"You are more than welcome, and we'll do that every year until we can't anymore." He took up her hand and gave it a gentle kiss, smirking at her giggle and then grew serious. "Yeah, it was today, and it does make me wonder why they waited until after the Christmas rush," he said thoughtfully as he looked over the list.
There were only three names on it and the only one he recognized was Greengrass. From what he remembered of that family they were neutral. He never heard of a son, but then again he wouldn't have, since squibs were rarely talked about. He had to wonder what happened to the child in his timeline.
The Greengrasses never got involved in the war, so he didn't think they had anything to do with shooting off Dark curses, but he could be wrong. He tucked the list in his pocket and stood. "I have to get home and make some phone calls. Right after I boost the wards. You should expect the Aurors to be here soon, make sure you have a copy of the list for them. Happy Christmas, Ms. Cartwright."
"Alright, Mr. Black, I'll do just that. Do you think the children are in danger?" She looked around with great concern etched on her face.
"I don't think so," he said as he turned in the doorway. "Whoever this was loves their son, but I'm going to do the wards, just in case. They shouldn't affect anyone who has good intention towards the people in this house. They will knock out anyone who doesn't. I'll be back tomorrow to set up the new alarm system." And with that he turned and left. Making his way outside, he discretely palmed the Elder Wand and strengthened the wards. When he got them as strong as he could he went up the stairs to the Apparation room and went home.
He sent Harry to play, threw up the silencing charms and told the other two what happened. He handed them the list and asked if they knew who the women were.
"I don't recognize anyone," Remus said with a shake of his head.
"I know of the Greengrasses, but I don't recognize the others," Sirius added and handed back the list.
"I'm going to call my detectives and give the list to them," Hydrus said, picking up the phone. He talked to the man on the other end for about ten minutes, telling his story and asking the agent to look into every woman in his life, something he should have done weeks ago, and then hung up.
"Do you think whoever did this is your wacko woman?" the dogman asked, hoping it was true.
"I'm not sure," the immortal said, rubbing his hand down his face, realizing he had been doing that most of the day. "There's a good chance it is, but it could be I've pissed off more than one person."
The three men sat in silence, mulling that over. Then almost as one, decided to let the agency and the Aurors handle it. Hydrus called Grace and let her know what happened. The two lovebirds talked for more than an hour. Then the uncles spent the rest of the day with Harry, playing with his new games.
An article appeared in The Times, telling about what happened. The same day the Daily Prophet ran one that said it was the work of the Dark Lady. There was even an article in the Quibbler, which said it was only a smokescreen to the greater conspiracy to hide the goings-on of the Ministry.
Two days later Hydrus received a phone call from his investigator, pinning the Greengrass mum. The immortal asked him to forward the file to the DMLE and let them deal with it. He got an owl a few days later, letting him know that she was questioned and fined for the destruction of the merchandise, but since sending a howler wasn't against the law and no one was hurt; she was given a warning.
He let the other two men know what happened, each and every one hoping that this was at an end. Hydrus would keep one of his detectives on her, just to make sure she didn't sneak up and kill him. He stuck close to home for the rest of the Holiday, spending New Year's Eve with Grace. They celebrated the night, with too much champagne and lots of mutual admiration.
They should have known Hydrus's luck never made it easy.
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