London
October 24, 2006
"The time is 09:30. Interview being conducted by Gawain Robards and Lester Fox in Interview Room B. Subject, Daphne Greengrass, has elected to have counsel present." Robards spoke into the recording device, while Fox sent Daphne a reassuring smile.
The Greengrass family solicitor, Amelia Bones, whispered something to her client before turning to face the investigators. The older witch sat poised and confident. Robards resisted rolling his eyes – it had taken five days to find a time that was amenable to Ms. Greengrass to complete this interview.
"Ms. Greengrass," Fox started, "thank you very much for making time to speak with us today. As you can guess, we have some questions for you related to the attempt on Harry Potter's life."
Daphne nodded and smiled back. "Of course. I'm as anxious as you to see whomever did this brought to justice." A politician through and through, Robards thought.
"We'll get right to it then, shall we?" Fox shuffled a few papers on his desk and started, "Can you confirm you were at the Parliament Meeting House on October 8th, 2006?" he asked.
"Yes," Daphne confirmed.
"And can you explain why you were at the Meeting House?"
"I serve as Harry Potter's Chief Policy Advisor – I was at the house for the bill speaking and vote," she explained succinctly.
"Can you confirm where you were when the bombing occurred?" Fox continued to question, his voice calm.
Daphne paused, turning to her solicitor who gave her an almost imperceptible nod. "I was in the hall outside of Harry Potter's office."
"That is aligned with the reports from the officers on the scene." Fox nodded with an appreciative smile. "Our records show that you received a phone call just before the bomb went off. Can you confirm this?"
Daphne swallowed and blinked, her face betraying panic for only a moment before she smiled tightly and answered. "Yes, my sister Astoria called me. She inadvertently saved my life," she explained.
"Of course." Fox nodded sagely. "Would you please confirm what you discussed on the phone?"
"She indicated she wanted to speak. But before we had a chance to discuss anything, the bomb went off."
"Yes, our records indicate your phone call was only 45 seconds." Fox gave her an approving smile before continuing, "Were you ever able to learn what your sister wanted to speak with you about?"
Daphne's eyes grew wide for a moment before she turned to her solicitor, who spoke on her behalf. "I don't see how a conversation between two sisters is relevant to your investigation."
"I'm sorry," Fox sent a regretful smile in Daphne's direction, "but without knowing what Astoria called to speak with you about, we can't assess its relevance to the case at hand. The fact is that you received a phone call, and as a result were not in Harry Potter's office when a bomb went off."
"It was a coincidence," Daphne argued.
Fox put his hands up slightly. "It may well have been. But without exploring further, we cannot be certain of that. If you would indulge us please, we can cross our T's and dot our I's and let you be on your way."
Daphne turned to her solicitor, and the pair had a rushed whispered conversation before Daphne responded. "I later learned Astoria wanted to discuss her engagement with me." Daphne held her head high and looked Fox directly in the eye.
Fox's brows furrowed momentarily in confusion. "OK – is there anything notable about her engagement?"
"Why? Are you looking to start selling gossip magazines?" Daphne sniped before taking a deep breath. "My apologies, I didn't mean to be rude."
"What I think my client is trying to ask," Amelia Bones began, "is why you need to know the specifics? Obviously, a young woman's engagement holds no bearing to the attempted murder of a WEA representative."
"I understand this must be very stressful," Fox nodded towards Daphne, "but I've found that you never quite know what is going to be relevant or hold bearing in a case. That's why we try to uncover as much detail as possible. You may not realize it, but a small thing that you think is irrelevant could be critical in determining who tried to kill your fiancé."
Daphne was torn – she really did want whomever tried to kill Harry to be brought to justice, but she couldn't see how Astoria's secret engagement to a Death Eater was relevant or could possibly help their investigation. "My father has arranged a marriage for her with a wizard in Germany. She was – saddened by the prospect of being so far away."
"Hmm. That's understandable," Fox stated conversationally, jotting a quick note on his pad. "Are you aware if Astoria had been asked to call you and tell you of this news?"
Daphne shook her head, eyes narrowed slightly. "No. She had just been told of the arrangement by our father when she called. She mentioned later he had explicitly forbidden her from calling me."
"Ah." Fox smiled and placed his notes on top of one another before turning to Robards.
"Ms. Greengrass," Robards stated, "thank you again for your cooperation. That is all we need at this time."
"Of course – please do call Ms. Bones if you need anything further," Daphne told them with a tight smile before filing out, the clack of her heels diminishing to a small echo.
"She was lying." Fox turned to Robards, pointing to a few notes on his pad.
"About what?" Robards questioned.
"I'm not sure what precisely – but she was quite defensive. She seemed strangely uncomfortable discussing her sister's engagement - which seems like it should be a rather innocuous topic," Fox pointed out.
"I don't think she's hiding anything related to the bombing though," Robards commented.
Fox nodded. "I don't thinkshe is intentionally – but I'm worried she may simply be a pawn in all of this."
A junior detective entered, handing a paper to Robards.
Michel Pierre in holding cell 2.
He read it and handed it to Fox before turning back to the newcomer. "Give us five minutes, then bring him in," Robards told the junior detective, who nodded and hurried out.
"When it rains it pours," commented Fox. "I'm surprised they got him here from France this quickly."
Robards shrugged. "How do you want to handle this one?"
"He's pretty anti-wizard, so perhaps you should start. Throw him off balance."
The pair rearranged their papers and stood as Michel Pierre was brought in for questioning. Unlike Daphne, he had neither counsel nor freedom of movement. The man walked in, hands cuffed and wearing the lime green jumpsuit indicative of a prisoner. His dark brown hair was greasy and unkempt, dangling against his chin. His face, prematurely aged with large and unnaturally curious eyes, gave off the appearance of a haunted man. Pierre was thin – dangerously so, enhancing his overall appearance of insanity.
Robards' first thought upon seeing the man was disbelief that he could possibly mastermind a successful bombing in one of the WEA's most secure facilities. He watched as Pierre was forced by the two Corps sergeants into the chair previously occupied by Daphne Greengrass.
Once the sergeants left, Robards replaced the tape in the recorder and began. "The time is 11:03. Interrogation being conducted by Gawain Robards and Lester Fox in Interview Room B. Subject is Michel Pierre. No counsel present."
"Mr. Pierre," Robards started, purposefully rolling up his right sleeve to reveal his wand secured in its holster. Pierre hissed. "We would like to question you in regards to our investigation into the recent bombing of the WEA Parliament Meeting House. Our chemical analysis of the bomb shows the composition to be similar to that of multiple bombs your group has used in terrorist attacks in France."
Pierre continued to stare at Robards' wand, eyes wide and mumbling incoherently under his breath. "Mr. Pierre," Robards attempted to get his attention, "you are standing accused of eight acts of terrorism in the WEA. If you cooperate in this matter, it will be taken into consideration in your sentencing.".
"I will not speak to a wizard," Pierre stated in a thick French accent.
Robards and Fox looked at one another, unsurprised. Robards gave his partner a brief nod and Fox began, "Were you responsible for the bombing at the WEA Parliament House on October 8, 2006?" he asked.
"Yes," Pierre responded. Fox and Robards looked momentarily surprised.
"Just to clarify, you are taking responsibility for the bombing?" Fox repeated.
"Yes," Pierre stated, looking directly at Fox.
"Can you tell us who the intended target was?"
"Representative Harry Potter," he told them outright.
"And can you tell us how you were able to get an explosive into Mr. Potter's office?"
"One of my compatriots infiltrated ze cleaning staff. Zey were able to bring the individual components in over a two month period," Pierre confirmed.
Fox blinked, fumbling his notes. They had not expected the man to cooperate, let alone answer each question so helpfully. "Can you give us the name of your – compatriot?"
"Yes – Annika Howard," he stated. Fox looked at Robards who, after digging up a staff list, nodded his head to confirm Annika was indeed a member of the cleaning staff.
"Can you tell us why you attempted to kill Harry Potter?" Fox asked.
"He forces us to live with ze freaks," Pierre spat.
"Did your organization work with any others in the planning or execution of the bombing?" Fox asked.
"No," Pierre told him.
Fox blinked and turned to Robards who simply shrugged. "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the bombing?" Fox concluded, because, why not?
"No. My group eez responsible. My only regret eez zat Harry Potter is still alive," he snarled.
Fox nodded his head and swallowed. "Thank you for your cooperation." He nodded towards the mirror on the far side of the room, indicating to the sergeants on the other side he was done.
Once Pierre was out of the room, Fox and Robards gathered their notes and headed back to their office one floor down. "That was way too easy," Robards commented first.
"Are we sure he wasn't under any influence?" Fox asked.
Robards nodded. "Corps protocol would require him to undergo a head exam prior to interrogation. I'll double check the records but for whatever reason it seems he just – confessed."
"Do you believe him though?" Fox asked.
Robards shrugged. "I believe he told a part truth – based on his knowledge of the cleaning person, I assume he was involved. I just find his motive to be somewhat lacking." He paused before adding, "The problem is we have yet to find sufficient proof of anyone else's involvement. I'd like to have another go at him with veritaserum."
Fox nodded. "I can start the paperwork while you brief the Chief."
"So you've solved it?" Chief Detective Hargraves asked.
Robards looked at the man dubiously. Hargraves was a non-magical – he had a reputation from before the Event as being some no-nonsense detective, but as far as Robards was concerned, he was just another politician. "Well sir, while we have a confession from the French terrorist, it seemed almost – too easy. We would like to investigate further before concluding the investigation."
"Robards," Hargraves drawled, his voice patronizing, "you all complain when they don't confess and now when they do, you don't believe them?"
"Well," Robards started, "Pierre's motives are unclear. I believe there could be other parties at play."
"Look," Hargraves' face went from amused to serious almost instantly, "we have a confession – it's been about three weeks since the attempt on Representative Potter's life. I have a Minister of Justice and the Corps Major Generals on my ass. Unless you can give me a tangible reason to believe that there are others involved, perhaps some piece of evidence you have not yet shared, I have no choice but to accept this confession."
Robards exhaled, feeling properly reprimanded but still frustrated. "There is still the matter of the Greengrass girl," he reminded his superior.
Hargraves raised his hands in frustration. "You yourself admitted there was nothing to imply the phone call was more than an incredibly timely coincidence!" The man lowered his hands calmly to the desk. "Look, I know you and Fox are good at your jobs – it's why you were selected for this assignment; but please, take the victory." Robards knew he wasn't really asking.
"Of course sir. We will close out the case and alert the Corps," Robards confirmed and stood up.
Hargraves smiled. "Thank you Robards. And good work on this case." He stretched out to shake the Auror's hand. "I'll make sure the media knows just how instrumental you were to solving this one."
When Robards finally made it down to his office, Fox had already updated their white board to include the information learned in that morning's interviews. "What did Hargraves think?" Fox asked.
"He said 'Good job,' and it's over," Robards sniped before sitting roughly in his chair.
Fox paused and turned. "But it was way too easy – surely he sees that?"
Robards shrugged. "The man's a politician. He's going to the media now – I need to tell the Corps liaison that the case is closed."
Fox looked uneasy. "But there's no way…"
Robards held his hand up. "I've dealt with politicians my whole life. We continue to work the case – off the books. But fighting now will only get us in trouble."
"Yes, I understand." Ginny spoke into her phone before hanging up. It's for the best, she thought as she knocked on Harry's temporary office door.
"Come in!" Harry shouted.
"I've come with good news," Ginny told him as she entered, her body stiff and face blank.
"What is it?" Harry frowned, recognizing Ginny's discomfort, walking around his desk to approach the witch.
"They've identified who was responsible for the bombing." Ginny explained, "It was a non-magical French terrorist group. The leader was apprehended and confessed to everything."
Harry looked at her, nodding dumbly. It all felt rather anticlimactic.
"So," Ginny continued, "I've been called in for re-assignment. You are officially free from Corps security." She nodded and turned around.
"Wait," Harry grabbed her wrist. His mouth opening and closing a few times before he finally began, "I just – maybe you should come by for dinner tonight? Daphne will want to say goodbye."
Harry's hand on her wrist caused Ginny to lose her nerve. She blinked, staring up at him and smiled sadly, shaking her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why?" Harry asked, hand still lightly holding her wrist. "You come into my – our – lives, then you just – leave?" he mumbled.
"It's for the best," she said, her voice unsteady. She was shaking her hand free of his grasp when he pushed a stray hair behind her ear. She instinctively leaned into his hand, and that's when he bent down and kissed her.
Ginny responded immediately, subconsciously aware of Harry pushing the door closed. His lips pressed firmly, the kiss taking on an almost frenetic feel. She grabbed his shirt, seeking leverage, and pushed her tongue against his bottom lip.
A soft vibration of his phone jolted the pair, and the reality of the situation came crashing down. She pushed him away. "This isn't right."
"I..." Harry exhaled, brushing his hair with his fingers and straightening his glasses. "I've really grown to care for you, Ginny."
"You're engaged, Harry. And I consider your fiancée something of a friend." She exhaled sharply, her arms crossed over her chest.
"We have..." Harry looked to the ceiling, searching for the right word, "an understanding."
"Oh," Ginny said, her eyes growing wide with anger. "You have an 'understanding' do you?"
"It's not like that!" Harry tried to explain, his face reddening. "Our relationship – it's... out of convenience. She needed someone her father approved of, and I needed a fiancée to be politically viable."
"So, she's OK with you just snogging any witch?" Ginny bit back.
Harry groaned in frustration. "It's more complicated than that!"
"Look Harry. This," she was breathing heavily now, "is not ok. I'm not sure what goes in high society, but you can't just snog a girl when you're not available! You can't – I won't be your whore."
"Do you really think that low of me?" Harry asked, taken aback.
"I didn't, but I do now," Ginny spat.
"If you really think, after all the time we've spent together, that I could ever think of you like that, then you should go," he told her, his eyes blinking as he watched her nod and leave, door slamming in her wake.
Harry sat back down, pushing his elbows on the desk with hands rubbing his eyes. He wondered how so much of his life somehow turned upside down in just three weeks.
A/N: Thank you to my Beta ElizColl. I appreciate and all comments/feedback. You can also find me on Tumblr at canttouchthis87..