Promotion
The now significantly smaller Black family sat eating lunch in a muggle cafe in London. The twins and Avalon were placing bets on what house they thought their older siblings would be placed in. Meanwhile the two adults seemed to be having a silent argument. Over the years the two of them had gotten incredibly close, (not as close as the marauders but that was an impossible feat). They could now communicate somewhat silently while in the presence of children.
They had picked a spot conveniently close to the ministry of magic. Remus kept glancing in the direction of the entrance to the Ministry. Remus was trying to convince Jane to go to the ministry and try to gain access to the files of all the known, suspected, and cleared death eaters. Meanwhile Jane was arguing with him by glancing at the three children and back at him.
It's not that she didn't want those files, because of course she did. But She had taken the day off so that she could spend some time with them as recently she hadn't gotten to. Especially the three younger ones. Any days she had off of work were spent preparing Harry and Jazlyn for Hogwarts. And any other days were spent searching for ways to prove Sirius innocent. She felt that Sirius would be greatly disappointed in her if she had ignored his children and James's while she worked to free him. She wasn't sure if she was a terrible mother or a terrible wife but sometimes she felt like she was neglecting one of them.
Remus, on the hand, was trying to argue without the children noticing that he would take care of them while she slipped away. Jane sighed. Remus always seemed to win.
"I'm sorry, but I forgot some files I need from the ministry," Jane said reluctantly. The three children all turned to look at her. "Uncle Moony will drive you all home."
"But I thought we were spending the day together in London?" Avalon said, looking slightly disappointed.
"You're just picking something up, right?" Caelum said. "We can wait for you."
All three of them were looking at her with large pleading eyes. She glanced back at Remus who continued to look at her.
"I'm not sure how long it'll take," Jane said. "But you're right. You were promised a day in London. Remus will take you around and until I finish. And we can just floo home from the Leaky Cauldron instead of drive."
"Can we go to the London Flat?" Caspian asked. Avalon nudged him.
"Caspian!" She scolded quietly.
"No worries, Avalon," Jane said brushing her off. She smiled at them. "In fact I think it's an excellent idea. We can even spend the night there."
They all gaped at her including Remus. But in all honesty after speaking with Sirius almost a year ago, she felt better about the place. Knowing with certainty that none of the memories they made there were lies helped.
"Are you sure?" Remus asked. He was wondering if perhaps he shouldn't have pushed her in this.
"Of course I still own it, why let it go to waste." Jane said. "The house elves have been keeping it up anyways and might as well put it to use. Besides it will give us more time together in London."
She passed her keys over to Remus and stood. "I'll see you all later."
The Ministry was surprisingly extra crowded. Although Jane wasn't sure why she was surprised. It seemed many families took advantage of dropping off their students in London to take care of affairs at the Ministry. For wizards a simple apparition meant there was no need for the long drives that muggles had to go through so really taking an extra trip to London wasn't much of a hassle. But it's the principle of the thing.
It was also surprising to see so many dressed in muggle clothes because they had to fit into the muggle station. At least Jane didn't have to feel out of place in her attire.
She headed down to level two, The Department of Magical Enforcement. She stopped in front of the Head of Department's office and knocked.
"Come in!" Madam Amelia Bones called. Jane opened the door to see Madame Bones moving about wildly. "Ah! Jane, I thought you took the day off to drop your children off at Hogwarts. Many others have, my brother did too, that's why it's so hectic today."
"I did. I just stopped by to see if I could pick up some things," Jane said. She looked around at all the flying papers. "But if you like I could spare a couple of hours to assist you."
"No no!" Madame Bones insisted. "You work too much, you deserve some time with your family. What can I help you with? Is this formal ministry business or does this have anything to do with your ongoing investigation."
She muttered the last part quietly even though they were the only two in the office.
"The latter, I'm afraid," Jane said apologetically. Madame Bones was one of her biggest supporters within the walls of the Ministry on her continuous quest to free her husband, but most others were not mad at her for supporting her. She attempted to help Jane as much as she could, usually behind the Minister's back.
"You have a new lead?" Amelia asked curiously.
"Possibly," Jane said. "I know the truth now as you remember from my visit a few months ago. But finding the right evidence to convince the minister and the Wizengamot is another thing."
"Oh don't I know it," Amelia shook her head disdainfully. "Fudge has his head so far up his power hungry backside it'll probably take more than logic to convince him of anything. Don't tell anyone I said that. Are you sure you can't tell me what you found out?"
"Afraid not," Jane said apologetically. "You wouldn't believe me. You'll think I've gone mad."
"Have you?"
"Probably."
"Well what do you need?" She waved her wand and the flying papers froze in mid air.
"I need a list of known Death Eaters that we're not placed in Azkaban or who have been free." Jane replied. "As well as a suspected Death Eater list of those who might have been cleared. I'd like to question them."
Madame Bones pursed her lips together and had a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Normally that would be difficult to approve since you are only the assistant to the Head of the Improper use of Magic office and are not allowed personal files unless they are directly involved in an official case you're working on," She started with a smirk. "But I just so happen to be in need of a new Head of the Investigation Department. Our last one just quit. And right in the middle of the investigation of the Break in at Gringotts. As you know the culprit still hasn't been caught."
"Oh and why is that?" Jane mused. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.
"Apparently he couldn't handle the goblins," Madame bones waved her hands dismissively. "Point is, I need someone to take over and question some suspects which just so happens to include former Death Eaters."
She waved her wand. A large file zoomed into her hand.
"Jane Black, you have hereby been promoted to the head of the Investigation Department," Madame Bones said in an official tone. "Congratulations."
She handed Jane a large file and led her out of the office. They crossed over the auror office and led her to an office space connected to a large conference room with a floating map.
"Your new office," Amelia said then she called over her shoulders to one of the aurors. "Shacklebolt!"
Kingsley Shocklebolt came over. He gave Jane a curious look. Perhaps thinking that he would be escorting her to another visit to Azkaban.
"Kingsley is the auror that's leading the investigation." Madame Bones said. "Kingsley, Lady Black is your new head of investigations. Catch her up please."
"What is the meaning of this!?" Came a boisterous voice. They turned and saw Minister Fudge marching across the office.
"I need a new head of investigations and Jane Black is just the girl for the job." Madame Bones said pleasantly.
"But she's not- she can't be-" Fudge stuttered out.
"And why not?" Madame Bones questioned.
"The investigation department is part of the auror department and she needs training." He insisted.
"Actually, minister," Kingsley Shacklebolt began in his low calm voice. "She does not need any sort of rigorous Auror field training, only basic training. Which, if I recall correctly she had back, in 1978 when she started at the ministry under the Improper use of Magic office. It was a requirement if you remember during that time that all ministry employees in the DMLE receive basic defense training."
He flicked his wand and another file appeared in his hands.
"Ah yes, she passed her training with exceptional colors. And participated in renewing the training every 3 years even though it was no longer a requirement." He said. He continued to read through her credentials. "Oh and if you look here she started off in investigations under the improper use of magic office during the war. Not quite the same sort of investigations department but similar experience during that time only less field work and more of post analysis investigations. I'm sure you're aware that most divisions in this department are interconnected like a web? Not to mention her presiding role over the Wizengamot."
"I-I well she- she's corrupt!" Fudge exclaimed wildly. Jane thought he was going to turn purple. "She'll break her murdering husband out of Azkaban. She'll-"
"Enough Cornelius!" Madame Bones shouted. "If she just so happens to have found evidence while working in this office to free her husband then so be it. It means she is doing her job correctly and her Predecessors failed to uphold proper protocol and standards and you'll be lucky if you have any professional standing if you allow an innocent man to rot in Azkaban."
"He is not innocent!" Fudge spluttered angrily.
"Perhaps" Madame Bones said. "But if you're wrong and you were the one who blocked further investigations it's on your head. Now this is my department I will run it how I please. Get out!"
Fudge stomped away furiously. Amelia turned back to Jane.
"Now the Gringotts case comes first as well as any ministry approved cases, understood?" She said. "With this case as with other ministry approved cases you'll have a team of investigators and Aurors. Tomorrow when you start, Kingsley will introduce you to them."
Jane and Kingsley both nodded in confirmation.
"You'll have access to any files, reports, or materials you may need. You do not need to come to me or anyone else for approval. This includes your own personal investigation," she looked at Jane meaningfully. "The only thing you'll ever need permission for is visits to Azkaban. Which may sometimes be necessary for some cases. As I'm sure you know."
—
Jane sat in the office of the flat in London. Avalon and the boys were asleep upstairs. The twins took the master bedroom and Jane transfigured the crib into a bed for Avalon in the Nursery. Remus sat in an armchair in the office pouring over the large files of Death Eaters.
"Walden Macnair," Remus grumbled. "How did he not end up in Azkaban."
"I ask myself that same question everyday about Malfoy," Jane mumbled without looking up. She sighed. "None of them are going to agree to talk if they even know about Pettigrew."
"The Death Eaters were masked weren't they?" Remus said. "They didn't even know who each other were or only knew the identities of a few. For the most part anyway."
"Yes I know," Jane sighed again in frustration. "Except for the ones in the inner circle. Like Bellatrix Lestrange or Lucius Malfoy. OBut even if they didn't know everyone."
"What did you say Sirius said again?" Remus asked.
"That the ones in Azkaban blame Wormtail and want revenge on him." Jane said. She slumped back into her chair. "But I need a reason to go to Azkaban and right now I don't have one. They won't let me go in for an off the book investigation."
"And I'm only seeing people who won't talk. So the only ones that we're finding that might talk are Karkaroff who is now in Bulgaria. And Snape who hates us." Remus said.
"Exactly," Jane said. "Unless…"
Remus quirked an eyebrow at her. "Hmm?"
"My mother was a Slythern and from one of the oldest families," Jane grimaced. "One thing she taught me was good old fashioned pureblood politics."
An: I probably just failed a final but hope you like a new chapter!
