A/N: Written for Hogwarts Assignment 12 - Epidemiology: task 1 - Write about being unable to escape something/someone.

Word count: 666 (That's...an unfortunate coincidence. But I'm not going to change it.)

"Harry!"

Harry spun around, grinning when he saw that it was Neville who had called his name in the Leaky Cauldron and not an overwhelmed fan. Usually, he tried to make his shopping trips as quick as possible, but it wasn't every day that he ran into one of his old school friends. The older they got, the harder it was to keep up with everyone.

"Neville, hi."

The two men traded handshakes. Even though Neville and Hannah had been together for years, Harry wasn't used to seeing him hanging around the Leaky Cauldron. For most of the year, Neville spent the bulk of his time at Hogwarts.

"How have you been?" Neville asked, leading him towards the end of the bar where it was less crowded. Though, thankfully, there weren't that many people in there at all thanks to Harry's careful planning. Over the years, he'd more or less memorized when Diagon Alley was at its least crowded.

"Good, good," Harry said. "Just keeping busy with work."

"Yeah, I heard that Campos was retiring as head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Any word yet on who will replace her?"

Harry cringed. "Hermione's trying to convince me to do it, but I've refused so far. I've recommended Long instead."

"I've heard good things about her," Neville said. "The Daily Prophet wrote a piece about her career just last week, didn't they?"

Harry nodded sheepishly. "I may have pulled some strings through Ginny," he admitted. "Hermione saw right through it though."

Harry tried to ignore the steadily increasing amount of eyes on him as they talked, but Neville had also noticed them, and his own gestures were growing nervous. He wasn't used to such attention day in and day out like Harry was.

"Excuse me," a random woman said as she approached.

Harry sighed. "Hold on a second," he told Neville with a sheepish smile.

Neville nodded, and Harry turned to the woman, who bounced with excitement over having the Boy-Who-Lived's attention on her.

"Sorry to bother you, but could I get your autograph?" she asked.

"Of course," Harry said, a strained smile on his lips as he scribbled out his name as fast as possible. It wasn't legible, but that never bothered them. And it got them out of his face. The few times he'd tried to refuse them, it had only dragged the situation out longer and made things worse.

"You're still as famous as ever, I see," Neville commented as Harry turned back to him.

Harry scratched at his neck. "Unfortunately."

He hated every time it happened, but he especially hated when it happened in front of his friends who had fought in the war alongside him. Neville deserved just as much praise as Harry did for his part in the whole thing, but he never got it.

Neville's smile turned sympathetic. "I bet it's still annoying after all these years."

"Once, I tried to go to a Muggle supermarket, but I still got recognized," Harry admitted. "The Muggle cashier was very confused."

Two more girls walked in and started whispering excitedly to each other when they spotted Harry.

"I can't escape it," Harry muttered, keeping his voice low. He may not have liked the attention, but he didn't enjoy making other people feel bad either.

Neville did his best to hold in his smile. "I'll have to get you some Polyjuice for Christmas."

Harry shuddered, remembering his previous experiences with the potion. "I might have to keep taking my chances on using my own appearance, but thanks for the offer."

"No problem," Neville said, glancing uneasily at another group who was debating amongst themselves over who in the group should be the one to approach Harry. "I guess I should let you go while you can still get out."

"Yeah, sorry." A man was starting to approach. "I really am. See you, Neville."

He was out the door before Neville could respond. He'd have to write him an apologetic letter later.