Case #8 Barnaby Poole: Senior Auror

Mr. Leach wasn't done with Moody just yet.

After getting back from Cherry Tree Lane Moody was summon to Leach's office. A room located at the back of the maze of Auror cubicles. His was furnishes in oak and upholster in purple. Mr. Leach sat be hide his desk but he wasn't alone. Sitting in front of him was an older gent with a square face and salt and pepper hair. In his best robes he still looked scruffy, a common trait of a true bred Auror.

Barnaby Poole, Moody's former sponsor and trainer. The wizard who inspire Moody to not just follow the guide book, rather use it as a tool. Who said "an Auror note book was his most powerful weapon next to a wand." It was Poole who was on call to Adriana Dumbledores death it must have something to do with him being in the office. What a sense of pride he could earn if he caught the true killer in front of his mentor.

However Moody wasn't sure if he himself would still be on the said case.

Leach got to the point, "Mrs. Riddle has been sent to the hut on the rock just outside of White cliffs. Miss Lancaster is watching her for the time being. Only the four of us are aware of her curtain place, I had believed you would like to know."

"It's a relief sir as for-"

Leach cut Moody off, "Which brings me to you and your growing record."

"I didn't harm the little-"

"Not the boy! I mean with not alerting the head of the department with a case of this magnitude. If the Wizamogot form Germany had found out we were so close and lost Grindelwald…." Leach sighed

"With all due respect sire the case would have landed on deaf ears had it went pass my desk."

"We are all very grateful for that, Mr. Moody." He said not sounding all too pleased "Well what have you learn so far?"

Moody withdrew his notebook.

"Mrs. Riddle, window, mother of sixteen year old-Muggle husband and Muggle-born herself. However I find it interesting that she herself has never attended Hogwarts. Yet not only does she carry a wand but is capable of basic magic for daily use but works at a prestige's Twilfit and Twatting's."

Mr. Leach shrugged, "A hate crime, Grindelwald comes for a new robe and see's someone unworthy to work there. Leave it to close minded people to dig their own grave."

"I believe it was said Mrs. Riddle was being blackmailed?" said Poole finally specking up.

"From the letter sent today yes." Moody took out the crumple letter thrust in front of him by Tom now in Poole hands "It seems he wants Mrs. Riddle for something. He didn't say what but he seems to know her weakness pretty well. He must have stack her out for some time or else has inside information."

"Gaunt?" read Poole "Who is Gaunt? Dare we ask, she is still getting over quiet a fit? Miss Lancaster had to brew up some Draught of Peace just to calm her down. What about the son?"

"Nothing from his side," said Moody "Yet I do believe still it was from his side Grindelwald got his information. From Theodore Nott, Mr. Twilfit over heard the two it seems he may have let slip to Gamp some family secret. I have looked at her business dealings. What she first clam would be Grindelwalds interests for her client is proving misleading. In fact all that she has claimed to be is misleading. How could a Muggle-Born know how to get on with out schooling?"

"Perhaps a fellow warlock," said Leach "you know the type who takes in wards. Childless types who try to pass on their names."

"Romantic story but this is really life. Or at least she says."

"Correction," Voice Poole holding up Moody's notebook "Mr. Twilfit comment upon her blood status."

"Yes…he did," Moody lapse for the facts were very rare. Yet he couldn't help but feel grateful for this one "Must be a cover..Mr. Twilfit said she was on the run of sort what better then a fresh start in London."

"Till Grindelwald sniff her out," said Leach "Mrs. Riddle has tight lips save her this long. Can you not try and reach out to her Moody?"

"And risk loses her trust? She'll likely leave the safe house then open up."

Poole comment, "Why not dig around, see what you can come up with and then once you have the hard facts she'll have to come around."

"Doesn't leave me with very much," said Moody looking at Tom's birth certificate, Professor Beery's letters and a Gringott's key.

"And the son?" said Leach

"Hogwarts is safer than any other place," said Moody "besides I do want to keep a closer eye on those around him. I have a hunch some school mate Singby Gamp is involved. The two had a nasty run in Tom's first year. That alone is motive for revenge."

"As long as it's not another student at the school you'll interview. We cannot afford another angry parent; we need all the support we can get." Said Leach "But you'll still need more evidence on Gamp."

"I was hoping Miss Lancaster would help with a look out till I come back from the few leads I have."

"Miss Lancaster is Mr. Poole's trainee and it is up to him on what she does."

Mr. Poole did not seem all to bothered, "I agree to it, Gamp is the only lead he may contact Grindelwald with growing suspicion laid on him."

"That's all fine and good," said Leach "but the matter still stands and Alastair Moody is still under experience! I asked Mr. Poole here to discuss the future of the case. However Mr. Poole here disagrees with me."

Poole turn in his seat, "The time it takes to bring in a new Auror, brief him and such there might be much time lost. This lead is too crucial to too many people."

Yet Leach was still not convinced, "You seem to get the "swing" of it, as my son says. Why you would be perfect, with your level of department."

Mr. Poole blush stammer, "Ah well just what Moody's notebook says. He does so take down notes quiet well."

Leach jab a figure at Moody, "Very well Moody you stay but Mr. Poole will be your partner for the whole case. No exceptions!"

"I didn't ask for this. I hope you know that Alastair." Said Poole once outside Leach office "I trust your judgment."

"I only wish Leach did as well."

"Forget him now," Poole return Moody's book "What I want to know is where the page form the interview you had with Dumbledore. I know you didn't tell Leach everything you know."

"The boy is a Parsaltongue!"

"Merlins beard!" Poole glances around the crowed room nervously

"This case is really turning out to be an onion alright." Mumble Moody

"So what next partner?" said Poole trying to look calmer then he was

Moody chuckled, "Aye, are you become proud of your student?"

"Fat chance I'm proud that my methods are working so well even with out me."