Raid and Run
“Auror Team One in position, ready to go,”
“Auror Team Two, confirm on perimeter,”
“Team Two confirm, ready and waiting.”
It was half past midnight when the final light in Spinner’s End was sniffed out. The two teams of Aurors had been waiting since nearly eleven. They’d seen Marcus Flint, the displaced Weasley Twins, and finally, Harry Potter all head to the second floor. The two Malfoys were also present, lounging in the living room until nearly midnight before the final light was snuffed out.
Later, Shacklebolt would be certain to write Johnson up for lack of basic information. For years following the event, no Auror would ever cross Shacklebolt again.
‘’Team One, move in now!’’ Shacklebolt’s voice broke the silence as the six man team moved under the cover of night towards the house. The team had made it swiftly up the stairs and onto the porch before they were ambushed. Almost instantly, two of the men were thrown back, landing on a bush of Devil’s Snare. Another two sunk right into the ground, up to their shoulders. Shacklebolt and Johnson quickly went up to the door, pounding on the wood.
‘’SNAPE! THIS IS AUROR SHACKLEBOLT! BY THE ORDER OF HEAD AUROR AMELIA BONES, YOU ARE TO RELIQUENSH ONE HAR-’’
The door swung open causing Shacklebolt to step back, right into Johnson. Johnson froze, mouth agape and eyes wide. ‘’Get yourself together, Johnson! What in Merlin’s name has you stiff?!’’ Shacklebolt whispered harshly, fury radiating into his aura.
‘’L-L-L-Lu-Malfoy!’’ Johnson stammered, before his eyes rolled up into his skull and he fell onto a useless heap on the porch. Shacklebolt rolled his eyes and turned to meet one impeccably dressed Lucius Malfoy, shadowed by his original target, Severus Snape. For all Lucius Malfoy was dressed in a cream colored tailored suit, Severus Snape was dressed in a set of tailored wizarding robes. Shacklebolt suddenly felt small, despite towering over both men. They radiated powerful auras and despite his other team, Shacklebolt felt too exposed.
‘’Mipsy! Attend to the guests, see them all returned to the ministry!’’
A young female house elf wearing a dark dress and mary janes popped into existence, bowed at her master and with a snap of her fingers, the other team of Aurors appeared, bound in ropes, while the others were suddenly freed and then bound as well. Mipsy gave Shacklebolt a wide smile, before taking the eleven incapacitated Aurors away with her.
Shackebolt sighed and suddenly wished he would’ve left with the elf as well. It was certainly a far better fate than dealing with the two wizards in front of him.
‘’Do come in, Kings,’’ Severus’s voice was silky smooth, ‘’I insist.’’
Shacklebolt could do nothing else except obey.
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Narcissa would never say she was a gossip per say, she would define herself as a well connected woman with an ear in all the right places. She would also never say that Weasley twins were geniuses but they were and each of them would be receiving a well deserved potions master kit. The instantaneous quick sand pits were delightful!
Just as the Weasley twins were geniuses in their own right, Narcissa enjoyed her connections greatly. It never hurt that her sister Andromeda had flourished into a solicitor and that her secretary was a terrible gossip. So it was no surprise that the supposed raid reached her ears in no time flat.
The nosy secretary would be receiving a gift basket soon enough.
It had been midnight on the dot when she, Lucius and Severus had made their move. The Weasley twins concealed themselves with a powerful notice me not and went to place the quick sand pits out on the porch before calling on a house elf to bring them back to their room.
Narcissa had left Lucius to prim Severus to his standards as she gracefully went upstairs, pleased to find Marcus ready with Harry and an overnight bag. Aster was leaning against the wall, already in his human form. Jack floated next to him.
“Do you all remember the plan?”
“Aye,”
“Yep! Don’t worry-Bunny, Marcus and I will be long gone before they get here.”
Aster grumbled and crossed his arms in defiance. Narcisa had been explicit in using non-magickal means to leave Spinner’s End. She was sure there were plain clothes Aurors posted somewhere. Aster had spent nearly a half hour fuming after being told he couldn’t use the tunnels. Jack had reassured him, saying that now they’d blend it just fine.
Harry had laughed; sure everyone looked human enough, but Marcus looked like a tall punk rocker and between Aster and Jack who sported oddly colored hair-the three of them looked like a rock band.
They waited until they heard the distant pop of Mipsy leaving with the Aurors to make their move. Marcus, Jack and Aster slide down the drain pipe onto the grounds below and quickly dashed down the street where a taxi was waiting for them. Narcissa waited until the taxi was far away to make her move.
“Dobby!”
Dobby appeared suddenly, large ears flopping to and fro. He was impeccably dressed in a frock and shorts with brightly colored socks. The house elf bowed,ready to help.
“Won’t they know?”
“Not at all, house elf magick is the one thing the ministry can not track. Now then, take Dobby’s hand and take a deep breath,’’ Narcissa claimed Dobbby’s other hand and with a nearly soundless pop, the three of them vanished into the night.
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Severus sat across from Shacklebolt and Lucius, neither of them saying anything. Shacklebolt had long discarded his heavy outer Auror robes, choosing to remain in his lighter inner robes instead. For long moments, all three men stared at each other, until Shacklebolt sighed. He knew if he did not speak, neither of them would.
‘’Severus, you must understand, my friend, ‘’ Shacklebolt spok, keeping his voice as even as possible, ‘’Amelia has requested this. I can not leave here without the child-he’s in the middle of a custody battle.’’
‘’The child in question, Auror Shacklebolt, is Harry Juniper Bunnymund correct?’’ Lucius spoke in a voice that broke no room for argument.
It was at that moment that Shacklebolt understood; he may have still assumed that Severus was his friend, but at the moment, Severus was against him. Against the ministry-all for the sake of Harry. Lucius was not acting as his friend-he was Severus’ lawyer. Quickly, the seasoned Auror stood, flicked his wand into his hand and let it glide through the air.
‘’My apologies, gentlemen for broaching your home and disturbing your peace. I am Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, under the division of Head Auror Amelia Bones. I am hereby under authority to search the premises for one Harry James Potter. May I have your permission to search the house?’’
‘’Auror Shacklebolt, the Weasley’s own a house, this is manor. However, you may continue your fruitless search. You have ten minutes,’’ Lucius spoke, holding the other man’s gaze.
Kingsley nodded his head and began his search. A well trained Auror could easily find a child in under eight minutes. Lucius had been far too charitable-a whole ten minutes. Perhaps he should have asked for a cup of tea.
Once Kinglsey began his search of the upstairs, Lucius held his hand out towards Severus. Severus sighed and rolled his eyes, but produced two galleons and placed them in his waiting hand.
‘’Never bet against a Malfoy, dear,’’
‘’I’ll do well to remember that, darling.’’
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Fifteen minutes later and Kinglsey could say that tonight had been a failure. There had been no sign of any other occupants in the manor. Johnson would need to get his eyes checked, again. Now, he would have to go back downstairs and apologize and then leave.
How embarrassing.
Amelia would be beyond pissed, once he returned. Still, the evidence did not lie. Spinner’s End had one master bedroom, currently in use, three guest rooms, all with a significant amount of dust and old furniture. He was sure he spotted a few doxies as well. The kitchen was nearly bare, save for a small roast and some vegetables-enough for one person, possible two. The potion’s lab was the only area which was impeccable and considering Severus’ frequent use of it, it was not difficult to see why. Everything else in the manor spoke of a lonely man’s life.
Harry James Potter was not here.
He met them downstairs, by the front door. Lucius had his robe waiting. Kingsley gratuitously took the robe and put it on.
‘’Did you find everything to your satisfaction, Auror Shacklebolt?’’
‘’Yes indeed. On the books, Harry James Potter was not at Spinner’s End. Enjoy your night.’’
Kingsley stepped out onto the porch and turned to face the men, a smirk graced his features, ‘’Off the books, Severus, give Narcissa my love. She’s done wonderful work on the manor and next time, check your hairbrush.’’
Kingsley threw the hairbrush at Severus who caught and held it up to the light-there were several strands of Harry’s very distinct multicolored hair stuck in the soft bristles.
‘’You despicable Ravenclaw, Kings’’
‘’Slimey Slytherins!’’
Kingsley apparated on the spot, leaving the men behind.