Harry Potter and the City of Masks
by Josephine Taylor

A/N - thanks to everyone that's reviewed so far, im glad that you is all liking this. This chapter was originally going to be part of the the second chp until I decided that it would be too longer to read. Be warned, the chapters probally going to start increasing in length. Until then, enjoy D

Chapter Three

Slumped in his chapter in the small cubicle that was his own whenever he was in the office, Harry stared blankly at the pile of parchment that was stacking, very slowly, in front of him. His mind had gone complete black so the arrival of someone at his shoulder made him yell and jump of his chair.

'Hey, calm down mate, it's only me!'

Harry, clutching hold of the wall of his cubicle stared at his red-headed best friend stood in the entrance a bemused expression of his face. The clock on the wall behind Ron read 13.30, lunch had started half an our ago and Harry hadn't even noticed.

'What are you doing here?'

Ron shrugged and gave his friend a smile. 'Thought I'd come and visit you for lunch. Catch up. I haven't seen that much of you in a while.'

Harry didn't have an answer to that so just gave a small smile back, collected his cloak and the pair of them went to the canteen that served those working at the Ministry. Getting their lunches, Harry and Ron found a table beside one of the windows. The maintenance staff had recently gotten a pay rise so sunlight shone through the fake window.

Ron munched steadily through his cottage-pie lunch while Harry ate only a few bites of his sandwich, drinking from a never-ending coffee mug. It became obvious that Ron wasn't just here on a social call. He kept looking like he was going to say something and then not, just turning his attention to his food again for a couple of minutes. Eventually Harry's patience wore through.

'Come on Ron, spit it out.' He said, a little more curt than he had intended.

Ron looked at Harry and decided to do just that. 'Well ... to be honest, me and Hermione are really worried about you. Ever since ... well ever since that last battle with You-Kno-,' Harry gave him a look '- ok Voldemort.' Ron shuddered slightly. Still hearing the name after years of use gave him goose bumps. 'Ever since the battle with Voldemort you've been acting a bit .. strange. Your not your usual self. I'd have thought that with Voldemort over and done with you'd be able to get on with your life. You're training for a promising career and you have everything going for you...'

Harry sighed. He knew that this talk was coming and had known that it wouldn't have been long before Ron or Hermione breached the subject. The truth was he didn't know what was wrong with him either. True he should be all elated and happy that Voldemort was out the way and that he didn't constantly have to look over his shoulder in fear, but he just wasn't ... happy. He felt hollow and empty. Something that he couldn't put into words, not even to his best friend.

'I got to get back to work.' He said quietly, standing and taking his barely eaten food to the nearest waste bin. 'I'll catch you later Ron.' With that he made a speedy exit back to this cubicle, to immerse himself in the work that he no longer felt any enthusiasm for, leaving Ron alone at the table even more concern about Harry's welfare.

---------------

Rodolfo stalked the embassy corridors, his black cape billowing out behind him as he hurried to one of the many chambers of the building. His face creased in anxiety and he muttered under his breath to himself. Reaching a pair of doors he entered a richly furnished room that was already occupied.

The Duchessa of Bellazza and her consort had made their apologies to the Grand Duke and had come back as quick as they could to their own embassy. The news that Arianna had gotten had disturbed them both greatly and they had wanted to return to consult Rodolfo. Arianna was sat on a comfortable chair whilst Luciano paced the room muttering curses under his breath. At Rodolfo's entrance the pair looked up. Arianna stood and rushed over to her father's embrace.

'Please tell me it isn't true.' She whispered against the elder man's chest. Rodolfo made comforting sounds and smoothed Arianna's hair. His eyes found Luciano's over the top of his daughter's head.

Luciano nodded. In his eye's he had seen the truth and knew that it had actually happened. He pulled himself together. He needed to be strong. For his wife and for Viola. 'When?'

Rodolfo led Arianna back to her chair before answering. 'Yesterday morning. Dottore Dethridge contacted me early this morning when it was certain that she was missing and not just hiding on the islands or something.'

Luciano nodded and poured some wine for themselves. He took a gulp of his own, steadying his nerves. Arianna, however, did not touch her goblet.

'We must leave immediately.' She said quietly but her voice was full of steel and determination. Her eye's blazed hard and Luciano couldn't help but admire her courage and determination. He would pity the man that had taken their daughter when they were through with him.

---------------

Harry collapsed onto his warn out armchair in front of his empty fire-grate. After his lunch with Ron everything seemed to have gone down hill. First he mucked up a practical assessment with one of the other trainee Aurora's, meaning that the unfortunate bloke had to be taken to St. Mungo's. Then he received one of his written assignments back telling him to do them again and got two more fresh ones on top of that!

It all came to a head as he was leaving the building. Just as Harry was about to leave the office, Kingsley had pulled him back for 'a word.' Basically, with a lot of ramblings Kingsley had told him to take some vacation time, to 'sort out his head.'

'You'll make a great Auror some day. Just take sometime off, work through whatever - issue's you're dealing with. This isn't the end remember, I'll expect you back in a few months.' Kinglsey had said, with a cheerful smile painted on his face.

Harry sighed and chucked his cloak onto the sofa opposite him. He knew that Kinglsey was only trying to help. Him and the other members of the old Order were always popping in and seeing how he was. Moody was always giving him tips on his training. The thing was that Harry had stopped taking them in. He was acting only in automatic steps sometimes.

Sometimes he resented everyone else. Resented them for their ability to move to. To just seem to forget the past, the people that they had lost, just so easily. Harry balled his fists and became aware that he was holding a small package in his hand.

As he had stepped through the door of his flat that evening, Harry had seen a package lying on the floor, as though it had been pushed through the letter box. That had been odd in itself. No one ever sent him letters the muggle way.

Holding back a yawn, Harry ripped open the package, forgetting to check if it had been cursed or had some other kind of hex or jinx on the object. There were still plenty of Death Eaters out there who would love to do him harm.

Harry found himself holding a beautiful and intricately decorated silver amulet on a silver chain. He held it up to his face examining the engraving on the drop of silver suspended on the chain. From what light there was in his apartment Harry could just make out what he thought was a tiny engraving of a mask. He frowned. Who on earth would send him jewellery like this? He was a woman, and usually didn't not wear jewellery of any kind. Besides this piece was so expensive looking.

Exhaustion wash through him and he knew that he would not be able to stay awake much longer after the day he had. Standing, Harry stumbled through the hallway to his bedroom, pulling off his robe as he went.

Falling onto his bed, the silver amulet still clasp in his hand, Harry fell into a deep slumber, dreaming of silver masks.