Chapter Twenty Eight

"Danica are you ready yet?" Severus called up the stairs, checking his watch, "We don't want to be late."

"I'm coming!" Danica yelled down.

"I thought we had a few more years until the 'teenage' started?" Harry said, rolling his eyes.

Lily let out a laugh and put a final pin in her hair, smoothing out the rich red velvet that made up her ball gown, "Oh no. You were about that age when you started with the sass!"

"I was not!" Harry protested.

Lily laughed and gave him a kiss on the top of his head, standing on tip toes to do so even in her heels.

Danica appeared at the top of the staircase and smiled down at them, Nikka smiling at her from the side. Danica looked like a proper young lady, her hair neatly twisted into a fancy bun with two curls hanging down either side of her face. Lily had put her foot down saying she was too young for make up but the floor length dress was made for the same material as Lily's and made her look very beautiful.

"What did you do with my little sister?" Harry asked with a grin, as Danica skipped down the stairs and gave him a little twirl, "You look lovely."

"I know!" Danica laughed, "Thank you."

"Right, three adults, two children!" Lily counted, "Let's go before we lose someone!" Lily laughed.

"Everyone one ready?" Severus checked, taking Danica and Harry's hands.

Harry nodded and felt the strange apparition feeling swallow him and dump him just outside Malfoy Manor.

A line of house elves were waiting to escort the guests who couldn't see the Manor in through the wards, Harry thought it was smart, but sad that they couldn't even lower them for this one evening.

"You know, I should be able to apparate myself next year." Harry beamed.

"I can't wait to be a grown up!" Danica sighed.

Harry was about to say something when he was jumped on by Hermione.

"Good to see you, too." Harry laughed, giving her a tight hug, "You know one of these days you might need a new dress…"

"Why?"Hermione said, looking down at it, the red fabric swishing around her, "I thought I did a good job of enlarging it."

Harry linked arms with her and grinned, "You did, and it does really suit you."

The manor was decorated to look the inside of an igloo, the walls sparkling white with dozens of lights hanging from the tall celling. Harry waited in the queue of people to be announced before entering the shining room.

Pansy, Neville, Daphne, Cho, William and Draco were sitting around one of the many small tables talking happily between themselves. They spotted Harry and Hermione arriving and waved them over.

"How are you?" Daphne asked, handing Harry a glass of sweet wine and leaning back in her chair, "It must have been strange having Christmas without Sirius."

Harry nodded, "I'm all right. It was very… surreal I guess. We went to see him in the hospital after dinner."

"Was it… I'm trying to think of the nicest way to say awful?" Pansy shrugged.

Harry smiled and nodded, "Kinda. He just looked like he was sleeping to start with but he's losing weight. The nurses say they're keeping his nutrient levels right but it's because he's not exercising, so he's losing muscle. And the fake food stuff they pump into him has made his skin really pale and kind of yellowish."

"That makes sense." Hermione nodded, "How is Nikka finding it?"

Harry shook his head, "She looks at him like nothing has changed. And I don't know if that's a good thing or not."

Cho moved over, lacing her fingers through Harry's, "She loves him, doesn't matter what he looks like."

"I know." Harry agreed, "But… what if this never changes? I heard one of the nurses say that is was sad as she was too young to be lumbered with someone who… who was nearer dead than alive."

Harry's friends looked shocked.

"They should never of said that!" Draco said quickly, "Even if they didn't think they were being over heard."

"And Sirius isn't dead." Daphne nodded, "You said there had been no change in your last letter.

Harry nodded, "There hasn't been but… no change for good either."

"Well this has been a frightfully depressing turn in the conversation." Draco said, straightening up.

Harry smirked, "Sorry. You're right, though. I look forward to the ball every year, we shouldn't be feeling down in the dumps over something that we can't change, certainly not right now. Neville, how's the family?"

Neville grinned, "We're doing quite all right. Matthew is loving Hogwarts and the twins are getting so big now!"

"Is Thomas still friends with Corvus?" Harry asked quietly.

Neville nodded, "Yeah. I mean, it's been tough for both of them as Corvus isn't allowed to write or anything. I know that Thomas was hoping he'd be here tonight."

Harry looked around subconsciously, not spotting any of the three Lestrange children.

"Mother did ask if they could attend." Draco told them, "But it was refused. They're locked in their rooms."

Harry felt a shiver at the thought of an almost certainly murderously angry Gemini locked in the same house as he was, even though he knew there would be no way for her to escape.

He felt Cho's fingers tighten around his own bringing him back to the present, to his friends and minimal worries.

"Mademoiselle Fleur Delacour and Mr William Weasley." the announcer said loudly.

Harry turned to see Fleur and Bill, dressed in matching silvery blue enter the ballroom. Narcissa and Lucius walked over to greet them.

Fleur dropped into a respectful curtsy before kissing both of her hosts on either cheek.

"Thank you very much for 'aving us." Fleur smiled dazzlingly, "It is very nice to get aut of ze 'ouse."

"Thank you for coming." Lucius smiled, "We are grateful that you could make it."

"Please enjoy yourself. Let one of the house elves know if there is anything you need." Narcissa smiled, before wondering over to where Lily and Andromeda seemed deep in conversation.

"I'm surprised that they're here." Daphne said, "Trouble at home do you think?"

Harry smirked, "Mrs Weasley isn't a big fan of Fleur. I have no idea why, she's really nice."

Cho raised an eyebrow at him and glared playfully, "Oh really?"

Harry laughed, "Ha ha. Not like that."

Cho laughed and nudged him playfully, "Come and dance?"

Pansy let out a laugh, "You're taking your life in your hands there!"

Harry stuck his tongue out at her and took Cho's hand leading her onto the polished dance floor.

Danica sat on one of the many chairs in the ballroom, wishing her feet would touch the floor as she nibbled on a cheese sandwich. Harry was off sitting with his friends. She knew he wouldn't mind if she went and sat with them, he never did but they always wanted to talk about school, something Danica knew very little about.

She enjoyed going to the Longbottoms' sprawling country house once a week to have lessons there but for the most part she learnt with whichever adult happened to be home at that time, mostly Lily.

Nikka was the best teacher, shortly followed by Remus. Both of them had a fun and play filled way of teaching that just seemed to make the numbers and letters stick in her head more.

Severus was also good, while he was around, which wasn't much at the moment, same could be said for Kreacher. When it was Severus teaching her they worked almost exclusively on Potions, tucked away in his work room.

Danica was a bright young girl and certainly couldn't be classed as behind any other child her age in terms of learning but she had very little idea of what actual school was like and therefore always felt a little left out sitting with Harry and his friends.

She spotted Matthew and waved at him. He came over and sat down next to her.

Matthew was a good friend, a few years older than her, he'd just gone to Hogwarts, but before then he'd gotten his lessons with her from Mrs Ijewsky.

She liked him, boys were mostly stupid, but Matthew was different. He would always sit with her and laugh. They would both always share their treats with each other and it made her tummy feel all funny.

"How are you?" Matthew asked, beaming at her.

Danica nodded, "I'm good. Do you want some cake?"

Matthew grinned and nodded, taking the fork she offered him and popping a bit into his mouth.

"It's good."

Danica laughed, "The food here is always good! Fancy dresses and good food, what's not to love?"

"I really like your dress by the way." Matthew said with a smile, "Especially the… bit." he said, pointing to her waist.

"The sash, thank you." Danica blushed.

Matthew sat nervously for a moment, picking at his fingers, "Do… do you want to dance?"

Danica looked out onto the dance floor. There were a handful of couples, which not included Harry and Cho.

"You mean… like properly dance with me?" Danica asked, trying not to blush any more.

Matthew blushed as well, "Yeah… like, like proper."

Danica stood up and straightened her skirt, "Yes. Please."

Matthew beamed at her again and took her hand, leading her onto the dance floor and spinning her under his arm before placing one hand, carefully on her waist and waltzing around the room.

Lily spotted them and nudged Andromeda and Narcissa, "Don't they look sweet?"

"Oh I remember those days." Andromeda smiled, "Although Nymphadora would dance with any boy who looked at her twice for a while!"

"Draco has always been far more picky." Narcissa laughed, "But there have been a lot of letters, sometimes two or three a day to a Miss Lovegood."

"Pandora's daughter?" Andromeda asked, "She's always seemed a little strange to me."

"Really?" Lily said, frowning at her friend.

"Not in a bad way, just… losing her mother was very hard on her, and her father has always been a bit up there with the clouds." Andromeda tried to explain, "She was always a sweet girl though."

"Do you think it's serious?" Lily asked.

Narcissa gave an elegant shrug, "In truth I have no idea. But it's sweet and seems to make him happy. Talking of serious though, I hear that Tonks is only dancing with one man now."

Andromeda beamed, "Yes, oh I was so excited when they announced the engagement. I wanted to have him over for Christmas dinner but Nymphadora insisted that we didn't change our plans so they came over for Christmas eve. He does seem like a nice man."

"Oh, I've known Remus for years, he's very gentle and kind. I would trust him with Danica in a second, and have several times." Lily assured her.

Andromeda let out a little laugh, "I think you've had to vouch for him before possibly? His condition must have caused him problems in the past? I mean, it's why he isn't here tonight isn't it?"

Lily smiled and nodded, "Yes. Sorry, I am rather over protective. It's been very difficult for him before."

"Well rest assured I bare him no ill will just because he is a werewolf." Andromeda told her firmly.

"Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic." the announcer said, nearly every head in the room turning to the door.

Narcissa and Lucius went over to him as quickly as they could without causing alarm, guiding him slightly out of the way of the door.

"Is everything all right?" Lucius said tensely, "The children?"

Scrimgeour smiled, "No, no I'm not here for them this time. I am assured that you are taking excellent care of the three of them. They are in their rooms I assume?"

Narcissa nodded, "Yes of course. Although I do still feel it would of done them some good to be allowed to have attended this evening."

Scrimgeour seemingly ignored her complaint, "I was actually here to see Mr Potter if I may, I have been informed he attends these balls nearly every year."

"Yes." Lucius said carefully, "We've been good friends with his mother for many years now so of course he gets an invitation."

"Well that's lovely." Scrimgeour made what Lucius assumed was a smile, "Ah there he is now…"

"Of course it is lovely to have you here Minister, however I am concerned it would not be completely appropriate for you to talk to Harry here." Narcissa said kindly but forcefully.

"It wont take a moment." Scrimgeour assured her, "And these are strange times are they not? Harry!"

Harry stopped twirling Cho on the dance floor. They'd been trying to dance their way back to their friends hoping they would then be able to simply slip into the crowd before the Minister spotted them; clearly it hadn't worked.

Harry forced a smile, holding tightly to Cho's hand, "Minister, how lovely to see you here."

Scrimgeour pushed passed Narcissa and Lucius, marching over to Harry and shaking his hand.

"Are you enjoying your evening? And who is this lovely young lady?" Scrimgeour asked.

"This is Miss Cho Chang she's my…" Harry looked at her to check it was all right and she gave him a small nod, "she's my girlfriend."

"And perfectly charming I am sure." Scrimgeour said, with a rather tight smile, "Now Harry, I was wondering if I could have a quick word?"

"Right now?" Lily demanded, walking quickly over, Severus going to Harry and Cho's other side, "Harry was in the middle of a dance."

"And now the song has finished." Scrimgeour pointed out, "Really, it wont be a moment of your time."

"Minister…" Lily said warningly.

"It's fine." Harry said, gritting his teeth. He could feel the other guests struggling not to stare at them and the commotion they were making.

Danica had stopped dancing and was looking at him worriedly, her finger tips just touching Matthew's.

Harry gave Cho a quick peck on the lips, "I'll be back in a second, I promise."

Cho looked at him worriedly as he walked out of the grand ballroom, following the Minister.

Scrimgeour led him into a small side sitting room, the lamps dimly lit and a fire just starting to burn in the fireplace. Harry guessed that this was where the Malfoys would sit after the party to wind down before bed.

Harry sat himself on the edge of one of the armchairs and glared at Scrimgeour, "What can I help you with Minister?"

Scrimgeour smiled tightly again, "You seem to have a lot of people who love you Harry. I saw your friends, must have been six or seven of them, getting up to come and back you up against me." he gave a chuckle.

"Yes." Harry said, "I'm very well loved. Very lucky, really."

Scrimgeour nodded, "And how are things going at school?"

"Minister, with all due respect, I really want to get this over and done with. What do you want?"

Scrimgeour looked him up and down and nodded again, "Straight to the point, I like your attitude. The thing is Potter, that people are rather scared currently. I know you don't think much of your role as a public figure but the fact remains that you are one."

Harry gritted his teeth, "I see…" so this was the talk same talk they had last time.

"And it would do the public a great deal of good if they thought that you were working for the Ministry." Scrimgeour said carefully.

"I think we've had this conversation before." Harry pointed out.

Scrimgeour nodded, "Yes. But this time I have come with an offer. Your grades are… mixed at best, correct?"

Harry nodded, wondering where he was going with this.

"And you wish to become an Auror? A most difficult role to get into, one that requires some of the best grades." Scrimgeour pointed out, though Harry already knew this.

"Yes." Harry said.

"I have here in my pocket an offer, sign it tonight and you will start your Auror training next week. No more school, no more worrying about exams. You will be fast tracked to the career of your dreams." Scrimgeour said with a flourish, handing over the contract that would make Harry an Auror in training, a year and a half early.

"I… I don't understand." Harry said, taking the paper absent-mindedly.

"I know it is a lot to take in and of course you would have every help to complete your training. Your grades would be given early you see, NEWTs at all Outstanding for the work you have already done." Scrimgeour explained, "And then you wouldn't have to lie about working for the Ministry."

"I can't even apparate yet." Harry pointed out.

Scrimgeour nodded, "That would also be brought forward; you'd learn as part of your Auror training, and to no cost to you. Think about it Harry, this could be your independence! I'm sure you love your family and friends but wouldn't it be nice for once to stand on your own two feet?"

That sentence snapped Harry back to what was going on. He handed the contract back forcefully and shook his head.

"Thank you for the offer sir, but no thank you." Harry told him.

"Harry…"

"No." Harry said forcefully, "I don't want to stand alone! I am so grateful for my family and friends. No one wants to stand alone against the shit that we have faced! This is my dream, I want to be an Auror yes, but not like this not ever. I will either get the NEWTs I need or not, but I wont be bought, not by you, not by anyone, ever."

"We could lose this war because of you!" Scrimgeour hissed, rage bubbling inside him.

"If we lose this war, it won't be because of me." Harry said calmly, "It'll be because the Ministry spent a year trying to silence those of us trying to point out a war was going on."

Harry didn't wait for an answer but left the room quickly. Petal was just walking down the hallway and looked up at him with big eyes.

"Mistress Cissy asked me to see if yous was OK?" Petal said, patting Harry's hand.

"I'm fine." Harry told her, forcing a smile, "Mr Scrimgeour is just leaving."

"I was actually…" Scrimgeour said bitterly, following Harry from the room.

"I will shows him out." Petal said, with a sharp nod.

"Thanks Petal." Harry smiled, wondering back into the ballroom to find his friends and family.

Lily and Severus were waiting nervously with his friends. They jumped up when they saw him and wrapped him in a hug.

"Are you OK?" Severus asked.

Harry nodded, "I'm fine. Same as last time only this time he offered to make me an Auror."

"Did you say yes?" Hermione asked.

Harry smirked, "I'm not that cheap." he laughed.

"He must be getting worried." Neville said thinking out loud.

Harry nodded, "He said it would be my fault if we lost the war and wouldn't I like to stand on my own for once?"

"Harry, you must know that's not true?" Lily gasped, his friends nodding in agreement.

Harry smiled, "Yeah. It kinda clicked me out of even thinking about it. I don't want to be a scape goat."

"Good for you." Narcissa smiled.

"Well then. Let's pretend it never happened. I believe we were in the middle of a dance?" Cho smiled, holding out her hand.

Harry gratefully took it, letting her lead him back out onto the dance floor.