Chapter 14: Leaving Jamaica, New York stopover, the trip home, and the arrival at MDOCS.
Monday, September 11th, 2018, 1:30 PM
The young Potter couple, along with Sir Harry, as well as Dame Daphne, who had portkeyed in to attend their graduation, and Markie and the Elder Graves left to catch a thestral-drawn carriage that was sent for them by MACUSA to Jamaica. The rest of the graduates had left by international portkey after lunch.
The shiny black carriage had landed at an old airfield close to Plantation Village, which was just west of Saint Anns Bay. The old airstrip was located behind a filling station on the A1, and could be reached by Chester Road. Here, the Potters and Graves, who were driving their own vehicles, made a left off Chester, and followed a straight dirt road, which made its way through a field, and toward the old airstrip. The carriage had flown over the strip, and had landed in the field's road.
After they left their vehicles, a couple of Jamaican Aurors that had apparated in, drove their vehicles back to their homes in the mountain behind St. Anns Bay, where they would then apparate back to Kingston. Harry slipped them both some "partying money" for the night.
After everyone boarded the carriage, which was being pulled by twenty-one thestrals, they sat back for the ride, where the carriage gave a small lurch, and began gaining speed, where it went airborne before making it to Chester Road. The carriage was set up like Sir Harry's with many charms, so no muggle nor no-maj would notice a thing.
"How long will this flight take?" Harry wondered.
"Thestrals are faster than you think, Little Brother," David replied. "It will be about a four and a half hour flight, so we'll be arriving at about 6:00 PM.
"Really?" Daphne wondered.
As Dave nodded, Harry began thinking. "I wonder if the MACUSA would allow us to take a carriage back to the UK?"
"What!" Jimmie exclaimed. "We'll lose our money on the return tickets with BA, and that's about $500 lost!"
Harry snorted at that. "That's piss in the bottom of a bucket, Jim, to keep you two safe. If any have cottoned onto the idea that you two flew in to start with, then they won't be expecting us to take a carriage. They might expect an international portkey at most, so losing $500 is nothing. I'll refund it.
"Let's let them think that you'll be onboard, if they've caught on."
Here, Harry looked over at Daphne who was nodding in agreement, before he glanced over at Dave, who was sitting across from him. "Can that be arranged, Big Brother?"
"I think it can, but you'll not need as many thestrals. We have several VIP carriages that use fourteen, which are what Deb and I take for our trips sometimes."
"They're just like this carriage," Debbie explained, "and even have a toilet room behind the rear seat."
"It's settled then," Harry said. "We'll have supper at the Colchester-Astor, stretch our legs, and board one by eight this evening. When will that put us getting back, you think?"
David thought for a moment, and Harry grinned as he saw David and Markie counting on their fingers.
"It's a seven hour and thirty minute flight into London, but with the time difference, it will arrive just before, or at about 8:00 AM in the morning. They can land that on Medland Lane by the way, if you show them how to get there. If not, have Seamus to pick you up in the Beast."
Harry looked over at Jimmie and Goodnight, who were whispering between them, before Jimmie looked back at his father.
"All right," Jimmie said, "but $500 is nothing to be sneezed at! As long as we can get that back, then we're okay with it." Jimmie didn't tell them that they hated the new style first class, which was in a new test plane that had flown them there. In the carriage, they could sit with each other, as Jimmie still thought the plane's new "private spaces" reminded him of animals being separated, and placed into pens. Jimmie thought that there was something very fishy behind it, and segregation came to mind. There were some very odd things occurring within the muggle world at the moment, and that made him think back to the history they were taught, especially about the Federalists.
Harry pulled out his secure flip phone, and dialed the Colchester-Astor to reserve a table for seven. He was looking forward to supper, where he would start with a nice salad, and then have the Chateaubriand with Truffles and Lyonnaise Potatoes, along with a nice expensive glass of "classic Claret" such as 2000 Chateau La Lagune Haut Medoc. Next, he would finish that off with a nice big slice of American Apple Pie, and a flute of Bollinger. Something told him that Dave, Markie, and Jimmie would agree, since MDOCS was footing the bill.
The Potters parted with the Graves after many hugs and back slaps, where they side-along apparated Jimmie and Goodnight to the MACUSA thestral grounds and carriage strip along the Hudson. They hated to leave, as the hotel's food that night was superb, and they had a good wizarding jazz orchestra from New Orleans playing that evening as well. The sax players really had it down that night, and the short African-American witch singer with the shoulder-length hair, did too. The song that was playing when they left was, 'You Are Mine At Last.'
The four nodded at the coachman and his under-coachman, who also acted as the footman during their international night flights. Once everyone was seated, the four Potters heard the coachman say "Getty-up," where the coach gave a small lurch, and it began rolling and building up speed. Finally, they were in the air, and were now flying over Manhattan, where they next passed over the Statue of Liberty, before heading out over Long Island in a northeastern course toward England. Beforehand, and just after they had boarded, Harry had shown the coachman a map of where Potter Manor was located, and the coachman assured him that the thestrals could find their way, and land them on Medland Lane.
Before long, the carriage left land over the Shadmoor State Park, which was just northeast of East Hampton. Here, Harry and Daphne were explaining to the young Potters that the Hamptons were where many of America's power elite lived. Harry also told them of some rather pagan happenings that occurred in the woods close to there on a certain small island, such as certain old pagan activities tied to the "sacred grove," and the "wild hunt."
Here, the young Potters immediately thought of the goddesses Diana, Vesta, Artemis, and Nemetona, along with the perverted Caligula. The truth was all within 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion,' which was an encyclopedic set of twelve volumes that explained how politics and religion were intertwined from the start, which they were all given a set of during training, where the young newlyweds remembered reading about how the Rex or Priest-King could be challenged at the grove in a sword duel to the death. The Priest-King, who was seen as a demigod, dwelt there holding his reign "by strong hands and fleet feet, and dies according to the example he set himself." That was how old kings were replaced by the younger challengers in those days, and that was the origin of the divine right of kings as well.
The sacred tree, an old oak in the grove which held the bough, which was to be broken free by the challenger of the Priest-King to be accepted, was represented by a wooden pole or an obelisk sitting outside a temple, with the grove and its alter becoming the temple itself. The pole or obelisk represented the masculine, and entering the temple represented entering the feminine space, or womb. In other words, both represented creation and procreation. That was what was really behind the creation of the many pagan rites, as well as all religion, which later led to Yule, the "Wild Hunt," the Querquetulanae, and the Kronia, Saturnalia, Carnival, and Mardi Gras. Also, both young Potters thought, there were the sexual rites during the spring as well. Both unknowingly thought of "Virgo" at the same time over this.
The next time that they gazed out of the windows of the carriage, they were just below the clouds, and flying over the rolling waters of the Atlantic Ocean at a lightning pace.
When the carriage's wheels met the tarmac of Medland Lane with a small bounce, Goodnight, who had been snuggled up beside Jimmie, and asleep with her head on his shoulder, woke. Jimmie did as well, as he had also been sawing logs.
Here, Harry snorted after he yawned. "You two rapscallions up?"
Jimmie chortled. "You and Mum were sleeping as well!"
"Yes," Daphne replied, "and I hope that you two are rested up enough to go to headquarters this morning, as the both of you are to be sworn in, and then you're to make your way to the DOIMC. There, you're to see Uncle Gareth."
"Why's that Mum?" Goodnight questioned, just as the carriage began slowing down, since it was close to the main gate that led to Potter Manor.
"Because," Daphne replied, "working at the DOIMC is your cover."
Before either could ask more, they heard the coachman say "Whoa," where the carriage rolled to a stop.
"Come on you lot," Harry said, "as we'll have to walk to the manor from here, since there's no room to turn the carriage."
The under-coachman stepped down, and walked around to open the door that was closest to the elder Potter's right, and the closest to the gate, where he sat some small wooden steps down for them to deboard. After everyone was standing on the tarmac, Harry handed the under-coachman a tip to be split between him and the coachman, where they all said their goodbyes, after Harry told them that they still had enough straight road to take off past the gate.
As the carriage left, the two couples walked up to the gate, where Jimmie waved his hand causing it to swing open, and the four took a casual stroll along the tree-covered drive, while looking out at the upper pasture, where several red deer were grazing.
As they walked by the Garden House, they noticed that Petunia was already at work, so they made their way onto the manor, where they walked through the side gate at the patio, and through the side door where they finally entered the kitchen.
"We're home," Harry announced, which caused Winky to immediately pop into view in front of them.
"Winky's glad that Master and Mistress is being back," Winky beamed, but then her smile turned into a frown.
"Kreacher still be resting Sir Harry," Winky said after she curtsied. "And good morning young Master James and Mistress Mary."
"Let Kreacher rest," Harry said. "How is he, by the way?"
Here, Winky's bottom lip trembled, "He's not well, Master. You knows he's being old, and I fear that his days aren't long."
Daphne bent over and hugged Winky, while whispering to her and trying to cheer her up.
"I'll go in and check on my old friend before we leave, Winky," Harry replied. "If you would, could you make us a pot of Blue Mountain coffee?"
Winky wiped her eyes and sniffed after Daphne released her, but nodded as she walked over to the counter to start the coffee.
Here, Harry pulled out Daphne's chair for her, and then sat himself down with a sigh. Jimmie and Goodnight left for Jimmie's old room to shower and change before they left, since both still had dress clothes there. The elder Potters required a wake-me-up before they could.
The Potters also noticed how quiet the manor was, what with the children now being at Hogwarts, as they had left for school just before Harry joined everyone at Jamaica.
When Winky brought the coffee, Harry sadly looked over at the small elf, who was getting up in age herself. "I'll have Andromeda come by and have a look at Kreacher after we return. She may have to give him something stronger for his rheumatism."
"Thank you, Master," Winky said. "You's Potters have always been good to we's house-elves." As she turned, both Potters could see that poor Winky was about to cry.
Harry knew that Kreacher's time would come, and he couldn't swallow the idea of having to bury his old friend. The years that the old elf had stayed at No. 12 by himself had taken their toll.
Harry and Daphne side-along apparated Jimmie and Goodnight to the DOCS Headquarters, which was the first time that either had been allowed to go there. Both were gaping at the castle in wonder.
"Come on children," Daphne said, as she started walking toward the steps from the fountain, "as you'll both like it better inside." Daphne still called them children, and that would never change no matter how old they were.
Jimmie took Goodnight's hand, and they followed his parents inside, and through the entrance hall, where they made their way to the back staircase by the lift. Here, they followed the elder Potters up the stairs to the first floor, and walked into the old White Drawing Room, which was now the bullpen. As soon as the four walked through the door, both Seamus and Tracey shouted out "Attention!"
Everyone scrambled from their desks, and saluted, as Seamus and Tracey made their way over to their bosses, and shook their hands, as well as those of Jimmie and Goodnight.
"Well," Seamus said with a smirk, as he patted Jimmie on the shoulder, "today's da big day, innit?"
"Yup," Jimmie replied with a proud smirk, as Tracey let him loose from her hug.
"Got the Bible?" Harry asked.
Tracey walked over to Seamus' desk, picked up the Bible, and handed it over to Harry, while everyone was still standing at attention, and looking on.
"Which one is first?" Daphne asked.
"Goodnight goes first," Jimmie said, as Daphne took the Bible, and held it out at Goodnight.
"Place your left hand on the Bible, and raise your right," Daphne said. Once Goodnight did so, Daphne continued, "Repeat after me.
"I, state your full name," Daphne started, and Goodnight repeated, "swear by Almighty God, and do solemnly and truly, declare and affirm, that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, and the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, and those of the Minister For Magic of Great Britain and his Security Council, as well as the affiliated department heads, directors, and officers set over me within the Ministry's Department of Clandestine Services.
"Furthermore, I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.
"Furthermore, I hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secrets of the Ministry of Magic's Department of Clandestine Services, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be to a true and lawful person of this organization, or to the Security Council, or the Minister for Magic.
"All of this, I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same, without the least equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion whatsoever, thus binding myself under no less a penalty than that of the laws of the Ministry of Magic's Official Secrecy Act, for which I signed, that no more remembrance be had among the Ministry of Magic of so vile a wretch as me, should I, in the least, knowingly or wittingly, violate or transgress this my solemn oath and obligation of an Intelligence Operative employed by the Department of Clandestine Services. So help me God and keep me steadfast."
The oath took a while, as Daphne would pause at every comma and period, whereby Goodnight would repeat her words.
"Congratulations Operative Greengrass-Potter, and here we present you with your new Balmoral Bonnet, uniform, patches, and silver broach. Wear them with pride!"
Tracey handed Daphne the folded uniform, with the patches, broach, and bonnet sitting on top, where Daphne handed them over to Goodnight. Goodnight delicately balanced them on her left hand, as she saluted Daphne and Harry with her right. "Thank you, Commander Potter!"
Next, Goodnight took a step back, but still remained at attention.
"James Cyrus, step forward," Harry commanded.
Jimmie stepped forward, and placed his left hand upon the Bible, as he raised his right. His father took him through the oath, and after receiving his uniform, he stepped back beside his new wife, but remained at attention.
"All right, everyone, at ease!" Seamus called out.
"Seamus," Harry ordered, "Take Jimmie back to his new desk, and Tracey, please take Goodnight back to hers."
The Potters proudly watched the young couple make their way back to their desks, where they sat their uniforms down, and emptied their pockets of several things that they placed in their desk drawers, but remained standing, after remembering what they were to do next.
"All right you two," Daphne said, "make your way to the ministry, and go to the DOIMC where Uncle Gareth will be expecting you. Do what he says, and as I understand it, Kingsley wants to see both of you as well."
This made both young operatives' eyebrows shoot up to their hairline as they made their way back to where Harry and Daphne were standing at the front of the bullpen.
"Follow us," Daphne said, "and Harry will take you down to the cellar, and show you the floo room. Once you're finished with Kingsley, come straight back, and then to our office."
Before they could leave though, Jimmie spoke up. "Hold up a sec."
Jimmie removed a framed photo from his pocket, which he enlarged with a wave of his hand. He then took it over to the wall close to the door, and hung it under Seamus' graduation photo. There were three graduation photos from Camp X now hanging on the wall, which showed the entire group that would wave at everyone looking at them. Once finished, Jimmie gave it a quick tap of his wand, before he walked back over to Goodnight and his parents, where he watched Seamus and Tracy stand from their desks, and quickly make their way over to look at it.
Here, Jimmie counted down four seconds in his head, as his Uncle Seamus and Auntie Tracey were leaning forward and looking over the new class photo. At the end of the fourth second, music began to play from the frame, and it was McKnight playing his steel guitar with a slide, which was a Delta Swamp Blues tune called "Shot Glass Slidin'." This made his Uncle Seamus belt out a huge laugh, as the young Potters, who were now sniggering, followed the elder Potters out the door.
A/N: The song by McKnight can be found at YouTube dot com forward slash watch?v=Eem2MdKrFiA
