Chapter 6: Plotting for Survival
I woke up in the morning from my nightmare in a cold sweat, struggling to hold in my screams. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get past my emotionless upbringing, and screaming was not something Malfoys did.
I went through my morning routine in a daze, struggling to stay conscious. Lucius knew where I was, and he was going to come find me. As soon as his wife let him out of the house. As loath as I was to admit it, I was going to need some help with this one. I didn't trust anyone in France enough to let them in on the secret, but I knew I would have to get past my qualms and trust at least Alex, and probably McKenna, Gen, Leandra and Gabby as well. I might add Avalon to the list, just for the heck of it, because I sensed that even though she wasn't an auror, she was intelligent and might have some ideas.
When I got to work, I wasted no time with niceties at the front desk, and was very curt toward Alex's secretary when I got to his office.
"Alex, I have a problem," I said quickly.
He focused his full attention on me. "What can I do for you?"
I took a deep breath. "Someone is looking for me. And if he finds me, he's going to kill me."
Alex looked thoughtful. "How long?"
I shrugged. "As soon as he can get away. If he thinks he has two hours, he'll slip off. It won't take him long, he knows I am here."
"How do you know this?"
"I have friends," I said simply.
Alex seemed to accept my answer, and began tapping his fingers on his desk. "You don't know when he's coming?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't need any help," I said. I sounded fairly arrogant, I admit.
Alex gave an acquiescing nod of his head. "Understood. So, what do you suggest?"
"I have no idea. The best disguise I have at the moment is my hair. He thinks I'm a blonde."
"He does?"
I nodded. "I grew up blonde. This colour is a potion-gone-wrong at school."
Alex concealed his snort behind a cough, and managed to bite enough of his lip that he covered up his smile.
"Yes, yes, it's hilarious, Alex," I snapped, colouring. "The potion was made perfectly. Believe me. There are some things you don't know about me, believe it or not."
"Oh, I believe it alright," he muttered, looking at his desk.
"I heard that. What are we going to do about Lucius?" I sniped.
"Lucius?" Alex's head snapped up. "Lucius Malfoy? He's the one looking for you?"
I swore under my breath. I hadn't meant to bring that up. "Yes. Now, what are we going to do about him? As soon as his wife lets him leave the house, he's going to come here. And we need a plan."
"You have to tell your squad."
I shook my head. "Not a chance, Alex. I don't trust them."
"Well then, what would you suggest?"
I shrugged. "The only people on my squad I sort of trust would be Gabby, Gen and Leandra."
"Good. Tell them. Is your alias compromised?"
I shrugged. "I don't know."
"Then from now on, until we catch this creep, you are Claire Renaud, graduate of Beauxbatons. Genviève is your sister, Gabby and Leandra are your cousins, and I am your husband. You speak only French. The only time you have ever been out of France was when we went on our honeymoon. You cannot be seen with McKenna, because she speaks only English. Vivian Duchesne is your new best friend. You are to keep a low profile. Stay in your cubicle, unless otherwise instructed, and you will be taking up residence in my guest bedroom. You will start taking a potion to alter your voice. It is a pity you aren't a metamorphmagus, but I don't want to risk any other potions, in case one of them changes your hair back to blonde. You are not to leave the Ministry unless you are accompanied by either myself, Gen, Gabby, Leandra or Vivian. Do you understand?"
I was fuming. "You make me sound like I can't take care of myself, Alex."
He stood up, glaring daggers at me. "You asked me for help, Mlle Boulanger. This is the way we protect people here in France. I have no doubt they do the same in England. I fully believe that you are capable of looking after yourself. These precautions are so that we don't need to put your ability to the test. The extra people are not to make you feel like a child; they are so if you are waylaid or in need of assistance and unable to request it, you have a back up. I will have McKenna print off new documents for you immediately. If I hear that you have resisted these precautions in any way, I will be most displeased, Mallory." His voice softened. "I only want you to be safe. You are a valuable asset to our Ministry, and a good person. I don't want you to go before your time."
Those words softened my anger. Maybe if Kel had had these precautions…no. I wouldn't think of that. Kel was a good auror; she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And she made the wrong friends: Us.
For the next weeks, I became Claire Renaud. It wasn't hard to speak only French, although at times it was awkward. And whenever I said the wrong thing, it made me angrier than it normally would. Lucius didn't speak French, but I had no doubt that he had contacts that did, and if I slipped up even once, he wouldn't believe my guise, and I would be dead. I kept Alex awake 'til all hours every night, practising. He began to have to call in my "relatives" for help. After that, he, Gen, Gabby and Leandra took shifts to help me with my French.
People at work, though unaware of the specifics (even Gen, Gabby and Leandra were not entirely sure of the danger I was in), knew that I was "undercover", and began calling me Claire and speaking to me in French. It wasn't hard to get used to answering to Claire. It was the same as getting used to Mallory. Even Alsatia and the other members of my squad became helpful. They began to speak to each other in civilised manners, even when they didn't have to; they became friends.
I spoke to Alex about this several times during our French sessions.
"Ils commencent à se fier,1" I said thoughtfully, remembering always not to speak in English.
"Oui, j'ai remarqué. Si une bonne chose vient de cette expérience, Claire, peut-être ce sera que votre escouade commencera finalement à se fier,2" he replied.
I nodded. "Peut-être. Mais cela sera la seule bonne chose à venir de cette situation.3"
In keeping with tradition, I began my newest letter to Remus as soon as Alex and my girlfriends declared that I no longer needed my nightly French lessons.
Dearest friend,
My life has been so busy since your last letter that I have decided to write you tonight to assure you that I still live. I am still alive, and have been preparing myself for the attack you have notified me about. I certainly appreciate you informing me of this attack, and I have taken certain measures to ensure my safety when it comes. Included in these measures is the declaration that I am not to send any letters to anyone. Including you. However, I won't tell if you don't.
I am so lost here, dear. (I dare not use your name for fear that someone intercepts this letter and learns of our correspondence. In the same fashion, I will not sign the letter, nor will I address the envelope. You should do the same, at least until I tell you that it is safe to resume doing so.) Everyone around here knows that I am in danger, and they all treat me like I am. It is fairly unnerving. However, I must end this letter now, as much as I don't want to, before I tell you something very important that no one is supposed to know.
Alex frowned at his friend across the table. "Are you sure?"
Jean-Michel nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so."
"Huh."
"You really love her that much?" Jean-Michel asked, changing the topic.
Alex nodded. "I don't even really know her. She's such a mystery, and she won't let anyone close. But I love her anyway."
Jean-Michel smiled. "Well, Mlle Boulanger doesn't know what she's got coming then…"
1 "They're starting to trust each other."
2 "Yes, I've noticed. If one good thing comes from this experience, Claire, maybe it will be that your squad will finally begin to trust each other."
3 "Maybe. But that will be the only good thing to come of this situation."