The Big Six
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Amy huffed she tried waking up her fiancée for the third time. "Sweetie, get up, meeting remember? Hello," she knocked on his forehead, "Anyone in there?"
Mike stirred, and rolled over to his left side, "No, go away."
She decided it was time for drastic action, "I warned you!" She whipped out her wand and charmed the bed, it flipped to the side, and Mike rolled out.
"HEY! No fair!" Mike screamed. Using his arms, he sat himself up from the floor.
"Here drink this," she gave him a small glass bottle, "It is a pep up potion, and go get ready for the meeting," Amy fumed.
Mike gave her a groan and a disgusted face; he took the potion and jugged it down. "Ick, what is in this poison?"
"You don't want to know, but it works none the less. I'm going to read the papers, you get ready for the meeting. Luke said it was casual dress so wear khakis and a polo, but be prepared to answer a lot of questions."
After only a few minutes and felt 100% better. He stumbled up and dragged himself to his closet and walked in. "Khakis and a polo, fine," he muttered to himself. Slowly, he moved his aching body around and easily took a green polo shirt off its hanger, the khakis trousers did not give up their hanger so easily. "God damn it! Come on pants!," Mike yelled. Finally, they gave, "What a pain, UGH!"
Amy, sighed, how can a grown man have so many problems getting ready to go out? "Are you having problems up there?"
"No, I got it. I'm taking a shower now," Mike yelled down in reply. Mike groaned and headed for the bathroom to make himself look halfway decent for the Secretary.
~~~~~~~~Meanwhile somewhere in Kentucky~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Military Auror Captain Megan Bennington was playing catch with her two sons in their back yard. Her husband, Military Auror Captain Allen Bennington, she had met when they attended North American, was cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbeque chicken on the outside grill. She was a company command and was on call to go anywhere to make the world safe for Democracy, well magical Democracy. Her husband was an instructor; he did not go anywhere, but to the base and back home again. It was a perfect arrangement, if she sent off; he would take care of their children. When she was home, her days ended earlier then his. She would pick them up from the base's magical elementary school. They were both noner born, and considered magic a gift, to be treated responsibly, not to be abused. To make it easier for their parents to visit their grandkids, and to teach their children not to abuse their gift, they lived off their magically hidden base. It did not even have a formal name, just referred to as Base Alpha. Base Beta was its counterpart was in Northern California. Each held about half of the Military aurors.
The cordless phone began to ring, "I'll get it," Megan said as she ran over to the lawn chair the phone rested on. She looked at the caller ID and noticed it was her company's First Sergeant, Victor Walewski. "Hey, Sarge, what up?" she wondered.
Victor turned on his official grim voice, "We got the call, we are going to the UK ASAP."
Megan's jaw dropped. Usually, they received some advanced notice, not to means this was something dire. "I'll get my stuff and be at base in 20 minutes." She scurried out to the backyard. "Honey," she said in her most, 'I love you, here is the Honey do list', voice, "Vic called, I have to go honey."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mike watched as the scenery flew by, considering Mike's condition, Amy had decided it would be best to drive over to the Secretary's LaPomeret house in McLean, a Virginia suburb of DC. Mike had never been at the house before. Amy had been there twice, attending parties that her father had been invited to. The house was surround by a tall brink fence, on top of the brick was a rod iron fence. Close circuit video cameras were everywhere and there was a guard house at the front gate. The whole place screamed "Go away!"
"Amy Fosterman and Mike Kelley, we have a meeting with the Secretary," Amy told the guard.
"IDs please," the stoic guard replied. Mike and Amy handed over their FBI IDs. The FBI provided a good cover when they had to deal with noners. The guard returned and handed back their IDs. "Okay, follow the driveway down, and another guard will direct you where to park. Sectary Hendersen will meet you there as well."
In unison they both said "Thanks."
"Are we late?" Mike questioning his fiancée.
"No, this morning at ten, Luke called and told me 2 PM."
"I guess the "important" folk got called in earlier," Mike complained.
"Quit your bitching. You barely made two o'clock," Amy silenced him.
Mike ignored her and saw Luke and a guard waving at them. "There they are home girl."
Amy lost her anger and laughed, "I sees'um." The white marble stones of the driveway crunched under Luke's feet as he walked towards Amy's parked car. "Hey, you two over here," he shouted, waving his arms. "Glad you two could make it; now let's get down to some business."
Amy snorted, "Well, if it wasn't for Sleeping Beauty over here."
Mike went hot, "Chill woman! We could have just flooed over."
It was Luke's turn to be hot, "THAT'S enough! I don't need this today! Follow me, before I slap the both of you upside the head." Mike and Amy followed Luke into the Secretary's mansion.
Mike looked around and was impressed, "Nice place, I guess it's good to be the King."
Luke snickered, "Yup, maybe one day you will get your act together and get a place like this one, now for business. The Sectary is having a cookout for us, and he is doing the cooking. Most of the senior staff has arrived or will be arriving shortly. What you two missed earlier was the arrival of the other members of the Big Six."
The Big Six, were the most powerful Ministers of Magic in the Western Hemisphere. The Ministers from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Canada and the Sectary, together, their influence and power shaped the Magical New World. Mike mind went spinning. 'Why the hell were the HERE?'
Luke must have been reading his mind when he continued. "They are here because three more of Death Eaters found over the weekend. One in Brazil, another in Canada, and the third one in Haiti, this is a real wakeup call for all of us."
"So, what are we going to be talking about?" wondered Amy.
Luke grinned, "Actually, the star of this afternoon's performance will be your, what was it? 'Kinky Sex Partner'?
Amy groaned, Mike laughed and asked, "So, what am I giving the star performance in?"
"Well," Luke dwelled for a moment, "We want you to tell us about the last time this psycho was having his fun, and what we may expect this time around."
"I'm really not sure what to expect this time around," Mike said. "I mean last time it was more scare and intimidate. This time it seems a bit more."
Luke rubbed his cheek lost in thought, "We'll have to discuss that too." Then Luke laughed, "While you were a kid, did you fight anymore wackos we should know about?"
Mike huffed, "Ha fucking ha. I would say something worse, but for some reason I like my job."
Amy intervened, "Boys, its time to get this party started."
"I know," Luke started turning, "Okay you lot, follow me."
Mike bowed and held out his arm, "Ladies first."
Amy sighed, "Fine, Fine."
The trio moved through the manor till they arrived to a large patio. The large pool was on the left, to the right people in noner clothes were milling about. Mike spotted the Secretary wearing a stark white chief's hat, cooking at a huge stainless steel grill.
Luke held out his arm with a stopping wave, "You two wait here, I'll be back." He walked over to Secretary, and spoke into his ear. LaPomeret looked up and over at them, he washed his hands using a small stainless sink next to the grill, as he was drying his hands as he and Luke walked over to Mike and Amy.
"Hello, Hello," LaPomeret said, and extended his hand to Amy. She reached hers out; the Secretary took it and kissed the top, like a gentleman of old. "Pleasure to see you again Miss Fosterman."
LaPomeret offered his had to Mike; he took it and said "Hello sir."
"I am less formal on these occasions, plus, we have much to discuss and pomp and formality will just get in the way. Please follow me." The four of them shuffled through the crowd, and reached a large glassed topped outdoor table. "Ministers, this is Mike Kelley and his fiancée Amy Fosterman, Mr. Kelley was involved the last time." The other Minister nodded, they all knew what the 'last time' meant. "Why don't you two sit down, I'll get you some food." LaPomeret turned to Hendersen, "Luke, would you please see if Secretary McHadden is here, and ask George to make sure the silencing and disillusion charms are up and working."
Mike had barely sat down when the Cuban Minister Marta Gonzalez asked in somewhat respectable English, "Mr. Kelley, how were you involved last time?" The other Ministers started paying attention. Mike was indeed going to be the 'star' this afternoon.
Mike's mind spun rapidly, to tell them the entire truth, or sugarcoat it? 'Well,' Mike thought, it would probably come out sooner or later. "Headmaster Weinstein realized the dangers Voldemort and his merry band of Death Eaters, and thought my special skills would useful to fight them."
Mike was about to continue, when the Canadian Minister, Nathan Hallen asked, "What special skills do you have Mr. Kelley?" Many of the Ministers seemed to be wondering the same thing.
"I am a product of what was Project Cerberus," Mike said flatly.
Immediately, Minister Hallen and most of the other Ministers knew what those words meant, some nodding to each other.
"What was Project Cerberus?" asked the Argentinean Minister Raul Ramirez, with a lost in understanding face.
Mexican Minister Isabella Torres interceded before Mike could explain. "The Auror project from the '60s, Dr. Mac Shelton's project; I believe you should have read the report about it when you became Minister."
Minister Ramirez eyes lit up with recognition, "You mean 'THAT' project?"
"Yes, that one," Minister Torres told him. "Please continue Mr. Kelley," she said dryly.
"Um, where was I, oh. Headmaster Weinstein contacted Headmaster Dumbledore, who at that time was the leader of an organization devoted to stopping Voldemort. After some convincing, Dumbledore accepted my assistance. I arrived in England on 3 February 1980 and left 5 November 1981. I won't bore you with anymore small details. My basic functions were intelligence gathering, interrogation and rear guard action."
"Why didn't they just use Veritaserum for their interrogations?" Brazilian Minister Felipe Vieira wondered.
"Sometimes they did, although, with Veritaserum, you need to know what to ask. Then you have the problem if they were under the Imperious Curse or not. Also, you cannot use Veritaserum, such as in a fight or at a social gathering. Then my talents were very useful," Mike informed him. The Ministers all nodded again in agreement.
Secretary LaPomeret returned with a tray full of Cajun food. "I hope everyone is getting acquainted with Mr. Kelley. Here is some more food for everyone." LaPomeret sat down, took off his hat and wiped his hands on a towel. "So, what part are yo'll up to?"
"The part where I eat because I am starving," Mike said with a grin. "Seriously though, I was going over what I did the last time."
Luke handed Mike a plate, "Here, how do they say it over there, 'tuck in'?"
"That's it Luke," Secretary McHadden said, while everyone looked around to her. "Sorry, I drove over and traffic was hell. My question is, what does the bastard want now?'
"To take over the Ministries or cause terror in general?" wondered the Cuban Minister.
"My feeling is he either wants to take over the Ministries directly or through surrogates," Mike told them flatly.
"Why would you think that?" LaPomeret wondered. Mike took poured himself a glass of sweet tea, and to a sip. "He wants to change the way things are, mere intimidation and terror will not accomplish that. He wants to get everyone who is not born of wizard lineage out of the wizarding world."
"That's insane, if you are born with magic, you belong in the magical world," snapped Argentinean Minister.
LaPomeret nodded in agreement, "I know, it seems this man believes otherwise. If he wants to change our world, are we in agreement that he would need to be stopped?"
The Canadian Minister huffed.
"What's the problem Nathan?" ask LaPomeret.
Nathan Hallen sighed. His family was of magical lineage for centuries, the purist of magical blood. Was it wrong to exclude those born of non magical or only one magical parent? Perhaps, perhaps not, but Voldemort was killing them regardless. Keeping them out was one thing, but outright killing them was quite another. "I have always wondered if it was a good idea to invite those who have no magical background into our world." He waved up and down to silence the hissing. "BUT! I guess that argument has been settled long ago, and I do not, and will not condone killing those of non or mixed lineage."
"Then we are in agreement, thank God," Luke said with a grin.
Mike looked around, "Where is Amanda?"
"She is over at the Department going over some things. I'll explain later," Luke told him in that please don't ask anymore voice.
Mike started to eat some, when the Mexican Minister started the conversation everyone was thinking about. "How are we going to stop him and the Death Eaters?"
Luke looked over the group, "We should start sharing information on regular bases. Also, we should decide who we can share our information with."
"Well, the Caribbean and West Indies Ministries won't be a problem. They only hate noners, wizards and witches of mixed parents they like. Voldemort won't get far with them. As far as my own country, yo'll know we are very diverse. There will be some who will support him," LaPomeret said with authority.
The Mexican Minister continued along LaPomeret's train of thought. "As for my country, most of us feel alienated from European Wizardry. Some groups may be sympathetic to him, but I think we'll be safe."
"You know our community is about the same as the islands, so we may only have a few problems as well," the Minister Vieira added in. Everyone then looked at Minister Hallen, who's face turned red. Canada has deep links to the British Wizardry world. Many purebloods had left Britain, and established their own pureblooded school rather than attend a mixed Hogwarts. "Fine, Fine, rub it in. Listen, you all know the folk I have to deal with. I truly don't know if they will follow him or not. If they do, our Aurors may need some assistance."
"If I may make a suggestion then, I know you will all love my idea. Well, since it is my idea," Mike said with a grin. "We should create an international task force to deal with him. Well, at least one for our hemisphere."
Secretary McHadden's eyes light up, "That's a brilliant idea, I'm glad WE thought of it. Just teasing Mike, but it is an excellent idea."
Minister Gonzalez thought for a moment. "I think it is a good idea as well. It will allow us to use each other's resources and keep track of you Gringos." She smiled at the last sentence.
"I understand the previous administration ignoring and/or running rough shot over all of you. I Promise, I swear, I will not let that happen under my watch," LaPomeret promised to all.
"We had an international task force going after the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean group the Golden Dragons, about a year and a half ago. They where a pretty nasty crime and dark magic syndicate, but I think the Death Eaters may have them beat." Mike told them, he continued. "We need to share resources, information, and people. Hopefully, this group will be as successful as that one."
"After the grilling of Minister Hallen, there is the question of sharing and working with ministries beyond our boundaries," the Mexican Minister wondered.
'She means Europe, doesn't she,' McHadden thought. "I am assuming you are asking about our European counterparts?"
Torres was blatant, "Who can we trust there? Clearly the British Ministry cannot be trusted with anything."
"Madam Minister, we will have to work with them at one point or another. Voldemort's center of power is there, to defeat him; we will have to win in the UK as well."
McHadden's mind was working. With her own knowledge and a briefings by Kalakos, who was still in Seoul, and Diaz, who was furiously pumping for more information on other ministries reactions, she ran down the list. "We will have to further consider the UK Ministry, as for the others. The French, Spanish, and Scandinavian Ministries are strong; I doubt there will be many problems or leaks with them. Portugal, with its close ties to the UK will have to be further investigated. Germany is another question mark. The Italian Ministry is changing hands, so we will have to see what the new Minister and his staff reacts. The Eastern European nations are another problem all together. Most have been or still are very purebloodist and dark magic orientated. I think only Poland, Austria and Russia are the only stable ones. The Ukrainian and other new Republics still heavily rely on Russia."
Vieira started to speak, huffed and then started again. "I don't want this to become another New World, Old World, us versus them issue. I am really not sure all this will be necessary, but if it is, I would grow weary of the bickering that has been in the past."
For LaPomeret this was important. One of his platforms for being elected was better relations with the rest of the Magical World. "I totally agree, the infighting must end. However, we will still need to present a united front to uphold our own interests."
"On a cheery note, I doubt we will have many problems with any of the Asian nations. Although, the Golden Dragons and Fists of Magic has reduced their available resources to help us," Mike added.
"And the African Ministries?" the Cuban Ministry asked.
"Egypt, again with its close ties to the UK may be a problem. As well, as Tanzania, their nation is built of pureblood and the dark arts. Chad is on the edge, but the French are supporting them very well. South Africa, will be no problem, they really don't have any purebloods left, most fled to other countries when National Freedom Party was elected last year. The Ministry in Liberia, for most purposes they are simply an extension of us. Most of the others will try to remain neutral I suppose," McHadden told them all.
Hallen groaned, it was getting late and he was certain there would be much work when he returned to his office. "Mr. Secretary, I think it is time for us to adjourn this meeting. We all have much to review. I suggest a meeting of our top Aurors this week to discuss this united task force idea."
LaPomeret took the hint, "Very well, all of you have a safe journey home. We will be in contact with yo'll this week. I recommend that my Assistant Secretary Hendersen take the lead on the task force meetings, we can decided on a commend structure for it later, any other questions or comments?"
When he saw no one had anything to add, "Thank you all for coming. Luke, Mike, Helen, I will talk to all of you tomorrow, I have to beg forgiveness now from my wife for working on a Sunday."
Amy huffed she tried waking up her fiancée for the third time. "Sweetie, get up, meeting remember? Hello," she knocked on his forehead, "Anyone in there?"
Mike stirred, and rolled over to his left side, "No, go away."
She decided it was time for drastic action, "I warned you!" She whipped out her wand and charmed the bed, it flipped to the side, and Mike rolled out.
"HEY! No fair!" Mike screamed. Using his arms, he sat himself up from the floor.
"Here drink this," she gave him a small glass bottle, "It is a pep up potion, and go get ready for the meeting," Amy fumed.
Mike gave her a groan and a disgusted face; he took the potion and jugged it down. "Ick, what is in this poison?"
"You don't want to know, but it works none the less. I'm going to read the papers, you get ready for the meeting. Luke said it was casual dress so wear khakis and a polo, but be prepared to answer a lot of questions."
After only a few minutes and felt 100% better. He stumbled up and dragged himself to his closet and walked in. "Khakis and a polo, fine," he muttered to himself. Slowly, he moved his aching body around and easily took a green polo shirt off its hanger, the khakis trousers did not give up their hanger so easily. "God damn it! Come on pants!," Mike yelled. Finally, they gave, "What a pain, UGH!"
Amy, sighed, how can a grown man have so many problems getting ready to go out? "Are you having problems up there?"
"No, I got it. I'm taking a shower now," Mike yelled down in reply. Mike groaned and headed for the bathroom to make himself look halfway decent for the Secretary.
~~~~~~~~Meanwhile somewhere in Kentucky~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Military Auror Captain Megan Bennington was playing catch with her two sons in their back yard. Her husband, Military Auror Captain Allen Bennington, she had met when they attended North American, was cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbeque chicken on the outside grill. She was a company command and was on call to go anywhere to make the world safe for Democracy, well magical Democracy. Her husband was an instructor; he did not go anywhere, but to the base and back home again. It was a perfect arrangement, if she sent off; he would take care of their children. When she was home, her days ended earlier then his. She would pick them up from the base's magical elementary school. They were both noner born, and considered magic a gift, to be treated responsibly, not to be abused. To make it easier for their parents to visit their grandkids, and to teach their children not to abuse their gift, they lived off their magically hidden base. It did not even have a formal name, just referred to as Base Alpha. Base Beta was its counterpart was in Northern California. Each held about half of the Military aurors.
The cordless phone began to ring, "I'll get it," Megan said as she ran over to the lawn chair the phone rested on. She looked at the caller ID and noticed it was her company's First Sergeant, Victor Walewski. "Hey, Sarge, what up?" she wondered.
Victor turned on his official grim voice, "We got the call, we are going to the UK ASAP."
Megan's jaw dropped. Usually, they received some advanced notice, not to means this was something dire. "I'll get my stuff and be at base in 20 minutes." She scurried out to the backyard. "Honey," she said in her most, 'I love you, here is the Honey do list', voice, "Vic called, I have to go honey."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mike watched as the scenery flew by, considering Mike's condition, Amy had decided it would be best to drive over to the Secretary's LaPomeret house in McLean, a Virginia suburb of DC. Mike had never been at the house before. Amy had been there twice, attending parties that her father had been invited to. The house was surround by a tall brink fence, on top of the brick was a rod iron fence. Close circuit video cameras were everywhere and there was a guard house at the front gate. The whole place screamed "Go away!"
"Amy Fosterman and Mike Kelley, we have a meeting with the Secretary," Amy told the guard.
"IDs please," the stoic guard replied. Mike and Amy handed over their FBI IDs. The FBI provided a good cover when they had to deal with noners. The guard returned and handed back their IDs. "Okay, follow the driveway down, and another guard will direct you where to park. Sectary Hendersen will meet you there as well."
In unison they both said "Thanks."
"Are we late?" Mike questioning his fiancée.
"No, this morning at ten, Luke called and told me 2 PM."
"I guess the "important" folk got called in earlier," Mike complained.
"Quit your bitching. You barely made two o'clock," Amy silenced him.
Mike ignored her and saw Luke and a guard waving at them. "There they are home girl."
Amy lost her anger and laughed, "I sees'um." The white marble stones of the driveway crunched under Luke's feet as he walked towards Amy's parked car. "Hey, you two over here," he shouted, waving his arms. "Glad you two could make it; now let's get down to some business."
Amy snorted, "Well, if it wasn't for Sleeping Beauty over here."
Mike went hot, "Chill woman! We could have just flooed over."
It was Luke's turn to be hot, "THAT'S enough! I don't need this today! Follow me, before I slap the both of you upside the head." Mike and Amy followed Luke into the Secretary's mansion.
Mike looked around and was impressed, "Nice place, I guess it's good to be the King."
Luke snickered, "Yup, maybe one day you will get your act together and get a place like this one, now for business. The Sectary is having a cookout for us, and he is doing the cooking. Most of the senior staff has arrived or will be arriving shortly. What you two missed earlier was the arrival of the other members of the Big Six."
The Big Six, were the most powerful Ministers of Magic in the Western Hemisphere. The Ministers from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Canada and the Sectary, together, their influence and power shaped the Magical New World. Mike mind went spinning. 'Why the hell were the HERE?'
Luke must have been reading his mind when he continued. "They are here because three more of Death Eaters found over the weekend. One in Brazil, another in Canada, and the third one in Haiti, this is a real wakeup call for all of us."
"So, what are we going to be talking about?" wondered Amy.
Luke grinned, "Actually, the star of this afternoon's performance will be your, what was it? 'Kinky Sex Partner'?
Amy groaned, Mike laughed and asked, "So, what am I giving the star performance in?"
"Well," Luke dwelled for a moment, "We want you to tell us about the last time this psycho was having his fun, and what we may expect this time around."
"I'm really not sure what to expect this time around," Mike said. "I mean last time it was more scare and intimidate. This time it seems a bit more."
Luke rubbed his cheek lost in thought, "We'll have to discuss that too." Then Luke laughed, "While you were a kid, did you fight anymore wackos we should know about?"
Mike huffed, "Ha fucking ha. I would say something worse, but for some reason I like my job."
Amy intervened, "Boys, its time to get this party started."
"I know," Luke started turning, "Okay you lot, follow me."
Mike bowed and held out his arm, "Ladies first."
Amy sighed, "Fine, Fine."
The trio moved through the manor till they arrived to a large patio. The large pool was on the left, to the right people in noner clothes were milling about. Mike spotted the Secretary wearing a stark white chief's hat, cooking at a huge stainless steel grill.
Luke held out his arm with a stopping wave, "You two wait here, I'll be back." He walked over to Secretary, and spoke into his ear. LaPomeret looked up and over at them, he washed his hands using a small stainless sink next to the grill, as he was drying his hands as he and Luke walked over to Mike and Amy.
"Hello, Hello," LaPomeret said, and extended his hand to Amy. She reached hers out; the Secretary took it and kissed the top, like a gentleman of old. "Pleasure to see you again Miss Fosterman."
LaPomeret offered his had to Mike; he took it and said "Hello sir."
"I am less formal on these occasions, plus, we have much to discuss and pomp and formality will just get in the way. Please follow me." The four of them shuffled through the crowd, and reached a large glassed topped outdoor table. "Ministers, this is Mike Kelley and his fiancée Amy Fosterman, Mr. Kelley was involved the last time." The other Minister nodded, they all knew what the 'last time' meant. "Why don't you two sit down, I'll get you some food." LaPomeret turned to Hendersen, "Luke, would you please see if Secretary McHadden is here, and ask George to make sure the silencing and disillusion charms are up and working."
Mike had barely sat down when the Cuban Minister Marta Gonzalez asked in somewhat respectable English, "Mr. Kelley, how were you involved last time?" The other Ministers started paying attention. Mike was indeed going to be the 'star' this afternoon.
Mike's mind spun rapidly, to tell them the entire truth, or sugarcoat it? 'Well,' Mike thought, it would probably come out sooner or later. "Headmaster Weinstein realized the dangers Voldemort and his merry band of Death Eaters, and thought my special skills would useful to fight them."
Mike was about to continue, when the Canadian Minister, Nathan Hallen asked, "What special skills do you have Mr. Kelley?" Many of the Ministers seemed to be wondering the same thing.
"I am a product of what was Project Cerberus," Mike said flatly.
Immediately, Minister Hallen and most of the other Ministers knew what those words meant, some nodding to each other.
"What was Project Cerberus?" asked the Argentinean Minister Raul Ramirez, with a lost in understanding face.
Mexican Minister Isabella Torres interceded before Mike could explain. "The Auror project from the '60s, Dr. Mac Shelton's project; I believe you should have read the report about it when you became Minister."
Minister Ramirez eyes lit up with recognition, "You mean 'THAT' project?"
"Yes, that one," Minister Torres told him. "Please continue Mr. Kelley," she said dryly.
"Um, where was I, oh. Headmaster Weinstein contacted Headmaster Dumbledore, who at that time was the leader of an organization devoted to stopping Voldemort. After some convincing, Dumbledore accepted my assistance. I arrived in England on 3 February 1980 and left 5 November 1981. I won't bore you with anymore small details. My basic functions were intelligence gathering, interrogation and rear guard action."
"Why didn't they just use Veritaserum for their interrogations?" Brazilian Minister Felipe Vieira wondered.
"Sometimes they did, although, with Veritaserum, you need to know what to ask. Then you have the problem if they were under the Imperious Curse or not. Also, you cannot use Veritaserum, such as in a fight or at a social gathering. Then my talents were very useful," Mike informed him. The Ministers all nodded again in agreement.
Secretary LaPomeret returned with a tray full of Cajun food. "I hope everyone is getting acquainted with Mr. Kelley. Here is some more food for everyone." LaPomeret sat down, took off his hat and wiped his hands on a towel. "So, what part are yo'll up to?"
"The part where I eat because I am starving," Mike said with a grin. "Seriously though, I was going over what I did the last time."
Luke handed Mike a plate, "Here, how do they say it over there, 'tuck in'?"
"That's it Luke," Secretary McHadden said, while everyone looked around to her. "Sorry, I drove over and traffic was hell. My question is, what does the bastard want now?'
"To take over the Ministries or cause terror in general?" wondered the Cuban Minister.
"My feeling is he either wants to take over the Ministries directly or through surrogates," Mike told them flatly.
"Why would you think that?" LaPomeret wondered. Mike took poured himself a glass of sweet tea, and to a sip. "He wants to change the way things are, mere intimidation and terror will not accomplish that. He wants to get everyone who is not born of wizard lineage out of the wizarding world."
"That's insane, if you are born with magic, you belong in the magical world," snapped Argentinean Minister.
LaPomeret nodded in agreement, "I know, it seems this man believes otherwise. If he wants to change our world, are we in agreement that he would need to be stopped?"
The Canadian Minister huffed.
"What's the problem Nathan?" ask LaPomeret.
Nathan Hallen sighed. His family was of magical lineage for centuries, the purist of magical blood. Was it wrong to exclude those born of non magical or only one magical parent? Perhaps, perhaps not, but Voldemort was killing them regardless. Keeping them out was one thing, but outright killing them was quite another. "I have always wondered if it was a good idea to invite those who have no magical background into our world." He waved up and down to silence the hissing. "BUT! I guess that argument has been settled long ago, and I do not, and will not condone killing those of non or mixed lineage."
"Then we are in agreement, thank God," Luke said with a grin.
Mike looked around, "Where is Amanda?"
"She is over at the Department going over some things. I'll explain later," Luke told him in that please don't ask anymore voice.
Mike started to eat some, when the Mexican Minister started the conversation everyone was thinking about. "How are we going to stop him and the Death Eaters?"
Luke looked over the group, "We should start sharing information on regular bases. Also, we should decide who we can share our information with."
"Well, the Caribbean and West Indies Ministries won't be a problem. They only hate noners, wizards and witches of mixed parents they like. Voldemort won't get far with them. As far as my own country, yo'll know we are very diverse. There will be some who will support him," LaPomeret said with authority.
The Mexican Minister continued along LaPomeret's train of thought. "As for my country, most of us feel alienated from European Wizardry. Some groups may be sympathetic to him, but I think we'll be safe."
"You know our community is about the same as the islands, so we may only have a few problems as well," the Minister Vieira added in. Everyone then looked at Minister Hallen, who's face turned red. Canada has deep links to the British Wizardry world. Many purebloods had left Britain, and established their own pureblooded school rather than attend a mixed Hogwarts. "Fine, Fine, rub it in. Listen, you all know the folk I have to deal with. I truly don't know if they will follow him or not. If they do, our Aurors may need some assistance."
"If I may make a suggestion then, I know you will all love my idea. Well, since it is my idea," Mike said with a grin. "We should create an international task force to deal with him. Well, at least one for our hemisphere."
Secretary McHadden's eyes light up, "That's a brilliant idea, I'm glad WE thought of it. Just teasing Mike, but it is an excellent idea."
Minister Gonzalez thought for a moment. "I think it is a good idea as well. It will allow us to use each other's resources and keep track of you Gringos." She smiled at the last sentence.
"I understand the previous administration ignoring and/or running rough shot over all of you. I Promise, I swear, I will not let that happen under my watch," LaPomeret promised to all.
"We had an international task force going after the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean group the Golden Dragons, about a year and a half ago. They where a pretty nasty crime and dark magic syndicate, but I think the Death Eaters may have them beat." Mike told them, he continued. "We need to share resources, information, and people. Hopefully, this group will be as successful as that one."
"After the grilling of Minister Hallen, there is the question of sharing and working with ministries beyond our boundaries," the Mexican Minister wondered.
'She means Europe, doesn't she,' McHadden thought. "I am assuming you are asking about our European counterparts?"
Torres was blatant, "Who can we trust there? Clearly the British Ministry cannot be trusted with anything."
"Madam Minister, we will have to work with them at one point or another. Voldemort's center of power is there, to defeat him; we will have to win in the UK as well."
McHadden's mind was working. With her own knowledge and a briefings by Kalakos, who was still in Seoul, and Diaz, who was furiously pumping for more information on other ministries reactions, she ran down the list. "We will have to further consider the UK Ministry, as for the others. The French, Spanish, and Scandinavian Ministries are strong; I doubt there will be many problems or leaks with them. Portugal, with its close ties to the UK will have to be further investigated. Germany is another question mark. The Italian Ministry is changing hands, so we will have to see what the new Minister and his staff reacts. The Eastern European nations are another problem all together. Most have been or still are very purebloodist and dark magic orientated. I think only Poland, Austria and Russia are the only stable ones. The Ukrainian and other new Republics still heavily rely on Russia."
Vieira started to speak, huffed and then started again. "I don't want this to become another New World, Old World, us versus them issue. I am really not sure all this will be necessary, but if it is, I would grow weary of the bickering that has been in the past."
For LaPomeret this was important. One of his platforms for being elected was better relations with the rest of the Magical World. "I totally agree, the infighting must end. However, we will still need to present a united front to uphold our own interests."
"On a cheery note, I doubt we will have many problems with any of the Asian nations. Although, the Golden Dragons and Fists of Magic has reduced their available resources to help us," Mike added.
"And the African Ministries?" the Cuban Ministry asked.
"Egypt, again with its close ties to the UK may be a problem. As well, as Tanzania, their nation is built of pureblood and the dark arts. Chad is on the edge, but the French are supporting them very well. South Africa, will be no problem, they really don't have any purebloods left, most fled to other countries when National Freedom Party was elected last year. The Ministry in Liberia, for most purposes they are simply an extension of us. Most of the others will try to remain neutral I suppose," McHadden told them all.
Hallen groaned, it was getting late and he was certain there would be much work when he returned to his office. "Mr. Secretary, I think it is time for us to adjourn this meeting. We all have much to review. I suggest a meeting of our top Aurors this week to discuss this united task force idea."
LaPomeret took the hint, "Very well, all of you have a safe journey home. We will be in contact with yo'll this week. I recommend that my Assistant Secretary Hendersen take the lead on the task force meetings, we can decided on a commend structure for it later, any other questions or comments?"
When he saw no one had anything to add, "Thank you all for coming. Luke, Mike, Helen, I will talk to all of you tomorrow, I have to beg forgiveness now from my wife for working on a Sunday."