Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Lucius Views: 96985 -:- Recommendations : 12 -:- Currently Reading : 15
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no form of profit off this story

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Chapter 26

Beta'd by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do for me!

Throwing a copy of that morning's Seer at Renfield, Archibald shouted, “Would you like to explain to me why the Prophet didn't get the official statement? And why we got absolutely nothing from the press conference other than some pat statement that all media outlets were sent?”
Looking at the Seer, feeling his gut catch fire once more, Renfield tossed it on his desk then shook his head. Looking at the Prophet's owner, he sighed, “I don't know for sure. All I have are clues. We can't get anything, anywhere, from the Ministry, Archibald. It's like everyone, even contacts I've cultivated, personally, for years, have clammed up.” Sighing, he leaned back and scrubbed both hands over his face then said, softly, “All I have are guesses on this. That and some vague murmurings of what's coming out of the prosecutor's office.”
“Care to fill me in?” Archibald asked, tone snide, folding his arms over his chest.
Looking at the man, knowing this was going to anger him all the more, Renfield said, quietly, “I hear they are looking at leveling charges in our direction. Our following Fudge's lead, them pulling the man's financials, as well as who is now Minister, all of it, tells me we may have more problems than just us not getting the lead in stories like we used to. We won't even talk about Skeeter and Winchell. That's going to hurt us. They may have done what they did on their own, but they are still employed by us. With all else that went on before what they did, we're in trouble. It sounds like the Ministry is cutting us out, completely. We're usually the first they call on at press conferences. Fredrick told me that Wienstein wouldn't even look in his direction. He took questions from everyone but those associated with the Prophet.” Lowering his voice and shaking his head, he imparted, “I think we've dug part of our own grave.” Picking up the Seer and skimming the official apology then what was said on other topics with a practiced eye, he sighed, “Until this mess blows over, I'll bet my wand that we're cut out of everything. I'll see what I can dig up, but don't count on much.”
Flushing bright red, feeling the blood rushing in his ears, Archibald snarled, beginning to pace in front of the desk, “You better do something or it's your job! This is the biggest damned story to come along in years, bigger than Sirius Black, the breakout of Azkaban and other things wrapped up in one and we're getting nothing! It's your job to make damned sure we stay competitive! We can't do that if we don't get the information and tips we need.”
Looking at the man, Renfield was about at the end of what he could take. This had been the week from hell, all there was to it. He didn't need all this laid on his shoulders. Leaning forward, eyes hardening, he snapped, “You cannot lay this on me, Archibald! It's you that told us to follow like good little lemmings behind Fudge and print only what he wanted! I'll bet everything that decision plays a big part here! Anything, and anyone, associated with Fudge is going to end up splattered in shite from this. We're one of them! The day this damned story hit, we had to print a clear statement from Fudge that said not to believe Potter because of your edict from the mount! How do you think that made us look? The Seer had every chunk of evidence in the world to prove what they said and we get to run Fudge telling everyone that Potter is making up stories and is a liar. Then Potter backed up everything he said with evidence. Now the Ministry, all of it, looks like the biggest bunch of inept fools in the world and we were standing right beside them all the way, being their mouthpiece while they pulled the foolish stunts. That's the problem. Our name is going to always be associated with the biggest debacle in Wizarding Britain’s history when it comes to the government because you made that choice.”
“This isn't just a story, Archibald! Its spawning prosecutions, for many involved. Fudge is gone. If he didn't resign, people would have been out for his head and he knew it. Snape, Dumbledore, the list goes on. They pardoned Sirius Black after the French gave him asylum and citizenship. For Merlin's sake, we stood by the administration that got sanctions leveled at us from France and let them have their hand in our back, telling us what to say. That's why we're in the place we are! The Seer has no one doing that to them. The same with other papers. Don't lay this on me and don't tell me to fix it, Archibald! I can't! We're going to be damned lucky to survive this! If you want blame, go look in the damned mirror.” Standing, he snarled, “And you can't fire me because I quit! I'm done! I should have the minute you told me to print only what the Ministry wanted everyone to hear and to take after a teenage boy who lost his parents to a maniac. I didn't, hoping like hell you'd see sense. I should have, I know that. I've screwed myself getting another job because of that.” Straightening up, he said, eyes on fire, “I won't go quietly, though. I'll protect sources, but there is plenty I know that can help. I plan to do that.” Snatching up his wand, he quickly packed his things then walked out, head held high.
Staring at the man's retreating back, Archibald was puffing heavily, face a mottled shade of red. Shaking his head, he ran a trembling hand over his face. Bloody hell, this wasn't a nightmare he needed. Thinking quickly, he called for the assistant editor, planning to put him in charge. Then he was going to see his solicitor. He didn't think that there were any charges that could come their direction, but he wanted to make sure.

Taking a seat in front of Angus' desk, Cuthbert launched right in. Sighing, he said, “I want a full workup from a Mind Healer for Albus before we go to trial.” Shaking his head, he muttered, “We have problems, Angus, big ones. I'm not sure senility is coming into play here, but he's not willing to do anything to help himself. He wants a full trial. And the reason isn't to prove himself innocent. I'm not breaching any confidentially when I say that my feeling he wants that trial is to lay out this theory of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named being back to make people listen.”
“Bloody hell,” Angus muttered, rubbing his eyes in a weary way. “Alright, I'll set something up. Are you staying on as the solicitor of record for this?”
“I don't know,” Cuthbert told him honestly. “From the sound of it, Albus wants to defend himself. He thinks—Honestly? I don't know what he thinks at this point. It's a right mess. My only guess here is that he thinks he can make people listen to him once more.” Shaking his head, he slumped, “I think he truly believes that not only is You-Know-Who back, but doesn't realize just how bad this is, Angus. My opinion is that he thinks it's just going to blow over and go back to the way it was. Sure, there might be some muck slung in his direction, but everyone will forget it after a time.”
“No one is going to forget this,” Angus said incredulously, eyes wide. “Merlin! It's ripping into almost every segment of our society!”
“And I don't think he realizes that,” Cuthbert told him softly. “Which is why I want him checked out. It may be for naught and he's just—I don't know. We need both our backsides covered with this if it goes how he wants it. And, please, for Merlin's sake, make this a closed courtroom! The fact that so many of these charges deal with and come from someone underage still should warrant that.” Looking at the man, he shook his head then said, quietly, “I can't predict what will come out of that man's mouth. We do not need to set off a panic over some of this.”
Thinking that over, Angus nodded, though looking sour. “Understood. Let me ponder that.” Quietly, he asked, “Does he have any real proof for this cockamamie theory? Besides Snape swearing the same thing? That is just not enough! The man is a convicted child molester. No one, anywhere, is going to take his word for anything.”
“No,” Cuthbert told him with a sad look on his face. “He told me to get in touch with Mr. Potter, that he would back him up as he'd seen him. There were a few others mentioned, but they were like eleven when the incident happened. No grown adults without seriously besmirched names can give proof.”
“Get in touch with Mr. Potter?” Angus asked, voice rising in pitch. “He is completely mental! Bloody hell!”
“I know,” Cuthbert sighed. Looking at Angus, he said, softly, “This is going to end up a nightmare. He's going to press for a full trial no matter what we do. And he's going to draw it out forever. There is no way to cut any deal of any kind, something you don't want, I know. It's going to be a fight, I'm promising you that. If I stay on and defend, I have to go by what he wants, Angus. I have no choice. I don't think he understands how bad this is going to end up. In this case, if the worst comes from him, no one is going to want this out there. Albus—you know him, Angus, and what he's like. Despite how bad he sounds, many are going to believe him. None of us need this right now. Hell, from what I know, he's convinced members of the DMLE about this. The public? That will be worse.”
Taking that in, Angus shook his head sadly. “Alright, I'll take this all under advisement and see what I can work with. We'll set up the Mind Healer to come in then go from there with what they say.”

“All I ask,” Cuthbert nodded. “Make sure you notify me when you get it set up so I can attend.” With a nod, he then stood and let himself out.
Looking at the door after the man left, Angus shook his head again. The one thing they didn't need in this nightmare was to unleash Albus' agenda in court. He wasn't going to give the man a break, though, that's for damned sure. Now all he could hope was that the Mind Healers could come up with something he could use to hold this all off.

Feeling her eyes burn as she read through the article in the Seer, Hermione sighed. It was the last interview with Harry and was, basically, wrapping everything up. So much in it made her sad. And want kick herself, both. There was so much she missed and, it appeared, that she'd been led down the garden path on some of it as well.
Shaking her head, she read through it again to make sure she got everything, feeling mildly ill as she did. Harry, it appeared, wasn't coming back anytime soon from what he said. He made it pretty clear he was done. And he let everyone have it, though he didn't mention names.
Putting it down, she looked at it, slumping. “Oh, Harry,” she muttered softly, a sad look on her face.
“We should have known or noticed some of this,” Ron told her softly, glancing at the paper as he ate.
“I know,” Hermione told him softly, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. “He's gone for a long time from the sound of it. It's been made clear by him he won't come back to Britain until things change. That's starting, at least from what we can tell, but it'll take time.” Quietly, she added, “I can't blame him at all either. This is a mess.”
“Some good is coming out of it,” Ginny told her, tossing her own copy of the paper aside, swiping tears away. “Sirius was pardoned. Snape is in prison. Dumbledore was arrested. Fudge is gone. Umbridge is going on trial. So are the Dursleys. Those are big steps. Maybe he'll see it that way.”
“I don't think so,” Hermione told her with a shake of her head. “He's—no, that's not enough. Apologies don't fix so much of this. Those mean nothing, especially since it went on for so long and he had to leave the country to get help. He's mad too, from the sound of it. I mean, he let everyone have it. That and made it clear he trusts next to no one anymore. Everyone’s blown that, from those that were close to him all the way up to the government.” Looking between the two, she swallowed thickly, wondering if they caught the inference of some of what was said because it sure sounded like two of the people he was really angry with were their parents. That she thought was clear when he talked about people that professed to care about him but did nothing when they knew so much was wrong.
Thinking that over, staring at the paper, Ron sighed and shook his head, “Yeah, I think he's gone for a long time. He—bloody hell, he's refusing to help with anything. Whatever charges they are leveling have to be done without him. He made that clear. I don't think I've ever heard Harry say that since no one would help him when they knew something was wrong, he's not going to help anyone with the mess here. He's always been good at stepping up when it's needed.”
“I don't blame him,” Hermione told them quietly, folding her hands in her lap. “This has gone on for years. No one did anything. Some wanted to, but didn't.” Shaking her head, she pondered aloud, “I wonder who it is that helped him. He mentioned two people that did all they could until they couldn't anymore. Then that they are the ones that got him to France. I can't think of anyone that we know who would be able to do that.”
“Me either,” Ginny sighed. “I mean, Harry didn't associate with many people. We can name off his real friends easily. Sirius—he couldn't and didn't leave until after Harry did. I don't know who it could be.”
“He didn't even give any hints either,” Hermione sighed. “I think that's one of those things that's going to come out later. Maybe not for years. I don't know. I'm curious though, that's for sure. All I hope is they aren't using him. He made it clear they aren't, of course, but you never know.”
Picking up the paper after finishing off his toast, Ron sighed, “This is a mess. The worst? We can all confirm some of this. We saw it! I mean, we knew he was doing everything he could to stay out of Umbridge's sight and behave, but she still targeted him for every little thing, even making it up if she had to just to punish him. Fudge—we know he took after Harry and was more worried about his job than the truth. All of us knew how bad the Dursleys were, though we didn't know just how rotten. It's a right mess and—well, I don't blame him for walking.”
“Me either,” Ginny sighed, looking down. “We all just took so much for granted and took people at their word on how it had to be done. Now—it makes me wonder how much was real, how much was manipulations and how much was just to force Harry into something. That makes me feel sick. And want answers.”
“Hopefully your parents can give us some tonight,” Hermione told her. “We're leaving today, so they might be willing to talk tonight so we know what's going on. They said they would. I mean, it sounds like they know something we don't. I want to hear it.”
“Me too,” Ron nodded.
Reaching up to rub her gritty eyes, Hermione slumped. “We better go get packed and make sure we have everything ready. I know it's hours before feast, but I want to be ready to go.” Seeing nods, she grabbed the paper to add to the collection of them then walked out. At some point, she wanted to read the whole series again to see if she couldn't pick up on something she missed or put together clues.

Walking up to where Harry was standing at the back door, looking out to watch the snow fall, Sirius cleared his throat so he didn't startle his godson. With what Harry was dealing with, doing that probably wasn't a smart thing. When Harry looked at him, Sirius stepped closer then wrapped one arm around Harry, pulling him close. Quietly, he said, “I think this is the first time we've been alone, other than having Remus around, without the others here since we arrived.”
Leaning back against his godfather, Harry nodded. “It's a busy day for everyone. Narcissa and Lucius have to get ready for Draco. Tom is busy with the mess that has to be happening. The others are too. I'm sure there are lots of things that need to be handled. I'm good with just you two here,” Harry told him with a smile.
“I figured,” Sirius said, holding him tightly. “I have something to show you,” he said, holding out a paper he just got from their solicitor. When Harry took it, he said, “My official pardon from Britain. I want to thank you for that.”
Smiling at the paper as he read it, Harry said, “Nothing to thank me for. I wasn't going to let you keep suffering over something you didn't do if I could at all help it. Besides, it's tied up in this mess anyway, at least I'm sure it is.”
Knowing it was after reading Snape's confession, Sirius nodded, “I know. I appreciate it though, I want you to know that.”
“It shouldn't have come to this,” Harry said with a shake of his head. “None of it should. We should have been able to do something for you long ago. The same with so much else in this nightmare. It's not right, Sirius.”
“No, it's not,” Sirius conceded. “I don't think anyone would argue that with you. And you have every right to feel like you do. Just keep in mind, we press on from here. All of us. Including you. We can't change that nightmare as it's the past, but we can move forward. That's what we're all planning.” Softening his voice, he added, “And getting you help to deal with it. You need that, Harry.”
“I know,” Harry admitted, looking down. Shutting his eyes, he slumped. “It's so hard,” he sighed. “I've gotten so much of what I want. I'm out, I don't have to worry about the mess, you're free, I'm with Lucius, but the rest is still there. I don't want it to muck up the good parts.”
“It doesn't have to,” Sirius assured him. “I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you'll manage. We just have to work with it. Cissy promises to find you the best Mind Healer that she can. Once you start seeing them, you'll start dealing with the mess. It's the best thing to do, Harry, though it'll be hard. I promise, it'll help.”
“I know,” Harry told him softly, gazing out at the falling snow again. “It's just—so much crap now. And everything's changed. It's for the better, I know, but it's still hard to deal with.”
“We'll manage. That I promise. Unlike the past, you have plenty around you that only care about what's best for you. Nothing more. That's going to help more than you know. I'm here for the duration, I swear it. So is Remus. Lucius—well, that's obvious. Cissy and Tom too. We have a new life and it's going to be great. Just keep that in mind,” Sirius assured him, holding him close.
“I know, I do. Sometimes—it's still just hard. The memories are the worst. I can't shut my eyes without seeing some of it. And it makes me sick, angry and want to cry, all at the same time. I wish--” stopping, he sighed.
“I can only imagine,” Sirius told him gently, giving him a soft squeeze. “It takes time, Harry. That's all I can tell you. It's still fresh right now. In time, it won't be as hard to deal with. Keep that in mind, though I know it's hard to do at the moment.”
Nodding to let Sirius knew he heard him, Harry just stared outside.
“Are you going to handle Draco fine? Cissy told me they're bringing him over tonight after they explain what's going on.” Sirius asked, worried about this part.
“I'll manage,” Harry told him with a shrug. “He's a big part of Lucius' life. It's something I have to do. It'll be hard, what with the past, but I'll manage. I'm going to try anyway. He—I wanted to stop what was there so long ago, but couldn't without giving away so much. So, I had to hide it from him. I think, honestly, even if I had said something to him, he wouldn't have believed me. If Lucius had, he—well, he would have let it slip. That we couldn't chance. I don't know. I'll deal, I guess.”
“You had a lot to hide,” Sirius told him, resting his head against Harry's. “I get that. And it was for the right reasons. I'm sure he'll see that. If you're willing to give it a chance, I bet he will as well. Especially after he hears what's really going on.” Smiling, he added, “And as much as you adore Cissy, Bella, Tom and Lucius, I don't think he's going to let it go on when it comes to his end. He'll see it for what it is. I'm sure of that.”
“I hope so. I don't want to be the cause of problems for them.” Harry told him honestly, leaning back against Sirius.
“You won't be. I'm sure they all have a way to make damned sure of that,” Sirius assured him. “With all they managed to pull off in just a week's time, I don't think they're going to let something like this derail anything.”
“True,” Harry said with a tiny grin. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Merlin, it seems longer than a week.”
“I know, but that's all it's been,” Sirius told him. Internally, he was grinning at the hell his godson had unleashed on Britain in such a short time. That was great. And it was the right thing to do. It would change things, he was sure of that. And they had Harry to thank for it, something he loved. Changing topics, he asked, “So, we're going out to dinner with everyone this weekend?”
“Yeah, Lucius wants to take us all into Calais for a nice meal in the next day or so,” Harry told him, happy to be on a better topic. “Next week, if you and Remus are willing, I want to start going into Paris. I'm sure we can have some fun there and it'll be nice to get out.”
“We can do that,” Sirius told him firmly. “It'll be nice to be able to get out and not have to worry about watching over my shoulder. There are plenty of places I've always wanted to see too. We'll play tourist and hit 'em all up. Then we'll drag Cissy along and make her show us some others. I bet she'll like that.”
“I bet she will,” Harry grinned slightly. Quietly, he began asking what Sirius wanted to see, wondering if he had heard of them. It was far better than focusing on what was wrong.
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If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...