Better Late Than Never

Harry walked into Charlie’s Pub and squinted until his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. He saw his ex-wife, Melissa, sitting at a table in the corner of tavern. His stomach suddenly tightened in a huge knot. Harry stopped and made himself think of what Ron had said only moments earlier. ‘Get this part of your life out of the way, so you can focus on better things.’ Better things – Ginny! I love Ginny and I have to get past this before I can go to her. Harry smiled to himself.


“Ay, Harry! Over here!” Harry shook himself out his reverie to see Melissa waving to him from the table. He walked gingerly toward the table and sat down. Once again he could feel the knot in his belly tighten.


“Hello, Melissa,” Harry said colder than he meant to.


“Harry, you look good. I guess New York has been good to you,” she said as she reached for his hand. Harry nonchalantly pulled away before she could touch him.


“You look good, too, Mel,” Harry said somewhat softer as he realized that she no longer effected him. His stomach was no longer in knots and the anger he wanted to feel wasn’t there, but there wasn’t love either. She was just there.


“I’ve missed you, Harry,” she said smiling.


“Melissa, can we please try to get past the small talk? We both know why we are here.” Harry just wanted to get this over with so he could be with Ginny. Ginny…


Melissa looked at him half stunned, half hurt. “All right then, Harry.” She pulled a stack of papers out of her bag and sat them on the table. She took a deep breath and pushed the stack across that table to him. Harry started skimming through the paperwork. Melissa watched him silently for a few moments.


“So, Harry? You didn’t miss me, too?” she said breaking the silence.


“Hmm?” Harry asked as he looked up at her.


“Well, I said that I have missed you and you avoided the comment. That makes me assume that you did not miss me.”


“Honestly, Mel, I don’t know if you really want me to answer that,” Harry said trying to sound understanding. He really didn’t want to answer the question at all.


“Harry, we were married for seven years. C’mon, please tell me how you feel about this,” she begged.


“All right… if you really want to know…” Harry stopped looking at the papers and focused on the brunette sitting across from him. Just say it, Potter! “When I left I was angry. I stormed off to New York, and yes, I did miss you. I wasn’t sure of my feelings other than that. I knew I still worried about you and cared for you. I just couldn’t love you anymore. I had been betrayed.”


“I’m sorry for everything, Harry,” she said, her eyes were apologetic.


“Mel, I’m not sorry it happened. Because of everything, I was able to learn about me. I thank you for that.”


She shook her head lightly, “That’s not what I was expecting, Harry. You thank me for all of this?”


“I don’t thank you for cheating on me. But, I thank you for waking me up to the state of our relationship and the state of me.”


Melissa looked at him with a somewhat hurt expression. “I guess you’re welcome then.”


“No, Mel, I didn’t mean anything bad. The situation woke me up to the fact that you and I had moved on. We had different ideals and goals. We no longer wanted the same things. I guess when I left, I went to look for what exactly I did want, because I wasn’t quite sure. I am sorry for the way I left, my temper got the best of me.”


“I deserved it Harry. I did betray you. Now, I just want you to be happy and you do look happy. Did you ever figure out what you wanted from your life?”


Harry took her hand in his, “Yes, Mel, I did find it. It took me until just recently, but I did find it.” Harry smiled as the thought of Ginny and the girls bounced around in his head.


“Harry, that’s great!”


“Enough about me. How have you been?”


“I’ve been all right. I know you are wondering about me and… Chris. Well, we split up. He treated me like a dog. I guess karma caught up with me. I’ve done a lot of soul-searching and growing up a lot since then,” she said somberly.


“I’m sorry, Mel.” Well yes and no…


“It’s fine, Harry. I did it to myself. But you were right, we had moved on…” she paused for a moment trying to catch her thoughts. “How are Ron and Hermione?”


Harry smiled, “They’re fine. They just had number six a couple of weeks ago.”


“Six!?”


“It’s something in the Weasley genes,” Harry laughed.


Melissa took a deep breath. “Speaking of Weasley’s… how is Ginny?”


Harry wasn’t expecting that question; he looked startled as he answered, “She’s good.” His face blushed as he thought of her.


“Have you two woken up to your feelings yet?”


Harry’s jaw dropped to the floor. If he hadn’t been expected the previous question he definitely was not expecting that one. “What do you mean?”


“Get off it, Harry. I know you love her, you always have. I don’t blame you for it; she is a great woman. She’ll treat you good.” Harry looked like a ‘deer-in-the-headlights.’ “How long has it taken you Harry? I know she’d what has made you so happy. Remember, I could always see right through you,” she said through a wicked grin.


Harry shook his head, “Am I truly that daft?”


She giggled, “What do you mean?”


“It’s just… I only figured this out in the past few days. Did everyone know this before I did?”


“Harry, I love you. I always will, but I know that you love her. I knew a long time ago. She makes you happy. After all that you have been through, you deserve all the happiness in the world.”


Once again, Harry was dumbstruck. He blinked hard and looked at Melissa. She giggled softly as she got up to put on her cloak. “Harry, I have to get going back to work and I think you have somewhere to go too.” She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “I’m glad I got to see you. Thanks.”


“You’re welcome. I’m sorry it didn’t work between us, Mel.”


“Harry, you have no reason to apologize. I realized a long time ago that it probably wouldn’t. You wanted a family. I could never give that to you… Go. Be with your family.” Harry saw a smile spread across his ex-wife’s face. “Harry, can we still be friends?”


“Of course, “he said as he got up and hugged her.


“Now, go. Tell her how you feel.”


“How did you know I haven’t told her?” Harry looked stunned.


She put some Muggle money on the table as she looked at him and said, “I know you, Harry.” She winked at him before turning to go.


“Bye, Mel.”


“Goodbye, Harry.”