AN: Hi Katie! Happy Birthday!

This is not the story you asked for, but I would not have managed to write one in the time left ;) so I finished an outtake I had started earlier. And beside that your suggestion fits into the main story, so I will incorporate your idea in the next chapter of that ;) (that is chapter 28)

oooOOooo

Happens shortly before the end of chapter 14 and the beginning of chapter 15

Hunting

With a steady sound of 'drip, drip' drops of water fell down from the branches and leaves of the bushes they were hiding under. Growling in frustration as one of the drops of cold water found its way past her robes and down her neck, Alecto shifted her weight.

They had found the traitor rather fast after being sent off to find him. But this part had been the most exciting so far.

Because they had to stay hidden and unnoticed, she and her brother had foregone more than one opportunity for some fun. While magic made following the traitor easier, she really could use a long hot bath by now. And a change of robes. Freshening and cleaning charms could only do so much.

"I wish I had learned a few more outdoor spells from father." Amycus murmured next to her, casting another warming charm at his robes.

Their father had earned their money by collecting parts of magical animals for potions. As most harmless animals were raised on farms for this purpose, he only went after the dangerous or untameable ones. And after those that it was illegal to hunt for several reasons, as well.

He had tried to teach his children what he knew of the trade. But they neither of them had shown much interest. And now it was too late, as he had never returned from a hunt for acromantula venom over ten years ago.

The male twin growled in frustration. "Why don't we just grab him the next time he steps out?" Amycus waved his hand at the small inn sitting at the foot of the hill they were perching on, to emphasize his point.

"Because our Lord sent us to gather information, not catch the traitor." It was obvious from her expression that she would have preferred to just go down and get Karkaroff out as much as her brother. "Was it not you that told me about the changes?" she asked him, turning to face the other, tucking the hood of her travelling cloak over her red hair to protect herself from the rain that was getting stronger.

"Yes, I did. But that is just what Macnair told me. He didn't say much. Only grumbled that he does not think he will get to see much action." While keeping an eye on the inn, so as not to miss the traitor should he leave, they mulled over what this statement could mean.

It had been common knowledge in their circles that Macnair was mostly in because of the opportunity to kill and torture. In fact, they often had wondered how he had managed after the war had been over. Killing dangerous beasts for the Ministry certainly could not be enough to satisfy his urges. But as they had been abroad most of the time – buying rare and or illegal potions ingredients to import, or smuggle, into Britain – they had not followed the activities of their old comrades too closely. Not that many of them would have liked to stay in contact.

Casting a drying charm on one patch of not-too-muddy ground, Alecto settled down to sit rather than crouch.

"What do you think," her brother asked a long time later, "should we try to get a little closer? Try to listen in?"

She followed his line of sight, spotting the low-hanging roof on one side of the building. The sky was not getting any lighter, and the roof offered much better shelter from the rain than the bushes they were sitting in at the moment. Not having to think long, she nodded, getting her wand from her sleeve, casting a disillusionment charm on herself.

The only good thing she could say about the rain was that the mosquitoes stopped flying around once it started. The insect repelling charm was one she had never mastered, and thus she was covered in itchy spots where they had found their way to her skin.

Avoiding muddy spots on the ground, sticking to the grass so as not to leave any footprints behind, they slowly made their way down to the inn. They finally reached the shelter of the roof after the rain had started pouring down. They only stayed remotely dry courtesy of the water-repelling charm they had cast on themselves.

A rat scurried away from them into a pile of firewood, neatly stacked against the wall below the window.

Creeping closer to this small and dusty window, Amycus cast an eavesdropping spell they both had used countless times during their school days. Immediately they both could hear the conversations, the clattering of cutlery and dishes, and laughter from inside the shelter. Some Scandinavian language was spoken until someone switched to heavily-accented English. "You should stay here. Storm will get nasty."

The twins tensed as they recognized the voice of the man that answered. "I know what I'm doing. Keep your nose out of other people's business!" Karkaroff sounded as if he was on edge. Amycus grinned to his sister, who gave him a wolfish grin of her own. Their prey felt the hunters on his heels.

"You do not,"the first speaker said, but obviously was not about to concern himself overly much with a foreigner who was so rude.

"Leave the fool be," drawled another person.

Alecto shifted, unhappy that they could not see much through the dusty window. She wished to know how many people there were and if they would try to stop Karkaroff from leaving.

"If he wants to fall to his death, you can't do a thing!"

The twins could hear some shuffling, chairs dragged over the wooden floor, and someone muttering words they did not understand. But judging by the tone they were spoken in, it was nothing favourable.

A short time later the door to the inn opened and Karkaroff stepped out. He turned up the collar of his muggle coat, shouldered his satchel and strode up the path into the mountains. Alecto and Amycus would have shared a questioning glance – what was the traitor up to? – if they hadn't been as good as invisible at the moment. As they did not need to communicate much these days to know what the other was thinking, they started to follow the other wizard up the path. This was the perfect opportunity. If Karkaroff would vanish now, the Muggles would assume that the storm had something to do with it.

They could capture the man and get the traitor before the Dark Lord without causing suspicion. Grins spread over their faces as they walked through the heavy rain, gaining on their prey. It did not take long to get around a curve and out of sight of the inn.

With glee they started with an Expelliarmus and got more creative after that. They had caught a traitor!

First published 17th of July 2016