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One Month After Leaving Tom

Harry gazed somberly into his tea, a slight twitch of his lips barely to be seen, thinking it ironic that he was trying to see something in his drink. He didn't care for Divination, but this was just a bit pathetic. Sure, he left Tom willingly, but it still hurt to know that the other didn't even love him anymore. Perhaps way deep down in a secret part of his heart and soul, Harry thought Tom would come looking for him, desperate to make things right.

Harry didn't know why he was deluding himself.

He just needed to move on.

But it was just so difficult.

Kreacher popped into the kitchen and gave a slight bow. "Master has guests. It is Weezy and mud- Muggleborn friends."

Harry smiled and thanked the Kreacher. At least the bitter house elf was trying not to spew curses about his friends being blood traitors and Mudbloods. It was a work in progress, but Harry would take what he could get at this point. Unfortunately, he was still looking for a way to permanently silence Walburga's portrait, but no such luck.

Seeing his friends standing in the entrance and removing their coats, Harry felt immensely grateful that they had insisted on visiting him. He was never one for spilling his feelings, especially since it was ingrained that his feelings and wants didn't matter when he was growing up, however, it was really nice to know that he had his two best friends in his times of need.

"Ron! Hermione! I'm glad you could make it." Harry said genuinely, positive they noticed the bags and red puffy eyes from crying and lack of sleep.

Hermione smiled softly. "Oh Harry. We'll always be here for you."

"Yeah Mate."

The trio moved to the kitchen were Harry prepared more tea. He missed the looks traded between Hermione and Ron. As soon as Harry sat an gave his friends their cups, Hermione gently grabbed his hands.

"How are you doing Harry?" she asked softly.

Harry sighed. "As well as one can be after a break-up."

Ron and Hermione shared another glance before turning their attention back to their distressed friend. They patiently waited for Harry to get his bearings and tell them the whole story. It took a few moments but eventually they knew the story and reason for Harry's sudden reclusive habits. It didn't help that Harry had to stop to keep himself from crying or breaking down in the middle of explaining.

"That bloody bastard! I should give him a piece of my mind!" Ron snarled.

How dare Tom Bloody Riddle treat Harry as if he was just something insignificant. He'd go over to the ministry right now to duel the slimy git, even if he knew both Harry and Hermione would forbid him from going.

"Just leave it Ron." Harry pleaded. "I don't want to see you get hurt or arrested for attacking him."

Ron huffed but conceded for the moment. "I'd show him. Treating you like that. S'not right. Bastard deserves to be taken down a peg. Or five."

"Thanks Ron." Harry said.

"What do you plan to do now Harry?" Hermione asked, after a brief moment.

Harry ran his hand through his hair, messing it even more. "Honestly, I don't think I could handle seeing him at the Ministry. I was actually planning on resigning from the Auror Corps and leaving England."

"Where would you go?" she asked. "Perhaps Bill and Fleur could help you settle in France."

Harry could see the worry and calculations running inside her brown eyes.

"Apparently the Blacks have a few family houses on the Continent and I decided on a townhouse in Berlin. It was apparently part of a dowry for one of the members who married into the family a few generations ago. And maybe after I settle, I'll work at the Magical German government or something." Harry said. "I feel France is too close to England and America would be the next option someone would look for me. I figured Germany wasn't too far, but enough that I could live in relative peace."

"Do you think he would go and look for you?" Hermione asked cautiously.

Harry sighed. "Honestly, I don't think so. Some part of me wants him to find me and say that everything was just a huge misunderstanding, but I know Tom. I just need to get away."

Ron smiled sympathetically. "Course Harry. Whatever you need, Hermione and I will be here for you."

Hermione nodded, "That's right Harry."

The trio sat in quiet contemplative silence before it was broken by Hermione.

"Well then, there will be a few things that we'll have to do before you leave so as not to leave anything unattended." Hermione began, already listing off all the things that they should start on.

Harry smiled at his two best friends glad that they would be there for him.

Two Months After Leaving Tom

Harry placed a few more pictures upon the fireplace mantle in his new home. It was cleaner and brighter compared to Grimmuald Place, something that Harry really liked because the dark atmosphere of the Ancestral Home was beginning to weigh him down. Surprisingly, there was a house-elf who lived and kept the place in mint condition until a member of the family came to visit.

The poor little thing had been crying tears of joy to see him and even more shocked when he was extremely polite. Harry was glad he didn't have to have Kreacher constantly pop from one place to another, as he didn't want to burden the old house-elf. The female House-elf, Alda, was quite motherly and happy to have a master to serve again.

"Would Master Harry bees wanting lunch?" Alda asked.

Harry smiled. "Yes, please. Something light would be nice."

The house-elf eagerly nodded her head, eyes misting at her kind master, before popping away.

Harry shook his head in amusement. He didn't think he would ever get used the little creatures over enthusiastic "worshipping" of him because he treated them with respect that they deserve.

He was still trying to get both Kreacher and Alda to just call him Harry, but they were stubborn and flat out refused, saying that it wasn't proper. At least he got them to call him 'Master Harry'. Baby steps, baby steps, he often had to tell himself.

Giving one last critical look at the living room, Harry smiled in satisfaction.

Overall, Harry was quite pleased with his new home. Perhaps he would stay here in Germany permanently.

Three Months After Leaving Tom

The Magical Parliament of Germany was completely different compared to England's Ministry of Magic. For one, everything was organized and done efficiently compared to England. Harry thought that Hermione would have loved to come visit, if only to know how they organized, handled cases and other matters.

Harry was a little nervous. He basically knew all wizards took OWLS and NEWTs - at least some variation of them - in other countries but he hoped he had enough to qualify for a job here. From what he knew, occasionally listening to Hermione's tirades about the Ministry's backward workings, other countries were a bit stricter on who they allowed into which departments, as they wanted the best of the best.

Sure he managed O's in DADA on his O.W.L.S and N.E. , but that didn't mean that he would qualify for the German Auror Corps.

In fact, from what he heard, their training and application process was so intense that even fewer made it through than in England. It didn't help that he was a foreigner and the Germans would be extra suspicious of him - probably even make his application even tougher.

Okay, he just needed to take a deep breath and try to be as calm and professional during his interview.

The worst they could say was 'No'.

If they refused - well, he would cross that bridge when he got there.

"Harry Potter" A woman he assumed to be some sort of secretary called.

Harry took a deep breath as he followed the woman towards another office where he assumed was the Head Auror's. He could do this. Just keep calm and breath.

"Mr. Dietrich will see you now."

Harry nodded and watched as she knocked twice. Opening the door when a stern "Enter" sounded through the door, Harry took care to not appear nervous.

"Mr. Potter is here for his appointment, sir." The witch said before leaving the two of them alone.

The man was broad and stern, blue eyes frozen as glaciers, no doubt picking upon any perceived weaknesses - as trained Aurors tend to do. His hair was mostly gray but it was clear to see that there was still some blond in it as well. The Head Auror gestured to the seat in front of his desk and Harry carefully never removed his eye contact as he sat down.

"Mr. Potter, I'll cut straight to the point. Your tests scores were above average but nothing too spectacular." Mr. Dietrich said with faint accent. "Though, your progress and skills in the British Auror Corps were quite amazing."

So he was just insult and complimented within the same sentence. That had to be good right?

"Thank you sir."

"However, I cannot permit you to work for the Auror Corps here in Germany."

Harry slumped slightly but he did his best to not seem too disappointed. Guess it was too much to hope for.

"I understand. Thank you for taking the time to see me, sir."

"Now, Now. I am not saying that you can never work for the Aurors. It just here in Germany we take our jobs seriously and we demand efficiency and perfection. Because you are a foreigner, we don't know your. skills beside what these papers tell us." Mr. Dietrich smiled slightly. "However, I am willing to give you a trial run. A year paid as a freelance bodyguard for one of our politicians who is running for Chancellor. I will say no more until you choose whether to accept or not."

Harry briefly thought it over. A freelance bodyguard wasn't a bad start and he would be getting paid for it. And it would be a great opportunity for him show the Head Auror what he was capable of.

"I accept."

Mr. Dietrich smiled. "Excellent. You will start in two days, I will need to get the necessary paperwork ready and to let your new client know. I look forward to see how you do Mr. Potter."

"Thank you sir." Harry said, giving a firm handshake to his new employer.

Harry couldn't wait to write a letter to Ron and Hermione about his new job. Now he can really start to move on with the new chapter of his life. Just himself and no more consuming thoughts of Him.

Harry smiled widely, a light bounce in step as he headed back home. Moving to Germany was a good decision.

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