Chapter 19: Actions Have Consequences

Umbridge had the minister here in moments. Saying anything that even remotely sounded like Dumbledore did something wrong and he was through her fireplace quicker than a flash. And he didn't come alone, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Rita Skeeter. He didn't want any opportunity for stories to be changed before they were publicised. He ordered Rita to sit with us and Head Auror Bones took notes of our statements towards the back. I made my statement about Ron's attack, enjoying him pale at the term, and looked to him to confirm his motive. He nodded.

"Now tell me that story," Rita grinned. "How did he approach you? What were you thinking? I want everything."

Ron gulped. It was during the summer. He'd accepted an offer to have dinner with the Weasleys, and pulled him aside to give him a special mission. Marvolo Slytherin was gaining influence, Dumbledore suspected the minister was supporting him which couldn't be allowed to happen. Having the approval of the Boy-Who-Lived as well as the Minister of Magic was too much influence. Dumbledore thought it was easier to cut my connection to him than the minister's, less suspicious. So he told Ron I needed to be seduced, that I must have loved him at one point because of how close we were.

He didn't really want to. He wanted Hermione, he loved Hermione, but he wanted to make his family proud. They did everything Dumbledore asked, and he would too. He told his mother, asked for advice, and she only said Harry seemed the type to like a straightforward approach. He just came on to me, tried to imagine I was Hermione and it wasn't hard to go through with it.

"So it felt nice to kiss Mr Potter's neck, though he struggled against you?" A plucked eyebrow raised at him in question. She was good.

Professor Umbridge suggested that while she stayed as a responsible adult for Skeeter's interview and I should accompany the minister and Mrs Bones to the Headmaster's office. Everyone seemed to agree that he be suspended until a case was made against the Board of Education to have him properly removed. I suggested Professor Snape should step up, students knew him better than Professor Umbridge and he wasn't opposed to supporting her. She agreed, though rele=uctantly. Power hungry lady.

An hour later Dumbledore was gone. He wasn't taken out with the respect of an innocent martyr, he vanished with Fawkes. "He ran like a guilty man, cornered and about to get caught," as Rita put in her article. She wrote it in under two hours and had it published in the evening edition of the Daily Prophet. It was spread quickly, purposefully. They wanted Dumbledore discredited, no one would help him on the run once they heard he wanted me sexually assaulted. And the walls came crumbling down.

The minister instructed me to rest, I'd had enough excitement for one night and they'd sort everything by the morning. I was relieved, I was so tired and I just wanted to lay in bed and think of my Tom. Not had the house elves make up a suite for me. Didn't want me being attacked again. It was nice, cosy. I prefer it to my dorm room. And the bed looked cosier. I slammed myself on the bed, it was so soft and comfy I just fell right to sleep. Into my peaceful subconscious.

"Harry! My God, are you okay? I read the story in the paper, I can't believe it."

Tom's arms swung around me. I only needed a moment to get used to the idea he'd invaded my mind to meet me, but then I was absorbed by him. I melted into his arms and clung to him like my life depended on it. It was a relief to see him. His tender kisses along my neck were a sweet relief from how Ron was doing it. I told him so. He insisted to know everything the prick had done, and I told him in detail, begging for him to remove the trace of his touch with his own in as sultry a whisper as I could manage. He seemed seduced.

He kissed all over my neck and shoulder. Places even Ron hadn't because he was allowed. Because he wouldn't know. Tom knows everything, he's smart and wonderful. And mine. I connected our lips, I looked for passion and found it. He gave all he took, he wanted me and only me. A gorgeous, smart and loyal man only wanted me. I love him. And he loves me. What luck? I feel like he's all I go on about these days. I'm obsessed.

"I don't even see the meaning in school anymore. I don't want anything in my life but you."

He chuckled. I felt him lift me and I was settled in his lap straddling his thighs. It wasn't sex or anything physical. I was just in love with him, with his mind and personality, his body and touch. I was crazy for him.

"Spend the night with me, my love. A gentle romantic night, and I'll discuss private tutoring with Fudge in the morning. After my lovely night."

A/N: Short chapter because I'm losing the will to live, but I tried. I have that at least.