Chapter 11
Bella, Mike, and Jacob navigated the tunnels underneath the Capitol Building deftly exiting off the passageway generally crowded by Congressional pages in order to enter the tunnel, stuffed with queer people in wizarding robes, that led off to the underground Magic Department headquarters. They were surveying the area, trying to come up with a way to infiltrate the Department and complete their mission of discovering Secretary Scott's plans involving the vampire problem. Climbing down two twisting staircases led them to a grand entrance tunnel, similar to those in football stadiums, ending in a security checkpoint that registered all the visitors and employees there. That let way to a neoclassically styled lobby with marble floors and wide open congregating spaces. Spiraling staircases lined the three other walls and led to every department imaginable which clustered around the main lobby area underground.
Mike pointed up to the security checkpoint in front of him. "Secrecy sensors. You walk through there and all forms of concealment are erased. Polyjuice potion, disillusionment charms, everything." Bella and Jacob didn't know what those were yet, but figured it kept them from making any stealthy entrance. Highly inconvenient. Mike gestured towards a machine next to the sensor. "That's for weighing wands. It registers who's here and who's armed. You won't need it, obviously."
Mike explained when they reached the sensor that their business was registering his cousin as a werewolf, and an unhappy guard handed them over badges and let them walk through. "Lame excuse," Mike muttered to Jake, "but I needed to get us inside. And it's better than revealing a contact."
Bella scanned the ornate signs above each staircase passageway and found one labeled "Administration." She nodded towards it and Mike and Jacob followed her towards the staircase. It appeared to curve upwards, but as they made progress, Bella noticed it meandered sideways and downward as well, though some sort of charm on the stairs made them feel upright.
They broke into another lobby, though this one appeared less classy than the main entrance. A secretary sat behind a mahogany desk guarding the hallways to either side which led to apparently all high level officials' offices.
"Could you direct us to the minister's office?" said Jacob to the secretary quite unstealthily. Mike facepalmed.
"Why? Do you have an appointment?" She sounded rightfully skeptical.
"Um... no," said Jacob. "But I have a motorcycle!"
"Security!" called the secretary. Not a moment later the guards appeared to drag the trio out.
"That was quick," remarked Mike. "You guys have some tight drills."
The guard grunted. "We expected shenanigans with you youngsters. Every time Scott throws a party you all think you can run around like idiots. Now where are you off to?"
"Registering my cousin as a werewolf. We got a bit lost and decided to ask the secretary for help," Mike covered lamely.
"Department of Magical Creatures," he replied. The guards practically dragged Mike and Jacob down the stairs, to the entrance, and back towards the correct tunnel. It was then that Jacob looked around and noticed Bella was missing. He thought better of mentioning it aloud until he and Mike were climbing the staircase alone. "Have you seen Bella?"
"What about me?" Bella said, suddenly appearing behind them. They both jumped. "People underestimate the stealth of vampires. You know, their ceilings are fairly easy to climb on here. Minister's office is off to the right hallway, walk back to the very end and you reach a door with several windows. The blinds were drawn but there were no secrecy sensors."
The boys grinned. "So did you find out anything interesting, other than how awkward it is to get carried away like children by guards?" she remarked bitingly.
Mike and Jacob stuttered sheepishly. "We... we provided you the opportunity to discover the layout of the Administration office! That's something," Mike suggested. "Now... all we need is a plan, and I think I'm a plan man."
"Haha, rhyming!" remarked Bella sarcastically.
"Does the plan involve mindless slaughter of vampires?" Jacob said slowly.
Mike rolled his eyes. "It's more subtle than that. Bella, exactly how stealthy are vampires?"
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Thanks for the reviews, DreamerHorse, Cat, and Hufflepuff's Friend! You guys are cool. I hope everyone's enjoying the story so far!
-Ravenclaw
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