Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, this is merely a work of fanfiction.

A/N: For now this is just a one-shot. I will probably post a Part Two, so if people don't want to read smut, they can stop with this first chapter and have a nice little story. I am not sure if I am going to turn this into a longer story or not. I hope you enjoy it.

To Burn (for Someone): To deeply want, desire, or long for someone.

Something took spark in Lady Henrietta Potter's heart the first time she set eyes on Lord Kingsley Shacklebolt.

It was just a small ember at first. A crush, some might call it.

Kingsley was unlike any wizard she had ever met. He was incredibly tall, with broad shoulders, and the voice of a god. His skin was a dark brown that made her want to reach out and touch.

He wore a suit that was well tailored, with a set of expensive robes thrown over it. With a mere removal of his cloak he could have blended into the Muggle world seamlessly.

He was one of a group of wizards and witches sent by The Order to take her to Grimmauld Place.

No one noticed the way she looked at the older wizard, except for Sirius, who kept his goddaughter's secret. He knew Kingsley was an honorable man, and only saw Henrietta as the child she was.

She buried her crush deep down, but the spark persisted.

He was there at the Department of Mysteries, fighting Death Eaters by her side.

Her mind nearly splintered under the weight of losing Sirius. She tried to rush to the veil, to pull Sirius back, or go with him, but strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

"He's gone," Kingsley whispered brokenly in her ear.

She thrashed, and fought against him. She screamed until her voice gave out.

A flash of yellow light sped their way, and Kingsley released her to erect a shield. She dashed around the edge of it and chased after Bellatrix Lestrange.

After that night, the Wizarding world believed her. Lord Voldemort had returned. She would have given it all up to have her godfather back.

Despite her sorrow, the spark persisted. The memory of his arms around her, his deep voice in her ear, haunted her dreams.

The spark turned into a fire the night the Order helped her leave Privet Drive forever.

"I want to go with Kingsley," she said, voice clear and strong.

Kingsley looked shocked for a mere second before one side of his lips pulled up in a smile.

"They'll expect you to be with either him or me. You need to go with Hagrid," Moody grumbled.

Henrietta blinked at him, steely-eyed. She usually went along with the Order's plans, but she was nearly of age. She was tired of being left out, of being looked over.

Remus recognized that look in her eye. So much like James. He came to her side, and whispered in a voice that only she could hear.

"He's the best for a reason, Etta. He'll be fine."

"He better be."

He made it through without a scratch, despite the attack by Death Eater's.

"He's too old for you," Remus warned before he left the Burrow that night.

"And Tonks is too young for you," she shot back.

He looked down at her. She was petite in stature, but large in presence. She was harder in defense of her love, one that he knew Kingsley knew nothing of.

"Wait till you're older. Don't do anything now."

"Wasn't planning on it, Remus. There's a war on."

"And after the war?" He asked, all curiosity.

He had never seen her like this before. Henrietta looked up at them with those eyes so similar to Lily's. A fire had taken up residence there, one he had never noticed before.

"He's mine."

The flames grew higher, threatening to consume her, when she saw him duel at the Battle of Hogwarts. His robes flowed around him as he dueled. He looked more like a god than a wizard.

Henrietta defeated the Dark Lord, as only she could do. She wiped the dust from her hands, as a newfound determination took root in her. This was her life now. She was free of The Dark Lord, and of Dumbledore.

She fled the Great Hall, in search of a moment of peace and quiet.

Kingsley went into the corridor. It was in shambles, debris everywhere. There at the end of it was Henrietta. She stood alone, looking out a window, twirling her wand in hand.

Her black dress was covered in dust, her hands coated in dried blood. Her black hair was beginning to come out of it's long braid. Just as he was about to turn away, she turned her emerald green gaze on him, and he froze.

Something was different about her now. He felt like he was seeing her for the first time. He warmed under her piercing gaze.

Henrietta headed towards him. She was still high on her victory. It pushed her outside the bounds of propriety. For just a moment, she stopped caring for the Pureblood etiquette rules she had carefully followed for years. Kingsley was frozen as he watched her.

She stopped in front of him. The point of her dragon hide boots nearly touched the curve of his black Auror boots. She reached out a hand, and touched the curve of his jaw. Kingsley closed his eyes against the onslaught of feelings coursing through him. He leaned his face into her touch.

Kingsley felt her hand slip around to the back of his neck. Her other hand came to rest on his forearm. Henrietta pressed her lips to his, and the flames consumed them both.

Kingsley wrapped his strong arms around her waist. Rationality had fled his mind at the touch of her lips. He had never felt like this before. The world began and ended with her lips, with her touch.

A cough sounded from behind Kingsley. Henrietta stepped back, her green eyes twinkling.

Kingsley spun, his large form shielding her from view. Master Fred Weasley was standing there, a roguish grin on his face.

"People are looking for you, Kings. They're calling for you to be installed as Minister until things can be sorted out."

Kingsley nodded, as he tried to marshall his thoughts.

"Just a minute Fred. Cover for me."

Fred winked at him, and made his way back into the Great Hall. Kingsley turned around, to try to make some sense of what had just happened, but Henrietta was gone.

"They need you to come to the Ministry."

Tonks stood in the entrance to Grimmauld Place, a toothy grinned Teddy on her hip. Remus had gone off to try to assume control of the last rogue werewolves. They'd be looking for a leader now that their Alpha had fallen in the Battle of Hogwarts.

"Why?" Henrietta asked stiffly.

Tonks looked up at her out of the corner of her eye, confusion clear on her face.

"You won the war, Henrietta. They're calling you the Woman Who Conquered. Kings is being installed as Interim Minister, and he'd like you to be there. There will be reporters and everything. Something about a united front, blah blah blah."

Henrietta swallowed thickly. She hadn't seen Kingsley since the Battle of Hogwarts. That was a week ago, and she hadn't heard a word from him.

She had crossed so many lines, and broken every rule of etiquette, by kissing him. A kiss was something usually reserved for one's betrothed. She merely hoped he didn't hate her for it. She returned her eyes to Tonks.

"What time do they need me there?"

"Eleven."

"I'll be there."

"So what's going on between you and Lady Potter-Black?" Fred asked, leaning against the door of Kingsley's office.

Kingsley glared up at him from his desk. He should have known he couldn't avoid this forever. He and Fred struck up an easy friendship during the war.

"Nothing is going on between Lady Potter-Black and I."

Fred entered the office, slouching into one of the leather chairs that sat across from the Minister's desk.

"Didn't look like that at Hogwarts."

Kingsley sat down his quill and sighed. Fred smiled with glee.

"How much did you see, and have you told anyone?"

"I saw her kiss the daylights out of you, and of course I haven't told anyone. I'm a gentleman."

Kingsley threw back his head with relief, and ran a hand over his short hair.

"Look, I don't know what happened. I was just taking a breath after the battle, and she was there, and something changed. It's like she was a different person. She just came over and kissed me."

Fred nodded, "And you like her?"

"Of course I like her! I can't stop thinking about her, but I have a country to rebuild! I don't think I ever really saw her before that day. She was just a girl. A powerful one, but a girl nonetheless."

"She's certainly not just a girl anymore," Fred noted with amusement.

"No," Kingsley agreed, putting his head in his hands.

"You should offer for her hand," Fred suggested.

Kingsely looked up at him, wild-eyed.

"I don't want to trap her. She had just beaten the Dark Lord. What if she was still riding an adrenaline high? What if it didn't mean anything to her?"

Fred shook his head. He had never seen Kingsley like this, not even during the war. He was always cool and collected, always had an easy smile on his face, but Henrieta clearly had him out of sorts.

"Look, I know Lady Potter-Black well. She's like a little sister to me. She's not the type to go around kissing people for no reason. Sirius drilled those etiquette lessons into her mind. She follows them all. It must have meant something to her."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Tonks poked her head in the small gap in the door.

"Lady Potter-Black's here."

Kingsley stood up, making sure his robes were perfect. Fred shook his head, with a low chuckle.

"Bring her in," Kingsley instructed.

Fred watched Kinglsey, as he watched her enter the office.

She wore a gown of dark gray, the traditional color of the Ancient & Noble House of Black. Her hair was pulled back into traditional braids of a Lady, with a ribbon of Potter Crimson woven through them. It appeared the scar on her forehead had faded to a faint white, and she no longer wore glasses. She looked all grown up.

"Lady Potter-Black," Kingsley greeted genially.

"You can call me Henrietta," she offered.

"Kings then, or Kingsley."

Henrietta blushed, and looked away.

"Well I feel out of place," Fred joked.

Henrietta looked up suddenly. She was ashamed she hadn't even noticed he was there.

"Fred, I'm so sorry I didn't see you. Of course I'm very happy to see you."

"Of course," he said with a smile and a roll of his eyes.

"Wotcher Kings, it's time for the press conference."

Kingsley motioned towards the door, and Henrietta followed him out of it.

Henrietta stood on the podium with Kingsley as he gave his speech. She was acutely aware of everyone in the room, of the way she held herself, of the way Kingsely formed his words.

She watched everyone with careful eyes. She knew she had no right to be so protective, but she couldn't help it. Her instincts were honed from war, her loyalty bound in flames.

Henrietta was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of applause. Reporters began to ask questions, and finally one asked one of her.

"Lady Potter-Black, will you be working for the Ministry?"

Henrietta looked at Kingsley. He motioned for her to step up to the podium. Henrietta took his place. She held her head high, her posture perfect.

"I will be taking my family's seats in the Wizengamot. I look forward to helping The Minister in any way I can."

Fred winked at Kingsley from the crowd, and Kingsley sent a nonverbal, wandless stinging hex at him in retaliation.

Lord Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic, sat in his seat in the Wizengamot chambers pretending that he did not burn for Lady Henrietta Potter-Black.

She sat in the seat across from him, the family seat for the Ancient & Noble House of Black. She wore a gown of Potter crimson today. Her long black hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft black curls. She had braided back some pieces with a gold ribbon.

Every once in a while, he would turn his eyes from the speaker, and look at her. Her emerald green eyes would raise to his, undaunted. After a few seconds he would return his attention to whoever was speaking, and try to focus.

Could a man spontaneously combust from want?

Was that possible?

He hoped everyday to receive some letter from her, some sign that she didn't regret the kiss, but she hadn't spoken to him since the press conference. He was unsure how much longer he could go in this state. Her lips had started the flames weeks ago, and he had been burning ever since.

"That is enough for today," Kingsley announced.

"We're supposed to have another hour of sessions," Tonks reminded.

Kingsley shook his head, and waved his hand dismissively.

"You've all been working very hard. It can wait till Monday. Go home."

Sighs of relief were heard from without the room, as Kingsley packed up his many files. When he raised his eyes, Henrietta was gone. He pushed down his disappointment, and took a secret corridor to his office.

He exited from the secret entrance, an oversized portrait of a unicorn, and was surprised to find Henrietta sitting on his desk. He took off his robes and hung them on a hook in the corner, leaving him in a sharp black suit.

"Your security is abysmal," she noted.

He brushed past her, and pulled out a drawer to put away all his files.

"I imagine they didn't think it important to guard the office once I was gone."

"Then they're stupid. All manner of hexes could be placed while you're gone, cursed objects could be placed on your desk, the list goes on."

Kingsley sighed, and took a step back from his desk. He rested his back against the wall, and admired the view of Henrietta sitting on his desk.

"What are you doing here, Henrietta?"

She twirled her wand as if she hadn't a care in the world, a habit he remembered Sirius possessing.

"I've heard rumors that you're considering a Marriage Law."

Kingsley crossed his arms across his chest, as he looked at her shrewdly. Henrietta wasn't quick enough to hide how her eyes flickered over the muscles of his chest flexing underneath his shirt, or the way her cheeks pinked. Kingsley tried his best to keep his wits about him.

"I'm considering it. My current plans are to wait a year. If the birth rate picks up on its own, I won't have to do anything. If it doesn't, it will be more or less necessary to keep our society from dying out."

This is what had caused Henrietta to come here. Propriety be damned, she wouldn't be married off to some random wizard. Only one man had ever caught her interest, and she wouldn't let a Marriage Law tell her they weren't meant for each other.

Henrietta looked at the wall as she thought, and Kingsley slowly stepped closer to her. She had come here, to his office. She was sitting on his desk. Surely that was a good sign.

"Why are you really here, Henrietta?"

She took a deep breath, and looked up at him. She could feel the flames, threatening to consume her again, so close to the surface.

"I won't be married off to an inferior wizard, Kingsely. I don't care what the law says. I just can't. I've only ever had eyes for you."

Kingsley reached out a hand, running a finger over the fabric of her red gown. He stepped even closer, flattening her full skirt between them. His hands held her waist as he let his eyes linger on her face, taking in every aspect he had never noticed before.

He lifted a hand to her face, and she leaned into it, her eyes closed. She was beautiful- flawless pale skin, emerald eyes, full black eyelashes, pouty lips. But in the stillness of his office, in this moment, he could see how incredibly exhausted she was. It was something she allowed no one else to see.

"Who takes care of you Etta?"

Henrietta's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Kingley's whispered question. He had shortened her name as only her most intimate friends did, but she didn't mind. It was the sweetest sound she had ever heard.

"I do, I suppose."

Kingsley put his hands flat on the desk on either side of her, leaning down until his lips brushed against her ear. Henrietta shivered at the sensation.

"I want to take care of you," he whispered.

He pulled her into a kiss, and the flames consumed her once again. Every turn of his tongue, every touch of his hands was a new and infinitely more pleasurable flame. He pulled back mere seconds later, retreating a few steps. He was barely restraining himself.

"Etta, I can't do this. I can't be casual. I can't sit across from you in public and pretend I don't burn for you. We either bond tonight, or say goodbye. You know who I am, I know who you are. Neither of us are good at pretending."

Henrietta enjoyed his nervous ranting. He was usually so calm. Part of her thrilled that she was able to make the Auror turned Minister of Magic lose his cool. Even the Dark Lord hadn't been able to do that.

"Then we bond tonight, Kingsley."

He locked and silenced the doors with a nonverbal charm. He stripped off his suit coat and threw it on the back of his chair.

"Here?" Henrietta asked as a smile lit her features.

"Here," he confirmed as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.