Chapter Text
I Do Not Own Harry Potter
All Characters Appearing In This Work Are Fictitious. Any Resemblance To Real Persons, Living Or Dead Is Purely Coincidental.
Aurors and Veel
Chapter 1: Shadows in the Spotlight
Late Afternoon — March 2000
A Flat in Muggle London
It was a rare day off for Ron Weasley — a luxury he barely remembered. As a semi-junior Auror, he was usually stuck with the worst shifts: late nights, unpredictable weekends, and the kind of cases that made him question whether magical law enforcement was worth the migraines. But with his recent promotion, things were finally looking up.
He was in a good mood. The plan was simple: lounge around the flat, maybe visit Teddy for lunch, and — if he felt ambitious — draft a response to the editor of Charms Weekly. The letter had arrived two days ago, offering a generous sum for an article on the mechanics of his newly patented spell: Aegis Maxima.
Ron had nearly choked on his tea when he saw the number of zeroes in the contract. And something told him that was just their opening offer. Converted to Muggle money, it was enough for a down payment on a ring. And if Percy’s whispered rumors were true… maybe something more.
He was still daydreaming about that possibility when an owl swooped through the open window, dropping off the morning’s Daily Prophet. Ron tossed the bird a bit of toast, then unfolded the paper — front page first.
His good mood evaporated.
He scanned the headline, then the byline.
Millicent Bulstrode.
Ron stared at the name.
“Of course,” he muttered. “Trust a Slytherin to turn a shield into a dagger.”
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