Maybe this time

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters created by JK Rowling.

Summary: It has been eight years... She thought that a change of place and name would finally give her peace. However, a life changing decision would be bringing her back where it all started... England.

Author's Note: This story would be told in two separate POV. The 2 main artistes would be the one narrating the story. I do hope that you would not be confused. )

Chapter 4

Wilkhan's Café is where I usually meet up with Hermione and Ron after my work at the ministry. Sometimes, Draco and Ginny joins us. Today was no exception.

I just entered the café when I heard Hermione whispered rather loudly to Ron, Ginny, and Draco.

"How could you invite her here when you knew that Harry would be here?"

"How was I to know that Harry would be here too?"

"Who did you invite?" I asked from behind.

"Good gawd Harry! Never ever sneak on us like that!" Hermione exclaimed.

"You've given my Hermione and the baby a scare. Are you alright dear?"

I rolled my eyes after hearing what Ron said. I still can't get over the fact that my two best mates are acting all mushy and sweet.

"You're changing the subject. Who's coming?" I asked again.

All four of them exchanged weird stares. Then Hermione and Ron both spoke.

"No one."

"Just a friend."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other again.

"What?" I asked.

"Just a friend."

"No one."

Both replied differently.

"What? You're confusing me." I looked at my friends' one after the other.

"Actually Harry, they are just referring to one of Hermione's friends from another country." Ginny replied helpfully.

"Oh. Which country is this?"

"Uhm… China… I mean USA?" Hermione said almost softly.

"I guess its okay for her to join us. But I cannot stay long. Wood owled me before I left the apartment that the Daily Prophet is throwing a party for their new sports editor in chief. Honestly, they think that the lack of interest in Quidditch would be restored by this new big time sports editor in chief? Fat chance! The muggle sports are more exciting now even for the wizarding community."

"New sports editor in chief?" Hermione asked rather nervously.

I ordered for a cup of brewed coffee as usual before answering Hermione, "Yeah, I believe he's from another Daily Prophet office. I think US."

"He? You mean the editor in chief is a man?" Ron asked.

"I'm just second guessing. Besides, UK Daily Prophet never had a woman as Sports editor in chief. They are just not interested in that, mate. No offense meant, girls." I looked at Ginny and Hermione.

"None taken." Both replied.

"I don't know what's wrong with it mate, but quidditch games are becoming much of a bore." Draco said in a matter of fact tone.

My brewed coffee arrived before I could reply to Draco. "Malfoy, we are working our butts off on every game. Easy for you to say that because Quidditch gave up on you way back when we were still at Hogwarts." We all laughed at Draco.

"Yeah right Potter, we all know that the only reason you're just sticking to your Quidditch games is in the hopes of bumping into your old flame, Chang." Draco laughed alone. All eyes were on me now.

"Great going you git!" Ron said to Draco through gritted teeth.

"It's alright Ron. It's no big deal." I finished my coffee and stood up. "Hey guys, I'd love to chat some more but the party starts at 7pm and I need to find me a girlfriend of the month for the love birds' wedding." A faint goodbye from the girls and I turned already my back from my friends.

"Look what you did!" Hermione hissed.

"It's not like it's a big secret Hermione." Draco hissed back.

"It's not Malfoy, we just don't talk about it to his face."

"Well, Potter's gonna get his wis.."

I was out the door before Draco could finish his sentence.

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"No Beth, I just need a friend to accompany me… No, I can't ask Hermione, she's pregnant… Ginny is busy with her wedding." I was talking to my ex-girlfriend Beth while struggling with my penguin suit for tonight.

Beth was one of my very few ex-girlfriends who I was civil at the very least. Ginny is my only ex-girlfriend who I became friends with after the break-up. Like I said, I never mastered the art of breaking up. Now, if only I can convince Beth that I'm not trying to get back together with her and get this party over with.

"Look Beth, we are not getting back together. All I'm asking is for a companion, not a girlfriend for the night. No strings attached. Now, if that's too mu… Hello? Beth?" She put down the muggle phone even before I could tell her that I'd pay for her dinner. So much of the convincing power of Mr. Tactful Potter. I can't believe I did it again. That's got to be another 3 months before I can call her again for favors and forget about this incident.

I was still debating whether or not to attend this silly gathering when Oliver Wood apparated in my living room.

"Ready to go Harry?"

"Now? But I still need a companion and.."

"Dinner starts at seven. You need to make some sort of remarks as the captain of the team. Bagman will have my head if we don't get moving Potter." Oliver cut me short.

I obliged and off we were to the ballroom of a hotel that can be at par with The Ritz, one of the few muggle hotels that I like. Wood and I apparated in the lobby adjacent to the small ballroom just in time before the registration called to a close.

"They're having registrations now?" I asked Wood after I signed beside my name.

"Yes because this is for invitation only." Oliver replied quickly.

We were already on our way inside when someone called me. "Harry! Harry!"

I turned and saw, "Ron? What are you doing here?"

"Well, I… I… have you gone inside?" He asked rather breathlessly.

"No because you called me. You still haven't answered my question though."

"Come on you guys, let's just get inside." Wood said.

I didn't bother probing Ron and just followed Wood inside. We all got to sit together at a corner table. Mr. Bagman was already on the make-shift stage thanking everyone for coming at such a short notice when a hotel receptionist came to my side.

"My apology for disturbing you Mr. Potter but a certain Mr. Finley is at the door looking for you. He said that he has important documents for you."

Edward Finley is my Auror trainee. I excused myself from our table and made my way outside to Edward.

"I'm really sorry Mr. Potter. These reports are all due to be at the Minister's desk by 7:00 in the morning tomorrow." Edward explained immediately as soon as I met him at the lobby.

"It's alright. Is this the revised one?" I asked while examining all the parchments he handed to me.

"Yes Sir. We have already included the latest incident at Rome."

"Alright then, let me go over these quickly before I sign them." I motioned to Edward to the waiting area to sit.

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"I guess we got everything covered. We can submit this now." I said to Edward an hour later.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Thanks for coming here Edward. I was actually planning to do this later tonight, you shouldn't have." I started fixing the papers accordingly.

"Actually Sir, it's my girlfriend's birthday today and I promised her that I will treat her to dinner." Edward was now blushing profusely.

"Jaime? Greet her for me. Come on, you better leave now if you want to make it to that dinner."

"Thank you Mr. Potter."

"No problem Edward." I waved as I watched Edward rush to the door. He must really like Jaime. I never felt the need to actually take time from my busy schedule and be with a girl for dinner because I made a promise. Not even to Ginny. To think she is my best mate's sister. I probably have never fallen in love that's why Hermione and Ron still think that I'm cynical about love. Then I remembered Cho. No, we didn't have anything special. We could have, but I'll never know now, would I? She has been erased from my memory. Well, at least when I'm awake.

I was still massaging my sore neck when I finally returned back to our table where Ron was now busy chatting with Oliver. "Where have you been?"

"I was out there at the lobby with Edward finishing our reports. Dinner ready yet?"

"Just about to, Mr. Bagman talked long mate!"

"I was out for one whole hour."

"At least he gave the new Editor in Chief 10 minutes for an introductory speech."

"You saw the new editor? How'd you find him?" I asked no one in particular.

"Him?" Oliver questioned.

"Yeah, him."

"But the editor in chief is not…"

"Oh great! The food's here." Ron cut in as the bare table was now beginning to be filled with mouth watering viands and desserts.

"Finally! I'm so hungry." I joined the others as they started to dig in.

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It has become my habit that after a hard night, a heavy meal, or both, to smoke at least a stick of cigarette. I was out at the balcony lighting my first cigarette for the night. I noticed that the glass door leading to the balcony slid open and a girl in a really tight short black dress stepped out. The balcony was enveloped with darkness, her back was on me so I didn't get to see her face. Her hair was tied loosely in a twist with little hair falling softly on her creamy back and nape. She was leaning forward on the baluster.

"Hi." I blurted out even before I could think of what to tell her.

"Oh, hello." She turned around. I could see her silhouette but her face was still unrecognizable.

"Care to smoke?" I asked as I puffed my cigarette in the dark.

"No thanks." She replied softly.

"You sound tired. Are you alright?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I guess I am. I'm not used to this. I don't mingle that much."

"Same here. That's why I like it here. It's quiet."

"Did I disturb you?"

"No, you seem good company." I said feeling the need to turn on my charm. "Work for the Ministry?"

"No, Daily Prophet. But what made you think that I did?"

"Well, I was just assuming."

"You?" She asked.

"I actually work for the Ministry and the…" I was about to say Quidditch team when someone slid the door open.

"Excuse me Ms Leung?" a girl interrupted us.

"Is it time to go back?" My mystery girl replied.

"Yes Madame."

"Okay, I'll follow." She then turned to me. "I'm sorry but I have to go now."

She was about to slide the door open when I remembered, "Wait I didn't get your name."

"My name is Lin, Lin Leung." She replied.

"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Finally finished it! Ü i'm always having a difficult time writing in Harry's POV...

I have the next chapter lined up already... i'm still ironing out some stuffs to make it better ;)

I hope you enjoyed this chapter... im keeping my fingers crossed that i'd be able to update again next month...

Please read and review!

Salamat po! Thanks! Ü