A/N: I just realized I forgot to spell check Chapters 2 and 3. Ooops. looks embarrased I promise I'll spell-check them when I have the time and re-post them.

London

Lavender Brown sat in the back of an old police car, muttering to herself. The Auror assigned to watch her eyed her with distrust as he climb out the driver's side.

"Can I stay in the car?" she asked angrily.

"No," he stated shortly.

"Aw, cut me a break. I told you already: she came out on the balcony - "

The Auror cut her off. "That balcony?" he asked, pointing across the street.

"No, Buckingham bloody Palace," she said sarcastically. "Of course that fucking balcony. And then she jumped. Can I go now?"

"Not 'til you talk to the Sarge."

"Terrific. Where the hell is he?"

Snape's car drove up right then and the Auror stood up from the curb to greet him. "Happy 50th, Sev."

"Fuck you," he snapped.

Severus went up to Lavender and smirked. "Nice outfit, Miss Brown," he said, commenting on her skimpy clothes.

"Hey, Snape. Tell this bozo to lay off."

"You. Bozo. Lay off."

The Auror shook his head, amused. "Had a jumper last night, Sarge. Brown here was walking by, saw the whole thing."

"You got a statement?" At the man's nod, he continued. "Send her home."

"Thanks, Sev," she smiled seductively. "I'm beat. You know how it is."

"Sure. All dressed up and no one to blow."

"You're hilarious." She flipped him off as she took off down the street.

"Nice wholesome girl," the Auror commented. "Anyway, the jumper landed over here ..... "

They stopped next to a beat-up Porsche. Severus grimaced.

"Name was Susan Bones," the Auror continued. "Age thirty. Prostitute. One arrest, but no convictions."

"What was the name?"

"Bones. Susan Bones. You know her?"

"Yeah. I used to teach her."

"Merlin." The Auror paused, not sure what to say next. "The vehicle is registered to her. She landed right on top of her own car."

Severus snapped out of his stupor. "Find out who bought it for her. Her sugar daddy."

"Might take some looking into."

"So look."

Auror Headquarters, France

Kingsley watched carefully as Raven entered the office that day. He had known the kid for years and yet ..... even he couldn't figure out how he was taking his wife's death. He sighed. 'Better safe than sorry.'

"Good work yesterday," he said when Raven sat down. He just shrugged, so Kingsley continued. "I've got another assignment for you ...... "

In the apartment

Severus stared at the photo on the wall, automatically recognizing the DA. Susan was sitting in front, happily chatting away with Harry Potter. He picked up the phone and dialed.

"Hello, honey? Give me that number for Amelia Bones. What? Yes, the woman who called me this morning. Her niece just took a dive out a window."

Le Mort

It was raining when Raven went home for lunch. He didn't seem to care though. He just walked down the street to the apartment building, ignoring the rain beating down, a large cardboard box underneath his arm.

He tossed Sam another bag of peanuts when he entered the living room.

"Sam, every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better," he muttered as he set up his new TV. Just in time to watch the Grinch steal Christmas from the residents of Whoville.

He pulled open the drawer of the small desk in the corner and took a small bottle out of it, back over to the couch with him. He stared at it, mesmerized, as he twirled it through his fingers.