The end justifies the means

[Leonzio Aiello]

Leonzio tossed the papers in his hands on the cherry desk in front of him. He leaned back on the deep burgundy, leather desk chair and rubbed his forehead in defeat.How much had he spent this time at his office? The almost empty mugs of cold coffee amongst the pile of papers on the desk, were giving a hint. The case of the Scitorari proved to be far more challenging than what he had thought initially. Every time new evidences were surfacing about this organization, its members managed to slip away like shadows out of the aurors' hands. So many operations gone to waste and no arrestments so far.

Leonzio breathed deeply and looked absent-mindedly across the quiet room. He stood up and went for the closest window. He pulled the curtains, allowing the midday light from outside to paint the opposite wall. His gaze pinned down at the busy street and the sidewalk cafes, people coming in and out of the shops. He shoved his hands in his pockets, keep wondering if his approach on this case had to take a way different direction. He slowly turned around and walked back to his chair. He manly crossed legs and took again the list that had arrived earlier today. The list contained names of suspects, possibly related to the Scitorari, formal suspected Death Eaters who could have followed the new wave or previously arrested criminals who could match the profile of the members of the new organization. Gray circles under his eyes were prominent but he went through the list attentively until he spotted a familiar name on the paper. The Burkes weren't only suspected because of the shop they were running. Their names had been mentioned in the past in several Death Eater cases but with the tangible evidence the headquarters needed.

Leonzio frowned as he tried to remember what else was reminding him this name. The swirls of fiery-red hair framing the soft features of a girl's face came in his mind and cracked a smile on his tired face. The girl he had met at the Three Broomstick a few months ago was named Burke.
"Celeste." Leonzio murmured still smiling as he recalled her name. She had referred back then to her uncle, aunt and cousins residing in New Zealand. Maybe he could learn more about them from her but he was haunted by remorses already at the thought of using such an adorable girl to facilitate his job. On the other hand, it wasn't the first nor the last time he was going to use his charm to extort information from a beautiful woman. In Celeste's case, he didn't have to do with the kind of women he was usually associating. She was still a girl, just a couple of years older than his brother Elbio.
"Sometimes I hate my job." he said to himself and opened one of his desk drawers. The end justifies the means he thought and searched for the girl's business card.

Half an hours later, Leonzio was far away from his office at the Ministry, outside a five star hotel in Auckland. Vratsa Vultures had a match yesterday against Moutohora Macaws and the team's players were staying here for a couple more days. Leonzio had checked the girl's card and confirmed that she was playring for the Bulgarian team. It was such a coincedence that her team had a match with New Zealand's local one. Leonzio made his way inside to the hotel's lobby. He decided to wait for her their rather than ask the receptionist. He didn't want to become too invading. He grabbed a muggles' newspaper and sat down on a leather coach. He started reading through its pages while shooting glances at the reception each time someone was arriving.

 

[Celeste Burke]

The young woman slipped her feet into a pair of ankle boots before checking her reflection in the mirror of her hotel room. Her short skirt sparkled, and her hair fell in long curls, framing her lovely face. Celeste Burke smiled at herself, pleased with her appearance. She intended to go out tonight to celebrate the victory last night with some of her teammates. The quidditch team had been put up in a hotel for a few days to explore the area. Some members had decided to go back to their families for the days off, but Celeste had decided to stay in New Zealand. She intended to visit her family while she was here. However, tonight she just wanted to party. She was young and beautiful and free to do whatever she wished.

Celeste went down to the lobby of the hotel where they were all gathering before heading out to a local club. She glanced at her watch, seeing that she was about ten minutes ahead of the designated meeting time. She sighed and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her head. Her hazel eyes scanned the room, looking for a familiar face. Celeste was not expecting to see the familiar face that her eyes finally found. Leonzio. She had met him, several months back, at the Three Broomsticks. She had enjoyed the conversation. Leonzio was an interesting man, one that could hold her wandering attention. With a smirk on her face, she headed in his direction.

"Hello, stranger." Celeste said, a coy smile dancing on her lips. "I didn't expect to see you tonight. Just couldn't stay away could you?" she teased lightly with a wicked gleam in her eyes. She wondered if this meeting was by chance, or if he knew that she was going to be here. He was an auror, or so he had said. He had ways to get information.

 

[Leonzio Aiello]

Leonzio sighed as he finished an article about a terrorist attack and turned a page. Muggles seemed to have their own problems with criminality and the auror wondered if the magical community was going to experience similar events in the future. Who knew what the Scitorari were planning? They were keeping a low profile for now, they were almost non-existent but Leonzio knew from his experience that a storm was coming when calmness was remaining for so long. He was half through the statements of the muggle prime minister when a female voice sounded like a melody to his ears.
"Hey." he smiled and folded the newspaper before setting it aside. His attention was magnetized by the presence of Celeste Burke who was first to find him.
"You look stunning." he complimented and stood up. His eyes were glued on her, full of warmth and affection.
"I was hoping you would dine with me but it seems you already have plans for tonight." he said and glanced at the reception where her teammates had started gathering.

 

[Celeste Burke]

Celeste watched with slight amusement as Leonzio put down what appeared to be a muggle newspaper. She wasn't quite sure why he was reading the muggle news, but she wouldn't comment on it. People had their odd quirks. Maybe it had something to do with his job. The auburn haired beauty smirked at his half-way invitation, feeling a little flattered that he had gone to such lengths to try to see her again when he hadn't sent her an owl in quite some time.

The Qudditch player looked over her shoulder to see several of her teammates gathering as they had all agreed upon. While she knew that they would have a great time out, Celeste could hang out with them another night. A few of them looked at her questioningly, and Celeste replied with a wink of her hazel eye. She wouldn't be spending the night with them, and they knew it. Celeste turned back to Leonzio. "I did have plans." she consented. "But, plans are made to be broken." The twenty year old said with a shrug. They would all understand especially after getting an eyeful of Leonzio. "What did you have in mind?" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement of the unknown.

 

[Leonzio Aiello]

A serious moral conflict was occurring inside the auror's head. Like planets with no orbit colliding violently. He wasn't the type of person to use people to get information, especially from someone so adorable like Celeste. The way she was smiling at him with such a charm, was making think of what a jerk he was for going to play with her. The sea of guilt that had settled inside him wasn't going to leave any time soon so Leonzio regained his professionalism and turn his heart into stone.He flashed an ear-to-ear smile when Celeste didn't bother to cancel her initial plans and spend some time with him. It was another wave of guilt that Leonzio managed to ignore.
"Well, I wasn't thinking of a club as I'm a dangerous dancer and I'm working early in the morning tomorrow." he started saying. It sounded like a last opportunity for her to think whether she wanted to miss the party with the people of her age compared to the his quieter option.
"Do you like Italian cuisine? I know a really good Italian restaurant, not far from here, we can walk our way there. If you would like to dine with me of course." he used a broad grin to seal his suggestion.

 

[Celeste Burke]

Tucking a lock of auburn hair behind her ear, Celeste smirked at Leonzio. He was quite handsome and successful. Not for the first time, Celeste wondered why he was still single, not that she was complaining. Leonzio was quite a bit older than her, but he was an auror. She assumed he had devoted his life to his career. She looked him over, wondering if he was telling the truth about being a bad dancer, or if he there was some other reason he didn't want to go to a club. Unless, he just wanted to talk to her in a more intimate setting which is what the Italian restaurant would be. "I like all things Italian including the food." Celeste said coyly. The twenty year old could go out dancing and drinking another night. She had plenty of opportunities for that. Celeste grinned at Leonzio. "Lead the way." she said, waiting on him to get up from his chair and take her to dinner.