Witch Hunt

[Vetenskapsman]

The days of Voldemort and Harry Potter are long past, and now a lone Auror is hunting one of the last Death Eaters. But it's not so simple. The Death Eater is hiding among the muggles, ironically enough, which means they cannot be brought to justice in a conventional manner, leaving matters to a game of wits in the center of modern London.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

A dark-coated man sat glumly by the window of the coffee shop, gazing despondently into the dreary, rain-soaked streets with eyes of the same dark gray complexion. He began tapping his fingers impatiently: Muggles took so long doing things with all their fancy machines that a wizard could do with the flick of a wand. Glancing around the shop, the man, whose name was Victor, couldn't help but feel uncomfortable -- like he was being watched by someone. After the Dark Lord fell, there was a perpetual paranoia of daily life, but this felt different somehow, like someone was specifically following him, rather than the haphazard squadrons of Aurors that always pranced around looking for any other former servants of he who should not be named. Victor had seen whoever it was trailing him for several blocks to the place, which, while it seemed unusual, may have simply been coincidence as they had entered the coffee shop as well. The only way to find out was to leave and see if this mysterious pursuer would follow. On the other hand it would look strange if he simply left without his order. He would simply have to be patient and resist the painful urge to look back over his shoulder at the adjacent table.


After several minutes of silence, interrupted only occasionally by the sound of muggle machines, his drink arrived. Coffee was one of the few things he appreciated about living among the muggles. Other wizards didn't seem to much care for the stuff, but muggles siphoned the drink down daily with an almost religious devotion. He wrapped his bony fingers around the medium-sized, styrofoam cup, holding it close his coat as he set for the door. It was time to see what would unfold.

 

[AntleredWolf]

Lyssa thought it rather humorous to pay a muggle to follow the man around, but that exactly what she did. She wasn't so much as following him herself, but she had casually followed the the muggle. She danced around in the rain for a time, her hooded rain coat kept her rather dry as she listened to her mp3 player. When the man she had casually tracked to the coffee shop finally came out, her paid muggle did, too. She didn't exchange any serious details with the woman. Names, why? Nothing. It was better that way, she just though she was trying to drive someone crazy which was the idea in the long run. As she had learned in a few short years at the Ministry: Panic breed's carelessness, carelessness leads to capture.


She continued to dance, but stopped after a time when her muggle had enough distance from her--she tailed them both once again. By this point in the day Lyss had begun to wonder if she would get back to her car. She had parked it in front of a small 24 hour convenient store, the enchanted car was surprisingly still rather street legal.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

So the little cretin was following him. His pursuer was practically on his heels as he exited the doorway. But something about it was off. It was too obvious. If someone was tracking him like this, one would think they would be more subtle. Either this person wasn't particularly skilled or something larger was at play. Whatever the case was, Victor preferred to play it safe.


The Death Eater walked several blocks down to a bus stop, the light, drizzling rain transforming into a torrential downpour. A car inched forward a slight way down the street with a vague familiarity to it. The dark wizard was certain he had seen the exact same car before. Perhaps my true follower is cleverer than I thought. Regardless, he waited for the bus which the schedule claimed would arrive in two minutes. His fingers shifted nervously together as he swayed his body ever so slightly toward and away from the curb. His proxy follower kept her usual pursuit, little more than a meter away.

 

[AntleredWolf]

She relaxed a bit, as she played with the keys in her pocket. She knew her car stood out in London, that's why she had chosen to walk. She sighed softly to herself when she saw that he was going to be getting onto the bus, she turned briskly on her heels and headed back two blocks for her car. This would be a leap of faith for her because she didn't know if she would get back in time. She knew she would need her car to keep up with the bus, many Auror's would have gone by broom in this situation--it wasn't an option.


She also knew that if she got on the bus with him she would be far too exposed. She jogged the first block and once she was safe distance she ran the rest of the way. Once she was in front of the convenient store, she slipped her ashwood wand down her sleeved hand--it was still concealed. Alhamora, she thought to herself. She heard the locks on the door pop up, she reached over, and then opened her door.


Once she was safely inside she buckled up and closed the door. She set her wand in between her legs, pulled her keys from her pocket, and finally pushed them back into the ignition.


Claire purred to life, "Alright girl, let me do the driving."


Lyssa pulled the car into an empty dim ally way. She checked her mirrors, no one was in site, so she cloaked the car. She then pulled a toggle and the car started to hover, she then shot the car in gear and dashed over to the bus stop. Just in time, the bus had just arrived.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

The dark wizard looked over his shoulder after taking a seat. The anonymous figure was still following him, taking a seat directly behind his, but the car was nowhere to be seen. Hmm, perhaps I'm just being paranoid, he mused, tapping his fingers gently on the edging of the seat in front of him. But it still didn't make sense that someone would be following with such flippant blatancy. No Auror would be that stupid. An uncomfortable silence hung over the bus, as only the white noise hum of the bus's engine gave a whisper of sound. Victor could feel his hand reaching for his wand while his heartbeat began to pick up. There was something clever at play here. Something he could feel so instinctually after so many years of hiding.


Finally the bus screeched to a halt a block away from his apartment complex, sending a spray tide of water cascading away from the vehicle. By this time the sun had completed its great exodus across the sky, settling gently into the horizon as twilight engulfed the world. Exiting the bus, Victor noticed he wasn't followed this time. In fact, it seemed he was completely alone on the darkening street. After the bus made its departure and rounded the corner, there wasn't a soul in sight. No people. No traffic. No witnesses. It couldn't simply be a coincidence. Not after being followed like that. Someone could easily corner him and no one would suspect a thing. But this also gave him some liberty to use magic, provided it wasn't too loud and all the curtain-shrouded windows remained as they were. The Death Eater drew his weapon, wrapping his fingers around the smooth leather grip that embraced the darkened oak wand. Instrument of death drawn, he began in a hurried scurry-walk to his apartment.

 

[AntleredWolf]

Lyssa had a rather smug smile upon her face, the man seemed to be going home. Victor was his name, she didn't know a whole lot about him alone his guilt by occasion and the reason the Ministry wanted him captured. So long as he didn't run, she now had an idea of where he lived.


For now though, the day had been long--it was pouring outside and she hadn't slept in close to twenty hours. It was time to give it a rest, she would send a report to the ministry once she got back home. She went down a few blocks into a windowless alleyway, she brought the car gently down onto the ground and removed its cloak. She then headed down the street away from the man's apartment.


She patted her dashboard, "Good job, Claire-bear." Then cars engine revved when its dashboard was patted. "To the Ministry's guest entrance we go.."


After a few city miles, she reached as shabby red phone booth. She parked, her Camaro shut off on its own, and then spat its keys out onto Lyss's lap, "I know girl, I'll be back soon."


She grabbed her keys an wand as she got out of the car. Colloportus, she thought with her wand pointed at the car. She tucked her keys into her pocket, walked over to the booth, got into it, and shut the door behind herself.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

The door closed in near silence, sealing Victor safely within the confines of his home. The wizard flicked a light switch, inundating the shadowed room with light and illuminating every corner. It was an ironically modern place as far as the homes of Death Eaters go, seeing that they tend to have a preference for magic over technology, but, as far as Victor was concerned, it made him all the less suspicious.


"Gartley," the dark clothed wizard called out, a pitiful-looking house elf emerging from another room with his large eyes perpetually pointed to the floor, "You haven't seen anyone suspicious around the house, 'ave you?"


"N-no, master! Gartley saw nothing unusual!" the house elf blurted out with pitiful, fear-embroidered obedience. It wasn't as if he could lie to his master, even if he wanted to, giving Victor cause for a relief-filled sigh. Still, he approached the window with hesitation in each step, peering out into the streets and scanning for anyone at all to be present, Gartley cowering in the corner as he watched his cruel master. "Nothing," the Death Eater muttered quietly, his tone accented by a hint of satisfaction. "Take care of this, won't you?" he ordered his servant, tossing Gartley the near-empty remains of his coffee cup before concluding to himself, "I should rest. There's a big day ahead of me."

 

[AntleredWolf]

She put in a few Muggle coins and then dialed 62442, "Welcome Vistor to the Ministry of Magic." It then descended downwards, and once it touched the floor she got out. She then watched over her shoulder as it ascended and headed towards level two of the Ministry of Magic, she got into the elevator pressed two. Once she got onto the appropriate floor, the elevate chided, "Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement."


She got out and headed for the Aurors Headquarters, she opened the door an entered. The woman at the front desk looked up at her, "Do you need to--"


"Yes, I have information regarding my case. I was told by Markus Fletchly to keep him informed.."


The woman nodded just as Markus stepped out of his office, "Ah, I was hoping you would come by today. It's a bit dreary out there, nice green raincoat you've got there."


Lyss brought her hood down as she headed into Markus's office. He promptly shut his door behind himself and settled back in at his desk, Lyssa stood, "I know where he lives now. I think I drove him quite batty, I paid a Muggle to follow him. She did quite well."


He arched a brow at her, "Paid a Muggle to follow him? Really now, this Muggle--are they alright?"


She nodded, "She's perfectly fine."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

Victor emerged from his home the next, not taking his hand off his wand for an instant. He would have to be suspicious of everyone for the next couple of days, or weeks, or months, or however long it took. Ironically enough, there was a bit of peacefulness about the day: The sun peeked brilliantly past departing, purple and gray clouds, casting a stream of light that reflected on the drenched streets and shallow puddles. The wind blew ever so gently, rustling leaves and branches as it danced by in the cool morning air. There were few people walking the sidewalks with a minimum of idle chatter. It was a refreshing start, perhaps one that he would need.


He proceeded down to the almost ancient cobble-stone sidewalk, flanked by medium height brick walls slowly conquered by viny, green plants. No one seemed to be watching him or looking at him strangely as he walked. Everything seemed so dreadfully normal, only serving to perpetuate his paranoia. Still, he proceeded to the bus stop. The death eater would simply need to do some walking around and pay attention to his surroundings. If he wasn't directly approached, he could go somewhere isolated, somewhere where they would be less hesitant to confront him without the liability of witnesses.

 

[AntleredWolf]

No one had really seen the man up close, but little Miss. Lyssa had grown rather curious. No one really knew much about her, most of her family didn't even know she was an Auror. Obviously she had grown tired of playing the watchful huntress, she was most thank ready to engage the fellow. That morning she tossed on a long black mermaid skirt, a crimson corset, a pair of black heels, and a cloak. With a few accessories and some rather heavy makeup she was out the door of her hotel room, she had left Claire behind.


Just her wand cleverly tucked into a hidden pocket on her corset and some money. There he was at the bus stop. He had to have been in his mid-to late thirties, she shrugged mentally and chewed on her tongue ring before she spoke. Her voice like velvet as she turned to talk to him with her wand concealed but in hand. There were Muggle's about, "I think we need to talk, I'm not ambushing--too messy. I do have a back up plan, so don't do anything stupid, please. You're wanted dead or alive for questioning, I could possibly help you remove that gigantic target from your back."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

Victor's lips twisted into a meager grin. His tracker had revealed herself... unless it was another ploy, much like the one from the previous day. It was a bold tactic either way: he would have to remain with his wits about him. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he brushed the tips of his fingers along the smooth grip of his wand, giving him some mild comfort. The death eater looked about his surroundings to the muggles on the street and then back to the woman. She was young. Significantly younger than himself it appeared. He was surprised the ministry would send someone her age on such a dangerous task. But then again, she was probably an Auror, and danger is something they made a career out of. It was also apparent that she was rather formally dressed for this encounter, but the motive for that eluded him.


"Anyone listening to this would be quite a liability, don't you think?" he whispered in his usual voice, cold and relatively deep as the meager grin he had previously carried slipped away. He brushed a bundle of long strands of hair out of his face, pulling his right hand out of his pocket while his left hand remained attached to his wand. "Perhaps we should speak somewhere... private," he concluded with a mild emphasis on the last word, "Take your pick around town. The bus will be here in just a few minutes."

 

[AntleredWolf]

She nodded once, "I'm well aware of that, would to remove your hand from your wand? That would be especially helpful. There's a place not that far from here, I need to pick.." An engine revved in the alleyway, she sighed, "..Looks like your chariot awaits. Head into the alley. Don't do anything funny, she has a mind of her own today."


Lyssa walked backwards into the alley, Claire opened her doors, the Camaro itself was a midnight blue with dark leather upholstery. Lyssa got in, "Claire, I told you stay at the hotel, but thank you." She didn't cloak the car as she drove out of the alleyway, "You probably carry the view most Deatheater's do still, right?" She stuck her wand behind her ear as she pulled out onto the street, "You see, I was given a choice when I was sorted--I chose to a Ravenclaw. I would have been in Slytherin, both my parent were Slytherin's--they work for the Ministry, too."


"So, yes. I am Auror, I'm also a 'Pureblood'. Anywho, there wasn't much in your file besides your association to Lord Voldemort. Anything you might care to elaborate on?"


She continued driving as she was headed out of town, "I need to know anything I can use to sway in your favor. I'm not stupid, I'm trying to give you a chance. I'm gotten mighty bored watching you, I have been watching you for close to six months. Surprised you didn't catch wind of me until yesterday, I decided to be a little bit playful.."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

"I'm no muggle-lover, if that's what you're asking. I didn't go to Hogwarts. Durmstang. None of the mud-blood nonsense," he said softly, following the former follower into the alley. The death eater climbed into the car, listening to the Auror. He removed his hand from his pocket when she told him to let go of the wand. Watching me for several months? No wonder I've felt like I've been observed. Now we move into the ever so touching plot for "redemption." Typical ministry wizard. At least she's no mud blood. The city blurred by as the traveled to their unknown destination. But that part could wait. He knew his house elf would be following him under the safe cloak of invisibility. "What's your name?" he asked casually, with near disregard for all that the Auror just said.


A former associate of his kept records of all the Aurors before he was apprehended just over a week ago, which Gartley quickly requisitioned. The ministry must be finally getting around to cracking down on the last death eaters. Nonetheless, all he needed was a name. Then he could learn a little more. Perhaps something that he could use to get the upper hand. Of course, she might lie about her name, which would only serve to complicate things further. Either way, he would find a way to learn more.

 

[AntleredWolf]

She grinned slightly, "I've got no problem with muggle's myself. I'm a heck of a lot more lenient--a lot of the Auror's are bringing in their Deatheater subjects dead or near it. I'm going above and beyond, I could have killed you yesterday--but I didn't. You probably haven't noticed the many time I've been right on top of with you trying anything. Enough of that though, I'm not doing this so you can redeem yourself, I'm doing this because Old Voldy's dead--there's no one left to follow. You can have your views and live out the rest of your life without having to hold onto your wand for dear life."


Claire turned on her tape deck which started to blast Cradle of Filth-Temptation, "Claire." Claire didn't listen, Lyss reached over to turn it off and got zapped a bit, Lyssa went back to keeping her eyes on the road. She arched her brow at his question, "Now what purpose would that serve? My name, I've only worked to lone case's before you. Before that I was still in mentoring, there won't be much on me and turning me in for having an enchanted car won't get you very far. It's street legal, I stay under the radar with it.."


Right at that moment a large black shadowy figure threw itself in the path of the car, "Another one?" She gripped her wand firmly, "Friend of yours?" She pressed the breaks firmly as it stopped directly in front of the car.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

"I like having names to go with faces," Victor responded, tapping his fingers in a beat on the dash board. His thoughts were not so nonchalant: Voldy? She loves all these stupid muggles but has no respect for wizards of true power. Now she claims she could have killed me? How precious. I've been out in the world long enough to hold my own against anyone, save for someone like Potter, or Lord Voldemort, when he was alive. Outwardly he simply listened, keeping his malevolence hidden beneath the surface. "Not the kind of music I would have expected from an Auror," he snickered. Come to think of it though, she didn't put the music on herself. This certainly isn't a normal muggle car. No, no, no. Probably enchanted.





The car came to a sudden halt as the Auror slammed on the breaks, subsequently asking if the person who had provoked the stop was a friend. It was too large to be Gartley. so he remained uncertain. Perhaps it was another death eater. But perhaps it was some maniac rushing across the street. "No," he said simply, "No one I'm aware of." Victor reached for his wand, slowly, as to make sure she wouldn't be startled and overreact. "I want to be able to protect myself if that isn't something pleasant that crossing right there," he said reassuringly, surprisingly with no ulterior motive in mind. "Should we get out the car or should we stay here?" he asked, resisting the urge to exploit the situation. She would be prepared if she tried anything here. Now wasn't the time to be flinging spells at an Auror, especially in broad daylight.

 

[AntleredWolf]

The form of a man appeared in front of her car, Claire's mood changed to match her own, with wand in hand. She rolled the window down and pointed it at the hand she though she saw a wand in. Expelliarmus, she thought. She was right, to her surprise she was charged at by the angered man. She pulled herself into the window seal of the car, "Stupefy!"


The man was blown backward quite a ways, she pulled her body the rest of the way out of the opened window. It boiled her blood when she was randomly attacked in broad daylight. Was she attacked because of Victor or because of her being an Auror? She didn't know, she dashed over to the man with her back turned away from Victor. A careless mistake on her part, "Petrificus Totalus."


The man was stiff and unconscious, "Accio wand." His wand went into her hand without a moments hesitation, she pocketed it. Claire drove up to where her Mistress was and opened her trunk, and then with a few uses of the Locomotor charm the man was in her trunk. Claire closed the trunk and then locked it. Lyssa then walked around to the driver's seat, opened the door, buckled back up, and Claire closed the door for her.


Lyssa glanced over at the man in her passenger's seat, "Well, that was a surprise I could have done without having today..."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

"Indeed," he concurred, half-way out of the vehicle, wand drawn and pointed toward the assailant. Victor walked up to the unconscious man lying with his back to the pavement, wand held steadily in hand. "Garvey," Victor began with the cheeky grin, "Get this gentleman cleaned up and in the car, won't you?" The small gray appeared from thin air, a snap of its finger lifting the large man into the air, followed by another snap that placed him instantly in the car.


"Did you check if anyone was around?" the death eater asked with meager concern as he scanned the perimeter. None of the lights in the houses were on. Most of the curtains drawn, doors presumably locked. No one was outside. Strange for a London street.


"No, sir. Gartley checked as always, sir," the house elf replied, backing slightly away from his master with a bowed head. Victor knew the Auror wouldn't have been particularly pleased with a house elf, a creature sworn to protect its master at any cost, following the two of them around. Nonetheless, it was a necessary risk, albeit reflexively calling on the little scamp to take care of a mess was pretty gauche as far as subtlety went. Victor looked over at her face, searching for her reaction.

 

[AntleredWolf]

Lyssa frowned somewhat when she saw the house elf. She herself had freed the family's elf, it made her Grandfather furious. The elf stayed around as her friend, but passed from old age, "I don't mind the elf, I just hadn't expected it. Why don't the two of you hop in, no sense in making him follow along--might as well give him a ride, too."


Claire turned the radio back on to Omnia- Witches Brew, Claire was being auditorily challenged, "Hopefully neither of you mind the music.."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

The house elf had an excited look on his face when told he could ride along in the car. An expression which of course dissipated under the glare of his master's eyes. Victor resisted the urge to kick the pitiful creature or at least cast an amusing spell on it. Those forms of entertainment were ill-served in the presence of an Auror. Instead, both of them climbed into the car, Victor in the passenger's seat and Gartley in the back with their mysterious interloper from earlier, signaled by an approving "Certainly," from the death eater.


"So what kind of music exactly is this?" the death eater inquired after about a minute of silence from the two wizards, unsure if he would be more surprised if wizards or muggles created the song. I need a plan, he thought to himself as he awaited a response, contemplating the implications of their new passenger as well as how he would dispose of the Ministry's personal hound that had been set on his heels.

 

[AntleredWolf]

"Omnia, it's Pagan folk music. Witches Brew is from Shakespeare's Macbeth, "They made it into a song. I think they're a lot better than some of the witch and warlock bands out there. They're raw, primal, the exists as themselves. Claire likes everything I like, minus beaches and sand. She hates sand." She laughed half-heartedly.

 

[Vetenskapsman]

Victor didn't offer much of a reaction beyond a sneer. "Muggle rubbish, I say," he muttered barely audibly as the music continued to play. Perhaps it would help gain her trust if I was a little... nicer, he pondered, devoid of outward expression. On the other hand, he wasn't much of an actor. A liar? A cloak and dagger in the shadows? Sure, sure, but no actor. If anything, it may lead to her trusting him even less. It would seem the death eater's best option was to remain himself, save for a few sprinkled-in niceties. There was little room to be building a false persona now.

 

[AntleredWolf]

Lyssa shrugged, "Just be honest, worming your way into me trusting you much won't really help. I'm honestly surprised you didn't do anything when I had my back turned a few minutes ago. Stupid move on my part, but I hadn't expected the random assailant. Clair would have slammed your head against the dash if you would have tried anything funny.."


Claire switched the song again to Twisted Sister- We're Not Gonna Take It, Lyssa burst into laughter, "Claire you're such a smart aleck."

 

[Vetenskapsman]

"Peculiar car you have, in that case," he said nonchalantly, "You refer to it as Claire and it seems to have a personality all it's own... it's a rather strange choice as far as enchantments go..." Victor trailed off, seemingly lost in thought. Perhaps this would imply that she particularly cares for people if she was so determined to make even her car like one. Perhaps not. Perhaps that's a misguided speculation. But if it's not, that means she has people she cares about, which is good as far as making threats goes.

 

[AntleredWolf]

"She is pretty peculiar, she's one of a kind," she patted the dash, "Claire is what my Uncle named her, he enchanted her and gave her to me during my sixth year at Hogwart's. The enchantment was one he claims came to him in his sleep. He's been working on getting me and enchanted motorcycle. Him and I have a passion for American muscle cars and stuff."


"My Summer after my seventh year, I spend abroad. I worked as a mechanic along side my Uncle--he has a little shop..." She hesitated and just left what she said at that, no sense in giving him a load gun sort of speak.