Chapter 1
Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived turned Man-Who-Conquered, son of Lily Marie Potter nee Evans and James Charles Potter, was suffocating. One would think he would be celebrating winning the war like everyone else, but Harry just couldn't. Don't get him wrong, he was just as happy as the next person now that Voldemort was gone for good, but Harry knew exactly what that victory cost. So many lives were lost over the course of the war. People Harry knew. People he loved.
Only those who fought alongside him understood the pain he felt, because they felt it too. But while they took time to grieve, Harry didn't. He wasn't allowed to. Instead, he did his part to help rebuild Hogwarts. He assisted in burying the dead. He gave inspiring speeches to the public, which Hermione saved him by writing. He did everything that was expected of him as the “savior” of the wizarding world.
On top of that, Harry had a new responsibility to Teddy. Here he was, months shy of being eighteen, and the father of his newborn godson. Andy helped a lot there, but Harry could see she was hurting too. Teddy reminded her too much of Tonks, more so because of his metamorphmagus ability.
Despite everything Harry was dealing with, it still wasn't enough for the wizards. They wanted more and more from him. Even going so far to try and appoint him Minister for Magic. Those vultures didn't even consult Kingsley before trying to throw Harry into the position.
When he turned them down, it was “obviously” because he was going into the Auror field. Harry turned that down too. He had enough fighting to last him a lifetime. The only reason he ever considered being an Auror was to annoy Umbridge.
By this point the prophet was alternating between singing his praises or claiming he was the next dark lord. He tried to stick through it, thinking that if he ignored it long enough the prophet would finally grow tired of that story. But two months passed and nothing changed. Harry was now eighteen and the only reason he hadn’t gone insane was because of Teddy. The baby always greeted Harry with his little gummy smile, his hair and eyes changing color to match Harry’s as the baby reached for him with chubby arms.
Teddy was innocent of the world, and more than that he needed Harry. Not in the way the wizarding world “needed” him to do everything they were capable of doing themselves. Teddy genuinely needed Harry to care for him. He didn’t have anyone else. Andy couldn’t care for him much longer. She was too old to be chasing a baby around the house. But Teddy didn’t have anyone else. Teddy needed Harry and Harry needed him too. Without Teddy, Harry would have snapped a long time ago.
But as the days continued to pass, Harry felt the chains start to surround him. Keeping him prisoner in a world that never supported him unless it was for their own gain. The feeling made him sick.
So Harry began to plan. If the wizarding world was why he felt suffocated, then he’d live in the muggle world instead. Most wizards wouldn’t think to search for him there. Even so, as an added precaution he would change his appearance and give himself a new identity. There were ways to track someone with magic, so the less recognizable he looked, the harder it would be to find him.
After setting up his new identity, Harry thought about traveling. That was always something he wanted to do growing up. It wouldn’t be hard to do either. He could get one of those house trunks, throw a dart at a map, and be off. Then once his need to travel has been taken care of, he would find the perfect place and build a house there. He’d raise Teddy and enjoy a life free from expectations. Harry would get to live life as he wanted too. As Just Harry.
His friends were amazing. They already made plans for him to leave should he wish to. Hermione had gotten them plane tickets to America while Ron had a bag packed for both him and Teddy.
“Once you guys find a place for yourself, I’ll bring the rest over,” Ron told him with a grin after handing Harry the bag. Harry felt his love for his best friends grow even more. No matter what, they always took care of him. If it weren’t for Ron and Hermione, Harry wouldn’t have made it past second year.
They threw him a party later that night. All of his ragtag family was there with well wishes and teasing comments. It was a shock to discover all of them had been waiting for him to leave, but even more so it was relieving that they accepted it so quickly. Before Harry himself had.
The party lasted well into the night, as everyone wanted to enjoy the time with each other while they could. Cake was consumed, Firewisky was drunk by the bottle, and presents were given to Harry. He would open them once he settled into his hotel room, since he didn’t want to cry in front of everyone. He was just drunk enough that it was a possibility.
None of them knew when he would get to visit them, but Harry promised to show up for the Christmas holidays at least. Regardless, they would keep in contact through other means.
Harry didn’t know why, but the thought of leaving his friends behind hurt. He wanted to pack them up and take him with him. But he couldn’t do that. They deserved their freedom to do what they wanted just as much as Harry wanted his. It hurt, but he would see them again soon. They were his family after all.