Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or NCIS or any of their characters. I do however own this story, I wrote it and I do NOT give permission for anyone to post it anywhere else. If you want to share it post a link.
Hadrian slept fitfully and awoke early realising he didn't have any food in his apartment debated going down to raid Tim's fridge. He didn't want to take Teddy down there in case Tim arrived home so casting yet another sleeping charm and promising himself he wouldn't continue to do it or at least to research the safety of frequent use. He ducked down and liberated ingredients for breakfast, saddened and slightly worried to find the apartment empty with no evidence that Tim had returned at all since he'd left. Cursing himself for not thinking of it earlier Hadrian cast a notification charm on the doorway to let him know if someone entered.
He returned upstairs and started to cook bacon and eggs and pancakes as well as porridge wanting comfort foods for himself and Teddy this morning.
Teddy came out looking confused. "Uncle Harry?" He asked uncertainly.
"Morning Teddy" Hadrian said calmly. "How're you doing little man?"
"Where are we?" Teddy asked.
Hadrian looked around. The place certainly looked barely lived in, it wasn't warm or inviting. He hoped the little boy wasn't too distressed by the state of his new home. "This is my apartment. We'll be living here until I can buy a house. Don't worry though we're going to look for a house today. Somewhere with a yard for you to play in."
"I'm hungry" Teddy said.
"Breakfast is almost ready" Hadrian said smiling.
"Where's Tollie?" Teddy asked looking around.
Hadrian almost asked who Tollie was when the elf popped in.
"Master Teddy be calling Tollie?" She asked.
"Hello Tollie. Teddy will be living here until we find a new house to live in. Can you unpack the things he'll need for a few days?" Hadrian asked.
"Of course master Hadrian" the little elf nodded and scuttled off to do her job.
'I wonder where she was last night.' Hadrian thought.
Tollie came back quickly. "You'd should be letting me cooks Master Hadrian" she scolded.
Hadrian laughed and immediately surrendered the cooking. Anyone who thought house elves were slaves had clearly never met a well-trained nanny elf. "Where were you last night?" He asked carefully hoping he didn't upset the elf too much.
"Oh master Hadrian" the little elf wailed. "Missy Andi sent me to stay with my mother because the Mean Grangey was coming for the weekend." Evidently Hermione hadn't changed her opinion on house elves in spite of being told that freeing them harmed them.
"Hermione was there?" Hadrian exclaimed incredulously, "and she just left Teddy and Andi alone while Andi was so sick?"
"Aunt Hermonie?" Teddy called looking around.
"No she's not here Teddy. Did she visit you yesterday?" Hadrian asked though he knew the little boy probably wouldn't be able to answer. Then he remembered Andi telling him that Hermione had cancelled her visit at the last moment. The kind hearted old lady probably hadn't had the heart to ruin Tollie's visit with her mother.
Hadrian fed Teddy the potion to mask his metamorphmagus ability and bundled him up to go and meet the real estate agent he'd made an appointment with online last night. Teddy had never been in a car and Hadrian realised he didn't have the appropriate child restraint. He cast cushioning charms on the child and transfigured a car seat intending to get a proper one fitted that morning. As a thought he called Tollie and asked if she could accompany them invisibly to be able to give him an opinion on which houses were structurally sound and could be quickly and cheaply made liveable.
"Tollie can't do master Hadrian" she wailed. "Tollie not knows buildingses."
"Don't punish yourself. It's my fault for asking the wrong question. You're a nanny elf and you do your job superbly. Is there such a thing as a house elf who restores or builds houses?" Hadrian asked quickly.
"Oh yes Master Hadrian. The Potters most probably woulds has such an elfs" Tollie said pleased to be able to help her master with this information.
"Potter elves?" Hadrian questioned.
"The Potters are an ancient and wealthy family. They has lots of elfs" Tollie said wondering how her master didn't already know this.
"Could I call them just by asking for the Potter elves or do I need to know their names?" Hadrian asked.
"Yous can call all the elfses but yous need more space theys lots of elfses" Tollie said earnestly.
"Can you take Teddy into the other room for a minute and cast a silencing ward." He stood in the middle of the room, cast temporary space expansion charms than used his magic to call the Potter elves.
The noise of more than four hundred elves popping in was deafening and the room quickly became over crowded in spite of the expansion charms.
"Thank you all for coming so promptly. I have just found out about you all and I promise that I'll spend some time over the next week or two to meet you all and get to know what you do. Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment because I have an appointment to look at houses to buy. I need the help of an elf experienced in house restoration and renovation" he said. "Any elf without this experience or who was in the middle of something that needs to be got back to may leave."
There was another thunderous popping as all but about forty elves returned to their previous tasks.
"So many" Hadrian said surprised. 'Hermione's going to kill me if she finds out about them' he thought in dread.
"You's have many properties Master Hadrian. Much of the Potter income comes from rents. Using elves to looks after saves on maintenance costs"
"But most of those properties are in the muggle world" Hadrian protested.
"We is able to work in the muggle world. Yous tenants sometimes wonders why things never breaks down or wears outs but they not really notice" the elf said.
"We'll okay then I'm looking at properties to purchase a home for Teddy and myself. It needs to be fairly private so the neighbours don't notice any accidental magic and I can ward it well to keep us safe but I don't know anything about building maintenance. I was wondering if one of you could come with me today and let me know which of the houses is structurally sound and able to be fixed up fairly quickly as I need to be moved in before my pregnancy starts to show" Hadrian explained.
"Wes can fixes any house, but somes be being easier than others" the elf replied. "I's Quincy and I's go with you today."
"Thank you Quincy. Do you want to come with us in the car or will you pop to each location when I call your name?" Hadrian asked.
"I'se never been in a car" Quincy said excitedly.
"We'll you're welcome to come with me now but we're meeting a muggle to look at houses so you mustn't be seen unless I can glamour you to look like a human child" Hadrian warned. Quincy nodded eagerly and Hadrian transfigured a booster seat for him before applying the glamour.
They met the real estate agent at the first property and Hadrian could see immediately that it wasn't suitable. The photographer had been careful with photo angles to hide the fact the 1/2 acre property was looked down on by the 5 storey apartment complex next door.
He turned his attention to the real estate agent, an expensively maintained woman in her early sixties who looked shocked at the casually dressed young man and two young children that had just got out of the new model top of the line SUV.
"Hi I'm Hadrian Black" he said holding out his hand. "And these are my godsons Teddy and Quincy."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Helen Stuart" she said shaking his hand. "Hello Teddy, Quincy. Are you ready to see inside?" She asked turning back to Hadrian.
"No I don't want to waste your time. This is not what we're looking for" Hadrian replied slightly apologetically.
"It's really lovely inside" the real estate agent protested.
"I want more privacy than this" Hadrian said uncompromisingly.
"Okay then, the next property offers privacy but it has not been lived in for nearly five years. It will need quite a bit of work to bring it back to its former grandeur" Helen stated.
"I'd like to see it" Hadrian stated.
"Do you want to follow me or I could travel with you and tell you about the property if you're willing to bring me back here" Helen offered.
"I'd think we better follow you. I'm not sure how many properties we'll be able to see before Teddy's tolerance for house shopping runs out" Hadrian said smiling.
"Very well" Helen replied relieved not to be travelling with the two energetic looking preschoolers.
They arrived at the next property 5 acres surrounded by a high wall with a turn of the century manor, eight bedrooms but it looked to be very poor condition.
"They's been wards here" Quincy said as they drove in.
"Can you tell me anything about them?" Hadrian asked.
"They's old master Hadrian, almost faded away. They's standard protection wards" Quincy answered. "They's not been renewed in many years."
"Maybe the last owner was a squib. Could the wards be why the house has been empty for five years?" Hadrian asked.
"Likely's Master Hadrian. The wards to stop theifs would keep strangers from seeing house as theirs" Quincy agreed. "You'se will needs to get the goblins to takes down the wards and puts up new ones."
"I can put them up myself" Hadrian replied.
"The goblins wills do betters" Quincy argued before clapping his hands over his mouth in horror.
Hadrian laughed, "Don't worry Quincy you're allowed to have an opinion and you're probably right. I asked for your advice, I'm not going to get offended at you for giving it."
He interior was in slightly better condition than expected the polished wood floors while in desperate need of refinishing seemed solid and the wallpaper was peeling away from walls that seemed in decent condition underneath. The whole place was filthy and many of the glass panes in the old windows were cracked but the house itself had a warmth and charm that when cleaned up would make a lovely home. It was a lot bigger than Hadrian had intended to purchase but the price was fair for the value of the land and the commute to the navy yard might actually be slightly shorter than from Tim's apartment. Quincy let him know that the house was structurally sound internally though badly in need of repair.
"I like it. It's a little more than Teddy and I need but it will do nicely if none of the other houses meet our criteria" Hadrian stated. "Shall we move on."
The next house was neat and tidy, less than five years old, on a four acre block without any trees and seemed completely devoid of any personality. It's selling price was more than the old manor but not unreasonable. There was nothing concrete to object to but Hadrian couldn't see himself living there.
"It's a possibility but I liked the character of the old manor better. What else do you have to show us?"
Helen now with a better idea of what they were looking for crossed several houses off her list. "I'd like to show you two more thought they're both a little further from the city than this.
Hadrian frowned thoughtfully. If Tim didn't forgive him then being close to the city wouldn't matter. The thought made his heart ache.
"They're worth a look while Teddy is co-operating" he agreed.
The first was a lovely rustic looking cabin accessed by a dirt path. Hadrian couldn't imagine Tim ever being willing to drive his Porsche along such a road let alone twice a day. It was also a little small for the four of them. "No" Hadrian said. "This isn't right for us."
The last house was an old farmhouse set on twelve acres. The couple selling were a lovely old couple moving in with their daughter. The views were lovely and the house had charm but it also had a slight smell of rotting wood and Quincy hidden from Mrs Stuart and shook his head pointing out several problems. Hadrian headed back downstairs. The elderly couple looked disappointed to see him return so quickly and Helen also realised that something must have made him cut his inspection short. "I'm sorry" he said to the couple. "But I can't see myself living here. It needs a little too much structural work."
The old man looked guilty for a moment before turning away, his wife just continued to look disappointed. "Thank you for showing me your home. I'm sorry for having taken up your time" Hadrian said to her.
"Oh it's no trouble young man you should stay for a cup of tea before you go. It's nice to have some company" she said trying to smile.
"I'm afraid I have to go. I'm meeting another client" Helen said apologetically. The farmer's wife's face fell.
"I'd like a cuppa" Hadrian agreed. "I just have some business to finish with Helen first. May I walk you out?" he asked.
"I'd like to purchase the Briarwood drive property" he said as they were out of earshot of the elderly lady.
"I'm surprised; it needs more work than this one" Helen replied.
"No it won't, there's a slight smell of dry rot throughout the downstairs and back rooms here. And I wouldn't be surprised if they had a termite problem as well from the feel of the stair treads and the plumbing and wiring haven't been updated since the turn of the century" Hadrian said repeating some of the information Quincy had been able to give him. "The old manor is structurally sound it just needs cleaning and renovating. I can do that but this farmhouse is beyond my skills."
"Okay so what would you like to offer for the Briarwood property?" Helen asked.
"I need a place as soon as possible. So the full asking price in return for an immediate settlement. I'll stop by your office this afternoon with the money" Hadrian said.
"It will take 5 working days for a check to clear, even a bank cheque" Helen warned.
"Can you set up the settlement for Friday then?" Hadrian asked. "I'll get my lawyer to contact you with a time."
"That sounds fine Hadrian. I'll see you on Friday."
"Well the old manor will be ours on Friday" Hadrian said to Quincy.
"I cans gets started fixing?" Quincy asked.
"Yes but it's a muggle neighbourhood so you mustn't be seen, and it would be better if you fix the things that can't be seen from a casual walk through first and save any visual changes until the house is legally ours. We can't put wards up until Friday" Hadrian replied.
"We starts inside and uses glamours to hide works" Quincy promised. "the Muggleses not notice."
-o0o-
Hadrian returned home after a slightly awkward cup of tea with the owners of the farmhouse and Tollie had lunch waiting for them. Teddy ate well, but Hadrian pushed the food around his plate with little appetite.
"Is the lunch not good Master Hadrian?" Tollie asked.
"Lunch is fine Tollie. I'm just not very hungry" Hadrian replied.
"But Master must eat, or the baby not grow healthy and strong" Tollie said.
"Yes Tollie I will try" Hadrian said picking his fork back up.
-o0o-
Hadrian was able to keep Teddy distracted from his loss with new sights and experiences all morning and Teddy was fine with being with his uncle Harry until Hadrian tried to put him down for his afternoon nap when her started to cry for his grandmother.
"Oh Teddy! Grandma has gone to heaven to be with your Mummy and Daddy" Hadrian said picking him up and rocking him.
"I want Grandma" the little boy wailed.
"I know you do my darling boy, and I know she didn't want to leave you, but the pain in her heart just got too bad and she couldn't stay with us any longer. She's in heaven but she still loves you very much and Harry and Tollie are going to take good care of you" Hadrian said trying to keep calm himself.
Tollie popped in without being called. "Master Teddy bes overtired" she said. "You want Tollie to bring sleeping draft?"
"I really don't want to get in the habit of potioning or magicking him to sleep, he needs to be able to put himself to sleep, perhaps if you have a children's calming draught?" Hadrian replied.
Tollie popped away and returned with the calming draught and a bottle of milk. "Sleeping potions tastes better" she said. "Master Teddy's won't like."
"I know but if I put him to sleep without a calming draught while he's this upset he'll have nightmares" Hadrian replied.
Tollie was right that Teddy fought taking the potion but settled once Hadrian performed the mouth cleaning spell and offered him a bottle though he was really too old for one. He gently rocked him to sleep and lay him down casting monitoring spells so he would know the instant the child started to wake or become upset.
-o0o-
Hadrian bundled Teddy up and apparated them both to the magical shopping centre. He wanted to stay home and wait for Tim to come home even though the monitoring charms would let him know the minute Tim entered his apartment but he needed to find a supplier for Teddy's metamorphmagus suppression potion. He was slightly worried that the potion was rare enough that anyone who knew that he had taken custody of Teddy could use his purchase of it to find them but it was beyond his brewing abilities to make it himself even if he did have a potions lab which he wouldn't until the house was finished. He set up a regular order to be delivered after the supplier swore an oath he wouldn't give out any information about Teddy or himself.
Hadrian also took the opportunity to stock up on other potions, sweets, and the few other things that he used from the magical world so he wouldn't have to come back for a while and replaced his magically hardened phone which had started to show signs that the magic was starting to affect it. He also bought a variety of muggle looking children's hats and sunglasses with parentally activated sticking charms so the child couldn't remove them.
Although it upset him to contemplate the idea, Hadrian also made arrangements through the goblins to purchase a share if Tim's apartment complex so he could ward it to protect Tim if he chose not to move in with them.
-o0o-
Gibbs picked Tim up from the hospital after a two day admission. He wanted to take Tim straight back to his house so he could look after him until Tim could use his arm again. Ducky had also offered his assistance though suggested that Gibbs might be the better offer as his mother's behaviour could be somewhat erratic.
Tim had insisted that he needed to go to his own flat and Gibbs reluctantly agreed after Tim had refused to leave the hospital with him and tried to call himself a taxi unless he agreed to take him home.
They arrived back at the apartment and Gibbs helped Tim up the stairs. As they entered the living room Tim noticed that Hadrian's coat is missing from the coat rack, anxiously he checked the bedroom and found that all of Hadrian's clothes have been removed.
Tim rushed out of the bedroom towards the door intending to go and find Hadrian.
Gibbs jumped up and refused to let him leave the apartment. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked amused.
"Please I've got to go and see someone, let them know I'm okay." Tim begged.
"Why don't you just call them?" Gibbs asked patiently.
"I can't the number was in my phone, I don't remember it" Tim explained. Tim's phone had taken the brunt of the bullet that injured Tim and while it had resulted in a few extra minor shrapnel wounds the phone had deflected the bullet away from the bone and vital arteries.
"I could call and ask DiNozzo or Abby to find it out" Gibbs offered.
"Oh Hell No! I'd never hear the end of it": Tim exclaimed. "Please Boss, it's just upstairs"
"Tim you couldn't even get up here without my help, I'm not about to let you go running off on your own. Tell me which apartment and I'll go up and ask them to come down" Gibbs said firmly.
Tim looks even more alarmed "No it's fine I can do this" Tim argued.
"I'm not leaving you here alone. I'll pack a bag for you and you can come home with me for a few days" Gibbs said moving towards the bedroom taking in the clearly half empty wardrobe with the door hanging open. Clearly Tim expected something to be in there. Gibbs had several experiences of coming home to empty wardrobes when a wife or girlfriend had walked out on him but he thought it was particularly harsh for her to have left while Tim was in the hospital.
"No I'll be fine. I can't go I need to be here" Tim said desperately. "I need to go upstairs and speak to them."
"Tim, what's going on? Trust me I want to help" Gibbs asked gently.
"I'm fine, I need to go upstairs" Tim repeated urgently.
"Tim you look ready to pass out, there's no way I'm going to let you walk up those stairs" Gibbs said firmly, his hand was itching to slap some sense into the back of the junior agent's head.
Tim took a deep breath seeing no other choice but to trust his boss. "Okay" he said reluctantly, "Hades lives in apartment 4B. Can you explain that I've been in the hospital and that I couldn't call because my phone was broken and that I need to talk to him? If that's not enough to get him to come down and talk to me will you tell him 'I'm sorry'?"
Gibbs nodded and left without saying anything knowing that Tim wouldn't calm down until he'd spoken with this Hades. It must be important if Tim was prepared to ask Gibbs to break Rule 6.
A/N: Thank you to Kourtney Uzu Yato, charm13insomnia, Bella216, Firehedgehog, xDarklightx, Almonda, geetac, icyquest4, buterflypuss, lgbtlovechick, julschristine975, Rori Potter, Magouille, Village-Mystic, Merlenyn, Silvermane1, DS2010, gabrieljuarezl, acherongoddess, lilly-flower15, Red05, dadysprinces1994, Luluca Amekaze, Guest, aoin88, deannamd, Bewitchedfan2, IchigoRenji, stayblue, sm1982, Dreamwind1, Darling De Piaget, SanctumSyte, VampireGrimmjow, Metautske, ladyvol11, Hater777, demarra, Aelirenn, animefangirl0219, helenanevada, ioname2you, Tinkerbell-69-4ever, Mos2598, lapoulpe123, mooncalled11, darkwaterstorm, kiku127, algrover, Ivys Poison, Camieko, hatchi cullen-black and trientalis77 for your support.