Tomarry One Shots

| Agonizingly Close PT. 2

Harry doesn't see a glimpse of Riddle in the next two weeks, which is probably for the best. Riddle must have been incredibly horny that night to seek him out, and he'd rather avoid any awkward conversations. It's a good thing that the Auror department and Riddle's office are on two different levels.

He buries himself in his work, doing the best he can with the limited resources he has, as always. More often than not, he's the last person to leave the office with burning eyes and a pounding head. He doesn't blame his colleagues for wanting to have a life besides work, of course. They need time for themselves to rest and regain their strength. That's not an option for Harry, though. He's the one responsible, ultimately, for all the things they do and don't do.

No one could have said that his colleagues weren't passionate and hardworking, though. Which is why Harry immediately sits up straighter when Fawley, one of his best men, walks into Harry's office with a very concerned expression on his face.

"What is it?"

Quickly, Harry puts his not-so-important paperwork away and gestures at the chair across from him — Riddle can easily wait a few days longer for the report about the cases they solved last month.

Fawley only hesitates for a moment before sitting down. "It's about the request you made. The Minister denied it."

Harry freezes. "What."

Fawley winces and hands him a piece of parchment. With narrowed eyes, Harry skims it. It's the Requisition Letter Harry filled out. At the bottom, Riddle had ticked the box "Denied," followed by his signature beneath. Harry turns the paper around, looking for some kind of explanation.

"Is that all?" Harry asks, just to be sure.

"I'm afraid it is, yes."

Harry slowly raises his head. Now that he knows what this is about, he notices that there isn't just concern in the way Fawley holds himself but anger as well.

"What is that idiot of a Minister thinking," Harry murmurs, ignoring the way Fawley's eyes widen briefly. "We're barely holding on as it is. He knows that."

With another glance down at the Requisition Letter, Harry stands up, brushing away the wrinkles in his Auror robes. This time, he'll at least feel comfortable in his clothes.

"Thank you for informing me of this, Mr. Fawley. I'll take care of it."

They walk to the door together, and Fawley clears his throat when Harry reaches for the door handle.

"If I might make a suggestion, sir?"

"Of course," Harry responds, smiling encouragingly.

"I wouldn't insult the Minister to his face. I think that would be fairly counterproductive."

Harry laughs and opens the door. "Thanks for the advice. I'll take it to heart."

***

Harry knocks on the door to Riddle's office and waits two seconds, then he pushes the door open. Riddle always knows who is standing in front of his office, and he doesn't want to give the git the opportunity to turn him away.

Riddle is sitting behind his desk, leaning over a pile of papers. He glances up briefly when Harry steps inside and closes the door behind himself. Harry folds his arms and waits for Riddle to shove his work aside and turn his attention towards Harry.

Ten seconds later, Riddle still hasn't acknowledged him besides the brief glance he gave him. Harry lets his arms fall to his side, and his eyes wander across the office. There is a chair standing in a corner of the room. Harry walks towards it and noisily drags it across the room towards Riddle's desk. Once there, Harry falls down on it and crosses his legs, content with waiting until Riddle will have no other choice but to acknowledge him.