When Harry was in Hogwarts, he only thought of what he had to do. There was never any real plan, never methodical thinking about what to do next, and never a worry about his own health. All that mattered to Harry in the end was that the job was done, and the world was rid of Tom Riddle.

Come to the present day, after he was ambushed, Harry started to realize that he had a life to live. Something to look forward to. His friends, most importantly his closest friends, Hermione Granger, Luna Neville, and now more and more importantly by the day, Padma.

Harry quickly realized how much it had scared Padma to hear that he had gotten into that situation, and even went as far as to apologize to the poor man she screamed bloody murder to at the ministry. Harry still knew he was the main man in the wizarding world. With proper training he was becoming the best Auror in the ranks, and probably moving up the ranks as one of the strongest wizards in Great Britain. It certainly wasn't going to his head, he honestly didn't want the title, but he knew he would have to take it.

The most important thing he needed to figure out was how to keep himself as safe as possible, and his friends as safe as possible. He knew that he would always be a target, and that anyone around him would certainly be a target as well. He didn't want to lose anyone else anymore, he was tired of it. Planning for the future was first and foremost on Harry Potters mind, and he was not going to let it slip away.

About a week had passed since Harrys little skirmish and he had quickly taken to protecting his flat, as well as Hermiones and Padmas as well. Ward after ward was put up on all three flats, covering them completely and giving as much security as they could get. It wasn't like the group was ever apart anymore. The three had becoming very tight, with Padma and Harry quickly growing closer, going as far as showing public displays of affection. Holding hands, hugging and kissing all part of it.

Hermione pulled Padma away one day at training. "I am really glad that you and Harry are getting along so well. I am so happy for the two of you. But don't you think that the two of you would want more time together alone? I know we are all close, but if you ever need me to leave, please let me know…"

Padma smiled as she saw where this was going. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable with Hermione being there, not in the least. She sincerely enjoyed the company of the other witch, and while Harry hadn't said anything one way or the other about Hermione being there, she was sure that he was fine with it, even if to know that she was safe at all times.

By the end of Hermiones little speech Padma was smiling widely. "While I do appreciate your concern Hermione, we are definitely quite fine with having you around whenever and wherever you want. Harry and I aren't even technically official yet, though I would expect that its going to come shortly, but I sincerely think of you as a close friend, more so by the day, and we both know about how Harry feels about you, I doubt he would ever kick you out of anything.

The real question though…" As Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Is when are you going to find a real boyfriend?"

Hermione spit out the juice that she had been nursing all over the wall. "Wh-what are you talking about? I have Ron!"

Padma shrugged. "Honestly when was the last time you actually saw him?"

"I… I don't even remember honestly… Oh my God!" She smacked her head against the juice covered wall over and over while Padma smiled before stopping her.

"This isn't a bad thing, but I had figured you hadn't realized that you probably forgot about him completely since that incident with Ginny, and Ron always traveling for quidditch."

Hermione sighed. "You are completely right… I'm so stupid…"

Padma interrupted the other witch. "No you're not. I didn't realize it either until Harry brought it up one night when you had left before I did. Harry wants nothing more than to see you happy, and while your content right now, we both have noticed the slightly envious looks you have been giving the two of us."

Hermione blushed and went back to banging her head against the wall. "My god how stupid can I be. Im really sorry…"

Padma laughed and stopped Hermione again. "It is nothing to worry about at all, I just stated that we noticed it, and Harry feels bad, and so do I. Think about it this way. How long is it going to take for Ron to be finished with his career? And are you going to be handle it for that long?

Now quidittch was a bit of a nasty sport, and players didn't usually play past their mid thirties, but Ron was a keeper, and it was known that some could play until there later thirties or even until 40.

It was honestly just something Hermione had ever thought about. She just assumed that she and Ron would get married at some point. There relationship was stable, but was that because they didn't see each other as often as they saw each other in school? She would have liked to think that Ron had grown up a bit, and he had shown flashes of that when he and Harry spoke after the Ginny incident, but that was only one piece of evidence. Sure they spent time together, but it wasn't nearly as much as she would like, now that she thought about it.

"Honestly Padma I don't know. You have certainly given me a lot to think about that I haven't in the past, and I am grateful for that. Maybe Ron and I will talk over the holidays, hes due to be home for at least a few days. "

Padma smiled and nodded. "Both Harry and I just want you to be happy. Harry has always wanted that for you, and I am quickly becoming to think the same way. You're a great woman Hermione Granger, and you deserve to be treated that way."

It took a few days for the replys for the little meeting that Harry had planned to come through, and they did come, but not as many as Harry had hoped. Luna and Neville had replied yes of course, but the only other replies that Harry got were from Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Ernie Mcmillan, Terry Boot and George Weasley. There had been a lot of polite answers of no, or that people were interested but they were too busy, and a couple of no replies, Cho Chang or Michael Corner.

Harry was slightly disappointed by this, but certainly wasn't surprised. Others had moved on from those years of fighting, and just didn't want to deal with anything else. It wasn't they didn't like Harry Potter, they of course appreciated what he did for them, but Harry brought attention, a lot of it, and always at least a bit of danger.

Harry drew the so called short straw on where the party would be hosted, and it would be located at his flat. It was the biggest of the three of the flats, and Harry felt the most comfortable about letting other people over.

The night before was spent preparing for the guests to come over. Harry spent a majority of the time cooking. Snacks and appetizers were prepared to be picked at, and while there was no main meal to be had, the amount of food he prepared was pretty vast.

Hermione and Padma had spent time cleaning Harry up a bit, and buying a bit more furniture. If Harry was going to be a host for a party, he would need to be prepared for it, and if anyone knew how to get that done, it was two smart, intelligent women who adored Harry in their own ways.

It was also decided that both women would stay over the night and there would be a bit of a sleep over party on their own. The three had been working hard over the last couple of months since they were put together as a team, and it was certainly something that was well deserved.

A couple of bottles of wine were broken out, and glasses were filled while a bit of relaxing was had. There wasn't much to do for the three, but a night like this was just what they were looking for.

Looking back on that night there were realizations made by all three people there as they drank the evening away a bit.

For Harry, he had found someone that he could truly like, and someone who had figured out how he thought. Padma was able to almost read Harrys mind, and that was hard since he had pretty much learned how to shut down his mind so that no one would be able to break in. She didn't have to break in though, Harry would just open up to her. He would tell things that he would only have told Hermione or Ron in the past, and now only Hermione. Ginny he was never able to share those feelings. He didn't think that she could handle it. He realized that what Ginny wanted was Harry Potter the boy who lived, the man who conquered, not Harry Potter, a slightly depressed, determined young man, that was going to make the best out of his life.

For Padma, the beginning was just like Harry. She had found someone that she could trust, and someone that she would like to date. Harry wasn't pushy to say the least, and Padma was almost leading where the relationship was going. When she was younger, Padma would never have thought that she would be the one dictating where her relationships would have been going, but it was actually good for her, because she was able to move things at her own pace, and Harry was happy to oblige. Padma found herself as happy as she had in a long time. She was also happy that she had now another woman in her life in Hermione Granger. She never thought that she would ever be close friends with the other woman, until they were stuck on the same Auror team as said Potter. They quickly realized that they were much the same person, with Hermione being a bit smarter, but Padma being a bit more down to earth. They complimented each other very well and were able to keep Harry grounded. She was worried in the beginning that it would have been a bit of a fight between the two to get Harrys attention, but Hermione knew where she stood with Harry, and there was no competition to be Harrys girlfriend, which Padma was grateful for.

For Hermione the night was a bit of an eye opener. She certainly was happy for Harry and Padma. They were pretty perfect for each other, and Hermione wanted much of the same. Harry was fully accepting of Padma and treated her better than Ron ever had treated Hermione. Ron wasn't a bad boyfriend, but what Padma had said was true, she wanted what they had, which she may never may get from Ron. If Padma had never made a play for Harry, and Hermione had knew the things she knew now, she may have made a play for Harry, even if she still had the same reservations about their friendship. It was a strong allure that she couldn't pass up. Now was just the matter of finding someone that might get her to make the switch she was looking for.

The night ended in a fit of giggles when Hermione demanded that the two others make there relationship official. Padma and Harry didn't need much prodding, and they were official quite quickly.

Hermione and Padma ended up sharing Harrys spare room while Harry spent the night in his own room.

"That wasn't hard now was it?" Hermione giggled as the two witches had gotten ready for bed.

"No it wasn't, and thank you for helping with making it official, though im sure it was going to happen any day anyways." Padma giggled. "Harry just needed a bit of prodding I guess from his demanding best friend." Padma laughed as Hermione threw her pillow at the other woman.