0o0o0o0

Part 4 - Ice cream and desert

The wards were not hard to erect. It was almost as if the house recognised the protective magic for what it was and accepted it easily. Muggle houses had been known to resist magical wards, for no reason that the smartest of Witches and Wizards could determine. Ron was grateful that the house hadn't fought them about the protection, and left it at that.

Rose was with her Nanny and Poppy, much to her delight. At Harry's insistence, they hadn't told her why she was going, just that it was a surprise treat. Molly had pulled Harry aside and promised to watch over her granddaughter carefully, and to give her mainly non-magical toys. Harry had already spoken to the Weasley's about the way he wanted his daughter raised. If she were destined for Hogwarts then she'd go as a Muggle born, just like Hermione had. Magical toys had no place in a Muggle house anyway, as it was a violation of the secrecy act, but Ron had been impressed that his best friend could face his foster family down over the issue, rather than passively relying on that law to do his dirty work for him.

Hermione had called her fathers room at the hospital and told them that she had a 'friend in need'. Her dad told her she didn't need to visit and he'd see her at home tomorrow. Ron was glad for her company, as Harry was totally silent as he prepared a dinner for the three of them. Hermione signalled for Ron not to pressure the dark haired man, and he acquiesced reluctantly. His patience was rewarded when Harry dished up, put the plates on the table and kissed them both lightly before taking his seat. His foot hooked around Ron's underneath the table, and Ron smiled at him. The silence lost its anxious quality and they ate their dinner with good appetite.

Harry was dishing out ice cream for afters when the fireplace whooshed, and Kinglsey Shacklebolt's head appeared in the green flames.

"Weasley, are you there… Merlin's beard!"

"Don't say his name!" Hermione and Ron shouted and Shacklebolt closed his mouth with an audible click. Harry dragged a hand through his hair and turned back to dishing up the ice cream with a sort of determined resignation.

"Step through, sir," Ron suggested strongly and a moment later the senior auror was standing in front of the fireplace, staring at the former Boy Who Lived.

"Weasley," Shacklebolt said reluctantly, "You know you can't connect the Floo to a Muggle house."

Ron gaped at his boss in shock, and even Hermione seemed taken aback. They had not expected this to be the mans first words in Harry's house. Harry put the spoon he was using down and eyed Shacklebolt from top to bottom.

"My daughter is a Witch, I'm an ex-Wizard, and Ron will be moving in here once he gets his current assignment finished," the words were crisp and clear, "Under the circumstances, the connection is not illegal. Would you like some ice cream?"

"Err… yes, thanks," Ron had to hide a snigger as his boss failed to resist the force of nature that was Harry when determined. They took their seats, and the ice cream was consumed in silence. When the last morsel had been spooned up, Ron waved his wand and got the dishes started.

"You wanted to see us, sir?" Hermione asked as if he hadn't just accidentally located a missing hero. Auror Shacklebolt took a deep breath and slid his professional mask back into place.

"Yes, I wanted to get an update on this rogue business. What's taking so long?"

"Well sir, who ever it is, simply isn't using magic unless it's an emergency," Ron sighed, "Then its one big spell and nothing afterwards. We have a number of people to interview who were at both sites at the time of the surge, and we're hoping to make a breakthrough soon."

"Is this unconscious magic?" the bald man asked, and Ron hesitated, looking at Hermione for help. Unconscious magic would mean they'd have to bring in Seers and clairvoyants and all sorts of complex tracking and branding spells. Not to mention that practitioners of unconscious magic were usually stripped of their abilities summarily. The procedure was brutal and often left the 'patient' severely traumatised.

"We're not sure, sir. We were thinking about putting in a request for a clairvoyant at the end of the week," she said firmly, "We need a little more time to get through our duplicates list, and of course there's the problem of protecting Harry. The Muggle authorities seem to think he's a bit of a target, which means he was present at both incidents."

"I see," Shacklebolt frowned, "And I take it you interviewed Potter about the incident."

"Yes sir," Hermione nodded, and Shacklebolt sighed sadly. Ron wondered what that was all about but dismissed it from his mind at his superior's next words.

"Very well, I'm changing your assignment. You're to pursue the rogue by all usual channels, and simultaneously assist Muggle authorities with their investigation in any way you see fit. The Wizarding world owes a life debt a thousand times over, and it would be… ungracious of me to not recognise that in this instance."

Ron sagged in relief. That new mission directive would allow him to protect Harry with all that he had, and to actively go after the person targeting Harry. There was no doubt in Ron's mind that Harry was a target here - as their friend Hagrid had said during the Tri Wizard Cup 'everything seems to happen to you'. Shaklebolt left not long after, and the moment the green fire was out Ron launched himself at Harry, kissing him enthusiastically in his relief.

"This is great Harry," Hermione sounded like she was beaming from where she was standing, "Now we've got sanction to assist the Muggle authorities we can help keep you safer."

Harry seemed to think it was great too, though Ron was fairly sure it was the kisses and little strokes of Ron's fingers that he was appreciating the most. They hadn't broken for air yet, though Harry had made an 'mmm' noise in response to Hermione's comments.

"Honestly you two! I'm going to see dad," she clucked her tongue, her tone affectionate even as she scolded, hugged them both very briefly and apparated away with a small pop. Ron used the opportunity to start pulling at Harry's clothes. Originally he and Hermione had plans to wear Harry out through conversation and games, but this was a much better way to ensure that Harry slept well tonight.

0o0o0o0