Chapter One

Harry potter made it along by living alone. He was a bachelor and liked not having a roommate. That's why it was such a surprise to him when late one night when he got home, the shower was running in his apartment.

"Hello?" Harry said attentively, gripping his wand. "Who's here?"

Harry opened the bathroom door and peeked at the bathtub. A female silhouette was showing through his translucent curtain.

"Hello?" he asked again.

"Hey Harry. Give me a minute and I'll be done here." the female form answered. Taken aback at the familiar voice, Harry lowered his wand.

"Ginny?"

"Yep, go wait in the living room, I'll be right out."

Seeing that it was Ginny and not knowing what else to do, Harry did as he was told. A few minutes later Ginny came out. Her deep red hair was in big bouncy curls and hung down to her waist. She was wearing a thin silk sky blue strappy dress that settled in waves just above her knees. Around her neck was a thin silver chain with a star pendant adorned with strange symbols. The necklace Harry had given her years ago. Harry had to catch his breath so the lump that formed in his throat wouldn't betray him.

"Ginny...what are you doing here?"

She sat down on the leather couch next to him. "I missed you Harry. It's been so long since I've seen you. So long since we've been together. I wanted to be with you again."

Her long eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her eyes.

"I hope that's okay with you?"

Harry couldn't say anything. This beautiful girl, the love of his life, was right before him, wanting him back after so many years...

"Harry...I love you." her olive skinned arms reached around his neck and she fell on top of him, pressing her lips against his. He couldn't resist her. He pulled her closer, inhaling her sweet aroma.

"Ginny..."

She pulled back slightly.

"I love you Harry Potter. And always will." she backed away from him even more. "But I have to go..."

Ginny's face swam in and out of focus.

"No! Ginny...don't go. Stay."

She just smiled a sweet smile at him and vanished.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Harry woke with a start. A dream. Of course. She was just a dream. He rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Nothing short of a miracle...or a changed man could bring her back to him. Harry closed his eyes tight and instantly the image from his dream appeared. If only...

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

"Another round Potter?"

Harry nodded mutely and Tom refilled his glass. It had been three years. Three years since she walked out of his life and since then he's been sliding on a downward spiral. He followed his normal life, laughing with Ron and Hermione and playing with their kids, excelling at work, he was the top auror at the Ministry of Magic. But when he was alone, the depression took over.

A manicured hand slid down from his shoulder to his waist, lingering across his chest. He turned his head slightly.

"Hey handsome. Buy a girl a drink?"

A drop dead gorgeous blond slid onto the barstool next to him. She sent him a flirty smile. Her skirt was excessively short and her top very low cut, her robes wrapped around, showing off a little too much flawless skin. Harry looked her up and down.

"Sure, name your poison."

Blondie ordered her drink and Harry slapped a few coins on the bar.

"Thanks." She took a sip and ran her finger around the rim of her glass. "So what's a hot shot like Harry Potter doing in a bar like this?"

"Just one of those days." He watched her finger. "You know my name but I don't know yours."

"Christie."

"Nice to meet you."

"Oh believe me, Mr. Potter, the pleasure is all mine." She said 'pleasure' with a purr that sent a tingle up Harry's spine.

"And why's that?"

"It's not everyday one meets the man who saved the world. Especially when he's as good looking as you."

Harry smiled slightly at that. Christie rested her hand on his thigh and sipped her drink again. He knocked back his drink and turned to face her full on.

"Miss, it's been very nice to meet you but I have to go."

He slid off his stool, waved to Tom, and headed for the door. He turned backwards and pushed the door open. Christie was sitting on the stool watching him, looking pissed off and confused. A smile crossed his face as he stepped into the bitter cold. Girls were always trying to get into bed with him just because he was Harry Potter.

"Come on mate, why didn't you take her home? She's gorgeous." Ron said as he fell into step beside him. Harry snorted.

"A bimbo whose name I won't remember when I wake up next to her and who will go around saying 'ooo I slept with Harry Potter!' Please."

"Of course! You get a night of pleasure, no commitment, and a boost to your ego!"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Mate, you need to get laid."

"Ron, you need to live your sex life with Hermione. Not through me."

Ron laughed. Snow started falling and the two men pulled their cloaks tighter to them.

"Ginny's back."

Harry stopped dead in his tracks. "What?"

Ron turned to face him. "Ginny. She came home."

"When?"

"Two days ago. She's staying with me and Hermione and the kids."

"Where was she?"

"I don't know."

Harry felt his temper rising. "What do you mean you don't know? Is she okay?"

"She's fine Harry. But she won't tell us anything."

Harry's mind went numb. Ginny was back. Three years since she walked away from him and the rest of the world and now she was home.

"Does-does she want to see me?"

Ron looked down at his feet.

"Ron? Does she?" His temper was rising again.

"She didn't say."

"Oh."

Ron met his eyes. "She's changed."

"What are you talking about?"

"She-"A ringing sound cut through their conversation. Ron pulled a small mirror out of his pocket. Hermione's face reflected back.

"Shit. I need to get home."

"Wait! What about Ginny?"

But Ron had already disapparated.