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BS - Chapter 76: The Suspects
🕑 Added 2025-09-10 10:18:32 +0000 UTCDisclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 76: The Suspects
“Headmistress, they say that you can come in.” An auror gave her a sign and she nodded.
McGonagall walked up to the large double doors of the Museum of Dark Magic, took a moment to compose herself…and went inside.
The auror who had authorized her entrance was now guiding her further inside.
She noted a sign that read ‘Section D’. Below it was an open wooden door, and she could already see several people inside.
Some of them turned around to look at her.
McGonagall could tell that many of the ones in here did not approve of her presence. After all, this was a murder scene, and she was just a school professor.
But she had to see this in person, so she asked for a personal favor.
Moody turned to glance at her. “Minerva…” He gestured for her to approach.
There were at least a dozen aurors all over the room, checking different spots, collecting evidence, and taking notes.
Moody was standing next to a pool of blood and the woman lying on the floor.
McGonagall sighed loudly, got closer, and finally saw her clearly. Her old friend was now dead, with a bloody knife still sticking out of her neck, making it very clear how she was killed.
“It’s a conjured blade,” Moody pointed out, despite not having been asked. "It should disappear soon."
“Why did this happen?” McGonagall asked. That was what she wanted to know. Why did her friend have to die?
“Mmm…I believe the answer to that—” Moody pointed at the open wooden container behind her. “It's over there.”
McGonagall had been here before and knew that this section of the museum contained books about forbidden practices, but did not recall what exactly was in that particular one. “They did this for a book?”
“Not just any book.” Another auror joined the conversation...a short bald man holding a piece of parchment in his hand. “According to one of the museum guides we were able to interview…” he glanced down at what was written. “This case used to hold the Codex Daemonium. An extremely dark tome that, according to what I heard, could be used to make contracts with demons.”
“A demonology book.” McGonagall turned to look at Moody. She knew little to nothing about that ancient branch of magic. Any knowledge about it was forbidden, so outside of a few selected individuals in the Ministry, no one really knew much. “How much should we be worried about this?”
Moody shrugged. “I would need to speak with a few acquaintances in the Department of Mysteries. I’m sure there is someone over there who has had the chance to study that book and could tell us more about it. But for the moment I would say...very worried.”
“What about the one responsible?” McGonagall already had an idea in mind, but didn’t want to say it out loud, as it would sound ridiculous if she suddenly accused the Boy Who Lived of this.
“As of right now, we don’t have any real suspects,” Moody said. “However, Harry Potter has been placed as a person of interest, since he was the last one seen with Susan Bones, who is also missing. And…” He took a letter from his bag and showed it to McGonagall. “There is this as well.”
McGonagall took the letter and read it. This was the one that Susan wrote to lure her aunt to the museum. “This is how they brought her here. Who gave this to Amelia?”
“One of the aurors present at the party claimed to have seen the letter levitating in the air and landing near the wooden podium where Madam Bones had to give her speech. The auror took it and handed it to Madam Bones afterwards. Once she read the letter, Madam Bones left the party hall without much explanation…until they found her here.”
McGonagall took another look at the letter in her hands. “This writing looks…juvenile, and feminine.” She had first thought about the possibility of Harry Potter writing it, but she changed her mind.
“Madam Bones’ assistant claimed to recognize the handwriting,” Moody told her as he took the paper back from the Headmistress. “Susan Bones.”
“Susan loved her aunt more than anything…” McGonagall muttered. “That family had suffered greatly during the last war. Amelia and Susan only had each other left…”
“I know what you are saying, Minerva,” Moody spoke with a grave tone. “No one here is accusing the girl of anything yet. But we need to find her, and Potter as well.”
McGonagall looked around. “Can we speak for a moment in private?…” she whispered.
Moody nodded. “Let’s go outside.” He handed the evidence collected to another auror and guided McGonagall out of the room.
“When I just got to the Ministry, I had the feeling that someone was hiding at the entrance of the portkey area.”
“Yes, I read your testimony and the one from the worker.” Moody responded before making sure that no one was close enough to hear them. “Did you leave out any important detail that I should know?”
“I didn’t see anything myself, but from what the worker described, the one who escaped the Ministry was using a magical cloak…”
“Yes?”
“Not many know about this, but during his first Christmas at Hogwarts, Albus gave Harry a present. An invisibility cloak that used to belong to his father, James.”
Moody frowned. “I see…”
No one wanted to admit it, but the evidence was becoming undeniable.
“I still don’t understand how that sweet boy could do anything like this. It just doesn’t make any sense,” McGonagall said.
“I don’t understand it either, but the bodies keep piling up. And it all keeps pointing to him,” Moody muttered. They had recently discovered that Lucius Malfoy had disappeared on the same day and time when Harry Potter was visiting Diagon Alley.
“And now he has a very dangerous book in his hands. Whatever he is planning on doing…we can’t let him complete it.”
