Fauna doodled on the corner of her parchment, watching the edge curl as the ink dampened the page. She looked up every once in a while, trying to pay attention (or make it seem like she was), but Kendall Fleetfoot’s words flowed in one ear and out the other. He wasn’t dull – he was actually discussing what would be on the next exam. She just couldn’t seem to focus these days.

Putting her hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn, Fauna glanced at her watch. 2:16. Ugh. Forty-five minutes to go. She waited until the professor turned to the board, and then glanced over at Lou, scrunching her nose and tapping her watch. Stifling a giggle at her friend’s reaction, Fauna put her hands to her mouth and acted like she was resting her chin in her hands.

A tiny snicker escaped and the professor glanced at her, but kept talking. Fauna probably looked like she’d just swallowed a barf flavored Bertie Bott bean. It was hard not laughing, especially in situations when she knew she shouldn’t.

Just then, the classroom door opened, and Fauna looked back, curious to know who was arriving twenty minutes late. She’d thought all the students were here when class had started. At this point though, any interruption was welcome.

Or so she thought.


((OOC Note: This thread actually begins in the Charms classroom, but moves to the hospital hut eventually, so I thought it would be easier to start it here))

The red-robed figure who stood in the doorway was certainly not the usual sort of interruption at Hogwarts.  She glanced briefly over the room as if surveying the students, and then nodded to the man at the front of the room.

"Excuse me, professor," she said evenly, raising an eyebrow at him, though that was as much of an expression as she was willing to permit.  Mastering one's countenance was one of the first things one learned upon acceptance to Level Two, and Charlene Malone considered herself one of the best.  If it came down to it, she was certain that she could out-stare a rock.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said in a matter-of-fact tone, not looking apologetic in the least.  "I need to borrow Miss Blake."  She eyed the rest of the class as if daring any of them to say anything.  Judging by the edge to her expression, giggling may well have been all the reason she needed to extend a second invitation.

The Auror stepped back from the doorway and held the door open behind her, instructions implicit in the gesture: the unfortunate Miss Blake was clearly expected to follow her outside. 

The whole room erupted in whispers at the sight of those red robes, only quelled slightly when the woman gave them a sharp look.  Fauna turned to Lou to share her incredulity, but like the rest of her classmates, straightened and quieted when the Auror addressed the professor.

Everyone wanted to hear what was so important that an Auror would come to Hogwarts, interrupt a class. And who was unlucky enough to-

"I need to borrow Miss Blake."

Fauna blinked. She kept looking at the woman. Then the professor glanced at her, and a classmate’s overly dramatic gasp woke her up. Miss Blake? No. There had to be some mistake. Maybe there was another Miss Blake. That was it! She glanced around the room, freezing when she met the stares. The Auror was asking for her. Her.

It took her a few precious seconds to close the lid on her ink bottle and roll up her damp parchment. Those seconds felt like years, and her shaky fingers did little to make it go faster. More time slipped by as she put her things away and slung her bag over her shoulder, almost knocking another student with it. Fantastic. 

Fauna slowly stood up and began walking through the maze of desks, eyes glued to the floor as if she expected a foot to trip her, or devil’s snare to wrap around her leg and drag her out the window. The devil’s snare didn’t sound so bad if it meant she could avoid the red robed figure at the end of the maze. Every stifled giggle and murmur made her want to melt into the walls. If only the sheer force of her classmate’s stares would be enough to make such a thing possible.

When she made it out of the classroom, she felt no relief. She just expected one mortifying experience to be replaced by another. But she hadn’t done anything! Why would an Auror escort her out of class, as if she’d committed a crime? As if something horrible had happened?

Perhaps that was it – something horrible. The Auror had been sent to break the news…

She gave the woman a frantic, wide-eyed look. “What’s going on? What happened?” Her high voice echoed in the corridor, making her fear that much more apparent.

Charlene made certain to close the door firmly behind the girl as she stepped into the hallway.  Gossip could well be counted as a force of nature.  She had no intention of giving the students of Hogwarts more information than they already had or could surmise; not only would it spread like a wildfire in a drought, it would make her job much more difficult than it already was likely to be. 

She arched an eyebrow as she glanced over the girl.  Fauna Blake had a wide-eyed, innocent look to her.  Charlene knew that she'd been the first to find Katz, that she'd been with Elder Greyfrier when he'd been attacked a month earlier.  Though her file gave few hints as to the type of young woman that Miss Blake was underneath the official descriptions, the Auror could make her own guesses.  No one made a habit out of being such a frequent witness without some tendency to find trouble on his or her own.

But still, there was no reason to panic a seventeen year old without reason.  Charlene's expression relaxed slightly as she gave Fauna a nod.

"Nothing has happened," she replied, her tone brisk and matter-of-fact.  "My name is Auror Malone.  Headmistress Snark suggested that I speak with you in regards to a few recent incidents that took place here at Hogwarts."

The recent events at Hogwarts had been enough to catch the eye of the Ministry.  Darcy Bloxham had caused quite a stir with her Fiendfyre, and there were those on Level Two who were quietly concerned about where a student had learned such dark magic.  The recent Polyjuice incident at the Halloween dance had triggered the involvement of the Aurors.  No one wanted to see a potential situation develop at Britain's only wizarding school.

"I'll caution you that since this is a preliminary criminal investigation, you do have the right to have your own counsel present while you answer my questions.  Healer Nagde has offered to serve in that stead, if you find that acceptable," Charlene added, doing her best to keep a hint of disapproval from creeping into her voice.  She knew Tulojow Nagde mostly by reputation, but the former Auror had not established herself as one who treated protocol with the gravity that it deserved.  Having the healer play a role in her investigation was even less thrilling than having to corral Pratt.

"You are not being accused of anything yet, Miss Blake, but I'd encourage you to consider her offer.  If you accept, then we can proceed to the Hospital Hut to talk."  Charlene glanced down the hallway, then looked to Fauna.  "Will you come with me?"

Relief registered on Fauna’s face for a moment when Auror Malone reassured her that nothing bad had happened. Faint worry quickly took its place when the Auror went on to say that the Headmistress had suggested she was involved in some of the recent incidents at Hogwarts.

Her first thought was the sleepover party. Maybe Professor Bomaby or Professor Woolfolk had finally remembered the students that had painted their nails obnoxious colors. Or maybe someone like Neely had decided to rack up a few brownie points by ratting her out. Or- no, this was ridiculous. Even Snark wouldn’t call in the big guns for some forbidden sleepover party. The dance! It had to be the dance.

Malone went on to say that Tulo had offered to be present during the questioning and Fauna nodded her consent a little too eagerly. Her racing heart slowed to a more normal pace. When Malone then asked if Fauna would accept and come with her, she nodded again, strangely reminded of Tamis asking for her cooperation in a similar way before their first lesson.

“Alright. Um, sure,” she glanced down the corridors too, but probably for a different reason, expecting students to suddenly sense what was happening and spill out of the classrooms to point and stare.

Merlin, being pulled out of class was mortifying. Fauna dreaded the rumors and gossip that would follow. She was used to whispers and stares from a select group of Slytherins who had nothing better to do than critique her slouchy socks, but this kind of scrutiny would be on a larger scale.

It would suck. Big time.

She fell in step beside Malone, who walked with a brisk efficiency through the corridors and down the stairs. Fauna sneaked glances at her every so often, trying to figure out what kind of person the Auror was and what she was in for at the hospital hut. Though Fauna didn’t appreciate the faint splotches of pink on her face that Malone’s earlier classroom intrusion had caused, the woman had spoken to her professionally and politely and hadn’t tried to scare her. Yet.

If Fauna wasn’t so used to Tamis and Archer, the very presence of those red robes could have sent her into a mild panic attack. Fauna wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and tried to remind herself of a few key facts. Tulo would be there, for one. She wasn’t actually being accused of anything. She wasn’t guilty. And Snark, known for holding grudges, had to have offered up a few other names besides hers. So she had no real reason to be nervous.

Surprisingly, her internal pep talk helped. Fauna felt slightly calmer and more in control. It was easier to believe in those little positive self-talks when they lacked the undercurrent of desperation and insecurity that used to plague her constantly.

As they pushed open the doors to the Entrance Hall and went outside, Fauna remained quiet and thoughtful, unsure what to say but not altogether unhappy with silence. If she started talking, she was afraid she’d babble, or start telling Malone things she didn’t really need to.

Fauna untied the sweater around her waist and pulled it over her head, crossing her arms against the chilly wind. She sent the Auror a hesitant glance, unwilling to ask if she could grab a jacket. This was partly because of her own stubbornness and partly because she didn’t want to risk bumping into her housemates with this particular escort. She’d just deal with the cold. Tulo would probably have tea waiting anyway, she hoped.

The young woman's expressions were easy to read as she shifted from anxious concern to relief and back again.  Charlene watched her carefully, taking mental notes of the girl's usual countenance.  Upon first impression, Fauna Blake did not strike her as an experienced liar, but that was no reason to immediately discount her from the investigation.  Illegal activity could envelop the innocent and inexperienced just as easily as it could the intentionally guilty.  Even if Blake had unknowingly involved herself in something dangerous, Charlene had a duty to ferret that out.

She started down the hallway, the girl keeping pace beside her.  Returning to the school where she'd spent so many years was disconcerting enough; a homecoming under the guise of an official investigation was even more so.  But even back in her school days, back during the war, there had been dark magic at Hogwarts.  Danger didn't stop and end at the school's walls, as much as the adults might like to pretend that it did.  Charlene could still remember the death of the Headmaster and the funeral that had followed at the end of her seventh year.  Graduation had seemed grisly and hollow after the tragedy.  No one had been left untouched.

The students at Hogwarts now might vaguely remember the end of the war, might even have families that were touched by tragedy during it, but Charlene knew that they couldn't possibly understand what it had been like.  They shouldn't have to; they were children, and should be allowed to remain so in a way that her generation had had stolen away from them.  That was why she was grimly determined to see this investigation through, even if it meant putting up with Pratt and Nagde both. 

If there were Dark Arts practitioners present at Hogwarts, they would be found well before it was too late.

Charlene slowed her pace slightly as they left the school and entered the grounds.  The Hospital Hut was not one of her familiar haunts from her school days, but it had seemed as good a place as any to conduct the interviews.  It was neutral ground; it made sense that the students would be slightly more comfortable there.  Although Charlene wanted them intimidated, she trusted that the red Auror robes would be enough to do that.

Even better, it was located away from Headmistress Snark's office.  The Auror respected the other woman a great deal; anyone who rose to head first the Department of Mysteries and then Hogwarts was clearly intelligent and deserving of high esteem.  But this investigation was not under the Headmistress's purview.  The Department of Magical Law Enforcement had taken on responsibility for the case, and Charlene was determined to make it clear that she ran an independent investigation.

"We just have a few questions for you," she said, glancing at the girl as they approached the Hospital Hut.  The fact that Fauna might be cold in the chill of the air had not occurred to her.  "Once you answer them to satisfaction, then you may return to class, but I may have some follow-ups for you later on.  If you don't understand something that one of us says, then please ask and I will do my best to explain."

Charlene knocked once on the door, and then eased it open, not waiting for a response.  "After you, Miss Blake," she said, nodding Fauna ahead.

The very prospect of Ed being forced into working with Malone as a secondary on a case made the male auror feel physically sick. Unfortunately, now this prospect had become a reality and he’d been dragged to up Hogwarts to watch Malone intimidate a couple of kids. Apparently she had more diplomatic skills than Pratt and therefore she should demonstrate those by bullying kids into taking the blame for the recent criminal activity occurring throughout the school.

His back against a wall in the hospital hut, Ed smirked at a comment his ex-colleague made. It was a pity Nadge wasn’t in their office anymore. As a trainee, Ed had always enjoyed listening to her stories, giving him ideas for making things a little more interesting in their line of work. Therefore, as soon as miss nofunpants had left the room, he’d once more requested she indulge him in a few tales. Of course, the auror once more lapped them up like a little school boy. His expression, however, pretty much remained stoic, anticipating the near arrival of his partner and the kids.

“I’m surprised ye never got booted from the force decades ago.” Ed grumbled. If he got found out for most stunts he was put on desk duty for a month or so. “Ditchin’ an assignment to see a reggae singer would normally end in bein’ ditched from the job for us mere mortals.”  But Tulo seemed to have lasted centuries holding down the job. It amazed Ed and made him start wondering what he could get away with.

“Was it worth it?”

Being back at Hogwarts, especially in this capacity, was a little strange to say the least.  They'd apparated just outside the grounds and had walked towards the Hospital Hut from there.  He'd trailed behind the two others, watching them carefully, playing the role of the studious, observant trainee. Office dynamics were interesting.  Over the past few weeks, Christian had taken full advantage of his new trainee role, watching his office mates closely.  Taking careful notes of the subtle, though ever present, office dynamics. 

The two he was with didn't get along.  Malone, more like himself, was a straight-edged, no-nonsense kind of woman.  Probably had to be.  In fact, most of the women in the office seemed to be.  Perhaps, it was a side effect of trying to survive in what seemed a more male-oriented environment.  She was like Raynor but without the cushion of power.  She could use a drink or two.  Pratt, on the other hand, was more of a loose canon.  One of those that seemed to try to find the humor in everything. 

Malone had gone off alone to fetch the Hufflepuff.  According to Cinaed, this girl had been the one to find the Katz woman when he'd dropped her off near Hogsmeade.  She'd also witnessed Greyfriar's attack.  An interesting coincidence.  Cinaed was quite curious about her which meant Chris was, likewise intrigued.  Whether the other two aurors had any clue these two incidents were connected through this girl, Chris hadn't been able to decipher and he wasn't going to risk just coming out and asking.  But, Cinaed was eager to hear the details of this little meeting - he was anxious to hear how much of a threat this little badger really was. 

Pratt and the old Healer were chatting it up like old buddies.  Chris followed the conversation with detached interest, waiting for Malone to return with the badger.  He glanced towards the door just as it swung open, his gaze lingering a moment on the girl. 

This was the Hufflepuff Cinaed was curious about?

"It was more than worth it," Tulojow admitted.  "He was more than a reggae singer.  If I had my way, Marley's rhythms would be drifting through the Ministry halls every day.  I think it'd do wonders for the Wizarding world in general." 

"They tried to fire me a few times."  The grin stretched around the mouthpiece of the pipe as Tulojow continued peeling the apple in her hand.  The musky, sweet smoke from the pipe drifted towards the ceiling where it lingered in light tendrils overhead.  Reminiscing about the past - it was an activity that got more appealing with advancing age.  "Guess I'd carved out a nice enough niche I was hard to replace." 

She chuckled and nodded her head, glancing up as the door to the Hospital Hut swung open.  Tulojow grinned at Malone as she pushed herself, shakily, to her feet.  "Got desk duty twice.  Once in seventy one after they bailed me out of federal detention.  Then, again, in seventy three after another stint in federal custody.  American, mind you."  She winked in Frank's direction before slowly crossing the room towards Malone and Fauna, her limp quite pronounced. 

"Excuse me," she offered Malone with a nod.  "If you'll give me a moment to speak with Fauna."  Without waiting for permission or approval or any response one way or the other, Tulojow put a hand on Fauna's shoulder and led her a short distance away.  Leaning over, she lowered her voice.  "How are you?  Are you alright?" 

They walked in silence, though Fauna couldn’t say it was a comfortable one. She rolled the sleeves of her sweater over her hands and bent her head down to guard against the wind, until they finally reached the hospital hut. Normally the place was a welcoming sight, a second home, even. Now however, she felt nervous and unprepared, as if an oral exam (one of her personal boggarts) waited inside those walls. It was an oral exam, of a sort, being questioned. The thought did little reassure her.

When the Auror told her that they just had a few questions and that she could return to class afterwards, Fauna hoped that meant exactly what she thought it would. If there were only a few, this wouldn’t take too long. Though she didn’t know how she’d muster up the courage to walk into the Charms classroom ever again after being pulled out of class like that.

She nodded at Malone and stepped inside first, hearing the voices and some laughter before seeing the people. Fauna had hoped this would just be between Tulo, Malone, and herself. Her eyes widened when she saw not one Auror, but two. Two?! Fauna stared at the men for a moment, then gave Malone a look that was both surprised and wary. Three Aurors, total! What did they think she’d done, exactly? What had Snark told them?

Her palms started to sweat and she looked next at Tulo, her eyes full of questions. The healer put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her aside for a moment, asking if she was okay.

Fauna opened her mouth, then hesitated. “Oh, I’m fine,” she gave Tulo a shaky smile, all too aware of the Aurors in the room. There were a few things she wanted to ask, like why Malone had brought two partners, and if she was here because of the dance or not, and why they’d felt the need to pull her out of Charms and embarrass her, but instead she just said, “Thanks.”

She rubbed her hands together to get the warmth back in them, cheeks pink from the wind and embarrassment as she glanced at the Aurors again.

“Do you by any chance…” she started to ask Tulo, then looked at Malone. “Is it alright… if I have some tea while we talk?”

Tea was comforting and familiar. Something she felt like she’d need!

Charlene had not been surprised to discover that Pratt and Nagde got along well.  Her new partner seemed to have a gift for avoiding anything that resembled official work, and from the stories she'd heard about the American healer, Tulojow Nagde had forged her own path through Level Two administration.  At least Nagde, though, was polite, even if she didn't necessarily wait for permission before pulling the young woman aside.  It was probably futile to hope that some of her respect would rub off on Edward.

Charlene nodded to Tulojow, stepping out of the way to allow the former Auror to pull Fauna aside.  Nagde was there to advise the girl as much as to assist in the investigation.  Although the Headmistress had given them permission to talk to the students, Charlene didn't like the idea of allowing them to incriminate themselves without offering advice as to their own personal rights.  The healer might have a reputation as a free spirit, but Charlene had no doubt that she could speak ably for a young person if the need arose.

She stood to the side, crossing her arms and trying not to listen to the quiet conversation until the girl raised her voice to ask a question.

"Of course," Charlene replied, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at Tulojow.  It was the healer's home; if there was to be tea, it would presumably come as a result of the older woman's hospitality.

"This is Auror Pratt," she said, trying her best not to eye the man disapprovingly.  As subtle as he probably thought he was being, she had a very good idea that he was not thrilled about being assigned to her case.  She had already decided to ask him to fill out all of the paperwork.  "My partner.  And this is Auror Colburn, who will be assisting us." 

Colburn was quiet, serious, and seemed quite competent - the ideal Ravenclaw in many ways.  Even now, he was staying silent and observing, just the way that a trainee should.  Charlene gave him a nod to express her unspoken approval.  There was no reason to undermine him by introducing him as someone new to the department.

"If you have any questions for Healer Nagde, you can go ahead and ask her, Miss Blake," she offered politely.  "Otherwise, we can all take a seat so that we can get going?"

Auror Pratt, while working, worked hard to not show any emotions. Except occasionally anger and irritation. He’d tried hard over the past year or so to disguise any trace of worry or sadness being experienced in his home life. This was why Ed didn’t seem bothered in the slightest by the situation occurring at the school. He was however worried. Next year Noah would be pounding the corridors of the school and his dad didn’t want him involved in trouble like this.

Instead of showing this, Ed had resorted to chatting with Nadge for a catch-up while he waited for the regulation loving hippy to return to the smoky hut with the young badger. As they arrived, the smirk playing on Ed’s lips vanished and it was replaced with more of a stoic expression. His eyes scanned up and down the hippogriff girl and from his experience, she looked pretty damn harmless. Nevertheless, they were under instructions and this kid had coincidentally been involved in a lot of recent events. She was apparently one to watch out for.

Upon being introduced, Pratt tilted his head slightly in a nod, his expression not twitching. His hands were now clasped together in front of him, stood up straight against the wall. He spared a sideward glanced at Colburn before the green eyes rested once more on Fauna.

Ed decided that for the moment he could remain silent. After all, Malone was the lead on this one. The auror was professional enough to let her just get with it. He was not about to undermine her in public, even if he didn’t like the situation. Ed was above that.

Sticking the mouthpiece of the pipe behind her ear so she could speak more freely, Tulojow kept bent low towards the Fauna, continuing to keep a protective and supportive hand on the young woman's shoulders.  She offered a slight nod of her head when Fauna insisted she'd be fine after only a moment's hesitation.  Resting a gentle hand on Fauna's cheek, she nodded again.  "I know you will be." 

Indeed, Tulojow had full confidence she would be.  Their lessons hadn't helped Fauna find confidence - they'd only helped nurture a confidence that had to already be there.  Growing up had a way of either bolstering one's confidence or forcing it into hiding.  It just needed to be encouraged a little. 

Malone prompted Fauna to ask any questions she might have and Tulojow nodded, turning back to the Hufflepuff.  "They're just hear to ask questions. You haven't done anything wrong so there's nothing to feel guilty about.  Keep calm and just answer what they ask you. There's no reason to give any more information than they ask for.  And, if you have any questions or just need a break, don't hesitate to speak up."

"Of course," Tulojow offered at the request for tea.  After a last squeeze of Fauna's shoulder, she crossed over to the sink to prepare a pot of tea. 

It only took a few minutes for the tea to steep and for Tulojow to return to the table with the pot of tea and a pot of hot cocoa and several cups.  After setting them on the table for people to help themselves from she sat down herself.

Tulo’s faith in her and the gentle, motherly hand on her cheek made her smile turn more genuine. She looked at each Auror as Malone introduced them, recognizing Pratt’s name as a possible relation to Maddie. He was also the poor bloke that Emmy Lou  had been sending howlers to, but she doubted now was an appropriate time to comment on it. Still, the thought cheered her a little.

Colburn, she didn’t recognize, though both of the Aurors had the same stoic and watchful attitude now that she was here. She offered them a polite hello, then glanced back at Tulo when Malone said she could ask her any questions.

Tulo’s reassurance and advice was more than welcome. Fauna nodded, “I don’t think I have any questions right now. But... I’ll speak up if I think of something.”

She took a seat at the kitchen table, watching Malone do the same. “I’m uh, ready,” Fauna said unnecessarily, trying not to think about how fast her heart was racing. This was like being called to the Headmistress’s office, only Snark was actually ten times scarier.

“Thanks Tulo,” she murmured when the healer set down the two pots, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Charlene nodded briskly, taking a seat in another chair at the kitchen table after reclaiming her notebook and quill.  She didn't trust enchanted quills for interviews - or for very much, really.  So much of building a case depended on one's own interpretations and feelings, even if gut instinct had to always be justified by the facts.  It was important to get one's thoughts down precisely so that they could be referenced later.

She waited while Tulojow prepared the tea and cocoa, flipping through the pages while she scanned over her notes.  Since the older woman was technically there to advise the students as well as offer clarifications to the Aurors, it was only fair to wait until she had returned to begin the interview.

"All right, Miss Blake," Charlene said at last, once the pots had been set on the table.  She declined to take a cup for herself, instead flipping to a blank page in the notebook.  "You are a member of an organization called SAWS, aren't you?  Can you tell me what the acronym stands for?"

It was basic information.  Most of the facts, at least those known to the Hogwarts staff, had already been put on the record.  But it was still important to start at the beginning, to establish the credibility and the knowledge base of their current guest.  Charlene carefully recorded the girl's response, waiting until she had finished writing before glancing up at her again again.

"And this SAWS group, can you tell me what its purpose is?" she asked.  Her eyes flickered over to Eddie, in a silent query as to whether or not he had any other questions to add.