This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations.
I thank Rowling for the universe she has created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.
"Morning girls," Harry greeted as he walked into the office, not even waiting for a reply as he quickly moved out of sight.
"Does he always talk as though he doesn't actually want to talk to you?" Lizzie asked quietly as she sat by her makeshift desk, trying to find space on the small work surface for her files.
"Most of the time," Cho responded casually, her attention torn between the conversation and her notes. "He's a busy man. I should know, most of his work goes through me first."
"Most of it?" Lizzie asked.
"Well, for the really urgent things he just gets called to a meeting or one of the other senior staff comes to talk to him," Cho replied, leafing through some parchments as she spoke. "Don't make the mistake of thinking I know everything that goes on here."
"I won't," Lizzie promised.
"So, what was it you were saying?" Cho asked as Colin passed her another stack of parchments over the partition wall.
"Oh yeah," Lizzie said excitedly, remembering what she had been planning on saying. "I met a guy yesterday."
"Really?" Cho replied, looking up from her work interestedly. "Who was it? What was he like?"
"Well, he's not particularly tall," Lizzie said. "But neither am I. Dark hair, brown eyes, he's so polite. I couldn't stop blushing when he spoke to me."
"Where did you meet him?" Cho asked, smiling at the teenage girl beside her.
"In the Ministry," Lizzie replied. "I had all these files in my hands and he asked if I needed a hand carrying them."
"Does he work here?" Cho asked. "Maybe I know him."
"I don't know if you will," Lizzie said. "He's new here, he just got hired yesterday, actually."
Cho's eyes widened slightly as she started to put two and two together. "And his name is…?"
But Lizzie was no longer listening. Instead she was staring past Cho and watching as Dennis Creevey walked past them and approached Harry's office.
"That's him," she whispered quietly as Dennis knocked and entered the office. "What's he doing here?"
Cho cleared her throat softly, getting Lizzie's attention. "That's Dennis Creevey," Cho said. "The new Deputy Communications Director."
Lizzie went pale, her features terrified as she realised the truth. She stayed like that for several minutes, only reacting when Harry's office door opened again and he and Dennis stepped out.
"Ah, Lizzie," Harry said loudly. "I've got a job for you."
"Yes, sir," Lizzie squeaked quietly, causing Cho to stifle a grin.
"For the rest of your internship I think it would be a good idea to give you some first hand experience of the job," Harry told her. "This is Dennis, he's the new Deputy Communications Director. I want you to be his assistant."
Lizzie, if it was possible, turned even paler, which Harry seemed not to have noticed.
"Don't worry too much about the responsibility," he told her. "There won't be particularly much to do since this will be a new post, and if you do need any help you will always have Cho working right next to you."
Lizzie nodded stiffly, still reeling from the surprise that had been sprung on her.
"Dennis, I'll just show you to your office," Harry told him, leading him to an empty office just a couple of doors down from his own.
"Oh my god," Lizzie said to herself as she sat down. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god."
"Lizzie, calm down," Cho told her as Lizzie continued to chant under her breath, holding her face in her hands. "Just be yourself, it's not that bad."
"But it is that bad," Lizzie moaned. "It's not just that I flirted with him but if Harry finds out…"
"You are worried that he will think you're trying to suck up to him," Cho finished for her. "Like you did try with Harry."
"Yeah," Lizzie said miserably. "Wait, how did you…?"
"Lizzie," Cho said with a sigh. "I was there. You didn't exactly try to hide it."
Lizzie hung her head in shame. "I know," she said quietly. "I shouldn't have done that, and Harry's already chewed me out over it. But if he finds out I was flirting with Dennis just hours after he told me off for flirting with him…"
"Harry will understand the circumstances," Cho assured her, at which point Harry wandered out of Dennis' new office and back into his own. "Look, you want to fix things, just go introduce yourself to Dennis."
"What, no, I can't," Lizzie said. "I flirted with him and now he's my boss, I can't."
"Lizzie, everything will be fine," Cho assured her. "Just be professional when you talk to him, he's probably just as worried as you are right now. Either way, you're going to have to talk to him eventually."
Lizzie thought it over for a minute, before nodding. "Yes, yes, you're right, I'll do that," she said, standing up and brushing herself down in a business like fashion. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck," Cho said, smiling as she watched Lizzie work herself up before stepping into the office. Knocking on the office door, Lizzie caught Dennis' attention.
"Hello, I would just like to introduce myself, formally," Lizzie said, somewhat stiffly. "My name is Elizabeth Durand."
"I'm Dennis Creevey," Dennis replied, standing up behind his desk. "Do you prefer to be called Lizzie?"
"It's your choice but I do generally go by Lizzie," Lizzie responded, hands clasped tightly behind her back.
"Well, it's good to see you, Lizzie," Dennis said with a nervous smile. Lizzie was about to reply but she was cut off as Harry breezed past her, dropping a stack of parchment onto Dennis' clear desk.
"The Minister will be speaking at a fundraiser for magical children in Africa tomorrow," Harry informed Dennis. "Make it short and sweet, focus the emphasis on our wish to give all magical children the education they deserve and try not to mention the African Care Plan we managed to pass last year."
"Why?" Dennis asked.
"It was a disaster," Harry told him. "If we mention it we'll just give them doubts about our ability to actually help the children."
"Alright, got it," Dennis said. "Anything else?"
"We may or may not have the Minister speaking on a political talk show next week," Harry continued. "As you can imagine there will be lots of questions we'll need to make answers for if that goes through."
"So all hands on deck for that," Dennis agreed.
"If it happens," Harry warned. "Have the Africa speech on my desk by the end of the day and we'll find time to fine tune it before the Minister has to deliver it tomorrow evening."
"Will do," Dennis said as Harry made his way back out of the office, nodding to Lizzie as he passed. There was a couple of minutes silence as Dennis and Lizzie stood together, before Dennis broke it. "I'll just… get to this," he said, gesturing to the parchments on his desk.
Lizzie nodded. "I'll be just outside, if you need me," she replied, before turning and walking out the door.
"Where is he?" Harry bellowed as he slammed the door behind him, storming outside and fixing his glare on anyone in the immediate vicinity. "Is he in there?" He shouted, gesturing to Ron's office. It took only the slightest of nods from Colin for him to burst through the office door, slamming it shut behind him.
"What the hell, Ron?" Harry shouted, looking down at where Ron sat slouched behind his desk. "You're two hours late, do you realise how much work I've had to do to cover for you?"
Ron mumbled incoherently, holding his head with one hand while the other hand went scrambling through the drawers of his desk. Annoyed, Harry yanked open one of Ron's filing cabinets and reached in, retrieving a small vial of glowing green liquid.
Harry thumped it down forcefully in front of Ron who grasped hold if it as though his life depended on it. Popping off the cap Ron poured the potion down his throat with a single gulp, sighing in relief as the hangover cure came into immediate effect. Harry waited patiently until Ron had put the vial down again before rounding on him.
"What is wrong with you?" he said, his voice having calmed somewhat since his earlier outburst. "I've covered three meetings and another couple of phone calls whilst you've been away. What did you do to give yourself such a bad hangover?"
"I drank," Ron said simply, blinking rapidly to try to clear his blurry vision. "A lot."
"You realise girls aren't likely to talk to you when you're completely hammered," Harry pointed out. "Which club did you go to?"
"I didn't go to a club," Ron said shortly.
Harry frowned. "Then where did you drink? A pub?"
Ron shook his head. "I went home," he replied.
"You went home?" Harry repeated incredulously. "Why? What happened to trying to pick up a girl tonight, like you said you would?"
"I tried," Ron replied. "I failed."
"What?" Harry said before understanding hit him like a sledgehammer. "Hermione?"
Ron nodded dispiritedly, closing his eyes as though to block out the pain of remembering the event.
"What did she say?" Harry asked.
"Harry," Ron said, looking up at him with slightly bloodshot eyes, the potion still doing its work on him. "I hold one of the most important jobs in the Ministry of Magic. It's nearly lunch time and I've only just got in, what do you think she said?"
"She said no?" Harry asked.
Ron shook his head hopelessly. "I didn't even ask her," he mumbled, head in his hands. "I was going to, I'd got all psyched up for it, and then I saw her leave her office." He sighed. "With Michael Corner."
"She's dating Michael?" Harry asked in surprise. "Are you sure that's what it is? It couldn't have just been a business meeting, or a friendly chat?"
Ron looked up and scowled. "I know what I saw, Harry," he told him bitterly. "And if you don't believe me, just ask Hermione."
Harry watched Ron helplessly as he put his head back into his hands, looking every bit the picture of a defeated man. Harry had no idea what to say to him, making it the first time he'd ever found himself without words in Ron's presence. In the end the only thing Harry could think to do was pretend nothing had happened.
"Your eleven o'clock will be a little late," Harry told him quietly. "They had difficulties travelling. And I've completed that report on France you needed for your 12:15, so you can look over that before then."
"Where is that?" Ron asked, pulling himself up off his desk and scanning the papers left there.
"The one next to your phone," Harry pointed out. "I've just gone through the basic bullet points you'd noted down, and added a section at the beginning to overview our recent relations with the French Ministry."
Ron nodded his head, reading over the report with no enthusiasm. Harry wanted to keep talking, to find something that might cheer him up, but he found there was nothing he could think of. Instead he simply turned around and left the office.
Closing the door behind him, Harry pondered what to do next. Weighing up the work he had waiting for him on his desk, Harry instead turned the other way and started walking down the corridor.
"Hey, Harry, wait," Neville called after him, hurrying down the corridor to catch up with him. "Have you spoken to anyone about the show we'll be doing in a week or so?"
"Wizarding Politics with Samuel York?" Harry asked as he slowed to let Neville catch him.
"No, no, I haven't heard anything about that one," Neville replied. "No, this is Charles Dane and Grace Brook."
"The daytime chat show?" Harry asked. "The Minister is going on 'Private Lives'? They wanted the Minister on 'Private Lives'?"
"Not exactly," Neville explained. "I think the idea is that various members of the Ministry go in and out on a special edition of the show where they talk about what it is like to work in the Ministry."
"When you say 'various members of the Ministry'…?" Harry tailed off, his expression growing worried.
"I mean us," Neville replied. "You, me, Amos, Ron, Hermione, maybe even Hannah and Cho. The people who are at the heart of the action everyday."
"But not the Minister?" Harry asked.
"They're still thinking about whether they want the Minister on air or not," Neville responded. "Personally I don't mind either way if the Minister gets involved in this."
"It's a bad idea," Harry said simply.
"What?" Neville questioned in surprise. "Why?"
"Why?" Harry repeated. "If this was a political show I could prepare answers in plenty of time, I could tell people what they can and cannot say and we might be able to get out of it without looking like idiots. But I can't go and brief Hermione about what to say on our foreign policy when I know without a shadow of a doubt that the first question is going to be about how she feels about working with so many men."
"Well," Neville responded uncertainly. "Write an answer for that."
"I could," Harry replied. "But there are about a million other things where I wouldn't even know where to start."
"Well, we don't need to worry about that," Neville told him. "Leave it unscripted."
"Yeah right," Harry responded. "You can't leave live national television unscripted, something bad will happen."
"Not for something like this," Neville responded. "You said it yourself, this isn't political. We're not going to be making policy gaffes or confessions on mistakes we've made when they are never going to ask about it."
"And on top of that," Neville continued, speaking right over Harry's objections. "The people who are going to be interviewed are smart people, Harry. We're not going to mess up in the face of inexperienced interviewers just because you haven't written down our words for us."
Harry was quiet as Neville finished speaking, his mind whirring through what he'd heard and screaming at him that it was wrong. "Ron won't agree with this," Harry told him. "He's the Political Strategy Director and he'll tell you why this is a bad idea."
"That's funny," Neville countered. "Cause I spoke about this with Ron yesterday. He said he thought it might be good for our public image." Neville looked at Harry, knowing he was about to start another argument. "Hey, if you really want to stop this just go talk to the Minister and try to convince him."
Harry had actually taken a step forward before his brain caught up with him. "You've already spoken to him on this, haven't you?"
Neville nodded. "He liked the idea, especially when I told him there was a big possibility that he wouldn't have to do it," Neville told him.
"Does everyone know?" Harry asked tiredly, wondering if this had been kept from him on purpose.
"Almost," Neville replied. "Amos and Remus know, as do many of the secretaries, as well as Kingsley Shacklebolt." Harry's head shot up. "So he can arrange proper security," Neville explained. "I've just got Hermione to tell but she wasn't in when I went by her office this morning."
"I'll tell her," Harry said defeatedly. "I'm heading her way anyway."
"Good," Neville nodded, turning to walk away. "Just try to see the good side of this."
Harry watched as Neville walked away, barely conscious of his surroundings as he got lost in thought. He was eventually brought back to the presence as someone knocked his elbow as they passed, causing him to spring to life and march down the corridor.
He reached Hermione's office in no time, nodding to Demelza as he passed and entered the room with a knock on the door.
"Hey, Harry," Hermione said brightly, sitting primly behind her desk with all her papers arranged into neat little piles. "What can I do for you?"
Harry surveyed her cheerfulness with a slightly amused look. "So I suppose your date went well last night," he said, taking the seat across from her with a knowing smile on his face.
"Why do you think I was on a date?" Hermione replied promptly, although the blush on her cheeks gave her away.
"The walls have ears," was Harry's cheeky reply. "But seriously, Michael Corner? When did that happen?"
"Just yesterday," Hermione replied. "I was still a bit upset about Tony and he noticed me in the cafeteria and asked me what was wrong. I told him and he asked me out on a date."
"Just like that?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Just like that," Hermione confirmed.
"You know I don't like to interfere in your private life," Harry said, his approach saying he was just about to. "But are you sure about dating Michael? I mean, your job is to trick him into reporting what we want and his job is to trick you into giving up important information for him to report on."
Hermione sighed sadly. "I know, I've thought about this," she said wearily. "I've thought about this a lot actually. I just think that, as long as we both keep our personal and work lives apart from each other, we'll be fine. Just like Neville and Alea."
Harry shrugged non-committed. "Well, that is easier said than done," he mumbled under his breath.
"What's up with you today?" Hermione frowned. "You've been a real downer, is everything alright?"
Harry immediately thought of lying, but found he didn't have the energy for it. "I've just been working too hard," he admitted. "Ron's been having a bit of a tough time today so I've been handling a lot of his work."
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"Sorry, can't tell you that," Harry said with a sad smile. "This is Ron's thing, I can't go around telling other people."
"I understand," Hermione said sincerely, holding up her hand so Harry wouldn't say anything more. "Ron's secrets are his to share and keep as he so desires."
Harry nodded his thanks at her understanding. "I did actually have a reason for coming here," he informed her, straightening up in his seat.
"Apart from poking your nose into my private life?" Hermione joked, although she too sat up straighter at the idea of work to be done.
"Neville wants me to tell you we are planning on doing an interview with several members of the senior staff on a special edition of, wait for it, 'Private Lives'," Harry informed her heavily.
"What?" Hermione said in surprise. "Us?"
Harry nodded. "Us, our assistants, undoubtedly members of the Minister's family will get dragged in."
"That's a bad idea," Hermione told him.
"Good, then we agree," Harry said. "That's what I told Neville, but apparently he, Ron, Amos, Remus and the Minister all like the idea."
"We'll have to convince them otherwise," Hermione told him. "I'll call to arrange a meeting for us to discuss this properly."
Harry nodded. "Good, let me know when it is," he said as he moved to the door. "I've got a meeting in five minutes with Councillor Umbridge."
Hermione winced on his behalf. "Good luck."
"It's not luck I need," Harry said as he walked out the door. "A silencing charm would be useful though."
Harry let out a breath as he exited Meeting Room 3, closing his eyes and leaning against the door in order to recover from his ordeal. Knowing Umbridge would be coming out at any moment, Harry moved on, making his way through the corridors and back to his office.
"Where's Ron?" Harry asked as he spotted Ron's open door and empty office.
"Meeting Room 2," Colin replied. "He should be finishing up soon."
Harry nodded as he made his way to his own office, opening his door and getting caught by surprise by what he found on the other side.
"Ginny," he said quietly, closing the door behind him and walking forward to take her in his arms. "How are you?"
"I'm okay," Ginny said sadly. "Colin called me about Ron."
"Have you seen him?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded. "How is he?"
"Bad," Ginny replied, shaking her head in disappointment. "I tried to get him to talk about it but I'm not even sure what the problem is."
"He wanted to ask Hermione out," Harry told her. "But Michael got there first." Ginny's lips parted in understanding. "It's all my fault."
"Harry, no," Ginny said as Harry tried to avoid her gaze. "How is this your fault?"
"I encouraged Ron to go for it," Harry said miserably. "Ron told me he was sad with girls never showing interest in him and I told him he should be more proactive."
"It's still not your fault," Ginny told him. "Your advice was good. You couldn't have known he was going to ask out Hermione, or that she would be going out with Michael."
Harry sighed. "I know, in theory," he said. "I just can't help but feel guilty about it."
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Harry said, loosening his hold on Ginny so he could turn to see the door. At his command Cho stepped inside, looking a bit sheepish for interrupting.
"The Minister is calling a meeting," Cho told Harry.
Harry nodded. "That'll be for the 'Private Lives' thing," he concluded. "Does Ron know?"
"Ron doesn't have to go, does he?" Ginny said anxiously.
"I'm afraid he does," Harry replied. "It's his job, we need his view on this." Harry turned back to Cho.
"Colin has gone looking for him," Cho informed him.
"Alright," Harry said, letting go of Ginny completely as he prepared to leave. "I'll be back when we're finished," he told her, kissing her briefly before sweeping out of the room.
"What's this about?" Neville asked as he fell into step beside Harry, mere seconds after Harry had left his office.
"The television interviews," Harry responded.
"Wait, you really are going to take this up with the Minister?" Neville asked incredulously. "The Minister thinks it's a good idea. He was one of the first to know about this."
"Well, Hermione doesn't think it's a good idea," Harry countered. "She raised many of the same issues I did and she was the one to call this meeting. Maybe if I was alone in being against this I would simply accept my defeat but I'm not."
"How long did it take you to convince Hermione?" Neville asked witheringly.
Harry stopped walking as they reached the entrance of the Minister's outer office. "Come on, Neville," Harry said scathingly. "You know me better than that."
"Just go right ahead," Daphne told them as Harry led Neville through, the office door wide open and already showing the rest of the senior staff.
"Great, now we're all here, why are we calling this meeting?" the Minister asked, sitting behind his desk.
"Minister, we think that this 'Private Lives' interview is a bad idea," Hermione said promptly as Harry came to stand beside her in support. "We think that this is just a disaster waiting to happen."
"Go on," the Minister encouraged, listening carefully.
"We can't script something like this," Hermione told them. "We are just opening ourselves up to allowing someone without much media experience to be given a tricky question to trip them up."
"So we'll only put on our media savvy employees," the Minister replied. "You and Harry will go on, as will Demelza. The three of you will be able to handle anything that comes your way."
"The producers won't settle for that," Harry pointed out. "They don't want the people we normally put on TV, they want the dirt so they go for the people behind the scenes."
"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "Everyone who works at the Ministry is smart, but what would happen if, say, Ron was on and they gave him a question about Harry and Ginny."
"Thanks for the confidence," Ron said, glowering at Hermione.
"That's not what I mean," Hermione replied, getting slightly irritated. "I'm saying these people love scandals and they'll ask the question again and again, phrased in different ways until they get a juicy piece of gossip by some mis-phrasing on our part."
"The Harry-Ginny scandal has already been blown into the public vision," Neville said. "In truth we don't really have anything else scandal worthy."
"They have you dating a Warlock from the Wizengamot," Harry pointed out. "We can see that you keep your personal and professional lives apart but the public can't see that, they could blow it up into a big thing."
"Likewise with Hermione and Michael," Remus agreed, catching onto the idea and completely missing the way Ron tensed up. "We've got a couple of potential scandal worthy stories in here at the moment."
"But they are not really scandals," Neville pointed out. "They are all above board, we just need to play it right."
"I agree with Neville," the Minister said. "We might have a couple of problems but I think the possible increase in public support is worth the potential slip ups. We'll have everyone scheduled to appear talk first with Harry and Hermione about what they can and cannot say, and you can give them various presentation tips as well." The Minister stopped talking and watched as his Senior Staff just stood around. "Well, on you go," he encouraged, prompting a mass exodus from his office.
Harry didn't return immediately to his office, instead silently following Hermione to her office, not conversing with her until they were inside with the door closed.
"This is a bad idea," Hermione told him as she walked around her desk.
"I know," Harry replied, standing before her.
"Someone's going to say something they shouldn't and it's going to blow up into a big thing," Hermione ranted as she sat in her chair. "Then I'll have to deal with it," she moaned, putting her head into her hands.
"It might not be too bad," Harry hedged, bringing her attention to him. "The Minister said everyone who goes on the programme will have to go through us. We just need to be very strict on what can be said."
Hermione took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she calmed herself. "You're right," she admitted. "Between us we can cover everything that might come up. I'm just surprised Ron wasn't just as against this as we were."
Harry nodded in agreement. "I have to get back to my office," Harry told her, gesturing to the door. "I just wanted to apologise on Ron's behalf before I go."
"You can't tell me what his problem is?" Hermione asked. "Maybe I could help."
"Sorry, it's not my place to say," Harry replied. "I just want to speak on Ron's behalf until he's back to normal."
"Okay," Hermione said. "I'll stay out of his way until then."
Harry nodded his thanks before leaving her office, walking through the corridors until he was back outside his office. Seeing Ron's door open Harry walked in, arriving to see Ginny sitting with him, talking quietly to him in a very one sided conversation.
"Hey," Ron said glumly as Harry walked in.
Harry nodded in response and sat down across from him as Ginny continued from where she'd left off.
"I know how you must be feeling, Ron," she said softly. "We've all been there before, and I know it can seem as though no one else could understand but if you just talk to us we can help you, and that will make you feel better just on its own."
Ron said nothing, not even acknowledging Ginny's presence as he played with a quill that had been sitting on his desk. While Ginny seemed ready to wait for a response, Harry knew this wasn't getting anywhere fast.
"When did Neville talk to you about the programme?" Harry asked out of the blue, bringing Ron's attention to him.
"Harry," Ginny said in a warning voice but Ron just talked over her.
"Yesterday," he mumbled.
"You weren't going to tell me?" Harry pressed, ignoring Ginny's warning glare.
"Neville only came to me with it as an idea," Ron explained. "It just slipped my mind since we didn't have any definite facts-"
"Harry, could I talk to you outside for a minute?" Ginny said, her tone firm as she fixed him with a hard look. Harry looked at her and knew better than to argue, instead nodding to Ron and leading Ginny out of the office.
"Harry, I'm trying to get Ron to open up about this," Ginny told him vehemently. "Why are you bringing up work?"
"I just-" Harry stopped speaking suddenly as an aide walked past. Glancing around at the busy work stations, Harry gestured for Ginny to enter his office. Following behind her, Harry made sure his office door was closed before he started speaking.
"I'm not saying what you are doing is wrong," Harry told her, trying to keep his voice low to head off an argument. "I'm just saying that it isn't working at the moment."
"Which is all the more reason to press on with this method," Ginny replied hotly. "Ron needs to properly think about his feelings and not be distracted by work."
"I understand what you're saying but when we're talking about work is the most reaction we've been able to get out of him," Harry argued. "We can try and get him to open up and talk about his feelings later but right now he's the Political Strategy Director and he's got work to do."
"He's in no fit shape to work," Ginny retorted. "Anyone meeting with him will know something is wrong with him."
"Well, let them think that," Harry replied. "Because he's got to meet with these people because otherwise I have to meet with these people myself."
"Then why don't you?" Ginny shot back, her voice rising. "Why don't you meet them? Your best friend is in the middle of a crisis and all you can talk about is getting him back to doing his job. When was it that your workload became more of a priority than Ron's wellbeing?"
"When I had to do the work of two of the most important offices in this country," Harry shouted back. "Ron's work isn't just some random stuff that anyone can do. There's a reason we have so many assistants around and its because we need all the help we can get."
"Well then use your assistant," Ginny shouted back. "Use Cho, use Colin, heck use that intern you've got out there."
"I already am," Harry retorted. "Ginny, for this entire day I've been juggling two ridiculously demanding jobs at the same time as trying to make my best friend feel better and apologising to the rest of my colleagues for his behaviour. I'm doing everything I can to cover for him but now I'm at the end of my ability to help."
"I don't believe that," Ginny argued back. "I think what you are really doing is juggling two jobs whilst trying to convince your best friend to get back to work just so you don't have to work as hard."
"Oh, you're way of base," Harry said angrily. "It's easy for you, isn't it, to just come in here and just try and sweet talk him, never mind that it isn't working. Do you even understand what I've been going through today?"
"There it is again, all about you," Ginny shouted, taking an aggressive step closer to him. "Not even thinking about Ron, not even thinking about the sacrifices I've had to make to help him. Do you have any idea how hard my bosses are going to come down on me for leaving work?"
"I have a fair idea," Harry said hotly. "And it will be a lot easier to handle than if I continue to work both jobs and make a mistake because I can't pay enough attention to what I'm doing. This is the Ministry, I can't take a break to help my friend no matter how much I may want to."
"So that's it then," Ginny retorted. "This job is more important than your friend."
"This job is more important than anyone," Harry shouted back. There was a knock on the door as Cho timidly stepped inside.
"Harry, Amos would like to see you," Cho told him quietly.
"In a minute," Harry replied, eyes still fixed on Ginny.
"And the staffer report is ready for storage," Cho said, raising the document up slightly.
"In a minute!" Harry shouted, still not taking his eyes off Ginny.
Ginny stared at him, the fire in her eyes dimming slightly as she started to regain some common sense. "Go," she said coldly. "We're done here."
Harry stared at her for a few seconds longer, anger still pumping through his veins. With a snarl, Harry turned and stormed out his office, ripping the papers from Cho's grip as he passed. Walking down the corridor people scattered as he approached, his aura scaring them out of his way easily as he stormed over to the store room.
Wrenching open the door, Harry was shocked by the sight before him. Dennis and Lizzie were inside, locked in a tight embrace, which they broke in surprise as they heard the door open, their expressions caught between guilt and fear.
Harry stood for a second, frozen in the doorway as he took in the sight before him. Suddenly, as though a switch had been flipped inside his brain, Harry slammed the door shut and started to stride angrily down the corridor.
"Harry! Harry, wait!" Dennis shouted as he chased after him, trying to catch up. "Harry, just let me explain."
"Not now," Harry replied shortly, stopping just outside Amos' outer office. "I will talk to you about this, believe me, but not now. I've got a meeting."
With that he turned away, leaving behind a pale and shaky Dennis. Harry walked straight past Luna without greeting her and strode straight into Amos's office, not even bothering to knock on his door.
"Excuse me," Amos said sternly, standing up as Harry strode over to the desk. "This is my office, it is only polite of you to knock before walking in."
"I'm sorry," Harry said disparagingly. "I was just under the impression you wanted to talk to me."
"I did," Amos replied. "But not while you're in this mood. Calm down and then come back and see me."
"Come back," Harry complained as Amos sank back in his seat. "You drag me out to your office just to tell me to come back later?"
"You are clearly in no state to talk about anything important," Amos informed him calmly, although a tic was starting to develop at his temple. "It would be in the best interests of everyone involved if you returned to your office and sorted out whatever it is that's got you so wound up."
"Alright fine, I'm a little wound up," Harry admitted. "Now, will you tell me what you wanted to speak to me about?"
"No," Amos replied. "You can't just say you are ready to listen, I can see you're bothered by something. What's making you so mad?"
"What's making me mad?!" Harry asked in amazement. "Perhaps being called over here for a bullshit meeting is what's making me mad! Perhaps being stopped from doing my job by some holier-than-thou idiot is what's making me mad! I don't know Amos, does that sound like that would get me mad?!"
"Harry."
Harry stopped, panting as he turned to see the Minister standing by the door, a look of shock and disappointment on his face. And in that moment all the anger and resentment flooded out of his body, leaving behind only the terrible realisation of how he was acting.
"Oh my god," he said quietly, his eyes widening, his face pale. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry," he said, turning to Amos. "I didn't mean what I said. I shouldn't have acted like that."
"Harry," Amos said softly.
"No, I can't believe I just did that," Harry continued, the confessions pouring out of him in an incoherent jumble. "I should have listened to you. I'm sorry, I just don't understand what-"
"Harry," the Minister said from beside him, causing him to immediately shut up. "What's the matter?"
Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry sir, I can't tell you," he said apologetically, hating how feeble he sounded. "They aren't my problems to share."
"Okay," the Minister said softly. "Well then, don't worry about it. Talk to the people involved and try to resolve whatever's wrong."
"I can't," Harry said. "I've got so much work to do, I just don't have the time."
"Pass the work to Dennis," the Minister said.
"I can't," Harry said again. "Dennis, he's… well, he's part of the problem."
"I see," the Minister said understandingly. "And given the way Ron was acting earlier he's involved in this too?" Harry nodded.
"Send the work to me," Amos told him, surprising Harry. "I'll delegate it out to the other senior staff, unless of course they are involved as well?"
Harry shook his head. "Just those two."
Amos nodded. "Well, go fix things with Dennis and Ron and then take the rest of the day off," he told him.
Harry thought to argue but truthfully didn't have the energy to do so. Instead he nodded mutely and turned away to the door. "I am really sorry," he said, his eyes begging for Amos to understand.
"I know," Amos replied. Harry cast his eyes down to the floor as he silently left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
"You alright?" asked the Minister as he took the seat across from Amos, relaxing into it as he fixed his gaze on his old friend.
"I'm okay," Amos replied.
"No, you're not," the Minister told him. "If you were okay you would have forgiven him."
"I do forgive him," Amos said.
"I know," the Minister replied. "But Harry doesn't. You never told him. And it was deliberate. Somewhere inside there is a part of you that wants to see Harry punished for what he just did to you."
"You think he doesn't deserve to be punished?" Amos asked, looking to his friend for answers.
"Amos," the Minister said. "You know how busy Harry is; that's why you told him to hire a Deputy." Amos grunted a sound of agreement at that. "Just think about the pressure Harry must have been under today," the Minister pointed out. "His deputy still needs near constant supervision and I'm sure he's been covering Ron's workload all day."
"I know what you're saying," Amos told him. "I agree with what you're saying but it's hard to just ignore what happened here."
"Amos, Harry's just a kid," the Minister said. "He's had a ridiculous burden put on his shoulders, is it any surprise he lashed out. I know you like to hold grudges sometimes but don't do it now. Please forgive Harry."
Amos sighed as he watched the Minister leaning forward in his seat as he spoke. "You're a really big fan of this kid," he said.
"So are you," the Minister pointed out.
"He's not dating my daughter," Amos replied.
The Minister chuckled. "True," he said, his eyes crinkling with his smile. "But I've learnt a lot about Harry since we first started the election campaign. He's a good kid."
Amos nodded. "That's true."
Harry wandered back to his office slowly, dreading the conversations he knew he had to have. The corridors were nearly deserted at this time of the evening but those who were still there gave Harry nervous glances as he passed.
"The report from HR is here, Harry," Cho informed him as he arrived at her workstation, offering him the file and thankfully acting normally around him despite his earlier outburst.
"Send it over to Luna," Harry told her quietly, fingering the small stack of papers that still stood on Cho's desk. "We're sending the rest of our work today to Amos."
"Our work?" Cho asked.
"And Ron's," Harry added. "And Dennis's too, come to think of it." He glanced around, noting his empty office as well as the closed door to Ron's. "Is Ron still in?"
Cho shook her head. "He left for the day not long after you last saw him," Cho informed him.
"And Ginny?" Harry asked. "I'm assuming she left not long after I stormed out of here." Cho nodded, prompting a sigh from Harry. "Is Dennis in his office?"
"Yes," Cho nodded. "In fact he asked me to tell him when you got back."
"Don't bother," Harry brushed it off. "I'm going to speak with him now. Just, pass on all the files, everything, to Luna, and go home and get some rest."
"Alright," Cho replied, placing the file she'd been holding out to him on top of the pile on her desk. "Thank you. Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Cho," Harry replied, walking round her workstation so he could get to Dennis' office, noting the nervous way he was sitting behind his desk through the glass wall next to the door.
Harry knocked on the door, causing Dennis' head to shoot up. "May I come in?" Harry asked, refraining from simply walking in.
"Please," Dennis replied, getting to his feet to greet him. "I'm so glad I've got the chance to speak to you today. I just want you to know what you saw wasn't what it looked like."
"I think it was exactly what it looked like," Harry replied. "Dennis, please," he said, lifting his hand to cut of a reply. "Let me speak."
Harry took his time, closing the door behind him and wandering up to Dennis's desk, taking the seat across from him and gesturing for Dennis to sit down. Harry waited patiently until Dennis was seated, before he started to speak.
"Who you like, and who you date, is none of my business," Harry told him simply. "I know you didn't just find you had a pretty assistant and decided to put the moves on her, but even if you did I have no right to say you can't."
"But, she's my assistant," Dennis said. "That's just something you can't do. And she's only 18 years old."
"You're 25," Harry pointed out. "In about ten years time the age difference will seem like nothing."
"Yes, in ten years," Dennis repeated. "Right now that's not right. I left Hogwarts eight years ago and she only just received her NEWT's this summer."
"Are you really worried about this?" Harry asked. "Or are you really worried about what other people might think about this?"
Dennis sighed as he thought about it, rubbing his head. "It matters what I do, now," Dennis replied tiredly. "Now that I'm working here I'm a representative of the Ministry. There's a standard I have to meet and this is just…" Dennis sighed again. "This is just not something people are going to like."
"So what, screw the people," Harry replied, much to Dennis surprise.
"What?" he replied.
"Screw them, why should they decide what you should be allowed to do?" Harry said. "Your personal life is private, you can do what you want. As long as it doesn't interfere with your work I don't mind if you date Lizzie."
"Are you sure?" Dennis asked nervously.
"Of course," Harry replied. "You're a guy, she's a girl. You're both young and attracted to each other. If you want to date then that's your choice, and don't think I'm going to judge you for it. Don't think that my views on this matter at all."
"Alright," Dennis said, thinking. "Okay, I will. Thank you, Harry."
"No problem," Harry waved him off. "Cho's sending all our work to Amos so you can get out of here once you're all sorted." Harry walked over to the door as he spoke, opening it as he prepared to leave. "See you tomorrow."
Harry stood silently outside the door for a minute, the drizzling rain not quite registering on him as he took his time. He reached his finger up to the intercom system, stopping briefly on Ginny's name before moving to the one above, pressing down firmly.
"Hello?" A voice spoke, a woman answering his call.
"Hello, Mrs Peterson," Harry spoke. "It's Harry, can you let me in please?"
"Of course, Harry," Mrs Peterson replied happily. "But I just saw Ginny come in, why couldn't she let you in?"
"I want to surprise her," Harry replied.
Mrs Peterson chuckled. "And they say romance is dead," she said cheerfully. "Alright, I'll let you in." The door buzzed as the security lock was released.
"Thank you," Harry said as he pushed against the door, which opened easily at his touch, quickly swinging shut behind him and buzzing as it locked again.
Ginny's building wasn't particularly fancy, something she had been unwilling to negotiate on when her father had become Minister. Instead of moving her to a new flat she'd been allowed to stay in the same building she'd lived in since she'd graduated Hogwarts. The difference now was that every person to come and go was strictly monitored by the best security the Ministry had to offer.
Harry jogged slowly up the stairs, passing numerous doors on his way to number 6 on the second floor. Reaching said floor, Harry glanced briefly at number 5, well aware that the current tennant was actually an undercover auror, assigned to Ginny's protection when she was in the building. Harry knew for a fact that his face was being run through magical recognition as he walked, determining the authenticity of his rights to visit.
Reaching the door with nothing untoward happening, Harry took a moment to steady himself before knocking. It was a long time that Harry stood waiting, but eventually the door creaked open.
"Hey," Harry said as Ginny came into sight, wearing his old quidditch jumper and the pyjama shorts she usually wore to bed.
"Hey," Ginny replied, opening the door further. "Come in," she said, moving away from the door to allow him to step inside.
"Thank you," Harry said, encouraged by her invitation inside. He stepped in and closed the door softly behind him, before turning to face Ginny, who was waiting for him patiently to turn around.
"Ginny, I'd like to apologise for what I said today," he spoke quietly. "I was just working so hard that I was, in a way, more interested in getting Ron back to work than really helping him. I was… frustrated, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
"Harry," Ginny said softly. "You don't have to apologise."
"I don't," Harry said in surprise. "I shouted at you, and you were right."
"No, you don't," Ginny said. "And maybe I wasn't right, maybe Ron does just need to get back to normal. It's actually me who has to apologise."
Harry blinked in surprise, but remained quiet, allowing Ginny to explain herself.
"I forgot just what it is you have to do everyday," Ginny replied. "I've become so used to visiting you at work and seeing you and Ron joking around that I've forgotten how hard you guys do actually work. Thinking about it now, I understand why you were so stressed."
"So, we're both sorry," Harry said tentatively. "I forgive you. Can you forgive me?"
Ginny smiled at him, unable to stop herself from laughing at his cuteness. "Yes, I forgive you," she said, stepping forward to kiss him on the cheek. "Come with me," she whispered to him, pulling off his cloak.
Harry followed her into the bedroom, his shoes left at the door as he pulled his tie off and untucked his shirt. Ginny led him into bed, where she curled up in his arms, Harry holding her close as he whispered soft, loving words in her ear as they rested together for the night.
Harry walked briskly through the corridors, his mind split between his work and the gnawing feeling he felt troubling him as he continued to miss out on talking to Ron. Ron hadn't been in his office when Harry arrived that morning, nor had he been there after Harry had returned from his meeting with Hermione. Yet Colin assured him that Ron had come in for work that day.
"Neville left a message," Cho told him as he walked passed. "There is another meeting with the goblins this afternoon, Meeting Room 1 as usual."
Harry nodded, walking into his office and picking up a report from his desk, having been halfway through it when called away for his last meeting. Reaching the end of a paragraph he looked up as he heard a knock on his door.
"Lizzie," Harry greeted, glancing up at her. "What can I do for you?"
Lizzie seemed nervous, wringing her hands as she looked anywhere but at him. "I'm sorry to bother you," she started. "I just wanted-" She was cut off by Harry's phone ringing.
Instead of answering it, Harry glanced past Lizzie and out to the workstations beyond, his eyes spying Colin with his ear to the phone, giving Harry a meaningful look. The phone stopped ringing as Colin hung up, giving Harry the final confirmation of what was happening.
"Sorry, Lizzie," he said, walking round his desk and squeezing past her. "I've got to take this." He made the short distance to Ron's office, noting how Ron had left the door wide open when he'd entered. "Ron."
"Hey, Harry," Ron replied, looking up from behind his desk as he took a sip from his mug. "I was wondering when you'd find me."
"You've been hiding from me?" Harry asked, walking into the room and standing behind the chair sitting before Ron's desk. "I came to apologise."
Ron stared at him, looking completely non-plussed. "Okay, what for?" he asked, frowning at him in confusion.
"For the way I was acting yesterday," Harry replied.
"You mean your fight with Ginny?" Harry stared at him. "I heard you," Ron explained. "The walls are pretty thin and they don't have silencing charms either."
Harry nodded in understanding, biting his lip nervously. "Do you forgive me?"
Ron looked at him for a second. "Did you apologise to Ginny?" He asked, to which Harry nodded. "Did she forgive you?" Harry nodded again. "Then you've got nothing to apologise for," Ron concluded.
"How do you figure that?" Harry asked. "All day I was badgering you to work when I should have been doing what Ginny was, getting you to talk to me."
"Who knows what you really should have done?" Ron said rhetorically. "It isn't like I come with a manual. And for what it's worth I am grateful to both of you for what you've done for me." There was a moments silence as the words settled in the room, an understanding passing between the two friends.
Ron sat forward in his seat and sighed. "Now it's my turn to apologise."
"No, Ron, you don't-" Harry tried to stop him but Ron just spoke over him, looking determined to say his part.
"I'm sorry," he started. "I know I had some of my greatest hopes and dreams crushed when I found out," Ron said, wincing as though his brutally honest words physically pained him. "But I'm also 28, I am the Political Strategy Director for the Minister of Magic. I should be handling this better. Or at least well enough to continue to do my job."
"Ron, no one blames you for this," Harry told him.
"I know," Ron replied. "That's why I have to blame myself." He paused, the corner of his lips twitching at the thought. "It was when I heard you and Ginny argue that I started to realise it," he began. "I was contaminated, my sorrow was rubbing off on the people around me and ruining their lives too."
Ron looked Harry straight in the eyes, sincerity shining through them. "I don't want to be the reason the two of you fight," he said quietly. "So I'm not going to be."
"So," Harry replied softly. "You're good?"
Ron shook his head. "I'm better," he replied. "I'm okay, but I'm not good. Perhaps one day I'll be adult enough to be happy for them. But for now," he paused. "For now I think it's enough that I'm okay."
Harry smiled at his friend as they settled back into a comfortable silence, with only the patter of rain on the window to be heard.
"Damn that window is annoying," Ron cursed. "Do you have any idea how depressing it is for it to be raining every time you look out your window?"
Harry laughed. "Ask that to anyone in Glasgow and they'll say yes," Harry joked. "Why don't you get it fixed?"
Ron shrugged. "Magical Maintenance don't like me," he replied, getting to his feet. "I've got more important things to do than argue with them over my window."
"Have you got a meeting now?" Harry asked as he watched Ron pull himself together.
"Nope," Ron replied.
"Then," Harry frowned. "Where are you going?"
Ron didn't answer immediately, instead choosing to walk round his desk and walk to his office door before turning back. "You aren't the only person I need to apologise to."
"Hey," Harry said, stopping Ron as he moved to leave his office. "Ginny and I were thinking of watching the Cannons versus the Falcons tonight, if you were interested."
"Thanks," Ron replied. "But don't let me intrude on you two."
"Oh, come on Ron," Harry replied, grinning. "It's the Cannons. And who knows, maybe they'll actually score this time."
Despite himself Ron couldn't help but smile at the good natured ribbing. "Alright, Harry, you've got me," he told him. "You just make sure there is plenty of beer left when I get there."
"Will do," Harry replied as Ron walked out of the room. Harry wandered out after him slowly, watching him go with a small feeling of hope in his chest. Walking back to his own office, Harry was surprised to find it still occupied.
"Hey Lizzie," Harry said, walking back behind his desk and taking a seat. "I forgot you were here. You wanted to say something?"
Lizzie nodded, clearing her throat as though preparing to give him a speech. "Yes," she said. "Since it's my last day as your intern I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the opportunity."
Harry nodded. "No problem," he replied. "Although you should really be thanking Cho."
"I will," Lizzie replied earnestly. "I just wanted to apologise for everything I've done. I know what you must think of me but that's not really what I'm like. I just wanted to apologise for letting you down."
Harry nodded again. "So I suppose you are also here to ask for a recommendation?" Harry guessed.
"Well, yes sir," Lizzie said, flushing horribly. "But I'd completely understand if you weren't willing to give me one."
"Good," Harry replied. "Because I'm not going to give you one."
Lizzie had been prepared for him to say that, but it still hurt just the same. "Yes, sir," she said thickly, trying to hold back tears.
"Do you want to know why I won't give you a recommendation?" Harry asked, not waiting for an answer from the emotional girl before him. "I don't want you working somewhere else, because I want you to continue working here."
Lizzie blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. "Excuse me," she said faintly. "You are offering me a job?"
"Well, if you don't want it…" Harry shrugged, secretly enjoying himself.
"No, no, I want it," Lizzie said desperately as Harry chuckled. "I just wanted to ask why you're willing to offer me a job? I mean, after what I did…"
"You apologised," Harry replied. "I accepted that you were sorry for sucking up to me and Ron."
"But, Dennis," Lizzie replied.
"Were you sucking up to Dennis?" Harry asked. "No, I thought not," Harry added as she shook her head. "You said you wouldn't do that and you stayed true to that promise."
"But I," Lizzie started before stopping herself. "How can you be so sure?"
Harry took a second to respond, watching as Lizzie stood nervously before him. "I saw you meet for the first time," he told her. "And not when I introduced you, before that." Harry moved around his desk and sat on top of it so he was closer to the girl. "Lizzie, you are attracted to Dennis for what Dennis is as a person. That's not sucking up, that's honest to god real emotion. What you and Dennis do in your free time is none of my business, okay?"
"But," Lizzie questioned. "You're hiring me for the role of his assistant, aren't you?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Which I believe you will be able to do very well, especially once Cho really has a chance to show you the ropes. As long as you make sure any potential relationship you may have with Dennis doesn't affect your work, I'm fine."
"Now, why don't you go to that box you've been sticking things into all morning and unpack it," Harry suggested. "You're here to stay."
Lizzie smiled broadly at him, her entire face seeming to light up as she skipped out of the office, leaving behind a slightly bemused Harry.
Ron stood patiently as he hovered by the office door, waiting for the meeting inside to finish. A few meters away Demelza worked, glancing curiously up at him every few seconds. After about five minutes of waiting the door eventually opened and Ron had to move swiftly aside as a very large man strode past, taking up most of the corridor with his incredible girth.
Walking into the office quietly, Ron took a moment to watch Hermione work before clearing his throat to announce his presence.
"Oh, Ron," Hermione said, having jumped in surprise at hearing him. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in."
"No, no, don't worry about it," Ron said hastily. "I just wondered if you had a minute to talk about something."
"Sure, what's going on?" Hermione asked attentively, leaning forward on her desk to listen.
"Well, nothing really," Ron replied nervously. "I really just wanted to tell you something… and apologise."
"Apologise?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Yes, apologise," Ron responded. "Yesterday I was in a bit of a bad place and when we were meeting in the Minister's office I sort of… snapped, at you. I just came to say I'm sorry and that it won't happen again."
"Alright," Hermione replied, still not sure what was going on. "It's no problem, I understand. Harry told me you were going through some stuff."
Ron froze momentarily, before realising that Harry couldn't have told her everything. "Yes, well," he replied. "It's still no reason to talk to you like that. You deserve better than that, especially from me. And if I'm ever mean to you again-"
"I'll know you're back to normal," Hermione finished, remembering a similar conversation they'd had back in their school days. Ron smiled slightly at the reminder, having not really thought about their time at Hogwarts since they'd first met up again for the election campaign.
"You really can't tell me what the problem is?" Hermione asked sadly.
Ron shook his head. "I wish I could," he said. "But I can't, this is something I have to deal with on my own."
"I could help," Hermione pressed.
"I'm sure you could," Ron smiled back. "But I wouldn't want to put you in a position where you felt you had to. Don't worry, I'm coping, things are getting better."
"Good," Hermione replied, returning his smile. "I was thinking, we don't seem to have anything big going on today, do you want to do something tonight?"
"Really?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Hermione replied. "You, me and Harry, we could have dinner or something."
Ron tried not to let his disappointment show, instead turning a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, Harry and Ginny have invited me to come watch the match with them tonight," Ron said. "I know you don't really like Quidditch but we could have dinner as well, make an evening of it."
"That would be great," Hermione beamed at him. "As long as Harry and Ginny don't mind."
"They won't, but I'll ask anyway," Ron said, knowing Hermione always wanted to make sure she wasn't intruding.
"Great," Hermione said, standing up with a bit of a spring in her step. "Now, I apologise but I've got to go, I've got a press conference to get to."
"Don't let me keep you," Ron replied. "See you tonight."
Ron left the office with a slight smile on his face, glad that, despite everything, it seemed like he and Hermione would be okay. Walking back to his office he made it several steps inside before he noticed something different.
"Hey," Harry said as he walked in behind him, smiling at his surprised expression.
"My window," Ron said speechlessly, gazing out at the sunny meadow that was being shown through it. "You fixed it?"
"Actually it was Magical Maintenance who fixed it," Harry replied, watching Ron with amusement. "It turns out that they weren't actually aware it was broken until I called them."
"You called them?" Ron asked in surprise.
Harry shrugged. "I was getting tired of you complaining about it all the time," he joked.
"Alright, that's enough out of you," Ron replied in mock annoyance, a small smile growing on his face. "What are you doing here? Wait, how did you even know I was back?"
"Colin has been keeping tabs on you for me," Harry answered, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards the outer workspace.
"Remind me to find some extra work for Colin to do tonight," Ron said darkly, glaring at the back of an oblivious Colin's head. "What are you doing here?"
Harry shrugged, idly playing with a quill on Ron's desk. "I just wanted to see your reaction to this," he said, before turning back to face him. "It's good to have you back, Ron."
Ron smiled, his first true smile of the last couple of days. "It's good to be back."