[Nava's PoV]

The first step into the Ministry was hesitant. She hadn't been here since before Harry's disappearance. Everything looked the same, nothing had really changed aside from how out of place she felt. Everyone was looking at her as she walked through the main lobby, almost an eerie silence waved through the Ministry hall as people began to notice them. She followed alongside Hermione while Ron and George took the lead. Pointed fingers followed them, along with whispers and stares.

"That's Potter's wife, widowed."

"Poor girl."

"Pity."

"What a shame."

The words echoed through her head as she heard them; she closed her eyes tightly and felt a comforting grasp on her hand. She looked over at Hermione as she pulled her closer away from the whispers.

"Don't listen to them." She smiled warmly.

Nava only nodded as they walked into the lift, it was hard to not listen to them. Once they were all in the lift Ron closed the gates, finally separating the whispers and lingering eyes from them.

"Remember what we said." Hermione glanced over at Nava, waiting for her response.

"Keep calm." She gave a curt nod. Keep calm. She took a deep breath letting out all of her built up anger and stared at the lift's door.

The lift stopped abruptly and all four of them exited on the Minister's Floor. They walked through the hall with ease; no one attempted to get in their way. That is until they reached the Minister's door.

"Do you have an appointment?" The woman questioning them was dressed in a blue dress, her blonde hair put up in a bun. She shifted her gaze between the four of them, waiting for an answer.

"No we don't. But we need to speak with the Minister." Ron spoke out with authority. That's something she would never get used to.

The Minister's assistant obviously didn't seem to care, "Sorry, if you don't have an appointment-"

Ugh. I am not dealing with this. Annoyed, Nava pushed through them and opened the door forcefully ignoring all outbursts from the woman.

"Hey, you can't go through there!" The secretary got to her feet and quickly followed Nava.

She ignored her and entered the room with purpose. The Minister was sitting at his desk looking through files. "Stacy, I told you not to bother-" His eyes met Nava's as he raised his head from behind his desk.

"Good afternoon, Minister." Nava nodded his way. Behind her the door opened up slightly as the rest of them walked through behind the Assistant.

Stacy obviously was annoyed at this point and a little frantic, "I tried to tell her she couldn't come in."

"Stacy, please let the rest of our guests in," He organized his papers and placed them on a corner of his desk as the woman allowed the others come in fully.

He let out a sigh before glancing at Nava once more. "-and cancel all my appointments for the rest of the evening."

She looked at him with wide eyes, the minister quickly spoke up once more sternly, "Now Stacy." He shifted his eyes between them all and rested them on Nava, "And close the door behind you."

She nodded and closed the door behind her carefully.

The minister tugged at his sleeves a bit before sitting back down in his chair and acknowledging her, "Mrs. Potter."

"Minister." That was all the small talk she could muster, especially after the lack of disrespect he had presented with her husbands remnants.

He nodded, glancing at the rest of them in the room, "How may I help you?" His attention focused back onto her, eyeing her with curiosity.

She stood up a bit straighter, "I came to ask you a question." His eyes perked a bit, giving her his full attention.

Stay calm.

She put on a warm smile trying to lighten the tension within the room, "I was wondering if there was still a spot in the auror department waiting for me." That smile was a lot harder to fake than she thought.

He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, surprised. "Are you sure about this Mrs. Potter?"

She nodded, "Yes, I'm sure." She needed this.

He stuttered with a response, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. He shook his head lightly and turned towards Ron and Hermione, "Did you two put her up to this?"

Ron shook his head, "No sir, this was all her idea."

"We're only here to support her." Hermione placed her hand on Nava's shoulder. A simple but comforting gesture that she returned with a smile.

"I'm not sure..." His gaze shifted from Hermione to Nava, "It has been awhile since the war."

"Sir, you don't know her like we do." George cut in, taking a step closer to the desk.

"Be as it may," he eyed George a bit, obviously wanting to address a different matter but went back to his point, "I'm slightly concerned as to why you have decided to change your mind after all this time."

He was obviously questioning her mental state, but she was fine and determined to do this, "With all do respect Minister, I have always wanted to be an auror." She was going to have to bring up Harry, she knew it and so did he. She sighed and sat down at the chair in front of his desk, "Harry was the only reason I never took on the position, but now that he is..." She trailed off a bit and shook off the emotions running through her, "I want to make him proud and follow my heart. This is what I need to do."

The Minister sighed, looking between the four of them, stopping at Nava once more, "Are you sure about this Mrs. Potter?"

"Certain," she kept eye contact, still wearing a forced smile.

"Very well," He shuffled some papers on his desk, "I'll have the paperwork sent to you by Monday."

"Mr. Weasley," He looked at Ron, "Please show her to the office. Though...we will have to test you prior to fully accepting you." He glanced between Ron and Nava, "Be sure she is prepared. Yes?"

She softly furrowed her brow but quickly recovered. She didn't want him to see that his lack of confidence in her bothered her.

Ron nodded, "Of course, Minister."

"Very well," He glanced at the papers on his desk before looking back up at them, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Everyone shook his or her head except for George.

"Actually Minister, do you happen to know if my father is in the office today?" George gave a weak smile. Ron looked at his brother with confusion and Hermione rose he eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh, of course," He checked the clock on the wall, "Actually, he should be in his office about now."

Nava looked up at George, trying to determine what he was thinking. When he caught her eyes he only gave a smile of approval.

Everyone turned, getting ready to leave, before Kingsley spoke once more, "Oh, Miss Granger, before you leave..." He grabbed a file on his desk and held it out, looking at it as he spoke, "I have a new case for you. I was going to send it to your office, but seeing as you're here already." He handed it towards her.

Hermione grabbed it with enthusiasm as she looked up, "What's the case in regard to?"

Kingsley eyed the folder in her hand as she looked though it, "It's a case regarding the Malfoys. You'll find all that you need within it."

Ron scowled as he looked over Hermione's shoulder at the folder.

"I know Mr. Potter was meant to be a speaker at the trial in account for Draco and Narcissa. It will be taken to account that his words were liable due to us already having the memories of the events."

"Wait one moment, when did he do that?" Ron looked at the Minister with confusion.

Hermione's eyes widened and she began to flip through the file. Her eyes lingered on a page within the contents of the folder.

"Kingsley... this doesn't seem right." She placed the folder on the desk pointing out the line she was looking at, "It says they were given the day before he went missing."

"Yes, we are aware of that."

"Why did he place the evidence on file so early before even a trial date was set?" Hermione darted from the page and turned to Ron.

Kingsley leaned forward in his chair and closed the folder, "Miss Granger, Harry was working on this case before his disappearance."

Nava's eyes widened, her heart skipped a beat. His name across Kingsley's lips felt like a stab to her own heart. He was working on a case involving the Malfoys and he didn't even tell her. They were always so close with one another, why didn't he tell her? Why did he keep it a secret?

Everyone was silent in the room, Nava's heart continued to pound in her ears before she whispered lightly. "What?"

"Why was I not aware of any of this? I'm his partner!" Ron erupted, the tips of his ears were turning red. Ron was just as confused and upset as she was right now, except she was good at hiding it.

"He said he wanted to work on this case personally. It was out of my control." Kingsley looked nervous and unsure of how else to respond.

The Minister turned his eyes towards her waiting for her to speak out like the rest of them but instead she walked out of the room briskly closing the door roughly behind her. She needed to calm down. There must have been a reason. He wouldn't leave her out of the information like this unless there was more of a risk. He was as noble as someone could be, and he knew her better than anyone. Before he would have told her she would be by his side every step of the way, now it's like she never was. She covered her face and slowly breathed in and out catching her breath and calming her thoughts. Here was not the place to break down. She need to shake this off, especially if she was to become and auror. She needed to learn to put her feelings aside and deal with them later.

The door opened and closed behind her. George placed a hand on her shoulder as he spoke. "Ron and Hermione said they'd catch up with us later, are you okay?"

She released her hands from her face and shrugged off the thoughts in her head nodding briefly at George, "We should go see your father." She tried to take a step forward down the hall.

"No, we're going to talk about this." He pulled her shoulder back.

She faced him and sternly spoke. "Not here, not now." It wasn't the right time and she knew it. If they talked about any kind of conspiracy within the boundaries of the ministry there would sure to be talk about how mad she had become. Who knew what the rumors would turn into. She waited till he understood the risks and they walked down the hall, walking into the lift and speaking out the department name, "Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects." The lift's doors slid closed quietly, taking them to the proper floor.

[George's PoV]

As soon as the lift doors slid open they stepped into the empty hallway. Silently, they made their way towards Arthur's office. As they walked George rubbed the back of his neck nervously, unsure of what to expect.

What will he think? What do I even say?

Upon reaching the office George's eyes scanned the nameplate on the door.

Arthur Weasley

He took in each letter slowly, his hand hesitating to knock on the door. Gradually, he raised his hand and formed a fist, about to knock, but backed away.

"No. You're doing this," Nava shook her head and pushed him towards the door, "I'll be out here if you need me."

His mouth moved, about to object, but he stopped himself. He glanced back at the name on the door and took in a deep breath.

I have to do this.

Without further thought he exhaled and knocked against the door.

"Come in, the door is open..." the voice that responded sounded quite weary, but George was certain of who it belonged to.

He slowly opened the door and stepped into the office, closing the door behind him without a word.

Arthur turned gradually as the door clicked shut, closing a book in his hands, "How can I help you tod-" His mouth froze as he met his son's eyes.

"Hey dad," George smiled lightly as he walked towards him.

"George..." His voice was hoarse as he took a few steps, dropping the book to the floor, "Son."

"It's been a while..." George embraced his dad, his eyes watering a bit from how much he had missed his father.

"My boy..." he embraced him closely as well, his work all but forgotten. "It's really you...you're okay." After a few moments he stepped back, placing his hands on his son's shoulders, "Your mum's been dreadfully worried."

George averted his gaze, looking down at his shoes, "I'm sorry...for not keeping in touch."

"Don't worry about it now," his father smiled warmly, "You're safe and that's all that matters. Although, you could have just come to the house." He looked at him closely, "So, what really brought you here?"

George looked back up, meeting his father's eyes, "Well...I came here to help Nava."

Arthur's eyes widened at her name, "What? Why?"

He shifted his position uneasily, trying to think of how to explain the situation, "We stopped by Kingsley's office..."

His father looked concerned at this point, obviously thinking of the worst, "What for?"

"Well," He pushed his hand through his hair, "She wants to join the auror department."

Arthur furrowed his brow, remaining silent for a few moments before nodding, "How is she?"

"Well, why don't you ask her yourself?" George walked over to the door, opening it and calling her name, "Nava."

She entered the office, smiling lightly, "Hello Mr. Weasley."

A surprised expression on his face, he obviously wasn't expecting that at all. He smiled softly and pulled her into a warm embrace, "How are you?"

"I'm fine Mr. Weasley, thank you." Her voice was soft, slightly restraining herself from getting too emotional.

"Good...good," his gaze turned towards George, "I do hope this means you'll be joining us for family dinner tonight. It would be a wonderful surprise for the family."

Nava looks at George, his hesitance evident as he stuttered, "Uh...I'm not sure..."

She quickly cut in, answering for him, "Of course, we'll be there."

"Wait, what?" George immediately turned towards Nava, an eyebrow raised in confusion. She gave him a small smile and nudged him, she was trying to help.

"Great! Well, I must be getting back to work, but I will see you both tonight." He hugged them both and left his hand lingering on Nava's shoulder giving her a loving smile, he was obviously worried.

They both walked out of his father's office and returned to the lift, riding it down towards the crowded lobby. Nava glanced at him every so often and he simply remained silent the entire trip. This was a lot more than he was expecting to do today, and he didn't know how to process it all.

Upon reaching the lobby George wrapped an arm around her, protecting her from the whispers and glances of the passing ministry employees. They reached an empty fireplace and quickly called out their destination, "Potter residence." The green flames engulfed them.

As soon as he landed in the living room he headed straight for the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with fire whiskey. Nava briskly followed him into the room eyeing observing him as he twirled the amber liquid in the glass.

He glanced over at her and raised his glass up a bit, "Want some?"

She gave a slight look of disgust, "Uh, I think I've had my fair share of it the other night."

He shrugged and took a large swig, remaining silent as he placed the empty glass back on the counter.

She crossed her arms and walked a little closer to him, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," He shook his head, taking filling up his glass a little more.

She furrowed her brows and shook her head slightly, "You're lying."

He let out a small breath, "I just," he continued to eye his glass, this time swirling its contents around, "I didn't end things on a right note with everyone. It'll be a lot being there with everyone after avoiding them for so long."

"I'm sure they will forgive you George," Nava spoke quietly, "they are your family and they love you."

"I don't know Nava," all he could think about was the damage he had done. He didn't realize it till now how bad he had left the family. He never really let himself think about it, he was trying too hard to move forward at the time. Just thinking about the day he left his family made his heart sink.

He spent most of his time in their room. It was still the same, Fred's side of the room untouched. He had barely moved since they had gotten back home. Almost everyone had tried to get him out of bed. But he didn't want to. This was all he had left of him. He wanted to stay here, just be to himself. He didn't want to go downstairs, every time he did his mother would start crying. His own siblings would tip toe around him like he was some bomb about to go off. All he did was remind them all of Fred. And he couldn't help it, because when he looked in the mirror all he saw was his brothers face looking back at him.

'Why did you leave me Fred...?" he whispered it softly before slowly shifted to sitting at the edge of his own bed. He looked over at his brother's empty side of the room and sighed before he stood up. His footsteps were a bit light but he shuffled his way towards his brother's bedpost, glancing down at the messy bed. Who was he kidding? Everyone liked Fred better anyway. He was always the funnier one, it should have been me. Not him.

A tear fell down his cheek slowly and he fiercely wiped it away.

A hand rested on his shoulder, he didn't even notice that someone walked in to the room. "George... I'm sorry..." Percy's voice was soft, carefully choosing his next words, "you should come down for dinner...with the family...we all miss you." He looked up and saw Percy with a look of concern on his face.

George pushed his brother away; he was dead to him. He couldn't breathe, anger rushed through him as he pointed his wand at his older brother. "You..." a stifled sob blocked him from his rant, he pushed it down hard. "You could have saved him!"

It had to be someone's fault.

Percy pushed forward trying to console him, but he couldn't understand. George backed away. "Don't come near me! You left the family for good and now you come back and you let Fred die. Why couldn't you have just stayed away?"

He turned away from his brother, he couldn't look at him any more.

Fred flashed through his head, haunting him. He wouldn't be proud of how he was treating their brother. Fred would have given him a chance to explain himself, something he couldn't do.

Why not me?

He needed someone to blame, someone was at fault and that someone wasn't him. He had lost his best friend. But in truth, he blamed himself.

His brother attempted to reach out towards him once more but George just walked past him pushing at his shoulder. He walked down the stairs briskly never looking back and not once stopping at the shouts of his name.

He couldn't be here any longer.

"I blamed Percy for Fred's death." He looked down at his feet ashamed at his own actions. "After I left, I began to blame myself instead of him." He paused, shaking his head slowly, "I shouldn't have blamed him at all."

"You didn't mean it through, I'm sure your brother knows that," She took a few steps towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder, "Plus I'll be here every step of the way, I promise."

His hand reached up to hers and squeezing it tightly, he appreciated her being there for him.

"You know, I am the one that is supposed to be worried. Not you." He smirked, he could tell something was on her mind "Well what was it, you have yet to tell me."

She removed her hand from his shoulder and glanced at him. "I..." She looked around nervously.

"Come on, out with it." He took another sip of his drink. Her eyes focused onto him as he drank.

"Okay you've had enough." She swiped her wand over the table in annoyance, the bottle and the remnants of his glass floated over into the sink. "We don't need you drunk on the day you see your family." She spoke sternly towards him.

"I wasn't done drinking that!" he whined as he glanced at the empty table in front of him. He sighed, "Well now that I've lost my drink, you need to tell me what happened?"

She positioned herself near the counter and lifted herself up, sitting on the edge. "I guess I am mostly mad that Harry never told me." She looked at him, "We never had secrets before, the only reason I could think was that he was trying to protect me. But now, I'm just left with questions."

He wasn't sure what to say, but he couldn't let her think this way. "Nava, It's Harry, you know that is just how he is. He has always tried his best to protect the people he cares about the most."

"I know," She looks out the window avoiding his gaze. "It's just that... I just feel so confused and lost."

He recalled the feeling all too well. It was the same feeling that he had when Fred died. Loneliness beyond repair, just wishing you get rid of the pain. "Nava," The words were lost in his head as he began to speak.

What could he say? No matter what it was something she'd have to overcome on her own. All he could do was be there.

She turned her face away from the window and cleared her throat. She pushed herself off the counter, "We should probably get going."

George looked at the clock, she was right. They had lost track of time. He felt his stomach churn a bit, seeing his family was going to be hard. He fidgeted in his chair, already feeling anxious about the dinner, "You sure you don't want a drink?"

She glared at him, "George, No."

"Come on, this is nerve wrecking. What do I even say?" He cleared his throat, "Oh hello family nice to see you, how long has it been now? 5 years has it? Oh dear, I must have lost track of time." He made sure his sarcasm was evident.

"George enough, this will be no easier to you that it is to me." She said as she grabbed her coat from the rack, slipping in one of her arms.

His voice caught in his throat, "Nava that's not what I-"

She waved it off, "Don't worry about it, I need to be able to move forward." She sighed, "Have to face your fears sooner or later right?"

He only nodded, worried that it sounded like he was avoiding her feelings. He forgot how close Nava was to the Weasley's. After all she did marry Harry. He rubbed his forehead; he could feel a headache coming on.

"Right," She walked towards the kitchen door, "Well let's get this done with."

"For the record, you agreed to this dinner," He smirked, "If anyone should be annoyed it should be me."

She rolled her eyes, "Alright, let's go."

--

They apparated into the fields outside of the Burrow. Instantly he could smell the open air as the grass moved with the wind.

Nava took a few steps forward and looked back towards him, "Come on George."

He sighed, walking his way over towards her. He nudged her side lightly, "You ready for this?"

He knew this would be just as difficult for her as it was for him, and this was the most nervous he's felt in a while.

She gave her own sigh and nodded, "Yeah, I think so." She looked straight ahead of them towards the burrow. He followed her gaze towards there in the middle of the land bellow them was the burrow, filled with life. He couldn't help but stare as well, he hadn't seen his childhood home in ages, all the Christmases, birthdays and family dinners he had missed.

"Ready?" She knocked him out of his thoughts abruptly.

"Yeah, of course." That was a pure lie, he was not ready. He was terrified.

"You'll be fine," She smiled, her eyes still focused on the burrow, "we will take this one step at a time."

They took a few mote steps closer and now he could see the movement within the house, the happiness radiating through the light streaming out of the windows. And the laughter. He could remember the many times he would join in with Fred's laughter. He took a step back.

Who was he fooling? It was too soon. He wasn't ready. He couldn't handle this.

Nava lightly grabbed a hold of his hand, stopping him from moving any further. "You can do this George." She didn't have to look at him; she knew what he was thinking.

Could he do this? There was so much damage that he had done. Was there even a way to fix it all?

She didn't waver one bit, instead she spoke once more, "This is your family," she paused a bit and corrected herself, "our family. They will want to see us."

He glanced at her a bit and gave her hand a squeeze but they both didn't move. Instead they stood in silence observing the burrow from afar. Taking in all the sounds and beauty. Trying to fill the voice of wonder that laid inside for them.

How would they react?

"Come on." She tugged at his arm a bit and they walked down the hill at a decent pace. Not too fast but not too slow. Just enough the take in the reality ahead of them, the truth that they would have to face.

They eventually reached the door. The smell of his mother's cooking radiating from the kitchen. The times him and Fred would run down for dinner from a break of their inventions just to fill their stomachs flooded through his mind.

This door would lead right into the living room. Straight into a room filled with people who he had hurt.

They could hear all the noise within the house. The unique laughter, the warmth of happiness, nothing like how it was the night after the war or the weeks following it.

Nava looked at him awaiting approval. She had let go of his hand and now was fidgeting at her side.

She was just as nervous as he was. He sighed a bit and nodded towards the door knob. There was no way he could muster up the courage to open the door

She reached for the door knob, her hand shaking slightly. It didn't move much further in hesitation.

Unconsciously, he reached out for her hand covering it in his own and looked at her. "Together, okay?" he whispered it, enough for only her to hear. She nodded as she stared at their hands on the doorknob that kept them separated from what was on the other side.

With a turn and a click the door opened and they took their first step inside, together.

All the commotion within the room stopped. Blank stares from family that hadn't seen him in ages or from faces him didn't recognize. The only two that smiled warmly were Hermione and Ron.

His father was nowhere in sight. His eldest brothers stunned, unsure of what was going on. Percy was fidgeting in his chair and avoiding his gaze. He felt a twinge of guilt in the pit of his stomach, he needed to make things right with him. Ginny, his dear little sister, sat in her chair looking from George to Nava and got up from the couch ran up the stairs and slammed a door loudly. He cringed, this was exactly what he was worried about.

Hermione concerned, got up following her up the stairs.

Great job, George. You're off to a great start.

"Dinner!" His mother's voice carried through the house.

Pure silence followed, no one dared to move. Their eyes still focused on them. No one really knowing how to react.

"I said dinner is ready!" her voice was louder as she walked around the kitchen. Everyone's eyes darting from George to the kitchen door.

Her footsteps became all he could focus on, his eyes shifting around the room.

"Are you all deaf? I said-" his eyes focused towards the open kitchen door. There his mother stood, eyes wide. A bowl of food in her hands. No words could explain how he felt at that moment, he hadn't seen her for far too long.

"George..." she spoke softly.

He nodded once, a smile emerging onto his face. He had missed her. "Hello mum."

The bowl in her hand clattered to the ground, breaking the pure silence in the room. She ran towards him enveloping her lost son in her arms. He hugged her back tightly, not realizing that his hand was still in Nava's. She slowly removed her hand from his, allowing him to embrace his mother completely.

His mother's sobs filled the still thick air. They pulled apart. Tears rolled down her face and she wiped them off. She looked up at him and cupped his face give a caring glance. All right before she hit him upside the head with force.

Slap.

"Bloody hell mum!" he instantly pulled his hand up to his cheek, he deserved it but it still hurt.

Her finger waived at him as she spoke, her hand on her him, "George Weasley! Don't you EVER and I mean EVER leave us like that again!"

Ron was holding back laughter as Hermione hit his shoulder. He held it tightly, offended. "What?" Ron simply just mumbled under his breath.

"What kind of welcome is that?" a large smile spread onto his face. He didn't know why he was smiling but he couldn't help it. The last time his mother got this mad he and Fred had gotten in trouble for blowing up a cauldron their room.

"Don't smile! This isn't a Joke!" She pointed her finger at him catching what she had just said.

A joke...

He gave a light chuckle and gave his mother another hug, "I've missed you mum."

She was about to retaliate but a smile came upon her face at the comment. "I've missed you too."

George smiled and looked over towards his side where Nava stood in silence. His mother catching who he was looking at.

"I brought an old friend along mum." He let go and pushed Nava in front of him, his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh my," She covered her mouth, "Nava, dear!" she hugged her instantly.

"We were so worried about you! Letters upon letters we sent." She pulled Nava back and looked at her for a response.

"I know molly, I'm incredibly sorry. It has been...difficult."

His mother only nodded, "Of course it has dear," she looked over at George then back to Nava. "You two must be hungry, come along I have dinner ready."

Nava smiled a bit and looked over at him, he smiled back at her, he needed to thank her for this later.