Bad [Harry Potter Fanfiction] (Bad Series: 1)

21 | A few things to say.

When Harry opened the door to the Auror Headquarters, he was ambushed.

"What happened?" Robards asked, eyes narrowing. Someone must've said something. Pitters probably. He bit down a curse. A moment, that was all he wanted. A quiet moment to himself. But apparently now wasn't the time.

He adjusted his glasses. "He didn't show." He'd known this was what he was coming back to, but what choice did he have? Running away wasn't an option. Even if he didn't know Fyrefox's identity, he'd still feel inadequate. The Head Auror position slipped further and further away from his reach. Did he even deserve it anymore? He was withholding information, helping a criminal evade the law. What was he becoming? He was supposed to be helping to build an uncorrupted government.

"What does that mean?" Robards asked.

Harry walked to his office. The door didn't shut behind him. Robards followed him. Bloody hell. He sat at his desk and ran his hands over his face. His glasses caught in his hair. He cursed while he untangled them.

Robards hadn't moved from the door. His blank expression sent a shiver up Harry's spine. He knew. He knew it all. Shite.

How? He thought and fought down his anxiety. He didn't. No one knew. No one could know. He licked his lips and folded his hands on the desk. Robards needed to go. He had paperwork to do, and he had to get to Ginny's. There were a few words that needed to be said.

"Potter, talk to me."

He was right. Harry couldn't ignore him and wish him away. He cleared his throat. "He was nowhere to be found at the Parkinson Manor."

Robards tilted his head. "Was Sharp's information wrong?" He crossed his arms.

"Honestly, I've gathered you can't rule anything out when Fyrefox is involved." He rubbed his hands on his trousers. "Jack suggested he was long gone before we got there with whatever he wanted or saw us and left."

"Smart man." Robards rubbed his chin, nodding.

"Yeah." Too smart at times. He didn't need another intuitive auror chasing behind him.

"So, what happens now?"

"We might have to wait for Fyrefox to strike again," he admitted. "And maybe it's time for me to follow Sharp's example and have a chat with someone in Knockturn Alley." He pulled a stack of papers out of his desk drawer but didn't look up.

Robards chuckled. Harry glanced over his lenses. The man was a blur. "Are you dismissing me?" His voice was thick with amusement.

Harry winced, righting his glasses.

Robards held his hand up, shaking his head. "Just don't forget that I'm still the boss here." He laughed, turning but stopped. "I can see why people hate being dismissed so much now." The door shut behind him.

Harry dropped his head back against the chair. Merlin. He was exhausted. Lying to so many people was taking its toll. He thought all the lying was behind him. But what other choice did he have?

Love was so complicated.

He looked down at the paperwork then checked his watch. He needed to hurry. 

A knock pulled Harry from his paperwork. He blinked, stretching as the door opened before he could call out.

Ron entered, Sharp and Jack behind him. They looked like he felt. Tired, drawn, ready to be anywhere but here.

He yawned, glancing at his watch.