The Vestigials
Chapter 3
Ron walks through the halls of the Ministry with quick long strides. When he is in this mood, people tend to avoid him, and with good reason. He is not bothered as he makes his way to the Head Auror's office. Harry is right, it still annoys him that he has to answer to someone for everything. He knows that he has to work diligently if he wants to take Roberts' place. He knocks sharply on the door and opens it when Roberts calls him in.
"So, what have you got for me? I sent in forensics, but your partner says you went to St. Mungo's to drop off a survivor?"
Ron clears his throat as he sits in the chair opposite Roberts. All he wants to do is get back to the scene, but he has to give a quick report first.
"It was Draco Malfoy."
There is silence as Roberts looks at him blankly. Ron knows how he feels.
"Draco Malfoy," he says in just as blank a voice. Ron nods. "The same Malfoy who was killed five years ago trying to run from the Aurors?" His disbelief is almost tangible.
"Yes, sir. It is most certainly him. He is not physically injured, but there is a strong chance that he is involved in the murders that occurred there. But I was unable to get a statement from him because he has lost his ability to speak. And he cannot be brought in for official questioning until he is cleared from the hospital. Healer Potter is in charge of him."
Roberts sits up at that, "You managed to get Potter to look after him?" Ron gives a humorless smirk. Just about everyone knows of the rivalry between Harry and Malfoy. "But if he is not physically injured, then how can he be kept in the hospital?"
"I think Harry wants to see what he can do about his voice, it may be neurological or psychological, though we are both thinking it's the latter. He seems to be traumatized by what went on in that warehouse."
"Well, do you know what's been going on there?"
"No, sir. That we still haven't figured that out yet. But there are a lot of questions this brings up. Why was Malfoy there and why would the Aurors at the time lie about him being killed? I will have to pull up the records of the Aurors who made that report - they are most likely still working here. But I don't know much good it will do."
Roberts stares off into space as Ron speaks, frowning. "Yes. Yes you do that. This is highly irregular and it troubles me that there is even a question of dishonesty in the department." He is silent after that and Ron is ready to leave. He stands and heads for the door.
"I'm returning to the crime scene, a full report will be on your desk within the week."
His boss nods in acknowledgement and Ron heads to the Atrium, where he can Apparate back to the warehouse. Once he arrives, though, he knows something is different. There are too many people there and it takes him a moment to place the heavily robed figures standing guard outside of the building. His partner, Michael, is running up to him.
"What are the Unspeakables doing here?" Ron asks before Michael has even come to a stop. His partner throws his hands up in frustration.
"I don't know! They just showed up and told us that this was a case for the Department of Mysteries and that we are all relieved from the investigation."
His jaw drops, "What?"
Ron runs up to the door they used earlier to get in and confronts the man standing there. "Let me in, I need to speak to whoever is in charge here. Now."
The man says nothing. Ron can't even see his face, the shadows are so deep. He knows that they can speak, but he never dreamed that they wouldn't answer an Auror. He is outraged. "I said -"
"Now, now. There is no need to get upset, Auror Weasley."
Ron whips around and is face-to-face with the head of the Department of Mysteries, Justin Finch-Fletchley. He holds his arms out in a gesture for peace as he comes to a stop in front of Ron. Fletchley has always rubbed Ron the wrong way, even when they were in school. The way he would flip-flop and believe every rumor about Harry, whether good or bad, made him untrustworthy in his book. Ron smiles tightly in return, the Unspeakable's presence is not a reassuring one.
"Head Unspeakable Finch-Fletchley, I was just -"
He holds up a hand, "Fletchley, please. Fletchley is fine."
Ron clears his throat, "Of course. I was asking your subordinate why my team and the forensics were removed from the scene. Roberts has not informed me of this."
It is almost unheard of for any department to override another without full consent, and for Roberts to not know beforehand that the Aurors are no longer allowed on site will make his head roll.
"Roberts will be informed shortly. And as for your team, they are no longer needed. This requires the knowledge and expertise of the Unspeakables. I understand that you brought the suspect to St. Mungo's?"
"Yes," Ron answers slowly.
"Draco Malfoy's admittance into the hospital will no longer be necessary. I will have my people retrieve him shortly."
"No, that you cannot do, Unspeakable Fletchley. He is suspected of a crime, which leaves him under our jurisdiction, under Auror watch. You can investigate a crime scene, but we take care of the suspects."
Fletchley's smile flickers. "If that suspect poses a viable threat, he can be dealt with by our specialists. He will be released." He does not lose he smile, but it is very strained. He is almost talking through clenched teeth. Ron does not give in. The policies of the Ministry are ingrained in his brain and he won't let them be talked around by Fletchley of all people.
"If he poses such a threat, we will tell you. We do not know how or if he killed those people, and if he did, why? I do not feel that he is an imminent threat, so we're keeping him until further notice." For some reason, Ron just does not feel comfortable handing Malfoy over the Unspeakables. There is just no telling what they'll do with him. He also knows that Fletchley has a deep hatred for Slytherins, Purebloods and Death Eaters. There is a real, dangerous reason why he wants Malfoy, and Ron is not going to hand him over.
"There are at least ten people in there, all of whom are dead. We know Malfoy is responsible for their deaths and he shall be dealt with accordingly."
"Who are those people? And why was Malfoy there in the first place?" Fletchley twitches, but remains silent. Ron continues, "Despite what all of you believe, Malfoy is no killer, though he is a nasty son of a bitch. Since you so kindly took the case away from us, you will have to give me the answers to those questions before you so much as look at Malfoy again."
They stare at each other for a long moment, Fletchley in outrage and Ron in defiance. Right now, he doesn't care that he's telling off a superior, Fletchley is being a pushy bastard. The Unspeakable narrows his eyes.
"Roberts will be hearing if this, I can assure you, Weasley. This will not be forgotten," He says before turning is back on Ron and walking into the warehouse. Ron scoffs and returns to his team, who are waiting for him. Michael looks at him expectantly. Ron throws up his hands.
"Looks like the Unspeakables are taking care of this one. We will have to write a report of what we found and submit if to Roberts and Fletchley when we get back," he tells them. What he doesn't say is how suspicious this is all looking to him. How the hell had they gotten there so fast if Roberts hadn't told them about it? And Malfoy being a "viable threat" can only imply that they know why. There was no surprise of him being found after being presumed dead, which tells Ron that they knew of his whereabouts and conveniently decided to keep that quiet.
