AUTHORS NOTES: Hey to you all who have been waiting for a while on this story, I apologise for it taking so long. I came across a block on this story and yes I know I changed the time line of events in season 1 but well its AU now which means I can do what ever I want with the story. May be bringing back Josh and Leo will be back so don't worry, may introduce Mandy and Oliver will be making an entrance. Oh and Dumbledore will be in this for a chapter or two at some point. So as you can see the ideas are back, so thank you all of reviewing and reading.
Chapter 9: Two News Stories and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Monday morning came for the pair with little to say about the matter of returning to work, Harry was already in the shower when Draco walked in behind him kissing the back of his neck, "Morning to you and all." Harry said as he felt soapy hands on his back.
"You ready to go back to work." Draco asked.
"I'll be intrigued to find out what lunatic the headmaster sent me to deal with the current situation, I get the feeling he will be eccentric to say nothing of annoying as hell." Harry said to him as they worked to get out of the shower quickly, Harry knew the boys were going to be leaving shortly for their holiday and they both wanted to say goodbye.
The two of them managed to get downstairs twenty minutes later they could hear the boys laughing and joking in the kitchen, "You two better be eating." Harry said playfully as he walked in ruffling Troy's hair, said boy growled at him playfully as James and Lily chuckled. Harry bent down kissing the top of his sons heads in turn making them both growl as Draco sat down in his usual spot.
"So where are you taking these rascals?" Harry asked sitting down next to Draco and the boys.
"We thought we'd take them to the family beach house." James said to him Troy laughed.
"They haven't even seen the ocean, have you both packed?" Harry asked both of them nodded. "Underwear, beach wear, everything?" Harry asked they nodded. "Now why do I not believe that for a minute." Harry said using his free hand to tickle Troy who was trying hard to keep himself from laughing. "I happen to know you don't have any beach wear Troy." Harry said James laughed.
The fact that the four of them and the two babies were going to be away for a couple of weeks to give them some alone time to concentrate on work, was something that they were both looking forward to, it meant that they would get some undisturbed sleep away from the babies.
"We can call if we need anything." James said to him.
"Kaden do you have your kit?" Harry asked his son who nodded. "Well then, have a good time you two and make sure you catch some sun for us." Harry said hugging them both in turn. "Call when you get there, I should be in the office all day, if I'm not leave a message with Donna or Draco's secretary." Harry said to his parents before saying good bye to the baby's he kissed their heads. "You watch these two if we miss anything I want to know about it mister." Harry said tapping Kaden on the chest the boy laughed.
"See ya dad." Troy said.
"By boys, have a good time." Harry said as he pulled his jacket back on and headed for the door.
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Harry walked into the office as normal he smiled at the few people who were already in, Sam stopped him by the door to his office to hug him tightly.
"Welcome back." Sam said to him.
"Thanks Sam, what do we have this morning besides me heading for the loony bin." Harry asked as he pulled of his suit jacket and sat down behind his desk as they went through the morning schedule Harry found himself zoning out to what Sam was saying and watching Toby it the Roosevelt room. "What's going on in there?" Harry asked.
"Teamsters arguing over pay." Sam said to him.
"Again?" Harry asked the man nodded.
"I'm sorry about the baby Harry." Sam said to him when the meeting between them was over.
"Thanks Sam, the fact that Leo and CJ were at the funeral for all of you meant a lot to me and Draco." Harry said to him Sam smiled. "Also the flowers you guys sent with them" Harry said as he stood up. "Brief the senior staff I will catch up with them during the day, I am going to check with the big cheese." Harry said Sam chuckled as he left the room Harry knocked on the door to the oval office before walking in.
"Good morning Harry, someone told me you were back today." Jed said to him as he pulled him into a hug.
"Good morning Mr. President." Harry said to him as Leo came in the other door. "Morning Leo." Harry said.
"Oh am I glad to see you back, you can deal with Mowbray." Leo said to him Harry laughed.
"Oh the horror of being chief of staff." Harry said to the president who chuckled.
"How are the twins?" Leo asked.
"Both sets are going with their grandparents to Disney land for a couple of weeks. The youngest don't know any thing about that their to young but Troy and Kaden do, they have been doing well since they found out about JJ." Harry said to Jed who nodded. "There were a lot of tears in the first couple of days from us all. They insisted on being at the funeral to say goodbye what do you do for eleven year olds." Harry asked. "I hear that Charlie is dating Zoë would you like me to kill him for you?" Harry asked Jed who laughed.
"I told her that you would say that." Jed said to him Harry laughed. "Charlie is petrified of the older sisters I think he forgets the older brother that she has as well." Jed added Harry nodded.
"What do we do about Leo, he doesn't have an actual position in the white house at the moment." Harry said to them both Leo stared. "Which is fine but we should find him something with a title." Harry added.
"Like?" Leo asked.
"I don't know yet." Harry said to him Leo laugh. "Senior advisor to the president." Harry said to him.
"That would be you." Leo said to Harry who chuckled.
"What about international security advisor?" Harry asked.
"You trying to replace me Harry?" Nancy said as she came in through the open secretary's door.
"Now why would I do that, you forgot my birthday and you insulted my dress sense, so what have you got for me to keep you." Harry mocked as he placed his hands on his hips the room laughed as they sat down.
"I brought donuts." Nancy said to him. "Its good to see you back." she added.
"Your just as glad its me dealing with John as these two aren't you." Harry said she nodded. "If I were president I'd line you all up and shoot you." Harry said they laughed. "How is the situation over there, we've been away from a television most of the last week." Harry said to them the three of them shared looks.
"They aren't backing down." Leo said to him.
"But John has an idea?" Harry asked he nodded. "Does it involve a day when I don't walk out of here with a migraine if so where do I sign on." Harry asked the three older people in the room chuckled.
"How is it you get to call him John?" Nancy asked.
"I hold a higher position than he does." Harry replied.
"You're a prince in your kingdom." Nancy said remembering what she could of the Elven hierarchy. "I'm a squib." she explained.
"Fortunate you, these two would have you briefing them on everything else in the world." Harry said she laughed. "Leo is clueless, the president is just a lowly muggle." Harry said the president growled at him causing Harry to laugh. "I have to preach to the heathens every day." Harry added the president snorted in amusement.
"Good morning Gerald." John Mowbray said as he sauntered into the room by the looks of things he was already drunk to Harry's eyes.
"You do know that his name is Leo, John right." Harry asked the man stared at him.
"And who are you." John Mowbray demanded.
"I would be Harry Potter the white house chief of staff." Harry said to him.
"Oh the guy who went missing at the start of this crisis." John said to him Harry's eyes narrowed and just about everyone in the room noticed the dip in temperature as Harry turned the full force of his anger towards the man.
"I don't care who you think you are outside in the muggle world John but your remember who your talking to and remember to show just the right amount of respect, the sooner you do your job and get out of this white house the better so shall we get it done." Harry sneered at the man Leo placed his hand on the mans shoulder to get glared at by him.
"Harry lets not piss of the ambassador." Leo said to him.
"Its okay I can see Albus getting a howler tonight." Harry said to the man.
"I did not mean to cause you offence." John said to him.
"Yes you did, you know exactly why I have been of for a week, you know exactly what happened in this white house so don't you dare feign ignorance with me you in bred fool." Harry snapped at the man who's eyes widened. "Lets get this done." Harry said the man stared at him.
"You need to apologise." Jed said to him.
"No he doesn't this man has more power than any of us do." John said. "I apologise for any offence I may have caused your highness." the man said bowing to Harry taking both Leo and Jed of guard.
"Your forgiven, now I really do want to get this over with." Harry said to the man who nodded walking out with being dismissed.
"How is it you get more respect from him than the rest of us?" Leo asked.
"Because he knows I can and will kill him if he steps over the line with me." Harry said the man stared at him. "To beat a dark lord I had to tow a very narrow line, just because I am not a dark lord I am more than capable of killing someone with no remorse for it." Harry said to the men who stared. "Be glad I'm on your side and not fighting the light, Dumbledore knows he can't win against me if it ever comes down to a fight between the two of us." Harry said to them.
"If you have any questions for him I'll pass on the letters." Harry said. "If your excuse me I have work that needs to get done." Harry said the president nodded his head.
"You know your incredibly scary at times." Leo said.
"That's why you hired me, you don't need to be mean to people that's what I am paid to do." Harry said laughing as he walked out of the office the others laughed as well.
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CJ came into his office around lunch time, "Morning CJ, please tell me its time for lunch." Harry said to her she chuckled as she chucked a sandwich at him. "Okay you came prepared what do you want?" Harry asked her.
"We have an issue." CJ said to him.
"About?" Harry asked.
"The press rather Danny has information that the president lied about his health." CJ said to him.
"Donna tell the staff that I am busy and do not want to be disturbed get Leo here now." Harry said to him.
"Is it true." CJ demanded.
"Is what true?" Harry asked.
"Did he lie?" CJ demanded as Harry walked to the oval office door opening it he saw the first lady and the president sitting drinking coffee. "Answer me Harry did he lie." CJ snapped at him.
"Sir I need a moment." Harry said to him. "Wait here CJ." Harry said to her stepping through the door he closed it again behind him.
"Harry is everything okay?" Abby asked.
"The press has the MS story, sir have you ever lied about your illness to people or on paper." Harry asked.
"He hasn't, I did when I signed Zoë's forms for college." Abby said.
"Sir Danny has it, we need to make a pre-emptive press conference he can not be allowed to break this story it has to be us." Harry said to him the president stared at him.
"What does this mean for me?" Jed asked.
"There are going to be questions, your going to have even less privacy than your used to, ma'am your going to probably take the brunt of this." Harry said to the first lady. "I'll bring the senior staff in we can tell them together now or rather you can I need to see Danny." Harry said to the man. "We will get through this sir." Harry said to him the man nodded as he entered his office. "The president will see you now." Harry said to CJ. "They have the story Leo, Danny does and I am going to deal with him now, would you get the rest of the staff here now and he can do this once rather than multiple times." Harry said to the older man who nodded. "Get Draco down here to, he will need to know about this if his to help the first lady, Donna contact Babbish get him on a plane now." Harry said to the woman as he walked through his office door into the west wing proper he made a bee line for the press room when he got their he found Danny sitting watching the podium. "Danny walk with me, these gentleman and I have some questions." Harry said their was no movement for debate.
When they reach the press secretary's office Harry waited for the others to enter before slamming the door behind him making everyone flinch.
"How did you get the story?" Harry said to him.
"I won't discuss that." Danny said to him.
"Danny be glad its me and not him, I'm pretty sure his going to kick you out of his white house if I let him, who talked." Harry snapped.
"You think that matters to me." Danny said.
"I think you want to continue working here, and we are going to find out who it is, then we are going to through the library at them not just a book." Harry said to him.
"This story breaks tomorrow as soon as I have written it up would you like to comment." Danny said to him refusing to answer.
"You can't release this story Danny we can't let you." Harry said to him Danny stared at him. "You do this tomorrow we'll do it in front of cameras before hand, your not going to get the story Danny and your not getting the exclusive no Pulitzer." Harry said to him Danny stared.
"What will you give me for my silence if you announce in the next twenty four hours." Danny said.
"Your get the first post MS interview exclusive, the other papers will use your material." Harry said to him.
"Will their be an investigation?" Danny asked.
"I'm not going to comment on that Danny." Harry said to him.
"Did you know?" Danny asked.
"I'm not going to comment on that either, twenty four hours Danny that's all I want work with me you keep your job work against me and your be picking up the bits of your career until you retire." Harry said leaving him sitting in the room.
CJ came towards him.
"Did you know?" she demanded.
"Yes I knew." Harry said to her before walking past her. "CJ if he breaks this I will make it my lives work to destroy him." Harry said to her knowing that she would know he wasn't fucking around this time.
"Why didn't you say something?" CJ said to him.
"Because its my job to protect him and this white house, we serve at the pleasure of the president, and we are about to walk into hell." Harry said to her before walking away when he arrived at his office he wasn't at all surprised to find that Draco was waiting for him. "In." Harry said to his husband who stared at him.
"Harry how long have you known?" Draco asked.
"Long enough to know that when the shit hit's the fan I am going to be asked some serious questions that could potentially end my career." Harry said to him Draco stared. "I didn't lie physically I really didn't, I did however lie by omission. " Harry said to him Draco sat down.
"How much trouble are you in?" Draco asked.
"Compared to the first lady and the president very little, the first lady could face charges and the president could get kicked out of office for what his done or rather what he hasn't done." Harry said to him.
"This is year two right of a potential eight year reign." Draco said Harry nodded. "When do we start campaigning for re-election, will this affect it?" he asked.
"Well be in our third year when the ball game begins it will be the end of our fourth year when we will know if we can redo the fun." Harry said to him Draco nodded.
"This is going to be bad though right?" Draco asked Harry nodded.
"As bad as its likely to get." Harry said to him. "I really need to get back to work, so if your excuse me I'll see you at lunch." Harry said to him Draco nodded kissed him and left the room.
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It seemed to Harry that one crisis lead to another, it seemed that they had only just got the crisis in the middle east out of the way and already they were facing a very real problem. Leo CJ and Toby walked into his office an half hour before the press conference, they had lied to Danny knowing all to well that they were going to break this to the masses.
"Danny is going to be pissed at us." CJ said to him.
"Yeah, I've arranged for him to have the time with the president straight after the press conference, when its over CJ your bring him to my office then I will take him into the Oval, just him CJ, the president will takes question and each and every one you should be prepared to answer questions. We always thought we'd have days like this, suck it up people it isn't likely to get any worse than it is right now." Harry said to them. "Get to work, Leo stay back." Harry said to the man who nodded and stayed back.
"Everything okay?" Leo asked.
"I have to revoke your credential's you have no official capacity here, and its going to be safer for you and him if your not about right now. There needs to be a clear chain of command your presence will murky the water." Harry said to him Leo stared. "When its over your start in your new role at the white house but until then your radioactive, his biggest liability is you my biggest problem is you." Harry said to him.
"I should go before the press conference." Leo said to him rising from his chair.
"Leo its not personal." Harry said to him Leo nodded. "A couple of months and your be back in here until then Chuck will show you out the building." Harry said nodding to the security behind him.
"Does he know yet?" Leo asked.
"No that's the next job." Harry said the man nodded before leaving the room.
Harry walked to his private door to the oval office knocked then entered, the first lady was talking to him and Jed looked like hell in his opinion.
"Harry is everything ready?" Jed asked.
"Yes sir, I had to let Leo go." Harry said to him Jed stared at him.
"Why would you do that I need him." Jed snapped.
"Sir with all due respect his a liability when this hit's the press in twenty minutes, he has no official position here and his your former chief of staff. Their has to be a clear chain of command during the next few weeks possibly months." Harry said to him. "I didn't like doing it any more than you like that I did it, but as your chief of staff this was my call, I made it because you couldn't." Harry said to him Jed sat down behind his desk as Harry sat down opposite Abby.
"Your right, that's not to say I like it." Jed said.
"We can bring him back in when this over in a clearly defined role." Harry said to him.
"How angry do you think Danny is going to be when we do this in front of everyone?" Jed asked.
"His going to be pissed, I've cleared your schedule for after the press conference so that you can give him what we agreed to this morning." Harry said he looked exhausted to anyone who knew him well. "Maybe we can get to bed before three tomorrow morning." Harry said to the man who nodded.
CJ was let into the room ten minutes later, "Sir its time." CJ said to him.
"As we walk through the fires of hell." Harry muttered Abby laughed as they rose to their feet. "Mr. President shall we." Harry said to the man who nodded and made his way to the door followed by the three of them. "Does Danny suspect what we are about to do?" Harry asked.
"No not that I know of his in his seat." CJ said. "His going to be so pissed at you for breaking your agreement." CJ added.
"Yeah I know." Harry said to the woman she laughed. "If we can deal with Danny we can deal with the world." Harry said to her she chuckled as they came to the press doors. "I got this." Harry said to her as he opened the door and stepped into the room cameras went of and Danny seemed to realize just how badly he was going to get screwed at the same time. He stood up at the podium, "Ladies and gentleman the president of the United states of America." Harry said to the room as they rose the man and his wife stepped into the room Harry stepped back and away from the podium walking back to the door where Draco and CJ now stood.
"Ten years ago I was…" Jed started Harry tuned out the rest of the speech as he looked at the man in awe that he could stand up their and speak about something so big and yet do it so casually the moment the man stopped questions began coming in from the room at large.
"Let them ask a couple of questions then lets get him out of here." Harry said to CJ who nodded they stood for ten minutes as question after question was fired at the man, Harry finally having had enough walked over to him. "Its time sir." Harry said in his ear the man nodded.
"That will be all for now thank you for your time." Jed said before walking out of the room as none of the feed was going out live Harry knew they would put in their own finish.
"Harry." Danny snarled as he walking out the door they walked in silence to his office and Harry allowed him into the room first before shutting the door loudly behind him. "What the hell was that, I was told I'd have an exclusive." Danny demanded.
"Of the record?" Harry asked the man nodded. "That was me screwing you Danny, that was my way of telling you if ever try and black mail me or this office again your going to see why I was made chief of staff, I don't need a partner to be good cop bad cop Danny." Harry said to him Danny glared at him. "I promised you an exclusive your getting it, knock before you go in Danny." Harry said to him pointing at the door to the oval office.
"I was never getting the exclusive before the announcement?" Danny said to him as he headed for the door.
"I told you I couldn't let you break the story it had to come from him." Harry said to the man who nodded and knocked before entering the office.
