Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Triptych.

By Vickles

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Author's Note, please read: Okay, this chapter took a bit longer to get out, for which I am sorry. This is an important chapter, though, and required more careful writing than usual. I also did some rewrites and made a layout of Godric's Hollow, which I suggest people see after they finish the chapter (you risk spoiling the chapter if you look before reading it). If any of you have not figured it out yet, I am a fan of quality over quantity, which means that I work really hard on each chapter. If it takes a little longer to get to you, then that means I'm working to make the chapter that much better. This chapter is rather long, at about 6000 words. Please read my author's note at the bottom, since I do not want to waste space up here and would rather let you read the chapter first. So, without further ado, let's get to Godric's Hollow!

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Chapter 6: Godric's Hollow

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Well, this is odd," Harry slowly opened his eyes to the sound of Remus' voice. He lifted his head and was immediately greeted with the sight of long, purple hair.

Tonks gave him a funny look, glanced over his shoulder, and the stared back at him, "What on Earth are you doing, Potter?"

"Now, hon, I'm sure that Harry has a perfectly good explanation for this." Remus placed a gentle hand of Tonks's shoulder as she stood.

Harry yawned and sat up. He rubbed his eyes, putting on his glasses, "Explanation for what?"

Remus nodded towards the bed with an odd expression. Harry looked and saw Hermione sleeping peacefully, a sight that made him smile slightly despite himself.

"Oh, you mean Hermione." Tonks nodded as if this had been painfully obvious, which Harry supposed it had been. "Well, she couldn't sleep and insists that my bed is more comfortable than hers."

Tonks' jaw dropped severely, "She's slept in here before?!" She calmed a bit and grinned just barely, "Damn."

Remus elbowed her slightly, "We're not supposed to condone this kind or behavior."

"It's not what you guys are thinking," Harry said, though they did not seem to believe him. Harry could understand this, and realized with a slap of reality that Hermione had not spent a full night in her bed since they had arrived. "Seriously. She just couldn't sleep, that's all."

Tonks nodded, though she obviously still didn't believe him, "And, the other time?"

Other times. Harry inwardly reminded himself. "She had a nightmare the other night. It really freaked her out, and she didn't want to go back to her room."

Remus frowned, "Hermione's having nightmares? What about?"

Harry felt a pang of guilt, "Er, well, I died."

Tonks and Remus shared a look that Harry failed to translate. Tonks sighed, "Well, wake her up, and we'll go get Ron."

"Er, could you guys not tell him that she spent the night here?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Why not? I thought you said that nothing was going on," Remus replied with a smug look.

"Nothing is. It's just that…well, Ron and Hermione are on delicate terms right now. I need them to get along, especially today. Please?" Harry practically pleaded.

Remus and Tonks nodded, exiting the room. Harry turned to Hermione, who was still sleeping soundly.

"Hermione?" he said quietly, tapping her on the shoulder. He leaned over her, looking down at her face, and gently ran his hand along her cheek. "Hermione?"

Hermione slowly began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. She glanced around the room before her eyes landed on Harry. "Good morning," she smiled sleepily.

Harry smiled back, getting off the bed, "Good morning. Remus and Tonks are here."

Hermione sat up, stretching her arms and yawning, "Thank you for not tickling me this morning."

Harry laughed, taking clothes from his trunk, "You're welcome. You better go to your room before Ron realizes that you were here all night."

Hermione nodded and stood. Before leaving, she walked over and gave Harry a hug from behind. "Are you sure you're ready for today?" she asked, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Harry nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be." He turned around and returned the hug. "Thank you for asking."

Hermione smiled and headed to the door, "That's what I'm here for. I'll meet you in the kitchen in a bit." She exited down the stairs.

Harry sighed, then got dressed and sat back down on the bed. He let his mind wander for a moment, preparing himself for the day ahead of him. Harry was not sure what to expect. Would it be painful? Would it hurt? What would he see? What did the house look like? What did their graves look like? Would he be brought to tears? Would the people with him expect him to cry and be disappointed if he did not? Harry had so many questions, and they would all be answered today.

After a moment, Harry took a deep breath and pulled himself up off the bed, heading down to the kitchen. When he arrived, he grabbed a muffin off the table and sat down next to Hermione. As the other four people at the table carried on conversations, Harry nibbled the muffin, tearing pieces off and not really paying much attention to anything. As everyone began to get up from the table, Harry shoved the last bits in his mouth and chewed quickly.

"Do you have the key?" Remus asked Harry.

"Oh, no, it's up in my pants pocket. I'll be right back." Harry headed up the stairs. Once inside his room, he fetched the key from his trousers, holding it firmly in his hand. He stood there for a minute, hesitating. He was ready for this, Harry kept telling himself. It did not matter how many times he thought it, though, as his hands began to tremble slightly. Suddenly Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and realized it was Ron's.

"Hey mate," Ron said with a half smile.

"Hey," Harry replied feebly.

Ron put his other hand on Harry's opposite shoulder, "Ready to face the past?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah, I just…got a little nervous." Harry felt his face flush slightly with embarrassment.

Ron tilted his head in understanding, and then headed the door, turning and waiting for Harry once he reached it, "C'mon, Harry," the corner of his lip twitched with encouragement, "Hermione and I will be there."

"Right, yeah, you're right." He followed Ron out the door, shutting it behind him.

When they reached the main hallway, Remus began speaking, "Does anyone besides me know how to get there?"

"Professor McGonagall gave us the coordinates, but we weren't really sure where to Apparate." Hermione answered.

"Can we even Apparate?" Ron asked Hermione, who nodded.

"Why wouldn't you?" Tonks asked.

As Ron began to stutter, Hermione replied, not missing a beat, "It's just that we don't know where it is and we are a bit inexperienced with Apparating."

Remus nodded, clearly buying it, "Okay, the each of you needs to grab an arm. I think I have a place in mind." Ron and Tonks took hold of Remus's right arm and Harry, sticking the key in his pocket, and Hermione clutched the left. After a moment, Harry was filled with that familiar sensation of Apparating.

They landed inside of what appeared to be a small shed. Everyone except Tonks let go of Remus's arms. "Where are we?" Ron asked.

Remus sighed, "We are in the abandoned shed, for lack of a better name. I'm glad that it is still here." He opened the worn door and they followed him. Remus stared at the shed and smiled.

Harry knew that he must have been remembering something, "What is it? What are you thinking about?"

"Well, Harry, you learned to walk at a fairly young age, you see. I think you were only about five months old, which is young even for a wizard. Your mother and father bragged about it constantly, and you really enjoyed walking, and were soon running. Except one day, your mother was gardening, you were outside with her, and then you ran off. Scared the wits out of her, you did. She was in hysterics, calling everyone in the neighborhood to a search. She thought she had failed you as a mother.

"In the end you were missing no more than fifteen minutes or so. One of the neighbors found you playing in this shed. You were returned to Lily and she started crying and kissing you all over, vowing you never let you escape her vision again, and she actually stuck to it for the most part until a few months later, when, well…until she…" Remus let the sentence fall, a downcast expression now etched upon his face.

"Until she died," Harry finished for him. He waited a minute, looking at the shed, and then changed the subject, swallowing the lump that was slowly developing in his throat, "So, where is it?"

Remus turned and pointed up the road, "It's at the top of the hill. I'll lead the way." He turned and began heading up the street on the nicely paved sidewalk.

Harry walked, with Hermione on one side and Ron on the other. He looked around at the peaceful neighborhood with the beautiful, unique, and some rather large houses. Harry saw some kids playing on a swing set.

That could have been me. Harry thought to himself, sadly. Harry tried to remember ever swinging on a swing set just for fun, and found that he could not. He watched their laughing faces, and found that he could not remember laughing as a child, except for the rare occasions when Dudley did something particularly stupid.

They approached the end of the street and Harry saw a quaint house, small compared to the others on the street, but still plenty large and seemingly perfect for a young family. There was a beautiful garden; the same that his mother had been working on when he had run away. There were so many memories that he had here, but Harry knew none of them himself.

As they approached the low white picket fence, Harry began to walk slower, his hands trembling once again. Almost as if on cue, Hermione placed a hand in Harry's and Ron did the same, both of them squeezing tightly. Harry looked at the two of them with gratitude, and together they stepped into the yard.

Harry hesitated before speaking to Remus, "Where are they…where were they…can we…?" Remus nodded with comprehension and understanding and led them around the house, Tonks supporting him.

They reached the backyard and Harry nearly lost it right there. In the middle of the yard was a swing set, with one seat made for a small child, two regular seats, and slide on the side. About seven or eight meters away there was a large prominent tombstone under the shade of a weeping willow.

Harry, still clutching his friend's hands to hold himself up, combed through the hanging branches, leaving the sunlight behind. The stone was about two meters in front of him, but he could not go closer, not yet. Harry noticed that Remus and Tonks had stayed outside, and soon, with gentle pats on the back and shoulder, Hermione and Ron left him, sensing his need for a moment alone.

Harry waited another moment before taking a few steps forward, now in front of the stone that almost seemed to be mocking him with its innocent stillness. Harry sat on the soft green grass, reaching and arm out and placing it on the stone, reading its lines.

James Potter
Beloved son, friend, and father

May you love in Heaven as you did on Earth.

Harry's lip trembled as he read it several times. He looked down at the fresh earth beneath him. This was where they had been buried. He was so close to them, yet so far away.

"Mom?" Harry whispered, choking on the word, "Dad?" The tombstone remained steadfast and unchanging. "Can you hear me?" Harry looked up into the branches of the tree. "It's me, Harry. Your son."

As he sat, Harry felt his eyes begin to sting and his throat tighten. "I miss you." Harry was not sure why he was talking, but that did not stop him. "I miss you all of the time. Sometimes at breakfast at Hogwarts, when the other students get letters from their parents, it hurts really bad, and then some other times it's not so bad, but it still hurts."

"I'm supposed to save the world, you know," Harry went on, "I'm not even of age yet and everyone expects me to save them. I have to kill Voldemort," the name of his parents' murderer felt foul on his tongue suddenly, "just like he killed you."

Harry took a shaky breath, "The problem is, I feel something missing. It is just this hole inside of me that nothing seems to fill. It is as if I am missing some kind of organ. I'm supposed to save the world and I'm not even whole."

Harry's skin began to glisten due to the warm summer day. "Say hi to Sirius and Dumbledore for me. Hopefully, it will be a long time before I see any of you, but I won't count on it.

"I have two best friends, you know. I am sure you watch from wherever you are. They are the best, Hermione and Ron. They cannot fill that hole that I told you about, but they sure do make it smaller."

Harry found himself running out of things to say, "I suppose that I should go back to the others, they'll be waiting for me." He waited a few long moments, not quite wanting to leave just yet. His hand lingered on the tombstone for a second before he stood and turned to go, "Bye for now, I guess." Harry swiped at his watery eyes, and left through the curtain of branches.

The first thing he saw was Hermione standing just outside; Ron sitting over of the swing set, unmoving. Both of them watched him closely. Remus and Tonks were nowhere to be seen. Hermione stared at him for a moment with clear hesitation, before moving towards him, opening her arms.

It was all that Harry needed. No sooner were her arms around him than he was clutching onto her desperately, his body rocking with unchecked sobs. He could not understand it or explain it, but he could not stop it either as tears flowed from his eyes, forming a puddle on Hermione's shirt. It was as if her touch had pulled some kind of emotional plug. They stood there for several minutes, Harry holding Hermione tightly, his head bowed over onto her shoulder as she gently ran her hands through his hair, whispering soothing words in his ear. Ron stayed on the swing, watching but not interrupting.

As he began to calm down, Harry loosened his grip on Hermione, stepping back slightly, "I'm sorry," he said, barely loud enough for her to hear.

Hermione shook her head as if she would not think of it, "Don't be."

Harry sighed and wiped his face with his sleeve, looking over at Ron as well and speaking so they could both hear him clearly, "Where did Remus and Tonks go?"

"They're waiting around front," Ron answered, approaching the two of them. "Remus said that when you're ready we could go in."

Harry nodded, "Okay. Let's go." He unconsciously took Hermione's hand and led them around the house. Remus and Tonks were sitting on the grass, Tonks's head resting on Remus's shoulder. When they saw the trio, they stood and brushed the grass off their pants.

"Are we going in?" Remus asked.

Harry nodded, "We should all look for…things that might be useful. Do you know where anything might be?"

"A little, from what I remember of the house. I haven't been inside since the week it happened," Remus said.

"Right. Well then, you two can look together, and the three of us will look together." He took his hand out of Hermione's, pulled out the key, and walked to the door. His hand paused in mid air, just inches from the keyhole. After several moments, Hermione placed her hand on his, guiding it to the keyhole and turning the key gently. She then pulled the key out and stowed it in her pocket.

Harry gave her a look of gratitude, and then carefully turned the doorknob, pushing the door open and walking in, everyone close behind him. About two meters in front of the door was a staircase leading straight upstairs. Harry turned to the left, heading into what appeared to be the living room and, despite what Harry had said about splitting up, everyone followed him.

"Your mother designed the house herself," Remus said, "and James had it built for her."

Harry looked around the room. There was a large couch was covered two sides of the room, with a prominent coffee table. Pictures were hung all over, but Harry wanted to see the whole house before looking at those. He turned to his right and walked alongside the staircase through what appeared to be a dining room, and then through a doorway, leading to a vast kitchen.

"This is where your mother did all of her cooking and laundry. James couldn't cook to save his life, and despised laundry, so he rarely came in here, but Lily loved to cook. She spent almost as much time in here as she did in her library."

"Her library?" Harry and Hermione asked at the same time.

Remus nodded and laughed a little, "Surely after what you've heard of your mother you know that she loved reading about as much as Hermione. Come on, I'll show you." He led them back to the foyer and crossed to the other side of the hall, leading them into a rather vast library.

"Wow," Harry breathed as he looked at the room. Every wall was lined with books as well as some bookshelves that were standing in the middle of the room. In one corner, the only corner where no books resided except for one on a small table was a big, comfortable looking chair, with a window right beside it, looking out on the garden. "Why is there only one chair?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh," Remus smiled, "It was pretty much known that this was Lily's room. In fact, I've never been in here before today. Even James was not allowed in here. The only other person whoever came in here besides Lily was you, Harry."

"Me?" Harry asked.

Remus nodded, pointing to a picture on the small table, next to the book. Harry looked closely and saw a very miniature version of him jumping on the chair, waving at whoever was taking the picture. "See? She spoiled you, she did."

Harry felt his eyes sting as he looked at the picture. "What else is there?"

Remus led them back into the hallway and led them into the room immediately next to the library. "This is the study. James hated to be away from you and your mother, so he worked at home whenever he could. Lily also did any of the work she had at home. She did inventory for Flourish and Blotts, as well as ordering any new books when they needed them. That's why your play room is right next to this room."

"I had a play room?" Harry asked, almost not believing it.

Remus chuckled, "I told you that you were spoiled." He crossed the room and they all walked through an archway on the right.

Harry could not believe his eyes. Before him was a rather large room, full of toys. There was a miniature Quidditch set in the corner, still open, and a little broom was propped up next to it, no more than a meter in length. There was also a rocking horse, as well as various stuffed animals. Harry's eyes began to glaze over as he looked at all of the many toys that he had never known as a child at the Dursleys'. The walls were decorated with hand-painted animals, all smiling innocently. If Harry looked closely, he could see a miniature version of himself playing in this room.

Across the room, a door led to an enclosed porch. Without saying anything, Harry headed back through the study, through the small foyer, and up the stairs. Once he reached the second floor hallway, he saw a door immediately in front of him, a door to his left, and a door to his right. Harry opened the door on the left and found what must have been his parents' room.

Harry had noticed while going through the house that most things had been left as they were. He looked over next to his parents' bed, and saw a book, most likely on his mother's side, still marked.

"Oh." Harry heard Remus say quietly behind him.

"What?" Harry asked, turning around.

Remus sighed a little and smiled sadly, pointing to the book that Harry had just been looking at. "It's just… she had wanted that book for awhile, but was always too busy to go get it. I'd always thought that… oh, but she never finished it," Remus frowned slightly.

Hermione gasped a little, "That's so sad!"

Harry smiled slightly. If anyone could recognize the sadness of not finishing a book that a person had wanted to read, it was Hermione. Hesitating slightly, Harry went over and sat on the bed, picking up the book and cradling it in his hands. "Oedipus Rex," he said softly, reciting the title.

Hermione's eyes opened a bit wider, "I've read that."

"Like that's a surprise," Ron said softly.

Hermione blushed a little and spoke again, "It's a Greek tragedy." Hermione's brow furrowed, and Harry could tell that she was thinking, but he chose not to question her, since he was not sure that he could take in much more information.

After a moment Tonks spoke, "So where's Harry's room?"

"Across the hall. Do you want to go look at it?" Remus asked and Harry nodded. They made it halfway across the small hall when Remus stopped.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

Remus tilted his head, "I don't remember that being there." He pointed to a little hall that extended around the other side of the stairs for only a meter or two before ending with a dead end and a door on the right.

"When was the last time you were here?" Hermione asked.

"A couple weeks before it happened. All that used to be up here was their room and Harry's room and a linen closet." Remus replied. "I thought that the house had looked a little different when we were outside, but it's been so long…I wasn't sure."

Hermione seemed to be putting together a puzzle in her head. Harry sighed a little, "Well, I suppose we should go see what's there."

He stepped forward slowly, pushing the door open, but staying outside of the room. He was greeted with a lot of pink.

Harry and the others stepped into the room. It was completely bare with a white carpet and pink walls, and a picture handing in a frame on the opposite wall, between two windows.

Harry tread closer to get a better look at the picture. In it he saw what was clearly a happy scene. James was smiling like mad, running around the room, picking up a very young Harry, tossing him in the air (causing Lily to tell him to be careful, though she was smiling widely as well) and the placing him down, running to Lily and lifting her up as if she was light as a feather, and kissing her stomach. Meanwhile, little Harry was running around the room, yelling, "Sistah! Sistah!" Then Lily would smile and put a finger to her lips, and Harry would do the same, whispering the word "Secwet! Shhh!"

Suddenly Harry had difficulty breathing, getting a strong feeling of the walls closing in around him as he barely registered the sound of everyone's collective gasp. He tried to inhale, but there no longer seemed to be any oxygen in the room. He felt his knees buckle as he fell to the floor, Hermione catching him under his arms a couple inches above the floor and lowering him slowly.

Harry could only stare at his shaking hands as he heard Hermione yell at Ron to go get some water from the kitchen. Tonks and Remus went as well, Remus in an evident state of shock. Harry wanted to thank Hermione, but he could not. He could not speak. He could not think. If he did, he would think about…no, he could not. He would not.

Hermione had folded his legs into a pretzel shape, and now she sat in front of him, searching his face, her hands solid on his shoulder. She looked down, "Oh, God, you're shaking." She took his hands into her, their warmth immediately calming him just slightly.

Ron came in with the water and handed it to Hermione, "Here, Harry, drink this." She tilted the cup to his dry lips and he did as she said, sipping it slowly as Ron stood awkwardly in the corner. Harry paused for a moment, choking on the water a bit and Hermione pulled it away.

"Breathe, Harry," she said softly, unlike the ordering tone that she had used with Ron. Harry began to fill his lungs with air, and then let it out. He repeated this a few more times, feeling his heartbeat, which had been practically buzzing, beginning to slow.

"I'm going to go check on Remus and Tonks. He didn't look so well," Ron said, turning and leaving through the door.

Hermione continued, swapping between giving Harry water and telling him to breathe. After the glass was empty, she set it on the floor and remained silent for several long moments as Harry let a million thoughts run through his head.

"Are you any better now?"

Harry nodded, though he said, "Not really."

Hermione tilted her head with understanding, "Do you want to go? We can come back again when you're ready."

"Okay," Harry replied. Hermione stood and held out her hand, helping Harry to his feet. When he was standing, she embraced him, her cheek pressed against his chest as she squeezed him tightly.

"I'm sorry," was all that she said before letting him go and leading him downstairs, where they then Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

"I'll go ask Dobby to get dinner ready," Ron said, heading to the kitchen.

Harry looked at his watch. It was already 5 o'clock. He turned to Remus, who still seemed a bit pale, "Are you two heading back now?"

Remus shared a glance with Tonks, "I think you might want some time to yourself to sort everything out. McGonagall owled me last night about something going on Monday, so I expect I'll see you then."

Harry nodded, "Okay."

"Bye," Remus replied weakly, before he and Tonks Disapparated.

Harry and Hermione stood quietly in the hall before Harry spoke, "I think I'm going to go up to my room."

Hermione nodded, not questioning his actions, "Are you going to come down for dinner or do you want me to bring it up for you?"

Harry shrugged, "You can have Dobby bring it up. You can stay down if you want."

He did not stay and wait for her reply, but simply went up the stairs silently to his room. When he reached it, he sat heavily on his bed.

He had started the day thinking that he would have all of his questions answered, but somehow he had come home with more than ever before. Of his many questions, one was blinking rapidly in his brain, very prominent in his thoughts.

He would have had a sister if…?

Harry kept remembering the picture. His young family had been rejoicing, all of them so happy. In fact, the whole house had reeked of happiness. How could he have had such a happy part of his life and not remember it? How could someone take it away so abruptly?

Harry's anger towards Voldemort grew with each thought. Before, he had only been missing parents. But a sister…

In the Wizarding World, Harry had formed his own family. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sometimes acted as surrogate parents, accepting him as one of her own, and Remus and Sirius, when he had been alive, acted as uncles. Professor Dumbledore had been a grandfather of sorts, and Ron was as much of a brother as he could be.

But, he had never really had a sister.

The only two girls that Harry really knew well enough to qualify were Ginny and Hermione. Harry couldn't really call Ginny his sister, as she had spent several years having an infatuation with him, and then dating him. And Harry had never thought of Hermione as a sister. She was a best friend. More then a best friend, really, but never a sister.

Harry would have been a big brother. He no longer was simply missing parents. He was missing this whole, practically perfect family, with a mother, a father, and a sister…

There was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," Harry responded, and Hermione entered the room, carrying a tray with two plates of food and two drinks on it.

"Are you hungry?" Hermione asked quietly.

Harry shrugged, "Not really."

Hermione frowned slightly, her eyes sad, "I didn't think so. I'll set this here in case you get hungry later."

Harry looked at the tray with her plate of food on it as well, "Did you want to eat in here?"

Hermione looked up, having set the tray on the table, "Oh, I don't really mind either way. If you want some time alone, I can go…"

"No, stay," Harry answered. "I'm starting to get a headache. It would probably be good to have some company."

Hermione nodded and brought her plate over, a sandwich and salad on it. She gently placed it on the bed before sitting down next to Harry, facing him.

They sat quietly for a few moments, neither of them having anything to say. Hermione nibbled on her food as Harry let his mind go blank, listening to the sounds of her chewing.

Hermione finished her sandwich and set the plate back on the table, ignoring the salad. She climbed back up onto the bed, laying down and yawning. "I'm tired."

Harry nodded, yawning as well, and looked down at her, "Today went by fast."

Hermione looked at her watch, "It's only eight o'clock."

"Oh."

"I'm still tired," Hermione added.

Harry shrugged; glad to have something to talk about besides the day's events, though he knew it was killing Hermione not to say anything. "So go to bed."

"I'm in bed," Hermione replied with just a hint of a smile.

"You aren't going to change into nightclothes?" Harry asked.

"Oh, right," Hermione said, sitting up. "I'll be back in a few minutes." She left the room and Harry went and changed into his pajamas. He had just turned out the lights and climbed back into bed when Hermione came back, lying down beside him, facing him.

"Don't forget we have plans to go mattress shopping tomorrow," Harry told her.

Hermione nodded firmly, "Of course. We cannot make a habit out of this. As soon as a get a new mattress I can…" she trailed off as she yawned again.

Harry yawned in response, closing his eyes, "You have got to stop doing that."

Hermione sighed softly, "Okay." Soon her breathing slowed to a gentle tempo, signaling her unconsciousness. Unfortunately, sleep was not coming to Harry quite as easily. He grabbed his robe from beside the bed and half of his sandwich from the table, and then headed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Harry entered the kitchen, and found Ron just as he had hoped he would. "Hey, Ron," he said, sitting down across from his friend, and taking a bite out of his sandwich, suddenly hungry.

Ron looked up, "Hey mate."

There was a pause for a few moments before Ron spoke again, "I don't know how you do it, Harry."

"Do what?" Harry asked, though he was sure he knew what Ron was referring to.

Ron sighed, rolling his eyes, "Blood hell, I don't know. How do you get up in the morning for starters?"

Harry smiled, chewing his food, "Well, I don't think Hermione would ever let me stay in bed all day."

Ron smiled, but his expression became serious again, "I wish I could understand."

"No you don't," Harry answered, pouring himself some pumpkin juice and taking a swig.

"I have no idea what must be going on inside your head," Ron replied.

Harry thought for a moment, his mind wandering, "Why didn't you stay?"

Ron blinked, "What?"

"In the room. After you brought up the water. You went back downstairs."

Ron shrugged, as if it was not a big deal, though Harry could see that he was clearly uncomfortable, "Hermione seemed to be handling things fine, and Remus was doing to well downstairs."

Harry felt a bit selfish, realizing that he had not considered how this may have affect his parents' friend, but still persisted, "Why didn't you stay, Ron?"

Ron looked down at the table and mumbled something, but Harry could not hear him. "Pardon?"

"You scared me," Ron said more clearly, though still looking down. When Harry did not respond, Ron looked up and went on, "I mean, I'm your best mate, right?" Harry nodded; that was obvious. "Well, I don't know what it was exactly, but seeing you like that. Hermione had to tell you to breathe, Harry! I just felt cold, like something was not right. I've known you since you were eleven, so seeing you in a less than perfect state shouldn't shock me but it did. And before then, when you cried…"

Harry simply stared at Ron, not knowing what to say. Ron continued, "I'm not one of those blokes who thinks that a guy can't cry, it's just that… you were so broken. I'd never felt like you seemed to in my life, and I didn't know how to react. I didn't mean to make things worse."

"You didn't," Harry said. "I'm sorry I did that."

Ron shook his head, "I don't blame you."

Just then, the door opened and Hermione came in, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She gave Harry an odd look, but refrained from mentioning that she had noticed his absence in the bed in front of Ron. "What are you two doing?" she asked, sitting down next to Ron.

"Just talking," Harry replied. "So, I think we should go back there on Sunday," he added, not thinking about it.

"Really?" Ron asked.

"That soon?" Hermione added.

Harry nodded. "There's got to be some clues there, which is the actual reason we went today, it just, well, didn't work out. Besides, I know you're itching to thoroughly inspect my mum's library," he added to Hermione.

"Does this mean you're okay now?" Ron asked, not quite believing it.

Harry shook his head. "No, I'm not okay, but we need to go back there. Tomorrow I was going to go with Hermione to get a new mattress, and you will probably come, of course, and I was thinking of going to see Remus. Monday we will probably be starting our training, so I think Sunday is our best option." Harry had not really thought it through much until then, but what he said made sense.

Hermione nodded, "There were definitely some things that I noticed, and I'm sure you'd like to see your room. We never really got to it today."

Harry nodded. The three of them moved on to talk about other things, such as training, the Triptych, and Horcruxes. Eventually they moved into the living room, laying about on the floor, and had Dobby make some hot cocoa. As the hours went by, they slowly grew more tired, and rather than heading up to bed, simply fell asleep there on the floor.

~*~

A/N: This may run a bit long, but please read it:

First, I want to thank everyone who gave me good ratings in the Felix Felices Competition, as well as all of you who continue to leave me great reviews. It is very much appreciated.

In addition, there are odd things in this chapter that some of you may notice (especially the more observant readers). I promise, they are not inconsistencies (my betas help me fix those if they exist). Like I said, I was careful in writing this, and almost everything has a purpose, so do not worry. I am not stupid, I promise. :)

If you would like to see the layout of Godric's Hollow, you can go to these URLs:
First Floor/Yard>>> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/vickles/godrics%20hollow/ghollow1.jpg
Second Floor>>> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/vickles/godrics%20hollow/ghollow2.jpg

As always, a big thanks to my betas LadyStarlight and Dedi! They are so awesome, honestly.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and please review!

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