The auditorium was packed. The event was standing room only, with cocktail tables ringing the room and dotted throughout the remaining space with an area that could conceivably be converted for dancing later in the night. Witches and wizards dressed in their best formal robes were slowly mingling and the hum of idle chatter was low enough that the music could still be clearly heard.
Suddenly, the room darkened and a spotlight was focused on a podium situated center stage. There were no additional chairs or other signs that many people would be involved in whatever announcement was to be made and people hoped that it would be short.
Kingsley Shaklebolt, Minister of Magic, made his way to the podium. He looked out over the crowd for a moment before he began speaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began. "Thank you for your attendance here tonight. I know details over the celebration have been limited and I apologize for that. However, I wanted to be able to share the reason with you myself before rumors and speculation ran amuk."
He paused and silence reigned for a heartbeat.
"Six years ago, our Ministry was approached by a delegation from the Magical Congress of the United States of America requesting our assistance with an undercover operation. Both the magical and muggle governments in America had been struggling with a large, mostly muggle, crime syndicate for decades and had come to the realization that additional allies were needed.
"President Henessy and I agreed upon two aurors to be trained to infiltrate this organization, and tear it down from within. After five years undercover, I am pleased to report that the operation has been a success, our aurors have returned to Great Britain and the syndicate has been eradicated."
This time, when the Minister paused the room erupted in thunderous applause. In the shadows behind the spotlight, two figures emerged. Minister Shaklebolt motioned for quiet.
"While President Henessy is unable to be here herself, she has asked that I present both of our aurors with medals of valor and her assurance that you will be welcomed among America's aurors whenever you return. I have a short statement from her for each of them." He gestured to his left, and the figure stepped out of the shadows.
Harry was wearing a navy blue suit and tie over a crisp white button down. His hair was slicked back, and he had his hands hooked casually in his trouser pockets. He appeared to all the world as being relaxed, but his eyes kept darting around the room, taking in as much as he could.
"Mr. Harry Potter, your ingenuity, ability to think on your feet, and loyalty to your partner has been a credit to your mission here, as I am sure it is to your ministry as well. The governments of America deeply appreciate everything you have achieved and we honor you as a hero."
Harry inclined his head at the end of the speech and a silver medallion hung on a blue cord materialized around his neck. Applause broke out once more as he stepped back into the shadow. Once they were quiet, a woman stepped forward on the Minister's other side.
Pansy had curled her hair and worn the ringlets in a high bun. The color of her gown matched Harry's suit. The ruffled skirt barely reached her knees in the front, but flowed onto the ground behind her. The lace bodice curled around her neck in a halter, and disappeared in the back. Her black stilettos had thin straps that criss crossed all the way up her calves.
"Mrs. Pansy James," Minister Shaklebolt began. The audience tittered at her name. Those who had known Pansy Parkinson had been the auror sent alongside Potter wondered at the change as well as the fact that both of them had worn muggle attire. "Your dedication, forethought, and refusal to hesitate under pressure perfectly balances your partner. The governments of America recognize the pivotal part you played in the mission's success and we honor you as a hero."
Pansy curtsied shallowly and a medallion appeared around her neck before she too, stepped back into the shadows. The applause wasn't as intense as for her partner, but it was close. The Minister allowed them to carry on for several minutes before he called for quiet once more.
"Mr. Potter and Mrs. James prefer to not make speeches themselves, but they will be mingling among the crowd for the remainder of the evening. They are receptive to questions about their time abroad, but please respect that there will be information they are unable to divulge." Kingsley paused a brief moment. "And now, please! Enjoy the celebration!"
The spotlight went out and the guests turned to those nearest them to discuss what had just happened.
XXX
Harry looked out over the crowd from the shadows as Kingsley finished his speech, distaste building in the back of his throat. He hated crowds, hated how England handled his fame, hated the lack of order, and he hated that he wouldn't be able to keep his back to a wall. Five years in the Mafia, where murder and fights were a part of daily life, had left Harry with a need to always know exactly who was where around him at all times.
He clenched his jaw. It was going to be a very long night.
The spotlight dimmed and Kingsley ushered them off backstage.
Divide and conquer? Harry calmed at the reassuring presence of his partner in the back of his mind. She would watch his back as she always did, and he would watch hers. And perhaps, the more people they talked to separately, the sooner they could leave. Wishful thinking probably.
Of course, he responded. They split off in opposite directions, not needing to verbalize who was going where. They had six years of not only working together, but an almost constant mental link allowed them to function seamlessly as a team. He took a deep breath as he entered the crowd. Just a few hours of this and then they could leave.
XXX
An hour and a half later, Harry's patience was waning. He had answered the same dozen questions probably a hundred times over. People were constantly wanting to shake his hand, or grab his shoulder. And, while he could tell that some people were starting to drift out of the hall, the crowd around him only seemed to press closer. Pansy had moved out of his line of sight, but he was in the middle of a conversation and couldn't turn around just yet. While she had reassured him she was fine several times already, he felt the need to see her just to make sure.
Care to dance? Her question made him grin mentally. That would shake things up, and earn them some breathing room. At least for a little while.
Always, my dear.
On your left then. The music that had been playing cut out at the end of the song, and a few people murmured at the silence.
3… 2… 1… Crack! Harry snapped his left hand up and caught the small throwing knife as it whizzed by his head.
Every head was turned in his direction and the people he had been conversing with were staring at him slack jawed. He grinned at them lasciviously.
"Excuse me gentlemen, I need to go find my wife." He spun on his heel and dropped the hand with the throwing knife to his side, flicking the blade into facing the opposite direction. Pansy stood facing him 20 paces away, her left hand perched on her hip and the right loosely at her side. She was being given a wide berth by everyone around her.
Harry strode towards her. Anyone who thought they might be in his way backed up as he passed them. He could feel the tension in the room growing and he smirked at Pansy. He paused only when he was directly in front of her and could feel her easy breath on his cheek.
The music started abruptly again and he caught her in a dip with his right hand. The crowd gasped. He used the knife in his left to cut the tie holding her hair up and transfigured it into a hair comb, which he then placed in her hair. He slowly pulled her up as the music picked up tempo. Soon he was spinning her around the room in time to the music. They had danced to this song so often that the point of their twirls and dips were perfectly timed to sudden beats in the music.
For the most part, people were content to continue staring at them, but they had traded their shocked expressions for awe. A few couples had decided to follow their lead and take to the dance floor. Harry thought he spied the Malfoy's, but wasn't willing to take his eyes off his partner.
He dipped her again as the song ended. They stayed like that for several moments, both grinning. The spectators began applauding as they stood. He gently brushed his fingers along his wife's jaw before kissing her deeply. The cheering only got louder.
Maybe it won't be so bad to be back, he thought.
XXXX
AN: I know the title doesn't make sense yet and this story is marked as complete. BUT I have plans for it to be longer and the title will be clearer then. However, I have other projects that are trying to make themselves known, and this seemed like a good place to end it for the moment. Once I finish the second part, I will get it uploaded so you all can enjoy it.