A/N: Hello people and sorry for the long absence, I took a vacation amongst other personal matters, but I'm back. I'm sorry, again, and I hope to make it up by posting for two weeks straight, daily - this is day 3 of 14!
A big thanks to my Betas and Discord Staff - Alec, Fox, Hindu Hari, Knight, Letus, Metzger, NerdDragonVoid, Post Mortem and Weather Report
Special thanks to Discord users: 5Firehawk, Guiding Moonlights, Kovacs, Dr Maou-Senpai, Post Mortem, Denduck, Wumjumba, Ac, R3, Shirokama, TrustTube, Zachary, JDH, Avatar, CJ07, Echoh, Elizabeth Wilbrooke, Jacks_, Kappe, Kryn_Womble, Mr. E, Pat, Plut0, Presno, Shawnjohn120 and Trop C'est Trop for supporting my writing and commissioning works!
Feel free to join my Discord for updates, early access and information, link on my profile. Without any more rambling from me, I hope you enjoy the story!
(Sorry if you don't like the chapter!)
Bold = Parseltongue
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE KIND REVIEWS. We now get so many that it's impossible to respond to all of them, but each and every one of you taking the time to speak your support mean the world to me. Please, by all means, speak with me in Discord or private message me here if you'd like a response! Sorry!
Tales of 'The Power of Love'
Urban Maxis - Part 2
"Another assignment?" Maxis asked, looking up from his newly acquired desk to see the familiar face of his longtime friend: McMacson.
As always, the latter was sporting a charming smile that was infuriatingly well-liked by all those they spoke with. The fact that the younger man was Head Auror wasn't surprising based on his looks alone, but Maxis knew that his friend had the abilities to match his appearance. It was that combination that'd propelled him through the ranks.
In a way, it was thanks to the nepotism the other man received that Maxis too was higher up, for his skill alone wouldn't serve him thanks to his heritage and the xenophobia that wizarding Britain had because of it.
"Another assignment," McMacson agreed before he summoned over a chair and threw down a stack of parchment contained within a folder. "It's a tough one just like the last one we did together too, though I suppose in hindsight, it wasn't very difficult with people who knew what they're doing."
Maxis snorted. "Putting it mildly while you're the boss?"
"You should know that it's because I'm the boss that I have to be extra nice. How many of our friends here in the Auror office would love nothing more than to see me fired so they could take my position?" McMacson looked at the door he'd shut on the way in then turned back to wink at Maxis. "I bet they'd love to take your spot too, mate. That extra pay and a private room go a long way."
"What're we facing?" Maxis asked, rolling his eyes and disregarding McMacson's small talk in favour of solving the issue at hand.
It didn't help any that he was in the mood to blow something up. News from the continent always reached him on account of his family and friends and that news was seldom good. With the Soviets occupying his homeland, the odds that Poland would be free within the next few years were completely gone. Others could disagree all they'd like, but he knew better.
"Good?" McMacson asked, nudging the man with his elbow.
"I'm fine — what do we have?" Maxis plucked the papers before McMacson could, ready to answer his own question if his friend took too much longer.
"One petty thief that stole from the wrong person," McMacson said, his eyes on the Muggle newspaper that Maxis had on his desk along with a few of his personal possessions, namely a few baseball cards. "Could be a couple too, all we know is they have a way into a business and vanish as soon as they're out of the anti-apparition wards. I don't think it's a pair of bothersome scoundrels or miscreant youths dressed similarly to you either, seems a bit more professional."
Ignoring the remark about his leather jacket and other combat-friendly clothing, Maxis pressed onwards with his questioning whilst he read the report. "It says here that they stole trinkets, old familial possessions and a few articles of clothing. Galleons that were set out on the dining room table, presents for their children's upcoming birthdays and other items that could've gone for more were left behind. Did you already check and see if there was any recent family drama?"
"Nope," McMacson said with a shrug as he popped a candy into his mouth and crunched loudly on it. "I only now was given the case and it was via the Department Head. Like I said earlier, they picked the wrong family to mess with if it could go to us before the rest of the Auror corps. Suppose it doesn't help any that we've got a skeleton crew whilst the rest are out prepping for the fight."
Maxis frowned at the mention of Grindelwald's upcoming invasion. "They're the lucky ones."
"If they all come like we're thinking they will, those lot will be the dead ones," McMacson said back to him, shaking his head.
"Least they'll take a few down before falling. What I wouldn't give to see Grindelwald's look of surprise when I struck him down," Maxis smiled at the dream, shaking his head and refocusing a few seconds later. "Let's get it done with quickly, yeah? I don't fancy being stuck in some pompous 'Lord's' house any more than yo- who am I kidding, you live for moments like these."
McMacson grinned. "As if you don't like seeing a fit bird while out keeping the general public safe. I know for a fact you've looked at 'em while we were patrolling in our Junior Auror days."
"They could've been threats," Maxis said by way of an excuse before he stood up and reached for his leather jacket. Not a second after and before McMacson could speak, he turned on his friend with a raised finger. "No Polyjuice or other shite like that either, Mac. If we're being sent to capture a thief or two, I get to be the one to plan it out this time."
"You're not planning on blowing them up, are you?" McMacson asked, rubbing at his temples. "I hope you know that'd be an absolutely unit worth of paperwork, and my ink is awfully dry."
Maxis snorted and shrugged on his jacket before he made to leave with the folder held under his right arm, the familiar weight on his hip alerting him to the presence of his second favourite weapon… primary really, but he couldn't use it without expecting an ear full from the Ministry. At least not until McMacson took over as Minister… somehow.
"Don't worry, they'll be coming in whole once we catch them," Maxis paused then, clapping McMacson on the back when he paused beside him. "Well, unless they run. If they do that, suppose two or three pieces are acceptable."
McMacson couldn't reply to him before Maxis was off through the floo and on the way to their destination: the Avery Scottish Mansion.
"You said you recently graduated Hogwarts with your betrothed, is that right?" Maxis asked gruffly, his hand working on taking notes with his quill while McMacson was off with the rest of the family keeping them at ease.
The boy across from him, Cade Avery, nodded. "Yes, that's correct. Robin Dunbar and I graduated just last year. As I previously told you, no enemies were made during our school years to such a degree that they'd do this, nor can I think of any familial feud or otherwise that would justify this treatment of our possessions."
Maxis grunted in acknowledgement, writing down word for word what the boy before him had said. "Do you have any idea as to who this could be? We noticed that the possessions were kept off the record when this incident was reported to the Director of our Department… is there any chance you'd be willing to share that information with us?"
Cade shook his head. "Unfortunately not, Senior Auror. Most are artefacts of our family, and those few possessions that weren't lacked any real monetary value — photos mostly, with school work and other similar belongings included. As for any idea that I may have towards the person responsible, I'm afraid my answer is as helpful my opening words were."
"We'll take care of it nonetheless, I'm sure," Maxis said, standing up from his seat and heading towards the door. "Thank you for your cooperation, we'll see to it that this case is resolved in a timely manner."
With those words, Maxis was out of the room and after only a few steps, nearly running into his partner.
"Done speaking with the kid already?" McMacson asked, a pastry in his hand that was half-eaten and residue of that same item at the right corner of his mouth.
"I am. It looks like you were eating rather than comforting the rest of them too. I can't say I'm surprised," Maxis nodded towards the roof; he swore he heard something right then and there.
Based on the look McMacson wore, he heard something too. Together, the pair of them drew their wands and held them limply at their sides. They moved towards the central staircase silently, a disillusionment charm on the both of them and the thoughts of the Avery family in the living room now far from their mind.
There stood a chance that the thief or thieves were, in fact, in the home at the same time the two of them were. Should that prove true, it was even more vital to ensure the safety of the family.
"Left," McMacson said when they approached the top of the stairs, the man nodding once after he spoke to again signal where he'd be headed off to.
Maxis went right without saying a word. No sooner than he did that did he see a foot — nearly invisible — take off at a slow pace towards an open door. Without thinking and on reflex alone, Maxis cast a tracking charm at the moving body, and without a doubt, it stuck to whoever it was he'd aimed at.
All he'd do now was wait for the person to cease their movement and once they did that, for the maximum chance at success, he would stun them. There wasn't any point in killing the person, nor was there any sense in chasing after somebody invisible or near enough to it. What he'd do was what he'd done a fair few times before; rely on his tracking charm, wait for the person to get cosy, and then take them down.
He hadn't expected it to happen half as quickly as it had, and as much as he wanted to use an explosive type spell to let out his anger, Maxis wasn't one to turn down as good a gift as a stupid criminal was. Especially not with the upcoming holiday season fast approaching.
"Got her," McMacson called from across the hall, nearly making Maxis jump at the sudden loudness as he continued to watch the figure slowly make its way towards the open door.
It halted at the noise too. Maxis wasn't sure if it caught him staring, and thanks to McMacson, he wouldn't risk it. With a quickness that few possessed even within the Auror Corps, he levelled his wand at the person before him and fired a stunner. The fact that he had to do so at the cost of wasting his tracking spell — his second favourite magic to work with — wasn't lost on him.
McMacson definitely owed him a round or three of drinks when next the pair went out.
"I got mine too," Maxis called back to his friend as he approached the paralyzed figure and lifted the magic that was concealing it. "Is yours practically a kid too, or is that just mine?"
McMacson's next response was from right behind Maxis, allowing him to see firsthand what his captive looked like; it was a girl with a small build, short hair and dark eyes.
"As you can see, looks like a teenager," McMacson answered, nodding towards his that still had their face covered. "Looks like yours is too, based on the thinness of 'em. We'll deal with that later though, first, here's to a job well done," McMacson held out one hand.
Maxis rolled his eyes, heaved the still-paralyzed person up with one arm and using his free one, he shook McMacson's. "Here's to that."
Back at the station with their captives booked and dealt with by Junior Aurors, McMacson looked at Maxis.
"Speak your shite, I can practically see it boiling."
Maxis turned and blinked at his friend. "You nearly cost us one of the thieves — remember the old game we had?"
McMacson groaned. "I thought that was only in the event of death or injury."
"Nope. You nearly got us done over, and for that, you cover our next drinking tab," Maxis shook McMacson's limp hand. "Here's to a job not so well done."
With a laugh as McMacson went back to his office to end the day before they went out drinking, Maxis couldn't help but smile at how well everything had gone. He only wished with his days and assignments so easy, that his nation would've had it the same.