Blind Man in the Dark

By: Sam Lincoln

Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and are used here without permission. Likewise the characters from Justified belong to Elmore Leonard, Sony Pictures, and FX and are also used without permission.

Spoilers: For Harry Potter, post Deathly Hallows. For Justified this is set between Seasons 3 and 4 with no season 4 spoilers.

Chapter 7

Harry and Raylan entered the Marshall's Office and were both surprised to discover a swarm of dark suited men had descended on the office. Harry was equally dismayed to see Deputy Director Phelps of the Bureau of Magical Investigation talking to Art.

"I just want you to know Raylan that I had no part in this," Harry said.

"No part of what? Art what's going on?"

Art looked over at Raylan and held up a hand to calm the deputy. "Now Raylan, I don't want you to overreact, but this is Deputy Director Phelps of the FBI. He and his people are here to take over the Bernard Nott case."

"The hell they are," Raylan said. "Art this is my case. We know Nott's in Raven's Holler. You seriously can't be suggesting we hand everything over to the glory hounds at the FBI?" Raylan angrily jabbed a finger in the direction of Phelps.

"That's where you're wrong Raylan. It's not your case, it's Harry's case. And Director Phelps is Harry's contact with our government which means it's also his case."

"Haverin took a shot at me. You can't expect me to say, 'Of course Mr. FBI sir, here you go. It's not like I did all the work or nothing.' Jesus Christ Art, what happened to your balls?"

"You need to shut your mouth before you say something really stupid," Art said to Raylan.

Phelps stepped out from behind Art and took a step towards Raylan. "Deputy Givens, please don't think the Bureau doesn't appreciate what you've done for us in assisting Mr. Potter. It's just we were already building a case against Ezekiel Haverin, so this case requires a delicate touch."

Art turned and faced Phelps. "You'd best shut your goddamn mouth too. I can't say I'm happy about any of this. You send Detective Chief Superintendent Potter out here all on his lonesome, and you never tell him about the man in the area you're investigating? If I didn't know any better I'd say you didn't want Harry around."

Phelps took a step back in the face of Art's tirade. "Chief Deputy Mullen, Chief Au…Detective Chief Superintendent Potter is a highly respected figure in our corner of law enforcement. The very thought that I would do anything to hinder his efforts is highly offensive to me."

"And yet here we are," Art said as he glared at the wizard.

Harry slipped himself in between Art and Phelps. "Ah Deputy Mullen could I borrow your office for a tick? I'd like to talk to Deputy Director Phelps in private."

Art stepped aside and held his arm out. "Be my guest, just leave the good hooch in the safe."

Harry lead Phelps into Art's office. He closed the door behind them and cast a discrete Muffliato to prevent anyone from listening in. "What are you doing here?" He asked Phelps.

Phelps leaned against Art's desk. "I'm doing what you asked me to do, helping you arrest Bernard Nott."

"I thought you didn't have the manpower to provide any assistance."

Phelps crossed his arms across his chest. "Things change, you well know staffing levels are fluid. Agents finish assignments early, that sort of thing."

"And it has nothing to do with Ezekiel Haverin's role in all of this? That wasn't just some phony excuse you gave Art and Raylan was it?"

"I wouldn't say we have an active investigation, but we are aware of Ezekiel and his actions."

Harry stared at Phelps with a look of incredulity on his face. "And you didn't think I would find that information useful because?"

Phelps squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Respectfully Mr. Potter? Because you are you. If I had given you Haverin's name, and no I did not know he was related to Nott, you hold have stormed into Raven's Holler with your wand drawn and that would have ruined everything."

"Are you working with Haverin?" Harry asked. He started to inch his hand towards his wand.

"What? No, Merlin no. Haverin works for us. He feeds the Bureau information and in return…"

"And in return you turn a blind eye on Raven's Holler's indiscretions, I get it."

"That's what I didn't mention him to you. I figured if Ezekiel had heard anything about Nott he would have said something to me in the hopes of collecting a reward."

"Instead your omission almost irreparably harmed my investigation," Harry said. "And he tried to have me killed"

"But we're here now, ready and eager to help," Phelps said. "So why don't you come along with us and we can arrest Nott and Haverin."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "You are full of shit Deputy Director. The only reason you and your men are here is because I almost got killed. Sending the 'Boy-Who-Lived' off to his death because you were trying to shield a low-life informant like Haverin would look very bad on your CV wouldn't it? Now then, here is what we're going to do, or I tell Director Krisky chapter and verse how you have bolluxed everything up. Do I make myself clear?"

Phelps glared at Harry but replied with a meek "Yes sir."

"Good, first of all we are going to go out there and you are going to tell the Marshalls that there was a misunderstanding. That they are are a part of an inter-agency task force. Then we are all going to drive down to Raven's Holler where we will apprehend Bernard Nott."

"Include the Muggles? Have you gone completely insane? The threat they pose to the Statute of Secrecy alone is reason enough to leave them here."

Harry held up a hand to cut off Phelps. "Don't worry Deputy Director, I have a plan, and the Muggles are an integral part of it."

Phelps glanced down at the gun still holstered at Harry's waist. "Two days and you've already gone native. These are a collection of savages who run around shooting people, like Isaiah Haverin."

"Someone was going to die that night, are you saying it should have been Deputy Givens?"

"You wouldn't have killed the boy."

Harry nodded his head. "That is probably true, but it also was my Stunning Spell that knocked Joe Mangretti into the path of that lorry, so I won't judge how Deputy Givens does his job, and neither will you. Let's go pay a visit to Raven's Holler shall we?"

"Doesn't look like anybody's home," Art said to Harry and Raylan. They were all standing near Raylan's sedan. Art and Raylan were both wearing Marshall's Service windbreakers over their bulletproof vests. Harry had refused the offer of a windbreaker, though he was wearing the provided bulletproof vest. He figured if nothing else it would provide protection from a Cutting Curse. The American Aurors had all looked at him oddly, but Harry shrugged it off.

"Oh they're in there," Raylan said. "I figure they keep a lookout on the road and when they caught sight of us coming they all headed for cover."

Phelps walked over to where Art, Harry and Raylan were standing. "My men are getting into position," he said to Art. "If your people would just hang back and provide cover while we storm the compound I'm just this will go by the numbers."

But your men don't even appear to be armed," Raylan said. "Let us bust down the door, we're better equipped for it."

"Marshall Givens there is more to being prepared than just having a gun."

"Actually Deputy Director Phelps, I'd rather all of you not do anything just yet," Harry said. "I want to have a chat with Mr. Haverin first."

"Harry that is a real bad idea," Art said. "We already know the lengths Haverin will go to in order to protect Nott. You'll just be giving Haverin a hostage."

"I agree with Chief Mullen," Phelps said. "This is far too dangerous."

"Perhaps but if there is a chance we can resolve this without violence I need to try. Deputy Director Phelps, if I could have a word in private?" Harry asked. Phelps nodded and the two men walked off.

"I wonder what they're talking about?" Raylan said.

"Harry's probably explaining the advantages of playing nice," Art said.

"Auror Potter going into that house is a huge mistake," Phelps said.

"No, this is a huge mistake." Harry reached into his vest and withdrew his wand. "Keep an eye on this for me. It isn't the wand that defeated Voldemort, but I'm still attached to it."

Phelps took the wand from Harry. "You have ten minutes Auror Potter, and then my men are storming the compound."

"Fine, but don't stun the Marshalls before you begin your assault. I need them upright for my plan to work."

"The Obliviators are going to have work overtime, but whatever you say. And Auror Potter?"

"Yes?"

Phelps stuck out his hand. "Good luck."

Harry shook Phelps's hand. "Thank-you. I'll see you in ten minutes."

Harry walked back over to Art and Raylan. "I see Phelps didn't manage to talk you out of this," Art said.

Harry shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Phelps is going to send in his agents in ten minutes. I strongly urge you to keep your people back Art. Their boss might be a prat, but they know what they're doing."

"And we don't?" Raylan asked.

Harry held up his hands in apology. "I'm not saying that, just that it will be extremely dangerous in there, and they've been trained for it. If you do go in." Harry paused and took a deep breath. "If you do go in, shoot everyone you see, even if they look unarmed. I know what this must sound like, but trust me."

"Ok we'll keep it under advisement," Raylan said. "Now you be careful in there, you don't want me comforting your smoking hot widow now do you?"

"You wouldn't be able to handle her," Harry said with a laugh.

"In that case it's another reason for you not to die." Raylan patted Harry on the shoulder.

"Thanks, I, er, think," Harry said. He stepped out from behind the line of cars forming a barricade and approached the main house. "Haverin it's Harry Potter. I want to talk to you about your cousin," Harry said. "I left my wand with the Aurors in a show of good faith. May I come in?"

The front door swung open and Haverin stood in the entryway. "And you expect me to just take you at your word that you don't have your wand?"

"You are more than welcome to search me if you want, but I assure you I do not have a wand."

Haverin glanced down at Harry's waist. "No I don't reckon that'll be necessary. The great Harry Potter isn't one to tell lies now is he?" He returned his gaze to Harry's face.

"That is one lesson I learned well long ago," Harry said. "Also, on behalf of the Auror's Office I want to extend our condolences regarding the death of Isaiah Haverin. I can't say that I wish the situation was reversed, but any loss of life is a tragedy."

Haverin staggered backwards a step before he caught himself. "That is mighty kind of you, but we live a hard life, and Isaiah knew the risks. Now do you want to come in and talk, or are you going to stand out on my front step all day?" Harry stepped into the house and let Haverin direct him into a small sitting room. Harry was not surprised to see Bernard Nott sitting in an easy chair.

"What is he doing here?" Nott asked Haverin as he leapt out of his chair.

"He wanted to talk," Haverin said.

"And you agreed? Have you lost your mind?"

"My holler, my rules, don't like it there's the door," Haverin said. "Though considering the small army of Aurors outside you might want to listen to have Auror Potter has to say."

"I'll be brief," Harry said. "The both of you are finished. There is a combined force of Aurors and Marshalls outside the house and in ten minutes they're going to storm through the front door, unless."

"Unless?" Haverin asked.

"Unless I walk out with him in handcuffs," Harry pointed at Nott.

"And why shouldn't we just kill you where you stand?" Haverin asked. "This holler is well defended."

Harry shook his head. "You don't get it Haverin, you committed the one unforgivable sin. You tried to have me and Marshall Givens killed. Once you did that it didn't matter what sort of information you were providing to the BMI. You went from being a nuisance to a problem. And now a group of Aurors and Marshalls is going to solve that problem. They will destroy the holler and everything you've built. Unless you give me Nott."

"And just like that you can make it all go away?"

"I'm not offering you immunity from any crimes you have committed, and I doubt the BMI will be retaining your services as an informant anytime soon, but we're here to apprehend Bernard Nott, not destroy Raven's Holler."

"You're wasting your breath Potter," Nott said. "We don't turn on family."

"Take him," Haverin said, cutting off Nott.

Nott's eyes bulged and he whipped his head around to face Haverin. "But I invoked family protection."

"And I told you I would do whatever it took to protect my holler, my kin. Isaiah is already dead. Who knows how many more will follow when those damn Muggles start shooting up the place. Be a man for once in your life cousin and do what's right for your family."

"I will not be bested by some unarmed Half-Blood!" Nott said. He drew his wand and fired a curse at Haverin. The spell caught the older man in the chest and he slammed into a wall. He slumped to the ground unconscious. Nott turned to aim his wand at Harry and found himself staring down the barrel of Harry's borrowed pistol.

"Drop the wand Nott," Harry said.

"And why should I do that?"

"Because the alternative is I shoot you and you die," Harry said. "Azkaban isn't nice, but it beats being dead."

"You couldn't."

"Nott I'm going to tell you what I told Tom Riddle almost fifteen years ago. Lower your wand or be destroyed. Riddle didn't believe me then and look where that got him." Nott stared at Harry for a long moment before he opened his hand and let the wand clatter to the floor. Harry advanced on Nott with the gun still trained at him and snatched the wand up. Only then did Harry holster the gun.

"Bernard Nott you are hereby bound by law." Harry grabbed Nott by the arm and spun him around. He drew a pair of handcuffs from a pocket and snapped them onto Nott's wrists. "The Wizengamot is going to be delighted to see you," Harry said as he pushed Nott out of the house.

"We have movement at the front door!" Heard heard a voice say.

"Hold your fire, it's Harry," Raylan yelled.

"Ive got Nott," Harry said. "It's over." He glanced behind him and saw a battered looking Haverin shut the door to the house.

Phelps and two of his men, along with Art and Raylan, ran over to meet Harry. The two Aurors grabbed Nott by the arms and dragged him off. "How did you possibly manage that?" Phelps asked.

Harry let out a weary sigh. "It was simple really. I told Haverin that if he handed over Nott we'd leave him be, and if he didn't then his precious holler would be torn apart by a collection of extremely cross law enforcement officers."

"Not a bad deal for him considering he gets to skate on two counts of attempted murder," Art said.

"It allowed me to capture Nott and nobody got hurt." Harry shrugged. "I can live with that."

"I'm happy if you're happy," Raylan said.

"We'll keep a closer eye on Haverin going forward, but I am as anxious as you are in closing this matter," Phelps said.

"Good I'm glad that's settled," Harry said. "Raylan, I'm going to travel back with Deputy Director Phelps. He has transportation for me back to England already standing by. If I'm lucky I'll be able to be home in time for breakfast."

"So I guess this is goodbye then," Raylan said. He held his hand out to Harry. "Detective Chief Superintendent it has been an honor to work with you."

Harry shook Raylan's hand. "The feeling is mutual Marshall." Harry's hand fell to his hip and he gave a little jump. "I almost forgot." He unclipped the holstered gun and handed it to Raylan. "Your gun."

"Ah hell Harry, keep it. Think of it as a souvenir."

"I don't think it's exactly legal for me to own this," Harry said. "Besides it's not really my style."

Raylan shrugged and took the gun from Harry. "Alright fair enough. Have a safe trip home and maybe the next time I'm in London I'll look you up and you can show me how you catch bad guys over there."

"That would be, amusing to say the least," Harry said. He waved to Art and Raylan then walked over with Phelps to one of the BMI SUVs. The engine roared to life and the convoy sped off down the road.

"Did any of that strike you as odd or unusual?" Raylan asked Art.

"Raylan, you were involved, that by it's very definition makes it odd and unusual. Now can we please get back to the office? I don't know about you, but I have other shit to do today." Art turned and walked over to where Rachel and Tim were standing.

"You're not even a little curious?"

"I'm ordering you to get in the goddamn car or so help me I'll have Tim shoot out your tires and you'll have to walk back to Lexington."

Raylan adjusted his hat before following Art back to the cars. "I still say there was something odd about this."

"Nobody cares Raylan," Tim said.

"Go easy on him Tim," Rachel said. "He just lost his new best friend." The two Marshalls smirked then got into their black SUV.

Raylan sighed and took one last look around the holler before he got into his sedan and drove off.

-The End

Author's Notes: And so we come to the end. I didn't initially plan to have Harry drawn down on Nott there, but I thought it worked well and went with it. This story's been a lot of fun to write and I hope everyone enjoyed the strange little idea. I have a couple of other things in the works, including about 50,000 words of Alternate Universe Harry/Ginny fluff, so if that's you're thing you're in luck! Thank-you again to everyone who's read, favorited, followed, and especially written a review.

-sam, 2014-02-04