Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Jenny Honey was late. She entered the Ministry of Magic and made her way to the Department of Magical Investigations as quickly as possible. As soon as she got to the Aurora Office, she knew she was in trouble.
‘Late again Honey’ said Robards with a scowl. ‘Scrimgeour wants to see you in his office NOW!’
Jenny made her way to Scrimgeour’s office slightly puzzled. If it was just a telling off for punctuality she doubted he would get involved. Then she thought of her recent cases. That incident with a Hag hadn’t really been her fault, and if they kept giving her jobs involving broomsticks, what did they expect? She hadn’t been voted ‘Worst Quidditch player at Hogwart’s’ seven years in a row for nothing.
She stood outside the door nervously, then, telling herself not to be pathetic, she knocked.
‘Enter’ came Scrimgeour’s reply and she did. She was slightly reassured to see Kingsley Shacklebolt in the office as well. He wasn’t there often, he was normally busy doing field work. This must be serious. ‘Sit down Honey, I’ve got a lot to say and you’ve already delayed this meeting.’
‘You’re from a non-magical family aren’t you?’ continued Scrimgeour. It wasn’t really a question, he already knew the answer. ‘Do you remember getting your Hogwart’s letter?’
‘Yes, I was very surprised, and happy of course.’
‘Were your parent’s happy?’
‘They died when I was very young. I was raised by my Grandparent’s; they were very shocked as I hadn’t really shown many signs of magic at that age. They soon came around though.’
‘We’ve got a case where none of these things appear to be true. A very young girl is already showing strong signs of magic and it seems likely that her parent’s will not ‘come around’. This would not normally be a case for the Aurora Office, but there is reason to think that a former Death Eater is also aware of her.’
‘Poor girl, we must help her.’
‘Save your pity, it isn’t helpful and might not be needed anyway. We’ve only got a report from a Squib on this, so it might be completely wrong. Based on your record, I’d been thinking of moving you to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, but Shacklebolt here thinks you’re suited for this assignment, so I’m giving you one more chance. Remember though, one mistake and it’s flying cars and talking teapots for the rest of your career. You may be the first Hufflepuff Aurora in over a century, but you’ll be the last as well if you don’t improve.’
‘Yes sir, I’ll do my best.’
‘Here are the notes on the case. If you have any questions, ask Shacklebolt.’ It was clearly a dismissal and Jenny quickly left the office. She took the file back to her desk and started reading it.
It was a frightening case, the young girl Matilda Wormwood was only four, but she was already showing intelligence that was impossible for a Muggle of her age. The report also hinted at telekinesis and even a possibility that she was unknowingly a Legilimens. Such powers in the hands of an untrained child could be very dangerous, and she got even more alarmed when she read about Agatha Trunchbull. She appeared to be so very cruel, and the only reason that she had not come under more scrutiny already was that even other Death Eaters found her too difficult to work with and had disowned her. Jenny doubted this would stay the case if she could produce for them a young witch of seemingly exceptional powers, even if the girl was Muggle-born.
Later in the day, Kingsley Shacklebolt came up to her desk and told her there was a visitor to see her in his office.
‘Thanks for recommending me for this case.’
‘No problem Jenny, you’re a good Aurora you just need to believe in yourself more.’
Jenny blushed and looked at the floor, a compliment from Kingsley really meant something.
They went to his office and when he opened the door, Jenny was very surprised to see her old Head of House, Professor Sprout. Ever since the day the Sorting Hat had put her in Hufflepuff, Professor Sprout had been a hero to Jenny. She was delighted to see her for the first time since finishing Hogwarts.
‘Hello Professor, it’s lovely to see you!’
‘You don’t need to call me Professor anymore, Jenny. You’re an adult witch, and an Aurora at that. My name is Pomona.’
‘Thank you Prof.. I mean Pomona.’
‘It’s lovely to see you, but this is not a social call. It’s about the case you’re working on. It has some curious features.’
Kingsley spoke up, ‘Jenny, nothing said in here goes outside this room. Don’t tell anyone, even Tonks.’
Jenny nodded. It would be hard to not tell her best friend, but orders were orders.
‘I haven’t got much to say’ said Professor Sprout, ‘I’m here to set up a meeting. Albus Dumbledore would like to discuss the case with you.’
‘I’ll clear it with Scrimgeour,’ said Kingsley ‘if you’re going to investigate a headmistress, visiting a school seems reasonable.’
To Hogwarts then Jenny was to go..