Second Place - Romance

Lucius Malfoy closed his eyes. If he were a lesser mortal he might have frowned, but everyone knew that that would only lead to facial lines, and that just wouldn't do for one such as he. However, if he had been inclined to such banal expressions, he would have certainly have used this opportunity to do so.

Walden McNair had informed him that Percy Weasley had been caught while trying to poison that annoying Potter brat and his bastard husband. Now, understand that Lucius would not have cared in the least if the stupid prat had managed to succeed in his mission before being caught. But, unfortunately the idiot had failed in his mission and now a new plan of attack would have to be pursued.

Calling for Antonin Dolohov, Lucius asked that their remaining contact in the Auror ranks be notified of another job. The young man had been successful in his last little job and that bode well for the success of this mission.

Auror Andrew Clive-Parker sighed as he finished the paperwork from today's duties. The image of a sturdily built, red haired man still filled his vision and Andrew was determined to find a way to get to know him. As his potential partner's father worked at the Ministry, the information was not all that difficult to obtain and Andrew mentally reviewed everything he had learned about one Charlie Weasley. He was a Gryffindor at Hogwarts and was an excellent seeker for the Quidditch team while there. After school he had entered the field of dragon research and was currently working at a dragon reserve in Romania. And of course, the most important piece of information was that Charlie was seemingly unattached. Andrew smiled as he cleaned off his small desk and sent the filled forms off to the proper destinations. He had also been able to find out where Charlie and his family lived, so the Auror had definite plans on dropping in for a visit later.

Albus Dumbledore sighed. Their lead that Lucius Malfoy was involved had dried up. Though Percy had indicated that the incarcerated Death Eater was the source of the recent activity, the facts had not seemed to bear that out. No actual connection could be found that would tie Lucius to the crimes being investigated. Instead, the person to whom Percy Weasley apparently reported to had seemed to be the instigator. The facts did not deter the Hogwarts headmaster, though. He knew only too well how easy it was to hide the truth. So even though the Ministry was inclined to discontinue their investigation into Lucius Malfoy, Albus was more determined than ever to keep a close eye on the man.

One of the things that Albus had been able to find out was that Lucius had been able to arrange for a few extra perks for his stay in Azkaban. For instance, the man had managed to obtain a larger than normal cell with some of his own furniture brought in for comfort. Lucius was also not having to depend on prison fare with house elves popping in with his own food for each meal. Apparently, the aristocrat even was able to receive visitors to his cell, which was unheard of in Azkaban. Some of the other Death Eaters were known to regularly visit Lucius. That in and of itself was troubling to the elderly wizard. It was conceivable that Lucius Malfoy was using other prisoners to ferry messages back and forth between himself and the outside world.

Albus absently stroked his beard. While he would certainly hesitate to publicly decry the Ministry of Magic and their methods, Albus was very much aware of the inherent weaknesses in the bureaucracy. Investigation was often slipshod and the results suspect, unless one personally picked the personnel. That is precisely why over the years he had come to depend on Kingsley Shacklebolt and now Ms. Tonks for their expertise. If Albus had any hopes for the new administration at the Ministry, it was that the level of competence would rise.

In deference to the situation at the Weasleys, Harry had convinced Severus to stay a few extra days in order to lend support to the family. Severus smiled as he realized that Harry was thoroughly enjoying his stay with his adoptive family. Being an accepted and wanted part of a family was something that the young man had little experience with. Severus was secretly glad to watch his husband soak up the love and attention. Of course, if anyone were to enquire, he would vehemently deny any such inclination.

Harry was once again helping Molly in the kitchen when someone knocked at the back door. Molly wiped her hands on a towel and went to answer the door. Harry heard an unfamiliar male voice speaking to the matronly woman as he ladled the stew into individual bowls.

Soon, Molly brought the unexpected visitor into the cozy room. "Harry, dear, would you please call up to Charlie that he has a visitor?" Molly asked her adoptive son.

Harry glanced at the young man and saw that he looked to be a friendly sort with light blue eyes and an easy grin. Nodding, Harry went up the stairs to fetch Charlie.

Charlie came down, somewhat shocked that he had an unknown visitor. Coming down the stairs, Charlie was surprised to see the young Auror from the Ministry. He remembered the man from when Percy had been questioned. Smiling, the dragon researcher greeted the Auror.

Shyly, the young Auror said hello and asked if he could speak with Charlie privately. Molly beamed at her son and his new friend and invited the young man to dine with the family. Smiling, he gladly accepted and smiled his thanks.

Charlie led his visitor into his father's private study and closed the door behind them. Turning around, Charlie motioned to the worn but comfortable chairs and the pair sat down.

Nervously the visitor started. "Charlie, I hope that you will forgive my brashness in coming here, but after seeing you the other day, I just knew that I had to take a chance."

Charlie smiled. Even though his brother and the family had been at the forefront of his attention that day, he had still managed to notice the rather handsome Auror.

After a few anxious minutes the two settled into an enjoyable conversation and Charlie found that he was looking forward to seeing more of the young Auror. The family warmly welcomed the stranger to their dinner table and plied him with questions about his chosen profession. After an enjoyable meal, the suitor reluctantly said his goodbyes and allowed Charlie to walk him out past the apparition wards. Turning, the young man smiled shyly and on impulse, reached in to give a quick kiss to a freckled cheek. Pulling back, he blushed and asked if he could come by again soon to see Charlie again.

Charlie numbly nodded and raised his hand to his cheek as he watched his new maybe-boyfriend disappear. Smiling, he hummed a tune as he wandered back into the Weasley kitchen.

Molly looked expectantly at her son as he reentered the Burrow. And while most of the other occupants tried their best to look uninterested, the truth was that they were also anxious to hear what was going on with Charlie. The only exception was Severus, who was quite content to read his latest potions manual and ignore the silly romantic games others seemed to enjoy engaging in. He pointedly refused to acknowledge that when it came to Harry that all bets were off with him, but that was completely different.

Charlie knew he still had a goofy grin on his face, but it had been a while since he had had a romantic interest. "Well, he wants to see me again," he began.

Molly clapped her hands together and Ginny grinned at him from the circle of her fianc�'s arms. Ron just rolled his eyes at his older brother.

Once the noise level had returned to normal, well at least for the Weasley household, Charlie continued, "Yeah, he said he'd stop by again soon. Well, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to go to my room now."

Ginny punched him lightly on the arm as he passed her on the way to the stairs. "You mean you want to go up and daydream about your new boyfriend."

At the foot of the stairs, Charlie turned and grinned. His little sister was right as usual.

A young Auror was whistling a tune as he apparated outside his flat. Yes, he thought smugly, tonight had gone just the way he had planned. And who knew, maybe he'd even get a good shag out of the Weasley boy before he was finished? Malus Bestian laughed to himself as he let him into his flat.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 33

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