The door slammed shut.
Only Douglas and Sirius remained in the office.
The languid expression had long since vanished from Sirius's face. He walked over to the map, countless tiny points of light reflected in his eyes.
"He's taken the bait already," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.
There was no joy in that voice, only the gravity of an approaching storm.
Douglas lifted his teacup and blew on the lychee pulp floating on the surface of the tea.
"Yes. What else did you expect?"
His voice was utterly calm as he asked the question.
"Do your part as my assistant, Mr. Director."
"We need to get to the bottom of who he is before he bares his fangs."
As Douglas stepped out of the office, he saw a dejected Hermione.
Time went back to yesterday.
In a dusty, empty classroom, thick grime cut the sunlight into murky strips.
Hermione had dragged Harry and Ron here against their will.
They were attending the first official meeting of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, with only three people present.
Dobby stood behind a battered lectern, looking tremendously excited.
He wore a neatly tailored miniature tailcoat, and his tennis-ball-sized eyes shone with admiration and delight.
On the lectern before him, a roll of parchment and several gleaming Galleons lay neatly arranged.
"S.P.E.W. has received its first official startup funds!"
Dobby announced it proudly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
He carefully extended a finger and pointed to one of the gold Galleons.
"This one was donated in tears and with extreme reluctance by Mr. Wangcai, the great Mr. Holmes's pet!"
The corner of Ron's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
The comical image of a Niffler clutching a gold coin, streaming tears and looking back three times with every step,