Harry sat in front of the fire, watching as Lupin and Bill argued about something over a game of chess. Christmas had snuck up on him, which for the first time, he was glad for. He never liked Christmas. It was a time for family and friends, when you don't have too many of those, what's to like about it?
Now things were different. Bill and Fleur had brought their son over, skipping out on Weasley family dinner. Fleur was already showing her second, a daughter this time. That brought a strong smile to everyone's faces.
Gabrielle came with them as well, with a young French man by her side. Fleur had asked him previously if Gabby could bring the man, and Harry really had no objections to it. No, he just took the man aside, with the intention of calmly and quietly explaining why he was the one who defeated Voldemort, and if he hurt one of the people that Harry considered family, then the man would find out. Guy's named turned out to be Jacques. Glad Harry found that out before really speaking to him. What surprised him was Gabby coming up and thanking him, for letting her be apart of his family. He didn't know it was such high praise. The young couple was sitting in a corner, sharing a Christmas together which from the looks of it might be the first of many.
Mary and Glenn were playing some a Quidditch miniature game in the corner. They were good together, and fast becoming best friends. A friendship growing beyond just playing together. Harry could see it in their eyes, despite them being so young. He was glad they were going to form such as strong bond so fast. He hoped they would not be afraid of it either when the time came. He knew he was.
Fleur and Tonks were talking about house decorating charms, or something of that nature. Honestly, he did not have a clue what women talked about half the time. The other half he just guessed wrong.
McGonagall and Luna were off talking about one of Luna's new projects, something about transfiguration as punishment. Again, he did not know and expected to know even less about it when the article came out. That was just the way the world worked for him.
He had invited the Andres to join him, however they were visiting Shirley's parents and family. He met them for dinner still, not eager to give up one of the stable parts of his life. He sent them their gifts, knowing he'd receive a harsh remark from Shirley when he saw them again. Maybe partial ownership of the station was a bit much, but what did Harry need it for? He had other ventures that were turning out lucky for him.
The last person he had invited wasn't here yet, but then again, he did not expect her to be here early. She had mentioned going to have dinner with her parents and spend some time with them first. He could not begrudge Hermione some time with them.
Their path back to friendship was slow indeed. At times, it seemed like nothing had happened between them, they could act as they were friends like back in their fourth, third years. Hell even their seventh year wasn't that bad. Other times, the distance was painfully obvious between them. He could feel it more than anything else as he felt like he should comfort her, give her a hug. But their actions, her actions still weighed heavily on his mind. While he had forgiven her, he could not forget what had happened. Their new normal was still a bit of ways off.
One thing for the evening that he had allowed was alcohol for those that wished to enjoy it. Fleur, Gabby and Jacques all enjoyed the wine he had Luna select, while Lupin and Bill just drank the fire whiskey. It felt he was passing the test as he watched them drink. He wanted to so bad, things seemed easier when he drank. But he wouldn't, he had made a promise to Mary. He would not break that promise. Not again.
Taking a sip of the black coffee he prepared, Harry relaxed in the chair for a moment. He felt Hermione cross the wards he had erected around his home, knowing she would be here soon. He replayed their last conversation with Girard in his mind. He let the memory wash over him for a moment, knowing she'd take some time to get up to the house.
"Hermione, I think its time that Harry knows what happened after you two fought, the morning after," Girard said. Hermione remained silent for several moments, giving Harry a chance to gather his own thoughts. He knew Ron was apart of the problem, but how much of the problem was she going to lay on Ron's doorstep?
"After the fight, I tried to find you, I truly did, but none of our friends knew where you were," she said. "Minerva said that you were at Oxford, so I took the day off, or as much as I could without losing my job. I got into a fight with Ron before we left, blaming him for doing this to us." She stopped her to wipe her tears, though Harry did not know what caused them. "He fought for the better part of the morning. It came down to him taking advantage of me, and me not knowing when to stand up for myself. I would have stopped talking to him, if I didn't feel like I needed him to help me find you. He needed to apologize too, or at least said he did.
"We quite arguing long enough to start looking for you," Hermione said. "I tried everything, looked every where at Oxford for you, and I couldn't find you. I wanted to spend a week, a month looking for you. Minerva asked me to keep teaching, telling me to try again when we both cooled down. I finally let Ron talk to me about a month after it happened. He apologized, and said he'd look for you. I take it he never did."
"Probably not," Harry said. "If he did, he didn't try very hard." He shrugged his shoulders, pushing back the anger at Ron to the hole below his heart. He let it settle there, knowing his heart would not let the anger grow anymore than necessary. Until it needed to grow. He nodded, letting Hermione continue. She gave him a half-hearted smile.
"I lost myself in my job after that, most of the days blur together now," she said. "Ron kept searching for you Harry, or at least said he did. For a long time, I really didn't talk to anyone, outside of faculty at Hogwarts."
"When did you get together with Ron?" Harry asked. He couldn't help it, the conversation was just going too slow. He knew they had to get together, what he really wanted to know was why they had, after all that Ron did to them. Or made them do to each other.
"At Lupin's and Tonks' wedding," Hermione said. She looked down at her lap. "I thought you were going to be there, I really did. I hoped to talk to about everything, maybe explain a few things, some of the things we've gone over here." He nodded again, knowing that if he had been there, they most likely would be having this conversation anyway. "But you weren't, and no one knew why. I don't think I've ever felt so alone in a crowded room.
"Ron began to talk to me again, apologized for what he did," Hermione said. "He said that he tried to talk to you, but you wouldn't listen. He never talked to you did he?" Her voice was growing angry now, and Harry just shook his head, knowing he was already redirecting his anger. "I should have known, I shouldn't have fallen so easily."
"You had nothing left Hermione," Harry said. "I left, and you only had one friend left, of course you are going to forgive , just to get him back into your life."
"Harry, stop defending me to myself," Hermione snapped. He sat back, shocked. Had he really done that? "I should have seen it then, and I didn't. You may be right, but I only compounded the problems by not doing what was right. I took the easier route." Her hands went up to her eyes brushing away the tears. He wanted to hold her, to apologize, but he knew she would not except it. He had apologized for leaving as he did, that was about all he could apologize for. Even Girard agreed with him on that. "I forced you to leave, and then let everyone convince me you would come back. But I knew you wouldn't. Not until..." Her voice hitched at this. "Not until I apologized." She looked at him now, not worrying about the tears in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry Harry. I'm sorry for pushing you away and not looking for you. I just..." Her tears became too much now.
"You were scared," Harry said. He stood from his seat, and wrapped his arms around her. She broke down against him, and he could only hold on tighter. Ever since he had decided to forgive her, there was not much she could do to upset him. About this subject at least, since he had figured out most of what she did with Girard in one of his solo sessions long before he started going to the "couple's therapy" with Hermione.
Shaking his head, he released the memory, knowing he had been lost in it for quite some time. That night had been a huge stepping stone for them. While he had forgiven her, she had yet to forgive herself, at least before that night. Now she was beginning to, slowly and surely, forgive herself. She had been surprised at his lack of anger with her, but he explained he had used that all up already, and now was reserving that mainly for Ron and Molly.
"You lost in thought?" Harry turned to see McGonagall sitting down next to him. He gave her a smile before assenting the comment. "Did you invite Hermione?"
"Yeah, but she had already excepted her parents invitation," Harry said. "We're getting better. She's starting to forgive herself, and I convinced her to see Dr. Girard by herself."
"You still seeing him?"
"Once a month, though, just to help out with the final kinks in my system." He looked back out toward the window catching Hermione's eyes as she passed by a window. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to let in an old friend." McGonagall nodded, giving him a comforting smile as he stood from his chair.
The rest of the group had been told of Hermione's late arrival, which lead him to a lack of surprise as Mary and Glenn beat him to the door, opening it to let in a burst of cold air. "Should let them host the next party." Harry mumbled, knowing they had repeated the same thing for McGonagall, and Lupin and Tonks.
Hermione handed two gifts to the younger children, causing them to give her quick hugs before sprinting back to the corner they were playing in. "Glad you could make it," Harry said. Before she got a chance to reply, the women in the room, with the exception of McGonagall rushed over to her.
They all were talking very high and very quickly. And he could not understand a single word any other them said as they pulled Hermione out of the front door and back to the kitchen. With a shrug, he walked back to the fire place, sitting in his seat next to McGonagall.
"Stole your thunder?" she asked with a hint of amusement.
"Perhaps," Harry said. "I just wanted the chance to say hello at least." She gave him a knowing smile.
"You'll get your chance Harry," McGonagall said. "Now tell me more about your apprenticeship. Ollivander doesn't give them out to just anyone, you have to prove your worth to him."
"I know, bugger didn't give a damn that I defeated Voldemort, said he still had to see if I had the mettle for the job," Harry said. He crossed his arms and let his weight rest against the chair. He got the Headmistress to giggle, which made him smile. "No, for the most part, its been fun. We've started small, with some basic enchantments and going over the materials. You understand there is a limitless amount of combinations. I bet that any time in the world, no two people have the same wand measurements. I'm talking basic, wood type, length, and core type."
"Seems like you found something new to entertain yourself with," she spoke with a knowing smile on her lips.
"Its more than that," Harry said. "I've been talking to him about increasing his business, maybe expanding the store to include some rare books and artifacts that we find or create ourselves. He's not limited to just wands."
"Looking for something new to work on then?"
"I don't need the money, my projects, like the radio station are just something I do to pass the time and do something I find fun," Harry said. "That's what a job should be right? Something you'd do for free?"
"In theory," McGonagall said. "But often people are forced into positions that they do not want to be in, simple to sustain their way of life, or their life in general."
"I know. I worked in London for two years, and after only six months there, I set up a charity for some of the homeless to work for." McGonagall peaked up at this, something that didn't surprise him. Most people thought it was a wonderful idea, he was just glad it worked. "Basically, they unpack goods that I buy, and then repack them in crates for shipping to some of the third-world nations. Not much, but it gives them something to be proud of." They sat in silence, and Harry could only guess that she was thinking about his actions.
"You never cease to amaze me Harry," she said after a few moments. "Even with the burdens you carry, you lift more onto your shoulders. If I could, I'd try and grab you as a professor, simple because I know that your experience alone would serve as a teaching tool for the students. To learn what is good and how to do something altruistic."
"There is no such thing as altruism, ma'am," Harry said.
"Your life would a contrast to that, Harry." He turned to see Hermione walking up behind his chair. She hugged him from around his chair, before taking a seat across from McGonagall.
"How are your parents, Hermione?" McGonagall asked. Harry just nodded, slightly in shock that she had hugged him. They had been reserved about such acts for the last several months, reaffirming the boundaries of their friendship. It surprised him a great deal then, when he realized how much he missed being hugged by her, and hugging her just the same.
"They're fine; I finally told them about what has been happening here," Hermione said. "Well to me at least. They weren't proud of my decisions, and we spent a great deal talking about it." She paused before looking over at Harry for a moment.
They're happy I'm mending bridges with you Harry."
"I thought we decided on building new ones?" Harry asked, jokingly. She shook her head her eyes drawn in determination.
"You let me fix the first one, the one that started our friendship," Hermione said. "Even after you tore into me that night, you still let me fix this. I don't think I could ever thank you enough."
"I'll be honest, I didn't do this for you at the start," Harry said. Hermione nodded, probably guessing that was the case. "I did this for me, so that I could move on with my life. I wanted a chance at normalcy and I thought that if I talked to you, and maybe worked things out, I could move on."
"What about now?" Hermione asked. Harry looked at her for a moment, cataloging that McGonagall had gotten up from her chair.
"I think we're settling into a good normal as friends again," harry said. "I'm not quite ready to be best friends, but I think I can live with just friends for now."
"For now," Hermione nodded. They sat in a comfortable silence, one that Harry felt happy to have again. They never needed words to have a conversation or to be comfortable in the presence of each other. It was one of his favorite things about their relationship, that he could enjoy silence and not feel the need to fill the void.
He didn't know how long was, but Hermione was the first to break the silence. "Harry? Would you be interested in going to a party with me? As a friend?" She added the last part quickly, a blush on her face. He knew she wanted to get back to where they were, and was worried about not being able to. Hell, she had told him that in therapy. But right now, he needed to take it slow. To redefine where they each stood with each other. Mainly to make sure he didn't rush in like a fool again.
"Who's party?" Harry asked. Hermione looked away at this point, biting her lower lip.
"Fred and George's," Hermione said. Before he got a chance to respond, Race-car Hermione took off at the green light. "They hold one every year at this main shop. Its private so it'll probably be only people you know, or rather knew. You could probably dodge the Weasleys pretty easily, though the twins might rope you in. Its a really big thing and its a lot of fun. Most of it is at least as they prank people all night. They know not to do that to me, but its kinda funny to see it happen to other people. Not that is a good thing , but they always manage to get Ron with their newest creations. I mean last year they-"
"Hermione," Harry said. He leaned over and placed a hand on her arm. She calmed down immediately before blushing under his gaze. He kept his hand there as she looked at him for a moment before looking away. "Its okay, relax." He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he took her hands in his own. "Now, will Molly be there?"
"Yes, Harry, but you can easily avoid her," Hermione started up again. Harry gave her another look as she settled back down. He moved to the edge of his seat to talk to her in a soft voice.
"You've telling me too much for what I need to know," Harry said. "I trust you when you say that I can avoid her easily, but I don't won't to avoid her."
"You don't?" Her brow creased as her eyes stared at him, the confusion easily painted there.
"No," Harry said. He leaned back in his chair, letting go of her hands as he did. She looked slightly disappointed as he dropped his hands. He tried to ignore the light flutter and voice in his head telling him to pick them back up again. Damn voice was getting louder by the week. "No, I want to see her face when she realizes I'm back."
"What are you going to do?"
"I want to show her I'm not going to be pushed around," harry said. He shrugged his shoulders.
"The how is the only question now. I think of something as I go along."
"Still flying by the seat of your pants?" Hermione gave him a knowing grin. He smiled back, nodding
slightly.
"There are few things in my life that I plan more than a month ahead, my education being the only one," Harry said. "I don't like time tables because I feel they constrict me too much. But without them I tend to get off track."
"You are a walking contradiction sometimes you know that?" Hermione said. Time passed them for a moment, then she asked again. "So do you want to go with me?"
"I think I'd love to," harry said honestly. She beamed at him, and sat forward with the look in her eyes like she wanted to tackle him with a hug. But she just grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.
"Thank you," Hermione said. She held the hand for a minute or two - could have been twenty for all Harry knew, he barely felt time pass - before dropping it slowly.
I0I
Harry walked into the party without much fanfare. That alone was going to make his entrance even more memorable. He saw several people that he went to school with. Finnegan and Brown were stand off to the side, taking with Thomas. the former two had to be together, or otherwise completely blind to each other with how they were standing. Boot was talking with the Patils, as Finch-Fletchley came over. There were others, but he only caught the eyes of those few. And he saw the fear and confusion in them.
Hermione had walked off with Ginny, the two talking about one thing or another. Ginny had approached him only days before, to talk to him. About "repairing what she could of his trust". Her exact words. He told her he needed time, and for her not to get angry with what he was going to do. When she asked, he just gave her a smile and told her that Molly would receiving a Howler in person.
The twins were off talking to some other people, and judging by the the crowd surrounding them, testing a new product. He wasn't too sure if said product would lead to profit for them, and ultimately him, but at the moment that wasn't his concern.
He was watching Molly. The woman was currently talking to a group of people from the Order. Or at least when he had led the Order. Lupin and Tonks were there too, and looked pained to be there, stuck in that situation. They forced themselves into it though, and Harry knew they had done some to get him back into their lives, but not enough. Oh, he forgave them, he just wasn't above a little bit of compensation in terms he designed. After today though, things would be square, or about as square as they could get at the moment.
He wished Luna was here, but he knew that she would never set foot into an area with Ron in it, not after his actions against her. He was honestly surprised that Hermione still entered the same room as Ron, but he knew that Hermione would never stop surprising him.
Ron walked like he owned the place, which was funny, coming from a guy who owned more than a quarter of the business himself. Harry watched as Ron talked and made his way through the crowd. He pretended to drink out of the glass he had, although he never would touch the stuff. There was alcohol in the glass, and the smell called to him. He wanted to drink it so badly, just for a little courage, a little strength. That's all he needed really. One sip, what would it hurt? No one had to know; it was just him and -
No.
No, he made a promise.
His hand went to his pocket and held onto a small pocket watch that Mary had gotten him for Christmas though, holding her picture on one side and the other side left open from what said would his daughter. The gift touched him, and his tightened his grip on the watch. His promise would be broken by this vice. He would not be broken.
He set down the drink and turned around, away from the direction that Ron was looking at. He wasn't surprised to see the twins there. The crowd that was around them was gone. Fred spoke first, or at least, Harry thought it was Fred. He honestly didn't care.
"Harry, glad to see you poking your head into the world again."
"Yes, must say its been a long time." George continued. Harry rolled his eyes. Crap, they were starting the twin speak shit. He didn't have time for this.
"What about six years?"
"About that I think, maybe closer to seven."
"It was seven, and if you two have anything important to tell me, get on with it," Harry said.
"Do you really think we didn't realize when you bought some of our stocks and assets?" Fred asked. The twins grew rather serious, which was not a surprise for Harry, but it did not do the two of them justice. Clashed with their personalities it seemed.
"Yes, by our count, you own about a quarter of our business," George added. Harry nodded, not seeing an actually question yet that needed his answer. "Now, that got us thinking. Why would he do that?"
"After all, he walked out on this world."
"Or did he? We only know that there was a tiff between you and Ron." George and Fred look at each other before looking back at Harry. He raised an eyebrow in response, still waiting to answer their question. If they ever got to it.
"About Hermione, wasn't it?
"Yes, and then Ron started dating her."
"But we never saw them together, not til the Lupins' wedding at least," Fred stopped here, letting the words sink in. Or they would have had Harry not already spoken them in therapy.
"So what really happened then, Harry?"
"What did Ron do to make you leave?"
"No, what did he do to Hermione to make you leave?" Both twins began to nod at this. Harry looked between them for a moment. In a round about away, they had come to his rational of thinking. Although they did not apologize to him, he began to question if the twins ever needed to apologize to him. They had always stayed out of the disputes that Harry had first had with Molly. In private they even sided with him. They trusted him more then they let on, and he still did not know how much they trusted him.
"Do you really want to know?" Harry caught Hermione's eye as she began to walk across the room to them. The store had to be enlarged , there was no way that all of this could fit in the store that he helped pay for.
"It'd be nice, especially if Ronniekins screwed up again." The twins shared a smile at this.
"He did more than that Fred," Harry said. "Possible committed a few crimes along with it, but lets save those for the finale." The twins's faces grew pale, both of them stammering to get out words.
"Did he....?" George started, but he could not finish. Fred didn't have much luck either. Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Bugger's the only one that knows," Harry said. He felt a shift in the room. "He's coming this way isn't he?" The twins nodded. Harry took a deep breath before letting go of the pocket watch and taking his hands out of his pocket. He should have brought his wand, not that he needed it, just would have hidden a couple of his final secrets from the general public. "Well, I guess the show is starting early."
-->