Disclaimer: All rights for Doctor Who and Harry Potter belong to the BBC and JK Rowling respectively

The first time River met him, she wasn't River yet.

The first time Mels met him, it was 2008, about quarter to one am and 17 year old Mels (Well sort of) had used her fake id to visit one of her regular clubs. Slightly shady, Afterlife was known for being lax on the door and not asking many questions while still being a neutral safe zone, as long as you didn't draw attention to the club, or cause harm or disruption while inside, and paid the entrance fee you were welcome, meaning various business deals between individuals happened there.

Tonight however Mels wasn't interested in business, she had an itch she needed to scratch (that had absolutely nothing to do with the dull ache she felt watching Amy and Rory being all gooey-eyed thank you very much) and here had the widest variety of people -never choose similar people in a row, a type can be used against you- and the best booze/cost ratio.

She'd danced with several people and been bought plenty of drinks in the hour and a half she'd been there and if she'd been a normal 17 year old she would have been the wrong side of steaming (but she wasn't). Ignoring the clench in her gut she made her way to the bar, the crowd parting around her and closing as she passed. She gave the bar tender a flirtatious smirk as he handed her her whiskey and mad her way over to nearby wall which she leaned against, eyes roaming over the crowd searching out potential partners or threats -situational awareness is vital, never let your guard down- when her instincts start screaming at her.

She jerked her head round to where the feeling was coming from. Walking down the steps across the room was a man, it was hard to make out any details with the flashing lights and crowd between them but she could see enough. She made out wild black hair and a face she would have place around the age she looked. What really stood out however were his eyes they seemed to glow with emerald fire that illuminated his face and he was looking directly at her. Impossible! No one had been able to notice her until she allowed herself to be seen for years and she should be barely visible at this distance. Seeing he had her attention he gave her a lazy smirk and winked. She scowled at him but he only seemed to grin wider, sending a flutter down her spine. He reached the last step and she almost lost him in the crowd but followed his path seeing he was angling towards the bar.

A predatory smirk formed on her face. She had chosen, whether he was to be a partner to be enjoyed or a threat to be taken out was up to him. But her time tonight would be spent on him. She downed the last of her drink as she watched him, (he seemed to weave in and out of the crowd a much better way if you're trying to avoid attention - but then she was smoking hot why would she), and then strode over to the bar her back to the crowd. She ordered two drinks and paid for them, she was about to turn around when the hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood on end and her instincts tingled as she felt someone move up behind her. There was a fleeting warmth on the small of her back as he moved past behind her, stopping her from moving back and banging into him. She stayed were she was and passed over one of the drinks and glanced to the side as two arms came to rest on the bar beside her. One of the hands moved to take the glass was that writing or scarring and she followed it with her eyes as it came to meet his face.

He took a sip, tasted it, before turning to her, a smile on his face as he raised the glass towards her and leaned over to talk to her.

"Thank you. Although you're kind of stealing my thunder I was just about to bring a drink over to you." She grinned at him and replied airily.

"I know, I thought I'd save us some time seeing how long it took you to get to the bar and how long you would have been waiting for service." He laughed at that looking amused.

"Not as long as you think. And we can't all part crowds like the Red Sea. Im Harry, it's a pleasure..." So he had noticed her earlier then but she hadn't noticed him until he wanted her to. Damnit. She wanted to wipe the smug look that appeared off his face. She swallowed the drink in front of her, noting idly the way his eyes traced the line of he neck as she did so and grinning in triumph internally.

"Mels. Shall we go somewhere a bit quieter for introductions?" She said pulling out a box of cigarettes gesturing with them vaguely, watching him for a response. His eyes as expected traced down her body trying to decide where she had been keeping them but lingering slightly longer than needed. As his eyes drew back up to meet hers she winked and he grinned back tossing back the rest of his drink and grabbing her hand pulling her behind him and headed away from the bar towards the steps he had descended from.

She took the time to eye the rest of him. He was fairly tall, lithe but like a swimmer or a runner. He wore leather boots, black jeans tight in all the right places she thought as she ran her eyes up his legs, and a white tee under a leather jacket. At the top was a small landing containing two doors, unfortunately both marked employees only. She glanced at Harry but he didn't stop and carried on through one that lead to another set of steps. Well she wasn't averse to breaking a few rules (or laws) and felt confident she could take him if things took a turn. She ignored the voice in a back corner of her mind that was questioning that. As soon as the door shut behind them the noise lessened to a dull roar. Harry glanced back at her and grinned again as they reached another door. His eyes roamed over her again this time focusing on her clothes, before shrugging off his jacket and handing it to her. She just looked at him confused until he opened the door, they were on the roof. She pulled the jacket on -it was too big but still warm from being worn by Harry and followed him out.

"Won't you be cold now though?" Harry shook his head.

"Nah I've been places colder than this you get used to it. The jackets more of a fashion statement anyway." He joked as he lead her over to a circle of benches set around a lit fire pit, sitting down and tapping the space next to him. Mels blinked but sat down next to him.

"How'd you know this was here?" Harry blushed and ducked his head.

"Isismclb" he muttered.

"Sorry I didn't quite catch that?"

"I said this is my club" he said sheepishly.

"Ah So this is where you bring the women after you've lured them off the dance floor then" she joked. Harrys head shot up, eyes wide and she burst out laughing. He scowled at her as he realised she was joking and relaxed against the bench rolling his eyes.

"Oh... your face... ahahaha oh dear. " Mels said as she calmed down she once again pulled out a box of smokes and took one out placing it between her teeth and offered the box to Harry only to freeze as his reaching hand bypassed the box she was hold and reached across her.

She relaxed when she realised he was pulling another box out of his jacket pocket. She caught the slight flicker of a frown meaning he'd noticed her reaction and cursed herself, pretending she couldn't feel the fluttering in her stomach his closeness and apparent concern for her caused. He pulled back a smile back on his face with no sign it'd even been anything else and long fingers fished out a smoke of his own. She caught sight of the same scar she'd noticed before but again couldn't quite make it out in the flickering firelight. Harry lit up and then handed her the lighter whilst taking a long draw on his cigarette.

"So what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" He asked breathing out slowly as she lit her own and handed the lighter back to him. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Seriously, that's the line you're going for?" He shrugged genially.

"I'm curious. And it seemed appropriate. Better than 'come here often?' certainly seeing as I know the answer to that one already." She tensed but he waved her off. "Chill I just mean I keep an eye on all my definitely-not-underage regulars to make sure nothing..." a dark look crossed his face "untoward happens to them. I don't mind minor crimes happening in my club but there is a line and I make sure that anyone who crosses it, their information goes to certain people who will insure justice is done" he finished slightly viciously. She was on her feet in instant looking murderous, smoke billowing from her nose. Her hand almost drifted to one of the weapons hidden on her person but she stopped herself. Harry had a flash of an image, a dragon in an arena, before it was gone and he thought at this point he might prefer the dragon.

"If this is some misguided attempt to help me find my way then you can just.."

"Woah woah I didn't mean you Mels, I mean yes when you first started coming in I kept an eye and ear out but by now I think I've seen enough of your work to know you can take care of yourself." Harry said earnestly. Shock flashed over her face and her heart skipped a beat, now her hand did move to rest on the hilt of a knife.

"I.. I don't know what you mean..." the panic was gone from his face now and he gave her a flat look.

"You are not as sly as you think you are. If you were moving around im sure you would have gone unnoticed but so many incidents so close together... the rumours had started. Rumours of the Woman." Her blood ran cold and she clamped down on all her emotion, her body tense and ready for action.

"Had?"

"Of course. As soon as I heard the rumours I made the connection, considering those involved, and stamped them out." He replied smugly.

"And what do you want in return for this... favour?" She asked robotically. Who was he to have such influence and power over others and what could she could do now she was technically in his debt.

"No no you miss understand. I'm not telling you this to create a debt or trying to manipulate you I just want you to understand that your secrets are safe with me. " he said sincerely. Her mind was racing, every instinct from her training was telling her she could not trust anyone that he knew too much already but louder than that she could feel his honesty echoing in the depths of her soul. She took a deep breath forcing herself to relax slightly. Ignoring the relief of his face telling her noticed even this slight movement, and sat back down on the bench a knee crooked under her so she could face him and took a drag on her cigarette.

"What are you?" she muttered, examining his face closely. She didn't mean to say it out loud but the way he'd talked over the last couple of minutes, the power he seemed to hold and the power she could feel coming off him in waves, he probably wasn't a 17 year old boy. Her breath caught as his eyes locked with hers, it felt like he could see everything, all of her life and thoughts and past, her very soul under scrutiny and he seemed so vast and ancient but then he smiled crookedly at her and the moment was gone and they were two normal teenagers sat under the stars.

Except they weren't and she wouldn't forget that moment. He leaned back and stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray she hadn't noticed saying "I'm just Harry" still giving her that crooked smile. She decided to let him have his secrets for now, he wasn't a threat she decided which meant there were other things they could be focusing on. She watched him as he lent over the side of the bench and reached for something, eyeing where his tee was riding up showing toned muscle. Taking the last few draws of her smoke she reached over to stub it out at the same time Harry let out a noise of triumph and straightened holding a bottle of Jack. He froze when he realised how close she was and and she was tempted to lean closer but she just finished what she was doing and leaned back although she did shift round slightly so the were once again sat closer together.

Harry unscrewed the lid and took a long drink eyes still looking at her. Her own eyes watched the bob of his Adams apple as he swallowed and she bit her lip. He smirked at her and offered her the bottle which she took and and took a swig as he placed his arm along the back of the bench.

"So you never did answer my question, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" She weighed her options and decided to answer honestly.

"Well here as the best booze to cost ratio for miles so..." okay so maybe not honestly but she didn't feel like baring her soul to a stranger no matter how trustworthy he seemed. He shook his head.

"No" he said patiently "you tell me you don't want to talk about it or tell me the truth. I won't press if you don't want me to but your habit of half truths and jokes won't work on me." She eyed his stern but calm expression and sighed then took another drink to stall for time. She had hidden so much of herself for so long showing what people wanted or needed to see that it would be a hard habit to break and even if Harry could be trusted, most everyone else couldn't. She would try she decided as she handed him back the bottle, just with Harry, but she couldn't tell him everything she'd be thought crazy. No. So how to explain without telling him who they were to her.

"My best friends had been dancing around each other for years. A blind man could see how Rory felt about Amy but she didn't see it and I finally got tired of them and got them to do something about it, and happy for them but now..." she took the bottle from Harry and had another drink "I worry i'm in their way, that they'll finally realise that they don't need me around and I'll be... left behind. Alone." She shrank in on herself slightly glancing away from him. Harry eyed as knowing there was more to the story but seemed to decided it was enough because he didn't press for more thankfully. His arm moved off the bench and wrapped around her shoulders drawing her closer to him and she rested her head on his chest, listening to the soft thud of his heart. She was impressed it hadn't sped up at her closeness

"Part of growing up includes growing apart as you each come into your own" he said thoughtfully taking the bottle from her gently and taking a swig. As it came back into view she saw they had made quite a dent in it between them. "Especially when there is a romantic relationship involved. They will obviously be closer as their feelings deepen but that does not mean you will lose them, their feelings for you won't change. They will not love you any less." She was glad they were no longer facing each other as her eyes watered.

"You think they love me?" She ask tremulously in a small voice. She could almost feel his smile.

"From what you have said and from my experience of you I do not doubt it. And if they have put up with you for this long then i'm quite sure you're stuck with them." She could hear the teasing note in his voice as he tried to lighten the mood and she grinned as she moved her arm around him and turned her face into his chest taking a deep breath. She knew he could feel her tears soaking through his tee but ignored it. Wrapped in the safety of his arms, her own wrapped around him, warm and solid she believed him. Believed it for the first time. Harry just rubbed comforting circles on her back and she heard the slosh of the bottle again. She pulled away blinking and blushing as she wiped her eyes and snatched the bottle from him finishing it up. He glanced between her and the empty bottle then stood grinning.

"Well it seems we are in need of more beverages. Might I escort you back to the dance floor My Lady? I shall endeavour to provide beverages for the rest of the night." He bowed dramatically. She grinned back and stood as he straightened and shoulder checked him as she passed rolling her eyes fondly.

"I suppose so. Come on then you big idiot." They walked together back inside and down the stairs where she shrugged off his jacket and handed it to him. As they walked through the door she watched him hand it to a man stood on the landing who rolled his eyes and smiled then Harry lead her onto the floor.

Over the next few hours they danced and drank and by the time the lights came up even Mels superior biology was starting to be overwhelmed. She was just deciding how to invite herself home with him when he pulled her through another employee only door and through various corridors, finally stopping in a comfortable living room. She flopped down onto the sofa and Harry flicked the tv on walked over and hand her the remote before leaving through another door way she settled on some comedy movie and put the remote down glancing around. Through the slight fuzziness she could make out an unlit fireplace and plenty of bookshelves. Then Harry walked back into view seemingly only slightly inebriated and carry another bottle of jack. He sat down next to her and she leaned into him watching as he had another drink.

He rested the bottle against his leg and looked down at her, emerald eyes shining. Before she could think about it she reached up and pulled his head down to kiss him soundly. He almost started to respond but pushed her away gently. She felt a flush of embarrassment and rejection as he stopped her and jerked back.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have..." Harry put a finger over his lips and gave her a kind smile.

"Not tonight Mels. You're very drunk and we've only just met. I'll have you know I take much more effort than that!" He joked but she thought he was just trying to soften the blow. She ruthlessly shoved her emotions down and grabbed the bottle taking a drink moving her head so she could see the tv, ignoring the stinging in her eyes as she felt Harrys arm go around her.

"Hush now, there's nothing wrong with you." He said soothingly. "There are many things wrong with me but we'll talk about those at a later date." He muttered under his breath before continuing. "I'd like us to be friends Mels. You will always be welcome here." She sighed but relaxed into him once more and sniffed haughtily.

"I suppose I could occasionally put up with your company" then she laughed took another drink and handed him the bottle. They both sat back and watched the film occasionally commenting or passing the bottle between them.

Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz

Mels was woken by the a phone vibrating. She blinked blearily before reaching down to fish her phone out of her pocket. As she woke up more she realised that she was lying under a blanket on top of something warm and firm -Harry- her mind supplied as her hand brushed against... She froze and blushed and Harry groaned under her.

"Would you please answer the damn thing or move?" He bit out through clenched teeth and she realised that her phone was vibrating directly on. She stopped that thought and sat up, grinning down at him wickedly rubbing her eyes as she pulled out her phone and answered it.

"Mmhello" she said sleepily.

"Finally! Where are you young Lady? and don't say at home because we know you didn't go home last night. You were supposed to meet us an hour ago! What's his name then? Was he worth it? I hope you were safe! Do you need picked up? Do I need to..." Mels rolled her eyes and grimaced as her hangover made itself known at the Scottish rant that came through the phone.

"Oh hi Ames," she grinned at Harry as he extricated himself blushing and walked awkwardly into another room. "I'm sorry i'm late I got quite drunk last night and so Harry who owns the club let me crash on his sofa" That was almost the truth.

"Oh Harry is it? And how old exactly is this Harry? Was he at least any good or another in a long line of passable?" Amy joked. Mels blushed.

"It wasn't like that. Nothing happened," not for lack of trying she thought "I just fell asleep on the sofa when we were watch a film after the club had shut." There was silence as Amy processed this and Mels could here Rory whispering in the background "and he looks about 17 but he must be at least 18 to own this place so I'd say he's about our age" As she rolled her eyes, Harry walked back into the room clutching two small vials and a newspaper so she said "listen I'll be there soon as I can and we can talk more then okay?" Unfortunately Amy realised why.

"Ooh is he there now? What does he look like? What's he doing? Can I talk to him.."

"No!" Blurted Mels who had been pinching the bridge of her nose as her headache flared at the onslaught of questions. Her eyes darted to Harry who had looked over at her abrupt shout and she mouthed 'sorry' and received a nod back as he sat down next to her. "I mean I need to get ready and come and meet you like I promised" she said into the shocked silence on the other end of the phone. She heard more whispering and then Amy said quietly.

"...you must really like this one. You didn't sleep with him and now you're all defensive." She blushed slightly and glanced at Harry who didn't seem to have heard and was flicking through the paper.

"Maybe" she murmured, pretending not to hear the simultaneous intakes of breath from her friends at the admission. "I've got to go but..." she cleared her throat remembering what Harry had said last night "i'm sorry for worrying you. I'll text you when I leave and meet you at yours okay?"

"It's fine Mels don't worry about it" she could almost hear the fond eye roll that accompanied Amy's words. "But we will be talking later" she threatened.

"I figured Amy. See you in a bit "

"Bye" she hung up and turned to Harry who folded the paper and showed her the two vials.

"Hangover cure, my own recipe. Each vial is one dose." She was about to decline, her trust in him only went so far, but he held up a hand to stop her and pulled out a glass from... somewhere. He gave it to her and she looked down at it then looked back at him. He grinned and poured both the vials into the glass, took it from her, swirled the contents and then drank half before handing it back to her grimacing.

"Tastes vile but does the trick" he said as she stared at him. Why had he... How had he known... He gestured for her to drink what was left and she did so almost gagging. He was right it was vile but she could already feel the throbbing in her temples fading.

"How...?" He just grinned cheekily

"Magic" she rolled her eyes and looked at the various doors.

"Bathroom?" He pointed at one and she stood and went through it. When she came back out there was no Harry but she could here movement through one of the other doors. She quietly made her way over and opened it gently seeing a kitchen dining area but jumped when Harry spoke without turning around.

"There's coffee and bagels. Are you staying to eat or dyou want to take them with you?" She bit her lip as he turned to her, she'd rather stay and have breakfast with Harry but she knew she had better go and face the inquisition waiting for her with her friends. As if sensing her reluctance Harry grinned and handed her a take away coffee cup and a paper bag.

"As I said you are always welcome here whether thats Afterlife or Death before Decaf or I move somewhere else or this place" he gestured around his living room. She recognised the name of the coffee shop next door and realised he must own that as well. Hmm she'd have to do some research, she wanted to find out everything about this man that she could. She smiled at him.

"Thanks Harry." A mischievous look "so are you going to ask for my number or am I just going to find you sulking around again next time i'm here?" She was disappointed when instead of blushing he just laughed and shook his head. He pulled out his phone and handed it to her gesturing for hers and they put their numbers in.

It wasn't until he'd seen her into a taxi he'd called, handing her a £20 note against her protests and she watched him head back inside as the taxi drove her towards her friends house that she realised what she'd hinted at over the phone. She groaned and leaned her head on the window watching the scenery as she prepared herself to deal with Amys questions and Rorys protectiveness.