Disclaimer- Just a shout out to Entropist and his stories. Start with Harry Potter and the Seal of Chaos and then Hogwarts: The Warlocks of Atlantis and then Staff of Merlin. Also a big shout out to Blacktag189 my Beta and the one who keeps me afloat with this story. I may sound like a broken record but I'm using the same canon she set up in her story Ghost of You. Please read it, it's a great story.
Warning-End of Chapter is pretty dark.
Chapter 3-Emotional Response
"Before I go any further there is the question of what can and cannot can be discussed outside of this office." Kingsley said. "Obviously, Harry, just like with your prior position, you cannot divulge specific mission details with anyone besides your team, Robards, myself and my staff. I have also briefed Flora Skystrict of the Magical Law Department." Kingsley picked up the files that were knocked on the floor by Harry.
"You can divulge that you have a new position and that it is secret but you must present a list of people you wish to know. I probably already know, but I need the list none the less." Kingsley said with a smile. Kingsley set the files down in front of Harry.
"Harry, obviously, time is of the essence, so we need to move quickly, but we also need to be smart about this. You need to pick your team and we need you to train to work together in a short amount of time." Kingsley sat down and removed his hat setting it on the table.
"How much time do I have Kingsley?" Harry asked.
Kingsley turned and looked at Robards before answering, "We can give you a month."
Robards remained emotionless. Harry and Hermione looked shocked, they thought they were going to have less time.
"Doesn't that seem too long, Minister?" Hermione asked, puzzled. "They could use these weapons anytime now."
Kingsley glanced at Robards and then shifted his gaze over to the other four. "We do not currently have any leads. It's scary I know, but we have to carry on business as usual." Kingsley slowly rose to his feet again and looked at the fireplace, rubbing his chin. "The muggle government will continue to try and find the weapons in the meantime…."
"I have also assigned two teams of Aurors to monitor anything out of the ordinary. There hasn't been any Death Eater activity in the last 4 months, so it's probably a new faction or some old friends that we may have missed that were biding their time." Robards said as he stood, he straightened his robes and moved towards the door. "I have to go minister and prepare for the morning briefing, Potter you're excused since you are no longer under my department. Good morning to you all, Minister." Kingsley nodded and watched as Gawain Robards left the room. Kingsley turned and sat back down at the table.
"Robards isn't happy about this situation. He's a good man, but he's under the impression that I have lost confidence in him and the Auror's, which is false, but he believes it nonetheless." Kingsley rubbed his eyes and motioned to the files.
"Harry, I have put together some dossiers on some people who I believe should join your unit. Including yourself and Miss Granger I think six more members would be sufficient…"
"You want me to join Minister? I'm not qualified or trained." Hermione stood up and asked.
"Yes, Hermione, I believe you're more than qualified, you are a very talented witch and you were a founder of the original DA, plus you fought side by side with Harry. I'm sure Harry would also appreciate your dedication to research." Kingsley chuckled. "I will also contact Mrs. Skystrict to inform her you are being transferred to the Division. She will hate to lose such a valuable witch, but she will support my decision wholeheartedly."
"Yes sir, I of course will start right away". Hermione said as she grabbed the stack of files that were hers and Harry's, pulled out her wand and shrunk them down to place them in her bag.
"Now, two more orders of business left before I let you go, We need to establish a base of operations and also a place to train your team. I have asked Mr. Dearborn to provide a trainer to put you through what the Muggles call a two week boot camp." Kingsley said as he poured himself another cup of tea. "I do have a idea on a base of operations but, it may need some time to set up." Kingsley then looked at Harry.
"You want to use 12 Grimmauld Place." Harry said. "I haven't been back there since before the battle, but from what I hear it's in ruins."
"That it is Harry, but I can have it ready for use in a month. Not only was it the original headquarters for the Order, but it can provide adequate space for more training and strategizing, no one would suspect it since we would make it still look like it's in ruins. I know that you own the property so the Ministry can lease the property or buy it outright, it is entirely up to you." Kingsley stated.
"Well Kreacher will be happy, give him a purpose again I suppose." Harry said with a shrug.
Hermione winced. It's no secret what her feelings were on House-Elfs.
Kingsley looked at Harry reassuringly, then stood up to place a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You would still report to the Ministry every day but we would set up a special Floo to 12 Grimmauld Place. Now we just need to a place for your training…."
"I have a solution Kingsley." Arthur said as he stood up. "The Burrow, we have more than enough open space to set up whatever they need."
"Arthur that is brilliant, thank you!" Kingsley exclaimed as he shook Arthur's hand in a firm grasp.
"Plus, Molly would love cooking for everyone I would expect, the house being so empty lately." Arthur said with a chuckle.
"That settles it then, Harry you have two weeks to pick your team and then two weeks of intense training."
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Harry and Hermione said their farewells and made their way to the lifts, silently, deep in thought. Hermione paused and looked at Harry, she could tell he was lost in thought about the death of his mentor and friend. She grabbed his hand turned him to look at her, stopping before the lifts.
"Harry," she started and stopped, overcome with emotion. She blinked back tears and looked at him with sorrow. "I'm so sorry…'bout Collette….I know how much she meant to you and….Oh my! Ginny!, she doesn't know yet."
Harry put a hand on Hermione's shoulder and took in a breath, he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "She's going to take it hard...she loved Collette, they were very close. She told me when I was in the hospital unconscious during your seventh year, Colette and Francis were both there for her and she will never forget that." Hermione took Harry in a kind embrace. Then the lift opened and they separated and entered.
"Thanks Hermione." was all Harry could say. She nodded and gave him a warm smile.
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As the lift opened on the 2nd floor, Harry saw Francis Badue talking to Harry's and Colette's section chief, Walden Abbott. They just finished their conversation when Harry and Hermione stepped out of the lift.
"Go on Harry, I'll meet you back in the atrium," Hermione said as she squeezed his elbow and then turned and walked away. Harry took in a deep breath, stopped to adjust his robes and forced himself to walk towards Francis.
"Francis?" Harry asked as he took the last dreadful steps towards Collette's grieving widow. He extended his hand forward while his gaze was focused on the floor. Francis ignored his hand and pulled him into a tight embrace. Harry patted his back. Francis let go of Harry and looked at his young friend and smiled.
"Francis...I'm so sorry...I…" Harry stammered.
"Harry it's ok, it wasn't your fault." Francis said.
"But if only I was there, I could have…" Harry said trying to say anything to comfort his friend.
"Harry if you were there, then Mr. Abbott could be relaying sad news to Ginny as well." Francis sighed. Harry just looked at the floor and nodded his head slightly. Harry sometimes felt invincible, but when it came to family, and yes the Badeau's were family to him, Harry always had to fight to keep emotions in check.
Francis put both of his hands on Harry's shoulders and forced Harry to look at him. For the first time he came over to talk to Francis he could tell that his friend aged overnight. His eyes were bloodshot and tired, obviously from lack of sleep and grief. There was a deepened sadness in his face that shook Harry a little. He knew the love the Badeau's had for each other and zest for life that they both strived to incorporate everyday.
"Francis...what are you going to do now?" Harry asked with difficulty.
Francis gave him a slight smile "I'm going to take Collette home to her family's Chateau in Normandy. I will lay her to rest with her Mama and Papa in the family plot. The French Ministry wanted to have a state funeral and bury her in the French Wizarding cemetery in Paris, but I politely declined. She would prefer to be laid to rest next to her parents." He let go of Harry's shoulders and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"There will be a small service in three days and if you can manage it, I would appreciate you and Ginny attending." Francis said with an encouraging smile. "They are also going to have a small memorial this evening here at the ministry and her name will be added to the wall of heroes. I assume I will see you there?"
"Yes, I will be there tonight. Ginny and I will be there in France." Harry grasped Francis shoulder and looked at him, it was a struggle to keep his eyes fixed on his friends. Francis sensed Harry was trying to be strong for him and gave him a small smile. "Francis, whatever I can do for you."
"Thank you, Harry."
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Harry met Hermione in the atrium cafe sitting at one of the tables. She was drinking a cup of tea and reading that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet.
Famous Auror Collette Badeau Dead.
Her famous and warming smile splashed across the front page as she was carrying a small child to safety.
"I remember that mission." Harry said as he walked up to Hermione. Hermione jumped a little as she didn't hear Harry approach.
"How'd it go Harry? How is he holding up?" Hermione asked as she folded up the paper and stood up, throwing her cup away.
"He's putting on a brave face, but I've never seen him look so tired." He motioned to Hermione towards the Floo's. "I'm going to head back to the flat before the Prophet arrives, I've got to tell Ginny. I've got to tell Ginny everything."
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In a dark corner of The Three Broomsticks the predator observed his prey. He had been watching her for about an hour. He went over different scenarios in his sick twisted mind on how to proceed once he snatched his victim. He began to lick his lips when he saw her give a smile and laugh with her friends. Her companions were pretty as well, but there was something about this girl that made his hunger unbearable. He flashed a small grin when he heard her speak.
"Alright girls I've got to get my shopping done before my shift starts at the shop." Mandy Reynolds said to her friends. "If I'm late again I think the Weasley's will probably use me as a product tester."
Mandy was a very pleasant looking witch. She was a nineteen year old of average height, pretty face, curly black hair that came to her shoulders. She was a wearing a very flattering set of robes that complimented her figure. Her friends laughed as they said their goodbye's.
"We can meet up after your shift, if ya like?" Mandy's friend Roxanne offered.
"That would be nice, we're doing inventory and the Weasley's are going over the books today, so I may need a drink or five after work!" Mandy giggled and laid her portion of the bill on the table as she quickly walked out into Diagon Alley. She never noticed the dark figure in green and black robes follow her out. She didn't notice as the dark figure followed her toward Flourish and Blotts either. She hardly had time to react before she was pushed roughly to the ground in the small alley before the store and quickly felt the unsettling pull of being apparated.
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Mandy didn't know where she was. All she knew was she was in dark, dingy room with peeling black wallpaper on the walls. She was shaking, tears streaming down her face, while she sat naked with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped around around her legs on a dirty mattress. Her face was bloody and bruised, much like the rest of her body as she had been repeatedly violated. She was sobbing. Bane turned and sneered at the young witch.
"I wish you would stop that incessant noise!"
He then hit her again with the back of his hand. Her head snapped back and the back of her head hit the wall with a sickening crack. She tried to shake of the daze as she sat back up and cried.
"How...could you?" Mandy sobbed. She struggled to pick herself up off the bed and stand. Her body wouldn't cooperate. She lurched forward and fell face down on the floor. She was able to get back up on the bed. She spit a mixture of spittle and blood at her captor.
Bane Florint just laughed, "I like you, you have spirit, too bad I have to take my leave."
He stood up and started getting dressed. Mandy watched his every move, panicked. He pulled a wooden stool to him and sat down to put on his boots. When he was finished dressing, he grabbed her ripped clothes and put them in a pile. He grabbed her wand and broke it in half and threw it on the pile.
She gasped as she saw him break her wand. Her wand was oak and unicorn hair. Her memory of her wand choosing her at Ollivander's blended quickly with her school leaving ceremony from Hogwarts not even a year ago.
"Incendio!" Bane said as her clothes and wand fragments burned in flames.
"Now, my sweet morsel, I have to go. I have much to do and I'm afraid I have no further use for you. You tasted very sweet and I want to thank you for allowing me to take your virtue." He said with a smirk and then he licked his fingers, and then tied his long stringy hair back. "I believe, for a brief moment, you even moaned like a whore."
Mandy started to cry again and pleaded with her captor, "Please let me go, I won't say anything. You can obliviate me."
"I'm sorry my dear, but it's time to die!" Bane's eyes lit up with excitement. He was starting to get aroused again.
"No! Please! I want my Mum," Mandy cried as she tried to get off the bed. She raised her hands in front of her and sobbed, frantically looking around the room, "Mummy, Daddy, help me!"
Bane started to laugh evilly.
"Avada Kadavra!"
The last thing Mandy Reynolds saw in her short, tragic, life was green- then everything went black.
