ONE MONTH LATER
Harry stood on the well hidden quidditch pitch, in his flashy new robes. The shorts and top were royal blue, with a red strip along the bottom of the shorts and a white one along the top. Harry's name was glittering on the back of the jersey and the team logo was on the front. He smiled as he mounted his new broom...the exact same broom that Shane, Sean, Danny, Lexy, Edmund and Shamus were gripping. The Firebolt 5000. They had received the brooms directly from the manufacturer...no other teams had them yet. This was a very serious practice. It was first string versus second string. A minute later, Aiden, Liam, Ronan, Owen, Cathal, Dara and Aaron came on. They were wearing red jersey's and shorts. There was a blue strip around the bottom of their shorts and a white one along their shirts. They too were gripping Firebolt 5000's. The coach and manager of the team, Tim Gregory, came onto the pitch. He smiled at them all.
"Now, this is a hardcore practice. This is a game. This is for the quidditch cup. Bludgers first, then snitch and then the quaffle. Let's see if you guys are as good as your P.As say..." He said seriously. He kicked open a metal box and the bludgers shot into the air. The ref was already in the air and dodged the nasty little buggers. Then, the snitch circled Harry and Aaron. Finally, the quaffle was released. Everyone shot into the air. Harry smiled as he circled the pitch. He saw Aaron doing the same...he was tailing him. Harry didn't want Aaron to get hurt, but he had to find that snitch first. Harry dove...he went straight towards the ground. Sure enough, Aaron followed. Harry was ten feet from the ground when he pulled up. Aaron kept going. Luckily, he managed to veer off course and end up in a loop, instead of crashing. By then, Harry was already back by the goalposts. Sean was gripping the quaffle tightly under his arm. Dara had shot a bludger right at him. Sean didn't want to veer off course, then he'd have to start over again. He wrapped his legs around the broom handle and spun upside down. The bludger zoomed right past where he had been. Sean quickly righted himself and threw the quaffle, Aiden tried but couldn't save it. First string was on the board. The game went back and forth for a while...about forty five minutes. First string were leading 120 to 50 when Harry saw it. The snitch. It was hovering in between two of the goalposts. He shot towards it. So did Aaron. They were neck in neck as they neared the posts. Then, the snitch moved. It was inches from the ground. Harry pushed his broom into a dive, as did Aaron. The rest of the game had stopped as the players watched. Harry knew it was going to be a tie, so he did the only thing he could thing of to catch that bloody snitch. He gripped his broom handle with one hand and went to the very end of the broom. When he and Aaron were just inches from the little gold ball, Harry jumped. He reach out and grabbed the snitch. When it was clasped firmly in his hand, he brought his broom down and seated himself. He toppled to the ground, as did Aaron. Harry was tightly holding the struggling ball. Tim rushed forward.
"Jesus Potter!" He gasped. Harry bit his nip nervously.
"That was excellent!" Tim finished. He slapped Harry on the back and helped him up. Then, Harry helped Aaron up. Aaron was smiling.
"That was bloody brilliant!" He laughed. Harry blushed. Soon, people were slapping him on the back and congratulating him.
LATER THAT NIGHT...
Harry was fast asleep on the couch, his feet on Shane's lap, when there was a knock at the door. Shane looked up from the t.v. to listen to Sean, who was talking to the person at the door.
"What? How'd you get here?" He asked hastily. Shane got up and Harry's feet slid onto the pillow. Shane was clutching his beer bottle as he made his way to the door. He instantly recognized the person. He had seen her in several pictures. Abby Keaton.
"It's okay Sean, I've got it." Shane said, stepped up to the door. Sean looked at his friend.
"If Megs finds out she knows where we are..." He began.
"I've got it alright?" Shane said. Sean nodded and went back to the kitchen. Shane stepped out into the hall and closed the apartment door. Abby had red eyes, like she had been crying.
"You shouldn't be here..." Shane said, swirling the contents of the bottle in his hand. Abby shook her head.
"I n-need to see Harry." She said, wiping a tear from her cheek. Shane had his hand on the doorknob.
"How's you find us?" He asked, ignoring Abby's previous statement.
"I um...I have a friend that lives here and she saw Harry...I really need to see him." Abby said, her bottom lip trembling. Shane shook his head.
"Yeh broke his heart. Mess of a man...don't know what he'd be like if he weren't so busy. You should really go. Don't want to get Harry in trouble with Meagan." He said quietly. Abby went pale.
"M-Meagan? Who's M-Meagan?" She asked nervously. Abby's question was immediately answered. A very attractive blonde girl stepped off the elevator. She saw Abby and then Shane.
"Shane, what's going on?" She asked suspiciously.
"Nothing...just a sales lady. Harry's inside...sleeping out the couch. Passed out while he was waiting for ya." Shane said. Meagan had been coming by to talk to Harry about a change with his classes. She smiled at Shane.
"Thanks...probably tired from today." She laughed, brushing past Shane and into the apartment. The door was closed once again. Abby had a look of horror on her face.
"She's not his girlfriend. She's our P.A. Don't come back...you don't know what you did to him. You broke him. I don't know what would happen if he saw you..." Shane said quietly. Abby shook her head.
"I'm afraid I'm goin to have to put a memory charm on ya. Ya can't be blabbin bout where we are. I'll send ya back to Britain. Please, don't come back. Harry's my friend and I don't want to see him hurt." Shane said. He pulled his wand from his pocket and waved it. Abby had a dazed look on her face. Shane waved his wand again and Abby disappeared. Shane sighed and went back into the apartment.
Shane returned to the living room, where Harry and Meagan were talking.
"Get rid of that sales lady?" Meagan asked. Shane bit his lip and gave a nod. He glanced nervously at Harry.
"Sales lady? Sales people can't get in here! There's a doorman!" Harry laughed. Shane quickly turned to go from the room, but Meagan stopped him.
"Wait a minute! Who was she?" She asked. Shane didn't answer.
"Was she a friend of Harry's?" Meagan pressed.
"Me? Who? What'd she look like?" Harry asked, his brow furrowed. Meagan spun around.
"She was about a head shorter than you, um...dark brown hair, shoulder length, curls up at the ends..." She said, pointing to her own hair. Harry became very pale.
"Abby!" He asked. Shane bowed his head.
"Abby was here!" Harry yelled. Shane spun around.
"Ay..." He said quietly. Harry jumped up and raced to the door. He wrenched it open, but there was no one there. He slammed the door.
"Shane! Where the hell did she go?" Harry yelled. Meagan tried to calm Harry down, but he ignored her.
"She's back in Britain." Shane said quietly. Harry swore loudly and punched the wall. Meagan screamed and jumped back. She hid behind Sean. Harry grabbed his coat and slipped his runners on.
"I'm off!" He spat. The three watched as Harry stormed out of the apartment and took the stairwell down the 21 floors. Sean, Meagan and Shane were all very quiet.
"Now imagine what he would have been like if he saw her." Shane said finally, before going out on the deck.
THREE HOURS LATER
Harry glanced at his watch. He had missed his session at the gym, but didn't care. He swirled the contents of his cup...rum. Harry sighed and put the glass down. What was he doing? Sitting in some smokey bar, piss drunk? No...this wasn't Harry. Shane was right to do what he did and what did Harry do? Punched a hole in the wall. Harry knew he had had too much to drink. He left some paper bills on the bar and got up to leave. He staggered out the door and walked along the nearly empty street. There was a stagger in his step. Harry sighed. He still loved Abby...she was like a drug. He wanted her more than anything. Harry muttered something and stopped walking. He sat down on some steps and dropped his face into his hands. He wasn't sad...he was angry. Harry had been sitting there for about an hour when someone grabbed him under the arm. Harry looked up. Shane was standing there.
"Come on mate..." He said, pulling Harry to his feet.
"Shane..." Harry began weakly. Shane shook his head.
"You're smashed...we can talk later." He said, dragging Harry down an alley. They disapparated with a loud pop and appeared outside their apartment door. Shane put his key in the lock and turned it. The door opened and Harry was pushed inside. Shane kicked off his shoes and pushed Harry down the hall. There were some other guys from the team in the living room. Shane waved his wand and Harry was in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He crawled into bed.
"Sleep it off mate...sleep it off." Shane sighed as he turned off the light and shut the door. He returned to the living room.
"How is he?" Danny asked. Shane sighed.
"Smashed." He said simply. Lexy couldn't help it, he let out a snort of laughter. As did Dara. Sean shook his head and downed a bit more of his beer.
SIX MONTHS LATER...APRIL 5TH
When Harry climbed off the plane with a duffle bag over his shoulder, he looked a lot different than when he had stepped onto the plane nine months before. He now had a lot more muscle and mature features. His hair was a bit shorter, but just as messy as ever. Harry was wearing a track suit...the same track suit that nine others were wearing. Dark blue bottoms with a red and white stripe down the side and a matching jacket. Underneath, he was wearing a white shirt. Where a lightning bolt chain had been hung around his neck, was now a chain with 'dog tags'. Harry had a large silver ring on his right index finger. On it, was a large 'Q'. Harry smiled as he gripped Meagan's hand and they made their way through the airport. Shane and Sean hurried to catch up. Shane had his arm around the waist of one of the other P.As...Anna, and Sean had his arm slung over the shoulder of a charming young woman named Heather. Sean and Heather veered off, toward a large pack of people. Harry, Meagan, Shane and Anna made their way towards Sirius and another man with blonde hair. Sirius was smiling broadly as he saw Harry. Meagan released Harry's hand, allowing him to hug Sirius tightly. Sirius had tears rolling down his face.
"Jesus!" He laughed when they separated, looking Harry up and down.
"You look like an army brat!" He smiled, wiping away the tears. Harry smiled and noticed that Sirius's eyes had wandered to Meagan.
"Ah...Sirius, this is Meagan. Megs, this is my well...my Dad, Sirius." Harry laughed. Meagan gently shook Sirius's hand. Shane elbowed Harry.
"Ouch! Ya little bugger. Er...Sirius, this is Shane O'Connely. Shane and I were flat mates." Harry laughed. Shane shook Sirius's hand.
"Ay, pleased to meet ya Sirius. Harry talked so much about ya." Shane said, smiling. Harry was quickly introduced to the blonde man, who turned out to be Shane's father.
"Right, well we better get goin." Sirius laughed. Harry nodded.
"I'll call you later baby..." He said to Meagan. She nodded and kissed him gently, before hurrying towards a tall woman with blonde hair. Harry said goodbye to his friends and grabbed his bags. He and Sirius made their way outside and into a flashy pick up truck Sirius had bought. Harry threw his bags in the back and climbed in the front. Sirius turned on the truck and they drove away.
"So...Meagan seems nice." Sirius said after a few minutes. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, she is..." He said quietly. Sirius glanced at Harry and saw a look of happiness and sadness.
"Whatever happed to Abby?" Sirius asked quickly. Harry felt a pang in his heart and had to push past the lump in his throat.
"She didn't want me..." He said quietly, before quickly changing the subject to the six pulled muscles in his leg...
The truck pulled into the driveway of Harry's home. He smiled when he saw the large house.
"This is what I'm talking about!" He laughed, climbing out of the truck. Sirius smiled at how happy and healthy Harry seemed. They grabbed the bags and headed inside.
"I'm gonna go get changed." Harry sighed, heading up the stairs. Sirius nodded and watched Harry disappear. He appeared a few minutes later in a pair of shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
"It's April!" Sirius laughed, looked down at his own sweater.
"Cold doesn't affect me anymore. Wouldn't affect you either if you went jogging in the snow at five in the morning." Harry laughed. Sirius noticed Harry's tensored knee.
"That's my muscle pull." Harry explained, following Sirius's eyes.
"So, what are your plans for the day?" Harry asked, biting into an apple.
"You know...this and that. I know there are a lot of people in the den that want to see you..." Sirius said, a glint in his eye. Harry stopped eating his apple.
"What?" He asked, shocked. Sirius nodded and pushed Harry down the hall, the dog tags jangling against his chest. Sirius opened the den door and the room was filled with people. They all started yelling and clapping when they saw Harry. The party was moved into the rest of the house. Ron was smiling broadly as he made his way over to his old pal with a bowl of chips.
"Chip?" He asked, unsure what to say. Harry grinned but shook his head.
"No thanks. Fifty seven calories for one of those things..." He muttered. It had become instinct for Harry to avoid fatty foods...he supposed that was the point. Ron rolled his eyes and set the bowl down.
"Everyone really missed you..." He said quietly. Harry smiled.
"I really missed you. You know...my best pal and all." Ron said, blushing. Harry laughed and slapped his red headed friend on the back.
"Don't worry, I missed ya too..." He chuckled. Ron smiled. His eyes wandered the room.
"Abby's been hurtin' since you left." He said finally. Harry felt another pang in his heart.
"Really?" He asked, reaching into the chip bowl and drawing out a handful. Ron noticed this.
"Yeah...said breaking up with you was the biggest mistake she ever made." He said quietly. Harry felt a lump develop in his throat.
"I need some pizza..." He said suddenly. Harry hurried from the living room and headed for the kitchen. He bumped into someone though. A girl...Abby. Harry felt the color drain from his face as Abby stared up at him, her blue eyes dancing. Harry could see Abby's eyes glaze over with tears.
"Harry..." She said quietly. Harry remembered Meagan...his girlfriend, Meagan. "H-hey Abby." He said cooly. Abby forced a smile and noticed that he wasn't wearing the lightning bolt chain.
"Can we talk?" She asked quietly. Harry didn't know why, but he nodded. Abby led him outside. Sirius was watching this very closely. Abby shivered as they stepped into the cold air outside. Harry took no notice. He wasn't cold.
"What do you want to talk about?" Harry asked, colder than the fresh air. Abby was a little hurt.
"Us." She said quietly. Harry felt a surge of anger.
"There is no us." He said angrily. Abby bit her lip.
"But there should be." She said quietly. Abby rested a hand on Harry's cheek. He quickly pulled away.
"Harry!" Abby begged. Harry shook his head.
"You broke me heart Abby! I was ready to give you everything and you tore me apart. I could've used your love and support, but you just left me. It took me four months to figure that out." He said calmly. Abby stared at him.
"F-four months? You were gone for nine!" She said. Harry stared at her.
"I would've stayed true to you...I wouldn't have looked twice at anyone else. You didn't trust me...not like Meagan does." He said quietly. A tear rolled down Abby's cheek. She shook her head.
"No..." She said quietly. Harry nodded.
"Yeah Abby. You know, I would have married you. I loved you more than anything, but you couldn't be there for me! Meagan is there for me..." He said quietly. More tears flowed down Abby's face.
"Please!" She begged.
"Please Harry! I love you! I was stupid to break up with you...I nearly died when you left!" She sobbed. Harry was beginning to hurt.
"Now you know how I felt when you said that one word to me Abby. When you said that one, simple word. 'Goodbye'. Now you know how I felt." He said shakily. Harry stood up and headed back towards the house. Abby grabbed his wrist and pulled him into her. She kissed him. Harry quickly pulled back. He pushed her away and went back towards the house. He stopped near the door and turned around.
"I don't hurt the people I love..." He said quietly, then went inside. Abby stood there, cold and broken. She didn't deserve that, did she?
Harry returned to the party a little unhappy. He realized he still had some feelings for Abby, but he had different...more feelings for Meagan. Harry quickly found Ron.
"What happened with Abby? Are you two back together?" Ron asked, biting his lip. Harry shook his head.
"I already have a girlfriend. One that won't hurt me." He said quietly. Ron stared at him.
"Really? Who?" He asked. Harry noticed Ron smiling.
"Her name's Meagan. Megan McConalegh." Harry said. A smile danced across his face. His smile soon faded when Abby came up to him. She had a pen in her hand and wrote something on the back of Harry's.
"That's my new number. Call me when you're ready to talk." She said quietly, before hurrying out the front door. Harry sighed and lowered his hand. He needed a pick-me-up.
"Wanna meet Megs?" He asked. Ron nodded energetically. Harry smiled. He grabbed his wand and waved it. He was dressed in some slacks and a tight, long sleeved shirt.
"Back in a minute." He said. Harry disapparated with a loud pop. He appeared in front of a large, brick house. Harry knocked on the door. It opened. A little girl stood there. She was three. Harry recognized the little blonde girl as Meagan's sister. He had met her at Christmas.
"Hi Christy...is your sister here?" He asked, a smile on his face while he crouched down so he was eye to eye with the little blonde. Christy nodded, but ran forward. She wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. He smiled and lifted her. Both of Meagan's parents had died two years before. Christy lived with Meagan's Aunt and Uncle while Meagan was away. The little girl adored Harry. A minute later, Meagan appeared. She smiled.
"Hey sweetie...long time no see!" She laughed. Harry nodded.
"You wanna meet my other friends?" He asked. Meagan looked at him.
"Sure! Um...right now?" She laughed. Harry nodded. Meagan sighed and waved her wand. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a turtle neck. She reached for Christy, but Harry shook his head.
"Hey shorty..." He said quietly, prying Christy from his neck.
"I'll see you later, okay?" He asked as he set the little girl on the ground. Christy nodded and turned around. She smiled up at Meagan, who bent down and kissed her little sister.
"Be good for Auntie May..." Meagan said with a smile. Christy nodded and hurried into the house. Meagan stepped outside and shut the door. She laced her fingers with Harry's and they disapparated.
Harry and Meagan appeared in the middle of the party. No one noticed their sudden appearance. Harry squeezed Meagan's hand and led her over to Ron, who was talking heartedly with a girl with incredibly straight, dark brown hair. As Harry got closer and closer to Ron, he recognized the girl's voice.
"Ron!" Harry called. Ron looked up and smiled. Harry was losing his grip on Meagan's hand, so he grabbed her around the waist. She giggled and they went over to Ron.
"Ron, this is Meagan...Meagan, this is Ron." Harry said. Ron and Meagan shook hands, but Harry was staring at the girl Ron had been talking to.
"Oh my god!" He gasped. The girl blushed.
"Hermione!" Harry laughed. Hermione nodded and gave him a quick hug.
"You look great!" He laughed. Hermione blushed and rolled her eyes.
"Thanks..." She giggled. Harry realized what he had said and glanced at Meagan. She looked perfectly comfortable, not at all jealous.
"Oh, uh er...Hermione, this is Meagan, Megs, this is Hermione." Harry explained. Hermione and Meagan shook hands and they all chatted for a while. Hermione finally voiced her opinion about Abby.
"She was very...clingy. I know you two were close Harry, but she was very possessive." Hermione said quietly. Harry shrugged and tightened his grip on Meagan. A fast song came on.
"You wanna dance?" Harry asked, taking Meagan by the hand. She nodded and they made their way into the middle of the floor, as did Hermione and Seamus and Ron and Lavendar. Harry sighed and waved his wand. Meagan was out of her tank top and into a t-shirt. She smiled and they started to dance. Sirius watched from the staircase with Lupin. He was smiling...he knew a lot about the McConaleghs...they were a good family. Lupin sighed.
"You haven't told him yet, have you?" He asked finally. Sirius felt a lump develop in his throat.
"Tell him about what?" He asked. Lupin sighed.
"Come on Padfoot! He's going to notice the scar on your stomach from the operation...or your bandaged ankle. I bet you haven't even told him about Joyce!" He said quietly. Sirius shook his head.
"Joyce died years ago Remus..." He said quietly, his eyes starting to sting.
"It doesn't matter Sirius. He has a right to know." Lupin said, resting a hand on his friend's shoulder. Sirius just watched Harry dance...he was so happy. He didn't need to know what was going on...
Harry smiled as he sat down on the couch. Ron was sitting next to him. Harry was watching Meagan talk to different people.
"Don't you miss Abby?" Ron asked abruptly. Harry looked at his friend.
"In some ways, but...we weren't meant for each other. At least I don't think so. I love Meagan..." He said quietly. Ron gave a small nod.
"I'm happy for you pal..." He said quietly. Harry smiled. Meagan looked over at him and excused herself from the chatty group. She crossed the room, catching Harry's attention with every move her body made. She sat down on his lap. Meagan giggled as she ruffled Harry's hair. Harry rolled his eyes. Ron was staring at the dog tags around Harry's neck.
"What're those?" He asked. Harry smiled and lifted the tags.
"They're my tags. Shane's got them too. Coach had them made for us." He laughed. Ron nodded and pointed to the ring on Harry's finger.
"My team ring. All the guys have one...and the gals!" Harry said. He took Meagan's hand and held it out. She had a silver ring with a 'Q' on it as well. Her's was on her middle finger though.
"P.As get them too..." She explained, resting her chin on Harry's head. Ron nodded. Just then, Lavendar plopped down next to him. Her hair was now short and highlighted with blonde. She stared enviously at Meagan's natural hair color...it was amazing. Even the wonderful highlights were natural. Ron laughed as Hermione and Seamus danced to a fast song. Harry smiled. This was the way he was supposed to be...happy. Harry noticed Sirius standing on the stairs, staring at him.
"Hey baby?" Harry asked Meagan quietly. She smiled.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"I'm just gonna go talk to Sirius. I'll be back in a minute." Harry said quietly. Meagan sighed and slipped off his lap. She watched as Harry climbed the stairs and took his spot beside Sirius.
"Hey..." Harry said quietly, nudging Sirius. Sirius smiled.
"Hey!" He laughed, smacking Harry in the stomach. He quickly cradled his hand.
"Jesus! What do you have under there? A sheet of metal?" He groaned. Harry smiled and lifted his shirt a little. Sirius laughed at the abs Harry now had. They looked like they had been carved from stone.
"Sounds like a brutal training camp!" Sirius sighed. Harry shrugged.
"Missed you though..." He said quietly. Sirius smiled.
"Yeah, I missed you too." He said sadly. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Come here..." He sighed, in a joking sort of way. Harry pulled his godfather into a tight hug. Sirius never wanted to let go...but he had to...he had no choice