Chapter 9

Harri stumbled her way out of the glowing green fireplace at the Burrow. Huffing quietly at her typical clumsiness she climbed back to her feet and brushed the soot off her jumper absentmindedly. When she glanced up her sight was obstructed by a stretch of black cloth and severe silver buttons. Startled she took a step back and looked up into emotionless obsidian eyes.

Severus cocked an eyebrow at her conduct and crossed his arms. "Any day now Miss Potter." He uttered sarcastically before leading the way impatiently into the kitchen.

Harriette noted the slightly whispery undertone that had invaded the deep tenor of his speech. At least his attitude towards her hadn't changed at all, she mused as she followed him silently. It was bizarre how comforting that was.

As she stepped into the kitchen Harri forgot about her surly professor when she was enveloped into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh! Harri Dear! So good to see you!" gushed.

Molly took a step back, so she could give her a proper examination. "You're still far too thin dearest. Come have a seat and I'll get you sorted with a proper lunch before I leave." Harri refrained from pointing out that had also lost a significant amount of weight. She also appeared to be exhausted and had some new grey hair mixed in with her ginger mane. Instead, Harri allowed herself to be coddled and took a seat at the table next to Minerva and across from professor Snape and Kinsley. Once she had served everyone a heaping plate of food (even an exasperated potions master, despite his protests) placed a small kiss on Harriette's brow before bustling into to living room so she could floo to st. Mungos once again hold vigil over her comatose son.

Severus ignored the food and observed the sullen child in front of him as she picked at her meal. He had a hard time imagining this girl in the role of his daughter. Her hair had grown since her sixth year and now curled wildly past her shoulders. Much like her idiotic father, her hair didn't seem to be able to decide if it wanted to be straight or curly and was therefore caught somewhere between the two. Her skin was paler then it had been and for once Molly's fussing had not been misplaced, Harri seemed almost emaciated. The bruise-like shadows in her face seemed only to enhance the dull look in the emerald eyes hidden behind her atrocious glasses. She wore an old and worn looking pair of baggy jeans and another Weasley jumper that no longer fit her skeletal frame. The idea that Severus could help this obviously frail girl was simply insane.

Minerva welcomed Harri kindly and proceeded to make small talk with Kingsley while Harriette ate her meal. The business could be attended to after. Once everyone had eaten as much as they could she cleared the plates with a wave of her wand and erected the privacy wards. "Now that we are finished lunch, we can discuss why we are here." She turned to address the child saviour who wasn't a child any longer. "Tell me, Miss. Potter, what were your plans for the next few years?"

Harri looked at her hands folded in her lap before looking back up at the headmistress. "To be honest Mrs. McGonagall I hadn't expected to survive the war, so I haven't made any plans at all."

"What about your desire to become an Auror that we discussed in your fifth year?"

"Truly, Professor, I've had enough fighting Dark wizards to last a lifetime. Also, I'm certain even if I were to attempt a career as an Auror, the public would likely hinder my ability to do my job and anyone I worked with would be in more danger then they would be with another partner. I don't know what I want to do now, but I know it's not that."

Minerva reached over and patted her arm in an affectionate manner. "Please call me Minerva, Harriette. I'm no longer your Head of House. We're colleagues now." She smiled at the slightly dazed look on the young woman's face. "Perhaps then I might make a suggestion?"

Harriette tilted her head in acquiesce.

"Kingsley had brought a mission to the attention of the Order that might suit you perfectly. If you would care to explain Minister?"

Kingsley leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat. "I have been approached by a mediator acting as the representative of both the American and British muggle Prime Ministers. Apparently, the Ministry of Magic had been found in breach of the treaty forged between our two societies. The non-magical community was greatly impacted by both our wars against Riddle. While they are currently passing the damage off as terrorist attacks, should we fail to forge a new treaty they may expose our society to the public at large. Ever since the first rise of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named the Muggle Prime Minister and his representatives have been ignored, lied to and even imperioed. The mediator has proposed that the current treaty may stand if an amendment is made. Consults must be deployed to work and live with each governing body to act as points of communication and consult the ministers on possible magical threats to their nations."

Severus sneered. "Essentially they want hostages to ensure we don't cut them off again sometime in the future."

Kingsley nodded, "Essentially, but the agents will not actually be at risk. It was a stipulation agreed upon in the amendment. This assignment is completely confidential. Besides myself, the liaison I will assign to the teams, and the point of contact in America, no one will know who I send nor how many. The team members will be working under a forged identity. The Wizenmont is aware of the mission and that's it. The public will be notified we have renewed the treaty with the Muggle government, but they will not be made aware of the amendment. Even should I not be voted in as the new minister I will remain the point of contact for both the British and American consult teams until they decide to return at which point the current minister will assign a new team and then become the new point of contact."

"Why all the secrecy? And why would we send representatives to America? Couldn't the ministry there assign someone as consult?" Harri asked.

Kinsley rubbed at his goatee wearily. "The team members task will be to essentially spill magical secrets, within reason, to the Muggle governments. Wizards and witches globally have been raised under the statute of secrecy for thousands of years and this mission goes against long ingrained values infused into our culture as a result. While this is being done to protect the very statute our society so depends on, most people would not view it that way which would put the team members at risk of political and maybe even physical harm. The reason things must remain confidential on the muggle's side of things is by virtue of the statue itself. As to why we must send some of our own to America is due to politics. The I.C.W has decided to support this amendment on the condition that we provide the American government with consults for the first 100 years because the amendment was our fault in the first place."

"What would this assignment entail? Also, I'm willing to do this as a favour to you and as an Order member but, if I accept, I want it to be clear that I am not a ministry employee." Harriette insisted. "Considering I was public enemy #1 not that long ago, even with you as acting interim-minister I don't want to give them the idea that they may have any control over me."

"Should you accept, you will be sent to America under an assumed identity where you would work in a support capacity with one other team member who would be acting as the team leader. You would also be given the opportunity to complete your education in America and get away from Britain for a period of no less than two years. The treaty states that a 'witch or wizard' must be chosen as a consult. It need not necessarily be a ministry employee."

"Who would the other team member be? Would I still be able to contact my friends here in Britan?"

"For confidentiality purposes, I can't tell you until you sign a contract stating you agree to this assignment for no less than two years. I must protect their identity as well. The liaison will be capable of carrying mail back and forth, but visits will be prohibited, and you can't give away where you are or what you're doing. Some order members could be told but only after signing a non-disclosure agreement."

Harri looked down at the table pensively and traced the grain in the wood with her nails. She looked up again a few moments later and asked, "Can I think about it?"

Kingsley nodded. "Please do. Two years of your life is a lot to commit when you can't be told all the details. Although I will need to know sometime in the next two weeks so I can begin approaching other candidates if you don't accept."

Harriette nodded quietly and turned back to look at Minerva.

"Now then." Said Mrs. McGonagall. "On to our last order of business. Severus, Harriette, the order will need to move you both to a new safe house soon."

"Excuse me!?" exclaimed said potions master.

"Severus, while I would love to have you with us at Hogwarts indefinitely the repair crews will soon be given leave to begin repairing the upper floors of the castle. It is very likely the reporters will use this as an opportunity to sus out if you or Harriette are hiding there. As for you Harri, the situation with the reporters and protesters outside Grimmauld place is growing increasingly untenable by the day. Rumours are that some of the reporters are going to attempt to hire a curse breaker to try to slip past the wards of the house. Even if they can't remember where Grimmauld place is they can remember the people popping in and out of existence on the street outside. Now that young Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Granger are preparing to leave for Australia it may be unhealthy for you to remain there essentially on your own. Not that you are incapable of looking after yourself, but you must admit that place is still rather Dark."

Severus sported a rather affronted expression but Harri seemed cautiously hopeful.

"Not that I disagree with you…Minerva. It would depend on where you were considering sending me next." Said Harri.

Snape sneered. "It's not as though you have a choice, Girl."

At this, she sat up and glared at her former most hated teacher. "Actually, Sir, I do have a choice. It may have escaped your notice, but I stopped being your student at the end of my sixth year and I am now past the age of majority. I no longer need to do anything that I don't think is in my best interest. I would also appreciate it if you would refer to me by either my given or family name. I particularly hate being referred to as 'Girl'."

Snape raised a brow and lifted his nose at the little chit. "You do, do you? I believe we are all well acquainted with your ability to think before you act, you pompous little brat. I recommend you listen to your elders. They know better than you do child." Severus expected to see yet another example of the famous temper she had inherited from his dear Lilly. Instead, she simply stared at him with hard cold eyes before abruptly standing and leaving the room. The floo could be heard going off a moment later. Minerva and Kingsley were also giving him rather heated glares.

"What!" He exclaimed. "You asked me to make her mad!"

"Oooch! Nae like that, you damned fool!" Replied McGonagall.