Chapter Five- Difficult Decisions
"Or maybe you didn't love me like you love her," Raven interrupted. "But wait, I knew that!"
Harry stared at the door, still holding some envelopes. Raven was right about the fact that he loved Hermione more than anything in the world.
The door opened, and Eris Woodtrail was carrying two heavy books. "I heard yelling… is everything okay?" She asked curiously.
Harry nodded, and Eris stared at the envelopes. "Blackmail, huh?"
"I thought you were going to say fan mail," Harry said darkly as he picked up envelopes.
"You? What for?" Eris snorted. "You're not that cool." Harry chuckled and Eris put the books on Harry's desk.
"Dark Wizards usually go for the things that hurt the most," Eris said. "Obviously you care about your girlfriend."
Harry shrugged. "I thought that after Voldemort had gone, everything would be okay," Harry sighed. "I guess I was quite wrong."
Eris patted Harry weakly on the shoulder. "Grow up, Potter," she smirked. "Well, I have to go and read more. That's all I have to do."
Eris left and breathed deeply. He heard footsteps and saw Remigius looking at him. "I'm not an expert in relationships," he said. "I can just give you a piece of advice."
Harry looked back at him. "She's in danger, Potter," Remigius warned. "If you really love her, you know what to do."
Later, at Downtown London"And how's this going to help?" Raven muttered angrily.
They were carrying posters that featured the photographs of Stephanie Navitek and Kropp Remarque. Eris rolled her eyes as Harry handed her some tape.
"Muggles have to be aware," Harry said. "And after all, we've got permission from the Prime Minister to do this."
"Rubbish," Raven snapped. "A Muggle sees them, and he or she will die in the spot. Potter, we are not dealing with burglars."
"Anyway, if they do see them, it will be helpful for us," Harry said impatiently.
"And as we are Ministry outcasts, it's our duty to paste this damn things," Eris said. "I should be reading right now."
"Things will be better when we solve this case," Harry assured. "Meanwhile, we have to do things like this."
"I hate muggle clothes," Raven said, glaring at her jeans.
"I think they are comfortable," Eris said shortly as she grabbed an armful of posters. "We should start pasting instead of bickering. Raven, you can take the alleys and Potter and I will take the main streets."
Raven rolled her eyes and marched off. "Nasty temper," Eris pointed. "If every girl that ahs a crush on you is like that, thank god that I don't like guys with untidy hair."
"You have a nasty temper too," Harry mocked.
"But that was since I was born," Eris snapped. "Now, let's go paste these wretched things."
Later, at the Ministry of Magic"Well, well, when Remigius Stocklard told me that he had arranged the poster thing I didn't imagine this." Percy Weasley was sneering at Harry and Eris, who chose to ignore him.
"Ministry people have a right to know, of course," Percy continued as Harry and Eris pasted posters in the Ministry hallway. "But I have my Aurors working on it… You know, real professionals…"
Harry turned around, furious. "Look, Percy, why don't you take your stupid speech and shove it up your…"
"If Percy obeyed every person that has told him that…that would be so great," Ron said, appearing from nowhere. Harry stared at Ron, who kept looking at the floor.
"Ronald, what are you doing here?" Percy asked.
"I happen to know that Harry was going to be here." Ron was staring at Harry in a very odd way, and Harry bit his lip nervously. Percy glared at Ron and walked away.
"I wanted to talk to you… You know, I've been thinking things over," Ron muttered. Harry was suddenly reminded of fourth year, when Ron had tried to apologize for being a jealous prat. And suddenly, everything was like before. Nervous Ron, trying to apologize and finding it difficult, and Harry knew that he could forgive him.
"Get a room," Eris said as she glanced at Ron. "I'll be pasting posters somewhere else, Potter."
Eris walked away and Ron stared after her. "You get to work with hot women, don't you?" Ron snorted. "I've already heard about Raven, weird, huh?"
Harry nodded. "Look, I hate that you're mad at me," Harry said. "But I had my reasons to keep my feelings from Hermione a secret. I hope you understand."
"I know," Ron said. "Funny, when we were at Hogwarts I always imagined that you two would end up together… Ironic."
"You are a git," Harry said and grinned. Ron grinned back, shrugging slightly as he rolled his eyes mockingly.
"Guess I have to talk to Hermione," Ron said. "Um, I'll owl you sometime so we can, um, hang out?"
"Sure," Harry nodded as Eris returned, grasping Harry's arm tightly.
"If you continue doing that, is likely that my arm will turn blue," Harry pointed at Eris, who let go quickly.
"I can't stand it anymore," Eris snapped. "I met some of my old classmates and they started saying things. You know, I wasn't exactly popular."
"Really?" Ron asked. "You seem the popular type."
Eris stared blankly at Ron. "Anyway," Eris said, looking back at Harry. "I finished pasting the damn posters. Let's go to the office and do some real job."
"Sure," Harry agreed quickly. "See you, Ron."
Ron nodded, his eyes glancing at Eris, who didn't seem to notice. "Side-along apparition please," Eris said, closing her eyes and putting her arm around Harry's. "I have a headache."
Harry chuckled and both disapparated.
A/N: okay, I know that Harry and Ron forgave each other a bit too soon, but… It had to happen. Even though I don't like Ron's character a lot (jealous prat and always making Hermione cry… reminds me of someone I knew, lol) I think that he and Harry share a true friendship, and when you have a real, good friendship, you can't be angry that long, and you can forgive each other for a silly thing like a girl or boy. A friendship must not end for stupid things like that… it's not worth it. Like a friend of mine used to say: "A boyfriend(girlfriend) is for a while, but a friend is forever." END OF THE NOTE! (Gosh, was I inspired or what?)Until next chapter!