26th April 2022- Ministry of Magic

Harry Potter

The weekend had been hectic after James' call. He'd come straight into work, calling in Ron and Freya immediately. Before they could even start, two masked intruders had attacked St. Mungos. The attack had thankfully been contained to the reception, but it had still been devastating. Five dead, two Healers , a security guard and 87 year old witch. The aurors and Hit Wizards had responded immediately, killing one attacker and injuring the second. The second had still managed to get away.

Harry slammed down today's paper that urged him to resign with a sick feeling. They should have thought about St. Mungos… Realised it was a target. But who would think that they were sick enough to target a hospital? The sick and wounded?

Harry rubbed at his eyes. He hadn't been home in three days. Hadn't changed his clothes in two. The longer he sat looking at all the evidence the more confused he became. He'd identified Higgs, it hadn't taken long- there was already a file on him, written by Ted's hand…

"Matter of interest."

But why did Ted think Higgs was a matter of interest? How had he known? And why hadn't he told him about it?

Harry had already tried fire calling Ted twice since he had discovered the file. He hadn't heard back yet.

"Harry!" A man yelled, he was blonde, haughty, with a narrow nose. But as Harry stared, he could see Ron's features hidden behind.

"Ron," he said in surprise. He'd spent the last two weeks with mead in the 'Dead Witch.' Harry looked at the time, 11:23 pm.

"I think I've got him. Terrence Higgs."

Harry jumped to his feet, "Higgs?"

"Yeah, after you gave me the name I asked around. Some of my contacts had a lot to say," Ron broke off panting, "he talked a lot about blood purity, about fighting," he mopped his brow. "The guys I spoke to weren't interested, mean as snakes, but not fighters. They knew about Atlas though- they said Higgs introduced Atlas to the group."

"So Higgs is involved?"

"Bet my life on it, Harry, we need a warrant, we've got to get the bastard- if the time frame is right we've only got two days."

"I've had Freya going over the security, we can't see a way in. They can't use the kitchens again."

Harry walked around his desk, out of his office and into the corridor, his walk was so fast it was almost a run. He could hear Ron's heavy footsteps following him. He burst into Hermione's office, her secretary was long since gone, but she wouldn't be.

"Hermione, it's Higgs, he is involved- he's the contact, we've got to move," Harry called, she jumped from the papers in front of her. She looked just as tired as Harry felt, deep bags stamped under her eyes, but she was alert the second they walked in, she frowned at Ron before flicking her wand to lift his disguise.

"I already drew up the papers, I had a feeling-" she murmured, fishing it out of her filing cabinet." She hands them over to Harry, her eyes sweeping over both of them. "You need to sleep, wash and eat- both of you."

"We can't," Ron said, "we've got to act now, if he knows we are onto him…"

"Then send someone else!" snapped Hermione, "you are no good in this state."

"Well neither are you!" Ron yelled, shocking them both. "But this is our job."

Hermione bit her lip. She looked out of the dark window lost in thought while she weighed her words. "Have you heard from Ted yet?"

Harry jumped, surprised, "He hasn't called me back, yet."

"Weasley and Peterson?"

"In position at the gates. I've sent Diggle and Vane as well."

Hermione didn't look away from the window, but her fingers twitched, "Send Luton and Lee as well. Lucy is an expert at protective enchantments and Sammi is one of our best curse breakers."

"You think they'll target Hogwarts?" Harry said he'd thought about it himself lately.

"I don't think so, but I also didn't think they would attack a hospital," Hermione said waspishly, "it is never good to put our eggs all in one basket…"

"I'll send for them," Ron said, reaching into his pocket for quill and parchment.

"I want them in the castle, Ron," Hermione said briskly. "I want emergency portkeys on all of them. As well as those shield tents George designed."

"Rodger, ma'am."

"Harry, I want Spinnet, Appleby, Ackleton and Jones to accompany you on the raid."

"I'm sure we-"

"All of them. Once he is apprehended you both need to rest. You can sleep here, but you need to sleep. That's an order."

Hermione sat back at her desk rubbing her eyes as the men left. No time to sleep; there was too much to lose.

Harry laid himself down on the cot behind his desk, one of the Ministry elves had set it up for him. He'd have to thank her later. He shuffled in the cot, it wasn't the most comfortable thing for his aching and tired body.

The raid had been a bust. Higgs had long since left the house. He must've known or suspected that they were on to him. Ted had eventually written back. The name came up as a matter of interest during his surveillance work. He'd looked into it at the time but he hadn't found any evidence.

Anger rose up in him before he squashed it down. Ted had fucked up. He was sure of it. And as much as it pained him to discipline his godson- he would have too. The name should have been brought forward- they would have known where to look far earlier.

He didn't know what was wrong with Ted. But if he was allowing personal problems to affect him at work he had no business being in the aurors. You couldn't bring home to work: it didn't work like that.

He turned over, trying to find a position to alleviate his aches, but it seemed no such position existed. The anniversary was on Saturday, three days away. Would the attack take place then? It would certainly be fitting for them.

Or would the attack be elsewhere? Hogesmede? Diagon Alley? Or the various other magical institutions. There were too many locations, they couldn't protect them all….

Hermione had spent all evening and morning protecting the various wizarding locations. She'd deployed aurors and hit wizards to each. She'd spread them out- under Ron's advice- so all bases were covered. Harry knew they were missing something. They suspected that the group, due to tip offs, was now numbering around twenty five. They knew the names of several of them.

Terence Higgs

Runcorn

Clark

But there were more unknown men and women, hidden in plain sight.

Harry punched the pillow and sunk into it. He shut his eyes determined to get at least an hour of sleep.

28th April -Hogwarts

James Potter

Gilly landed with a slight 'thud' in front of him. James dropped his spoon and took the letter. "Thanks Gilly," he said as she ruffled her feathers ready to fly out. James was desperate to read the letter, but didn't wish to do so in company. He slurped down the rest of his porridge, excused himself and fled the room. He tore open the letter.

James,

It's nice to hear from you; I am glad you are well. I haven't spoken to my husband in person since February and he has not been returning my owls. At first, I thought perhaps he was busy and concerned and therefore couldn't reply. I'm now not too sure. If what you say is true, and he barely leaves his rooms, we have a serious problem. Something is wrong. I've felt it in my heart for a while, but I rationalised... I was wrong. Ted is my best friend and he is not himself. I know you see it too. The man at Hogwarts is not the man I have loved my whole life.

I am coming to Hogwarts. I will be there by this evening. We can work this out and help Teddy together.

look after yourself.

Till tonight.

Victorie.

James read the letter twice. He wasn't making things up, he wasn't seeing things. Something was dreadfully wrong. He read the letter again.

"The man at Hogwarts is not the man I have loved my whole life."

A cold shiver spread down his spine.

"The man at Hogwarts is not the man I have loved my whole life."

Realisation dawned trickling like ice down his back. He had been such a fool to not see it before. But then, perhaps, he had only been seeing what he wanted to see... He stuffed the letter in the moleskin pouch and took off at a run. He had to get to him.

He came to a stop, breathing hard as he considered his door stood in front of him. It was just a door. A plain, wooden door. That's all it was. A door is just a door. But he was gripped by terror. The man at Hogwarts is not the man…

James frowned, reaching out a hand to knock before hesitating. He drew his hand back, feeling the knuckles tingle where he had made them bleed before. He hadn't been able to understand before what had changed in Ted, why he now couldn't stand the sight of him. Ted's haunted face had frightened him greatly, the sunken, ill-like pallor, and the broken way he held himself. There was something seriously wrong with his brother. He certainly was suffering, at least. James wondered how much hurt Ted must be feeling, all alone in there, with no one to help. For months fighting alone: abandoned and afraid. James heard a noise from inside, almost a bang and footsteps coming towards him. He hesitated, but raced down the corridor and hid in a doorway. He'd raced towards the teachers rooms, as long as Ted went the other way-

But it wasn't Ted.

The door opened slowly, but James immediately realised that the tall figure was not that of his brother. Too tall and lanky. With a long cloak. The person held themself stiffly, looking left and right as if checking the coast was clear. But James recognised them. A tingle of recognition, he knew this person.

James pushed himself into the wall, wishing he could sink into it. Oh how he wished he had his father's cloak!, He just hoped this mysterious person hadn't seen him, he doubted they had good intentions. His hand clutched at the moleskin purse, itching to take out the mirror, but he could make no noise. He closed his eyes, awaiting his fate.

The footsteps pattered down the hall, fading as the distance increased. They were light footsteps… Slow and purposeful.

James let out a puff of air, sagging into the wall behind him as he dabbed his moist forehead with the edge of his sleeve. Who was that? And why were they in Ted's room? Perhaps, Ted was being threatened? Or he was in trouble…

With a fair amount of trepidation, James closed the distance between him and Ted's door. His fingers traced the inscription, thinking of how carefree Ted had been, and how that now seemed so far away.

James tried the door, tired of knocking. It didn't budge. He raised his elm wand and muttered, "Alohomora." There was a soft click. Ted, or whomever had locked the room, had not thought they'd be disturbed. James pushed into Ted's room. He couldn't see his brother at first, but then he spotted him under a pile of blankets. His figure looking shrunken under the mass.

James stepped forward slowly, glancing around him. A prickly feeling shot down his neck. Please don't be dead, he thought desperately. As he reached the edge of the bed he stopped, filled with sudden trepidation. His brother looked stiff.

He pulled out his wand, "enervate," he said desperately. Ted's eyes flew open and James jumped back in fear. A hand reached out and grabbed his wrist, holding tightly, bruising him. James tried to pull his arm back, but he couldn't escape the grip. Ted's wide, pain filled eyes met his. The white of his eyes were bloodshot, his face lined and old before his years.

"James, you have to run," he croaked desperately, looking around them wildly, James stepped forward. "No, listen, run, you must-" he broke off choking on his own words.

"Teddy, teddy-" he half cried trying to help him breathe, his face was an odd blue. Ted gasped on some air like a fish on land.

"They- the-" he broke off sweating, "non-" words failed him again.

Non. Non what? Nondescript? Non-fiction? Non-

"Non-Conformites," James whispered in horror and Ted nodded vigorously.

"Hogwarts."

He shuddered, "they are at Hogwarts?"

"Get Harry! Get Harry! Danger," he garbled, "danger, danger."

"But who?" James asked wildly, almost hugging his brother as he again choked on the words. What was wrong with him? Was he dying? Bile rose up in his throat as he watched his throat convulse, his body shake.

"Cl- Cleese," he forced out. "Run! Leave, run!" James jumped up, loathed to leave him, but sure beyond sure that it was Cleese he had seen leave the room, Cleese that had cursed and hurt him. Cleese that must be doing the same with the aurors that had arrived yesterday…

"Sorry," he gasped clutching at Ted's face, looking into the panicked and unrecognisable eyes of his brother, "sorry! He cried as he turned to leave, his hand already on the moleskin pouch, the other on his wand. Ready to run.

"Well, well, well…" A voice drawled from the shadows, "this makes things easier, doesn't it?"