Hello, Helena here. This is the first story I've published on ffn, consequently also the first piece of writing I've somehow managed to finish. At the start, it really took a lot of my non-existent Gryffindor-style courage to finally put this out here and I really hope you like it...

The POV is really weird- alternating between people and first/third person...

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

this chapter is POV Harry

Ten years ago, we were but passers-by. Though 'sworn enemies', I never expected you to be in my life after Hogwarts. After all, it's been ten years.

I didn't really know you; you didn't really know me. Yet heaven knows what I wished I'd known; what I wished you'd known- how I wished we'd known what we know now. Maybe then it wasn't too late.

"Where're you going?"

That had been ten years ago.

The world had paused as what I've tried to search for so long came marching right at me. You did hide yourself well, wearing that glamour of mystery since the start of the year- ha. Didn't it gnaw at my mind? Instigating my damned curiosity? Stirring that need for 'adventure'? It did give plenty of excuses for convincing myself of what inexplicably drawn me to you. You always gave plenty of excuses.

"Yeah, I'm really going to tell you, because it's your business Potter,"

And you stood there, distant and mysterious as ever. You seemed alone- whatever propelled me to think that I didn't acknowledge then- accompanied by people that were no more than strangers.

"You'd better hurry up, they'll be waiting for 'the Chosen Captain' - 'the Boy Who Scored' - whatever they call you these days." I seemed no more than strangers.

And you pushed your way pass by, away.

I was almost going to follow you.

The choice was placed in front of me, and spending as long as I did staring at the spot from which you vanished, I really was tempted.

But I was eventually held back. They are waiting - the team, the school. Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Ginny. So, with a sigh, I walked instead towards those expecting eyes. Away from you.

That had been ten years ago.

But oh how fate plays with us. Ten years- tens years after I'd found out where you were going, turns out you were going to be in my life again.

It's as if I'm asked to make the choice once more. Only now the things I would throw to the winds to choose you are much heavier. As for reputation- I couldn't care less. What clings on my mind is my family, the girl that loves me, her family that I love.

I have chances of a family with him - something murmurs from the back of my mind.

But how could I do that? It's not just about 'follow what you want'.

The family depends on me. The kids- Albus, James depends on me. How unfair is this on them- God how could I be so selfish. We're no longer 16, and we belong not just to ourselves, I guess. We have responsibilities in this world that require our full devotion.

I couldn't choose you.

I'm a husband and a father. These are things that tie you away from such choices, Just like last time, when I couldn't choose you for I was seeker and captain, who we're tagged to be seems to hold us back. Maybe it had always been 'too late'.

Yet, I don't know how to just let you go. You were not just passers-by.

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