Chapter 4: New friends and a plan

Within ten seconds, two other wizards stepped out of the fireplace and, rather irritated, began dusting soot off their robes. They were men in their late thirties, one short and stocky with flaming red hair (though going bald), many freckles and brown eyes that radiated a great sense of humour, the other was taller and of much broader built with a white beard and a stern expression on his face. He also wore square glasses and was dressed in a Highlander's Costume beneath his robes.

'Herbert, Robert, how are you?', exclaimed Dumbledore, a note of delight in his voice, 'you are right on time as I expected, but where is Harold?'. 'Good to see you, too, Albus', replied the red-haired man, 'but why did you make us come here by way of that confounded chimney? Stella is going to throw a fit, when she sees my robes', he sighed. 'In case, it is has escaped your attention, we both passed our Apparating Test some time ago - this is going to cost you! - Eh Tom, a round for all of us on Albus!', he added trying to sound grim, though his sparkling eyes gave away his true feelings.

'Hello, Albus', said the other wizard with a heavy Scottish accent, 'kindly tell us what is so urgent that we had to come here, this very instant!'. 'Won't do, we must wait for Harold', said Dumbledore, 'but tell me, how is the family, Robert, especially little Minerva, I haven't seen her since she was born?'. 'Got no reason to complain, Albus, she's as tall as a beanstalk by now and the cleverest witch her age, I have ever seen. Can already do transfiguration spells, I'm having trouble with and her reading, writing and numbers are perfect, quite unusual for a five year old, I'm telling you. Every morning, she writes down a set of 'Rules and Chores for the Day' such as "Help Mama with the laundry", "Tidy up room", "Feed the animals" or "Brush teeth". And believe it or not, she is only happy at night, if she has completed every task and not broken a single rule during the day, quite extraordinary that little thing....

'Smiling, Dumbledore cast a questioning look at the red-haired wizard. 'Same here', replied Herbert Weasley, 'though I sometimes wished, little Arthur would live by a set of rules like that. Little rascal loves everything that has to do with muggles! As soon as Stella looks the other way, he climbs through the fence and takes off for the village. When we find him, he is usually at that new military petrol station, looking fascinated at the cars and lorries passing through the village. Either that or he has nicked a flashlight, Zippo lighter or some other muggle thing from one of the houses. It gets quite embarrassing, you know, the muggles of Ottery St. Catchpole have always been a bit suspicious of the inhabitants of the Burrow and if they catch a three-year old that can make their plows or reapers croak like roosters, it doesn't help matters much......'

'I wonder whom he inherited that particular character trait from?', said Dumbledore teasingly, 'at least not from a close friend of mine, who ran away from school in 1908, or was it 1909, and spent all his meagre savings on a train ticket to Dover, just to see that Frenchman Blériot and his plane after the first crossing of the channel by air', he added, chuckling. Herbert Weasley had blushed a bit, but further inquiries into the arrivals' families were interrupted by a loud bang in the far corner of the room.

There, a very young and very tall wizard with unruly black hair and piercing green eyes had suddenly appeared and looked inquisitively at the assembled crowd. 'Harold', said Dumbledore in an exasperated voice, 'if I wrote "Do not apparate, but come by floo powder", I meant exactly that! I know, you do not like rules and delight in cutting corners, but the matter at hand can only be seen through, if we proceed with the utmost discipline!' ''What's the big deal?', replied the young wizard carelessly, 'I'm here now and that's the main thing, besides, our pub was the only place where I had access to a fireplace, and some Ministry wizards had just decided to have lunch there, when I entered. I figured, you would not want them here in our cosy little circle, would you?. So I had a hasty half-pint and made for the bushes to disapparate.'

'Very well', said Dumbledore impatiently, 'did you bring what I asked you to?' 'Of course', replied Harold, 'it's right here'. He reached into his robes and produced a large leather-bound volume, which had written "Most Potente Potions" on its cover. 'But what in the world do you need that for?'. 'Let me have it', snapped Dumbledore, still angry, and leafed quickly through the pages. After some moments, he looked up triumphantly. 'I knew it, here it is, a potion that induces unconsciousness and combines it with forgetfulness, just what we need. Let me see, wolfbane, kingsfoil, toad-liver, basil, no - that's just for optional seasoning-, dragon-eye, ground horn of a young unicorn and belladonna. But wait! Here it says that the time the potion induces unconsciousness is controlled by the amount of belladonna added and nothing more. And there is not a clue on how to combine the ingredients, are we supposed to grind them, cut them up or what?'

'What do you expect, Albus?,' said Robert, 'this is a book for the most advanced potions, and the author probably thought that anyone concocting these has sufficient knowledge of herbology and potion-making to know what he or she is doing.' Dumbledore wrung his hands in mock desperation, 'why didn't I pay more attention in those subjects, but you all know, they were my worst at school!' 'Same here', said Herbert and Robert gloomily nodded agreement, 'I have trouble cutting up parsley the right size for Stella's cooking, either with magic or without'. Dumbledore looked imploringly at Harold Potter. But Harold shrugged and said 'Don't even bother, Albus, I threw away my cauldron the very minute I left Hogwarts in 1938 and vowed to never touch one again, if I could help it.' 'We need a potion and herbology expert and we need him quick', hissed Dumbledore between clenched teeth, 'we haven't got time to lose.'

'Sorry to interrupt you there, Albus', said Robert McGonagall, looking grimly at Parkinson, 'but before we do anything else I would like to know what that muggle is doing here?' Peter took a step back, obviously scared. 'That muggle is called Peter Parkinson and he isn't really a muggle, but that will have to wait. In any case, he is the key to our success in dealing with Grindelwald', replied Dumbledore. 'He came up with the idea of using the unconsciousness potion and he knows how to deal with muggle soldiers'. He then went on to bring his friends up to date on the Grindelwald affair. All three listened attentively. Though McGonagall still looked suspiciously at Peter, Herbert and Harold walked over to him and gave him a warm handshake. 'Welcome and thanks for your offer to help', beamed Herbert. 'Are you really a muggle soldier? Have you flown an aeroplane or been in one of these ships that can dive in the ocean? What exactly makes those aeroplanes fly and how does such a ship really work? I subscribe to some muggle technical magazines, but I'm never able to figure out the details...' 'Actually, no', said Peter apologetically, 'I was an officer in the SAS and drove jeeps and some tanks, didn't have anything to do with planes or submarines, sorry'. 'Jeeps', said Herbert delightedly, 'I have seen them in our village, but never been close to one, how exactly...?.'

'We haven't got time for your questions on muggle technology, however interesting they may be', snapped Dumbledore, 'we need the potion expert! Who was the best student in potions and herbology in your years at Hogwarts, think sharply now!' 'Well, in our time that was Octavian Snape, so that's obviously out of the question', replied Herbert and Robert gloomily. ' I have it', exclaimed Harold, 'who were the best potion witches ever to attend Hogwarts?' 'Celeste Sprout and Lorena Longbottom, formerly known as Sprouty and Dungs', Dumbledore, Herbert and Robert replied in a small chuckling chorus, obviously sharing a joke Peter and Harold did not understand. 'And where is Lorena right now?' continued Harold excitedly. 'Running the apothecary shop right here in Diagon Alley', said Robert and Herbert not too enthusiastically, 'but if I were you.....'. Dumbledore interrupted them, 'Brilliant, Harold! I will be back in a few minutes!'. Robert and Herbert looked at each other gloomily and Peter heard Robert utter something that sounded suspiciously like 'Oh dear…'.

Dumbledore disappeared from the room and reappeared several minutes later, accompanied by a young, angry-looking witch who wore a tall hat crowned by a stuffed vulture and moth-eaten robes with patches. She smelled strongly of garlic, medicine and earth and seemed furious, though her blue eyes looked fondly on Dumbledore, whenever she turned her head towards him.

'Really, Albus, what are you thinking? Dragging me out of my shop full of customers in the middle of the day..., up to some mischief as usual no doubt. I have a business to run and no time for your nonsense!'. 'And look who is here', she went on in a shrill voice, 'Herbert Weasley and Robert McGonagall, the worst trouble-makers ever to attend Hogwarts!' She looked accusingly at them. 'You have turned my final year as headgirl into a nightmare and don't you think I have forgotten that!. You two were the worst shirt chasers I have ever seen! You have broken more girls' hearts at Hogwarts and elsewhere than any other men I have ever known. Remember the Yule Ball in 25', Robert, when you had asked me to be your partner and for a fortnight I was the happiest girl on earth? Then you called it off at the last moment, just because that French student Simone had finally agreed to go with you. I bet, it was quite nice for you attending the ball with the best-looking girl of the year. That this made me look like a complete idiot and that I cried for two days was really no concern of yours after all!'.

At this, Robert and Herbert, looking rather subdued, began to retreat carefully towards the fireplace. To Peter, both appeared to have shrunken somewhat. Having finished with the two, the witch now shot a nasty glance at Harold. 'Potter, isn't it? You I know by reputation only', she snapped, 'but if what I hear is true, I think I don't like you much, either. Troublemaker and always up to mischief like those two!', she nodded towards the fireplace.

'Dearest Lorena', said Dumbledore imploringly, 'please let bygones be bygones, at least for now. We really need your help desperately!' He whispered to her for several minutes and really succeeded in calming her down. 'All right then, Albus, but I'm only doing this for your sake, because I believe you that it is for the common good of wizardkind. And those three will have to help me!', she added with a nasty grin, pointing at Harold, Robert and Herbert. But first, I have to fetch some things from the shop.'

She came back with a huge cauldron and a large bag full of disgusting-smelling ingredients. Drawing a huge knife from her belt, she began to cut up some herbs and put the others to work as well. But whereas Peter and Dumbledore had to grind the belladonna, a comparatively easy job, Herbert and Harold were made to disembowel two large vampire bats, which was disgusting work to say the least. But if their job was bad, Robert's was infinitely worse and involved mixing toadstool with dragon manure in a cauldron over a small fire in the opposite corner of the room. Soon, the others tried to breathe through their mouths only and Robert himself looked green and nauseous.

Lorena thoroughly enjoyed bossing him around and shot nasty glances in his direction, usually followed by a casual remark on his known ineptness at potion brewing. 'Had to use a much different recipe', she explained to Dumbledore, 'no-one would have volunteered to drink what you had in mind. Now this one has the same effect, but it's also different, because once it is finished you can put a spell on it to make it look and taste like any beverage. So, what should it be? Ale, cider, whisky or what?', she asked Dumbledore, while stirring a sickening, bubbling and frothing brown liquid in the huge cauldron with a complacent expression on her face. 'I think, it would be best if it smelled and tasted like Pilsner beer', remarked Dumbledore casually. Lorena shot him a suspicious glance but said nothing. 'Suit yourself', she remarked and tapped the frothing liquid with her wand, which indeed turned a brownish yellow, smelt strongly of beer and suddenly looked very appetizing.

'How are we going to transport this?', asked Peter. 'We can't show up there, carrying a huge cauldron and even beer barrels would look suspicious'. 'I have thought of that', said Dumbledore and produced two large five-gallon jerrycans from somewhere. 'You think, these will do? I can transform them into beer barrels at any time, if that should become necessary', he added. 'Perfect', grinned Peter. Tom brought a funnel and Herbert, jumping excitedly, insisted on filling the potion into the jerrycans because these were obviously muggle-made. He made such a mess of things that almost half a gallon of the potion splashed on the floor instead of into the can. Furious, Dumbledore snatched the funnel from Herbert's hand and handed it to Peter. Having done this often, Parkinson had no trouble filling the containers in two minutes and now they were in for one final briefing before Dumbledore would give the 'Go' command.

'Listen up, now', urged Dumbledore, 'our mission may determine the future of wizard- and mugglekind alike, therefore it must not fail! Do remember, however, that we stand quite alone, if the Ministry of Magic, the muggle War Office, the German Army or the German wizards should get wind of this, we are in very deep trouble. If we are caught, things will turn very disagreeable for each and every one of us, so if any of you has developed second thoughts, I want him to speak up, now. I will understand, particularly in Robert and Herbert's case, after all they've got a family to worry about.' Herbert Weasley had suddenly turned quite serious. 'There is one expression of you, I have always liked, Albus. "What distinguishes a good from a bad wizard or witch is his or her choices, in particular between what is right and what is easy". I think, I speak for all of us, if I tell you that we are and will be behind you all the way in this matter!'. Robert McGonagall, Harold Potter and Peter Parkinson nodded in agreement, though all looked rather worried.

'Very well', continued Dumbledore, trying to hide a pleasant grin from his face, 'the main feature of this operation will be to put muggle tactics against wizards and wizard tactics against muggles wherever possible in order to ensure maximum surprise!'. He pinned the magic map on the wall and handed Peter his wand as a pointer. 'Your show now Lieutenant Parkinson', he smiled. 'Thank you', replied Peter, 'we will divide ourselves into two task forces. Task force 1 will be made up of myself, Herbert and Albus. This task force will presently…. what did you call it, Albus? – yes, disapparate from here and re-apparate in the forest near the village of Hausach, which is well-outside the third guard perimeter as you can see here. We will then seize the lorry, bringing the food to the German soldiers and deliver our load of 'Pilsener' to the regimental mess. Having accomplished this, Task Force 1 will secure the fireplace at the village Pub called 'zum Bären' here and connect it to the floo-network. We will then keep a low profile in the pub until the potion has put most of the enemy to sleep. Task force 2, made up of Robert and Harold, will follow a day later by floo-powder and meet with Task Force 1 in the pub. There, Herbert will join Task Force 2 and their objective will be to clear a way for Albus and myself to the castle. They will accomplish this by putting out of action any wizard or muggle soldier, still guarding the access road. Harold's invisibility cloak should be of considerable help for this task. After this, they will remain outside the castle and watch for any suspicious activity. Their main job, however, will be to cover our retreat! What follows now is crucial, gentlemen. It appears highly likely that Grindelwald has secured the castle against any possible wizard attack, but trusts that no muggle will ever manage to get close to it, because of the elite regiment and his wizards guarding the three perimeters. Therefore Albus and I will not apparate or use any magic for entering the castle, but do it the SAS way.' He pointed to two boarding hooks and two rolls of rope in a corner.

Now Dumbledore continued 'Once on the North wall, we will try to locate Grindelwald's room and put him out of action as quickly as possible. The main objective is to take him alive for later interrogation, because he is the only one who can establish the possible link between the British Ministry of Magic and himself. Now, is the plan understood or are there any more questions?'

He looked expectantly at the group. Robert and Harold appeared a bit puzzled, while Herbert was staring open-mouthed at Parkinson. 'I think, I understood what you meant', said Harold, his voice uncertain. 'The only thing, I didn't get was where we were supposed to meet the two wizards called "Task Force 1 and 2" or whatever else you called them. Did you get that, Herbert? Are they twins or something?'. 'To be honest with you Albus', replied Herbert Wesley, 'I was listening more to these fancy muggle words Peter used and kept wondering what they meant. Frankly, it would be swell, if you two could explain the whole thing once again....'

Dumbledore was looking very exasperated at the three of them, when Tom suddenly burst into the room. 'The Aurors are coming, Albus! And Snape himself is with them!', he shouted. 'Somebody must have tipped them off that something suspicious is going on. They should be here any minute now!' 'OK, let's move it quickly then, people!' shouted Dumbledore. This calls for a last minute change in plans. Herbert and Peter will go at once! Peter, make sure you explain the whole thing once more to Herbert', he added, shooting Herbert Weasley a very nasty glance indeed. 'Myself, Harold and Robert will stay behind and deal with the Aurors. They will think twice before arresting members of the Assembly! Get going, you two! Peter felt Herbert Weasley hugging him tightly. Waving his cloak, Herbert shouted "Black Forrrreeeeest!".