The Forbidden Love of Aesop Sharp

Chapter 30 - Exposure

"Let me see her," I commanded the obstinate ministry official, restating my intentions clearly for the umpteenth time.

"I'm sorry, sir. I've received instructions; no one can see her for now," he replied, his eyebrows furrowing in genuine concern about holding his ground.

"Do you know who I am, Mister..." My eyes fell on his badge pinned to his chest. "Martins?" I inquired, the name stirring up unpleasant memories.

"Yes... I know, sir," he replied, fidgeting oddly from one foot to the other, unable to conceal his fear and discomfort. "But unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to help you."

I took a deep breath, attempting to maintain my calm facade, frustrated and anxious not to be with Katie. I had spent the night contacting all my sources at the ministry to uncover the betrayer, but, of course, none had the courage to confess. After this fruitless night, I had gone to the cold and damp holding cells of the Ministry of Magic at dawn to try to see her as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, they had denied me entry upon my arrival, an occurrence that never happened in normal circumstances. There was a real determination to keep me away from this situation. No matter how many agents I spoke to since my arrival, they all had the same stance as this Martins.

"Listen carefully," I began in a threatening tone, approaching the counter to articulate my desires to this inept person who was evidently just a pawn in a larger game. "If you don't find a solution for me to see her, I swear that I will..."

"Aesop Sharp," a calm and mocking voice echoed behind me, sparking a surge of anger that I tried to temper immediately. My goal was to see Katie, not to be led away from her again.

I turned to the man, biting the inside of my cheek to refrain from venting all my hatred toward him on the spot. "Paul Martins... I was having a pleasant conversation with your relative; I believe."

"My nephew," he clarified, a smirk on his face. "I guess you're here to see Miss Evans?" he asked, passing his tongue lasciviously over his lips.

"Where is she?"

"She's about to be pat-down searched and interrogated. Follow me," he conceded, nodding knowingly before signaling to his nephew not to record my presence in his entry register.

I followed him through the dark corridors of the establishment, my stomach knotted with apprehension about the state in which I would find her. The temporary detention center of the ministry was in London, centralized near the Aurors' headquarters. It was the place for interrogations and holding suspects pending judgment.

I had conducted many of these interrogations during my time as an Auror, and I still assisted Aurors with special missions today. I knew that the investigators had little qualms about using violence and tormenting detainees. All they wanted here was a confession, to have someone to send to Azkaban. It mattered little to them if the confession was made under pression or not, as long as the case could be closed.

No Dementors haunted these halls, but the atmosphere felt as cold as Azkaban. The terror and dread among the temporary prisoners were so palpable that cries of pain and despair echoed through the corridors as we approached the cells. My eyes swept through every room, every corner, oscillating between hope and dread, wishing not to find but also desperately seeking Katie, bound and clad in a degrading, humiliating detention outfit.

"Do you realize how foolish your decision to arrest Katie was?" I voiced my discontent. "She left Hogwarts yesterday morning, and you apprehended her upon her descent from the Hogwarts Express. She wouldn't have had the time to kill Canet."

Martins sniffed before responding, "Charles Canet was poisoned during the Yule Ball two days ago. His lifeless body was discovered in the Hospital Wings, on one of the beds," he explained. "She would've had plenty of time to get rid of him when you both left the party at 11 pm."