Chapter 7 - Strategy & Sacrifice

Harry was beside himself with worry as he paced the corridor outside the briefing room of the Auror Headquarters at the Ministry. His head buzzed with worry. There was a greedy genius at loose with god knows how many more of those fearful bombs in his possession, a pack of loyal Death Eaters who would kill one of their own with ease, an understaffed and exhausted Auror Department...and his best friend was missing.

Well not missing...as he knew exactly where he had gone but the briefing was due to start in a few minutes and he had not turned up as promised. The stupid, daft, head over heels in love nitwit! How the hell had he allowed him to leave on the eve of such an important mission. He needed his friend focused on the problem at hand if they were to try and stop this crazy wizard and running off behind everyone's back to visit his girlfriend was not the best way to prepare at the moment. He had covered for him earlier with some lame excuse of a stomach bug that made his absence believable but he could not hope to explain his disappearance for the meeting.

And what in Merlin's name was up with Hermione? He had been so relieved and happy when his two closest friends had finally gotten together after the war only to see Ron almost falling apart a few hours ago with the arrival of one darn letter. Ron was really doing well in his training and he would hate to think that it would all go up in smoke over some silly argument. He thought that they were past those days. He really hoped all was well with her and that his friend would return in a better frame of mind...

The door clanged open behind him and one of his fellow trainees poked his head out.

"Hey Potter. This thing is about to start. Is Weasley still crapping in the bloody loo? You need to get in here like soon." he informed before slamming the door shut again. Harry let loose another silent curse under his breath as he glanced down the end of the corridor one last time.

"I'll kill him. I really will this time." he muttered to himself as he turned towards the door.

His hand was on the handle when hurried footsteps broke the silence and as he looked over his shoulder the tall redhead came running at full speed down the corridor and almost ran into the closed door as he skidded to a stop next to him. Harry had never felt so relieved as he turned to his wayward friend.

"I swear your bollocks were this close to taking a permanent holiday away from the rest of your body." he swore more in jest than anything. He half expected some glib reply and a laugh in return but as he looked closely at his friend he knew that his wish of a few seconds ago was not going to happen. His face was ashen and drawn and his eyes were definitely not focused. Harry kept his hand on the door handle but made no effort to push it open.

"Hey. Are you all right? What happened? Is Hermione ok?" he asked with some concern. Ron looked away as he also reached for the door.

"Yeah she's just fine. Don't have to worry about her." he almost gritted through his teeth before he sagged a bit and closed his eyes for a second. "Come on Harry. We're late and I really don't want to talk about this." he pushed the door open and rushed inside before Harry had a chance to say another word.

As they were the last ones in the room, they sat in the back next to each other along with the rest of the trainees. The senior Aurors were all seated up front as expected but Harry could clearly make out a large map and a plan drawing of a large mansion hovering magically in front of the room. As he tried to take a better look, the head Auror appeared next to the map and drawing as he prepared to start the briefing. He glanced at his friend next to him but it was obvious that Ron did not want anyone disturbing him. His hands were clenched in front of him and he glared ahead as if Malfoy himself was giving the briefing. He debated asking a question anyway but the voice of Roberts boomed over the room and he turned to the front with a sigh.

"Ok everybody we have a lot to get through and a lot to plan and decide on so let's get started right away. I will brief you on the current situation and then...our preferred plan of action. " he glanced at the Ministry Head briefly before continuing. Harry wondered if they had not unanimously agreed on the plan of action hence the slight hesitation.

"As you all know, we have gotten some inside information on the making and deployment of the...mind bombs as Potter calls them and we have reason to believe that the information is true. Firstly, Sanderson is definitely involved and is the one responsible for making and marketing these bombs. He was spotted leaving Paris this morning but we lost him before we could make any apprehension. He cannot take a portkey without us finding out but we believe we know where he is heading." he paused to point at the map beside him.

"The most important fact we now are aware of is that Sanderson and the Death Eaters are now operating out of the old hideout of Voldemort. We never found out where he was staying during the war but we now know it's in an old mansion hidden away on the South Coast just west of Eastbourne. It appears that Voldemort wanted to keep close to France no doubt to make it easier to expand his tentacles further south..."

"Are we sure that they are currently there?" came a question from the front. The Head Auror nodded grimly.

"We sent a scouting party a few hours ago. It took them a while but they were able to pierce the concealment spells. The house is situated next to a high cliff only accessible from the front. While they could not see anyone inside they are sure that the house is occupied." he paused again to clear his throat.

"Before I brief you on the house itself, I want to let you know that we have it from the informant that there are in fact...seven more bombs ready for deployment and there are a lot larger than the one that went off in London a while ago." he had to stop as there was a sudden loud stirring among the room.

"Shite! Merlin! Seven more!" Harry thought. "This could be a real disaster for everyone if we can't stop them soon."

Harry again glanced at Ron with the news but his expression had not faltered from the time he entered the room.

"OK OK settle down." the voice in front bellowed. "I know this is not good news but it only makes this mission more important...probably more important than anything else we have encountered since the war. Sanderson is selling or has sold these bombs to a number of organizations all over the world, magical and muggle ones included, which makes it imperative we destroy them today before they get a chance to move them." the Head Auror now moved to the plan drawing of the house itself. "We can only assume than Sanderson is on the way to the mansion and that is why we have to move fast."

"So what are we waiting for? We know where it is so let's get a move on and storm the house before it's too late." Harry voiced from the back with a degree of desperation and to the general agreement with everyone else in the room.

"It's not as straightforward as you think." the Head Auror informed them loudly as he moved closer to the plan.

"Sanderson with his brilliance has made some modifications to the protective spells surrounding the house. He has managed to amplify the alarm spell to stretch in all directions just over a mile all around the house and the spell is also stronger than we have ever encountered before. It is almost impossible to break in its present form. Nothing stays in the air behind the house so we cannot fly in from behind. we cannot apparate in also as the alarm spell prevents us doing so. " he took on a look of frustration as he ran his sweaty hands through his hair.

"We have looked at and discarded all other possibilities...we cannot risk them finding us. If the alarm goes off they will have enough time to take the bombs and disappear." he finished with a defeated sigh.

"So what the hell are we going to do?" came the obvious question from the front again.

"We wait." the Auror then admitted. "We wait until they leave. We have put up some tracing spells around the house and we will have to follow everyone who leaves and try to intercept any sale of the bombs, capture the parties and get rid of those foul devices before anyone uses them." he answered solidly.

Harry stood up at once with his hand in the air.

"But that could take ages and we do not have the manpower to follow and track everyone who leaves. What if we miss someone? and what if we cannot stop them from passing on one of those things? There must be another way surely." he questioned.

The Minister of Magic sitting at the front cleared his throat as he looked meaningfully at the Head Auror. It was obvious that he was prodding the man to continue. There was a small nod between the two men before Roberts started again.

"Yes...there is another option but one that carries a great amount of...personal risk." he looked around the room as everyone waited in anticipation.

"We cannot break down the whole protection spell but we believe we can clear a narrow path through the barrier for just a few minutes affording one or two of us to reach the house." he now was pointing to the house plan.

"They will then have to break into the house and make their way undetected to the west wing where the bombs and the amplification mechanism are housed. There they will set one of our own explosive devices which will detonate on a timer and destroy all the others as well as weakening the protection spell around the house." here he hesitated with the part that obviously bothered him.

"Whoever gets to this area will have to secure themselves until we can get the barriers down completely and invade the house." he finished softly looking straight ahead this time.

A senior Auror standing on the side then raised his arm slowly.

"Just how long exactly can you hold this path through the protection spell? he asked.

"Just a few minutes. Maybe for five or six minutes maximum we think." he answered again slowly as the room bursts into noise all around. The senior Auror with his arm still raised continued with his assessment.

"Are you saying that we have to cover just over a mile in under five or six minutes to get to the house, then somehow pass undetected to get inside most probably a guarded room. Then set an explosive around seven of those mind bombs and hope it doesn't affect us. Then defend against all of the death eaters in the house until the rest of us appear? What are you really saying Roberts? I suggest you tell everyone here the bottom line." he said flatly.

Everyone in the room had no doubt what was suggested and everyone knew exactly what was the bottom line. The Head Auror stood up straight and addressed them again.

"You could not have said it clearer Andrews. This will be a mission that only one or two can be expected to accomplish...and if they do manage to accomplish the primary objective of destroying the bombs...the odds of surviving after will be very small or...not at all." he raised his eyes to the room.

"That is why we are asking for volunteers on this mission. Be clear! There is no shame in this. No one will chastise you for not volunteering. You all know the situation but we still have our original plan which is the best we could develop..." he was halted from continuing by the raising of at least three hands from the front including Andrews as well as Harry and two other trainees to his left.

The Auror scanned the room quickly.

"Sorry Potter and the others in the back. We are not accepting any volunteers from the trainees. This is just too dangerous. I know you have all the ability Harry but we cannot risk you in this I'm sorry but we have already decided." he informed them hastily.

Harry was about to explode with his objection when he felt Ron stand up next to him suddenly. He should not have been surprised but his objection fell silent as his friend addressed the front of the room in a steady loud voice.

"With all due respect Auror Roberts and to all the senior Aurors with their hands up, I am not too sure you know exactly what is required. The path to the house is not flat and smooth like the training track. It will be elevated at points and rough going some of the way. Again I mean no disrespect but to make that run in under six minutes will be almost impossible for most of you. I have the fastest time over a mile on the track and still I am not too sure I can make it. Aurors Andrews, Callaway and Elwood have not made that time on the track in years maybe if they ever have...and I do not think a few hours training will now make the difference." he paused as he took a step away from his seat and looked at the trainees as Harry started to get a really bad feeling in his stomach.

"Trainees Henderson and Ervin are younger and may have a better chance at the run but they have no combat or mission experience and sorry Harry you are just an imp. Those short legs will not get you there in time mate." he managed a small smile at him but Harry was starting to panic.

Auror Roberts and the Minister both stepped forward at the same time but the Minister spoke first.

"Ron this just too dangerous for you. The same applies to you as Harry. We cannot allow it sorry." he stated emphatically. Just as Ron was about to answer, Stevens the training supervisor stepped in.

"I agree with Weasley. There is no one here other than him who can make that run. I am sure of it. He also has the experience with Potter over the years which is a lot more than we could have hoped for. Potter is also right. The waiting plan has too many flaws and the risk of just one of those bombs finding their way into the wrong hands is just too great. I know that and so do you Minister." he finished pointedly.

Ron used the pause to continue.

"I could not live with myself if one of those things goes off somewhere and destroys hundreds of lives or maybe more and I did not try to stop it when I could." he stated fiercely. "I can do this, I know I can at least stop those wretched things from leaving that house." Harry noted with a sinking feeling that he deliberately left out the part that came after. This was crazy! His head was spinning with a way to stop Ron from his plan but he could not think of any way.

The Minister looked defeated as he looked at Ron from his own tall height.

"I know you feel you have to try Ron but you just came out of a war. You do not have to do this again. Let someone else go." the big man seemed not to care that he was somehow letting his personal feelings show.

Ron took a step away from Harry as if sensing a reaction from his next words.

"I have to try Kingsley and it has to be me. Henderson just got married before his training started and Ervin is now starting a young family. His wife is expecting in a few months. I have my family but other than that...I...I have no one else." he stuttered out the last part but managed to keep a straight face. Harry was too shocked to mutter a word.

Head Auror Roberts now made the decision.

"Right. Everyone is to report to the camp site just outside the spell barrier of the mansion in Eastbourne. Weasley you have a half hour to...see your family before preparation for your mission." he ordered gently. Ron hesitated for a brief second.

"It's ok Auror Roberts I prefer to just get this over with now. Time is of the essence you said so I'm coming right away." he said with a hint of regret in his voice as he grabbed his bag.

Harry finally found his legs and grabbed Ron's arm.

"Ron what the hell are you saying? This is crazy!" was all he could say.

"You heard him Harry. I have to do this. No one else can." Ron answered a bit too quickly.

"I..I'm not talking about that. What about Hermione? You just can't do this without thinking about her." he clarified. Ron shook his head at him.

"Who says I'm not thinking about her. God damn Harry. You of all people should know about this. We just have to do...what we have to do sometimes. Suppose one of those bombs makes its way to Australia. To that school...or any other school as a matter of fact." he hissed at Harry.

Harry knew he has just lost any foothold of an argument against this and he slumped his shoulders at the thought.

"Shit Ron. Just be careful in there. I just wish...I just wish I could come with you." he stated genuinely.

"I know mate. Just give me your invisible cloak. It should come in handy inside and make sure you get your arse inside as fast as you can. Don't want you to miss all the action would I?" he said bravely. Harry dug into his bag slowly for his cloak to delay the inevitable.

"You better wait for me you git but if you...you know...what do I tell her if..." he couldn't finish as Ron stopped him with a hand on his shoulder and a faraway look on his face. Harry felt the steady weight of their years together, a weight that he was so accustomed to slowly evaporating around them.

"Just tell her that...tell her that I was glad to see her." he said softly as he turned and strode out of the room resolutely.

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