Chapter 392 - Emmaline Vance (1/2)
It was lightly snowing when three figures emerged from the Ministry of Magic and apparated away to Hogsmeade. It is late, but they had no choice but to wait until they had mingled enough, and congratulated all the recipient, before leaving. And it would have been seen as highly unusual if the Auror's in attendance had not done so with all the ministry members attending the function.
Stomping their way through the snow, the handsome redheaded man, Gideon Prewett yawns, ”I swear these meetings need to be at an earlier time.”
”Really?” Choked his big-nosed brother, Fabian Prewett. ”When do you propose that a secret meeting occur? Shall we all convene in broad daylight at the Three Broomsticks? Or what about at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop?”
”Will the both of you, jus' shaddup!” Growled, the middle-aged Alastor Moody that had a new scar across his face. This one was a tiny one just under his eye that crept horizontally all the way across his cheek and into the air. ”Can we not discuss such things out in public?!”
”Sorry, Moody,” Both Fabian and Gideon Prewet said in unison. Even they really should know better. But it was also perfectly understandable to find them vastly irritated after their evening as they forcibly recalled the death of their friend and comrade in arms, Alphard Black.
Moody sighs and says, ”I know that both of you are feeling incredibly bitter right now, and truthfully I feel no different. But we can't allow the loss of Alphard to cloud our minds at this time. We all have our own duties to fulfill and to keep. And we cannot all Alphard's sacrifice to go to waste. It is our turn to do our part.”
Feeling a bit chastised, the Prewett brothers remain silent the rest of the trip even upon entering the smelly barn of Aberforth, the owner of the Hogs Head Inn. The door, as usual, is wrenched open at their knock. ”You're late,” snapped the bartender with a long, neatly trimmed gray hair. His piercing angry blue eyes can easily be seen hidden behind his spectacles. Apparently, the rumors of Aberforth being neater weren't a lie after all.
”Get your scrawny arses up there!” Aberforth crudely roared causing Gideon and Fabian to stile their laughter at the statement. They both would very much like to continue to drink at the Hogs Head Inn without being poisoned by the bartender.
Because that was the first rule when at a bar, never piss off your server, waiter, or bartender. Rude people tend to forget that these individuals have access to your food and drinks all prior to their serving it to the customer. A rather foolish mistake on their part to forget such a vital detail.
The three men hurry past Aberforth and make their way up the creaky stairs to the upstairs loft. Alastor Moody trailed behind the two Prewett brothers who cautiously entered the door. To their relief, they weren't the only ones late as Albus Dumbledore himself had yet to arrive.
To their surprise, they spot a new figure standing warily next to the Bones brothers. It was a younger looking witch in her early to mid-twenties. She looked vaguely familiar through, probably a fellow member of the Ministry of Magic. The stately looking young witch wore an emerald green shawl around her shoulders to contrast her formal-looking robes.
Alastor arches his brow at the Bones brothers as the two square-jawed brothers exchange glances. Finally, the younger of the two with lighter hair, Jacques Bones says, ”Professor Dumbledore already approved her joining in.”
”And might we warrant some introductions?” Alastor grumbled at the reply.
The elder Bones with dark brown hair gestures to the young witch at his side. Auror Edgar Bones says, ”This is Emmaline Vance. She is a more recent member of the Ministry of Magic part of the new department called the Werewolf Integration Department. They keep track of those still in process of the cure, those who are starting it, and those are cured and are about to reenter the workforce.
Though surprisingly many have chosen to join the new law enforcement department the A.P.D. Apparently, most have the cured have a surprising talent for investigation and such, both men and women. They attribute it to always being on the run before and keeping an eye on their shoulder. A natural talented department that the first batch should be finished with initial training by March and be out in the open by then. The new department will really make things easier for us, Auror's as they will handle the smaller daily cases, the drunks, the pranksters, and so forth.”
”I could see how that could be useful,” Alastor nods his head in approval. ”Naturally, Miss Vance is in a perfect position of trust and has access to the new members that will probably semi-report to her in the future if they are asked.'
The elderly wizard, Elphias Doge lets out a loud snort from his armchair. They all turn to see him wiping his nose and letting out a good sniff. They wrinkle their noses in disgust, but none dare say anything to the older Wizengamot member.