CHAPTER TWO

THE RETURN OF CROUCH

Harry apparated a moment later in his workplace, the Ministry of Magic, and was greeted by paper airplanes zooming all around, all holding messages for him from many of his coworkers. He then walked in his cubicle and sat down.

His workplace was much like his home—cluttered. It consisted only of a single wooden table with a fancy trash bin made of a hollow foot of a troll. Set on the table were dark detectors, contraptions most Aurors have that can detect deceit and bad intentions. A file cabinet was by his right side which contained dossiers and records of known dark wizards, mostly remaining Death Eaters that were filed according to "captured", "at large", "free but harmless" or "released." The white wall-like partitions that surrounded his cubicle, like all the other cubicles in the room, were covered with pictures and clippings. Harry's were filled with pictures of the Weasley family, the Order members, and his old Quidditch team back at Hogwarts. Looking forward to dinner with his dear friends tonight, he started unfurling the paper airplanes and went reading them. "Not another one," he muttered as he read letter by letter. He then grabbed his wand and conjured a cup of coffee while reading the rest of the planes.

Half an hour later, he started pulling out the files that were located in his "In" pile. He scanned them quickly, complaining in his mind how much work he has yet to accomplish. He then stopped abruptly at an article. It read:

Illegal Portkey Access Reported Two Days Ago From Unplottable Location

Harry looked incredulously at the article. He took the file out and placed it by the side of his desk to separate it. It was obviously sent to him by mistake for his department wasn't concerned with illegal portkeys. "This office was up to catching dark wizards for heaven's sake" he muttered to himself. He then folded the file into a paper airplane and cast a spell on it to go to whichever department it belonged. He then returned looking through his "In" file when Magda appeared out of nowhere. Magda was a poltergeist that haunted but more like infested the office. Most of his coworkers ignored her but whenever they tried to not mind her mischief, she would only badger them more by throwing things at them or spilling ink all over their work. Magda in fact, was the sister of Peeves from Hogwarts.

"Not now Magda. Bad timing! It's almost December, meaning more work before the holidays!" said Harry with an annoyed expression.

"Magda knows, that is why she starts deliberately making mischief" answered Magda with a hand-held mirror in her right hand as she swooped left and right above Harry.

Harry was definitely in a bad mood from the time he woke up. Even the thought of dinner tonight wasn't able to keep him from throwing the rest of his coffee at Magda although he knew that it wouldn't harm her.

Magda made a taunting face then zoomed away, breaking the hand mirror she was holding and left it on the floor. People started to wonder about then noise that originated from his cubicle and most of them peeped out of their spaces with interest. Harry quickly grabbed the broken mirror and its shards and stowed it away in his bag. "Evanesco" whispered Harry with a wave of his wand and the coffee vanished from the floor. He returned to work while occasionally looking at his watch to see if it was already lunchtime.

Harry was now in a restaurant, spending some time with Cho before he had to go back to work at around one thirty. Cho was chattering animatedly about Marietta, her friend, and how she had a fight with her boss. Harry just nodded and occasionally said "yes" as he looked at his salad, barely touching it. This was because Cho insisted that he ate healthy food after seeing how he was constantly stressed at work so he had to eat greens and "rabbit food" as Harry put it.

Seven pm finally arrived and he was now waiting in the restaurant for Ron and Hermione's arrival. He was looking shabbier than ever after a full days work so he tried to go to the comfort room to tidy up. Ron and Hermione arrived and were greeted by Harry. Hermione brought a fairly aged, tidy looking man who to Harry looked so familiar.

"Harry, this is Edgar Grindle. Edgar, my friend Harry" said Hermione.

Edgar shook Harry's hand and said "Hermione has told me so much about you"

"Hi" was all Harry could say while he shook his brains trying to put a name to this familiar face.

The whole night was a blur to Harry since for the whole time, he was just astounded by how much Edgar reminded him of someone. Ron was talking about how the new "Freezing Menthols", candies that literally freeze ones tongue, and "Melodic Mallows", marshmallows that can make one sing like a pro, were selling like pancakes. "Their selling so fast mate" Ron said for around twenty times.

Hermione was of course talking about her new friend Edgar. "He works in Muggle Relations. He is just like your dad Ron, you know, crazy about Muggles. He just got hired two days ago." said Hermione as she ate her pie.

"Well, I just think that the wizarding community has lost respect for Muggles" said Edgar. Hermione just beamed at Harry as Edgar said that statement. Harry tried his best to look happy for her but in reality, he was still busy thinking where he had seen this man.

The dinner had to end sometime so they all went home. Harry apparated into his apartment seconds later and stepped into the bathroom. He felt achy all over as he undressed and lied down in the tub. He was there just relaxing his tired body as the warm, bubbly water covered him. It was as if he was lying on a warm feather bed as the water tickled his body. He closed his eyes and was just starting to doze off when it hit him.

Edgar may look different now but he was unmistakably someone he knew from his fourth year. He was now a bit older but distinctly looked like… Crouch junior! Why was he hanging out with Hermione? And working in Muggle Relations? This was insane. He immediately stood up from the tub and didn't bother covering himself with a towel, then sprang towards his bedroom dripping all over. He went to get his phone and dialed Hermione's number thinking that they were not in Hogwarts anymore so phones and other electronic devices could work properly this time.

Hermione picked up. As Harry heard her voice, he thought twice about telling Hermione. He finally decided to hang up. He sat there by his bed, staring into space thinking how this could be. He felt too tired from the day's events and too engrossed with his new discovery to drain the tub or turn of the lights, let alone get dressed, so he just tucked into his bed, drowning in thoughts of Crouch and his possible reasons for showing up again.

End of chapter two