An Unexpected Visit
"John! Wake up, John!" John furrowed his eyebrows as a very annoying sound was trying to divert his attention from a very pleasant dream.
"Dr Watson!" The harsh tone almost made John jump. He reluctantly opened his eyes and suddenly sat up seeing unfamiliar surroundings.
He was sitting on a leather sofa in an office that was bigger than his whole flat. He looked at the source of the annoying and stubborn voice and found out that it belonged to Mycroft Holmes.
"Are you feeling well, doctor Watson?" Mycroft asked him.
"Yes, but what happened?" John asked confused.
"You lost consciousness in the car. We brought you here, instead of the hospital because I assumed it was due to stress and fatigue, not something serious and requiring medical attention." The man explained. Then he walked to the desk placed a few meter away from the sofa and sat on the chair in front of it.
"I thought you would prefer to talk to me in more… discreet environment." Mycroft explained. John looked at him confused not really understanding what the man was implying. His memory was still fuzzy, but then it all rushed back to him: the storehouse, the murderer, Sherlock hurt…
"Sherlock!" He shouted and quickly got up. A dark spots appeared in front of his eyes.
"Please sit down, Sherlock is well. He is now at the police station giving a testimony for today's events." Mycroft explained in monotonous tone.
John sat down and relaxed. He had no reason to not believe Mycroft, especially that he was the number one overprotective brother in England.
Then he began to remember the other events of the day: the fight with the killer, the auror… the auror! John remembered how he desperately ran and then the car… and Mycroft telling him he knew.
"You know." John said looking at Mycroft with wide eyes.
"Yes, I am aware of your participation in the Wizarding War, Dr Watson." The man answered understating what John meant.
"Since when?" John was too shocked to form longer sentences.
"I knew from the very beginning. I work for the British Government and thus my brother would make a perfect leverage to get to me by unwanted personas. The moment I saw you walk through the threshold of 221B Baker Street I checked every information about you." John wanted to comment at Mycroft's paranoia but decided against it and keep on listening to the man's explanation.
"The Ministry of Magic provided us with a database of the wanted criminals from their… your world. The Death Eaters such as you are placed at the very top of the list." Mycroft's eyes pierced John as if trying to look deep into his soul.
"If you knew from the very beginning then why did you let me move in with Sherlock?" John asked.
"You saved Sherlock's live. Your unwavering loyalty to my brother from the very first moment convinced me that you aren't a threat." John remembered his first, very strange meeting with Mycroft and the events at Roland Kerr College.
"And of course I checked your previous flat. I discovered you weren't in possession of your wand." Hearing about his wand made John unconsciously grab his left arm to check if it was still here. He let out a relieved breath when he found it here.
"I kept observing you. Some of my employees were watching to see if you were in touch with your previous acquaintances." Mycroft continued his explanation without commenting John's nervous gesture.
"Still, don't you believe it was naïve of you to trust a wanted criminal? Do you know what kind of people Death Eaters are? I believe the Ministry of Magic would provide the British Government with a proper warning." John would only fully believe Mycroft's words if the answer to this question would be plausible.
"Do you take me for a common citizen, Dr Watson?" Mycroft asked icily as if John has just now offended him. The question was rhetorical because without waiting for a reply he kept on talking.
"I have seen many wars and I have learned many things from them. The world is not black and white. There are no evil and good sides in the war. Both sides fight for their own beliefs, goals. They believe in their cause enough to kill for it and even die for it. So of course I don't believe when the winning side of the war hunting for their opponents states they are the devil's incarnate. I am not naïve. I am not stupid, Dr Watson."
"I killed and tortured people, Mycroft." John admitted quietly.
"And the Ministry and Aurors didn't? People who have never seen peace and who have never seen war have different values. Only those standing at the top determine what's wrong and what's right. They say that justice will prevail. But of course it will. Whoever wins the war becomes justice." John stared at Mycroft with open mouth. The words held a great conviction but also a feeling of experience.
"We wanted… I wanted the best for the next generations of purebloods. That they wouldn't have to be ashamed of their roots. That they would be able to practice their ancestors' magic." John explained. Mycroft nodded at him and got up.
"You don't need to explain anything to me, John. Frankly, I am not interested in your past now that I know that you are not a threat." He walked to the sofa John was sitting at.
"I will keep your secret, even from Sherlock… or should I say especially from him. Also I will try my best to point the aurors' attention elsewhere but I expect you to lie low for the next couple of weeks, or even months." John nodded. He couldn't even imagine what would Sherlock say if he ever learned the truth.
"I don't want to be rude, but I believe that you would need to leave pretty soon, Dr Watson. My assistant tried her best to keep auror Potter occupied but I expect his visit very soon. It would be best if you weren't present during it, don't you agree?" John paled but nodded. He got up from the sofa, this time without any troubles. He got his nerves under control.
"Thank you, Mycroft." Both men shook hands and without another word John left the office.
As John walked out of the building he stood for a second and wondered what to do next. He decided to return home. Maybe Sherlock was already there.
The trip home took him almost half an hour by taxi. During that time John wondered how would he explain to Sherlock why he had disappeared. He forgot to ask Mycroft if he provided Sherlock with any plausible explanation, so he texted him.
"Just say that his archenemy abducted you." John stared at the reply for a few minutes. At first he thought it was a joke, but then it wouldn't be the first time that the black car picked John up from someplace and took him to Mycroft.
As John entered his flat at Baker Street he quickly noticed his flatmate lying on the couch. His hand was covering his eyes, so he couldn't tell if the man was asleep or awake.
"What did Mycroft want?" Awake then.
"There was a case he wanted to talk about." John lied. He hated himself every time he had to lie to his best friend. The only consolation was that the truth would put Sherlock in danger.
As John expected, Sherlock didn't ask question about details. He hated working for his brother and took cases from him only when it was absolutely necessary.
As the detective sat up John noticed a large bump on his head. He quickly kneeled before Sherlock and examined it. It didn't seem that bad but Sherlock's eyes were a bit glassed and his look unfocused.
"We should go to the hospital." John said gently knowing that Sherlock hated checkups.
"No. I'm fine. It's just a bump." As expected, the man protested in a tone that left no room for arguments.
"Sherlock, head injuries shouldn't be ignored. Of all people, you should know that best. What if the injury would cause damage to your Mind Palace, hm?" John tried his best not to smile as Sherlock shot him a worried, if not a bit panicked, look.
"I have a business at Bart's anyway." John smiled at his friend and stood up. His knees protested. Another sign of the youth that was no longer here.
Sherlock also stood up and winced. It seemed that the pain he was feeling wasn't a joke and the detective was just putting on a brave front.
….
John looked nervously at his best friend as they were both sitting in the waiting room. There were still five people before it was Sherlock's turn to see the doctor and they've been sitting there for half an hour. The detective was getting restless and bored. He already analysed everyone in the room very thoroughly. John needed to occupy him before the man fled from the hospital.
"So, what happened to the murderer?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Dead. Hit his head pretty hard against the wall. Died immediately, unlike his victims." Sherlock shoot John a look that stated that the man knew that he had something to do with the murderer's demise.
"Good." John said evenly. He wasn't guilty at all. The man he killed was a beast and almost killed Sherlock. He would do the same thing again if the need arose.
"Phil made me give a testimony. I had to run away, so expect his patrol at Baker Street in few hours." John blinked at the man. Who was Phil…. Oh!
"You mean Greg Lestrade?" John asked.
"Yeah, so his name is Greg?" John rolled his eyes. He could swear that Sherlock kept forgetting the DI's name on purpose.
"That's not funny. Besides Greg likes you. He let you go without testimonies for many cases before. Maybe this time would be the same?" Sherlock shook his head.
"No. His superiors will push him to have my full testimony. They need a clear report about what happened to the sarcophagus." He explained.
"The sarcophagus?" John asked.
"The one at the crime scene." John remembered now that Sherlock mentioned in the storehouse that it had been stolen from the British Museum.
"John, look!" John jumped in his seat startled by his friend's sudden outburst.
"Where?! What?!" John looked around in search for anything, most likely dangerous, that Sherlock wanted him to see.
"Behind the desk. The blonde nurse." John looked at the girl. She was a bit shorter than he was. Also, very pretty. There wasn't anything suspicious about her. He also didn't remember seeing her before.
"Single, 37 years old. Likes to ride a bicycle in the summer. Dislikes coffee, doesn't smoke and is very tolerant." Sherlock analysed the girl.
"Okay, so what?" John asked still clueless.
"She's your type. Why won't you go over there and ask her out? There is 94% chance that she will agree." Now John got it. His friend was trying to encourage his dating habits again.
"I don't want to." John said simply. His voice wasn't sad, because the man wasn't feeling sad. He looked at the girl. She was his type, that was true. But he didn't feel like dating anyone anymore.
"Mary wouldn't…" Sherlock started gently but John cut him in.
"I know she wouldn't mind. And I am not doing it because of her." John said and looking at his friend's doubtful face he decided to explain more clearly.
"I have everything I want now. I have a job, a couple of friends, an interesting hobby." John looked pointedly at Sherlock. "I had been happily in love more than once and I think that was enough. I simply do not feel the need to date anymore. I am not really a husband material. It's not that the time I had with Mary wasn't pleasant, but it's not what I want. I want to solve cases with you, face dangers. Domesticated is not really my thing." Sherlock smiled gently at that. It seemed that he understood and accepted the reasoning.
"So you prefer living with me. People might talk." Sherlock teased.
"People do little else." John answered back.
….
"Auror Potter, what a pleasure to see you." Mycroft stood up from his chair in the office that only a few minutes before he had a conversation with John Watson. He walked over to the wizard and shook his hand.
"Nice to see you too, Mr Holmes." The man answered pleasantly.
"What brings you here, if I might ask." Mycroft asked looking as innocent as ever.
"Oh, you know perfectly well why I am here. Now if you would explain to me why did you help a Death Eater escape today?" Potter asked, the smile was still present on his lips.
"I don't know what do you mean, Mr Potter. Please take a seat." As Potter sat down on an armchair he studied Mycroft's face.
"Then how would you explain today's events? Your assistant was quite forceful in trying to stop me from my pursuit." Mycroft looked carefully at the auror's face but there wasn't any trace of anger or displeasure. Either the man didn't really care about today's events for some reason or his acting skills were top class.
"The storehouse where you were present was a crime scene. The victim's body was there together with the murderer and my brother." Mycroft said.
"Your brother?" Potter blinked at that.
"My brother is a consulting detective and he was solving a case there. But got himself into trouble and I needed to help him." Mycroft explained smiling.
"But that still doesn't explain why you helped the Death Eater." Potter stated.
"As I said before, I don't know what you mean. I was not aware that there were any Death Eaters present. I simply helped my brother's friend to get to the hospital because he was injured." Mycroft lied smoothly.
"A friend?" Potter narrowed his eyes.
"And assistant. They have been solving crimes together for years. Caused lots of trouble for me, mind you. But that's what little brothers do, don't they?" Mycroft stopped smiling as it was tiring him, but his expression was still pleasant and friendly.
"I don't have any siblings so I wouldn't know." Potter said. Mycroft blinked innocently.
"Oh. Yes, of course." Of course, he knew that.
"So, would you explain to me the matter with a Death Eater? Is London in any danger?" Mycroft asked curiously.
"Not really. I am currently pursuing a wanted Death Eater who has been hiding since the War. Name John Watson. " The auror explained.
"I've seen his name in the file the Ministry of Magic provided. So was he present at the storehouse today?" Mycroft asked. Potter took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"Yes. I've put a tracing charm on his wand and each time he uses magic more powerful than common house spells I am notified of it and can track him." Mycroft nodded in understanding.
"I'm afraid I can't help you as I haven't seen the man in person." Mycroft said. Potter signed and got up.
"If that is the case, then pardon my intrusion, Mr Holmes. Though, if you ever caught a glimpse of this man contact me directly. Not the Ministry or Auror Department but me. Would you do that?" Mycroft found the request strange but didn't comment on it. Instead he smiled pleasantly and also got up.
"Of course, Mr Potter." Both men shook their hands and the auror disappeared without even bothering to leave the office.
Mycroft sat in the armchair and sighed. Staring off into the space he hoped that for now John Watson would be safe. Sherlock needed him so his top priority was to protect him, even from the Wizarding Ministry.
…..
"Sherlock, where is the milk? I bought three cartons yesterday." John asked as he searched the fridge.
It's been three days since Sherlock got a checkup. There was nothing really wrong with the wound. John knew that, but at least the man got thoroughly checked up, something that he normally wouldn't let John do. The doctor told the detective to rest for a few days, so instead of running around London and solving cases, Sherlock was confined at home. Anyone who knew Sherlock at least a little bit would know that the man didn't like it at all.
"I used it for an experiment." Came a reply from the living room. John rolled his eyes and left the kitchen.
"And how am I supposed to prepare dinner without it?" He asked. Sherlock didn't bother to reply. John signed and got his coat.
"I am going to Tesco for milk. Do you want anything?" He asked.
"Some pork, please." John blinked.
"Why would you want pork? I thought you dislike it." He asked his friend.
"For an experiment, obviously." Sherlock said. He was sitting in his armchair and writing something furiously on John's laptop.
"Okay. I'll get it. See you." After saying that John left the flat and almost collided with Mrs Hudson who was climbing up the stairs with a tray.
"You're leaving, John? And I was just going to bring you some cookies." She said smiling. John smiled back.
"I'll be back shortly. Just need to go to Tesco for a bit." He explained, nodded at the woman and left.
….
It was a sale day so John spent in the shop more time that he intended too and bought more things that he was able to carry comfortably. The bags were heavy, so he needed to stop and rest for a moment every once in a while.
As he reached the Baker Street he noticed that the lights weren't on. John immediately got worried because that would mean that something happened or that Sherlock left taking advantage of his prolonged absence.
As he climbed up the stairs his nose started to itch. The feeling was very familiar but John couldn't quite remember why. As he opened the door the sign that welcomed him made his knees buckle.
There in the middle of his living room were standing Death Eaters. A four of them, to be more precise. They had on black cloaks, but not masks. They smiled as John walked in reaching for his wand.
"Oh, don't worry Watson. We're not here to fight." One of them explained. As John looked closer at the man he recognized his school friend – Aaron Harvey.
"Harvey." John said aloud, still in shock.
"Yes, old friend. It's me. You should also recognize our other three friends: Nott, Coyne and Norwood." John looked at the faces of Harvey's companions and indeed he recognized them from the Death Eater meetings. Although he didn't remember to exchange with them more than a couple of words in total.
"We have a business matter to discuss with you. We're sorry for appearing so unexpectedly." Harvey smirked and pointed at the couch. There sitting on it was Sherlock. His eyes were open but his whole body was unmoving. And at the floor lied a still body of Mrs Hudson. John couldn't believe his eyes. He felt as if water was filling up his lungs, he couldn't breathe. He just stared.