Case#4 Mr. Twilfitt/ Twilfitt and Twatting's

The journey from the Ministry of Magic to Diagonalley was on foot. Giving Moody time to map out Mrs. Riddle destination and all the places likely to lay a trap. While the war had mainly been off foreign shores with Grindlewald Moody had heard of the dark wizards deeds. His methods and means.

Not four months ago he had been a broad with his superior, the same wizard who had taken him out on the field on the Adriana Dumbledore case, Mr Poole. When a random acquittance of his mentor had been murder straight out for not being a comrade. Krum was found later that night. In rather bad shape, the body was only allowed a close casket.

It was a waring that the British wizardry community remain blissfully ignorant of. They stuck to the belief that it was a muggle war and let them work it out themselves. An older cry from days gone by.

Mrs. Riddle who had been making a rather quick pace. Quicker then Moody believed her small steps were capable of making. He had a hard time keeping up.

The streets between The Ministry of Magic and The Leakey Cauldron was empty. The buildings where gutted, rumble fell on to the streets. Gutted tin that had once been a motor car. They still gave off a burnt smell. Sand bags laid stack as with keep out signs.

A few khaki dressed muggle's walked the street cradling a loaded gun. They creep by them ducking low to avoid having to stop and explain themselves.

London was a haze of what it use to be. Dust from fallen builds rose skyward replace the once industrial fog a century ago.

It was a hellish place but always one filled with hided nooks and cranny for spying eyes.

They had finally made it to Diagonally. Among the narrow ally was a safer route. The place gave little in the way of hidden places. He, how ever, did not let his guard down just yet. Watching the second floor windows for eyes.

While the muggle London looked forsaken, Diagonally still held a usually number of tourist and eager shoppers. The Ministry had long check, and recheck any fire spells, anti- bomb spells. A newer version of of the old shield spell. Still not a particular jolly time to be out side.

His feet hitting the cobblestones with a little jolt vibrating up his leg. The widow Riddle lead him towards Gringott's Bank and the more upscale part of the district. Where the white marble steps did not end at the bank. The shops seem to mainly target the wealthier consumer. Boosting such stores as Quality Quidditch Supplies, Ollivanders, and a store that made gold orbs and crystal rods.

Twilfitt and Twatting's was in a simulate white marble as it's neighbor. It's glass window front supported by ebony frame which was a stark contrast to it's walls. In gold lettering which bore its name hosted a symbol of a needle and thread. It was no reason why Mrs. Riddle had feared for the future of her job. The customer list must be exclusive.

"You live here?" said Moody

"Around the back." she said waving him over to the ally where even the gutters seem to be spotless. There be hide trash bins was a iron stair case which rattled surely waring the occupations above of company. The door lead to a hallway broken off by two doors. One, open lead to a back storage of mannequins and boxes. The other to Mrs. Riddles flat.

The place was small but cozy. The furniture used but spotlessly clean showing signs of homemade lace over arms and throws stitch with scenes from Tales of Beedle the Bard. Most likely made by the Lady of the house.

He scan over the place, from water closet to the windows over looking the high street and roof tops. A better view and spot to keep watch then he first thought.

"This may prove a more useful safe house," he said " for the time being."

Her hunch shoulders relaxed, "That's a relief. I don't think Mr Twatting would have given me the time off. I don't think any one really believes me."

"You told your employer?"

"When I was followed the first time." she said

"Mind if I ask him some questions." he said

"I suppose.." she said, she may not look any thing like her son but she bore the same suspicious look as he did.

"I meet yer son."

Her round eye's widen,

He continued on"While I was specking with Dumbledore, his sister was likely killed thanks to Grindelwald."

"I had no idea," she said avoiding his eye contact, shame pure shame.

"He has a right to know, and find the monster to done it." he said carefully

"Of course, oh it's too much to hope for that you'll get him?"

Getting to her feet Mrs. Riddle gather her keys on a ring from the kitchen counter. "I'll show you were I work. Though I don't see how I'm going to keep this a secret for too long."

"Aye I can be discreet Mrs. Riddle, don't you worry about that!"

Below the large floor room was carpet with white tile. Lines of robes in the latest fashions and glossiest fabrics hung on ranks. Couches and three side mirrors took up space along the walls. A house elf served a tea cart to a customer and there host. A rather large man with a full belly and a higher then normal voice. He was showing a group a model wearing the robes that came shamefully to high up on ones thigh.

Mrs. Riddle made a B line for the back room when he looked up at them. Frowning at Moody. Clearly not the sort of member who shopped there. The back room was a sewing room where long tables and half made gowns where made. Further back was an open door and a kitchen.

Collapse in a metal chair places her forehead in her head, Mrs. Riddle groaned. "His going to shack me for sure."

"Doesn't sound fair!" growled Moody, never cared of the primp and exclusion of the world of the elite.

"Merope!" the pot belly man pulled back the drapes that shut the back room from the floor room.

Protectively Moody place him self between the man and Mrs. Riddle.

"Mr. Twatting I persume?" he said

Taken a back he looked Moody up and down, "I'm Mr. Twilfitt! " he said indigent every time his voice rose in anger it give off a squeaking sound "Mr. Twatting's is on holiday. Who's is this man Merope?"

Mrs. Riddle turn a blotchy red, embarrassed and seemly afraid of the man before her.

"Alastor Moody, Auror department."

Mr. Twilfitts overly red lips mouth the word Auror. Glance over at his employee for in put. Seizes his chance before Mrs. Riddle could be out on the streets and in worst shape Moody walked him out the back. The store owner looked bewildered at such rough treatment.

"I demand to know what this is all about!" his flabby arms swung like a windmill "Why must I be throw out like the trash in my own store?"

"I fear Mrs. Riddles life is in danger, and need all the information you can give me. " Ignoring the mans babbles "Mrs. Riddle said she was followed."

Blinking, Mr. Twilfitt nodded, "Well..yes."

"Did you see any thing?" he barked

"Not when she came to me first no, But I had a few of the tailors and seamstress go after them. They or whom ever couldn't be founded. "

"She had said her accusations weren't taken serious."said Moody

The mans double chin jiggled "That is a lie! Merope has been like family here, never a lie utter form her lips. Never gives us trouble, so of course we'd believe her if she said so."

"Not to her." said Moody

Here Mr. Twilfitt waved his smooth well trim hand, "Merope is a nervous type of girl. Her family was abusive. It doesn't help that her husband died a year after they were married and leaving her and a new born."

"That how I found her. She had Tom, her son, had been sleeping in my barn in the country during the winter. The girl was half starved, dead tired, it looked like they been on the road. I took her in as a Maid-of-all-work. I don't doubt she believes the world is out to get her. You should have seen the fear in her eyes to returning to London."

The idea hung in the air, "Do you believe she could be lying about Grindelwald?"

"Oh, I believed some thing." his soft eye's widen.

Moody with drew his note book, even Mr Twilfitt had pause to allow him time. "Go on."

"Well the day before Merope told me about that ghastly trip to Berlin I was looking through some inventory up in the attic. When I over heard some arguing coming from Merope's flat. Tom was super mad with his school mate. I hide myself, not one for getting in the middle. What struck me was they were fighting over a book, dark stuff too!"

A red flag went off in Moody's mind, "Do you recall what was being said?"

"Not really, I had come in on the middle of it. Tom was going at it, saying the other had sold him out. Betrayed his house or some thing. I thought it was a school matter. Well, Tom was some thing fierce because the next thing I know is boy looked ready to cry!" Mr. Twilfitt clutch the fabric of his robe that laid over his heart.

"Whats your take on Mr. Riddle?" said Moody

"His a troubled boy, it doesn't help with no father around, " he replied with a titter "So many mother types here at the shop!"

"How is he with Mrs. Riddle?" said Moody

"Pretty close if you ask me, but since he had started his third year it's became straighten. Merope seem to grow distant and Tom, well I recall feeling the same with my dear mum-ma. It can't be easy. Just all apart of growing up." Mr Twilfitt's voice dragged.

Moody felt Mrs. Riddle watching form the door way. He wouldn't have thought her stare to hold so much power. Burning two eye shape holes in his back.

"One last question, your customer list?"

Mr. Twilfitt made a playful swipe at his shoulder, "Don't bother, every one announce that they shop here. Its no big secret. In fact the only ones who hides the facts are my competitors. "

"Why do you think they would be after you lowly worker then?" said Moody

"No idea, she's a muggle-born who married a muggle. Maybe they want to steal my ideas and sell it in there horrid country of theirs!" said Mr. Twilfitt

"I'm sure," said Moody no longer worrying for the widows fate.

Perhaps Twilfitt was right, maybe it wasn't lying he saw. But that of a paranoid witch. With all the reason in the world to be fearful.

"Oh and one last question, did you catch the other lads name? Maybe what he looked like?"

"Both that, his school house and robe size and home address!" said Mr. Twilfitt "His the son of our most loyalist client, a young Mr. Theodore Nott."

"You didn't say any thing about inspecting my son!" cried Mrs. Riddle walking along side of Moody down the street. Her jaw clenched white. "His a good boy, I know what your thinking! And your very much wrong. Tom would never sell me out."

Pause in mid step not wanting her to be lead off farther and left to the dangers of on coming night fall.

"I hope for your sake your right," he had seen more then his share of family feuds over gold "But I can not rule this out of yet. "

"You have your villain Mr Moody, Grindelwald." she said desperately

"Aye, but some thing dose not add up. I don't think Grindelwald is after your customer list." he said, he noted how white she got her hands gripped each other. He could feel her leaning back, perhaps fighting a swoon.

She shook her head, "Yes, of course..but it matters not? Right?"

"I 'suppose,"

.

With out her matron gown and her pin back hair she resemble a child in almost all respects. It did not make him feel any more better. She had a face very much like her son's, skin deep lead to some thing else. In Tom it was arrogance in his mother a darkness, panic and ready to break free of its hold with in her.

"Mr. Riddle had said this wizards had been following him. Knew all of his haunts." he said

"He said that?"

"Amongst others, Mrs. Riddle I come to fear your stalker may have links among your friends and perhaps family."