It was a rather interesting morning tea while we awaited the arrival of Auror Webb.
There were several sets of disjointed but animated conversations going on around the kitchen table.
Hermione was obviously very excited about the prospect of getting the search started for her parents. She was discussing with Ron all that she could remember of the memory charm that she had placed on them. As well as her thoughts, as to where she thought that they would have gone once they arrived in Australia.
Ron to his credit was actually trying to pay attention and listen to Hermione. Morning tea was however applying a powerful pull to Ron's attention as well. It was rather fascinating watching the battle between two powerful but primal forces that was playing out within my youngest son.
Arthur was excitedly talking to Bill, Charlie and George about the latest information on his father. My two eldest boys were doing a much better job at looking interested with their fathers' conversation than Ron was with Hermione's. Although Charlie did seem to have a smattering of genuine interest, although to be fair he was mentioned (if not by name at least by deed) in the conversation.
Fleur, Gabrielle and surprising Ginny were discussing how someone could be in trouble for 'Crimes against Fashion and the French Language'. As their conversation was the quietest of the lot I couldn't follow it readily.
Most of my attention was on the conversation between Kingsley and Chief Williams. They seemed to be deep in the midst of discussing the current situation facing the depleted Auror department. The subject of an 'Assistance Mission' was just being raised when there were two disturbances.
The first was an odd chirping from Chief Williams Mirror Phone (as he called it). The other was a call from my eldest son Bill.
Bill was a little alarmed by the appearance of a 'disturbance' in the yard of The Burrow. At his cry, we all got up and went to the kitchen window to look at what he had pointed out.
A 'disturbance' was just about the only description that could be given to it. As it looked just like someone had grabbed the air of the yard and twisted it to make it look like a scrunched-up table cloth.
On seeing this Chief Williams smiled and looked down at his Mirror Phone which was still issuing the odd chirping. He broke the silence by saying,
"Ah. That must be Syd." After which he tapped his Mirror Phone which made the chirping stop.
"What do you mean 'That must be Syd' Chief Williams?" Bill questioned.
"It's his way of asking if it ok to appear. A bit like ringing a door bell. He usually only does it when he is going somewhere new for the first time."
"I have just replied to his message to let him know it is ok to arrive at that spot" Chief Williams replied.
Looking alarmed Bill called out, "Tell him No, not there. That is inside the wards he will never make it."
However, before he finished the warning there was a small pop in the yard. The disturbance was gone and in its place stood what appeared to be the most unremarkable man I have ever met.
In astonishment Bill turned to Arthur and exclaimed "How did he make it past the wards Dad?"
"I don't know son. But he is an Auror so he might know somethings about wards that we don't. Remind me to ask him later"
Bill nodded in agreement.
I turned my attention back to our latest visitor and continued my observations.
He appeared to be about 6ft tall with a slim but solid built. His stance indicated that he was relaxed but at the same time it appeared that he was ready to spring into action at any moment.
His clothing seemed a little out of place given that it was summer now. But remembering an earlier comment from Hermione about it being winter in Australia his clothing made a bit more sense.
He appeared to be wearing, boots of some sort, jeans, a dark blue shirt and what appeared to be a dragon skin jacket. He also appeared to be wearing some sort of wide brimmed hat (I was later to find out it was called an Akubra) and some muggle style Sunglasses.
He was also carrying a tray with a clear cover that appeared to be containing scones of some sort.
He appeared to be looking at us with as much interest as we were all looking at him. He then changed his focus and gazed at The Burrow itself, looking around as though to fully absorb every detail.
His first words however were a bit of a surprise.
"What a ripper. Now that's what I call an excellent looking house."
I'm not sure if this comment was intended to be overheard or not. But Arthur certainly beamed with pride upon hearing it.
As he started forward to the porch Chief Williams was the first one out the door. He met our visitor at the foot of the porch steps.
Chief Williams appeared to approach the visitor a little cautiously, which seemed odd.
"Syd?" he questioned?
This caused a small amount of disquiet amongst those of us still inside the house.
"G'day Boss." Was the reply.
"Yes it's me. Didn't you recognise me?" he said with a smile.
"Obviously not, Syd." Chief Williams replied with a bit of a chuckle.
"What do you call this particular monstrosity that you're wearing?"
"Told you on the 'dog and bone' Boss. This is 'John Citizen'" he said turning in a slow circle.
"What do you think? Drunkmouse and Q both helped me come up with it. It's supposed to be the most uninteresting and average White Caucasian European Male possible. Most people should have forgotten me before they have even finished meeting me." He added somewhat proudly.
"I have been using 'John Citizen' since Christmas and so far, he is doing very well. Unless I have a significant interaction with someone I'm forgotten very quickly. No need for memory charms at all. Which is just as well."
"Fair enough" was Chief Williams reply.
With this he stepped forwards and the two shook hands and gave each other a quick but solid hug.
"Good to see you again Syd. It has been a while since we last caught up."
"What's with the tray?"
Displaying a somewhat vicious smile Auror Webb replied,
"Well Boss, after our phone call I got changed and dressed and went out to see the rest of the team. Your missus and mum were both still there, but getting ready to head off home. So I showed them the photo I took of you while we were talking." At this the smile on Auror Webb got larger.
"Needless to say they were both horrified at what you were wearing. Your missus stated that she thought that you had known that your own daughters brought that bow tie for you as a practical joke."
"So when I told her where you were wearing it, she was completely mortified. Although mum saw the funny side of it." Auror Webb was now laughing as the story was unfolding.
"After calming your missus down, mum handed me this tray along with instructions to give it to you, so that you could pass it along to our hosts by way of an apology for inflicting that hideous article of clothing on them."
"So Boss here you go" he said as he handed the tray over and almost collapsed with laughter at the expression on Chief Williams face.
"Your missus also said that she was going to have a 'talk' with you about appropriate attire to wear when in the field." He added with a Cheshire Grin.
Chief Williams to his eternal credit, turned away from the still laughing Auror Webb and with a perfectly straight face brought the tray of scones up to the house and presented them to myself and Arthur saying.
"On behalf of my lovely sister-in-law I present to you some of her famous date scones as an act of contrition for my recent fashion related crimes."
Struggling to hide his smile at this turn of events Arthur replied,
"I didn't think that your Bow Tie was that bad, Chief Williams. But many thanks to your sister-in-law for these lovely scones. They smell great."
Arthur passed the scones along to me and I moved to place them on the kitchen table. Ron was already to pounce on them, I had to slap his hands away and tell him to wait for our guests.
By this time Auror Webb was on the porch his hat and glasses removed he was being introduced by Chief Williams.
"Mr Arthur Weasley, I would like to introduce Auror David Webb", the two men shook hands.
"It is a very great pleasure to meet you Mr Weasley. A very great pleasure indeed. I had a very quick conversation with dad before I left to come here and he also asked me to pass along his gratitude to you from the family for the efforts of your father in helping his dad."
"He also asked me to pass along to you and your family an open invitation to dinner and to visit if you are ever in Australia. As he would dearly love to meet you and your family himself."
Poor Arthur seemed more than a little surprised at this. But he quickly recovered and replied,
"He does me a great honour Auror Webb. But I must confess I'm at a complete loss as to what it was that my father did to earn so much admiration and praise from your family."
"I have a copy of my Grandfathers documents with me Mr Weasley as they will be relevant to the continuation of our earlier conversation. They will also show you in part what it was that your father actually did to get such admiration and loyalty from my Grandpa." Replied Auror Webb as he shook hands with Arthur.
After returning to the crowd at the kitchen door it was my turn to be introduced. While considering Auror Webb's face I thought I noticed something not unlike recognition flicker in his eyes. It was very brief (if indeed that was what it was) but he also didn't react to it so I decided not to mention it to him. At least not yet.
I told him that I was very pleased to meet him and he expressed the same. His big brown eyes were what I noticed the most. They seemed alive with an insatiable curiosity about all that was happening. It did seem to me that it was almost like that they were recording everything that they saw for later analysis. But he was an Auror so I thought at the time that it would make sense for him to be paying attention.
Arthur next introduced Charlie.
"I believe you know this man as Mr Dragon Keeper, Auror Webb?"
Both Charlie and Auror Webb were grinning at this statement and shook hands enthusiastically.
Next in line for introductions was Bill. When he turned to look at Bill, Auror Webb again had that strange expression on his face, almost like recognition. His eyes flickered to that hideous earing that Bill always insisted on wearing.
Upon Arthur's introduction of our eldest son Auror Webb's eyes lit up and a lopsided grin that appeared strangely familiar played across his face.
It was plain that both men wanted to say something but it was Auror Webb who got in first.
"Pleasure to meet you Bill." He quickly followed up with.
"Did you used to work for Gringotts in Egypt as a Curse-Breaker by any chance?"
Caught off guard by the question Bill replied.
"Yes I do work for Gringotts as a Curse-Breaker and I was in Egypt for quite a few years. Why do you ask? Have we met before Auror Webb?"
"No I don't think you and I have meet Bill. But I do believe that you might know one of my sisters, possibility quite well in fact. As she too was in Egypt working alongside the Gringotts Curse-Breakers."
At this Bill had a slightly worried and puzzled expression on his face. Fleur was looking at him with a raised eyebrow and Charlie was starting to display a rather evil looking smile while staring at his older brothers growing discomfort.
"No need to look so worried Bill." Auror Webb continued clearly noticing Bill's growing unease.
"It's just that if you are indeed the same Bill Weasley that 'dropped in' on a very intimate moment that my sister was sharing with someone at the time, I would love to hear your side of the story to see if it aligns with hers. As she has been known to embellish her stories from time to time."
Bill was now looking really worried. As both Fleur's and Charlie's interest had greatly increased at the mention of 'intimate moment'.
Even Arthur was struggling to hide his interest in this particular story.
Clearly enjoying the moment Charlie began to ask some questions of Auror Webb.
"My elder brother seems to be having some difficulty with his memory at the moment. Do you think you could provide him and the rest of us with some more details Auror Webb?"
"If you think that they will be of assistance I will most happily do so Charlie" came the reply. Openly grinning at Charlie, Auror Webb continued.
"The situation under discussion, involved a rather romantic (or so I'm told) dinner for two at a recently discovered tomb. Which was hidden away out of sight at the base of a set of scaffolding (the dinner not the tomb). As well as a partial collapse of said scaffolding by a certain individual from a group of drunken Curse-Breakers who were celebrating the recent discovery."
Bill by now had begun to blush to the extent that his face almost matched his hair.
Grinning like a mad man Charlie exclaimed,
"It seems that Bill has remembered something. Please Bill do tell your side of the story."
Charlie's enthusiasm for the uncovering of the story seems to have been picked up by the rest of the family. As they were all now pestering Bill for details of the event.
Auror Webb seemed to be also very interested and was showing no signs of letting Bill off the hook.
"There isn't much to tell" Bill quietly said.
"As I don't remember much of it at all. Just fragments. I remember the party, falling, a woman yelling at me and then waking up the next morning with a set of rather spectacular bruises. None of my fellow Cruse-Breakers however seemed too keen on giving me all the details. All they would say was it was a memorable evening."
"Spoil sport" muttered Charlie.
Disappointment obvious in his voice Auror Webb asked,
"Are you certain that you don't remember anything else?"
"Please Bill, try and remember" chimed in Charlie with a hopeful glint in his eye.
"No sorry I don't. I can't seem to remember any women on the Gringotts team in Egypt with the name of Webb either." Bill explained.
"My sister never worked for Gringotts. She worked with them as a consultant specialising in what I believe are called 'adaptive' or 'active curses'. She and her (at the time) fiancée were making a study of them."
This seemed to bring up some more memories of Bill's time in Egypt as you could almost see his eyes light up.
"Don't tell me your sister is Natalie? Natalie Hood? Married to Craig Hood and together they are considered to be the foremost experts on 'active curses' in the world?" Bill said almost breathlessly.
"That she is."
"Oh my." Bill said with a smile beginning to form on his face.
"This certainly explains some very odd comments I hear from them at times."
Now it was Auror Webb's turn to look a little confused.
"I still see them both from time to time. As Gringotts brings them in on specialist jobs." Bill replied.
"They have never mentioned the incident you describe. But they both frequently make reference to 'Bombshell' in my presence."
Auror Webb was by now happily chuckling at this revelation. For Bill's benefit he explained.
"'Bombshell', is the nickname that she christened you with in our family. The story behind the name is one of my sisters' favourite ones to tell. The whole family knows the story and it is frequently requested to be retold at family gatherings." Auror Webb smiled as he finished his explanation.
"Bill, are you certain you don't remember any more of that incident?" Auror Webb asked hopefully?
"Bombshell?" both Charlie and George asked in unison. Twin smiles forming as they struggled to contain their ever-growing amusement.
"I was mildly curious before but now I absolutely must know the story behind that name. If my rather befuddled brother can't remember the story, perhaps you would care to enlighten us Auror Webb?" George asked with an almost childlike glee.
By this point Arthur must have begun to take pity on his first born son. As he stepped in to continue the introductions. Must to the obvious disappointment of both Charlie, George and myself I must say.
"Auror Webb, this curious young man here is my son George."
"We have met before Arthur. Although I don't think George will remember it as I was dressed as someone else."
This garnered a questioning look from Arthur and George as to the statement. Auror Webb continued,
"Between us I think my team has just about bought your entire stock of your 'Patented Daydream Charms' as well as a good proportion of your decoy detonators. Before you closed up shop one of us was in there almost every day."
"We were very upset to find that you had closed up shop. Until we realised that we could still order from you by your wonderful Owl post service."
George had a very self-satisfied expression upon his face at this news.
"Really? I can understand how a team of Aurors could make use of our decoy detonators. But what on earth were you doing with all those 'Patented Daydream Charms' you bought from us?" George asked his eyes afire with curiosity.
"Making life a living nightmare for the Death Eaters and their supporters." Was the reply.
George's face assumed an almost beautific expression of pure joy at this announcement. It was the happiest I had seen him in quite some time.
"Purely from a standpoint of professional curiosity, may I ask how you used our humble 'Patented Daydream Charms' to such an end?" George enquired.
"We discovered that with a slight modification they were perfect to use to spike the water supply of locations where Death Eaters were operating certain shall we say 'facilities'" Auror Webb replied with an almost nervous glance at the youngest member of his attentive audience.
"When used in the water supply (in sufficient quantity) we found that we could cause the vast majority of the operators and customers at these 'facilities' to become so inattentive that we could walk right in and disarm them. Then walk right out with either their prisoners or records or even both, as the case may be. In some cases, we were not even challenged, while in others we were met with only slight resistance that could be easily managed."
"It proved to be so effective that it was our preferred method of operation for quite some time."
"The list of people who owe their freedom and in quite a good number of cases their very lives to your little invention is a very significant number."
"The head of our Technical Department was very impressed with your work on these 'Patented Daydream Charms'. To the point that he would like to meet with you and discuss several ideas he has for other items that could well prove useful to us in the future."
To say that George was stunned would have been an understatement. We all were.
In an attempt to finally finish the introductions Arthur continued on.
"Auror Webb, this is my youngest son, Ron."
Ron and Auror Webb shook hands.
With a rather cheeky smile on his face Ron asked, "You haven't met me before have you Auror Webb?"
"Only through what I have read in your 'lovely' papers Ron. Although I willing to hazard a guess that most of that is bull… I mean rubbish. Am I, right?"
"Pretty close" Ron replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Unless you have been into the Ministry recently I don't think we would have crossed paths. And from what I have heard of you Ron you've been rather busy of late."
Ron looked up with a spark in his eye.
"I was in the Ministry recently. The three of us caused a bit of a stir in the 'Muggle-Born Registration Commission' offices."
Now it was Auror Webb's turn to look a little surprised. He fixed Ron with a rather intense look and asked,
"Would this have been in early September by any chance?"
With a quick glance at Hermione Ron nodded in confirmation.
"You three you say? Did one of you stun 'The Toad' down in the court rooms and cause a 'minor' stampede of Muggle-Borns and their families?" Auror Webb asked?
Grinning Ron replied, "Yeah that was us"
Returning the grin Auror Webb replied, "That was an inspired piece of work that was. I only wish that you had asked for our help. If it was your intention to break those Muggle-Borns out of the Ministry we would have assisted however we could."
"You were there at the Ministry that day Auror Webb?" Hermione enquired.
Nodding Auror Webb explained, "Fireball and I were there that day on a scouting operation. We were just discussing our options for getting into the court rooms undetected when there came a rather large commotion. The next thing we knew Muggle-Borns were running all over the place."
"That Yaxley nit wit came barrelling down the corridor trying to grab some poor bloke in a blue robe. Naturally I tripped the blond idiot up. I never missed a chance to ruin his day."
"Some court functionary knocked Fireball right onto her ass and kept on running after the bloke in the blue robes. I was then knocked over by someone else running down the corridor they had on a large leather coat but I didn't see their face. I ended up on top of that Yaxley who 'unfortunately' got the wind knocked out of him."
"Trying to make the best of the situation, I stole Yaxley's keys and copied them in the hope that the Court Room keys were there. Then we took off to grab as many of the Muggle-Borns that we could in the confusion."
"We ended up grabbing about almost 60 people all told that day. Got them all out of the country very quickly afterwards as well."
Ron and Hermione had rather strange expressions that almost mirrored each other. It seemed to be a mixture of amusement, fear and relief all mixed into one.
Getting himself under control Ron replied,
"The guy in the blue being chased by Yaxley was me. Thanks for the trip, he had almost caught up with me. I think that the person who knocked over your partner was Hermione over here." Ron indicated Hermione who was standing next to him and listening with rapt attention.
"I'll also guess that you were knocked over by Harry who was disguised as Albert Runcorn at the time. Did those set of keys you obtained give you access to the court room?" Ron asked.
"Unfortunately they didn't. But they did give us access to the central records room for Ministry Employees and most of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission records as well. They both proved very useful."
"I'm sure Harry will be very happy to hear that he assisted you then." Ron answered with a smile.
Taking the opportunity presented by the lull in the conversation, Arthur ploughed on again.
"Auror Webb, as Ron just indicated this lovely young lady here is Hermione Granger. Apparently, my sons Girlfriend and one of the main reasons we have asked you here today."
"Pleased to meet you Miss Granger" Auror Webb responded shaking hands with Hermione. He seemed to be about to say something else but Arthur then turned to Fleur,
"This lovely lady is Fleur Weasley, Bills wife and my Daughter-in-law."
"Pleasure to meet you Fleur" responded Auror Webb, while shaking hands with her.
"eet eez a pleasure to meet you to Monsieur Webb, as long as you don't call me Madame Bombshell, no?" Fleur asked with a smile.
Auror Webb gave a chuckle at this and replied, "No worries on that score."
"This young lady is Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur's sister" Arthur said as he indicated Gabrielle.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too Gabrielle." Auror Webb said as he extended his hand to her.
"Merci, Monsieur Webb. Eet eez a pleasure to meet you also." Gabrielle answered.
Turning to her sister she remarked, "I don't know what zey were complaining about. 'is wardrobe seems ok to moi, even if it is a bit simple."
"GABRIELLE!" Fleur exclaimed in shock, while Auror Webb and Chief Williams laughed. The rest of us had a small moment of unease also.
"I can see that she is a young lady of taste." Auror Webb answered with a smile.
"After my own 'incident' in Paris and the recent offence caused by the bow tie currently worn by Chief Williams. I was obliged to get my wardrobe 'checked' before leaving to come here. It was marked as 'passable' by my mum and Aunt. But I will pass your feedback along to them as well." He said smiling broadly at Gabrielle.
"They could probably do with some schooling from someone with a better sense of fashion and style." He laughed. Chief Williams also had a smile at this statement.
Gabrielle smiled broadly at the acknowledgement and was quickly hustled out of the way by Fleur.
Next to be introduced was Ginny. Here too Auror Webb seemed to have a moment of recognition flicker in his eyes. Only this this time I caught his glance from Ginny back to me, almost like he was comparing something. Ginny seemed to have noticed this momentary expression as well. I could almost see the questions begin to form before Arthur interrupted her thoughts.
"Auror Webb, this here is my daughter Ginny the baby of our family."
"Not the baby dad, just the youngest" Ginny retorted with a brief glare at Arthur before turning to Auror Webb.
"Pleased to meet you Auror Webb"
"You seem to have had an interesting time here in our country. What else have you been up to? I mean other than making life difficult for those lovely death eaters. Could you have managed to say 'taken out' some of those same Death Eaters rather than just giving them day dreams?" She asked with some heat coming into her voice.
"GINNY!" both Arthur and I exclaimed at the same time.
"Auror Webb is here as our guest, not for a cross examination" Arthur replied, his voice rising slightly.
"It's ok Arthur, it is a fair question." Auror Webb replied, almost as though he had expected this.
"Miss Weasley it appears that it will be an interesting experience to make your acquaintance." Auror Webb replied shaking her hand. The more formal mode of address towards my youngest had me slightly on edge and I didn't know why.
"When we are operating in another country, we have a very strict set of rules to which we must adhere. Things like random killings are very much frowned upon in our organisation."
"If we went around killing people like your 'lovely death eaters' as you described them we would be no better than them would we not? Killing is bad enough when it occurs inside the legal system. To willingly kill outside of it would be the same as murder do you not think so?" The questioning look Auror Webb directed to Ginny belied the steel and passion of his last statement. My earlier worries were starting to grow.
Ginny was not prepared for Auror Webb's response but she also gave the impression of someone who was not about to back down from her earlier statement either.
I think Auror Webb sensed this and he seemed to be ready to respond in a more direct manner when Chief Williams stepped in.
"Ginny, if you are implying that Auror Webb and his team have not been helping the fight against Tom Riddle Jr then I'm sorry to say that you are mistaken. I have seen the reports and a good deal of the physical evidence of the activities of Auror Webb and his team while they have been in this theatre of operations. Those same reports are soon to be presented to Minister Shacklebolt also."
"While the main role of Auror Webb and his team has been the identification and extraction of people who were being targeted by your Ministry. That includes Witches, Wizards, Muggle-Borns and Muggles. Auror Webb and his team have also removed from operation (directly) a significant number of Death Eaters and their supporters. At last count, the number was well over 200 individuals who were willingly supporting the 'darker side' of the Ministries activities."
"I'm sure you would agree that you would have not welcomed those extra reinforcements arriving at Hogwarts during the recent battle there?" Chief Williams asked a little pointedly clearly proud of the efforts of his fellow Aurors. When Ginny did not reply to this statement Chief Williams nodded to Arthur to continue.
Arthur then introduced Kingsley,
"Auror Webb it is my honour to introduce you to Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt. Minster Shacklebolt may I introduce Auror Webb."
"Not going to try and arrest me are you Auror Webb?" Kingsley asked with a twinkle in his eye as they shook hands.
"Err, no Minster. Sorry about that little misunderstanding earlier. I double checked the warrant before I left and Chief Williams was correct our Minister has indeed added Pius Thicknesse's name to it now."
"Glad that is settled then" Arthur said.
"We should all head inside for some tea and to try those lovely looking scones Chief Williams so kindly supplied us with." Kingsley suggested.
"Does this mean we should be thankful for your sense of fashion then Boss" Auror Webb asked with a mischievous look at Chief Williams? But he continued inside without waiting for a reply.