When he cleared all the notes he could find, he looked around the rooms. He hadn't found anything on Harry, but there might be a safe or hidden area. He cast as many revealing charms that he knew in every room. The hidden space was behind a self-portrait of Rita, which was hanging over her bed. He chuckled at that and shocked the wards surrounding it. Inside were notes on the Minister, Dumbledore, the Blacks, Sirius and Harry. He put them away and continued to look, just in case there were more hidden spaces. Hours later, when the flat was cleared out, he put on his Cloak, popped away to the offices' of the Daily Prophet, cleared her desk and then popped home.
He threw off the Cloak, plopped on to the sofa and threw an arm over his eyes. "She's got blackmail on everyone. There are pictures, notes and documents on people I've never even heard of. She's been working on this shite for years. It looks like she was going to write that book on Dumbledore, and maybe one on the Blacks. She's also got shite on Harry. There are even some notes on an up and coming Dark Lady, though they're vague. Seems she was trying to find her and get on her good side."
"Grace and the Grangers called. We talked to the Grangers and told Grace you were busy," Remus said, changing the subject. He shot a glance to the child that had woken up and was sitting on Sirius's lap, half-asleep. At first Harry had perked up seeing his uncle, but now he was settling back on his godfather's shoulder and closing his tired eyes.
"Oops, I didn't even see him. Why is he up?" Hydrus said sheepishly as he sat up and looked around. He was just so tired that he didn't even pay attention to who was in the room.
"His tummy was hurting from too much cake," Sirius said quietly, rubbing said tummy, making the child go further into sleep.
"We gave him a soother, it should be okay to put him back to bed now," Remus stated, looking fondly at the tired boy.
"I'll do it," the dogfather said. He slowly got up, repositioned the tyke and went up the stairs.
Hydrus looked at his watch and groaned. It was well past midnight. He was hemming and hawing about calling Grace when the phone rang. He reached over and snagged the receiver. "Hello," he said.
"Hydrus?"
"Yeah, hi, Grace," he greeted softly. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you called. I was busy taking care of something. I can answer a few questions now, but the whole story is going to have to wait. I have a few more things to take care of tonight," the immortal said gently with a heavy yawn.
"Just answer this, are you and Harry okay?" Grace said, stifling her own yawn, her worry projected in her voice.
"We're fine, and when I'm done tonight, we'll be much better," he confirmed. It warmed his heart that she was concerned about them.
"Okay, I want the whole story tomorrow," came the firm reply.
"I promise. Goodnight, sweetheart," Hydrus said.
"Goodnight, Hydrus, I'm glad you're okay. Sleep well." And the phone disconnected.
He put the phone back in its cradle and made a mental note to get a cordless. Sirius came back down the stairs and reclaimed the recliner. Both men looked at Hydrus expectantly. He sighed and said, "Let's clear a space, there is tons of material. I'll get some pepper-up; I don't think we'll be sleeping tonight."
So they cleared an area behind the sofa and Hydrus emptied all the parchment and photos from his space.
"Oh Merlin, she's got stuff on Grandfather…"
"Isn't that the Wizengamot member that went missing?"
"Where does she get this shite?"
"I can use this, I've been trying to dig up dirt on her forever…"
"I can't believe the shite she got on my family…"
"Look here's some notes on you, Hydrus…"
Were some of the comments thrown around that night. The immortal looked at the notes and saw they were on his cover story. She'd even spied on Marius. She didn't find anything, but had commented on how pissed she was that she couldn't get into the stores, and that she was going to see him brought down because of that.
The notes on Harry were vague, like she was still trying to dig up dirt on the five year old. There were interviews with the daycare workers, making Hydrus glad Harry wouldn't be going back. The questions she asked them indicated that she was trying to make him out to be spoiled or a bully. Only a bitch would try and write a scathing article on a child. She did comment that he was seen with the Weasleys and the Longbottoms. Today she decided to follow the Weasleys to see if she could find out more on the Boy Who Lived. There were no other notes on Harry much to the men's relief.
....
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