Chapter 2

Two days had past since his daughter had been taken and Harry's frustration was mounting. What was taking so damn long, he had the money; they knew he had, that's why they asked for so manageable a number. He had that many times over so it would be easy to get. The number shows that these kidnappers wanted a fast resolution to this. But they hadn't attempted to make contact, causing Harry's fear and rage to grow to dangerous proportions.

Harry was pleased when his man Rosen had informed him that when the instructions did come they had a good chance to track it, using a counter charm from Sayers at the department of Mysteries.

But Harry couldn't wait anymore; he had to be more proactive. He couldn't just sit around waiting; it was time to find these monsters, his way. He made sure Hermione and James were well guarded, then he headed out into the night the see a friend and mentor.

Harry appeared a moment later in front of a handsomely rustic house. He walked up the wraparound porch and rapped firmly on the door. A minute later it was answered by a tall dark man, with a sleek bald head and a large earring.

"Harry, I've been expecting you, come in," Said Kingsley in a slow deeply rich measured tone.

Harry nodded and entered quickly without a word. Kingsley directed him down a long hall way, entering a large study once rounding the corner.

"Can I offer you a drink," Kingsley asked motioning to decanter filled with rich amber liquid.

Harry shook his head, "Sorry, no time," He answered plainly.

Kingsley nodded his head knowingly, "I'm sorry Harry, this is, well it's a tragic blow, who would have the stones to do this," Kingsley asked in a truly fuming breath.

"That's why I'm here, I was hoping you could help me clean the distortion from this," he said pulling out a small vial filled with a smoky substance , "then I was hoping you could do your thing and tell me where their from."

Kingsley nodded and went to a large mahogany cabinet from which he took a large stone basin. He walked over to his desk and placed the pensive firmly on top. "Let's see what you got," Kingsley said extending his hand to take to memory from Harry.

Kingsley emptied the slivery liquid into the basin and let it swirl and smoke around a moment, then rather than enter the pensive he drew his wand and traced it over the surface of the liquid inside, causing the image of a formless patronus rise, and reply the ransom demand. Kingsley listened intently, and waved his wand, causing the sound to come in clearer and sharper. He could hear the voice of the patronuses master much better now, "Well the accent's obviously Ukraine, from the south," Kibngsley said lowering his ear, listening to the message once again, "The way he's hitting the R's, he's defiantly from Odesa"

Harry looked shocked, "Odesa, The Strelsty," Harry asked incredulously.

"But that wouldn't make any sense, this isn't like them, would they really want to go after you or your LMS force, their lowlife potion and arms dealers they wouldn't want that kind of heat," Kingsley said, speaking of Harry's LMS force. LMS standing for the Last Men Standing, so named because whenever they engage in combat their always such. And whoever they go after is brought down, Harry had already taken down their last boss Pachinko, and their new boss wouldn't want to cross him like this.

"The Strelsty may not be behind it, but you can bet your ass they know something, and I'm going to find out what it is," Harry said with purpose.

Kingsley nodded, "Try not to cause too much damage, we've got enough trouble with the Ukrainian ministry without having to get into a jurisdictional pissing match," Kingsley said knowing of the corruption found their, causing them to be in bed with the organized crime syndicate.

"It'll be quick, in and out, they'll never know I was there," Said Harry quickly forming his plan. At once he flourished his wand causing seven identical patronuses to spring forth, "Five minutes, were mounting up," he said quickly to all of them. They all turned and sped off at once to their destinations.

"Good luck," Kingsley said extending his hand.

"Thanks Kingsley, we may just need it this time," Harry replied taken it and shaking it quickly, turning and vanishing with haste.

Harry appeared a moment later in his team's locker room. One by one figures began popping up out of nowhere. All stepping quickly to their locker and pulling out their tactical gear. These were Harry's elite force, his personal strike team. The Last Men Standing. Harry looked at each as they prepared, there was Sam Cross, codename Viper, demolishens expert, a very large black man with huge arms, standing a towering 6 feet 8 inches tall. Piper Watinkins, codename So. hound, infiltration and espionage, so named for his like of the ladies from South London. The twins Jim and Zao Yamoto, small and sleet, trained in a the deadliest martial arts, also experts in an impressive arsenal of offensive and defensive curses, codenames Shadow sun and Shadow moon, so named due to their all white and all black uniforms worn respectively. Franco Deuaxframe', codename eagle eyes, the teams long shot, akin to a muggle sniper, he could work any curse from up to three miles away with deadly accuracy, never missing his mark. Danny St, Clarie, tall and lanky with dark brown hair, codename Slip shot, sabotage, master of undoing even the darkest laid magical bobby traps. And then there was Ron, codename Rounder, Harry's right hand man and highly trained in all areas. And lastly Harry, just called chief, team leader, master of all.

The team was dressed in under two minutes in their special made Kevlar gear, adept at stopping most curses. They faced forward awaiting their leader's orders.

"OK men we have a problem as you well know," Harry began speaking to all of them, "Some sorry dogs think us weak, think they can come after us, we're family an attack on one is an attack on all," Harry said loudly, electing a "Ra Whoo" the team's battle cry.

"It seems the maggots that took my little girl come from Odesa, you know what that means, we're going to be paying a little visit to Unsinov," Harry said bringing forth another Ra Whoo. "You know the drill, stay invisible, Shadow M, be ready with the distraction, Ron and I will get him and then we'll extract him back here. Now are we Ready to show them what happens when they mess with us," Harry screamed in flawless infliction, causing another deafening "Ra Whoo"

"On my mark then, In 3, 2, 1," Harry said, indicating for his team to synchronize their apparation, at one all disappearing at once.

A second later they all stood unseen on the outskirts of the Ukrainian city of Odesa. A little ways off stood a large abandoned factory that had been turned into a nightclub, hangout and base for the Strelsty, one of Europe's lowest and most under handed crime syndicates. One Harry and his men were very familiar with, having had their run-ins with them in the past. The most recent being when Harry had broken up a major international arms deal, stopping the transfer of powerfully destructive curses from the Ukrainian Ministry though the hands of the Strelsty to underworld figures in Great Britain. Landing the Strelsty's head in Nurmengard. His top capo Peter Usinov now taking over the reigns.

The team huddled, staring at the distant structure, Harry quickly and silently indicating Slip shot to step forward, pointing him to where Harry knew there to be an invisible barrier, at once Slip shot started working, putting on goggles as he touched the tip of his wand to the barrier, causing sparks to emerge as he cut a swath through it big enough for the to slip by.

"Ok," Harry said quietly, "Everybody online," Harry said pointing his wand to his ear, the rest doing the same, a means to be in constant communication with each other.

They all made their way in silent stealth up to the clubs entrance, walking in unseen. It was sprawling on the inside, with loud euro tech banging through the huge speakers. Lasers where seen everywhere and a thick fume of smoke hung around the room. Harry and Ron cast off their charms and walked straight to the stairs that lead to where they knew Ustinov was. Meeting a large thick bodyguard at the stairs base, he was very tall and was three times the size of Harry. At his approach he stuck out his arm and grabbed Harry tightly by the shoulder, denying him access. Harry scowled and in a furious motion Harry spun taking his wrist and bringing his leg up, delivered a devastating roundhouse to his temple. Sending him crashing feebly to the ground. Harry strode up the stairs with Ron on his heals. He entered the V.I.P area to find Ustinov there, flanked by two more bodyguards, a couple of pretty young woman on each side of him. He was a swarthy specimen, with straight black hair, a large hooked nose and an arrogant attitude that Harry just longed to beat out of him. He walked straight up to where he was seated, at once his hulking men with snide sneers moved forward to intercept them.

"No, please, let them approach" Ustinov said in a extremely cocky tone. His men retreated at once, "Harry Potter, do vot do I owe this pleasure."

"I need information," Harry said in a strong tone, indicating that he wasn't in the mood for games.

"Really and vot makes you think I vill help you," Ustinov sneered.

"Because you wont have a choice, now Shadow M," Harry said quickly. At once the whole of the expansive club went pitch black, completely devoid of light. There were screams and mass confusion throughout, as Ustinov's men rushed about blindly through curses wildly into the air. The darkness powder doing its job well. Finally the room began to clear, misty haze still hung in the air as Ustinov's stooges were able to make out the scene. Ustinov, Harry and Ron were gone.

Harry and Ron quickly made it through the barrier with their stunned quarry, followed closely by the rest of the team. Once beyond it the disappeared and arrived back at their headquarters a moment later. Harry and Ron quickly brought Ustinov's lifeless form into a small, semi dark interrogation room and placed him none too gently into the hard metal chair found within, magically lashing his hands to the arms.

Once there Harry pointed his wand at Ustinov who began stirring at once. Once full awake he registered his surroundings and began to struggle vainly against his bounds. "vot is this, you have no right you have nothing on me you cocksuckers, I demand you velease at once." Ustinov cried in protest, a hint of fear being heard in his voice.

"As I've told you Ustinov you're going to help me," Harry said coolly.

"Go to hell you vestern pig, I vill tell you nothing" he spat at Harry.

"I don't have time for this shit," Harry said nodding to Ron, who took Usinov's head and forced it roughly back, clasping his nose and forcing his mouth open. Harry withdrew a small blue bottle with a dark thick liquid within from his pocket. He approached Ustinov holding it firmly and he place his hand roughly on Ustinov's forehead, tilting it back even further. Harry turn turned the vial, pouring the Veritaserum down Ustinov throat. He wretched and convulsed for a moment but the potion went down. He began to relax and Harry and Ron both let go as his head fell back, revealing a serenely blank look.

"Now that's better, what is your name," Harry asked.

"Peter Gorobets Ustinov." Ustinov answered.

"Did you have anything to do with my daughter's abduction?"

"No" Ustinov answered plainly.

Harry could feel the frustration welling up once again. "Do you know who is behind it?"

"No"

Harry could feel the anger returning, "Do you recognize this voice" Harry said pointing his wand to Ustinov ear, letting him hear the voice of the kidnapper which Harry had stored there while at Kingsleys.

"Yes"

Excited hope began to spring in Harry's soul, "Who's voice is it, who are they tell me all you know"

"It is the voice of Alexei Ovseenko, he was my lieutenant once, he attempted a failed coup and is now hiding, knowing if I find him he's a dead man."

"Is he alone," Harry asked.

"I don't know, he fled with a five of my men, he could have found more." Ustinov said staring off into space.

"Is that all you know of this matter," Harry asked firmly.

"Yes."

Harry sighed loudly, "Shadows," he said to the two way mirror which lead to an observation room where the rest of the team had been watching the exchange.

At once Shadow sun and moon walked through the door, "Take him back, wipe his memory and drop him a mile from the club." Harry ordered. They nodded and took Ustinov by the shoulder, pulling him to his feet and disappearing at once.

After they were gone Harry turned to Ron, "This doesn't add up, I know Ovseenko, he's a mindless thug, he doesn't have the brains or the finesse to pull something like this off, why do you think his coup failed so horribly," Harry asked running his fingers through his hair.

"Well if Ustinov right he'll be on the run, I reckon some quick cash would help him start somewhere new," Ron answered.

"But why my little girl, he must have known I'd come after him, it doesn't make sense why would he expose himself like this, there's something else at work here. Somebody is behind this, pulling Ovseenko's strings but who," Harry asked in desperation.

"Well once we find Ovseenko we'll know, but that's the problem, we're no closer to finding him,' Ron answered through a long breath.

Harry nodded, "OK get back to my house, see if there's been any change, and the rest of you return to your posts, remain ready, as soon as we have any more info we're moving" eliciting a loud, "Ra Whoo, chief".

They all left at once, leaving Harry alone to ponder this troubling turn of events, this felt personal, he knew it in the pit of his stomach. Somebody out there had it out for him, the only question now was who, and why, and what did he have to do to get his daughter back.