Harry's Future, Part 40
"Welcome back, everyone. I trust your holidays went well," Professor Potter said with a smile.
He was greeted with a mass murmur of 'yes, sir' from his first year DADA students. It was the first class of the first day back from the Christmas holiday break and it was obvious that his students were still getting used to being back at school.
"Yes, I know, it's always tough to get back into the routine after a holiday. So let me ask a question. Did anyone getting anything really special for Christmas?" he asked from his perch on the stool in front of the students.
Several hands were raised and the first half hour of class was spent talking about new broomsticks or a wizards chess set, a toboggan and in a tour-de-force ten minute dissertation by Catherine Biggsby, a description of a full set of Quidditch gear since she had shown great promise with her flying lessons. Harry sat in near stunned amazement, marveling that the young witch hadn't gone blue in the face and toppled over because he swore she hadn't stopped to take a breath for the entire ten minutes.
The diversion seemed to have had its intended effect as the students looked much more alert so he launched into the planned lesson for the day. When they were finished and the students were leaving Harry noticed that Rhys-Jones and Biggsby were joined by several others of the first years in an animated discussion as they went through the door into the corridor. It appeared the lonely muggle born was making friends, perhaps towed along in the wake of the effervescent Miss Biggsby, but at least it looked like he wasn't feeling alone anymore.
Winter had come slowly to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade but when it arrived it did so with a vengeance. Howling, bitterly cold winds and snow, snow and more snow hammered at the castle and the town. By the end of the second week back at school Harry had to make a distressing decision. The thestral pulled carriage was having trouble getting through the snow and he was certainly in no condition to walk, short as the distance might be. He could stay at the school but leaving Ginny alone in the small house wasn't a possibility. It was a tense discussion that evening around the small kitchen table.
"No, absolutely no, Harry. I'm not leaving you up here by yourself," Ginny said adamantly.
"Sweetheart, I won't be by myself. I'll be in a room in the castle with hundreds of students, the faculty and staff and all those house elves. You're the one who would be alone, stuck in this little house with snow piled up everywhere. I can't remember it being this bad. Please. Go home and stay with your mum and dad. I'll come down every weekend. If something should happen and you need help you'd have your mum right there. Please," he said imploringly.
Ginny had her arms folded, resting on her ever larger abdomen. Her brown eyes were hard and fixedly staring at Harry. His green eyes, behind those big round glasses were staring right back, showing all the love and concern he had for his wife and unborn child. Her resolve remained steadfast for, oh, another thirty seconds or so and then collapsed. She knew his reasoning was sound and totally selfless but she hated the idea of being apart from him, especially now.
"Oh, alright, Harry. I hate it when you're logical and reasonable. Kreacher, would you please go to the Burrow and ask my mother if it's okay if I come and sit out the winter there."
"Yes, Mistress Ginny."
"You're coming with me if she says yes, Harry."
"Of course."
And of course Mrs. Weasley did say yes, that she should come straight away and if need be she'd come and help. They packed several suitcases and Kreacher said he would get some 'friends' to help bring the bed back. Ginny didn't mind using a guest bed for a short holiday stay, but if she was going to wait out the winter and do it getting progressively more pregnant, she wanted her own bed. Harry had heard that expectant mothers could be very demanding, usually for bizarre things to eat, but Ginny hadn't gone that way. If she wanted her own bed, he was willing to go along, since he wouldn't be needing it anyway.
So it was early on Saturday morning that pops were heard in the backyard of the Burrow and Ginny, Harry and Kreacher were standing there. Ginny and Harry each holding a case, Harry with both crutches under one arm, and Kreacher balancing two on his head with one hand and whatever house elf magic he needed. Mrs. Weasley must have been waiting because the back door swung open almost immediately and she bustled out to meet them.
"Hello, my dears, do come inside, it's far too cold out here."
"Actually, Mum, it's a fair bit warmer than what we left behind," Ginny said. "It's absolutely horrendous up there at the moment."
Harry left the case he was carrying for Kreacher to bring in. He only had another week on the crutches and he didn't want to risk a mishap. He really wanted off the bloody things. In moments they were settled in the warmth of the Burrow's living room, the fire blazing away, with hot cups of tea in hand.
"So, I must assume that you're having a bad time of it with the weather up there then."
"You could say that, Mum," Harry replied. "The snow has gotten so deep the thestral's can hardly get through so I need to move into the castle. And I don't want Ginny snow bound in that house."
"I couldn't agree with you more, Harry. I realize it will be difficult being separated but I think you are being very wise. It would be one thing if you had no alternatives but you do and it's smart for you to make the sacrifice."
"I just want you to know that I'm going to be pretty miserable here without Harry. I intend to spend a lot of my time in my room and to pout when I'm down here," Ginny said in all seriousness.
"Ginny, don't be ridiculous. It's not like Harry is going off to some distant land for years on end. I'm sure he'll be here every weekend and if you need him he can get here in the blink of an eye. Am I right, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"You certainly are, Mum. Besides if Ginny carries on that way, I can only imagine the effect it will have on the baby. Most likely he or she will start crying from day one and never stop," he replied with an absolutely straight face.
Ginny looked at him with a glare, while Mrs. Weasley was doing everything she could to keep from laughing out loud. Harry simply returned his wife's look with one of his own, placid and unflinching. They held each other's eyes until Ginny started to giggle and then she grabbed a pillow and swatted him with it.
When he departed the following Sunday evening Kreacher went with him and as he had that night at the black house he gently levitated Harry so he could glide over the snowy path to the castle doors. It looked like several more inches had fallen in his absence. Even though he had only been subjected to the weather for a few moments the warmth of the entry hall felt welcome indeed.
The next day Harry was sitting in front of his sixth year Applied Magic class. A new storm was hammering at the windows with small pellet like snow that reminded him of the day he crashed into the VIP tower after catching the snitch with his eyes closed. A raised hand caught his attention.
"Yes?"
"Sir, I have sort of a strange question to ask you," the witch said.
"Well, that's one of my jobs here. And usually the strange questions are the most interesting so go right ahead," he replied.
"Well, sir, when we were on holiday break I attended a family party and there was a discussion about whether or not we had anything to worry about from dark witches or wizards. Some of my relatives were arguing that with Voldemort dead and all his followers gone we didn't have much to worry about. Others argued that is was just a matter of time before someone else showed up to take his place and it would start all over again. Do you think they are right? That sooner or later someone else will do what Voldemort did?"
Harry looked at the expression on the young woman's face, a mix of curiosity and dread. He looked at his other students. He could tell he had some of both sides of the argument sitting there. He took a breath and said,
"Whether or not there will come a time when someone to rival Tom Riddle will emerge I can't say for sure. It is certainly possible. That's one of the reasons we have this new class. To try and teach you all better ways to combat the dark arts when you confront them and to be strong enough to resist the temptations of indulging in them yourselves. But I would be a fool to think that that would be all it takes to keep everyone who passes through this school away from the dark arts. Plus you have to understand that not every witch or wizard comes to Hogwarts. So I would say that it is quite likely that we will continue to see dark witches and wizards. In fact I've had run-ins with more than a few in the time since Riddle died," he said with a small smile. "But I'm also fairly optimistic that we should be able to keep any of them from growing into as big a threat to our community as Riddle was."
"Do you think that a Hogwarts student would follow in Voldemort's footsteps, sir?" a wizard near the back of the room asked.
"I would very much hope not, but it's always a possibility. Of course that student would have something to worry about that the young Tom Riddle didn't," Harry said quietly.
"What would that be, sir?" the young man asked.
"He'd have to answer to me," Harry said, his quiet voice containing just a hint of doom.
Harry's first trip to the Burrow for the weekend had two purposes. First and foremost was to spend time with Ginny. The second was to have his first post operation exam. Hopefully, he would have made enough progress to shed the heavy brace and crutches. After poking, prodding and medical imaging he sat in Dr. McLeod's examining room hoping for good news. After a while the doctor entered with a folder.
"Well, Mr. Potter I have to say I'm a little surprised. You seem to be healing up rather nicely and at a faster pace then I would have thought likely. I am still a little concerned about how stable the knee will be once the ligaments have finished healing. The tears will be gone but there was some stretching. We'll see where the physical therapy takes you. If things don't tighten up enough we might have to go in and do some more work. But as things stand now I think you'll do fine in the short term with a walking brace and a cane to help you along."
"That's great, Dr. McLeod. I can't thank you enough for all the help you've given me," Harry said enthusiastically.
"Not at all, young man. Only too glad to have been of service. The Grangers think very highly of you and that's as good a gauge as there is."
He handing Harry a small booklet.
"Now, since you're going to be stuck up at that school of yours through June you'll have to deal with the exercises on your own. I'll take you through them and if you have any questions afterwards just ring us and we'll help you."
"Thank you, sir," Harry replied.
After going through the exercises Harry was fitted with the walking brace and then with handshakes he was on his way. Back at the Burrow in time for lunch, Harry and Ginny sat side by side at the table while Mrs. Weasley brought out the food. Mr. Weasley was sitting across from them along with Ron and Hermione who had come for a visit.
"So, mate. How long before you can get rid of the brace and cane?" Ron asked.
"I dunno, Ron. I guess it depends on how well I keep after the exercises. I'm going to see Madame Pomfrey when I get back. I figure if she can set up the schedule and keep after me I'll stick with it better," he said with a little grin. "In the old days it would have been Hermione but she's busy looking after you now."
Hermione gave Harry a 'look' and then laughed. After lunch Ron and Harry had a go at wizards chess, using Ron's Christmas present set, the antique set having been returned to the Black house. It took Harry some serious talking to sooth the two kings and their retinue about being put back in storage but he promised them a place of honor in the new library and that there would be plenty of contests to come.
When he arrived at the front gate of the school on Sunday evening what he saw startled him. It was evident that a fresh storm had struck over the weekend and the shoveled path had now been replaced with a tunnel. Someone, or many someones, had shaped the walls with heat of some kind to melt and then refreeze the surface and added an arched roof of melted and refrozen snow to provide a tunnel. Softly glowing lamps gave the whole thing an eerie, bluish hue. Harry was glad to see that the ice didn't extend to the floor and that someone had found some gravel from someplace to provide traction.
He turned and looked towards the town and it was hard to discern where the snow ended and buildings and streets began. He had never heard of there being this much snow at the school. His first stop was the hospital wing, taking care going up the flight of stairs.
"Harry, what can I do for you?" Madame Pomfrey said after opening the door to his knock.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Madame Pomfrey but I had my first check up after my surgery and I was given some exercises to do. I was wondering if I could ask your help. I have a feeling I'm going to need someone to keep after me to do them. I don't have Hermione around these days so I thought of you," he said with a lopsided grin.
"Well, I am charged with seeing to the health and well being of the students and faculty so I think you've come to the right place. Come in and we'll discuss it. We'll have to keep it quiet. I have a few sick students in here tonight," she said softly.
"Is it anything serious?" Harry asked with real concern.
"A trio of fifth years thought it would be a good idea to go trekking about in the snow down to the edge of the forest yesterday. They were soaked to the skin and half frozen when Hagrid carried them back. I had to dose them with Pepper up potion but they still have some symptoms so here they stay."
As Madame Pomfrey led Harry from the waiting room into the ward itself he saw three beds occupied by the wayward wizards, thin streams of steam still wafting about their heads from the potion. Harry recognized two of them from his Applied Magic class. As he walked by he made eye contact with each one and gave them a look that could only mean 'I would have thought you were smarter than that' and they each got a bit red in embarrassment.
Once inside the Healer's office Harry handed her the booklet the Doctor had given him outlining what he needed to do between now and the end of term when his next appointment was. She read through it, looking at the photos and what it was Harry would be required to perform in each instance.
"This doesn't look too bad, Harry. We don't have the fancy machines they show here but I think we can arrange things to get what you need. Come by tomorrow after dinner and we'll get started. Now, do you remember what I once told you about this being my hospital wing?" she asked looking at him, her expression serious.
"Yes, ma'am. The minute I walk through the door into the waiting room, you're in charge," he said with a small grin.
"Correct. You've asked for my help and you will receive it, but in turn you must agree to be here when you are supposed to be and to do as directed. Alright?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Believe me, young man, when I say I am as interested in getting you well as you are."
"Thank you, again, as always, Madame Pomfrey," Harry said sincerely.
"I'm only too glad to be of help, Harry."
Harry went down to the small space that was serving as his temporary sleeping quarters to drop off his cloak and boots and then he went to the Great Hall. Since his room was only big enough to hold a bed and a chest for his clothes, he looked at the Great Hall as his study. He could have used the library but he liked the Hall since it gave him a chance to chat with students or faculty more openly.
As he walked in, using the dragon head cane, he was greeted by a number of students that were grouped here and there. Harry stilled represented something of a contradiction to the students at Hogwarts. Most only knew him by reputation and those times that he had come up to conduct seminars. None had ever spent any time with him as a classmate so he represented more of a legend then a real person when they had first encountered him as a teacher.
Now, with the second semester well underway they found him to be friendly, caring and very accessible, willing to spend whatever time it took to help a student wrestle with a perplexing concept or personal problem. Abagail of course was the lone exception within the student body. She knew him better than almost anyone and nothing about his devotion to the school, its mission and its students surprised her. She was sitting at the Ravenclaw table deep in conversation with several classmates but as Harry walked in the small side door by the faculty dais her head popped up and she looked straight at him. Her smile was very wide and she hurried to get up off the bench and she practically ran to meet him.
"Hello, sir," she said in that breathy voice. "How did the visit to the doctor's go?"
"Pretty well, little one. As you can see I'm off the crutches and down to a walking brace and cane so I'm making progress. Madame Pomfrey is going to help me with the exercises I need to do but things are coming along nicely, thank you for asking," Harry said with a smile.
"That's terrific," she said and then her face got a bit serious. "I was hoping you'd come in tonight. There's someone I was hoping you could talk to. He needs some help and I've been trying to convince him to come see you but he's afraid to."
"Afraid to talk or afraid of me?" Harry asked quietly.
"Some of both I think."
"Do you want me to come over or do you want to bring him here?"
"Why don't we try going over to him?" Abagail said, indicating the small group she had been sitting with.
"Alright, lead the way."
Abagail walked slightly ahead of Harry and as they approached one young wizard's eyes got very big and he began to scramble up from the bench. Abagail made a rude noise and Harry heard her say,
"He's going to bolt."
"Young man," Harry said looking directly at him and speaking softly but firmly. "A moment of your time, please."
The sixth year froze in place, looking for all the world like a deer watching the headlights of a lorry bear down on it. The two other youngsters, a witch and another wizard watched as Harry approached, his green eyes never leaving those of the panicky boy. When Harry came to stand directly across from him he smiled a little and said,
"Your friends seem to think that I might be able to help you with a problem. Is there something you'd like to talk to me about?"
The boys head began to swivel in the negative but he stopped when the girl sitting next to him nudged him in the side. He froze in place again and the girl made an exasperated noise and grabbed a handful of his robe, hauling him back down to the bench, where she leaned in and began to whisper to him insistently. Harry simply stood and watched, the smile never leaving his face. Finally, the young wizard seemed to reach a decision and he turned to the girl and said,
"Alright, I'll tell him, just stop going on about it."
He then turned to Harry and said,
"Yes, sir. I could use some advice."
"Is here alright?" Harry asked mildly.
The boy nodded and Harry sat down bracketed by the other wizard and Abagail who took a seat beside him.
"So, what seems to be the matter, Mr. Kensington?"
The boy looked surprised at the sound of his name and Harry smiled a bit more.
"Yes, I remember you when you were in my first year DADA class when I was the teaching assistant. So what can I do for you?"
The boy looked around at his friends and with a firm nod from the young witch at his side he took a breath and began. He told Harry the story of this past summer at his home near Whitby on the Northern Yorkshire Moors. About strange visitors at odd hours and hushed conversations. The boy lived in a large house with an extended family of mixed magical background. By mixed he meant that there were some branches that connected with some of the darker elements of magical society. Apparently his aging grandfather had serious views that did not hold Harry in high regard, or any regard truth be told.
Young Kensington had heard arguments between his father and grandfather about the way the wizarding world in the UK had been heading these last few years since the fall of Voldemort. On those occasions when his father wasn't home, the young wizard observed his grandfather meeting with several individuals, none of whom could be described as looking worthy of trust. One who visited most often was a gaunt figure with long pale hair, but the boy never saw his face as the meeting usually took place outside and he would watch through a window. When he came back to school he had often thought to approach Harry but he was afraid. Afraid that he might get his family in trouble with the authorities and afraid of Harry, having heard what terrible retribution he had brought down on people he regarded as enemies, or so his grandfather often said.
"I don't know what's going on, sir, but from what I've heard, particularly when Dad and his dad were arguing, that something is afoot. Something about going back to the old ways, when wizards were in charge and the rest knew their places. There was a huge row over the Christmas break with my dad threatening to throw my granddad out in the cold. The estate came down through my grandmother and when she died, Dad and Mum inherited. Granddad has no claim or hold on the property. He threatened them with all kinds of nastiness if they did. That's why I thought more about telling you. I'm afraid for my parents," the young wizard said, looking down at the table.
The young witch at his side had placed a hand on his forearm. Harry looked at the boy for a moment and then said as he offered his hand across the table,
"Mr. Kensington, I want to congratulate you on your courage for speaking of this to me. I know how difficult it can be for a child to become involved in the affairs of his elders. You should know that the Magical Law Enforcement office has been aware of some of this sort of thing for a while now. I'm pretty sure I know who that long haired man is. We've been watching him. It wouldn't surprise me if our investigators know of his visits to your home," Harry said and when he saw the panicked look return he held up his hand to reassure him.
"Up till now we've been gathering information. What you've told me will be of great help and I'll pass it along," Harry said looking at the concerned face of the boy. "If you're feeling bad about possibly informing on a member of your family, don't. If your grandfather is involved in something with the people we suspect, your telling me this way may help your parents a great deal. Try and keep that in mind."
"Yes, sir," the boy said quietly.
"Well, everyone, I hope you have a good night. At least as good as can be," Harry said as he stood up.
As Harry stood, Abagail did likewise and walked with him towards the main door of the Hall. Harry stopped and looked down at his ward.
"You did a good thing for your friend, little one. I'm just sorry he had to struggle with it as long as he did. It must have been very difficult."
"We knew he was having trouble for a while but he never said anything until he came back from the holiday break. It must have gotten really ugly. But I figured you probably know more about that kind of thing then anyone, you know, keeping things inside and how to deal with them. I guess I was right," she said with a sad smile.
Harry looked at Abagail and then said quietly,
"I know I said we shouldn't do this but…" and he reached out and pulled her close.
She in turn wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as tight as she could. When they let go she looked up with misty eyes and said,
"I'm really glad you're here, Harry."
"I'm glad I'm here too, little one."
He watched as Abagail went back in to join her friends and then he moved towards the front doors.
"Kreacher, I need your help," he called out quietly.
Almost immediately the little elf appeared with a pop.
"Kreacher is ready to assist Master Harry."
"Kreacher, first thing in the morning would you please go to the Ministry and let Mr. Milligan know I need to see him at lunch time tomorrow?"
"Of course, Master Harry."
Right on cue the following noon the tall lanky wizard was standing in the foyer as Harry made his way to the Great Hall. The acting deputy chief had a curious smile on his face as he watched his boss approach.
"Hello, Chief. It's good to see you walking so well. The surgery went alright then?" Milligan asked.
"Thanks, Milligan. So far so good. I've got some information for you," Harry said and then he proceeded to fill him in on the contents of his discussion with the young Mr. Kensington.
When he was finished Milligan nodded and then said,
"The old man is one of the ones we had on our surveillance list although the apparent frequency of visits is new information. We'll put some more resources on him. I'll look into seeing if we can find a way to put some pressure on him and see what we can squeeze out. Thanks for the tip, Chief. Maybe we can get this wrapped up before you're due back," Milligan said with a slight emphasis on the 'due'.
"The sooner the better," Harry said, giving no indication that he picked up on the subtle message.
Milligan nodded and then shook hands with Harry and then went out the door into the ice tunnel.
The ridiculous winter weather continued through February, piling up more and more snow. The portraits were all saying how long it had been since such a winter had last hit the area. A truly severe winter storm usually occurred every dozen years or so. A winter of multiple bad storms would come along around every twenty five years. What they were seeing this year was a hundred year winter but if it continued along these lines until spring it could be the worst in over five hundred.
The stress of being pent up in the castle without any relief was beginning to show and Madame Pomfrey was kept busy dealing with frayed nerves and the damage resulting from a few brawls. Harry had the advantage of getting a break each weekend at the Burrow, but the cold and snow had found its way south, but not anywhere near as severe. They only had a few inches on the ground at any one time and there were still days of sunshine.
As February gave way to March the howling gales subsided and the snow actually started falling vertically again, adding to the multiple feet already on the ground. Some of the students were getting desperate to get out of the castle. Late one afternoon an alarm went up and Professor Flitwick was called upon to levitate two students out of deep holes in the snow when they tried to ride purloined shields from one of the upper floor corridors down a snow drift that was piled up to the second floor windows. They made it perhaps a hundred yards when the snow collapsed beneath them and they disappeared from sight. Fortunately there were a number of spectators that were able to summon help.
The adventurous miscreants were sentenced to a week of polishing every shield in the castle. To try and relieve some of the tedium Harry had Kreacher bring the antique chess set up and he arranged a tournament. The need for some diversion coupled with the attraction of the dramatic impact of the archaic chess pieces drew significant crowds. The pieces rose to the occasion magnificently with many a shouted challenge and drawn out combat between contesting opponents. Harry wasn't sure but he strongly suspected that whatever spell was used on this set had more then a touch of Shakespeare mixed in. But it did help provide some entertainment to get the students through the tedium.
It was also helping Harry think about something other than Ginny and the impending arrival of his first child. Every weekend his normally slightly built wife was bigger and bigger and more and more uncomfortable. The Weasley women were convinced that mid April was a long shot and it was more likely the baby would arrive shortly after the month turned. Harry thought the sooner the better as long as mother and child were healthy.
Harry was thinking along these lines as lunch was winding down on the Wednesday of the third week of March. He was looking out over the students but not really seeing anything when he felt a nudge in his ribs from Bill Weasley.
"Harry, isn't that Milligan in the doorway?"
"Yes, it is," Harry said as he stood up and began to make his way off the dais after seeing his chief investigator motioning to him urgently.
They met at the bottom of the steps and Milligan leaned in and whispered,
"Sir, we have a situation at the Ministry and we need you there right now."
"What's going on?" Harry replied.
"The Minister has turned up missing. We think he's being held down in Mysteries. The head spook and the head of Sports was up to see him this morning and his secretary thinks they left together, but she's having a hard time remembering. Looks like she's been spelled. Plus when we tried to get in the first door was cursed and one of ours is now in St. Mungo's getting unhexed."
"Cursed doors you say," Harry murmured and then turned and waved to Bill.
When his brother-in-law met them Harry quickly filled him in and asked for his help. Bill agreed immediately. As they were preparing to leave Harry diverted to the near end of the Gryffindor table and grabbed up several rolls that had been left and put them in the pocket of his robe. He looked at the other two and said,
"I may need the energy before this is over."
They hurried as best they could considering Harry's leg until they were outside the gateway of the grounds and then Disapparated to the Atrium. Things looked calm but Harry could sense an underlying tension. The three men hurried to an elevator and took it down to the ninth level of the underground building. In the hallway outside the door leading in were Maxwell, Muntab and her Special Tactical Squad as well as a number of senior Aurors. Harry was pleased to see that none of the trainees were present.
"What have we got?" Harry asked.
"We can't really tell, sir," Maxwell replied. "This door won't budge and anyone who gets within a foot goes down like they've been hit with 'petrificus totalus'."
Harry turned to his brother-in-law.
"What do you think, Bill? Can you do anything?"
"I think so for this one, but I've got to think there will be more. I need my old work bag from my days with Gringotts and it's at Shell Cottage."
Harry nodded and said,
"Kreacher!"
The little house elf popped into view in the corridor.
"Yes, Master Harry."
"Kreacher, I need to you go to Shell Cottage and ask Mrs. Weasley for Bill's work bag. It's very important. Then ask her to go to the Burrow and wait for us."
"Yes, Master Harry."
The little elf disappeared and then Bill took out his wand and held it out in front of him as he slowly approached the door, quietly mumbling a spell. As he got closer the air in front of the wand began to glow a sickly green. When he reached the crucial distance of one foot the air all around the door began to glow and pulsate and Bills chanting go stronger and louder. Finally, with a brief flash and discharge of heat the air cleared. Bill turned, his face set in a grim, but satisfied look, heightened by the pattern of scars.
"Whew, I haven't had to do that in quite a while. I'm glad I haven't lost my touch. The normal code should work now."
Milligan stepped forward and mumbled something and the door slid open. He turned and looked at Harry.
"When you asked me to poke around to see if they had done anything to the doors I came up with the standard set of codes. This nasty business must be very recent, like today."
As Harry nodded two of Muntab's Specials checked inside, covering each other with wands, then slipped inside. A third stepped up to watch and then gave an all clear sign to the rest. The whole squad and Muntab went in ahead of Harry and the rest. They stood and watched as the walls revolved just as Harry remembered from that awful night so many years ago.
"Any ideas on where they might be or do we check them all?" Harry asked.
"Not really sure, Chief. First things first though. We need to check for more curses," Milligan said looking to Bill expectantly.
As if on cue they heard a pop in the corridor behind them and the little house elf walked in carrying an old canvas shoulder bag that had some strange objects sewn on and several unusual sigils and runes written on it. Bill nodded in satisfaction as he took hold of the strap and slung it over his shoulder. Kreacher hurried to Harry and said,
"Mrs. Bill Weasley tells Kreacher to inform Master Harry and Mister Bill that Mrs. Weasley expects all to return in good health or there will be very big trouble."
"I'll be very happy to endure Fleur's idea of big trouble if we get through this in one piece," Harry said looking over at his brother-in-law, who simply nodded in agreement.
Bill got to work. As the others watched he pulled several odd looking implements from his bag and began to investigate the first door. It sent sparks flying when he touched it with one of the implements and then crackled loudly at the touch of a second. He looked back over his shoulder and said,
"Go ahead and try it."
Milligan stepped forward with a Special on either side of the doorway and he muttered the words of the code and the door slide aside. A fireball whizzed over his head and the two Specials dashed in firing their own counter spells. They heard shouts and the other squad members rushed in. There was the sound of spells and the shattering of glass. Then someone called out the all clear and the rest entered.
They were in the strange room that had the tank with brains floating in it. The tank had been smashed and the contents lay in pieces on the floor. Two wizards lay in heaps of robes on the floor as well. There was no sign of the Minister.
"Wrap these two up and put them under guard in the corridor. Jam that door open. As we clear a room anyone we find put them outside and keep the door open," Harry ordered.
Bill opened the next door with the contents of a small vile and a quickly incanted spell. The curse let go with a sharp report. A muggle might have compared it to a loud gunshot. The door opened onto a miniature model of the solar system. Specials dashed in and Harry thought he heard someone shout the beginning of the 'cruciatus' curse but they were cut short by a loud shout of 'expulso' and something exploded. Once the smoke cleared they found a stunned wizard lying amidst the rubble of what had been the model of the planet Jupiter.
Two more rooms were opened and cleared, netting three more downed wizards at the cost of one Special who was hit by a strong 'impedimenta' spell. There were now only two rooms left, the Death Chamber and the Ever Locked room. Despite Bill's every effort he couldn't remove whatever spell or curse was keeping it closed. He finally looked back at Harry.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I just can't seem to get through this one. It's nothing I've ever come across or even heard of."
"You've done a great job, Bill, but now I think it's my turn," he said then turned to address his team.
"I need you to take cover in the two rooms furthest away from this door. I need the biggest one of you to come with me. Let me check the room first if the door opens."
Harry walked to the open doorway that was most directly across from the target. He stepped inside and a tall burly Auror stepped in with him. Harry turned and stood with most of his body behind the wall to the side of the door. He looked over his shoulder and said,
"I need you to brace me when I throw this spell. It's got quite a kick. But as soon as I let it go, you need to pull me aside really fast and then get us down low, understand?"
"Yes, sir," the big Auror said but Harry could see his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.
Harry set himself with his left hand against the wall and his weight leaning on his right leg. The Auror had both hands on Harry's shoulders. Harry said,
"Ok, here we go."
As he concentrated he felt his anger start to rise. He hadn't had time to consider but those all too familiar feelings were bubbling to the surface. The dragon was beginning to roar and Harry had to fight to remain in control. He waved the wand and in a voice that echoed with a reptilian roar he shouted 'INCENDIO DRACO' and imagined a tight blunt ball. The normally darkish entrance room was bathed in blinding white light and he felt himself pressed back against the Aurors hands who, with a muttered curse, gripped Harry's robe and spun him around and then pulled him down against the wall, with himself between Harry and the open door. In less then a moment the whole building shook with the impact and the sound was deafening.
"Merlin's beard, what was that?" Harry heard the burly Auror ask.
"Leave that for now, let's get out there," Harry said and he felt himself being lifted from the floor.
He didn't notice any pain from his knee for which he was happy but it was only a fleeting thought. The dragon was urging him on to hunt down his quarry. As he walked into the entrance room he was met with a number of stunned expressions peering from the doors to either side. He hurried past without comment holding his wand in one hand and his cane in the other. The door that had given them so much trouble was no longer in evidence. The frame and a good part of the wall on either side were also missing.
He carefully approached the opening and through a thin haze he looked down into the Death Chamber with its stone benches marching down to the floor, the raised dais and the arch with the tattered black curtain. Off to the side, strapped into a wooden chair was the Minister of Magic, his forearms and legs wrapped in rope, his mouth gagged with a cloth. Behind him stood the haggard Mr. Lucius Malfoy, his robes hanging on him, looking several sizes to large and very over worn. He was holding a slim stiletto at the side of the Ministers neck. Harry waved his team to stand fast as he slowly entered through the blasted doorway.
He looked at the Minister and could see that he was alert, his eyes fixed on Harry as he began to descend the stone stairway through the amphitheater benches.
"Well, if it isn't the Minister's attack dog, Mr. Harry Potter, come to the rescue. I suggest you come no closer, Potter," Malfoy said with a voice dripping malice.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy. It's been a while. The years don't seem to have treated you well. You look like you could use some rest," Harry replied mildly, while inside the dragon roared.
"I've been busy, Potter. It's taken a lot of effort to try and wake up the wizarding world to the threat you two pose. You and your ridiculous notions about equality and all the rest," Mr. Malfoy drawled in contempt.
"Do you really think all this is going to stop what is going on? Despite the efforts of your compatriots the majority of people want to see these changes, Mr. Malfoy. They recognize that the old ways breed the likes of Riddle and yourself and they don't want that anymore," Harry said in a deceptively calm manner.
Inwardly he was waging a battle with himself. The dragon wanted to blast his old nemesis regardless of the collateral damage. Harry had other ideas, however. He continued to talk to keep his opponent busy.
"I'm surprised to see you using a muggle weapon, Mr. Malfoy. Tom Riddle would be disappointed you weren't using a wand."
"Not everything about muggles is useless, Potter. This particular weapon is very useful, particularly when it's enhanced by certain potions. One scratch and that's that," Malfoy replied.
"And then what, Mr. Malfoy. You'd be destroyed in the next heartbeat," Harry said as he slowly let a little of the dragon emerge.
He was only a few rows down from the opening and some of the Specials had gathered at the edge to be better prepared if they needed to act. One looked at the witch next to him and said,
"Is it my imagination or is it getting hotter in here?"
The other just shook her head and they turned to listen to Harry and Malfoy spar.
"Perhaps, Potter, but I will have eliminated one of the scourges of our world and you will have failed and the rest will turn you out for having done so. I think I could go happily knowing you will have to live with that failure for the rest of your miserable life."
As Harry's dragon's sense grew stronger he could pick up sounds. He could hear the breathing of the two men in the room. He could hear their heartbeats. He knew the one was the Minister, strong but fast due to the stress of captivity. The other was faster still but shallow and stressed. Harry knew that Malfoy was in bad shape from all the stress of the last half dozen or so years. A thought began to form.
He let a little more of the dragon emerge and he knew from the altered field of vision that his eyes were changing. He could see that Malfoy and the Minister could see it too. Shacklebolt looked amazed, Malfoy looked appalled, and afraid. Harry could see that Malfoy's knife hand was lowering slightly as he focused on Harry's eyes. He could sense the quickening of the already rapid heartbeat and he reached out with his senses and he focused on that sound until it was all he heard. Silently he muttered 'Immobulos' as he focused on the sound of the man's heart. The sound stopped. Malfoy's eyes went wide and the knife dropped from his hand to bounce off the chair and hit the stone floor. Lucius Malfoy let out a gurgling sigh and toppled over sideways to land on the floor behind the chair.
Harry sighed deeply himself and then began to walk down the stone steps slowly with his wand held low at his side. As he came to stand in front of the Minister he pointed his wand at the bindings and muttered 'Diffindo', slicing through the ropes. He then pocketed his wand and untied the gag.
"Hello, Minister," Harry said quietly.
"Harry, to say it's good to see you would be a gross understatement," the Minister replied.
Harry gave the Minister a tired smile and then he turned and called out.
"It's clear, come in."
The Specials rushed into the room, fanning out looking to see if anyone else may have been hiding. Maxwell and Milligan hurried down to where the Minister was still sitting in the chair, rubbing where the ropes had chafed the skin on his forearms. Bill Weasley was the last to enter and he made straight for Harry.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Bill asked with his voice full of concern.
"A little tired, Bill, but otherwise unscathed, for once," he replied.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll and began to eat it seemingly without realizing it. He turned back to the Minister and his deputies.
"Do you think you should have the folks at St. Mungo's have a look at you, sir?" Harry asked.
"I don't think that will be necessary, Harry. They didn't do me any lasting harm," he said shaking his head. "It's rather embarrassing that they got the drop on me the way they did. I guess that's what happens when you become more a politician and less an Auror. One minute I'm having a conversation with the Directors of Mysteries and Games and Sports and the next I'm down here with Malfoy railing about the decline of wizardom and the rest of that nonsense."
Harry looked at Maxwell and Milligan and said,
"Why don't you two escort the Minister back up to his office. Someone contact Mrs. Malfoy and see about the body. I'm going to make a stop at my office and then I'll be up to see the Minister," he said and then he turned to Bill. "Would you mind going out to the Burrow and let everyone know what happened? I'm sure they must be pretty anxious."
"Of course, Harry. You'll be out later?" Bill asked, watching his younger brother-in-law closely.
"Definitely."
The Minister stood up and shook hands with Harry and then Bill and then walked up and out of the room with Maxwell and Milligan to either side, wands still in hand. Harry looked down at the body of Lucius Malfoy and then with a sad shake of the head began to walk up and out of the amphitheater. He was followed but the burly Auror that had helped him earlier. No words were exchanged but it was evident the big wizard intended to stay with Harry until he was at his office.
As they passed out of the Mysteries department those wizards who were captured had already been hustled away so they were able to move unimpeded to the elevators. Harry and his escort finally made it to his office. Before he went in he turned to the big wizard and said,
"Thanks for your help. Why don't you get yourself a cuppa and then report down to the holding cells to see if they need any help sorting out the ones we captured."
"Yes, sir," the man said with a nod and then continued on down the corridor allowing Harry to see for the first time the burn marks on the back of the man's robe.
Harry walked into the room, showing just a bit of dust here and there and he looked for some parchment and a quill but couldn't find any. A thought occurred to him and he went to Hermione's office. He knocked on the closed door.
"Who is it?" came the muffled query.
"It's Harry."
He could hear a chair crash back into the file cabinet behind it and the sound of several very quick footsteps. The door was flung open and she grabbed onto Harry's arm.
"Harry, what in the world has been going on? There's been all kinds of rumors and then the entire building shook before. What happened?" she asked rapid fire, all the while pulling Harry into her office.
Harry sank down in the one other chair and leaned his cane against her desk. He scrubbed at his face and then went on to explain what had occurred. Hermione sat looking at him with her mouth open and her eyes wide. When he finished she didn't say a word for several moments. Finally she said,
"How are you doing, Harry? This must have been very hard on you."
"Yes it was. It wasn't like it was in the heat of a battle. It was a cold, calculated thing I did. I need to ask a favor. Can I borrow some parchment and a quill? There wasn't anything in my office I could use."
"Of course, Harry," Hermione said as she pulled the requested materials out and slid them across the desk.
She watched quietly while Harry scratched out a few lines on the sheet and then signed it. He handed Hermione the quill and then read what he had written. Then he looked at his best friend and slid the sheet across for her to read. As she read her eyes went wide and she looked up at Harry and then back down at the parchment. Then she looked back at Harry and asked,
"You're sure about this, Harry? Really?"
"Yes, Hermione. It's time."
Hermione stood up and came around to stand at his side and wrapped her arms around his shoulder and pulled him close. Then she let him go and handed him the sheet of parchment.
"Ron and I will be out to see you this weekend, Harry. There will be lots to talk about I suspect."
"Most likely. I better get this up to the Minister. Thanks for everything, Hermione."
"Anytime, Harry."
He left the office and made his way up to the Minister's suite. His secretary wasn't at her desk and he walked up to the door and knocked.
"Yes?" came the Minister's deep voice.
"Harry Potter here, sir."
"Come in, Harry, come in."
Harry swung the door open to find the Minister still in the company of Maxwell and Milligan. It wasn't the ideal situation for what was to come, but then again it would save repeated explanation. He walked up to where the Minister was sitting at the conference table and handed him the folded parchment. The Minister looked at it, almost with resignation, and took it. He unfolded it and read. Without changing expression he then read it out loud.
"This letter is to serve notice of my immediate resignation as Chief, Magical Law Enforcement for the Ministry of Magic. I recommend that the interim duties of the Acting Chief and Acting Deputy Chief be made permanent, effective immediately. Sincerely, Harry James Potter."
Maxwell and Milligan were looking at Harry in stunned silence. The Minister looked far less surprised.
"I'd try to talk you out of it, Harry, but I have a feeling that I wouldn't get very far this time. Suffice to say you'll be sorely missed but the students now and in the future will be very fortunate to have you there. I hope you'll remember your promise at the party about my being able to call on you for advice from time to time."
"Yes, sir. You'll know where to find me if you need to," Harry said quietly.
He offered his hand to Maxwell who had stood up and said,
"Chief, I know the department is in good hands."
"Thank you, sir," Maxwell replied quietly.
Milligan had come around from the other side and likewise took Harry's offered hand.
"Keep up the good work, Deputy Chief. I have my eye on a couple of sharp youngsters that might make excellent investigators. I'll try and send them your way."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," the lanky wizard said in a subdued voice.
"Good work today, gentlemen. My compliments to the department. I best be getting home. It's been a privilege," Harry said and then with a nod to the Minister he walked out of the office and made his way to the Atrium where he Disapparated to the backyard of the Burrow, and to a new life.