killer | harry potter (DISCONT.)

3. to love is to battle

It was about a week later when Cassiopeia was summoned to the MLEU for a third time. The questioning on the day of the search had gone fairly smoothly. Cass answered all the questions as evasively but honestly as she could, and they let her go after only a few hours. She hadn't gotten her wand back nor the other things they'd taken from her house yet, so she expected to get an update on that today.

It bothered her not to have her wand, even though she only used it for emergencies and when she was too lazy to reach for things. She'd purchased a cheap temporary wand in the meantime but it was obviously not the same thing. It felt wrong in her hand.

It was just Harry that day. No Bronsard, no note-taker.

Sara squeezed Cass's hand, comforting.

"Miss Said. Miss Black. Thank you for coming," Harry greeted them.

It wasn't lost on Cass that he'd called her by her new legal surname and not Malfoy for the first time. She wasn't sure how to feel about it.

"I've been in touch with the DMLE back in London... I've told them what I've discovered relating to the case while here."

He took a deep breath. He glanced at Sara, then back at Cassiopeia. He stayed quiet for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"Listen... I shouldn't be telling you this but... the rest of the Aurors involved in this case are convinced you did it. That it was you... who's being the Boxing Day Attacks. I... am not so sure about it. And maybe that's stupid of me. But I know for a fact that there is simply not enough evidence to be anywhere near sure. The thing is... this case has been mishandled from the beginning. I want more than anything for there to be justice for the victims... but some people at the Ministry only want the public pressure for a conviction off their backs. So, they've chosen you as the perpetrator. I really really shouldn't be telling you this... but, the powers that be have already decided you're guilty. And that you'll be charged unless there is some very strong evidence someone else is guilty, soon."

Cassiopeia stayed very still. She had to think. Was Potter trying some sort of mind game with her? Was this meant to get a confession out of her? Because there was no way he was being genuine right now.

Sara had gone straight into lawyer mode though. "What charges are being brought forth?"

Cass was sure there was a hint of friend worry behind the lawyer-voice.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Uh... I believe it's ten counts of Grevious Magical Injury, Major Violation of the Statue of Secrecy, Class III Improper Use of Magic, Destruction of Muggle Property... and well, it's also being classified as a hate crime towards Muggles and Muggle-borns."

Well, of course it fucking was.

Sara cleared her throat. "Is there... Are we talking extradition here?"

"It's in the works with Canadian authorities."

"How long do we have?"

"Well... I'm supposed to send a report by the end of the week... I could probably buy some more time, but she'll probably be charged as soon as I hand in my report, and they'll be knocking on her door then."

Cassiopeia felt very cold all of a sudden. She tucked her hands between her legs so Harry wouldn't see them shaking. "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Well... the thing is, I'm not actually the person who is in charge of the investigation... The guy who got assigned... is not great. He's done basically nothing for months and now that he's being pressured for a conviction he's landed on you. I expressed my concerns about him, not just for this case, but he's a powerful and well-respected Auror, so it's hard. I was allowed to help with the investigation to assuage my worries... and they let me come question you by myself, but they're not actually listening to me unless I have some solid proof you're not guilty."