The third, fourth, and fifth floors of the Woolworth Building were dedicated almost exclusively to the Aurors in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, with a small carve out in the Northern corner of the third floor for the Major Investigation Department. While the two departments frequently worked together, it was well understood that the MID was in a league of its own.
As Hermione exited the lifts and took a left towards the MID, she observed that the chaos she had encountered downstairs had only grown exponentially on the third floor. Men and women clad in dark purple robes moved rapidly around the cubicles and memos of all colours flew overhead… though the floor was eerily quiet. Sure, people were speaking to each other, but mostly in hushed, urgent tones. There were none of the usual jovial greetings and anecdotes being shared over coffee that Hermione had grown accustomed to first thing in the morning.
Unnerved, Hermione slipped through the door into MID's offices, moving swiftly to her cubicle to deposit her bag, hang up her coat, and switch out boots for heels. As she neatly tucked her boots under the desk, she scanned her desk for urgent memos, but there was not a speck of the red or deep purple paper she had grown so familiar with.
Poking her head over the top of her cubicle, she noticed Roberts was in. She softly greeted the older woman, intending to ask her about all of the hubbub. However, she didn't manage to get out more than a "Morning, Roberts. How are y–" before she was cut off by the entry of the President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, Samuel Quahog. While MID worked closely under the direct supervision of the President's Office, it was unusual for President to make his way to their offices – he usually preferred that they report to his people.
Without looking at or greeting any of the highly-trained Aurors dotted around the room, President Quahog strode into the largest conference room, her boss striding out of his office to follow him, a commanding wave bidding the MID team to follow.
Joining the crush of bodies filling into the conference room, Hermione found a seat at the back. She felt lucky to even find a seat – it was rare for the entire department to come together for a meeting like this so there just weren't enough seats. Many Aurors found themselves pushed up against the wall or, if they were lucky, leaning up against the windowsill.
With an elegant sweep of his want and a muttered spell, President Quahog's assistant sent out copies of a piece of parchment to everyone in the room. Glancing at the copy that appeared in front of her, Hermione immediately recognized the formatting to be that of a mission brief. The headline, however, is what shocked her.
INTEROFFICE MISSION: S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT
Shit. Interoffice missions were rare, and Hermione couldn't remember the last time that she hadn't recognized the name of the organization they were partnering with. It certainly wasn't a MACUSA department, nor one of the usual Muggle agencies they occasionally partnered with (CIA, FBI, CSIS, Interpol, and the like). As the President began to speak, outlining the case and highlighting key passages from the brief, Hermione scanned it.
Following the Attack on New York last year by Alien powers, MACUSA's forces have been out in full force attempting to repair damage and maintain the International Statute of Secrecy in the course of the fall out.
This was common knowledge – Hermione herself had worked closely with the Minister's Office and several agencies (both Muggle and magical) in aiding with the clean up, using magic to discreetly speed up the rebuilding process and to shore up fortifications in the event of another attack like this.
The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) has requested, via the Muggle President's Office, that M.A.C.U.S.A. aid in conducting research into building defences to better protect Earth in the event of a future attack, as well as to better understand magic on the whole in case Loki or some other Alien power attempts another invasion of Earth.
M.A.C.U.S.A. has been closely coordinating with the International Confederation of Wizards in order to establish a way for this project to go forward. The mission will have strict parameters and measures in place in order to assuage the I.C.W. while ensuring that Earth is as fully protected as possible.
ONE (1) M.I.D. Auror, acting without back up or support will enter S.H.I.E.L.D., posing as a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent. No one, beyond a selection of THREE (3) Senior Agents at S.H.I.E.L.D., shall know of this Auror's true purpose or power. The Auror is to complete all tasks requested by S.H.I.E.L.D., including but not limited to research, warding, and field work, and will have no contact with M.A.C.U.S.A. or the wizarding world beyond their handler.
This was common procedure to ensure that the secret of the wizarding world did not get out – when Hermione had spent three weeks with the CIA last year, she had been unable to contact anyone from the wizarding world. She'd even missed the birth of Harry's youngest child due to the mission. (The baby came a month early – it had been a shock to go off the grid for three weeks only to find out upon her return that her goddaughter had been born.) It was harder for some, as those with families of their own, spouses and children, were unable to see them for the duration of the mission.
This mission will last for an indeterminate period of time, no less than THREE (3) months, with the potential to be extended further. The Auror selected for this mission should be prepared that it may last well over a year.
The Auror should meet the following requirements:
Requirements:
1. Experience in curse-breaking
2. High level of understanding of Magical Theory
3. Experience in spell-crafting
4. Experience in ward-crafting
5. Experience in research
6. Experience in No-Maj Interoffice Missions
7. Comfort in No-Maj settings
8. Willingness to undertake a lengthy mission
Additional Assets (Preferable):
9. Powerful spell-caster
10. Medi-Training
11. Advanced Combat Training
12. High level of understanding of Norse mythology
13. Experience in reconnaissance
All interested and qualified M.I.D. Aurors should self-identify to Head M.I.D. Auror Hopkins.
Looking at the list of requirements and assets, Hermione knew that even if she didn't self-identify to Hopkins, he'd want her for the mission. While her colleagues were all incredibly talented, few had the breadth of skill and experience they wanted for this mission and fewer still had her degree of comfort in the Muggle world. While she'd probably need to brush up on her Norse mythology, the rest of the list fit neatly into her wheelhouse.
Hermione contemplated the assignment as she heard the President once again stressing to the MID Aurors the importance of secrecy in this mission.
"The Auror selected for this mission should be prepared that it may last well over a year." Her eyes seemed glued to that one statement. Everything else mentioned in the short mission brief sounded interesting, exciting… but was she ready to put her life on hold for something that would last months to years?
H – H – H
It turned out, the ever-ethical Hermione had little choice in the matter. After the President had left, Head MID Auror Hopkins – Hops, as he insisted his team call him – expanded on the urgency of the mission.
"The President was, to be frank, folks, being too gentle about this one," he told them. "We're desperate – I'm sure you saw the crowds, heard the news. No-Majs are scared, and many are tuning into hints of magic they ignored previously, too afraid that it's Loki at work again. New York is quickly turning into an inhospitable place for magical folks." Hops paused here, raking his hand through his hair, a move that always reminded Hermione of Harry. "If… if things aren't settled soon, MACUSA is gonna have to crack down on magic use even further, to protect our citizens. It's not looking good, folks. Get back to work, but please, think carefully about this one. We need someone to step up."
As Hermione rose en masse with the rest of MID, moving with the crush of people out of the conference room, Hops grabbed her elbow briefly. "Think about it, Hermione, please."
It didn't take long for Hermione to think about it.
A/N: Please comment to share your thoughts! I've got this plot bunny in my head, but it's comments that really fuel me to keep publishing what I write. ❤️