So Much, But So Little

After the chat with Iris, Dominique set to work with gusto, determined more than ever that now she had a better glimpse of what her aunt and cousins could do, she would have better luck at finding something in the archives.

A few weeks had passed and they still hadn't found much of anything, but Dominique was not discouraged. She felt she was becoming well versed in the mythology surrounding Athena and the various cults that had followed her in ancient times, but yet nothing seemed to have come up about powerful magical beings around her other than gods and goddesses or creatures.

Dominique huffed quietly as she shut another tome, sending a cloud of dust into the air. She coughed and sneezed.

"Another dead end?" Molly asked from across from her, glancing up from her book. Dominique nodded, her brow furrowed.

"This is just… madness," Dominique said. "I feel like I'm going barmy cooped up in here."

"Fancy a spot of fresh air, then?" Chris asked from his end of the table. "I was just thinking about going out a bit myself. Got an appointment this afternoon to speak with another history professor."

Dominique looked down at him, amused.

"And you're allowing me to accompany you? My, this is a change. One would think I'm finally winning you over despite my dismal interrogation skills," she said with a smirk. Chris rolled his eyes.

"Just thought since I'm speaking with a muggle it could be good to have someone with expertise in the area," he said. "But if you feel your skills aren't up to par, I can take Toby." The man in question lit up from where he sat next to Dominique. He had been getting a bit stir-crazy in the archives as well, not used to staying in the Ministry so much. He and Dominique would go out several times a day on calls when they were on the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad.

"No, that's fine. I think I'm up to snuff," Dominique said, pushing the book away from her. Toby's face fell slightly. "When do we leave?" Chris glanced at his wristwatch.

"We can go in about 30 minutes," he said.

"Good," Dominique responded.

"I'll just go up to my desk to get my questions," he said, standing. "I'll come back in time to leave." He then walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

"I don't know how you stand to stay here day in and day out," Toby said with a sigh as he glanced over at Molly. She just shrugged and closed her book, stretching.

"This is far more interesting than writing reports for Dad," she said.

"Speaking of reports, I'm suppose to deliver another to Aunt Hermione tomorrow," Dominique said. Molly nodded.

"I've got it finished with everything we've found so far. But give me your notes when you get back and I'll add it whatever we find today. You can take it to her in the morning," she replied.

Dominque smiled and set about to organizing the texts she was finished with.

"Seems you rather enjoy delivering the reports," Molly said, a knowing smile on her face.

"It's nice to get to chat with Aunt Hermione so much," she said casually.

"Sure it has nothing to do with a certain handsome assistant?" Molly asked.

"What? Magnus? Goodness, no. I barely speak to him when I go," Dominique said, though her cheeks flushed. Molly chuckled.

"Of course not," she said, reaching for a scroll. "Oh, did you drop off the file on wandless magic with Jamie and Daisy?" Dominique nodded.

"That chaser was there again. I don't know how they stand him showing up so often," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Wills has been doing that since the triplets moved to the Alley," Toby said. "Suspect they're used to it by now."

"But don't you think they should… say something? It wouldn't do for him to pop in and hear something he shouldn't," Dominique said with a frown. "He's already suspicious enough." Toby laughed.

"That's Wills for you. I'm sure they know how to handle him by now," he said, turning a page in the book he was studying.

"I certainly hope so," Dominique said.

"So who is this professor we're speaking with today?" Dominique asked as she walked quickly down the sidewalk to keep up with Chris. His height and longer legs made it difficult at times.

"Professor Robert Halls. He's a tenured professor specializing in ancient civilizations and Greek mythology at Oxford. He's one of the top scholars in the field," he said, looking around. He fidgeted slightly in the suit he was wearing, looking a bit uncomfortable and warm. Dominique laughed softly.

"Really, is the full suit necessary?" she asked, feeling a bit smug as she walked next to him in her airy blouse and pencil skirt.

"I told him I was an investigator with Scotland Yard. Needed to look the part," Chris said, scowling down at her.

"Pray tell, why would Scotland Yard need to talk to a history professor?" Dominique asked.

"Related to a string of homicides – very hush, hush. He understood and agreed not to ask questions. I think he was just chuffed to be involved in a Scotland Yard investigation," Chris said, looking at the people around them.

"So who am I?" Dominique asked.

"A consultant," he said. Dominique's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"You've been watching muggle TV dramas, haven't you?" she asked.

"So?" Chris asked defensively.

"Just find it entertaining, is all," she said. Chris stopped suddenly and looked at a black iron gate.

"This is it," he said. Dominique looked up at a stately brownstone.

"Posh. History must pay well," she said.

"No idea," Chris said as he pressed a button on a small box next to the gate. "But suppose we'll find out."

"Thank you again for seeing me on such short notice, Professor Hall," Chris said formally after the three of them were situated in a sitting room with tea. Dominique looked around, noting the various artifacts decorating the room.

"Oh, it's no problem at all," the professor said as he adjusted his glasses. He was in his early 50s or so, dressed very much as Dominique expected muggle professors to dress. If he had robes on, he would have passed for a Hogwarts professor. He had a very studious air about him. "If there is any way that I can help Scotland Yard, I'll do my best." Chris nodded and glanced over at Dominique.

"As I said, we're looking into ancient Greek culture, especially related to the goddess Athena," he said, looking back to the professor. He sighed and placed his teacup down.

"Well… there are many myths about Athena. She's the goddess of war strategy and a patron of literature and the written arts. Often noted for her wisdom," he said.

"Do you know anything specific about the various cults around her?" Dominique asked, earning her a scowl from Chris.

"There were a few back in ancient times. She was the patron goddess of the city of Athens. There were many temples built for her, though I don't believe many of them still stand," he replied. "People gave up worship of the gods and goddesses nearly a millennia ago from what I can tell. Now they mostly exist just as… ancient literary figures, for the most part. And a part of ancient Greek history."

"So you think it's unlikely any of these cults or worshippers might still exist today?" Chris asked. The professor chuckled.

"I doubt that, though I suppose you never know. What with people these days thinking vampires and such are real and all," he said, still laughing. Dominique and Chris shared a look, both thinking back to a case that gave the aurors trouble a few years ago involving werewolves and vampires.

"Point is, if they do, I haven't come across them," he said. Chris nodded.

"Is there anything in the mythology involving stories around a person or group of people with… special abilities? Mortals who have supernatural gifts," he said. The professor thought a moment.

"There are the usual tales of demigods," he said. "But… outside that, no. Not that I've found. What does this have to do with Scotland Yard?" Chris cleared his throat.

"As I said, it's a very confidential matter," he said, shifting in his chair. The professor shrugged. He looked over to the table next to his chair and reached for a book.

"Well, if you're interested in Athena specifically, I would suggest reading the work by Nikos Aliefantis," he said. "He was my mentor, back in the day. The foremost expert on Greek mythology. Used to teach at Oxford as well." He held it out and Dominique grabbed it, looking at it. The name was familiar.

"Do you know where he's teaching now?" she asked, looking up. The professor smiled sadly.

"He left quite a long time ago and I'm afraid I haven't kept in touch," he said. "But you'll find his books at any bookstore." Dominique nodded and shot a look at Chris.

"I believe that's all we have for today," he said with a smile as he stood.

"Oh, I see," the professor said, standing as well. "Please do let me know if there is anything more you may need from me."

"Of course," Chris said. "Dominique?" She looked up at him, momentarily lost in trying to remember why the name was so familiar to her.

"Oh yes," she said, jumping to her feet. She looked at the professor and pulled out her wand. "Obliviate."

A dazed look came over his face as the two quickly made their way out of the house. Once they were on the sidewalk, moving away at a fast clip, only then did Chris notice she still had the book in her hand.

"What is it?" he asked, looking down at it. Suddenly Dominique stopped and looked up.

"The name. I was wondering why it was so familiar," she said, looking up at him. "This Nikos Aliefantis. He wrote a lot of the books and such in the archives. Chris, I think he might be a wizard." Chris frowned down at her.

"If he's a wizard, why was he pretending to be a muggle?" Chris asked. Dominique shrugged.

"Perhaps he's muggleborn? Doesn't really matter, does it? He's a wizard and he's an expert in ancient Greek culture, mythology and the Greek Pantheon. He's who we need to talk to. We must find him," she said excitedly. "But first, we should go back to the archives and pull everything he's written and everything we can find on him." She started walking away quickly. She had gotten several feet away before she realized that Chris wasn't following her. She stopped and turned around.

"Come on! We've got work to do!" she shouted impatiently. Chris just nodded and caught up to her, slightly impressed with the connection.

Dominique was a flurry of action when they returned, ordering Molly and Toby to stop what they were doing and go pull anything and everything on or written by the professor with the strange name. Chris stood back and watched in awe as she started clearing the table of all the books and scrolls they didn't need, her face flush with excitement.

She stopped and looked up at him where he stood, leaning against the wall.

"What are you doing? We need to get to work," she said, though she was still smiling.

"Just wanted to say… that was good work. Making the connection," he said. Dominique smirked.

"Was that a compliment on my work skills?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her. Chris shrugged.

"Maybe," he said. "Don't get too cocky. The real work comes now. We need to track him down."

"Should be easy enough. We just need to find a forwarding address or something. If he's still in Britain, then there should be records here at the Ministry," she said. Chris chuckled.

"You've obviously not tracked someone down before," he said. Dominique frowned at him.

"Oh, and I suppose you believe that you're much better at that than me?" she said.

"I have been an auror for the last four years," he said. Dominique rolled her eyes. Of course he'd ruin the moment.

"Fine, then go use your auror skills and find him. Let me know when you do. I want to go with you," she said. Chris pushed off from the wall.

"Fine," he said, walking out of the room. Molly and Toby walked back in at that moment, carrying arms full of books and scrolls.

"What's that about?" Toby asked, taking note of Dominique's frustrated expression.

"Just Chris being a prat as usual," she said, stepping over to take some of the books from him. Toby and Molly shared a look and smiled at each other. "Come on. These manuscripts aren't going to read themselves."

Sorry for the delay! Spent yesterday recovering from New Year's Eve. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

twilightlover427: Haha, yea, we'll get to that. ^_^ Don't worry, I wasn't going to leave you all hanging on that one.

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!