A Memory Of Shadows

10 - Department of Mistrust

"But. They have never done anything. They were innocent." Yes, Pansy was- had been- a notorious bully, same as Graham. Neither of them had been friendly or charming and they had been in Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad. Montague's father had been a lesser Death Eater, a random chess piece rarely used. They had not been the kindest or best people. But being an idiot was no crime. Neither was being related to a criminal.

"We know that," said Potter, sadness and regret in his voice. "They have been taken in for questioning, but they were never even accused of anything. They had gotten into the crossfire of their parents' investigations." He forced every word out, as if he did not want to say them. "We think whoever did this was angry that Pansy's parents were not at home. It must have taken a lot of effort to plan the entrance to the Parkinson manor. Mr. Parkinson had been sentenced to five years of probation two days prior, flooding both them and us with hate mail and the same threat you have received. There were a lot of Aurors on the scene and we had strong magical defenses in place. From what we know, Graham Montague was there because Pansy had been afraid to be alone. They put up a fierce fight as well. The house was in pieces when we arrived."

"Angry? They killed an innocent young witch and wizard out of spite?" And to think Graham was there because Pansy did not feel protected enough. She must have been terrified. And to think of the scale on which these people pulled it off with all those Aurors and Defenses there. Pansy and Graham were still alone in the end.

Look who's talking, Little Miss Death Eater, Verin heard Fitzroy say. She shot out of her chair, slamming her hand on the table so hard, all four men sprang up as well and drew their wands. "Don't you dare," she spat at the Auror. Fitzroy's eyes narrowed. "WE WERE BLIND MONSTERS. Don't you dare justify their deaths with the deaths of others."

Robards, Potter and Draco looked back and forth between the pair, not understanding what had caused Verin's outburst. Fitzroy, instead, seemed almost amused, as he lowered his wand. "That's thrice now," he ignored her words completely and sat back down. "Excuse me?", she asked, bewildered. She was not done shouting, her heart beating faster, faster, faster.

"You have reacted to things I did not say out loud thrice now, Miss Yaxley," he looked a little triumphant, as if he had trapped her. Bastard. "You are a Legilimens."

Everyone stared at her. Really, she did not like that habit one bit. Verin only caught Fitzroy's stare, though. She had liked him, she supposed. Before. Now she just wanted to wipe that smug smile from his face. The men followed Fitzroy's lowering of the wand, neatly tugging them back into their resting places. Draco did so last. Despite not looking from Fitzroy it was something she noticed.

"And you are an Auror, Mr. Fitzroy. I thought you were trained in Occlumency to keep others out. Thrice," Verin sounded a lot sassier than she felt. She hadn't meant to dip into other people's mind. It explained why she felt so confused and all over the place suddenly, feeling many things at once. Not knowing which where her own thoughts and feelings and which weren't always happened when she did not notice she had let her guard down. Well, wonderful. Verin absolutely needed them to be more suspicious than ever towards her. Not.

"That explains the silver lime wand wood," Robards was still so calm. He did not seem to be bothered the slightest as he settled himself in his chair again, skipping carelessly through her file. The rest of them followed, still a little put off by her. For the fact Draco had not known, he remained equally unfazed. He was so in control of himself, it was almost maddening. She supposed she had to thank him later. After he explained why he had appeared here in the first place.

"You were born with the gift, I suppose?" The Head Auror guided her attention from Draco to himself. Verin was tired now, explaining herself was not something she liked to do. It was one of the reasons she had been so quiet during her trial. It was to get it done and over with quickly.