Everybody's Hero - Part 3 of 3
Jan. 24th, 2010 12:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sesheta66Title: Everybody's Hero (part 3 of 3)
Summary: With his new job as Deputy Head Auror, Harry is assigned an old task - to watch Draco Malfoy. When threats against Malfoy escalate, Harry finds himself torn between doing what is expected and doing what's right.
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
"Hi, Bradley."
The young Auror looked petrified. "Hi, Deputy Head Auror Potter."
Harry let out a sigh. "It's Harry, remember?"
"Right. Sorry sir." The boy looked so strung up he might pop.
"It's okay. I just need to speak with MacInness. Have you seen him?"
"I have. But he left a few minutes ago." Harry frowned. "Oh, it's okay. Mr Malfoy had something he needed done, and the two of them left together."
Shit. Shit, shit, shit! "Did they say where they were going?"
"No, but Auror MacInness said that he would be gone the rest of the day."
"Thank you, Bradley."
Harry walked out the door and called Hermione. "We have a problem." Then he made one more phone call.
***
"Right. Here's the situation." Harry brought Ron up to speed, and filled them both in on the day's events. "After I called you, I Apparated to Malfoy Manor." Hermione shuddered. "Narcissa hasn't seen Draco since he left this morning, and no one has heard from either of them since they left the apothecary together about half an hour ago."
"Well, there's no guarantee he's going to hurt the ferret," Ron offered. "He hasn't before now."
"But the threats have escalated lately," Harry pointed out. "And the last note implied that he's killed before."
"And," Hermione added, "Draco has had private security surrounding him until recently. This may be the first opportunity anyone has had to get close to him."
And it's all my fault, Harry thought.
"Where do we start?" A testament to their friendship and Ron's professionalism, he didn't demand to know why they'd left him out of the loop until now. No doubt he'd insist on an explanation later, but for now he was an Auror. And a friend.
"I managed to get some information on MacInness."
"How did you do that without alerting anyone?" Hermione asked.
"I had pulled the files for all section heads last week." He grinned. "Part of my new job."
Ron ran his hands over his face. "Bloody hell, Harry, this is bad."
A vision of Draco, dead, swam before Harry's eyes. "I know."
"No, I mean MacInness … well, he was up for your job. If you weren't, you know, the Ministry's poster boy, he'd be sitting in your seat."
All true. "So much for ridding the Ministry of corruption." Harry had expected some resentment, but had been pleasantly surprised with MacInness. He certainly seemed to accept that Harry got the position, and outwardly had been nothing but professional. Harry supposed pissing off the new boss wouldn't have worked into his plans. "We might have a murderer for a senior Auror."
"Harry, we don't know that he's killed anyone," Hermione reasoned.
"But that last note," Ron added. "He's certainly taking credit for some Death Eater kills."
Harry slammed his fists on his desk. The thought of MacInness hurting Draco, never mind killing him, turned his blood to ice. "We can't let him hurt Draco." Harry rifled through his bag. "MacInness has a house just outside London."
"Doesn't he have a wife and small child?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Harry placed a paper on the table between them. "But he has two more properties."
"Blimey! What's he doing working as an Auror if he owns three places?"
Hermione coughed and Harry's lip twitched.
Ron's ears turned pink. "Right. Well. You're different, Harry. You're the bloody Chosen One, and you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if you weren't out fighting evil. You're not normal."
Harry laughed. "Thanks."
He'd never felt comfortable living at Grimmauld Place, but he couldn’t sell Sirius's family home. He'd purchased a sprawling farm house in the country where he'd imagined raising a family. Things had changed, he'd broken things off with Ginny, and he'd found it a lonely place to be on his own. Still, it felt like home, so he kept it and stayed there most weekends. Then he had this place, his flat. Close to work, convenient, large enough to serve his needs, yet small enough that he didn't feel quite so alone, even when he was.
"He inherited the first place --" Harry pointed to the paper "-- a few years ago. The second is where he lives with his wife and son, and the third is a small, summer cottage."
"It's safe to say that he wouldn't take the ferret to his family home."
"Right."
"Shall we split up and check the other two?" Hermione suggested.
"No!" Ron and Harry replied together.
Harry nodded at Ron, then addressed Hermione. "He's a highly trained Auror, Hermione. Ron and I know him, and can --"
"Oh, no," she argued.
Ron put a hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, we need someone who knows where we are, in case … well …"
"You can contact us if Malfoy shows up somewhere," Harry said. "And put together the evidence you found."
"I don't know …"
"It's not like we're giving you a choice," Ron said.
Hermione bristled and Harry interjected before she had a chance to explode. "Would you let either of us mess with your systems?"
She glared at Harry. "No, of course not. You might mess something up."
"Because you know your business."
"Well, yes, but --"
"And we know ours. Ron and I have worked together for years, and we communicate without even having to speak. We can do this better on our own." He collected the papers. "Please, Hermione, let it go. We don't have time to argue."
She pursed her lips. "Fine."
"Which place first?" Ron asked.
"The one he inherited from his parents seems the least likely for his wife to visit," Hermione reasoned.
Ron nodded. "So, to the house then?"
"But," Hermione added, "it might make more sense to take Draco to a more remote location." She pointed to the paper. "The house is in the city."
"The cottage then?" Ron asked.
Harry weighed his options. He thought about MacInness, and tried to imagine what he might be thinking. His mind and body remained sharp, and he projected confidence in all manner of circumstances. He'd been surreptitiously threatening Malfoy for years, long before his parents died and left him their home. If his last note was to be believed, he'd killed before. He might have even had plans in place for Draco when he started. Going on a hunch, Harry made a decision. He only hoped it was the right one, and that they would arrive in time to save Draco.
"The cottage."
They Apparated about a mile away, then cast the standard series of spells to reveal any wards and traps.
"What the --?"
Harry glanced over to see what Ron's spell had revealed. "Shit."
"What is this?"
"It's a Destabilising Spell," Harry explained. "The same one Draco used at his shop. It prevents someone casting Dark spells within its boundary. It's old magic and I have no idea how to disable it."
"Well that's a good thing, isn't it?" Ron asked. "He won't be able to kill Malfoy."
"Not with a Dark spell, no," Harry replied. "But you don't need to use Dark Magic to torture or kill someone." His stomach clenched. "All you need is a little creativity."
"Sure are a lot of wards for a place you're not using for the season," Ron said. "At least we know he's here."
"Sure looks that way." Harry didn't say that MacInness could have put the spell on all his homes.
They worked together seamlessly, dismantling all the security spells as they went along. Once the way was clear, Ron said, "Shall we?"
Harry nodded. "After you."
***
"Potter will have your badge - and your arse for this!" Draco's voice carried down the stairs from the upper floor. Harry and Ron made their way up the stairs without making a sound.
MacInness's menacing laugh reverberated through Harry's body from the other end of the hallway. "Potter loathes you. Everyone knows that." Harry cringed. He knew how he'd feel if someone said Draco hated him - especially if he'd discovered Draco had been spying on him all along. "I have to admit, he surprised even me with his acting ability."
Harry motioned to Ron to move towards the room. Ron nodded and crept quietly along the corridor, Harry close behind.
"Oh, I know Potter couldn't care less about me." Harry's heart sank as Draco's words reached him. "But he's always been a self-righteous, do-gooder Gryffindor. The Ministry's poster boy for what's right. The defender of all that is right and good in this world. Everybody's hero." Draco's acidic tone sliced through Harry, making him want to run right in there and … and … what? Ron rolled his eyes dramatically at Draco's words. "He won't let you get away with this," Draco hissed.
Again MacInness laughed. "Then I guess I just won't tell him."
"He'll figure it out. He's smarter than he lets on, you know." Harry squeezed his eyes shut. He had no desire to see Ron's reaction to that. "And then you'll be done."
A chair scraped across the floor. "Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy. You don't think I really care about this job, do you?"
What? Ron looked smugly at Harry. See? he mouthed. Pointing at Harry, he added, Not normal.
"I only became an Auror to rid the world of scum like you," MacInness continued. "In fact, you're the last one. When I'm done with you, I'm retiring."
Harry's mind raced. Last one? He really had done this before then. And now he planned to kill Draco.
"Ah, but you're forgetting one thing," Draco said. He sounded completely calm, unfazed. "Potter will still figure it out. He will catch you. He will spend the rest of his life hunting you down. And he'll do it, too. Mark my words."
MacInness's laugh became shrill, almost demented. "Is this supposed to scare me? To stop me having my fun? Stop me from killing you?" Shit. "Potter is pathetic. He won't figure it out until I'm long gone. I will disappear, become someone new, and never be seen again."
As MacInness went on, Ron moved his hand in mock speech, and dramatically mouthed, Blah, blah, blah. What was it with killers confessing anyway? Harry recalled Neville theorising one time, after a few pints, that it was their need to have their egos stroked when they were missing a good stroking elsewhere.
"Why?" Draco asked, his voice slightly less steady. Harry took a chance and peered around the door, just enough to see Draco tied to a chair at the far end of the room, next to a window. His chin, jutting out, screamed defiance, but to the trained eye of someone who'd watched him for years, Draco looked close to breaking.
"Why?" MacInness barked. "You have the nerve to ask why?" Harry couldn't see anything more of MacInness than his arm, the rest of him safely hidden from Harry's view - and from spells - behind an antique chest. "You and your kind never pay for the pain you cause. Even when we have an air-tight case, the bleeding hearts on the Wizengamot listen to whatever trumped-up bullshit you pay to have said on your behalf. Your father was good at that. But I took care of him. He got what he deserved in the end." The chair scraped again. "As for you … do you realise how hard it's been to get to you? You're lucky I'm a patient man." He laughed. "Or maybe not. You see, I'm going to take my time with you. I'll make sure you feel a little bit of pain for every victim of your Lord." Fuck.
"I was never a Death Eater." Harry hadn't heard Draco say those words before. Whether the truth, or a last grasp at freedom, he didn't know. And he didn't much care.
Harry looked around for something - anything that could knock MacInness out without causing a stray hex to hit Draco. Ron did the same. He saw none. His only chance was Draco himself. Harry silently told Ron his plan, then moved into the doorway, careful to let Draco see him, but not MacInness. Lifting a finger to his lips, he motioned for Draco to stay quiet.
To his credit, Draco didn't flinch. Almost as though - Harry dared to hope - he'd expected Harry to show up.
"Don't deny it now, Death Eater scum. You're no better than the rest of them. Being young didn't excuse you then, and it doesn't excuse you now."
"And hiding behind an Auror badge doesn't make you any less a murderer," Draco shot back.
"Why you --"
Harry lifted his wand, just as MacInness aimed his own at Draco and made the mistake of stepping into Harry's line of fire. Draco toppled his chair to the ground to avoid getting hit, before Ron's Protego deflected MacInness's spell, and he levitated Draco out of harm's way. MacInness's wand flew across the room, sliding under the bed, and ropes flew from Harry's wand to wrap tightly around him.
"No!" MacInness screamed. "You idiots!" He tested the strength of Harry's Incarcerous, to no avail, as he fought against his restraints. "Don't you know what he is?" he yelled.
Harry could see out of the corner of his eye that Ron had freed Draco from his bindings. "You okay?" he called to Draco.
"Never better," he said.
"I'm just fine, mate," Ron chimed in. "No, no … don't be worrying about me. I can handle myself." Harry chuckled.
"You see?" Draco said to MacInness as he brushed past Harry to stand in front of the captive man. "I told you Potter doesn't care who the victim of a crime is. He's everybody's hero." Harry cringed at his sarcastic tone. "He can't help but do the right thing -- even if the person he saves is someone like me."
"Idiots!" MacInness repeated.
"So if they're idiots," Draco continued to taunt, "what does that make you?"
MacInness flailed as much as one could. He turned to Ron. "You know what this lowlife is, Weasley! Come on."
Ron shrugged. "From where I'm standing, you look a lot lower than him."
Draco's eyes practically jumped out of their sockets.
"And you!" MacInness shrieked, turning his attention back to Harry. "You fought against the Death Eaters! You killed their crazed leader! How can you --? You know what he is!"
Harry appraised the man in front of him, and lowered his wand. MacInness wasn't going anywhere. "Yeah, I know," he replied. Then he took the few paces to Draco's side, and slid his arm around his waist. He pulled Draco towards him and MacInness turned apoplectic, shouting obscenities that could be heard all the way to London.
MacInness's face contorted as a spell silenced him. Harry turned to Ron. Ron smiled and shrugged. "I never liked him."
Harry turned to Draco and ran his hand through his hair, resting it on the back of his neck. He marvelled at the fact that Draco stood unwavering, calm, despite what just transpired. Harry closed the gap and pressed his lips tentatively to Draco's.
Draco stood, unresponsive, and Harry wondered if he'd ever get the opportunity to explain himself. Or if it would matter. He had, after all, started out as Robards had said -- investigating Draco under false pretences. Somehow he'd have to get Draco to listen. Another time.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before pulling back. Harry felt Draco's arms wrap around him and draw him closer. He looked unsure, and possibly a little vulnerable, and he let his eyes drift down to Harry's mouth. Harry smiled and then Draco kissed him. Harry's heart leapt in his chest as he returned the kiss, parting his lips in invitation. When Draco slipped his tongue in to meet Harry's, he knew things would be all right. As Draco's body relaxed against Harry's and he made the most delightful whimpering sound, a loud cough broke the spell.
Harry pulled back and looked at his friend, who looked somewhat amused. "I think you've shocked MacInness enough," Ron deadpanned.
Draco smiled smugly at his would-be killer and Harry cleared his throat. He didn't care what MacInness thought. "And you?" Harry asked Ron.
"Me? Shocked?" He looked between Harry and Draco. "About the two of you? Nah." He winked at Harry. "It was just a matter of time."
"So we're good?" Harry asked, to be sure.
Ron flourished his wand before aiming it at Draco's chest. "You ever hurt him --" He motioned to Harry. "-- ever fuck around on him or otherwise cause him pain -- " He aimed his wand at MacInness. "-- and he will look like a walk in the park." He turned the wand back to Draco. "Am I clear?"
Harry's jaw dropped open and Draco rolled his eyes. "Merlin, are all Gryffindors like this?" he complained. "Your friend here can take care of himself, Weasel." He patted Harry on the chest. "He's everybody's hero, don't you know?"
Harry laughed as Ron threw his hands up in the air. "I'll take this piece of rubbish back to the Ministry," he said, pulling MacInness to his feet. "I'll let Hermione know we're fine, and leave you two to …"
To what Harry wasn't sure, as Ron Apparated away with MacInness in tow before finishing his sentence.
Harry looked at Draco, who was staring at the space where Ron and MacInness had just been. "Draco, I …"
"It's over now," he said, not bothering to look at Harry. "You can report back to Robards and go back to your life."
Harry reached for Draco, but he pulled away, clenched fists hanging by his sides. "Look, Potter. The case is closed. There's no need for the Ministry to be involved any more."
"I'm not the Ministry," Harry said. "And I --"
"Don't even try to say you give a toss what happens to me."
Harry sighed. "It's true. When I got assigned to this case, it was to investigate you, not protect you. But all that changed."
"Right."
"Hear me out." Harry stood in front of him, forcing Draco to face him. "When I looked at your file -- the one with the complaints -- there was practically nothing there. I saw no evidence of any decent investigation at all."
Draco laughed. "And that surprised you?"
"You knew?"
He shrugged. "I didn't know for sure, but I suspected."
"Then why would you keep filing complaints? Surely you have the money to hire private investigators."
"None that I would trust. At least with the Ministry, there was an odd chance someone might, one of these times, do the right thing."
Harry remembered Draco's conversation with MacInness. "Someone like me?"
He nodded. "Someone like you."
"So you used me," he teased.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "How could I be using you if it's your job?"
"But everything else?" Harry asked, hoping that it meant more to Draco - that he meant more.
"Look, Potter, we both did what we had to do to get what we wanted," Draco said.
Harry stepped closer. "And what if it's you I want?" he asked.
Draco's eyes widened - in surprise? In fear? Harry couldn't tell. "That's not funny."
"Wasn't meant to be," Harry said. He placed his hands on Draco's shoulders. "I've never wanted anyone so much in my life."
Draco studied him. Harry imagined Draco's logical mind screaming at him to run away as fast as he could.
"And if I don't believe you?" Draco asked.
Harry ran his hands along Draco's shoulders, up his neck, and into his hair. He leaned forward to kiss Draco. Draco's lips parted the moment their mouths touched, and Harry let his tongue slip inside. Warmth pulsed through Harry as their tongues met and Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, pulling him close.
When they broke apart, Harry rested his forehead on Draco's. "I mean it," he said. "I want you. I've wanted you for … well, let's just say a while now, even if it took me rather a long time to figure that out." He couldn't believe Ron of all people realised it before he did. "I want you now and for however long you'll have me."
"I shouldn't trust you," Draco said.
Harry smiled. "But you do."
Draco sighed dramatically. "Much to my own dismay, it seems I do."
"I shouldn’t trust you either, but I do." Harry kissed his cheek.
Draco frowned. "You shouldn't, you know. Slytherin and all that."
"Slytherins don't scare me," Harry said.
"Can't say I didn't warn you," Draco countered.
Harry kissed him once more, then grabbed his hand and led him to the door. "Let's secure the scene, then head over to the Ministry."
Draco stopped, tugging on Harry's arm, and scowled.
"We need to file reports, clear up this mess once and for all, and then --" Harry smirked "-- I believe you owe me dinner."
Draco nodded and they made their way down the stairs. Harry opened the front door to face two Aurors, wands drawn. Harry vaguely recognised them as two of the latest recruits. It figured they would send the least experienced ones to look out for Draco. He quelled his irritation, knowing it wasn't their fault they were new. "It's okay, boys. Everything's fine now," he said.
"Oh, I don't think so." Robards appeared out of nowhere to face Harry. "Take them," he ordered.
"What the --?" Harry reached for his wand, only to be hit by a Stinging Hex. Next thing his wand flew out of his hands and into Robards'.
"Big mistake, Potter. Attacking an Auror? The Head Auror? The Wizengamot won't like that. Not one bit," Robards said. He turned to one of the Aurors. "Anders, go back to the Ministry and let MacInness know we've got them."
The young man Apparated away, leaving the four of them behind. What was going on? No. It couldn't be. "You were in on this too?" Harry asked incredulously.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," Robards said. "I have it on good authority that you have been working with Mr Malfoy here to set up an illegal operation under the guise of a legitimate shop." He shook his head. "It's a sad day when the public's trust is lost."
"Liar!" Draco spat. Harry cringed. Draco didn't need to provoke Robards. If Harry were right, the man would welcome any excuse to kill Draco.
"Why would you assign me to this case then, if you thought I was up to something?" Harry asked. Then he recalled it had been Kingsley, not Robards, who had wanted Harry on the case. He wondered if there were more to Kingsley's recommendation than Harry knew.
"Oh, I think I'll be the one asking questions," Robards said. Cold chills spilled down Harry's spine. It all made sense now. MacInness wouldn't have been able to figure out the email business. Not many could. But Robards ...
"You've been spying on Draco all along!" Harry said.
Draco laughed. "Some things never change, no matter who's in charge," he said. Harry didn't want to believe that. He'd thought Robards was different.
"Only someone with your clearance could have obtained his email address without questions, any time," Harry said. He heard Draco mumble something that sounded like bastard. He couldn't agree more. Right now, though, he needed to keep him talking long enough, hopefully, for Ron to wonder what was taking them so long.
Robards smiled. "Very good," he said, in a tone generally used by infant school teachers when a child learns a letter.
"And you still couldn't find anything on him!" Harry was furious at being used, at his own stupidity and gullibility. "So you sent me in to try to find something that wasn't there."
Robards marched up to Harry and leaned into his face. "Your job, Potter, is to investigate criminals, not become one."
"Draco isn't a criminal." He stood toe-to-toe with the man, then leaned in, knowing full well their conversation would be different, were the other Auror not present. "And neither am I."
Robards laughed. "Save it for the Wizengamot, Potter." He turned to the remaining Auror. "You may leave them with me," he said. "I'll make sure they get back to face their crimes."
He hesitated, his wand shaking slightly in his grip. "But sir," he said, "protocol --"
"I wrote the bloody protocol!" Robards yelled. The young man jumped. Robards cleared his throat. "What I meant to say," he corrected, reverting to his usual, pleasant voice, "is that the protocol, which I did in fact write, was designed for the protection of the Aurors and the Department. I assure you that I will be safe, and I would certainly not do anything to jeopardise the Ministry."
Draco laughed viciously. "Except, oh, perhaps illegally tracking someone's private communications, and threatening, intimidating, and trying to kill that same law-abiding citizen." He looked at Harry. "Then again," he said, "I suppose that wouldn’t be much different than the Ministry of the past, would it, Harry?"
"I like to think we've come a long way," Harry said. "But it is indeed a sad day when the Head Auror -- the man in charge of ensuring the safety and security of the public -- is using his position to kill innocent people."
"Innocent?" Robards fumed, his face nearly purple with rage. "You call wizards like him innocent?"
Harry noticed the young Auror lowering his wand slightly, looking between him and Robards, confusion playing across his features. Robards waved his own wand in Draco's direction, and Harry moved to block any potential curse. "He is anything but innocent, Potter." He looked around at the perplexed young man, realising his mistake. He cleared his throat and attempted to cover his outburst. "And, if my information is correct, neither are you."
"This information came from MacInness, right?" Draco asked, stepping out from behind him. "The man just tried to kill me!" Harry wanted to tell him to be quiet, not to provoke Robards, but Draco refused to make eye contact. And he refused to remain behind Harry.
Robards narrowed his eyes and shot Draco a look of utter contempt. "I am not discussing Ministry business with the likes of you."
"Perhaps I may face my accuser," Harry suggested. "That way we could clear up what is most obviously a misunderstanding." He could play the game too. He'd had years to perfect it, after all, and the young, innocent face watching the exchange could do with some well-balanced, rather than one-sided bullshit. Get him warmed up for a nice long future at the Ministry, he thought cynically.
"Oh, there'll be plenty of time for that later, but for now I plan to interrogate you myself." He pulled out a bottle of who knew what, and Harry saw the Auror's eyes widen. Did he know what was in it? It could be Veritaserum or any number of other substances. He watched all colour drain from Draco's face. He tried to get the young Auror's attention, and he thought maybe he had, but --
"Off you go, then," Robards said to him. "I'll handle it from here."
Harry tried again to get the young man's attention, but with no luck. He nodded and left with a crack that reverberated in the otherwise silent air before Harry could say a word. He turned to see Draco, eyes fixed on the potion in Robards' hand. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his skin and he looked like he might pass out.
"Let's cut the bullshit, sir," Harry spat. "What are you planning to do?"
Robards looked at Harry and laughed, his eyes wild. Harry hardly recognised him as the affable man he'd worked with for years, the one many called soft. The man before him was mad, incensed, and determined.
He raised the bottle and waved it back and forth. "Let's see," he said. "First, I'm going to administer this potion, and see if the Master here can figure out what it is before it kills him."
Harry lunged for the vial, but Robards' spell hit him squarely in the chest and knocked him back. Harry felt ropes twist around him and tighten, holding him in place. "What is it with you bleeding hearts?" he said to Harry. "He's a Death Eater. Scum. Not worth your time or mine." Harry tugged on the ropes. He was powerless to protect Draco, to protect himself. Where was Ron? Why hadn't he come back? Surely by now he'd figured out something was wrong.
A sudden realisation hit him. Robards was in no rush to leave this place. He and MacInness had worked together on this. Had Robards seen MacInness with Ron? "We had a great thing going, MacInness and I. We did what the idiots on the Wizengamot didn't have the stomachs for. Slow and painful deaths, just like they deserved. Plenty of time to reflect on their sins while they suffered a mere fraction of the pain their leader inflicted upon innocents. One left - just one - and you had to go sticking your nose in, Potter." Oh, God. What if Ron had been captured too? What if --
"What have you done?" Harry demanded, careful not to mention Ron in case his concern was unfounded.
Robards looked at him with obvious irritation. "I told you that I would be the one asking questions here."
"What questions?" Draco laughed. "You don't plan on asking questions and we all know it. Besides, you wouldn't believe the answers you got anyway. You've already decided on my guilt."
Harry wanted to scream. Didn't Draco know the man wanted him dead? Why wouldn't he just shut up and let Harry handle this?
Suddenly, cracks tore through the night as a half dozen Aurors and the Minister himself Apparated to the spot, each of their wands trained on Robards.
"What is the meaning of this?" Robards demanded.
"Alright there, Harry?" Ron asked, ignoring Robards.
"Took you bloody long enough to get here," Harry said.
Kingsley's deep laughter reverberated through the air, as he aimed his wand at Harry, releasing the spell. "You're welcome," he said.
Robards continued to protest. Harry didn't bother listening. "Kingsley … Minister … what are you doing here?"
Kingsley waved his wand at Robards, encircling him with ropes and rendering him silent. "Our mutual friend, Miss Granger, contacted me when she became concerned." He smiled. "It seems she didn't trust anyone else."
"A good thing, too," Ron said.
"Indeed." Kingsley chuckled. "It seems that Head Auror Robards here was alerted when Ron brought MacInness in. Let's just say Robards didn't agree with Ron's side of the story. MacInness told him where you were, and took Ron into custody."
"Arse," Ron said. He waved his wand menacingly at Robards.
"When I got the call from Hermione, I had Ron released and rounded up a few trusted Aurors and headed over here."
Harry looked at one of the Aurors. He instantly recognised him as one of the Aurors that had come here with Robards. "You," he said, pointing at the young man.
"Ah, yes," Kingsley said. "This young man -- come over here, Currie." Kingsley motioned him closer, then slung an arm over his shoulders. The boy looked like he might collapse under the weight. "He intercepted me on my way to see to Ron. Told me there was something odd happening out here. Told me he thought you might be in trouble."
Harry smiled. Currie had seen Harry's plea. And now, all thin and wiry, he looked desperate. Harry rescued him by offering his hand. "Thank you," he said. He thought he saw a thank you in return behind Currie's eyes. Harry winked and the young man seemed to relax a fraction before heading back to the other Aurors. With a nod from Kingsley, they took Robards back to the Ministry.
Harry suddenly recalled Robards telling him that Kingsley had recommended him for the assignment. "I have a question for you," he said to Kingsley.
"Yes?"
"You told Robards to assign me to this case. Said I had experience."
Kingsley nodded. "You spent more time than anyone watching Malfoy here," he said. Ron sniggered. "And, despite everything, you testified for him in court."
Harry frowned. He wasn't sure why that would matter.
Kingsley elaborated. "I knew I could trust you to do the right thing. To get answers, no matter the obstacles."
Harry processed his words. "You knew?"
Kingsley sighed. "I suspected something wasn't right." He looked at Draco. "Many people thought you got off far too easily, Mr Malfoy. Not everyone has such a forgiving nature as Albus Dumbledore."
"Couldn't you have done something?" Harry asked.
"As you know, Harry, I don't get involved in the day-to-day operations of the Auror Department." Harry nodded. "But when Weasley here mentioned something --"
"Ron?" Harry turned round to face his friend. "You told the Minister? Why wouldn't you tell me?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't know what he's talking about, mate."
"When I dropped in on Arthur and Molly a while back," Kingsley explained, "Ron happened to be there." Ron shot Harry a baffled look. "You must forgive me, but I happened to overhear part of your conversation with your father, just as I arrived. You mentioned how frustrated you were with budget matters, and not having money for particular cases. I believe your words were, 'I think I can judge for myself if something needs a further look.' I rather thought you could too, given your experience. And since I knew of no budget issues, I quietly returned to my office and looked up your caseload at the time."
Ron's face paled. Kingsley laughed. "Relax," he said. "You did nothing wrong." Guilt simmered in Harry's stomach. "You and the other Aurors assigned to Mr Malfoy's case did what was within your authority to do. No one could fault you for following orders, when no direct evidence demanded further action."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Harry. "But Harry never lets anything go," he said. Somehow, when he'd just been reassured he'd acted correctly, Ron still managed to look apologetic. Harry felt even worse.
"Indeed," Kingsley said. "Harry doesn't much care for people telling him what to do." Ron sniggered and Draco snorted.
"Hey!" Harry shot to both of them. "I listen."
Kingsley joined in the laughter. "And then you do what you think is best, no matter who may tell you differently."
"So that's why you suggested I be given this case?"
"It is," Kingsley said.
Harry frowned. This was all well and good considering the outcome, but … "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what, Harry? I had no evidence of any wrongdoing. For all I knew, the level of investigation was appropriate. And I had no idea who was behind it. Had you started investigating, in your--" He cleared his throat "-- less-than-subtle way, you might have tipped them off. And it's not like you could pretend to be one of them; everyone knows how you feel about killing others."
"But what if it hadn't worked?" Harry pictured what might have happened to Draco and shuddered. "Surely we could have had someone else on the case with me."
"Someone else was," Kingsley said. At Harry's confused look, he elaborated in a hushed tone. "Currie - John - is my nephew. He's been slipping little comments in here and there, to give the impression he hates the light sentences, but nothing too overt."
"Blimey," Ron said.
"John's the one who figured MacInness wasn't as clean as he appeared. Still, he had nothing concrete. Not until Robards brought him here."
"Good thing he did," Ron said.
Kingsley nodded. "He looks up to you, Harry. He volunteered to do this, to do anything he could to help." Harry didn't know what to say. "I will admit I was hesitant, but, like someone else I know, he is rather persuasive." Harry grinned. "I do have to ask that you all respect his privacy, though. We've done our best to ensure no one knows he's related to me, and he'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible."
"Of course," Harry said. Everyone else agreed.
"He doesn't want any special treatment," Kingsley told them.
"Well, I'm afraid he's out of luck, there," Ron said. "After today, he's golden."
Kingsley laughed. "I suppose you have a point."
"And Skeeter will probably figure out you're related soon enough," Ron said.
"Well, just as long as she doesn't receive any help along the way."
Harry considered everything that had transpired. He wasn't sure he agreed with Kingsley's methods, but he couldn't argue with the results.
"Minister?" Draco asked.
"Yes, Mr Malfoy."
"What happened to MacInness?"
Kingsley sighed. "It would seem he's slipped away … for now." Draco's face fell. "But we'll catch up with him eventually."
Harry put a reassuring arm around Draco. "Shall we make our way back to the Ministry?"
They made quick work of securing Robards' new accommodations and filing numerous reports, and within a couple of hours were preparing to leave for dinner.
"Harry?" Kingsley poked his head into Harry's office. "May I have a word?"
Draco stood up, but Kingsley stopped him. "No need to leave, Mr Malfoy. I'll only be a minute."
"What is it?" Harry asked, offering him a seat.
Kingsley waved him off. "I wanted to throw a small dinner party in honour of your new position," he said.
Harry was confused. "I hardly think that's necessary," he said.
"Nonsense," Kingsley insisted. "It's not every day I appoint a new Head Auror."
Draco smiled. Harry was too shocked to do much but nod lamely. "Um … okay."
Kingsley's laughter filled the office. "I'll expect you to have more to say than that."
"Of course."
"And I hope to see you there, too," he said to Draco.
Draco looked shocked but pleased. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said.
After Kingsley left, Harry asked, "Did you mean that?"
"Mean what?"
"That you wouldn't miss it for the world," Harry said. "It promises to be very boring."
Draco shrugged. "I figure we've already missed out on enough time together."
Harry was taken aback by the remark, so unlike Draco and so open. "Well then," he said, walking around the desk and reaching for Draco's hand. "Let's not waste any more."
~FIN~
Summary: With his new job as Deputy Head Auror, Harry is assigned an old task - to watch Draco Malfoy. When threats against Malfoy escalate, Harry finds himself torn between doing what is expected and doing what's right.
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
"Hi, Bradley."
The young Auror looked petrified. "Hi, Deputy Head Auror Potter."
Harry let out a sigh. "It's Harry, remember?"
"Right. Sorry sir." The boy looked so strung up he might pop.
"It's okay. I just need to speak with MacInness. Have you seen him?"
"I have. But he left a few minutes ago." Harry frowned. "Oh, it's okay. Mr Malfoy had something he needed done, and the two of them left together."
Shit. Shit, shit, shit! "Did they say where they were going?"
"No, but Auror MacInness said that he would be gone the rest of the day."
"Thank you, Bradley."
Harry walked out the door and called Hermione. "We have a problem." Then he made one more phone call.
***
"Right. Here's the situation." Harry brought Ron up to speed, and filled them both in on the day's events. "After I called you, I Apparated to Malfoy Manor." Hermione shuddered. "Narcissa hasn't seen Draco since he left this morning, and no one has heard from either of them since they left the apothecary together about half an hour ago."
"Well, there's no guarantee he's going to hurt the ferret," Ron offered. "He hasn't before now."
"But the threats have escalated lately," Harry pointed out. "And the last note implied that he's killed before."
"And," Hermione added, "Draco has had private security surrounding him until recently. This may be the first opportunity anyone has had to get close to him."
And it's all my fault, Harry thought.
"Where do we start?" A testament to their friendship and Ron's professionalism, he didn't demand to know why they'd left him out of the loop until now. No doubt he'd insist on an explanation later, but for now he was an Auror. And a friend.
"I managed to get some information on MacInness."
"How did you do that without alerting anyone?" Hermione asked.
"I had pulled the files for all section heads last week." He grinned. "Part of my new job."
Ron ran his hands over his face. "Bloody hell, Harry, this is bad."
A vision of Draco, dead, swam before Harry's eyes. "I know."
"No, I mean MacInness … well, he was up for your job. If you weren't, you know, the Ministry's poster boy, he'd be sitting in your seat."
All true. "So much for ridding the Ministry of corruption." Harry had expected some resentment, but had been pleasantly surprised with MacInness. He certainly seemed to accept that Harry got the position, and outwardly had been nothing but professional. Harry supposed pissing off the new boss wouldn't have worked into his plans. "We might have a murderer for a senior Auror."
"Harry, we don't know that he's killed anyone," Hermione reasoned.
"But that last note," Ron added. "He's certainly taking credit for some Death Eater kills."
Harry slammed his fists on his desk. The thought of MacInness hurting Draco, never mind killing him, turned his blood to ice. "We can't let him hurt Draco." Harry rifled through his bag. "MacInness has a house just outside London."
"Doesn't he have a wife and small child?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Harry placed a paper on the table between them. "But he has two more properties."
"Blimey! What's he doing working as an Auror if he owns three places?"
Hermione coughed and Harry's lip twitched.
Ron's ears turned pink. "Right. Well. You're different, Harry. You're the bloody Chosen One, and you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if you weren't out fighting evil. You're not normal."
Harry laughed. "Thanks."
He'd never felt comfortable living at Grimmauld Place, but he couldn’t sell Sirius's family home. He'd purchased a sprawling farm house in the country where he'd imagined raising a family. Things had changed, he'd broken things off with Ginny, and he'd found it a lonely place to be on his own. Still, it felt like home, so he kept it and stayed there most weekends. Then he had this place, his flat. Close to work, convenient, large enough to serve his needs, yet small enough that he didn't feel quite so alone, even when he was.
"He inherited the first place --" Harry pointed to the paper "-- a few years ago. The second is where he lives with his wife and son, and the third is a small, summer cottage."
"It's safe to say that he wouldn't take the ferret to his family home."
"Right."
"Shall we split up and check the other two?" Hermione suggested.
"No!" Ron and Harry replied together.
Harry nodded at Ron, then addressed Hermione. "He's a highly trained Auror, Hermione. Ron and I know him, and can --"
"Oh, no," she argued.
Ron put a hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, we need someone who knows where we are, in case … well …"
"You can contact us if Malfoy shows up somewhere," Harry said. "And put together the evidence you found."
"I don't know …"
"It's not like we're giving you a choice," Ron said.
Hermione bristled and Harry interjected before she had a chance to explode. "Would you let either of us mess with your systems?"
She glared at Harry. "No, of course not. You might mess something up."
"Because you know your business."
"Well, yes, but --"
"And we know ours. Ron and I have worked together for years, and we communicate without even having to speak. We can do this better on our own." He collected the papers. "Please, Hermione, let it go. We don't have time to argue."
She pursed her lips. "Fine."
"Which place first?" Ron asked.
"The one he inherited from his parents seems the least likely for his wife to visit," Hermione reasoned.
Ron nodded. "So, to the house then?"
"But," Hermione added, "it might make more sense to take Draco to a more remote location." She pointed to the paper. "The house is in the city."
"The cottage then?" Ron asked.
Harry weighed his options. He thought about MacInness, and tried to imagine what he might be thinking. His mind and body remained sharp, and he projected confidence in all manner of circumstances. He'd been surreptitiously threatening Malfoy for years, long before his parents died and left him their home. If his last note was to be believed, he'd killed before. He might have even had plans in place for Draco when he started. Going on a hunch, Harry made a decision. He only hoped it was the right one, and that they would arrive in time to save Draco.
"The cottage."
They Apparated about a mile away, then cast the standard series of spells to reveal any wards and traps.
"What the --?"
Harry glanced over to see what Ron's spell had revealed. "Shit."
"What is this?"
"It's a Destabilising Spell," Harry explained. "The same one Draco used at his shop. It prevents someone casting Dark spells within its boundary. It's old magic and I have no idea how to disable it."
"Well that's a good thing, isn't it?" Ron asked. "He won't be able to kill Malfoy."
"Not with a Dark spell, no," Harry replied. "But you don't need to use Dark Magic to torture or kill someone." His stomach clenched. "All you need is a little creativity."
"Sure are a lot of wards for a place you're not using for the season," Ron said. "At least we know he's here."
"Sure looks that way." Harry didn't say that MacInness could have put the spell on all his homes.
They worked together seamlessly, dismantling all the security spells as they went along. Once the way was clear, Ron said, "Shall we?"
Harry nodded. "After you."
***
"Potter will have your badge - and your arse for this!" Draco's voice carried down the stairs from the upper floor. Harry and Ron made their way up the stairs without making a sound.
MacInness's menacing laugh reverberated through Harry's body from the other end of the hallway. "Potter loathes you. Everyone knows that." Harry cringed. He knew how he'd feel if someone said Draco hated him - especially if he'd discovered Draco had been spying on him all along. "I have to admit, he surprised even me with his acting ability."
Harry motioned to Ron to move towards the room. Ron nodded and crept quietly along the corridor, Harry close behind.
"Oh, I know Potter couldn't care less about me." Harry's heart sank as Draco's words reached him. "But he's always been a self-righteous, do-gooder Gryffindor. The Ministry's poster boy for what's right. The defender of all that is right and good in this world. Everybody's hero." Draco's acidic tone sliced through Harry, making him want to run right in there and … and … what? Ron rolled his eyes dramatically at Draco's words. "He won't let you get away with this," Draco hissed.
Again MacInness laughed. "Then I guess I just won't tell him."
"He'll figure it out. He's smarter than he lets on, you know." Harry squeezed his eyes shut. He had no desire to see Ron's reaction to that. "And then you'll be done."
A chair scraped across the floor. "Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy. You don't think I really care about this job, do you?"
What? Ron looked smugly at Harry. See? he mouthed. Pointing at Harry, he added, Not normal.
"I only became an Auror to rid the world of scum like you," MacInness continued. "In fact, you're the last one. When I'm done with you, I'm retiring."
Harry's mind raced. Last one? He really had done this before then. And now he planned to kill Draco.
"Ah, but you're forgetting one thing," Draco said. He sounded completely calm, unfazed. "Potter will still figure it out. He will catch you. He will spend the rest of his life hunting you down. And he'll do it, too. Mark my words."
MacInness's laugh became shrill, almost demented. "Is this supposed to scare me? To stop me having my fun? Stop me from killing you?" Shit. "Potter is pathetic. He won't figure it out until I'm long gone. I will disappear, become someone new, and never be seen again."
As MacInness went on, Ron moved his hand in mock speech, and dramatically mouthed, Blah, blah, blah. What was it with killers confessing anyway? Harry recalled Neville theorising one time, after a few pints, that it was their need to have their egos stroked when they were missing a good stroking elsewhere.
"Why?" Draco asked, his voice slightly less steady. Harry took a chance and peered around the door, just enough to see Draco tied to a chair at the far end of the room, next to a window. His chin, jutting out, screamed defiance, but to the trained eye of someone who'd watched him for years, Draco looked close to breaking.
"Why?" MacInness barked. "You have the nerve to ask why?" Harry couldn't see anything more of MacInness than his arm, the rest of him safely hidden from Harry's view - and from spells - behind an antique chest. "You and your kind never pay for the pain you cause. Even when we have an air-tight case, the bleeding hearts on the Wizengamot listen to whatever trumped-up bullshit you pay to have said on your behalf. Your father was good at that. But I took care of him. He got what he deserved in the end." The chair scraped again. "As for you … do you realise how hard it's been to get to you? You're lucky I'm a patient man." He laughed. "Or maybe not. You see, I'm going to take my time with you. I'll make sure you feel a little bit of pain for every victim of your Lord." Fuck.
"I was never a Death Eater." Harry hadn't heard Draco say those words before. Whether the truth, or a last grasp at freedom, he didn't know. And he didn't much care.
Harry looked around for something - anything that could knock MacInness out without causing a stray hex to hit Draco. Ron did the same. He saw none. His only chance was Draco himself. Harry silently told Ron his plan, then moved into the doorway, careful to let Draco see him, but not MacInness. Lifting a finger to his lips, he motioned for Draco to stay quiet.
To his credit, Draco didn't flinch. Almost as though - Harry dared to hope - he'd expected Harry to show up.
"Don't deny it now, Death Eater scum. You're no better than the rest of them. Being young didn't excuse you then, and it doesn't excuse you now."
"And hiding behind an Auror badge doesn't make you any less a murderer," Draco shot back.
"Why you --"
Harry lifted his wand, just as MacInness aimed his own at Draco and made the mistake of stepping into Harry's line of fire. Draco toppled his chair to the ground to avoid getting hit, before Ron's Protego deflected MacInness's spell, and he levitated Draco out of harm's way. MacInness's wand flew across the room, sliding under the bed, and ropes flew from Harry's wand to wrap tightly around him.
"No!" MacInness screamed. "You idiots!" He tested the strength of Harry's Incarcerous, to no avail, as he fought against his restraints. "Don't you know what he is?" he yelled.
Harry could see out of the corner of his eye that Ron had freed Draco from his bindings. "You okay?" he called to Draco.
"Never better," he said.
"I'm just fine, mate," Ron chimed in. "No, no … don't be worrying about me. I can handle myself." Harry chuckled.
"You see?" Draco said to MacInness as he brushed past Harry to stand in front of the captive man. "I told you Potter doesn't care who the victim of a crime is. He's everybody's hero." Harry cringed at his sarcastic tone. "He can't help but do the right thing -- even if the person he saves is someone like me."
"Idiots!" MacInness repeated.
"So if they're idiots," Draco continued to taunt, "what does that make you?"
MacInness flailed as much as one could. He turned to Ron. "You know what this lowlife is, Weasley! Come on."
Ron shrugged. "From where I'm standing, you look a lot lower than him."
Draco's eyes practically jumped out of their sockets.
"And you!" MacInness shrieked, turning his attention back to Harry. "You fought against the Death Eaters! You killed their crazed leader! How can you --? You know what he is!"
Harry appraised the man in front of him, and lowered his wand. MacInness wasn't going anywhere. "Yeah, I know," he replied. Then he took the few paces to Draco's side, and slid his arm around his waist. He pulled Draco towards him and MacInness turned apoplectic, shouting obscenities that could be heard all the way to London.
MacInness's face contorted as a spell silenced him. Harry turned to Ron. Ron smiled and shrugged. "I never liked him."
Harry turned to Draco and ran his hand through his hair, resting it on the back of his neck. He marvelled at the fact that Draco stood unwavering, calm, despite what just transpired. Harry closed the gap and pressed his lips tentatively to Draco's.
Draco stood, unresponsive, and Harry wondered if he'd ever get the opportunity to explain himself. Or if it would matter. He had, after all, started out as Robards had said -- investigating Draco under false pretences. Somehow he'd have to get Draco to listen. Another time.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before pulling back. Harry felt Draco's arms wrap around him and draw him closer. He looked unsure, and possibly a little vulnerable, and he let his eyes drift down to Harry's mouth. Harry smiled and then Draco kissed him. Harry's heart leapt in his chest as he returned the kiss, parting his lips in invitation. When Draco slipped his tongue in to meet Harry's, he knew things would be all right. As Draco's body relaxed against Harry's and he made the most delightful whimpering sound, a loud cough broke the spell.
Harry pulled back and looked at his friend, who looked somewhat amused. "I think you've shocked MacInness enough," Ron deadpanned.
Draco smiled smugly at his would-be killer and Harry cleared his throat. He didn't care what MacInness thought. "And you?" Harry asked Ron.
"Me? Shocked?" He looked between Harry and Draco. "About the two of you? Nah." He winked at Harry. "It was just a matter of time."
"So we're good?" Harry asked, to be sure.
Ron flourished his wand before aiming it at Draco's chest. "You ever hurt him --" He motioned to Harry. "-- ever fuck around on him or otherwise cause him pain -- " He aimed his wand at MacInness. "-- and he will look like a walk in the park." He turned the wand back to Draco. "Am I clear?"
Harry's jaw dropped open and Draco rolled his eyes. "Merlin, are all Gryffindors like this?" he complained. "Your friend here can take care of himself, Weasel." He patted Harry on the chest. "He's everybody's hero, don't you know?"
Harry laughed as Ron threw his hands up in the air. "I'll take this piece of rubbish back to the Ministry," he said, pulling MacInness to his feet. "I'll let Hermione know we're fine, and leave you two to …"
To what Harry wasn't sure, as Ron Apparated away with MacInness in tow before finishing his sentence.
Harry looked at Draco, who was staring at the space where Ron and MacInness had just been. "Draco, I …"
"It's over now," he said, not bothering to look at Harry. "You can report back to Robards and go back to your life."
Harry reached for Draco, but he pulled away, clenched fists hanging by his sides. "Look, Potter. The case is closed. There's no need for the Ministry to be involved any more."
"I'm not the Ministry," Harry said. "And I --"
"Don't even try to say you give a toss what happens to me."
Harry sighed. "It's true. When I got assigned to this case, it was to investigate you, not protect you. But all that changed."
"Right."
"Hear me out." Harry stood in front of him, forcing Draco to face him. "When I looked at your file -- the one with the complaints -- there was practically nothing there. I saw no evidence of any decent investigation at all."
Draco laughed. "And that surprised you?"
"You knew?"
He shrugged. "I didn't know for sure, but I suspected."
"Then why would you keep filing complaints? Surely you have the money to hire private investigators."
"None that I would trust. At least with the Ministry, there was an odd chance someone might, one of these times, do the right thing."
Harry remembered Draco's conversation with MacInness. "Someone like me?"
He nodded. "Someone like you."
"So you used me," he teased.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "How could I be using you if it's your job?"
"But everything else?" Harry asked, hoping that it meant more to Draco - that he meant more.
"Look, Potter, we both did what we had to do to get what we wanted," Draco said.
Harry stepped closer. "And what if it's you I want?" he asked.
Draco's eyes widened - in surprise? In fear? Harry couldn't tell. "That's not funny."
"Wasn't meant to be," Harry said. He placed his hands on Draco's shoulders. "I've never wanted anyone so much in my life."
Draco studied him. Harry imagined Draco's logical mind screaming at him to run away as fast as he could.
"And if I don't believe you?" Draco asked.
Harry ran his hands along Draco's shoulders, up his neck, and into his hair. He leaned forward to kiss Draco. Draco's lips parted the moment their mouths touched, and Harry let his tongue slip inside. Warmth pulsed through Harry as their tongues met and Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, pulling him close.
When they broke apart, Harry rested his forehead on Draco's. "I mean it," he said. "I want you. I've wanted you for … well, let's just say a while now, even if it took me rather a long time to figure that out." He couldn't believe Ron of all people realised it before he did. "I want you now and for however long you'll have me."
"I shouldn't trust you," Draco said.
Harry smiled. "But you do."
Draco sighed dramatically. "Much to my own dismay, it seems I do."
"I shouldn’t trust you either, but I do." Harry kissed his cheek.
Draco frowned. "You shouldn't, you know. Slytherin and all that."
"Slytherins don't scare me," Harry said.
"Can't say I didn't warn you," Draco countered.
Harry kissed him once more, then grabbed his hand and led him to the door. "Let's secure the scene, then head over to the Ministry."
Draco stopped, tugging on Harry's arm, and scowled.
"We need to file reports, clear up this mess once and for all, and then --" Harry smirked "-- I believe you owe me dinner."
Draco nodded and they made their way down the stairs. Harry opened the front door to face two Aurors, wands drawn. Harry vaguely recognised them as two of the latest recruits. It figured they would send the least experienced ones to look out for Draco. He quelled his irritation, knowing it wasn't their fault they were new. "It's okay, boys. Everything's fine now," he said.
"Oh, I don't think so." Robards appeared out of nowhere to face Harry. "Take them," he ordered.
"What the --?" Harry reached for his wand, only to be hit by a Stinging Hex. Next thing his wand flew out of his hands and into Robards'.
"Big mistake, Potter. Attacking an Auror? The Head Auror? The Wizengamot won't like that. Not one bit," Robards said. He turned to one of the Aurors. "Anders, go back to the Ministry and let MacInness know we've got them."
The young man Apparated away, leaving the four of them behind. What was going on? No. It couldn't be. "You were in on this too?" Harry asked incredulously.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," Robards said. "I have it on good authority that you have been working with Mr Malfoy here to set up an illegal operation under the guise of a legitimate shop." He shook his head. "It's a sad day when the public's trust is lost."
"Liar!" Draco spat. Harry cringed. Draco didn't need to provoke Robards. If Harry were right, the man would welcome any excuse to kill Draco.
"Why would you assign me to this case then, if you thought I was up to something?" Harry asked. Then he recalled it had been Kingsley, not Robards, who had wanted Harry on the case. He wondered if there were more to Kingsley's recommendation than Harry knew.
"Oh, I think I'll be the one asking questions," Robards said. Cold chills spilled down Harry's spine. It all made sense now. MacInness wouldn't have been able to figure out the email business. Not many could. But Robards ...
"You've been spying on Draco all along!" Harry said.
Draco laughed. "Some things never change, no matter who's in charge," he said. Harry didn't want to believe that. He'd thought Robards was different.
"Only someone with your clearance could have obtained his email address without questions, any time," Harry said. He heard Draco mumble something that sounded like bastard. He couldn't agree more. Right now, though, he needed to keep him talking long enough, hopefully, for Ron to wonder what was taking them so long.
Robards smiled. "Very good," he said, in a tone generally used by infant school teachers when a child learns a letter.
"And you still couldn't find anything on him!" Harry was furious at being used, at his own stupidity and gullibility. "So you sent me in to try to find something that wasn't there."
Robards marched up to Harry and leaned into his face. "Your job, Potter, is to investigate criminals, not become one."
"Draco isn't a criminal." He stood toe-to-toe with the man, then leaned in, knowing full well their conversation would be different, were the other Auror not present. "And neither am I."
Robards laughed. "Save it for the Wizengamot, Potter." He turned to the remaining Auror. "You may leave them with me," he said. "I'll make sure they get back to face their crimes."
He hesitated, his wand shaking slightly in his grip. "But sir," he said, "protocol --"
"I wrote the bloody protocol!" Robards yelled. The young man jumped. Robards cleared his throat. "What I meant to say," he corrected, reverting to his usual, pleasant voice, "is that the protocol, which I did in fact write, was designed for the protection of the Aurors and the Department. I assure you that I will be safe, and I would certainly not do anything to jeopardise the Ministry."
Draco laughed viciously. "Except, oh, perhaps illegally tracking someone's private communications, and threatening, intimidating, and trying to kill that same law-abiding citizen." He looked at Harry. "Then again," he said, "I suppose that wouldn’t be much different than the Ministry of the past, would it, Harry?"
"I like to think we've come a long way," Harry said. "But it is indeed a sad day when the Head Auror -- the man in charge of ensuring the safety and security of the public -- is using his position to kill innocent people."
"Innocent?" Robards fumed, his face nearly purple with rage. "You call wizards like him innocent?"
Harry noticed the young Auror lowering his wand slightly, looking between him and Robards, confusion playing across his features. Robards waved his own wand in Draco's direction, and Harry moved to block any potential curse. "He is anything but innocent, Potter." He looked around at the perplexed young man, realising his mistake. He cleared his throat and attempted to cover his outburst. "And, if my information is correct, neither are you."
"This information came from MacInness, right?" Draco asked, stepping out from behind him. "The man just tried to kill me!" Harry wanted to tell him to be quiet, not to provoke Robards, but Draco refused to make eye contact. And he refused to remain behind Harry.
Robards narrowed his eyes and shot Draco a look of utter contempt. "I am not discussing Ministry business with the likes of you."
"Perhaps I may face my accuser," Harry suggested. "That way we could clear up what is most obviously a misunderstanding." He could play the game too. He'd had years to perfect it, after all, and the young, innocent face watching the exchange could do with some well-balanced, rather than one-sided bullshit. Get him warmed up for a nice long future at the Ministry, he thought cynically.
"Oh, there'll be plenty of time for that later, but for now I plan to interrogate you myself." He pulled out a bottle of who knew what, and Harry saw the Auror's eyes widen. Did he know what was in it? It could be Veritaserum or any number of other substances. He watched all colour drain from Draco's face. He tried to get the young Auror's attention, and he thought maybe he had, but --
"Off you go, then," Robards said to him. "I'll handle it from here."
Harry tried again to get the young man's attention, but with no luck. He nodded and left with a crack that reverberated in the otherwise silent air before Harry could say a word. He turned to see Draco, eyes fixed on the potion in Robards' hand. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his skin and he looked like he might pass out.
"Let's cut the bullshit, sir," Harry spat. "What are you planning to do?"
Robards looked at Harry and laughed, his eyes wild. Harry hardly recognised him as the affable man he'd worked with for years, the one many called soft. The man before him was mad, incensed, and determined.
He raised the bottle and waved it back and forth. "Let's see," he said. "First, I'm going to administer this potion, and see if the Master here can figure out what it is before it kills him."
Harry lunged for the vial, but Robards' spell hit him squarely in the chest and knocked him back. Harry felt ropes twist around him and tighten, holding him in place. "What is it with you bleeding hearts?" he said to Harry. "He's a Death Eater. Scum. Not worth your time or mine." Harry tugged on the ropes. He was powerless to protect Draco, to protect himself. Where was Ron? Why hadn't he come back? Surely by now he'd figured out something was wrong.
A sudden realisation hit him. Robards was in no rush to leave this place. He and MacInness had worked together on this. Had Robards seen MacInness with Ron? "We had a great thing going, MacInness and I. We did what the idiots on the Wizengamot didn't have the stomachs for. Slow and painful deaths, just like they deserved. Plenty of time to reflect on their sins while they suffered a mere fraction of the pain their leader inflicted upon innocents. One left - just one - and you had to go sticking your nose in, Potter." Oh, God. What if Ron had been captured too? What if --
"What have you done?" Harry demanded, careful not to mention Ron in case his concern was unfounded.
Robards looked at him with obvious irritation. "I told you that I would be the one asking questions here."
"What questions?" Draco laughed. "You don't plan on asking questions and we all know it. Besides, you wouldn't believe the answers you got anyway. You've already decided on my guilt."
Harry wanted to scream. Didn't Draco know the man wanted him dead? Why wouldn't he just shut up and let Harry handle this?
Suddenly, cracks tore through the night as a half dozen Aurors and the Minister himself Apparated to the spot, each of their wands trained on Robards.
"What is the meaning of this?" Robards demanded.
"Alright there, Harry?" Ron asked, ignoring Robards.
"Took you bloody long enough to get here," Harry said.
Kingsley's deep laughter reverberated through the air, as he aimed his wand at Harry, releasing the spell. "You're welcome," he said.
Robards continued to protest. Harry didn't bother listening. "Kingsley … Minister … what are you doing here?"
Kingsley waved his wand at Robards, encircling him with ropes and rendering him silent. "Our mutual friend, Miss Granger, contacted me when she became concerned." He smiled. "It seems she didn't trust anyone else."
"A good thing, too," Ron said.
"Indeed." Kingsley chuckled. "It seems that Head Auror Robards here was alerted when Ron brought MacInness in. Let's just say Robards didn't agree with Ron's side of the story. MacInness told him where you were, and took Ron into custody."
"Arse," Ron said. He waved his wand menacingly at Robards.
"When I got the call from Hermione, I had Ron released and rounded up a few trusted Aurors and headed over here."
Harry looked at one of the Aurors. He instantly recognised him as one of the Aurors that had come here with Robards. "You," he said, pointing at the young man.
"Ah, yes," Kingsley said. "This young man -- come over here, Currie." Kingsley motioned him closer, then slung an arm over his shoulders. The boy looked like he might collapse under the weight. "He intercepted me on my way to see to Ron. Told me there was something odd happening out here. Told me he thought you might be in trouble."
Harry smiled. Currie had seen Harry's plea. And now, all thin and wiry, he looked desperate. Harry rescued him by offering his hand. "Thank you," he said. He thought he saw a thank you in return behind Currie's eyes. Harry winked and the young man seemed to relax a fraction before heading back to the other Aurors. With a nod from Kingsley, they took Robards back to the Ministry.
Harry suddenly recalled Robards telling him that Kingsley had recommended him for the assignment. "I have a question for you," he said to Kingsley.
"Yes?"
"You told Robards to assign me to this case. Said I had experience."
Kingsley nodded. "You spent more time than anyone watching Malfoy here," he said. Ron sniggered. "And, despite everything, you testified for him in court."
Harry frowned. He wasn't sure why that would matter.
Kingsley elaborated. "I knew I could trust you to do the right thing. To get answers, no matter the obstacles."
Harry processed his words. "You knew?"
Kingsley sighed. "I suspected something wasn't right." He looked at Draco. "Many people thought you got off far too easily, Mr Malfoy. Not everyone has such a forgiving nature as Albus Dumbledore."
"Couldn't you have done something?" Harry asked.
"As you know, Harry, I don't get involved in the day-to-day operations of the Auror Department." Harry nodded. "But when Weasley here mentioned something --"
"Ron?" Harry turned round to face his friend. "You told the Minister? Why wouldn't you tell me?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't know what he's talking about, mate."
"When I dropped in on Arthur and Molly a while back," Kingsley explained, "Ron happened to be there." Ron shot Harry a baffled look. "You must forgive me, but I happened to overhear part of your conversation with your father, just as I arrived. You mentioned how frustrated you were with budget matters, and not having money for particular cases. I believe your words were, 'I think I can judge for myself if something needs a further look.' I rather thought you could too, given your experience. And since I knew of no budget issues, I quietly returned to my office and looked up your caseload at the time."
Ron's face paled. Kingsley laughed. "Relax," he said. "You did nothing wrong." Guilt simmered in Harry's stomach. "You and the other Aurors assigned to Mr Malfoy's case did what was within your authority to do. No one could fault you for following orders, when no direct evidence demanded further action."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Harry. "But Harry never lets anything go," he said. Somehow, when he'd just been reassured he'd acted correctly, Ron still managed to look apologetic. Harry felt even worse.
"Indeed," Kingsley said. "Harry doesn't much care for people telling him what to do." Ron sniggered and Draco snorted.
"Hey!" Harry shot to both of them. "I listen."
Kingsley joined in the laughter. "And then you do what you think is best, no matter who may tell you differently."
"So that's why you suggested I be given this case?"
"It is," Kingsley said.
Harry frowned. This was all well and good considering the outcome, but … "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what, Harry? I had no evidence of any wrongdoing. For all I knew, the level of investigation was appropriate. And I had no idea who was behind it. Had you started investigating, in your--" He cleared his throat "-- less-than-subtle way, you might have tipped them off. And it's not like you could pretend to be one of them; everyone knows how you feel about killing others."
"But what if it hadn't worked?" Harry pictured what might have happened to Draco and shuddered. "Surely we could have had someone else on the case with me."
"Someone else was," Kingsley said. At Harry's confused look, he elaborated in a hushed tone. "Currie - John - is my nephew. He's been slipping little comments in here and there, to give the impression he hates the light sentences, but nothing too overt."
"Blimey," Ron said.
"John's the one who figured MacInness wasn't as clean as he appeared. Still, he had nothing concrete. Not until Robards brought him here."
"Good thing he did," Ron said.
Kingsley nodded. "He looks up to you, Harry. He volunteered to do this, to do anything he could to help." Harry didn't know what to say. "I will admit I was hesitant, but, like someone else I know, he is rather persuasive." Harry grinned. "I do have to ask that you all respect his privacy, though. We've done our best to ensure no one knows he's related to me, and he'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible."
"Of course," Harry said. Everyone else agreed.
"He doesn't want any special treatment," Kingsley told them.
"Well, I'm afraid he's out of luck, there," Ron said. "After today, he's golden."
Kingsley laughed. "I suppose you have a point."
"And Skeeter will probably figure out you're related soon enough," Ron said.
"Well, just as long as she doesn't receive any help along the way."
Harry considered everything that had transpired. He wasn't sure he agreed with Kingsley's methods, but he couldn't argue with the results.
"Minister?" Draco asked.
"Yes, Mr Malfoy."
"What happened to MacInness?"
Kingsley sighed. "It would seem he's slipped away … for now." Draco's face fell. "But we'll catch up with him eventually."
Harry put a reassuring arm around Draco. "Shall we make our way back to the Ministry?"
They made quick work of securing Robards' new accommodations and filing numerous reports, and within a couple of hours were preparing to leave for dinner.
"Harry?" Kingsley poked his head into Harry's office. "May I have a word?"
Draco stood up, but Kingsley stopped him. "No need to leave, Mr Malfoy. I'll only be a minute."
"What is it?" Harry asked, offering him a seat.
Kingsley waved him off. "I wanted to throw a small dinner party in honour of your new position," he said.
Harry was confused. "I hardly think that's necessary," he said.
"Nonsense," Kingsley insisted. "It's not every day I appoint a new Head Auror."
Draco smiled. Harry was too shocked to do much but nod lamely. "Um … okay."
Kingsley's laughter filled the office. "I'll expect you to have more to say than that."
"Of course."
"And I hope to see you there, too," he said to Draco.
Draco looked shocked but pleased. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said.
After Kingsley left, Harry asked, "Did you mean that?"
"Mean what?"
"That you wouldn't miss it for the world," Harry said. "It promises to be very boring."
Draco shrugged. "I figure we've already missed out on enough time together."
Harry was taken aback by the remark, so unlike Draco and so open. "Well then," he said, walking around the desk and reaching for Draco's hand. "Let's not waste any more."
~FIN~
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Date: 2010-02-10 12:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-18 06:49 pm (UTC)Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)