Prologue: Trouble at Merwyn Ledge

April 16, 2009-Him

Aurors' Offices

I looked up as the clock chimed eleven. I was glad that I didn't have a wife waiting for me at home. If I did, then she surely would be upset that I was still at work this late. It was my own fault really. Harry and I should really do the paperwork earlier than the night before it is due to be turned over to the Minister. If Hermione had joined us here after the war instead of going back to Hogwarts, then it would always be done on-time. She hadn't though and went on to marry Draco Malfoy. I waited for the dull ache that always came with thoughts of Hermione and Malfoy, but it didn't. It had been a decade since their marriage, yet I was still a little bitter over it. I never let them know that. She was too happy for me to share my pain. Besides, I was godfather to their second son. I took delight knowing that Malfoy's second son was named Hugo Ronald Malfoy.

"Ron, do you have the file for the raid we did last Friday?" Harry asked me from across the two desks. I nodded and handed him what he needed. I watched as he glanced at the clock. Ginny was most likely at home waiting for him. I was just about to tell him that he should go when we were joined by Kingsley's Undersecretary.

"What can we do for you, Justin?" Harry inquired barely keeping the frustration out of his voice. As his best mate, I knew he wanted to hex Justin Finch-Fletchley for interrupting.

"It seems that there's been trouble in Merwyn Ledge, we need you to check it out," he answered hesitantly. Both Harry and I groaned.

April 16, 2009-Her

Merwyn Ledge

I woke up in an empty room. If I knew what had happened, then I might have been frightened. However, I didn't know who I was or why I was here. To my right, there was a wooden rod about ten inches long. Something told me it was mine. I picked it up and for reasons unknown to me; I pointed it up and sent red sparks into the sky. Moments later, I felt off-balance and slid back into darkness.