I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, this would be costing you $20 XD
Chapter 2
Harry was really enjoying himself, more than he'd done in years and this woman was amazing. He found himself comparing her to Hermione, smart, funny and completely clueless to how brilliant she really was. He was dying to touch her, to graze her hand with his, to move the hair from her eyes but he couldn't so he started playing with his hair instead. Harry realised his mistake as he saw her eyes widen. He'd forgotten to use the cosmetic charm before leaving the Ministry. 'Maybe it's a coincidence, not everyone has read those stupid books.' He hoped but part of him knew his luck wouldn't push that far.
"Hello? Are you ok?" He asked
She shook her head
"I'm not sure, either I've lost my mind or your something that can't be real"
Bluff Harry! Bluff! His mind screamed
"What? Handsome, charming and ideal company?"
Bella shook her head and lifted the napkin from her almost forgotten book
"Oh right" he said, his face falling.
'That's it. She's rumbled you now Potter.'
"I never caught your name Mr...?"
'You may as well tell her now.'
"Potter, you're right. I'm Harry Potter."
Harry dove from his seat as the girl collapsed. He'd made a fine mess of things. James came running over and shoved Harry out of the way.
"Bella! Bella! Wake up, come on babe you're ok. Just wake up" James cried, distressed. This guy definitely wasn't used to real dramatic moments.
"James, move a second will you. I don't think shaking her like that will accomplish anything, unless you're planning on giving her a concussion." Harry gently moved James out of the way while he pretended to check her pulse. In actual fact he wanted James somewhere he wouldn't see him pull his wand from his pocket or hear him whisper 'Evenerate'. The spell worked better than smelling salts and she started stirring.
Bella came around with a groan, she felt like a fool. Surely the last few minutes hadn't happened and she was about to open her eyes to her bedroom but it wasn't to be. Bella gently lifted one eyelid and saw Harry, wand in hand and James fidgeting on the spot behind him.
"Oh great," she groaned, "So we've got the Cowardly Lion and the Wizard. When do the Tinman and Scarecrow get here?" Monsieur Garcia chose that moment to emerge from the kitchen with arms full of pans and utensils. Bella started laughing manically and James looked worried but Harry just joined in.
"I think she's going to be ok." He laughed
"Are you sure? She sounds delirious." James' worried tone was almost enough to send Bella over the edge but if she didn't calm down soon, James would send for his mother. If that happened, Madame Garcia would insist on calling an ambulance or something equally well meaning but pointless.
"James, I'm fine. I just had a bit of a dizzy spell is all. Do me a favour and get me another glass of wine and I'll be ok." She smiled. James seemed mollified by her mention of alcohol. That was more like the Bella he knew, she was sure. "Harry, can you help me up? And put that thing away," she added in a whisper. Harry obliged and offered her his left hand while his right was surreptitiously putting his wand back in his pocket.
"I'm sorry about that" he offered once Bella was back in her seat with the fresh glass of wine and James left to deal with more customers. "I shouldn't have told you but you'd guessed as much yourself. I could always Obliviate you..."
"Certainly not!" She said heatedly. "You can't do that, it's dangerous isn't it?"
"Well yes but only if not done properly. I would ask Hermione to do it."
"Hermione? She's real too? What else is true?"
"Most of it to be honest. It's actually my biography."
Bella gaped "Your what?! How did it..."
"Bella, are you still going to work? You'll be late if you are" James called, shooing his father back into the kitchen.
"Aw crap" She exclaimed "You're going to meet me after work." She told Harry in a tone that implied he had no choice. "I finish at midnight, the KittyKat club in Covent Garden" Harry merely nodded and smiled. Wild Hippogriffs couldn't keep him away. He was amazed that, excluding the fainting, she was taking it amazingly well.
Bella took a last look at the Boy Wonder, or rather the Man Wonder and shook her head in an attempt to get the gears back into place. She took another last look to see if he'd disappeared, then left for work.
Harry arrived at the club early and was surprised to note it was a burlesque dance club. Bella didn't seem the type to work here. He'd have put money on her working somewhere quieter. Harry had intended to wear his cloak so he could watch her work but entering the club he realised it wouldn't be possible, there were just too many people so he settled for hiding himself at the edge of the bar.
Bella was on top form that night, in an attempt to forget the fiasco in the restaurant earlier, she threw herself into work and decided on flair over quantity, it took more concentration. As she twirled, threw and caught bottles customers cheered. Mid-spin she checked the time, ten to twelve. He'll be here soon.
Harry watched in awe as Bella performed moves he would have sworn impossible without a wand. She was so graceful and not only that but somewhere in the dance of bottles, she was actually managing to serve drinks. He was sure most of the people on her patch of bar had been served and were staying to watch the show. Bella performed a big finish, involving several bottles, a dozen feet and a cocktail glass. She bowed to the crowd, took her wage from the till and collected her tips before sliding over the bar in front of Harry. He didn't even realise she'd seen him.
"Bella, that was amazing" He shouted over the music
"Well you're not the only one with talent, Mr Potter" She said breathlessly "Now lets get out of here before they ask me to work late."
Bella grabbed Harry's hand and almost dragged him to the fire exit by the bar. Out in the night air, she shivered, Harry took off his jacket and offered it to her.
"Thanks, I normally just catch a cab home after work"
"It's fine. I'm sorry for messing up your night" Harry apologised insincerely. "Shall we take a walk?" He offered his arm and led her towards quieter surroundings.
"Harry, didn't you promise to tell me how your biography became a fiction book?" Bella asked innocently. She was dying to know how but didn't want to seem too eager. Harry laughed
"That I did but I don't think here is the best place to share it. Are you willing to accompany me home? I'm afraid the walls are liable to have ears around here."
"Of course but what do you mean ears?"
"When the book was published, it was agreed that no one could ever find out I really exist but I have a good feeling about you. Just remember 13 Grimauld Place."
"But..."
"I'll tell you when we get there. Now hold on" Harry grabbed Bella's arm and turned abruptly on the spot. When Bella opened her eyes, gasping for breath, she discovered the were in a small garden in the centre of a square. As she opened her mouth to speak harry put a finger to her lips and whispered "Give me two minutes and follow me in." Bella stood in shock as she watched Harry run up the steps to a house that wasn't there a moment ago but that didn't make sense, how could this house exist when most of the world knew exactly where it was? Making up her mind to ask him that first, she ran up the steps to join him. Bella opened the door as a crack sounded from inside.
Harry heard Bella enter just as Kreacher left and thanked god that she wasn't two seconds sooner.
"Welcome to my home. Would you like a drink?" Bella nodded. Harry took her hand and led her down the stairs to the kitchen where he placed a butterbeer in front of her and summoned a plate of bread and cheese. "Where do you want to start?" Harry asked smiling.
"How can this place still be a secret when it was in the books?" She asked immediately, reaching for the butterbeer.
"Oh that one's easy" He grinned "Joanne isn't a secret keeper, so when the book came out and people started coming to find the house, no one could see it because the protective charms were still working. It just meant I had to stay at the Weasley's for a few weeks."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense. Is JK Rowling a witch then?"
"Not at all. I went to school with her sister but that's part of a bigger story. Why don't I start at the beginning?" Bella nodded and got more comfortable in her seat by the fire.
"It all began when Diana cornered me in the library..."
AN- Next: How us poor Muggles ended up with the Philosophers Stone and for the sake of continuity, let's just pretend that Harry had loads of time in 6th year to give JK all the info she needed.