If Paths Diverge

Chapter 4

Harry awoke to the warm, comfortable feeling of the sun on his face.

The sun— shit!

He jumped out of bed and checked his watch.

1:14 pm.

Shit shit shit!

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been late for work. He must have forgotten to set an alarm and his body took whatever it could get.

Was there time for a shower? He lifted his left arm and smelled— ugh, yes, take the time. But first, Harry sent an apologetic Patronus to Robards and then spent the next twenty minutes tearing around his flat, getting ready.

When he got to the Ministry, all he wanted to do was check on Voldemort, but he knew he had some work to do first. He'd basically been absent the last two days and he was in the middle of an important investigation with the mad lot of wannabe Death Eaters.

"Potter?" Robards poked his head out of his office as Harry was hurrying past. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said, stopping and trying to seem more put-together than he felt. "Everything is fine, I just forgot my alarm today. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Harry bowed his head and was about to head over to his office when Robards continued.

"Kingsley has just been to see me."

And that said it all, didn't it? Crap.

"Can you come into my office for a moment?"

Harry nodded, following him, and tried to keep his face open and innocent. Meanwhile possibilities of why he was being called inside were swimming through his mind. Was he about to be fired? No, surely not, he hadn't done anything wrong. Unless feeding Voldemort really was a punishable offence? Did Robards even know about Voldemort?

Harry sat down in the chair across from his boss, still hopefully maintaining that guiltless expression. Robards sat down behind his desk.

"I'm in a bit of a tricky situation, Potter." The older man was leaning back and regarding Harry sternly. "Kingsley told me he has given you a special assignment." Those eyes scoured Harry's face for information and Harry bent all his will towards shielding his mind and controlling his reactions. "He also said, suspiciously, that I am not allowed to ask you about it. I am not even permitted to inquire where you have been the last two days while our team continues to deal with the BDE."

Harry tried not to flinch.

"Yes. I'm sorry about that, sir. Something... came up and I've been... busy dealing with it."

"In the Ministry?"

Harry frowned, but had to add, "I don't think I'm allowed to say, sir. I'm sorry."

I sound like those damn guards.

Robards continued to stare at him, calculating and intense. Harry met his eyes and held them. If Robards found out about Voldemort it would probably be bad for the imprisoned wizard. The Dark Lord was in enough danger as it was; Harry had to pro—

Protect him?

Merlin.

He really was in trouble.

"Alright, Potter, I can't say I'm not disappointed, but so long as you're still committed to my team— and since the Minister himself continues to interfere on your behalf— my hands are tied."

Harry willed away his mortifying flush at the thought of hands being tied.

He was so very, very fucked.