Case #6: Nobby Leach; Head of the Department of Auror's and Magical Law Enforcement
The last time Moody had been to the Headmaster office Headmaster Phineas Nigellus was in office. Dubbed the most unpopular Headmaster Hogwarts had ever had. Which in the long run was really unfair, he seem more stressed out then a bully. More determine for peace and quiet then was logically allowed with a castle full of teenagers.
Moody couldn't help now, to feel a regret for giving the man trouble. Moody was no saint as a lad. He couldn't wrap his mind around why his cheeky mouth and need to do foolish stunts like ridding down the hill on his texts books in a rain storm was beyond him. Or the fact that old Phineas Nigellus had wrote a good note for him to join the department.
"A fat head like yours,' had said Phineas Nigellus as Moody just snickered "how it mange to get through class let alone my door way."
Maybe the Headmaster saw some of himself in Moody. Or maybe he had taken a dark joy in the fact that his menace would be lose on the world. Either way it sounded like old Phineas.
The Headmaster office was crowed, what Moody guess was Mr. Nott. A nervous Theodore who clamp on to his knees, slumping in to his seat when Moody entered. A move which would have made Alastor gleeful had his boss not been there too.
How he felt just like a student again, faces Phineas Nigellus ready to get the cane and write lines.
"Mr. Leach," said Moody straighten his back a bit
Mr. Leach look livid, "Who told you, you could be on this case! Why didn't you come to me if you had information on Grindelwald!"
Here it comes. "I was asked on behalf of the witch in question to keep it quiet."
Leach dumpy face too heavy to carry on more then a dull frown level with Moody's. Moody stood rooted to his spot as Leach circled around him. Spitting as he spoke.
"This should have been a case for a season Auror, you knew that all cases should be sent to a supervisor before it can be deem to be place in a yearlings! You have compromised the whole case!"
It was all he could do not cry out in protests. No one would bother. Isn't that why the front desk sent Mrs. Riddle to him and not anther? It was only cause his work had gather on, Moody doubted if Leach would have giving a second look at it.
"This is grounds for suspension!"
Mr. Nott who seem to gather in angry at being forgotten, "I say Nobby, he did assault my son! That with his unbecoming work ethic is grounds for being fired!"
"I swear I did not touch the boy," said Moody at last "I perform by the book move 8-9. Confessions brought on by a stressful situation. "
"Confession! Confess to what man?" cried Mr. Nott
"I was doing a routine field work. Catching up on leads." said Moody
Mr. Nott gave a false chuckle, "See here my son is not a criminal. The very thought! Look here Nobby. Your Head of the Auror department."
But Leach seem to not share the rage for poor Theodore's mental state. With a sigh of relief Moody could tell he wasn't going to be fired. Leach didn't have that red glow he often had for firing the law enforcers. In fact he seem to have clam down enough to listen.
"I agree Mr. Nott, it was untactful. But Mr. Moody was not out side the law. I'm sure a simple question and answer would have service."
Poor Theodore looked helplessly between his father and Leach seeing no good to come of this.
Shooting Moody a look, "I can assure you this Mr. Nott, Mr Moody will no longer be able to interrogate students with out the sole consent of there parents. As to the case in question."
"Sir," Moody nearly leap out of his seat
"Nobby!" plead Mr. Nott
With out looking towards the man Leach in a mellow, all be it a sorrowful dismissal, "Believe me Aurelian, Mr. Moody will be handled."
The other man's black eye's narrowed. He swept his cape around his shoulders. "I'll remember this Leach, come time when the seat of Minister of Magic comes up! Come Theo!"
Theodore edge against the wall avoiding contact with Moody and followed his father.
"I hope you got some thing worthy of me loses a good vote!" said Leach, he was no longer yelling but it did nothing to lighten the mood.
"I have a good suspect," said Moody
"Not anther student I presume?" said the reverently quiet Headmaster
"A former, by the surname of Gamp?" said Moody who looked to the Headmaster, he would have the last address of the boy.
"Saying you were still on the case?" said Leach
"Saying I was, the family has been threaten. Neither has a record nor I presume to believe they are associated with any questionable wizards. I believe some one knowing Tom Riddle has sent Grendelwald after his family."
There was a gasp from be hide, Dippt's narrow eyes widen in genuine shock. His hand went to his breast. It was clear the Headmaster thought highly even closely of the boy Riddle.
Leach frowned, "How can you tell it wasn't the mothers friends."
"From what I seen I doubt she has any friends. Just her co-workers, and I doubt they have time enough to go about running to Grindelwald." said Moody
His boss waved a figure at him," You assume too much. Let the evidence speck for it's self and follow."
"If I find out who's the link I may find out why."
Leach shook his head," The reason is irrelevant. If we catch him it won't matter."
With a heavy sigh he nodded, "I'll let you have this one Moody, but you can no longer question the student body!"
Moody nodded.
"Here," Dippt had emerge from his desk going through his files in a enchanted drawer and pulling out a file marked Gamp, Snagsby. "It has the boys history. From detentions to staff reports. I'm sure his last address is in there. I can't do much more the files are all back up."
"No this is fine," said Moody
Clearly the Headmaster had a relationship with Tom Riddle, enough to forgive the man who shook up anther. Even help him out.
The wizard seem a compassionate sort, he could tell by the look of his office. The wizard had a fondness for winged horses and ridding them. Black and white photos darted every where in silver frames of his animals, fondly places riffs and name platens of years they had died. Of championships they won. A person can usually be shown there kinder side with animals and children. And Dippt had a heart for both.
Leach finally words on the matter was muted by the slamming of the door. For a split second Moody had thought Hagrid had return to reek havoc on anther room. Only Tom Riddle stood there. His once handsome face was replace by a wild, almost beastly anger. His blue eye's burn red like the fire of hell. One directed right at Moody.
His fist which had held a letter was waving at Moody.
"YOU! Why are you here harassing half the school and not watching my MOTHER!"
"Tom," Dippt's voice moan his soft heart grew more tender at the boy.
"Now, Laddie I have some one watching the store~" but Tom interrupted him and shoved the parchment under his nose.
Smoothing out the surface which had been paste with letter cut out of magazines and news prints. Over his shoulder Leach read the letter out loud:
How long do you think you can resist me?
Not a wise move for some one who cares to remain hidden.
I offer wealth untold if you just summit to me.
Image, the world will be at our feet!
Don't keep me waiting my dear, I do have an appointment with Gaunt.
Grindelwalds mark was let as a signature.
"Gaunt? Who's Gaunt?" said Moody looking up at a still fluster Tom.
"I don't know!" he said folding his arms.
Leach grab the letter, "Where did you get this?"
"One is always sent to her and then me," said Tom "Making sure it gets to her some how. No doubt she has open her's already."
Leach turn back to Moody," who is on guard?"
"Wendelin Lancaster."
"A trainee?" said Leach
"I trust her eye." said Moody ignoring Tom's glare. "I'll head down to Twilfitt and Tatting's."
"I'll come along as well." said Tom but Dippt step in "There is were I must stop you my boy."
A flash of red tinted Tom's eyes, Moody had to rub his own to make sure he was not seeing things. Dippt place a hand on the boys shoulder calming him down. The static in the air was so high Moody could feel the hairs on his back stand up.
The moment passed and Tom's pleads for needing to go seem less as intense. In fact Moody felt as if it were a false protest. Like an actor playing a role, cold and devoted of emotions. But those around him didn't seem to feel the same. And when Tom finally, acted as Moody had felt he had before the protest, caved in.
Rushing out of the office with Leach towards the front gates, Moody couldn't help but recall what Dumbledore had said about emotions and wandless magic.
It was clear that they had not out run the letter. The floor room of Twilfitt and Twatting's hand members fidelity around with out a sales rep on duty. A sob was coming from the back room. Moody's chest tighten as Mr. Twilfitt and the sewing crew were gather around her. Pouring fire whiskey in to a cup of tea and patting her hand. Leach went forward to introduce him self.
Lancaster a witch in her second month of training had rush to Moody's side when she spotted him. In her hands was the letter. Her usually perky face frame by a bob cut was gray. Her child like views were growing thinner the longer she train. Moody couldn't help but feel sorry that by the time she would reach her tenth year with the department she may no longer be called bubbly. It was an unspoken truth about the career.
"It came with a fabric order, she was there opening it when I heard her calling for me." she said.
"Did you see who drop off the shipment?" said Moody
"It came by owl."
From by the query around Mrs. Riddle the words were not so reserved, "Go? Go where? I can't go any where! I can't miss a day off of work, I haven't the money."
Mr. Twilfitt patted her hand, " Come now Merope your allowed some time off. You of all people! We can make it a holiday, we pay our employes on holiday."
She glance up at him, her voice lowered, "What about Mr. Twatting? He doesn't believe me?"
"Oh er," Mr. Twilfitt's chins jiggled nervous about his partner "What that old sour puss doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides he doesn't get back till next month."
nodded in agreement with Mr. Twilfitt, "Your going to have to, we can do nothing if he comes looking for you and we're not around."
Mrs. Riddle licked her lips.
"Where would I go?" she said
"Some place in the country," said Moody "it's unsafe to talk about it here."
Before she could shot down the idea Lancaster was sent to her flat to gather some clothes and belongs she would need. Mr. Leach offer to take her himself. Under the crook of his arm Mrs. Riddle looked panic. Moody reassured her that Mr. Leach was a strong wizard and she was in good hands. To his surprise she seem to trust Moody enough to take his word.
Leaving Lancaster and Moody on the cobblestone street out was pumping through Moody's veins. Why he ever believe this would be easy.
He turn to Lancaster, "I'm going to look through Mrs. Riddle's flat. " He gave the letter back to her "Send an owl to Albus Dumbledore, care of Hogwarts."
Lancaster mimic the name converting it to memory.
"Send this along maybe he can do some searching for a Gaunt. Maybe there be some connection." said Moody, his palms itched.
"Right!" she said bubbly with her can do attitude. Clicked her heels and was off in a loud pop.