A/N: Yay! Today's my last full-day of school! dances and then looks slightly deflated And then exams starts. Oh well.

Noon, Auror Headquarters, Ireland

Severus Snape sat behind his desk, lost in thought, when his co-worker Burke came in.

"Got some news on the Bones case, Sev."

He raised an eyebrow. "That was quick."

"So was the autopsy." He took a deep breath. "You ready for this? They're not calling it suicide."

"What?"

"Surprise, surprise. First off, coroner found evidence she took sleeping pills."

"Brilliant," he said sarcastically. "There was an open bottle on her table."

"Right, that's not the surprise. Surprise is, someone doctored the pills. Every capsule was loaded with Magical Mess Remover."

"Merlin ...... "

"If she hadn't jumped she would of been dead in fifteen minutes."

"This case sucks."

On the other side of the room ......

Raven took out a cigarette, scanning the room.

Severus noticed the guy, in his dingy clothing, and watched him carefully. "Burke, if my wife calls, tell her late dinner," he said, never taking his eyes off the man.

"Wait, Sev, I'm not through yet. I'm supposed to tell you two more things."

"Shoot."

"First, condition of the sheets and mattress indicate someone was in bed with Susan Bones just before she died. That's A."

"What's B?"

"B is, I'm supposed to tell you you're breaking in a new partner on this."

"I don't work with partners."

"You do now. Captain of the French Auror division asked that he specifically work with you."

"Why?"

"Not a clue."

"Oh, perfect. Can I trade in my life for a new one?"

And back across the room, Raven decided that he wanted to adjust the strap on his gun and .......

"Gun!" Severus shouted.

All hell broke loose. Aurors were diving for cover, secretaries shrieked, and Severus plowed his way through the room.

Raven looked around, trying to find the guy with the gun, and not realizing it was himself.

Severus jumped at Raven, preparing to tackle him, but Raven simply ducked, and flipped Severus over one shoulder.

"What the hell happened!?!" shouted Captain Mark Livingstone, coming in to find out what the fuss was all about.

Burke sighed and shook his head. "Severus just met his new partner."

Severus groaned when he heard this. "You're my new - " He stopped abruptly when he met the very familiar eyes of the person looking down at him. "No. No. No, no, no, no, no. You can't ..... You aren't ..... "

Harry Potter smirked and held out a hand to Severus. "Nice to see you too, Professor."

"What have I done to deserve this?"

"Hey, you're making me feel a little unwanted over here."

"You're not wanted," he replied pointedly as he got to his feet, ignoring the hand Harry's held out for him.

"It's the principle of the thing."

Livingstone chose that moment to interrupt. "So you're the agent Shacklebolt sent, huh?"

"Kingsley?!?" Severus practically shouted. "I'm gonna get him for this one."

"Do you two know each other?" Burke asked cautiously. He had never seen Severus in this kind of mood before.

"Unfortunately," Severus said before Harry could get a word in edgewise.

"Oh, come on, Severus," said Harry. "It's been ten years since we last saw each other. You can't still hate me."

"I can and I do. You made my life a living hell for seven years."

"How?"

"By being around."

"I was just returning the favor. And it was you who started it."

"That's not my point."

"It was my point."

"See what I had to deal with!" Severus exclaimed, not very amused to see that all of his fellow Aurors found this funny.

"You're overreacting."

"November 3, 1996."

"What about it?"

"You blew up a healing potion and turned my hair purple for a week."

"It was an accident. It's not like I did it purposely."

"Sure you didn't, Potter." He ignored the gasps that came with the name.

"I didn't." The smirk grew. "If I had done it purposely it would've lasted at least a month."

"I hate you."

"I know."

"Potter?" Livingstone questioned. "As in ...... Harry Potter?"

"On my good days."

"Why did Shacklebolt send you of all people?" Severus asked wearily.

"I don't know. To piss you off?" he suggested.

"Well, it's working."

"Good. Then my work here is done."

"Will you be leaving then?"

"Sorry, Sev," Livingstone broke in. "He stays."

"Come on, it won't be that bad, Sevlet."

"What have I told you about calling me that disgusting nickname?"

"Er ....... that if I did it again, you would hex me from here to Canada?"

"5 points to Gryffindor." He whipped out his wand and pointed it at Harry's head .......

....... only to find a wand pointed at his own head as well.

Severus said "Well, I believe that's the first time you could draw even with me. Never thought this day would come." At the same time Harry said, "Well, I believe that's the first time you've awarded points to Gryffindor. Never thought this day would come."

"See," Burke said brightly. "You two will get on just fine!" Of course, that was broken when he leaned into the man next to him and said, "Five Galleons says he kills Potter by the end of the week."

"Burke!"

"I'd take that," Harry advised. Severus glared at him. "What? It's a sure thing."

Somewhere in England

"There are three guns and a wand on you," permeated through the darkness.

Seamus Finnegan gulped. "Easy. Take it easy. I'm just going to light a match." He did and held it near his face, finally illuminating at least some of the room.

"Thank you, Mr. Finnegan," said the voice and the lights came on. Seamus shielded his eyes from the sudden brightness, but when his vision cleared, he saw three men seated in chairs.

"If you'll follow me please - " one began, but Seamus cut him off.

"Who the hell are you?"

"That's hardly important. If you like, you may call me Mr. Theodore."

"What a second." Seamus took a closer look. "You're Theodore Nott!"

Theodore smirked and ignored him. "I trust you're having a pleasant holiday season?"

"Yeah. It's a fucking joy."

They entered a small, dimly lit room, and stood before the blond-haired man at the desk.

"Yes, Theodore? Ah, Mr. Finnegan. Please have a seat."

"Where'd you get him, Malfoy? Psychos 'R' Us?" Seamus asked as he sat.

"Hardly," Draco sneered.

Seamus pointed to another very familiar 'bodyguard'. "I like the sunglasses. Very Hollywood."

"Mr. Crabbe is unfortunately missing an eye. For anonymity's sake, he chooses to forego wearing a patch."

"Swell. Blind people with guns. This is a class act. Maybe we can run over to St. Mungo's and pick up a couple of amputees. Bargain rates after six."

"I don't find you funny."

"I don't find this bloody setup funny. You're using mercenaries, for Merlin's sake. Tell me I'm wrong."

"No. You're not wrong."

"And I'm supposed to trust these bozos?"

"My people are loyal, Finnigan. They are loyal to me."

"Hippogriff Dung."

"Theodore. Hole out your hand," Draco ordered and Theodore complied. "Do you smoke, Finnigan?"

"Yeah."

"Give me your lighter."

Seamus cautiously pulled out his silver lighter again and handed it to Draco, who held the flame right under Theodore's hand, searing it. Theodore didn't make a sound.

"You wish to do business with us, yes?"

"Merlin ..... " Seamus breathed, face pale as he watched the flame.

"Mr. Nott is in a great deal of pain," Draco said maliciously. "You wish to purchase, yes?"

"I ... yes. Sure. Just stop."

Draco handed the lighter back to its owner. "Filthy habit smoking," he said, almost sincerely, until he continued. "The bulk of the Sacarna will arrive Friday night. We will make delivery that time. Please have the money ready and no tricks. If you try to cross us, I'll have Theodore cut out your eyes. Merry Christmas."