Mourning, Jersey Devil Fire Whiskey and Planning for the Valley of Death
A/N: Sorry to keep this short, but I thought it would be a good stopping point. Damn my father and his sailboat habit! ____________________________________________
Mike and Amy dropped out the Other Side Tavern's floo. The Tavern was one of the few all-magical, meet and greet, establishments in the Washington, DC area. A combination of bar, dance club, lounge and restaurant, it was huge and of course, hidden away from most noners. A summer's Saturday night, brought out a large crowd of wizards, witches, and even a few noners invited by their magical friends. Mike grabbed Amy's hand and half walked, half bulldozed through everyone to make it to the madtraé's stand.
"Mike Kelley, Sam reserved a room for me at 8 PM," he said half out of breath from going through the crowd.
"One second sir," a young witch told him. She was extremely busy answering questions to everyone around her.
"Okay," Mike relented. He was not a rush, and did not want to push her for no reason. He looked back at his fiancée, "She's busy."
"Sir, what reservation?"
"Mike Kelley, I talked to Sam this morning, reserving a room for eight tonight."
The receptionist paused a moment to read, then the look of realization who she was talking with appeared on her face. "I'm so sorry Mr. Kelley. Teresa, would you please show Mr. Kelley to the New Orleans School of Witches and Wizards Room." The Other Side Tavern had a number of private party rooms; all named after the magical schools in the U.S.
Mike waved and smiled to the receptionist, "Not a problem madam, thanks." He waved and bowed to Amy, "Ladies first."
Mike knew the way to the room, but dutifully followed Teresa. They snaked through the crowded bar, one of the dining areas, and finally to a narrow flight of stairs going down. They turned right and Teresa opened a smoked glass door.
"Here we are, the Naw'leans Room," said with a thick Cajun accent. Have a good evening.
Amy paused, "Thank you so much."
"Thanks," Mike told her.
The New Orleans Room had pictures of its namesake along with a framed parchment describing the history of its founding. Marcel, Jim, and Linda were already in the room and drinking beer and eating some buffalo wings.
"Hey, guys," Marcel, mumbled with is mouth full of chicken. Amy sighed, "Do all you men talk with your mouths full?"
Marcel and Mike looked at each other, smiled and said in unison, "Yes!"
"We'll never win Amy," Linda groaned.
Amy looked at Mike, whose eyes were glaring at the wings. "Fine, eat some already."
Mike, did not even respond, he grabbed a miniature drumstick and started devouring it. The door opened again, Mike look over to see Tom and his wife, Melissa enter, "Hey Tom, Melissa, welcome to the nagging zone." Mike looked over to Amy, she growled.
"I see tonight has gotten off on the right foot." Tom smirked. "So, what's to drink?"
"I asked for multiple bottles of firewhiskey. I'll go see what's taking them." Mike ducted out of the room, before anyone could get a word in. He tapped the closest waitress on her right shoulder, "Hey, I order a bunch of bottles of firewhiskey for the New Orleans Room."
When she turned around, Mike gasped. "No problem, sir," she said at once. Then she notice his jaw was wide open and he was gawking. "Are you alright?"
Mike could not believe his eyes; she looked just like Mia for a second. "Sorry, you look like someone I know. Well, did know, oh never mind, sorry. Thanks about the firewhiskey." When he returned, the remainder members of his team, minus Mia, and their significant others had arrived.
"Hey, it's the Boss!" Jim exclaimed.
Mike smirked, "Hey guys, I gots the firewhiskey coming, how about we order some food?"
"Yeah I'm starved," Marcel said rubbing his stomach.
"Me too," Heather, Jim's wife, agreeing with Marcel.
"Me three," Tom chimed in.
The waitress Mike had asked for the firewhiskey, came in with 6 bottles of Jersey Devil's Fire Whiskey, Wizarding America's best and glasses. She took their food orders and left. The drinking and mourning began.
"To Mia," for the sixth time they all said in unison, and all drank another glass of firewhiskey before slamming down their glasses upside down on the table to "prove" they finished them.
Mike starting feeling a little buzzed, he realized he better say a few important things before the party really got going. "Before we eat and really get this party started, I have a few important announcements. Mike ignored the groans and continued, "All of you did a damn good job earlier, and you did me proud. I know losing Mia sucks, but after tonight, I need you all back on top of your game. As you, all may or may not know; an old friend of mine is back, and I certain we are going to be having some fun times soon because of him." Some acknowledged him with nods, while others just looked glazed over, either from the firewhiskey or not knowing, Mike wasn't sure. "Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldermont has reared his ugly head again. I guess you all heard the news, if not; here is again, plus some more details. Riddle, I refuse to call that scumbag a "Lord anything" reclaimed his body last year. The UK Ministry ignored it, until he attacked their HQ the other night. Albus Dumbledore," Marcel started to ask a question, Mike cut him right off. "Yes Marcel, that Dumbledore, did manage to capture a few of Riddle's cronies, but he and some bitch witch got away."
"So, you think he will really push worldwide this time?" Tom asked.
"He wanted to go worldwide last time. Fortunately, that did not come to be. He is definitely on the Reach Out and Takeover the World plan," Mike said trying not to slur his words.
Amy decided to help her inebriated fiancée, "Look, with a Death Eater already here recruiting, he's must have global ambitions."
Mike felt a little better and started recounting the past. "Last time we sat out. The Department thought the rat bastard, was no big deal. Now, it will be different, I really think we are going to have our hands full."
Linda got right to the point "So, boss what's the plan?"
Mike smiled, Linda knew work was coming their way. "Amy and I are hopping the pond to England, later this week to feel out Dumbledore and scope out the situation there."
Jim asked, "How long will you over there?"
"Just for a few days, it is off the record," Amy looked around telling everyone. "That means DO NOT go blabbing to your friends, Chris."
Chris mocked innocence, "Who me?"
"I won't even go there," Amy retorted.
"Here's the game plan for the tomorrow." Mike heard more groans. "Sorry, if I have to work tomorrow, all of you do as well. Misery loves company. Regardless, we need to get a jump on the rest of the bureau and the department for that matter. I promise I will give yo'll a long weekend next week. Linda, you handle the personnel side of things. I hate to do this to us, but I don't want to break up any of the other groups, so I want you to look for someone new, outside the groups to take Mia's place. Owl the other Group leaders and tell them to freeze all personnel moves for the time being. If they need replacements, I want to get right on it."
"Marcel, I want the hideouts and safe house lists updated. All the groups need to have places to go if the going gets hot. Make sure they are stocked with food, clothes, the usual. Also, do some recon in the UK. Just in case, we need to go over there and help out."
Mike looked over to Tom, who was holding his wife. "Tom, as usual, you are intell. I want you to start squeezing all of our snitches. Review the Bureau wide informant list too. I do not want to be surprised again by the Death Eaters. If a fly farts, we should know about it. Get with Diaz and friends and squeeze them for any info as well. Try to talk directly with the case officers. You know how those analysts are, morons, the lot of them." Everyone giggled a little with that last remark.
"Jim, go through our records, and anybody else's for that matter. I want to know how they operated in the past. I remember some details, but it has been fifteen years, and I was not told everything. Get with Diaz's crew again, and see if they have, or if they can liberate any of the Ministry files." Jim nodded in agreement.
Chris put on her best pouty face, "What about me? I guess I do not rate anymore."
"Oh, you rate, doll," Mike giggled again.
"Ha, Ha, very funny," Chris snapped back.
"Thanks, seriously though," Mike straightened his face. "I want you to go over all supplies and equipment we will need. Get with Marcel, and make sure we are stockpiled. Don't even wait to see if we have enough charmed bullets. I want you to order as many as possible tomorrow morning. Get over to Mathis Wands, and tell them we may need them on call again. I don't want anyone out of action for lack of a wand, or backup wand for that matter."
"Consider it done boss man," Amy acknowledging him.
Mike sighed, "Listen, I am sorry to get all hyper about this, but this maniac and his band of merry wizards and witches, was my first time confronting evil, pure, unadulterated, evil. I also, thought, he was gone, and in some way helped rid the world of him. Now, he's back, and this time I want to do it right. I'm older, wiser, stronger and I got the biggest, baddest, and best aurors in the world to help me!"
Everyone started cheering, screaming, and howling. Tom started and everyone soon followed him in screaming the group's motto, "As we walk through the Valley of Death, we shall fear no evil, because we are the Baddest Mother fuckers in the Valley!"
Then on cue, a few of the wait staff came in with their food and more drinks.
"HEY! HEY!," one of them screamed at the top of his lungs. "Let us serve you dinner before you get totally out of control.
They all laughed uncontrollably. Mike smiled; his team would get past Mia's death and move on to the business at hand without too much worry. He needed them to focus now, if they did not, a lot more of them would be dead in a very short time.
It was almost 4 AM when Linda, being the responsible one, ordered everyone home. "That includes you too Mikey."
"Yes ma'am!" Mike chuckled.
"She's right honey, remember, the meeting we have," Amy checked her watch, "In about ten hours."
"Okay, EVERYONE, one last thing, send your bullet points to Linda by 5 PM. Monday, we will go over everything at 10 AM. Linda, I'll get with you," Mike checked his watch, "Later today." He turned to Amy, "Come on love, we can hold each other up as we stumble to the floo."
A/N: Sorry to keep this short, but I thought it would be a good stopping point. Damn my father and his sailboat habit! ____________________________________________
Mike and Amy dropped out the Other Side Tavern's floo. The Tavern was one of the few all-magical, meet and greet, establishments in the Washington, DC area. A combination of bar, dance club, lounge and restaurant, it was huge and of course, hidden away from most noners. A summer's Saturday night, brought out a large crowd of wizards, witches, and even a few noners invited by their magical friends. Mike grabbed Amy's hand and half walked, half bulldozed through everyone to make it to the madtraé's stand.
"Mike Kelley, Sam reserved a room for me at 8 PM," he said half out of breath from going through the crowd.
"One second sir," a young witch told him. She was extremely busy answering questions to everyone around her.
"Okay," Mike relented. He was not a rush, and did not want to push her for no reason. He looked back at his fiancée, "She's busy."
"Sir, what reservation?"
"Mike Kelley, I talked to Sam this morning, reserving a room for eight tonight."
The receptionist paused a moment to read, then the look of realization who she was talking with appeared on her face. "I'm so sorry Mr. Kelley. Teresa, would you please show Mr. Kelley to the New Orleans School of Witches and Wizards Room." The Other Side Tavern had a number of private party rooms; all named after the magical schools in the U.S.
Mike waved and smiled to the receptionist, "Not a problem madam, thanks." He waved and bowed to Amy, "Ladies first."
Mike knew the way to the room, but dutifully followed Teresa. They snaked through the crowded bar, one of the dining areas, and finally to a narrow flight of stairs going down. They turned right and Teresa opened a smoked glass door.
"Here we are, the Naw'leans Room," said with a thick Cajun accent. Have a good evening.
Amy paused, "Thank you so much."
"Thanks," Mike told her.
The New Orleans Room had pictures of its namesake along with a framed parchment describing the history of its founding. Marcel, Jim, and Linda were already in the room and drinking beer and eating some buffalo wings.
"Hey, guys," Marcel, mumbled with is mouth full of chicken. Amy sighed, "Do all you men talk with your mouths full?"
Marcel and Mike looked at each other, smiled and said in unison, "Yes!"
"We'll never win Amy," Linda groaned.
Amy looked at Mike, whose eyes were glaring at the wings. "Fine, eat some already."
Mike, did not even respond, he grabbed a miniature drumstick and started devouring it. The door opened again, Mike look over to see Tom and his wife, Melissa enter, "Hey Tom, Melissa, welcome to the nagging zone." Mike looked over to Amy, she growled.
"I see tonight has gotten off on the right foot." Tom smirked. "So, what's to drink?"
"I asked for multiple bottles of firewhiskey. I'll go see what's taking them." Mike ducted out of the room, before anyone could get a word in. He tapped the closest waitress on her right shoulder, "Hey, I order a bunch of bottles of firewhiskey for the New Orleans Room."
When she turned around, Mike gasped. "No problem, sir," she said at once. Then she notice his jaw was wide open and he was gawking. "Are you alright?"
Mike could not believe his eyes; she looked just like Mia for a second. "Sorry, you look like someone I know. Well, did know, oh never mind, sorry. Thanks about the firewhiskey." When he returned, the remainder members of his team, minus Mia, and their significant others had arrived.
"Hey, it's the Boss!" Jim exclaimed.
Mike smirked, "Hey guys, I gots the firewhiskey coming, how about we order some food?"
"Yeah I'm starved," Marcel said rubbing his stomach.
"Me too," Heather, Jim's wife, agreeing with Marcel.
"Me three," Tom chimed in.
The waitress Mike had asked for the firewhiskey, came in with 6 bottles of Jersey Devil's Fire Whiskey, Wizarding America's best and glasses. She took their food orders and left. The drinking and mourning began.
"To Mia," for the sixth time they all said in unison, and all drank another glass of firewhiskey before slamming down their glasses upside down on the table to "prove" they finished them.
Mike starting feeling a little buzzed, he realized he better say a few important things before the party really got going. "Before we eat and really get this party started, I have a few important announcements. Mike ignored the groans and continued, "All of you did a damn good job earlier, and you did me proud. I know losing Mia sucks, but after tonight, I need you all back on top of your game. As you, all may or may not know; an old friend of mine is back, and I certain we are going to be having some fun times soon because of him." Some acknowledged him with nods, while others just looked glazed over, either from the firewhiskey or not knowing, Mike wasn't sure. "Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldermont has reared his ugly head again. I guess you all heard the news, if not; here is again, plus some more details. Riddle, I refuse to call that scumbag a "Lord anything" reclaimed his body last year. The UK Ministry ignored it, until he attacked their HQ the other night. Albus Dumbledore," Marcel started to ask a question, Mike cut him right off. "Yes Marcel, that Dumbledore, did manage to capture a few of Riddle's cronies, but he and some bitch witch got away."
"So, you think he will really push worldwide this time?" Tom asked.
"He wanted to go worldwide last time. Fortunately, that did not come to be. He is definitely on the Reach Out and Takeover the World plan," Mike said trying not to slur his words.
Amy decided to help her inebriated fiancée, "Look, with a Death Eater already here recruiting, he's must have global ambitions."
Mike felt a little better and started recounting the past. "Last time we sat out. The Department thought the rat bastard, was no big deal. Now, it will be different, I really think we are going to have our hands full."
Linda got right to the point "So, boss what's the plan?"
Mike smiled, Linda knew work was coming their way. "Amy and I are hopping the pond to England, later this week to feel out Dumbledore and scope out the situation there."
Jim asked, "How long will you over there?"
"Just for a few days, it is off the record," Amy looked around telling everyone. "That means DO NOT go blabbing to your friends, Chris."
Chris mocked innocence, "Who me?"
"I won't even go there," Amy retorted.
"Here's the game plan for the tomorrow." Mike heard more groans. "Sorry, if I have to work tomorrow, all of you do as well. Misery loves company. Regardless, we need to get a jump on the rest of the bureau and the department for that matter. I promise I will give yo'll a long weekend next week. Linda, you handle the personnel side of things. I hate to do this to us, but I don't want to break up any of the other groups, so I want you to look for someone new, outside the groups to take Mia's place. Owl the other Group leaders and tell them to freeze all personnel moves for the time being. If they need replacements, I want to get right on it."
"Marcel, I want the hideouts and safe house lists updated. All the groups need to have places to go if the going gets hot. Make sure they are stocked with food, clothes, the usual. Also, do some recon in the UK. Just in case, we need to go over there and help out."
Mike looked over to Tom, who was holding his wife. "Tom, as usual, you are intell. I want you to start squeezing all of our snitches. Review the Bureau wide informant list too. I do not want to be surprised again by the Death Eaters. If a fly farts, we should know about it. Get with Diaz and friends and squeeze them for any info as well. Try to talk directly with the case officers. You know how those analysts are, morons, the lot of them." Everyone giggled a little with that last remark.
"Jim, go through our records, and anybody else's for that matter. I want to know how they operated in the past. I remember some details, but it has been fifteen years, and I was not told everything. Get with Diaz's crew again, and see if they have, or if they can liberate any of the Ministry files." Jim nodded in agreement.
Chris put on her best pouty face, "What about me? I guess I do not rate anymore."
"Oh, you rate, doll," Mike giggled again.
"Ha, Ha, very funny," Chris snapped back.
"Thanks, seriously though," Mike straightened his face. "I want you to go over all supplies and equipment we will need. Get with Marcel, and make sure we are stockpiled. Don't even wait to see if we have enough charmed bullets. I want you to order as many as possible tomorrow morning. Get over to Mathis Wands, and tell them we may need them on call again. I don't want anyone out of action for lack of a wand, or backup wand for that matter."
"Consider it done boss man," Amy acknowledging him.
Mike sighed, "Listen, I am sorry to get all hyper about this, but this maniac and his band of merry wizards and witches, was my first time confronting evil, pure, unadulterated, evil. I also, thought, he was gone, and in some way helped rid the world of him. Now, he's back, and this time I want to do it right. I'm older, wiser, stronger and I got the biggest, baddest, and best aurors in the world to help me!"
Everyone started cheering, screaming, and howling. Tom started and everyone soon followed him in screaming the group's motto, "As we walk through the Valley of Death, we shall fear no evil, because we are the Baddest Mother fuckers in the Valley!"
Then on cue, a few of the wait staff came in with their food and more drinks.
"HEY! HEY!," one of them screamed at the top of his lungs. "Let us serve you dinner before you get totally out of control.
They all laughed uncontrollably. Mike smiled; his team would get past Mia's death and move on to the business at hand without too much worry. He needed them to focus now, if they did not, a lot more of them would be dead in a very short time.
It was almost 4 AM when Linda, being the responsible one, ordered everyone home. "That includes you too Mikey."
"Yes ma'am!" Mike chuckled.
"She's right honey, remember, the meeting we have," Amy checked her watch, "In about ten hours."
"Okay, EVERYONE, one last thing, send your bullet points to Linda by 5 PM. Monday, we will go over everything at 10 AM. Linda, I'll get with you," Mike checked his watch, "Later today." He turned to Amy, "Come on love, we can hold each other up as we stumble to the floo."