Disclaimer: I own the plot, I apologize if it's been done before. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
[AN: Hi! Real AN at the end! But, I thought I'd mention that this is how I'll probably be doing Author's Notes (with the exception of the ones at the very end) from now on... Enjoy!]
Consanguina by Jess S
Chapter 9: To Catch a Rat
"Well..." Major Lufkin breathed after watching her commanding officer's departure. "That was certainly interesting." She shook her head, "And I reckon the General will undoubtedly be in a fairly good mood the next time we see her as well, all things considered..."
Captain Vindictus nodded in agreement, but the others looked immensely confused.
"Why?" Hermione asked before anyone else could.
The two Aurors looked at each other, then shrugged.
"The General's been rather interested in the Black case for quite some time." Lufkin replied as she flipped through the Potter case log.
"So?" Ron demanded, "Everyone's been interested in catching him! What with the reward and all..." he foolishly sent an apologetic look 'Snuffles' way. It was foolish because both Aurors noticed, and noted it in the back of their minds.
"On the contrary," Captain Vindictus replied, brushing a loose strand of her long, dark mahogany hair over her shoulder. "Potier's not interested in catching Black, not really."
Several moments of somewhat stunned silence followed that comment.
"She isn't?" Remus asked hesitantly.
"No," Vindictus shook her head, "if she were, he certainly would have been caught by now."
"What'd you mean?" Ron demanded, not able to hold the outburst in at this show of what he thought was Slytherin arrogance.
The captain simply raised an eyebrow at him, leveling her pale green eyes on him. "Simple," she replied coolly, "this department and its head are known as the best for a reason. It's true. We're worth more because we do more, we do it faster, better and more thoroughly than anyone else."
"Why?" Ginny asked, breaking the tense silence before it could grow to any extraordinary height, "Why is it so much better? And aren't you part of the same department as all the other Aurors?"
"Technically, yes," Lufkin shrugged, but her dark blue eyes were thoughtful, "but the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is a very large department, so it's broken up into sections, or sectors, whichever you prefer. This sector handles so much more work than all of the other sections combined that it's practically its own department." She paused for a moment before continuing, "And as for why we're so much better than everyone... I'm not entirely sure... we just are."
Vindictus snorted, raising an eyebrow at her superior. "I should think it'd be rather obvious as to why we're better." When everyone, including the Major, looked at her inquiringly, she shook her head. "What's the single most important thing we have, we've had, that did and still does keep us on top? Keeps us going?"
Silence reigned for a moment, before Ron offered a guess. "Your workspace is a lot nicer then everyone else's," he commented, nodding around.
"True," Vindictus nodded, "but that's only a part of the reason.... Even if the other sectors could afford the amount of remodeling this place has gotten, they'd still need someone to push it forward. We have that someone."
"Potier," Lufkin murmured.
The Captain nodded, "Right, when you think about it; it all comes back to her."
"It does?" Ginny blinked, clearly confused. "How would Vivian have anything to do with your entire sector being more successful then all the others?"
"She's the Head of our Sector." Vindictus replied, "She paid for all of the remodeling. She paid to have everyone fully uniformed, and then made these uniforms," she gestured to the sleek and elegant battle robes she was wearing, "mandatory. She made this place a much nicer place to work in. She raised the salaries in this sector considerably and made sure our department never had any debts, with her own money. She wrote up our sector's health and life insurance policies, and retirement plans and made sure they went through... She made working for this department a very appealing job, so appealing that everyone expected to have to work on higher standards, and therefore didn't object when those standards were enforced." She shrugged, "She did it very subtly, so by the time all of the other sector heads realized how much more appealing her sector was, they'd already lost all of their top of the line workers. And had to make due with those who were left, and therefore couldn't spend the time or money necessary to even begin to compete with her."
"What'd you mean she raised the salaries and all that, with her own money?" Fred - or maybe it was George, not that either Auror would bother thinking that - asked.
"Potier comes from an old, powerful and very wealthy pureblood line. Her inheritance was more than any of us could ever really imagine one person possessing." Lufkin replied, clearly unfazed by the implication of that much wealth.
Mrs. Weasley was not the only one that appeared quite a bit more flabbergasted by that implication. After all, while she might be a little suspicious of the young General at the moment, she expected those suspicions to soon be soothed, and over the short time she'd known the girl, she had found her to be a very likeable person. That mental categorization didn't fit with the object of that much wealth - which was unconsciously shaped after her opinion of the Malfoy family. Nonetheless, that wasn't what she chose to question. "You have health and life insurance, and retirement plans?" she asked, shaking her head, "I thought that was denied to Aurors because it was too expensive for the Ministry to ever possibly handle..."
"The Ministry doesn't pay any of it." This time, it was Captain Vindictus who replied again. "Vivian arranged a whole bunch of special, high interest accounts, with Gringotts. She also created several charity sources and formed a financial council of patrons."
"Patrons? People who pay for this sector?" Hermione guessed.
"Yes."
"Like who?" Ginny asked.
"Oh... well, Potier's the council head, because her donations are rather hard to beat." Lufkin replied, and then paused, trying to think of some others. After a moment, she continued, "I'm not really sure who the others are. It's not really publicized, you see..."
"Lucius Malfoy's a major patron," Vindictus commented.
All of the 'guests' blinked.
"He is?" Mr. Weasley demanded, his tone bordering on repudiate.
"Umm-hmm," the captain nodded, "he donates to just about every branch of the Ministry, but he's particularly generous with ours." She finished, apparently not noticing how uncomfortable this news made the others. "It isn't any wonder, really."
"Yeah, he's probably trying to buy you off..." Ron muttered darkly.
"Buy us off...?" Vindictus blinked, and then started laughing. It took her a while to get control over herself again, while the others stared at her. Finally, she continued. "Merlin, no! Malfoy is many things, but stupid isn't one of them. He knows he can't buy us off on legal matters."
"He does?" Ron blinked, "Then why does he...?"
The captain shook her head, "Because his son wants him to be an Auror when he gets out of school, and Lucius Malfoy wants nothing but the best for his son. While we can't be paid to overlook legal issues, the fact that his father makes extensive monthly donations will make the managers pay a little bit more attention to Draco Malfoy's application."
~ * ~
Kings Cross was quite a bit more hectic than usual, when Vivian and Riatanya arrived, accompanied by two squads (of Aurors). Now, while the fact that it was a Friday evening probably didn't help, the actual reason it was like this was rather simple.
"You delayed the trains?" Vivian murmured, not needing to spare a glance to her blonde friend, who was barely a step behind her on the right.
Ria nodded, "Yeah, the Stationmasters said they could delay them for awhile... ah, there they are now," she finished, pointing to two middle-aged men who were hurrying towards them.
Both men were obviously rather important, you could tell that by the way they were dressed. Fine, black suits specially tailored to fit them perfectly gave them a dignified appearance.
"General," the older of the two - at least, it could be safely assumed that he was older, for he had quite a few more gray hairs than the other - nodded to Riatanya. "I hope your not offended, but we really need to get the trains moving again."
Vivian spared him a cool glance, "I understand that quite well, Mr....?"
"Smith," the man replied quickly, "William Smith."
"Ah yes," Vivian nodded, "You are Muggle-born, are you not?"
"I don't see what that has to do with anything, Miss...?"
"Potier," Vivian replied smoothly, "General Potier... Oh, it doesn't really have much relevance, but it might affect how you react to this situation, so it therefore is relevant."
"What do you mean?"
"And you are the Muggle Stationmaster?" Vivian inquired, turning her attention to the younger man, and ignoring the elder's question.
The brunette nodded, his hazel eyes somewhat nervous behind large spectacles. "Yes, John Gardener."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gardener," Vivian replied, nodding to him and then nodding to the other as she returned her attention to him. "And you as well, Mr. Smith..." she sighed. "I know your job is to keep this station running smoothly, and I don't doubt that isn't always an easy task. However, there are times when that duty should be overlooked, this is one of them."
Both men blinked, but didn't bother interrupting her, having finally caught on that she was the one in charge, and she wouldn't take no for an answer.
"There is a dangerous man located on one of these platforms," the Auror continued, "we will do everything in our power to capture him quickly, so that you may begin operation again."
"But I don't understand!" Smith objected, "She said the man was on Platform seven and three quarters! We froze the barrier and the Floos connected to that platform, and we activated the anti-Apparation wards! I can understand holding the train on that platform, but to hold the entire station up is ridiculous!"
As the wizard reached the end of his rant, he suddenly became aware of the chilling glares being sent his way, from all the members of the Auror group. However, it was the leader's calm, neutral expression that perturbed him the most.
"On the contrary, Mr. Smith," Vivian replied coolly, "it makes quite a bit of sense. Even with the barrier frozen, there is nothing to prevent the malefactor from blasting hole in that wall, in order to escape. And I'm quite sure a Death Eater of his stature would have little difficult doing so." Actually, she wasn't so sure about the last, but he didn't need to know that...
"I - uh - I..." the Stationmaster shook his head, clearly not knowing what to say.
"She does have a point, Will," the Muggle Stationmaster told his Wizarding colleague. [AN: LOL, I just couldn't resist that! ... And hey, I figure that all Muggles can't be like the Dursleys, I mean that defies the laws of nature! So we can have a few who don't think magic is totally freaky!] He offered the Auror a slightly hesitant smile, "We'll hold the station until you say otherwise, General. Good luck."
Vivian nodded, "Thank you, Stationmaster Gardener." She offered a smile in return, before leading the group farther down the Station. [Ok... that doesn't sound right... but I can't think of any way to rewrite it! -_-*]
None of the Aurors spoke as they hurried toward the barrier between platforms seven and eight.
~ * ~
"Malfoy wants to be an Auror?" Ron asked, skepticism evident in his tone.
Captain Vindictus nodded, "He does indeed. And he will undoubtedly be very successful," she shrugged, "In all actuality, he doesn't need the donations to bring him into the qualifying range. He qualifies already."
"He does?" Hermione asked, frowning slightly, "Why?"
"Because of all the extra training he's had." This time it was Major Lufkin who replied.
"Training?" McGonagall inquired, interested despite the topic.
"Yes," the raven-haired major nodded, "under his father's direction... As Janna said, Mr. Malfoy wants nothing but the best for his son and heir. Therefore, Draco has received nothing but the best of training. His application and the recommendations it will undoubtedly entail, will doubtlessly be quite impressive."
"Why?" Ron asked... well, actually, more of demanded... as he didn't like the fact the Malfoy was so obviously well viewed by the two high ranking Auror officials.
"There are a number of talents a witch or wizard needs to be considered Auror material..." Captain Vindictus began, watching the redhead thoughtfully with her pale green eyes. "To get into any of the other departments, you need top grades, at least five N.E.W.T.s, with nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations' in their O.W.L.s..."
The adults nodded at this account, and waited for her to continue, curious as to what this department expected. The students visibly suppressed the urge to wince, for that wasn't an easy thing to come up with...
"This department does, of course, expect those same standards to be met, or exceeded." The captain continued, while taking a different book similar in appearance to the case log, and leafing through its pages. "In addition, they must have at least three recommendations from reliable sources."
"What?" Ron blinked, clearly not following this statement.
"Written recommendations appraising that the applicant either 'exceeds expectations' or performs is gifted, or exceptionally gifted in a field. Each recommendation must come from someone who is, without a doubt, qualified to give it."
"What'd you mean by 'qualified'?" Ginny asked.
"An expert of some sort... for example, you could get a recommendation from, almost, every one of your teachers, if they should feel inclined to give it to you." Vindictus continued, nodding to the Hogwarts professors as she did so. "If you felt Potions was a field you excel in, you could ask Professor Snape for a recommendation, for he is a Potions Master. The same applies to Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and many of the other professors."
"Ah," Snape nodded, "that explains it then." He shook his head, meeting his former student's eyes. "I had been a bit surprised when you asked for that near the end of your seventh year."
The captain shrugged, "I had my goals... now," she glanced around the room, "weren't you here to go through Mr. Potter's case file?"
~ * ~
"Spread out," Vivian ordered as she and the other thirteen Aurors stepped through the momentarily opened barrier.
Nodding, the others quickly began moving about the platform, sifting through the (irritated) crowd in search of their intended quarry. Vivian remained standing along the barrier, scanning the platform with her eyes, and instincts.
Following standard protocol, all of the Aurors present had studied pictures of the man they were searching for. They had also memorized a description of him on their way to the platform. That description happened to be the one Harry, Ron and Hermione had given after meeting him in their third year, with the slight altercations that Harry had offered a year prior to that. Therefore they certainly knew who they were looking for, now they just had to find him!
That was easier said then done. The Death Eater had been sighted at ten past eight that evening, and it was now five of nine, and the platform was as crowded as one would expect a regularly used platform to be. Except now the people there were restless, and agitated. They wanted to get out, they had places to be, but they couldn't... Needless to say, it didn't make the Auror's job any easier, but more importantly; it almost made it dangerous.
Vivian frowned slightly at that line of thought, not liking where it went at all. 'Well,' she suppressed a sigh, 'at least were not dealing with any of the other departments... so we don't - oh no, Munch!'
Eric Munch was an Auror who was completely loyal to Fudge, and who had only been accepted into her department under extreme badgering from the Minister. [I know that that's not what he is in the books, but... *shrugs*]
And, she looked at the squads that had come with her, yup, he was there, apparently trying to pacify some of the civilians, rather than search for Pettigrew.
As she drew within hearing range, she was forced to suppress a groan.
"We're looking for a Death Eater who has been impersonating Peter Pettigrew..."
She shook her head, scanning the crowd and listening as she neared them. Sure enough, word was quickly passing through the crowd that if they wanted to get out of here, they needed to find the 'Pettigrew Imposter'. "Mr. Munch," [LOL, I'd hate having that name!] she intoned as she came up along side him, pretending to not notice his startled jump. "I do not believe I ever accessed civilian involvement."
"Yes... well," the older Auror (he was in his early forty's) shook his head, "these poor people just want to be on their way. We should at least allow them to help, if only to get them out of here faster."
"As difficult as the theory of rank, and command may be for you to understand, Private." Vivian replied, "You do not have the authority to authorize such an act, regardless of how proper it may seem to you. Furthermore, civilian involvement isn't something we ever utilize, if given a choice." She held up a hand to forestall his protests, "I know most of the other departments do, but we don't. Is that-" she stopped abruptly as a shout was heard over the crowds mutterings, causing her to turn towards the rear of the train.
"There he is!" the elderly wizard urbanite shouted, "The imposter! He's right there!"
Both Auror squads, Munch included, immediately made their way toward the back of the train, struggling to fight the crowd that was also trying to rush over there. And then, one of the civilians got the bright idea to simply try and curse 'the imposter', thinking it would undoubtedly make them a hero. However, their curse missed, and hit someone else instead. Seeing her husband collapse - his muscle's spasming - the middle-aged-witch beside the middle-age-man immediately retaliated with a different hex.
Vivian's soft sigh could not be heard over the chaos that ensued. However, she didn't try to do anything, not even moving from her space on the platform, simply standing there as everyone else rushed to the other end, to enter the crowd that was currently throwing hexes and curses every which way.
In fact, she didn't move for several minutes, stood perfectly still, only scanning the area with her deep green eyes. Then, as what was quickly becoming an all-out riot continued to accumulate, she suddenly swung her hand up, pointing her wand at the wall, and cast; "Stupify!"
~ * ~
The imperious house that stood atop the hill overlooking the village known as Little Hangleton had been made quite a bit more presentable in the last year. No longer the damp and derelict manor that had stood there less than a year prior was now the attractive mansion that had stood there nearly half a century earlier, easily the largest and the grandest building for miles around.
Nonetheless, none of the inhabitants of the nearby manor were willing to go anywhere near it... There was something strange about it... something that made them frightfully uncomfortable... something wrong... something evil...
And, in this case, although they all were Muggles, their instincts were entirely too right. For this manor, long known as "the Riddle House" was the current headquarters of the Death Eater forcers... the Dark Lord Voldemort's Dark Fortress.
The Dark Lord himself was currently inside those walls, as he had been for many months now. His demonic red eyes were currently focussed on the hearth fire before him.
Suddenly, those malevolent eyes began to glow, as their owner snarled in rage.
A moment later, one of his followers, a low rank no name that had been given the honor of attending to their lord's will on command, was kneeling beside his chair, head slightly bowed. "You called, my Lord?" The young man asked, clearly trying to suppress his fear of his master's rage, both vocally and physically.
Hearing the soft inquiry, the Dark Lord turned his (awful) eyes to the boy, as if considering.
The attendant remained perfectly still, only moving to bow further, as was expected, and staying in that position. He knew all too well that if he failed to follow the proper rules of etiquette, he would be punished. Of course, he also knew that if his lord was angry enough, it wouldn't matter if her performed everything flawlessly or not...
"Yesss..." Voldemort hissed, his anger still evident in the arctic reply. "Hold out your arm," he commanded.
The order was quickly obeyed, as the Death Eater, knowing what his master wanted, held out his left arm, pulling the sleeve up to bare the upper half as he did so. This displayed the vivid red tattoo that displayed his loyalties to the Dark Lord; the Dark Mark. Usually, it was dark black, but it was always the deep, burning crimson it currently was, in the presence of the Dark Lord himself.
The Heir of Slytherin said nothing as he reached out and pressed his long white forefinger onto the brand, ignoring the young man's hiss of pain.
~ * ~
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore nodded, "yes, of course. Please continue."
Both witches nodded, turning back to the crates. Vindictus began scanning the log book while Major Lufkin started looking through the various crates.
"You know," Lufkin murmured, "it's rather odd..."
"What is?" Hermione asked before anyone else could, hoping that the Auror had found something while hoping she'd found nothing at all.
"Well, there's hardly anything on this case..." the Major shook her head. "Usually the General would have a case like this solved by now."
"I don't think 'odd' is really the right word," Captain Vindictus murmured, as she found the page that bore the last entry again.
"Oh?" Lufkin replied, not seeming the least bit surprised, "what would you call it?"
"Scary." Was the captain's immediate reply.
Her commander looked thoughtful, and, after a moment, nodded. "You're right, that does suit it..." shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the visitors. "Now, what exactly are you looking for?"
Almost every member of the group blinked.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked.
Both Aurors stopped, and turned back to look at them.
"What do you want to see?" Lufkin murmured, "What evidence are you (unclear) on?"
"We want to see all the evidence." Ron replied after a moment's silence.
By the time the redhead had finished speaking, the magical fighter's eyebrows were rather close to their hairlines as they stared at the group.
"Ah... I," after a moment, the captain shook her head, closing her eyes briefly, before opening them again, to gaze at the visitors, her pale green eyes incredulous. "I see..."
~ * ~
"But, Father," this was one of the extremely few times in his life that Draco Malfoy would ever consider saying that. "The holiday isn't even half-over! I haven't even gotten my letter yet!"
Nonetheless, this was a fight like every other one, which he knew he could not win. Even if it wasn't an unwritten and unspoken law in the Malfoy household, the cool glint in his father's silver eyes told him that.
"Be that as it may," Lucius Malfoy replied coolly, seeming every inch the wizard he was. "It is your responsibility to-" he stopped short, stiffening slightly as hot fire ran from the Dark Mark on his upper left arm down that arm and up his shoulder.
"Father...?" Draco inquired worriedly when the elder blonde did not continue. There had never really been any close bond between them. His father's loyalty to the Dark Lord had always been in the forefront of his mind, so they'd really never talked about... anything. At least, nothing that would make them feel comfortable... safe, or right, in the others presence...
"I am needed," the elder replied shortly, turning on his heel. "I expect you to have completed your Divination, Transfiguration and Potions homework by supper this evening."
After his father's figure had vanished from sight, the younger Malfoy sighed, "Bloody Hell, why Transfiguration?"
~ * ~
"Is there something wrong?" Mrs. Weasley asked, obviously confused.
Both Aurors glanced at each other, then back at the group before them, and then met each others eyes again, before sighing.
"Yes," Vindictus nodded, "I'm afraid there is..." she thought for a moment, "you see, it would be rather difficult, if not impossible, to go through all of the evidence." Her raised hand forestalled any protest they might offer. "The case files are simply far too complex, and it would take several weeks-"
"-at least," Lufkin muttered under her breath.
"To translate everything and examine everything." The captain finished.
"But," Percy protested, "the files are always made out so that they can be easily understood by the jurors."
"In all of the other departments, yes, they are," Vindictus nodded, "but in this department all of the case files are specially encoded and warded, so as to prevent tampering."
"But then how do these cases ever go to court?" Professor McGonagall asked, frowning.
"That's what the Consto Council is for." Lufkin replied.
"Pardon?" McGonagall blinked.
Vindictus laughed, "Sorry, we're really not used to talking to people outside of the department about the department itself..." she shook her head, "The Consto Council basically sorts through all the evidence that the field agents bring in, anything forensics picks, and all the theories we come up with. The detailed logs are really for them, so that they can follow the case from beginning to end. The Councilors pick out everything that's actually relevant to the case, and document it, then they give identical copies the prosecution and the defense."
"Interesting...When exactly did this start?" Professor Dumbledore inquired, "For I do not recall hearing of it."
"That's not surprising," Vindictus nodded, "General Potier formed the Council four years ago, and our department's record skyrocketed."
Silence returned to the room for several moments, as its occupants wandered around inside their own minds. That silence was interrupted only by the ticking of the clock that was positioned over the door to Vivian's office. However, the pondering people didn't really notice that until it went; *DONG!*DONG!*DONG!*, calling out to the world (or at least the room), that it was ten o'clock at night. [LOL... I've always liked those clocks...]
"Goodness, when did it get so late?" Mrs. Weasley shook her head, turning to her younger children (and Hermione). "We'd best be getting home, dears. Time for bed."
"Of course, Molly," Dumbledore nodded, "but, just a moment, if you will."
Mrs. Weasley hesitated, halfway through starting to bustle the children toward the elevator, as they stood, mouths open, to start protesting. After glancing at the Headmaster momentarily, she nodded.
"Major, Captain," the Headmaster nodded to each of them, "could you perhaps, briefly scan the case files, and see if anything has changed recently?"
Both nodded, and Vindictus closed the book she was holding and tapped the symbol on the front cover with her wand. A moment later, she was holding two books, one of which she handed to her superior. And then both of them began quickly leafing through the book.
"Well," Lufkin broke the silence with a sigh, "the last complete entry was this afternoon, concluding that he wasn't at the Malfoy Manor, and that a squad was scheduled to search their estates over the course of the next week."
"How do they know Harry's not at the Malfoy's?" Ron demanded.
"Because 'they' looked," the Major replied, "General Potier and General Willow attended with the Malfoy's at half past five. Afterwards, they searched the Manor and interrogated the house elves under Mr. Malfoy's order."
"What'd you mean; his 'order'?" Ron asked.
"House elves do not have to answer all wizards truthfully, they only have to do so under their master's command. Lucius Malfoy is the head of the Malfoy household, and therefore his word is law to its servants. He simply ordered them to answer all of the General's questions, and answer them truthfully." Vindictus replied with a shrug, still scanning the log as she did so. "It's a relatively common procedure with house elves who master's are suspected of a crime." She stopped turning the pages suddenly and frowned. "That's interesting."
"What is?" Lufkin inquired, leaning over to check the page her colleague was reading from.
The captain shook her head, "There's a second reference to the Macnair case, expecting a full analysis from forensics."
Lufkin frowned, "That is odd..."
"Why?" Ginny asked.
"What is it?" Hermione pressed.
"Macnair was killed by the Avada Kedavra curse," the dark brunette replied, shaking her head once more. "So forensic shouldn't be able to do much, if anything, with him..."
"So why would she...?" Lufkin shook her head, frowning.
"Well," Vindictus murmured, "we could always send down to forensics now, they should be done."
"How long have they been working on it?" Hermione asked.
"About a week," Vindictus replied, "and, usually I'd give them two, but they always give anything the General sends them top priority."
~ * ~
Closing the lid of the carry-case she'd just levitated Peter Pettigrew - in his Animagus form - into, Vivian sighed as she turned back to watch the ever-escalating riot. Shaking her head, she waved her wand, murmuring; "Modari Conflo," to create a small flame, and pulled out her bag of Ignigenae powder, taking a handful and tossing it onto the small flame that rested in her palm.
This time, the flames weren't strong enough to create an illusionary figure, but the voice that was emitted from the flames was the same.
"You summoned us... Mistress... What is your command...?"
"A word with Kate Derwent, please."
"Very well... Mistress..." and the figure collapsed into multi-colored, but otherwise apparently normal flames, once again.
A moment later, the face of a plump, blonde witch appeared in the palm of her hand. "St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, how may I help you?"
"Good evening, Healer Derwent," Vivian offered a warm smile, which was quickly returned.
"Vivian! Hello! How are you?" the other witch replied brightly.
"Well enough, thank you, and yourself?"
"Oh, I'm fine. But I highly doubt that this is a social call, no?"
"I'm sorry to admit that you're right," Vivian sighed.
"What's happened?"
The General glanced up at the platform and shook her head again. "A riot, at Kings Cross, seven and three quarters. I think you should probably get a few people down here."
"Will do, Derwent out!"
"Thank you..." Vivian murmured, before un-cupping her hand and allowing the flames to dissolve. She glanced up just in time to see a wave of orange light coming right at her, and jumped to the side before raising her wand again. "Pax-Pacis!"
A barely visibly wave of soothing, silvery-white light burst from the tip of her wand.
~ * ~
"Is something wrong, Professor?" Captain Vindictus inquired, when the Hogwarts Potion's Master suddenly winced, as if in pain, for no apparent reason.
"No," Snape shook his head, "not at all..." he replied, meeting the Headmaster's eyes.
After a moment, the Auror nodded, "Very well, the results should be up any minute now... Are you sure you're alright?"
"Quite," the Head of Slytherin house replied coolly, meeting his former student's gaze and holding it.
"Oh dear," Professor Dumbledore suddenly broke in, interrupting their staring contest.
Professor McGonagall glanced at him, as did everyone else. "What is it, Albus?"
"I just happened to remember," the Headmaster replied, sighing wearily. "I'm afraid I left a few items back at school, which I will need for a meeting later on tonight..." he shook his head, "I'm sorry to have to leave now, but-"
"Don't be ridiculous, Headmaster," Snape cut in, "I will retrieve, them and meet you there."
"Very well, Severus," Dumbledore nodded, "thank you."
Snape nodded before turning on his heel and exiting the room.
~ * ~
Peter Pettigrew had never been an attractive man. Very short, with thin, colorless hair that grew along the sides of his head, leaving the top quite bald, a bit overweight, a pointed nose and watery eyes.
Vivian had often wondered, when going through her parent's photo albums and yearbooks, how a man such as this could ever have been one of the Marauders. He certainly didn't look the part. The other three Marauders were all reasonably tall, and fairly attractive, with smiles that were undoubtedly the source of many schoolgirls' crushes.
Furthermore, he hadn't fit in them academically, or magically either. His grades were always just above failing, while his three friends ranked among the best in their year.
And his personality, if the stories she's heard (and read) of her parent's years in school, truly couldn't be more different... While her father, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin had all truly personified what it was to be a Gryffindor, Pettigrew had always come off (to almost everyone) as a coward... She had no doubt that he was only placed in Gryffindor because his 'friends' were there, and he was far too weak for Slytherin, no where near smart enough for Ravenclaw, and... Well... His actions of fifteen years prior were more then enough proof of the fact that he wasn't even on the same scale as the Hufflepuff's, the most loyal and trustworthy of all the houses.
She was drawn out of her thoughts as the man before her showed the first sign of wakening; his limbs stiffened, and he held his breath quietly.
Neither she, nor the other two with her, Ria and John Croaker, here to represent the Unspeakables, moved from their seated positions across the cool metal table in the center of the interrogation chamber. The chamber itself was more than a bit intimidating; with hard, cold metal chairs around an equally hard and cold metal table. All in the center of room that didn't seem to have any door, but instead a never broken circular wall, with a mirror that stretched from the hard metal floor to the domed, and mirrored ceiling.
It was a design that Vivian had recalled inventing when she was training under Alastor Moody, after taking notes on all of his beliefs on interrogation techniques, and while the old Auror had never scene one of the rooms, she had no doubt he would approve. If he didn't at first sight, he certainly would upon seeing Pettigrew's reaction to it.
His eyes widened in fear as he saw his reflection in the ceiling above him, and that fear became outright panic when he tried to move and found he couldn't. His wrists were held down to the chair by unyielding metal bars.
No one said anything until he began hyperventilating.
"Calm down, Pettigrew," Vivian admonished coolly, "you will do yourself no good in that state."
His head immediately snapped down, and he stared at her with his watery, piteous gray eyes. "Wh-who are you?"
"I am General Vivian Potier, of the first sector. This is General Riatanya Willow, also of the first Enforcement, and Colonel John Croaker, of the Unspeakables." She replied smoothly, in a tone that suggested this was an everyday conversation. "And you are Peter Pettigrew, are you not?"
"Yes," Pettigrew replied immediately, then his eyes widened in shock as he realized what he'd just admitted to three Wizarding law enforcement officials. But when he made to deny it, he found he could not.
"You have already been injected with an appropriate dose of Veritaserum, Mr. Pettigrew." The Auror General informed, "And I'm sure you know why you're here, do you not?"
After nearly ten seconds of trying to repress the serum induced response, in which his face reddened, his eyes rolled and his breath caught repeatedly, he nodded. "Yes..."
Vivian offered him a cold smile, "Good... then I'm sure we will get along nicely..."
~ * ~
Everyone in the room looked up as the elevator doors slid open again barely two minutes after the Potions Master's departure. But it wasn't Professor Snape who came through.
A tall and fairly muscular young man with warm brown eyes and golden blonde hair framing his handsome features stepped out instead.
"Eric," Captain Vindictus greeted him with a small frown, "What are you doing here?"
The young man met her eyes, and sighed. "I was called, seems there was a bit of difficulty at that station..."
"Oh?" Lufkin inquired, "Did they catch him?"
The blonde nodded, "Yes," he sighed, "but the clean up is going to take awhile." He replied, his eyes falling upon the visiting group as he finished.
"Why? What happened?" Hermione asked, blushing slightly. The man was very handsome, and she wasn't anywhere near enough of a bookworm to not notice.
"I don't believe we've met," the Auror replied, flashing the group a warm smile.
"Oh, excuse us," Vindictus laughed, then nodded to the group, "these are the group Vivian's been working with."
"On the Potter case?" he inquired, and received a nod in return.
"Yes, I believe you already know the Professors?"
'Eric' nodded.
"Then may I introduce Remus Lupin, Arthur Weasley and his wife Molly, and their children; Charlie, Bill, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny, and Hermione Granger."
"A pleasure," he replied, bowing slightly.
Vindictus shook her head, and turned her attention back to the group. "You may remember him," she told the Professors, who were also watching in interest, "from the class of '92?"
"Bonham?" McGonagall smiled after a moment's thought. "Eric Bonham?"
The blonde nodded, returning the smile, "That's me, Professor."
"So you did make it into the Aurors," McGonagall smiled, "I thought you might." She noticed most of the others watching her and shook her head, "Eric was a Gryffindor Prefect three years ago, you know."
"I thought you looked familiar!" Percy burst out.
"Long time no see," Bonham nodded, then returned his attention to his former house head, "Yeah, I'm a captain now." He shook his head, "So I should probably collect what I came here for and get on with my job!" he said as he made his way around the group and through one of the office doors. "Good luck on the case!" he called over his shoulder.
"Oh! Eric!" Vindictus called a moment afterward, and waited for him to stick his head out the door with a raised eyebrow before continuing. "Have you heard anything on the Macnair case? You've been assisting General Willow haven't you?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I have. Why?"
"We've been waiting for a final from forensics," she replied, "why was and A.K. corpse sent there, anyway? They can't really read anything from it."
The other Captain didn't answer right away, and came out of his office carrying a briefcase that he'd apparently summoned. "They can read a few things."
"Well what are they looking for?" Lufkin asked as he stepped onto the elevator again.
"That Dark Mark," he replied as the doors slid shut, "Both Potier and Willow think he was a Death Eater!"
End of Chapter 9.
AN: Well, that's it for Chapter 9! What'd you think? REVIEW! REVIEW!!!
Translations:
Consanguina - related by blood (Latin)
Consto - to stand together, be composed/to depend upon/correspond/to be established
Modari - to keep within bounds/restrained/controlled
Conflo - blow into flame
Pax-Pacis - peace/calm/quiet
In Response to Reviews from Chapter 8:
Xirleb70 - LOL, that's good to hear. Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. ^_^
Jaded*Secrets - LOL... ^_^**
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much and Thank you very very much!
Are you more rested now?
Thanks for reviewing! ^_^
Rachel A. Prongs - Thank you.
LOL... hmm... *crosses fingers behind back* I don't know... why?
Not telling! :-P
And you're right, Harry's a great character.
Thanks!
Littletoaster2345 - Thank you. Sorry for the wait.
Muggle - Thank you very much. I'm sorry about the wait.
Pheonixrising - Thank you. ^_^
LOL, yes, she's good isn't she? Of course, she was kind of expecting it sooner or later, so she was a bit more prepared then they would have expected her to be... and they were more than a little awed by her, umm, house... (I like her house! I want to live there!... Why do I always make up homes for my characters that I want to live in? *sigh* -_-*...)
Well, Pettigrew's been captured! I will say 2 things on that; Sirius isn't free just yet, and I actually already have a solution for that... but you'll have to wait to see it. :-D
Sorry about the wait. And thank you. *Smiles evilly*
Green Eyed Knight - Thanks. ^_^
LOL, I wouldn't no, but my mom's always liked it, so I thought it'd be a good one.
Everpresent - LOL... I know, sorry. ^_^*
Oh... not complaining... OK! That good! ^_^
I'm glad you liked it.
LOL, we can't make deep, philosophical comments all the time. Thanks for reviewing!
Mariko-chan - Thank you, for both the review and your help. ^_^
Te - Thanks...
Liberty Belleview - LOL, don't worry about it. I can't expect reviews all the time... it'd be nice... but I'd be far too disappointed too often and would probably become depressed and therefore not be able to write anything... Umm... ok, I'll stop...
LOL, as for the summer/school thing... I think maybe it's because;
1. School year - we're on a schedule, so we plan things accordingly and therefore it doesn't really seem busy...
2. Summer - the vacation is only so long and we want to do as much as possible during that 'free' time... And that's when relatives come visit and whatnot...
Thank you. I'm sorry for the wait.
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Bye! ^_^
~ Jess S