Chapter 1
"So they finally decided to join us huh?" James rubbed his eyes, his nerves frayed already and Sirius had barely started speaking. He understood the frustration. A month ago, an entire month, 30 days, they had been told that the insanely high higher ups had someone that could help with the case. They had all been excited, even when it had been said that they were in witness protection. It was a break they could use. Apparently this person was familiar with these things, and even had clearence for consultations! And then the news hit a few days later. The person had refused. It was not a nice refusal either, and Lily had said that it was actually a cutting and biting refusal which, once they had read the notations for it, had left them all wincing in pain. James just had not understood. After all, the sooner they put these bad guys behind bars, the sooner this guy was gonna be able to go free. Leave witness protection and have their own life again. Surely they wanted that? It was not as though James' team was bad. They had the highest rate in the damned FBI. Their team was the IT team of the government. The one you put in charge of all the difficult cases and shit. Still, no use crying over spilled milk, something Remus had drilled down their throats after another week afterwards of moping.
Now, out of seemingly nowhere, 30 days later, the mystery had agreed. They had said that considering how useless the team seemed to be, it was inevitable that they help out before more people got killed because of their ineptitude. James wouldn't lie. It stung like hell. He knew that they had been spending a considerable time trying to find these guys. He knew that. the victim pool got larger and larger with seemingly no end in sight, the most recent was a child...and their breakthrough as dark as it may seem.
The victim pool had included children. It had from the beginning, when they realized it was serial due to the death of a child matching the death of a former clerk. This was, however, the first boy. Not just the first male child...the first male. Over ten deaths already, and this was the only male so far. A bit morbid but that meant that something had changed. Something had happened to cause a change, and they had to figure it out before they got screwed over yet again.
The Mystery Man, as he had been dubbed, was supposed to join their briefing about the new lead. He was supposed to be offering new insights to the case, new information if possible...and he was late. Now, James was not one to normally vilify people that were late, after all things happened, it was life. Sometimes, you left super early and still got to your destination late, not to mention this was somebody on witness protection, they could not exactly expect efficentcy here. It was just...perhaps he was with Sirius a little bit being annoyed at the refusal in the first place-one which led to yet another death-because he found himself not giving the grace he typically extended.
"When is this guy gonna get here?" Sirius grumbled irritated, arms crossing over his chest. Lily sighed.
"I have already told you that it is going to take time. They are in Witness Protection. I am sure you are aware all the paperwork you had to sign when you came in?" The group nodded in tandem. "That was because this person is in witness protection. He may be certified to consult, but it is important we also keep his identity protected. Not just that, we need to protect this person at all costs. He is the main reason multiple underground organizations are being held accountable. I do not want any sort of hatred seeping from any of you. Understood?" Lily's stern words drew reluctant nods from all around the table. Sirius still felt petulant, but the expression was wiped from his face moments later when they heard the door slam open and a body shove through it, landing in a heap on the floor.
James felt his vision fade out. The man...the man was beautiful. Slightly curling black hair, electric grey eyes, leathe, and pale...very pale. He had nails which were painted a dark grey-to match the eyes James presumed-and he wore a sleeveless grey shirt wtih a black overcoat. The man quickly stood, leaning over Dorcas to grab the file mania and chuck it full force at whoever was just beyond the doorway. There was some under the breath muttering, and James was a bit too far to hear what was being said, but all that followed it was a chuckle and then in walked the man himself. Bartimus Crouch Jr.
James felt his heart almost sieze as he saw who apparently had procured their consult. It was the director...Lily definitely had not been joking when she said big wigs. James felt something inside him die as he saw the one person that could literally end the career of everyone in this room with a snape of their fingers. He now understood why it was so important to Lily that they do everything perfectly and not fuck up. She could lose her job, they could all loose their jobs actually if this was not handled with perfect decorum. James could see even Sirius taking a much more serious body posture once the man himself walked in.
"Sorry for the tardiness. Do you know how difficult it was to wrangle him out of bed?" Bartemus tiled his head towards their consultent, who glared at him. James felt a shiver roll down his spine at the look. The man was certainly daring, that was certain. The man behind their newbie scoffed. Watery eyes and a head of brown hair saw one Evan Rosier...yet another infmously powerful individual. James almost wanted to faint from the sight of the two most powerful people in the FBI standing in their room right now. The latter had a firm grip around the attempted escapee's waist, holding him in place.
"You know how hard it was to even convince him to come?" Dark brown eyes turned serious.
"Yes, Rosier, I am aware." They turned back to Lily, all ignoring the bare mouthed growl that eminated from their consultant. "That being said. He has agreed to one visit. One only. If he decided to continue offering his help, we will accompany you on the plane. Otherwise, we will be returning."
"Of course, we are just grateful for the help." Lily breathed out. James almost felt back. He knew how much pain Lily had been going through lately. He may not love her anymore, and they may not be together any longer, but that did not mean it didn't hurt to see her stressed out.
"Sit down!" The stern words seemed almost at odds with the gentle look Rosier gave the newbie, but the man growled once low in his throat, before sidestepping all of them and picking the seat the furtherest away from him, Sirius, and Remus. they leaned back in the chair, folding their arms over their chest, tucking their chin close, and eyeing the projecter. Every bit the posture for cold, untrusting defensiveness.