Life and Love After Voldemort

jdvalk2

Story Summary:
H/G, R/Hr story focusing on how career paths are finalized, life choices are made, and rings are exchanged. There's a goodly amount of romance, humor, action, adventure and mystery, as the quartet find that the post-Voldemort world holds its fair share of challenges.

Chapter 15 - Chapter 15

Chapter Summary:
Hot Hogwarts Hearts
Posted:
02/25/2009
Hits:
223


"What's that, Ron?" Harry said as he gestured to a small lockbox with the names of each Cannons player listed side by side.

"It's the wand holding area maintained by league and security. Some players have tried to sneak in their wands and cast spells while "holding" the wand in creative ways, but that usually backfires and causes trouble in the end. Get it, in the end?" Ron snickered as he elbowed Harry in the ribs.

"Yeah, I get it," Harry replied, cringing a little at the thought of a spell gone awry in the wrong place. He was getting an impromptu tour of the team's stadium and adjacent practice facility from Ron before his introductory press conference with the team.

The week at the Burrow had flown by, but Harry's mind was at ease as he started training with the Cannons because of the shared commitment he'd made with Ginny. Even the fact that the news of his engagement had brought Rita Skeeter calling didn't dampen Harry's jubilant mood. As a favor to Bagman, Harry agreed to give Rita the time of day in a private room at the Cannons' practice facility after the presser. Rather than interviewing Harry, Rita spent her time trying to get him to be party to an authorized autobiography. It was clear from Rita's cloying and sycophantic approach that she had realized that the public wasn't going to buy into - or buy, period -- a tome casting doubt on Harry's character anymore without the assistance she'd had from previous circumstances, so she'd decided to play up the sugary side of him and pitched him ideas to that effect. Her latest hit pieces haven't been selling; that's the only reason she's trying to get me on board.

Harry tried to be polite, but he wasn't interested on joining forces with Skeeter on anything, and made that clear. "But I just want to share your newfound happiness with the world!" Rita claimed. "How about : 'Apparating Into Bliss' or 'The Boy-Who-Loved?' Oh, I like that one!"

Why not go all out and call it 'Hot Hogwarts Hearts,' Harry growled to himself.

Harry had lost patience with Skeeter and her hypocritical façade. The last thing he wanted to do was help her make more money off him. "Look, Rita, why don't you leave me out of the picture for once? There's got to be something else your antennae can lock onto, maybe even without dragging the subject through the mud in the process."

"My dear boy, nothing pays the bills like you! You can either put your name behind the story or leave me to my own devices, which might not leave some of your friends and impending relations in the best light, especially those trying to make the transition from school to the real world, hmm?"

This taunt made Harry see red. "Don't you dare bring them into this! I'm not going to be blackmailed into doing your bidding, especially when I can snap my fingers and get your credentials pulled plus have you up on charges."

Rita sneered in response, and was not intimidated by Harry's threat like the time before. "You want to play rough, Potter? You tell your precious Ministry friends my secret, and my lawyers will buy me enough time to make your life a misery no matter how my hearing goes. You think you're home free, but times can change, sooner than you might think. Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house -- or penthouse suite, as the case may be. You'd be smart to play ball and make an ally out of me, though it's no skin off my nose if you pull your nobility act instead."

"Thanks, but I think I've shown I can take care of myself, especially with my friends behind me," Harry countered.

Rita sniffed the air with indifference. "Have it your way; you've still got your enemies, which I bet you'll find out in a way that will make your hair curl."

"Do you promise? I can never do anything with this mop of mine, and some well-placed curls would really bring out my eyes! By the way, we're done here," stated Harry as he gestured towards the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry made his way to his new living quarters in Chudley. He had accepted Ron's offer to split costs of the penthouse suite, which was more than big enough for the two of them, having shared a dorm a fraction of the size for years.

Ron was enraged by Skeeter's attempt at blackmailing Harry. "That cow! We should have turned her carcass over to the Ministry ages ago."

Harry disagreed. "Where would that have gotten us, especially with the Ministry going downhill fast and her ability to slither out of trouble? I'm actually glad she lost it and revealed that she'd hide behind her lawyers and try to destroy me and my friends if I still had the idea to spill her Animagus secret. Kingsley was right; arrogance certainly loosens the tongue and shows cracks in one's armor. I guess I'll just have to document evidence the old-fashioned way and be ready to bring that to the table if she steps over the line. Think we can fit in another project, Hermione?"

Hermione had appeared to be lost in thought as she huddled with Ron on an enormous orange couch in one of the three lounge areas in the suite. "I think she may be up to more than she let on. You're sure she said that she bet you'd find out about your enemies in a way that will 'make your hair curl,' Harry?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I was pretty much locked in to every word as the conversation escalated. Why?"

"Well, those are the exact words she used about your team's manager in front of us during the Triwizard Tournament: 'I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl.'"

Ron stared at Hermione like she'd suddenly transformed into a Veela. "How in the world can you remember that? I can't even remember how many plates of sausage I had for breakfast."

"Please; I'm always locked in when that witch is around stirring up trouble. Harry, I don't she's bluffing. I think her dropping that phrase again in that context and even tossing in 'bet' for good measure is her twisted way of dangling a clue in front of your nose that she's sure you'll never figure out."

Harry was perplexed. "What clue, Hermione?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure it has something to do with Bagman. Rita's been digging and might have found about some new skeletons or schemes -- "

"-- And she'd just as soon make a bargain with him as uncover what's he's up to," chimed in Harry. "I don't doubt either one is capable of that, but I think you might be connecting dots that aren't there. Ludo's got what he's always wanted: money and fame. He's convinced that I'm only going to add to both of his loves, so I'm going to let him run the team while I concentrate on dodging Bludgers and catching Snitches."

Harry could tell that Hermione was taken aback by Harry's brush-off of her concerns, so he decided to defuse the situation. "I'm going to hit the showers and then get some sleep. Say hi to Ginny for me when you get back to the Burrow, Hermione."

"Okay, Harry; I'm only trying to help, you know."

"He knows, dear," said Ron, comforting his suddenly sullen girlfriend. "Remember, practice is at 7 a.m. sharp, mate!"

"Thanks, Ron." Harry closed the door of his room and pounded a fist into his other hand. Way to go, Rita; you've done it again...