Chapter twelve
Harry went to three of the old hide outs, but not one death eater was there. He decided to check one more before heading home even though it was late. Harry snuck up towards a large house in a quiet neighbourhood and came against some enchantments. Harry grabbed his wand and did the counter spell to remove wards and enchantments, he hoped he found the right one so it wouldn't take long, luckily for Harry, they came down first try so he realised whoever did the spells weren't that knowledgeable. Harry snuck up to a window and saw four blokes and one woman sitting there talking. He went around to another window and saw a couple more people. He kept checking every window on the ground floor and found more, a lot more and realised this was the place they were using. Harry realised he couldn't take them all on at once even if he knew he couldn't die, someone would work out what he had done. So he squatted down to try and think what to do, contact the aurors or just wait until the next morning when they might be gone. As Harry was thinking three death eaters saw him so he had no choice and started fighting. At first they weren't going to, but Harry gave them no choice, but he also cast a strong silencing charm around him and the three death eaters so the ones inside never heard them. The death eaters realised they had to fight, so they did and Harry got hit by a few spells which made the death eaters panic when Harry Potter never died, again. Harry quickly stunned them, petrified them before binding them together. As he was taking care of the three, he was hit again, but after a few questions, he took care of her. He took them out of the yard, replaced the basic enchantments before he apparated back to the ministry. The security guard on duty saw Harry with three death eaters, gave him a nod, then asked if he needed help taking them to the holding cells. Harry thanked him but said he was fine, then took the death eaters down to the lowest floor of the ministry and locked them up before filling out his report and hoped his boss didn't have a go at him.
Harry stepped into his bedroom and saw Charlie asleep on his stomach which made him smile. He quietly went into his bathroom, showered then got into bed beside him.
'You're late,' Charlie said as he turned over.
'Sorry, got caught up with something for work,' Harry put his arm around Charlie, 'I thought you were asleep, I tried not to make too much noise.'
'I was off and on, I've gotten used to you being beside me.'
'Yeah, so have I, but since you are awake I need to tell you something that happened today. Not about work, you know I can't, but something else.'
'It's not serious is it Harry,' Charlie sat up and stared at Harry.
'No, well, I hope you understand. I found something out and I just couldn't help myself. You know how we were talking about when Hermione and the others turned into me and she had a look.'
'Yeah, I was there so of course I remember.'
'Well Darius wanted me to go out disguised as Hermione. Ron instantly said I couldn't do it and everyone wanted to know what we were talking about. So we explained what Hermione did, but I said she didn't actually see anything as I wasn't up. I noticed Ron looked away and realised that Hermione did make me get up so she could have a look.'
'So what happened when you found out?'
'I changed into Hermione and had a look,' Harry screwed up his face waiting to see what Charlie would say. When he never said anything Harry decided to, 'Aren't you angry with me Charlie?'
'Normally I would, but since she did it to you I understand that you wanted to do it to her, but also Harry, she is a woman. Now if it was a bloke you looked at then you'd see angry. So what did Ron say?'
'I sealed myself in the bathroom and he was banging on the door, so I pretended Charlie, I never really did it, I pretended as Hermione to satisfy myself. I kept making all these groaning noises, really loud to so everyone could hear. Then I walked out as Hermione with a very satisfied look on my face.'
Charlie stared at Harry then broke up laughing before he pushed him back onto the bed, climbing on top of him, then started to kiss him hungrily.
'That gave me an idea Harry,' Charlie grinned down at Harry, 'You can turn into me, I could turn into you and we could see what the other feels when we make love.'
Harry stared up at Charlie and his earlier beliefs about Charlie being up for anything was true, he was. So Harry kissed Charlie again, then grabbed his wand and instantly changed both of them into each other. So for the next couple of hours, they both really found out what the other liked because they got to feel it.
The following morning, Harry slept in, so he hurried to shower and dress before heading to work. He stepped into the office and noticed everyone glance at him and none of them were smiling.
'What, have I got something on my face?'
'No, but you're in trouble,' Octavia said as he knocked on their bosses door, 'He's here boss.'
Darius stepped out and stared at Harry, 'So, why did you go out alone?'
Harry sighed, 'Here I thought it was because I was late. You know I was safe and I was only going to check out a few places. But I found their hide out and they have no idea I was there. Only the three I caught and brought back.'
'Harry, you know that's not how it works. I give the assignments, then I decide who does what and you always have backup. It doesn't matter if you're immune to magic, they could have captured you.'
Harry nodded, 'Yeah, sorry, I never thought about that. I just wanted to find out where they were so everyone could finally be safe, especially the Weasley's. They can't have normal lives while that lot is still out there. Charlie's been attacked again, I needed to do something.'
'And you're worried, we get that, but don't do it again or there will be consequences for your actions.'
'Oh Harry's in trouble, what did he do?' Kingsley said as he stepped into the office.
'Went out alone and without orders or backup. I know he's used to doing what he wants, but not as an auror.'
'I said sorry and I won't do it again, so can we drop it and go get the others. I saw at least seventeen in that house, but I don't know how many were upstairs.'
'No, you're staying here and filling out all the reports that you're behind in.'
'You're kidding, I'm the one that can't get hurt, all of you can,' Harry said as he stared at his boss.
'When you learn you can't just go off on your own, then you can do your duty as an auror, not before.'
'Look I get it, I did wrong here, but this is serious. There could be another twenty death eaters in there, you need me.'
Ron and Kingsley could both see Harry going off on his own if this wasn't sorted out and fast.
'Darius, yes Harry should not have done it and I would be doing the same thing as you are. But think about this seriously for the safety of everyone. It still comes down to you as head of this office, but Harry is needed on this one. You can make him stay back every night or work weekends if you want. But he's immune to magic, he could go in which could give you the diversion you all need,' Kingsley said.
'I will, you can have me work back whenever you want even if Charlie will try and hex you for doing that. But I know I shouldn't have, I'm just so frustrated. I figured after Voldemort was gone we'd all be safe and we aren't, well, all of you aren't. So please boss, don't put everyone in danger just because you're pissed at me.'
'We said it was going to take Harry a while to get used to following orders and not just going off and do what he wants. He's been leading for years, used to being the one to give orders, that's not going to stop just like that boss,' Octavia said trying to calm his boss down.
'In my office, now,' Darius glared at Harry, then stood waiting for him to move passed, then he slammed the door after him.
'I know Harry shouldn't have done it, but I've never see Darius go off like that,' Octavia looked up at Kingsley, 'Have you, you have known him longer than all of us?'
'No, but I think I know why though. Harry is Harry Potter, the one that killed Voldemort, to give all of us a chance at a normal life. Then he finds out than Harry can survive the killing curse, then immune to all magic and the death eaters are too scared to go after him. I think he's feeling a little insecure in his job but also that Harry has more experience than he has and his been an auror for twenty years.'
'Harry would never intentionally make anyone feel like that. But we've all noticed he's been a lot different since that first attack, it got worse when Charlie was really hurt that time. All his life he's been in danger and dangerous situations and to him, that's his life, so he's just doing what he always has, trying to make sure all of us are safe. I know that is no excuse for going off on his own, but that's Harry,' Ron sighed.
'We know Ron, that's what Darius and I spoke about when we knew Harry was going to be an auror. Trying to change a habit of lifetime, then to do what he was told, not what he thought he needed to do.'
'Fuck off, I don't need you or anyone else talking to me like that. So you can take this job and shove it up that stiff arse of yours,' Harry yelled as he stormed out of the office, then kept going until he was gone.
'Oh shit, let me go talk to him,' Ron said then went to hurry from the office.
'No, he's gone, we're here to do a job, so everyone get ready to leave.'
'In your office Darius, now,' Kingsley said then actually grabbed his arm and pushed him through the door. 'You've made a huge mistake Darius, you're my friend, but you need to listen because you went too far and I know why. Harry is not after your job or trying to make you feel like you're not needed. You knew it was going to take time to get Harry to adjust to having a boss. He's never had parents, no one to ever tell him what to do. It's been seven months since Voldemort was killed, give him a chance to get used to being given orders and not going off on his own.'
'How are they supposed to follow my orders when Harry doesn't and gets more done than I can. I know we talked about it, but I always had my reservations about how he could handle the job. He proved he can't follow orders. So either he goes or I do.'
'Darius, you are a good auror and the best in this office, why do you think I assigned you the job of head. Harry will listen to you and do what he's told, but you need to give him a chance. All his life he's been scared of what might happen, now his friends, the only family he has are in danger and he wants it finished. He was willing to die to make sure everyone was safe. That shows what type of person he is but he needs you, not everyone else, but you to give him a chance. He's scared Darius, you might not see it, but I can because we became friends. He has the same tense stance and look he always had whenever he knew Voldemort was planning something. Harry's very good at hiding what he's really feeling, but the people closest to him can always tell when his scared and it's not for him, it's for everyone, you included.'
Kingsley and Darius stared at each other trying to make the other see their point of view and if Darius didn't give in, then he could just lose more than Harry Potter from the auror office and Kingsley knew he could lose all of the aurors.
