The sun's rays managed to penetrate through Grimmauld Place's dark curtains and enlightened the bedroom that once belonged to Sirius Black. Even though the man had passed away tragically years ago, the house wasn't completely empty nor lacked an owner. In fact, its new owner slept peacefully on his godfather's bed, snoring softly. HarryPotter, age twenty two, slept as if he had no other concern in this world, which was a lie. The only reason he was sleeping like that, released from the constant and all too familiar nightmares, was his medication that kept them away for a while. The light kept exploring the dark dusty room, climbing over the bed and scratching Harry's young bearded face. He stirred in his sleep and turned his back to the window, not giving the chance to the sunrise lights to disturb his sleep.

Instead, his alarm clock did so by going off.

He groaned as he reached to shut it off. Then he turned on his back, rubbing his eyes. He blinked several times, his emerald green eyes staring at the dark ceiling for a few moments before he threw the sheets away and abandoned the warmth of his bed. He walked over the bathroom wearing nothing but his underwear, exposing his well-built body to no one but Kreacher to see, but the old house-elf was probably too busy preparing breakfast downstairs. Harry walked over the bathroom with a grumble and shut the door behind him. The first thing he noticed was his reflection in the mirror, even if it was still blurry, for he didn't wear his glasses. He came closer to the mirror to see better the image he had already gotten used to.

The auror training and generally his job as one reflected on his body. He wasn't the thin tall boy he once used to be. Now he was taller and more muscular than he had ever been before. However, there was that nasty scar on the left side of his chest, similar to the one he had on his forehead, a "gift" given by the killing curse for the second time. It wasn't his only scar however. He had several others, less major than this one and of course numerous bruises. Also his beard had grown a lot. He needed to shave but he kinda liked it there. He decided to leave it up until he chose otherwise. Sighing, he opened the tap to throw some cold water on his face.

After he finished his business in the bathroom, he returned back to his room to get dressed into his auror uniform, put on his glasses and pull his long hair into a bun. Then he headed downstairs, trying to keep quiet. After all these years, he still hadn't figured out how to get rid of Mrs Black's annoying portrait. Even though no one had triggered her in years, Harry simply didn't want her there. She reminded him of Sirius and so did the house elf, but he couldn't kick Kreacher out. But as long as he didn't have a solution, she stayed.

He headed to the basement and found Kreatcher finishing off his eggs. The house-elf wasn't anything like he used to be. He had changed to the better, reminding of Harry the little period they had spent there him with Ron and Hermione during the Horcrux hunt. When they had accidentally betrayed the location to Yaxley, one of Voldemort's Death Eaters, the house-elf managed to flee away before he was captured, something that Harry praised him a lot for. It was a clever move to return to "Hogwarts". The Death Eaters didn't care about the house-elves that worked there, who wss going to search there? Up to this day, he remained a happy old servant that loved serving his master, even if said master was quite reluctant with this type of slavery, but Harry knew he couldn't free him for various reasons. Besides, he was the only company he had around the dark house.

"Good morning, master," Kreatcher greeted him. "Your eggs are ready."

"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry thanked him as he took a seat. A plate with the eggs appeared in front of him alongside a fork and a knife and Harry immediately digged in. He had almost finished his breakfast when owl croak's came from upstairs. His morning mail.

"Kreacher go and fetch me the mail, please," he asked the house-elf kindly.

"Of course, master." Kreacher bowed before rushing upstairs. He returned momentarily holding the morning paper of the Daily Prophet and a Quibbler. Xenophelius Lovegood had resumed the publishing of his paper once the war was over with the major help of his daughter, Luna. Even though the paper remained as eccentric as its owners, Harry had a monthly subscription and he enjoyed thoroughly their articles that covered most subjects. Sometimes they even had more serious articles about him, tributes about the war and "Hogwarts" in general. It was definitely more enjoyable than the Daily Prophet. The only reason why Harry even bothered was because he needed to be informed about what was going on in the Wizard War and what was said about the Auror Department. The good thing was that Rita Skeeter had remained true to her word and wasn't working for the Prophet.

Harry didn't have enough time to go through the papers so he'd take them with him at the Ministry. He placed them under his armpit, grabbed his briefcase and rushed upstairs to the living room. He carefully went inside the fireplace after he had grabbed some floo powder. He stood still before throwing the powder and shouting: "Ministry of Magic!"

He spiralled into a burst of green flames. He could take glimpses of other fireplaces before he arrived at the correct one at the Ministry. Even after all these years, the Floor Network still rendered him slightly dizzy. He still managed to step out of the fireplace without stumbling and walk over the Atrium where all of the Ministry's fireplaces were located and thus it was inevitable that it was always filled with people. He didn't waste his time there and marched over the elevator, ignoring the fountain and the more simplistic statue the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt had chosen instead of returning back to the old golden statue of the wizard and his company. It was a simple pillar that had a quotation engraved with golden letters:

"Nothing comes without a consequence or cost."

It was a quotation chosen specifically by the Minister himself with which he tried to remind his fellow wizards that they owed their curret freedom to sacrifices that were made in the past and they shouldn't take it for granted. For once, Harry agreed with the message the Ministry was trying to get across.

There was a line of wizards and witches awaiting in front the elevators, something that shouldn't have surprised Harry. It was another typical Monday and everyone was rushing to return back to their business after the weekend. Harry nervously checked on his watch, a gift by Mrs Weasley for his seventeen birthday. During the Battle of Hogwarts it had been broken but Harry had managed to repair it. He wouldn't want to throw it away at any cost. Now he was certain he was going to be late but what relieved him was the presence of two familiar figures in the line to the elevators.

"Ron, Hermione. Good morning," he said, touching his best friend's shoulder, making him jump.

"Blimey Harry, I didn't see you there!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione rolled her eyes at him before turning to Harry.

"Good morning to you too, Harry," she greeted back with a smile. "Seriously, I hate Mondays. I told you Ron that we should have come a lot earlier!"

"Bloody hell Hermione, according to your logic we should have come by midnight!"

"At least we would have avoided this." Hermione pointed at the line.

Harry smiled. They had known each other for many years, heck they even had dated for so long and yet nothing had really changed in their relationship. He loved them for that.

"Hermione relax. You're not going to get fired because you were late once in your career," Harry attempted to calm her down.

"It's not about getting fired! It's about punctuality and being responsible!" Hermione shushed him.

"Hermione sweetheart, your boss adores you. He wouldn't think you're irresponsible, not even for one moment, especially not if you were late once in a blue moon," It was Ron's attempt to calm her down, which seemed to have an affect as the woman's cheeks were painted a soft red. She mumbled something incoherent before making sense again.

"...what type of example do we set to the new employees?"

"I think you worry a little bit too much. See? Here we are," Harry said. And indeed they had finally reached the elevators. However, overcrowded was an understatement to describe the situation there. They were at least twelve people inside the cab and they could barely move. It took them a while for each to reach their destinations as they literally had to stop at every single floor. Everyone was growing impatient as time flew by. When they reached the fifth level, where the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was hosted, Hermione kissed Ron's cheek, goodbyed Harry and rushed outside. The two friends continued their way downstairs.

"You know what?" Ron confessed. "I don't even mind her rumbling these days. It's always been there. Maybe that's why I love her so much."

Harry smiled genuinely. "I'm glad you guys work out so perfectly."

"Me too. I thought we'd be constantly fighting." Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Turns out it's nothing like that. I mean, we still fight but..."

"But it's normal couple fights." Harry finished his sentence. Honestly, he was so happy that his friends were working out that well.

"Yes! And so you know," Ron dropped his voice into a whisper. "It keeps the sex spicy."

Harry couldn't contain a laugh. "I really don't wanna know about that, Ron."

Ron laughed as well. "I don't want you to know either now that I think of it. But lemme tell you, angry and make-up sex are-"

"I think I had enough of your sex life, Ron." Harry interrupted him.

"Yep, because yours is practically dead," Ron pointed out. Harry knew he was right. He suddenly felt his stomach empty. Guiltiness overtook him and bad memories flooded his mind. But only for a mere second. He shook those memories away. "How long it's been since you got laid?"

They stopped one last time at the third level and the last wizard that was with them exited, leaving them alone. Now that Harry thought of it, it had definitely been a while since he had intercourses with anyone. He had tried to date people but failed miserably and it mostly ended up to one night stands but those were also few and far between. Honestly, it was just his heart that wouldn't move on. His brain was screaming at him that there was no going back but his heart refused to listen. So he was stuck in between with nowhere to go. God, he had messed up big time and ended up hurting the woman he cared more about... How he had been so damn stupid?

"Ron, both you and I know very well that it doesn't work for me," Harry responded. "Just let it go already."

"You don't even try, man. Have you tried anything with Athena yet?"

"Are you out of your bloody mind?"

The elevator came finally to a stop and the two Aurors stepped together outside. They walked all the way down corridor lined with doors on both sides, around the corner of which there werea set of heavy oak doors leading into theAuror Headquarters.

"Why not?" Ron insisted. "She's pretty, she's clever and she's tough. What else would you ask in a woman?"

"She's my partner, you tosser. I can't date my partner, that's highly unprofessional."

"Now you sound exactly like Hermione, man."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That's not the point. Athena isn't the dating type. I can't even have a personal conversation with her without having her snap at me. I'm not even interested in her so you'd better drop it off. You can't risk it her hearing you."

"You're right." Ron shuddered. "For some odd fucking reason, she seems to hate me."

"There must be a reason, she's the epitome of logic."

"I barely even talk to her, man." Ron defended.

"Do I need to remind you how badly you messed up that mission?" Harry arched a brow.

"I was a trainee back then, it doesn't count." Ron pouted.

"Whatever you say, mate."

They checked in at the entrance point of the Auror department and each of them headed towards their respective cubicles after giving their goodbyes. Harry rushed towards his cubicle, praying silently that his partner hadn't been faster than him which was highly unlikely. It was already too bad that her cubicle was located right next to his. To his dismay, she was already there. She had her back turned at him, boots laying on her desk and the Daily Prophet opened before her.

"Good morning," he said as he stepped inside his cubicle and placed his briefcase on the oak desk.

"You're late," was the response.

"I kindly remind you that you aren't my boss," Harry deadpanned before glancing at his watch. "Besides, I'm only five minutes late, big deal."

The newspaper was suddenly lowered and the chair was pulled behind, revealing her contemptuous expression to him. Athena Juliet Wilson was a couple of years older than Harry, black curly hair and hazel eyes just like her cloak. Harry used to be intimidated by her, but now he realized it was in her nature to be like that. She was an extremely strong witch and an exceptional Auror. Despite their disagreements they worked well together. However, they were both a little bit too closed in their own shells so they couldn't expect call each other "best buddies".

"I'm wondering when you'll learn about professionalism, Potter," Athena snarled at him. Harry almost rolled his eyes at the irony of it.

"When you stop being such a bitch about it," he deadpanned as he settled down to his office so he'd finally finish off the report he had left unfinished before the weekend. "Besides, you're the one laying your feet onto your desk, not me."

Athena didn't respond. She glared at him before pushing her chair back to its previous position and resuming her previous task, choosing to ignore him and let him work, something he was glad about.

They remained in silence, with the only sound being the flicking of pages and the sound of Harry's pen as he filled in his report. Their silence was interrupted by a paper shuttle that flew over their heads. Athena raised her arm and grasped it between her fingers. Harry pulled his chair out the cubicle and rolled it over at Athena's.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Robards wants to see us," the woman responded before throwing the shuttle away. "Come on, let's go," she added before standing up. Harry was quick to follow her.

In order to reach their supervisor's office they had to pass all the way between all the other cubicles, meaning that they couldn't go unnoticed by their fellow colleagues. Even up to this day, Harry received unwanted attention by them just because he was The Boy Who Lived. It irritated him to no end and he was glad Athena didn't treat him like a hero rather than her incompetent partner. A few other Aurors greeted him as he passed by their cubicles and Harry awkwardly greeted back with a nod. There were many young Aurors among them, who had probably knew him since his days at "Hogwarts" and even some of the oldest ones seemed to be fond of him. After all these years in the headlights of publicity, Harry simply tried not to pay too much attention to it since he couldn't do anything else than live with it. It still was aggravating sometimes.

They finally reached their destination. Robards' secretary acknowledged them and let them proceed for their meeting with their boss. Harry knocked on the door and waited for a response before holding it open for Athena. She thanked him with a simple nod and he followed her inside. Gawain Robards' office was as comfortable as anyone could think. After all, he was the Head Auror and it was well-known that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was the largest one there was and all the other departments, except the Department of Mysteries, answered there. Being Head Auror carried great responsibility and Gawain Robards was far more than capable for this position in Harry's eyes. He was experienced in the field as he had been on that position for almost ten years now.

"Potter, Wilson. Have a seat." Robards ordered and the two Aurors did as he asked, taking seats in front of his desk.He eyed them carefully with his brown eyes, studying their expressions. "I know you've just returned from your last mission in Ireland, but crime is restless and so should we."

»We recently got a report about life threats addressed to a civilian. We don't know who sends them or what their motives are. We only know that they're dangerous considering they know too much about the victim's life."

"And you want us to investigate," Athena guessed.

"Incorrect, which should teach you a lesson about not interrupting your superiors."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"An investigation team has already been established and they are currently working on the case," Robards continued. "I want you two to go undercover and surveil the victim's household for as long as it takes, until the perpetrator is arrested. Here's the case file for more details." He handed them two separate files to study them. Athena schemed through the papers quickly.

"The victim resides in a muggle area of London alongside her fiancé, so you want us to pretend to be Muggles?" Athena questioned.

"A Muggle couple to be more specific," Robards explained. "We've already got your house covered so you don't need to worry. All you need to do is to move in."

But Harry wasn't even listening at this point. His eyes were stuck on a particular detail on the file that none of the other two seemed to care about;

Victim's name: Ginny Weasley