I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Hello everyone, hope all are doing well.

Welcome to the beginning of my newest story. This has been completely finished before today and will be updated at least once a week. There are 17 chapters so I think it's a good length for a contained story.

I'm trying some new things here. I played a little with mystery in His Last Curse, but this is a longer and hopefully a good mystery story. This was inspired by a post I saw a long time ago where they were talking about the traditional Harry Potter title conventions and how they related to the story. That thought never left my mind and after I finished The Family that Heals, I started this story. I enjoyed writing it, there were some fun milestones that I thought would be fun. I am trying some new and different things in this story that I haven't done much with before. There will be some elements I like of course, but some new ones too.

I hope you all enjoy. As always, thank you for your time and attention. I'm grateful for you joining me in my writing journey. All my best to each and every one of you. I know things are difficult for many different reasons, but I'm glad you found your way here and I hope you can enjoy your time while you are here. We're all in this together, and united through our love and enjoyment of a setting that can still inspire, that can still soothe, that can still comfort us as much as we can for each other.

As always, thank you for being a part of my fanfiction family.

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Harry Potter and the Stone's Heart

Chapter 1 – An Explosive Entrance

He looked like he did not have a single worry in the world.

The man embodied nondescript. Short brown hair, eyes that were almost empty in the sense that they did not hide anything and nothing seemed to be going on behind them. He wore plain clothes that were clean and well-worn. His gait was unhurried or unbothered and he walked down the sidewalk with a whistle on his lips and a large bag in his hand.

He walked on, looking about with interest at his surroundings. His path took him down an industrial district of the city, where warehouses and large buildings lined the streets. He finally stopped at a door to the large building, just shy of being truly filthy among the general debris and detritus that littered the ground and the surroundings. After checking the address against a slip of paper he held, he knocked on the door, a cheery sound that felt slightly out of place.

A piece of the door opened, an eye slit, revealing a pair of distrustful eyes. "Yeah?" The voice was as suspicious as the eyes.

"Delivery!" the former man said cheerily, smiling blandly and holding up the bag. He blinked as the eye slit was closed and the door opened. The other man was dressed in dark clothes and wore a frown like he did the sloped hat on his head. He jerked his head and the first man entered the building willingly. He blinked once more as he noticed more men sitting in the entryway, all looking at him with evident suspicion. "Afternoon gents," he greeted genially and got grunts and scowls in reply.

"Finally, I'm starving," another man said and took the bag of food with ill-grace.

"Say, wicked tattoo," the delivery man said, noticing a spider on the other man's neck. He looked intrigued as it crawled up and down the webbing that was also tattooed on the man's neck and jaw. The purple and green inked spider crawled along the black webbing. "Looks real."

"Cost a lot," the man said, sneering but looking proud at the same time.

"I bet," the delivery man said. He waited for the first man to count out the coins and took them, tucking them into a pocket. "Thanks for the business. Let us know if you want anything else." He smiled pleasantly at the others and left the building, whistling as soon as he started walking down the sidewalk once more. After walking several blocks away from the building, he took a sharp turn, no longer following the path that he originally took to get there. He weaved his way through an alley and came up to another dingy door.

Before he could knock, a whisper came out from behind him. "Thunder?"

"Cannon," the man replied without hesitation. He turned and stared into the empty space within a small alcove in the adjacent building. "Keep telling you to not use that cologne on stake outs. Doesn't suit you, first of all, and second of all you stand out in a place like this with it."

There was a flicker of movement and the space rippled, revealing a slightly crestfallen young man standing there wearing robes in muted red with padding around the extremities and chest. "I didn't put on any today," he complained.

"Did you have any on the last time you used your gear?" The man grinned at the other man's flush. "Gotta think about that sort of thing, Fellows."

"Yes, Lieutenant," the young man said sheepishly.

"You'll get there," the Lieutenant said encouragingly. "You know, eventually." He smiled as the other man sighed and the door opened. He walked in, nodding to another who was standing guard within the building. More people milled about, wearing similar uniforms and outfits. Some tucked things into pouches and pockets, others cleaned up the space and kept it tidy, and more stood at the ready. The Lieutenant nodded to others as he passed, trading a word and a joke and laugh here and there. He finally reached the center of the room where tables covered in equipment and files and a large floating blackboard hung in the air. It was covered in pictures and pins and papers and parchments, showing considerable work and effort.

"Confirmed," the Lieutenant said without preamble. "Didn't see anything inside really, they weren't sloppy enough to leave things lying about. But I visually identified a few of them and we definitely have Peters there."

"Really?" A woman asked, looking at him with interest.

He nodded. "Really. Got close enough to see his creepy arse face and his creepy arse spider tattoo that made his face creepier and arsier." That made the waiting people standing there snort and smile but they stood taller, at the ready.

"What's the word, Captain?" the woman asked, turning to a man that was facing the board.

"Execute." The man turned to face the others. He had short black hair that was artfully mussy and emerald-green eyes that looked both energetic and slightly weary, as if they had seen too much in his years. He smiled as the others clapped and let out low cheers. "Containment Team, you are free to act. Lock the area down and establish the perimeter with the usual spells. First Team and Alpha Hit Squad, final checks and form up. Second Team, you will be on rapid response. Let's go, people."

"Yes Sir," everyone in the building said crisply and moved with energy and purpose.

Harry Potter, a Captain of the British Auror Corps, smiled as he watched everyone get to work. The mentioned teams separated and went about their duties. He knew he did not have to watch them perform, he trusted them. He had been a part of the Corps for years now, a Captain for the last five, and was familiar with the majority of the ones on the operation. He watched with approval as individuals checked each other's gear and looked at the Lieutenant who began tugging on the harness that he wore over his robes. "Was it really that bad?"

Ronald Weasley, also known as Ron, grimaced as he checked the straps on Harry's battle harness. "I already don't like spiders but yeah, it was really bad. Thing just kept moving up and down his neck and jaw." He shuddered. "Why do people get stuff like that?"

"Not everyone looks as good in dragons," Harry smiled.

"I still think the one Charlie has is dorky," Ron snorted.

"You're just jealous."

"Of Charlie? Never," Ron laughed. He nodded when he finished checking Harry's gear and stood still as Harry did the same for him. "Hey, watch it," he complained when Harry took the wig off his head, revealing bright red hair.

"Why go for a wig?" one of the other Aurors asked. "Charms are more convincing."

"Glad you asked. When you look at me, what's the first thing you notice?" Ron asked, striking what he thought was a very heroic pose, chest out and hands on his hips, a wide smile on his face.

"Your big nose?" Susan Bones asked mildly.

"Hey, it's not big," Ron said, giving her a look.

"How tall and lanky you are?" another Auror offered with a grin.

"Lanky?! I'm wiry, thank you!" Ron protested.

"His red hair," Harry said, grinning.

"Thank you, Harry. Yes, my glorious red hair. When people see me, that's the first thing they notice. So I cover it up, and people seem to have trouble placing me despite my perfectly normal sized nose and stature. And the reason I use a wig is because it's not magic. When you use a charm, there's a chance someone sensitive enough can feel the difference. Changing it via potion takes time and has its own traces too. And since most magicals don't think anything of Muggle means, a quick wig coverup and most people don't notice me at all," Ron beamed.

"It works too, more often than not," Harry said, finishing checking Ron's gear.

"Wow, that makes sense and it's smart," the first Auror said respectfully.

"Don't tell him that," Susan snorted.

"Jealousy's an ugly look for a junior officer," Ron sniffed.

"We're the same rank!"

"I was promoted before you so I have seniority!"

"By like 5 minutes and I still don't understand how you got promoted before me! Bones comes before Weasley!"

"You don't have to go about announcing that, it's obvious," Ron said, walking past her.

"They dated briefly, if you couldn't tell," Harry said as the others looked at him, smiling with amusement as Ron walked off and Susan followed, the two of them hissing at each other. "Amicable enough break up but they like to needle each other as you see." He held his left wrist to his ear. A tiny mirror, sewn into the cuff of his uniform, vibrated slightly. "Status?"

"Containment Team ready," a voice said from the mirror. "Anti-apparition charms are set and trip and alarm spells are set. The perimeter is established too. Have the anti-muggle charms done and nothing is getting past without us knowing, in or out."

"Good job. Second Team, ready?" Harry nodded as the team said they were. "Good. Right, First Team, Alpha, let's go." He and the others left the operating base and walked swiftly down the street, fanning out slightly and looking about. They assembled at the door where Ron had delivered the food earlier, taking positions. Harry did a visual check and nodded with approval.

"Can I do the announcing thing?" Ron asked, smiling but looking professional.

Harry made a sweeping gesture with one hand. "Go right ahead Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Captain!" Ron cleared his throat and tapped it with his wand. "Criminals within!" His voice was magically magnified and he pitched it forward, speaking clearly and authoritatively. "This is the Auror Corps! You are being charged with smuggling and smuggling related crimes and it's in your best interest to surrender. You have three seconds to surrender. Five!"

A window on the second floor of the building shattered and a form jumped out of it to escape. A member of the Alpha Hit Squad hit the jumping person with a Banishing Charm and they flew back into the building with a yell.

"Four!" Ron continued to count. He watched as Harry stood in front of the door and aimed his wand at it. The others widened their stances and held their wands at the ready. "Three!"

Harry drew a circle with his wand and stabbed forward with his whole arm. His magic carved a hole surrounding the door and the wall around and above it, punching a hole through the concrete easily and neatly. The stab then sent the wall and attached stone flying into the building and screams and shouts were heard. Some were standing ready on the other side and were flattened by the flying portal and others dove out of the way.

Ron stopped counting and flicked his wand. The bag that he brought the food in was sitting on one of the tables and it exploded, sending a wave of light through the interior of the building, shocking the people within and blinding more than a few. He and the others followed Harry who had run straight into the open hole he carved through the wall. Shouts from both sides filled the air as light and magic followed soon after.

Harry blocked a spell about to hit Susan and threw his arm up, sending a smuggler flying into the air with a shriek. The man hit the roof and started to fall but was caught by a Hit Wizard who stunned him in mid air and then lowered him slightly more gently to the ground. Susan incanted swiftly and slashed low. A patch of the floor turned into thick mud, sending a few running smugglers stumbling and they fell into the thick muck, losing balance. She waved her wand again and the mud turned back into concrete, trapping the smugglers in awkward positions.

A loud roar filled the air and an immense ball of fire came flying at the Auror and Hit-Magicals. It was shaped like a skull and it screamed as it flew at them. "Aguamenti!" Ron sent a torrent of water at it and half of the flaming skull melted clean away, knocking it off course and it splashed against the far wall harmlessly while the others scattered. A Hit Witch stunned the caster from the side, knocking him out of the fight.

An ominous rumble filled the air and large crates that were piled high as well as very tall metal shelves began to shake and shiver, collapsing down to the floor and raining boxes and things on the people below. "Stabilize them!" Harry ordered and First Team responded. Led by Susan, they caught falling objects and things and shored up the heaving racks while others softened the ground and covered each other.

An explosion rocked the building and sent some people falling to the ground. A jagged hole appeared on the other side of the building and through the smoke, some forms were running to the impromptu exit. Harry took a few running steps then apparated with a loud crack, appearing right at the site of the explosion still in mid stride. He drew a symbol with his wand and flicked it and thick webbing flew out of the wand tip, sealing the hole. He then turned and aimed at the remaining runners and they fell to the floor or to the wall, pinned by webs as well.

"Did he just apparate? I thought there were anti-apparition charms down," a Hit Wizard gasped.

"That's Captain Potter for you," Ron said proudly. "Casually doing shit others can't."

"All Teams sound off," Harry said, looking around and seeing that things had settled somewhat. He held his wrist up. "Report."

"No Muggles anywhere near the perimeter, and nothing got in or out," the Containment Team leader said.

"No one escaped the building," the Second Team leader said. "And nothing broke through the spells, save for you of course."

"Just a few minor injuries," Susan said, checking out First Team and Alpha. "Couple broken bones, a few lacerations, nothing major. And all targets are subdued and looks like no casualties there either."

"Good job everyone!" Harry said and the others cheered. "All Teams come in. Medics, patch people up please, us first. Alpha, you and First Team take the suspects back for processing. Second Team, Containment Team, let's start cataloging things and call in the Clean-up Crew to help set things right and take evidence back to HQ."

"Have I mentioned how much I hate that you came up with the Webbing Spell?" Ron asked as he walked up to Harry.

"A few times," Harry smiled. "It's a good one though. See? Blocked the exit and trapped the runners."

"I know it's useful, it's still creepy and I hate it," Ron sniffed. He grinned at the tattooed man struggling feebly in the thick webs. "Something poetic about a bloke with a spider tattoo being caught in a web though."

Peters stopped and tried to look at Ron. "Wait. I recognize your voice."

"No you don't," Ron said and walked away, leaving a grinning Harry. Harry helped clear the webs and secure the prisoners and watched as First Team and Alpha left with them with Susan in command. By then, the other two teams had begun organizing what they found in the building and the Clean-up Crew appeared to help do repairs and to put things right while eliminating traces of magic from the area.

After seeing the suspects being taken away, Harry helped clean up the operating base and walked back to the smuggling building. He walked over to Ron who had waved at him. "What do you got?"

"Well we got a lot of gold," Ron said, showing Harry piles of gold that they were collecting into bags that contained a flat amount for easier counting. "We found crates of potion ingredients and some are on the illegal and controlled trade list."

"Of course," Harry said, nodding.

"We also found what we were looking for." Ron held up a clear vial and shook it slightly. The contents within were clear until he shook it and the fluid moved languidly. "Lots of Slow-Go."

Harry nodded again. "Good. I mean, the gold and the potion ingredients were enough for the raid but it's good the informant was right about the primary target. Was it as much as we were thinking?"

"More actually," Ron said. "Not quite as much as twice the estimate, but definitely a lot more."

Harry frowned. "That means there's more out there than we originally thought."

"Yeah," Ron said, also frowning. "Hopefully we got a good amount of it though and there's less left."

"Captain?"

Harry turned. "Yes Knight?"

A younger wizard beckoned him over. "You're going to want to see this."

Harry walked over with Ron and they peered into an open crate. "Oh boy," Harry groaned.

"Goblin silver, and lots of it," Ron said. "Is it checked?"

"Yes Sir," Knight said. "No dangerous spells on them and they're real goblin silver. Checked them twice."

Ron reached in and took out a decanter. It was large, capable of holding a lot of liquid, and well-made, shining argent in the light. "So they were smuggling goblin stuff too? They're going to be pissed about that." He flipped it over and looked at the bottom. "Family crest. Commissioned for a family. Say, that looks familiar."

"Parkinson," Harry said, looking at the crest and recognizing it.

"Looks like we can add a few more charges," Ron said. "Smuggling goblin goods, stealing from one of the bigger families because I doubt they parted with this willingly."

"I agree," Harry said. "This got a lot more complicated all of a sudden." He looked at a few more pieces. "Almost all of these have a family crest on them. And the ones that don't look very expensive." He and Ron joined the processing team and they soon had things organized in the middle of the building floor, arranged in neat piles.

"Definitely more than a drug bust," Ron said, looking at the collection of things. "I mean, we knew they were smuggling things, but there's way more of a selection than we thought." He looked at Harry. "What do you want to do?"

"I'm going to report to Robards and the Minister," Harry said after thinking for a moment. "Said I would as soon as the operation was done. You take everything back and get it recorded at HQ. I'll meet you there and I'll take the unmarked and the surrendered items to Gringotts to return them and I'll take the Parkinson stuff too to return those."

"We're not going to hold onto them for a while?" Ron asked.

"We have it recorded and we'll check to see if they're still the legal owners," Harry said. "I don't think they're involved with the smugglers, so I'm hoping a bit of good will gives me some information."

"Fair enough," Ron nodded. "I'll oversee taking the evidence back and getting everything squared away then. And Susan is handling the questioning and interrogation?"

"Yup, should be underway," Harry nodded.

"Alright then. Let's go, people!" Ron said, raising his voice and people began to secure the items for transport. "Sooner we do it, the sooner we finish. I got a date tonight."

"Didn't you have one last night too?" Harry asked, giving his friend an amused look.

"Yeah, and?" Ron asked defensively. "You know, some people have more than one date every couple of months, unlike some people I could mention."

"Mmhmm," Harry grunted, taking one of the lists and going over it, checking the materials listed. "I go on dates."

"Yeah? You know I'll ask Kreacher."

"And you know Kreacher will lie to you. Not to protect me, but because he genuinely likes lying to you."

"Yeah I know," Ron grumbled, making Harry smile more. "Well you should come out with us then, bring one of your alleged many dates along."

"Mate, don't take this the wrong way, but I see you enough," Harry said pleasantly and handed the list off to another Auror. "And I especially don't want to see you when you're on a date. I saw that enough before."

"Don't make it sound like we were dating," Ron said unashamedly. "Because first of all, and don't take this the wrong way, but you're not my type." He grinned at Harry's snort of amusement. "Second of all, you would be so lucky if we did because I'm great at it."

"I'm sure you've gotten better since last I saw you dating," Harry agreed.

"Ha ha. Don't you have a meeting to get to?" Ron asked sarcastically.

"You're right, I do. Thank you for reminding me, Lieutenant," Harry said.

"Any time Captain," Ron replied.

-0-

"Captain Potter, good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Undersecretary," Harry said, nodding professionally before grinning. "How're things?"

Percy Weasley smiled back. "Oh you know, trying to balance government policies and procedures with people who do not always want to work with them. Doing one's best while trying not to go mad in the process. A regular day's work."

"I do know that," Harry said and he and Percy laughed together.

Harry had left the crime scene, leaving it in the capable hands of Ron to finish up, and returned to the Ministry. After checking on the wounded Aurors and Hit Magicals and getting a quick initial situation report from Susan who had interrogations underway, he had gone to the Minister of Magic's office. Percy, the Undersecretary to the Minister, was there and the two friends greeted each other warmly.

"How was the operation?" Percy asked, looking interested and slightly concerned.

"Good," Harry said, smiling at Percy's obvious relief. "Ron had fun and we got what we were hoping for."

"Oh wonderful!"

Harry hesitated for a moment. "And more than what we were hoping for."

"Oh, wonderful." Percy checked a slim metal slate. "The Minister and the Head of the DMLE should be back soon. Tea?"

"Yes please, thank you." Harry relaxed slightly as Percy brewed a pot of tea and as he took the cup from him, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Gawain Robards returned to the office, the Minister of Magic and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement respectively. Kingsley waved genially at Harry. "Ah Harry, good to see you. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No problem. Hello Sir."

"Captain." Gawain returned Harry's salute and the quartet entered Kingsley's office together.

It was an expansive room, well lit and comfortable. The back of the office was a bay of windows, looking out at the rest of the Ministry building. A few bookcases dotted the room, filled with books of history as well as some personal effects that Kingsley brought with him. The men made themselves comfortable around Kingsley's desk and the man also accepted a cup of tea. "Right, go ahead Harry."

Harry put the tea cup down after a sip. "The operation was a success. We managed to capture eight individuals with none escaping. No casualties save for injuries on either side, none life-threatening." He smiled at how happy and pleased Kingsley and Gawain looked. "At least three of the individuals had prior records and we think we got one of the higher ups in the smuggling group, Leonard Peters."

"Oh good, always hated how he managed to eel away so much," Gawain snorted.

"We also secured a substantial amount of Slow-Go. In fact, more than the projected estimate."

"That is a good thing, yes?" Percy asked when he saw Kingsley and Gawain frown.

"Yes and no," Gawain said. "Yes in the sense that more of the drug is taken off the streets and market, but no if we underestimated the amount that was out there to begin with. That means that there is more than we thought, and thus the problem is bigger than we thought."

"So either their production is more robust than we thought, or they're better at hiding it," Kingsley mused.

"Or both," Harry said.

"Or both," the two older men agreed.

"Forgive my ignorance, but what does this drug do exactly?" Percy asked.

"It slows the perception of time and makes you more sensitive to magical effects," Harry said. "Magical lights and sensations will be a lot more extreme to the user and it gives a person a very strong sense of detachment and wonder."

"It slows you down and makes you more useless? Why would anyone want that," Percy asked, shuddering slightly and the others chuckled.

"It does sound like your version of hell," Harry grinned.

"We're still trying to figure out how it's made," Gawain said. "I know the Potions Department here has been testing and experimenting. And I heard the Department of Mysteries is taking a crack at it."

"They must have been interested in it," Percy said, "for them to take notice and to work on it."

"They did after they heard how much trouble the Potions Department were having," Kingsley said. He looked at Harry and sighed. "I know that look. There's more, isn't there?"

"Yes Sir," Harry said.

"When you're formal with me, that's usually a bad thing," Kingsley said wryly, making the others snort a little. "Well, don't hold back. Go ahead."

"They were smuggling large amounts of gold too," Harry said. "The usual potion ingredients and things that are on the illegal substance lists."

"Of course. If you're going through the danger of smuggling, you have to make it profitable enough to take the risk," Gawain said.

"Yes Sir. They also had goblin silver." The other three men looked up at that, suddenly more serious. "Goblin steel too and a large amount of it were marked with family crests." He handed copies of the evidence lists to the others to look at.

"That's not good," Gawain said, looking at the list with worry. "Those are some old names here, and not all of them are gone or had assets seized. And some did have their things seized. Which means these things were hidden originally."

"And none of them would part willingly with their belongings, not without great reason," Percy said, looking up from the list.

"And the unmarked items are just as bad as the marked," Kingsley said. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Really don't need to add this to the plate of things to choke down." He looked at Gawain and Harry. "This just got a lot more complicated than a drug bust and a smuggling ring."

"My feeling too," Gawain said. He looked at Harry. "What are your next steps, Captain?"

"With your permission, I'll take the unmarked goblin items and the ones that are free to return due to lost family claims back to Gringotts. If we return them now without them hearing about them later, and without any strings attached, they'll be less angry about it," Harry said.

"Agreed, and done," Gawain said and Kingsley nodded.

"We can probably hold onto the ones that are part of the detained family assets and I'd like to return the ones to the relieved families," Harry said. "We have the records here and if they get them back, they'll be more likely to help us with information too."

"I think that's a fine plan," Kingsley said. "Robards?"

"I agree. Go ahead," Gawain said with approval. "Are interrogations underway?"

"Yes Sir. Lieutenant Bones is heading them. She's working her way from the bottom to the top and so far they are putting all responsibility on Peters. None of them met the one that hired them and they know that Peters was in contact with the employer and met with them often."

"Sounds about right. I'll head down to the cells and sit in on the one with Peters. We have enough history where I can get him to confess a bit more completely." Gawain looked at Kingsley.

"Sounds good. I know interrogation is one of your favorites," Kingsley chuckled, especially when Gawain grinned hungrily. "Good work, Harry. Thanks for keeping me in the loop."

Harry and Gawain rose to their feet and nodded to Percy and Kingsley before leaving the office. The pair fell into a companionable pace as they walked down the halls of the Ministry to return to the Auror Corps part of the Ministry. "When do you want to go to Gringotts and visit your Society contact?"

"The sooner the better," Harry said. "If you sign off on the writ, I'll go to Gringotts now and then probably my contact tomorrow morning." He handed the paper to Robards who signed it after reading it briefly.

"Good job on the operation," Gawain said. "I can't wait for us to finally have a proper head of the legal side of DMLE and other positions filled so I can get back to actual work."

"Gotta do the boring parts as much as the fun parts," Harry said sympathetically.

"Pretty much," Gawain sighed. "You need anything else on my end?"

"No Sir. But I will let you know if and when I do."

"Good man," Gawain said warmly, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "Right, I'm off to the cells and see if Bones left me something to do."

Harry smiled and walked in the opposite direction, walking into the Auror Corps offices proper. He nodded to the guards standing ready at the entrance and made his way through the large space. The center of the space was mostly desks and tables with small areas sequestered off for junior officers to do their work. The offices that lined the space were for senior officers and a few private meeting rooms. The Head of the Aurors had the biggest office though Gawain spent more time out of it these days due to the sudden gap in the DMLE leadership that he was filling in for, the previous head leaving due to health reasons, leaving them slightly understaffed. One of the other large rooms was the evidence room that they held things from active investigations before moving them to storage.

"How'd it go?" Ron asked, seeing Harry walk up to the evidence room where Ron was finishing cataloging things.

"Good. Kingsley and Robards are equally troubled by how much Slow-Go we found and the goblin things. They gave me permission to return the goblin things and the things belonging to the relieved families. I'm taking the Gringotts stuff now and will head to the Society contact tomorrow."

"Better you than me on both counts," Ron snorted. He took the writ from Harry and filed it and signed out the seized goblin items. He and Harry then packed them into a secured bag for Harry to take. "Right, there you go."

"Thanks Ron."

"You sure you don't want to come out tonight?" Ron asked.

"I thought you said you had a date," Harry said, bemused.

"I do, we can make it a double one. Just bring one of the many you have waiting on you."

Harry snorted. "Right, just snap my fingers and see them come running?"

"You mean you don't do that already?"

Harry snorted again, shaking his head at Ron's easy grin. "You know I don't. Go on and have fun. And remember, if you end up in the civil cells for drunk and disorderly, I'm leaving you in there until the morning, right before your shift."

"Understood Captain," Ron said crisply, giving Harry a regular salute before giving him a ruder salute.

Harry returned both salutes and left the Auror Corps offices. He wore a smile, nodding at passing Ministry officials that greeted him warmly, but his mind was slightly elsewhere as his footsteps echoed down the long hallways.