Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; just the garden gnomes on my lawn.
Chapter 12: Planning for the Future
"What did you have in mind?" Jasmine asked.
A cruel laugh answered her question before he did. "Some of the oldest proverbs of war and hate say that the quickest way to kill a warrior is to kill his soul."
"And just how were you planning on doing this Alex?"
The American wizard hissed under his hood. "You know I hate that nickname."
"What's your point? If you want we can settle this right now?" Jasmine prompted. She'd been itching to hurt someone, and Alexander would make perfect hexing practice.
"No, I don't want to fight you. But I would prefer that you call me Alexander," he said.
"Enough luchando already. Do you tiene a plan?" a Spaniard asked impatiently.
"Well Santo, your horrible Spanglish not with standing, I do have a plan. We attack again."
"What makes you think that will work this time?" Jacques asked. He had been sitting next to Santo watching and listening as Jasmine and Alexander squabbled over power. He often saw the similarity of how Spain and France watched idly by as the German and American power struggle went on during the second world war. Ah, those were wonderful times. Not at all like now, where they had to hide from everyone and everywhere.
"Jacques, if you'll be patient I'll explain," Alexander replied just as impatiently as Santo had asked. He was never very courteous, which is what made him the most different than Santo and Jacques; both of whom always tried to be gentlemanly and proper.
"Now, Harry has lost his parents and almost completely lost his godfather right?"
"We all know that," Jasmine said impatiently.
"Where is the only part of his relationships that we haven't attacked?" Alexander asked.
"His friends," Jacques realized. "We haven't attacked his friends. What are you proposing?" Jacques asked intrigued.
"We make him suffer. My instincts tell me that he has latched onto a girl. We take her down. His friends Ron, Hermione, Draco, and any other new ones; we take down. He always defeated Tom only because of his friends."
Jasmine walked up to him and slapped him so hard that he fell to the floor. He looked at his hand which had blood on it. "What the hell was that for?" he exclaimed.
"Don't ever use that name for Lord Voldemort around me," she said in a very straight tone. Whenever she used this everyone else knew that she meant what she said, and that her wand would back her up.
Santo reached down and pulled him up. "I think we need to settle one thing once and for all," he said.
Jasmine looked at him confused. He had never used a commanding tone with her before. It made him seem more handsome than he already was, which just served to annoy Jasmine as she couldn't see herself liking a Spainard.
"And what would that be, mister faking that he can't speak good English?" she challenged.
"I talked that way so you would underestimate me, and you did. We need to have a set leader, like we did when Voldemort was alive. Now, it seems to me that both of you want to be leader, and I frankly don't give a damn. As long as I get my say, share in all Alliance power, and am not challenged about who I am and what I can do I'm fine. Do I catch the same drift from you Jacques?" Santo asked. His accent was almost nonexistent, and his usual timid demeanor was gone.
"Oui, that is how I feel. I personally think that these two just need to duel it out for leadership in the Alliance. What say you three?" Jacques asked. He was the most intelligent out of all of them, but he was also the weakest out of all of them. Not to say that he couldn't hold his own, but they could all out duel him.
"I think that's an excellent idea," Jasmine said. "Do you accept such a challenge Alexander?"
"I do," he taunted back.
"Then step outside."
The Alliance walked outside of their cabin. They were in the forest near Hogwarts, as it was the place where they had always taken refuge while Voldemort tried to regather his strength. The cabin had so many enchantmets on it, that even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to figure all of them out. Jacques drew a Restraining Circle on the ground around Jasmine and Alexander as Santo explained the rules of their duel. "There will only be magic used, no hand to hand weapons. First one to be incapacitated wins. No potions, aiding, or Apparating allowed, the Restraining Circle will see to that. Now, when I send up blue sparks begin."
Santo walked over to Jacques and watched them as they mentally prepared themselves to duel. He raised his wand, and out came blue sparks starting their duel.
The next ten minutes passed by slowly for the Alliance. Jasmine and Alexander were both well on their game of trying to defeat the other. Whatever one did, the other countered perfectly. Until Jasmine pulled a wild card charm on Alexander.
"Difuson expella!" she shouted. From her wand erupted every charm and curse that Alexander had thrown at her. They all collided with his torso sending him straight back, bursting the Restraining Circle into white flames.
"Winner, Jasmine," Jacques said.
Alexander sat up and smiled. "I played right into your hands. So, what's the plan boss?"
Jasmine smiled wickedly. "We strike."
A/N: I would still like reviews and input on who you think will be struck first by the Alliance. I will read a story of yours if you are correct.
