Stunned, Vin cowered into the blanket when Buck glanced over the truck bed as he walked away. The young tracker desperately wanted to know more about what the men had been talking about, but there was no way for him to sneak into the Ministry of Magical Law Enforcement. With a bounty on his head, he'd be a fool to go in there in any of his forms. There were so many wards and spells on the building, including ones that reversed any transfiguration magic, that he'd be discovered instantly. Maybe if he stayed where he was and followed this Buck and Chris when they came out, then he'd hear them talking about it some more. Not being an Auror himself, he couldn't be on the team with them, but maybe he could offer his services some other way, in an unofficial capacity. Shivering a little with cold, damp, bad memories and apprehension, he settled in for the long wait.
Dorothy, Orin Travis' temporary personal assistant, stopped filing her nails and perked up when the two, tall handsome men walked up to her desk. She pushed her chest out and preened when the dark haired one winked at her, chirping, "Do you have an appointment with Arbitrator Travis?"
Chris smirked as yet another woman fell to his old friend's charm; little knowing that it was the Veela in Buck's DNA making her heart flutter. Not that Buck was devoid of his own charm and good looks, but the natural seductiveness leant to him by his maternal grandmother helped smooth out his less than subtle ways. Buck loved all women and couldn't restrict himself to just the one, but he never left any woman unhappy or broken-hearted. They just seemed to know that the big lug wasn't the marrying kind and always parted on good terms, albeit with a yearning sigh.
"Why yes we do, darlin', can we go on in," purred Buck, eyeing up the buxom red-headed witch before him. Maybe once the meeting was over, he'd have some time to get her number.
"Miss Teesdale, do you have⦠Oh, I see Aurors Wilmington and Larabee have arrived. Please come in, gentlemen," growled Orin, frowning disapprovingly at the temp that administrative services had sent up to replace his usual personal assistant, a sensible older witch called Helen. A memo would be getting sent to request that the flirtatious, shallow girl wasn't sent up to him again.
Once everyone had settled and Orin had supplied everyone with a cup of good strong coffee, having caught the smell of whiskey that seemed to emanate from Chris, the older man started in without any small talk. "Auror Larabee, I expect that Auror Wilmington has already given you the basics, but what I've invited you here for is to ask you to head A.T.F. team seven."
Interrupting, Chris clutched the hot cup in his hands and growled, "A.T.F.? Aren't they Muggle law enforcement?"
Realising Wilmington hadn't been all that comprehensive in his explanation, Orin said ruefully, "Yes, they are, but A.T.F. stands for Auror Tactical Force in this instance, which is a new division that has been authorised as a defensive force against the oncoming storm of terrorism that will arise with the re-emergence of He Who Must Not Be Named and his followers. Team seven are the final team to be formed and as the head of it, I will allow you a certain amount of leeway when it comes to selecting your team members, Auror Larabee. Obviously, you'll be getting Auror Wilmington as your second in command, since you've worked together seamlessly in the past. I would like to recommend these two gentlemen for your consideration also."
Chris took the folders offered to him and scanned through the contents before handing them to Buck for his perusal.
The Judge continued, "Auror Sanchez has been retired for a couple of years as he wished to explore some other areas of interest to him, as well as teaching some classes at various institutions, both magical and non-magical. He's an excellent profiler and his knowledge of Defence Against the Dark Arts is vast. I believe that he will be an outstanding asset to your team, since he has experience in fighting the Dark Lord's followers from when they were last active. The other is Auror Jackson, who's a fully trained healer with excellent references, as well as an Auror. He has combat experience as a medic in the Muggle military too, which should prove useful. Given the nature of the fight you may be entering, I believe it's wise to have a medic with each team. Also, Jackson and Sanchez know each other already, so they'll work well together from the outset."
Silence encompassed the office as Chris and Buck absorbed the information given to them so far.
Clearing his throat, Orin went on gruffly. "My son gave his life in the acquisition of the latest intelligence on the battle against those who follow the Dark Lord, so I don't have to tell you that I am very serious about the success of this endeavour. I am only recruiting the best of the best."
"Which leads me to the question: Why you want me then? It's no secret that I've lost my magic, so why me?"
Turning grave eyes on the younger man, Orin said solemnly, "Because those who have lost the most fight the hardest. You were the absolute best Auror we had before your family were taken from you. The leadership and strategic skills you had then are still within you. Everyone I've spoken to has urged me to get you back, magic or no."
Studying the effect his words were having on the stoic blond, Orin declared, "And because I believe that once you commit to something you finish it. If you decide to take up this post, then I am firmly convinced that your magic will come back."
Nodding thoughtfully, Buck silently agreed with Travis. He'd long held the belief that the minute someone Chris cared about was in danger; his protective instincts would kick in and release the dammed magic like a flood. Merlin help the focus of his old friend's anger that day.
Feeling as though he was about to explode with all the churning emotions, Chris remained quiet for a few minutes, before asking, "Can I take some time to think it over?"
Knowing that it wasn't right to make the clearly inebriated man make a life changing decision, Orin agreed to give him the weekend but no more.
As Chris left the building with his faithful, loyal friend by his side, he felt the vague flutterings of new life enter his dead world.
TBC
