"Demons?" Igor Karkaroff spoke as if the young wizards were toying with him though Harry didn't believe that's what he thought was happening.

The aurors' gazes did not falter from the headmaster nor did they shift in their seats before him in his office at Durmstrang Institute. Word from the ex-deatheater awaited them the moment they showed up at the Ministry the next day informing them he would enjoy a discussion although had said nothing specific. Harry and Ron had immediately gotten Arthur to contact his elder son, Charlie, before making their way to Russia, thinking that perhaps it would be a good idea to journey to Romania directly afterward.

"Even as headmaster, I cannot be expected to memorize all that the Institute has on record," the bearded wizard retorted, "And as you know, information on Grindelwald was stolen. However, I can tell you that as far as any dark magical creature he was known to obsess over...there was only Death itself."

"The legend of the Deathly Hallows, sir?" Harry asked.

The professor hummed a low growl of confirmation, "That is something of which you are already aware, but your recent dabblings in the muggle study of demonology intrigued me...for as I recall from Gellert's file, he also looked into this."

The lead auror thought for a moment. Grindelwald had most definitely believed in the existence of the three magical artifacts of the Deathly Hallows story though Harry had never been clear as to whether he believed that it was the embodiment of Death that created these things. If he had looked into demonology as well...perhaps he had considered it possibility at the very least. After all, those items had to have been forged by someone.

"Do you know if any of his experiments involved trying to contact beings of another realm? The dead, for example," Harry inquired curiously.

"You mean did Grindelwald try to contact Death?" Karkaroff seemed to be dithering between saying the idea was incredulous and realizing that the wizard in question had been an extremist whose sanity had often been questioned. In the end, he gave a simple answer, "I have been working with others who have read his file. A few, in fact, who had known Grindelwald to some degree. With what we've been able to gather, his experiments consisted largely with magical creatures, both beast and being. He delved into the realms of blood study, divination, and, of course, the dark arts. Most of these experiments ended, if not started, in death. You said this dark wizard you're dealing with is a necromancer?"

The aurors nodded.

"Necromancy...the study of communication with the dead," the headmaster stated matter-of-factly, "It's a magic that was written off far in the past. It's true that it is an evolved form of divination. Where divination is generally the communication with a divine source in order to impart knowledge of time, necromancy is a grave connection with those who have passed from this life, calling upon them for both knowledge and power. Unlike divination which is largely meditation and channeling, it is a physical act," Karkaroff raised an eyebrow at Potter, "such as taking those bones and cursing the past owners to do the spell-caster's bidding... This is why necromancy is dark magic and divination is not."

Harry gave the older man a solemn stare, "I feel that if a dark wizard like Grindelwald was so focused on the Deathly Hallows, studying blood and death of creatures, and even looked into divination and demonology...that it wouldn't be an outrageous assumption that he might have thought he could contact or use the spirit that crafted the Hallows...whether or not that spirit was actually Death."

Headmaster Karkaroff leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together with elbows bent onto the top of the desk. He paused, considering the auror and their conversation for a moment before speaking again, "With a mind like his, I suppose that that would be a likely conclusion," he agreed. "Mr. Potter, it interests me to what plans the Ministry has for this Gerald Davis."

Harry's brow furrowed as he glanced over at his partner who was also thrown off by the inquiry. Turning a confused look back to Durmstrang's headmaster, he begged for clarification, "Sir, I'm not certain I understand."

Karkaroff dropped his hands from position and laid them to rest face down between himself and his guest, "When you find this young Grindelwald...what will you do?"

The auror paused.

"With all due respect, I feel that should be obvious," Harry spoke flatly. "We will arrest him. If there is to be a fight doing so, we're authorized to do whatever is necessary to subdue him," the investigator cut his eyes pointedly at the ex-deatheater, "After that, it is up to the Ministry to review all evidence and charge him with his crimes."

The headmaster kept his eyes on Harry while he retrieved his hands from his desk and placed them in his lap. Then, humming, he nodded at his company, "Thank you for the visit, Mr. Potter...Mr. Weasely. Do let me know if there is anything else with which I can be of assistance."

The man's last words seemed to be sly. Yet then again, Karkaroff's demeanor always came off intimidatingly reserved and sometimes even shady, so Harry tried not to dwell on it. Instead, he gave a simple 'thank you' in return and the two aurors were soon back outside the school and heading off the grounds. It was actually impeccable timing because just as they reached the outer wall of the fortress, a beeping sound came from the cellular phone in Harry's robes.

"Harry, I just spoke to Charlie," Arthur Weasely's voice was on the other end when the auror picked up the device, "He is currently contacting a co-worker whom he says would know where to point you in your search."

"That's great, Mr. Weasely, thank you," Harry replied. "Do you know if the Minister is about?"

"I was actually going to speak to you about that next," the elder wizard informed. "He requested me not long after the two of you left. It appears he feels that Oliver should not be kept, but told me that he would not order his release until he had a word with you. The sooner, the better."

"I see," the auror thought, "Alright, I guess we'll be heading there first, before we go to Romania. Perhaps Charlie will have gotten in touch with his friend by the time we're through with Minister Shackelbolt."

"Yes, that sounds like the best route," Arthur agreed. "I'll see you boys later then."

"Right. Bye," Harry said and immediately ended the call.

"What does the Minister want to see us about?" Ron asked as he watched his partner slide the phone back into his pocket.

"I'm not sure," he answered, "Something to do with releasing Oliver."

"Well," the redhead paused, "That was quick. I agree, I mean, with letting the guy go. It's just I didn't expect him to, so readily."

All Harry gave as response was a nod of affirmation and then the two finished walking a safe distance from the outer barrier of Durmstrang Institute where they disapparated back near the entrance of the Ministry for Magic. The aurors had to admit that with all the magical travel they had been doing lately, namely apparation across such distances, they were beginning to feel worn from the activity. The use of magic did take its own toll on the body. Nonetheless, they were up for it, being dedicated to their cause.

Within the walls of the Ministry once more, Harry sensed that something was off. He had become used the the curiosity many had regarding his and Ron's work handling the investigation of dark wizardry. It was only natural that folk should wish to keep themselves informed about the dangers around them. Fortunately, there had not been any large manners of dubious activity since the fall of the dark lord Voldemort so the typical citizen kept their nose in their own business, so to speak. However, now, walking through the halls of the hidden building, Harry felt eyes upon them. Not of mal-intent, but rather concern.

Ron apparently had felt it as well for the moment they were alone inside one of the lifts, he brought it up, "Do people seem to be staring to you, mate?"

His partner nodded again, "Yes...something's up. Probably what Shackelbolt wishes to speak with us about."

Soon, the two young wizards found themselves at the ornate door of the Minister for Magic's office, using the usual command to request entry. When it was granted to them, they stepped inside the room to see they were not the only guests. Seated on the closest side of the desk therein, sat Draco Malfoy, his mother Narcissa, and Astoria Greengrass, another pure-blood classmate from House Hufflepuff. She had been great friends with Cedric Diggory, even having been written into his will, so it was a bit of a shock to many when learning of her romantic connections with Draco. What was worse in this instance, was that she was also a junior reporter for the Daily Prophet. A very ambitious one too. That could account for the attention the aurors had received on the return...

The ex-deatheater turned his head only slightly enough so that it showed he was aware of who had entered. Both witches, though, remained focused forward upon the Minister who sat straight in his chair, expression reserved as he gazed up at the newcomers. The aurors finished their way in and stopped a comfortable pace behind those who were seated before them. After the door had closed shut, the Minister spoke.

"The Malfoys...and Ms. Greengrass," he politely added, "Were informed of the recent arrest of Oliver Smith," he began carefully, raising a knowing eyebrow to the standing wizards who instantly recognized that the family had been told by a contact and not by Ministry or media procedure. "And requested to know his part in Lucius Malfoy's case."

The Minister paused, causing Harry to blink awkwardly as he tried to decide if he was supposed to answer this inquiry or not. Surely Shackelbolt would not put the auror on the spot like that, though Harry wondered as the man's eyes laid heavy upon them. Thankfully, however, he continued.

"I let them know that Mr. Smith was arrested solely for aiding in our suspect, Gerald Davis' escape, unknowing that his friend had to do with the murder, as per his most recent confession and turning himself in. He is not considered to be involved."

He lifted the same brow to be sure the aurors were following along. They were. The part of the story where Malfoy and his goons interfered was left out. It was just as well as it was their intent to have the family's cooperation. A different Minister might have used the scenario to their advantage by extending gratitude for the assistance in Gerald's attempted arrest, but Shackelbolt wasn't quite that willing to grovel. Even to the still powerful clan and even to capture a dark wizard.

"Have you been able to locate my father's murderer?" Draco asked then, turning to better face his old classmates.

"We have a lead," Harry glossed over, "We were heading to speak with someone regarding it after we talked with the Minister."

"And where is this lead of yours? Here in London?" Astoria spoke up then, halfway looking at Harry as she worked to keep an eye on the Minister as well.

The lead auror couldn't help but glance nervously at his boss, who, from the other side of the desk, gave a small nod. "Romania," Harry answered.

"Then Draco should accompany you," Narcissa turned a smile to the aurors. "We also know someone in the country who could lend an experienced eye toward any...unpleasantries that go on there."

Another glance at Minister Shackelbolt was met with an slight roll of the eyes, but also a second nod of approval.

"That would be helpful," the auror smiled back, "Thank you."

"Very well," the Minister rose. "Mr. Malfoy, why don't you escort the ladies home while misters Potter and Weaseley fill out a few pieces of paper work. They will meet you in their office say...in an hour's time."

The three other wizards stood as well. Narcissa and Astoria both thanked the Minister for his time and began sliding past the aurors on their way out. The young Malfoy hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something further, yet in the end decided against it and simply escorted his family out. Once they were gone and the office was closed, Ron immediately questioned Shackelbolt.

"Astoria Greengrass? A reporter?" he exclaimed, "What has she told people?"

"Calm down, Mr. Weaseley," the Minister ordered and the redheaded swallowed, trying to obey. "All that is known is Oliver's arrest in relation to Gerald and that there may be a connection to Lucius' untimely death. And by 'known,' I mean rumored. Ms. Greengrass may be a journalist, but her presence here, I'm sure, was merely a tactic to ensure the family's involvement." Shackelbolt sat back down and leaned back in his chair, hand reaching his chin in thought. "Though their verbal argument was the lack of a proper investigating team at this time. I can't say I disagree either. As well suited as you may be, there are still only two of you."

"Well, we do have Hermione and-" Ron started, but abruptly stopped when the older wizard waived a hand in his direction.

"And now you have Draco. Try to get along. He is more capable than the child you once knew and, given the freedom to fight for the side he wishes, I feel you will find him a good ally," the man hummed.

"Sir, why did you want to speak to us before releasing Oliver?" Harry asked.

"I want him on...house arrest, I believe is what the muggles say," he replied.