Chapter Eight

The director forbid them from traveling to London, so they had to settle for the international conference calls. They'd gotten a hold of the Prime Minister who had sent a message to Lavender Brown for them. He was quite interested in the baby who Jethro was holding but didn't say anything.

"Why is there a baby in here?" Vance asked suddenly, scrutinizing the tiny infant. The baby cuddled closer to Jethro and he tightened his hold, glaring at the director.

"Part of the class and we are unable to even identify him. Ducky wasn't able to get the results from a finger and blood test yet, seeing as he's too young for the tests to display rather fast," Jethro lied. He didn't really know if Ducky had gotten the test back yet, seeing as he hadn't been to see him.

"Agent Gibbs, I have Ms. Brown outside the door, I shall leave you two in peace." It really was quite abnormal for them to be in contact with civilians over the conference call, but it happened every now and then.

When Lavender entered the conference room, Harry stared straight at her. Wow, she still hadn't changed much. Her long curly hair still looked like a lion's mane. Her beady brown eyes still stared intently, yes. The only thing really worth mentioning was the long scar down her cheek and neck, the indication of her battle with Fenrir Greyback.

"May I help you?" her distractingly peppy voice questioned. Harry peered at her curiously, wondering if she would notice him at all. Scar-free, glassless and baby like, he doubt he was very recognizable, unless she'd seen his baby pictures. Even then, that was creepy. Who went around stalking what he looked like since birth? His adoring fans probably did…

"Would you happen to have any indication to a Clark Johnson or H. Potter?"

"H. Potter you ask?" Lavender instantly asked. Harry grimaced, knowing she'd most likely say something.

"A pair of robes were found belonging to him. I take it you do know him, ma'am," Gibbs said, watching her clearly. Lavender nodded.

"Harry is an acquaintance of mine from school," Lavender admitted. Jethro looked down at the baby in his arms who perked up at the name Harry. Could that be his name?

"Could he have, perchance, become a father recently?"

"Not that anyone has said lately…" Lavender trailed off as she spotted the baby in Jethro arms and she looked closely, "The little boy you're holding looks just like Harry did as a baby, someone showed me a picture before even. So maybe he could be related? I know Harry doesn't have any relatives, so it's highly likely that he had a child and all. As for Clark Johnson, he's my cousin! I haven't seen the loon in months! Is there anything the matter with him?"

"He was found deceased near this child," Jethro said abruptly. Lavender was quite shocked at this bit of news and even more disturbed to hear there was no straight cause of death. Jethro adjusted his hold on his charge as the baby wriggled, making sure the child couldn't fall.

Lavender wasn't able to give them much information, except that the school she had attended was exclusive and need to know information. She also said that the baby could possibly be Harry's, since the child bore the resemblance. With that all said and done, she ended the call and the agents were left feeling downtrodden. So this Harry Potter could be related to the case but was currently MIA as of a few days ago, right around the time they found the baby apparently. Could Potter have rid himself of the baby and killed Clark?

Jethro sighed deeply and jiggled the baby around.

"Wonder what you're name is, kiddo." Jethro mused aloud as he carried the infant back to his playpen and lowered him into it as he grabbed his bag. The director had decided to also tell them the case was being closed by orders of the United States SecNav and the higher ups. Apparently, Clark's cause of death was the main reason, and the discovery of H. Potter's robes. The young adult was MIA in the UK and to find his robes here was probably disheartening.

As for the baby, Jethro had a week to decide where to place the baby, since the blood and fingerprints had come back unknown. The whole thing was as if done by magic or something, Jethro thought irritably. He packed up his bag and reached in, withdrawing his charge and bouncing him on his hip as he prepared to leave.

"Coming over tonight, DiNozzo?" Jethro asked as the two men exited the building.

"Sure, boss man," Tony said with a lopsided grin, looking at the baby who was yawning, sticking a single digit into his mouth and chewing on it. Jethro tusked and removed the finger, digging into his pocket and withdrawing a yellow pacifier. The baby silently accepted the soothing object and suckled on it. He made for quite the adorable sight.

"Alright little man," Jethro said aloud as he entered his humble abode with the infant, "time for a little food in your belly and then a nice bath before bed, hmm?" He didn't noticed the baby's wide eyes as he placed him in the high chair and grabbed a few fruits, mashing them nicely to make sure the child didn't choke.

As Jethro spooned the mush into the baby's slightly willing mouth, he sighed. What was he going to do with a baby? He felt this unexplainable desire to keep him. The baby could have loving parents though. Maybe Clark had kidnapped Harry Potter's son? Perhaps he should see about looking for this Potter man? Nah, it was the man's fault if he lost his kid. Oh hell, what was he thinking?

Glancing at the emerald green eyes as he cleaned the baby's messy face, he knew he didn't want to give this little guy up. He constantly made Jethro smile at his oddities and quirks; it seemed like the baby was aware of everything he said.

"Mucky pup," he teased as he wiped the baby's mouth while said child squirmed. Jethro chuckled and lifted the child out, carrying him towards the bathroom and holding onto him while turning the taps. For some reason, the 9-month-old baby began to move restlessly in his arms, trying to escape.

"Someone's not a water lover," Jethro commented as he undressed the baby and set him in the bath seat, checking so he didn't fall and that he was securely in place. He fetched the rubber duck that Tony had purchased and placed it in front of the little boy, smiling as the baby prodded the beak warily before giggling and pushing it around. Jethro wished the baby knew how to speak already as the baby looked to be having quite the adventure with his new found toy.

He was quite relieved that the infant didn't fuss as his hair was soaped down and his little body was soaked with suds. Eventually, the time came for Jethro to drain the tub and he found the child quite upset with this result. Pulling a whining child from the tub, he dried him off and carried him to the nursery.

Harry was quite grumpy to be pulled from his fun, but he allowed Gibbs to dress him in a diaper and footie pajamas –however much he hated them—for the night. He honestly had been mortified at first about the bath, but had discovered the fun in rubber ducks. Now he knew why Arthur Weasley had been so excited about the functions of a rubber duck. Muggle toys were quite fun.

Pouting –he'd much prefer the term frowning but whatever worked—at his guardian, he crossed his small arms as he was placed in his crib for the night. All pouting vanished, however, when Gibbs leaned down and kissed him on the forehead, a soft "Night Night, kiddo," coming from the man as he left the nursery.

Sitting in the crib in shock, Harry couldn't ever recall someone having done that to him. Sure his mum must've done that when he was really a baby, but he couldn't remember it. His small hand traced his scar less forehead and he blinked. He lay down on his back, thinking about the mystery of Gibbs.

Maybe, just maybe, being a baby wasn't so bad after all.

My old school won the football game! woot! Hence my somewhat late update. Anyhow, hope you approve of this chapter, not really one of my best in my opinion but it worked. Lavender is kinda OOC, but all well.