Disclaimer: One of these days some delusional person is going to claim they really do own all things Potter, but not me, for today at least.
7. Weasleys Woebegone Wedding
Harry awoke the next morning to a throbbing pain shooting through his head that for once had nothing to do with his scar. When he first tried to open his eyes, he thought the light was going to blind him and the pressure surrounding his brain increased tenfold. He pulled his pillow out to cover his face, hoping he might be able to smother the pain away; eventually he realized the blissfully cool spot he was pressing against his forehead was his own drool.
"If you're finished trying to suffocate yourself, I have something you might be interested in," Hermione's annoyingly chipper voice hammered through his head.
Lucky for Harry, his less than kind reply was muddled through the pillow.
"You know, I had originally planned to let you suffer through this after what you and Neville pulled last night, but then, being the good friend I am, realized you've not had many chances to truly relax and just be yourself. That and it was at least partially my fault for buying you both so many rounds." Harry slid his glasses on and peaked out from under the pillow, trying to minimize the light flooding in from the room. Hermione and Crookshanks were sitting on the end of his bed; she was holding a goblet and the cat was trying to paw at the purple bubbles slowing escaping it. "Lucky for you, I popped over to the Burrow this morning to see if Mrs. Weasley knew how to make a hangover remedy. Apparently Charlie took all of his brothers out again last night, and she was just starting to brew this up for them. This isn't something I'll be brewing a lot of in the future, is it?"
"Absolutely not," Harry firmly said before downing the fluid in one large gulp. A glorious wave of relief passed through him and he hiccupped out a couple of purple bubbles, then he realized he needed to make it to the lavatory as fast as possible. "You're an angel," Harry muttered before planting a quick kiss on her cheek and running from the room, never noticing the abrupt change in her skin color.
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Hermione had gone by the time Harry returned, so he made his way down to the kitchen where he found Mr. Granger frying up omelets for everyone's breakfast. "'Morning Dan," Harry greeted him after expelling a few more bubbles from his mouth.
"How're you feeling this morning Harry?" Dan asked as he watched the bubbles float up to the ceiling.
"Better now. Hermione swung by the Weasley's to get a potion to fix me up - I didn't do anything wrong last night, did I?"
"I don't know," Dan laughed, "Hermione put you to bed as soon as you came back, but if she went to the trouble of finding you some medicine I doubt you need to be worried."
They stood by the counter eating (Dan was nice enough to save some ham rinds for Hedwig) until Emma came downstairs wrapped in her dressing gown with her hair up in a towel. "You two do realize that we own a table, don't you?"
Dan Mumbled out a "Yes dear," while handing her a plate, and the three of them adjourned to the table.
"Hermione tells me you had a fun night Harry," Emma said smiling over to him.
"Well, yeah… I suppose… If she says…" Harry stammered on for a bit.
"I don't think Harry remembers very much about his night dear," Dan said, stopping Harry's verbal floundering. "Not having much drinking experience can do that to you, which we all end up learning the hard way."
"I just hope he learns it at all," Hermione's voice came from the doorway. She was clad in a dressing gown like her mother, but instead of a towel on her head, she had a shower cap that was emitting a faint stream of smoke.
"Hermione, your hair's on fire," Harry blankly said.
"Not to worry, it's just a potion to help me style it for the wedding."
"And when do we have to be there?" Dan asked.
"Well, the ceremony is at one, so sometime around noon would be good, but given the state of things when I stopped over earlier, they might need some help getting everyone in order," Hermione informed them all.
"I should go soon and help out, to make up for skiving off yesterday," Harry said.
"That would be nice, but then how are Mum and Dad going to get there? I can't Apparate them both."
"I could bring your Dad along with me, if he wants, or you can just call me on my mirror when everyone's ready."
"It might be better for us both to not be here as they're getting ready," Dan told Harry conspiratorially, but not quietly, leading Emma to smack the back of his head.
After clearing his plate, Harry quickly showered and sorted out his robes. He had to enlarge a few of the pockets to hold the myriad of things he tended to carry with him lately. When he was done, he had plenty of room for his Invisibility Cloak, the fake locket he still refused to leave behind, his moneybag (which had the few remaining Galleons Dobby had hidden away in his backpack), the mirror Sirius gave him, and some owl treats for Hedwig.
He met Dan back down in the sitting room who took a second to take in what he was wearing. "You realize you're going to be inconceivably hot sitting outside in that, don't you?" Dan asked.
"Ah, built in cooling charms," Harry smirked. "I love magic."
"Well, you could try to magic-up some pomade to help your hair stay down, while you're at it." There was a sharp laugh from the kitchen.
"Honestly Dad, nothing helps Harry's hair," Hermione called from inside.
"Why is everyone ganging up on me?" Harry helplessly asked.
"It's what you get for magicing your way out of a hangover," Dan simply stated.
The teasing mercifully ended soon thereafter, and Harry found himself in the back garden preparing to Apparate Dan and Hedwig to the Burrow. "Are you ready? Did Emma tell you what to expect?"
"Not much," the older man said with a scowl, "I think she wants me to be surprised."
Harry saw an opportunity he could not let pass. "Alright then, it was a bit rough on her before, but what I forgot to tell her was that if you plug your ears and nose, the pressure really isn't that bad." Dan looked highly skeptical, so Harry made a show of how to properly plug up his face, and to his amazement his example was followed. Trying not to laugh, Harry looked up to see Emma and Hermione both watching from an upstairs window in outright hysterics. Making sure he had a good grip on Hedwig, he told Dan, "Alright now, big breath and hold it," before grabbing his arm and sending them all along their way.
"Harry, what are you making that bloke do to himself?" came George Weasley's perfectly timed voice as soon as they arrived. Dan forcibly expelled his breath and scowled at Harry, who was already pleasantly making his introductions. The twins seemed to be huddled over the vegetable patch, waiting for something, so Harry asked what they were up to.
"Well you see-" Fred answered, "we degnomed the garden yesterday-"
"But the little buggers always come back during the night-" George added.
"So we decided: if they're going to be at the wedding-"
"They might as well be dressed the part. Oh, here comes one now!"
Harry heard the grumbling of a gnome coming to investigate the disturbance above ground, and just as the top of his head became visible, there was a popping noise; the gnome was shot out of his hole in an outfit that looked painfully close to Ron's dress robes from their fourth year. The more Harry, Dan, Fred and George laughed, the more gnomes came above ground to check on the noise; Mrs. Weasley found Dan sitting at a table catching his breath while the other three had taken to rolling on the ground, thankfully Harry's charms on the grass kept them all clean.
"Molly, so good to see you again," Dan finally managed to get out. "I must say, what Hermione says about your home just doesn't do it justice."
"Thank you Dan, but it's all really just for the wedding. Harry here did most of the decorations with his little elf friend," Molly replied looking more carefree than Harry had ever seen her.
"Harry Potter sir!" Dobby's excited voice came from inside. "You must to come in and see the cake Dobby and Winky have prepared for your friends' celebration!"
Dan followed Harry towards the house, until he stopped just inside the doorway. The massive table in the kitchen had stacks of food that were taller than Harry, and in the center of the room, stretching from the floor all the way to the ceiling was a castle-shaped cake, complete with turrets and a flowing chocolate moat.
"Dobby," said an awestruck Harry, "this is amazing, but how are you going to get it outside?"
"Not to worry Harry Potter, Dobby will make the door wide enough to let it pass." Harry looked from the cake to the door; it almost looked easier to remove a wall than fit something that large through the door.
Winky popped into one of the last remaining open spots in the kitchen, "They's agreed to come help," she told Dobby who began jumping excitedly.
"Harry Potter sir! You must tell your Wheezys that the Hogwarts elves have agreed to help serve today!"
"What? Dobby, I don't have enough money to hire out all the elves!" Harry shouted.
"They are good elves who require no pay," Winky informed him. "They offer their help to one of the school's protectors, and Harry Potter must not try to pay Dobby or Winky either," she waved her finger threateningly at Harry; suddenly his moneybag flew from his robes and vanished.
"I thought Hermione said elves were mistreated and wanted wages," Dan's voice came from behind Harry.
"They deserve wages," Harry answered while scowling at the other two in the kitchen, "but Dobby's the only one I know of who accepts any."
"Dobby still says he owes Harry Potter more than he can ever repay!" the elf stated as if he were trying to sway Dan to his side of their old argument.
"But surely you wouldn't refuse any gift Harry would give you as a show of gratitude and friendship, right?" Dan asked the resolute elves.
Dobby and Winky both looked at Dan quite shrewdly, as if he were trying to trick them; finally Dobby spoke, "Gift? You mean presents from Harry Potter?" Dan nodded; "Dobby could never refuse a present from the great Harry Potter, but he will not accept his Galleons."
"Well, it looks like we solved that little problem," Dan said looking quite proud of himself.
"Yeah," Harry quipped, "I'll just give Hermione the money and she can pay them."
"Dobby will not accept payment from Harry Potter's Hermy either!" the elf hotly stated.
"From what?" Dan asked Harry.
"Hermione. He calls her `Hermy.'"
"Your Hermy?"
Harry's brain seemed to freeze for a second. Was Dan angry? "It's just what he calls her," he lamely explained. When he finally got the nerve to look the older man in the face, he was quite relieved to find no anger; actually, he almost looked happy, which sent Harry spiraling into confusion.
A resounding series of cracks brought Harry back into the present; looking past Dan out into the garden he saw at least half of the Hogwarts elves pop into the area set aside for the reception. Mrs. Weasley and the twins, who had been watching the gnomes try to rip off their garments, stared open-mouthed as the workforce busied themselves changing the table settings to match the golden dishes of the school feasts.
"What the bloody hell is going on out here?" Bill asked as he dodged a pile of food being levitated out of the kitchen to a buffet table outside.
"Well, I guess Winky decided to go ask the elves at Hogwarts if they wanted to help serve everyone. They seem to think you're some kind of hero for helping to keep the school safe," Harry told him as the elves rushing past them bowed to them both.
"You did this for Fleur and I?" Bill asked Winky, and when she sheepishly nodded, he picked her up in a firm embrace.
Harry led Dan back out to the vegetable patch, mostly to stay out of the way, and after explaining to the Weasleys what was going on, he couldn't help but notice how upset the twins looked.
"You've taken all the fun out of this Harry," Fred answered before he could even ask.
"We were supposed to be able to sneak on as many jinxes and charms as we could handle while setting things up," George added.
"But all your little elf-friends keep doing the job before we can get close enough to try anything."
"And I'm sure we're all better off with their being here," Charlie said as he, Mr. Weasley, and Ron all came out to join them. When Ron first noticed what the gnomes were running around in he let out a string of curses towards his brothers until his father eventually had to charm away his voice.
"None of that now, Ron; company and all. Besides, I think I see your Uncle Ignatius approaching," Arthur told them all. Harry followed his gaze to see a pair of broomsticks skirting the trees; even from a distance the riders' vivid red hair was visible. A small group of elves had erected a rack near the lane, and when the riders arrived, they were surprised to find valet broom service.
The next few hours passed in a blur for Harry. Many of the people arriving seemed to take almost as much interest in him as Bill, and more than a few of them looked at Mr. Granger as if there were something wrong with him. Being the only man wearing a suit in a crowd of robes seemed to be a give away that he wasn't a wizard. When Harry tried to seek refuge in the house, Winky dragged him up to Fleur's room so she could properly thank him for bringing in so much help. He quickly set her right that it was Winky who she should be thanking and bolted from the room. Suddenly finding himself in a room with Fleur, Gabrielle, and their mother had clouded his mind a bit, reminding him too much of the effects of the Imperious curse.
Looking back outside, Harry saw Dan in an excited conversation with Perkins, the old warlock that used to work with Mr. Weasley. Dan's gaze kept shifting across towards a group of Goblins that were massing around Bill and a few other younger people he guessed all worked for the bank. Their group was promptly broken up by the arrival of Rufus Scrimgeour, who as always had Percy in tow. Harry quickly made his way out to the blissfully empty front yard.
Tucked away beneath a tree, Harry watched as Hermione and Emma popped in carrying the Foe Glass he had purchased, and luckily none of the elves were in view; Harry knew this was something Hermione would need to be warned about before seeing it. As he approached the women he noted Emma looked a little sad, but he would have to get Hermione alone to find out why. As if on cue, Dobby and Winky appeared on either side of Harry, and before he could get a word in Hermione asked what he had done.
The directness in the way she addressed him made him pause; she was wearing a lacy yellow gown with her hair elegantly pulled up except for a few loose curls framing her face. The sunlight pouring down upon the area made her glow, "You seem taller - look nice - in yellow, I mean..." Harry stumbled.
She chanced a look at her mother for some reason before chiding him, "I'm wearing heels, and it's lemon, but you didn't answer me, what have you done."
"It was them," Harry replied indicating the elves at his sides, "I had nothing to do with it."
Before any further explaining could be done, more guests arrived on broomstick; Hermione froze when she saw one of the Hogwarts elves rush forward and take the brooms as another showed the newcomers away. "Are you sure you had nothing to do with these elves being here?"
"Harry Potter new nothing of Winky's idea until he arrived," Dobby told her, saving Harry.
"And we've already warned him not be tryin' to pay any of us elves," Winky added.
"She took away my moneybag before I could even think to grab it," Harry said, at which point Hermione's mood seemed to lighten back to where it had been in the morning.
"Winky, why did you bring more help?"
"The elves at the school had all wanted to show their gratitude to their protectors, and with no work to be done in the summer, Winky though it was the perfect chance, Miss Grangey," she replied causing Emma to snicker at the mutilation of their name.
"All of the elves?" Hermione asked.
"Harry Potter's Kreacher has taken to hiding in the dungeons, and the rest of the Hogwarts elves refuse to speak to him," Dobby informed them.
"Why don't they speak to him?" Harry asked.
"Dobby told them how he failed to do the great Harry Potter's orders, and a House-Elf who refuses their Master's orders is a no good elf!" Winky passionately explained.
"You own a House-Elf?" Emma asked.
"He was more of an inheritance that neither of us are too happy about, but it's complicated," Harry explained.
"Why are you hiding out here Harry?" was Hermione's next question.
"The Minister's prowling around back there," Harry shrugged.
"I'm surprised Dan's not out here with you," Emma told them. "He's had an irrational fear of clergy ever since we found out our pastor was a wizard."
"No Mum," Hermione said as Harry stared dumbly at her mother, "Harry's referring to the Minister of Magic. They have a somewhat uncomfortable relationship."
"If that's what you call him wanting to turn me into his poster-boy," laughed Harry. A way off, he saw a pair of people Apparate in; recognizing them as Katie Bell and Neville Longbottom caused Harry's mind to swirl. He watched in his mind's eye as the previous night flew by, at least up until he was sitting on the beach, after that he still drew a blank.
"It looks as if Neville's seen better days," Hermione pointed out. Katie had on a deep red dress that Harry guessed would almost exactly match his robes, while Neville was wearing something very similar to Harry, but with yellow trim instead of red. He was also wearing sunglasses and wincing at any sound, "Maybe I'll just nip inside and see if there's any left over-" before she could finish, Winky had popped away and returned with the same potion that Harry had taken in the morning.
Neville was extremely grateful, but there was an obvious tension between Harry and Katie. She seemed to keep shoving Neville between them, which suited Harry just fine since he was considering doing the same with Hermione.
Winky had led off Hermione's mother to rescue her father, and once the four teens were left alone things were quite tense, until Neville broke the tension by releasing a mass of purple suds from his mouth
"I suppose that's why that potion should only be kept for an hour," Hermione said over the others laughter.
"At least my head doesn't feel like it's being stomped on by a giant any more," Neville said.
"Well, I seem to have found a bunch of true Gryffindors now, haven't I?" came Professor McGonagall's voice from behind Harry.
It seemed to dawn on all four of them that they were indeed wearing their house colors before they chorused "Yes Ma'am."
"So then why are four students from a house known for bravery hiding from the festivities?"
"We're not hiding-" Harry started.
"The Minister is back there, and we're simply putting off the point of the day when he tries to assimilate Harry to his cause." Hermione said.
"So, you're hiding?" McGonagall clarified.
Harry eventually agreed, and the four of them made their way through the Burrow. Katie disappeared as soon as she saw Angelina and Alicia, and Hermione went to check on her parents leaving Harry and Neville standing in the kitchen watching Dobby setting pieces of fruit afloat in the massive cakes' moat. Harry reached in to snag a strawberry only to receive a jolt and a growl from a very harassed looking elf.
"Shut up Neville," Harry said while massaging his stung hand. Dobby pointed wordlessly to a tray that had not met his approval and they both helped themselves. "So I guess Katie helped pick out your robes too," Harry asked Neville with a smirk.
"No, Saldie, my elf did. Katie sent an owl before I woke up, and Gran got it. She was so excited that I got invited to go somewhere she forgot to be mad at me over the state I was in. She had Saldie pull out these from my Dad's closet," Neville explained; neither of them noticed Dobby promptly stopping what he was doing.
"It's good that you have some of his things," Harry said with a touch of remorse.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"I know Neville, don't worry. You should be proud to wear those, even Moody seems to think pretty highly of your parents."
"Professor Moody knew them? He never said anything to me about them in our fourth year," Neville said with quite a sad expression.
"But Neville, that wasn't really him, he was-" Harry stopped himself from saying he was one of their attackers, not entirely sure how he would take it.
"That's true. It's still a little hard to believe since he was such a good teacher. I wonder if the real Moody would have told me about them."
Harry was reminded of the brief conversations he had shared with Remus about his own parents during his third year, "I suspect he would have. I know it's always nice to hear a new opinion on what your parents were like," Harry said for the both of them.
"I'm nothing like my parents. Everyone thought I was a Squib for the longest time. Mum and Dad were great and noble to sacrifice themselves for me, they all said, so I had better live up to that. Sure they all thought a little bit more of me after we went to the Ministry, but I'm still not even half of what they were expecting," Neville said quite miserably.
"You really need to stop being so thick," Harry told him. "Sure your parents were good enough to get away from Voldemort and stand up to his supporters, but they were fully trained Aurors! When we were fifteen you followed me on a fool's mission. Who was the last one standing with me? Not Hermione, not Ron, you. When Hermione got hurt I lost my head, you didn't. Last term everyone else had taken my lucky potion, but not you. You came and fought against probably the foulest group of Death Eaters I've ever seen while the rest of the school was in their pajamas! Of course your parents were noble, but what you've done: standing up for what you believe is right, and fighting against everything that's not… To have lost as much as you have and still keep fighting, Neville, all you've done is show how brave you really are."
"Quite well said, Mr. Potter," came a sharp voice from behind him. Harry turned and saw a very nervous Bill and a very regally dressed Goblin had been listening in. "My apologies for intruding, but I would simply ask that you, Mr. Potter, find some time before your birthday to come in and visit me at Gringotts. There are a few matters regarding your trust we must deal with."
"Err, sure. I'll try and come by next week. Who should I ask for when I come in?" Harry asked.
"Oh, no need to worry about that Mr. Potter, the Goblins guarding the entrance will point you in the right direction," he was answered dismissively. "Good day Mr. Potter; Mr. Longbottom."
"You have a pep talk for me?" Bill asked. Harry just shook his head, not quite sure why he needed one. "This is all your fault, you know. If you'd just managed to keep yourself out of that bloody tournament I never would have met Fleur. I wouldn't've had a problem keeping up the tomb raiding I was doing, but no, I have to come home to cheer you on, meet Fleur and end up here before I've had a chance to figure out how."
Harry finally realized just how nervous Bill was about getting married. "What are you worrying about? You're marrying a girl that's part Veela. Every bloke that's every been within twenty feet of her would love to trade places with you right now."
Bill smirked a little, which turned into a wide smile. "Thanks Harry. Make sure you get to the bank like you promised. Going back on your word now would have some pretty big repercussions."
After Bill had exited, Harry turned and saw a bewildered Neville and Dobby eyeing him. "What?" He simply asked.
"Harry, that was Ragnok. He's the head of Gringotts," Neville told him.
"Well, he seemed to know you," Harry said.
"Only because Gran took me in to see him last week. There was some family estate stuff she wanted to have put in my name when I turn seventeen, and apparently we have enough money to warrant special attention."
"Probably wants to see me for the same. I know I probably should have gone in after Sirius left me everything, but I never really got the chance. I figured that since his elf was obeying me everything else was in order."
"It is a little weird now, Saldie refuses to call me anything but `Master,'" Neville said.
"Have you tried ordering her not to?" Harry asked as Dobby came around and tugged Neville's sleeve.
"You're Saldie's Master?" the elf asked.
"I - I guess so," Neville replied.
"Do you know her?" Harry asked.
"Dobby has heard of a sad tale. Saldie is said to have been disowned by her Masters after her mother committed a most grievous crime. It was believed that Saldie lived out her days in disgrace…"
Harry and Dobby both looked to Neville before he spoke up, "My Granddad worked for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. After Saldie's Mum was executed he felt a little sorry for her and let her come work for our family."
"What did her Mum do?" Harry asked.
"She confessed to killing her Master, but my Granddad never really believed she did it. He said there were plenty of people in her family that would have been greedy enough to do it and make the elf take responsibility," Neville warily told them.
Something clicked inside Harry's mind, "Neville, what was her Mum's name?"
"Something like Hooky," he replied.
"Hokey," Harry and Dobby simultaneously replied leaving Neville looking between them bewildered.
"I have to talk to your elf. Do you think you could bring her by Hermione's house tomorrow?" Harry asked.
"She's pretty shy-"
"Neville, it's really, really important-"
"She doesn't ever leave the house, she's afraid to go out in public-"
"Please, just ask her. If she won't come, I'll go to her, but I have to talk to her."
"Alright, I'll try."
Harry mind was swirling with the possibilities of Neville's elf knowing anything about the younger Voldemort, or anything else he might have stolen from her former Masters. He had hardly noticed things out back settling down until Hermione found him and pulled him off to their seats just in time for the ceremony to start.
As Bill and the minister made their way up to the alter, Dan, who was sitting on the other side of Emma from Harry made a slight choking sound while his wife and daughter held down their snickering. Hermione explained in a whisper to Harry that it was their former pastor who had invoked Dan's phobia standing next to Bill. Charlie, Gabrielle, Ron and Ginny made their slow procession down the aisle, and for a second it appeared Fred and George were going to join the other pairs before they were magically lifted up and set down in the last row, completely immobile (Harry turned just in time to see Arthur Weasley tuck his wand back into his robes). As Fleur and her father made their way Harry could swear he felt something wash over him, he looked around at the rest of the guests and noticed the besotted looks on most of the males in attendance before he began wondering if it had something to do with her being part Veela.
The sun came out from behind the clouds as everyone retook their seats. The pastor had begun speaking, but Harry's attention was drawn by a quick sniff from Hermione before she reached out and took his hand, her eyes never straying from the alter. He stared down at their interlocked hands before raising his gaze to her face. Her skin was glowing under the midday sun, and there were sparkles of light dancing around in the curls of her hair. He knew he probably shouldn't stare at his best friend, but he couldn't help but notice just how amazing she looked. In the back of his mind he heard someone cheering. Hermione's hand freed itself from his own and Harry realized everyone was clapping for Bill and Fleur, who were making their way back down the aisle. In what had seemed like a few seconds, Harry had missed the entire wedding, but he didn't think he should admit that to anyone just yet, if ever.
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Hermione led him off to a table with her parents. Harry was a bit relieved when he noticed Katie sitting a ways off with the rest of his former Quidditch team (minus Oliver, but plus Neville). Hermione had a bit of a hard time wiping the scowl off her face as the elves started serving dinner, but soon enough, the pastor came over to greet the Grangers. Dan fidgeted like a nervous child the entire time he was there, which his wife and daughter reminded him regularly for the duration of the meal.
A few of the elves had setup a dance floor and brought out some instruments, and soon enough the bride and groom began dancing, only to be joined by several other couples.
"Will you dance with me `Arry?" came a soft voice from behind him, Harry turned to find Gabrielle Delacour blushing. He chanced a look to Hermione for some reason before allowing himself to be led off.
The young girl was in an incredibly nervous state, so Harry tried to compliment her to calm her down. He told her she looked very pretty in her golden dress, but that had the opposite reaction he had hoped. She disappeared so quick he thought she Apparated for a second. He started to make his way back to the table, hoping to avoid Katie, Ginny, and the Minister for as long as possible; Fleur found him before he had made it half-way there.
"'Arry, you will dance with me now?"
He stammered for a minute before finding himself in the center of the dance floor. He could feel the eyes of almost all of the guests on him.
"You are so tense, you must relax!" She said with a brilliant smile. At this distance Harry felt the magic rolling off of her, but it seemed to wash straight past him. "This ees all thanks to you, `Arry. Bill coming to `Ogwarts to see you was the best thing that `as ever happened for me. This ees all thanks to you!" She gave him a few kisses to the cheek, which as always left his face tingling.
When Fleur finally released him, Harry made another unsuccessful attempt for the table. Fred Weasley pulled him back out to the dance floor.
"So, Harry. We're all just dying to know why every time someone mentions your name over at our table, Katie blushes to the point that she forgets how to talk." He was smiling as he talked and holding open his arms expectantly.
"I am not going to dance with you, Fred," Harry firmly told him.
"Why not? I'll even let you lead!"
"No, and if Katie's not talking, neither am I."
"Ah, so there is something going on!" came George's voice as he suddenly appeared behind Harry.
For a second Harry thought he was stuck between the two of them, but then inspiration hit him. He discreetly hit Fred with the strongest sticking charm he knew of before stepping to the side and pulling George face first into his brother. The twins were instantly bonded face-to-face, but seemed to find the situation as funny as Harry.
"That certainly was a good use for that particular charm," a slightly gruff voice said. Harry turned and found himself facing the Minister of Magic. "Harry, I'd like to introduce you to Malfalda Hopkirk. I believe you've heard from her before."
The witch Scrimgeour motioned to reminded Harry a lot of Professor McGonagall, only without the touch of warmth the Headmistress held. "Yeah, I might have gotten a few letters from her before," Harry said with a sigh.
"And of course you remember which office I work for at the Ministry?" she asked him.
"Yes I do, but I can guarantee you there was nothing improper about that," Harry said pointing to the twins, who were still trying to unstick themselves. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to sit down."
Without another look, he turned his back on them and finally made his way back to the table, where Hermione was sitting all alone.
"Mum finally convinced Dad to dance with her," she explained after his look.
"What about you?"
"Well, most the males here seem to be more interested in trying to steal away Fleur for a minute or two. You should have seen the looks you got when she kissed you," Hermione said with a slightly bitter voice. Harry looked back noticed that there did seem to be an informal queue pointing in Fleur's direction.
"Would you like to dance with me?" His question surprised Harry as much as it did Hermione.
"Really Harry, I'm fine. I don't need your pity."
"Maybe it's not pity. I could just be a sucker for yellow," he told her, motioning to her gown.
"It's lemon," she replied while blushing before taking his hand.
They danced for a few songs as Harry told her about his confrontation with the Minister. She had tried to scold him about walking away, but gave up when she couldn't stop laughing.
"Why did your Mum look so upset when you got here?" Harry asked out of the blue. They both froze as Hermione seemed to debate whether or not to answer him.
"We were just talking a bit before we came by. Maybe it was the Apparition," she told him dismissively, but he could tell she was holding back.
"You can tell me."
"Really Harry, it's nothing for you to worry about."
"You sure there's nothing I can do?"
Hermione bit her lip for a moment, "I'm sorry Harry, I just don't think you can help with this." He let it go, and a while later finally managed to get back to table after profusely apologizing to Hermione for cutting their dance short, not realizing they had been on the floor longer than any other couple. The bride and groom had left without either of them noticing.
A wireless could vaguely be heard as a small cluster of mostly younger people sat huddled around listening to commentators of Wood's match in progress. Harry was about to join the group when Hermione pulled him back down into his seat. "You don't really want to go over there, do you?" she asked him. Looking again he noticed all of his former teammates listening.
"Hermione, do you know what I did last night?" Her face flushed, so he was pretty sure she knew at least some of it.
"Well, you and Neville got pissed, Tonks and I confounded a bunch of Muggles, and I had to help you home," she quickly told him.
"What about Katie?"
"Katie… She left before Tonks and I found you."
"Do you know why?" She didn't need to say anything for Harry to know the answer. "You know. Now how do I fix this?"
"If you're asking for relationship advice, you've come to the wrong place."
"No. I just want to not feel the need to hide whenever I see her. That works fine for Cho, but I actually like Katie, as a friend at least. It'd be a shame to never talk to her again," he told her. Hermione looked relieved for some reason.
"Would you look at that! Oliver Wood, the young Keeper has leaped backwards off of his broom for the quaffle, and he makes the save! That will most certainly net him a nomination for the Dangerous Dai Commemorative Medal. Wood is left dangling from the hoop with one hand as the other holds the quaffle, would one of this man's teammates bring him his broom?" The announcer kept going on, but Harry forced himself to stop listening.
"You can go over there if you want, Harry. I'm sure it would be fine." Harry meekly shook his head, causing Hermione to groan in frustration. "You are such a bloody coward. Fine, I'll go talk to her and see if you can join their little party." She made to get up, but he held her back. A noise he hoped he was wrong about had made the hairs on the back of neck stand tall. Hermione made to ask him what he was doing, but he quickly shushed her,
"They are here… All of them…" Harry felt the blood in his veins go cold as he placed the soft hissing. He roughly pulled Hermione up from the table towards the sound. "The time is right… The time is now…"
"Do you hear that?" Harry asked her.
"Hear what? Harry you're scaring me."
"Hermione, I think I hear her. I think it's Nagini," he told her before watching all of the color drain from her face.
"He is here… The young one… The time is now…"
The sound seemed to be retreating towards the front yard, so Harry cut through the house, still pulling Hermione along. They burst out the front door of the Burrow just as the massive snake was slithering by. It immediately turned and lunged towards Hermione.
Time slowed down as Harry watched the snake strike; without realizing how he ended up in between them. He knew he needed to kill the snake eventually, but he also knew he didn't have it in him to even attempt the killing curse. He remembered his duel with Malfoy at Hogwarts before he bellowed out "Sectumsempra!"
The curse slashed the snake open in several places, gushing blood everywhere. For a moment Harry thought he had done it, and began pulling a slightly shell-shocked Hermione back through the Burrow to warn someone. Gabrielle Delacour was standing near the door, and had obviously seen what had just taken place. Harry was about to tell her to run and find her parents when she let out a high-pitched scream. Harry turned and saw the snake making its way inside after him. Time again slowed as the snake reared back to strike. Harry recalled his time in the Chamber of Secrets and found himself wishing he had a way of calling in the help of Gryffindor's sword. His mind didn't register the burst of flames above him, but when the sword came tumbling through the air, Harry deftly caught it and swung at the creature in front of him, neatly slicing off its head. A piercing high-pitched scream issued throughout the room as a fountain of blood sprayed all three of them.
Harry had barley taken a breath before he registered the sounds coming from the reception out back. A fight had begun, and a big one. "Hermione, find your parents and get them to the Dursley's. It's still safe there," he commanded while tucking the sword into his belt.
"But Harry, I'm not going to-"
"I'm right behind you, now MOVE!" Gabrielle had picked up the snake's head, and seemed oblivious to the sounds of chaos. Harry scooped her up in his arms and rushed off after Hermione, briefly noticing the gleaming red eyes on the Foe Glass sitting with the rest of the presents. Emerging outside Harry saw at least thirty Death Eaters wildly flinging curses into the crowd. Luckily the Grangers weren't far from the back door. Hermione looked back as she reached the near-catatonic dentists to make sure Harry really was still there before she grabbed Emma and disappeared. Harry felt a sharp pain shoot through his skull that could only mean one thing. Voldemort was here. Still holding Gabrielle, Harry rushed towards Dan, pulled him close with one arm, and Apparated all three of them to number four, Privet Drive.
Hermione had already blasted open the back door, and was trying to calm her Mum while repairing the door. Harry quickly ushered Dan and Gabrielle inside before rushing off into the sitting room to find the furious-as-expected Dursley's. "These people need to stay here for tonight," Harry told them, not realizing he was dripping snake blood over the pristine rug.
"I will not-" Vernon started, but Harry didn't have the time to argue, and simply stupefied him.
"He'll be fine, now go to your rooms, and don't come out until I tell you to," Harry barked at his Aunt and cousin. They jumped to follow his orders.
Bursting back into the kitchen, Harry found Hermione trying to calm Gabrielle down (the little girl had finally realized she was covered in blood). She told her mother to take over for her before moving towards Harry. He could see that she was reading herself for a fight, but all he could see in his mind was Nagini lunging towards her. He couldn't allow her to be put in more danger. Without speaking, he applied the same sticking charm he had used on the twins to her, and magically lifted her up onto the wall in the kitchen.
"Harry, What are you doing?" she asked in a panic.
"I'm sorry Hermione, but you have to stay here."
"No! Let me down!"
He moved forward and placed his hand over her mouth, "Listen Hermione. If I don't come back… If I die tonight, it's up to you and Ron to find them all. You can do it, I know you can… When they're all destroyed, find Neville. He's the only other one who has a chance to beat him…" He looked into her eyes and saw shear terror. Her face was streaked heavily with tears and he could feel her lips trembling under his hand. "I'm so sorry, but I can't lose you too. He's there, I felt him. I'm sorry," he placed a soft kiss on her forehead before heading back outside. He had almost made it to the door before she regained her voice and began screaming out his name. It seemed to be the only thing she was capable of saying, and every time he heard it, the next step was harder to take. When he finally made it outside he could still hear her; a single tear rolled down his cheek before he Apparated back into the carnage.
><><><><><><>
The battle in the Weasley's back garden was fierce. As soon as Harry had arrived he had to duck a curse that was indiscriminately flying through the air. Close to thirty Death Eaters had crashed the reception, and while there were several people fighting back, there were even more bodies littering the ground.
While still taking in the situation, Harry suddenly found himself magically forced to the ground just as a rush of green light passed over his head. Looking back he saw Dobby jab his hand towards his assailant, who was sent flying at least fifty feet through the air. Before Harry could thank his little friend a chair flew through the air knocking the elf out. Winky, who had been right beside him, let out a wail before grabbing Dobby and disappearing. The Hogwarts elves, upon seeing one of their kind attacked, joined in the fray. As Harry followed the progress of another Death Eater through the air he saw Hedwig trying to make her way down to him; he quickly yelled for her to get somewhere safe, which she did after rolling clear of another airborne combatant.
The elves seemed to have quickly turned the tide, and several people were already trying to help the wounded scattered about. The pain in Harry's head told him told him the true danger had yet to pass, and he set out to find Ron as fast as he could. He made it halfway to the alter before he noticed everyone remaining had stopped fighting to watch the duel going on on the other side of the pond.
Rufus Scrimgeour was facing Voldemort alone, his normal guard of Aurors obviously dead or otherwise occupied. The photographer from the ceremony was standing with his mouth hanging open, though still managing to capture the moment. Harry's legs began working on their own, and he found himself slowly making his way around he pond. As he approached he could hear the taunts flying between the curses.
"Rufus, will you ever learn? The last time you tried to conquer me you nearly lost your leg," said Voldemort.
"You may have maimed me, but we both know I would have killed you had you not run away," the Minister answered before sending a silvery ball of magic towards the Dark Lord.
"You seem to have learned some new tricks while I was away, but you should know by now: I am invincible. You took me for dead once, and I have returned stronger that before. Give up Rufus, this is a fight you are destined to lose," Voldemort said while casually blocking everything that was being thrown at him.
Scrimgeour froze, his eyes locked on Harry as he came up behind their common enemy. With a crack the former Auror vanished. Voldemort glanced over his shoulder before turning with a truly evil grin spreading across his face.
"Harry, I was wondering when you would join us. I saw you earlier through the eyes of my pet, but when I arrived it appeared you had run away. It is good that I don't appear to scare you as much as I thought."
"You're not worth being afraid of, not any more than your bloody snake," Harry said with a confidence he didn't know he had.
"Maybe we should have dear Nagini join us to see if you are telling the truth. Come to me my pet," Voldemort hissed out.
"She won't come. I've killed her," Harry hissed back to Voldemort's great surprise. He closed his eyes as if stretching out to find his snake, but once he had discovered Harry was telling the truth, his eyes reopened filled with rage.
"You've cost me more than you know, Potter. Your death will be a slow, excruciating affair," said Voldemort.
"There's been enough death here tonight," Harry replied.
"Oh, Potter. Are you really trying to copy the old fools morals? You should have learned after Severus killed the Muggle-loving lunatic."
"Don't worry about your little potion whore. I'll deal with him when I'm through with you," Harry said as he held down his rage.
"Are you tired of our conversation already? Then I'm afraid it's time for you to die. You've been lucky before, but now there's no one to come to your rescue. Good riddance, Potter," Voldemort said in his coldest voice.
"HARRY!" came a cry from across the pond. Harry and Voldemort both looked to the sound. Hermione was scrambling through the crowd trying to find him. Harry's heart froze as the one thing he had tried to avoid happened.
"Now Harry, are you going to introduce me to your friend? Could she be the little Mudblood Lucius' son seems to have such trouble with? I do hope you've had a chance to say good-bye," Voldemort cruelly spat out before shooting a jet of green light straight for her.
Harry's world was on the verge of collapse as the curse traveled. Hermione had spun around just as it had been sent towards her and had frozen in fear. There was no chance for her unless he could think of a way to move her; without realizing what he was doing, Harry held out his arm, and she began hurtling through the air straight at him. He wordlessly summoned her from the path of Voldemort's killing curse, but realized he could have thought it through better as she crashed into him knocking them both to the ground. Harry quickly got back to his feet, not noticing his robes had come open reveling Gryffindor's sword tucked in his belt.
Voldemort's eyes glowed with color as he noticed, "Give me that sword, Potter!"
"Thanks, but I'd rather keep it myself," he replied cockily while trying to shove a visibly shaking Hermione behind him.
"You've no idea how long I've been trying to acquire that object. I daresay it would make a handsome form of payment for killing Nagini. Give me the sword Potter, and I'll make the Mudblood's death quick. Not painless, but quick," Voldemort bartered.
"Nice offer, but how about you leave, and I'll send you a proper reply by owl," Harry replied. He sensed the impatience growing in his adversary and threw up a shield just before Voldemort tried to summon the sword away from him.
"Little girl," Voldemort said as he shifted his attention to Hermione, "you must give up this silly notion that love will save you." Harry felt Hermione grip his sides from behind has Voldemort held her gaze. "Childish ideas taken from Muggle fairy tales will get you nowhere in the real world. All the love in the world can't save you now; there is no escape from Lord Voldemort."
Harry watched as Voldemort drew his wand back to strike once again. He pointed his own wand back towards him, hoping it might save both his and Hermione's life if they forged another connection. Harry's mind went blank as he wondered if he'd see his parents again; maybe even have them meet his best friend. It was a simple pleasure he'd been denied his entire life, but now the idea brought a smile to his face.
"Ava - AHHHH!" Before Voldemort could get out the words, Hedwig flew from where she'd been hiding and dug her talons deep into his bald scalp. The owl continued screeching and striking as the Dark Lord flung curses randomly in the air. Seeing an opportunity, Harry pulled the bloodstained sword from his belt and swung it broadly. Voldemort had moved just in time to avoid the sword slicing his chest, but Harry managed to carve down the length of his arm.
Voldemort fell to his knees howling in pain before Disapparating. Harry was vaguely aware of Hermione still hanging onto him, quivering, as Hedwig flew over and landed on his outstretched arm. Her talons were covered in blood, and Harry thought he saw a few small pieces of flesh stuck to them.
"Harry! Hermione!" Tonks yelled at them from across the water. "Get to Headquarters NOW!"
Without saying a word, Harry tucked Hedwig up to his body and held one of Hermione's hands to Apparate the three of them to Grimmauld Place.
><><>>><><
Harry pulled Hermione inside the house without paying much attention to the way the doorknob burned under his hand. The entrance hall was empty but the sounds of someone clearing up dinner could be heard from the kitchen. People were bound to be arriving soon, and Harry wanted nothing to do with any of that. He silently led the way to the drawing room.
The door shut behind them on its own as Harry set Hermione down on the sofa before magically cleaning the bits of Voldemort from Hedwig's talons. By the time he had finished Hermione had stopped shaking, though she was still looking blankly ahead. She finally spoke as Harry dropped the sword of Gryffindor to the ground and sat beside her.
"Harry. I've been your friend since I was twelve years old. I've been petrified, chased, and cursed for you, and I've not left. I choose to stay at your side, but I swear, if you ever even think about taking away that choice again…"
Harry watched a single fat tear slink its way down her cheek. Her words seemed almost too painful for her to finish uttering; they were crushing his own spirit. He wished her anger would turn violent so he would have a better idea of how she felt. He wanted to tell her why he had tried to keep her behind, but he wasn't even sure anymore. He needed her to be safe, but why? Without her he had no chance of defeating Voldemort, a small voice in his head told him.
"I'm sorry Hermione… I swear, I'll never leave you behind again…" Harry wanted to say more, but couldn't find the words; he just pulled her close and held her tightly. There were no tears, but she clung to him with such desperateness that Harry knew words carried no more meaning between them.
Harry pulled back to look in her eyes. They were filled with pain, but deep inside burned an unquenchable fire. He looked in her eyes and saw a beauty he had never taken the time to notice. Vaguely aware that they had both stopped breathing, Harry did the only thing that seemed natural: he slowly lowered his mouth onto hers.
He meant to kiss her gently, but as soon as their lips touched a shock passed through his entire body sending a whirl of images through his mind. The temperature of the room had definitely risen, Harry thought as the shock of what he was doing began to wear off. Covered in blood, sitting in his dead Godfather's house, Harry Potter was slowly exploring the mouth of his best friend with his own tongue, and he was certain she was smiling.
A soft hoot from the other end of the sofa broke the pair apart after a series of moments, and almost as soon as they had separated Remus Lupin opened the door.
"There you are, are you both alright?" he asked looking as weary as Harry'd ever seen. He had a thick brown paste covering bits of his face healing the wounds he had recently given himself. "People are just starting to make their way in. We all need to have a bit of a talk in the kitchen, if you don't mind."
As soon as he was out of hearing range, Harry looked over to his owl. "Tomorrow, you're getting a perch that would even make Fawkes jealous," he told Hedwig leading her to straighten herself regally.
"Harry…" Hermione said in a barely audible whisper, "What was that?"
She was holding her hand to her mouth in disbelief. "You look exhausted. Why don't you lay down here and keep Hedwig company while I see what they want. We'll talk when I get back, I promise," he told her as he squeezed her free hand. Amazingly she nodded a little and after he helped her lay down, Harry chanced giving her another quick kiss, to see if it felt the same as before. It was even better.
><><><><<><><>
Some minutes later, Harry finally arrived in the kitchen where it seemed most of the Weasley's had gathered along with a few Order members. He entered into complete silence.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked him.
"I'll be fine, the blood's not mine," Harry responded motioning to the stains covering himself.
"Where's Hermione?" Remus asked him.
"She's upstairs with Hedwig."
"That bird of yours saved us all, you know," Shacklebolt said. Harry nodded his agreement while taking in the faces in the room.
"Is anyone we know? Did anyone?" Harry asked.
"Most of the Aurors that were there are dead. If the elves hadn't helped we'd probably all be with them. Arthur had to take Charlie and Molly to St. Mungo's. I found Fleur's parents' bodies in the rubble, but her sister's nowhere to be found," Tonks told him.
"Gabrielle's okay. Hermione and I got her out with the Grangers."
"Are they here?" Kingsley asked.
"No, they're at my Aunt and Uncle's. That house should still be safe, or at least safe enough." Remus was solemnly nodding his agreement when the door swung open admitting a red-eyed Arthur Weasley. Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny all sprung out of their seats and began shouting questions to him.
The older man immediately began crying, which quieted his children faster than anything ever could have. "I'm sorry, but… Your Mum… She didn't," Arthur collapsed into a chair before he could finish; the rest of his family soon joined in his grief. Harry and the others tried to leave the room quietly.
"Harry?' Ginny's strangled voice called after them. "Harry, why didn't you save Mum?" The question shocked everyone in the room.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I didn't know she was…"
"But you've saved everyone else. You saved Fleur's sister, Hermione's parents, but you couldn't help Mum?"
"It's not his fault Ginny," Arthur tried to silence his daughter, "Harry had no way of knowing your Mum was in trouble."
"But it's what he does. Harry always saves the day, but he didn't want to save Mum," Ginny continued. Most of the room's occupants were looking towards her with an appropriate amount of pity, except for Ron, who looked to be in agreeance with her.
Harry was completely lost. Molly Weasley had always been important to him, and he wished he could find a way of accepting her death, but here her only daughter, his former girlfriend, was blaming him for her murder.
Not knowing what to do, Harry simply Apparated back to the drawing room. Hermione was still lying on the sofa stroking Hedwig, but she quickly sat up when she saw the look on his face. Kneeling in front of her, he told her what had been transpiring downstairs. She embraced Harry along with her grief, and quickly the pair found themselves stretched out together, eyes tightly closed and noses touching. The slow tickle of Hermione's breath against his lips helped greatly to center Harry's emotions and he hoped he was doing the same for her.
Harry's mind was pulled back from its wanderings by a loud thump. Harry and Hermione bolted upright just in time to see Ron pulling his away from a fresh dent in the solid wood door.
"Perfect, just perfect," muttered Ron.
"Ron-" Harry began.
"Don't even bother, Harry. This… Is just typical."
"Ron, you really mustn't-" Hermione tried.
"Don't you even talk to me," Ron snapped at her.
"That's no way to act-" Harry started.
Ron snorted. "So now you're gonna tell me how to act, Harry? What, killing my Mum and stealing my girlfriend wasn't enough?"
"Funny, I don't remember her ever being your girlfriend," Harry said with a sudden coldness. Hermione stood mutely by the sofa, stuck between shock and anger.
"You're not going to pretend you didn't know now, are you?" Ron asked, his lips shaking with rage. "How long's this been going on?"
"About ten minutes, not that it's any of your business," Harry answered.
Ron let out a sharp laugh, "Perfect! So now you're gonna spend your days killing people's Mums and your nights shagging Hermione?" he screamed.
Hermione made a move to slap Ron, but Harry held her back, "I did not kill your Mum, Ron, and if you ever talk about Hermione like that again I'll-"
"You'll what? What more could you take from me, or wait, do you need Ginny for the nights that Hermione won't shut up?"
"Ron, I'm warning you," Harry said with a clenched jaw.
"Why don't you just shut up and leave?" Ron spat out.
"It's my house," Harry reminded him.
Ron bit back his retort before reeling back to strike Harry, but Hedwig exploded over his shoulder and began beating Ron over the head with her wings. Hermione summoned Ron's wand away as he reached for it just before Fred and George burst into the room separating their brother from Harry's owl.
Ron stormed from the room with Fred on his tail. "Sorry about that, he stormed off before Dad could talk him down," George said in a lifeless voice before drifting out after his brothers.
Harry dropped down on the sofa wondering what more could go wrong. Hedwig settled on his legs and he fed her every last owl treat he had. She more than deserved them.
"Harry, come look at this," Hermione said. He walked over to her as she stared at the Black family tree on the wall, not noticing his arm slinking around her waist. She pointed towards the bottom, and Harry saw it. Just below the burn mark where Sirius had been was a name unconnected to the rest of the tree, but clearly stitched with the same golden thread as the rest of the family.
Harry James Potter
1980 -
"That's… Good?" Harry said.
"I - I don't know. Just thought you should know." Hermione said. She bit her lip before continuing, "Would it be alright if I went back to check on Mum and Dad?"
Harry pulled her closer and looked her in the eyes, "We'll go together."
After a quick word with Remus, and a nip into the potion cupboard where Harry grabbed a few phials of purple fluid, they Apparated back to Privet Drive. Walking into the kitchen, Harry saw the wall he had stuck Hermione to had turned to a pile of rubble. "Well, that explains how you got free," he said to no one specific. Emma called out when she heard his voice and taking Hermione's hand, he led her to the next room where Dan, Emma, and Gabrielle were all sitting on the sofa watching Winky tend to Dobby on the floor next to them.
"Winky popped in with Dobby. She's the one who set me free," Hermione told him.
"If that's what you call blowing up a wall," Dan said with a small chuckle. Harry noticed both the females on the sofa staring at their linked hands.
"Gabrielle," Hermione started in a soft voice, but the couldn't finish. The girl looked between Harry and Hermione before bursting into tears.
"What's happened?" Dan asked.
"Her parents were found in the wreckage, along with Molly Weasley and almost all the Aurors that were there," Hermione told her father. "If it weren't for the elves and Hedwig here," she pulled her hand from Harry's to stroke the owl, "none of us would have been able to walk away."
"What happened?" Emma asked.
Hermione looked to Harry before answering, "By the time I arrived, the elves seemed to have scared off most of Voldemort's forces-"
"Those `Deadheads?'" Dan asked. Hermione spared him a glare before continuing.
"Harry was facing off against Voldemort. He tried to k-kill me, but Harry pulled me out of the way of the curse. That monster taunted us both for a bit before he tried to send off another curse, but Hedwig flew at him and began gouging his scalp with her talons." The owl proudly straightened herself as all eyes in the room fell on her. "Voldemort fled and we were sent back to G- G- Headquarters where we were told about everyone that…"
Harry pulled Hermione to his side as Gabrielle collapsed into Emma.
"How's Dobby," Harry asked Winky.
"Dobby is sleeping. He be fine in the morning," she told them all.
Harry excused himself and pulled Winky upstairs with him where he had her help enlarge his bed for the Grangers to share. He nipped into the bathroom to nick a few of his Aunt's sleeping pills before rejoining the others. Winky led away the Grangers after they had taken the pills he offered. He asked Hermione to help him pull the camp bed out of the cupboard under the stairs.
"Harry," Hermione said with a steely tone. "Why is this here?" She was pointing at a board that had `Lilly' carved in clumsy letters.
"I uhh… I carved that when I first found out my Mum's name," he told her.
"You didn't know your Mum's name until after you could write?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, the Dursley's didn't like it when I asked too many questions. When my uncle found out I did that they locked me up for a week. I always meant to add my Dad's name, but I guess I didn't want to be stuck in there again."
"What do you mean `in there?'"
"In the cupboard," Harry said nervously. He could tell her anger was only rising. "It uhh… Well, it was my room, until Hogwarts started sending me letters at least."
The small bed crumpled into a ball as Hermione's face hardened. She took a step to storm off upstairs before Harry grabbed her arm and spun her around. He popped the cork from one of the phials he had taken from Grimmauld Place and tipped into her open mouth. She instantly fell asleep in his arms.
Harry carried Hermione back into the sitting room and transfigured the three sofa cushions into beds for himself, Hermione, and Gabrielle. He tucked Hermione into the middle bed and gave her a soft kiss to the forehead before turning to the girl. She accepted the potion without a word before he helped her under the covers.
Harry walked outside with Hedwig whom took off on a hunting expedition. After watching her disappear into the darkness he Apparated back to Burrow intent on surveying the damage himself. He found Arthur Weasley sitting on the ground staring blankly ahead.
"Mr. Weasley, I didn't know you'd be here," Harry said.
The older man came out of his reprieve, "Harry, is everything alright?"
Harry nodded even though Arthur was still not looking anywhere specific. He casually sipped at a cup of a glowing blue liquid.
"Thank you, Harry, for allowing my f- family to stay at your house," Arthur said.
"Oh, of course," Harry replied. He didn't even know the remaining Weasley's were staying over at Grimmauld Place, but was a little relieved they didn't have to stay at the Burrow.
Mr. Weasley conjured another glass and poured Harry some of whatever he was drinking. "I'm sorry Ron and Ginny reacted the way they did to you. It's not your fault Molly d- died tonight. Remember that. They'll come around, in time." Arthur took another long drink, "I should thank you for your help lately. Molly spent her last days in a better mood than she's been in for years because of your help."
"It wasn't enough," Harry said before he could stop himself. He took a sip of his drink and nearly choked as the liquid burned its way down his throat.
"Harry, when I was in the hospital, Molly was beside herself. When she finally got around to talking she told me her greatest worry was that she would end up burying one of our children. She told me she could die happy as long as they were all happy and healthy. When Bill was engaged, she was ecstatic. No matter what you hear, she died a happy woman, and you helped to make her final days some of the best of her life."
Both man sat in silence as they gazed out at the formerly beautiful garden, now smoldering with blood stained ruins.
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