CHAPTER 7 - FRIENDLY HELP
After exiting the Mustard House, Marriott immediately dismissed his charges to go pack for the trip to Surrey. They were to be back at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Auror Transit Office promptly at four thirty. After assuring Marriott that he had understood the instructions and giving Malfoy another quizzical look, Harry apparated back to his flat with a pop!.
Once he arrived, he began to pack at once. He had been given a little over two hours to be ready and there, but he though it best of he was finished getting ready a little early; he really was apprehensive about his first assignment as he had no idea what to expect in Surrey. He really wished that he had paid a little more attention back in the cafeteria when Marriott was no doubt explaining the details to them. He darted about his flat, throwing clothes, toiletries and other such things that he may need into his bag. At the very end, he threw in a bunch of muggle first aid supplies just in case; they might come in handy if they were to get stuck in a sticky situation.
Thinking about getting into a sticky situation brought back the memory of what Malfoy had said. "Or unlucky for that matter." Now that he was alone, Harry had time to brood upon that strange and unexpected quote. What was meant by that? Of course there was always the chance that something unexpected would happen or that something would go terribly wrong. That was the risk that you took in becoming an auror, and truth be told, that was part of the reason that Harry had become an auror: the risk. Surely Malfoy knew that.
But Malfoy had to know that, didn't he? It was still a shock that Malfoy was an auror, even though he had had almost two days to let is sink in. Lucius Malfoy was most definitely a death eater, but there was never any sufficient evidence to bring him to justice. Wouldn't the younger Malfoy, then, be brought up to do just the same? Would Draco have gone against his father to join the ministry? Would his father have let him? Does Malfoy Sr. even know?
Obviously there was more to this puzzle than what Harry had uncovered so far. The most that he could do at the moment was be on his guard always and keep a close watch on Malfoy. Maybe if he was lucky, he could make it through this assignment alive and not guilty of the murder of Malfoy Jr.
As he finished his packing, Harry contemplated whether or not to pen a letter to Ron, telling him where he was off to. Suddenly his mind was drawn to Hermione, and he wondered if she knew of his impending mission and travels. He knew that Ron would let her know where he had gone and that it was for his job, but he figured that it would be better if she heard it from him. So, he sat down at the desk in his bedroom and wrote her a quick letter in teal ink.
Hermione,
I hope that you are having a great time at your job in the ministry. My job is going great. Actually, that is the reason that I am writing. As part of my first assignment, we are headed to Surrey for an indefinite amount of time. I wanted to let you know so you wouldn't wonder where I had gone gallivanting off to. Hope to see you soon when I get back, and congratulations on your relationship with Ron. He told me yesterday.
Harry
PS - If anyone asks for me, just let them know that I am on assignment. I don't think it would be wise for everyone to know where I as an auror have headed. Thanks.
Harry then went to his window and whistled for Hedwig. She immediately flew in the room and landed on the desk. He tied the letter to her outstretched leg, and pat her on the head. "Take that to Hermione for me," he told her, and she screeched loudly. "Thanks," Harry said, and she flew back out the window and into the sun lit horizon.
Returning to his duffle bag of things on his bed, Harry ran through the item in it once more. Once he was sure that he had everything that he would need, he zipped up the bag and moved it to the sitting room. Then he retired to the bathroom. As he was washing his hands and looking into the mirror above the sink, a glistened bottle on the wooden shelf next to the mirror caught his attention. He recognized the bottle to be that of phoenix tears, a graduation gift from Hermione. After gazing at it for a few seconds, he picked it up and packed it away in his bag as a second thought.
As he ran over the contents of his duffle once more, he was sure that he had everything that he could think of, but, like almost every other person preparing for something, he had that nagging feeling that he was forgetting something. When he couldn't figure out what it was, he gave up thinking about it, but that immediately drew his mind back to his suspicions about Malfoy. Not wanting to dwell on that mind boggling topic any longer, he got up and made his way to the kitchen, intent on getting a snack before he left.
In less than fifteen minutes, Harry had polished off a glass of pumpkin juice and turkey sandwich. He then checked his watch to find that he had twenty minutes before he was due back at the ministry for his departure with Malfoy and Marriott. Unable to come up with anything to occupy himself for that small period of time, he decided to apparate to the ministry early.
Upon arriving, Harry decided to head up to see Ginny for a while. As he entered the door labeled "Barnard Lex", he was met with a slightly unsettled Ginny.
"Hey Ginny. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh, hi Harry," she said when she recognized the visitor. "Nothing's really wrong. I'm just a little pressed for time right now," she told him as she smoothed back her slightly frazzled hair with one hand and sifted through the files in front of her with the second.
"How so?"
"Mr. Lex wants the Christwall file from the classified section downstairs, but the office will be closed for a break within the next ten minutes. He also wants the Gregorson file from Mr. Crame's office, but I have no idea where that is or if I can get a hold of it, and he is expecting another black coffee. Plus he wants these papers filed in their respective places, and he wants it all within the next ten to fifteen minutes," Ginny explained with a groan at the end to emphasize what all she was expected to do.
"Does it all have to be done right away?" Harry asked, trying to find a way to help his friend.
"Yes, Mr. Lex is strict and punctual like that. If it isn't on time you can get in serious trouble," Ginny explained while she was still trying to rush in filing some papers, and in her haste she scattered them everywhere. "Oh gawd!" she nearly screamed, but restrained herself so her supervisor wouldn't hear. Hastily she tried to re shuffle the papers back into a stack.
"Here," Harry said as he placed a calm hand on top of her shaking one, "Let me help," he told her. Ginny looked up at him inquisitively. "I'll go downstairs and get the files that you need. Mr. Crame is my supervisor, so I know where he is. I'll also get the other file before the office is closed. You stay up here and file those documents. Then you can go get his coffee. That way everything will get done," he explained. Ginny's face broke into a wide grin.
"Thank you, Harry! Oh thank you!" she exclaimed.
"No problem. I have a little spare time before I leave anyway," he said as he headed for the door.
"Leave?" Ginny inquired.
"I'll tell you when I get back," Harry said, and then he was out the door. As he walked down the stairs, he pondered over Ginny's job. He sincerely thought that Lex overworked her, but she would never admit it. He would have to look into that when he got back. He would also have to make sure that he didn't seem nosy because he really didn't want to intrude on Ginny's personal affairs.
As he made it to the first floor, he headed straight for John Doleford's office; he was in charge of all the classified files. Entering through the door, he saw a desk in the center of the room and a strict little man sitting behind it.
"I suppose you are here to pick up a file?" the man, or Mr. Doleford, asked accusingly.
"Er, yeah. I am here for the Christwall file. Mr. Lex has asked for it," Harry told him.
"Oh?" Doleford asked. "Are you his secretary?"
"No, I am just running an errand for him. His secretary was preoccupied," Harry explained.
Mr. Doleford made an unbelieving noise in his throat but went to get the file that Harry needed. Pulling one out of a filing cabinet on the far wall, he went back to his desk and seated himself with the file in front of him on the desk. Harry went forward to retrieve it.
"Here you are, the Christwall file. It is strictly classified, but Mr. Lex had called ahead to let me know that he would be needing it. You take care in getting that to him," Doleford instructed.
"Yes sir," Harry replied obediently. "Have a good day, Mr. Doleford," Harry bade the man farewell as he headed for the door.
"Young man!" Doleford called as Harry reached the door. Harry turned back to the man. "You're from the auror department, right?" Harry was a little startled by the question.
"Yes sir."
"What is your name?" Doleford continued.
"It's Harry sir, Harry Potter," Harry said with a smile before he exited the office and headed for Crame's office. Upon entering, Crame's secretary looked up and was startled to see him.
"I thought you were on assignment?" she asked.
"I am but I am running an errand for a friend. Could you get me the Gregorson file? I need it for Mr. Lex upstairs," Harry explained to the secretary.
"Oh! Of course," she said as she rose out of her chair and went to a grey filing cabinet and withdrew a manila folder. "Here you are," she said as she handed the file to Harry with a flirty smile, which Harry returned.
"Thanks Alex," he replied before heading out the door. He dashed back upstairs to Lex's office.
When he entered, he saw Ginny filing the last of her papers, and a steaming coffee was sitting on the corner of the desk.
"Here Ginny. I got the files for you," Harry said as he held out the files to her. Ginny took them and set them on the desk. Then she came around the desk to give Harry a hug.
"Thanks so much Harry. I don't know what I would have done. I'm usually not that crammed for time," she explained. "Now what is this about you leaving?" she asked as she stood back to survey him and the bag he had left next to her desk.
"Oh, I am headed to Surrey with my partners." When he saw Ginny's blank look, he added, "I'm on assignment." Realization dawned on her face.
"Well, good luck," she told him as she gave him another hug.
"Thanks," he said as he broke the embrace and went to retrieve his duffle. "See ya," he said as he reached the door.
"Bye," she said, "and be careful!" she added as he was closing the door.
"I will!" she heard from the other side as Harry walked away. As he headed up the stairs to the Auror Transit room on the third floor, Harry checked his watch: five minutes left. He entered the office to see that Marriott was already there, and he was conversing with a tall, balding man. They both turned when they heard Harry shut the door.
"Right-o Harry. You're right on time, as usual, if I might add. I was just talking to Dave Mayorfield here about out transportation to Surrey. We are going to be talking a portkey to a park close by to where we will be lodging. It leaves at four thirty-two. All we have to do it wait for Draco," Marriott explained. Harry nodded, and he set his bag down next to Marriott's, along the wall. Marriott continued his conversation with Dave Mayorfield while Harry looked at the different objects about the room.
There were shelves upon shelves of strange looking muggle objects around the room, no doubt objects to be used as portkeys to different areas. Along the back wall there were four large fireplaces for flooing, but at the moment, only two were burning. On the wall farthest to Harry's left, the only one without shelves of portkeys, there was a solitary cement door there with a key hole in the middle. As he walked up to examine it, Mayorfield came up next to him.
"That door leads to the apparition room. You need both a key and the password to get in and out of it. It was specially designed to prevent unwanted visitors from getting in to the department buildings of the ministry," Mayorfield explained.
"Right," Harry muttered under his breath. Just then Malfoy entered the room, looking as calm and collected as ever, and his ever present sneer was in place.
"There you are, Draco. Now that we are all here, we had better get ready to go. It is half past four and the portkey leaves in two minutes," Marriott said, and he and Harry went to collect their bags. Then the three partners stood around a crushed aluminum can that Mayorfield had handed them. Each placing a finger on the can, they all waited patiently for four thirty-two to roll around.
Soon Marriott began to countdown the seconds on his watch. "Three, two, one!" Suddenly there was a great jerking behind all of their navels, and they were all soon pulled out of the ministry office.
After exiting the Mustard House, Marriott immediately dismissed his charges to go pack for the trip to Surrey. They were to be back at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Auror Transit Office promptly at four thirty. After assuring Marriott that he had understood the instructions and giving Malfoy another quizzical look, Harry apparated back to his flat with a pop!.
Once he arrived, he began to pack at once. He had been given a little over two hours to be ready and there, but he though it best of he was finished getting ready a little early; he really was apprehensive about his first assignment as he had no idea what to expect in Surrey. He really wished that he had paid a little more attention back in the cafeteria when Marriott was no doubt explaining the details to them. He darted about his flat, throwing clothes, toiletries and other such things that he may need into his bag. At the very end, he threw in a bunch of muggle first aid supplies just in case; they might come in handy if they were to get stuck in a sticky situation.
Thinking about getting into a sticky situation brought back the memory of what Malfoy had said. "Or unlucky for that matter." Now that he was alone, Harry had time to brood upon that strange and unexpected quote. What was meant by that? Of course there was always the chance that something unexpected would happen or that something would go terribly wrong. That was the risk that you took in becoming an auror, and truth be told, that was part of the reason that Harry had become an auror: the risk. Surely Malfoy knew that.
But Malfoy had to know that, didn't he? It was still a shock that Malfoy was an auror, even though he had had almost two days to let is sink in. Lucius Malfoy was most definitely a death eater, but there was never any sufficient evidence to bring him to justice. Wouldn't the younger Malfoy, then, be brought up to do just the same? Would Draco have gone against his father to join the ministry? Would his father have let him? Does Malfoy Sr. even know?
Obviously there was more to this puzzle than what Harry had uncovered so far. The most that he could do at the moment was be on his guard always and keep a close watch on Malfoy. Maybe if he was lucky, he could make it through this assignment alive and not guilty of the murder of Malfoy Jr.
As he finished his packing, Harry contemplated whether or not to pen a letter to Ron, telling him where he was off to. Suddenly his mind was drawn to Hermione, and he wondered if she knew of his impending mission and travels. He knew that Ron would let her know where he had gone and that it was for his job, but he figured that it would be better if she heard it from him. So, he sat down at the desk in his bedroom and wrote her a quick letter in teal ink.
Hermione,
I hope that you are having a great time at your job in the ministry. My job is going great. Actually, that is the reason that I am writing. As part of my first assignment, we are headed to Surrey for an indefinite amount of time. I wanted to let you know so you wouldn't wonder where I had gone gallivanting off to. Hope to see you soon when I get back, and congratulations on your relationship with Ron. He told me yesterday.
Harry
PS - If anyone asks for me, just let them know that I am on assignment. I don't think it would be wise for everyone to know where I as an auror have headed. Thanks.
Harry then went to his window and whistled for Hedwig. She immediately flew in the room and landed on the desk. He tied the letter to her outstretched leg, and pat her on the head. "Take that to Hermione for me," he told her, and she screeched loudly. "Thanks," Harry said, and she flew back out the window and into the sun lit horizon.
Returning to his duffle bag of things on his bed, Harry ran through the item in it once more. Once he was sure that he had everything that he would need, he zipped up the bag and moved it to the sitting room. Then he retired to the bathroom. As he was washing his hands and looking into the mirror above the sink, a glistened bottle on the wooden shelf next to the mirror caught his attention. He recognized the bottle to be that of phoenix tears, a graduation gift from Hermione. After gazing at it for a few seconds, he picked it up and packed it away in his bag as a second thought.
As he ran over the contents of his duffle once more, he was sure that he had everything that he could think of, but, like almost every other person preparing for something, he had that nagging feeling that he was forgetting something. When he couldn't figure out what it was, he gave up thinking about it, but that immediately drew his mind back to his suspicions about Malfoy. Not wanting to dwell on that mind boggling topic any longer, he got up and made his way to the kitchen, intent on getting a snack before he left.
In less than fifteen minutes, Harry had polished off a glass of pumpkin juice and turkey sandwich. He then checked his watch to find that he had twenty minutes before he was due back at the ministry for his departure with Malfoy and Marriott. Unable to come up with anything to occupy himself for that small period of time, he decided to apparate to the ministry early.
Upon arriving, Harry decided to head up to see Ginny for a while. As he entered the door labeled "Barnard Lex", he was met with a slightly unsettled Ginny.
"Hey Ginny. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh, hi Harry," she said when she recognized the visitor. "Nothing's really wrong. I'm just a little pressed for time right now," she told him as she smoothed back her slightly frazzled hair with one hand and sifted through the files in front of her with the second.
"How so?"
"Mr. Lex wants the Christwall file from the classified section downstairs, but the office will be closed for a break within the next ten minutes. He also wants the Gregorson file from Mr. Crame's office, but I have no idea where that is or if I can get a hold of it, and he is expecting another black coffee. Plus he wants these papers filed in their respective places, and he wants it all within the next ten to fifteen minutes," Ginny explained with a groan at the end to emphasize what all she was expected to do.
"Does it all have to be done right away?" Harry asked, trying to find a way to help his friend.
"Yes, Mr. Lex is strict and punctual like that. If it isn't on time you can get in serious trouble," Ginny explained while she was still trying to rush in filing some papers, and in her haste she scattered them everywhere. "Oh gawd!" she nearly screamed, but restrained herself so her supervisor wouldn't hear. Hastily she tried to re shuffle the papers back into a stack.
"Here," Harry said as he placed a calm hand on top of her shaking one, "Let me help," he told her. Ginny looked up at him inquisitively. "I'll go downstairs and get the files that you need. Mr. Crame is my supervisor, so I know where he is. I'll also get the other file before the office is closed. You stay up here and file those documents. Then you can go get his coffee. That way everything will get done," he explained. Ginny's face broke into a wide grin.
"Thank you, Harry! Oh thank you!" she exclaimed.
"No problem. I have a little spare time before I leave anyway," he said as he headed for the door.
"Leave?" Ginny inquired.
"I'll tell you when I get back," Harry said, and then he was out the door. As he walked down the stairs, he pondered over Ginny's job. He sincerely thought that Lex overworked her, but she would never admit it. He would have to look into that when he got back. He would also have to make sure that he didn't seem nosy because he really didn't want to intrude on Ginny's personal affairs.
As he made it to the first floor, he headed straight for John Doleford's office; he was in charge of all the classified files. Entering through the door, he saw a desk in the center of the room and a strict little man sitting behind it.
"I suppose you are here to pick up a file?" the man, or Mr. Doleford, asked accusingly.
"Er, yeah. I am here for the Christwall file. Mr. Lex has asked for it," Harry told him.
"Oh?" Doleford asked. "Are you his secretary?"
"No, I am just running an errand for him. His secretary was preoccupied," Harry explained.
Mr. Doleford made an unbelieving noise in his throat but went to get the file that Harry needed. Pulling one out of a filing cabinet on the far wall, he went back to his desk and seated himself with the file in front of him on the desk. Harry went forward to retrieve it.
"Here you are, the Christwall file. It is strictly classified, but Mr. Lex had called ahead to let me know that he would be needing it. You take care in getting that to him," Doleford instructed.
"Yes sir," Harry replied obediently. "Have a good day, Mr. Doleford," Harry bade the man farewell as he headed for the door.
"Young man!" Doleford called as Harry reached the door. Harry turned back to the man. "You're from the auror department, right?" Harry was a little startled by the question.
"Yes sir."
"What is your name?" Doleford continued.
"It's Harry sir, Harry Potter," Harry said with a smile before he exited the office and headed for Crame's office. Upon entering, Crame's secretary looked up and was startled to see him.
"I thought you were on assignment?" she asked.
"I am but I am running an errand for a friend. Could you get me the Gregorson file? I need it for Mr. Lex upstairs," Harry explained to the secretary.
"Oh! Of course," she said as she rose out of her chair and went to a grey filing cabinet and withdrew a manila folder. "Here you are," she said as she handed the file to Harry with a flirty smile, which Harry returned.
"Thanks Alex," he replied before heading out the door. He dashed back upstairs to Lex's office.
When he entered, he saw Ginny filing the last of her papers, and a steaming coffee was sitting on the corner of the desk.
"Here Ginny. I got the files for you," Harry said as he held out the files to her. Ginny took them and set them on the desk. Then she came around the desk to give Harry a hug.
"Thanks so much Harry. I don't know what I would have done. I'm usually not that crammed for time," she explained. "Now what is this about you leaving?" she asked as she stood back to survey him and the bag he had left next to her desk.
"Oh, I am headed to Surrey with my partners." When he saw Ginny's blank look, he added, "I'm on assignment." Realization dawned on her face.
"Well, good luck," she told him as she gave him another hug.
"Thanks," he said as he broke the embrace and went to retrieve his duffle. "See ya," he said as he reached the door.
"Bye," she said, "and be careful!" she added as he was closing the door.
"I will!" she heard from the other side as Harry walked away. As he headed up the stairs to the Auror Transit room on the third floor, Harry checked his watch: five minutes left. He entered the office to see that Marriott was already there, and he was conversing with a tall, balding man. They both turned when they heard Harry shut the door.
"Right-o Harry. You're right on time, as usual, if I might add. I was just talking to Dave Mayorfield here about out transportation to Surrey. We are going to be talking a portkey to a park close by to where we will be lodging. It leaves at four thirty-two. All we have to do it wait for Draco," Marriott explained. Harry nodded, and he set his bag down next to Marriott's, along the wall. Marriott continued his conversation with Dave Mayorfield while Harry looked at the different objects about the room.
There were shelves upon shelves of strange looking muggle objects around the room, no doubt objects to be used as portkeys to different areas. Along the back wall there were four large fireplaces for flooing, but at the moment, only two were burning. On the wall farthest to Harry's left, the only one without shelves of portkeys, there was a solitary cement door there with a key hole in the middle. As he walked up to examine it, Mayorfield came up next to him.
"That door leads to the apparition room. You need both a key and the password to get in and out of it. It was specially designed to prevent unwanted visitors from getting in to the department buildings of the ministry," Mayorfield explained.
"Right," Harry muttered under his breath. Just then Malfoy entered the room, looking as calm and collected as ever, and his ever present sneer was in place.
"There you are, Draco. Now that we are all here, we had better get ready to go. It is half past four and the portkey leaves in two minutes," Marriott said, and he and Harry went to collect their bags. Then the three partners stood around a crushed aluminum can that Mayorfield had handed them. Each placing a finger on the can, they all waited patiently for four thirty-two to roll around.
Soon Marriott began to countdown the seconds on his watch. "Three, two, one!" Suddenly there was a great jerking behind all of their navels, and they were all soon pulled out of the ministry office.