𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐇/𝐃/𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄 2008

Into the Fire

Title: Into The Fire
Author/Artist: lunadragon
Pairing: H/D
Rating: R
Warnings: Wanking, swearing, EWE
Word count: Approx. 9,300
Summary: While Harry deals with Ministry bureaucracy in an effort to have Snape's portrait hung in the Headmaster's office, he has a chance encounter with Draco Malfoy that affects their relationship, and Harry's understanding of himself, forever. Featuring cameos from Mediwizards, house-elves, annoying Ministry employees, tricky Floo networks, and the one and only Ginevra Weasley. Brimming tension (of all kinds) here we come.

Into the Fire
"What do you mean you won't hang it? He was a Hogwarts Headmaster!" Harry shouted, before catching himself and looking around, hoping no one else had witnessed his loss of temper.

"Be that as it may, Mr. Potter," said the ubiquitously annoying, faceless Ministry official, "his tenure was under rather unusual circumstances during wartime, and therefore is not subject to the regular laws that govern Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Harry groaned at the sheer absurdness of the situation. He had been arguing with five different Ministry officials, all of whom refused to put him in contact with the Hogwarts Board of Governors so that he could put forth his request. Which really, when all was said and done, was less of a request and more of a demand, and one that he shouldn't even have to make to begin with as the matter should have been taken care of months ago.

Oh, bugger, that infernal woman was still speaking. He'd better pay attention.

"--As such, we feel that we are in our rights to respect the wishes of the Wizarding community and the parents of no doubt still traumatized children who had to suffer under Mr. Snape's tyranny of the school--"

"That is not true!"

"Were you present during his tenure as Headmaster?"

"Well, no but--"

"Are you a trained Mediwizard with a background in psychological treatment?"

"No, but--"

"Have you studied the intimate details of a child's mind in order to better provide for their education, treatment, and growth as individuals capable of handling whatever this cruel world might force upon them?"

"No," Harry ground out, extremely angry by this point. "However--"

"Then I fail to see what permits you to make judgments on behalf of the children attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," the witch said pompously, before looking down at her paperwork in a decidedly dismissive gesture.

Harry let out a puff of air, unable to believe anyone could be so exasperating. Well, actually, that wasn't right. He could remember one person being that exasperating, but he hadn't seen him in--

"I refuse to accept that you cannot get me what I want. Do you have any idea who I am?"

Harry whirled around, staring in disbelief at the blond not 15 feet away who was conversing with another Ministry representative. Malfoy.

"Yes, I do sonny, and you best be glad that I'm not letting my personal opinion of your rotten family affect my--impartial judgment of your complaint," the man growled.

Malfoy's eyes widened and he stiffened a bit, before a relaxed smirk affixed itself on his face.

"Where are you from, exactly?" he said, his tone almost bored.

"Texas," the man answered, looking suspicious. "Why?"

"And you've been living in London for how long?"