Harry Potter and all related copyright do not belong to me. Story is compliant through most of the epilogue, meaning I have changed only some names, ages, and numbers of children. There will be slash.
This story is a companion piece to my previous H/D fic: Five Times Harry Drank On the Job (.net/s/7596648/1/Five_Times_Harry_Drank_On_The_Job)
It can be read alone, but may be much more enjoyable after reading the first.
Ron Weasley stared at Minister Kingsley from across his desk, bewildered.
"With all due respect sir, you're absolutely barking." The dark man tossed his head back and laughed.
"I thought so myself when I first came up with it. I figured I had finally gone round the bend." The new Minister of Magic smiled at the stumped auror sitting in his office. When the young auror said nothing, simply blinking into space, Kingsley continued.
"You saw it too, didn't you? At school?"
"Sir?" Kingsley folded his hands beneath his chin, and pinned the youngest Weasley boy with a searching gaze.
"Their rivalry is what pushed each of them to get better. The urge to outdo the other, to prove themselves to each other, is what made them work harder, and harder. Undoubtedly, once they fall back into the swing of things, they could become the most formidable team this department has ever seen. Not that you've been slouching of course," Kingsley quickly made clear.
"It's just that Harry is content working with you. He's not going to push himself to do but so much better." Ron nodded slowly, beginning to understand.
"I suppose that does have some merit," he trailed off, thinking back to his school days. "No matter what we did, even if it wasn't really a competition, if Malfoy was there Harry just had to win…"
"Exactly!" Kingsley clapped his hands together joyously. "I think they would do the same thing with their work as aurors. Granted, things would be rather tricky at first," Kingsley chuckled to himself.
"But, hell, maybe once the suspects see how violent the two of them are towards each other, when they're supposed to be allies, they'll get scared shitless over what might happen to them and turn themselves in." Ron managed a weak chuckle at that, but still seemed rather pale.
"I don't know about this Kingsley. You're taking a big gamble here."
"I know," the Minister replied. "But to tell you the truth…" the Minister leaned in, dropping his voice, and motioned for Ron to do the same.
"The young Mr. Malfoy is running out of options, Auror Weasley. With his unfortunate situation, he has very few opportunities outside of the Ministry. Even here, the odds are stacked severely against him. Especially amongst the aurors." Kingsley leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hand along his chin.
"The Deputy Aurors' are claiming everything from philosophical differences to flat out harassment from Mr. Malfoy as their reasons for wanting a partner transfer, but the whole truth is that the old prejudices still run deep. As long as Mr. Malfoy has that mark on his arm, no one here is going to give him a decent shot..."
"Except for Harry," Ron finished, comprehension slowly dawning on his face. Kingsley gave a nod.
"If Mr. Potter does take issue with him, it will be for legitimate reasons that Mr. Malfoy is truly at fault for, not for a stupid mistake from his past."
"Yeah," Ron snorted. "He's noble like that." The Minister smiled, and wrapped up his speech.
"Tomorrow, I plan to sign the papers and tell Potter of his new partner. Before I make the decision final, I wanted to speak with you. You know him far better than I, and if you feel it's a bad idea, then I will take your opinion into serious consideration." Ron gnawed on his bottom lip, thinking.
"It's not… an absolutely horrid idea…" A grin spread across Kingsley's face.
"I shall inform Mr. Potter of the new arrangements tomorrow. And perhaps," he motioned with a sly smile. "It would be best not to let him know you were in on this little… discussion. What do you think?" Ron groaned as he rubbed his temple.
"To be honest, sir, I think I need a drink." Ron's eyes widened as the Minister sent him a wink, pulling a decanter and a bottle of Ogden's from his desk.
"That settles it, then. This will be our little secret."