Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or NCIS or any of their characters.
The building superintendent was away for the weekend and wouldn't be back until Monday so Hadrian was still staying with Tim when he got up for work early Monday morning. They'd sat watching movies until they fell asleep every night. Hadrian had made an effort to return to the blow up bed each night but seeing as he'd also woken up with nightmares every night as well Tim had encouraged him to stay in the king size bed where he could easily wake him as needed.
Hadrian stirred and began breakfast while Tim was in the shower cooking Turkey bacon to make BLT sandwiches since he didn't know whether Tim would have time to sit down and eat or needed something he could eat while driving. He then went to get dressed so he'd be ready to leave when Tim was.
"You don't have to leave" Tim said surprised. "I trust you not to rob me blind or set the place on fire. I'm more likely to do that myself trying to cook now you've shown me how much better home cooking can be."
Hadrian laughed. "I need to go and meet my new bosses today anyway" he said. "I thought if you didn't mind I could travel in to DC with you and make my way from there."
"Sure let me just grab you a spare key in case you get back before me. I'll be home around six if we don't get a case, if we do it could be as late as midnight."
"Should I go and see the super when I get back tonight?" Hadrian asked.
"No, he's the suspicious sort so unless you can get some good American rental references it would be better if I come and vouch for you. Hopefully if we get a case it will be local. I'll try to call you tonight about eight if I'm not home by then."
"Okay. I'll try not to kill my phone before then" Hadrian joked.
"I can call the landline phone if I can't get through on yours" Tim said laughing.
"Are you sure you're okay with me staying here if you're away. I don't mind getting a motel room somewhere" Hadrian asked. He remembered how annoyed he'd been when acquaintances had assumed he'd let them stay with him because he had such a huge house and had invited Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna to stay. Fortunately for him the wards had made his unwelcome guests soon want to move out without knowing why.
"Of course I'm sure I don't mind you being there" Tim replied. "My flat's never felt so much like home as it has this week. It's been great having you here. Stop talking about finding a motel, I want you to make yourself at home until we get you a flat of your own." Tim thought about suggesting that Hadrian ask for a six month lease just until his own lease was up and they could find a bigger place to share after that, but failed to find the courage to say it.
Left on his own near the Navy Yard Hadrian quickly oriented himself on the map, looked around and found a safe place to apparate from in future, and caught the train into the centre of DC to look for the magical shopping district his handlers at MI7 had described. He needed a new wand as soon as possible. He'd left his old one back in England afraid it would be tracked and felt naked without one. It was only that he enjoyed Tim's friendship so much and the fact they'd been entirely in the muggle world that enabled him to put off visiting the wand maker as long as he had.
Finding the place he was amazed by how much like a normal shopping mall it looked other than the goods on sale. The only building in the place that looked like it needed magic to keep it standing upright was Gringotts. He withdrew some money, surprised again by the fact American wizards primarily used dollars not Galleons though most shops on the alley would accept either and headed for the wand shop.
'Wand makers must all be a little odd' Hadrian thought to himself watching the elderly man almost dancing around his shop excitedly. An hour later he had a new wand and left with a sigh of relief grateful for the wand but also glad to be finished with the overly cheerful kook. He spent the morning looking around the alley, stocking up on some general healing potions and browsing the bookstore before having an early lunch.
-o0o-
Harry had left three letters with Kingsley that the older man had promised he would send out a couple of days after Harry left explaining his absence so his best friends wouldn't think he'd been kidnapped or attacked again.
Dear Hermione
I have accepted a new job with MI7 as a consultant looking for Death Eaters that fled the country after the war. I left on Friday and I'll be based mostly overseas. I'm really sorry not to tell you this in person but my new bosses didn't want word to get out that I was going or what I'll be doing in case the fugitives are still in contact with sympathetic friends or family members that might warn them. I can't tell you where I'll be living but my estate manager is able to forward mail to me. Please don't tell the Weasleys that though. I'm not ready to hear from any of them, even Ron after what happened last week. I understand he has to support his sister. I just don't want him to be stuck in the middle. It'll be easier on him if he can't contact me. I'll miss you Hermione, but I'm looking forward to living somewhere I can hopefully walk down the street and talk to a girl without making the front page. I really can't blame Ginny for feeling insecure about that at times though she should have trusted me too.
I'll write when I get settled. I'm a little embarrassed that I'm letting Ginny drive me away from my home but really she's just the straw that broke the camel's back.
Love
Harry
Hermione was in tears by the time she finished reading. 'Come back for the wedding?' Harry made it sound like he was planning to be gone for years. She'd known he'd hated the fame and the constant gossip in 'The Daily Prophet' not to mention the need for security and constantly having to be on the lookout for attackers but she'd never thought he'd abandon England and all his friends to get away from it. This was Ginny's fault, if she'd left him alone he would have a girlfriend he could trust and be here enjoying the peace with the rest of them.
After receiving the letter, Hermione spent as little time with the Weasleys as she could without upsetting Ron. She also started avoiding parties where Ginny was likely to be though that wasn't much of a hardship. Ginny had been her best female friend at Hogwarts but they didn't have much in common since the end of the war. She threw herself into her work not realising that without Harry around to remind her she was neglecting her godson Teddy. She felt awkward with him anyway Harry was much better with small children than she was. Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that Tonks and Remus had made her godmother because they thought she would end up being with Harry. Or maybe they could see how wrong Ginny was for him and wanted to encourage his thoughts in another direction.
Andromeda Tonks also received a letter from Harry.
Dear Andi and Teddy,
I'm being sent overseas to work. Apparently I'm too much of a target to be an effective Auror here. I can't tell you where I'm going but as soon as I get settled I'll look into getting a regular return portkey so I can visit. In the meantime if you need to contact me my Gringotts manager can forward letters and messages to me though it might take a day or two. Please do not let anyone know you're still in contact with me. It will be safer for you both that way. I'm also trying to avoid the Weasleys, they haven't taken the ending of my engagement to Ginny very well.
Give Teddy a hug from me and tell him I love him.
Yours sincerely
Harry
Not taken well was an understatement' Andi thought ruefully. She'd run into Molly ranting about cancelling the wedding on Friday. She for one didn't blame Harry in the least for not wanting a mother in law like that. She was glad that even leaving the country Harry was planning to put the extra effort in to stay involved in her grandson's life. Giving Teddy a hug and a kiss she told him they were from his Uncle Harry who would try to visit soon.
Ron
Being sent away on urgent assignment.
All very hush hush.
Don't tell anyone I'm gone
Will write when I can
Harry
Ron was pissed. Harry got all the best assignments. He ignored the fact that Harry had also tested out of all the combat training, not by killing Voldemort but by beating all the instructors in one on one duels. Ron had been offered the same opportunity to test out but had been defeated in his second duel. Harry had then worked twice as hard as he needed to to complete all the rest of the training requirements in a single year and was therefore in the graduating class ahead of Ron. He also ignored the fact that if he had been offered the assignment, he wouldn't have wanted to leave Hermione or his family.
-o0o-
Hadrian anxiously made his way to the American Ministry of Magic for his one o'clock meeting with the Auror Captain Edmund Clancy. He knew that the British Aurors were deeply suspicious of anything coming out of the muggle run MI7 and was aware that the Americans hadn't asked for him to be posted there. He only hoped that they didn't resent him and couldn't help hoping that he wasn't so famous on this side of the pond and would be treated like any other Auror.
It turned out that management at least was happy to have him.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt's an old friend of mine, we met on a combined training exercise back before you lot closed yourself off from things like that when that idiot Fudge became minister" he said cheerfully. "He says good things about your skills though I really doubt you're going to have much to do chasing Death Eaters. This country's just too well integrated for them to get much of a following here."
"That's okay. I'm happy to be put to work anywhere you think I might be useful. Kingsley put me up for this as much because he wanted me to have the opportunity to be a normal Auror for a while as because of my familiarity with the Death Eaters and their methods" Hadrian replied.
"We work closely with mundane law enforcement here" Clancy said. "Do a lot of infiltration and undercover operations. Do you have much undercover experience? With as young as you look you'd be highly sought after."
Hadrian laughed. "Every man woman and child in the British wizarding world recognises me on sight and if I'm not seen for a week it makes the front page of 'The Prophet'. My bosses wouldn't even consider me for undercover no matter how good I was at disguising myself."
"Well that's one thing you need to learn. I've also taken the liberty of putting you into the cadet's law classes so you can learn how our laws and procedures differ from Britain's. And if you're really here for the long term I'd suggest enrolling in a mundane community college for a semester or two to learn more about the mundane world" Clancy said. In particular, they have some good courses on criminology, psychology and forensics that would also be useful in your career as an Auror.
Hadrian nodded. "I expect I have a lot to learn. I was also studying warding, runes and rituals privately before I came here and was hoping you could put me in touch with a teacher here. And I'm not sure I'd cope with college I was thinking about enrolling in high school to fill some of the gaps in my education. Hogwarts doesn't offer any mundane classes."
"That's a good idea" Clancy smiled, he liked it when young Aurors admitted their ignorance and wanted to continue learning, it spoke to a lack of the arrogance that he'd been afraid he'd find in Britain's most famous Auror.
They settled on a work schedule that suited and then Clancy took him over to the local high school to enrol. "This close to the base they have a lot of transfer students so you won't stand out. Did you have any mundane education?"
"Yeah I went to muggle primary until I went to Hogwarts at eleven. It wasn't the best experience and I wasn't allowed to do my best for various reasons. I also did most of my cousin's summer homework up until I turned seventeen, but I think he was mostly in remedial classes" Hadrian replied.
"We'll that's more than I expected" Clancy said.
"I have fake ID for you. What name do you want to use?"
"Hadrian Black" he replied. Clancy made the changes.
"Okay I think you'd pass for sixteen which won't make you too out of place if you don't test into Senior year but it will mean that you need to at least look like you have a guardian. So for the school paperwork I'm your uncle, you've just come to live with me but you've been living with my fool of a brother's ex and she moved around a lot and wasn't the best mother, so you haven't had much schooling. I don't mind pretending to be your guardian but I don't want to have to explain your lack of mundane education to child protective services" Clancy said. "It goes without saying that expect you to keep out of trouble."
Hadrian nodded pleased to have a flexible cover story ready.
He listened trying to hide his amusement as Clancy ranted to the school admissions officer before he was sent off to take his placement tests. "Just do your best Hadrian and don't be embarrassed. Remember your performance has nothing to do with your intelligence and everything to do with the substandard education you've received til now. Come back to my office when you're done."
Hadrian nodded at the reassurance though he knew it was more of a dig at the famous Hogwarts. American wizarding schools required students to keep up their mundane education as well as learning magic.
Hadrian dragged himself back to head Director Clancy's office after a gruelling day of academic embarrassment to receive his credentials and work schedule.
"Now I've tried not to schedule you during school hours" Clancy had told him. "Kingsley and that lot at MI7 did tell you this wasn't a full time position didn't they? We won't be paying for the hours you spend at high school or with your new runes teacher though you will be paid for the Auror classes highlighted on your schedule. I've included the entire Auror class schedules and you may sit in on any of the others in your own time."
"Yes Sir, he did. I'm financially independent so that's fine. I'm just glad I can be of some use. Thank you for your time today sir" Hadrian said tiredly apparating to an isolated place around the corner from Tim's apartment. I also have access to a time-turner. It is an old family heirloom that will let me turn back up to twelve hours a day so I can work without missing school if you need me."
-o0o-
Tim did catch a case though thankfully it was in Washington, he sent Hadrian a text message hoping that his first day was going well and telling him not to expect him for dinner.
Hadrian text back awkwardly that his day was going well and that he'd make something that could be easily reheated if he was hungry whenever he arrived home or frozen for another day.
Hadrian sighed as he put his phone down on the counter and began making a traditional Irish stew. It was time consuming and would keep him busy for the evening until Tim rang.
"Hey how's the case?" Hadrian asked.
"Dead petty officer it's starting to look like the husband did it" Tim replied.
Hadrian sighed. "The domestic cases are the worst" he commented.
"Yeah I agree. She loved and trusted this guy enough to marry him and everyone we've talked to has told us how in love they were and then this" Tim said. "We haven't got a motive other than the fact she recently inherited over half a million dollars but it doesn't look like anybody else had the opportunity."
"So what changed in their relationship? Or was killing her always his long term plan?" Hadrian asked.
"You think he may have been acting from the start?" Tim asked.
"Well if he could kill her then he was acting recently and if nobody noticed the change then it's possible. Is there a way he could know she would inherit the money? But maybe that's just me being cynical after realising my fiancé tried to marry me for the money." 'and the fame of being Mrs Harry Potter' he added silently.
"I'll look into it anyway" Tim replied. "It's going to be a long night. Thanks for the help. How was your first day?"
"It was fine. The director seems like a good guy but I've got a few classes to take to catch up on the American legal system."
"Let me know if you need some help with that" Tim offered.
"I will" Hadrian said gratefully.
"I've got to get back to work. I'll call you tomorrow if I don't see you before then. Sleep in the bed. I'll take the couch if I come home so I don't disturb you" Tim said.
"I couldn't take your bed you'll need all the rest you can get" Hadrian protested.
"I don't know that I'll make it home at all" Tim replied. "And I'd rather not risk forgetting you were there and tripping on the mattress and landing on top of you."
Hadrian laughed. "I'll sleep in the bed" he compromised. "So long as you come and join me if you get home. The bed's plenty big enough for both of us and we've already agreed we sleep well when we share."
"Okay but I've got to go before the boss catches me not working on the case" Tim agreed hurriedly.
"Night Tim" Hadrian replied. "Hope you catch the bastard."
Hadrian woke briefly when Tim stumbled in sometime just before two o'clock and watched silently as Tim shucked his clothes and fell into bed in his boxers falling asleep as his head hit the pillow. He shrugged and covered his friend in the doona before falling asleep again, hoping Tim wouldn't freak out when he woke up practically naked in bed with another man. He also resolved to look into what protections could be put onto a car without effecting performance or the ability for Tim to receive cell phone calls while driving. It worried him that Tim had driven home last night when he was so clearly exhausted and he couldn't even help by offering to drive him in this morning since he'd never bothered to learn to drive preferring magical forms of transport.
-o0o-
Hadrian woke early and spent a moment enjoying the feel of Tim's skin under his hands before he got out of bed feeling guilty. Tim trusted him and here he was thinking about how sexy he was and touching him while he slept. He showered quickly, taking care of his morning erection and had started breakfast by the time Tim's alarm went off.
Tim woke and stretched and blushed as he registered that he was only wearing his boxers. He quickly showered and dressed for work before leaving the bedroom.
"Morning Hadrian. I hope I didn't offend you falling into bed undressed last night. I honestly was too half asleep to even realise you were there" he said apologetically.
"I heard you come in and realised what must have happened" Hadrian said casually. "Do you have time to sit and eat this morning or am I making this into a sandwich?"
"Sandwich please" Tim said wincing as he saw the time. "Are you riding in with me again?"
"I think I should just to keep you awake" Hadrian pretended to joke as he efficiently turned breakfast into something that could easily be eaten with one hand.
"I'm awake now" Tim protested. "But you can drive if you're worried about it."
"Aren't you afraid I'll drive in the wrong side of the road?" Hadrian asked awed by the trust Tim had in him. He was well aware after the last few days how much Tim loved his Porsche.
Tim laughed. "If you say you're capable of driving then I'll trust you."
"I don't actually have a licence" Hadrian admitted adding that to his mental list of things to learn. "Living in inner city London I never needed to drive and heaven knows most of London was never designed with cars in mind."
Tim laughed again. "You're right about that" he said remembering some of the nightmare traffic conditions as roads narrowed between old buildings.
"Okay I'll drive and you can talk to me to keep me awake when I've done eating" Tim suggested.
"I think the Tabasco sauce on the eggs might keep you awake" Hadrian said grinning.
In spite of Hadrian's teasing there was very little tabasco sauce in Tim's sandwich and he found he enjoyed it. "I keep meaning to ask if you're allergic to any foods?" Hadrian said. "I figured I'm safe so long as I stick to things you've bought but if it would be good to know."
"Shellfish, I also have a minor lactose intolerance in large amounts" Tim replied.
"I noticed the special milk" Hadrian said. "Am I using too much cheese? I don't want to cause you stomach upsets when you're on a case."
"No it's been fine, it's really fresh milk that causes the most problems' Tim reassured him.
"Where do you want me to drop you?"
"Outside the Navy yard is fine. I'll walk to the railway station and catch the train. I don't need to be in as early as you" Hadrian said smiling. In truth he'd walk to an apparition spot in a secluded alley just before the train station and apparate out to Quantico. He didn't really need to travel into the city with Tim at all it would be quicker to just apparate from his apartment but he didn't want to make Tim suspicious and if they weren't living together then getting a ride to work was a good way to see Tim each morning and ensure his new friend ate a healthy breakfast.
A/N: Thank you to julschristine975, ToTheStarButPickMagic, DS2010, Mickieskidsm, acherongoddess, Silvermane1, Maben00, Merlenyn, NightWithMoon, Locket1, Aire5, linzi, Firehedgehog, charm13insomnia, annadriya, xDarklightx, Guest, Rori Potter, icyquest4, buterflypuss, Fae0306, Raven Nightlance, Womire001, royalchaos, I Growl For Fun, BrandyBELLE05, Sango252, piper-pants, AliceIvyRose, Inkwell Archive, mydestiny88, bookfan86, R3d R0s3, hardcoretwilighter1979, Hecate6385, Louie-Symon, teemango, LadyToro, amb6675, King of Fae, MaddBlake97, onidra, gingin1975, TrickTrack, aromdu, WolfTenshi, Straivers98, Topasheart, OlorinTheMaiar, Exoskin, iBeta, RushTogether67, Ice Night, haha19, kitty19835, sylpheel12, Heatherla15, biene-0589, ALLCYONE, Kimmia, Oceanangel46, lulu-20-07, ghoullish-reader, Sandwich Vision, cat187, anima comedentis and aesmith22 for your support.
