Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Backfire	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 24217 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make not a knut off this work of fanfiction

Chapter List
- 8
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- 10
Chapter 8

“Sorry about this,” Hank muttered to Sirius as he moved packages which seemed to fill half his office at work. “Wasn't expecting all this to come at once on top of an uptick in business. It's all I could arrange if you wanted to meet.” Rather than meet at the Leaky like normal, he had Sirius come to his office while he sorted through this mess. Part of it came from a couple new suppliers since he was dumping a few in the States. “When I get this done, we'll shift over to the Three Broomsticks. I already reserved one of the private rooms. Won't look odd for you to show up there like it would the Hog's Head. I'll just come in the back way and go up those stairs so no one sees me.”
“Its fine,” Sirius said, gazing around from where he was seated in front of the desk. He wasn't sure what to expect when Hank wanted to meet him at his 'office', a bit which had him slightly tense, but he was now relaxed. Nothing odd here. He had come in the back entrance with a 'pass' to get him through the wards and was happy it was like any normal office. From what he could see of the things piled all over, there wasn't anything wonky with any of it. Some were obviously potions ingredients, others were books, and there were some oddball objects, nothing at all illegal. “Fancied something to eat anyway.” He added, pleased with the idea.
“Good because I do as well,” Hank said finally clearing part of it off his desk then sitting down and casting a basic sorting spell to at least categorize what was in this mess. “It's been a long day,” he added with a sigh. Then he delved into the first pile and started sorting. He either sent them to a heavily locked and warded cabinet or his backpack to take home to work on.
“This looks like a right nightmare,” Sirius snorted, looking around.
“It is,” Hank said sourly, shaking his head as he worked. He didn't elaborate anymore. Thankfully, what was in these deliveries weren't some more sensitive items he dealt in. “Was there anything in particular you wanted to ask about this time?”
“Have you heard anything you think we need to know?” Sirius asked, figuring it was a good place to start.
“Nothing but hints,” Hank told him honestly, finishing off the first pile. “Some come from Lusty Luci, but I’ve heard a bit from a couple more which leads me to thinking it's not just hot air on Luci's end. What it is though—no clue yet. Not enough intel to put it together yet.”
“What do you mean by intel, the word anyway?” Sirius asked, curious, since Hank had used that word several times. He knew what it meant, of course, but wondered where it came from.
“It means intelligence,” Hank explained, diving into the next stack. “No-Maj term. Hear it a lot in the States.”
“No-Maj?” Sirius asked, wondering where that word came from. Oh, he could easily understand the meaning, but hadn't heard it put that way before.
“The name they use for Muggles in the States,” Hank chuckled.
“I thought everyone called them Muggles. Interesting,” Sirius said honestly, filing it away. “I knew some bits were different, like Quidditch and Quodpot, but not up on some terms.”
“You get used to it,” Hank chuckled. “I was curious about something and thought you were the one to ask.”
“What about?” Sirius inquired, taking in what Hank was doing. It wasn't like it was that interesting, but the man was highly efficient at it, obviously having a system for organizing the mess in the office as he was tending to it fast.
“Harry Potter. I've heard a bit on the topic and was curious,” Hank started, glancing over at the man. “Most of the books and what I could find to read just rehashed the whole part when he was a baby then his vanishing. Well, and the whole poor kid bit. Nothing more. What's all involved there? I heard there is a Prophecy about him having to end this mess you lot have.”
“It's a long story,” Sirius groaned, looking angry, though he didn't mean to. “A right cock-up of the worst kind, honestly.” Then he gave the briefest rundown of the whole mess, leaving out the names of the Dursleys for protection sake. When he finished, he explained, “The whole thing has been buggered since that night so long ago. Albus took it in his head to go against James and Lily's wills. Then didn't bother to check on him over the years. No one knows when he vanished. They didn't find out until he didn't receive his Hogwarts letter. Has plenty of us right irate, honestly.”
“More reasons I don't want to deal with the man,” Hank snorted, shaking his head. “Sounds like a huge dung pile. In the States, he'd still be in prison for that bit.”
“If you ask me, he should be here as well,” Sirius snarled, shaking his head. “Not sure how he wiggled around some form of punishment for it, honestly.”
“Probably the statute for prosecution being up,” Hank said distractedly as he sent more items where they belonged.
“True, or they had bigger fish to fry since it came out,” Sirius sighed.
“I'm curious—how many big name Death Eaters do you have as clients?” He then asked, focusing on getting information again. Honestly? He liked just being around Hank and wanted to see how far he could get, but this was a 'business' meeting, so he did need to cover some. “And how high ranking are they?”
“I have several,” Hank said honestly, pleased the stacks were slowly vanishing as he worked on the sorting. “I think Luci is the highest ranking, though. Others are marked, something I know from both Luci and seeing the Dark Mark on their arms at some point or another.”
“Okay,” Sirius nodded, not sure what to say after that, though wanting information on them. “Anything you can tell me on them which can help land their arses right where they belong?” He hoped there was something they could use.
“I gave you the two I could assure you about, the others are iffy,” Hank sighed, shaking his head. “It has to do with some of what I sell and how I go about it. I know what I sell for some bits, like potions, but not what they do with it after they leave the shop. It's on their heads after that and I'd prefer not knowing, if you get my meaning.”
“I do,” Sirius nodded. While he did understand, it didn't help much.
“The only one that's a maybe is Yaxley. Someone might want to check on his wife,” Hank told him, though not elaborating.
“She's in danger?” Sirius asked, curiosity piqued.
“I don't know,” Hank told him honestly, leaning back in his chair and looking at the man. “Just a feeling with some of what he buys from me. Says it's for pest control, but...” he trailed off there and shrugged.
“Let me see what I can do with the information,” Sirius told him, planning to get in touch with Kingsley after he was done to see what the man could ferret out.
“I have a question about one of them,” Hank said, completely avoiding the topic of Lucius. While he had plenty on the man from his talkativeness, it wasn't enough to do much with yet. And the information Lucius was spouting would be worth plenty to people like Sirius. At this point, it wasn't to the juncture of an emergent situation plenty had to prepare for, but he was finding out it related to plenty.
“Which one?” Sirius asked, curious there. “I know about some more than others because of the first war.”
“Macnair,” Hank told him. Then, shaking his head, he added, “He's one I don't like, at all. There's that feel about him, if you know what I mean. In fact, it's bad enough I'm cutting him loose as a client. I don't have anything on him you lot can use for anything, but he likes odd areas, such as medieval weapons of the Magical sort, usually from other countries, the reason he comes to me. When he gets one, there is a gleam in his eyes I certainly don't like, especially with the blades.”
“He's one you need to steer clear of,” Sirius told him with a rigid shake of his head. “Sadist, that one. Is an executioner for the Ministry when it comes to animals. Trust me, he enjoys killing. And he does it with an ax. That should tell you all you need to know.”
“It does and shores up what I thought about him,” Hank groaned, scrubbing both hands through his hair and leaning back. “He's gone. I don't like the dude, or the looks he gives me. Not sure what those are about, but they give me the shivers. It's not—well, sexual, at least in the normal way.”
“He's never been married as far as I know,” Sirius told him. “Not sure who would want him, but every shit pot has a lid, as the old saying goes. As far as I know, he's never been involved with anyone either. He just likes his sadism. Best shut of him, actually. And to steer clear after you kick him to the curb.”
“I plan to,” Hank nodded.
“He'll be pissed, with what I know of him, so you'll need to protect yourself,” Sirius warned.
“Trust me, I will,” Hank told him with a cold grin. “Don't worry about it. If there's one thing I know, it's how to protect myself. And that's not factoring in Yama.”
Sirius was about to press on with some of what he knew of Macnair, when he was startled, stiffening up, when Yama flapped over and landed on the arm of his chair. The bird gave some kind of evil sounding hiss, something which made him flinch, then he looked at Hank, not sure what to do or what this meant.
“He likes you,” Hank told him with a chuckle. The look on Sirius' face was quite amusing. After opening one of his drawers, he pulled out a bag with some grease stains on it then tossed it to Sirius. “Toss him a couple of those. It's homemade jerky. He likes it for a treat. Nothing to worry about. If he's just sitting there, he's not upset with you or will attack. The hiss was one of his friendly ones, it just sounds malevolent.”
Though wary of the bloody bird, Sirius pulled some jerky out of the bag he caught and tossed it to the bird. He then grinned a little nervously when the beast caught it. Yama quickly ate it then clicked his beak at him, but made no aggressive move. He looked at Hank to see what this was about.
“He wants another, that's all,” Hank told him with a bit of a smile. “It's his way of telling you he does. Unlike owls, he doesn't just take whatever. Too many have ended up right unnerved by him and went on the defensive for him to do that. Though he'll drink straight out of your mug if you have a beer.” This was odd, honestly. Yama wasn't known for such displays.
After tossing the bird another piece of jerky, Sirius chuckled softly when the bird caught and ate it, then seemed to just settle down by him. “I'd pet you, Yama, but I want all my fingers and hand left.”
“If he's seated like that, he'll let you stroke his head.” Hank told him, smiling at his companion who was cleaning his feathers.
Hand shaking, Sirius petted the bird's bald head, surprised at how warm and soft the skin was. Yama didn't make any aggressive move as he did either, though the bird looked at him and gave a soft hiss before going back to his feathers. “This is still a bit unnerving, what with all you've said about him,” he admitted.
“He's not known for such displays,” Hank admitted with a shake of his head. “Since he's been with me, he's only done this with three other people. And they were all birds. You're special.”
I’ve always been told that,” Sirius chuckled, holding out another piece of the jerky to see if the bird would take it, though worried since his fingers were so close to the beak. The bird took it gently from him and ate it. “You're still bloody scary, Yama,” he told the bird then grinned at the hiss which came in response.
“You'll be good with him from here on out if he's doing that,” Hank told Sirius, figuring this was the bird's way of encouraging him to press forward with Sirius. “Just don't startle him,” he added, going back to the last of what was scattered all over.
“Trust me, I won't,” Sirius assured him watching the bird who was perched quite comfortably on the arm of his chair and glancing over to what Hank was doing.
As the other man began sorting more, he began asking about some bits he knew about clients which were aligned with the other side. From the look of it, Hank was almost done, so he wouldn't get into the heavy stuff until they were at the Three Broomsticks.

Sirius was pleased with what was going on. Hank hadn't taken much longer when it came to the 'business' part, so they moved to one of the nice rooms at the Three Broomsticks. Not only was it nice and comfortable, but they had one of their big, delicious meals waiting for them. Good! He had been going to order what he wanted, the basic, but Hank apparently ate very well as he said this was normal. As they ate, they talked. Oh, sure, it was gathering information on both their ends, but there were other bits in there as well, more personal. It felt like Hank was trying to get to know him like he was with Hank. He liked this.
After another bite of the delicious food, he eyed the watch on Hank's wrist. It was the Magical version of a Rolex, very expensive. “You must do well for yourself to have a watch like that,” he observed, pointing to it with his fork.
“This?” Hank asked, holding up his wrist. Then he chuckled and added, “Won it in a card game. I do quite well with those. Don't play with Muggles, of course, but our kind. Learned back in school and have done well for myself since then. Acquired quite a few nice bits over the years, like my elf.”
“Remind me never to play with you then,” Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. If Hank had managed to win a watch and an elf, he was talking some high stakes games Sirius wouldn't ever partake in. Those were cutthroat. He could understand part, though. Hank had a helluva poker face which probably served him well in those games. His face was hard to read.
After handing the bone from his steak over to Yama, Hank leaned back and sipped his beer with a contented sigh. Yeah, the meal hit the spot. “Made me money when I was younger in school,” he shrugged. Chuckling, he added, “Some swore I had some seer blood in me over it. Codswallop, of course, but it was funny to hear. I was just a quick study.”
“Understood,” Sirius chuckled, pushing his now empty plate back with a sated groan. “Damned good meal, there. Thanks.”
“No problem,” Hank told him.
Though it was well beyond their normal hour, something which would probably have Remus fretting slightly, he wasn't willing to end the meeting yet. He liked talking with Hank. The man had a different perspective on so much. And the questions he asked weren't obtrusive, even the personal ones. From what he could garner, he was just gathering information for safety sake and to get to know who he was dealing with.
As it looked like this would probably end soon since the meal was over, Sirius told him, “I rather like our talks. We have a reason, I understand that part, but they're interesting.”
“I tend to agree,” Hank nodded, tossing Sirius' steak bone to Yama when the bird had finished his. “Gives you a better perspective on so much.” He then looked at his companion when the bird let out a soft hiss. This was the same sort of hiss from when they talked about Sirius the other day, so he understood what the bird was going for.
Though Hank wasn't the cocky sort who strutted around and let the world know what many thought of him, he did have a self confidence many didn't for various reasons. So he didn't have a problem launching in when he wanted something. He knew from experience many wouldn't pick up on subtle hints and he had no patience for the dance to get them to come to the conclusion he wanted, so he launched in. “I'm taking Thursday night off from my normal and going to a small place I know in Glastonbury. I was wondering if you wanted to join me for dinner and a few drinks.” That's where he left it and waited to see what Sirius had to say on the matter.
Though startled Hank came right out with it, as he wasn't used to anyone doing so, he didn't let it throw him. With a nod, he said, “Good by me. Glastonbury is a fairly safe place most times. This is a good pub, I take it?”
“Quite nice,” Hank assured him, the tiniest of smiles forming when Sirius hadn't rejected the offer. “A bit different than the normal and off the beaten path. The owner is an American and took a page out of what they do, having our sort of jukebox and other entertainments they use. I like it. It combines the best of both worlds.”
“Sounds good,” Sirius told him with a grin, already looking forward to it. “Let me know where to meet you and the time. We'll go from there.”
“I'll send you off the details tomorrow,” Hank assured him, smile still there. Yeah, he liked this. As usual, it appeared Yama's instincts were dead on the Galleon with so much. Good. He'd see where this led and proceed from there.
With a groan, he then began to wrap up the meeting since he had other areas to attend to before bed and some people to meet. He was looking forward to this, though, more than he cared to admit, even to himself.

“With Yaxley, go with getting a tip about Dark illegal objects,” Snape told Kingsley. Several of them were gathered in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place after Black returned so they could hear what he picked up from Hank. Albus wasn't around, thankfully, as he was tending to other matters. As the ones here were the sort who were distrusting of the old man anymore, he could be a bit freer with what he said. “He likes to collect some very nasty objects. They aren't the high priced sort Lucius and his ilk do, but they aren't nice.”
“I'll go with it,” Kingsley said with a nod. “If we can manage, and I toss in something about concern for his wife, we might be able to arrange a raid tonight. Before I head to the Ministry, I'll talk with Arthur to see what he says on how to word this. If we do a raid, he'll be involved anyway, so I want to give him fair warning.”
Then he asked Sirius, “You sure this Hank didn't sell him anything illegal?”
Before Black could answer, Severus jumped in, “I guarantee it. He won't. While some of what he sells is frowned on, it's not illegal. Most, from what I've seen, are going to him because they won't get the looks they will in the standard shops. If Yaxley is poisoning his wife, he won't want the shop keepers, even the ones down Knockturn Alley, remembering what he bought. Hank isn't well known, so he's out of the Ministry's eye there. And needs to stay that way.”
“Good,” Kingsley said with a nod, pleased a fount of very valuable information wasn't crossing lines.
“If he was selling something illegal, he sure wouldn't give up a client who has it in his possession,” Remus added with a chuckle.
“True!” Kingsley laughed, though he was focusing on how to go about this operation.
“Before all of you go, can you write up or get your hands on all the information we have on known Death Eaters?” Sirius asked, looking around. Before they could inquire, he explained, “Hank's asking for it. If we give him such bits, it can only help. He does have several as clients. If he sees some of it, he might be able to put it together with some of what he has. And it'll help him stay safe. Let's face it, he's given us plenty. If he stays safe, he can give up plenty more. We need this.”
“I'll see what I can get from our files,” Kingsley told him honestly, hearing Tonks agree to help.
“I'll write up all I know,” Severus assured him, knowing the help this could be for all of them.
“Most appreciated,” Sirius told them. “I've given him everything I know, but I was out of commission for so long and going by what I've heard. You lot can come up with much better bits than I can.”
When they agreed, he pressed on to relay what else Hank had said. While he did, though, his mind was circling to the dinner coming up with Hank. While the man might not see it as a date, probably just as going out with someone for a change that wasn't a true client, he was. And he planned to see about his leanings from there. This was a good sign, and he took it as such then would run with it. Good!
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Backfire