Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Chapter 20

Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, London, England

Harry looked up to Auror Proudfoot, standing on the other side of the table, pursuing papers on a clipboard. He and Edward were escorted to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on the second floor of the Ministry of Magic. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the acting Minister, had left them in Auror Robards hands and apologized that he had to go, being a minister and being busy. From there, the Aurors had separated him and Edward into two different holding rooms, and they have been sitting there for several hours.

During the time waiting in the rooms, Edward and Harry had discovered they could communicate telepathically. Edward was beside himself, and Harry had assured him they would be all right. It helped Edward continue to be indifferent, waiting in the strange unknown place.

Auror Proudfoot was a tall woman with black hair plaited and wrapped around her head. She wasn't what one would call pretty, but plain-looking and with a permeant scowl on her face. Harry could see that she wasn't one to be messed with. She turned to Harry and sat down at the table across from him. She reached in her robe and pulled out a small vial, and placed it down on the table.

His eyes darted to the bottle and back to the woman. "Veritaserum."

"They told me you're a smart one." Auror Proudfoot said with a nod.

"That's actually Hermione, but I know my stuff. Let's have at it." Harry sighed and leaned back against his chair, keeping his hands spread and relaxed on the tabletop. Ever since he was placed in the room, he started to feel weary and figured the toll of the day was bearing down on him.

Auror Proudfoot pushed the vial toward Harry. "Drink the entire bottle. It's water with the correct dose of Veritaserum. It will last fifteen minutes and I will be asking you questions. If the questioning goes past fifteen minutes, I will supply you another bottle."

"Interesting." Harry murmured as he picked up the bottle and popped the cork off the top. He tipped the clear liquid back in his mouth and grimaced; the water had tasted like ash. He placed it down and waited for the effect to take place.

"All right, what is your name and birthdate?" Auror Proudfoot asked, watching Harry closely.

"Harry James Potter, July 31, 1980."

She nodded and jotted down the note on her clipboard with a mangled-up feather that looked like it has been through hell and back. "Where were you on May 2, 1998?"

Harry blinked once and replied drolly, "Hogwarts. I was fighting the Death Eaters and I defeated Voldemort."

Auror Proudfoot scribbled on her clipboard then asked, "Who was with you at Hogwarts?"

Harry frowned, "You sure you want me to name everyone at Hogwarts?"

She looked taken aback and sighed, "You're right, that was a broad question. At Hogwarts, during the battle, who backed you up?"

"Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Edward Cullen."

"Edward Cullen, he is not listed in the British Magical Citizen, who is he?"

"Edward Cullen is a wizard from America whom I met a few weeks ago." Harry found himself surprised to supply the answer honestly. He realized that the questions were fallible if one knew how to answer the questions and omit some certain information.

"A wizard, interesting. We'll get back to that in a bit." Auror Proudfoot said and asked, "When, and where did you meet Edward Cullen?"

"I met Edward Cullen on April 26, in a mountain somewhere near Forks, Washington, America."