Chap. 18: MIA arrival at DOCS, the Potter's arrival in Switzerland, hotel check-in, Nurmengard, the Schilthorn, and back at Hotel Eiger.
Monday, April 24, 2000
Harry, Daphne, Seamus, and Tracey were standing on the front steps of the DOCS HQ at 7:30 AM, awaiting the arrival of the four MIA officers from the US. Seamus and Tracey were in uniform, but Harry and Daphne were wearing travel clothes.
"They should be here within the minute," Harry said, as he looked at his Omega Seamaster wristwatch.
Just as Harry pulled the cuffs of his shirt and sweater down over his watch, a portkey's portal opened over the castle's courtyard. Four burly wizards, who looked to be in their late twenties, and were shouldering black duffel bags, seemed to walk down an invisible staircase to an area beside the fountain. Here, the two DOCS directors and captains walked down the remaining steps to greet the four newcomers.
"I am Commander Harry Potter," Harry said, while holding out his hand to the wizard closest to him, "the Director of International Operations at DOCS, and this is my wife, Daphne Potter, the Director of National Operations. Along with us are Captains Finnigan and Davis, who manage the two operations under us."
"It's good to meet you, Commander Potter," the wizard said. "I am Case Officer William Johnson, the lead trainer, and the officer to my left is Case Officer Benjamin Bailey. The wizard just behind me, and to the left, is Case Officer Stephen McDowell, and to the right of him is Case Officer James McKnight."
At this, the handshakes and introductions went around. Tracey was somewhat surprised, thinking that the case officers might not think her up to it over being female, but she found that they paid that no heed, and spoke with her and Daphne as equals. Some of the things that she'd heard about the Yanks were total bollocks, she found out, and all four of these gentlemen, as well as David Graves, made her respect for them grow more and more.
As the four Yanks took a good look around after the introductions, they noticed that this was, indeed, a castle, which also had a working moat around it. Here, CO Johnson let out a long whistle, and spoke in a southern accent that Tracey had heard in Georgia back stateside. "Some digs y'all have for an HQ! Graves wasn't kiddin' about it being a grand old castle, with connections to one of your kings."
"Thank you," Daphne replied. "We hope that you enjoy your stay, and yes, this castle was once a hunting lodge for King John, as well as it once being the home of the Wedgwood family, who makes Staffordshire pottery, or dinnerware.
"Now, let's get you settled," Daphne finished, as she motioned toward the castle, "and get you lot some nosh from the kitchen."
The six wizards, and two witches, made their way up the steps, and through the entry doors, where Harry had to whisper the password to the guards. They both saluted, and opened the doors to the entry hall.
"Graves told us about what happened with Minister Shacklebolt," CO Johnson remarked, "and that he and his wife are holding up here until the perp is caught. We'll do our best to not be in their way, and we'll help protect them."
"Thank you," Harry replied. "Gentlemen, you can drop your bags here, in the hall for the time being, and if you will, follow us to the dining hall, and we'll get you fed and watered up after your trip."
The four case officers relieved themselves of their bags, and followed the four DOCS officers through the drawing room, which had them staring at the oak paneled walls, the antique Victorian furniture, and the suit of armor and portraits. When they walked into the dining hall, they were taken back by the grandeur.
"Reminds one of Lara Croft's manor," CO Bailey commented, "doesn't it?"
That got a laugh out of all of the Yanks, as they had played the Tomb Raider video game, and had seen some still photos, and a preview, from the upcoming movie about it.
"A Lara Croft movie is supposed to be out next year," Tracey remarked, as she took a seat by Seamus, "and I'm looking forward to watching it."
Tracey and Seamus made them a cuppa, but Harry noticed that no coffee was there.
"Kreacher!"
Kreacher appeared in front of Harry with a light pop, and bowed. "What can Kreacher be getting for Sir Harry?"
"Kreacher, our Yankee friends are here to start the training exercises today, and they will be with us until Sunday. Please make sure that they have everything that they need, and if you could, old friend, bring them up two carafe's of coffee."
"Kreacher lives to serve the Houses of Potter and Black my Laird. Kreacher will be back shortly." Here, Kreacher snapped his fingers, and disappeared with a small pop.
"We don't see many house elves around the states; only at MACUSA," CO Johnson remarked. "We do have plenty of pukwudgies and goblins, though."
"Kreacher came to me when my godfather passed," Harry explained, as he checked his watch, "and not only did we become good friends, he led the house elves during the Battle of Hogwarts. He is one of only two elves to ever be awarded an Order of Merlin."
All four of the MIA officers eyebrows shot up at this, and their respect for the ancient-looking elf soared.
"Everyone," Harry continued, "Daphne and I hate to leave good company this soon, but we need to collect our bags for our portkey trip at 8:00. Call for Kreacher if you need anything while we're gone, or ask Seamus and Tracey."
Here, Harry and Daphne stood, just as Kreacher appeared with the coffee, and told them that breakfast would be there shortly.
CO Johnson reached out and shook Harry's hand. "Having to head off so soon, Commander?"
"Afraid so," Harry replied. "We're off to Switzerland, and then on to Austria for a Nurmengard visit over an investigation, but we'll be back by noon tomorrow, we hope. We'll be seeing you all then." Harry shook the other three CO's hands, and made for the door. "Oh, one last thing; don't take it easy on them, as they need to learn to fight. Teach them the same things that you did Seamus, Daphne, and I."
"Will do, Commander Potter," CO Johnson said with a grin.
"Seamus, Tracey," Daphne said, before she followed Harry out, "hold the fort down, will you, and have these four settled into their rooms. If they need anything, make sure they get it."
"Aye Boss," Seamus said with a toast of his teacup.
"Will do, Director," Tracey replied with a grin, as she waved off her oldest friend.
"I should have known that something was up," CO McDowell remarked, "as neither were in uniform, nor wearing dress suits. Those were jeans and sweaters, with hiking boots, made to blend in with the muggle crowd. Where are they heading to first did he say?"
"Mürren, Switzerland," Seamus answered, "which is not far from Grindelwald. It's all one huge ski resort just outside Interlaken. They're booked at the Hotel Eiger, then they'll apparate into Austria before noon today, do their visit at Nurmengard, and then stay the night back at Mürren. Two Galleons says that Harry reserved the James Bond suite!"
"I booked their room, Seamus," Tracey snorted, "and yes, that is the one that Harry had me to reserve for him. I think it has a view of the Eiger from the window."
"Classy," CO McKnight remarked after he whistled. "That'll run about a hundred and fifty dragots, or three-hundred US bucks, for the night! Going to the Schilthorn too?"
Tracey nodded with a grin. She always thought that she would like to have her honeymoon there, once she found her a man. At this, she slyly looked at Seamus. Seamus was a little brash, and liked to fight, but he was "one of them," had bollocks of iron, and loved to blow things up. She really did like those qualities in a man!
"The Eiger Sanction is one of my favorite movies," CO McKnight said, "and, funnily enough, Eastwood played one of us, but that was supposedly when Op. 40 was still running, which has now changed names several times. I've always wanted to go there, and maybe give the north face a try myself."
"McKnight is our resident climber, and thrill seeker," CO Johnson explained, giving a chortle.
"Ta Boss and Daphne's no' been on a real honeymoon yet, per se," Seamus explained, "so, I imagine tha' Harry wants ta show her a good time. They're always working, especially with our recent Russian mob problem."
"Yea," CO Johnson scowled, "we know all about that problem all right. Just fired a compromised case officer over them down in Miami. Caught the sparrow he was working with, too! We did a snatch and grab on her, dropped a portkey on her, and sent her packin' back to Ukraine."
Seamus knew what that was about, and kept his lips locked. He'd make sure to tell Harry and Daphne that they apprehended Jill.
While the others were discussing what the Potters may do on their trip, Harry and Daphne collected their backpacks from their office, strapped them on, and made their way outside to the apparation and portkey area that they had just came from. Harry handed his wife the end of a piece of rope, which the DOCS always used for portkeys, at 7:59 AM, and grinned.
"Ready Daph?"
"Why, yes my darling husband," Daphne replied. "Let's get this operation rolling, as I want to do some sightseeing once we're finished with Dolohov." Daphne was glad to be going, as she and Harry didn't go on many missions together. Tonight, though, she had plans on making full use of their suite. Harry refused to tell her what kind of a suite it was, just saying that it was a surprise, and that it would be extra nice.
Just as the last word left her mouth, they both felt a pull behind their navels, and were pulled up into the swirling portal that opened over the courtyard.
At 9:01 AM, over the time difference, Harry and Daphne walked out from behind a warded copse of fir trees, which were used by arriving wizard tourists for apparation and portkeys. They were close to, and just behind, the Alpines Sportzentrum. From here, they made their way down the slight slope to the street.
There was about three inches of scattered snow on the ground, but the streets were dry. By the time their feet hit the street, they found that the temperature was a little too cold for their liking, so Harry waved his hand and cast warming charms on he and his wife. Next, they decided to purchase a couple of ski jackets and scarves at the nearest ski supply, which they started to look for. At least both thought to wear a pair of new hiking boots.
When they walked to the front of the Sportzentrum, they asked some French tourists where the nearest ski shop was, and they were pointed to the Sportzentrum itself, and to just up the street at Alfred's Sporthaus, which was across from the curling sheet. They were also told about the Intersport Stäger Sport Chalet Enzian, which was located on a street lower than them.
At Alfred's, the Potters bought two matching black ski jackets, two gray hoodies and wool scarves with the Mürren logo, two grey toboggan caps, and a pair of sunglasses each. They wore the jackets, scarves, and ski toboggans out of the store, and made their way north, toward the rail station and the Hotel Eiger, to check in.
On the way, Daphne pointed to the east, up the valley toward the Jungfraujoch, at the Bernese Alps peaks of the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. During the walk, Daphne told Harry about Mt. Titlis, which was located around Engelberg, and explained why it was named that. Both had a good laugh out of it.
"Well Daph, when you're cold, you're definitely not that! Also, one could still call you my Jungfrau, too!"
"That's it, Potter," Daphne grinned, as she grabbed her and handful of snow, making a snowball. "I suggest you run!"
Harry, who belted out a huge laugh, tried to dodge it, but she caught him on the shoulder. When a grinning Harry rushed her, she squealed, and tried to walk backwards, but he caught her, and lifted her up into the air, until they were nose to nose, where he gave her a long hot kiss.
"Jungfrau you are, my dear," Harry whispered, "and a very beautiful one at that!"
Daphne kissed him again, hard.
When Harry and Daphne walked up to the reception desk, they were glad that they wore translation rings, which they kept several cases of. The multi-language ring cases held numerous sets of two, and they allowed the wearer to translate, and speak, in the language of the rings selected. In this case, Harry and Daphne were wearing the rings for the German language, which was close as they had to Swiss German. The main two languages in the area were German and English.
The receptionist kindly looked up at Harry. "Guten Morgen! Wie kann ich dir helfen?" (For translation, see the AN section.)
"Guten Tag Ihnen. Mein Name ist Kommandant Black," Harry replied, "und ich habe eine Reservierung für zwei für die Nacht.
The receptionist put Harry's name into the computer, and saw that the room was already paid for, so she handed him two room key cards.
"Genießen Sie Ihren Aufenthalt Kommandant Black. Ihre Suite befindet sich im neuen Bereich. Folgen Sie also den Schildern in den ersten Stock.
"Möchten Sie, dass der Zimmerservice den Champagner jetzt mitbringt?"
"Nein," Harry said, "warte. Ich werde eine Flasche Dom Perignon bestellen, die beste, die Sie haben, mit Mittagessen am Mittag."
"Wir werden, Kommandant."
Next, Harry and Daphne made their way past the spa, and to their room at the Residence Eiger, which was the new construction to the hotel at the south end, where he unlocked the door, and stood back to let Daphne enter first.
"Harry! You didn't!" Daphne was looking around with huge eyes at their suite.
Harry belted out a laugh, as he closed the door behind him. "Like it?"
"007 Harry?"
"Yes," Harry grinned, "this is the James Bond suite. It's very seventy-ish. Open the door to the bedroom and have a look."
Daphne did, and held her hand up to her mouth, as she took everything in. "A Leopard print duvet, and are those gold-plated Beretta pistol lamps?"
"Yup!" Harry was getting a kick out of his wife.
"Who's the photo of over the bed?"
"Oh, that's 'Honey Ryder,'" Harry said, as he wiggled his eyebrows at her, but at Daphne's scowl, he quickly changed his tune. "Er, Ursula Andress, remember? She's lying on the beach down at Goldeneye, close to the falls."
"And?"
"Oh," Harry said, taking backwater, "you look much better in a bikini, my darling wife! No one does it better!"
As a smirking Daphne dropped her backpack off, and went to examine the bath, Harry began whistling the tune for 'Underneath The Mango Tree,' as he made his way out to the sitting room.
Daphne could hear him, of course, and chortled. Harry could remember all those minute details, and that was only one of the little things that she cherished about him. He always made her laugh, and he always surprised her.
Surprise her he did, with the bath in the room, as the wall in front of the tub was solid glass, which looked out into the sitting room, where one had a view of the valley and mountains that she had just named on the way there.
She also noticed that Harry had removed his jacket, and was putting on his shoulder holster, which held the same 9 mm Beretta that was depicted in the lamps, though Harry's Beretta, and her Walther PPK, were blue steel.
Daphne walked out of the bath, and into the sitting room to take it all in. The first thing that she noticed, sitting on the table beside the sofa, was a red dial telephone. It was the phone depicted in the movies, which led to 'M.' Under the telly was a sign that said Bond 50/50, and the two-chaired, round, dining table depicting the inside of a rifled barrel, around the circumference, with James Bond, in a black silhouette, holding a pistol in the air, in the middle. Whoever created the rooms did a good job, Daphne thought. She also thought about sitting on the balcony, bundled up nice and warm, and having a glass of champagne when they came back.
"Ready to go, dear?" Harry was just putting his jacket back on. It was now 10:15 AM, and they had to get a move on. He was serious, and without a trace of his comical nature being present. Now, he was all business, as he held his hand out to his wife.
"Yes," Daphne sighed, as she didn't look forward to seeing the prison, either. She took hold of Harry's forearm, tightly, as he would side-along apparate them to the gate at Nurmengard. When she was ready, Harry turned on his heel, and they disapparated with a slight pop.
The first thing that Daphne noticed, was that they were standing in a gravel road, surrounded by fir trees, and there was a light snow on the ground in places. Their path was blocked by a red and white gate beam across the road, and there was a guard shack to the left, which had smoke coming from a small chimney at the rear. She could also feel the strong wards nearby, which would give one a splitting migraine, if they weren't used to them.
Harry took out a Punch cigar from his pocket, bit off the tip, and lit it with a gold lighter from his pocket. He blew out his first puff of smoke, sighed, and took Daphne's hand in his.
"Well," Harry said, "there's no use waiting around, as much as I'd love to not be here. I truly despise this place. Come on."
Harry walked up to the window, and it was quickly slid open by the guard sitting inside.
"Name?"
"Mein Name ist Kommandant Harry Potter und das ist meine Frau Daphne Potter. Wir sind die Nationaldirektoren der Abteilung für Geheimdienste des Britischen Zaubereiministeriums und haben für heute einen Termin, um den Aufseher und Antonin Dolohov zu sehen. Es ist Teil einer Untersuchung des Ministeriums."
"Identifizierung."
Harry reached into his pocket, and pulled out his MoM ID, and handed it to the guard, as well as did Daphne hers. The guard looked both IDs over, and Daphne noticed the guard glance up at Harry's forehead, which caused him to look temporarily stunned, before he handed back the IDs to the two operatives.
"Bitte melden Sie sich an, um fortzufahren."
Harry and Daphne signed the visitors log, and the guard pushed a button, unlocking the walk-through gate. Harry took Daphne's hand, and they started walking up a curving gravel road, lined with tall firs on either side. When they walked about one hundred yards, the trees opened into a clearing, and before them stood the tall concrete walls of Nurmengard. They both noticed where gun and spell fire had hit the concrete in places dating back to 1945.
The two British intel officers made their way on, and walked though the door at the visitors entrance. Here, they were met by the warden, Helmut Gardener.
"Sir Harry and Lady Potter, welcome," Gardener said, as he shook both of their hands. "I take it that you would like to interrogate Mr. Dolohov today?"
"Yes," Harry replied. "It's tied to an investigation that we have going into a Ukrainian mob boss named Anatoli Shevchenko. We have reason to believe that he visited Dolohov recently, which was the cause of a great amount of trouble for us back in Britain."
"Shevchenko was here, Sir Harry, not long back," Gardener replied, "and he did visit Dolohov. We've been suspecting a partnership of some kind, because Shevchenko has been putting money into Dolohov's prison account for things such as cigarettes, etc. He tried to launder it through other people, but we caught on very quickly."
"Is that so," muttered Daphne.
"Yes," Gardener said, "it's a bad business, but as long as Shevchenko has no outstanding legal troubles, we can't stop it as of now. He's an oligarch, with plenty of money, and that talks in Kiev. I would need an order from Minister Shacklebolt to stop it.
"If you will," Gardener continued, "follow me to my office, and the guards will take you to the interrogation room. You can leave your wands, and any arms, in my office."
Harry and Daphne followed the warden into the dimly lighted concrete monstrosity, which Grindelwald had created with looted WWII money, from the German, Polish, and Austrian wizards that he considered "dissidents." They went up a set of concrete stairs, and made a right into the wardens office, where the two handed over their wands, and two semi-automatic pistols.
Harry and Daphne were sitting in an interrogation room, about twelve feet square, which held a single wooden table in the middle, with two chairs for them, and one for the convict. The only light in the room came from a shaded lamp, which hang from a cord over the table. The Potters knew that they were being watched by the guards, via the mirrored glass window behind them. They seemed to not trust him, even after handing them the interrogation order signed by the full NSC, and handing over their weapons.
After a couple of minutes, the door opened, and they practically dragged a struggling Dolohov in. As soon as Antonin saw Harry, he began to curse in his native tongue, but that didn't stop the guards from shackling him to the iron pipe that ran across the table, and shoving him down onto the chair's seat.
Harry sat there for a bit, with his arms folded in front of him, and hatefully stared at Dolohov, then snorted. "Well, well, look what we have here, another dirty fuckin' maggot."
"Fuck you, Potter!" Dolohov growled, then spat at Harry. His eyes widened, though, when the spittle stopped mid way, and hung in mid air, only to reverse, and hit Dolohov in the left eye. This really upset him, because the Potter heir didn't use a wand. Hell, he didn't as much as lift a finger, nor did the Greengrass girl or the guards!
"I told you that he was a vile and greasy maggot, didn't I Daph? Look at him," Harry commented nonchalantly, "and remember him as the pathetic and vulgar worm that he is.
"You know, Antonin," Harry continued, as he casually looked over the nails on his right hand, "I should have slit your throat, when I had the chance back at that restaurant in London. If a lady hadn't been witness to it, which was the same witch you cursed, I would have. Believe me, I could use the cutting curse very well back then." Next, Harry stared at, and spoke very coldly to Dolohov. "I can do it wandlessly, and silently, now. Something that your sniveling master could never do." Next, Harry leaned forward, and whispered, "I could snuff out your life in the blink of an eye, right now, and nobody would give a damn, nor could they stop me."
"FUCK YOU, you dirty mudblood," Dolohov screamed, and tried to lurch at Harry, only to be stopped by his shackles. The guards grabbed him by the shoulders, and forced him back in his chair, then stepped back toward the far wall.
Harry gave Dolohov a huge sharky grin, full of teeth, and quickly waved his hand. The table broke loose from its rusty mounts anchoring it to the floor, then rammed into Dolohov, taking him, screechingly, with it, back into the far wall, where it slammed into him like a giant wooden guillotine.
With another wave of Harry's hand, he froze the two guards in their tracks, and with one last wave, while Dolohov was trying to catch the breath back that the table knocked out of him, his cuffs came loose, and he was violently pulled up into the air, by his neck, as if two invisible hands had reached down, and snatched him up to strangle him. His legs were kicking uselessly under him, as he grasped at his own neck, trying to relieve the pressure, while his eyes bulged out, silently, and in horror, staring at Harry.
"If you ever say the word, mudblood, around Daphne or I again, or even make one insulting comment," Harry coldly growled, ignoring Daphne's very worried look, "I'll snap your head off your neck like it was a fuckin' match head, take a dump down your throat, and wipe my arse with your tongue."
Now, Dolohov knew fear, as he was becoming light headed, and couldn't swallow or breathe well. He didn't know that Harry Potter was that powerful and advanced.
"I'm not afraid of you, Dolohov," Harry coldly stated, "nor your mangy mafia thugs. If things keep going the way they are, they'll be joining you here, if they're not put into a pine box first."
Harry waved his hand, again, and Dolohov's arms were pinned to the wall, looking as if he was being crucified. With a final wave, Harry forced the murderer's mouth open.
"Put the Veritaserum in his mouth, Daphne," Harry said, but in a very calm and nice manner this time. "I'll let him down as quick as it takes effect."
Daphne was disturbed by this, even though she knew that Harry could be cold as ice, and use wandless magic on a whim. Now she knew just how much he hated Dolohov, and it was all over what he did to Remus. She dragged a chair over, stood on the seat, and dropped two drops of Veritaserum onto his tongue, then climbed down, and sat back beside Harry. Her husband had a cold hatred boiling off him now, and this was something that she didn't like to witness. Even though she could be ruthless at times, she was never as cold as this version of Harry.
When Harry noticed Dolohov's eyes glass over, and when his face became vacant, he twitched his finger, and let the murderer drop like a stone to the concrete floor, where he heaved, wheezed, and coughed for breath. Next, he unfroze the two guards, who were highly upset about what occurred, but too afraid of Harry to do anything about it.
"Put him back in his chair, gentlemen." Harry was not playing nice anymore.
Once the table was put back, and they practically dragged a half-limp Dolohov back to his chair, Harry produced a mugshot of Anatoli Shevchenko, and held it ready to shove in front of Dolohov's face.
"Mr. Dolohov," Harry said, "state your entire name."
"Antonin Alexander Dolohov."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"Did you willingly commit treasonous acts, against the British Wizarding Government, with the terrorist known as Voldemort, AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle?"
"Yes."
"Did you murder Remus John Lupin?"
"Yes," Dolohov said, though he tried to fight it.
"Did you attempt to murder Hermione Jean Granger?"
"Yes."
"Did you willingly rape a twelve year old muggle-born girl by the name Cynthia Borland, then murder her upon the orders of Voldemort?"
"Yes."
"Tell us, Mr. Dolohov," Harry inquired, holding up the mugshot, "do you know this man, and if you do, what is his name?"
"Yes, I know him. Anatoli Shevchenko."
"How do you know him?" Daphne was recording everything, as Harry asked this.
"He's my second cousin." Dolohov, again, tried to fight the potion, especially after Daphne muttered "Figures, the inbred lot."
"Is Anatoli Shevchenko the crime boss of a criminal organization at Odesa?"
"Yes."
"Does Mr. Shevchenko illegally deal in narcotic potions of the opiate type, prostitution, gambling, and human trafficking?"
Here, Dolohov fought the Veritaserum as much as possible, gritting his teeth, and staying silent for thirty seconds, but lost the battle.
"Yes."
The questioning had began, and it would last for another fifteen long minutes.
Harry and Daphne were walking toward the apparation and portkey area, after signing out. The warden didn't look too pleased with Harry's methods, but frankly, Harry didn't give a tinker's damn, and the warden was too scared to do anything about it.
Harry handed the warden an order from the ministry, to move Dolohov into Grindelwald's old high-security tower cell, and another order to move Nott Sr. into the other tower, as a suspect in the same case. They also turned over documents for the parole board, about their investigation into Nott's threats to his son, which canceled any ideas of early release, and about the suspected murder of his wife, and of Broderick Bode. They'd let Nott wilt away, as they slowly investigated the case, and tried him on all four counts. Hopefully, Harry thought, the bastard would die before then.
It was now 12:15 AM, and the Potters were looking forward to going back to their suite, after spending two dreadful hours at Nurmengard.
Harry looked around one last time, and asked, "Ready?"
At Daphne's nod, Harry turned on his heel, and apparated with a resounding crack. He was still a little upset, and he needed a drink, or maybe, several.
The Potters reappeared in their room, and they could tell that a maid had been by, but didn't touch any of their belongings. The reason they knew, was that two champagne flutes were sitting on one of the small round coffee tables in front of the sofa.
Harry made his way to the mini-bar, and took out two, 50 ml, bottles of bourbon, as well as a can of Coke, and mixed them both a stiff drink. "Where would you like to have lunch, dear?"
Daphne sighed, as she sat down in one of the postmodern wingback dining chairs by the 007 table, and took a sip of her drink. "We might as well drink these, and make our way to the lift up to the Schilthorn, wouldn't you agree? Besides, I want to dig my camera out, and take some photos before it gets too late."
Harry walked over to the window, drank a huge slug of his bourbon, and looked out over Mürren. "That sounds like a winner to me. Drink up, and we'll head out." He was still trying to cool off over his encounter with Dolohov. If there was one man that he despised more that Tom, it was Antonin.
The Potters were at the end of their half-mile trek through Mürren, and were to catch the cable lift to the Birg known as the Schilthornbahn. The lift's building, which was a large concrete structure painted grey, was located by the Skyline Shop & Bar, which Harry coaxed Daphne into visiting, in order to have one more drink at the bar. Both grabbed a barstool, and quickly downed a Rum and Coke, before heading next door. Harry paid, then he and Daphne waited for the lift.
The lift car's frame was made up of a black painted structure, with a white body below the windows. On the side, in red lettering, it said "Schilthorn TSB." When the door slid open, they boarded with several others, and made their way to the front. Once the door shut, the lift started climbing up the cableway, high into the air toward the Birg.
Harry put his arm around Daphne, who was the most precious person to him, and hugged her close, as they looked out at the scenery, and the snow covered cliffs, while making their way up. They also discussed a sofa, and two box-looking drink tables that they had seen back at the Skyline Shop & Bar, which were covered in white and brown furry cowhides.
The Swiss made good use of the cattle, which were everywhere in the Bernese Alps. The Potters spoke with a couple of locals, at the Skyline Shop & Bar, who told them of the cattle celebrations for those that gave the most milk, etc. They would dress the cows up in flowered crowns, and parade them down the main street of Mürren. Milk and cheese production were big things there, as well as fresh beef. During spring, when they were out to pasture on the grassy hillsides, one could hear the ring of the gigantic copper cowbells everywhere.
Eventually, their gondola came to the Birg's lift building, which was concrete, but painted in a wide striped peach, orange, and brown color, with a sun motif on the side. A sign on the building read "Birg, 2677 meters."
The lift stopped at Birg, and several stepped off, while others entered. Harry and Daphne kept their places at the front of the car while they waited. Once the door closed, off the car went on to the Schilthorn and the Piz Gloria, which was the name of the revolving restaurant on the peak.
Once Daphne was done taking her photos up and down the "007 Walk of Fame," they found out that Harry's hand, and fist, was larger than George Lazenby, who played Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Next, they went inside, and up to the restaurant, where they took a seat close to the Bollinger bar. While there, they ordered two Bond Burgers, with fries, and had two glasses of Bollinger champagne, each. The hamburger buns actually had Bond's gun-shaped 007 branded onto the bun!
Once the Potters were finished with lunch, they made their way downstairs to "Bond World," and the "Bond Cinema," then onto the "Skyline Top Shop," which sold 007 clothing and collectibles. While there, the Potters splurged. They bought Ron and Hermione, and every member of DOCS, along with the four MIA COs, and David and Debbie, a 007 T-shirt and ball cap. Daphne bought Harry a James Bond snow globe to set on his desk back at HQ, and Harry bought Daphne a hand-carved, red, wooden, painted cow, with a small bell around its neck, which had a Swiss flag painted on its side. They bought so many of each shirt and cap, that the employees had to raid the storeroom for extras. The Potters had bought them out in one day.
Once Harry and Daphne were done shopping, they took the stuffed shopping bags into the loo, where they shrank them down, and put them inside their jacket pockets. When they emerged, nobody knew that they were carrying half the store. Next, they made their way back to catch the next lift back to Mürren. When they arrived, they would make the half-mile trek, which was mostly downhill this time, back to Hotel Eiger. Harry thought about slipping behind a building, and apparating, but Daphne would have none of it. She wanted the photographs, and her husband would be in them.
The best two photos, they both thought, were of each standing in front of the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. They took them in the same spot where they kissed, and those two photos would go on their desks at home, and at work. They talked a tourist into taking one of them together, and that would go in their bed chamber at Potter Manor, and in their suite at DOCS HQ.
Daphne and Harry lounged around for a bit, watching the telly, then cleaned themselves up, and changed.
Harry, as usual, was wearing a tweed flat cap, a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches, a white shirt, with a tie in his family's tartan, and a brown herringbone vest, with Sirius' double-Albert pocket watch, a pair of dark brown slacks, and a pair of polished brown brogues.
Daphne was dressed in a flowing black evening dress, and she wore the emerald and platinum choker that Harry had bought her.
Harry held out his arm, and the two made their way down to the main restaurant, the Eiger Saal, for a nice candlelit supper.
The couple ordered a very nice bottle of Château La Garde Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptionnel. Both had the same meal, which started with a mixed leaf salad, with croutons, and French dressing.
The meal that they selected was the "Vue magnifique de l'Eiger et du Mönch," which was grilled beef entrecote, (premium cut beef), with cantadou red wine sauce, new fried potatoes, and market vegetables.
For dessert, they had the "Gebackene Apfelküchlein mit Vanilleglace," which was deep fried apple fritters with vanilla ice-cream.
While Daphne drank the rest of the wine, Harry walked over to the Tächi Bar, and ordered a Rum and Coke. He couldn't help but ask the bartender what type of rum were they using. When told, Harry "suggested" that they try a new rum being exported from Jamaica called Thunderball. Harry said that it was the best light rum that he had found for mixed drinks. He could tell that this caught the bartenders attention, over the connection to Bond. Harry wrote down the telephone number for the Clarke's distillery, and told him who he should ask for at the office, as they would set him up with a local distributor. When Harry walked back to the table, he had a sneaky grin on his face.
"What did you do, Harry?
"Moi?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Daphne stated. "When I see that look, you've been up to something."
"Oh," Harry chortled, "I just informed the bartender about a new rum, called Thunderball, now on the market, and extolled all its virtues of course."
Daphne couldn't help herself, and let out an unlady-like snort. "Sometimes, I really don't know about you. Do you think he bought it?"
"I believe so."
"Good," Daphne said. "Worked him like a true Slytherin!" Here, she finished her wine.
When Harry paid the bill, he ordered the best bottle of Dom Perignon champagne that they had, and a traditional Swiss cheese fondue to be brought up by room service.
Daphne and Harry did sit out on the balcony, covered up under a blanket with a warming charm, and enjoyed their fondue and champagne. They had the view of the Eiger, which was lit up by the ski piste's lights, and they gazed at the stars overhead, under a very clear evening sky.
That night, while under the Leopard print duvet and fine cotton sheets, Harry looked down into Daphne's eyes.
"Mrs. Moneypenny," Harry said in a roguish way, and just above a whisper, "you are about to receive your wish."
"Really, James?"
Harry kissed her deeply, and she moaned, as he started kissing his way down her body.
"Oh, James..."
-=QE=-
AN:
From Google's translation webpage:
"Guten Morgen! Wie kann ich dir helfen?" : Good morning! How may I help you?
"Guten Tag Ihnen. Mein Name ist Kommandant Black," Harry replied, "und ich habe eine Reservierung für zwei für die Nacht. : Good day to you. My name is Commander Black, Harry replied, and I have a reservation for two for the night.
"Genießen Sie Ihren Aufenthalt Kommandant Black. Ihre Suite befindet sich im neuen Bereich. Folgen Sie also den Schildern in den ersten Stock." : Enjoy your stay Commander Black. Your suite is in the new section, so follow the signs to the first floor.
"Möchten Sie, dass der Zimmerservice den Champagner jetzt mitbringt?" : Do you wish room service to bring the champagne now?
"Nein," Harry said, "warte. Ich werde eine Flasche Dom Perignon bestellen, die beste, die Sie haben, mit Mittagessen am Mittag." : No, Harry said, wait. I'll order a bottle of Dom Perignon, the best you have, with lunch at noon.
"Wir werden, Kommandant." : We will, Commander.
"Mein Name ist Kommandant Harry Potter und das ist meine Frau Daphne Potter. Wir sind die Direktoren der Abteilung für Geheimdienste des Britischen Zaubereiministeriums und haben für heute einen Termin, um den Aufseher und Antonin Dolohov zu sehen. Es ist Teil einer Untersuchung des Ministeriums." : My name is Commander Harry Potter, and this is my wife, Daphne Potter. We are the Directors for the British Ministry of Magic's Department of Clandestine Service, and we have an appointment for today, to see the warden and Antonin Dolohov. It is part of a ministry investigation.
"Identifizierung." : Identification.
"Bitte melden Sie sich an, um fortzufahren." : Please sign in in order to continue.