Happy Sunday, my adored readers! Hope your week has been good. Today we had a blue sky for the first time in three weeks, so my mood has been lifted.
This chapter we get to know new people and Lily starts really investigating. I will leave some clues along the story, and I'm sure some of you will get it right.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it and remember: reviews are cookies to the heart 3
"What have you got for me, Benjy?" Lily asked when she noticed her colleague quietly sit beside her. He smiled.
"I never manage to surprise you, do I?" He inquired, shaking his pale curls.
"Don't give up just yet. Maybe one day..."
He laughed and rolled his eyes.
"Wanna know what I brought or not?" Benjy asked, looking the other way.
"Just spill it!" Lily ordered. He smiled.
"I've stored a file with the info on your suitcase, but I'd rather tell you in person too so we can discuss it a bit."
"Discuss away, then."
"We've had a look at the kid's body. Jack Allyson was not murdered by an Avada Kedavra."
Lily stared at her colleague quickly, raising her eyebrows in surprise. She had already pegged the Killing Curse as the cause of death since the beginning. There were no clear signs of violence in the pictures she had seen.
"Poisoned?" Lily asked. Benjy shook his head in denial.
"No traces of any sort of magical content," he replied, "we simply have got no idea how he died."
"So... this might not have been a murder?" Lily asked, shaking her head, "somehow I don't quite believe that."
"Neither do I, much less Moody. He was a healthy lad, but apparently died of natural causes."
"Nope, I don't buy it," Lily said, "even if it's not an obvious murder, someone killed Jack."
Before Benjy could reply, they were interrupted by a woman sitting near them.
"Oh, you're talking about the death of that poor boy? A tragedy, right? I was very shaken up, very worried, but I couldn't forbid my boy to play…"
Lily noticed a strong accent indicating the woman was not English – did not seem to be French either. The redhead frowned, but Benjy smiled politely and stood up, grabbing Lily's hand and taking her to the dance floor.
"The fact of it not being an Avada Kedavra could mean the wizard who killed him is not powerful enough to actually do one," Lily suggested, laying her head on Benjy's shoulder as they slowly spun.
"If you follow this line, Voldemort wouldn't be included," Benjy replied.
"Not him directly, no. But I didn't think for a moment that he'd done it in person," Lily said. Benjy seemed to consider the possibility.
"How's it going with Potter?" He asked. Lily sighed.
"I still haven't had the chance to actually do some investigation. We need to come up with a way for me to interview people without leaving Potter."
"I can do some questioning. Or keep an eye on Potter. Whichever you prefer."
"It's a nice idea," Lily agreed, "engage Marlene and it'll be easier. Potter's got some training tomorrow afternoon, and Marls and I are going. I can fake a stomach-ache, or just say I don't wanna go and ask Potter if you can go instead of me. Marlene would believe it."
"They won't get suspicious if you stay behind?" He asked. Lily gasped in fake indignation, backing her head to stare at Benjy.
"Are you questioning my abilities to fake an illness, Benjy Fenwick?"
He laughed and shook his head.
"Absolutely not, partner. I've never seen someone better than you at faking illnesses."
Lily giggled and laid her head again.
"Just please promise you won't get starstruck by Potter like today," Lily provoked.
"I was not starstruck!" Benjy cried out.
"Oh, yes, you were, Benjy! I swear I've never seen your ears redder!"
Benjy grumbled something, which made Lily laugh.
"Maybe we should get back," Lily suggested, and they stopped dancing, turning to see James Potter finishing one of his interviews, "can I have the names of the people who were with Jack on the day he was killed?"
"On the file in your suitcase."
"Should I be worried about you rummaging around my case?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, while they approached the others.
"Well, partner, after everything we've been through, rummaging around your case is nothing, don't you agree?" He asked, making her grin.
"Everything you've gone through, huh?" Sirius asked, smirking widely. Lily rolled her eyes, focusing on Sirius instead of James.
"Definitely not what you're thinking, Black," Lily retorted, and Remus and Peter grinned.
"You don't even know what I'm thinking!"
"I don't need to know. We've shared a common room for seven long years. I recognize your tone."
"What are you up to now, Padfoot?" James asked tiredly. Sirius crossed his arms.
"Since no one trusts me here, I'll go somewhere I'm wanted," he said, making a beeline to a group of female players who Lily believed were not English,
"Fenwick," James greeted with a nod. The auror smiled at him.
"Sorry for stealing Lily away, I'm just used to having her input on my job…"
"Benjy, only Marlene doesn't know why I'm here," Lily said, "Remus and Peter know."
"Oh, okay. Guess I'll see you lads tomorrow on training!" Benjy exclaimed with a grin, "Lil, if you need something, let me know. Tomorrow night we'll meet again so I can pass along the report to Moody."
Lily nodded and smiled as Benjy left.
"He's going to the training tomorrow?" James asked, frowning. Lily did not reply immediately, and James turned to see her biting her lower lip, "oh, okay, can't say. Alright."
"Well, suppose I should tell you, so you can prepare," she told him, grabbing a Butterbeer, "the sine qua non for your being here is you being watched all the time, but I really do need to move forward with the investigation… so since Benjy's here, I'll pass along the nanny mission while I ask around."
James nodded. So he needed to be babysat?
"Fenwick's here for my investigation too?" He asked.
"Not only for it. He'd already been selected to do the security anyway," Lily shrugged, "I really trust Benjy, and so does Moody. We can keep your discretion, don't worry."
James nodded again.
"Hm, alright. Can I, er, enjoy the party or…?" He asked with uncertainty, causing Peter to grin.
"If she can dance with that Fenwick, why can't you dance with someone?" Peter asked. James raised an eyebrow.
"Well, well, Miss 'I'm-Here-Working', how the tables turn!" James cried out. Lily rolled her eyes.
"It was the safest way to discuss the case, Potter. And yeah, go enjoy the party. I'll just watch from afar. Just don't get, well, too pissed. I don't want to disturb your party. Just pretend I'm not here."
James assured the redhead he would keep his wit, and moved to where the players gathered. He loved to meet new people of the Quidditch world and a bunch of different cultures.
Of course drinking helped him on the task, but he preferred to not take risks. He was the sort of drunk who told the truth, and the last thing he needed was for his adversaries to know he was involved in a murder investigation – or anyone, for that matter.
"Hey, Evans!" James said, being careful to not wake Marlene, who slept by Lily. "Evans, wake up!" This time he added a bit of shaking her.
He could pinpoint the exact moment Lily opened her eyes, but next thing he knew was Lily's wand on his throat while she kneeled on the bed, glaring at him.
He raised his arms to show his innocence, and Lily relaxed as she recognized the intruder.
"Oh, hm. Sorry, Potter," she said, sitting on the bed while James backed away fixing his glasses, "I'm not used to being awakened by other people, and well…"
"Er, no problem, no curses cast," he replied, a hand on his neck and a smile on his face.
"Any special reason for waking me?" She asked, while silently thanking the heavens for her usually large pajamas.
"Well, you said I needed to be with either you or Fenwick always, and my parents just arrived, and I need to see them, so…"
Lily sighed and nodded, asking a few minutes to shower and get dressed. James agreed and left the room to where Sirius waited for him.
"Is Evans really coming with us?" Sirius asked. James ran a hand through his hair.
"I haven't got a choice, Padfoot. Either she goes, or I won't."
"Have you come up with any excuse to justify her going?"
"I'll just say she was the only other one who was up, and then we invited her to a breakfast with my parents," James answered, shrugging, "how was the party? Could only find you by the end."
Sirius frowned.
"Nothing too exciting. Apparently, being James Potter's mate doesn't mean so much for Quidditch stars," Sirius replied, "might be luckier on the next ones."
James rolled his eyes and grinned, recalling the people he had met the previous night. Some were interesting on the professional front, so Sirius would also be interested.
"Sorry for my tardiness, I forgot to take off my make-up yesterday," Lily said, coming up twenty minutes later. She wore common jeans and a shirt that distantly reminded a lion, hair still wet. Sirius grinned.
"Hey, Evans! Guess I didn't mention how pretty you were yesterday," he said. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Then I suppose I'll thank you tomorrow, Black. Aren't the others coming too?" Lily asked when she realized only Potter and Black were present.
"Nope. Mama and Papa Potter will be here for a good time. The others will see them later," Sirius replied.
"Mama and Papa?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow and clearly holding back a chuckle.
"Since they adopted me in fifth year that's what I call them," Sirius explained, shrugging, "at first it was only to piss Prongs off, but then… got used to it. Shall we go?"
"Won't you both eat?" Lily asked, slightly surprised. "I thought you guys need like 10 pounds of food a day," she said and the boys grinned.
"We're eating with my parents," James answered, opening the bedroom's door. Sirius made a semi-reverence indicating Lily should go first.
The short way to the restaurant was filled by yawns from the boys. The missions had made Lily more resistant to long nights.
"So, how was your party, Evans?" Sirius asked.
"Meh. Couldn't really enjoy it, as I was keeping an eye at your mate," she explained, indicating James with her thumb, "but even if I didn't have to babysit, I'm not quite sure if it would've been all that cool for me… you know, Quidditch is basically all Quidditch players talk about and… yeah. I'd rather not."
Sirius laughed while James let out an indignant sound but could not really voice his complaint because as he raised his eyes from his feet, he noticed his parents waiting in front of the restaurant.
"Oh, James!" Euphemia Potter cried out when she saw the three of them. James smiled and hugged the older woman. Lily could not hold back her grin when she saw the height difference between James and his mother; she was shorter than Lily, and Lily was considerably shorter than James. "Your glasses are dirty. Is it just not possible for you to keep your glasses clean? As in ever?"
"Missed you too, mother," James quipped drily, but still hugging her. Fleamont chuckled and hugged Sirius. It was amazing, Lily noticed, the resemblance between father and son, even if Fleamont showed clear signs of aging.
"Well, you know I miss you. It just astounds me how… sloppy you get when you're away from me," Euphemia justified, now backing away from her son and trying to arrange his hair, "and for Merlin's right ear, James Potter, your father created the world's best potion for hair, do something about this mess!"
Lily felt a grin take her lips when she recalled how many times she had appreciated the irony of James Potter's wild hair and his connection with the inventor of Sleekeazy's.
For the first time, Mrs. Potter seemed to notice her son was not alone, and pulled Sirius for a tight hug, complaining about the boy's hair. He gave her the first excuse on his mind, which she did not accept pretty well, so she pulled his ear lightly. Then she turned to Lily, and raised her eyebrows.
"James, I think you forgot to introduce us to your friend," Euphemia chided him, taking a step forward to take Lily's hand in hers, "forgive me for my boy's impoliteness, I swear he was better when he was kid. It was this fame, I'll bet..."
"Er, mum, dad, this is Lily Evans… Evans, these are my parents, Euphemia and Fleamont."
Euphemia's eyebrows raised considerably more than before, and Lily watched her face showing not only surprise but also… recognition?
"Oh, Lily Evans?" Fleamont asked, also taking a step forward and looking at James. "The Lily Evans?"
"It must be, look at the eyes and the hair… oh, James, you were completely right, she truly is beautiful!"
Lily felt her jaw dropping, not understanding what exactly was happening, looking between James' parents and the boy, who was more flushed than she had ever seen.
"I'm not... uh, nice to meet you?" Lily said, unsure. She was cut away by Sirius's laughter.
"Yes, papa. The Lily Evans," Sirius replied, "the girl James's been on and on about since he was fifteen! Who'd say, huh, mama Potter?"
Euphemia's eyes shone and Lily realized what was happening, even more when James kicked Sirius's legs.
"Evans's here as Remus's guest. He asked to bring two friends to keep him company when he didn't feel like going to the parties. You know how he gets sometimes. The others were still asleep, but she was up so she came along."
Lily blushed slightly when she noticed that Euphemia was still smiling, but held an speculative glance
"Hm, it's very nice to meet you. Even more you, Mr. Potter, if you'll allow me. I've always been very fond of Potions, and it's amazing to meet a master such as yourself. I was very disappointed that I missed the gathering Professor Slughorn arranged some time ago."
James carefully hid his curiosity. He had no idea that Lily knew fully well who his father was. Fleamont shrugged and smiled.
"Well, well, no need for such formalities, yeah? I've heard quite a lot about you, but your fondness for Potions was never mentioned before. Had I known, I'd've met you instantly! I presume you work with Potions nowadays?"
"Well, I'm actually an auror, but I sort of coordinate our short Potions department. Sometimes we need some specific Potions, more lasting or less, and I've got full liberty to do some experimentation there…"
"Oh, so you like to mix it up a bit? Well, this…"
James watched the exchange a bit shocked. Lily and his father walked together to the restaurant, leaving him, Sirius and his mother behind. Of all the scenarios he had imagined for this meeting, what was happening definitely was not what he expected. He felt Sirius's hand on his shoulder.
"Who'd say she'd get along so well with your dad? Imagine if you'd seen this happening, say, five years ago?"
"Shut up, Padfoot," James grumbled.
"Let's get inside, my boys," Mrs. Potter called, "Merlin only knows how much you've got to eat."
When Potter had told her they were going to see his parents, Lily tried very hard not to think she knew exactly who James's father was, and the risk of her acting just like the people she judged so harshly around celebrities.
Of course, she allowed herself to feel starstruck with Fleamont Potter. Fleamont Potter had invented many potions, and had taken no advantage of that. Fleamont Potter had never refused to help Moody when needed. Fleamont Potter had never done anything against women or muggle-borns.
But she had never shown herself as a fan of Fleamont's, simply to not give Potter Junior one more reason to inflate his ego.
Amazingly, she managed to control herself during breakfast, engaging in what seemed to be a conversation as interesting to Fleamont as it was to her.
"So good to hear that Moody's got someone who actually knows the difference between smashing a bowel and simply cutting it!" Fleamont cried out, making Lily blush.
"Oh, I swear I had to take my own cauldron just on the second day, Mr. Potter," Lily told him, "honestly, that department was a complete chaos regarding Potions."
"I believe you! Moody used to send me letters every other week, trying to understand what he had done wrong," Fleamont shook his head and looked up, as if asking for divine help, "I just hope you don't find me so old to keep calling me Mr. Potter forever, Lily."
"Forgive me, Fleamont. It's just a Ministry habit, you know?" Lily said. Sirius chuckled and Lily heard what he whispered to James:
"How do you feel seeing Evans using your father's first name before using yours?"
James replied with a mortal glare that Lily pretended not to see. She filled her glass with more juice, and when Fleamont was about to initiate a new conversation, he was interrupted by his wife.
"Merlin, Fleamont, let the girl eat!" Euphemia scolded, and Fleamont fixed his glasses (in a way so similar to his son that Lily just had to watch). "Or at least don't monopolize the conversation. Lily, dear, beware this old man. Anyone who borrows their ears for more than a minute learns more about frog's spleens than they'd like to know for the rest of their lives."
Lily laughed at the tenderness the seemingly accusatory words veiled – which, she was sure, could only be constructed with many, many years.
"This time I believe I'm as guilty as he is, Mrs. Potter. I've always been a great admirer of your husband's work, and I've got the tendency to talk a bit too much when the subject is Potions," Lily explained. Mrs. Potter faked a sigh and turned to James.
"You just had to get someone just like your father, hadn't you?" She asked.
"Good thing you love me so much, then, woman," Fleamont quipped with shining eyes. Euphemia smiled.
"You work with Potions as well, Lily?" She asked.
"Oh, no, no. I'm the one who works the most with Potions in the department, yes. But I usually do investigations, or missions as a whole. I like being on the field, working on the front, you know?"
Euphemia grinned. She asked Lily more questions, while Fleamont now talked with Sirius and James. It was so easy to talk to Mrs. Potter, and not only about work, but also many banal things, such as the multiple ways to prepare a good chicken.
"Prongs, shouldn't we be going?" Sirius asked. James looked at his watch surprised and agreed.
"Yeah, I need to have lunch with the others and turn in…" James said. Lily and Sirius said their goodbyes and left first, leaving James alone with his parents.
"She really is quite lovely, James," Euphemia told him, James sighed.
"Mum, it's nothing like that, I promise. She's here for Remus."
"She's with Remus, then?" Fleamont asked. James shrugged.
"I don't think so, or he would've mentioned. It doesn't matter, anyway, considering I'm no longer interested in her, and she remains the same," James replied, trying to close the subject.
"A pity," his father said, "considering how much she knows about Potions, it'd be good if your wife understood our family business."
"Dad, let it go. Evans is in the past. I haven't got anything with her, and probably will never have."
James hugged his parents one last time, and they scheduled dinner together. James stepped to join Sirius and Lily.
"I had no idea you were a Potter fan, Evans," James provoked, with a large smile. Lily rolled her eyes and blushed slightly.
"It's possible to admire someone and not make a fuss about it, Potter. I'm a discreet person," Lily replied, while Sirius chuckled.
"At least you like one Potter, Auror Evans," Sirius said. Lily grinned.
"Don't be that cruel, Black. Euphemia is adorable!"
Sirius laughed and James pretended not to see the look his best mate gave him.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Mr. Anderson Miller?"
Lily noticed the man turning and evaluating who interrupted him reading the newspaper, eyeing her up and down. He sat in a chair near the entrance of the accommodations.
"Who's lookin'?" Was his reply. The clearly British accent confirmed the nationality contained on the file Benjy had given her, were this the person she looked for.
"Auror Evans, from United Kingdom Ministry of Magic," Lily said, "are you Mr. Miller?"
"And where's this Auror Evans bloke?" The man ignored her question, raising an eyebrow and folding the paper. Lily smiled tightly.
"I'm Auror Evans. Lily Evans."
Lily watched the man looking at her again, wondering if that Muggle dressed girl who carried a notebook could be from the Ministry. He sighed.
"This is about the lad, ain't it?" He asked.
"What lad?" Lily quipped back. The man narrowed his eyes, and raised a finger at her.
"Are you press?" He accused. Lily sighed and rested on her other foot.
"Mr. Miller, I've already identified myself-"
"If you're Ministry, then why you'd ask 'what lad'?"
"Because the subject I've come to discuss is confidential, Mr. Miller, and I need to certify that I'm talking to the right person."
"I understand, Miss," the man replied, "but how can I be sure that you are really Ministry?"
Lily sighed once more and showed him her Auror credentials.
"May we talk in a more private location now, Mr. Miller?" She solicited.
The man only grunted e stood up, going on the direction of a room. Lily sat on one of the chairs while he sat on the other.
"So you really are Mr. Anderson Miller?" Lily asked, resting the notebook and pen on the table, followed by her recorder. The man eyed the objects suspiciously.
"Yeah, yeah, that'd be me. What's that?" Miller pointed to the objects. Lily smiled.
"I do believe you've noticed my Muggle heritage, Mr. Miller. This is a notebook, instead of a parchment. This is a pen, that I use to write instead of quill and ink. More practical, you know, since I don't need to ink the quill all the time. And this is a recorder, which I'd like to use if you don't mind."
Lily explained him how the recorder worked and why she wanted to use it. Miller still looked a bit suspicious, but he shrugged and agreed. Lily watched him calmly when he took a handkerchief and dried the sweat from his forehead, which extended a bit beyond where his hair (probably) erstwhile occupied.
"So this is about the lad?" Miller asked, crossing his arms.
"Yes, Mr. Miller. I'm here to ask a few questions to help on the investigation of the murder of Jack Allyson. But please forgive my ignorance, Mr Miller, but I need to understand how the structure for a World Cup functions."
"Not a sports fan, Miss Evans?" Miller mocked. Lily smiled, recognizing a defence mechanism to being questioned.
"Not a fan of Quidditch. I've got no problems with other sports. You're responsible for the security on the accommodations, is that correct?"
"Yes. Well, one of. There're three of us."
"Alright...", she said taking note, "and you were also responsible for the… interns?"
"Yes..." Miller sighed, "Jack was a good lad, you know? Very polite, very willing. He wasn't too shabby on a broom, either. Never used his mother's name to get any sort of… privileges, he wanted to get stuff because he'd done them. I respect people like that, Miss Evans. Like James Potter."
Lily nodded, hiding her surprise on hearing the suspect's name.
"What exactly was his job here?"
"The interns as a whole organize the players' materials. Each country brought three interns. On England it was some sort of test. They basically guarantee the materials for trainings and matches are in order, help assembling some structures and things like that. On Thursday, Jack was graced with the task of organizing the squad's uniforms, and on Friday, to receive the materials for the games and organize those too."
Lily watched Miller get lost on the retelling, as if she no longer were on the room.
"That's why he stayed late on Friday. Not that he minded; no lack of willingness on the lad. He knew a few of the squad, and he was absolutely raptured to see them all. He was living his dream," Miller let out a chuckle and sighed, "I was supposed to have stayed with Jack until he left, but he said it was not necessary. It was my wife's birthday, and it was already past eleven. Lad hadn't a single bruise on him, he was great. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal."
"So you went home after eleven?"
"Yeah, I got home before midnight, but we couldn't go out anymore, so I cooked the missus a late dinner."
"Anyone saw you arriving?" Lily asked.
"Not exactly, but people working for England could use Portkeys straight to the Ministry, and I apparated home from there, after signing in. Also, of course I used my credentials to leave."
"Alright. So that was the last time you spoke with Jack? Around eleven?" Lily asked, taking notes. Miller nodded.
"Yeah. These kids've got their own accommodations here, so I really thought it'd be okay."
"Mr. Miller, any of the other kids had any sort of… problem with Jack?" Miller sounded surprised by the question.
"You believe one of the interns could've killed him?" He startled.
"I need to consider every possibility, Mr. Miller."
"Well, I've never... the kids got along well enough. It's one girl and one boy besides Jack. I've never noticed anything. Sure, the other two were a bit shy when they saw that Jack knew some players, but Jack made introductions pretty quickly. He was a good lad," Miller repeated.
"What about interns from other countries?"
"There was not time for him to get to know with others. They had to take care of the intricacies of a big squad. They fraternize during the Cup."
Lily wrote a few more things and sighed.
"As chief of security, I'm sure you're aware we've found a credential."
"Yes," Miller said hesitantly.
"So you won't be surprised on the least when I ask you how was James Potter's and Jack's relationship."
Miller stared at Lily and shook his head in denial.
"That's the thing, Miss Evans. Jack was a fan of Potter's, just like every lad his age. He knew Potter beforehand, and on Thursday Potter was as excited about seeing him as Jack was. Jack told me Potter had promised him some sort of meeting with Puddlemore, as Jack wanted to go pro."
"So there was nothing strange about them?"
"Not a thing. Potter liked the kid, for all I could see. I don't think he'd ever hurt Jack."
"Yet, Potter's credential, personal and untransferable, was the only to be registered getting in that night. Or early."
They were both silent as the information was processed.
"I suppose that's all I had to ask you today, Mr. Miller. Can I reach again if I need anything else?" Lily asked when she stood up. Miller did the same.
"Of course."
"I'll probably be wanting to talk with the other two kids. They had more contact with Jack."
"Yeah, absolutely. Miss Evans… just get the bastard who did this, yeah? Jack was… he didn't deserve this," Miller asked hoarsely. Lily smiled in sympathy.
"I'm doing my best, Mr. Miller."