Chapter 1
Disclaimer: This universe is J.K. Rowling's. I merely am twisting it to fit my purposes. I am making no money.
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�We are running out of time.� The words were spoken with barely-concealed rage and tinged with impatience.
A young man, barely out of college, cowered in front of his superior�s desk. His eyes squeezed shut and his sweaty hands creased his carefully prepared report as he tried to regain his composure.
�Yes, Major, I know. But it�s nearly impossible to track them all, what with no more than half attending a school, if we can�t access � �
�Leon,� his boss interrupted. �Do you know why I hired you?�
Leon loosened his tie a fraction of an inch, confused by the change in subject. �No, Major, I� I � �
�You attended college. Do you have the statistics on how many of us attended one?� The speaker smiled coldly and held up a hand to stop Leon�s nervous stutters. �Never mind. You have a brain. You were obviously smart enough to join us. We can use your intelligence.� Leon chose to ignore the stress on the word �use.� �Now you need to start using it. What can you tell me?�
�I, well, uh�� The young man stared at the now-useless report in his hands, and set it aside with a small sigh. �Well, like I said, we can�t follow every case. But there are a few outstanding ones.� He swallowed.
�Go on,� the voice commanded.
�There is one boy, highly intelligent, amazing Muggle test scores, even by your standards. Good artist, musician as well. Apparently well-liked by his peers.�
�But?�
�He�s too high-profile; everyone in the area is watching him. He�d be too risky. Besides, he would serve you better if he volunteered rather than had to be coerced.�
Leon�s boss nodded thoughtfully and let Leon fidget a few moments before replying. �And another �outstanding� case?�
�Um,� he closed eyes briefly. �Possibly one of the kids from that school in Keene. You know, that �head start� one that teaches magic skills before they start school. They�re selective, so any one of them would probably be a good worker.� He sighed.
�Is that all?�
�There is a girl, one of the younger ones in her class. She, too, is rather intelligent, though not always an excellent student. Good test scores. Has a wide range of skills, mostly rather obscure or useless to us. Some are very useful. She also flies under the radar.�
�And her useful skills?�
�Well, not really skills, per se. She apparently has a temper, and can fight to back it up. And she has someone to pull strings for her in the government.�
�Really.�
�She was responsible for that large Transfiguration of an entire neighborhood a few years ago. No charges were filed, and the media barely mentioned it.�
�So this girl could have a lot of power?� The boss�s fingers tapped on the desk.
Leon watched the fingers apprehensively. �Yes, Major.� The title was arbitrary and meaningless; Leon�s boss was major of nothing. �She could resist. In fact, I would bet on it. I would suggest you don�t go for her dire � �
�I am aware, Leon, of what attributes make an ideal candidate.�
�Well, yes, Major, you would be.�
�Leon?�
�Yes, Major?�
�Don�t patronize me.�
�Yes. Major.� The black leather chair turned to face out the window.
�This girl. Does she have many close friends?�
�She grew up in a Muggle neighborhood. We didn�t keep tabs on her acquaintances.�
�Start.�
�Yes, Major.�
�We�ll get to her through her friends. By the way, does this exceptional girl have a name?�
�Yes, Major.�
What do you think?
Subject line "Elle Donovan 1"