Harry's Future

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

It was very possibly the most extraordinary evening any of them had ever spent. It certainly was one for the books as far as Harry was concerned. He sat amongst his family in the large living room that was the result of his Christmas largess several years earlier. This night it was serving as the center of discussion about the latest revelation of the seemingly unending store of uniqueness that was Harry Potter. He sat with his wife firmly pressed up against his side, his right hand tightly held in both of hers. All of his red headed 'brothers' were there, as were his adoptive parents. Fleur and Hermione also sat nearby. Only a short time before Harry had revealed the incredible news that he was an animagus, a rarity by magical standards, but what was even more astounding was that he took the form of a very large dragon. 

"I dunno, mate, I'm still having a bit of a hard time getting my head around this," Ron said. 

"I can understand that, Ron. I'm not sure I've got my head around it either," Harry said quietly. 

Harry let his gaze roam around the room trying to gauge how his family was reacting as the idea was sinking in. As he could imagine, Charlie seemed to be taking a particular interest but hadn't been saying much. Their eyes met and Harry looked at him with raised eyebrows and said, 

"No, Charlie." 

Charlie shook his head and then looked at him and said, 

"No 'what', Harry?" 

"You can't have any samples," he replied straight faced. 

Charlie's eyes went wide and then he started laughing and everyone else joined in. 

"Well, son, I'm glad to see you're keeping a sense of humor about this. We're here to help you any way we can although I can't for the life of me think of what we could do," Mr. Weasley said. 

"Well, I think we're off to a good start. No one running away screaming was a big help and sitting here talking to me is, too. Most important will be not letting anyone else know. I guess it's unfair to drop this on you but I just don't see a way around it." 

"We'll make it work, Harry, don't you worry," Mrs. Weasley added. 

Harry then looked at Charlie and Percy. 

"I guess it's more of a problem for you guys, but I just don't know Audrey and Eleanor that well yet. I'm going to have to rely on you to determine if and when they should be told." 

They both just nodded. Hermione had said little but had been regarding Harry intently. He had the idea that she was approaching the problem from her usual thorough analytical perspective. Fleur simply watched him. He imagined at sometime not too far in the future they would be having a private heart to heart. He had been afraid that the shock might have been an issue considering her pregnancy but she was probably the last one he really had to worry about. 

"Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do about work," Harry said. 

"What's the issue, Harry?" Bill asked. 

"By not registering I'm going to be breaking the law, Bill. That doesn't exactly fit in with my being the head of magical law enforcement now does it?" 

"Let me ask you a question, Harry," Bill replied. "Do you know of anyone that is better suited to do what needs to be done with your department?" 

"Personally, no, but I imagine if they looked they could find someone," Harry said. 

Ginny's grip on her husband's hand tightened and he could see the look Fleur was giving him. So with a sigh he said, 

"Alright, for the sake of argument, no, there is no one better able to do what I can do."