Title: Falling Away With You

Prologue: Time

It was a rainy Friday night when he went in the Black Bull pub. He scanned the place and then walked towards his seat near the counter.

"What would it be for tonight, mate?" The barman asked him.

"The usual, John." He answered.

"Just give me five minutes for the chips." John placed a pint of lager in front of him.

Harry Potter took the pint and drank. This was his usual weekend routine. Work then order fish and chips and a pint in the Black Bull. After that he'd talk to a few co-workers who would stop by in the pub. He'd usually consume three pints or more depending on his mood. Tonight, he's probably going to drink more than three.

He'd been thinking a lot about home lately. He had left England four years ago and moved to Australia. He had decided to join the Australian Ministry's Auror office after a year of familiarizing himself in the foreign country. The move had created a lot of questions for him from everyone else. Harry didn't give them answers. He didn't have to.

John had placed his plate of fish and chips on the counter. Harry started to eat the chips first and then asked for another pint. Soon as he finished his food, he thought about England again.

This morning, his boss at the Auror office had decided to promote him after three years in the service. Harry was of course glad to hear the news but Auror Smith explained to him that his promotion is in England and not in Australia. The British Auror office had been trying to recruit Harry ever since he joined the Australian Auror office and it was only now that the Australian Ministry finally agreed and sending Harry to the British Ministry.

Auror Smith had given him 24 hours to think about it. The whole idea of going back home plagued Harry's mind. He didn't know how he should feel about it. One of the reasons why he left England is for him to just stay away from everything. The outcomes of the war were devastating. So many lives lost, so much destruction and despite the victory there were wounds that would always take time to heal. Harry felt asphyxiated then. He wanted to leave and run away from his past. So he did but now, it seems like his past is catching up. He can't run anymore. He'd have to face it again.

He paid his tab and then went out of the Black Bull. He changed his mind about drinking more than three pints. He decided to go back to his flat early. Going to a secluded corner where no one could see him, he apparated right away to his flat. He took of his jacket and then proceeded to his kitchen to boil some hot water for his tea.

He sat on one of the chairs in the kitchen and drank his Earl Grey tea. He closed his eyes. He had decided on his way to the flat that he was ready to go home but he isn't ready to face everyone. By everyone he meant Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The last time he communicated with them was the night he left. He wanted to give them the time they've lost while trying to find ways to defeat Voldemort. He wanted them to live normally. He figured that leaving would give them time to themselves because for all those years, they've always cared about him first before themselves.

Harry stared at his cup, wondering how their lives are. Is it better without him? A sinking feeling came to Harry. He'd hurt them by leaving and that he knew he shouldn't expect to be welcomed with opened arms by them.

Leaving his cup on the kitchen table, he went inside his room. He sat in front of the study table and he conjured a parchment. He got his eagle feather quill and dipped it in the ink well. He spaced out for a moment thinking about what he should write. He'd have to tell them that he's coming back home. He just doesn't know how to start it. Harry relaxed for a moment and stopped thinking too hard on what he should write on the blank piece of parchment laying in front of him. It was just a letter and not some Hogwarts essay or a novel. Dipping the quill again, he finally started to write the letter.


Hermione opened the door to her office in the Ministry of Magic. She just came from lunch with Ron. Ron had owled her this morning if she wanted to eat lunch with him. She agreed right away, knowing that she'd barely spent time with her best friend. An hour ago, they met up in the Leaky Cauldron.

"Hermione," Ron smiled at her as she went in the Leaky Cauldron.

"Hello Ron, how are you?" She smiled back as he offered her a seat.

"I'm very fine. In fact, I have good news" His smile grew bigger.

"Really?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. She was curious of Ron's good news.

"Aye, but let's order our lunch first. I'm hungry." He grinned. Ron was always very hungry. He called Tom the barman and they both ordered.

"So…your good news?" Hermione's curious tone wasn't undistinguished.

"Luna and I had dinner last night and-" Ron and Luna had been dating for a year. Hermione wasn't surprised of course. She knew Luna had fancied Ron since their 5th year and Ron just needed some pushing in order to realize that he likes Luna too.

"And what?" Hermione had an inkling on what Ron's good news is about.

"I asked her to marry me, Hermione." Ron continued. His smile never faded.

"Oh, Ron. Congratulations!" Hermione stood up to give her red headed best friend a hug.

After that they both talked about things. Ron had to meet Luna to tell her father so they both left the Leaky Cauldron after finishing their lunch. Hermione sat on her chair, getting ready to continue her work when suddenly she noticed a letter on her desk.

"To Hermione." She read the envelope. Her hands began to shake as she opened it. The handwriting was very familiar. She took the small parchment out and read the only three words written on it.

I'm going home.

Hermione felt her heart beating fast. She took a deep breath and read the parchment all over again. She still can't believe it. She didn't need the sender's name. She already knew whose handwriting it was.

It was Harry's and he's coming back.

Ron had apparated to his flat after meeting Luna about the wedding preparations. His team, The Chudley Cannons, gave him the day off. He was their keeper and their next match was still two weeks from now. He took off his robes and placed it on the couch. He heard someone sniffing from his kitchen.

"Hermione?" He moved closer to her. Aside from his family and Luna, Hermione was always welcomed in his flat.

"Hermione what's wrong?" He knelt down to look at her.

"Ron…" She sobbed at his left shoulder. Ron rubbed her back to ease her crying.

"What's up?" He spoke softly. Hermione slowly moved away from him and took something from her purse. She handed to him a parchment. Ron read it immediately and understood what Hermione felt.


Go, you don't have to feel alone

Time, does not have to be on your side

When you know home, is not very far away.

All you need is time

'Time' One Night Only