One shots pt 2

As simple as asking a house elf

The first night at Shell cottage after escaping Voldemort’s headquarters, Harry Potter couldn’t sleep. He ended up staring down at the small grave he had dug for Dobby. He kept going over everything that happened at Malfoy manor. The first thing he realised was he believed he was now the owner of the elder wand. He would need to ask Mr Ollivander more about wands and wand lore before he knew if he was right or not. He would also have to make sure no one found out that he owned it, if he did own it.

The second thing Harry thought about was how Bellatrix Lestrange acted when she believed he, Hermione and Ron had been in her vault. He wasn’t sure why she believed that when she saw the sword of Gryffindor or why the sword would be in her vault in the first place.

Then it clicked, ‘It wasn’t the sword that made her angry, she had something else in her vault she was worried about. V…Tom had given Malfoy the diary, he must have given Bellatrix something as well. It would have to be the diadem or the goblet.’

Harry realised he was right and was surprised that he hadn’t thought of it before. If Voldemort was going to give one horcrux to a trusted supporter like Malfoy, he would do it again and Bellatrix was one of his most faithful. Hagrid had told him that Gringotts was one of the safest places to keep anything of value. The Lestrange’s had been in Azkaban since they attacked the Longbottom’s and Hagrid had told him that their home had been destroyed when people found out what they did to Neville’s parents.

‘It makes sense though that if…Tom gave her one of his items, she would keep it in her vault as it was safer than a home. A home could be destroyed, Gringotts could not.’

‘If it’s in Gringotts, how in the name of merlin am I supposed to get it?’ Harry groaned, ‘It’s impossible. I could be sucked into a vault, that the goblins don’t check for years. I bet the old man never thought of that, or if he did, then he would know how hopeless it was,’ Harry glanced up at the house and thought he could speak with Griphook, work on a deal or just tell him that Bellatrix had a stolen item in her vault. Harry wasn’t sure if that would help. Goblins probably wouldn’t care if something was stolen, or dark like a horcrux was inside Gringotts. He also thought of speaking with Bill. Apart from working for the goblins, he was also a curse breaker. He would know if it was possible to get inside Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault.

Harry stood staring down at Dobby’s grave trying to figure out how to get into Bellatrix’ vault. Then it clicked, again.

‘Kreacher,’ Harry called. Seconds later the old elf appeared before.

‘Master Harry is safe.’

‘Yeah, we’re fine Kreacher. Are you okay? Did the death eater see you?’

‘No Master Harry, Kreacher stayed hidden and watched the nasty death eater.’

‘Good. I need to ask you something.’

‘Kreacher answer Master Harry.’

‘You belong to me, but before Sirius died, you were a Black elf which allowed you to go see Narcissa and Bellatrix. If I allowed it, could you go to them again?’

‘Yes, Master Harry. I still belong to Black and Potter because Harry Potter has Black blood.’

‘Yeah, Sirius explained about my great grandmother. Okay, here’s what I need to know. Could you, as a Black elf, go into a Gringotts vault that belongs to Bellatrix or Narcissa?’

‘Kreacher can Master Harry, just as I can go into your vault if master Harry wishes Kreacher too.’

‘I might get you to do that after Kreacher. Okay, the locket, I still plan to destroy it, but there are other items like it. Regulus didn’t know that Kreacher, but I worked out that there’s one in Bellatrix’s vault. I need you to go get it and bring it here.’

‘Master Regulus died for nothing.’

‘No, Kreacher. You made us all know the truth about Master Regulus. He was a good man. If we can get these other items, then they can be destroyed at the same time.’

‘Then Kreacher get the dark magic item from Bellatrix’s vault. What is it Master Harry?’

‘I’m not positive, but it’s either a gold goblet that belonged to Helga Hufflepuff or a diadem that belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. It could be something that belonged to Godric Gryffindor, but I don’t think so. We’ve pretty much ruled out something that belonged to Gryffindor.’

‘Gold goblet or crown. Do you want Kreacher to go now?’

‘Yes, please Kreacher, just be careful.’

‘Kreacher do Master Harry,’ the elf disappeared with a small pop.

‘Okay, if he brings one back, then we need to find the last one before the snake. I still have no idea where it would be.’

Before Harry could think about where Voldemort would hide one of his horcruxes, Kreacher returned.

‘It’s dark Master Harry.’

‘Hufflepuff’s cup,’ Harry had Kreacher put it on the ground, ‘Apart from V…you-know-who’s snake, there is one more of these I have to find but I have no idea where it would be. I have a suspicion it might be at Hogwarts. Even though Hermione doesn’t believe one is at Hogwarts, I do.’

‘If one is at Hogwarts Master Harry then Kreacher could search. Kreacher could also ask Hogwarts house elves for good hiding places.’

‘Because Snape is there, that could be dangerous. He would recognise you. For now, I would like you to search Hogwarts without anyone finding out, especially Snape or any other death eater that might be there. If it begins to take too long, we might be able to find out if the other house elves could help, without telling Snape. But Kreacher, you need to sleep and eat.’

‘House elves know when they need to rest master Harry.’

‘Okay, then if you could, begin your search. If you happen to hear anything while you are there, anything important, let me know but the item is the main priority. It should be the diadem of Ravenclaw, but there is a slim chance it’s an item that belonged to Gryffindor.’

‘Kreacher go now and begin searching, Master Harry.’

Harry watched as the old elf disappeared before he glanced down at the little grave once again.

‘I believe you have been helping Dobby, thank you. Hopefully, it means this will be over soon.’

That following morning, Bill was up first, like always. He checked the house and the wards. As a curse breaker, he was trained in all types of wards. Due to how many dark wards there were and the different types of dark spells could be used to bring down wards, Bill had never told his mother that he had to study dark magic so he would know how to recognise them. He found, during his training, that some of his diagnostic spells would give him a feeling when he was in close proximity to extremely dark magic.

That is why Bill was now standing outside the room that his younger brother and his two friends were staying in. He sense dark magic and his examination of the wards told him there was something very dark inside the house.

‘Why would three teenagers have something dark?’ Bill said to himself in a whisper, or he thought it was to himself.

‘They were given some type of job by Albus, love,’ Fleur said as she stepped beside him. She also spoke in a whisper.

‘Yeah, which is another thing that confuses me. He had the whole order at his disposal and gets Ron, Harry and Hermione to do something that they can’t talk about. Now I find there is something very dark in that room.’

‘Hermione will never tell you, not if Albus told her not to. Ron, he fancy’s Hermione, so I don’t believe he will say anything, otherwise he could upset her. I believe you should ask Harry. He trusts you and he does know what you do but he might not know the extent of what you have done for your work.’

‘You make sense love. Alright, I’ll wait until Ron and Hermione are eating and I will get you to distract them so I can speak with Harry. I just can’t figure out why those three would have something dark.’

‘They would never support him or dark magic so it must have something to do with this job Albus gave them.’

‘Yeah, I still don’t understand why though. Those three might have been involved in a lot of things at Hogwarts over the years but they shouldn’t be exposed to dark magic. They aren’t trained to deal with it. Look what happened to Albus. Snape might have killed him but we all saw his cursed hand. He was leaving Hogwarts, often and he also took Harry with him the night he died. If a dark curse did that to Albus and I’m sure it was dark, he’s gotten three teenagers involved. I won’t allow any of them to end up cursed due to that old man’s secrets.’

‘Not just his secrets. Many of us had begun to believe he was going senile. A lot of his decisions didn’t make sense. Let’s get some breakfast while we wait for them to wake. It won’t be soon. With how Hermione looked yesterday when they arrived here, she won’t wake for a while and we know your brother will sleep as long as possible.’

‘Let’s hope Harry is the first down then you won’t need to distract them.’

After eating, Fleur had taken some food up to Garrick Ollivander and the goblin. Just as she entered her kitchen, Luna and Dean had joined them. Both teenagers helped Fleur cook their breakfast before they sat down. It was an hour later that Bill looked up to see Harry walk into the room. He gave his wife a nod who got Harry a cup of tea while Bill made it look like he just happened to be pouring himself another cup. Then he whispered.

‘I need to speak with you in private and it’s urgent. Come outside with me.’

‘Ah, sure,’ Harry’s brow furrowed as he followed Ron’s older brother outside, ‘What’s up Bill?’

‘You know what I do for a living, right?’

‘I know you’re a curse breaker even if I’m not sure exactly what you do.’

‘I may explain it to you another time. One of my skills I learned was sensing dark magic. It allows me to be ready when trying to break a dark curse. I had to study for two years, all on dark magic. I never told my mother that as she would have gone on about it turning me dark. It won’t, but you have to be trained. I know there is something in the room you are using that’s dark, extremely dark. I test the wards every morning and night but due to you three arriving last night, I did forget otherwise I would have sensed it then. I know Albus gave you three a job and I know he cursed his hand with some type of dark magic. That could have been prevented if he asked me to check the item that cursed him. I know Albus believes in secrets and in some cases he should. But he also isn’t trained in the same type of magic I am. One of Albus’s many faults is that he believes he knows more than anyone else. Is that dark magic in that room to do with the job Albus gave you three?’

‘Yes, and I thought he was crazy Bill. He had the whole order there yet he tells me and only me about this dark magic that I know nothing about. He wouldn’t allow me in order meetings yet he told me about this dark magic. He also charmed the dark arts books at headquarters so I couldn’t read them. I can now but we couldn’t stay there. I don’t even know how to destroy it without getting cursed like he did. To be honest, I didn’t trust that man at all and I truly believe he had gone crazy. None of us ever saw any change in Snape. He supported kids from dark families and was verbally abusive to kids from light families, yet the old man included him in everything and trusted him. I have never trusted Snape. It’s why Hermione and I are not getting on like we used to. She still goes on about trusting Dumbledore when I haven’t trust him in years.’

‘Fleur and I were beginning to worry since so many of his decisions seemed…off. I mean, look what happened to you when the dementors found you in Surrey. If you had gone straight to headquarters, that many of us felt was the safest place, you never would have faced them or that trail. I know Sirius and Remus were both furious with Albus because of that. The order takes a vow when we join, we keep the secrets we have and we don’t reveal who the members are. I didn’t get a chance to study Albus’s hand but I know it was killing him, slowly and painfully. If you try destroying a dark object without knowing how, you could end up being cursed. I’m offering my services even if you can’t tell me what this job is.’

‘I will tell you as I believe the old man was wrong to not inform people like you or Mad-eye. I tried to get Ron and Hermione to agree with me, they wouldn’t. Hermione kept going on about trusting Dumbledore and how he gave the job to me and he only allowed me to tell them. I believe Hermione just likes having information no one else has. She hated not being involved in order meetings. She also knows how Ron feels about her, she is using that so he will side with her. It’s that reason why I’m doing things without them involved.’

‘Okay, so you have a dark item. Does it need to be destroyed?’

‘I have three items that need to be destroyed, the last is…his snake. Only then can he be killed. Do you know what a horcrux is?’

‘Fucking hell,’ Bill stared intensely at the young man in front of him, ‘The old man left you the job of destroying items cursed with the darkest of dark curses. If you did try to destroy them with spells or items not meant for the job, it would kill you and any person near you. You have three and the snake is another, four horcruxes.’

‘Six, altogether. I destroyed one when I was twelve, even if I didn’t know what it was at the time. The diary that possessed Ginny had was a horcrux. The old man destroyed a ring that cursed his hand.’

‘Six vessels and the piece left inside him for a seven part soul. Now it makes sense. Making one will begin to destroy his sanity, making six is the reason he is completely crazy. Okay, I know how to remove the soul from the item without destroying them, then I can destroy the soul pieces in one go. The snake will be tricky, unless we just kill it. Which might be the easiest thing to do.’

‘The three items I have used to belong to the founders Bill, so if you can remove the soul without destroying something so old, would be great. By the way, Ron and Hermione have no idea I have three, they only know of one, the locket that belonged to Salazar Slytherin. The locket was at Grimmauld place. It seems Regulus black, Sirius’s brother, who was a death eater, found out what his master was doing and wanted to stop him. He switched the real one with a fake and had Kreacher take it. He died but made Kreacher promise to destroy it. He couldn’t. I realised while studying it that it needs to be opened first and since he is a parselmouth, he probably used snake language which is why Kreacher couldn’t open it. Also, when your mother made us clean that stuff out of the house, we all tried opening that locket and couldn’t. It’s lucky I didn’t slip into snake language, I’ve done it before when I’ve stared at something that looks like a snake.’

‘Mum was an idiot Harry. She knew how dark the Blacks were yet she had all you teenagers, including Ginny, who was younger, touch those items. One item had begun to put you in an irreversible sleep. Any one of them could have killed you or in a permanent coma or you could have ended up like the Longbottom’s. She refused to listen to me even when I tried to explain. She still thinks I’m a child and don’t know anything. It’s lucky none of you were seriously hurt. Anyway, what are the other two items you have?’

‘Ravenclaw’s diadem and Hufflepuff’s cup. The cup was in Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault. If I didn’t think to ask Kreacher if he could go into a vault from someone from the Black family, we might never have been able to get it. There’s no way we could have broken into one of the high security vaults and lived. I did think of asking you if it would be possible but luckily, Kreacher was able to get it. After Kreacher brought that one to me, I asked him to secretly search Hogwarts. I knew that…he believed Hogwarts was his birthright since he is the last surviving heir of Slytherin, so Hogwarts meant a lot to him. Hermione refused to listen. She kept going on about the orphanage he was raised in since the ring was at his mother’s old house. He hated being raised by muggles so I know he wouldn’t have hidden one there. She refused to listen. It’s why I was trying to work things out on my own. I got tired of arguing with her, especially when she refuses to listen to anyone else. She was becoming as bad as Dumbledore. Anyway, Kreacher came to me with the diadem only an hour after I asked him to search Hogwarts. He said it was in the room of requirement but you had to think of all the lost things at Hogwarts. The house elves call it the room of lost things or the come and go room. Can you really remove the soul from the item?’

‘Yes, it’s a long and draining process but it can be done.’

‘Will it damage the item in any way?’

‘No, not with the ritual that calls the soul from the item. You seemed worried, why?’

Harry sighed, then put his hand to his lightning shaped scar, ‘I think there’s one in here. You know of the connection I have with him, right? I sometimes seen through his eyes, I’ve seen him torture and kill. I feel him when he’s really angry.’

‘We found out about that when you saved dad from the snake. But sorry Harry, that must be hard on you. Hang on, I heard Sirius talking to Remus about that. Sirius said you saw the attack through the snake’s eyes and you said you felt like it was you who attacked dad. The two soul pieces connected, which is why you thought it was you and why you saw the whole thing. You said you think ones there, but I’m positive there is. Didn’t Albus tell you?’

‘No, so that’s why I’m not sure if there is or not, but after what you said, now I know its true. Why wouldn’t he tell me and how is…he supposed to die, by my hand like the prophecy said if I have one stuck in my head?’

‘I can remove that as well. I’ve never done one with a person before but I have read up on them. It will hurt but you’ll be fine after. Okay, he never told you, do you think he told Hermione or Ron?’

‘No, if he did, I would be able to tell by the looks they would give me. Neither of them are good at hiding how they feel, especially when they feel sorry for me or they think I’m doing something wrong. Do you think he told someone else?’

‘If you do have one behind your scar, which I believe you do, then you would need to know…unless,’ Bill stared at the young man in front of him.

‘Unless what?’

‘Ginny and I have always been close, but she is spoilt. Anyway, she told me about the chamber, how you almost died saving her. She explained what she knew of other things that happened to you at Hogwarts. She’s a bit obsessed with you. I’ve been trying to get through to her. She’s in love with the-boy-who-lived, not Harry, her brother’s friend. I think I’ve finally got her convinced. Anyway, sidetracked. She told me everything she knew, like the philosophers stone in your first year. The detention in the forbidden forest. The dementors in your third year, the triwizard tournament in your fourth year, then Snape and Umbridge. Harry, don’t you see, Albus believes the items need to be destroyed, which means you have to be destroyed.’

Harry sighed as he nodded, ‘I suspected he wanted me dead but I knew no one would believe me if I told them that someone as respected as Dumbledore wanted me dead.’ Harry had to shake himself, ‘Okay, you said you can remove it, but he expects me to die. I’m a fighter, I won’t just lay my wand on the ground and let someone kill me. I’ve gotten lucky heaps of times and I know that my mother’s protection is still helping me. There’s no guarantee I would die so there’s no way for…him to die, not as the old man believes.’

‘Unless he did tell someone else about these items and you. Now we know he trusted Snape, but this is about the safety of our world and everyone in it, including people he does care about. I don’t think it was Snape. I believe there are two people who he might have told, so they could tell you. Minerva, they have been friends for around forty years, the same with Mad-eye. I also know that Minerva has not helped you as your head of house like she should have, like when she left out the extra information in your Hogwarts letters. All muggleborn or raised have that extra letter so they will know how to get into Diagon alley or platform nine three quarters along with the night bus and how to find St Mungo’s. All that makes me suspicious that she’s the one that knows. But it still could have been Mad-eye. Mad-eye’s dead so he’s out. If he only told Mad-eye than he really was risking our world. I know he’s known Doge and Diggle since he was young but neither are the type of people you would trust something like this too. If they were captured, they would instantly spill everything they knew if they had the cruciatus cursed used on them.’

‘Okay, say he told McGonagall, how does that help?’

‘Harry, don’t you see, he believed once you knew that, you would do what you’ve done before, do anything to help. He believed you would allow yourself to be killed if it meant protecting your friends.’

‘Then he didn’t know me at all. Like I said, I’m a fighter, I have a shit life but I’m still fighting to get a decent life and I will continue to try to get what I want. Apart from that, I only really care about Neville and Luna, everyone else I’ve been close to had betrayed me at one time or another. You’re brother has twice and Hermione twice. I’ve started to become close to Fleur, along with you, the twins and a few others but it will take me a long time before I will trust anyone else. Ron’s been the worst, but Hermione is almost as bad. There is no way I would give up my life for people like Fudge, Umbridge, even for Hermione and Ron. I will fight and I will try to protect them but I won’t die for them. I might have thought about it if it meant saving Sirius, since he’s the only person I ever loved but I wouldn’t for anyone else.’

‘I don’t blame you. Fleur went right off at Ron when he turned up here. It took him a while but he finally told us why he left. I know from Charlie about how Ron treated you when you were selected as a champion in the triwizard tournament. I know it will take you a long time to forgive Ron, if you ever do. What did Hermione do, apart from trying to tell you what to do all the time?’

‘Third year, which wasn’t that bad but enough to make me not trust her. I got my Firebolt, with no card. She went straight to McGonagall, who confiscated it. It wasn’t the fact that they wanted the broom checked for curses, it was the fact that Hermione didn’t speak to me about her concerns. She went behind my back about me. I almost didn’t forgive her for that. She always believed it was her right to decide things about me. The worst was recently. All during our last year at Hogwarts, she called me a cheat and liar because I used a different potion instructions to her and my potions turned out better. She hates the fact that I always beat her in defence against the dark arts, then I begin to beat her in potions and she hated it and hated me. She was a right bitch to me at times. I really didn’t want her to come with me in this but I didn’t want the headache at all the arguing. It’s why she continues to argue because she knows I’ll say enough and give in. I knew one of the items was at Hogwarts, she refused to believe me, yet I was right. If I told her, she wouldn’t even apologise. It’s the main reason I’m doing things myself without them knowing.’

‘Alright, I get it now and I doubt I would forgive her if she did that to me. I need you to secure those items before someone accidentally curses themselves. If you want, I can show you where the attic is, keep them there until tonight. We don’t want any interference, so it’s best if no one but Fleur knows what we’re about to do. I want to tell Fleur as she can distract them if they wake. I will set up the living room for the ritual but after everyone has gone to bed.’

‘Then I’ll get the items and meet you…?’

‘Meet me in my bedroom. No one will go in there. I will give Fleur the signal to keep anyone awake away.’

It only took Bill and Harry twenty minutes to hide the horcruxes in the attic. Bill also warded it so if anyone scanned the area, wouldn’t pick up dark magic and those items were leaking a lot of dark magic. There was no one in the house that was trained to scan for dark magic, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

Hermione was still asleep but Ron was eating. One thing that made both Bill and Harry grin, Fleur only cooked enough so Ron would only have enough food that a normal man would eat. Everyone was sick of the way Ron ate but also how greedy he was. Right now, neither Bill nor Fleur were working, so money was tight, they had to take it easy on the food they had. Harry ended up giving Fleur some money since he was there and eating their food. At first, neither Fleur and Bill wanted to take the money but as Harry explained, he was eating their food and would probably eat there for a few more days at least, it could be longer. They finally accepted.

When Hermione finally woke, Harry made sure to spend most of his time with Fleur as he knew Hermione wasn’t that keen on the french woman. Harry wasn’t sure why Hermione didn’t like her when he found Fleur to be a great person. Hermione was influenced by others so it could be the fact that Mrs Weasley and Ginny didn’t like Fleur and they got into Hermione’s ear.

Right now, Fleur was allowing them and others to stay at her home so Hermione needed to remember that before either Fleur or Bill told her she would have to leave. So far, Hermione wasn’t saying anything to Fleur or about her and Harry hoped she wouldn’t. He wouldn’t leave if Bill and Fleur asked Hermione to leave. Ron would go with Hermione since he likes her, it would show her he was supporting her even over his brother’s wife which could cause trouble with the Weasley family. Harry would support Fleur and he knew Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Hermione would not like that. There would also be a big argument from Hermione about the job, but Harry had enough. He had been right about the horcrux at Hogwarts and he was not going to put up with Hermione anymore.

Bill and Harry spent a lot of time outside. Bill explained to Harry more about his job and explained more about what would happen that night, once everyone was asleep. They spoke outside since they knew no one could listen in on what they were talking about.

‘Harry, we need to work some things out. Can you join me and Ron inside?’

‘I’m busy right now Hermione, you’ll have to wait until I’ve finished talking to Bill.’

‘Harry, now, we can’t wait any longer.’

‘Hermione, Harry said later so bugger off,’ Bill said, ‘We’re talking and when we are finished, only then will Harry speak with you. This is my home so do not try to order anyone around or you’ll be out on your backside,’ Bill said glaring at the girl. All Harry did was turn away and continued to read the book Bill had given him, all on the ritual.

‘That’s what I’ve had to put up with and it’s driving me insane.’

‘I know mate, let’s just continue acting like we’re busy.’

‘We are, in a way. I mean you explained what is going to happen and now I’m reading more on it. I like the fact that no one will have to find the damn snake to kill it.’

‘Yeah, because I’ve never had to deal with so many from the same person, I never knew bringing the pieces together would be so easy. Then it’s just fiend fyre, which I’m licensed to use. This is what I don’t get about the old man Harry. He has to know the basics of curse breaking. He could still be alive, keeping the students at Hogwarts safe if he had just spoken to me.’

‘He didn’t like sharing information, I believe it made him feel powerful and special. He would have noticed that not everyone admired or respected him anymore, not like they used to. More people were beginning to ask questions, when he was so used to people just taking his word for law. Anyway, since we do have some time and away from others, I did want to ask if you knew anything about the elder wand?’

‘Just the odd story, like it’s got a bloody history and everyone that owned it was killed by someone wanting it. Why do you ask about that wand?’

‘I found out that Grindelwald had it, he stole it though.’

‘Dumbledore beat Grindelwald and since he stole it, the wand didn’t recognise him as the owner. Since the old man did beat him, then the wand did recognise Dumbledore as it’s owner. It also explains why the old man was so damn powerful.’

‘The night he died, Snape killed him. That normally would have made the wand recognise Snape but Draco Malfoy disarmed him first.’

‘Since he did, then Malfoy is the owner. We have to get that wand.’

‘I don’t think Malfoy owns it anymore. See, when we got into the fight at Malfoy manor, I ended up disarming Draco Malfoy. I have his wand, not the one Dumbledore owned. I believe the ownership is now mine but I’m not sure if it works that way. I was thinking of speaking with Ollivander while he was here.’

‘Give it another couple of days. He’s very weak. But going on what I’ve heard about that wand, I would say you are the owner since Draco did magically disarm Dumbledore and you did magically disarm Malfoy. What happened to the wand that night?’

‘Malfoy disarmed him, the wand landed in his hand. Dumbledore kept telling Draco that he wasn’t a killer. He ended up lowering his wand. That was when Bellatrix, the Carrow’s and Greyback arrived. Bellatrix kept yelling at Draco to do it, kill Dumbledore. Snape arrived, they explained that Draco couldn’t kill. Snape turned to Dumbledore and he said, Severus, please. Snape killed him. Dumbledore went over the railing. By the time I came out of my shock, Snape and the others were gone. I did chase them, but they got through the gates and apparated away. The thing is, the wand was in Draco’s hand, but McGonagall put it on his desk that night. I went into the office to see if there might be some information there for me. I saw the wand. I actually picked it up, just for a minute. McGonagall came in, she tried to say Dumbledore cared for me. I know that’s a lie. Anyway, I left the office. I asked McGonagall about his wand after the funeral, she said Dumbledore wanted it buried with him.’

‘Maybe Draco tossed it as he left. It would not look good if he was found with Albus Dumbledore’s wand right after he was killed. If you get a chance, maybe you could open the tomb and touch the wand, find out. For now, you can see what Ollivander has to say.’

‘Yeah, I will but I want to do it alone. I mentioned the elder wand once and Ron got this look that I didn’t like.’

‘He never felt he was good enough. If he had that wand, he would use that power to get everything he wanted, which is a better life with a lot of money. I know growing up without a lot is hard, but Ron just doesn’t want to work to get a better life. I’m hoping he’s just still immature and he’ll grow up, one day.’

‘He is very immature but he is getting better. The wand is just to dangerous. If I am the owner, I would like to keep that quiet. You can tell Fleur, I do trust both of you. But I do not want others to come after me hoping to get the wand.’

‘It will never get revealed by either of us.’

‘Bill, Harry, dinner,’ Fleur called.

‘Coming love,’ Bill called then turned to the young man beside him, ‘A few more hours, then things will be a lot easier. I’m sure you can put up with her for that long.’

‘I’ll try and bite my tongue.’

Harry and Bill walked into the house, but Harry made sure to sit on the other side of Fleur. He hadn’t had a chance to really talk to his former triwizard champion. He figured he could catch up while ignoring Hermione. He saw her throwing looks at him and a few times she went to gesture to him but he turned back to Fleur and began talking to her.

Right after dinner, Hermione walked towards Harry but he moved over to Fleur to help her clean up.

‘Harry, we really need to talk.’

‘So your just going to eat and use Fleur and Bill’s home, yet you won’t even help. You know what Hermione, you really have no manners. I’m staying here, helping Fleur. Right now, I don’t want to talk to you so bugger off. If I’m in the mood tomorrow, then we’ll talk and not before.’

‘Harry, mate, you don’t have to sound so mean.’

‘Yes, I do. She tries to boss me around like it’s her right. She hasn’t even bothered to help your brother’s wife clean up after Fleur cooked for everyone. She also won’t listen to me or my idea’s so I’ve decided not to listen to her anymore. If you don’t like it, then you two go off and do what you want,’ Harry glared then turned back to Fleur, ‘You’ll have to teach me those spells. I’ve never bothered to learn this type. I’ll need them when I get my own place.’

‘You already own a house,’ Bill said trying to hide his smile. He liked how Harry put Hermione in her place.

‘I won’t ever live there. I’ll strip it down then probably sell it. No, I plan to live in Godric’s hollow.’

‘I always knew you would Harry,’ Fleur said giving him a smile.

‘A few of us in the order all believed you would eventually live there. Mainly because it’s a small town that has more muggles in it today than magical people,’ Bill said.

‘After all this, I want the quiet life so a small muggle town is perfect for me.’

Harry, Bill and Fleur continued to talk and ignored Hermione’s scowls and huffs. When it was getting late, Hermione finally stamped her way up the stairs, she didn’t even care that there were others in the house and probably asleep. Some were healing, yet she didn’t care. Fleur actually told her to be quiet and think of others. When Hermione turned, she glared at Fleur and went to say something until she saw the look Bill gave her. Hermione was smart enough to know not to push Bill Weasley and saying something rude to his wife would push the red head.

Once Bill knew everyone was asleep, Fleur stayed in the kitchen in case anyone woke and tried to get into the living room where Bill and Harry were destroying the dark objects. Fleur mainly sat at the table, keeping watch on the stairs. She knew once Ron was asleep, he wouldn’t wake but she wasn’t sure what Hermione was like. One thing she did know about Hermione, the girl had no patience and she was determined to speak with Harry. It would not surprise Fleur if Hermione stayed awake just to get to Harry as he went to bed. Since the girl knew Harry was downstairs with Bill, she could sneak down thinking that Fleur had gone to bed. If Harry ended up getting to sleep, Hermione would wake him up just to talk to him. She didn’t care about others and wouldn’t care if she had to wake someone.

Even though Fleur knew her husband was good at his job, she still worried about him when he was about to destroy something dark. What he told her about the items Harry had, she realised this job would be one of the worst jobs Bill had to do. So even though she would watch the stairs, she couldn’t help her eyes drifting to the closed door of the living room.

As she stared at the door she heard a small noise, she turned and just caught sight of Hermione’s hair. The girl must have come down thinking now would be a good time to speak with Harry. She would have seen that Fleur was still awake so she returned to her room.

It was an hour later that Bill walked out of the room, he closed the door and cast some charms on it.

‘It took a lot out of him, so I transfigured the sofa into a bed. He won’t wake until morning but I sealed it so only he can open it from the inside or me from the outside.’

‘Good because she did come down not long ago. She’s waiting to get Harry alone.’

‘Since the job is done, we can tell them they can leave in the morning.’

‘How about you and I sleep down here as well,’ Fleur said then conjured a large bed at the side of the kitchen. It was close enough to the door to the living room so they would hear if Harry left the room. It would also give them a view of the stairs. Bill was a light sleeper, if anyone came down the stairs, he would wake.

Hermione huffed and paced, finally at three in the morning she went to bed. She tried sneaking downstairs a second time to catch Harry, only to see that Fleur and Bill were now sleeping down there. She went to see if maybe they gave Harry their room but it was sealed. No matter what spell she used, she could not open the door. Hermione believed she would be able to get through if she had enough time. She knew she would need to get some sleep so she would be awake enough to talk to Harry the following day.

By the time Ron and Hermione came downstairs, they were shocked to see a crowd of people in the kitchen but also what shocked them was how happy everyone seems.

‘What’s going on?’ Ron asked.

‘Our spy inside Voldemort’s headquarters told us that he died, along with every marked death eater,’ Tonks said with a huge smile, ‘We came to let Bill and Fleur know and they explained how Harry was about to finish it with Bill’s help, so we decided to celebrate.’

‘Harry can’t have finished it, we still need to find...certain Items,’ Hermione said.

‘I found them already. One was at Hogwarts, exactly as I said and one was in Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault,’ Harry gave Hermione a look that told her and everyone he wasn’t happy with her.

‘How did you get into Gringotts and why didn’t you tell us? We’re supposed to help,’ Ron said with a glare.

‘Well, I didn’t tell you what I was doing because Hermione refused to listen to me when I did try to, and you went along with anything she said. As for your first question, I didn’t get into Gringotts as it would be impossible. Bill explained more about some of the wards the goblins use, so there was no way anyone was going to get into a vault that belonged to someone else. But I had an idea and it worked. I had a little help from someone who could get into her vault. Once Bill discovered there were dark items in the house, his house, he explained how easy it was to remove the dark magic from the items then he destroyed it. I always said Bill should have been told since he is the expert in dark magic. So the war is over and he’s dead, finally.’

‘Which means we can finally start living again,’ Arthur said, ‘Kingsley was made interim minister for magic until the ministry is cleaned out. Molly, Charlie and the twins checked the Burrow while we were waiting for you two to wake up. We’re heading there now.’

‘Remus took Griphook, Luna and Dean home. He’ll be back here soon Harry then you can finally meet your godson.’

‘I can’t wait to meet Teddy. Is he with your mum?’

‘Yep, like this place, it’s under the fidelius charm but she is her own secret keeper, like Bill is for here.’

‘I am for the Burrow. It makes sense for the person living there to be their own secret keeper,’ Arthur said, ‘I never understood why Albus wanted others as secret keepers. He did the same with the Potter’s and Longbottom’s and we all know how that ended up.’

‘It would have been better if my father had been his own secret keeper. It does make the most sense Mr Weasley.’

‘Anyway, gather your things Ron, Hermione. I’m sure Bill and Fleur would like their house back,’ Arthur said.

‘I want to know how this happened,’ Hermione huffed, ‘And why you went against Professor Dumbledore?’

‘Because he was wrong, like he was wrong so often and you refuse to listen. Now though, I’m not talking about it because it’s over and I want to put all that behind me.’

‘Yes, Albus was wrong. Many of us tried to tell him, he just refuse to listen,’ Arthur sighed.

‘It’s why most of us did what we thought was best and not what Albus wanted. If we didn’t, we’d all be dead,’ Tonks said.

‘Hurry up you two, we want to get home and get settled before I need to get into the ministry,’ Arthur said.

Everyone could see that Hermione was going to argue, ‘Yes, Fleur and I would like some time to ourselves,’ Bill said.

‘Come on Hermione,’ Ron said and pulled her back up the stairs.

Harry stayed in the living room with Tonks so he wouldn’t have to see Hermione. He really didn’t want anything spoiling his mood.

When the door opened, Fleur stuck her head in and smiled, ‘She’s gone but not before telling us that you need to go to the Burrow so you can explain.’

‘Not going to happen,’ Harry said but he and Tonks left the living room and joined Bill who was talking to Remus.

Remus grinned then hugged Harry making him laugh, ‘Bill explained. You did the right thing.’

‘Yeah, once I had the items, I knew I had to speak with someone. Bill was first on my list since he does work with dark curses. I was trying to work out how to go about telling Bill. Before I could approach Bill, he approached me. Did Bill tell you about...all of them?’

‘Yes, he explained and it all made sense. He also said Albus must have explained to someone so they could tell you. He really thought you would just give up your life, didn’t he?’

‘Yeah, he did and no, I would not have just given up. I would keep fighting. Do you know who it was he might have told?’

‘Bill’s idea was good, Minerva could be the one. If it was Mad-eye, then I believe he may have left some information for someone to find. He wasn’t like Albus, he would work on a way to get that information to you.’

‘What if it wasn’t Minerva?’ Tonks asked.

‘There is no one else Albus would trust with something so dangerous,’ Remus said.

‘Okay, Mad-eye died but he was a fighter, he would keep fighting. I don’t believe it was him since he wouldn’t just sit inside his home hiding. McGonagall was at Hogwarts, but he controlled it and we know he could have forced all the staff to take veritaserum, so telling her or any of the staff would be too dangerous,’ Harry said, ‘The only other person he told everything to was Snape, yet Snape killed him and because he was always around Voldemort, there was a chance that he could be killed when Voldemort got angry. One vision I saw was one of his death eaters bringing him bad news and he just killed him.’

‘Minerva could be the backup then. What if this information was left in a way that she would find it, at the right time,’ Tonks said.

‘Could be, it doesn’t matter since it’s over,’ Bill said, ‘I do think Harry and I should talk to Kingsley though. He should know how we destroyed all of them in case someone does turn up saying Voldemort will return because Harry is alive.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ Remus said.

‘How about tomorrow?’ Harry asked as he looked at Bill.

‘Come here around 8. He’s going to be busy, best to get this over with so he can get to work.’

‘I’ll be here. I’ll just get my stuff,’ Harry bounded up the stairs and the four adults still in the kitchen couldn’t help laughing at the big smile Harry had on his face.

Harry was going to stay with Remus, Tonks, her mother and his godson until he got around to buying a home. Remus and Tonks had the back section of the house and it was as big as a three bedroom home. It gave them privacy and allowed Andromeda her space. Harry just wanted to get to know his godson and now he didn’t have to worry about Voldemort or death eaters, he was also going to relax.

The following morning Harry and Bill arrived at the ministry. Harry kept his head lowered and just followed Bill. The secretary showed them straight in.

After a few minutes of talking about some of the changes Kingsley wants to do while he was minister, Bill and Harry explained everything about the horcruxes and their belief that someone could try to make Kingsley believe Harry had to die.

‘I’ll make sure to tell whoever this person is that if they tried to kill Harry, they would be taken straight to Azkaban. In my opinion though, I believe he told Snape. I was thinking a lot about the night Albus died and I got a feeling that something wasn’t quite right.’

‘How I just happened to be there to see Snape kill him,’ Harry said.

‘Yes, he had been leaving Hogwarts a lot to look for them, even if none of us knew what he was looking for. He only asked you to go with him on that night. He also must have known more about what Draco Malfoy was up to. He knew the boy had plans and not just to kill him but others, yet he leaves Hogwarts. But it’s you Harry mate, he wanted you there with him to witness his death. I have a feeling Albus and Snape had plans that was kept from the rest of us. Bill explained more about the cursed hand, yet he never told the order he was dying. For all we know, that could have been affecting his mental state.’

‘It would have. I didn’t know about the horcruxes at the time. To add any type of dark curse to something already so dark would have cursed someone so bad that eventually they would not be able to think straight.’

‘We should have been told, then he should have put Mad-eye in charge. It’s like the night Mad-eye died, we all gave our idea’s about moving you Harry, most of us thought the plan was too complicated and too many things could go wrong. It also put everyone at risk when they didn’t need to be. It would have been easier and safer if you had left, alone a few days before, using your invisibility cloak and muggle transport. Maybe one adult could have been with you since you couldn’t use magic outside of Hogwarts at the time. There didn’t need to be so many involved not when he would have been expecting a lot of the order to be there. Using muggle transport would mean they wouldn’t see you leave.’

‘I thought of that. When Hermione and Ron didn’t turn up, like they said they would, I was going to just catch a bus then send Hedwig to Remus to met me somewhere in London. Mad-eye and Hedwig died that night, George lost his ear. None of that should have happened and if I did leave earlier without telling anyone than Snape could not have told his master.’

‘It would have been easier of just one person like any of us Weasley’s or even you Kingsley, to pick up Harry and you both just left using muggle transport. No one would look twice at two people just moving around the muggle world,’ Bill said.

‘I might have stuck out but being with someone like you or even Remus would have worked. Actually, Remus would have been better. People would probably just see a father and his son, if anyone bothered to look.’

‘Any chance you can check with McGonagall even though we’re basically in agreement that he told Snape?’

‘I’ll speak with her Harry, find out for sure. I’ll also get her to check for any hiding spots in the office in case he left the information hidden. But if he didn’t tell her than it had to be Snape. That tells me his mind really wasn’t right. Everyone knew how you and Snape felt about each other.’

‘I hate the man and there is no way I would have listened to anything he had to say. I would also believe he would lie to me, he’s done it before. There is no way I would trust him.’

‘We all wondered why Albus didn’t tell Snape to back off when it came to Harry, especially once it was known about the prophecy. Albus was cursed, he was probably in a lot of pain and we all know that it’s hard to concentrate on anything when you’re suffering with severe pain. With the way Snape treated Harry and how he was treated by the muggles, Harry could have just said I’ve had enough and left. I don’t know Kingsley, I just know I’m glad Harry finally opened up to me and it’s over. I can’t blame him for being cautious and also not trusting others. Then there is the way Hermione was acting. Hey, you don’t think he told her do you?’

‘Hermione can’t lie to save herself and if she knew, she would give me those looks. No, I would have been able to tell if she knew something about this. When she secretly used the time turner in our third year, I knew she was keeping a secret, I just didn’t know what it was. But it was easy to tell she was up to something. Hermione can’t hide anything, she is just very bossy, she admired the old man and refuse to believe I knew more than her. She hated not being allowed in order meetings and a few times over the last few months she looked smug, which told me she was because she knew stuff you lot didn’t know.’

‘The way she spoke to you Harry, it was like she was a parent ordering her kids to do what their told,’ Bill said.

‘Yeah, which is why I began to ignore her. No matter what idea I came up with, she shot it down and all because it wasn’t her idea or Dumbledore’s. We were constantly arguing and I was ready to go off on my own just to get some peace. Anyway, it’s over, we just wanted you to know Kingsley in case someone tried to tell you I had to die.’

‘I’ll check with Minerva, but apart from her, I can’t only think of a few that he might have told. Me, Remus and Mad-eye. Normally I would say Arthur but we all saw how your mother used to act if she believed someone was keeping secrets from her and your father could never hide anything from your mother.’

‘No, dad always gave in so no, it wouldn’t be dad.’

‘I agree with Kingsley. It was either Snape, Mad-eye, McGonagall, Kingsley or Remus. The trouble with Remus is, if he knew, he would have told me then told me to run and hide. He didn’t want me involved at all even with the prophecy.’

‘You’re right and Albus would have known Remus would have protected you mate, not helped you die. We can cross Remus off the list,’ Bill said.

‘We’ll keep watch on how people act around Harry but I don’t believe we have anything to worry about. Once I speak with Minerva, I’ll know for sure but I really believe it was Snape and he died alongside the other death eaters. It’s why it’s going to take a long time to get the ministry up and running properly again. We’ve lost so many that were members of the Wizengamot, along with the governors and those that filled a lot of departments. Anyway, sorry, but I have a meeting with the muggle prime minister in ten minutes.’

‘We’ll let you get back to work. We’re going to relax for a few days.’

‘Thanks for giving us some time, even with how busy you are.’

The three men shook hands, then again, Harry kept his head lowered as he hurried out of the ministry with Bill. They used the floo to Bill’s, then Harry apparated back to the Tonks house where he filled Remus and Tonks in on what they believed.

‘If he finds out Minerva didn’t know, then I believe you’re right. Kingsley was right about the plan to move you. A few of us said it should have been you and one adult using muggle transport. You were also right about what I would do if I was told. You would have been hidden in another country and I would have taken you there myself,’ Remus said.

‘I would have as well. When I heard he gave Harry some big job, I really thought something was wrong. No offence Harry, but your education has been shit and you’ve had no special training,’ Tonks said.

‘It’s true Tonks so I’m not offended because you’re right. I had one decent teacher in defence the whole time I was there and that was Remus. This is what I don’t get, unless Bill was right.’

‘Right about what?’ Remus asked.

‘He explained that he was told about the things that happened to me at Hogwarts. I could have died four times in the first year alone. Again a couple of times the following year. Third year was dementors and that happened from the time on the Hogwarts express until just before the end of the school year. The following year it was three times because of the triwizard and once because of the graveyard. Before fifth year, dementors again. That was the only year I wasn’t in life threatening danger at Hogwarts but I was always on edge thinking Umbitch was going to chuck me in Azkaban. Even though nothing happened to me in sixth year, I kept thinking that one of the kids of death eaters was going to slip me a portkey. I got so paranoid, I walked around using my cloak so no one saw me until I was near teachers or in the great hall. Anyway, all those times I could have died, some were my doing and some were because Dumbledore cause the danger. Bill thinks Dumbledore wanted me to die, in some type of accident so the horcrux was destroyed. If he really believed the prophecy, then he should have given me some type of training. He didn’t know about the horcruxes until my second year and the chamber of secrets. It’s when he probably worked out about my scar. Before that though, he knew of the prophecy, yet I had three shit teachers in defence and no special training that would help me fulfill the prophecy. The lessons we had were watching memories of Voldemort. I knew enough about him, I really didn’t want to know more. Since I was a horcrux, then the prophecy was mute. I couldn’t kill him if I had to die first.’

‘I think you’re right. Sirius and I spoke about it cub. He showed me your letters and then told me what you told him about the danger and how the teachers weren’t helping. Minerva used to always be there for us lions, yet with you, nothing, she didn’t help you at all.’

‘So Dumbledore told Minerva to ignore Harry and the danger he found himself in?’ Tonks asked.

‘Yes, that’s what I believe and Bill said the same thing. It’s why I can’t forgive her and why I won’t return to Hogwarts. I’ve had it and I just don’t want to set foot in that castle again.’

‘I don’t blame you Harry. If all that happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on lessons,’ Remus said.

‘I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything. After he returned, I could never concentrate on anything as I kept expecting him to turn up. So now I’m going to self study just to learn I just have to figure out what I’m going to do with my life.’

‘Give it some time Harry. You’ve had all that for years, then these items. You also worked out about your scar so that would have been hard on you. I think you should take a year. You can still learn, just take some time for yourself. You said you want to buy a house in Godric’s hollow, you can do that or stay here for as long as you want. But I believe you shouldn’t do anything serious for at least a few months.’

‘I think I will take your advice. I do want some time and it will be a novelty to be bored and not worried all the time.’

‘Even though I agree with Remus. Hasn’t anything entered your mind about what you might want to do?’ Tonks asked.

‘When I realised I didn’t want to be an auror, there was one thing I did think about. I decided not to pursue it mainly because I’m not really sure I’m good enough but I also don’t want to be given a job because of who I am.’

‘You still never mentioned what this thing was,’ Remus said.

Harry shrugged, ‘Quidditch. After seeing the world cup, that’s when I realised I wasn’t good enough for that type of quidditch. School quidditch, yeah, I beat all the other seekers, but not professional.’

‘Say you trained hard for six months using a professional practice snitch, maybe you could see that you could be as good as them. It is something to think about, but I still believe you should take some time to relax. It’s all over, something none of us believed would ever happen,’ Remus said.

‘I will be flying. It’s why I want to find a place that has some land and I can ward it. I am going to relax but flying is relaxing for me.’

Tonks and Remus chuckled. They knew Harry liked to fly, he was like James. Any excuse to get on a broom. As Remus stared at Harry, he realised there was something he just might be able to pull off.

From the following day, Hermione kept sending letters to Harry. After reading the first one, which he showed Remus and Tonks, he completely ignored the rest of her letters. No one knew where the Tonks home was so Harry didn’t have to worry that Hermione or anyone else would just turn up.

It was only a week later that Kingsley wrote to tell him that Minerva did not know anything about the horcruxes and while he was at Hogwarts, he had checked every part of the office, there was nothing hidden anywhere about horcruxes. Kingsley wrote that Minerva was shocked at what Voldemort did. She did ask who destroyed them and how. Kingsley told her that Harry and Bill were the two who did it which means, it was Bill and Harry who ended Voldemort. Kingsley also explained that even though they spoke with Dumbledore’s portrait, they could not believe anything it said about Harry or the horcruxes because Snape had been in that office when Voldemort named him headmaster. It would be easy for Snape to charm the portrait to make Dumbledore lie. The moment Snape was officially known as the headmaster, the portraits could be charmed by the head of Hogwarts. Kingsley got to see just how delusional Albus was. He might have been a painting but he just kept going on about Harry having to die and Severus was really helping. No one would believe it so Minerva decided that the portrait of Albus Dumbledore would be placed in a part of the castle that no one used any more. Harry wrote back to Kingsley and thanked him for speaking with McGonagall so quickly, especially with how busy he was.

Harry wrote to McGonagall the next day. He said he would not be returning to Hogwarts. He had enough of the place and never wanted to set foot in that castle again. He knew he would have shocked her, but then again, with everything he had been through at Hogwarts and she would have known about it, it shouldn’t come as a shock to learn Harry didn’t want anything to do with Hogwarts.

Harry did fly every day. He spent time with Teddy and the baby was starting to recognise him now. After two weeks of basically doing nothing, Harry did begin to look for a home. He did want to live in Godric’s Hollow, but many would know that which would mean he wouldn’t get any peace. Harry decided to buy some land close to Godric’s Hollow, the town was known as Godric’s Gully. Since he wanted a mostly muggle home, with electricity, he would need a muggle builder. He was going to have his kitchen separated by solid stone walls so he could use magic to cook and the wall would stop the magic affecting the stuff he planned to buy. Bill had explained there were some spells he could show Harry which would prevent magic being used. Bill said it would take one person to forget that they can’t use magic, which could blow up Harry’s things.

Remus looked up from his book when he heard footsteps, ‘How’s the house coming along?’

‘Great. Even though muggle builders take longer, it’s coming along quicker than I thought. They still look at me strange when they work on the stone wall.’

‘I’m sure they will just think you’re strange.’

‘Thanks Remus,’ Harry shook his head before taking a seat, ‘I bought myself a professional practice snitch while I was out. I figured I could practice, like you said, see if I can get better.’

‘You’re already good Harry, so with just a bit more training, you’ll be good enough to make a team. Just please, not the Chudley Cannons.’

Harry laughed, ‘Definitely not. I think any other team would be fine but if I could chose, I would prefer to go with the team dad supported.’

Remus instantly knew he was going to make sure Harry got a try out with the Falmouth Falcons.

There was a statement published in the Daily Prophet by Kingsley Shacklebolt about the changes that will be happening in their world. He explain some that were already implemented but he also explained about the ones that will be up and running very soon. Part of the statement he went on about how Harry Potter and William Weasley were the two who ended Voldemort and his death eaters. Kingsley wanted that information out there as so many rumours were going around that it was Harry along with his two friends, Ron and Hermione who ended Voldemort. Kingsley wanted that rumour squashed. Now the world will know that it was Bill that helped Harry, no one else.

It was only a month later that Harry was able to begin buying everything he needed for his home. Remus and Tonks helped, more Remus since he wasn’t working. Remus had been offered the defence against the dark arts job again but said he could only take it the following year. He was remaining home with Teddy while Tonks helped Kingsley at the ministry.

When the students returned to Hogwarts, many were surprised when Harry didn’t return. Ron and Hermione were constantly asked but it was Neville who answered. He and Harry had seen each other a few times and they were constantly writing. Neville explained that after all the shit things that happened to him at Hogwarts, with no teacher bothering to help and how everyone kept turning on him for the slightest rumour, he said he will never again step foot into Hogwarts. Hermione had scowled and tried to explain that Harry just wanted time to himself but again Neville shot her down. He explained to Hermione and everyone else who was listening, how often he had seen Harry and they had visited each other, a lot. He even explained how he had been invited to Harry’s new home. Many of the students realised that the golden trio were not as close as they used to be.

A few weeks after the students returned to Hogwarts, Remus worked with the twins to set up a quidditch game. The ones Harry played with at Hogwarts had all left but they were all willing to help when they found out that he was thinking of trying out for quidditch and Remus had worked on a surprise for Harry. They were able to bring in a few friends so they would have two teams.

Harry would believe it’s just friendly competition but even friendly games makes Harry go out to win as if it’s for the quidditch cup.

Remus snuck in the coach and captain of the Falmouth Falcons so he can secretly watch Harry play.

‘He thinks this is just a friendly game?’

‘Yes, so even though he wants to win, he’s just having fun with his old team.’

‘After watching him, he is definitely good enough. A bit more training and he will be the starting seeker.’

As Harry caught the snitch which made his side yell in triumph, Remus along with the coach and captain stepped out. Harry hadn’t seen Remus or the other two men when he landed as he was facing the other way. The ones that had been playing quidditch grinned.

‘What are you lot grinning about?’ Harry asked as he stared at his friends.

‘Their grinning at us cub,’ Remus said.

Harry turned around to see Remus with two men, ‘Um, okay, I still don’t get it.’

‘I would like to introduce you to Martin Fowler and Marcus Timmons. Martin is the coach of the Falmouth Falcons and Marcus is the captain. Your dad followed the Falmouth Falcons and actually played with them for two years, before they went into hiding.’

‘Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you. Maybe you can tell me more about my dad.’

‘We could do that Harry,’ Martin said, ‘But we’re actually here to offer you a spot as seeker on our reserve team.’

‘And I already know that within a year, you will be the starting seeker for our team. You are one of the best seekers I have seen in a long time,’ Marcus said.

Harry’s eyes had gone wide and his mouth dropped open. Fred and George both put their fingers under Harry’s chin and pushed his mouth shut, making everyone laugh. It took a while before Harry finally knew it wasn’t a prank, he was really offered the seekers position for the Falmouth falcons, his dad’s old team. Once he was able to speak, he instantly said yes, then hugged Remus for helping make it happen. He then hugged all the others who came out to play with him, which showed the captain and coach just how good Harry was.

It was only a few days later that a picture of Harry was on the front page of the Daily Prophet with the news that he had signed to play starting seeker for the Falmouth Falcons. Their seeker had instantly resigned once he knew the team had signed Harry Potter. It wasn’t because of who he was, he was because of how good Harry was. The seeker always planned to retired from quidditch but he didn’t want to leave the team without a seeker, now they had one of the best seekers out there. Harry might not be up to professional standard yet, but with the way he plays, he would be by the time their first game is played, which wouldn’t be for six months at the earliest.

From the moment everyone found out that Harry Potter was going to play professional quidditch, reporters kept trying to find him and get pictures. They kept hanging around outside the Falmouth Falcons stadium. Harry always took the floo to and from the stadium.

Apart from training, Harry spent time with Remus, Tonks and Teddy, he also spent time in his new home. He liked the fact he could do what he wanted at home and he could cook what he liked. He did go into his parents home late at night, he did that to get some things of his parents, like pictures and just some mementos. He wanted to have some of his parents belongings in his home.

The Falmouth Falcons went on the win their first two games, all thanks to Harry catching the snitch. The second game they played, Harry caught the snitch in record time. The players had only been playing for seven minutes when Harry dived. His hand came up with the snitch. Since people paid to watch the game and it ended so quickly, the Falmouth Falcons and their reserve team decided to play another game. Even after only two games, the members of the quidditch world cup were already looking at Harry to play for England at the next game in two years.

Small Time Skip.

Over the following year, no one but from a handful of people had seen Harry Potter, apart from the two quidditch games he had played in and won. Reporters always tried to find him and always stood outside the Falmouth Falcons stadium. They never saw him and knew Harry was sneaking out but they still hoped to spot him, at least once.

By the time the anniversary of Voldemort’s death came around, their world was finally for all witches and wizards, not just pure-bloods. There had been many laws brought in and many already existing laws changed or removed altogether. One law that almost everyone liked and thought it should have been implemented a long time ago was when someone was arrested. Every person was now questioned with veritaserum. If they did the crime, they faced the Wizengamot and again the truth potion was used. If they were innocent, they were instantly free. They went further though. All ministry employee’s were all questioned by a panel, again using veritaserum. They did not want dark witches or wizards inside their government.

The invitations went out for the memorial ball that was being held at Hogwarts on the anniversary of Voldemort’s death. Harry and Bill had already been told they would receive the Order of Merlin: first class. All those that fought for the light side during the first war with Voldemort, would receive the order of merlin: second class. All those that died by Voldemort and his death eaters would be presented with the Harry Potter bravery award. The committee and minister had not told Harry about this new award because they believed if he knew, he would not turn up for the memorial ball.

The grounds of Hogwarts began to fill with people who had been invited to the memorial ball. The students were automatically invited but they would have to return to their common rooms by ten. Only those that fought like the order of the phoenix and just citizens would be able to remain until twelve.

A stage stood not far from the castle and rows and rows of chairs were spread out around the grounds, also not far from the castle. Almost all those chairs were full but there were still some that were empty. Those were reserved for others. Each chair had the person’s name on it, they did that so no one could try to sit right in front.

There was only two seats left when Kingsley stepped onto the stage, that’s when a young couple, that had their arms around each other moved between the chairs, to sit right in front.

Harry Potter and a beautiful blond woman sat down. Some would know that the woman was the keeper for the Falmouth Falcons. But everyone would have seen that Harry and the woman were a couple.

The award part of the ceremony was somber. No one wanted to speak or make any trouble during this time. Many were in tears, those were the ones that lost people due to Voldemort and his death eaters. Those names had been read out and family members got the Harry Potter bravery award. When Harry went to say something, it was the woman who spoke to him which made Harry accept the fact that one of the biggest awards was named after him.

As soon as the awards were finished being given out, the single chairs had been removed and now tables and chairs were spread out over the Hogwarts lawn. Harry and his girlfriend, Zoey were at the table with Bill, Fleur, Remus, Tonks, Teddy, Andromeda and Kingsley. Many friends came up to speak with them and all couldn’t help congratulating Harry for what he did. When they noticed the rings on Harry and Zoey’s left fingers, everyone realised the couple were married. Only the ones at the table had known, apart from the rest of the team. Harry got hugged by many of his friends and all of them congratulated Harry and his wife.

Only one person tried to cause trouble even if she believed she didn’t cause trouble. She wanted answers and since she had not be able to speak with Harry, she was determined she would right then and there. Kingsley and Minerva spoke, then Kingsley ended up having his auror guard escort Hermione from the grounds, with Ron sadly staring after her. He might love her but Ron realised he just couldn’t put up with the way Hermione acted, especially when it came to Harry. Ron did congratulate Harry, on playing and his marriage. He also said he understood why he hadn’t contacted him or anyone else. Hermione had ignored Harry and if he had listened to her, the would have been more deaths.

Ron and Hermione had both returned to Hogwarts, but that night, Hermione was taken to the Burrow, where she had been staying. She was suspended for two months due to the scene she caused. It was when she returned that Ron had broken up with her. It was also then that she realised she had no support and no one wanted anything to do with her.

The wizarding world had changed, for the better. For Harry Potter and Bill Weasley, they got more attention. Bill finally understood what Harry went through for years as now he was also known as a hero. Bill continued working as a curse breaker but now he was a father of a daughter and his wife explained she planned to have more but as of yet, she could not say how many.

Harry did go on to play for England in the quidditch world cup. No team could beat England and when they played against Greece in the final, England won the game after two long and grueling hours, with Harry catching the snitch after one of his classic drives. As the team celebrated, Harry got news that meant he would celebrate for a long time to come. Zoey was pregnant and would be retiring from playing quidditch to raise the first of the Potter children. They would go on the have four children. Harry played for eighteen years before taking over as coach for the Falmouth Falcons.

From the time Voldemort died, life in England became a lot safer but also fairer, for everyone.

The end: