Cutting Losses
Chapter 5
Cutting Losses
Harry awoke before dawn and after silently checking the on children, slipped out of the house and Apparated to his office. He rummaged through his files for the reports.
Hours later, Neville found Harry with files and parchment strewn all across the massive desk. "Harry…" he murmured softly, "Go home. We can handle things from this end."
"I can't..." Harry responded as he went for another file. "They'll kill them all. I know they will."
Neville could tell Harry was near his exploding point, therefore he tread carefully. "You've written several feet of notes. Figured out anything?"
A gentle breeze blew thought the room. "No," Harry replied. "Nothing, yet…"
The gust got stronger as the lights began to flicker. "Harry, mate, let's go down to the Secure Room, so we can let off a bit of steam…"
"I can't right now, Neville. Thanks, though," Harry replied in a mock casual voice.
"Don't make me pull rank, Harry…" Neville cautioned almost timidly.
"Don't make me sack you…" Harry retorted with a scowl as several windows burst.
"Harry Potter," Neville stated in an official tone. "As Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs, I-I-I order you to the Secure Room…immediately!" then added a plaintive, "Please?"
Harry grimaced as he raised his eyes to the ceiling in an attempt to rage building within him. "I don't have time for this, Neville. I'm sorry for being short with you…but…"
" Harry, you put these safeguards in place for this very reason. You aren't giving me any choice here…"Neville stated regretfully. He straightened into an almost military stance before adding, "Immediately, Potter!"
Harry smiled a dangerous smirk. He looked over at Neville, who gasped as Harry's eyes flickered red for a infinitesimal second before he replied, "You want a piece of me, Neville? Have a nurse standing by…" He then stalked out of the office. With a tiny whimper, Neville followed.
By the time Neville had arrived in the cellar. Harry was seated atop a table in the middle of the room. Neville gulped as he entered. "Sorry, Neville," Harry said sheepishly. "Why don't you just go into the Control Room and just chuck stuff at me…"
Neville nodded, warded the room and went into the booth. After casting the additional protective wards, Neville began putting Harry through his paces. Harry used no wand, words or hand gestures as he disposed of or blocked the many creatures and curses Neville threw at him. It looked as if he had scared them into nonexistence with a glare.
Harry looked calm and collected as Neville emerged from the booth after an hour. The only sign of effort was his shirt damp with sweat. "Great workout, Neville," Harry said with a grin. "I'm going to hit the showers. I must reek!"
"You're still going on report, Harry…" Neville called after him. Harry just raised a hand in acknowledgement and kept walking.
He found Malfoy waiting in his office. "I know what this is about, Malfoy and I'm sorry. This thing with Ming has just got me on edge. It won't happen again."
"Damn right, it won't!" said Malfoy with a scowl. "You need to go home, Potter. Let us handle things here. Fight for your daughter. Grieve for your ex-wife. Give the Saint Potter act a break, for Merlin's sake!"
"I hear what you're saying Malfoy, but…"
"But, you feel entirely in control of the situation, which is exactly why you flashed your Voldie-eyes at Neville…" Harry's head dropped in shame. "Now do you have any further arguments or shall I write this up permanently?" Harry shook his head without raising it. "This is the safeguard you put into place, Potter. We've dealt with cases like this before and you know it. Page 24 section 3 paragraph iii of the job description you wrote says, and I quote, 'If any company executive becomes too close to a case to be objective or if founder is too emotionally involved, it is mandatory that the Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs remove him/her from active involvement in the case. It is at the Deputy's discretion when to remove and when to re-enact said individuals to duty…Potter, you knew this was a possibility when you developed this company." Malfoy watched as a lone tear splashed against the tile floor. "Harry, go home. Let us handle it for now. We'll let you come back when you've dealt with things a bit more." Harry nodded and disappeared.
He arrived in his back garden and stayed there until he was able to pull himself together. Entering the house, he saw Ellen calling to her twin boys, who happened to be traversing the upstairs railing from the outside. "Accio, boys…" said Harry with arms outstretched. The giggling twins came flying through the air and into Harry's waiting arms. Ellen gasped and greeted him with a smile.
"Gentlemen, what did I say would happen the next time you tried that?" he asked.
"You said we'd get sent to bed," said Bryce with a pout.
"…no matter what time of day it was," finished a remorseful looking Blair.
"Yep," said Harry.
"But that was when you were still our dad!" argued Bryce.
"You can't still punish us, can you?" asked Blair.
He set the boys down and gave them his 'Serious Dad" look and said, "Want to try me?" With a gasp, the boys scurried up the stairs and into the room they shared.
He gave Ellen a hug and asked, "Where is everyone?"
"Your girlfriend is at work. The kids are in the playroom. The rest of your harem is meeting in the dining room again to discuss what they are going to do. I stayed away since we are moving with Anthony anyway…" she responded. "I'm surprised you are home so early. It's not even noon…."
"I'll be home for a few days with…you know…" he replied vaguely.
Knowing by now she'd get no answers from him, Ellen nodded, gave him another squeeze and set him off to join the others.
Harry entered the dining room and took his regular place. The room fell silent. Estelle brought him a cup of tea, which she'd liberally spiked with a calming draught. Harry brought the cup to his lips, sniffed, raised an eyebrow at her, but still drank deeply. "That bad, is it?" he said at last.
"Harry," she began. "We can't all move overseas. It's just not practical. And we can't all move in here…"
"Why not? There's plenty of room…" Harry interrupted.
Deirdre answered him. "The space isn't the issue, Honey; we are all women you've helped to become independent individuals. As much as we care for each other and genuinely like each other, it wouldn't work…"
"Besides," began Colleen, "That wouldn't be fair to your Hermione. Would you want her to be living with a bunch of men she once had a relationship with?"
"I just want to protect you all…" he argued. "I can do that here. No one gets through my wards without my permission."
Estelle came over and placed a hand on his arm. "Harry, listen to us, we don't want to be prisoners…to the wards…to the house…"
"We appreciate all that you've done for us, but we can't go back to being totally dependent on you. That just wouldn't work," Deirdre said gently.
"What's the answer, then?" Harry asked. "I just wash my hands of the lot of you?"
"We haven't figured that part out yet," said Colleen.
The conversation was interrupted by Hermione who came through the Floo. Brushing the soot off of her jacket, she rushed over to Harry. "Are you alright?" she asked as she encircled him in her arms.
He nodded and laid his head back against her chest, closing his eyes. Deirdre filled Hermione in on the discussion.
"How many renters are at Grimmauld Place?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Well, none at the moment, actually. I was going to do some refurbishing, you know carpets, and wallpaper...I just haven't had time to get it done yet."
"There you are, then," she said. "Six flats, five families, hire a couple for minding and security for the other flat and problem solved…"
Harry looked around at the impressed and pleased expressions. "Brilliant solution, as always, Hermione…Is everyone in agreement?" he asked.
All decided it was a perfect solution. After arguing over the rent payments, which Harry was adamantly refusing, it was decided that they would forego their monthly child support payment from Harry in exchange, as well as complete the work he'd planned.
After lunch Harry left to meet with his barrister regarding Ming's custody. There he was told that even if the Inoh's were agreeable to relinquishing custody to Harry, the Ministry's stance was that Harry's violent history would prevent them from approving it…again. The barrister confirmed that Ming had wanted Mee Tao to be raised by Harry if anything happened to her, yet the law was entirely on the side of the Inohs.
"We can fight this, if you wish," stated the barrister. "I can't advise it, though. Ming's parents know you are not the child's biological father. They are asking that you submit to a paternity test to prove it publicly. With Chinese wizarding government is fully behind them, we have virtually no chance of success."
"'Virtually no' means what in terms of percentages?" asked Harry.
"Less than 5 percent…" said the barrister. "In the meantime, Mee Tao would be shuffled back and forth, caught in a tugging match. In the documents their barrister sent over, it stipulates that if you will relinquish custody to them without a fight, they will allow you to visit her yearly."
"That's blackmail…" scowled Harry.
"No, that's legal negotiation. It's their starting point. We come up with a counter and the game is on. I know you desire full custody, Mr. Potter, but quite frankly, that is not going to happen. I'm going to try for as much as I can get, but I need you to help me. I'd like you to meet with them, get them to see you as a human being…as a father. Show them they have nothing to fear from you…"
Harry agreed to a meeting after the funeral in two days time. Upon returning home, he found the house in pandemonium. Mee Tao was missing. She had been terrified when she noticed that her father wasn't home. Harry raced up the stairs and found her immediately in his wardrobe. After calling to the others that he'd found her, he crawled in beside her and took her in his arms. He sang to her as she cried and wondered how he could possibly give her up.
"That went well, didn't it?" Harry said as he and Hermione returned from the meeting with the Inohs. The emotional meeting with Ming's parents went better than Harry ever anticipated. Harry had spoken frankly about his desires for Mee Tao, his past, and his future. They, in turn, spoke of their loss, their past and their fears. They were mostly concerned that Mee Tao would not know them or never learn of her heritage, if they gave custody to Harry, plus the fact of the danger associated with him.
"You were wonderful," Hermione replied as they reclined on the sofa with a glass of wine. "I think, by the end, they were sad that you and Ming divorced…"
"Why do you say that?" asked Harry.
"You were so open with them. I'm not sure I've ever seen you like that before."
Harry rolled his eyes at her, before changing the subject. "I like this, knowing my children are sleeping upstairs, safe under my roof…I only wish the circumstances were different…"
Neville stopped by the following morning. The house was in chaos. He found Harry, with a sleeping Mee Tao cuddled in the sling on his chest, working on some files he'd brought home, oblivious to the mayhem surrounding him.
"Hey, Boss," he called approaching the table covered in files, photographs and parchment notes.
"Neville, how are you?" greeted Harry.
"Fine, fine," he answered. "Feel up to dropping by the office this afternoon?"
Harry's eyes went wide. "The team has picked up on something…" he gasped.
"They might have done. They want you to look it over and see if the same pattern emerges."
"Let's go now…" stated Harry rising quickly enough to wake the sleeping child. "Oh, er…."
Neville chuckled. "Be there in a half hour's time. That should allow enough to square things away here, shouldn't it?"
"Yeah, okay. See you there..." he said as he returned his attention to his fussing daughter. He took her out of the sling and put her over his shoulder.
Estelle was watching the kids for the day. Harry found her attempting to straighten the play room. The twins, however, were destroying as fast as she could straighten.
"I need to run into the office for a bit," Harry told her as he set Mee Tao down on the floor, where she immediately grabbed his leg in a death grip. "I don't know when I'll be back…"
Mee Tao shrieked as Estelle picker her up. Harry leaned close and said, "Princess…I need you to be good for Auntie E for me. Daddy will be back by bedtime." The child sniffled as he spoke. He looked up at Estelle. "If she wants to hide, she'll be in my room…"
"The kids aren't allowed in your room…"
"Well, if anyone needs a safe spot about now, it'd be her." Estelle nodded in understanding. "Just don't drag her out of there. Have Cindy sit with her or something until she's ready to come out on her own. She's been scared enough…"
"You be careful, Harry," Estelle cautioned.
"Aren't I always?" remarked Harry with a smirk.
Harry stopped by Malfoy's office to sign the reinstatement forms before heading in. "Don't make me regret this, Potter," Malfoy snarled. Harry didn't allow himself to react, he just signed the forms and left to begin the meeting.
The conference room was set up for what appeared to be a long session. Over the next few hours, Harry was presented with the facts in evidence in Ming's murder, as well as the failed missions. As he took notes and drew conclusions, a clear picture of the crime became unmistakable.
Harry looked down at his parchment filled with his spiky writing…
1. Suspect knew we used coins for communication…DA?
2. Suspect references to failed adoption attempt…Ministry?
3. Suspect knows about PED…High Level Ministry
4. Traces of photographic chemicals found on victim….photographer?
5. Suspect attempts to aim suspicion toward Dark Wizards…. Not a Death Eater?
6. Suspect has ties to Daily Prophet…..freelance photographer?
7. Magical signature indicates Muggle-born…can't be…
8. Suspect thinks he's helping me?...
9. Blonde hair fibers found at crime scene
Harry closed his eyes at the realization before writing a name across the page:
COLIN CREEVEY
"Why?" Harry asked taken aback.
"He'd been dating Ming to get information on you. It seems his hero worship has turned into a bit of an obsession…" said Tonks.
"We believe he killed her to get her out of the picture and leave you with the baby," added Mad-Eye Moody.
"Why would he carve her like that, though?" Harry wondered aloud with a repulsed expression. "That's just twisted…"
"That would add to the belief that it was Death Eaters committing the crime…" answered Moody. "He was trying to cover his tracks.
"Also keep in mind, Harry," said Remus Lupin, "that the murder itself was not violent. The poison he gave her was peaceful. She never even felt nauseous. She just fell asleep and never woke up. The message wasn't carved until much later. It was if he didn't want to hurt her, yet…"
"…wanted her dead," finished Harry.
"That's right," remarked Remus. "He didn't believe the public persona you created for yourself, so after the last divorce, he got close to her to find out what you'd been up to."
Harry gave a short sad little chuckle. "She's the only one I told about PED…and he was in DA. He works for the Ministry…." Harry tensed as a hot wave of fury washed over him. "I will KILL that bastard…"
"Harry…" called Remus; however he was too late. Harry had already strode from the room. Moody gestured for Remus too follow Harry. He reached the hallway in time to see Harry enter Draco Malfoy's office.
"Request permission to use an Unforgivable…" stated Harry firmly, as he crossed the threshold.
"Request denied," replied Malfoy.
"Request permission to use lethal magic…"
"Request denied."
"Request permission to use lethal force with no magic involved…"
"Request denied, Potter."
"You are enjoying this, aren't you, Malfoy?" Harry said through gritted teeth.
"Actually, I'm not. I know how you must be feeling, Harry. This just isn't the way. We'll get him, I promise you that. We just have to use legal channels…"
Harry's shoulders slumped in defeat. While he could see how pitiful the Colin situation was, the anguish he'dput Harry through, not to mention Mee Tao, was unforgivable. "I'm going home, then. Let the Aurors take him," Harry said at last.
"One thing before you go, Potter…" Malfoy said. Harry turned and waited at the door. "Come in and sit…" At Harry's glare, Malfoy added, "P-please…" Harry, astonished to hear the nicety from his childhood foe, complied. "You need to be aware that this case will bring PED out in public. I figure we've got a day, two at the most before this blows wide open. I'd like your authorization to launch a full-scale media blitz, press tours and the works…"
Harry grinned and said, "Permission denied," before opening the door to leave.
"You are just doing this to get back at me!" Malfoy sneered. Harry grinned much wider. "We need to do this before word leaks out and what we do is misinterpreted! What do I do to convince you this is the best way to protect your company?"
Harry remained silent and looking as smug as a niffler in Gringott's. Malfoy sighed and dropped his head. With an irritated sneer, Malfoy said at last, "You were always a superior Seeker," at Harry's raised eyebrow Malfoy added through clenched teeth, "Gryffindor deserved the quidditch cup…"
Harry inclined his head at the blonde in front of him and smirked. "Permission granted."
"When are you two ever going to grow up?" Remus grumbled.
Harry gave Remus a look and returned to his office. Emerging a few seconds later, he handed Malfoy a bank draft and said, "Use this for the press party I know you've been avoiding asking me for. Go ahead and plan for it as soon as Creevey is in custody...just give me tonight to come clean with my girlfriend…"
"Please tell me you aren't getting married again…" Malfoy moaned.
"Not any time soon, no…" Harry replied.
"So, she's not…er..."
"No. If you must know, Hermione and I got back together…"
"That's wonderful news, Harry!" smiled Remus while Malfoy grimaced.
Harry stopped by the Burrow and asked Molly to mind his brood while he met with his houseguests. He relayed the pending charges against Colin and its ramifications, as well as his belief that they would no longer be in danger once Colin was in custody.
"I still think the flats are a good idea," said Colleen. "I'd still like to take you up on that offer, if it is still open…"
"Same here," added Estelle. "If my rent goes up one more time, I won't be able to afford my flat anymore anyway."
"I'd be honored for you to have the option available. Just think most of my kids will be under one roof! That should make visitation simpler." The smile on Harry's face faded as another thought crossed his mind. "If I'd thought of it sooner, maybe Ming would…"
"Stop that, Harry…" warned Ellen.
"We spent more time with her than you did and we didn't see anything wrong," said Deirdre. "Besides, you are NOT going to approve our dates for us."
To their surprise, Harry agreed with her. "That would be a bit too weird."
He went on to explain about his company and how the news would be going public. He invited them each to the press party and offered to watch the kids.
"You aren't going?" asked Estelle. "This is your big night! You have to go!"
"Yeah, Harry," said Deirdre. "If for no other reason than to rub it in to the press how wrong they've been about you…"
"I don't give a damn what the press thinks of me or anyone else," Harry said evenly. "Ming died because of me. I don't plan to celebrate the result." Harry strode from the room having said all he intended to.
Hermione and Ron arrived just before dinner. They found Harry in Mee Tao's room reading to her. He looked up as they arrived. "Oh, you're both here. Good. I wanted to talk to you both anyway," he said.
"Did you hear the news, mate?" asked Ron.
"Not here," said Harry as walked to the playroom and gave Mee Tao to Ellen, whose turn it was to watch the children. He motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow him.
He opened the doors to his suite and walked in. Ron followed, looking around incredulously. "This is some bedroom, Harry!" Hermione closed the door and cast silencing charms on the room.
Harry walked over to the bar and poured three glasses before turning to face his friends. He motioned for them to join him by the roaring fireplace. He and Ron each took one of the chintz chairs while Hermione perched on the sofa curling her legs under her.
"Colin Creevey has been arrested for murder!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yes, I know," said Harry softly. "I built the case against him…"
"You what???" Ron and Hermione shouted in tandem.
Harry sighed before telling them his story. He finished with, "and I haven't had a bloody cigarette in twelve days!"
"Well, what are you waiting for?" asked Ron. "Let's go get a drink!"
The trio arrived at their regular pub. Hermione opted for a butterbeer while Ron and Harry had their regular stiff drink. Harry almost immediately lit a cigarette and drew the smoke into his lungs with a satisfied expression.
Hermione shared an eye roll with Ron before speaking. "Why didn't you tell us about the business? We'd have been proud of you no matter what. You know that…"
Harry shrugged and said, "When I started it up, you and I weren't speaking and Ron and I weren't on the best of terms. You both seemed happy enough to accept my reputation on a surface level, so I saw no reason to correct it. Besides, I quite enjoyed the privacy the image gave me."
"So you kept us at a distance so that we wouldn't figure out the truth," Ron surmised. Harry shrugged again and sipped his drink.
"How are you going to handle all of this going public?" Hermione asked.
"My plan is to ignore it as I've always done. I never wanted any of this and I don't want it now…" Harry drained his drink and signaled for another.
"Whoa, mate, ease up a bit," cautioned Ron. "You'll be pissed in no time…"
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Harry replied. "Within a month's time, I will have lost a woman who meant so much to me, and three of my children. If anyone deserves a bit of peace at the bottom of a bottle, it would be me…"
Hermione jumped at his statement. "I just…I need to…I'll see you later, Harry…Ron…" She kissed Ron on the cheek and Harry on the lips before heading out the door at a run.
"I hate it when she does that. I always have," complained Ron staring after her.
"I think it's cute," stated Harry. "Her mind is going so fast that her words can't keep up. That and the fact that she's worked something out and wants to make sure it works before she brings us in on it."
"You lot and your secrets…" grumbled Ron. "You deserve each other…"
"Thanks, Ron," Harry said genuinely.
"It wasn't a compliment. I meant that you are both mental!" retorted Ron.
"I'm taking it as one anyway…" grinned Harry.
"You haven't told us everything, have you? You've still got an arseload of secrets, don't you?"
Harry raised an eyebrow at his friend. "I will neither confirm not deny that theory…"
Ron wasn't sure, but he swore for a split second Harry's green eyes were red. "Nah," he told himself. "It was just the lighting…"