Ashes In Your Mouth
Chapter Three: Show to a Ball.Where our Hero is feted, and fated.
George has decided that for giggles, Harry as Kettle will be setting off the big firework show in Diagon alley. Also, he's the most expendable staff member. It's only going to take forty minutes, after all.
Harry, with the devils own luck, is off shift at the time. Kettle is therefore wearing his leather apron and restocking the boxed fireworks on the shelves. George spends most of the day and night making fireworks at the moment.
The door rings and a tall saturnine man in impeccable charcoal robes with a green tie comes in and holds the door. Harry barely notices him till a mid-thirties witch with light brown hair in expensive robes glides in, looking politely disinterested. She's quite pretty, and manages to look aloof without looking like she's got dog shit under her nose, like Narcissa Malfoy does. A couple of girls… no make that young women stroll in, blonde and brown hair just so, wearing robes made of something expensive. They're clearly all one family, and well off. The … must be the mum is pretty, the elder of the two daughters, the blonde looks like her kitten died or something, and the youngest looks a bit bored; but cheers up at the sight of the rubber chickens and heads over to the shelf and starts looking at them.
"Ahem" says Mr Rich. "I'm The Greengrass, and I'm here to get the fireworks exhibition started."
Verity turns and says loudly "Boss!" through the back doorway.
George comes out of the back doorway in his awful purple suit and top hat. By Wizarding standards it's merely a fashion statement, Harry supposed.
"I am Mr Weasley, the proprietor" said George pompously.
"My Wife, Erzabet" Greengrass indicated the woman, with a wave of his hand, and she smiled indulgently at George, who tips his hat. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
The elder daughter, who is the blonde, and almost as tall as Harry, came over and started looking at the bigger fireworks.
"You, boy" she said sharply "Have you got anything really big?"
Harry was tempted to say something rude, but didn't want to get hexed. The woman was vaguely familiar. "The star fountain burns for thirty minutes, firing shooting stars continuously" said Harry politely.
"Something… phenomenal, like the Weasley flaming dragon they set off at Hogwarts in ninety-five" she said, smiling slightly. Her face was transformed by smiling to being quite pretty. Harry remembered the dragon well. It had almost eaten Umbridge, after all. "That would uh, be a special order" admitted Harry "Today's show will not disappoint, miss."
"Daphne!" said Mr Greengrass.
"Yes Father" said the woman, losing her smile.
"Mr Weasley, the proprietor" said Greengrass.
"I am a long time fan of your dragons" said … Daphne Greengrass to George, Harry supposed. The name rang a bell. He'd heard it in roll-call for Potions till sixth year. She had, Harry thought been a Slytherin. And was tall and blonde and rich. The younger, dark haired one held a prank wand behind her back and nodded to her father. Her name was Astoria, apparently.
"Kettle" said George "Go out back and get the show for the Greengrasses."
Harry tugged on his forelock, George nearly lost it, barely keeping a straight face, and Harry passed him to the back room.
The crate for the Greengrasses was paper-topped and the size of a wardrobe. Verity had stencilled 'This Way Up' and arrows on it. The front was stencilled "This side forward."
Harry flicked his wand out of his auror-issue holster and with a swish and flick, the crate bobbed like a cork in a bucket of water. Harry turned and walked out into the shop, the crate following him like a friendly wardrobe. A friendly wardrobe full of explosives.
Harry got into the shop in time to be introduced "My man Kettle will set the firework up and set it off, he's exceptionally well qualified" said George. "You'll be in safe hands."
Harry sighed gently.
Astoria Greengrass was pocketing a prank wand when she caught Harry's gaze, and looked guilty. Harry winked unobtrusively.
Mrs Greengrass… what was her name ? Erzabet? Made polite conversation as they made a procession down Diagon Alley.
"So have you worked for Mr Weasley long?" she asked, with a faint accent that sounded um, eastern European.
"Since the shop reopened" Harry replied. "The fighting dark lords business dried up, apart from the Auroring."
"You're an Auror?" asked Mr Greengrass sounding surprised. "Isn't that a full-time job?"
"I owe George… Mr Weasley" said Harry. "And the Ministry didn't pay us Aurors for ages."
Mr Greengrass looked thoughtful at that.
Daphne Greengrass looked at the way the huge crate followed Harry like a duckling and asked "Where did you go to school, Kettle?"
"Never did finnish school, Miss" said Harry in his best impression of Dick Van Dyke doing a cockney accent "War got in the way."
"But you're an Auror" asked Mrs Greengrass "That takes high NEWT scores"
"We got some waivers, what with being short-handed" said Harry. "I'll have to do my NEWT's next year, my Aunt's setting me up to do that."
"Quite a generous Aunt" said Mrs Greengrass, eyebrows raised.
"She's from a … " Harry wanted to nobby but said "good family" instead, lifting the crate with a steady motion of his wand to soar onto the wooden stage someone had erected near the end of Diagon Alley. The front of the wooden stage had coloured ruffles on it to make it look fancy, Harry supposed. The stage creaked as the crate settled, and Harry apparated up to the crate and sighted down the edge of the box. Alignment was crucial to the whole thing coming out and appearing inside the Alley, after all. The Greengrasses, by the way they startled, hadn't seen someone snap-apparate thirty feet before apparently, but climbed the steps and stood along the railing. This was, as Hermione had identified, a PR stunt for them. Percy Weasley, a reporter Harry didn't recognise and Bozo the photographer trailed over, Bozo dragging his camera and tripod.
Bozo and the reporter took over and took photos of the Greengrasses, but thankfully not Kettle and the crate. Percy came up and stood close.
"Hello Harry" he said quietly. "You're a distinctive shape, even with different hair and eyes, something of George's I assume." Harry was reminded that Percy was a clever clogs.
"Hello Mr Weasley" said Harry.
"Is this really going to be good?" asked Percy curiously.
"I'm actually trying to set up" admitted Harry "I need to do a few charms before we can set this off. Let's just say I'm apparating fifty feet before it goes off and shielding."
Percy blinked "Oh sorry Mr?"
"Kettle" said Harry.
Percy's lips tightened. "A singular name. Who?"
"Hermione" said Harry quietly "Now, I really do need a few minutes."
Harry, true to his word took a few minutes to align the crate, dispel a stasis charm, and push magic into the crate till it felt… full-ish. George had been quite particular; "Don't just overpower it like you usually do, it'd blow the Alley up." Dawlish complained the same way at assailants that were blasting cursed into smears.
Harry got the last thing done and nodded to Percy, who nodded to Mr Greengrass.
Who then made a speech about celebrating the end of the war against you-know-who, and all that rot.
Then Harry cast the firing charm and did apparate with a crack to a spot down the alley about sixty feet way. The top of the fireworks crate exploded off in a pillar of multicoloured fireballs.
The noise wasn't too bad, Harry thought. When the fireballs formed into the fizzy Voldemort and fallen Harry, Harry felt a sudden hitch of adrenaline. It was like he was back there, and his hands started to shake, and his throat was too tight. Using his own memory, had in hindsight been a bad idea.
Harry didn't see much of the rest of the fireworks, but saw the exploding Voldemort, and all the fireballs made griffins and flying horses and dragons that flew merrily up and down the Alley.
He was still feeling quite ill, clammy, and fuzzy headed when the crowd applauded. The Greegrasses were standing on the stage, trying to look proud, but more than a little sooty.
Percy came over and put an arm around Harry's shoulders "You all right?" he asked.
"Reminded me" choked out Harry, feeling stupid and weak.
Percy gave Harry a pat on the back "You all right at work?" he asked.
"Fighting's fine" said Harry "I'm a fighter." he said and staggered to the steps and climbed them, hearing Mr Greengrass saying quietly "He was just a boy. The bravest man alive."
Harry blinked and concentrated on the crate. He had to check the crate.
Harry flicked out his wand cast the first diagnostic charm on the crate, and his wand tingled. So no fireworks left in the box. He started casting cooling charms, stasis charms and flame-extinguishing charms, when he was jostled by Daphne Greengrass, peering into the crate, with a fetching dusting of soot on her face "How did that work" she asked perkily.
"Made from a memory" said Harry.
"Like a Pensive?" she asked quickly "But it was colour and huge."
"Like a very big, one shot pensive; you aren't surprised by the show?" asked Harry.
"The back bit was typical fabulous Weasley's fireworks" she said enthusiastically peering into the crate, drawing her wand.
"Ah... no spells in the box please" asked Harry "It's not all stopped yet."
"Sorry, I saw the battle… well that bit from a lot further away." she said carefully "Trying to keep my little sister safe, then helping out in the hall. You… didn't enjoy this show?"
"Brings back bad memories" admitted Harry, and cast an overpowered finite into the box "finite incantaten". The box was safe enough now, and Daphne Greengrass peered in.
"Daphne?" asked Mrs Greengrass "That box is very sooty." Mrs Greengrass, Harry noted, had several floo-trips worth of soot on her. Daphne Greengrass sighed and went to stand with her family. There was a bit of mutual soot-removal, that reminded Harry of chimps grooming each other.
Mr Greengrass shook Harry's hand "Good work" he said "A lot more than just lighting it and standing back, I see" Harry nodded. Mr Greengrass went back to waving to the crowd.
Percy shot Harry a look but Harry shook his head minutely. Harry took the crate back to Weasley's through the thinning crowd and put the mostly empty box out the back. There were runestones and things to remove yet.
Meanwhile, Kettle sold all the fireworks they had out the front, and out the back.
Harry went home that night and had different fire-whiskey soaked nightmares. This time it was that last day, the headlong rush, the trip to die in the forest, and Tom Marvolo Riddle, dead on the flagstones. Harry spent far too much of the night shaking in terror, soaked in sweat.
The next morning, a hangover potion, bacon and eggs and off to work at the Auror office.
Ginny decided to get quite a grown up robe for the ball. It was dark purple and looked good on her.
Harry got a robe Aunt Andromeda approved of in silver and black that had so much embroidery it was crusty.
On the evening of his birthday, Harry went to the Burrow by floo and picked up Ginny, who looked like a quidditch star already, Harry thought.
There was someone introducing all the guests as they arrived. Harry was called "Harry Potter Black, the man who conquered." Everyone applauded. Harry hated it.
Ginny seemed unbothered by the attention and as there was dance music playing, Harry took her for a turn around the dance floor.
"You can dance, you prat" she said jokingly "When did you learn?"
"Aunt Andromeda. Lessons were awful" said Harry, twirling Ginny.
"This is going to be great, but I'm going to get sore feet in these shoes" said Ginny. "Dancing all night."
"Don't worry, Auntie's given me a list of names to dance with. You're number one of course."
Ginny smiled at that. "Who else" she asked after a little bit more dancing.
"Susan, all the heiresses of the big families. Aunty pointed out I need to work with them for ages, so I need to make a better impression."
"You're doing well" said Ginny happily, closing up into a clinch "At this rate, you'll get very lucky" she whispered.
The song finished and Harry took Ginny, who had got a pleasant flush, over to the drinks tables.
Ginny took a drink and sipped it.
"Gin, I'm supposed to dance with this list of people" said Harry awkwardly, checking the list.
"Oh, there's Gwenog" said Ginny "Catch up with you in a bit" she said, kissed is cheek and sauntered off. Harry admired her retreating form.
"Potter" said Draco Malfoy's voice. Harry turned and there was Draco in dress robes that made Harry's look tawdry, with… the Greengrass sisters? The older one was standing behind her younger sister.
"Mister Malfoy" said Harry as politely as he could. "Remember it's Potter-Black" he drawled. Draco's eyes narrowed, and he leaned on a cane. Oh, that stuff, Harry remembered.
"May I introduce Heiress Daphne Greengrass" said Draco.
"Heiress Greengrass" said Harry, feeling stupid doing this formal rubbish. Greengrass nodded slightly. "Potter-Black" she said stiffly.
"And her sister, Astoria Greengrass" said Draco, and Astoria Greengrass was standing closer to Draco.
"Hello" said Astoria Greengrass "Are you really?"
"Really what?" asked Harry.
"Dancing with the blood traitor in public" said Astoria simply.
"Tori, no" said the older Greengrass, sounding pained.
"But I wanted to see a Draco Malfoy-Harry Potter fight" said Astoria "I never got to see one at school."
Harry looked over at Draco who was looking embarrassed.
"Sorry cousin" said Harry "Not today. Miss Greengrass, calling people blood traitors is quite rude and suggests that you might be sympathiser with the losing side in the war. If an Auror heard that it would make you a suspect for any trouble that happened, say, near your home. As I am an Auror…"
Harry took out his notebook and wrote down her name, and Astoria swayed slightly
"An Auror is writing me up as a suspected death eater" she said hollowly.
Harry smiled tightly and put his notebook away with a snap of it's elastic.
"Now, Heiress Greengrass, I have your name down on a different list, for a dance at this ball?" asked Harry.
Daphne Greengrass glared at Harry, and she really had the face for it, he thought. She looked the perfect pure-blood witch; angry, in control of her expressions and disdainful all at once. She had a nice figure too, thought Harry perversely. A moment's thought about the Slytherin girls showers, quickly discarded, and Harry smiled "One dance, just getting to know you" Harry explained.
Daphne Greengrass held out her hand and Harry took it and led her out, pretending to himself it was Aunt Andromeda in a bad mood. No Greengrass could ever compare to a Black sister for temper.
After Harry put a hand on her waist, Greengrass put a hand on his upper arm, and they started to move.
"You can actually dance?" she asked incredulously a little later.
"Aunt taught me" admitted Harry curtly.
"Are you serious about my sister, she was just being silly" asked Greengrass tightly.
"Just twitting Draco. Your sister needs to move with the times" observed Harry, moving with the music, and lifting Greengrass in a twirl. She was heavier than Ginny.
Greengrass touched the ground and got back moving, her arm back on Harry's tricep "You're stronger than you look" she said.
"I fought that Voldemort bloke and won" said Harry jokingly "I'm a lot stronger than I look" he added, the double meaning making Harry happier.
"How… did you do that" asked Greengrass as they danced.
"You pick the girl up and twirl in a circle" said Harry jokingly.
"The other thing" hissed Greengrass.
"Luck mostly" said Harry dismissively, smiling internally. He still had it, Harry thought to himself.
"Luck?" asked Greengrass. "You won with luck?" she said, disbelievingly.
"The rest is classified" admitted Harry.
"So not luck" said Greengrass inquisitively.
"Officially luck" said Harry. "Can't tell you."
Greengrass scoffed "If I wanted to know, you'd tell me" she said.
Harry chuckled "No really, this is serious" he said.
Greengrass pulled herself closer and whispered in his ear "If I want you to talk… you'll talk," she whispered breathily. Harry felt a sudden frisson down his spine.
"Like I said" said Daphne Greengrass stepping back to a normal dancing distance "If I wanted to know, you'd tell me."
"I've got a girlfriend" said Harry resolutely.
"Yes" said Daphne Greengrass "Emphasis on girl and friend."
Harry felt disturbed, and Greengrass had a glint in her eyes and a slight smile. It was a good look on her, but Harry found her whisper had been rather disturbing.
"Malfoy and your sister?" asked Harry and Daphne's face lost the slight smile.
"She thinks he needs the love of a good woman to redeem him" said Daphne sarcasm dripping from her tone.
"Oh, I'm sorry" said Harry immediately.
"Someone's scared him off being a complete wanker" said Daphne "Any idea who?"
"I couldn't say" said Harry, feeling smug again. "How did they meet?"
"At St Mungos" said Daphne, and she suddenly wasn't smiling and her eyes looked colder.
"I'm sorry" said Harry again, but sincerely.
"It's none of your business" said Daphne Greengrass coldly and firmly.
"Oh, if I wanted to know, you'd tell me" said Harry wryly.
Greengrass faltered for a second "Oh you're learning" she said, half smiling "You really do have an inflated idea of your abilities though."
The dance ended and Harry went to get a drink; Greengrass tagging along. Well, the same way an elephant tags along. Or a ship.
Draco and Astoria were sitting near the drinks table; Draco looking strained and Astoria, well she looked a bit tired too.
"Cousin" said Harry "Don't get up." Draco shot Harry a look that was almost a glare. Harry felt a surge of joy.
Harry was taking a tall glass of orange juice when Daphne Greengrass cleared her throat.
Harry turned and she was standing, one hand out. Harry rolled his eyes "What?" he asked.
"A water" she said and Harry handed her a goblet of water.
"Honestly he has no manners" Daphne said dramatically.
"It's not his fault" sad Draco "Raised by muggles."
"What he said" said Harry, timing it just as Daphne was sipping. She naturally choked a bit.
"Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter twitting my sister" said Astoria, while Daphne regained her composure "Better than a fight."
"Potter, if you do that again, I will hex you" said Daphne Greengrass.
"Potter-Black, I am head of Potter and Black" chided Harry gently "Heiress Greengrass."
"Oh, he's learning" said Astoria Greengrass happily.
"Don't encourage him" said Daphne sternly.
"I've always said he was awful" said Draco mildly.
"Don't be a suck-up Malfoy" said Daphne.
Harry wandered off.
A bit later Harry found Susan Bones, in an orange robe, her hair looking particularly coppery today.
"Harry" she asked "what the hell is Harry Potter is doing with Malfoy?"
"Talking to the Greengrasses. My Aunt gave me a list" said Harry.
"Your aunt?" asked Susan.
"Andromeda Tonks. She's the only Black cousin that's one of our lot. She helped us in the war."
"That whole family were killed" said Susan. Harry filled in the silence 'Like mine.'
"Heiress Greengrass was very nosey" said Harry, going for a lighter subject.
"What was dear sweet Daphne asking about?" asked Susan, waltzing backwards.
Harry snorted "Not very sweet" he said.
"I've known Daphne since we were three" said Susan "She's always been a very proper witch, once she's not in public she's a lot nicer. Her grandmother insists, and she's a scary Hungarian aristocrat."
"Hungarian?" asked Harry as they waltzed across the dance floor.
"Her mum was an exchange student at Hogwarts, her Gran's Hungarian nobility"
"Nobility?" asked Harry.
"When they Had a royal family, her family were a cadet line, now she's just a Countess."
"Just a Countess?" said Harry incredulously "with a Castle and stuff?"
"With a castle, a really small, old one that Daphne used to complain about how cold it always was. She was too young to cast warming charms at the time."
"So that makes her a what?" asked Harry.
"A person with a serious Grandmother" said Susan. "Her Mum's nice enough at home, but in public really stern; it's just the way she was brought up. Like how Aunty used to say Narcissa Malfoy was always trying to be her grandmother Black; and that she was a poor copy."
"Aunty Narcissa is a bit of a pain in the arse" admitted Harry "But she really does love Draco, horrible as he is."
"I feel sorry for Daphne; looks like Astoria's got her heart set on Draco now. Poor Daphne; she wishes all the old lot would just dry up and blow away."
"You know her still outside school?" asked Harry.
"We go to all the same balls, parties and stuff, if you'd been raised a Black you'd know everyone too."
"Hence my list" said Harry.
"So, what did my sort-of-friend Daphne ask you about?" asked Susan.
"How I did it, beat Voldemort" said Harry.
Susan rolled her eyes "So nosy" she said evenly "She is a terrible gossip. Pansy's fled the country."
Harry smiled slightly.
"So how did you do it" asked Susan.
"I got lucky" said Harry.
"According to Ginny Weasley that was after the battle" said Susan. Harry blushed.
"So, how did you do it?" asked Susan "DA forever, of course." she added.
"Can't say" said Harry "Lots of things need to stay secret."
"The rumour is dark magic" said Susan.
"He did, not me" said Harry "Can't say; Dumbledore swore me to secrecy."
"But… that's… sixth year" said Susan, her eyebrows jumping.
"I knew a lot before then" said Harry.
"So are you looking at Daphne as the new Mrs Black?" asked Susan wit a cheeky smile.
"Aunt Andromeda gave me a list of all the heiresses to dance with" said Harry "This is a job. And I'm dating Ginny."
Ginny was still chatting to Gwenog Jones and her coterie. She might get that Harpies job yet, Harry hoped.
Harry took a break from dancing, and had another orange juice, which was faintly fizzy.
He got button-holed by an old, stout wizard with decorative silver chains on his robes.
"Bole Smith" said the wizard "You're Black and Potter, right?" said Smith "I'm The Smith."
"Oh Hello" said Harry.
"So you're working as an Auror then?" asked Smith.
Harry nodded.
"And you're going to joint the wizengamot afterwards, once you're old enough" asked Smith.
Harry sighed "I'm just getting started as an Auror, and I'm not old enough. How old is that?"
he replied.
"Twenty-one of course" said Smith "Didn't your family tell you?"
"They were busy being dead" said Harry buntly.
"But Dumbledore – " said Smith.
"Didn't consider that important, and his reasons were quite sound" said Harry.
"So, four years in the Aurors, then onto the 'Mot" asked Smith.
"I, ah, don't know that I'll ever want to join the Wizengamot" said Harry "I do a lot of good in the Aurors, and I'm not really interested in politics at all"
"Just like your father" scoffed Smith. "He didn't join either."
"He'd have just been on the verge of going into hiding" said Harry "Voldemort was trying to kill him by then."
"Er yes" said Smith awkwardly.
"Well, I expect I'll see you at the next event" said Harry.
"Yule ball, it's always a great event" said Smith heartily.
"I may be working, but if I'm free" said Harry.
"Surely Harry Potter can just take time off" said Smith, frowning.
"I'd never use my name for anything" said Harry. "And I'd never try to tell head auror Dawlish I was throwing my weight around"
"For someone getting an Order of Merlin, you're awfully modest" commented Smith.
"Compared to the people that died in the war, I've only had a few hard years" said Harry.
"About that" said Smith, casting a privacy charm "What happened on the last day? People who were there said Voldemort thought you were dead."
"He was wrong, and he died" said Harry. "The details are classified."
As Bole Smith left Harry, he saw Ernie nod to him minutely, and Harry tried to look friendly.
Ernie came over "Met Zach's grandfather then" he said.
"Yes" said Harry "And all I said was it's classified."
Ernie shook his head "Well, Auror Potter is a Ministry man through and through" he teased.
"I'm hurt Ernie, I really am" said Harry. "You getting something?"
"A third class, all the DA are getting it" said Ernie "If we'd known years ago you get an order of Merlin for joining, we'd have had more members" he joked.
"Not much help to Colin though" said Harry grimly.
"Yeah" said Ernie seriously. "Dennis runs a photography company now."
"Are they any good?" asked Harry.
Ernie shook his head "Fucking heart rending more like it. Dennis just smiles and nods."
Harry stood still, thinking about that "Good" he said curtly. "People shouldn't forget" he said a bit too loudly, his throat tense.
"You doing all right?" asked Ernie "I'm not sleeping that well" Ernie admitted. "Justin's still on potions."
"I'm fine" said Harry Potter.
Harry checked his list and saw Emmelise Shafiq on still the list. He'd been reliably informed she was tall, dark skinned and wore French designer robes.
However, a well dressed Percy 'ahemed' at Harry and led him to a low stage, and a folding chair. There were some other chairs, and a lectern. Kingsley Shacklebolt strode over and sat down next to Harry "Glad to see you having a good time" he rumbled.
"I have instructions from my Aunt Andromeda. Dance with all the heiresses, talk to all the heirs" said Harry.
"This is going to be a quite long show" rumbled Kingsley.
Harry waited and a glassy-eyed Hermione helped by Ron came up and sat next to Harry. Ron's robes looked a bit rubbish, and Hermione was wearing the dress she'd worn to Bills wedding.
Percy made introductions, Kingsley gave a speech and Harry stood up and got a medal on a dark blue ribbon. It felt very heavy as it hung on his chest. Hermione and Ron got first class medals as well, then lots of the Order of the Phoenix for Second class, the DA and Hogwarts staff got thirds, and much later, a flood of other people got 'Hogwarts Medals'. Percy had a chest of them, and had Harry Ron and Hermione shaking everyone's hands. The small bronze medal in the shape of the two Hogwarts Gate Hogs had a gaudy four coloured ribbon, Red, Blue, Yellow and Green.
"Bad order for the colours" whispered Ron to Harry "Yellow goes better next to Red".
Harry was quite tired once all the medals were handed out, but Percy had somehow found Ginny and Kinsley announced the first official dance of the evening. Harry got to dance the first several, palm sweating minutes with just Ginny, who looked to be really enjoying all the attention.
After what felt like forever, Hermione and Ron started dancing, and soon after that, the dance-floor filled with dancing couples.
"We're the most important people here" said Ginny, and Harry felt a bit uncomfortable at that.
When someone started firing curses and the screaming started, Harry relaxed. It was just a perfectly ordinary, people trying to kill him situation. He pushed Ginny behind him, shielded and tried to work out where the attackers were coming from.
Ron and Hermione came over, Hermione staggering a bit in her dress heels, but they had their wands drawn and Ron was casting stunners.
"Clear the line of fire" Ron yelled.
Harry felt as much as saw Hermione casting a shield and dispelled his, casting a hex at the first black robed person he could see, who was casting hexes into the crowd.
"Hermione, shield, Ron by twos towards the enemy" yelled Harry and dashed forward.
Someone in black and a mask was heading towards Harry, casting sickly yellow hexes. Harry flicked his wand in a fluid movement and shot a blasting curse at the dark-robed person, who collapsed onto the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. Harry cast a shield charm and looked for some cover. There was a table someone had flipped on it's side and Harry made for that, getting clipped by a cutting curse, which stung, but it was only his left arm. Harry ducked behind the tabletop and looked for Ron and Hermione. They were headed his way slowly, having to both shield under a flurry of curses. A lurid green curse headed towards his friends and Harry's heart felt like it was choked, but Ron ducked and it missed. He saw a flicker of purple over by the mass of panicky witches and wizards, where Ginny was tipping over some tables and had a shield up. Harry took a few deep breaths and shielded and peeked out from behind the tabletop, to have the tabletop hit by a flurry of curses that blew chunks of wood everywhere. Some chips of wood fell off his glasses. Better than into his eyes, he thought. Harry could only see black robed figures in masks in that direction, so he fired a blasting curse, trying as hard as he could. As usual, the red bolt exploded when it hit the first black robed attacker, and the boom rattled the chandeliers as black robed bodies exploded into red and black chunks. Harry shook his head to try to clear his hearing and looked for more attackers.
Ten minutes later Harry was panting, having led a running chase through the ministry, pursuing the black robed attackers, using mostly blasting curses.
"Harry mate, you're bleeding" observed Ron.
"Just a cut" said Harry, casting a shield just in case. The red robes of the on-duty Aurors started to crack into view.
Dawlish's voice boomed through the hall "Aurors Sound off!"
"Potter!" "Weasley!" yelled Harry and Ron.
A little bit later, Head Auror John Dawlish was looking at a dishevelled Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in dress robes. "Potter you've made a bloody awful mess again."
"The attackers were using killing curses, sir" said Harry, standing up straight.
"And get that arm seen to. You're leaving blood everywhere" said Dawlish.
Ron cast a small healing charm on Harry's arm, and the cut stopped bleeding so much. Harry's fancy embroidered sleeve was ripped and soaked in blood. Harry held out his arm "Think that'll come out?" he asked Ron.
"It's only a plain cutter, should be fine" said Ron. Harry awkwardly cast another charm on his cut arm, tied a handkerchief around the cut and held the ripped sleeve awkwardly. "Get it will you?" he asked Ron.
Ron carefully repair-charmed the sleeve, and it looked… pretty much the same as before it was cut.
Harry held up his left hand, soaked in blood, his fingernails bloody. "Hmm" he said.
Ron cleverly cleaning-charmed Harry's hand and an only slightly damp cuff was the only obvious damage. Harry checked Ron and quickly repaired a few cuts.
"Not even bleeding" said Harry jokingly.
"Couple of cracked ribs" admitted Ron, with a wry smile "Hardly even a scap."
Harry and Ron, wands out slowly retraced their steps to the atrium, Harry vanishing the blood he'd left coming the other way.
He and Ron got back to a very subdued atrium, with half a dozen red robed Aurors at the edges and small clumps of people sitting on chairs looking shocked. A few bodies lay on the floor, and Harry was pleased they mostly seemed to be masked and black robed. A purple dress next to a blue one drew Harry's eye, and they headed over to a seated Hermione, and Ginny. Hermione was crying and red-eyed.
"Hey Hermione" said Ron "We're both back, we're fine."
Hermione looked up and sighed, and bust into tears again. Ron awkwardly held the crying seated Hermione, while Harry stroked her back.
Harry could see some Hit-Wizards levitating bodies and taking them away behind Ron and Hermione.
"You alright?" Harry asked Ginny.
"I broke a heel" said Ginny "So I had to snap the other one to even up. Those were nice shoes."
"Good work with the tables" said Harry.
"I had lots of practice at Hogwarts" said Ginny "While you three did whatever in the courtyard."
"I appreciate it" said Harry. "Knowing you can look after yourself takes a lot off my mind in a fight."
"Lets not make a habit of it" said Ginny. Hermione still wasn't talking.
A green-robed healer was coming around, checking on people. Harry walked away from Ron and Hermione, away from Ginny, towards the crowd, towards, he hoped, avoiding the healer.
"Everyone alright?" he asked. There were murmurs from the crowd, some young DA members, some old, important persons, and a few staff. Harry didn't see any trouble, and really wanted a drink. He nodded and passed through the crowd awkwardly, people patting him on the back and saying things. He got to a clear spot and took aim at one of the refreshments areas and walked quickly over.
The table had a few smashed glasses and a bit of spilled drink, but there were those tall skinny glasses of orange juice, and Harry drank one. It was a bit fizzy and had a slight kick. Heartened by the taste of alcohol, Harry set to drinking them.
Four glasses later, someone female said very sarcastically "Spare some for others."
Harry looked around and it was a tall young black woman in a feathery pink gown.
"Miss Shafiq?" Harry asked.
"Inheritress Shafiq, Mr Potter-Black" she corrected him with a faint French accent.
Harry handed her an orange juice and skulled another one.
"Does fighting always make you drink" she asked casually.
"I like to get good and drunk before I try to sleep" corrected Harry.
"Oh, who with?" asked Emmeleise Shafiq, smirking, her dark eyes glittering.
"Miss Weasley, thank you for asking. But these days too many other friends."
"How risque" said Emmeleise Shafiq.
"Just the dead ones in nightmares" corrected Harry. "Just the dead ones."
"You are perhaps the big hero?" said Emmeleise "Maybe not a huge man, but you chased those… people away."
"I'm an Auror, it's what I do" explained Harry.
"And you did not need to protect Miss Weasley?"
"Ginny can look after herself" said Harry "Which is why she's got an order of Merlin too."
Emmeleise sipped her drink "You are not who I expected Harry Potter to be" she said. "You are Harry Potter, the Auror. When did Harry Potter the school boy stop and the Auror begin?"
Harry tilted his head a little, and swallowed another mouthful. "I've been fighting evil wizards since I could walk. It's who I am."
Emmeleise Shafiq shook her head "You are a very driven man." she said "You enemies must be very stupid."
"I have an infinite supply of stupid enemies" said Harry "And a wand, and breath, so they're outnumbered, I guess."
"Potter" scoffed Draco Malfoy "Holding up the Bar" he added, limping over on his cane, looking… to Harry's professional assessment like death warmed over. Miss Shafiq took another glass and left. Fleeing would be faster and less dignified.
Harry handed Draco a glass of orange juice "Some sugar will help" said Harry.
Draco took the glass with a slightly quivering hand and sipped "Bucks fizz" Draco remarked "Are you drunk now?" he asked.
"Not yet" said Harry "I'm working on it. How is Miss Greengrass?"
"Sitting" said Draco tightly "Her sister shielded, just like Hogwarts."
Harry nodded "Good work not getting killed in a spellfight without a wand. Please don't have picked up one from one of the dead attackers."
Draco's eyes narrowed "Yes, because not being able to cast ANY spells in a spellfight is so safe."
"If we'd got a tip-off about this, it would have been a lot safer" said Harry.
Draco blinked "I… I could die quite horribly doing that" he said. "And what would keep me out of Azkaban?"
"Your contributions" said Harry "Just like Karkaroff" he added.
"Who died" said Draco tensely. "You're asking me to commit suicide." he hissed.
"I'm not asking you to do anything. And I'm not searching you either. I'm certainly not putting my hands in your robe pockets." said Harry.
Draco blinked "How the hell are you a Griffindor?"
"I'm still alive" said Harry "So I need a drink" he added, putting his empty in the steadily growing area.
"Draco..." said Astoria Greengrass, being helped though the thinning crowd by Daphne Greengrass, whose hair had got loose, and was tied in an improvised ponytail.
"He's fine" said Harry "Just having a chat over drinks" and took another and started drinking it.
"How can you go from killing people to getting drunk?" asked Daphne Greengrass.
"I'm an Auror. This is What I Do. Bad people dead or in prison, and a few drinks" said Harry "Excuse me, I need to drink this" he added, and skulled the glass. "Free drinks are best drinks."
"How can he be heroic and a complete shit at the same time?" asked Astoria.
"I think six or seven glasses helps" said Daphne, taking a glass of water and giving some to her sister.
Harry drank another glass of fizzy orange juice. It was starting to feel like he'd been drinking.
"What were you casting, Potter?" asked Daphne Greengrass curiously.
"Stunners to clear the room, then blasting curses" said Harry.
"What!" snapped Greengrass "Who uses blasting curses in a duel?"
"He's not duelling. He's just killing" said Draco, stiffly "Harry Potter's not playing. You didn't use that spell though" added Draco in a quieter voice.
"Sorry about that" said Harry "And no, I don't. Too specialised for this kind of job."
"Form orderly queues to be questioned by Aurors" boomed Dawlish's voice.
"In her pocket" Harry said as an aside to Draco, taking out his notebook "Who wants to make a statement?" he asked, pointedly ignoring Draco and Astoria for a moment or two. It was a long night. But there weren't any free drinks left when it was over.
