Heathrow airport was filled with happy relatives, disgruntled travellers, crying and running children, and worn out flight attendants. His back was aching from the fourteen-hour flight. He was starting to wish he had gotten off the plane in the stopover in China.
He walked around the terminal before heading out into the rain. He smiled. It was good to be home. He hailed a cab, and sure enough, one pulled up instantly.
"Where to, sir?" The cabbie questioned.
"Err," he said, as he rustled though his pockets and produced a piece of parchment. "Queens Gate Gardens, South Kensington."
The cab driver nodded and observed his passenger in the rear-view mirror.
"Returning from vacation?"
"Oh no. I'm moving back."
"Crazy. Where are you moving back from?"
"Australia."
"Crazy," he repeated, "how long have you been away for?"
"Almost ten years. I needed to come back for some unfinished business."
The driver remained silent until they pulled up in front of a lavish white building. The driver stared; it was obvious he didn't make stops in his part of town much. "I lived here before, it's beautiful," the passenger said simply before handing him three 20 pound notes and disappearing into the cool rain.
After acquiring a new set of keys from his landlord, the man was led up a flight of stairs and to his new home. The landlord bid him a good day and left his new tenant to explore his new home.
The apartment was far more glamorous than the condo he had been living in Australia. The walls were all white, and the floors were a shiny oak. He immediately fell in love with the place. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a handful of boxes that were roughly the size of his thumbnail. He then pulled out his wand, and placed the silencing charms and the anti-apparition wards on the place. He put the boxes back to their regular size, and began to unpack his belongings the Muggle way.
It was nearly ten o'clock when his mobile began to ring. Yawning loudly, he slumped into one of the plush white chairs and flipped open the phone.
"Hello?"
"Harry Potter?" said a gruff male voice.
"Yes," he said slowly.
"This is Nate Harris of the Magical Law Enforcement of the English Ministry of Magic. Have you arrived in England yet?"
"Yes Nate, I have arrived."
"I assume your trip went well?"
"Yes, thank you for asking."
"You're expected to start your job as the new head of the Auror department tomorrow. Will there be any complications?"
Harry exhaled and ran his fingers through the tight mop of raven curls on his head. "No. I'll be there at eight as expected. I'll just take one of those potions to help me cope with the time difference."
"You're a trooper, Potter. I'll alert the outgoing head so he'll be there to welcome you."
"That won't be necessary. I'll meet him in the Auror Department."
"If you find it more accommodating."
"Thank you, Harris," said Harry gratefully, and hung up the phone.
x-x-x-x-x
The next morning, Harry awoke to the sound of his alarm clock. Groaning loudly, he reached blindly around on his nightstand until his fist came in contact with the blasted thing.
Finally, silence.
Exhaling, Harry sat up in his bed and glanced around the stark white room and smiled. He was home. Throwing the blankets off his body, he made his way to the bathroom. He stripped out of his boxer shorts and climbed into the falling beads of warm water. Almost ten minutes later, he remerged and wrapped a towel around his waist. He glanced at his reflection, and performed a simple charm that instantly cleared away the stubble on his face. He then proceeded to his closet, and realised that he would have to dress differently for work now that he was no longer a casual Auror, but the head of an entire department.
Raking his fingers through his damp hair, he slipped into a clean pair of boxer shorts and a pair of loose fitting jeans. He carefully pulled a simple emerald green button down shirt out of his closet and shrugged it loosely on his shoulders and fastened his cloak. He slipped into his new sneakers and snatched his wand off the nightstand and disappeared down into the kitchen. After making himself a quick breakfast, he grabbed his leather briefcase and disapparated with a loud crack.
x-x-x-x-x
In the mornings, the Weasley household was a busy one. With getting both children up and to flooed to Molly's to be looked after, both adults fighting for the first shower in the house, and trying to get breakfast into all four stomachs before eight o'clock, their morning was like running a marathon. And somehow, Hermione and Ron managed to get it done. They took turns getting Henry and Sarah to their Grandmother's, while the other made lunches and did dishes. It was to early in the morning (even for Hermione) to be thinking coherent thoughts about which spells to cast to put mustard on what slice of bread, or what sugar was supposed to go in which coffee.
On this particular morning, however, everything went too smoothly. Hermione was stunned to find that she had a whole fifteen minutes to herself before she had to be at her shop in Diagon Alley. Normally, she had fifteen seconds to apparate, get everything in order for the day, and open the shop doors. She normally JUST managed. But today, she felt unusually happy as she relaxed in the silence of her home. Ron was gone to work, the children were at Molly's, and she had time to herself. Nowadays, it was such a rarity, with Ron being called away on his `covert missions' every other weekend, it left her feeling solely responsible for their children.
Sighing, Hermione finished her tea, and placed the semi-warm mug in the sink. She ran her fingers through her hair and picked up her purse. She placed the locking wards on the house, and disapparated.
x-x-x-x-x
When Ron arrived at the Ministry, the place was in chaos. There were excited witches and wizards running around, and the Aurors were shouting something about getting the Atrium under control. Ron's brow furrowed as he stepped into the lift.
"What's going on?" he asked the man beside him.
He shook his head and said, "I have no idea. I just arrived, and heard something about the new head of the Auror department arriving today. Apparently, he's quite young and that's why the witches are acting funny."
"I see," said Ron slowly as he stepped off the lift, and into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He had a bad feeling about this. When he arrived at his office in the back of the department, he felt relieved when he saw Lavender talking happily with a co-worker.
"Morning Mr. Weasley," she said brightly as she turned back to her conversation before he could reply.
"Morning Lavender," he said softly. "Can I see you in my office?"
She nodded and followed him inside.
"What's going on around here?" he demanded as he sat behind his desk.
Lavender took a deep breath and sat on the edge of his desk, facing him. She kissed him lightly on the lips, and then her expression softened. "Don't be mad at me," she warned.
"I promise," said Ron.
"You're aware that they have been having trouble finding a new head of the Auror Department?" she began.
Ron nodded.
"Well, they found one. They had to convince him to even take the job-"
"Get on with it, Lav."
"Harry's back, Ron," she said quietly.
Ron stared at her long and hard. "You've got to be shitting me."
"I'm not `shitting you', Ron."
"When did he get here?" he demanded as he stood up and began to pace around his office.
"I have no idea, Ron. I heard it from Mandy this morning. She saw him herself as he was being shown around the department by the outgoing head."
"I didn't know Kaysar was retiring."
"Neither did I, apparently they wanted to keep the change as low-key as possible. The ministry's been trying to keep out of the papers," she explained. "But bringing Harry in as a new head of Department is ludicrous, because he's been away for almost thirteen years in Australia."
"I don't know how I'll break it to Hermione," said Ron quietly as he and Lavender embraced. He felt her tense at the name of his wife.
"You haven't told her yet?" she questioned, staring into his blue eyes.
"I don't know how to, Lavender…" Ron groaned, as he sat back down in his leather executive chair. "It's that Sarah and Henry…"
"They'll understand, Ron," pleaded Lavender. "I can't live like this forever."
x-x-x-x-x
He was glad for the chance to lock himself in his office and mull his thoughts over. Maybe that cab driver was right. He was crazy for returning to England. Why did he even accept the job? He could take what time off when he needed to, for as long as he wanted… The pay was unbelievable, but none of those were the reasons he returned. He missed Ron and Hermione.
Hermione was the only one that seemed to give a damn about him. She sent him letters once a month; she somehow got a hold of his mobile number. It scared him to death when he answered he answered it a few months ago to hear her voice on the end … she sounded so much older. And he wished he could have walked out of that meeting he was in and talked to her, explained everything to her… But he couldn't. There were thirty pairs of eyes on him, and he couldn't stop in the middle of his presentation on how Australia's defence could be improved. Sighing, he muttered something into the mouthpiece and hung up on her.
But her letters never stopped. He started so many replies to her, but he never knew what to say. He couldn't tell her. She was a world away from him and he couldn't will himself to put his burdens on her. She sent him an invite to her wedding to Ron, pictures of Henry and Sarah when they were born, and a picture every Christmas with her card. He kept them all.
Now that he was back, he didn't know how he could face anyone. He was thinking about showing up at Molly's Sunday dinners, but he was sure he'd stumble out with two black eyes and a bloody nose. No, that was not a good plan at all. He couldn't bring himself to get into the lift and go up to Ron's office, three floors up. He was sure Ron had heard of his return by now, by the way people were reacting. Harry had hoped it was going to be a low-key affair, that people wouldn't recognise him. But somehow, someone did, and word spread through the Ministry like wildfire. He had been gone for thirteen years. He would have thought that the Harry Potter craze would be long and forgotten. Apparently, he was wrong.
Sighing, Harry set down his quill. Harry rubbed his temples and placed his head in his hands and breathed in deeply. His appearance had definitely changed since he left. He was no longer a pasty, four-eyed boy. He had grown his hair out, it was now in a mess of curls around his head, he had long rid of his glasses and had his eyes magically fixed, and he put a glamour charm on the scar on his forehead. He was toned and he was tanned. He wasn't even sure any of his close friends would recognise him if they saw him.
It was then Harry decided he would stay in his office for the rest of the day.
x-x-x-x-x
Ron was beginning to believe that the `Harry has returned' idea was just a myth. Perhaps the new head of the Auror department looked like Harry, but it probably wasn't him. Ron was sure he would have been trying to re-enter lives by now. But, there was no sign of him. Hermione had simply said, "Give him some time".
Ron had opted to stay home this weekend, instead of with Lavender. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday when he and Hermione decided to take Henry and Sarah to Diagon Alley. Ron had taken an excited Henry off to Quality Quidditch Supplies, while Hermione decided on taking Sarah to Flourish and Blotts. She was truly her mothers' daughter. Hitching Sarah securely to her side, Hermione entered the dingy bookstore. It had been a while since she had been inside; as she was preoccupied with her own most of the time. Aside from selling magical books at a slightly cheaper price, she also sold muggle books.
Giving a friendly wave to the manager, Hermione and Sarah headed towards the back of the store where the children's books were kept. As she rounded a corner, she bumped into someone. She struggled to stay upright as the pile of books in the others' arms toppled to the ground, causing him to swear under his breath. Hermione set Sarah down and bent down to help him retrieve his books.
"I'm sorry," said Hermione apologetically.
"It's okay," he replied simply as he gathered his books up and straightened up. Hermione held one of them in her hand.
"Defence Theories of the New Ages?" she questioned as she handed it back to him and he raised his gaze to meet her. She froze.
"You can never have too much knowledge," he said, smiling faintly.
She wouldn't have recognised him if it weren't for his eyes. He looked so different from the Harry she remembered. He looked so… normal. He was dressed in a pair of simple faded jeans, battered sneakers, and a black t-shirt. He had his aviators perched on top of the shaggy mess of curls on his head. His Australian tan was still perfectly in place, and she knew she would regret thinking it later, but Harry had never looked so striking in all the years she had known him.
"Harry?" said Hermione cautiously as Sarah hid behind her legs.
"Hermione," he replied warmly.
Before she knew what she was doing, she had knocked the books out of his arms for a second time and threw her arms around his neck and was sobbing uncontrollably into his shirt. Harry patted her back awkwardly as he locked eyes with Sarah. She quickly looked away, blushing crimson.
"Hermione, its okay," whispered Harry, as he regained his composure and kissed her softly on the head.
"You're really home," she whispered back, pulling away and patting his face softly.
"Yeah, I'm home." He replied, stepping away from her and bent down to gather his books. "Listen… I'll go pay for these, and just drop them off at my flat. I'll meet you for coffee, yeah?"
"I have to meet Ron and Henry in a half an hour," she explained sadly.
"Ron's not too thrilled with my return, I'm sure."
"It's a touchy subject," said Hermione carefully. "Where are you living?"
"Queens Gate Gardens in Kensington," he explained.
"A Muggle complex?"
"Much nicer and roomier than the Wizarding apartment buildings." He shrugged.
"Molly's dinner's tomorrow. You should come. I'll explain to everyone that I met you here… I don't think it'd be as bad," she asked hopefully.
"I'll think about it," said Harry, smiling again. "This is Sarah?" He asked softly, bending down so he was at eye level with her.
"Sarah Louise Jane Weasley," she said proudly. "Who are you?"
"I'm Harry James Potter," he replied, laughing as he shook her extended hand. "You look more beautiful in person than the pictures your mother sent me."
"You got those?" said Hermione, shocked.
"Every one of them," replied Harry, his gaze locked with Sarah's.
"Thanks," whispered Sarah as the blush instantly returned to her cheeks. "Where did you live?"
"In Sydney, Australia."
"That's far away."
"I know."
"Why did you live there?"
Harry was quiet for a moment before saying, "because it was beautiful."
Hermione couldn't help but smile.
"Come now Sarah, we have to go meet Daddy and Henry," she said smiling as Harry made to straighten up, but Sarah made a bold move and threw her arms around Harry's neck. Harry let out a laugh and straightened up with Sarah in his arms.
"You go with your mum," he told her.
"I don't want to," she whined.
"Sarah," said Hermione warningly. "Harry needs to go home. He'll see you tomorrow at Grandma's."
"Promise?" she demanded as she was transferred to her mothers' arms.
Harry grinned. "I swear on my life."
"You have to show up for sure tomorrow Harry. I don't think I could stand you if you broke a promise to my daughter," said Hermione smugly before retreating out of the bookshop.
x-x-x-x-x
Ron stared as his wife silently brushed her hair as she sat at her vanity. She had been oddly quiet since they returned home from Diagon Alley.
"Hermione?" asked Ron quietly as he flipped through his Quidditch magazine.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Are you alright, darling?"
"I'm fine," she began, as she set down her brush and stared at him in the mirror. "I ran into Harry today," she said finally.
Ron's eyes met hers. "Where at?" he demanded.
"In Flourish and Blotts. He was getting books for work," she explained calmly. "I invited him to dinner at your mum's tomorrow. Molly's been beside herself since she heard he was home. I expect you to be on perfect behaviour."
"What makes you so sure he'll show up?"
"He promised he would," Hermione explained carefully.
Ron exhaled as Hermione climbed into bed beside him. "How was he?" he asked finally.
"Glad to be home. He wants to see you." She whispered, kissing him lightly on the cheek before snuggling down into the blankets, and soon fell asleep.
x-x-x-x-x
The next morning, Ron awoke to an empty bed. Sighing, he rolled out of the bed and dressed for the day. He glanced at his watch, and realised that he, Hermione, Henry and Sarah were due at his mother's in less than an hour. Dressing quickly, he stumbled down the stairs to find Hermione sitting at the table helping Sarah though a picture book while Henry sorted through his Chocolate Frog cards.
"Morning Dad," said Henry brightly.
"Morning Daddy," chimed Sarah.
Hermione didn't even look up. Ron sighed.
"Your secretary called for you, Ron," began Hermione dryly as she turned away from him and to the pile of breakfast dishes in the sink. "She wanted to know if you had a chance to go over the `proposal' she presented you. I told her you obviously haven't."
Ron remained silent. "Hermione…"
"We'll talk tonight," she said flatly.
She knows.
"Are you ready to floo to Grandma's?" Hermione questioned.
"Are we going to see Harry?" Sarah asked excitedly.
"I think so," Hermione replied warmly. Ron raised an eyebrow. Hermione didn't even notice as she helped Henry into his sweater and walked them over to the fireplace. The adults remained silent as they sent the children ahead via floo network before disapparating to the Burrow themselves.
x-x-x-x-x
It had been almost ten years since Harry had been to the Burrow. When he awoke that morning, he was filled with nervous delight. He longed for one of Mrs. Weasley's home-cooked meals, and was nervous to see all of the Weasley's again. He hadn't seen some of the Weasley children since they were infants, or still in their mothers' womb. He had learned from Hermione's letters that Ginny had married Neville Longbottom three years ago, and they had a little boy, Brendan. He was happy that Ginny had finally found someone.
He was running late. He slept through his alarm clock, and had now quite possibly hit a new low: brushing his teeth while he was in the shower. After spitting the last of his toothpaste down the drain, Harry turned off the water. He wrapped a towel around his waist and placed his toothbrush in the holder by the sink. He quickly performed a hair removed spell to remove the stubble off his face and performed a drying spell on his hair. He raced into his room and pulled on a pair of old jeans and a white t-shirt and pulled a black hooded sweatshirt over it. Sticking his wand in his back pocket, he disapparated with a loud crack.
The sun was bright in Ottery St. Catchpole as Harry stuck his hands in the front pocket of his sweater as he walked down the dirt road towards the Burrow, and he was getting more nervous by the second. How would they react? Would the Weasley men gang up on him and beat him to a pulp? Hermione had already accepted him, but he doubted the rest of the Weasley clan would. They were related to Ron, after all.
Exhaling, Harry raked his fingers through his hair as he approached the front door. He took a deep breath, and knocked loudly. He instantly heard shuffling from behind the door, and he immediately became interested in his trainers. The door swung open, and its opener emitted an audible gasp.
"Harry?" breathed Molly Weasley.
"Yes," said Harry softly as he met the eyes of his surrogate mother, the next thing he knew, he was shoved to the ground and was surrounded by a sea of red.
"FRED! GEORGE! GINNY! RONALD!" shouted Molly as Harry's arms immediately flew to his head for protection. "Ginny, think of the baby!"
The weight on his abdomen was instantly lifted, and one by one, the Weasley brothers removed themselves from him. He was on his feet in a flash, wand drawn, and anger sparking in his eyes.
"Slow reaction time for an Auror, George," said Fred to his brother.
"I quite agree, Fred. Must be old age," replied George as Harry slowly pocketed his wand.
"Coming from the two who are already twenty nine," Harry cut in, grinning as the brothers clasped him on the back.
"We're all nearing thirty, mate."
Harry straightened himself out to finally take in the scene around him. A very pregnant Ginny was standing beside Neville, who had his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. Fred and George had retreated back into the house. Harry finally made eye contact with Ron. The two of them stared at each other long and hard. Finally, the others got the hint and left the two men alone.
"How long are you staying for this time?" said Ron finally.
"I deserved that," replied Harry flatly.
"You deserve a hell of a lot more, but Hermione will have my head."
Harry chuckled.
"How long are you staying for?" he repeated, stepping in front of Harry.
"I'm here to stay, Ron. I might go away at Christmas or something, but I promise I'll come back…"
"Because I know Mum and Hermione won't be able to take it if you leave again," he snarled.
"I. Won't. Leave." said Harry through gritted teeth.
"I don't believe it."
"I'll give you a fucking wizards' oath that I won't leave, you dolt."
Ron silently fumed as he attempted to stare his former best mate down, but Harry kept never let his guard down. "Get inside. Hermione wants to see you."
Harry and Ron entered the Burrow. Other than the dead of the night, this was the only time Harry had ever heard the place dead silent. He nervously scratched the back of his neck as they stared at him.
"Welcome home, Harry," said Arthur finally; stepping forward and embracing him like his own.
"Thank you, Arthur."
"Come, let me look at you properly," said Molly, as she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Who's been feeding you?"
"I have?" Harry replied uneasily.
Molly pursed her lips and let him go. "Twenty seven years old and unmarried," she tutted before disappearing into the kitchen with Ginny. Twenty minutes later, they were all sitting outside in the sun enjoying Molly's amazing cooking, laughing, and telling stories. Harry had been seated at the end of the table beside Hermione, and was remaining silent as the Weasley family enjoyed themselves around him.
"So Harry, what was Australia like?" Arthur asked, noticing his silence.
"Warm," Harry said simply. "It's not a big desert as everyone makes it out to be."
"Did you just live in Australia?"
"I was temporary head of the Italian Auror Department for a year a few years back," he explained. "Then I had an option to come back to England, but I wasn't ready to come back then … so I took a transfer back to Australia, and I was head of a team of Dispatch Aurors for a year and a half. I was offered the job as head of the English Auror Department about a year and a half ago, and I originally declined. They kept at me, and I just eventually accepted to get them off my back." He paused to take a drink of red wine, "I don't regret it at all. Something inside me told me I needed to come back…"
"Perhaps we can get you married off," joked Ron as he laced his fingers though Hermione's.
Harry chuckled nervously.
"Was there a woman in Australia?" asked George as he watched Harry's eyes fall down to his empty plate.
"Or a man," added Fred.
Harry shot him a dirty look. "Neither. I was too busy to have a steady relationship."
"Fuck and chucked?"
"GEORGE!" Shouted Molly.
"That's a new low, mate," Harry replied lightly as he took another drink of wine. "And in front of the children, at that."
"Watch it, Potter… Just because you're sitting there in your sexy sweatshirt and your fancy jeans-"
Harry smirked. "Perhaps I should be the one asking you about boyfriends, Fred."
"Har har."
"Mummy," began Sarah innocently. "Why does Uncle Fred have a boyfriend?"
Everyone at the table roared with laughter. "Uncle Fred doesn't have a boyfriend," Hermione said after she was able to contain herself.
"Okay," shrugged Sarah, before following the rest of the children to go catch fireflies in the garden.
"Hermione darling, I have to go tend to that report Lavender owled to me earlier… I'll meet you at home," said Ron before he kissed her on the cheek.
Harry watched as Hermione's expression changed. He narrowed his eyes over his glass as her eyes suddenly darkened, and she looked slightly upset before bidding Ron a good night. Her husband rose to his feet, kissed his mother, and disapparated. Harry watched his female best friend carefully as he gently placed his glass back down.
"Hermione?" he said softly.
"Yes?"
"Walk with me?"
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