Darkness will... rule?!

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said, the initials LV were found on a body of a woman murdered this morning."

James Sirius Potter was alert this time. "LV? Albus, note that down," Albus Severus Potter was quick to obey. "Auror Finnigan, give us more information."

Finnigan rummaged in his pockets until his hand emerged with a file. He started reading out his notes. "At precisely five o'clock this morning, a woman was found dead. She was found behind the Leaky Cauldron. I suggest the murderer decided to use the Killing Curse, but added a clue. A mystifying clue."

Finnigan paused and looked up at James, who removed his Muggle sunglasses, a habit that happened when he was interested and horrified at the same time. Albus, on James's right, looked as if he had just seen a phantom, his emerald-green eyes wide with terror and mouth gaping open. James, who recovered quicker, gestured Finnigan to continue, the latter looking down at the file again.

"The clue was of our curiosity, for it was an unusual one. Letters were marked with a knife on the poor woman's neck. LV. We decided they must be initials. I am currently going through every name in this country, in hope to find the murderer. I ask for permission to leave."

James nodded. As Finnigan left, Albus turned to James and whispered,"What do you think, J?"

"Probably some old Death Eater who escaped, Al. We'll catch him."

"All the Death Eaters are dead in Azkaban. We would have heard if one even escaped."

"Maybe, but the LV part is what interests me. Now, go and find Lily, tell her everything, and tomorrow the three of us come to the scene of the crime." James muttered, making it final. He put on his sunglasses and gestured for Albus to leave, the latter doing so in order to report to Lily.

The oldest Potter ran a hand through his untidy, dark auburn hair, as he packed his belongings. Being Deputy Head of the Auror department tired him out.

"Auror Potter!"

James turned. "Yes?"

"Another attack has happened, shortly after the one on the woman today-" James gripped the back of his chair "-Initials marked with a bloodied knife on the new victim's neck, the initials were-"

"-LV. LV, isn't it? Thank you, Auror Thomas, that will do. Alert Auror Potter and Potter - my brother and sister - they're in the-" He checked the Marauders' Map "-Auror department."

As Auror Thomas left, James Sirius Potter looked in the mirror. He looked even older than he was. Turning away, he sat down, laid his head on the stacked files, and fell into a dreamless sleep, one that felt eternal. Until...

"James? JAMES! WAKE UP!"

James jumped. Literally. Looking up, he saw his sister, Lily Luna Potter, fuming. He chuckled nervously, trying to choose his words.

"Hi, Lils. How's it going?" Bad choice.

"Excuse me? You fell asleep just after hearing the case of two crimes. And you wake, and you just say hi, how's it going? Pathetic, Potter." Lily exploded, not even caring that she just embarrassed herself with the last sentence.

"Lil-"

"Don't you Lil me."

"Come off it, Lily," Albus's voice reached their ears. Said person was leaning against the Deputy Head's door. "You know how tiring it can be for Deputy Heads. And James, I advise you not to anger our dear sister over here-" Lily kicked Albus "-Merlin! See what I mean? Shame on you for falling asleep though-"

"-Albus, I do not give permission to my workers - even my brother - to lean against my door. It is my door. I would advise you to stand up straight."

Albus had a strange twinkle in his eye, but obeyed his brother. Both brothers chuckled.

"Excuse me? I thought we were about to discuss our meeting for tomorrow's case - or am I supposed to be a third wheel?" Lily intervened.

Albus chuckled again. "Better the third wheel." He glanced at James, who was grinning.

"Oh, not you, Albus! I thought you were mature!" Lily's voice was shrill.

"Excuse me? I thought I was mature!" James interrupted, in a passable imitation of Lily.

Lily was giving James and Albus death glares. The men gulped, looking at each other, both of them thinking the same thing. If looks could kill...

"Alright, Lily. We can meet tomorrow at... ten o'clock in the morning... at... yes! The scene of the crime! Behind the Leaky Cauldron. Transport mode'll be Apparition." Albus saved both of them in time.

Lily seemed to look for loopholes in the plan, to humiliate them. After finding nothing wrong, she slowly replied,"I suppose."

Relieved, the three Potters went to the telephone box, dialled 62442 and left, as the telephone box said,"Farewell, James, Albus and Lily Potter."