A/N: I am forewarning you, there is one inccident of bad language.

Family and Friends

It was Sunday, meaning that Ginny was expected to arrive at seven O'clock for dinner at the Burrow. She had no desire to go and deal with their opinions on Harry and the break-up.

But she had skipped out on the past two dinners, and she did miss her family. So she was currently getting ready at her flat. She fixed her make-up and was adjusting her blouse when her cell phone rang; Harry had refused to take the phone back when they had broken-up.

It was a text message from Reese. "Just wanted to say that I missed you beautiful." She read aloud, scowling. She tossed the phone onto her bed without replying; he would get over it.

"Here goes nothing." Sighing, she stepped into her fireplace.

"Ginny!"

She was greeted with a massive hug from Charlie who was the only one in the living room. He was around every month or so to visit with his son, Jack.

"Hey, Charlie, how are the dragons?"

"They're good. How's Neese?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Reese is fine."

While they hadn't met Reese yet, the entire family decided that if it wasn't Harry, they didn't like him in the slightest bit. Her parents and Bill had been more accepting, but it was because they were suspicious of Ginny's reasoning for her leaving Harry.

She had told them they just weren't working out and that they were too young, but, they hadn't accepted the answer willingly, especially Bill. They knew there was more to it. George had then taken to calling him Neese, and he had graced Ella with the name Smella and Lauren's was too inappropriate to be said among the children.

Ginny had given up all together trying to defend them and they lightened up on comments on Harry, which were at times less than kind. Percy went off about him suffering from some split personality disorder and Charlie had attempted to plot a cruel prank on him with George.

Ron and Hermione had remained quiet, knowing for a fact that Harry wasn't sharing an important piece of his past that was surging his odd behavior.

Dinner went smoothly, until dessert. It was then that the conversation flew to Harry and Ella, much to Ginny's dislike.

"Have you seen them lately, Ginny?" Her mother asked.

"Last week, actually. Reese and I went to a fundraiser and he was there with Ella." She answered, keeping her eyes on the slice of pie in front of her.

"Oh, how did they look?"

"Well, Ella dyed her hair brown and Harry's now a red-head."

Every pair of eyes were on her now and she dropped her fork, irritated. "He's dyed it before, and Ella wasn't a natural blond."

"Red?" Ron asked.

"Lighter than ours, of course. It's a light auburn; I like it better than his Mohawk thing." She rolled her eyes, thinking of the extreme haircut.

"Well, that sounds lovely." Her mum turned to her own piece of pie and sat quietly.

Molly had been beyond happy to have Harry back in their lives. When he came back as Ginny's fiancé, she had been over the moon with joy. She had also cried for days when the pair called it quits.

Ginny sighed, hoping she would swipe a chance to leave early and luckily, Bill noticed. He stood up with Fleur and grabbed Victoire and Michelle

"Well, we're leaving early. We're taking the girls to the park tomorrow so they need to sleep." He flashed a smile at Ginny who returned it thankfully.

"Yeah, I have a meeting in the morning, Mum, I should go too." Now she wasn't the first one leaving.

She said her goodbyes quickly and gave Bill a tight hug, thanking him quietly. Then Ginny apparated home, wondering what Harry was up to that night.

***

"No, that CD was absolutely horrid! I don't know how hell you all could like it!" Brad laughed, spilling a bit of his drink.

"Heaven's Angel! That song was fantastic. I remember playing it for this girl back in high school. She really knew how to-"

"Okay, Ike that is enough for now."

Ike glared at Harry through his drunken stupor. "I resent that, mate." He slurred.

"You know who loved that song." Lauren mused, leaning against Fin.

Hannah raised her glass. "To the missing link."

They all repeated it quietly and drained their glasses. Harry threw his down and reached for the bottle of whiskey.

"You'll be too hung over to do anything tomorrow, Sky." Fin chuckled, his eyes distant.

"Good thing I perform at night when I won't be." He answered before throwing down half the tall glass.

Lauren smiled at her two friends from across the table. "I'm so glad you two finally came to visit, you should stay. There's always room in my trailer."

"When she's not fucking Fin silly." Ike slurred.

"Ike!" Lauren made to get up, but Fin held her back, pulling her into his lap and holding her.

"And watch your language, there are ladies present." Brad snorted, lifting his beer to his lips.

"I'll say whatever the hell I want." Ike stumbled to stand up, but Harry shoved him lightly, sending him crashing down on to the couch. Ella laughed from beside Harry; it was the first sound she had made in a while. She felt intrusive when they discussed the crew's past adventures.

"Go to sleep." Fin told him.

"I'm not drunk enough for that." Ike protested, trying to get back up, but Harry easily pushed him back down.

It took less than five minutes before Ike's soft snores were heard. Harry glanced at his blue-haired friend and nodded.

"I say we call it a night." Harry took Ella's hand, feeling the call of his warm bed in his trailer.

"All right. Good thing we decided to do this is his trailer." Brad pointed to Ike, asleep on the couch.

"Yeah, are you two good staying in Lauren's trailer?" He asked.

"Yes, and I'm fine with Fin. Now, go to bed. Ella, make sure he makes it there." Lauren opened the door for them and Ella led Harry into the cool night air.

"Come on, honey, let's get you to bed." Ella held him tight and walked him to his trailer.

Harry had never been so thankful to have Ella with him. She guided him inside his trailer and helped him find the bed. He attempted to pull off his trainers, but he couldn't manage after having so many glasses of whiskey.

"Harry, what are we going to do about you?" Ella laughed softly, helping him get his shoes off. She clearly hadn't had more than one or two drinks and was nowhere near drunk, unlike Harry.

"I got drunk one time and Ginny told me I rambled a lot when I'm drunk. I always sleep it off though and sometimes I don't even get hung over." He closed his eyes, sprawled out on the bed.

"I'll check on you in the morning." He heard her turn to leave.

"No, stay with me." He patted the bed and opened his eyes, smiling. With a crooked smile, she obliged, taking off her shoes.

Wrapping the sheets around them, Ella rested her head on his chest. "Tell me about her."

"Who?" His voice was hoarse.

"The reason you don't go back to Ginny right now, the girl you all toasted to back there. What was she like?"

After a moment of silence, Harry answered. "A lot like Lauren. Her smile would light up the room and she always had music playing, no matter where she was. I met her in London when I was wandering the streets, looking for a new life away from everything. She was my best friend. And she was so…"

He continued to tell Ella about those few months of his life and realized he would be able to tell Ginny. If Ella, his friend, could listen and accept it, then Ginny would be more than that. Much, much more.

***

Harry opened his eyes, feeling a heavy pressure on his arm. Yawning widely, he glanced over to see Ella looking up at him. She was in fresh clothes and smiled softly up at him.

"Morning." He managed, yawning again.

"Guess what today is?"

"Mm?" He looked at her lazily.

"This is the last leg of the tour. I perform at five and that's it."

Sitting up, Harry watched her carefully. She took his hands, looking directly in his eyes. He knew it was coming and he welcomed it with open arms.

"You stupid git! Get your arse back to London and get on your knees and explain in great detail that you are a stupid, stupid, pathetic man who doesn't deserve her!" With that, she slapped him across the face, leaving a stinging imprint of where her fingers had landed.

"Ow, did you have to hit me so hard?" He rubbed his cheek.

"Yes." She answered pointedly, climbing off the bed.

"Ella…"

"Harry." She turned and looked at him. "I knew from the very beginning you and Ginny were meant to be together. I've watched you two together and you have no idea how madly in love you two are."

"Then why did you go out with me for the past two months?"

Shrugging, she bent over and picked up her purse.

"Now, go and tell Ginny everything. Believe it or not, I think she'll understand."

"You're a great friend, Ella."

Ella smiled softly. "Does this mean we can stay friends?"

Harry nodded and she left without another word, leaving Harry at ease.

***

"Hey, Dudley, it's your song!" Piers held onto the ball as Peter turned up the radio.

"Here's the song that started it all, Everything's Magic by Sky."

Dudley smiled as the song began to stream from the speakers. "He must live an incredible life."

"He's dating Ella Avens right now. He was engaged to Ginny Weasley, but they broke up."

"Peter, you are the queerest person I know."

"Shove off, Jude."

Dudley took the basketball from Piers and took a shot, just making it. It was a quiet Saturday; he and his three roommates were out playing basketball, making plans to hit up the parties downtown that night. Dudley wondered if he should visit his parents instead; his dad had had a heart attack last month and hadn't been doing well. He debated with himself as he scooped up the ball and went back to his friends, gathered around the radio.

"Sky Potter is going to rule the world." Jude flicked back his blond hair, looking at his friends.

"What'd you say?" Dudley asked, dropping the ball.

"Sky Potter is going to rule the world?"

"Is that his name?"

Peter rolled his eyes and Jude shook his head. "I'm no chick, but I at least turn on the telly every now and again."

"Television's bad for you. I wasted my whole childhood in front of one." Dudley chuckled, remembering the size he was as a boy. He had stuck to his work-out plan and diet vigorously since Harry had left and he was now much more muscle than fat.

"Sky's real name is Harry Potter."

Piers looked sharply at Dudley whose eyes had gone wide. He couldn't believe it; his idol was really Harry? Suddenly a chuckle was heard from behind them. They turned to see an auburn-haired man in sunglasses. He wore his jeans low and had on a leather jacket, shielding him from the cold. They all instantly knew who he was. Especially Dudley.

"Harry?"

***

Harry had no idea why he was standing on the basketball court, looking at his no longer fat cousin, Dudley and his friends. After Ella had left he had debated what he should do and decided to clear his head. So he came to Surrey.

"Hey, Big D." He took off his sunglasses, and motioned towards the red Porsche he had been forced to drive. "Sorry, gentlemen, but I need to steal my cousin for a while." Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel, going to the car.

He slid inside and saw Dudley walking numbly towards him. He was curious as to what the Dursleys had been up to the past five years. Once Dudley had joined him in the passenger he started the car.

"So, how are you, Dudley?"

"I'm good. So, you're Sky?" He asked slowly.

Harry nodded. "Funny stuff happens after you fight in a war. I left England and went to America for four years." He scowled. "I changed everything, my looks, the way I spoke, walked, my body language; I taught myself how to become an entire new person."

"It must've been hard for you. Was…killing him, was that what made you leave?"

"No, I had a fight with Ginny. So, I went to clear my head in London. There I met someone. She was my best friend and knew everything, except for my magical side. She helped me pick out Ginny's engagement ring."

"What happened to her?"

Harry's jaw clenched and he started to speed up, flying down the street. "I left England. Then Ginny found me so I came back." He sighed. "And then Lauren came and brought it all back. I felt so guilty. You know I've hated every part of this tour I've been on."

Dudley's confused eyes went wide. "Why? You're incredible, everyone loves your music."

Harry laughed softly. "Are you a fan now, Dudders? I want to be at home with Ginny, flying my broom. I'm only doing this for her." He disregarded Dudley's cringe at the mention of flying on a broom.

"Then go. Why did you guys break-up? Wasn't she one of those red-headed freaks, sorry, friends of yours?"

"Yes, but I lied to her. It's stupid, really. But I couldn't stand it. She would be sympathetic and tell me it's not fault. I'm sick of people telling me that."

Suddenly the car came screeching to a halt and they were back at the basketball court where Dudley's friends were still gathered. Dudley seemed extremely uncomfortable with Harry venting on him.

"I needed to talk to someone who wouldn't pat me on the back and say it is okay." Harry murmured. "Thanks."

"Anytime. Are you going to stop by soon? Mum was actually worried about you."

A small smile formed on Harry's face; it was certainly an odd day for him. He was sharing his problems with Dudley and now Petunia was worried about him. A lot happens in five years.

Dudley got out of the car and waved at Harry. Driving away, Harry knew exactly where he was going. He pulled out his phone and called Kyle, telling him that he wouldn't be at the final performance that night.

A/N: Who'd of thought Dudley was good listener? Apparently you just need to scare him into silence :]

This was a very major step for Harry...guess what's next?