October, 1970


Autumn rain filled a bleak evening in Diagon Alley. The narrow winding streets were quiet, sparse of people. The shops had closed by this hour. Her booted footsteps hurried on cobblestones towards the Leaky Cauldron, splashing puddles onto the hem of her waterproof robes. Hunched under the black hood, warm and dry, Clare passed by Quality Quidditch Supplies with a glimpse at the display window. Black and white memorabilia overspread the shopfront: Montrose Magpies’ players zoomed through sequential posters, smiled on teapots, and had their names painted on toy broomsticks. There were hats with beaks that would open and emit loud squawks, which were floating atop scarfs coiled around sweaters. Plastered on the window, by the locked entrance, was a Daily Prophet front-page that caught her eye.

[center] MAGPIES SEEKER RESIGNED [/center][center] Duncan Boyd quit after Muggle family murder[/center]
It was dated today with a centrepiece photograph of a slight young man kneeling in front of a terrace house and bawling into his hands. Sobs wrecked his frame. Several Ministry officials stood awkwardly in the background in the midst of Muggle residences. Clare thought the scene looked familiar and was a strange visual to use for a resignation. She remembered it had been captured on the night of the murder and printed the day after on the newspaper a few months ago, albeit the two photographs had been from different angles. It wasn’t the first time the rapacious editorial had chosen to exploit a man’s devastation for gain when there would be less provocative images suitable for use. 

The street light behind her barely illuminated the words as she read:

[indent][indent] Following the recent tragedy of his family, Muggle-born Duncan Boyd has decided to leave the Montrose Magpies. The star Seeker and the only survivor of his family has been under the protection of the Ministry since he was granted compassionate leave in August. He has been unavailable for comment. However, Jason Turdill, Boyd’s flatmate, reveals that the brutal deaths of his parents and younger brother have reduced Boyd to a wraith. “He wouldn’t eat or drink. He’s as thin as a broomstick,” Turdill said. “I watch my best friend sink into a hole as deep as this and there’s nothing anybody can do to help.” [/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent] A string of Muggle murders ties Britain up in fear. We can exclusively report that the Muggle Commissioner of Police has been working with the Muggle Liaison Office. The Ministry states that the series of murders are unlikely to be related to the wizarding world but remains a possibility they are investigating in light of Boyd’s situation. [/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]“There is nothing to worry about,” reassured the Minister for Magic, Eugenia Jenkins, who had swiftly squashed riots in the Squib Rights marches last year. “Muggle-born wizards and witches are more than capable of defending themselves and their loved ones. A protective charm around the house should deter any Muggle from entering.” She added, “It breaks my heart to see what has happened to one of the most promising Quidditch players in our time. His loss is felt by all of us.”[/indent][/indent] 
[indent][indent]Boyd’s departure from the Montrose Magpies has definitely shifted the landscape of the British and Irish Quidditch League. The Wyvern, a nickname derived from his formidable speed and cunning feints, secured his team a total of 76 match wins in his career. Now the defending champion for two years running faces uncertain odds. Captain and Chaser Fabius Watkins knows too well the obstacles the team needs to overcome.[/indent][/indent] 
[indent][indent] “Duncan’s the best Seeker. He can’t be replaced,” Watkins said after a disappointing try-out yesterday. “He’s in a bad shape and we support his recovery wholeheartedly. He’ll come back to us. In the meantime, we’ll play our best to win the Cup.” [/indent][/indent] 
[indent] [indent] The Montrose Magpies will play against the second ranked Pride of Portree in an upcoming match on [/indent][/indent] [indent][indent] Continued on page 4 [/indent][/indent] 

The page pinned beside further analysed the Quidditch League.

Clare walked away, indignation roused however much it was no surprise to her that Muggle troubles were dismissed even when they hit close to home. The paper’s sentiments reflected those of the wizarding population at large, including the Minister. Lip service had been paid to the Commissioner to settle the issue; in truth, which was no secret, he and related witnesses had been duly handled by the Muggle Liaison Office. It had been business as usual to uphold the International Statute of Secrecy. They had been charmed to forget the central detail of the Boyd case that differed from the other six bloody killings: the unknown, perplexing cause of death - without a trace of poison or injury.

Few Aurors in the Office suspected the Killing Curse, herself and Leopold Remmart counted among them. Most were either too busy to investigate or believed the official stance from higher-ups for convenience. The interdepartmental memo flown in had implied accidental casualties: perhaps, as history had shown, the deaths had been an unfortunate result of burglary. Boyd’s family had been relegated a priority below catching the Dark wizard who sold Blistermouth potion. The injustice of it all spurred Clare on. Her mentor Leopold might have procured useful information for their meeting at the Leaky Cauldron.

A short distance ahead, Clare noticed the distinguishable silhouette of Allan Ploward, who always wore a bulky cross-body satchel, filled with rare and exotic herbs for trade, and slung over his shoulder a long hessian bag for pelts. He rounded into a side alley. Seconds later, a slender cloaked figure ducked in, too, and disappeared from view. Clare knew Mr Ploward to be a kindly man and concerned for his safety, followed them.