Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters.

For my loyal and patient readers. Thank you for waiting.

He looked horrible. He felt horrible, and he smelled horrible. Harry Potter had not taken a bath in a week. He knew he had lost the love of his life forever. Why did he have to be so cruel to Ginny? He stared at the newspaper headline. Of course, their engagement party was going to make front page news. She was a Weasley marrying a Malfoy. A good girl with a bad boy. Or in Harry's case, Draco was the good guy and Harry the bad. How he wished he could turn back time and make things right. But if he had the power to do that, his parents wouldn't have died.

Harry looked about his flat. It was a disaster. He had become lazy with cleaning, and keeping up with his appearance. He was even skipping out on work, which was very un-Harry Potter like. He was always on time, but lately he's been calling in "sick." Harry had gone completely downhill. He hated himself for what he did to Ginny. A knock at his door made him come back to reality. Harry got off the couch and walked to the door.

"Whoever is out there better have a good reason with coming here, you are not welcome." he simply stated. He peeped through the peephole on the door. Rolling his eyes, he sighed. Hermione granger. Of course. He wondered when he'd see her again.

"Is that a kind greeting for an old friend?" She stood in the hallway peering into the peephole.

"I have no friends," Harry sulked.

"Damn it Harry, open up now!" The angry voice of Hermione Granger said impatiently, tapping her foot. Harry reluctantly opened the door, and let her in. She breathed in which was a mistake. She gagged over the smell that came from his flat.

"Harry, what on earth?" she gasped as her hand covered her mouth so she wouldn't breathe it in again.

"What is that smell? Nevermind, I can see it," she stated as she took out her wand.

"Mione, don't worry about cleaning up. I'll get around to it."

"If I let you do it it'll never get done. Why does everyone rely on a woman to clean?" With a flick of the wand the flat was clean. "I think you need to bathe. Go ahead and take a shower, I can wait now that the flat is clean." Hermione ordered. Harry grunted and muttered "Women," under his breath as he walked away.

Harry walked to the living room after his shower. He saw Hermione sitting at his table with food and coffee. Harry walked up to the table, and stood by the table not really wanting to eat or drink anything.

"You look like you haven't had anything to eat in a while. Sit down and eat while I talk," she demanded. Harry knew Hermione well enough to listen to her when she says to do something. He sat down at his table as she poured two cups of coffee. He helped himself to some muffins. Harry took a bite, and then smiled as he savored the flavor of the food. He couldn't remember when anyone cooked for him last.

"This is really good,' he said in a surprising tone. She picked up a muffin, and threw it at him. To his surprise, he caught it.

"Hey! I can cook!" she exclaimed.

"Hermione, why are you here?" He grew serious as he looked at her. She took a swig of her coffee, set it down, and opened her bag sitting next to her on the floor. Hermione then got her copy of the Daily Prophet across the table. He knew why she came when he saw it. Harry's face fell as he saw Ginny smiling up at him. Regrets flew to him as he stared at the photograph. He knew he lost her forever.

"I take it you know already?" She eyed his expression. Seeing the look of regret in his eyes.

"I assume you know everything I did?" he muttered.

"There is nothing that gets past me. I hear about everything, Harry." She looked at him as he picked up the paper. Ginny danced in front of the photographer as her picture was taken. Draco stood tall watching her dance. Harry's other fist balled up seeing Draco made him angry.

"Harry, if you're still the kind guy I knew in school, you have to apologize to her. I don't know what happened to the sweet, caring, willing-to-save-anyone's life Harry, but I want him back. Maybe all the years of anger you bottled up came out and you took it out on the one you loved the most, but I know that's not like you. I know the good Harry is deep inside of you screaming to get out. Would your parents be happy with how you acted?" She looked at him for a moment, and frowned. " I don't meant to bring them up, but you haven't been very nice. Quite frankly, I am not happy with Ginny marrying Draco. I think he is up to something. You need to interrupt her engagement party." She looked down at the cup of cold coffee. He knew she was right. His heart tugged at him as she spoke.

"Do you have a plan?" He said quietly after a few moments of silence.

"Now you're talking!" She exclaimed happily. "Here's an invite to her engagement party. Draco has it under strict orders to have the place surrounded by Aurors. No unwanted guests allowed. They will be looking for you." She slid an invitation across the table. He picked it up and studied it. "Thankfully, Draco is too dense to think of using magic to protect the place."

"What next?"

"Now, you are under Mr. Porter Hill. You will be my guest, but will be arriving late due to work." She took out a potion from her bag. Harry recognized the draft as Polyjuice Potion. She held it up to him. "This is, well I think you remember. I can tell from that disgusted look on your face. It's from a wizard who came into the Ministry a while ago, but hasn't been seen since. You are to look like him." She got out of her seat, and walked over to him carefully handing him the potion. "You remember the rules? You have only an hour to get out before going back to normal. Just dress in black robes; seeing how it is a formal event."

"What happened to Porter, and who is he?"

"He's a friend of Ron's through the Ministry who went to a different Wizard school. He offered to help once we told him what was going on. He'll be hiding out at our flat," Hermione answered. "Wait till I'm done telling you what to do before you continue talking."

"Alright," Harry said as he waited for her to continue. "Wait, Ron knows I'm coming?" he questioned.

"It was his idea. He doesn't like his sister marrying Draco either."

"I thought he hated me."

"He doesn't hate you, he's just mad at you, but will forgive you. If you are forgiven by Ron, then the rest of the family and Ginny will forgive you too. Back to what I was saying. Be there tomorrow night at Eight-Thirty pm. It starts at Eight pm, but you are going to be late due to work.

"Be sure to drink the potion before you come or Draco will have you thrown out," She ordered.

"I've had that vile drink before, I remember the rules."

"I will be waiting for you outside at 8:30pm. Be sure you are there on time."

"Do you think this will work?"

"Only time will tell. Porter has promised not to go into the Wizard World. He's very well known in the Ministry. I have to go now, but please don't go anywhere tonight."

He noted the afternoon sun settling down for the evening as he looked out the window.

"I hope this works," he said to her as she Disapparated

Harry was antsy. He hated waiting for anything. Especially something of this scales. He turned on the news, but didn't really pay attention to it. Living with muggles growing up, Harry knew the appliances he would want to have when he had his own place. A television was one of them. He had finally been allowed to watch what he wanted, when he wanted with out getting yelled at.

A knock at the door made him turn off the Telly. He peered through the peephole. Flaming red hair stared back at him. Ginny. How had she found out where he lived? She started to turn away after two more knocks thinking he wasn't home. Harry opened the door and she turned around. Harry breathed in as silence crept around them.

"How did you find me?" He whispered quietly.

"Hermione's at the Burrow now and slipped me a note." That was when he noticed the crumpled piece of paper in her trembling hands.

"Come in, have a seat," Harry said being a good host. She slowly walked towards the door. Ginny paused for a moment, looking back into the hallway, and then walked towards his couch, crossed her legs, and grew quiet. As if she was waiting for him to talk, Harry stood for a moment not knowing what to do. He went in the kitchen and busied himself with making dinner. He then peered around the threshold and noticed Ginny wasn't moving.

"Want anything to drink?"

"Firewhiskey please."

Her tone was different. She wasn't cold towards him like he thought she would be. She sounded sad. Harry left the threshold again momentarily to get her a drink. He came back to her holding two glasses. He placed the glasses down on two coasters on the table next to her. That's when he finally noticed the silent tears running down her face. Temping his luck he gently placed a hand on her shoulder giving it a slight squeeze. It was all it took for her to start talking.

"It's Draco. He's been acting so strange lately. I asked him to help with the wedding. He said he didn't care what I chose or the cost. He knows when to show up, and where, but other than that, I hardly see him. He doesn't come back to the house anymore at night. He won't give me any answers when I ask him questions. " Tears continued to flow as she stopped talking. Harry handed her a box of tissues.

"So why come to me? After all I have done to you?" Harry felt horrible again. He didn't know how to explain it to Ginny, but somehow with her here, he felt like he owed her an apology.

"I have no one else to talk to about this. I can't go to Charlie. I know he said he has my back, but I just think Charlie wouldn't understand. Mum would say it is wedding blues, Ron would want to kick his arse, and Hermione, well she doesn't approve. I know she doesn't. Every time I try to bring him up, she changes the subject. She looks upset when I bring him up. I felt you were the only one who would listen. I don't keep in touch with anyone at Hogwarts, and to tell you the truth, I miss Quidditch. I know that's random, but I do. I tried talking to Draco about going to the tryouts, but he doesn't want a woman who has a job. He wants a stay at home wife. I don't know if that is for me. I am young, only eighteen years old, and not ready to be a mum yet." She had stopped crying long enough to look up at Harry only to discover he was gone.

"I'm still here, I am in the kitchen," he replied loudly. "I didn't want the food to burn." She showed up standing in the doorway in the kitchen swaying slightly as she tried to lean against the door. Her glass was empty. Harry knew she was a drinker, but when it comes to Firewhiskey, one or two glasses, and she's gone. Firewhiskey is a lot stronger than beer.

"Have a seat," he said pointing to the chair. She stumbled slightly towards the chair, turned back, and looked at him.

"Harry, you know I've never been able to hold liquor well; could you please make some coffee?" She stammered as she fell to the ground passing out before she could sit down. Harry sighed, put the food back down on the counter, and walked over to her. He gently picked her up in his arms, and walked her to his bedroom. He then laid her in his bed, and took off her shoes. He covered her with blankets, and left her alone.

Harry saw her purse and jacket on the couch as he walked back into the living room. He picked them up, and took them to his bedroom. As he was coming back from his bedroom, someone pounded hard on the door. Harry, feeling uneasy about who was behind the door looked at the counter. He took his wand out, and wiped away one plate so whomever was behind the door could see it was just him there.

"Potter, I know you're in there. Open up," the voice demanded. Harry grunted. He knew that voice all too well. Harry opened the door. Standing in the threshold was none other than Draco Malfoy. Harry looked down at his watch.

"Malfoy, what are you doing here at midnight?" Harry threatened.

"I am allowed where I want to be, whenever I want to do it. I don't have to report to anyone. I am not a child," Draco stated as he stepped through Harry's house, slamming the door shut behind him. Harry thought he heard a noise coming from his bedroom, but shook it off as the wind outside. He could tell a storm was coming, but didn't know when it would arrive.

"What about Ginny? She's your fiancée. Shouldn't you tell her where you are?" A shouting match wasn't what Harry needed at the moment, but he couldn't help but shout with Draco.

"How dare you mention Ginny after all you have done to her."

"Breaking and entering is against the law you know."

"Stupid are you St. Potter? You allowed me to come in," smirked Draco.

"How did you find out where I live?" Harry ordered.

"I am a Malfoy, Potter. I get what I want when I want. The only thing I haven't gotten yet is my father's fortune. After I get married, I'll get it," Draco's eyes grew wide. He had let something slip he shouldn't have.

'I knew you haven't changed. You dumb, son-of-a-bitch. Tricking Ginny into marriage just so you can have your filthy money." Harry was livid. He was so angry he felt like he could break something and not care.

"Hold your tongue Potter, you have no idea why I am here. I know you know about my engagement party tomorrow night. If you dare step foot into the party, I'll have you arrested and shipped to Azkaban so fast you wouldn't know what hit you,"

"Who died and made you Minister?" Harry snorted, crossing his arms.

" With my father's fortune, I can convince anyone."

"And what about Ginny?"

" She means nothing to me. She was an insecure, easy target. She will stay at home, raising our children. She won't be playing Quidditch like she's asked me to. I never approved of women playing a man's sport. Which is one of the reasons why Slytherins had all males. I think it's rubbish that they think they can do anything," Draco snorted, looked at Harry and Disapparated.

Harry threw out his dinner no longer hungry. He was disgusted with Draco. Harry had a feeling he was using Ginny. All he had to figure out now, was the proof he would show to convince Ginny.

Harry needed rest. It was well after midnight, and the following day was going to be a long one. He walked quietly into his room, grabbed extra blankets, and a pillow. Before he left his room he looked at Ginny. She looked like a Goddess when she slept. She muttered something. Harry stood still. She whispered his name, as if she's been longing to say it so softly. Harry hurried out of the room before she said his name again. He retired to his couch for the night. In Harry's eyes, he wanted to right all of his wrongs towards her. He hoped she would forgive him for what he did to her, but that was less important than protecting her from Draco. To Harry, that was his main priority now.

Author's Note: Dear Readers, I am so sorry for your late update. I had a major writers block with this story which explains why it took 9 months for me to update. I now know where I am going with this story and will update soon. Enjoy this chapter and please review.

Special Thanks goes to my two wonderful beta readers for this chapter. Slytherin Head and Muad-Dib the Mouse. With out you two, my chapter wouldn't be perfect. Thank you.