Chapter Three – Failing Fast
The side chamber was sparsely decorated with a romantically enchanted fire providing the only light. In the centre of the room was a luxurious four poster bed with deep magenta curtains. Rachel sat on the bed and motioned for Jarad to join her. He finished his secrecy protection spell on the entranceway and sat beside her, looking nervous.
"It seems you have a formidable reputation Jarad. Our squib friend is quite terrified. What did you tell him? That you are on first name basis with He Who Must Not Be Named? A foolish game Jarad, but I digress. The little charade out there was to prevent the dirty squib suspecting we know each other. Dagda thanks you for your news but warns you to be careful how much you put in your letters. She asked me to give you this." Rachel passed Jarad something in a paper bag which he instantly pocketed, before saying,
"It is nearly ready. Tell your brother that the ministry suspect nothing. I have been watching closely to ensure that I am not being followed and it is as I thought, the Aurors and Magical Law Enforcement lot are blind to all but a sign in the sky that shouts wrongdoing. I suppose we should be alarmed but is serves our purpose. Has your brother and Dagda decided on a date? We need to do it when there are few people in Diagon Alley. The fewer the better, thus I suggest sometime after the Hogwarts pupils have returned, but not too long after."
"My brother has suggested the 1st of September as Hogwarts returns on that date thus ensuring that all parents are at Kings Cross and most sane people are still avoiding the back to school crush seen at the end of August. The season does not pick up again until mid September apparently. I suggest the early morning of the 1st so the takings from the previous day will still be in the shop and not locked up in Gringotts." said Rachel who apparently was similar to Jarad in that she too did not seem to be what she had at first appeared to be. Jarad looking admiringly at replied,
"That's good thinking. How's the polyjuice coming along?"
"Fantastically," was the reply, "we just need the hairs now."
"Who are we going as?" inquired Jarad
"We thought to add some comic effect to the heist by going as famous people. We have Fudge, Dumbledore and that woman Dolores Umbridge, you know who's close to the minister and fervently anti part-human? Dagda is going as her and I have a very rare but exception hair to add to my potion," said Rachel with a glint to her eye, "none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. That should cause a stir. Another escapee from Azkaban and in league with the Minister, in a robbery. Brilliant, and inspired even if I do say so myself! Should cause a lovely amount of political upheaval if nothing else!"
"We have the hair of the minister? Where from? How?" a surprised Jarad asked. Rachel rolled her eyes and snapped,
"That really is none of your business. We have the hairs, that is all you need to know."
"Come now Rachel" Tonks was just as intrigued as Jarad was and slightly impressed as well as horrified that someone could pluck hairs from the Minister for Magic's own head. If that was the case he could be impersonated easily and there would be no need for the imperious curse, which could be fought and thrown off after all. It was a scary thought and certainly needed investigation.
"My brother has friends at the ministry. I shall say no more." glared Rachel implying that Jarad should leave it at that but he persisted,
"Are they trustworthy? Would I know them? Who are they?" Rachel looking increasingly annoyed replied,
"Of course they are. My brother is no fool and a powerful man to boot. It is unwise to double cross him. No it is unlikely you know these 'friends' of my brother. Even I do not know all of his sources. Now go! We shall reconvene on the 28th of August at the Hogs Head in Hogsmeade. Goodbye Jarad", and with that she left the chamber. Jarad sat on the bed a moment longer, fingering the pocket containing the parcel obviously contemplating what had been said. He suddenly stood and strode from the room, his robes billowing out behind him like a sail. Tonks followed him, carefully, and heard the squib known as Carter simper,
"All well Mr Jarad Sir?"
"Satisfactory Carter, but if you'll excuse me I have important business elsewhere." Jarad replied dismissing Carter with a wave of his hand.
"Certainly Sir. Goodbye Sir"
"Goodbye Carter" said Jarad and he turned and marched out through the curtain, across the shop and past the security troll. He did not slow once he had exited but hurried out of Knockturn Alley with occasional glances behind him and to the floopoint in Diagon Alley. After hearing Jarad state his home address as his floo point, Tonks apparated back to her surveillance point outside of Jarad's home. She was met by Manders who informed her that the test was over and that they should return to Auror Training Headquarters and write up their reports and surveillance notes.
Several hours later and Tonks had just about finished her report. She sucked her quill and then added her conclusion of what needed to be done in lieu of the evidence she had gained. She then laid her quill down, blotted her work and smiled. She was finally done. The exams were over. Just at that moment an elderly, tall and slightly emaciated looking wizard entered. He stood in the centre of the room and looked around expectantly. Silence fell and he then spoke,
"Your examinations have now been completed. Remember that to graduate you will have had to pass all of the theory and all of the practical examinations; in short failure in one examination equals failure of all the Auror examinations. I hope that you have all achieved the necessary grades and will proceed to your chosen career path. Fear not though, if you have failed, you will have another chance. We give our trainees three attempts at the examinations. If you fail you will be given extra help and guidance in the area that has let you down. This will hopefully see you pass the next time. However as I am sure you are aware only 34 of admissions to Auror training succeed in becoming fully fledged Aurors. The odds are against you but I am sure you have all achieved great things. You will receive your results within the next few days and we will know how you have fared. Until then, your time is your own, but I would return to your dormitories and sleep. I am sure you will have done us proud. Those who have reports from your Stealth and Tracking examination to still hand in I will take them now or else first thing tomorrow. I will be in my office from 8am. Goodnight all." He stood there as several people handed him their finished reports and then said, "Miss Tonks and Mr Manders. A word if you please." Tonks and Manders looked at each other and then followed him out of the common room. He waited until they had joined him and then said, "I understand that your Stealth and Tracking examination overran due to the nature of your subject?" when they nodded in confirmation he continued, "and yet you remained following this suspect. Which of you was on duty at the time?"
"It was me sir" said Tonks apprehensively, not sure what was to follow.
"May I ask you why you remained Miss Tonks even though we had specified that the task was to last twenty-four hours and not the twenty-six you seemed to feel was necessary? I assume you stayed to inform her that the examination was over Mr Manders?" Manders nodded. "You may go then Mr Manders. Miss Tonks answer the question please." Manders turned and went back into the common room glancing back at Tonks and giving her an encouraging smile. Tonks grimaced back at him and then turned back to face the wizard.
"I felt that as a potential Auror I should remain tailing a subject who seemed suspicious and who appeared to have some connection with Knockturn Alley and possibly the Dark Arts. His actions in the latter half of the surveillance mission did not seem to correspond with the public image he had been sure to project earlier in the mission. He seemed to have two conflicting natures; however what I heard and saw puts him as a key member of a gang who will attempt a polyjuice robbery on the 1st of September this year. It is all in my report sir." Tonks felt justified in her extension of the examination and a little surprised to be reprimanded for it.
"Miss Tonks this is exactly the behaviour," Tonks braced herself for what was to follow, memories of Hogwarts springing to her mind, "we would expect from a Ministry Auror. Well done Miss Tonks. I will be sure to mention this in your report. You may go back to your classmates now" Tonks stood there open mouthed staring at the retreating figure of the wizard. He had been a tough but fair instructor, but Tonks had not expected praise from him,
"Thank you sir" she called out after him, "Goodnight", he turned and waved and with that she turned too and went back to the common room and straight to her dormitory.