Chapter Text
Harry rubbed his eyes, and as the days went on he found himself growing wearier and wearier. He’d been mulling it over for a while now. But he just couldn’t dare. Not now, not after everything.
Not after everything.
No, he couldn’t. Harry sighed, getting up from his desk. He would be endangering everything he and his friends had worked for. Endangering…
“Harry?” in the doorway stood his wife. He blinked, what had he been thinking? His hand absentmindedly brushed his scar, a habit he’d been working on getting rid of. His scar was just a scar now, after all. “It’s best we be off now, or we’ll be late,” Ginny said, looking him over. “Are you all right?” she didn’t need to ask. She’d known him long enough to be able to tell when something was bothering him.
“As okay as I can be today, I think,” Harry replied as he began to pack up his things, throwing his coat over him, grabbing a few papers off his desk, and shoving them without much thought into his briefcase. Research. “You’re right, let's go.” Ginny moved to let him pass. She didn’t question him further, she knew better. Harry was nearly impossible to talk to when it came to this time of year.
Hogwarts looked near identical to how Harry had left it.
(Minus the stink of blood)
It was summer break for the kids now, school had gotten out a few days ago. Albus and his siblings were being watched by Mrs. Weasly. The woman wouldn’t ever miss an opportunity to watch the kids, she loved them to death. And with her husband's passing, Harry had seen her become… less. Less of what she was before. The Weasly house was slowly becoming more and more empty, as her children left. So it wasn’t a bad thing to have her around now and then, Harry had heard Hermione talking about asking her mother-in-law to move in with them. He didn’t know what Ron’s stance on it was, but Harry believed that Hermione would get her way no matter what he thought.
“Good to see you again, Potter,” McGonagall said opening her arms for a hug.
“Headmaster McGonagall!” Harry exclaimed, pulling her into his arms. “Good to see you, Professor,” Harry said as he returned to Ginny’s side.
“And to you too, Potter,” she smiled. “Potters,” McGonagall corrected with a sly smile. “You were very nearly late!” she scolded as she turned on her heel and lead them through the halls. “You’re the last to arrive,” she scoffed. Harry was reminded of the countless times McGonagall had caught him trying to skip class. Usually with Ron. Hermione never wanted to skip class until later into their time at Hogwarts. Harry didn’t (more like couldn’t) reply before they made it to the Great Hall. The doors were propped open and a big banner hung above the entrance. It read:
Class Of 1998 Reunion
The tables had been moved aside in favor of more buffet-style tables towards each side of the room, which had —as usual— an array of different foods.
“Harry Potter!” yelled a voice, Harry looked to see Ron. He smiled before his friend pulled him into a tight embrace.
“Fashionably late, as usual.” Hermione quipped as she appeared beside them. Ron released Harry.
“Wouldn’t be a Potter if we weren’t. This one can’t tell the time to save his life,” Ginny sighed, rubbing Harry’s arm. She’d gotten him a watch two Christmases ago, but Harry had never gotten around to setting the watch to London time. The old one he’d gotten at 17 had stopped working, the gears probably rusted but at that time Harry hadn’t the time to get it fixed. It was thoughtful, but a little pointless at that point. Harry, and everyone around Harry, had just accepted that he would always be late to events.
“It’s good to see you, Hermione, Ron,” Harry said. He had missed them. They of course always kept in touch. Most holidays were spent together. But of course, being an adult meant they had adult responsibilities, which meant less time spent together. Harry and Ginny made their way around the room, saying hello to their old classmates, some friends, and others less so. Neville kept going on about how the children at Hogwarts were getting crazier and crazier each year, what with one setting the Herbology classroom on fire a few months ago.
“I wouldn’t say we were the best students either, Neville.” Harry joked, nudging his arm with his while he piled a few sausage rolls into a hastily constructed pyramid on his plate.
“Agh,” Neville dismissed with a wave of his hand. “We had a dark wizard trying to kill one or two kids every year, we get a pass!” he clasped a hand on Harry’s shoulder just as Harry was attempting to go for his sixth Yorkshire pudding. “I’m serious Harry,” he stared unblinking into Harry’s eyes. “I might go insane.” Harry blinked, putting the tongs down.
“Go on holiday then?” Harry suggested, Neville laughed.
“I might be able to soon. Well, as much of a holiday paternity leave is.” Neville motioned to his wife, Hannah, who was discussing baby names with Ginny.
As the night went on, Harry only felt that itching, scratching anxiety grow. His thoughts began to switch from his former classmates to his previous thoughts at the office. His research. His risk. Would it be worth it? To stop all the bloodshed that had come before this? To save everyone? Harry glanced at Ginny. Would things ever be the same again? Ron glowered, nudging him. “Watch it. 6 o’clock,” Ron hissed, Harry turned around. Draco Malfoy and Astoria Malfoy had just entered the room.
“Seems like the Potters aren’t always the ones who arrive last,” Harry joked.
“Draco’s got more of a flair for the dramatics than you, I’d say,” Ron replied before adding on in a low voice. “I know that the past is the past and he's… grown. But I’d watch out for that one, I don’t even trust him around my yogurt in the staff room.” Ron patted Harry on the shoulder as he left. Presumably to warn Hermione about the new arrivals.
Draco spotted Harry watching. “Just gonna stare at me all day, Potter?” he said as he strolled up to him. Harry decided to do his best to be polite, they’ve had a strained relationship ever since… well ever. But it was especially awkward when they saw each other occasionally at work. They’d had some sort of unspoken rule of never talking or looking at each other, why Draco decided to break it now confused Harry. Maybe Harry was the one who broke it? He was looking after all.
“Malfoy, It’s good to see you,” Harry greeted, even though he was trying to be polite, his tone still carried a hint of coldness to it on accident. Habit dies hard. Draco rolled his eyes.
“You don’t have to pretend with the niceties, Potter,” he looked into Harry's eyes. Unwavering and confident. His silver eyes. “We can both agree it’s weird,” Harry blinked, realizing he hadn’t in a while.
“Ah, yes,” he huffed, as he resisted the urge to touch his scar nervously. He resorted to crossing his arms instead. “You look…” he looked Draco up and down, handsome. “Well.”
“What did I just say?” Draco rolled his eyes.
“I’m just making conversation,” Harry defended. Draco didn’t respond. They stood there, the air turned stiff.
“Thank you all for attending,” began a speaker, Harry turned around. Hermione stood at the podium. “As we all know, this isn’t truly a class reunion. However, I know a lot of us are glad to see the people we’ve… grown up with.” she paused, Harry watched her face flicker with emotion. “We have lost so many people, so many friends. Family.” she glanced at Ron. “But we are left standing, and I believe the people we’ve lost are proud of us for it. We come here in memory of them, not to grieve but to celebrate them. To love them,” Hermione continued, but Harry wasn’t paying attention anymore. He watched the faces of the people in the crowd, sad faces, a few crying. It was possible for Harry to save them from this grief. Harry knew that it wouldn’t be a good idea. But it was the only idea he had.
Maybe it was selfish. He was unhappy with the way his life was now, but just… if he had known… so many people died. Hundreds of innocent kids. A part of Harry wished he could’ve stayed at Hogwarts, but it was better for the public image for him to work for the Ministry. He could be happy. He could save everyone.
He probably should've talked to Hermione and Ron about this.
But Harry was never one to think super far into the future.