Chapter One

Harry Potter stepped off the crowded underground and wove his way through the mass of people bustling around the platform. Walking the few short blocks to his flat, he allowed his mind to drift back to the day's events. It was the kind of day he had several times over the past two years since leaving the wizarding world. He had left the flat he was sharing with two others early that morning and traveled the few blocks to the underground with no problem. It was once he arrived at the small coffee shop he worked at that he saw them. In the faces of those who came through the door, he found bits of pieces of that person that reminded him of those he left behind. A few times he even allowed himself to pretend that Ron, Hermione, or even Ginny would come walking through the door to whisk him back to the life he had before. But he knew that would never happen. Why would they even bother?

When he had decided to leave the wizarding world two years ago, he had convinced himself that it was for the best. He knew that by staying, he would only continue to put the ones he loved in danger. Just because the threat of Voldemort himself was gone didn't mean that they were safe, and he knew it. So he made his decision the morning after the final battle while everyone was still asleep. He had silently slipped through the castle and through the gates while under the protection of his invisibility cloak. Once outside the castle grounds, he had apparated into the heart of muggle London and found an inn in a run down area he was sure no one would find him. After spending several days confined to his room, he eventually ventured out and wandered into the very coffee shop he worked at now. This was also where he met his current flatmates, Paul and Anthony. The three had become fast friends and Anthony had offered him a room in the large flat he and Paul shared. One of the best parts of this arrangement, however, was the fact that they didn't pressure him for details about his past. When they did ask him once out of curiosity, Harry had replied that he just didn't like to talk about it and they left it at that. To anyone who asked, they just said that Harry was a mystery they couldn't explain. Of course, part of the reason he kept his past a secret was the fact that he had no way of explaining it to someone who was not part of the wizarding world.

Harry couldn't honestly say what it was that made him decide to live in the muggle world. And he had to admit that it was a challenge at first. Living with two muggles, he was forced to do the everyday things he would have normally done with magic by hand. But after two years, he rarely used magic at all anymore. Although, that didn't mean he never used it. After all, he didn't consider himself completely ignorant. He knew that eventually someone from the wizarding world would find him, and whether friend or foe, he had his wand with him at all times.

Reaching his flat, he dug around in his pockets for a moment before extracting his keys and unlocking the front door. When he stepped in out of the cold, he found Anthony sitting on the sofa with his newest girlfriend, Sara or Samantha - Harry had a hard time keeping up and rarely bothered to remember their names anymore. It seemed as if Anthony had a new one every other week. Harry, on the other hand, rarely dated. This was actually an ongoing argument between him and his flatmates. They were constantly trying to convince him that he should date more but Harry always blew off their many attempts at playing match-maker, arguing that he did just fine on his own. And it was at least partially true, he convinced himself. He had gone out with several girls and even had what might be considered as a serious relationship with one of them. But in the end, it just didn't work out. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't give his all to the relationship. Every time he was with her, he found himself comparing her to a certain fiery redhead that he would likely never see again.

Harry nodded in the way of greeting to Anthony and his girlfriend and tossed his keys on the side table inside the door. As he hung up his coat, he could feel Anthony's eyes follow him around the flat.

"Sara and I invited her friend over for a bit," said Anthony, a mischievous grin on his face. Harry groaned.

"And let me guess, she's single," said Harry, rolling his eyes. It was always the same old game with Anthony. He looked over at his friend who nodded and mouthed the words 'and hot' before winking at him.

"I don't think I'll be very good company tonight. Had a bad day at work," said Harry. "I think I'm just going to turn in."

Anthony jumped up from the sofa, grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him into the kitchen, shutting the door behind him.

"Ow, what was that for,"said Harry, rubbing his arm and glaring at his friend.

"You can't keep doing this to yourself," said Anthony. "All you ever do anymore is hole yourself up in you're room."

Harry had no argument for this. It seemed to him that the more distance he put between him and his past, the more depressed he was becoming. He considered many times just showing up at the Burrow one day but had quickly dismissed the idea. Why would the Weasley's want to see him? He was the reason their son was dead.

"I just . . . I just had a really bad day at work," said Harry, but Anthony didn't look convinced. Trying to avoid the argument that would likely ensue, he hastily added, "Make plans for dinner or something tomorrow and I promise I'll go."

Anthony crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a skeptical look but in the end he agreed and Harry quickly retreated to his bedroom, locking the door behind him. He threw himself down on his bed and growled in frustration. How could he explain to them that the reason he refused to date was because no matter how hard he tried to make it work, at the end of the day, the weren't Ginny? He rolled over on his side and stared at the blank wall opposite his bed. He lay for a long time thinking about the direction his life had gone before drifting off into a fitful sleep.

* * * * *

Ginny awoke with a start. The dread had been so vivid that she half expected to be lying in a deserted corridor at Hogwarts instead of her bed. It was always the same dream. She had been running through Hogwarts, chasing after Harry and calling his name. But no matter how fast she ran, she could never catch up.

Deciding that it was no use trying to go back to sleep, she rolled out bed and wrapped herself in her dressing gown. Sliding her feet into her slippers, she slid out of her bedroom and tip-toed down the stairs and into the kitchen. She found it empty so she flicked her wand at the stove to start and pot of tea and slumped down at the table.

After finishing her seventh and final year at Hogwarts, she had been staying at the Burrow with her parents. Just last night she had found out that she was to be the new Holyhead Harpies' starting chaser. She had been so shocked and excited by the news that when her boyfriend for the past year, Dean Thomas, dropped down on one knee right there in front of her entire family and asked her to marry him, she had excepted without a second's thought. Now, however, she wasn't so sure she made the right decision.

Sure, she loved Dean. But the question that kept popping up in her mind was 'is it the right kind of love?'. She wished she could say that it was, but the only real relationship she had to compare it with was the one she had with Harry. And obviously he hadn't loved her enough if he could just get up and leave without so much as a good-bye. But no matter how hard she might try, she couldn't help but compare Dean to Harry. The way Harry had made her feel and the way her heart would skip a beat when ever he would walk in the room.

Ginny folded her arms on the table and rested her head down on them, cursing herself for thinking about him. The day Harry walked out of all of their lives, she felt as if her world had shattered down all around her. She had been hopeful that since the war was over and Voldemort was finally defeated, that she and Harry could start their lives together. When she had woken up the morning after the battle and found out through Ron and Hermione that Harry was gone, she had been devastated. For the longest time, she had convinced herself that Harry was coming back, but as time went on, she was forced to accept that he was truly gone.

Deciding that it was best to finish her education, she had gone back to Hogwarts with Hermione and tried to put the pieces of her life back together. It was during this time that she and Dean rekindled their relationship.

She picked her head up off the table and held her left hand out in front of her, examining the 1ct diamond ring. Maybe it's for the best, she thought to herself. But is it what I want?

* * * * *

A/N: I've had this idea floating around in my head for some time now. Let me know what you think!!!