The morning air was crisp as Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle walked back through Diagon Alley, the wands securely tucked in their hands. Their conversation from the previous day was still fresh in their minds, filled with wild theories and possibilities. They had been mocked for their tendency to overcomplicate matters, but now was their chance to show they could unravel the mystery of Blaise Zabini’s death.

Arriving at Ollivanders’ shop, they entered with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The shop’s familiar aroma of old wood and magic enveloped them as they approached the counter. Mr. Ollivander, a tall, enigmatic figure with silver hair and keen eyes, looked up from behind his cluttered desk.

“Good morning again, gentlemen,” Ollivander greeted, his voice rich with curiosity. “What can I do for you today?”

“We’ve brought the wands we found at the crime scene,” Vincent said, laying the wands carefully on the counter. “We’re hoping you could give us some insight into their origins and potential significance.”

Ollivander’s eyes sparkled with interest as he inspected the wands. The first wand was a broken piece of cedar, its splintered end revealing the forceful break it had suffered. The second wand, still intact, was made of ebony and bore a dragon heartstring core. Ollivander’s expression turned serious as he examined them.

“This is quite the puzzle,” Ollivander remarked, holding up the broken wand. “This wand appears to have been broken long time ago. The nature of the break suggests it was done with significant force, likely in a fit of desperation or anger.”

“And what about the other wand?” Gregory asked, peering over Ollivander’s shoulder.

Ollivander turned his attention to the intact wand, his brow furrowing as he examined it closely. “This wand hasn’t been used for magic in quite some time. However, the last spell it cast was a Killing Curse. This is quite alarming.”

Vincent and Gregory exchanged troubled glances. The revelation of a Killing Curse wasn't unsettling and added nothing in the layer of complexity to their investigation.

“The wands were made by a wandmaker named Antonio Celent,” Ollivander continued, as he continued his examination. “Celent is a renowned wandmaker based in Italy. It’s possible that these wands were custom-made for someone. If you can trace them back to him, you might find out who they were sold to. There’s also the possibility that these wands were stolen. They may have changed hands several times before ending up in the crime scene.”

The mention of Antonio Celent piqued Vincent and Gregory’s interest. They had encountered many magical artifacts in their careers, but this was the first time they had come across wands made by a prominent Italian wandmaker.

“Is there any way we could contact Celent or find out who purchased these wands?” Vincent asked, his voice filled with determination.

Ollivander nodded thoughtfully. “I could try to contact Celent on your behalf, but it may take some time to get a response. In the meantime, I recommend looking into Blaise Zabini’s life in the Muggle world. There may be connections or clues there that could shed light on this case.”

Vincent and Gregory agreed. They had already learned that Blaise Zabini was living in a Muggle area, an unusual choice for a wizard of his background. The fact that Zabini’s home was completely devoid of magical items only deepened the mystery.

“Thank you for your help, Mr. Ollivander,” Gregory said, as he and Vincent prepared to leave. “We’ll follow up on these leads and get back to you if we find anything more.”

Ollivander gave them a nod of encouragement. “Good luck, gentlemen. Sometimes the most significant clues are hidden in the most unexpected places.”

As Vincent and Gregory left the shop, their minds were already racing with the next steps. They decided to investigate Blaise Zabini’s life in the Muggle world more thoroughly. They made their way to the Auror office to gather information and prepare for their next moves.

Back at the office, Vincent and Gregory huddled over a stack of papers detailing Zabini’s recent activities. They found that he had been living a quiet life, with little interaction with the magical community. His residence in the Muggle area was particularly perplexing. They noted that Zabini had been seen infrequently in Diagon Alley, often under the guise of mundane tasks.

“We need to find out more about his connections and his life here,” Vincent said, flipping through the documents. “Something doesn’t add up.”

Gregory nodded, his mind already shifting through potential avenues of investigation. “Let’s start with his Muggle neighbors. Maybe they noticed something unusual.”

Their first visit was to the local Muggle neighborhood where Zabini had lived. They posed as Muggle investigators, blending in as best they could while trying to gather information. Their efforts were met with mixed results. Some neighbors remembered seeing a tall man with a peculiar manner, while others recalled little of note.

One elderly lady mentioned seeing Zabini frequently leaving his house at odd hours, always dressed in clothing that seemed out of place for the neighborhood. This was intriguing, as it suggested that Zabini had been involved in activities that he was trying to keep hidden.

With this lead, Vincent and Gregory decided to dig deeper into Zabini’s recent activities. They visited local establishments, spoke to shopkeepers, and even reached out to other Muggle contacts who might have seen something unusual.

As they gathered more information, a pattern began to emerge. It seemed that Zabini had been trying to distance himself from his past, making efforts to blend into the Muggle world. This included changing his appearance and adopting a lifestyle that was markedly different from his previous one.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Vincent and Gregory were beginning to piece together a picture of Zabini’s life. They knew that there was more to the story, and they were determined to uncover it. The wands, the Killing Curse, and Zabini’s efforts to conceal his identity were all interconnected in ways they had yet to fully understand.

Their investigation was just beginning, and they knew that every clue would bring them closer to the truth. They remained vigilant and focused, ready to face the challenges ahead. Despite their tendency to overcomplicate matters, Vincent and Gregory were committed to solving the mystery of Blaise Zabini’s death and bringing justice to those involved.

The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows of the Auror office, casting long shadows across the cluttered desks. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, hunched over their stack of photographs, were deeply engrossed in their latest findings. The crime scene images of Blaise Zabini had taken on a new significance following their recent discovery.

Gregory’s sharp eyes were scanning through the photographs when he suddenly paused, a look of realization dawning on his face. “Vincent, take a look at this.”

Vincent leaned closer, scrutinizing the image that Gregory had highlighted. It was a close-up of one of Blaise’s tattoos, located on his left arm. The intricate design, amidst the sea of tattoos, stood out. It was unmistakably reminiscent of the Dark Mark—the infamous symbol of Voldemort’s Death Eaters.

“This is...” Vincent began, his voice trailing off. “This looks like the Dark Mark. I mean, it’s almost identical.”

Gregory nodded solemnly. “If Blaise Zabini was a Death Eater, that changes everything. It means he went into hiding in the Muggle world to escape justice or retribution.”

Vincent’s mind raced as he considered the implications. “If he was a Death Eater, then someone out there might have wanted him dead. It could be someone seeking revenge for the atrocities he committed, or perhaps another former Death Eater who felt betrayed or threatened.”

The two Aurors exchanged a look of grim determination. This new revelation added layers of complexity to the case. What had initially seemed like a straightforward suicide was now shrouded in mystery, with potential connections to the darker side of the wizarding world.

“We need to take this to the head of the department,” Vincent said decisively. “This could be a major breakthrough, and we need to ensure we get the permission to continue investigating.”

Gregory agreed, his expression resolute. “Let’s go. We have to push for this.”

The two Aurors made their way to the office of Roger Yates, the head of their department. The air was tense as they approached Yates’s desk, where the stern-faced supervisor was buried in paperwork.

“Mr. Yates, we need to discuss the Zabini case,” Vincent said, his voice firm.

Yates looked up, his expression curious. “What’s the matter now?”

“We’ve discovered something significant,” Gregory explained. “One of Blaise Zabini’s tattoos resembles the Dark Mark. This suggests he was a Death Eater, which changes the nature of the case entirely.”

Yates’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “A Death Eater? That’s a serious development. What does this mean for the investigation?”

“It means there’s a possibility that Zabini was targeted by someone who knew about his past,” Vincent said. “It could be someone from his circle, or someone seeking revenge for his past actions. We need to delve deeper into this, and we believe we should continue investigating.”

Yates considered their words, his expression thoughtful. “You two have been known for overcomplicating things. This case was initially deemed a suicide. Now you’re suggesting it might involve Death Eaters and revenge. It’s a significant shift.”

“We understand the skepticism,” Gregory said earnestly. “But we’ve uncovered evidence that suggests this case is more complex than initially thought. We’re prepared to fight for the chance to investigate it further.”

Yates regarded them with a mixture of surprise and reluctant admiration. “You’re willing to take on a case with so many potential complications. Alright, if you’re so determined, I’ll allow you to continue investigating. But remember, you’ll need to provide solid evidence to justify this new direction. The higher-ups are not going to be pleased with any additional time spent on this if you don’t come up with something concrete.”

Vincent and Gregory’s faces lit up with a mix of relief and triumph. “Thank you, Mr. Yates,” Vincent said, gratitude evident in his voice.

As they left Yates’s office, the two Aurors were buoyed by their victory. Their determination had paid off, and they were now officially tasked with uncovering the truth behind Blaise Zabini’s death.

“This is our chance to prove ourselves,” Gregory said, his voice filled with renewed purpose. “We’ll show everyone that we can handle even the most complex cases.”

Vincent nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. Let’s get back to work and dig deeper into Zabini’s life. There’s more to uncover, and we’re going to find out what really happened.”

With their spirits high and their mission clear, Vincent and Gregory returned to their desks, ready to tackle the next phase of their investigation. The mystery of Blaise Zabini’s death had become their personal challenge, and they were determined to see it through to the end.

News of Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle's recent breakthrough in the Blaise Zabini case spread quickly through the Auror Office. The revelation that what was initially deemed a suicide had turned into a high-profile murder investigation was met with astonishment and skepticism.

The Auror Office buzzed with conversation as reports circulated about the "clowns" of the department making such a significant breakthrough. Crabbe and Goyle, often the subject of jokes and whispered criticisms from the fresh recruits, had unexpectedly turned the case on its head. Their discovery of the Dark Mark tattoo had shifted the investigation from a mundane suicide to a complex murder involving a former Death Eater.

Among the new recruits, the mood was one of disbelief and incredulity. Many of them, who had only recently joined the Auror Force and were still acclimating to the environment, had little knowledge of Crabbe and Goyle's background or their contributions during the war against Voldemort. To them, Crabbe and Goyle were nothing more than bumbling figures, often dismissed as incompetent due to their perceived lack of intelligence and their history of making foolish mistakes.

“Can you believe it?” whispered one recruit to another. “Crabbe and Goyle—of all people—are handling the Zabini case now?”

“I heard they found something that made it look like a murder,” another replied, shaking their head in disbelief. “It’s shocking they’re the ones getting to investigate further, especially with Harry Potter and his team available.”

Indeed, the Potter Section, led by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, was renowned for their track record of solving high-profile cases. Known for their formidable investigative skills and their history of apprehending dangerous criminals, the trio was often the first choice for complex and sensitive cases. The fact that Crabbe and Goyle were now tasked with this high-profile investigation seemed almost surreal to many of the new recruits.

However, among the seasoned Aurors, the reaction was different. The older members of the force, who had witnessed Crabbe and Goyle’s dedication and bravery during the war, held a deep respect for them. They understood the sacrifices and challenges Crabbe and Goyle had faced and appreciated their decision to join the Auror Force despite the personal losses they had endured.

As Mr. Yates addressed the office, the atmosphere was a mix of surprise and grudging admiration.

“Listen up, everyone,” Yates began, his tone authoritative. “As you’ve heard, Crabbe and Goyle have made significant strides in the Zabini case. Their discovery of the Dark Mark tattoo has changed the direction of the investigation from a straightforward suicide to a murder involving a former Death Eater.”

There were murmurs of surprise and a few skeptical looks exchanged among the new recruits. Some of them had been quick to mock Crabbe and Goyle’s earlier efforts, assuming that their perceived incompetence would preclude them from handling anything of importance.

“Given that the case was initially ruled a suicide and the decision was made by our higher-ups, it’s only right that the team who uncovered new evidence has the opportunity to investigate further,” Yates continued. “Crabbe and Goyle have earned the right to see this case through. I expect all of you to support them in this endeavor.”

The seasoned Aurors nodded in agreement, recognizing the importance of this moment for their colleagues. The room was filled with a mix of grudging respect from the new recruits and supportive encouragement from the experienced Aurors.

Vincent and Gregory, despite the initial mockery and doubts cast upon them, felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were determined to prove themselves not just to their peers but to themselves as well.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” Vincent said, his voice filled with determination as he looked at Gregory. “Let’s get back to it and dig deeper into Blaise’s connections and activities.”

Gregory nodded in agreement, his face set with resolve. “Absolutely. We’ve got the chance to prove ourselves. Let’s make sure we do a thorough job and uncover the truth.”

With renewed purpose, Crabbe and Goyle dived back into their investigation. The stakes had never been higher, and they were committed to seeing the case through to the end. Their unexpected triumph had earned them a place at the forefront of the investigation, and they were ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead.

As they began their new tasks, the Auror Office watched with bated breath, waiting to see how the case would unfold under the stewardship of the department’s most unlikely heroes.