Aftermath - Chapter 14 - Spring Days
Two days after the visit to Hermione's home she was all set to fly to Australia via Singapore. Her flight left Heathrow Airport early in the morning so the night before after dinner they all went up to London, with some staying at the flat above the joke shop and others staying at the Leaky Cauldron. All except for Percy, that is, who had another date with the woman from the Ministry and said his goodbyes to Hermione the night before because he wouldn't be back in the morning. Mrs. Weasley looked a bit put out as Percy went off for his date, but held her tongue.
Early the next morning after a quick breakfast, they got Muggle taxis to the airport. Mr. Weasley was like a boy in a toy store, looking at all the airplanes and strange Muggle things like metal detectors and the carts that carried some elderly passengers around. After Hermione checked in her bag, and got her boarding pass, they stopped in a Muggle book store so Hermione could get a guide book and map of Australia and something to read for the flight. Harry found a book on the history of flight which he promptly bought and gave to Mr. Weasley, who was very pleased. Soon it was time for Hermione to go through security and then to her boarding gate.
A very glum Ron stood there all worried. "How long are you going to be?"
"I don't know," she said, also looking sad. "I left my return ticket open, so I can hopefully get a flight with my parents. I'm at the Hilton in Sydney for the first two nights at least. Don't know how long it will take to get to Brisbane and sort things out. Going to be a bit of a shock for them."
"Yes," said Mr. Weasley. "But not to worry. Things will work out. You've got the address of that witch in Brisbane and the Australian Ministry of Magic in Sydney just in case, yes?"
"Yes. And Harry has the number for the hotel and knows how to use the computer and the Internet so I can send word about how things are going by e-mail, right Harry?"
"Right," said Harry. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had gone to a nearby town two nights ago where there was an Internet café. Hermione already had a web based e-mail account and quickly set one up for Harry so he could get messages from her and write back. Ron and Ginny were much impressed with the computer and the Internet and began to plot how to convince their mother to get a computer for the house. Then Hermione reminded them that they needed electricity for the computer and a telephone line for the Internet so that put an end to any plans for that.
"Thanks for all you've done," Hermione said to the Weasleys, and then hugged them all, Ron last and longest and then she parted and seemed about to let go of him but then kissed him on the lips, the kiss lasting a long time. Ron turned bright red as George and Ginny whistled and Mrs. Weasley scowled. Hermione just looked at Ron with love and then whispered something in his ear and he whispered back and then she kissed him again and with a few tears she turned quickly and walked toward the security entrance.
Ron refused to leave until her plane took off and they found a place where they could see the flights landing and taking off.
"How do they do it?" Mr. Weasley asked. "They're so big!"
"Not sure exactly," Harry said as Mr. Weasley looked at him.
"I'm sure the book Harry got you will explain it all dear," said Mrs. Weasley.
After an hour Hermione's flight took off, a bit late, but without any problems and Ron finally agreed to leave.
"No worries, mate," Harry said to him. "Flying on airplanes is supposed to be quite safe, safer than driving a car." Harry had never been up in an airplane, but he felt it was the thing to say to Ron.
They said their goodbyes and then the men went to one bathroom, the women to the other. They waited for when the bathrooms were mostly empty, found a stall and Apparated to work or home, Ginny Side-Along Apparating with her mother.
The next week went much faster than the agonizing slowness of the previous days since the Battle of Hogwarts. A rhythm began to be felt, with Harry and the Weasley men heading off to work each day, and Ginny and her mother taking care of things at home. Harry was careful not to antagonize Mrs. Weasley anymore, but Ginny was making it difficult as she took every chance she could to try to get Harry alone with her. Harry didn't mind it too much, since he also wanted to spend time alone with Ginny, but a few times he had to Apparate very quickly to avoid the prying eyes of Mrs. Weasley.
Harry, Ginny, Ron and George went to the town and checked for messages from Hermione the evening two days after she had left. There was a message waiting for them. She was well, and to her surprise had been met by some wizards at the airport, representing the Australian Ministry of Magic. Despite her jet lag and mild protests, she had been whisked off to a ceremony where she was congratulated for her part in defeating Voldemort and was given an award, a gold medallion. Apparently, they had hoped Harry would have accompanied her, and she promised to ask Harry to visit when he had the chance. The Australian wizards arranged for her transport to Brisbane and she was just getting ready to leave her hotel.
"Blimey, Harry," said George as they headed back to the Burrow. "You're famous everywhere."
At the Ministry, Harry's lessons were continuing. He was feeling fitter as he continued to train with Charlie George in the exercise room and took his martial arts training with Mr. Kim. He continued to study alarms and also started to study stealth and concealment, level 1. The Ministry had a tract of land in a remote part of Scotland it used for such purposes. On it were many magical obstacle courses, small forests, a swamp, and a small mock up of a village. Harry was very good at concealment since he had the Invisibility Cloak. Charlie George let him use it for the first lesson and then took it away for the next.
"Now, what are you going to do?" he said and Harry was stumped, always depending on the Invisibility Cloak. So he learned Disillusionment Charms and a few other ways to make yourself invisible without a cloak. He also studied about camouflage and how to blend in with backgrounds and shadows.
The Friday after Hermione left for Australia several things happened at the Ministry. First, through a unanimous referendum of the Wizengamot and the most senior witches and wizards in Britain, Kingsley Shacklebolt was confirmed as Minister of Magic. The first thing he did was introduce a law calling for his term to be limited to five years, and that a system of election be introduced for the selection of future Ministers of Magic. Those wishing the job should have certain qualifications such as being British born, being at least 40 years of age, being a graduate of Hogwarts, having worked in the Ministry for at least ten years, and having no black marks on their record. This caused a bit of an uproar, and there were some whispers that Kingsley had spent too much time with the Muggle Prime Minister and that such a process would be corrupted by those with more money than common sense. The matter was to be settled in another referendum of all adult wizard and witches in two weeks time.
The second thing that happened brought big smiles to all Hogwarts student's faces as soon as they heard about it. Delores Jane Umbridge was sacked from the Ministry of Magic and was facing an investigation for her actions during the time when Voldemort was in charge. Harry heard through the Ministry grapevine that witnesses were eagerly lining up to talk about Umbridge's role in the mistreatment of Muggle-borns and her collaboration with the Death Eaters. There was also a rumor that she had tried to get Cornelius Fudge to appear as a character witness for her hearing, but he politely refused. Fudge had been also forced to flee last year when Voldemort's Death Eaters took over the Ministry and it seemed like he was in no hurry to come back. Rumor had it that he decided to retire and was enjoying his retirement in Scotland with his wife, staying with their son and his family in Edinburgh, visiting old friends, fishing, and generally trying to stay out of anything to do with the Ministry and its politics.
There were many more firings and a few arrests over the next few weeks, all those fired or arrested connected with the Death Eater rule of the Ministry. Some fled before the hammer fell, but others actually turned themselves in and made confessions to their activities. A few Death Eaters also turned themselves in and said there were under the Imperious Curse and were innocent. Kingsley got permission from the Wizengamot to use truth potions on them. Professor Slughorn had some already brewing and as soon as it was ready many tongues were loosened and the truth came out. The disappearance of many wizards and witches was finally explained and who killed who discovered. To the horror of all they learned the fate of Charity Burbage, the Hogwarts Muggle Studies teacher, killed by Voldemort and fed to his snake Nagini. Many Death Eaters pleaded they had no choice or Voldemort would have killed them also and their families, but this did not save then from long sentences in Azkaban.
Lucius Malfoy's sentencing hearing attracted great interest. He had not actually killed anyone, but under the truth potions' affects he admitted to allowing Voldemort to use his house as Death Eaters' headquarters, of confining Ollivander, Luna, Dean, and others in his cellar, and of attempting to break into the Department of Mysteries and stealing the prophecy. To Harry and Ginny's delight he also confessed to giving Ginny Tom Riddle's diary during Harry's second year at Hogwarts, the purpose of which was to ultimately discredit her father and get him fired.
Harry spent some time with Lucy and other Aurors doing guard duty in the lower levels during the trials. One day while Harry was there Lucius Malfoy was brought out of the cells and placed on the bench outside the courtroom. He was in Azkaban prison garb, looked very pale, and had a twitch in his right cheek and his eyes seemed lifeless. But as soon as he saw Harry he sneered and some light came into his eyes.
"Potter," he said curtly.
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry replied, just as curtly. The other Auror on guard duty, Robert, just looked at Harry for a second.
"No talking to prisoners, Harry."
"Oh, shut up," said Lucius Malfoy to Robert, seemingly glad to talk back to anyone after being held by the soul sucking Dementors the past weeks. "Potter and I have things to discuss."
"Why you…" Robert started to say, anger in his eyes, but Harry calmed him down.
"It's okay, not to worry." Harry said.
"Some privacy, if you would," Mr. Malfoy said to Robert as if taking to a servant.
"I'm not leaving," said Robert, still a bit angry.
"Fine!" said Mr. Malfoy in anger, then turned to Harry, some of his slimy charm coming back. "So, you were a witness at Draco's trial Narcissa tells me."
"Yes."
"Indeed. And he is free. So noble of you, Harry Potter. I guess you are a bigger fool than I thought. If I had my enemy at his knees I would not hesitate to finish him off."
Harry was quite shocked at this behavior. "This is your own son you are talking about."
"Yes, yes, of course I am glad Draco has been freed," Mr. Malfoy said. "But my point is that you are weak and it still astonishes me how you, a weak, pathetic half-blood boy could have defeated the Dark Lord."
"I thought you of all people would be grateful Voldemort is dead," Harry said with some spite. "Your wife said he was going to kill the lot of you anyway, even if he did defeat me."
"Perhaps, perhaps. But still…how did you do it?"
"Had your help," Harry said with a smirk.
Mr. Malfoy was puzzled. "My…help? Whatever do you mean?"
"Guess you don't get the Daily Prophet in Azkaban," Harry started and then explained briefly about the Horcruxes. "And you gave me one, or at least you gave one to Ginny."
"Who?"
"Ginny Weasley, Arthur Weasley's daughter."
Mr. Malfoy sneered again. "I never gave anything to a Wea…oh, yes…the diary."
"It was a Horcrux."
Something like understanding dawned in Malfoy's face. "That is why he was so angry."
"I bet he was," said Harry. "Never told you why though, did he? Didn't trust any of you with his great secret. So, in the end, you did help me kill Voldemort."
"Seems so," said Mr. Malfoy, with a smirk.
"Won't save you from Azkaban," said Harry.
"No," Mr. Malfoy said and his smirk was replaced with sullenness and the light began to go out of his eyes. "There is a rumor that the Dementors will be taken away. Any truth to it?"
"Don't know,' said Harry.
"You have felt the Dementors touch, haven't you Potter?" he said, his demeanor now showing slight fear. "Know what we in Azkaban face."
Harry turned a bit pale, remembering the cold feeling dread and helplessness and of never being happy again.
"Okay, that's enough out of you," said Robert to Mr. Malfoy and Malfoy gave him his coldest stare. In a minute Lucius Malfoy was inside the courtroom. Later Harry heard he was sentenced to five years in Azkaban, the light sentence no doubt because he hadn't actually killed anyone. Still, five years with the Dementors was punishment that few could stand without going mad.
That first Saturday after Hermione left Harry, Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went to Godric's Hollow. They stopped in the graveyard near the church and Harry placed some flowers on his parents' graves. As the Weasleys stood back, he knelt down next to his parents.
"I did it," he said quietly. "He's dead. I wish…I wish you were here…I've got a girlfriend, Ginny. She's lovely and I love her. I'm sure you would like her. I've got loads of mates and well, don't be mad, but I didn't finish school. Been a bit busy. Going to be an Auror, though. I…want you to be happy now. I'll come back as…" But he couldn't finish and he let out a sob and then in a moment Ginny was next to him and holding him.
After a long while they walked away and Harry told them he was better. They walked to Stonewalk Road and saw the property. The sign was still there with all the messages for Harry. Mrs. Weasley said it was a lovely spot and she was sure they could fix it up. They made one more stop at the law firm of Robinson and Cook, the Smith part of the name now removed from the office sign seeing as Smith was dead. Fortunately, the office was opened, with just a secretary and Mr. James there. They met Mr. James and he looked a bit embarrassed, saying they had trouble copying the will. It would, well, it just wouldn't copy on their photocopier no matter what they tried. He just told Harry he could pick up the will when he also took possession of the land. Mr. James also asked Harry if he had any ID and fortunately Harry had brought his birth certificate along and Mr. James said that would do nicely. He was able to make a photocopy of Harry's birth certificate, so Mr. James had it for the land transfer papers he had to complete for when Harry turned 18.
Then they had a surprise as Mr. James told them the head of the firm wished to talk to Harry if he came into the office. Mr. James made a call and then as they waited they had tea served in the conference room and made small talk. After fifteen minutes Mr. Robinson showed up and after introductions Mr. James left them alone.
Mr. Robinson was old, maybe in his sixties or seventies. He had thinning, grayish hair and a thick moustache, was a bit portly, and had a reddish nose. He was dressed in a nice brown suit.
"So, Mr. Potter. You're a wizard, yes?" And that startled them so much Mrs. Weasley spilled her tea.
"Yes," Harry said in utter surprise. "Ah, we all are. Are you?"
Mr. Robinson let out a small laugh. "No, no, heavens, no. But my late partner Smith was." said Mr. Robinson. "Great chap, will be missed. Met him about forty years ago. He was the only one practicing law in Godric's Hollow in those days. I'd just graduated and was looking for a place to hang my shingle, so to speak, when I saw an advert in the Times for a legal assistant with Mr. Smith. Had an interview a few days later, right here in this building. He said he only had a few clients, but others in the area kept bothering him to take their business, and he got tired of refusing and thought he needed to expand his client base a bit, but that he didn't know much about 'Muggle' law, as he called it. Well, I had no idea what he meant, but he seemed like nice fellow and I was desperate for a position as things were a bit tough in those days, so I signed on. Of course, it wasn't too long after that I discovered I was working for a wizard."
"Must have been a bit of a shock," said Mr. Weasley.
"Indeed," said Mr. Robinson. "I was in his office one day looking for some documents and he just…well…he just popped into thin air right in front of me. We both almost died from fright and after a glass of strong whiskey, he explained it all to me. So, he handled the wizard world of law and I took care of the...the…rest."
"What's going to happen now?" Harry asked.
"Well," said Mr. Robinson. "That's why I wanted to talk to you, Mr. Potter. And to you also, since you are here." The last comment was directed at the Weasleys. "I need your help."
"How can we help?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know too many people like you," he said. "And I was wondering if you know anyone who would take over the wizard clients Mr. Smith had. Sorry to say, I am no expert on wizard law."
"I'm sure the Ministry of Magic will have a list of wizard legal counselors," Mr. Weasley said. "I'll send an owl…sorry, a letter, next week with a list. How's that?"
"Splendid!' said Mr. Robinson, seemingly very delighted this little problem was taken care of. "Of course, Mr. Potter, we'll finish up things for you with your property, so there are no loose ends."
After more small talk and quick goodbyes, the four of them walked to a secluded spot just outside the village and Apparated back to the Burrow.
To their surprise Bill and Fleur were waiting for them back home as were two letters, one for Harry and one for Hermione. Bill told them they were not going to be transferred after all because he told the goblins Fleur was going to have a baby. Mrs. Weasley shrieked and almost fainted before Bill told them it wasn't true, just a little lie he told the goblins so they could stay in England.
"But we are trying really 'ard to make it true," said Fleur with no shame at all as she helped Mrs. Weasley prepare dinner. Mrs. Weasley gasped a bit and then pretended to be coughing and Bill turned a few shades of red. Ginny whispered to Harry that she might need to ask Fleur a few things about l'amour before they returned to Shell Cottage, causing Harry to also blush.
Harry quickly opened his letter to get his mind off the visions he was now having of him and Ginny and read it quickly and then groaned.
"What is it?" Ginny asked, a little worried.
"No big deal," Harry said. "Just some nutter wants to write a book about Voldemort and all that and wants to interview me. Said he'd even pay me. What rubbish."
Everyone agreed that Harry should not get involved in any such thing. Everyone except Bill that is.
"I'm sure he'll write the book anyway," said Bill thoughtfully. "Someone is going to do it sooner or later. Maybe you should give him the facts, so it doesn't turn out to be a pack of lies."
"Don't know," said Harry. "Bad enough with the publicity I'm already getting. And I'm not supposed to talk about what happened at Gringotts."
"There'll be plenty of others would will talk about that and the rest, though," said Bill. "Might be wise to head them off."
"What should I do?" Harry asked them all.
"Maybe find a real historian," said Mr. Weasley. "Someone who has a solid reputation for getting the facts straight and not just some publicity hound."
Harry agreed and Mrs. Weasley said he should go around to Flouish and Blotts and see who they think would be the best and Harry decided to do just that first chance he got. He wrote a quick reply on the letter saying thanks but no thanks and then sent Hermes off with the letter.
Then they looked at the other letter for Hermione. On the back was a return address to Viktor Krum in Bulgaria. Ginny took the letter.
"I think I'll just hide this till Hermione comes back," she said. "No need to let Ron know about this, is there?" And they all agreed and had a small little laugh as they talked about Viktor Krum and how jealous Ron became of him after Krum showed an interest in Hermione.
A few days later they checked for messages from Hermione and there was one. She had found her parents, had reversed the Memory Charms and had explained everything to them. They were in shock, not just because of what happened, but also to find out their daughter was so devious. In the end they agreed it had been for the best. They were now making plans to return and would hopefully be back in England by the weekend. In the end no real harm was done, except her father took a lifetime liking to Victoria Bitter beer. Also, they both found it odd, but suddenly they had a desire to learn surfing, found they could do it quite well, and became avid surfer's, jetting off to where the big waves were at least once a year.
Hermione's return came on a Saturday morning and Ron told George he could fire him if liked but he wasn't going to be at work till later and maybe not at all. George looked like he was going to fire him, but Mrs. Weasley gave him a nasty look and told him if he fired his brother he may as well say goodbye to his mother now because she would never speak to him again. George just went outside to Apparate to work, muttering about it being too much trouble working with family and Saturday being their busiest day.
Hermione ran right into Ron's arms after they came out of the arrivals gate and gave him a big kiss. Ron returned it but broke it short as he caught sight of her parents, who were looking very healthy and were bronzed from the sun. After hellos and how do you dos, they made there way outside. All were exhausted from the flight, and Hermione and her parents decided to stay in a hotel near the airport before retuning to Gosport the next day. Mrs. Weasley wanted them to stay at the Burrow, but Mr. Weasley said they needed some time alone with Hermione after all that had happened and she quickly relented. They had a late lunch in the hotel dining room, where Hermione gave gifts to all, including a magic boomerang to Ron.
"A what?" Ron asked in wonder as he held the curved wooden stick.
"You throw it and it's supposed to hit your target or even many targets in a row that you concentrate on and then it returns to your hand," she said. "I bought it in a shop in Sydney where all the wizard and witches go shopping."
Ron and Harry thought it was grand gift and wished they had some magic boomerangs during the battles they had had. After lunch they made their goodbyes. Ron and Hermione went off to talk alone for a few minutes and later he told Harry that she told him she knew he missed her but she hadn't seen her parents for so long that she wanted to spend time with them. Ron understood and felt better when Hermione said she'd return for Ginny's birthday which was just over a week away.
Before they left the hotel, Ginny made sure she slipped Viktor Krum's letter into Hermione's hand when Ron wasn't looking. Harry caught sight of this and Hermione just glanced at the letter, saw who it was from and had a sort of exasperated look on her face and rolled her eyes a bit and then said something and she and Ginny laughed.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked Ginny later, back at the Burrow, when they went for a walk after dinner, enjoying the setting sun as they walked.
"Krum's has never really gotten over her," Ginny said. "And he's written to her before. Some of the mail we picked up in Gosport was from him, sent Muggle post. And he tells her he is still crazy about her and she is the only one for him and all that rubbish. Poor guy. I guess he figured out why she didn't write back when all the publicity hit about Voldemort, so he wrote to the Burrow in case she was there. He was at the wedding so he knows where it is I guess. Anyway, Hermione did fancy him a bit, and he is quite famous, but she's had her heart set on Ron for a long time, even before she met Krum."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Don't you remember how mad Mum was during the Triwizard Tournament when she thought you and Krum and Hermione were in some sort of love triangle?"
"Yeah, she was really cold to Hermione. What was that all about?"
"Mum, well, as strict as she is, is an old romantic at heart," Ginny said with a bit of a laugh. "And she could tell Ron liked Hermione and she liked Ron before they even knew it. And well…she knew how I felt about you too…so…she thought Hermione was causing distress to me and Ron at the same time. You follow?"
"Ah...yeah…I think so," said Harry. Then he had an odd thought from the past. "My second year, your first year at Hogwarts, did you send me a Valentine? You know, when Lockhart did that Valentine thing with the dwarves? Ginny?"
She didn't say anything at first but kept walking and the she glanced at him and seemed very embarrassed. "Was terrible, wasn't it? 'Eyes as green as fresh pickled toad'. Bloody hell, that's ridiculous. But I was only 11!"
Harry laughed and she laughed and they felt much better. Soon they found a secluded spot they liked and sat down on the grass and before Harry knew it they were in each others arms and kissing. After a long moment Ginny broke the kiss and snuggled in his arms.
"Harry, I'm going to be of age next week," she whispered in his ear as he stroked her hair.
"Yeah, I know," he said, feeling warm all over.
"And I wasn't kidding about wanting to be with you…alone," she said and then Harry gulped and looked in her eyes.
"Alone…with me?"
"Yes, Harry. And I want to…you know," she said as if revealing her biggest secret in the world.
Harry's heart hammered in his chest and he felt all hot and was sure his face was going pink. One thing about Ginny he liked was she was direct and to the point, no beating around the bush. But this was really direct. Yet being a teenage boy in love with a stunningly beautiful girl, he had only one answer.
"I do, too," he finally managed to gasp and then kissed her and for a long time they were lost to the world.
Then she looked at him. "Your place in London, is it safe yet?"
"I hope so," he said, puzzled and then he knew why she asked. "But…your parents?"
She laughed. "Harry, I'm going to be seventeen. I'm going to do what I bloody well like. And I want to spend the night with you in your home. In your bed."
"All night?" he asked in awe.
"All night," said in a sexy purr he had never heard before and then she quickly kissed him on the lips and then stood up, reached down and helped Harry stand. "So, make it happen," Ginny said with a grin and then with a toss of her long red hair she turned and started walking back toward the Burrow and Harry just followed as if in a daze and barely even remembered how they got back or what happened the rest of that night.