Frigus . Sirius Black (Mortem BOOK 2)

chapter two

October 10th - Ailani's Apartment 

Nephera was right, Tom Riddle had indeed taken advantage of the chaotic state of the Minsitry to increase the attacks over both the wizarding world and the muggle world. The Ministry was still in disarray, every new attack brought more madness, and the entire government by that point resembled a headless chicken, running around aimlessly, rather than the strong leadership needed to oppose the Dark Wizard. 

The Order was doing everything they could, patrolling Diagon Alley and popular muggle areas in London in fear of attack, but every single member could tell that they too were stretched thin. There weren't enough people for shifts anymore, none of them were sleeping, with Nephera taking the brunt of it all as people were now turning to her for direction. 

Dumbledore hadn't stepped up, and she was certain it was because of how tough the situation was. No, the old wizard would only make a move to take back his position after things smoothed over again, and a new Minister was elected, she was sure of it. The Headmaster, had, in fact, been pushing for Crouch to be elected next, not that Nephera had left him any choice in the matter, but she was pleased to see him do so quietly, and without much opposition. 

Of course, she suspected that this was what Albus had wanted all along. Crouch in charge, after all, why else would he want to kill the Minister? 

The only reason why the brunette Slytherin was able to catch a breath from all the running around, was because a half-hour ago, she had gotten a patronus from Ailani, telling her to head to the shop immediately, for she'd never guess what the Hawaiian witch had managed to get her hands on, "I'm here, Lani," called out Nephera into the empty shop 

"Upstairs," came the muffled voice of her friend, and the younger witch quickly ascended the stairs 

Pushing open the door to Ailani's apartment, which was located right above her shop, she sighed, "We'll have to make this quick, I need to get back to Diagon Alley, not to mention the meeting with Nott I have tonight," 

Nephera knew that Theodore would not give her any sort of reliable information concerning where Riddle would strike next, but she also knew that it would be suspicious if she didn't meet with her supposed spy. Riddle was smart, she couldn't underestimate him, and she certainly couldn't let him win yet another time, "Oh you'll want to see this darling," smiled the Hawaiian witch, beckoning her over with a wave of her hand

Intrigued, the Slytherin moved forwards and peered inside the pouch that was set on Ailani's table, inside finding two purple crystals with gold flakes scattered all over them. As knowledgeable as Nephera was in Dark Magic, crystals were hardly her forte since she always relied on Ailani for that, "And this is?" she asked, raising an eyebrow 

"This, my dear, is the two gems of Singhere," begun the other witch in the room, wearing a wide smile on her face, "Have you ever seen a muggle spy movie?" 

Nephera nodded, "Sirius and I watched one of those James-" 

"I do need your life story," teased her friend, "Anyways, you know how they use those bugging devices, like walkie talkies?"

Nephera nodded excitedly, seeing where this was going, "Are you saying that-" 

"Slip this into Nott's pocket, you'll be able to hear everything that goes on in the meetings," finished Ailani, smirking deeply 

"What happens if they find it? Can it be transfigured?" countered Nephera, her mind going over all the possibilites 

The gem in itself was small, the size of a pebble more like, but it wasn't hard to spot in someone's pocket. And if Nott found it, and showed it to Voldemort, then they'd definitely figure out her plan,  "It can't be Transfigured, but it can be concealed, made so that no one can touch or see it," replied the older witch, "I trust you know the spell for that,"