Chapter 66: Impostor

"Have you considered the possibility that Reg is lying?" Ben said after Claire finished talking. "After all, he could have cursed the windows himself."

"Several people confirmed Reg's alibi, though, and I doubt they were all lying," Claire said. "We should think about how someone could have disguised themselves as Reg."

Ben folded his shoulders. "For starters, we could probably rule out self-transfiguration since that's very difficult to perform."

"A Metamorphmagus seems unlikely too, since they're exceedingly rare," Tonks added. "Trust me, I know."

"Maybe a Polyjuice Potion?" Ben realized. "If Claire used it to infiltrate 'R,' I don't see why they wouldn't use the same tactic to sneak someone in here."

"That one makes the most sense to me," Tonks agreed.

"But they could've been impersonating multiple people, or transfigured into a statue and been transported in here through inside agents," Claire suggested, though she quickly realized giving away what Moody said about 'R' agents inside the Ministry was too premature as Ben and Tonks gave her confused looks. "The only problem with the Polyjuice Potion theory is that it takes a month to brew, so either this infiltration was planned out in advance or someone brewed enough Polyjuice Potion to where this person was able to impersonate multiple people in one day."

While Ben pondered over this, Tonks glanced back towards the entrance. "Sorry, guys, but I just remembered that Mr. Twycross wanted to talk to me."

Tonks then left before Claire or Ben could stop her.

"Did that seem odd to you?" Ben asked. "You would think Twycross would have wanted all of us to speak to him."

Before Claire could respond, she noticed a large trunk move slightly behind Ben. Hearing it, Ben looked back and the trunk continued to move. Claire approached the trunk and used Alohomora on the lock. From inside the trunk emerged Tonks, who was very sleepy-eyed.

"What happened?" Tonks asked groggily. "Feels like I've been asleep for ages…."

As Ben looked at Claire, his eyes widened. "If this is the real Tonks—

"The one who left is the impostor we're looking for!" Claire realized.

Claire then immediately left the Department of Magical Law Enforcement while Ben dragged Tonks along explaining what happened as they ran. But upon reaching the lobby area, the Tonks lookalike was nowhere to be seen.

"I can't believe our best lead just slipped through our fingers," Ben grumbled.

"Do you remember how you ended up in that trunk?" Claire asked Tonks.

"First, I went to Magical Maintenance when we split up," Tonks recalled. "Then I stopped by the Auror Office for my quill and notepad."

"Was anyone else in there?" Claire questioned.

Tonks shook her head. "Not at first, but someone did come in after I did. Looked a bit like a weasel appearance-wise."

"Sounds like Reg Cattermole — or at least, the fake one," Ben guessed.

"Then this means the imposter is probably impersonating someone else, since they probably won't try to impersonate either Reg or Tonks again," Claire realized.

"How do we find them?" Ben asked. "Because if we're to assume this impostor is a Metamorphmagus, they could be anyone."

"We'll start by asking them questions the real person would know and the impostor wouldn't know already," Claire answered.

"Claire, Ben, Tonks!" Arthur greeted, startling all three of them. "How nice to see you all again!"

"Hello, Mr. Weasley," Claire said after composing herself. "We would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind."

"Ask away!" Arthur accepted.

"Who did you work with today in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office?" Claire asked.

"Ben and Barnaby, of course!" Arthur answered.

"I can attest to that," Ben said. "We talked about his work for several hours this morning."

"Yes, I love talking about Muggle artifacts!" Arthur said enthusiastically. "Ooh, have you heard about the toaster we have locked up?"

"Sounds like this is the real Arthur Weasley," Tonks confirmed.

Arthur winced. "I beg your pardon?"

"There's someone impersonating people at the Ministry," Claire explained to Arthur. "We think they might be a Metamorphmagus."

"Oh, dear…," Arthur said as his brow furrowed in concern. "Where's Charlie? Is he safe?"

"He's probably fine, as far as we know," Claire said. "But, have you seen anyone suspicious in the Portkey Office lately?"

"Well, I did see Amos Diggory leaving the Portkey Office right before I got in and saw the stormy windows," Arthur replied.

Claire frowned as she recalled her own interaction with Amos. "Did he seem odd to you?"

"He was more rude than usual, and couldn't seem to recall my name," Arthur remembered. "And we've been friends for years!"

"Then he's got to be our Metamorphmagus," Ben declared.

"If you need to find Amos, he's usually taking his break in the All-Purpose Room around this time," said Arthur.

"Thanks for your help, Mr. Weasley," Claire nodded.

###

Inside the All-Purpose Room, Amos Diggory wasn't present. So Claire, Ben, and Tonks decided to kill time by reviewing what they knew about Amos to throw off the impostor.

"Cedric told me he's in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures," Tonks remembered. "Maybe we should get Liz to get information on magical creatures, since that's Mr. Diggory's specialty."

"We don't have time to get Liz, since Mr. Diggory could show up any minute," Ben reminded.

Just then, Amos Diggory walked in.

"Hello, Mr. Diggory," Claire greeted. "If you recall, I'm Claire Krystal."

"Ah, you're one of Cedric's friends!" Amos smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Surprised by Amos' answer, Claire said, "These are my other friends Ben and Tonks. We would like to ask you some questions."

"Of course!" Amos said compliantly.

"What is a group of Puffskein called?" Claire asked.

"A poffle!" Amos answered with conviction in his voice.

"Do you know what law regulates the breeding of magical creatures by wizards?" Ben asked.

"The Ban on Experimental Breeding, which was enacted in 1965," replied Amos.

"So it is you, Mr. Diggory," Claire decided.

"Yep," Tonks agreed. "The only other person who would know this stuff would be Liz."

Folding his hands into his hips, Amos demanded, "Will someone please explain to me what's going on?"

To be continued…