Chapter Twenty Four
Strange Escape
Ron and Harry burst into the doors of the Auror Headquarters with Maddy. There was a lot of activity at Headquarters and Aurors kept apparating out. Harry sighted Moody who motioned for him to follow at the conference room. Kelley and de Lancre were already there.
"Shouldn't we be apparating to the prison now?" Kelley asked Moody as soon as he stepped in. This will be part of our case now, won't it?"
Moody held up a hand in a bid for patience. He looked extremely upset. Harry immediately knew something was very wrong. "We'll wait for Tonks, I need to brief you all before I send you out."
Tonks came barreling in, in her usual clumsy. "What did I miss?" she asked cheerfully.
"Sit down, Tonks," Moody said evenly. "That also goes for the rest of you."
They all followed. It was only then that Harry realized there were only five of them in the room. Where were Mackenzie and Fian? If they didn't appear soon Moody might just throw a fit. He and Ron learned that the hard way when they came in two minutes late for debriefing a couple of days ago.
Moody paced about for a minute then breathed a forlorn sigh. "Fian's dead," he said simply. "He and Mackenzie were assigned to Maximum Security this morning. He was found less than an hour ago by the next Auror shift. At the same time we discovered Dolohov escaped."
Harry was stunned. He and Ron had never had a chance to know their other two teammates that well. They have never spoken outside the reporting sessions with the entire team. Still, it was unnerving to know they had just lost a member of their division. Tonks and Kelley appeared more affected by the news. Harry noticed tears glistening in Tonks eyes.
"And Diana?" Kelley asked fearfully. "Is she also…"
Moody shook his head. "We can't find her. She may have been abducted by Dolohov and whoever helped him escape." His face hardened. "I want to get to the bottom of this. There's an initial group sent there to secure the area, but Atalanta's already thrown the case to our team. Go to it now. I'll deal with the Ministry. I want updates by the end of the day." Moody dismissed them and they apparated out together.
The new Wizarding Maximum Security Prison was located on an isolated and unplottable plain, surrounded by mountains. Like the Auror Academy, only Aurors were allowed to apparate into it directly. Visitors needed passes from the Auror force to enter it via specialized portkey. Since the new prison was established no one has yet to apply for a pass. It wasn't surprising. None of the former Death Eaters had ever had received visitors.
The prison looked exactly like a Muggle prison complex. Its high perimeter fences were reinforced by magical wards. Another building housed the prisoner's individual cells, also reinforced by magic as well as solid steel bars. The prisoners were let out each day to work in the fields within the grounds. They were assigned to tend gardens. They grew vegetables and other crops for their own consumption and did other chores for the complex's upkeep. It puzzled Harry at first why the Ministry's new idea of capital punishment was to turn the former Death Eaters into farmers and custodians. But then Ron had explained that in the Wizarding World edible crops, unlike magical herbs were grown with magic or by elves. It was unheard of for a Wizard or a Witch to till the soil the muggle way and wait for crops to grow for months when a flick of a wand or a potion was all that was needed to get instant vegetables and fruits in just a few days. Similarly, all household tasks were accomplished with magic.
Harry had remembered what Dumbledore said about this kind of punishment and understood what he meant when he said that the Death Eaters would suffer more in the lost of their powers. When he and Ron first saw the prisoners on their first guard watch, he saw the humiliation in their faces. They were reduced to the very beings that they wished to destroy. Now they were muggles too for life, condemned to labor they always thought was inferior to their status.
When they got to the complex, there was already a group of Aurors stationed at every corner to secure the area. Harry and Ron, de Lancre, Tonks and Kelley immediately set to work on gathering whatever facts they could get at the scene. As was the standard procedure, Fian's body wasn't moved from the spot where he was found just outside Dolohov's cell.
Harry noticed Tonks' and Kelley's hesitation at seeing their former teammate, so he and Ron and de Lancre took upon the task of checking the body.
"Oh hell!"gasped Ron when de Lancre uncovered the sheet draped on Fian's body. Harry felt his mouth dry at the sight before him.
There was a large cut at Fian's neck. A slash curse no doubt. There was no other evidence of injury. Whoever hit him only had one shot but it killed him immediately.
De Lancre hurriedly covered him back and surveyed the hallway. "Curse came at him quickly," he said gravely. "He felt almost no pain."
Harry wasn't sure whether if de Lancre was only stating that for investigative record or offering a sort of consolation. He was more likely to believe the former.
"No blood on the walls," observed Tonks. Indeed, the entire hallway was spotless except for a small pool of blood collected near Fian's body. "Somebody took the time to clean," she added.
They found a large hole on the wall of Dolohov's cell. It was blasted apart. "Looks like a spell to me," Harry said. "Dolohov obviously got out with help. He couldn't have done this the normal way."
"Normal?" de Lancre turned to him, puzzled.
"Harry, the magical way IS the normal way."
"I meant Muggle way. Without magic."
De Lancre continued to raise an eyebrow at them but turned to Tonks and Kelley. "Who had the last shift before Fian and Mackenzie?"
"We did," replied Kelley. "We were here from two to six. We left them just fine. Everything was all in order. We reinforced all the wards as usual, made the rounds of the prisoners in their cells. It was just routine. If I had known Philip would be…" he shook his head. "This is just so horrible. We talked to him just hours ago..."
Tonks looked as ashen as her partner. "He was nice, you know. Just like Kingsley. He was like a big brother to us when we first came in. He and Kingsley showed us around after he stopped pulling pranks at us when we became Juniors."
"You think Diana's...?" Kelley began, but he didn't dare finish it. They all knew what he was thinking. She could be dead too.
They were all silent for several moments before they decided to get back to work. They split up to make checks and interviews with the stationed Aurors and with the prisoners. When they met again late in the afternoon at headquarters they compiled what they had. Nobody had heard anything, not even the prisoners who were apparently still sleeping at that time. Their day usually started at seven and it fell on Mackenzie and Fian to start them off on breakfast chores. But today no one let them out that morning.
"There doesn't seem to be any sign of forced break-in aside from the one in Dolohov's cell," said Ron. "How could someone get in here? Aurors are the only ones with access. Whoever got in here is really good."
"Maybe," said de Lancre. "Or it might be an inside job."
"Are you saying an Auror…" began Kelley.
"We never know," replied de Lancre. "What do you know of Mackenzie?"
"Are you accusing her of doing this?" Tonks stormed indignantly. Kelley looked just as angry.
"No, I am only checking all angles," de Lancre said calmly. "That is procedure. What do we know about her?"
Tonks huffed grumpily. "There is nothing to worry about Diana. She has been in the force for more than fifteen years. She has a clean record. Moody and even Chief Atalanta can vouch for that. She was originally from the ARD, but when Kingsley's and Moody's partner died they transferred her to our team to be Fian's partner. Edward and I have known her since we entered the Academy. She wouldn't do this to Philip. She couldn't. Satisfied?"
"For now, yes," replied de Lancre. Tonks and Kelley glared at him.
Harry understood Tonks and Kelley were upset at this line of questioning. However, as much as he trusted them on their judgment of Mackenzie's character, at the back of Harry's mind he knew his partner had a point. He had learned long ago that a clean record was not a total guarantee that one can never be capable of doing something like murder. Tom Riddle after all, had a clean record too at Hogwarts.
"Are you sure you didn't see anyone else before you left?" asked Ron, who seemed eager to get off the topic and diffuse the situation.
"No, I went straight out until I got back to headquarters to file the daily report," replied Kelley.
"You weren't with Tonks?" de Lancre asked.
She shook her head. "I let him go ahead. I doubled back because I left something."
"Left something?" de Lancre said with an edgy tone.
"It was just some little item I dropped—nothing important," she added rather hurriedly. "But I didn't see anything either. I left about fifteen minutes after six and everything was still clear then."
"You did not help Edward file the report at headquarters?" asked de Lancre.
"She asked to let me take over just today," replied Kelley.
"I was rushing to get to Bill Weasley's wedding," she explained.
"So we can conclude that whoever killed Fian and got Dolohov out came between six-fifteen and seven," said Harry. "That's not much to go on. They can be anywhere by now."
"Well, there's nothing much we can do, aside from putting up the high alert manhunt status for Dolohov. Anyone want to bet Draco Malfoy's behind this?" said Kelley. "They're probably cozying up somewhere relieving old glory days."
Moody strode in looking as grumpy as ever. "Bloody reporters!" he growled. He threw an afternoon edition copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry caught the headline: "FORMER DEATH EATER LOSE AGAIN, AUROR FORCE AN EMBARRASSMENT."
"This is bound to put us and the new Ministry under pressure," said Moody. "You all know there are people who don't understand this new capital punishment law. If Dolohov kills again, Amelia Bones and the Wizengamot are going to be blamed for eradicating the death penalty. They already have enough on their hands trying to rebuild the economy. They don't need this scandal. Fortunately Fian's death and Mackenzie's disappearance hasn't come out to the press yet. But when it does the Daily Prophet's going to have a field day. What do you have for me?"
They filled Moody in on the results of their investigation. He shook his head. "I don't need to tell you that we need to solve this fast. Atalanta's putting us on high alert and she's putting almost all teams on this case to help us out. I want you to sweep every nook and cranny Dolohov can possibly be until you find something. You're dismissed."
"Looks like we're up for an all nighter again," said Harry.
"Too bad, I was looking forward to talking to Hermione," sighed Ron. "Best send her an owl. You think she'll be safe alone at the Manor? I mean, you don't think Dolohov would go after her? He might want to get revenge."
Harry shook their head. "Not likely, he'll have other problems trying to hide right now. Besides, the Manor is unplottable. It's not likely he'll find it. It's probably even safer there than at the Burrow."
They headed to their desk and Harry hurriedly scribbled a note:
Hermione,
Sorry we can't come home tonight. We'll be back early tomorrow. Make yourself at home at the Manor. Mickey has your room ready. She'll take care of you.
Harry and Ron
Harry put down the quill, but Ron picked it up again and added at the bottom:
Don't go out until we get back. Apparate directly from the Burrow to the Manor. Invite Ginny if you want company.
Ron was folding the letter when a shadow appeared. "Weasley," said de Lancre. "I need a word in private."
"So I'm Weasley now?" Ron said sarcastically. "Did your accent finally allowed you to pronounce my name properly?"
De Lancre gave them his trademark smirk but surprisingly didn't rise to the bait. "I need a word outside now before we start our rounds," he said evenly.
Harry and Ron shrugged but followed him out into the hallway that was by now empty of Ministry employees.
"So what's this all about?" asked Harry .
"Just one question. Did you see Tonks at your brother's wedding?"
"What?"
"It is a simple question Weasley. Did you see Tonks zhis morning at your brother's wedding?"
"Why would you care if Tonks went to a wedding? Of course she's there, she's invited."
De Lancre shook his head. "I am not asking if she was invited. I am asking if you saw her there. Now was she there?"
"Why do want to know?"
"Just answer the question."
"What is he up to, Harry? Of course Tonks was there, was she?"
Harry thought for a while. He never really paid attention to the guests at Bill's wedding and he tried to recall seeing Tonks."
"I don't remember seeing her. But I had other things in mind. Did you remember seeing her?"
"Not that I recall."
"Weasley, I am waiting for an answer."
Ron shook their head. "I don't remember alright, there were too many people and I don't go around making checklists of my brother's wedding guests."
"So you did not see her?"
"No," replied Ron. "But that doesn't mean she's not there. Now what are you getting at?"
"Is it not odd?" said de Lancre. "That possibly the last person to see Fian and Mackenzie was not where she said she is supposed to be after she leaves them."
Harry and Ron were immediately infuriated. "ARE YOU ACCUSSING TONKS!"
"No, only checking on her."
"So now she's a suspect?" Ron said hotly. "Well what about Edward then?"
"Edward Kelley was at headquarters just as he said. I already checked."
"Oh, so basically everyone on our team is a suspect. What about me? You suspect me too? What about Moody! Oh, but wait a minute—are you forgetting someone? WHAT ABOUT YOU LANCRY? WHERE WERE YOU THIS MORNING? SLASHING FIAN'S THROAT PERHAPS? THEN RUNNING OFF WITH DOLOHOV AND STASHING MACKENZIE SOMEWHERE! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE!"
"Calm down, Weasley. I am not suspecting you. I know you enough to know that you are not capable of that. In answer to your last question, I am not trying to prove anything. I am only doing my job. Or have you forgotten our basic lesson in investigating? QUESTION EVERYTHING! As for my own whereabouts, I was also at headquarters at that time. You can ask around if you do not believe me. I will welcome an effort for you to investigate me."
"Oh, don't worry, Frenchie, I will," said Ron.
"Good. This has been a fruitful conversation Weasley, but we need to go on and do our rounds. We start with Diagon Alley. If you wish to check on me first with the other Aurors, go on now. When you are satisfied, you can join me. I shall start at the Leaky Cauldron."
He paused and took out his wand to apparate. "Just remember what I said about Tonks," he added before disappearing.
"Crazy git!" remarked Ron. "Who does he think he is suspecting everyone like that!"
"Well, we can never be sure—not Tonks of course. She would never do that. But about Mackenzie—"
"Hang on! You actually believe that tosser! Potter, are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine. All I'm saying is that he has a point. We barely know Mackenzie, even if she's been an Auror for a long time. Who knows what she's capable of? There's no evidence of a forced break-in. Neither Dolohov nor any of the prisoners could have escaped on their own and the prison's locked tight. We can't be certain, but there is a chance that Mackenzie could have been behind it. Why? I don't know, but we simply can't rule her out just yet. Or if she was really abducted, there must be a reason. Wouldn't it be easier to just kill her like Fian?"
"Alright. We'll make our rounds with Lancry then we'll ask around about her when we get back."
They followed de Lancre at Diagon Alley and they spent the next several hours making checks and asking questions. Just before dawn they came up with nothing and returned to headquarters, more frustrated than when they started. Moody dismissed them but ordered them back in eight hours. It was still too early for breakfast at home and Ron was complaining that he was hungry so they headed up to the Ministry cafeteria for a quick snack. They found J.D. and Alicia having coffee at a table. J.D. was browsing through the sports page of a muggle paper so the front page was clearly visible to Harry. One small article headline caught his eye: FIVE CHILDREN MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR FROM LONDON.
"Rough night?" asked Alicia.
"Yeah," replied Ron. He motioned to a floating kettle above to pour him some coffee.
"I'm sorry about Fian. I know he was on your team," said Alicia.
"Well I didn't know him that well. Same with Mackenzie. But I hope we solve this soon. How was your day?"
"Just starting again," said J.D. who finally looked up from his paper. "Hope we get better luck getting to Dolohov. We're on patrol duty in 15 minutes."
Harry suddenly remembered something. "Were you at headquarters yesterday? You know, when the incident happened?"
"Yes," replied J.D. "We were up all night with paper work, why?"
"Any chance you saw my stuck up partner around at headquarters?"
"Oh yeah," said Alicia. "De Lancre was there. He was on his desk as early as four in the morning and I didn't see him leave at all until Moody called him for your conference. Workaholic that one."
"Damn!" Ron said. "Frenchie checks out clean."
"So Mackenzie's the only one on the list. Got any ideas?"
Ron shook their head and they munched on croissants in silence until J.D. and Alicia bid them goodbye. They stood up to go home but Ron paused to order an extra croissant.
"You're still hungry?" asked Harry.
"This isn't for us. I think I'm onto something," he said as he a paper bag floated to him. He led them back to the ARD. It was still empty save for one early bird busy at work.
"What are we doing here? Hermione's waiting for us back at the Manor."
"Just a sec, we need info on Mackenzie and we might as well do it now.
Ron tossed their paper bag of croissant in front of Maddy. She looked up from the stack of parchment she was writing on and smiled.
"Breakfast?" Ron offered. Harry felt Ron give her a dazzling grin. Harry rolled their eyes upward but Ron quickly pulled their eyes back down. They both winced painfully.
"Cut that out, Harry. We're trying to be charming here."
"Oh, no! Not that again! Ron, I do not want to date Maddy. I thought we were here because of Mackenzie."
"Yes, we are, but what's the harm in shooting two birds with one stone."
Harry inwardly gave a sigh of exasperation.
Maddy didn't appear to notice their slight discomfort. "And what do I owe zhis favor?" she asked rather coquettishly.
"Nothing—Actually, we do need something. And I'd appreciate it if you could be discreet."
"Of course Ronald," she replied seriously. "What eez eet?"
"Do you have access to the Auror record files?"
"Yes, why?"
Harry looked around to ensure that no one was there. "I know this might tick some people off, but could you maybe check on Diana Mackenzie's file? I know she's an Auror for a long time but it would help our investigation if we know a little about her."
Maddy nodded. "I understand. But what exactly are you looking for?"
"I don't know. Nothing in particular, but just about anything you can find."
"Alright. I will get it now while no one eez around." She stood up. "Can you wait? I 'ave to search ze file room. Eet may take a few minutes. Wait for me at ze lounge."
Harry thanked her before heading to the Auror's Lounge just outside the ARD. Harry sat on the couch and yawned.
"I'm tired. We need a bit of shut eye. If I fall asleep, Ron, take over and get us back to the Manor."
But Harry couldn't wait for a response anymore. He told himself he would just close his eyes for a few minutes. But in the next instant he was fast asleep.
A/N: I'm back to being morbid in this chapter and the story will be taking a darker tone in the future. I'm making this up as I go along and I only have a vague plan for the ending. Now how to get to that ending is another story. I will be killing at least one more character for certain, though I may kill off some more along the way, I'm just not exactly sure which ones.
Thanks to all those who stuck with this story even though I have a habit of killing off a lot of characters. I just realized now while I'm typing this that the penname I picked is that of a murderer. If you're familiar with Greek mythology, Orestes was the son of Agamemnon who killed his own mother then killed Neoptelemus, (the son Achilles) to get back his wife, Hermione (the daughter of Helen of Troy). I picked the name because of the latter reason without realizing he's also a killer. Now how apt is that?