Chapter 41

Harry walked through the corridors of power. The far more busy corridors of power since what the papers had been calling a terror attack on London. The nuclear threat had been played down somewhat, though not from within Britain, it was from outside the United Kingdom; the United Nations that was playing down the narrowly missed disaster that they had approved.

The fact that a space ship had flown over London had been all but forgotten in the ensuing media reporting.

It seemed now that very few people actually saw the spacecraft fly over London and, mysteriously all the BBC's servers that held footage of the spacecraft had crashed, and sadly someone had mistakenly taken a degausser to the back-up videotapes of the, so unfortunately no media companies held footage of the event.

Tim Hitchinson was, from what Harry had heard receiving counselling for his migraine-induced break on air with everything concerning the Americans and the "aliens" now being called into question. Harry wasn't sure what the Americans were up to. Probably nothing, it wasn't as though they'd done anything useful during the events.

-/ — \\—

Harry smiled at the lady outside the door who let him in almost immediately as he said his name.

He was here to see the Home Secretary, from whom, or rather from his office he'd received a request for a meeting.

"Ah, Mr Potter, Harry here's been filling me in on everything," the Home Secretary said as Harry walked in the door.

Harry raised an eyebrow, he hadn't expected Pearce to be here as well, though given the familiarity between the Home Secretary and Harry Pearce he wasn't that surprised.

-/ — \\—

Once they were all seated the Home Secretary leaned forward slightly.

"First of all the Prime Minister wished me to pass on her thanks, and the thanks of everyone for the work that you have done Mr Potter, especially during this crisis," the Home Secretary paused. "They wished to say in person but she's currently in talks with the UN and UNIT." The last two organisations had a more than a hint of distaste.

Harry looked to Pearce who had quite a neutral expression on his face.

"All part of the job Home Secretary," Harry said to break the pause in the conversation.

"Yes, your League of Paranormal Investigations, I've been hearing some good things from Porton Down and your work with the Military during this crisis Mr Potter."

"Oh?" Harry asked innocently.

"The Prime Minister, following the disaster that UNIT was involved in at Downing Street is seeking a closer relationship with the UN and UNIT," the Home Secretary explained.

Then Pearce began. "The security services have certain reservations concerning this relationship, as does the military."

Harry leant back into his seat and reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the many things he'd taken to carrying around with him when he was meeting people. "I see," he said and flicked a slider on the box and placed it on the Home Secretary's desk.

Pearce looked at him curiously.

Harry shrugged. "Jamming device," he said in explanation. "So are we going to assassinate the Prime Minister, after all the trouble we went to in order to save the woman?"

The Home Secretary looked slightly worried. Pearce chuckled darkly. "No Mr Potter, if we were going to discuss an assassination it would not be here."

The Home Secretary cleared his throat. "The Prime Minister believes it important to maintain and build on our international ties with UNIT so that the most recent incident does not happen again."

Harry thought about saying that was unlikely, did no politicians remember the past? The cynical side of his mind said no unless it served their purposes.

"I see…" Harry trailed off.

"I've been looking into your organisation Mr Potter, and you still receive some funding from Her Majesty's Government," the Home Secretary began on what Harry thought was an odd tangent.

It was true that the League was funded by the Ministry of Magic and the UK government, though more significantly it was through generated interest and some other investments he'd set up. "Yes, Home Secretary?" Harry raised his inflection on the statement to the point of an implied question.

"And that you were the government's Esoteric advisor in the 1970s, how though I leave up to other people Mr Potter." Harry remained silent while he was talking and hoped the Home Secretary didn't turn out to be a Zygon or Auton duplicate. He'd hate to have to deal with British Heritage if he damaged something in this room in the process of shooting the man.

"We would like to bring your League back into our portfolio of agencies involved in defending the country Mr Potter," the Home Secretary continued.

Harry let out a breath he was holding and removed his hand from his inner jacket where a weapon lay. "I see, without informing UNIT I trust? That I'll be working with the armed forces and the security services more often and you'll leave UNIT to its more 'traditional' role?"

The Home Secretary gave him a tight smile. "Yes, I see you understand Mr Potter," he paused, leaning back in his chair. "These alien incursions and the tensions in your wizarding world, we need someone local, who's not beholden to Geneva."

Harry nodded, but fixed the Home Secretary with a hard look. "Of course, but we should also understand our limits. UNIT is a capable organisation, and is still quite capable, despite recent events. In large scale incursions, should the regular armed forces be involved, untrained there will be a great many unfortunate incidents."

The Home Secretary looked at him for a moment and looked over at Pearce. "I see why you trust him Harry." Then he rose from his chair, Pearce also rose as did Harry. "Thank you gentlemen." The Home Secretary shook both their hands and Harry pocketed his device, following Pearce out of the office.

As they walked down the corridors of power Pearce spoke. "Were you really intending to shoot him?" He asked casually.

"Conversations like that often lead to guns folding out of people's hands or them morphing into species bent on a swift death for anyone close." Harry said as they each swiped their cards to exit one of the security barriers.

"An interesting life you lead Mr Potter, one I hope will not intersect with my work too often," Pearce said as they made their way outside.

"Shall we have lunch Mr Pearce? We can discuss why romance with a Dalek is a bad idea." Harry asked with a grin.

Pearce looked at him strangely.

-/ — \\—

Harry flipped through the pamphlet that he'd picked up from the council offices. It was Ioan who had alerted him to it, thinking it could maybe be something wizard related. But when he'd asked Hermione she hadn't known or heard anything about Cardiff with regard to strange wizarding manipulations.

—/ — \\—

The pamphlet explained what seemed like the most inane plan yet, well insane that they weren't hiding it. London had its fair share of secret nuclear facilities.

But that the Cardiff Council were suggesting to destroy a Grade 1 listed building was odd to say the least. Maybe there was something in the water. Maybe a certain horny gentleman was spreading around his magic pills.

Said horny gentleman was swaggering across the room garnering looks from man and woman alike, and enjoying every moment of it.

"Harry Potter, knew you'd call eventually, couldn't get enough of me could you?" He asked as he dropped into the chair opposite him.

"Well I ran into your minion in London," Harry commented.

He looked at him puzzled. "You mean Toshiko?" He asked.

"And she thought you and I were or have shagged in the past," Harry said shaking his head.

Jack grinned at him. "We still can, bring your girlfriend along we'll make a night of it. You wizards love a bit of freaky love."

Harry gave Jack a weird look. "I hope you're talking about a threesome and not about Freki," Harry was never completely sure what Jack was up to, words or the wandering hands the man had.

Jack gave him an approving look. "Nice, though you 21st century guys have got to look beyond simple human forms."

"As long as you're not suggesting Freki and Geri are actual wolves you've shagged Jack," Harry commented idly.

He shook his head. "Consensual Harry. So what have you called me up for, unless it's just for a chat, because I love to have a drink, talk about past conquests with you."

Harry almost rolled his eyes but he thought Jack would get some pleasure out of that. Instead he pushed the pamphlet over to Jack.

"Are all the councillors totally insane?" Harry asked.

Jack's shoulders slumped slightly. "It'll be dealt with Harry, the Doctor'll turn up and sort it out."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Really? And you know this because…" Harry trailed off as he realised watching Jack's face. "Because you're travelling with him and Rose…" Harry trailed off again.

"After we met you," Jack finished. "You were cute then, better now though." His grin returning.

"So something significant happens with this?" Harry shook his head. "When doesn't something significant happen when the Doctor turns up?" Harry continued musing to himself.

Jack didn't indicate anything. "You should come along, we can do dinner and watch him."

Harry mused on it. "And nothing dangerous happens?"

Jack thought about it for a few moments. "Mickey Smith turns up."

Harry snorted a laugh. "Mickey Smith who blew up Downing Street? I've met him, he's very lucky," he paused. "Fine, I'll come, and I'll ask Daphne."

"Your girlfriend, finally I get to meet her." He grinned at him.

Harry glared back at Jack. "Just as long as you don't go dropping any of your magic pills. She knows all about this Jack."

"Hey, Harry, I'm not gonna drug your girlfriend. It's nice that you've found someone in the business that understands." Jack said as he motioned to a waiter for what Harry hoped was a drink and not an impromptu bout of fellatio in the toilets.

"She's not in 'our' business Jack." Harry replied.

"Really?" Jack leaned forward. "So what does Daphne get up to while you're dealing with your League?"

"She and I have our own lives," Harry added.

"And you just come together for sex and tea afterwards? How very British of you."

Harry glared at him. How very Jack of you he wanted to say but Jack was just smiling through his own joke. So Harry decided to change the subject. "What are your team going to do while we're wining and dining. Surely they'll notice when things start getting groovy."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Groovy? You spent too long in the 1970s Harry Potter."

Twice. Harry thought to himself. I went there twice. He was bound to pick up some things. Although he didn't say that to Jack.

"My team will be on enforced leave, they know they've got a-" Harry cut Jack off.

"Quirky commander?" Harry offered with a raised eyebrow making Jack grin at him.

"I like that Harry Potter, quirky," he said as some drinks arrived and Jack flashed a broad grin at the waiter who put down the tall glasses of something liquid likely based on hops.

-/ - \\-

Daphne had flooed into an establishment near central Cardiff. When Harry had asked if she would like to attend an informal meal with an associate of a similar organisation to his League it had been intriguing. He had informed her that the Doctor would be in the area, though not present at their meal. He seemed to indicate that this man whom they were to have their meal with also was an acquaintance of the Doctor, or had been in the past. But like Harry knew of the future, though unlike Harry it was through direct experience with the Doctor.

It was quite an interesting prospect to know specifics of one's future, because it was one's past and then to be present to watch it occur. Lesser wizards would push such thinking off to theoretical time turner mechanics or the realms of philosophers.

But it had become another reality for Daphne.

She had not been able to accompany Harry in his conveyance to Cardiff from his home, or from London, or indeed anywhere she might be. However, he understood that she had business to pursue. Following the incident in March with the crash in London there had been more requests on her family's business, more wizards purchasing orders to be moved in and out of the country. Certain ingredients and constructions to be used in these unstable times, even if muggles seemed mostly happy to ignore what had happened before their eyes.

Altered information, the Ministry did not even need to spread its wings and modify muggles' memories. They were quite efficient at doing so themselves. She did not know if Harry had any hand in this. His sometimes flippant attitude to the Ministry and their relationship to aliens would suggest not. But at other times he was quite serious, he had inferred that the Muggles would take care of some things and that wizards did not need to "poke their wands where it is not needed".

The establishment she had flooed into was an old drinking establishment within Cardiff, it was something of a walk to the establishment where she was to meet Harry and the mysterious gentleman one Captain Jack Harkness.

His name inferred a gentleman, though Harry had scoffed at this assertion. Harry's tone when he mentioned Jack was one of playful insult, as was Harry's way with many things.

She had flooed rather than apparated as Cardiff and its Blaidd Drwg Rift that Harry had talked about both in passing and with regard to Ginevra Weasley's events in the past brought some difficulty when apparating close by.

She had every confidence in her abilities to apparate almost anywhere, but until she could assess the location fully she would not take any chances. Harry had indicated that Captain Harkness had said that there was to be some activity in Cardiff.

Knowing as she did Harry and the company he associated with she was prepared, though curious.

Those that worked with him she found to be pleasant on the occasion where she had encountered them.

Ioan Hrycek was perceived to be far more dangerous than initial appearances would suggest. He had been a proficient and highly skilled Quidditch player until he began to investigate incidents that most wizards would think was just magic, concealed or altered for muggles' benefit he was labelled a deviant and that his mind was addled beyond recognition. He had been exorcised from wizarding society to an extreme degree.

She knew that Ioan was not the only one who had been removed in this fashion, that Harry on occasion utilised associates of Ioan's for work that involved his League's focus that was beyond the scope of those who were part of the League.

Judith was also interesting, she was powerful in an unreadable way, the first time Daphne had met her she felt that the woman had appraised her and judged her capabilities. When they had been in the past during the 1970s together Daphne had seen what Harry had to do, a reflection of what he had done. Harry had alluded that Judith was more capable than he was, and on that first meeting with no words exchanged between them Daphne knew Harry spoke the truth concerning Judith. It was a side to Harry and his League that he had implied that Ioan tended not to wish to be exposed to, unless necessary, something that Harry respected of his associate.

It was another 10 minutes or so before she arrived at Cardiff Bay and for the first time in quite a while to be confronted with the Blaidd Drwg Rift.

It was here, or somewhere close above that Harry had utilised the unique and hazardous properties to pursue Ginevra Weasley through time, she herself having befallen to the Blaidd Drwg Rift's machinations. And it was now that a blue police box was standing close to the monolith.

"Best not to stare at it, he might notice," Daphne didn't flinch as she heard Harry's voice and as his hands wrapped her in a hug from behind, even with the charms keeping her body warm against the cold it was good to feel the warmth from his body against her.

"I was merely enjoying the view, now in possession of more of the facts of everything here," she explained as she turned around to face him, making him smile more broadly.

"Come on," he said with a mock sigh. "I guess its time for you to meet Captain Jack Harkness."

-/ - \\-

The establishment that they met the Captain had a view into the plass, but it seemed the view out and the tables and lounging chairs had been reserved for their party exclusively, though Daphne did see a few other patrons within the establishment as she and Harry entered.

Harry appeared to be familiar with the layout of the establishment as he led the way through.

Standing by outside on the balcony looking out into the plass was a man; taller than Harry in a long coat with his back to the establishment's interior. He heard them approach, which was interesting Daphne noted as the establishment's flooring's flooring was a particularly thick pile carpet.

Captain Jack Harkness was wearing a light blue shirt; it had been well ironed, with a white undershirt below. As the breeze caught the Captain's coat Daphne saw for a moment red braces set against the light blue of his shirt. On his hip lay a holster containing a weapon of a similar design to the weapons Harry would often carry. He beamed broadly and threw out his arms.

"You came Harry Potter."

On his wrist she noted was a large leather…something. It was not a time keeping device she was sure of it, even though some muggles had large timekeeping devices strapped to their arms, this was not one of them. There was something…she wasn't sure about it, the way he had dressed himself, the presence of it was not for a purpose, not a commonly used purpose for such thing as timekeeping she was sure.

"And this would be the lovely Daphne Greengrass!" He exclaimed offering her his hand.

She took it; shaking his hand. He had a firm, though not determined hand shake, his hands were rougher than Harry's but from the feel of his hands there did not seem to be anything recent about his hands, no scarring or blisters or dryness. Harry's hands changed from week to week from the work he performed.

But this man, this Jack Harkness, his hands seemed unchanged, it was interesting and odd, though precisely why, Daphne was not sure.

"Captain Harkness," Daphne said as she let go of the Captain's hand. There was something when she said his name and title, something…Daphne wasn't sure.

Captain Harkness' mannerisms were so slightly off, as though what was intended to be read; was there presented, but hidden.

Daphne allowed a small smile as they sat down. Captain Harkness was a deceit, though a cleverly crafted one, it was rather interesting to know so little about the man before her, yet know much more than she suspected he intended to reveal to the world.

"How about we start with an apéritif? The party won't get started until later tonight," Captain Harkess said as he reclined in the lounging chairs they had removed themselves from the windy balcony to.

"The potentially catastrophic party?" Harry asked, he seemed not as relaxed as Captain Harkness, but there was still an amused tone to his voice. Harry had explained that while the Captain knew of the precise events of tonight's activity in wider Cardiff, he had not enlightened Harry on the specifics.

"There's always something catastrophic, or a party when the Doctor's about Harry, you should know that." A knowing statement from the smiling Captain.

Harry shrugged. "Most of the time when he visited me when I was younger there wasn't anything catastrophic," Harry paused. "That I knew of." He continued with some deliberate ponderous sarcasm.

As the drinks were ordered it seemed that Captain Harkness knew the waiting staff well enough here to be on familiar terms with them.

"So Daphne, how come you didn't come down here with Harry?" Captain Harkness asked curiously.

"Your invitation came somewhat late Captain Harkness. I, like Harry have my own business to attend to. I'm sure you would understand that," she said carefully.

"Call me Jack, Daphne. A special friend of Harry's doesn't need to worry with titles," Jack grinned at her.

Daphne smiled at Harry for the briefest of moments. "If you wish." Daphne paused to take a sip of her drink, watching him carefully. There was the smallest shift in his mannerism, the way he was lounging in the chair changed, ever so slightly.

Then he smiled and reached forward and took a long gulp of his own drink.

She noted that Harry had been watching the interchange with some amusement, he was not a stranger to the 'awkward silences' either, as he'd joked to her with regard to his meetings with a variety of government individuals.

Though, while both herself and the Captain had not spoken for more than a few seconds his interchange had been anything but silent.

He had in the moments as he took a drink sought to find something in her, she could see his eyes watching her body, reading as some liked to call it.

But she prided herself in negotiations not to allow herself to be read. Muggle or wizard both attempted in negotiations to gain the upper hand, that was how business was conducted.

But this man; Captain Harkness. He was not foreign as the Doctor or others were they were foreign even at a distance, but this Captain Harkness, there was something estranged concerning him.

"Maybe I should take up your offer for a threesome Jack, you've certainly eyes for Daphne," Harry said with his casual humour that he used to break her silent analysis. It seemed, whilst studying Captain Harkness she had forgotten that Harry would not be as interested in the man as she was, or more than likely he knew more than she did.

As they were both acquaintances of the professional and personal that was likely, she did not ask or expect to know each of Harry's acquaintances as he did, she preferred to discover these people herself rather than have Harry relay information to her.

Although she recalled him saying he needed to explain what a 'Dah-lek' was at some point, he had been moving several blueprints and other designs when he'd mentioned it off hand.

Harry's comment seemed to relax the Captain as she looked to him for a moment, seemingly removing her concentration from Captain Harkness, but Daphne continued to monitor him even through she looked over to Harry momentarily.

-/ - \\-

In this pause the conversation changed to more mundane topics until they transitioned to a dining table some quarter of an hour later.

"Are those that your organisation is beholden to not concerned of the events to take place here tonight Captain Harkness?" Daphne asked glancing out the window, night had come and although it was quite dark around Cardiff Bay there was significant lighting illuminating the plass. That was something muggles and their buildings did that wizarding buildings and open spaces did not; illumination. There were benefits and disadvantages to illuminating all the spaces where people frequented.

"I'm in charge here," he paused and continued in Welsh. "We're an independent bunch here in Wales, we don't need to be told what to do."

Harry indicated that he understood and she understood Captain Harkness perfectly, though she did find it curious that much of his accent disappeared as he spoke.

"And you're very good at hiding what you're about," Harry commented idly as he watched the cloudy skies outside and then refocused on her. Daphne suspected Harry was about to be blunt in the way that amused him often. "Daphne knows Jack's not your name. Jack."

Daphne was satisfied that she had been correct, as Captain Harkness shifted from his lounging state to a more upright posture. Though she wouldn't have, confronted Captain Harkness with her questions. Hiding one's identity was up to an individual. But those small elements that revealed the deception she found sporting to detect.

Captain Harkness seemed surprised, both by her detection and of Harry's declaration of knowledge, clearly it was not something Harry had made Captain Harkness aware of in their past encounters.

Harry chuckled. "I was curious about you Jack, odd that you don't look anything like the man in the 1940s," Harry paused to take a drink, a sparking water. Harry had noted earlier in the night that Jack could 'drink like a fish' and he tended to follow if he wasn't concentrating, and that he intended to drive home following their engagement with Captain Harkness tonight. Daphne was aware of the muggles' laws involving operating a conveyance whilst intoxicated. There was a whole chapter on apparating whilst intoxicated that one needed to read before obtaining a licence. Although unlike the muggles no Ministry official could prevent you from doing so.

Harry continued to speak. "The Doctor mentioned a while ago" Harry paused "Or recently."

"Depending on your point of view," Captain Harkness cut into Harry's musings with a grin.

"That you were something of a conman, a rogue." Harry flashed Captain Harkness a smile. "I think you're still a rogue. And I don't care. Two of my best friends have titles as names," Harry said with a shrug.

Daphne was not surprised with Harry's attitude to Captain Harkness' alias, especially as he said of his other acquaintances. Even those he worked with. Judith had been quite obstinate in not revealing anything of her identity, she seemed to take great pleasure in the annoyance it caused her.

It did not answer the question of Captain Harkness' hands, they were almost unnaturally youthful, even if her were a wizard there would be signs of age present in his hands.

As their main course plates were taken away Daphne reflected that his age and his mannerisms were also not explained by his position as a rogue.

-/ - \\-

It was shortly after that they had ordered a dessert, from the establishment's rather extensive menu that the 'show' as Captain Harkness had described it began.

"Looks like it's kicking off," Captain Harkness said turning to look out the window.

Only Harry could see out the windows without turning his head, he, when they had taken their seats deliberately sat that way she assumed.

"Interesting," Harry said as he rose from his seat going over to the window.

One of the waiting staff glided over, Daphne noticed, carefully folded and replaced the linen napkin on the table before drifting away far out of perceptible listening distance.

Daphne decided to rise from the table and join Harry outside where he had made his way to, although she did have some desire to remain and speak to Captain Harkness he seemed more amused watching Harry's reaction to the current events than engaging in a discussion with her.

-/ - \\-

Outside the wind was churning, and down in the plass there was a light beaming out of the police box; the Doctor's TARDIS.

The beam of light was thundering up into the sky forcing the clouds to churn spinning in a vortex of light and energy.

Then the ground rumbled; the sensation was as though a great train rumbled past her feet. Then the sensations increased like the Earth was shaking and ripping with the energy emanating from the Doctor's box.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Harry exclaimed breathlessly as the sky swirled and the ground beneath them rumbled and roared.

A few years ago amazing would not have been the word that she would have used to describe such events that were being presented before her.

But Captain Harkness's indifference to this event and Harry exuberance not just for this event but his work in general gave her confidence.

So it was an interesting engagement to be one of the few people present at this event, to see the sky swirl and pulse with energy and to view it in a new way, confident that there was no danger for herself or for Harry. She was free to experience it with abstraction, removed from present dangers. It was quite an enlightening experience.

Then as suddenly as it began the light and energy spluttered off and they were left in a resounding silence, only the wind and a slight groaning and wheezing as the grounds around them seemed to grind out a sigh of relief that the assault on their roots and footings had ended.

Then Harry kissed her in a glorious intense wave of energy and excitement.

After such excitement it was somewhat odd to be settling down again to a dessert which had been prepared during the noise and excitement, seemingly ignoring the events outside the establishment's walls.

Daphne rather approved of their dedication to their business, Captain Harkness implied that certain businesses that had been present in Cardiff and around the Bay were familiar with the particular foibles and quirks of the area. To which he was referring to the Blaidd Drwg Rift, which ordinary muggles were supposedly not aware of, and despite the events in the past year most muggles were happy to create alternate explanations for the events that had occurred.

Many wizards would simply put this down to wizarding superiority in memory modification, but there was much truth to the idea that ordinary muggles simply rejected what they did not understand, filling in the gaps with whatever functioned in their reality.

-/ - \\-

Much later as she watched the countryside pass from the window of Harry's conveyance, having acquiesced to Harry's firm offer to accompany him home. Harry spoke, after they'd been in companionable silence for a short time as they departed Cardiff.

"How did you find Jack?" Harry asked as he adjusted the lighting on his conveyance; the road they were on was empty and the lighting, the 'highbeam' allowed for greater penetration of the night.

"He is a complicated man," she said looking to him as he drove. "With some interesting dishonesties."

"Like his name?" Harry mused.

"Not just that Harry," she said turning away from the side window to share Harry's gaze out of the front window and reached forward to the controls of the conveyance and adjusted the heating. She could feel Harry smirking at her; that she now knew how to adjust the heating within this and his other conveyances.

There was a simple complexity to it, rather than utilising a spell that could achieve similar results.

"Jack has…" Harry trailed off. Daphne glanced at him and saw him struggling to find the correct wording for what he knew. "He's alluded to gaps, before he started travelling with the Doctor he worked for a temporal agency that left gaps in his knowledge," he said eventually.

Daphne returned her gaze to the road ahead. That could account for some of his otherworldly nature, but there were still several things that she was unsure of about Captain Harkness.

"You don't need to meet him again if…" Harry started gently and reached down to take her hand.

She shook her head. "Captain Harkness is interesting Harry, and aside from Draco there are few people we can have honest social gathering together with."

Harry chuckled lightly. "In some ways Draco is a better companion to have an honest social get together than Captain Jack Harkness. There'd be at least less sexual innuendo."

Daphne agreed. Captain Harkness did seem to have a great many tales of sexual conquest, though also tales of drinking and near death experiences.

It was of the latter that Harry also enthused about, though she knew that it was of those experiences that Harry truly enjoyed.

"Perhaps we should see Draco more often, and Hermione," she paused. "And her boyfriend," she commented with a slight tone of amusement.

Harry laughed. "Yes, let's have a get together with Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, what could possibly be wrong with that?"

-/ - \\-

A/N:

This chapter started so well and I really intended to finish it within a week or three. Then, my motivation to write kinda evaporated somewhat.

Some of this chapter I had to kinda force myself to write. So there is a little bit of a return to a few stand by concepts that I've had waiting in the wings; namely more Daphne perspective story telling and Daphne meeting Jack which I'd intended to happen for a while.

The start of the chapter with Pearce and the Home Secretary I wrote before my motivation evaporation began. I was tempted to post just that, but my general rule for chapters is 2000 words or more is the minimum for a chapter.

All of the stuff with Harry, Daphne and Jack is set during Boom Town. Events of The Christmas Invasion will follow next chapter.