Thank you all for reading, still adding the story to your favourites and following it and of course for the absolutely fantastic reviews

(Fervour) Thank you so much. I'm thrilled you find this story so good. I certainly hope I will deserve your praise in the future too.

(Nataly SkyPot) Thanks! :)

(zeynel) Thank you. I'm not sure if those deductions will be enough... Hope it will still sound reasonable enough.

(Sarah) I'm glad. :) Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter too.

CHAPTER 5

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" asked the detective with a bored tone after finishing his initial scan. The man was nothing out of the ordinary. Wears glasses (myopic) – old scar on the forehead – dates to early childhood – peculiar shape – another on his hand (seems like writing – figure what later) – bags under eyes – didn't sleep much in past three days – "you returned from abroad and are feeling guilty for not spending enough time with your family – shame on you for bending to Mycroft's will and not going home like you wanted. Your wife is redheaded and you have three children, two boys and a girl – young. You were trained, but not by military force. You also have –"

"Sherlock!"

"What?" he glanced at John who had 'the look' on his face.

"Oh," he probably didn't want him to overwhelm their guest. How dull. If he couldn't stand it, he could leave. Anyone close to Mycroft (and he is, Mycroft was relaxed – only drops guard around people he trusts explicitly – definitely didn't tense when the man entered) was his enemy just by association with the overbearing bore.

"Great, Sherlock," said Mycroft rolling his eyes (he found he did that quite often when his little brother was concerned). "Once again..."

But he was interrupted by Harry, who blurted, "Merlin, Mycroft! It is true. Your brother is bloody brilliant! And a git! And talks even faster than Hermione! You didn't exaggerate in slightest."

Mycroft was fighting a smile... Sherlock was gaping (as much as the stoic man could gape), not quite sure what just happened... Harry was watching Sherlock with fascination and grinning broadly... and this all was a lot for John to take in and he started to laugh at the scene in front of him.

It was into the midst of this chaos that Mrs Hudson entered with the tea (for everyone – apparently she changed her mind about that). But left as quickly as she could, not wishing to even know what's going on. Harry Potter was the only one who managed to thank her for the cup he received.

"I hope you don't mind the language, but bloody hell, that was brilliant. How did you figure all that?" asked the man after he got hold on his tea, then munched at one of the biscuits he stole earlier as he awaited the explanation.

"Don't stroke his ego too much," warned Mycroft. "He has enough of that from John." The army doctor bristled at that, but didn't say anything – was it his fault that the insufferable clod still managed to amaze him despite knowing him for years?

Sherlock rolled his eyes and proceeded to explain. "Your bag has a foreign inscription and it's new. Mycroft said you are just returning from some assignment. It must have been abroad. The bag contains gifts for the family – it's see through. It really isn't hard to notice. There is a perfume – clearly for the wife. Doll – the daughter and some kind of kit with illustrations and a plush – that would be for the boys. Doesn't seem like something for teenagers, so younger children. The plush could have been for a girl, but it's a dragon; it's more usual to buy things like that for boys – especially considering the design of the toy. You feel guilty for being away, that's why you're bringing those. It's not something typical of the country you visited, as would be in case of a souvenir, they are simply bribes. Your travelling clothes are well-worn, which points to leaving often. There is a hair caught on your coat – a red hair. It can be a lover, but it isn't, you have a happy marriage, it's the way you caressed your wedding band nervously as if wishing to either be with her or have her here. Then you got a hold of yourself. Sentiment, really. The training is apparent - you are wary of your surroundings, when you entered you scanned the room first. Not out of curiosity but for a threat. Only trained people or people that have a reason to be afraid do that. By your posture and steps I would say you aren't particularly frightened at the moment, though you do not feel comfortable. It is not military training though, because your bearing differs from John's."

"Almost spot on!" exclaimed Harry enthusiastically. Sherlock grimaced. "But I would like to add that I have another boy. He's fifteen (Fifteen?! wondered the doctor looking at the young man), you couldn't see the gift for him, because it's a book that I ordered about a week ago. I am supposed to pick it up today."

"Damn," exclaimed Sherlock, his spirits slightly dampened.

"Don't worry about it," Harry waved his hand dismissively. "I don't think there was a way for you to tell. Consider me utterly astounded."

John meanwhile tried to make some sense out of the man – Mycroft Holmes genuinely liked him (he wouldn't believe it, if he didn't see it... would he even dare to say they are... friends?!), then he does not explode after Sherlock's deductions, on the contrary, appreciates them...

"Anyway," said Mycroft, when he felt there was enough of the praise. "Can we proceed? I doubt you want to spend the whole day here, Harry. And I would also like you to keep the positive opinion you seem to have about my brother and the chances of that are negatively correlated to the amount of time one spends in his presence."

Sherlock glared at him once again.

"Right," nodded the man. "So, what do they know?"

"Absolutely nothing about the part I wished you to discuss here today," admitted Mycroft smiling, but then frowned. "However, they encountered Weasley inquiring about an AK body in the morgue today. It's unfortunate, because I don't think Sherlock and Mr Weasley started their acquaintanceship very positively. It might have an influence over the future involvement of my brother in the investigation. But I certainly hope that won't happen." Here he looked questioningly at his associate, as if to make sure he just won't wash his hands of Sherlock after this revelation.

"Who was murdered?" asked Harry. Sherlock frowned... so far his brother presented it as if he wanted him to investigate Milverton's death, but Potter's ignorance over the subject was suspicious…

"Charles Augustus Milverton. Not really someone whom you would like to meet. He is also not that important, no matter what he thought and better off dead," answered Mycroft dismissively. "What is important is the fact that he was not yours." He stressed the last word slightly.

"Ah," breathed Harry, understanding dawning on his face, "so the Exemption can finally be used. Can't say I am not relieved they didn't change their mind in meantime. Kingsley notified them that Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are being informed today? I really wish to avoid causing misunderstanding about revealing things to Mu-" he glanced at the duo, "to unconcerned parties."

"Yes, Kingsley did that," nodded Mycroft. "You have no need to worry."

"Figures I would be gone when something like this happens," continued Harry. "So, this Milverton is Ron's investigation?"

Mycroft shrugged. "Probably... wouldn't you be taking over though? To keep an eye on Sherlock – it's in your own interest, of course."

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Sherlock and John would have none of that. While it was fascinating to watch the man transform from the kind person who complimented Mrs Hudson and showed gleeful joy over Sherlock's deductions to someone who can discuss how to use murder for their own purposes in such an easy manner, it was time to get some answers.

"Excuse me," interjected John, easily halting the ongoing conversation, "but can you tell us what's going on?"

Sherlock had less tact and glared at the man. "You lack knowledge about the murder. And yet you are here to convince me to take a look at it, which makes involving me more important than the actual case in this situation." Then he turned to his brother. "I refuse to be dragged into some sort of game, Mycroft. I thought I made it clear years ago that you won't degrade me to some government lapdog. So I suggest some explanations are in order."

p.s. If you're wondering what was Sherlock going to say before John decided that enough is enough, it was - "You also have quite a standing in society and are used - more like resigned - to be recognised, despite the fact that I and more importantly John, who keeps up with celebrity gossip, didn't recognise you.