The Beginning of My Life

Harry pulled one of the dusty wooden chairs closer to the window and sullenly sat down. Rain tapped on the dirty glass as he gazed bitterly out at the gray and depressing weather. Brushing back his dark, unkempt hair, he leaned back and let out a hollow breath. He had never felt more alone.

The "famous" Harry Potter is now 20 years old. He was tired. Oh yes, the world of muggles and wizards is safe from Voldemort because of Mr. Potter, but what now? Harry closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the cold light press against his features. With the dark lord gone, what was Harry Potter good for now? His whole life had been built around the idea of prevailing over evil: Voldemort. And now? Harry opened his eyes: life after Voldemort.

It had taken three long years of endless tension, death, and battles for him and his allies to defeat Voldemort. Now that it was over, he'd immediately been more harassed, followed, and chased by every news reporter, journalist, and "Harry Potter Fan" in the wizarding world than he ever had been before--if that's possible to believe. Ron and Hermione tried relentlessly to give him comfort. It was they who had suggested he buy this small cottage in the Scottish countryside. They were the ones who assured him they would take care of the story everyone wanted of his "valiant" defeat of the Dark Lord. However, they were already on their way to what they wanted to do: Ron and Hermione opted to train for positions in the new Ministry of Magic. He was happy for them; he truly was. But it didn't change his own present feelings of uselessness.

Harry suddenly didn't want to sit down anymore. Standing, he wiped the gray window with his sleeve. He watched the rain poor itself into the small lake near his new getaway. "Come on, get a grip" were the only words he could think of. Hermione was right, of course. He should use his time here to relax, to think about what to do next, not to dwell in self pity. Without looking, he reached into his pocket and waved his old wand around a few times--muttering a few quick spells. That's better. He turned around and smiled despite himself. The cold, dark cottage was now warm and inviting; its furnishings were clean and straightened; a fire sparked in the fireplace and tea kettle set on the stove in the corner.

The cottage was mainly one room with a bathroom and a closet on one side opposite of the bed. Simple. It was just what he needed--especially that bed. He stifled a yawn and slipped off his shirt before climbing into his bed. Absentmindedly setting up a few protections around the cottage, Harry subsided into dreamless sleep.

* * * *

"Harry, you awake?" Ron's voice sounded from the fireplace. "Hello?" Harry groaned rolling over on his side.

"What do you want?" came the almost inaudible reply from the pile of blankets that was Harry.

"I know it's early, mate. Sorry, but I just wanted to give you some warning." Harry sat up abruptly, staring at Ron's face in the fireplace.

"Something happen? Everything okay?" he began immediately straightening his glasses and getting out of bed.

"Nothing serious," Ron began nonchalantly. Then he grinned at his best friend, "The war's over, remember?" Harry slowed his movements a bit and had to smile back.

"Of course I do, I'm just being an idiot. So tell me what I'm being warned about already."

"Hermione wants to apparate to your new house around noon..." Ron trailed off as Harry let out a sigh.

"I'm fine," he said firmly. "I just got here yesterday, what could possibly be wrong already?"

"She just wants to check in, you know her."

"Yeah, I expected it sooner or later...is that all you wanted to warn me about? Because I'm not all that surprised." Harry slipped a t-shirt over his head and proceeded to make some coffee.

"Yes, well...the thing is..."

"Yeah?"

"You see...some others are coming as well." Ron looked more and more anxious.

"Who else could possibly be coming?" He grimaced a bit at the unintentional bitterness in his voice--many had died during the three years of the fighting. He checked himself before he dwelled too long. "So who's going to be honoring me with their presence?" There was a long pause as Harry poured himself a mug of hot coffee.

"Ginny said she'd like to come along..." Harry almost burned himself as he dropped his mug.

"Damn! Wait, Ginny's coming?" he said hastily as he grabbed his wand to clean up the mess. "Oh, I...I haven't seen her in a year or so right?"

"I believe the last time you saw her was at that reunion in the Burrow. It was just before that huge battle in Diagon Alley where..." Ron went silent uncomfortably.

"--where we lost Neville and Luna." Harry cut in grimly.

"Anyways, we had a nice reunion at the Burrow, right?" Ron interjected, trying to lighten the mood again. His face worriedly searched Harry's expression.

"It was brilliant," Harry said quietly after a short pause, as he glanced away. A real smile played on lips remembering the place that was his second home, and his relief when he knew that Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys were safe. Back then, he hadn't been sure of anything in a long time. "So how is Ginny and...what's his name?" He added casually, realizing he'd been silent for longer than he intended.

"Thomas," Ron sounded somewhat guilty with his response; those blue eyes reflected concern. Harry sighed and looked his best mate in the square in the face.

"Look, Ron, I'm happy for Ginny. There's no need to look at me like that. That she found someone during our years of struggle is wonderful. There should be some happiness for a person during dark times," he ran his free hand through his hair and sipped his new cup of coffee. Ron's worried face didn't change: Harry had to laugh.

"God, Ron. Me and Ginny were ages ago. She's been married for...what? A year?" The red haired wizard smiled sheepishly from the fireplace.

"Alright, I get it. I just thought..."

"Well you thought wrong," Harry replied good naturedly. "I'll be happy to see you guys later." Ron sighed in his relief.

"Good. Me, Hermione, and Ginny will bring some house warming gifts," he added with a sly grin. Before Harry could insist it was unnecessary, Ron was already gone.

"Great..." Harry said to the empty space around him. "Simply magnificent." He downed the rest of his coffee and set to work making the rest of his house presentable. He did anything he could to keep busy, trying not to think about what he would even say to the girl he hadn't seen since she'd been married. That last year had been hectic: all the pieces were falling into place; Voldemort was distracted; the Order was under Harry's undisputable lead; and the wizarding world was gaining its hope back. He vaguely remembered Ron telling him about Ginny every once in a while: "Seems that Ginny's met someone during her guard duties at Hogwarts," "Guess they're pretty serious," "I can't believe it! My baby sister's getting married at a time like this!" Harry had numbed his feelings about this. It was neither the time, nor the place to get sidetracked. He supposed that over time, he'd gotten used to the idea of Ginny growing up while he was off leading the side of Good. After all, the war had made them all grow up faster than they had intended.

Harry set down his wand after casting several spells to make the place his own. Looking around and feeling mildly accomplished, he felt much better about the situation. I'm happy for Ginny. That wasn't a lie. And I've already accepted the fact that my first real love has moved on. It's not that unusual after all. I just need to remember that she's first and foremost an old friend who I haven't seen in ages.

With this in mind, he waited anxiously to see the few friends he had left in the world. He was actually looking forward to it.