Cloverleaves and Controls

Harry spent the rest of the week adapting to the daily life of an employee of the ministry. He woke up early, always overtired because he often woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare, wolfed down greedily whatever Kreacher presented him for breakfast and apparated to the ministry. Until noon he sat which the other three and tried to find out where Avery might hide, visited the last known residences of his late relatives, followed even the most absurd tips from the population of wizarding Britain (''He went over that pavement not half an hour ago, sir!'') and then had lunch with them in the Leaky Cauldron. From time to time, he met familiar faces there, among them Seamus, Dean, and Neville, who came around with his grandmother to visit Hannah. Then he spent the afternoons in courtroom ten to take part in the trials and saw how various Death Eaters, including Crabbe and Goyle's fathers were sent to Azkaban.

Goyle himself was due on thursday and he was the first of the accused for whom Harry testified. He told the judges how Goyle had helped Malfoy in the attempt to capture him during the battle, but did not mention what he had been doing in the Room of Requirement.

''So Mr. Goyle chose the side of the Death Eaters?'', Kingsley asked.

Harry shrugged. ''I wouldn't put it that way, minister.''

A murmur went through the half-empty room. Most of the onlookers were friends of Goyle, including Zabini, Nott, and Pansy Parkinson. Malfoy wasn't there, of course, as he was waiting for his own trial in Azkaban.

''Goyle always only followed Malfoy'', Harry said. ''From our first day at Hogwarts on he always did what Malfoy did. He never really chose a side but only ever did what everyone else did.''

He cleared his throat. ''When we met them in the Room of Requirement, Crabbe used the killing curse, but Goyle didn't do anything. He was completely unable to cope with what was happening.''

Miss Tudgeberry went through her files. ''Mr. Longbottom claimed that Mr. Goyle used the Cruciatus curse in the Carrow trial.''

Goyle sat there in silence chained to his chair, his little eyes followed the discussion without revealing what he thougt.

''I do not deny that, Madam Tudgeberry'', Harry said slowly. ''But he did what his teachers told him to do. If you ask me, that's what he always did, without questioning it.''

Tudgeberry leaned forwards. ''Without questioning it?''

Harry shrugged. ''He was never the brightest candle on the cake.''

Tudgeberry eyed Harry sceptically, but Goyle supported his testimony by saying quite late: ''Oi, Potter, I heard that!''

- ''Thank you, Mr. Potter. Mr. Goyle, do you wish to ask the witness a question?''

Goyle nodded slowly. ''Why are you trying to help me, Potter?''

Harry groaned. ''Because your only crime is that you're stupid beyond measure, Goyle. You've always only followed Malfoy and your father, and I don't think people should go to Azkaban for that.''

In the end, Goyle was cleared of all charges.

There was no trial on Friday afternoon, and instead Harry, Ron, Williamson, and Savage had to endure a furious lecture of Proudfoot. At its end, he spread a lot of spit over them while thundering ''I-WANT-TO-SEE-RESULTS!'' before leaving their cabin.

''Well, well'', Savage said pointedly casually and cleaned his face with a tissue. ''Did we maybe miss something?''

Williamson was beating the devil's tattoo on his desk. ''We searched every single flat that anything to do with him. We followed every unusual flicker of magic in the most remote woods and only found two young couples and an old natural scientist in embarassing situations. We searched throug these files back and forth, and all we found is: nothing!''

Harry scratched his scar and Ron shot a panicked look at him. ''Only a nasty habit'', he said hastily. ''Ehr, Avery is pure-blood, right? He's supposed to have no idea how to survive without magic? He's been on the run for two weeks now, he must have used magic. If the magic in remote places is not his, then he must be somewhere where magic does not raise attention. In a wizarding home- or Diagon Alley.''

- ''Knockturn Alley, more likely'', Savage said. ''But we can hardly turn that whole place upside down without raising attention. I'd rather say he left the country.''

Williamson shrugged. ''Firstly I'd say we'll search his flat again tomorrow. Stone old auror strategy, boys: if you don't have a clue, go back to the start.''

As nobody came up with a better idea, they agreed on searching Avery's flat again the next morning and left. As usual, Ron asked whether Harry wanted to come over to dinner once they had left the ministry.

Harry shook his head. ''Not today, Ron. I'm exhausted.''

Ron furrowed his brows, ''That's what you say every day, mate. Come on, Hermione will be there, too. We should talk to her about Selwyn.''

- ''Another time, mate.''

He was about to apparate, but Ron grabbed his elbow. ''Harry, if you're not coming with me, I'll hex you. It's about time you bloody talked to Ginny!''

Harry stared at the ground. ''Do you suddenly want to set us up, or what?''

- ''I don't care whether you - you know- just tell her what's going on.''

- ''I can't- I can't right now, Ron. There is so much work we have to-''

Ron's ears turned red, which was always an alarming sign.

''Yes, we have a lot of work to do. And guess what, I'm glad we have. Because it's so much that it keeps me away from thinking about all the bad stuff. But Ginny doesn't have any distractions. So you really should talk to her.''

Harry eyed him suspiciously. ''Did Hermione make you learn that by heart?''

Ron had the decency to look slightly embarassed. ''Ehr, maybe. So, what now? Are you coming voluntarily or do I have to hex you?''

When they arrived, Mrs. Weasley had already prepared dinner. She, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny sat around the table. There was a moment of silence as Harry and Ron entered the kitchen, then Mrs. Weasley jumped from her chair to give him a hug.

''Harry, dear! How nice of you to come!''

- ''Thank you, Mrs. Weasley.''

Ron sat down next to Hermione and kissed her so that Harry had no other choice but to sit down next to Ginny. He avoided looking at her.

''Where's George?'', Ron asked. ''Is he eating alone again?''

Mrs. Weasley nodded silently and the pain in Harry's stomach multiplied.

''How was work today?'', Hermione asked in an obvious attempt to break the tension.

''Fantastic'', Ron said and put litres of sauce over his chips. ''Proudfood decided to act as a human howler and tore us to pieces so loud that people must've heard him in Bristol.'' He looked at his father. ''How could Kingsley make him head of office? That man's a ticking time bomb!''

Harry half-heartedly picked at his chips while Ginny next to him didn't show more appetite than him. He could feel Hermione's piercing look.

''He's the highest-ranked auror we have left'', Mr. Weasley said calmly. Apart from Yaxley, and we couldn't make him head, for obvious reasons.''

- ''He's competely nuts'', Ron said.

''No, he isn't. He just needs to get used to his new responsibility.'' Mr. Weasley took more salad. ''He never got over the fact that Death Eaters intruded Hogwarts while he was head of the aurors in Hogsmeade, and his wife and children were murdered last year. So please show some compassion if he is a bit thin-sinned at the moment.''

- 'I didn't know'', Ron said lamely. ''Savage and Williamson didn't tell us.''

- ''Maybe they don't know themselves. Proudfoot never talks about it. But let's talk about something more pleasant.''

He looked at Harry who shrugged in confusion. ''Ehr, like?''

Mr. Weasley looked at him astounded. ''Didn't Kingsley talk to you today?''

- ''Oh, that.'' He looked at his fork thoughtfully. ''We're to get the Order of Merlin.''

- ''First Class'', Mr. Weasley added.

''But that's great news'', Mrs. Weasley said. ''You've earned it!''

- ''Not you, mum'', Ron said. ''Us.''

- ''Everybody who fought will get it'', Harry said quietly.

That was when Ginny's fork fell down on her plate clacking as she resolutely pushed back her chair and marched off to the garden. Harry swallowed and looked down at his plate.

''Ouch!''

Someone had kicked his shin very hard and Hermione's furious glance told him exactly who the culprit was.

''Harry Potter, go talk to her right now, or you'll get to know me.''

Harry sighed and stood up.

He found her in the garden where she sat on the lawn with her back against the old oak watching the sunset which made her red hair shine like rubies. As he stepped next to her, she stretched out a hand and gave him something: a four-leaf clover.

''Nice'', he said weakly and after hesitating for a moment, he sat down next to her.

''Have I hurt you in some way?'', she asked.

- ''No'', he said quietly. ''No, of course not.''

- ''Then why are you avoiding me as if I had the bloody dragon pox?''

- ''I'm not, I've just- you know, a lot on my plate and stuff-''

- ''Stop it'', she snapped. ''Just tell me the truth. Or go. Now.''

He rubbed the clover between his fingers.

''Ginny, I...I can't sleep. Every night, as soon as I close my eyes, I can see them, how they are lying there. Fred. Lupin and Tonks. Colin...'''

- ''I've seen them too, Harry Potter, just in case you've forgotten that. They were my friends just as much as yours.''

- ''But it's not your fault that they're dead.''

Ginny jumped to her feet infuriated. ''Will you final stop having your damn heroic complex!''

He looked at her in confusion. ''My what?''

- ''Always when something happens to people, you make yourself responsible for it! It's making me sick!''

- ''I am responsible'', he said quietly, but Ginny waved that aside angrily.

''Who's responsible Tonks is dead? Bellatrix! Who killed Lupin? Dolohov! And F-Fred? Did you kill Fred, Harry? Did you cast the curse that brought this wall down? No!''

- ''If I'd been faster-''

She slapped him in the face hardly. ''Will you just stop with your I, I, I, Harry! Do you really still think this was just about you and him?! Do you believe they died for you? We've all fought him! And we all knew the risk- Chosen One or not, this was never only about you and him!''

She kneeled down in front of him. ''I was there, too, Harry! I've seen friends die that were at my side throughout the whole year when we tried to make the Carrows's lives hell! I held this girl's hand as she was dying and crying for her mother!''

- ''I know'', Harry said quietly.

''I hardly believe that'', she hissed. ''The way you act-''

- ''I know it because I was standing behind you when this girl died'', he said. ''Vicky Frobisher, Gryffindor, sixth year.''

Ginny stared at him.

''I was under the invisibility cloak. I was happy to see you, but I couldn't talk to you.''

- ''Why were you there?''

- ''I was walking to the forest'', Harry said. ''To Voldemort.''

- ''So you really turned yourself over'', she whispered and huddled up next to him again. ''Why did you do that?''

Harry stared at the clover leaf. ''I can't tell you details, Ginny, but...a part of him lived inside me. That's why I have this scar. And that's why I could talk to snakes and see what he was doing.''

Ginny stared at him disbelievingly. ''A part of him...in you?'''

- ''Not any more''', he said. ''He killed it. In the forest.''

- ''That means you've let him kill you? Harry!''

Meanwhile, the sun had set.

''It was the only way'', Harry said quietly. ''And here I am, and he's dead.''

- ''Did you know that when you went to the forest?'', Ginny asked stagnantly, ''or did you think you would- that you would...''

- ''I thought I was about to die'', he said.

''Oh, Harry!'', she put her hand in front of her mouth and started to cry.

''It wasn't as bad as I thought'', he said softly.

''And...what happened? Did you see- you know, your life running past you?''

Harry swallowed. ''That's not what I saw.''

- ''What did you see?''

He overpowered his fears and looked at her. ''I saw you, Ginny. Just you.''

- ''Oh, you stupid idiot'', she said quietly. ''Please tell me that you didn't just make that up so I'm not angry anymore.''

- ''I would make all kinds of stuff up so that you're not angry anymore, Ginny. But that's the truth.''

Ginny leaned over to him and kissed him, kissed him just like she had kissed him back then after the quidditch game, and somehow the big knot in his heart just vanished and he pulled her against his chest.

''So, how's it been yesterday evening?'', Ron asked while they were wating for Williamson and Savage in front of Avery's flat the next morning.

''Nice'', Harry said and tried to keep a bright smile out of his face.

''Nice?''

- ''Nice.''

- ''And what's that supposedn to mean? Are you back- you know, together?''

Harry straightened his tie. ''Is who back together?''

- ''That's not funny!''

Harry couldn't hold it anymore, he had to grin. Ron grumbled something.

''What?''

- ''It's good to see you smile again, mate.''

- ''Yes'', Harry simply said.

''But remember, she's still my sister. If you hurt her, I'll kill you.''

- ''What was that?''

Williamson was there. ''You shouldn't threaten your partner, Weasley. That's bad for the atmosphere at the work place, you know.''

- ''Where's Savage?'', Harrys asked.

''Off to get breakfast. Come on, let's get in there.''

Avery's flat was located on the fourth floor of a terrace house in Chelsea, right in the middle of the muggle world, therefore they had been forced to make some of the way on foot to not raise attention. Savage and Williamson had already searched it at the beginning of their inverstigation.

''Make yourselves at home'', Williamson said after they had closed the door behind them.

''Where should we start?''

- ''That's up to you. Imagine it as a test.''

- ''I suck at tests'', Ron grumbled.

''You've passed the apparition test, Weasley, haven't you?''

- ''In the second try.''

- ''That's good to know.''

- ''Just start in the office, I'll take the bedroom'', Harry said. ''How was Avery able to escape, anyway?''

- ''Seems to have run for it directly before the end of the battle'', Williamson said. ''He didn't come back here, though- he's not that stupid.''

Averys bedroom looked just like the rest of the flat: panelled walls, a few pictures, everything neat and tidy. On the bedside table was a book which Harry identified as Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore at the first glance. He browsed through it contemptfully, but didn't notice anything special about it, so he tipped it with his wand.

''Specialis Revelio!''

Nothing happened, it was just a book. In the bedside table, he found an old watch, quills, ink, and parchment. He scanned the cupboard, went trough the pockets of each trouser, jacket, and coat, yet all he found were some dirty tissues.

''You've left them here on purpose'', he grumbled in Williamson's direction, who nodded contentiously. In that moment Savage entered the flat, carrying coffee and open-faced sandwiches.

''Breakfast break, boys. One of the amazing advantages of field trips.''

He put them on the kitchen table. ''Did I miss any important breakthrough? Let me guess- no?''

Williamson took a sandwich and ate it greedily while Harry went over to Ron.

''Nothing?''

Ron was sitting behind the desk and searched through the drawers.

''Nothing at all, mate, only these- whoops.''

He had hit his arm against the paperweight- a silvery snake, of course- which fell down.

''Not that it would be a pity if that thing broke, but- huzzah!''

Ron had grabbed the middle shelf of the desk as he bent down to get the paperweight and suddenly they heard a loud crack and one of the book shelves at the wall moved and opened like a door. Williamson and Savage burst into the room with their wands raised. Savage had a half-eaten sandwich in his other hand.

''What the...?''

- ''Look at this, Savage. Our trainees let us look really old.''

- ''Damn, we need to formulate that a bit different in the report. Proudfoot would give us hell.''

- ''Where did you get those sandwiches?'', Ron asked.

''In the kitchen'', Williamson said and looked into the little room that had been hidden behind the self. ''But let's take a closer look at this first.''

He murmured some incantations. ''Hm, it looks allright. Nevertheless, you can never be sure, can't you, Savage?''

- ''I hate you, partner.''

Savage threw his half-eaten sandwich into the room. Nothing happened.

''Blimey, partner.''

They entered the room which contained only a little table with a chair next to a book shelf and a filing cabinet.

''What's all this?'', Ron asked.

''Books from the Department of Mysteries'', Savage said and pointed on a seal at the first page of a red book. ''I'd really like to know what he was reading about.''

- ''We're not able to read this stuff anyway'', Williamson said.

''Why not?'', Harry asked.

Williamson pulled a book from the shelf and opened it. He was right, Harry couldn't read it. The letters seemed to blur in front of his eyes.

''Only the Unspeakables can read books from the Department of Mysteries. We'll take all of this and take it with us. Maybe they'll tell us what Avery was working at.''

Savage was searching through the top drawer of the filing cabinet.

''These are his notes'', he said. ''A lot on the hall of the prophecy.''

- ''Then they're old'', Harry said disappointedly. ''Avery tried to get something for Voldemort from that place- but that was three years ago.''

Savage looked at him sharply. ''When You-know-Who and Dumbledore duelled in the ministry?''

- ''Yes. His work wasn't successfull, though. When Rookwood got out of Azkaban, that became obvious.''

- ''Rookwood was head of department last year'', Savage said thoughtfully. ''We should ask him a couple of questions about his pal Avery. When is his trial again?''

- ''We are missing quite a lot at the moment, partner'', Williamson said grimly.

''Rookwood is in on tuesday'', Ron said quietly. Harry knew that he was thinking about Fred, because Rookwood had make this wall explode.

They searched the entire flat for more hidden rooms but found nothing, so they took everything from the secret room and brought it to the ministry. Directly before closing time an Unspeakable entered their cabin and took all of it.

''What's written in all of these?'', Williamson asked.

''I'm sorry, but that's confidential'', the little, bald-headed man answered.

''Come on, Croaker, it might be important for our investigations'', Savage said irritatedly.

''I don't think so, but if I should find anything relevant, I'll inform you straightaway, Savage.''

- ''How will you know if it's relevant-hey! I'm still talking to you- incredible, that man!''

- ''What now?'', Harry asked.

''Now, Potter, I'll complain about this highly uncooperative behaviour'', Savage said grimly and stormed off to Proudfoot. They could hear his answer in their cabin, as Proudfoot gave it in his usual volume and his office door seemed to be open.

''WHY DIDN'T YOU COME TO ME IMMEDIATELY WITH THIS?!''

Williamson sipped at his herbal tea. ''Ah, that's how overtime hours at Saturdays are truly nice...''

Savage came back shorty afterwars and fell into his chair.

''How did he take it?'', Williamson asked innocently.

''Apocalyptic'', his partner grumbled. ''The worst thing about this is that he's completely right. We should've shown him that stuff the moment we came back into the office, before telling anyone downstairs.''

He rubbed his eyes tiredly. ''He says he'll talk to Shacklebolt- the minister and Weasley. We'll see what happens. Anyway, I have been humiliated enough for this week.''

Williamson nodded. ''Indeed. Come on boys, let's finish these reports and get out of here.''

After they had written their reports in which Ron's ingenuity in finding the hidden room played a major part, they left the ministry together and wished each other a happy weekend.

''How did you like your first week?'', Williamson asked after Savage had disapparated.

''It was more boring than I expected'', Harry said what made the older auror chuckle.

''Yes, it's always more glamorous in the brochures. The truth is quite different. But have patience'', he added, ''we'll get them.''

With that, he disapparated too.

''Are you coming over?'', Ron asked.

''This evening'', Harry said. ''First I need to take a nap. It's been late yesterday.''

- ''Okay. Hm?- What do you mean, it's been late? Harry!''

Harry laughed and disapparated to Grimmauld Place.

At half past six sharp he strolled to the Weasleys' back door and found Ron and Hermione closely entangled on the garden bench.

''Can't you control yourselves for at least one minute?'', he asked loudly in playful indignation which made them part hastily. Hermione exhaled in relief. ''Oh, it's only you...''

- ''What's that supposed to mean? Who did you expect? Rita Skeeter?''

- ''Ron's mum'', she said and looked around nervously.

''Isn't she supposed to know about you?'', Harry asked grinning.

''Of course she knows, but she has certain expectations'', Hermione said hastily.

Ron rolled his eyes. ''Hermione reckons Mum is seeing her like Fleur when Bill dragged her along.''

- ''That's not true'', Hermione hissed and hit his arm. ''I just don't want her to get a bad impression of me. Speaking of which, we should hold our fire in front of my parents later, too.''

- ''Later?'', Harry asked. ''Are they coming over for dinner? Mr. Weasley must be delighted.''

- ''That's the last thing I needed'', Hermione moaned and looked at Ron confusedly. ''Haven't you told him?''

- ''We've been more busy with Harry's love life today'', Ron grumbled.

''We'll eat with my parents'', Hermione explained. ''It's hight time they met Ron.''

- ''We've been involved with each other for two weeks'', Ron said with a suffering expression on his face.

''We've known each other for eight years'', Hermione said with flashing eyes.

Harry laughed. ''Leave him be, Hermione. He's just scared. And if you care so much about Mrs. Weasley's moral standards, then why aren't you with the others in the living room- modestly, as you should?''

- ''Because Ron said we needed to talk'', she said darkly.

Harry felt how the grin was wiped from his face.

''Indeed.'' He sat down on her other side. ''It turns out that Selwyn is Voldemort's heir.''

Hermione stared at him confusedly. ''Meaning what? He's his son, or what?''

- ''Yeah, like Voldemort would father a child'', Harry said. ''That would only be a dangerous rival for him, wouldn't it? No, Selwyn is distinct from Slytherin, too. From a younger line, I checked it in Kreacher's book.''

Hermione nodded surprisedly, but now Ron looked confusedly.

''Line?''

- ''Family line, Ron'', Hermione said irritatedly. ''Seriously, you're the pure-blood here!''

- ''I'm a blood traitor, we don't care about our family trees. remeber?''

- ''Yeah...well. But what does that mean, Harry? Do you think the other Death Eaters will see Selwyn as their leader now?''

- ''Yaxley does believe that'', Harry said slowly. ''And you know how important family trees are for these lunatics. I really don't need another Dark Lord.''

- ''No'', Hermione said, lost in thought. ''Neither do I. But what can he do, together with only three other Death Eaters? And he'd have to find them, anyway. What do you know about him? Is he dangerous? Or has he only got the title?''

- ''Every single one of them is dangerous, Hermione. Selwym may not be Voldemort, but I want it to end. Before he starts to be a serious problem.''

Hermione stroked back her hair. ''Well, then you just need to do your job and catch him, don't you?''

- ''It would be so much easier with you'', Ron said. ''Most of the time we're only reading files.''

She smiled. ''Well, it's about time you two read something.''

Mrs. Weasley called them from the kitchen.

''So, conference finished'', Harry said and they went inside.

When they entered the kitchen, Mr. Weasley and George were already sitting at the table while Mrs. Weasley put the pots on the table.

''Hey, George'', Harry said.

''Hey, Harry.''

George put potatoes on his plate. ''Can I ask the Golden Trio something?''

- ''Of course'', Hermione said.

''Can you help me in the shop next saturday? You know- look what happened to it, repair, that kind of stuff?''

- ''Sure'', Ron said.

''You haven't been there yet?'', Hermione asked tentatively and George shook his head.

''I couldn't...I didn't have time'', he said pointedly and picked at his potatoes.

''How was work, you two?'', Mrs. Weasley asked to save him from his distress.

''Ron made a breakthrough'', Harry said. ''Well, nearly. He found a secret room at Avery's, but the Unspeakables confiscated all the stuff we found because it was from their department. Even his notes.''

- ''Yes, Proudfoot came to see me because of that'', Arthur said, furrowing his brows. ''The whole thing is quite delicate because usually nobody is allowed to know what happens down there.''

- ''Better that way'', Ron said in disgust. ''Do you remeber those brains?''

- ''Ron'', Hermione moaned. ''I'm trying to eat here.''

- ''Does that mean we won't see our evidence again, Mr. Weasley?'', Harry asked.

''Croaker swears that it has nothing to do with the case, but Kingsley still might ask for insight. Anyway, Harry'', he said, pulling his eye brows up, ''you should really start calling me Arthur. Especially since you are dating my daughter now.''

Harry felt how his face went red as a tomato. Ron winked at him, grinning widely.

''No need to worry, Harry, dear'', Mrs. Weasley said. ''We think that it's wonderful.''

- ''Glad to hear that.''

Ginny had come down and grinned contentiously at everyone. ''Not that your opinion would change anything, but it's still nice, I mean.''

And she gave Harry an unnecessary pointed kiss before sitting down next to him. ''Looks great, Mum'', she said casually while Ron stared at her with his mouth open. Hermione laughed happily.

''Come on, Ron, we need to go.''

- ''Ehr, are you sure we shouldn't stay here a bit-?''

She crossed her arms. ''I'm leaving now. If you don't accompany me, you'll have to explain to my parents why you stood me up.''

He moaned and rose from the table. ''All right, all right...''

Even George's mouth winced as he followed her outside.

''There seem to be clear conditions with these two'', he said quietly.

''It could have been worse'', Arthur laughed contentiously.