Disclaimer Notes and Warnings on Prologue.

Repercussions

Chapter Eleven

Harry Potter set waiting for the inevitable explosion he had just finished telling his family that he intended to give an interview to Rita Skeeter. He had explained all about the journals and her upcoming revelation about Dumbledore but he was still expecting a blow up. He wasn't disappointed. "Are you out of your mind how can you even think about talking with that woman?" Molly Weasley said angrily.

"He doesn't have much of a choice mother." Harry was startled to see that Percy had spoken up. A quick glance around saw that most of the others were also shocked. "If you calm down and think about it Rita has constructed a very smart trap." Harry glanced around the room again and saw comprehension dawning on several faces. "If he refuses and tries to claim the dairies via the ministry courts their contents will be revealed to the public and she'll still publish her story on Dumbledore." He went on after a brief pause. "But that wouldn't benefit Rita as much as an exclusive interview with Harry." He shrugged. "So instead she instead offers a deal that is too good to refuse."

Harry looked down, he hated to admit it but Rita had managed to outsmart him this time. "At least she'll print exactly what I say." He said looking around the room glad that he didn't see condemnation there. The others knew it was a small consolation since this interview with Harry would allow her to present herself as his friend and confidant for many more years. She had milked the interview Hermione arranged in his fifth year for all it was worth claiming to still speak to him regularly in several of her recent publications. He knew that by giving her this interview he was only giving credence to her ridiculous claims.

The silence was rather awkward and he began to wonder if he should say something else when George apparently unable to take the tension blurted out. "We've got a new revenge candy product line; perhaps you'd like to slip Rita our newest prototype?" He produced a small candy wrapped in a ridicules pink and green wrapper. "It'll make her squawk and act like a chicken for about an hour."

Harry felt a moment's temptation then decided it would be best not to antagonize Rita too much. He still appreciated George's offer. "I'm tempted but no thanks." He watched George nod and pocket the candy as several of the gathered family laughed relaxing a bit.

"You know that I'm still a bit shocked by Dumbledore being on Rita's list." Susan said suddenly causing everyone to turn toward. Harry noticed she blushed a bit under some of their looks. "It's just I never really thought of Dumbledore dating anyone male or female he was just Dumbledore."

Harry understood where she was coming from after his death he'd regretted never really asking about Dumbledore's past. He had gotten used to learning new things about Dumbledore and had come to accept that he was a man like any other. He still admired and respected him but he knew that for all his knowledge and power Dumbledore was just as human as the rest of them. Harry smiled to himself as the conversation turned toward everyone's memories of Dumbledore.

XXXX

Susan yawned as she headed into the bedroom of the apartment over the shop. "We really should get started packing since the realtor was very confident that we'll get the house." She looked over to see her husband wasn't paying attention instead he was playing with a small ball. "What are you doing?" She asked a bit louder.

"Oh just toying with an idea for a new product." George said as he pocketed the small ball. "What were you saying earlier?" She wondered why he was changing the subject but decided it didn't really matter and she told him again about beginning to pack. "I think we should wait until we own the house to start packing."

"I guess you're right." She said though she still couldn't shake the desire to get started packing. They were finally going to be moving on with their lives and starting a family. She was looking forward to being a mother. "What do you think we should name our first child?"

"Fred, if it's a boy." George said without missing a beat. "I'll let you pick the name if it's a girl." Susan realized she should have expected that. She wasn't sure she wanted to stick her son with his uncle's name but she had a feeling George was going to be adamant about doing so.

"We should head to sleep." She said deciding not to push the matter. "I've got to go in early tomorrow because Hannah wanted to talk to me about something before work." She sighed. "I think it's about her break up with Ernie." She saw George roll his eyes but he didn't say anything so she decided to let it go.

XXXX

Oliver Wood set the quidditch magazine he'd been reading down on the small bedside table. He glanced over at Percy who was currently writing in his journal. He was bored, usually if the two were in bed wearing just their pants they'd be sleeping or doing something much more fun but so far tonight all Percy hadn't seemed into the idea. "Looking forward to Penelope's party?"

Percy looked up with a rather distracted expression on his face. "Excuse me?" Oliver just shook his head and repeated the question. "I'm sure it will be an enjoyable evening." He went back to writing in his journal and Oliver was about to give up and go to sleep when Percy spoke up. "I can't help but wonder who will be there?"

"Probably a bunch of ravenclaws and healers." Oliver said amused when Percy glared at him. "Sorry, I just mean she was in ravenclaw so most close school friends were from that house." He shrugged. "And now she works as a healer so any new friends will probably be from that profession."

Percy nodded and then said. "Of course there will also be some slytherin's there are as David is sure to have invited some of his school friends." Oliver shrugged he really didn't care who was there. Percy finally finished writing and closed his journal. "I imagine your ex might be there."

"Why would Roger be there?" He couldn't help but ask. "He and Penelope were never close, and I think she thought he was something of a jerk?" He saw Percy frown at that statement. "Has something happened in the last few years I'm not aware of, I mean I don't keep tabs on my ex and his life?"

Percy smiled slightly. "He married David's cousin Lucinda." Oliver frowned at that. "Penelope wasn't very happy about it." Oliver wasn't surprised. Roger had been rather smitten with her and got on her nerves constantly flirting with her. "If he's there how, do you think he'll react to us?"

"He'll be supportive, and all for equal treatment, just as long as no one ever knows he once had a relationship with me." Oliver said after some thought. "He made it clear when we broke up he preferred women and while he'd enjoyed our relationship it wasn't what he felt was right for him."

"Do you ever wonder about what would have happened if he'd have made a different choice?" Percy asked him calmly. "I know it's human nature to wonder about how things could have gone sometimes."

"I did for a while after we split and I realized we'd never have made it work." Oliver said with a shrug. "It never would have survived the year apart while he was still in school and I was training for the team." He said with a smile. "I don't think I could have competed with Fleur for him."

Percy laughed and in what appeared to be a much better mood leaned in kissing him. "Get the lights." Oliver soon found himself fumbling for his wand to kill the lights in the room.

XXXX

Hannah Abbot set waiting for her friend Susan Bones to arrive at the small café near the main ministry entrance. She wasn't looking forward to her friend's reaction to her news but after breaking up with Ernie she'd made some decisions about her life. She was startled out of her thoughts by Susan's arrival.

"Sorry I'm late, George was feeling a bit amorous this morning." Hannah laughed as that was what Susan expected her to do. "What did you want to talk about?" Hannah hadn't expected Susan to be so forward but she was glad she was.

"I just wanted to let you know in person that I'm leaving the ministry." Hannah watched her friend's face register the shock. "I'll be giving my notice today and I know how fast word travels and I wanted you to hear it from me."

"Why?" Susan asked her and then asked the question Hannah was expecting. "Is it because you split up with Ernie?" Hannah just shook her head no. "What is it then I thought you loved working at the ministry?"

"I've just been thinking." She said after a moment. "I realized that what I love about working at the ministry has nothing to do with actually working there." Susan looked confused so Hannah went on. "I love talking to people and sharing gossip and things but none of that has any real meaning to my job." Susan nodded in understanding. "And I think I've found a better job for me."

"What kind of job?" Susan asked her after that. "I can't think of any jobs that recall gossiping and talking to people." Hannah watched her friend pause. "You aren't going to try to be a gossip reporter?"

"No, nothing like that." Hannah said not able to avoid laughing. "One of my uncles is good friends with Tom the current owner of the Leaky Cauldron and he's going to need a new hostess soon." She smiled at her friend. "If I get the job, I'll be interacting with people all day long without having to spend hours of my time doing boring paperwork."

"And hear all the latest gossip as it goes through the bar." Susan said and Hannah joined her in laughing. "I think you'd make a perfect hostess and I'm sure you'll get the job." Hannah smiled at her friend. "We should head into work it's nearly time to begin." Hannah nodded in response.

XXXX

Romilda Vane couldn't believe it. "There is no way that is true Jenny." She said angrily to her friend from the prophet. "Rita Skeeter couldn't possibly have gotten an exclusive with Potter." Everyone in school had gossiped about how much Potter hated her during the triwizard tournament.

"It's true." Her friend said calmly. "No one knows how she managed it but we've been told her final article in her current series is going to include an exclusive interview with Harry Potter." Romilda still couldn't believe it. First Rita had taken over as the face of the outings now she had an exclusive with Harry Potter. "You really need to find something big if your going to compete with her." Jenny said after a while. "No one is really talking about you much any more."

At that moment Romilda hated her friend because she was right. "I know I just haven't figured out what yet." She still didn't understand why her big scoop hadn't given her the fame and celebrity that she deserved for it. "I'll come up with something." Her friend gave her a skeptical look. "I'm serious I'll find something that will blow Rita Skeeter out of the water."

"I hope so Romilda or it'll be back to reporting on crap jobs again." Her friend said with a bitter smile and Romilda found herself wondering if she had any real friends in this business at all.

To be continued...