AN: If you didn't read the description, you won't know this is the sequel to my Harric (or Hedric, whichever you prefer) fic, So I Swear. While you don't need to read the prequel, it will give background to my OMC who is paired with Draco. If you do go to read the prequel, I must admit that the first 15-17 chapters might be difficult to read because I hadn't started seperating lines of dialogue yet. I will be doing that and updating the existing chapters soon.

Chapter 1

It was a busy time in the Ministry; Great Britain was hosting the 433rd Quidditch World Cup Final, and since the last time had ended in catastrophe, the Minister was doing anything and everything he could to ensure nothing went wrong this time. Harry was terrified at thinking how he and the rest of the aurors will be under the Minister's watchful eye for the next two months.

"So you finally decided to join us" He heard someone say when he entered his office, and found Ron.

"Afternoon to you, too" Harry said as he set down his stuff.

"We missed you at the meeting this morning" Ron said.

"I know, but these are just getting tedious." Harry sighed. "I mean, he expects me at every meeting concerning security. The meeting on the security of house-elves preparing the fest after the match took nearly twenty minutes, and Michaels will be in charge of that."

"I get it and to be fair, that meeting only went that long cause of Hermione" Ron stated with a chuckle.

"Wotcher, Harry, Ron" Tonks said, and the two males turned towards her portrait. "How's Teddy doing?"

"He's doing well, as always" Harry replied. "Oh, and you can tell Sirius and Remus that he's keeping the Marauder traditions alive."

"I'm sure Sirius will be glad to hear it. Remus is undecided, since he knows how the teachers feel after dealing with Fred and George during your third year" Tonks said smiling. "By the way, the Minister is summoning you."

"A summons, eh. He's sounding less like a minister or more like a Dark Lord" Ron said.

"I'm pretty sure he'd use any and every magic possible to avoid anything going wrong for the next few months" Harry said, before turning to Tonks. "Thanks, I'll be up in five minutes."

"So the Minister wants to send a group of us to discuss the security measures with the aurors from the American ministry" Ron said.

"They don't have a ministry, Ron. It's a congress" Harry said. "They're very adamant about the fact that all magical folk are represented in their government."

"Yeah, well the Head of Magical Law Enforcement is sending 'Mione since more and more work's just being piled on" Ron stated. "I'm sure the Minister would want you to go to make sure everything is taken care of properly."

"Ron, do you want to go with Hermione?" Harry asked with a knowing smile.

"What I want doesn't matter" Ron said, blushing slightly. "What matters is if this conflicts with the Minister's grand plan."

"You guys should go together" Harry said. "'Mione will be there to make sure everything is done and done well, and you guys should also take a few days off just to relax."

"Do you think we should?" Ron asked, and Harry nodded. "Would the Minister even approve this?"

"I'll try to convince him when I go up there" Harry assured his friend. "Besides, I can't think of two other people who has worked as hard as you guys have over the last five years."

"Thanks mate" Ron said, giving Harry a hug. "Now you better get up there, before he decides to channel his inner-Snape."

"He doesn't need to" Harry said as he headed for the door. "Joseph has Snape's portrait in his office."

"We missed you in the meeting this morning" Joseph stated as he led Harry into his office.

"Ron told me" Harry said. "But do I really have to be at every meeting?"

"I'm sorry, I thought it was the job of the Head Auror to oversee the security of major events like these" Joseph stated as he rolled his eyes before sighing. "Sorry. I just need this to go well."

"Why? Joseph, you've been Minister for three years, succeeding Kingsley, held elections every year and won" Harry pointed out. "I don't see any reason for you to worry."

"That's just the local aspect. The whole world will have its eyes on us" Joseph said. "We haven't hosted the World Cup Final since the disastrous end to the 422nd. Ever since then, even when the English, Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams played in the finals, the other country was the host."

"Well, since then, the Fudge's focus was on denouncing me and Dumbledore, Scrimgeour was basically all bark and no bite when it came to fighting Voldemort, Voldemort used Thicknesse and turned Wizarding Britain into a police state, and Kingsley was focused on reforming the Ministry, restoring peace and order in society, and catching escaped Death Eaters" Harry pointed out.

"I know, and Kingsley has done remarkably well" Joseph said. "No one could've done a better job. It's a shame he decided to retire."

"You're just saying that because of all the stress you're under" Harry said with a smile.

"If I couldn't handle the stress, I would've stopped after two years" Joseph returned with a smirk. "Now Harry, I didn't just call you in here because of this morning. You've been arriving to work late a lot more lately."

"Where's Professor Snape?" Harry asked, looking at the portrait that had a tall, black lounge chair that was surrounded by even taller bookshelves that held, probably, more than a hundred books.

"Other than here and Hogwarts, he has portraits in Draco's office and study" Joseph said. "And stop changing the topic. I know you've been visiting Cedric's grave."

"Is there something wrong with that?" Harry returned.

"No, but you've been visiting so much that the habit is bordering an obsession, and it's unhealthy" Joseph said as he sat next to the shorter raven, giving a concerned look. "Harry, it's been eleven years. Cedric would want you to move on and be happy."

"Look who's talking, the guy who broke up with Draco Malfoy five years ago" Harry spat back angrily, and immediately regretting it when the concerned look on his friend's face turned into the blank expression he had gotten used to as a teen.

Joseph moved towards his liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of Firewhiskey. He hesitated a few seconds after filling his glass before filling another one. He handed one to Harry as he sat on his seat, and the two drank in silence for the next couple minutes

"I'm sorry" Harry apologised, to which Joseph replied with a nod. "I just read that Astoria gave birth."

"She did. They named him Scorpius Hyperion." Joseph said in a happy tone, but the emotion didn't show in his expression. "They asked me to be the godfather."

"I'm sorry" Harry said as he took Joseph's hand and squeezed it.

"It's alright" Joseph said as he squeezed Harry's hand back. "I expected this, even back then. This is the reason why Draco married Astoria in the first place."

"I'm sorry again for what I said earlier" Harry apologised again. "It's been really hard today."

"I know. It's Cedric's birthday" Joseph sighed. "I would've given you the day off if things weren't so busy."

"I'm actually surprised I decided to come in to work today" Harry said.

"Hey, why don't we both clock out early today and visit Ced's grave together?" Joseph suggested. "We can just talk, like old times."

"I'd like that" Harry said, smiling softly before giving the taller raven a hug. "Thank you and I'm sorry again for what I said."

"Stop apologising. I said it's fine" Joseph said as he hugged back. "Now, you better get some work done before we leave."

Harry nodded and thanked his friend again before he left.

AN: I know it's short and that it doesn't give much information, but readers of the prequel know that I like to keep my secrets. Don't worry, i have the next few chapters planned out already, and will update as soon as I can.

Please leave a review with your thoughts, what do you think happened, what should happen, what other pairings should be in the story, any questions you have, but I would prefer if you would just message me with questions instead.

Also, I'm looking for betas for this story who, while helping improve this story, get to see the new chapters first.

That's all for now. Thank you everybody for reading, and I hope you enjoy this new chapter in the continuation of Harric.