Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to the brilliant JK Rowling.
The Assignment
Chapter 1
The Assignment
Life was finally going well for Auror Harry Potter. After a difficult childhood and a tormented and ridiculed adolescence, he reached a point in his life where he could do what he pleased, the world be damned. After killing Voldemort, very few people dared to criticize him. The exceptions are: his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; Ron's parents, who thought themselves Harry's surrogate parents, as well; not many other people. While Harry was content with his solitary life, he knew it wasn't perfect. Things were infinitely better for him and that was good enough for now
Harry leaned against the doorway of the balcony of his London flat, drinking his morning tea and looking out at the city without seeing it. He loved this time of early morning, when the city was still asleep. He could sip his tea at leisure basking in the quiet moments just before dawn and ponder his work, his friendships, and his entire life. Some days the Final Battle would demand his attention, other days it was his social life, or rather his lack thereof. Today was the latter. Harry sighed deeply.
"Think of something else." he told himself. "Think about…." With a quick glance at his watch, he decided he should really think about getting ready for work. He drained the last of his cooling tea and headed for the shower.
Harry arrived at the Ministry of Magic with only minutes to spare before his shift. He bowled over several people in his haste to catch the next lift down to the second level. He'd risen fast through the ranks in the Department of Aurors. Considering he's been fighting Dark Magic since he was only eleven, there wasn't much Auror training could teach him that he hadn't already used in battle. Though he seldom used it for more than minutes a day, he had a private office in the back. He hung his traveling cloak on the rack and frowned at the number of reports in his inbox. Of his Auror duties, paperwork was his least favorite. He liked being in the field or planning raids and missions, even if someone else would be carrying out the plans. As an officer, he supervised a team of Aurors, who looked up to him. His team varied in experience from fresh from training to those who had many more years in the field than him. His found it a bit disconcerting to give orders to the elder Aurors, however he'd gotten used to it.
"Wotcher, Harry!" Nymphadora Tonks said from the doorway. "Boss wants to see you about a new assignment. He's not chipper today, so best not keep him waiting."
"Thanks, Tonks", replied Harry and he gathered his quills and parchment. He'd heard rumors about a new assignment of accompanying Ginny Weasley, only daughter of the Junior Minister on a trip and he had been thinking over to whom he would be assigning the dreaded "Mission: Babysitter" should he be consulted. He had a few ideas of who in his department would be good, who would complain the least and who could be assigned this if it were a last resort. While Harry enjoyed field work, he couldn't blame anyone who felt took offense at being assigned a "fluffy job" of escorting/guarding a woman who was clearly capable of defending herself. He liked Ginny Weasley okay, even though she hated him for some reason unknown to him. She was his best friend's sister, a member of the family that he loved so well. As such, he didn't care if she treated him like dirt; she was a Weasley. He'd known her since his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also knew she'd had a crush on him when they were young, although he'd never talked to her about it. He never gave it much thought. He counted her among his friends, though not a close friend or even a good friend. He mainly thought of her as his best friend's little sister, no more, no less. The assignment of bodyguard for Ginny's trip was a "fluffy job" that no one wanted. Since Mr. Weasley became Assistant Minister of Magic, his only daughter required an escort when traveling abroad.
Harry reached his superior's office and knocked.
"Come in", yelled Kingsley Shacklebolt. Harry opened the door and peered inside.
"Harry. Thanks for coming down. I wanted to have a word with you. Please, have a seat."
Harry immediately cringed. Something was afoot. The Aurors never used first names, unless they were trying to soften a blow of some sort. Never mind the politeness he was being shown, Harry knew he wasn't going to like this at all. Is this about "Mission: Babysitter"? He wondered if it was a new project the rumor mill hadn't got hold of yet. possibly another wild goose chase into some God-forsaken place with no running water.
"Harry, you're a good Auror. You are the best we've got." Harry felt like he was going to be ill. This was getting worse and worse and it hadn't even started yet. Shacklebolt continued, "I need you for an assignment. I don't think anyone else can handle it. Or maybe I should rephrase, I don't want anyone else to handle it."
"What is the assignment, Sir?" Harry asked reluctantly. He wasn't at all sure he wanted to know what the assignment was.
"Harry, we need a guard for Miss Weasley when she goes to New York." Shacklebolt stated.
Harry visibly relaxed. His boss had frequently in the past consulted with him regarding who should be assigned to projects, as well as raids.
"Yes, Sir." Harry replied. "I've heard about that. I've been thinking who would be best suited for this. I haven't reached any conclusions yet, but I'll be glad to give my input on it."
"I'm glad you feel that way, Son," Shacklebolt responded. "The decision has been made. Arthur wants you to do it. Now before…"
"WHAT???" Harry screamed. "I'm not a babysitter…"
"Bodyguard," corrected Shacklebolt. "Listen, Potter. Miss Weasley is going to New York on business and threats have been made to kidnap her. We need someone with field experience…"
"Half of my crew has field experience. I don't see…"
"I'll thank you to stop interrupting your superior officer, Potter. As I was saying, we need someone to accompany Miss. Weasley and make sure she is safe. We can either send more than one man, or we can send you. You can do this, Potter. Look at it as a paid holiday."
"There's no debate over my ability to do this, the question is 'why me'? There are more than twenty people who could do this…easily." Harry replied.
"There's no one else Arthur trusts to keep her safe. He lost one son in the final battle. If he's a little protective of his daughter, no one can really blame him. He wants you and you he'll get." said Shacklebolt in a resolute tone
"And I have no choice in the matter?" Harry shot back.
"I know how you feel," replied Shacklebolt. Harry bit his lip in anger. "Since you are a ranking officer, I'll make you a deal. If you can sell the idea to Arthur, your pick as the best candidate can baby-sit Miss Weasley. You can go now and talk to him."
"Bodyguard." grumbled Harry as he slunk out the door.
Harry took the lift up to the Assistant Minister's office. After checking in with the secretary, he was shown inside.
"Harry! So good to see you, son! What brings you by?" Arthur Weasley exclaimed.
Harry replied, "Mr. Weasley, I was wondering if I could speak to you about Ginny's trip…"
"Yes. Yes. I thought that might be the case." Mr. Weasley's smile faded and he glanced over at the picture on his desk, a photograph with nine smiling Weasleys. "Harry, surely you of all people, can understand the dangers that lurk out there. There are Death Eaters still among us and our information says some have gone abroad. I can't risk Ginny's safety. She thinks she can handle herself, but as her father, I don't wish to take any risks with her."
"I understand that, Sir, but why me in particular? Any number of my men are qualified…" Harry responded.
"Qualified just isn't good enough, Harry, not for Ginny, not for my daughter. I want the best guarding her, and the best is you," Mr. Weasley said. "Now I know you and Ginny haven't been on the best of terms for awhile. This could be a chance to sort that out. I know that it bothers you the way she treats you. My Ginny is a spitfire, she is and between you and me, as stubborn as her mother."
Harry sighed heavily. This wasn't going to be easy. Mr. Weasley always knew how to push his buttons. He walked to the window and looked out at the clouds brewing in the distance. If he didn't know he was underground, he would have worried about the seemingly approaching storm. The thunderheads matched his turbulent thoughts.
"Harry…" Mr. Weasley continued. "You are a part of this family. I know you can keep Ginny safe. You know how much she means to Molly and I. Do this for us, please and to sweeten the deal…" Mr. Weasley added with a wink and a smile, "…come for supper. I'll tell Molly to make your favorite treacle tart…."
Harry swore viciously under his breath. He knew he couldn't say no, no matter how much he wanted to. He bowed his head in defeat.
Later that evening, Harry sat in the kitchen of The Burrow, feeling stuffed. He groaned as he stood up from the table.
"Mrs. Weasley that was wonderful." he said then kissed her cheek.
"Oh, Harry, dear," she replied. "You are welcome for supper anytime, you don't have to wait for an invitation. I still say you should move in here. There's plenty of room, and I don't think it's right you living all alone in London with no one to look after you properly."
"Molly, Molly," chuckled Mr. Weasley. "I'm sure Harry has plenty of people 'looking after' him. I would think a single young man like Harry would prefer the privacy of his own flat."
Harry blushed scarlet and cast around quickly for a change of topic. Molly harrumphed, but let it go, much to his relief.
"So," Harry began. "Er…What time is Ron due back?"
"He'll be along shortly, Harry dear." Mrs. Weasley responded. "Practice ends at dark, then he'll be along directly. He hasn't said that he had plans afterward."
Harry knew Ron's mother wasn't ignorant of Ron's social antics. As the keeper for the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team, Ron had plenty of chances to kick up his heels. Harry's friend adored fame and played it for all it was worth. Not that he got into trouble or did anything totally out of line; he just seemed to enjoy the attention.
A loud CRACK disrupted their thoughts, and then a yell from upstairs, "Is there anything left from supper? I'm starving!"
Ron was home and Harry relaxed. It was fun to have Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's undivided attention, though only in limited quantities. He loved them dearly, but Mrs. Weasley tended to hover and Mr. Weasley wanted to quiz him incessantly on all things Muggle, not that he minded so much, the older man just tended to depend on Harry to be a muggle resource, which Harry felt he certainly was not.
"Ron!" Harry called out. "We're down here, mate, with supper still on the table."
Ron came flying down the steps and stopped at the kitchen door.
"Harry! What are you doing here?" Ron asked.
"Oh, Harry is going to be keeping an eye on Ginny when she goes to the States." Mr. Weasley stated with a smirk. Mrs. Weasley hid a grin. She had always semi-secretly wanted Ginny and Harry together. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about that exactly. The way things were going with her it seemed a long shot at best.
"Oh? Is he?" laughed Ron, letting all know he wasn't adverse to the idea himself.
"Shut it, Ron," Harry grumbled. He'd never thought of Ginny that way and wasn't about to start now.
Ron sat down and filled his plate until it was overflowing. "Harry…" he began after his parents had left the room. "I need to talk to you about something. Can we go to your flat when I'm finished here? There's a rumor that's about to hit that you need to be aware of." When they were younger, they found out the hard way that whispering inside the Burrow was no good. Mrs. Weasley had an uncanny knack for hearing exactly what you tried to keep from her.
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"Not here," whispered Ron. "Wait until we get back to your place."
"Alright", said Harry. "Finish up there and we can go."
Ron hurriedly finished his meal, told his parents he was leaving and grabbed his cloak. He and Harry apparated straight to Harry's large flat, where they were greeted by a loud, angry screech.
"Harry Potter, I am ashamed of you!" Hermione Granger shrieked. "Ron's mum is going to send you a howler when she hears about this!"
"Hears about what?" Harry demanded.
"This is what I didn't want Mum and Dad to hear" replied Ron. "The Daily Prophet has got wind that you are going to be a father."
"A what???" yelled Harry. His mouth dropped open as all of the color drained from his face.
"You!" accused Hermione, "and all of your talk about playing it safe. Sally-Anne Perks told Pavarti that she's pregnant by you. I know you went out with her several times. Hermione shook her head ruefully. "Oh, Harry. What are you going to do?"
"Deny it with every bone in my body." Harry mumbled to himself. "Okay, so I went out with her. That doesn't mean the kid is mine, does it?"
"Well, mate," added Ron. "She is definitely pregnant. Charms and potions aren't without some risk. Plus, there's no way to prove it isn't yours until after it's born. By then the damage will be done."
"I can prove it.," responded Harry.
"Harry, listen, please" said Hermione. "Unless you've never…, well, we can order a paternity test, of course. She'd have to agree to that. Are you absolutely sure the baby couldn't be yours?"
Harry immediately dropped his eyes to his shoes and breathed deeply. "I never slept with her or anyone else now you mention it."
Ron and Hermione both goggled at Harry. Then Ron gasped.
"Do you mean to tell me" chuckled Ron. "That at the age of 23, The-Boy-Who-Lived has never…."
"Don't be crude, Ron" scolded Hermione, knowing where Ron was heading.
"Look. I've been busy, okay?" replied Harry defensively.
"You can never be too busy for…"
"Ron!" Hermione interrupted. "But, Harry, you've gone out. Even when Ron and I were dating, you did. Surely in all that time there must have been someone…"
"I really don't want to talk about this." Harry cut in and then stalked across the living room.
"Harry, mate" Ron started gently as if he were talking to someone mentally unstable. His initial hilarity at the situation was behind him. "Your choices are to either let the world know about your little problem or wait until the kid is born. Talk about a choice between chimaera and a Blast-ended Skrewt!"
Harry told Ron to do something that sounded physically impossible.
Hermione had been quiet for a few minutes. Harry knew that her brain was churning with alternative plans. He couldn't wait to hear what she had to say.
"Well" said Hermione. "Maybe if I go and talk to Sally-Anne. She works down the street from the Ministry. I can tell her that we know she's lying and we know for a fact that Harry never slept with her. That way, no one will have to know anything else."
After a bit more planning, he told his friends of the trip, and then Ron and Hermione left him alone with his troubled thoughts. Harry felt that the day could only get worse and decided to go to bed and start over fresh the next day
Having spent the morning in meetings attempting to rearrange his schedule, it was mid-afternoon when Hermione came by Harry's office. Harry greeted her with a hug, and then sat behind his desk.
"Don't you ever work?" Hermione asked teasingly. "You know a clean desk is the sign of a warped mind."
"What did you find out, Hermione?" Harry broke in.
"Sally-Anne" responded Hermione "has decided to marry the real father of her child, so she says anyway. She talked Terry last night and told him about the baby. Their wedding announcement will be in the Prophet in a few days. According to her, she couldn't stand the guilt."
Harry grinned and replied, "Good old Terry Boot. She started seeing him again after we called it quits. Thanks, Hermione. I am forever in your debt." He gave a small smile of appreciation.
Hermione teased, "As usual," She then looked at him with concern and compassion. "Harry…" she began.
"No, Hermione." Harry interjected holding his hands in front of him as to ward her off. "I don't want to talk about it. End of discussion. Besides, I have to pack for my next 'mission'."
"Oh, that's right!" Hermione said. "You are going to be Ginny's bodyguard in New York. How long will you be gone?"
"Two weeks" Harry replied. "Two long and dreadful weeks."
"Oh, behave, you prat. It won't be that bad. It's just Ginny…" snorted Hermione.
"Just Ginny? Ginny whose career aspiration this week is to design weddings? So now, she needs to go to the states for a show on weddings. What part of this screams 'Auror needed'?"
Hermione laughed and said, "It's only two weeks. You'll be back before you know it. Then you and Ron can get together and talk quidditch, ogle women, down some Ogden's and re-establish your testosterone levels."
"That sounds like a plan!" chuckled Harry. "Listen, can you feed Hedwig while I'm gone? She's made it quite clear she has no intention of going along on this merry jaunt."
"I'll do that. Well, off I go, then. I'm meeting Ron for lunch. Are you sure you can't join us? I'll buy…" Hermione added.
"No, I've got to get packed. You go ahead. Schedule that testosterone-spiking event with him for me, would you? I think I'll need it."
They said their goodbyes. Harry gave his best friend a final hug and apparated back to his flat.