Chapter 2: 31 July 2010

Theo's hand was starting to go numb from the tight grip Hermione had on him. He cleared his throat, in an attempt to ease his nerves, but it was little use. His husband was missing.

They were seated across the desk from the Head of the DMLE after coming in to make a missing person's report first thing this morning. Only, instead of being directed to investigations, they'd been sent here.

They'd kept their Saturday morning routine well enough, explaining to their kids that their dad would be home by this evening to open his gifts for his birthday. Though, they'd already alerted their friends that the birthday outing at the pub was cancelled.

After a hushed conversation with Nanny to alert them if she heard from Harry, Hermione and Theo had rushed to the ministry. The DMLE was the one department in the Ministry that was always open, so when they still hadn't heard from Harry, they'd come straight in.

It'd now officially been twenty-four hours since anyone had heard from or seen Harry Potter.

Smacking his lips and using his tongue to try and dislodge something from his teeth, Theo was nearly seething with rage. Cormac McLaggen had overheard Hermione speaking with the receptionist about wanting to make a missing person's report and had promptly escorted them into his office.

"He's probably tired of playing house husband, it happens." The overweight wizard said, leaning back in his chair, resting his hands on the top of his belly. "Blokes like us, we aren't meant to be tied down you see. Hell, I don't even normally work on weekends due to my, uh, busy schedule. Yet here I am."

"Tied down?" Hermione screeched, her hair sparking as she leaned towards the department head. "He's a professional Quidditch player, you bloody, egotistical–"

"What my wife is trying to say," Theo said, interrupting Hermione before she got herself arrested for assaulting McLaggen…again. "Harry is dedicated to our family, and during his off season, is when he spends most of his time with our children since he travels so much for work."

McLaggen didn't seem to be paying any attention to what Theo was saying and only to Hermione's chest. Hermione must have noticed as well, because she sent a stinging hex to hit McLaggen's shins.

"Fuck," the other wizard said. Glaring in Theo's direction, clearly assuming it was he who'd sent the hex. McLaggen pressed his lips in a thin line then let out an exasperated sigh. "We aren't going to declare Harry Potter as a missing person. It could cause panic among the public. Chances are, he just didn't want to be associated with a Death Eater and home wrecker anymore," McLaggen shrugged.

Theo snapped, reaching across the desk with reflexes that were ingrained in him from being raised in an abusive household. He'd snatched McLaggen's tie, jerking the man forward before the buffoon even registered what was happening to him. Theo was able to grip the back of his head and slam McLaggen's face onto the top of his own desk before he could even begin to put up a fight. The satisfying crunch of the idiot's nose breaking against the heavy oak desk brought more satisfaction than it ought to have.

ooo

"Nott?" The guard called from outside the ministry holding cell. On instinct, Theo looked up, not bothering to correct the already irritated looking wizard on his surname. "Your wife is here, you're free to go."

Theo stood from the hard cot he'd been laying on, stretching his back, hearing it pop. As he passed the man, he nodded a thanks, but received no such polite gesture back.

Hermione stood at the end of the corridor, tapping her foot with her arms crossed over her chest. He might have thought she was upset with him, but Theo had been with her long enough that he knew better. Theo gave her a kiss to her cheek before offering her his arm, which she took, though her frustration was clear in her body language.

"Apparently McLaggen just had his nose worked on," Hermione clipped as they made it to the lift. "You did permanent damage that can't be fixed with magic." As the doors shut, she held up her fist that Theo happily bumped with his own.

The ride to the lobby began, stopping just a few times with it being the weekend. Hermione's grip on Theo's arm told him all he needed to know of her mental state. The vice-like hold she had on him, as if she were afraid if she loosened up at all that he might disappear as well.

Once they were alone again, walking through the nearly empty atrium of the ministry towards the exit, Hermione finally spoke.

"If the DMLE won't help us, what do we do now?"

ooo

Theo didn't bother to announce his entrance as he stepped through his best friend's fireplace. Though, it wouldn't have made a difference if he had, as the thundering music playing through the town house was hardly being contained by the silencing charms on the property. It seemed it was only a matter of time before there'd be a noise complaint against his oldest friend, again.

"Master Theo!" Mipsy called out, running towards Theo, holding her large bat-like ears against her head.

"How long has he been at it this time?" Theo shouted, not even able to hear himself over the heavy metal.

"Since four this morning, sir! Mispy tried to give Master more potions to sleep, but Master isn't listening to Mipsy! Hims refusing to take it!" The little elf yelled back, her little dress swaying from the thumping of the bass.

"Thank you, Mipsy, I'll get him. You may be dismissed, go to your Mistress and rest your head." Theo told her, to which the elf gave a low bow and then disappeared.

Theo stalked through the halls, until he found the home gym and pushed the doors open. Inside was the source of what was causing the foundation to rock.

In the middle of the room stood Draco, boxing gloves on his hands as he continued pummeling the bag hanging in front of him. One look around the room and the evidence of his 'workout' were clear. Weights were thrown everywhere, the practice dummy for duelling was blasted to pieces, and there were a few smoking brooms from being overworked tossed aside.

Theo looked down at his watch, twelve hours, that seemed to be a good stopping point for his friend's madness. Pulling his wand, he pointed it towards the stereo system and shot a quick spell that cut the music instantly. Draco wasn't even phased by the sudden silence, still assaulting the bag with all his might. With a sigh, Theo rolled his sleeves and stepped up to his friend.

"Draco!" He called out, but the man didn't move. "DRACO!" Theo yelled again, this time sending a spell, hitting Draco square between the shoulder blades.

That was what finally got through to him. The blonde wizard slowly turned his hanging head with sweat dripping down his brow and his silver eyes wild. The rippling muscles showed, not an ounce of fat on the man. Though that wasn't surprising when he often spent five or more hours in the gym a day. Anything to try and drown out his own sorrows.

His black shorts were short enough to show off his powerful legs, and he'd long since discarded his shirt. The only thing hanging against his chest being a simple opal ring on a chain.

"Good of you to join us," Theo said, putting his wand back in its holster.

"What do you want? You told me Potter's party was cancelled." Draco spat, clearly annoyed by Theo's presence.

"We need your help," Theo said instead, clasping his hands behind his back. "Harry's missing, and no one has seen him in over twenty-four hours. McLaggen refuses to open an investigation."

All frustration melted off Draco's features, his hand going to the ring at his chest. A quick nod was all Theo got in response, but that was all he needed.

They had someone on their side.