Chapter 70 - 69: Death Eaters, Pure-Blood Supremacists, Ashwinder Party, or Poachers?

William and Ann reacted faster than a Disapparition spell, whipping out their wands and stepping in front of Edward like two impenetrable walls. "Scrimgeour, if you think you're taking my son in front of me, you'll have to go through my sword first!" William growled, slamming his massive sword into the ground and glaring at the Head of the Auror Office. "And if you don't want to spend the rest of your life under a curse, I suggest you stay away from my son," Ann said with a smile that held no warmth, her eyes cold as ice. Even Scrimgeour, a battle-hardened Auror, paused under the weight of their intensity. "Now, Scrimgeour, I know us small-time merchants don't get a say in Ministry matters, but shouldn't the priority be tracking down those attackers?" Fortescue piped up from the side, clearly unimpressed with Scrimgeour's approach. Edward, however, wasn't worried about Scrimgeour targeting him—not because his parents were protecting him, but because he knew the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery laws inside out. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was the Ministry's most critical and largest department, handling nearly all wizarding law and justice functions. Technically, using magic outside school as a minor was illegal, but that fell under the Improper Use of Magic Office, not the Auror Office. The Auror Office's presence here suggested the Ministry was treating this incident as something far more serious. A terrorist attack clearly outranked underage magic misuse. "Mr. Scrimgeour, I did use magic outside school," Edward said calmly, "but you're not going to drag me to the Ministry or expel me for it, right?" "Underage wizards are prohibited from using magic outside school unless authorized or when their life is in danger." Scrimgeour shot a glance at William and Ann, grumbling, "Of course, Mr. Edward, you seem a lot calmer than your parents." "That's why Amelia sent me instead of one of Mafalda's Howlers." "And if you'd waited two more seconds to speak, it might've been your parents hauled to the Ministry for obstructing justice." He paused, then added, "Young, exceptionally talented in combat, and well-versed in legal statutes. It's early to say, but have you considered joining the Department of Magical Law Enforcement after graduation? You'd make an excellent Auror, I guarantee it." "Oh, let's talk about that later. We'd rather Ed do something good with his life," Ann muttered coldly. The tense atmosphere eased slightly. William's giant sword shrank into a pendant he could wear, and Ann lowered her wand. But Scrimgeour's tone shifted again. "While we don't need to take Mr. Edward back to the Ministry for questioning, we still need your cooperation for the investigation," he said, scanning the group. "All of you, including you, Mr. Fortescue." He glanced at Fortescue, who was subtly trying to edge away. Fortescue gave a helpless smile, nodding to show he'd cooperate. "We'll cooperate, Scrimgeour, but Edward stays with us," Ann said, her hand resting on her son's shoulder, ready to Apparate at a moment's notice. Scrimgeour nodded in agreement. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, which floated in the air, clearly ready to take notes. "I'll keep this brief. First, Mr. Edward, do you know any of the attackers?" "No," Edward shook his head. I'm a first-year at Hogwarts. Who would I know? Unless you're telling me those guys were Slytherin Quidditch players in disguise. "And you two? Mr. Bedivere, Ms. Morgan?" Scrimgeour pressed. "No clue," William and Ann replied. "Then why were you here so quickly?" Scrimgeour asked, suspicion in his voice. "Because we have protections set up around here! If you'd done your homework, you'd know my name is Bedivere!" William snapped. William wasn't hiding anything. Though the Bedivere family had long handed over the abbey's management to Muggles, they still kept tabs on it. Basic protective charms and alert systems were in place around the area. Scrimgeour ignored William's tone and turned to Fortescue, who looked a bit flustered. "Mr. Fortescue, as far as I know, your shop is in Diagon Alley. What, planning to scout a new storefront in Glastonbury for the Christmas season?" "Mr. Scrimgeour, I know it sounds ridiculous, but I swear, my being here was a complete accident," Fortescue said. He quickly explained his botched Apparition, including the part where he faceplanted into a snowbank. He also clarified that his business was entirely above board, with no illegal addictive substances in his ice cream—though that wasn't the Aurors' jurisdiction. Edward distinctly heard soft chuckles from the Aurors cleaning up the scene and from Ann, who was covering her mouth. "Mr. Scrimgeour, I can vouch for Mr. Fortescue. He really did show up here by chance, just after I arrived at the abbey. The attackers only appeared when we were laying flowers at King Arthur's tomb," Edward said, backing Fortescue up. Though he had no idea what the attackers were after, Edward was certain that without Fortescue, he likely wouldn't have escaped unscathed. After hearing everyone's statements, Scrimgeour stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So, none of you know the attackers' identities? Then who were they targeting?" "Maybe Death Eater remnants? The Ashwinder Party? Pure-Blood Supremacists? Poachers?" Fortescue rattled off a list of groups. Each name made the nearby Aurors flinch. "Don't be ridiculous. The Dark Lord's been gone for years; it can't be Death Eaters," Scrimgeour scoffed. "As for the others, the Ashwinder Party was wiped out a century ago, Ranrok's long dead, Grindelwald's still locked up in Nurmengard, and as for poachers—" Scrimgeour paused, turning to William as if something clicked. "Not poachers, but they remind me of another group. A group that's long faded into history." He looked at William pointedly. "The ones who destroyed this abbey." William and Ann frowned slightly. "Mr. Bedivere, you're familiar with that name, aren't you?" "The ones called the 'Black Knights.'"