Traitor, traitor.

Chapter 16 ~ Back again.

Harry's POV ~

He made it to the ministry just as the snow began to fall, small flurries landing on the ground. It was all beginning to set there. They would have a snowstorm if they weren't careful. The sky was a dark grey and the snow gave it a white marble effect. 

He got to the entrance of the ministry and went in, trying to hold his head high and look confident. He decided to use magic to attempt to put his hair up in a bun. It worked as he strolled through the main atrium. He spotted the fountain and made a pledge to it. 'If I find Draco I'll put ten galleons into this fountain.' It was the same pledge he had made many years ago when he had arrived at the ministry for his improper use of magic trial. He smiled at the memory. He had come out unscathed from that trial. 

He walked to the lift and stepped in smartly. He noticed people also waiting for a lift but nobody got in with him and so he was the only one. It was strange, usually, people just flooded into these lifts, too desperate to get to their departments to bother taking notice of whoever else was actually there with them.

He pressed the button to his floor and only stopped a few times to let memos get into the lift, and they often flew back out on the very next floor, leaving Harry completely and utterly alone.

He eventually got to the second to the top floor where the Auror office was and strolled down the corridor. He noticed people scatter out of his way as he walked and those who didn't kind of stared before hurrying away. What in the world was happening? He shook it off as if people were tired from the day before and just kept on walking along to his office. He almost didn't want to get there knowing that he would have to see Draco's medical ward and know that it was his pride and joy but he would not be in there.

He eventually arrived at his office and managed to avoid looking at the room right next door. It would pain him too much to just go in there. He slowly got into his office, half expecting it to be blown up or something. Luckily it was not and was just how he had left it, pristine and organised. He sighed happily, feeling great to be around whatever was familiar to him. He half expected Draco to burst in at any second, citing some new discovery or moaning on about how Aurors got the stupidest injuries and how, if he were an Auror, he would take much more care when he was out and about apparently saving the wizarding world. Though how they were doing that by getting oranges jammed up their noses he would never know. Harry would then laugh and then roll his eyes. Good thing they have you to sort them out then isn't it darling? Draco would nod smugly. Damn, right it is. He would reply.

Harry blinked in surprise and realised Draco wasn't really there. His heart ached a little bit, but he couldn't tell why. Draco was just a friend. A good friend yes but a friend all the same. His brain taunted him with images of them sleeping together that first night, of the hugs the morning after and all the rest that had happened since then. Harry really didn't want to be just friends.

Just as he had managed to sit down he heard a knock on the door. He felt like screaming. Could people not just leave him alone sometimes? He put his head in his hands. "Come in." The door opened and a sandy blonde head appeared. "Sir! I'm sorry to disturb you but- Woah are you okay?" Charlie asked looking concerned.

He straightened his back in his chair and smiled grimly at Willings. "Yes, Willings I'm fine. Come have a seat and tell me what's happened this time." Willings was buzzing with nervous energy.

He almost tripped over as he came to Harry's desk and Harry had to bite back a nasty smile. He cleared his throat feeling really guilty. It wasn't this poor junior Aurors fault that Draco was missing. He just wanted to do something, to be someone to everyone. This kid wanted to be a hero and Harry had seen that before. It never really worked out though. Heroes didn't want to be heroes they were made into heroes, he should know that better than anyone. Though he didn't think of himself as a saviour. Many people still died because of him.

He shook his head, attempting to clear his head and concentrate on what Willings was saying. "So, Willings what has happened now?" 
Willings nervously fiddles with his hands and then smiled. "Well, sir, turns out that the alarm at Azkaban was a false alarm. The prisoners are all fine and no one has escaped. The floos are back to normal and whoever was tampering with them seems to have given up completely." He cracked a smile at Harry obviously expecting to receive one in return.

Harry attempt to smile but it came out as more of a grimace. The kid's face fell and Harry panicked. "Ah, um, uh yes that's brilliant Willings thank you for your hard work and dedication. Is there anything else I can help you with?" Willings seemed to flower under the praise and he puffed up importantly. "No sir! That's everything!" Harry then looked at his files. "Well, I better get on with some work..." He dropped the hint. The boy seemed to grasp it and leapt up, knocking his leg on the desk as he did. "Sir, yes sir. I'll be on my way. There's a very important case about, ah, frog breeding I need to be on with. Good day sir." He then walked into the door on his way out before tripping and falling into the corridor.

Harry rubbed his hands against his face feeling a headache. This job would be his death.

Word Count: 1020