Chapter one

Harry Potter walks through the ruined castle, he stared into the converted classroom at all the beds, and every bed had someone in it. Harry saw some of his friends, but most he didn't know.

'Mr. Potter, I have been hoping you would come see me, follow me to a bed.'

'I wanted to wait until you dealt with the seriously injured,' Harry followed the matron then sat on the bed. Harry smiled as she didn't hesitate, just started examining him. She then handed him three potions that he knew was going to taste terrible, but he drank them because he knew all Madame Pomfrey's potions always helped him over the years, 'Before you say, I'm heading up to sleep and I'm not moving from my bed for days, I'm just too exhausted.'

Poppy's lips reluctantly turned up in a small smile, 'You've gotten to know me Mr. Potter because I was just about to suggest you make yourself comfortable.'

'I've been your patient a lot Madame Pomfrey, so I knew what you would say. But I really am heading up to sleep, I just want to check on a few of my friends that are here.'

'Very well, but nothing strenuous for at least a week,' Poppy gave Harry a real smile, patted his shoulder then walked off.

Harry knew that was Poppy Pomfrey's way of saying thank you. Anyone that knew him would know he didn't want thanking, so he'd been getting a lot of smiles and pats on the back, but so far that's all and Harry was grateful. He got up and went to the first bed.

'Hi Susan, are you okay?'

'Oh Harry, yes, you know, a few injuries, but I'm alive, that's a plus.'

Harry chuckled, 'Yes, it is, so what happened?'

'A death eater hit me with some spell and I fell down the stairs leading to the library. I have a few breaks, Madame Pomfrey has given me potions.'

'So how long did she say you had to stay?'

'Just a couple of days, so I'm lucky, a lot luckier than some others,' Susan looked around at all the beds.

'Yeah, but considering how many he had on his side, we did come out of this better than I thought. Anyway, get better Susan, I'll see you around,' Harry kissed her forehead then moved to another bed to speak with Ernie, another member of the DA.

After talking with six of his friends, Harry did give small smiles to some of the other patients that were conscious and staring at him and as he walked towards the door, someone started clapping then everyone seemed to join in. Harry blushed with embarrassment, but he turned, gave a small head bow, nodded, smiled then left.

Harry walked up to the office with the two gargoyles guarding it, they moved aside instantly so Harry stepped onto the circular staircase. When it stopped he stepped into the office.

'Sorry to disturb both of you,' Harry gave a reluctant smile.

'It's fine Harry, can we help you with something?' Minerva asked.

'Actually it's something I can help both of you with,' Harry went over to the pensieve, removed the memory then handed it to Kingsley, 'That will answer a lot of questions and I'm sure Dumbledore's portrait can fill you in on the rest,' Harry dug into his pouch, 'I thought you might like to use this for when Hogwarts is open again. I just ask that when you leave or retire that you get it back to me.'

Minerva looked at the names on the front of the Marauders map, 'This was your father's. How did you come to own it when I confiscated it from your father when he was a student?'

'Fred and George gave it to me, but that's why I would like to get it back one day. I just figured it would help you with finding students or staff doing something they shouldn't. If you've never studied the map professor, you'll see everyone shows up and every room apart from the room of requirement, being unplottable, the room can't show on a map, and the chamber of secrets. That memory Kingsley, it was Snape's, he gave it to me before he died and it's lucky he did or Voldemort would still be alive. I figured you could use it to clear his name and help with whatever release you need to get ready.'

'I was hoping to speak with you in a few days about all that Harry.'

'I won't be here, I need to get away for a while. Once you see that you'll understand. I'm not going for good or anything, I just need a break from all this and since he's dead, I don't need guarding anymore. Oh one more thing, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, they actually helped me, Ron and Hermione can explain a bit about Draco, but Narcissa lied to Voldemort which gave me the chance I needed. So even though they still might need some punishment, they don't deserve to be treated like proper death eaters. I'm sure if you ask they would give you there memories to see how they helped. Snape, well you'll see soon enough that he was nothing like we all though. He was actually a very brave man and fooled Voldemort from the time my parents died. Anyway, I have to go, I know you'll do a good job Kingsley and all I ask, do what's right for everyone, don't think about blood status or how you might be perceived by others,' Harry gave another small smile then turned and left the office. He knew those two people in that office will always do what is right, so having Kingsley as minister and McGonagall as headmistress, then their ministry and Hogwarts will always have two people that cares.

He walked down through the ruined castle, he saw people still searching for people that were injured, or had died. But Harry knew he couldn't stay, he had to get away, at least for a while. He knew his friends would try to talk him out of it, but this time he was going before they found out. Once he found a secluded spot, he slipped his cloak over himself, then made his way through the rest of the castle and out onto the grounds.

Harry walked away from the castle, then saw Hagrid's hut. He couldn't leave it in ruins, so he quickly and quietly headed down the hill then stood repairing the hut but occasionally glanced around to make sure no one saw him. Once he was satisfied, he magically wrote a note on Hagrid's hut, "Just as I've said so many times, it's not Hogwarts without Hagrid, the same with his hut. I have some great memories of the times I spent here, it will always be a special place just like you will always be special to me" Harry' satisfied with his small letter to Hagrid, he turned on the spot, disappearing from Hogwarts, disappearing from his friends and disappearing from the nightmare he had lived his whole life that was finally over.

Even though Harry Potter never meant to stay away so long, he had been gone for four years. He received a lot of letters from his friends, most asking him to come home. Harry always responded saying he will when he was ready, but at the time, he wasn't ready. Finally he got a letter from Hermione and Ron, this time he knew he had no choice but to return. He wrote back and told them what day to expect him. After organising a few things for his friends, Harry was ready to see his friends that he hadn't seen face to face since that night at Hogwarts, the night their war ended, the night he killed the monster who murdered his parents.

Harry packed up his belongings, shrunk everything, sealed and locked his house, then stuck all his stuff inside the saddle bags on the side of his motorbike. He swung his leg over the bike, put his helmet on, kicked the stand back, he turned the key and the engine roared to life. He looks around once more before guiding his bike out of his garage and into traffic, ready to head back to the magical world. His first stop was his flat which was closer than his house, so he unpacked before climbing back onto his bike again ready to see his friends.

Hermione, Ron, the Grangers, and all the Weasley's were sitting around the long worn table when they heard a loud noise that was coming closer. They all hurried from the house, they stared opened mouthed as a large black motorbike came towards them. When the engine stops and the man who was all in black leather swung his leg off and took his helmet and glasses off, everyone gasps.

'Nice welcome home, shocked looks from everyone,' Harry grinned then he was being hugged by Hermione and Ron, 'I missed you.'

'Oh Harry,' Hermione sniffed then pulled back and punched him.

'Ow, what was that for Hermione?'

'You shit Harry Potter, leaving like that and not returning until now, four years, four years you've been gone, we didn't know if we'd ever see you again.'

Harry held up his gloved hands, 'Okay, I surrender, stop will you, I'm here now.'

'What's with the muggle bike?' Ron asked but he was grinning.

'That's how I've been living, like a muggle, but the bike is great,' Harry turns, points his key at it and it beeps, 'Alarm, I changed it a bit, muggles can't start it, but neither can anyone magical. Anyway, so a wedding hey, I wondered if you two would eventually tie the knot.'

'That's why we told you as soon as Ron proposed, you have to be our best man. Now come on and say hello to everyone,' Hermione took Harry's hand and led him over to her parents who were gazing disapprovingly at Harry, 'Mum, dad, this is Harry Potter, our best friend, Harry, my parents, Jean and Herbert Granger.'

Harry held his hand out and it took a few seconds before Herbert granger shook his hand. 'Nice to meet you sir, Mrs. Granger,' Harry nodded.

'Yes, nice to finally meet you young man. Hermione has spoken of you often over the years.'

'I'm sure she has and most would have shocked the life out of you. Excuse me,' Harry turned to the older Weasley's then hugged Molly Weasley, she in turn hugged Harry in one of her famous rib cracking hugs, 'I've missed you too Mrs. Weasley, even your hugs which feel like it's breaking my ribs.'

Molly slowly let go of Harry and touched his face, 'Oh Harry dear, it's so good to see you, but you're still too skinny.'

'I'm actually bigger than I was,' Harry turned to Ron's father and they hug, 'I missed you too Mr. Weasley. There were times I could have used your advice.'

'Harry,' Arthur said but his face was split with a huge grin, 'I am always here to give advice, even if my sons never take it, you always did.'

'Speaking of,' Harry turned, then gasps, 'Um, am I seeing things.'

'Nope, after you left they found Fred alive,' George grinned then hugged Harry then Fred did.

'I was in the hospital for a month, but I'm all good mate.'

'Shit, Fred,' Harry hugged him again, 'Its so good to see your ugly face, Hermione never told me you were alive.'

Fred laughed then let Harry go as George did, 'We told her not to, not until you turned up and saw me for yourself. Now though, you're calling George and me ugly, I think we're both very good looking blokes.'

'You always thought that, but from a gay bloke I can say with all honesty that you're…' Harry stepped back and gazed at the twins, 'cute.'

'Okay, gay?' Bill said as he hugged Harry, 'What do you mean gay, last time you were here you weren't?'

'That's one of the reasons I left, to find myself. All my life has been the boy who lived, then the chosen one, so being away I did a lot of thinking and soul searching,' Harry turned to Fleur and hugged her, 'Just as gorgeous as ever Fleur, Bill's a lucky man.'

'Oh Harry,' she kissed both his cheeks, 'You, well, let me just say that you are now a very good looking man, you'll make some man happy.'

'I've made a few happy in a lot of ways, but not permanently,' Harry gave his cheeky smile before turning to another Weasley, 'Hey Percy, looking good,' he got hugged by Percy surprising everyone.

'It's good to see you Harry.'

'It's good to see you too,' Harry turned once more, 'Hey red, how's it going?'

'Oh you bastard, you can't call me that anymore, especially now I'm with Seamus, have been for nearly two years.'

'Oh poor Seamus, he does know about your temper right?' Harry gave his lopsided cheeky grin before Ginny hugged him, 'It's good to see you too Ginny.'

'You too Harry, but you have changed, Fleur is right, you are cute.'

'You've got that right,' Charlie eyed Harry, he looked all the way down Harry's body and all the way up, then growled softly, 'Damn cute.'

Harry turned, 'Another one hey, well, I have to say Charlie, back at you, blimey you've got a body on you,' Harry hugged Charlie and got felt up at the same time, 'Watch those hands Charlie, I don't know you well enough.'

'Alright Charlie, we do not want to see that,' Arthur said but with amusement in his voice, 'Let's get in, I'm sure Harry would like a drink.'

'And we need to get back to the plans,' Hermione said making Ron, Ginny, Fred and George roll their eyes but they followed their parents into the house. Harry took his leather jacket and gloves off, then stood as everyone sat down and all he could do was grin as he looked around at the house he had stayed at so much over the years, a house he always felt comfortable in. And right now, he felt like he had come home.