1A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I had this chapter ready so I figured I would go ahead and post it tonight as well. Enjoy!

********************************************************************************************************

Chapter six: meetings and moving

The next morning, Harry awoke early. He had a difficult time sleeping last night. He knew that today he would have to go back to the Dursley's house one final time. And then he had his meeting with Dudley. Why did Dudley want to see him? 'There's only one way to find out', he said to himself as he rolled out of bed.

Once he was up and dressed, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. Ginny was already seated at the table and when he entered she looked up and smiled at him.

'Morning sleepy head', she said playfully.

'Morning', said Harry. He couldn't help but notice that she looked beautiful in the mornings. I could get used to his, he thought.

'Where is everyone?', he asked, looking around and noticing that they were the only ones in the room. Usually at this time in the morning the kitchen was bustling with activity.

'Mum and Hermione went to Diagon Alley to do some shopping and George and Ron went into the shop early this morning. I think Dad's out in the shed tinkering with something', answered Ginny. 'Aren't you going to the Dursley's this morning?', she asked.

'Yeah, I should really get going', said Harry, grabbing a piece of toast from the table. 'Don't want to keep them waiting, I'm sure they're looking forward to seeing me', he added sarcastically.

'Just go in, get your things and leave', said Ginny. 'You'll never have to see them again after that. Do you need any help?', she asked.

'No, this is really something I should do on my own', said Harry. 'I'll see you in a little bit', he added, snatching another piece of toast and leaning down to give Ginny a quick kiss.

'Just be careful', said Ginny. 'And don't do anything stupid', she added as Harry walked out the door and headed toward the apparition point.

A moment later, Harry was standing on the doorstep to Number Four Privet Drive. Looking around he saw that nothing seemed to have changed. All the houses on Privet Drive were as neat as ever with their perfectly manicured lawns and shiny cars in the driveways. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A moment later it was wrenched open by his uncle.

'Get in here boy', growled Vernon Dursley. 'Before the neighbors see', he added as Harry stepped into the house. Harry's eyes automatically found the cabinet under the stairs where he was forced to sleep until he found out he was a wizard. He never told Ginny or the other Weasley's the full extent of what the Dursley's had put him through. He was pulled from his thoughts by the door snapping shut behind him.

'So, where are my things?', asked Harry, turning around to face his uncle.

Without saying a word, Vernon pushed passed Harry and opened the door to the cabinet under the stairs and stooped inside it. A moment later he emerged holding a small box which he shoved into Harry's arms. Harry peered inside the box and saw that it mostly contained some old copies of The Daily Prophet he had left behind along with some old quills and the Gryffindor house banner he had hanging on his bedroom wall.

'This is what I had to come all the way here for?', asked Harry, looking up at his uncle. 'You could have just thrown all this out.'

'Who knows what could have happened to us if we had thrown that stuff out. What if someone saw it. How would we explain that?', growled Vernon. Harry could see the vain in his forehead starting to pulse.

'I'll just be going then', said Harry, exasperated. 'Thanks for keeping my things', he added sarcastically, holding up the box.

He took one more look around number four and walked out the door, vowing to never go there again and headed down the street to find a safe place to apparate to London to meet Dudley. He passed a rubbish bin on his way and tossed the box inside. He found an empty alleyway and pulled out his wand, turning on the spot.

Once in London, he made his way to the café Dudley had indicated in his note. He found him sitting at a table outside, staring blankly into a cup of tea.

'Hey Dudley', said Harry.

Dudley looked up from his tea at the sound of Harry's voice. 'Oh, hey Harry. I didn't think you would come', said Dudley.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Dudley said, 'Have a seat. I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you to meet me here.'

'The thought had crossed my mind', said Harry, giving an awkward laugh.

'I wanted to thank you', said Dudley, looking Harry in the eye.

'Thank me for what?', asked Harry after ordering a cup of tea from the waiter who had came by the table.

'For keeping us safe last year. They told us what you did before we went home', said Dudley.

'I had to do it. No mater how your parents treated me', said Harry. 'I knew that he would come looking for you for information about me. He would have tortured you, all of you.'

There was a moment's silence. 'I'm sorry', blurted Dudley. Harry gave him a questioning look. 'I'm sorry for the way my parents treated you, for how I treated you', he continued. 'You didn't deserve it.'

'Thanks Dudley', said Harry, surprised. Whatever he had expected Dudley to say, this wasn't it. 'You seem different', he added.

'While we were in hiding last year, I had a lot of time to think. Time to reflect back on our time growing up', said Dudley. 'It's not fair. You never deserved to be treated that way.'

'I don't know what to say', said Harry.

'I was kind of hoping that we could be friends', said Dudley, turning red and looking down into his cup of tea once more.

Harry was stunned. Never in a million years would he have guessed that he would be sitting here having this conversation with Dudley.

'I'd like that', said Harry, surprising himself. 'I got my own flat here in London. I move in about a week. Once I get settled, maybe you can come over for dinner. I could introduce you to my girlfriend.'

'Let me give you my phone number', said Dudley. 'It's my mobile so you don't have to worry about mum or dad answering', he added noticing the look on Harry's face.

'I guess I'll have to get a phone then', said Harry. Seeing the confused look on Dudley's face he added, 'We don't need them in our world. I'll show you what I mean sometime.'

The rest of the afternoon passed with pleasant conversation. By the time it was time to leave, Harry couldn't believe he enjoyed himself as much as he did. He and Dudley shook hands and said their good-byes before going their separate ways. In the alleyway once more he looked around to make sure no one was watching and turned on the spot, reappearing in the back garden of the Burrow.

He looked up to see Ginny rushing out into the back garden from inside the house.

'Where have you been', she asked, slightly out of breath. 'You've been gone for hours. We've been worried sick.'

'Lost track of time', said Harry.

'What have you been doing all this time?', asked Ginny.

'Had tea with Dudley', he replied. 'He's really changed, Gin. I asked him to dinner once I get settled in my new place. I want you to be there', he added.

'That's great Harry. I'm glad you guys were able to get past your differences', said Ginny, smiling at him. 'Now come on. You're just in time for dinner.'

One week later Harry was finally moving into his new flat.

'How many more boxes are there?', asked Ron, wiping sweat off his brow.

'Ronald', said Hermione reproachfully. 'Stop complaining. You're supposed to be helping a friend.'

'I am helping!', said Ron defensively. 'I just didn't know he had this many things.'

'I never used to', said Harry, setting down one end of the couch he and George just carried in. 'Ginny made me go shopping. '

'I just don't understand why we can't move all this stuff in using magic', said Ron, groaning and flopping down on said couch.

'Because Ron', said Hermione, exasperated. 'This is a muggle community. It would look rather odd if you started levitating furniture up the stairs', she added, rolling her eyes.

'This is the last of it', said Ginny slightly breathless, setting down a rather large box.

'I'm never moving again', said Harry, flopping down on the couch next to Ron.

'Ron, we really must be going', said Hermione. 'We still have to get cleaned up so we can make it on time.'

'Where are you two lovebirds off to?', asked George.

Both Ron and Hermione turned red. 'We're leaving to get Hermione's parents tonight. We have to catch a portkey from the Ministry', said Ron.

'I almost forgot', said Ginny.

'Yes, yes, well, we mustn't be late', said Hermione nervously, wringing her hands together.

'It'll be fine, Hermione', said Harry for what felt like the hundredth time that week. Every time someone mentioned their trip to Australia, Hermione became flustered. 'They'll understand once you explain everything', he added.

'Thanks Harry', said Hermione. 'Come on Ron', she added, grabbing him by the hand and heaving him off the sofa.

'We'll see you when we get back', said Hermione. 'Harry, can we apparate directly from here?', she asked.

'Yeah, I haven't put up any wards yet', he answered. 'Have a safe trip.'

'Thanks', she said as she gripped Ron's arm and turned on the spot, disappearing with a loud 'crack'.

'I must be going as well', announced George. 'Made a batch of Fever Fudge earlier that should be ready for packaging. See ya!', and with that, he was gone.

'Finally', said Ginny, flopping herself down on the sofa next to Harry. 'I thought they'd never leave.'

'And why's that?', asked Harry with a mischievous grin.

'Well you see, my boyfriend just got his own place and I was kind of looking forward to some quality snogging time', she said playfully.

'Is that so?', he asked. 'Well then, you better get over here', he added as he pulled her onto his lap making her laugh. He silenced her with a kiss and soon they were tangled up in each other.

A bit later, Harry reluctantly broke their snogging session and said a bit breathlessly, 'You should be heading home.'

Ginny groaned. 'Do I have too?',she asked.

'I'm afraid so', he said. 'You don't want to get in trouble.'

'I am of age you know', said Ginny indignantly.

'I know Gin. But you still live with your parents and you know your mum would go spare if you didn't come home tonight', said Harry.

'I guess you're right', she said.

'Don't think that I don't want you to stay', said Harry. 'Because I really do.'

'I know Harry. I just wish I could wake up in your arms for once', said Ginny, looking at her feet.

'It will happen', said Harry. 'I promise. Just not right now.' Besides, I don't know if I could control my self with you in my bed, he added in his head.

'All right, but I'll come over tomorrow to help you unpack', she said, giving him a kiss. 'I love you', she added.

'I love you too', said Harry. 'Now, get out of here before I change my mind.'

She gave him one more kiss and turned on the spot, leaving Harry alone for the first time in his new flat.

Harry woke up the next morning to someone knocking on this front door. He felt around on this night table for a moment before he located his glasses. Putting them on he sat on his bed for a moment trying to bring the room into focus as the knocking on his front door became more insistent. Groggily he shuffled to the front door clad only in his boxers trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes. When he opened the door, he came face to face with a very annoyed looking redhead.

'What took you so long?', she asked. 'I tried apparating into the flat but instead I wound up out here.'

'Oh, yeah. I set up my protective wards last night before I went to bed', he said. 'Can never be too careful', he added as he opened the door wider to allow her to enter.

'I brought you some breakfast', said Ginny holding up a brown paper bag. 'Mum insisted.' She moved into the kitchen to set the bag on the counter. Opening the fridge she added, 'and seeing that you have nothing in here I can see why.'

Harry laughed. 'I did just move in you know.'

'I know, but you know how mum is.'

'So, what brings you by so early?', asked Harry, leaning down to give her a kiss. 'I know you didn't come all the way out here just to bring me breakfast.'

'I did promise to help you unpack all this stuff', said Ginny, gesturing to the boxes stacked around the room and pulling a muffin out of the paper bag and handing it to Harry.

'Let me go get dressed and we can get started', he said around a mouth full of muffin.

'Why?', asked Ginny, walking around the counter and rubbing her hand up his bare chest. 'I happen to like the way you're currently dressed.'

'Ginny', groaned Harry. 'You really shouldn't do that', he warned.

'Why?', Ginny teased.

'Because I'm not sure if I can control myself if you keep it up', he said, looking down into her eyes.

Ginny's face split into a mischievous grin. 'What if I don't want you to control yourself?', she asked teasingly.

'Ginny', warned Harry again.

'Fine, fine. I'll be good', said Ginny in defeat, removing her hand from his chest and moving back behind the kitchen counter. 'This time', she added under her breath as Harry walked back into his bedroom to dress.

When he returned, Ginny was already busy unpacking the first box.

'Are you nervous about tomorrow?', Ginny asked him when he walked into the room.

'A bit. My first day as an Auror. I expect most of the day will be spent filling out mounds of paperwork though. Hermione told me that's all she did her first day', said Harry.

Once all the boxes were unpacked, Harry turned to Ginny and asked, 'Want to grab a quick bite to eat? There's this great little restaurant a few blocks from here.'

'Sure', she replied, setting the last picture frame on the mantel over the fireplace.

'Let me just go get my wallet', said Harry.

While Harry was gone, she took a moment to look over the flat. It wasn't much but now that everything was unpacked it was starting to feel like a home, although she knew it wouldn't stay this neat for long. There was a black leather sofa against the one wall with a huge flat screen TV on the opposite wall above the fireplace (both of which Harry absolutely insisted on when they went shopping). On the mantle were pictures of Harry's parents along with the members of the original Order, Teddy with his vibrant hair waving up to the camera, Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts and various pictures of Harry and her. The kitchen was small but off to the side was a door leading to the small balcony overlooking the busy streets of London.

'You ready?', Harry asked from behind her.

'Lets go', said Ginny.

********************************************************************************************************

A/N: I love hearing what you guys have to say so please review!!!!! :)