Together with Narcissa and Bellatrix, Harry walked down the stairs toward the Great Hall for breakfast.
They had finished taking care of Malfoy some time ago, or rather Narcissa had, and they had long put it all out of their minds.
Harry had to admit he felt much lighter now that he had taken care of something he should have done a long time ago. His conscience had been arguing against what was necessary, and in one way, he was glad that Malfoy and his lackeys had pulled that foolish stunt to give him the chance to go after them.
He knew he had taken a massive step toward ensuring Voldemort did not gain power as easily as he had done in the previous timeline. Back then, he had easily ensnared several pureblood houses and controlled the Wizengamot by proxy. Those purebloods made up a significant chunk of his inner circle – purebloods he, Bellatrix, and Rookwood had taken care of.
Voldemort was not going to be an easy foe to face, but now they had a significant advantage over him.
The corridors were swarming with students either on their way to or back from the Great Hall, and several curious glances were directed their way. He knew he and Narcissa had been seen together in Hogsmeade and that it would now be common knowledge that something was going on between them, and to be frank, both were done keeping this private. They already had her father's approval and there was nothing they needed to be skeptical of, as evident by the way Narcissa was walking close to him with their hands clasped together.
Bellatrix was a different matter though. They might be together as well now but she was still an unattached witch as far as the lord of her house was concerned, and as such, it would not be polite as per societal customs for them to seem closer than they should be. Harry hoped for the situation to resolve soon but he knew it was not going to be easy.
Cygnus Black might have agreed for him to be Narcissa's intended, conditional upon the approval of Arcturus Black, but it was impossible for him to give his other daughter away to the same man. There was no political advantage for either him or his house in such an arrangement. There were a few ways to resolve the issue but they would have to wait.
As they entered the Great Hall, they felt the eyes of scores of students on them. Harry spotted Augustus Rookwood sitting at the Slytherin table and raised an inquiring eyebrow when the boy looked at him. Rookwood gave him a subtle nod, earning a smirk from him.
'Good lad,' he thought, averting his eyes.
Ignoring the curious cats, they walked over to the Gryffindor table where his friends sat together, staring at them with their eyes full of surprise.
"No one wants to see your half-eaten food, Prewett," Bellatrix remarked as she slid in beside her twin and started fixing her breakfast. Gideon quickly closed his mouth and started chewing.
"Harry, mate, mind explaining?" Frank asked with a teasing grin.
Harry glanced up and snorted.
"I think it's pretty clear, don't you?" He asked, turning toward Narcissa who smirked and leaned forward, meeting him halfway. It seemed as if all chatter died down across the Great Hall as everyone stared at Narcissa Black and Harry Peverell kissing each other in public.
Slowly, they pulled away with matching grins and Harry turned to his friends.
"What about now?"
"Crystal," Frank nodded with a grin before he turned to the twins. "If only everyone had the balls to go ahead and get his girl…"
The twin concerned scowled and immersed himself in his breakfast as Harry snorted.
"Care to clue us in as well, dear?" Narcissa asked, amused.
"Don's got hots for one of the snakes," Harry grinned. "Who was it? Rosier, right?"
"Olivia Rosier?" Bellatrix asked in surprise. "Oh boy…"
Immediately, Gideon's head snapped up and he fixed the brunette with a serious stare.
"What do you mean?" He asked quickly, his eager expression quelling immediately at Bellatrix's unimpressed stare. "Miss Black…" he added belatedly.
"Nothing much, I just heard a few things about her, that's all," she replied, smirking.
Harry shook his head in amusement.
"Quit teasing the poor lad, Bellatrix," he intoned. "What is it?"
Bellatrix glanced at Harry with a grin and replied, "Heard her father's thinking of arranging a betrothal for her. I'd rush it if I were you, Prewett."
Gideon's eyes widened and he quickly glanced over at the Slytherin table where Olivia Rosier sat with a few of her friends.
Harry stared at Bellatrix with a raised eyebrow, chuckling when she stuck her tongue out and grinned. He leaned over and whispered, "You're one manipulative snake. You really needed to play with him like that?"
"A little push in the right direction never hurt anyone," Bellatrix replied smugly. "Just look at us."
Both Harry and Narcissa smiled as they leaned back. They'd be the last people to disagree with it.
"What's up, you twats?" A familiar haughty voice sounded out, making them turn around.
Sirius Black's eyes bugged out as he stared at none other than his cousins sitting at the Gryffindor table and he stopped in his tracks.
"What'd you call us, you idiot?" Bellatrix hissed menacingly, making the Black heir take a step back. Grinning sheepishly, Sirius raised his hands in surrender.
"W-what are you two doing here?"
"Eating. Can't you see?" Bellatrix retorted calmly as she bit into her slice of bread.
"Y-yeah, err… right. Bread tastes good?"
"Just sit down, you doofus," Harry rolled his eyes, chuckling.
"I will… agree to that, yes," Sirius nodded emphatically and sat down right in front of them, with James and Remus sitting on either side and Peter sitting beside Remus.
"I see things worked out for the best," James remarked, not missing the closeness between Harry and Narcissa.
"More than best, I'd say," Frank remarked, smirking. "Those two don't shy away from putting on a show. Matter of fact, you all just missed it."
"You snogged my cousin in front of all these people!?" Sirius asked, aghast, before a wide grin overtook his face. "Way to go, Harry-boy!"
Harry chuckled as he exchanged a high-five with Sirius.
"That ain't all either. Someone didn't come back to the dorm last evening. Not saying anything but you have to wonder what he was up to," Fabian said teasingly.
"You popped her cherry already!?" Sirius whispered, aghast. He hissed when James elbowed him in the ribs.
"It's your cousin you're talking about, you know that, right? And she's sitting right here," Narcissa remarked with a raised eyebrow, her fork pointed at her cousin who waved his hand dismissively.
"Bah! Anything to rub in that poncy cunt's face. Speaking of cunts, where's Lucy and his prats?"
Harry, Narcissa, and Bellatrix immediately put on normal faces, at least as much as they could.
"No clue, maybe crying in a ditch somewhere over his loss," Bellatrix shrugged.
"Sounds like him," Sirius grinned. "I mean what I said, Harry. I'd give everything if you could keep my cousin here far from those assholes. And you, I mean it. This guy's the best you can do. Trust me."
"Well, thanks for that endorsement," Harry chuckled as Narcissa smiled at her cousin and nodded.
"Don't worry, I know," she replied.
Sirius grinned at his cousin and dug into his breakfast.
"What's up with you, Remus?" Harry asked, noticing the boy looking at the Slytherin table. Surprised, Remus turned to Harry and shook his head.
"Nothing, just noticed none of Malfoy's group are there. Normally, they all sit there together, but it's just Rookwood, Mulciber, Rowle, and the two buffoons today. Oh, and Snape, but he's sitting far away from them."
The name of Snape immediately soured James' expression, something Harry noticed instantly. He met the boy's eyes and nodded reassuringly. James pursed his lips and went back to his breakfast.
Things had not been great between him and Lily ever since his confession. Prideful idiots that they both were, they had taken to pretending as if the other didn't exist and they often ignored each other whenever they happened to cross paths.
It had created a cold atmosphere in Gryffindor, so much so that students not in the know had also started noticing.
"It's a bit weird. Think they're up to something?" Fabian asked curiously.
"I couldn't care less, to be honest," Harry replied dismissively. "I went easy on them last time. If they decide to act up just because Malfoy lost someone he considered an object then I won't hold back this time."
"As much as I'd like it, don't kill them, Harry," Sirius snorted. "Too much headache."
Harry chuckled and went back to his breakfast, giving Narcissa's thigh a soft squeeze under the table.
A few minutes passed in relative peace as they chatted amongst themselves while eating. Narcissa and Bellatrix fit into the group as if they'd always been there, joining in poking fun at Sirius, and Gideon's crush on Olivia Rosier. Bellatrix wasted no opportunity in reminding the lad about the fake news of a betrothal being on the horizon and Harry knew the witch was taking a sadistic pleasure in teasing the poor lad. He did interfere a few times to console Gideon but he let her do as she pleased. Hopefully, it would help the guy out in his pursuit.
Sirius was not spared either. He was also reminded, quite curtly by Narcissa, how he needed to man up and ask McKinnon out if he was truly interested in her. As always, Sirius brushed her words off but they could see him getting more and more concerned that he might truly lose her should he do nothing.
Harry knew his issue. All he needed to do was take his head out of his ass and admit to himself that he had the hots for McKinnon. Based on what he had observed so far, McKinnon liked Sirius but did not want to be with someone unsure about them. There was also the fact that Sirius used to be sort of a womanizer until last year, but the issue had seemingly been resolved this year when he suddenly quit chasing skirts around the castle.
All of it seemed very tedious to both Harry and Narcissa, and they simply told Sirius to be honest with himself or he would regret it for the rest of his life.
They were almost done with their breakfast when they heard a slight commotion at the front of the Great Hall. They frowned when they saw Dumbledore talking to Slughorn and McGonagall with a curious look on his face.
"What's up with that?" Frank asked curiously.
"Guess we'll know soon enough," Harry replied as Dumbledore stood up from his spot and made his way over to the podium. The old wizard did not need to ask for attention as he already had it. All students and staff alike were staring at the headmaster.
"A small announcement before we disperse for the classes, if I may," Dumbledore began. "Professor Slughorn has brought it to our attention that several students from Slytherin are missing from the castle. Lucius Malfoy, Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, Thomas Avery, Corban Yaxley, Walden MacNair, and Theodore Nott have all been reported to be missing from Hogwarts grounds. Their parents will shortly be informed of their disappearance. Meanwhile, if any student has any knowledge of their whereabouts, please report to your head of the house at the earliest. That is all."
The students started whispering and chattering as Dumbledore went back to his seat.
"Well, guess that answers your question," Harry remarked.
"I didn't expect them to sneak out of the castle," Frank intoned in surprise. "They came back to Hogwarts last evening with the others, right?"
"Didn't see them," James shook his head. "You guys?"
"Nah," Sirius replied. Remus and Peter followed suit.
"Didn't see them in the Common Room yesterday," Bellatrix intoned. "And these two were busy enjoying each other. Don't think they had eyes for anything else."
Their friends chuckled as Harry and Narcissa exchanged an amused glance with Bellatrix.
"I bet they're up to no good," Sirius continued with a sneer. "Knowing them, they must be out there terrorizing some poor child or a pet. Sadistic cunts, those Lestranges in particular. Seen them bullying kids too many times now."
Harry nodded, his keen eye fixed on a certain someone sitting at the Slytherin table.
Augustus Rookwood stood up alongside the rest of the junior Death Eaters as Slughorn asked them to follow. Their eyes met, and Harry gave the boy a discreet nod. Rookwood blinked in acknowledgment and turned around, walking behind Slughorn out of the Great Hall.
They had done what needed to be done, and it was now time to witness the fallout. Harry did not know how much he might get entangled in the mess, but he was by no means scared to find out. He and Bellatrix exchanged a firm look with each other as they got up, and together with the rest, they walked alongside the other students out of the Great Hall for their classes.
-Break-
Several pureblood lords woke up around England and prepared to go about their day as usual. A few were either having their meals or were about to leave their family manors when their house elves interrupted them.
Abraxas Malfoy frowned mid-bite at the sight of his house elf who bowed and held up a sealed envelope for him. Chewing slowly, he gestured for the elf to leave it on the table. The poor creature dutifully obliged and vanished.
Putting his fork on his plate, he wiped his mouth and reached for the envelope. A frown overtook his features at the familiar sigil of Hogwarts with his name addressed on it.
He broke the seal and pulled out the sheet of parchment, scoffing at the flamboyant header that listed Dumbledore's name and his list of accomplishments.
"That old fool will never change," he muttered distastefully and started to read.
His eyes slowly narrowed as he went through the letter and he grinded his teeth, trying to make sense of it all.
His son was reportedly missing with no one being the wiser. Six other students, all of whom he knew very well, were also similarly nowhere to be found.
"What's this mess now…" he muttered as he got up, his half-eaten plate left on the table, as he walked over to the fireplace.
Grabbing the floo powder, he entered the fireplace and was swallowed by a swirl of emerald flames.
The blonde patriarch of the Malfoy family emerged out of another fireplace a few seconds later, and his eyes took in the collection of wizards in the office of the headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Dumbledore," he called out, gaining the attention of every lord, professor, and the old wizard himself.
"Lord Malfoy," Dumbledore greeted politely.
"What is the meaning of this, Dumbledore?" Abraxas asked curtly, waving the parchment in the air. "My heir is missing? Where did he go?"
"That's what I've been asking, Abraxas!"
Abraxas Malfoy glanced over at Lestrange who was sitting on one of the chairs, accompanied by Nott who sat on the other. MacNair and Yaxley sat on the other set of chairs to the left while Avery sat to the right, leaving a chair vacant, presumably for him.
"What the hell is going on, Dumbledore?" Lestrange growled.
"Lord Malfoy, if you would please take a seat," Dumbledore sighed.
Abraxas Malfoy pursed his lips but did as he was asked to. Sitting straight, he placed the parchment on the desk and stared at Dumbledore.
"Professor Slughorn brought to my attention this morning at breakfast that seven of his Slytherins were missing from the castle. They did not return to their dormitories last night. I have asked the students to inform their respective heads of houses if they know anything."
"Let me get this straight," Abraxas intoned with forced calm. "You are saying that seven sons of pureblood houses disappeared right under your nose… hours ago… and you had no clue? What do you take us for, Dumbledore!?"
"I assure you, Lord Malfoy, them being sons of pureblood houses does not change the fact that they are students of this castle and thus, not subject to be kept tabs on every hour of the day. Contrary to popular belief, I am not aware of everything that goes around this castle. No one is," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"Don't speak of our sons' disappearance as if it were some everyday occurrence, Dumbledore!" Lestrange hissed. "We all entrust you as the headmaster to ensure their safety during their stay in this castle."
"I am aware of my responsibilities, Lord Lestrange," Dumbledore replied.
"Not too well, if this massive lapse on your part proves anything," the man retorted. "I want my heir and spare back, Dumbledore! All of us do! Our sons are the future of our houses! You won't like it if anything happens to them, I'm warning you!"
Dumbledore straightened in the face of the threat and gazed straight at the Lestrange lord who leaned back slightly and gulped. The portraits shouted at the insult leveled at the headmaster of the school while the professors in attendance either frowned or glared at the man. Meanwhile, the two wizards stared at each other and Abraxas sighed.
"I understand these are emotional times, Lord Lestrange," Dumbledore said calmly. "I assure you everything shall be done to get to the heart of this matter."
Right on cue, the floo flared and everyone turned to see who had entered.
"Alright, Albus. What's the matter? I was in the middle of something," Alastor Moody, accompanied by a tall, dark-skinned man, emerged from the floo. The aurors took in the rest of the occupants of the office and Moody sighed. "This one's gonna be a pain in the arse, I can tell."
"Alastor, thank you for coming promptly," Dumbledore greeted as the room and the table enlarged. Two more chairs emerged out of thin air and Moody walked over with his partner, taking a seat.
"Yeah, cut the chit-chat. What's the matter?"
"Our sons are missing, Auror," Lestrange spat, glaring at Dumbledore. "Missing since last night, apparently."
Moody glanced at the Lestrange lord before he looked around at the rest of the lords. He sighed, "Okay. And?"
"What do you mean And?"
"Well, you can't expect me to solve this problem with only that, can you?" Moody retorted. "Tell me everything."
"Horace reported this morning that seven of his Slytherins did not return to their dormitories yesterday, and they have been missing this morning as well," Dumbledore repeated.
"It was Hogsmeade weekend yesterday. They returned to the castle?"
"We don't know yet. We have asked the students to inform us if they know anything."
"Yeah, fat chance of that happening," Moody scoffed. "No student in their right mind would come forth and say that they saw missing students before they went missing. Anything else you got for me?"
"Well," Slughorn spoke, earning their attention. "A few of their friends mentioned they didn't see them return to the castle with the rest of the students."
"What?"
"I asked Mr. Rookwood, Mr. Rowle, Mr. Mulciber, and Mr. Snape about the rest of them. The latter three did not go to Hogsmeade while Mr. Rookwood said he returned early to study for his OWLs."
"Hmm…" Moody mused thoughtfully. "First, there was that attack Lord Peverell told us about, and now seven students are missing. Something doesn't add up."
"Peverell?" Abraxas interjected pointedly.
Alastor Moody glanced up and replied curtly, "We received a tip-off yesterday that werewolves were spotted near Hogsmeade. Lord Peverell asked us to be on standby and wait for his Patronus. Did a favor to us, that lad."
"What are you saying, Alastor? That the two events are connected?"
Moody frowned.
"Well, I can't say anything for sure, but it's entirely possible they are. It's too much of a coincidence, innit?" He replied before he turned to the pureblood lords. "Those werewolves we apprehended had fresh bloodstains all over them. I won't rule out anything if I were you."
Their eyes widened in shock.
"Auror Moody," Abraxas said in a voice shaking with rage. "My heir is missing, and you are saying he might be dead. I would very much appreciate it if you got to investigating it as soon as you can."
Nott furiously held Lestrange down on the chair. The man's face had turned red in rage and it was a miracle how he was able to stay silent. The others' faces had gone ashen as the fact that their heirs might be dead registered with them.
"What happened with the werewolves, Alastor?" Dumbledore asked gravely.
"They were there to attack Lord Peverell and his companion. He somehow knew about the attack and told us to anticipate it in advance. The moment he sent his Patronus, we arrived and took those creatures down."
"PUT THOSE BEASTS DOWN!" Lestrange exploded, his eyes bulging and he slammed his hands on the table, rattling it. "THOSE FILTHY BEASTS! THEY DARED PUT THEIR HANDS ON MY SONS! WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY!?"
"Lord Lestrange, calm yourself!" McGonagall cried out in alarm.
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, WENCH!" Lestrange roared, glaring at McGonagall who glared back heatedly. "MY SONS ARE DEAD! KILLED BY THOSE BLOODTHIRSTY ANIMALS!"
"We do not know for certain, Lord Lestrange," Dumbledore interjected, wandlessly casting one calming charm after another. "I implore you to control your emotions and let the aurors do their job."
Lestrange seethed, gritting his teeth, as he slammed into the chair, falling back against it, almost helpless.
"My sons…" he whispered, almost broken.
The others might not have exploded as violently, but the rage, the fear, the sense of loss, and the helplessness enveloped them, keeping them rooted to their spot. They could feel themselves shaking and shuddering every few seconds, replaying the auror's words in their minds.
"Auror Moody," Abraxas said in a whisper, yet his voice carried around the office. "I want my son back."
Moody stared at the Malfoy lord with pursed lips.
"We will investigate this. You have my word. For all your sakes, I hope the two incidents are not connected."
"Where are those werewolves?" Abraxas gritted out.
"Azkaban," Moody replied curtly.
A chair slammed to the ground as Abraxas stood up, and everyone stared at him.
"I shall be taking my leave now," he said, firmly keeping a hold on his emotions. "I shall await further news. I hope I won't have to wait."
Without greeting anyone or bothering to say anything, Abraxas Malfoy turned around and walked into the fireplace. He was enveloped by emerald flames once again as he vanished, emerging out of the fireplace in his solar.
As quickly as his footsteps could carry him, he rushed toward the tapestry that displayed the Malfoy family tree and frantically searched for his son's name. A sense of massive relief washed over him when he discovered his son's name still etched prominently on the fabric.
He pressed his hand on the name and leaned against the tapestry, breathing heavily.
"Lucius…" he whispered. "You're alive."
His Lucius was indeed alive, although he wished he wasn't.
Just as he had been for hours now, he gasped out in terror once again as he opened his eyes and stared right into the maw of one of the most terrifying creatures he had ever seen.
The Basilisk's mouth was open wide, its teeth as large as his palm, and that was everything he could see.
He was trembling, his breathing shallow and his heart beating a million times a minute. His vision was fading at times, often causing intense bouts of headaches as he couldn't see anything apart from what was in his direct line of sight.
Helplessness and despair overwhelmed him and he often found himself slipping into unconsciousness, only to shout in alarm whenever he woke up again and saw the terrifying sight.
His voice had long given away, only mewls and gasps escaping his mouth, and the more time passed, the more the realization that he was truly alone and left to rot in this place set in. There was no way for sunlight to reach this place he found himself in. As such, he had no idea how much time had passed. It surely felt like days though, if not weeks.
His stomach rumbled in hunger and he felt lightheaded every time he regained consciousness. He had long given up on struggling against his binds. There was nothing he could do right now to free himself from this predicament, and he had already given up on the situation.
He had been angry at first, but he soon grew detached when his associates died. His detachment had given way to regret. He truly should have not messed with Peverell. He should have let him have Narcissa instead of fighting over the matter. And he truly should not have done what he and his associates had. It all had come back to bite them in their sorry arses, and they had no one but themselves to blame.
-Break-
The group of gathered lords and professors dispersed soon after Abraxas Malfoy's departure, leaving Dumbledore with Alastor Moody and his auror partner Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Tell me more about the werewolf attack, Alastor," Dumbledore intoned gravely.
Moody sighed.
"The auror office got a letter from Peverell last evening, informing us that he'd seen a pack of werewolves hiding in the woods near Hogsmeade."
"And he asked you to wait for his Patronus?"
"The lad seemed compassionate," Moody shrugged. "Said it won't be right to attack marginalized creatures if they were simply hanging out in the forest and not going to act up."
Dumbledore nodded.
"They acted up, and Peverell sent a patronus. The rest… well, you know already."
Turning toward his partner, Moody instructed, "Tell them to scour the entire forest. I want full report on whatever there is. If those boys have really been targeted by those werewolves, we'll find something."
Kingsley nodded and they watched him leave through the fireplace.
"What are you thinking, Albus?" Moody enquired shrewdly.
"Something does not feel right here," Dumbledore replied.
"Speak plainly, Albus. I don't have time for your dramatics," Moody scowled.
"I can't help but think Mr. Peverell is somehow involved in all of this mess," Dumbledore said plainly.
"What makes you think so?" Moody asked suspiciously. "Anything I should know about the lad?"
"That is the thing, Alastor," Dumbledore sighed. "It is a feeling I have about him. That he is more than he lets on. That he is hiding something."
"Well, he won't be the first to hide something. That's how people are," Moody shrugged.
"You know what I mean," Dumbledore frowned. "I do not have such feelings for everyone, but there is something peculiar about him… something that rubs me off the wrong way."
"Tell me, Albus," Moody muttered. "Did you try to preach something to the lad and he told you to piss off?"
Dumbledore remained silent, making Moody snort.
"There's your answer. I've called you out on this habit many times before. You can't expect everyone to follow your ideals or even agree with them, and not everyone who disagrees with you is shady. You have this habit of suspecting anyone who shows even a hint of a trait you fundamentally disagree with. What is it in his case?"
Dumbledore frowned.
"His parents were killed by Voldemort," he replied.
"The maniac you told me about? That Tom fella?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"We talked about it, and he intends to kill Tom and anyone who follows him."
"He said that to your face?" Moody laughed. "Tough sod. I gotta commend him for the balls."
"An eye for an eye makes the world blind, Alastor," Dumbledore said curtly.
"There you go with your philosophical bullshit again. Albus. I've told you many times not to try that on me," Moody retorted. "That bastard killed his parents. You can't exactly expect him to sit on his arse and do nothing. Good for him, I'd say, if he wants to fight against those maniacs."
Dumbledore sighed. He knew talking about it with Alastor Moody was useless.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Gotta start somewhere. Interrogating those mutts would be a good first step," Moody said as he stood up. "You, you better think for yourself. Are you letting your bias cloud your judgment of this lad? To me, it's clear you are. Have a good day, Albus."
Dumbledore watched him disappear inside the fireplace and pursed his lips, drumming his fingers on the table. He knew Alastor had a point. He was truly letting their previous interaction affect his reasoning when it came to Harry Peverell, and yet, he could not let go of the niggling voice in the back of his mind that told him that there was more to the lad than met the eye.
Sighing, he leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes. Seven students were missing from right under his nose and he had been none the wiser. He could not help but feel responsible for their disappearance and all he could do was hope that they were safe.
-Break-
Miles away in the woods around Hogsmeade, a contingent of aurors was scouring the area where the werewolves had traversed through.
One division of aurors jerked up at the sound of a whistle and they looked over to see a signal from the other team, indicating that they had found something.
Kingsley Shacklebolt instructed his team to follow and he led the way to the designated spot. As they arrived, their eyes shot open at the sight that greeted them.
Limbs were strewn about, bellies torn asunder, and skulls caved in. The claw marks were clearly visible on the mutilated corpses.
"How many?" Kingsley asked.
"Six, sir," one of the aurors replied gravely. "The descriptions check out. Apart from Lucius Malfoy, we have all the others here."
"I see," Kingsley muttered. "Secure all the evidence. I'm heading back."
The aurors got to work as Kingsley twisted on the spot and apparated away.
TBC.
Check out the link on my profile for early access and more of my work. Chapters 22, 23, and 24 are already up.
Thanks for reading.