Chapter 1: Bathwater and Identity Crisis

"So Mister Evans, as you can see there's hardly anything that needsto be changed. The rent includesthe furniture and other items, so you can move in right away."

The realtor looked expectantly at Harry, who seemed to be one of his most difficult costumers.

After winning the war, Harry wanted to find a beautiful home and live a quiet happily ever after. That was where the problem was; every time the realtor showed him a house, he saw something in it that was not to his liking.

Harry had almost stopped hoping to find the perfect house, when his realtor had called him that morning with the announcement that he had found the perfect place for him.

Harry was sceptical; he had heard these words before, but time and time again, he had been left disappointed. The fact that this time it wasn't even a real house, but a penthouse, made Harry almost certain that it would turn out to be nothing. Almost, being the keyword. Something in the way the realtor talked to him about the penthouse made him decide to take a look at it.

And he wasn't disappointed. The penthouse really had a fantastic view. The living room was very spacious and filled with a modern interior. A beautiful leather couch sprawled across half of the large room, directly in front of one of the largest, most modern televisions Harry had seen to date. A stylish glass table that matched the rest of the interior perfectly completed the look.

Although Harry didn't know much about fashion and labels, he could see that the previous owner clearly had. The kitchen looked brand new, as if it had never been used. The big bedroom and adjoining bathroom were designed in the same modern fashion as the living room. It was, however, the beautiful view that made up Harry's mind for sure.

He opened the balcony doors and took a deep breath of the fresh air while he walked towards the edge of the balcony. Beneath him, there was a little town, and the people bustling around were probably on their way to work.

"I'll take it," said Harry with a big smile on his face as he turned towards the realtor. The realtor looked relieved, and hastily took some papers from his briefcase.

"The family only wants to rent the penthouse per month," he spoke while he grabbed his ballpoint and handed the papers and pen over to Harry.

"Why is that?" asked Harry suspiciously, making no move to grab the offered paperwork.

"The family didn't want to say much about it, but I'm quite sure that the contract will eventually be changed into something more permanent."

Harry sighed and looked again towards the city. The view was magnificent. Besides, it really was time for him to finally have his own place. And it was already furnished, which meant he didn't have to go shopping for furniture, something he hadn't been looking forward to.

"Mister Evans?" the realtor spoke carefully. He was scared that his costumer would change his mind again and that his search would be continued. Harry turned around with a small smile.

"Whatever the reasons for the monthly contract, I would be crazy to not take this place."

The realtor smiled relieved and handed the papers over to Harry. Harry quickly looked through the contract before he signed in graceful letters his signature.

"Congratulations on your new penthouse, Mister Evans," the retailer exclaimed. Harry shook the man's extended hand and smiled. He could definitely feel at home in this place.

---

After having moved some clothes and other personal belongings to his new home he decided to do some shopping. The cabinets in the kitchen were empty so he really had to buy some food.

He came back with three full bags of groceries. He knew he had bought far too much, but when he was in the supermarket he hadn't beenable to contain himself. He put the groceriesaway in the cabinets before grabbing a beer and settling on thecouch. Finally, there was some peace and quiet in his mind.

Oh, he really loved Ron, Hermioneand their kids, but he never had the chance to be alone when he lived with them. Sometimes he had the feeling he was back at the Burrow. Their twins seemed even more hyperactive than Fred and George!

He smiled when he remembered the shocked faces of the Weasley's when he had told them that morning that he had finally found the perfect home. They had tried to stop him when he had told them he wanted to live in the Muggle world, but he was tired of being recognized and spoken to by everyone, when he didn't even know who they were. He wanted to start a new life without constantly being seen as a hero. He knew that that would only be possible if he started to live in the Muggle world.

Harry sighed when he thought back to how, Ron, especially, didn't seem to understand why Harry wanted to live in 'a house with all those strange and scary machines', when he could have just as easily continued living with them. Arthur Weasley however, couldn't hide his enthusiasm to visit Harry in his new home to have a look at what kind of fascinating things the Muggles had created.

Harry finished his beer and decided to break in the big bath that he had seen in the bathroom. The moving and shopping had been tiring and he could really use a relaxing bath.

Making sure the water's temperature was right before he put some bath foam in it, he hummed softly while he undressed and stepped into the filled tub. He turned the taps off and sighed happily, lolling comfortably in the bath. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the way the warm water relaxed his muscles.

"What are you doing here? Get out of my bathroom!"

Startled, Harry opened his eyes and scrambled to cover himself, even though the foam was already doing an adequate job of that. He was glad for the spell Hermione had taught him so he no longer needed his glasses. Now he was able to see what was happening.

"Malfoy?" Harry wasshocked and surprised. He knew for sure his eyes were playing tricks on him. During the war Draco had suddenly disappeared and no one knew what had happened to him.

Harry blinked his eyes, but when he opened them again, the image hadn't changed or gone away. Before him stood a slightly older Draco Malfoy wearing a handsome grey Muggle suit.

"Potter what are you doing in my home? In my bath!" Draco cried, pointing at Harry accusingly.

"It's Evans," Harry said, eyes remaining on the foam and refusing to look at Draco.

"Huh?"

"I said it's Evans, not Potter," said Harry, turning his flushingface back towards Draco.

"I don't care about your identity crisis! I just want to know what you're doing in my home!"

"Your home?" asked Harry, glaring at Draco angrily, though he was still quite a bit surprised.

"Yes, my home Potter," Draco said impatientlyrolling his eyes for added affect.

"Alright, either this must be a big mistake, or it's a really bad joke."

Harry wanted to get out of the water, but changed his mind just in time when he remembered that Draco was standing in the bathroom.

"Could you please wait in the other room so I can get out of the bath"

The look of annoyance was clearly visible on Draco's face.

"What gives you the right to command me around in my own home?"

"My home, you mean," said Harry who was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable now that the foam was starting to disappear.

"I don't know what you're talking about Potter. I've been living here for over three years."

"It's Evans," Harry sighed, lookingat the bathwater. "And believe me, if I had known that this was your home I wouldn't be here right now."

He looked up towards the place whereDraco had been standing just seconds before, but nobodywas there. The bathroom was empty.

Harry was glad thatDraco had decided to leave him alone so he was able to get out of the water. Quickly he started to dry himself, grumbling about the stupid realtor who had talked him into living here in the first place. He should have known that a place like this was too good to be true. A penthouse filled with furniture and everything else a manneeded to live - of course something this good had already been rented out. And to Malfoy of all people

Harrygrimaced. He should be glad that he hadn't beenattacked when Malfoy saw him.

He dressed quickly and left the bathroom.

"Malfoy?" Harry called paddingthrough the bedroom towards the living room. He didn't see Draco anywhere so hewalked on.

"Malfoy where are you"

Harry heard no answer and the kitchen and balconywere just as empty as they had ever been. Thatwas strange. He knew for sure that he had just seen Malfoy minutes ago.

He checked the lock on the door and saw that it was still on the night lock he had put it on when he had come home. The various spells Harry had put over the penthouse made sure that no one was able to Apparate inside the apartment. But this would mean that Malfoy hadn't even been in the penthouse…

The story is inspired by the novel and film 'Just Like Heaven'.
Thanks to CBeta who helped to beta this chapter!

I will try to update every week. I hope you'll like it :)

Next Chapter: Shock and denial