Chapter 3

Severus did not send Harry a message straight away. He spent several more hours trying to devise an alternative. He even contemplated breaking into the auror office in Gottingen and trying to use their records, before berating himself as a "budding Gryffindor". Eventually, he managed to rationalise his decision to seek Harry's assistance. He had always sworn to himself that he would not involve Harry in any of his problems should they create a potential conflict of interest with Harry's job. He told himself that he had done nothing wrong except temporarily disguise a corpse. He had not been responsible for the corpse turning up in his warehouse in the first place. It could just have been bad luck he told himself. It might be nothing to do with him personally and his former life. It was a good argument, Severus told himself even if he did not really believe it. The appearance of a body in a warehouse owned by a former Death Eater of Lord Voldemort was unlikely to be a coincidence.

Severus decided to text rather than phone. He didn't want to panic Potter.

"Harry, give me a call when you have a minute."

As a result, it was not until early the next morning while Severus was getting ready for work that his mobile phone rang. In the meantime, he had transferred his memories of the travel cards in the safe deposit box to a small bottle. He had been careful to provide no context for the images.

"Dad? Is everything ok?"

"Fine, Harry," lied Severus smoothly. "I just wondered if you could do me a favour."

"Of course, anything."

"If I send you some details about someone, do you think you could see what the Ministry knows about them?"

There was a pause.

"You want me to check the Ministry files?" Harry asked tentatively.

"If you can do it discreetly."

There was another pause.

"Harry, is there are a problem?"

"No Dad, of course not. I would be happy to help, its just are you sure everything is ok? You have never asked me to do something like this before."

Severus was prepared for this.

"Sorry Harry I should have explained. This is someone I have run into at work." Partly true. Tripped over would have been more accurate, Severus admitted to himself.

"I have come across some information," which he had when he had broken into the safe deposit box. "Which has caused me a little concern." Ok a bit of an understatement but why worry the boy?

To Severus' relief Harry seem to buy his explanation.

"Ah, I see, you're worried about a possible dodgy business associate," said Harry with relief. "No problem I'll see what I can do. I'm really pleased you asked."

The boy did sound genuinely pleased.

Severus put his guilt to the back of his mind and reminded himself that he was protecting Harry by preventing his own exposure. A sudden re-emergence of a dead adopted father was the last thing that a newly married Harry needed.

"Harry be very careful how you check the records. This man seems like trouble and I don't want you triggering any alarms. In any case, the Ministry may not have anything."

"No problem Dad, I'll be careful. I have to go into the office on Saturday morning this week so I'll check then. It'll be really quiet in records."

"I will send you my memories by owl, they should be with you later today."

Severus often talked to Harry on Sundays. The Potters seemed to visit Mrs Weasley most Sundays for lunch. After lunch, Ginny would often spend a few hours with her parents whilst Harry went home to catch up on his studying for his auror exams. Once back home, Harry usually popped down the garden and gave Severus a quick ring from the shed without fear of interruption. Severus was therefore surprised when no call came from Harry and Sunday afternoon spilled into Sunday evening. At 9pm. Severus concluded that Harry must have been unable to secure the information and would call him next week. He was also slightly irritated: a text confirming a delay would not have taken long to send. However, he didn't want to send a follow-up query for fear of piquing Harry's interest further.

At 10.30 Severus prepared for bed. He was reading book on the properties of different components of wands: different types of woods, feathers, hair strands etc. He had just read a particularly significant passage on dragon heart strings when his doorbell rang. Severus eased himself out of bed planning what he would do if the Gottingen aurors were at the door to discuss the additional bollard on the industrial estate. He eased the door open carefully, wand tucked into the sleeve of his dressing gown.

Outside the door was a large bright red suitcase. Severus opened the door a little wider and peered at it suspiciously. He eased his wand from his sleeve. An unexpected delivery suggested that he was being visited by those who had left the corpse in his warehouse rather than officialdom. Severus cast a tentative monitoring spell: socks, pants, shirts, trousers and spare robes. Severus retracted his wand slightly considering how best to counter a possible disguising spell

Before he could decide, there was a sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs and a thud as if someone had fallen over their own feet. At moment later, the door at the top of the staircase flew open. Severus raised his wand and then lowered it again immediately.

"Dad! I was just paying the taxi man."

Of course, who else would affect such a noisy entrance!

"Harry, what on earth ... why didn't you let me know you were coming?"

"Because Dad I was afraid that you would feed me another load of garbage like the last lot you gave me on Friday," said Harry with a grin.

His natural caution overtook his surprise. "Bring this monstrosity inside," Severus said pointing at the case and swept back inside the flat.

It took Severus a few minutes to get used to the whirlwind that was his son: suitcase skidding across the hall floor, he was engulfed in a large hug. Severus tensed and then relaxed patting the boy's head gently.

Harry looked up and grinned. "It is good to see you again, even if you are a slippery so and so."

Severus cuffed him generally. "Mind your manners Potter." He paused and then continued, "It is agreeable to see you as well."

Harry grinned widely. "Have you got anything to eat? I haven't had anything since lunch."

Severus rolled his eyes. Teenagers. Then he reminded himself that Harry had turned 20.

Harry ate the last spoonful of omelette with relish and took a deep gulp of red wine. He had taken a good look around the flat while Severus was cooking and had pronounced himself impressed. He loved the balcony although it was too dark to see much but the town lights. He could tell Severus had given considerable thought to his bedroom. Cheerful yellows and golds, large window, huge bed and large red cushions. The open plan kitchen and lounge and dining area were incredibly modern by British wizarding standards.

Over the impromptu supper, Severus had questioned Harry in depth about his auror training in a way that had not been possible over the phone. He dissected Harry's recent assessment results: one pass, three merits and one distinction. Harry had taken it in good part including his advice about raising his marks in administration skills (in which he had received a pass.

"Paper work is a nuisance, "agreed the former Hogwarts headmaster. "But the only way to deal with it is to stay on top of it."

Harry sat back on the sofa and closed his eyes. Severus sipped his wine delicately. His son had filled out and become a man. The shoulders seemed wider and the chest a little broader. He would never be tall however but there was a tougher edge to the boy. It could be seen in the confidence of his movements and the turn of his head.

"You will have to make your bed up, "Severus noted. "I was not expecting you for another week."

Harry nodded peacefully happy at being in Severus' presence again.

"I've really missed you Dad."

Severus nodded, "So much so that you brought forward your temporary assignment in Gottingen by a week."

"No, that was a result of blind panic after I had accessed those records you requested."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "You found some information. I wasn't sure if the Ministry would have records of many foreign criminal..."

"He wasn't a criminal Dad. He was an ex German federal auror. "

Severus heart sank, "Tell me, " he instructed quietly.

"This is classified information," said Harry "Above my clearance level really."

Severus heart sank further.

"So in exchange, "said Harry his voice displaying a hint of steel, "I want to know what's really going on."

When Severus had finished, he waited for Harry to throw a tantrum or berate him. He did neither he merely looked thoughtful, much calmer than Severus would have expected.

"I began by checking the criminal records section in the Ministry. Obviously, I found nothing. I was about to give up when I spotted one of the names, "Lubricus", but he was listed as the arresting officer. "

"What offence?"

"Money laundering. So I accessed the records from our German liaison section."

"Surely you do not have access as a trainee?" observed Severus.

"Well it is possible that Ron created a diversion while I had a quick look," said Harry with a grin.

Severus closed his eyes "Did you? "

"No, of course not. He has no idea that it had anything to do with you." said Harry reassuringly. Anyway, I pulled his file and had a quick look. His real name was Lubricus but he had a number of alias including the ones listed in your memory."

"So he was on an operation when he was killed," muttered Severus.

Harry shook his head.

"According to the records, he retired last year, took an early pension."

"So, he was freelancing on the side to top up his pension," guessed Severus swirling the wine around the glass.

Harry nodded "That's what I thought but I couldn't find any more information in the Ministry."

"No I don't suppose a retired German auror's retirement plans would generate much interest."

Harry nodded again.

"Well at least not in England. I bet the Germans know more."

Severus closed his eyes again. "You have already taken too many risks."

"Undue risks, "pointed out Harry. "I would have been more cautious if I'd known the true story. You should have told me Dad. If I'm taking a risk I need to know what I am getting into."

Severus nodded, acknowledging the truth of that statement.

"I did not want to involve you but I could not think of any other way. I had hoped that by telling you little I could limit your exposure."

"I'd rather know the whole truth, Dad," said Harry gently.

Severus nodded "Understood. Anyway thank you for your help, I've got it from here."

Harry looked incredulous. "You have got to be joking. I'm not, leaving Gottingen until we have got this sorted and we know who is targeting you."

"Harry."

"I mean it Dad, " said Harry sternly his jaw set in a unfamiliar line. "I couldn't sleep when I thought you were in danger. And don't even think of using a memory charm, I know how your mind works!"

"We will discuss this in the morning, "said Severus. "What time are you due at the auror station?"

"Not until 2pm. They think I'm arriving at lunch time. "

"Come, let us sort out your room."

"You look very smart," Severus observed. He had expected a yawning, eye rubbing Potter to emerge from his bedroom for breakfast, but instead here was a sharply dressed, tidy haired professional.

"Wow, that smells good. I don't often get a cooked breakfast now unless we stay at the Burrow," added Harry a little forlornly. "Do you do this every morning?"

Severus cast him a look.

"You've made a special effort for me," concluded Harry. "I am really grateful, I normally manage a bite of toast as Ginny and I head out the door."

"Miss Weasely …. I mean Mrs Potter doesn't cooked you the full English?" asked Severus innocently.

Harry threw him a look. "You've got to be joking. I suggested it half in jest when we got back from our honeymoon. I think her exact words were: "Cook your own Potter.""

Severus hid a smile.

"I am surprised you are in uniform already. I thought you weren't due at the station until 2pm."

"Yeah, I thought I would turn up a couple of hours early. Make a good impression and get a feel of the place."

Severus eyes narrowed. "You are to take no risks on my account, "he reiterated as he slid the fried eggs onto the plate.

Potter looked up wide eyes and innocent smile. "I'm just going to make contact Dad."

"That had better be all it is."

Potter smiled again. The smile of a hundred mischievous, duplicitous Hogwarts students Severus had known.

Severus rolled his eyes and reflected how easily one slipped back into former roles.

Severus sipped his coffee and watched Potter polish off his eggs.

"So if you are aiming to arrive at the auror station at 12 o clock, what are you planning to do with the rest of the morning?"

"I thought I'd look round Gottingen. Didn't really get a chance last time, "he paused for a moment remembering past events.

Severus was careful to remain unperturbed.

"Perhaps I could walk to work with you for a start and get the lie of the land?"

Severus shifted slightly in his chair and considered. "There have been so many aurors around the place in the last few days, I don't suppose one more will attract much attention," he conceded.

"Wow, it's much bigger than I thought it would be, "said Harry profoundly impressed staring at the warehouse, "You must be doing really well, Dad."

"Business is ticking over certainly, " said Severus smugly pulling out his keys.

"So a lot of people must damage their phones, "said Harry thoughtfully.

"Yes, but few flush them down the toilet Potter, "said Snape snidely gesturing discreetly to the additional bollard.

Harry blushed and cast his eye casually over the bollard.

Severus pushed the door open and gestured for Harry to enter.

Harry was a most appreciative visitor. He made excited comments about the scale of the production line, he asked interesting questions about the laboratory and laughed at Severus office.

"What?" demanded Severus as Harry clutched his stomach, bent double with laughter.

"You look a bit like an untidy Lucius Malfoy,"

Severus scowled.

"But your office looks like Severus Snape," Harry gasped.

Severus peered around the office in bemusement.

"Black blinds, black jotter, black leather seat, black rug, dark pictures of stormy windswept landscapes and those stacks of tiny little black drawers. "

What is the matter with the drawers? They are very handy for paperclips, pens etc."

"Yes but they are small and lots of them"

"So?"

"They remind me of your buttons."

Severus pulled a face. The boy had gone mad!

"Do not liken me to Lucius, " Severus warned. "At least I'm not in uniform. Although I must admit these boots looked good."

Harry nodded. "Yes I promised myself if I came back here I would buy some stylish footwear to confuse the criminals"

Servers looked bemused, but Harry gave him no chance for clarification.

"Where did you find him?" asked Harry all business.

Severus gestured for him to return to the main entrance hall.

"How was he laid?"

"I'm not lying down on the floor for you Potter if that is what you are angling for."

"We need a pensieve, "muttered Harry pacing round the spot. "Security system?"

Severus showed him the alarms and locks.

"No magical wards?"

"I am trying to keep this place below the radar."

Harry looked thoughtful.

"What time do your workers arrive?"

"Sometime in the next 15 minutes or so."

"I'll make myself scarce. We don't want too many questions about how you know me. I'll take a walk around the area before heading for the auror station."

"Behave yourself, "warned Severus.

Harry grinned. "I'll be back for supper Dad and it is me who should be saying that to you. I am not the one who found a dead body in their place of work, transfigured it into a bollard and then broke into the Bank of Berlin masquerading as a corpse. "

Harry paused for a moment before adding "Shades of Gryffindor I would say. " He slipped out quickly before Severus could explode.