Chapter Fifteen

Monday 15th of August 2008

12.30am

After my brother's idiotic statement, we broke the meeting, if it could be called that, up. I didn't so much watch the other movies as I was in the same room as them while marshalling my thoughts. If asked I wouldn't be able to tell much of what happened.

Apparently, I wasn't as good a lair as I thought myself. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Guess it was a matter of perspective. Ciel still sat next to me though she was a little more subdued as well. She brightened when she could compare notes with Iris.

I'd more or less completely missed Ghost in the Shell. The last twenty minutes were practically incomprehensible without earlier context. Which wasn't helped by my inability to pay attention. From what I managed to gather there was a fair bit of philosophical discussion about the nature and form of humanity. Though I didn't manage to piece together everything.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit was just what I needed. Warm, bubbly, funny, even when I didn't feel like laughing I could still feel my lip pick up into a smile. I forced a few laughs, mostly for Iris' sake. But I didn't think they sounded all that convincing.

We went through the other movies in what seemed like slow motion. It was twelve-thirty in the morning but the time the last credits had rolled. Mike had gone to bed, or more honestly left to lie down and play on his phone without distraction, an hour and a half ago. Mum had excused herself around the same time. I think she just wanted some time to herself. Not that I blamed her. Our conversation hadn't exactly been pleasant. I probably needed some time to process it as well.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't be happening tonight. Maybe later I'd get the chance. It didn't take a long time to clean up after ourselves. The cups and plates from our pizza dinner were thrown in the dishwasher. Fou having completely devoured what was probably half again his weight in pizza sat on my shoulders and refused to move. My sister gave Ciel a goodbye hug. So did Dad who said he was going to walk us back. I got a wave and the door shut in my face.

Typical.

We didn't speak as we turned out onto the streets of Annecy. We were some of the only people walking. Cars passed at odd intervals. We didn't speak. I followed Ciel, and Dad followed me, as we went down the streets looking for a less populated area. A backstreet or alley. I'd done periodic checks on my magic. It had gone down from mind-searing pain to a dull throb. That was probably a good thing everything being equal.

I was still planning on spending tomorrow in bed not moving and ordering room service. There were times to be proactive through pain and times to heal. Now was the latter of those two while the French Aurors used the information we were about to give them to get their heads out of their collective arses.

"Alright, my hotel room first, and then onto the Ministry," I spoke first as we slipped into the first alley we found. Dad scratched his chin.

"You know I never did get to cast that Animagus-revealing spell." He muttered. Oh, that's right Fou left with Ciel that day.

"Do it now," I suggested looking at Fou on my shoulder who shrugged his squirrel-dog shoulders in response. Dad took the invitation. The spell washed over Fou and did nothing.

"Thanks. That makes me feel better." Dad admitted pocketing his wand. I held my arm out towards him.

"I'm going to need some help," I admitted at the cost of my pride. "Not supposed to use any magic." His face turned into a grimace and he took my arm. Ciel reached out and grasped his other side as Dad turned on the spot and we winked out of existence with a crack. Reappearing in the next moment with no sound at all.

My room was cleaner than I had left it. Unsurprising considering I'd left a cleaning tag on the door knob. I opened the safe in the closet and pulled out what I needed my map and I grabbed the rune stone. Could be handy. I nodded to Dad and we were off again. This time arriving in the atrium of the French Ministry.

It reminded me a lot of the British Ministry. Marble floors, eternally burning floo fireplaces, designated apparition landing points that we were stepping off as soon as we arrived. The only thing it was missing was the incredibly gaudy gold statue of magical cooperation. Despite being the slowest of us I took the lead and headed for the central service kiosk. I didn't recognise the person behind the counter. But they greeted me in a very professional tone.

"Sorry." I smiled and shook my head. "My French is horrible. Would it be possible to speak in English?" He didn't seem surprised instead nodding once and gesturing one of the other workers over, a woman with blonde hair and brown eyes. Speaking to her in rapid French before moving on.

"Apologies Monsieur Laurent speaks little English and has asked me to help you. How may I be of service?" From her words to her smile, everything was perfectly neutral. That was a customer service face many in the service industry would die to master.

"My name is Harry Potter I was a person of interest in the Annecy vampire case. I'm here to see Auror Lucas Allard about some new information." I said diplomatically. She nodded and a self-writing quill took down the information.

"Very good Sir. Please step to your right where Monsieur Meunier will weigh your wand and ask you some more questions." I moved forward and couldn't really understand what Ciel said to the clerk, given she said it in French, but it contained the word exécutrice so I could make an educated guess.

"Sir, please come forward." The man who I assumed was Meunier called. He was a brown-haired man with watery blue eyes. "Your wand please sir." I handed it over without a second thought. My wand was a valuable tool. But I was by no means completely defenceless without it.

"Thank you, sir. Do you know where the Ministère de la Justice is located?" He asked politely.

"No sorry. Last time I was apparated directly there."

"It's fine sir. Continue straight down this corridor until you get to the elevators. You want floor twenty-seven. From there you should be able to ask the receptionist on the floor to have the Auror you want to contact you directly or send you to them."

"Thanks." I smiled and got a perfect customer service smile in return.

"It was no problem, sir." He said handing me my wand a name tag. I chanced a look at it. Personne d'intérêt, even my poor French could make a pretty good guess at what that meant. "If you'd like to wait for your companions they will be done in a moment."

"Thanks," I said and walked towards a small waiting area. I reached up to scratch Fou's ear only to notice he was gone. Okay, I wasn't going to think about that. I didn't need more stress right now after all. Ciel was the first to finish her check in her own badge pinned to her chest reading Exécutrice, Sainte Église. I could make a guess at the first two words but I was completely lost on the last one.

Dad was last his tag confused me Père Concerné. But it made Ciel chuckle so I figured I'd just ask her later. We moved as one. Slipping around larger groups and having smaller ones break around us in turn. The elevators were old. Not at all like the ones you found in modern buildings. More like something I'd expect to see in a movie about the 1930s. In fact, they were probably installed during the 1930s.

It didn't take long to make it to floor twenty-seven. There were a few people who got on and off our elevator with regularity. They seemed interested but no one struck up a conversation past the occasional greeting in French that Ciel answered. At some point, I was going to have to learn the language.

The doors opened onto a foyer a pair of large doors in the far wall had the words Ministère de la Justice. Emblazoned over them in gold. A modest waiting area with large chairs, a few scattered tables, and old copies of newspapers. To the right of the door was a small reception desk, the man sitting behind it had dark skin and a warm smile. I returned it with one I wasn't really feeling myself and walked forward giving him my best smile.

"Hi, sorry I've got terrible French." That was quickly becoming my version of 'hello'. "Harry Potter and," I paused for a moment considering. "Associates? Here to see Auror Lucas Allard in regards to the vampire case in Annecy."

"Welcome Mr. Potter." The man behind the desk said with a smile. "Auror Allard is out in the field at the moment but we have sent a message to him. He should be back shortly. Failing that another Senior Auror should be by to talk to you instead if he takes too long. Please feel free to make yourself at home. We have complimentary water, tea, and coffee if you would like to avail yourself of them."

"Sorry," I replied sheepishly. "It just dawned on me. It was rather rude of me not to ask your name." The smile on the man's face became a little more real.

"It is no problem, Mr. Potter. My name is Denis."

"Nice to meet you, Denis."

"And you as well Mr. Potter." He gave me one last smile and returned to his paperwork. We took three seats around one of the tables near the door and I unfolded my map. I pulled my wand and with a mutter added another X.

"What are these?" Dad asked looking down at the three coloured X's on the map.

"Red is for me, Blue's Ciel's, Black is for unknown but probably Auror," I told him quickly. "They're places we engaged the Dead or we think the Aurors engaged the Dead."

"That's a lot of blue." Dad muttered after a moment. Ciel may have been here longer but there were more than ten times the blue X's as there were red and black put together.

"I'm very good at my job Mr. Potter." The Executor said with a smile and a small nod.

"So I can see."

"Harry could you add a new X here, here, here, and here." She pointed out a few places and I dutifully marked each one with a blue X.

"You were busy."

"No more than usual. They were more numerous on the night you were attacked."

"You think it's related?" Dad asked.

"I don't know but I'd be a fool to write it off. I think you finding that circle stepped up whatever timetable they had."

"That's not good. A scared animal is a dangerous animal." Dad remarked looking at the map and pointing at the middle of Annecy. "It's empty, why?"

"That's the big question," I admitted. "The circle I found. It's not perfect one for one but its similarity to Alchemic circles made me draw connections to energy collection and transference." I looked to Ciel and she took over.

"I'm not good at Formalcraft. But a few of the symbols look similar to those of 'human sacrifice' or more specifically 'transference of life' it's not a perfect one for when but when taken as a whole I don't like it."

"I can see why," Dad said hissing out the words. "The implications alone."

No one said anything we all understood. If they'd ringed the middle of the city. It stood to reason that was to be the affected zone. We may not know exactly what they were going to do. Any large-scale Formalcraft that involved vampires and was even vaguely associated with things like human sacrifice, collection of energy, and transference was something to be wary of.

"I'd really hoped this would be a nice conversation." He lamented rubbing at his eyes.

"Sorry, Dad."

"Don't be. You didn't set this up. I'm not happy you're involved but don't apologise for this." He gestured to the map.

"For what it's worth. I don't know if I would have found those circles without him." Ciel put in and Dad smiled.

"I'm glad he's been able to help. It's a strange feeling you know." He said looking at me. "Being proud of your accomplishments while desperately wanting to hold you up and shake you while yelling about what the hell you were thinking."

"I'll try to limit how many times you feel that way."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Dad growled at me. The ghost of a smile on his face. The doors near us opened.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Potter, and Executor Ciel?" A voice I didn't know called out. In English which was a nice change of pace. I turned the man asking was well-kept. A neatly trimmed beard and short salt and pepper hair. He had the body of a man who took care of himself and the countenance of one that had seen too much.

"Yes," Dad responded first.

"Excellent, I'm Head Auror Gilles Maillot if you would follow me please." He held the door open for us as we stood.

"Is there a reason we are being seen by you, particularly Head Auror Gilles?" Ciel asked her eyes were cold and her expression hard. Like the unfeeling machine she had seemed when I had first seen her at work.

"Yes. That would be you, Executor. When I heard you were here to speak to an Auror in charge of a vampire investigation I felt it necessary to speak to you myself. As it seems this situation is even more serious than we've given it credit for." He waved us forward and we filed in this time I brought up the rear. I had to double back and grab the map. I almost left it on the table.

The corridor was a straight shot until we came to a t-junction. Left last time had been towards the interrogation rooms. This time we went right. Auror Maillot lead us to a decently sized conference room. A large table that could seat at least twenty.

So clearly we're expecting more people as time went on, or maybe this was all that was available? Who knew, I assumed the room was booby-trapped as well. If I could use magic without causing myself pain. I'd use Structural Grasp to find exactly what kind of trap it was and I was sure there was a trap. As it was I'd just have to hope that Maillot was an honest cop..

"Please take any seat you'd like." Auror Maillot said waving his hand over the chairs. I followed Ciel's lead and sat next to her as she took the head of the table. I was on her right and Dad was on her left. I wasn't exactly fluent in what seating positions meant in business. But I gathered this was where the person in charge was supposed to sit along with her favoured lackeys.

"Thank you Head Auror Maillot." Ciel told him her smile was perfect and plastic. This time I did nothing to try and make it real.

"No. No problem at all. You can call me Gilles if that would make any of you more comfortable." While I'd usually like to wait for the others before starting. I take it time is of the essence given you've come here in person Executor Ciel. So if you wouldn't mind I'd like to get down to brass tacks."

"That would be acceptable," Ciel replied and waved to Dad and me in turn. "This is James Potter and Harry Potter they are independents currently working under me as deputised members of the Executors. While they do not speak for the organisation on matters of policy. They have been empowered to act in a manner that would facilitate the quick resolution of this situation. Also if you wish Gilles you may drop my title and call me Ciel."

"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate your offer." He gave a nod that I took as 'get on with it.'

"I believe we should start with Mr. Potter's interaction with your Aurors," Ciel stated giving me a nod and I took centre stage.

"Hi, I originally called in some of what I believed were Inferi on August eleventh. I was let go after a short interview. Then called back for a follow-up interview in the morning of August thirteenth." I established how I was involved first. "I met C-Executor Ciel on August thirteenth in the evening where I was creating a rune stone."

"A rune stone?" Auror Gilles asked raising an eyebrow. I slid the stone down the table to him the runes glowing merrily. "What does it do?"

"It's designed to check for transportation magic. Figured the Dead were coming in through a spell be it Portkeys or otherwise. Wanted to try and track down where they were arriving most commonly. It also checks for normal magical use. It's not the strongest and it's not going to be very helpful in a place like this with magic everywhere. But somewhere like Annecy? I made it work."

"I see. Mr. Potter I must ask what made you determined to get involved with this situation?"

"One of your Aurors actually." I considered being tactful. Then decided against it.

"Really, may I ask how?"

"When I first came in for an interview the Auror in question made it seem as though your office would be more concerned with the breaking of the Statute of Secrecy than the loss of human lives. I couldn't trust people like that so I chose to do something about it. As Auror Allard was so nice to point out there's no crime on investigation only on interference."

"I'm sorry you had that experience, Mr. Potter," Gilles said and his face hardened. "Would you be willing to tell me the name of the Auror who interviewed you? I find giving that sort of impression to be unacceptable and I would like to get to the bottom of it." I considered it for a moment before handing over the name of the interviewing officer. He wrote it down. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. Please continue. I apologise for the interruption."

"That's fine, I appreciate you taking my problems with your Auror's attitude seriously. I began to investigate the missing person reports that were coming in on the Muggle side of things. They seemed relevant given what I knew of the situation. Eventually, through the course of that investigation, I met Executor Ciel. After which we ended up deciding to work together and Ciel told me she believed that they were using Portkeys or Formalcraft circles to get into the cities en mass." I'd had awhile to consider how to speak for this meeting. I figured that detailed and professional was probably my best bet.

I deliberately left some of the less savoury details of Ciel and my acquaintance out. I really didn't want to get into the whole kidnapping and interrogation. That was between Ciel and me, not the French Auror department and Ciel. Besides she had made some rather large strides in making up for it. Saving my life after fighting a Nightmare certainly came to mind.

"So I made the rune stone. Which I'll admit took some time. From there I used the effects of the stone to check for ambient mana reactions around Annecy. Which ended up with me finding a strange circle. I wasn't sure what it was but what I could make out about it worried me."

"What about it worried you?" He asked. Ciel handed me a folded piece of paper that I sent down the table towards Gilles.

"I'm not extremely well versed in Formalcraft but I do have some skill in Alchemy. The symbols I can make out are related to the Collection of Energy and Transference. Which was worrying enough but," I nodded to Ciel and she took over.

"While I can't speak to the entire effect of the circle. In addition to the symbols that Mr. Potter identified. The top symbol is one I recognise from other dark rituals I've encountered before. It has a few meanings but the most common are Human Sacrifice or Transference of Life."

"So you have a Formalcraft circle with three, possibly, identified symbols. Collection of Energy, Transference, and Human Sacrifice. I understand why that's important and worrying. But I assume you have additional concerns."

"We do." Ciel agreed pushing the map over to the Head Auror and his face twisted into a grimace. "No Dead ever enter the middle of Annecy. The largest concentration of humans. Where they could feed on the greatest amount of prey. They stay away from it." She gestured to the area boundary we'd managed to work out. "If you put a dot at each of those you can either make a diamond or a rough circle."

"Now I see exactly what you're worried about." Gilles rubbed his forehead. "The act of using the Dead in a city is already unusual for a vampire. An isolated village, sure, but a city not common at all. Attracts too much attention. But if it was a smokescreen to keep our attention that could be a good reason." He said in a tone that made it clear he was brainstorming more than committing to an actual theory.

"Wouldn't the attention the Dead attract take away from their use as a smokescreen?" Dad put forth a good point.

"You're right," Gilles admitted rubbing his chin. "That doesn't add up."

"It could be simple energy expenditure." Ciel posited and the two older men turned to focus on her. "Let's assume for a moment that we're right and whatever vampire is setting this up plans on using a Formalcraft ritual. While it helps to take in large amounts of mana from the air you still need enough to set it off to start with." Her hands traced the outline of a circle around the middle of Annecy.

"Covering an area this large, even if it was only for the initial start-up of the circles, would take an immense amount of power. More than any one person could probably have on their own. But if a vampire was to use the Dead to collect energy then store it separately in gems or some other way they could use it to ensure the ritual at least activates."

"It's a possibility." Gilles agreed. "Without more information however we're just shooting in the dark. Continue please."

"Right last night Mr. Potter, while investigating, was ambushed at the same site he found that circle," Ciel said and nodded to me waving her hand.

"I got blindsided by a Nightmare." It didn't feel good to say. Gilles looked me over with an appraising eye and gave me a small nod of respect. "He was pretty chatty. Mentioned a Master."

"Anything else we could use?"

"Not really. They mostly talked about how me meeting them was bad luck and the things they were going to do to me."

"How did you get away?"

"Get away?" I cocked my head confused.

"Yes. How did you escape?"

"I didn't."

"I apologise Mr. Potter perhaps my faculty in English is less than I assumed. You were ambushed by a Nightmare correct?"

"Yes."

"It spoke with you revealing the existence of a Master?"

"Yes."

"You are still alive quite clearly and from the way you phrased your encounter, it seems as though you were alone with it. So I was wondering how you managed to escape from the situation?"

"Ah, I didn't." Gilles cocked an eyebrow clearly confused. "Not for lack of trying. But it was faster than me and had set up an anti-apparition field. It was a trap that got triggered when someone used magic near the circle. I didn't have a choice but to fight it."

"You managed to hold it off until the Executor arrived?"

"No Head Auror Gilles. I killed it." His eyes widened as I made my statement.

"There is a reason I deputised Mr. Potter and his Father under the Executors Head Auror."

"So I see, thank you for clearing that up for me Mr. Potter. It wouldn't have had anything to do with the red light that destroyed a few buildings would it?" Gilles spoke in a deceptively light tone. Dad's head snapped to me and I sighed.

"Yeah, that was me."

"You understand the legal repercussion of your actions correct?"

"I really wasn't thinking about them at the time. Just trying to stay alive."

"I see."

"If you have any problems or concerns from a legal angle." Ciel put in. "I would remind you that Mr. Potter was deputised under the Executors at the time of the incident. If any legal matters are to be conducted I ask that you send them through us first."

"Understood Executor. Please continue Mr. Potter." His tone was carefully neutral.

"Not much more to tell really I passed out shortly after killing the Nightmare. At which point Ciel arrived and took me to get healed. I wasn't exactly in a good way after that."

"No, I would assume not. There is a reason that Aurors are not to engage vampires of rank four and higher without a team of at least six."

"Which leads us conveniently to the last twenty-four hours," Ciel stated bringing us back on track. "We gathered what evidence we had and chose to come here. As I would like to propose a working partnership between the Executors and those they have deputised with the French Auror department. With the express goal of locating as many of these circles as possible in the next few days and eliminating them so we may remove this threat."

"And if I refuse?" Gilles didn't really sound like he was going to. More that he was interested in what the other option was, Ciel shrugged.

"Then we operate on our own and do it our way. I pay no attention to your men and only act if they get in my way." Essentially Ciel's offer boiled down to 'help us or get out of the way' and if we were right then Gilles really couldn't afford the latter option.

"I will need to clear it with the Minister for Justice but I don't think it will be a problem. However, I must ask Mr. Potter." He turned to Dad with a mildly confused look.

"I understand how your son got involved in all of this but how did you?" Dad shrugged.

"Came over for a vacation. Found out he was involved. Chose to get involved myself." His words were quick and to the point. "What kind of man would leave his child to face something like this alone?" Respect passed over Gilles' face for a moment before it turned back into his professional mask.

"Were that the world had more men like you." He said shaking his head.

"It ought to." I got the feeling that Gilles had kids somehow. Call it a hunch.

"May I create a copy of the map and take the rune stone? I can give the map back to you shortly but I can speak to some of the Alchemists and Rune Smiths on floor fifty-seven. They may be able to create copies quickly." Ciel looked at me for permission and I shrugged.

"You may." She said with her plastic smile in place. Gilles smile back and waved his wand over the map duplicating it. A duplication charm didn't last forever but it would last long enough for him to get the information copied over to a proper map.

"Well, I'll have more information for you once I've spoken to the Minister. I hate to be abrupt but you have dropped several important tasks on my plate. Is there anything else you need toni- this morning?" Auror Gilles corrected himself. Looking at the clock in the corner.

"Not at the moment," Ciel confirmed and the Head Auror stood up walking towards us hand outstretched. He shook each of our hands in turn.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Potter, Executor Ciel. I look forward to working with you."

"And we with you Head Auror." Ciel spoke for us as we left the room. There was a crashing sound from the interrogation rooms but I ignored it and followed Ciel as we went back to reception. I also heard what sounded like someone rummaging through numerous files at high speed.

"Where!? Where is that demonic creature!?" The scream that echoed sounded familiar as we boarded the elevator and Fou dropped onto my head with a self-satisfied grin. As the doors closed all I could do was look at the eldritch horror on my shoulder and wish to be anywhere but here.

The doors closed as I saw Auror Allard charge into reception. Fixing a glare that should by all rights have turned the elevator and everyone inside of it into a pile of bubbling slag. Fou raised up a paw and with a cry of 'Fou' the door closed as the Auror bellowed in rage. I looked at Fou, Fou looked at me. Then I turned to Dad.

"We need to leave."

"What was your first clue?" His voice was dry as he grabbed me by one arm, Ciel by the other, and twisted. The world compressed uncomfortably before we were spat back out in my hotel room.

"What did you do?" My first question once the world had stopped spinning.

"Fou."

"Yes I understand it was a prank. That wasn't my question."

"Fou."

"I don't care if you think I'm happier not knowing."

"Fou."

"How many files did you move?"

"Fou."

"What do you mean all of them!?"

"Fou."

"Yes, I understand what all of them means."

"Fou."

"I hate you sometimes," I said sinking into a seat and holding my head in my hands. Fou, the little traitor that he was, climbed to my shoulder and patted me with his paw. It would have been a nice gesture if he wasn't responsible for my headache in the first place.

"Okay, I'm just going to let you handle, whatever that was. I'm going to speak with your mother." Dad said choosing the sane option.

"Will she still be awake?"

"Yeah, she'll wanna hear all about what happened tonight."

"Got it."

"You're sure that things safe right?"

"He probably really pissed them off. But I guarantee no one was hurt." I knew that much of Fou's nature to be sure of that. If he'd hurt people we'd know about it.

"Okay then. I'll take it. Take care, Harry." Dad turned on the spot and vanished with a crack that made the window vibrate. Making me mentally give my apologies to my neighbours. I looked towards Ciel who was looking at the queen-sized bed longingly.

"You really don't know what he is?" She said flicking a finger at Fou.

"No idea," I replied. She yawned and crawled onto my bed. Making herself at home on one half and stealing some of my pillows.

"What are you doing?"

"I haven't slept in over two days between meeting your family, finding you, keeping you alive, movie day, and now that meeting. I'm exhausted." Ciel said taking off her glasses and placing them on the nightstand. "I'm going to get some rest." She kicked her shoes off, closed her eyes, and I shook my head.

"Guess I'll take the floor," I muttered. Standing up and grabbing a pillow. Saving my life brought you a lot. Up to and including me sleeping on the floor despite my aching body.

"Don't be stupid. Take the other half of the bed." She said without opening her eyes. I turned off the light. Kicked off my shoes and laid down without removing my clothes. Under most circumstances, I'd probably have been too busy concocting fantasies about all the things that could happen between us. As it happened I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow.

Chapter Fifteen- END.

Because I start work early on Saturday Mornings you all get this early.

Also we're closing in on the end of the second act very quickly.

Good Night / Morning / Whatever.