Disclaimer – All rights to the Harry Potter universe and characters belong to JK Rowling. All original characters and concepts belong to me. I am receiving no pay for this story and no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N – All of Sub Rosa has been beta'd by Kate, whom I humbly thank. Any errors are mine own.
Prologue –Two Old Friends
Madam Flora Chanel, head of the Magical Security Agency of the American Council of Mages sat at the restaurant's table and calmly cut her steak. She pretended greater interest in the meal than she really felt, knowing her companion wouldn't be fooled, but trying to keep up appearances. It was a nice restaurant, friendly and cozy and catering entirely to the Wizarding Intelligence community, so it was also a safe place where she felt free to discuss business.
Flora was a tiny woman of Mayan ancestry, her shrewd black eyes, raven's wing hair, going silver now, and her deeply tanned and lined face all testified to her age and experience. She wore a sleek muggle style suit which, in conjunction with her broad forehead and hooked nose, made a contrast so startling that on anyone else it would be funny. However, no one ever felt the urge to laugh at Flora Chanel, she was far too dangerous and powerful a witch.
"You know the Daily Prophet is calling it the "Summer of Terror". I was surprised by that, they sound more the Tattler these days." Flora frowned and shook her head.
"Yes, they are trying to make up for the way they treated Harry and me last year. I would be amused, but the situation is far too serious." Her guest replied with some asperity.
"You know, Moldywort is being rather restrained, considering. He must still be unsure of his power base. I can only be grateful that he hasn't launched all out war yet." Flora sighed and bit into her steak. "What are your plans?"
"I have to search for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Someone willing to teach it while Voldemort is in power. Not an easy task, as you might imagine." Her companion mused with a glint of humor in his eyes.
Albus Dumbledore was the exact opposite of the diminutive American, He was tall and very English, with long white hair and beard and dressed in clothing that would not look out of place in a period film on the Middle Ages. His robes were red with gold threads forming alchemical symbols. His bright eyes were gentle and sweet and there was an irony that these two friends who had faced Grindelwald together so long ago and now faced Voldemort, should be so deadly in combat and so innocuous in person.
"You really ought to take better care of your Defense teachers." Flora shot back with nowhere near her usual sharpness.
"Got anyone I could borrow?" He raised his bushy eyebrows at her and flashed his best Witch Weekly smile; she chuckled but didn't rise to his bait.
"We are running our asses off here trying to keep Moldywort out of America. I have no one to spare, especially since my best agent is half crippled." The last bit shot out with more venom than she had intended.
"You are worried about Kathryn." Albus peered at her over his glasses, suddenly concerned.
"Yes, I am. I'm afraid it could destroy her to be flat on her back while others are out doing the fighting, she has never been one to sit on the sidelines."
"She's a very strong young woman, Flora."
"Yes, too strong sometimes. She won't cry or rage or complain." Flora rubbed her forehead wearily. "She just pushes herself till I think she's going to collapse. It scares me a little how intense she has become. She was betrayed Albus, by her partner and best friend, she was left to die, but she just holds it all in and won't say a word."
"Reminds me of my Potions Master."
"What do you do when they get this way? I usually send them on an op, but with Kathryn's leg mangled I can't."
"I set him to brew me something complex and time consuming, it usually snaps him out of it. Though to challenge him I sometimes have to dig up ancient manuscripts or omit half the ingredients." His voice had filled again with whimsy and Flora looked at him sharply.
"Is he really that good at potions?" Ideas began to click in her head.
"He is probably the best Potions Master of our age, Flora." His voice was sad at that point and knowing all she did, Flora could not help but understand. Still, she had her own problem child to deal with right now. The last piece fell into place in her mind and she gifted Albus with one of her rare genuine smiles.
"Albus, I have a proposition." His face went slightly wistful then, but Albus was a master actor and she didn't believe it for a moment.
"You have no idea how many years I have waited to hear you say that, Flora." She snorted at him.
"Albus, be serious for a moment."
"Lemon drop?" He offered, tugging a small brown bag from a pocket. Flora poked him sternly and frowned, rather unconvincingly, at him.
"Look, you need a Defense teacher and I need my Agent back. You say your Potions Master is the best, well, set him the task of healing my Agent and I'll lend her to you to teach at your school."
"Flora, my darling, you will really lend me one of your precious Agents?"
"Since I'm giving you the one I broke, don't be thanking me too quickly." Bitterness infused her words, that and guilt, for she had suspected David and still sent them out there.
"One of your broken Agents is still better than ten of Umbrage." Albus grinned at her. Flora paled at the thought of ten of that frog-faced horror and then she chuckled.