Chapter Five MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Hermione was calmly sorting through a pile of papers in Harry's office. It truly was a horrible mess. Even Ron wasn't this messy! Well, that was because Hermione never let him be.

She was startled by Harry suddenly appearing, he had a small wound on his cheek.

Hermione said in a business like way, "How did it go?"

Harry looked at Hermione with an almost worried look. Hermione knew that look. The look in his green eyes. "It was true," Was all Harry needed to say.

"Theodore Nott?" Hermione questioned.

Harry replied back, "In custody."

"And the Time-turner itself?"

Harry gazed around the room, and then glanced at the door like someone might thunder in at any given moment. Harry hesitantly pulled something from his pocket. It was shiny and alluring, making Hermione want to snatch it up.

"Is it genuine?" Hermione questioned, trying to distract herself. "Does it work? It's not just an hour-reversal turner—it goes back further?"

Harry shrugged, looking at the precious object in his hands. The object that anyone would kill anyone for a few minutes alone with it. "We don't know anything yet. I wanted to try it out there and then but wiser heads prevailed."

Hermione signed trying to sound positive. "Well, now we have it."

Harry wasn't convinced that them having it right now was a good thing. "And you're sure you want to keep it?" He really wanted to destroy it. If it got in the wrong hands—anything could happen.

But Hermione was persistent and said gently to her old friend, "I don't think we've a choice. Look at it. It's certainly different to the Time-Turner I had."

Harry smiled and said dryly, "Apparently wizardry has moved on since we were kids…"

Hermione smiled back, and then pointed to Harry's face. "You're bleeding."

Harry looked at himself in the mirror. He was older. Still lean and rather short for his age, but older. His dark hair now had a few grey hairs mixed in. He gently dabbed his wound with his robe. "Don't worry, it'll go with my scar," Harry joked, turning back to Hermione.

"I was anxious to hear about Theodore Nott," Hermione changed the subject. "And thought I'd check whether you kept your promise and were on top of your paperwork."

Harry looked around. "Ah," He mused softly. "Turns out I'm not."

Hermione chuckled and gently pushed Harry. "No. You're not. Harry, how can you get any work done in this chaos?"

Harry laughed and waved his wand. The papers and books transformed into a neat pile. He smiled at Hermione and said wittily, "No longer chaotic."

"But still ignored," Hermione replied back. "You know, there's some interesting stuff in here… there are mountain trolls riding Graphorns through Hungary, there are giants with winged tattoos on their backs walking through the Greek Sea, and the werewolves have gone entirely underground—"

"Great, let's get out there. I'll get the team together," Harry interrupted impatiently.

"Harry, I get it," Hermione said sympathetically. "Paperwork's boring…"

"Not for you…"

"I'm busy enough with my own," Hermione said defensively, raising her hands up in an exasperated movement. "There are people and beasts that fought alongside Voldemort in the great wizarding wars. These are allies of darkness. This combined with what we have just unearthed at Theodore Nott's—could mean something. But if the Head of Magic Law Enforcement isn't reading his files—"

"But I don't need to read it!" Harry insisted in a desperate tone. "I'm out there, hearing about it. Theodore Nott—it was me who heard the rumors about the Time-Turner and me who acted upon it. You really don't need to tell me off!"

Hermione bit her lip and looked at Harry anxiously. She glanced to the side and then held up a toffee. "Do you fancy a toffee? Don't tell Ron."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You're changing the subject…"

Hermione looked guilty. "I truly am. Toffee?"

"Can't," Harry said shaking his head. "We're off sugar at this moment. You know, you can get addicted to that stuff?"

Hermione shrugged. "What can I say? My parents were dentists, I was bound to have rebel at some point. Forty is leaving it a little late, but… you've just done a brilliant thing. You're certainly not being told off—I just need you to look at your paperwork every now and again, that's all. Consider this a gentle nudge, from the Ministry of Magic."

Harry gave Hermione a skeptical look, but nodded none the less. He was about to go when Hermione added on, "How's Ginny? How's Albus?"

Harry thought hard about it. Well, Hermione, my son hates me a lot, I don't know why he couldn't be like James, are boys usually this difficult? Was I difficult? I was the orphan! Harry chose not to say what he was feeling exactly and merely said in a dry humorous way, "It seems I'm as good at fatherhood as I am at paperwork. How's Rose? How's Hugo?"

Hermione grinned and said laughing, "You know, Ron says he thinks I see more of my secretary Ethel, than him. Do you think there's a point where we made a choice—parent of the years or Ministry official of the year? Go on. Go home to your family, Harry, the Hogwarts Express is about to leave for another year. Enjoy you got the time left and then come back here with a fresh head and get these files read."

She pointed to the files and Harry groaned. "You really think this could all mean something?"

Hermione said softy, "It could do. But if it does, we'll find a way to fight it, Harry. We always have."

Hermione gave Harry another loving friendly smile and then popped a sweet toffee into her mouth. She patted Harry on the back and then left the office, leaving Harry to think. Harry packed his bags hastily, not wanting to miss the train, even if his son hated him. He at least wanted to see his other children off.

Leaving his office, his mind was heavy. Everything was on his mind. His family and this whole Time-turner business. He was confused and frustrated and tired. He walked into a telephone box and tiled 62442. The telephone box replied, "Farewell, Harry Potter."