A/N: Ok I'm thinking about making this the first part of a continuing story. more becasue I don't want to leave a story unfinished. I'd rather make sure I know i'll finish something before I start it.

That out of the way, thank you all so much for reviewing. Tell me what you think will happen I'm curious ;)

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Heart to Heart

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16 June 1999

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Harry sat in a small cafe near the entrance of the ICW Building, pondering the nature of the exams. Actually caring about his results was new to him, the old Harry Potter would have attested it to Hermione's work ethic rubbing off on him. This new version of him knew it was for other reasons, mainly the actually-living-past-seventeen thing. Although, there are other reasons. He sipped his latte while he waited for his Portkey home and looked around. He initially expected the ICW to be like the Ministry in London. Instead the building seemed to be built entirely of glass, the entrance itself was made up entirely of glass set in random geometric patterns, seemingly ahead of its time.

As he waited he pondered the tests themselves, he only planned to be there for two days to take his exams. But after his DADA exam, he was approached by an official who offered to him an opportunity to take a Mastery exam for Defence. After an explanation of how it would improve his job prospects Harry accepted. The exam itself reminded him of Lupin's Exam in third year, it was basically an obstacle course filled with Dark Creatures and Enchantments, topped off with a battle against two Aurors who role-played Dark Wizards. Surprising even himself he passed, disarming both after five minutes of furious duelling. What surprised him even more was when the same official informed him that no one had passed the exam in the last two decades. I suppose the Triwizard Tournament was good for something at least.

He checked his watch, ten minutes until my Portkey leaves. He paid and left, gifting the attractive witch with a smile that ignored the turmoil in his gut. For he had received and owl from Neville the night before. After their NEWT's, the Headmistress had given the seventh years permission to visit Hogsmeade, and Neville was inviting him to join a small group at the Three Brooksticks. Harry had accepted of course but meeting Hermione again made him nervous. Though he had a few days to try and figure out what he was going to say, he didn't even know if her and Ron were still together or not. So he was truly undecided about how to talk to her.

Still debating what he woul say, he crossed the hall and entered the ICW's travel office.

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17 June 1999

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Madame Rosmerta appeared at their table. "What would you like dears?"

Neville went first. "Just a Butterbeer for me."

Harry looked at the bar. "Firewhisky double for me thanks." Neville looked at him strangely while Rosmerta went back to the bar.

"Hitting the hard stuff eh? Are you that nervous about your results?"

Harry shrugged, "Not about my results no."

"Don't tell me this is about Hermione? I usually don't believe anything Rita writes. Did you really run away from her in Diagon Alley?"

"Err, yeah I did."

Neville paused before replying. "What the hell happened at your place?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not blind Harry, you left the country very quickly after whatever happened. I could see how much you drank. I might not have been as close to you, but I still know when you're not yourself."

His heart sank a little. "I'm sorry for not being a good friend to you Neville."

"What? You don't have to apologise for anything, you don't owe anyone anything." Harry said nothing as Rosmerta returned with their drinks, after she moved away Neville continued. "Just talk to her, you'll both work it out."

Harry took a sip of his drink. "Maybe. What's going on with you and Luna?" He asked keen to change the subject.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, going by what you said at the Final Battle and seeing you two in the corner of my Drawing Room for the whole night gave me some suspicions."

Neville grimaced. "Hmph, We're keeping our relationship quiet." He took a sip. "I understand why you respect her so much Harry."

"She helped me cope with the loneliness in fifth year. She's like a breath of fresh air."

Neville crossed his arms. "Now If I didn't know your heart was already spoken for. I would have thought you had designs on my girlfriend!"

"What? No of course I don't! And why does everyone care about my heart so much?"

Neville chuckled. "I'm joking about Luna Harry. And it's simple, we ALL would like to see you truly happy for once in your life."

"Pfft," He looked around. "And where is this 'all' that you talk about?"

"They should be here-Ah there she is!" Harry turned around quickly but saw that it was Luna approaching the table. "Sorry love but Harry figured it out."

"Amazing how much love you see around you when you have none for yourself." Luna said airily and slid into the boot beside her boyfriend. "It's good to see you Harry.'

He tried to ignore her quip. "Likewise. I don't suppose you need a map to get around Hogwarts to find just the right sized broom closet?" He sniggered.

Neville blushed but Luna answered him. "Why would I need a Broom Closet to have fun with my Neville?" To Harry's surprise she looked utterly confused and Neville blushed deeper, then all of a sudden, he started smirking.

Before Harry could question him about this sudden change in demeanour Neville called out to someone at the door. "Bit late aren't you Hermione?"

Hermione made her way to their table. "Hardly Neville. Hi Luna. Harry."

Harry coughed. "Hey, did you want a drink?-Err girls?"

Neville chuckled. "Don't trip over yourself Potter, I'll get the first round as I know what these two drink."

"Thank you Neville." Replied Hermione, leaving Harry with no way to argue that he should get the drinks. Like she wants to keep me here to interrogate me. His fears were proved correct. "Now Harry, why haven't you written to me or responded to my letters?"

God this is going to be difficult, and with Luna here too? "I didn't respond to any letters while I was away. Being in Europe got me away from my problems." He had said the last part without thinking and was regretting it now.

Her eye's narrowed. "Oh so I'm a problem now?"

"No! Kind of. Well, MY problem yeah."

"What's the difference?"

Goddamn my traitorous mouth. "Umm, well it was my problem because it was my fault."

Before she could reply Neville returned with a tray of drinks placing them on the table with his Wand. "Harry, what are you going to do now you've completed your exams?"

Harry replied straight away, having actually planned this far. "I'm going to live in London while I wait for results, seeing as it's closer to the Ministry."

Hermione continued down Neville's line of questioning. Thank god. "Why the Ministry?"

"I'm hoping to start Auror Training after I get my results."

Everyone nodded at this except for Luna. "What about teaching?" The others looked at her then at Harry. First Dan, now Luna?

He shrugged. "The Auror course is two years, I can change my mind whenever." Now he wanted to change the subject. And he knew a sure fire way to distract any Hermione. "How did you guys think you did in your exams?" As Hermione started an in-depth review of each test he leant back smiling, this was the Hermione he was comfortable with.

"Harry?" Neville waved a hand in front of his face.

Harry started. "Wha-?"

"Luna and I are heading back, Have a good night."

The response was automatic. "You too, bye."

Feeling very comfortable now Harry looked fondly at the two as the exited. "At least I was right about them."

Hermione followed his gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I told her that Neville was good for her. I love Luna, I wouldn't trust her with anyone else."

"Is this the same situation as Ron and I?"

He looked at her and sighed. "Look, I'm really sorry about that. It wasn't my place to... to force you two together. I... I just wanted you to be happy."

She looked at him closely. "You've changed Harry, being so proactive about helping others apart from life-threatening situations is new for you."

Harry stared into his empty glass. "I just want to help the people who helped me. Give them a happy ending."

"What about your happy ending? What do you want?"

That was easy. "A job and a family."

"What's stopping you from attaining that?"

He couldn't meet her eyes. "My own stupid mistakes."

She grabbed his arm. "Let's talk outside." He didn't fight and they exited into a Hogsmeade that was thick with the smell of rain. Even this intoxicating smell didn't lift his spirits as they walked slowly, a foot apart, down the street. "Australia changed you Harry, what does it have to do with these stupid mistakes of yours?"

He took a while to respond, wondering if he could ruin their friendship even more. "While we were there I... Got a new perspective on things, it made me realise just how much I fucked up."

"And what was this mistake you made?"

She's going to figure this out if I tell the truth. Fuck it. "Pushing you two together." He left her to ponder all the evidence he had provided, moving slowly another foot further away as they walked. They were nearing the edge of town and had reached the path to Hogwarts when she finally looked back at him.

"Oh. I didn't realise that's what you meant at the party."

Her mention of the party brought another thought up. "I'm sorry for disappearing on you like that. I was just... I dunno."

"Which time? A couple days ago or a year ago?"

"I... Both, it was just the way you looked at me. My worst fear is having you hate me. I just sort of.. panicked." This was far from the declaration of love that his dreams conjured up. But at least she didn't want nothing to do with him. Yet. She stayed silent and panic started to rise in Harry's chest. Why isn't she saying anything? Is this to let me down easy? I have to salvage something out of this. "My door is always open if you need Mione, I guess I better get back and set up."

She grabbed his arm. "Wait Harry! Don't disappear on me again." A few drops of rain started to fall while he waited for what she was going to say next. She looked away. "I used to have a crush on you years ago, but I gave up by year six.

Whatever he expected her to say, it wasn't that. "You did?"

"I did. Now... I just don't know what to think." She looked at the sky. "Let me think about it." She hugged him. "Bye Harry." And she disapparated. He stared at the spot where she had disappeared while the rain fell harder. Then he too, disapparated.

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:o