Press Meetings and Confessions
Chapter 23
Press Meetings and Confessions
There wasn't a dry eye to be seen, nor a whisper heard. Harry sheepishly looked at Hermione again. "Please?" he added trying to do anything to end the deafening silence.
A few people snickered at his discomfort. Unable to prevent the tears from rolling down her face, she nodded.
"SHE SAID YES !! We're getting married!!" Harry shouted in joy. "You are all invited to our wedding and…" Harry was no longer heard as he was engulfed in well wishes. The crowd cheered, with the exception of one person. Ginny Weasley scowled and skulked away silently.
"One more thing, before I let you get back to the celebration," said Harry. "I really didn't intend to take up all of your time like this, but at the Leaky Cauldron, tonight the first two rounds are on me…and the Ministry. And for all of the guests who are too young for that, Florean Fortescue has generously agreed to allow me a bill, so all sundaes are free until dark."
Minister Bones returned to the podium. "Thank you Mr. Potter for your heartfelt words. Visitors feel free to take the official tour of the Ministry of Magic. Mr. Potter, please join us for the meeting with the press. Thank you all for coming and please stay and enjoy the festivities. There is dinner being served in the Square, courtesy of the Diagon Alley Merchants, followed by dancing with music provided by the WWN and a fireworks display presented by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Thank you all again for coming."
Harry soon realized one of the pitfalls of floating rather than walking was that when one was pulled while floating; he had no way to prevent himself from moving. "Hermione!" he shouted frantically over the crowd tugging him toward the press conference. "Hermione!!" he repeated even louder with panic showing in his eyes. Finally he saw her fighting and elbowing her way through the throng. She finally reached him and he grabbed her tightly and wouldn't let go.
When they finally got clear of the mob, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers briefly for strength to face the reporters.
"You are certainly full of surprises today…" she playfully chastised him.
"I have my moments," he replied with a chuckle. He hugged her close to him as he readied himself for the press.
"So I was correct so long ago when I reported that you two were more than the 'just friends'?" challenged a familiar voice.
"Well, Rita Skeeter! It's so lovely to see you, too!" Harry lied in his "I must be nice to you because I'm in public" voice. "Possibly you have foreseen the future with your Inner Eye. Professor Trelawny would be very impressed..."
Hermione slapped at his arm for his teasing. Rita however considered him to be flirting and turned on the charm.
"How about a nice juicy exclusive for an old friend? What do you say, Harry, dear?" The reporter purred.
Luckily, Harry was prevented from responding, due to being pulled away to the press conference. He stood beside Mr. Weasley, who immediately banished his and Harry's chairs, stood and slung his arm around Harry.
"That was quite a speech," he whispered to Harry. "Much better than what the Ministry wrote for you."
"Thanks," Harry mumbled with his cheeks red at the compliment. The conference began and as Harry feared, most questions were for him.
"Rita Skeeter, with the Daily Prophet. Harry, Is it true that you have left the Auror Division?"
"Yes. I turned in my badge last week," Harry answered.
"Lawrence Lovegood, The Quibbler, Mr. Potter, May I ask why you left the division?"
"You know very well why I left, Mr. Lovegood, but thank you for bringing it up. I left for medical reasons." A gasp went out along with rampant murmuring. "Please let me finish…" Harry begged. "I've had more than my share of dueling with Dark Wizards in my time. It has taken a toll on me physically."
He looked toward Hermione for support. She winked back at him and he continued. "For the last few months, I've been laid up with damage to mainly my legs and knees. I've had good people taking excellent care of me in that time. I'm getting better, but for now, my legs are virtually useless. I am able to stand due to the hard work of my friends, Ron Weasley and your daughter, Luna Lovegood Weasley. Those two have devised and charmed a set of lovely… brackles… that allows me to float about rather than walk."
Harry lifted his robes slightly to show the brace and moved around a bit to show how they work. "I understand that after I've completed the test unit with minor alterations, they will be available from St Mungo's for any witch or wizard who needs them."
"Will you be returning to the division at a later time?"
"No, I've done my time. As you heard earlier, I've been offered a position in the Ministry that I'll be investigating next week. My fiancée and I will make our decisions after we've heard their offer."
"Is it true that Miss Granger has been living with you?" asked a wizard Harry wasn't familiar with.
"That is truly none of your concern, Sir; however I will answer the question. Until Ron and Luna devised my brackles, I have been confined to a bed. St. Mungo's was kind enough to allow me to hire her as my personal Healer until I could be about on my own. She has her own suite and has since returned to work. Any questions regarding that will be referred to St. Mungo's press department, please."
"Is it true that you have agreed to testify against Mr. Malfoy in his upcoming trial?"
"I can't speak about a trial until it is over, however I can confirm that I've been asked to testify and have agreed."
"Do you think Draco Malfoy is guilty, Mr. Potter?"
"That's not for me to decide."
"Are you the most powerful wizard in our world?"
"I don't know. You'd have to ask the person who tests for such things. I've never asked how I stack up against other wizards. I know that sounds like I'm avoiding the question, but it's the truth. I'm powerful enough to accomplish what I want, when I want, and how I want. That's good enough for me."
"Can you confirm that Voldemort is really gone this time?"
"Yes"
"How are you so sure?"
Harry took a deep breath. "I destroyed him. There is nothing left."
"How did you destroy him and why are we just hearing about it now?"
"You are hearing about it now because the Aurors believe, and I agree, that most all remaining followers of Voldemort are in captivity. The era of Voldemort/Tom Marvolo Riddle is unequivocally over."
"Minister, can you tell us any details about the position that has been offered to Mr. Potter?"
Harry relaxed now that the questioning was off of him. He looked over at Hermione, who once again had tears in her eyes. "What about me makes girls turn into human hosepipes?" he thought before reminding himself to pay attention in case another question was directed to him.
Finally the press meeting was over and Harry was free to leave. He noticed immediately that people were giving him a wide space to move through, as if he might fall at any time. He wanted to find Hermione. He couldn't see where she went. He felt a tap on his shoulder and spun around to find her right behind him.
"Some Auror you are," she teased. "I came up right behind you and you didn't know it. What would you do without me?"
"Stand here at the top of the stairs for one thing. I'd hate to find myself floating toward that window, unable to stop. Mind giving me a tug?"
"I'd love to, Mr. Potter." She took his hand and led him down the steps. She couldn't believe how well he handled himself today. He had skillfully answered almost every question without hesitation.
They met up with the rest of their group outside. "Where's Ginny?" he asked noticing for the first time her absence.
"She's fine, dear," answered Mrs. Weasley. "She went off to grab a drink. She was parched from being in the sun for so long."
Harry nodded and decided to let Mrs. Weasley have her fantasies regarding her only daughter.
He wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist and said, "Who's ready for lunch?"
The Leaky Cauldron was busier than Harry had ever seen it before. Tom, the bartender greeted Harry and showed him to the private parlor Tom had reserved for the day hoping Harry would stop by.
After a delicious meal of roast chicken, jacket potatoes, various casseroles, and crusty rolls, Harry began to tire. He'd been up since before dawn and normally had a kip in the afternoon after having done far less than he had today. He was thinking of apparating home when Hermione placed a key in his hand under the table. He looked at her in surprise.
"You are not completely better yet. I knew you'd need to rest before the festivities tonight." she said.
Harry smiled his thanks, made his excuses and went up to the room. Hermione discreetly followed.
Harry removed his dress robes and braces. Clad only in his nightshirt, he climbed gracelessly into bed. Hermione lay down beside him and wrapped him in her arms.
"We'll need to talk about this proposing thing you know…" she said.
"Later," he murmured against her chest and drifted off to sleep.
"Harry? Harry?" he heard through his sleep hazed brain. He was awake enough to know that the voice was deeper than he had expected, but too sleepy to register who was speaking to him.
"Harry, you need to wake up. The feast in your honor will begin in one hour. You need to wake up now."
"I'm awake," he grumbled, his eyes remaining closed.
"No, you're not. Open your eyes, please," said the decidedly male voice. "It's Remus. I've come to help you get ready for the rest of the celebration."
"I think I'll skive off tonight…too tired." Harry complained. Harry normally was a very light sleeper. With his background, it had kept him alive on more than one occasion.
"Harry, you need to wake up…or else I'll…I'll…I'll go and get Hermione." threatened Lupin.
"Hermione?" Harry mumbled with a drowsy smile. "She's perfect, don't you think?"
"Harry, have you been drinking? Are you alright?...I'll be right back with Hermione."
Hermione entered the room at a run, followed closely by Remus. She waved her wand over him and found that Harry was only exhausted. Remus was worried he was sick or poisoned, drunk even.
"Harry, honey…" she murmured.
"There's that voice I wanted to hear," the sleeping form mumbled.
"Harry, you need to wake up, please."
"Nope, don't want to…too tired."
"Shall I throw water on you? That would wake you up."
"Go ahead. See if I care," came the voice from the bed. A hand barely rose. Lupin and Hermione saw a brief glimmer as a shield surrounded the inactive body.
"Lupin, can you leave us for a bit? I want to try something that…."
"No explanation necessary." Remus smirked. "Shall I come back in a half hour to help him get ready?"
"No, you just enjoy the party. I'll help him."
"I'll leave you to it, then."
Hermione put her plan into action. Scaring him would be dangerous and water didn't work. She felt terrible about waking him up at all. He'd never been a very good sleeper, even more so lately. He'd had so much on his mind. However he needed to be at the feast.
She climbed into bed beside him and started kissing the spot underneath his ear, slowly making her way down his neck, her hands constantly roaming his body.
His eyes slowly opened as he pulled her close. "Why, Miss Granger…may I ask what you are doing?" he said.
"You needed to wake up and I ran out of options," she explained.
"I see…" he replied. "It seems as if your mission was a success. I am awake. And if I remember correctly, you were laying with me, however you seem a bit overdressed for a kip, so that means you snuck out on me after I fell asleep.
"And miss the party of the century? Are you insane?" she uttered between kisses.
Harry laughed and met her kiss. He then asked, "Could you do me a favor and send Lupin in? He can help me get dressed."
"I can help you," she offered.
"Okay, but first, please, go down and bring me some pumpkin juice. I'm a bit thirsty."
Hermione quickly understood that Harry was trying to get rid of her for some reason, so she left to get Harry's pumpkin juice.
"Thanks," he said upon receiving the juice and he drained the small cup in one swallow.
Hermione looked at him strangely. He wondered if he'd overdone the thirst thing.
"I see you are almost all dressed…" she said casually.
"I am," he answered.
"Did you need my help with your 'brackles'? Why on earth do you placate him so?"
Harry laughed. "It just fit, alright? They are braces, with buckles…brackles, besides, if I used the name Mr. Weasley supplied, then no one can attach my name to them. I had nothing to do with their invention. The praise belongs to Luna and Ron."
"I suppose…" she said unconvinced. "Did you need any help?"
"No, I did it myself, thanks," he replied.
"Is that why you wanted me gone?" she asked.
"Sort of…" he responded. "I just don't like for you to see me flopping about like a flobber worm, getting dressed."
"Harry…I…" she responded.
"Please," he pleaded with her. "I know you are my Healer, however you are also my girlfriend...er…fiancée. Allow me a least a little dignity." Harry spun away from her, his head bowed.
"So, you think I emasculate you..."
"No, that's not what I said. This isn't about you. This is about me and my injuries. Please don't make more of it than what it is. I love you. I have an intrinsic tendency to protect the people I love, and part of that, is believing that those people see me as a capable protector. If I can't see myself in that role, how can anyone else? Consequently, if there is something I can do to protect my self-esteem, please allow it."
"I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, Harry. You'd never doubt yourself again."