Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 23 - Seats on the Wizengamot

Harry was dozing on a sofa in the Gryffindor common room (he was being allowed to stay in the tower). His head was lolled to the side with his glasses balanced precariously on the end of his nose.

After hearing the horrid ordeal the children had been put through McGonagall promised they would be given every protection and could stay in the castle until they were well enough to be sent home. They would try to get in touch with their families once they were awake, or before if one of the French Aurors could identify them.

Ron was still recovering in the Hospital Wing, Walking through Hogsmeade to the castle hadn't done him any favours despite Harry's best healing attempts. Harry had stayed with him and Hermione for a while before leaving to give the couple some privacy.

He went to the owlery next to send his letter to Robards, then made his way to his current resting place. He had been waiting for Ginny but got too comfortable and managed to nod off. He smiled in his sleep as someone threaded their fingers through his hair and he inhaled a flowery scent.

He mumbled something that made the red headed woman (who was cradling his head in her lap) smile. As she kept up her ministrations through his hair, her hand covered his and she rested her own head back with her eyes closed.

If anyone noticed that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were asleep together on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, they didn't say anything. There were a few knowing glances and every now and again someone turned the fire up to keep them warm.

The common room had long emptied and the fire was on its last embers when Harry began to wake up again. He groggily cracked an eye open to the sight of a mass of red hair framing the most beautiful face he'd ever seen, peacefully asleep.

Smiling he steadily got up so as not to disturb her only to shift position and bring Ginny down carefully to the side of him where he wrapped his arms around her. He clicked his fingers, making the fire roar back to life and he awkwardly threw a blanket over them.

He was just nodding back off when Ginny stirred. 'Harry? You awake.'

'Mm mm.'

'It doesn't sound like it' She chuckled as she rolled to face him. He smiled warmly at her, 'I know what will wake you up.' She leaned in and kissed him, he chuckled against her mouth before returning the kiss.

They shifted again so Harry was underneath her when he started laughing again. 'What's funny?' Asked Ginny, she couldn't help the large grin on her face as she looked into his sparkling eyes.

'I was just thinking if someone walks down those stairs, they'll get quite the show.'

'Well we wouldn't want to disappoint.' She responded huskily leaning down again. Their hands started exploring each other as the kiss deepened. Ginny reluctantly pulled away causing Harry to pout adorably at her.

'We'd best not get too excited.' She said softly.

'If you're not comfortable here we could always go to the room of requirement.' He said jokingly. Ginny just hauled him straight to his feet and out through the portrait hole quicker than he could say Quidditch.

Harry awoke the next day fully content with the weight that was settled across his chest, he didn't realise Ginny was already awake until he heard a soft 'Morning' called to him.

'Morning.' He replied smiling, still not opening his eyes. 'I'm sorry I was asleep when you got back to the common room last night. Long day, then we didn't get much chance to talk when we woke back up.'

Ginny giggled 'No we didn't, that wasn't the time for talking anyway.' She snuggled tighter against him still not looking up as he started to play with her hair. 'I went and saw Ron. He said he was OK but didn't give me whole the story. What happened?'

Harry proceeded to explain the Dementor attack right up to the point they arrived in the castle.

'You're crazy you know that?' huffed Ginny once he was finished.

'I know, we couldn't just leave the kids there though.'

'No, but you could have got back up.'

'Nah we would have been found out earlier and we wouldn't have known where the kids were. Besides Ron's the crazy one, he thought that Roza was fit.'

'He would.' Scoffed Ginny, then she donned a mischievous smile he couldn't see 'What about you?'

'What do you mean?'

'Did you think she was fit?' She teased.

'Nah, there's only one woman I want biting my neck.'

'So, you haven't been turned then?'

'No, but if that's the kind of thing you're into I'm sure I can arrange it.'

'No thanks, I've never really had a vampire fetish.' She said airily. 'Werewolves, now that's another matter.'

He quirked an eyebrow 'Oh really.'

'Yeah, not only are they wild and rampant but with all that fir they would be really good to cuddle.'

Harry laughed 'I've missed you.'

'Not as much as I've missed you.' She said pulling herself up to him, resting her palm on his cheek. 'What's your plan for today?'

'Wait for Robards and the rest of the team to show up and hopefully start getting the kids back home.'

'Does that mean you're not staying tonight?' She said trying not to sound too disappointed.

'I'm sure it can be arranged. I think we'll be around for a couple of days.' He was rewarded with a radiant smile.

It was sometime later that Harry and Ginny, after skipping breakfast, made their way down to the hospital wing hand in hand. When they arrived Harry was surprised that Robards, Trott and O'Manda were already there along with Hermione.

'Where have you been?' Demanded Hermione as soon as she saw them.

'Morning to you too Hermione.' Said Ginny grinning 'We were taking a walk.'

'Hermione said you weren't in your dorm this morning or last night and Dean and Seamus haven't seen Harry since last night either.' Accused Ron.

'Is that so?' Asked Harry.

'Yeah, so where did you go on this walk?' He asked.

'You sure you want to know mate?' Asked Harry. This will get him going. 'Although I suppose it's nothing you and Hermione don't get up to when you're alone.' Ron turned crimson, Hermione suddenly found the floor very interesting and Trott snorted.

'That was mean.' Ginny whispered in his ear barely containing her own laughter.

'I know worth it though.' He turned to his colleagues 'Gin, I'd like you to meet my colleagues. Gawain Robards, head of the Auror office, Leanne Trott and David O'Manda' he said gesturing to the Aurors in turn 'Those two are my partners.'

They exchanged greetings before talk quickly turned to the events at the coven. 'It's a shame you couldn't bring Priory in Harry.' Said Trott once he and Ron had recounted their tale.

'I know. I was hard pressed getting these out of there, trying never even occurred to me.'

'Don't worry Potter, If the fight hadn't broken out, you wouldn't have thought to capture them anyway.' Said Robards. 'You did well to get them all out of there.'

'Thanks sir.' Said Harry quietly. 'So, what's next? Where do we go from here?'

'Well after your conversation with Roza, they definitely know we are onto them now.' Said Trott thoughtfully 'Hopefully this will help to flush out their employer.'

'Either that or make him go to ground.' Countered O'Manda.

'True but at least if they go to ground, there will be less attacks and we'll have a chance at picking up the trail.' Said Trott, O'Manda didn't look convinced.

'Are we going back to France?' Asked Harry.

'Not until after Christmas and even then, we may send you further in Europe.' Said Robards. 'For now, I want written reports on what you have uncovered so far and then we'll work out a strategy going forward.'

'OK we'll begin those straight away.' Said Trott.

'Potter, Weasley you stay here with the kids until they are sent home. None of them have woken up yet and I want Aurors here for when the families arrive in case they have any questions.'

'Have you located the families then?' Asked Harry surprised. He thought it would be difficult without names.

'We've owled pictures of them over to France and hopefully they will be identifiable. When they're home I'll want to see some of your memories from the raid. Particularly of the two children you left behind. Their families should know what's happened as well.' Answered Robards

Harry nodded solemnly. 'It's OK Harry.' Said Trott 'You made the right call in an impossible situation. You couldn't take them with you. During the initial stages of turning vampires are particularly viscous, even against their own kind, that's probably why they were still sedated and chained.'

Harry just nodded again and looked away. Ginny squeezed his hand tightly whilst mouthing a 'Thank you' to Trott who smiled back at her knowingly.

Not wanting to get into that, Harry changed the subject 'Have you heard any more on the mole sir?'

Robards shifted uncomfortably 'No not yet. Since we've been keeping an eye on the network we haven't heard of anyone demanding a ransom or any kidnappings over here. That means we haven't had chance to see if anyone's been tipping them off on cases.'

Harry sighed deeply and walked over to the window surveying the grounds 'I was certain they would try something. It's obvious they know we are watching them, why not try something to throw us off? Somewhere else the network doesn't exist, it would relieve the pressure abroad if we were focused here again.'

He turned around to face the room. 'It's like they're playing games with us. Leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow.'

'Well it would make sense if they are trying to lure you somewhere.' Said Hermione. At Harry raised eyebrows she continued 'As much as you hate to admit it Harry, you're one of the most powerful wizards in Britain, probably Europe and the rest of the world too.

'You've already killed Voldemort, it makes sense these people would want to get rid of you. You're a threat.'

Harry rolled his eyes 'I don't know Hermione, they're trying to bite or kill as many people as possible. It's not like I'm being singled out here.'

'That's not actually true.' Said Trott quietly. 'Remember that first mission we went on. The one where we captured Greyback?' Harry nodded. 'I'm sure it was a killing curse you pulled us away from. No one else even saw a killing curse.'

'That doesn't prove anything, for a start that curse was at us before anyone could recognise me. It could have been just an overexcited ex death eater who was helping them. Someone so used to using the killing curse that stunning didn't occur to them.'

'That's true but still, we believe there were other death eaters there. Only you would have ended up dead.'

'Or you.' Harry reminded her 'That curse could have hit either of us.'

'Harry's got be right.' Said Ginny 'He wasn't even an Auror how could they know he was going to be there?'

'All the Aurors knew about test. If there is a mole they would have known.'

'Come off it Leanne.' Said Harry exasperated 'You're telling me they planned that whole raid for that day just because of some test. The test was only scheduled about a week before how could they have organised it that quickly?'

'You've seen the network.' Cut in Hermione 'They could have had it planned for months, it's no secret you wanted to be an Auror. They could have had the raid ready to go with orders to kill you on the spot.'

'Fine, how would they know where I would be?' Asked Harry.

'I'd already assigned the teams. I told the team you were going with Trott and O'Manda if you agreed to go.' Said Robards.

'And we all know you weren't going to stay away once you heard of the attack.' Said Hermione.

Harry took a deep breath before locking eyes with Ginny 'You'll figure it out, there can only be a finite number of people who are out to kill you.' Harry began chuckling and she stepped up to him. 'Either way you still need to find these people, you can't let them keep kidnapping and biting innocent kids.'

'I know,' he said feeling some of his agitation draining away as he rested his forehead on hers.

The weeks leading up to Christmas were long and slow. After writing up their reports and making sure the children got taken back to their families, Harry and the rest of the team were split back up to start looking into some cases in Britain.

Frustratingly there seemed to be no link to the society and although Harry was keeping his eye out, if there was a mole, they were keeping their cards close to their chest.

Harry was in his cubicle when a memo floated down onto his desk, he picked it up and read it quickly. Hmmm wonder what he wants. He left the Auror office, making his way up to the top level, above the Atrium. He walked up to the secretary on the desk who ushered him inside a large office.

The room was homely with comfortable chairs, deep blue carpet and cream walls. There was a fire raging in the fireplace with pictures of the office occupant's friends and family upon the mantle. Harry's eyes rested on two particular pictures which contained the members of the Order of the Phoenix. One for each of the wars.

Following Harry's gaze the man behind the large desk in the office spoke up 'We lost too many didn't we?'

'Yeah, he was a monster. It's just hitting me seeing the two photos together how many didn't make it through the first war never mind the second.'

'I'm just glad you got him before he could take anymore lives. The price was high but it would have been higher if he had beaten us. Or if it had taken us longer to defeat him. Everyone in those photo's knew the risk, they would have been proud that we won.'

'I know Kingsley, I just wish it had come down to the two of us and not a great battle. Especially at Hogwarts too many innocent lives were lost.'

'If we had our time again there would be many things I would change, we can't change the past though, only plan for the future.'

Harry sat down smiling at the man 'I know and you're doing a good job of moving us forward. it's about time we had a minister who did what was right rather than what he thinks will keep him in power.'

Kingsley chuckled 'It's not like there were many other candidates.'

'Don't sell yourself short Kingsley, I'm sure there were many who would like the power of being Minister. I'm glad you got chosen I think the only other person I would have trusted to handle all of this would have been McGonagall.'

Kingsley looked surprised 'I never thought of Minerva as a politician.'

'I never thought of you as one, you seem to be doing OK though. I'm glad to see you kept your earing in.'

Kingsley chuckled again. 'Wouldn't leave home without it.'

'How's the election campaign coming?' Asked Harry. He had heard of the man that was going up against Kingsley and he didn't like his policies. He was too close to the old pureblood ways even agreeing with some of Voldemort's rulings.

Roderick Cornerstone wasn't going as far as stopping Muggleborns from practicing magic but he did want them to be registered. He was claiming it was for their own protection in case Voldemort's followers went after them.

Harry thought he had a different agenda though, considering he wanted to limit the number of Muggleborns taken on by the Ministry. He wanted to keep the power with pureblood families and it was sickening the amount of support he had started to gather. Harry even received a letter from him, which quickly found its way into the fire.

As Kingsley was only temporary Minister the election was to vote in the permanent Minister of Magic. All candidates were voted for by the public initially with the first two then being decided on by the Wizengamot. Kingsley had won the public vote by a landslide, however, as always the Wizengamot was likely to have its own agenda. Unfortunately, Cornerstone was playing up to a lot of their ideals.

'Actually, that is something I could use your help with.' Said Kingsley.

'It is?' asked Harry confused, 'I already voted for you what else can I do? Is there another public vote I didn't know about?'

'No there is no more public voting, I was hoping you would be willing to take up your seats on the Wizengamot?'

What's he going on about? 'Sorry Kingsley,' said Harry scratching the back of his head 'what are you talking about?'

'Your seats Harry.' Said Kingsley in a frustrated tone 'The Potter and Black seats on the Wizengamot.' One look at Harry's face told the ex Auror everything. 'No one told you did they?'

'No, they didn't.' Harry said slowly 'You're telling me I have two seats on the Wizengamot?'

'Yes Harry, I can't believe no one told you about this. I mean Dumbledore knew.'

'Yeah well there was a lot Dumbledore didn't tell me.' Said Harry bitterly 'If there was one thing he was better at than magic it was keeping secrets.'

'Merlin's beard, I'm sorry Harry I didn't realise you didn't know, otherwise I would have spoken to you about this earlier.'

'It's not your fault Kingsley. So, tell me, how can I help?'

'Well you know how the Wizengamot will now vote for the Minister of Magic?' Harry nodded 'Well I was hoping you would sit in on the voting process and cast your vote.'

Harry didn't need to think about it 'Sure thing Kingsley, does my vote count twice seeing as I have two seats?'

'No, your vote will only count twice if there is a tie.'

'OK' Said Harry thoughtfully 'How easy is it to give one of the seats to someone of my choosing?'

'Fairly easy to change, it only needs my approval. The complications come when adding and removing seats which is why I think Voldemort didn't bother to remove you from the Wizengamot.'

'That and he thought I'd be dead long before I got chance to use them.'

Kingsley chuckled 'Yes and that. Anyway, why the question, are you thinking of giving one of them up?'

'It would be better if we had two people voting rather than just waiting on a tie for a small advantage don't you think?' Said Harry his eyes alive with mischief as he started to play the dangerous game of politics.

'I have to say I agree, who are you thinking?'

'Well I think it would be easy too surmise that only the oldest, richest and most influential families have seats correct?' Kingsley nodded. 'Then I believe there would be an opening for a certain family of redheads.'

Kingsley broke out into a wide grin. 'It's about time the best of us had their say.'

A couple of hours later Kingsley had explained the voting process and the rules for sitting in on a meeting as well as some of the other responsibilities (For example sitting in on trials, however, as an Auror Harry could only sit in on trials and vote when he hadn't been involved in the case).

Harry was walking through the Ministry and stopped outside the head office of the "Office of Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Defensive Objects" department. Arthur was still in charge and quite frankly was doing an amazing job.

Having their own powers to charge people with misconduct they often took on cases that the Auror office were too shorthanded to get involved in. Even going as far as helping on raids when they had tracked some of the spells and objects to known dealers of the Dark Arts, who had scurried away after the defeat of Voldemort.

Knocking on the door he heard a muffled 'Come in'.

'Hi Arthur' greeted Harry as he crossed the threshold. The office was lined with shelves of various Muggle objects in various states of being dismantled and restored. There were also photos of the Weasley family, and their closest friends hung on the walls.

'Hi Harry, what can I do for you?' He asked gesturing for Harry to sit down, providing him with a cup of tea.

Harry thanked him for the Tea and took a swig before answering. 'I've just had a meeting with Kingsley and found out some rather interesting news.' He paused to take another swig.

'Go on.' Encouraged the older man intrigued.

'It turns out I have two seats on the Wizengamot that I didn't know about.'

'What?' Asked the older man sternly 'Dumbledore never told you?'

'No he didn't, I can't change that now though. What I can change is what I do with them. I plan on supporting Kingsley through the election and taking a bit more of an active role on the Wizengamot where I can.'

'I think that's a great idea, the government needs a shakeup. There are too many sitting there clinging to old fashioned ideals of the Wizarding World.'

'I agree, to be honest that's why I'm here. Speaking to Kingsley, having two seats is pretty useless unless there is a tie in the vote.'

'Yes, I can see that, how can I help?'

'I was wondering if you would take up one of the seats.'

Arthur took a swig of Tea and looked Harry directly in the eye as he pondered his question. Harry sat patiently waiting for Arthur to voice his thoughts, after years of moments like this with Dumbledore, he knew the older wizard would tell him what he was thinking in his own time and not a moment sooner.

'Why me?' Arthur finally asked.

'For the reasons, you just mentioned. The Wizengamot needs to change and you can help with that. You're level-headed and make your own decisions and reach your own conclusions. I don't believe you would be swayed from your own beliefs with threats or bribery. You would only change your mind because of well-reasoned argument.'

Harry took a moment to think about what he was going to say next before continuing. 'Don't get me wrong here. I'm not doing this as a favour to you or because you are family. I'm doing it because I genuinely think you can make a difference for the right reasons. We need people like that not only now but going forward as well.'

'I can't claim to be the best at politics.' Said Arthur with a small smile.

Harry laughed 'Do you really think I am?'

Arthur chuckled along with him 'I suppose not.' He swirled his cup around and watched the tea flow for a minute before looking back up. 'OK I accept.'

The election was tighter than Harry would have liked but in the end Kingsley was a clear winner. The speech he made after winning was inspiring, and Harry was only even more convinced he was going to be a great Minister.

During his speech Kingsley outlined plans to remove stigma surrounding blood type, even promising to promote Werewolf rights. He explained how he wanted the magical world to encompass everyone so that anyone could feel accepted.

He also promised that he wouldn't deny any danger society maybe in or allow the law enforcement officers to act outside the law, like previous administrations. He promised to be open with the wizarding world by letting them know if there is a risk to life. Furthermore, it would be ensured that anyone accused of wrongdoing got a fair trial.

Only by being completely open did he see a way forward for the Wizarding World without the fear of someone like Voldemort reigning again.