MetaFic

This is a bit rougher than the rest of the chapter. Comments welcome.

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It was funny, thought Harry as he surveyed the chattering witches and wizards of him, how things never really turn out how you thought they would.

In the few moments of peace that Ginny had afforded him last night, his main concern about today was how Ginny's parents would react to their engagement. In particular, he was worried that the rapprochement he had had with Arthur would prove to be no more than temporary and that when his blessing was sought for the marriage; Harry would find the man less than willing to do so.

As it had turned out, Arthur, although nowhere near as pleased as his wife, nonetheless made it clear that his daughter was marrying Harry with his blessing. No, what was making him more nervous was standing in front of the employees of 3W knowing that his announcement was going to make significantly and possibly unpleasant impact upon their lives. It was clear to him, that in the coming weeks and months -- and possibly years -- that anyone who worked for him or Ginny or was associated with them would be seen as fair game by the press. And in announcing their engagement, Harry and Ginny were asking the employees to put up with a great deal.

The idea that they should have eloped, regardless of Molly's reaction had never seemed attractive.

At the back of the room the fire place flared the customary green as it disgorged Hermione Granger into the room. She stood quickly brushing the soot and cinder from her robes before searching for Harry. Once their eyes made contact she smiled warmly at him. Nodding in greeting he turned to address the others.

He felt in some ways like a general addressing his troops, and to some extent that was true. They were going to war; it would be him and Ginny together with the Weasleys and a few others against the rest of the Wizarding world. It wasn't just Barnabus Cuffe that they were fighting against or even the corruption within the ministry. No, as they waited patiently him them to start, he realised that as it became clear that he was prepared to let a Quidditch team go to the wall or be subject to a hostile takeover, the Prophet and therefore Cuffe would have a field day. And for once, the Wizarding public would line up to join in the vilification of their former saviour.

“Thank you all for coming in early this morning and welcome to Percy and Hermione as well. We’ve called you all here for two reasons; firstly Ginny has asked and I have agreed to become her husband and secondly-”

“Hang on, Harry,” said Hermione. “What do you mean Ginny asked and you agreed?”

“Yesterday was Leap Years Day," answered Ginny with an ill-disguised smirk, "so I did the asking. That way we didn’t have to wait until August when Harry could ask me again.”

Harry wasn't sure if others were able to pick up the intonation in Ginny's voice, but it was clear that she was taking great delight in having finally secured her position as the most important witch in Harry’s life. It wasn't that she was being vindictive; it was just that he could tell that she wanted to show her ring off to the whole world. That fact that she had done the asking made it even more special. He supposed that someone who was less secure than he was would feel threatened by Ginny's propriotorial approach, but he couldn't care less. As far as he was concerned they had been as good as married for a long time and it made no difference to him who proposed to whom. And if Ginny wanted to boast that she was going to be Harry Potter's wife that was fine by him too.

“Which ever way round you want to look at it, we’re engaged to be married and we wanted you to know before you read it in the press.”

“Let me say how pleased I am, Harry that Ginny has chosen such a fine person as your good self for her life long partner. I was overjoyed when your owl arrived last night bringing your good news.”

“Thank you, Percy. If we can be as happy as you and Penny then I’m sure we have some great years ahead of us.”

“Yeah, well done, mate,” declared George. “That’ll keep our mother off our backs for a little while longer.”

“Congratulations to both of you,” beamed Hermione. “You didn’t mention anything about this in your last letter, Ginny. When did you decide to propose?”

“About ten seconds before I did.”

“And where were you when you did it, somewhere romantic?”

“Harry’s Gringotts vault.”

Hermione made to ask further questions but before she could continue Harry spoke.

“The next few weeks are going to get a bit tricky. The press will go overboard about the engagement and I’m sure Ginny will come in for a fair bit of flack. We’ve also got other problems brewing with Cuffe and both Puddlemere and the Vikings that I won’t go into for the moment, but you all need to be prepared for when the shit hits the fan.”

“What sort of problems?” asked Hermione.

Harry glanced at Elspeth and the other staff before turning back to Hermione to reply.

“They are a bit long and complex and now is not really the time to discuss them.”

“And" added Ginny, "we need to sort out other stuff before the press release goes out.”

Harry could tell that Hermione was disappointed, and he felt a little guilty that she was no longer privy to the machinations that had become part and parcel of his existence.

“So,” asked Harry turning to Penny, “did you manage to cobble together a press release?”

“With Percy’s assistance, yes I did, manage to cobble something together. He also had a number of very useful suggestions which I think it would be in your best interests to listen to.”

“Okay, Percy," responded Harry, "we’re all ears.”

"Yes, speak o wise one," said Fred.

"Amaze us with your wit and wisdom," added George.

"Shut up, you two” shouted Ginny. “Merlin, do you too have to prattle on like three year olds all the time?"

"Three year olds?"

"Three year olds?!"

"I've have you know, almost spouse of our partner, that we are three and three quarters if we're a day."

They made to continue, but the combined stares of Harry, Ginny and Penny, succeeded in silencing them.

“Thank you, Harry, Ginny. Firstly, I think we need a photo to go with the press release, preferably more than one so each publication can have its own. I’ve selected a few from those you forwarded to me, all I need is your agreement.”

Ginny looked over to Harry who nodded her agreement.

“That’s okay, I don’t see a problem with that, do you, Harry?”

“No, sounds fine to me. Ginny, can I leave it to you to select the best ones?”

Her agreement came in the form of a gentle nod and smile.

“Ok that’s settled, go on, Percy.”

“Secondly, you will be asked for interviews which I think you should decline."

"Decline?" asked Ginny, " I'm all for staying away from the press, but aren't we supposed to be taking this opportunity to get our point of view across first rather than rely on a bunch of lazy hacks who will rehash whatever crap they dished up last time?"

"Eloquent as ever, my dear sister, but if you allow me to continue you will see that there is method in my madness."

"So you admit you're mad then?" said George.

"'Bout time," added Fred.

"When Pinky and Perky have quite finished..."

"Sorry, O Wise One. Please forgive our trespass against you. We will don the hair shirt and undertake a pilgrimage to your place of birth, walking only on the second and fourth toe of each foot and - "

The rest of their nonsense was lost as Ginny's patience ran out and she cast a silencing charm.

"Thank you, Ginny. Now as I was saying. Instead, you should let the interview go to the highest bidder and the proceeds going to a charity of your choice. You also get to vet the questions to make sure they are not too intrusive.”

“I can’t say I’m, enamoured with the idea of talking to the press," said Harry, "but needs must, I suppose. But I can see how it would make sense. Go on.”

“And finally you need to cultivate your own press contacts. I know it sounds a bit manipulative, but everyone needs a ‘pet’ journalist that you can use for your own ends. You give then exclusives every so often, and in return you can ensure that when someone else is printing rubbish about you, you can counter it.”

“How do you suggest we go about doing that? asked Ginny.”

“Well, the whole exercise with the exclusive article can be used to vet the journalists. The can be made aware that if this goes well there will be other exclusives.”

As the discussions continued, Harry noticed Hermione hanging around in the background. It was a testimony to how much their relationship had changed over the last six months that she was no longer prominent in helping him formulate his plans. He knew that was partly because he spent so much time with Ginny, in fact she had effectively replaced both Ron and Hermione, as his closest friend and co-conspirator. But as he watched the others in the room volunteer their own ideas and suggestions, he realised that the role normally played by Hermione was also being filled by Penny and, it appeared, by Percy. He also had the Weasley Twins brains to pick and of course his own solicitor, Malcolm Symons. He wondered whether the role that Hermione had always fulfilled would be one that he needed her to fulfil these days.

After a while he noticed that there was a lull in the conversation and that attention was focused on him. A quick glance at the clock on the wall told him that he needed to leave or he was going to be late for practice.

"Thank you, all coming today," he announced. "There is still a lot of planning to do, but I'll leave that to Ginny to coordinate that with you as I have to get off to practice." He turned to Ginny: "Is that alright with you, dear?"

"Isn't that what you pay me for," she said with a smile.

"According to the last set of accounts that I saw, I am not paying you anything," he said with a laugh.

"Well, you need to bring yourself up to date, Mr Potter," she replied broadening her smile into a grin. "Because the latest set of accounts has a new item entitled 'Directors Drawings'."

"That explains a lot: I wondered where all references to Madame Malkin's had gone. I'd half expected to walk past and find all boarded up."

He swayed to avoid the obligatory playful punch that she aimed at him before grabbing her arm and pulling her close to him for a kiss.

"Don't have too much fun without me."

"I'll try, but I'm sure that Percy will make us all behave."

He headed towards the door leading to the shop where he could safely Apparate and left Ginny to lead her brothers and Penny into her office for more detailed deliberations. As approached the door he noticed Hermione waiting there for him, her arms folded and a wistful expression on her face.

As he drew close her expression changed and the knowing smile that had been his companion, especially in his early years in Hogwarts, let him know that all was well. By the time he has reached her, her arms were open and she drew him into a friendly hug.

“You’ve changed, Harry," said Hermione with a smile as she let go of him.

“For the better?" he asked returning her smile.

"Yes, for the better. Did you think that I'd say anything else?"

"Well it was you, me and Ron for such a long time..."

“... and now it's just you and Ginny."

"Yeah, I suppose it is. I realised when everyone got here this morning, how few people were here that I was friends with at Hogwarts. I barely see Ron any more and I haven't seen you in ages. Where did it go wrong, Hermione?"

"It didn't go wrong, Harry. There is nothing wrong with you and Ginny taking time together. Merlin knows you've had little enough time for that."

"But I didn't mean to do it to the exclusion of my friends."

"But you didn't," she replied with a wry smile. "Some of us chose to move away."

"I always wondered why you’d done that.”

"I did it because I thought that I needed a life away from all that I'd been living for the last seven years. You know, out of your shadow, no longer part of the Golden Trio, away from all the attention. But you know what I found, Harry?"

"No, but I'm sure you’ll tell me."

"That I never was in your shadow, all that was in my mind. Yes, you were the one that got rid of Voldemort, but me, Ron, and everyone else is recognised for the part they played. And I found that wherever I went, and whoever I spoke to, I was always that Hermione Granger. Running away from you and Ron, was only running away from myself. I am whom I am, and I'm proud of the part I played."

"You were never in my shadow, Hermione. How could the brightest witch in my generation be in anyone's shadow?"

"I know it sounds silly now, but it's something we all have to work through; me, Ron, and I suspect, Ginny as well.”

He was unsure how to respond to her. Experience had shown him that he always underestimated the effect he had on people and its seemed strange to him that his closest companions in school would find it difficult just being his friend.

"Look, Hermione," he said awkwardly," I have to go now or else I'll be late, but it would be good to get together sometime, and catch up. You can tell me about uni, and why you decided to come back to work at the Ministry."

"That would be good Harry, when would you suggest?"

"I know Penny and Ginny are trying to arrange a get together at The Burrow in the next couple of weeks, do you want to pop over then?"

Hermione looked disappointed at his suggestion, and he wondered if she felt slighted as he hadn't invited her to dine at one of the many restaurants that appeared in the society pages of The Prophet. He wished he could take her out for a meal, but given the events that were about to unfold there was no way he could do that.

"Okay, Harry, it’s a date," she replied eventually.

He leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll make sure that you get an invite," he answered as the clock on the wall chimed the half hour. "Look, I'm sorry, Hermione, but I must dash."

"Sure, Harry. I'll see you soon then."

And with that Harry left the offices and a soft pop later he was gone.