Save The Last Dance For Me

Chapter 2 - Already Calling You Mine

No matter how old he got, or what else was going on in the world, some how, some way, every year since the war, on his birthday the Prophet managed to work it in, and every year he was bombarded with owls. Well wishes and birthday cards rained down on him from all around, and yet this year he had never felt lonelier.

Ron and Hermione were both busy this year, working in their respective fields, and though Molly had offered to make dinner he didn't feel like going to the Weasley's alone. Even though the break up with Ginny had been mutual, he still wasn't as comfortable there as he had been before.

So here he sat, alone, in a bar, on the night before his twenty-first birthday sipping firewhiskey and wishing more than anything that he had somebody to talk too. Wishing that he didn't have to be alone anymore. He had tried to go out on dates, to act like someone his own age for a change, but it was difficult. The girls he dated were just that, girls. They wanted the glitz and glam of dating someone famous, and Harry didn't want to be famous, he wanted to be normal.

He looked once more around the bar as he spun the stool he was sitting on. Out of the corner of his eye he saw it. That unmistakable glimpse of blonde hair. He set his glass back on the counter and steadied himself. He knew that he had been seeing her in his dreams, but he wasn't dreaming right now. Slowly he looked back over his shoulder and sure enough, there she was. Her hair covered her face, and if you didn't know it was her Narcissa Black could have been anyone.

Harry smiled to himself, and then he thought again. Was it presumptuous to just walk over there and join her? Could he get away with that? He glanced over his shoulder at her, debating on whether or not he was going to push his luck when she saw that her shoulders were shaking. Was Narcissa Black sitting alone in a bar, crying?

He studied her for a moment more and he was sure, she really was crying. Well, there would be no crying on his birthday! He grabbed his glass and maneuvered his way through the room towards her. He came up behind her and so he coughed as he reached out to touch her shoulder. Trying his best not to startle her. His attempts were futile, for when his hand laid on her shoulder she jumped.

"Forgive me, Ms. Black." He smiled down at her when her head whipped around so she could see who it was. "I noticed you were alone, and that you were crying. Is there anything I could do to help?"

She tried to compose herself around her tears and plant a smile on her lips. "Lord Potter. No, thank you, I'm fine. Really it's, it's silly, don't worry about it." There were still tears hanging on in her eyes and Harry wouldn't allow himself to be dismissed so easily.

"Too late, I'm already worried." He pointed at the empty seat across from her, "May I join you?"

She rolled her eyes, causing a tear to leak out, but she smiled, "I guess if you must."

He set his glass on the table and threw his weight into the chair opposite her. A small grin was tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Will you tell me why you're crying?"

She stiffened and then without meeting his eyes she shook her head.

"Why not?"

She didn't answer him, instead she picked up her glass and swirled the amber liquid.

"Narcissa," he reached out and caught her hand and her eyes shot up to his, the look of fear on her face had him letting go instantly. "I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to help. Why are you crying?"

"It's July 30th."

"I know." His grin slipped back on his face, "Tomorrow's my birthday."