章 221: team up
*Narrator pov*
The following morning, Argus Frail sat in a cold, windowless room deep within the Ministry of Magic's interrogation wing. The stone walls around him were bare, and the only light came from a flickering torch mounted in the corner. His hands rested limply in his lap, and his eyes stared at the door, still clouded from the remnants of the Imperius Curse that had dominated his mind through the night.
His memory was hazy. He had worked late, his hands stained with ingredients for potions he couldn't quite recall making. A nagging sense of unease crept at the edges of his mind, but he couldn't put a finger on it. Why was he here? What had happened?
The door swung open with a heavy creak, breaking the oppressive silence. Two figures entered—one, an Auror with sharp features and cold eyes, the other a tall Wizard whose presence filled the small room. The Auror, a woman with sleek black hair, crossed the room and sat opposite Frail.
She set a folder down on the table between them, tapping it once before looking up. "Argus Frail," she said, her voice low but clear. "You've been brought in for questioning concerning your recent activities at the Potions Division. Do you know why?"
Frail blinked, his thoughts still slow, like he was moving through fog. "I don't… I've been working. That's all. I don't know why I'm here." his heart beat rapidly in his chest in fear of what he might learn about last night
The Auror exchanged a glance with her partner, who remained standing, arms crossed. She opened the folder, revealing several reports and documents. "It seems there are some irregularities in the potions you've supplied for interrogating the terrorist. Specifically the veritaserum"
Frail felt a cold sweat break out on his brow. "Veritaserum? I don't understand… I was just following my routine. I don't… I don't remember doing anything wrong."
Her eyes narrowed. "Your routine included sabotaging the very potions meant to extract information from the captured terrorist. Do you deny this?"
"I—" Frail's voice caught in his throat. He tried to think, to piece together the fragments of the night before, but nothing made sense. "I swear, I didn't… I wasn't trying to sabotage anything. I don't remember—"
"You don't remember," she repeated, her voice hardening. "Convenient. Or perhaps you've been influenced? Controlled by someone, perhaps?"
Her partner stepped forward, looming over the table. "Imperius?" His tone was gruff, and his eyes bore into Frail's.
Frail's heart raced. Could that be it? He had heard of people being placed under the Imperius Curse, forced to act against their will. The thought that he might have been used—manipulated like a puppet—sent a chill down his spine.
The Auror studied him carefully, leaning forward. "There's a possibility you've been compromised, Frail. If that's the case, you'll need to help us find who did this to you. Otherwise, we have no choice but to assume your guilt."
"I… I don't know who would've done it. I've just been working! Please, I'm telling the truth." His voice cracked, desperation seeping in as he gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white.
The Auror leaned back in her chair, tapping her wand lightly against the folder. "We'll be the judge of that. Veritaserum will reveal the truth soon enough."
She reached into her robes and withdrew a small vial, filled with a clear liquid. Frail recognized it immediately. Veritaserum—the very potion he had brewed under the curse's influence. His stomach twisted at the irony. If the potion was flawed, if it had been tampered with, this could turn into a nightmare far worse than his mind could imagine.
The Hit Wizard uncapped the vial and stepped forward, holding it just above Frail's lips. "Drink," he commanded.
Frail hesitated for only a second, knowing he had no choice. The liquid slid down his throat, cold and sharp, and immediately, he felt the effects beginning to take hold. His mind began to slow, surrendering to the truth that would be pulled from his lips whether he willed it or not.
The Auror waited, her gaze piercing. "Who altered the Veritaserum?"
Frail's mouth opened, words spilling out before he could stop them. "I… I don't know. I don't remember anything. I was working late, like I always do. But—" He paused, his eyes wide, realizing something he hadn't before. "I felt… off. I remember someone knocking on my door, then my everything else is a blur. but I remember I was given something to mix into the Veritaserum."
"What did the person look like? What was given to you?" The Auror's voice was calming through the haze of the Veritaserum's effects
"I don't know…" Frail murmured, shaking his head. "A man in a cloak… I can't see his face, but he spoke to me. Told me what to do. I had no choice. He made me brew the potions… sabotage them."
The Auror glanced up at her partner, her eyes hard. "Who was the man?" she asked again this time more forcefully
"I don't know. He never removed his hood. Ah…" he winced in pain, "But I feel like I knew him,"
Silence filled the room as the Auror sat back, her expression unreadable. Her partner frowned deeply, and for a moment, no one spoke.
Finally, the Auror closed the folder in front of her. "We'll keep you here for further questioning, Frail. If you remember anything else, anything at all, you'll let us know."
Frail nodded weakly, as the Aurors left the interrogation room.
As the Auror closed the door she was met face-to-face with her boss, "Keep asking him questions every hour, you brought up the Imperus possibility too quickly he could be jumping at the possibility to hide the truth,"
She frowned, "But we used Veritaserum, sir."
Rufus scoffed, "He is a potions master I don't doubt there is a way to get around that potion."
***
"They said the potion master mixed some type of poison into the veritaserum and got through three prisoners before the poison took noticeable effect. Heard Rufus locked down the interrogation sections completely. No Aurors in or out." Arcturus said while sipping his whisky
Morpheus nodded while enjoying his own glass of wine, "Say how busy is Cass these days?" Morpheus asked
Arcturus burst into laughter, "You better hope she doesn't hear you call her that. Why do you ask?"
A smile spread across Morpheus's lips, "I won't tell her if you don't. I was wondering if she was up for a little trip?"
Arcturus didn't reply right away thinking about the question, "I'm not sure she has been busy lately. I'll ask when I head back tonight and she can let you know herself."
"Perfect! Now let's discuss the next Wizengamot I don't think it will be a peaceful one." Morpheus quipped with a smirk
Arcturus raised his brow, "When has it ever been peaceful?"
The sun peaked over the trees guarding Morpheus's manor. The owner of said manor was sitting in his parlor atop a stool and an easel in front of him as he painted a portrait.
The floo spurred to life signaling someone was trying to visit, "Come in Cassiopeia." Morpheus said with a small smile as he added to the background
Cassiopeia black strode into the parlor, "Hm, I didn't know you were into art Morpheus." she said sliding into a chair behind him
A rare genuine chuckle left Morpheus's lips, "When you have lived as long as I have, you are into just about everything." he put down the paintbrush and looked back at the painting a smile playing at his lips
Cassiopeia frowned, "Don't mind me you can finish."
Morpheus stood and took a seat across from her, "it's complete."
"But you haven't added anything to the face who is that supposed to be?" she asked in confusion
A sigh left the professor, "Someone important. Now, do you have plans for the next week or so?"
"I am free, why?" she asked
"Want to take a trip with me?" Morpheus asked with a smirk
Cassiopeia smiled, "I wouldn't want to miss seeing the famous Morpheus in action."
"Good, we are off to Germany."
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