Everything

Harry sat at the worn kitchen table of Grimmauld Place, staring absently at the morning light filtering through the dusty window. Kreacher had already set a simple breakfast in front of him, but Harry’s thoughts were miles away. The sudden arrival of an owl interrupted his reverie, and with a flutter of wings, the bird deposited a letter in front of him before settling on a perch. He recognized the handwriting immediately—Ron and Hermione. With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, Harry opened the letter. As he read, a small smile formed on his lips.

“Dear Harry,

We hope you’re doing well. We’ve got exciting news! Our graduation ceremony is coming up on June 20, and we would love for you to be there. It won’t be the same without you. We can’t wait to see you again!

Love,
Ron and Hermione”

Harry’s heart warmed at the thought of seeing his friends again, but the realization that Charlie might also attend sent a wave of nervousness through him. Despite this, he quickly penned a response, agreeing to come.

“Dear Ron and Hermione,

Congratulations on your graduation! I’d be honored to attend. I’m looking forward to seeing you both.

Best,
Harry”

After attaching the letter to the owl’s leg and watching it fly off into the sky, Harry sat back down, the weight of his decision settling over him. June 20 was just around the corner. The thought of seeing Charlie again made his stomach churn with a mix of excitement and dread.

“There’s no turning back now,” he muttered to himself, trying to shake off the anxiety that clung to him. He took a deep breath and forced himself to focus on the present. For now, there were still tasks to be done, and he couldn’t afford to let his nerves get the better of him.

Harry was grateful for the day off. With the graduation ceremony just days away, he knew he needed to find suitable robes. The familiar streets of Diagon Alley bustled with activity as he made his way to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. The bell above the door jingled as he stepped inside, and the comforting smell of fabric and enchantments filled the air.

"Harry Potter!" Madam Malkin exclaimed, bustling over with a warm smile. "It's been too long, dear. What can I do for you today?" Harry returned her smile, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him.

"I need some new robes for a graduation ceremony at Hogwarts. Something that fits the occasion." Madam Malkin clapped her hands together.

"Of course, of course! Step right over here. We'll find you something perfect." She led him to a fitting area and began pulling various robes from the racks. "How have you been, Harry? It's not often we see you around here." As she took his measurements and adjusted the fabric around him, they chatted.

"I've been... managing," Harry replied, trying to keep his tone light. "Started a new job recently. It’s been keeping me busy."

"That's wonderful to hear," she said, pinning a hem in place. "And what about your personal life? Any special someone we should know about?" Harry hesitated, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.

"No one special," he said, avoiding her eyes. "Just focusing on work and settling into Grimmauld Place." Madam Malkin nodded understandingly, not pressing further.

"Well, it’s always good to take your time. These things have a way of working themselves out when you least expect it." Harry smiled gratefully at her discretion. As she continued tailoring his robes, they talked about lighter topics—the latest trends in wizarding fashion, the upcoming Quidditch season, and even some humorous stories from her shop. After what felt like no time at all, Madam Malkin stepped back to admire her work. "There you go, Harry. These should be just right for the ceremony. You look very handsome." Harry looked at himself in the mirror, appreciating the fine craftsmanship. The robes were a deep emerald green, tailored perfectly to his frame.

"Thank you, Madam Malkin. These are great." She beamed at him.

"My pleasure, dear. And don’t be a stranger! Come by anytime." With his new robes neatly wrapped and tucked under his arm, Harry left the shop, feeling a bit lighter. The conversation had done him good, and for a moment, he allowed himself to look forward to the ceremony, despite the anxiety that still lurked in the back of his mind.

When Harry got home, he immediately went upstairs to his bedroom, eager to try on the new robes. He took them out of the neatly wrapped package, feeling the smooth, high-quality fabric between his fingers. The emerald green shimmered slightly in the light, and he couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. He stood in front of the mirror, carefully putting on the robes. As he adjusted the collar and smoothed out the wrinkles, his thoughts drifted to Charlie. He wondered what Charlie would say if he were here right now, seeing him in these new robes. Harry’s heart ached with longing, missing the warmth of Charlie’s presence.

"You look handsome in every fit, love." Harry froze, his heart pounding. He had heard Charlie’s voice so clearly, as if he were standing right beside him. He looked around the room, but of course, he was alone. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.

"Get a grip, Harry," he muttered to himself, though a small, sad smile tugged at his lips. Despite the painful reminder of Charlie’s absence, the voice brought a sense of comfort. It was as if Charlie were still watching over him, offering silent support even from afar. Harry turned back to the mirror, straightening his robes and trying to imagine Charlie’s approving smile.

"You'll be okay," he whispered to his reflection. "One step at a time." He took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside him. He knew the graduation ceremony would be challenging, especially if Charlie was there. But he also knew he couldn't hide forever. With renewed determination, Harry decided to focus on the present and prepare himself for the upcoming event, one step closer to facing his past and his unresolved feelings.

Harry was given the task of delivering an artifact to Hogsmeade, a trip he welcomed as it would provide a brief escape from his usual routine. The artifact, a beautifully crafted silver amulet, was wrapped securely in a velvet pouch. As he made his way to the village, the familiar sights and sounds brought back a flood of memories from his school days. Upon arriving in Hogsmeade, Harry decided to stop by the Three Broomsticks for a quick drink. As he entered, he was pleasantly surprised to see Ron, Hermione, Neville, Seamus, and Dean gathered around a table, engaged in animated conversation. Their faces lit up when they spotted him, and they beckoned him over with enthusiastic waves.

“Harry!” Ron exclaimed, clapping him on the back as he joined them. “Long time no see, mate!” Harry smiled, feeling a warm rush of nostalgia.

“Good to see you all. How have you been?” After the initial excitement and greetings, they settled into a comfortable conversation. Hermione leaned forward, her eyes filled with concern.

“How are you doing, Harry? We’ve been worried about you.” Harry took a moment to consider his words.

“I’m managing. Got a job in Diagon Alley, trying to keep busy. But it’s… it’s been tough.” Neville nodded sympathetically.

“We heard about what happened at the Reserve. Must have been hard for you.” Harry nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.

“It was. I miss it there, despite everything.” Ron, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly spoke up.

“Harry, did you know Charlie has been thinking about quitting the Reserve?” Harry’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Ron in shock.

“What? Why?”

“His new boss is a real piece of work,” Ron explained, his expression darkening. “Won’t give Charlie any time off. He’s been under a lot of stress, and he’s seriously considering leaving.” A mix of relief and disappointment washed over Harry. While part of him felt a little more at ease knowing he wouldn’t have to face Charlie just yet, another part of him felt a deepening sense of concern. Something was clearly wrong at the Reserve, and his longing for Charlie intensified. Hermione placed a comforting hand on Harry’s arm.

“It’s not fair to either of you. Maybe you should talk to him, Harry. Even if it’s just a letter.” Harry nodded, though his mind was already racing with thoughts of the Reserve and what might be happening there.

“Yeah, maybe I will.” As they continued to talk, Harry couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to find out more about the situation at the Reserve. His friends' support bolstered his resolve, and he knew he couldn’t ignore the pull any longer.

Returning to work at Enchanted Artifacts after his encounter in Hogsmeade left Harry with a troubled mind. As he navigated through the bustling shop, his thoughts swirled with questions and concerns about Charlie and the Reserve. The weight of uncertainty hung heavily upon him, casting a shadow over his usual composure. His troubled state of mind led to a moment of uncharacteristic outburst when a customer approached him with a question about a particular artifact. Irritated and distracted, Harry snapped at the customer, his tone sharper than intended. The customer recoiled, clearly taken aback by Harry’s unexpected reaction. Ambrose, the owner of Enchanted Artifacts, witnessed the exchange from across the room and hurried over to intervene. Sensing Harry’s distress, he approached with a furrowed brow, concern etched into his features.

“Harry, what’s going on?” Ambrose inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern. “That’s not like you.” Harry took a deep breath, his frustration momentarily abating in the face of Ambrose’s calm presence.

“Sorry, Ambrose. It’s just… I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Ambrose nodded understandingly, his expression sympathetic.

“I can see that. Want to talk about it?” Harry hesitated, torn between the desire to confide in Ambrose and the instinct to keep his troubles to himself. After a moment of internal struggle, he relented, realizing that he could use a sympathetic ear.

“It’s… it’s about a friend of mine,” Harry began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “He’s going through a rough time, and I’m worried about him.” Ambrose listened attentively as Harry poured out his worries about Charlie and the difficult situation at the Reserve. As Harry spoke, the weight of his concerns felt slightly lighter, knowing that he had someone to share his burdens with. After Harry had finished recounting the events of the day, a realization dawned upon him like a sudden burst of clarity. He looked up at Ambrose, determination burning in his eyes.

“Ambrose, I need to go back,” Harry declared, his voice resolute. “I can’t stay here knowing that Charlie needs me.” Ambrose nodded solemnly, his expression understanding.

“I understand. You need to do what’s right for you and your friend.”

"He's not just my friend sir." With a sense of purpose coursing through him, Harry knew that he couldn’t ignore the call to action any longer. He had to return to the Reserve, to face whatever challenges lay ahead and to stand by Charlie’s side through it all. And with that newfound resolve, he set out to make preparations for his journey back.

After three months of attempting to live a "normal" life in England, Harry reached a pivotal decision. The news that Charlie and the others at the Reserve were saddled with an incompetent and unjust boss, who denied Charlie the opportunity to attend his siblings' graduation ceremony, served as the final straw. With a heavy heart but a resolute spirit, Harry made the decision to return to the Romanian Dragon Reserve. In the quiet solitude of Grimmauld Place 12, Harry began the solemn task of packing his belongings, each item a silent reminder of the life he was leaving behind. Memories of laughter and warmth mingled with the ache of longing for the companionship he had found at the Reserve. As he carefully folded his clothes and gathered his belongings, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of urgency that pulsed through him, driving him ever closer to his inevitable departure. With each item packed away, Harry felt a sense of closure settle over him, a quiet acceptance of the path he had chosen. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty, but he also knew that he couldn't ignore the call to action that tugged at his heartstrings. Charlie needed him, and Harry was determined to stand by his side, no matter the cost. Before he left, Harry sought out Kreacher, the faithful house elf who had dutifully looked after Grimmauld Place 12 in Harry's absence. With a solemn expression, Harry entrusted Kreacher with the care of the house, knowing that it would be in good hands during his absence.

"Look after the place, Kreacher," Harry instructed, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I'll be back soon." Kreacher nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with understanding.

"Master Harry will always have a home here," he declared, his voice unwavering in its loyalty. With a final glance around the familiar surroundings of Grimmauld Place 12, Harry stepped out into the cool night air, his heart heavy with anticipation for the journey ahead. As he Disapparated from sight, the weight of his decision lifted from his shoulders, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The road back to the Reserve would be long and arduous, but Harry knew that he was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him, all for the chance to stand by Charlie's side once more.