Arthur stepped through the portal into his London manor's sitting room, where Aurora waited with her characteristic patience. She looked up as he appeared, her expression more serious than usual.
"Aurora," Arthur said with his typical reserved demeanor, settling into the chair across from her. "Good to see you. What brings you here? Is everything alright with the wizarding world?"
"Everything's fine on that front," Aurora replied, though her tone suggested this wasn't a social visit. "Amelia Bones was elected Minister for Magic, as expected. Her fierce and strict actions have put a stop to the public attacks, at least. Most Death Eater activities are now restricted to secret raids on individual homes."
Arthur nodded approvingly. "Good that they're taking proper measures. Any attacks spilling into the mundane world?"
"None so far. Voldemort seems to be keeping a lower profile after..." She paused meaningfully. "After what happened at the MI6 compound."
"That's excellent news." Arthur leaned back in his chair. "So what brings you here? Want me to go finish off Voldemort while he's weakened?"
Aurora's lips twitched despite the gravity of her visit. "I couldn't say no to that offer, honestly. But that's not why I'm here. I came to give you some good news."
Arthur raised an eyebrow with apparent curiosity. "Good news? Tell me."
"Have you heard about what happened recently in Britain? In the news, I mean."
Arthur shook his head. "No, I've been busy with secret magic training. Don't have time to read newspapers. Why?"
"Do you know General Marcus Whitmore or Colonel David Graves?"
Arthur's brow furrowed in apparent confusion. "How would I know military people? And how is this related to my supposed good news?"
"Listen, Arthur." Aurora leaned forward. "These are high-ranking people in the military, and they were assassinated a week ago."
Arthur's expression remained blank. "And that's important to me why, exactly?"
Aurora took a breath. "Arthur, you've asked me about the perpetrators of the attack on your house many times over the years, right?"
Arthur's entire demeanor changed instantly. His eyes widened, and he sat forward sharply. "Wait... you mean these two were the ones responsible? You've known about them and they weren't in jail? So much for Director Morrison talking about how different the mundane world is from the wizarding one."
"I didn't know until recently," Aurora said quickly. "I came here to inform you as soon as I learned about this connection."
"Good news indeed!" Arthur's voice carried genuine excitement and relief. "Justice delivered. Better late than never." His expression darkened with satisfaction. "And thank God someone killed them. I could never have taken revenge against them myself—not with them being such influential people and the cursed Covenant hanging over my head." He paused, studying Aurora's face intently. "So how did they die? I hope it was painful."
"Poison. It looks like assassination by foreign enemies or other countries. Professional work."
Arthur's smile turned cold but deeply satisfied. "That should have been painful then. Thank you for bringing me this wonderful news." His mood brightened considerably. "Are you staying for dinner? Winky can cook some really delicious meals. Nothing like the bland food you usually eat."
Aurora shook her head. "No, I don't have time. These two deaths have all of us working overtime investigating the implications."
Arthur shrugged dismissively. "Don't think I can offer any help there. I'm rooting for the assassins, frankly."
"Me too," Aurora admitted quietly. "Don't tell anyone I said that."
"Your secret's safe." Arthur stood as Aurora prepared to leave. "Well, you'll have to return for that dinner when things quiet down."
"I will." Aurora moved toward the door. "Can't say no to good food."
"Thank you again for the good news," Arthur called after her. "I think I'll visit my parents' graves tomorrow and share the news with them."
—
Aurora walked out of the manor and slipped into the waiting car. Inside, Director Helena Morrison sat in the passenger seat, her silver hair catching the afternoon light streaming through the windshield.
As Aurora closed the door and started the engine, Morrison spoke without preamble. "So? What do you think? Was he responsible for the killings?"
Aurora shook her head firmly. "No. He was genuinely surprised and happy hearing the news. I could actually see the tension leave his eyes when I told him. He became much more friendly after that—even offered for me to stay for dinner." She paused thoughtfully. "You know, the fact that I couldn't help get justice for his parents has been a barrier between us for years. It looks like that's finally on the path of being resolved."
Morrison nodded slowly. "Good. Let's go then. But I want you to assign some agents to keep watch on this property."
Aurora glanced at her superior in surprise. "Why? You still doubt him? Those assassinations were clearly done by top-tier killers with advanced skills in disguise and stealth. Where would Arthur get training like that? And no magic was found at the sites."
Morrison's expression remained grim. "After what I witnessed that night at the compound, I believe nothing is impossible for him. But the surveillance isn't just about suspicion—it's protection too. The backers of those two officers are actively hunting for whoever killed them. Mr. Hayes will surely be on their suspect list. I'd rather have my agents deal with any threats than have him kill the killers sent after him. That would create even more complications."
Aurora considered this reasoning. "Fine. I'll assign a surveillance team. Are these backers very powerful? Should we prepare for serious trouble?"
"Very powerful. And trouble has already started." Morrison's voice was heavy with concern. "I've received reports of multiple murders across London—people being systematically eliminated. I suspect the backers are working through a list of potential suspects."
The car fell silent as Aurora processed this disturbing information. She started the engine and pulled away from the manor, both women lost in thought about the dangerous game being played around them.
Neither noticed the subtle shimmer in the air near the manor's gate.
—
After the car disappeared around the corner, Arthur materialized from beneath a powerful Disillusionment Charm. He'd been hidden near the entrance, listening to every word through magically enhanced hearing.
A satisfied smile played across his lips. His performance had been flawless from the looks of it—Aurora was completely convinced of his innocence and relief. Even Morrison, suspicious as she was, seemed to accept that Arthur wasn't their assassin.
But the conversation had revealed far more than just the success of his deception.
The three lords were already killing innocents in their search for him. Morrison's reports of systematic murders meant they were working through suspect lists, eliminating anyone who might have had motive or opportunity.
Arthur's jaw tightened. More innocent people dying from the actions of the monsters.
The decision he'd been agonizing over for days had just been made for him.
With the criminal organizations actively hunting and killing, with the possibility of threats coming directly to his door, he had no choice but to finish what he'd started. The lords had to die, and they had to die soon, before more innocents paid the price for their paranoia.
Arthur walked back toward his manor, his mind already shifting to operational planning. Since he was going against the Ancient One's advice and proceeding with the killings, he had to ensure certain precautions were taken.
He had to be absolutely certain that no trace of magic or mystic arts appeared in his future operations. If the fights were recorded somehow, nothing should point back to wizards or sorcerers.
He also couldn't use his real face for the actual assassinations. Identity concealment was crucial.
Arthur settled into his drawing room, methodically going through his list of necessary precautions. The three lords thought they were hunting a mundane assassin with conventional training and resources. They had no concept of what was actually coming for them.
His parents would finally have their justice, the victims of the criminal empires would be avenged, and Arthur would remain a ghost that no investigation could trace.
The revenge was about to reach its conclusion.