Monday morning, conference room A/1.

Roughly two dozen men and women, dressed in various versions of muggle and magical business wear, were exiting a set of double doors. One witch and two wizards were spread along the front row of what, for all intents and purposes, could have been any lecture hall at a university.

Each sat on a reasonably comfortable chair that featured a movable writing desk that slid up from the side with either a flick of a wand or, alternatively, by hand.

At the front of the room stood two men, one tall, red headed and muscular, with an intensity about him. The other shorter, thinner with unruly black hair, and piercing emerald green eyes behind oval wire rimmed glasses.

Ron Weasley, auror trainer, was speaking; "Weasley, Malfoy, well done. I was impressed by your ability to interact with the muggle officers and civilians. As you heard the chief say in the briefing, at this time we have no reason to suspect the crime was committed by a magical person, but the victim was magical and from a magical family. What is not widely known is that this is the third homicide of a child in the Chudley area in the last twenty four months."

Harry Potter, chief auror, took up the narrative; "Devon BCU, (Basic Command Unit), has, frankly, hit a dead end. We have been asked to come in and assist. Ray," a short, fit woman who appeared to be in her mid forties, looked up "Thier, superintendent has copies of everything they have so far. Spend a little time and find out if they have any new leads. When we are done here head over there with Weasley." Harry shifted his attention to the 20 year old, slightly built, strawberry blond man sitting beside her. "Louis, we often work with muggle police, Trina has a talent for that sort of work. I think you might also."

"Lupin, Malfoy, head to Chudley, nose around, talk to the neighbors, have a pint at the pub, see if there might be other unexplained incidents from before the first murder. We all know if this is a serial killer, they likely started with things like animals and worked up to humans. Spend today on that, tomorrow the four of you can get stuck in reviewing the files.

Ron smiled, "Alright that is it, Weasley, Malfoy, remember your exam on advanced stealth and detection is 9 am sharp Wednesday. Other than prepping for that, stick with your trainers. Watch, listen, learn and be careful. I don't have to tell you the potential for panic among the magical and muggle communities of Chudley. Let's get out there and help solve this before another child is found dead."

At almost the same moment that the auror meeting was breaking up, James Potter, star beater of the Chudley Cannons, was diving toward his falling brother.

Morning practice for the league champions had been the usual extreme routine that had transformed the perpetual last place team into the current powerhouse it was.

A mock quidditch match between the main team and the reserves had been underway for 45 minutes when Albus Potter, Cannon's second year seeker had not seen the bludger. His cousin, and the other half of the Cannon's unstoppable beater duo, Fred Weasley ll was the one who had sent it flying.

Al and Melissa Darnley, the player who had replaced him as reserve team chaser, had been diving, side by side, after the snitch. The elusive golden ball had changed directions suddenly and Albus had been the first to react, shooting skyward after the streak of gold.

Unfortunately his path led him straight into the bludger that his cousin had directed toward the reserve chaser who had possession of the quaffle and was speeding toward the rings. The bludger hit Albus at the base of his skull with a sickening crunch. James was the closest to Al and saw the lights go out.

Somehow he managed to scoop his brothers inert body on to his broom and lower them on to the pitch in, what was best described as, a barely controlled fall. James landed hard and felt his right knee bend backward, in a totally unnatural and unhealthy manner. Just before the searing pain sent him to join his brother in la la land, he managed to cradle Al's head to his chest as they fell in a heap.

Coach whistled the practice to a stop as the team mediwitches rushed toward the fallen brothers. Freddy landed nearby, a stricken look on his face. Aunt Ginny and Grandma Weasley were going to kill him.

Ginny Potter, former quidditch superstar and reporter for the Daily Prophet, was wrapping up a meeting with the sports editor when her magical mobile rang. "St. Mungo's", damn! Since her youngest was at Hogwarts, her husband firmly stuck behind a desk and Harry would be the natural one to call if it was her godson, it meant one of her quidditch player sons was hurt bad enough that the team medics could not heal them. Donning her cloak and retrieving her backpack from her desk, she hurried toward the fireplace as she answered her phone.

In the head's office, Harry and Ron sat discussing the potential candidates they had for the for the available trainee spots.

"Ron, I agree that Williamson and Lewis are better suited for the hit wizards. Pass their files along to Winfrey. I like the looks of the other two, have Duncan (Harry's office assistant) get their letters of acceptance ready for my signature. Who are you thinking of pairing them with after they complete the academy?"

Ron didn't get to reply, because Harry's mobile buzzed in his pocket. "Ginny! Hello love! Uh, oh. Both of them? That's serious. I'll be right there. Ron's with me, he can rally the family. I love you too. Hang on momma, it will be alright. "

As he stood to don his trench coat, a casual flick of his wand sent files into drawers and secured sensitive material. "Ron, both James and Al were hurt in practice today. Sounds like James is well on the way to being healed but Al took a bludger to the back of the head. They have him in intensive care. Could you let Dad and Mom know before a reporter badgers them for a sound bite?"

Ron followed him in to the main office area. Harry first scribbled a note for Duncan and stuck it to his assistant's empty desk. He then stopped at the second cubicle from his door. "Katie, I have a family emergency. Al was hurt pretty badly during practice, so you are in charge. I'll be at St. Mungo's."

As Harry hurried toward the Aurors' secure apparition point, Ron headed toward his father's office while typing a quick message to his wife.