HEATHENS - Harry Potter ✔

CHAPTER ONE

"Ow! Fuck!" Harry muttered as he hit his head on the doorframe of the cupboard under the stairs. His hand flew up to the top of his head as he rubbed it in an attempt to ease the pain. The deafening roar, which had caused him to jump and hit his head, was growing louder and louder by the second. Until it was right by the house, and then it died and stopped.

Making his way through the kitchen, clutching his head and still muttering profanities, Harry peered out of the window and into the dark back garden. The magenta of the summer sunset that had enamelled the sky when Harry had shared his last farewells with the Dursleys was gone and the black preponderate blanket of the night had fallen. But even if the night was calm, not even a slight breeze in the air, the darkness in the back garden of Number Four, Privet Drive seemed to be quivering.

Then, right before Harry's eyes, figures began to appear as they lifted their Disillusionment Charms. Most prominent was Hagrid, who was wearing his distinctive moleskin coat along with a helmet and goggles, sat on an enormous motorbike with a sidecar attached. The others were dismounting their brooms or Thestrals, brushing down their clothing and hair.

Harry wrenched open the back door and hurtled into their midst. Not even a second later, Kiera Walker had thrown her arms around the boy, hugging him tightly, the now familiar sparks of electricity surging through both their bodies. For a moment, she nearly kissed him, then remembered that they were no longer a couple and that she couldn't, and so she pulled away rather put down. The boy had just enough time to see the look of sadness that momentarily masked her face, until he was hugged by Hermione, Ron clapping him on the back, and Hagrid said, "All righ', Harry? Ready fer the off?"

"Definitely," said Harry, positively beaming at them all. "But I wasn't expecting this many of you!"

"Change of plan," Mad-Eye growled. He was holding two bulging sacks as his magical eye spun in a dizzying pace. "Let's get under cover before we talk you through it."

So, Harry lead the group of fourteen into the house. They all entered chattering and laughing, and settled into chairs, or onto the surfaces, or leaning against the appliances and walls. There was Ron, taller than ever; Hermione, her bushy hair tamed in a long braid; Kiera, who Harry thought had only grown more beautiful, her hair longer and shinier, her beautiful ocean blue eyes glittering as she smiled; Fred and George, with identical grin on their faces; Hagrid, doing his best to fit into the small confines of the Dursley's kitchen; Mr Weasley, balding and his spectacles slightly awry; Bill, who was now badly scarred but seemed unaffected; Remus Lupin, more shabby and tired than ever, yet somehow happier; Tonks, who's hair had returned to its vibrant colours along with her wide smile; Mad-Eye, one-legged and battle-worn; Kingsley, in his usual African-style robes; and Mundungus Fletcher; short and stubby with his matted hair.

Harry felt a beautiful warmth spread through his body at the sight of them, one which Kiera also felt though she believed the emotion to be her own caused by seeing Harry again.

"Kingsley, I thought you were looking after the Muggle Prime Minister?" Harry called across the room.

"He can get along without me one night," the man replied. "You are more important."

"Harry, guess what?" said Tonks from atop the washing machine, and she wiggled her left hand at him.

"You got married?" Harry said, a wide smile on his face as he looked from her to Lupin.

"I'm sorry you couldn't be there, Harry, it was very quiet."

"Yeah, but I'm still sour I wasn't your maid of honour," Kiera said, walking into the kitchen and raising her eyebrows at the cleanness of the house.