Turning Time (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Water Lily, pt. 1

Chapter One 

Water Lily

I’m sorry you don’t remember your mum and dad in person. They’d be very proud of you. You’ll see that you’re a spitting image of James, and you’ve got Lily’s smile. You’re as bright as they were, too. Anyhow, I hope this helps.

Feel better, 

Hagrid.

2 June, 1998. 

Harry closed the photo album and sighed, looking around his room. He felt particularly empty today, more so than he had over the past few weeks. It was understandable; he had killed Voldemort a mere two months ago and was still recovering from the shock of the War and the loss of the people he had grown up with.

His life had jolted in a new direction. He was no longer always bent on killing Voldemort and no longer had his home, Hogwarts, which had taken over such a huge portion of his spirit, and his time.

Harry didn’t have a problem finding other things to do, however. No, that wasn't the issue at all—for the first two weeks after the battle he toured locations around the country that had been devastated by the War. He visited those who struggled the most, distributing food and supplies as well as giving them hope for the future.

Harry managed to avoid the press for the most part, but that didn’t stop him from dominating headlines and news articles about every aspect of his life, which became increasingly dramatized. He got hundreds of letters every day, the thanks of people all over the globe. Some were from girls professing their love, others from children who saw him as their idol. He felt the most heartfelt ones were from those orphaned by Voldemort. From parents whose children fought at the final battle at Hogwarts. Those who lost their homes to Death Eater raids. And Muggle-born witches and wizards who lost their jobs, or had to go into hiding. 

While Harry did appreciate the thanks he received, he didn’t like the attention—just another example of his modesty. The letters and newspapers did give him a larger perspective on the huge role he had in the war, but he always redirected praise to the others who had helped. Everyone from Aberforth to the Weasley family were credited for their contributions, as they should be. Still, Harry was considered the hero of the war; the Boy Who Lived had a whole new meaning, one of victory and peace. His name was everywhere. There had even been a broomstick designed in his honor. 

This renewed popularity easily earned Harry an apprenticeship as an Auror. He could probably even run for the Minister for Magic in fifteen years or so, and win—but that didn’t interest him. For the time being, he had enough money, and wasn’t recovered enough to have a job anyways. On days when he wasn’t traveling, he was up in his room, poring over letters, newspapers, old photographs. Sometimes he would just sit at his desk or lay in bed, turning a childhood possession over and over again in his hands. Harry knew that he wasn’t moving forward, but it was impossible for him to do so. He had been striving for what was normal; a simple life, where every day wasn’t a battle between life and death. But now that he had reached his goal, it seemed as if he was doing nothing fulfilling. 

The bright side of things should’ve compensated, if not overcompensated, for the bad side. Harry was still alive. He had saved many people, wizarding and non-wizarding folk alike. He still had a great deal of friends who survived, including Hermione and Ron. This in particular should’ve been enough for him. Maybe it was the actuality that the three were growing apart that made him more pessimistic than he should be. 

For the first month, the three had remained inseparable, but soon it became clear that it wasn’t the same while Hermione and Ron were together. Harry attempted to bring Ginny into their group, to balance things out, but the dynamics were still different. It was like having a double date, and they would immediately pair off. And just one month after the war, Harry was becoming distant from the new couple. After seven-odd years of being with them constantly, it created a significant gap in Harry’s life.