Author Note: This chapter is split in 2 parts-Hermione and Team learn of possible threats in the upcoming Quidditch Match and attempt to defuse the tensions. The second part will display the actual match and display the capacities of Hermione and team and deal with actual crisis, if any do arise.

Chapter 9: The Quidditch International Friendly (Part A-Defusing Threats)

Date: 14th May 2010

Time: Afternoon, Malfoy Manor

Hermione slumped down her chair with a weary look. The constant travelling since yesterday night was taking its toll. Ron and Draco cast a sympathetic look at her. Then Ron looked around.

Ron asked, "Didn't Luna come back with you, Mione?"

Hermione shook her head, "She wanted to have a brief chat with Dudley and Celia. She is just like me Ron, a perfectionist. I know better than to interrupt her charge. 3 of the Z staff are protecting her invisibly, if that is your concern. She should be back here in at most 20 minutes."

Even as she finished her answer, Luna entered the room and took on the identical posture beside Hermione.

"Everything all right, Luna?"

Luna nodded at Hermione "Things can be better. I am a perfectionist taskmaster and decided to demonstrate a sample of the actual training process. Despite his current status, Dudley appears hopelessly out of shape and I was cruelly hard on him, pushing and punishing him and forgetting that the actual training had not even started. As he was about to collapse, I sat him and Celia down and I explained.

"I am sorry, Dudley and Dr Celia, for my cruelty but you ought to realize that ultimately it is for your own safety. We may belong to the Magical world because of our innate ability to harness Natural Laws but we are not above them. In the battle field, you are unarmed and your only weapon is your agility. When the light from a magical spell comes into your field of vision, your brain has ½ a second to initiate a flight or fight response. The medical process of visual input-brain analysis-adrenaline release-heart pumping blood to muscles of hands and legs takes place in a flash and Dr Celia will explain the medical physiology better. Celia, please do not mind the formal pretext. It is designed to honor you because having dabbed at medicine myself-I am a magical vet in your terms-I know the effort it takes. (Celia smiled kindly) Can it be possible that this entire process be hastened? Even if we gain a fraction of a second, it is as vital as life or death. After you get the response to take flight and push yourself away from the line of fire, which you ought to judge correctly, it then takes my training to make you agile enough to escape harm. Your ability to stay fit is critical to this mission. Hermione's brilliant plan may be our only chance to take a glance at our enemy lines. If you do get injured, heartless as we seem to you now, we will take care of you and our enemies will escape unnoticed. We do not want that. Hence, please take my cruelty with a pinch of salt."

Dudley smiled, "I have a long way to go to be an asset in your plans but be rest assured, that I will try with every single bit of my life force. As for your toughness, that is exactly what I need. You are not here to be my friend. You are my teacher."

Celia then spoke, "I can train Dudley on the physic-neurological processes and he can gain a fraction of a second. You can attend these sessions, if you like."

I nodded, "I most definitely will. These will be useful for our community too. All of us are governed by science after all. Dudley, you have behind you the best brains- Athena, Hermione, Harry, myself and Dr Celia. The implementation and training of our suggestions is now your call. I will give my 800% to train you and I will take an approach that is right but may not be pleasant. Hermione, our world's most iconic brain, trusts me with your training so that in itself tells me I am good enough. I will start your training tomorrow itself."

I left with a slightly upbeat mood but we have a whole lot to achieve with Dudley in the game now. I do not falsely flatter and I easily call a spade a spade."

Hermione smiled, "That is why we nominated you as the sole trainer. Now, Ron and Draco, how far has been your progress?"

Ron replied, "I would say that we are at about 50%."

To his and Draco's surprise Hermione made a bitter expression on her face and quickly turned away to see Neville enter the room.

"Pernie (As the elf appeared, she instructed), can you please gather everybody to this room at once?"

Draco asked tentatively, "Did we say something wrong, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head, "It's all right. I am much too stressed out since yesterday. I do not wish to cruelly take you down."

"Hermione, every soul here knows you well and loves you. You can speak your heart out to us. We will never ever judge you. Please do not keep negative energy pent up in your soul. Release it, you will feel better."

"You are right, Draco. (She looked at Ron, who also nodded) Why do I need to keep quiet? I am faced with a couple of fools who need to be shown their place. What on earth is the matter with you both? Here I am, planning missions and taking Athena's and Harry's approval and keeping you both focal in my plans and now I realize that with your current competency, you are not even suitable for backroom staff, let alone frontline battle. It's back to school time for you. Narcissa and Fleur can take the positions I wanted you to take. And Neville, (Neville cowered nervously under her hard stare) are you their teacher or drinking buddy? Toughen up, punish them, and be cruel if you wish. By hook or crook, get them ready to at least be on the backroom staff. If these two can improve in the next 4 months, we take them on to the frontline, else Narcissa and Fleur, it will be. I can imagine Draco's pain, seeing his mother dodge spells and not himself. Meanwhile train with these two and practice with Narcissa and Fleur to improve your own skills. You are critical to this plan."

Neville nervously smiled, "Do not worry, Hermione. Now that I have your green light, I will be hard on them both and will ensure that they are frontline ready. Draco will have an added incentive. He can't see his mother facing his battle."

Draco fervently nodded, "Neville is absolutely right. To see my mother take on my quota of spells will be too shameful for me, both as a son and husband. If Dudley has impressed you, Luna, it is nothing compared to what I can do. I have changed my lifelong held opinions and loved a golden girl, because I could let go of my smaller self and embrace my larger personality. The same will help me master the force field now."

Hermione kindly nodded, "I sincerely wish that for you and Ron. (Looking around) Now that all of you are here (her Z squad had gathered all DA and Order of Phoenix members as well as 3rd war participants in mere 10 minutes, every person except Harry and Athena), I will share the plan Luna and I thought of enroute to Dudley and which has been agreed by Dudley, Celia, Harry, Athena and of course we both. Kindly hear out my plan completely and then we will discuss every facet."

Taking turns, Hermione and Luna shared the entire scope of their plan detailing the people involved, timelines, venues, dangers and rewards. The reaction here was identical. Apart from Athena, everyone else stood transfixed as they heard out their plan.

"So, what do you think?" Hermione asked.

Everyone gave a simultaneous nod and Ron spoke, "It is a perfect plan, Mione and Luna. We will train ourselves well to implement this."

She then dismissed them all and went to rest in her room. Draco joined her soon enough.

"How is Erwina, Draco?"

"She is just fine. She is taking a sound nap after a delicious lunch."

Hermione looked at Draco sadly, "Look honey, I am sorry for being cruel towards you. It is just that I am involved in this mission so much that I will do anything it takes to push my friends. They ought to be close to perfection by the time war starts, just like I am."

"You are always an involved person: in love, work, healing and war. That is just who you are and we all love you deeply for that. Never change that aspect about you. I ought to be concerned about myself. My wife is not just England's most important witch, she is the essence of my life and the soul of my two kids. Ron and I have deeply personal connections with you and it is obvious that you consider us to be the focal point of your plans. If we do not live up to it, it is our failure."

Hermione embraced Draco and both had a long period of dreamless refreshing sleep. By the time they got up, it was Dinner time and this meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all because of the humor shared by Fred and George. The kids also shared jokes and the adults felt wonderful. Arthur and Pansy informed her that they would inform her about their research by 12pm the next day, one day before the friendly match. Fred and George fixed 10am and Katie/Zabini-8am. Malcom had taken the 3pm slot after hearing out everyone else and adding only their own exclusive investigation.

Knowing how busy the following day was, everyone retired early and they all had a giant breakfast early at 7am with everyone in a joyful mood. By 7-50am, the living room was clear and at 8am sharp, Katie and Zabini came in.

Katie spoke, "We'll come straight to the point. Our independent talking with sources and lawmakers reveal an underlying tension and little ripples all point out to a potential death eater strike tomorrow and this will happen probably at the game climax when the attendance would be at its maximum."

In the following two hours they discussed potential Death Eater strikes across Europe especially at mass gathering events. They were however clueless on the weapon they might use.

Fred and George confirmed her initial fears that Russia was indeed under significant Death Eater control and the Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) would arrive from a Russia based flight. Even if it was a bomb (which they were not sure), the spare parts would arrive via Russia and assembled in the UK/Ireland or Iceland and brought in via the sea or one of the numerous English Canals. The weapon was probably already assembled by now and Fred felt that valuable manpower should not be wasted in searching for Russian planes but in finding out the WMD within England, starting with the Quidditch stadium and its neighborhood.

Hermione thanked Fred and George and called in Pansy and Arthur.

Arthur and Pansy spoke together, "We have plenty to report, Hermione."

Hermione nodded, "I expected no less, Pansy and Arthur. When the former minister of magic and one of the sharpest research brains come together, I expect sparks. Go on Pansy."

Pansy started out with a 2000 year magical history of mass gathering terrorism across the world and while Arthur concentrated on other mass gathering events such as funerals, swearing in or ceremonies, Pansy concentrated exclusively on Quidditch related terrorism. There were only 2 known mass casualties in Quidditch. In Germany in the year 1689, 4000 wizards and witches lost their lives when a series of 5 bombs exploded in Munich. The other major catastrophe was in Argentina, 1827 when 6000 wizards and witches died during a Quidditch world cup Final from a stampede. Apart from this rest of the casualties numbered less than 3 that included fans killing each other.

Pansy explained, "There are just 3 ways of creating a mass casualty impact: the first is with a high intensity bomb and for the most devastating impact, it has to be buried beneath the stadium. Fortunately the chemical compositions of most such WMDs are fairly common such as Ammonium Nitrate or RDX. Scanners armed with detectors can detect the glow of such chemicals situated both above aground and miles underground. A second source is several low intensity bombs exploding together and creating a mass panic resulting in a stampede. The only way to prevent that is a thorough scanning of the stadium. That is fairly easily managed. The third is far scarier. It is a nuclear attack using nuclear bombs, antimatter or anti-force. Such an attack cannot just destroy the stadium but the entire city, even considering the least amount of fissure material. The only advantage we have here is that such devices work best if exploded a 100-200 feet above ground level. If a suspicious aircraft comes in with this material, it can be stopped and turned back midair. We have enough skilled wizards and witches to collectively do that."

Malcom gave Hermione an urgent buzz to appear before this lot. Hermione permitted him and Malcom arrived before them and gave them a bow.

"I am sorry that I came in beforehand but our report corresponds with Pansy. A nuclear or antimatter attack is possible and for this threat, we have informed the UN Security council. UK and USA have jointly setup anti-nuclear technology encompassing our Quidditch venue."

Hermione smiled even as Pansy and Arthur whooped, "Brilliant, now all threats are resolved."

"I would not be rejoicing so soon, Madam. Anti-nuclear devices can stop Hydrogen and Atomic explosives but not antimatter, antigravity or other such ultra-high end technology. Another possibility which we have blocked is a sonic boom. We are at present 90% safe. Even if they drop the payload, Muggles have trained sacrificial marines who are ready to take control of stray planes and take them away from civilization before they give up their lives."

Hermione firmly shook her head, "No way! We are not asking them to make this sacrifice. We will deal with our security risk ourselves."

Malcom persisted, "Maam, you aren't getting the point. A nuclear threat is as much a Muggle Killer as it is a Wizard killer. We are not taking a favor from them, it is merely a part of protocol. In fact by informing them with time in hand, we are saving them. These marines live exceptionally good lives just knowing that their lives are short. They get 4 times the time with their family, their family members are assured employment if the serving person dies or liberal honor money, if spouse is already employed. Their children have their education sponsored at any corner of the globe from play school to post-doctorate. Impending death as a concept sucks but then this possibility faces many others, not all of whom are so privileged."

Hermione smiled, "I get it Malcom. I have also made my decision. We will continue status-quo. I have full confidence in my team. I personally think this entire thing is a hoax. In such covert missions, we would be lucky to get one consistent version and here 3 sources have confirmed me the same possibility of an attack. I think Lucas is playing with our system and having fun by wasting our resources. We are trapped in his game because we can't endanger thousands of lives. It is time to activate Code Y. 3 Z force members will guard each member and their families associated with the war. We are 66 people with family (excluding myself and I have you Z star guys but includes Dudley, family and his relatives) and 3 persons of Z squad each means 198 people. With our Z squad strength at just 200, we would be overly stretched to guard other vulnerable areas. We activate Code Y and for 24 hours, 600 Y squad members are promoted to Z quad and 2000 X squad members become part of Y squad. 3000 members each in T, U, V and W squads will serve as a backup. Anything can happen and we are not taking a chance, however flimsy evidence we may have of an actual attack. Every squad member from T-Level onwards ought to know everything that you know. Malcom, you should get the information chain going now."

Malcom nodded, gave her a smart salute and was gone. Using her telepathy skills, she once again gathered her entire alliance together and updated them on the latest findings.

"I ought to feel scared but I am enveloped with a certain degree of calm. For the first time, our enemy tactics would be publicly visible. Let us band together, guys. Harry and Athena arrive at noon tomorrow as will Aurey and Teddy and we have the entire security squad and our own survival instinct. We will think of crossing the bridge when we arrive there. Tonight, forget everything else and celebrate the fact that tomorrow, however briefly, we will all be together again."

All of them embraced and looked forward to an exciting Sunday.