Unbroken

Monday, Week 1 (1)

Harry POV

I stride into work with a none too pleased expression. My team is already there waiting for me as I sit myself at the head of the round table. I trust that Lyla has informed them of her findings from yesterday and I can see them anxiously awaiting my debrief. I take a moment to calm myself, to stop myself from visualizing Hannah Gordon's corpse, before I speak.

"Yesterday, a little girl was found murdered. After a quick background check, I found that she was a muggleborn due to attend Hogwarts this autumn. She died from a particular curse that I haven't seen since my fifth year in Hogwarts. Neville and Luna, you two were there so I think you have some inkling as to what the curse is."

They nod their head in recognition but I see Draco and Lyla are confused. I nod at them stiffly and wordlessly promise to expound more. "The curse is as of yet unnamed, but it is marked by the terrible scar that it leaves on its victim. I witnessed first hand what kind of damage it could inflict. I've since decided to call it The Purple Flame Curse for lack of a better name."

Draco recognizes the curse instantly and his face pales. I know he knows Dolohov's back. Lyla is still confused, however.

"It is the signature curse of former Death Eater, Antonin Dolohov."

The room is now tense and I see more than a bit of fear plastered on Neville and Luna's face. I know they're not fearful of Dolohov, they're fearful of me. They know how much this case means to me. That bastard nearly took Hermione from me and I have to make sure he never gets the chance again.

"What we need to do is find out his motive. It's clear that this was premeditated and he's hunting muggleborn witches but we need to know why. I want to know how he picked this girl, what he's using to target them, and how to stop him before anyone else gets hurt."

I lay down my orders and my team, as always, dutifully nod their agreement. I don't even realize my fists are clenched and my teeth are gritted until Neville places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a comforting look. Taking a deep breath, I calm myself and look to the board in front of me.

I lash my wand in an aggressive manner to cast the summoning charm and watch as Dolohov's picture is placed neatly on the board. The mere sight of him fills me with rage but I keep my composure.

"That's who we're looking for. No one else needs to die because of him," I say with an edge. I look to Draco and Lyla and begin to delegate tasks, "you two will examine the body and see if there's anything unique that sets her apart from any other muggleborn victim."

Neville and Luna are next. "You two will speak to Headmistress McGonagall and obtain a list of the first year students arriving at Hogwarts this autumn. See if you can get her to single out the ones of muggleborn descent."

Like always, they obey me without any bite back and I leave my seat to head to the armory. I turn around only to hear Draco and Lyla ask simultaneously, "Boss what are you going to do?"

"I'm taking a trip to Azkaban. There's a couple of people I need to talk to," I answer shortly, brooking no room for argument. I hear the chairs of the team squeak and turn to find them all looking at me concernedly. "Out with it," I order harshly.

"Are you sure about this, Harry?" Luna asks softly. She's the only one who doesn't call me 'Boss' but I don't mind. I feel myself getting aggravated at the question, though.

"Of course I am, someone has to know something." I try to leave but Draco calls me back.

"Boss, you're already on a thin line as it is. Are you sure you want to go to Azkaban and interrogate someone?" He asks calmly, placatingly, even. My temper is already on a short fuse and he knows it.