Chapter 24 – Stop

Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen while Teddy and Andromeda were eating breakfast. Teddy was having toast and scabbled eggs while Andromeda was sipping her morning tea. Harry was dressed for the office while Ginny was in a pair of jeans and a jumper. Harry poured himself a cup of tea. Teddy could tell his mummy was not at all happy just by looking at the scowl on her face and the fact she didn't say good morning or give him a hug and kiss.

Ginny sat down at the table and glared at Harry, "Harry you can't."

Harry sipped his tea, "I can and I am."

Ginny stood back up, "Think about everything you stand to lose. Think about the position Tom's in and what will happen to him."

Andromeda eyed both Harry and Ginny carefully. She knew they argued every so often, just like any other couple, but their bond always held them together. This was the first time that she knew of that they ever argued in front of other people. Harry and Ginny were not the type of people to air their disagreements for all to see. Generally, they led very private lives. Even so, Andromeda knew what Harry and Ginny were arguing about. They were arguing over the investigation. Even though Tom had been stopping by when he had new information, Harry was still set on being involved. She knew Harry didn't like not being involved, especially since this was a threat to Ginny. Andromeda knew that this whole ordeal was wearing Harry down. When it came to family, Harry left nothing to chance, and he needed to be involved. To say it didn't sit well that he was told to sit it out and let others do the work was an understatement. Harry liked being in the thick of things, making a difference. She just hoped that Ginny or Harry didn't let it slip that there was somebody threatening Ginny. The boy didn't really know what was going on. All she told him was that they were staying with Harry and Ginny so they could help her train for the upcoming quidditch season.

Tom had tried to talk Harry out of being involved. He told him to stay home and take care of his family. Enjoy the time at home. The entire team was on the case and every spare auror in the department was pitching in. Afterall, this was one of their own. Jenkins' request for information for the wizarding immigration records turned up a Canadian wizard named Sam Martin that came to Great Britain almost three years ago. He fit the description that Abagail gave, and the team was trying to locate him. His file said that he was living in a flat outside London, but his landlord has stated that she hadn't seen him in a few days. Tom had shown the photo from his file to Abagail, and she confirmed that it was the same wizard that harassed her at her public appearance. When Tom spoke to Bunty and showed her the photo, she recognized him from Abagail's appearance. Bunty also collaborated on Abagail's story of him talking about Ginny. When Tom asked her why she didn't say anything she told him a lot of people bad mouth about players, so she didn't think much of it. He showed the photo to Ginny, but she didn't recognize him. When Tom brought the photo to the pitch, Ava, Matilda, and Gwen said he looked familiar but that was all. It was hard for the team to remember every fan they've talked with. Tom even went to the press and asked them to run the photo with just the caption 'Person of Interest'. Nothing had turned up so far.

Harry put down his teacup on the counter and eyed Teddy. Teddy was staring at Harry with wide eyes. Harry said, "I know but I can't sit by on the sidelines while this happens."

Ginny hated it when Harry got so headstrong. This was one of the few times that she cursed his strong work ethic. Ginny placed one hand on her hip and pointed at Harry with the other, "You can, and you will. Robards gave you time off just so this wouldn't happen. You're going to force him to fire you and Tom. You're not even cleared for field work. Stop being such a Gryffindor."

Harry glared at Ginny, "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Ginny just stared back at Harry, "Right now it is."

Harry turned and started walking towards the back door and said, "I'll be back for dinner."

Ginny yelled, "Will you just stop and think for two minutes about what you're doing?"

Harry whirled around and snapped, "It's all I've thought about. I need to get this guy. I can't just sit by and do nothing. I have to do something." He then turned around again and started walking to the door.

All eyes were on Harry now. Teddy swallowed hard. He had never heard Harry speak like that to anybody before. He looked at Andromeda who was watching the couple. She turned to look at Teddy and motioned him to leave the room.

Ginny was angrier than she had ever been with Harry by this point. Her face was almost as red as her hair. She stood tall with her hands on her hips. There was a fire and determination in her eyes that Teddy and Andromeda never saw before, not even during a quidditch match. With deadly calmness, Ginny said, "Harry. James. Potter. Do not go out that door."

Teddy froze as he started to get up. Ginny just used what he called 'the voice' on Harry. Teddy knew from experience that when Ginny used that voice the only thing you could do was exactly what she told you to do. Harry stopped in his tracks. He knew that tone too. He knew that if he left the house, losing his job with the Auror Department would be the least of his worries. There was no telling what Ginny would do to him if her temper was unleashed. After a couple of extremely tense moments, Harry wisely decided to turn around. He stood with his hands up in surrender.

Ginny pulled out a chair and pointed to it. Harry slowly walked over and sat down. Andromeda got up and took Teddy's hand as she walked out of the kitchen. As he was leaving the kitchen with her, he looked over his shoulder to see his godfather sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

Ginny sat down next to Harry. She said, "What kind of message does this send to Teddy? That it's ok to break the rules and the law to get the bad guys? Even if you catch this guy, because you broke protocol and procedures, the charges won't stick, and he'll get off. Think about it. You'll catch him, and he'll still walk free."

Harry sat back in his chair, "How many times did we break the rules at Hogwarts? Besides, he can't walk if I don't let him."

Ginny stared at Harry in shock at what he just said, "That was different. Our whole world was threatened. If you don't let him walk, you're no better and you'll destroy a lot more than him in the process."

Harry replied, "My whole world is being threatened. Maybe I don't want to be better."

Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Harry was actually thinking about killing this Sam Martin? She refused to believe it. She told him, "You don't mean that, and you know it. Think Harry. This isn't you. This isn't the man I married. There's a little boy in this house that idolizes you. He believes in you and thinks that everything you do is for the right reasons. For the love of Merlin, don't ruin that for him. Let's not even talk about how much respect you'd lose not just from me, but from our friends and family. You've always stood up for the right things and always did the right things. Does going after this Sam Martin feel right?"

Harry turned to Ginny as a single tear escaped down his cheek, "When we got back together after the war, I promised myself that nobody would ever hurt you again. I promised myself that I would do everything and anything to make sure that you would always be safe. Don't you see? I have to work this case. I just have to. If I don't, it's like I failed. When we were on the run and I stared at the Marauder's Map, I prayed that you were ok, that you were safe. It killed me that I wasn't there to protect you."

Ginny suddenly realized what was going through his head as she looked at Harry. Harry was afraid. She saw the fear grow in his eyes. This fear was different, she hadn't seen anything like it before, even after the war. It wasn't the fact that he didn't have the control he wanted over the investigation. It was all about losing the one person in the world that loved him like he always dreamed of. It all went back to losing Ginny. The hard look on her face softened. She reached up and cupped Harry's chin with her hands. With a soft tone in her voice, she told him, "Love, you'll only fail if you sink to his level. You're a better man than that. I know this can't be easy for you, but I'm safe. I'm safe because I'm with you."

Ginny moved closer to Harry and took his hands in hers, "Look at me. I'm safe. We're all safe because of you. You've made sure that nobody can find our home. Anytime Andie or I run errands, we make sure the aurors can always see us. If we're together, we never split up and when Teddy goes anyway besides the back garden, there's always at least two of us with him. As much as I don't like it, I'm doing my off-season training here and at the Ministry. I'm doing it because I know I need to be safe. You've got the best team on this. Tom will find this guy and he'll be arrested, and he'll get locked up. Let them do their jobs. You've hand-picked that whole team, you know how good they are. Tom runs that team just like you did, and I know that you and Tom still consider yourselves partners. Sitting here with us, like Robards said is the right thing for you to do."

Harry nodded, "You're right. I'm sorry."

A smile formed on Ginny's lips, "It's ok." She leaned in and kissed Harry, "I love you."

Harry looked at Ginny, "I love you too."

Ginny clapped her hands together and said, "Now, why don't you get yourself some breakfast." Ginny stood up, "I'm going to talk to Andie," she then left the kitchen.

That was the one thing about Ginny that Harry never understood. No matter how mad she got at him after they calmed down and talked things out, it was like it never happened. He tried to figure it out but gave up and just accepted it.

Harry got up and grabbed the frying pan, eggs, and bacon and started cooking. He rather enjoyed cooking the muggle way. Sure, magic was great when he didn't have time, but when he cooked the muggle way it was almost like he was creating art. There was always a feeling of satisfaction involved when he cooked like this.

Teddy walked back into the kitchen and sat down. Harry heard him and turned to look at the boy. He asked, "Still hungry?" Teddy nodded as Harry walked over with the frying pan. Harry slid some eggs and a couple of strips of bacon onto Teddy's plate. Harry prepared his own plate and sat down at the table next to Teddy.

In between bites of his second breakfast Teddy asked, "Why was Mummy mad at you?"

Harry looked at Teddy and responded, "Because I was about to do something dumb."

Teddy finished his eggs and moved onto the bacon, "I don't like it when you and Mummy fight. Sometimes I hear it at night. Gran says that you guys usually don't argue."

Harry got up and poured himself a couple of tea, "I'm sorry about that. I don't like it either Teddy, but sometimes it happens. It doesn't change the fact that we love each other and you very much, though. Plus, we always make up."

Teddy nodded, "I know." In between bites of his bacon he then said, "I've never heard her use the voice on you before, though. You must have been ready to do something really dumb for Mummy to do that."

Harry chuckled, "It was pretty dumb."

Teddy finished his bacon, "What were you going to do?"

Harry put down his fork and started to tell Teddy what was going on. Since they all agreed not to get Teddy all worried, Harry told him that a close friend that he cared a lot about was being threatened by a dark wizard. Because Harry was so close to this person, Head Auror Robards had told Harry he couldn't be part of the investigation and should take some time off.

Teddy asked, "And you were going to go catch the bad wizard, weren't you?"

Harry nodded, "Yup. Pretty dumb huh?"

Harry looked at Teddy and thought about what he almost did. Teddy was still innocent, and Harry could have ruined that for him. To Teddy, Harry was a hero. He fought the bad guys and won. Harry made the world safe and protected people. Even though Teddy loved quidditch and had a great time playing it, when he grew up, Teddy wanted to be just like his godfather. Harry could feel the guilt forming in his stomach. Luckily, Ginny was there to talk some sense into him, but it still didn't sit right for Harry to be let out of things. Harry looked at Teddy and thought about what Ginny had told him. He understood that doing nothing was the right thing to do this time.

Teddy nodded as he pointed at Harry with a scowl on his face, "It was. First Mr. Robards tells you not to and then Mummy tells you not to and you still tried to go and catch him. You should know to do what Mummy tells you. You're lucky that Mummy didn't ground you."

Harry stifled a laugh by pretending to cough, "You're right. I should always do what your mum tells me to do. I will from now on."

Teddy crossed his arms over his chest and nodded, "That's right. I'm glad you learned your lesson."

Little did Harry and Teddy know that Andromeda and Ginny were listening just on the other side of the kitchen doorway, out of sight. Both ladies had huge smiles on their faces as they listened to Teddy scold Harry. Ginny had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.

In between stifled giggles, Andromeda whispered, "If you can't straighten Harry out, Teddy can."

As they heard Harry and Teddy clear the table, Ginny and Andromeda walked back into the kitchen. Ginny smiled widely, "How are my two favorite boys?"

Teddy pushed in his chair. He said, "We're good Mummy. Don't worry about Harry. I straightened him out for you," and left the room.

Both Ginny and Andromeda started laughing while Harry stood dumbfounded by what had just transpired.