Author's note!

Hello everyone, I'm really really sorry it's been so very long since I've updated this story. I have not given up on it, life has just been extremely busy and tough lately with a lot going on and many changes happening. I plan to be more structured in how often I update from now on, and I apologize to everyone for how extremely late this is. As promised before, I will complete all of my stories as I personally know how frustrating it can be when a story I like is discontinued and I won't do that to any of you. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me and waited so patiently, I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!

-Pneuma

Zia sat on one side of the solid oak desk, scrutinizing the moving photographs placed in rows in front of her. A tiny man wearing plain black robes and large thick glasses that magnified his eyes to several times their original size sat across from her. His fingers were tented in front of him, his mouth was slightly pursed, and he perched on the edge of the chair he sat on as if ready to take flight at a moment's notice. He was watching her intently, waiting for her to speak.

She leaned a little closer to one of the pictures noticed that the inhabitant was in the process of attempting to walk out of it whilst shielding his face, and poked at the edge of it in an attempt to keep him within the frame. It worked, and he turned to face her indignantly, shaking a tiny photographed fist. Unfortunately for him, this action revealed his full face and she immediately recognized it. After about another minute, she pushed several of the photographs forward towards the tiny man.

"These I recognize from Alfie's mind as participants in many of his activities," she stated. The man turned the photographs around towards himself.

"Merlin's beard…if they hadn't already verified your abilities using both Alfie and Mr. Malfoy…I would have thought you were lying," he said in a much squeakier voice than Zia had anticipated. "Who'd have thought…so many upstanding names…many working for the ministry…"

"Well it makes some sense, as they were using their influence and power to cover up their activities," Zia responded. She thought back to the proceedings in the dungeon. The pumpkin witch, as Zia had come to think of the woman, had to her own surprise and especially Malfoy's, asked her to use the Veritaserum on him as well, to cross verify what Alfie had said. Fortunately for Zia and unfortunately for Mr. Malfoy, under the influence of the truth potion, he'd confessed to quite a lot.

"You'll pay for this!" Malfoy had yelled back at her as he was escorted out of the dungeon with Alfie by armed guards. "You've ruined my reputation! You will take responsibility!"

"You ruined your own reputation every time you chose to participate in illegal activities, and now you will take the responsibility you avoided for so many years," was all she had said in response. He'd screamed back several more threats and insults before his voice had been cut off by the heavy doors closing behind him. She admitted to herself that the threats did worry her, she was sure that his family and influence reached farther than she knew and did not want harm coming to her own family. To little Tom.

Zia glanced to the side at the small child in question, who was sitting quietly on a chair and reading a book. This trip to the ministry was turning out to be much longer and more involved than originally planned. Dumbledore was off somewhere in the ministry, discussing different ideas regarding her abilities and possible uses for them. Regulus was out purchasing lunch for them all while she was occupied identifying suspects. She'd tried to explain muggle money to him several times, and when he stated that he would never be able to remember it so quickly, she'd resorted to drawing him a diagram on a spare scrap of parchment so that he could refer to it while shopping in muggle stores.

"Is there anything else you need from me?" she finally asked the bug-like man sitting across from her, who was still rifling through the pictures, occasionally emitting sounds of surprise. He looked up with a slight jerk, as if he'd forgotten that she was there.

"Oh! Well, not at present I don't believe. We may ask you to come back in to do more examinations or look at more pictures when we obtain them," he piped out. "Of course we will give you notice beforehand so that you may prepare yourself."

"Alright, well then I suppose we'll be going now," she responded, shaking the man's hand. Then Zia turned to Tom and gently touched his shoulder. He looked up and grinned at her.

"Picnic time?" he asked excitedly, standing immediately and placing the book on the chair. He'd borrowed it from the tiny man. Zia, who hadn't had the chance to see the name of it before, was amused to find that he'd been reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard. She was positive that Tom would have questions about it for her later.

"Yes, as soon as we find Regulus it is picnic time," Zia responded, taking his hand in hers and leading him out of the office. They walked through several hallways, up a flight of stairs, and finally reached the elevator that would take them to the atrium. The second time it stopped a tall, lean looking man entered and leaned against the opposite wall. He wore deep purple robes and a matching hat, all with gold trim. His face was somewhat sharp, and his eyes were deep and piercing. He also sported a well-groomed goatee.

"Your demonstration earlier was unlike anything I've ever seen," the man said, scrutinizing her though those dark eyes, face unreadable. "Quite…unusual…your abilities are." Zia felt rather than saw Tom move in front of her, and knew he was wary of the stranger. She herself felt rather wary of him as well.

"There are lots of unusual things in the world," Tom spoke. "Especially when it comes to magic." From his voice, Zia could tell he was on guard. Something about the man made it clear that he was not a person to trifle with.

"Yes, there are. Which brings me to my proposal for you," he directed the last section at Zia. "I am the head of the Department of Mysteries." This explained some of the man's formidable aura. He was an Unspeakable. Several things clicked together in Zia's mind.

"That must be an interesting job," Zia commented casually.

"Yes, it is. After seeing what you can do…well…I'd like to offer you a position in my department. After all, you're somewhat of a mystery yourself, aren't you?" the man asked her, eyes glittering now. Before Zia could respond, the elevator doors opened.

"Ah! You're done already, perfect. I've got lunch, and the smell is making my mouth water already," Regulus stated brightly. His cheerful attitude faltered slightly when he caught sight of the man who was in the lift with them. "Spalding," he said in a courteous tone, but it was clear that he didn't like something about the man.

"Young Regulus Black…how is your father doing?" the man asked, in the same stiff polite tone.

"You and he are friends, I'm sure you may ask him yourself," Regulus responded tightly. "We've really got to be on our way. Have a nice day," he finished, and with those words he shepherded both Zia and Tom out of the elevator, walking much faster than normal. They didn't slow down until they were out of the ministry and several blocks away in a park.

"What exactly was that all about?" Zia asked.

"That man…what did he want with you?" Regulus asked, face serious. Tom looked from Zia to Regulus curiously, but his face was pinched into a serious expression mirroring Regulus'.

"He offered me a job…I think," Zia responded. Regulus' face darkened.

"Spalding…doesn't have the most sterling history and reputation. Be careful of him."