I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Harry Potter and the Stone's Heart
Chapter 6 – Understanding
Harry almost jumped down the steps, nearly leaping over the banister in his haste. He had gotten home very late and sleepily showered and went to bed, waking up mere moments before and stared at the clock for a moment before rushing to get ready and back to work. The events of the last few days were catching up to him and he had overslept some, resulting in his current hurried state.
He had just finished tying his tie, he learned from painful experience to not use magic to tie it when he was in a rush, and reached out for the door that led to the Floo room. He nearly fell over when it failed to open and stumbled from the sudden stubbornness of the door. He pulled on it hard a few more times. "Kreacher!" he shouted.
"Yes Master Harry?" Kreacher croaked blandly, appearing in front of Harry with a pop.
"Did you block the door?" Harry asked, glaring down at Kreacher.
"Kreacher did," Kreacher reported, unbothered by Harry's glare.
"I really need to get to work."
"Kreacher sees that."
"Will you please open the door?"
"Master Harry must eat something first. He is not supposed to be skipping meals," Kreacher said.
"You're kidding," Harry said, staring at the house elf.
"Kreacher would never," Kreacher snorted.
"I could order you," Harry said, eyes narrowing.
"Master Harry certainly could," Kreacher agreed pleasantly.
Harry sighed and rubbed his temples. "Kreacher, may I have something for breakfast that is quick and portable because I really need to get to work." He sighed again when Kreacher disappeared and returned holding two sandwiches wrapped in paper and a thermos.
"Bacon sandwich and marmalade sandwich," Kreacher said smugly. "And coffee with a shot of espresso. No Pepper Up until after midmorning."
"Thanks," Harry said with sincere annoyance and sincere appreciation. Under Kreacher's expectant look, he took a big bite of the bacon butty. "Happy?" he asked, voice muffled.
"Ecstatically," Kreacher said dryly. "Finish sandwich before Floo or else Master Harry will eat ash." He snapped his fingers and the door to the Floo room opened smoothly.
"Right, remembered that the last time," Harry said, wrapping the rest of the sandwich in the paper as he walked into the Floo room. "Thank you Kreacher, you're the best and I wouldn't know what to do without you." He smiled as he heard Kreacher's acidic mumbling send him off to work.
-0-
"Damn, I can't believe it," Ron said. He and Susan had joined Harry as soon as Harry had gotten to the Auror Department and as Harry finished his breakfast and answered some memos from other departments, he and Susan went over the notes from the interrogations of the Muggles.
"Someone's actually having Muggles smuggle magical things," Susan said, eyes wide. "I know there were cases of that in the past, but that was more out of ignorance on their part, or were being charmed by a magical in question."
"All it takes is for one of them to have a case of sticky fingers, get into something they shouldn't, and all our secrets are out in the open," Ron said.
"That's the worry," Harry agreed. He gave Susan a stack of papers. "Here, a copy of the notes taken from the questionings. See if you can find any correlations with the questionings on the magical smugglers. There's also a copy of their memories in the Department of Mysteries so you can look there too."
"Thanks, I'll find any ties and intersections," Susan said confidently.
"Saltina Croatia is basically seconded to us for some time," Harry continued. "She's the Senior Unspeakable that helped you with the coin thing."
"Eyes do a glowy thing?" Ron asked. "Yup, that's her," he said when Harry nodded. "I didn't even know they were a her at first. She's a bit odd, right?"
"A bit," Harry agreed. "Was very happy for all the extra new things we were throwing their way lately so that's why she's going to be around more."
"Fair enough," Ron said. "I'll go over the new evidence we collected and see if there's any traces of anything that ties it to our first group too."
"Thanks." They looked up as a paper airplane flew into the room. It flew straight to Harry and only unfolded when he touched it. "Obliviators are done with the Muggle criminals," Harry said. "Cleaned everything involving us and their time here. They'll only remember being in the warehouse and that's it."
"What're we doing with them?" Susan asked.
"We're going to return them to the Muggles via some inter-departmental trading," Harry said. "I'm about to call my counterpart."
"Also known as 'work-wife'," Ron said, poking Susan with his elbow and giving Harry a wink.
"A work-wife?" Susan asked, smiling broadly.
"She is not and Ron's being a prat," Harry said, giving his best friend a look. "She's a colleague, nothing more. I respect her because she is a very good law enforcement officer."
"She's a damn good one and is scary for a Muggle," Ron said easily. "And she's sweet on you."
"She is?" Susan asked, smiling even more broadly.
"This is Ron we're talking about," Harry said, giving her a look. "How many times can you recall him being right when it wasn't about work-related things."
"Oh you've got a point," Susan mused.
"Hey! You're supposed to help me when it comes to ex's," Ron complained, shooting Harry a look of betrayal.
"We're friends too!" Susan cried.
"And we're best mates!" Ron countered.
"And both of you get out of my office and get to work," Harry said, giving them what Ron called his 'disappointed officer look' but smiling a little.
"Look at what you did, getting us in trouble," Ron sniffed, getting up and walking out.
"What I did?! What you did you mean!" Susan said, following him.
Harry shook his head and closed the door to his office before opening a secured drawer in his desk. Within sat a cell phone, one of the few that could be used at the Ministry of Magic. It was discovered that the more technologically complicated something was, the more likely it would act funny around a lot of magic. In the interests of keeping up better relations between the two governments, they found out that this brand of cell phone was able to be used in either way for ease of communication between the two groups.
Harry turned it on and called the only saved number within the phone, waiting patiently as it rang.
"Captain," a voice greeted when they answered the phone. Her voice was strong and firm.
"Chief Inspector," Harry greeted back. "How are you?"
"Oh you know, living the high life of being in law enforcement by sitting on my throne in my ivory tower and looking down on the streets and the people on them," she replied, a trace of amusement in her voice.
"I do the same, only, below since we're below ground," Harry said and smiled as the other person laughed.
"I take it this isn't a social call?" she asked.
"Sadly not. Do you have time for a meet?"
"I do actually. I'll use any excuse to get out of this damn building. The Corner? Twenty minutes?"
"See you then." Harry hung up and changed out of his robes and into what he thought of as his unofficial uniform: a plain black leather jacket and a slim leather case for his Auror badge. Changing the robes for the jacket made him look just different enough with his usual pants and boots so that he could go out on the Muggle side with little problem.
"See you later," he said, passing by Ron and Susan on the way out.
"Don't tell her I said hi," Ron said.
"Isn't it the other way around?" Susan asked.
"They don't get along," Harry grinned. "She thinks he's annoying."
"And she didn't even date him," Susan said, shaking her head.
"I heard that," Ron sniffed.
-0-
Harry walked into the eatery that was called Corner. The fact that it was not on the corner of the city block always gave some people pause, but the owner of it was a retired police officer and it fit his humor. The eatery was a place where many law enforcement officials and officers went to for a quick bite and a drink, for those on duty and off. The first time Harry had come, the owner who went by Sarge, could tell that Harry was in the business much like them and readily accepted that Harry was part of a Special Branch, hence not many people knowing him.
That was largely how the two governments agreed on how the British Auror Corps interacted with the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defense Police, the National Crime Agency, and the other major departments. In fact, part of the ruse the Aurors used was that they were a branch of the NCA and it worked well for the most part.
His primary counterpart was Natalie Steele, Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police. She was a career police officer, having worked her way through the ranks and was a very competent individual. She and Harry met through a case where a magical was preying upon Muggle women and it had turned into a fight in close quarters between the magical and his friends versus Natalie and Harry. The pair held their own until reinforcements came in the shape of Ron and a response team.
After some negotiation and amid the fallout, it was decided that there needed to be a branch of the Metropolitan Police to be the point of contact for Magical Issues and Natalie was promoted to be the one in charge. She was fine with it because it was largely not a busy position usually and it came with a nice office and pay raise for her, and she was still able to work as a Chief Inspector for her other usual duties.
Harry thought that she was as tough as her surname, and while having been appropriately surprised by the existence of magic and the magical world, had fought hard without hesitation and was professional and polite. She also did not press for too much information, surprisingly, and they had a good working relationship.
She waved when he entered the Corner and Harry slid into the seat facing her. Her brown hair was cut short and her light green eyes glinted at him with interest. "Captain," she greeted, smiling a little. "Ordered you a coffee and a roll."
"Thanks," Harry said gratefully. "Sorry about the short notice. Things have been mad the last few days."
"You do look tired, everything okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
Harry hesitated for a moment. "Lost someone dear to me," he said at last. "She was like a mentor."
"My condolences," Natalie said sympathetically. "Never easy to say goodbye."
"Thanks," Harry said with a wan smile. He tried to ignore the tiny kernel of pain that throbbed deep inside his heart. "Luckily, or unluckily, there's plenty of work to focus on."
"Isn't that the damned truth," she snorted, sipping her own coffee. "What's this?" she asked when Harry slid a folder to her.
"Part of the work," Harry said. He munched on his sausage roll and watched her go through the file.
At first she looked through the pictures with benign interest that became very pointed interest. "Wait, I know him! And him! I've been looking for that bastard for a while now!" She looked at him. "Where did you find them?"
"Moving some things they shouldn't have," Harry said. "As in, our stuff."
She blinked at him. "They aren't Magicals," she said, her voice low. She looked around hastily, seeing where the others were. The eatery was slow but not empty.
"I already cast a Muffling Charm," Harry said, "don't worry. No one can eavesdrop."
"Oh, that's handy," she said, not bothered by him saying or doing that. "But seriously, they can't be Magicals. I've thrown a few of them into prison a few times and if they were, that wouldn't have happened."
"No they aren't," Harry agreed. "We tested them."
"So what were they doing with magical stuff?" Natalie gasped.
"We're still trying to find that out. We think there might be some relation to another smuggling group that we apprehended prior to them, about a week or so ago. The materials they both were moving are somewhat similar."
"What did these get caught with?"
"A lot of gold," Harry said. "And potions. Stuff we'd consider normal but obviously not for you. But there were some drugs mixed in. Speaking of, have you noticed anyone coming into your hospitals under the influence of a new drug?"
"I haven't but that doesn't mean it hasn't," she said. "What are the effects?"
"It feels like time has slowed down and you are very sensitive to things."
"I can think of a few that do that as it is," she said wryly. "But nothing new I don't think. I'll ask my colleagues that are in Narc though."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate it." He bit into his sausage roll. "The ones we seized were diluted compared to the stuff we've found on the street."
"Which means they were slated for Muggles to use," Natalie mused. "Hmm, I'll definitely ask around."
"So you recognize them?" Harry asked, nodding at the pictures.
"A few, definitely. Ganger lifers. That gang has a reputation for grunt work. But I thought most Magicals wouldn't be caught dead working with Muggles."
"Usually," Harry said slowly.
"Someone's changing the rules then," she said slowly.
"Possibly," Harry nodded. "Anyways, don't suppose you want them back, do you?"
"I'll take them, wouldn't be fair to dump our trash onto you," Natalie said with a grin. "Bunch of them have been dodging some charges too so won't be hard to put them away for legitimate reasons. Aside from the usual of how your Special Branch arrested them for other reasons."
"Great. One thing." Harry pointed at the picture of Leonard. "Anything on him? He's pretty much the boss of this crew but we think he has a superior."
"Doesn't look familiar, but I'll do some digging and send you what I find out. I can arrange a transport and a detail to pick them up in a couple of hours. We go to that side street right?"
"Right," Harry nodded. "Thanks."
"I should be thanking you," she said. "And I am. I'll bring some pizza along for you and your team as a gesture of inter-departmental appreciation."
"They'll certainly appreciate that," Harry smiled.
"Is Weaselby there today?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Lieutenant Weasley is there today, yes," Harry said, amused.
"Good, I can get him back then with a special pizza that he has to eat. And you better make sure he eats it all," she said as she got out of the booth.
"I'll do my best," Harry laughed, following her after waving to Sarge.
-0-
"She's going to poison me," Ron said, giving Harry a look. He, Susan, Harry, and a few other Aurors were standing at the ready, waiting within an open area with a rolling gate to keep it shut. It was one of the ways into the Ministry complex from street-side and was disguised as a regular loading dock. The prisoners were still stunned and sitting in chairs, waiting for the police transport.
"She's not going to poison you," Harry said. "She doesn't hate you as much as you think she does."
"So she does hate me," Ron gasped.
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't hate you," Harry amended. "Here."
"Why did you give me a bezoar?" Ron asked. "For old times' sake?"
"Just in case," Harry said with a grin.
"You're very funny," Ron said but he slipped the bezoar into his chest pocket.
They watched as an official prisoner transport van came up to them. It stopped in front of them and another car came right behind, coming to a stop as well. Natalie got out of the second car while a few armored officers got out of the van. They smiled and greeted the Aurors who greeted them broadly back. Like Harry, they were all dressed in blazers of jackets, much like what clothes Muggle law enforcement wore.
"I'm here for the prisoner exchange," Natalie said, throwing Harry a salute.
"Exchange?" Harry asked, saluting back.
"Caught a few bad pies," Natalie said seriously but her smile was warm. "Taking up time and preventing a few good officers from being full."
"Can't have that. Doesn't seem like a fair exchange though," Harry smiled back.
"It's plenty even. We've been looking for those two for months now and that one for longer," she said, looking at the bound and unconscious prisoners in question. "Right, let's get them loaded up." As the Aurors brought a man out, they subtly cast a reviving spell on them and the prisoners moved groggily but without protest.
"Wish our exchanges were usually like this," one of the other officers said. "What did you lot do to them?"
"New stun projectile," Harry said smoothly. "Still being tested by Special Branch."
"Hope it comes out for us soon, this is great," another officer said. In a short time, the prisoners were put in the van and the van drove off, leaving Natalie and the Aurors behind.
"And now our end of the exchange." Natalie took out a stack of pizza boxes from the car and gave them to Harry. "But first." She took the top one off and looked at Ron. "Weaselby."
"Steele," Ron replied, giving her a wary look. "What kind of poison did you use?"
"I wouldn't ruin good pizza with poison, even if it was for you," she sniffed. "Here. You have to eat this before you eat the others for what you did last time."
"Hey, I apologized for that," Ron protested but he took the pizza and opened the lid. "What is this anyways?"
"Pineapple, olives, and sardines," Natalie said, giving him a cool smile.
Ron took a slice and with a look of trepidation, bit into it. Under the watchful eyes of the others he slowly chewed and his trepidation became acceptance, and then even appreciation.
"No way," Natalie said, eyes wide.
"Hey, don't knock it till you try it," he said, chewing happily. "Want a piece?"
"No thank you," she said with an expression of disgust and admiration. "Enjoy it."
"I am, thanks!" Ron walked off, munching with gusto.
"He's a monster," Natalie said, looking at Harry.
Harry passed the pizzas to the others with a grin. "He just really appreciates food of all kinds. Thanks again, by the way."
"Thanks for bringing them to us and I'll ask around about the drugs and see if I can find any ties between them and anyone on my side." She saluted him again. "See you later Captain."
"Chief Inspector," Harry said, saluting her back. He waved as she got back into her car and drove away.
"I don't know, I might have to agree with Ron on this," Susan said, standing beside Harry and eating a slice of pizza.
"You like the pineapple and olives and sardines?" Harry asked.
"Merlin no, that looks vile," Susan shuddered. "I mean she might like you."
"I should hope so, we've worked on a lot together," Harry said, walking into the building.
"You know what I mean," Susan said, catching up to him. "She looks at you a certain way, treats you with a different sort of respect."
"You guys really need to find a hobby or something," Harry said, shaking his head. "My private life is not as entertaining as you lot make it seem."
"But it could be," Susan smiled.
"You could also be doing an audit on case files and cleaning the evidence room without magic," Harry countered.
"That's abuse of position!"
"I know!"
-0-
Hermione smiled as the door to Grimmauld opened and she heard a very familiar sound in the air. It always reminded her of pleasant times, and unpleasant ones truth be told, but the former vastly outweighed the latter. "Thank you, Kreacher," she said as she entered the house. She hung up her coat and walked in eagerly. "Boys," she greeted with a warm smile.
"Hi Hermione," Harry said, returning the smile.
"Hey," Ron said, grinning back before scowling at Harry. "But you have to agree with me on this."
"I really don't," Harry countered. "I don't have to agree with you on this at all. In fact, I very much disagree with you on many things. Also, please don't tell me we're arguing about this tonight."
"We can argue about the other thing," Ron replied.
"I don't want to argue about either things! Plus it's not fair to Hermione!"
"It's not," Hermione agreed. She sat on the couch and made herself comfortable. "So tell me what two things we're arguing about and I'll weigh in on one or the other. Or both, depending on my interest."
"Looks like I need this sooner," Harry said, reaching out for a decanter full of amber liquid.
"Not until after dinner," Kreacher said, popping in and taking it and then popping away.
"I'm going to decorate his room," Harry growled while Ron and Hermione laughed. "Sparing no expense."
"So, what's going on?" Hermione asked.
Ron snorted when Harry threw him a rude hand gesture. "First, he refuses to believe Steele is sweet on him. Susan agreed with me."
"Oh really?" Hermione asked, smiling and looking very interested.
"Yeah! She's nice to him and saluted him."
"She's a professional!" Harry protested.
"Yeah but she only salutes when she has to if she doesn't respect or like the person! And if she has to, she does it all sharp-like. One of the officers that came with her today was surprised to see her salute you and be sincere about it."
"Okay so she respects me and it's mutual, what of it?" Harry asked.
"Respects and likes, I said," Ron sniffed.
"I blame you for this," Harry sighed.
"Me? Why me?" Hermione asked, giving him a look.
"You got him into romance novels and now he's messing about with my private life like some kind of Victorian-era match-maker," Harry said. He dodged when Ron threw a couch pillow at him. "I've seen you read them on breaks."
"Some are good reading," Ron sniffed.
"And how is it my fault that he reads them?" Hermione asked, pink-cheeked. She sighed at Harry's knowing look and also threw a pillow that he also neatly dodged.
"What do you think?" Ron asked.
"Seeing how I haven't seen them interact, I can't say for sure," Hermione said reasonably. "But seeing how embarrassed Harry is right now, not to mention defensive, there's probably a bit of truth to it," she added unreasonably.
"New rule, you two have to have much more active private lives before mucking about in mine," Harry said.
"Mine is very active," Ron said.
"Mine is less active by choice," Hermione said.
"Which is perfectly fine and-hey wait. Mine is less active by choice just like yours. Why am I getting the business?" Harry asked indignantly.
"I've learned not to comment on Hermione's," Ron said. "Leaving you as the only one I can comment on. Bill's happily married, as is George. Ginny's with Nev and Charlie's well Charlie."
"Go pick on some of your other friends then," Harry said, glaring at him.
"I do that too, you just don't see or hear it," Ron retorted.
"So that's your whole basis then? Because she's allegedly nicer to me and salutes me? Not much of a foundation for fondness," Harry sighed.
"And she brought you pizza," Ron said triumphantly.
"She brought all of us pizza. By that metric, she likes you more because she brought a pizza just for you."
"She was trying to poison me!" Ron said.
Hermione laughed uproariously. "Was she really?"
"She ordered a pizza with pineapple, olives, and sardines," Harry grinned.
"Oh that sounds vile," Hermione smiled.
"It actually tasted pretty good," Ron said.
"I thought she was trying to poison you," Hermione laughed.
"Not my fault she's bad at it," Ron said.
"Mate, trust me, if she wanted to poison you, you would've needed that bezoar," Harry said.
"Does Master Harry and others wish to eat at the main table or the kitchen table?" Kreacher asked, returning to the room.
"Kitchen table is fine, thank you," Harry said and the others nodded in agreement. They went to the kitchen together and sat at the long table. Harry looked down at a long burn mark and a spot where a knife had deeply embedded itself into the surface with fondness before his thoughts returned to the present. Beef stew, bread, and salad were arranged on the table with butter beer and wine and Kreacher took his leave.
"Okay, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Susan," Harry said, pointing a slice of bread at Ron. "Don't be surprised if you're assigned a lot of training shifts and cleaning duties if you keep making up things about my private life."
"Abuse of position!" Ron shouted.
"I know!" Harry shouted back.
Hermione smiled as she ate. "Okay, that's enough," she giggled. "We've beaten the point home enough today."
"For more than today," Harry grumbled.
"So what's the other point of argument?" Hermione asked.
"Ron's still upset about the Elder Wand thing," Harry said shortly.
"I'm not upset about it," Ron said, "I'm mildly vexed that I am not one of the trusted individuals about it."
"You know what, keep reading those books. Your vocabulary really has improved because of them," Harry said and the men glared at each other.
"Hermione, back me up on this," Ron said.
She chewed thoughtfully. "I'm not upset nor mildly vexed at all." She returned Ron's look. "I'm not! Harry trusts us and we're best friends. It's natural for some people to not tell everyone everything of course." She sighed as Ron continued to stare at her. "I mean I am very nosy about the people I love and it comes from a place of genuine care and a genuine desire to know everything. Why are you bringing this up now again? I thought you came to terms with it for a while now."
"Because of what Dumbledore's portrait said," Harry said as he ate. "After we found…after we found McGonaMum."
"Oh." There was a small pause of silence between them before Hermione cleared her throat softly. "So his portrait said that?"
"Said there was a person who met with her a few days prior to her passing," Harry said. "Said the person was asking about the Elder Wand."
"What did the other portraits say?" Hermione asked.
"All of them, including Dumbledore's, are still a bit off," Harry said. "Whatever happened to them is still affecting them. But the ones that can talk agree that there was a visitor, but some are getting them mixed up with other occasions. And no one can remember what they were talking about."
"Unreliable witnesses," Ron sighed. "Which testimonies from portraits have always been circumspect sometimes, depending on the painting."
Hermione frowned. "Still, not something you can ignore."
"No, it isn't," Harry agreed.
"Which is why I've been asking him to check on it and he hasn't," Ron added snidely.
"I've been waiting for the caretaker to return and only just got their message today," Harry sighed. "We'll go see them tomorrow."
"Us too?" Ron brightened.
"Yes, the both of you," Harry said. "If it will get you to shut up about it once and for all."
"No promises," Ron promised.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "It'll be good for you two to know. I trust you both and if something happens to me," he gave them a look as they both opened their mouths, "if something happens to me, then at least you two will know about it."
"Fair enough," Ron said. He refilled their wine glasses. "You've been upkeeping your consulting license, right?"
"Yes," Hermione smiled. "Thank you."
"Good because I'd feel bad arresting you for listening in on official work," Ron added pleasantly.
"In your dreams," she scoffed.
"Susan's in them now," Harry said, smiling down at his food.
"Oh back together are you?" Hermione asked with a big smile.
"No, and shut up you ass," Ron said, throwing a crust at Harry who caught it easily.
"Master Harry, someone wishes to speak to you through the private Floo." Kreacher appeared and looked more irritated than usual. "He says it is urgent and refuses to let you eat dinner with your guests."
"Who is it?" Harry asked, rising to his feet and wiping his mouth clean.
"A Frenchman," Kreacher scowled. "Says he is your opposite in Paris."
"Oh, better go take it then," Harry said. "Be right back." He left the kitchen and walked to his office. "Bonsoir, Capitaine Sauveterre," he said, smiling at the head floating in the small communications Floo he had there.
The dark-eyed man smiled back. "Bonsoir, Capitaine Potter," he replied warmly. "I apologize for disturbing your dinner."
"No problem, you wouldn't call me here if it wasn't something important," Harry said easily. "How are Elodie and Francoise?"
"Doing very well, thank you for asking," Sauveterre said happily. "They wish to know when you will visit again."
"I'm sure we can set up something soon," Harry said.
"Good!" Sauveterre's merriment faded and he turned serious. "Again, I thought about waiting until tomorrow but I thought you would want to know this now." He took a deep breath. "I heard rumors of a large gathering of mercenaries outside of the country, a group of them with unsavory reputations. Ones who fight for money and not for causes. I then saw signs of them moving through France and investigated. We confronted a group of them to the north, in Normandy. A fight broke out and we captured the majority of them."
He looked at Harry directly. "They were moving through France to go to Britain. They have admitted that. They are following a man who leads them."
"Yaxley," Harry said, leaning forward.
"Yes," Sauveterre said. "Unfortunately he was not among them but they said he had already crossed the channel. With more than a few others. We stopped this group from crossing illegally but there are ones who already did and perhaps some who are travelling legally."
Harry said nothing, staring into the fire. Finally he composed himself and smiled at the French captain. "Thanks for letting me know."
"Of course my friend. If you wish, I can send over a team to aid you. There are many who would come fight with and for you. It may take me some time to arrange matters, but it can be done."
Harry hesitated for a moment. "I appreciate the offer. Let me talk to my superiors but I think we'll handle it from here. Yaxley is one of ours after all. You already did so much in letting us know and stopping that group."
"We wanted a few of them anyway, so it was legitimately our pleasure." Sauveterre sighed. "Just as well. Doing things properly for international action is always difficult. But I will go ahead and start the process and we will be watching our borders closely and if anything else comes up, I will contact you."
"Thank you," Harry said. "I really appreciate it."
"I would tell you to be careful, but I have a feeling it is Yaxley and his fellows that should be," Sauveterre said with a slight smile.
"He already has chosen not to be careful by coming back. I'm going to end it properly this time," Harry said, his expression cold and hungry.
"Very good. I wish you good luck and him all the bad luck," Sauveterre with a knowing expression. "And if you need us, call and we will come with wand and blade, my friend."
"Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite," Harry intoned seriously, hand to his heart.
"For Home and Country, Forever Enduring," Sauveterre said with equal weight. He nodded and then disappeared, the Floo fire dying to nothing.
Harry sat and looked at the empty hearth for a moment before penning a quick letter and sending it to the Ministry. He then slowly left his office, returning to the kitchen. When he appeared, Ron and Hermione looked up and saw his expression. "What's wrong?" Ron said.
"That was Captain Sauveterre. Yaxley went through France and crossed illegally back into Britain," Harry said. "With mercs."
"Came home, did he?" Ron said with a cold smile. "Let's roll out the welcome mat and show him how we've changed."
"Already informed headquarters," Harry said with an equally cold smile.
Hermione looked at them. "Do be careful you two," she said softly.
"Don't worry, Ron's got my back," Harry said with a reassuring smile, hugging her tightly.
"Damn straight, and you've got mine," Ron said, hugging Hermione too.
Despite the news, despite the events of the last few days, the warmth between them did not fade and they continued to eat and chat with each other without obvious worry.
-0-0-0-
odonnellzoo99 - I figured that potions being part of Muggle smuggling would be very valuable and be worth the risk to organized crime like you've pointed out. Mundane to normal magicals is still very magical to Muggles.
alix33 - Claymores are very big.
poka - She is one of my favorite characters and will miss the actress very much too. I wanted to honor her properly in both respects. I'm trying to introduce a lot of build up that feels natural for the setting. Spoilers, Saltina's presence and name will eventually be made clear in time.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Pretty much. It's part of his job this time. Saltina is one of those people that love challenge and invite more of it. Thanks for reading.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Nothing less than the best for McGonagall I'd say. Can't really answer that question but you'll know the answer by the end.