As you walk on the clean and cheerfully lit Hogsmeade Street after a day in the village you pass by the infamous back alley where a bright flash of light catches your eye in the otherwise dark and dank place with its many bad smelling rubbish bins. Are you brave enough to wander off the secure high street and investigate where the light came from?

The alley is a place you know you should avoid but what if someone is in trouble?

After hanging out with AJ practically the entire day, Adi had finally found Benny and was dragging him around the streets of Hogsmead. "I have no idea where we're goi-'' He was saying to the Gryffindor in tow. But he stopped short suddenly as he was SURE something had glinted off of his glasses... and it hadn't been those regular lights around.

"Did you see something glinting, Dragon?'' Adi was looking in the direction of a particularly dark Alley. And it SMELLED baaaad, yo. He wrinkled his nose. "Best hold your fiery breath.'' Why? Because Benny was going to back up his best friend as said bestie's curiosity was at the maximum and already Adi had taken off looking for the light.

Benny was glad for the switch in companions. If Angel thought she hadn't spent much time with him, he hadn't spent much time with Adi in return. So he went with his best friend, even if there wasn't an exact location or direction they were heading in other than where their feet were bringing them at the moment. And at the moment they were stopping short and the Gryffindor almost asked why when he himself noticed and registered the bright flash of light.

"Uh huh..." And it was proof he hadn't imagined it because Adi had as well. As for holding his breath, fiery or otherwise, he didn't have to be told to as he followed after the Hufflepuff. He just didn't want to know what was causing that smell as they headed from High Street to the Back Alley.

Spotting a light flashing in the back alley, Lux couldn't NOT explore. Hehe, she was getting more in touch with her Gryffindor side. She also figured that there was no real danger here, just a kid fiddling with their wand or something.

Curiously she made her way through creepy and smelly darkness. Ewww. No wonder she never came back here; this place was GROSS!! Making a face, she continued on until literally bumping into Adi. She hadn't seen him because her mind had been elsewhere. "Oops, sorry about that. Oh, hey Benny." If they were both here as well that meant they had also seen the light.

With every step you take into the Back Alley the bad smell coming from the rubbish bins gets thicker and thicker. It’s not uncommon for people who wander down here to start feeling queasy and lightheaded because of the intensity of the rubbish smell.

In the centre of the back alley in front of the largest rubbish bins you spot what gave off the flash of light on the ground. It’s a badly damaged muggle tourist camera that is still taking camera flashes every few minutes.

Going closer to the camera you also find a battered hat and a shabby looking jacket nearby. What has gone on here one might ask themselves. Has someone discarded their belongings here on purpose or has a crime been committed here?

EWWWW. It STUNK, man. Like, worse than usual.

Caleb had just been planning on restocking his pile of sweets and maybe getting a new quill - his old one was kind of destroyed after furiously revising notes all last year for OWL prep - but the smell was just too strong to ignore. Someone HAD to have set off a stink bomb in the alley. So naturally, it was his prefectly duty to bring the culprit to justice.

A small crowd was already gathered at the scene, which meant this was a GROUP crime, and Caleb was SUPER DISAPPOINTED to see his friend Adi there as well! Traitor to the badge!

"Alright, who did it? Who set off the stink bomb?" he asked, crossing his arms in a mean "Don't mess with this prefect" kind of way. Let's get this over with the easy way, shall we?"

Adi recognised Lux's voice even before he squinted at the figure that had collided with him and raised his wand. "Lumos!'' Ah, that was a million times better! "Hi, Lady Lux!'' Had he ever mentioned he liked calling her that? It made the girl seem more elegant in a way. Hehe.

Anywaaay. "You saw that flash of light too, didn't you?" It was a rhetorical question. Why else would she be here in this nasty smelling place? Checking to see if Benny was still with him, the Puffer cautiously moved forward, the light from his wand illuminating the alley with each step he took. And with each of those steps, Adi was threatened to pass out. MAN, IT STANK. He vaguely wondered if the Bubble Head Charm would work at blocking out the UNBEARABLE STENCH. The charm did allow them to breathe under water so he figured that the Bubble held a great deal of oxygen.

But there was no time for that. The light had just shone on something. Or SOMETHINGS, rather. "Guys!'' Adi had no idea why he was whispering. Maybe he was conscious of the fact that someone could be around or maybe because he was holding his breath as much as he could. "Look! A camera!'' The source of the flash! Obviously it was still set to take pictures... one BRIGHT flash went off, nearly blinding Adi. But that wasn't even the most interesting and most disturbing thing.

"Am I seeing things?'' he asked Benny and Lux as he blinked rapidly to clear his eyes. Was that an old looking hat and a jacket? O__O If so WHAT had happened here? Had someone just ditched their belongings? Adi doubted that. Instinctively, he raised his wand to cast the light around the rest of the Alley, looking for traces of anyone else.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

Oh hi, Caleb! "No one let off anything,'' Adi began patiently and disregarding the attitude. "We just saw a flash of light and came to check out what it was.'' He pointed back at the three objects on the ground. "We found those.''

Two soon became three as someone bumped into Adi and Benny turned to see Lex as she moved to appologize. "Hey," he returned as she greeted him. And then the alley became brighter as Adi lit his wand to allow them to see better. Now that was a good idea. Maybe bubble head charm would be the next choice with the growing smell within the enclosing environs.

Except before he could think of casting one, his bestie was trying to get his attention again.A camera, the source of the flashes of light...a hat and a coat were there on the ground near the largest rubbish bins. What in Merlin's Beard? "Only if I am," Benny answered, assuring the Hufflepuff that he wasn't imagining what was before them. He took looked around for sights of anything else that might stick out of the usual garbage to found here.

His hand on the brim of the hat, they were interrupted by another voice, one that was being rather bossy. Adi spoke up first, defending himself, Benny and Lux and the Gryffindor turned to see who it was. A certain Slytherin prefect. "Yes...we found it this way," he confirmed calmly, "...not the one's responsible." Leave it to a snake to jump to conclusions about trouble.

They HADN'T set off a stink bomb? Yeah right. Caleb had a hard time believing that. Rubbish didn't just smell THAT bad all the time. It was his job to take out the trash at home - he would know!

Just as he was about to question the Gryffindor boy - because he believed Adi, being a fellow prefect and all, THIS lion he didn't really KNOW that well - he spotted the camera that Adi was talking about. Well...ok, that was weird. Really weird. Perhaps they HAD all just wandered in here to take a look at that...why was it flashing? Cameras didn't just DO that on their own...

"Wait, what? Why is it doing that?" Caleb asked, looking at Adi and Lux and their Gryffindor friend. Did they know anything about cameras? Caleb knew NOTHING...and why were there a jacket and hat just laying there too?

"It's like the paparazzi got caught snooping and ditched their stuff or something," he said with a shrug. He knew that wasn't what HAD happened, most likely, but that was what it looked like. Like someone got caught snooping around and just fled without their things to move faster.

Okay, Benny confirmed that Adi was not seeing things. He frowned at the ancient looking items before looking at Caleb. Yes, he was still wondering how Caleb even had he idea that two Hufflepuffs and the quiestest Gryffindor at Hogwarts would even set off stink bombs here. What purpose would that serve? Trash always stunk anyway.

"These stuff remind me more of a private investigator than the paparazzi, actually,'' the sixth year said and now leaning closer to the items after deciding that there was no one around. No one that he could see, anyway. "Keep an eye out for anyone who else who might be around, will you? The camera is set that way, Caleb.'' He reached out cautiously and poked the camera so that it stopped flashing. "What do you guys reckon we should do? I doubt someone would leave these here no matter how battered looking they are. Who would just ditch a camera and leave it flashing?'' Answers! They needed answersss!

Oh, look. It was like they were having a little party in the stinky alley.

Ughhhh, it smelled so GROSS here it made her want to GAG.

At least Adi had the sense to light his wand, and Lux followed suit as soon as she got a hold of herself. "Hey, guys." Looked like Caleb was joining them, and while she usually said 'the more the merrier' this place was not ideal to hang out in.

As the investigation began, Lux noticed the discarded items - including the camera. So THAT was where those flashes were coming from. "Maybe if we look at the film it could show us something?" Like...the pictures before they arrived at the alley. Might be there was something interesting to see. "Do you guys think we should get an adult?" Something about this place gave her a bad feeling...

What if something bad happened to the person these items belong to?

OOOH Lux had a good idea! Maybe the film would give them a bit of information on what had happened - something about the fact that there was a bunch of stuff just laying here, in a suspect location, with a flashing camera...yeah, it wasn't very promising for whoever it was who owned this stuff.

"I know it's meant to do that but...it seems weird. Like don't most cameras STOP taking pictures after the timer goes off? It seems broken to me," he pointed out. "Maybe whoever it belonged to...got dragged away and dropped it and that's why it's still going?" he suggested.

He nodded at Lux and stood up straight, getting his Prefect face on. "I agree with Lux. We should probably inform Truebridge of all this," he said with a nod.

Botros accompanied with professor Dakest approached the narrow Alley with the few students standing there. He looked at the possessions thrown on the floor. Had there been... a fight? No, he knew his house's Prefect and Mr. Newell wouldn't do something like that. Neither would Ms. Carrington. In short, everyone who were gathered here were not of fighting essence.

"Hello everyone." He let on a small smile as was his nature. "Everything alright here? Maybe pick a less stenchy place to meet up next time?" Heh heh heh.

Benny watched and waited to see if the Slytherin prefect decided to challenge them, but it seemed as if the other boy's attention had fallen on the camera as well. The still-flashing camera. As the musing passed between Adi and Caleb as to the possible types of owner that could belong to the shrewn belongings, the Gryffindor replaced the hat he had partly lifted to examine it.

"Hand them over to somebody," he suggested to Adi's question. Did Hogsmeade have a sort of lost and found? Kinda made sense with a lot of students running around it every once and a while. Or maybe the nearest shop's shopkeeper would take it in case the owner returned to the area. If they were free to do so. And then both Lux and Caleb seemed to agree with him as the Hufflepuff mentioned an adult and the snake figured the headmistress might be a person to go to.

However before they could decide on what to do, they were joined by an adult. And a deputy headmaster should be just as good. "We don't know, Professor," Benny said, deciding to speak up. "We noticed the flashes and found the camera, hat and coat."

Sabel was a few steps behind Botros, his gaze slipping from one student to the next as he came to a stop at the man's shoulder. If Botros was the smiling pleasant one, he was the exact opposite. The smell of the place reeked so bad, it almost had him covering his nose, but restraint left him with a sour expression.

As it was, his eyes examined each student from head to toe as he let Botros do the talking. It was surprising to him that Atreyu spoke first, but it was a mild and brief acknowledgement. His eyes went to the items indicated.

"Not a great collection of souvenirs to take home." His tone was mild, his gaze skimming briefly behind the students as he extended his hand for the camera. "You didn't see anyone?" You know, taking the pictures?

Because that was generally how cameras worked. They didn't usually just lie around, going off.

Oh good, authority figures came to THEM, they didn't have to go hunt them down! Caleb smiled out of relief as Botros showed up, and then a moment later - Professor Dakest was there too. Caleb wasn't sure how he felt about that, since he still didn't really KNOW the man, but if something fishy had gone on here, who better to investigate than the Defense professor?

Caleb couldn't say if the others had seen anyone - he was going to guess NO, but he was the last one to join the little party, so he didn't know. He was sure they would have said something, though. "I think it's broken," he added, contributing about as much to the conversation as he could without repeating that Ben fellow who had already summed up...basically everything they knew. "Lux had a good idea to maybe check the film - see if there are clues in the pictures," he added, picking up the camera cautiously from where it lay on the ground and placing it in Dakest's outstretched hand. Seemed like a good idea to Caleb to check the film, he wondered if the professors would feel the same...

Oh dear Merlin. They were faced with a mystery, no wonder the students were gathered here. Botros frowned down at the shabby looking possessions, deep in thought and leaning slightly on his cane. With the Prefects telling the story they knew of this pile of junk (?), which wasn't much sadly, Abraham looked at Dakest with gratefulness of hiring an Auror this term. Those things shouldn't be so hard to solve anymore.

"Thank you for your help so far." He told the children with a broad smile and moved to clear the way out of this alley. "Professor Dakest and I will make sure those possessions go to the appropriate authorities, you can go back to your weekend again. Don't worry about it." He placed a gentle hand on the nearest one to him.

Oh hey! Professors Sabel and Head of House 2.0!

Adi let the others do the explanations while he just stood there... looking around. He was not going to let himself be caught off guard, you know. He was half hoping there WAS someone around so he could take them on... though he was sure his Professors would make him and the others keep out of it. Heh.

Okay, soooo the adults were going to take charge of things... alrightey. But of course Adi's curiosity was ALWAYS high. "Professors?'' he began as Botros rested a hand on his shoulder. "Do you think you can tell us about what you learn about these when you do?" After all, the four of them DID find the things.

As far as he knew, Hogsmeade was 100% pure wizarding village. Which means no muggles lived around this place, nor they could be here. So, if there are those kind-of non-magical brain-less folks could enter this place, there's something wrong with the concealment charms. And that's why the DMAC team was here.

Chewing a peppermint gum, the Korean guy then walked to the back alley like the bossman had instructed him... them. Yeah, them. He's partnered up with the newbie suited guy that he kinda forgot what was his name. Something with C, if he's not mistaken. Merlin, this place was still creepy like when he was still a Hogwarts student. Not to mention that the smell was so unpleasant here. "Yo, Charlie." He said to that guy and didn't care if it was his name or not. "Where should we start now?"

Charles silently followed his involuntary DMAC partner from behind. Honestly,it was the first time he had set foot in this place and Micky seemed to know the way around here...best to have him lead them both to the scene. Once they arrived at the back alley, Charles had to control himself from pinching the bridge of his nose. The foul smell coming from the rotting rubbish bins were so overwhelming, he didn't think he could take a step further. He winkled his nose and forced himself to breathe...through his mouth.

Charles turned his head around when he heard Micky's voice,"I appreciate it if you call me Charles and not 'Charlie," he sighed before continuing again,"We can start looking for possible entry ways for muggles to get through here, you go on that side and I check back there, see whether any of the Muggle-Repelling Charms has been lifted off too...let me know if its been tempered with,we need to seal them off if it does. We don't want anymore muggles running amok this place." Charles gripped his wand tight. Why was it so dark in here too?

"Lumos,"he cast, a bright light flared as he scanned around the area. He didn’t want to know what disgusting substance was on the floor as he stepped deeper into the dark alley way. "Ow!" he yelped, his knee accidentally bumped into something hard.He muttered a silent curse under his breath,kicking away the fallen bin that was obstructing his path. Merlin...these people don't they know the vanishing spell! Urgh.

The inspection of the back alley by the two Ministry employees harbors no real conclusive results. Any evidence of what occurred here months ago is long gone now thanks to foot traffic and weather.

Still...something does not feel right...and not exclusive to the back alley. Perhaps it would be wise to move your investigation to Hogsmeade High Street...

Charles, Charlie... Meh, there's no difference. At least he didn't call him Chucky or anything that was so far from Charles. Hmm... It reminded him of chunky peanut butter and now.he wanted peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Alright then, Charlotte." Of course he called that guy Charlotte on purpose. This dude was so fussy, like a girl. The Korean guy then continued the inspection at the back alley. Merlin.

"I don't think there's something wrong around here." Micky gave an opinion as he inspected around the alley. And he was sure about it because Kang Micky was never wrong. He decided to leave this creepy and smelly alley and walked to the main street.