Ministry Comes to the School.

[Deleted]

The students must have been all in class he thought as he made his way up the drive and entered into the castle. Not a soul to be seen nor did he see any other than a young girl exiting from what he presumed was a bathroom. She looked at him as she made her way across his path but said nothing to him as she scuttled down a corridor. He hurried after her, calling out which stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Sir?" she asked with quizacal eyes. "Sorry I did not mean to startle you, I was just wondering if you could give me directions to the Head Mistress's office. I did send an Owl and had thought she might greet me at the front door but seems not" he smiled at her.

She gave him a funny look then told him it was on the 7th floor behind a statue of a gargoyle. He thanked her and she ran off, presumably heading back to class and he made his way back into the entrance hall. He could hear chatter from a nearby room but did not go to investigate . Instead he made his way over to the staircase and started the journey up.

After asking a few more student he found along the way, Tommy soon made it the Gargoyle on the 7th floor. But he could not find an entrance and he began to wonder if he was in the right place. But all the students had told him the same thing so maybe like Durmstrangs, many of the rooms needed a password, and it made sense that the Head Mistress would have one. But as to what it was he had no idea.

He inspected the statue a little closer and on the wall to the left he found a button and what looked like a intercom system. He pressed the button then spoke into it. "Hello, anyone there. It's ah Tommy Eriksson Ma'am, I hope you received my owl" he said and taking his finger of the button waited for a reply.

[Providence Moore]

The owl had arrived early, earlier than even the post owls. It had swooped in and Providence was half asleep and wouldn’t have known it was even there if Zeus hadn’t given a rare sharp bark. She saw the unfamiliar owl sitting on the perch reserved for her own owl. Lucky for her the perch was big enough for two. Walking over to the perch she took the scroll attached to the owl’s leg and unravelled and read the note inscribed by a wizard by the name of Tommy Ericksson whose name she recognised from her talk with Tasgall.

“That is interesting,” she muttered to herself.

According to the note the new head of Magical Law wanted to speak to her and though admittedly her first instinct was to send a return owl rejecting his request she felt that considering all that she had learned it was probably best that she did meet the man and anyway Tas seemed to hold him in a high regard.

She went back to her desk and called upon a house-elf to fetch her some tea and toast and nibbled and sipped on her simple breakfast while completing some of the paperwork that she had on her desk. When Zeus’s head shot up and the following sound of crackling and the sound of a male voice speaking could be heard only then did Providence look up from her paperwork. It was an odd occurrence because no one had used the intercom before as all staff and most students knew the password into her office.

Deciding that it was only polite that she meet the man at the door Providence got up from her seat and walked over to the door with Zeus padding beside her. She pushed the respond button

“Hello Mr Ericksson, this is Head Mistress Providence Moore. I have just received your owl. The password is “Olympus” if you speak that to the gargoyle it will move aside for you and allow you to come up to my office.”

Talking her finger off the button she stepped back and waited for the new Head of Magical Law to make his way up.

[Deleted]

Tommy did not have to wait long before a reply came. He gave the password and the gargoyle sprang aside showing a stair case behind it. Interesting he thought as he made his way up, nothing like the Head Masters office at Durmstrangs. He came upon a great oak door with a griffin doorknock and not feeling he had to knock (for he had announced himself below) he pushed it open and entered. He saw a woman behind the desk, a red haired woman and he knew this must be the Head Mistress.

"First I must apologise for such the short notice." he siad wandering over to the desk but he did not take a seat . " I will came straight to the point. You may have read in the paper about the murder down in Devon. We have a few leads and that is what brings me to you. I wish to look over your old year books , Around 1991 or maybe 1992. " he told her.

He wished he could say more, who it was exactly he was he looking for. But he was not about to release the name for the public to know. It only had to heard by the wrong person and that could lead to trouble. The less people who knew about Kade the better.

"If that could be arranged, it would be most appreciated" he said and gave her one of his rare smiles.

[Providence Moore]

The man known at Tommy Eriksson entered the room without knocking but it was not as if she didn’t know who he was prior to his arrival. He was younger than she had thought he would be though which Providence found rather interesting as the Department of Magical Law usually went for experience over youth though it seemed that maybe Mr Eriksson had both.

He was direct also, which she appreciated to a point. Ministry workers, especially Heads, tended to beat around the bush and she found it rather refreshing that he was so. His request though was rather interesting. She would have finished her second and third years during the times listed and she wondered who he was looking for.

“Yes, I had seen the news relating to the matter and I am pleased that you have leads in regards to the matter,” she said wondering is she should mention the discussion that she had had with Tas and Retta and the insight that Retta might had in regards to the incident. She decided against it as Retta was rather a private person and Providence doubted that she would want any attention for the Ministry of Magic.

Getting up from her desk she walked over to the left to one of the many book shelves and ran her fingers through the years. She pulled out the year books for the school years ending in 91 and 92 trying to recall who had finished up that year. She only vaguely recalled a couple of Hufflepuff’s that finished up those years bust she doubted that it would be a Hufflepuff as the house of the badger had produced the fewest dark wizards.

Heading back to the desk she handed the two books over to the young department head.

“I was present at school during those years but unfortunately do not recall much, especially during the 91/92 school year as I spent much of that year in and out of the hospital wing due to a Quidditch injury,’ she said taking her seat. She took a sip of her tea and then realised that she had not offered anything to the young man. “Oh, I am sorry I have been rather rude. Have you had breakfast yet as I can send for something from the kitchens or do you wish a drink of some sort, maybe tea or coffee?”

[Deleted]

Tommy raised his eyebrows as the HeadMistress got up to go the bookshelevs. He had expected her to ask why he was interested in the year books but then he had mentioned it in relation to the Devon murders. Was there more he wondered as she leafed through the years and came back with the books he had asked for. But that could have just been the Ministry in him, suspicius of everything. Something he had tried hard to push back after meeting Belle for she had hated it, but once trained then he always be he guessed.

"Thank you, it is much appreciated. I am not even sure if these will turn up anything and if they do then I must tell you I can not discuss it with you. All I can tell you is that it goes back many years and if I am right then maybe these may hold some answer. But if it is OK with you may I view these in a private area and some coffee would be great. I promise not to take off with the books" he added as after thought in case she thought he might take them. But it was not his intention to take off with them, if they yoelded anything it would only be a name or two. And even then they could pan to nothing. But the kidnapping of Sunshine Underwood had happened on the train so it stood to reason they would be school mates.

"and a coffee would be good thanks" he added thinking he might need one before heading down to have words with his father. Something he was not looking forward to but his father had at last crossed the line and Tommy was not going to stand for it.

[Providence Moore]

Providence raised her eyebrow slightly as he explained or should it be not explain for the reasoning for wanting to see the books in question. She had not asked why he needed the books for but his thanks and justification was very much a Ministry trait.

”I don’t need to know why you need them as it is none of my business. I know how the Ministry and in particular the Department of Magical Law Enforcement works. My husband and my father in law worked for the Department for many years so I know that I will not get an answer to any questions that I might have especially since it is an open investigation.”

She walked over to a set of bookcases and with a flick of her wand the case move forward slightly and too the side to show a private study. The area was blocked off to an extent that she would not be able to see him but close enough for his to call out if he required anything more.

“I trust that this would be private enough for you,” she said before calling on a house elf to supply the Mr Eriksson with the coffee that he asked for her nose wrinkling at the bitter smell of the black brew when it arrived.

[Deleted]

Retta took the last few steps to the Head Mistresses office and gave the password. The Gargoyle sprang aside and Retta stepped on the spiral steps that took her up. Why she was here she had no idea. Maybe it had something to do with Pheobe, though she had the felling Phoebe was ok, and was doing as Retta had suggested.

"I should have consulted the cards" she mumbled to herself. She had more faith in the card than she did her feelings. Still she was here, surely it would not hurt to make sure all was well. The staircase came to a grinding halt and Retta stepped off and made her way to the great Oak door. She took the Griffin and gave a knock then knowing it was perfectly ok for Professors to wander in, pushed the door open and entered. She had always loved this office with its pictures and knick knacks. Though she would never have given up her own office for it.

"Sory for disturbing you Providence, but is everything OK" she asked as she wandered in. But then she saw that the someone else was already here and she stopped in her tracks. "Oh I am sorry, I did not realise you had company. " she said thinking maybe this was another new Professor. DADA perhaps, he looked the part and the school was in dire need of a DADA Professor. "Hello, I'm Retta, I teach Divination" she said stepping forward and offering her hand.

[Deleted]

He was surprised when Providence told him she did not need to know why he wanted to look at the yearbooks, but he understood when she explained about her husband and father. She must be used to such secrets and it gave him a new respect for the Head Mistress. Maybe she could be one to trust he thought as she made her way to the bookcase.

"Thank you." he told her as she flicked her wand and the bookcase moved to reveal a room beyond it. I much appreciate it he told her as he started toward it, but he only got about two steps when a knock came to the door and a rather odd looking lady wandered in. He glanced her up and down, she looked like she had dressed in the dark and she seemed concerned about the Head Mistress. He raised his eyebrows for he was certainly intrigued, but then she seemed to notice him and apologised for the interruption.

He was about to tell her it was no worry when she introduced herself and he had to smile. Divination, of course that explained a bit about her looks. "Pleased to meet you Retta, Thomas Eriksson" he said giving her his official name. "But you are interrupting nothing, I was just leaving. " he said giving her a smile. Then he gave a nod toward Providence and made his way out through the opening and waited till the door closed before sitting down at a table where a fresh pot of steaming hot coffee was waiting.

He poured himself a straight black cup of coffee and pulled the 1990-1991 year book toward him. He started flipping through the pages as he took a sip of his coffee. It was good and strong, just the way he liked it. He scanned the pages quickly but did not find what he wanted until page 74, where the year 7 kids were all grouped in their houses with a small picture attached to each.

Knowing Kade was in Slytherin, his eyes fell to that part of the page and to his luck found exactly what it was he was looking for. 10 kids in all as had the other house, much like it had been at Durmstrangs. He extracted a pen and a notepad from his inner pocket and copied down the names, Besides Kade he had

Reagan Frost
Caleb White
Frank Hollow
Gregory Small
Sable Thomasina
Fanny Frogmire
Jane Mellock
Tiana Dysart
Harriet Braddon

He closed the yearbook and looked over the list. Two names instantly leapt out at him, Reagan Frost and Gregory Small, two names that had been on the list that Caroline Jones had felt the need to put in a box at the bank. Tiana and Sable were the only other names he knew for they both had worked at the Ministry when he first worked here. Whether of not they still worked there he had no idea foe since getting back he had been rather busy and had not associated much with the other departments. Something he would look into when he got back , which at this stage would not be until tomorrow. He still needed to speak to his father and he promised Belle he would be back to pick her up at 5.

Even if they did not work there anymore, Tiana and Sable would be the easiest to find. It was a start he thought and with luck they might know more about the others, especially two names that were on a list that had gone to school with Kade.

[Providence Moore]

Providence had been expecting a contradiction of a day that morning. Well she had hoped for a contradiction of a day any how. She had a expected a busy but a quiet one. Busy due to the paperwork on her desk but quiet as in no visitors as she had no booked appointments listed in her diary. Of course it was highly possible that she would or could get a visitor due to the nature of what she did. Issues with staff and students were not unusual for the Head of any school but still it had been her hope that she would not have an issues at all. But here she was with not only the head of the Department of Magical Law enclosed within the secret room of her office requesting to view old yearbooks of all things and her decidedly frazzled Divination Professor who seemed concerned about her on a persoanl level which is something that Retta had never shown before.

Moving back to her desk she smiled at her Divination Professor and took her seat and indciated towards the the seat on the other side of her desk.

"I am fine, Retta," she said obvious concern in her voice. "But what about you? Have you seen something that I should be aware of? Have you learnt anything more from Miss Underwood in relation to the matter that we were discussing?"

It was odd in a way that she had thought to call up the Professor considering what Mr Eriksson was investigating and she just happened to turn up anyway. She however was not going to encourage Retta to speak to Mr Eriksson if she did not wish to.

[Deleted]

Well that was odd Retta thought as the man introduced himself and then said he was leaving, but instead of heading out the door whence she had entered from he headed toward a room that was hiding behind the bookcase, something she had not noticed upon her arrival. But Providence seemed to not be concerned and invited her to sit down, which she promptly did.

"I am not sure Headmistress, I just got feeling I should be here and as I have not a class for a bit thoughtt it might be best to come see. Who is he this Thomas Eriksson, is he a new Professor" she asked looking toward the bookcase that had now closed. There was something about him she had picked up but she could not put her finger on it.

"I am sorry Providence, sometimes Iread too much in the card, but in answer to your questions, I caugth up with Miss Underwood this mornign and stressed to her that she should stick with her friends and never be alone. She is young but she has a good head so I think she will be fine and we all know there is no safer place than here at Hogwarts. she informed the Head Mistress. "Professor Underwood dropped by before classes too to give me his photo album. I have not had a chance to look it over yet but when I am finished with it I will give it to the girl. I think she will appreciate that. " she said looking again toward the bookcase.

"Is he from the Ministry" she said poting toward where the secret room was. Somehow it had just come to her for shes had just realised he had been carrying some books and clear logic just told her books and a private room was no new Professor. She wrinked her nose, this was so frustrating. Not for the last time did she wish she had inherited her Grandmothers clear visions.

"Oh Providence, I think I am letting my imagination run away with me. Professor Underwood was heading into the ministry today and assured me he would send someone over. I will be meeting them at the 3 Broomsticks later. Please forgive me, it was just a feeling and seems that feeling may have been wrong today. I shall leave you with your visitor for now " she said as she stood up. Maybe she should have just gone and consulted the cards. At least they always seemed to give an answer.

[Providence Moore]

Though Retta's appearance was unexpected she watched and waited until the Mr Eriksson had exited to the private room and Retta had taken her seat. The Hufflepuff head then explained that she had a 'feeling' that she had needed to be here. It seemed though that Retta had no idea why she did but it didn't surprised Providence one bit none-the-less. She was a seer after all and as such her intuition would be strong. Maybe Retta had picked up on the fact that the Ministry official was here and that Providence herself had wondered if she should call Retta up to meet him. Those two things together had drawn her here without her knowing. It was a fanciful notion though and maybe Providence was giving Retta to much credit but it was still highly plausible considerinng Retta abilities.

"Yes, Mr Eriksson is from the Ministry, he is the new Head of Magical Law Enforcement. He is also working on the incident that occurred in Devon that we discussed with Professor Underwood," she said taking a sip of her tea only after heating it up a little as it seemed to have cooled off substaintially.

She looked to the bookcase area where the Ministry offical was enconsed and wondered if he had found what he was looking for. It bothered her slightly that someone from the school might be responsible for what happened despite the fact that the students in question would have had nothing to do with her as she would have been a student herself at the time of their graduation. Maybe it was just the weight of the position that she held and that all Heads of Hogwarts felt the same feeling of responsibility that though they may not have had participated in the education of the former student what they did after they left was in part a reflection of their education. She might have a talk with the portraits later on a see what they think.

She turned her attention back to Retta and smiled and nodded slightly and then frowned. The tarot was what Retta seemed most comfortable with when it came to her craft and if she felt a compulsion to read them the she should especially if it could reveal something of importance in relation to what was occuring currently.

"If you feel the need to read then you should. In these times a clearer insight might be of use and if you could provide that then the better it would be. As to Miss Underwood, I am pleased that you advised her of such and that Tas was able to provide you with the photo album for her. If you are able to get anything from it you will let me know won't you?"

[Deleted]

Retta sat down again as Providence told her that Thomas Eriksson was the new Head of the Magical Law Enforcement. That was the feeling she had got, for she had been thinking baout it ever since asking Professor Underwood to get the new head to meet her at the three broomsticks for a chat. It made sense now and she really needed to accept these feelings she had. She had asked Tas who it was but he had not given an answer, just he had told her he would pass on the messgae.

Providence also looked over that bookcase which made Retta smile. He was an intrigue to both of them she thought as the Head Mistress seemed to read her thoughts and told her if she needed she could consult the cards, but knowing who was now in that room she did not feel the need to

"If it is OK with Professor Underwood I am happy to share what I find from the photos" she told the Head Mistress. She had of course promised Tas and that she would pass it on to Phoebe once she was done but as far she was concered she would need to hear it from Tas before sharing anything with the Head Mistress. She did not mind sharing common thoughts but the photo album wa smor eof a personal nature.

"Could I possibly bother you for a cup of Chamomile Tea while we wait for Mr Eriksson. I know he will prob will be in a hurry but I must speak with him. The cards have told me much. " Retta said but went into no further explanation. Even if he could not stay, she would gladly walk him down to the front gate if she had to.

[Deleted]

Tommy finished of his coffee and stood up, tucking the notepad and pen back in his pocket he picked up the yearbooks and wanded back over to the door that was on this side. He turned the handle and heard a scraping noise as the bookcase sid open again. "Thank you Head Mistress" he said as he came out and noticed the young woman who had come in earlier was still there.

"I have found what I was looking for but I do not know if it will come to anything. " he added as he came over to put the books back on the desk. "Maybe I am scratching for something, I do not know but I have to explore every avenue. One never knows when something might become clear. " he added, keeping the fact from her he was most excited about two of the names. But he felt no need to divulge that fact to her. It was his job to explore the names and her job to keep the students safe.

"I thank you for your time but I must be off. I do not believe I will be back for anything. Good day Ms Moore and again, nice to meet you Retta" he said giving them both a bow of his head. Not that he was keen to leave, all he had left today was to confront his father, something he really was not looking forward to.

"I can find my way out" he said and turned and made his way toward the door.

[Deleted]

Just seconds after Retta had asked for the cup of Chamomile tea, Thomas Eriksson wandered back out. He put the books back on the desk and she had a quick look. Year books from the school, 1991 and the bottom one she could not see. Now what he wanting with them she wondered. Did it have anything to do with the case he was on. Something she could not see. But there was something in his words to tell her he had found more than he was letting on.

He seemed ready to leave and as he made his goodbyes, Retta one again stood up. "If I may walk you out Mr Eriksson, I wish a word with you" she said to him. "Head Mistress thank you and I apologise for my intrudence but I beleive he to be the reason I had the urge to come here. " she told the Head Mistress and with a little step caught up with the Ministry man.

"You are so young to hold such a position in the Ministry" she commented as they made their way down the winding stairs that were unwinding as the went. "Your coleauges must think highly of you to offer you such a position. " she continued, making small talk until they were clear of the office.


((Tommy used with permission))

[Deleted]

Tommy had not got far when he heard the Divination Professor speak. He turned to her as she caught up with him and wondered what on earth she needed to talk to him. She apologized to the Head Mistress, saying that she thought he was the reason she had come to this office. Interesting he thought as his mind went back to when she had first entered.

She made small talk as they made their way down the stairs and back into the corridors of Hogwarts. "I guess, I have never really thought about it before " he answered when she had commented he seemed so young for the job. "I do not know why I was chosen, I have to admit my last big undercover failed. you may have read about it at the time. But I do not regret it, it allowed me time to find the woman I am going to marry this October. I am a very lucky man " he told her as they started down the stairs from the 7th floor.

"You said in there you thought I was the reason you had come, do you have visions. What is it you need to tell me?" he asked. She had peaked his interest if nothing else and it was quite a distraction from what he had to do next and took his mind off Kade and his School Mates for a moment.