Author's Note: Written for…

All About You Challenge. Prompts: sceptical, observant, fussy, precise, reliable

Occasion and Style Competition. Prompts: Election Day, fix fic (the Lucius bit)

Putting Things Right

"Congratulations, Minister."

Kingsley glanced up from the mound of paperwork on his desk to glare at Harry. The boy – man, he supposed now – was standing in the doorway holding the latest edition of the The Daily Prophet. Kingsley's own face stared back at him from the cover, under the headline of 'New Minister Elected'.

"That's a terrible shot of me," he said, returning to his work. And it was. Kingsley never looked good in black and white photos.

"I didn't realize you were fussy about that sort of thing. Should I ask them to reprint?" Harry took a seat across from Kingsley, kicked his feet up on the desk, and began to read from the paper.

"'Despite a disappointing parade of Ministers in recent years, Kingsley Shacklebolt, formerly of the Auror Offices, was elected as Britain's newest Minister for Magic this morning. Minister Shacklebolt has already proven himself to be more reliable than his predecessors, having spent the last three months as Acting Minister following You-Know-Who's takeover of the Ministry.'"

"I didn't ask you here to read. Or to scuff up my desk." Kingsley continued scribbling away at his forms.

Harry smirked, removing his feet from the desk and chucking the newspaper in the rubbish bin. "Why did you ask me here? I'm assuming it wasn't to celebrate."

Kingsley glanced up wearily and placed a large hand on one of the stacks of papers. "Do you see these? These are the forms I need to have filled out by the morning to officially take my place as Minister. I'm in no mood to party."

"And I'm in no mood to fill out paperwork, if that's why I'm here. I've got enough of my own, thanks."

"I asked you here because of those papers." Kingsley motioned to the nearly identical stack of papers on the other side of his desk. "We're starting trials next week, now that we have the Azkaban situation under control, and I have the authority to sentence prisoners."

Harry nodded solemnly. "Good."

"Yes. But I need your opinion on what to do about these three." Kingsley handed him the three topmost files and Harry rifled through them.

"The Malfoys?"

"I don't want to do something here I'll regret," the Minister admitted. "Draco was still young when he joined Voldemort. I would rather not have to send him to prison if I don't have to. You're observant; you've spent time with the Malfoys. I thought you might be able to advise me on this."

"Draco may be a git, but I don't believe he deserves prison. As far as I know, he never murdered anyone."

Kingsley let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

"I'd prefer it if you'd let Narcissa go as well."

"I was curious about her. She never received a mark."

"I believe she was dragged into the mess. And she saved my life during the battle. I was hoping to repay the debt."

"Understood. And Lucius? He's been making strides since his arrest. He seems willing to perform community services, rehabilitation…"

Harry scanned the file, humming thoughtfully. After a few moments, he locked eyes with Kingsley. "To be perfectly honest, I'm sceptical to believe anything that comes out of Lucius Malfoy's mouth."

"Oh?"

"I've had more than enough encounters with him to be confident that he will never change, and if you're asking for my opinion, I think we'd all be a lot safer with him locked up."

Kingsley took the files back, smiling sadly. "Unfortunately that was precisely what I was expecting to hear. Thank you, Harry."

"Any time, Minister. So, Narcissa and Draco…?"

"They'll have to go through with their trials still, but I think with you on their defence they should be quite short."

"Good, and thank you."

"One last thing, Harry."

"Sir?"

"Never call me 'Minister' again."