Nothing had changed for Harry in the following weeks besides the worrying looks he received from Mrs Weasley, Ron and her Hermione who didn't agree with his new hobby - going out.

He spent as little time as possible at The Burrow to avoid awkward conversations. This was easy due to his job in Diagon Alley in Quality Quidditch Supplies. He work 10 to 6 most days at the busy shop, it was temporary until he figured out the next step in his life but he enjoyed the work most of the time. And with this substantial paycheck, he would go to a muggle bar, socialise with random people and drink until he felt like going home.

"Oi Harry, it's your round."

"I'm on it Kev," he replied.

He had made a few muggle friends that he would see from time to time at his favourite muggle bar - O Flaherty's- an Irish bar that had live music every night and a regular crowd. Getting up from the table, he went to the bar and ordered the usual. He didn't even fully understand why he came here. All he knew was that he enjoyed being anonymous and normal.

"I was out the other night and snogged this blonde bird, 10 out of 10," Hutch bragged to the men. "You should have seen her." Hutch was a crazy, slightly off his rocker, man who spent every weekend out with his friends trying to "pull" women. It was very entertaining to watch him chat up the women in the bar with his chat up lines. Rarely they worked, and Harry would have to listen to him bragging.

"And did you get any further?" Kev asked already knowing the answer.

"Eh.. no.. she said she wasnt up for it," he admitted.

"Shock," Harry joked.

"Hey I could get a woman if I wanted!" Hutch promised. "I could get one tonight if I felt like it."

"Go on then, show us your skills," Kev instructed.

"Fine. Watch now students. The master can teach you a few worthwhile lessons," he declared, standing up and walking into the crowd by the bar. Harry and Kev looked at each other and laughed knowingly. Harry actually really enjoyed Kev's company. He was an honest man. He worked as a maintenance man in a local building and had a girlfriend who lived with him. He lived a normal life that involved working, his girlfriend, his friends and a single pint on a Friday night.

"How do you think he will do?" Harry asked.

"You already know the answer to that," he chuckled. An hour went by before Hutch returned claiming he would try again later as he didn't fancy anyone present and a finer bunch of women would be there later into the evening. They continued the evening insulting each other and laughing until Harry had seen a familiar face at the bar.

"Oh shit." Harry said ducking behind Kev.

"What's gotten into you mate?" Kev asked confused.

"I need to hide."

"From who?"

"Oh I know that look. You seen an ex bird haven't you?" Hutch speculated looking around the bar. "Where is she?"

"Its not a proper ex. Just a drunken kiss thing that was really pointless," Harry sighed. "I hope she doesn't notice me."

"Which one is she?" Kev asked.

"The leggy brunette by the end of the bar," Harry pointed out.

"Then what are you hiding from? She is hot and spicy!" Hutch gawked. The three of them stared at the girl wearing a purple tight dress, and she noticed, catching Harry's eye, she started walking briskly towards them. Harry walked to the door in a fluster, hoping that she hadn't followed him, sadly that had not been the case.

"Hey, you cant run away from me again Mr James!" She said loudly as he walked away. Sighing, he turned around to face her. The first thing he noticed was how tall she was, taller than he remembered, she was as tall as him with small heels on. She was also very attractive, but she still wasn't Harry's type. She was nearly too perfect. Her make up was perfect. There wasn't a hair out of place in her perfectly straight hair. Whats wrong with you? he asked himself. Complaining because she's too perfect?

"Um, hi Maria," he muttered looking at the ground.

"Hi? Thats all you got to say? HI?" she asked walking closer to him.

"I am sorry about the other night... Something came up," he lied shuffling his feet.

"Listen here James. I am not an unreasonable girl. And I am not pissed because you broke my heart. It was a bit of fun. I have been with a lot of men. A lot. But never have I ever been so disrespected by a man running away without no explanation after snogging me. So I want an explanation," she exclaimed.

"Well, I am really really sorry. It honestly wasnt you. I know that's typical. But... You see. Basically... I recently broke up with a girl and you were the first... since, you know... and I panicked," he confessed, looking up apologetically. Her expression softened.

"You could have just told me that instead of making me feel like a loser," she commented. "Fine. That's done. Problem solved. Now go buy me an 'Im sorry drink' inside," she instructed.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Oh.. Okay. Sure." Harry said, very confused by the situation, and opened the door to the busy bar, greeted by the warmth that was not present outside. He passed Kev and Hutch on his way to the bar and gave them a relieved thumbs up to which they replied with a clink of their two pints. He ordered himself a beer and Maria a cocktail while she talked all about how her friend was wasted and she had lost her twenty minuted prior. They walked back to find Kev standing alone staring at something as if he was watching the television.

"Kev this is Maria. Maria, this is Kev," Harry introduced, they both greeted each other but Kev looked awfully distracted.

"Where's loverboy?" Harry asked, taking a drink of his beer looking around the bar.

"He's actually found the girl he met the other night," he replied, gawking at Harry.

"You mean she is real?"

"Yeah. And hot," he gaped.

"Where is he?" Harry asked, unable to locate his cheeky friend. Kev pointed him out by the end of the bar. He was facing them, holding the waist of a petite girl with long blonde straight hair. Harry recognized her from the back but couldn't place her. He looked her up and down, Hutch's hands were on her small waist, his hands looked so large compared to her waist, she was wearing a long sleeved tight black dress that made her bum look good, but Harry quickly remembered Maria was beside him and he had already been horrible to her.

"Oh is that your friend?" Maria asked pointing to Hutch and his unknown woman.

"Sadly so," Kev replied. Harry was still frowning, waiting for the blonde to turn around.

"He's with my friend. I was looking for her everywhere!" Maria commented as Hutch began to guide the familiar woman back to the three of them.

"Maeve." Harry stated.

"Yeah how did you know James?" she asked.

"James?" Kev asked, "He's Harry?"

"Harry? What?"

But Harry was transfixed on the woman walking towards him, who he had not seen since she was a girl. She had not caught his eye yet, she was laughing at something Hutch had said as he guided her towards them, his hand still on her waist. She looked so different. Not like the scruffy Maeve that was covered in dirt. Her hair, it was so straight. Her body, it was fuller. She was wearing make up, and dark purple lip stick... this was crazy.

"Would your ma liked if you talked to a lady like that," he heard that familiar accent as they approached. That accent hadn't change one bit. "Better mind yourself or I'll- Harry?" she stopped walking and stared, jaw dropped. They both just stared at each other in amazement and confusion for what felt like forever.

"Harry? What is this James?" Maria demanded.

"Harry you know Maeve?" Hutch asked curiously.

"HARRY!" Maeve exclaimed, snapping out of her gaze. "Harry! Oh my God Harry! HARRY!" She ran towards him, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist, kissing him repeatedly on his face. Harry just kept uncontrollably laughing, the kind of laugh that made you forget every single bad thing that ever happened to you. The kind of laugh that could scare a dementor away.

"Merlin," Harry exclaimed, hugging her so tightly. "Maeve MacKenna, I cant believe it," Harry marvelled, pulling away to look at the girl.

"Wait? What the hell is going on?" Maria interjected, snapping Harry out of his trance.

"Maeve and I were neighbours for years," Harry answered, still looking at Maeve in disbelief. "I havent seen her in nearly teen years."

"Wait? So you're the girl Hutch snogged?" Kev asked, she nodded, winking at Hutch.

"And you're Maria's friend?" She nodded. "And Maria snogged Harry?" Maeve just replied with a pointed look at Maria.

"You told me your name was James?" Maria protested.

"James?" Maeve replied, leaning an arm on Harry's shoulder pointing at him. "This guy here? He's Harry- Fucking- Potter. The one and only duuuuude."

"She is wasted." Hutch pointed out.

"Hold on," Kev interupted. "So Harry and Maeve were friends. But Hutch snogged Maeve. Who is best friends with Maria. Who snogged Harry. But Harry told her he was James. And Harry didn't know Maeve was Hutch's new woman... This is so odd," Kev pointed out, trying to make sense of this whole situation.

"I ain't Hutch's woman," Maeve said, shaking her finger at him. "I am an independent woman who don't need no man."

"Maeve," Harry gushed, still in disbelief. "I honestly can't believe I found you. Look at you," he gawked, "You look so different."

"Its called puberty my four eyed friend. Sure look at yourself, you got some bum fluff on your chin and everything!" She slurred.

"Where were you? How's Donal?" He asked curiously, excited to finally have answers.

"Oh I love this song! Let's get a drink!" She announced, turning on her heels dancing to the bar. She slapped a man on the back as she ordered another drink. Harry looked at the rest of the group, for the first time really since seeing Maeve. They were all looking very shocked and confused. But Maria looked angry. He couldnt blame her really. He had snogged her and ran, then try to avoid her, and lie about his name on top of that. Hutch was still looking at Maeve's ass at the bar, like all his Christmas's had came at once.

"Oh no." Maria sighed. "She's too drunk. She has to go home." He looked back at the blonde girl, who was now sitting on the bar doing shots with the man she apparently knew. While trying to get down, she fell flat on her face. Something that would have been funny had her nose not been bleeding. They all quickly moved to help her up, while she laughed hysterically.

"How much has she drank?" Harry asked, putting her arm around his shoulder.

"I have know idea, she has been out since four I think," she answered, looking slightly disgusted at her best friend.

"Four? Thats eight hours ago?" Hutch commented.

"I'll take her home," Harry decided.

"You sure? I can take her back?" Hutch added. They all gave him a pointed look. "Hey? Im not that low."

"Im sure.. I'll see you guys later, and I am sorry Maria." he admitted, she simply shrugged with a look of contempt written all over her face. Harry picked Maeve up and walked out into the chilly night. The streets were busy with people from the local bars and nightclubs pouring out into the street.

"Maeve, where do you live?"

"Straight down and to the left. 3rd floor," she giggled. "Harold you can put me down, I am capable of walking."

"No your not. Now be quiet." He ordered. She sighed and started to close her eyes. He couldn't believe what had happened. This girl had just showed up again. He had accepted that he would never see her again, there paths would never again cross. But she had changed drastically. Her make up, her hair. She always did have a bit of a wild side, but he never thought she would end up being the type of girl who spent her days in a bar drinking.

"Here's my lovely home," she announced interupting his thoughts. "The blue door," she mumbled, taking out her keys. He helped her get up the flights of stairs and opened up her apartment door. It was small, and messy. He guided her in silently.

"Ugh I hate ma shoooeess," she whined, trying to take off her heels.

"Come on. Bed." He ordered, she made a face and headed for her bedroom. He sat her down on her bed and took off her shoes for her before tucking her in. "My god MacKenna. Where did you come from?"

"Ireland. The land of the brave," she said dramatically.

"I thought I would never see you again," he muttered to himself as she began to drift off. "I didn't know if you were even alive. You've missed so much."

"I know, but I read about you," she slurred, her eyelids dropping, heavier and heavier.

"What?" Harry asked confused.

"Harry Potter- Our Hero..." she muttered .

"What? Maeve what do you mean?" It was too late, she was already snoring. Our Hero?... he thought. No. She couldn't be? He got up and searched her apartment looking for a sign, some piece of evidence to back up his theory. A wand? Robes? Cauldron? Nothing. She must have been talking nonsense, she was very drunk, probably didn't know what she was even saying. Tiredly, he conjured a blanket and lied down on her sofa, the excitement of the night wearing off and tiredness kicking in. He had just began to drift off when he heard a knock.

But it wasn't the door.

It was a dark brown owl, waiting at the window.

Thanks for all the feedback! I really hope you enjoyed reading so far. There's a lot more to come. Please let me know what you thought, or what you think is going to happen.