1/9/03:  Strange how inspiration hits sometimes.  I was in bed, ready for blissful sleep to take me when this chapter sprang into my head.  Thanks everyone for reviewing and answering my question from the last chapter.  Long A/N at the end with more questions.

Have a great weekend!

16. Passing the Buck

"Harry?"

Hermione's voice brought Harry back from his thoughts.  He tore his eyes from the box and looked at Hermione, immediately noticing that the color had seemed to drain from her face.  "I…I honestly don't know yet, Hermione," Harry said quickly, and then started to pace the room.  "I need to think."

A part of Harry was excited that there was finally a break in the case, that they had a credible motive for the murders.  But another part of Harry was uncertain, and a little bit afraid; this knowledge that he now possessed, what could he…what should he do with it?  He simply couldn't run to the Daily Prophet and announce to the wizarding world that their appliances are trying to kill them – it might start a panic that could quickly grow out of control.  But at the same time, lives were at stake; every second Harry kept the information within meant that another magical could contract the deadly disease.  The one thing Harry did know was that he couldn't make this decision himself; this decision had to be made by someone with far more authority than he.  Harry stopped his pacing and turned to Hermione.  She looked back at him expectantly.

When Harry didn't speak, Hermione grew impatient.  "Well?"

"Is…is there any chance you can find a cure, now that you have the other microbe?" Harry asked.  When Hermione gave him an incredulous look, Harry was quick to defend himself.   "I saw this Muggle movie on the television the other night…there was some disease spreading, but they found the monkey that started it all and found a cure from it," he said sheepishly.

Hermione shook her head.  "It doesn't work that way with magical diseases like MSARS.  Most magical maladies are made by accident, but seeing the vapor, I believe MSARS was purposefully created.  If that's the case, and if I could get my hands on the recipe, or even the cauldron on which it was brewed, I could probably find a cure."

"Okay, I understand.  In that case…I need you to come with me."

Hermione looked surprised.  "What?  Where are we going?  And you never answered my first question anyways: what does this all mean?" she demanded.

Harry tried to formulate a response, an answer that would satisfy all her questions, but events were catching up to him, the discovery weighing him down.  He shook his head in frustration, trying his best to think in a clear, organized fashion.  Fortunately, Hermione seemed to understand, and she put a hand on his shoulder.  "Hey," she in a soothing voice.  "It's okay, Harry.  What do you want me to do?"

Harry looked at her gratefully, and took a deep breath.  For some reason, knowing Hermione was there, knowing that she shared in his secret (though she didn't know all the details yet) allowed him to calm down.  He smiled briefly and then sprang into action, taking her by surprise.  "We need to talk to someone, now," he said firmly as he opened the box, removed the heating element, and put it in one of the deep pockets in his robe.  Harry looked around.  "Bring that book and the parchment you showed me."

Hermione nodded and grabbed the two items.  Without asking any more questions, she followed him out of her lab and through the halls of St. Mungo's until they reached the street outside.  Harry looked up and down the street, and then raised his hand when he spotted a taxi.

"Wait," Hermione said, grabbing his arm and pulling it down.  "Let me grab my car, and I'll pick you up.  It'll be easier that way."

"All right, I'll be here waiting."

Hermione took off her amulet and handed it to Harry before disapparating with a crack, presumably to her flat to pick up her car.  While he waited, Harry made a call on his mobile.  A few minutes later Hermione pulled up alongside Harry in her car.  Despite the revelations of the day, Harry couldn't help but smile.  He reached down and opened the door, climbing into the car.

"Nice," he said appreciatively at the leather interior and fancy looking devices.

Hermione smiled. "Thanks!  It's new, just got it a few months ago.  So, where to?"

"My place first…I need to get this" – Harry patted the metal coil in his robe – "somewhere safe."

Hermione nodded.  Then, with a smug look, said, "Watch this."  Hermione started pressing some buttons on the center console, programming in Harry's address.  Finished, she looked at him.  "Ready?"

"Ready," Harry confirmed, though what he was supposed to be ready for, he wasn't sure.

Hermione just grinned and pressed a final button.  Immediately, the car sprang to life, weaving and dodging its way through the light London traffic.  Harry took a moment to brace himself, before noticing that Hermione was still looking at him, not at the road.  "Hermione," he said panicky, "watch the road!  There's a car-" Harry cringed as they were heading for an oncoming car, and then was flabbergasted when the car swiftly moved around the other car and took a quick left turn.  He looked in shock at Hermione, who still hadn't turned to look at the road or to even put her hands on the steering wheel.  "Wha.."

Hermione gave him a look of mock disappointment.  "Really, Harry, I would've thought you'd know all about the latest in magical cars.  You are a guy, after all."

"You know I hate riding in these things," he said a bit petulantly. 

Hermione chuckled.  "Sometimes you are such a Muggle, Harry Potter.  It's the latest thing, Harry.  All you have to do is program in the destination, and the car does the work for you."

"Then why the steering wheel, pedals, and all the other normal car things?"

"Oh Harry," Hermione said in her you-should-know-better voice.  "I don't want to have a separate car in case I see Muggles.  Ah, here we are."

Harry looked out the window and saw his building come into view.  "All right, wait here?  I'll be just a minute."  Hermione nodded, and Harry climbed out of the car and entered his building.  After securing the heating element in a safe, with protection and locking charms so powerful only Dumbledore stood a chance of breaking them, Harry returned to the car. 

"Where now?" Hermione asked, poised to enter in a new address.

"Amelia Bones' residence."

*********************************

Madam Bones lived in a large, comfortable looking house in a very ritzy part of London.  As Hermione pulled up to the gated driveway, a large wizard in Muggle clothing walked up to them while another one looked at them warily.  Rolling down the window, Hermione handed the wizard her ID card and Harry's Auror credentials.  The wizard examined the documents with a Muggle flashlight, and then used it to look into the car, peering at Harry and Hermione as well as the back seat.  Seemingly satisfied, the man returned their Ids.  "Madam Bones is expecting you.  Please drive up," he said tonelessly.  The gate started to open.

"Thanks," Hermione said, and then rolled the window back up and drove up to the house.  "Chipper fellow," she said dryly.

Harry chuckled.  "Well, they're not paid to be polite."  The wizard who passed them through was a member of the Minister's Guard, tasked with the protection of the Minister and top-ranking officials.  Many considered the Minister's Guards as an elite force.  Powerful wizards and witches each, members of the Guard received constant and grueling training in all aspects of defensive and offensive magic.  Though Harry believed he could easily take out one or two of them in a duel, he was less confident about his chances against a full squad.  Being a member of the Guard was an honor, and they took their job of protection very seriously, almost fanatically.  It was also, Harry believed, a very boring job.  Though they trained endlessly, the Guard very rarely had cause to use their wands.  Ninety-nine percent of the time, their mere presence was deterrent enough to anyone thinking of evil deeds, but it was that one percent of the time when all their training was worth it.

Madam Bones, as a member of the Minister's cabinet and the Chief of MLE, rated protection by the Minister's Guards.  She was, by all accounts, the most powerful and influential member of the Ministry, possibly rivaling the Minister himself.  One of the few high-ranking officials that survived the purging that occurred after Harry uncovered the political scandal (the same one that sent Percy Weasley away), Madam Bones re-organized the entire MLE and ran it effectively and efficiently.  Many believed that she could easily become the next Minister of Magic, had her political aspirations led her in that direction.  As it was, she seemed more than content to remain as Chief of MLE.

More Guards greeted them as they pulled up to the entrance to the house.  One Guard relieved them of the car, ostensibly acting as a valet-service, but more likely they wanted to make sure that the car wasn't going to blow up outside Madam Bones' house - a bit of paranoia was definitely in the job requirement for a Guard. 

"Good evening.  Your wands, please," the other Guard said as they approached the door.  Hermione looked at Harry uncertainly, then followed his lead and handed over her wand to the Guard.  "Thank you," he said.  They entered the Bones' residence, and a house elf led them from the foyer to another room, where Madam Bones sat with her family.

Amelia rose as soon as they entered.  "Ah, Mr. Potter and Miss…Granger, isn't it?"

"That's Doctor Granger," Harry said without thinking, immediately regretting it and hoping he didn't sound overly rude.  Fortunately, Amelia took no offence.

"Of course, of course, Dr. Granger.  How lovely to see you again."

"Likewise," Hermione said.  Harry and Hermione then traded greetings with Madam Bones' husband and her youngest soon, a seventh-year at Hogwarts.  Harry recalled that Madam Bones had two other children, but he couldn't remember what they did or where they were.

"Now, Mr. Potter," Amelia said, looking directly at Harry.  The pleasantries were over.  "You definitely peaked my curiosity.  What did you need to see me about that was an emergency?  And where is your partner and your Chief?"

"Is there somewhere we can talk about this in private?" Harry asked.

Amelia nodded.  "Follow me."  Harry and Hermione followed Amelia through the house until they reached what must've been her personal study room.  Amelia walked over to her desk and sat behind it, gesturing at the two chairs in front of her.  "Can I get you anything?  Tea, or a biscuit, perhaps?"

Harry and Hermione both shook their heads.  "No thank you, but…I was hoping to speak with you in absolute privacy," Harry said, inclining his head towards the one Guard that stood silently in the corner.

"I appreciate your concern, but the Minister's Guards have all taken an oath of secrecy about what they observe," Amelia said.

"I understand, Madam, but, with all due respect, oaths can be broken, either willingly or unwillingly."

Amelia regarded him curiously for a moment.  "Very well.  Charles, please leave and lock the door behind you."

"But-" the Guard protested.

"That is all," Amelia said firmly, in a voice that invited no argument.

Once the Guard left, Harry leaned forwards.  "Excuse me, Madam Bones, would you mind if I borrowed your wand to cast a few silencing spells?"

Amelia looked surprised at the question, and then chuckled.  "I suppose it wouldn't matter if I told you that this room is absolutely secure and private, will it?  No, I didn't think it would."  Amelia opened a desk drawer and retrieved a wand, offering it Harry.

"Thank you Madam Bones," Harry said before casting his spells.  Though he didn't need a wand to cast these particular spells, Harry knew it be best not to reveal the extent of his powers.  Once completed, Harry returned the wand and thanked her again.

"All right then," Amelia said, "now you've definitely got my attention.  What's going on Potter?"

With an encouraging look from Hermione, Harry began to explain the events of the day, beginning with a quick update of the case and the events of last night's fatal accident.  He glossed over the memorial at Hogwarts and went instead directly to Harry's actions in the flat and finally to Hermione's discovery.  As Hermione herself hadn't heard any of this, she was just as enraptured as Amelia.  He let Hermione take over telling the rest of the story, where she explained the testing procedure and described her results and theory, showing her the MSARS picture from the book and the picture from the examination box.  Amelia examined the two pictures, then stood up and walked to the window, staring into the night.  "Who else knows about this, about your suspicions?" she asked once Harry finished.

Harry fidgeted.  "Um, no one except for you and Hermione."  Then, Harry said very quickly, "I normally wouldn't have gone outside the chain of command, but I felt that dissemination of this information, at least at this stage, was best kept minimal."

Amelia seemed to think about that for a while.  Finally, she spoke.  "I highly disapprove of going outside channels, you know that Potter, but I think in this case, you acted correctly."  Harry looked relieved.  "Now, you two have had more time to process everything.  Recommendations?"

Harry and Hermione shared a look and shrugged simultaneously.  They had argued back and forth on the car ride over on what they should do, the argument becoming rather heated at one point.  Initially, Hermione was adamant that they should let the public know of the danger, while Harry was equally insistent that they should wait.  It was a really a reflection of their jobs: Hermione, as a healer, was first and foremost focused on saving as many lives as she could.  Harry, on the other hand, was a bit more pragmatic in dealing with death, being of the opinion that a few deaths may be necessary for the greater good.  Harry was reluctant to even argue with her at all given how recent their friendship had been re-established, but he knew he had to get her to agree to abide by Madam Bones' decision, even if it meant keeping it a secret for now.  Fortunately, their argument in the car didn't escalate to an icy silence; in fact, it was much like their arguments in the past, where each realized that the other had their points, even if they didn't agree.  Having discussed this already, Harry and Hermione presented both arguments to Madam Bones.

Amelia listened carefully to both arguments.  "Well," she said grimly, after they had finished, "I think this decision is beyond me."  Amelia reached over to a small gold plate that lay on her desk.  Waving her hand over the plate, a small fire grew from the center of the plate.  Amelia reached into her desk and pulled out a small bag, from which she took a pinch of powder and threw it into the flames.  "Minster of Magic," she said.

After a minute or so, the Minister's smiling head appeared above the golden plate.  "Amelia?  What a pleasant surprise."

"Indeed Thomas, but I wish I were calling under better circumstances.  I need a few moments of your time, immediately."

"Immediately?"

Amelia nodded.  "Mr. Potter and Dr. Granger brought some very disturbing news to my attention this evening, news that you need to be made aware of."  The Minister's head swiveled to look at Harry and Hermione, and then back to Amelia. 

"Very well.  Please come over immediately."

*********************************

Harry was afraid that getting to the Minister's home would be much like getting to Amelia's home – a harrowing car ride, going through security – but he was pleased to find out that Amelia had a direct floo to the Minister's home.  In a blur of green fire, Harry spun his way over to the Minister's home.  He emerged lightly and, to his surprise, unsoiled in the Minister's study, where Amelia and Hermione had already arrived.  As Harry straightened his robes, he noticed the Minister's Guards leaving the room and realized that Amelia must have already stressed the need for privacy.

"Well, before we begin, I want to say it is an honor to meet you Mr. Potter," the Minister said, shaking his hand.  Harry was not surprised that he had to endure a few minutes of small talk before they got down to business - the Minister was, after all, a politician.

Amelia quickly described the situation to the Minister, leaving out the facts of the investigation that would have no bearing on the Minister's decision.  As Amelia talked, the Minister's face grew pale, and by the end of the story, he had his head buried in his hands, a very different reaction then Amelia's.  Finally, he looked up.  "So Amelia, what do we do?"

"Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have come up with excellent reasons why people should and should not be told."

The Minster looked at the two.  "Okay.  So what are they?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and Harry inclined his head, letting her know she should go first.  Hermione cleared her throat.  "Well, essentially by telling people we will be saving lives, Minister.  People die from MSARS, it's as simple as that.  The longer we wait to warn the public, the greater the number of people who will contract the disease and die."

The Minister chuckled dryly.  "Yes, a very effective argument.  And Mr. Potter?  The reasons why we should keep this bit of news to ourselves?"

"Two reasons Minister.  One: letting everyone know that their washing machine is trying to kill them could start a panic…the hospitals would be filled with people with imaginary symptoms…the industry would be ruined for years…companies would go out of business, people would lose their jobs."

"What if we warned them, but without letting the real story out?  Left out a few details?" the Minister asked.

"Depending on the message, it might work, but Minister, there's a second reason…if we warn the public, it'll tip our hand and alert whoever did this, and we might never catch him.  And," Harry said, looking over at Hermione, "if we can catch the guy responsible, find what he used to make the vapor, Hermione can find a cure for MSARS.  But if he disappears, we may never find a cure."

"What if you're wrong?" the Minister asked.  "What if there isn't anyone responsible?  What if this is all just a big mistake?"

Harry sat quietly.  "It is possible that I'm wrong, that I'm seeing things that aren't there," he admitted.  "But I know I'm not wrong," he said firmly.

The Minister slumped in his chair.  "I…I need to think about this, to sleep on it."  After a moment, he stood up, prompting the others to stand as well.  He led them back towards the fireplace.  "In the meantime, until I have made my decision, we need to keep this quiet.  Only the four of us know this, right?"  Everyone nodded.  "Good, so if I read about killer dishwashers in the Daily Prophet tomorrow, I'll know where to start when trying to find out who talked.  Amelia?  I'll let you know what I decide shortly."

"Yes Minister," Amelia said formally.  "Good night Thomas."  Harry and Hermione also said their farewells and floo'ed back to Amelia's home.

A/N: Well, not a lot of action here.  Actually, there hasn't been a lot of action anywhere so far, has there?  I guess it's not that type of story. 

Okay, before I get accused of being a heartless bastard for wanting to keep the cause of MSARS a secret, I hope I made the argument clear.  Statistically, the chances of dying from MSARS is very low.  Malvagita didn't want a plague-type disease to wipe out Muggleborns.  It would be too obvious, and everyone would work hard to find a cure, to quarantine Muggleborns, etc.  While a plague would probably kill a lot at first, it's more likely a cure will be found quickly with everyone focusing on it.  MSARS is more subtle.  It infects both magical and Muggleborn alike, and not all muggleborns die from it.  Since it seems relatively controllable (people will think they can quarantine it), finding a cure is not the highest priority.  This way, in ten or twenty years, Malvagita can slowly wipe out most of the Muggleborns, and since you can't really stop a Muggleborn magical from being born, MSARS will still be around to take care any new ones.

So, Harry believes they should keep it a secret until they find the culprit, believing a few deaths in the meantime would be worth it.  Hermione, as a healer, instinctively abhors any death in any numbers.

Also, imagine if there was a news story that stoves cause cancer in real life.  Talk about a panic!  Beyond the obvious problem of how do you cook your food and what to do with a killer stove in your home, any foodservice business would probably shut down since they use stoves to their food.  Appliance stores would be hurt or go out of business since no one wants a killer stove (like Magical Solutions), and the companies that make stoves would also be hurt or go out of business (like General Magics).  And, even if they find a cure or solve the problem, people will still be wary of buying stoves, so it will affect the industry for a while before consumer confidence is regained.  Plus, this is worldwide, so factor that into the equation.  So, this leads me to my first question:

Question 1: So, what do you think?  It really has no bearing on how the story will end (the resolution of the case), but should they tell people about MSARS?

Question 2: All right, since I've accepted that my chapters are long and detailed, I realize I don't have the motivation to edit them more than once.  Some people may say if you do something, you should do it right…I'm not one of those.  I probably need a beta of some sort otherwise these chapters will be unreadable.  How does that work?  Any volunteers?  Must be an H/Hr shipper though.

General response to all reviewers:  thank you so much for letting me know what you think about the level of detail.  I'll keep the detail (as you can see by this chapter), though I'll try and cut out the parts I think are boring.  Speak up if it starts to drag!  I think things will pick up as they get close to nabbing the bad guy, but there's still a ways to go.  Also, now that we know that MSARS and Harry's case are connected, there'll be more H/Hr interaction ahead, including a hotel room (no dirty thoughts though, those aren't allowed on ff.net!)  Oh, Akuma-sama, your advice made me laugh!