Title: Name Confused

Author: enchanted nightingale

Beta Reader: pussycatadamah

Summary: What if Mycroft's name confused assistant was male? Harry Potter tries to shed his name and his past, taking a rare offer of anonymity while still getting to play the hero.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Sherlock, nor the characters from them and I do not make any money from the writing of this story.


9. Umbrellas


They paused outside the store and the green eyed wizard hesitated. He turned to his employer however reluctantly.

"This is it?"

Mycroft turned to his assistant. "Yes Rain, this is the place."

"An umbrella shop?"

"Not just any umbrella shop," Mycroft replied turned the knob, stepping inside the store. Both men ignored the jingle of the bell over them.

Rain looked around the store. It was narrow and long and it reminded the former Gryffindor of Ollivander's shop back in Diagon Alley. There were many boxes and displays, the smell of varnish and wood assaulting his senses. They were there because Mycroft had a liking for umbrellas. Sure, they made great accessories, especially when it rained, but Mycroft gave it a whole other level. Umbrellas in black (and rarely in very deep navy blue) were what he held whenever he walked or went anywhere. There was no briefcase or bag. There was a day when Mycroft had forgotten his watch, but the umbrella he had taken, much to the green eyed wizard's amusement.

"Mycroft, back again?" the owner of the store smiled heartily at the man who was the British Government.

Mycroft gave an honest smile at the man. Nathaniel Bradfort was a man near Mycroft's height. He was in his sixties and his eyes were dark like chocolate. He was also one of the few people who were not scared about talking back to the eldest of the two Holmes siblings. And Mycroft liked him enough to ignore any perceived disobedience. The man handcrafted the umbrellas he made.

And Rain, as the wizard was called that day, knew that the umbrellas did more than shelter Mycroft from the weather. He knew for a fact that some of them had blades coming out from the tips, a weapon and protective measure in case Mycroft was left without cover. Not that it would happen, Rain thought. The green eyed man was good at what he did and he would protect Mycroft Holmes with everything he had. He shook away those errant thoughts and focused at the scene ahead from him as Mycroft was given a demonstration about the new collection.

The two men talked about patterns and features and how the handle of the umbrella should be in the same way Ollivander talked about wands or Rain discussed guns. It was an odd sight and the wizard thought that this was one of the few pleasures and peaceful pastimes Mycroft Holmes had. It gave a sort of insight to the man.

"Nathaniel, for the hundredth time," Mycroft drawled, "Grey is unflattering. I want to stick to black."

The craftsman sighed. "Maybe the tall, dark shadow of yours can help me out here," he told Mycroft.

"I will take no part in this," the wizard declared.

Nathaniel advanced with a pattern sample book and a smile.

Rain turned at his employer. "I'm not getting an umbrella," he stated. "Do you have any idea what image we would make if we walked down the street or better yet into the office carrying umbrellas?"

"Like any Londoner?" Nathaniel piped up, making the other two glare. "Fine! Fine! I just thought green eyes here might need some added protection."

"I'm protected enough," the wizard declared.

"And I'll just take the black one," Mycroft announced.

Nathaniel sighed. "But of course," he said while he swiftly hid away what looked suspiciously like purple.

Once they exited the shop and swiftly walked into the car awaiting for them both Mycroft and Rain sighed. Finally the wizard spoke.

"At least he did not try and make us take the red coloured ones," he said to his boss.

"We do not need a bigger target on us," Mycroft declared and Rain nodded.