The Interlude

Chapter 8: Fear is Strong and Love's for Everyone Who Isn't Me

"I hate this!" Harry yelled, disturbing the thoughtful silence that had settled over the table. Several people nodded their heads in agreement, but no one spoke.

Harry wasn't sure how long it had been since Morro Disapparated, since they'd gathered around the table to stare at each other and think, half an hour maybe, and still no one had come up with a good idea about what to do about the Muggle-born situation.

"What if I join them?" Hermione suggested suddenly. It was obvious that she'd been pondering this possibility for some time.

"That's your decision," Mr. Weasley said sadly. "If you want to join them we won't be the ones to stop you."

But Harry shook his head, knowing that wasn't what she meant.

"No, no!" Hermione yelped a second later when she realized their miscommunication. "I could be a spy and tell you what they're planning, like Professor Snape used to. I might even be able to convince them to consider peaceful alternatives."

It might have been the best option any of them had come up with since the entire Muggle-born rebellion began, but it was far too risky for Hermione. Ron looked positively terrified at the thought and Harry thought he saw him grab Hermione's hand under the table.

"That didn't work out so well for Snape," Harry pointed out carefully.

"These aren't Death Eaters we're dealing with," Hermione replied.

"They acting like them," Harry said.

"I can handle myself!" Hermione yelled.

"Alright!" Mr. Weasley shouted over them. "Thank you, Hermione, for the offer, but it would be very risky for you. I suggest that we hold the idea in reserve until we've run out of other options."

Hermione seemed appeased although perhaps not satisfied with the suggestion and Ron looked about as relieved as Harry felt.

"Right, then," Mr. Weasley sighed. "All we need now are some other options."

They lapsed back into silence for a moment before Ginny said, "Hermione doesn't need to be the one to suggest peaceful alternatives, maybe the Ministry-"

"Sorry dear," Mr. Weasley replied, cutting her off. "But I've already suggested that to the Department of Magical Cooperation. They said that Scrimgeour's policy is not to deal with terrorists."

"Then what about us?" Ginny suggested. "We could-"

"It would look like we were giving in to threats," Mr. Weasley said, all of the fatigue and worry suddenly gone from his voice. One only had to look at him to know that the Weasley clan would not go down that path as long as he was at its head.

"Well there's got to be something we can do," Ginny replied.

"We have to do something," Harry added. "I have to do something, but I can't. It's a war that can't be fought."

"That's not going to stop them from trying," said a foreign voice.

Six heads whipped around to see a deflated looking Percy coming through the back door. He sank gratefully into the nearest chair, looking like he hadn't slept in days.

"Scrimgeour just mobilized the Aurors."

"He did what?" Mr. Weasley demanded, leaping to his feet.

"They've been authorized to subdue and arrest any suspicious Muggle-borns," Percy explained. "I tried to get someone to talk him out of it, but no one would listen."

Everyone fell back into silence as the magnitude of these words hit them. This was it, they were about to begin another war mere weeks after the end of the last one. Never before had Harry felt so defeated.

This time, the silence was infuriating, and, one by one, everyone got to their feet to seek out private corners to think. Harry was about to do the same when Percy called him back.

"I think I have an idea," he said, seeming to battle himself with every word, "but I'd need your help."

Harry was so desperate for a solution that he didn't much care where it came from, so he wordlessly followed Percy upstairs to his room.

Harry had never been in Percy's room before, but he was more surprised by the fact that it had been kept apparently unchanged throughout Percy's defection than by its immaculate organization. Aunt Petunia would have been proud. There didn't seem to be a speck of dust out of place and every award Percy had ever received was on display. However, Percy winced when he saw those and refocused his attention on Harry.

"You're famous, Harry," Percy began.

"I suppose," Harry admitted uncomfortably, wondering where Percy was going with this. "I try not to think about that, really."

"People look to you," Percy continued. "They listen to you. You might have more influence than the Minister himself."

"That's not the sort of think I like to get reminded about," Harry stammered.

"You could put an end to this entire conflict," Percy added, looking like he was trying to get Harry to guess the plan on his own.

"I could?" Harry asked. "Er, I mean, how? I fight things, but we're trying to stop this from turning violent. You're the politician."

Percy broke off eye contact abruptly and started pacing back and forth across his room. It seemed that Harry had forced him to his point sooner than he'd expected and he'd rather lost his nerve.

Finally, Percy stopped pacing and turned to face Harry.

"I have a proposition for you," he began.

***************

Harry had been surprised so many times in recent days that he hadn't thought one more would faze him, but that was before he heard what Percy had to say. At first he'd thought it was the most absurd idea he'd ever heard, but the more he thought about it the better it sounded. Harry felt numb all over and it was taking far too much concentration to climb up the stairs, but eventually he made it up to Ron's room and was relieved to find both Ron and Hermione inside.

"What happened to you?" Ron asked when Harry knocked and entered. "You look like you had a run in with the Whomping Willow."

"I...uh..." Harry stumbled, sinking gracelessly onto his cot. "Percy just made an interesting suggestion...and it makes sense...but I don't know much about this sort of thing...and I wanted to know what you thought."

"Let's hear it then," Hermione offered, her crossed arms confirming Harry's suspicion that knowing the idea came from Percy wouldn't earn it any credibility.

"Right," Harry started. "Well, Percy figures that I've probably got more fame and influence than the Minister, now I've killed Voldemort, and since Scrimgeour's making things worse Percy says I should start spreading around the idea of kicking out Scrimgeour and choosing a new Minister."

There was a long moment in which they all stared at each other uncomprehendingly.

"Depose the Minister of Magic?" Hermione said finally.

Harry nodded.

"Percy suggested that?" Ron asked skeptically.

"It surprised me too," Harry confirmed, "but he's the one who'd know about that sort of thing."

"Depose the Minster of Magic," Hermione breathed.

"Yes, we've established that," Harry replied hotly. "Can we get on to the bit where the two of you tell me whether or not it's a good idea?"

"I don't know," Hermione admitted. "I've never read about anything like this happening before."

"Someone write it down," Ron said. "On this day Hermione didn't know something."

"This is serious, Ron," Hermione snapped.

"It does make sense, right?" Harry prodded. "I mean, Scrimgeour was the head of the Auror office and he was chosen Minister because he'd be a good leader during the war."

"He's bound to be a bit more militaristic about things," Hermione agreed.

"So maybe he's not such a good leader during peace," Harry added.

"He's trying to turn this disagreement into a war because that's what he knows how to deal with," Hermione continued.

"So, maybe we need someone in charge who's more willing to negotiate," Harry finished.

"What do you think, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Why don't we just go ask my Dad?" Ron replied.

Harry could have kicked himself and Hermione actually did. It sounded so obvious now that Ron had said it, but after over a year of just the three of them working to find the Horcruxes with almost no outside help, the option hadn't even occurred to them.

Ron shrugged at them and made for the door. Hermione started to follow, but Harry held her back.

"I wanted to apologize," Harry began.

"For what?" Hermione asked, eyes narrowing.

"For yelling at you before about Lupin," Harry explained regretfully. "You were right, it wasn't fair of me. You did what you thought you had to."

After a short delay, Hermione's eyes brightened with comprehension and she yelped, "Oh, that. It's alright, just forget about it."

"If you're sure," Harry replied, eyeing her skeptically.

"I am," Hermione confirmed.

"Alright, well, I think when you came up there you had something you wanted to say," Harry offered. "I never let you."

"It isn't important," Hermione assured him. "Let's go see what Mr. Weasley thinks of Percy's plan."

They caught up with Ron at the foot of the stairs and followed his gaze to watch Mr. Weasley give a stern lecture to Ginny about underage magic. Fortunately, it wasn't long before he'd deemed her sufficiently chastised and let her go with a parting thanks for coming to get him when the situation required it. Hoping that the speech hadn't put him in a bad mood, Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached with Percy's plan.

As it transpired, Mr. Weasley didn't know much more about the plan than they did. It took them some time to convince him that it really had been Percy who suggested it, but after that he didn't tell them much that Harry and Hermione hadn't already deduced, although he did add that if things continued the way they were going then this idea could hardly make things much worse, which Harry, Ron, and Hermione hoped meant that he thought they should try it.

Supposing they'd made all the progress they could, Harry, Ron, and Hermione returned to the stairs, but Harry stopped and sat down onto the nearest step half way up the first flight, suddenly feeling quite unequal to the rest of the climb.

"Go ahead," Harry said in reply to Ron and Hermione's curious glances. "I need some time to think."

Harry didn't move as he listened to their footsteps climb the stairs until they blended into the general noise of the Burrow. He didn't actually think about much of anything either, just studied the worn wood between his feet until he recognized Ginny's soft footsteps approaching from behind and stopping a few steps above him.

"Harry?" Ginny asked after a pause.

"Nay," Harry sighed. "I'm actually a clever illusion created by smoke, mirrors, and a smattering of very difficult charms.

"You seem real to me," Ginny replied, sitting down next to him.

"Don't be fooled," Harry said. "The real me died two weeks ago."

"You didn't," Ginny said, straightening up. "Don't joke about that. You just...you need to find something else to live for now Voldemort's gone."

"That may be true," Harry admitted. "When, exactly, did you get to know me so well?"

"There are some who say I spent a few of my formative years stalking you," Ginny said, giggling.

"I don't know if I'd call it stalking," Harry replied, joining in. "Following, maybe."

"It was stalking," Ginny assured him, inspiring another fit of laughter in both of them.

When they recovered, Harry said, "How did things go with your Dad?"

"I've seen worse," Ginny replied, shrugging. "He really only told me off because he had to, since he actually thought it was a good thing someone came and got him. But by the time he got round to talking to me he'd had a chance to think it over, so the first thing he asked was why I'd been the one to go."

Sensing what Ginny was about to babble into, Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Of course, you and Hermione were by the door and we didn't have time to tell you to get help when things got personal, so it was between Ron and me, and...did you know about Ron?"

"Yes," Harry said. "I'm not supposed to. He didn't want anyone to find out, but Hermione told me anyway."

"I'd never seen him like that before," Ginny continued. "The look on his face when I told him to Apparate to get Dad and he said he couldn't, that he couldn't do magic at all."

Harry considered several ways to respond to that but they all got caught in his throat until he gave up entirely and said, "You really Apparated right into the Ministry."

"I did," Ginny replied, sounding grateful for the change of subject.

"Without a license," Harry continued, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"Dad was so sure that I'd be carted straight off to Azkaban. Mum's usually the one who does the yelling, but when Dad gets going there's not much that can stop him. I had to wait for him to finish before I could tell him why I'd come. Come to think of it, some of the things he said were kind of funny. I guess he wasn't really thinking about what he was saying. Once he got ahead of himself and said I'd go to Azkaban and get Os on all my N.E.W.T.s."

"Did he," Harry laughed.

"It even made sense at the time," Ginny added. "Now I can't think of how that would possibly work. I don't think the Death Eaters and Dementors would volunteer to quiz me in Transfiguration."

"Well, if all your worst memories are of going to class," Harry offered.

"That's true," Ginny replied. "But even Snape's classes were pleasant compared to-" She cut herself off, smile fading.

"I know," Harry sighed. "And then, just when we thought it was over-"

"But you're going to stop this rebellion too," Ginny interrupted.

"I thought you might have been eavesdropping," Harry teased.

"If you'd told me in the first place then I wouldn't have needed to," Ginny pointed out. "So Percy really suggested that plan?"

"Why is that the only part of this that people get hung up on?" Harry pouted.

"You know Percy," Ginny replied steadfastly. "He was completely devoted to the Ministry. A month ago he would have done his best to throw anyone who tried deposing the Minster in Azkaban. Now he's gone and suggested it himself. Maybe he really has changed."

"I guess I hadn't really thought of it like that," Harry admitted. "There's this other bit that has me worried, see."

"You've spent most of your life trying to avoid your fame," Ginny intuited.

"And now I'm going to use it to depose the Minister," Harry sighed. "Yeah, that's the part. That and I could get sent to Azkaban for trying."

"Not you," Ginny sighed, laying her head on his shoulder.

"They should have chucked me in there a long time ago," Harry sighed. "If I were anyone else they probably would have. Did you know I used the killing curse on Voldemort?"

"I suspected," Ginny replied, shuddering.

"I didn't even know I could, but then I did," Harry said. "That makes me the only person who's ever survived it, and probably the only person who's been thanked for using it."

"You sound like you want to get sent to Azkaban," Ginny said, sitting up.

"I've messed up and people have gotten hurt or killed because of it," Harry pointed out, "but I still get painted as a hero. I don't deserve it."

"Would you rather people remember you as the kid who lost Gryffindor a hundred and fifty points for helping Hagrid in his first year or the person who put a stop to Voldemort?" Ginny insisted.

Harry shook his head.

"What are you planning to do? Sulk and second guess every decision you've ever made?"

"I stopped making plans a long time ago," Harry sighed.

"So you're going to live out the rest of your life going from moment to moment?" Ginny demanded.

"I don't know," Harry insisted. "Ask Ron and Hermione if you don't believe me. When you know the rest of your life may not last much longer you don't do much planning for it."

"I know, alright!" Ginny exclaimed. "I lived through the war too. When you, Ron, and Hermione were who-knows-where and I was up to my elbows in pointless essays, the one thing that kept me going was the fact that you were out there somewhere, trying to put an end to all of it, because as long as you were out there it couldn't go on forever."

"Sure," Harry muttered. "Everyone thought that."

"Not because you were the Chosen One," Ginny explained. "Because you are you and prophecy or not you would do everything you could to put a stop to Voldemort."

"When I was out there," Harry said quietly, "and things were darkest, I always had Ron and Hermione, but they also had each other, and as happy as I was that you were safe at Hogwarts, there were times I wished I had you."

"At Dumbledore's funeral, you said that there were things you had to do alone," Ginny said slowly. "You were afraid Voldemort might use me against you. Well, there's no Voldemort anymore, and you don't have to be alone anymore."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair finally realizing that Ginny had been guiding the conversation in this direction all along and wishing he'd noticed sooner.

"There are still things I need to do," Harry replied after a moment. "Look at this Muggle-born rebellion. It might not be violent yet, but it could be soon, and things like that won't stop happening. Think of what it would do to me if something happened to you. Or what it would do to you if it happened to me. It can't let you live like that."

"You think I'm not already?" Ginny demanded. "And I think you are too. If you keep thinking like that then nothing will ever happen, no plans, no future, no...no nothing."

"I miss you," Harry admitted, "but I have to take care of this first, and maybe, hopefully, it will be the last thing, for awhile at least."

"No!" Ginny exploded. "I'm not going to sit back and accept that this time."

"Please, Ginny," Harry begged, "just until we're sure it's safe."

"The war's over, or haven't you noticed," Ginny spat. "I know things won't go back to the way they were before, and maybe things are more dangerous now, but I'm willing to risk it. Are you really going to give this up without a fight? That doesn't sound like you."

"I've had enough of fighting," Harry sighed.

"Alright," Ginny replied, getting to her feet.

A minute later Harry heard her door close with a bit more force than was truly necessary and buried his head in his hands.