A/N: I'm back again! A decent amount of plot movement for a shorter chapter! More official business to deal with this time!
Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were at the Ministry, finally meeting Kingsley. After some small talk between them. The new Minister of Magic got on to business.
" A victory parade, no way!" Harry said flatly, shaking his head in flat refusal.
Kingsley sighed." Harry, people want to show appreciation to the front-liners that won the war. All of you can't just hideaway."
There were incredulous looks from Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Harry spoke icily." We are not glorifying anything."
" If the public is once again not allowed to show you praise for getting rid of Voldemort, they will take matters into their own hands," Kingsley warned them all cautiously.
Harry was blunt." You are looking for a mascot, and I am not it."
" Don't expect any of us to be either," Ginny said with her arms crossed.
"Yeah, what they said." Ron and Hermione echoed together.
"Alright, alright, I knew that was a long shot." He folded his hands together, thoughtfully. "What about a public statement?"
"It's a joint statement or nothing," Hermione said with her face set, crossing her arms too.
"Fine," said Kingsley, noting everyone's unflinching faces. "But we're going to set up a public event. People want to see their saviors, especially since they couldn't at the end of the first war."
"We're not giving out autographs." They all said in unison. "Or answering questions." Added Hermione quickly.
"You know," Kingsley began with a sigh of reserved frustration. "You four could be a little more flexible; you're giving me almost nothing to pacify the public or the press."
Harry leaned forward, his words now very carefully chosen and with a brutally severe tone. "Magic was involved here, extremely dark Magic, and old magical objects that people believe a myth. If known to the public, it could lead to Voldemort copycats," He paused, making a calculated decision." I don't think you want leftover power-hungry or evil witches and wizards splitting their souls in the name of immortality, Minister." Harry finished bluntly.
Kingsley's face paled." He split his soul?" Repeated Kingsley in a whisper.
" Don't bother asking how that knowledge dies with us." Hermione adamantly said.
"That's why Dumbledore kept it secret, to prevent the spread of the information, you were turning him mortal again," Kingsley said. They all nodded.
"Kingsley, I should let you know I'm going back to Hogwarts for my seventh year," Harry said offhandedly.
"A job is waiting for you when you're ready," Kingsley said calmly.
"I'm taking your offer right away, though; schoolwork was never my thing," Ron said earnestly.
"Excellent. Would you like our study materials so you can get a head start?" Kingsley asked.
"Yeah, sure." Ron nodded.
" Now, I have apparition licenses set for Harry and Ron, seeing as you have likely been doing it for the last year, the test is unnecessary." Kingsley turned to Ginny apologetically." I don't think Molly would be pleased if you have one while you're underage and before you've taken the test. Hermione, you got yours before the takeover, so you are all set." He flicked his wand; two licenses appeared on his desk. Harry, Ron, pocketed them.
"I'll be 17 in August," Ginny said bluntly.
"I don't think it will hurt waiting until you take the test; they've been Apparating without licenses for a year. That was fine during the war, but law enforcement is finally back." Kingsley said, sounding quite official now.
They all nodded again.
"There's something else you want. What is it?" Hermione said promptly.
"I need someone to do an exclusive interview for the Daily Prophet with Rita Skeeter." Everyone looked nauseated. "I know, but I think you know that it's better to give the press a story rather than letting it skulk around for one."
Hermione looked stiff but sighed. "I wish you were wrong, but…" She glanced at Harry. "We need to prevent her skulking around, and I can't blackmail her every time." Hermione was disappointed by her realization.
"What do you know that I don't?" Asked Kingsley with interest.
Hermione hesitated. "I promised I would keep her secret if she stayed reasonable, and she has recently." She bit her lip. "I'd prefer not to make a permanent enemy of her if I don't have to because we already know what that's like."
"Suit yourself." Kingsley turned to Harry. "I don't think you want Skeeter searching for a scoop."
Harry sighed heavily. "She uses a traditional quill and copies exactly what we say. If she doesn't," He looked at Hermione. "Then we spill the beetle juice on her."
She fought back a grin. "Agreed." Harry and Ron both nodded together. Ginny looked just as interested as Kingsley at whatever their dirt on Rita Skeeter was.
"We'll do it at Grimmauld Place on Monday; I want the three of you with me," Harry said automatically.
"Spook her into submission, good idea, mate!" Ron told Harry enthusiastically.
"Why me? Asked Ginny in surprise, "I mean, I'm happy to lend moral support, but it's you three people want to hear from anyway."
Harry frowned. "She's going to ask questions about the Hogwarts rebellion, and something tells me Neville and Luna would get eaten alive by Rita, even without her Quick—Quotes-Quill." He looked thoughtfully at Ginny taking her hand." We have to control the narrative."
" You don't have to do anything, Harry." She told him kindly.
" I do," He sighed. "If I don't, then the burden of fame will become even more of a headache." Harry turned to Kingsley again. "How much will all this quiet some of the noise?"
"A fair amount," Kingsley said quietly. "But there will always be people who want to pester Harry Potter."
"I am finally starting to accept that," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders. "You should know that all four of us are going to become Animagus.
"Just register when you have," Kingsley said with a nod. "When do you all want to meet with Rita?"
"Next week, this one is almost over, and we need time to prepare ourselves," Harry said flatly, the others all nodded. "We'll do it on Monday, get it out of the way, and prepare our Ministry press statement."
"Thanks for your cooperation; I know you all hate these sorts of things." Kingsley acknowledged.
"Yeah, well, if it were anyone else, we wouldn't be so cooperative," Harry said, standing up and shook his hand.
Kingsley took it, sounding loose and friendly again. "I appreciate your help, all of you. Jobs are available for the rest of you when you are ready or finished at Hogwarts. I will pull any necessary strings."
"Thank you, Kingsley." They all said together.
Once outside the Ministry of Magic and back on London streets, Ginny turned to Harry. "Are you sure you want to do this all today?"
"I don't want to do anything, but I want to control situations so they don't get out of hand."
"You can't control a situation with Goblins, Harry. Please be careful." She hugged him.
"I will; Bill is helping us out, but we have to get back on the good side of the Goblins, Gin." He squeezed her hand and then pulled away.
Harry took Ginny back to the Burrow before joining Ron and Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron, where they awaited Bill.
"I can't believe we got our wands back," Ron said, in a relieved voice after a moment's silence once they sat down at a table.
"Thank goodness; I hated using her wand," Hermione said in a subdued whisper. Ron put his arm tightly around her, and she let out a small cry.
"I can't believe Malfoy gave them back." Harry quietly admitted. "When did Lucius get sentenced?"
"While you were in a coma, the Dementors removed from Azkaban a few days before that," Hermione told him, sounding removed.
"Good, Dementors shouldn't be in an area like that, awful creatures," Harry said adamantly; Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.
Bill entered a few minutes later; looking a bit chaotic, he ordered a small cup of tea and let out a long breath.
"You three made a mockery of the Goblin race. They don't like being disrespected, and breaking into the bank they run is the height of disrespect…" He said bluntly, his face quite stern.
"Had to be done, Bill," Harry said unapologetically.
"What the bloody hell did you steal?" Asked Bill hotly.
"Privacy charms Hermione?" Harry quietly asked her.
"Already did them." She said hastily.
"Alright, Bill… What do you know about Horcruxes?" He asked, cutting to the chase.
Bill's face drained of color, and he looked green." I've heard they are cursed objects for storing part of the soul, but even as a Curse Breaker, I have never seen one." He slowly comprehended last year. His voice was an awed whisper. "That's why you three were gone, looking for his Horcrux."
Harry was blunt. "Six of them actually, he ripped his soul apart six times and hid the pieces inside valuable magical artifacts in places important to him."
"So you stole a Horcrux from Gringotts." Bill sighed.
" What do they want?" Asked Harry impatiently.
" They want payment for damages and loss of life," Bill said flatly.
" Voldemort is the one that murdered Goblins, not us," Harry said incredulously.
Bill shook his head now. "Doesn't matter, the Goblin race has always settled disagreements through an exchange of money and goods. Apologies mean absolutely nothing to them."
Harry scoffed. "Well, their ungrateful attitude pisses me off, I defeat Voldemort, and they don't make an exception."
"The exception is that they have not killed you three," Bill told them all warily.
"Come off it. It's ridiculous, Bill." Ron growled.
"What part of you all disrespected an entire race, do you not understand?" Bill asked Ron in exasperation.
"Voldemort killed how many Goblins, and we're disrespecting them!" Hermione hotly retorted.
" Your actions are treated just as disgraceful in the eyes of the Goblins, Hermione," Bill said imploringly.
"But— "They stammered again.
"But nothing! You need to come up with payment even jointly!" Bill warned them sternly.
"I'm not appeasing Goblins; Voldemort is dead. That's their payment!" Harry said flatly.
"Harry, you don't get it— "Bill sounded desperate now.
"No, they don't get it, I'm not giving them a damn thing, and if they harass me or either of you, then they are going to find out just how unpleasant I can be!" Harry was fuming now.
"What happened to get on their good side?" Asked Ron worrisomely.
"I'm not about to be bullied. A calm discussion that's one thing, but I'm not doing anything just because Goblins demand it." Harry's face was stony.
"Harry, dying on this hill is not worth it."
Harry was bitter now. "Not to you or them it isn't, but I am done just caving to what the magical community demands. I did it for seven ruddy years." He looked outright defiant now." You tell them I said freeing their race from the oppression of Voldemort is more than enough payment." He said the last word harshly.
Bill shook his head." I've already told the Head Goblin of Gringotts you three would meet with him. Besides, sending others to settle a dispute will not go over well with them, now let's go."
A short time later, they were inside Gringotts, face to face with the head Goblin called Gawain. He looked pretty Imperial for a Goblin.
Gawain had a harsh voice as he spoke." You, Harry Potter, owe us Goblins payment and an explanation for thieving from Gringotts."
"You do not repeat this information; I needed a piece of Voldemort's soul, a Horcrux from the Lestrange vault," Harry told him bluntly. "There is no way you would have given access."
"No, I would not have. A Horcrux you say, I am familiar." He twirled the goatee on his chin with a complicated expression. "What proof do you have that what you say is true? For instance, the object in question if, if I could examine it to validate your claim."
Harry nodded." We have two. Look them over. Dark Magic always leaves traces."
Hermione summoned both Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's Cup. Gawain examined them both for several minutes, muttering to himself as he routinely moved in his hands before he eventually addressed them again.
"I believe you, but I still think a payment is fair." He told them all bluntly.
"I think the defeat of Voldemort more than makes up for our actions," Harry said equally bluntly.
"I'm not so sure of that." He was eyeing them all very intensely.
"Why the hell not?" Ron snarled.
"Thieving the deepest vaults of Gringotts is not something we can forgive just because you stopped the worst of your kind." He spoke unflinchingly.
"But Voldemort treated other spices and races like cattle. Surely you're grateful he is dead." Hermione said desperately.
"True, but that's why I have agreed to a meeting rather than have you all executed. That would be my action if anyone else thieved from the depths of this bank." Gawain forcibly said.
"I don't take kindly to threats," Harry said with a noticeable edge to his voice.
"What I have said is a mere fact of Goblin customs Harry Potter, thievery is considered the worst offense among us." He had a piercing look now.
"We're not giving payment; we only stole from Gringotts to save the wider magical community from Voldemort. Harry said harshly.
Gawain sighed deeply." How unfortunate, I had hoped it would not come to this, but you leave me no choice."
He snapped his fingers, and several things happened. The three of them were bound in place by their feet. Swords were hovering against their throats, steel on skin.
"Gives a whole new meaning to the term cutthroat, doesn't it?" Ron said, looking wide-eyed at the other two.
"Harry, I think this is what Bill meant about Goblins," Hermione said rather panicky.
"You didn't strike me as stupid Harry Potter. Are you going to start now?" Gawain said bluntly.
"You don't strike me as stupid either." Harry retorted with defiant confidence.
"I could kill you instantly, and yet you appear to be mocking me," Gawain said incredulously.
"Oh, you certainly could kill all three of us," Harry said casually. "But as I said, I don't think you're that stupid."
"And what makes you think I or any other Goblins care whether you live or die," Gawain said smugly.
"Well, I reckon that if you were to kill the three people who just put an end to more than two decades of tyranny from Voldemort, the magical community, especially witches and wizards, might not like it very much." He spoke with the slightest hint of intimidation now. "Do you want to take the chance on causing another uprising against all of Goblin—kind because you killed us? As much as we hate it, the fact is the vast majority of wizards and witches idolize my close friends and me. If you kill us, they could revolt against your entire kind again." He shifted to a calm tone now. "And all because you couldn't get off your high horse and stop treating us like we robbed this place for personal gain. It is much better to avoid that and be grateful that the man who slaughtered and oppressed your fellow Goblins is dead… Don't you think, sir?"
All the time Harry spoke, Gawain's face seemed to tighten, forced to accept the truth of what he said.
After several minutes of silence, he spoke. "Lucky for you, what you've said is the natural flaw of humans magical and muggle alike. Congratulations, Harry Potter. You are the first of your kind in a very long time whose transgressions will be forgiven based on circumstances. In this case, I believe the appropriate phrase is for the greater good." He snapped his fingers, and they were all freed.
Ron and Hermione gave audible sighs of relief.
"Thank you," Harry said, his tone polite again. "Then we are free to come and go when we need to handle our vaults?" He asked, looking for confirmation.
"Yes, but don't thieve from us again, or we will send assassins after you to kill you," Gawain said warningly.
They all nodded and left. Nobody spoke until they were back inside the Leaky Cauldron.
"So, how did it go?" Bill asked, sitting down nervously.
"It was wicked!" Ron turned to Harry with a grin. "I can't believe you blackmailed Goblins, Harry!"
As Bill's face paled, Harry shook his head. "I didn't blackmail anyone. I just told them what was likely to happen if they killed us because I refused to play their game and pay for breaking into Gringotts to save the entire magical community." Harry said flatly.
" Gawain nearly executed you, didn't he?" Bill asked, subdued.
" Yeah, but he didn't because Harry was amazing! I swear he's been channeling Dumbledore like crazy lately." Ron was still in awe.
"That was very risky, Harry," Hermione said anxiously.
"What did you do?" Asked Bill curiously.
Harry shrugged. "I just told him that I didn't think fellow wizards and witches would take too kindly to our deaths by Goblins for refusal of payment. Not when we just defeated Voldemort after more than two decades of his tyranny." He was unable to suppress a smirk as he continued." I thought he would back off if I reminded him. Killing us because we stole for the greater good wouldn't go over well with the mass public, and I don't think he wanted to be responsible for an uprising amongst wizards and witches that would be targeted right at Goblins."
" Blimey Harry, you've changed," Bill said, looking rather impressed now.
" I picked up a thing or two from watching Dumbledore. He sighed. "Besides, I may not like being famous, but I'm going to use it as leverage when I can. Let's go home."
Back at the Burrow, both couples retreated to their usual conversation and planning spot around the pond. All four of them were still in deep contemplation.
Hermione spoke first. "The Animagus process doesn't require us to avoid eating or exchange of bodily fluids like saliva and other stuff. Our natural Magic seems to prevent this kind of contamination and infection."
"Thank Merlin; I don't have to give up food or snogging for a month," Ron said, evident relief on his face.
"Ron, without food for a month, would put an end to the lovestruck mood you two have been since you got your hearts on straight," Ginny said smugly.
"I can't help that I get hungrier than most people," Ron said grumpily, shooting his sister a very annoyed look.
"I'll make sure I perfect my cooking skills; it'll be much easier now that I'm not working with wild ingredients." Hermione reassuringly told Ron.
"Ron, you are bloody lucky Hermione is willing to satisfy your appetite for—err, food," Ginny said awkwardly.
"About this interview with Rita Skeeter— "Harry interjected quickly; he had no interest in things devolving into sexual matters again. "I've been thinking… We need to give information obviously, but I want to keep it generalized and vague."
"So, stuff like Voldemort was immortal, but leave out the details," Ron said indifferently.
"Yeah, we say that it was dark magic." Added Harry quickly.
"I don't know, Harry." Said Hermione nervously. "It could lead to more questions."
"That doesn't mean we have to answer them." Harry reminded her calmly.
"Harry is right, Hermione; the public is getting restless for information." Ginny agreed after quietly pondering things.
"You said yourself it's better to control the information that comes out given the source is Rita Skeeter," Ron said gently, squeezing Hermione.
Hermione bit her lip. "Yes, I'm just worried…"
"If we keep saying nothing, Rita and other people will go looking for information, and that's not good," Harry said rationally.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Alright. Now, we're ready to start this Animagus process?"
"Yes." They said in unison.
Both couples put their Mandrake leaves in their mouths. They kept it in place with a temporary sticking charm, nullified when they were ready to be removed a month from now.
The first step is mental." Ron said with an awkward face.
"It's necessary." Hermione shrugged.
Harry sighed, "Let's think about our speech for the general public and the Hogwarts ceremony."
"I think they can be similar with small adjustments," Ginny said.
"Yeah." Harry agreed.
"Time to get comfortable then, yeah?" Ron said quite matter of fact.
A few hours later, after much input between the four of them, a speech was crafted—written by Hermione.
"Glad that's done." Ron gave a giant yawn. "I'm hungry."
"For once, you're not the only one," Ginny said lazily, standing up now. "Coming, Harry?"
"Just a moment." He said quietly.
They nodded and went to the kitchen. Harry turned to Hermione with a contemplative face. "I hope it's good."
"It is Harry. We just spent the last few hours making sure of that." Hermione said encouragingly.
"I'm not good at being famous or public speeches," Harry said nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"The four of us are going to be in all this publicity stuff together. It'll be alright." Hermione said reassuringly.
"Thank God for that; let's go," Harry said, sighing deeply.
Harry joined the kitchen table silently; Ginny watched him cautiously. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just not looking forward to being famous Harry Potter again." He said irritably.
"I'll be with you as much as you need, Harry," Ginny said softly.
"You bend over backward for me, and I appreciate it so much," Harry admitted quietly.
Ginny held his arm gently, their foreheads together. "Honestly, Harry, I am certainly an independent woman, but I feel like I was born to love you, and part of loving you is protecting you because nobody else has cared exclusively about you." She said tenderly.
"Oi, what are you trying to say?" Ron asked defensively.
"Oh, don't start, Ron, I know you care about Harry, but no one in his life has put his feelings first, and seeing as I'm the one who's been in love with him since I was five, I think you know what I mean—unless of course, you're in love with him too," Ginny said impatiently.
"Oh haha… I'll just leave now." Ron retorted, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Mione, before she picks on you too." Hermione smiled in amusement before leaving Ginny and Harry alone and following Ron out of the kitchen.
"Somehow, I am glad to be away from them recently," Harry admitted a little guiltily.
"A year on the run with those two must have been lonely," Ginny said sympathetically.
"It was always lonely, honestly, and now I depend on you too much," Harry said apologetically.
Ginny shook her head with a sympathetic smile. "The world has unfairly depended upon you for seven bloody years, and you had no one to depend on for your whole childhood." She was entirely serious now. "You have permission to depend on me. You've earned the right."
"But what about you?" Harry insistently asked.
"I am good, Harry. I probably shouldn't be, but dedicating myself to you, to us, is doing wonders for me." She said reassuringly.
"That kind of dedication, I— "
"If you say that you don't deserve it, I will punch you in your bloody face," Ginny said sternly.
Harry caught himself and smiled. "Thank you." He whispered approvingly. "Rita Skeeter doesn't stand a chance against you."
Ginny's expression hardened, and there was an edge to her voice. "She's as pesky and annoying as a fly that woman."
"A beetle would fit better," Harry said, smirking.
She shrugged darkly. "It would be so easy to squash her like a bug." Little did Ginny realize how much plausibility her words had in them.
" Bill told me what happened," Ginny said quietly.
"I wasn't going to give them any payment, and I have paid more than enough over the last seven years even if Goblins don't think I have." Harry was irritated though not at Ginny.
Ginny nodded in agreement. "Yes, you have. I didn't expect you to cooperate with Goblins. You had the leverage to control the situation, and you did." She looked amused." Hopefully, this teaches you that your fame has its advantages. I'm glad you're taking a stand but let's not have it be at the risk of death, okay."
"Don't worry. I don't plan on getting a swell head, but my days as a slave to circumstances are over." He told her calmly.
"Oh, I'll always keep that from happening," Ginny assured him sternly.
"And I love you for it." He said earnestly.
"I should hope as much," Ginny said with a smirk before kissing him.
A/N: It looks like Harry picked up a thing or two from Dumbledore on being an intimidating badass. Unfortunately, he does owe Kingsley some bit press availability, that pesky burden of fame.
I'll get to the Animagus transformation, but this first part is the boring one. I didn't want it to interfere with relationship moments, so I wrote a logical workaround considering Wizards and Witches typically live longer than Muggle's and Squibs.