Chapter one: New York Harbor
"GET INTO POSITION!" Captain Hendrix shouted. Men and women shuffled about to the portholes on either side of the ship. After placing waterproofing charms, they were able to open the portholes to point their wands through. New York was in sight. If tonight was successful, then they would have rescued a British prisoner of war AND received the ten thousand galleons prize money that came with it.
"I sure as hell hope you know what you're doing, Mr. Cowling!" the captain yelled over his shoulder as he watched the coast guard patrol boats approach. "Remember that some of us don't have wands."
"I've never lost a charge before." Cowling said confidentially. "And I don't intend to start tonight. Aurors, at the ready!" Several aurors tightened their holds on their wands. A few of them looked visibly shaken, but they held their wands steady.
"Please, step onto the deck," Came a voice from the coast guards speakers.
"Dawlish," Cowling nodded to an auror who nodded back before making his way to the deck. For this to work, they would need to get as far as possible before going on the offensive.
"How can I help you?" Dawlish called out. Cowling waited just out of sight.
"I assume you have your credentials." The Coast Guard man called out once they were in proper earshot. "The president has ordered the harbor to be cleared over the next week."
"I do," Dawlish called back. "They're here in my cabin. Would you like to enter?"
The Coast Guard captain stepped from the orange boat onto the navy blue boat. He almost lost his grip, but, Cowling held out a hand and pulled the Coast Guard captain back aboard. He looked slightly shaken but pulled himself together quickly. "Thank you," He stammered. "I'm Captain Mark Walsh of the U.S. Coast Guard. I'm not sure if you're aware, but the harbor's been closed for the week; Orders of President Larry Page."
"I'm aware," Dawlish replied. "I am John Dawlish. I'm with the British Ministry." He cut himself off from adding 'of Magic.' "I'm here as a prison escort. I have my credentials in the cabin if you wish to see them."
Captain Walsh nodded and followed Dawlish to the cabin door. As Dawlish entered, Walsh rested his hand on his firearm and peered in, suspiciously. He obviously did not notice the dozen or so guns and wands pointed toward him. He entered cautiously. Looking at the papers handed to him, he didn't hear the word whispered behind him.
"Imperio."
"Well," Walsh said, handing the blank papers back. "All seems to be in order." He walked back out of the cabin and onto his own boat again. The engine roared to life and moved on.
Their boat moved forward making its' way toward the Statue of Liberty.
"You said the American Ministry of Magic was set up by the French?" A young witch asked another witch.
"Yup." The second witch replied in a Scottish accent. "Apparently, America wasn't doing so well on her own, so France helped hem set one up. Problem was, they didn't have a proper place to set up. They sent over the statue and set up a ministry. Course, the Americans call it the… Government of Magical Affairs."
"Who's she modeled after?" The younger witch was genuinely interested.
"Dorothea Dix, I think." The elder witch replied. "She founded a bunch of muggle mental hospitals and three magical hospitals. The face of the statue is a little off, but I think that was just to make her look more beautiful."
The younger witch stared with interest as the statue became ever closer.
They met no more delays as the boat moved to the island the statue stood. Everyone on board was nervous, though they all tried to hide it.
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"I'd eat up if I were you." The American prison guard said to Eric Scallion. "Not that particularly envy you. I'm not sure the Brits will give you a last meal before you're given the dementor's kiss." He put on a false thoughtful look. "I wonder if you'll fell your soul ripped out. I know there's usually a lot of screaming involved."
Scallion didn't move.
"What were you trying to get anyway?" The guard continued. "I didn't think a British wizard needed anything from America, much less Anchorage Academy of Magic. Eh? I thought Alaska only had eskimoes and glaciers." Still nothing.
"Very well." The guard said, smirking. "They've just entered the harbor. You'll be home soon." With that, the guard walked away laughing. He made his way to the guard station not far away. Inside, another guard sat back in a wooden chair with his feet propped on a coffee table. The TV was on the mid-day news.
"Wildfires continue to spread in California as local officials continue to battle the blaze. Over thirty have been hospitalized, dozens are still missing and seven have been confirmed dead. Still no word on what caused the blaze. Governor Michaels has been seen comforting the-"
The channel changed.
"Of course it's the government's fault!" Some Limbaugh guy was yelling. If Governor Michaels had any real brains, he would have had measures in place long before the fires started. The only reason the fires spread so far is because Michaels refused to take my advice and build a thirty foot wall along the Mexican border."
"Are muggles really so stupid?" The relaxing guard asked.
"Must be," The standing guard mused. "They can usually go on like this for days."
The TV was switched off and the guards put on their game faces. Any minute now, a team of British aurors would be arriving to escort their main prisoner back to Brittan. They moved into the hall and waited. From the lower levels, there was a loud shout of pain from an interrogation chamber.
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"Right this way." Said the president of magical affairs, Charles Greensburg. "He's on the lower levels. I trust you checked in?"
Cowling nodded. While he had only been to the American GOMA once before, he knew quite well the risk of proceeding into the building without checking in; a fine would be the least of his worries.
Greensburg led Cowling and his team to an elevator off to the side. "Holding cells," Greensburg commanded once everyone was in. The doors shut immediately and they moved deeper into the official building.
"Nasty business this," Greensburg sighed. "He was captured holding students hostage in Alaska. No idea what he wanted there, but he scared the hell out of them. They had to be transferred to University of Washington Medical Center. Their magical injuries ward has been full since he arrived here. You said he's going straight to Azkaban?"
"Not directly," Cowling replied. "There are quite a few more charges to add from the past month. But, He'll be going in for a lot longer than originally planned, that's for sure.
End Chapter.
Notes: (in no particular order)
Larry Page is one of the co-founders of Google, of which I do not own.
I don't know much about Rush Limbaugh. I just mixed his favorite things; Yelling about how stupid the government is, and yelling about the border to Mexico. His report was SUPPOSED to sound stupid and no offence was intended.
You may notice a number of references to other things in this fic. I'm also trying to add some historical stuff to it. This fic WON'T have what you normally come to expect from fics, meaning no Harry, Ron or Hermione. No Draco. No Marauders. There are a few names I'll use. You may have already expected Dawlish. I also intend to have other minor characters. I feel it important to give credit to Darth Drafter; he directly inspired this fic with his story, The Little Veela that Could. It showed me a whole new perspective on just about all things Potter. I didn't intend to have such a short first chapter. But, with the plans I have, I want a whole new chapter. Sorry this chapter's so dry. I promise the next chapter won't be so… dry. (lol spoiler)
Like all authors here, I own nothing. Also, like most authors here, I need ideas. I have a basic idea of where I want this to go, but I'm not sure how to get there.
I won't say I'll update every week, but I'll try for as often as possible. And, I'll really try to have ch2 by tomorrow.