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.
"So this is what you boys do every morning," Hermione said, talking over the sound of the bouncing ball as Harry and Ron faced off against each other. "Basketball?"
Harry took that opportunity to step back and take a shot, grimacing as the ball bounced off the side of the rim. "Yeah," he said as Neville grabbed the rebound.
"I didn't even know you guys knew about basketball," Hermione said in surprise. "What about quidditch?"
"It's difficult to play quidditch with only three players," Harry pointed out as Neville took his turn against Ron.
"So you turned to basketball?" Hermione asked. "Where did you even hear about it, I thought you didn't know anything about muggle sports?"
"Remus," Harry explained as Ron blocked Neville's shot, knocking the ball away and forcing Neville to chase after it. "He always thought it would be a good idea to teach me about both muggle and magical culture while I was growing up."
"Hannah's cousin is an amateur basketball player," Neville added as he reached them again, tossing the ball gently into Ron's hands. "He taught me the basics when he was over last summer."
"And then we taught Ron," Harry concluded as Ron took a shot, easily making it as he was left completely unguarded. "We play down here all the time these days to loosen up a bit before work. What are you doing down here?"
"Well, I figured you guys must be playing quidditch down here," Hermione responded as Neville found the ball again and started dribbling with it. "My new year's resolution this year is to try new things more often."
"You were going to try and play quidditch with us?" Ron asked, eyebrows raised as he took his attention off Neville, who dribbled past him and made an easy layup.
"I was actually going to try to learn how to fly," Hermione corrected him, although she didn't seem particularly pleased about the prospect of that either. "I know it might sound ridiculous to you but I haven't flown a broomstick since the flying lessons we took in first year."
"You're right, that does sound ridiculous," Ron said, receiving the ball from Neville and passing it on to Harry.
"Here," Harry said, lobbing the ball gently towards her, which she bundled clumsily to her chest. "Have a shot," he encouraged her, miming a shooting motion as Ron and Neville stopped to watch.
Hermione looked at the ball uncertainly before heaving it up into the air and tossing it towards the basket, just like Harry had shown her. The ball fell far short, bouncing before it reached Ron standing under the basket.
"You'll get better," Harry assured her as Ron tossed the ball to him. He threw it over to Neville who, upon catching it, took a shot, the ball rattling around the rim before falling in.
"What are you guys doing for your new year's resolutions?" Neville asked as Ron caught the ball under the basket.
"I am going to listen to one campaigner every day," Ron announced, laying the ball into the basket and catching it again as it fell through, before passing out to Neville. "The sort of people we'd never listen to normally. Colin arranges the meetings and no matter what they say I have to listen to them and talk to them for at least twenty minutes."
"That's weird," Harry noted, taking a shot and smiling as it made a satisfying swish through the basket. "Wait, was that what that strange guy with the big pointed wizard hat was in for?"
Ron nodded with a grimace, passing the ball to Hermione, who fumbled it as she was caught unawares. "Yeah, he wanted to introduce wizards hats as compulsory uniform for Ministry workers," Ron scowled.
"What an idiot," Harry commented as Hermione was finally able to get a grasp on the ball.
"I think it's a good idea," Hermione said approvingly, throwing the ball to Neville and wincing as the ball managed to bounce twice before reaching him. "It'll help broaden your perspective."
"And make me more patient," Ron added, catching on that she wasn't referring to the hats. "I've got to be nice to them the entire time, no mean remarks, no mocking, nothing, not even sarcasm."
"That's tough," Neville said, dribbling the ball a couple of times before throwing it to Ron. "Josephine put you up to it?"
Ron laughed. "Yeah, she says that it'll help make me a better person." He shrugged. "She's probably right. What are you doing, Harry?"
"Nothing yet," Harry answered, catching the ball and tossing it straight back to him. "Ginny, on the other hand, says she's going to do something nice for me every day."
"Aw, that's sweet," Hermione said, prompting Ron to throw the ball to her. Tossing it back with a scowl, Hermione turned back to Harry. "What sort of things does she do?"
"Well," Harry said, mentally working through the days since new year's. "On the first she agreed to live with me, so that was pretty nice." Ron and Neville chuckled. "She's made me a wonderful three course dinner, she took me to the cinema, oh, and on Tuesday she came into work and gave me a massage in my office."
"Oh, so that's why your office door was locked," Ron said. "Cho said you were busy but I didn't know what to think. You were in there for like an hour."
"An hour for a massage?" Neville asked, frowning.
"Well, we did some other stuff too," Harry said with a grin, before he was cut off by Ron throwing the ball hard into his chest. "I suppose I shouldn't mention what she did for me yesterday, in that case," he added cheekily to Ron, who glared at him hatefully.
"Well, I think that's a really good idea," Hermione said. "Why don't you just do the same?"
Harry sighed. "I can't just copy her, there would be no originality to it," Harry complained. "And it would make her feel less about what she was doing if I did it too," Harry sighed again as he took a shot, the ball falling smoothly through the hoop again. "No, I can't do that. Neville, what are you doing?"
Neville took a second to reply as he caught Ron's pass. "I've decided that I'm going to make better use of my Herbology skills," he stated, throwing the ball to Hermione who actually managed to catch it cleanly, to grins from the three boys.
"Do you have anything planned?" Ron asked, beckoning for Hermione to pass to him and just about being able to stretch for the ball before it hit the ground.
"Well, I've got permission to redo my building's garden," Neville told them. "It's a real mess so none of the other tenants mind me having a crack at it. After that I was thinking of doing something at Alea's flat, she's got a window box but she's never got the time to look after anything. I figure I can plant some easy to maintain flowers in there, brighten up her view."
"That sounds really interesting," Hermione said. "Why don't you do something like that Harry?"
Harry sighed. "My two skills other than my job are quidditch and duelling," he told her, watching as Neville took a shot, the ball falling too short and bouncing off the front of the rim. "What can you do with that?"
No one answered that. Harry sighed again. "I don't eat something I shouldn't," he said, catching Ron's pass and bouncing the ball between his legs. "I work out regularly. I devote a lot of attention to both my professional and private lives. There really isn't anything else I can do, especially with how busy I can be with work." Harry stopped dribbling and took his shot, draining the shot through the hoop as he relaxed after the brief intense physical work out.
Their attention was brought away as they heard the sound of the door opening. Turning, they spotted Remus walking inside the gym hall, dressed in his work clothes and looking really out of place among the casually dressed younger members of staff.
"I can't say I'm surprised to find you here," he told them as he moved closer, although he did raise an eyebrow at Hermione.
"Hey, Remus, catch," Ron said, flinging the ball out to him.
Remus caught the ball competently, the pass having been sent at a good height. Wandering forward, without dribbling, Remus walked up to the three point line. Stopping, Remus bounced the ball once, twice, three times before tossing the ball into the air, draining the three pointer with ease to surprised looks on Ron's, Hermione's and Neville's faces.
"He's good," Harry informed them needlessly as he fetched the ball from where it had fallen. "So what are you doing here, Remus?"
Remus walked the rest of the way to them, showing no ill effects from having taken the shot. "I wanted to speak with you all before you came into work today," Remus told them quietly, glancing around the deserted gym hall as if worried someone was listening in. "Amos is back."
The four colleagues turned serious at that, each of them forgetting the fun and games from earlier in light of the big news.
"Is he in right now?" Harry asked quietly, eliciting a nod from Remus. "How did he look?"
Remus sighed. "You know Amos," he said meaningfully. "He looks just as confident and businesslike as he usually does."
"So what's the deal now?" Hermione asked. "Is he finished seeing his psychiatrist?"
"He's been cleared to return to work," Remus told them. "He's still going to be having regular sessions with his psychiatrist but other than that he'll be resuming his old duties, I'll be going back to mine and Neville, you'll be filling in for when Amos is away."
Remus scanned their faces for a moment, watching their reactions. "I know you all care about Amos," he said. "And I know you all want to make sure he knows you're there for him, but just act normal, okay. That's what he needs right now."
They all nodded, some more reluctantly than others as they thought over what this would mean.
"I suppose we better be getting in to work," Ron said, taking the ball from Harry and walking to the door. Neville grabbed his jumper and water bottle and followed, while Hermione hovered around nervously before leaving too. Eventually it was only Harry and Remus left.
"Remus, can I ask you something?" Harry said as he reached the door, Remus waiting patiently behind him. "What's your new year's resolution this year?"
Remus paused, looking at Harry thoughtfully. "My new year's resolution this year is the same as the one I use every year," he told him. "To not let me being a werewolf hold me back."
Harry thought about that for a second, taking the moment to think of how sad that was. "Right," he said simply, walking out of the door and leaving Remus behind.
"Who was that?" Harry asked as he watched a tall, gangly looking wizard walk out from Ron's office and make his way down the corridor, seeming to sweep past the various staff members with ease.
"His name is Vladimir," Ron told him in a long suffering tone. "He came as a representative of the vampire appreciation society."
"There's a vampire appreciation society?" Harry questioned, turning his head to try and catch another glimpse of the strange man. "Who would appreciate a vampire?"
"Someone who's never met one," Ron replied. "Seriously, you hear the guy talk about them and it sounds as though they are these cute little bunny-like creatures that wouldn't hurt a fly. Completely forgetting that they suck blood for a living."
"But you remained civil throughout," Harry challenged, leaning back against the filing cabinet with a mixture of amusement and amazement.
"Yes, I did," Ron replied. "Hard to believe but I can actually put up with idiots like him when I have to."
"You just choose not to," Harry finished for him. "Listen, I was just coming to find you. I'm on my lunch break, do you want to join me?"
"Sure," Ron said, checking his watch. "I've not got much time, there is some meeting I have to go to in about twenty minutes."
"Fifteen minutes," Colin corrected him from his desk.
"That's enough time to grab something to eat," Ron concluded, glancing briefly back into his office. "Let's go."
"It's fine that you've got a meeting," Harry commented as they made their way through the corridors towards the cafeteria. "I have one too in about half an hour."
"What's it about?" Ron asked, more out of politeness than any actual interest.
"It's Niall McGin," Harry said, catching Ron's attention as he recognised the name. "He's been trying to get a meeting for a while but our timetables keep clashing."
"Niall McGin?" Ron asked as they walked into the cafeteria. "Are we talking about the same guy?"
Harry nodded, smiling politely at the cafeteria lady as he showed her the sandwich and drink he'd picked out. "The spokesperson for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Trans-Gender Alliance?" Harry replied, handing over a few coins and waiting patiently as Ron submitted his own order. "If that's who you're thinking of then yes, we are talking about the same guy."
"Do you know what he wants?" Ron asked suspiciously, paying for his meal before leading Harry towards a free table. "That guy comes in with some of the most ridiculous suggestions sometimes."
Harry shrugged. "He didn't say," he replied, taking a large bite out of his sandwich. "Cho talked to him, not me. She said he sounded excited."
"Well that's never good," Ron muttered, causing Harry to chuckle, nearly choking on his sandwich as he did so. "If I hadn't just sat through a meeting with Count Dracula back there I'd have offered to do this for you as my new year's resolution."
Harry shook his head, chuckling at the image Ron's word choice had conjured in his mind. "It might not be so bad," Harry commented as Ron started to inhale his food, the sight incredible to anyone who had never witnessed it before. "The LGBT are a legitimate group, this could end up being a productive meeting."
Harry picked up his sandwich and took a small nibble out of it, his thoughts elsewhere as a question arose in his mind. "Have you seen Amos yet?" Ron nodded. "Really? How is he? Is he ready to talk about what happened or…?"
Ron waved away the questions, swallowing the last portion of his sandwich as he prepared to answer Harry's questions. "Harry, I don't know," he replied.
"But you said-" Harry started but Ron quickly cut him off.
"I've seen him," Ron told him. "In passing in the corridor. I haven't talked to him, he hasn't said anything to me. I barely even got a good look at him as he passed."
Harry calmed down slightly, although he was still anxious for news. "How did he look?" he asked, putting down his sandwich as his appetite deserted him.
Ron shrugged with a sigh. "Like Amos," he replied, shaking his head. "When I saw him it was just like I'd travelled back in time to some normal day before the story broke. He hides things, Amos. That's just how he is."
Harry sighed in response, leaning back in his chair and rubbing at his eyes. "I know," he admitted quietly. "I just wish he wasn't so… robotic."
"You talking about Amos?" Hermione asked as she joined them at the table with a sandwich and drink of her own. "Have either of you seen him?"
"I saw him briefly," Ron explained. "Just for a second and then he was gone again."
"I was just asking because I just spoke to him a few minutes ago," Hermione replied. Immediately Harry and Ron leant forward listening to her every word.
"What did he say?" Ron asked, Harry nodding in agreement to the question as they both stared intently at Hermione. "Did he mention the alcohol?"
"No," Hermione said sadly, causing the shoulders of the two boys to slump. "He didn't say anything about that, or how his therapy was going. He was just completely businesslike."
"What did he say?" Harry asked.
"I didn't want to say too much," Hermione said tentatively. "Remus told us not to mention it. But I did ask him how it felt to be back at the Ministry."
"And?" Ron encouraged.
"He didn't answer," Hermione said, throwing her hands in the air exasperatedly. "He just sat there staring at me as though I'd grown an extra head. Eventually I just decided to leave and save myself the awkward discussion."
"Well," Harry said, throwing the remains of his sandwich onto his tray dispiritedly. "At least it tells us something. Amos is not alright."
Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement, neither comfortable with the conclusion but knowing better than to doubt it.
"Well, I better be off," Ron said with a sigh, standing up and crushing the empty sandwich packet in his hand. "I've got a meeting to get to."
"Wait," Hermione said quickly, stopping him from leaving. "I was just thinking that perhaps the three of us could do something tonight," Hermione suggested, glancing hopefully between Harry and Ron.
"Sorry Hermione," Ron said regretfully. "I've got a date with Josephine tonight so I won't be able to do anything. Sorry."
"No, that's alright," Hermione waved away, slightly flustered. "You've got plans."
"Alright," Ron said, nodding to the two of them. "I'll see you later Hermione. Harry, good luck with McGin." Harry nodded his appreciation as Ron left the cafeteria, dumping his rubbish into the bin as he exited the room.
"You okay?" Harry asked as Ron moved out of sight, eyeing up Hermione's slightly spaced out look.
"Yes, yes, of course," Hermione replied quickly, mentally slapping herself for forgetting she wasn't alone.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, before deciding to drop it as Hermione gave him a look. "What were you planning on doing tonight?"
Hermione sighed. "I don't know," she said evasively, not fooling Harry in the slightest. "I was just thinking that we could go to a club together, like we used to when we'd just graduated Hogwarts."
Harry nodded his head approvingly, liking the sound of the idea. "Why don't we do that?" Harry suggested to her. "Just the two of us."
"Just us two?" Hermione repeated questioningly. "Wouldn't you rather spend your time with Ginny?"
Harry acknowledge it was a fair point. "Ginny's out of the country for a couple of days," Harry told her, his voice becoming unintentionally more depressed. "Besides, you're one of my best friends Hermione, I love spending time with you."
Hermione smiled slightly at his proclamation. "Where is Ginny?" she asked, interested to hear why the younger girl was out of the country.
"Paris," Harry answered promptly, piquing Hermione's interest. "Alea set her firm up with a distributer in the city and Ginny is down there with a few of her colleagues to work out a deal with them."
"That's brilliant," Hermione replied, smiling at the idea of Ginny's company growing. "Ginny will absolutely love it in Paris, it's a beautiful city." Hermione tilted her head slightly at Harry. "Although if she's going to be there all day that does mean she won't be able to do anything nice for you. She won't be able to fulfil her new year's resolution."
"Not entirely true," Harry contradicted her. "There are plenty of things Ginny can do for me in Paris."
"Do you know what she is doing?" Hermione asked interestedly.
"Clothes shopping," Harry replied, a small smile flitting across his face. "Ginny says that some of the best fabrics are sold in Paris."
"Clothes shopping?" Hermione repeated questioningly. "What's getting herself a new coat going to do for you?"
"Not those kind of clothes," Harry said quietly, ducking his head as he glanced around to make sure no one had heard him.
"What kind of-" Hermione started before her eyes widened in realisation, her mouth forming a perfect o. "I see," she said, blushing furiously as she stared down at the table. "I understand now."
Despite his own embarrassment Harry couldn't help but grin at Hermione's reaction, remembering days when the mere mention of any form of physical relationship would render her mute and completely red in the face. Glancing at his watch, Harry realised that it was time for him too to set off.
"So we'll go out tonight," Harry said, recapturing Hermione's attention as he polished off the last morsel of food on his tray. "I'll come round your office after your last briefing and we'll decide where we're heading."
"Okay," Hermione said, watching as Harry got to his feet. "You've got a meeting now?"
Harry nodded. "Niall McGin," Harry answered, Hermione instantly recognising the name. "Who knows what he wants? Actually, I'll know what he wants in a few minutes." Harry grabbed his rubbish. "See you later."
Getting a small goodbye in return, Harry made his way out the cafeteria, throwing away his rubbish as he did so in much the same manner as Ron. Making his way back to his office Harry caught the eye of Cho at her desk, Harry gesturing his head towards his office door with a questioning look.
"He's already in," Cho told him quietly as he approached her. "He wouldn't say what this was about, just told me that you'd know when you got here."
"Alright," Harry said with a sigh, glancing over his shoulder at his office door. "Wish me luck." Without another word Harry turned towards his office, confidently pulling open the door and striding inside.
"Niall, good to see you," Harry said politely, smiling as he shook the shorter man's hand. "How are you?"
"I'm good, Harry," Niall replied, watching as Harry rounded his desk and took his seat behind it, motioning for Niall too to sit down. "I apologise for being so mysterious but I'd rather this discussion was kept quiet until we came to a resolution."
"I understand," Harry said diplomatically, noting the slight nervousness behind Niall's presence. "What is it you wished to speak to me about?"
Niall cleared his throat before he began to speak. "The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Trans-Gender Alliance have asked me to speak with you about an opportunity we feel would greatly aid the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender community."
"Which is?" Harry pressed, leading Niall on to the end of his idea.
"We wish to talk with Charlie Weasley about having him give his support to our community," Niall announced, to silence in the office. Harry stared at him for several long minutes, first to ascertain if he was kidding and second to formulate any sort of reasonable response to the suggestion.
"Sorry, what now?" Harry said eventually, completely stumped by the suggestion.
"I said we would like Charlie Weasley-" Niall repeated but Harry waved him away.
"I got that part," Harry said, bringing a hand up to his head and gently rubbing at his temple.
"Then what part didn't you get?" Niall responded smoothly, staring Harry down as he folded his arms confrontationally across his chest.
Harry sighed, shaking his head from side to side in disbelief. "No," he said simply, closing his eyes as though to block out the pain. "Just no. I'm not going to agree to this."
"I don't believe it is up to you to agree with this," Niall argued, leaning forward against Harry's desk. "I came to this office as a courtesy to the Ministry. I do not need your approval to do this, all I need is the approval of Charlie Weasley."
"Which you are not going to get," Harry argued. "The guy has only just revealed to the nation, after having his hand forced, by the way, that he's gay. Now you want to use him as some sort of poster boy."
"Why are you so convinced Charlie will not be up for this?" Niall asked, his expression hard. "Is it really that hard to believe that he would want to take a stand for people like himself?"
"See, there's your problem," Harry said, leaning forward in his seat and pointing a finger at the man across from him. "'People like himself'. You mean gays and lesbians by that. What you fail to get is that 'people like himself' includes me, the guy who works in the office next door, the guy who works in the office across the way, the three assistants who are currently working just outside that door and pretty much every other member of this Ministry and indeed of this country."
"How can you claim to understand what it is like to be gay?" Niall shot back. "How can you, a young, newly-halfblood, white male with a full education and a full political career, ever understand what it's like to be different."
Harry shook his head, unable to believe the words the man before him was speaking. "How can you possibly think that there is such a thing as the completely average person?" he argued back. "The normal person doesn't exist. Everyone has got something that makes them different, and that's a good thing for a society. I may be white, I may be half-blood, I may be young, educated, well-off, but don't think that means I can't understand. I'm an orphan, I have my fair share of difficulties."
"I never meant to suggest that there was such a person who held a life untroubled by the perils of our society," Niall replied after a moment, his voice calm. "What I am suggesting is that you can't understand what it's like to be gay, unless you are."
"Do you really believe that?" Harry asked, leaning back in his seat. "I may not want to be in a relationship with another man but I do understand wanting to be in a relationship. I understand love, and lust and want and I know that those emotions don't change regardless of which sex you feel this way about."
"Harry, if it were just about the way you felt about yourself then we wouldn't have a problem," Niall said sagely. "It's society that tells us we're wrong and that we should be ashamed of ourselves. And that's why I've come to you today, to try and change the public perception."
Harry sighed again, wondering if he'd ever get through a day without performing that particular gesture. "We're not going to tell Charlie to do this," he said finally. "We aren't going to pressure him into taking centre stage on this issue."
"I'm not asking you to pressure him," Niall said softly. "I'm just asking you to ask him on our behalf."
"If we don't?" Harry asked tiredly, glancing up at the man across from him.
"If you don't then we will," Niall said simply, leaving Harry without a single doubt that he was serious. "If he says no we'll drop it and you won't hear about it again."
Harry took his time to ponder the situation, staring unseeingly over his guest's shoulder. "I'll talk to the Minister," he said finally, coming to a decision. "I can't guarantee anything but I'll present him the same argument you did me."
Niall nodded. "That's all I ask for," he said, standing up and nodding respectfully. "You have my number when you have an answer."
"I do," Harry confirmed, standing up in a mark of respect for his guest.
"In that case my work here is done," Niall said simply. "Have a good day, Harry, and as always a pleasure talking to you."
"You too," Harry replied quietly as Niall McGin walked out the door, quickly leaving Harry behind to puzzle over his dilemma.
"We are sure that the insurgents are after the complete overhaul of the Bolivian government," Kingsley said as he sat with the Minister and Amos in the Minister's office. "They are believed to be receiving supplies from other protest groups from Peru, Paraguay, Chile; all neighbouring countries."
"All the neighbouring countries?" the Minister asked. "Including Argentina and Brazil. I was under the impression that both countries had strong conflicts with rebel groups. These same groups are harming their own cause for the benefit of another countries'?"
"It's hard to believe, I know," Kingsley agreed. "But that's what our most recent intelligence suggests. We believe that they may make Bolivia a launching point from where other rebel groups can fight to overthrow their own democratically elected governments."
"This intelligence," the Minister said. "How recent is this?"
"Accurate as of two hours ago," Kingsley replied. "We've been studying satellite images which show several meetings taking place along the Bolivian border. Weapons trades being made with what we presume to be representatives from Peru and Chile based on geographical location."
The Minister nodded in acceptance of the information. "What do you suggest we do?" the Minister asked, his voice calmer than he'd expected.
"Right now, nothing," Kingsley replied in his normal melodious tone. "The Bolivian government already receives a lot of aid from the Ministry of the United States, who are undoubtedly reading the same information that we are now."
"What about the other South American countries?" the Minister asked. "The Argentinian Ministry is still weak and receives very little aid. That isn't to say anything of the Peruvian Ministry."
"They aren't targets as far as we know," Kingsley informed him. "If anything these countries could benefit from rebel groups supplying the Bolivians with their resources."
"So we do nothing?" the Minister asked. "That's always a good idea."
"We do nothing until we know what we're dealing with," Kingsley responded. "When we start to see events unfold we'll meet again and then we can decide on an appropriate course of action."
"Okay," the Minister conceded, nodding reluctantly. "We'll sit and wait. Thanks for speaking to me Kingsley."
"Thank you Minister," Kingsley replied smartly, taking that as his cue to leave the room. Once gone there was silence, the two men present left with their worried thoughts.
"Do you think this is the right thing to do?" the Minister asked Amos sadly. "I've always felt previous Ministers have been too keen to send men to another country but it's different when you hear it said like that."
"Trust Kingsley," Amos told him simply. "He's been in this job a long time, he knows what to do in this situation."
The Minister sighed. "I know," he agreed. "It just doesn't sit well for me for us to just sit here and do nothing."
"We're not doing nothing, we're running a country," Amos told him. "We've got enough on our plate as it is, let Kingsley deal with this."
The Minister looked at his old friend. "You're right," he admitted tiredly. "You usually are." There was silence as they reached the natural end of the conversation, neither knowing what to say next. "Amos, we need to talk about rehab."
"No, Minister, don't," Amos said firmly, shaking his head at his boss. "I'm not going to talk about it."
"Amos," the Minister complained but Amos was adamant.
"I'm coping, I'm fine, there's nothing to talk about," Amos said firmly, his tone quickly putting an end to the matter as they fell into silence.
"Sir," Daphne said from the doorway, gaining the attention of the Minister as she broke the silence. "Harry's here to see you."
The Minister nodded. "Send him in," he called and soon Harry was walking into the room, looking slightly nervous as he walked towards the Minister. "What have you got for me, Harry?" the Minister asked.
"A proposal," Harry said. "I've just got out from a meeting with Niall McGin."
"The LGBT guy?" the Minister asked, to which Harry nodded. "What did he want?"
Harry took a deep, uneven breath, before answering the question. "He wants Charlie to speak at a gay rights rally," Harry told him, dreading the response he was going to get.
"What?!" the Minister thundered. "He wants to force my son into promoting his cause? I had assumed that after Charlie had come out to the public it would decrease the hassle he would get, not increase it. What was McGin even thinking?"
"Sir, it's not an unreasonable suggestion," Harry said loudly, desperate to head off the Minister's rant before he could get into full flow.
The Minister paused, regarding Harry carefully. "I trust you Harry," the Minister said softly. "I trust your judgement. That's why I'm going to give you one minute to plead your case before I kick you out of my office."
Harry gulped slightly but held his ground. "Minister, McGin isn't forcing Charlie to do anything," Harry told him sincerely. "He's asking him if he would, and he's allowing us to be the ones to ask him. He's promised not to talk to Charlie unless he says yes. This is about giving Charlie the opportunity to speak if he wants, no pressure, no responsibilities, he can make whatever decision he chooses. And if McGin goes after him if he says no, then I'll be right alongside you in having him thrown in Azkaban."
The Minister was silent for a moment, looking at Harry with an unreadable expression. Glancing at his watch, he looked bemusedly up at Harry. "Well argued," he complimented softly, causing Harry to let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. "McGin has promised to leave Charlie alone if he says no?"
"He's sincere," Harry told him. "I talked to him face to face. All he wants is not to let an opportunity go by if Charlie wants to speak."
The Minister nodded. "What do you think I should do?" he asked simply.
"Well," Harry said, starting to get comfortable with the fact that the Minister was not going to get angry. "I think you should tell Charlie this opportunity is available if he wants to do it. Tell him there is no pressure either way and that it's his decision. Then tell me what he wants and I'll call Niall."
The Minister nodded in agreement. "I'll call Charlie tonight," he announced. "His shift finishes at eight so he won't be available right now."
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Minister," he said as he turned to leave.
"Wait," the Minister said suddenly, causing him to halt in his tracks. "There's something I want to speak to everyone about, please stay here." Harry nodded, turning back to face the Minister.
"Daphne," the Minister called, Daphne immediately appearing in the doorway. "Get the rest of the Senior Staff to my office as soon as possible." Daphne nodded and left the room, leaving the three men alone.
"So," Harry said, glancing nervously at Amos. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Amos replied simply, showing no emotion as he answered the question.
"Are you sure?" Harry probed further. "I mean, it's your first day back at work, undoubtedly you're not at your best."
"Harry, I told you, I'm fine," Amos repeated steadily, keeping his face an emotionless mask.
"I'm not sure I believe that," Harry countered, staring down his superior as he looked for a spark of the old Amos. "I believe you are hiding from us behind this businesslike facade."
"Harry," the Minister said warningly but Harry pressed on.
"What are you feeling, Amos?" Harry demanded from him. "Tell me how you feel."
"Not now," Amos snapped, the first emotion he'd shown in the conversation. "This is neither the time nor the place."
"Then what is?" Harry asked earnestly, catching Amos unawares with the change of pace. Amos was spared from answering as Ron strode into the room, closely followed by Hermione and Neville.
"What's going on?" Ron asked without any preamble.
"A situation has arisen in South America," the Minister answered. "Has anyone seen Remus?" But the Minister's question was almost immediately answered as Remus hurried into the room.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Remus said, panting slightly. "I was in a meeting with Stuart Ainsworth."
"That's not a problem Remus," the Minister replied, allowing Remus to catch his breath. "Now, the thing I wish to speak to you today is of the highest security," he warned them. "No one outside of us and the Auror Office shall know of this until we choose otherwise." His staff nodded seriously, quickly realising the importance of what he was about to say.
"Two hours ago our Auror Office picked up images through satellite of rebel groups in Bolivia trading for weapons from representatives of Peru and Chile," the Minister announced to the silent room. "There is reason to believe that aid for this rebel group, the Orgullo Latino, or Latin Pride, is also being provided by other such groups in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina."
"While we cannot be sure of why there was been such a strong collaboration between these groups, and why they are targeting American aided Bolivia, we can say that they are up to something."
"What are we doing?" Neville asked quietly.
"Nothing," the Minister replied heavily. "Without knowing the aims of the Orgullo Latino we cannot act responsibly. Kingsley has recommended that we wait and watch for any signs of activity, and I agree."
"Do we know how many weapons this rebel group have?" Harry asked. "How many transactions are we aware of?"
"Undoubtedly we are not aware of many of the transactions that are taking place," Amos answered on the Minister's behalf. "But given the ones we are aware of it's not creating a very good picture."
"What sort of situation are the Bolivian government in?" Ron asked, addressing the Minister. "You said they are supported by the American Ministry."
"They are," the Minister told him. "The Bolivian Ministry is seen as one of the stronger in South America, although not to the same level as Brazil or Uruguay. These deals on the other hand could be a sign that they aren't as strong as we believe."
"But we are doing nothing?" Hermione asked.
"We are doing nothing," the Minister confirmed. "Kingsley will keep a look out, I just wanted all of you to know about the situation before anything big started to happen. You should get back to work."
The staffers nodded and started to leave, each of them moving around with a sort of depressed air to their step, talking quietly to each other and frowning as they stepped out of the office. As the last one left the Minister let out a tired sigh, doubts starting to creep back into his mind.
"You are doing the right thing," Amos told him, knowing what he was thinking. "You are deferring to Kingsley's better judgement, and that's what you're supposed to do."
The Minister grimaced. "I know," he admitted quietly, leaning back in his seat, his arms set upon his armrests. Letting out a long breath, he turned his gaze to Amos. "You didn't answer his question."
"Who's question?" Amos asked but the Minister wasn't so easily fooled.
"You know what I'm talking about," he told him, his tone warning him not to deny it. "Harry's question, do you have an answer to it?"
Amos looked away, his eyes turned to the ground as he avoided the Minister's gaze. "No," he admitted quietly, his voice barely even carrying to the Minister seated a few feet away. "No, I don't know when I can talk about it."
The Minister nodded in acceptance. "You're talking to a psychiatrist, aren't you," he said, to which Amos nodded. "Then I'm not worried," the Minister continued, surprising Amos into looking at him.
"You're not?" Amos asked in surprise, so close to admitting that he was.
"No, I'm not," the Minister confirmed. "I know you'll be able to talk about this soon. And when you find you are ready to speak I'll be here, ready to listen."
"Thank you sir," Amos said gratefully.
The Minister nodded. "I say this now because there's a big chance this business in Bolivia blows into something big," he told him. "You may find your patience tested and it may be more difficult than ever to stop yourself from reaching for a drink. But remember, I'm here for you. And so are those five people who've just left my office."
"Thank you Minister," Amos said softly, the support being shown to him becoming overwhelming.
"I'll see you later, Amos," the Minister told him, signalling that it was time to go. Standing up Amos left the office, walking into his own office and closing the door behind him. Watching him go, the Minister stared at the closed door before rising to his feet, knowing his break was over and there was work to be done.
"He really asked you to do that?" Hermione asked in amazement, leaning forward across the table as she listened to Harry's story over the noise of the club's music.
"Yeah," Harry told her. "And lets face it, you can't blame him. This is a golden opportunity to improve the way people in our society view gay people."
"The Minister would never go for it," Hermione countered, brushing her hair over her shoulder, briefly admiring the bouncing curls she'd spent so much time working on for the night out.
"The Minister would never allow us to tell Charlie to do this," Harry told her. "What he would agree to is asking if Charlie wanted to do it."
Hermione looked at him in amazement. "You've already brought this to the Minister?" she asked in surprise. "I can't imagine that conversation went well."
Harry shrugged. "The Minister's a reasonable man," he replied. "He overreacted at first but he calmed down and really listened to what I had to say. He agreed to allow Charlie to do it if he wanted to."
"Has he asked him yet?" Hermione asked, catching the expression on Harry's face. "He has. What did Charlie say?"
Harry glanced round to make sure no one was listening before leaning forward towards Hermione. "He's not going to do the rally," Harry told her. "He is going to do an interview for the Daily Prophet about it. We're still in the early stages but I can imagine he'll get a nice column with Michael to get his message across."
"That's very brave of him," Hermione commented. "I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have his private life spread across the nation just because his father is famous."
"You can't?" Harry asked in surprise. "You work for the Minister, your private life is out there for anyone to see." Hermione shrugged, taking a drink as she looked around the room. "See anyone you like?"
Hermione's eyes shot to him. "What did you just say?" she asked sharply, her eyes narrowed.
"The people here," Harry said, gesturing to the club as a whole. "Is there anyone around here that you think you might like to talk to?"
Hermione blushed. "I don't know," she said bashfully. "I'm not very good at approaching guys. I get all nervous and I start rambling and-"
"You do this," Harry finished for her, causing her to blush even more. "What about that guy by the counter," he suggested, pointing to a tall dark headed man drinking a beer by the bar. "He seems fairly attractive and it doesn't seem as though he came with a girl."
"I can't just go up to a guy," Hermione complained.
"Why not?" Harry asked. "Hermione, you look fantastic. Any guy would absolutely love it if you walked up to them and started flirting with them right now."
"I've never approached a guy before," Hermione admitted. "And I'm not very good at flirting."
"If you just have a go you might find you're better than you think," Harry told her, egging her on. "What was it that you said was your new year's resolution, try new things? Go ahead, try talking to a guy."
"Okay," Hermione grudgingly gave in. "But I'm only doing it for you."
Harry laughed as Hermione got up from the table and approached the guy, gently tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. Watching, Harry couldn't help but let his mind stray back to new year's resolutions as he saw Hermione and the mysterious man talk, the man clearly interested in what Hermione had to offer.
"Excuse me," a soft voice said as a body moved across his field of vision, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Is anyone sitting there?" The woman standing before him gave him a beautiful smile, her hair stylishly pulled back to emphasise her beautiful porcelain features.
"No, my friend is elsewhere," Harry told her, smiling at her as she took the seat, her smile fixed as she continued to study him.
"My name's Michelle," the woman introduced herself smoothly, tilting her head slightly to the side to expose her beautifully long neck. "I'm sorry to intrude on your time but you looked a bit lonely on your own."
"I'm fine, thanks," Harry said with a smile. "I was just thinking of leaving actually."
"Why don't you stay?" Michelle suggested, gently placing a hand upon his on the table. "I'd love to get to know you better."
The smile on Harry's face never wavered as he caught on to what she was doing. Gently, Harry took hold of her hand and placed it on the wooden surface of the table, pulling his hand out of range. "I'm sorry," he said politely at her surprised expression. "While I'm sure you're a wonderful person I'm already in a relationship."
The smile on Michelle's face dropped quickly. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she mumbled, looking away from him, her very presence reeking of embarrassment. Watching her sit there, Harry couldn't help but take pity on her.
"I'm sorry," he said. "It's just that I've been with my girlfriend for over two years now. I live with her and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. I love her." Michelle sniffed slightly. "But I promise you," Harry continued. "If I were single there is nothing more I'd have liked better than to sit here and talk to you."
Michelle sniffed again, although a small smile graced her face. "Thank you," she said softly, smiling at him. "That was a really nice thing to say. And I'm sorry for hitting on you."
"Don't worry about it," Harry waved away, glancing at the bar to see Hermione fully engulfed in her conversation. "It was flattering. Now I'm afraid I should really get going, now that my friend has gotten elsewhere."
"Wait," Michelle said as Harry rose to his feet. "You haven't even told me your name."
"It's Harry," Harry told her with a smile. "It's been nice meeting you."
"You too, Harry," Michelle smiled back as Harry, with one last glance at the animated discussion between Hermione and the man at the bar, left the club.
"Good morning, Hermione," Harry delighted, his feet resting on top of her desk as she entered her office, giving him a frustrated look. "You look absolutely radiant this morning, you look like you've had a good night's rest."
"Shut up, you," Hermione told him, shoving his feet off her desk and gesturing for him to get out of her seat, to which he complied. "You're hardly one to talk on the subject."
Harry shrugged. "You had sex last night, I didn't," he grinned. "It's been a long time since I could last say that."
"Yes, because you're in a fully committed relationship and I'm not," Hermione told him sternly. "Anyway, how can you assume anything happened last night?"
Harry chuckled. "Hermione, the signs are all there," he told her. "After all these years I can read you like a book. I was even able to tell when you first lost your virginity."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. "No, you weren't," she denied, shaking her head in disbelief.
"May 15th…" Harry started before Hermione quickly hushed him down, glancing fearfully to the open door of her office.
"Don't say that around here," she hissed at him, her eyes panicky.
"Hermione, relax," Harry said soothingly, dropping his joking expression. "I was just teasing you." He paused as she started to calm, her breathing starting to become more even as she recovered from her near hyperventilation. "So, the guy at the bar?" Harry asked seriously. "How was he?"
Hermione hesitated. "He was nice," she said uneasily, her gaze shifting suspiciously. "It's just… well, he wasn't the guy I went home with."
Harry's eyebrows shot up his forehead in surprise. "Hermione," Harry intoned in awe, incredibly impressed by his friend.
"Hey Harry, Hermione," Ron said as he strolled into the office. "What are we talking about?"
"Hermione got with two guys last night," Harry said with a grin as Hermione desperately tried to stop him from saying anything. "Hermione actually really wanted to talk to you about it," Harry continued, barely stifling a laugh as he left the room, leaving behind a stunned Ron and a mortified Hermione.
After a brief's moment silence Ron cleared his throat loudly. "Em," he started, lost for words. "What Harry just said, how much of that was true?"
Hermione sighed in disappointment. "Harry and I went to a club last night," she told Ron reluctantly. "I talked to a guy for a bit and then I, eh, went home with another one."
Ron didn't say anything, his face showing complete bewilderment at what Hermione had just told him. "Eh, good for you," he stammered out eventually. "Yeah, that's… good."
Hermione bit her lip as Ron seemed to struggle to decide what to do, torn between coming and going.
"The guy," he said suddenly, still standing awkwardly in a half turned away stance. "Was he… nice?"
Hermione shrugged. "I suppose so," she answered quietly. "I'm not going to see him again so… it really doesn't matter."
Ron nodded to himself, still standing still in her office. Without another word Ron walked off, leaving behind a depressed Hermione alone behind her desk.
"Neville, is Amos still in?" Harry asked as he strolled down the corridor, catching Neville at a cross in the corridors.
"He was when I went to see him ten minutes ago," Neville answered, his attention focused on the papers in his arms. "He's only doing a half day so he's set me up with all this additional paper work to be done."
"Do you know when his half day is going to end?" Harry asked as he checked his watch, noting that it was nearly midday.
Neville shrugged. "Could mean anything," he answered unhelpfully as he made his way towards his office. "Just go and check if he's still there."
Harry walked off as Neville walked into his office, striding quickly in the hopes that he hadn't missed Amos. Reaching the office in a matter of seconds Harry strode into the room, stopping sharply as he found himself facing Amos across the desk.
"Yes?" Amos asked with a raised eyebrow, holding open a file in his hands as he looked up at him.
"Um, I've finished that report you asked me to do for tonight," Harry said after a brief pause, remembering why he'd been in such a hurry to reach him. "I've sent the report over to Luna."
"I've got it," Amos confirmed, tilting the file in his hand to show him its contents.
"I just wanted to ask if there was anything you might want to ask me which wasn't made clear in the report," Harry told him.
Amos looked thoughtfully into space for a moment. "Nope," he said simply, looking back to Harry. "Everything was made very clear, although I did send a copy on for Remus to have a look at so he might have a few questions."
"I'll go see him then," Harry accepted, turning to leave.
"Harry," Amos called to him, stopping him from leaving the office. "I'd just like to say something before you go," he said, motioning for him to come back inside. "Close the door."
Harry did as he was instructed before standing in front of the desk, waiting patiently for Amos to speak.
"I owe you an apology," Amos said heavily, looking down at his desk. "My behaviour in the Minister's office was uncalled for. I do appreciate the concern you and the others have for my well being, it's just hard to accept it when you know that it is your fault."
Harry nodded in understanding, keeping quiet as he sensed there was more Amos wished to say.
Amos let out a long suffering sigh. "If there's anything…" he started softly. "Anything you want to ask me, about my rehab, then please feel free to do so now."
Harry remained quiet, staring at Amos as his mind whirled with questions he wished to have answered. But, looking at Amos sat before him, bracing himself for whatever Harry might say, he knew he couldn't do it.
"No," he said simply, surprising Amos. "You're not ready. I'm not going to ask you any questions until you are ready to tell me. Then, I'll listen to your answer."
Amos nodded at that, thankful for Harry's consideration in the matter. With a sigh he caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall behind Harry's back and his thoughts refocused.
"It's time for me to go," Amos said, standing up and pulling his cloak over his shoulders. "I've got a meeting… a psychiatric meeting which I need to get to."
Harry nodded in understanding, standing to the side to allow Amos to make his way to the door. "Actually, I have one question," he said suddenly, stopping Amos in his tracks.
"What is it?" Amos asked, standing in the doorway to his office.
"What's your new year's resolutions?" Harry asked seriously, watching Amos carefully for an answer.
A small smile crossed Amos's face. "To tell you the truth, Harry, I don't have one," he admitted gazing into space. "But if I were to have one, I suppose I would promise to stop hiding from the people who want to help me."
Harry said nothing as Amos wished him a good day and left the room, leaving Harry standing alone in the Chief of Staff's office. For several minutes he did nothing, standing in some sort of a daze, before finally reality caught up to him and he walked out into the hall and back into his working day.
"No, don't worry about it," Harry assured on one end of the phone. "Enjoy your evening in Paris, I'll just catch up on work until you get back."
"I don't want you to be working while I'm enjoying myself," Ginny said on the other end of the phone, sounding disappointed. "I really miss you, even Paris is unable to stop me from thinking about you."
Harry smiled. "You've been thinking about me?" he said fondly. "In Paris? Well maybe one day we'll go visit the city together."
"You better believe it," came Ginny's response, causing Harry's grin to grow wider. "Then I'll be able to spend my time in the city of love with the one I love." Harry had to smile at the corny line. "How are things at work? Have you missed me?"
"More than anything," Harry said honestly. "I'm looking at some papers on inheritance tax and all I can think of doing is throw them in the shredder so I can come home." Harry paused, his face turning more serious. "I spoke to Amos today."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. "How did it go?" Ginny asked softly, her breath echoing in Harry's ear. "Was it better than yesterday?"
Harry snorted. "It's hard to be worse than yesterday," he replied humourlessly. "He wasn't mad at me this time. He even spoke to me, properly this time."
"What did he say?" Ginny asked, listening intently.
"He apologised to me," Harry replied, his voice slightly higher than usual. "He told me he was out of line and apologised."
"And?" Ginny questioned, expecting more.
"He offered to answer any questions I had," Harry told her. "About his rehab."
"Really?" Ginny gasped in amazement.
"I turned him down," Harry informed her. "When he's ready he'll tell me how he feels. Until that point he has professionals who are paid to make him better." Harry chuckled after a second, a memory tickling his brain.
"What's so funny?" Ginny asked in confusion.
"I did actually ask him one question," Harry said, stopping to let out another chuckle. "I asked if he had a new year's resolution. He doesn't, by the way, and he seems fine with it."
There was quiet on the other end of the phone. "You've been talking about new year's resolutions a lot recently."
"I admit I've mentioned it a couple of times," Harry said warily.
"A couple of times to me, that is," Ginny responded. "I spoke with Luna this morning and she told me you've been asking around at the Ministry for the last two days."
Harry chuckled nervously. "Okay, I admit, I've gotten a little obsessed over it," Harry said with some self deprecating humour. "It's just been stuck in my head. Everyone has one except for me… and Amos as it happens."
"Still stuck?" Ginny asked, half mockingly half compassionately. "You're a speech writer, I'd have thought you'd have tons of ideas."
"I do," Harry told her, running a hand through his hair. "It's just that none of my ideas are right for me. I know there are things in my life I can improve on but I don't know what exactly."
"Do you want my advice?" Ginny offered, to which Harry quickly affirmed. "You should make it so that you do something new, or perhaps something you used to do but stopped for some reason. The new year is all about renewal, either of something you used to do or starting something completely new."
Harry was silent as Ginny finished speaking, pondering her words carefully.
"Do you want to know what Luna suggested?" Ginny asked, prompting Harry to laugh.
"Go on," he told her.
"She thinks that the reason you can't choose is that you are followed by a tribe of wrackspurts wherever you go."
Harry continued to chuckle. "Oh dear Luna," he chortled. "How did she get such a high ranking government role?"
"She's good at what she does," Ginny pointed out in answer to his rhetorical question.
"That's true," Harry agreed, checking his watch as one eye scanned the files littering his desk. "Listen, I've got to get back to work. Have fun in Paris."
"I will," Ginny responded. "I'll see you later tonight, and don't be late. I've got a special little surprise for you."
"Is this the special little surprise you told me you bought yesterday?" Harry asked with a slightly lustful grin.
"Very little," Ginny whispered teasingly down the phone, causing Harry to emit a low growl.
"Careful," he warned her. "Any more talk like that and I might just fly over to France and sweep you off your feet."
"I wouldn't be particularly opposed to that idea," Ginny flirted back, blowing a kiss down the phone. "See you tonight. Love you."
"Love you too," Harry replied as the line went dead. Harry sat completely still, smiling as he savoured the feelings he was holding, before eventually placing the phone down on his desk. Moving over to his reports Harry paused, his hand hovering between his paper and the phone. With a frown Harry made his decision, picking up his phone again and punching in another number, quickly holding the phone to his ear as it rang.
"Hi, it's Harry."
"Amos, good to see you," the psychiatrist, Raymond Frank, greeted as Amos walked into the room, shaking his hand warmly and gesturing to a seat. "How are you doing?"
"Good," Amos answered, nodding his head as he glanced around the room before taking his seat. "I assume that is good news."
Raymond chuckled. "Definitely," he answered. "But I'm not willing to stop these sessions until I am one hundred percent sure that your mental stability is in balance."
"You really know how to flatter a guy," Amos commented dryly, leaning forward to pick up a glass of water.
"Yes, I do," Raymond replied with a winning smile. "Now Amos, why don't you tell me what your day has been like."
Amos took a sigh, leaning back in his chair as he began the exercise. "It began pretty slow," he commented. "I didn't really have any work to do until my ten o'clock meeting. After that I read multiple reports about agriculture, Ministry workforce, things I'm not allowed to tell you about as well."
"Well, that's what you did," Raymond said, following a familiar pattern to their meetings. "Now tell me about the people you talked to during the day."
Amos frowned. "I spoke with my Senior Assistant, Luna Lovegood a couple of times that morning as she brought in reports."
"Anything interesting?" Raymond asked.
"Very," Amos responded. "But Luna is an unusual girl, which often makes her interesting in and of itself."
"And your ten o'clock meeting?" Raymond asked. "May I ask who was part of that meeting."
"The Minister of Magic," Amos answered. "The Deputy Chief of Staff, the Communications Director and the Press Secretary."
"Not Ron Weasley or Remus Lupin?" Raymond asked, interested to see where this line of questioning could lead him.
"They were tied up in another meeting," Amos informed him. "I spoke with Remus not long after the meeting, although I didn't see Ron. The Minister called me into his office and then Harry saw me just before I came here."
"The Minister called you in?" Raymond questioned. "Was there any special reason?"
"He wished to brief me," Amos informed him. "Or rather he wished for Kingsley Shacklebolt to brief me about a situation I am not permitted to share with you."
Raymond thought about it for a second, then dropped it. "This meeting with Harry?" he questioned instead. "It wasn't planned?"
Amos shook his head. "Harry had a report he had sent to me and he wanted to know if I had any questions for him," Amos said. "We had a bit of a conversation and then I left."
Raymond's attention was piqued. "You left?" he asked. "Harry didn't?" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "What exactly did this conversation consist of?"
Amos took his time to answer, wondering what he should and should not say. "We were talking about new year's resolutions," Amos told the psychiatrist, frowning slightly. "He asked if I had one and I said I didn't, although if I did it would be not to hide from my friends."
Amos's thoughtfulness distracted his attention, so much so that he never noticed the small smile flit across Raymond Frank's face.
Harry slipped his way quietly through the patrons of the pub, winding his way towards a small booth where two men sat talking, drinks already set out in front of them.
"Harry," Seamus cheered, spotting Harry first and bringing him to Dean's attention. "Mate, you owe me a drink. I hope you hadn't forgotten that."
"Don't worry, I hadn't," Harry promised as he reached the booth, slipping in gratefully. "I was just playing hard to get."
Seamus barked out a laugh. "Ain't I used to that," he chortled, elbowing Dean good-naturedly in the ribs. "Say, on that note, how's the misses? You two still together, cause if you aren't you really have to give me her number."
Harry laughed. "Tough luck Seamus," he said. "We've actually moved in together now so she's definitely not on the market."
"Damn," Seamus cursed theatrically. "If only there were other attractive women related to the Ministry."
"Here we go," Dean said, rolling his eyes.
"I think I can see where this is going," Harry laughed. "Who'd you have your eye on, Seamus?"
"Well, you know I keep my eye on quite a number of talented women," Seamus told him seriously, causing Dean to choke on his drink. "I was watching this show and there was this pretty little blonde on. She was an assistant or something."
"Lizzie," Harry guessed, getting an affirmative reply. "Tough luck mate, she's taken."
Seamus sighed theatrically. "Seriously, you know anyone who might be interested?" he asked, taking swig from his glass.
"Well," Harry said thoughtfully. "I think Demelza might be free. Brunette, about 5-6…"
"She's the one that stands in on the press conferences, isn't she," Seamus said excitedly. "I've been to the Ministry a couple of times and she's always seemed interested in me."
"So you want me to set you up?" Harry asked.
"I would forever be in your debt," Seamus crowed dramatically. "In fact, keep your money, the next round's on me." Harry laughed as Seamus charged headfirst through the maze of small tables as he made his way to the bar, patrons parting as he sped through.
"That made Seamus's day," Dean chuckled as they watched Seamus go. "I swear he may say he's cutting down on chocolate, but I'm sure his real new year's resolution is to score with even more girls than he did last year."
"Is that even possible?" Harry asked in amusement.
"If anyone can do it it's Seamus," Dean replied with a shrug. "Anyway," he said, turning to focus his full attention on Harry. "Why did you want to meet us?"
"For a drink," Harry answered simply. "Although I do need to get back home at some point, Ginny's got a surprise for me."
"Well, let's just thank god Seamus didn't hear you say that," Dean replied. "He wouldn't stop with the innuendoes all night." He glanced at Harry's face. "Why did you meet us?"
Harry sighed, glancing around the crowded pub. "You," he said simply. "Are my new year's resolution."
"What?" Dean said, completely confused.
"I don't spend time with you, at all," Harry said. "You're my friend but it's been ages since we last had the chance to sit down for a drink."
Dean sat back in his chair, regarding Harry interestedly. "That's your new year's resolution?" he said simply. "I'm honoured."
Harry smiled. "Thank you."