Okay, so good news: My exams are over, which means, NEW STORY! This is really different from anything I've attempted before so I'm very apprehensive about the response this story will get.

A few things before we get started:

-This is a proper whodunnit mystery. This means that I will be dropping hints like an easter bunny drops eggs (presumably) throughout. So y'all can go around guessing who the killer is.

-Chapter one is short, I know, but they get longer.

-This is a short fic. Ten chapters only!

And that's about it.

GO TO IT.

PROLOGUE

He shuffled the papers, placing them carefully in the drawer and pushing it shut. It had been a long day and he was eager to finish up and retire to bed.

A knock at the door caught his attention.

"Come in," he called, voice gruff due to the lateness of the hour and one too many glasses of whisky.

The door swung open, creaking slightly. He frowned. He'd have to get that fixed.

"Oh," he scowled at his visitor. "It's you. What are you doing up? It's late."

"I couldn't sleep."

"Well, I really don't care. Go back to your room. You can talk to me in the morning."

He turned away, aimlessly rearranging documents and paperweights, waiting for the late night visitor to leave. He had a massive headache coming on and could do without any further confrontations.

"You don't understand."

He sighed impatiently and looked up. "What-"

The letter opener in his hand clattered to the floor as he took in the full picture. "What are you doing?"

There was no verbal reply.

"Wait- stop that. You don't want to do this."

He raised his hands, affecting a placating attitude. He hadn't been expecting this.

His wand was on the table to his right. All he had to do was reach for it.

There was no time for a distraction. He dove for the wand.

He didn't make it.

XXXXXXXXXX

CHAPTER ONE

Rose cursed her luck for the millionth time as she glared at the wrought-iron gate in front of her. Of all the jobs she had to be stuck with, it was this one. She'd been making perfectly good progress on her previous assignment but of course, that had to be cut short and replaced with an 'emergency'.

She patted her bag one last time, to confirm that everything she needed was in there and then stretched out her hand uncertainly, laying it on the crest worked into the gate. She jumped, startled, as the metal disintegrated in front of her, forming an entryway large enough for a half-giant. No sooner had she passed through it than the iron melded back into solid bars, effectively trapping her inside.

Well, not trapping- that was ridiculous. She could leave any time she wanted. In fact, she could leave this very instant if she wanted- which she didn't because then she wouldn't get paid and would probably be bumped down from Homicide to Street Patrol.

She mentally shuddered at the thought and tried to clear her head. She needed to focus. The sooner she finished this case, the better. Then she could leave. Forever, preferably. Squaring her shoulders and taking in a bracing breath, she began the long journey down the cobbled path.

In the distance, she could clearly make out the silhouette of Malfoy Manor.

XXXXXXXX

Rose raised her hand to knock but the door swung open before her fingers could grasp the brass knocker. She noted distastefully that it had been shaped carefully into a snake winding around a half-loop.

Her attention was diverted by the fact that no one stood in the doorway. Hesitantly, she took a step forward, only to jump out of her skin when a small voice squeaked, "Miss will stay back, please!"

Rose clutched her hammering chest and took a hasty step backwards. She'd forgotten that the Malfoys would still have house elves. While the rest of the wizarding world had accepted and adapted to the Elf Liberation Movement, the old pureblood families hung on tenaciously to their 'servants'.

The elf spoke again, her tone slightly disapproving. "Why is Miss here?"

Rose smiled at the elf, bending slightly to speak to her. "What's your name?"

"That is none of Miss' business," The elf responded coldly, glaring at Rose.

Rose's eyebrows shot up in surprise and she straightened up, abandoning the casual approach. "I'm Rose Weasley. The ministry sent an owl notifying the Malfoys of my impending visit."

"Hokey has seen no such letter. Miss is not welcome here. Miss must leave now!" The elf made to close the door but two hands grabbed the frame before she could shut it all the way. One, of course, was Rose's who had immediately raised her hand to stop the door from closing. The other was a man's. He pulled the door inwards just as Rose pushed it and it slammed against the wall with a deafening bang.

Cheeks flushed, Rose looked up at the person who'd helped her and blinked in surprise.

He held out his hand to her and she took it uncertainly, remembering halfway through that she was a professional and had every right to be here. She tightened her grip and he looked at her amusedly, guessing her thoughts.

"Scorpius Malfoy," he introduced himself. "You may remember me. We went to Hogwarts together. This way please."

Pulling herself together, Rose followed the blond man into his house, walking carefully over the threshold.

Scorpius led the way, apologizing about the elf and Rose found herself focusing on the back of his head rather than on the unpleasant task ahead of her.

Hokey trailed after them, shutting the door with a vehement snap.

As she tucked her wand back into her pocket, Rose noted with a growing sense of unease that the elf's eyes glittered with hatred as they lingered on her.

FINITO. (Chapter one, i.e. Duh.)

I'm a little rusty as I haven't written for six months. Oh, well.

Leave a comment please, to let me know if you're interested. I don't think anyone's attempted this in fanon yet?

But really, Review y'allzer. I'm a nervous wreck about this. It ain't healthy.