The missing boys ✔

Part 13: Scabbers

"Are you sure you're up for this, Bill?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"It's like Moody said, they will be more at ease with the interview if he thinks it's just standard procedure. Having me there instead of you or mum will help me convey that this isn't a big deal. We don't want them to panic and overanalyze things, if that happens he'll confuse what he thinks we want them to remember with what they actually remember."

He turned to the other person present. Auror Bell was dressed in casual robes and had a soft look about her that put people at ease.

"We'd best get on. McGonagall just contacted me and said she'd have him in her office at eight." Her voice was as soft as her features and Bill could easily see why she was assigned to this case.

McGonagall was not there yet when they stepped through the fire so the pair took seats in some chairs near her desk.

"Remember to ease him into it," said Mrs. Bell.

"I know," said Bill.

There was an awkward silence.

"Don't you have a daughter who's almost Hogwarts age?" asked Bill, trying to ease the tension.

"Katie," said Mrs. Bell fondly. "She can't wait to come here. All she can talk about is playing for one of the quidditch teams."

Bill smiled, but before he could say anything else McGonagall stepped through the door with Madame Pomfrey and Percy, who looked nervous.

"Bill?" he asked, confused.

Percy knew his older brother had been pulled out of class earlier and no one had seen him since. The fact that he was here now with a stranger in McGonagall's office put him on guard.

Bill put on a tired smile.

"Hey, Perce," he said affectionately.

"What's going on?" asked Percy, "who is that?"

"This is Auror Bell, she wanted to do a couple more interviews. She needs someone of age in the family to supervise though, that's why I'm here. Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey are here as witnesses."

"I already told you everything I know," said Percy, frowning.

"Of course you did," said Auror Bell, nodding. "Sometimes though, when we're stressed out, we forget things. We thought that with a little dose of calming draught you may be able to think of things you were too flustered to remember before."

"I have to study for an exam," muttered Percy absently, knowing that a dose of calming draught would render him useless for the rest of the night.

"I will speak to your teachers about rescheduling them," said McGonagall.

Percy looked more alarmed by the accommodation than anything.

If they were that desperate to interview him…

Auror Bell stepped in again after reading his face.

"We just want to get this done as soon as possible. You know how long it can take to process data," she said soothingly.

"Alright," said Percy, still looking uneasy. Something about this didn't feel right to him but he couldn't think of any more objections.