Sirius stayed for another week. Harry loved his time with him. It was so nice to get him caught up on things. Harry informed Sirius of Rose, though awkwardly and in privateand Thaurthoniel. Harry had thought, during the discussion, if Sirius had ever felt anything like love towards another woman, but he refrained himself from asking.

Sirius had told Harry, what he had already been thinking, "Your heart knows what it wants- listen to it."

There had been a few small tears from Hermione and pleading from Ron when Sirius had decided to leave. He was like a godfather to them all.

Harry thought it very odd how Sirius had whispered something into Hermione's ear as he left that made her go quite pink. When Harry had demanded she tell him what it was she said she'd wait till later when all three of them were home. Harry had a weird feeling in his chest.

And now that time came. Ron had entered in from work and Hermione had seated both a curious Harry and a blushing Ron down on the couch.

"Sowhat the hell is all this secrecy?" Harry asked impatiently.

Hermione glanced at Ron, and suddenly a light clicked on in Harry's mind.

"Oh Merlinyou twoyou and Rontogether?"

Harry said this with exasperation and delight at the same time. All the clues and signals were in front of him. Why hadn't he seen it before?

Hermione smiled nervously. "YeahI guess you could say that"

"What do you say Harry?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Bloody hellit's about time!" Harry said with a laugh. He thought he should feel awkward at this announcement, but he felt happy for them.

Ron laughed and put his arm around Hermione and openly kissed her on the lips.

Harry watched as Hermione smiled against Ron's mouth and pulled away quickly.
"Sorry," Ron said guiltily, "Couldn't contain myself."

Harry smiled, now feeling a pit boring into his stomach. Oh noHarry thoughtI'm not going to start feeling sorry for myself.

"So," Hermione said slowly slapping her hands on her knees, "Now that that's over withyou want to go out and celebrate?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Harry said jumping up, trying to get rid of the pain in the back of his heart.

"Right," said Ron, "I'll go get ready. Be out in a few."

And with that, the three roommates dispersed to their rooms along with their own private thoughts.

7:00, Five Days Later

"Hermione!!" Harry called impatiently. They were going to be late to Fred and George's party. It was in honor of their business's 5th Anniversary.

"She does take a bloody long time," Ron said with a look of impatience on his face, but then it softened as he added, "but it's always worth it."

"Don't turn mushy on me again, Ron," Harry said with a tease.

Ron looked at Harry with a sarcastic face.

"Harry, just wait till you're in lovejust you wait."

Harry felt another pang in his heart. Would that day ever come?

He had later learnt from Hermione about Rose's visit. His heart leapt when he learnt that she had dumped Greg. But he did not pursue her. He felt that he was getting over her, and that if she didn't seem to contact him, he wouldn't either. But deep down he knew it was only fear that held him back.

Finally the door to Hermione's room opened and she stepped out with a sliver, spaghetti strapped dress, pretty short for her usual standards and it sparkled continually with tiny magic beads sewn in.

Harry could faintly hear Ron take in a sharp breath. He smiled slightly at his friend's reaction but then proceeded to make sense of the occasion.

"Rightshall we leave?"

Ron looked sharply at Harry as he recovered from his daze.

"Yesyes, we shall."

Hermione walked over and took Ron's arm. He looked down at her with a grin that melted her heart. He whispered something in her ear that made her color.

Harry coughed into his hand, trying to get their attention.

Ron looked around slowly with an expression of mock annoyance on his face.

"I think Mr. Potter would like to leave," he said to Hermione casually.

"Reallywell, we better not detain him. Shall we?"

"Finally!" Harry said exasperatedly.

And with that the three of them Apparated to Shelly's Night Club, where the party was just beginning to start.
Harry felt the dizziness come over him as he spun through the air, but a faint bass beat filled his ears as he came closer to his destination. He finally arrived in front of the nightclub with Ron and Hermione close beside him.

"Whew," Ron said as he took in the flashing lights and the vibrations from the booming music inside.

Harry gave him an understanding look as he remembered the last time he and Ron went to a wizard nightclub. He and Ron and both ended up hopelessly drunk and dancing like monkey's with sleazy women they'd never seen before.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Hermione said impatiently.

So the three made their way into the building.

Harry winced as he stepped into the room filled with people, lights, and deafening music.

"Ron!! Harry!! Mione!!" Harry heard someone cry.

George and Fred stepped out from the crowd and gave them all enthusiastic hugs.

"Just in time!! The dancing has just started!"

Harry looked around at the people dancing. He compared it to the romantic night at Oliver and Cate's wedding as he watched his old friends "gettin' jiggy wit it" on the dancefloor.

"Well, later dudes!" Fred and George yelled as they got pulled over by a crowd of people.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way over to the bar and ordered some drinks. They sipped them quietly, getting slowly adjusted to the atmosphere.

"Why don't you two get out there and dance!" Harry shouted over the noise as he watched the two keep looking at each other longingly.

"We will if you will!" Hermione said, encouragingly, hoping Harry might find someone.

"Well, I'll lookbut in the mean time, you two have some fun."

Harry smiled reassuringly at them. Ron nodded and took Hermiones arm. Harry watched as they got onto the dance floor and started to boogie. Ron was actually surprisingly good at that sort of dancing, whereas Hermione was stiffer. Ron kept correcting her moves, while Hermione seemed to get more and more annoyed and stiff. It was a funny site, but Harry turned away, looking for a partner himself.

"Hey Harry." Harry looked around and saw the familiar face of Cho smiling at him.

"Oh, hey Cho. How's it going?"

"Pretty goodthis party sure is something huh?"

Harry chuckled, "Very like Fred and George, if you ask me."

She laughed with a high tone. For some reason it annoyed him.

But at least he felt he should ask her to dancehe knew that was what she wanted.

"You want to dance?"
"Sure!" She said enthusiastically.

He led her out onto the flashing dance floor. He wasn't quite sure how to proceed, but she just started moving to the beat. He did too. She took his hand and did a little twirl, which made him smile.

He was just starting to have fun, when he looked up for a minute and saw something that made his heart nearly jump out of his skin.

Rose.

She was leaning against the far wall watching the dancing crowd with an expression of awkwardness on her face. She was looking heavenly in a short skirt of shiny red, with a white halter-top, that glittered in the light.

He watched her intently until, suddenly, her eyes met his. Time seemed to stop just then. Harry got lost in the moment. She looked back at him; their eyes locked onto one another. She did not smile and neither did he. They did not need to. Every expression of emotion they felt was held in that ongoing gaze.

"Harry?" a sharp voice suddenly rang in his ear. He looked quickly away to look at a confused Cho. He suddenly resented her but he kept a pleasant attitude.

"OhMerlin, I'm sorry, Cho I'm feeling a little dizzy," he lied, "Do you mind if I rest a bit?"
"Oh, you poor thing you want me to help?"

"No! Noyou have fun, I'm just going to get a little fresh air."

Harry left Cho's side and slid out of the crowds and out the front doors onto the now-quiet street. He didn't know what he should do. Should he go back in and talk to Rose or forget her? She had hurt him badly and he still held resentment towards herbut had it been her fault? Plus, she was over with Greg now. But then there was Thaurthoniel. A deep feeling of guilt filled his body. He kicked at the ground but suddenly froze as heard a soft voice coming from behind him.

"Harry?"

Harry knew who it was before he even turned around. As he turned, he took her in. Now that Rose was closer to him, everything seemed clearer. She looked tired and sad. He couldn't bear it any longer. He turned sharply away.

"Harry! WaitI'm so sorry," she said taking a quick step towards him.

He stopped, his back still towards her and chillingly said, "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"Then why the coldness? Harry, please listen to me."

Harry quickly turned around. "Why? Why should I? When the last time I listened to you my heart melted and then was crushed in an instant?"

Tears were glistening in her eyes. He couldn't stand the sight of it. Guilt and anger weighed him down. He turned away again and started walking away.

"Becausebecause I love you," she said in a soft whisper.

Harry wasn't sure if she had actually said that but he stopped abruptly and turned around to see her pleading face, streaming with tears.

"Yes, I know its crazy, but it's true. If there is such a thing as love at first sight, then it is my disease. Harry, I wasn't sure of my feelings for you while I was still dating Greg, but that day, my heart was no longer mineit was yours. I have not slept, for fear I would never see you again. My job in London is over. Tonight is my last night here. I had to see you. Please believe me when I tell you I love you. It's fastincredibly fastbut I believe that now is all we've got."

She stopped, breathing heavily. The tears had stopped streaming, but she stilled looked like she was on the brink of a break down.

Harry was speechless. All he knew was that she was the one. She must be. She was his heart. RoseRose. He muttered those words silently. They felt good against his mouth. Before he knew it, he was walking right up to her, and quickly, without even quite having control of what he was doing, kissed her hard and sound.

He felt her jump in surprise, but then she smiled against his lips. He tasted the salt of her tears upon them and he hugged her close. They began to kiss passionately and he shuddered as he felt the touch of her fingers claw gently through his messy, black hair. He could have died of happiness. This was his happiness. This was true. Rose.

***************

A little while later, Harry and Rose returned to the party. Rose's hair looked a little ruffled and Harry had a hint of lipstick smeared on his lips, but besides that, they looked perfectly normalthey couldn't stop smiling. Harry felt an overwhelming happiness. He thought if anyone asked him for anything, he would give it to them without a care in the world. He didn't care for anything, except for Rose. He was complete.

They entered looking at each other every so often. Harry intertwined his hand in hers. He evaded Cho's gaze, as he could tell she was looking daggers at the two of them. He didn't care. He didn't care what anyone thought, as long as Rose was with him.

He watched her laugh as they saw Fred and George attempt to break dance. Her laugh was heartful and infected his body with her happiness.

The booming song slowly died away and the lights lowered. A slow song with a nice beat began to play. Couples began to gather and encircle their arms around one another as they held each other close.

"Would you like to dance, Rose?" Harry asked with a smile on his face.

"Yes." She said. That one word meant the world to Harry. She said yes.

They walked onto the dance floor and Harry wrapped his arms around her waist. She hung her long arms around his neck, softly stroking the base of his hair.

They gazed at one another for a while. He would normally feel awkward at this silence, but not with Rose. He felt completely comfortable. It was right.

She closed her eyes for a moment. She looked so peaceful. Her tearstains were gone and a soft shine on her eyelids made her look angelic. Harry pulled her closer and she gave in, resting her head on his shoulder.

He nestled his head against her hair, gently breathing in. Her hair smelled of minty lavender. He gently kissed her head.

He could feel her warm breath against his shoulder. He was oblivious to the whole world. He could barely hear the music anymore, let alone see the dozens of other couples dancing.

"Rose?" Harry muttered against her hair.

Rose pulled back a little so she was only about two inches away from his face. She had a questioning look on her face.

"I love you," Harry said with his whole heart.

She faintly smiled, closed her beautiful eyes and leaned in. Harry smiled for a second and bent in to kiss her perfect lips. It was a gentle kiss, but contained the deepest of love. All thoughts were erased from Harry's mind. His past meant nothing to him now.

***************

"Where did Harry go?" Hermione asked with a note of tension in her voice.

"He's somewhere" Ron answered, feeling annoyed that this romantic dance would be interrupted.

"Oh Merlin" Hermione suddenly muttered with amazement as she looked at something over Ron's shoulder.

"What?" Ron said anxiously as he let go of Hermione and turned quickly around. "Oh that" Ron broke out in a grin as he saw his friend, Harry, consuming, what looked to be the girl of his dreams, in a loving kiss.

Ron felt Hermione's hands encircle themselves around his stomach from behind. She whispered into his ear, " Why don't we follow their example?"

Ron slowly turned around to face her. He looked into her deep brown eyes. He placed both his hands on her face and held her head in his loving hold. He smiled and pulled her towards him into a sweet kiss. After they parted, Hermione rested her hands and face on Ron's chest and he wrapped his strong arms around her.

A small tear of happiness trickled down her cheek.

************

Harry awoke the next day feeling a refreshing happiness. At first he had forgotten why, but then the occurrences of last night flooded into his head.

He quickly looked around to see if she was still there. He smiled as he watched her sleep. My beautiful Rose. Harry gently smoothed her long, flowing hair. He realized he had never seen her wear it down. It was so gorgeous. It was wavy and looked like spun hay.

A loud growling coming from Harry's stomach interrupted the silence of the bedroom. He had not eaten anything the night before. He thought he would make some breakfast for everyone as he slowly and quietly got up from the bed, as not to wake Rose.

He tiptoed across the room to where his clothes were kept in a plain wooden dresser. He quickly got dressed in his usual khaki pants and pulled a white undershirt over his head. He didn't mind dressing extra casual, but as he looked in the mirror he decided he should definitely comb his hair.

After five minutes of wrenching the comb through his naturally messy black hair, he sighed, took one more look at his sleeping Rose and left the room.

His bare feet slightly stuck to the cold, wooden floor as he walked through the hall towards the kitchen. He heard slight noises coming from that direction and he began to walk faster, welcoming the thought of having some company.

He entered the kitchen to find Ron standing over the stove cooking some eggs.

"Hey," Harry said, clearing his throat afterwards as he realized his voice was very groggy.

"Oh hey Harry! Sounded like you had a good time last night," Ron said with a wicked grin on his face.

"Sod off," Harry chuckled. "You and Hermione were too busy snogging to even remember I existed."

Ron gave Harry a boyish grin.

"So you really like her, Harry," Ron said softly.

"More than any one I've ever met."

"Isn't that weird? We both fall in love at the same time," Ron said thoughtfully.

"Yeahbut in different ways. Merlin, the love of your life was sitting under your nose for most of your life!"

"And what a git I was not to find that out sooner," Ron said reprovingly.

"Well, at least you found her, Ron. You have the rest of your lives together."
Ron smiled to himself. "So, is Rose going to stay here with you?"
Harry blushed, "WellI supposeif that's alright with you? She has a house in Southampton, but I think she might stay with me until we get this figured out."

"Fine with meI guess we'll have an extra roomcause, ummm Hermione is sharing with me now," Ron said, blushing as well.

There was a silence. Harry let his head rest on his palm as he listened to the sizzling of the eggs.

"So how is the case with the elves going?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry suddenly felt a wave of nausea come over him. "Oh bollocks" he muttered.

"What?"

"Well, the Lord excused me from the task. He gave up hope of finding his son. But that's not why I'm upset" Harry trailed off.

"Then why?" Ron asked a little forcefully.

"WellI sort of slept with his daughter Thaurthoniel."

"What?!" said Ron unbelievingly, "What do you mean you sort of slept with her? Merlin, Harry, what possessed you to do that?"

"I was confused," Harry said quickly, "I was angry at Rose because she had a boyfriend. I was feeling sorry for myself. She offered me the one thing I was longing forlove."

"That's horse shit Harry! How could she possibly love you after so little time?"

"I don't know!" Harry retorted a little angrily, "She said she knew she loved me the moment she saw medon't give me that look Ron, it sounded damn convincing when she said it."

"Well, whateverwhat's done is done. Does this elf woman think you're in love with her?"

"I'm not sure"Harry said, feeling very stupid at the moment.

"Oh bloody brilliantyou're not sure. What if she does? You need to go and tell her the truth."

"You don't think I haven't thought of that? Trust me, Ron, it's not that easy."

"Why not?"

"Because of pity. Her mother is dead, and her father is surely dying. Her brother is missing and her people are in danger of being taken over by total darkness. When she looked at me I could tell she was feeling lost. All she wanted was someone who she knew was real, who she couldn't lose."

Ron looked down. His brows were furrowed. He then turned, clicked the stove off, and dished the six fried eggs on a plate.

"Harryit's your life, I won't try and meddle too much. You know what you have to do. Choose. Now go and get Rose and tell her breakfast is on the table."

************

Rose woke slowly to the piercing sunrays coming in from the window. She rubbed her eyes, smiling as she remembered the night before. Harry. She looked to the other side of the bed, no one was there. At first she was worried. Had he left her? she thought anxiously. But then she remembered she was in his apartment, her bags were here (she had brought them with her to the party), and he was probably making breakfast, for as she looked at her watch, it was ten in the morning.

She slowly got out of bed. She felt a little awkward, sitting there on his bed without any clothes on, so she walked over to her suitcase and pulled out her apparel.

She put her undergarments on, then wrapped a skirt around her waist. It was white linen and highly comfortable. She then pulled a pale yellow tank-top over her head. She sighed, not knowing where to go. She decided she would wait for him. She stood by the window and looked out upon the streets of London.

She didn't particularly like the city, but she enjoyed watching the people. It intrigued her that so many people were leading so many different lives and thinking so many different thoughts.

Just then, she heard a soft whisper coming from behind her.

"Rose."

She quickly looked around to see Harry standing only about a foot behind her.

"Harry," she said equally as soft, "I didn't even hear you come in."

"What are you doing?" he asked

Rose turned to look out the window again, feeling drowsy as she bathed in the sun's warmth.

"Just looking at the people," she said with a smile.

She felt Harry come closer but did not turn around. Her arms burst out in goose bumps as he softly rubbed his hands over them.

She then felt soft kisses on her bare shoulder. She tilted her head back as the kisses moved up her neck. When they reached her jaw she turned her head to answer them. They would have kissed, standing in the warm sunlight, forever had not Harry broken it and said regretfully, "Breakfast is ready."

Rose smiled sweetly and gave Harry one more lingering kiss. Kissing Harry was like heaven, she thought, nothing could bring more pleasure.

He grabbed her warm hand and led her out through the door and into the sunny kitchen where they found Ron pouring them orange juice.

"Ohwhere is Hermione?" Harry asked when he realized there were only three places set.

"Poor thing had to go to work at eight o'clock this morning. I gave her a little of Timone's Wake Up Solution and she was up and ready, but she'll be exhausted by the time she gets home. Hello Rose," Ron added as he smiled at her standing next to Harry.

Harry smiled and then remembered the two had never been properly introduced. "Oh! Rose, this is Ron, my best friend, and Ron you obviously know who Rose is."

"Nice to meet you," Rose said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Well, these eggs are probably freezing by now, but hey, at least it's food."

"Thanks for the breakfast!" Rose said cheerfully as she took in the platter of eggs, sizzling sausage, buttered toast, and big glasses of orange juice.

Ron blushed and the three of them proceeded to sit around the table. It was much less messy as before, since Hermione had spent a whole Saturday cleaning the apartment, and she strictly made sure Harry and Ron kept it that way.

The three munched on their delicious meal. Rose felt perfectly happy. The fact that she was living with a bunch of wizards didn't bother her a bit. In fact it gave her an excited feeling. She liked Ron a lot and the two of them became fast friends. They both shared that sarcastic humor that could make anyone laugh.

She looked across the table at her new love. Harry was talking heatedly with Ron about the Quidditch World Cup. She could gaze forever at those bewitching green eyes. Harry looked over at her and she blushed a little, embarrassed at the fact she had been caught staring at him. But he just smiled back and took a big bite of toast, which made her laugh.

"Am I missing something?" Ron said sarcastically.

They all broke out laughing, all intoxicated by the sunny day and the love shining through everyone. I love it here, Rose thought to herself as she and the others smiled the day away.