J.K. Rowling owns the characters, locations and spells from the HP Universe. I created the rest.
Harry opened his eyes and noticed the dark haired woman in the bed next to him, half covered by the sheets, sleeping peacefully. He picked up his watch from where it lay on the nightstand, and checked the time. 5:25 am, Wednesday morning. The day meant this was Cho in bed with him; Harry always called Cho on Wednesdays. The days might run together now, but the rotation of girls always remained constant.
Harry got up, careful not to wake Cho, got dressed, and slipped out of the room. He left the house planning on walking around London until after the sun came up. He knew that when he got back to his flat, Cho would be gone. That's just how things worked with them. He would call her after he got off work at the bar and she would come over. When she woke up, she would leave. Their relationship wasn't any deeper than that.
Harry lived in Muggle London, away from the prying eyes and constant badgering and fandom of the wizards and witches. He hated the stares and the pestering people, always wanting to say they talked with THE Harry Potter, never wondering or caring if Harry wanted their attention. That's why he lived in Muggle London, why he worked as a bartender. He put up with the adoration after Hogwarts, after the Final Battle, but only because he thought it was his duty. Now he simply didn't care. He met with only the few people he trusted as friends, and only met them in their homes or in Muggle areas.
Harry wandered the streets for a few hours, watching shopkeepers opening their stores and businessmen rushing to catch the tube. He stopped off to get some tea at a corner café, ignoring the barista trying to flirt with him, and sat down at a table in the back. He flipped through a copy of The Guardian that some businessman must have left behind and finished his tea. Upon leaving the café, he walked down a side street and apparated home. As expected, Cho had left already so he walked to the bathroom, shedding clothes as he went.
After taking a hot shower, Harry towelled off and got dressed in a well fitting t-shirt and some jeans and sat down to watch some TV. He had promised to meet Hermione on her lunch break, but that wasn't for another few hours, so he had some time to kill. Harry flicked through the channels before settling on Top Gear. Harry might not own a car, or even know much about them, but he still enjoyed the challenges they put their cars through. After seeing some old grannies trying to drive doughnuts in a new Honda, Harry flicked off the TV and went to the kitchen to fix some breakfast.
As Harry slid his fried eggs onto the plate along with his bacon, the phone rang. Harry Walked over and picked up the handset.
"Hello," Harry said as he put the phone to his ear.
"Hey Harry, its Ron," Ron said. "How about you meet me for lunch today at the Leaky Cauldron? It's been awhile since we had lunch together".
"Sorry Ron, I already made lunch plans with Hermione. We will have to catch up some other time," Harry replied.
"Ah dang, alright are you free tomorrow then? I've got some important news to tell you, and it's got to be in person," Ron said.
"Yea sure," Harry replied. "I'll see you tomorrow at 1".
"Alright mate, see you then," and with that Ron said goodbye and hung up.
Harry sat down to eat his breakfast, and then read a book until it was time to meet up with Hermione. She worked at the Ministry now, so he apparated downtown and met her at a restaurant right around the corner from the employee entrance.
"Harry! How are you doing? It's been so long since we've seen each other!" Hermione exclaimed as she sat down at the table. "I know it's been a month at least since I saw you last. Work has been keeping me so busy now, but you know these old laws won't change themselves". Hermione had kept up her booksmart and technical ways after school, and now worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, pouring over outdated laws and trying to catch England up with the rest of the magical world.
"It has been awhile hasn't it? How is work going?" Harry asked.
"The going is slow, as it always is in the Ministry," Hermione replied, "Some people are set against the reforms, and most are just to complacent to care. Anyway lets not talk about my job; I want to know how you are doing".
"I'm doing just fine, you know I keep myself busy," Harry replied. "I am still working at the bar, besides that I stay at home mostly".
"That's good to hear, I'm glad to know you are occupied rather than just sitting at home all day," Hermione fussed. "Do you see much of Ron or Neville? I haven't seen either of them since Christmas".
"I haven't seen Neville in about a month or so, he has been raising his newest Longbottom. As far as Ron is concerned we hang out every now and then," Harry replied. "It's funny you should mention him though, he called this morning and asked to have lunch. Obviously we already had plans, but I am meeting him tomorrow. He said he had some sort of big news, and he had to tell me in person".
"That is interesting," Hermione replied. "I wonder what is so important".
"Your guess is as good as mine," Harry replied.
Harry and Hermione passed the rest of their time just talking and catching up, Hermione telling stories about projects and people in the ministry and Harry about interesting or ridiculous people he met at the bar. Soon it was time for Hermione to get back to the office and so the two friends got up and said their goodbyes.
"It was great seeing you again Harry, im glad we got a chance to have lunch," Hermione said as she hugged him.
"You too Hermione," Harry replied. "Good luck with those laws, I know they can be tough".
Harry apparated home, and laid down for a nap before heading to work.
A/N This is my first story on FanFiction, feel free to review/comment. I don't have a set path or plot line for the story to take, its just been an idea that's been bouncing around in my head. Feel free to make suggestions on how it plays out and i might incorporate them!