Chapter 20: The Final Countdown...

Midnight of the next day seemed to be coming around faster than Amelia liked, although, she had to admit, the plan was much simpler than the previous one undertaken by her team: wait for enough people to come in, storm the house, arrest everyone. In theory, anyway, it was simple enough and Amelia was praying that she had managed to assess all possible risks in the short time frame they had, so as to avoid any scares like the Unbreakable Vow.

Amelia currently sat at her desk, tapping a quill against the wood, waiting for any news from Gideon or Fabian. The brothers were surveying the house and, when the right people were inside, they would send a Patronus to summon her and Frank. Fabian's Patronus was a lion. It always seemed to have a cheeky look in its eyes and tended to take long and convoluted routes to reach something, unless the situation was dire, something Amelia knew from the many hours Fabian had spent annoying her with it. Gideon's was also a cat, but one of much smaller proportions, taking the shape of a rather dumpy persian cat. It was, Fabian had informed her, a representation of the pet they had had as children, a creature called Pudding that had always hated him and Molly (their sister), but had for some reason adored Gideon. It was one of the frivolous little details that Amelia loved to discover about Gideon, as he was always so serious. He had, according to Fabian, found a painted plate with a very similar cat on it, which he had given Dolores as a gift. It was, again according to Fabian, disgusting and Amelia didn't even think Dolores liked cats that much, but she had professed to love it, though this love was, Amelia suspected, more for Gideon and less for the plate.

Dolores and Gideon. The subject was one that Amelia had spent many hours pondering over. She was the one who had introduced them in the beginning and if somebody had told her they'd be engaged within two years, she would've laughed them out of the room. Gideon and Dolores were very different, though Amelia loved them both. Gideon was always so quiet and pensive, so serious, over-thinking everything. Dolores was always smiling, always fussing over others and always buzzing about, at her best when doing things. She was practical, while Gideon was a thinker. Maybe that's why they worked: Gideon would make the plans and Dolores would do them. But, when Amelia thought about it, they were also very alike. They were both hard workers, the job always coming first. They were both highly efficient and tidy, order and structure the mantra of their lives. And they were both slightly awkward, Gideon with his silent, imposing figure and Dolores with her plain eagerness. Their union was actually a beautiful one, Amelia reflected, two people not built for sharing opening up just enough to consider letting someone in.

Amelia's reverie was broken by a streaky, silver lion bursting through the wall of her cubicle and skidding to a halt on her desk. It stared at her with intense eyes, eyes that looked strangely like Fabian, and then it opened its mouth, her partner's voice coming out.

"Finch has just entered the house," it said, with a slightly echoey sound, "We've had people coming in and out since 11. Get down here, Bones, we're going in."

Amelia jumped up from her seat, knocking a stack of parchment to the floor. She grabbed her wand and pulled on her coat, attempting to manoeuvre her arm into the sleeve whilst walking. Once she got down to Hardgrave Street, they would enter 148 and make an arrest. Hopefully, by the time she got down there, proceedings would've begun and they'd be able to identify some potential threats as well as nail some people for murder. Plus, if they uncovered a Death Eater stronghold, it would mean bonuses for all, and Amelia wasn't going to say no to a little extra cash.

As Amelia ran past, Alice stuck her head out of her own office.

"You off then?" she called out.

"Yep," Amelia replied, crossing her fingers.

Alice grinned and crossed her fingers too.

"Good luck," she said.

Frank met her at the lifts, a half eaten donut in his hand.

"Whmm mmm hhumph?" he attempted to mumble with his mouth full.

"I don't know what you said and I don't really care," Amelia said quickly, "Finch's in the house and we're making a move."

Frank swallowed fast, a look of determination and, if truth be told, slight apprehension coming into his eyes.

"This is it then," he sighed.

"I hope so," Amelia replied quietly, "I hope so."

The lift came and they both stepped on. Neither of them spoke. The risks they were taking were both very clear in their minds. Amelia could feel her heart beating, the organ heavy in her chest, like a great stone weighing her down. She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath as the lift stopped. The two Aurors got out and broke into a run, almost crashing into Yaxley who was waiting to get on.

"Want a donut?" Frank called to him, throwing him the half eaten pastry.

"Thanks," Yaxley said coldly, holding it gingerly between two fingers, "What's the hurry then?"

"Can't talk now," Amelia answered, not stopping, "This could be the big one. I'll tell you later."

"I'll hold you to that," Yaxley said, as she got further and further away.

Despite herself, Amelia smiled.

"I'll let you," she said, before hurrying off.

When they were out of earshot, Frank turned his head to face her, a disappointed look on his face.

"Yaxley?" he said, "Seriously, Bones?"

Amelia rolled her eyes.

"It's nothing like that. Besides, is it really any of your business what I choose to do in my time off?"

Frank shook his head.

"No," he said, "No it isn't."

And he added, as he ran out ahead of her, "and I'm sure it's none of Fabian's business either."

Amelia stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowed, her hands placed firmly on her hips.

"What the Hell does that mean, Frank?" she demanded.

When she got no reply, she ran up behind him and grabbed one of his shoulders, pulling him around to face her.

"What are you talking about?" she said, her voice low.

"It's nothing," Frank muttered, "I guess I just thought, you and Fabian. This isn't the best time to be discussing it. We have a case to wrap up."

He walked away from her. Amelia couldn't bring herself to move, her head swimming with questions. Her and Fabian what? She knew Alice had some stupid ideas about them, but Frank too? And if they were just stupid ideas, why was she so worked up about it? Of course, it had nothing to do with Fabian really. She was just mad that some people didn't respect her own private life. That was it, that was definitely it, nothing more.

"What I decide to do with my life is no concern of yours," She told Frank, catching up with him, "and it certainly does not involve Fabian either."

"Whatever, Amelia," Frank replied quietly, "Let's just let it go, okay?"

They made it outside; it was completely dark outside, give or take the odd streetlight. Amelia took a long, deep breath of cold, midnight air, the chill seeming to run from her lungs through her veins and all of her body. She shivered and turned to Frank, who was rubbing his hands together.

"Shall we do this?" Amelia asked.

Frank nodded.

"See you on the other side."

And they both Disapperated.