As Crabbe and Goyle sat in their dimly lit office, the atmosphere was thick with frustration. Their recent investigation into Blaise Zabini's death had hit a dead end, leaving them with more questions than answers. Just as they were about to review their notes for what felt like the hundredth time, an urgent owl arrived bearing news that would shift the direction of their investigation.
The letter was from the Italian Ministry of Magic, detailing the sudden and mysterious death of Mrs. Zabini, Blaise's mother. She had reportedly fallen down the stairs and broken her neck, dying instantly. Crabbe and Goyle exchanged glances, their faces reflecting the gravity of the news. While they hadn't known Mrs. Zabini personally, they were well aware of her notorious reputation among the Pureblood families who thrived on gossip.
Mrs. Zabini had been a figure of scandalous intrigue. Known for her series of marriages to wealthy wizards, her husbands had a peculiar habit of dying under suspicious circumstances, only for her to inherit their fortunes. Her pattern of marrying rich men and their subsequent mysterious deaths had made her a well-known figure in the underbelly of wizarding society. Over the years, she had accumulated a small fortune through her various marriages, each one marked by the untimely demise of her spouse. It was said in hushed whispers that she was responsible for the deaths of her seven husbands, but no one had ever been able to prove it.
The news of her death was sensational. The idea that someone might have killed her was not outside the realm of possibility. Perhaps it was someone seeking revenge for the suffering she had caused, or maybe even someone connected to Blaise's own death. The connection between the two deaths seemed too significant to ignore.
Determined to uncover the truth, Crabbe and Goyle decided they needed to investigate further. They applied for permission to travel to Italy, and with the necessary documentation in hand, they made their way to the Ministry of Magic's Transportation Office. After completing the required paperwork, they were issued an international portkey that would take them directly to Italy.
Arriving in Italy, they were greeted by the warm, sunny weather, a stark contrast to the cold, dark office they had left behind. They made their way to the scene of the crime, where Mrs. Zabini had died. The Italian authorities were cooperative, allowing them access to the crime scene and various pieces of evidence.
Upon arrival at the Zabini estate, the air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and old money. The grandeur of the mansion was evident even in its current state of disarray. They were shown to the area where Mrs. Zabini had met her end—a grand staircase with a marble floor that now bore the marks of her fatal fall.
Crabbe and Goyle meticulously examined the scene. They noted the position of the body, the broken railing of the staircase, and the surrounding furnishings. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing appeared to have been stolen. The scene suggested an accident, but both Crabbe and Goyle were seasoned enough to know that appearances could be deceiving.
Next, they paid a visit to Antonio Celent, a renowned wand maker in Italy who might have had dealings with the Zabinis. Celent was known for his exquisite craftsmanship and had a reputation for dealing with high-profile clients. Crabbe and Goyle hoped that he might provide some insight into the wand that could be connected to the murder. However, Celent's memory failed him, and he could not recall the specifics of whom he had sold wands to in recent years.
Undeterred, the pair continued their investigation. They turned their attention to the Zabini estate's magical wards. The wards around the mansion were designed to protect the property from intruders and could also provide valuable clues. Each ward stone registered the magical signatures of those who had access to the estate. By reviewing these records, Crabbe and Goyle hoped to identify those who had been near Mrs. Zabini before her death.
As they delved deeper into the ward stones, they discovered that there were eight magical signatures registered. This information was crucial; if they could identify these individuals, they could narrow down their search to a select group of suspects. The next step in their investigation would be to interview these eight individuals and see if any of them had a motive or opportunity to harm Mrs. Zabini.
Crabbe and Goyle compiled their findings and prepared to delve deeper into the investigation. They knew that each clue brought them closer to unraveling the mystery of Mrs. Zabini's death and, potentially, the connection to Blaise Zabini's own demise. The pressure was on, and they were determined not to let this case slip through their fingers.
Crabbe and Goyle stood in the grand foyer of the Zabini estate, the marble floors reflecting the light that streamed through the high windows. Their investigation had led them to a crucial moment: speaking with the house elf who had served Mrs. Zabini for many years. The elf, named Lila, was a wizened creature with large, expressive eyes and a demeanor that was both subservient and wary.
As they waited for Lila to arrive, Crabbe and Goyle reviewed their notes. The recent discovery of the eight magical signatures had narrowed their list of suspects, but they needed more specific details about Mrs. Zabini's interactions and visitors. They hoped that Lila, despite being a mere servant, might provide some useful information.
Lila appeared with a soft pop, her attire consisting of a simple, worn house elf tunic. She was a little nervous, but her loyalty to the Zabini family had made her somewhat accustomed to the pressures of dealing with high-profile guests. The elf bowed deeply, her large ears flapping slightly.
"Good day, Lila," Crabbe said, trying to sound reassuring. "We need your assistance with some questions regarding Mrs. Zabini's recent activities."
Lila looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and resignation. "Of course, sirs. How can Lila help?"
Crabbe and Goyle exchanged a glance before Goyle began, "We're investigating Mrs. Zabini's recent death and would like to know more about the people who visited her frequently. Can you tell us who she often had over to her house?"
Lila's ears drooped slightly as she thought. "Mistress Zabini, she was a private lady. She didn't often entertain many guests. But there was an old friend of hers who visited often. Her name is Patricia Bellini."
"Patricia Bellini?" Goyle repeated, jotting down the name. The surname sounded distinctly Italian, fitting for the kind of high-society gossip that surrounded Mrs. Zabini. "What can you tell us about her?"
Lila wrinkled her nose slightly. "Patricia is a woman of considerable age, very wealthy. She and Mistress Zabini have known each other for many years. Patricia would visit every few weeks, sometimes bringing gifts or letters. They would talk for hours, often about old times and their families."
"Did Patricia Bellini ever mention anything unusual or noteworthy during her visits?" Crabbe asked, pressing for more details.
Lila shook her head. "Not that Lila can remember. Mistress Zabini was not one to share her private matters with others. Lila only heard bits and pieces while cleaning the rooms. Patricia was always polite but never said much about their conversations."
Crabbe frowned. "What about Mrs. Zabini's family? Did anyone else visit her often?"
"Yes, sirs," Lila replied. "Mistress Zabini's nephews would come to visit whenever they were in Italy. They live in America and would visit during the summer or whenever they had time. They are both very wealthy and well-regarded. Their names are Giovanni and Luca Zabini."
Goyle raised an eyebrow. "And what do you know about them?"
Lila's expression became thoughtful. "Giovanni and Luca are well-known in the magical community. Giovanni is involved in business, while Luca is a prominent member of the magical council in America. They would visit their aunt and stay for a few days. They were always very respectful, but Lila never saw them interact much with anyone outside of their family."
"Did Mrs. Zabini ever seem troubled or agitated during these visits?" Crabbe inquired, hoping to glean any additional clues.
Lila shook her head. "No, Mistress Zabini was always composed. She didn't let anyone see her distress. If she was troubled, she kept it to herself. Lila didn't hear anything out of the ordinary."
Goyle sighed, a hint of frustration in his tone. "And what about you, Lila? Did you ever notice anything suspicious about anyone who visited?"
The house elf's ears drooped further as she considered the question. "No, sirs. Lila was focused on her work. Mistress Zabini was not particularly compassionate towards her health, and Lila was more concerned with her duties than with whom she entertained. She would sometimes notice things, but she never thought much of them."
Crabbe nodded thoughtfully. "So, Patricia Bellini and Mrs. Zabini's nephews were the main visitors. It seems like the list of suspects could include them, but we need more information to narrow it down further."
"Lila is sorry she cannot be of more help," the house elf said earnestly. "If there is anything else Lila can do, please let her know."
Crabbe and Goyle thanked Lila for her time and dismissed her. As they reviewed the information, they considered the implications of their findings. Patricia Bellini's frequent visits and the connections between Mrs. Zabini's family and their American counterparts could offer new leads in the investigation.
With this new information, Crabbe and Goyle prepared to investigate Patricia Bellini further. They needed to understand her relationship with Mrs. Zabini and whether she might have had a motive to harm her. Additionally, they planned to look into Giovanni and Luca Zabini's recent activities and see if they had any connections to the events surrounding Mrs. Zabini's death.
The investigation had taken a new turn, and Crabbe and Goyle were determined to follow every lead. As they made their way back to their temporary accommodations in Italy, their minds were already working on the next steps. They knew that uncovering the truth behind Mrs. Zabini's death would require careful examination of all possible connections, and they were prepared to dig deep to solve the case.
The house elf's revelations had provided a crucial piece of the puzzle, and Crabbe and Goyle were now more focused than ever. The path to uncovering the truth was becoming clearer, and they were ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest for justice.
Author Note:
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