A/N: Thank you to frustratedstudent, NerdLord2nd and Bjbush for following the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 10
November 12, 2015
The Wizarding Times - Diagon Alley, London
Just as the council meeting is happening in France, Percy and Marguerite Blakeney meet again in the Wizarding Times office. With a walking cane in his hand, Percy is pensive compared to his usual cover as a rich and foppish squib. "You've heard of what happened in France?"
Marguerite nods and lets out a sigh, "This changes things for everyone, Percy. We're facing an enemy that has both magical and mundane weapons at their disposal. We haven't seen something like this for centuries. The last time this happened is when the England and France were fighting the Hundred Years war. Joan of Arc had help from a few wizards, that's why she was thought a witch and burned at the stake."
"I know, Marguerite. Our last operation was a success but we're seeing more of squibs brainwashed by skewed religious teachings and hardships fighting alongside extremists." Percy's hands shake on the tip of the cane and he bites his lip. "The captured Yazidis women will probably be the stuff of my nightmares and my boggart from now on. Those," he pauses to compose himself and to prevent tears from flowing out, "monsters have created a loophole in the verses of the Koran and turned women into chattel."
He takes a deep breath and looks up to the stars, the charmed window glass clearing up the clouds and light pollution of London so they can see the countless dots of light sprinkling the night sky. "I've walked in both worlds as you also have, my love. I just realized that even magic has its limits. For each one that I am able to save as the Scarlet Pimpernel, twenty more are still suffering the same fate from yesterday."
"But that's why we try to save as many as we can. If you or I lose resolve, then no one is going to help." Marguerite replies, hugging her husband's side, "how did my charm work hold up with the Pimpernel attire?"
"Perfectly, I got in and out the compound, disabled the guards and made everyone who's not a magical think that I'm a group of twenty soldiers. After that, we got them to safety aboard Armand's Chinook and then off to safer areas. By the way, Armand is still annoyed that you charmed his Chinook to fly on your magic instead of the engine. You really do some heavy duty stuff." Percy remarks and then he cups his wife's chin with his right hand and kisses her softly.
"And that left me in magical exhaustion for a week in St. Mungos. I'm still sure my squib brother is grateful for not being subject to anti-aircraft fire. Up to all these years, I'm still in awe that you don't feel offended by being called a squib." Marguerite remarks as she rests her head on his shoulders. Both of them are still standing and enjoying the calm night above them.
"I wear it like a badge of pride, that's why. For one thing, I made my riches in the mundane and the wizarding world without the gift of magic. Second, I can play as much Sid Meier games as I want without my laptop fizzling out on me. And after buying the Knight Bus, travelling has been better for squibs like me without the dizzing trip and we now drive in style because the interiors were done by squibs from Rolls Royce. We can thank the valiant warriors at the Battle of Hogwarts for the opportunity squibs like me enjoy today." Percy exclaims to his wife, a wisp of a smile on the corner of his lips.
Two raven patronuses fly in front of them. "I should have known. Louis and Apolline are up to their schemes again aren't they?" Percy inquires even if he's sure of his wife's answer.
"Pretty much that case Percy, now hush, we need to know what they need." Marguerite replies as they listen in.
"Marguerite, I'm sure you've heard of the scuffle we had in Parc de la Vilette." Apolline opens, "At this moment, we're in the middle of a meeting with the Enjolrases and their friends, with the Potters and the Weasleys. It seems the transaction we've intercepted has weapons we have never encountered before. We'd like to ask for your help to gather more information about it, Marguerite."
Louis' voice comes out of the second patronus and he says, "I'm not sure but I think we'll also need you to contact the Scarlet Pimpernel. We've received reports of him doing rescue missions in the warzones for those captive Yazidi women. We'd all like his help to be honest. We'll see you in our usual haunt, even if you hate the logo of the damned dog inside the piano the owners placed. It can be obnoxious on the eyes after all."
The two patronuses disappeared and Percy shakes his head. "Shall I accompany you as my good old alter ego?"
"No need. Just come with me to Paris tomorrow. How are the men of the League by the way?" Marguerite suggests and Percy answers, "They're pleased with the progress. I told them to just keep preparing for shelter and psychological treatment for the ones we've rescued. I'm told that even the queen herself is pleased. We might as well continue with it."
"Good to know. Get ready for tomorrow." Marguerite whispers, as she stares lovingly into her husband's eyes.
"I have you with me. It's all I need really."
"That was corny."
"But definitely true," Percy retorts and kisses his wife fully for the new task ahead.
November 13, 2015
Rue d'Or café, Rue de la Magie
Louis and Apolline Delacour sit down inside of the café on the very corner of the room. With two cups of coffee for them and two cups of tea of Marguerite and the Scarlet Pimpernel waiting for them, Apolline lets a smile leave her lips. "Having Marguerite St. Just-Blakeney on our side should be best. I wonder about that Scarlet Pimpernel person doing ops in the warzone, he's been a bit of good help and we could use him on our side as well."
Louis' reply dies as he sees two people coming towards them. Marguerite and her foppish husband, who is currently straightening imaginary creases on his suit, are walking towards the Delacours.
"This is one of those days, isn't it Apolline." Louis remarks and shakes his head in frustration.
Apolline places a comforting hand on his shoulder and nods, signaling with a twirl of her finger to the nearby server to have another cup of tea ready.
The Blakeneys arrive just as the extra cup of tea arrives. "Pleasant morning to the two of you then," Percy greets them in a jovial tone and sits down beside Marguerite.
"Morning to you and Marguerite, Percy Blakeney," Apolline greets him back, while her smile lowers to a pleasant one. "I was under the impression that you would be with the Scarlet Pimpernel today."
"He's in another mission behind enemy lines, Apolline, but my husband is really my contact for the Scarlet Pimpernel."Marguerite remarks and sips her tea, "excellent tea by the way."
"I'll let them know. Now Percy, we would just like to ask if the Scarlet Pimpernel has any intel for us. We're only at speculation on where the enemy's leader is coming from. We'll need his expertise to trace the persons responsible for these magical weaponry and equipment getting into extremist hands." Louis explains and takes his own sip of coffee. Three lumps of sugar and a hint of cream, just the way he likes it.
Apolline finishes her sip of pure black coffee and adds, "And we'd like to offer you a place in our own Privy Council. If the Scarlet Pimpernel was here as well, we'd like him in our team. Eponine Enjolras leads the operations there when there are missions to be had."
"You really called it the Privy Council? So Eponine Enjolras is the queen now? Horrible idea considering your country chopped off Marie Antoinette's head." Percy retorts, finishing his cup of tea quickly while taking care to not spill any on his suit.
"It was their idea. I suppose it will be temporary in nature. I can't imagine us being subject to royalty, unlike you." Louis refutes, "We still don't have a codename for the entire thing because this isn't exactly above board."
"As long as it isn't called the Privy council, I think the Scarlet Pimpernel wouldn't be opposed to keep his mouth shut. Please tell him that Percy." Marguerite acknowledges and looks meaningfully at Percy.
After letting out a sigh, Percy replies, "I'll tell him that. Anyway, he also told me to tell you guys to start working on some toys so ops won't be as horrible as the last one. Anyway, my wife and I must be off, we're headed to Le Meurice." Percy offers his hand to Marguerite and she takes it, leaving some galleons to pay for their drinks.
She transfigures her robes into a black backless cocktail dress with white lace on the sides of the back opening and a pattern of off-white swirls to form something that would remind someone of wings. "Au revoir Louis et Apolline Delacour, merci beaucoup pur le thé." Giving their hosts a wave, they exit with the attention of most of the patrons of Rue d'Or café staring at their leaving.
Once outside, Percy helps her into their waiting magical limo and they head off to the restaurant. "You really shouldn't have been that obnoxious, but given the seriousness of their request, will you help them?" Marguerite asks her husband while feeling amused and annoyed at him at the same time.
"I will help them, but I cannot trust them to keep my identity safe as of now." Percy replies and they head off to enjoy the night.
In the café however, Louis and Apolline stay at their table to discuss. "Annoyances aside, what will be the official name of our team?"
"Privy Council is worth a laugh but really unworkable, we are French after all. How about we give them the project name S.M.A.R.T. which means Specialized Magical Response Team?" Louis suggests, taking a sip of coffee and emptying the cup.
"I would love to use that if the British didn't already used that in their Mysteries division for their own strike team during the first Voldemort uprising." Apolline shakes off the idea and takes a quick bite off her caesar salad that she recently ordered.
Louis ponders on it for a moment and then reaches an idea. "Well there is this one name on the tip of my tongue. Since our last project started with the letter K, I think it's time to have the team go under L. They will be known as the Lethifold Division of the Department of Mysteries and Research. Odin would probably like it too Muninn."
"That he will, Huginn. We'd better go and update the team. I think the name change is necessary since our English rogue agents came into the group as well." Apolline acknowledges and changes her robes into a form-hugging purple sleeveless bodycon dress that covers her thighs an inch above her knee.
"You've got to love being me," Louis whispers to his wife as he places an arm on Apolline's side and holds her possessively for everyone else to see on their way out. Apolline kisses his cheek and retorts, "you're lucky I like smart and handsome men." They head on home and plan ahead with newly christened Lethifold Division.