The Case of the Death Eater's Deception

[ginger newts]

Thought I'd give this mystery thing a shot...

Albus and Minerva in
The Case of the Death Eaters Deception

Chapter 1

As I step out of the fireplace into the sitting room, I can feel the emptiness of the house around me. It is dark and cold, I hate it here. This house represents the antithesis of everything I stand for. All around me are vestiges of the recent “celebrations.” A large potted plant from the head of Hufflepuff sits on the desk. If ever there was a house that should be removed from Hogwarts it surely is Hufflepuff. They are a useless group, always blindly tagging along where ever the idiotic Gryffindors lead them. I see that the portrait of Salazar Slytherin, which graced the wall for generations, has been replaced by one of our meddlesome Minister. Such a bother she was these last few years, trying to stop the purification of our race.

I cannot bear to linger in this house, I hope the items are still in the locked drawer in the study. I need the money to hold me over until the dark lord returns. My information is useless until then and now I am without a means of support. Averting my gaze from the disgraceful display in the sitting room, I hurry through the darkened hallway to the study. The wood of the desk is cool beneath my hands as I fumble for the catch to open the secret drawer. I can tell by the way it sticks that no one has opened it in some time. Finally, it gives way and I reach inside to withdraw the contents. What is this? Where is the gold, the antique jewels? There is nothing here but parchment. I pull out the sheaths in order to look underneath but my hand only encounters the wood at the bottom of the drawer.

I look through the documents as I crush them one at a time in my fist. Such rubbish: the deed to the house, birth certificates, death certificates. All useless! Wait, what is this? A most interesting document indeed. I feel my blood begin to boil as I flip through the pages, this is an outrage. How dare he! First the noble work of the dark lord is stopped by that interfering infant and now this. Something must be done, I cannot let this injustice pass. I stuff the document into my pocket and throw the others back into the drawer before finally taking my leave of this house. I must go home and plan, I hope I never return here again.

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster, was pacing a groove in the floor as Minerva Mcgonagall, Deputy Headmistress, watched. Albus had gone to yet another Death Eater trial yesterday and it had been one of the worst yet. Three men accused of being Death Eaters and captured in the very act of torturing a Muggle-born witch had been freed from captivity because it was deemed the three had been under the Imperious curse. Minerva could feel the rays of hopeless indignation rolling off Albus. She felt impotent herself that the likes of Lucius Malfoy, and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle had gotten of scot-free.

"Albus, stop pacing before you wear a hole in the floor and talk to me,” Minerva chastised gently.

Albus gave a small apologetic smile and took a seat on the sofa. "Thank you, my dear, I know there isn't anything I can do about the matter but too many are claiming to have been acting against their will." He released a small sigh. "Too many will be waiting for Voldemort to return."

She covered his hand with her own smaller one and said, "I know, Albus, it troubles me as well. But what can we do? The immediate danger is over and we have to move forward somehow."

"Minerva, he will return, I assure you and I don't know how or when but the more we let his supporters free, the worse it will be for us. Barty Crouch is prosecuting without proof while Millie Bagnold is releasing left and right."

Minerva sighed and forced him to meet her gaze. "Well then what do you suggest we do?" she asked.

His blue eyes held her emerald ones for a long moment. "We keep our guard up. We don't have the resources to keep track of every suspected Death Eater, but we need to remember those we suspected and keep notes of any activities that are suspect. I personally suspect quite a bit of gold is changing hands. I think we should take note of those with sudden wealth." He paused for a moment and then continued. "I hate to say it since we are in a period of relative peace, we may have disbanded the Order for now but we can't stop watching."

She nodded, as always Albus was thinking of all the possibilities. "The Order may have officially disbanded, but we still have many trusted contacts. Am I safe in assuming you already have eyes and ears throughout the community?"

Albus' eyes took on their familiar twinkle."I have asked a few people to keep me informed of any unusual actions or donations. I am not certain how long Millie can remain as minister and we need to cull as many people to our side when its time to choose another." His shoulders slumped slightly. "There are still those calling for a 'pure' administration."

"And there are those who will call for you to become Minister," Minerva reminded him softly. Twice already Albus had been asked to take over the post and she knew he hated the almost endless cajoling that accompanied the invitation.

"My place is here, Minerva." He smiled brightly for a moment. "I would no more accept the position than you would."

"I know," she answered with a small smile of her own. "I'm glad, Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without you."

"Nor you, my dear."

Minerva blushed and dropped her gaze as they settled into a companionable silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

Minerva’s thoughts turned to Albus’ earlier statements. He had been telling her since November that the evil would return and she knew he was right. All across Wizarding Britain people were beginning to relax and rebuild their lives. Families were ending their period of grieving for tragic deaths and neighbors no longer feared each other. There had been a drop in Death Eater activity recently, but Albus was worried that as soon as they all let down their guard the dark would rise again. The Order of the Phoenix had fought long and hard over the last eleven years, but sometimes it seemed like they lost more than they gained.

Minerva was proud of her former students who fought for the light, but every time one of her Gryffindors died she felt the loss. The deaths of Lily and James Potter had especially affected her. They had been such recent graduates of Hogwarts, good kids, firmly devoted to the side of light, and such proud and happy parents. Then their lives ended so tragically, with one friend and supposed ally betraying them and another dying needlessly only the next day. It made Minerva both angry and sad to see the lives of such bright young people wasted in such a manner. Unconsciously, she sighed and leaned her head against Albus’ arm. She wasn’t prepared to re-enter a time like that they had just left.

They had been lucky in so much as the staff of Hogwarts had gotten through the war relatively unscathed. Harold Barnes, the Potions Master and head of Slytherin house, had sent his son to France after his graduation so he could escape the turmoil; Irma Pince, the librarian, had lost a brother and gone on sabbatical for part of the school year; luckily, everyone else’s family had remained whole.

Albus watched Minerva through his half-moon glasses as she drifted into her private thoughts, the ones she didn't share with him. He knew she was thinking about all the lives lost in the war. Lives that were wasted needlessly because a boy could not rise above the circumstances of his birth. His own thoughts strayed into other areas. He had been so happy for this respite however brief it might be. He had known terror and the thought of Minerva not surviving the war had turned the contents of his stomach into cold stones of fear.

He still clenched his fists when he realized it was only chance that had kept her safe. She had been protected in the castle but the last summer had been horrid while he worried whether she was injured or worse. Her daily owls had not been enough for him. He slept uneasily until he heard from her the following morning only to begin worrying again as the day wore on. The relief he felt upon seeing her again and having her close made him realize he felt more than friendship or a familial protectiveness for her. Not one to waste time, he had broached the subject with her that very night. It was the eve of the beginning of the new school year and to his delight she had not dashed his hopes or crushed his dreams. She had softly admitted her own evolving feelings for him and they had slowly begun a courtship in the very darkest days of the war.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt Minerva's head against his arm. Gently, he maneuvered it from beneath her head and wrapped it around her shoulders, causing her to shift slightly closer to his body. She turned her head to look up at him and Albus slowly lowered his lips to brush softly against hers. Like all lovers in the first rush of a new relationship, the kiss quickly became more passionate and Albus broke apart only to lead her toward his bedroom.

[ginger newts]

The next morning they were awoken by an owl pecking at the window to deliver that day's Daily Prophet. Albus lazily waved his wand and caused the window to open as Minerva groaned and rolled over, in her opinion it was far too early to get up during the summer holidays. Albus dropped the newspaper on the bed and pressed his body to Minerva's. She curled into a ball and kept her eyes closed. He placed a kiss to her cheek and traced her jaw line with one of his long fingers. She protested by snuggling deeper into him and he enjoyed her warmth before regretfully squeezing her shoulder. She stretched slowly in a cat like fashion and turned her head slowly to face him. One eye opened before closing against the bright sunshine on her face

“Why must you insist on sleeping with the curtains open,” Minerva complained.

Albus chuckled and kissed her lips quickly. “Because it helps me wake up.”

She opened her eyes halfway and gave him an exasperated look. “Was that the paper that came a minute ago?”

Albus’ answer was muffled by her neck, “Yes, why don’t you stay here and see if there’s anything important while I take my shower.”

He rose from the bed, and walked across the room to draw the curtains part way before heading to the adjoining bathroom for a shower. Minerva watched him go and then picked up the paper and glanced over the headlines. On the third page a headline caught her eye. The water had just started to run in the bathroom and she raised her voice to be heard over it.

“Albus,” she called. “Come and look at this.”

Albus emerged from the bathroom still dry and sat on the bed. She pointed her finger at the portrait of an elderly wizard sitting at his desk. He read the article in the paper alongside her.

In a display of the tragic consequences of home brewed potions, Winston Thorpe succumbed to a poison he brewed instead of the pepper up he was attempting to make. Mr. Thorpe was found dead in his study yesterday morning by his faithful house elf. He was known by many to brew his own potions and often took a pepper up potion in the evening in order to work longer hours. The Ministry of Magic and the Healers at St. Mungo’s want to caution everyone to buy potions from a reliable apothecary rather than attempting to brew them at home.

Services for Mr. Thorpe will be held in Hogsmeade tomorrow afternoon.

“I wonder if the others have seen this,” Albus said. “I believe most of the staff used him for their legal concerns.”

“Filius just had an appointment with him this week,” Minerva answered.

“Come on, let’s get downstairs to breakfast and find out who plans to attend the services.”

They rose from the bed and dressed quickly before making their way to the Great Hall where the rest of the staff had already assembled. Almost everyone had stayed for the summer this year in order to catch up on work as it was the first year in a long time that they didn't have to worry about the threat of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Albus and Minerva could tell by the somber look on everyone's face that they had seen the paper.

Albus addressed the assembled staff as he took his seat, “I see the news is out. I think it would be appropriate this once for the castle to be empty if all would like to attend services tomorrow. Who will be going?"

Minerva looked around as she served herself bacon and eggs and began buttering a slice of toast. Heads were nodding all up and down the table, Professor Barnes on her right as well as Poppy, and Professors Vector and Sinistra beyond him. On the other side of Albus, Filius squeaked in the affirmative while Hagrid nodded along with Professors Kettleburn and Sprout and Madam Hooch. Only the school’s caretaker Argus Filch did not appear to be attending; they would have to find out about Professor Trelawney later. Minerva did not envy whoever would have the job of going up to her tower to talk to her.

The topic of discussion at the table was the death of Winston Thorpe and she caught various words from the other professors. "He made out my will for only three galleons..." "I heard he saved hundreds for Poppy when she bought her house..." "so sad. a widower I hear..." “I’ve known him since I was ten.”

Albus spoke quietly, so that only Minerva could hear him, "It seems that life truly is returning to normal, this will be the first funeral I've attended in years that is not for a victim of the Death Eaters."

As they finished eating, the staff left the hall in twos and threes to prepare for a day of meetings and curriculum planning.

[Kassandra]

I am so glad that you are writing a mystery. It has a great beginning and I can't wait for more and its okay if I can't figure it out, I will enjoy it all the same. You are an awesome writer and now you have branched into a new field. I think Karlie is gonna love this. Kassie

[Kandice]

Well, I'm in the mood for a good mystery. I am glad to see another writer in this area. I say the more the merrier. I hope we won't have to wait forever for an update not that I believe you would torture us in that way. Please note that I am not asking if this is a lemony mystery. Kandie

[Sensiblyquirky]

Good job on your first foray into this section. I liked it; looking forward to more.

[Hogwarts Duo]

I've always loved a good mystery and this one has certainly grabbed my attention! I am certainly intrigued by the way you're writing this story. Looking forward to more!

[Karlynne]

I swear you should write for a living. This is a fabulous story so far. I loved the portrayal of your characters and I can go on and on about the plot you are developing. I can't wait for more. Karlie

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh I always love a good mystery and this one is one of them and I am looking forward to more.

Clayre xx

[Kamdra]

I really like mysteries and I like this one so far. I have no clue as to where you are going with this but I hope to figure it out. Kammie

[Jaya]

I always love a mystery... and your's is shaping up to be a fantastic one!

Jaya

[ginger newts]

Chapter 2

I'm glad it's raining today, I do not look suspicious in my heavy cloak with the all concealing hood. This has to be the most boring funeral I have ever attended. People keep going on about what a good man Winston Thorpe was, detailing his kind and generous nature. If I did not have a purpose here I would have left long ago. I see all my old professors are here; can they never do anything alone? I have managed to avoid running into them, but have stayed close to a new staff member. The stupid bat keeps going on about having foreseen the death and it is all I can do not to cast a silencing charm over her.

I am sticking rather closely to her but she doesn't notice me. No one speaks more than a word or two to her and she isn't aware of the individuals that turn and head the other way as she approaches. I overhear many conversations that prove rather interesting. Lowell Burke is being sent to Azkaban for selling illegal dark objects to my lord's faithful servants. I was going to sell him a few items but now I will have to find another dealer. Over the open grave I now see William Braswell, former Potions Master and the only head of Slytherin to ever fight against a dark lord. He is said to have defended many against the followers of my master. Next to him is Oliver Justice. The prat is nothing more than a bootlicker but he is rising through the ministry ranks quickly. I am ashamed to say we roomed together for seven years and I never even considered he would resist the dark lord and work for the enemy.

I quickly turn away as the most painful thorn in my side looks my way. Albus Dumbledore, the “esteemed” headmaster of Hogwarts and the greatest opposition to our work. The Muggle loving fool actually believes he can defeat the dark lord. Ha! The dark lord will rise again, more powerful with even more followers, and the old fool will be powerless to stop him. I watch the dirty old man take Professor McGonagall by the arm and lead her to another group of old crows. You can't tell me they aren't shagging. Enjoy it while you can old man, you'll get yours.
Albus led Minerva toward a group of school Governors who were standing not far away, it seemed only appropriate to greet them even under the sad circumstances.

"Albus, just the man we wanted to see." Gordon Lockhart held out his hand and pumped Albus' vigorously. "I hear the staff will remain at the castle nearly the entire summer holidays. I know there is much work to do now that You-Know-Who is no longer our top concern."

Lisette Maynard, the newest member of the Board of governors, made conciliatory comments about this being the only summer the staff would have to work and perhaps they would be compensated another year. Minerva struggled not to lift an eyebrow in disdain but the twinkle in Albus' eyes calmed her and she turned to speak to Arthur Thompson, the senior member on the Board.

"Arthur, so nice to see you. Is Mary not here today?" Minerva asked the older gentleman in a friendly tone.

"No, she is at home with the grandchildren," he answered. "How are things at the school?"

"Fine, everyone was just so shocked by the news about Winston."

"Yes, it was a surprise,” Arthur agreed. “Winston has been brewing his potions for years, his eyes must have been troubling him the day he made that one. His first attempt at brewing pepper up, so sad. He’ll be greatly missed."

Minerva nodded, "He would have appreciated the large turnout today, it is good to see so many people came despite the weather."

Finally, people are beginning to leave. The subject of my attention for the past few minutes moves away from the crowd and I follow at a distance, blending in with the others as they leave the small graveyard. Only a fool walks through the town instead of apparating home but this gives me the chance to find out where he is going with little risk of him disappearing on me. I see him enter his home and I go into the Hogshead to bide my time. From the window I can watch the front of the house, there are lights on in a downstairs window.

Once I am certain that enough time has passed for the funeral crowd to disperse, I leave the pub. The streets are empty this afternoon due to the pouring rain and I pass no one on my way to the house. It wouldn't do to rid the world of this traitor with a quick Avada Kedavra. No, I plan to let all see the price of resisting the dark lord. I apparate to the source of light and find the old fool completely unarmed as he eats his dinner, this will be easier than I thought.

My job done, I apparate home where a nice bottle of fire whiskey is waiting for me. That severing charm had an even better effect than I had imagined. I will sleep like a baby tonight after a job well done.

Albus drummed his fingers impatiently on the table until Minerva caught his hand and stopped his movement. The owls had not delivered the newspaper to the staff yet and he preferred a sweet cup of tea while perusing the paper over breakfast. He wasn’t the only one looking towards the ceiling. Filius Flitwick kept glancing up every few moments as well.

"Albus, the paper will come when it comes," remarked Minerva.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but the advertisement I placed for a new Defense Professor is supposed to run today and I am anxious to check the copy," he said, giving her an irresistibly penitent look.

Just then, ten owls swooped in through the open windows at the very top of the room and delivered papers to the impatient staff. There was a collective gasp of shock as they shook open the front page. For there, in huge bold letters, was the announcement that former Hogwarts Potions Master William Braswell had been murdered last night. The attack, the article said, appeared to have been the work of at least one Death Eater. However the number of curses performed leads investigators to believe it may have been more.

The article continued on to caution people that although most Death Eaters had been arrested and imprisoned they should take measures to secure their homes. However, no one in the Great Hall paid attention to these warnings as they began to discuss the news. "I can't believe it..." "...saw him yesterday at the funeral..." "he was my favorite teacher..." "...very fair head of house." “...saved my life once.” "Death Eaters...in Hogsmeade!"

Albus listened to all those comments with half an ear while he struggled to mull over his own troubling thoughts. Were rogue Death Eaters still out there or was this a small band of Voldemort’s followers that was determined to keep the wizarding world unsettled? He looked up to find Minerva's eyes on his own and a significant look passed between them before she turned to respond to Harold's comment about Professor Braswell instructing him in Potions.

"Yes, I always thought he was a very fair teacher as well. He never treated any of the students from other houses poorly and kept you Slytherins well in line. He'd have been proud of the way you've taken over his duties," Minerva said.

"He's the one that helped me choose Herbology for my area of expertise. He was a very learned man and knew more about plants than our old Herbology instructor, Professor Alistair," contributed Pomona Sprout.

The staff continued to discuss the astonishing news until Albus urged them to continue with their duties and reminded them that he would see them at four for a staff meeting. Minerva rose from the table and followed Albus to his office so they could discuss the news in more detail.

"What does this mean, Albus?" she asked when they were alone.

"I don't know, Minerva." He took a seat behind his desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I fear someone is either trying to replace Voldemort or one of his minions is seeking revenge." He spoke uncertainly and Minerva quickly picked up on it.

"You don't sound convinced.”

"There hasn't been a whisper of continued activity in months. Why start now?" he mused aloud.

Minerva moved to perch on the edge of his desk. "You think it is unrelated to You-Know-Who?" she questioned.

Albus ignored her avoidance of Voldemort’s name, "I am not certain. It could be a supporter of his acting independently from the others."

"Why William?" she wondered softly. "Why now?"

"I'm sure he had many enemies, Minerva. He was on the kill list of several Death Eaters that were captured. It was well known that he aided the Ministry in the war with Grindelwald."

"Such a pity to have survived the last eleven years and be attacked now when all was thought to be quiet again," Minerva answered sadly.

"Why don't we chase these thoughts from our head and find another way to spend the morning?" His hand crossed the surface of the desk and caressed hers with his long fingers.

She smiled softly as she rose from the desk and slid onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "What did you have in mind?" she purred.

Albus leaned his head forward and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, his tongue gently parting her lips and sliding inside. Her hands stroked his hair while their kisses deepened as their passion grew.

[ginger newts]

The paper came late this morning, they must have stopped the presses in order to include my triumph of last night. It's here, nearly a full page devoted to the story, people all over Britain will fear me. His faithless few are wallowing in prison or denying him while I am being granted the power I was promised. This article makes me sick, the Daily Prophet is obviously being run by a group of Muggle loving fools. The bias against dark magic, the magic of true power, is blatantly obvious.

Who cares that Isabel Crowhide donated a thousand galleons to orphans whose parents were killed in the war? They should have been on the winning side or they deserved to die. And what's this drivel about the ministry wanting to add another three curses to be classified as Unforgiveables? That's what is wrong with the magical community now. They are trying to weaken us and make us as pitiful as muggles. Cleopatra Smythe presents another ordinance to the Wizengamut suggesting the assets of prisoners be confiscated and used to fund the educational expenses of Muggleborns. Bah! Nonsense! My head hurts, I must’ve drunk too much fire whiskey last night. I think a nap will restore my energy, I will need it later.

I am a genius. Another display of my power should be just what the idiots need to realize that our work has not finished. This will be most enjoyable and may even throw them off my trail. Just to make things easier for me, the house is dark and the one I seek is alone here, I shall be home again in no time.

Cleopatra Smythe had been widowed since 1957 but she still lived in her husband's ancestral home. It was much too large for only one person but her husband had loved it so much. He had been born in this very house and she spent a few minutes each evening just wandering from room to room speaking with the occupants of various paintings hung throughout the house. She was in front of the only portrait of her son, long killed during the war against Grindelwald, and was speaking pleasantly to him when a flash of green light struck her in the back. She fell to the floor dead while the shouts of generations past filled the room.

Albus was awoken by the voice of his old friend Alastor Moody calling to him from the fireplace. "Albus! Albus, are you there? Wake up!"

He rolled over and rubbed his eyes, taking a moment to clear his head before grabbing his glasses and going to crouch down in front of the fire. "What is it Alastor?"

"I'm glad you're there...and alone," the ex-Auror's scarred face cracked into a crooked grin before growing serious again. "Cleo was just found dead in her home. Avada Kedavra apparently, no other signs of destruction or torture. Can you come to her house?"

Unfortunately Albus had been awoken many nights in this manner and he dressed and left a note for Minerva before he stepped into the fireplace and flooed to Cleo's house. His longtime friend and former classmate still lived in Smythe Manor on the outskirts of Devon and Albus tried to recall the last time he had visited while the grates of other floo stops passed by. He failed to bring his last visit to mind before he was stepping out and entering the spacious drawing room filled with several members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as well as several reporters.

"What happened?" he asked Alastor.

"No one is sure. The neighbors said they heard a disturbance, apparently all the portraits were crying out after her attack. They failed to get a look at her attacker, though they believe he, or she, was alone."

"Do you think it was precipitated by the article in the paper this morning, about her new legislation?" Albus asked.

"It is possible," Alastor conceded. "Two attacks in twenty-four hours, Albus. Something must be done."

Albus surveyed the room. Investigators were having a difficult time. Occupants of several portraits were still yelling at the response time of the Aurors as well of the indignation expressed over the death of the last member of a once very powerful family. Albus watched as Cleo's body was placed on a stretcher and carried out of the house. She would be transported to St. Mungo's where attendants could perform extensive diagnostic spellwork on her. Was her new legislation really the reason for her death or was there a broader message?

"Alastor, is our esteemed Minister planning to panic the public or will she just ignore this attack?"

Alastor rubbed his chin before shaking his head. "I believe it's 'ignore it' time. The last turn was panic the public." The Auror smiled grimly. "Might be better if she does ignore it. We have a better chance of solving it."

At took several hours before the investigators were finished and Albus returned to the school. He went directly to Minerva's rooms and let himself in with the password. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he gently shook her awake.

"Minerva, my dear, wake up. I need to speak to you," Albus said softly.

Minerva sat up instantly. The only light in the room was a small candle burning in the window which cast a soft glow over Albus' face. "Albus?"

He looked down on her face still etched with weariness. "It's Cleo, Minerva. She was killed tonight by an unknown assailant. I've just returned from her house."

"What?" she asked in shock. "What happened...was it Death Eaters again?"

"She was killed by the death curse. No one saw the killer but several portraits witnessed her death." She saw that his eyes were heavy with grief.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Albus was about to say yes but the concern in Minerva's eyes stopped him. Unable to speak he crawled into the bed beside her without removing any of his clothing and she wrapped her arms around him. Minerva closed her eyes as he buried his face in her neck, she knew he was grieving for his friend though he may not say so. After a moment she felt the dampness of his tears against her skin and she began to stroke his hair softly. She held him until his even breathing told her he had fallen asleep. Minerva eased her wand from beneath her pillow and vanished his outer cloak. She transfigured his robes into his nightshirt and watched him until the sun came up.

[Sensiblyquirky]

Very much enjoyed this chapter. I like the mystery elements, and then how you toss in some ad/mm moments. I, also, like the switch in pov. Good job.

Christy

[Nerweniel]

Ohhh... I love this! I adore mysteries, and I love this mad person... well, the I-guy. I especially loved the end of this chapter... AD/MM are even in sadness still cute!

Love,

Lies

[Karlynne]

I like the action in this chapter. The pace is pretty quick. I hope you update soon. Karlie

[Kalex]

Words literally fail me.

[Kandice]

Okay I am not sure yet who the killer is but I like to think its way too early in the game. Kandie

[tayryn]

haven't any clue about who's doing it... but i am thoroughly enjoying the mystery!

[Hogwarts Duo]

I love the way you switch pov's and show us what each side is thinking in this mystery and how things are unfolding. And the best bits are always the AD/MM moments that you give us...those are always welcomed. I love how Minerva consoles Albus in this chapter and I think it's sooo in character for both of them.

[Kassandra]

This is very good. I read it twice to make sure I understood it all and I think I found a clue. Kassie

[ginger newts]

Chapter 3

There he is, happily eating dinner with his fat ugly wife. That man made my life miserable. After my mother died my father turned to him for all the answers, as if he had them. Just because he's a big shot in the Ministry doesn't mean he knew what I needed. All children are fascinated by fire to some extent. Just because I enjoyed watching things burn I was subjected to hours of manual labor for burning a small pile of sticks. The fire wasn't going to get out of control. I can't wait to kill him. I should burn him alive.

Unfortunately, I have to eliminate him here tonight. There won't be the time for a burning and others would hear it. His death will be less painful than he deserves, but I will make him suffer.
If the old man would just get his pompous ass up and take a trip to the john it would make it easier for me. I better go inside just in case he gets up from the table.

Oh great, the bar is noisy and I can hardly see him. I don't have enough money to waste on a meal here. Wait! He's getting up. I better follow. Excellent, he's gone into the men's loo and there is no one here but us. Now to get this over with, but not too quickly I wish to enjoy it.

The surprise on his face was priceless. The old goat was actually about to say hello when I cast the first curse. How weak has our Ministry become when one of their top men cannot pull his own wand out. Of course his hands were full at the moment but he could have let go. After that he tried to reason with me. I felt such a surge of power hearing the nuisance plead for his life. He never showed me any mercy. Why should I show him any? I was only on my fourth curse, a particularly painful hex, when I heard footsteps approaching. I had to close the door to the stall and hide in the one to the far right but I made sure to put a silencing charm on him first.

After the intruder left I dumped old man Smothers on the floor and hurried on my way, apparating home as soon as I was out the door of the restaurant. If it hadn't been for the anti-disapparation wards I could have left directly from the stall, which would have been much more convenient. I am so angry I didn't get to cast a small burning curse on him. Just a little one so he would finally know that I have control over the flames I create. No matter, I am certain his death was painful and probably not too pleasant for whoever found him. I can't wait to read the papers in the morning. I always wanted fame.

Albus was pacing in Minerva's sitting room the evening after Cleopatra Smythe's murder. He hadn't spoken in a while and her heart was breaking at the sadness she could feel radiating off his body. His shoulders were slumped and his normally twinkling blue eyes were dull and cloudy.

"Tell me about Cleo," she requested.

"I met Cleo on the train to Hogwarts my first year. Two third years were picking on me and she knocked them both out in a single blow. I had never seen anyone so fierce." Albus put a small smile on his face. "She was a tomboy and played quidditch better than I could, rode a broom better, and could beat me in a foot race but she didn't mind that my feet were too large and I was a klutz."

Minerva smiled at the image of Albus as a klutzy young boy. "It's nice to have friends like that," she said softly, hoping to encourage him to say more.

Albus stopped pacing for a moment and looked at Minerva. "She didn't mind that my head was always in a book or that I forgot her birthday. She helped me with Arithmancy and I helped her with Charms." His eyes filled with tears. "I took her to the Yule ball fifth year and I remembered to get her a corsage. She was so happy and surprised. She danced every dance with me."

"She sounds like a very nice woman, and a very good friend," Minerva replied. "Do I detect a hint of puppy love?"

"It was a different time, Minerva." He resumed his pacing. "She was my best friend. I was the odd man at school but she always assured me that it wasn't me but the others that seemed strange. She didn't mind when I transfigured her boots into ducks and couldn't turn them back. She wore her bedroom slippers for three days before I figured it out. She told Professor Taft, the Transfigurations Professor, that she would wait on me to change them back and that she had faith in me. No one ever had before." His last sentence was whispered and he sat down heavily on the sofa.

Minerva had tears in her eyes as Albus sat down beside her. She reached for his hand and turned her whole body to face him. "I have faith in you," she whispered. "I can't make up for the friend you've lost, but she wasn't the only one who believed in you."

"Her husband Anthony and I got into a fight a week before they married because I saw him with another woman." Albus grinned ruefully and rubbed his nose. "It turned out to be his cousin who had arrived for the wedding. I broke his arm and he broke my nose."

"So that's how you broke your nose," Minerva answered with a smile of her own. "She was lucky to have such a good friend. You're a very good man, Albus."

"When Anthony was dying he begged me to look after her. He said I was the only one he could trust with the job and look how I've failed him." Albus covered his face with both hands and took a deep breath. "I thought she would be safe in her own home. I set the wards myself."

Minerva wrapped her arms around his shoulders and smoothed his hair back out of his face. "It's not your fault she was attacked, Albus. You did everything you could. She was a brave woman, one who stood up for her beliefs. And because of that she became the target of a mad man. There was nothing you could have done. It's not your fault," she repeated softly but firmly.

"I can't accept that." He tried to pull away from her but Minerva held firm.

"You have to accept it," she said sternly. "Blaming yourself won't bring her back. If you want to help her now, find out who killed her. Bring him to justice."

"Alastor is going to update me later this evening or tomorrow if they find anything. Otherwise they are just as baffled as before." He burrowed deeper into her. "Is this ever going to end?"

"It will end. You have always told me that good will always triumph over evil. I believe that and you need to keep on believing it. If the Ministry is impotent to stop this, then we will."

Albus lifted his head at the determination in her voice. "You'll help?"

"Don't sound so surprised," she answered. "Of course I will help. I will do whatever it takes to find out who is behind these attacks and stop them."

"I asked Alastor to bring me copies of the investigation files on the attacks on both victims when he comes. I may have to make several trips away from the castle to interview people. I may need your help there." He looked at her hopefully.

"Where ever you need to go, I will go with you," Minerva answered. "Do you think they will find anything at the houses?"

"They might but I am going to make certain nothing is missed or overlooked," he replied. He suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you, Minerva. Once again I find myself needing your support."

"You don't have to thank me, Albus. I will always be here for you. Merlin knows you've supported me enough through the years," she said, leaning into his embrace. "Why don't we try to get some sleep. It's been a long day and we have a lot to do tomorrow."

[ginger newts]

The next morning there was a meeting in the staff room for everyone who had remained for the summer. Albus was a few minutes late and Minerva listened to her colleagues discussing recent events as she read through her notes from previous meetings and looked over the agenda for the day. She always listened to the postulations from her colleagues. It caused many moments of merriment later when she and Albus would laugh over Sybil's firm belief that the grim always appears the night before the full moon in Diagon Alley. She listened to the speculation from Professors Sprout and Sinistra on whether they should continue to rent out their homes during the school year. It weakened the protection charms when family members didn't reside there but the income from the rent was a tidy sum and not easily dismissed.

Everyone seemed concerned that a new dark lord may be trying to take over the recently vacated position. Minerva understood their concerns and she hoped that when Alastor arrived he would have some information she and Albus could work with. However, she knew that if the Ministry had been first on the scene at both homes any clues were likely to have been overlooked or accidentally tampered with. They really could be infuriatingly inept at times.

"I read in today's paper that Michael Wood is the lead investigator. I taught him seven years ago." Professor Barnes looked grim for a moment. "He was not a good potions maker but then in his line of work he needn't be."

"I remember him as well," Filius said. "Charms wasn't exactly his strong suit either."

"I have to confess I never saw him as much of the investigative type," Professor Vector added. "He always spent more time chasing girls than doing his homework."

Minerva decided to add a few words about her former student as well. "Mr. Woods’ biggest problem was that he liked to cut corners and take shortcuts instead of doing his work."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table and then Albus entered the room. "Sorry I'm late everyone, the owls were threatening to take over my office and Fawkes became quite agitated by their presence."

The professors gathered their papers and settled into their chairs for the meeting. Albus tended to drone for hours when there was a full agenda. He began by discussing the curriculum changes the Governors wanted to make for the upcoming term and just as he was starting on the new Potions plans there was a knock on the door. Everyone started out of their stupor and looked at the door, wondering who it could possibly be since all the residents of the castle were present.

Whoever it was remained behind the door and the staff was unable to see around Albus to discover his visitor. The unknown man was forgotten however when Albus announced the meeting would be postponed until the following day at the same time and after a glance at Minerva, he left the staff room. Minerva rose quickly and followed while those remaining in the room looked at each other in surprise.

Minerva knew it had to be Alastor and she hurried to follow Albus to his office, catching up to the men halfway there. "Hello, Alastor," she said breathlessly.

His response came out more as a grunt than any discernable word as the three of them stepped onto the revolving staircase behind the stone gargoyle. Minerva could tell that he had something serious on his mind and wondered what news he had brought.

When the three of them were safely in Albus' office and the door closed behind them, Alastor laid several folders on the desk and turned to face the other two with a sigh. "It is getting worse I'm afraid," he said gruffly. "There was another murder last night, even worse than the last two."
Minerva grasped Albus' arm, feeling his own dread at finding out who had died. Together, they waited for Alastor to finish.

Seeing that they weren't going to say anything, the ex-Auror told them bluntly, "Felix Smothers was mutilated in the men's room at Le Palace Restaurant in Hogsmeade last night. The medical investigators say he probably suffered greatly before he died. No one saw or heard anything."
Albus and Minerva sat in shock. Felix Smothers was the head of the department of Magical Internal Affairs. Nothing went through the ministry without the go ahead from Felix. It was often reported that he was even more powerful than the Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold. Alastor let the news set in before continuing.

"The Minister feels the Auror division is incapable of handling a case of this magnitude without assistance and is assigning its own team of investigators. So not only do we have that nincompoop Wood on the case, we'll have more useless pricks soon. Pardon my French," he nodded towards Minerva.

She waved it off, still focused on his earlier statements. "Mutilated?" she asked, feeling her stomach clench in anticipation of what he might say.

"There was a severing hex that penetrated his jugular so blood was everywhere. He died within minutes." Alastor looked faintly green which said much as he had seen many murders over the course of his experience as an Auror. "Strangely enough he had a small flame at the end of a quill in his hand."

"Do you think it was a calling card from the murderer?" Minerva asked, looking at Albus to question his silence thus far.

Albus was staring straight ahead as though in deep thought. Alastor answered Minerva's question. "Felix conjured the flame. We examined his wand and it was the last spell he performed, probably after he was cursed but we don't know for what purpose. He died before we could move him to St. Mungo’s."

Minerva fell silent for a moment, thinking about this news. She looked up at Albus in concern, wondering what he was thinking. "What is being done by the Ministry?" she asked Alastor.

"Those clowns are stepping over our toes. A few have begun interviewing witnesses and feeding them information instead of gaining any." Alastor began walking towards the door with his peculiar limp. "I left the files there on the desk. You can read it for yourself but let me tell you. The day the ministry solves this is the day I eat my hat." The old Auror left the office with a harrumph and his steps faded within seconds.

Minerva watched him go and then glanced at the files, not quite wanting to read what was contained in them yet. "Albus?" she asked softly, her first concern being for his state of mind.

"I believe Felix was leaving us a clue, Minerva." Albus answered before she could ask, sighing and rubbing his eyes. "I knew him for many years before he decided to seek employment at the ministry. I believe he knew he was dying and wanted to help us. He may have seen his attacker."
"Then we have to figure out what the flame meant," she said. "We will solve this, but we'll have to act quickly before the Ministry can do anymore damage."

Minerva crossed to the desk and sorted through the files, deciding to start at the beginning with William Braswell's death. She opened the file and skimmed over the information she already knew, that he had been brutally murdered at home the night of Winston Thorpe's funeral. There wasn't much else, it seemed the killer had done his work very quickly and left nothing behind. The file on Cleopatra Smythe was much larger. She was an influential person and the investigation into her death was more extensive. Unfortunately, there was no more information than with William Braswell's death.

"There's nothing here we don't already know," she exclaimed in frustration. "Could there really have been no information, or did the Ministry workers overlook it?"

"I think we will only know once we begin interviewing witnesses and overlooking the scenes of the crimes for ourselves," remarked Albus.

"Then we should start as soon as possible. This afternoon?"

"Yes, why don't we take a look at Braswell's place of death first."

"Yes, he lived in town so that will be an easy trip. Then we could go to the restaurant before we leave for Devon," Minerva suggested.

"We have a day stretched out ahead of us so we best leave before another victim is found."

Minerva shuddered at the thought of another death and wondered how many more people would suffer before the killer was caught. She stood up from her seat behind Albus' desk and walked toward the door. "Coming?" she asked when he made no move to follow her.

Albus shook his head as if to clear away his musings and followed Minerva out the door and down the stairs.

[Aurinko]

It's wonderful! ;D The switching PoV is interesting, and I love the AD/MM moments that you've snuck in there.

[Kassandra]

I liked this chapter best of all so far. I loved learning so much about everything and I know you were dropping clues everywhere. Kassie

[Krystal]

Okay, there is something about this chapter that is bugging me and I think something is beginning to smell ripe. Off to hunt for my own clues.... Krys

[Karlynne]

Once again you've posted another brilliant chapter. I am so thrilled that you've decided to write mysteries well at least a mystery. I was sitting here thinking and I do believe I know who the killer is. Don't you just hate me for it? Karlie

[Sensiblyquirky]

Very nice chapter. I'm looking forward to the rest. (Thought it was time I reviewed)

Christy

[QuillofMinerva]

Great Chapter! I think my fave so far! I think I might have figured out who is the muderer but then I could be completely wrong (Wish I was Hecule Poirot right now)

Keep up the great work

Clayre xx

[Kamdra]

This is very good. I'm not certain of anything but I am going to keep reading until I figure it out or you tell us which is more likely. Kammie

[Jaya]

Woohoo!!!!

Still hunting for clues...

Jaya