Chapter Text
As soon as they apparated inside the muggle village, Dorcus was quick to disillusion herself, turning an exasperated and imploring gaze toward her partner indicating he should do the same, which was futile considering her invisible state.
“Relax Dorky, we’re well outside the village proper. The only one who could catch us is the creep we’re looking for” stated James with a wry smirk.
“First, you don’t know that. Second, it’s auror protocol in a muggle setting. And, third, I am not rescuing your ass when you get caught being a dipshit.”
“Alright, alright…Jesus…” James quickly vanished from sight. “Are you happy now?” No response, “Dorcus…?”
“I’m over here, you dingleberry!” Dorcus whispered loudly.
James trodd over toward the voice, standing in front of a large and imposing set of doors that led into the squalid old church. It was fairly obvious this building had not been used in many years, and certainly no one was taking care of it. The white paint was chipping in large chunks, the smell of mold and rotting wood was pervasive, and almost every window held large cracks and shattered holes.
James and Dorcus had been sent here on a mission to infiltrate the building and locate a suspected dark wizard,Quirinus Quirrell, who has been cursing objects and dropping them into the muggle community. He’s said to be psychotic and highly dangerous, but his records stated he wasn’t a powerful wizard, just a reckless one.
As James pushed open the entrance doors, Dorcus covered him from behind, scoping out all directions. At first glance it looked like a standard village church. Many pews lined the modest sized room, a podium stood upon a small stage, and a large and imposing crucifix was hung between the stained glass windows on the back wall.
“Revela tenebras,” James quickly cast across the room, and a swirling purple haze puffed from his want in search of any dark magic. The smoky purple cloud hovered under the crack of a door at the back of the church, presumably leading to an office or group rooms.
“And, that’s our cue.” Dorcus indicated the smoke and began to make her way toward the door. Suddenly, James reached out toward her voice and grabbed the back of her shirt.
“Something doesn’t feel right, like….like we’re walking into a trap.” His voice was quiet but confident. They had been in situations like this before, where the guise of normality would lure you into a situation that wasn’t easy to get out of. If they entered through that door and found themselves trapped with Quirrell in a tiny room, any number of things could go badly.
“Exactly what do you propose we do instead, James? We can’t just wait out here until he appears, he could apparate away as soon as he sees us. Getting the jump on him is the only way.”
As reluctant as he was to follow through with this plan, James had to admit they didn’t have many options, “Alright, stay behind me, wand at the ready.”
Dorcus rolled her eyes, exasperated, “Do you always have to be the hero? I’m perfectly capable of leading this mission, Potter.”
James passed his partner with a gentle smile, “I know Dorky, but you’re my friend and it just doesn’t feel right putting you in harm's way first.That and Marlene would castrate me if anything happened to you” he laughed.
Dorcus crossed her arms in defeat, “Fine then, oh great protector, lead the way.”
James saluted in mock acceptance of his role and turned to slowly, and as quietly as possible, inch his way toward the back door. In just a few moments they both stood outside the door, attempting to listen intently for any sign of movement, but they were left with utter silence.
James gave Dorcus a knowing look as he began to count down from five with his fingers so they were on the same page. As the count ended, James shouted, “Bombarda!” blasting the door to shards. The two aurors rushed in, instantly spotting a very young man cowering in the corner of the small chapel office. He was so thin he looked rather sickly, and it seemed that much of his hair had begun to fall out in patches.
“P-p-please, d-don’t hurt me!” Quirrell cried.
Dorcus and James shared a glance toward one another, taken aback by this supposedly dangerous wizard who appeared to be no more than a sickly, rebellious teenager.
“We're not here to hurt you,” Dorcus explained, “but we know what you’ve been doing to the muggles and you have to take accountability for your actions. You know the laws.”
“N-n-no, I c-can’t go to p-prision, I’ll d-d-die!”
James felt pity for this pathetic creature, and tried to provide some comfort. Slowly stepping forward he reached out his hand to reassure the trembling boy, but his gesture was mistaken for aggression and Quirrell lashed out, aiming his wand directly at James’ chest and shouting, “Puer occulta revelatur!!”
A bright pink light blasted from the wand straight at James’ heart. He was propelled backwards several feet striking the wall behind him, his head slamming violently against the wooden surface, and he crumpled to the floor in an unconscious heap.
Quick on her feet, Dorcus cast, “Petrificus totalus!” freezing Quirrell to the spot. Taking each man’s hand in her own she apparated them back to the ministry.