Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The war is over. Voldemort is dead, and in the months following the final battle the aurors have been busy apprehending his remaining followers in Britain and abroad. The end of the war brought changes to the wizarding world; it also brought changes to the life of the warding world’s savior, Harry Potter
Following Voldemort’s death, Harry returned to 12 Grimmauld Place, and the only time he was seen in public was to attend the trials of Voldemort’s followers. He refused all social invitations, even those from friends. Harry, with Kreacher by his side, was focused on ridding his home of all Dark objects; including the portrait of Wahlburga Black. Helping him in this process was a very select wizarding company that released all Dark objects to the Ministry while Harry stored most of the Black family heirlooms in their family vault.
Kreacher, who fought by Harry’s side in the Battle of Hogwarts, was a happier house-elf knowing that his Master Regulus’ orders had at last been fulfilled. Removing the portrait of his insane mistress also contributed to his happiness. Harry would still, on occasion, hear him muttering about “mudbloods” and “blood traitors”; but more often than not Harry found the ancient elf to be amusing.
Ron and Hermione, despite an open invitation to visit, stayed away. In the immediate days after the Battle, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had many in-depth discussions about their futures. They also discussed the past, Harry tried to express his feelings about Ron and Hermione being able to lead normal lives while his life was a series of traumatic cages. The abuse with the Dursleys; the roller coaster of awe and despair at Hogwarts, and the terror of the Horcrux hunt culminating in him voluntarily dying for the wizarding world at the age of seventeen. Ron and Hermione tried to understand and be sympathetic, but Harry knew they couldn’t fully understand.
When Ron and Hermione blushingly discussed their relationship, and their hopes for the future, Harry countered with his own. He revealed to his friends his hopes for a peaceful life and a family. And with a heavy heart, and a direct stare at Ron, Harry revealed that he was gay. Harry knew from past experience that Ron would not react well, but even he could not have imagined the explosion. If Harry closed his eyes he could still see and hear Ron’s reaction.
******FLASHBACK******
“This is a joke, right?” Ron asked, wide-eyed and red faced.
“No, Ron. I’m telling you the truth.” Harry leaned toward his friend, reaching for his hand. “I need…”
Ron interrupted, “Harry, you cannot be gay! You and Ginny love each other. She expects you to marry her!”
“Ron, Ginny and I have already discussed this. She understands, and is in fact happy for me since she realized this past year that she loves Dean.” Harry began his reply calmly, but when Ron attempted to interrupt the last three words came in a near shout.
“We’ll just see about this!” Ron snarled as he stormed away.
Harry turned to Hermione, who winced at the sadness in his eyes.
“Harry? What about the aurors?” Hermione asked quietly reaching for his hand.
“I’ve discussed my future with Kingsley. Hermione, I’m tired of fighting the good fight. I’ve been doing it, essentially, since I was 15 months old. Kingsley understands and there are no hard feelings.” Harry sighed and squeezed her hand. “He has asked that I work the Unspeakables temporarily. We will be discussing Horcruxes: how they are made, how to detect them, and how to destroy them.”
“And after? What will you do then, Harry? Will you come back for your seventh year?” Hermione asked.
Harry sighed rose, and moved to stare out the window. “Hogwarts has been my home. It’s where I found food and friends, acceptance and love. But it’s also where I’ve experienced betrayal and death. No Hermione, I won’t be coming back. Professor McGonagall and I discussed it and she understands my reasons. She wished me well.”
“What will you do, Harry?” Hermione asked softly.
“I don’t know, ‘Mione. I think it’s time that I learned what I want, instead of what people want of me.” Harry replied, still looking out the window.
Hermione sighed and slumped back into her seat. “And Ron?” She questioned.
Harry gave a sigh himself and leaned into the window. “He was my first friend, and I’ve loved him like a brother all these years. But he has turned on me and betrayed me too many times. I love you as a sister, “Mione and I don’t want to lose that, but I can’t trust him. And I have to stop allowing him to hurt me.” Harry turned and softly gazed at Hermione with his bright emerald eyes. “I will not come between you. So, I will only ask, will you owl me? Will you stay with me that much?”
Hermione rose from her seat, rushing to Harry and wrapping him in her arms. “Always,” she declared, “I will always love you as my brother.”
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Later that evening, after Harry spent time saying goodbye to those friends remaining in the castle, he went to the Headmistress’ office, prepared to floo home.
“Harry, my boy, I am proud of you!” Exclaimed Dumbledore’s portrait.
“Headmaster, I know you believed that the way you handled all of this was the only way.” Harry began, staring into the fire. “But you were wrong about so many things.” Here Harry turned with a hard-eyed look that had Dumbledore flinching. “I am NOT your boy. I am what you hid from me. I am Lord Harrison James Potter-Black, Head of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Black. And this is the last time that you and I will speak.” With that Harry turned, entered the green flames, and shouted his destination.