Chapter One
Behavioural analysis, the Auror division that dealt with the most heinous crimes known to the Wizarding world was tucked away on the bottom most floor, well below the court rooms in the Ministry of Magic. Harry Potter, slightly windswept from the hasty travel from his home in Cornwall and the startling rush of ministry elevators, finally reached it. In vain effort to flatten his perpetually messy hair, he adjusted his glasses before meandering his way through the desks and desks of open case files.
He found Section Chief Alastor Moody alone at the back hunched over a stack of paper. Before he did reach him however Moody instantly snapped the folder he was pouring over closed and turned around, his magical blue eye swivelling in its socket. What Harry saw greatly then greatly disturbed him.
It was not the mangled scars nor the wooden leg that he had comfortably associated with the man but it was a general weariness in his posture, his dragon hide coat that once fit like armour now seemed to hang limply on his frame. His single human eye while still held its sharp glint was more sunken in, tired.
"Ah, Potter its nice of you to finally to make it," growled Moody.
"Sir."
"Now you're probably wondering why I called you here, correct Mister Potter."
"Yes sir, I was unaware that I had any outstanding cases or any new ones that had been assigned -"
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Shouted Moody, "You never know when something might happen, stay sharp Potter."
"Yes sir, always," said Harry taking a step back.
"When was it you transferred down here?"
"March of last year."
"From Magical Forensics was it? A background in spellwork."
"Yes sir," answered Harry tenuously.
"I was talking to Rufus Scrimgeour the other day and he mentioned you outstanding work on the Yaxley case. I have a new task for you."
He shuffled through some files before pulling one out and handing it to Harry.
"Details are in the file, it's the weekend, get some rest, be well prepared I expect you to be down in Azkaban on Monday."
"Azkaban sir?"
"All in the file," replied Moody turning away from Harry returning to the numerous papers on the desk he was occupying.
Taking it as a signal to leave Harry stowed the file in his jacket. While normally he would have shrunk it, case files generally had anti-theft spells which included the inability to shrink them. Heading for the exit, his hand reached for the door handle just as he first heard rather than saw the red stunner approach him. Ducking it shattered the glass pane in the door instead.
"Constant vigilance Potter, constant vigilance," growled Moody from across the room, his back turned away.
Smiling to himself, and enunciating a quick reparo, Harry stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.