Chapter 1 – The Letter

Submitted: Wednesday 11 January 2012

A/N: SPOILER ALERT: This is the second of two stories. You may read this story without reading the first - there will obviously be a few spoilers.

He knew this wouldn't be a typical day when he stepped out of the Floo at the Ministry. Each day could be judged by the first looks Harry received when he stepped out of the floo and into the Atrium. The best look he could receive, of course, was indifference. That meant nothing had been written about him and nothing new was being discussed. There was also adulation, anger and fear. Today's look was one he hadn't seen in quite some time...pity. He was reminded very quickly that he didn't enjoy the pity stare very much at all.

He'd learned very early on that it was best to go on with his day and let the news come to him. Today he did just that. Harry sat in his cubicle reviewing the evening's activity report when his best mate Ron crept into his own cube without so much as a word. Harry heard the rustle behind him but ignored it for the moment. Typically Ron was all words and smiles so when Ron entered any room quietly Harry usually took it to be bad news.

When Harry couldn't find any more work to do he finally turned around, "Morning, Mate. How's Hermione? Is she still having nightmares?"

Ron was pale but he actually looked grateful that the topic was Hermione, "Erm, only once over the weekend. Mum still wants us there at the Burrow for another week or so. She's still upset that you didn't stay..."

Harry had decided to move directly into Grimmauld Place following the end of their final term. He decided staying at the Burrow would be awkward. Mrs. Weasley had immediately begun asking why Ginny had not returned with the others and Harry simply did not want to be there when the explanation was made. It was all embarrassing enough.

"I know Ron. I'll drop in soon and apologise. You and Hermione have been the only ones I've seen outside of the Ministry."

"You said you'd drop by last week as well. All the same, I don't think you'll have to apologise after today." Ron panicked when he realised he'd brought up the very thing he hadn't wanted to bring up. Harry knew he was asking for it but he decided he might as well hear whatever bad news from Ron rather than some random person in the office. Before Ron could answer Hermione came rushing in, "Oh, Harry!"

Ron's shoulders slumped with defeat which told Harry all he needed to know. He was about to get all of the pity he could stand. Hermione stole a quick kiss from her boyfriend before attacking Harry with a hug that said more "I'm sorry" than "Hello."

"It was so unfair what she wrote about you Harry," Hermione groused as she released him. There was only one writer that the three of them referred to as "She."

Harry knew better but he wanted to get this over with. He held his hand out, fully expecting she had brought a copy. Hermione looked at him dumbfounded, "You haven't read it yet?" Harry shook his head and Ron ducked even more as she lot lasers at him, "Ron was supposed to tell you as soon as he saw you so you weren't ambushed!"

She handed Harry the paper and he shook it open:

5 July 1999 The Daily Prophet

Chosen One Visibly Shaken After Nasty Breakup – by Rita Skeeter

Two weeks ago today Harry Potter was dumped by his girlfriend Miss Ginny Weasley very soon after completing his final year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. The writer Rita Skeeter came across the letter that Ginny Weasley, of Ottery St. Catchpole, sent two weeks ago ending the relationship. She kept it under wraps in order to protect the privacy of Mr. Harry Potter but it has since surfaced that Witch Weekly planned to publish a libellous piece blaming the poor wizard for being negligent to the young lady.

Witch Weekly and Quidditch Weekly, it has surfaced, planned to publish simultaneous pieces announcing the stunning and talented Miss Ginevra Weasley as the new Seeker for the Holyhead Harpies and announcing Ginny as the Wizarding World's newest and most eligible single witch. What the Harpies and Miss Weasley did not want to come to light was her plan to sever ties with Mr. Potter in order to improve her marketability to single blokes. In what must be an all-time low, the two publications planned to publish an interview by the young witch accusing Harry of being a negligent lover, heavy-handed and easily jealous. In the past, stories had been written about Harry, accusing him of being mentally imbalanced, and the papers hoped to leverage these bits of misinformation in order to keep Ginny's reputation intact following what they expected might be a very nasty public breakup.

As a result, Rita Skeeter was forced to pull out this embarrassing letter that she'd rather keep private. So that Mr. Harry Potter could be saved the most horrible and embarrassing details, she took the liberty of blotting out the worst parts with irremovable permanent ink. Please read the actual letter, in the young witch's writing and judge for yourself:

21 June 1999

Dear Harry,

I am very sorry for leaving so suddenly. I know that it was unfair for me to leave school without warning and especially without giving you an answer to your proposal but I think you knew what my answer was just by my reaction. Thinking back, even my reaction was unfair.

I have been very angry with you for doing things that at the time I did not fully understand. Now, knowing your motives, I regret xxxx X xx xxxxx xxxxx. Xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx. I need a bloke who is willing to support me but still let me xxxx xx xxx xxx xx xxx xxxxx.

X xxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx I accepted the contract to play for the Harpies and I have agreed to spend the year with them xxx xxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxx. Xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xx xxxx xxxx xxx xxxxx xxx, X xxx xxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxx X xxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxx so that I can say that I was a success at something all on my own. If I didn't do this, if instead I married you now and we had children, I xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxx xx xxxxxxx xxx would become merely Mrs. Ginny Potter – wife to the Chosen One.

X xxxx xxxx xx xxxx Xxxxx. X xxxx xxxxx xxx Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx xx. Xx xxxxx xxx xx xx xx xx xxxx X xxxx xx xx xxxx xx. Xx xxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxx. I need to release myself from xxx xx xxx xxxxxx xxxx X xxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxx xx xxxxx xxx. Xxxxxx I xxxx xx xxxxxx xx fancy another xxxxx xx xxx xxxxx X xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxx xxx xxx xxxx xxxx xxxxxx X xx xxx xxxxxx xxx xx xxxx xxx xx.

Xxxxxx xxxx xx xxxx X xxxxxxx. X xxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxxx X xxxx xxxx xx x xxxxx. To give you up xxxx xx xxxx xxxxxx seems like the actions of a mad woman. Maybe they are. Xxx xx X xxxx xx xxxx X xxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xx xxx.

With a heavy heart,

Ginny

As you can see, Ginny was unhappy that Harry was not willing to lavish her with the gifts she felt she deserved. She was looking for a bloke who was willing to support her but would leave her to her own devices...And then she admits freely that she fancied another. Details of the torrid affair were blotted out for Harry's sake. Expect to see interviews with Harry where he defends the actions of this self-righteous tart – Harry has always taken the honourable path and defended those he loved even when they have done him wrong. Does anyone remember his defence of Dumbledore who all but trotted him out to be slaughtered?

But why? Harry should be relieved – such a horrible, gold-digging, self-promoting young witch does not deserve the affections of a brave honourable hero such as Harry Potter. And to all of you young ladies – I call dibs on the first night out with a now single, rich and absolutely famous wizard. I may be a few years outside of his ideal age but a witch can dream – can't she?

(See pictures of Miss Ginny Weasley below. Now young, beautiful and single...but dating her comes at what price?)

Hermione watched Harry carefully. He read the entire article without any visible emotion. When he was done he looked up at Hermione and merely stated, "All of this...it's slander."

"No Harry," Hermione corrected him, "It's libel. Slander is when someone tells a lie about someone. Rita wrote it - which makes it libel." Ron let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding. As much as Ron loved Hermione, she could be as insufferable as Percy at times. Hermione blushed in response to Ron's admonishment. She too realised the foolishness of correcting Harry but her nervousness had taken over and the comment had slipped out. It was George who had pointed out the article as she and Mrs. Weasley had finally cancelled their subscriptions. She had recognised the handwriting immediately but couldn't believe that her mate could end her relationship with Harry in such a cold and heartless manner.

Harry was still studying the paper closely, "I don't know how she got it but it is the actual letter." Hermione heard Ron suck in another uncomfortable breath. Harry now had the paper as close to his eyes as he could while still focusing, "Rita just blacked out the nice stuff and left just the right words to make Ginny sound awful. Sneaky old bat. I'd better send a note to the Harpies so they know that Ginny was taken way out of context. They probably already know but I don't want her cut just because of some hot-head making a knee-jerk decision. Hermione, if I write something real quick will you deliver it by hand? If I send an owl it won't reach Holyhead before lunch."

"Of course." She watched Harry as he jotted a few lines on a piece of parchment. Ron was still sitting nervously in his chair and fumbling around with a report from the previous afternoon. Harry, on the other hand, looked perfectly level-headed and business-like. Hermione didn't know how to take the calm, "Harry, how can you just sit there and not be upset after what she wrote?"

Harry didn't answer until he finished his note. When he was done he folded the parchment in half and placed it in an envelope. He then pulled out some wax and pulled off his Potter signet ring. He dabbed the ring in the wax and then sealed the envelope. Hermione took it from him, "Harry?"

"Because," the anger was now plainly visible, "I haven't seen Quilvash yet."

As Hermione left for Holyhead she worried that Harry might do something foolish. She was correct. The moment she left, he and Ron went and found two Aurors. He then walked with his party to an office that few were allowed in without invitation. The Aurors noticed that the receptionist didn't even bother to stop him as he made for the half-open door. He knocked and looked in, "Minister, I hate to ask with such short notice but can you spare a half an hour away from the Ministry? I need a witness."

The Minister considered for a moment and fumbled through his schedule, "Ever since Mr. Weasley was promoted to Director of Weights and Measures I've had a mess of a time finding an adequate replacement. No-one from your year with the credentials either." He finally found his schedule, "I can spare twenty, can we make it quick?" Harry only nodded and they headed for the Floos.

As they walked at a brisk pace Harry thought to ask, "No-one had the credentials from my class?"

"Two did that I trusted," mumbled the Minister, "But one doesn't care much for politics and the other preferred to help Fairies and House Elves secure the right to vote." A snigger could be heard from the Aurors that followed and Harry couldn't help but join in. As they neared the Floos he reminded the Minister, "Be nice. She's my mate. She doesn't want them to vote. She only feels they deserve certain rights."

"Where are we going Harry?" asked the Minister.

The young wizard grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, "The Daily Prophet!" and he stepped into the Floo without looking back.

"Crap!" grumbled the Minister, but he followed faithfully behind his mate and the three Aurors.

Shacklebolt would never normally have agreed to follow a wizard blindly without asking. Certainly, most wizards would have never made it into his office without an appointment. Harry, though, had saved the Minister's life and they'd grown close over the past year. Harry had done so much for so many that the Minister tended to overlook his outbursts and his antics – besides he was much less trouble than the average Quidditch star. It didn't hurt that the public viewed his friendship with Harry as a key reason to trust him as Minister but that was more of a nice side effect than a reason for loyalty. The Minister knew that while Harry's methods were often crude and reactionary, they were for good reason. The Minister thought to himself that this obviously was not a visit that Harry had talked out with Hermione and he caught himself chuckling as he made for a pinch of Floo Powder.

When Shacklebolt stepped into the front offices at the Prophet, Harry was talking quietly to a pretty young witch sitting at a desk. Ron and the other two Aurors still did not understand what was going on. Once Harry had the information he needed he asked the witch in his kindest voice, "If I make a declaration in front of you and the Minister will you promise to speak the truth if brought before the Wizengamut to testify?" The witch nodded uncertainly.

Harry returned his attention to the others, "Minister, what I'm about to do is as a plain citizen of England and I hereby request that you temporarily suspend my privileges and duties as an Auror of the Ministry."

The Minister knew he had little choice so he granted Harry's request with a sigh. He didn't know what was about to happen but he was sure it would not be good. He'd rather it happen now while he was here to limit the damage rather than have Harry come back alone.

Harry returned to the receptionist and smiled with his best boyish grin, "Thank you." She only nodded and blushed. She watched Harry hand his wand to Ron and open the Editor's door. From that point forward she could only hear.

"What in Merlin's Beard is going on? Mr. Potter! What are you doing here?" Mr. Quilvash was obviously angry. "Minister, what are you doing here with your Aurors? I thought the days of the Ministry intimidating the press was a thing of the past?"

The receptionist, Miss Flanagan, heard the Minister's deep baritone, "Actually, Mr. Potter has just informed me he is taking a leave of absence. I was worried after the story you allowed to be written that you might have provoked him to do something foolish so I came to make sure this doesn't get out of hand." With the pause she strained to listen more closely, "He released his wand into our custody so I imagine he can't do too much damage."

Harry interrupted, "What were you thinking printing that story? Do you realise you could ruin her? You let Rita blot out all of the important stuff and you printed something that made Ginny look like a monster. What you did was slander!"

Miss Flanagan edged forward as much as she could because she could barely hear her editor's smug voice, "No you Cretan. IF...I say if, what was written was untrue - it would be libel."

The next noise was a girl-like scream followed by rustling. The Minister could be heard trying to settle things down but Quilvash was loudest of all. He screamed and moaned with a nasally drawl, "Arrest him! Arrest him! He broke my nose. That bastard broke my nose...again!"

The Aurors could be heard chuckling as they bound Harry up. Miss Flanagan tried to peek from behind her desk but could only see the backs of her manager's shoes and his bum high as he was crouched on the floor with his arse waving in the air like a pig at slop. She thought she saw a little blood. She tried to sit back naturally as the Aurors pulled a bound Harry Potter out. He was shaking a hand in pain while shouting back at the Editor, "And you dare write another unflattering story about Ginny I will come back in here and break your bloody nose again! You understand?"

The Minister followed the Aurors out with a sheepish grin on his face. He stopped at the door and turned back to the Editor who was still wallowing around on the floor, "You do realise he's not bluffing, right? And I can't spare the resources to stop him. I don't have the time or the energy for it." The Minister then joined the two Aurors and saw Harry shaking his hand gingerly at the Floo while whispering something to Ron. Before the Auror's escorted Harry through the Floo, the Minister took him by the shoulder and admonished him sternly like a father to a son, "I have told you before never to use your wand hand."

Before he himself took the Floo out, Shacklebolt gave a slight bow to Miss Flanagan and tried to smile, "Good day." And then he was gone.

All that was left for the assistant in the Office of The Prophet was a balding piggish wizard that squealed in pain and shouted curses after Harry. She so wished she could have gone with them.