Chapter 124 - – New Partner (1/2)

The forty-year old's dark head with slicked-back hair bobs up and down as he reads the stacks of reports on his desk. With a sigh, Elphinstone Urquart rubs his head causing his widow's peak to move up and down for a moment. A knock at the door causes Elphinstone to look and say, ”Come in.”

As the door opens as the newly implemented Interdepartmental memos merely three months ago flutter inside. With a sigh of mixed feelings, Elphinstone sees the neatly folded paper like airplane notes flutter inside and land on his desk. Glancing over at the young lion-like figure closing the door, Elphinstone says, ”Well, what brings you in, Auror Scrimgeour?”

”Sir, I've come to report that I found something of interest among Rockwood's personal items,” Rufus Scrimgeour replied as his tawny hair shook like that of a lion's mane. His yellow-brown eyes flicker as he says, ”Sir, I have reasons to believe that Rockwood was searching for an artifact of some sort and was in contact with a third party.”

”Rockwood?” Elphinstone said in disbelief. ”But he's as solid as they come.”

”That's exactly what I thought,” Scrimgeour said as he pulled out a thin scrap of paper from his pocket. ”But I found this sir, and I think you should read it.”

Elphinstone extends his hand and takes a scrap of parchment. ”Rockwood, have you found a way in? Lord Voldemort grows weary-.”

”Lord Voldemort?” Elphinstone softly said as a shiver seemed to pass over his flesh.

”Who else have you told, Auror?” Elphinstone asked as he tore his eyes away from the slip of parchment.

”No one else, sir,” Scrimgeour solemnly replied.

”Then you have my permission to keep digging,” Elphinstone instructed. ”If Rockwood was mixed up in something than it's in very deep waters. Take care to not be caught by the fierce current and be dragged underneath.”

”I won't, sir,” Scrimgeour promised as Elphinstone taps his fingers against the desk. ”But just in case, I think it's more than ample time that we partnered you up, Auror Scrimgeour.”

”But sir, I'm more than fine on my own!” Scrimgeour protested as a knock was heard at the door.

Motioning at Scrimgeour to keep silent, Elphinstone says, ”Enter.” The door almost slams open to reveal a middle-aged man with a scar running down the edge of his cheek. His uncut brown hair reaches the edge of his open collar.

”Sir, a word,” Alastor Moody said as he stood at the side of the door.

”Come in, Auror Moody, just the wizard I wanted to see,” Elphinstone said as Alastor warily shut the door behind himself.

”Auror Moody, I do believe that you are familiar with Auror Scrimgeour, are you not?”

”Yes, sir, I am.”

”Excellent, in that case, allow me to present to you, your new partner,” Elphinstone confidently proclaimed to the utter horror of both Auror's.

”But Urquart!” Alastor vainly protested.

Elphinstone cuts the Auror off. ”I am well aware that you work alone as does Scrimgeour. But it is high time that both of you got a partner. It's that or you'll both be on desk duty until I deem it otherwise,” Elphinstone broached leaving no room for an argument.

”Yes, sir,” the two Auror's dully said in unison.

”Good, now Scrimgeour if you would wait outside for your partner, I need to have a private word with Auror Moody,” Elphinstone ordered as Scrimgeour all but stomped out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him.

Both wizards stare at the door before Alastor says, ”Youths these days.”

”Mm,” Elphinstone hummed in agreement. ”And may I ask why you have come to see me, Moody?”

Alastor quickly waved his wand and casts an anti-spying spell lest his new partner tries to listen in. ”Sir, I have reason to believe that the felon known as Tom Riddle is gathering like-minded wizards in secret,” Alastor tentatively said.

”And for what nefarious purpose?” Elphinstone said with some disbelief as Auror Moody was infamous for seeing conspiracies everywhere.