Disclaimer: While I've read some fan fiction stories I'd swear were written by J.K. Rowling, I wouldn't presume to be in that category.

A/N: This is a stand-alone tale, but set soon after and with references to my previous story, "Dragon Plague."

Harry Potter found himself whistling on the way to the morning Departmental meeting with a pile of parchment and a quill floating beside him. With today's great news he felt on top of the world. It would make Saturday's planned evening out with Ginny even more special because now they had something to celebrate. At work, he had just been pulled aside by the Minister and unofficially told that he had been chosen to take over as Director of the Department when the current one retired at the end of the summer; the official announcement would be released the following week.

He didn't dislike Callista Mirendore, he mused, but he knew he could do a better job. He would re-focus training efforts, implement a "lesson learned" session once a week to make sure the aurors passed their hard-won knowledge along, set up a recognition committee to make sure no one was overlooked because of favoritism, formalize regular social get-togethers to increase the bonds between and among the teams … He found himself at the door of the conference room and began to greet his fellow division heads, waving to Ron, who was already seated.

Harry's good mood was destroyed half way through the meeting. He was half daydreaming about his plans when Callista checked off another item on her list and announced "Sorensen had to take off for the week for a family emergency." Her eyes went around the table and fell on Harry, who hastily covered up the doodle he was absentmindedly drawing. "Potter, can you fill in for him this weekend?"

Startled out of his reverie, Harry automatically nodded his head before realizing what he had agreed to. Inwardly he began to curse. At least he hadn't told Ginny so she wouldn't be disappointed, but he had been looking forward to a romantic night out. He bit his tongue; it was his own fault for not paying attention.

That resolve lasted until he met Ron at lunch in the Ministry of Magic's cafeteria. As they made their way to an empty table, their sandwiches and drinks floating behind them, Ron could see Harry was unhappy.

"So not a good morning, mate?" Ron asked quietly.

Harry snorted. "That obvious, huh?" He sat down in the chair. "So much for not displaying how I feel. Snape would be disappointed in me."

Ron sat down opposite Harry and directed his meal to the space in front of him. "If you're bringing up Snape's name it's got to be bad. What's up?"

Harry took a bite of his sandwich before pushing it away. "It's really not anything bad. I feel like a kid to even complain about something so stupid."

"You going to finish that?" When his friend shook his head, Ron pulled the plate towards him. "If you can't complain to friends, when can you complain?"

Harry looked morose. "It's really not a big deal. It's just that I was going to surprise Ginny with dinner and a play in muggle London Saturday. Our anniversary is coming up next week. With all the kids at Hogwarts, the house sometimes feels empty and I thought it would cheer her up."

"I know what you mean. I thought I'd enjoy it, but it's too quiet sometimes. So when you agreed to take the duty …"

Harry sighed. "You know that nothing usually happens, but per procedure I can't risk being in a muggle area in case I need to immediately apparate when called." Dejected, he used his wand to make his apple do summersaults across his tray. "Like I said, no big deal. I'll take Ginny out next weekend."

Ron put his napkin on the tray and stood up. "No problem, mate. I know tickets can be hard to get. Hermione and I don't have any plans. I'll take the duty this weekend and you can owe me one."

Harry looked up and smiled for the first time since the Departmental meeting. "That would be great, Ron! I doubt I'd be able to get tickets for next weekend at this late date, and we both like the occasional anonymity of the muggle world. Are you sure Hermione won't mind?"

"Nah. Besides, it's not like I'll actually be called in." The two directed their trays to the return bin as they walked back to their offices.

ATDATDATD

Ginny came down the stairs with a twisted gold necklace in her hand. "Love, can you fasten this for me?"

Grinning, Harry drew her to him. "I bought this one for you in Lyon."

"I'd just told you I was pregnant for the first time." Ginny pulled Harry even closer once he'd fastened the clasp and kissed him. When the floo flared up, Harry pulled away just enough to open the connection and glare at whoever had interrupted them.

"Whoa, mates! Get a room!" Ron heckled them good-naturedly. "Aren't you supposed to be leaving?"

"We don't need a room – we have a house," Ginny shot back. "You don't want to see what we plan to do when we get back!"

"Too much knowledge, mates. Harry, I just wanted to tell you it was a good thing I took your duty. You know how the Lestrange manor is finally being torn down? When doing so, they found something in a hidden room that has them worried. I'm heading out with a team to investigate right now."

Harry pulled away from Ginny and gave a slight frown. "Do you want me to come with you? Whatever it is could be pretty dangerous."

"Not to worry. I really just wanted to tell you guys to have a great time. He gave a mock glare at Ginny. "Not too great, though."

Ginny smirked at him. "Well, the house does seem too empty now. Maybe it's time for a fourth?"

Startled, Harry turned to Ginny, only to realize she wasn't serious. He mentally gave a sigh of relief – he loved his kids but he was too old to deal with diapers again - and grinned. "I'm all for practicing!"

Ron shook his head and withdrew his head to close the connection.

ATDATDATD

Harry later told himself that the evening had been going too well. The food was delicious and the play was great. Back at the house, the two changed into comfortable lounging clothes and snuggled together on the sofa in front of the fireplace, though since it was warm they only had a low flame going. They found themselves dozing off. Harry roused himself and was just about to poke Ginny awake to go upstairs when Hermione's voice was heard.

"Harry, Ginny, are you there? Answer if you are – it's an emergency! Come on, are you there?"

Harry was instantly alert. He pointed his wand at the floo. "We're here, Hermione. What's up?" Next to him, Ginny apprehensively sat up straight and reflexively grabbed Harry's arm.

"It's Ron. I'm at St. Mungo's. Something went very wrong. Can you please notify the family? Minerva too – the kids should be here. I've got to go."

Wide-eyed, Harry and Ginny glanced at each other. "Go. We'll take care of everything."

They could see the tears beginning to roll down Hermione's cheeks as she withdrew her head.

ATDATDATD

Fifteen minutes later, after floo-calling the Burrow as well as Headmistress McGonagall and telling them what little they knew, Harry and Ginny were in the waiting area for St. Mungo's intensive care unit. Hermione was hugging a very pregnant witch; Harry recognized her as the wife of one of the other aurors. An older couple walked somewhat unsteadily over to the woman. After a few words with the couple, Hermione gave another hug to the witch and joined Harry and Ginny.

"Milania's husband was also hurt. The healers haven't told us much," Hermione said, holding herself together with an obvious effort. "I did overhear them saying there were two deaths." Harry and Ginny sucked in their breath and enveloped her in a hug.

Over the next half hour, Ron's parents, brothers, and other family members popped in as they were notified. Dazed, a tearful Rose and Hugo arrived from Hogwarts wearing hastily tossed on school uniforms and ran to their mother. Together, they watched healers dash in and out of Ron's room as well as the room next door. All they could see through the observation window were a half dozen healers surrounding Ron's bed. When Harry tried to stop one who had just dashed out the door to find out what was going on, he was pushed aside; not wanting to delay treatment, he re-joined the family. Towards dawn, Harry could feel the desperation of the healers grow. He was just sipping some coffee someone had put into his hands at some point when the door next to Ron's opened and the healers came trudging out. One took Milania Younger's arm and another approached the auror's parents; all three were led away. Harry, Ginny, the Weasleys, and Teddy Lupin watched with ashen faces.

Harry grabbed the arm of one of the healers. "Please tell us what's going on. What's happening to Ron?" The healer shook her head and hurried to join the others in Ron's room. She then came almost immediately back out followed by the rest. Anticipating the ultimate bad news, the faces of those waiting paled, and several slunk to the floor. None of them wanted to break the complete silence, but Harry could hear Rose and Hugo sobbing into Hermione's shoulder. Hermione's own tears, and those of the others in the room, were silent.

As the last healer exited the room, rather than leaving the door open for the family, she shut the door behind her and sealed it with a ward. She then looked around at the gathered family. Exhaustion lined her face. She leaned against the wall and rubbed her eyes. "He's as stable as we can make him for now. He…"

"He's still alive?" Molly shouted in confusion. "Why is he alone in there? Out of my way! Let me see my son now!"

The healer grabbed her arm as she tried to enter the door. "No! That's the worst thing you can do right now!" She sadly shook her head. "It was some sort of dark magic. It took us hours to discover it, but the closer anyone approaches the victim, the more quickly his core is drained. It's already down to a dangerous low. With much more loss he'll be a permanent squib, or even die. For now we've set up a system of remote monitoring." The healer incanted a spell to expand the viewing window into the room.

Molly stood up straight. "I should be able to approach him safely; after all, he got his magical core from Arthur and me."

The healer shook her head again. "His core is a mixture of those of the two of you. It takes elements from both of yours, but has been blended together creating one entirely new. It would not recognize either one of yours and therefore you would be just as toxic as any of us."

Molly squeezed her eyes shut. "So my son must lie alone while he's .. he's …" Unable to continue, she stopped and drew in a breath. She started sobbing and Arthur pulled her against his chest.

The healer reached out for Molly sympathetically. "I'm sorry." Looking away, her eyes fell upon Hermione clutching her two children in their Hogwarts uniforms. She thought a moment. "Perhaps …" She hesitated and then took a breath. "After a new magical core is created, it takes a long time before it becomes fully mature. At about age seventeen, the core is three-quarters blended, which is why that is the age of majority in the wizarding world." Hermione was too exhausted to do anything but put that fact in the corner of her mind to examine later. "After that, the pace of blending slows down. The core is fully mature at age thirty-four or so, which is why your husband's core would reject those of his parents. However, your children are still under seventeen, correct?" Hermione nodded. "In that case, his core should recognize elements of his that appear in theirs. That in turn should confuse the curse and slow down its effects. If they approach him the drain will be less than if anyone else neared, but even then I wouldn't recommend they stay longer than a few minutes since he's already lost so much."

Hermione hugged the children to her, questioningly looking at them. Communicating silently, they squeezed her tightly and nodded. The healer unwarded the door and allowed them to pass. The rest looked through the window to see Ron laying on the bed looking as pale as a vampire. He had bandages around his head, torso, one arm and both legs. Various medical instruments floated above his body. Rose and Hugo tightly held only the one hand that was free and Rose leaned over to kiss her father on his cheek. All too soon, the red numbers over his torso began to flash. Startled, they drew away, and the flashing stopped.

The healer looked at the display. "Please come out now," she urgently called to them. The children emerged from their father's room to the sound of sniffs and sobs.

The hours passed slowly. Furniture was transfigured as people began to prepare for a long stay. Tears were shed, dried, and shed again. Occasionally someone would tell a story beginning with, "Remember when…" and the rest would nod along. Those who had gathered could tell dawn had come by a brightening in the intensive care waiting alcove.

Sunday passed by with excruciating slowness. Healers would come periodically to observe Ron through the window, but the ominous red numbers remained. Rose and Hugo were allowed into his room for only a few minutes at a time. Once in a while an auror who heard what had happened would visit for a short time. Tea, coffee, and food appeared, was half-consumed, and disappeared. Eventually the room darkened slightly as dusk came once more. People began to slump over and fall into restless naps. By the time the room began to brighten again, all were both physically and mentally exhausted.

At eight o'clock Monday morning, Harry rubbed at the dark circles under his eyes. He suddenly stood up and took Hermione and Ginny aside. "I hate to leave you, but I'm going into the office. I'll see what I can find out."

Hermione bit her lip. "Thanks, Harry. Maybe if they know what's causing the drain they'll be able to reverse it." With another hug, Harry left the room.

ATDATDATD

Harry felt out of place as he entered the atrium of the Ministry of Magic. People were carrying on as if nothing had happened. How could they be going about their business so calmly when Ron was so near death? In the elevator to the Magical Law Enforcement Department, a witch and wizard talked about their great weekend and discussed lunch options; Harry had to restrain himself from telling them there were more important things to focus on.

Once he entered the auror spaces, Harry felt more comfortable. Here, hushed conversations and tear-streaked faces let him know the news had already spread. As he made his way to Mirendore's office he was stopped several times by those who desired an update, wanted to express their sympathy, or asked what they could do to help.

When he saw Harry, Mirendore's secretary stood up. "Mr. Potter, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your friends. I know you and Mr. Weasley were particularly close. Please let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Thanks, Augustus. Is the boss in?"

"She told me you'd probably be in first thing. Go right on in."

Harry knocked at the door frame as he stepped in. Callista immediately stood up and walked over to him. "Harry, I'm so sorry. Please, sit down. Thank you for keeping me posted from St. Mungo's. Is there any improvement in Ron's condition this morning?"

"No, ma'am. It still looks extremely grim."

"Do the healers have any idea why this is happening to Ron?" She sighed. "This wasn't a raid – no one was supposed to get hurt. They were just supposed to investigate a dark magic artifact to make sure it was safe for transportation." She paused, shaking her head. "How could things go so wrong? Three deaths - Jasper Younger, Mason Bridgewater and Talia Huntress. We know there was an explosion of some sort and traces of dark magic have been confirmed. We don't know the nature of the dark magic or exactly what happened. We still have people investigating the scene." She summoned a pot of chamomile tea and put it on the table between them.

Harry absentmindedly reached for a cup. "Whatever it is, it's still causing Ron's magical core to degrade, especially when anyone goes near him. Unfortunately, the healers learned that too late in Jasper's case; they didn't realize that by standing near him to treat him they were actually accelerating his demise."

Callista put her hand on Harry's arm in sympathy.

Harry took a sip of tea and shook his head. "It's my fault Ron is lying in that bed. I was supposed to be there." He lowered his head and rubbed his eyes with the heals of his hands. "I'd already made plans with Ginny so Ron said he'd take my place. Ma'am, are there any leads at all? I'd like to be on the team that is investigating this."

Callista squeezed his hand. "Whatever the team was looking at disintegrated. There's nothing much to see. I'm sure your family needs you now more than the investigative team does."

Harry put his cup down. "Since this involved dark magic at the Lestrange mansion, has anyone contacted Professor Snape? He may be the best qualified person to ask about this thing, whatever it was."

Callista drew back. "Mr. Potter, Snape is not an auror, nor is he an employee of the Ministry, nor is he any longer on retainer."

"True, but …"

"Do you have such a low opinion of this office that you think we can't handle it?" Mirendore asked as her expression turned from sympathetic to cold.

Harry was startled at the vitriol in her response. "No, ma'am! I was just thinking that Professor Snape…"

Callista's face hardened. "Potter, Snape was my professor for seven years. He's a mean, vindictive, untrustworthy, malicious man who may have repented but who at one point was a true Death Eater. I'll not have this department or any of its aurors beholden to him."

Harry sat up straight. "But ma'am, if he can help us find …"

Callista stood up. "I'm sure he can't. And if I find you have approached him to ask him for his help, I'll pull your security clearance faster than a crup chasing a snitch."

Harry stood up and deliberately looked down at his chair as he pushed it in to prevent his boss from seeing his expression. He shoved down his immediate reaction and took a moment to think. He had no doubt Callista would follow through on her threat. He also knew he could fight it and get it back, but the question was how long it would take. In the meantime, he would be cut off from any news the MLE had learned, and access to that information could be vital to Ron's survival. He drew in a deep breath and looked up.

"Yes, ma'am. Since I'm not needed for the investigation, may I take the rest of the day off and return to St. Mungo's?" he asked in forced politeness.

Callista's expression softened. "Of course, Harry. Take two days. Please let me know if there's anything I or anyone in this department can do. I'll let you know if we discover anything at this end."

Harry kept his rejoinder to himself and a false expression of gratitude on his face as he walked out of the office. He vowed to himself to make it a priority to do everything in his power to ensure Snape's retainer was fully reinstated once he was made department head.

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