A/N: New story, yes I'm back. I wasn't gone for that long, only for a week and a few days. No school tomorrow, which means I get to go out! My writing still needs to improve, I know, but I'm still learning being 13 and all. There will be less author notes rambling, since it'll probably bore you all to death, and I'm not sure if anyone even takes a glance at it. This chapter may be a bit short (and boring), but I promise the good stuff will come up soon.
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
Irritated, 24 year old Harry Potter grabbed the alarm clock and shoved it inside an open drawer. It was a bright sunny afternoon, and normally he would be out doing some grocery shopping; not today though. He sluggishly got out of bed and headed towards the kitchen. Thought it may seem pathetic, Harry had lost his job and had nowhere to run to. That was until he met up with his old friends. Hermione and Ron lived in a nice little house in London, and that is exactly where Harrywas living now. After failing to get a new job after his first, he gave up and spent most of his time in the house. Harry made himself a cup of coffee and sat down, sighing to himself.
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
The kitchen clock's hand struck 1 and Harry got ready for Hermione to come home. No later after 1, the front door rattled and sounds of someone entering was heard.
"Harry?"
"In here."
Hermione walked in carrying grocery bags and her car keys. She settled the armload on the kitchen counter and turned to Harry.
"I really wish you would at least go out for a walk in the park," Hermione sighed. "You're getting so pale, and the fresh air might do you some good."
"Tomorrow."
"You said that yesterday!"
"I promise."
"You said that too," Hermione said tiredly, putting the milk into the fridge. "I don't want to nag you, but you wont listen to me. You don't want me to force you, you know it'll end up ugly."
Harry smiled and got up, "I swear I'll go out tomorrow, I'll even do the shopping! Just don't fuss about me so much."
"Can't help it, you know me," Hermione said. "Lay off the instant noodles too, they're not so healthy."
Harry nodded and walked into the living room. He turned on the telly and flicked through he channels. He ended up watching channel 1229, the Wizarding Network. Ron and Hermione both still liked to keep in touch with the Wizarding world, thus Ron connected the telly to the channel. Harry watched as the newscaster explained how new parts of Knockturn Alley were beingrebuilt. Maybe Harry could have a look down there tomorrow, despite how Hermione would disapprove. It has been a while since he had taken a step into the Wizarding world, and he was starting to miss it. He spent most of his life in the Wizarding world, and it was something he would never forget. Though there were good times, there were the many bad ones too. Harry tried hard not to think about the bad times so often, but occasionally his mind would wander off to Voldemort, but he would stop there andblock out the thoughtsof all the lives that were lost because of the Dark Lord.
"Harry? Do you think Ron would want chicken or turkey?" Hermione asked from the kitchen.
"Hermione?" Harry said.
"Yeah?"
Harry switched the telly off and walked back into the kitchen.
"I'm going to Diagon Alley tomorrow."
Hermionedropped the cup of tea she was holding, staringat Harry with disapproval, "Why?"
Harry looked at her quizzically, "Why not?"
"Do you think it's wise to go back after avoiding it for 7 years?"
Harry shrugged.
"Think about it Harry," Hermione said picking up the shattered china pieces. "Just a few days ago, you would walk out of the room whenever Ron brought the subject on the Ministry up. You were never comfortable when Ron and I started talking about the Wizarding world."
"I thought you wanted me to adapt to it again, now it seems like you want to drag me as far away from it as possible."
Hermione sighed, "You had...a rough past and ever since you started working at that muggle department, I've noticed smiles on your face. You're obviously more happy here."
"Am I really?" Harry asked, folding his arms.
"You mean you're not? I can understand, after all with Dr-"
"I'm taking a shower," Harry cut in, turning away quickly.
"Honestly! Are you going to walk away every time I mention his name?"
"Yes."
"You love him!"
"He's gone 'Mione, so stop pushing the subject," Harry snapped while walking down the hall.
"I know what your going through but-"
"No you don't."
"I don't want to start another fight like last time, we're mature adults now," Hermione said calmly.
"Then drop it."
"You can't avoidit forever!"
"HE-IS-DEAD! Okay?"
"If you would just talk to me-"
"Just not about this shit!"
"Harry..."
"Look, your not the one who had to live his whole childhood, without any parents, and you are most definitely not living without your loved one right now. I don't care if you're a therapist for those loony people out there, but I don't need one of your 'lectures' every single bloody day. Now shut up, AND LET ME TAKE A DAMN SHOWER!" Harry yelled,scowling down at her.
Hermione studied him for a bit before walking past without saying another word. Harry knew she was only worried, but he hated having people nagging at him all the time. He's an adult now! He didn't need to hear the damn lectures. Why couldn't he just live like a normal person, WITH someone he loves? It's easy for others to say, "Get over him! Find someone new!" What do they know? On many accounts, Ron had tried setting Harry up with someone from work; but whenever Harry looked into the other person's eye, there was always the lacking of the beautiful gray eyes he still loved so much.
Harry stepped into the shower stall. Perhaps it was time to move on. It would be very difficult to forget about him. Maybe if he found someone with gray eyes and blonde hair, he wouldn't miss Draco so much, but it would never be the same without him.Thinking aboutDracodid him no good, it only made him realize he had lost someone who will forever be irreplaceable. But Hermione was right, maybe he shouldn't go back to the Wizarding world, it would bring back too many painful memories. Harry knew he shouldn't have snapped at Hermione like that, but he was so insecure without Draco. He hated waking up everyday, expecting Draco to come back somehow, someway, knowingthose wereonly wishes that would never be granted.
The only place Harry could go now was the supermarket just a few blocks away. He could walk there tomorrow, since both Ron and Hermione had to use the car. Harry couldn't wait to breathe in the freshness of the morning air again.
Harry woke up right after Hermione and Ron had left. He shuffled into the washroom and looked into the mirror. To his horror, he had no idea how a beard could grow so fast, and how his hair (which was once upon a time short), could reach past his shoulders. He quickly picked up Ron's razor, and started shaving. It had been a while since he had shaved, thus he ended up with a small cut here and there. He finished it off by tying his hair back with an elastic band; he'll just have to cut his hair later.
Hermione left a grocery list on the fridge as always. She would pick it up at lunch and go shopping for the groceries. Harry took the list, grabbed an extra set of keys, and walked out the front door.
The sky was gray and the tree in the front yard was slowly shedding its yellow and orange leaves. The wind was chilly and Harry loved the feeling of having the wind softly slap against his cheeks. As he walked down the path, he listened the crunching sound of dead leaves as he stepped on them. He remembered how he loved stepping on the leaves and hearing the 'crunch' sound when he was a child; even though he'd just get in trouble afterwards for causing too much distraction. Harry scowled at the memory of his uncle, aunt, and cousin, whose arse wouldn't be here right now if he hadn't defeated Voldemort. He shook the invading thoughts away. He was supposed to start fresh. He was not going to ruin his day by thinking about his childhood.
The doors slid open for him as he walked into the store. He grabbed a cart and pushed it down the first aisle.
"Juice," Harry muttered to himself and looked around.
What the hell is a cereal aisle? So maybe he's not an expert at grocery shopping, he couldn't blame anyone but himself. If he had gone out more often, he would have known where the juice was kept. He found out by asking someone who works there. They gave him a funny look when he asked, but kindly pointed it out for him.
"Foreign," he heard one of them mumble and walk away.
Just ashe was about to walk by the junk food aisle, someone bumped into his cart and fell down, knocking over a stack of chocolate chip cookies.
"Clean up on aisle 4," someone announced.
A head peeked up at him through the mess. Harry blinked and helped the small person up.
"You could have been more careful you know," the little boy said stiffly, brushing off his trousers.
"I'm-I...you were the one that ran into my cart! What are you talking about?" Harry exclaimed.
The little boy, who looked no older then 9, glared at him with his blue eyes.
"Are you saying I'm blind?" the boy demanded.
Harry sighed, "Whatever, look I'm sorry."
"You better be...if my father hears about this..." he continued to mutter.
Harry looked at him more carefully. There was something so familiar about the boy, and yet Harry could not put his finger on it.
"What's your name?"
"Father told me not to talk to strangers."
"Emmick?" A voice called out.
Harry's ears perked up. He looked up and saw a bunch of tourists walking in, blocking out the voice.
"Coming father!" Emmick gave Harry a look and ran off.
Harry could have sworn he had caught a glimpse of blonde hair in the direction Emmick was running towards. And the smooth voice he heard...Harry didn't dare think about it anymore. He knew if he gave it a bit more thought, he would make himself believe it was Draco's voice he had heard.
"Mister...you ruined about 3 packages of cookies, how are you paying?" a woman asked.
"Look," Harry said giving her nametag a quick glance. "Tammy, I didn't knock this over, this little boy did."
She snorted, "You expect me to believe that? If only I can tell you how many times someone used that as an excuse. Now, either pay for the cookies, or I will be forced to turn you in to my manger."
Harry glared and muttered, "Fine."
"Oh good you did the groceries!" Ron said once Harry came home.
Hermione was in the kitchen cooking, and Harry's stomach let out a loud growl when he took a whiff of what was in the frying pan. Harry walked into the kitchen and set the bag on the counter. Hermione gave him a quiet, "hi."
"Hermione," Harry began. "I'm sorry about yesterday."
"It's okay, I try my best to understand you, but you're so complicated," Hermione said.
Harry nodded, "Sorry."
"Anyway, lunch is almost ready, call Ron for me would you?"
"Already here," Ron said grinning. "Smells good."
"For Heaven's sake Ronald! You still have to set the table, even if you compliment my cooking."
"Fine...sweetheart."
"Sweet talk won't do either."
Harry chuckled and helped Ron set the table. Hermione placed bacon sandwiches in front of them, and sat down herself.
"This is good," Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah it is," Harry agreed.
Hermione beamed.
Harry looked at his 2 best friends. Things sure have changed.
"Guys?"
Hermione and Ron looked at him with full attention.
"Yeah?" Ron mumbled through a mouthful.
Harry fidgeted in his seat and set his sandwich down. He looked at both of them, hoping they'll remain silent when he told them.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I..." Harry trailed off.
"Yeah?" Ron mumbled through a mouthful.
"Go on," Hermioneencouraged.
"Don't say anything though," Harry said.
They nodded.
"I think," Harry bit his bottom lip. "Draco's still alive."
TBC
A/N: Want to read more? Review please! Leave your email if you want to be emailed whenever I update.