Everyone made their way to the kitchen. Harry didn't notice Hermione and Ron had wedding rings on. He was saddened to miss his two best mates' wedding. Cassandra sat next to Harry and smelled the delicious food.

"I normally prepare food with magic, but I figured that you two needed some time alone I would prepare the food the Muggle way."

"What's Muggle again? Sorry, Hermione."

"No, it's quite alright. A Muggle is someone who doesn't have or believe in any magical powers or the magical world in general. It's not a demeaning term…I'm Muggle-born…meaning my parents do not have any magical powers but I inherited powers from a distant ancestor."

"So, you're saying powers can be inherited? Do I have magical ancestry?"

"I doubt it."

"So, Harry, where did you go? You just ran without telling us, your mates, where you were going." Ron interrupted. Cassandra could feel the tension within Ron building.

"Ron, I felt like I had no choice. This whole war was my fault. I was the one who lived and Voldemort was after me."

"But, you just abandoned us! Many people have lost their lives!"

"Ronald!" Hermione shot another warning glare. "That doesn't matter now. All that matters is that he is here."

"Ron, it kills me to this day that I have made so many wrong decisions and there is no way to change things."

"Look, I'm sorry for blowing up at you and whatnot. Hey, let's look on the Brightside of things. Like, how did you meet Cassandra?"

"Quite a funny story about that."

FLASHBACK

After spending many years in hiding and failing to find the final Horcrux, Harry decided to create a new identity and distance himself from the wizarding world. He wanted to forget anything and everything in his past. After settling in Atlanta, Georgia, he lived his life like any ordinary Muggle male. One night Harry decided to go to a club to relieve the stress and guilt of running away.

Cassandra Moore was having a girl's night out with one of her friends, Kim. She was single and loving it. On the previous days they joked about wearing gold to the club. She knew she looked fierce in her gold tunic dress, gold heels, and gold accessories. Everything was going great until her friend Kim wanted to dance thus leaving Cassandra all by herself.

"Aye yo you!" she heard some random wannabe thug in a tall T-shirt and gold in his mouth hitting on her. "Where you from?"

"Here…."she said coldly.

"You actin' all quiet. I'm just tryin' to show you a good time…."

She desperately wanted this man to get away from her because his breath smelled and he reeked of marijuana. She knew he was going to be one of those guys that would follow her throughout the club.

"I'm good. My boyfriend is making sure I'm having a good time."

"You're one dem females that say that shit to scare men away."

Cassandra rolled her eyes, slid off the stool, and walked around. She knew that same man was chasing after her. She had to think of another excuse. Suddenly she saw a man sitting by himself drinking a beer. Harry didn't really think this was his scene but decided to stay. As he ordered a beer he noticed that he looked out of place in the club. He wondered how a place like this would be in the wizarding world. Harry saw a woman coming towards his direction.

"Baby, I'm having such a good time…."

"What? You have the wrong person."

"Play along…."

"This your boyfriend?" Harry looked at the man and then at the strange woman who made pleading eyes.

"Yeah, I am. Sweetheart, I was looking for you but I figured you fancied dancing." Harry placed his arm around her waist. The annoying guy left her alone. Harry still had his arm around her waist.

"Okay, you can let go now."

"What's the matter, love?"

"Don't 'love' me. I just did that to get rid of that dude."

"Well, he's gone…fancy a drink?"

"I don't fancy anything. How can I trust you? You could be a rapist for all I know."

"Well, something made you trust me enough to walk towards me." Harry saw her slowly starting to agree with him.

"Fine. But I swear if you do anything suspicious I do know a couple of my cousins that would fuck your ass up." Cassandra saw the man chuckle but she held her stern face to let him know she was serious. His smile faded a bit.

"I'm Harry by the way."

"Cassandra."

Harry bought Cassandra a drink and the two sat there and in the awkward silence being filled with music. Harry thought there was something about Cassandra that he liked but he couldn't figure out why. Cassandra still didn't know why she felt like she could trust Harry. It was very out of character for her to pick a random stranger and pretend to be his girlfriend. She heard Harry speak.

"Oh, our drinks arrived." he took his beer and let her get her drink.

"So, where are you from, Harry."

"Where do you think I'm from?"

"Uh…England…."

"Good guess. What gave it away?" he cheekily grinned before sipping his beer.

"Ha-ha…a smartass. Do the English always give a person sarcasm?"

"Do Americans always have to challenge a person's statement?"

"Not all…just me."

As time went on the two talked for the next hour. They talked about various subjects ranging from music to politics to England vs. America. Cassandra felt comfortable around Harry even though this was the first time they have ever met. It alarmed her greatly. She noticed her friend, Kim, was walking towards them to check up on her. Before the night ended, they exchanged phone numbers and bid each other goodnight.

END FLASHBACK

"Wow, what happened after that night?" Ron was totally engrossed in the story.

"I called Cassandra the next week. It was really weird. She thought I was mad and she tried to brush me off at first…."

"But then I had my friend Kim talk me into going out on a date with you, and here we are." she stared dreamily into her husband's eyes.

"Sorry we put you in the middle of this, Cassandra." Hermione apologetic eyes fell upon her.

"I'm still confused right now, but maybe…maybe I just need to rest and let this all sink in."

Dinner was over and Harry decided that the two of them needed to rest. Hermione suggested that they sleep in the guest room for tonight. Also, she gave Cassandra spare pajamas and bid them goodnight. Harry sat on the edge of the bed while Cassandra went to the splash her face with water.

"Cassandra, I'm really sorry for not telling you about this…all of this sooner."

"Harry, I'm really upset right now. I mean, were you ever going to tell me?"

"No…." he said in a defeated tone. "Would you have believed me? Would you believe that there was a wizarding world and that there was a school for people like me?"

"Don't you dare make yourself to be the victim! I almost died because you didn't think to divulge the fact that from the day we met you had magical powers. You would rather have me believe that you slept with someone else than tell me the truth!"

"And how was I supposed to tell you…'honey, we need some milk from the store and by the way I have magical powers'…you would've thought I was mad."

"Fine. I would've told you to seek professional help, but I think it runs a lot deeper than you thinking I would have you committed."

"What are you talking about?"

"You feel guilty…you feel guilty for running away. I can see it in your eyes. It makes sense now. Anything that reminded you of your escape your eyes would glaze over…they have that same look now." she caressed his pale cheek.

"Cassandra, I was in Gryffindor. We were supposed to be proud and never excepted defeat. I ran away like a coward."

"Harry, from what I've heard so far, you escaped because it was too much pressure. You are the key to whether Muggles like me and the Muggle-born live. You were just a kid and you had a very adult decision to make. That is why you distanced yourself from the wizarding world."

"It's sorta scary how you know me completely."

"I did marry your ass." she gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. She tried to stifle her yawn.

"Tired?"

"A bit…you?"

"Nah, but I'll be okay. I'll just watch you sleep."

"Okay. Harry?"

"Yes?"

"Could you just hold me…please?"

Harry slid further into bed as he laid down beside Cassandra. He wrapped his strong arms around her torso. Cassandra could feel Harry's heart pounding in his chest. She didn't want to imagine what it would be like if that heart stopped beating and his limbs cold.