A/N: This is a continuation of the universe I build in my first story "How Did We Get here". This fist chapter is a prelude and does not contain any of the main characters your accustomed to. However if you bare with me until the second chapter you'll see the familiar faces you've come here to read about. As always a huge thanks to my love and Beta reader Ryder28.

Disclamer: As usual I claim no ownership of the harry potter franchise, characters, or story lines.

Allies in the dark

Prelude: The Tangled Web We Weave

At 5'6" and 135 pounds Delany Pearce was considered by many to be an average woman with average features. If you were to walk by her on the streets you wouldn't think to look twice. But those who knew her, those who took the time to look her in the eyes knew that aside from a dark blue hue there was something missing you couldn't pinpoint, and most of the people she met never wanted to try. Overall she showed little to no emotion, which was how she preferred it. Emotions she had considered at one time to be of importance but had came to the logical conclusion that emotions clouded judgement and insight. They made a person weak and she vowed long ago, never to be weak.

She sat in a leather bound chair sipping coffee from a giant mug. The circular room in which she sat always made her feel guarded. The portraits on the wall did not move or speak as she was accustomed to, which lead her to speculate what they would say or how they would act if they had been able to. Up until recently she pondered the level of privacy the small room held. Slowly considering every movement her body made she took another sip from her steaming mug of coffee. Pulling the mug away from her thin lips she glanced slightly at the tiny yet old clock on the circular wall. Then as though she willed it herself the hands on the clock struck 3am, and as if on cue a door that couldn't be seen before swung open.

"Hello Curtis." Delany spoke, calmly sipping her coffee

"Holy mother... Delany you can't just pop in like this! What if it was another staff member?"

"I knew it wouldn't be. You forget sometimes Curtis. I see more then the average person and I can hide when necessary."

"Still tho... It scares the crap out of me... Though I suppose that's not what your here to do is it?" He said making his way behind the desk Delany sat in front of.

"No Curtis its not."

With a sigh Curtis spoke "Then what brings to my office at this hour. What can the President do for an old friend?" he asked as he finally plopped down into his oversized leather chair.

Delany Pearce cracked a tiny smile.

"How have you been Curtis." Delany asked taking a small sip from her coffee. Careful not to let the coffee mug obscure her view, making sure to keep her eyes fixated on her old friend.

The question, seemingly simple enough made the most powerful man in the world appear to crumble. Shoulders slumped and head low he replied:

"I've been better. I haven't been able to sleep since..."

"I'm sorry about your wife and son Curtis. Any word on what caused the plane to go down?" Delany spoke cutting off Curtis. She was here for a purpose, and had little time to accomplish what she set out to do.

Switching into Presidential mode Curtis spoke "No... Homeland suspects a small faction in the middle east was able to smuggle explosives into the cargo hold of the plane. We've got every nut job on the planet claiming responsibility. Let alone we have no idea how it happened. It's all still such a mystery."

"Good" and for the second time that night Delany Pearce allowed herself to crack a small smile.

The look of shock and horror appeared slowly on Curtis face. "What..." but he never got to finish speaking.

Delany Pearce's wand shot from her sleeve into her hand the action fast and violent, never causing her to flinch or move another muscle, and just as quickly and without movement she cast a spell which bound the president to his leather chair. The president began to sweat profusely and a severe look of pain writhed across his features. Delany placed the mug she held in her other hand atop the desk in front of her and walked slowly over to the man whom called her friend earlier. Bending down to whisper into his ear she spoke in a level and collected voice only she could vocalize at a moment like this.

"Don't struggle against it Curtis. It'll only make it more painful."

Allowing himself to relax just a little bit. The physical pain that adored his face seemed to vanish. Yet the emotional betrayal and disgust behind his eyes burned like the bombs the powerful man had control over. Delany reached into her long thick trench coat and retrieved a small empty ornate oak wood box. Opening it she placed it onto his desk. Then in a similar fashion she pulled a slightly larger steel box from the interior pocket of her coat, followed by a pair of scissors, a flask and a small vial of a deeply black liquid.

Picking up the scissors she grabbed a thick bunch of the presidents hair and in one swift motion lopped a big clump off. Placing the scissors back into her coat she placed the hair into the oak wood box. Closing it she pushed it further over onto the desk. Then she picked up the flask, opening it she plucked another hair from his head and dropped it into the container. She placed the flask back onto the desk, and picked up the small vial with the deathly black liquid, She popped the stopper from the top of the vial and took a look at Curtis.

"This wont hurt Curtis. Basically it makes you go to sleep for a long time... Amongst other things, but it does takes a few minutes to take effect."

In another swift and decisive motion she bent his head backwards and poured the liquid forcefully down his throat. The vial empty, she placed it into the silver box. In her methodical manner she walked over to the other side of the room. Removing her coat, she opened the tiny drawer labeled "incinerator" on the wall and slid it in. She walked back over to where the president sat bound and picked up the flask.

"Cheers" she said taking a healthy pull from the flask. Caping the flask she slid open a desk drawer and placed it next to another similar one. Moments later Delany Pearce's plan had come to light.

Curtis Fisher stared at Delany Pearce or rather Curtis Fisher. It was like he was starring into a mirror only he knew he wasn't. When suddenly his world went as black as the liquid he was forced to drink.