A/N: This story takes place 8 years after the epilogue and will contain slash.

Character ages :

Harry Potter: 44

James Sirius Potter: 21

Albus Severus Potter: 19

Lily Luna Potter: 17

Jessy Crenshaw (male OC): 21

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December 23rd , 2024

Muggle London, Steve's pub

23:54

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Late nights like this one seemed to be getting a common occurrence in Jessy's life. Six nights a week he was stuck at his uncle's rundown pub distributing drinks for all sorts of lowlifes and punks. But he and his dad needed money and he wouldn't earn any by sitting at home studying all day long for his exams. He couldn't afford to be bothered by lack of sleep, drunken flirting or occasional hand on his ass. However, he knew he shouldn't complain much. In a way he had it easy- it was his uncle's pub and he always had someone watching his back.

He was just about to take another beer to the gentleman in the corner who gave him chills when a hand clamped around his well defined bicep. The grip was gentle though so he didn't even bother to turn around and confirm the identity of the man behind him. He recognized Uncle Steve's voice when the man whispered in his ear.

"Let me take that one. Go give your dad a call."

Jessy looked to the dark corner one more time. The man there was scowling at them. When he turned he was met with his uncle's determined face. He recognized hidden concern in his eyes so he passed the tray over to him with a single nod. He made his way to the backroom, his mind still on that imposing customer his uncle seemed to be worried about.

Uncle Steve's protectiveness was very close to his dad's and with his dad being a single parent and a cop on top of that -that was saying something. If he didn't like the looks customers were sending his nephew, Uncle Steve would rather tend to them himself. Jessy knew that it probably saved them countless embarrassments and drunken fights so he didn't complain.

The only ones Jessy felt somewhat comfortable with were the regulars, and even with them there have been a few awkward moments… like when they started groping him. It was usually at times like these his Uncle would gently insinuate they should go home.

Closing the door of the back room behind him, Jessy pulled out his cell and dialed his home number. A strong voice answered on the first ring.

"Jess?"

"Hi, dad. You're still up?"

"Couldn't sleep yet. I'm sorting through some papers."

By papers Jessy knew he meant bills.

"I thought you might be up. Uncle Steve took over for a while."

His response was followed by short silence from the other end followed by a softly spoken question. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just tired I guess. There's this guy that gives me the creeps, but Uncle Steve said he'd take his order."

"I'm sure Steve wouldn't mind letting you off for tonight. You don't sound too great?"

"I told you, Dad, I'm fine. Besides, Steve could have a real waiter for money he pays me. The least I could do is help him out at nights like this."

"If you're sure…"

"I am. You should probably get some sleep yourself. You've got to be early for work tomorrow."

There was a half hearted laugh from the other end. "Who's a parent here Jess? And if that brother of mine doesn't bring you home by 2:30 I'm coming over there and dragging you home myself. Got it?"

"Sure, dad. See you in a morning." Jessy answered with a laugh.

He walked back to the pub. Cigarette smoke burned his eyes instantly. He squinted and waited for his eyes to adjust to his surroundings. There was music playing from the jukebox that clearly suggested someone's bad taste and melancholic mood. People were laughing in the background and a few were shouting their stories to whoever would listen.

Before Jessy could react, a man sitting on a bar stool in front of him was pushed over the bar… by someone. Except there was nobody there. Jessy bent to help him as other men at the bar laughed at the confused drunk on the floor and blew catcalls, probably at the sight of Jessy's rear as he bent, Jessy really didn't care anymore. The only thing that crossed his mind was that Steve is going to be pissed when he sees the broken glasses that followed the man to the floor.

Resigned to his fate, he led the drunken man around the bar back to his seat when his uncle's raised voice draw his attention back to that murky corner. They really needed to put a light in there.

The man in there stood up and was glaring at his Uncle who turned and walked back towards the bar, his face contorted in anger.

"Jessy, call the police!"

People around them were still oblivious to any trouble, immersed in their drinks or discussions. Jessy was just pulling his cell out of the pocket when his uncle's scream penetrated the noise around them. The racket stopped and the only thing that could be heard for a few moments was that awful song in the background and a few incoherent drunks babbling. Jessy watched as his uncle fell to his knees, a large dark stain spreading on the front of his white shirt clearly visible even in the dim light.

A moment later there was panic all over the pub. People yelled and scrambled for the exit. Jessy's eyes snapped to the corner, but the man wasn't there anymore. He ran through the crowd to his uncle and was just in time to catch his limp body as it fell to the floor.

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December 23rd , 2024

London, Steve's pub

02:36

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Auror Potter apparated to the secluded corner of the street, his breath fogging up his glasses in cold December night. It was one of those dark shady places… or at least it would have been dark if it wasn't for muggle ambulance and police car rotation lights illuminating the area. Yellow tape surrounded the crime scene and muggle scene of crime officers were sweeping the place for evidence.

He raised the tape, flashed a muggle version of his credentials to the officer who stopped him and was glad to see two MLE officers kneeling in the mud near the entrance to the pub the murder took place in. He was in even better mood when he recognized one of them.

"Hey, Ron!"

This got the man's attention and he strode casually to greet him.

"Hey, Harry. They woke you up too, I see."

"Nope. I was up with James and Al preparing a room for Lily. "

They walked to the entrance of the pub.

"So she decided to stay with you? I thought out of all three of them, at least Lily would prefer Ginny's company."

"Ginny's she would. But Ginny's never home anymore and I take it she wouldn't enjoy staying alone with Dean. Would be too awkward, I suppose..."

The dim light and stuffy air assaulted them as soon as they entered. Harry noticed two things. The first was how cheap this place looked. These things always happen at such places. The second was a pool of blood in the middle of the room.

"I know Ginny lives for quidditch, but I hoped she'd give up that coaching job when Lily asked to stay with her." Ron stated.

"Well, I am glad she didn't. I prefer having them all stay with me than with Dean… So, what do we have?"

Ron smiled but went back to the job at hand.

"The owner of the bar, Steven Crenshaw, bled to death in the middle of the room full of drunken muggles. The guy's nephew, who also appears to be a waiter here, rushed to help him but he was too late. Other than him, there seems to be no witnesses. "

"Wait a minute. You said the pub was full?" he looked around the room picturing how it looked at the time of murder.

"Yeah. All those who were sober enough to stand fled the place before cops showed up. Muggles couldn't get anything useful out of those who stayed."

"And this kid you mentioned?" Harry kneeled right in front of the blood puddle and waved his wand in quick successions.

"He's pretty shaken by everything that happened. Cops are still asking him some questions. I thought it might be better if we let them question him first."

Harry nodded and stood up. His wand was spinning on his hand as he moved through the room looking for magical residue. Moments later, when he was in front of the bar, his wand stopped spinning.

"Did you pinpoint any other spots spell could be performed from?"

"That corner over there. We missed the one you just found actually." he shrugged sheepishly.

Harry nodded but his eyes were on the far corner of the room.

"So what do you think?"

"Some old grudge, maybe? You don't get stuck in this dump by playing nice with people. Or it might be an unsatisfied customer; Merlin knows I'd be if I had to come here."

"Perhaps. The victim was a wizard?"

"No. Muggle. Which makes this even more complicated. Our witness is also a muggle. He is pretty confused by what he saw."

Harry nodded, deep in thought.

"How do you think Lily would react to your…um…late night adventures?"

Harry winced at the way Ron worded that, making him seem like a whore or worse. "I'm a grown, single man, Ron. If Lily doesn't like me going out or dating again she could stay with Ginny any time. Or she could get a place of her own, she turned 17 last month." Ron's eyebrows reached his hairline, "I love my daughter Ron, but if she can't accept me for who I really am…"

Harry walked around the room, Ron following close behind.

"There are two locations magic was performed at and they are at the opposite sides of room." Harry contemplated.

"So, either our killer was really busy or he had an accomplice."

"Did you arrive in time to see the body?" Harry turned to face him.

"No, muggles took it away to their morgue before we were even informed. They said it was like this guy was cut open with a sword, so I'm guessing it was diffindo."

"Do we have a trace on the wand that was involved?"

"Not registered." Ron looked at him with something akin to worry "Harry, Lily wouldn't mind that you're dating men, you know. James and Al never did."

"James and Al don't know, Ron. I never told them. And I don't plan on telling Lily."

Ron stopped in his tracks. "What!? But you said you'd talk to them… Harry they deserve to know why their parents divorced! You said…"

"Ginny and I divorced because we simply didn't love each other anymore, Ron. Not the way we used to, at least. She found Dean and I'm still looking for someone myself, does it matter if I prefer it to be a man?"

Harry walked outside right in time to see one person he hoped to avoid tonight.

"Auror Potter. Who did you piss off to end up here at this time of night?"

"Professor Snape, when he couldn't fail me in potions and had to let me become an Auror, Officer Sloper, unlike you. Is there a reason you are holding me up?"

MLE officer glared at his former quidditch captain with loathing. Ron knew the idiot wouldn't act on his anger when Harry was so official and sniggered from behind his friend.

"Muggle detective is done with a kid. Are you going to need help questioning him or should we do it ourselves, Auror?" Sloper sneered.

"I'll rather do it on my own. Ron, we never made photos of the body, right?"

"No, muggles did, though."

"Then shouldn't one of your officers introduce them to all the merits of sharing? It's nearly Christmas after all."

Harry could see that Ron caught on to his insinuation as soon as the words left his mouth. No wonder they've always been a good team.

"Hey, Jack, you felt so eager to offer Harry assistance, so I guess you are into that Christmas spirit already. Why don't you go pass it on to our muggle colleagues? "

"Yes, sir." Sloper growled and left without another glance at them.

Harry was already looking for the boy he should get some answers from but came up short. He settled for following his mate who was still relishing the expression on Sloper's face.

Ron finally stopped, nodded in the direction of their witness sitting at the back of an ambulance and made his way back to the crime scene. And whatever Harry expected to see this young man was not it.

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A/N Please leave a comment or perhaps some nice suggestions. I appreciate criticism. Thanks for reading and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the story.

Yalia