Author's Note: So I realised that I had this chapter hanging around and I decided to post it. I've made a vow today that I will finish this story if it kills me! I've been writing it for so long that I feel I can't just abandon it. Sorry it's taking forever, but it won't be long now. Thanks to you if you're still reading!

Chapter 26: It Isn't Over

Down in the basements of the Ministry, next to the old courtrooms, there were holding cells and interview rooms, used at times when the Aurors didn't wish to bring certain people further into the building than they had to. Darius Finch was one of those people. His established connections to Voldemort (even thinking the name caused Amelia to shiver slightly) meant that it wouldn't be a good move to give him a guided tour. The Death Eaters probably already knew more about the workings of the government than was to be desired.

Amelia and Fabian left Gideon and Frank to fill out the paperwork whilst they went to talk to Finch. Chances were the bird, excuse the pun, wouldn't be prepared to sing, but they had to try. If nothing else, they could say they'd given him the opportunity to co-operate. An interview room had been set up for the exercise and it was guarded by two other Aurors. Both were men, one older than Amelia who she recognized as Philip Cho, one of the lead trainers for the Auror entrance program. From this, she surmised that the younger, taller, very serious looking man was a trainee. This was confirmed as they greeted one another.

"Cho," Amelia said, nodding her head respectfully.

"Bones," the man replied in kind, "Prewett."

Fabian gave a grin; despite the gruffness of Cho's greeting, the pair played poker on non-busy Friday nights.

"I don't believe you've met Kingsley Shacklebolt," Cho said, indicating the person beside him, "He's a finalist in our training program."

"Ma'am," Shacklebolt said politely, his voice low and rich.

Fabian gave an involuntary smirk, as he always seemed to do when somebody afforded his partner any kind of authority or respect. Normally Amelia would've called him out about it, but today she was in a hurry.

"Pleasure," she said quickly to the trainee, "How's our guest been?"

This question was directed at Cho, who was the one to respond.

"Fairly quiet," he said, "Knows he's done for it, whatever he says, if you ask me, so he's trying to minimize the damage. You want to talk to him now?"

Fabian indicated the affirmative and Cho set about opening the necessary locks and enchantments. As he did this, a small witch with an air of efficiency joined them. Cho raised an eyebrow.

"Mafalda Hopkirk, acting as official scribe," Amelia explained.

This seemed to satisfy him.

"We'll be outside if you need anything," the older wizard added, before letting his colleagues enter.

Darius Finch sat calmly and quietly on a chair pushed up against the back of the room. His arms were folded and he lounged back slightly, his face showing bored amusement as the two Aurors walked in. The animal that had been present at the pub had been reigned in, but Amelia suspected it still lurked just below the surface. A table separated three other chairs, one slightly further back for Mafalda, the other two closer for Fabian and Amelia. The scribe took her seat, getting out a quill and parchment, as did Fabian. Amelia stayed standing.

"Aren't I entitled to legal representation?" Darius asked, his voice as smooth and confident as it had been that day with Alice.

Amelia shrugged.

"Sure, if that's what you want," she said cooly, "Do you know any good miracle workers, because that's what you need right now."

Darius smiled, his eyes glinting in the clever way that Hestia had captured in her drawing, even after only a few glimpses of him. Amelia was not surprised that the artist had been able to pick out the characteristic; it was a prominent part of his aesthetic and the witch didn't like it in the slightest.

"I thought I might get stuck with a boring lunk," Darius said, leaning forward a little, "but you're far more interesting."

"The boring lunk is still here," Fabian said, "Watch what you're saying."

From his tone, Amelia could tell that he wasn't overly found of those clever gleaming eyes either.

"Do you want me to call you a lawyer?" she asked.

Darius considered for a moment and then shook his head.

"I'm supposed to encourage you to call an attorney," Amelia said, knowing that it could look bad later on if she didn't stress the point.

Darius shook his head.

"It's just you and me, baby," he purred.

Fabian's knuckles clenched and his face clouded, to which the prisoner just laughed, although Amelia saw that he leant backwards again. There were times when Fabian could be extremely intimidating for all his jesting and jokes. Amelia didn't react to the comment, keeping her stare cold and hard.

"Let it be noted that the accused waived his right to council," she said flatly.

Mafalda was scribbling furiously.

After their initial exchange, Darius was less inclined to chat. He was presented with the bare facts of the case, which were that he was known to have killed at least one woman and possibly two; he did not say anything. His told that he was known to be involved in the Death Eater movement and still he said nothing.

"What's more," Amelia continued, "is we know you were the mastermind behind the triple homicide we've been investigating. You were named in Larry Stoneham's confession."

"Yeah, but he's dead, isn't he?" Darius said, clearly growing tired of the questioning, "Good luck on calling him to the witness stand."

"How would you know that?" Fabian asked.

Darius blanched and fell silent again, looking at the floor.

"Face it, Finch," Amelia said, "We've got you dead to rights. It's over."

At this, Darius began to laugh again, still looking at the floor, his crossed arms shaking against his chest. But it was not the same mocking laughter that had soundtracked his baiting of Fabian. It was cold and cruel and knowing. It was as if, no matter how much they thought they had on him, Darius knew more and so he was the one in control. Amelia thought she was beginning to understand why it had been so hard for girls like Rowan to get away; the witch had no doubt that that powerful laughter had a way of working itself into your head. She glanced at Fabian, who was frowning. Something was going on.

"What's funny?" Amelia asked, her voice a little less sure than before.

The wizard raised his head, the animalistic energy burning in his eyes once more.

"Nothing really," he said, "I just think it's amusing that you think it's over."

"Isn't it?" Fabian said, his voice harsh.

"You know it isn't," Darius shook his head, "Think about it and you'll know it isn't."

That cryptic remark was the last thing he was willing to say, perhaps not wishing to go the same way as the weaker Larry Stoneham. Before leaving the room, Amelia a quick glance over the transcript that Mafalda had taken. It wasn't long, not nearly as long as she would've liked, and there was far too much of her talking, but there were moments that might be useful. Oh well, they still had enough to send Darius away for a while; the fact that he wasn't willing to co-operate was to the detriment of himself. Amelia went to the door without addressing him again. Fabian and Mafalda followed, the latter promising to send copies of the transcript to the appropriate places. Nodding to Cho and Shacklebolt as they exited, Amelia and Fabian headed back to the office.

"What did he mean?" Fabian asked, sounding perplexed.

"I wish I knew," Amelia muttered.

The remark was troubling her.