Warnings:None... DH spoilers obviously
Era:Post Hogwarts
Feedback Please!
Harry stood before the gates outside of Hogwarts, the same amazed gleam in his eye that he had the first time he set foot in Hogwarts shone in his bright green eyes. His wife, Ginny Potter stood beside him, looking into the dark grounds as well.
They had been stationary for quite a few moments, both nervous at reentering the castle that they had attended as children twenty years ago. It had been twenty years since the last battle at Hogwarts, twenty years since the lightening bolt shaped scar on Harrys forehead had burned, or prickled, the usual sign indicating Voldemort was either near, or angry.
The year following the battle had brought more letters than Harry could have imagined, thanking him, congratulating him, or apologizing for doubting him. Still, every so often, even twenty years later, he would get a letter from some one, expressing their joy, and gratitude, reminding him what an inspirational man he was.
The last time Harry had set foot in Hogwarts was the night of the final battle. The last time he had seen the castle it was in shambles, nearly ruins from the battle that had raged inside of it. Seeing the castle returned to its usual magnificence after so much had happened was almost alarming to Harry, for he thought that it was far past repairing.
Feeling a nudge at his shoulder, Harry looked down and saw Ginny looking into his eyes. When she looked at him like that, he knew that she could almost read her mind. A simple smile from her could warm his heart, as it had always been able to do. He smiled at her slightly, still nervous at joining the reunion. They were both quiet, not knowing what to say.
Life after Voldemort’s fall had brought them three beautiful, amazing, talented children, after they had been married. The children were at Ginnys parent’s house, along with their best friends Ron, and Hermione’s kids. Remembering them, Harry asked, “You think Ron and Hermione are here yet?”
Ginny took Harry’s hand, and opened the gate, “Maybe. Either way we should probably go in.”
Harry braced himself, squeezed his wife’s hand, and walked forward, towards the Hogwarts castle.
They walked through the open oak front doors, and into the Great Hall, where their old classmates were all gathered. As more people noticed who had arrived, the talking died down, every one staring at Harry. All through school Harry was usually greeted by malevolent whispers, pointing, and staring; though the silence now what neither angry, nor curious. Harry looked around into the faces of his old classmates, looking for people whom he recognized, when Seamus Finnegan, one of Harrys fellow Gryffindors, came through the crowd, slapped Harry on the shoulder and said loudly, “Welcome back!”
This was followed by an uproar cheers and applause. More and more people approached Harry to shake his hand, and congratulate him. The scene before him made Harrys heart feel heavy in his chest, and he smiled a wide, brilliant smile. Ginny wrapped her arm around his shoulder, and they walked through the Great Hall.
The house tables were gone, replaced by smaller, round tables lining the room. Harry was looking around the tables for Ron, and Hermione when a large hand clapped him on the shoulder, making his knees bend slightly. Turning around Harry saw Hagrids giant figure standing in front of him, beaming.
“Harry, m’ boy, so glad you came!” he said, as Harry hugged him around the waist, the highest spot that he could reach.
Seeing Ginny, Hagrid smiled and said, “Ginny, good to see you!” Noticing the ring on her finger he said, “Figured you two’d get married.”
“Care to join us Hagrid?” Ginny asked, taking a seat at the nearest table.
Hagrid rested his hand on Harrys should, “I’d love to, Ginny, but I’ve got to take care o’ sammat, later?”
Harry sat down beside Ginny and said, “Of course Hagrid. Hey have you seen Ron, and Hermione?”
Before Hagrid turned to walk away he said, “Didn’ know they were comin’, but I’ll tell em’ you’re lookin’ for em’ if I happen to see em’.”
Watching Hagrid leave the Great Hall, Harry saw a pretty woman with long black hair come in, a handsome young man on her arm. Ginny followed Harrys gaze and frowned slightly, “Look, Harry, there’s Cho, your old girlfriend.”
“Wha-?” he said, looking around at Ginny, “Oh, yeah. You want to go say hi?” he asked, trying to wipe the smug expression on his face off.
“No, that’s alright, I think I just saw Michael Coroner.” she said, getting up, “Come get me if you see Ron, or Hermione, OK?”
“OK.” Harry answered, and kissed Ginny on the cheek before approaching Cho, and her date. Cho’s hair had grown quite a bit, falling down to her waist; her eyes were shining with a happiness that continued to her face. Seeing Harry, she said something to her date, and walked towards him.
Harry straitened his back, and held out his hand to his former girlfriend, from Ravenclaw, “Cho! It’s good to see you! How are you?” he said, shaking her hand.
Releasing Harry’s hand, Cho said, “I’m good, really good.” pausing she added, “That’s my husband” and pointed to the tall man she had come with, “We met at a quidditch match.”
Her face seemed to glow as she said this, and she sounded like she was still excited to make the announcement of her marriage, Harry felt an honest happiness for her, “Congratulations! So things have been going good for you?”
“Yes,” she said, “Very, so, you and Ginny?”
Harry smiled and held up his ring hand, “Yep. A few months after… school ended.” he said, and laughed. It was a light way to phrase the battle.
“Oh, well congrats to you too. Would you err, like to meet him?” she asked, and after Harry nodded she took his arm, and led him to where her husband was standing.
“Anthony, this is Harry Potter, an old school mate of mine, Harry, my husband Anthony.”
The man looked at Harry, and upon recognition he said, “Harry Potter! A pleasure meeting you.” he held out his hand, waiting for Harry to shake it.
Taking his hand, Harry said “Pleasure. So, how’d you two meet?”
Cho beamed and took Anthony’s arm, looking up at him she said, “You tell him.”
“Sure sweetie, why don’t we sit down?” Anthony suggested, and Harry led them through the crowd back to the table that he and Ginny had sat down at. Michael and Ginny were both sitting there, Ginny talking with the woman that Michael had brought, all three of them looking like they were very much enjoying themselves.
“Harry, hey, you remember Michael don’t you?” Ginny asked, gesturing to Michael. Harry nodded and shook his hand, taking a seat beside Ginny.
“Hey, how’s it goin’? Harry asked, while Anthony and Cho sat down.
Michael smiled, “Great. This is my wife, Marietta. I think you err… remember her?” he said, blushing a bit.
Back in their fifth year, Marietta had snitched to a horrid professor named Umbridge, about their secret group, Dumbledore’s Army. Harry hadn’t even noticed her, though maybe it was because the horrible boils spelling ‘snitch’ across her face had been removed.
“Of course.” Harry said. He wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but he still didn’t like her much. While Cho and Marietta were chattering happily, Harry turned to Anthony and asked him again how he and Cho had met.
“We were at a Quidditch game last year, both of us had come alone, wait actually I think she had brought along Marietta.” he said, turning to Cho.
“Yes, that’s right. We won the tickets, but I forgot how.” Cho said, and turned back to Marietta. Michael and Ginny were both listening to Anthony.
“Well, the three of us,” he corrected, “were all rooting for the same team, and I just couldn’t take my eyes off of Cho.”
Harry laughed, “Understandably,” he said, earning a look from Ginny.
“We started talking when the keeper took a bludger to the face, and they had to take a time out, and she told me that she was on the school Quidditch team. Well, that surely got my attention, and then, can you believe it, she showed me an old Victor Krum model from the world cup!” Anthony looked at his wife, who had stopped chatting to listen, both of their faces reminiscent, “As you could imagine, meeting another Krum fan was fascinating. She even said that she got to meet the bloke,” pausing while Cho kissed his cheek, he continued, “It just wasn’t the same once she pulled that out, I had to get to know her better. Now a year later, she’s my wife, and soon to be mother of my child.”
Harry almost choked on his butterbeer, “Oh, well congratulations Cho! I didn’t even notice.” he said, glancing down at Cho’s stomach, earning another reproving look from his wife.
“Harry, look, there’s Ron and Hermione.” Ginny said, pointing to the door, and sure enough there was their best mates, who had come along with Neville, and Luna, more members of the DA.
Even though the two of them, and their kids came over at least once or twice a week, Harry was still happy to see a few familiar faces.
Spotting Harry and Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna all came to their table. Noticing the lack of seats Hermione pulled out her wand, and enlarged the table. Harry stood up, hugging Hermione and shaking Rons hand, before he conjured extra seats.
Pretending to listen to the small talk, Harry looked around the great hall, amazement etched all over his face. Twenty years was a long time to be away, yet it looked the same as it ever was. The staff table at the front, the large great hall full of chipper people, the only difference Harry could see was that they were all older. There was even still the usual pointing, but no one bothered to whisper. Harry was revered as a hero, though he still mourned the loss of what it took to become a hero.
Being in Hogwarts again was one of the most frightening things that Harry had ever faced, and considering, that was saying a lot. Images still haunted him from the night that Lord Voldemort took his final fall; people that should be with them today were long gone, who died nobly, bigger hero’s by far than himself. And even though it was a hard thing to face, it still brought him joy to be in the first place that had ever felt like home.