Disclaimer: Changing history to suit your purposes has a long and successful history.

Right and Correct

"You know," Harry began, "the last time we were on a bus as it rolled into this station, you were drooling on my shoulder."

"I'm sure I wasn't," Hermione said primly. "Perhaps it was the other way around?"

"You're going to have to stop editing history to suit yourself like this," Harry mock growled. "If you're ever going to make the jump from reading to writing."

"It hasn't been written down yet," Hermione replied. "And when I get around to it, I'll make sure it's recorded correctly."

"Good."

"With you drooling on my shoulder," Hermione said quickly.

"You said correctly," Harry accused.

"And that would be correct," Hermione agreed. "Not necessarily how it happened, but correct."

"Let's go see if we can get some money from the bank," Harry suggested suddenly. "I'd rather not spend another night on a cramped floor in a windowless room."

"I was quite comfortable."

"That's because you stole the blankets and pushed your cold feet into my back," Harry retorted. "But that's not important right now. What's important is that we try to find something more permanent."

"And secure," Hermione added. "We'll have to decide wither we want anonymity or heavy wards. I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to be able to track you by your wards."

"We could put up a lot of wards," Harry suggested. "Let him run around trying to figure out which one is the right one."

"In the meantime, dozens of muggles are under some of the most expensive wards in the wizarding world," Hermione added. "It's something to think about."

"Here's the bank," Harry announced. "Shall we?" He asked as he held open the door for her.

"We shall," Hermione agreed. "Thank you."

"Ah Mr. Harry and Ms. Hermione," the bank manager greeted them as the walked in. "I was wondering when you'd decide to stop by."

"I need to withdraw a bit of money," Harry said with a smile.

"We need to find a place to live," Hermione added. "And I'd like to see about getting Harry some contacts."

"Of course," the manager agreed. "Mark, see to it."

"Yes sir."

"I also have a message for you from… uh."

"My other bank?" Harry asked with a smile.

"Yes," the manager agreed. "Would you like to use my office?"

"Thank you," Hermione replied. "We'd love to." They walked into the office and closed the door.

"Now what?" Harry asked.

"Now I suggest that the two of you have a seat so we can conduct our business." The char turned to reveal a goblin sitting in it.

"Ak, you startled me."

"Yeah, I love doing that." The goblin said smugly. "We've got several requests for information on what it would take to have you put up wards. At the moment, we've rejected all offers and you'll be happy to hear that this hasn't diminished the demand. Rather, it seems that the more the price goes up, the more people want them."

"Great," Harry said.

"Where are my manners," the goblin said suddenly. "Please have a seat."

"Was there something else?" Harry asked.

"Another bit of business has presented itself," the goblin agreed. "One that we can discuss while the bank takes care of the errands you mentioned."

"What errands?"

"Your new living quarters and contact lenses for young Harry," the goblin replied.

"I wasn't aware that Banks would do that for their customers," Hermione mused.

"I think you'll find that the rules are different when you have a larger account," the goblin explained. "And that the rules are much different when you are involved in a profitable partnership with the bank."

"So what's this new business opportunity?"

"Madame Bones has contacted the bank," the goblin began. "She would like to set up a meeting between you and one of her representatives."

"Is she offering any guarantees?" Hermione asked. "I don't want to go into a meeting where we'll just get taken."

"For our own good of course," Harry added.

"She suggested having it on neutral ground," the goblin replied. "We can have it here if you're willing to wait."

"It would also make it difficult for them to prepare something," Hermione whispered to her friend.

"Alright," Harry agreed. "We'll meet with them. Just… just don't tell them where they're going first."

"I'll inform them," the goblin agreed. "And I'll be sure to pass along your concerns to Madame Bones. I might also mention how… displeased the bank would be if we were used to ambush one of our partners."

"Thank you."

IIIIIIIIII

"Something wrong Tonks?" Kingsley asked his young partner. "You've been looking as white as a sheet."

"I'm fine Shack."

"And you've hardly touched your lunch," he persisted.

"I said that I was fine, Shack," Tonks said. "But… did you ever wonder if we were doing the right thing?"

"I'm afraid you're going to have to narrow it down a bit."

"With Harry," Tonks explained. "Keeping him locked up like that."

"I'm sure that Dumbledore knows best," Kingsley said with a smile.

"But what if he doesn't?" Tonks looked like she was close to tears. "What would you have done if it were any other child in that situation?"

"I…"

"Or if someone was keeping you locked up like that," Tonks said quickly. "How would you take it?"

"We did what we thought was best at the time," Kingsley finally said. "And we're going to have to accept that we may have made a mistake."

"But…"

"For my part," the senior Auror interrupted, "I generally tell myself that the higher ups have access to more information then I do. What may seem wrong to us would seem different if we had all the facts."

"The boss wants to see you Shack," one of the other Aurors called across the bullpen. "I wouldn't keep her waiting if I were you."

"Just think about it before you decide to do anything," Shacklebolt suggested as he got up. With any luck that would keep the girl from running off to tell anyone for the time being, a more permanent solution would have to wait. "You sent for me, boss?" Shacklebolt asked as he walked into Madame Bones' office.

"Sit down," the woman ordered without looking up.

"Yes, ma'am," Kingsley agreed. Looked like it was going to be another one of those meetings.

"I see here that you partnered with the Potters to catch the Fox and the Hound the last time they were active?"

"I wouldn't say partnered," Kingsley demurred. "I was rather junior at the time."

"But you did work with them did you not?"

"I did."

"How important were they to the investigation?"

"Vital," Kingsley admitted. "Without them we would never have gotten as close as we did, with them we nearly caught them."

"I see," Bones said as she read a notation. "Did Lily Potter really get into a fist fight with the Fox?"

"The Fox… uh, threatened to take James and… uh… show him what a real woman could do." Kingsley said with a blush, "a real woman rather then 'a stuck up little bitch' if I remember right."

"Why didn't James take the opportunity to capture the Hound while his wife kept the Fox busy?"

"He and the Hound reached in and pulled out their respective partners," Kingsley said with a smile. "James took an elbow to the face for his troubles. And… ah, Lily was too much of a handful to pursue."

"Why didn't the Aurors on scene do anything?" Bones demanded. "It doesn't say anything here and I don't remember hearing anything at the time."

"James had his hands full and we were… indisposed."

"Define indisposed."

"The Fox and the Hound had stunned us and shackled us together… naked."

"Do tell."

"They were taking pictures when James and Lily arrived," Kingsley said miserably. "James tried to hide his laugh and Lily growled something about pranks being childish. That's what set off the whole… uh."

"Incident?"

"Yes."

"How would you like another pair of Potters to help you with your current investigation?"

"I'd love them," Kingsley said quickly. "You know where I can find young Harry?"

"I've managed to arrange a meeting through Gringotts," Amelia agreed. "I want you to go and talk with them, mention what his parents did and ask them to meet with me. I'll work out the details."

"I think I know the approach to make," Kingsley said with a laugh. "Done enough interrogations to slip into the 'good cop' easily enough."

"Excellent," Amelia's voice turned cold. "But before you go, I just wanted to make sure of something."

"What's that?" Shacklebolt asked.

"That you won't let your involvement in Dumbledore's little club get in the way of your job," Amelia said coldly. "Am I making myself clear?"

"You are, Madame Bones."

"You will not try to apprehend young Harry or his friend," Bones continued. "You will not give any information to Dumbledore or any of his lackeys about your job. You will not give any information about young Harry. And you most certainly will not try to cover for anyone doing the same."

"Yes, Madame Bones."

"Be sure that Dumbledore knows that he does not want to cross me on this one," Amelia growled. "He does not want to learn what it is to have me as an enemy."

"I understand, Madame Bones."

"I warn you, as much as I'll do to Dumbledore," she said in a low voice, "it pales in comparison to what I would do to an Auror who betrayed me."

"Yes, Madame Bones."

"Go to Gringotts, the goblins will take you to the meeting."

"Yes, Madame Bones." Kingsley repeated himself; it seemed like the safe thing to do. He was also, he reflected to himself as he walked to Gringotts, beginning to regret taking Dumbledore's invitation to join the Order. It was all well and good when the man had been standing against Voldemort, but to make Madame Bones an enemy… he shuddered.

"This way," a goblin said by way of greeting when Kingsley walked through the door. "Take this portkey."

"Right," Shacklebolt agreed. "How do I activate it?"

"It should activate on its own right about… now." Kingsley felt a pull from his torso and appeared in a well-furnished office.

"They're in there," another goblin said as he pushed Kingsley towards the door. "And their time is very valuable so keep it brief."

"I… hello Harry, Hermione." Kingsley plastered on his best smile. "How have the two of you been?"

"Why did you want to meet with us?" Harry demanded as soon as the Auror walked in the door.

"Direct, I like that." Kingsley said with a smile. "I don't know how to start so I'll just lay my cards on the table."

"That would probably be for the best."

"I need your help, Potter," Shacklebolt said by way of greeting. "They're back."

"Who's back?" Harry asked quickly.

"The Fox and the Hound," Shacklebolt replied.

"The Fox and the Hound," Harry repeated. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

"Moody tells me that he gave you your family spells but I guess you haven't gotten to that section of your father's notes huh?" Shacklebolt said with a horrifying grin. "Do you know what your father did?"

"No," Harry replied. "What did he do?"

"He helped the Ministry hunt a pair of thieves," Shacklebolt explained. "Man and a woman, the woman called herself the Red Fox or just the Fox and the man called himself the Hound. Your father thought they were siblings and your mother always maintained that they were a couple."

"What?" Harry allowed his eyes to widen in shock. "My mum hunted them, too?"

"Your mother hated the Fox with an intensity that scared me," Shacklebolt agreed. "Something about how the Fox threatened to take James away from her, your mother was not amused."

"So my parents were Aurors?" Harry asked quickly.

"No, they weren't," Shacklebolt replied. "I guess you would call them independent consultants; the Ministry paid them quite a bit of money for their services."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Same deal as your parents," the Auror replied. "When there's a theft, we'll bring you in to look at the scene to see if you can tell us how they got in. Can't say what your pay will be, but I promise you that it will be worth your time."

"I'll need a special dispensation to use magic outside of school," Harry began. "And probably a few other things."

"Shouldn't be a problem," Kingsley held out his hand. "I think it'll be a pleasure working with you."

"We're not agreeing to anything yet," Hermione interjected. "We'll think about it and get back to you."

"Of course," Shacklebolt agreed. Inwardly he was cursing, damn the girl for spoiling the deal. "I thought that would be your answer. To be honest, I'm just here to feel you out. The real details will have to be worked out between you two and Madame Bones."

"We'll be sure to find a place in our schedule for a meeting with Madame Bones then," Hermione said firmly. "Good day, Mr. Shacklebolt."

"Later," Kingsley said as he walked out the door. One thing was for sure, Moody would be insufferable if he ever learned about this conversation and the way the Granger girl had jumped in when it looked like her friend would fold.

AN: Wrote Shacklebolt as a bit of a bastard in this fic, didn't give him much screen time though.