Chapter 1: Chapter 1

The raucous Midwater Pub was normally lively on Friday nights. But on this particular Friday, the ladies were more flirtatious than usual. Perhaps it was because of the warming June weather. Or perhaps the establishment was giving away free ale to their customers to celebrate fifty years of business. Regardless of the reason, the male customers were absolutely delighted. That is except for one. A young man sat at the end of the slightly wet bar with his eyes fixated on the wall behind the bartender. His striking green eyes, covered by his horned glasses, wouldn't catch a glimpse of the women surrounding him or those giving him an invitation with their eyes. He would continue to stare at the wall and think pensively.

"What will it be, old chap?" The bartender asked.

Jerked out of his daze, Harry Potter glanced down at his empty glass. "Give me another." The bartender, satisfied, stalked away to get another pint for his customer.

Harry groaned underneath his breath. What am I doing here?

It was a question that Harry asked frequently. What was he doing? It had been 9 years since Voldemort's defeat. A day that had changed his life forever. He hoped that by vanquishing "evil incarnate," his life would become easier. Like many times in his life, Harry was greatly mistaken. With one responsibility ending, several others were piled on him. He removed his glasses to rub his eyes. I need to get more sleep. These raids are doing a number on me. Being Head Auror is a pain in my ass. Sighing, Harry replaced his glasses back on his face and surveyed the area for the first time since arriving there with Seamus and Dean.

His former roommates had convinced him to come out with them into Muggle London to enjoy the "sights." Currently, Dean and Seamus were enjoying the "sights" of three busty ladies who were giving them an eyeful of their scantily clad chests. Harry turned away, smiling ruefully to himself. Well, at least someone is enjoying themselves. He had to admit, he would have joined them if he hadn't been in such a mood. He sighed to himself and grabbed his freshly refilled pint. He missed Ron. Unfortunately, Ron promised Hermione to return straight home after their raid. The two were expecting and Ron couldn't bear to leave Hermione alone anymore than necessary. Not wanting impose, Harry turned down their invitation to join them. He could do without any reminder that things were moving on without him.

Harry finished his pint and made his way to Seamus and Dean's table. "Lads, I'll be heading off. Going down for the night." Dean reluctantly turned to his former roommate, "Are you sure, mate? There's a lot more to go around, if you catch me." Unaware of Harry's presence, Seamus continued to whisper sweet nothings in a giggling brunette's ear. Harry smirked, "Enjoy yourselves. I'll catch up with you lot later."

Harry strolled out the pub and made his way to an empty alley to Apparate. The loud noises reminded him of his last visit at the Weasley household several months ago. Molly had been nagging him to stop by for dinner. For reasons Harry rather not discuss with Molly, he begged it off blaming work. He stopped walking, feeling a bit guilty. Maybe it was time to stop by and say hello to his adopted mother.

"Get your filthy paws off me, you idiot!"

Harry snapped out of his reverie at the noises coming from the alley he had intended to Apparate in. Dimly lit, he could make out three people, making their way up to the street. One woman, walking briskly in heels and two men following behind. The two men appeared to be drunk by slurring their words and uneven gait. The woman stalked angrily to the street. "If you two morons don't leave me alone, so help me God!"

"Oh, did you hear that Sam? Looks like we got ourselves a feisty one!"

Sam gave a toothy grin. "Oh my absolutely favorite! Come on, girly, where are you off to in such a hurry? We only want to talk." Sam jumped in front of her to cut her off and gestured to his friend. "Will and I just want to talk and get to know you better."

Surrounded, she began to slowly back up. "Did I say I wanted to talk to you? Look, buddy, you don't know me and I suggest you keep it moving if you know what's good for you."

Harry could surmise that the woman was an American. Probably on holiday visiting.

"Didn't I say don't touch me?"

"Oh look at that, Will! They weren't kidding about the cocoas being softer than the vanillas!" The two men cackled as she swung her fist to catch Sam in the jaw. Too much power went into the missed punch and she stumbled back against the wall.

Unable to stand and watch any longer, Harry made his way down the alley. "What the problem here, gents?"

Will scowled at Harry. "None of your business, mate. Keep it moving."

Harry smirked. "Afraid I can't do that. It seems that the lady doesn't want to be bothered. What kind of man would I be if I didn't help a damsel in distress?"

Sam stalked up to Harry, "If you can't take piss off for an answer, so how about we show you?" Sam swung his fist, with Harry ducking and clocking Sam in the chin. Will came up behind his friend and tried another swing, lost his balance and fell into a heap of trash behind Harry. With another punch, Sam joined him. Harry stood over the two and wandlessly cast an intimidation spell. Overwhelmed with intense fear, the two rocketed out of the alley, claiming to have changed their minds.

Harry turned around, "Are you alright…" WHAM! Harry saw nothing but stars after the woman threw a punch at his head. Luckily, his glasses weren't damaged but hanged crookedly on his face. "What the bloody hell was that for?"

The woman stood with her hands on his hips with her chest heaving, "How am I supposed to know that you aren't with those guys? Your arrival and their running off seemed much too convenient for me. What if this was a ruse just so you could lure me into complacency and then the three of you finish me off?" she yelled hysterically.

Harry rubbed the side of his face. "You are off your bloody rocker. I was minding my own business when I heard your screams. I could have let them just do whatever to you but that would make me just as bad as them. And now you telling me that I am one of them?" Harry shook his head and began to stalk away to the alley entrance. "By the way, you're bloody welcome."

Of all the possible ways to say thank you, he gets clocked on the head. Next time he hears a noise, he would really need to learn to turn off his "hero" mechanism.

"Wait!" He stopped at the street when he heard the woman running after him. "Wait, please!" He turned around, hoping to give her a very evil look when he froze. In the alley, he hadn't gotten a great look at the stalked women due to the dark lighting and then his blurred vision. Dressed in a light blue mini dress and matching heels stood one of the most stunning women he had ever seen. Cocoa skin shimmered underneath the street lights, an oval face with brown eyes and flowing dark hair and a curvaceous body to boot. Harry had always thought that Angelina Weasley was quite a stunner, but this woman overtook him greatly.

"Look I am sorry about all that. I was still in an adrenaline high and a bit hysterical. This is my second night in London and I only wanted to have a good night which ended up being with two goons following me for two blocks. I thoroughly apologize and ask that you forgive me." She looked up anxiously at him, biting her full bottom lip. Harry shook himself out of his daze and looked at her straight in the eye. He didn't have to look any longer to see that she was sincere in her apology.

"Apology accepted." He softened his gaze and smiled crookedly. "It seems that my rescue was a bit premature. The knock on my head tells me you can take care of yourself."

She laughed softly. "Yea, so it would seem. And I would have too, had it not been for my heels. Lost my balance." Harry looked down to admire the long legs before him. "I see." He smiled at her. "Well no real harm down. You are fine, right?"

"Yes I am. I'm Gabrielle, by the way. Gabrielle Peters." She stuck out her hand for a handshake. "Potter. Harry Potter." Their hands met in the middle.

"Nice to meet you Harry." Harry couldn't help but be relieved at the way she had no reaction to his name. If only it could be like that all the time.

Gabrielle paused and began to study him. Harry felt a little flustered as he felt the gorgeous creature before him dissect him with her eyes. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh, no! Not at all." She seemed flustered herself. "Well, it just that I have a proposition for you." Harry seemed startled. What kind of proposition could she want to extend?

Gabrielle held her hand up, chuckling. "Whoa, that came out wrong. I'd like to properly say thank you for disrupting your plans and coming to save me. So why don't you accompany me to a nearby pub for some refreshments? God knows I could use a drink now and you look as if you need one too."

Harry, not really knowing what to say, began to laugh. "You are quite forthcoming. Really say what's on your mind huh?"

Gabrielle, smiled unabashedly, "Better than beating around the bush. Plus I get to kill two birds with one stone. I get to have some company in this lonely city and get protection." She paused, grinning at him. "The fact that you are easy on the eyes is entirely a bonus."

Harry couldn't help but amused by this quirky girl. Only a while ago, he fully intended to go straight home to sleep. Gabrielle unexpectedly gave him a second wind. "Alright, I accept your proposition. Since you have only been here for two days, allow me to show you some of my favorite spots around here."

"Lead the way." Gabrielle clasped her hands behind her back and was led on to the pub of Harry's choice.