Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR and anyone she legally lets use them. Not me.

A/N: So sorry guys, real life took over. Again. Thank you for the wonderful reviews, and all the alerts and faves! :) Your reviews kept haunting me, telling me I had to post this chapter soon x.x Hope you like it, enjoy!


Chapter7

Harry stumbled out of the Floo into the Weasley living room, sandwiched between Ginny and Blaise. As he began to teeter on his feet, Blaise led Harry to the sofa and settled him in. Harry leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes as he regained his equilibrium. He was also avoiding the piercing brown of Ginny's eyes.

"Gin…"

Ginny spun around from where she had been standing, seething, staring out the window, and said, "Not one word, not one word Harry James Potter."

"Ginny…" Harry tried again.

"No. No Harry. You let those two…morons walk all over you. You almost died Harry! DIED!" Ginny was clenching her hands against her sides, eyes fiery with Weasley temper.

Blaise walked over to his wife, settling his arm around Ginny's shoulders and squeezing gently. "Ginny."

Harry looked at them for a moment before saying, "I don't let them walk all over me Ginny."

"Then what was that? You didn't take you medicine, you didn't ask for help when you needed it, they don't know ANYTHING about you or anyone else for that matter, not really—"

"Gin. Why should they know anything about me? They don't really read the newspaper, which has only about 25% of my life now, and they're just happy being left alone. I want to be left alone too. I just live with them and pretend to be married to Severus. We have no other relationship beyond that."

Ginny was still seething. "Why not! You live together. The least they can do is make sure you're okay. They don't care."

Harry looked up, "Why should they?"

Ginny nearly gasped at the pain that was obvious in Harry's eyes as he stared at her, and her anger drained away.

"Harry?" Her mind was racing with why Harry would be in such pain at the idea of the two imbecilic Slytherins not caring.

Harry looked away.

Ginny looked at Blaise for a moment, a secret marital look passing between them, before opening her mouth and turning to Harry. But before she could say anything, Hermione and Ron rushed in.

"HARRY!"

Harry had a second to look up before he was engulfed in bushy brown hair and feminine arms. Breathing in Hermione's cinnamony apple aroma, Harry let out a shuddering breath, willing away the tightness in his chest.

"Mate?"

Harry looked up and smiled at the concern in his best mate's blue eyes, ignoring the lingering pain. "Ron. What are you two doing back? You were in Australia!"

Ron's face took on an incredulous look just as Hermione pulled back and slapped Harry's arm.

"Ow!" Harry exclaimed, turning to look at Hermione with mock disbelief as he rubbed his arm.

"Our best mate is in the hospital, possibly may not survive, and you're asking why we came back from Australia!"

"We'd have been back the day you were in the hospital except the Ministry wouldn't give us a Portkey. Seriously mate, Mione's priorities aren't that scrambled." Ron said, grinning, his hand settling on Harry's shoulder and squeezing gently, as if to make sure Harry was really there.

Harry laughed, patting Ron's arm, "I'm fine."

Hermione glared at him, "You're coming home with us."

"Hermione…"

"No. Obviously you can't take care of yourself, and Professor Snape and Malfoy aren't doing much either, so you are going to come with us." Hermione's face had adopted what Harry always thought of as Mione's You-Better-Do-What-I-Say face.

"Mione. We'll see okay?"

Hermione frowned and opened his mouth to say something, probably to list all the reasons why it was practical for Harry to go home with them, when Kingsley Shacklebolt walked in.

Blaise smirked, "My my, Harry you do have fantastic luck. About to get lectured by two women and both times you're saved."

Harry glared at the Slytherin.

Kingsley raised an eyebrow, amused at the sight of his best Auror and Deputy surrounded and apparently entirely subdued by his friends. "Auror Potter, if I could have a word?"

Harry looked up and smiled at his supervisor and friend, "Of course."

The others quickly left after making sure Harry would be okay without them. Kingsley took a seat across from Harry in an armchair and looked at the other man for a minute. Harry blinked and asked, "Kingsley?"

Kingsley sighed and took a deep breath, "Harry. This has to stop."

Harry cocked his head, "What does?"

Kingsley looked at Harry, an eyebrow raised. "Your growing tendency to get into trouble."

Harry sighed and rubbed his face with his hand, "Kings…I wasn't…"

Kingsley cut Harry off, "I know. But, Harry, I'm afraid you're going to burn yourself out at this pace."

Harry looked away.

Kingsley narrowed his eyes, "Harry. You're not doing this on purpose are you?"

Harry sighed, "I just want it to stop. I'm done. I'm proud of what I've done…but I'm tired of it."

Kingsley's expression softened, "Harry…this mission. I'm trying to get them to end everything after it."

Harry's head jerked up and he looked at the older man in surprise. "You can do that?"

Kingsley smiled, "The Auror department is mine. I don't have to listen to the political gibberish that comes out of the mouths of the other Ministry employees."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Kingsley continued, "I've pulled some strings and said a few things…you'd still be on call basically, but not to the extent of the past six years."

Harry sighed, "Is it even worth it Kingsley?"

Kingsley frowned, "What does that mean?"

Harry shrugged, "Well, there isn't much else I'm good at."

"Bollocks. There's plenty you're good at."

Harry frowned, "I don't know."

Kingsley sighed and folded his hands together and leaned forward, "Harry, you have time to think about it."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "If I complete this mission in the next few days…"

"No." Kingsley said, straightening in his seat. "No Harry, you're off duty for the next week."

Harry sat up, "What! No, Kings, I can do this…"

Kingsley shook his head, "No. No Harry, you can't. I don't doubt you will finish the mission. Just not now. We don't have any leads anyway. You're injured and you're going to need all your faculties to complete this assignment. You obviously need to work some things out with Severus and Malfoy Jr., and you're going to do it. I'm making it mandatory."

"Kingsley! This is ridiculous, what am I going to do for the next week?"

Kingsley shrugged, "You're going to go home, rest, think, enjoy some time off. Talk to your housemates, read a nice book. Anything but work. It's an order."

Harry frowned, "But—"

"I'll make it two weeks."

Harry shut up.

"I thought so." Kingsley rose from his seat, "So I will see you in a week then Auror Potter."

Harry pouted, "Yea yea."

Kingsley smiled gently, "It's only because I'm worried about you Harry. Everyone is. What you're doing to yourself isn't healthy."

Harry nodded and Kingsley smiled one last time before leaving out the Floo.

Once certain his boss was gone, Harry buried his face in his hands. "And yet you're taking away the one thing that makes my life bearable."

Harry leaned his head back and groaned. What was he going to say to Snape and Malfoy now? How was he supposed to handle being home all day with them being there…?

Then Harry smiled. Thank Merlin Mione said I have to stay with them.

Alas, if only he knew how downhill things were about to go.


And yes, if you're a bit confused, it's supposed to be that way. I know I'm going to get people who're like, WHAT? I DON'T GET IT. So I'm saying in advance, don't worry. All will be revealed soon.

Next chapter will be up soon! I promise :) Review please and let me know what you think!