bleedingangel84 | Standing Tall (Reply)

Title: Standing Tall

Beta: None

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Slight language, references to sexual activity

Word Count: 365

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made.

Notes: I know that I often say I have no idea where these come from, and this is no exception. Apologies to all who are fans of Kingsley Shacklebolt. I like him myself, but he insisted on being the baddie here, and I followed the story. Feel free to leave comments and point out errors.

Written for: hogwarts365 Prompt #52-“Not who you want me to be”; Pius Thicknesse; Fancy Restaurant; Anniversary

Summary: Harry is not a puppet, and he realizes it’s time to cut his strings.

Standing Tall

“Kingsley, this is stupid.”

“This is important, Potter.”

“I’m not some damn puppet!”

“I know that, Potter. This is a necessary evil. We want to see the Death Eaters finally brought down, and you’re the best man for the job.”

“What you want is for me to conform to what you expect of me. You expect to control me, the way the Death Eaters did with Thicknesse. I won’t have it. I’m going home to spend the evening with my boyfriend. It’s our anniversary, and I’ve been away from him too much lately, kissing the Ministry’s arse. I’d much rather be kissing his.”

“You’re making a mistake. Malfoy manipulates you more than we ever did.”

“That’s rich. You lot have been manipulating my life since I was born. He loves me.”

“Taking you to a fancy restaurant and shagging you silly doesn’t mean he loves you, Potter. Have you never once thought that he hopes to benefit from his association with you?”

“You’re crossing a line, Shacklebolt. I’ve always believed you were a decent man. Don’t force me to rethink that opinion. I may work for the ministry, but my choices are no one’s business but my own.”

“The mission has to be tonight, Potter. It’s the only way.”

“No. And if you try to corner me into doing this, allow me to tender my immediate resignation.”

“You aren’t who I thought you were.”

“Not who you want me to be. I’m not a killing machine, no matter how often you’ve made me doubt that fact. It’s over. I’m done.”

“What will you do with your life, now, Potter? Become a kept man?”

“Better the kept man of one who loves me than a ministry toady, sir.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“So be it. I don’t need your approval anymore.”

“You’re a foolish man. Thinking with your cock instead of your head.”

“I’m thinking with my heart, minister, which is something you seem to have forgotten how to do. I pity you. What’s fighting worth if you lose sight of what’s worth fighting for?”

“You’re not leaving.”

“I’m going home. Don’t expect to see me again.”

“I hope he’s worth it.”

“He’s more than worth it.”