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Leaving With the Devil	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 38951 -:- Recommendations : 6 -:- Currently Reading : 14
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work that throws most of canon out the window

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
A reminder of what's on my profile; reviews whinging or complaining about lack 'o smut in stories get deleted. If you want something that is one long, smut-filled story, find something else to read as my work isn't for you.

Beta'd by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do for me!
With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Chapter 15

On her lunch break at work, seated alone in the cafeteria, Hermione worked with some figures she had written on a piece of parchment. While she didn’t know the price Sirius wanted for Grimmauld Place, she could ballpark with prices of similar such homes. She decided she wanted the house and was now attempting to figure out how to afford it. From her calculations, she thought she could swing it, but needed a firm figure on the price to know for sure.

After shoving the parchment aside, she began to eat before her food grew cold. While she noshed, her eyes kept drifting back to the parchment. This—she wanted the house, badly. More than anything else. Though the place was huge, she already had plans for the rooms. It would work out well in so many ways. Tonight she would write to Sirius to inquire about the price and possible financing then would go from there, hoping she could manage.

As she polished off her main entrée, she jotted down a couple minor notes then put the parchment in her robes. When she tucked back into her food, she focused on other areas. Her job—she wasn’t concerned about it. She would just have the standard to deal with and could handle it. Other areas were bothering her, though.

When she finished her meal then vanished the tray to the kitchen, she sipped her coffee. Her mind then focused on the appointment after work. Rufus wanted another meeting to set up a strategy on what to do and a method for contacting him in a way which didn’t risk exposing her position. She took no issue with that and felt slightly relieved.

She let out an imperceptible sigh and rolled her shoulders a couple of times to release some tension. No, she wasn’t waffling on her choice to spy, it was just stressful. With all else going on, like with Ron, she felt as though she was under plenty of pressure. Thankfully, it was letting up. Ron’s suspension was almost over, Ginny was now in training with a private security firm, and the rest had finally started to sort itself out. This meant everything was finally settling and smoothing out, making it easier on her.

Still sipping at her coffee, she had to smile just a tad. Normally, she had lunch with Ron when he wasn’t out on a case, but this week she dined alone. Though she adored her fiancée, the quiet meals were nice for a change. Next week would go back to the usual, something she would adore, but the break probably helped her plenty with the stress.

A frown then marred her face and she let out a soft sigh as she thought of the hell probably coming from Voldemort. From what she could tell there was no way of avoiding it. However, on the flip side, she thought the information was there to stop him now. And Sirius and Harry had given them a chance they didn’t have before. They just had to find a way to figure it out.

Once she finished her coffee, she glanced at her watch. Time to get back to work. There was a ton to do, so she wouldn’t have time to focus on the more worrisome areas. That would be nice.

Sirius tossed the final piece of paperwork on the table then leaned back with a soft groan. As he took a sip of his beer, he looked at his husband then nodded. It appeared Harry was on the last as well. After a glance around, he chuckled. “We must be close to the end with the paperwork since we don’t have nearly as much to fill out as we did in the beginning.”

“I hope,” Harry told him, signing the last then tossing it into his pile. “It’s not taking nearly as long to finish. Hoping there isn’t much more.”

“We’re through the worst,” Sirius assured him. “I think most of what will come now deals with the properties and citizenship. The bank should be done and it’ll be us just waiting for their confirmation. Then we deal from there.”

“And wait while trying to keep our arses out of the line of fire,” Harry snorted, shaking his head and sipping his butterbeer.

“That too,” Sirius admitted with a grumble, scrubbing both hands through his hair. “While we’re safe here, we’ll both go mental if we’re confined to the house. Which means we go into Muggle areas. And we’ll have to watch our backs when we do.”

“Nothing we haven’t dealt with before,” Harry shrugged. “It’ll be more dangerous this time, though. The arse is targeting Muggles. While this is a big country, we have plenty to worry about.”

“As long as we stay in Muggle areas, heavily populated ones, we should be fine,” Sirius reassured. “We’re used to watching our backs, so this won’t be any different.”

“Just more urgent,” Harry nodded, realizing Sirius was right.

“Right,” Sirius agreed. Then, with a smile, he said, “Rather than sit around and worry, let’s go out for a bit.”

“Sounds great,” Harry grinned. “How about we go into London? We can wander around, play tourist, and grab a bite to eat. Maybe even find a nice pub to watch some telly in.”

“Good itinerary!” Sirius nodded, grinning himself. “We can even get on that big wheel to feed your sadistic need to torture me,” he added, grin growing.

With a nod, Harry laughed. “Great! Sounds like fun. And remember I could have come up with something a lot worse.”

After standing with a soft groan, Sirius walked over to Harry and clapped him on the back then ruffled his hair. “This I know well,” he chuckled then gave him a quick kiss.

With a smile, Harry stood. “I’ll grab our Muggle money and make sure we have plenty so we don’t have to change any.”

“We need to avoid any areas our kind congregate,” Sirius told him, sobering up. “That’s not a joke. Plenty are right irate with us, Harry. The elves have told me we get plenty of hate mail from all over. We won’t get into Death Eaters and ordinary folks who support that side. So, yes, we need to stay alert.”

“We do,” Harry agreed. “Glamours and whatnot are needed along with spells.”

“Something we’ll use,” Sirius told him, giving Harry another clap on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get ready so we have lots of time.”

With a grin and nod, Harry stood then followed. Though wary and concerned, he planned to have fun.

Hermione settled in a comfortable chair at the long dining room table by the chair at the head of it. Though she wasn’t sure where she was she assumed it might be a Ministry safe house, but couldn’t be certain. All she knew for sure was she was Portkeyed here by Rufus’ bodyguards so she didn’t know where she was going.

Rufus took a seat at the head of the table just as she took her first sip of tea an elf served her. After dumping an armload of paperwork on the table, he took a seat with a tired sigh. “Right, let’s jump right in,” he said after a bracing drink of butterbeer. When she nodded, he pressed onwards, “First, do you have any set time you need to return home so no one ends up suspicious?”

“No, my night is completely free,” she replied with a shake of her head. “It’s the night I do my grocery shopping and other chores, so no one would think anything of it if I come in late or aren’t home if they firecall.”

“Perfect,” Rufus nodded. “I have some ideas here I want to cover with you once I hear your report.” Then he waited to hear anything she had to say.

“I’ve heard nothing I haven’t already reported,” she told him honestly. “My understanding is everyone in the Order is scrambling from the fallout and trying to come up with new plans. There are mutterings of a meeting in the next week or so, but I haven’t heard a confirmation as of yet. I’ll report in when I have a date then what’s said.” She assured him.

“Please do,” Rufus nodded. He then shifted gears and told her, “I want to hear about the Horcruxes, all the information you have.” Then he pulled out a picture of the locket Black and Potter sent them. After explaining how it came into their hands, he asked, “Is this something others mentioned?”

Brow furrowed as she looked at the picture after she took it, she then shook her head. “I’ve heard nothing about a locket. However, we haven’t been told much about the Horcruxes. If Albus does know more, he’s not telling most of us. The leads we’re looking at—we’re not sure what we’re hunting, when it comes to what the object is, just that it’s a Horcrux. The only one we know for sure is the diary Harry destroyed his second year. There is something about a ring, but I’m not sure what it means.” Then she told him everything, in detail, that she knew. In the past, she would have felt guilty about saying such things, seeing it as a betrayal, but she didn’t now. It felt like she was helping more than she ever did in the Order.

Rufus took notes about what she said, listening intently. After a few questions to clarify some items, he leaned back, twirling his quill between his fingers as he thought it over. Then, slowly, he asked, “Do you have an inkling about this or see a pattern?” He knew Granger was highly intelligent and might have put something together with the information she had.

Hermione once more looked at the picture he handed over, thinking. Then, with a sigh, she admitted, “I don’t have anything, sorry. It comes down to I don’t have enough information to put together the clues we do have.” After another glance at the picture, she asked, “Do you know anything of the history when it comes to the locket? That might give me some clues that could help.”

“Not much,” he admitted. “It’s more just scientific evidence and measurements.”

“You might want to trace its history. It should give us some clues. I’m sure he didn’t pick objects to use at random for this.”

“A suggestion I’ll take,” Rufus nodded as he jotted down a note about it. He then folded his hands on the table and looked at her. “I want to ask you some more questions about what you heard and your conclusions.”

When she agreed, he sent for a meal for the both of them then launched in with the questions.

About ten the two finally finished talking and what he heard pleased Rufus a great deal. As he had been told, she was very intelligent, something which helped him. During just this short talk, he learned plenty and she helped slide other clues into place because she saw areas he didn’t. This was something he needed more of, which meant he had to find a way to put her in a position where she could do more and not just in clandestine meetings.

Once he thought it over as he stared at the mass of notes he had taken, a plan formed. Though he had come up with a way to meet her which kept her protected, he chucked it out. This would work out far better. After a determined nod, he told her bluntly, “I need you in a better position in the Ministry than where you are, Miss Granger. Your superiors give your work glowing reviews and I know you love your job.”

Though pleased with the compliment and knowing her superiors liked how she did her job, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” She asked, starting to wring her hands a little.

“Nothing to worry about,” he assured her, seeing a worried crease on her forehead and a slight frown there. Before she could ask, he pressed onwards, “As you know, I’ve been shifting people to the DMLE as the war heated up and I need them for various areas. I’m doing that with you.”

“But, Sir!” Hermione sputtered, wringing her hands harder. “I love my job and feel as though I do a great deal of good.”

“I know you do,” he placated. Rather than allow her to continue to fret, he pressed on, “I need you more in this new position, Miss Granger. What I’m going to do is transfer you to the DMLE.”

“Why the DMLE? I’m not trained to work there and only know the basics of the laws,” she asked, now curious what he could want from her that would involve the transfer.

“You know more than most from what I understand,” he chuckled dryly, grinning just a bit. “However, you won’t need the training most have to go through, just some of the basics.” Seeing her about to say something again, he continued, “What I’m setting you up as is a liaison between the DMLE and me. You will receive reports from the head of the DMLE then correlate everything and bring it to me. You will only answer to me.” Then he lowered his voice and added, “Which means you’ll see everything coming from the DMLE and Auror department. This way you will have the opportunity to go through it all and piece together what you see for patterns or from what you know as a member of the Order.”

Slowly the light began to dawn for Hermione as he talked. He wanted her to help get the right information which could help the war effort. After pondering it, she asked, slowly, “If I accept, how are you going to explain this with me being a known Order member.? It’ll look highly suspicious to everyone in the Order.”

Rufus smiled, knowing she was leaning the right direction, then explained, “It won’t. As plenty know by now, I’ve shifted several people around where I need them then shifted Order members so I can keep an eye on them. This would be seen the same way, especially since you would be answering directly to me. Most would see the move as me keeping you close so I can keep my eyes on you. Then he stopped and waited for her reaction.

While Hermione thought it over, she began to nod. Yes, this was perfect! She could help plenty and it would look good for everyone. However, she had a suggestion which could shore up plenty for it to look better for both sides. “If I do this, you might want me to sign a binding agreement which states I can’t pass information to unauthorized sources. Such a document would not only look good for all, but stop Albus from pressuring me for information we don’t want him to have.”

“Easily done,” Rufus agreed, pleased with the suggestion and planning to do so. “Does this mean you accept?” He asked, plenty hopeful.

“I—yes, I do. I think this is something which will work well for both of us,” she told him, smiling.

“Good,” Rufus nodded, happy as well. Mindful of the time, he then began to explain how he wanted to go about this so she could go home and he could prepare what he needed.

About midnight, Harry and Sirius were stretched out on the settee in the main parlor together with Sirius behind Harry, holding him close. They were just getting back from the night out and had a great time. In fact, they were having so much fun they came home long after they intended to, having lost track of time. As he held the letter from Hermione, Harry’s head leaned back against Sirius’ shoulder, eyes shut, smiling. “We need to do that more, Sirius. It helped the stress levels nicely.”

“We will,” Sirius assured him, arm which was draped over his midsection giving Harry a squeeze. “Maybe try out all the big towns to see what they have to offer in the way of entertainment.” Then with a grin, he added, a chuckle in his voice, “And that big wheel wasn’t bad. The view from the top was rather spectacular.”

“Told you,” Harry grinned, snuggling up closer to his husband. Eyes going shut, he let out a contented sigh, “I vote we make up some kind of charm like we did while you were wanted and wear those rather than do glamours and such when we go out. That way we can shift them at will in case someone starts to look at us too closely.”

“Good plan and one we’ll use,” Sirius nodded, holding him close then giving him a kiss on the side of his head. Just holding him close, he let out a contented sigh, shutting his eyes.

Not moving, Harry glanced at the letter from Hermione then asked, “Is there a way to sell her the house and finance it? I know we might not get as much as if we put it on the open market, but it’ll end up one less burden for us when it comes to waiting for it to sell.”

“We can and will,” Sirius assured him. “Before we go to bed tonight, I’ll write her up a letter with the price and financing information then we’ll go from there. Of course, I’ll ensure the elves have it cleaned up as I’m not selling anyone that nasty arse house the way it is, especially her. Then we’ll see what she can afford and work from there.”

“Glad it’s going to someone who can use it and it’ll protect her,” Harry sighed softly, smiling again. “She’s going to need somewhere good with all that’s happening.”

“Completely agree,” Sirius said. “One less thing for us to worry about as well.” As he held Harry close, unwilling to let go and move, adoring the closeness, he began to ask what he knew about other cities and their amusements. With as much fun as they had tonight, he wanted to do it several times a week. If he had an idea ahead of time what was out there, they could make plans to ensure they stayed safe.

Just as Harry and Sirius were finally turning in for the night, Minerva found herself seated across the table from Aberforth after the Hog’s Head closed. Of course, she didn’t like coming to the pub as she didn’t feel comfortable here, but since it was closed and they were in his private quarters, it was better.

She had just finished telling him about what she heard from the meeting with the Weasleys, Tonks and Remus and now wanted to hear his stance. Though he and Albus didn’t get along, he was a good neutral party to bounce ideas off. After a sip of her scotch, she asked, “What do you think? Should we bring this up to him? Since that meeting, I’ve talked to a few others and they are expressing the same kind of concern about the situation.” Then, with a shake of her head, she added, “I’m not sure what’s going on there, Aberforth. Something is off. I was also hoping you could help me suss it out.”

“He’s slowly been going off his trolley for a while and this proves it,” the man snorted, shaking his head. Then he sighed and added, “I think Albus is so focused on what he wants done and how he thinks it should go that he can’t see beyond it. I also think he doesn’t realize the government now isn’t like what he’s dealt with before, even when Cornelius was after his head. Rufus—he’s a whole other matter and Albus doesn’t seem to realize that.”

“Perhaps,” Minerva conceded with a nod, though her brow was furrowed. “I don’t know though,” she then added. “Something is wrong for him to come across with some of what he has.”

“I don’t think so,” Aberforth snorted. “He just wraps himself in that slightly deranged wizard cloak and wants everyone to chalk up so much to that then let it go. It gets him plenty far, of course. This is just another example. His ego is such that he doesn’t think anyone would dare take him on, even the Minister or the Ministry. He would either escape or they won’t take that step. This is just another example.”

“That might be,” Minerva agreed, thinking it might be the reason as it sounded right. “However, several of us agree it does have to stop.”

“It does. And as fast as we can manage,” Aberforth told her. “As in right now. This can’t go on. I think we need to force Albus to realize Rufus isn’t the enemy. Though there are plenty in the Ministry working for the other side, if we can give Rufus the names, he’ll tend to it so fast that they won’t know what spell hit them. He’s just—going about it the way he always has. We can’t do that anymore. All it’ll end up is Albus landing his hindquarters in Azkaban and us having no clue what to do or where to look for what we need. Rufus isn’t playing here.”

“Yes, things need to change. The secrecy is top of the list there. If something happens to him, we have no idea what to do about so much, let alone what the hints are to find the other Horcruxes.” Minerva sighed, folding her hands on the table.

“Exactly,” Aberforth said pointedly. Then he sighed and added, “The point might be moot now. I’m sure the evil one has either checked on them and set up more protections or moved them. However, the spoon-feeding us tiny bits of information to run with needs to end. We all need to know what’s going on to end up effective. Snape alone needs protection of some sort. Rufus wouldn’t ever give up what he knows, even under the most extreme torture. He can help. And Snape can help him, plenty. Albus hoarding information helps no one but Albus.”

After a slow nod as she thought it over, Minerva then told him, “I’m setting up a meeting within the next couple of days. If you don’t mind, we might need your help in pushing this the right way. Others, though they agree, don’t want to add their voices to the fray.”

“You can count me in,” he assured her with a determined nod. “Trust me, between all of us we’ll get him kicked the right direction. I doubt he realizes the dissent in his own ranks and how plenty are questioning so much, but he needs to. Until we slap Albus with reality here, he’s not going to change.”

“It needs to or all we’ve done will end up for naught,” Minerva groused after another sip of her scotch. Then she began asking Aberforth if he knew ways to get this across the quickest and easiest. What they didn’t need was to ignite all out war among the Order itself. That would only give You-Know-Who more of an advantage than he already had.
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Leaving With the Devil