"Boggart, right?" Matt placed a Body Binding Spell on James and Dann, then confidently tore the the crate open. "I'm ready for this. Riddiku..."

The words caught in his throat, and he let out a curdling scream. James and Dann both broke free of the Binding Spell and rushed forward, shoving Matt into the crate. As soon as they forced the top of the crate closed again, Aurors burst through the door.

"I won't tell if you won't," Dann whispered to him. James nodded as his face contorted, and his skin stretched and shrank. They were both cornered by Aurors, and soon, his true face was in front of his very real, very alive father.

Harry Potter faced his son with an inquisitive eye. "James? What on earth are you doing here?" He pointed to Dann. "Who is this?"

"Private Magical Security Service," Dann said, not missing a beat. "We've caught the Silent Thief. I heard there was a reward."

"Indeed," his father said.

James heard it all in that one word. Incredulousness and surprise, with a hint of pride. "Yes, of course." He could play along for now, and it would build up his credibility while he found something decent to do with his future, now that he had one.

He'd make a fantastic Security Guard.

"He's in the crate over there, but I wouldn't open it until you bring it to the Department of Mysteries. I'll have my report on your desk first thing tomorrow." Suddenly, all his rushed essay experience from school seemed like it had been preparing him for this moment. James could pull a report out of thin air if he had to.

His father motioned for the crate to be taken away. "Why the special treatment?"

"Have you ever seen a dead Boggart?" James replied. The mere thought made both men shudder.

Dann finished her statement with the Aurors, likely concocting a reasonable story. He wondered how she got involved with a man like Matt in the first place... why she felt like she needed to kill her partner to get rid of him.

It was time to walk away. Apply for that security job. Turn his life around while he still had the chance.

As the room cleared out, Dann came up to him with a satisfied smile. "I'm done here."

"Now that Matt's in good hands, we're both free." James didn't expect her to frown, but he didn't have time for bruised egos. "No harm, no foul. See you around." When she didn't respond, he made to leave. He still had to figure out where Matt had stashed his stuff. And hopefully, get his wand back.

"I can't just let you go," Dann said, completely serious. "You know too much."

James eyed her critically. They could both just walk away from this, but it seemed that her game wasn't over yet. "What do you suggest?"

"Let's write up that report." Dann took his arm and led him out of the museum. "Partner."