It was late in the evening when members of the Order of the Phoenix began to arrive. They seemed to convene all at once, and appeared out of nowhere. Remus was the first to arrive by mere seconds, and he took the lead in escorting everyone else into a sitting room that sat off of the dining room where they all awaited individual meetings with Dumbledore, who'd commandeered Lindsay's study for the purpose.
Lindsay had prepared a buffet of finger foods in the dining room and guests were meandering between the two rooms. They were tired and anxious to get this meeting over with, so most were not being particularly sociable. Lindsay was currently in the kitchen accompanied by Fred and George.
"I don't know why you insist on washing dishes by hand," said George as he drew his wand and pointed it at the dishes.
"It relaxes me," said Lin, as she stepped away from the sink to watch the dishes clean themselves and put themselves away.
"What are you nervous about?" said Fred.
"I'm not sure. I usually love having company in."
"It's Mad-Eye Moody," said Fred. "He creeps everyone out."
"Dishes are done," said George as he took Lin by the arm. "Come on; let's join the party while it lasts."
They hadn't made it halfway across the kitchen when a dour form draped in black appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Good evening, Professor," said Lindsay. The twins simply glared at him. Snape tilted his head toward her and swept by to disappear down the cellar steps.
"What's he doing in your cellar?" said Fred.
"I don't know. He's working on a project of some sort."
"Wish Mum was that easy to get around," mumbled Fred.
"You don't know what he's doing in your house?" said George suspiciously.
"I don't really care what he's doing. It's just nice to have some company. This house is huge, I feel swallowed up in it."
"How in Merlin's beard can the Git be considered company?"
"Calm yourself, George," said Fred. "We have a soiree to attend."
Lindsay found a seat in the sitting room and was flanked by Fred and George. Remus, Moody, and Arthur were standing closely together and were engaged in a disjointed conversation, apparently trying to keep each other awake. Arthur's eyes kept drooping, but he insisted on standing.
"If this continues much longer," said Arthur, "I'll be needing a Pepper Up potion."
"Who are we waiting for, Dad?" said Fred.
"Daumantas Farrette." Just as soon as Arthur said the name, Sirius Black entered the room escorting a thin small-framed man who wasn't very much taller than Harry. He was clutching a large tan briefcase. The man looked much younger that his actual age, which made the small dabs of grey hair at his temples appear premature. Farrette was a first-year student at Hogwarts when Arthur was in his seventh year. He had short reddish-brown hair and large coppery brown eyes that were framed by gold-wire spectacles. Anyone who tried would be hard-pressed to imagine a more inoffensive-looking person. "There he is," whispered Arthur as he smiled and nodded to Farrette, who responded in kind. Farrette didn't get a chance to sit as a heavy-set dark-haired woman whom Lindsay didn't know appeared in the doorway and immediately took Farrette to see Dumbledore; she then slipped quietly out the front door without saying farewell to anyone.
"Is he with the Ministry, Dad?" said George.
"Yes, Auror's Office," replied Arthur.
"He's an Auror?" blurted Fred. "You're joking, right?"
Moody harrumphed, "Quill scratcher."
"Farrette's in the Investigation Department," said Arthur.
"What is that?" said Lindsay.
"It's a branch of the Auror Office that investigates claims of Dark Magic abuse. The Investigation Department researches dark witches and wizards—."
"—and we Aurors do the real work and capture them," finished Moody.
"Farrette's particular talent is tracking down cursed objects and bewitched creatures," said Arthur.
"What part of 'I'll tell you about it when I get back' did you misunderstand?" said Remus to Sirius as the latter approached with a bright wide smile.
"I got tired of waiting, and I want to have a talk with Albus," replied Sirius.
"So you risk safety and secrecy for a little chat?" growled Moody.
"No one knows I'm here," said Sirius in a dismissive tone with a manner to match.
"Constant vigilance!" barked Mad-Eye as he took a step closer to Sirius. "You could've brought an army of Death Eaters here and you'd be none the wiser!"
"Oh dear," muttered Arthur. He stepped closer to Moody and Remus did the same with Sirius.
"I'm not a damn fool, Moody!" shouted Sirius. "I escaped Azkaban without help and evaded capture with half the wizarding world looking for me!"
"Only because the best of us were politely looking the other way!" replied Moody.
"Stop it!" shouted Arthur. "We have enough opposition without turning on each other."
Remus pulled Sirius away and into the dining room. Lin followed and hurriedly filled wine glasses and began passing them out. Moody left to inspect the outside of the property for spies.
"Let it go, Sirius," said Remus. "It's not worth fighting over."
"I'm not exactly an amateur, Remus. I fought in the first war. I know what's at stake."
"Moody's just tired—" said Remus.
"So am I," replied Sirius.
"And irritable—"
"Who isn't?"
"And paranoid."
"He's got that one on me."
Lin was piling food onto a plate to take to Albus. "I suppose the Dark Lord could make anyone paranoid."
"Where did you learn that?" blurted Sirius.
"Learn what?" said Lin.
"That phrase, 'the Dark Lord'? Only Death Eaters say that."
"I must've picked it up from Professor Snape. He says it alot."
"Don't say it anymore, Lin," warned Remus.
"Okay."
"You spend too much time with Snape," said Sirius.
"Don't be silly. He's harmless."
"He's not harmless, and using Death Eater lingo will get you killed," said Sirius.
"I'll be mindful of how I speak in the future, Sirius, but I won't let you dictate who I can and can't associate with." Lindsay stormed out of the room, purposely ending the conversation.
#
"Good of you to come on such short notice, Dee," said Albus as he waved his hand toward a chair indicating that Farrette should sit and make himself comfortable. "Would you like a drink, or perhaps a lemon drop?"
"No thank you, Albus. If you don't mind, I'm quite tired and would like to get straight to it."
"Certainly." Albus seated himself behind the desk and Farrette was seated directly in front of him. Farrette set his large briefcase on the desk and began rifling through it. Albus waited patiently and silently. Dee Farrette didn't appreciate small talk when he was working; it was too distracting. He lifted four hefty packets from his briefcase and set the case on the floor. He picked up the two largest stacks. "I prefer stacks of paper to lengthy rolls of parchment. I find it easier to collate information." Albus nodded, lifted his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. "This largest stack is a list of known muggle deaths starting from Tom Riddle's last year of Hogwarts until his death. As you can see, it's a very long list."
"Yes, unfortunately," replied Albus.
"The next largest packet is a list of known deaths of magical persons." Farrette passed the two stacks to Albus. "I don't normally share my source material, Albus, but these are such lengthy lists that I fear I may have missed a few vital clues."
"I sincerely doubt that, Dee, but I'll peruse them just the same."
"Thank you, Albus; it would put my mind to rest. There's nothing I dislike more than a sloppy investigation." Farrette dabbed the corners of his sleepy eyes with a handkerchief before continuing. "I have narrowed those lists somewhat by eliminating all natural deaths, explainable accidental deaths, and any deaths that are otherwise not noteworthy. This third largest packet contains the names of muggle deaths that I think are suspicious or otherwise significant. And the smallest packet is a list of witches and wizards who died suspiciously. I'm afraid the lists of names are still incredibly long, Albus."
"The sooner we start striking names off, the better."
"The parameters I used to begin removing names are imperfect, but nevertheless served as good starting points. You'll see everything in my notes. Riddle's high intelligence and secretive behavior have hampered my investigations considerably, and the fact that the Ministry is crawling with Riddle sympathizers hasn't helped me much either."
"Do be careful, Dee. Don't risk your cover or your safety."
"I'm a muggle-born, Albus, I know that I'll be one of the first to go when the Death Eaters return to power. My affairs are already in order. I don't fear death, certainly not at the hands of a malignant upstart. My only concern is that I don't give anyone else away."
"Tom can do far worse things than kill you, Dee."
"What will be, will be."
"Are you quite sure you're not a Gryffindor?" laughed Albus.
"I was perfectly suited to Ravenclaw," replied Farrette pleasantly. "Albus, you do realize that absolutely anything could've been used to make a Horcrux. It could even be an item that wasn't personal to any of those poor unfortunate victims."
"I know that, Dee, but I must start somewhere. I believe that any Horcrux made by Riddle would have some personal significance to him, but I don't want to ignore any other possibilities."
Farrette yawned. "Oh, forgive me."
"Go home, Dee. Get some rest." Farrette stood, collected his briefcase, and shook Albus' outstretched hand before leaving. "Please be careful, Dee, and contact me if you need any assistance."
Farrette left the study and made his way to the top of the staircase. He'd just put his hand on the banister when he began to feel dizzy. Lindsay was on her way up the stairs with a tray of food for Albus.
"Are you alright, Mr. Farrette?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine, thank you. I skipped dinner. I just need to eat."
Lindsay hurried up the stairs and lifted the napkin off the plate. "Here, take something. Albus won't mind. Wait here and I'll walk you down, Mr. Farrette."
"It's just Farrette, dear, or Dee if you like. I have no preference."
Lin hurried in to Albus' temporary study and gave him his platter of food. "I hope I'm not bothering you, Albus. I thought you might like something to eat."
"Yes, thank you, I'm famished." Lin set down the platter and Albus took her hand in his. "Something's come up, Lin. I'll be traveling for a bit. I have to leave first thing in the morning."
"Albus, you're exhausted. You need to rest."
"This is too important. I must go. But I wanted you to know that you'll be perfectly safe. Between Severus and other members of the Order, you'll be well looked after."
"Oh, for heaven's sake! I appreciate the concern, Albus, but I'm not a toddler. I don't need baby-sitters."
Albus smiled and patted her hand. "Keep working on the lessons Severus and I have been teaching you."
"Yes, Dad," said Lin with a laugh. She exited to find Farrette still clinging to the banister with one hand. He held a small sandwich-half in the other hand and was slowly nibbling on it. "Are you feeling any better, Dee? I'm Lin, by the way."
"Yes, thank you, Lin."
Lindsay picked up Farrette's briefcase and took his arm. She chattered to him as she walked him down the stairs and into the sitting room. "You're blood sugar is too low; that's why you feel weak and queasy. You'll need to eat more than that little sandwich. Have a seat in this chair, and I'll fix a plate for you."
"You don't have to go to any trouble," said Farrette.
"No trouble at all," replied Lin as she quickly disappeared into the dining room.
"Feeling ill, Dee?" said Arthur.
"Yes, I skipped dinner and now I'm paying for it."
"It's impossible to skip a meal with my Molly around," said Arthur.
"Molly's a fine woman, Arthur, and I'd love to chat more about your domestic bliss, but Albus is ready to see you and Alastor."
"I'll have to go and fetch him…ah, there you are, Alastor. Perfect timing as always. Albus has just called for us."
"Find that army of Death Eaters, Moody?" said Sirius, now seated on the sofa with the twins. Remus rolled his eyes, but said nothing.
Moody started toward Sirius, but was caught by Arthur. "Now's not the time," said Arthur as he steered Moody to the stairs. "We mustn't keep Albus waiting."
With his two companions gone, Remus saw no point in hovering and plopped into the nearest chair. He was fast asleep within seconds. Arthur had been gone only a moment when Fred and George rounded on Farrette. Fred grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously. "I'm Fred Weasley, Mr. Fart. Nice to meet you, sir."
Fred released Farrette's hand and George took it. "George Weasley, Mr. Fart. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir."
"It's Farrette, gentlemen."
"Yes, Fart, that's what we said," replied George with an innocent, almost angelic expression.
"It's F-a-r-r…e-t-t-e," said Dee, slowly sounding out his name.
"F-a-r-r…a-r-t," replied Fred with genuine-appearing effort.
"No, no, not fart; it's Farrette!"
"Oh, it's Ferret," declared George proudly. "He's saying Ferret, Fred."
"It sounds the same to me, George."
"It's subtle, you see," replied George. "It's a subtle difference."
"Oh, dear Merlin! Just call me, Dee!"
Lindsay hurried in with a plate piled with food and a large mug of ale. "Let Dee eat in peace. He's not feeling well." Fred and George plopped back onto the couch next to Sirius, who gave them a thumb-up for trying to lighten the mood. Farrette had only a bit of ale left in his mug when Arthur entered the room to collect the twins. Arthur tapped Remus' shoulder to tell him that Albus wanted to see him next. The three Weasleys said their goodbyes and left. Farrette downed the remainder of his ale, thanked Lin for her hospitality, and left. Mad-Eye Moody was already gone.