Clearing the Air
Chapter 37
Clearing the Air
Harry arrived at The Hog's Head ready to explode. He ordered a firewhiskey and kept the bottle but didn't drink a drop. He just left it, as well as the glass, on the table in front of him, laid his head down on his arm and stared at it. "How could I have been so stupid?" he asked himself. "I should have known this. I should have expected it. I trusted Mr. Weasley. I suppose that was my first mistake, trusting anyone. With the exception of Ron and Hermione, is there anyone else that's deserved it?" He lifted the bottle and poured a glass, replaced the bottle and let his eyes move back and forth from one to the other.
Several hours passed as he stared at the liquor, while his mind raced. "Harry?" said Hermione as she approached him. "Do you need help? Are you drunk?"
"No," Harry sighed. "I haven't drank anything, just thought on it."
"I heard what happened. Are you alright?" she asked gently. It was fairly obvious to her by his darting eyes and twitching fingers that his control was coming to an end. "Let's go home, love."
"Why?" he asked.
"I want to hold you, talk to you, run my fingers through your hair, rub your back…"
"It hurts, Hermione... Why give me the bloody position anyway? Was it, 'Let's give some charity to the invalid;' or "Let's keep him where we can keep an eye on him.' I worked so bloody hard setting up the department and getting the right people in place. And what was the point? I think I preferred Fudge. At least with him, I could see it coming. He was always out for himself. If I stood in his way, then he'd be out to get me. I can't believe that Arthur Weasley went along with this."
"Ron said that after you left, he barged into the office and demanded his father tell him what had happened. He was livid. He couldn't believe it either. He told his dad that he was ashamed of him and that he liked him better when he was stuck in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."
Harry smiled sadly. "Has he changed that much since he was promoted? Why didn't I see it coming?"
"Let's go home, love. I'm sure Ron and Tonks are there wanting to talk to you."
"Sam?" Harry called to the bartender, "Can I take this with me?"
"Ye paid fer it, din ya?" Sam returned.
Harry muttered his thanks, left a substantial gratuity and apparated away with his fiancée by his side.
"Harry, mate," said Ron sympathetically. "I can't believe he did this to you."
Tonks rushed over and added, "Are you okay, Boss?"
Harry gave her a half-hearted grin. "I'm not your boss, Tonks. I never was.."
Just then, the floo roared to life and Molly Weasley stepped out.
"Oh, Harry, dear, I heard what happened. Arthur is just sick over it, just sick."
"As he should be…" stated Ron.
"Ronald, show your father some respect," she scolded.
"Like the respect he showed Harry? It's got to feel worse that someone who 'knows and loves' him would use him like that."
"Thanks, Ron," Harry said sarcastically.
"Harry, please understand, dear, he's been under a lot of pressure at the Ministry."
"So have I, Mrs. Weasley, but you don't see me selling anyone out, do you?" Harry retorted.
Ron stood with his arm around Harry to give no doubt to his loyalty and stated, "At least we know that Percy came by it honestly. The two of them deserve each other."
"Ronald Weasley! I'll not have you speak about your father that way! He was only doing his job!"
"He's been acting like a self-serving git!" Ron screamed. "What is wrong with you people? You get a title at the Ministry, then that gives you the right to stab your friends in the back?" He started pacing back and forth. "Doesn't anyone else see anything wrong with that? Look at what Percy did to him back in fifth year, then Ginny last year, now Dad? It's amazing to me that he even wants to be friends with me anymore!"
"Ron, no one is denying that what Ginny did was wrong. But your father…"
Ron's voice turned cold and hard. "My father sold out a man he's claimed for years to be a part of our family, to be like a son to him…Plus, he allowed me, Harry, and the rest of the people there think that we were providing a service."
"Ron, please," said Harry. "Don't let me be the cause of friction in your family. I couldn't bear that. Just let me handle it in my own way, in my own time. Mrs., Weasley, I appreciate your coming over here. Your support means a lot. I'm sure your husband is feeling badly, so please, go to him. He is your first priority."
"He asked me to come to see if you were alright. He loves you, Harry. He's very concerned."
"I'm sure he is. He is concerned about how the public will feel about what they've done. He's probably concerned that I'm going to go public with this. Please tell him I'm not. I think I've been humiliated enough. The sheer fact that he thought so little of me as to fabricate a position, build it up to me as a worthwhile endeavor, and allow me to believe I was actually doing something…to me that is worse than what Ginny did. She never told me she loved me or that I was part of her family. I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley, but if that is what families do to each other, then I am glad I never had one."
Hermione cleared everyone out, knowing that the offers of support touched him, yet embarrassed him. She pulled him onto the couch. She sat down and pulled his head into her lap.
"Maybe something good will come of this," she suggested.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Oh, I don't know," she returned, running her fingers through his hair. "Maybe with one of us not quite so busy, we'll have more time to spend together…I could come home for lunch, ravish you in the garden…Oh, I can just see it now, you all sweaty, muscles flexed as you landscape for our wedding. Be still my heart…"
He smiled. "See me as a manual labor sort, do you?"
"Not every day, but it's quite a fantasy of mine…"
"Tell me about it," he replied.
"No, I'd rather show you…when the time is right. And just think… you'll be so curious that the landscaping will be done quite quickly in your haste to get me to catch you."
"You are very manipulative, you know that?"
Oh, yes, I'm very evil…" she purred. "Er, Harry, speaking of evil, what's going to happen with the ritual and all that? You aren't planning to be a part of it, are you?"
Harry tensed. "I promised Snape I'd take care of it and I will."
Hermione rose quickly nearly dropping him to the floor. "Harry, you can't! You know the risks. You don't even work there anymore. Promise me you won't."
"The plans are in motion, Hermione, and I am a part of them. I can't just sit back and do nothing…"
"Let the Aurors handle it. You don't need to do this!"
Harry slowly rose, his shoulders slumped, and eyes cast down. "Well that certainly proves me wrong…" he said dejectedly.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I told myself at the bar that I couldn't possibly feel any more useless. Thanks for clearing that up for me." He strode quickly from the room and up the stairs.
Hermione entered and he pretended to be asleep. She lay down beside him. He turned toward the wall.
"I want to talk to you," she stated as she lay down. "I know you aren't asleep, so don't bother pretending you are." She received no response. "Harry, I know you are hurt. I understand that. Don't think for a minute that I find you useless. You are an amazing wizard. You have so many skills that any organization would be lucky to have you on their side." Harry snorted, which reassured her that he was listening. "I just worry that something will go wrong and I'll lose you. I couldn't bear that. I know you feel you have to do this. You wouldn't be the man I love if you didn't. Just, please be careful." Harry rolled over and hauled her to him, yet didn't speak.
The next morning, after seeing his fiancée off to work, Harry decided to have a lie in. Upon awakening a second time, he went down to the kitchen and was amazed to find Arthur Weasley sitting at his table, casually sipping tea.
"What are you doing here?" Harry growled.
"Ah, Harry, just the man I wanted to see!" he said with an enthusiasm that didn't reach his eyes.
Harry glared at him. "What did you want to see me about?"
"Considering you let no one know you'd not be in the office, I came by to see why you skived off work…"
Harry slammed his fist on the table. Winky, who had just appeared to serve breakfast, jumped in fright. "You can't honestly believe that I am going back there, to be some poster child for the Ministry! Surely, you know me better than that. I wouldn't do it for Fudge and I won't do it for you."
"I'm asking you to come back and do the job you are under contract to do," Mr. Weasley returned, grabbing a plate and started to fill it.
"My contract is worthless," said Harry ignoring the food.
Mr. Weasley laughed. "Actually, that contract costs the Ministry a lot of gold"
"Keep your precious gold. I don't want it," he snarled.
"Harry, I know you're angry with me and you feel I betrayed your trust. But please hear me out. You've known me for a long time…"
"I thought I did," Harry snorted, interrupting him.
"Hear me out... We took another look at the testimony and evidence you provided. I can't say that you are off the hook, but in essence you really didn't violate the rules of protocol as flagrantly as we originally thought. You may have put a toe over the line, but that's it. You presented your case like a true Auror and we were expecting you to behave like a diplomat."
Harry harrumphed in derision. Mr. Weasley continued, "An Auror recognizes incongruities, takes steps to prevent a crime, failing that, researches the case, develops a theory, collects evidence, solves the puzzle, makes the arrest, and even testifies at the hearing, basically all on his or her own. A diplomat is much more subtle. They recognize an incongruity and report it. They assist in the committee assigned to develop a theory. The committee reports every little smidgeon of information they come across and assist another committee in resolving the case, which is turned over to yet another committee for resolution. That's what we expected. That isn't what we received and we were taken by surprise. There are adjustment periods in every new position, Son. Don't let this misunderstanding cause you to make hasty decisions."
"Mr. Weasley, I am an Auror. I probably always will be. I don't know any other way to act. My Auror instincts have saved my arse on more than one occasion."
"I know that, Son," the older man responded. "What I am asking of you is to be patient with us while we all adjust. I mean, when you think about it, we didn't expect your department to even be operational for another two months. You've got it set up and running, as well as broken a case that has had us all baffled for almost a year. Relax, Harry. You have proven yourself capable of your position. The only one that has any doubts is you…"
Harry's shoulders slumped as the tension left his body. "Thanks, Mr. Weasley. I appreciate your confidence in me."
Mr. Weasley walked over to the younger man and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Now maybe Molly will cook for me again. I've been banished to the couch until I made it up with you." Harry grinned. "She loves you so much, Harry, we all do. I realize some members of my family have done you a wrong turn, but don't cast us all in the same light. Before I go, is there anything else I need to know about this Malfoy situation?"
Harry relayed all he knew about the ritual, Malfoy's role, even the dream he had with Professor Snape. "My thought is this…" Harry got up to pace.
"Ah, you have a plan already…" Mr. Weasley smiled.
Harry smiled back. "Not much of one, just an idea maybe…they are scared of me, we know this. What if we made my disagreement with the Ministry more permanent and obvious? They might take the opportunity to proceed with the ritual and we've got them."
"How will that help? Tell me the whole idea and let's work on it."
"Well, your son is the strategist of the group. He'd be able to plan the contingencies. We'll need to consult with him straight away. And Tonks, too. She handles the coordination of the departments. They'll have to know what we're up to…"
"But if Ron knows, then won't he have to stay angry with me as well?" asked Mr. Weasley.
Harry gave the man a sympathetic look. "I suppose he will. He's an excellent actor, though. He can pull it off."
"What about your medical condition? I won't agree to something that puts you at risk. What about Polyjuice?"
"Ron and I discussed that. I won't risk anyone else getting killed for me. I'll take my chances. Polyjuice won't work because I need to perform a display of wandless magic like has never been done before. These guys don't remember that Voldemort's wand won't work against mine. They also don't know what I can do wandlessly. They think mine and Voldemort's wands are the source of our power. I need to be able to recreate Priori Incantatum. If I can get the dome large enough, I think I can render them powerless. Dumbledore taught me a wicked disapparition jinx. I'll need someone to maintain that while I do my stuff."
"Have you spoken to your fiancée about this?" Mr. Weasley gently probed.
"She made her feelings clear," returned Harry. "She doesn't want me to do it, but she knows that I have to."
Mr. Weasley gave a Harry a sympathetic look. "What do we need to do?" he asked.
"First off, I need to take a leave of absence. Then you and Minister Bones will meet with me, Tonks and Ron to get this all ironed out, so that everyone knows the part they need to play. I don't have to tell you that secrecy is of utmost importance."
"No, you don't," said Mr. Weasley as he took off his glasses and wiped the lenses on his shirttail.
"I think that they will make a move sooner rather than later in order to strike while I'm 'on the outs' with the Ministry. When the Aurors report action in the graveyard, someone contacts me here and I'll apparate there immediately."
"What about a ward to prevent apparition?" a concerned Mr. Weasley asked. "You don't want to get splinched."
"I won't," stated Harry confidently. "I've been able to cross wards for a long time." Harry ducked his head humbly.
"Just how powerful are you, Harry?" he asked.
"I don't know. You'll have to ask Hermione." Harry's face reddened at the admission, as well as the memory of Hermione's revelation of how exciting she found evaluating his power.
"If we plan the meeting tonight, it would seem as if the Ministry is attempting to mend the rift between us and won't look like we are plotting," said Mr. Weasley.
Harry grinned at the other man. "Now you're thinking like an Auror..."
Mr. Weasley chuckled, "…And you are sounding like a diplomat." The two men shared a forgiving smile.
Their discussion finished, Mr. Weasley left for the Ministry. Harry went to relax by riding his broom around the field. After a couple hours of flying, complete with daring loops and dives, since Hermione wasn't home to scold him, Harry returned to the house to have a quick shower before she came home for lunch.
Hermione apparated to the back yard, expecting Harry to be slaving away at landscaping. She found him waiting for her at a table laid with a lovely lunch of salad and fruit. He grinned as she approached and rose to greet her.
"I've missed you," he sighed as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I missed you, too," she responded. "What have you done with yourself this morning?"
"Oh, this and that…" he replied vaguely.
She eyed him skeptically. "What are you up to?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied glancing around, his eyes looking everywhere but at her.
"Alright," she responded, "I'll let you have your privacy…"
"It's not that I'm keeping a secret from you. It's just that…," he began, his eyes still scanning.
A look of comprehension spread over her face. "Want to put up a privacy bubble or shall I?" she asked.
"Let's eat first," he said as a small grin crossed his face. "Then we can go inside."
"Alright," she replied knowing the importance by hearing what he wasn't saying. She picked up her fork and speared a strawberry waving it as she spoke.
"I talked to Healer Strankford about your nightmares. I told him how you've been dealing with them and how Dreamless Sleep potion makes them worse."
"Did he have any more ideas?" Harry asked.
"He wasn't surprised that you can break even your own binding charms. He thinks Wolfsbane potion might bring you some relief. He wants to try it." She laughed at the grimace on Harry's face.
"Have you smelled that stuff?" he asked scowling. "It's all I can do to retain the contents of my stomach if I have to help Lupin prepare it…"
"Oh, honestly, Harry, it's not as if you have to take it daily. You said yourself they are only really bad once a month or so."
Harry lowered his eyes, embarrassed. "I wish you didn't know about them. It's…disconcerting, to say the least."
"Harry, sometimes you need to look past the fact that you love me and see me clinically as your Healer…"
"I'd rather see you clinically naked…" he smirked.
"Quit that!" she scolded as his hand crept under her robes and up her leg underneath the table. "You are so obvious!" she said with a laugh at his sulking expression, "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but if I can get you help with the nightmares, then it's worth it."
"I know, love. I just…"
"…don't want to talk about it..." she finished for him.
"Can you blame me for that?" he asked getting irritated.
"You really are a master at this," she said with a smile. "I want to talk to you about your headaches and the nightmares that accompany them. You failed at distracting me physically, so now the topic is changed to 'Why doesn't Harry want to talk about this" rather than just getting on with it."
Harry snorted his displeasure. "What do I need to do? Check into St Mungo's again? They've tried everything they knew how to do. I mean it's not bloody likely that anyone else would ever have to suffer from these…"
"Oh, Harry, honey," she said sympathetically, her mind racing with surprise that actually admitted how bad they are, "It's not just to learn to help other people, it's you, too. You shouldn't have to endure it and if we can find a way to help you, then we can use that information to help others, if that is even possible. We, Healers, thrive on helping our patients, then using what we learn about each individual case to help solve other cases. Our first priority is the patient and that patient is you."
"I don't like being a patient anyway. It's not that bad, really, Hermione. I can deal with it," he grumbled.
Hermione sighed, knowing that he was lying about the severity and that pushing further would be futile. She replaced his hand on her thigh. "I know you can, so we'll just table this conversation until another time. I would like to try the Wolfsbane next time, though."
"Or maybe we could try the remedy we used with the Skele-gro…" he answered with a smirk.
"You are incorrigible!" she laughed.
"Just the way you like me…" he returned.