Chapter nineteen

The next couple of weeks Harry got Dennis into a routine, duelling, interrogation, springing laws at him at random times or sometimes surprise attacks and thought he would make an excellent auror. The rest of the aurors had finally started to help with Dennis' training and he had gone out in the field with some of the others, mainly to observe, but he knew what he had to do if something dangerous happened.

Harry and Susie had spent only one night together, Harry got the feeling Susie was starting to think of her future, so he expected to hear her tell him that she had finally met someone she wanted to get serious with. Even though Harry knew it wasn't really any of his business, he just wanted Susie happy, so Harry just hoped she found someone that loved her, that suited her personality and could handle her working hours.

Harry had been invited to the Burrow for dinner for the first time since he's split from Ginny and he got to speak with Lee Jordon. Ginny apologised to Harry for lying to her family and they were now being friendly, after the first initial awkwardness that was, Harry enjoyed his time at the Burrow, like he always did. But while he was there, he watched all the couples and everyone there were with someone, except him and wondered if he would ever find someone to love and could he trust that they felt real feelings for him and not for who he was. Then Harry thought maybe he might end up alone, maybe it was his destiny to be alone and if Harry was honest with himself, he hoped that wasn't the case. Harry always wanted a family, wife and kids, but he wasn't sure that was going to happen.

Over the next couple of months, Dennis was surprising everyone and was the only person that ended up getting Harry on his back during duelling practice, he only did it once, but the others never let Harry forget it. Susie had come to Harry and told him she had met someone, but thanked him for their time together and his friendship which she wanted to continue, just without them having sex.

Ron and Hermione were planning their wedding, with Harry as best man and Ginny as bridesmaid, so they spent a lot of time together helping with the preparations, but of course Lee was with Ginny during these times. Hermione had fixed Harry up on a few dates with woman she knew, but those dates never went that well. Again, the woman seemed to want to date Harry because of who he was.

After spending the day with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Lee to work on the wedding which was only a month away, Harry left to visit his parent's graves. He was sitting cross legged in front of his parent's headstones talking quietly to them when he heard crying. He looked towards his right and saw a young woman lying across a fresh grave. Harry looked around, when he didn't see any muggles, he conjured a small packet of tissues then stepped over to the woman.

'Here,' Harry said holding out the tissues.

The woman sniffed and looked up, 'Thanks, my parent's, they were killed in a car crash.'

'I'm sorry, I was visiting my parents graves.'

'Thank you for the tissues Mr…' she held out her hand and Harry shook it.

'Potter, Harry Potter.'

'Cathy Cooper.'

'I'll leave you to your visit,' Harry nodded then went back over to his parents graves, sat down and started talking quietly to them.

'Sorry, but you must have been young when they died.'

Harry looked up and saw the woman, 'Yeah, I was just over a year old,' Harry realised she must be a muggle, her parents died in a car crash and she didn't know who he was, 'They were murdered in their home.'

'That's terrible, do you have brothers or sisters?'

'No, I was an only child, what about you?'

'Same, only child, but I didn't mean to disturb you, so I'll leave you to your visit. I just wanted to say thanks.'

'Actually I was just finished. You look like you could do with a drink, I know I could, how about I shout you one?'

'I'd like that, thank you Harry.'

Harry led the way up into the town of Godric's Hollow and into the small pub. He brought them both drinks and they sat down and started talking. Neither Harry nor Cathy realised how long they talked for until they both realised it was dinner time. So they decided to have dinner because both of them didn't want to night to finish.

A few days later, after Harry finished work, Harry stepped into the Hogshead and over to the bar.

'Any chance we can talk Ab?'

'Sure, go through, I'll be in soon.'

Harry nodded and went through to the back and into Aberforth's pub. He gave Arianna a smile, sat on the sofa and stared into the fireplace.

'So what's up this time Harry, more trouble with Ginny?'

'No, that's all sorted and she realised she never loved me either. She's dating Lee Jordon, who used to commentate our quidditch games when I first started playing quidditch at Hogwarts.'

'It's good she realised, so what's up.'

'I met someone and we've had a couple of dates.'

'So what's the problem?'

'She's a muggle, has no idea who I am or about our world. It never once occurred to me I would date a muggle and I'm not sure if I should keep it going or not. I still have a lot of threats against me, I don't want her caught up in that.'

'No, so if you do want to keep seeing her you might have to explain, but not too soon. Now how in the name of merlin did you meet a muggle?'

'At my parent's grave, I was visiting them when I heard someone crying. She was there crying over her parents graves who'd just died in a car crash. I gave her some tissues, then she noticed the date on my parents graves. We got talking, ended up down in the local pub to have a drink, then had dinner because neither of us wanted the night to end. Do you know how other couples work that out when one is a muggle and the other is magical?'

'The ones I knew just said it took a lot of talking and compromise. Some couples would have the house rigged up to take muggle gadgets because that's how they grew up some go with a magical home. I only knew of a few instances where it's happened, takes a lot to work it out, but if your both determined and your feelings are strong enough then they believe it's worth putting in the extra effort,' Aberforth stared at Harry, 'You really like her don't you Harry?'

'Yeah, I do, that's why I'm concerned about all this. I can't keep my life a secret from her, people in Godric's Hollow know who I am, even if the muggles don't, so she might notice.'

'The only thing I can say Harry is see how she feels about you, if you think this relationship might work, then you'll have to tell her. Not just because she might notice how you keep getting recognised, but it would be safer and she might see magic happening.'

'Yeah,' Harry stared back into the fireplace, 'It might shock her to hear about all this. I'm seeing her tomorrow night and I would like to introduce her to all my friends, but she would need to know about our world first.'

'Yes she would, so I say give it another couple of weeks and if your feelings for each other grow or you know they will, then tell her. But I would take it slow on showing her magic and explain how it's all kept secret from the muggle world.'

'Yeah, that secrecy act, but at least people like Hermione can tell her immediate family and if Cathy and I end up together, she has to know all that. See at first I did think of trying to keep it all from her, but then I thought of the danger and how often I get recognised and spoken to when I'm out, so I know I can't. If this doesn't work I know I could get the obliviators to take care of it and I hate the fact it would need to be done.'

'Yes, but it would, you know the law more than I do Harry. So I say go home and seriously think about this. But at least you know this law doesn't stop you seeing her, and she might be the one, the one that you are meant to be with. At least you know she wants to see you because she likes you, not because of who you are.'

'Yeah, that's the good thing about this, I do know she likes me for me and not the blasted saviour. Anyway, thanks Ab, it helps talking things over with you,' Harry shook the old barman's hand.

'Anytime and if you do stay with her, bring her to meet me.'

Harry smiled, 'First on the list Ab, thanks,' Harry left the pub and headed home, but after a shower, he got into bed and all he thought about was Cathy, now he had to work out what to do about her and if they could have a lasting relationship.