Author's Note:
Side note: Has anyone read Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue? It's one of my favourite books. I've read it four times (the first time just before Christmas of 2019) and I've been so excited about the movie. It did not disappoint! Obviously the book is better and they changed a bunch of things, but overall I loved it! I've watched it three times so far and cried every time. I mean when Alex runs to Henry in London and Henry just crumbles on the stairs… ah, my emotions! I just loved it and I wanted to gush! Alex and Henry are just chef's kiss. I reread the book before the film was released, but I might have to go back and read it again. Anyway, rant over. If you haven't watched it on Amazon Prime — go do it! 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 Or better yet — read the book! 😃
Reviews and Comments: To Stormchaser20: Is the key that Dumbledore was talking about the same one that McGonagall gave Harry? That would be interesting. Guess, we'll have to wait and see. Thank you! To Findir: Yes, McGonagall did give Harry an iron key as a gift once. Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: Yes, Neville totally understands how Mina and Leo are feeling when it comes to visiting Zee. He understands the heartbreak and discontent that causes along with confusion. Losing Zee again will definitely hurt. Thank you for saying that I play well with your emotions, I do try. The iron key that Harry was given by McGonagall in chapter 237 of ASC. Do you think it's the same one? Interesting. Yes, Crouch and Bellatrix are still on the loose. Thank you! To bandhoez9194: Thank you! No, Fletcher didn't have any keys, not sure what you're referring to. Thank you! To MotherofKatie: Wow, thank you for reading my earlier work and definitely thank you for asking "how young are you now?" as opposed to how old lol. I am a lot closer to forty than I want to admit lol. Honestly, it just kind of comes out. I have an idea and I start writing. Thank you very much! To Mrs_Norway: Thanks for enjoying the chat with Harry and Sirius. Sirius is curious and yes, definitely too curious sometimes lol. As to the Zee mystery, yes, they are running out of time. Thank you very much!
To Maari: You don't think both Sirius and Zee will survive? Interesting. Yes, it is possible, but I love the skepticism and knowing that I've managed to surprise you more than once. Thanks for loving my gentle shy giant that is Gregory Goyle. He really just wants friends and I love bitchy protective Pansy being this short little witch who barely reaches his chest, getting all fired up to protect her man. Thanks for loving my Richard the Lionheart connection. I do love to drop a bit of history into my imagination when I can. Thank you very much! To AQuickRead91: That is a funny coincidence that you're currently reading about Richard the Lionheart and the Plantagenets as I bring his name into the story — very funny lol. Aww, thanks for loving the bit with Greg, but sorry it made you tear up. Thank you! To BigMackie: Yes, we did get to see some Pansy/Greg and some Remus/Tonks this chapter. Harry is definitely thinking about engagements. The Sirius flashbacks were needed in my opinion. Thank you very much! To WolfstarQueen: Thank you!
To Read and Fly: Dumbledore can be very annoying, I agree. He likes to be cryptic. You think Colt will sacrifice himself for his granddaughter? Interesting theory. I love how everyone is so optimistic that both Sirius and Zee will come through this. Sirius and Harry are definitely super cute, thanks for loving their moments together. As to nothing happening to Teddy or Remus, no promises. Thank you very much! To Tmrpotterhead250: Waiting for the other shoe to drop is pretty fair. You think the key will show up to save Zee but at a great cost, interesting. Crouch and Bellatrix definitely do deserve to meet a violent end. Yes, Pansy and Greg do love each other. Thank you for loving them. Thank you! To Quill will 1981: Thank you very much for reading and loving my stories. Thank you! To Marauder0716: Yes, McGonagall did Harry a key as a gift. Thank you very much! To scrappy8: I'm glad I've got you thinking about how Sirius is going to save Zee. Let's see what happens. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: Happy to hear the early post made your day! As to Dumbledore's advice to let a loved one go, he knows that sometimes the cost is greater than the reward. I'm sorry I'm making you both hopeful and hopeless simultaneously. Harry is definitely thinking about proposing. Thank you very much! To Emma Janet: Nope, the former Gryffindors definitely wouldn't think about calling Goyle by his first name. Malfoy and Goyle definitely do need to talk at some point. Maybe it will happen and they will become friends in the future. We will see. Yes, Harry and Draco will never be best friends, but I think they've learned to tolerate each other over the years. Thank you!
To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thanks for loving my Sirius/Remus and my Sirius/Harry talks. It is so great to have Sirius back and yes, he definitely needs to see a mind healer and deal with his trauma: Past and present. Thank you very much for loving my trilogy! I've truly loved writing it. Thank you! To disestablishmentaria: McGonagall did give Harry an iron key a few years ago. Is it the same one? I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. Thank you! To alix33: It was meant to be funny and moving. Pansy is protective of her man. Happy I could keep you both laughing and almost tearing up simultaneously. LOL, a fight match between the Hogwarts headteacher portraits? That would be interesting. Thank you very much! To Nightwing2013: Thank you! Yes, they need to speak to a fae now. Harry will be proposing soon-ish. Thank you! To MrsHJSnape: You think it's the same key that McGonagall gave Harry in ASC as a good luck charm? Interesting. We will have to see. Yes, Deanna did go to school with the Marauders and roomed in Gryffindor with Lily Potter. We met her briefly in The First Time Around. Thank you! To KingRajesh: Sorry that this chapter threw a wrench in your theory lol. That is a very interesting and good theory though. I hope I can still manage to surprise you. Thank you! To AlorianAruka: Thank you so much for reading and re-reading this entire series, that means so much to me! I love knowing that you even get choked up reading it a second time. Thank you for loving that I don't "shy away from the darkness… explain the mental health and the care that goes with it." I think those things are important and should be brought up. Thank you very much for your kind words! To Hanacide: You need a happy ending for Zee, Sirius, and Harry? They have been through a lot, this is true. We will have to wait and see what happens. Thank you!
To katelyn453: Thank you! To charmshield7: LOL, I still appreciated the comments so thanks. It is good to see Sirius getting back to his life and catching up with everything, isn't it? You're still holding on to neither Zee or Sirius dying? We will have to see. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Greg isn't much of a conversationalist to be fair, but I think you're right, it did go both ways. Pansy is a bit protective which is fun. Yes, Classic Sirius is slowly returning. I love writing Libatious and Fleamont rowing lol. Dumbledore is definitely always confusing lol. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you very much! Neville is ready to ask Hannah to marry him and we know Harry is heading in that direction himself. Thank you for saying that Pansy defending Greg was such a wholesome moment. Sirius is feeling nostalgic and embarrassing Harry a bit is exactly the right return we needed to see. Thank you very much! To tim2604: It is weird when someone brings somebody outside of the group and I think they all felt it. Pansy is just a tad overprotective lol. Sirius is getting better and yes, him teasing Harry like the good old days is always fun! I can't wait for Harry's proposal either! Thank you! To vampireprincess141: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the story of Leo and Rampara and how I tied it into Richard the Lionheart. Yes, the story did resemble true sacrifice and love which was the message Dumbledore was trying to impart in his cryptic way. Thanks for loving Pansy being protective over her husband and Greg getting a chance to be with some friends. Thank you very much!
To Bellmel: Ha, I'm glad to know Sirius and Remus talking about Harry and Ginny's sex life made you laugh. Yes, Remus had to mention his sense of smell lol. Harry talking to Sirius about his love for Ginny and what their relationship means was so important, not just for Harry to get to tell Sirius about, but for Sirius to see how much his son has grown as well. Yes, the ring is gorgeous! Having Greg there is almost like a true sign of redemption for him. He wants to have a good life and be happy, but he doesn't have any real friends and he's scared to branch out. Pansy wants to protect him. Completely true statement about the love story and not necessarily a happy ending being like Tal's books though. Harry being confused is so his MO! LOL! Also, I think this is the first review you've left me without mentioning a single thing about the Theobas scene. Should I be worried? LOL. Thank you! To ellyann13: Yes, a lot to think about in terms of Goyle adding to the friends. Harry received James' watch on his seventeenth birthday. Dumbledore is definitely a bit obscure as per usual lol. Thank you very much! To ThomasJAvery: Oooh, thanks for reading while on holiday! I hope you're enjoying yourself! Thank you for loving my connection between real history and magic. I very much look forward to your long reviews again! Thank you! To Sets: Pansy being protective is kind of "aww" lol. Yes, Harry and James just knew it when they met the love of their life. Thank you!
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Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:
The One With One of the Best Mornings Ever
When Harry returned home that night, he found Ron in the living room having a beer, his feet propped up on the coffee table. He said a quick hello before running upstairs to change. He came down in sweats and a Holyhead tee shirt and Ron handed him a bottle of Dragon Scale beer.
"Thanks," Harry said, stretching his long legs out next to Ron's.
"How's Sirius?"
Harry took a drink before he spoke. "He's great. I mean, he's really great. It finally really feels real. He was teasing me about having sex and it all just felt… normal."
Ron's lips curved. "Oh? You mean the man's already noticed how much sex you and my sister have? I'm shocked. I've hardly ever noticed you two together."
Harry shoved him and he laughed. "Arse."
"Are we talking about arses?"
Harry turned in surprise at the voice and saw Theo hovering in the doorway.
"I'd still be more than happy to get you both naked so that I can admire both of your arses to determine which one is the best," Theo teased, resting his hip against the doorjamb.
"I'd win, end of story," Ron said, taking a drink of his beer. "Therefore it's not happening."
Theo pouted. "That's not fun."
Harry's lips curved. "Maybe not for you. What's going on, Theo?"
Theo started to speak before he closed his mouth and stepped into the living room. It was only then that Harry noticed he looked a bit pale and had dark circles under his eyes.
"The door was unlocked," he said, looking unsure of himself.
Harry's eyebrow rose. Theo never looked unsure of himself. "Not that I'm not pleased to see you, Theo, but it's almost eleven. I don't think you were exactly in the neighbourhood. What's going on? Are you all right?"
Theo moved around the sofa and made himself comfortable between Harry and Ron, forcing them apart. Once he was smushed between them, he sighed. "This is cozy."
"Next time we're triple locking the door, Harry," Ron teased when Theo leaned into Ron's side.
Harry merely stared at Theo. Despite the teasing and flirtatious words, he knew something was up. "What's going on, mate?"
Theo moved away from Ron to lean into Harry's side. Harry automatically lifted his arm and let the man rest his head against his chest.
When Theo didn't say anything, Harry exchanged a concerned look with Ron.
"Where's Bas?" Ron asked, putting his beer on the coffee table and turning a bit to look at where Theo was wrapped in Harry's arms.
"On a mission somewhere in Eastern Europe," Theo said. "He left almost two weeks ago and I don't know how much longer until he gets back."
"All right," Harry said. "And?"
Theo didn't say anything. Instead he pulled a rather crumpled envelope from his pocket, his hand shaking.
Ron took the envelope from him and Harry felt hot tears soak into his shirt, surprising him.
"Hey," Harry said softly, bringing his other arm up to hug Theo. "What is it?"
"I didn't mean to show up and bother you two like this. I know it's late, but I didn't know where else to go and…"
"Hey," Harry said, making Theo's tear-filled eyes meet his. "You are always welcome here no matter what time of day it is. Now, tell us what's going on? Who's the letter from?"
Theo's bottom lip trembled. "M-M-Macmillan."
Harry swore.
"Can I open it?" Ron asked.
Theo nodded and buried his face in Harry's shirt again.
Ron's blue eyes met Harry's before he did. Harry recognized the symbol for the Azkaban Crypt on the outside and he frowned. If Ernie Macmillan was writing to Theo, it was a problem. He was allowed to write to his family only and as far as Harry knew, only Macmillan's mother was accepting letters and even then, those were few and far between. He wasn't allowed to write to Theodore Nott and Harry wondered how Macmillan had managed to even smuggle a letter out of the crypt. He watched Ron pull out the letter and two seconds later, Ron's face had turned a bright angry red.
"Bloody hell! This tosser's even more mad than before!"
Harry took the letter from Ron's hands and just the first paragraph made his own anger flare up.
Nott,
I know I did wrong by you. I know it was wrong of me to blackmail you into sucking my prick, but I want you to know that despite it being wrong to coerce you with blackmail, I don't regret it.
I dream about your hot, wet mouth every night and wake up with my cum on my belly. You've given me sexual dreams for years to come and it's what holds me sane in this place.
But there is one thing I do regret.
I regret that I didn't bend you over a desk and force my cock inside of your tight arse. I regret not shagging you when I had the chance. You might have made sure I'm in here, but I will get out, Nott.
And then I'm going to make you pay for what you did to me.
It wasn't signed, but it didn't need to be.
"Bloody hell, Theo," Harry said. "When did you get this?"
"This morning," he whispered. "I thought it was a new letter from Uncle Lucius."
"How the fuck is Macmillan even writing to him?" Ron demanded. "His letters should be monitored and vetted. Theo, mate, I'm so sorry that this slipped out. It should never have happened. Harry and I will deal with it, all right?"
"Please don't tell, Bas," he whispered.
"Theo…" Harry began.
He shook his head. "He'd just worry and I'm all right. I just… I didn't want to be alone and I thought maybe you two would be home…"
Harry held Theo closer in his arms. "This wasn't the first letter, was it?"
Theo hesitated and when Ron's gaze hardened, he sighed. "They started about a month after the Battle of Hogwarts. I've mostly ignored them. There's only been a handful, but this one just… I think he's sick in the head, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Harry said.
Ron squeezed Theo's shoulder before he stood up. "This is going to stop. I wish you would have said something before."
"I didn't think it was a big deal. I try not to read them," Theo told them. "Usually I throw them away unread when I realize it's not from Uncle Lucius and just forget about them, but I wasn't paying attention. I'd just finished my homework and was going through my mail and I opened it and started reading it before I realized what it… I didn't want to be alone."
Harry kissed the top of Theo's head. "You can stay as long as you want."
Theo lifted his head just enough to meet Harry's gaze. "Can I be the centre of a Ron and Harry sandwich?"
Ron snorted. "Harry and I don't sleep together, Theo."
"Let me have my dreams. I know you sleep together. Naked."
Ron rolled his eyes and Harry laughed. "No."
"That's no fun," Theo pouted.
Harry used his thumb to brush away a tear from Theo's face. He had a feeling that Theo was trying to lighten the mood to take away from the worry he was clearly feeling.
"You can stay the night with us, Theo. Then in the morning, the three of us will go to the Ministry and you'll file a report about Macmillan's harassment. Even though he's in prison, we can charge him with a harassment suit and maybe get him more jail time. Ron and I will make sure that he can't send you any more letters. All right?"
"All right," Theo replied, quietly.
"And we'll talk about you telling Sebastian?" Harry uttered.
Theo hesitated before he nodded again. "When he gets home. I don't want to worry him when he's away at work."
"Agreed," Harry said.
Ron squeezed Theo's shoulder again. "Let me get you a beer."
When Ron left to grab Theo a beer, Theo snuggled closer into Harry's arms.
"You know, Ginny was right. You give amazing hugs."
"Thanks," Harry said with a chuckle.
Ron returned and opened the bottle before passing it to Theo. "Bottles up," he said before taking a sip.
Theo's eyes widened. "Bottoms up? Really? That's one of my favourite positions!"
Ron rolled his eyes as he plopped himself back down next to Theo. "It's going to be a long night, isn't it?"
Harry smiled. "Possibly."
"Can I just say how incredibly sexy the two of you look in sweats? Like seriously sexy." He wiggled his hovering fingers over both of their laps. "Those outlines are absolutely delicious."
Harry sighed. "And he's back."
Theo took a sip of his beer. "Sorry. I know I sometimes get… inappropriate I just…"
"Are trying to lighten the mood," Ron said. "We get it, mate."
Theo nodded. "I really appreciate this. I… I didn't want to be alone. I don't want to be alone. Draco and Blaise aren't close by anymore and… Ginny's at Hogwarts. I almost went to Ireland to see Spencer and Sadira, but I don't want to worry them. Bill's busy with Fleur…"
"Ah, so we're last place then?" Ron teased.
"No," Harry said. "He came to us because he knows we can put a stop to it. And we will. I promise."
Theo gave them both a grateful look before he snuggled back down into Harry's side. Harry's arm came around him again and he sighed. "Thank you, Harry."
The three of them spent the rest of the night chatting. Theo filled them in on how his mind healing classes were going and about the things he was learning from the different mind healers who guest lectured. Ron asked questions about his upcoming internship and Harry shared how helpful he was finding his own mind healing sessions with Auden McCraight.
"Uncle Sirius is even doing well," Harry said. "He's been seeing Auden and despite his protests, he does feel like they're working for him."
"I really like McCraight," Theo said. "He's kind and he doesn't seem to mind answering my endless supply of questions. He let me come bother him in his office and go over some of his files. Since they're all confidential, he gave me pieces anonymously to show me how he got through to children of different ages dealing with different issues. It's fascinating."
"Are you worried?" Ron asked, his eyes on Theo. "To start counselling the young ones, I mean?"
Theo shook his head. "Surprisingly, no. I'm rather excited about it actually. It will be challenging and I know that not every day will be a win and more often than not, it will be a fail, but those small moments of light… that's what I'll strive for."
"What if you get someone who's suffered through some horrible sexual trauma that triggers something of your own past?" Harry asked. "It's a risk, right?"
"Yes," Theo agreed. "I'll have to know my own limits. I've spoken to Na'eemah about it and we've both agreed that if I were to come across a case that I might find too triggering personally to deal with, I'll have to find someone else to take it on. It won't be easy and I know that it's going to take a lot of work, but I want to help people. I want to help kids and I think I'll be good at it."
"You will," Harry told him. "I think it's the right job for you."
Theo smiled at that and asked Harry more about Sirius returning. "The papers are all writing rubbish. What's the official story you're feeding people?"
"The dark magic angle needs to be kept under wraps," Ron said. "If people were to learn he was brought back from the dead, well, it would cause chaos. The speculation already has named Sirius a Death Eater and Harry the next Dark Lord. It's complete bullshit."
"Robards and Shacklebolt have started feeding various journalists a story about Sirius faking his death and living in America for the last three years," Harry said. "The story is that he was living with Zee's American relatives and came back when Zee went missing. Robards is letting it 'slip' this week that he was working undercover in America this whole time but that it was top secret. He says it's important to do it in stages. Anyway, since we've gone back and forth to Georgia a few times since then, it's the most logical story as to where he's been."
"Are people buying it?" Theo asked.
Harry shrugged. "That I don't know, but we're keeping the dark magic and the rituals and the whole Sirius and Zee parts a secret. It's only our investigating team and close family that know the particulars of his return and of Zee's predicament. As to Zee, we were able to pass it off as a mistake. Her body was petrified when found, not dead. She's in a coma at St Mungo's which has been released to the press, but I'm paying for a private room and security to keep reporters and photographers away."
"There's still been photos," Theo said. "But they've mostly been of you, coming and going from the hospital."
Harry nodded. "I'm all right with those. They can take as many photographs of me coming and going as they want. I just don't want people bothering Zee or the healers."
"What about the healers?" Theo asked. "I know it's their job, but they could sneak some information out."
"They won't," Harry assured him.
"My cousin Tiberius is handling everything," Ron said. "He specializes in the neurological side effects of potions and poisons and Madelyn Weasley, my cousin Max's new wife, is assisting him. She works in the same department."
"Plus an old friend of Althea's, Pasha Asadi, is a healer in the spell damage ward. He's been a great help, working with Tiberius and keeping us informed on Zee's condition. Thanks again for reaching out to Mrs Kane, Theo. She's been helping us like you asked," Harry said. "With her as head of the hospital, she's been making sure that no one is disturbing them."
"Sadira is wonderful," Theo replied. "I knew that she would want to help. How's Sirius doing otherwise?"
Harry talked more about Sirius being back and shared that they were still trying to figure out how to exactly save Zee. "Dumbledore was cryptic as usual," Harry said. "But it all ties into this sacrifice element and I really don't like where that's going."
"You should talk to Bas, Durant, and Yeona. Maybe they can help," Theo suggested, frowning.
"Maybe," Harry agreed. "We'll see what happens in the next few weeks, but when Sebastian comes back if I'm still stuck, we'll see what those three know."
Ron filled in Theo on how he and Hermione were doing when he asked and explained how Hermione was still living with her parents until June and then they were going to move into Fred and George's old flat overtop of the joke shop.
"You're welcome to stay here as long as you want," Harry repeated. He'd told Ron the same when he'd explained Fred's offer the other day.
"I know," Ron said. "But I also know you and Ginny. And there's no way that I want to have to walk into rooms with my eyes closed all the time just to deem whether or not it's safe."
"Haha," Harry said.
"Oooh, that sounds like a fun game!" Theo exclaimed. "How much of Harry can we see?"
"No," Harry grumbled, making Theo laugh.
"Agreed," Ron said. "I've seen Harry starkers enough to not go blind on sight, but seeing my sister starkers? No thank you."
"Okay, that's a fair point," Theo ceded.
It was almost one AM before they finally headed upstairs to bed, Harry showing Theo to Sirius' old room. Theo made a joke about them all sleeping together again and Ron and Harry ignored him. They said goodnight and hurried off to their respective rooms. Harry pulled his clothes off and crawled into bed naked, his mind going to what he needed to do the next day at work and he dropped off to sleep rather quickly.
It was barely two hours later that Harry shot up in his bed at the sound of a loud cry. He waited half a second before he heard it again, making him stumble to his feet. He pulled on his sweats and nothing else before he met a sleep tousled Ron in the hall, wearing nothing but Chudley Cannons' orange sweats, and who looked just as bewildered as him. The two of them moved towards Sirius' old bedroom and shoved open the door.
Theo was crying in his sleep. He seemed to be stuck in some sort of night terror that had him crying out in horror and pain, making painful sounds. Harry and Ron immediately rushed towards him to try to calm him down. Harry grabbed Theo's waist as they tried to pin him down, to stop him from thrashing about as Ron shouted his name. Harry gently slapped his cheeks and it took almost a minute before Theo's brown eyes flew open. The horror and pain in them almost made Harry blanch.
"Hey, hey it's all right," he said, softly. "Ron and I are here."
Theo scrambled away from them, his eyes panicked and Ron swore.
"Shit. He's not fully awake."
"What do we do?" Harry asked, looking at Ron in bewilderment.
Ron hesitated a moment before he moved to kneel down in front of where Theo had curled himself up into a ball on the bedroom floor. "Hi, Theo. It's Ron. You're all right, okay? It's safe here. Harry and I won't let anyone hurt you. All right? You're safe."
Theo stared at Ron, his eyes still wide and Harry knelt down next to Ron, extending his hand.
"You're safe, Theo," Harry told him.
It took a little more coaxing, but eventually Theo seemed to snap out of his haze and when he caught sight of them, he looked confused.
"What? Where am I?"
Harry moved from his knees to sit on the floor and then pulled Theo into his lap like he would have Ginny. He wrapped his arms around him and rocked him gently in his arms until he felt the man's heartbeat slow down and Theo began to cry.
Ron rubbed his hand over Theo's back in soothing circles as Theo cried into Harry's bare chest. When he finally managed to stop, Harry gave him a small smile.
"Hey, it's all right, mate. You're not alone."
Theo wiped at his tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. Usually I can wake myself up from them before it gets… I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Ron said, making Theo turn to look at him. "We've all been there. I used to have some pretty awful nightmares after finding Crouch Senior at the Yule Ball. The brains in the Department of Mysteries certainly added more to that. Harry's had his fair share too."
Harry nodded. "Still do sometimes, though not like before. No one is immune to bad dreams and I bet the letter just rekindled something, right?"
"Yeah," Theo whispered.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ron asked. "That's what you and Ginny used to do, right? The Insomniacs Club was all about talking about your bad dreams?"
"Sometimes. Sometimes we just tried to think of happier things and ate ice cream," Theo replied.
Harry chuckled. "Well, Ron and I are a poor substitute for Ginny, but we definitely have ice cream. Come on."
The two of them led Theo downstairs and into the kitchen. Harry pulled out six different kinds of ice cream and the three of them made huge bowls full and added all sorts of sprinkles and chocolate chips to the top along with some fruit. Then they went into the living room and made themselves comfortable on the sofa with Theo between them.
None of them spoke while they ate and it was only when Ron polished his bowl clean did Theo finally break the silence.
"I've put most of what he did behind me. I've spoken to Na'eemah about it and I'm… healing. But the threats… those sometimes still haunt me and to see them written on paper like that… it was always violent and always oral, but thank Merlin he never actually… there was no penetration," he whispered, his eyes wide and his bottom lip trembling. "What he did was bad enough. He hurt me and he made me bleed and he got off on that. He lubricated himself with my blood and he… To know that he… Finn made me forget and I was so grateful for that. It allowed me to push it aside and the nightmares diminished quickly, but then he died and… well, those memories came back."
Ron's blue gaze met Theo's. "Macmillan was a pompous, sadistic arsehole who thought he was entitled to a lot of things that he wasn't. I'm sorry that he hurt you, Theo."
"He… he got off on it, you know?" Theo whispered. "It wasn't just the sexual gratification, it was hurting me that got him excited. It's hard to… make sense of that."
Harry finished his ice cream and reached out to put his bowl on the table next to Ron. "Do you ever get back to sleep after a dream like that?"
Theo bit his lip. "Sometimes… when Bas holds me."
Harry exchanged a look with Ron and he knew that Ron understood what he didn't say. They waited until Theo finished his ice cream before they pulled the table closer and stretched their long legs out to rest on it. Then as one, they both stretched their arms out around Theo and Ron wrapped them up in a blanket. Harry flicked the wireless on to a late night channel that was playing reruns of the best Quidditch plays for the last hundred years and Theo rested his head on Harry's shoulder.
"You don't mind? Staying up a bit later with me?"
Ron leaned in to rest his head on Theo's shoulder and stifled a yawn. "Not if you don't mind me sleeping right here."
Harry stayed awake long enough for Ron to start snoring loudly and Theo to snore quietly on the sofa next to him before he too finally went to sleep.
The morning sunshine through the big window made Harry blink awake. He was warm and cozy and oddly squished. He made to move and soft purring murmur rumbled on his chest. When he opened one eye, he realized his glasses were crooked on his face and Theo was curled up against him and on top of him on the sofa. The loud snores near his ear belonged to Ron who had somehow squashed himself between Harry and the back of the sofa. Ron's leg was thrown over Harry's and an arm draped over his chest. Theo was facing Harry, snuggled up to his chest like a content kitten and locking him in place.
It was a problem as he desperately needed to use the loo. He wiggled and shoved and Theo eventually opened his eyes. He took one look at their situation and a huge smile broke out across his face.
"Oh my gods! It finally happened! You let me sleep with you!"
Harry chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Now budge up. I need to use the loo."
Theo grinned and merely snuggled closer. "But I'm comfy."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Get up, mate. My bladder is going to burst."
Theo sighed happily. "Being stuck wrapped around two such good looking men is basically heaven." He shifted and his arm brushed Ron's chest. "Ooh, red chest hair is much sexier than I expected it to be."
Harry snorted. "Theo…"
Theo slowly disentangled himself from Harry so that he could stand, but when Harry made to get off of the couch, Ron made a whimpering sound and pulled Harry more snugly against him. This caused his morning wood to rather unceremoniously press against Harry's bottom. Theo was trailing his gaze over Harry clad in only his grey sweats appreciatively as Harry tried to wiggle out of Ron's grasp.
"This might be one of the best mornings ever. You're definitely flying commando under those sweats."
"Shush," Harry said, pulling out of Ron's grasp and finally standing to his feet.
"Are you sure you two don't want to stay and exchange blow jobs, lover?" Theo teased. "I'm really, really good at sucking cock."
Harry yanked Theo to his feet. "You are a terrible flirt, Theodore Nott."
"That wasn't a no, Harry," he said, winking.
Harry rolled his eyes. "No, Theo."
Theo chuckled. "Plonker."
Theo stretched his arms up over his head, rising up to his tip toes and making his shirt lift up. His eyes travelled over Harry's naked chest to the low riding sweats and he grinned. When he still didn't move out of his way, Harry slapped his arse to rush him along and Theo squeaked.
"Harry! I had no idea you were into spanking! I thought you didn't want to play?"
"Move your arse before I piss myself," Harry said, making Theo laugh as he hurried out of Harry's path.
Harry hurried around Theo and out of the living room towards the half bath on the first floor. He finished what he needed to do and returned to the living room to find Ron yawning as he sat up.
"Bloody hell, I slept like a baby," Ron said, scratching his bare chest.
"Cuddling is the best," Theo said. "I always sleep better when I can snuggle. Ron, your chest hair is all soft and fuzzy. I had no idea."
"Erm, thanks?" Ron said, looking down at his pale freckled chest covered in a dusting of reddish gold all over his chest and abs. "Did you two sleep all right?"
"Fine," Harry said.
"Very well," Theo agreed. "Thank you for letting me sleep with the two of you. Unfortunately Harry was the centre of the sandwich, not me, but I'll take what I can get."
Ron shook his head. "I can see your flirtation is back on high."
Theo gasped. "Me? Flirt? Never!"
"He's definitely feeling more like himself," Harry agreed.
"Good," Theo said. "Now that we're all agreed I feel better, Ron, you should take off your sweats. Harry and I decided on morning blow jobs."
"No, we did not," Harry said on a strangled laugh.
Ron chuckled, stretching his arms up over his head. "Merlin, it's a good thing I know you're joking or I might take offence to the fact that you keep coming onto me and Harry at the same time."
"I'm not joking," Theo replied. "A day always starts off better with a blowjob."
"Well, I can't fault you there," Ron said. "But I'll have to decline. You're not my type, mate."
"That's all right. We can both share Harry. He's big enough for both of us to suck on," Theo said.
Ron turned to look at Harry. "How do we turn him off?"
"I don't bloody know," Harry admitted. "Sebastian needs to tan your hide."
Theo wiggled his eyebrows. "You already started that."
"You spanked him!" Ron exclaimed.
"I was trying to get him to move so that I could use the bloody loo," Harry explained.
Theo batted his long eyelashes over his shoulder at Ron before he turned and pressed his arse out towards Harry. "Want to spank me again, lover?"
Harry let out an exasperated sigh. "Merlin, you're bloody exhausting."
"Agreed," Ron said. "You already got snuggles from us, what more do you want?"
"Um... naked Harry? Look at him over there in nothing but sweats. I can see a delicious imprint that he normally works very hard to hide. I think we'd all feel better if he gave us a peek."
"No," Harry said, chuckling. "Bloody hell, do you ever stop?"
Theo looked pensive for a moment before he shook his head. "Nope."
Ron rolled his eyes. "He's like the annoying little brother I never wanted."
"I'm older than you!" Theo exclaimed. "And your brothers are so peng. I used to fantasize about being stuck inside of a Charlie and Bill sandwich."
"Um, I didn't need to know that," Ron said.
Harry reached out to put a hand on Theo's shoulder. "All right, let's be serious for a minute now. How are you?"
Theo's brown eyes dimmed and he shrugged. "I don't want to think about it."
Ron took Theo's arm and pulled him down onto the chesterfield next to him. "Harry and I are here for you, Theo. Whatever you need us to do, we'll take care of it."
Theo nodded, his bottom lip trembling. "I don't want to let it upset me. He's in prison. He can't hurt me."
Harry squeezed Theo's shoulder as he sat down on the other side of him. "Words can hurt just as much, mate. You know that. Are your nightmares usually that… intense?"
Theo shook his head. "Not really. I mean, some of them are bad, but not like that, not usually. Bas always has a way of making me feel better. He just… holds me close and lets me be close to him. Being held always helps."
Ron opened his arms. "Come here then. You can snuggle up against me."
Theo's lips curved. "Really?"
"Don't make me change my mind."
Theo moved into Ron's arms, sighing as his arms came around him. He rested his cheek against Ron's chest. "You're all warm and fuzzy."
"Erm, thanks."
Harry stared at Theo for a moment before he spoke. "Macmillan still has what, twelve years left on his sentence?"
"Yes," Theo whispered against Ron's chest. "Five before he can try for parole again."
"Yeah, these letters are going to stop that," Ron said. "No way they're going to let him have parole in five years if he's still harassing his victim."
Theo put his hand on Ron's stomach as he snuggled close. "I don't know what I'm going to do when he gets released."
"It won't be anytime soon," Harry assured him. "And with these new threats? Could be even longer. We'll find out what's going on, all right?"
Theo nodded.
Ron winked at Harry and put his hand over the hand that was resting on his stomach. "Admiring my abs? Us Aurors have to keep up in great shape you know?"
Theo chuckled. "You have lovely abs, Ron. I'm loving your soft chest hair though. I had no idea you were so fuzzy. Your hair is so light you don't really notice unless you're up close. But yes, let's look at your abs!" Theo moved out of Ron's arms and let his gaze drop down to ogle Ron appreciatively. "Very nice abs indeed. The Auror Department has definitely helped you keep in shape."
"Hermione doesn't seem to mind," Ron agreed. "Not that I don't appreciate the attention, mate, but I am a taken man."
Theo wiggled his eyebrows. "So am I, but it doesn't mean that I can't appreciate male beauty. Bas has eight abs. He's basically a god."
"Eight? Bloody hell," Ron mumbled. "What does he do? Lift buildings?"
"Mmm, me mostly, but yes, he loves to exercise like a mad man. You have four abs and ooh, freckles! Has anyone ever told you that your chest hair is gold?"
"Yes," Ron said.
Theo bit his lip and wiggled his eyebrows again. "Is it gold under your sweats too? Oooh, are you also free-balling it under there like Harry is?"
"All right," Ron said, standing up and lifting Theo up with him. "Enough from you."
Theo pouted and then turned to look at Harry. "Can I touch your abs too?"
"Sebastian deserves a medal for putting up with you," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "It's barely seven in the morning and I'm already bloody exhausted."
Theo twitched his fingers over Harry's flat stomach and he sighed.
"Go on then."
Theo beamed and trailed his fingers over Harry's abs. "You have six. Merlin, you're both so bloody fit."
Harry let Theo trace his tattoos before he stifled a yawn. "Speaking of being fit, it's time for my morning run. Feel up to joining Ron and I?"
Theo blanched, his fingers stalling at the top of Harry's exposed v lines. "Me? Run? Why?"
"Because Harry's a sadist who likes to make me sweat," Ron said. "Join me in the pain."
Theo wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I'll pass. I think I'll make myself a cup of tea and watch you two get sweaty instead. See how long it takes you to strip."
Harry shook his head in amusement. "Ron and I aren't getting naked, Theo."
"Can you at least wear really tight shorts?"
"No," Ron said on a laugh. "Are you done ogling us like meat?"
Theo grinned. "As if you don't love it."
Ron shrugged and turned to give his booty a little shake. "Hey, it's nice to be appreciated. Give it a slap."
Theo laughed and did as Ron asked. "Very nice."
Harry rolled his eyes. "If you two are done, Ron and I need to go for a run before work. Theo, why don't you head on home and get changed for the day? You can meet Ron and I at the Ministry in say two hours?"
Theo's eyes darkened as if just remembering what they had planned to do before he nodded. "All right."
Ron gave his bottom another shake and hit Theo's hip. "Go on then. You can give it a good squeeze if it makes you smile."
Theo's lips twitched at that. "You're kind of brilliant, Ron Weasley, do you know that?"Then he stood on his toes and kissed Ron's cheek before doing the same to Harry's. "All jokes aside, thank you both for last night."
Harry pulled Theo into a tight hug. "Anytime, Theo." He kissed Theo's cheek and Theo beamed at him.
Ron hugged Theo as well and then made him laugh when he took both of Theo's hands and placed them on his arse. "Appreciate away."
Theo laughed out loud and then kissed Ron's cheek again. He wished them luck on their run and promised to meet them in two hours. They watched him go and Ron exhaled a loud breath when the front door closed.
"Bloody hell. Poor bloke. Thank Merlin I've never had nightmares like that."
"Me neither," Harry said. "And mine have definitely been bad. I'm starting to think his heavy flirting is a coping mechanism of some sort. Do you notice that when he's trying to suppress something, he gets bolder?"
"That I have. He likes to flirt with us because he knows we let him," Ron said. "Besides, who doesn't love to be appreciated and him ogling me gives me a nice buzz."
Harry snorted. "Of course it does."
Ron shrugged. "Hey, sometimes you have to take a compliment where you can. Speaking of, we should tell him yes the next time he offers to blow us and see what happens. Five Galleons says he stutters in shock and tells us he can't do it. The bloke is way too in love with Bas to ever even consider cheating on him. I just think he likes to shock us."
Harry laughed. "Knowing Theo, he'd take it a step further just to test us. He certainly doesn't mind running his fingers all over our abs."
Ron grimaced. "Merlin, you're right. Scratch that plan. I love you, mate, but I don't want to touch your todger."
"Who said anything about you touching mine?"
Ron gave Harry a look. "Please. We both know that with an arse like this one if either one of us were to consider going there, I would bottom."
Harry snorted. "Ron, sometimes you scare me."
"What?" Ron exclaimed. "As if you haven't thought about it."
"I haven't!"
Ron shrugged. "Whatever. My arse is magnificent and you should be so lucky. Anyway, flirting with Theo just brightens his day. You should do it more often. Did you see how he just lit up?"
"I don't flirt with Theo."
"Do too," Ron taunted.
"I don't," Harry insisted. When Ron only gave him a look, he sighed. "Fine, I maybe flirt a little, all right? It makes him smile and it's… it doesn't mean anything. You were flirting too."
Ron grinned. "And it made him smile. He deserves that." He slapped Harry's shoulder. "Now come on, let me find my shoes and then you can make me sweat. Apparently I need to up my ab game. Do you really think Sebastian has eight?"
Harry shrugged. "How should I know? Come on. I want to start with sit-ups and push-ups."
"I hate you."
"Five minutes ago you wanted to bottom for me," Harry said. "I can't win with you."
Ron held up two fingers in response and Harry laughed.
They headed outside to the makeshift Quidditch pitch and did some stretches before Harry began a rep of fifty sit-ups followed by fifty push-ups. He stretched again and then led a grumbling Ron into a run. They ran five kilometres and then stretched again before heading inside to get ready for the day.
Basil greeted them at the door and promised to get breakfast ready. Harry headed upstairs to shower, finally left alone with his thoughts. He was glad that Theo had come to him and Ron to work on this problem. Macmillan shouldn't have any access to be writing letters to Theo and that needed to be shut down immediately. There was obviously a communication error somewhere in the crypt that needed to be addressed. Harry just hoped that Theo told Sebastian about it. He had a feeling that the MIA Auror wasn't going to take that news standing down.
The one thing that Harry liked the most about Sebastian Kane was that he loved Theo with everything he was and he would do anything to keep him feeling safe. They were a good team and made each other ridiculously happy. Harry was pretty sure that the goofy and stupid sappy looks the two of them shot at each other was exactly how he and Ginny looked when they were together. It made him smile to see others as much as in love as he was.
He took a quick shower and than got to the business of shaving, keeping his light stubble beard trimmed before he cleaned his teeth and attempted to fix his hair. He put his glasses on, his eyes moving to the view of his nakedness in the mirror. He ran his fingers over his abs before he traced the tattoo on his ribs with Sirius' name on it.
"Are you going to change it?" Ginny had asked him when they were lying naked in bed, her nails outlying the ink on his skin.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I don't want to change it and then have something… I'm worried, Gin."
"He's back, Harry."
"I know," he whispered. "But will I really get to keep him?"
She'd kissed his tattoo gently before resting her cheek over it, her hand on his stomach. "You'll figure out how to save Zee, Harry. I know you will."
Harry shook the memory from his head and walked naked into the bedroom to find his uniform. He'd worry about tattoos later. Right now he needed to get to work and talk to Higgins about Theo's situation. Someone needed to get to the crypt and put a stop to that — immediately.
~ TTTC ~
Harry headed to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with Ron an hour later. They ran into Hermione in the atrium of the Ministry and Ron pecked her lips, pulling her close for a hug.
"Morning, love."
"Good morning," Hermione said, kissing Ron again. "Hi, Harry."
"Hi, Hermione," Harry said, smiling when he saw Hermione slip her hand into Ron's. "Have I mentioned how happy I am you that two made up?"
"Yes," Hermione said. "But it's nice to hear anyway. How was your morning?"
Ron shrugged. "Pretty good. We woke up tangled with Theo and established that Harry would top if we were a couple."
Harry slapped a hand over his face and groaned. "I can't with you."
Hermione goggled, looking between them in bewilderment. "Do I want to know?"
"No," Harry insisted. "Your boyfriend's a tosser."
"I have a fabulous arse," Ron said. "It only makes sense."
Hermione bit her lip to stifle a laugh. "I don't know, Ron. From what I've heard it might um… ruin your arse."
Ron looked thoughtful for a moment before he shook his head. "Nah. He'd be gentle."
Harry snorted. "I hate you."
Hermione laughed as they approached the lifts. "So why was Theo there?"
Ron's eyes darkened. "Macmillan's been sending letters to him from the crypt."
"How?" Hermione asked. "He should be restricted from doing that."
"Should be," Harry agreed. "We're going to figure it out and put a stop to it. Sebastian's on a mission and Theo didn't want to be alone."
"I'm glad that he went to the two of you."
"Me too," Harry said. "Ron and I will make sure it stops."
Hermione nodded as they stepped into the lifts. "Good." She turned to kiss Ron's cheek. "Meet me for lunch later?"
"Yes," Ron said. "You owe me a sandwich."
Hermione chuckled as she stepped out at level four. "I'll deliver. See you later. Bye, Harry."
The lift doors closed behind her and Ron turned to Harry. "She lost a bet."
"I didn't ask," Harry said as they arrived at level two and stepped inside. He left Ron with Baxter and made his way to Robards' office. He knocked on the open door and Robards waved him in without looking up. "Good morning, Sir."
Robards' gaze snapped to his. "Auror Potter. What can I do for you this morning?"
"I have a question about authority over the Azkaban Crypt."
"Go on."
"A friend of mine was sexually and physically assaulted by a prisoner a few years back and that prisoner has recently started sending him threatening letters."
Robards' eyebrow rose. "That's unauthorized post." He grabbed a piece of parchment off of his desk and scribbled a name on it. "Nolan Winters has been the Head Guard of Azkaban for the last decade. He's a good man. Bring this to him in the Department of Corrections and we'll find out who's fuckup this was."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Good catch, Potter. Aurors aren't just about closing cases, it's about keeping the scum we lock away from hurting people. This isn't acceptable."
"Agreed, Sir. Thank you."
"Take Higgins with you."
"Yes, Sir."
Harry left Robards in his office and found Higgins in the bullpen chatting with Natalie Atwell. "Good morning, Rex, Natalie."
"Hi, Harry," Atwell said. "I was just telling Rex about a case you two just caught. Two elderly ladies were attacked in a park last night. They were robbed and hexed. Both are all right, just minor bruises and scrapes, but the MPU has passed it onto us because one of the ladies claims that the man who attacked them matched the description of Crouch."
Harry's eyebrow rose. "He's a sick bastard, no question, but attacking old ladies in a park? Seems out of his element."
Atwell shrugged. "Could be nothing, could be something. I need you two to go check it out."
"I need to head down to the Department of Corrections and talk to Nolan Winters about something first."
Atwell nodded. "You have time. MPU asked the ladies to come back for ten."
"Wow, wow," Higgins said, grabbing Atwell's arm when she made to turn away. "What's that rock on your finger?"
Atwell grinned and wiggled her fingers. "Oh, this old thing?"
Harry's eyes fell down to the rather impressive diamond on her finger. "Wow. Is that —?"
"Yup," Atwell said. "Sully proposed last night; officially."
"He's proposed like five times," Higgins said.
"Yes, but you know why I didn't officially say yes."
"Because he's a Muggle and has no idea that you're such a badarse witch?" Harry supplied.
"Exactly," Atwell said. "So now I have to figure out how to tell him."
"Before you walk down the aisle, right?" Harry asked.
Atwell shot him a look. "Yes, Potter, before I walk down the aisle."
"Do you think he'll take it all right?" Higgins asked.
"To be honest, I'm not sure," Atwell admitted. "But I love the shit out of him and I know he loves me. I'm going to tell him this weekend."
"Good luck," Harry said.
"Thanks," Atwell replied.
When she left them alone, Higgins turned to Harry. "Hope it goes well for her. She's mad for that accountant."
"She's great. He'd be a tosser to let her go."
"Yeah," Higgins agreed. "Plus if he breaks her heart, she'll have to get the Oblivators out there to take his memories away and… fuck, that's the worst, you know? She doesn't deserve that."
Harry couldn't imagine falling madly in love with someone and having to hide such an important part of yourself away. He understood why it was important to not share the magical world with just anyone. An engagement was the minimum to sharing that secret. Harry remembered that Seamus' mum hadn't even told his dad until they'd already been married. At least Atwell was being considerate enough to do it before the wedding.
"So, why do we have to talk to Winters?" Higgins asked.
Harry gestured to Higgins to follow him as he explained about Theo and Higgins' eyes darkened.
"That sick fucker. Whoever's been letting those letters go to Nott is going to be in deep shit."
"As long as they stop," Harry said. "Come on. I want to see what Winters has to say about it."
Ten minutes later, Nolan Winters was sitting behind his desk as he listened to them, his lips pursed. "And you have a copy of the letter?"
"This one," Harry said, passing it across the desk. "He burned the others."
"How many others?" Winters asked.
"Four," Harry said.
Winters nodded and scratched the salt and pepper beard on his face. "I'll look into this immediately and get back to you."
"We'll be in the field this morning," Higgins said. "But send an office memo when you have news."
"Will do," Winters promised.
Harry and Higgins left the Department of Corrections and headed towards the Magical Patrol Unit to catch up on their new case and Higgins stifled a yawn.
"Late night?"
Higgins shook his head. "Unfortunately no. I asked out Cat."
"And?"
"Shot me down — hard."
Harry grimaced. "Sorry, mate."
Higgins shrugged. "It's all right. I'm going to try again."
Harry chuckled. "You said you went to Hogwarts with Arcanum Paddington?"
"Yeah, same house too. I swear, she wasn't nearly as peng when we were in school, but to be fair, I was pretty smitten with this Ravenclaw named Dayla. She was wild."
Harry shook his head in amusement. "I wouldn't tell Paddington that when you ask her out again."
"Noted," Higgins said.
By the time they were filled in on the case file, it was time to meet with the two ladies who claimed Crouch attacked them. Harry agreed with Atwell's assessment, it was pretty thin. The two women, Bernice Caulder and Josephine Fawley, both worked on the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Caulder was over a hundred and "sharp as a tack" as she claimed while Fawley was only in her mid fifties.
Caulder immediately locked her eyes on Harry when he and Higgins went to her home to interview her. "I already know you two think I'm lying, but I know what I saw!"
Harry took the seat she offered and smiled at Fawley when she offered him some tea. "No, thank you. Mrs Caulder, Auror Higgins and I are only here to take your statement. No one is saying they don't believe you."
"Bah!" Caulder exclaimed, making Fawley jump. "The MPU Aurors certainly thought I was mad."
"Bernice," Fawley said, quietly in a surprisingly girlish voice. "The Aurors are just here to do their jobs."
Caulder gave an exasperated sigh. "All right, well, Jo and I were going on a walk last night just before the sun went down."
"Where were you walking?" Higgins asked.
"Just around here. We were barely a block away," Caulder said. "We were walking and chatting as we do when someone grabbed Jo from behind."
Harry turned to look at Josephine Fawley. "He grabbed you, Mrs Fawley?"
"Yes," Fawley answered in her high pitched girly voice. "He grabbed me and threw me on the ground. I hit my head so I didn't see him properly."
"But I did," Caulder insisted. "I hit him with my handbag, I did! He squealed like a pig."
"You hit him with your handbag?" Higgins repeated, his eyebrow rising and his lips twitching in amusement.
"Yes," Caulder said. "And he ran off like a bat out of hell. The coward!"
"Did he say anything to either of you?" Harry asked.
Fawley shook her head. "I didn't hear him speak."
"He only squealed in pain," Caulder insisted. "But I know who he was! I remember him from when he was a boy. Barty used to bring him 'round the Ministry a few times. It was Crouch! I swear it!"
Harry nodded. "Well, if it was him, Mrs Caulder, you two are very lucky that you got away. Barty Crouch Jr is one of the top Undesirables."
"I know," Caulder exclaimed. "It's why I wanted to make sure the Aurors knew I saw him. Wouldn't want that scum to get away again."
"No, ma'am," Harry agreed.
Fawley walked them to the door. "I'm sorry about Bernie. When Bernice gets it in her head about something it's hard to shake her. I don't know if she actually saw him or if she just thinks she did. I didn't see him, only a dark blond head and he never spoke."
"Thank you for your time," Harry said, passing her a card from his cloak. "If you or Mrs Caulder see this man again, please contact the DMLE."
"Thank you, Auror Potter, Auror Higgins."
When the door closed, Higgins rolled his eyes.
"Well, that was a huge waste of time."
"Better than the Crouch sighting we had last week," Harry said. "We really need to find him and Lestrange. It's ridiculous that they've managed to stay hidden as long as they have."
"Well with Black coming out of hiding," Higgins said carefully. "Maybe it spooked them."
"I bet it did," Harry agreed. "But they can't hide forever."
Higgins scratched his neck as they approached the edge of the property so that they could Disapparate. "Maybe we should take another crack at Brambilla. She might be willing to spill some more secrets on where they might be hiding."
Harry shrugged. "At this point, what can it hurt?"
~ TTTC ~
Brambilla wasn't a complete bust. She did reveal a few more places they might be hiding and MPU Aurors were sent out to check out the locations. They came up empty, but did return with evidence of people squatting there. They spoke to Druella Black again as well who claimed that her daughter wasn't staying anywhere that she was aware of.
Harry didn't believe her and Druella was sent back to her cell. She hadn't met bail as Draco refused to pay it and her trial was set to start next week. She had never been formally accused of being a Death Eater, but for her role as an accessory to Bellatrix Lestrange, she was looking at spending at least five years behind bars. Harry was glad that Draco wasn't willing to help her.
It was late in the afternoon by the time they finally received word from Winters. Ernie Macmillan's cell had been torn apart and a detailed investigation had opened up surrounding who had access to him. It turned out there was a new guard who had started working for the crypt just over a year ago. He hadn't thought the letters were a big deal and had posted them himself from the prison.
Ron sat on the edge of Harry's desk in his cubicle of the Dark Arts Unit bullpen and told him that he and Baxter had taken Theo's statement regarding the letters and they'd put together another restraining order on Macmillan. Ron had also reached out to the parole Auror in charge of Macmillan's case and because he'd attempted contact with Theo without permission, his parole had been set back an additional five years. If he kept it up, Macmillan would be forty before he ever was released from the crypt and Harry was starting to think it would be better if he just stayed there.
Ron left him alone when Baxter called his name and Harry leaned back in his chair, doodling on a notepad with a pencil while he read over the reports in front of him and his own notes. He and Higgins hadn't had much happening over the last few hours so Harry was taking the time to go over everything he had about Sirius and Zee's case.
April was upon them which meant that if Slughorn and Borage were right, they had a little over a month until the potion they'd given Zee would wear off. When it wore off, she would die. That was the only clear part about the whole process. Everything else was causing all of the questions.
Harry knew that the Potioneers had it right about Zee. It made sense that once the six months were up, the potion would no longer keep her alive and the chances of her simply waking up from her current coma with zero complications all on her own were slim to none. But the more he looked over the resurrection spell and the more notes he made on the runes, the more he wasn't so sure if Sirius' death would save her either. Everything was tied up into the symbols carved into the runes and it was those he felt needed special attention.
He looked up when a shadow fell over his desk and he blinked in surprise at the sight of Fleur. She was almost nine months pregnant and looked radiant. She was wearing a red sundress with gold flowers on the skirt and her silver blonde hair was in a fishtail braid on the side.
"Fleur! Hi!" Harry exclaimed, standing up to offer her his chair.
Fleur gave him a grateful smile as she lowered herself down into his seat. "Merci, Harry. My feet are very sore."
He responded in French automatically and her eyes softened.
"Oui. I appreciate the chair. Bill has been very good at rubbing my feet for me, but sometimes I think walking has become a chore on its own."
Harry nodded and sat on the corner of his desk. "I remember when Zee was pregnant with Mina and Leo, she was tempted to stop wearing shoes entirely."
Fleur chuckled. "I can see why."
"So, what are you doing here, Fleur? Have you broken the law?"
She shrugged. "Perhaps. You'll never know." At his look, she smiled, rubbing her hand over her large stomach. "No, I was shopping nearby and felt a bit… overexerted?"
Harry frowned. "Are you all right?"
"Oui. I think so." She waved him off when he started to speak. "I'm fine, Harry. I just thought a friendly face would be nice and I saw yours before Ron."
"Ron's out in the field with Baxter," Harry said. "But you can keep me company if you'd like? I'm just going over some notes for a case."
Fleur let out a slow breath as she continued to rub her stomach. "Merci."
"So where are you coming from?" Harry asked in French. The one thing he enjoyed about talking with Fleur was that he was able to practice speaking French with her.
"I was shopping nearby. I had my packages sent back to the cottage and stopped for lunch at that Indian restaurant across the street. I'm supposed to meet Bill at Carmenta's Clinic in an hour for a checkup, but I was feeling a bit off and thought the Ministry was closer."
Harry frowned at that and sent a Patronus to Bill when Fleur reached down to rub her swollen feet. He didn't mind her stopping by, but the words "feeling off" made him worry and he would feel better if Bill was here.
"Shopping for anything interesting?" Harry asked. "Ginny's been singing your praises for saving her wardrobe for the press."
Fleur smiled. "Ginny is lovely to pick out clothes for. I found some things for the baby and I was looking for something for Gabrielle as well. Her birthday is in June and I want to get her something wonderful. I might have a found a few more things for Ginny too. I'm only happy to help her dress."
"She appreciates it."
"And how are you doing, Harry?"
Harry shrugged. "I'm fi — er, good. Having Uncle Sirius back is just… amazing. It's a gift and I know that. I just wish I could figure out how to save Zee as well."
"She's still in the coma?"
He nodded. "Indefinitely. It's all about the dark magic they used between the potions, the runes, the curses — everything. It's been making my head hurt to think about it."
"Oui. I can see that. Is there anything you can tell me? Perhaps I can help, n'est pas?"
Harry shrugged. "Honestly, I wouldn't even know where to start. All of the theories that I'm working on — and by working, I mean doodling while my brain tries to make sense of the nonsense that's there — are coming up empty again and again."
She chuckled. "Sounds promising. Why don't you run the basics past me? Perhaps I can help. I am cursebreaker after all."
He contemplated it for a moment before he nodded and stood up. He grabbed Higgins' chair from behind his desk and placed it next to Fleur before he straddled the chair.
"All right, well, I guess it can't hurt. You know the basics already; that Uncle Sirius was brought back from the dead and that Ron and I travelled to the other side to find his soul. We thought it would kill him, but by some miracle, he survived getting his soul back and as happy as I am by that — and I am happy, Fleur, I'm bloody ecstatic to have my dad back, but the thing is… I was expecting him to die again and for Zee to wake from her coma. But he didn't and she didn't and… the thing I'm trying to work out is how accurate these cursed runes could be when it comes to breaking them. They weren't a cursed object exactly, but because of the curse on them, it put into motion something as big as bringing Sirius back to life."
"Oui, that has been… unbelievable."
He nodded. "Exactly and now there's this whole situation where if we do break down the runes and everything that was done to bring him back, does that mean that he has to die again for it to break?"
Fleur gave him a sympathetic look. "To get your father back and then to have to watch him die again… that isn't something I'd wish on anyone."
When she didn't say anything more, he let out a slow breath. "So basically all we're coming up with is that if we save Zee, I lose him. I saved his soul and his life for no bloody reason."
"Harry… I wish I could tell you that there was an easy answer here, but you already know there isn't," Fleur began. "But what I can tell you is that not all curses have to be broken the same way they were cast. Just because it was done that way to make it happen, doesn't mean that it has to be done the same way to break it."
Harry wasn't sure if he found that helpful or not. Fleur seemed to notice because she spoke again.
"For example, runes that are carved into ancient tombs can be used as curses on those who discover them, but they can also be geared towards a chosen person. Just because the curse is to cause death, it doesn't mean only a certain death."
Harry felt even more confused by that than before. Before he could ask her more about it, he recognized Bill's tall figure heading towards them.
"Fleur! Are you all right?"
"Oui," Fleur said, giving Harry a look of betrayal. "You called my 'usband on me?"
"I was worried," Harry said.
She smiled when her husband knelt before her and kissed her hands. She whispered something to him that made him nod before he cupped her face in his hand and kissed her deeply. They were both smiling when he stood up.
"I feel much better, thank you. I think it was the butter chicken I had for lunch. This bébé wants spicy but when I eat it, I get such terrible heartburn."
Bill chuckled. "I thought we agreed that you'd lay off of the spicy food, love?"
"I cannot help it! It's what your daughter wants."
Harry laughed. "Sounds… interesting."
"Ha! If men had to do this, there would never be babies!" Fleur declared.
Harry thought she might be right about that so he wisely kept his mouth shut.
"Thanks for taking care of her, Harry, and thank you for calling me."
"It wasn't necessary," Fleur insisted.
Bill ignored his wife. "Thank you."
"No problem," Harry said. "Ron's out so it was the least I could do."
"You've just beat out Ron for best brother so make sure you tell him that," Bill insisted.
Harry laughed. "I can do that."
"Harry, remember what I said. Sometimes it's not about the curse itself."
Bill helped his wife to her feet before he put his arm around her, holding her close. "If you're still stuck on those runes, I know that you were having Kashif check them out, but you know who knows a lot about old runes? The fae. They still use lots of runic symbols in their everyday life. Maybe talking to them will help put something together."
"The fae," Harry repeated, furrowing his brow.
Bill nodded. "Yeah. Prince Tiernan is usually at the Wizengamot sessions on Fridays, I can get you an introduction if you'd like, though Theo might be better. Maybe even Fiadh can help? It's just a thought."
"Thanks," Harry said. "At this point, it certainly can't hurt. Go on, get Fleur to her appointment, we'll talk later."
Bill gave Harry a grateful smile. Fleur kissed his cheek and thanked him for the company and Bill squeezed his shoulder.
"Thanks again, Harry, and remember you have brothers other than Ron whom you can lean on."
Harry smiled, his heart warming at Bill' words. "I know, it's just that Ron's so easy to lean on."
"Yeah, he is," Bill said. "But there's five more of us if you ever need a change of pace. Call anytime."
Harry wished them off and thanked Bill again before he sat back in his own chair, thinking about Bill's words about the fae. He wasn't sure how long he sat there in thought before a hot coffee landed in front of him. He smiled brightly at Tonks.
"Wow! You brought me a coffee? Is this favouritism?"
"Nope," Tonks said, sitting on the corner of his desk. "I was just resting it there. That's my coffee. A1s don' get coffee from their superiors."
"I hate you."
Tonks took a large drink of her coffee and smiled brightly at him. "Delicious."
Harry made a rude hand gesture and someone cuffed him on the head from behind.
"Respect your elders, Potter!" Higgins said, plopping down into his own chair with a coffee. "Sorry, Lupin. I only have so much to work with."
Harry rolled his eyes at their antics. "Haha."
Tonks took another sip of her coffee. "So, I saw Bill and Fleur here, everything all right?"
"Yeah, they're fine. Fleur ate too much spicy food. I called Bill to come get her."
"Aren't you a sweetheart," Tonks teased.
"I can be. Hey listen, I was picking Fleur's brain while she was here and she was going on about how curses aren't always linear; how just because something was used as the catalyst, doesn't mean the same piece has to be used to counter it."
Higgins lifted an eyebrow. "That brings up an interesting idea."
"Does it? Because I can't seem to get past how Uncle Sirius can still keep on living in order to save Zee."
Tonks wrinkled her nose and her pink hair turned green. "Sirius is back, there's no doubt about that, and as far as the healers are concerned, he's perfectly healthy. There's no reason for him to not keep on living. Come on, let's talk about this in the conference room, Rex and I have something to share."
Harry followed them into the conference room and found Atwell, Robards, and Kingsley were already present. He took a seat next to Atwell as Tonks cleared her throat, her hair changing to a vibrant violet.
"Higgins was filling me on the chat the two of you had with Dumbledore's portrait the other day and he brought the up the story of Leo Coeur de Lion and Rampara."
"What about it?" Harry asked.
"I've heard it before," Kingsley said. "Not just the story itself, but the use of iron and blood magic."
"Dark magic?" Harry asked.
Kingsley shook his head. "Not all blood magic is dark magic, Potter. Blood can be used for a lot of good things as well. It can be used to purify a charm or a spell. It can be used as part of protecting your home. Blood magic doesn't mean dark magic and when mixed with something like iron, it usually comes across as a strong protection mechanism."
Harry frowned. "All right…"
"What we want to look into is the basis that this story is on," Kingsley continued. "Most of these stories are etched in some form of fact and this isn't the first example of blood magic and iron being something that could be of use. If we can find something, a potion or a charm or some kind to help counter this poison that's seeping into Zacarias, we can save her."
Harry's mouth opened in surprise before he swallowed. "Do you think we can?"
Kingsley pursed his lips, his deep voice a comfort to Harry's dark thoughts. "She's alive, Potter and we're going to try our bloody hardest to keep her that way."
"Which means that we need to start looking into alternatives," Robards said. "Iron is a man made metal which means it's often counterproductive against magical beings."
"It's poisonous to the fae," Harry said, remembering that it had been an iron arrow that had poisoned and killed Finn.
"It is," Tonks said. "It's poisonous to many magical beings."
"Bill was just saying that the fae might be able to help because they use runes in their every day magic," Harry said. "He suggested that I speak with Prince Tiernan or someone else from the court of Tara; maybe Fiadh."
"Make it happen," Robards said. "I want a report from Healer Weasley on my desk as well. I want to know what kinds of things the healers are looking into when it comes to healing Zacarias. We will leave no rock unturned."
Hope swelled in Harry's chest and Tonks squeezed his arm. "What do you think?"
Tonks' eyes met Harry's and she smiled. "I think that we still have just under a month to figure things out, Harry. Don't give up."
The hope in his heart grew brighter.
It was time to talk to someone from the Court of Tara.
