Amelia Bones sat at her desk reading through the report the Minister had sent her. She already had questions she wanted answered. Why hadn't they been informed sooner. Why hadn't any of the parents filed their own report. Instead now she had to find two children who had been missing for a week.
Any trail they might have left would be long gone by now. Amelia was normally calm and collected, but the knowledge that the Headmaster had waited a full week before informing the DMLE irked her to no end. She also thought it was odd the no parents had personally filed a report.
Getting up from her desk, Amelia peeked her head outside to call to her secretary.
"Felicity please gather all the squad captains for debriefing."
"Yes ma'am." Felicity replied immediately sending out summons to all on-duty captains
Within five minutes Amelia had three captains waiting for debrief. Looking each one over Amelia felt a small bit of pride blossom in her chest. These were her Aurors. Each one just as capable as the next. Kingsley Shacklebolt. Rufus Scrimgeour. Gawain Robards. Wanting to get a move on Amelia broke the silence.
"At ease gentleman. I have a very important case here. Minister Fudge himself dumped this on my lap just this morning. As to what it's about, as of five days ago students Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass were officially reported missing. Although the pair have been missing since the end of the first task a week ago." She said
"Who reported them missing?" Robards asked
"I don't know yet, that's apart of this debriefing. There's many thing we need answered and we're already a week behind. Robards, pop over to Hogwarts, find out who made the report. Start with the staff, see what they know. From there have them point you to any close friends and housemates."
"Yes ma'am." Robards responded
"Good. Scrimgeour, as Head Auror I need you to stay here and keep the patrols and daily routine running. As well as update all patrols. For now tell them to keep alert for our missing children. When Robards come back with his findings update the patrols with any necessary information."
"It'll be done, Director." Scrimgeour acknowledged
"Shack you're with me. We'll be visiting the parents of the missing kids. I've got a few questions i want answered."
"Yes ma'am." Shacklebolt intoned
With that all the Aurors left the office to complete their duties.
-TGE-
In the last five mimutes Captain Robards found himself trudging his way up to Professor McGonagall's office, his four squadmates in tow. Upon arrival he proceeded to explain how he and his men were to there to take statements and gather any information relevant to the case.
McGonagall complied and started arranging meetings for the Aurors. Starting with the closest friends of the missing students Minerva summoned and elf to fetch the children. With that done she went back to grading papers.
In the great hall having their breakfast interrupted by an elf were three students. All of which we told to report to Professor McGonagall's office immediately. Several minutes later Tracy Davis, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley entered the office. At first all their faces made sense for students being called to a teachers office outside class.
Upon seeing the Aurors they all immediately relaxed. Apparently they understood what they were here for. That would make the Aurors jobs infinitely easier.
"Alright kiddos, you all can see why you're here so let's get on with it." Robards said
"Um sir? What about the rest of us?" One Auror asked tentatively
"Talk to the professor. Get a list of all the other students and staff we need to talk to and get to work on it. We have reports to fill out or the Director is gonna have all our heads."
"Yes sir!" The four chorused
With that the Professor and Aurors went to the side to get to work. Pulling up a chair, Robards got to work.
"Alright kids. No doubt you all know two students are missing. Prominent students at that. Now with all the foreign delegates it'd be real bad to have such a mess especially following last year. You three are obviously closely connected to the missing, what I need to know is how, and how does that help me find your friends. Got it?" Robards asked
Three nods of affirmation later the group took their seats and got to work.
-TGE-
Amelia and Kingsley apparated down the street for Number 4 Privet Drive. They had gotten the home addresses of the missing students from the Ministry archives. Walking up to the door Amelia knocked sharply and waited.
After a few moments a tall, thin woman opened the door.
"Hello, how may I help you?" She asked
"Are you Petunia Dursley?" Amelia asked
"Yes."
"We're here to inform you that your nephew, along with one other student have been reported missing from school. We've come to understand that this might be a difficult thing to hear but if there is anything you can tell us that might help us find him we'd appreciate it." Kingsley said
A brief look of guilt flitted across Petunia's face before she spoke.
"No sorry. Despite being his guardians we don't exactly interact much."
"But you're listed as his maternal aunt. A direct blood relation." Amelia questioned
"I know what I am! Look I don't know how things work for you in your little hidden world where magic shits sunshine and daisies, but here in the real world family isn't always some sacred bond that cant be broken. Family is a choice, my sister chose magic over family. And when my nephew was brought here after her death I too made a choice. I chose my family over him. So yes I am his aunt, but no we don't interact much." Petunia ranted
Amelia was taken back by the to pure emotion she could feel from the woman's words. Regret for choices made in the past whether by her or others. Yet acceptance for where she is now. Seeing Kingsley about to keep pushing, she cut him off.
"Very well Mrs. Dursley. We're terribly sorry for the intrusion and no doubt poking old wounds." Amelia apologized
"No I should be the one apologizing. You're just doing your jobs. Look despite not having any real relationship with my nephew he's a decent kid and I don't want to see him hurt. But there's really nothing I can do to help. He slept and ate here. He did his chores and kept to himself. We simply let him be." Petunia explained pure exhaustion tinging her voice
"I see, well thank you for your time Mrs. Dursley. We'll get out of your hair now." Amelia said
With that Amelia and Kingsley left. Once out of sight the pair apparated away, only the sound of two pops signaling their departure. The same pops heralded thwir arrival at their next destination.
Laid out before them was a beautiful garden. Long hedges fencing in the edges, various flower dotted the beds. Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, lilies, magnolias. Three fountains spraying water into sparkling pools. In the middle was a table with several chairs surrounding it.
A pop sounded next to them. Looking towards its source Amelia amd Kingsley were met with a pair of rather dapper looking elves. Both were dressed in dark blue robes that draped over their bodies loosely.
"Who are you?" The elf on the left asked
"I am Amelia Bones Director of the DMLE, with me is Auror Captain Kingsley Shacklebolt. We have a few questions for Mr. Ans Mrs. Greengrass about their daughter."
"Very well, Granite will tell Mistress Greengrass you are here." The elf on the left said before popping away
Amelia stared at the other elf that had yet to speak or move. Before she could ask what he was there for it spoke up.
"Marble is here to watch you. No funny business under Marbles watch." The elf proclaimed proudly
Amelia and Kingsley shared a look. Both shrugged their shoulders and waited to be attended to. They had questions and werent leaving until they had answers.
--
AN: im glad people are enjoying the story, to the reviewer who mentioned they couldnt take the story seriously.
Honestly thats fine, i dont want this to be some super serious angsty drama fest. While those can be good stories they have to be written properly and such a tale is beyond my skills as a writer. Its my hope for this to be a more lighthearted story about the relationship between harry and daphne. Granted there will be character deaths, and other dark elements implemented but overall the story is about harry and daphne.
Ill admit ive only planned this story till the end of 4th year. I have ideas to extend it past that but nothing concrete yet. I would enjoy reading suggestions for any ideas to use in this story and others. You could leave your suggestions as reviews but if you dont wanna do that i made a new instagram where you can dm you suggestions
@ charles.writings