The Real Me
Chapter 6
The Real Me
Harry was dead tired. He'd worked a twenty-hour shift, complete with three raids. The only thought keeping him going was crawling into his bed. He arrived at his flat via floo, as he didn't dare apparate. His jaw dropped with the realization that there had to be at least twenty people there.
"Harry!" a familiar voice called. "You're late!"
Harry looked at Ginny in confusion. "I'm sorry. Was I aware we were to be entertaining?" he asked his girlfriend.
"Well, no. It was a spur of the moment thing, kind of a Gryffindor Reunion…"
"Are Ron and Hermione here?" he asked, wondering if he'd be expected to stay.
"No, they couldn't make it. They had other plans."
"I see." Harry answered, hiding his relief. "I'm really knackered. I'm going to head upstairs."
"Harry, wait!" Ginny called. "Can't you stay with us just a little while?"
"I really can't." he responded. "It's been a long day."
"Then you need a drink! Colin, fetch Harry some ale!" Ginny called across the room.
"Colin Creevey?" Harry thought. "Since when did little Colin Creevey become a drinking mate?"
"Thanks." Harry called as he snagged the bottle out of the air. He sat down, took a few sips and felt his eyes getting heavy.
"Harry…Harry…" His eyes snapped open. "Why don't you just go to bed?" Ginny pouted. "Everyone was excited to see your flat, but if all you are going to do is sleep, then just go to bed. Look everyone! The-Boy-who-defeated-Voldemort has become the Boy-who can't-keep-his-eyes-open-long-enough-to-party!"
"Can we talk about this later, Ginny? I'd really like to get some sleep."
"Okay, we'll clear out." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Did you want me to come back later? I can owl Mum and say I'm staying at Luna's…"
"Do what you want," he replied in an equally soft tone. "I probably won't wake until noon anyway."
"Okay. I'll just come back at noon. I can take off from the shop and bring you lunch."
Harry didn't know which 'shop' she referred to. The last he'd heard she was going to work at the Ministry. He decided it didn't matter. "That sounds great. Be careful." Harry decided the steps were too much to handle and lay down on the sofa while Ginny took the party elsewhere.
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"Hey, sleepyhead" Ginny said as she sat down beside him. "Are you ill? You were really out of it last night."
"I worked twenty hours straight. I was out of it and not expecting to play host."
"Oh, Harry! Why didn't you say something? If I'd known you were that tired, I wouldn't have had people over." she responded.
"I told you I was tired and wanted to go to bed. What else could I have said that would have made a difference?"
"Loads of people say they're tired, and then wake up once they're around other people. You should have said that you were really tired."
"I did." he replied.
"Then you should have told me you'd worked a long shift."
"I did."
"Maybe I should wait and ask you before I invite people over to a flat that isn't mine."
While Harry agreed with her, he believed it would be a bad idea to do so aloud. "I don't mind if you have people over. You're here more than I am lately, anyway. I would, however like to know in advance, so we don't have a replay of last night."
"You are so good to me." she said sliding into his arms. "I promise to check with you next time."
"And my bedroom stays locked?"
She nodded her assent and promised, "And your bedroom stays locked."
Harry threw together some sandwiches for lunch, before he remembered Ginny was bringing something. He tried to hide them to save her feelings.
"That's okay," she said when she caught him. "I brought soup, so the sandwiches will be fine. Twenty hours is too long a shift. What did you do?"
"I don't like to talk about my work," he said. "Tell me what's happening at the Burrow."
"Well, Mum caught Ron sneaking Luna in. He said she was coming to borrow something, but I don't think she bought it. Luna has a flat by the Quibbler. Why would she want to sneak around?"
"Maybe the thrill of trying not to get caught," Harry suggested. "Have you seen Hermione? I haven't seen anyone in days."
"You work too hard. You should slack off. Don't you have holiday time coming?"
"About 15 days is all I've got left. I've used some time for injuries and such."
"Why won't you tell me about your work? It must be very exciting, chasing bad wizards all over, getting into duels…"
"When I'm home I want to forget about all of that."
"There's a party at the Ministry tonight. Want to go?" she asked.
"I'll be there anyway. My team is providing security."
"Who is Force Leader in your group?"
"Does it matter?" he challenged.
"Well, I'm going. Is it possible that you'll have an opportunity for a dance?"
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try." he replied.
"I'll count on it, Mr. Potter." she said with a smirk.
"I've got to get cleaned up. I'll see you there then?"
"Count on that, too." she purred. He gave her a quick kiss and took the stairs two at a time.
Attired in his dress uniform, Harry stood watch for anything out of the ordinary. He walked around the ballroom, outside the perimeter of the building, as well as the hallways leading to the feast. He was the most visible of the Auror team assigned for security. The only Death Eater not afraid to challenge him was Bellatrix Lestrange. Harry hated that she had escaped his grasp. He had an axe to grind with her. He had already killed at least one person before, so what was one more.
Harry saw Ginny from across the room. She looked like she was having loads of fun. He lost count of the people she'd danced with. He shouldn't be jealous, but he was. He wanted to be the one dancing with her, holding hands with her, introducing her as his girlfriend. He caught her smile and returned it. He knew he would always be a target for Dark Wizards, yet he hoped that soon the remainder of Voldemort's cronies would be rounded up and he could live a normal life. Then again, maybe 'normal' was too much to ask for.
Harry took a break from his duties and approached his girlfriend. He dared not dance too closely, unfortunately, but he hoped she planned to come to his place when he was relieved. He could wait until then.
Draco Malfoy approached attired in the finest blue and gold robes. "Are you the hired help tonight, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "I'd watch my back if I were you."
"We are all very glad you aren't me," Harry responded.
"Jealous much?" Malfoy taunted.
"Jealous? Jealous of what, Malfoy? Your money? I've got my own, thanks, and I know mine didn't come from Dark means. Maybe I should be jealous of your fighting ability. No," Harry laughed. "I know." He said snapping his fingers. "I should be jealous of the fact that you were able to run from the Final Battle, rather than fight. Of course we were never sure which side you were on anyway, were we? So why don't you skip on off to the party and leave the security to the real men."
Malfoy scowled and stomped off. Harry knew he hadn't heard the last of him tonight. He was correct in that assumption. Malfoy had made a beeline to Ginny. As the two were dancing, Harry tried desperately to temper his reaction. Malfoy had his filthy hands on Ginny. Harry wished he could walk right over and claim Ginny as his own, but he knew he couldn't.
With a heavy sigh, Harry went to patrol the perimeter of the building. On his way back in, he found Ron with Luna and Hermione with Blaise.
"Nice uniform, Harry." Hermione beamed. "You should wear your dress grays more often. You look very handsome."
"Hey, guys" he responded. "You ladies look exquisite."
"What are you doing out here, Harry?" asked Blaise.
"Just checking the perimeter. That and avoiding the lovely sight of seeing Ginny dance with Malfoy." Harry replied.
Ron's ears turned dark red. Luna put a hand on his arm to calm him. "Let's get a drink, Blaise." she said leading him away from the others knowing the three friends needed some time. The trio closed into a tight circle.
"She's your girlfriend," Ron whispered. "How can you let her dance with that…that…that… Malfoy!"
"I can't exactly march over there and stop it, now can I? But I swear to you I will nail that bastard to the wall."
"You've got something on him?" asked Hermione.
"I can't give details, but yes. We are very close..." Harry broke off. He watched Malfoy's approach with narrowed eyes.
"Ah, the dream team meets." Malfoy sneered.
"Sod off, Malfoy," said Ron, his voice low and dangerous.
"Or what?" asked Malfoy, "You want to start something with me, so Scarhead here can step in? That's what he was hired for, you know, to protect us Ministry personnel…"
"I don't want you anywhere near my sister. Leave her be and we'll have no trouble." Ron growled.
"Isn't that for Ginny to decide?" replied Malfoy. "Surely she'd rather be with a real man, rather than the…" he cast a hard glance at Harry, "…riffraff she's been associating with of late."
"Oh yeah?" asked Ron. "Who's she been associating with that I wouldn't approve of, besides you?"
Malfoy snickered. Just then Kingsley Shacklebolt joined the group. "Potter," he said. "I've come to relieve you. Your team can take off or enjoy the festivities."
"Thank you, sir." said Harry with a salute. Malfoy snickered.
"If you stay, either remain in full uniform or change entirely. Maintain the integrity of the corps."
"Yes, sir." Harry answered restraining himself from loosening his tie. He told his friends, "Let me go change. I'll meet you inside."
Harry returned wearing navy dress robes. He quickly found his friends and noticed that his girlfriend was well on her way to being pissed. She was dancing with her father. When the song was over, Ginny ambled over to Harry's group.
"Harry, baby, when can I have my dance?" she said with a slight slur.
"We danced earlier, remember? Want to go again?" Harry took the arm she offered and led her to the dance floor. She laid her head against his shoulder and pulled him very close. While he enjoyed the feel of her body against his, he was cognizant of Malfoy's words and backed off slightly.
"What's wrong?" she asked with a pretty pout. "Is there someone else you'd rather be dancing with?"
"No." answered Harry. "I just don't want you in any more danger because of me."
"You think I can't protect myself, Harry? I don't need another father or any more brothers."
"I know," he replied. "I'd just like to keep us private. I thought we agreed on that."
"You don't think I can handle myself, do you, Harry Potter!" she said, her voice rising.
"Potter doesn't think anyone can handle themselves…" Malfoy snarled. "I know you can, sweet. May I cut in?"
"That would be lovely, Draco." she said with a glare at Harry.
Harry had no choice but to relinquish her. He grabbed a butterbeer and returned to his friends.
"You just handed her over to him?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"What choice did I have? She was just short of shouting at me. Do I want to announce to the world that I'm seeing her? Do I want a larger target on her back?" Harry snarled. "I don't like it any more than you do."
"But Malfoy…she's dancing with Malfoy!" Ron roared back.
"I know." Harry said with a heavy sigh. "Believe me, I know."
Harry's discomfort increased with the diminishing distance between Ginny and Malfoy. He could see her laugh at the things that were being whispered in her ear. He rededicated himself to gathering evidence against the blonde. Harry ran his hand through his hair, making it even more unruly.
"Having a good time?" Ginny asked Harry upon her return. Apparently she had forgotten their almost row. He wasn't going to remind her.
"Loads." he said with sarcasm. He restrained the urge to question her about her behavior while dancing. "I'd like to go home."
"Do we dare leave together?" she asked. "I mean, I don't know which way to choose, a helpless girl like me leaving all by myself or someone noticing that I have a famous yet attractive Force Leader on my arm. Why couldn't I know you were Force Leader?"
"Does it matter?" he asked.
"Of course it matters!" she retorted. "That's quite an achievement! But I can't tell anyone, can I? I can't even tell my closest friends that we are dating…"
Harry inwardly groaned realizing the argument wasn't over. "Are you coming over?" he requested in an attempt to appease her. She nodded with a spark of determination in her eye.
He said his farewells and left for the apparition point. Once back at his flat, he hung up his uniform and dress robes then went into the kitchen to wait for Ginny and her famous Weasley temper. He hoped his luck held in that she had forgotten she was angry with him.
Ginny popped into the kitchen, flung herself at Harry and kissed him soundly. "I can't resist a man in uniform," she breathed. "Especially a Force Leader's uniform…"
She pressed him up against the cabinet as he said, "I'm not in uniform anymore," very glad that the row had been postponed.
"Details…details." she responded while she began working on the buttons of his shirt. He pushed her hands away. "What?" she asked.
"I'm just tired," he responded. "We can talk tomorrow."