Chapter 2 - Welcome Home Harry
Disclaimer: None of these phenomenal characters belong to me. They are the wonderful brain children of the amazing JK Rowling.
Rating: R/NC-17 (some chapters)
Pairing: H/Hr (eventually)
Summary: Sometimes love finds us in the all the wrong places. We just have to wait until it finds the right one.
Author's Note: For those of you that remember this story, thanks for sticking with it. Life has a funny way of distracting you; sorry I've been away for awhile. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Also, please forgive me as this story is un-betaed and I'm quite sure it's riddled with errors.
A "Welcome Home Harry" banner was hung above the mantle of the Burrow's fireplace. In the banner a miniature, eleven year old, Harry chases a golden snitch while weaving through the lettering, only to have it burst into confetti upon its capture.
A small group of people, mostly all Weasleys, bustled around the house in merriment as they awaited the guest of honor, none looking more anxious than a pair standing in front of the hearth chatting animatedly.
"I can't believe he's going to be here any moment," a large smile gracing her face. She moved the banner slightly left and right trying to center it perfectly in what her friend's new to be her typical fashion.
"It's a shame, really," replied the redhead, "It's been so much more peaceful without that smarmy git running around causing trouble."
"Ron!" she exclaimed, "How can you…" She paused as she noticed her friend casting glances over her shoulder. She followed his gaze and turned around, suddenly finding herself face to face with a handsome green eyed man.
Before she knew what was happening she found herself totally engulfed in a strong embrace, spun around as a familiar baritone laugh filled the air.
"By Merlin! I've missed you!" he exclaimed, looking down at her, their eyes meeting for the first time in more than a year. As soon as she saw those deep pools of emerald she couldn't help the big smile that washed over her face.
"Harry!" she shouted, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him in one of her patented Hermione Granger hugs, "I've missed you so much!"
She allowed herself to burrow into his embrace and snuggle into him for the briefest moment. It was definitely Harry and he was finally home. He smelled just like she remembered, sweet, almost citrusy with the vaguest hint of aftershave.
An indiscrete cough caused them to separate and a jovial laugh spoke, "Harry, I do believe our nine years of friendship warrants at the very least a friendly handshake." Harry chuckled as he turned to face his red-headed friend.
"You asked for it mate!" he said as he grabbed his face and gave him a smacking and exaggerated kiss on the cheek. The others, alerted to Harry's presence, laughed at the scene before them and rushed forward to welcome home the prodigal son.
"Careful Harry," said George as he gave Harry a quick hug.
"Luna is the jealous type." Fred continued, giving Harry a little salute in greeting.
Harry heard a dreamy voice behind him, "I don't know, Ronald, Harry is looking quite dishy. I would find that scenario quite…intriguing."
Ron and Hermione exchanged furtive glances as Harry all at once burst into uproarious laughter and drew Luna into a great big hug. "It's great to see you, Luna. You haven't changed a bit! Where is the rest of the Weasley brood?"
"Oh, um, they should be along later, Harry, this evening more than likely, they're arranging for a little surprise," Hermione said, gracing him with a little smile.
A loud pop interrupted their reunion as a slightly winded Nymphodora Tonks managed to apparate directly onto a small coffee table surreptitiously moved out of the way into the corner for her benefit.
"Bloody hell!" she shouted, shooting death rays at Harry with her eyes as he laughed, "First you leave me to deal with Moody's pixie problem and now you're just going to leave me sitting in what I can only assume used to be a perfectly lovely little sideboard table!"
"Actually, it was a coffee table," interrupted Hermione with a smile, feeling a levity she hadn't felt in so very long as she laughed along with her friends.
Tonks could no longer hide her grin as she joined the others. Harry helped her up as he waved his hand over the demolished little table, fixing it right up.
"Excuse us, Harry, George and I have to go into the backyard and finish our own little surprise for you," said Fred, giving his twin a little wink as they rushed out the back door."
"Should I be concerned," asked Harry, looking from some type of reassurance from his best friends.
"Yes," replied Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Tonks in unison.
"Those two have been plotting something for the past couple of months. It wouldn't surprise me if they had a giant Furigral waiting for you. They're becoming quite popular gifts, I hear," said Luna as she adjusted the turnip hanging off of her belt.
"What exactly is a" began Harry, but seeing a decisive shake of the head from Hermione covered his question in a cough.
"I simply must ask, Harry. What's this about Moody having a problem with pixies?" Luna asked, "Doesn't he know that just a smidgeon of peppermint will stop the pixies in their tracks?"
"Oh, do allow me to explain, Potter," began Tonks, spying the mischievous little twinkle in his eye, "Potter here, told his partner, Chris Thomas, a certain story involving Gilderoy Lockhart and some pixies. In their infinite wisdom they decided to release some freshly caught pixies into Moody's office. Potter here managed to get away but Thomas and I were forced to stay and take care of the pixie roundup."
Ron's roar of laughter nearly drowned out Hermione's next question.
"Harry! You left your partner and Tonks to clean up a mess you helped to make?" asked a slightly off put Hermione, "What happened to no Auror left behind?"
He could tell she was teasing him, not by the grin she was barely keeping from her lips, but by the sparkle in her eyes, and the fact her eyebrows weren't furrowed in disdain.
"With Thomas and I, it's every Auror for themselves. Besides, Chris once forced me to go to roll call in just a pair of boxers."
Ron laughed and opened his mouth to speak but was shushed by Harry holding up his hand. "I'm sorry, Ron. I'm afraid some things will just have to remain a mystery or at the very least coerced after a few pints on a pub crawl."
Ron conceded his defeat and asked Harry if he'd like to see his new regulation Quidditch racing broom. Before Tonks or Hermione could say snitch, the two boys were walking away, lost in a world of Quidditch and team stats.
"I can barely wait to meet Harry's partner," said Hermione, "Anyone that can keep Harry on his toes like that is someone I have to meet. He sounds like a real laugh."
"He?" asked Tonks. A loud crack broke through the laughter of the little party and a tall blonde woman appeared next to a slightly hesitant Harry, who immediately began yelling at him about "tiny little buggers."
"Who the bloody hell is that?" Hermione asked, clearly baffled as to who could have apparated into the Weasley's home uninvited, her hand automatically reaching for her wand.
"I'd say that's Chris Thomas," replied Luna with an amused look.
"Oh," was all Hermione could manage as she found herself hesitating to holster her wand.
Author's Note the Second : Sorry to be brief, but this is only half the chapter. The remainder is to be posted at some point today or tomorrow. (I still need to proof it as I have no beta.)