The summer was flying by. I spent a great deal of it with Ron. We would construct his lesson plans and I couldn't help but have a twinge of jealousy since I had to wait another year for a class.

It was Harry's birthday and we decided to go out to eat a lovely Muggle restaurant in London. I was more excited about meeting the young lady he had been seeing. I'm sorry; spending time with was how he liked to put it. Merlin help me if I said he was dating. She apparently worked at the American Embassy and I was dying to meet her.

We planned on meeting at Ron's for drink before heading to London. I arrived on his doorstep wearing a simple black dress, carrying a peacock blue cardigan and small book on famous Aurors through history for Harry. I was about to knock on the door when it suddenly swung open and Ron pulled me inside kissing my cheek.

"Hey, what's going on?" I asked noting his anxiety.

"Oh nothing much," I noted the sarcasm in his tone. "I just heard from mum and apparently Ginny is in town and coming over to see Harry for his birthday."

I was dumbfounded. Ginny was back? How could she be?

"I don't understand. I thought if she came back she might get arrested."

"Something about mum making a deal with Shacklebolt for them to turn a blind eye..."

"Well does Harry know?"

"I flooed him and I sent him an owl and I've heard…nothing." He threw his hands up in the air.

"Ron, I'm going to leave; I'll just create problems. But what about what's-her-name? She shouldn't be here either."

Ron groaned in frustration. "Could this get any worse?"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Harry made his way into Ron's house. He immediately knew something was up and Ron quickly explained the dilemma. Harry was about to respond when there was another knock on the door. Ron opened it to find what must be Harry's date, I mean friend.

She wasn't breathtaking like Ginny but pretty and cute. She had dark brown hair and blue eyes. She wore black pants and a silky red top. She also appeared uneasy as we were all just staring at her.

Finally Harry went to her and brought her inside for introductions. "This is Paige Callaghan; Paige these are my friends Ron and Hermione."

"Nice to meet you both." She started to go on but was interrupted by Harry.

"I thought it would be a good idea for you and Hermione to go on ahead to the restaurant. You know have a drink at the bar. Ron and I have some guy talk to do."

"Guy talk?" She asked disbelievingly. "Okay, I'll just find out what's going on from Hermione then." She added with a smile. I could tell I was going to like her.

Ron practically pushed us out of the door before we apparated to Muggle London. We arrived in the alley by the restaurant and quickly went inside and took seats at the bar ordering a glass of wine.

"So tell me, what was that all about?" She said with a small laugh.

I wasn't sure what to tell her so I decided the truth was probably the best bet. "Well, what do you know about Harry's ex-wife?"

"I've heard rumors but Harry has actually told me a lot about her."

"He has?" I wondered why Harry would rattle on about an ex-wife to a new quasi girlfriend.

"Don't worry, I know I'm a rebound but he is for me too. We went to lunch the day we met. I could hear his stomach rumbling so I asked him if he'd like to go. I'm new here so I unfortunately eat alone or someone from the office. He was reluctant but I told him all we had to do was sit at the table, no need to talk if he didn't want to." She grinned and went on. "Anyway he asks me about moving here from the States and for some reason I just blurted out my whole history. Eventually, he did the same."

"Why did you move here?" I asked curiously.

"For four years I dated the most amazing guy. Then one day I'm sick and have to leave work early. I come back to the apartment we share to find him in bed with my best friend. I wanted to get away and this job came open and a friend suggested I do it. My mom was a little put off about me leaving the country but loves telling people I'm friends with Harry Potter."

"What is your job?"

"Back in Salem I worked for the Treasury and Trade Department and here I work on international trading issues and regulations. It's not as boring as it might sound."

"Please…I work in a library. So how did you meet Harry?"

"Oh he needed some information on a certain American and was somehow referred to me." She paused and took a sip of wine. "Ok back to the original question; what does this have to do with Harry's ex."

"Apparently she's in town and wants to see him. She's probably there right now."

"I thought there were some legal issues with her coming back here?"

"Me too. I didn't want to see her so I'm glad we left. I'm having a nice time."

She looked at me sympathetically, "Harry did tell me everything you know. Circumstances are different but I understand about a best friend's betrayal."

I nodded and smiled, it was nice to have another girl to talk to for a change. We ordered another glass of wine and waited for the boys to arrive.

No sooner had I pushed Hermione out the door that I hear two distinct popping sounds behind me. I turned to find my mother and Ginny standing by my fireplace.

"Happy birthday Harry!" Said my mum as she pulled him into a big hug. "I made you a cake. Ron and I will take it into the kitchen."

Mum grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room and into my small kitchen and closed the door. Well maybe not closed all the way.

"They need their privacy I think."

"What for?" I ask.

"I don't know but it seems appropriate."

"Mum, what is going on?" I ask in a hushed voice.

"I don't know that either. There was a knock on my door and Ginny was outside. She said she wanted to see Harry." She listened closely at the door. "I don't hear anything. Where are Fred and George when you need them?"

"When did you talk to Shacklebolt then?"

"Right after she arrived. I didn't want Aurors showing up at my door. I'm not sure she's aware of the trouble she could be facing." She brought herself away from the door when she obviously realized something. "Dear, when is Hermione coming?"

"Don't worry, she and Paige went ahead to the restaurant."

"Good." She then gave herself whiplash as she turned her head and asked "Who's Paige?"

I wasn't quite sure how to answer that, "it's a girl Harry's been seeing. He says that they are just friends."

"Oh" mum said looking a little shaken. "Well, that is good for him I'm sure. He needs to get out."

"Really?"

"Truthfully I wish he was home waiting for Ginny to come to her senses or I wish he would move to Australia with her. But I wasn't born yesterday despite what you boys might think. I know that things won't ever be the same between them."

Mum was truly amazing. She was obviously trying to be supportive of Harry no matter how much it pained her.

Harry couldn't believe she was here. Standing in front of him was his ex-wife looking beautiful but sad. "Gin, do you know how risky it is for you to be here?"

"What do you mean?"

"The guards pretty much gave you up at the trial. You could be arrested for obstruction among other things. I had a two week suspension because you were exposed as leaking information to the guards about the pending arrest."

Her eyes got a wide, but stated with confidence, "I'm sure I'll be okay."

Harry shook his head at her indifference. "So what brings you back?"

"You," she paused for effect before going on. "Happy birthday; you didn't think that I'd forget did you?"

"No and thanks."

"Are you and Ron going out tonight or something? Boys night on the town patrolling for women?"

She was obviously fishing so Harry provided her with the guest list. "Nope, just a quiet dinner with Ron, Hermione and my friend Paige."

"Of course, we can't leave out Hermione. Paige? That's a name I haven't heard before."

"That's because she just moved here; she works at the American embassy and we are just friends."

"Sure." The word was dripping in sarcasm.

"Give me a break Gin. You were the one who moved on with some bloke named Dave."

"I was lonely," she defended.

"So am I." Harry quipped.

"I'm not seeing him anymore. He wasn't you, I need you." Harry looked up to see her pleading eyes, desperate for something. "I was hoping that you would come after me."

Harry was a little surprised at how forward she was. It was obvious that she expected them to be living together in Australia for some reason. He was tired of playing this game with her. Harry knew that he played a large role in their dramatic history but he was past that now and he couldn't go back. He wanted to be an adult, not a child pretending to be one.

"Gin, you know why I didn't come. My life is here. Let's face facts, you were the one who moved, you are the reason we are apart."

"Why does everyone think that I'm the one to blame? How can everyone believe her over me? My own family has shunned me."

"That isn't true! You left. They were never going to turn you away because you refused to accept the truth."

"Maybe you are the ones who can't accept reality!"

"Gin, this is ridiculous. We can't go five minutes without fighting about it." He decided to change topics. "So how is Australia?"

"It would be perfect if you were there too."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm not coming Gin. You and I both have to come to the realization that we're over."

"Harry, you will always regret losing me." She said determined.

"That may be but you're the one who'll have a lifetime of regrets and a guilty conscience."

Harry walked out of the room and quickly jerked the kitchen door open to find Mrs. Weasley standing on the other side.

"Oh, hello dear." She muttered somewhat embarrassed.

"Come on Ron let's get going. We don't want to be too late."

With that they all walked into the living room to find a sulking Ginny. Ron tried to give her a brotherly hug but she jerked away and apparated.

"Well, I better go see where she went. And Harry, I'm sorry if this put a damper on your birthday festivities."

"Don't worry Mrs. Weasley. I'll see you at brunch next Sunday." She beamed at the prospect and everyone apparated to their destination.