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.
"Who do we have today?" Dennis asked, sitting behind his desk and taking a sip of his morning coffee. He was joined by Ron and Cho, the latter of whom was reading off a clipboard while the former was leaning against the wall with an open file in his hand.
"Brownlow, Bruce, Mortimer, Hardy, Jones and Petrov," Cho read out.
"And how many more will there be after that?" Dennis asked with a sigh, rubbing at his temple tiredly.
"We're almost done," Cho assured him, looking up from her clipboard.
"But in the meantime you've got a lot of reading to do," Ron pointed out, gesturing to the files spread across Dennis's desk, each one pertaining to one of the newly elected Warlocks of the Wizengamot.
"Lovely," Dennis muttered, his eyes roaming his desk tiredly. At that moment Lizzie appeared in the doorway.
"Another Warlock to be added for today," she said, passing the file off to Cho and disappearing as quickly as she'd come. Cho flicked open the file.
"Ash Tyler," Cho announced, glancing up as she said the name.
"I'll take that one," said Ron, pushing himself from the wall. Cho pursed her lips.
"I'm not sure," she hesitated, seemingly caught in two minds. "You won't start a fight?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Have some faith in me," he argued. "Dennis has a full schedule and I know Tyler. He'll try to use this as an opportunity to get the drop on Harry, to get the upper hand before the Wizengamot session has even started." Still Cho hesitated. "I promise I won't start a fight."
Cho sighed. "Fine," she relented, handing him the file. "Just remember you made that promise." Ron nodded to her and slipped from the room, leaving behind a disgruntled Dennis and resigned Cho. "I suppose I'll leave you to it," Cho said, turning to the man remaining. Dennis just grimaced and grabbed the first file as Cho left the room.
Halfway across the ministry the situation room was filled with low murmurs. The room was packed with military personnel and as the door opened, as one, they rose to their feet for the Minister for Magic.
"You've got something for me Kingsley?" he asked as he took his place at the head of the table, Amos moving to the seat on his left. As he sat down the rest of the table resumed their seats until only Kingsley was left standing at the foot of the table.
"As you know Minister our troops have begun their march to the western cities of Peru," Kingsley spoke. "On their approach to Nazca, in the Ica region, scouts came back with word of a large number of Peruvian soldiers on their route north."
"So our men have come to a halt," the Minister asked, getting a nod from Kingsley in response. "I assume we are working on some sort of attack plan to overcome this group."
"We are, but it may not be as easy as that," Kingsley replied.
"How so?" asked Amos.
Kingsley answered. "The group of military soldiers is quite a bit larger than we would expect from a basic patrol," he said. "A group this large so far from the capital is suspicious, to say the least."
"You suspect a trap?" the Minister asked.
"Indeed," replied Kingsley. "Though so far we have not been able to detect anything suspicious, other than their numbers."
The Minister nodded thoughtfully. "And how long have you been looking?"
"The scouts returned just under an hour ago, sir." This was one of the military officers speaking. "They scouted to the best of their abilities before reporting back to the main force. They found nothing suspicious but have sent a more specialised team to have a look at the area. They will be due to return in no more than fifteen minutes, at which point they will report to Alastor Moody who will in turn inform Mr Shacklebolt."
The Minister stayed quiet, taking in the new information with a blank face, aware that every eye in the room was on him.
"Kingsley," he said eventually, turning to look at the dark skinned man at the end of the table. "Gut instinct; what's going on here?"
Kingsley took a moment to respond. "I am unprepared to answer that question at this time," was his measured reply. "It all seems very straightforward but my instincts are telling me something's wrong."
"Me too," the Minister agreed softly.
"What I do think is that, one way or another, the true battle is about to begin," Kingsley finished, his voice holding the weight of significance.
Arthur nodded. "Then we must be ready," he agreed, rising from the table and causing all the rest of them to rise with him. "Let me know when we've heard from the second scout group and I'll come back to be briefed then. In the meantime think up a plan to take these guys. One way or another we're going to have to go through them to reach Nazca and I doubt asking politely is going to do the trick."
He strode out of the room and down the outside corridor, Amos following in his wake.
"Gather the senior staff," the Minister muttered as they strode through the building. "They'll want to hear about this."
The Minister strode towards his office, walking past Daphne and Blaise in his outer office as Amos passed on the message to Daphne, and came to rest by his desk, taking deep, steadying breaths.
Amos followed after him.
"They're coming?" The Minister asked, turning to him. Amos nodded.
"They'll be here soon," he informed him.
"Well, that's good to hear," the Minister told him. He looked away in thought. "What do you think of this, Amos?" He asked. "What do you think the Peruvian's are doing?"
"Honestly," Amos told him. "I have no idea. I don't have the experience of Kingsley, I trust his judgement. If he says something seems off I agree with him."
The Minister nodded. There was a long silence.
"It'd be nice if this could have waited a bit longer," the Minister spoke softly. "I'm not ready for what is about to come."
"Would you ever be?" Amos asked. The Minister looked at him, acknowledging his point with regret.
As time went by Hermione arrived at the office, standing silently as she waited, and soon enough she was joined by Neville and Remus. They stood in silence.
"Is this everyone?" Amos asked, turning to the Minister. "How many were we expecting?"
At that moment Ron entered.
"Sorry I'm late," he apologised, businesslike. "What's happened?"
"I think we're expecting one more," the Minister noted, answering Amos's question and raising an eyebrow at his Political Strategy Director.
"Dennis is in a meeting," Ron explained. "New Wizengamot members."
"You don't think he should be here for this?" Amos asked.
"I think he's got enough on his plate," Ron told him. "Let him stay away from this for now." The Minister nodded.
"Very well," he said, straightening up and drawing the room to attention. "Just a few minutes ago I was briefed on the ongoing situation in Peru. A new complication has arisen, one with the potential to significantly alter the course of events."
"A large number of Peruvian soldiers have been spotted marching towards Nazca," he told them, to an intake of breath. "What exactly the purpose of this movement is it is still hard to tell. A specialist scouting group have been sent, we're expecting word from them any moment now, but needless to say it is concerning to see such a large force so far from the capital. We may be on the verge of our first all out conflict."
A soft knock sounded on the door and Blaise walked in. Quietly he walked over to the Minister, handing over a small scrap of paper with a few whispered words, before he retreated out the room. The Minister looked down at the paper, slipping on his glasses, and read. He sighed.
"Recent intelligence indicates that the force is being led by General Luis Alvarez, former lead military officer under the Caro Ministry." The Minister removed his glasses, rubbing at his eyes wearily. "Things just got complicated."
"Great, well, I'm sure we can work with you on that," Dennis said, slightly relieved. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss with me?"
The rather wizened old man sitting across from him gave a predatory grin, before shaking his head. In the last half hour or so Dennis had learned that this was just a character trait of the soon to be Warlock of the Wizengamot Garnet Innes. One he'd have to get used to.
"No, I think that's everything from me, young Dennis," he spoke in a raspy voice. "I'll be in touch, if I think of anything more."
"I look forward to your call," Dennis said politely, standing up to shake Garnet's hand as the elderly fellow limped from his office. Then he slumped back down in his seat. "Kill me now."
"Not quite yet." Cho had bustled into his office, looking busy and was, to Dennis's displeasure, carrying in yet another file. "You've got four more meetings like this before you can think about throwing in the towel."
"Fantastic," Dennis grumbled. "Who've we got next?" Cho handed over the file.
"Stan Clinton," she said. The name meant little to Dennis. He had, briefly, looked over his file but after meeting with so many of the representatives of the next Wizengamot, due to go into session tomorrow, the details escaped him.
"Warlock for Braintree," Cho tried to jog his memory.
"To be honest he could be warlock of my constituency and I wouldn't remember right now," Dennis told her. "Is Ron in? He knows all these guys like the back of his hand."
"Ron's with the Minister," Cho told him. "Senior Staff meeting." Dennis frowned, Cho catching the gesture. "He didn't want you to worry about it, you have enough on your plate."
"Right," Dennis muttered, trying to ignore the hollow feeling in his chest. "Well…"
"I'll leave you to it," Cho told him, dropping the file on his desk. "Warlock Clinton is expected to be here in fifteen minutes." And she left his office.
Dennis sighed deeply, leaning forward and bending his head down over the file Cho had left him, trying his best to take in the information written on the page before him. It was like trying to catch fireflies, the information just seeming to bypass his brain entirely as he stared blankly at the page.
Lizzie strode into the room.
"Morning Dennis," she greeted. Dennis glanced up.
"Where have you been?" He asked. He had not seen her practically all day.
"I was talking to Demelza, if you must know," Lizzie told him. "She's having a hard time, what with the breakup and all."
"Again?" Dennis muttered, rolling his eyes. The on again off again nature of Demelza and Seamus's relationship had become something of a running joke in the Ministry. "Do you really think that's worth taking the time out of doing your job? It's not like anything you say will make a difference."
"I was comforting her," Lizzie said indignantly. "And that certainly will make a difference."
"For, like, five minutes," Dennis argued. "You know by the end of the week she and Seamus will be back together again."
"She needed me," Lizzie said stubbornly.
"I need you," Dennis shot back.
"You have Cho helping you," Lizzie told him. "She'll look after you better than I can." Maybe so, but Dennis didn't feel any better knowing that.
"Anyway, Stan Clinton is here," Lizzie told him. Dennis closed his eyes wearily.
"Now?" He asked, wondering whether he'd actually make it to the end of the day. "Fine." He pulled open a drawer and stuffed Clinton's file inside. "Send him in."
Lizzie left, Dennis quickly pulling himself together and brushing down his clothes as he stood up to greet his guest. "Warlock Clinton," he greeted.
Stan Clinton was a tall man, an intimidating presence with sharp, angular features and dark, cunning eyes. "Mr Creevey." The new warlock shook Dennis's hand with no hint of emotion on his face, his grip strong, before he took a seat, uninvited, causing Dennis to fall back into his own chair.
"It's a pleasure to have you here," Dennis said politely, doing his best to keep up a warm facade. "Have you been to the Ministry before?" Clinton just favoured him with a blank look.
"Okay then," Dennis muttered. Evidently this wasn't going to be the friendliest meeting in the world. "Okay, so, I'm sure you know what this meeting is about. You are beginning your first term in the Wizengamot tomorrow and, as we will no doubt be working together in the future to create and pass bills into law, now is a good opportunity for us as a Ministry to gage your level of interest in certain areas of policy, looking for things that we potentially could agree on and work together on for the good of our nation."
"I'm aware," Clinton said simply, his face still a blank mask. "Although I am somewhat perturbed to find myself meeting with you. I had expected someone more senior in the administration would be holding this discussion. You have, of course, been working here for less than a year, am I correct."
"That's right," Dennis said warily. "I'm the Deputy Communications Director. Under normal circumstances you'd be meeting with my boss, Communications Director Harry Potter, but he is actually on leave, his honeymoon. You might have heard about the wedding." Clinton gave no response.
"Anyway, since he's not here it has been left to me to have these discussions, and of course I will be reporting back to Harry once he has returned as he will be the main point of contact between the Wizengamot and the Ministry."
Dennis finished speaking, waiting patiently for his companion to respond, trying to read his blank expression for some clue as to what he was thinking. Yet Stan Clinton had not changed expression since the moment he'd walked into the room.
"How old are you, Creevey?" Clinton asked. Dennis bristled.
"I don't see why that matters," he replied. Clinton left out a puff of air.
"Of course you don't," he murmured, looking away in disinterest. Then he stood up. "You are young, and naive, and not a suitable official to be conducting these discussions," he said, staring down at Dennis with a cold look. "If you would report to your superiors that, should they wish to actually meet with me and not simply put on a show of cooperation, I'll be by my phone should they find someone appropriate with which to meet me." He nodded his head. "Creevey." And he strode out of the room.
Dennis slumped in his seat. Could that meeting have gone worse? He doubted it. And it was not as though these meetings did not matter. Once Harry returned from holiday he'd be left picking up the pieces of Dennis's mistakes, and then what would he think of him.
Dennis looked up from his desk, almost desperately looking for something that might turn his day around. Whatever it was he was expecting he never found it. Instead his eyes fell upon the empty seat that sat by Lizzie's desk, and Dennis's heart sank deeper in his chest.
The Situation Room was full of bustle and purpose, various military experts speaking in low, urgent tones, in startling contrast to the lack of activity on the map in front of them. For a long time now British forces had been at a standstill, holding their line and unwilling to make any move forward until they had their orders. Meanwhile the Minister sat there wondering just what those orders were going to be.
"Alvarez's forces seem to have come to a standstill," Amos murmured to him, repeating information the Minister had already read in the reports. "That could mean any number of things but it does suggest that they are unwilling to go on the offensive."
"Unless they're waiting for something," the Minister muttered. "They could very well have sent out groups to sabotage or catch us by surprise."
"There's been no evidence of that," Amos assured him.
"Of course," the Minister muttered. "If there was it wouldn't be a surprise."
At that moment Kingsley Shacklebolt strode into the room, files tucked under his arm and looking decisively.
"What's the news, Kingsley?" The Minister asked, the whole room's attention focused on the dark skinned wizard.
"So far it seems like the situation is stable," Kingsley announced. "Judging from the way the Peruvian forces have set up they do not appear to be preparing for an attack. Of course this could all just be to lull is into a false sense of security, but we are doing our all to make sure we are looking at this from every angle. We won't be caught by surprise."
"And what do you think the purpose of this force is?" The Minister asked. "Surely fighting against us would make the most sense but if they are not set up to attack then surely that would suggest they've got something planned."
"Not necessarily," Kingsley told him. "While obviously it is not a possibility we can rule out at the same time it could be entirely possible that this force is designed simply to halt our progression. In order to continue towards Lima we need to bypass these soldiers. If they do not allow us to do so it would require us to go on the offensive, and given their greater familiarity with the area it could lead to heavy casualties if we go in blind."
"So you're saying that this is a blockade, essentially," the Minister clarified.
"It is not one that holds the traditional hallmarks of defensive positioning," Kingsley admitted. "They have no specialised defensive equipment and it could be possible that this is a preliminary force, designed to slow us down and hold us back long enough for more specialised units to join them."
"And what weapons do they have?" The Minister asked. "You say they don't appear set up for an attack, could that change?"
"Undoubtedly," Kingsley replied. "But it would be difficult, it would take time, and such an attack would end up being poorly organised. Their range of weaponry is surprisingly haphazard. They appear to have a bit of everything, mostly wands and muggle weapons. This is part of what suggests this is actually only a preliminary force, thrown together hastily with the objective purely to slow us down."
"And General Alvarez?" Amos questioned. "You don't find it suspicious that the lead Military Officer is leading the group."
"Lead Military Officer under Manuel Caro," Kingsley reminded him. "We do not know what designation he has now. If he were not a force behind the uprising to begin with it is possible he has dropped rank to those closer and more involved with Lazaro Casales."
Amos glanced to the Minister. A small nod indicated that this made sense. The Minister sighed.
"So what do you want to do, Kingsley?" He asked heavily. "I imagine an attack, judging from what you've said."
"Indeed, and soon," Kingsley informed him. "If the purpose of this force is to slow us down then waiting will simply allow the Casales regime to build their resources and allow Alvarez's forces to solidify their position. Meanwhile our men stay standing still, an easy target to any potential surprise attacks. I suggest we build a plan of attack and execute it as soon as possible."
"And how soon is that?" The Minister asked.
"Ideally, later today," Kingsley told him. "Due to the time difference that should be doable and it would almost guarantee that we hit them when they're at their weakest." He waited for the Minister's response.
"I'm not keen on this," he told the room, sighing deeply. "I don't want to rush into anything, particularly when people's lives are at risk. But if you can come up with a strategy, taking into account for any potential traps or surprise attacks… then I suppose it is the best choice." He stood up.
"Come to me before the end of the day, Kingsley," the Minister said. "And if I am not satisfied with the plan you propose then we stay where we are. We've lost too many people already to be reckless."
Ron strode briskly through the hallways, heading back to his office from Meeting Room 1, when he was surprised by someone falling into step beside him.
"Hey Ron, fancy hearing something interesting," Sophie Turnbull, reporter working in the Ministry, asked. Ron raised an eyebrow.
"What do you consider interesting?" He responded. His general relations with the press weren't fantastic, he knew that he often came off to the public as somewhat rough and uncouth, but the reporters that worked within the walls of the Ministry knew him better than that. Still, usually they talked to Hermione before him.
"There's been something going about in the press room," Sophie told him. "Something I think you might be interested in."
"Are you going to tell me?" Ron asked. "Or are you just going to continue teasing?"
"Admittedly teasing was on my agenda," Sophie said with a smirk. "But no, this is actually a bit more serious and I thought you should get a heads up."
"About what?" Ron asked warily. He didn't like where this was going.
"There's been talk about Dennis," Sophie told him. "Your Dennis, I mean, not ours. Dennis Creevey. There's been some unflattering things said."
"Where are you hearing this from?" Ron asked.
"Donald got the call," Sophie told him. "Apparently Dennis has been meeting with some Warlocks…"
"I know that," Ron said.
"And apparently they haven't been going well," Sophie said. "There's been some questions about his inexperience before, ever since Harry went on his honeymoon, and apparently it's started to blow up into something now."
"You can't give me some details?" Ron asked.
"I've given you everything I'm aware of," Sophie said defensively. "Donald's writing it up, I suppose you could talk to him, if you really think he might be willing to give up on a story like this." That seemed unlikely. "Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I know things have been difficult recently and I assumed you were in charge of all that stuff Harry left behind."
"Yeah, thanks," Ron said, grateful for her forethought of warning him. "Yeah, I'll look into it. Sounds like a bit of nothing, to be honest, but…"
"That's what I thought," Sophie agreed. "But, you know, just because something's nothing doesn't mean it doesn't matter. Anyway, I've got to get back to work. See you around."
Ron waved goodbye to Sophie, pondering what she'd told him. It was far from good news, even if it really was nothing it would still cast doubt over Dennis's place in the administration. He needed to act quickly.
He headed to Hermione's office.
"What's going on here?" He asked, frowning as he came across Demelza's desk, where she was joined by Lizzie, the two girls talking in hushed voices.
"Hey Ron, we're just talking," Lizzie told him. "Demelza is having a bit of a hard time."
"What?" Ron muttered. Lizzie dropped her voice to a whisper.
"Seamus," she told him, Demelza's face screwing up at just the sound of his name. Ron frowned.
"What's that got to do with anything?" He said, bewildered. "Lizzie, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Dennis, he has a hard enough time as it is without you going wandering off like this."
"He's got Cho," Lizzie said defensively.
"So?" Ron retorted. "Doesn't matter who he's got, you are his assistant. It is your job to help him, all the time. You can't just pass him off to Cho because Harry's not here. For god's sake, Lizzie, pull yourself together." Lizzie's mouth snapped shut.
"Go," Ron said, gesturing her away from the desk. "Go do your job, for the love of god." Lizzie stood and walked away without a word, her expression taught.
"And you," Ron said, turning to Demelza who looked up at him with wide eyes. "I'm sorry about Seamus, really, I've been there, but you can't go acting like this at work. In your own time, fine, but we're really busy here, in case you hadn't noticed, and while you are here we need you working, and not distracting your coworkers." Ron sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Is Hermione in?"
Demelza nodded, her face pale, and Ron started to feel himself calm down again.
"Okay," he said, turning to leave. "I'm sorry, just…" He sighed again. There was nothing he could say.
He walked into Hermione's office.
"What was that?" Hermione asked as Ron shut the door behind him, looking only slightly alarmed by his outburst. After all, she'd argued with him plenty of times during their years at Hogwarts.
"Nothing," Ron muttered. "Just setting some things straight. You wouldn't believe some of the behaviour going on around here. Hasn't anyone noticed we're understaffed?"
"Is this about Lizzie?" Hermione asked, understanding dawning. "She's been around a lot. I've tried to hint that she should be working but… well, I suppose you would have done a better job getting through to her." She shifted some papers before looking up at him. "You here for something?"
Ron nodded. "I was talking with Sophie in the hallway," he told her, taking a seat. "Apparently there's some story about to break about Dennis and his meetings with the Warlocks."
"Not a good one, I take it," Hermione guessed. "Did she say who was writing it?"
"Donald," Ron told her. "She couldn't really give me anything."
"Donald's notoriously secretive about his stories," Hermione commented.
"Well, I suppose that answers the question about whether you'll be able to get anything out of him," Ron noted.
"Pretty much," Hermione grimaced. "Have you spoken to Dennis about this?"
"That's my next port of call," Ron told her. "I'm sure it's nothing, I was kind of wanting to avoid mentioning it to Dennis at all. You know how difficult all this is and Dennis really has been thrown into the deep end a bit."
"Harry did prepare him," Hermione commented.
"Nothing can truly prepare you for dealing with the Wizengamot," Ron said sagely. "Seriously, there are some real weirdos in there and that's before we even get to the difficult ones. I took Ash Tyler off Dennis's schedule."
"Oh lord," Hermione muttered. Ron rolled his eyes.
"I'm just saying that Dennis has enough on his plate," he said. "I'd prefer not to add more if I can avoid it."
"Hence why you kept him out of the Senior Staff meeting," Hermione commented. Ron nodded. "I did wonder if that was wise, he was involved in the whole thing with Roberto Caro."
"He's got enough on his plate right now," Ron reiterated. "And the mess in Peru is not something I'd want to inflict on anyone." Hermione gave him a twisted smile.
"Fair enough," she admitted. "And for what it's worth I'll talk to Donald. Just don't hold your breath."
"I won't," Ron promised, rising to his feet. "I'll have to speak to Dennis anyway about this." He nodded to Hermione. "See you around." And he left her office.
The familiar path from Hermione's office to the communications bullpen passed in just a minute and soon enough Ron found himself surrounded by his colleagues.
"You've got Ash Tyler in half an hour," Colin reminded him as he passed.
"I remember," Ron assured him, walking around, past Cho, towards Dennis's office. "Dennis, can I have a word?"
Dennis was sitting behind his desk, talking to Lizzie, and stood up upon noticing Ron enter the room.
"Of course," he said, quickly muttering something to Lizzie and passing her a file before the girl turned and hurried out the room, head down to avoid eye contact, closing the door behind her as she left.
There was a brief silence.
"What's going on?" Dennis asked nervously. Ron didn't answer immediately, walking over to take a seat at Dennis's desk, Dennis sitting too.
"I've heard some chatter in the press," Ron commented, trying to find the best way to phrase his concerns. "It's about the meetings with the Wizengamot and I was wondering if you'd heard anything unusual that might have anything to do with it."
Dennis grimaced. "I think so," he muttered. Ron watched him patiently.
"What?" He asked eventually as Dennis continued to stay silent. Dennis took a moment to respond.
"Stan Clinton," he muttered eventually, not meeting Ron's eyes.
Of course, Ron thought, that made perfect sense. Long before the elections had concluded he and Harry had known about the potential problems Stan Clinton could cause. It seemed he'd already started.
"And what about him?" Ron asked. "What happened?"
Again Dennis seemed unwilling to speak, looking everywhere but at Ron, and again his words seemed to be dragged out against his will.
"He wasn't particularly impressed," Dennis said eventually. "With me, I mean. I think he got the impression that he was going to be meeting with someone more senior, like you or Harry, and that I was… young, immature, naive, naive's the word he used." Dennis sighed, rubbing his forehead. "He said he wouldn't talk to me, that he'd only talk if we arranged someone more senior to speak with him."
Ron leaned back in his chair, the picture starting to come together.
"He's gone to the papers," he told Dennis, Dennis looking up in shock. "I don't know exactly what he's said but he's given the story to Donald, whatever it may be. We likely won't know what it says until tomorrow morning."
"How bad is this?" Dennis asked, dreading the answer.
"Pretty bad," Ron admitted. "Donald's a fair reporter but he's getting his information predominantly from one side. The story won't make you look good, probably won't make the Ministry look good either. We're going to have to get something out to counter it. I've already given Hermione a heads up that something might be going down."
The phone rang.
"Hello," Dennis answered, holding it to his ear. Then he held it out to Ron. "It's for you." Ron accepted it gently and held it to his ear.
"Hello."
"Ron," it was Cho at the other end of the line. "I've got Warlock Stan Clinton out here with me." Of course she did.
"What does he want?" Ron asked, trying to keep his annoyance from showing in his tone.
"He wants to speak with you with regard to ways he and the Ministry could work together upon the commencement of the next session of the Wizengamot."
Ron sat back further in his seat, stretching the phone cord to its limit, and considered his options.
"See him to my office," he said eventually, a displeased expression on his face. "I'll be with him in a moment." And he hung up the phone.
"Stan Clinton is outside," Ron told Dennis, who had been waiting impatiently for him to get off the phone.
"What does he want?" Dennis asked warily.
"To meet with me," Ron told him. He looked across to the younger boy.
"I'm taking the meeting in my office," he announced, rising to his feet. "You just focus on your next meeting and we'll talk about this later." He turned and left, leaving behind a pale faced Dennis as he stepped out into the bullpen.
"He's in your office," Cho told him as he passed, the door to his office half closed so as to hide his target from view.
"Ron, do you want me to reschedule Tyler?" Colin asked.
"How long have I got?" Ron asked.
"Twenty minutes." Ron glanced at his watch.
"Keep the appointment," he said. "This shouldn't take long." He strode purposefully into his office.
"Stan," he greeted, surveying the foreboding man as he closed his door behind him.
"Ronald," Clinton replied politely, holding out his hand to shake. Ron ignored it, rounding his desk and sitting down, not bothering to offer an invitation to his companion.
"Lets not mess around with any false pretences," Ron said, his expression harsh. "I don't like you, you don't like me, no number of platitudes will ever be able to persuade either of us that's not the truth."
"Very well," said Clinton, his face losing any sign of warmth as he slipped into a chair across from Ron. "If that is how you wish to play this."
"I don't have time for games, Clinton," Ron told him. "I've got a meeting soon, with someone I do not care for and yet I still find myself looking forward to it in comparison to what I have to put up with now." He stared at Clinton. "Say your part."
"I'm sorry, I merely wished to discuss ways in which myself and the Ministry could work together," Clinton said, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I see no reason for such open hostilities."
"Bullshit," Ron told him. "You know exactly why I'm being hostile and it's because that meeting you seem to think this is, it's already happened. You had it, with Dennis, and you blew it off."
"I do not consider that a serious meeting, and neither do you."
"Of course it was a serious meeting," Ron argued. "You think we'd waste Dennis's time if it wasn't? I assure you he's got better things to do."
"As do I," Clinton retorted. "I have far more important things to be getting on with than meeting with some junior staffer."
"Dennis is Deputy Communications Director," Ron argued.
"Exactly," said Clinton. "Deputy."
"And second in command to the Communications Director," Ron continued. "The very person you would have seen had he not been on holiday."
"And I assure you that had I been meeting with Mr Potter I would have no complaints," Clinton told him. "But some kid…"
"The Deputy Communications Director, Dennis Creevey, is not some kid," Ron argued. "He is a high ranking member of this government and by dismissing him you are dismissing this ministry."
"No, let's not get carried away," Clinton told him.
"I'm not getting 'carried away'," Ron shot back. "I'm dead serious. I'm sure you expected you could just rough Dennis up a bit and get one of us 'real' important people to take your meeting but that's not how it works. You tried to play the game and you lost. You had your meeting."
"So what are you saying, you are unwilling to cooperate because of the complaints of some boy," Clint asked derisively. "Some attitude that is."
"We choose to stand by those who have shown they are deserving of our support," Ron told him. "You'll be feeling pretty big right now with your win in the election but I'd like to remind you that the whole country voted us in, you are but one of 199. Vote however you want but don't expect this Ministry to be taking your calls." Ron fixed him with a steady look. "Now leave, I have a meeting to attend."
For a moment it looked like Clinton would refuse, that he would continue to fight, but eventually his mouth snapped shut and he rose to his feet.
"Weasley," he muttered, jerking his head in an ever so slight nod, before he strode briskly from the office.
Ron let out a long breath. As horrible as that encounter had been it was something of a relief to get that all off his chest. He just hoped Hermione wouldn't be too mad at him for the public image problem he'd just stirred up.
"Ron," Colin appeared in the doorway. "Ash Tyler here to see you." And the dark haired man walked in.
Ron smiled.
"Ash, you have no idea how glad I am to see you."
"You really said that?"
Ron let out a sheepish grin as he finished recounting his story, now that he was a bit removed from the situation allowing himself to see the humour in it.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I messed him up," he admitted. "I think he thought it must be some sort of negotiation tactic to throw him off his game. Truthfully I've never been more ready to do whatever he wanted."
"And poor Ash had no idea," Michael chortled, absently doodling on the corner of the paper on which he'd taken down Ron's real story, the one detailing the behaviour of Warlock Stan Clinton. "Still, it looks as though you and him seem to have worked out your differences. I remember when you guys were at each other's throats."
"Well, that was all politics," Ron said carelessly. "To be honest he's not a bad guy, he agrees with us on lots of things so that always helps. But I do think we've gotten used to each other really."
"Two years working together," Michael acknowledged. "I suppose even rivals can start to get along after a while." He looked back down at his notes. "I'll get this all written up," he indicated. "Shouldn't be difficult, you've given me a lot to work with."
"When will you have it out?" Ron asked. Michael scratched his chin.
"Technically for tomorrow's morning edition but…" Michael shrugged. "I suppose you know about Donald's piece."
"About it, no idea what it actually will say," Ron told him.
"Same here," Michael admitted. "It might be best to simply wait until I've seen that and then make some modifications based on what he says. Might give it more impact. Plus, if Clinton decides to retract his statements you might want to rethink this altogether."
"Fair enough," Ron admitted, though secretly thinking there was little chance of that happening. "I'm just looking to make sure we don't lose ground to him here. Can't have him painting us as the bad guys and certainly can't have him painting himself as the good guy. Not after the way he treated Dennis."
"Definitely," Michael agreed. "How's he holding up, by the way? I've met Stan Clinton and he is not the sort of guy you want to be dealing with." Ron shrugged.
"Haven't had the chance to speak with him, actually," he admitted with a disappointed sigh. "I mean, I had Ash Tyler straight after and then I had to do damage control on Clinton and now I'm here. I haven't seen him."
"You should definitely talk to him," Michael told him. "I'm on the outside looking in but even I can see he's overworked. And things like the whole situation with Clinton can really weigh on you when you don't have a chance to breath a bit."
"I will," Ron promised. "And it won't be for much longer anyway. Harry gets back tomorrow and by then all the Wizengamot meetings will be done anyway, they go back into session. I was thinking of maybe giving Dennis the day off but… I don't know, he might take that the wrong way."
"Maybe," Michael agreed.
They sat for a moment in comfortable silence.
"Eh, so, Michael… how are you doing?" Michael gave Ron a weird look.
"Fine," he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just," Ron mumbled, scratching his head awkwardly. "You know, we haven't really talked much since, well…" Michael got what he was referring to.
"I'm not really sure I can comment," he said. "Not to you."
"Right, see, that's why I was worried about asking," Ron admitted. "But, like, I know I'm friends with Hermione but, we're friends too. Right?" Michael gave him a somewhat pained look.
"Yes," he said. "But not like you and Hermione. You and Hermione and Harry, you're all so… you're like a set. Like, sometimes it's like you're all the same person, like even if you talk to one of you you still get the other two just because you've all been around each other so much you know what the others would say. And to be perfectly honest I'm not sure I can deal with Hermione's opinion on our breakup right now." And somehow that all made sense.
"Right, sorry," Ron muttered. "I just wanted to check you were alright. And I know you might think that's Hermione speaking but I promise it is me. I can block the Hermione part out of me. I'm actually very good at it."
Michael chuckled. "I know," he said. "I remember from back at school." He considered Ron carefully.
"I'm good," he said eventually. "I wasn't when we first broke up but… over time things have got better. Do I miss her? Yes. Do I wish we were still together? Absolutely. But at the same time maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Whether it is circumstance or conflicting personalities relationships end for a reason, at least ours did. And if it was really meant to be then our jobs wouldn't have been a problem, at least one we couldn't overcome." He sighed.
"At least, that's what I'm telling myself," he admitted. "If Hermione were to come up to me and say that she had made a horrible mistake I couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't jump at the chance to get back together with her. Even though I know that it was probably for the best us breaking up." He glanced at Ron.
"You understand, don't you?" He said. "You had the same thing with, eh, Fairchild?"
"Josephine," Ron said, nodding. That was a good way to sum up the way things had ended with them. "She went on a three month thing in Colombia, she'll be back by now, actually. I haven't gone looking for her."
"Do you want to?" Michael asked. Ron contemplated.
"No," he said eventually. "What we had was good but… as you said there was a reason it ended. Even though she's back from Colombia nothing has really changed. Perhaps it is better to just move on."
"Keep looking forward," Michael agreed. "And maybe that way we'll find our own happily ever after." He sighed. "Either that or we can make a pact to marry each other if neither of us manage before, say, forty. That would show them." Ron laughed.
"Ron," Colin had appeared at his side. "The Minister wants Senior Staff in his office."
"Right," Ron said, sobering quickly. "See you later, Michael."
"See you around," Michael agreed and Ron strode off.
"Senior Staff?" Hermione had fallen into step beside him.
"Yeah," Ron answered.
"You talked to Michael?"
"Just did," Ron told her.
"Thanks. I know it's a little bit ridiculous given how long it's been since we broke up but…" Hermione trailed off with a guilty expression.
"Don't worry about it," Ron assured her. "It was my thing, anyway. I was the one who should be clearing it up."
"And Dennis?"
"Still haven't talked to him," Ron admitted. "Got side tracked with Michael."
"Do you know how bad his meeting with Clinton was?" Hermione asked warily. "I mean, it might not be all Clinton."
"It was," Ron assured her. "Trust me, Clinton came in with an agenda. Dennis could have been the most persuasive guy on earth and not got anywhere with him." Hermione pursed her lips.
"Is he coming to the meeting?" She asked. Ron wasn't sure.
"Probably not," he said. "I told Cho to try and keep things off his plate when at all possible. If he does come it's because Cho decided it was worth telling him."
They walked into the Minister's outer office.
"Go right in," Daphne told them, pointing them through the door where they quickly joined Neville, Amos, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stood around the Minister's desk.
"So we're all here then," the Minister said, looking around at his sparse collection of senior staff. "Would have been nice to have Remus and Harry but there's nothing we can do about that."
"Is this about Peru?" Neville asked, looking expectant that it was. The Minister nodded.
"Earlier today, as I told you, we became aware of a large military group to the north of Nazca, led by General Alvarez," the Minister told them. "Since then there has been no movement. The Peruvian force has remained where they are, showing no signs of attack but similarly no signs of getting out of the way. Kingsley here expects that they're trying to slow us down, and we've got some proof of that now." He nodded to Kingsley.
"Within the last half hour we've received intelligence of a major force departing from Lima and heading South, on a collision course with our current standoff," Kingsley told them. "With the numbers reported it is possible that Casales will attack directly, rather than simply setting up a blockade, and while there's a good chance of us coming out of the battle victorious there will undoubtedly be bloodshed should that happen."
"Kingsley's suggestion is to strike now, before reinforcements catch up with Alvarez's team," the Minister said. "Given the turn of events over the last hour that would seem the best option we have. Kingsley has drawn up a battle plan, one he believes accounts for any possible traps or pitfalls, and I'd like you to hear it before I give the go ahead."
Everyone turned to face Kingsley.
"Due to the geography of the area a straight on attack would be classed as roughly equal in terms of field advantage," Kingsley told them. "Our plan is to send a portion of our forces this way while sending another, similar sized portion to attack from the hills to the North, forcing them to defend on two fronts and allowing us to make use of our long range spell casters. The hope is that Alvarez's forces will see our primary attacking unit, believe they are comfortable facing it, and therefore be caught off guard by our secondary force, thus preventing an organised retreat to the remainder of Casales's forces."
"We're planning on capturing who we can but, if in doubt, we'll be fighting to kill."
In the dim light of his office Dennis sat in silence, absently turning the pages of the file in front of him, not really reading any of it. His meetings were over, thank god, but he knew well enough that that wasn't the end of his torture. Whatever story had been given to the papers, whatever Clinton had thought to say of him, would soon be out there for the world to see, and even though Colin had stopped by to assure him that Ron was handling it Dennis couldn't help but feel like his time with the Ministry was limited. He'd been entrusted with Harry's job for two weeks, just two weeks, and he had failed.
There was a gentle knock on the door and he looked up.
"Hey," Cho said, standing there with a cup of coffee in her hands. "How are you feeling?"
"Like death can't come quickly enough," Dennis replied dully. Cho walked over to him, placing the coffee down on the desk, and sat in the seat opposite.
"For you," she said, nodding towards the coffee. "You've earned it."
"Have I?" Dennis wondered.
"Yes," Cho told him. "And you should drink it, if only to give you the energy to get out of this office and go home. The day is done, your schedule is clear. Just go home, have a bath, just forget everything and allow yourself to relax."
"Have a bath?" Dennis repeated, the whole idea a foreign concept to him. "I'm not sure what gave you the idea that I would live in a place fancy enough to have a bath."
"Well you should get one," Cho told him seriously. "I know your salary. You can definitely afford it."
"But for how much longer?" Dennis asked glumly. "It'd be awful to buy a new place only to have to move again after they kick me out of here."
"No one is going to do that, Dennis," Cho assured him.
"How can you say that?" Dennis asked. "I failed. And in this of all jobs. There must dozens of people waiting for a job like this to come available, they can get better than me."
"You're not going to be fired," Cho told him. "Harry will never fire you. He hired you, and nothing you've done over the last two weeks is going to change his mind about the fact that you're the right man for the job."
"Ron might," Dennis told her. "Harry listens to him and I know Ron is angry. He's already been shutting me out."
"He's not shutting you out."
"Oh yeah," Dennis challenged. "Where is he now?" Cho didn't respond. "Senior Staff, and for these two weeks that certainly includes me, even if only as Harry's stand in. But I've been left out, deliberately excluded."
"We just didn't want you to have too much on your plate," Cho told him softly. "This is such a busy time of year, you didn't need the distraction."
But Dennis didn't believe her. He couldn't believe her. He'd worked so hard, trying his best to live up to Harry's trust in him over these past two weeks and he'd thought he would make it, all the way down until today. It was, Dennis realised with incredulity, the worst day of his life.
"How does Harry do this?" He muttered, burying his head in his hands. "How does he do this every single day? Two weeks and I'm dead but Harry just keeps coming back, never even seeming bothered by all the work he has to put in on even the quiet days. How does he do that, Cho?"
Cho gave him a sad smile.
"I don't know," she admitted. "And I know exactly what you mean and I admire Harry greatly for it. I've been here for two years now, but I couldn't do even half of what Harry does on a regular day. And I'd have folded under the pressure you've been under within the first week. It's extraordinary." She sighed softly.
"You know what, scratch that, I know exactly what it is," she said, smiling. "Ginny. It's always been Ginny. Even back at the beginning, back when they were still keeping it quiet, Harry lived for the time he got to spend with her. And that's how he gets through this, every day."
"It sounds so easy when you say it like that," Dennis muttered sadly. "I mean, it should be fine for me, shouldn't it. I have my Ginny, Lizzie. I mean, I think she's my Ginny. But then maybe not. Not on the evidence of today, anyway."
Cho reached forward gently, taking a hold of his hand. "You can't think like that," she told him firmly. "Just because Ginny is what keeps Harry going doesn't mean it's the same for you. We're all different, all of us, and so the things that drive us are different too. And whatever worry you have just remember, you made it two weeks. You managed that, and I don't think you would have if you didn't have that something that drives you, even if you don't quite know what it is yet."
Dennis let out a soft smile.
"Thank you, Cho," he said, beyond grateful for her kind words. "You always seem to know what to say."
"Nonsense," Cho said with a smile. "Just now and then I get lucky." Dennis grinned. Then his expression fell again.
"You know, sometimes I just wish Harry was here," he admitted, his voice tired. "Not to do the work but just to talk to, to ask for advice. You have no idea how many times I've picked up the phone, preparing to call him. He gave me his number before he left… so many times I've been so close to dialling…"
The phone rang.
Dennis and Cho shared startled looks.
"Do you think…?" Cho gasped.
"Could be," Dennis suggested. "That would be so freaky."
"Answer the phone." Dennis picked up.
"Hello?"
"Dennis?" The voice on the other end of the line was most certainly not Harry.
"Teo?" Dennis replied. Across from him Cho's eyebrows raised in alarm.
"Thank the lord I found you," Teo said, his voiced rushed, his English fragmenting slightly as he spoke. "I though you might have left. I've got timezones all mixed up and I didn't have your usual hours."
"Teo, what's wrong?" Dennis asked urgently.
"I have important information," Teo said desperately. "Vital information for the British Ministry with regards to the situation in Peru. I must speak with you immediately."
"Tell me," Dennis instructed. "Tell me." And Teo did. And as he did so Dennis's expression turned pale.
"You've got all that?" Teo asked breathlessly, having not paused for a second in the story. "Please tell me you got all that."
"I did, I got it," Dennis told him. "Look, Teo, I've got to go. I'll pass on the message, I promise. Bye." And he hung up the phone. "We need to speak to the Minister now!" He declared, jumping to his feet with newfound energy and blowing past Cho as she hurried to keep up.
"I'll phone ahead!" She called after him as he hurried through the hallways, taking no time to acknowledge he'd heard her. He rushed through the hallways, mostly empty, but drawing incredulous looks from those that remained, before he reached the Minister's outer office.
"Blaise," he said, panting from the exertion. "I need to see the Minister."
"He's in a meeting," Blaise said, eyeing him up warily. "You can go in after he's finished."
"But this is important," Dennis pressed. "I have vital information. I must speak to the Minister."
"I've just got a call from Cho," Daphne announced, looking to Blaise. "She says they just got a call from Teo Ochoa." Blaise frowned.
"Communications Director for the Bolivian Ministry," Dennis told him. "Blaise, this is about Peru. You've got to let me in."
Inside the Minister's office things were much quieter.
"So, this is it then," Hermione uttered. "The true fighting starts here."
"So it would appear," said Amos.
"And there's no other way for us to bypass this force?" Neville asked. "No way we could go round them?"
"Not without risking an attack on our flank," Kingsley told him. "If we somehow make it round Alvarez's forces then we'll be putting our men between two blocks of Casales's troops. That would be a strategic death trap."
The Minister sighed. "I have had much time to think this over and I am at a loss as to any other course," he admitted. "Unless any of you have any other suggestions then I am prepared to give the go ahead. Hermione?"
Hermione looked helpless.
"Ron?"
Ron's features were hardened. He was prepared for the worst.
"Neville?"
Neville shook his head.
"Well then," the Minister said. "Kingsley-" but that was as far as he got as there was a soft knock on the door, which swung open. "Blaise?"
"I apologise, Minister," Blaise said smoothly. "But I have Dennis out here with me. He says he has important information. Information pertaining to the situation in Peru."
The Minister looked around, bewildered. "He does?" He said, glancing to Amos and Kingsley, both of whom looked just as surprised as he was. "Then send him in." Blaise nodded, stepping aside as Dennis stepped into the office, all eyes in the room on him. "Dennis. Please explain." Dennis took a breath.
"You can't attack those forces in Nazca," Dennis told him firmly. The Minister blinked.
"Why not?" He asked, bewildered.
"Sir, I just received a call from Teo Ochoa, the Communications Director for the Bolivian Ministry," Dennis told him.
"I remember him," the Minister commented. "He was instrumental in forming our relationship with Roberto Caro, wasn't he?"
"Yes sir," Dennis said. "And he called with a message from Roberto Caro, sir. Sir, General Alvarez is not working with the Casales regime." More than one person gasped.
"He's not?" The Minister asked. Dennis shook his head.
"Roberto Caro says that General Alvarez was great friends with his brother, with Manuel Caro," Dennis told them. "He says he believes that Alvarez has gathered up those elements of the Peruvian military he can trust and is gathering resources for an attempted takeover of the government. Those Casales soldiers marching south aren't coming for our soldiers. They're coming for his."
It was some time later that Dennis was able to return to his office, exhausted beyond words but happy that, at last, he seemed to have done something right. The chaotic consequences of his announcement had drawn him in to its depths and he was glad to finally step away, now that he knew that everything was taken care of.
He collapsed down behind his desk, eyes falling closed automatically as he silently wished to just fall off to sleep. Perhaps it would be better, more comfortable, if he were to return home to his nice warm bed, but Dennis didn't have the energy for that, and the coffee Cho had brought for him had long since gone cold.
So instead he allowed his mind to drift away as he relaxed into the silence of the empty ministry.
"Dennis?" Dennis opened his eyes, blinking rapidly at the familiar voice, and he looked up.
"Harry," he gasped, straightening up in surprise and gaping to where, sure enough, Harry Potter was standing in the doorway to his office, grinning down at him. "You're back."
He looked good, even from the limited light shining from the bullpen. His skin was obviously tanned, healthy looking, and his stature was relaxed, content. He looked happy.
"Ginny and I got back not too long ago," Harry told him. "International port key into the Ministry. Ginny wanted to go say hello to her mum, and whoever else might be hanging around the Burrow, so I decided to see if there was anyone up here burning the midnight oil."
"More than a few," Dennis commented. "You wouldn't believe what has happened in the last few hours." Harry smiled.
"Ron gave me an idea," he admitted. "So, General Alvarez was a good guy after all."
"He was out on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela when the coup occurred," Dennis told him, summing up all he'd learned since Teo Ochoa's call. "When he returned he found himself denied access to the capital so he gathered up all the weapons and allies he could and started to organise his own resistance."
"And how do we fit into the situation?" Harry asked, walking in and taking the seat across from him.
"Well, we were minutes away from attacking, weren't we," Dennis recalled. "But after Teo called and I told the Minister we sent out a messenger instead. It'll take time, of course, to integrate Alvarez's forces with ours, but hopefully with some native Peruvian might on our side we can help place a legitimate government the people might actually be willing to support."
"All and all a good day then," Harry said with a smile.
"Well," Dennis admitted. "Until then it was pretty awful." Until then it had been the worst.
"Stan Clinton," Harry said, a knowing look on his face. Dennis was shocked. "Ron mentioned him. A piece of work if ever there was one. He's going to be a thorn in our side for a long time to come."
"I could have done better," Dennis told him.
"From the sounds of it you did alright," Harry disagreed. "People like Stan… there is no working with. Sometimes you need to just dust yourself off and say there's nothing to be done and just move on. You did good."
"Did Ron say that as well?" Dennis said doubtfully.
"Yes," Harry told him. Dennis blinked in surprise. "Ron was impressed."
"But," Dennis stammered. "I was sure…"
Harry smiled. "There is no one, no one at all, who understands this job like I do," Harry told him. "But Ron is a very close second. If you think for even a moment that anything that Ron has said or done in the past two weeks has been done for any other reason other than to help you then you've lost your mind."
"But he never said…" Dennis murmured. "I was sure he was annoyed with the whole Clinton thing."
"He was… at Clinton," Harry told him. "And probably most annoyed that he hadn't seen it coming and saved you the hassle of having to deal with him. He was furious, you know, absolutely furious at Clinton for treating you like that." Harry stretched.
"Ron has my back," he told Dennis, rising to his feet. "He always has and always will. And so long as you're my deputy he has your back too." Harry grinned. "Look alive, Dennis. It's a brand new beginning, a brand new day, and things are only just getting started."
And on that note he left the room, leaving Dennis to wonder whether it might not be best to just quit now, but undoubtedly glad to have Harry back.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
Lizzie stood in the doorway, surprising Dennis by even still being there. Colin and Cho had both left a while ago, Dennis sure that there couldn't be more than a handful of people left in the Ministry, and Lizzie's job had finished hours ago.
"Hey," he said softly. She looked hesitant.
"Can I come in?" She asked nervously, hovering in the doorway. Dennis waved her inside, encouraging her to approach the desk which she did, reluctantly though she did it.
"Are you okay?" He asked. "What's the matter?" Lizzie sighed.
"I wanted to apologise," she said in a small voice. "I haven't been a particularly good girlfriend today."
"Well, you're not really supposed to be when we're working," he countered, getting a small smile in a return.
"I haven't been a very good assistant today either," she told him. "I've been enjoying my time so much, talking and chatting with Cho and Demelza and all that, that I forgot just how important all this work actually is. And I left you, on the busiest day of your career, to spend time girl-talking." Dennis felt his eyes drop.
"I must admit that was difficult," he said in a low voice. "I was kind of needing you here today."
"And you told me, and I should have listened," Lizzie said. "And I guess I just got carried away but… I won't do it anymore. I'll be a better assistant. I'll listen and I'll learn from Cho and when you need me I will be there. I promise you."
"Thank you," Dennis said softly. "That means a lot to me." Lizzie looked pained by his words.
"I've arranged for you to take tomorrow off," she told him. "I think you could use the rest after the last two weeks, now that Harry's back. I think you need time to recover." Dennis agreed. Just the idea of not having to come in tomorrow seemed like a blessed relief.
"I'm also taking the day off tomorrow myself," Lizzie continued, her eyes nervous. "I was thinking that, if you wanted to, we could spend the day together. Just… doing nothing. Relaxing. Maybe we could spend some time together, and I can start to make up for the way I've been behaving."
Dennis looked at Lizzie, truly looked at her in the dim light of his office, finding himself at once captivated by her features, by her blonde hair, by her smooth, heart-shaped face. By the intense vulnerability in her eyes that he yearned to clear. And he realised, realised how foolish he had been. She was his Ginny, his reason for being, and it was only being without her that allowed him to doubt that.
He smiled.
"I'd like that," he murmured, his soft eyes meeting hers. "I'd like that very much."
A/N: Happy New Year! I hope you're enjoying the story and I'll see you next time.