It's Complicated

Chapter 3 – July 1999

Harry sat in the café stirring his coffee as he contemplated the changes of the past year. It was hard to believe that after such a momentous year previously that things could still change so much in such a relatively short space of time.

Ginny had just finished school, having passed all her exams with Outstanding (well, Hermione did plan her revision timetable!) and she was coming home that weekend for good. Harry was looking forward to it, having missed her a lot while she was at school. He was also excited, because next week the Harpies were announcing the line up for the new season, and Ginny was currently a very well kept secret addition to the new line up.

Harry was also looking forward to meeting the new intake of Aurors. While he wouldn't officially have anything to do with the training, he was glad that he would no longer feel like a newbie.

"Penny for your thoughts!"

Harry jumped as Dudley appeared behind him, nearly tipping his coffee over the table. Dudley chuckled as he sat down.

"Here you go Harry. Happy birthday for next week" he said, still chuckling to himself, passing a parcel and envelope across the table.

"Thanks. Happy birthday for last week" Harry replied, passing a gift bag across the table.

~oOo~

They spent longer than either of them expected just talking and catching up. Dudley told Harry about his girlfriend Rachel and how he had finished University for the year and was heading home for the summer, however reluctantly, and Harry told him proudly about Ginny's spot on the team (having sworn him to secrecy first) and about work.

It was only when the café staff started shutting up shop around them that they realised what time it was. Dudley looked at his watch out of sheer disbelief,

"Good lord! I have to get home and change, I'm meeting Lizzie in the gym in half an hour."

"Lizzie?"

"Yeah, you met her at the Christmas party, didn't you? She's in one of my classes, she's a right gym bunny, always makes me go, even if I don't want to!"

"Yeah, I remember. Ginny said she talked a lot!"

"Definitely her! Only shuts up when she's eating! Sometimes not even then…" he trailed off thoughtfully.

Harry smiled. "OK, have fun. I have to go; Molly frets if I'm home late."

Dudley smiled, glad that Harry finally had a proper family to go home to.

AN

Thank you all for your reviews! They are very much appreciated :D

Sorry for the long delay in updating but work has been keeping me busy and this chapter was oddly difficult to write! The next chapters will probably jump ahead a bit to when they have weddings/children etc

I hope you enjoy the update, I promise not to make you wait so long next time!

Lou Lah xxx