Chapter seventeen

Over the following weeks, all the aurors were getting used to Colin being gone, but they never forgot him, and often mentioned something he did or said. Harry noticed Susie was still quiet and wondered if she was still having a hard time handling the loss of a friend.

Michael had handed Harry his new assignment before talking to the others about there's. Harry walked over to Susie's desk.

'We need to head out Susie, you're partnered with me today,' Harry instantly noticed Susie looked apprehensive, 'Come talk to me for a minute,' Harry took Susie's arm and led her into the conference room, 'What's up?'

'I don't know if I can keep doing this Harry. I'm not normally a person that gets frightened, but right now I am. I think it's best to leave the aurors.'

Harry sighed then took Susie's hand, 'No, that is the worst thing for you to do right now. You need to give yourself more time Susie, you need it more than most.'

'Why, because I'm a woman?' she glared.

'It's got nothing to do with you being a female, it's the fact that Colin kept protecting you and that's why he got hit the second time. You've got survivors guilt, I get that more than most. I suffered from that for months after the fighting, and for a couple of years after Sirius died. I felt guilty that they died and I was alive.'

'Do you really think that's all it is, I feel guilty?'

'Yes, I do. You saw it happen, but more importantly it happened right in front of you and with Colin protecting you. Please Susie, take some time, get your head and your feelings together. I'd say at least another couple of months, if you still think you can't do the job, fine, then leave. But not now, it's too soon for you to really understand what you're feeling. I know Michael feels the same because the job he assigned us is just too easy, but he's giving you time to work through what you're feeling. Now if this job was dangerous and hard, I'd talk to Michael about you, but he's smart Susie and knows what he's doing.'

'Thank you Harry and you're right, that's why I've given you a basic escorting job. Susie does need time to work through what she's feeling. But Susie, you should have come talk to me about this.'

'I know boss, even though I thought I couldn't do the job anymore, I was scared you'd think so. I always loved this job and I believe I was good at it.'

'You're damn good and if I had any doubts you couldn't do the job Susie I would tell you, just like I told Harry if you and him want sex but it interferes with your job, then it ends, one way or another. You proved you can do your job even though you've shagged the chosen one, which must have been a mind blowing experience,' Michael grinned at Harry who scowled, 'Now I know you can prove you are still capable of doing your job, so why don't you show me.'

'Thanks boss and yes it was a mind blowing experience, Harry is just so good.'

'Alright, enough, both of you. Let's go Susie and escort the minister to Hogwarts.'

'Hogwarts again, he does tend to visit there a lot.'

'It's like what he said when the school opened, he would be making sure nothing ever disrupts the student's lives again. So visiting, which means having aurors with him let's everyone know they are being watched.'

'Alright, well I get that, so we'll see you when we get back boss.'

'Head straight home, because the visit to Hogwarts involves dinner. So I'll see you both tomorrow.'

'Thanks boss,' Harry smiled then left with Susie to head up to the minister's office, 'Arthur, it's nice to see you.'

'Harry, yes it is, what brings you to the minister's office?'

'Escort duties, we're heading to Hogwarts.'

'Oh wouldn't Ron normally be with you?'

'No, not anymore, Michael thinks having a personal relationship outside the auror office affects our working relationship inside the auror office and I agreed with him. So I don't have a partner anymore, just go out with all the others. Oh this is Susie Shadwell, we've worked together a few times, Susie, Arthur Weasley, Ron's father and advisor to the minister.'

'Nice to meet you Sir and your son looks a lot like you.'

'Nice to meet you as well Miss Shadwell, do you really think Ron looks like me?'

'The older he gets Arthur, the more he does. But I should let the minister know we're here. Tell Molly I said hello.'

'I will Harry, be careful, both of you.'

'We plan to be,' Susie smiled then followed Harry to the office door of the minister for magic. He knocked and heard the minister call to come in.

'Minister, we're here to escort you to Hogwarts,' Harry said formally.

'Thanks, both of you. So tell me Susie, what's Harry like to work with?'

'A pain the arse sometimes,' Susie grinned as the minister laughed, 'Seriously, it's great working with Harry and he knows to listen to me if I think I'm right.'

'You're lucky, usually Harry thinks he's always right.'

'I do not, so stop it, both of you.'

'Just winding you up Harry, well I'm ready, let's go.'

Kingsley with his two auror guards left the ministry and headed to Hogsmeade where Harry took the wards down from around the gates then replaced them once the three of them were through. They walked up to the castle and straight into the great hall to complete silence.

'Who do you think made this place fall silent, the minister or the saviour?' Kingsley asked quietly.

Harry kept his face passive, 'I warned you…Minister.' Harry replied quietly.

'Has to be the saviour,' Susie said also quietly but she, like Harry kept her face neutral and controlled.

'Minister, it's nice to see you again,' Minerva shook his hand then nodded to Harry and Susie, 'Why don't you and your auror guards join us for lunch?'

'Thank you headmistress,' Kingsley said then the three of them sat down.

'What was said to Harry as you walked in, I could tell it was something he didn't like?' Minerva said quietly.

'I asked if it was the minister or saviour that made this place fall silent. Susie thinks it was Harry.'

'I think she's right, as you can see, a lot of students are staring at him.'

'I'm going to refuse these assignments from now on.'

'Oh, he's going to throw his weight around now. Don't worry Harry, just having some fun, so lighten up.'

'I'm on duty minister, you know, protecting your arse.'

'Oh he's gotten cheeky,' Minerva grinned but just as she turned back she notices Susie jumping in front of Harry as a spell flew from her wand stunning the attacker, the attackers spell hit the enchanted ceiling, 'All staff, wands now,' Minerva calls loudly.

'Harry, Susie, are you both alright?' Kingsley asked as he pulls them both to their feet.

'Yes, you saved me Susie, I wasn't paying attention.'

'I know, but I was, doing what you said I'm good at. At first I thought he was going after the minister, but I read what he was saying, Potter. Stay with the minister, I'll take care of him.'

'Thanks Susie,' Harry nodded then stepped in front of Kingsley, 'Sorry Kingsley.'

'Not your fault Harry, I really shouldn't have distracted you from your job, but I really thought it was safe here. These visits were just to make the students feel safe.'

'I know and it works, they don't seem all that concerned, not like they would have been. At least he went after me and not you since we really haven't heard about any threats against you. Me, well there's always threats. Hagrid, take it easy on him will you, he's stunned,' Harry called seeing the half giant lift the boy up by the collar.

'He tried to hurt ya Harry,' Hagrid called back.

'More like kill me,' Harry said softly, 'Maybe, but he's in custody now, so he's about to be locked up.'

'Seems like he had a grudge against you Harry, he's Amycus Carrows grandson and heard what you did that night.'

'So he's pissed I used the cruciatus curse on his grandfather, well he shouldn't have spat at you, stupid bloke. I know you could have handled him Minerva, but I think it's the male is us, we just can't help protecting the damsel's,' Harry grinned but never moved from in front of the minister.

'That is exactly you Harry, you were always a bit overprotective of all the girls around you, Hermione especially.'

'Yeah, well, it just seems to be my way. I can't use it with Susie, she'd hex me. She definitely thinks she's equal to any bloke.'

'I am, especially you Potter,' Susie grinned, 'We should get him back, so sorry Minister, we're cutting your visit short.'

'Now she's getting cheeky.'

'No, just doing my job, but if you want to stay, I'm sure we could find somewhere to lock him up.'

'No, we'll go and rescheduled this visit for another time. Minerva, always a pleasure.'

'Minister, Auror Potter, Auror Shadwell,' Minerva smirked giving them a small head bow.

'Now who's getting cheeky,' Harry shook his head, but kept the minister protected as the group left the great hall and went straight to the headmistress office and flooed to the ministry. Susie took their prisoner down to the holding cells while Harry escorted Kingsley to his office, 'I'm really sorry Kingsley, I know better than that.'

'You don't have to be and it was partially my fault. Now go fill out your reports and tell Michael you've both got the rest of the day off, orders from the minister,' Kingsley hugged Harry before he left. But Harry still thought he should have stayed alert even if they did believe it was safe. One good thing Harry though, Susie showed she was still up for the job, she proved to herself she could do it, so Harry knew she was feeling good about herself and their boss would feel the same way.