"I hope you all won't mind", Remus began, once the squadron, with Snape and Tonks bringing up the rear, had entered a windowless conference chamber in the rear wing of the building, "But we three decided, quite recently in fact, to slip you a shortcut to your quest." He grinned across at Draco, who stood with his arms folded at the far end of the ovular table. "So, which of us will deliver the ominous news, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Oh, you can provide the details", Draco replied dispassionately. "But why don't you let me deliver the abstract version: namely, our Auror friends here are seeking Death-Eaters in the wrong branch of government. We have it on good authority that the bulk of them have infiltrated the Muggle military, intelligence and what the Americans now call 'Homeland Security'.

"Oh", mumbled Tonks. "So, cousin Draco, what you're saying is that you lot risked life and limb this evening just to put us on the right track?"

"Mmmm...yes, that's the basic idea", Draco replied, in a dead-on imitation of Tonks' mumbling. "Remus, why don't you continue with the longer version?"

"Well, before I do that", Remus suggested, "Perhaps Severus would like to tell his version of events to begin with. After all, he got the first news, on an Irish MagiVid, no less." He directed attention to Snape, who stood nearest the door, one loose fist over his mouth.