It is still rather dark with dawn still a way's away as two cloaked figures arrived at a small cottage on the outskirts of London. Despite one of them having been newly released from St. Mungo's hospital, Gideon Prewett still insisted on attending the meeting.
Fabian Prewett carefully traced a rune on the door and whispers, "Entrapment."
The door clicks with a soft creak opens just a smidgeon as the two push their way inside, before closing the door behind them. A wand is instantly pointed at them to reveal the solemn, thinner face of Percius Clements. Clicking his tongue in disapproval, Percius says, "Gideon, why are you here? You are supposed to be still resting."
"I'm well enough," the taller wizard argued as he removed his hood to reveal his handsome features, Gideon Prewett. "Besides I'm only off duty and can certainly still apparate if necessary."
"That is not the point," Percius sighed before glancing at Fabian.
Fabian shrugs as she removes his cowl to reveal his red hair and large nose. "I gave up trying to make him do anything after he was five years old. He only does whatever he wants," Fabian drily said as Gideon snickered loudly.
Slowly lowering his wand, Percius gestures for them to have a seat as they wait in silence. The clock ticks loudly on the mantle as Gideon says, "It's funny, and terribly sad, really."
"What is?" Fabian asked.
"Well, we're now down to only four of us," Gideon quietly said.
None of them speak for a moment until Percius says, "Everyone one of us knew the consequences when we started. And that danger will only increase with each passing day that Riddle lives."
Fabian glances at the window and says, "Alastor is running late. It's rare for Moody to be so late."
"Something must have caught his attention, no doubt," Gideon murmured as he leaned into his chair to rest.
They waited in silence once more with the ticking of the clock as their only companion. Finally, they fear the crunching of footsteps up the gravel path and the regular tapping of the wand against the door. With wands out, they all wait as the door swings open to reveal the shorter hooded figure wearing those ridiculous trench boots of his.
The shorter hooded figure slams the door shut behind him and removes his cowl. The rugged Scottish Auror looked tired as he barked, "Well, hurry up and ask the d*m question!"
"Well, you're in a fine mood this evening, Alastor," Percius observed. "Fine then, what did Vinovich do the first time you snapped back at her?"
Gideon and Fabian look interested as Alastor's rugged face turns a tinge of pink. "She pulled me by the ear like an errant schoolboy," Alastor grumbled in embarrassment.
Gideon and Fabian have matching Cheshire grins as Alastor huffily takes a seat in the empty seat before them. Glancing at them, Alastor asks, "So, which one of us is the secret keeper now?"
All of them stare at each other as everyone but Percius visibly startles. "All this time, I thought it was you, Alastor," Fabian and Gideon chimed together.
Alastor blinks rather flustered and says, "T'was, not I. Alphard did not seek me out to pass the mantle to me before his death."
They all stare at each other blankly and turn to look at Percius until he answers, "T'was not I either."
Fabian and Gideon stare at each other as Alastor nods his head in approval. "Good for Alphard, I always knew he'd have made a fine Auror."
Fabian snorts as Gideon mutters under his breath, "You would, you paranoid, git."
Alastor smacks Gideon on the back of his head and snaps, "Manners, boy," causing Gideon to darkly glare back as he rubs his throbbing head. Wrinkling his rugged nose, Alastor says, "Whoever it was it is safe to say that it was someone, Alphard trusted with the Keepership. Whoever it is, it is best for them and us."
"Mm, makes sense," Fabian interjected. "This way even if we are ever under the Imperius or Cruciatus curse, we'll never reveal even a single hint. Though-." Fabian paused to stare at Percius, "You must have some sort of inkling Percius if your calm demeanor is anything to go by, and by the successful result of our raid. Someone must be in contact with our spy, and that can only be our mysterious secret keeper."
Gideon openly gapes at Percius, while Alastor narrows his eyes and looks suitably impressed. "That is indeed the case, Fabian," Percius admitted. "I too do not know much about our secret keeper, but Alphrad left me a single name, Capricorn. And all that I know is that Capricorn is in touch with our spy, and in turn allowing our last raid to be so successful."
"Capricorn?" Alastor gruffly said. "Typical Alphard, no good naming sense."
Percius's lips twitch with mirth as Gideon loudly says, "Well now that is out of the way. Er, and what of the Pyrites trial? It is to be held this upcoming week is it not?"
"Yes," Alastor grumbled. "It'll be a private trial, which frankly is the best option to keep matters secure. But given the secrecy of the trial, the Wizengamot will most likely sentence him straight to Azkaban and are unlikely to sentence him to receive the Kiss."
They all shudder at the idea of the Kiss by the dementors. Even the worst of criminals should not suffer such a horrifying fate. But then again, said criminals had more than earned said terrible soulless fate.
"Anything new to report?" Alastor asked.
"The raid did yield some useful information," Fabian muttered. "At least, we know that Riddle is at present not in the country and off doing, Merlin knows what evil things. But whatever it is it's something big."
"Gathering allies, no doubt," Percius quietly said earning startled glances. "It makes sense as to why's he's finally retreated. He has suffered far too many losses and will quickly realize that he needs allies which to use and watch his back. And there is no shortage of potential allies, whether it be other dark wizards or magical creatures.
It is nothing that we were not expecting. Sooner or later, Riddle would have branched out. We have been lucky thus far, but it seems our luck is about to run out. Things will only get that much worse from here on out."
"Anything on the Order's side of things?" Percius asked.
"Nothing beyond that Runcorn is being rather low key given the circumstances," Gideon muttered. "And that new order members will be sworn into the Order since Professor Dumbledore is rather concerned about the present situation."
"Well, that is expected given the circumstances," Percius muttered. "What of the underworld?"
"Nothing there," Fabian warily shook his head. "Though apparently rumors have it that Sanderson is on vacation. Whether he has been killed or is on the run, we'll only with time."
The Auror's warily nod their heads as Alastor mutters under his breath, "Good Riddance."
They all are silent for a moment, before Fabian says, "Though I am concerned at one thing." They all turn to stare at him as Fabian continues, "Might we be underestimating Riddle and his potential allies?"
"What do you mean?" Alastor furrowed his brows.
"Well, we are assuming that Riddle will align himself with dark creatures like the once existing werewolves," Fabian slowly said. "But what if it's something that much worse and terrifying."
"Like what Vampires?" Gideon sarcastically sputtered. "Those bloodthirsty leeches wouldn't dare! And not to mention the fact, they would hate to be second best when in comparison to the werewolves. They'd turn their snotty noses up at Riddle without even a pause."
"Giants," Percius thoughtfully interrupted.
The entire room goes deadly silent as Gideon says in disbelief, "But Giants live on the fringes of the world. Ever since, the last wizarding, giant war, Giants have stayed on their mountains and away from wizards and humans alike."
"And that is exactly why they are the perfect allies," Percius slowly whispered. "They want their freedom and they still thirst for vengeance after all this time. And remember even the good giants and the half giants at that time were cast into the wild with their full-blooded giant brethren. And any giant that does fall in love with humans or wizards alike, afterward, they are outcasts in all existing societies, whether it be human, wizard, or giant alike."
"The perfect storm in other words," Fabian drily commented.
"Exactly," Percius muttered. "And Giants are not easy to take down, no. They tend to be magically resilient and are immensely powerful. To take even a single giant down, many wizards have to be highly creative."
"Shall we be on the lookout then?" Gideon asked. "I mean, it should be fairly obvious to spot them, wouldn't you think?"
"Not necessarily," Alastor grumbled. "They've got their own type of magic, and those can wield Giant magic are far and rare, but still they exist and are called, Shamans. Giant Shamans allow for Giants to pass by unseen in the land when traveling. If they are indeed coming, we won't know until they attack."
"Then there's nothing we can do?" Gideon flatly asked with clenched fists.
"No, there is nothing that can be done except watch and wait for the signs," Percius softly said with a sigh.
They all solemnly glance at each other before nodding in unspoken agreement. "Take care and be safe," they all seem to say to each other via their eyes. Without a single word, the meeting is broken as Gideon and Fabian are the first to leave as usual.
Once the two brothers are gone, Alastor rumbles, "What did you not want to say before them?"
"There is something vital that we've missed," Percius slowly said causing Alastor to furrow his brow with concern.
"Whatever do you mean?" Alastor gruffly asked.
"During the Quidditch World Cup, there was a string of disappearances that went unreported," Percius explained causing Alastor to visibly startle.
"At first, I thought it was nothing really, just a group of wizards transferring overseas really. But friends and coworkers all reported that said individuals have not given any indication of said transfers. When I went to speak to the spouses and family members, all of them did not recall said, individual. They'd all been thoroughly obliviated," Percius quietly said.
"Riddle?" Alastor worriedly asked.
"None of them were Death Eater affiliated nor bore any Death Eater mark like those at last year's Christmas raid," Percius answered. "Unlike those presumed Death Eater's, the family members of said individuals have either been disowned or they'd distanced themselves away from them. And each of the presumed dead among the potential Death Eaters can all be accounted for."
"Are you suggesting that there is someone else in the shadows using Riddle to their advantage, Percius?"
"Once every possible option is discarded, then the only the implausible explanation is left."
"What of the underworld? Is this not a possible mode of their operations?"
"No, they'd kill to serve as a warning to others and most certainly don't obliviate an entire family including children. And when they do obliviate, it is witnesses to said incriminating event. This is not their typical mode of apparatus, whatsoever."
Alastor sighs and rubs his face. "Just when things seem to be turning around, it seems that the next turn seems to be worse. I'll try to keep an eye out for said inconsistencies," Alastor muttered. "Though I bet Scrimgeour will pick up right on it. And I would have never thought or even guess that there would be someone who was even more cautious than me."
Percius weakly smiles and says, "Well, only you would be paired up with such a said individual."
Alastor snorts and rises to his feet, "Best be going. And Percius take care."
"I will," Percius said, waiting for Alastor to leave, before leaving a few minutes after.
That night both Aurors did not get much sleep. Their minds kept wandering and wandering in circles. The next morning both men had arrived at the Ministry of Magic with dark circles under their eyes. And their Auror partners wisely did not comment on the subject.