Let The Games Begin [Aurors]

[Nuka Murphy]

Raphael and Jasce had made their way to Hogwarts only a few days prior to the party and spent those days finding the most discreet ways into the castle. They weren't sure if Mal had clued the Headmaster in on this little game, but they had to operate like the Aurors wouldn't know they weren't a real threat, just in case.

They had very different modes of operation. Jasce had a lot more experience, too. Once on campus, they used the Disillusionment Charm to hide themselves, slipping into the castle.

"Don't get hasty. The ghosts here are just as likely to catch you as the Aurors," Jasce whispered, "We're just going to see how far in we can get," he reminded the younger male.

"Oui, d'accord," Raphael whispered back, "Let us be about this then," he said and started forward.

They could hear the sounds of the party getting underway and slipped from the passage they entered and reached the entrance hall. Jasce went towards the dining hall, knowing some ways up near there he could get to without entering the hall itself, where the party seemed to be happening, while Raphael made his way toward the grand stairs, but with full intentions of passing and going more in the direction of the bring across planning to head towards what the map had called the Transfiguration Court.

Jasce, however, had picked the more challenging route, it seemed, because parked in the center of the landing leading towards the Great Hall was Nuka, sitting on a chair in her nice outfit for the event, a flask not so well tucked into her top and a book in hand. Jasce swore under his breath, not having expected an Auror already, but the second his foot touched the top of the landing, Nuka's book snapped shut, and he froze. She looked up, looked around, and stood. She couldn't see him, not yet, but she felt something different.

"You'll do yourself a lot of favors if you stop playing games, whoever you are," She said, drawing her wand from the pocket of her pants, "Party crashing was so last century."

When she turned more towards the other direction, Jasce began to move again, putting all his years at doing this to work to make not a single sound, halfway holding his breath. Just him being here had her on alert, and he didn't imagine she was sober with that flask being there, what would the others be like? He glanced back to see her pull out some notebook and start writing and used that as a chance to flee up the stairs and head towards the Faculty Tower. What he didn't know was that notebook was the enchanted notebook all the Aurors had.

Nuka wrote, 'We've got someone here. They seem to just be sneaking around for now, but keep your eyes out.' She put the notebook back in her pocket before looking around, squinting. She hadn't heard the doors open, so... she turned and started towards the stairs as well.

[Louis Harrigan]

The Winter Solstice Ball was finally happening.

Louis strode down the hallways, his expression serious and focused as his eyes scanned every nook and corner for any hints of danger. He was dressed much more sharply than usual: a beige suit with a tinge of gold, a crisp cream shirt, and – most importantly – no tie. Ties were a liability in a fight, given the surprise factor and efficacy of a simple “Accio Tie”.

Rounding a corner, he caught sight of a figure at the other end of the corridor, waving their wand at something. Instinctively he reached for his own wand, but he relaxed when he recognised the kilted figure.

“Graeme!”

Decked out in full highland dress was Nigel Dextera, the Transfiguration professor, his striking yellow kilt – a unique pattern he had commissioned for the event – standing out against the black of his Prince Charles jacket.

“Someone’s looking spiffy today.” Nigel said as he checked out Louis’ fit. “I rarely see you wear anything else other than your tatty coat.”

“It’s practical and well-loved,” Louis countered. “And you’re dressed to the nines yourself. But isn’t it too cold for a kilt? And are you…” He gestured vaguely at Nigel’s kilt, insinuating something but dragging his words out to avoid spelling it out explicitly.

Nigel stared back at Louis in exasperation. “Seriously, Lou.”

Louis shrugged. “Just curious. Anyway, what are you doing out here? You should be in the Great Hall.”

The answer to his question was standing beside them – nestled within an alcove was a suit of armour with a glowing sigil on the breastplate. “I’ve got a bit of time still,” Nigel replied, as he weave another enchantment into the armour. The sigil briefly flared before turning invisible, concealing all traces of the professor’s work. “Just a couple more suits of armour to prime, and we should be all set for the castle’s defences.” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “I… may have done something I shouldn’t have as well. But it seemed fun at the moment.”

Louis tried to pry further, but Nigel merely shrugged and refused to say anything more. “Don’t worry, time will tell.” After a quick glance at his watch, the professor returned his gaze to the Auror and waved his farewell. “I’m behind schedule. I’ll catch up with you after this is over. Take care, all right?”

“Right, you too, Graeme. Cheerio.”

* * *
So far so good.

The hallway was deserted, as it should be. No students sneaking around, no strangers trespassing, no—

A barely audible flutter caught his attention.

Louis spun around, his wide eyes searching for any signs of danger before his gaze settled on something silvery. He squinted, then scowled as he gave the source of the disturbance the two-fingered salute – a tiny metallic dragon, transformed from one of the two enchanted rings that Nigel had.

The dragon’s sapphire eyes flashed four times in quick succession, and then twice more: H-I.

Louis was about to reply when he felt a warm sensation in his jacket pocket – a message from one of the Aurors via the enchanted notebooks they carried. It was a short warning from Nuka: “We’ve got someone here. They seem to just be sneaking around for now, but keep your eyes out.”

“Flippin’ hell…” he swore, before looking back at the dragon. “Graeme, keep an eye on this level. I’ll head down.” Without even waiting for a response, he bolted towards the stairwell and swiftly descended, wand at the ready.

[Dorian Innes]

Dorian left the Great Hall, frustration gnawing at him as he tried to focus on his work. For years, he had craved something more than the monotony of school security—something real. And now that he had it, it couldn't have come at a worse time. After months of avoidance, Dorian finally gathered the courage to speak with Selah and take the first step toward mending what was broken between them. But just as he was about to act, Nuka’s message came through: 'We’ve got someone here. They seem to be sneaking around for now, but keep your eyes out.'

For an agonizing moment, Dorian hesitated, resentment burning in his chest as duty tried to pull him away from the most important conversation of his life. He could stay with Selah, pretending to guard the Great Hall, but he knew it was secure. Aurors had been brought in for the event and were stationed around the room, while professors kept watch over the students and guests. But those Aurors didn’t know the castle the way Dorian and the other school Aurors did; they hadn’t spent years navigating its hidden rooms, narrow staircases, or secret passageways. The real work—the search for the intruder—was out there. And that was where he was needed.

With a deep sigh, Dorian pushed thoughts of Selah from his mind, letting the oak doors swing shut behind him. The muffled sounds of the ball faded, leaving an ache in his chest. He knew he’d made the right decision professionally, but was it the right choice for his marriage? Had he just walked away from his only chance to fix things with Selah?

Dorian swept his gaze across the Entrance Hall, noting the few lingering staff members before beginning his search. The space was mostly empty, save for two familiar figures. Louis, sharp in a beige suit, descended the stairs with purpose. Dorian’s attention shifted to Nuka, her white dress standing out in the dim light as she moved toward the upper levels. Dorian, in contrast, didn’t look nearly as polished. But compared to the dishevelled state he’d been in for weeks, his appearance was a marked improvement. His regular black robes, usually a bit wrinkled, were freshly laundered. He had showered, and for the first time in ages, he didn’t smell of stale whiskey and cigarettes. His hair was neatly brushed, and his usually stubbled face was clean-shaven.

Dorian quickly jotted down a note in his notebook: 'Entrance Hall clear. Checking the immediate grounds.' He tucked the notebook away and readied his wand, eyes scanning the quiet hall before he stepped outside. The cool night air hit him as the doors swung open, but he wasn’t sure what—if anything—he’d find lurking in the shadows.

[Nuka Murphy]

Nuka slowly made her way along the corridor at the top of the stairs, managing not to make noise with her heels as she did. Her eyes watched everything in front of her with laser focus. She knew someone had gone this way, likely using the disillusionment charm.

"Come out, come out, wherever you areee," she called out in an eerie sing-song that echoed off the walls.

Jasce, hiding up in the buttress, held his breath. Of all the ones he had to get on his ass, it had to be her. He just needed to get to the faculty tower; that was his goal.

Nuka looked at her notebook, feeling the others responding, I'm between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tower she responded, They're good at hiding, whoever they are. These aren't students.


Rhysln looked at her pad as she felt it warm, letting her know something had been written. She swore quietly to herself, wondering if it was the shades. She made her way out of the ballroom, spotting the other Aurors around the room. There were several that were "on loan" since the head of the ministry was here. Where all is covered? Rhysln wrote, frowning at the scene outside the ballroom. Declan waved a hand to say he had it handled, and Rhysln slowly walked toward the mess. If the students had been up to something, someone could have gotten away that way, right? I'll hit near the classrooms