TONY

As they made their way back towards the Navy Yard, Tony found himself shaking his head. Even walking through a tunnel for which he had no explanation, illuminated by flames that were probably magical, towards a door that should not exist, he still couldn't quite believe what had happened.

In his hand was a sheet of paper - well, no, parchment, really - covered in emerald green ink detailing NCIS's involvement with Hogwarts. They had means to get in contact with McGonagall, and several suggestions for alternate methods of travel - she had been most understanding once they'd explained the kind of attention doors magically appearing in federal buildings might attract.

He was even kind of looking forward to coming back to visit, meeting the kids (he'd been relieved to find that there were no small children at the school), maybe getting to know the new version of Kate - and yet, if he woke up and found out it was a dream, or Gibbs told him this was some elaborate hoax... He'd probably find that easier to believe.

Gibbs didn't look like a man who was about to yell "Gotcha!" any moment. In fact, the whole way back he'd been quiet - even for a functional mute. Seeing Kate again (Tony wasn't sure he'd ever get used to calling her Caitlin) had been a shock, sure (OK, huge, ridiculous understatement), but he had been surprised at the effect it had had on the boss. That was a little puzzle it might take a while to figure out.

He took another look at the... paper, parchment, whatever in his hand. He couldn't help noticing that Abby, McGee, Ducky, even the autopsy gremlin... They were all neatly listed, accounted for. He remembered McGee's odd behaviour, just a few hours ago when the world had made sense. How they'd all kept it a secret for so long... Except, of course, no one in their right minds would have believed it.

That could make life interesting. McGonagall had insisted the director be informed, and Tony was torn between wanting to be a fly on the wall for that particular meeting, or wanting to go far, far away and stay there. For a long time. Maybe forever.

He was so busy with his thoughts that they reached the American end of the tunnel (he didn't even want to think about how that worked) before he expected it. Stepping up and over the lintel, back into normality, was almost stranger than seeing Hogwarts had been. How everything could still look and sound and be the same after today - and yet it did.

Ziva and Gibbs followed him out into the evidence garage, and Tony was opening his mouth to ask what they would do about the door when it disappeared without a trace. Hmmm. Handy, I guess.

He exchanged a glance with Ziva, who shrugged. Gibbs simply stood there, looking at the blank piece of wall wih an expression that Tony didn't even try to name.

"So, I guess we should go... get back to work?"

That seemed to snap Gibbs out of his daze. "You think, DiNozzo?" He was striding towards the elevator before Tony managed to come up with a smart alec response.

"Where're we going, Boss?"

Gibbs turned back as they approached, smiling - honest to God smiling - like
Tony hadn't seen in a while. He couldn't help but grin back.

"We're taking that," he pointed to the parchment, "to Abby's lab." He raised an eyebrow, suddenly looking downright playful. "Then I'm gonna go see a man about a door..."

A/N:

It will probably take a while, so please be patient, but this is not the end of the NCIS/Hogwarts story. Watch this space for the third (and probably last, but you never know ;)) instalment...