Where we get to see Lily's work and training.

LILY XVII

"REDUCTO!"

The wall of concrete was reduced to a thin pile of rubble. Lily exhaled loudly. It did her some good, to take her frustration on something. It was better than to take it on someone.

"At this rhythm, you'll remove all concrete from Britain within the year."

Lily sighed and turned to face the person who interrupted her in one of the training rooms of the Auror Office.

"It helps," Lily simply stated.

"Perhaps, but it will not bring Pettigrew back to Azkaban more quickly."

As always, Miranda Savage hit the mark. She never mulled over her words. The woman was at the end of her thirties. She was a veteran of the last war, which she entered as an Auror at the very end, when Voldemort was at the peak of his power. She fought him and his supporters head on, as her patch over her right eye proved. She lost it at the end of the war when she participated to the arrest of Rabastan, Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, and of Bartemius Crouch Junior. As part of their third and last year of training, each apprentice like Lily was assigned to an Auror who was some sort of a mentor, and who they accompanied in some missions in the field. In Lily's case, it was this woman. Nymphadora was paired up with Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"I suggest you focus on your training," Savage told her.

"I am. I was just blowing off some steam."

"It's blown up now. I suggest you get back to work. I'll need you this afternoon. Mission on the field."

On that, Savage turned her heels and headed back to her office. Lily felt like she was scolded, as if she was a little girl. Still, she kept her calm. The last few days had not been easy. Between Wormtail's escape, her son who left for Hogwarts once again, and finally Remus' letter to inform her of what happened in the Hogwarts Express when Dementors inspected the train, she had to take her frustration on something, and that's what she did. But now the seminar was about to resume, and she had to go there. So she did.

Alastor Moody was their speaker today. Lily knew him from their time in the Order of the Phoenix, but he went on his lesson at the exact hour it was supposed to begin. And this lesson was about the importance of remaining watchful in all circumstances and the techniques Aurors had to adopt as instincts to ensure their own safety and that of others. Lily took notes of everything he said mechanically, while she worried about her son, like she often did.

Remus wrote to her to explain that Harry had fainted when a Dementor came to examine his compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Remus arrived in time to send the Dementor away. He said Harry looked weak after this, but that he would recover quite quickly. Despite this, Lily didn't feel much reassured.

Lily had heard about Dementors, although she never met any of them. However, everything she heard about them indicated that they were among the worst creatures on this earth. Sirius, through his short experience as a prisoner at Azkaban, had provided her with a lot of horrible details about these things, and Lily felt she wouldn't want them anywhere near anyone who wasn't a criminal of the worst kind. So when she heard that Harry fainted while in the presence of one of them...

According to what she was told, Dementors were only supposed to guard the entrances of the castle. They were not supposed to wander on the Hogwarts Express, siphoning all happy memories from the students. If she met the Minister Fudge, she would have a few chosen words to tell him right now.

Truth be told, Lily didn't see the usefulness of positioning Dementors around Hogwarts. They couldn't stop Wormtail from escaping Azkaban. If he tried to harm Harry, she didn't see how they could stop him.

"When you chase a target, always expect the unexpected. You can try to think like a dark mage as much as you can, he will always think about something you won't have thought about. Constant vigilance!" Moody roared.

Nymphadora jumped next to her, like most of the classroom. Lily, who was used to Alastor's roaring and warning, and with her mind partially on other matters, was the only one to remain still. She kept writing down Moody's advice about how to apprehend criminals in a way that would at the same time maximize the chances of catching the target while limiting to the minimum the risks for Aurors and whoever they worked with.

"If you are ready to die at your post, then let me tell you one thing: you are idiots! An Auror is useless when he is dead. You must stay alive so you may keep fighting, and keep chasing after the most dangerous men and women of the country. Playing hero is for children. You are Aurors, and as such, your job is to remain alive as long as you can, and as long as you can fight, to stop these people."

Lily almost wanted to smile. This was exactly what they were telling each other back during the war, in the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore always said that they were not fighting to bring as many Death Eaters with them in death. They fought so they could live. And yet, so many of them died. And one of the men responsible for these deaths was out there, free.

After two hours of advice and details about how to avoid getting killed during missions, Moody finally told everyone they were free to go. Of course, he warned them to remain vigilant.

"I think he's even more paranoid than three years ago," Nymphadora said as she placed her things into her bag. "I worked with him to arrest an alchemist during my seventh year, and he already was obsessed with vigilance. Now I think he says it twice as often."

"I know," Lily said. "He is paranoid. At the same time, can we blame him? He filled half the cells of Azkaban. And if he had been the one to watch over Peter Pettigrew, I'm not sure he would have escaped."

Tonks nodded empathically. "Still, I'm not sure if I want to spend every second of my life watching over my shoulder."

"Not just over your shoulder, Tonks," the rough voice said. Despite his wooden leg, Moody somehow managed to approach them without being noticed, maybe because of all the other sounds around as other trainees were leaving. "Sometimes, danger can be right in front of us."

Lily couldn't have agreed more. Wormtail had been right under their nose this whole time, for years, and they didn't realize it was him.

"I know. Constant vigilance," Nymphadora said, though definitely not with the same conviction as Moody.

"Good. Say that enough times and it'll get into your head. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk with Lily," the former Auror said.

"Alright. Since I'm too much here... See you for lunch, Lily."

"Bye, Tonks," Lily told her as the young woman walked away. Lily now found herself alone with one of the best Auror in the whole history of the Ministry of Magic.

"Hey, Evans. Everything alright?" he asked, very seriously.

"Yes, I'm fine, Alastor. Thank you."

He nodded, grumbling. "Good. Remain vigilant. As long as this rat is out there, you can't take any risk."

"I know, Alastor. My husband died the last time because we were not careful enough. We trusted the wrong person. I don't intend to make the same mistake twice."

He nodded approvingly. "I guess they don't let you participate to the chase?"

"No. I'm too implicated. Anyway, Kingsley is in charge of the operation."

"A good Auror. Probably the best choice to make. Though I wish he didn't need twelve years to find that worm the first time."

"Tonks was assigned to him. She helps him some time and keeps me updated." He grimaced. "You don't think it's a good idea?"

"I would have chosen someone else than Nymphadora for that kind of mission. And I disagree with the Ministry. We can never be too involved. We can only not be involved at all. They should use your anger and your desire of revenge to get Pettigrew, instead of wasting your talent and your time with training. They should already have made you an Auror."

She didn't know whether she should feel flattered that Alastor Moody thought she was ready to be an Auror, or insulted that he said she only wanted to get revenge on Wormtail.

"Anyway, I'm doing work on the field now that I am in my last year of training. I'm close to the finish line."

"We're never anywhere near the end. Not until we die. Remain vigilant," he reminded her.

And on that, Alastor Moody left. Lily followed him for a time but they took different paths very quickly. Lily went to the cafeteria where Nymphadora was waiting for her. Tonks' hair had changed from pink to purple while Lily was discussing with Alastor.

"Let me guess what he told you," Nymphadora said on a cheery tone. "Constant vigilance."

"Among other things," Lily confirmed while sitting down. "Alastor may not be an Auror anymore, but he certainly still thinks like one."

"He certainly does. Maybe too much. I hope that I won't become as paranoid as he is when I reach the same age he has."

Lily didn't reply to this. She had a lot of respect for Alastor. He did more than any other Auror to arrest Voldemort's supporters, but he also always tried to capture his targets alive, and only killed them when he was left with no other option. Lily thought that it was a waste and a great loss for the Ministry when they forced him to resign. As paranoid as Alastor could be, or as vigilant he could be in his own words, he was still a formidable wizard, and many Death Eaters would hesitate to face him even today. Lily regretted he was no longer working. He could have helped in the efforts to find Wormtail.

"Anything planned with Kingsley?" Lily asked.

"Not for now. Not really," Nymphadora replied, before saying in a lower voice. "Most of the people we questioned either invented their stories or hallucinated. Anyway, how can we distinguish a rat from another? Everyone who's seen one seems to call us."

"Yeah. Pettigrew's disguise is far too efficient."

"Did you ever think about becoming an Animagus?" Tonks asked all of a sudden, looking quite curious.

"No," Lily answered after a moment. "My husband was the rule-breaker. I wasn't."

"And Harry? Where would you say he is?"

Lily took another moment to think carefully about it. "Somewhere between the two," she confessed, regretting she couldn't truthfully tell he was like her. At least, he didn't break rules for fun. When he did it, he had very good reasons to do it, although Lily still wished he didn't.

"Don't worry. I was a rule-breaker back when I was at Hogwarts. And now look where I am, training to become an Auror."

Lily let a smile creep on her face. "I wouldn't expect Harry to become an Auror."

"What do you think he's going to do later?"

Lily thought about that again. "For now, I would say that if he was to choose a career, he would like to become a professional Quidditch player."

"That would be great!"

Indeed, it would be. Lily would rather see her son far away from deadly actions. After Quirrell and the Basilisk, he already met more than his share of threats in life. And despite Quidditch being a rough and violent sport, especially for Seekers like Harry, it was far safer than being an Auror. While many Aurors died in office, there had never been a single Quidditch player who died during a match. And James would have been proud and overjoyed to see his son becoming a Quidditch player.

Lily thought about the Quidditch World Cup that would take place next summer. It would take place in Great Britain. Tickets would begin to sell very soon. She would have to make sure she bought two, or else Harry would probably want to kill her. She sadly thought that this might outrage her deceased husband so much that he could rise from the dead just to scold her. This brought a mourning smile to her lips.

Nymphadora was talking about her favourite Quidditch team when Savage appeared next to them, as if she just Apparated.

"Evans, I need you," she roughly said. "Now."

"Very well," Lily replied, though she wished she could have finished her lunch. She probably spent too much time working on a regular schedule since 1983. She lost the habit of being called upon anytime. "See you soon, Tonks," she told the young woman as she stood up.

"Bye Lily," Nymphadora said.

"What's going on?" Lily then asked the Auror as they walked away.

"You can forget about this mission on the field that was planned for the afternoon. I had to meet a source, but my contact came to us instead," Miranda Savage explained. "Best opportunity for you to see how we deal with informants and turncloaks."

Aurors, especially those with experience and a long career behind them, indeed often developed networks and relationships who could provide them with information and help in their investigations. It was no wonder that so few people managed to become Aurors. They had to excel not only in all facets of magic, but also in various domains that were not at all related to anything that could be taught in a book or in a classroom. So very few of the applicants realized that an Auror spent much more time gathering information and writing than actually fighting. Lily had no problem with that. The same was true back when she worked for the Order. They could follow trails for weeks, months, if not years before they could actually take action. However, given what she saw from the other Aurors so far, she felt that she would quickly regret the bureaucracy and paperwork of the Ministry. Savage herself said that half the reports she was filing were completely useless.

"Why is he coming to the Ministry of Magic? Won't it look bad to his collaborators? His business partners?" Lily asked.

She had heard enough from Mundungus Fletcher to know that having the authorities around you was the worst thing for a trafficker, because no one else would want to do business with him. So for such a man to come willingly to the Ministry could only mean he wanted the leave the business, which seemed unlikely considering what Savage told Lily about this man, or that he was desperate.

"Indeed. Which is why this meeting if of the utmost importance," Savage replied.

They arrived in front of a large iron door. A magical glass, much like those policemen used among the Muggles, allowed people from the exterior to look in the interrogation room, without people inside being able to see people on the outside. Miranda Savage stopped Lily in front of the door.

"You're coming with me inside. But it is my source. I'll do the interview myself. Don't interrupt unless I give you instructions. Do you understand, Evans?"

Lily nodded, although she wished again that Savage wouldn't behave with her like she was a little girl. Only a few years separated them, and Lily fought Voldemort and his disciples just as much, if not more than Savage did during the war. Still, she was just a trainee, and she had to respect authority.

Savage made a sign of the head, then she opened the door that cringed loudly as it turned on its hinges. Inside, a man who had to be in his early fifties was waiting for them. He wore clothes that were clearly from another age, with a big felt hat, had a cigar from which he took a huge puff the moment they walked in. He looked like one of these Italian gangsters in movies. Lily wondered how he could manage to go unnoticed.

"Will Altrincham," Savage stated as she sat in front of the man. Lily remained behind, standing.

"Miranda Savage," he said, smirking. He looked up at Lily. "I see you brought a friend. And not any friend." He stood up and bowed slightly. "Lily Evans Potter. A real pleasure to meet you."

He sat down. Lily remained impassive. It wasn't displays of courtesy like that that would impress her. She was more than used to people's reactions when they realized who she was. Savage, on her side, was staring at their guest.

"What brings you here, Will?" she asked.

"Bad news, I'm afraid. Very bad news," he said with an expression of obviously faked concern.

"Then say it. But I warn you, we can't help you if you don't help us."

"I'm afraid I haven't come asking for your help, Miranda. I have come to give you my help, in whatever small way I can provide it."

That was odd. A person working in the black market seldom came to the authorities to give them a hand. Such individuals only did it when they had something to gain from it.

"Very well. What is this help you want to provide?" Miranda asked, not lifting her eyes from Will's face.

"I want to give you an advice. Stay away from this. You don't know who you're dealing with, and you don't want to deal with them."

Savage let some time go before she replied. "So this is why you came here? To tell me to abandon?"

"Don't blame me, Miranda. I'm merely the messenger. And these people you're tracking... They reached out to me. And believe me, you don't want to go after them. You don't know what they are capable of."

"I think we both know very well what they can do. Dead children, dozens of people gravely injured... All Muggles, and done through with magical explosions."

"They are not who you think they are." His relaxed behavior turned into a much more serious, even threatening one. "These are not people we can investigate, or suspect, or even talk to. They will not let anyone meddle in their affairs. They told me to come here so that I could tell you this."

"Well, I will meddle in their affairs. Their actions endangered the magical world and caused the death of innocent people. So, if you want our help, you'll need to provide us with information on these people. You said you are their messenger. Let's start with the person who told you this. Who is he?"

"You don't get it." Will looked deadly serious now. "I'm not going to be your informant on this, Miranda. I'm staying away from these people. I made a mistake when I dealt with them the first time. I'm not going to make it again."

Savage leaned forward. "Did they threaten to kill you? If that's the case, we can provide you protection."

"You don't get it! You cannot protect me." He breathed heavily. "You saved my life, five years ago, Miranda, and for that I owe you. So listen to me. Stay away from all this."

The two people sitting in Lily's presence, the trafficker and the Auror, stared at each other, unflinching. Then Will spoke again.

"Arrest me if you want, but I won't help you tracking these people. From what I can judge, Dementors will be vacation when compared to them."

Lily was surprised by this declaration. She never knew anyone who considered Dementors to be a better fate than something else, whatever it was. Except during the war, when some people were afraid of Voldemort more than they ever were of Dementors.

"Very well, Will. This is your loss. Must I understand that our professional relationship is over?" Savage asked him, deadly serious as well.

Will hesitated. "I think it is better if we never see each other again."

Savage remained silent for quite some time. "So be it." The door loudly opened

Will stood up, bowed slightly towards Savage, then left. Lily heard the characteristic sound of Apparition behind as Will disappeared.

"Is it a good idea to let him run?" Lily asked.

"He is a trafficker. A crook. But not a murderer. These people who contacted him, however, they are. Muggle children died because of them. We got to find them. Letting Will run is a small price to pay for the chance to catch these people." Savage stood up. "Sometimes, we must let the cub run if we want to catch the leader of the pack."

As they left the interrogation room, Lily asked questions to Savage about the case. "Do we have any idea who these people are and why they caused those explosions?"

"For now, your guess is just as good as mine," the Auror replied grimly. "All we know is that these blasts were of magical origins, and that they were criminal and coming from the same source. However, no one made a claim about being behind these, and the trails we followed all led to nowhere. Will was my first serious trail, and now we lost him. Let's hope that by keeping an eye on him he may lead us to the ones responsible of these attacks."

"Are we sure that Muggle terrorist groups are not behind all this? I mean, they claimed those attacks quite quickly."

"We already questioned them, with the help of Obliviators. Muggles had nothing to do with those explosions. The only Muggles who were involved in this were the children who were killed, and they are only victims."

Lily sighed. "I can't believe people are targeting children."

"I'm not sure if they were the real targets. We don't even know why these people did this. But whoever they are, we must find them, and arrest them. Or else, they might start again."

"You think they could? After almost six months?"

"They might be preparing something bigger, hence the waiting. Scrimgeour and Bones made it very clear that this is my priority."

They arrived at Savage's cubicle. It was stark, with only a single photo showing the Auror with her husband and their daughter when they were much younger, before Miranda Savage lost an eye. She seized a pile of files.

"Take a look at these," she said, handing them to Lily. "They contain all the information on those bombings, and another pair of eyes might bring us some perspective. Give specific attention to the various trails and clues we have."

Lily nodded, and started to look at them. Unfortunately, this reminded her that although the war was over, the world was far from being safe for everyone. The photos of dead children, victims of those blasts, were proofs that all children, magical and non-magical, still needed to be protected in those times of peace. Times of peace when assassins escaped prisons and murderers killed innocent people for no reason in particular.

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