A/N: Hello my fellow readers and writers. Here is yet another chapter at an interesting story if I do say so myself. If you are curious I am not sure what role Sarah will play, I kind of wrote her in on a whim and I think she will make for an interesting twist of things. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Also I noticed that I didn't put it was a Harry Ginny pairing in the info thingy so that opens up even more I have 6 more chapter outlined and then from there its all going to be off the top of my head so please bear with me. Like always HP is owned by JK and I love you all.

Slick101:Thanks for understanding the OC and I have gotten a new fire for this story and I thank it all to you and the other reviewers. I thought it was weird when people would make a big deal about R&R and when I finally started waiting for them I realized how much they help. SO again thanks and I hope you like Sarah I know I will.

Chapter 6 Good Old Days


Harry had heard from Sarah one more time over the last week and found out she had to settle things at work so she could get the time off. In the mean time Harry decided that he wanted to build on the friendship that he and Ron once had. Harry was walking through the halls of Potter Manor thinking of what he could do to show Ron he wanted his friendship back than it hit him, quite literally. A picture of him and Ron playing Quidditch back at the Burrow and had fallen off the wall and smacked Harry in the head. After rubbing his head and finally investigating what had now given him a head ache, Harry had the best idea. He had read that the try-out Ron was waiting for was at the end of this week. Harry remembered helping Ron get ready for the Hogwarts Quidditch and figured he could do it again and maybe Ron would welcome him back like he had hoped. Harry dug through his closet and found his Firebolt covered in dust. Harry sighed realizing that he hasn't flown in quite sometime and he missed it greatly. Cleaning off his broom Harry made his way out towards the bar from which he apparated straight to Ron and Hermione's house. When he walked up to the door he was welcomed with the smell of fresh cooking and realized in his rush to get here, he had forgotten to eat. He had raised his hand to the door but it had flown open before he had the chance to knock.

"Harry," Hermione said as she flew and gave him a hug. "How are you? It has been too long since you have come over. What are you doi…" She stopped herself as soon as she saw that he was holding his faithful broom. A knowing smile came across her face. "He is out right now, if you would like to wait here, I just made some lunch if you are hungry." Harry nodded as Hermione had led him into the house. This wasn't the first time Harry was here but every time he came it brought a smile to his face. The love that emanated from this house alone was enough to do that to anyone. When both Hermione and Ron were here, every room would feel like it would explode with love. Harry had often joked that the feeling was what they both looked like at school before their feelings towards each other were recognized. Hermione would just shake it off with a smile. Harry had just sit down to get a bite to eat when they both heard the sound of the fireplace flare.

"Come over to steal my wife huh?" Ron said as he put the bags of groceries on the counter and put a scowl on his face.

"I … uh … I mean." The look on Ron's face scared Harry. He wasn't scared for his life or anything, more so that his friend truly thought that Harry would do something as low as try and steal Hermione from him. Realizing how dumb that sounded, Harry quickly started to return the scowl. Ron approached Harry never looking down or lightening up. Harry instantly lowered his one hand to his pocket where he constantly kept his wand.

"Oh come on mate. Why so serious?" Ron said finally letting up his façade and clapping Harry on the shoulder. Harry let go of the breath he was holding onto. He didn't want things to get out of hand because he thought things were getting better between the two of them. "So what brings you to my humble abode?" Ron asked as he sat down and started eating the lunch Hermione had made. The sigh of relief from Hermione made Harry smile knowing he wasn't the only one worried about Ron's entrance.

"Well I wanted to know if you wanted to practice Quidditch like we used to do in school. I brought my Firebolt along and thought we could go to the Burrow." Harry said as he finished the last of the soup. He never knew Hermione was such a good cook and he was quite sure there were a lot of things about her that would surprise him after being gone for to long. Ron gave a smile as he finished his second bowl of soup and went to get his broom.

"Thank you Harry." Hermione said finally rinsing the last of the soup bowls osut and turning to him.

"For what?" Harry was completely caught off guard by her and it was not the first time it had happened.

"Ron has been pulling my hair out with worry about getting on the team. You know how much he loves this team, and I know he has been looking for a serious practice partner. The twins have been too busy with their shop and Bill and Charlie are busy working." Hermione said sipping at a mug of coffee.

"What about Ginny? She was an amazing Quidditch player and I thought they were close." Harry asked swallowing the lump in his throat when he mentioned her name. Hermione was not blind and she shook her head. She knew that Harry still loved her and she had a sneaking suspicion that Ginny returned those feelings.

"She hasn't been around too much. She has been really busy with finding work and …" Hermione had to stop before she let too much out. No on had told Harry about the wedding and although Ginny seemed to be postponing it, no one wanted to hurt Harry's feelings.

"Getting married." Harry finished her sentence for her. Hermione's mug stopped inches from her lips when she realized what Harry had said. It wasn't until a little coffee spilled onto her feet that Hermione realized how strange she looked.

"Oh Harry I am so..." Hermione started but Harry put his hand up to stop her.

"No Hermione, don't apologize. For what I have done I deserved it. I couldn't expect her or anyone else to put their lives on hold until I returned. I was a prat for thinking things would be just as I left them and when I found out about her and Neville I learned that if I am going to be comfortable back home, I needed to realize that life moved on without, exactly how I wanted it." Harry paused for a second and sighed. "Well almost exactly." He finished and a hand was placed on his shoulder. Ron had made his way back to the kitchen and heard most of the conversation.

"Mate, I have been waiting some time for you to say that. I am truly sorry for how you found out but, I am glad to have you back." Ron said as Harry stood up to face him. The intertwined themselves in a manly hug and Hermione had to giggle with how ridiculous her husband looked. She knew she was going to pick on for this later.

Ginny and Neville apparated to the Burrow from another great date and Ginny was smiling from ear to ear. Her arm was wrapped around Neville's waist. She looked over to her fiancé and kissed him on the cheek. His face had become scarlet red and Ginny couldn't help but laugh. It did bug her a little that he never liked to be affectionate but she imagined that she could pull him out of that in no time. She was a Weasely after all. They were here to have dinner with the family and Ginny felt that it was time Neville became one of the family. She ushered him in and Molly had smiled and lead Neville to the living room to talk about something or other. Ginny decided it was safe to just sit in the kitchen and enjoy the smell of her mother's cooking. The sound of laughing and conversation could be heard outside the door although Ginny didn't recognize the voices. She went to the door expecting it was one of the brothers or her father and when the door opened up she almost fainted. There in the doorway was the very same person she had been trying to avoid. He was sweaty and breathing heavily. His hair was plastered to his head by sweat and he didn't have a shirt on. 'Merlin' she thought to herself. Years of Quidditch and who knows what had done wonders for his body and Ginny had to concentrate strongly not to lick her lips. His body was covered in light scars and Ginny remembered a few of them, most noticeably the one on his arm that was from the night he saved her from the Chamber.

"Hi Gin." Harry said, but as she opened her mouth to try and reply she did what she was trying to prevent and fainted. She woke up to Ron staring down at her and smiling.

"That could have been a nasty fall, luckily Harry was right there to catch you huh?" Ron said while shaking his head. He knew his sister loved Harry and he figured that maybe Harry would do right by her to get the silly idea of marrying Neville out of her head. He didn't exactly want her to marry Harry either but he was sure that he didn't want her to marry Neville.

"I hate you." Was all she got out before she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again.

The rest of the family had arrived and the story of Ginny's graceful reaction to Harry was told to everyone. Hermione had to cover her mouth to stop from bursting into laughter right in front of her and the only one who didn't find it funny at all was Harry.

"Guys, she could have been hurt or something, this floor isn't the softest thing." He would say in her defense but Ron would make a sideways remark about knocking some sense into her. Harry couldn't help but think his logic reasonable. Harry couldn't believe that Neville would be the lucky one and from Ginny's reaction he had decided that he wasn't going to go to the wedding in hopes he wouldn't ruin it. Just then an owl flew in and dropped of a letter on the table. It was for Hermione and she rushed to rip it open and read the contents quickly as a smile crept onto her face.

"I got the job!" she screamed as the paper floated down out of her notice. "I start working tomorrow." She ran up to Ron and started kissing him senseless.

"Get a room you two." A soft voice came from the stairs. Harry recognized it instantly as Ginny and turned to make sure she was alright. The sight he was expecting was nothing from what he saw. She was in a jumper that let nothing to the imagination and jeans that followed along suit. She had just gotten out of the shower and her hair was still damp and glistened in the lights in the room. It was Harry's turn to almost lose composure but instead of fainting he saved himself by sitting down. This reaction was notice by everyone and a small chuckle could be heard around the room.

"Time for dinner. Ginny are you feeling aright dear?" Molly called from the kitchen and Ginny nodded to her. They all sat at the table and ate. The dinner was amazing as always and Harry was sure that he was going to explode with al the food Molly kept piling on his plate.

Neville stood up and the room went silent. He started shaking slightly from the nerves but he knew he wanted to say this.

"I have an announcement about the wedding." Harry swallowed a lump and figured they had finally set a date. In fact, Harry had hoped that was what he would say so he knew what day to be busy on.

"I am glad that everyone could be here for this great time." Neville said, his voice cracking and Ginny was about to punch him for delaying this. She hadn't heard about anything and wondered what he had in mind. She hated the fact that he normally didn't make any decisions and when he did, he always had to ask fifteen times if it was alright by her.

"I wanted to ask Harry if he would be my best man." He finally got out before sitting down. The silence in the room was eerie and the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Harry was staring bug eyed at Neville with fear and Ginny was failing miserably not to look at Harry searching for an answer. How could he do this without asking? Of all the things to surprise her with, this was the last thing she wanted. After her wonderful show in the kitchen earlier today and now this. Harry's mind was blank from thought and Hermione had nudged him out of it.

"Neville, I would be … honored." He finally said swallowing yet another lump in his throat. As he said the final word he turned to look at Ginny and their eyes met for the second time today and Harry's heart stopped. Not only was he knowing that his love was going to move on be happy, now he had to watch it happen. He looked down at his plate and apologized.

"I have things I need to do at home. Thank you for the meal Molly and I will see you guys later. Good luck with your try-out Ron." Harry said before quickly apparating back to his house. He went to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of Firewhiskey.

"How am I going to do this?" he asked himself as he took a swig of the drink. As he put it down he sighed.

"Harry James Potter put the drink down and step away from the kitchen." A voice came from the living room and Harry was not in the mood to neither recognize the voice nor be told what to do.

"Sod off or I will come up there and …" but his thoughts were taken away when he looked up the stairway. There stood an American wrapped up tighter than a baby in a snow storm.

"Dork."

"Brat"