Plotting the Next Move
"Alright team, so we've found the professor," Teddy said seriously as he paced around his office. Dominique fought hard to resist rolling her eyes. He could make things so dramatic sometimes. "Brilliant work, by the way Dom and Chris."
She smiled to herself and glanced over at Chris who nodded.
"Have you set up the meeting?" Teddy asked, looking at Dominique. She nodded.
"I've confirmed with him twice now. Also, Aunt Iris has asked that she come along. I told her she could," Dominique said. Teddy nodded.
"Figured she'd want to. She taking Daisy and Jamie as well?" he asked.
"Hadn't thought to ask, but probably wouldn't hurt," Dominique said. "I'm sure they'll have questions that we don't think of."
"Good. Okay, so you all will go meet with him and then I want a full report of what you find out," he said. "As for Molly and Toby, I suppose just keep looking around the archives for now. Just in case he turns out not to be as helpful as we hope he will be. And keep at whatever tasks the Minister has given you for the forum."
Toby and Molly nodded. He looked towards Chris.
"Chris, I'm going to need you to start doubling down on the other side of the equation. We've found the professor and he may have answers about Iris, Jamie and Daisy, but we still need to try and find whatever could be coming," Teddy said. Chris nodded.
"If it's alright, I might have Weasley help me. She seems to have some good investigative skills if you could get her transfer extended," he said. Molly and Toby glanced at the two, smiling slightly while Dominique's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"I was already thinking about that," Teddy said. "We have no clue what to expect from this professor so I had already put in for the whole team to stay indefinitely." Chris nodded.
"I have a good feeling about this," Dominique said. "I think he might be able to help us." Teddy looked at her and sighed.
"With all the trouble we've gone through to find him, I certainly hope you're right," he said. "Well, then. Suppose Chris and I will go inform Harry of the updates. Dom, can you go see Aunt Hermione?" She nodded and stood.
"Don't look so happy," Molly said to her softly as they walked out.
"What are you talking about?" Dominique asked.
"You look pretty pleased to be going to Aunt Hermione's office is all," Molly said nonchalantly.
"This has nothing to do with Magnus," Dominique said, rolling her eyes.
"Sure it doesn't," Molly said with a cheeky grin. "Perhaps your little trip to Paris has you thinking a certain way about Abbott. You two seem to be on friendlier terms now…"
"Molly, please," Dominique said with a huff.
Silently, Iris popped up in front of the two, nearly knocking them over and causing most of the aurors in the office to stop and stare.
"Sorry, girls! Didn't realize you'd be right there," Iris said, smiling.
"Quite alright, Aunt Iris," Dominique said.
"Daisy and the boys told me the news," she said. "I thought I'd pop in and check on it." Dominique nodded.
"I'm about to go talk to Aunt Hermione if you'd like to join me," she said. "I can fill you both in at the same time and answer whatever questions you have."
"Sounds lovely. Haven't had a chance to chat with Hermione in a bit," Iris said with a smile.
"I really wish you'd only do that in my office, Aunt Iris. Does set off a bit of a spectacle," Teddy said, walking out of the office behind them. He glared around the office as the aurors stopped staring and quickly set about to work again.
"Sorry, Teddy," Iris said with a smile. "Come on, Dominique."
The two set out for the Minister's office, chatting about the recent match against the Falcons.
"I wish you could have seen it. Daisy was amazing," Iris said, grinning. "I think she's got her groove back."
"She seemed to be in good spirits at the party," Dominique said. "Good to see things are starting to settle down. She and Remus seemed better as well."
"Finally," Iris said with a slight roll of her eyes. "Thought we'd never get those two to quit fighting. Seems they both got a bit of my temper."
"You think Daisy'll move back in now?" Dominique asked.
"Doubt it. She still seems quite happy with John. And well, I suppose her father and I are starting to come around to it," Iris said. "Taking Oliver a bit longer, of course. He still sees her as his little pixie. Not the woman of 20 that she actually is." Dominique chuckled.
"Probably doesn't help that she's still a tiny bit of a thing," she commented.
"I'm not sure if I'm happy she got my height. On the other hand, I'm not sure how I'd feel if I were surrounded by giants all the time either," Iris said.
"Ah, here we are," Dominique said as they reached the main door to Hermione's office. She opened it and stepped aside.
"Ms. Weasley!" Magnus said brightly, standing as he broke out into a grin.
"I think by now, Dominique is fine. Good to see you, Magnus," Dominique said with a smile and nod as her aunt followed her in.
"And… who is this?" he asked, confused. He didn't see a visitor's badge or an employee badge.
"This is another of my aunts – Iris Wood," Dominique said. "Aunt Iris, this is Aunt Hermione's new assistant, Magnus." Iris smiled and walked over to him, holding her hand out.
"Lovely to meet you, Magnus," she said. He shook her hand, looking slightly a bit in awe.
"I've heard so much about you Mrs. Wood. It's an honor to finally meet you," he said. Iris shrugged.
"Oh please, I'm certainly not worth it," she said lightly, waving her hand in the air. "Just your average, run-of-the-mill shop owner." Magnus watched her a moment before he suddenly seemed to regain his professionalism, slightly embarrassed. He cleared his throat and looked at Dominique.
"Here to see the Minister, I take it?" he said. Dominique nodded.
"That is the main reason I come here," she said with a smile.
"Oh, er, right. Anyway, I suppose I'll let you to it, then," he said, motioning towards the door. Iris looked at the man and then back at Dominique, who was too busy pushing open the door to Hermione's inner office.
"I come bringing guests," she said brightly as they stepped in.
Hermione looked up from her desk and smiled as she saw Dominique and Iris walk in. Iris quietly shut the door behind them and they strode over and sat down.
"I take it you have good news to share?" Hermione asked.
"The best," Dominique said excitedly. "We've found him. And he's agreed to meet with us." Hermione's eyes widened as she sat back in her chair and a small smile played across her lips.
"This is good news," she said. "How did this come about?"
"We were able to speak with a professor that he taught with at a muggle university in Paris. He passed on an email address. We sent a message and he replied," Dominique said.
"Well that seems simple enough," Hermione commented.
"I know… wish we could have just started there, but it is what it is," Dominique said.
"I've asked that I go with her," Iris said. "I'd very much like to meet this professor. I think Jamie and Daisy would like to as well." Hermione nodded.
"I see nothing wrong with that. You might think of some things to ask that Dominique and Chris don't," Hermione said. Dominique nodded.
"I thought the same thing," she replied. She could barely contain her grin.
"Excellent work, Dom," Hermione said. "You found him."
"I know I'm quite anxious to meet him," Iris said. "I feel like we're on the verge of finally getting answers that I know I've long wanted." Dominique nodded as she studied her aunt a moment. In the midst of everything with Daisy, she had almost forgotten that Iris had been living with these gifts for a lot longer without fully knowing what they were about.
"I certainly hope so, otherwise all this work will have been for naught," Dominique said with a sigh.
"Keep hope, Dom. I'm sure we'll find something useful from him," Hermione said. She nodded.
"How's the forum coming along?" Iris asked. Hermione sighed.
"Now that is something that I wish were going more smoothly," Hermione said with a sigh. "But it will come together one way or another."
"Harry seems to have enough to complain about," Iris said with a laugh. "It was about all he could talk about when I met with him yesterday. He seems especially frustrated with MACUSA." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I swear the next owl he gets from them with yet another security request, he's going to go mental," Hermione said. Dominique chuckled at the image of her uncle losing it. While normally a very easy-going sort, Harry Potter could on occasion have spectacular outbursts of frustration. Though in the past they were usually aimed at his rather prank-happy eldest son.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Iris asked. "I know I'm not officially part of the Ministry, but if there is any way I could make things easier, I'd gladly do it."
"I appreciate it, but I think we've got it covered. Though we may have to pull you lot over to help a bit. Things are starting to get hectic and it's turning into more work than my task force can handle," Hermione said, looking a Dominique. "I've already had Molly and Toby working on a few things while you and Chris were in France."
"Makes sense. If this professor really does have all the answers, there really won't be much of a reason for us to continue investigating that at least, will there?" the young woman replied. Hermione furrowed her brow.
"I'd like to think that, but doesn't change the fact that we still have no clue what could be coming," she said softly. "Teddy's been looking into things while you all have been focusing on the professor, but… he's been unable to find so much as a whisper of anything. Nothing from any terrorist groups or Voldemort's old followers or… anything."
"Yea, Chris mentioned that he and I would be focusing on that while the rest of the team helps you out with the forum," Dominique said. "I'm not even sure where to start."
"Do you think this could be a completely new sect?" Iris asked. "It's been over 20 years… there's a good chance that some other dark lord could have been quietly gaining power." Hermione sighed.
"Possibly? I just… if that's the case and this thing is coming to a head, how could we have gone this long without hearing anything?" she asked. Iris shrugged.
"How was Voldemort able to gain as much power as he did before things got really bad?" she replied.
"At least this time we don't have to worry about the Ministry trying to cover it up or sticking its head in the sand," Dominique said. The older woman chuckled.
"Definitely learned a lesson from Fudge," she said, rolling her eyes. "Anyways, whatever it is, we'll find it and hopefully before it's too late."
"I suppose we should let you get to it, then," Iris said, standing. "I left some potions simmering and I'm sure you have too much work for today." Dominique followed her aunt. Hermione stood and walked around her desk, hugging Iris and then Dominique.
"It's good to see you. Stop by whenever you want," she said to the older woman. Iris smiled and nodded.
"I'll try to," she replied. Hermione looked to Dominique.
"I look forward to hearing from you both about the meeting with the professor," she said.
"Hopefully we'll have some more good news to share," Dominique said with a smile. She and Iris then stepped out of the office.
"Meeting go well?" Magnus asked as he stood. Dominique looked over at him and smiled.
"Yes, it did," she said.
"Good! Well then, I hope you both have a lovely day," he said politely as he smiled nervously at the two women.
"You too!" Dominique said amicably as she and Iris left the office. "So what are you up to for the rest of the day?" she asked, glancing at her aunt as they walked back to the auror department.
"I really do have some potions to work on," she said. "George is certainly keeping me busy lately." Dominique chuckled.
"Well, it's nearing Christmas season, so I'm not surprised," she said. Iris glanced down at Dominique and then back down the hallway towards Hermione's office.
"How long has Magnus worked with Hermione?" she asked casually. Dominique shrugged.
"A few months, I guess. I hadn't heard about him until the first time I had to deliver a report," she said. Iris nodded slowly.
"Seems like a nice chap," she said.
"A bit nervous, though. He always seems to stutter and such a bit," Dominique said.
"I suppose working with Hermione could have that effect on someone," Iris said offhandedly. "Though he does seem to be a polite fellow." She glanced over at Dominique who was laughing.
"If you are trying to suggest I date him, Molly has already beaten you to it," Dominique said. Iris sighed and nodded.
"He is rather good-looking," Iris said. "Not my type, of course – I tend to lean more towards tall and bulky – but still, he's rather easy on the eyes." Dominique started laughing as she shot her aunt a look.
"Really, Aunt Iris. We all know your type is Uncle Oliver and no one else," she said.
"All I'm saying is, he seems nice," Iris said. "Have you thought about inviting him out for tea or coffee? I'm sure he could use more friends at the Ministry."
"I assure you, going for coffee or tea is the last thing I should be doing now," Dominique said.
"It doesn't have to be a date. Just thought it wouldn't hurt to get out and meet more people," Iris said.
"Merlin, she won't listen to you either?" Molly said, walking up next to the two, a load of files in her arms. "Been trying to get her to go out with either Magnus or Chris for weeks."
"Chris?" Iris said, looking down at her two nieces. Dominique glared at Molly.
"It's nothing like that," she said quickly. "Just wishful thinking on Molly's part."
"Makes no difference to me," Iris said with a sigh. "Though he is good man."
"Would both of you stop? I'm not dating right now and that's final," Dominique said as she stopped and looked back and forth between her cousin and aunt. She was trying to keep her frustration at bay, but enough was starting to become enough.
"Well that's a shame. Victoire was saying something about trying to set you up with some bloke in the magical burn department," Teddy said as he walked by the group. Dominique rolled her eyes as he grinned and winked at her.
"I swear you all are giving me a headache," she said, looking at her family as her eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps if you didn't shout, you wouldn't have a headache," Chris said, walking up from behind her. Dominique's eyes widened as her cheeks turned slightly pink. She quickly turned around and walked off without a word. Chris stopped and looked off after her in confusion.
"What was that about?" he asked, looking at Teddy, Iris and Molly.
"Just… family stuff," Teddy said with a grin. Chris shrugged and continued on towards the auror department after her.
Dominique walked into the department and went straight over to the group of desks outside Teddy's office, plopping into the one next to Toby and loudly pulling a drawer open, looking through it for something.
"Something go wrong?" Toby asked, looking over at her. "Thought you were supposed to meet with the Minister."
"I did," Dominique said not looking up at him.
"Was it bad?"
She sighed and stopped rummaging through the desk, looking over at him.
"The meeting was perfectly fine. I'm just getting tired of my family and their 'well-meaning' advice," she said dryly. Toby chuckled.
"What was it this time?" he asked.
"Dating," Dominique replied.
"Who?" he asked, amused.
"Well, Aunt Iris thinks I should invite Aunt Hermione's assistant out for tea or coffee. Then Molly popped up and said I should consider Chris. Then out of nowhere Teddy shows up, saying Victoire wants to set me up with someone at St. Mungo's," Dominique groaned. "You'd think I was incapable of getting my own dates." Toby chuckled as he patted her on the arm.
"You know how your family is. They'll take the mickey out of you for just about anything," he replied. "Even I'm not safe. You should have heard the triplets go after me the time I got drunk and confessed my love for Daisy… they wouldn't let me live it down for months." Dominique looked up at him.
"That was rather hilarious," she said, a hint of a smile on her face. She sighed. "I suppose it just sucks because I know they all know why I'm not dating right now. And it's more than not finding a date."
"Still thinking about Paul, are you?" he asked. She nodded.
"Not to mention, when am I supposed to have time with all the work we're doing," she added. Toby laughed.
"We both know you're the only one overloading yourself," he said. "The rest of us still manage a bit of a social life. And as for Paul, it's understandable." Dominique sighed heavily.
"I still can't tell him and I still don't want to put him in danger," she said, looking down at her hands. "It's gotten a bit easier, but even just watching matches… Every time I look at him I'm reminded that I'm still very much in love with him." Toby studied her a moment.
"Keep your chin up, Dom. This won't last forever. And… I tend to think that if something's meant to be, it'll find a way to work itself out," he said. Dominique looked over at him.
"You really think so?" she asked. Toby shrugged.
"Iris and Oliver worked out and they had some pretty rough patches. And look at Jamie and Lila. That definitely shouldn't have worked out, but it has," he said matter-of-factly. Dominique nodded slowly as her mind filled with images of Paul.
"But… I still can't tell him. If I could even try to start things up again, how do I explain why I broke up with him in the first place without telling him everything?" she asked.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't know him that well," he admitted. "But… don't punish yourself over it. And don't give up hope." Dominique smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Toby," she said.
At that moment, the group stepped in, looking over at Dominique. She shot them all a scowl as Iris and Teddy walked into his office and Molly and Chris walked over to their desks.
"Anyone fancy grabbing lunch?" Chris asked. "There's a new sandwich place over on the corner." Dominique stood abruptly and grabbed her purse.
"I've got errands," she said quickly before turning and walking back out. Chris followed her with his eyes and then looked back at Molly and Toby.
"Did I do something?" he asked.
"No, she did," Toby said, pointing at Molly.
"Blimey, she can't seem to take some teasing nowadays," she muttered.
"Really, take it easier on her with all that," Toby said, causing Chris to look even more confused. "She's still taking the breakup hard."
"As if I didn't already know that. I do live with her," Molly said, exasperated. "Just thought, maybe if she got out there a little it would help. I'm not saying she needs to go grab another boyfriend, just… maybe if she spent time on something other than quidditch or work, she might be happier."
"But I thought she didn't want to be with anyone right now because of everything," Chris said.
"Oh, she definitely wants to be with someone, she just feels like she can't right now," Toby said with a sigh. He then stood. "Come on, Chris. I'm starving."
Been working on the next book and I definitely think I'm starting to confuse myself with all the things I'm trying to write. However, I'm officially done with office life, so at least that's good news. Been going back through some of the other books/stories and really feel like I need to put more fun, happy chapters in the next one to lighten things up. Because shit is about to get real for everyone.
Aleenabean: Yes! Badass Pixie was never that far away, she just needed some reminding of who she is. She's got some tough times coming in this one and the next book, but that badassness will definitely help her through it. And yes, Olive will be coming back. Not so much in this one (which I had originally planned) but she will be back. ^_^
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!