A Painful Choice

A/N I wish to thank all those that took the time to read and review. I am grateful for your input and Constructive criticism is always welcome.


Chapter Ten

They took the Floo at the American Ministry office in Seattle directly to the study in Malfoy Manor. They were greeted by two house elves bowing to the newly returned Lord Malfoy. Draco asked them to wait while he addressed Harry. “There are several people staying here that I would like for you to meet with.” He paused in thought for a moment. “Of course you will want to see the Weasleys and Lupin. Is there anyone else that I should contact?”


“Am I staying here?”


“I would appreciate it if you would. Until we have a plan of action, it could be a disaster for the press to get a hold of you.” He had a pained look on his face, undoubtedly thinking of something that Harry might say to the press.


Harry felt a tinge of irritation at the thought that he couldn’t be trusted not to say something ill advised, but was honest enough to realize that it was a valid point. “I could stay at my house.”


“Look around, Potter. I am not asking you to stay in a hovel. You will have your own suite of rooms and an house elf devoted to you. You can invite anyone that you trust, and I will sleep better at night knowing you are here. Do we really need to argue about this?”


“No. I will stay. “ Feeling foolish he agreed. “Will you let Snape and Dobby know that I am here as well?”


“Of course.” He turned to address the waiting elves. “Flitty, please make sure that dinner is ready for all of our guests by seven. Primpy, please show Mr. Potter to his rooms and make sure that he has everything he might need during his stay.”


It had been mid morning when they left the states but dinner was only and hour and half away due to the difference in time zones. Harry followed Primpy up the main staircase and down several corridors until they were at the door to his room.


“Will Sir be needing anything else?” Primpy bowed low.


“Just a couple of questions if you don’t mind. Where are we in the manor, and how will I find my way to dinner?”


“Sir is in the west wing were family is staying. Master Draco’s room is just there.” The small creature pointed just down the corridor to large double wooden doors. “I will be taking you to dinner. Just calls for Primpy.”


Harry thanked her and entered the suite. He laughed when he saw the decor. It was done in shades of red and gold. A large Lion adorned the comforter on the bed. It was beautiful, but he would have to tell Draco that a little red went a long way. He removed his trunk from his pocket and enlarged it, and shoved it into a corner. Laying out the clothes he planned to wear that evening he grabbed his dressing gown and headed to the bathroom.


When he was as ready as he was going to get, he called Primpy. With a pop she appeared and bowed to him.


“Is sir wanting to join the other guests in the Drawing room?”


“Umm okay. Is Draco there?”


“No. Master is getting readys for dinner, sir.”


“Of course he is. Please lead me to the Drawing room.”


There were more people milling around than he had expected. All conversation stopped as he entered and he felt very uncomfortable. Primpy bowed and left him alone to face the guests.


He felt the beginnings of a headache and wondered if he would be overwhelmed by being around so many magical people. He looked around the room and saw a few familiar faces. He was rescued be Pansy after a few awkward seconds. “Potter.” She greeted him while looking him up and down. “You look good enough to eat. I take it you suffered no hardships during your time in the states.” There was an hint of bitterness in her tone but she kept her face mostly impassive with just a touch of desire peaking through.

Keeping in mind what he knew of her familys’ plight. He greeted her warmly. “Hello Pansy. I am happy to see you. Are you staying in the west wing?”

She gave him an odd look. “Hardly. I, along with most of the people you see here, are staying in the east wing guest quarters. Most are only here to see you and will only stay for a couple of days. Besides myself the only other semi-permanent residents are Blaise, Luna, Millicent, and the wonder twins.” She gestured toward two very large young men who could only be Crabbe and Goyle.


People had mostly returned to their previous conversations, but he could tell that he was still the center of attention. He felt barraged by the feelings that he was picking up and knew that he would not last much longer. “Pansy...” He grabbed her hand to steady himself. “I need to get out of here. Please...”


She was clearly confused but led him dutifully out of the drawing room and into the Malfoy study. Harry let out a loud sigh of relief and planted himself in comfortable chair. It was only when he went to move his hair off of his forehead and felt Pansy’s hand move with his own that he realized that he still hadn’t released his death grip.


He let her go and watched as she tried to return feeling to her abused extremity. “I’m sorry Pansy. I lost it back there.”


Her reply was lost as the Floo sputtered and Severus Snape stepped regally into the room. “Miss Parkinson.” He greeted and then turned his gaze to Harry. “The prodigal son returns to save us. What could be more poetic.”


Harry’s pounding head allowed him little in the way of snappy comebacks. He managed to grunt in the potions masters general direction.


“He fell ill.” Pansy pointed out helpfully.


Snape looked him over and pulled a vial from his pocket. “He was, no doubt, socializing. Drink this, Potter.”


Recognizing the familiar potion Harry quickly uncapped the vial and swallowed it down. The results were rapid and he could feel himself returning to normal. Looking up at his former professor, he noted how pale and thin he seemed. “Thank you, Sir. I am feeling much better now.”


“The others are in the drawing room, if you would like to join them, Professor.” Pansy wasn’t being very subtle about not wanting to give up her monopoly on the boy who lived.


“Thank you, Miss Parkinson. Why don’t you head back and let Lord Malfoy know that we will join you in the dinning room when dinner is served.” Pansy nodded, clearly irritated, and patted Harry’s hand before leaving the room.


“Saving the world wasn’t enough for you? You would like to rule it as well?”


Harry let out a low chuckle. “Yes. I thought I would try my hand at the whole Dark Lord thing. I am recruiting followers. If you are interested I have the minion application form in my room.” Harry was pleased to see the hint of a smile on the man’s face before he grew serious. “I came back because Draco told me that some very disturbing things have been happening and that I could help. In fact, he said that I was the only one that could ‘fix it ‘.”


Green eyes met black as Harry continued. “I can’t though. It was a mistake for me to come back. You should have felt the barrage in that room. They hit me with everything from hatred to pure adoration, but worst by far was the hope. I am not political, Severus. Give me another Dark wizard to slaughter and I will give it a go, but I can’t change the social mores. I can’t...” He trailed off with a shake of his head.


Snape had remained quiet and impassive throughout Harry’s impassioned speech, but now he walked over to where the younger man was sitting and put his hand on his shoulder. “Now would be where I accuse you of being melodramatic and remind you that the world doesn’t revolve around you. Unfortunately, I don’t have the inclination.” He lowered himself to the chair opposite Harry and smiled almost gently. “You don’t have to do this, Harry. You are wrong about not being able to change the social mores. You give neither yourself, nor Draco enough credit on that score, but you have done your part. If you want to go back to your life in America, then do so. There has been enough manipulation in your life already.”


Shock kept Harry from responding for a moment. He once again noted the man’s pallor and remembered Draco’s comment that Snape never left Grimmauld Place. “You actually believe that I can make a difference?”


“I do. You would have to listen to Draco and the ‘advisors ‘ that he had dredged up. You weren’t born into this world, but if you let them mould your public persona you will have the rest eating out of your hands in no time.”


Harry nodded his head and stood, offering his hand to help Snape up. “Once more into the fray?”


Snape took the offered hand and stood gracefully. “Indeed, Mr Potter. Cry ‘Havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war.”ª



TBC
ªWilliam Shakespeare Julius Cæsar