11
Aurors
Ron stared angrily at the muggle prime minister and the head of his security services as he listened to the conversation they were having with Kingsley and his father. As the head of the British security service continued his tirade Ron could feel his cheeks getting red with anger.
"Prime Minister," Davies hissed angrily, "It is clear that these 'Wizards' have no intention of helping us with these terrorists!"
Davies pointed angrily at Ron and Harry as he finished "They send us kids instead of the best men they have! How do you expect kids to find out who is behind these attacks?"
Ron could no longer bite his tongue. The muggles were not even giving He and Harry a chance. Worse they were deliberately withholding information that would help them to find out who was behind the recent attacks.
"How do you expect us to help you with anything when you refuse to tell us the whole story?" Ron asked in a soft voice that sounded a lot calmer than he felt on the inside.
Kingsley looked at Ron, "I am sure the Prime Minister and his security chief have told us everything they know about the attack Ron. They have no reason to hold back any information."
Ron was dumbfounded. Harry then spoke before Ron could say anything that would make the situation worse.
"Kingsley, the attack on the police station was a rescue not an attack."
Kingsley looked at the Prime minister and his security chief trying to hide his anger and asked, "Harry, what do you mean."
Harry looked at Davies as he answered. "What the Prime Minister and his security chief have not told us is they had one of the attackers in custody and were about to question him."
Davies spat angrily "How do you…"
Harry cut him off. "How we know is not important. The fact is we cannot help you if we do not know everything you do!"
Davies and the Prime minister looked at each other as Harry continued.
"The muggles arrested a person of interest last night at the Charing Cross station. He is described as being dressed in robes, medium height and build. The most interesting thing about his description is the tattoo on his left arm"
Davies could not hide his shock at the amount of details Harry had of the person they had taken into custody. How could he know so many details?
"It is the Tattoo that is the most important clue as the type of operation this last attack was. Death Eaters would not tolerate one of there own being imprisoned by muggles."
Harry sounded quite satisfied as he finished his statement.
Davies looked at Harry and Ron before speaking. "How did you two come by this information?"
Ron answered "So you are not disagreeing with Harry. You did have someone you thought was related to the attacks being held?"
Davies did not answer Ron. "What are Death Eaters", he asked Harry.
Harry did not answer right away so Ron took the opportunity to ask again.
"Mr. Davies you did not answer my question"
Davies again tried to ignore Ron by asking Harry again
"What are the Death Eaters."
Harry finally answered Davies.
"I would appreciate it if you would answer my partners question Mr. Davies. He has asked you twice now. Did you have someone in custody you thought had something to do with these attacks?"
Davies did not answer the question. He looked at Kingsley and said sarcastically "I see these two are going to be real co-operative"
Before either Harry or Ron could say anything Kingsley held up his hand for them to be quite and he spoke to the Prime Minister
"Prime Minister, cooperation is a two way street. Your security chief has been asked twice now if you had someone in custody. Twice the question has been ignored by your security chief. He then has the gall to complain that we have not answered his question. As I see it you are the ones not being cooperative. Why work against each other when we can help each other?"
Blake sighed. He knew Kingsley was right and so far the way Davies was handling things was getting them no where.
"You are right Kingsley we do need to work together." The prime minister looked at Ron and Harry "The reason that Mr. Davies has not shared information with the two of you is you are both so young."
Harry and Ron both began to protest.
"I know you have proven yourself in your world." The prime minister interrupted before they could say anything, "but we you have not in our world."
Ron stared at the Prime Minister coldly
"If we are not given the chance how can we prove ourselves?"
Davies looked at Ron before he answered. "Well to me you have proven the two of you are capable investigators by finding out we had someone in custody. However, being good investigators does not mean you can handle yourselves when the shit hits the fan." Davies looked at his prime minister before he continued. "I for one would like to see how you two handle yourselves in a high pressure situation."
Ron could not believe what he was hearing. After he and Harry along with Hermione had tracked down Voldemort's Horcruxes, as well as planning a raid on Gringots and finally taking on Voldemort himself. They had to prove they could handle themselves under pressure.
"I think we have proven we can handle ourselves", Ron started to say. But Davies interrupted him before he could finish.
"Your accomplishments may be well known in your world but we know nothing of what you have done."
Kingsley finally interrupted Ron and Davies.
"Mr. Davies Just how are Harry and Ron going to be able to show you they can handle themselves?"
Davies looked at Kingsley. He was hoping that Kinglsey would suggest someone older would be assigned to help with this investigation. He did not expect Kingsley to stick with these two. He cleared his throat before speaking,
"I think since we are not comfortable with someone with little or no experience handling this case on your end that you might assign this case to someone a little bit older. That way Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter will not be forced into something they cannot handle."
Ron watched as Kingsley stood up and spoke to the British Prime minister. He spoke calmly but Ron could hear that Kingsley was also very angry. "Prime Minister I want to thank you for your time. I am sorry to see that your government is declining the assistance we are offering you at this time. I wish you and you security forces the best of luck with you investigation."
Kingsley motioned to Harry and Ron. "Since you have decided not to accept our assistance we must be going. There are other pending cases that I can assign these two."
Kingsley, Ron and Harry headed towards the fireplace and before either Davies or Blake could say anything they left the office.
***
Malfoy Manor showed signs that the fortunes of its owners had changed. Gone were the peacocks that once lived in the garden. The house showed some signs of neglect the outside walls that were once well maintained showed some signs of wear and tear. Harry could tell that Ron was not happy to be paying the Malfoy's a visit. Considering how they were all almost killed and Hermione tortured with the Cruciatus curse Harry could not blame Ron for being unhappy.
Much he hated having to pay a visit to the Malfoy's a visit; they would be the best ones to answer the questions they had. The most important being who was it the London Police had taken in for questioning. The second being had the Death Eaters re grouped and were once again trying to seize power. Or was it just a coincidence the Muggle police captured a Death Eater. Harry knew that if anyone would be able to answer these questions it would be the Malfoy's.
As Harry and Ron approached the gate they were stopped by a couple of officers from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad. They showed the officers their Ids as they approached the house. Seeing that Harry and Ron were Aurors the officers let them by.
Harry felt a little apprehensive as he waited for the Malfoy's to answer the door. He never spoke to any of the Malfoys after the battle of Hogwarts. The Malfoys simply kept to themselves, and had stayed out of sight for the last few months. They were under ministry guard both to protect them from any potential retaliation from the Death Eaters as well as to make sure they did not try and join back with the Death Eaters. He wondered if the Malfoy's would still be as hostile to him as they had been over the years.
He heard the door open and was not surprised to hear Draco Malfoy's voice. He sounded as he had not lost any of the contempt he felt for Harry over the last seven years.
"What are you doing here Potter?" Draco noticed right away that Hermione was missing, "Where is your buddy Granger?" he spat coldly "She still have fond memories of the last time she paid us a visit?"
Harry was surprised to see that Ron kept his cool. It was Ron that answered Draco coolly
"I would think you would be grateful Malfoy considering we saved your skin twice the night of the battle." Ron continued "But we are not here to reminisce on our mistakes. We need to see your father."
Draco turned a little red after being reminded Ron and Harry saved him twice the night of the Battle of Hogwarts. "And what makes you think my father will talk to you two?"
Harry sighed, "Because part of your agreement with the Ministry to keep you and your parents out of Azkaban is that you will cooperate with the Ministry on any questions they may have regarding the activities of any death eaters."
Draco still did not move out of Harry and Ron's way.
"We agreed to cooperate with the Ministry Potter. Last I heard you were still in school so why don't you hurry back to school."
Ron and Harry looked at each other. Ron sounded quite satisfied as he answered Draco's challenge. "Funny thing about that Draco," Ron showed Draco his Auror's badge, "We seemed to have impressed someone at the ministry by beating your old master. They seemed to think something like that proved we could be Aurors."
"Draco," Harry heard Lucius Malfoy from inside the house. "Don't be rude. Let our guests in."
Draco stood aside and Harry and Ron were soon shown to a spacious sitting room. Lucius Malfoy was standing by the oversized fireplace looking into the mirror that was over the mantle.
"Mr. Potter I am pleasantly surprised you are paying me a visit." Mr. Malfoy turned to face Ron and Harry, "I was hoping to get the chance to thank you for your intervening on behalf of my family with the Ministry…"
Harry interrupted Lucius Malfoy before he could continue. "All I did is tell the ministry what happened at Hogwarts."
Harry had told the Ministry how Narcissa Malfoy had lied to Voldemort telling him Harry was dead and that the Malfoys had not participated in the final fight in the great hall. To the best of Harry's knowledge except for the minor part Draco played in the battle the Malfoy's did not take part in the final battle.
Harry still felt that the Malfoys deserved some time in Azkaban for allowing Hermione to be tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. However Kingsley had pointed out to Harry that under the circumstances the Malfoy's did not have much of a choice.
"None the less, you chose to tell the truth when you could have said nothing at all or even lied about my family's participation. I know that must not have been easy for you."
Mr. Malfoy looked at both Harry and Ron and continued. "I do hear congratulations are in order."
Harry interrupted Mr. Malfoy again. "That is not necessary Mr. Malfoy. Ron and I have just been appointed Aurors and it is not that big a deal."
Mr. Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Aurors, I must ask for your pardon I am not as well informed as I use to be. I was referring to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger's recent engagement…"
It was Ron's turn to interrupt Mr. Malfoy. "We are not here on a social call Mr. Malfoy"
Lucius glared at Ron but his voice remained even as he spoke. "I see, well then let's get down to business. Why are you here?"
Harry and Ron had agreed to how they wanted to approach Mr. Malfoy's interview. Ron followed their plan perfectly.
"We would like to know what you know of the recent attacks on the Muggles."
To his credit Mr. Malfoy did not show any reaction to Ron's statement.
"What makes you think I might know anything about these attacks?"
"Let me think about that for a minute." Ron spat sarcastically, "The attacks are being made by Death Eaters." Ron pointed at Mr. Malfoy as he finished. "You are a Death Eater aren't you?"
Lucius Malfoy chuckle softly as he answered Ron. "I was once a death eater Mr. Weasley. Now I am afraid if I ran into any of my former colleagues they would probably kill me right away. You see my former colleagues are not happy with the things my dear wife and I did that night at Hogwarts."
The look Ron gave Mr. Malfoy spoke more than any words could ever say. Ron looked as if he hated Mr. Malfoy with every fiber in his body. "My philosophy is once a death eater always a death eater! After what you did to Hermione you belong in Azkaban along with the others that were…"
Lucius Malfoy's expression also changed. Harry could see that he was starting to get angry, this was his queue.
"You have to excuse Ron." Harry interrupted before Ron could say anymore, "He has not forgotten or forgiven you for allowing Hermione to be tortured."
"Mr. Potter you must know I had no choice" Mr. Malfoy pleaded.
"I realize that. If I thought you wanted Hermione to be tortured you would be sitting in a cell at Azkaban prison right now. Ron as you can see does not agree with me. He has not forgotten all that happened the last time we were your guests."
Mr. Malfoy looked at Ron "I know nothing I say will ever take away the pain your fiancé had to endure that night Mr. Weasley. I am sorry that had to happen however you must understand I had no choice!"
Ron just stared at Lucius. If looks could have killed Mr. Malfoy would be killed ten times over. Harry was not sure how much of Ron anger was just an act or for real. He gave Ron the benefit of the doubt and figured it must be Ron playing his part. Harry spoke to Mr. Malfoy again.
"Mr. Malfoy. It would be very helpful if you could at least answer some questions about your former colleagues."
"I will do the best I can Mr. Potter"
Over the next half hour Mr. Malfoy answered Harry and Ron's questions. As it turned out the Death Eaters that had been most likely to take Voldemort's place Bellatrix Lestrange and Severus Snape were both killed during the battle of Hogwarts. Mr. Malfoy did not include himself. He made it clear he had fallen out of favor with The Dark Lord after he failed to get the prophecy at the ministry of magic. The fact that Draco had not killed Dumbledore had not helped the Malfoy's cause. Harry looked at Ron. They had one final thing to find out.
Ron pulled out the booking photo they had stolen from the Muggle police station. Ron sounded a bit more civil as he spoke.
"Mr. Malfoy, I know you are wondering why we think the Death Eaters are behind the attacks on the muggles." He handed the photo to Mr. Malfoy, "Do you know who this is?"
Mr. Malfoy looked at the photo. He looked at Harry and Ron surprised, "That is Augustus Rockwood. He was a spy for Voldemort during the first war."
Ron nodded and asked Mr. Malfoy if he knew of any others that Rockwood might be in hiding with. Mr. Malfoy told them he knew Rockwood and Nott and Mulciber were friends. This was no help as both Nott and Mulciber were currently serving life sentences in Azkaban.
"Mr. Malfoy. Can you think of anyone else that the Death Eaters might rally behind?"
The only name Mr. Malfoy could think of was Yaxley. Harry really did not think Yaxley was the leader type. He would be a good second in command but not a leader. Getting up to leave Harry thanked Mr. Malfoy for his time and help.
As Harry and Ron stepped out onto the street Harry decided they needed to find out how any death eaters had escaped the Ministry and were still at large. This would give them a list of potential suspects they could start with. Finding Horcruxes was one thing, but he had a feeling finding Augustus Rockwood would not be easy. He had no Idea that they would find Rockwood a lot sooner than he thought.
