Work Text:
"Mad-Eye's dustbins have gone off again."
Glancing up from the form he was filling out, Arthur grinned. "Do you want me to go investigate?"
Clark, the new hire who had been blasted just the previous week by a paranoid Mad-Eye, nodded. "Would you, please? They keep sending me because I apparently 'need experience with difficult cases'. But all that happens is that he doesn't recognise me, and I end up with rubbish all over me. Again."
A rush of warmth spread through Arthur. It made sense. Alastor didn't trust anyone new, and he wasn't about to start just because the Ministry had decided to force someone new on him. Standing, he placed the form carefully in his drawer and locked it securely.
"I'll just pop off, then. I should be back by lunch."
Anticipation flooded him as he made his way down through the Ministry. The safest and easiest way of getting into Alastor's house was to use a Portkey. Speaking quickly to the clerk, he received emergency permission to create a Portkey to Alastor's house. A dirty copy of A History of Magic would do. He grinned as he grasped the book. Due to the Ministry's obsession with giving Clark 'the proper training', it had been about a fortnight since he and Alastor had seen each other. It was far too long.
He remembered to send the warning charm to Alastor before stepping onto the property. Green sparks against the upper window for if he was alone, and red for if there was someone with him. He rather happily cast the green sparks this time.
Alastor growled at him as he yanked the door open. "About bloody time," he huffed gruffly. "Are you coming in or not?"
These moments spent together were highlights of Arthur's week. He made certain to lock the door behind him and close the curtains. The Muggles didn't need to know what they got up to inside. And neither did anyone else.