Once again thanks for reading and all the favs, follows and reviews

(HarnGin) Nope, he will not :) I am glad you think so... hope you will like the following chapters too

(zeynel) Thank you! Yes, that was only our resident killjoy, Arthur is going to be there soon though - very, very soon ;) So far they are not expected to visit, though they will meet all (or almost all) Weasleys at one point or another

(midnight-flurry) Yeah, I know... hopefully it will get better. Hmm... depends on how much you take that comment to heart - he could have been bigot, but as well just one of those old people, that just like to tell you how differently were things done in the past (also some trivia and possible spoiler - Muggles were not allowed to know about wizarding world since 1692 - this is a huge change - he may not be the last who wouldn't be entirely okay with it)

(creepyLotRfangirl55) Yes, that was him. Thanks :)

(Silvermane1) Yep... Teddy is in school currently - studying feverishly for O.W.L.s (for some reason I think this all is happening sometime in April)

(Sarah) So glad you liked it :) That's good - that's exactly what I was aiming for.

(Angel4EverLostInLife) As often as I can :)

(lulu) Happy to hear you liked it :D Umm... define nicer? John didn't get a chance last time though, I am fairly sure he would be nice enough given the opportunity. Thank you, it's good to hear I am not straying away :)

(Jiwa) I'm glad :) Of course, I try to update at least every few days. Hope you will like this chapter too.

CHAPTER 14

John was really grateful when they got out. As far as he was concerned, it was worse, far worse than in the almost empty Alley yesterday. If the man had it like this every day he was surprised he didn't hole himself in his house and lived as a recluse – it was like standing next to a bloody Queen. And maybe even that was putting it lightly. Everyone just wished to have a word with him, or be near or at least have a look... preposterous.

He shook his head and glanced at the corridor. It was adorned with windows, which was a bit strange, since he was sure they were still underground. But hey, if anyone should have underground windows, then it would be wizards...

"I'm sorry for this," told them Harry the moment the door closed. "It's just..." he trailed off not really sure how to announce his status to them. "It sort of always happens."

"Not surprising," stated Sherlock simply. "We read about you." He didn't even turn from the window he was examining as Harry and John started walking down the corridor.

John sighed, at the blunt way he put it, but it was unavoidable, because by now even the most obtuse person would understand that Harry Potter was someone terribly important for these people. And the wizard would surely have wondered why they were not asking questions after a display like that.

Harry stopped and raised his eyebrows, visibly relaxing, "Oh? That's good then. I didn't expect you to pick up that particular book as the first one to read, but I can't say I'm not relieved you know."

"I didn't," whirled Sherlock around to follow them, after he apparently finished trying to open the window (it didn't budge no matter how hard he pulled). "John did. I daresay he was gobsmacked. He also wants me not to question you extensively - he thought you might not want to relate your story to relative strangers. Though I expect the time we will spend investigating shall be sufficient enough for you to get used to us and be willing to talk on your own. And I wish to stop at a potion shop after we finish the Milverton case. I might require your assistance there."

John smacked his palm on his forehead audibly - the fact that Sherlock was willing to wait until the case was over was only a small mercy, after the lecture he gave him.

"O-okay," said Harry slowly, quite overwhelmed by Sherlock's stream of words. "But why do you want to visit the Apothecary?"

"To gather the necessary items for brewing some of those concoctions from the texts we bought yesterday," the detective told him in a tone that clearly indicated he was not amused by the stupidity of that question.

"But you can't," protested Harry. "That's why I've chosen theory books for everything. You can't do magic. Not even brewing, I'm sorry."

"I suspected as much," replied Sherlock, "regardless, my request still stands. I wish to try it."

"Well, as long as you understand to not expect any passable results," shrugged the wizard as they started walking again. "Just don't drink anything you might create. Mycroft would naturally blame me, so if you can, avoid the poisoning. I'm also not taking any responsibility for blown up cauldrons."

"Wait... wait," started John worriedly, just as they rounded a corner. "What exactly are the potions made of?" He thought he ought to know as it was obviously possible for the brews to be explosive - he will have them in his flat, after all!

But Harry was already opening the door, so he didn't answer. The room was full of cubicles, many of which had the slogan 'Constant Vigilance' on the walls among other things like paper cuttings or photographs. The witches and wizards of varying age that occupied the room, greeted Harry with respect and then returned to their work, occasionally glancing at John and Sherlock with curiosity as all three walked through the room to the door at the other side.

From one of the last cubicles emerged a red-headed man that the duo recognised as Ronald Weasley. He was smiling at first and shouted at Harry that he was late, but once his eyes fell on Sherlock the smile disappeared instantly as he joined them.

"Harry, please tell me he is not who I think he is," he said with a touch of desperation in his voice as they walked out to another corridor.

"I can't say that, that would be lying," replied Harry lightly and then turned towards all three of them. "I believe you already met."

They exchanged pleasantries, though Ron did so grudgingly and Sherlock only behaved because John was breathing down his neck.

"You should have told me he is Sherlock Holmes," hissed Ron at Harry quietly. "Would it be so hard to say 'Hey Ron, the git you just told me about, yeah the one from the Muggle Hospital, that's the detective we're supposed to work with. You will be seeing him tomorrow...'" John needed to strain his ears, but he managed to catch it - he was not sure if he should laugh or frown disapprovingly though.

"I had every intention to do so," Harry told him, not even bothering to quiet his voice, as he unlocked the first door on the corridor with his wand. "But then I decided that you're a git for disregarding your health and don't deserve to have a warning."

"Please," scoffed the ginger. "As if you would have stayed... It wasn't absolutely necessary so I didn't. The bloody Healer was worse than Pomfrey. Besides, I got my bones back together rather quickly. Just needed to be careful for a few hours in the morning, but it went okay – better than if they were missing altogether, you know."

John and Sherlock looked at each other, not sure if they were exaggerating or such injuries were normal in the wizarding world - John as a doctor was especially interested, but they weren't offered any elaboration.

"Ha ha," said Harry as he beckoned them all in and closed the door. "But seriously now, don't do that next time."

They found themselves in a nice simple office with a fireplace and a lot of pictures adorning the walls. There was a stack of parchments on the table and a closed bottle of ink with several quills nearby. Two very nice chairs were situated in front of the desk, same as the one behind it. On the wall behind the desk was a giant window with pleasant morning sun rays streaming into the office – funnily enough, it was entirely different weather as was shown by the windows in the corridor.

"Right, right," grumbled Ron.

"Why don't we sit down?" told Harry his guests. While Sherlock and John sat on the two chairs that were already there, Ron took out his wand and made one for himself. Harry started rummaging his desk, obviously looking for something, but not before he frowned over the sight on his desk. "By the way, thanks for doing the paperwork in my absence," he addressed the redhead, who just shrugged unabashed. "Also before I forget," he continued and stopped throwing things out of his desk for a moment, to look at the detective and his friend, "Is that nice landlady of yours always home? There shall be some spell-work done on your house and it would be better if she is gone."

"Wait, what?" asked John not really comprehending.

"Well, if you agree, we will connect your fireplace to the Floo Network. If nothing else it will make the communication easier. Also there should be some protective spells added – the basic set, I was thinking, nothing elaborate. We're not making a fortress. But you've entered the wizarding world and you will be known. As Muggles in an unprotected house you would be at a disadvantage. As that can be helped, I don't see why not do it."

"What spells are we talking about?" asked Sherlock.

"Hmm... strengthening the locks, so they can't be picked by charms, anti-apparition wards, keying in the Floo and everything connected to it... I assure you that you won't notice the difference. Everything will be left in the same condition, though more secure against magical intruders."

At the end Sherlock and John agreed and informed them that Mrs Hudson visited Mrs Turner from next door quite often, so it shouldn't be any problem.

"Brilliant," said Harry as he returned to his self-appointed task of desk-searching.

"How will we let you know when you can come in?" asked Sherlock, quite aware of the fact that there was no quick way to contact the wizards so far.

"Oh, I have a landline at home," said Harry. "Just remind me to give you the number – you can call and everything will be taken care of - someone will get to Baker Street almost instantly."

John was listening only partially, he was too busy being entranced by the moving pictures on the wall. There were various people there – he spied Harry and a redheaded woman that must have been his wife with four kids (one of those had a crazy hair-colour clearly going through rebellious teenage stage). The children on single portraits too... then Weasley, Harry and some bushy-haired woman... those three in the company of another three people, one of which was Harry's wife... picture full of redheads and many more. And they all moved! They waved at him and winked and laughed... He wished to have one in his hand and inspect it closely.

"Aha!" cried Harry victoriously and put some file on his desk. "It was there for so long that it almost drowned under other papers." He turned it upside down and two silver plates in the size of common business cards fell on his open palm. Then he pulled out two pieces of parchment. "This is yours," he said as he walked towards Sherlock and John to hand them the plates. John inspected it carefully. The engraving read:

-
Dr. John Watson
Auror Office
Muggle Liaison
-

There was also a faint impression of the symbol he saw upon entering this building – M with what he guessed was a wand in the middle of the letter – that became visible only from a certain angle.

"Better not lose those and take them with you everywhere. Who knows when you will need them," warned them Harry. "And at last, I will need you to sign the parchments on the table about receiving your identifications."

When they managed to produce passable signatures - after a few rather clumsy attempts on a blank parchment, because no one had a pen and they needed to use one of the quills - Harry signalled to Ron that he could explain what was known about the Milverton case so far. The redhead didn't even manage to open mouth properly, when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," cried Harry and an elder wizard with a bald patch and greying red hair around the temples came in.

"Hello," he said as he took in the room.

"Arthur!" said Harry smiling. "What brought you here? Let me introduce you – this is Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson. Gentlemen, Arthur Weasley – The Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office."

"Pleasure to meet you," beamed Arthur. "So you're Muggles?" Though it was the same question it was vastly different from the way the guy in Atrium asked – for one it sounded as if the fact they were ones meant they were the best thing since sliced bread. "It's great to have you. I heard all about you... even saw some of your stories! The famous detective and the doctor that helps him. It's really good to finally meet you in person. If you wouldn't mind me asking... what exactly is 'blog'. Some kind of Muggle newspapers? Harry said people read the stories there."

John, not really knowing what to say, smiled uncertainly.

"Did you want something, Dad?" asked Ron

"Ah, yes," nodded Arthur. "Williamson directed me here. Ron, I need your statement about the raid two days ago. You were out all day yesterday, so I didn't catch you and didn't really want to go and bother you with work at home. You have it?"

The younger Weasley nodded, "Yeah, left it in my desk - first drawer. How's Dung?"

"Ah, he's fine. Shaken a bit I reckon. Said he will never again get mixed with the Ministry, but you know him - he always says that. He will steal anything that can be moved, but if he stumbles upon something nefarious, he will tell so others can handle it and scramble away to safety at the earliest opportunity."

"Yeah, sounds like him," replied Ron. "Dad, you wouldn't mind fetching the report yourself, would you? We were just about to go over a case. I need to stay."

"No problem," said the man and before he left he turned towards the duo of Muggles. "Hopefully I will see you around," and then he nodded towards Harry and Ron. "Molly is excited about the dinner tomorrow, boys. Don't let yourself to be too caught up in work."

"Too caught up in work," muttered Ron good-naturedly after he left, "I'm not the one who brings 'work' home and drives Mum mad with the tinkering. What's his latest project anyway?"

"I believe," replied Harry, "that it's my poor motorbike."

"He borrowed it again?" asked Ron surprised. "Oh, Mum will go nuts when she finds out! Well, your problem mate, wait till she gets her clutches on you... but that's enough of chatter, we should finally get on with this." He took a piece of parchment from one of his pockets and unfolded it.

John was watching the banter with amusement. Wait... did that mean Harry and Ron were related? Then he remembered that he mentioned some Molly as his mother-in-law to Mrs Hudson... but that was all irrelevant as he needed to concentrate on the case now.

To make things clearer... Arthur has no idea what blog is because he saw John's entries only printed on paper when Harry brought them to show to people - no working computers or laptops at the Ministry I am afraid, so it needed to be done this way. Also I returned him his old job (because he just loved it)... though he is paid a lot better and has a smashing office nowadays (at least in this story)
Also I am afraid that Ron and Sherlock won't see eye to eye for quite some time - and it will get worse at first (it will get better later though) - just saying so you'll be prepared for it.