Wand-Leader & The Spy

14- Attack

London, Ministry of Magic, September 3rd, 1999, 08.15 hours

Minister for Magic Lucius Malfoy smiled at Albert Selwyn and put his report from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office down. "Thorough as every week, Albert."

"Thank you, sir."

"And what about your other project?" Lucius leaned forward.

"I've investigated two of the scholars the Unspeakables have been in contact with, but they had nothing in their notes but conjecture and hearsay about Ottoman Artifacts," the young wizard said. "Since they were not retained as consultants by the Department, I did not interrogate them personally."

"What about the third?" Lucius asked. He was very familiar with that affair - Augustus was not a man he could afford to lose track of.

"A search of his room in London did not reveal much, but the Department of Mysteries has continued to pay his lodgings and retain his services. Therefore, it is very likely that he possesses useful knowledge."

"I would think that would make him a prime target for a more personal touch," Lucius remarked. Was Albert getting sloppy?

"Yes, sir. Though given current events, I decided to proceed with more caution. As an important source for the Department of Mysteries, Mister Brockton is under some scrutiny."

"They have him under surveillance?"

"Yes, sir. There are detection devices in his room as well as unorthodox, yet subtle wards. As he tends to apparate directly to and from his room, tracking him has been difficult."

Lucius sneered. "Difficult? For a wizard of your talents?"

"I'm confident I can work around those defenses, sir," Albert said, though a bit stiffly, "but I did not think it worth the risk to rush this."

Lucius stared at him for a moment. "Alright. What about Nott?"

"Theodore Nott is still in his family's town house near Diagon Alley. He has barely left the building since the death of his parents."

"He's hiding. Smart of him. Has he had any visitors?" Theo Nott wasn't a threat yet, and wouldn't be for some time. Taking over his parents' estate and investments was no easy task for the young wizard.

"There have been regular Floo connections to the Parkinson Manor."

Lucius frowned. He didn't think the elder Parkinson would make it obvious where he was traveling to by taking the Floo Network. Not after the Notts had died due to sabotage of their Floo connection. That left his daughter.

"Do you wish for an intervention to prevent a relationship from being formed between Miss Parkinson and Mister Nott?"

Lucius shook his head. "No. Focus on this scholar." He couldn't afford to waste his agent's efforts on the hope that Pansy and Draco would get together. Not with the Dark Lord on the offensive, his spy in danger, and Augustus doing who knows what.

"Yes, sir."

"Has your sister settled in at Hogwarts for her last year?"

"Yes, sir." The young wizard raised his chin just a bit.

Lucius nodded, smiling. "Good. In these trying times, it is reassuring to know that your loved ones are safe."

"Yes, sir." Albert nodded stiffly. He had understood the message.

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London, Diagon Alley, September 3rd, 1999, 11.17 hours