela blood? We do not know if the abilities will be greater."

Fleur looked at her husband and realized the impasse was not passable. It could no longer be crossed.

Fleur then wondered if maybe it had never been able to be crossed. A revelation that began to eat at her and one that she no longer knew how to handle. So much time lost waiting. She began to feel a guilt that had been annoying her since the beginning of the year.

Fleur asked her question again dreading the answer. Her one desire. The desire this man promised her when he asked to marry her. The desire that made her put everything on hold in her life. A dream she felt the man shared with her for so long. "Do you want to have kids? A family?"

Bill raised his hand and saw no blemish even though he cracked the table. He didn't need to search deep down to know the answer. Merlin, he already admitted it earlier. Calming himself he knew had been avoiding the question and Fleur for over 1 year now. Ted was a constant reminder of what he had wanted. Had. He no longer wanted kids.

Bill was turning 32 in November. He had taken on more responsibilities at work and as a result he refound his love of traveling. A love that fueled him for so long in his early years after Hogwarts.

Bill truly only came back for the Order and the war. He never suspected finding love with a witch during that time. He changed his dreams for her. He had agreed with them at the time and found them to be beautiful. Yet, in the continued horrors of the war during and after Voldemort's fall, he found peace in his work and in traveling. He hoped to share that peace with the witch he loved, but much like the real world it seemed that it would not happen. As a result, he had to live in fear every time he came back to magical Britain and he didn't want to live in fear anymore.

Ron lived with that fear constantly; fear that something would happen to Rose. The world had not fully changed ever since Voldemort's fall. Bill remembered the feeling of uncertainty every day before he went into work. He remembered the battle at the astronomy tower, of the seven Harry's, his own wedding, Hogwarts, and the failed coup of 1999 consistently.

Bill had even argued against Ginny fighting in the final battle. She was too young he said, but in the end he was overruled by his family. A fact that he knew influenced her leaving Harry. A sentiment that he now extended to possible kids seeing a war at an even younger age. To possibly even grow up as orphans like Ted.

Bill knew his next response would see their relationship fail, but he couldn't drag Fleur along anymore. He loved her and she didn't deserve waiting for something that would never come. Ironically it came 3 months before their 6th wedding anniversary. Yet he knew there was no irony in it, he had failed to speak his truth and vocalize everything. He desperately didn't want to be the one who ended everything.

Yet, now Bill couldn't continue. "No. I don't think I want to have kids anymore. Even if I didn't have werewolf traits. I have grown out of the want. I have rediscovered my love for traveling, I like the responsibilities of my job, and I don't like being in magical Britain anymore."

Bill realized Fleur was stunned and continued. "The war never truly ended. It never will with Harry as Head of the DMLE according to Ron. The peace talks will fail and Harry will drag us into another Civil war. I can't raise kids in fear. I can't imagine the fear Ron has. I had the same fear for Ginny and she was 17. Ted is 5 and I can't imagine what Andromeda feels. It seems like Harry offloaded that responsibility to the two of you."

Fleur's heart had broken at the moment Bill said no and she ignored whatever else he had to say. Her anger ran from her as her avian form began to reveal itself. "ALMOST 5 YEARS OF BELIEVING! YOU DRAGGED ME ALONG FOR 6 YEARS! WE ARGUED FOR MONTHS AFTER THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS ON WANTING KIDS. YOU TOLD ME IF I RESEARCHED!-" Fleur stopped trying to control her avian form.

Bill flinched under the yelling. "Fleur, I still love you. It wasn't 5 years, it was only just a year ago. It's when Ted was abandoned here by Harry for that week. I was annoyed. I wanted to ask if you could join me on an expedition, but I knew you would say no. I didn't want to come between you and Ted. It was also clear what argument would happen. This one."

Fleur saw blood. She loved Ted as if he was her own; she yearned for a child with her husband. Yearn to give Ted a playmate. Her husband continued to deny her and now he argued that Ted was abandoned?

Bill knew what would happen that day Fleur realized; he avoided these arguments whenever it was and decided to live with it while dragging her along. He betrayed her trust. He now threw Harry under the carriage even though it was his fault for not speaking or communicating. Harry wanted peace above everything.

Guilt began to fuel Fleur. "YOU DO NOT DARE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT TED OR HARRY. TED IS LIKE MY OWN. I RAISED HIM. I WAS THERE WHEN HE FIRST WALKED. I WAS THERE WHEN HE FIRST TALKED. I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THE MOST CRITICAL DAYS. JUST TWO DAYS AGO I WAS HERE WHEN HE TRANSFORMED INTO A PUPPY. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TED MEANS TO ME OR THE ISSUES HARRY HAS."

Bill had hyper fixated on one point. "Ted can transform? It's truly hereditary then. There is nothing that can be done. Wait, it's been a week since the full moon? Rookwood was right. Amplified."

Fleur couldn't believe he didn't listen to her and glared at him with an open mouth. She had no way to rationalize what to do. The women in her family always told her to hold on to love. To accept it easily and understand sacrifices need to be made. To allow herself peace in it and to not be like her mother that rejected it.

Fleur now had the choice to reject it. She didn't know what she should do in a situation like this. She desperately wanted to hold on and hoped something in her would give her clarity. Hope Bil will see her side. Hope that he will understand what she wants. Hope that Harry had given her that Bill will give her what she wanted.

Guilt filled Fleur again, but rather than cloud her mind, it gave her clarity. Clarity that she did not suspect, nor fully understood. She had put too much of her life on hold for this dream. Her feelings would grow bitter eventually, there was no coming back from this. She would get older and regret her choices just like she was for the past 5 years. There was no salvaging this. "We are done Bill. I love you, but you kept me believing that children were possible. You violated my trust on such an important part of what I wanted in life. A dream you promised me before we got engaged. I put my life on hold while you went out and enjoyed it. All the while knowing that I would be here waiting for you like a stupid dutiful wife."

Bill looked at Fleur and nodded knowing he couldn't do much. He knew this back then and knew she was right. He shouldn't blame Harry or Ted. He was never jealous or suspicious of anything. He knew Fleur was loyal. Extremely loyal and he had taken advantage of it. He knew she would never leave as long as he kept promising children. He just couldn't live with himself anymore. "I am sorry. I didn't know how to keep going; I tried finding a way back to the dream. It is my fault. I love you."

Bill sat down and looked at the cottage. He wondered what his life would have been if the war had truly ended when it should have. A fool's errand. He wouldn't wonder about it. "You are a good mum. You would have raised our kids to be proper Weasley's. I should have not mentioned Harry or Ted. It's clear he worries about Ted in his own way. I just do not see how he keeps going. As for Ted, he is a good kid and you raised him well. He is lucky to have you and you are correct. He is yours. I hope you stick by his side."

Fleur looked at the man she loved. Bill's sentiments reminded why she fell in love with him in the first place. A man of his word. A man that stated what he believed. It was clear that the man was still there, but the man had been petrified by the loss of the unified dream. Every argument. Every promise. Every reassurance that things would change. She began to hate herself for falling into a pit of desperate love. So desperate that she put every other dream on hold for the promise that she could have children.

Bill had willingly known it wouldn't happen. He had lied. He never felt he would change. He may argue it was only 1 year, but seeds of this could go further back. He only realized it one year ago. Fleur responded with some venom. "I hope Harry lets me. I will be leaving today. I will pack and possibly leave for France. I will work with the bank on sending you over the information. I do not want to take anything from you. I am bitter, but I love you. Even though it's clear our dreams are different, I still love you. I hope that whatever dream you have for your life comes true."

Bill smiled sadly. His heart may have been broken, but leave it to Fleur to still leave him with a loving message. "I hope you are able to make the family I could not give you. Follow your dream as well Fleur. No matter where it takes you. I will head to the Burrow and talk to my mum. I will give you some peace."

Bill walked out of their house and Fleur never saw a more fitting end to who they were. She sat down and didn't know where to look. A whole life planned or so she thought, gone. Failure in her inability to have her dreams like she wanted. This one being the greatest dream.

Maybe it had been hasty getting engaged so quickly after dating? Maybe it had been her fault for pushing it so much?

"No." Fleur got up and casted summoning charms and packing charms. The house began to have multiple items floating around packing themselves. It was not wrong of her to ask and push for something she wanted.

Fleur had been vocal and clear from the start. She had felt blessed to find a man who felt the call to have children. Although he didn't want to settle down at the time, the one year of dating had changed him. She had changed herself dating him as well. Originally looking to grow her CV and English skills with the internship she had instead fallen in love.

Fleur had put her dream of becoming an enchantress on hold for Bill. A dream she had failed in getting once, but felt she still had a chance. Mainly by cultivating experience and getting connections. Love then made her reevaluate everything and with that revelation she gave into it like her mother always told her to.

Time changed everything once again. A schism in their relationship that started even before the Battle of Hogwarts. Fleur had wanted a family quickly, but Bill didn't with the war in full swing. She accepted it but had grown slightly resentful. Lily and James had Harry in the middle of the war. Why couldn't she? After the year she asked again as the largest threat was dealt with. Again, she was rebutted. With that rebuttal she found her own personal peaceful solution in Ted. Finished packing she apparated away; figuring it was the last time she would from shell cottage.

Break Break Break. (Ministry of magic, May 4th later that night)

Harry was in his office and as the head of DMLE he had access to the ministry late at night. He had been stuck in his head since seeing Fleur a few nights ago. A deep sense of failure filled him, but a deep sense of unknowing. He was pulling in votes to threaten a veto against the peace agreement, but he knew he was running out of time to avoid a peace agreement. He only just had the votes to threaten a veto, but if one vote fell out of line it would guarantee passage of the peace agreement. He was lost, but also had no way to regroup himself. The thoughts running from him as his thoughts turned darker. He looked at his ring just briefly and breathed in. He knew he promised himself, but he flashed away.

Break Break break (Godric's hollow)

Harry appeared in the cemetery once again. It was a downpour and unknown to him a raven landed on the same tree branch as before.

Harry often came, but to actually summon the spirits he limited that to once a month. He breathed in and slowly Dorea appeared before him.

Harry looked down with some frustration. "They truly don't want to be called anymore?"

Dorea shifted looking tired. "You are disturbing the dead with the stone's ability Harry."

Harry glared and just wondered why he was still coming here. A false sense of hope? A false sense of having a family? "They are the reason why I am in my situation."

Dorea glared and was going to respond when Harry bit back before she could talk. "Ted is fine.

He has a wolf animagus or something similar. His ability to change is the quickest I have seen and it is natural."

Dorea was surprised he talked of Ted first. Either way she expected they would have the same conversation as before. She would mention Ted and Harry would then relent that she was right. The cycle hopefully ending for today.

Harry didn't give Dorea the chance to talk. "I won't let Rookwood get to him. I will give my life for him. Ted is a prime example of who and what will be experimented on if Rookwood wins. Rookwood revealed more of his own personal research on werewolves as a gesture of continued goodwill."

Dorea tried to interject but Harry ignored her. "He built on his overstated belief of its hereditary nature and the abilities it can give. He had detailed new possible abilities and positives rather than the criticisms that his original paper had over 4 years. Teddy shows everything he says. The paper has given him further goodwill from the international Intelligentsia. He isn't mad is the sentiment many have for him now."

Harry finished and looked down at Remus's grave stone. "I promised them as a Godfather I would look out for Ted. I can't allow him to grow up fearing that he will be hunted. I can't allow the pureblood movement to win and Rookwood given the clearance to study Ted or anything else for whatever horrors he believes he has a right to know."

Dorea realized that this was different. He was willing to die if it meant the death eaters and Rookwoods movement died with him. He was becoming suicidal; one with purpose. "You can't make that choice Harry. It will see you lose yourself. Continue to live and protect him."

Harry glared at the headstones of his parents. "Where are they? They gave their lives for me and now you argue I shouldn't also. I am doing what they did? I am doing what Tonks and Remus did. I am doing what Sirius did. What you did. I will possibly die hoping he has a better life."

Dorea shook her head. "It is not the same. You hide behind it believing it is. We gave our lives in an act of sacrifice because at the moment it was needed. Sacrifice is not something that you can choose ahead of time. It is a choice at the moment. You are charging into a situation where you know you will die. Where you know what the outcome will be. Tonks, Sirius, and Remus made choices to stand with you. They did not look to die. You are looking to die. Do not-"

Harry was angry at her words. He saw the truth in them. He didn't want to, but he did. "I AM THE MASTER OF DEATH. THEY WILL ALL APPEAR BEFORE ME." The wand, cloak and ring all glowed and suddenly other spirits appeared above him. Tonks, Remus, Lily, James, Charles and Sirius. He looked angrily at his mother and father.

"YOU REJECT ME? YOU DON'T COME TO ME. YOUR OWN SON. YOU LEAVE ME TO ROT AND CRY FOR MONTHS. I NEED YOU TWO." Lily was crying ghostly tears and James did as well.

Sirius spoke up "Harry we don't come because it's clear it's no longer healthy for you."

Harry pulled the cloak off and let the rain finally hit him as lightning strikes intensified. "Healthy? Do I look healthy?"

Harry's blood red robes and boots caked in mud and dirt showed an unkempt lord. The robe, originally a symbol of his great House, now appeared to be a symbol of its decline. His unkempt appearance was amplified by his unshaven face, the wet hair and multiple scars that adorned his face. New ones from the multiple battles he had fought since the end of the war. "I don't sleep well anymore. I don't eat as well anymore. I see flashes of all your bodies. Everything from every year comes crashing down on me every single day." He looked at everyone.

As Harry paced in the direction of his parents. "I have no peace and health. I am a virtual God that walks the earth and I have no peace. I am tormented by the life I didn't have nor can ever have. The mirror continues to show me you two." Harry cried in anger at his inability to control his emotions. Looking at his parents he fell to the ground on his knees.

Harry pulled out the small mirror shard from his robe. A piece of the Mirror of Erised. It was found in the headmaster's quarters by McGonagall and gifted to him a year after the end of the war.

Harry looked into it and the image of his parents came forward. "I finally realized I only ever wanted to be with you two. I never wanted any of this. I just wanted to be a kid and grow up to make you two proud. You should have allowed me to pass with you."

Lily began to outright weep and floated over to Harry. "Do not say that Harry. Do not throw the life we gave you for a small amount of peace. Do not throw what you did for so many people away. You are more than just a shell of a man. You are my son; and I want you to be happy. Please be happy." Lily wanted to hug him, but knew she wasn't able to.

James floated over. "You have grown to be the best of all of us. If there is anyone that can continue and figure out a solution it's you Harry. I am proud of you in so many ways. You are my son in every way and I also want to see you live the life you rightfully deserve."

Charlus was going to speak up, but he began to fade away. All of them did. All of them had a look of worry.

Harry stayed kneeling. The rain had fully soaked him. He was angry, sad, disappointed and tired. Tired of fighting and tired of doing what was right. The bill had come due. Years of neglecting his emotions and grief had tormented him for 5 years. Guilt followed. He had failed them all; both the living and dead.

Harry sighed as he heard an apparition. Only one individual would be so bold as to come see him here. He was unsure what he was feeling for her and it further tormented him. He always tried to come home to Ted because of her. He just felt that he couldn't do it anymore.

Unbeknownst to him the shard of the mirror changed. A happy family with blond children waved back. Harry pocketed the shard without looking at it.

Break break break (Small backtrack late at night May 4th)

Fleur came out of the Tonks' home guest room. "He is still gone?"

Andromeda nodded to a yawning Fleur as she served tea. "I think you can figure out where Harry is if he isn't at the ministry. Are you going to tell me why you slept here all day and brought what seems to be everything you owe? I do not mind the extra hands but pardon my curiosity."

Fleur sat down at the Tonks kitchen table and summoned her tea set to make some tea. Looking at the tea cup Harry repaired. She had studied the cup after his visit. The enchantment was minor, but it healed minor cuts and rejuvenated her anytime she drank from it. She was going to be blunt with the women. She was not embarrassed. "Bill and I are getting a divorce. I filed the paperwork this afternoon. He had been lying to me about wanting to have children for a good while. I was strung along for who knows how long."

Andromeda stayed silent. Almost 5 years of spending time together she knew what kind of woman Fleur was. A woman of no nonsense, virtue and conviction. She knew the girl yearned to make a family with the man she loved. In those 5 years Andromeda never questioned Bill's motives or beliefs. It was not her place. The man wasn't like Remus always hiding behind who he was. The man was true to his word or so she figured.

It was not until 2 years ago that Andromeda saw something completely different. The way his eyes looked at Ted at a family reunion when she went to pick him up. The man had been happy talking about a new promotion at work he had. She would later learn it required him traveling more and visiting new areas of the wizarding world. She noticed the man's eyes got excited when Ted left with her. What she saw that day was a man who no longer had a dream of having children. "I would say I am not surprised, I saw it two years ago in his eyes. I never respectfully brought up anything."

Fleur was not surprised that Andromeda would pick up on it. Long years of marriage and going through traumatic experiences gave individuals a clear sense of issues and how they saw mannerisms. "I thank you for not butting in. It would have only made it worse. We ended amicably. No bitter feelings exchanged, but I do have them. He had been hoping for a spark to return. He argued he no longer cared about werewolf tendencies. He had lost the dream because of the continued war and work. A dream I very much still have."

Andromeda looked at the clock and it was now midnight. The storm was getting worse; it felt almost unnatural. An omen in some ways that dark times were coming. "So what do you plan to do now? Return to France?"

Fleur didn't want to go back. A part of her was fearful of it. Fearful of failure. She would send letters for now. She shook her head as she finished making her tea. "I considered it, but after coming here today. I can't leave Ted. It will be heartbreaking for him, but more for me. I can't imagine leaving him to such a degree. He has been a major part of my life since the battle of Hogwarts. I will probably go to France for a while, but I'm unsure when. Maybe I can plan something with you and Harry?"

Fleur wasn't sure what more to say but it was clear she needed to think of her life in a new way. "Furthermore, I have savings but it won't be enough to stay out of work for long. I will have to go full time to Griggnots from my current part time status."

Andromeda was relieved. She knew Ted would be devastated losing Fleur. He saw Fleur like a mother regardless of her being here. Andromeda looked at a photo of Nymphadora. Andromeda had used the stone once early on after Nymphs death and her daughter told her to move on. To find peace with her grandson and do whatever she could to guarantee he had a good life. She questioned Fleur's place early on, but it went away with time. Fleur was a critical piece for the boy to have a good life now. A true mother figure.

Although Fleur had come looking to understand Ted's possible werewolf hereditary condition. 1 month turned to 6 months. 6 months to 1 year and now 1 year to 5 years. She always made time for Ted. Running over on Holidays. Being there for him late at night. Babysitting almost every other day because of Harry. Andromeda respected and appreciated that. It allowed her to keep her own peace as a potioneer and run her little shop in a nearby Wizarding and Goblin village. Although it did not bring in much money now, it did give her some sense of normalcy being able to continue it.

Fleur was a good mother and a good woman. It was clear her want for children was not some fickle thing. It was truly a dream of hers. She had found solace with Ted, but that dream was still there for her own children. Andromeda responded. "You are more than welcome to stay here for however much you want or feel. We can work something out if you think you're taking advantage. There are not many I will say my door is open to. Only two really. You and Harry."

Fleur looked at her tea cup. Andromeda was still a mother. She never confided greatly in her, but she was always willing to listen. Maybe she could confide more especially regarding her worries about Harry. "Thank you. I will like that. I will try looking for apartments once I get an understanding of my finances."

Fleur looked at Harry's spare robe hanging on the doorway. He could also help her. Maybe in finding stability at least. She never asked him for help before, but things were changing. He was changing. He was a best friend in some ways ranging from time spent together to just the trust she had for him and maybe he would be willing to help with a small loan. "I am going to get Harry. I will be back in a few."

Andromeda nodded as Fleur grabbed Harry's robe and headed out. She began to wonder about the two.

Fleur also made time for Harry. She was so patient with him. She never got angry with him. She never raised her voice. She never questioned why he did what he did. She never asked for more and the man always told her.

Andromeda did think if something more was happening between the two at one point, but Fleur was not that type of girl. The witch had set boundaries. Ranging from how they interacted to being very vocal about the relationship they had. In some ways co parenting, but also friends.

Furthermore, Fleur made sure to vocalize her love for her soon to be ex-Husband. Although Andromeda wasn't sure how much longer any of this would stay the same.

Andromeda and Harry had both known about Fleur's issues with Bill. They just didn't know how far the issues were nor how deep they had become. Harry was also her closest friend in magical Britain from what Andromeda could tell. All that didn't mean anything because truthfully, Harry didn't know much about anyone anymore besides Rookwood and the death eaters.

Andromeda had grown to worry about Harry in the past few months. Molly would mention he was changing when she would pick up Ted from play dates. Harry was becoming receptive to a lot of things she said. They hoped those positive changes extended to finally making peace, but in Andromeda's opinion no one just stopped an obsession like he had. An obsession that Harry now had for Rookwood for close to 3 years. An obsession on par with what she saw from her sister Bella regarding Voldemort.

Andromeda knew what she saw and it worried her as a Black. Harry was not a child, but he wasn't a man either. He was a broken weapon much like her sister once was. A shell of an individual that had become consumed by one goal; blood.

In Harry's case it was the blood of the last death eaters. He wasn't changing; something else was happening. "Maybe Fleur can figure it out. If not, maybe I can reach out to Daphne."

Break break break.

Fleur appeared at Godric's hollow. She was instantly soaked, but she could see Harry on his knees in the mud. It was a joyous holiday week in the eyes of magical Britain and this is how he spent it. She sighed. She heard him yell above the howling wind. "Are you going to come over?"

Fleur smirked and yelled back. "You know I never do that. You know I hate that you come here. So get up and come." Harry shook his head and with a wave his wand froze the rain in place.

A doom was created around them. Fleur shook her head as Harry dried her off and stood up. She dried him off as well. "Are you done moping? I would like a turn."

Harry looked at Fleur confused, but hated how blunt she was. Not because it made him feel less, but because it worked on him more than Ginny, Susan or Daphne. His dark thoughts filled his head and with that his emotions were allowed to be released.

Harry hated how his feelings had complicated his interactions with Fleur. It made him feel so uncertain and insecure of who he was and what he planned to do. He struggled to not think of the feelings anytime he spent time with her. He yearned to understand them, but he knew there would be pain behind it all. The blue eyes did something to him in ways he never expected. "I thought Andi was taking care of Ted?"

Fleur nodded and looked uncertain, biting her lip, she fixed his collar and cleaned the mud off. Her allure reacted, but she ignored it as the stress overwhelmed her. "She is. I am staying over. It seems Bill and I are going on different paths. I filed for divorce this afternoon."

Harry was shocked and was about to speak when he felt a finger on his mouth. "Do not say anything and do not worry. It was not about Ted or you. Out of respect I will not bad mouth him. All you need to know is that I am very much heartbroken about it. I want to mope and you do it often so I want a turn. I will also very much appreciate a late night breakfast so thank you for asking."

Harry chuckled and smirked. Always blunt. He grabbed Fleur's forearm and they flashed away.

Break break break

Harry had taken Fleur to a small American themed diner in London. Although he wanted to ask about the divorce he saw in her true heartbreak. It may have not looked like it but after years of spending time with her and the recent months of talking to her he felt he could understand her. He could tell she was hanging on a thread.

Harry decided to not dig deeper and would allow her to open up with time. They talked randomly about the current situation of the world and the conversation she had with Andi. The conversation slowly turned to her plans going forward.

"So a small loan? How much?" Harry asked.

Fleur nodded unsure how much was best. She really just wanted a small flat in London. She wasn't looking to buy property. "I just need to shore up my emergency funds while I get on my feet. So 3 months rent?"

Harry twiddled with a diner mug much like had done before with the tea cup. What Fleur didn't know is that she had access to his accounts and could do what she wanted with the money. She was his Potter heir and would have everything in the Potter vaults and the land associated with the name.

Once Harry began planning and researching his daring plan to attack the Rookwood castle he realized that he needed to make sure everything would be okay. Mainly that Ted would be okay if something happened to hi-.

Harry let the thoughts go as his guilt began to build and he focused on his justification. Fleur would guarantee that Ted would be okay with the wealth in his opinion. He didn't know when he would find the castle, but he did know he would act once he did. "I can buy you a flat if you want?"

Fleur chuckled, not really believing him. "Yeah and what will people say about that? The recently divorced Veela is charming Lord Potter."

Harry kept a straight face. "I am serious Fleur. We can do it under the table or not tell anyone. You have been there for Ted for his entire life. I barely say thank you and I want to make sure he is taken care of. You and Andi are that guarantee."

Fleur caught what he was saying, pulling her feet up and she sat sideways in the booth. "He has you too. I am an outsider, but you are truly his Godfather."

Harry wondered again. Was he acting like Sirius? Running away in anger, pain and revenge. Abandoning the one true stable point in his life? Suddenly he lost control of the cup and it fell, shattering on the floor. The muggle worker glared at him as the man came to pick it up.

Fleur smirked. "Told you again." The muggle man was charmed by her allure, but she casted hidden mental clarity charms on him, Fleur spoke to the man asking for a cupcake.

Harry tried to ask for forgiveness from the man, but it was clear the muggle worker just glared as he finished picking up the broken cup. He sighed at Fleur's giggle. The worker then came back with the cupcake. The allure clearly confused the man, but he was able to walk away.

Fleur looked at Harry with a smile. "Well? You defeated a dark lord. I don't care how depressed you are. We should enjoy some time together." She moved the plate with the cupcake and split it into. Grabbing one piece she reached over to feed him much to his surprise on the gesture. It was affectionate and more than anything she did before.

Fleur ate her half and was glad Harry humored her. Eating it she looked at him and was happy. Happy after a long emotional day, yet with that happiness an emotional wave followed. She shouldn't be happy. Almost 6 years gone as she saw the clock hit midnight. One of the worst days in her life and yet, she felt okay.

Harry ate the piece and his thoughts succumbed to the dark feeling he had been feeling lately. The path he was on filling his mind as he looked down.

Harry sighed. His plan was risky, but he didn't know what more to do. He was going to storm the castle once he found it. Kill how many? Bloodshed in the hundreds? He figured he wouldn't survive, but a Magical Britain truly at peace maybe would. "Peace won't hold. I want to make sure everything is in place in case something happens to me."

Fleur raised an eyebrow pulling herself from her building emotion and looked at Harry. "That does not sound like someone that is confident in their abilities. That is not the person who defeated a dark lord."

Harry passed his hand through his hair. "It was one man. I didn't face an army or rather not directly." Fleur stayed silent, glaring at him. Harry knew she smelled bullshit. "I am unsure if anyone will stand with me or not."

Fleur casted muggle replant charms and pointed her wand at him. He knew he had pissed her off. "What are you planning, Harry? You sound like you're going on a mission guaranteed to fail. Tell me." Fleur threatened but he could see her hands trembling.

The day began to crash around Fleur. She had held herself together but in Harry's presence, the whirlwind of emotion, and the worry she had for him: it was falling apart. She began to cry; her resolve finally shattering.

Harry moved over to Fleurs booth. She leaned into him weeping. "I love him! I wanted to be his loving wife raising his kids. I wanted to make shell cottage a beautiful enchanted home. I wanted to have my kids and see them off to Hogwarts. This week. This week was supposed to be the start of it over 6 years ago when you ended the dark lord. I wanted all of it. He doesn't want it anymore. He didn't want it for so many years. I believed him that he just needed proof. I followed his plan. I put my dreams on hold so he could get ready!"

Fleur kept crying into his robe holding onto the real only friend she had. She had done so much in hopes of convincing Bill. Hours, days, and months lost studying and researching everything on werewolves. Leaving her alone at home and growing distant from her own friends and family. He wasted her time. Harry though had given her hope it could be done. A symbol of hope for the nation, he had also become one for her. The only saving grace out of everything was the relationship she now had with him and Ted.

Once friends, Harry had truly become a best friend. An equal in Fleur eyes. Every so often she saw what could be greatness in him. Every so often it seemed he would break through and rise to the occasion. Be the man she knew he could be; he was close, she knew it. She felt something but her emotions got the best of her. "You are my best friend Harry. Please don't do anything stupid. Come home to Ted. Always come home to him. You promised. I can help if you let me."

Harry looked across the diner unsure what he was feeling. All he knew is that maybe she was right. Maybe she could help. Maybe in the end war would come but it wouldn't just be him. His grandmother's words rang in his ear. Just then he pushed the feelings away.

It would be only him. No more pain for anyone. Fleur would have peace with whoever she found after he brought it. She did not need pain anymore. No one needed pain anymore. His inability to do what needed to be done had led Fleur to lose her marriage.

Rookwood would die. All of them would die.

Break break break (3 weeks later: May 25th)

Fleur had stayed with Andromeda and Ted the following weeks. Originally looking to go back to work full time, she had been pushed back by Harry. He pointed out that she needed to take a break from work fully and just recover mentally. Although she wanted to argue; she admitted that she was an emotional fragile mess. It came in waves; a new uncertainty of what life would be and where she would go.

Fleur looked at the owl letter from Molly asking to meet for morning tea. She wasn't sure if she should go. The divorce papers had been served and Bill signed his portion already. A simple arrangement with no battle for anything.

Andromeda looked at the witch sitting reading a letter. "Molly?"

Fleur nodded and kept rereading the letter. "It's her 3rd letter. She is rather insistent that she wants to meet. I am unsure especially with how I am right now. I also don't want to see Bill."

Andromeda served Fleur some breakfast. "Molly and I never see I to I, but she is a protective mother. In my opinion, a meeting may not be worth it, but after she lost Fred she did become different. I never stick around long enough to see what that difference truly is."

Fleur saw some truth to what Andromeda said and weighed it. The letter was not angry nor had been a howler. The letter had also stated it would be the last. To arrive for morning tea to talk. Looking at the time Fleur decided to go before she would meet with Harry for apartment hunting at lunch.

Break break break

Fleur appeared at the Burrow and made her way inside. The house was quiet: almost too quiet. No one currently lived there beside Arthur and Molly and it showed. The house was spotless and clearly was well maintained. She made her way to the kitchen where she saw Molly stand up to greet her. "Hello Fleur! Thank you for coming. I just wanted to talk."

Fleur returned the hug and struggled to smile. It hurt to be in the House for her. " you for the tea." Molly looked at her with sad eyes and pulled away. Gesturing Fleur to sit, she served Fleur tea as Fleur looked around.

The Burrow never felt like just a house to her; it was almost mythical the way Bill and the Weasleys spoke of it. A mythical tale in which the story's protagonist was someone you should aspire to be. The Burrow was just that; an aspiration not only for the family, but everyone that walked through it.

Originally Fleur hated the house because of the tall order that the Burrow symbolized. She didn't care what the house looked like, but that it was a home. Molly had a home and she was unsure if she could achieve that with her own house. The fear that she would fail to make Shell cottage a home for her children. A home, made with Bill, that he would recognize just like the Burrow; a continuation of the Weasley family.

Fleur controlled her emotion as the two women sat in silence. She was not sure what to say; truthfully it was unnerving as her emotions ran from her. Thankfully it came from Molly first. "How is Ted?"

Fleur was surprised she asked, but also not. The woman had become like an aunt to Ted. Taking care of him when Andromeda or herself were not able to. Harry also came to see Molly and would drop off Ted for play dates with Rose. A fact she had wanted to add to. "Ted is well. He likes having me around more often these past weeks. I am staying with Andromeda so he feels spoiled. He does wonder why I keep crying every day." Fleur finished with a strained smile. A blunt response, but one charged with emotion as she looked at her tea cup.

Molly knew the witch was blunt. Originally she didn't like it, it was unbecoming in her opinion. Yet, overtime she appreciated knowing exactly what Fleur was thinking. "I wanted to apologize to you Fleur. I realize I was being pushy towards you the past few years regarding children. I didn't think it was a major problem. I believed it was just an issue of you having become too focused on Ted. I now see it was truthfully the opposite." Molly finished with a sigh. She seemed to shake with anxious energy.

Fleur had expected the conversation to be a possible apology. Bill always stood up to his mom and she figured he had told her the truth.

Fleur would at least humor her. "I did not want to bring anyone into the issues Bill and I were having. They were not for anyone to step in and fix them for us. We are adults and having you make an argument for and or against children would not have made me happy."

Molly looked to understand the sentiment. Fleur continued. "No one really knew about the issues except maybe Harry and Andromeda. Both never stepped in and never made comments. Both were truthfully more content to have another set of helping hands."

Molly looked at her family clock. Everyone was finally either at home or working except one, Harry. She had asked him after the war if she could add him and he said he didn't mind. He was rather touched by the sentiment and she was excited to add him.

Molly's focus shifted on the other hand that had been lost for close to 3 years. It never moved and it finally did 3 weeks ago. It was Bill's hand. She had been excited about it believing he had finally pulled himself from whatever issue he was having. He arrived the same day the hand moved. Originally expecting good news it was to tell her that he would be getting a divorce.

Molly originally was going to bad mouth Fleur, but was stopped by Bill. In her anger she slapped her son after he explained what happened. She never raised a man to act in such a way by leading a witch on. Charlie always got reprimanded for being a womanizer, but even he made his intentions clear with women.

Looking at Fleur Molly knew the witch would have been a great mother to possible grandchildren. She was already a great mother and Ted was an example of that. Not one day he was with her that he didn't mention his mum and dad; Fleur and Harry.

Molly looked at Fleur again. "You have been doing a great job with Ted and although Bill told me why you raised him; I commend you for staying. The boy sure did need a mother figure and Harry is not looking for one. You are not just a good mother Fleur, but you are also a great person for doing so. I do not remember you and Tonks being close, but I know she is thankful for what you have done."

Fleur smiled with some tears in her eyes. "I always wanted to give you grandchildren Molly and the first in doing so. I know Hermione and Ron beat us to the punch but I really did want to be the first. I had names picked out and even was excited to fix some rooms here for them."

Molly reached over and grabbed Fleur's hand. "I know Fleur and thank you for being there for Bill. It appears he will follow Charlie's path of traveling the world and although I may not agree with what he wants out of life; I support my children. I do hope you are able to find your own path and one a woman like you deserves. My door is always open and please don't hesitate in bringing Ted around."

The rest of the conversation was a pleasant one. No angry words nor any emotional ones. Fleur talked about Ted and overall what she had planned. Lunch came around and Fleur looked to leave. "Thank you again Molly. I really do appreciate the sentiment."

Molly looked at Fleur's retreating figure with sorrow. After today she would lose a daughter in law and much like Ginny she questioned why her children let go of two great individuals for basic pleasures of life.

Molly breathed in deeply, shaking her thoughts away. Maybe she was wrong to think that. Life didn't need to have meaning from settling down and having children. It was about finding fun, joy, and love in the mundane. Fred had made her see that in revaluation of his life when he was buried. It made her understand so much more. He had always been happy and fulfilled.

Percy also came to mind when he returned to the family during the battle of Hogwarts. He had found that being studious and focused on success was not the most important thing in life.

Molly was happy Percy found balance and was now enjoying life. He was the complete opposite of Ginny by finding a simple path after the war.

The early revelation regarding his goals of life helped him patch things over with Penelope he told her. He had issues with her, but through his growth they were able to patch it over and marry. They had twins 2 years after the defeat of Voldemort, Molly and Freda.

Maybe in the end Molly's children all finally fell into their place. Except one. His hand consistently lost.

Molly decided to leave for Ron's to see Rose and maybe the twins. She would miss Harry's hand on the clock move closer to mortal peril. Each day it would look the same to her, but each day it would move a little bit closer.

Break break break (Afternoon)

"Harry. I told you that I do not want you buying me a flat. I agreed for you to help, but you are not doing it." Fleur glared at Harry as they stood on a sidewalk in muggle London. Her allure was charming muggles and she was tired of the argument. 2 weeks of searching and he always brought up the fact that he was paying if she liked it.

Harry looked at her with a smirk. "You have not given me a good argument against it. It's all about image and what people will think. You know those are not valid in my opinion. So again why not?"

Fleur sighed Harry had never fought her to this degree. It was not only infuriating but also very endearing. She looked at the basic apartment building they were looking at. The flat was close to Diagnon alley and with charms and enchantments would have more than enough space for her.

Harry wanted to buy it outright and she knew he had the money. He was Lord Potter and Lord Black. The richest lord in Europe based on rumors. He could buy her 3 manors and maybe it would make a dent in his fortune. "Take me to your hotel. We can discuss it there."

Harry chuckled and knew he was winning the argument. He would own a flat by the end of the week.

Harry truthfully didn't care about the image. He needed to make sure Ted would have everything and if it meant spending gold he would do so. Fleur had been fighting him, but he would win.

Brea break break

Harry flashed them both to his 'apartment' in reality it was not an apartment but a hotel; the Berkeley hotel.

Fleur looked at the hotel with utter contempt. It was a continued symbol of Harry's inability to find stability in his life. She argued with him many times over it. Going in, they went to his room on the highest floor. She saw that the level of disarray had only gotten worse since the last time she had been here. She also knew that Ted loved being at the hotel. It was always an interesting experience and the pool made it fun for him.

Harry waved his wand and the room began to get cleaned and items moved to the trash. Fleur scrunched her nose. "We will talk about rebuilding your manor some other day. I am sick and tired of you living here, especially for Ted."

Harry nervously chuckled and waved her in. "Good luck with that. You can only convince me to do so much."

Fleur turned to look at him and glared. "If you buy me the flat you will rebuild the manor and live in it."

Harry paled and he saw her smirk. Checkmate. Fleur won. "Fine. You will have to handle its rebuilding. I am too busy."

Fleur was surprised he agreed. Once again the idea that he was finally turning a new leaf coming back to her. The past few weeks he spent almost every minute with her and Ted. He even smiled more often and looked like he was trying to do better. A sense of relief and deep care grew in her. She would help where she could, but she wondered what life would have for her.

Fleur still struggled to not think of Bill. Every so often she felt she was neglecting her duties. Duties that she no longer had.

One feeling Fleur didn't understand was a sense of guilt. A guilt that existed when she spent time with Harry. A guilt she felt as he moved over to his desk facing the window.

Harry passed his hand through his hair with clear stress. He spoke up "The new terms for peace. I was able to get the original terms sent back with the threat of veto. Some concessions have been made by Rookwood, but I honestly don't believe in any of it."

Harry picked up a file to show it to Fleur as he stared outside. "I have avoided reviewing it, but Daphne, Nevile and Herminoe are getting angry that I have been. Rookwood is asking for partial amnesty this time around apparently. He is also giving us a larger deadline; December 21st. I feel he is using the time to drag us out and make us give more concessions. I wanted to know if you can review it before I do. I think my anger will cloud my judgment."

Fleur was shocked. Harry never asked for help and based on what Bill and Ron told her he stopped asking for anyone's opinion. Bones and Greengrass were rumored to be the only ones that could get to him. Even they had begun to fail according to what Hermione said. He was changing his actions towards everything but not towards Rookwood.

Rookwood made an even worse Harry appear. He was egotistical if rumors were to be believed regarding the man. Herminoe worried he was getting a big head after being consistently right.

Outside of his status, fame, and riches. Harry was the Head of the DMLE and a great detective. His eye for detail had begun to garner international attention, but his abilities to make leaps made the man popular in the detective world.

Furthemore, Harry had cleaned the department of people like Dawlish and had a no 2nd chances policy regarding corruption. A policy that saw him at odds with many former death eater sympathizers. An example being when he gave Umbridge the dementor kiss, while Kinsgley only looked to send her to Azkaban.

Harry, overall, cleaned the DMLE department so well that it was a smaller force than ever before. Yet, it was now a deadly force and honed like a dagger. A dagger that although Harry controlled he was still distrustful of.

Even with all that Fleur's own father gave Harry credit, especially when he fought and defeated the carrow twins during the failed coup of 99. They had been exploring a cave with a large magic signature at the southern coast of Ireland that held a secret of Voldemort as Harry told her.

Harry ordered ministry officials to stay outside while he went into the cave. The cave fell and only he came out with the wands of the twins. Nothing else was reported and two inner circle death eaters were defeated as if nothing.

In reality it had gone south for Harry. He had been badly injured and asked Fleur for help. Help she gave and recently she realized that her care for him started that day. Pulling herself from her thoughts she responded. "Isn't it a national secret?"

Harry scoffed. "I don't care what the government thinks. They can't do anything to me and if they tried I would win. Can you review it or not Fleur?" Harry finished with an attitude at being questioned.

Fleur looked at Harry with a glare and she walked up to him. She knew he got like this under stress. She only saw it a few times. Maybe Herminoe was right? "I don't care who you think or what you feel is right. You won't talk to me like that. I don't care how you talk to anyone else, but to me? You don't, Okay?"

Harry continued to look away from Fleur. His stress made him angry and difficult to interact with. He commanded individuals, he commanded them like he was on the battlefield. His role, his abilities, and his titles are all things he didn't fully come to comprehend until he turned 17. In one year his life changed more than any other year besides when he came into the wizarding world.

Harry turned to Fleur and he felt a calming presence. He felt like his spirit was cleansed. He felt something; a pull. "Sorry. I didn't mean to come off too harsh. I really do want your help."

Fleur was again surprised and felt something. Something with her Allure that went away as quickly as she felt it. She had been feeling something every so often when around him. She wondered if he was getting charmed, but he never showed anything. Her thoughts turned to the fact that he had responded well to her criticism.

Fleur looked him in the eye and grabbed the paperwork. "I will review it later tonight. I will give you my notes. Don't ever talk to me like that again. You hear me?" Harry nodded.

Break break break (Later that night)

The rest of the night was spent talking and Harry relenting that he needed a vacation. He planned for Christmas much to Fleur's surprise. He was giving in so easily to her recommendations; she wondered if peace may actually come. Maybe he felt it was possible and that he could finally rest.

Fleur was filled with dread as a dragon toad patronus entered the hotel. Longbottoms voice came from it. "An attack at Craig miller castle Edinburgh, Harry. Muggle victims."

Fleur's worry grew that an attack meant the truce had been broken. Furthermore, an attack on muggles possibly meant that Rookwood felt he had more leverage to get what he wanted. Muggles hadn't been attacked since Voldemort and international retribution was worse than what magical Britain would do.

Fleur reached out to Harry before he could leave. "Be careful."

Harry nodded and he was gone with a flash.

Break break break

Harry appeared by the muggle castle. The castle was nothing of value to the wizarding world. He wondered if there was something he was missing regarding the area, but made his way to the Aurors.

Auror Weasley was already leading the initial investigation.

Harry was okay with Ron's observations, but recently he had been lacking. Missing details or ignoring them is what Harry figured.

Ron looked at the attack and realized Harry would never agree to peace at least not until whoever did this was caught. 6 muggle kids killed on a random night.

It appeared they had been in the wrong place at the wrong time based on investigation. Soulless, with no signs of wounds, their muggle contacts believed it was a killing curse. Verifying the curse, it was clear that it fell in their jurisdiction. A case that now had him worried.

Rose was 4, going onto 5, and Ron wanted to guarantee he could come home to his daughter. Herminoe, as advisor to Shacklebolt, had been able to reach out to Rookwood. Peace, beautiful peace was on the horizon. Almost 6 months of truce had made Ron yearn for it. The last offer had been rejected by Harry outright. His ability to court Longbottom and Greengrass had made it guaranteed he could block any resolution. Fortunately, the most recent one finally pulled Neville and Daphne to their side. Peace may finally come and Rose could grow up without worries.

Harry walked up to him and Ron spoke up. "Harry. 6 dead. No wounds, killing curses it seems. No other evidence of anything. Castle is clean. Lots of ambient magic, but nothing else. Maybe some rogue death eaters or in the wrong place at the wrong time? An uptick of desertions per the list Rookwood gives since the truce if you remember."

Harry looked around and nodded while examining the bodies. Ron knew Harry wouldn't say anything else until HE was done reviewing the scene.

Harry looked at the bodies of teenagers. 15 years old or so. He was searching for blemishes or any other clues of what they could be. Everything about them was clean. Too clean for muggles which meant they were magically charmed clean. He kept looking and wondered if he would find anything. He squatted and examined the hands of one of the girls. He was surprised to find blood under one of the girl's fingernails. The blood not being cleaned meant it was magical blood. It would have to be banished rather then charmed. Either from a wizard or a beast. "You fought back after seeing magic?" He whispered to himself.

Harry looked at the other 5 and couldn't find anything similar. He looked back at the girl. "Why did you fight back? How did you fight back?"

Harry tried to find traces of any magic and all he could find was the killing curse. "You fought back and then died to the killing curse. What were you doing?" He got up and started walking around the grounds. Nothing out of the ordinary. He made his way into the castle and found nothing of note either. Maybe it had been a rogue wizard?

Going back to the bodies, Neville had returned from talking with their muggle contact and spoke up as Harry came next to him. "The muggle police say that the 6 are from the local area. They are high school students. Nothing really of note. It appears the castle is a hangout spot or rather the grounds are."

Harry nodded and looked back at the body. Specifically of the girl with blood under her nails. "Why did you fight and who did you fight?" Harry whispered again.

Nevile looked confused and didn't say anything.

Harry continued to review her body and found a shell in her pocket.

Ron commented. "Muggles and what they collect. Always interesting. I can see why my dad likes to research them."

Harry stayed quiet. He looked at her shoes and saw they were clean. Just like everything else. Pulling a shoe off he saw small bits of sand in the sole. He flashed away leaving the aurors confused.

Neville and Ron knew how Harry acted when he figured something out. Ron breathed out and barked orders to the other aurors to secure the perimeter. "He won't stop Neville. He doesn't want it to stop."

Neville sighed and looked at the bodies. He didn't understand what Harry saw. "He will have too. Especially if we get an agreement. I think it's the best we can hope for without another war."

Neville took a deep breath. "Or some major evidence that Rookwood isn't telling the truth is revealed. Harry keeps talking of some arcane magic. The ability to control individuals without a single trace. He doesn't have actual evidence."

Suddenly they both heard a crack and bristled at who was coming. Equally a force of anti-peace and a problem for Neville and Ron, their other boss. She walked with her usual powerful presence as her red hair caught the light of the lighting charms in the area. The Auror uniform further complimented her body as Head Auror Susan Bones walked up to them with some annoyance. "Why was Harry called over me Auror Longbottom?"

The continued war allowed junior Aurors to get promoted faster than any other period beforehand. Susan Bones and Harry Potter had risen the quickest and most efficiently. Not one opportunity fully utilized and not one detail missed. Neville knew that Bones deserved her role; truly living up to her Aunt.

The only problem, or positive, depending on who you asked was that Bones and Potter butted heads over the direction the anti-peace movement should take. Harry was growing inpatient while Bones wanted to dig for more evidence. It was the saving grace for the people calling for peace. It kept both of them busy from drumming up support for war.

Neville didn't want war and he didn't want to give full peace. 200 to 400 wizards and witches with werewolves, vampires, and giants all looked ready to terrorize their nation. Rookwood had rounded them up and placated them. Finally for the first time since 1996 they had 5 months of peace. People had become accustomed to it now and even returning to a version of the previous 5 years was unthinkable, much less the years during Voldemort's war. He didn't think they could lose a war. Harry would guarantee they wouldn't, but more bloodshed was not ideal.

Furthermore, the economic turmoil that would follow a war would not be great. So many wealthy families supported the death eaters directly or indirectly and as a result the nation's economic growth was tied to their wealth. Although Harry was able to find many Death Eater emergency wealth caches that allowed Magical Britain to avoid major debt, the nation was barely avoiding a deficit with a marginal positive GNI(Gross national Income). Significant change would need to occur to keep the nation afloat; not only culturally, but internationally as well. Highly unlikely with the lack of international trust that magical Britain had.

Neville breathed in and responded. "His orders, Head Auror Bones. Any form of attack or assault he was to be alerted. He found something and is gone."

Bones didn't say anything and looked at the bodies. She saw the blood and came to the same conclusion Harry did. "Did he find anything?"

Ron spoke up. "He found a seashell in the muggle girl's pocket."

Bones looked at the girl's shoes and began to wonder. Harry went to the beach. The 6 teens were moved, but why? She started digging through each of their pockets and found nothing.

Looking at the teen girl again Susan began picking through the girl's clothes. Both Neville and Ron looked away as she ripped open her shirt. Bones figured the girl may put stuff in her bra strap and to her surprise she did. An older Harry Potter chocolate frog card. Rare. She casted a Reparo on the girls shirt and apparated away.

Ron spoke up. "I hate when they do that. How did she figure it out as well?"

Neville shook his head. He looked at the girl again and looked at her hand catching what Bones did. "She has blood under her fingernails." He lowered his head and sighed.

Ron also sighed and looked frustratingly at the castle. He responded while wondering if war was inevitable. "She fought back against a magical. She was close enough to attack; meaning she broke free from whatever spell was used on her."

Ron decided to shake his thoughts about not wanting war and made his own observations. He was being blinded. His own words from earlier coming back. There was something here; he just didn't want to see it. "They are too clean. Cleaned with charms. She is clean as well. Meaning she fought back after being casted on. She saw magic and still fought back. She is a squib or maybe a muggle who has a relative."

Neville agreed and realized the same thing. Something was up and Harry would figure it out.

They cleaned up the rest of the scene getting word from Bones to pick up everything. He wondered if he was wrong to throw his support with the ones calling for peace. Greengrass was more hesitant than him and she still called for it. Maybe he should reevaluate? "No. All this could be a death eater gone rogue, maybe it wasn't anything nefarious by Rookwood." Neville finished whispering to himself as he disappeared in a crack.

Break break break

Susan and Harry were walking on the beach in silence both looking for anything. It was a long beach with multiple points of interest. Susan had just sent word to collect the bodies. After an hour they made it to the end. Nothing. Harry looked frustrated. Susan finally spoke. "Nothing. Not one thing."

Harry stayed silent looking at the coast. A sense of Deja vu hit him as he looked out into the horizon. "A squib or a muggle who knows about magic and fights back. It had to be a squib to be able to throw off an imperious curse if it was casted on them. They were on this beach or another beach when someone came for them."

Susan looked at the moon and pulled out the chocolate frog card. "You would be right on the squib. She had your card. Little fan."

Harry looked pained at the sight of the card. A squib. A teen killed for who knows what reason. Even in the face of death from a wand she still looked to fight back.

Harry looked at his card and read the quote It is not enough to win a war; peace only comes after Justice is given to the dead.

Harry hated the quote. It was from a different time. A time where he thought he could bring change from drumming up support. In reality it pulled him from the frontlines and people started dying as a result. He couldn't focus on politics and economic policy, he felt the need to fight. The far away whisper tormented him that he was hiding from his inability to end the war.

"Always did like your quote. It summed up what we believed pretty well. If only you trusted me and worked behind the scenes. We would have won this already. All of them would be dead or rotting in Azkaban." Susan stated next to him.

Harry stayed silent as Susan glared at him for his lack of response. With the muggle girl confirmed to be a squib he should be able to pull her back. His ring glowed as the stones' magic was channeled as the girl's ghostly form appeared before them.

Susan didn't look surprised. She knew what abilities Harry had. The ability to apparate in a different, quicker way. The Deathly Hallows truly at his command. She knew he hid them from almost everyone including his own friends. Disturbing the dead was not a popular thing to do.

Susan only knew of the hallows because, in her anger of being outclassed as an Auror, she spied on him. It was around their first full year on the force and she wondered how he made so many great leaps. To her surprise she caught him summoning the souls of the dead. Master of death; a true demigod walked among them. He was not all powerful, but he was close enough.

Harry looked at the girl who seemed to start hyperventilating at who he was. A first for the usual cold shoulder he got from the dead. "Your Harry Potter. I.I.I am a big fan. I am Jasmine. You summoned me? Your Death's champion?"

Harry looked at Jasmine. "Yes Jasmine, I am. It's unfortunate that you passed. I wanted to know if you remember anything before you passed. You attacked your attackers. You got some blood on your fingers. I commend you for fighting a wizard."

The girl seemed to float taller at Harry's compliment. "It's what you would have done. I wanted to save my friends, but there was no chance. We sneaked out and were enjoying our time on the beach when a large beast came at us; I believe a werewolf. He cornered us. Another man came quickly and I suppose more came. I don't remember much afterwards. I think I was stunned. I felt like I was being controlled for a time, but under dark thoughts. My fear was controlling me. I only remember one name, Yaxley. Someone was arguing with him and then your name was mentioned. It helped me break the spell; I felt confident and no longer in fear. I charged at the man closest to me. He was an older man, white hair with an all black slick wand. I wrestled it from his hand after I scratched at his face. I don't remember anything afterwards."

Harry smiled sadly. Not only a fan, but a believer in what he thought. "Jasmine. Thank you for the information. Rest in peace."

Harry was about to cut the summon when Jasmine spoke up. "I believe you can bring peace Harry; just don't let any of them live. I come from a long line of squibs. Not once in our long line of history were we respected; you changed that. The death eaters killed my sister 2 years ago in a raid. She was 22 and working with a potion maker in one of the small villages by Hogwarts. She was happy to work with wizards and witches."

Jasmine seemed to struggle as a spirit. Harry wondered what was different about her. Was it because she accepted death? Jasmine continued. "My sister was happy to be accepted. She met a wizard and they married. They had a baby, my niece. She is a witch. The first one in our family after so long. You avenge my sister and I. You make sure my niece gets to go to Hogwarts. Please." The ghost disappeared and Harry looked at where she had been thinking.

The squib acceptance act was proposed by Kingsley in late 98 as the government and country looked ready to fall apart. Suffering from a population decline and a worker decline following the culling of many Muggleborns; Harry forced the reform into law with his first political involvement. It gave Squibs protections and promoted them to work in low or non magic situations, usually bookkeeping, potions and rune crafting, via tax exemptions and grants. It helped stabilize the economy; and allowed magical Britain to begin rebuilding even under terrorist attacks.

It had been modeled by many other nations and propelled Harry to the forefront of politics.

As a result he became a banner for change and got his first promotion in the DMLE following it. He was given even more responsibility and the nation began to look at him to end the war. The responsibility grew every passing day until he succumbed to the pressure the following year.

Susan spoke up seeing Harry wouldn't. "Yaxley comes out of the shadows. Haven't seen him in awhile. So Rookwood's people did this? A transformed werewolf? This late after the full moon?" Harry turned to look at Susan.

Harry and Susan had a complicated relationship; they had briefly been lovers. A month or two of uncontrollable lust 3 years ago. Fueled by their stress, competitive pressures, admiration for each other skills and in some ways a similar past. It ended with them agreeing that it was just tension. Tension that wouldn't go away and needed to be fully realized if something truly was there. Nothing grew out of their time together. No outright feelings and no spark. It was clear that with every fuck both had wanted something to grow. Their time together under the covers became a desperate search for solace. To find some peace in the shitty world they had both been given.

Nothing came for Harry and Susan except temporary orgasmic bliss. If anything the sole result was mutual respect, care and a complicated friendship. The tension between them was still there, but both no longer acted on it. The orgasmic bliss only added to their grief rather than taking any away. No one of course knew about their time together. The last Potter and the last Bones together would be a year's worth of newspaper headlines.

Harry's thoughts went back to what he saw that night. "It seems Rookwood has figured out how to force a werewolf transformation or is experimenting. The research he publishes isn't just possible benefits. They are side discoveries to what he is really looking for."

Harry finished his observation. Susan was seeing merit in what he assumed. Harry spoke his mind as he continued. "Yaxley may not have a hand in it, but may have a new tool. He was always looking to improve his mind magic. Rookwood may have given him the power. Grayback similarly always wanted to transform at will. Maybe that is how he kept them in his fold? Rather than submitting them." Harry summarized, but it made no sense in his opinion. If that was true why didn't Rookwood do that immediately after the war? Rookwood must have submitted them recently and now looked to increase their abilities.

Out of the most noteworthy death eaters only 4 remained. Rookwood, Yaxly, Grayback, and Dolohov. Malfoy had turned himself in and was under ministry protection. His wealth now funded orphans and the new . It was the only way Harry would let the man walk free. Following the battle of Hogwarts many death eaters escaped. Some noteworthy death eaters were in Azkaban rotting away. Mainly Parkison, Rodolphus Lestrange, Thorfinn Rowle, Macnair, and Rabastan Lestrange. Others had justice served to them the same day Harry killed the Carrow twins. Mainly Goyle, Crabbe. Avery, and Nott had died during the failed coup of 99.

Harry still didn't understand the goals of the coup. It was planned, that much he knew, but it was a waste of manpower. The force used was not large enough and seemingly was just a diversion. A diversion to cover for the Carrow twins.

What irritated Harry further was how the spirits of the death eaters rejected him. They either ignored him or purposefully left after being summoned. He was becoming quite aware of the struggles that Cadmus faced. A struggle that now extended to his own family.

Dark thoughts began to fill Harry's head as he lost himself to them.

Susan looked gloomy at the implication of what Harry said. "So the peace talks are for nothing. We can't work with the information you give unless you want people to know what your capabilities truly are. Although I do wonder how many people would believe you. Maybe they would believe in you too much and call for you to oust the government. Master of death as sole ruler. We need actual evidence to convince others."

Harry was brought out of his dark thoughts with a sneer. He turned to Susan who didn't flinch under his glare. "Screw the evidence. I have it, Susan. I don't need anything from anyone. I can do what needs to be done. It's clear everyone sits on the side lines."

Susan cut him off, anger boiling over. "We do not sit on the sidelines. We have no leader for our cause. You spend all your time on the field. You could be at the ministry. You could be doing what needs to be done and make change. You could do all that and no. You stay out here."

Harry glared at Susan; that stupid tension was coming back. One he ignored often. He liked women who were confident. He further realized with Susan that he liked women who didn't take any shit from him. Ginny had done things similarly. Daphne as well, and Fleur. Fleur was the same and more. He was surprised the desire for Susan went away at the thought of her. "You could do it as well Susan. Don't think it's not clear you want to be here just as I do."

Susan sneered at Harry knowing he was right. He always threw it in her face after those lust filled months. She had been open to him about wanting revenge for her Aunt. She wanted to see them all dead; that she no longer cared. Dolohov was the start of her shitty life when he killed her parents.

That desire for revenge fueled Susan's desire to sleep with Harry when he shared the same feelings. She felt seen and understood. It now fueled her anger towards him. Her own ideas being thrown back at her. Both couldn't move on. In her anger she apparated away and left him alone.

Harry looked at where she had been. He wondered what a relationship with Susan could have been like outside of the fucking they had done. He couldn't imagine it. It truly had been a relationship to satisfy their needs. There was a reason it never went longer than those months. Both were too similar. Both were too broken. Both could not find a way out anymore.

Harry looked around him. The plan would have to be followed through. The castle was close; he just needed to admit and make peace with what the old man left him. He apparated away to his hotel room.

Arriving at the Hotel he didn't care that the lights were off. His own stress and weight of what he was going to do was getting to him. Taking his clothes off and laying in bed in his boxers. He didn't even think to wonder why the blankets felt warm.

Fleur was groggy and half asleep. The night still hadn't ended. She cuddled into the warm body right of her. Surprised to feel Bill shirtless since he never liked sleeping without his sleepwear on. She traced her nails across his chest and loved the feeling. He had scars; maybe she should be paying more attention. She felt him pull her in and she allowed it. She fell asleep again.

Break break break

Fleur woke up to the sun hitting her face. Covering her face and not wanting to wake up after finally having a good sleep. She felt a hand on her upper thigh which was draped over Bill. She moved her leg and felt his manhood was hard, and clearly much more excited than usual. Bill was never this touchy unless he wanted something. She liked it when Bill desired her, especially when her allure grabbed onto him.

It showed Bill's want for Fleur because it meant he had allowed himself to be washed over by her Allure. Accepted it. The love he had for her allowed him to experience a different type of charm. One of pleasure, cleansing, and just her love. Love that she was feeling right now. She had fallen asleep in a transfigured silk top and shorts. She reached over to fully embrace him and maybe climb on top. She stopped when she felt a deep scar on the right arm. A scar she would never miss on Bill's right arm. A scar she knew someone else had and not Bill. She then remembered where she was. Her thoughts were pulled away in slight panic.

After a long night of reviewing the papers she decided to fall asleep and wait for Harry to come back. She would then leave after he woke her up and go back to Andromeda's. It seemed he never did wake her up. A surprise because he always had done it before, especially when she stayed with Ted when something came up. Yet, based on what she knew about him. He probably didn't even recognize she stayed if he had been stressed coming back from whatever happened.

Fleur was brought out of her thoughts when she felt her body going into a state of panic; Harry had locked her in. She could pull away, but it would wake him. She decided to do so, but just briefly she did think about staying in the arms. The thoughts of Bill made her stop and the emotional swing came back. As she pulled back she saw him stir and she tried controlling her emotions.

Harry hadn't woken up throughout the night. He was surprised someone was pulling from his arms and woke up. He saw Fleur about to start crying and he then realized she had stayed. "Fleur, I am sorry. I didn't realize that you stayed. I did nothing, I swear-"

Fleur sat down on the bed. She reached over and put a finger on his mouth stopping him from speaking. "It's okay. We did nothing. It's just-."

Harry looked at her and felt the pull again. She looked gorgeous and a wayward thought he slept with Fleur creeped into his mind. Controlling his emotions. "Do you want to talk? I don't know if I can help, but I am willing to talk if you think it can help."

Fleur was again surprised Harry was showing this level of care. Maybe her ideas were right. With peace coming he was changing. She had read the terms for peace. They were good, at least in writing. Most families would pay large fines, most would suffer some time in Azkaban, no more than 10 years and all would be on probation for the rest of their lives. It honestly seemed too good to be true, but peace was coming. "Okay. I will order breakfast."

Harry nodded, still groggy, he got out of bed not really realizing he was still in his boxers. He needed to shower and went into his bathroom.

Fleur stayed seated. Three things went through her head. One. When did Harry get a body like that? Two. When did she get feelings for Harry and had she been ignoring them? And with a blush. Three. Harry was not little.

Shaking her head from her naughty thoughts she stared at the bathroom. The shower turned on. Has she always had feelings for Harry? Or was it a rebound feeling? He was the only other male and person she spent time with to such a degree. Had her allure reached out to him or was it a dream? She tried to think about everything but the thoughts of Bill appeared. She hadn't thought of Harry or imagined Harry.

It was Bill. She loved Bill still and it was that continued feeling that was hurting her. She was free to look at Harry, but maybe it was just a simple infatuation. He had been more caring and she had been more caring as well. It made sense she would feel infatuated.

Fleur then realized that she cared for Harry more than what was normal. She had always been happy to see him spend time with Ted. She enjoyed spending time together. She had been happy he shared the same goals of having a family. At least she thought he did. She was consistently bitter at what Ginny did and defended him. "I care far more." Fleur whispered.

Fleur cared so much for so long, but she never acted on it because she loved Bill. "Still do." she whispered as she got up and transfigured her clothes back to what she had before. Guilt. The guilt did not make sense to her. She knew she was heartbroken but the guilt felt separate.

A resolution forming in Fleur's mind. She would work to understand herself and move on from Bill. Maybe with peace coming something could happen between Harry and her. She just needed to make sure it was not a rebound or a simple infatuation. She wouldn't be a simple conquest for him either. She had too much self respect for that, but–No, she needed to make sure whatever she felt could be more. If it wasn't, she could risk losing more than his friendship, but also Ted. Ted was more important.

Harry meanwhile had realized that he gave Fleur an eyeful. He further realized that the dream he had of feeling her up was probably not a dream. She had smooth long legs and they had been pressed against him. At one point slightly pushing pressure on it. A pressure that now needed release. His thoughts went to the blonde witch in his hotel. The heartache came back and in frustration he showered in cold water. The thoughts and feelings, going away.

Break break break (June 10th)

"Fleur. Do you want to go out to eat? My treat. Get dressed up " Fleur stopped at Harry's question. They had been going out with Ted recently and although she had fun it made her relationship with him even more complicated. She couldn't imagine going out to eat with him by themselves. It would be the first time since she understood that she had feelings for him.

Turning around Fleur saw Harry without his robe. Harry was tone and fit, she knew that, but it didn't help looking at him. He was helping her move in or rather rearranging everything. Shrinking everything and enlarging it for the room.

Harry was also charming the room and expanding it. What was a small flat now had a large living room with a lifted bed area. Two steps but it added to the design of the room. A bathroom was on the lifted portion with the door facing the living room. It had a standing shower, but Fleur planned to add a tub. Going down the steps you would be in the living room and to the right you will find the kitchen/potion area. A small closet by the entrance had been converted to a library/office area.

Fleur knew that many would consider what Harry asked as going on a date. She wasn't sure what to say or do. Her voice seemingly had its own answer. "Ummm. Sure. I am unsure of how nice. I don't have many robes of high quality."

Harry shook his head as he pulled an old cauldron from an old suitcase. "We can go buy you some right now. Cheer you up. I know you like shopping. New clothes, new you, kind of mentality."

Fleur knew that Harry buying her clothes would be seen by many as him taking care of her. Yet she had to admit, he was. This man bought her a flat and was paying for almost everything. He was spending money on her as if he could burn it and still have money left over.

Fleur knew it was part of their deal and she held up her part. She had started working on submitting the paperwork for the manor, the Artificer as she learned it was called. A castle and symbol of the Potter's families excellence in their craftsmanship and specific magical branches. She had learned of its long legacy and was surprised he never looked to rebuild it before.

Working on all the paperwork Fleur could understand somewhat. There were so many authorizations and other busy work that the goblins and government required. Ranging from permits tracing ward stones to possible statues of secrecy complexations from the castle being revealed to the muggle world after Voldemort attacked. Furthermore, in time they would have to submit plans for a full redesign or if they will rebuild it.

Things were quick in Fleur's opinion on Harry's side. She would submit the paperwork and he would approve without any issue. He wasn't reviewing anything she felt and she didn't know when he went to the bank. He spent most of his time in books by what she could tell. Sleeping at his hotel or in his office.

Fleur knew he probably didn't see it as an issue, but was he so lost in his head that he didn't see what he was asking? A large part of her didn't care as well. A large part of her wanted to understand and explore what she felt for him. Had she really ignored everything for so long? She then felt emotional. Emotional for Bill, but guilty also. Originally thinking it was guilt for looking at another man she had been able to understand that it wasn't that. Why was she able to move on so quickly? Was she a Harpy?

Harry truthfully was lost in his thoughts. He had finally defeated his own anger and failure in relation to Dumbledore. His anger came from how Dumbledore left him in the dark, which somewhat resulted in so many deaths. A fact he now accepted as a necessity due to so many unknowns at the time not only with Horcruxes. but who to trust. His sense of failure came from failing to end the war and losing the values the old wizard had instilled in him.

With those feelings set aside, Harry finally began delving into the old wizard's research. Maybe Dumbledore's death hadn't been in vain. He would finally end it once again with the old man's help.

Dumbledore's library had so many books and notes ranging from many points in his life. Harry was losing his mind with the knowledge, but he was thankful in the end. Looking to understand everything, he didn't rush. He never did when researching because he needed everything he could. He needed to understand all of it, especially regarding ancient magic.

Harry did have one rule. He would not summon Dumbledore's spirit. Not because he couldn't, but because it would cross a line. It would cause him too much mental toil to face the man, much like his own grandfather.

Looking up, Harry saw Fleur was conflicted. She was biting her lip. He then realized he had asked her on a date. More officially than ever before. No, it wasn't a date. They had gone to eat multiple times since her divorce. They had gone out with Ted together. This was only just a continuation of that.

Harry was about to respond when Fleur beat him to it. "Qui. We can go out to eat and do some shopping. I will appreciate it, Harry." Harry was surprised she said yes and made no effort to clarify what they were doing. Going out as friends then.

Getting fixed up. They headed out for robes first.

Break break break

Fleur modeled items for herself and had some pieces picked but wondered what Harry thought of a red gold piece. It was rather expensive and she didn't want to assume. A part of her also wanted to know what he thought, but a smaller part of her wanted him to get charmed.

Stepping out. Fleur saw Harry was seated looking out the shop window. Clearly lost in thought. "Harry!"

Harry looked back at Fleur as she modeled. He was surprised she picked such a low quality item. His thoughts were still lost. Distracted and wanting to go to his office to continue researching. He should focus on her. He did ask her out- no. just spending time together. "Not bad. Why the low quality fabric?"

Fleur was stunned with his question. "Harry, this one is expensive."

Harry stood up and walked over to Fleur. His mind racing on his plans. To her surprise he felt the fabric and cufflinks. It was not real gold or anything.

Fleur was in shell shock as Harry called over the seamstress. The seamstress immediately felt bad and quickly ran for the most expensive items they had without ordering custom items. "Harry! You can't buy stuff like that for me. It's more than I earn in a month at gringotts."

Harry looked back at Fleur. One thing he learned after Hogwarts was quality clothes could make a difference in how you felt. Funny enough it was an idea he no longer followed. "How are you gonna stop me? I can still buy it and leave it at the Flat. I want to get them for you. It's a good thing. It changes how you feel and makes you confident. You're already confident which I like, but it doesn't hurt to have some nicer things. You strong armed me in re-building the Potter castle. I am not letting you off so easily."

Fleur hated his comment. Not because she couldn't respond, but because she liked it. The way he spoke. The confidence and charisma oozing out of every action and word. its hat she liked in her men. It's how she talked as well and she knew he liked it as well. She was becoming a mess. "Well in that case we buy you robes of the same style. Your old stuff isn't up to the stature of who you are."

Harry pinched his nose and knew he would lose this argument. "Maybe. Not tonight. Tonight it's about you and relaxing."

Fleur hid a blush and saw what the magical seamstress brought out. Real gold accents, magical enchantments, deep red fabric and plums from royal griffons. The robes screamed wealth, status, prestige and worst of all, Lady Potter. She knew that at Harry's side she would look like Lady Potter with the robes on.

The face Harry made when he saw them told Fleur she was going to be leaving with them regardless if she felt it was appropriate or not.

Trying it on in the changing room Fleur felt semi out of place in her own skin. A part of her younger self bleeding through as she passed her hands along her body as she posed in the mirror. An immature side she felt. "I should always dress like this." She whispered to herself as she modeled it.

Fleur hated the idea but she couldn't lie. She loved the materials and the look. Red always complimented her blond hair she felt. A specific dress came to mind from her youth when her father briefly became head of DMLE of France. A red dress that she wore once to Vienna during a simple dinner. Seeing the robe accent her well and hug her curves she knew she couldn't say no to it. She cursed herself and decided to show Harry. Stepping out she finally got the response she wanted.

Harry was waiting to see Fleur. As she came out his breath hitched. The Christmas Day outfit came into mind but everything was even more elevated. Even more impressive. Even more stunning. She was everything he wanted everything he -. He stopped himself.

Fleur looked at Harry and blushed very lightly; she knew he wasn't charmed but he was something better; Speechless. "I guess I am getting it then?"

Harry to her surprise just smiled and nodded. Fleur gave in hoping to see him be like that again. The annoying guilt that had plagued her went away much to her surprise as she spent time with him.

The next few hours were spent shopping both in the magical world and the muggle world. Harry never complained. Flere modeled for him and he agreed or didn't. His stunned expression for some of the outfits made it worth her effort.

Harry paid for everything and Fleur could see he didn't care. If she showed hesitation he pushed back on it. She got new magical luggage because he didn't like her old stuff. It was a simple enough explanation. She was being spoiled and she didn't realize how she looked until they were seated at a restaurant in a beautiful silver dress he had bought her.

They went to an extremely fancy restaurant in London where Harry could ask for a private room. Fleur had been surprised that his muggle replant charm did indeed work wonders. She figured it was the elder wand. Sitting there she realized she looked like a harpy woman taking advantage of a man. A wealthy powerful man, but a man tormented by his past. She began to feel bad, but didn't know how to bring it up.

Harry kept an eye on Fleur. The day had been the most fun he had in the last few months. He was forgetting his plans and the past. He felt like he was moving on. A feeling of guilt came flooding in. People had suffered from his inability to end the war. Why did he deserve such peace?

Harry was brought out of his self loathing by Fleur's empty eyes. He saw her seemingly staring at the menu.

"Galleon for your thoughts Fleur?" Harry asked, seeing Fleur look up at him.

Fleur hesitated and decided to just be frank with Harry. "I feel awful and feel like I am taking advantage of your wealth. Everything you bought me. It's just-" Fleur looked down. Unsure of how to convey what she meant. Harry chuckled much to her surprise.

Harry looked at the wine he ordered. He wanted to be truthful with Fleur. At least here. "I don't care about the money Fleur. Never have and probably never will. Truthfully if it went away tomorrow I would be okay. I didn't have much growing up. I can live with little as you know. I truthfully only care about the experience of spending time out with you. I feel distracted and that is priceless to me I suppose."

Fleur smiled at Harry. She was conflicted but she knew he was being truthful. If it helped him then it was not bad to do it again. "Give me another outing where I can help you shop then. I think it will be good for you." Maybe she could help him feel confident also. The bitter part she knew he had.

Harry, to Fleur's surprise, smiled again. "I would like that Fleur. You pick the restaurant afterwards and also the wine. I think I picked a bad one." Fleur giggled and gave him her order. Harry got up and went to the waiter. He had asked for privacy and that he would communicate the orders. A necessity because of the muggle replant charms.

Fleur stared at Harry as he left. Maybe there could be something between them. He would need to work on himself, but she could help. Looking at her dress she knew they were on a date. She would ask in time. For now she would just enjoy it.

Break break break

Finishing dinner Fleur expected to go back to her flat. To her surprise Harry said he had one more idea to unwind.

Harry, truthfully, didn't want the day or night to end. Maybe it was the wine but his eyes could not pull themselves from Fleur as she looked at him. "Do you want to go to a muggle club?"

Fleur had the effects of the wine getting to her also. Usually she would never agree to go out to such a place especially if muggles were involved. It all but guaranteed an accident would happen. Muggles and her dancing would not be great as her Allure amplified itself. Yet, her mouth spoke for her. "Sure. You have to protect me if it goes bad."

Harry chuckled and he nodded. "Always will Fleur." Fleur's heart fluttered as she looked at him transfiguring his muggle clothes. He made himself look much more relaxed than usual. Basic black jeans and a black shirt with a black leather jacket. He had his boots on still and then he transfigured her beautiful dress into a mini dress. A silver mini dress with purple accents.

Although Fleur would never buy something like this now, her younger self would have killed to wear something like this on a date. It made her feel things knowing Harry had done it.

HE wanted to see her like this. Furthermore, he had used magic on her in such a way. She personally didn't care and with that realization she knew she trusted Harry much more than she expected. Again had she really been that blind? Flashing away she saw they arrived at a muggle club.

Immediately some muggles were charmed before Harry casted strong mental clarity charms on the muggles. Quickly making their way into the club, muggle music blared.

Muggle music was interesting to say the least. It seemed electronic music was blaring as Harry remembered it being called. Asking around it was a night focused on a french duo called Daft Punk.

Fleur had never been to a club and technically her only experience with large parties was the Triwizard Ball and basic high class social gatherings she had been briefly exposed to. Harry again casted muggle repellent charms in a vip section where they could be left alone. Close enough to the party but far enough her charm wouldn't do anything.

Ordering more drinks Fleur knew she shouldn't but she was with Harry. Who would do anything to her with him around? The man who conquered? One or two became 3 and 4. The night young they both drank and danced every so often. Fleur at one point in drunken bliss tried feeling guilt. She couldn't. She deserved to enjoy and live her life. She was with her man anyway.

Dancing in their section it was clear both Harry and Fleur were enamored with each other. Alcohol had lowered all inhibitions and in that Fleur was allowing her allure to grab onto Harry.

Fleur's unknowing love for Harry reached out and grabbed onto him via the allure. His rejected love was allowed to accept it. The pleasure they felt amplified, the drunken bliss made more. The allure was no longer allowed to charm others. As it found the one it loved.

Fleur saw no one was charmed as she got closer to the dancing area. Harry's magic was something else. Pulling him onto the floor she allowed herself to enjoy the night. Hours upon hours. Drinks on top of more drinks. She could move on. She would move on.

Harry in his own drunken bliss and enjoying his time with Fleur wondered if something could happen between each other. Maybe he was wrong. If he was wrong then he should ask for help. No she didn't need that. She needed to relax. No stress. She was relaxing. She could be happy after.

Leaving the club he flashed to their flat. A drunken mess. Both laughed about their inability to dance with muggles.

Harry saw Fleur take off her heels and throw herself on her bed. The mini dress was riding up. He looked away as the thoughts of feeling her up all night came into his head.

Fleur liked dancing close to him. Dangerously close. Muggle dancing was certainly different. "I will head out, Fleur. Good times."

Fleur shook her head. She didn't want Harry to leave. Her drunken mind wanted to open her legs. Just to see what he could do to her. She was able to find some clarity by calling herself a harpy.

Fleur's brain then decided she just wanted to know Harry was there. She knew she couldn't sleep in the same bed as him, she could only stop her hands so much. "Stay on my couch. You bought it. Sleep here. We will have breakfast tomorrow. PLEASEEEEE."

Harry chuckled and sighed. "Fine." Fleur giggled and got up to change.

Transfiguring his clothes Harry made some basic sleepwear. Laying on the couch he saw something from the corner of his eye that took away his drunken bliss. He saw Fleur begin squeezing herself out of the mini dress. Maybe in her drunkenness she forgot to use her wand?

The drinking bliss was replaced by drunken melancholy. Looking away Harry wondered what was going through him. Why had everything gone the way it had? Why did he lose so much? Why did he hold himself to such high standards? He felt his chest tighten as his thoughts began to race.

"The men and family that came before me." Harry whispered to himself and just like that the night became sour to him. Just like that he regretted the night. Just like that he began to withdraw from himself. Falling asleep the alcohol numbed him.

Break break break (July 31)

"Harry. We need to choose if you want to fully build a new manor or just use the old foundation and rebuild." Harry gave Fleur no response as he was not paying attention. They were in the bank with the goblins.

Fleur looked at him. Harry had been more relaxed and always agreed with her. It was a touching idea at first that he was willing to let loose with her. It made her feelings for him grow, but now 2 months later it was insufferable. He no longer focused it seemed and it worried her. She had begun to wonder if he was not truly changing, but masking. Andi had spoken about it and confided that he needed an intervention by either Daphne or her. She knew it was true, their time together showed it.

Fleur had tried to make Harry explain his plans, but he always hid behind the idea of peace. She tried to clean him up by getting him new clothes to shore up his confidence. A promise he had kept, but it unfortunately did nothing. She had no idea what to do. She couldn't control him, but she desperately wanted to. He wasn't accepting her influence and if he was, he wasn't showing it.

Their dates—no friend outing. No relaxing dates. No time together? Fleur's mind struggled to know what they were doing or what they were. One became several. Restaurants, clubs, parks, every day something together it felt. Originally hoping to bring it up after the 3rd outing, she never did. Fearing it would end, she never brought it up and she felt she couldn't anymore. It all had made it worse in her mind.

"Whatever you think is best Fleur. I trust your judgment. You will visit there as well so make it to your taste." Harry said in a monotone voice, his thoughts somewhere else.

Dumbledore in his youth had explored Rookwood castle in hopes to find a source of Ancient magic. The castle now, Harry figured, was under a fidelius charm that was more than likely amplified by ancient magic.

Although Harry knew about amplified spells, he was surprised to learn more details. Dumbledore theorized that having all the Hallows could do something similar or better than Ancient magic amplification.

Harry now understood why his magic was different ever since he carried all three Hallows. He had been casting amplified spells or something similar. Dumbledore, after Arianna's death, gave up searching for the Hallows and went looking for ancient magic. Grindelwald, as noted, continued his search for the Hallows. An interesting note in his opinion considering how both became owners of at least one of them Hallows.

Regardless, Dumbledore found a source of ancient magic a few years after beginning his search. A source that led to the creation of Deluminator and him realizing the true potential of ancient magic. Fearing Grindelwald finding it, he tested a variation of the Fidelius charm on the ancient magic source he had found.

When the charm was casted at the source's location it was removed from all historical accounts written or otherwise much to Dumbledore's surprise. As a result, Dumbledore crafted a spell that protected his library and Hogwarts Library from actions such as these. A protection spell that benefited Harry greatly.

The castle had been under Harry's nose the whole time. FieldCroft, south of Hogwarts. It's why it would have been futile to physically search for it. Besides the spell, Harry would never consider it being in plain sight.

Harry spent every free night in the area. He saw nothing, but he knew it was there. Tonight he would go further in with the cloak. He felt he was prepared already but he would do one scouting mission. He would finally see what he was facing and then plan to take it down. A large part of him wanted to just attack outright. Maybe he would?

Fleur pulled Harry back by squeezing his arm. His feelings regarding her had only gotten more complicated or rather had been bubbling up. She had been getting more haughty with him and to anyone else it would be a problem.

To Harry, it made Fleur harder to avoid and ignore. He loved it. A true equal. She didn't care what he could do, she stood up to him in everything. He couldn't stop himself when she did. He was a mess.

They had gone out with Ted, but they had also done so many things together. The shopping, restaurant and muggle club had only been the start of their first date. No, not dates, just friends going out. More restaurants, more museums, and more excursions. The justification being to relax and to take Fleur's mind off of things, but to anyone else they would be going on dates. Harry kept telling himself that he was helping her move on.

Harry had also semi moved in with Fleur. He had moved out of his hotel on July 20th and she didn't know, but he made excuses. Sleeping in his office some days, they would come home late at night and she now expected him to sleep on the couch.

Harry desperately wanted to be by Fleur's side as his plans came to fruition. A nagging part of him wanted her to discover what he planned. He wanted her to yell at him and show that she cared for him more. A deep hope she would stop him.

Harry ignored the feelings and pressed on as a new form of mental issue took hold. Delusions. He was helping Fleur move on. He was foolish to think she would date him. He started thinking about everyone and how happy they would be. Ted could grow up without fear with a mum and grandma. How they would succeed without him. He felt his own psyche breaking and he felt solace in it. It made the feelings easier to ignore. Especially the feelings towards the recently divorced Veela who he had fallen in lo-.

Harry ended the thought and shrugged. "Really up to you. Sorry Fleur. I need to go. Daphne wanted to meet at-"

Fleur cut him off much to Harry's surprise. "You aren't running from me. It's your birthday and you agreed we would have lunch."

Harry sighed and knew he couldn't and wouldn't escape her. He nodded, while Fleur beamed with a smile. He looked at his pocket watch. "Let me send a message to her to delay our meeting, okay?"

Fleur was appreciative as Harry left. Fleur then looked at the goblin, her loving emotions clouding her judgment slightly. "Rebuild the castle fully from the old foundation. I will come back later today with details on any changes or additions."

The goblin nodded, but Fleur didn't make an important observation as her feelings clouded her. The goblin had followed her orders regarding another House's finances.

Break Break Break (Diner in London)

Casting hidden mental clarity charms on the muggle restaurant waiter, Fleur spoke to him and asked for a cupcake again but this time with a candle.

Harry tried to dissuade the man but it was clear the muggle worker tormented him ever since he broke the cup. He sighed at Fleur's giggle. "It's unfair that he always listens to you."

Fleur shrugged. "You shouldn't have broken how many cups now?"

Harry glared at Fleur and wondered why she was so insistent to celebrate his birthday. 23 years old and really nothing to show for it, but a tortured life. His birthday had truly become a blemish in his life and one that signaled the beginning of another tumultuous year. He looked at his pocket watch and saw it was nearing his meeting time with Daphne.

Fleur could tell Harry was not excited to be spending time for his birthday. He had been rather quiet for the whole lunch and anxiously kept looking at the door. Clearly he wanted to leave and although she was not a jealous witch she did wonder why he wanted to see Greengrass so much. A witch that Andi said could get to him much like she could. She didn't know why Andi would believe that but she didn't like to be compared; "You could at least humor me Harry. Am I really that bad company?"

Harry caught himself realizing how he looked and sheepishly looked back at Fleur as the worker came back and lit the candle. The allure clearly confused the man.

Fleur looked at Harry with a smile. "Well? Birthdays are important to me. Make a wish." She moved the plate with the small candle in front of him.

Harry looked at the candle. He was just going to blow it out, but seeing Fleur's face he humored her. His original wish was going to be for peace and rest, but looking at her. He wondered what he would do if he wasn't so set on the path he was on. His mental state had been falling apart more as he ignored all his feelings. He wished for a second chance. A second chance to do things right and maybe a chance with her.

Fleur reached over to split the cupcake apart, but suddenly a turtle patronus entered the diner. A voice Fleur had only ever heard a few times spoke up. Yet, a voice that made her know that their lunch was now over.

"Harry, I am already at the pub. Where are you? I don't appreciate you wasting my time." Daphne's voice said flatly with some edge.

"Sorry Fleur. Need to go. See you tonight." Harry stated as he flashed away.

Fleur looked at the empty seat across from her and sighed. Her worry began to grow that she was missing something, but decided to ignore it and made her way to a muggle cafe.

Break break break

Daphne was annoyed as she waited for Harry in a muggle pub in London. She never had plans to be at the center of negotiations regarding peace. Her house focused on trade and somehow she found herself at the center. "Harry." she whispered.

Longbottom, Ron and even Andromeda wanted her to meet with Harry. The man had become a problem in the 2 months following the murder of the 6 muggles. He had been missing from ministry meetings and ignoring anything not related to whatever he was doing.

They needed Harry to stop. They needed him to sit down and truly understand that peace was possible. Her own feelings towards the wizard be damned, she wanted the war to end. Her business was bleeding money and trade needed to stabilize.

"Stupid Feelings." Daphne mumbled to herself. She had wanted to date Harry for over three years. He denied her and ever since then she had been trying to get his attention. He argued he didn't have time for a relationship and she hated him for it. How could a wizard deny her? She was beautiful with dark black hair and a body to die for. Her mothers own good looks passing down.

With the New year Daphne had finally begun to not see Harry in that light. It was clear he would never reciprocate the feelings. It's why she gave up being on his side. The first good peace deal and she threw her support with Longbottom and the other families. She didn't want peace. She didn't believe peace would actually happen, but she needed time to save her company. Harry was virtually alone now with noteworthy houses besides Bones and some lower level families like the Diggory's.

Daphne saw Harry walk in and her breath hitched as the stupid feelings bubbled up.

Harry had changed. His robes were much more trimmed fit, clean shaven, his hair was styled and his robes looked immaculate. No man would focus so much on his style. A woman's touch was involved. She knew that he spent a lot of time with Andromeda, but the witch never went this deep. No this is someone that maybe liked him and could control him. Not many came to mind except one. A witch she had only talked to a few times. A witch she somehow was compared to in whispers.

"Fleur Delacour." The secretive Veela divorced Bill Weasley in early May. Rumors abound for the month following the divorce once it was revealed.

Although not as popular as some of the other war heroes like Ron or Hermione, Fleur was still considered a war hero. Her notable action being that she single handedly defeated 20 death eaters with her avian form at the Battle of Hogwarts.

As a result, the rumor mill was far and wide with the most common rumor being the lack of children. Bill then went overseas and the rumors only grew with the possibility of cheating being considered. An outcry in the wizarding tabloids then occurred with many wizards and witches arguing what more could a man want if he didn't want Fleur?

Fleur, on the other hand, virtually disappeared. Originally it was assumed that she went back to France, but she was then spotted in the bank with new expensive red robes.

Daphne could then infer. "Fleur wanted kids that Bill didn't want. She spent a lot of time with Ted already. It's natural she would see what I see and spend time with Harry." Daphne finished her idea as Harry sat down. He missed what she said as he ordered a muggle beer.

Daphne knew what Fleur saw or rather the potential. A family man, loyal, rich, smart, good looking, possibly good with kids, fame, and above all, powerful. She cursed under her breath. The witch already knew him better than anyone, even his friends. Friends that he had lost touch with as the 5 years of terror continued. She had lost and the Veela would win. She would accept it.

It was clear Fleur was already influencing him and Daphne did consider him enough of a friend to not want to torment him in such a way. She was also too prideful to get into a bitter cat fight over a wizard. She was already losing the feelings anyway. He was becoming too much of a problem. A problem she was somehow meant to fix.

Harry had stayed quiet when he arrived after getting his beer. The image of Fleur's worried look made him wonder if he was acting out of line.

Daphne stopped her inner observations and spoke up. "Harry, why do you not accept the peace deal?"

Harry smirked as he sipped on the muggle beer. "I believe the better question is what I have found. I am close to it, Daphne. I found it. The castle. I will be spying on it tonight. I will have what I need to prove to everyone that war is needed."

Daphne was shocked; Harry had done it. He had found it.

Daphne then realized that in the next coming months it would be decided. Either peace came or war came. "Harry, we can't afford War. The country doesn't have a chance financially. We deny the peace document or send an edited version or we continue to wait! Don't push us. We need time, we have some right now. Let us work and make sure of our options."

Harry's wand appeared in his and multiple privacy charms were silently casted. He got up, knocking his chair back and turned to look at Daphne. "You threw your lot with Neville because I denied you. You continually supported me and when I finally told you outright that nothing would ever happen between us, you turned on me! You backstabbed me and you expect me to care about your console? The country can take it and in the worst case scenario it can always rebuild."

Daphne sneered at him, the gall of him to talk to her in such a way. She stood up herself as she looked him in the eyes. "You have no right to say anything. I joined you all those years ago to avenge my parents who Yaxley killed as an example to the fence sitters. Yes, I like you and yes I am hurt you deny me, but-"

Daphne stopped her train of thought and looked towards a mirror that hung on the wall. Her reflection peered back at her. "I wanted to get to know you. I wanted to be more than a friend. From our first meeting to today you always never opened up. I am not some backstabbing bitch though. I have stayed by your side, but my business is dying even with the hard choices I have made. The economy is falling apart, we have a population collapse, a brain drain is occurring and all you do is argue that war is all we can do. Do you not see there will be nothing left?!"

Daphne looked into his green eyes as he stared into her purple ones. He said nothing much to her anger "I believed in you, Harry, but you have become an egotistical asshole. You love being right, but you don't want to make the hard choices. Because if you did you would know that we need a leader. A leader that is willing to act on what is occurring around him. You're no leader Harry. You're a bloodthirsty asshole who doesn't see his nation is crying and begging for help. You could do so much more, but you don't want to for whatever reason!"

Harry looked away at her comments. His own failures came back, but the wound of knowing she was right opened up with ferocity. He ran from a responsibility he did not want to have, but knew was expected from him. Years of torment only made worse by the people that came before. All of whom expected the best from him, but he failed to meet their expectations. He was their legacy and he failed each and every one of them. Ranging from Dumbledore to his mother, father, Sirius, grandmother and finally his grandfather. All individuals that gave their life in hopes that he could bring change. All individuals that casted a shadow on him that he could no longer escape from.

Daphne glared at Harry as he turned from her and ignored her. Her anger ran from her as he didn't react. She picked up her drink and threw it at him. She was a hypocrite of the highest order, but she didn't care. She was hurt emotionally and tired of feeling alone. "You focus on just killing them. Shacklebot doesn't even have the popularity to do anything. Your continued public arguments with him sees his position decline, while foreign governments ignore us as well. They accept we will be a failed magical government and become a lawless black hole of nothing."

Harry stayed quiet as his mind began to spiral. Daphne was letting her thoughts run from her as she felt her unrequited feelings hit her. "You are not a Hero anymore! You are certainly not fucking Lord Potter. I am done. I can't help you. I would have given you anything you asked for, but you got stuck in your own fucking head. Its your own fucking fault and no one should look to help you. You will destroy this nation and honestly maybe we bloody deserve it."

Pulling away from the bar area Daphne looked at Harry one final time before she left. "Draco told me what Voldemort was like. Egotistical and not caring about the potential help others could give him. It was his way or no way with an obsessive attitude on one singular person, you. You are an equal to him. Obsessively not caring about anyone or anything. Don't come to the Merchant House looking for forgiveness."

Daphne apparated away as the guilt of what she said began to build, but her anger suppressed it.

Harry didn't move for some time and looked at his beer. "An equal to Voldemort, maybe the prophecy was right in the end"

Harry's thoughts began to race even more. He knew his failures and understood them well. Each reaction was a misstep and each reaction made things worse. A slippery slope he wasn't able to stop. A slope that now took a toll on his mind. Yet, as Daphne's words echoed in Harry's mind he began to reinterpret the prophecy.

"Equal." Harry whispered to himself. He was an equal to Tom. He was the problem. History had repeated itself in a new way.

Tom was an orphan with great power that brought a country to its knees with his actions. "I am an orphan with almost unlimited power bringing a country to its knees with my inaction." Harry told himself. The new interpretation of the prophecy made it cut deeper than before. It made him reevaluate everything and in that revaluation he realized that it was true. The pain that came after was one that he could not live with. The psyche finally broke.

Harry began drinking hoping the pain would go away. He began to weep, the failures of his life coming crashing into him. Daphne was right. He had failed in a way befitting of the dark lord. In his own melancholy of not getting peace he lost himself much like Tom had lost himself in the prophecy.

The loss was only further amplified by Harry's continued guilt of not doing more. He remembered what happened after Ginny began to argue about his inability to stop fighting. That he lost himself and although he drank often what came later was worse. He tried moving on from his breakup and tortured past by finding solace in his family's history. The history and legacy, all things he didn't explore in Hogwarts. All things that added more grief. More guilt. His family had been exceptional. He hadn't been.

Harry felt he had wasted his years in Hogwarts. Never studying enough, never listening enough, never becoming more. His dad had been gifted in transfiguration, his mother was a prodigy in runes while doing well in other classes, his grandmother a Black who went against the norm and did what was expected of a Black; being the best.

Harry's grandfather, Lord Charlus Potter, was everything he should have been. A true war hero. A banner for the people of Europe and a symbol of true hope. A leader of the highest order.

Harry had become engrossed in the man. No diary entry too long, no letter to obscure, and no soul summoning too long.

Harry originally wanted to live up to his legacy, but began to lose himself. The shadow was too great. The legacy was too large. Nothing could help him. The man's stories only further made him feel smaller. The man's ability to come home and have a family made him resent his own life.

The fact all 4 gave their lives for him had only tormented Harry further. How was he supposed to be able to make up for their losses? How was he supposed to be the last Potter? So much sacrifice all for him. So much sacrifice to make him feel like he squandered it all. A squander that now continued in his actions.

Harry shouldn't have been pushing for war. He should have helped the government or take control and lead it. Susan was right. He should have stayed in the background drumming support. Keeping the spirit of the nation alive, but the fear of failure kept him from it.

Harry had already failed so much. He pulled out the chocolate frog card from his pocket. He had been a symbol of hope for so many generations and he had thrown it away and ignored it.

At one point Harry began to write letters as the afternoon turned to night. The drinking became a blur. Under the disillusionment charm, he was able to drink well past what would have been served. His letters began to pile up. A letter to Ted, A letter to Andromeda, A letter to Ron and Herminoe, A letter to Neville, A letter Daphne, A letter to Susan, a letter to Molly and finally a letter to Fleur.

The last letter had become the hardest. Harry's drunkenness made it almost impossible. Yet, he continued to try. He told Fleur that she made him understand that rest was the easiest path for his peace. He hoped she found solace in whoever she found and that he hoped that she would continue to be the mother of Ted.

Harry then professed the feelings that he had for 7 months. He wrote how he knew he would never be the right man for her and that he was nothing compared to what she needed or wanted. He thanked her for the few months of normalcy and encouragement. That she never got angry at him even though she had the most right. Drunk, angry, and problematic around Ted. That she only looked for him to be better. A better man. A mantle he had failed to live up to, Lord Potter.

The delusions were running from Harry as he finished the letter. He saw Hedwig by the pub door and made his way to her. She could take all the letters and everyone would know how sorry he was.

No one would have to worry anymore. One thing solely took over his mind. The castle would fall that night and there would be no war. He would make sure of it. He stumbled outside the bar and saw Hedwig had left. "Good girl." He whispered as his vision began to blur.

A bystander on the other side of the road from the pub swore they saw a flash from the corner of their eye and looked over. Seeing nothing they continued walking until they heard a crack and looked over again. Their brain became foggy and they continued walking forward. A sense of Deja vu began to overwhelm them as they realized they had walked past the building already.