Chapter Text
A boy with raven black hair was sleeping fitfully inside a small bedroom, when he suddenly sat up. Chest heaving and panting roughly. The boy held his hands in front of his face, on the left hand there was an scar of letters that read: “I must not tell lies.” It took the boy a few seconds to level out his breathing, he sighed and lowered his hands. His handsome face was marked with a large scar that travelled from just below his hairline, through his eyebrow, all the way down to his lip- in the shape of a lightning bolt- this mark so famous that anyone who saw it, immediately knew who they were seeing. But such a horrid scar did not take away the beauty that was in his gorgeous emerald, and often said a likelihood of his mother’s eyes. Harry James Potter, the boy who lived not once but twice. The vanisher of Voldemort. Just a mere 17 year old, who was now awake at… Harry grabbed for his glasses on the bedside table and glanced at his watch; a quarter to 5 in the morning. Knowing that sleep wouldn’t be coming again anytime soon, Harry defeatedly grabbed a t-shirt and went downstairs. He winced as his body reminded him that it was still healing. Healing from a year on the run, with little to no food, harsh environments and way too many fights that were won but not without sacrifice. As he walked down the dwindling stairs of the Burrow he kept his left arm wrapped around his chest to try and support his aching chest. He knew he should’ve let someone check him out- but with everything going on- it wasn’t even a contender to get on his to do list. When he was nearly in the kitchen his right leg buckled underneath him, causing him to stumble the last few steps down and land roughly on the ground floor. Withholding a groan, Harry took a moment before heaving himself off the ground. He shuffled towards the kitchen and grabbed his wand from his waistband and pointed it at the kettle. A cup of tea would do him good. He glanced around the brand new kitchen. For a house that had nearly fully burned down, it was looking like a home again. The Weasleys had made a few changes in the past couple of months, like a larger den, an added bedroom on the ground floor for Molly and Arthur, which opened up a bedroom upstairs for Harry. However, George was sleeping in his parents room as he couldn’t find sleep in his childhood bedroom- too many reminders of what he’d lost, of whom they’d all lost. Fred, Remus, Tonks, Dobby, Hedwig, Albus, Severus- just to name a few… suddenly the kettle started whistling- so Harry quickly waved his wand at it and it poured itself into a mug. He sipped the mug and made his way outside, the weather was lovely already so Harry decided to slump down against the old tree at the front of the orchard. He sat there for a while, not willing to think about anything, but just enjoy the rising sun.
From inside the burrow Molly Weasley had risen as well. It had been almost a month since the battle of Hogwarts, since she’d lost her precious Fred. In the first two weeks life had been really rough, even though they’d won, even though she was very happy to know that her youngest son Ron and his best friend had survived and succeeded to defeat Voldemort- the loss of one of her own, especially one of the twins was heart breaking. Since a few days though, little sparks of happiness seemed to seep into her days. Seeing Ronald with Hermione, filled her with love. Having Percy home again, finally, was great. Having all of her children, the ones still living at least, at home was doing wonders for Molly Weasley. And let’s not forget for having Harry around too, that boy brought joy and love to her home without even realizing it. Her only daughter was very happy to have him around, not just due to their still settling romance, but also for comfort and happiness that Harry had ridden them of Voldemort and survived against all odds. Molly walked into her kitchen and immediately noticed the steam coming from the kettle. She frowned at it for a moment and looked around to see who was already awake. Not seeing anyone inside she turned back to the kettle and a figure near the old tree caught her attention. Molly didn’t have to try hard to see who it was. Seeing as her whole family had red hair and the figure outside didn’t. She sighed and starred at the boy, contemplating to go outside and sit with the boy or leave him be for the moment. She felt a presence near her, one she knew all too well.
“Morning, darling.” Arthur Weasley murmured to his wife as he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Morning Arthur.” Molly replied sweetly, but didn’t take her eyes of Harry. Arthur followed her eye of sight, “How long has he been there?” He asked.
“Not too long, I imagine. The kettle is still hot.” Molly replied.
“Thank Merlin, I don’t like it that he’s been awake so early nearly every day since he’s been here.” Arthur replied worried.
“I know. He hasn’t been eating as well either.”
“It’s going to take time Molly. We don’t know fully what he’s been through, what they’ve been through. The fact that Ronald is eating, well… that’s our Ron isn’t it?” Arthur chuckled as he hugged his wife one more time.
They heard light footsteps coming down the stairs and turned around to see their daughter with wide eyes coming downstairs. “Where’s Harry?” She immediately asked.
“He’s outside, dear.” Molly replied, pointing outside. Ginny nodded and the stress of her missing boyfriend left her, she wondered when the feeling of trepidation would fade. She knew they were safe, Voldemort was gone, the Burrow was heavily protected by the order once more when they decided that Harry should stay here- seeing as Grimmauld place was uninhabitable. Suddenly they heard coughing from outside and saw Harry shifting from his reclined position.
“I’m going outside to check on him.” Ginny replied as she retied her robe and walked out the door.
Ginny walked softly towards Harry, making sure that she was in his line of sight so she wouldn’t frighten him. There was an empty mug next to him, as he slumped against the tree bark. He’d taken of his glasses and was reclining again. Ginny smiled down at him and cleared her throat. Immediately Harry’s right hand went towards his wand as he squinted up at Ginny.
“Mornin’.” Ginny said softly as she sat down next to his legs. Harry smirked at her gently and said “Morning” before closing his eyes again and laying backwards. “You ok?” Ginny asked concerned, Harry was normally a bit more interested in her even this early. She saw Harry nod softly yes to her question, “Headache.” He replied, but opened his eyes again just for the sake to not worry Ginny.
“We have potions for that, you know.” Ginny replied with a sarcastic undertone Harry knew all too well.
“I know, I just didn’t want to wake anybody up- it’s almost gone, don’t worry.” Harry said as he sat up with a groan, trying and slightly failing to convince Ginny that he was fine. Ginny glared at him for a moment, but her wariness went away when Harry leaned in to kiss her softly. “Morning.” He grumbled once again. Ginny smiled into the kiss, it seemed odd seeing as Harry had hit puberty years ago, but his voice had gotten deeper and she loved it even more.
“That’s better.” Ginny replied as she kissed him back once more. “We should get inside, mom and dad were a bit worried about you sitting here outside all by yourself.” She swiftly stood up and waited for Harry to join her, she watched as he awkwardly got up- seeming a bit of balance. Once he stood he groaned in frustration, starting to bend down and search with his hands through the grass.
“What are you doing, Harry?” Ginny chuckled.
“I forgot my glasses. My vision is a bad without a headache, with it- I can’t see shite.” Harry grumbled. Ginny bent down and grabbed his glasses for him and gently set them on his nose. He squinted again and she took a good look at him. “You’re looking pale, Harry. You sure you’re alright?”
“I’m fine, Gin. I just need to eat.” Harry replied as he grabbed her hand and they started to walk back towards the burrow. “That’s nothing new Harry, you’re way too skinny.”
“Hey! I also grew a couple of inches!” Harry replied undignified, making Ginny chuckle again. “Means you have to eat even more.” She simply replied as she opened the front door.
“Morning Harry!” Arthur replied as soon as they stepped into the kitchen.
“Morning Mr. Weasley.” Harry replied kindly.
“Good morning, dear. Did you sleep alright?” Molly asked as she gently pulled Harry’s face down so she could reach him and kiss his forehead.
“The few hours I did, I slept fine.” Harry replied honestly, there was no reason to lie about his few hours of sleep seeing as it was just starting on 6 o’clock in the morning. Ginny glared at him from behind, “He said he had a headache.” She stated, earning a soft glare from Harry- who was still mind you, squinting behind his glasses the more light the day was filled with.
“It’s fine, nearly gone.” Harry replied, hoping not to draw too much attention to himself.
Molly glanced up at the boy and saw the signs of a headache, but didn’t push him. “If the headache is still there in a few hours, Harry. Just ask, we have potions for that you know.” She reminded him.
“I know Mrs. Weasley.” Harry replied as he carefully sat down at the kitchen table in his usual spot.
“Alright, breakfast is in the making. It shouldn’t be too long now.” Molly replied as she turned back towards the stove.
Just when Molly was about to call out to the others that breakfast was ready, a sleepy Ron and Hermoine holding hands, walked downstairs. Ron’s left arm was in a sling, it was undergoing treatment for the splinching, seeing as it was still bothering him.
“Morning, just in time. Breakfast is ready.” Molly replied.
“Perfect, I’m starving.” Ron replied and just then Molly heard the most wonderful sound in the world. A full laugh coming from her son George as he and Charlie, followed by Bill and a pregnant Fleur and Percy came down the stairs.
“You’re always starving, Won Won.” George replied as he sat down next to Ron, and everybody else also settled at the table.
Molly set the table and waved her wand at the tea kettle, so that it magically filled everyone’s cups. “Dig in.” she said as she watched with a caretakers eyes that everybody seemed to fill their plates, even Harry had a generous amounts of toast and sausages on his plate.
“So, what are you all doing today? Any exciting plans?” Arthur asked all the children.
“We were planning to go for a swim today, seeing as the weather has finally turned.” Hermoine replied, she wanted to continue but she was interrupted by a couple of hoots that were heard from outside. Harry quickly looked up before looking back down again, realizing Hedwig would never deliver him mail again. He missed her now, more than ever. Now that everything was settling down and normalcy was returning, now that he could receive mail again- but there was no owl of his own to bring it to him. Ginny seemed to notice and gently squeezed his leg in comfort. Harry sadly smiled at her before turning back to his toast, even though his appetite had gone now. Arthur had stood up to open the windows, there were three owls; Pigwidgeon, Errol (that blimey old owl was still alive), and a tawny owl. Pig flew right towards Hermoine with a copy of The Daily Prophet, Errol flew – or at least tried to but fell in the sink – towards Arthur carrying a letter with a ministry seal on it and the Tawny owl carried four letters, a Hogwarts seal on all of them. Molly grabbed those and started to hand them out to the four teenagers. “Seems like Minerva has everything back in order at Hogwarts.” She said as she handed the last letters to Ron and Hermoine.
“Should be, last week all the rubbish was cleared and reconstruction was well on its way.” Harry replied as he opened his letter. It was the standard letter every student got for their returning school years and with it came a list of supplies needed.
“Guess your schedule of today includes a visit for Diagon Alley.” Molly stated.
“… And The Ministry of Magic.” Arthur replied as he’d finished reading his letter.
“Why?” Ron asked curiously.
“You, Harry and Ginny still need to get your apparition licenses.” Arthur replied worryingly as he glanced at Harry as he’d been avoiding public wizarding places. They’d all been helping restore Hogwarts, along with the remaining order of the phoenix and a couple of students and professors the first few weeks after the battle. But when their help was no longer needed, the Weasley’s had returned home to grieve and settle back into the burrow. Harry arrived a couple of days ago with a team of aurors, when he’d been send away by Minerva telling him he’d done enough and was to rest for the remaining summer before school started again. The aurors were there to help strengthen the wards around the burrow, just out of precaution, so that Harry would be safe here and he didn’t have to worry about putting the Weasley’s at more risk. There were still a couple of death eaters out of the loose, which Harry was irritated about- but was told not to be bothered with. The Ministry was on top of it. Harry very much doubted that, seeing as the ministry had lost just more than half of its aurors and employees due to the battle or because they’d been working for Voldemort.
“They’ve made special arrangements for you three this morning. No one else but you three and the apparition instructor will be there, they’ve got three aurors on guard for you- including Kingsley, Robards and Proudfoot.” Arthur said as he tucked away the letter in his coat jacket.
“What time do we have to be there?” Ginny asked.
“At 10 o’clock.” Arthur replied, “Meaning we have to leave here at 9 o’clock, seeing as the floo network inside the ministry is still shut down.”
They ate quickly after that, Harry and Ginny helped Molly to clean up. Just as they were done, Harry turned towards Molly. “I might need that headache potion, Mrs. Weasley.” He asked softly with a sigh. Molly regarded him for a minute, she’d seen the way he’d been squinting. “Of course dear, let me grab some for you.” She waved her wand and a blue potion flew into her hands. “Here, you should go lie down for a bit. It’ll help most if you get some rest, you’ve still got a good hour before you have to leave. I’d imagine a headache won’t help your apparition test.” Molly replied gently.
Harry took the potion from her and swallowed it. “I’ve apparated with worse.” He stated without thinking, he quickly turned towards Ginny, “I’m going to lie down for a bit.” Before hastily, but still kind of off balance, working his way upstairs.
“Something is off about him.” Ginny murmured as she was still watching the now empty staircase. Molly walked over towards her daughter and gently patted her on the arm. “He’s just working some stuff out.”
“I know, that’s just not it. Something else is wrong, he’s still really pale and he stumbles a lot more.” Ginny voiced out of worries.
“I’ve noticed. But I don’t want to force him, he needs to come to us if he’s having problems.” Molly replied as she released her daughter and turned towards the dishes.
Ginny snorted, “We are talking about the same Harry here aren’t we? He’s fine.” That last part heavily doused in sarcasm. Molly sighed, “He asked for a headache potion, that’s something. We just look out for him, we’ll figure it out. He’s safe here at least.”