The Spy Who Came In From the Cold

By

Mystical Witch

Chapter 13: "Preparations."

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters from the Harry Potter Series. They are owned by J.K. Rowlings, Scholastic Publishing, Warner Bros, et al... If you find elements in this story that is similar to other peoples' stories, that is a coincidence.

This story is dedicated to all those men and women who serve their countries in the cause of freedom by using the ancient art of espionage and secrecy.

Kudos to everyone who can spot the Monty Python references. For there will be many.

Kate Cross leaned heavily upon Severus Snape as he helped her out of Dumbledore's office. The effects of the Veritaserum hadn't worn off and Severus knew that it would be another hour before it did. Severus felt her warm skin next to his as he placed an arm around her to steady her. She melted into him, just like she did a few days earlier. He held off asking her anything until he could get her into her chambers. Then he would get the answer to his earlier question and a few others that he was dying to know. He stopped in front of a stone statue of a woman with a water jug. "Password." he demanded.

"Upper-class twit." she said.

"I beg your pardon."

"Upper-class twit." she repeated and the door opened.

"Interesting." he observed as he helped her into her chambers. To Severus' eyes the room seem barren. A few functional items of furniture, some books (not many) in the bookshelves and a computer upon the desk. There were some items of a personal nature on top of the dresser, but nothing outside of the computer that would make it seem to be of her nature. He sat her down into a chair, and sat opposite of her. He studied her reactions for a moment then asked, "Why did you kiss me a few days ago?"

"Because I wanted to."

"Why did you want to?"

'No. I can't tell him.' She thought. Finally she answered. "Because you were there."

"I was there?" Snape didn't believe what he heard.

"I've been having trouble getting Sirius to back off. So I told him that I would kiss the first man that walked down the hall. You were first. So I kissed you." She explained. What she neglected to tell him was that she had spotted Severus before she made that offer to Sirius.

"Oh. I thought that maybe..." Severus started. Now he didn't know what to think about her. Was he the butt of a joke? "You thought it was funny?"

"What was funny? Kissing you?" she asked back trying to figure out his question.

"Exactly. Did Black put you up to the joke?" His voice was angry. He hated being made out to be a fool, especially to Sirius who along with James Potter made him the butt of their jokes.

"Sirius didn't put me up to any joke." Kate said angrily. "I've been trying to repel his advances the whole time we were in London. That man won't take no for an answer!"

Severus was dumbstruck. A woman who didn't fall all over herself for Black or Lupin! He was intrigued. "Why?"

"Why what?" Again she answered a question with a question.

Severus wondered if the Veritaserum was finally wearing off. She seemed able to ward off his question. "Why didn't you..." Did he really want to know the answer. He decided that he didn't. At least not at this time. "What did you do to finally get him to quit?"

"He didn't. Even after I threatened to castrate him. Even after I was able to get him to see his godson. That man just won't quit!" She answered.

"You threatened to castrate him?" Severus gasped.

"Actually I threatened to have him fixed." She replied.

"Fixed?"

"A procedure we Muggles do to our pets to keep them from either getting pregnant or getting another pet pregnant. In his case it would mean the total removal of the testicles." She explained. "I still have the card for the veterinarian in case I ever want to use it."

Severus roared with laughter. "I could imagine the expression on his face when you took him there."

"Oh not to the vet. I had a wonderful conversation with a dog groomer about it. Just before he was led into the back to be groomed." She corrected. Her head was beginning to stop spinning and her mind was coming out of its fog.

Severus noticed that the potion was losing its effect upon her. "Why Upper-class twit?"

"Monty Python."

A chuckle came from the usually dour Potions Master. "I thought maybe you were thinking of Sirius, but then again it maybe be a little of both?"

"Maybe." she replied. Her mind finally cleared and she felt very foolish about not only spilling the beans about previous missions, but what she said to Severus. She tried to stand up, but warbled about. "Oh...I don't feel so good."

Severus caught her and led her to the bed. "You need a good rest. Don't worry about dinner, I'll have a tray sent to you." He closed the door behind him as he left her chambers.

Sirius Black was just finishing up a letter to his godson and was on his way up to the Owlery. He was wondering what was going on during that meeting with Dumbledore and the others. Did Kate complain about his behavior towards her? His behavior was indecent and he knew it. Remus scolded him about it every time Kate left the hotel and they were alone. But the feel of her body next to his when he slipped in to her bed felt so soft, so sensual, he couldn't stop himself. He didn't watch where he was going when he bumped into Snape who had just emerged from Kate's chambers.

"Can't you watch where you are going, Black?" Severus snapped at him.

"Bloody git!" Sirius snapped back at him as he sidestepped him on his way up to the Owlery.

"Meet any nice veterinarians lately?" Severus called back at him laughing.

Sirius turned white and ran the rest of the way up the stairs.

There was more going on at Hogwarts besides the hub of anti-Voldemort activity. Hogwarts was first and foremost a school. One of the premier schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the world. And the professors who left for the summer started to return. First came the caretaker, Argus Filch returned and was brought into the small resistance groups confidence about Kate. Filch was unimpressed by her at first, but after Minerva recounted the story of how she tossed Hagrid down a corridor, he warmed to her. She promised to show him how she did it, even teach him some of the basic moves. After all, he might be in a line of fire one day and she made a mental note to get him started on some target practice with a gun or two. Magic works well for most, but can it stop a speeding bullet? Then one by one she was introduced as the new and first Guidance Councilor to each of the teachers. They plied her with what seemed to be a million questions and she silently thanked Minerva and Remus for the background that she now had. Hopefully nobody would ask her to perform any magic.

Dumbledore scheduled a staff meeting for a week before the arrival of the students. The professors and instructors sauntered into the Staff Dining Room a bit before the scheduled 11 am. As Kate entered she remembered that Remus and Sirius/Snuffles had returned to London with the intention of preparing 12 Grimmauld Place for use. The incident with the Veritaserum a week earlier unnerved her, but not to the point where she couldn't help choose the men and women to staff the Shrieking Shack and the first of what she hoped would be vans. Arthur Weasley was besides himself as he not only was told that he would get to see some Muggle equipment, but would be taught how to work with it. The other wizards and witches that were chosen were from Muggle families and some even knew how to run some of the equipment already. Even so, Dumbledore thought it best to put Arthur in charge of the Shack since he was the oldest and most experienced wizard of the group.

Kate surveyed the room, then took the only available seat, right besides Severus Snape. Now that really did make her feel uncomfortable. Severus was one of the three people who knew her secrets. She suspected that he even knew her inner most secrets. The ones that concern her feelings and thoughts. If he did, he didn't indicate to her or any one else that he did. Before either could say anything to each other, Dumbledore walked in and started the meeting.

"As you can see this year we have a new staff member. I know that you have already met them privately, but I think a formal introduction is now in order. We are still looking for a I Professor of the Dark Arts for this year. No Severus, you can't have the position. I'd have a devil of a time trying to replace our Potions Master then." Dumbledore said. The assembled group laughed nervously, since this argument had happened for the last 19 years. "We have added an additional post to the school. Guidance Councilor. A post that we have neglected for too long. Although many of our students usually get advice from their families on the direction their studies should take, a notable few have gotten either poor advice or none at all. Thus they either make wrong choices or too many choices."

Severus whispered to Kate, "Herminone Granger for one."

"...so I have hired Madam Cross. She is qualified in many subjects, psychology being the primary one. And she has devised a aptitude test to administer to the 2nd years. Hopefully there will be no more unfortunate mishaps again." Dumbledore said and motioned to Kate. "Now on to important matters. You will find a copy of the school budget in front of you." The rustling of parchments sounded through out the room. "The budget was increased so all of you will find that your salaries have increased also." A murmur of approval rang out from the staff. "A slight increase in the Potions budget was given due to the numerous mishaps with cauldrons by the students."

"Neville Longbottom to be exact." Severus again whispered into her ear.

"...and this year the school will be purchasing new brooms." Madam Hooch smiled at the thought. "We can't afford Firebolts," Dumbledore directed to Hooch. "But maybe the Nimbus 2000. I understand that these can be gotten very cheaply on the second hand market."

"Nimbus is a good choice, but are they only the school's brooms or will there be enough for new House brooms too?" Hooch asked him.

"I think we can make a deal for both since only three houses will need new brooms." Dumbledore said.

"Slytherin House already has new brooms. Nimbus 2001 to be exact, a gift from Lucius Malfoy." Snape told Kate in a whisper. There was an obvious pride in his voice.

"...in this way all the Houses should be equal more or less in broom power." Dumbledore said. "Now are there any problems that we should be aware of or you wish to bring to light?"

Various of the professors brought minor problems that they had to Dumbledore and the staffs attention. Some of the problems were resolved, others were tabled for until a further date. Finally Minerva rose, "I do have some good news. This is the last year for the Weasley twins." Kate didn't know if she felt from the group a sense of relief or joy, but for most that was the best news that they could have heard.

"The Weasley twins, Fred and George, are the worst case of practical jokers in the school." Severus told her.

"Maybe they need a little dose of their own medicine." Kate suggested to him. Severus just looked at her. "I am the one who did blow up the chem lab in school." she told him. "It takes a practical joker to cure another one."

"Finally on a good note. All of the 2nd to 7th year students will be returning this year. And the 1st year class will be bigger than normal. Many of the school outside of Britain will not be accepting new students from Britain." Dumbledore said. "So we will be accepting them."

"They're scared." Snape commented to Kate who nodded in agreement.

"...so we have prepared additional room in each of the Houses for them. There will be the usual dances for the 5th thru 7th years. Plus the end of year dance for 7th years. All activities will be allowed including the usual clubs and teams. So if there isn't anything else, then we'll adjourn except for the Heads of the Houses." Dumbledore said.

The room started to clear out and Severus told Kate privately that he would meet her at the Shack later, she nodded and left.

Finally only Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout were left. Dumbledore then handed each a list of students and parents. "I know that there is no crowding this year, but we are starting to get inquiries from parents who wish to transfer their children to Hogwarts. So far we aren't accepting any transfers, but that will probably change in the next couple of years."

For about an hour the group discussed problems that have or might arise from the rivalry that is normal to the school. Then Professor Sprout asked. "Albus, why did you hire Madam Cross? Outside of determining the classes that students should attend, why?

Minerva and Severus glanced at Dumbledore who smiled. "Madam Cross is qualified to handle problems. She is outside the House system so is accessible to all students with problems. As a qualified psychologist, she will be useful when and if a student has to be informed of problems at home (providing that the parents haven't informed the student yet)."

"Is it that bad?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"It's worse than what the papers make it out to be." Dumbledore informed him. "And I fear it will get much worse as the year progresses."

Inside an office in a ordinary building in Washington DC, sat Jonah Silver behind his desk. The day was just starting and his secretary had just brought him a cup of coffee and the morning mail. He glanced at the usual inter-office memos, notices that required just a glance and his eyes fell upon the month's expense account for Katherine Cross. He had just taken a sip of his coffee when he came upon the amount listed at the bottom of the 10th page. "$135,000.00!" He bellowed as his coffee spurted all over the place. "6 vans? Computers? Electronic equipment? Robes, Jewelry, a subscription to Hoot Owl?" It didn't calm his anger that she did explain in her last letter the rational behind all of her purchases, except the subscription. "How am I gonna explain this to the President?" He angrily gathered up his quill, selected a piece of parchment and a red envelope and started to write.
As Kate neared the end of a dank passage way under the school and out by the Shrieking Shack, she met up with Severus. "How did it go?" he asked her.

"Not bad. Just a bit longer than it should have." she answered as she watched Severus touch a particular knot in the trunk of the Whomping Willow and then the two of them passed by.

Kate entered the Shack as it now was called to see a group of wizards and witches surrounded by various electronical equipment. She knew that Dumbledore and Moody personally cleared the group, but was suspicious about working with any new group, especially one as green as this one was. She gave them the once over trying to get an idea about each one. She then gathered them together in the middle of what should have been the living room. "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen." A incoherent murmur came from the group. "Today you will start your training in Muggle technology. I hate to ask, but does any of you have any experience with Muggle technology?" A few hands shot up. "Do you understand computers?" They nodded. "Good. Then I won't have to explain the computers and just the other gadgets." She moved to a large box and reached into it. "Hand one of these to everyone. They are your text books." She handed a copy of Computers for Dummies out to each person. Then she went over to another box and lifted it. "Each of you are to take a cell phone and pass the box to the next. Don't forget to take a instruction pamphlet." She sat into a large easy chair while the group received their phones. She was hoping that this group would show a little more enthusiasm the way that Arthur Weasley had when she trained him a week before. This was the third and final group to be trained and she hoped that they would be up to the task ahead. To the long boring nights listening to conversations, to staring at a screen for 8 hours hoping to track someone. Up to the tedium of actual spying. She took a deep breath, "On the back of each phone you will find your phone number taped to it. I also preprogrammed each one with the four numbers for here in headquarters..."

It had taken Kate most of the remaining days to finally finish training the groups and start them manning the Shack. The shifts were 8 hours long with 16 hours off. She reminded them not to discuss the 'work' that was being done there outside of the Shack and headed off to a good long bath and bed. She knew that they were green and not used to this type of work, but she had no choice but to set them up. First in the Shack, then the hours will get longer with shifts pulled in the vans. She was glad than some of the Wizards and Witches did come from Muggle families and had taken the trouble to learn how to drive. One of them, a Robert Banks (Ravenclaw '85) was not only an expert driver, but an expert mechanic. He explained that his dad owned a garage and that he learned to do it there. Kate stored this in her memory, making a mental note to bump him up to chief mechanic as soon as she could.

The hot water felt wonderful as she slipped into her bath, followed by a tray that was sent to her. She always managed to miss dinner. Then she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next morning she awoke early, dressed and headed down to breakfast. The dining room was pretty empty except for Severus and Minerva who were arguing about the chances that each respective house will have for both the House and Quidditch Cups. Kate smiled and mumbled, "Morning." As she went to get a cup of coffee. The room started to fill up, each person reaching for coffee and mumbling a 'Morning' while waiting for the caffeine to hit. Breakfast appeared suddenly upon the table and each person reached for their favorite food. After a few moments a flurry of birds (mostly owls, but some eagles, and other birds) flew into the room. Letters, parcels, and various items were dropped in front of people. Kate received her copy of the 'Daily Prophet' along with a red envelope. She placed that aside.

Severus reached over and grabbed her and the letter to toss them both out of the room.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She demanded.

"That's a..." Severus started.

He never got to finish. The red envelope blew apart. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING! $135,000.000! HOOT OWL?" Severus' eyes opened wide and gave her an interesting look. The letter continued. "YOUR EXPLANATION 'BETTER' BE GOOD! JONAH SILVER."

"What the fuck was that?"

"A howler." Severus said. "If you get a red envelope, open it immediately. Or it will explode. Either way you'll get an earful."

"I see." She said her ears ringing. "You know those could come in handy. I'd love to send one or two of those to some ex-bosses of mine." She started to laugh as they re-entered the dining room. "What a way to start the day."

Author's Notes:

The story will start to take a dark turn. After all, they are up against evil. But there will be more humorous moments.

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