Chapter 646 - Accord

Later that same evening within the confines of the office of Elphinstone Urquart, there is a rather solemn air in the office as he has four Auror's standing present before him. Frowning deeply, the forty-year old's dark slicked back hair is slightly messy as though he had run a hand through his hair in exasperation. Further furrowing his brow causes his widows' peak to deepen.

Glancing up from the report that he was reading, Elphinstone says, "Is that it?"

The younger partner of Percius Clements, Auror John Dawlish slowly nods his head, which had short, wry hair. As usual, his bad habit appears just at the same moment causing him to blink and glance around appearing to be rather foolish. "Yes, sir," Auror Dawlish croaked. "That's all that's been found on Harold Minchum."

Seeing Elphinstone's face fill with exasperation, the medium-sized wizard that long ago become slim, Auror Percius Clements wryly comes to the aid of his much younger partner. "That is all, Urquart. I had Dawlish speak to every single individual, who had last been in contact with and seen him; while I did prod our contacts for information, I gained nothing for my troubles. Sanderson has been lying down low and has not ordered nor permitted any hits. According to rumors on the street, Sanderson left his people for several months, and then returned rather forlorn. It's whispered that he suffered some unimaginable loss."

Rubbing his brow at feeling an ensuing headache, Elphinstone turns to the other Auror pair. "Moody, Scrimgeour, please tell me there is something on your end?"

The rugged Scottish Auror, Alastor Moody twists his lips in equal frustration. His wavy brown hair is missing chunks of hair as if someone had to hex him to only end up cutting his hair. There is a tiny new scar on the tip of his nose as if someone had tried to cut it off, but ultimately failed.

In a Scottish borough, Auror Alastor Moody says, "Aye, sir, Scrimgeour and I knocked on every door, we could find. We even turned over a local criminal nest and received naught for our troubles except for being hexed. The only good news is that we caught the rat's red-handed and captured them all. They're sitting in our cells as we speak."

The younger partner of Auror Moody, a tawny-haired young man with a lion-like man, and equally tawny hair snorts. Auror Rufus Scrimgeour snickers and says, "What Moody forget to mention is that we literally caught them with their hands in the biscuit jar." The two Auror partners share smirks as if that said it all.

"So, you are telling me that a ministry official of his rank, and former Ministry of Magic contender, Harold Minchum is not only missing and presumed dead, but not even some of my finest Auror's can find a single clue?!" Elphinstone said in exasperation.

Auror Clements sighs and says, "It's not that we haven't looked, Uraqurt, but whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. And it is not though as Minchum did not have scores of enemies. He has made plenty of enemies not only within the Ministry but outside as well. Trust me, when I say this, Harold Minchum had more than on unsavory dealing that should have gotten him locked up in Azkaban."

"I know, Clements," Elphinstone sighed as the reports brought before him had to be partially redacted. The Ministry of Magic could not afford the corruption scandal that Harold Minchum would bring down upon them. Thankfully, with Minchum's disappearance the Ministry would be able to quietly take care of the corruption scandal avoiding the bad press. However, harsh steps were being taken to root out the corruption now discovered. Several reprimands and punishments were quietly given out as well as demoting of several high up Ministry Officials and including the resignation of several officials claiming an early retirement.

(These severely corrupt officials had been given the choice of turning their resignations or become the scapegoats for the entire fiasco. They wisely elected the first option leaving their reputations mostly intact. However, the word had been quietly spread around about the truth of the matter, and ensuring that these individuals would never be permitted to take a seat of power in any capacity again whether it be at a guild or any other type of directing position.)

Blowing a stream of air through his nose, Elphinstone finally says, "I will have the undersecretary, Mrs. Prim inform the public that Harold Minchum has gone missing and is presumed dead on an expedition for the Ministry. That ought to appease Minchum's family and quell any gossip from surging up as to the reason for his untimely disappearance."

Rubbing his now aching temple, Elphinstone feels a fierce headache ensuing. "Is there anything else to report?" Elphinstone pointedly asked.

"No, sir," all four Auror's said in chorus.

Waving his hand in dismissal, the four Auror's rustle as they leave, but not before Moody cheekily said over his shoulder. "And a belated congratulations, sir, on your engagement to Professor Minerva McGonagall, she's a fine woman indeed."

Elphinstone groans and covers his face in despair as the door slams shut behind Auror Moody. He had been keeping his engagement to Minera under wraps because the whole Auror office would be after him. And if Moody knew that meant that the rest of the nosey gossipmongers that Auror's in fact are, the entire department would be aware by the end of the evening. Without a doubt, the female Auror's would be constantly be asking for wedding details, and the male Auror's would make side comments and teasing remarks about his impending marriage, and bachelorhood coming to a swift end.

Resigning himself to his fate, Elphinstone uncovers his face, before opening a drawer and searching for a headache pain-alleviating potion that he always kept on hand. To his dismay, he finds the drawer empty as he recalls that he gave his last vial to Ogden. Groaning, he tiredly closes his eyes and rubs his temples. Great. This was turning out to be a terrible evening with no end in sight.

A single firm knock at the door causes Elphinstone's eyes to flick open as he says, "Yes?"

"May I enter?" An unknown male voice asked.

Elphinstone frowns and slowly reaches for his wand placing it on his lap within reach. "Yes, but who is it?"

The voice does not reply as a hooded figure enters the office quickly and slams the door shut behind him. "My, my, the Auror Department surely has changed since my day," the male mused out loud. "Why back in those days, the Auror's didn't even keep a particularly good filing system like today. I must admit the Auror's nowadays seem to have a much more professional air about them than they did back then."

"Who are you?" Elphinstone said as he clenched his wand in his hand. How in Merlin's name had an unknown visitor been permitted into the Ministry without an escort? But more importantly made it all the way to his office without being stopped by a single Auror?!

Seeing the younger wizard's expression, the cowled figure says, "Not to worry, Urquart, none of your people have betrayed you, and neither is this a trap. I just called in a few owed favors in order to have a private discussion with you."

"As I said before, who are you?" Elphinstone dangerously growled.

Whoever it was, they could not be a simple figure. No, whoever it was someone who even the Ministry would be wary of. And the list was not an exceedingly long one, and all of whom filled him with dread. But the more pertinent question of them all is which one them is it or is it someone new, and previously unknown?