With you in my Arms

39. Going undercover with back-up

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"Mulligan!"

"Yes, boss?"

"We need to talk."

James Mulligan had been Auror working active field duty for the past twenty years. He was only alive because so far he had been faster with his wand than any Death Eater or criminal he had been pursuing and he had only ever been working the most difficult and dangerous cases. Having made a special request only to be assigned to specifically those crimes nobody else would touch.

He took a seat opposite of his Head of Department and waited.

"You need to do the undercover backup for a special assignment."

"You'll really send him after Notorious? Henri, we both know that he will not last. He has no idea what he is up against."

"And that is exactly the reason, why he is going to succeed! He doesn't know anything about Notorious except that he creates spells. His mind is going to be focused on finding him. He'll not be overwhelmed by fear like the last moron Fudge sent after him. What a waste!"

Mulligan didn't say anything.

"Harry is going to work in the pub which Notorious is frequenting ever now and then. He'll be working behind the bar in the VIP area. You'll be a doorman for the same area."

"Will he not recognise me?"

"You have so far been able to blend in anywhere, James. Do some blending. I need you as his back-up. He might not make any mistakes because of fear, but he is only 19 years old and has nearly all his auror training still ahead of him."

"He's engaged to Arthur's daughter, isn't he? That could cause complications."

"She is a member of the Holyhead Harpies and they are on European tour in the moment. So, he would have missed her in any case and it also means that she isn't in any danger should things get rocky."

"I'm still not sure that this is the right thing to do, Henri."

"How long do we know each other now, James?"

"About forty years."

"Have I made any serious mistakes in that time?"

"No, you haven't."

"He'll be okay and because I'm concerned about him, you are going with him. Any sign of Notorious let me know."

"Sure."

Mulligan stood up and had nearly reached the door when his boss muttered, "I'm sorry about Narcissa."

"Yes, well, thanks."

"Do something about that, James."

"Bit late now."

"You don't know that!"

"Yeah, well..."

"Make sure you and Potter come back in one piece. She won't thank me, if you don't."

"Will do." 

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When Harry got home an hour later he found the hall filled with the delicious smell of diner. Strange. Why would Kreacher have done a special diner tonight? He had told him that he was going to apparate to the Burrow after having freshened up, hadn't he?

"Kreacher!"

"Master?"

The young wizard whirled around holding his hand to his chest, his breath caught in his lungs.

"Merlin! Kreacher! No need to scare me to death."

"Sorry, Master."

"Why did you do diner? Did I forget to tell you that I'm going to the Burrow?"

"No, Master, didn't forget, but Miss is here with the troublemaker."

The troublemaker? Oh, yes. That was Kreacher's description of George. Hold on! Why were Ginny and George here?

"Where are they?"

"In the parlour, Master."

"Thanks."

Harry made his way upstairs and found the two Weasleys on the couch. George had his arm around his sister's shoulder.

"Hi?"

Both heads turned. Ginny got up and hugged her fiancé tightly.

"I'll be on my way then."

Before he knew what he was doing Harry heard himself say, "I'll see you out, George."

He gently removed himself from the warm body of his witch and when he had closed the parlour door he rounded on George.

"What is she doing here?" He hissed.

"She nearly did something really stupid. I have tried to talk some sense into her, but she is pretty shaken. Be patient with her, Harry. It's important, that she tells you what has happened."

"Has she told you?"

"Only part of it. I think there is a lot more than she was willing to confess to me. Make sure she tells you though."

"Okay." He wasn't quite sure what his brother-in-law to be was on about, but he'd find out.

When Harry got back to the parlour he found Ginny quietly sobbing into a cushion. Sitting next to her on the couch and pulling her close he whispered into her hair, "What is it, Ginny? What has happened?"

It took a long while before she stopped sobbing. He gently caressed her cheeks.

"I was so stupid, Harry. I wasn't thinking straight. It just happened and I didn't have any idea how to deal with it. I mean, I had just started to get to play during regular league matches and then all of a sudden I have to give it all up again. It seemed not fair. I wanted this so much. I have spoken to McGonagall and I'll go back to Hogwarts. She thinks, it will be fine. Unusual, but fine."

"Ginny?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"You are rambling and I still have no idea what you are trying to tell me. What's the matter."

"Oh." She blushed and then buried her face against his chest.

He waited while stroking her over her hair. Then she suddenly looked up.

"Harry?"

"Yes, dear?"

"You are going to be a dad."

"Yes. I know. We have talked about having kids, once our lives have settled..."

"No. You are going to become a dad next May."

"Next May? How is that supposed to..."

His face drained of all colour.

"You mean..."

"Yes, Harry, I'm pregnant."