Daphne led Harry to the Leaky Cauldron and looked at him. "Are you alright," she asked.

"Just not looking forward to going to the Snitch," replied Harry. "I'm not exactly the most welcome, being an Auror."

"Just don't be recognizable."

"And how do you propose I…" Harry paused as she held a cap out to him. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"I bought it in case you agreed."

"Will this work?"

"I've charmed it to alter your appearance. Just try not to get it bumped off. I'm rubbish at sticking charms." Harry placed it on his head and felt the familiar tingle of facial altering charms and turned to Daphne.

"How do I look?"

"With any luck, I've remembered Pansy's preferences correctly."

"What do you mean?"

"We need information, Potter. Best way to get information from her is to appeal to her. She's not into women, otherwise I'd charm her myself."

"So I'm just a piece of meat for this?"

"Your words, not mine." She smiled at him. "Relax. It's just not to my standards. You resemble… who's that one Muggle actor…? Lundgren?" Harry paused and looked at a reflection in a shop window.

"Pansy Parkinson watches Muggle films?"

"She finds the mindless action riveting."

"The more you know."

"Should've gotten to know us more, rather than listen to Weasley's opinion alone."

"Malfoy didn't give the best first impressions for someone like me."

"Meaning?"

"He came across as someone who was like my cousin back then. Spoiled rotten, entitled, setting a bad example for those who grew up in the Wizarding World who would be in the same mindset as him. I didn't want to be associated with someone like him. So I asked not to be put into Slytherin."

"Well, the Weasley's were, in my opinion, too much of an example of our modern problems as well. Far too untrusting of those around them, pushing the House Divide even further because of their matriarch."

"Mrs. Weasley?"

"When her brothers were murdered, in her grief, she attributed all Slytherin as the enemy, despite her friendship with my late aunt."

"She knew your aunt?"

"Aunt Emily was engaged to one of her brothers. Fabian, I think. After they died in the Death Eater attack, she cut all ties with the Greengrass family. Haven't mended that bridge since."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not as if it's your fault. Honestly, I don't have any feelings of remorse over it. Their friendship is not my own. And the only real friend I had is no longer with us."

"That's not true."

"If you're about to tell me some sappy thing like you're my friend-"

"You have your sister." Daphne turned to him as he moved past her and towards the Scorched Snitch. She paused for a moment before chuckling to herself and following after him. They entered the building and Harry was hit by a blast of loud music from the Weird Sisters on the Wizarding Wireless and the acrid smell of smoke filling the air. "Grand… yet another unpleasant similarity between the Muggle and Wizarding Worlds."

"Bars with expensive foods, watered down beers, and more smoke than a forest fire?"

"My beer is not watered down, Greengrass," said a voice beside them. The two turned to see Pansy Parkinson leaning against a pillar not too far from the door. "Though, the food and smoke is at least true." She stood up straight and looked at the two of them. "You can take that cap off, Potter. Illusions don't work in here. Paid Gringotts a hefty sum when I asked them to build this place. Come on." Daphne turned to Harry and, sure enough, her charms were no longer working.

"How…?"

"Too many Aurors working undercover and attempting to make arrests without a warrant. I know me and Granger never saw eye to eye, but at least some of her reform suggestions to Minister Shacklebolt help me in the long run." She moved to the bar and slid over it. "Like Aurors needing to come in here with a warrant to harass my customers, Potter."

"We're here to ask you some questions, Miss Parkinson," said Harry, removing the cap. "It's urgent and I want to ask for your cooperation. Unless being made a battery for someone else is appealing to you." Pansy crossed her arms as she eyed the both of them.

"Bar's closed! Everyone but the famed Man-Who-Won and his girlfriend leave!" She aimed her wand at a man passed out on the other end of the bar. "Goyle, that means you too!" A stinging hex jolted the large man awake before he glared up at her. "Leave, Greg. Now." Gregory Goyle glared at Harry as he registered who was standing across from Pansy before standing up and clambering out after the grumbling crowd. She grabbed three clean glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey before pouring it into all three.

"I don't drink."

"I know. Aurors aren't supposed to drink on the clock."

"This is strictly off the clock," said Daphne. "An unofficial investigation. But it's important."

"And you come here, telling a tale about becoming a battery, why?"

"First you need to swear an oath not to mention this to anyone."

"Why?"

"Cause if more people find out about this, it'll mean chaos and huge targets for the more vengeful people in our society," said Harry. "And I know you have your fair share of enemies." Pansy scoffed softly before downing her glass with a wince and holding up her wand. After reciting the usual oath, she set down her wand and placed her hands on the bar.

"What is this about?"

"Read this." Harry handed her the paper and sat down beside Daphne. When Pansy finished skimming the paper she looked at them.

"What is this?"

"This document was stolen from the Department of Mysteries," said Daphne. "Whenever that happens, a copy of what was stolen appears in my office. Along with that document was another I left locked up in case I lost it for one reason or another on exactly what this Isadora Morganach did with her Ancient Magic. J.C. Garrick stated this Ancient Magic seems to be like the fabled Soul Magic. If he's right, there is a good chance someone was born with this Ancient Magic connection in our generation as well. They just didn't attend Hogwarts. I think we'd have noticed a new student among the other weirdness a certain someone seemed to attract."

"Hello," said Harry.

"We need to know if someone has displayed any unusual magics recently."

"So you came here to me," said Pansy. "Because drunk people like to talk."

"We're also trying to learn if there have been any backrooms meetings. Something of note outside of the normal trafficking and poaching stuff I'm sure come through here when not in the Hog's Head."

"I try to keep my customer's privacy."

"Pansy. This is serious. There are no sanctions behind something of this magnitude. One person perfecting this spell would be bad enough. Imagine if they taught others as well." Pansy stared at her former Housemate and handed the document back.

"I don't hear anything. I have recordings."

"As in Muggle recordings," asked Harry. Pansy nodded.

"I figured it was smarter to use those since most in our world don't know how to properly identify them. I make recordings of people who want private conversations. I figured it would save my own ass if another Voldemort started gathering power. I have multiple tapes. About two years' worth of secret dealings."

"Technically, these are illegal. But given the circumstances, we can't be picky."

"We can't go through all of it," said Daphne.

"Don't need to. We just need to go through the last month."

"Not here," said Pansy. "It's my only leverage against the bastards we used to go to school with."

"I've got a hotel room we can go to," said Harry.

"I'll get the crate." Pansy slipped into the back and Harry turned to Daphne.

"I need to make a call so I'm going to hop over to London for a bit. Meet me outside the Cauldron and I'll bring you to where I'm staying." Daphne nodded and downed her firewhiskey with a sigh as he left. Pansy stepped out and set the medium sized crate on the bar before looking at her.

"How are you?"

"Fine," she said.

"Why did you bring him?"

"Who else could I turn to?"

"Someone you haven't been obsessed with since Fourth Year?"

"Shut up. And if I remember correctly, you were equally as obsessed with him. Almost as much as Malfoy."

"But of the two of us, only one was genuine infatuation and not defiance in the face of a familial alliance."

"It's not like that."

"Troll shit."

"There's a lovely image."

"Didn't you fuck him a year ago after he and Weasley had that shouting match?"

"That was different. He needed a distraction and…"

"And you jumped his bones like the bitch you are." Daphne glared at the woman. "And now, you're working with him?"

"If someone is trying to make this spell, everyone is in danger. Story included. Harry is the most dedicated and experienced Auror I could think of who would even consider working with me. I'm not exactly the best person to get along with."

"And yet Davis managed to do so." Pansy looked her in the eyes. "How serious is this threat?"

"Very. You heard what Malfoy said Voldemort did back then. If someone were to do the opposite, and take in souls, rather than divide their own, we really could be looking at a more dangerous threat to everyone's safety than with Voldemort. Nothing could potentially kill them if they gather enough. You could…"

"Live forever. Despite certain ailments." Daphne looked at her. "Is this about some potential Dark Lord. Or is it about your sister?"

"Shove it, Parkinson." Pansy raised her hands up in defense.

"I'm just noticing. It's been your primary concern since you learned of it in our Sixth Year. I wouldn't blame you if…" Daphne sent a silencing charm to the woman and glared.

"I will never stoop as low as that. It's what led to my family curse to begin with. I will not let my great-grandmother's mistake become a familial theme. I will beat this malediction and it will be by my own efforts, not this…" Daphne glared at the document. "…not this curse."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night." Pansy tapped her wand to the box, shrinking it down before handing it over to Daphne. "Just do me one favor."

"What?"

"If something happens between you two, and if things go bad, I reserve the right to hurt him on Davis's behalf." Daphne snorted slightly.

"We're only working together."

"Keep telling yourself that. Do you need a contraceptive potion for when you get to his hotel room?"

"Piss off." Daphne pocketed the shrunken crate and flipped the bar owner off before exiting out of the building. She started her way back to Diagon Alley when she felt like she was being watched. She glanced around, hand ready to reach for her wand, just in case something came at her. She breathed out before continuing along to the Cauldron. With a nod to Tom, she passed through the bar seemingly without care, with only her clenched hands giving away the uneasy feeling she was having. She exited to Muggle London and spotted Harry at a phone booth down the street. She waited a few moments before walking over to him.

Harry spotted Daphne walking over and turned to the receiver. "I know, Andy," he said. "I know what we talked about. But right now, it's definitely not safe for Teddy to be with me. I need you to keep him a little bit longer."

"And how long is that," asked Andromeda Tonks.

"I'll let you know at the end of the week. This investigation requires using Muggle methods to uncover. Audio tapes, hours of conversations, and potentially someone coming after me when I get too close. It's better Teddy stay with you and Ted for the time being."

"Harry, be careful. He lost his parents before he could even know them. He can't lose you too."

"I'll make sure he won't Andy." Harry glanced up at Daphne as she stepped to the doors of the booth. "I've got to go. I'll check in at the end of the week."

"Fine. Goodbye, Harry."

"Bye." Harry hung up and turned to the woman.

"Who was that," she asked.

"Andromeda Tonks. Grandmother to my godson."

"Draco's aunt?" Harry chuckled softly.

"I sometimes forget Andy is sisters with Narcissa and Bellatrix."

"Well, there was the divide of Blood Purity between them. Where are we heading?"

"Just a hotel I'm staying at while Potter Manor is being renovated."

"You've been staying at the Manor?"

"Sometimes. It's rather big for just me. And Teddy whenever I look after him to give his grandparents a break."

"Why stay there?"

"Its defenses are handy. Especially with what I found."

"Which is?"

"Spoilers, Greengrass." Daphne eyed him suspiciously before looking around. "You've had that feeling too? Like we're being watched?"

"Like we're being followed. This hotel secure?"

"As long as they're wary enough to not break the Statute, yes."

"We're talking about a Dark Wizard."

"And even they know using magic in Muggle areas is too risky." The two continued on, moving through the crowds as they tried to lose their shadow. Harry led Daphne in circles before deciding they'd done enough and finally led them into the lobby of the hotel. The receptionist looked at them with a smile before spotting Daphne.

"Hello, Mr. Evans," said the woman. "And who's this?"

"A friend of mine from school." Daphne snorted softly and rolled her eyes.

"Damn. Oh well."

"What?"

"Should've figured you were spoken for. Just my luck, I suppose." Daphne hid a smirk at Harry's confused expression before she pushed him to the elevator.

"Come on," she said. The two climbed aboard the lift and Harry turned to her.

"I didn't even know she liked me," he said.

"That's because you're as dense as you were back in school. At least regarding the opposite sex."

"Funny, I seem to recall some moans of approval a year ago. I'm not that dense."

"Woman are better at faking orgasms than men are."

"And were you?" Daphne give him a coy look as the lift dinged and she stepped off. Harry stared at her for a moment before following her off. "This way." He led her to a hotel room and opened the door. "Ladies first."

"Then go right ahead." Harry gave her a look.

"Cute."

"I'm adorable, and you know it." Harry smirked before leading her in, inconspicuously placing a detection ward at the hallway to let him know if their shadow was nearby.

Daphne looked around the hotel room, noting the suite had a sitting room and an extension to it leading to another bedroom. "Fancier than what I was expecting." She turned to him.

"Teddy was going to stay with me for a short while as Andy and Ted were going on a short vacation for their anniversary." Daphne glanced at the single bed in the main room before looking at him.

"So I'm to take the child's bed?"

"I'd think it appropriate we sleep separately for this investigation. We don't know how long this will last, so we need no distractions at the moment."

"So you do find me distracting?"

"I was saying I'd be distracting you." The two shared a cheeky grin before Daphne pulled out the crate, placing it on the table beside her before expanding it to its full size.

"Right then, what do we do first?"

"First we need something to play the tapes. Parkinson didn't leave the tape player in the box, it seems, so we'll need to buy two ourselves."

"Why two?"

"Easier to go through the tapes together than listening one at a time. This way, we're cutting the work load in half. If we had a few more people…"

"No. We don't know who we can trust, and I know you won't put your friends in danger again." Harry looked at her. "It has to be us and no one else. That way we know we can trust each other. Even if Granger would be able to help, you'd be putting her, a mother, in danger. It's why you won't let your godson stay with you right now, right?" Harry nodded.

"With deductive skills like that, I'm surprised you didn't join the Aurors."

"Believe me, if I had the time for it I would've."

"What do you mean?" Daphne shook her head.

"Sorry. But you haven't earned that right." She sat down in a chair facing a tv in the main room. "You go get what we need. I'm going to see what's on while I wait."

"The red button is the…"

"I know how to work a tele!" Harry held his hands up in defense before leaving. Daphne huffed softly before reaching into her purse, pulling out a picture of her sister, Astoria, and her newborn son, Scorpius. It was incredibly tempting for her to pursue the original notes herself, but she knew the dangers of letting her ambitions grow beyond her reasoning. It had led to the most destructive wars in the last hundred years, and had also led to her and her sister's affliction thanks to her ancestor. She turned on the television and breathed out.

Harry paused in the lobby as the receptionist waved him over. "Mr. Evans," she said. "You have a phone call from a Hermione Weasley?"

"Thanks," replied Harry.

"Phone's sitting on the desk. If you need me, I'll be in the back office." He nodded before picking up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Harry James Potter," shouted one of his best friends.

"Hermione. There's no need to shout."

"Where have you been?!"

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Harry, important documents have been stolen from the ministry! You need to…"

"Wait. How did you find out?"

"What?"

"It's only just happened. We're beginning an investigation and…" Harry glanced to the office. "Hermione, I can't talk about this now. I'll call you later. Me and Daphne Greengrass are looking into it."

"Daphne Gr- Harry she-"

"I'll call you back, Hermione." Harry hung up the phone before frowning. He glanced at the office again before leaving the hotel. 'Hermione sounded frantic. Daphne's not telling me everything. That I know. I'll just need to keep this going to find out more.' Harry went to a nearby tech shop and purchased some equipment before stopping by a pastry shop to get something for them to snack on. As he returned to the hotel, he saw Daphne in the window to his room, pacing. He looked around to make sure there were no people or cameras watching before Apparating into his room. Daphne jumped and aimed her wand at him as the telltale pop of Apparation startled her.

"Potter," she exclaimed. "Don't do that! I'm on edge enough as it is!"

"Sorry. Better than someone following me to my room directly. And they'd have to guess my alias for my room as well if they want to find me."

"Let me guess. Only Granger and Weasley know?"

"Technically, they're both Weasley now, remember?"

"Oh right. You broke up with the Weas-lette during the party." She crossed her arms with a smirk. "She made a huge mistake, you ask me."

"She would disagree."

"Who cares?" Harry breathed out before handing her the bag of sweets.

"Not something I feel like answering seriously. Here."

"What's this?"

"Can't exactly go through these on an empty stomach, can we?" She looked into the bag and pulled out a chocolate muffin.

"Oh! Don't mind if I do!"

"That's mine. You get the cookies."

"They're shortbread!"

"Wouldn't you be watch-"

"Finish that question and I'll castrate you." She aimed her wand lower. Harry set down the equipment and moved to her before snatching the muffin away.

"Then you won't get a repeat performance."

"Someone's confidant." She crossed her arms.

"Well I distinctly remember you screaming my name in ecstasy."

"Oh, is that what you heard? You were so lost in your lust, you must've imagined it." The two smirked at each other before Harry conjured a knife and cut the muffin in half before handing her one. "I've got two cassette players to halve the time. In all, we don't know how long this will take us. Days of recordings, and we need to listen to them alone."

"And we need to Obliviate any extra knowledge of illegal activities we learn of. Not only do they not pertain to this investigation, we cannot use that information, ever. Not unless we open another investigation into these people, and even then…"

"I need probable cause in order to even suspect it."

"Thank you Granger for making things more difficult for us."

"Hermione means well. And it's mostly to do with Sirius." Harry started setting up the players. Daphne stayed silent for a moment before setting her half of the muffin down.

"I… only know the story I read in the Prophet." Harry glanced at her.

"Let's not discuss that right now, yeah? We have work to do." Daphne sighed before taking her player and a few of the tapes.

"I expect that story later, Harry." Harry said nothing and put the headset on.

"Maybe." Daphne breathed out before putting her own on.

(Hog's Head)

Several mages stood in a circle, the bartender, Aberforth, gasping beneath. The last Dumbledore stared up at the people who assaulted him. "Hit him again," said a distorted voice. "We need him to be willing."

"St-stop," muttered Aberforth. "Please…"

"Crucio," said one of the mages, aiming their wand at the aged man. Aberforth yelled in pain, a sound muffled by another.

"Don't stop until he complies," said the leader. The masked man looked at the parchment in his hand. "Then we'll get what we need."

(Author's Notes)

Hey, guys. I'm sorry this chapter is so short, but with how I'm setting this up, and the need to use non-magical means, which will be further explained later, there's not much going on in these beginning chapters other than set ups and slight exposition behind the gap of history between the end of Deathly Hallows, and where we are in this point in the timeline. Hope all of you are doing well, and have a good day, week, year, etc. Until next time, Y'all!