A/N I do not own Harry Potter. Here is the next chapter for you. I struggled writing this chapter because I have been sick. I apologise for any mistakes I may have made or missed.

Chapter 10: The False Discovery

25th November 2013

Hermione Granger's Office

Department of Magical Artefacts and Cursed Objects

I will admit I have been very distracted this past week. I cannot stop thinking about Christian the burglar. I just want someone to talk to about this stuff especially the cuneiform. We can't consult muggle experts because of what it might say on the tablet and we'd rather not obliviate them. So, I am stuck with trying to figure all this out on my own.

I have also noticed the frequent meetings that Silas and Pascale have been having. It is making me suspicious and I think I may have to try to do some more digging for some evidence. It has made me start thinking about how and where they keep their records. I doubt they are hidden in plain sight. Somewhere like the dark archives where virtually no one ventures would be a good place. I have looked through the general archives transaction list and there is nothing there which is frustrating. They must have a duplicate account book, that shows the illegal transactions. Ok so they are most likely selling dark objects presumably on the dark market. Worry creeps up my spine at what they may be selling. I do hope they are not duplicating and replicating the really evil objects. That begs the question is it just a dummy object they are selling and duping the customers or are they selling the real deal and leaving the 'fake' here in storage where no one would be the wiser? because then technically nothing is missing.

Even if I was to find some fake artefacts it doesn't specifically prove anything. Only that someone is doing something illegal at the ministry. I'm going to need to get my hands on that ledger. But how? Ugh, I bang my head on my desk. This is a lot to take on the with the tablet and now this thing with Silas and Pascale. I just want to start pulling my hair out or start drinking heavily.

The 'fake' tablet goes on display tomorrow at the British Museum in the exhibition room, there is a whole new marketing campaign going on to bring in extra tourists to view the tablet. It all seems to be going well, almost too well. No more deaths which is always a bonus in my book.

I have my usual Monday night dinner with Harry and Ginny tonight, we never ended up rescheduling during the week which was fine because I was too preoccupied with the tablet and going over the incident in my mind. Doubts still creep into my mind was breaking into my apartment really as mistake or was it a planned and I just happen to be at home when I wasn't supposed to be? I guess I'll never really know the answer to that question.

I put away the transaction list in the safe in my office where I am supposed to keep classified documents, which got me thinking perhaps Silas or Pascale have the list in one of their safes. My guess would be most likely Pascale has it as he seems to be the one with the most to lose and is a bit of a control freak. But I'll still check the Dark archives when I get time on the off chance, he doesn't want the incriminating evidence so close to him.

I stare back down at the cuneiform translations from the photos I took of the tablet. So far, I have managed to translate the name Nebuchadnezzar II and that was only half translated, and I could work out the rest. The problem I am having apart from a crash course in this difficult language is interpretation. There are quite a few variables and why I need someone to bounce ideas off. While I loved Ancient Runes in school this is on another level and a lot is riding on this being deciphered.

Maybe I could... No no I will not do that. Out of the question. Tracking Christian down like a crazy stalker is not on the cards and I don't want to have to obliviate him. I'll just have to plug away at it until I get it. There goes my social life. I mean the last time I had sex was...June? Ron and I spent more time arguing than having sex.

I stop off at home first before going to Harry's, to check in on Crookshanks and to change out of my work attire. Wearing heels most days kill my feet by the end of it. I change into some track pants and a long sleeve scoop neck shirt and sweater. Mmm I know a real man attracting outfit.

I walk out into the kitchen to refill Crookshanks' bowel of food and to freshen up his litter box. He is not situated in front of the fire on his bed like most nights, no he seems to be permanently glued to the chair where Christian the burglar was sitting the night, he broke in. I sigh, he appears to be waiting? Mourning? Depressed? Either way the cat is grieving the loss of a man he met for an hour. I'm not sure what to do about it but leave him alone to get out of his funk.

Harry Potter's House Godric's Hollow, 6pm.

I sit around the dining table with Harry and Ginny, thanking the forces above that Ron is not attending tonight. He is here most Mondays, I didn't want to change my up my routine just because I broke up my engagement. I also didn't want to have to make Harry or Ginny choose either. I would attempt to be civil and mature if Ron chose to make and appearance.

"So how is the team going Ginny?", I wasn't a fan of Quidditch, which I think everyone knew but I always tried to make an effort since this is what Ginny chose to do for a career.

"Really great at the moment, the trials are coming up soon for the World Cup team, everyone is training extra hard to be selected just to go to the trials. I'm thinking that I might try out for the selections, I would really like to see where I could go before we start thinking about kids", Ginny loved Quidditch and was equally passionate about children, I could see her being another Molly, and I doubt Harry would be able to say no.

"That seems like a sensible idea. But so soon didn't we just have the World Cup?", I asked surprised trials were coming around again, not that I paid much attention.

"Hermione dear the World Cup was two years ago. I know you tend to live in your own world, but I didn't think you were that out of touch considering all Ron talked about was Quidditch. But I expect you to come watch when they roll around, for moral support", she said as she stood up to walk over to the oven to pull out the mouth-watering lasagne and garlic bread. The smell heavy in the air.

"Oh, Ginny leave Hermione alone, you know she's never been interested in Quidditch and I'm sure she was sick of hearing it from Ron 24/7. Even I get sick of hearing about it. I don't need to watch a game or read the sport's section of the Daily Prophet, not when Ron gives me a daily rundown instead of doing his paperwork"

"I was just teasing Harry, Hermione knows that", the red head answered as she placed the dishes out on the table in front of us. I knew that it was good hearted teasing.

"It's ok, I know Ginny doesn't mean it like that. Of course, I will come and watch! I may not necessarily like the game, but I do support my friends in what they do", Harry gave me 'are you sure look?', I just smiled back I had no issue.

"See! No problem Harry. Yes, even I agree that Ron talks about Quidditch too much and I play professionally. I can understand it would be annoying for everyone, how he manages to relate everything back to the Chudley Cannons. Speaking of Ron... Hermione, I know we have said this a million times already, but no one blames you or hates you for breaking up with Ron. We could all see it taking a nose dive, no offense. Before I even think you realised it. I love you like a sister and I would hate to you see you pull away from us just because you and Ron didn't work out. You just weren't compatible, and it pained me to see you try and make it work for the sake of everybody else when you weren't happy. So please come to Sunday lunches again, it's weird without you! Just ignore Ron and his ridiculousness about getting back together... unless that is something you want?", she looked at me seriously and Ginny is never serious.

I cracked open the Red wine and poured myself a generous glass, no one said a word as they watched me take a large gulp. Harry looked slightly concerned, that perhaps I've all of a sudden turned into a raging alcoholic.

"Sorry just needed some wine for this conversation. God no getting back with Ron will never happen, I won't let myself settle like that. I may have been happy short term, but long term I know that I would regret it, and I don't want to hurt Ron like that especially if he was more invested in the relationship than I was. He wanted things that I am not ready for, I am not ready to be a mother and I want to travel a bit more before settling down. Plus, he never seemed interested in what I had to say, it was all Quidditch and how I am too obsessed with work. He never took into consideration what I wanted it was all about what he wanted, and I had to fight tooth and nail about it. I know he tells everyone that I was selfish, but really what was I supposed to do? Just give in to everything that he wanted while all I did was sacrifice my life choices. No of course I stood up and told him what I wanted as well. Having kids isn't like arguing what flavoured biscuits we get from the supermarket. It's a serious life decision, one where both of us need to be on the same page. You can't return children if it doesn't work out. Do you understand what I am saying?", I begged then to understand what I was feeling. I hadn't unloaded in a few months and now it was all bubbling over.

"Hermione of course we understand. There is nothing wrong with wanting different things and we want you to be happy as well. Now off that topic, we don't need to bring this evening down. How is everything else going since we didn't see each other last week?", Ginny began serving out the food and I was rather apprehensive about telling them about the break in to my house. But I was dying to tell someone about the handsome stranger that broke into my apartment.

"Well...someone broke into my apartment on Monday night", crickets could have taken up residence in this moment, for the stunned silence that followed. Perhaps a tumble weed might roll by?

Harry stood up knocking his chair back onto the floor. "Why didn't you call? We could have come over and checked things out. No matter where we were. Where you home? Was anything taken? Is Crookshanks ok? Do you want to stay here? Do you feel safe? We can just make up a room right now and bring your stuff over later", Harry began fussing over things while talking, just moving things around to keep his hands busy not actually doing thing useful. Ginny grabbed his arm to stop him from accidently knocking the bottle of red wine off the table in his agitated state.

"Harry calm down and let Hermione explain. Clearly, she is ok, and would have called if she needed help. So just sit back down Harry James Potter and eat", she watched as the scolded Harry sat back down and didn't start talking until, he had taken a second spoonful of the lasagne.

"Hermione start talking. Now", Ginny turned her mum voice on me.

I raise my hands in a defensive manner. "Ok ok, I know I should have said something, but it really wasn't that bad, and I am more than capable of handling myself besides he was a muggle so I couldn't do any magic unless I really was in grave danger. Which I wasn't Harry, so don't turn this in to a thing, please?", I picked up my glass of wine again and took a small sip.

"OK, fine but I still maintain that you should have called me to at least check it out. How many break in's in an apartment building do you actually know of?", I sighed, while I logically agreed that it was a little strange, I didn't want to dwell on it because then it would ruin my little bubble of happiness as weird as that sounds. I pulled my piece of garlic bread apart while contemplating how to answer Harry, without worrying what he would think or make myself look like a crazy person.

"I know Harry, yes it was unusual but not unheard of. Plus, he didn't steal anything, he said he broke into the wrong apartment. I felt bad because I accidently shot him, with one of my dad's antique pistols", I looked up into their shocked faces.

"You shot him? What happened after that? Was it...bad?", Ginny asked a little worried where this was headed.

"I put it down on the table a little more forceful than I intended, and it discharged. It just grazed his arm, but it was bleeding more than I expected. So, I cleaned him up and then drove him back to where he was staying as he couldn't change gears with his left arm"

"You what?", Ginny was laughing in disbelief and Harry was shaking his head.

"Trust Hermione to help someone who was breaking into her apartment"

"We were talking as I patched him up and he asked if I could, I didn't feel like I was in danger with him. He could have easily hurt me at any time, as he caught, he off guard while coming out of the bathroom in a towel. But he didn't".

"You're brave for doing that Hermione or really stupid. What was he doing when you discovered he was there?", Ginny was hanging on to every word, like reading her favourite gossip column.

"He was just sitting at the dining table with Crookshanks reading the notes on the tablet. I swear that cat likes him more than me. He wasn't rough around the edges like I thought, nicely dressed, smooth voice, tall like 6 foot and over tall, nice blue eyes and dark curly hair...", my eyes darted back to them and I realised what I had been doing.

"So he was hot?", Ginny smirked cheekily. I think I blushed slightly.

"I... umm...yes?", I wasn't sure how I was supposed to answer that. The truth? A lie?

"So, this blue-eyed ruffian, was good looking? What did he do to deserve missing out on the Hermione Granger temper?"

"We talked about ancient history"

"This conversation is utterly surreal. First, he breaks in and then you shoot him by accident, patch him up and talk about ancient history, then he asks to be driven home and then you do it. What world am I living in? An alternate reality?" Harry explains exasperated as he slaps both hands down on the table in frustration. He gets up and walks out of the room, which irritates me. Because he doesn't have to play hero with me, I am more than capable. I handled the situation as I saw fit. I highly doubt I will ever see Christian the burglar again.

Now I feel like I ruined the evening as I watched Harry walk away. I didn't want to upset my best friend like this, especially over something silly.

"Don't worry about him, he'll cool down in a moment. He must have been special for you to do what you did", personally I didn't think I did anything really. Just being a good Samaritan even if it was my fault.

"No not special just... different I guess. He was clearly smart and knew things and was very attractive. He paid for my taxi ride home and kissed me on the cheek as he said goodbye. It was a stressful yet interesting evening, I wasn't ready to share it with anyone. I kind of just wanted to keep it all for myself", I fiddled with my fork, I felt oddly ashamed for wanting to keep this from my friends.

Ginny reached over and put her hands over mine halting my fiddling of the fork.

"Look, I get it, as odd as this whole situation is, I get it. You need someone who can keep up with you, academically. Ron is not book smart which is why his eyes glazed over whenever you tried to explain something-which I'm not defending him, he shouldn't have done. Harry and I can keep up to a point, but not to the extent you need. You saw something in the burglar that gave you a taste of what is possible, that you don't have to be lonely or settle for someone like my brother. Do... you feel lonely Hermione?", Did I? I contemplated that for a moment. It was a yes and no scenario. It was hard to articulate.

"I... sometimes yes. I was lonely with Ron now that I look back on it, towards the end of the relationship and there is nothing worse than that feeling of loneliness even though you are surrounded by people. Other times I prefer to be alone, I work so much it is an antidote of sorts. (sigh).. Then I must leave to go home and return to an empty flat with just Crookshanks, and I find myself missing the companionship of just having someone there. It sounds silly, but it was nice having him there once we got past the shooting incident." I chuckled bitterly.

"I'm sorry I am pushing this on to you Ginny. I'm being pathetic. I will not be bloody Lavender Brown and pine over someone I cannot have, or I should say of the idea he represents. He was at least 10 years older anyway what would he have even wanted with someone like me?", I was taken back by the feeling of tears running down my face.

"Oh Hermione, anyone would be lucky to be loved by you no matter who they are or how old they are. Personally, I could see you with someone older, you're more mature than boys our age", she was halted by the sound of the floo roaring to life.

"Ginny! Harry!", the disembodied voice that called out made me groan in frustration and anger. How dare he!

A shock of red hair came flying around the corner to the dining area. His eyes instantly on mine.

"Hermione! Why didn't you call the Auror's when you were broken into? Did he hurt you? Don't worry we'll catch him and take him in to the muggle police. You can come stay at the Burrow mum says it's ok you can have Ginny's old room. Come on we'll go back some of your stuff right now". He said trying to usher me out of the room a she reached for my elbow.

I shrugged away from him, not wanting him to touch me. I didn't fail to miss the look of slight hurt on his face. But I didn't want to go with him, and I didn't want him coming to my apartment.

"No Ron I won't. Did Harry blab to you? I am fine-",

"Clearly you are not you have been crying. I should have been there, I sh-", but I cut him off.

"NO Ron! You shouldn't have been there because we are not together. I was fine and I handled it. I am crying about something else." I looked at my watch and it was nearly seven. This dinner was ruined because I needed to share my pathetic feelings.

"Ginny, I'm going to go, if that is ok with you? I have work tomorrow and have a lot to do. Say goodbye to Harry for me", I turned to my close friend and gave her a tentative smile.

"Hermione you are being unreasonable! You were robbed, what if he comes back?", I rolled my eyes at Ron's words, this was typical him. I am not a damsel in distress.

"Ronald I am a strong capable woman. If he returns, then I'll offer him a nightcap and will look forward to a night of stimulating conversation", I felt smug at the look of shock on his face. Ginny was trying not to laugh, I waved to her and walked out the front door.

26th of November 2013

The next day at Hermione's Office

I get a note from Kingsley saying that the Muggle's will take possession of the 'fake' tablet to display in the Mesopotamian exhibit. I may go and check it out later today just to see what they have done with it. I haven't been to the museum since I was a little girl before Hogwarts, it will be nice to reminisce on a memory about my parents when they still knew who I was. Yes, I thought I will treat myself.

I also got a note from Ron apologising for last night, and vigorously stating that he will make it up to me and win me back. I just wish he would let go, he is strongly in denial. I will not go back to him. I shook my head to empty it from thoughts of Ron turning my attention to the situation with Pascale and his 'side business' as he called it.

I venture back down to the Dark Archives, I cannot stop the shiver as the tingle of dark magic in the air runs up my spine. The thought of dark magic doesn't scare me as much as it used to when I was younger. Magic is magic, it has a different flavour. But this place is plain just creepy. I try to find where Pascale and Silas where meeting and after twenty minutes I think I have found here they were. Although looking around right now. I'm feeling the sense of immense frustration; the ledger could be anywhere or anything. The archives are vast, having been magically extended multiple times. As morbid as this thought is, I could easily imagine someone at least once having died down here and were never found again. I tried a silent summoning spell just to see if it would work but alas nothing happened. Not that I suspected it would be that easy. I wandered around for a bit in the general area they were talking to looking for any clues or anything unusual. I snorted at that. Everything in here was unusual. I mean the ledger could easily be that fork on top of the pile of cursed cutlery. Who would curse cutlery? I was getting nowhere, everything was haphazardly placed on the shelves, it looked like a scrapyard or junkyard. Yes, piles and piles of junk.

I run both my hands over my face, I need a new plan. How was I going to get into Pascale's office? Knowing how much that man is a major prick he probably booby traps his own office. I sigh and look up at the ceiling or where I imagined the ceiling to be since it was just blackness, nothingness. I looked back down at my wrist watch it was only 1130am. I was going to take the afternoon off, I was here at 630am and had already done a large amount of work. Studying the cuneiform texts were taking much longer than I wanted to, but I was still doing my regular work as well. I would have a nice afternoon wandering around the museum.

Returning to my office, feeling as if I have done nothing and guilt for wanting to leave early. I needed to clear my head anyway, I've been feeling a bit of a mess lately. I told Agatha the secretary for Procurement that I was leaving early for today as I had some personal errands to run and that I would be back tomorrow.

Later at the Museum

I had grabbed some lunch from a café down the road and made my way to the front entrance of the museum. I noticed a large banner as I walked in with a depiction of the tablet. Stating what a magnificent find it was and how it was dated back approximately 2700 years ago. I agreed it was a great find and a remarkable piece of history, I just hope that they remembered to scramble the writing on the tablet in case the muggles ever tried to translate it. I needed to have more faith in my colleagues.

I paid my entry fee and agreed to store my coat in the cloak room. It would have made me too hot wandering around in here with all these people. I put my ticket in my handbag and made my way through the throngs of people in the Great Court on the main level. I needed to make my way to the very back of this level to get to room 30, the Sainsbury Exhibition Gallery, where the museum was putting on a special Mesopotamia display, were the newest artefact would be exhibited prominently. It was quite busy at this time of day, full or foreign tourists all chatting and enjoying the museum. A proud smile made its way on my face. I saw another banner pointing in the direction I wanted to go and followed a line of people through room 29b to enter the east end of the gallery. It is a long rectangular room with various artefacts either in display cabinets or on pedestals. Because of the amount of people, I kind of just had to be patient and move with the masses. Eventually I could see the tablet up ahead. It was displayed on a pedestal the same way the real one is at the ministry, on a stand which is encased in a glass and wood edged display cabinet. It looked...harmless the way it was displayed unlike the time in Iraq. I didn't take me eyes off it. As I shuffled closer, I could see an almost discernible shimmer to the air around the tablet. It couldn't be.

I squinted.

I stepped forward almost pressing my face against the glass, which I'm sure would garner be a few glares and some choice sayings. I stared at it not blinking waiting for something anything to happen, hoping that small shimmer was my imagination. There is was you could almost say that it was just a trick of the light a slight pulse- a glow that lasted all but a second. I could feel a slight press on my occlumency walls, like something trying to burrow into the deep recesses of my mind. My eyes widen in shocked and I stumbled back, knocking into someone behind me. I swung around apologising, earning an irritated look as I left as quickly as I could not believing what had just happened. How the fuck could they mix up the real tablet and the fake? The sheer incompetence galled me to no end. I was so pissed off as I reached the cloak room, that I bumped into someone again and I mumbled an apology only briefly looking up for a second that I could have sworn the person behind the person I bumped into was Christian the burglar. I would remember the back of his head, but I couldn't certain. I passed the ticket to the lady stationed at the cloak room as I wondered what the hell I was going to do about this situation. Just another problem piled on to the others. What's one more?

Tom POV

The British Museum, middle of the afternoon

I could have sworn that I saw my shooter come flying around the corner of the cloak room in a panic, but I didn't want to risk getting noticed so I didn't turn around. It was revolting being here with all these muggle's, but I was genuinely pleased to be here. It was my first time experiencing the museum as my past life didn't exactly allow short trips to the local tourist destinations. I edged closer to where the tablet was being displayed, not caring if I bumped into the various people; it was all about confidence and they parted like the red sea.

From my brief time with Hermione's notes, I noticed they were smart but general deductions. The horcrux idea was an interesting theory. One I was excited to explore and not because I wanted to make one. That ship has sailed. But because I was thoroughly intrigued to discover and research whether or not it was a type of horcrux or some other undiscovered soul magic.

I could feel a push on my mind, and I whipped around looking at all the people. Was there another wizard here? Did they know who I was? I sent out a small bit of magic just to feel out a general direction. I turned around in a circle on the spot, when I noticed that there was no other magic other that what was going from the direction of the tablet. I stood stunned for a second, while it dawned on me now why Hermione had bolted out of here. The tablet was the real one. Oh man someone fucked up big time. Did I care? While I didn't implicitly care about the muggle's, I realised that this would be very bad for the wizarding world if something did happen. My former self would be jumping in glee at the prospect of something like this, but rational, sane me understands that this could potentially draw us back to the dark ages. I sighed, was this my problem? No, it really wasn't plus I'm sure Hermione has it covered.

I might enjoy my afternoon at the museum before I need to call Dermott. I'm waiting for him to get back to me about a job over here. I'm still spying around the ministry just not restricted to Granger now. It would be funny to see her face if one day I just turned up to the ministry. I think she would have a conniption.

I smirk at that thought, I would quite enjoy seeing her unleashed.