25 June 2006
Shortly After Midday
Azkaban Manor, Azkaban Isle.
After watching Harry leave Hermione prepared to go out shopping. She had told Harry it was for the Manor, but really she wanted to buy some books to aid him in his political undertakings. Particularly, texts about Azkaban and its history were on her list.
She personally thought the manor was really nice. It was well appointed and reasonable sized. More importantly, the retainers, aside from the house-elves, who were employed by Azkaban would leave her alone while in the house. Apparently for her safety they would follow her everywhere she went that wasn't secure. She was still amazed to find that the Azkaban estate and dukedom had continued to be maintained by the ghost of Mad King George. However, someone had to operate the prison, so why not a ghost.
After putting on her traveling cloak, latching the door, and signaling to her escorts it was time to go, they all took a portkey to the backyard of the Leaky Caldron. Once there the group of 4 proceeded to go down almost the entire length of the Alley to Albert's All; Rare Books and Antiquities. Jim, the commander of the group (excluding Hermione) was a short plump man, almost bald with a hard face. Jim calmly explained to Hermione that a pair of the three men, including Jim himself, would stand outside at the door to be on the watch for suspicious characters, while Charles, a man of average build and straw hair, would accompany Hermione inside.
"Well then Charles, come on. Are you any good at research."
"No ma'am. I have wanted to be in the Duke's guard since I was a boy, I focused my education on the practical aspects."
Hermione muttered about men all being cowboys with no intellectual capacity and swept over to a towering bookcase, filled with dusty tomes, labeled Wizarding History of the British Isles. She was there for almost 10 minutes looking at various books while Charles fidgeted. Finally, with what appeared to be great anxiety on his face he remarked "Well Ma'am, there was one other thing I had considered being."
Interested in spite of herself Hermione said, "What might that be? Fishing? Breaking rocks?"
"No. Being a death-eater like my neighbor."
"Pardon, but did you say deatheat…"
And the rest was lost as Charles quickly grabbed Hermione's hand and placed it upon a small portkey made out of a knut. Then the two vanished in a flash of light.
Jim seeing the flash burst into the store, looked around, and didn't see his charge. Thereafter He forcibly lifted the old shopkeeper off the ground demanding to know where Hermione was. The poor old man relayed the portkey story in a stuttering fashion. Jim and his subordinate quickly left before the aurors could tie them down by getting statements and the like. However much he didn't like conveying bad news, he had to tell the Duke, quickly, and get some of their own people to secure the duke from kidnapping.
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25 June 2006
Magical State Library of Britain
The mousy young librarian was flabbergasted as a pair of men loudly burst into the library with no decorum and promptly demanded to know the whereabouts of Lord Azkaban. The young lady tried to tell them to lower their voices at which point the deceptively small bald man lifted her up by the neck and threatened her life. The librarian quickly pointed out the balcony where the Duke was examining state documents.
Jim and his compatriot quickly stormed up the stairs and then trawled the Duke outside and into a privacy bubble to explain the situation.
"What! Kidnapped!…By one of your own! Don't you people screen for…"
""Milord, your security is among the best in the world; however screening can only do so much…"
"I don't give a damn about that right now. Let's find Hermione. Do you have any leads? Where does Charlie live? Send a pair of men to secure his house and let us go down to Madam Bones. She ought to be able to help."
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25 June 2006
MLE
Director's Office
"Ah, Lord Azkaban, just the man I wanted to see, apparently some of your men left a crime scene involving a kidnapping. I'll need statements…"
"Madam Bones, excuse the lack of pleasantries, Hermione has been Kidnapped. These two men here were part of her detail. What are you doing and how can we help."
"First, Bob, take this calming draught your hands are shaking…"
After Azkaban took the potion, Madam Bones went on, "Bob what do you know about kidnapping stereotypes. Most muggleborns are aware of the whole ransom note profile of a kidnapping…Yes, Good. Unfortunately the witness in the store said that the kidnapper identified himself as being involved with Death Eaters. They are not the normal kidnapping profile, remember they are terrorists. During the First War, You-Know-Who did some standard type kidnappings to alter political events, but more often than not when the DE's get to someone they are beyond our help. We'll do our best but…"
Harry sank into the chair. Even with the calming draught that was quite a bit of news to take. "What can I do?"
"You could lend me some of your security forces. Dr. John Ball, of your investigative unit, has worked with us a few times, he is one of the world's best…"
"Done, anything else?"
"I make no illusions here, if it is not the best case scenario then…"
"Yeah, I got that, assuming it is the best case what do I do?"
"Right now? Go about your daily life like nothing is wrong. It will make the DE's cautious about what to do next."
"Is that all…"
"Yes Bob, I am sorry. However even the forces of the government or even the world's best private security can only do some much. Put on some courage and go out and show a good face for Hermione. Alright?"
"…"
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25 June 2006
Buckingham Palace
Private Apparition point
Harry was met by an attendant who disarmed him and conducted him through security to the Prince's Study where he was informed that Chuck would be with him in one second. Harry sat morosely wallowing for a few minutes until the Prince opened the private door and also conducted in Tony.
"Harry, you're back early, we weren't expecting to see you until…"
"Here are your blasted documents. They've kidnapped Hermione. They took my WIFE.……"
"Slow down Harry," said Tony, "Who took her? The Magical Government?"
"No, not that I wouldn't put it past them, but the Death Eaters."
Chuck asked "Is there anything we can do?"
"Not without revealing yourselves as my ally."
Chuck and Tony shared a deep look, and the Prince said, "This is important enough. We'll take whatever risks we need to. I promise you will have the fullest efforts of the non-magical government."
Harry thought it over for a second. "Do you mind if I bring a pair of trusted allies here. They probably won't tell, but will enable you to help."
"Alright, Harry," said Tony, "As long as you don't mind me calling a few law enforcement friends to help us. We'll open a war room here in 45 minutes. Yeah?"
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55 minutes later
Prince's Study
Buckingham Palace
"Why don't you introduce your side first Lord Azkaban," said the Prince, barely remembering to hide Harry's identity.
"To my left is Amelia Bones, Director of MLE, and Amos Diggory, the Attorney-General Elect. To the right is my Chief of Security, Jim."
"To my left is Tony Blair, Prime Minister, and my right is the Queen's Historian, Mr. Richard Haver, and the Director of MI-17, Mr. Sean Clancy."
"MI-17?" asked Harry.
"Although the MI sections were recorded disbanded, we find them useful organizational tools for secret work. My division is in charge of relations with the magical world. We have only been operating for four months, but have a dozen muggleborn wizards on our payroll," said Clancy.
"Excuse me your Majesty," interjected Amelia, "but are you indicating that the Muggle government is now employing Muggle-born wizards and taking an interest in the Wizarding world?!?! That is wholly unprecedented. Relations are done one on one between the ministers to minimize interaction and interference…"
"Then how do you explain your presence here?" the Prince calmly asked.
"Well, Lord Azkaban has apparently taken to friendly relations with yourself, his right as a private citizen, but our government have been very careful to be separated. We, Amos and myself, are here in an official capacity only because of recent changes in our structure of government that leave relations uncertain…"
Amos piped in, "…Which is why I, in my independent capacity have decided to be here. I do not answer to the rest of the government."
"We have watched that democratic move with great interest," said Clancy, "but back to the subject at hand. I can offer numerous resources on both the informed level and the not. If necessary I can have every muggle bobby on every street corner on the look out for Lady Azkaban or her kidnappers. So I suggest that in the interest of her safety you accept my help." Clancy finished quite coldly sending a glare toward Amelia, who glared right back.
"Hey guys, you are here on my invitation, and that of the prince, some cooperation would be appreciated." Harry said with an unmistakable emphasis on the word my. "Let's assess our resource and get down to business…"
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25 June 2006
Balcony off of the Prince's Study
75 Minutes Later
"Well, they're going hot and heavy, huh, Azkaban," said the Prince carefully using Harry's identity, while joining a despondent looking Harry out on the Balcony.
"…"
"C'mon Azkaban, we are doing pretty well. We have a complete profile of the kidnapper, the magical fuzz is scoping out DE safe houses that MI-17 identified…"
"It doesn't help."
"What do you mean…"
"Knowing that this 'Charles' was only trying to protect his wife and kids. That takes him from 'bad guy' and makes it a lot murkier. Now there is no right or wrong. I would probably do the same for my friends and family…"
"Easy, friend, I know what you mean. But remember that that room is full of political and police experts. This is how they do their job. Normally, the husband of a kidnap victim wouldn't be let in on this sort of session for precisely this reason. It may be hard for you to conceptualize it, but when the Aurors track down this guy, they can attack his psyche to quickly get Hermione's location. They can tell him that we have safely recovered his family and that Macnair is dead. If he only did it because he had to, and he doesn't have to anymore…"
"Yeah, I got it. Operational perspective and all that. You know, I only came for a drink and some support to commiserate this tragedy. I didn't think you could help Chuck, but within minutes, you are tripling the resources Amelia had to work with. I want to say I really appreciate it… No matter…No-no-matter how this goes down, I will remember that."
"Harry." The prince said quietly, "you are a friend. I am certainly here for support if you need it, but I could help and so I have. It is what friends do. More importantly, we have got a whole group of bright experts; we'll get her back, safe and unharmed." He gently squeezed Harry's arm and poured 2 glasses of Bourbon so they could quietly watch the sun set.