Breath-Drarry COMPLETE

Chapter 3

—Harry POV—

Kingsley looks significantly older and more tired than I remembered him. And currently, it seems we've interrupted something rather important for him. His office was tidied completely, boxes stacked high in corners, and I noticed when I walked in that his name plaque was missing from his office door. Nonetheless, he stopped and listened to us. He sat us all down and offered us tea and... well, he almost seemed like his old self again, minus the energy.

"And this was the first time your scar has stung since the War? That's odd... and you and Hermione have gone through the possibilities, you mentioned."

"Me, Ron, Hermione, and Draco, yes." I glanced towards Draco, eyes flitting down to his left arm for a fraction of a second.

"And you all don't believe he's... you know..."

I stayed silent for a moment because I genuinely don't know. And something tells me that Draco is desperately holding onto the crutch of his mark not coming back as a sort of proof. And well, I supposed it made sense, but anything was possible, right?

"Have you been having the visions you used to get, Harry?"

"No... I haven't. This is the first time since anything... Voldemort-related... has happened in- well, a long time."

Kingsley looked down at his tea. "I see," he said, thinking. Then, he looked at Hermione. "Miss Granger, what do you propose?" I looked towards Hermione, surprised. I knew she had a high position in the Ministry but... Kingsley asking her these kinds of questions felt a bit odd. I could ask Ron or Hermione anything any day. But coming to him was... well, the point was that he's the Minister. And-

"I think we should call a state of emergency... for precaution."

"Okay. I do, too. And what do you plan to do about Harry's scar pain?" Hermione looked at me, nervous, almost.

"I... we need to observe and see what happens." She turned back to him. I blinked at them both, bewildered. Draco was just like me, and Ron seemed unaffected.

"That's understandable," answered Kingsley before turning back to me. "Harry. You need to tell us if anything else happens. We can trust you to do that, yes?"

"I... Yes, but, sir. What's..."

"Ah, I see you haven't shared the news yet, Miss Granger. Do you mind if I do?"

"If I may, please? He is my best friend," answered Hermione. My heart lodged itself into my throat at the thought that something horrible might be happening.

"Harry, Kingsley is training me."

"...training you? What for?" I was beyond confused. Hermione already knew the Ministry and its functioning as the back of her hand... what could she possibly need training for?

"Kingsley is going to transfer jobs, Harry, and he's chosen me to become the next Minister. Kingsley is going to officially leave next month. And for the time being, he's training me to take his place." I stared at her wide-eyed.

"Wh- how long have you known? Hermione, that's an incredible job, I-" I stood, taking her in a tight hug. "Congratulations. That's, it's brilliant, really." We let go of the hug. "I'm happy for you." Then, I turned back to Kingsley. "But sir, with all due respect, do you think now is the time to be... well, leaving?"

"I've been preparing for more than seven months. Now is just the time when everything is finally ready. My new job began yesterday, and everything in the Ministry is almost ready for a smooth transition," he explained. I looked from him to Hermione, and finally Ron. Maybe I just don't know enough about these things. Perhaps I shouldn't start any problems.