A Painful Choice

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. KNW thank you for the taking the time to critique my story. I will try to improve. If I fail, please point it out.


Chapter Seven


Harry fell into a comfortable pattern in the days leading to the inauguration and awards ceremony. Ron had come out of his coma just as Harry had predicted and he spent most of his days sitting with his friends and adopted family at St. Mungo's before returning to #12 for a quiet dinner with Snape. Draco was avoiding him since he had explained that he wasn’t interested in pursuing anything other than friendship. He felt bad about upsetting Draco and he wanted to talk to him about the letter, but was grateful that he could avoid any more embarrassing encounters.


Gawain Robards was elected Minister of Magic. Harry didn’t know the man but Arthur spoke highly of him. There was still a deep divide in the wizarding world that would require men and women with strong wills to rebuild a strong society. The boy who lived was pleased that things seemed to be moving in the right direction.


Harry dressed carefully in the new set of dress robes that Hermione had picked for him. He had already packed all of his belongings and was ready to depart via the Ministry Floo at the conclusion on the celebration that night. Ron would not be able to attend so Harry had said his goodbye’s that morning. Ron didn’t understand why he had to go and they were both in tears before Harry could drag himself away. He felt drained and the evening would only get worse. He straightened his robes a final time before heading down to meet Hermione, the Weasleys, and Snape.


“Harry! You look wonderful.” He couldn’t respond as he was gathered close to Molly’s chest.


“Let him go Molly. You are going to rumple him.” Arthur laughed as he untangled Molly and held out his hand to Harry.


Harry smiled at him gratefully as he greeted the others and moved to stand next to his best friend.


“How are you doing, Mione?” He asked as he kissed her on the cheek.


“Much better. I am sad that you are leaving though. Will Ron and I be able to visit? Ron was really distraught after you left this morning and we won’t know what to do with ourselves without you getting us into adventures.”


“You are rambling.” Harry smiled and pulled her into a hug. “I think you two will be able to think of several things to keep you busy. You have a wedding to plan, a honeymoon to take, a career to build, and children to create or at least have fun trying.” He winked at her. Seeing that she wasn’t go to rise to his bait he let his face become serious. “I need to get away from everyone magical for awhile. I will come visit you when I get myself sorted out. I promise it won’t be forever.”


Hermione dabbed at her eyes and glared at him. “It had best not be forever. I will hunt you down if I have to.”


“Of that I have no doubt.” Putting his arm around her waist he led her to the Floo. “ I will go first so that I don’t fall on you.” The twins sniggered at the reference to Harry’s lack of grace when it came to Floo travel. Throwing in the Floo powder he spoke clearly “Ministry of Magic main reception hall”, and true to form fell on his face in front of the new Minister of Magic.


“Well here is the guest of honor now.” Gawain Robards reached down a hand to help Harry off the carpet and shook it vigorously. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Potter.”


Harry felt uncomfortable with the man but couldn’t put a finger on why. He brushed to soot off of his robes and smiled. “It is nice to meet you. Congratulations on the election.”


Any reply the Minister would have made was cut off as Hermione stumbled into Harry as she entered the Hall. Harry caught her and turned to watch the others arrive feeling a twinge of jealousy as he watched how flawlessly Snape stepped from the fireplace with a swirl of his black dress robes. Harry could sense even with the dampening potion that he had taken, that Robards was angry at the interruption. Feeling more uncomfortable by the second, Harry quickly introduced him to Hermione and then excused them to follow Severus, who was stalking over to the bar.


“Is something wrong, Harry?” She asked as he nearly dragged her across the hall.


“No. I just need a drink.” He slowed his steps as they neared the Potions Master.


Severus, already had downed half of his fire whiskey by the time they reached him. He was looking around the assembly with a pained look occasionally punctuated with a scowl when he met someone’s eye. “Running away from your adoring public so soon, Potter?” He greeted as Harry leaned against the bar next to him.


“Bloody Right!” Harry laughed a little at the brief look of surprise on Severus’ face before asking Hermione what she wanted to drink. He sipped his fire whiskey as he looked around the hall. More than a few of people that he saw were sending death glares in Snape’s direction and Harry found himself sneering in much the same manner as Severus himself. “It would appear that you are not too popular, Severus.”


“Brilliant understatement. I must compliment you on your attire, Potter. Very Slytherin of you.” Severus raised and eyebrow and the silver robes with emerald green trim that Harry was absently straightening.


“I chose them, Professor.” Hermione leaned past Harry as she spoke. “It seemed like an appropriate statement to make now that the war is over. Not to mention that the green brings out Harry’s eyes. I am still holding out hope that some young lady will give him a reason to stay or at least visit often.” She winked at the older man as she ignored the grimace on her friends face.


“Well I certainly didn’t think that he dressed himself.” A cold voice interrupted. “ A little late for inter house cooperation isn’t it, Potter?” Malfoy continued as he moved to stand a little too close to Harry.


Harry blanched at the hatred that he could see in Draco’s grey eyes. “Look, Malfoy, if you want to talk we could go somewhere private.”


“I can assure you that I have no desire to speak with you privately. I just thought that I would let you know that if you want to keep certain things from the public, you might want to have a little chat with your portrait.” Draco gestured toward the dais at the front of the hall and walked away.


Horrified, Harry stared at the giant picture of himself that was currently glaring daggers at the portrait of Dumbledore that had been relocated for the event. Feeling nauseas and faint Harry realized that Draco had been right. They were going to honor the Former Headmaster, and worse he would have to speak to him. He tried to control the shaking in his legs as he moved toward the front of the Hall. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at the concerned Potions Master. “Harry, the presentation is starting. There is nothing that you can do right now.”


Harry turned back to the bar, his finger nails digging into the wood. He knew that this evening would be difficult but this was much worse than he had thought. He drew in a deep breath and started a calming ritual. Releasing his death grip on the bar he centered himself and listened half-heartedly as the minister was introduced and spilled a good thirty minutes of political jargon and platitudes before they honored Dumbledore as the fallen hero finally he was called to receive his award.


The gathered throng clapped and cheered as he made his way to the dais. Dumbledore called out a greeting as Harry approached, but he couldn’t force himself to respond with more than a nod. He had prepared a speech for this occasion, but he knew that he would not be able to pull of the humorous dialog that he had prepared. He shook Robards’ hand and took his Merlin First Class metal. Looking up and the smiling faces he forced himself to speak.


“I want to thank you for this honor. I would not be here to accept this if it hadn’t been for my friends, family, the professors at Hogwarts, and all the people that helped me with my training. Many thanks to Madam Pomfrey for patching me up countless times.” He nodded to the mediwitch. “I don’t have any great words of wisdom to impart so I will keep this very short. We lost too many wonderful people in this war and they will be sorely missed.” He couldn’t help but seek out Molly and Arthur. “I thank you for this award and wish you all peace and prosperity in the future.” He had intended to talk about misconceptions, and judging people on their past but that was all he could manage with headache that was building behind his eyes.


He took his place at the side of the hall to watch the others receive their awards. Remus Lupin hugged him tightly as he joined him and whispered in his ear how proud his parents and Sirius would be. Hermione accepted hers and Ron’s Medal and squeezed his hand as she passed him. He ignored the twinkling blue eyes that were trying to get his attention and focused on the stilted applause that greeted Severus and Draco. He was not alone in crying openly when the names of those that had died magically appeared on the wall as they were honored as fallen heroes.


Finally it was over and people went back to dancing, drinking, and mingling. Harry said his goodbye's and headed for the Floo. Severus caught him just before he stepped into the flames. “Don’t forget to send Hedwig for the potions.”


“I won’t, Severus. Thank you.”


He stepped into the flames and into his new life.

TBC