Chapter twelve

As Ron walked through the atrium he got surrounded in reporters, 'Whoa.'

'It was your brother in the picture with Harry Potter, wasn't it Mr. Weasley?'

'Yes, but I'm not commenting on my friend or my brother's personal lives,' Ron pushed his way through and saw Hermione with her back to everyone and realise she was trying to hide from the reporters. He stood next to her waiting for the lift, ignoring her so he wouldn't give away that he knew her or that it was Hermione. Once they were in the lifts, 'Blimey, did you know about this Hermione?'

'Not about Charlie, only that Harry was gay. I was going to ask you about that picture.'

'Charlie came to the Burrow the night before and said he was seeing someone, but that someone was scared. Then he turns up at our office and as you saw by the picture, carried Harry out. I need to speak with you before we start work.'

Hermione nodded then waited until the lifts stopped and they stepped out and found a quiet corner.

'We were all talking after Charlie and Harry left. We heard a few things they said, one being Harry was scared, someone had died and we figured out that Harry had been seeing someone and they died and that's why he's been so cold. We all formed a theory but you seem to know more about Harry than anyone, you work things out about him, things none of us do.'

'I found out by accident who it was and it's a wonder I never picked up on it straight away. Harry got upset when I asked him about why he was acting so cold and just shouted out who it was.'

'Was it Sirius?'

'Yes, but that's all I know except that Harry started it and they kept it secret because Harry was underage and he didn't want Sirius to get in trouble.'

'Yeah, he would have, Harry was only fifteen. Kingsley and I were talking about how Harry and Sirius kept spending time in his room. Well, we both better get back to work, we're bound to get more questions thrown at us.'

'I'm not going to answer them, this is Harry's private life and you know what he's like about that. Before you go Ron, what about Ginny?'

'I showed her the paper, she never said anything, just hurried from the house. But we could tell she was upset,' Ron slipped his arms around Hermione, 'Since we have some privacy.' Ron and Hermione stood together in the quiet corner having a morning snog before they both headed to their office.

'It's going to be interesting when Harry gets back,' Seamus chuckled when he spotted Ron.

'I think a lot more than just interesting. I wonder if those two have left the bed at all.'

'The way they were acting, no way,' Susan grinned, 'I hope that means that we finally have Harry back the way he was.'

'I think we will, oh and I found out who this person was that died. Hermione found out by accident when she was talking to Harry.'

'Was it Sirius?' Seamus asked.

'Yep, Harry started it but they kept it quiet because he was underage. That's all I know but it all finally makes sense. I used to wake up in our room at Grimmauld Place and Harry wasn't in his bed, we always shared a room. I just figured he was either in the bathroom or down in the kitchen, but he must have been in with Sirius. Anyway, enough about Harry's private life, we should get to work,' Ron went over to his desk and all the other aurors did the same thing. But Ron noticed that everyone had a copy of the Daily Prophet on their desks, so he knew Harry was going to be in for an interesting time when he finally made it back to work.

Over the next few days, Harry and Charlie never did leave the house and hardly left Harry's bed. After Charlie had showed Harry the picture on the front page of the Daily Prophet, he knew he was bound to get a lot of attention. So when both men were ready to head back to work, Harry decided to get there early in the hope he could escape the questions, at least put it off for a while.

Harry stepped out of the fireplace in the atrium and thankfully it was deserted. He made his way up to the auror offices and found he was the first one there. So he went to his desk and got stuck into his work since he had been away for a week and he just hoped Kingsley wasn't angry with him. He'd been working for two hours before it was time for the others to show up.

'Wondering when you were going to return to work.'

Harry glanced up at Kingsley looking worried wondering how he was going to react, then relaxed when he noticed his boss was smiling, actually, he looked amused.

'Sorry boss.'

'Don't be, especially if you keep smiling there my young friend. So I take it you and Charlie have worked everything out?'

'Yep, in between shagging each other silly,' Harry chuckled.

'It's like looking at two different blokes, the moody one and the happy one. So all this, the way you were acting was because of Sirius?'

Harry's eyes widened in surprise, 'How did you know about Sirius?'

'After you left we all talked about what we heard you and Charlie talking about. Then Ron and I talked about who it might have been. We talked first about others, like Cedric and Fred, but we worked it out. Then Ron asked Hermione and she finally told him it was Sirius. Only everyone here knows about that though. So those times you and Sirius were in his room?' Kingsley left the sentence open.

'Yeah and it was all my doing. Sirius and I admitted how we felt, but he refused to take it further. I pretty much gave him no choice, I used to sneak into his bed after he went to sleep. He woke up with…well, let's just say my mouth was having a good time.'

'I don't need to hear that Harry. But you are lucky no one found out since you were only fifteen at the time. Anyway, you have a lot of work to catch up on, so get started.'

'Yes boss,' Harry grinned.

'Oh look, Harry's smiling, someone take a picture, oh wait, we have one,' Seamus picked up the Daily Prophet and showed him, then all the other aurors laughed as they showed Harry their copy of the paper, 'A great way for an auror to act.'

Harry picked up his quill and threw it at Seamus, 'Smart arse, the lot of you and as for smiling, expect a lot more of that.'

'He's back,' Ron grinned, 'About bloody time mate.'

'So you're okay with us Ron?' Harry asked as his smile disappeared.

'Yeah, as long as we finally have you back how you were. But shagging my brother, not something I want to think about.'

'Oh we do a lot more than that.'

'Do did he really tie you up?' Parvati asked but saw everyone look at her, 'What, that's what Charlie said he was going to do, then punish him. I want to find out if he did?'

'He definitely did and for hours. But I wasn't tied up, I was cuffed, ankles and wrists, spread out across my bed, there still bruised too. Merlin your brother can get rough Ron, but I gave as good as I got, had him screaming and begging to be let loose, which I didn't.'

'Oh we're never going to hear the end of this now. Ron you might have to get used to hearing about your brother and Harry shagging,' Ernie chuckled.

'I'll just block them out, I'm used to it with Charlie.'

'Okay, back to work, all of you,' Kingsley laughed then called Simon into his office before closing the door, 'Now we might see how Harry reacts to the news I'm going to be telling him.'

'Well he does deserve it and damn his good. He makes me feel like training more. Do you think that's just Harry or the way he was?'

'That's Harry, he was determined to be an auror and he wanted it because he could do the job and not who he is. He wanted to prove he was good enough and even though I knew he was, he wasn't going to take my word for it, he wanted to show it. He did surprise me though, with every test, with every assignment, he surpassed my expectations, he's made for this job.'

'Yeah, he is. But since everyone seems fine with Harry and Charlie, how about it, let everyone know?'

'We could start with all them out there. But we can't show our relationship at work. They all know it's not allowed, but since you and I were the only two aurors at the time, it wasn't like I could run this place alone. But since they have seen us working together and nothing else, I think they will realise it won't affect our working relationship. So a snog babe then we both better get back to work.'

'Yes, we should,' Simon stepped in between Kingsley's legs, wrapped his arms around his neck and their lips instantly met.

At lunch time when Harry and the others aurors all left the office to head down to the dining room. Harry was a little nervous wondering how much attention he might get. Ron noticed that Harry was quiet, so he nodded to the others and they all surrounded Harry, trying to keep him out of sight.

'Thanks,' Harry grinned.

'That's what friends do mate, help each other. We thought we'd remind you.'

'Okay, I'm sorry, I was having a hard time. Let's just go eat,' Harry gave a sheepish smile.

The group was lucky, they got to the dining room without anyone seeing Harry. But the moment they stepped in Charlie stood up. Harry gazed at him then launched himself at Charlie, wrapping his legs and arms around him then they stood there kissing very passionately.

'Blimey, we're in the middle of the dining room, wait till you get home,' Ron said then tapped them both on the shoulder, 'Everyone is staring and some more pictures just got taken, which will bound to end up on the front page of the paper again.'

Charlie slowly lowered Harry to his feet, 'That was a nice hello, got over your shyness I see.'

Harry laughed, 'I was never shy babe, but I'm glad you're here and wasn't expecting it.'

Charlie led Harry over to get their lunch, 'I couldn't stay away and wanted to ask how it went when you came into work?'

'He was here early, so they missed him. Not now, not after seeing the way you two were,' Seamus grinned. 'I don't know what you did Charlie, but keep doing it, we've finally got Harry back.'

'They haven't stopped all morning.' Harry shrugged.

'But he did tell us you tied, or cuffed him to the bed then he did the same to you,' Susan said.

'Are you telling everyone what we've been doing to each other babe?'

'Not everything Charlie, but Parvati asked if you did tie me up and punish me, like you said you were going to, so I answered her. Now let's eat, I'm starved.'

The group of aurors and Charlie all sat down with their lunch, drinks, tea and coffee when Hermione stepped over. She didn't sit down straight away, just stared at Harry who got up and hugged her.

'I'm sorry Hermione, please don't be angry with me.'

'I'm not angry Harry, I'm actually happy for you,' Hermione pulled back then punched Harry in the arm.

'Ow, what was that for if you're not angry with me.' Harry rubbed his arm which made everyone at the table laugh.

'Because you pissed me off, I thought I'd lost my friend,' she hugged Harry again.

'I'd watch her Ron, she hits hard.'

'I already know that Harry.'

'Don't bruise him Hermione, that's my job,' Charlie grinned.

'Yes, he did say he has bruises on his wrists and ankles,' Ernie said.

'So do I,' the moment Harry sat down next to Charlie took Harry's hand in his then gently kissed his palm before running his tongue along his wrist.

Harry groaned loudly, 'Um, blimey Charlie.'

'You can't take off again, you've had enough time off, so Charlie, stop turning him on.'

'Oh, my little brother's spoken, and just so you know Ron, that's nothing compared to what I can do to Harry, sometimes with just a look.'

'Oh please don't Charlie, I won't be able to eat or concentrate on work for the rest of the day if you do that.'

Charlie laughed, 'I won't, but it will give you something to think about when we get home my love.'

'You all seem very happy,' Arthur stepped into the dining room and smiled down at Charlie and Harry, 'You should have told us Harry.'

'I was scared, but you know about why I was acting like that?'

'We know you lost someone, we don't know who, Charlie never mentioned that.'

'Well, this lot know, they worked it out,' Harry took Charlie's hand, 'I started it, but it was Sirius.'

'Oh, now everything is finally making sense. You did seem to change right after he died.'

'Yeah, but Charlie and I talked it all out,' Harry smirked, 'In between shagging each other until neither of us could walk properly.'

'Oh don't start again, we don't want to keep hearing that. But I think dad is going to get as much attention as Harry is. Being minister for magic and his son did just snog Harry right here in the middle of the dining room.'

'Harry snogged me Ron, remember, not that I didn't snog him back. But dad, have you had any attention?'

'Lot's, along with a lot of mail, I just say it's nothing to do with me, your private lives and what you do is your business.'

'Sorry to put you in the middle of this Mr. Weasley. But it was more Charlie's fault than mine.'

'Oh thanks babe, great partner you are. Now let's eat, I also need to get back to work.'

Everyone started eating, but they couldn't stop watching Harry and Charlie. Sometimes Charlie would feed Harry, then Harry would feed Charlie or Charlie would either kiss or run his tongue over Harry's bruised wrist. But the group of friend weren't the only ones watching the two men, almost everyone in the dining room were watching them.