Part one.
" I'm sorry, Harry— but ", the pink lips which were apologising pursed close to then open again, " You aren't what I expected. ... ", she tried explaining her tone was soft but careful as her eyes kept switching gazes from her pair of shoes to Harry's wide surprised eyes.
" Oh no, no no no no no ", She quickly spoke before Harry could sink any further.
" Don't think this like that Harry ! ", she said softly while observing the clear change of his expression from surprise to guilt. Harry was probably blaming himself as to why she was breaking up with him.
" Then— what? ", he managed to say as his eyes now closed tightly. He exhaled. This was his fifth person and to one he got to say, he actually liked and jad a good feeling that they would have lasted and made miny little Potters.
" Harry. ", Daphne Greengrass spoke again, Harry's eyes fluttered open staring into hers. Almost begging to not do this. She reached forward to clasp his hand that were always rough and dry but warm.
Flashback: Ministry Ball, seven months ago.
" I'm sure you could get me a drink, Auror Potter or should I refer you as Head Auror Potter, now ? "
That was how they first met, during a Ministry ball and Harry was talking with Draco Malfoy. Based on their looks though, clearly the conversation was heading to a rough direction as both of them had an annoyed look.
" Harry- would do just fine. Miss Greengrass. And sure thing, if you'll excuse me first. ", Harry happily slipping away from Malfoy to give a nod at Daphne before heading to the drinks section to get some refreshments.
" Oh, thank god, you got rid of Potter. Seriously, he still as annoying as I remembered. And not to mention, wearing his Auror robes to a ball. He is not even on duty! ", Malfoy straighted his dressrobe, a reflex which he kept repeating so to make sure he looked presentable at all times.
" Oh hush, I made no plans to get rid of him. And I for one think his robes suit him very well, Draco. Grown up now. ", she patted his arm gently. Draco quited down a moment before deciding to change the topic.
Harry returned shortly with drinks for Daphne. They had fun conversations despite the occasional interference from Malfoy, which obviously would be a snide remark of what Harry said. Luckily that did not continue from long, as Astoria joined them, keeping Malfoy busy. The night was spent well, and Harry even accompanied Daphne back home safely, using his "Auror duties" or whatnot to claim he must ensure her safe return. They met up again after the ball and soon started dating, which lasted for a six months.
Flashback ends.
" This is not working. I know we were getting along fine. But- ", she paused again, but she would not let herself stop herself this time. Harry was a nice man and deserve the truth. She exhaled too and looked straight towards Harry. " You are not what I want. Nor, am I what you want. There was no spark- you know? ", she endded that last two words softly- almost a whisper and quickly gazed down again. Half afraid and half hoping, Harry would not get too upset.
They remained in silence for a moment before she felt a soft squeeze from Harry's hand on hers. Looking up to see Harry nodding his head to then flash a somewhat sad yet understanding smile.
" I understand, Daphne. ", he said and cleared his throat. " For what it was worth, I want you to know that, I really. Really. Liked you. ", he confessed and smiled again.
" I want you happy, so - yeah. I understand. "
She smiled back towards him, clearly not denying this break up, no matter how gently she could lay it out would still hurt Harry.
" I'm sorry, Harry and thank you. I too wish happiness for you. You truly deserve happiness and hope you met that special person soon, yeah ? ", she said weakly as she got up from her seat to then walk closer to Harry who sat opposite her. She pecked fondly on his cheek and took the bill over the table, indicating that she would pay for the drinks they ordered. She then wished Harry goodbye as she left.
Harry let out a shaky sigh as his face fell into his hands. He was sitting at the corner table of a coffee house which weren't crowded with much people at this hour. " Gosh, this sucks. ". Harry uttered to himself but not in hush tone as another person who heard him, walked up towards Harry's table with his own takeaway coffee.
" Oh, I agree on that. Though, I reckon all break ups do suck, little Harrykins.", came a reply from an oddly familiar voice. Harry's cheeks redden to bright red as he could not believe he said that out loud till someone heard that. But that voice, quickly regaining his composure Harry looked up to find a one eared George Weasley grinning at him with a takeaway cup in his hand.
" Seat taken ? ", he pointed towards the empty spot where Daphne was sitting earlier.
" No. Please, go ahead. ", he said as he sat up, and smiled watching George taking his seat. " George. How are you? It's been-",
Interrupted by George who continued, " Very long indeed. I know. " He laughed and paused.
" I'm good. Just- living a day after a day. But enough about me. Sorry about your break up, and I did not mean to watch- of course. ", he quickly added. " Remembered Ron mentioning a good coffee place which is not very crowded, so I thought I could check it out you know. ", George said and took another sip.
It has been two years since the war, since Fred's death. Many people had a rough time to carry on their days after the war ended, especially George. Despite still not getting over with the loss with his twin- then again, how can he? George decided to re-open the Weasley Wizard Wheezes, which was truly a difficult thing to yet with all his family members by his side. Managing the store and creating new tricks and inventions somehow helped him slowly to move on with life. Recently, Ron has quited being the auror and joined George to managed the store and to be closer with his brother. Harry fully supported Ron's decision despite the numbers of protested which arises from the department claiming who would be protecting them if Harry Potter's best friend, ex-war hero, god forbids want to do something he wants which is to retire from auror duties. Harry snapped of course, and protected Ron against those statements. Everyone, especially Ron has done his part, sacrificed his childhood to help during war and if ever anything, Ron should have more right to ask for what he wants. Everyone should learn to not solely depend on others at all times. The grumbles still continued silently though. Despite Ron joining George to manage the store, George still kept to himself at the store. He barely goes out anymore, almost never meets up for drinks with his friends, almost never take strolls anymore, instead he just stays in his store, either at the back, creating new products or at up, second floor of the store, where he lives.
Knowing George's isolation, Harry was surprised but secretly Happy to see George out.
" Yeah, I was the one who told Ron of this place. Not many wizards, mostly muggles here. Daphne- oh, she's the girl earlier. Slytherin my year, if you remember. She enjoys quiet places such as this. ". Harry wrapped his hands which earlier was fiddling with the zip slider of his opened jacket, around his half empty mug.
" Rather than being surprised by you who went out with a Slytherin girl, I'm more suprised how you got dumped. ", he said jokingly, before quickly adding, " You're the Boy who lived I mean, who wouldn't want you as their lover. And as a bonus, you got dashing looks."
Harry chucked at the compliment. " Well, yeah- sad to say, myattempt in romance is going downhill. And for the record, I think the title "Boy who lived" seemed to be contributing to my failure for romance. ".
" Ever the dramatic, what failure you cry of ? The world got lots to offer, now cheer up now. If it did not work out with her, it only mean she is not the one, you know? " George said as he then paused.
" Like me and Angelina. She's amazing and all, and she too liked me back. But just- " he paused to then, surprisingly Harry said, " There was no spark. "
" Exactly. " George nodded. George took another sip of his warm latte, thinking fondly of the memory of Angelina who said goodbye a year ago saying she needed to travel. She needed to search for something, what, she does not know but something. She asked George to follow her, but he could not. For George, he said he is not ready. Fred, a part of him is still here and he is not ready to let go. So he is going to be remain here, with memories of Fred. It was a bittersweet occasion but last he heard, Angelina seemed to doing well. She has joined a Quidditch team.
Harry then asked George what new inventions he came up with recently, to which George grinned, and enthusiastically replied.