Harry Potter and The Gilded Portrait - Part Two
Standard Disclaimers Apply
Chapter Eighteen - Visit
Once back at #12 Harry and Hermione wasted no time in making their way into Muggle London via the tube. They quickly made their way trough a few clothing stores picking up the essentials like trouser, shirts, socks and undergarments.
Harry's mind was in a constant state of dizziness as Hermione dragged him from one location to another. It was the first time in his life he had ever been shopping for himself and he felt dull-witted and completely out of sorts. He simply relied on Hermione's knowledge and expertise in the present situation.
He determined if he could trust her with his life he could very well trust her to outfit him with some stylish togs so he simply went along for the ride and did as he was asked without much fuss.
Hermione had become so intent on getting Harry squared away not only was she at her bossiest best but she had not thought about her parents in hours. The distraction, while making her feel a touch guilty, was welcome. She had managed to find quite a few bargains and sale items that helped trim down what she knew was going to be a whopping expenditure.
She had to admit to herself the lessons in frugal shopping learned from her mother through the years had paid off big time.
After they had acquired most all the essentials Hermione concentrated on items he would need for his trip. She wanted Harry to have fun without worrying about anything. She figured this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime holiday so they might as well go big.
They found themselves running through Allders in Croydon, then off to Selfridges & Co. and John Lewis on Oxford St. then found themselves in the ever-present BHS (British Home Stores) where they managed to round out Harry's makeover with one of his first ever pair of new trainers. He was so please with his new shoes he told the sales lady he wanted to wear them out. Hermione could help but laugh.
They had a bit of time left before heading out of London to visit Andromeda and little Teddy so they browsed in the store.
"We certainly got a lot of stuff didn't we," Harry asked looking at the huge pile of bags and boxes they had accumulated in their spree. They had lugged it all to BHS by hand.
Hermione frowned as she took it all in, then casting a furtive glance about the men's department saw they were quite alone for the moment.
With a wave of her wand she cast a shrinking charm on all but two of the bags. All the rest of their items fit quite nicely in those.
Harry gave her a significant look but she just smirked at him. He couldn't help but chuckle.
She saw some very nice Hawaiian-type shirts that screamed Tropical Vacation on a display rack and talked Harry into trying them on along with some swim trunks. He rolled his eyes but said nothing as he made his way to the fitting rooms.
As she browsed the Misses department waiting on Harry something in the display window made Hermione stop in her tracks and gawk open-mouthed.
It was a gold, very tiny string bikini made out of some type of very shiny fabric. It was to DIE FOR! The top was nothing more than two small triangles of gold caught in a web of thin strings to keep them in place. For someone as buxom as say…Cho Chang or Lavender Brown the top would have left scant little to the imagination of their ample breasts but for Hermione, who found herself looking down at what she considered her paltry bust line she thought it would fit quite nicely.
The bottom was of the thong variety and the practical woman in her gagged at the idea of ever getting caught dead in such a scandalous garment…but for the first time in her life Hermione was feeling a bit rebellious. Getting killing curses hurled at you, tortured, chased by blood-thirsty Death Eaters and tossed aside by the boy you thought you were in love with can change even the most introverted of souls.
She stood there staring longingly at the bathing suit when a saleswoman approached.
"Can I help you with something Miss?" She asked.
Hermione contemplated for a moment sucking on her bottom lip, then decided to take the plunge.
Why not? It's my escape! I'll do it my way. I don't care what anyone else thinks!
"Do you have this in a size to fit me?" She asked the clerk pointing to the gold bikini.
"Certainly," the woman smiled broadly, "Would you like to try it on?"
Hermione nodded but then stopped.
"Wait," she inquired with her brows pinched together, "How much?"
"I believe that one is 125 pounds Miss. It's on sale!" The woman said smiling.
A HUNDRED AND TWENTY FI…
Hermione started to sweat. No matter how lovely and sexy it looked she could not justify spending that much money on less than a dozen square inches of fabric and some pretty shoe strings. The rebellion seemed to be squashed before it was able to muster any steam at all.
The saleswoman seemed to understand Hermione's hesitancy.
"Why don't you try it on anyway Miss," the women said, "No harm in looking yes?"
Oh! This woman's clever!
"Right," Hermione said wincing inside.
"I'll meet you at the changing booths."
She passed the changing room Harry was using and knocked. She heard the latch click open. When she peaked inside he was wearing a pair of dark blue swim trunks and nothing else. The sight of his slender but rather well defined body made the temperature go up a bit.
Harry turned to look at her with a smile
"Well how do I look?" He asked.
"Smashing Harry," she wasn't really talking about the swim trunks, "if you don't mind I'm going to try something on."
Harry glanced out into the store with a grin.
"Of course not," he said, looking at her a bit funny, "Why would I mind?"
"Well, it's just we're here for you not me," she said shyly, "that's all."
"What a load of rubbish Hermione," Harry worked on taking one of the shirts from the hanger and unbuttoning it, "get whatever you want or need. It's on me…"
Hermione threw up both hands out in front of her as if to stop something.
"No…NO, Harry," she stuttered, "I'm just trying something on to see how it looks that's all. No way can I afford it."
Harry gave her a look of annoyance but Hermione made a hasty exit as she saw the saleswoman approach. She was holding the bikini high up in front of her as if to parade it around the shop for everyone to see.
Hermione approached quickly and snatched it from her grasp.
"Umm…sorry, thanks." Hermione muttered as she slid quickly into the fitting room.
Before she could snatch the bikini from the woman's hand Harry had poked his head around the corner of the fitting room door and saw what the woman was holding. He couldn't believe how tiny the bathing suit was.
Hermione? In a tog like that? Ooh my... I think I'd give my wand arm to see her in that…
He quickly derailed his train of thought right there! In fact…he laid dynamite on the tracks, blew them up and the train disappeared into a smoking hole!
Blushing scarlet from the neck up he went back to his own fitting.
For Hermione, the silky gold two-piece fit her body like it was made specifically for her. In her mind it showed just the right amount of what to her were her pathetically small breasts. (Although, they really weren't that small. She just didn't burst out of her tops like Cho or Lavender) Not too much…not too little. She thought it scandalous but found her reflection smiling at the thought of the look on Ron's face if he saw her.
I'll show you Scarlet woman you moron!
The straps of the bottom rode high on the slender curve of her hips and tied off on both sides. The tiny triangle panel in the front was large enough to cover what needed to be covered but that was all. The smaller panel in the back seemed to be just for show. It fit snugly against the small of her back but left both cheeks of her bottom completely exposed. She felt almost completely naked but as she stood there looking at herself she couldn't help thinking.
Merlin…It looks smashing on me!
She fluffed her abundant hair and let it spill unfettered down her back. The young woman looking back at her in the mirror was not the introverted know-it-all book worm she came to recognize throughout her life and she liked it.
But as quickly as the magical moment came, it evaporated like the morning mist over the Hogwarts Lake as the price tag tickled the extreme left edge of her breast.
It took her less than five seconds to remove the most beautiful bikini she had ever seen. With a heavy sigh she re-dressed, hung the garment back on the hanger and went out to tend to Harry.
When she opened the door she found him sitting on a bench just outside her fitting room waiting. She flung the bikini behind her with a twitch but it was much too late. He was looking right at her.
"What's that you've got there," he asked.
Hermione blushed so hot she thought her hair was going to spontaneously combust.
"Oh…erm, nothing," She stammered, "Just wanted to see how it…looked." Hermione turned on her heel and fled.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle. He continued to sit waiting for Hermione to return when the sales woman passed by with an arm full of garments on hangers.
"Excuse me Miss," Harry asked as he stood up.
The sales woman stopped and smiled brightly at him.
"That thing my friend tried on. You know what it was?"
"Yes sir, of course," she replied brightly.
"Can you do me a favor please," Harry asked.
"Certainly," the sales woman said.
"Can you wrap it up like a present and put it in a separate bag for me? Nothing to elaborate just a simple package. I would like to purchase it for her but I don't want her to know. She would probably throw a fit but if I give it to her once we get to where we're going she won't be able to say no."
"Oh, how romantic," the sales lady's eyes grew wide, "she'll love it I'm sure. Consider it done."
"Thanks," Harry said as she rushed off.
Romantic? What's romantic about a present? We give them to each other all the time.
Several hours and a few thousand pounds later Hermione had outfitted Harry with a complete new wardrobe and everything she thought he would need for an extended holiday on the islands.
Before they returned to Grimmuald Place she called to double check the flight departure time, boarding pass confirmation, Visa registration and the accommodation update. Everything was in order.
When they got back they spent the time removing tags and packing. By five that evening Harry was all set.
As he stood there clad in a pair of new, well fitting blue jeans, a light grey button up long sleeve blouse and his spotless new trainers Hermione couldn't help but marvel at how much more put together he looked in clothes that actually fit him. He was handsome.
Granger…you are a bloody genius! Now if you could just do something with that hair!
After a quick evening meal at #12 they decided to head out to visit Andromeda and little Teddy.
"Do you know where the Tonks cottage is," Harry asked as they prepared to apparate, "I know I've been there but I don't exactly know the way."
"Not to worry Harry," Hermione smiled as she latched on to Harry, spun on a heel and vanished with a loud pop!
At the other end they both stumbled out into the park across from the Hermione's parent's house. It surprised Harry for a moment. He was expecting to land at the Tonk's.
When he made to ask Hermione what she was doing she just smirked.
"I've got a bit of a surprise for you."
"Ok…" Harry replied but decided not to push. She would tell him in her own time.
They made a bee-line toward the front yard careful to look around to check for any unsuspecting Muggles.
As they gained the front entrance Harry was laughing to himself. Hermione turned and gave him an odd look.
"I was just thinking of the last time I came here."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she let them in. Hermione went directly to the kitchen leaving Harry standing in the foyer.
The place looked as if someone had been living there all along now. Harry made his way about the den looking around as he waited for her to return.
"Is Crookshanks still with Andromeda then?" Harry asked in a loud voice. He had remembered she had told him about that a while ago but he had forgotten.
"Yes," she said from the other room. It sounded as if she was going through drawers looking for something, "as much as I hate to admit it I think he's much happier there with them…ah there you are!"
Harry heard a drawer slide shut and something that made a metallic jingling sound. When Hermione appeared in the doorway to the kitchen she was holding a set of keys in her hand and smiling rather sadly looking around the room.
"What is it?" Harry asked but he already knew the answer.
"I miss them Harry," Hermione whispered.
It was caring and a deep concern for her that propelled Harry forward. He folded Hermione into a gentile embrace. She laid her head on his chest.
"They'll be home before you know it," he said with all the conviction he could muster.
"I know," Hermione said as she looked at her hands, "but I can't help but feel like I'm abandoning them in their time of need."
"Having second thoughts about this trip?" Harry asked holding her by the shoulders looking her squarely in the eyes.
Hermione's expression changed to one of certainty and conviction. She knew she had done everything she could to help her parents up to this point and nothing could be gained by coming apart at the seams. She needed to get away, if for no other reason then to clear her mind and get some much needed rest.
"No Harry," she replied a bit more sternly then she had intended, "We both need this. My parents are in the best capable hands and until we can find an answer there's nothing more that can be done for them. I have to face that. It's just as Neville said. I'm going to have to eventually come to terms with the truth."
"And what truth is that?" Harry asked but he already knew the answer.
"That there my be no way back for my mother and father. I have to somehow accept that as a possibility yes?"
Harry frowned.
"That sounds like Hermione has given up," he said darkly, "That's not the Hermione Granger I know."
It was Hermione's turn to frown.
"You of all people should know me better than that Harry."
That shut Harry up right and proper. He smiled as he looked at her sideways for a moment. Hermione pushed him back with a gentle stiff-arm to the chest.
"Let's go visit your Godson shall we?" Hermione grinned, "We'll save the heavy discussions for some other time?"
"So how are we to get to the Tonk's? Apparate…floo…or take the Knight Bus?"
Hermione smiled her devastatingly devious and cute little dimpled smirk.
"None of the above Mr. Smarty New Pants," She held up the ring of keys and jingled them in his face, "We're going to drive!"
Harry was completely stunned by that revelation. At first he thought she was trying to make a joke but when she grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the front door he quickly realized she wasn't kidding at all.
She let them out of the house and locked the door behind them. Turning to the right side of the house they went to what Harry recognized as the garage. He remembered some of the houses in his old neighborhood at Little Whinging had a single-car garage attached to them but this one was three times the size.
Hermione went to the side of one of the big roll up doors, lifted a small lid that revealed a hidden key pad. She touched the pad a few times and the big door began to open all by itself. Hermione chuckled at Harry's amazed expression.
Inside were three automobiles, each one looked larger than the next. The first was a large black sedan. Harry didn't know much about Muggle cars but he was looking at a Mercedes-Benz 500SEL.
Hermione quickly explained it was her mother's car. Her father wanted her to drive something safe.
Next to the big black sedan was a slightly smaller beautiful blue BMW M3. It looked fast just sitting there.
Finally Hermione pulled him toward what looked to him like an older, smaller little convertible car that looked positively antique next to the other newer modern vehicles. Hermione smiled at him as she laid her hand lovingly on the top of the little green machine.
"This is a car my father bought from some bloke who refurbished these things for sport, I think. This one needed some repairs so my father purchased it and had a repair shop go through the whole thing to make certain it operated correctly."
"What is it?" Harry asked. It looked nothing like his Uncle Vernon's small sedan nor did it resemble the Weasley's old Anglia.
"It called an MG Midget. My father fell in love with it and thought it would be a car I would like to drive around if I got the notion, not that I drive all that much."
Harry looked at her with eyes wide.
"You drive this thing…or does it fly?"
"Well, of course I can drive it and no it doesn't fly!" Hermione gave him a funny look as she opened the driver's door, worked the latches on the convertible top laying it back then slid behind the wheel, "I got my driver's license two years ago." She paused then smiled, "I am a Muggle you know. Come on…get in!" She patted the passenger's seat.
She noticed Harry's reluctance.
"Oh come on Harry don't you trust me?" She said grinning. With that she slid the key into the switch, turned it and with a few tries the little car came to life. The engine purred quietly as she sat there waiting. Finally, swallowing a mouth full of saliva Harry slid into the passenger seat and settled in.
"Don't forget your seat belt." Hermione quipped.
Harry looked around for a moment a bit confused.
"Oh for Merlin's sake," Hermione huffed with a sigh as she leaned over Harry and snapped the lap belt in place. After she buckled her own belt she yanked up on the center console parking break lever and dropped it, slid the shifter into first and eased out the clutch. Revving the engine just slightly the little sports car began to ease forward. When they cleared the garage Hermione reached up and touched a red button on a small box hanging on the sun visor.
Harry turned to watch the garage door close all by itself. With that Hermione laughed and took off out of the driveway screeching the tires slightly. The sudden acceleration threw Harry back against the seat.
He was amazed at how easily she maneuvered the little car through the crowded London streets, zipping in and out of traffic as if she had done it all her life. He watched as she seemed to know exactly when to move the leaver in between them to make the car go faster or slower depending on what the traffic around them was doing.
She briefly explained to Harry the differences in an automatic transmission and a manual one. He couldn't help but be completely impressed and amazed by her.
As they passed beyond the crowded busy city center and into the English countryside Hermione told Harry she was going to stretch the little car's legs a bit. The car hadn't been driven in a while. With that she worked her way up through the gears until it felt as if they were flying down the road.
"This thing really goes fast doesn't it?" Harry asked, "I feel like I'm riding a broom but it's much less windy."
Hermione laughed. Harry couldn't help but notice she seemed to be relaxing. This drive was definitely having a positive affect on her disposition.
"Not really Harry," she explained, "This little car will only go about 90 or maybe 95 miles per hour top speed."
"Well, that's pretty fast isn't it?"
Hermione just shrugged her shoulders.
"Not when you consider your Nimbus flies nearly as fast and that blue car you saw in the garage…"
Harry nodded.
"It can reach speeds well above 150 miles per hour."
Harry mouthed the word `WOW!'
They settled into a comfortable silence as Hermione concentrated on driving and Harry, his initial nervous jitters now subsided, watched the scenery flash by as they made their way further into the country.
Soon businesses and residences gave way to quaint country farm houses and long stretches of open rolling fields and knots of dense forest. After several miles of that Hermione finally turned left onto a narrow roughly paved road that wound deep into a thick grove of very large trees that towered over them.
The dappled sunlight flashed across them as the crisp clean air assaulted his nostrils. Harry sat back and took it all in. It wasn't long before she turned again onto an even narrower dirt road that wound ever deeper into the dense forest. The trees and undergrowth seemed to press in on the little car on both sides.
Hermione seemed completely unaffected by it as she expertly piloted the car up over a small incline then out into a clearing. The road curved sharply to the right and they came to an abrupt stop at a white and red stripped warning barrier. It appeared to be a dead end.
Hermione pulled her wand, swished it saying "Evanesco!"
The barrier and the wooded area beyond seemed to slowly shimmer and evaporate. In their place the dirt road continued. When Hermione continued on she pointed her wand over her shoulder and the dirt road all but disappeared behind them.
Not much further up was the house Harry remembered. He could see the area where he and Hagrid crashed. He knew the remnants of Sirius' motorbike were still ensconced in Arthur's tinker's shed. It made him a bit sad to realize it would probably never fly again as they came to a smooth stop in front of the house.
He looked over at Hermione beaming widely as she turned off the engine.
"That was brilliant Hermione!"
"Yes…well," she quipped a bit glumly, "Not quite like a broom though is it?"
Harry frowned at her slight as they got out of the car. He wondered where that came from all of a sudden. She seemed in such better spirits while they were driving. He thought that a bit curious.
Andromeda had already opened the front door waving a jovial greeting with little Teddy in her arms.
"Hello Hermione!" Andromeda beamed, "How lovely to see you again." When she saw Harry passed her shoulder her smile got bigger, "And Harry as well, how wonderful! Come in…come in!"
She waved them both into the house with great enthusiasm. Harry couldn't help but chuckle. Hermione took hold of little Teddy almost immediately and Andromeda seemed almost relieved to hand him off.
Harry watched in wonder as Hermione cooed and spoke to little Teddy. He smiled and laughed like mad when Hermione grabbed him. He seemed to know her instantly.
"Please Harry come in and make yourself at home," Andromeda told him. "This is the first time you've seen Theodore since he was born isn't it?"
"It is actually," Harry said not able to take his eyes off the little tyke.
Hermione turned and looked at Harry smiling.
"Do you want to hold your Godson Harry?"
Harry could only nod. He suddenly found himself unable to speak. Little Teddy was as cute as any little baby he had ever seen. It was impossible to miss the features of both his parents but what shocked Harry most was as Hermione approached Teddy's smile seemed to grow as his eyes stayed locked on Harry's face. He reached out for Harry.
When Teddy settled into Harry's embrace he held on to Harry for dear life. It was almost as if the little tyke knew exactly who Harry was.
Harry's heart melted at once. It was all he could do to keep from breaking down into a blubbering mass. Hermione wasn't so subtle. Silent tears leaked from the corner of her eyes as she watched Harry nuzzle Teddy affectionately for the first time. It was almost as if she could see the physical connection being made between them.
For most of the rest of the visit the baby stayed in Harry's arms or sat quite contentedly in his lap while he and Hermione caught up with Andromeda. Several times Crookshanks came and wound his way around Harry's legs, finally settling quite contentedly at Hermione's feet when she finally sat down.
At one point Harry was sitting talking to Andromeda when he felt something warm and wet on his leg. He snatched Teddy up only to realize he had hosed his diaper leaving a rather large dark circle of wet on Harry's jeans. They all laughed as Hermione took Teddy from Harry.
"I'll take care of this," she chuckled, "I'm becoming quite good at swaddling the little imp."
With that she disappeared down the hall to one of the bedrooms.
"I'm so glad you two came to visit Harry." Andromeda said as Harry scourgified his pants. "Hermione comes when she can and Molly comes by but I so rarely have any company."
"Well," Harry looked at her seriously, "When we get back from holiday I promise I'm going to be more of a presence in Teddy's life if I can. I want to know and spend time with my Godson. I know if Sirius was able we would have had more time together. I want him to know he's not alone."
The conviction in his voice made Andromeda move to embrace Harry lovingly.
"He needs you," she whispered, "He needs as many people as are willing to take the time with him. It's important."
"You're absolutely right," Harry said.
"I suppose you of all people should understand that," Andromeda said a bit sadly.
"As long as I'm able Teddy will never feel alone." Harry said as he watched Hermione reappear with a freshly swathed Teddy huddled tightly in her arms.
He couldn't help but marvel how at ease Hermione was with him. They seemed to have an amazing bond only they could understand. Hermione whispered something into Teddy's ear and the tyke giggled madly. His hair suddenly went from a light sandy brown color to a flaming red.
"Well done!" Hermione said laughing, pinching his chin affectionately. She seemed like a completely different person since they arrived at the house.
They visited for a while longer as the sun began disappearing behind the trees. They took little Teddy outside and Harry rolled around with him in the grass for a time, laughing and playing, Crookshanks never very far away.
Andromeda looked expectantly at Hermione for a moment almost seeming hesitant to ask a question but then gave in.
"Hermione I was wondering if it would be possible for Crooks to…stay a little longer. I realize you must miss him terribly but Teddy has become so attached to the furry little beastie…"
"Of course Andromeda," Hermione said, her eyebrows pinched together only slightly.
As if knowing he was the topic of discussion Crookshanks made his way over to Hermione and practically vaulted into her arms. She snuggled her part Kneazle for a moment then wrinkled her nose.
"Merlin's ghost Crookshanks," she coughed, "what have you been rolling in. You smell terrible!"
"Oh Crooks," Andromeda put her hands on her hips, "You've been chasing gnomes into the peat bog again haven't you?"
Crookshanks just gave them a look as if he was saying, `Who…me? Sorry you must have me mistaken for another Kneazle.'
"Ugh," Hermione put him back down, "I suppose I should give him a bath before I leave."
"Oh think nothing of it Hermione," Andromeda smiled, "I'll just toss him in with the baby later. He loves splashing about the bath with Teddy."
Hermione's eyebrows all but disappeared in surprise.
"You mean Crookshanks likes to get wet?" Harry asked shocked.
"Only when he's chasing gnomes or when Teddy's taking a bath. I think he feels a bit left out when Teddy's getting washed. Sometimes I have to fill both sides of the kitchen sink. Teddy sits in one and the barmy old cat in the other. Funniest thing I've ever seen."
Hermione began laughing so hard tears were rolling down her cheeks. Harry couldn't help but laugh along with her. The thought of her cranky old cat-kneazle sitting in a sink full of water looking for all the world like a drowned rat was just too much.
They watched as Crooks sauntered away quite haughtily in response. He apparently didn't see the humor in it at all.
Once Hermione regained control of herself they bid their farewells to Andromeda and Teddy who decided to morph into what appeared to be a furry little monkey for a brief moment.
"That's his father coming out in him," Hermione explained.
Teddy held on to Harry for dear life until Andromeda had to practically pry him out of Harry's arms. He cried for only a short moment but it was enough to make Harry's heart almost break. He was reluctant to leave.
"Don't worry," Hermione whispered in his ear, "We'll come back when we get home. He has a way of growing on you…doesn't he?"
"Yes," Harry replied sadly, "He does."
They watched Andromeda and Teddy disappearing into the house but Harry just stood there, the aching in his heart something strange and new.
For a moment he thought about love. He knew he loved little Teddy even though the tyke belonged to someone else. He felt like family to Harry, not that he ever really had a real one of his own. He thought about what Dumbledore had told him about it but that didn't quite explain what he was feeling at that moment. It was different.
The love he had felt for Ginny was real. He knew it was but it was different. He knew he loved the Weasley family but again it was different. What he was feeling for Teddy was unexplainable…at least until he felt Hermione slip her hand in his and lean against him as he stood there looking at the Tonks house.
When he glanced at Hermione's face, upturned slightly, giving him a quizzical look it finally dawned on him what he was feeling…because she felt it for him as well.
Unconditional love!
He wasn't sure if he fully grasped the concept but he understood that to love someone unconditionally there were no barriers between you. You accepted one-another exactly as you found them. Nothing that could be done or said would ever change that connection, that trust…and nothing could ever come between that love - not even death.
He slipped his arm around Hermione's shoulder and gave her a slight hug.
"Thanks for bringing me her today," he said softly, "This visit was long overdue."
Hermione beamed up at him and merely nodded.
"What say we go back to my folk's?" Hermione suggested, "You might want to let Kreacher know we'll be gone for a few weeks, yes?"
Harry nodded.
As they made their way back toward London he couldn't seem to shake the melancholy feeling that settled in the pit of his stomach. Many things passed through his mind as the countryside gave way to brick, concrete, asphalt and stop lights. Once inside the city limits the noise was almost deafening after the quiet of the country.
For some strange reason Godric's Hollow popped into Harry's mind. He had no idea why but the memory of Bowman Wright's old home place, the house his mother and father had lived in sat decrepit and destitute.
Why?
He thought he remembered Hagrid telling him something about how the house couldn't be repaired because of how it was destroyed.
Does that still apply now that Voldemort is truly dead?
He was suddenly struck with an idea. Maybe it was born out of the feeling of family he got when he was holding Teddy. He wasn't sure but at that moment he was certain some day, maybe not tomorrow or even next year…but some day he wanted to return to Godric's Hollow. Not just for a visit…but to live there…in his parents old house if he could manage it.
It was much more than a promise - it was a conviction.
A/N - I'm not certain if the conversation between Harry and Hagrid about the destruction of the cottage in Godric's Hollow ever took place or not. I distinctly remember hearing that somewhere but could find no references to it during my research. It may not have been Hagrid who told him that or I might have read it in another Fan-Fic story somewhere. I'm only mentioning this so I don't get "called on the carpet" for it later! Thanks - as always for reading!
DWK/NGL
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