Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter, all characters belong to JK Rowling :)
Chapter warnings: none :)
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The kitchen was warm, filled with the soft clatter of dice and the occasional whoosh of enchanted cards as they shuffled themselves midair. Harry sat at the end of the table, watching Remus and Sirius squabbling.
"That's not a legal move," Sirius said, pointing accusingly.
"It was five spaces."
"You're a goblin. Goblins don't move like that."
"I'm a goblin with a broomstick upgrade."
"You didn't roll for the upgrade!"
Harry snorted. He couldn't help it.
Sirius turned sharply. "Was that a laugh?"
"No," Harry said, smirking.
"Definitely was," Remus added, completely deadpan.
Sirius grinned and leaned back in his chair. "I'll allow it. But only because you're terrible at this game."
"I'm winning," Harry pointed out.
Sirius scoffed. "You're winning because Remus is letting you cheat."
Remus raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't look at me. I'm just a humble goblin with a broomstick."
Sirius groaned, dropping his forehead dramatically onto the table. "This is a betrayal. In my own kitchen."
~~
There was a bowl of crisps in the centre of the table, and at some point, without thinking too hard, Harry reached forward and grabbed one.
He hesitated.
Then ate it.
~~
They played for another half hour before Sirius declared himself the moral victor and went off in search of leftover treacle tart. Remus stayed behind to tidy the cards, humming something under his breath that Harry didn't recognise.
Harry helped stack the dice, brushing crumbs off the table.
"Sleep well tonight," Remus said, when they were done.
Harry smiled. "Thanks."
~~
Later that night, Harry lay in bed with the covers drawn up to his chest, the moon casting pale stripes of light across the floorboards. The house was still, the fire in the grate long since gone out, but the warmth lingered — in the blankets, in the walls, in his chest. He stared up at the ceiling, fingers loosely curled against the blanket.
Tonight had been good.
Not perfect. Not easy. But good. In the way that a warm kitchen, a shared laugh, and a single crisp eaten without panic could be good.
For the first time in weeks – maybe longer – Harry didn't feel like he was fighting something invisible just to exist.
He let his eyes drift closed.
Maybe, he thought, as the darkness pulled him under…
…maybe it didn't have to hurt forever.
XXX
If you've followed this story to the end, thank you so much - I really hope you enjoyed it. This is the final chapter, at least for now - it feels like the right place to end it. That being said, if you have any ideas or things you would like to see in this fic, I'd be happy to continue it. Also, if anyone has any fic requests of any type, please let me know - I'm happy to write anything you'd like to see! Any characters or scenarios, just let me know :) Take care 3