Chapter three

A week later, Harry heard Spirit growling then gave a loud howl, he rode his horse back towards the house and saw his wolf who was growling at Kingsley and another man.

'Spirit, come,' Harry called as he dismounted then unsaddled the horse, and took the bridal off, 'Take Prongs back down to the stables Spirit, I'll be there shortly,' Harry rubbed the wolfs ears, 'So more visitors that never let me know they were coming and who could have been bitten,' Harry stepped into the house pulling his gloves off as he walked towards the kitchen to get himself a drink, then leant against the counter, 'So what's up Kingsley and who's your friend?'

'This is Herbert Pickford, the new minister for magic, Herbert, Harry Potter.'

Harry nodded but never moved from where he was, 'So you decided not to stay as minister?'

'No, I wanted to run the auror office. Sorry I never got a chance to write back, I've been really busy.'

'Like a lot of people, so what could possibly be so important that you finally had time in this so called busy life that would make you come see an old friend?'

'Herbert asked to meet you but we also wanted to speak with you about the memorial ball.'

'I told you I'm not coming, so there's nothing to talk about. I've decided to leave the country for a while, starting the day of the memorial.'

'This a very significant day in our world Mr. Potter and you were the main part of that. So as minister, I would like to formally ask you to attend?'

'Not going to happen.'

'You know all international port keys have to be approved and right now, none are,' Kingsley said wondering how to get Harry to the ball.

'You forget Kingsley, I was brought up in the muggle world and I like travelling the muggle way. I have a car that I love to drive, I have a motorbike I like to ride, I like to fly in a plane, normal muggle things.'

'Well, I knew you were brought up with muggles, I didn't know you liked having anything to do with them, after what we heard about how they treated you.'

'That was just one lot, most muggles are nice people.'

'Fair enough, but one thing though Harry, if you want to be an auror, all employees of the ministry have to attend the ball.'

'I'm not going to be an auror, I changed my mind. Decided I liked not having anything to do with fighting dark witches and wizards anymore. I've had that for so long, even longer than people you're age. The odd few fights I've had weren't my choice, the few death eaters out there decided to find me. So if that's all you both want, I need to go wash my horse down.'

'You always told me you wanted to be an auror, so why don't you want to anymore?'

'Like I said, I don't want that as my life, but mainly it was my life then, so I figured since I was fighting Voldemort an auror would suit me, but I killed him, so that part of my life is over. Also I've found I like the relaxing life I've finally got, but most importantly, I won't have anything to do with the ministry, I don't trust them, never have, never will. I decided I'm happier in the muggle world,' Harry knelt down as his wolf came back inside and Harry gave him a big cuddle and a rub behind his ears, 'Good wolf.' Harry smiled then looked back up at the two men.

'What's with this dog Harry, large and vicious?'

'Well he is large, not vicious really only to people that stop by without warning and he's my friend and he's a wolf not a dog, but most importantly, his my companion. But it's coincidental that you stop by after all this time, Ron and Hermione stopped by a week back asking about the memorial. I don't see them for nearly a year, same with you then two visits in a week and both visits were about the memorial which I already told you in my letter that I wasn't attending.'

'We're trying to finish the preparations. But I did say in the letter that you would be receiving awards for your parents and Sirius, I figured you'd want to go and honour them for their sacrifice in the war. Everyone that died is having a family member there to accept their awards, so I can't work out why you wouldn't want to honour your family.'

'I honour them every day Kingsley, I don't need to go to some artificial ball to do that. Now I need to go, Spirit, show these two men out will you.'

The dog growled and slowly walked towards the two men, 'Harry, call him off, otherwise I'll stun him. Give us a chance to talk to you.'

'You can't stun him, you can't use magic in this house Kingsley and if you try you might find yourself being hurt.'

'What do you mean you can't use magic in this house, nothing would stop that and as an auror, I should know and I probably know more magic than you would.'

'Remember who my mentor was Kingsley, a very clever and powerful wizard who taught me things no one else knew. If you want to test it, go ahead and get your wand out, just get ready to have your hand burned and your wand broken. I always remove my charm if I want to use magic, which I don't want to do, especially now.'

'Hey Harry, where are you?' Charlie yelled.

'Kitchen Charlie,' Harry called and watched as Spirit howled happily and ran towards Charlie as he stepped into the kitchen, 'He's going to knock you flying one day Charlie.'

'He's my mate, aren't you Spirit. So what's going on, they trying to talk you into this silly ball as well, probably because Ron and Hermione decided since they couldn't talk you into it, they'd get some help.'

'You heard them didn't you Charlie,' Harry put his arm around Charlie and kissed him, 'I've been hanging for you to get here.'

'Hanging hey, I like the sound of that, so we're in for some good bed play and I did overhear them saying they were going to write to someone to see if they could talk you around. They probably tried Aberforth first since they know you two are friends and when that didn't work, they tried Kingsley. Anyway, how's the ministry going Kingsley, still got stupid people running the place?'

'Um, so you two are…um,' Kingsley hesitated.

'Are um…' Harry chuckled, 'what, gay Kingsley, yep, and have a great time together. Actually, we're bi wouldn't you say Charlie since we both have slept with woman, well twice for me, you a thousand times.'

Charlie gave Harry a playful punch, 'Not that many, but I used to think I was bi, now, nope, I'm gay, I prefer your cute butt.'

'Yeah, I think you're right because I prefer yours as well. But we can't get into that straight away, I was riding Prongs when they turned up, so I need to go wash him down then feed him.'

'I'll give you a hand as long as you don't hose me down this time. We can get wet in the pool.'

'Deal as long as you're naked again.'

'Oh I will be and I like seeing that muscly body of yours.'

'Listen Harry, we really need you to come to this ball, you're the main reason it's being put on. You killed Voldemort, so everyone wanted this ball to show you their appreciation.'

'I get thousands of letters from people all thanking me, telling me what their life was like and what it's like now, that's showing their appreciation. It's the ministry that wants this ball, not the people and definitely not me, so give it up, I'm not going. Now I really have to go, Spirit, show them out,' Harry and Charlie walked out of the kitchen with the loud menacing growls behind them but they both chuckled when they heard a burst of sparks, meaning someone tried to use magic, 'I love the things Dumbledore taught me,' Harry laughed again as he headed outside with Charlie, Spirit running up to them a few minutes later and both men rubbing the wolfs ears.