Chapter Twenty One
"The me I Need to Be"
Monday
Harry was barely listening as he sat in the Wizengamot meeting. He had become quite good at pretending to be listening but his mind was miles away. Ginny had been gone for almost two weeks and he missed her. He missed creeping into the bedroom when he arrived home late and seeing the lump her body made in the bed. He missed talking to her in the morning. He even missed her shouting at him. He would rather still be sleeping in the guest room if that meant she was still at home. He felt like crying, he had already done that several times but now was not the right time to let the tears roll.
Gail placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. She handed him a note and left the room. He opened it and read what it said, "gentlemen I'm sorry to interrupt but can we call a short recess. Something has come up with my child."
"Yes of course let's reconvene in ninety minutes," said Kingsley.
"Thank you," he closed his notebook, stood and took it with him.
(PAGE BREAK)
Al was sitting on the bottom step in front of Hogwarts with his school bag at his feet. He pulled his hood up when it began to mist. This was certainly a surprise, him waiting for his mother to come pick him up from school. No one would have believed it of him, but here he was waiting.
He heard the sound of a car and a black Mercedes appeared out of nowhere and stopped in front of him and the backdoor opened. "Get in here!" Shouted Harry, he moved to the other side of the seat so Al could get in.
"They sent for you," Al was surprised to see him, his father actually left the Ministry for him, he rolled his eyes.
"Get in the car Al!"
"Oh bugger off," he stood up and put his bag on his shoulder and began to walk down the drive.
Harry got out of the car and followed him, "Albus Severus get back here!"
"Don't call me that!" He kept walking
"It's your name!"
"It's a stupid name," he shouted over his shoulder.
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere you're not, if I had known you'd be coming I'd have been long gone." Harry ran to catch up with him. He grabbed him by the arm to stop him. Al violently pulled away, "don't touch me!"
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?"
"You"
"I'm not one of your mates don't you speak to me like that! You need to take your ass back up this hill and get in the car! You were just suspended for fighting, I am not pleased! You do not want to tick me off further!"
"Oh Dad's angry who cares, why don't you just go back to the ministry and run your country!"
"What has gotten into you? You don't get in trouble and you must certainly never get cheeky? If the press gets wind of this do you understand how this will make me look?"
Al laughed, "Who cares about the press! We all can't be as perfect as you."
"I'm not perfect but I do have an image to maintain."
"Fuck the image Dad," he shook his head shamefully. "It's fake, it's all fake."
"What happened that has you acting like this?"
"Why are you even here, where's mum?"
"She's busy"
Al studied his face. He could tell he was lying. "Everyone says I look so much like you, that I'm such a great wizard just like my father. That I'm going to do great things just like you. Well people also say I have my head up my ass, yes I know what you all say about me. But here's the thing that's something else we have in common, you should really pull yours out on occasion." He headed back up the hill towards the car.
Harry and Al didn't say a word all the way home, when the car stopped in front of the house. Al opened the door to get out but Harry grabbed his arm to stop him. "You go in the house and stay there until I get home, I better not get word that you left or you'll pay severely. I'll be back at five thirty." He let go of his arm.
(PAGE BREAK)
At five thirty on the dot Harry was struggling through the front door of his house. His briefcase was overstuffed he had a stack of papers he could barely see over his hands.
"Minister, do you need a hand," asked Jim
"If you could just close the door that would be great thanks," he said continuing his balancing act upstairs to the study.
He had Gail push everything he head scheduled for the evening well except for one meeting he was going to do by floo, there was no way he could cancel that. He had to deal with his children and he could have sworn Gail looked surprised when he said they came first. He unloaded his arms onto the desk, took off his suit jacket and tossed it on the arm chair in the corner.
He was going to have to make some changes. Ginny was already in the headlines about a relationship with Malfoy and then if it came about what was happening with his children that would be it. The commotion would be over blown and everyone would start asking things like… How can Potter run a country if he can't even run his household?
He hadn't been seeing to Lily since Ginny left, he wasn't trying to purposely neglect her it's just he was too busy being upset about the deterioration of his relationship. She could be half way to Nepal by now and he wouldn't have known. He knew she wasn't because Ben told him they were late coming home because she had detention for blowing off class to smoke and drink. All of this was going to change and he would have to find some sort of punishment for Al, he could do this. He's a parent that wasn't new, he could handle this.
"Al, Lily a word please!" He shouted going up the next flight of stairs to his bedroom.
"What" Lily said coming in as if she didn't want to be bothered
"Sit down," Lily plopped down on the bed, "So you blew off class to smoke and drink"
"I did not smoke and it wasn't as if I got drunk," she defended
"It doesn't matter Lily you are not allowed to drink!"
Al came in dragging his feet and sat on the edge of the bed. "I can't believe you got suspended," Laughed Lily forgetting about her father's aggravation with her, "you may actually be related to me after all."
"Shut up," sneered Al
"Why don't you both shut up," Harry began to loosen his tie.
"Wait what are you doing home? Is this because Mum's been missing in action," asked Lily
"That's what I need to talk to you about…"
"Where's mum," Al asked
"I don't think he knows," answered Lily
"What do you mean he doesn't know?"
"She took off didn't tell him where she was going," Lily explained.
"HEY!" Harry shouted over them. He took a deep breath, "I need you both to listen to me. We are going to have to make some changes because I need help. I cannot watch you twenty four seven so I am going to count on you both to behave."
"What's going on," there was a hint of worry in Lily's voice.
"I am going to be on my own for a bit and I just need everyone to pitch in…"
"Did Mum leave you?" Al looked worried
Harry looked from Lily to Al. They were staring at him expectantly. They looked as if the wrong answer would scar them for life. He wasn't sure how to go about this, he wasn't sure if Ginny left him. Generally when something bad happens she took care of it and he just reassured his children he was there for them. "Your mum and I are taking a break. No one has left anyone we just need to spend some time apart."
"Which is what people say before they get divorced," pressed Lily.
"No one is even talking about divorce," Harry assured them, no one was talking about anything. He hadn't seen her since she came to yell at him about Malfoy, "But the reason I need to talk to you both is because I have a lot to do and no help. So Lily please continue to get up on your own in the morning and go to school because I have to leave for work before you go. Come straight home after and since you took it upon yourself to blow off class to drink you can't go anywhere, don't even ask. Al I haven't decided what's going to happen to you yet but don't even think about leaving the house."
"What did you do to our mother Potter," Al got to his feet.
"I didn't do a thing."
"So she just ran off to fulfill a girlish whim," he shouted, "she generally doesn't act rashly that's your department. Given the history of you and her, logic would say this is your fault!"
"Look, I've shared everything I'm going to with you guys. So please leave me be, I have some work to do." They just stared at him, "go away!" He pointed at the door. He watched as they left, Lily closed the door behind her.
"Al," Lily called him in a whisper before he went back to his room. He turned to her. "Do you think they're going to get divorced," she asked seriously.
Al looked at her, she looked frightened. It was odd to see Lily scared. She wasn't scared of anything and he didn't want to scare her more. It's not that their father had confirmed that, he just assumed, so he just said, "I don't know"
"But she's been gone for two weeks and you said…"
"Dad and I are having a time of it. I said it out of spite," he turned and went upstairs before she could ask him anything else.
Tuesday
The alarm clock rang and Harry opened his eyes. He stared at the empty side of the bed. He rolled over and turned off the alarm and pulled himself up and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He was so tired but life went on, he ran his hands through his hair as he got up and crossed the room to his door.
He pulled the door open and went across the hall to Lily's room. He turned on the light, "Lily get up," Harry shook her, "I asked you to get up yourself, come on love." She sat up and Harry left the room he climbed the stairs to Al's room. He opened the door to Al's room. He turned on the light and went over to shake him, "get up!"
"What's going on?" He rolled over
"You're coming with me get dressed and wear a tie"
He returned to his own room to get ready. He had to jump in the shower, get dressed, and make sure everything he brought home last night he remember to take back with him today.
(PAGE BREAK)
"Let's go!" Harry shouted up the stairs.
"Do you know how early it is," whined Lily.
"Yes I do and if I left you, you'd still be asleep. Now go to school."
"AL!"
"Stop yelling, I'm right here," he said appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Great let's go. Have a good day Irv," he said following Al out of the house. When they were in the back of the car, Harry noticed Al's tie hanging loose around his neck, "Why is your tie undone?"
"I don't know how to tie it"
"Really"
"No one ever taught me"
"Turn to me," Harry said readjusting himself in the seat so he could tie it for him. He fixed the collar on Al's shirt and began to do his tie. "How do you do this at school?"
"Mum pre-ties all my house ties for me," he answered.
"She didn't bother to teach you"
"I wouldn't let her… I thought someone else would."
Harry looked him in the eye as he tightened it around Al's neck, "I'll show you how before you go back to school."
(PAGE BREAK)
The lift opened on the Atrium and Al followed Harry over to the news stand.
"Morning Minister," cheered Willie, "who might this young man be?"
"This is my son Al," Harry introduced collecting his morning papers. "Al this is the heart of the Ministry Willie."
"It's nice to meet you," Al shook his hand.
"You as well, you're the spitting image of your father."
"Yeah that's what they tell me."
"Can I get a coffee black two sugars," said Harry, "Al do you want something."
"I can I just get some hot water," Al told Willie.
Willie turned around to make they're drinks. Harry looked away from his newspaper, "you drink plain hot water?"
"Yeah, helps wake me up and it's better for the system then coffee," he explained.
"Here you go," Willie said handing them the cups.
"Have a good day," Harry said paying for their things. "Let's go get you set up."
Al had no idea what his father had planned for him. He didn't even know what to guess and as long as it didn't involve him in the PR department it would be alright. He followed his father towards the lifts but instead of going towards them they went down at hall off to the side. After a couple of right turns and a left, there was a glass door at the end of the hall with gold letters that read post.
Harry went in first, "Bernie," a man in a waistcoat and pinstriped shirt turned around. His glasses were on a chain and sitting on the end of his nose. The room was filled with in boxes and out boxes, there were papers folding themselves and flying into post boxes, the ceiling seemed to be a charmed replica of the sky but the owls were coming and going as if it was real. Al knew it couldn't be real because they were underground. There were people hurrying about, he had to step out of the way as someone with a post cart came through the door.
"Morning Minister," Bernie smiled coming over to greet them.
"Bernie this is my son Al," Harry introduced, he watched them shake hands. "Al you'll be spending the week here in the mail room with him. He'll set you up with everything you need."
"We're excited to have him," Ernie patted Al on the back
"Great," Al smiled falsely.
Harry pulled Al away from everyone a bit and said seriously, "The ministry officially closes at five I expect you up in my office no later than five fifteen and we'll go home together." He turned from Al, "good day everyone!"
(PAGE BREAK)
"Good morning Minister," Gail said when Harry entered his office.
"Good morning."
"I rescheduled your appointments for the day and your last meeting is at 4:30," she began following him in. "Also President Chin is coming and you need to host another state dinner. I'll send the details to Mrs. Potter's assistant Mark."
"Actually if you could just give those to me"
She handed him the piece of paper, "and here are your messages."
"Thank you," he said taking a seat behind his desk. He pulled his newspaper towards him. This was just great he was going to have to figure out how to plan a state dinner or fine someone who did that sort of thing. This seemed like a good job for Stamford, one of his minions was sure to know what to do. Schedule meeting with Stamford, he thought turning the page in his paper.
This wasn't so bad he could get through this, sure he was double booked for the rest of his life since he could no longer schedule meetings for anytime of the day. He turned the page and then he stopped, there was a picture of Ginny. She wasn't attending anything; the photo was of her and Dee leaving a restaurant. He wondered if she told her about them. He felt his eyes welling up…
There was a knock on his door, he quickly wiped his eyes and collected himself. "Come in."
"Good morning Minister all set for our meeting?"
"Yes have a seat. Let's talk about the Irish confederation."
(PAGE BREAK)
There was a knock on Harry's door, "come in." Al opened the door and dragged himself into the office. He plopped down on one of the couches and fell over. "Long day"
"You don't know that half of it. Interdepartmental memos, outgoing post, expedited shipping, cleaning owl cages, collating. I always thought the mail room was easy. I'll never say that again, I barely had a moment to catch my breath."
"I don't think most people realize what happens down there." He said sealing an envelope, "but we can go, don't want to leave Lily alone for too long." He gathered his things, stuffing his briefcase until it wouldn't close and tucked some things under his arm.
"Would you like me to carry something," he asked standing up.
"Yes thank you," he let him take the stack of papers from under his arm. "Gail, will you mail this for me," he handed her the envelope, "then you can take off, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, have a good evening you two."
They headed for the lifts, "so other than being tired how was your day?"
Al shrugged, "it was okay I guest, there's this really kooky guy Zander who's in charge of outgoing post. He's kind of cool; he's got green hair and plays drums in this band Retched."
"I bet they sound Retched."
"No they don't"
"How do you know?"
"He let me listen to some of his stuff during lunch, they're pretty good."
"Other than finding new music did you learn anything useful?"
"I know how to send a mass memo to the entire ministry at once," he said as the lift opened on thegarage.
(PAGE BREAK)
"Evening Jim," said Harry as he and Al entered the house.
"I'm going to be bed," Al kept going upstairs.
A loud booming noise filled the house followed by Lily's voice. "SHIT!"
Harry ran down the hall and down the stairs into the kitchen. He coughed and waved through the black smoke, "Lily are you alright!"
"I'm fine," As the smoke cleared he saw Lily standing on a chair opening one the windows. Her face was covered in black soot. "I may have added too much powdered moonstone."
There was a smoking cauldron hanging in the fireplace, potions ingredients spread across the table, and an open textbook. Harry grabbed one of the fireplace tools and removed the cauldron from over the flame, "I don't know what you're brewing but next time over a smaller flame," he said resting the cauldron on the brick area of the floor in front of the fireplace.
"I broke my burner and Al keeps his locked up," She explained, "Excuse me for trying to actually do my homework. I have to bottle some draught of peace" She sighed turning the page back in her book so she could start again. "Where's Al, perhaps he can figure out what this shit is supposed to look like." Harry glared at her, "sorry what this stuff is supposed to look like."
"He went to sleep. I'll help you… do you have more moonstone and where's your hellebore." She pushed a jar and clear bag towards him. "If you look on the top shelf in the hall closet there's a box with some of my old school stuff in it. Go get my burner, you can have it."
Wednesday
Harry wiped the drool away from his mouth and sat up. He straightened his glasses; he was still sitting at the table in the kitchen. He knew what the draught of peace was supposed to look like but he hadn't brewed anything in years. He stood up and looked in the bubbling cauldron, it looked right. Apparently falling asleep on the concoction was all it needed. He picked up Lily's labeled vial and filled it with potion.
He cleaned up the mess and then decided to make breakfast. Well toast, fresh fruit, and juice. Lily likes whole grain with no butter, he reminded himself.
Harry turned on the light in Lily's bedroom, he placed the plate of toast and half a grapefruit and her potion on the end table. He shook her, "It's time to get up."
"Do I have to," she pulled her pillow over her face.
"Yes," he removed the pillow.
He went up to Al's room. He heard the shower in the bathroom on that floor so he knew he was up. He went into his room and placed his breakfast on the night stand and went back to his room to get himself ready.
As he climbed in the shower he remember all the things he had to complete last night but didn't because he worked on that draught of peace. He was having a big meeting about taxes tonight and that was going to be a problem since he wasn't prepared.
After he got dressed he could have swore he heard running water and he wasn't running any. He went out into the hall. Lily was in the shower, he opened the bathroom door.
"Lily get out of the shower, you're taking too long!"
"DAD"
"You don't have anything I haven't seen before now get out!"
"That doesn't make it okay," she said turning off the water and pulling the towel down that was hanging over the shower door.
"Hurry up, you've got fifteen minutes," he looked around the room, "and when you get home clean up this mess," he closed the door as he left her and went up the hall and ran up the stairs to Al's room, he knocked on the door before going in, "we leave if fifteen minutes."
"Ok," he said his mouth full of toast.
Later that night
"Dad," Lily began joining her father in the study where he was working.
"What"
"Can Raleigh come over?"
"No"
"Oh come on, you won't let me go out so why can't she come here."
"Because you're in trouble, that doesn't mean the fun gets to come to you. Besides you always seem to get in trouble with Raleigh"
"I seem to get into trouble without her."
Harry looked up at her, "don't you have some homework to finish?"
"Did it and if you don't let her come over then I'll be bored which means I'll expect you and your guest to entertain me."
Harry sighed, he didn't have time to deal with this and he didn't want her to disrupt his meeting. "Fine but keep it down."
"Thanks," she ran from the room.
Harry went back to what he was doing, "Dad."
Harry stopped writing and sighed, "Yes Al."
"Can I go out and get food."
"Eat something's that's here"
"The thing is we've got bread and tea and nothing else."
Harry didn't even think about food. Not that they were a big cooking family, Ginny always made sure there was food in the house. "Yeah, find out what Lily wants and Raleigh's coming so I suppose you should wait to see if she wants something."
"And you?"
"I'm fine"
"Ok," Al left the room, he smiled at the knowledge that Raleigh was coming over. Suspension was looking up and what was he going to wear.
(PAGE BREAK)
"I'm going to be completely swamped next week, I got a part in this play," said Raleigh as she lay across Lily's bed.
"Another one"
"That's the whole point of being an actress to keep getting the parts."
"I'm sorry that was supposed to be an excited another one," she laughed. There was a knock on Lily's bedroom door, "come in."
"Hey I'm going to get dinner what do you want?" He noticed Raleigh on the bed, "oh hey, I didn't know you were here." He tried to act cool, not as if he changed his shirt five times and had been looking out his window for her arrival.
"I just got here," she smiled
"Cool do you want something?"
"Depends what you're getting?"
"I don't know I haven't got my poll results yet."
"Well I want Indian," Lily said
"You always eat all the samosa," complained Al
"Well since everyone seems to think I should eat more isn't that good. Get extra, want to split tandoori chicken with me," she looked up at Raleigh.
"No I want my own and then I'll probably finish whatever you don't eat," said Raleigh.
"Great got that Al."
"Yeah," he left the room and began downstairs. The doorbell rang when he arrived in the front hall there were all these suits being searched. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to look at his father.
"Are you going to get dinner now?"
"Yes, we're getting Indian are you sure you don't want anything?"
"Get me chicken vindaloo and get extra samosas," he continued up the hall to greet his guest, "gentlemen thank you for agreeing to meet with me at home. We're going to meet right in here," he held the sitting room door open, "make yourselves comfortable."
(PAGE BREAK)
"Why are we eating in here," Lily said as she and Raleigh entered the dining room.
"Because the kitchen still smells like your botched draught of peace," he handed her a plate.
"Well gee, if you hadn't gone to sleep and helped me with it then Dad and I wouldn't have had to do it fifty times over."
"Draught of peace is relatively easy perhaps you added to much moonstone," Raleigh said accepting the plate Al handed her.
"Too much, not enough, the finish product passed so that's all that matters. So many smaosas not enough room," Lily said digging in.
"They aren't all for you"
"That's what you think"
"Al if you don't mind me asking what are you doing here?"
"I was suspended," he said sitting on the other side of Raleigh who was sitting at the end of the table.
She raised an eyebrow, "really?"
"Why is that the first thing everyone says," he said defensively.
"It's just you don't seem the type"
"She means you're a giant nerd who wouldn't hurt a fly," Lily said with her mouth full.
"Please don't translate for me," Raleigh rolled her eyes, "you seem like a level headed guy, was it for some sort political stance."
He chuckled, "no, it was a good ol' fashion fight."
"I must say I am so proud," Lily smiled, "I can finally claim you as mine."
"You don't know how happy that makes me."
"I am not digging the sarcasm," Lily stood up, "I'm going to get a drink, anyone want."
"Juice," Al and Raleigh said at the same time.
"Ok," Lily left the dining room.
When Raleigh heard Lily's footsteps disappear she said, "so how are you?"
"I'm good, sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to your last letter. Congrats on the completion of your puzzle"
"I was so excited I had to share," she smiled at him. "So how under house arrest are you because if you can get away… perhaps you could come see me."
"I would like that but my father has taken on this whole new personality and is actually being attentive. I don't think I'll be able to get away."
"That's too bad," she smirked.
"I could always climb out my window"
She laughed, "Some other time."
"Does Lily know that we've been hanging out?"
"No… I don't think she'd mind as long as I never talk about you."
"Well I will agree with her on that, I don't want you talking about me either." She laughed at him and he smiled, "you've got a bit of sauce on your mouth."
"Did I get it," she asked wiping her mouth. Al shook his head. He leaned over and wiped the sauce off the corner of her mouth. He stayed closer to her enjoying the sensation of the warmth of her breath. They looked into each other's eyes and leaned in…
"Lily didn't eat all the Samoas did she," Raleigh and Al pulled apart when Harry entered the dining room.
"No she didn't," he tried hard not to look flustered, "is your meeting done?"
"No I was just running up to the study and I wanted to check, the food smells good," he left the room.
"What did I miss," Lily came back in with a pitcher of juice and three glasses.
"Nothing," Raleigh smiled at her.
(PAGE BREAK)
There was a knock on Al's bedroom door, "come in." Raleigh opened the door and closed it behind her. Al sat up from his reclined position in bed, "I thought you left."
"I'm on my way out"
"Oh…where's Lily?"
"She was getting ready to go to bed. I'm wired but I need to be settled down and I thought perhaps you'd have a book or something I could barrow to rock myself to sleep."
He pulled the covers back and climbed out of bed, "what are you in the mood for."
She shrugged, "Poe"
Al's eyes went wide, "you're familiar with Edgar Allen Poe," Christmas was months ago but he just felt like he got the best present ever. Cute girl in his room and likes poetic genius.
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"No it's just he's a muggle and usually I would quote and tell someone they should read more."
"I don't think I read as much as you but it comes in handy in my profession." The truth was she wandered into a muggle bookstore to find something to talk to him about. She focused on the section marked classics because she got the feeling he probably read all those.
"Well he is a bit grim for bedtime," he said while moving over to one of his shelves, "I have his complete works, my favorites The Pit and the Pendulum."
He turned around and she was looking through another book, "you know this is in French right?"
He chuckled, "yes, Moliere he's French."
"Don't you need a translation?"
"No I'm completely literate in French."
"You're just one more incredibly accomplished surprise after another," she closed the book and placed it back on top of the stack.
"Not really"
"It's okay to be happy about your accomplishments."
"I wouldn't call it an accomplishment I got lessons for my twelfth birthday."
"Did you want to learn French?"
"Yes"
"And you did I'd call that an accomplishment." He handed her the book, "thank you."
"Enjoy it"
"I will," she turned towards the door.
"Wait," she turned back to him. She waited for him to say something he was just staring at her. "I just wanted to um," he walked up to her. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He felt her tense up against him, he was sure she was getting ready to push him away. Instead she relaxed and wrapped her bookless arm around his neck and allowed him in. Her lips were just as soft as he remembered. The gentle innocence that they originally shared seemed to be fading with every passing moment. They were into it.
This wasn't his first kiss but usually he never sees the girl again and if they stick around it's for other reasons. He pulled away from her…
"What's wrong," she said breathlessly.
"Nothing, in fact it's absolutely perfect, which has me waiting for the impending doom"
She laughed, "You really are one of a kind."
"It's just girls don't seem to take to me. My personality isn't really appealing to most and when they stick around pass the first date it's generally has something to do with me being a Potter. I don't think the Potter thing comes into play with you however you're gorgeous. You're probably the most beautiful woman on the planet which has me thinking I could never be so lucky. So after tonight I'll probably never see you again."
Raleigh felt bad for him. She couldn't believe he thought about himself that way. She also couldn't believe he thought she was beautiful, she would describe herself as plain. Usually when people tell her she's beautiful it's because she's an actress and they just assume that equals beauty. "I will admit your personality is a bit strange but I quite like it, it's amusing. The idea that you think of me as gorgeous," She sighed, "I can't really grasp that but as for kissing you, I'd like to do it as long as you let me."
He tucked her hair behind her ear, "you are gorgeous, I'd like for you to keep kissing me."
She put down the book. She wrapped both her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
Thursday
Harry was having a pretty good day. He didn't have to fight with Lily to get her up this morning. His day was running smoothly he was prepared, he made it to all his meetings on time, even exchanged in small talk with his postal cart pushing son.
"Minister we have a situation," one of the security guards barged into Harry's office without knocking.
"What kind of situation," he said not looking up from his work.
"The kind when Lily changed places with her friend Raleigh"
Harry looked up from his work, Ben had Raleigh by the arm and she was in Lily's school uniform. "Hi Mr. Potter," her cheeks were turning red.
He clenched his fist, "Raleigh where's Lily?"
"I honestly don't know, she wouldn't tell me. I suppose in case we got caught. If it's any consolation I think I may drove down her average. I haven't been in school in a while."
Harry slammed his fist on the desk before he got up. "Raleigh go home," he walked passed her, "Gail I'm leaving the ministry for a bit, hold everything."
"But Kingsley's coming"
"I know but I have to go find my child," he took off down the hall. He got on the lift, level two department of magical law enforcement, the voice on the elevator chimed. He got off the lift and walked straight down the hall through the double doors marked law enforcement squad.
"Hello Minister Potter what can we do for," asked the LES officer behind the front desk.
"I know that it's not ethical but I need you to track someone's last spell."
"Who are you looking for?"
"Alrick Fulton," he sighed
The man looked up at him, "did the young Miss. Potter run off again?" Harry narrowed his eyes, "I'll just go see what I can do?"
The Ministry didn't technically keep track of magic being done when you became of age or at least that's what they claim. You know big brother's watching in all. Sure he could try and put his auror skills to the test and hunt her down like he did with Ginny but this would be quicker. In the note that Ginny left she said not to find her but it was the first thing he did. He did it all by himself without the help of anyone, he didn't want anyone to know what was going on. He just had to make sure she was alright. He wished she was around now to help with this Lily problem.
He figured she went to see Alrick, he's the current person banned from Lily's affections. His father sense was telling him that if she wasn't with him, he knew where she was.
"Minister," the officer came back, "Alrick Fulton last apparated an hour ago to outside of the Demon's Den."
"What the hell is the Demon's Den?"
"It's a pub, big with the underground types it's in south London. It's behind a muggle record shop," he handed him a slip of paper with the info on it.
"Thanks"
(PAGE BREAK)
Harry opened the door to the pub, the dark space filled with the harsh sunlight and the patrons shielded their eyes. He allowed the door to close behind him as he looked around the room. He spotted Lily in a back booth with Alrick Fulton. The whispers and stares began as he stormed across the room. The dodgy crowd couldn't believe the minister was in their midst.
"Lily"
"Dad what are you doing here," she was embarrassed that her father had showed up.
"Let's go," he said trying to keep his temper in check.
"If you could please give me…"
"No, you are supposed to be in school! I told to stay away from him!"
"Honestly Minister"
"I don't want to hear it, I warned you about coming near my daughter! Lily let's go now! You can either walk out of here with me or I'll drag you out!"
"Dad you wouldn't," Harry grabbed Lily by the arm and pulled her up, he dragged her out of the pub, "let go of me!" She tried to get free but he only tightened his grip on her arm. "Dad, you're hurting me," she got her arm free when they were out in the alley.
"Good because you need to be hurt! I cannot believe this!"
"Calm down we were just talking."
"I don't care what you were doing I told you not to see him! Talking to you really is a waste of breathe because you don't listen and you don't hold any respect for me as your father!"
"Some father you seemed to only notice me when I'm doing something wrong!"
"That is not true! You getting into trouble seems to be a repeat performance. This all stops now, any joy you think you're going to get out of life is over! You are grounded until you die! This easy ride you've been getting at home is no longer. No going out, no hanging out with your friends, no wireless, no fashion magazines, and I would say no food but that excites you, so carbohydrates lots and lots!" He looked at his watch, "let's go, you can still make your last couple of lessons, we will finish this tonight."
(PAGE BREAK)
Harry barged into Lily's room with an empty box. He put it on her desk.
"What are you doing?" She got up from her bed
"Joy clearance," he said as he went over to her shelf and took her wireless. He put it in his box. He collected her magazines and records and piled them in as well. "Where did you get the polyjuice potion?"
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, yours and Raleigh's switching game was more than an extreme glamour. This was so stupid what if something happened to you."
"Nothing was going to happen"
"Here's a scenario, you're hit by a car. You look like a blonde woman and your id has your face on it. Which would make you unidentifiable and then you're in a muggle hospital somewhere and no one knows where you are. Then to top it off your potion wears off, which means mind modification for the muggles or if you want to go farther you in muggle government lab somewhere."
"I didn't think about…"
"That's right you didn't think. These are the things that I think about because I care about you so much. I think of all the things that could possibly happen to you no matter how farfetched. I dream about those damn ditches you could be laying dead in somewhere. Now where's the rest of the potion. I know you have more, it only last an hour."
She could go get it out of her hiding place but then he would know where it was. At this point she didn't know if it would be better to allow him to find it or show him. "If you aren't going to give me answers then I will get them on my own."
Her time for thinking was up. He began tearing up her room pulling things from her shelves, searching her closet, and under her bed for anything that would possibly aid in her mischief.
"Dad stop, this is such an invasion of privacy!"
"You should have thought of that before you disobeyed me. As my child privacy is not a right it's a privilege and you've lost it." He pulled out her desk drawers and dumped them. He went over to her dresser. He started with the top drawer and tossed her under things aside to see if she was hiding anything. He slammed the drawer to move onto the next one but he thought he heard something rattle in the top drawer. He pulled it back out took out whatever he didn't manage to discard the first time. He pulled the bottom of the drawer out and found her stash of contraband, "jack pot."
"Dad"
He picked up the stack of fake IDs, "an id for an eighteen year old Lily Potter, a twenty one year old, and a student id for the magical university of arts and science." He snapped them in half and tossed them in his box, took out the vials of potions, and stopped when he got to the key, "have you been driving my car?"
"I know how much it means to you"
He whirled on her, "you mean more to me and you don't know how to drive! Do understand how serious this is, what if you got into an accident, if you hurt yourself or someone else?"
"I only drove it once"
"One time is too many!" He pocked the keys and turned back to the drawer, he picked up the black velvet box. He opened it and there was a necklace with a heart shaped locket. He opened it, "is this how you've been talking to Alrick or with this mobile," he picked up the phone.
"Both"
He tossed them both into his box. He pulled the drawer out and dumped the rest of its contents into his box. He watched as money, letters, and condoms fell in. "Lily will you please explain to me why you do the things you do?" He said looking down at all the things he was taking from her. He didn't know what he was going to do with her but chaining her to the wall in the basement seemed like a good idea.
"Because I'm me"
"Damnit Lily!"
"I'm not going to apologize because I don't think I was wrong!"
"You don't think being openly defiant is wrong? Well I've got news for you love it is. He is too old for you and…"
"I love him," she cut him off. "I know that legally I shouldn't be seeing him but I can't help who I fall for. I want to be with him."
"Are you sleeping with him?"
"No"
"Then who are these for," he picked up the box of condoms.
"They were for someone else I was seeing someone and we slept together..."
Harry wanted to pass out his daughter had sex but he was going to refrain because he was doing what he thought was some pretty good parenting right now. "This box hasn't been open were your safe?"
"Yes, I got those after but we didn't work out."
"You slept with a guy and he changed for the worse."
"How did you know?" She was surprised she never told her parents about him.
"Unfortunately I can't always speak highly of my gender. Did he do something to you?"
"It's more like what I wouldn't do for him. He expected that I would just sleep with him whenever he wanted, it wasn't really about us."
"It wasn't Merlin was it?"
"I know you probably still won't believe me but Merlin aka Carlos Juan Estevez Santiago Lumpkin is just my friend. I know he's into some shady stuff but he really is a sweetheart, in fact when said ex wouldn't leave me alone he stepped in."
"Are going to tell me who the ex is?"
"No I would prefer you not freak"
"It's too late for that, I'm already trying my hardest not to scream. You were sleeping with someone you didn't even see fit to tell me you were dating."
"You only care because I'm a girl. I bet you'd give Al a pat on the back when his loses his virginity."
"This has nothing to do with you being a girl. I am not opposed to any of my children dating someone and progressing in their relationships. I want you all safe and healthy but I do have a problem with you getting so serious with someone you told absolutely no one about."
"You have a tendency to over react. I liked him and I didn't want you to ruin it."
"Look how it turned out, it sounds to me like someone needed to."
She rolled her eyes, "It doesn't matter it's been over for a long time. But I learned… I was sexualized to early and I know that I must make sure my feelings are protected before I give anyone anything. There are rumors about me and all these men and I cannot deny that I spend time with them, there's photo evidence. They really are just my friends, I haven't dated anyone since my… break up and I haven't really wanted to and then I met Alrick. He's different, we've been… well actually I don't know what we've been doing, but we've been doing it for about a year. It feels right. I'm only sixteen but I thought you'd understand."
"You expect me to understand because you got caught."
"I expect you to understand because you fell in love with mum when you were sixteen."
He sighed, that was true but they weren't really in the best place and he didn't want that for Lily. He had this feeling she really did love the guy but he just didn't feel right about it. "I don't deny you have feelings for Fulton and I do understand being young and in love but you're going to have to wait," he lifted the box and left the room.
Friday
Harry had the marauder's map open on his desk, he had been watching Lily's name all day to make sure she was in class. At four when classes let out she was going to come join Harry at the Ministry. It was after four so he was expecting her any minute. There was a knock on his door, "Come in."
"Minister I um…"
He didn't have to look up, who knew exactly who it was, "What do you want Stewart?"
"I don't mean to be rude sir and normally I wouldn't bring something like this up," he said nervously
"What is it," he looked up at him.
"I haven't been paid for the month," he finished.
Shit, Harry thought to himself, he forgot all about the bills. Ginny usually did them. He would have to take care of them tonight because he didn't want something needed to not be paid for. "I'm sorry, I forgot," he sighed, "you will be paid by tomorrow. Is that all?"
"Yes"
"Good then bye, I'm expecting a call."
"Minister Potter," a head popped up in his floo.
"I'll leave you to it," Stewart left him alone.
Harry stood up and pushed his chair over to the front of the fireplace, "Hello Mr. Choi, it's nice to see you again."
"You as well minister, let's get down to business."
"Alright"
The door to his office opened, "am I really going to have to come here every day?"
"Pardon me," he said to the head floating in the fireplace, he turned in his chair, "I need you to be quiet, take a seat and do your homework," Lily plotted down on one of the couches and he turned back to the fireplace, "please continue."
(PAGE BREAK)
Harry was searching the desk in his bedroom for any unpaid bills. He wasn't really sure where Ginny kept them and he wanted to make sure he got them all. In the back of one drawer there were a stack of envelopes and he pulled them out. He knew they weren't bills they note card size, he turned them over, some had broken Malfoy seals on them where they had been opened.
Harry opened the first envelope and pulled out the note…
Yes, let's have dinner but I'm choosing the restaurant especially after that giant sombrero situation.
D
Ginny, I've been trying to figure out what to say all day. I still haven't quite figured it out but anyway… I just need to know you're alright after last night. I wasn't expecting that mother fucking git (I will calm down eventually) whoever he was to take our photo. I know that I have just single handedly ruined your reputation right after I regained your trust.
But I don't want you to let this whole thing go to your head. I don't want you to internalize and blame yourself for this you couldn't have known this would happen. Please ignore the trash that has been floating about the wireless and just let me know you are alright.
Your Friend
Draco
Oh Weasley, I just knew you couldn't stay away. You'll surely forgive me for turning down the invitation to the State Dinner last week. I felt it inappropriate to attend after my involvement in damaging your good name, plus I can't stand President Nargi. I stupidly agreed to play a hand of cards with him during a conference in New York a few years ago. The man doesn't know when to shut up. On the plus side I won fifty quid.
I was sorry to hear your week was so tiresome. As for my week it's been about the same, other than me being followed more than usual. I was having dinner at Chow the other night and a reporter had the nerve to follow me into the men's room. Apparently the manager values my patronage greatly because he chased him from the establishment personally.
No I am not excited that the Harpies won, moving them closer to the league cup. The Falcon's will take them on Saturday and yes I would love to listen with you.
D
Ginny I just want to thank you again for taking care of me the other night. I want to apologize for intruding on you at home. Manipulating your security and the hassle I put your night guard through. Most importantly thanks for listening, I know I do not have the best personality but I find your lovely ear comforting. I know that is not an excuse for ignoring your request of space and for that I also apologize.
D
Harry put down the stack and pulled the small red box out of the drawer. He opened it, there was a balled up piece of paper and a rock with blue and orange on it…
My portkey got delayed, rocks included I hope you like it. I'm wrapped up in meetings for the rest of the week.
D
Harry returned the letters to where he got them. These letters made him feel like a fool. He thinks Draco is a self righteous arrogant prat and he's absolutely correct but for some reason he's nice to Ginny. It all seemed so harmless but he got into a fight with Malfoy and accused his wife of an affair and she left him. He sighed and pulled out the center drawer in the desk, serves me right… oh look here are the bills.
Harry left the room and went down to the study. He spread all the bills across the desk. There seemed to be so many and he didn't recall spending this much money but he supposed it was because he let them pile up. He didn't know how Ginny kept them straight, everything magical down to their bill for MasterCard. He couldn't believe how much Mark got paid but he would jump in front of a hex for Ginny so Harry thought it was justified.
He was looking at the numbers from their Gringotts volt and something was extremely odd, apparently Ginny spent 30,000 galleons on a dress. "WHAT!" It didn't even make a dent in their money but it was the principal of the matter.
"Hello," Hermione said entering Harry's study, he got up from his seat and went to greet her. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
"How are you?" He asked, "I didn't even hear the bell."
"I pushed it and Jim let me in. Anyway I'm fine thanks, it's been a long day," she took a seat in one of the arm chairs as Harry went back to the desk. "I'm heading home and I figured I drop off those files you wanted, since you seem to be spending more time at home."
"I just need to be here right now," he said taking the papers from her.
"Where's Ginny?"
"She's not here right now," he answered trying to use the words on the page as a distraction.
"We've all been working overtime lately," she sighed
Harry wanted to keep up his front but at the same time if he didn't talk to someone he may just pop. He closed the folder and put it down on his desk, he closed his eyes, "when I said Ginny's not here I didn't mean she was at work, well she probably is but… she left… she left me."
Hermione's eyes went wide, "Oh my god, how can this be you two are the strongest couple I know," she sounded distraught.
He chuckled, "it appears that way but it's far from the truth."
"But she says you guys are great," Hermione looked as if she wanted cry as if this was her marriage breaking up.
"She and I are very good at hiding things from the public, well everyone really. It comes with the territory of being us and all," he shrugged.
"You're so busy now that your minister it can't be easy"
"As much as I would love to blame this on me being Minister, this began way before that. Minister is just something I put on top of our already mounting problems."
"Are you getting divorced?"
"We haven't talked yet. She's been gone for about three weeks."
"Do you know where she is? You should go to her."
"I think this time apart is good for us… I will never take her for granted again. She does her job, fulfills her duties as Minister's wife, looks after the children, and our household… I was just sitting here doing our bills which I would have never remembered if Stewart hadn't informed me he hadn't been paid. Marveling over the idea she spent 30,000 on a dress and I can't even remember to do simple things like buying food and making sure Lily is actually where she's supposed to be."
"This is going to be extremely rude of course don't answer me," Hermione began, "thirty grand for a dress, how much money do you have, that's barely a down payment on a small house!"
"You're right I'm not going to answer that."
"I'm sorry but how can this be happening why didn't you say something"
"I don't know. I asked Ginny why she doesn't talk to you. I told her we have the greatest friends ever, we've been through hell and back together. I never understood what she meant about disappointing you guys. The look on your face right now… well I understand."
"It's just you and Ginny… you're like a fairy tale, everyone wants what you have."
"I know and I miss her."
"Does this have something to do with Malfoy? That ridiculous rumor about Malfoy hexing you in a department head meeting, it seems absurd but you missed our lunch and Gail said you left for the day."
Harry got the feeling Ron didn't inform her of his and the others attack of Malfoy. "Half true, Malfoy never hexed me but we did get into a fight and left because I needed to blow off some steam. I forgot about lunch I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about that now."
"Malfoy has nothing to do with why we broke up. He's something else I'd like to blame but I can't. Her not being around has given me all this time to think about it. No one knows me like she does and I know that I share so much with you and Ron but there are something's I still don't tell you. There are things that I cannot say out loud, the only person I could ever tell them to is Ginny. We have this connection that is so intimate that it's beyond physical. I always thought we could make it through anything. The whole Voldemort thing, when she traveled a lot with the Harpies, my adventurous nature, Al, it all seemed possible."
"What about Al, I know he arrived early but he turned out great."
Harry couldn't believe he let that slip, "I meant that he's home, he's been suspended, "he knew that would take her mind off his blunder.
"Al suspended? He's the most well behaved person ever. What did he do forget to bring a pencil to class?"
"He was fighting"
"About what"
Harry put his head in his hands, "I don't know, I never asked. Ginny would have asked."
"Harry," she didn't know what to say, she was heartbroken. She had no idea what to do in this situation, she and Ron never broke up. Since the moment they started dating they never left each other. "I wish I knew how to make it better."
"You don't have to make it better but I'm glad you're here because I needed to talk to someone."
"You can always talk to me, you know that."
He nodded, "please don't tell Ron, I don't need him to go postal right now."
Saturday
"Why does everything always require blood?"
"Everything doesn't but blood means life so it's pretty important but if you are making a strengthening solution what kind of blood would you need?" Al was helping Lily study.
"I know this"
"Don't look at your notes," he covered her page with his hands.
"Is it Salamander?"
"Yes"
"They're may be hope for me after all."
"Perhaps, what potions require unicorn blood," he went on.
"Dinner is served," Harry interrupted, "put the books to the side," he put a plate down in front of each of them.
"This is burnt Dad," Lily said poking at the food on her plate.
"No it's not, it's blackened," he joined them at the table. He could moderately cook this was not a first for him but he got an emergency floo from Randall and left it on the stove too long. He had been spending his Saturday working from home.
"It's uneatable that's what it is," Al pushed his plate away and reached for the pitcher of juice. "I think it's cool you tried to make us dinner but I'm not eating that."
"I worked really hard on this," Harry took a bite, "oh my god," he spit it out in a napkin, "that's disgusting."
"So I was thinking since I'm going back to school on Monday," Al began, "that perhaps I could stay at home."
"You don't want to board at Hogwarts anymore." He shook his head, "Why, what about Mike and Tammy."
"I don't want to deal with… I don't want end up in any more fights. As for Mike and Tammy we're tight I'll see them during class and it will be like any other summer we'll be inseparable."
Harry stared at him, "I suppose it will be alright. I'll talk to McGonagall but I thought you liked being at school."
"I do, I like to learn and most of my classes are enjoyable."
"But"
"I just like being here, my bed's comfortable and I haven't felt like hitting anyone."
"Which reminds me, why were you fighting?"
Al looked down, "someone just said something I didn't like."
"It has to be more than that for you to have assaulted someone."
"You don't know this guy. He's always running his mouth off about something I just got feed up."
"That would be our Kenny," mutter Lily who had her attention on her potions notes.
"You know this boy too?" Harry looked over to her.
"Yes he's a wise ass. Although he has been mighty quiet at school this week, it probably has something to do with the state of his face. The fact that he spends his nights scrubbing bed pans in the hospital wing as his punishment might have something to do with it as well."
"I need both of you to know that it is never alright to attack another person. I know that sometimes people can say things that just make you want to lash out but it's best to be in control of yourself." Harry was the wrong person to be giving this spiel since he and Malfoy destroyed the conference room. "You guys get your jacket's I'll take you for pizza."
"I'm not really that hungry can I just stay here," Lily didn't really want to spend time with her father.
"No you cannot because carbs are part of your punishment."
Lily violently pushed away from the table and went upstairs. "What did you do to her?"
"That's between me and Lily," he said clearing the table.
"She'll get over it"
"Go get ready I'll meet you upstairs," the truth was Harry didn't think she would get over it. That was scary, the thing about teenagers is they're not really children anymore but they're not quite adults. They can make up their own minds and although he wants to, he won't be able to stop her from seeing him. She'll find another way and he'll lose his temper. He piled the plates in the sink and went upstairs to meet his children. They were already by the door. "Let's go," he opened the door for them and allowed them out first. He used the button on his key ring to unlock the car.
"Harry," Jim called coming out of the house. He walked up to the car, "Deputy Minister Carrington is in the floo he says it's urgent."
Harry sighed, "ok," he opened the car door and leaned in to address his children, "I'll be right back." He ran inside and into the sitting room. "Randall what's going on?"
"Goblin uprising," he said quickly, "you should get here immediately."
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." He didn't want to flake on his children but he had to go, he went back outside. "Guys I have to go to the Ministry."
They got out of the car, "great I didn't want to eat anyway," Lily said before she went back in the house.
Harry pulled out his wallet and took out some money and gave it to Al, "I am so sorry that I have to go but use that to get dinner for you and your sister. Before I forget come up to my room please."
Al followed his father back into the house. It wasn't surprising his leaving but it did seem like he was truly apologetic. He followed him upstairs and into his parent's bedroom.
"Stand in front of the mirror please," Harry said before going into the closet. Al was heading back to school on Monday and although now he wanted to live at home, he said he would do this and he wanted to before he forgets, it just felt like something he needed to do. He came back out of the closet with a tie in his hand, he stood behind Al. He placed the tie around Al's neck, "This is how you do a Windsor knot, my personal favorite. Start with the wide end of your necktie on the right, extending past the narrow end on the left…"
"The me I need to be"