𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 2008

How You Carry On

Title: How You Carry On
Author: acromantular
Team: Epilogue
Prompt: The Hanged Man
Wordcount: ~7000
Rating: R
Warnings: none
Summary: Harry just wants to do the right thing. When did that become so bloody difficult?

Harry leaned against the wall of the lift, and sighed.

Merlin, dealing with the Ministry's bureaucracy was worse than fighting giants. At least those didn't come in triplicate.

The bell dinged, and he levered himself away from the wall just as the doors opened. A flock of memos swooped out, replaced by a new set. The doors slid back again, and he slumped against the wall in relief.

But the doors jammed and re-opened, and he looked up into the harried face of Draco Malfoy.

"Potter."

Malfoy's lips curved upwards as he stepped into the lift, followed by a large floating box stuffed full of papers. Harry grimaced at it, and backed further into the corner.

"Horrid, isn't it?" Malfoy said, settling into his corner of the lift. "The Ministry can't so much as sneeze without generating its weight in parchment."

"Want some of mine?"

"Hardly," Malfoy snorted as he poked the ground floor button. "Between the goblins and the Lithuanians, I certainly don't have time to solve the Auror Department's problems as well."

"We don't have any left except the paperwork," Harry answered. He nodded at the box. "And you don't seem any good at avoiding that."

Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Next time you and your fanclub decide to revolutionize the Ministry," he said, "I suggest you start with the paperwork."

Harry grinned back at him.

The lift dinged and ground to a halt, and Harry ducked as the doors opened and the flock of memos swooped out. Malfoy stepped through the narrow doorway, the box bobbing in his wake.

Harry moved to follow him, and crashed straight into the now-stationary box. He cursed silently, rubbing his nose, and tried to peer around the box but could only see Malfoy standing stiffly just outside the lift.

"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Ron's voice rang out loudly in the atrium.

Harry tried again to dodge around the box, but it was now starting to twitch and bob angrily.

"Hello Weasley." Malfoy's voice was perfect strained courtesy. "I'm simply here doing my job."

"Never pegged your poncy arse for a ministry wonk," Ron said. "The real money is in the private sector these days."

Harry tried to duck under, but the box was now oscillating at a dangerous clip.

"Some of us have other motivations," Malfoy said softly. "Excuse me."

Malfoy stalked past, the box bobbing after him, and Harry stepped out of the lift.

"Harry!"

"What the bloody hell was that about, Ron?" Harry asked, staring after Malfoy.

"Nothing, mate—just never have gotten used to dealing with the stupid git." Ron shook his head. "I've no idea why he's not in Azkaban."

"We both testified on his behalf."

"Oh yeah, that's it," Ron said with a wry grin, and shook his head again. "Dunno what I was thinking back then. Anyway, let's grab a pint."

"I don't have time—I'm already going to be home late as it is."