Make a Difference
It was the evening of the 24th of December and Harry had returned straight home, to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, after a long day of auror training at the Ministry of Magic. He wanted to pick up the presents he had bought days before, before heading to The Burrow, where he was going to stay for the day and celebrate Christmas with his family, the Weasleys.
“Kreacher,” Harry called right after entering the place. “Are you going to attend the Hogwarts feast tonight? Did you-“
“Yes, Master,” the house-elf interrupted from the drawing room. “And Kreacher has packed the gifts Master wants to take with him tonight, just as he asked.” The house-elf came out looking for Harry and pointed at a package near the entrance.
“Thanks, Kreacher,” Harry said when he finally saw him. “Have fun. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
Harry took the package and headed to the door.
“Master is most kind,” Kreacher replied and bowed him out.
Harry went to the small and shabby square where he used to disaparate every morning, and turned on the spot.
The Burrow was more magical than ever. Harry entered it through the back door. It was decorated with bubbles that Hermione had charmed into looking like stars and arranged into garlands. Mrs. Weasley had placed beautiful wreaths covered in red ribbons on every door.
Small pieces of mistletoe were hanging from the ceiling every here and there, and even though Bill and Fleur had been married for over a year now, they couldn’t help but enjoy every excuse they had to kiss, now that everyone was finally safe.
“Wee should ‘ave put more meezeltoe in zee house, Bill,” Harry heard Fleur say in between giggles from a corner while Bill hugged her.
Harry was used to scenes like that. It was nice to see fresh love after all that this lovely family had been through. He didn’t want to interrupt, so he soundlessly walked past them and entered the living room. There, he saw Ginny, Ron and George playing with some Filibuster Fireworks and moved closer to them to join in the fun.
“How come you’re using those?” Harry said. “Don’t you guys have your own line?”
“Harry!” The three of them greeted him excitedly.
“It’s called research, Harry,” George said, while Ginny hugged Harry sweetly and kissed him on his cheek. “And you are right,” he continued, “ours are so much better.”
The guests arrived as the night went by and everyone was having fun. Even though some loved ones weren’t present, they were remembered as heroes several times through the night with Firewhiskey toasts. Everyone kept in mind that the lost ones gave their lives fighting to allow their families a happy and steady future.
Harry had been looking forward to talk to a particular person through the whole night. He had a hard time trying to focus on the right moment to do so, but as midnight came closer, he decided it was time to do it. He got up from the couch and started looking through the crowded room, searching for a certain someone he knew would not be in the middle of the uproar. Silently, and without Harry noticing, Ginny followed him.
He spotted the woman he was looking for in a far away corner. She was playing with a blue haired baby who was resting happily in her arms. He walked to her, and said in a very shaky but respectful voice, “Mrs. Tonks, may I have a word with you?”
“Yes, my dear,” Mrs. Tonks replied. “What can I do for you?”
“Mrs. Tonks, I’ve been wanting to tell you something ever since… ever since… th-that happened.”
“Yes Harry,” Mrs. Tonks said very intrigued, with sadness recognizable in her tone.
Harry was very nervous, but he was decided. He was left a mission and he was going to fulfill it. He took a deep breath and thought about everything that had happened in the last year and a half. He gained confidence and now was able to procure a steady voice.
“Mrs. Tonks, I want to be the godfather that my dad thought Sirius was going to be, I want to be the godfather that Sirius wanted to be for me, and I want to be the godfather that Remus thought I could be. I am going to do my best to give Teddy that figure that I could only enjoy for such few years. I’ll do my best to provide him that support that he needs and deserves. You know I am here for you and for Teddy. And you, Teddy and everyone in this house, in this very moment are my family, the family that I love and will always care for, no matter what.”
“Thank you Harry,” Mrs. Tonks said. A tear was running down her cheek. “I know Teddy and I can count on you for anything. You are such a sweetheart. And I know that my Dora and Remus couldn’t have chosen a better godfather for Teddy than you.”
“Thank you Mrs. Tonks,” Harry replied. “Having all my family together and happy is the best Christmas present I could have.”
Ginny had been standing close to them. Harry didn’t know it. Without wanting to, she had listened to the whole conversation. She was so proud. The man she loved was a great man. Now, she fully understood how courageous he was: up to the point of giving his life again, for his family, for his loved ones, for new life, not only once, but all the times necessary without thinking it twice. She knew that every word he said reflected exactly how he felt.
Mrs. Tonks turned her gaze to her arms, where little Teddy snoozed happily while sucking his thumb. “I’m going to put this little fellow in his crib,” she said softly. “He fell asleep while we were talking and didn’t even wait to get a glimpse of his presents. Really Harry, you don’t know how much that means to me. Thank you.” She gave Harry a sweet smile and walked away.
Ginny took this opportunity to approach Harry from behind and whisper in his ear, “Teddy is lucky to have you in his life.” A single tear was glistening in one of her eyes.
Harry turned around to face her and pulled her close to him by taking her from the waist with one of his hands. With the other, he wiped her eye with a subtle and caring gesture. Then he pulled her into a soft hug and made her head rest in his shoulder.
“I only hope I can make a difference,” he whispered in her ear.
“You already have,” she said.
The end.
***
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