Lily keeps doing her job. And she meets someone mysterious.

LILY XXVI

The White Wyvern was one of those places where civilized people with good intentions would never go. Lily had been to this pub already, a long time ago, during the First Wizarding War, and the impression she had back then of being watched all the time was still present today. Her butterbeer was cold in her hand, and everyone around was speaking so low that you couldn't make out what they said. With a simple spell, Lily would have been able to hear distinctly what they were discussing, whether they talked about buying illegal magical artifacts or planning a murder. But today, she wasn't here to spy. She was here to meet someone, and he told her to meet him at this place. Lily had shortened her hair and dyed it in blond to not be noticed, and she wore a heavy dark cloak that covered most of her face, which was not something unusual in such a place. Everyone was trying to conceal his identity, while trying to uncover the identity of the others around them.

She took another sip of her butterbeer and contained a grimace. This one was really not good. She didn't think that people here came to enjoy a drink.

"Want a refill?" the barman asked her. She made a slight nod in denegation, and the bearded man walked away without giving her any more attention.

Lily waited, and waited. He was taking his time. Now she understood better why Miranda had to be absent often to meet her sources. These people often evolved in underground worlds and needed to make sure no one would realize they were providing information to people at the Ministry of Magic, or worse. Lily had been an Auror for a very short time, so she didn't have an informant network that extended as much as Miranda's, but she had some contacts nonetheless. The one she was to meet today was an old acquaintance, someone she knew from the last war. She never really liked this man, as did most of her friends, but he had always been loyal and the information he provided accurate. If he had something to provide, she couldn't ignore it. He saved lives in the past with the intelligence he provided.

People came in and out of the pub. Sometimes, they only stayed for a few seconds, exchanging a few words or a small scroll with someone else before leaving. Others had been there since Lily walked in. The only thing all these people had in common was that they all bought something from the barman. Lily suspected this was some kind of unspoken deal for everyone who came in here. They could deal in whatever they wanted, as long as they bought something from the owner. Lily suspected there was high level of criminal activity in this place, but she was told to not try to arrest anyone under any circumstance, not only by her contact, but also by Miranda, who was used to frequent that kind of place.

Another hooded figure walked through the doorstep and came to sit to the counter, at the extreme opposite of where Lily sat down. She commanded a drink Lily never heard about before, and a large horn was brought to her, which she emptied right away before putting it back roughly on the counter.

"Another," she commanded, and the barman brought it to her immediately.

This time, this woman, for her voice clearly identified her gender, sipped it quite more slowly, and Lily caught a glint of brown eyes fixed on her when her head turned slightly in her direction.

The door opened again. And when Lily smelled the unmistakable odor of tobacco and alcohol as the clumsy steps approached her, she knew he was there.

"It's been a long time, Lily," the short man said as he sat down next to her.

"It has," she confirmed, as Mundungus Fletcher commanded a drink whose name she didn't know. The barman came back immediately with a fuming green liquid. "What do you have?"

"Relax an instant, dear. Let me quench my thirst."

Lily wasn't sure if that liquid could quench anything. She suspected that if fire was set upon it, it would burn everything around. Still, she watched Mundungus drink it to the last drop. When he was done, he belched, and commanded another glass.

"Okay. Now we can talk business," he declared. "You have what I asked for."

Lily produced a very small bag full of Galleons, which she kept under her cloak, only to be seen by Mundungus and no one else in the pub. He extended his big fingers towards it, but Lily took the purse away from him.

"I brought what I promised. Do you have what you said you would?" she asked him.

He took another sip of the strange liquid. "I talked around, tried to see if anyone knew something. You're lucky, there's a guy who help people to leave the country without asking too many questions. However, he's very observant. And he happens to have a debt to me. I described him the man you're looking for. And guess what? He helped him to leave the country."

"When?"

"He didn't say. The extent of his debt was not sufficient to entirely betray the professional secret. But still, he let it slip it that it happened a while ago. From his use of words, I'd say in September."

September! Lily couldn't believe it. They spent the last two months looking for Crouch Junior in the United Kingdom and Ireland. According to the informants of Bartemius Crouch Senior, his son was still on the territory controlled by the Ministry of Magic. But now, they got confirmation that he left the country, and a while ago.

"This man? Is he trustworthy?"

Mundungus shrugged. "He's an honest man, who will get the job done if we pay him. Not a liar. Doesn't say a lot, mind you. But when he speaks, it's usually the truth."

"Usually the truth?" Lily asked. "I need more than someone who usually tells the truth."

"What can I tell, Lily? That's the way the world works. And this is all I can give you. Now, I held my part of the bargain. I think I'm entitled to some reward." Lily exhaled in frustration and discreetly gave him the purse. "A pleasure to deal with you, Lily."

He emptied his glass, and with a last smile to Lily, he left the place. Lily left not long after. She didn't stay in Knockturn Alley long after that. She had no desire to remain in such a place. She Apparated quite quickly and found herself back in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic. About half an hour later, she was sitting in a secret conference room of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement along with Miranda Savage, Amelia Bones and Bartemius Crouch Senior, her hair back to their natural color, having just told them what transpired from a meeting with one of her sources. She couldn't tell them who the source actually was, of course, and it was common practice in the Ministry to let Aurors and other officials with law enforcement powers deal with their sources and only reveal them when asked by the most senior officials. So far, Amelia Bones didn't ask Lily to divulge the identity of her source. Even if she did, Lily would have to keep her superior in the dark about Dumbledore's involvement. No one knew that she warned him, that Sirius and Remus were already on Crouch Junior's tracks on the continent, and that Lily only managed to get information from Mundungus thanks to Dumbledore's intercession. Only now, she had proof that she could present to the Ministry's people that Crouch Junior was no longer in Great Britain.

"This source? Is it reliable?" Crouch Senior asked.

"It is," Lily stated.

"It doesn't surprise me," Amelia Bones declared. "One of my own sources recently informed me that your son was no longer in the United Kingdom, Barty. It seems that he managed to fool your network of informants. Does he know a lot about it?"

Crouch Senior seemed upset. "He may have heard or seen things about it," he admitted. "Although I was careful to never broach any official subject with him. He was a prisoner, might I remind you." This man always reminded them whenever he could that his son was still a prisoner after he helped him escape Azkaban. Lily also felt he was annoyed that his own informants' network failed him. "But, if he managed to break from the Imperius Curse from time to time, he might have found things in my documents and files."

"So your network of informants is not as useful as you thought it would be," Lily concluded.

"Everything showed me that my son was still in the country. Now that we know he left it, I can ask my informants in other countries to keep an eye for him," he replied harshly.

"Do it," Amelia Bones ordered. "We got to find him. Leave us now, Barty. I've got to discuss with Evans and Savage."

It wasn't unusual. Bartemius Crouch Senior was often excluded from parts of reunions concerning the operations to catch his son if it was deemed unnecessary for him to know certain things. Lily was glad they treated him as an informant, not as someone who led the hunt to find his son. The Ministry did maintain him in his functions, but he was watched closely, day and night. Once he was gone, Amelia Bones spoke to both Lily and Miranda.

"It is not that surprising. We knew the odds were likely that Crouch Junior would try to leave the island."

"Well, everything shows he did," Lily said.

"He could still be trying to cover his tracks," Miranda said. "This could be a ploy to make us think he is outside of England while he remains hidden under our nose. Remember how difficult it was for us to locate Pettigrew last year."

"We cannot eliminate that possibility," Amelia Bones conceded. "Which is why we must divide our forces." She looked at Lily. "Evans, you're leaving for the continent."

Lily was taken aback. "The continent?" she asked.

"Yes. We need someone in Europe to track the fugitive. Miranda has more sources and informants in our country, so we will need her here. You're the most logical choice to send on the continent."

"So… I'll have to work with the Ministries of Magic of other countries?" Lily asked. She doubted it would be the case though. And the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement confirmed it.

"No. This remains a secret operation, including for other ministries. You'll be undercover. We will prepare a series of false identities for you to hide in various places. And you'll have to alter your physical appearance in some of them." Bones looked straight at Lily. "This is a long-term assignment, Lily. As long as we will suspect Crouch Junior to be in Europe, you'll have to stay there until you find him."

Lily realized immediately what it meant. She would be far from her home for quite some time. Possibly weeks, even months, maybe years if that was the case. She would be far from her friends. She would be far from Harry. The prospect of it caused a pang in her heart. She should have expected that it would happen. Aurors did not have steady schedules and could be asked to travel abroad for various reasons, including to conduct investigation. However, she didn't think it would happen so soon in her career.

"We'll start preparing an action plan," Miranda said.

"Good," Bones replied. "You may go, Savage. Evans, you stay a little while. We have some things to discuss."

And so, Lily found herself alone with the Head of the Department, still recovering from the fact that she would have to be far away for possibly quite a long time.

"It will be very important that your presence in Europe not be discovered, Evans," Amelia Bones explained to her. "The Minister was very clear. This investigation and Crouch's escape from Azkaban is not only secret for the people of England, but also for the wizarding community across the world."

"Is that really the best course of action?" Lily asked. "Crouch Junior is outside the country. If we informed the world that he was still alive, we would have more resources to find him."

"I agree," Amelia Bones said after a while. "But this is the Minister's decision. You will only be able to rely on the informal network of informants both the Ministry and Barty have on the continent."

Lily said nothing. But she was angry at Fudge, who obviously placed public relations before the safety of people.

"So, when should I leave?"

"The sooner the better," her superior replied. "We'll arrange something to make people believe you were temporarily transferred to another Ministry at the other side of the world, to not have anyone suspicious about the motives of your absence. But before…" The woman stood up. "I have someone to introduce you to. Follow me."

Lily did so, intrigued. She and Amelia went across the second floor, reached a lift, and there took it to the ninth level. When the doors opened, the cool voice that announced floors only said three words.

"Department of Mysteries."

Lily had come there in the past. That was where the trial of Peter Pettigrew took place over a year ago. However, they didn't take the steps leading downwards this time. Instead, they headed forward to the black door ahead of them.

"Why are we in the Department of Mysteries?" Lily asked.

"You'll see," Bones replied, as she placed her hand on the doorknob. "Don't close the door behind you."

And she opened the door. Lily followed her, doing what she said. They entered a circular room, and Amelia stood in front of a particular door which looked identical to the others around.

"Order and disorder. Imbalance comes with a price."

As the woman ahead of Lily pronounced these words, a mechanism was heard, and the door opened. Lily followed Amelia Bones inside. Once she was on the other side, the door closed behind her. This emphasized the fluorescent green and blue lights that lightened the place, keeping it in a semi-darkness. The light came from lines on the walls and the ground that formed strange symbols. However, a few seconds after they entered, torches lit everywhere, and the room was bathed into complete light.

"You brought someone."

The voice came from Lily's right, and she turned right away towards it. It came from a tall figure, wearing a dark cloak and hood that covered her face.

"Yes. I did," Amelia Bones replied next to Lily.

"Hmm." The person behind the hood seemed to gauge Lily. "I'm fine with it."

What surprised Lily the most about the voice of this woman, for this was definitely a woman who hid under this cloak, was the accent. She didn't know where it was from, but this woman was definitely not from Great Britain or Ireland.

"I would like you to share the information you gave me with Lily Evans, who's there," Amelia Bones said. Lily looked back to her, not totally understanding.

"Is that the person who told you…?" Lily began, but the other woman with an accent replied instead of Amelia.

"Yes. I know where Bartemius Crouch Junior has gone."

Lily faced the unknown woman again, to see that she removed her hood all of a sudden. The flames of the torches were dancing on her tanned skin. Her shining brown eyes stared at Lily, while a large plait of hair of the same color fell over her left shoulder, a few strands still being free.

"And you better go after him before it's too late," the woman added.

Lily stared at her for a long moment. She had the distinctive impression to have seen this woman before.

"Have we met before?"

The woman smiled. "We have. Not long ago."

Then she caught the shining in her eyes again, and she remembered.

"The pub. You were there this morning."

Her smile widened. This wasn't a smile of happiness, but that of someone who had something behind her head. "You want to find Bartemius Crouch Junior? It happens that I want him being caught too. He was seen a few days ago in the small village of Sagiada, in Greece. I suggest you start your search of him there when you leave for Europe."

"How do you know he was there?"

"I have my sources."

Lily looked at Amelia Bones. "She's your source? The one you mentioned earlier?" the older woman nodded to confirm. Lily returned her attention to the other woman. "Who are you?"

Something bothered Lily about this woman. She felt like she couldn't be trusted. There was something in her demeanour that made her feel uneasy. But this woman only kept grinning.

"Is that really important?"

"I like to know who I'm speaking to," Lily retorted.

The grin only grew wider. "Just know that I am on your side. And that there is a specific and very good reason why I'm following this Crouch. I'm sure you will realize why when I tell you that this village where he was spotted is located at the border between Greece and Albania."

The effect was instantaneous on Lily. Her mind was caught by the name of the country, like each time she heard it, even if it had absolutely no link.

"Voldemort." Lily whispered the name, and it was as if air had left the small room in which they stood.

"I see you understand," the woman with an accent then said. Lily wondered for a moment if this accent was Greek. "And just so you know, there was another man, a certain Peter Pettigrew, who went to Albania last year before he died, during the months of October and November." This froze Lily's heart and lungs for a moment. "Whatever you're planning to do, I suggest you do it quickly."

The woman put back her hood over her face and moved away. Before Lily could realize it, and without knowing how she did, this woman had disappeared. It was as if she Disapparated in silence. Lily looked around the room, finding no one.

"You will not find her," Amelia Bones told her, as serious as always. "Believe me, I already tried."

Lily looked at the only other woman left with her in this room. "Who was this?"

"A friend. She helped us in the past. The information she provided helped us to prevent disasters, and also to arrest dangerous people."

"You knew?" Lily let some time go on. "You knew that Crouch was in Albania? And Pettigrew as well?"

"No. She only sent me words that Crouch Junior was on the continent this morning, and she asked me to meet her here. As for Pettigrew, this is the first I'm hearing about this. From her, at least. Dumbledore told me he suspected Pettigrew may have made his way to Albania during the previous autumn."

Lily remained there, unmoving, under the shock of this news. Voldemort was by all accounts hiding somewhere in a forest of Albania. If Pettigrew went there, then came back to Britain, he probably attacked Harry on Voldemort's orders. And if Barty Crouch Junior was there as well…

"I've got to go," she declared.

"No, you don't," Amelia Bones said firmly. "The arrangements for your departure are not completed yet. You will not be able to leave before three days. You cannot even use official means of transportation to go in Europe."

Lily wanted to lash out at this woman, to tell her that her son's safety was in danger, that she had to stop Crouch Junior before he could somehow make contact with Voldemort, but the severe and unflinching gaze of Amelia Bones stopped her from saying so. For a long moment, both women remained there, silent. Then Lily thought about something.

"You said three days?" she asked.

"Yes," Amelia Bones replied.

"Then, in this case," Lily declared, "I have a favor to ask."

They were on October 29, 1994.

Try to guess who this mysterious woman is. A clue: she's not part of the Harry Potter universe.

Please review.

Next chapter: Severus