Betrayal
be· tray· al | \ bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l
: violation of a person's trust or confidence, of a moral standard, etc.
Auror Potter (Junior Sergeant, Deputy of DMLE) Releases Critical Information Regarding High Profile Murders
(full story page 4b)
Famed Auror, Harry Potter, has finally broken his silence about the extensive list of mysterious murders that have taken place over the last 16 months. Potter, famous for defeating the Darkest Wizard of all time, has stated the following:
"Yeah, it's a little more complicated than someone just killing people, isn't it? The suspect has primarily kept to the Ministry's Most Wanted List. The majority of remains were identified as former Death Eaters or supporters of [you-know-who]. The Auror's are working hard to apprehend this person, but I want to make something clear: I do not believe there is any threat to ordinary Witches or Wizards from this person."
When asked how that can be true when two Ministry officials were murdered, The Chosen One had this to say:
"They worked at the Ministry, but they were known in circles of [you-know-who's] supporters. While they were cleared of charges by claim of Imperius, the person who is committing these homicides may not have agreed with that. We're doing everything we can to find this person but I want to stress, I don't think anyone needs to be worried. They aren't going after good people, they're hunting down criminals that went into hiding or were given relaxed sentences because of their status with the Ministry."
A large statement to come from a Ministry employee! When asked for Potter to elaborate we were told "No more questions" and ushered from the press room. It certainly leaves a few questions to ponder—
Hermione grimaced, folding her copy of The Prophet and setting it down on Harry's desk.
"I put my foot in my mouth at the end and of course they latched on to that. I don't understand how you can stand working for them, Hermione," Harry said, scowling at the paper.
"I like to find things out," she shrugged. "And I don't write rubbish like this. I can't believe they wouldn't give me the press badge for your release!"
"I can. They want a good story. It's been a while since The Prophet has had anything worth writing about—no offense."
Hermione snorted, "None taken. The last article I did was on the merits of cleaning potions versus cleaning charms. Absolute rubbish. It wasn't even in the first pages! I had a back page article!"
Harry chuckled, "Back page, huh? How dare."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, trying to keep the smile that threatened her lips from breaking through. "Shut up Chosen One."
Harry groaned, burying his face into his folded arms on his desk. "You'd think they'd find a new name by now. Or just call me by my actual name. The whole "Chosen One" bit is tired, don't you think?"
"Harry, darling, no. They will never be tired of calling you the Chosen One, The Boy Who Lived, or Famed Auror Harry Potter."
Harry sat back up, his face pulled in disgust. "Don't call me darling, it sounds condescending when you say it."
"It's meant to be," Hermione stated.
"You're cheekier than usual. I don't like it," Harry said, plainly, a smile giving away his fib. "Anyway, have you figured out anything more with Remus?"
Hermione immediately checked over her shoulder to ensure the door was closed. Harry rolled his eyes and flicked his wand, casting a silencing charm on the room. Hermione turned back to him and mouthed a thank you.
"I think I know his end game."
"So, you definitely know."
Hermione huffed, "Yes. Yes, I know who he's going after. And Harry, I don't think...I don't want to stop him."
"It's not up to you anymore, Hermione."
"Just hear me out," she began, ignoring the severe tone he tried to level her with. "Remus finishes what he started, apprehends one last person and that's it. You're done. He stops, you can take a holiday, and the case just...runs cold."
Harry shook his head, "I can't do that. You know I can't do that."
"And why not?" Hermione scoffed, indignantly. "What is so important that you can't just—"
"Ginny is pregnant," Harry murmured.
Hermione stopped mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open. She blinked a few times and took in a breath, shaking her head. "Wait...what?"
"I said," Harry inhaled deeply. "Ginny is pregnant. We haven't told anyone, so don't go running to her just yet, okay? But, I can't risk my job right now," Harry shoved his hand through his hair, making his already messy locks stand further on end. "I can't risk my life anymore. I have more important things to think about than whatever the fuck Remus is trying to accomplish. I can't keep covering for him anymore, and you shouldn't either."
Harry frowned and looked down at his hands. His voice was full of hurt as he whispered, "He walked away from us, Hermione."
"Harry I—that isn't fair. He didn't—"
"No, he did." Harry brought his eyes up to meet hers, all traces of sadness gone from his face. "He had every opportunity to stay in touch. To let anyone help him move on. I would have paid for him to see a Mind Healer, if he needed it! He had people who cared. He had friends. Kingsley offered him a position in the Department of Magical Creatures, did you know that?"
Hermione shook her head and Harry continued.
"After the war, once everything settled down… and Remus turned it away. He's returned every fucking letter I've sent him. I've tried over and over to reach out, and…" Harry was visibly getting worked up. He tossed his glasses on the desk and scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his palms, digging them into the sockets for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"I'm about to be a dad, Hermione. And I can't keep risking my neck for someone who clearly doesn't give a fuck about me or my family."
"That isn't true," Hermione insisted. Harry's hands fell into his lap and he raised a skeptical brow at her. "He cares, Harry. I know he cares. He just doesn't know what to do with all the grief and anger and—and betrayal he's had to deal with. Please. Remus doesn't deserve to rot in Azkaban. He just wants the people who got away to pay for what they did. And, they should."
Harry stared at her for a long time, like she was a particularly complex problem he was trying to work out. Years of friendship with him had taught her this look could be dangerous. To Harry, or to the people around him, or both. He was trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing something he didn't particularly want to do. Judging by the deep crease between his brows and the pained expression on his face, she assumed she wasn't going to like what he had come up with.
"I need to know who the last person is, Hermione," Harry said, evenly.
"I can't—Harry, you don't understand. This is it for him! The last one and he's done. I know you've risked everything, I know you have. But please, I'm asking you to just—"
"I already know where he's taking them, when, and what time." He said, his voice flat. Face devoid of emotion. "Who else is going to be there when I show up?"
Hermione stood, shaking her head. "I'll tell him you're coming," she threatened.
"Is he really more important?" Harry asked, sounding incredulous. "He's been nothing to you for years and suddenly he's…" Harry trailed off, sitting back in his chair as if he'd just been smacked in the face.
"You're in love with him."
"No, I'm not," Hermione denied, the words sounding weak even to her own ears. "I just don't fancy the idea of chucking someone in Azkaban who doesn't deserve it!"
Harry stood, rounding his desk slowly, "Yes, you are. You've got feelings for him and you're trying to protect him for...what? In hopes that he'll stop murdering people because of you?" Harry shook his head like he couldn't even believe what he was saying. "You're more intelligent than that, Hermione. Of all people in the world to—"
"I'm not in love with him, Harry," Hermione argued. "It's just...it's just physical. But, that doesn't matter. That's not the point!"
"No, it does matter. You're willing to put your life on the line for him. That's not just physical attraction, Hermione. You've never been that reckless for anyone you didn't love," He trailed off for a beat, holding eye contact with her before quietly adding, "I should know."
"Harry, please. Just, listen to me! This is it—do you understand? This is the last one! This is the cause of so much pain for so many people."
"I'm such an idiot," Harry laughed, mirthlessly. "The last one. It's Greyback, isn't it?" He raised his brows into his hairline, waiting for Hermione to confirm. She avoided his gaze, shifting uncomfortably where she was seated.
"He was on that list you had—on this list!" Harry turned to rummage through a pile, yanking a piece of parchment from the disarray of his desk and waving it at her. "And then…Merlin, you were asking questions and looking into the archives…I didn't even…how the fuck did I miss that?"
"How do you have my notes?" Hermione hissed, "I showed those to you in confidence!"
"You aren't the only one who knows how to break into someone's personal space," Harry muttered. "I'm sorry. I really am, but I can't save you both. I can't clear you both."
"I'm not asking for—"
"I know you aren't," Harry assured, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you sit next to him in Azkaban."
He flicked his wand toward the door and it sprang open, he shouted out, calling for a few other Auror's to enter.
"What are you doing?" Hermione shrieked.
"It's for two days, 'Mione. That's it. And then, you can do whatever you need to do—hex me, if it'll make you feel better. But, I can't let this come in the way of my livelihood anymore." Harry's face screwed up in pain, as he tugged a hand roughly through his hair again before shaking his wand out of the holster on his forearm and into his palm. "I'm sorry."
Hermione's eyes widened and as she went for her wand, Harry pointed his at her.
"Incarcerous," He said, his voice breaking on the word.
"No! Harry!" Hermione shouted, struggling against the thin cords that wrapped around her body, pinning her arms to her sides. "You don't understand! They'll kill him! You've just signed his death certificate!"
"I swear to you, I won't let them kill him," Harry said, quietly. He took her face between his palms, forcing her to look at him. "Hermione, I promise I will make sure he gets a fair trial. But, I can't let you interfere anymore. I have to do my job."
Two Auror's stepped into the office. Hermione recognized the auburn haired one with the lanky frame and the dark eyes as Davis. He grasped her shoulders and she twisted and turned, trying to get his hands to release her.
"He's doing your job for you!" Hermione shouted furiously at Harry, "You were pleased to let him do that until it became a headache for you! Pleased to look the other way until now because you're sitting in the Ministry's pocket!"
"No," Harry sighed. "I'm not. I'm doing what I need to do to protect my best friend from doing something incredibly fucking stupid. And to protect my job so that my child can have a good life with a father who is there for them. I'm sorry it has to be like this right now, but one day, you'll forgive me."
Harry led the way out of the office toward the far end of the hall, ushering the Auror's to lead Hermione through a door that opened up into the holding cells, so that she wouldn't be dragged through the Ministry shouting venomous obscenities at Harry.
Harry pulled her wand from her robes and handed it to a severe looking guard, ignoring every insult she spat his way.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I really am," Harry apologized again while he guided her by the shoulders into an empty cell, closing the door.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed. His name scraping against her throat, only to be drowned out by a silencing charm as the lock clicked into place.
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a/n: Oof. One chapter left, my loves. Shit's heating up. Lemme know what you think.
xo