Chap. 16: DOCS continued, skulduggery, and Potter Manor.
Friday, April 21, 2000
It was 4:30 PM, and close to quit time, when Harry and Daphne walked into the bullpen. Immediately, Seamus and Tracey shouted, "Attention!" Everyone quickly stood from their desks, coming to attention, and wondering what was up.
Harry and Daphne were standing in the middle of the room, just to the left of the west stairwell's door, and in line with the aisle between the desks, looking out at everyone in the room. Even Seamus and Tracey were unaware of what was coming, as everyone was now in their street clothes, except for the guards on duty.
"All right everyone," Harry said, "at ease. I just got off the phone from setting this up, and Daphne and I thought that we should tell you what was coming next week." Harry thought that he could have heard a pin drop at that moment. "You will be receiving some training that Daphne and I received stateside, as well as Seamus here, and that training will take place through the week, from Monday to Sunday. You will be learning what is known as Krav Maga."
Seamus couldn't help but snort when he saw the confused looks on many. He was going to enjoy this.
"Think that's funny, do you, Mr. Finnigan?" Daphne inquired.
"Oh, no mum, not at all," Seamus grinned, "but I will enjoy it when ya explain this trainin' to ta others!"
Daphne rolled her eyes at Seamus as she looked out, and noticed that a few must have heard of it, as they had worried looks upon their faces, but the majority looked to be totally naive. She looked at Harry, who motioned for her to continue.
"Krav Maga is offensive and defensive fighting," Daphne explained, which caused those who were naive to sigh in relief, "without a wand," and this made them tense up again. "It is taught in case you are ever disarmed. I warn you, now, that this is not just fisticuffs or boxing. No, this is street fighting, and brawling, which I just made good use of while in Jamaica." This caused several jaws to drop, so Daphne looked at Harry.
"Krav Maga," Harry explained, "is taught to some secret service personnel, and militaries in the west. It is a combination of techniques sourced from Fisticuffs, Boxing, Aikido, Wrestling, Judo, and Karate. It studies body movement, and weakness. It will teach you how to dodge curses, firearms, cudgels, and knives, as well as how to completely disarm and incapacitate your opponent, and when I say incapacitate, I mean in a very harsh and quick manner."
"Sir," Ernie Macmillan spoke up, "isn't this taught by Israel's Unit 707?"
"It was invented by the Israeli services, but MACUSA's MIA has added to that, and modified it. There will be four trainers coming in Monday morning, from the MIA, and you will be learning this over the next week, plus some. I'll get to the 'plus some' in a moment.
"What you will learn is:
"One. Simultaneous attack and defense, especially while fighting more than one opponent.
"Two. Developing physical aggression, though this is not emotional aggression or anger. It is with the view that physical aggression is the most important component in a fight. It is the cool-headed aggression that you need to win.
"Three. Continuing to strike the opponent until they are completely incapacitated.
"Four. Attacking preemptively or counterattacking as soon as possible. For instance, when Seamus says that he doesn't 'fuck around with the douchebags,' he means it.
"Five. Using any objects at hand that could be used to stop an opponent. For instance, a stone, a stick, a bottle, or even throwing dirt in their eyes.
"Six. Targeting attacks to the body's most vulnerable points, such as the eyes, neck or throat, face, solar plexus, groin, ribs, knees, feet, fingers, kidneys, liver, etc.
"Seven. Using simple and easily repeatable strikes, as well as any wandless magic that you can use to your advantage.
"Eight. Recognizing the importance of expanding your instincts while under stress.
"Lastly, nine. Maintaining your awareness of the surroundings, while dealing with the threat, in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, or objects that you could use to stop your opponent."
Several had turned as white as a sheet at this.
Harry continued, "My cousin, Dudley Dursley, whom many of you have met, will be here Wednesday, around noon, to teach you boxing skills. He trained for this through school, and believe me, he knows how to throw a punch!
"Also, you'll go out to 'the farm,' using our swimming pool, to learn how to use the Bubble-Head Charm, Gillyweed, and Snorkeling and Scuba Diving equipment, as well as how to fight an opponent in the water, and plant underwater demolition devices. At a later date, we'll be teaching offensive and defensive flying, and fighting, while on a broom.
"Last, in turn, we will teach the Yanks our skills in Bataireacht, while using a shillelagh and staff. Seamus will be leading this training next Thursday and Friday. I'd stock up on some bruise and sore muscle unguent if I were you.
"Next Saturday and Sunday will be water training before our friends go back stateside, and you will receive overtime and bonus pay for that weekend."
Many looked as if this was a death wish.
"This is meant to save your life," Daphne explained. "If you're caught in espionage activities, which is the game of intrigue, especially in a foreign country, you will be tortured for information, and possibly killed in the most brutal way, or find yourself locked up in the worst prison possible. Need I remind you of the rape culture in prisons? It's either you learn to fight, so you can escape, or take a fast acting poison to escape a fate much worse than death."
Several staggered at Daphne's words, and gulped down the bile rising in their throats.
"Even in friendly nations, including the US, their MIA will not take it easy on you, no matter if you're from here. They all know how to extract information, and that can permanently fracture your mind and body. They safeguard their nation just as we do, now, and need I remind you that they have been doing it much longer than we, and the MoM, have. Therefore, I expect you all to learn this, as Harry, Seamus, and I have. I expect you to work as hard as you can, and remember, this is about your life."
While Daphne was saying this, Harry removed a bundle of shrunken schedules from his pocket, which he enlarged with a wave of his hand, and passed them to Seamus and Tracey to hand out.
Once everyone had their pamphlet, Harry motioned for Seamus to follow him out of the bullpen.
Harry and Seamus made their way downstairs, to the cellar, and made their way outside to the orangery. They took a seat in two of the lounge chairs amidst the many plants, and Harry waved his hand casting a privacy ward.
"What's up, boss?" Seamus knew that this was important over the extra privacy.
"Seamus, I have a mission for you, and it's going to be a complicated bit of skulduggery. I'm sending you on a secret operation to Odesa, over our troublesome mob boss, as payback for Kingsley.
"Monday, while each team is receiving their training, Daph and I are going to Nurmengard to interrogate Dolohov. If it checks out, like I think it will, your mission will start Tuesday. Your training in water and demolition will be needed.
"You'll take a portkey to the wizarding quarter of Odesa, and make your way toward Chornomoretsi Beach on Pivdennosanatorskiy Lane."
"Isn't that where the Silver Serpent will be docked?" At least that's what Seamus thought was mentioned about Zabini.
"Yes," Harry stated. "There is a small port there, with the Sauvignon Yacht Club just south of the beach, which is your target area. Here, you will hide yourself behind wards, and observe. I want you to find..."
Daphne made her way back to the Director's Office, and found an owl waiting for her, which must have made its way down the west stairwell. She knew the owl, of course, as it belonged to Draco. She removed the note, and fed the Eagle Owl a treat, which it quickly engulfed, and flew out of the office. She quickly unrolled the small scroll, and read its contents.
It was from Draco, informing them that he had the information on time altering devices, and that he and Astoria would like to come by for supper, which he said that Harry had invited them to.
Daphne made her way to the floo behind their desks, and made a quick floo call to Malfoy Manor, telling Draco and Astoria to come by the farm at around 6:00 PM.
She put on her peacoat, and walked out of the office, finding Harry and Seamus emerging from the lift. Here, they said their goodbyes, and on the way out of the front of the castle, Daphne told Harry about Draco's message. From here, they walked to the fountain, and apparated to Potter Manor.
As the Potters were walking toward the Manor's front entrance, Harry pulled out his secure flip-phone, and called Blaise Zabini. It had been fourteen days since Blaise left, and even with his stop over in Monaco, he had plenty of time to make it to Odesa, and do the deal. It should have been about a seven day trip, with good seas, and a one day stop over at Monaco.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Zabini," Harry replied, "I'm wondering if everything turned out all right."
"Commander, it's good to hear from you, and yes it did."
"Where are you now? Not to pry, that is" Harry added.
"Still at the Sauvignon."
"It's time to pull up anchor," Harry replied. "It's best to be heading back before the 'party,'" Harry stressed, "that starts on Tuesday."
"It's 9:05 PM now, mate," Blaise explained, however he knew a warning when he heard one.
"If you pull up anchor in the morning," Harry inquired, "how far can you be by Tuesday evening?"
"At Monaco, er, Monte Carlo."
"Think you can make it on to Nice?"
"Of course," Blaise replied.
"That's the 'safer' bet," Harry stressed. He had more pull with the French magical authorities, as there was too much crime in Monaco, with too many oligarchs hanging around the casinos. "Head there, and we'll have you a room ready at Le Méridien. It'll be a panoramic room with a sea view. Samuel will call with the details."
"Swanky, Commander, Swanky. How long?"
"A week."
"Then what?" Blaise wondered.
"We'll send one of ours by," Harry explained, thinking of Ernie, "then it's all up to you after that. Travel, and have a bit of fun. The Caribbean is ace this time of year."
"Got it."
"Talk to you later, Mr. Zabini." Here, Harry ended the call, and flipped the phone shut.
Harry and Daphne went straight to their suite, and changed into more comfortable clothes. Harry was wearing a pair of stone-washed jeans and a Weird Sisters T-Shirt, and Daphne was wearing similar jeans, but much more form-fitting, and a loose white sweater. Once dressed, they made their way back downstairs to the media room to relax before supper.
Harry poured himself a tumbler of cognac, and Daphne a glass of wine from the mini-bar in the corner of the room. Once done, he brought them over to the sofa, which Daphne was now lying stretched out upon. Harry set her drink down on the mahogany coffee table, within close reach, and then proceeded to sit his cognac down upon the matching end table at the armrest of the sofa.
Harry gave Daphne a pointed look, wondering if he could sit, which made her snigger, while she lifted her feet to make room. Just as soon as Harry sat down, he found his lap full of Daphne's feet, pink-painted toenails and all. He knew what she had planned before he sat down.
Daphne took a sip of her wine, gave a small whinge, and wiggled her toes. Harry chortled, and began massaging her tired feet. As he did this, she picked up the remote for their stereo, and hit play for the CD player. Tonight was classical music, and she selected a Bach collection starting with Overture No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. She turned the volume low so they could talk, sighed, and made herself cozy as Harry's hands worked wonders on her feet.
At 6:00 PM sharp, the hearth of the inglenook fireplace at Potter Manor flared green, and out stepped Daphne's sister, Astoria Greengrass, along with her fiancé, Draco Malfoy, into the great hall.
Both heard Bach playing in the media room, so they began making their way there. When they were close to the door, the newly engaged duo heard Daphne purr out, "Ummmm, honey, don't stop. Oh yes, just like that!"
Astoria stopped dead in her tracks at this, and covered her mouth with her hand. Wide-eyed, she started at her fiancé, wondering if she had caught her sister "in flagrante delicto."
Draco smirked, took Astoria's hand, and pulled her on into the room. There was Harry, sitting at the end of the sofa, with his head lying back and his eyes closed, as he massaged Daphne's feet. The expression on Daphne's face, both thought, looked orgasmic. Here, Draco cleared his throat.
"Well, Harry," Draco sniggered, "I see that Daphne has you wrapped around her little finger."
Harry didn't budge, nor open his eyes, as he continued his ministration. "Nah, man," Harry said with a grin, "this is what married life is all about. She treats me like a king, and I treat her like a queen."
Astoria snorted at Harry's reply. "Well, you definitely thawed that queen out."
Daphne stuck her tongue out at her sister. "Hello sister, dear. Grab a seat, and have Draco make you a drink." Daphne said this with her eyes still closed, as Bach's Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042 started to play.
"What are you drinking, Harry?" Draco said, as he walked over to the mini-bar.
"Courvoisier XO Imperial, my good man," Harry replied, who had been humming along to the violin.
"I'll take what Daphne's having, Dragon," Astoria purred, as she sat down in the wingback chair at the head of her sister.
Draco noticed that both bottles were sitting out, and the wine was a nice, sweet, Château Coutet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux. He made them both a drink, handed the glass of wine to Astoria, and sat himself across the table toward Harry. Draco took a drink of the cognac, and it was very good. Harry was no plebeian in taste. Bloody hell, Draco thought, Harry kept well aged Bollinger on hand for fek's sake, and he was now a distiller.
Just as Draco started reaching inside his jacket, Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067, VII started to play. He fished out a shrunken stack of books, and two journals, for which he withdrew his wand and enlarged. "Harry, I have the information you requested."
Harry opened his eyes this time, and looked at the stack that Draco was holding. "Set it on the coffee table, and I'll take it into my and Daphne's office when we head to supper. If anyone is at the DOM in the morning, I'll drop it off. Your family's in the clear now."
"Father didn't have much choice, did he," Draco sniggered, "as Aunt Andromeda said that it was an order from the heads of House Black. Mother crawled all over father for that."
Harry chortled at this. "Yes, Andromeda did mention that she would tell your mother that." Here, Harry stopped the massage momentarily to take a drink of his cognac. However, Daphne wiggled her toes, letting Harry know that he wasn't finished.
Astoria couldn't help but giggle at this. "Harry, she has you so whipped." Daphne stuck her tongue out again.
"I spoke to Blaise earlier," Harry remarked.
"Did you now," Draco said with a smirk.
"Yes, he's still at Odesa," Harry explained, "but will be pulling up anchor tomorrow morning, and heading for Nice. We're putting him up there for a week before he sets sail again."
"I take it," Draco hesitantly asked, "that, er, everything was a success?"
"So, far," Harry replied, as he took the last drink of his cognac, "it's a splendid success."
Just as Bach's Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041, III started to play, Kreacher appeared, and bowed to Harry.
"My laird, supper is ready," Kreacher croaked. "Where will you be eating this afternoon?"
"I think," Daphne spoke up, as she raised herself from the sofa, "in the kitchen will be fine. It will be a good time to show Astoria around."
"That's fine with me," Harry said, as he stood, and kissed Daphne on the cheek. "I do love this piece of music, though, as I play it sometimes before a mission. I hate to miss it."
"Come on, Storie," Daphne said, "I'll show you to the kitchen." Astoria stood, and followed her sister out into the great hall.
Harry walked back to the mini-bar, and motioned for Draco to follow. Once there, Harry opened the bottle of cognac, refilled his tumbler, and topped off the one that Draco was holding. Harry leaned back against the bar, closed his eyes, and didn't open them again until the music was ending. Draco copied him, as he did like Bach quite well.
"Come on," Harry said, after taking a sip and patting Draco on the shoulder, "let's go get something to eat." He then proceeded to pick up the stack of books and journals, and made his way to the door.
Draco followed Harry out through the great hall, and over to Harry and Daphne's office beside the dining room. He waited for Harry to put the items in the safe, and followed Harry down the hall toward the side-patio, but turned right, and into a room that Harry doubted that his sister-in-law, nor his soon to be brother-in-law, had ever taken notice of while growing up.
Daphne opened the double doors leading to the back hall, and showed Astoria the butler's entrance to the dining room, as well as the study, which the Potters used for storage and Daphne's crafts. They ended up at the end of the hall, where Daphne showed her the scullery, the laundry, and the large pantry, where the second downstairs loo was located on the inside, and through the door to the right. She also pointed out the back staircase, and the entrance to the cellar. She explained that both doors on the left side of the hall led to the kitchen, and Daphne opened the one closest to the patio door, walking inside.
The entire room was painted white, except for the appliances, which had a brushed metal exterior. Just through the door was a round elegant breakfast table set for four, with fine Wedgwood bone china, and behind that was a large side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, which Astoria called the "ice box." Daphne showed her around the rest of the kitchen, and introduced her to Winky, who was just putting two loaves of bread in the oven for tomorrow. Astoria said that she always wondered how it was baked. Daphne went on to explain several of the other appliances to her sister, such as the microwave and mixer as they walked around the busy island. The island was piled high with fresh vegetables at their end, and Winky had been preparing the dough at the other. Daphne explained this as she made her way back to the table.
Before their husbands joined them, and they sat down, Daphne walked over to the counter where her newest boom box was placed. She selected another CD of Bach, which contained five three-part violin concertos consisting of BWV 1041, 1042, 1052, 1056, and 1064. She started these playing, and dropped the volume down low. Next, she walked over to the table, lighted the candles with her wand, and dimmed the light overhead, though she left the lights alone that hung over the kitchen's island for Winky and Kreacher to work.
Astoria thought that it created a very nice atmosphere, as she watched how efficient the two elves were, who were now washing dirty pots, pans, and cookers in the large sink. Well, she wouldn't say wash, exactly, as Kreacher merely snapped his fingers, and two scrub brushes began attacking the pots in the hot and soapy water. As one would be scrubbed clean and rinsed, Kreacher would levitate it over to Winky, who would dry it, and levitate it to the rack's hooks above the island, or into the cabinets overhead.
Just as Astoria was about to comment, the kitchen door opened behind them, and in walked Harry and Draco.
"Everyone hungry?" Harry asked this as he pulled out the chair closest to the door for Daphne, who took her seat.
"Yes," the other three stated at once, causing them all to chuckle.
Once everyone was seated, the elves went to work bringing a ton of food to the table. Tonight, though, was nothing fancy. It was comfort food, and some of Harry's favorites.
Winky set out a huge casserole dish of toad-in-the-hole, which consists of bangers baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. It was served with onion gravy and several vegetables, as well as a nice Merlot, chilled milk, and water. When everyone was served, they all dug into a very good meal. Dennis had outdone himself with the fresh bangers he made.
Draco cut off the end of a banger on his plate, placed it in his mouth, and began to chew. He wiped his mouth with the napkin in his lap, and looked over at Astoria. "Salazar, this is good, isn't it?"
"Yes," Astoria said, after she swallowed her first bite, "it's excellent! It reminds me of Hogwarts, and I do miss that food a lot."
"Kreacher and Winky learned all of their tricks," Daphne bragged, "as both worked in the kitchen for a few years."
"You had your own elves at school?" Astoria had to know.
"Not really," Harry replied. "I inherited Kreacher when Sirius passed, and Winky was Bartemius Crouch's elf. I put Kreacher there to watch over him, and Winky came there after Crouch Sr. passed away. Now Dobby, on the other hand, would do anything that I ask."
Draco laughed, almost choking on his supper. "Father is still pissed off about that," Draco chortled, "but I'm glad that Dobby was freed. Dinky is Dobby' son, did you know?"
"What!" Harry almost shouted.
"He's mine," Draco explained, "and father has no control of him. I'm sure that you noticed that he's taken much better care of than his poor father was. Believe me, I take very good care of him, and he, me."
"So that's why he acted protective at the gate the other day, until he learned who I was," Harry pondered.
"Oh," Draco sniggered, "you should have heard him after your visit. 'The Great Harry Potter was here; my poor father's true friend.' It pissed my father off to no end, and I'm sure that I saw Dinky smirking at him before he apparated away.
"Father's somewhat afraid of Dinky, and I have no idea why."
"I think I probably know," snorted Harry, as he stabbed another piece of banger with his fork. "Dobby hexed Lucius at Hogwarts, after I freed him. Dobby was protecting me."
"Really?" Astoria wondered. Her opinion of Dinky just grew ten-fold.
"Harry still goes once a year," Daphne explained, "when we celebrate the war veterans, and keeps Dobby's grave clean. He's buried outside Shell Cottage, where Bill and Fleur Weasley live by the sea."
"Enough of these morbid thoughts," Harry said, "as I do believe I smell treacle tart!"
Daphne shook her head at Harry's sweet tooth. He could eat an entire tart by himself.
For desert, they had Harry's favorite, treacle tart with clotted cream. However, Harry had to admit that the very well made Pecan pie, which was also set out, was a very close second. Both cured his sweet tooth for the night.
The two couples, once completely stuffed, made their way out to the great hall, where the wizards and witches split up. Daphne and Astoria made their way to the drawing room, where both enjoyed themselves playing the piano, and rehashing the gossip of the last week.
Harry and Draco made their way to the billiard room, which was located between the entrance hall and the kitchen. Here, Harry introduced Draco to a small-batch Cornish "Belgian Style Tripel" in a bottle, by Austell Brewery, as they began playing several games of billiards, and having a great laugh. While there, Draco studied the titles of the books in the bookshelves that surrounded the large room, and asked Harry about the several stuffed trophy animals that hang from the walls over the shelves. One was a Zebra, for Salazar's sake, Draco thought. Harry explained that the previous owner was into big game hunting in Africa.
At midnight, the two couples met in the great hall, and the Potters watched as the soon to be newlyweds flooed back to Malfoy Manor. Once everything was shut up for the night, Harry and Daphne made their way upstairs, and they were asleep as soon as their heads hit the silk-covered pillows on their bed.
Tomorrow was another day, and the two agents of intrigue had plans of doing nothing but resting that weekend, as things had been completely manic the entire month.
-=QE=-