Club Onyx

Disclaimer: All the Harry Potter characters and related insignia are property of JKRowling

Summary: When war is over Harry decides that he wants to disappear and he does. What happens when a familiar face shows up at the nightclub where he works? Will he return to the life that he hated for love. Slash. HPDM or HPSS

Chapter Two

When Harry woke the next day he was astonished. He was sprawled out on an unfamiliar green bathroom floor in a pretty substantial pool of vomit and he had a pounding headache.

"God…" Harry moaned as he stood up and tried to find something to clean with. Much to his annoyance there were only a few decorative towels and a box o Kleenex in the sickeningly green bathroom. Sighing he walked out in to the unknown flat in search of Mathew. He didn't remember much about the night before, but he did seem to remember meeting up with his old friend Geoffrey, who now went Matt. He hoped that had ended up at Matt's place and not… what was his name again…Marc's. That would be an awkward situation. You go to some guy's flat after partying at a club, and then instead of getting it on, you in up in the bathroom all night, spilling your guts. Oh that would be an extremely awkward situation.

"Hey there sunshine."

Harry silently breathed a sigh of relief. His boisterous blond friend was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper happily drinking a cup of what looked to be coffee "Hey Matt. I was just looking for something to clean with."

He put down his paper and started to head to the kitchen. "You were so sick. I didn't have the stomach to move you last night. Here, this should do the job."

Harry took the cleaner and the roll of paper towels and headed back to clean up the mess he had made.

"Harry?" Matt called.

"Yeah"

"I can lend you some clothes, if you want. Those must be filthy."

"Thanks that be great."

When Matt walked in with a small stack of cloths and some towels, Harry had just finished cleaning the floor where he had fallen asleep, and was moving on to the mess he had made in, on, and around the toilet. "I'm pretty sure these will fit you. I mean we are about the same size. It's not much just a T-shirt and jeans and a spare pair of boxers that I have for times like these. I brought you a towel too so you can get a shower. Listen you don't really have to do all this. You are not the first person that has gotten sick in here."

Harry just continued to work, "I made this mess, so I'm going to clean it. It's not that big of a deal. You went out of your way to have me stay with you. And believe it or not, you actually saved me from a great deal of grief and for that I owe you. Cleaning up my own vomit is the least I can do."

"Well at least let me help, my mother didn't raise me to sit back and have my guest clean for me. If she saw this she would actually probably hit me."

Matt sat down on the floor and began to scrub the area beside the deity that Harry had been worshipping last night.

"You miss your family, don't you?"

Matt nodded, "I couldn't stay, Dad told me once that I was his only son and that I needed to start acting like it. He didn't like that I was in to ballet and stuff. I think he's have a heart attack if I told him I was gay, but that's fathers for you."

Harry did remember that when there were children, Matt had indeed been the only boy in town who was in ballet class. It was understandable. At least it was from his stand point. Matt did have four older sisters who all took the classes. It's natural for any kid to take interest in what they surrounded by. "How did you end up at Club…Club Opal?"

"Club Onyx," The blond corrected, "Well, I came to London to join the ballet. When that fell through, I found myself as a barely eighteen year old homosexual male with hardly any money and no work experience. The only thing I knew how to do was dance. I was lucky though. After only two days of wandering on the streets I wandered in to Club Onyx, Andrew, the owner, was working the bar. He listened to my story and he offered me an audition. I got the job and he upfronted me some cash so I could get an apartment. It's like family down there. They look after there own. I don't really like the fact that I have to dress in drag for my performances, but I realized something about a week into my job, it was my job. Not who was. So five nights a week I put on wig and a pair of stilettos and go to work. But the guys really understand and if you're having a bad night there are about ten guys who will to the show for you. They don't stand for any funny business from the customers either. It's nice. I tell you that job practically saved my life." Matt had finished his cleaning just had Harry was finishing his and he stared to pick up the trash, "I'll Let you get cleaned up. Your things are on the counter. Just tell me when and I'll dive your to you hotel."

"Thanks Matt."

Harry smiled sadly; he couldn't believe that he whined so much about being famous. Matt had real terrors in his recent past that Harry did not envy. Harry stripped down and stepped in to the shower only to jump right back out again as a cold jet of water cascaded on to his bare chest. "It's not spelled Harry." He had to verbally remind himself that he wasn't in the magical world and that there were indeed a few things that were different.

When the water warmed Harry stepped in to the shower once again.

After thoroughly washing himself Harry turned off the water and dried himself with the fluffy blue towel that Matt had given him. He pulled on the clothes that that were on the counter and was surprised at how fitted they were. The jeans hugged him in all the right places and Harry found it to be a surprisingly comfortable fit. The shirt was the same way and he liked it. Out of habit he always picked clothes that fit his body somewhat loosely. It was nice to wear fitted garments for a change. He then turned toward the mirror to make an attempt at styling his hair. Harry muttered a quick spell to dry his black mop and got to work. He pulled Matt's comb this way and that, tucked a few strands behind his ears and determined the same thing he had every single morning since he was seven. It was a lost cause. Examining his features like he always did, Harry noticed something funny; there was a large raw red 0spot on the junction between his neck and jaw line.

"What the hell is that?" then like lightning, realization hit him, full force, "Holy Shit… I have a hickey!"

Harry sat quietly giving Matt directions as they drove through lunch hour traffic in downtown London.

After about tem minutes of silence Matt finally struck up a conversation, "Is it true what you said last night."

Harry smiled, "I said a lot of things last night, only some of which I can remember."

Matt sighed nervously and restated his question, "Is it true that… if you could… you would sing?"

Harry was taken aback; he vaguely remembered telling Matt that simple childhood dream that he still carried. That meant his old friend was the fist person Harry had ever told. He would love to sing, He'd jump at the chance to sing if ever the opportunity showed itself. When he was nine, Aunt Petunia took Dudley to participate in a children's' choir (it was a known fact that all of the most influential people in town had there children in the choir and being the snob she was she wanted Dudley and herself to be a part of that), and made the mistake of bringing him along. The director smiled when he saw that Mrs. Dursley had brought two boys instead of the one she had mentioned, and quickly had both himself and Dudley (well not really Dudley, he just stood there and moved his mouth) singing with the group. Aunt Petunia was forced to take Harry as well as Dudley to practice for the next year. Harry was a natural and fell in love with music and singing. At the final concert Harry had the honor of singing a solo. It was then that Aunt Petunia decided she didn't care how much good the choir was doing for their social status, she wouldn't tolerate Dudley being over shadowed by him any longer and pulled them from the group. Harry had missed singing ever sense, and when he got the courage to sing out during the school song, Ron told him he sounded like a girl and that real men didn't sing.

"I would love to sing again. It's the only thing that I am good at and love to do. I mean I like to play sport but it's not the same as singing. You need to take a right at the next light and then you need to find somewhere to drop me."

Matt smiled. "The only reason I mentioned it is because there is an opening for a Singer/Waiter at Club Onyx. It's an open audition. I can get you the music if you want."

"I'd love that," That would mean he wouldn't have to go work in the magical world. He would be free from the gilded chains that have had him trapped ever since he was eleven. And if he got the job it would be based on true talent not on his name.

Matt pulled in to an open parking space and turned off his car. "You mentioned not going to university, so naturally you need a job. And actually, if you get right down to it, I need a roommate. What do you say?"

Harry was so taken aback he didn't know what to say.

"I mean if you don't want to that's okay, I was just hoping that we could room together, because I already know you to some extent. It is easier to live with someone you already know and all, and I…"

Harry started to laugh, "Of course I'll room with you, but you must understand something first, I'm not what you call normal. I don't want to talk about my past. I just want to move on. Can you understand that?"

Matt nodded, "I know just what you mean. Um, about money, I'm okay with paying until you find a job but…"

"Don't worry about it. I have enough money right now to live pretty well off for a few years. Listen I just need to run to get my stuff and run a few errands. If it's no bother can I move in right away?"

"Sure, I'd love that." Matt was all smiles. "I have to go to rehearsal right now but I can come can come and pick you up at four and we can move you things then."

It was all falling in to place, that gave him three hours to tie up all his loose ends. Harry nodded to his new roommate and reached for the door handle. Harry climbed out of the car carefully as to avoid the onslaught of cars. When he was safely on the sidewalk he leaned over to talk to Matt through his open window.

"Alright I'll meet you…" He looked up and down the street for a very "Muggle" place where he wouldn't be recognized, "I'll meet you at the Starbucks on the corner at four thirty. That should give me enough time to get my things together, and tie up my loose ends."

Matt started up his car and reached for the window crank, "I guess, I'll see you then, I'll get the music for you too, alright?"

"Sure thing,"

"See ya' Harry."

The young wizard smiled as Matt drove off. Today was the beginning to something great. Harry turned and walked to the ratty old building that was the Leaky Cauldron. When he entered the pup, he was accosted by people who wanted to shake his hand and by reporters trying to get a word on why he what he was going to do now since he wasn't going to the Auror Academy.

'Damn Hermione and Ron to hell! They must have talked to the press.'

Harry smiled and nodded to the cameras and turned to one of the reporters to get his official statement. He had learn that it is far better to give them something and deal with a few articles in the news then say nothing and have his name plastered all over the tabloids. "I'm not quiet sure exactly what I'm going to do. Nothing is for certain yet. I can confirm the rumor that I will not be attending the Auror Academy this up coming year. I think I'm just going to take a much needed year off. I might decide to go to the Academy next year, but right now I just need to take time to sort through my affairs. I'll be sure to let you know what my plans for the future are as soon as I figure them out."

Harry pushed his way through the small crowd and over to the bar where Tom was working. "Can you get me a bill?"

"Of course Mr. Potter."

As the old wizard went about his books putting together the bill for this month Harry sat down on one of the stools. Flashes from cameras flashed occasionally which Harry casually ignored. It had been like this for the past six months every time he stepped out in to public. He hated it but he learned tolerate it. It was one of the downsides to staying here at the Leaky Cauldron for an extended period of time; the reporters knew exactly where to find him.

Tom handed Harry the bill which he examined carefully, "I'm heading over to Gringotts now. I'll just have them transfer the money to you if that is alright?"

"Of course, Mr. Potter. It was a great honor to have you stay with us. I hope that in the future if you are in need of lodging you will keep us in mind." The toothless wizard smiled up him as he shook his hand.

"I will. Thank you for putting up with me. I know that with having me also means that you must also have the reporters and they can be a hassle. I enjoyed my stay and I will, most assuredly, come and stay again. Goodbye Tom,"

"Goodbye Mr. Potter," the old wizard turned and went back to this work and Harry headed to the back entrance.

Harry made his way through the crowds to the great white building. When he entered the bank he sighed a sigh of great relief, the reporters weren't allowed in the building. It truly was a blessing. Harry walked over to an open teller and pulled out his key.

"Mr. Harry Potter, how may I help you?" the small goblin barked at him.

"Well actually I have a lot that I need to take care of, so if we and take this some where more private I would be most appreciative."

"Yes of course" the little goblin climbed down from his perch and came out of a small door in the counter, "Follow me please."

Over the next three hours Harry went over all of his accounts with the help of four goblins. Harry was the sole heir to both the Potter and Black family lines and as such had to sort through properties, estates, and investments. In short Harry arranged for Gringotts to have use of his money and estates in return for the maintenance and up keep of all properties and a 12 percent return on all monetary accounts except the remaining funds in his education account, which he had converted in to a muggle cashiers check for him to take with him. With all of his accounts taken care of the only thing left to do was to collect his things and say his silent goodbye the life he despised

Harry walked out of the bank and down the street. As he was passing the floo station that was located between Madam Malcolm's and the apothecary he noticed a familiar face. The attendant to his surprise was some one he knew very well. "Seamus Finnigan? What are you doing running the floo?"

The Irish man laughed, "Well if it isn't Harry Potter? I'm just biding my time, I'm going to start my apprenticeship next month with the Nimbus company, I 'm just working to work, you know? I enjoy it gets me out of the house. Would you have guessed that Katie my little sister got Huffelpuff Prefect?"

"Really? That's great… she's a real sweetheart… god, school seems like it was a lifetime ago. Its strange how the time passes…you know back in school, I always admired your courage, and I never told you that. But I did. You didn't care what the others thought. You were yourself no matter what they said."

"Shoot Harry you're going to make me blush. Your one to talk though, after all that you did? It's strange to think we aren't going to be going back there. It didn't really hit me until Katie got her school letter and I didn't. Do you have any regrets?"

Harry sighed; he did have regrets, many of them. The Tri-Wizard Tournament, Sirius, Albus, Remus, Tonks, Hagrid… somehow he should have never let any of them die. But that part of his life was over there was no point in wallowing in the past.

"I have many, too many to list, what about you, do you have any regrets?"

"Yeah one, not shagging you."

Harry looked at his old crush bemusedly, "What do you mean?"

"You think I didn't know that you used to steal looks at me when I was in the shower."

The brunette stated to blush.

The Irish man laughed, "Why do you think the curtain was always open just enough? No one else knew, they were too distracted with there own lives to care. If you hadn't always been studying and work I really would have considered… you know…dating you"

Harry found it hard to find words to speak at this revelation, "Well it was nice seeing you again, Seamus. I wish you luck with you apprenticeship, I hope everything works out for you."

Seamus smiled, "Thanks Harry, and don't worry. I won't tell."

Harry turned to leave but was stopped by Seamus once again, "It's true Harry. If it weren't for the war, I would have asked you out."

No words needed to be said. Harry simply nodded with a smile. Harry continued his walk through Diagon Alley thinking of what Seamus had said to him. It was comforting in a way to have that finality, the finality that came with Seamus' revelation. And that question. Do you have any regrets? He had so many regrets He resolved then and there that he would live the rest of his life would be regret free. He was going to live his life to the fullest with nothing holding him back.

Harry walked in to the Leaky Cauldron nodded to tom, shrunk and collected his bags, and walked out of pub and in to the muggle world, leaving the magical world far behind.

Okay thank you to everyone who reviewed. Here is a little bit of background on my story. I know what happens in the sixth book I cannot bring my self to read it so it will be ignored in its entirety. Here is the time line of the past year in Harry's life

September 1996

Bill Weasley new defense against the dark arts teacher

War is raging

Harry has spent his sixth year in training.

Harry returns to Hogwarts.

October 1996

Tonks is killed in action

Severus Snape brings word of a planned attack on Hogwarts

December 1996

Remus is taken prisoner

Harry is removed from regular classes to study privately with his teaches and different specialists

February 1997

Remus body is returned to Hogwarts

Harry tries to leave to confront Voldemort but is stopped by Albus

March 1997

Battle of Hogwarts

Very few student fatalities

Hogsmead is in ruins

Dumbledore killed in action

Hagrid killed in action

Hundreds wounded

Dozens killed

Voldemort killed by Harry Potter by use of muggle weaponry

Harry presented with numerous awards

McGonagall named Headmistress

Bill Weasley names head of Gryffindor house

June 1997

Graduation Day for Hogwarts class of 1997

Harry moves to Leaky Cauldron

July 1997

Accepted to the Auror Academy

August 1997

Leaves the magical world

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed you guys were my motivation to finish this up. : )