Jack Hodgins was not a man easily bowed by the opinions and judgements of others but that didn't mean he was immune to them either. With pretty much the entire lab angry or at least annoyed with him because of his treatment of Harry Black he decided to review his strategy. He was still certain that the man known as Harry Black was involved in some sort of conspiracy. Hodgins was less certain that the conspiracy in question was actually a threat to him or anyone at the Jeffersonian. He was also pretty sure Sweets knew a lot more than he was letting on and that Harry Black had every intention of letting him in on his secrets.

Hodgins contemplated all of this has he moved toward the office of Daniel Goodman. Dr. Goodman had turned over the reigns of the Forensics department to Cam a few years back so he could better focus on running the rest of the museum. Since then any issues had been handled by Cam. Hodgins was curious to see what it was Dr. Goodman wanted to talk to him about. He only hoped it wasn't to do with Dr. Black, the other man didn't seem the type to run to higher ups but Jack knew that Sweets had been pretty pissed off after the meeting with Amber Kippler the week before.

Jack knocked and waited to hear Dr. Goodman's voice bidding him enter before stepping into the office. Dr. Goodman sat behind his large cherry wood desk seemingly working on some paperwork as he gestured Hodgins to sit in a chair across from him. Hodgins sat and smiled up at his boss's boss.

"So am I fired?" He asked but the look Goodman gave him in response was not reassuring.

"I would like you to stop your harassment of Dr. Black." Jack scoffed.

"I can't believe he ran to you about that! Having him checked out can hardly be considered harassment."

"Dr. Black has not come to me, though he would be well within his rights if had. You are neither as discrete nor as clever as you think yourself Jack. The entire Jeffersonian is talking about your personal vendetta against Dr. Black, a young man I might add, who has made many more friends in his time here than you have." Goodman told him with a scowl.

"And you don't think that's odd? I mean this guy comes here and everybody likes him, he's got no past apparently he completed his doctorate in under a year! How are you not suspicious of this guy?" Jack demanded unable to keep his annoyance inside.

"Do I think it odd that an intelligent young man who is unfailingly friendly and polite to everyone he meets has made more friends than someone who is constantly paranoid and sarcastic to those around him? No Dr. Hodgins I do not. Why should I be suspicious because he completed his schooling quickly? He went to a well known and prestigious private school much like your Dr. Sweets. He also came highly recommended by his predecessor as the best man for the job. Aside from that and rather more importantly as far as the museum is concerned Dr. Black happens to be responsible for a rather large chunk of funding that passes to this museum." Dr. Goodman informed him.

"What?" Jack asked flabbergasted "If that's how you decide who is and is not important than I'd like to point out that my group is also responsible for some pretty large donations."

"I'm aware of that however, Slytherin Trust is the only group that donates more than your own and furthermore has been making those donations ever since the Jeffersonian was founded. Long before you came to work for us and began your own donations." Jack gaped at him.

"Why on earth would a British trust donate millions to an American museum?" Jack demanded in shock.

"I can answer that," Harry Black spoke from behind Jack nearly jumped from his chair. "Sorry I don't mean to intrude Dr. Goodman I was just turning in my papers since I'll be heading home for a few days next week. Just wanted to make sure everything is in order."

"That's quite all right Harry, thank you for bringing them down personally." Dr. Goodman told him with a warmer smile than Hodgins had ever had directed at him. Jack couldn't help but scowl up at Dr. Black.

"So why does Slytherin Trust donate so much?" Hodgins demanded and Dr. Black smiled at him.

"The Black family faced accusations of witchcraft in the early 1600's. When the Jeffersonian established it's History Of Witches exhibit they donated a large amount to keep it open, to keep the horrors of the witch trials from ever repeating due to a lack of understanding or ignorance. We Black's have always tried to keep people from being persecuted based only on the fact that they are considered odd or suspicious by others."

On the day they were set to depart for England Lance met Harry outside his apartment early. He was both excited and nervous about his international journey. Harry had handled all the travel arrangements but had yet to give him any details about what they would be doing or what the trip would actually entail. Lance couldn't find it in him to mind though. At this point he was spending most night's at Harry's apartment or Harry was spending the night at his. He knew without being told from the few hints that Harry had dropped that something would likely happen to answer most if not all of his questions once they arrived in London.

They drove in silence to the airport and Lance didn't miss the tense stiffness in Harry's shoulders. Lance was excited for the trip but even a blind man could see that Harry was dreading it. Once they arrived at the airport and checked their bags Lance pulled him into a long hug.

"It'll be okay," He told Harry softly "I'll be next to you the whole time."

Harry rested his head in the crook of Lance's neck and neither of them moved for several long moments until Harry stood again straightening his shoulders with a look of steely determination in his eyes.

"Okay lets do this." It was a look that Lance had come to think of as Harry's battle face. He wore it whenever he was faced with something unpleasant. Lance had seen the same look on Agent Booth's face and on the faces of many returned veterans turned FBI agents in his time.

The flight was long but Harry had booked them in first class so it could have been worse. As it was they arrived Saturday at 11:00 AM. Together they headed to their hotel and dropped off their bags. Lance was looking forward to a hot shower but Harry stopped him.

"I have my saturday appointment today, I was hoping you might like to come with." Lance gaped at him for a moment.

"I thought that was at 8AM?" Lance asked Harry smiled.

"Yes 8:00AM D.C. time that works out to 1:00PM London time."

"But, you haven't been coming to London for your appointments. That would take forever." Lance replied in confusion.

"No you're right its not in London. It's about an hour out so we've really got to run if we're going to be on time. Especially since I'd like to stop and get lunch before we leave the city." Harry had a smile teasing the corner of his lips and Lance found himself wondering not for the first time if his boyfriend was really just crazy. Still he'd come this far not asking questions so he supposed he could go a little further.

Harry didn't drive so it fell to Lance to try and navigate the streets of London and then the countryside as Harry used a map to direct him. Finally they arrived in a old neighborhood that was obviously worse for wear. The buildings were dark and gritty likely from the nearby industrial area where Lance could see large clouds of smoke billowing up into the sky over the tops of the houses. Lance pulled to a stop in front of one of the older more broken down houses.

"This is your saturday morning appointment?" Lance asked just for clarification as he eyed the building. Harry nodded.

"Yes this is the place."

Lance walked behind Harry up the steps to the imposing door. Harry lifted the large brass knocker and let it fall once. There was no sound from inside nor any light as far as Lance could see. Still Harry just waited and didn't lift the knocker again.

"Are you sure they are home?" Lance asked.

"Oh he's home, probably hoping I'll go away." Harry reached up as if to grasp the knocker again when the door swung open. The man who confronted them was not at all what Lance was expecting. His hair was black and pulled into a severe ponytail, his skin was the placid white of someone who spends very little time outside and he was scowling fiercely as he looked from Harry to Lance. None of that was as strange as his clothing however because the man appeared to be wearing a floor black robe with a high severe collar and about a hundred buttons. Harry didn't seem surprised at all however and simply grinned at the scowling man.

"Hello Snape, This is Dr. Lance Sweets, Lance this is Severus Snape. Do let us in, we've come for tea." If possible the man's scowl deepened further.

"Idiot boy! It's bad enough you insist on forcing your vile presence upon me, now you thrust strangers upon me as well!" the man spat even as he stepped back and allowed them both into the house. Harry moved with complete confidence through the door and to a small sitting room. Lance followed closely behind. Once they arrived Lance saw a small tea service had already been set out with two cups at the ready.

"I read your article in Potions Quarterly Snape." Harry said ignoring everything else the other man had said. Snape scoffed.

"As if you could even begin to grasp the complexities of Potion's Theory with that thick skull of yours." The man replied as he settled into the armchair Harry had steered Lance away from upon entering. The man lifted the teapot and then glancing at Lance took out a wooden stick and flicked it. A third cup appeared. From thin air. On the tray. Lance looked at Harry and he was grinning now but made no move to explain instead responding to the man Snape's statement.

"No you're right I couldn't make heads or tails of it but I did have Hermione read it and she said it's quite good. She seems to think it's the potions breakthrough of the century."

If Lance hadn't spent years studying behavioural analysis he probably would have missed the slight twitch of Snape's lips which showed how pleased he was by that complement.

"Ms. Granger said that. Well I guess that girl isn't completely hopeless after all." Snape replied as he poured tea into the three cups including the one that had appeared from nowhere. He prepared his own tea and Harry's before turning to Lance in a questioning fashion. Harry spoke for him.

"His is the same as mine. I suppose I should tell you Hermione is Mrs. Weasley now. She and Ron were married a few months back." Snape scoffed and his face pulled into a look of disgust.

"What a waste a brain like hers bestowed upon a Weasley. Even you would have been a better choice." Harry laughed.

"I think Lance would be less than happy with me if I were married." Snape raised an eyebrow at him and Lance recognized the expression from the times he'd seen it mirrored on Harry's face.

"Oh it's like that is it? I should have known you'd take after that mutt of a godfather of yours." Harry did a doubletake.

"Sirius was gay? He never said." Snape nodded.

"Oh yes he took up with one of the Prewitt twins Fabian I think it was right out of school."

"Wait Molly Weasley's brother?" Harry asked sounding flabbergasted and Snape nodded. "But she gave me his watch on my seventeenth birthday!"

"Did you never think to ask why that particular watch? Imbecile!"

"No it never occurred to me there might be more of a reason." Harry replied his voice quiet and his face pensieve. "I wonder why Sirius never mentioned him."

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Are you quite finished with your tea? Ask your questions I have brewing to complete." Lance looked over at Harry to find his eyes glowing in excitement as he leaned forward in his seat. Lance understood at once that this was the reason for the rest of the visit. This moment, was the only reason they had come.

"What was her favorite song?" Harry asked his tone eager and almost breathless. Snape settled back in his chair and appeared to be considering.

"Your mother had a great love of music she could never have chosen just one favorite. The summer before fifth year she spent hours at the local record store listening to various groups. Her particular favorites were Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and even on occasion the Sex Pistols. She did not care for Wizarding music, she found it dull and old fashioned." Lance jumped at the words wizarding music and looked over at Harry but his boyfriend was completely focussed on Snape. Lance didn't blame him, it was clear Harry knew very little about his mother and this man apparently held the answers.

"Did she like movies? Did she have a favorite?" Harry asked quickly.

"She found most movies dull often saying she lived in a far more exciting world than movies could portray but she did love Breakfast at Tiffany's. I think she must have watched it a dozen times at least every summer."

"What about-" but Snape cut him off.

"Potter! I told you I have brewing to complete, Three questions is more than enough! My time is valuable and you have wasted enough of it!" Harry's face flashed brief disappointment but then he smiled and nodded.

"Well thank you Snape. Will you be coming to the memorial tomorrow?" Snape shook his head.

"Certainly not."

"Alright then I suppose I'll see you next week." Harry said standing and pulling Lance to his feet as well.

"You needn't put yourself out. I would not mourn the loss of your company." Snape told him with a sneer. Harry just grinned and moved to leave the apartment with Lance close behind him. Once the door slammed behind them Harry turned to Lance with a smile.

"That actually went quite well, three questions and he let us finish our tea!"

"Is this another one of those moments where you won't answer my questions?" Lance asked as they walked to the car. Harry shrugged.

"Depends on the question."

"So that man knew your mother, I gathered that but it's clear he knows you quite well. I would suppose a teacher perhaps?" Lance asked his tone a question Harry smiled warmly at him.

"Yes exactly right. Don't let his sour attitude fool you really he loves me. Just very deep deep down. Otherwise he'd never let me through the door."

"Harry?" Lance asked a moment later as he pulled out onto the interstate.

"Hmm?"

"Where did the third cup come from?" Harry laughed.

"Oh my darling, figure out the answer to that and you'll have the answer to everything else as well."

Author's notes: Sorry for the Long delay on this. I got grabbed quite fiercely by that flighty lady inspiration, she wrapped her hands around my throat and refused to let me breath until I wrote out 'Breaking Free' in its entirety. That's finished now however and I hope to get back to more regular updates on this. thanks for all your lovely reviews in the meantime and your wonderful patience. Never think I've abandoned this story. I think of it as my little pet project because all my favorite harry/bones crossovers have been abandoned.

Please Review and tell me what you thought!