CHAPTER FIVE: AMBUSH
Jimmy O'Bannon's entire body went numb. This couldn't be happening. Not when they were so close to Hogwarts. How the hell did the Ministry find them? How the hell did they know who he was?
"DROP YOUR WANDS AND PLACE YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEADS!!" demanded the magically amplified voice.
Instead O'Bannon tightened his grip on his wand. His head whipped around. Where was that voice coming from?
He noticed Jared and Rosa had their wands extended, determined looks on both their faces. Artimus also had his wand up, rapidly sucking down anxious breaths.
O'Bannon scanned above him. He tensed when he saw a shadow dart over the trees. He lifted his wand high.
"EXPELLIARMUS!!"
An invisible force yanked O'Bannon's wand from his grasp. More Disarming Spells streaked through the air. Within seconds Jared, Rosa and Artimus all found their wands gone.
"DON'T MOVE!!"
A silhouette on a broom descended through the leafless trees. Another one followed seconds later. The first figure hovered inches from the ground and dismounted his broom, training his wand on the quartet. As he stepped closer, O'Bannon's eyes flared in recognition.
What the hell?
The squat man with receding dark hair, the one who spotted O'Bannon and his friends entering that restricted area at Glasgow International Airport, stood before him. He still had on the same shabby brown suit, but now wore a robe over it.
He's a friggin' wizard?
The man turned out not to be just any ordinary wizard. O'Bannon noticed the badge on his robes. The guy was an auror.
"You know," the man spoke. "There are very severe penalties for foreign wizards entering the United Kingdom illegally."
"We didn't come here illegally," O'Bannon said. "We have Muggle passports." Of course, those passports had been forged by that Guild of the Light member Roger Luzinski. No doubt this auror could cast a simple charm to prove that.
"Muggle means of identification are meaningless to the Ministry of Magic." The auror's eyes darted over them as his partner strode up beside him, his wand also covering the quartet. "You failed to alert the Ministry of your presence in this country, therefore you are in violation of the law. And considering who you are," the auror targeted O'Bannon with a harsh gaze, "and where you appeared headed to, it would seem you have a very specific purpose for entering our country illegally."
"What the hell are you talking about?" O'Bannon tried to sound defiant, and tried to fight off the tremors of fear building inside him.
The auror smirked and took a step forward, his wand pointed at O'Bannon's chest. "The Minister of Magic was afraid of this. While we have stepped up our checks on owls and port keys and the Floo Network, there were some in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement who believed the cabal seeking to overthrow Minister Fudge may resort to Muggle ways to communicate, or to import mercenary wizards and witches from other countries to bolster their ranks."
O'Bannon blinked in disbelief. Did this jagoff really think he and his friends were foreign mercenaries?
"So they assigned me to watch Glasgow International Airport just in case," the auror continued. "I admit, I was surprised when I recognized the 'famous' Jimmy O'Bannon walking through the terminal."
"How do you even know who I am?"
The auror chuckled without a hint of humor. "Have you forgotten your minor celebrity status while you were here? That stupid hoe-key game you set up last year at Hogwarts? Big story in the Prophet for a while, what having a Muggle game played at Hogwarts. Only someone like Dumbledore would go for that. Thankfully, I'm blessed with a very good memory, and recognized your face from your photos in the Prophet."
Dizziness whipped through O'Bannon's head. It took all his willpower to keep from crumpling to the ground. He never expected the general magical population of Britain to remember the Triad/Slytherin game a year later. He certainly wouldn't expect anyone outside of Hogwarts to recognize him in a busy airport terminal. He never even dreamed the Ministry would consider watching a Muggle airport for foreign wizards.
O'Bannon wanted to scream and curse. He wanted to hit or kick something. They thought they were being so clever, coming here by plane. Who would have guessed Fudge and his cronies would have the foresight to scope out Muggle airports?
O'Bannon's face contorted. His head trembled. They'd walked right into a trap.
Maybe we can convince them about the Longathian Tunnel and You-Know-Who's reinforcements.
Given what Fred and George said of Cornelius Fudge, he doubted anyone even half-loyal to that dumbass would listen.
We were so close. So damn close.
"Now, extend your arms," the auror demanded. "Wrists together."
O'Bannon and the others held their arms out in front of them, wrists pressed together. His eyes darted between the two aurors.
I gotta do something!
Plans formed in his mind, but were quickly discarded. This wasn't a TV show or a movie, and he certainly wasn't Jackie Chan or Chuck Norris. He and his friends, all wandless, faced two armed and probably rather experienced aurors. If the quartet tried anything physical, the aurors would put them all down in the blink of an eye.
Think, dammit. Think!
Ropes flew from the aurors' wands and wrapped tightly around the wrists of the four teens. O'Bannon noticed Artimus staring straight ahead, his face pale white. For a moment he feared the taller boy would faint.
"Now that they're secured," the auror turned to his partner. "Dawlish. Prepare them for transport back to the Ministry."
"Right."
Dawlish waved his wand, muttering incantations.
O'Bannon's insides collapsed. His throat tightened. He thought of all the people depending on him. All the people he failed. How many would die because of it?
Maybe you should rush them. O'Bannon knew such a plan was doomed to fail, especially with his wrists bound. But at least he'd have the satisfaction of knowing he tried to do something to escape, no matter how futile.
He wondered if he would still feel proud of such a gesture when Death Eaters and dark creatures from America flooded England.
"Security charms and Extended Side-Along Apparation Charms in place," Dawlish reported.
The lead auror nodded and stepped toward O'Bannon's left side.
"Stupefy!"
A red bolt struck the lead auror in the back. He gasped and fell flat on his face.
Dawlish spun around.
"Stupefy!"
A second Stunning Spell struck Dawlish in the stomach. His arms flew out to his sides as he fell to the ground.
"What the hell's going on?" Jared blurted.
A figure emerged from the shadows. Even with the robes, O'Bannon could tell the newcomer was female. As she came closer, he focused on her face.
Wait a minute. He canted his head, taking in the young woman's stringy black hair tied in a ponytail and her horn-rimmed glasses.
"Now just what do y'all think you're doing here in Britain?" the woman said in a thick southern accent.
O'Bannon's jaw fell open. "Tonks?"
She put her arms out in an exaggerated fashion. "The one and only." This time she spoke in her normal British accent.
"I don't believe it," Jared exclaimed.
"Oh sweet Merlin, thank you," Artimus said breathlessly.
"You have no idea how glad we are to see you." Rosa beamed.
Tonks swished her wand about, ridding the security charms around them and removing the ropes from their wrists. O'Bannon leaped on her and wrapped her up in a bearhug.
"I guess you're really happy to see me." Tonks chuckled and patted O'Bannon on the back.
He pulled away and studied Tonks' heart-shaped face. She had once again assumed the guise of Katerina Ponce, her alias when she came to Salem last fall to help O'Bannon during the Projection Potion incident. Even with her mousy, librarian-like appearance, she still looked hot.
"What are you doing here?" Rosa asked. "How did you even know we were here?"
"I was at the Aurors' Office when Lumwhittle," Tonks nodded to the lead auror, still lying unconscious, "sent his Patronus to alert us that you were in the country. Given how close you are to the Weasleys, and how much they support Dumbledore, the Office assumed you'd make straight for Hogwarts."
The corners of O'Bannon's mouth twisted. It seemed like the Ministry, unknowingly, had been a step or two ahead of them since before they even took off from Logan.
"Man, Jimmy." Jared slapped his shoulder. "I never realized the Brits considered you so dangerous."
"Me neither." O'Bannon shrugged.
"Actually," said Tonks. "The Ministry is suspicious of any foreign wizards in the country."
"Yeah, dipstick over there," O'Bannon nodded to the still form of Auror Lumwhittle, "was going on about how we were foreign mercenaries recruited to overthrow Fudge."
"Well, in your case, such a fear is justified." Tonks' lips curled in a wry grin. "At least in the barmy minds of Minister Fudge and his ilk. But seriously, Jimmy, think about who your closest friends are in Britain. The Weasleys, who are close to Harry Potter, and he's close to Professor Dumbledore. Right now Fudge firmly believes Dumbledore is looking to take his place as Minister of Magic, so he's going to be suspicious of anyone close to Dumbledore, Harry and their inner circle."
Artimus slowly shook his head. "I just can't believe a responsible government official would act this way with You-Know-Who out there."
"Well the key word there, Art, is 'responsible.'" Rosa snorted. "And this Fudge guy seems anything but."
"Spot on, Rosa." Tonks nodded to her. "Now, I think it's time for the big question. What are four wonderful Yanks such as yourselves doing in Britain?"
"We're on a mission for the Guild of the Light." O'Bannon stepped forward. "Tonks, you've got about ten different kinds of hell coming your way." He told her about the American Death Eaters plan for the Longathian Tunnel between the U.S. and Britain.
Tonks gasped and slouched to her side. "This is unbelievable. With all those Death Eaters and creatures added to his ranks, You-Know-Who could move immediately against the Ministry. And considering how Fudge has been acting, we'd be completely unprepared to deal with such an assault."
"With the Ministry here going overboard on security," said O'Bannon, "the Guild couldn't risk sending an owl or contacting you by Floo. So they sent us here by plane to contact Headmaster Dumbledore so he could alert the rest of the Order of the . . ."
He stopped, gazing silently at Tonks. A condescending inner voice vibrated his skull.
A-DUH!!
"Tonks, you're in the Order of the Phoenix!"
Tonks put a hand over her chest and looked at O'Bannon in mock surprise. "Really? And here I thought all those meetings I've been going to since last summer were for the Spell of the Month Club."
"Ha-ha," O'Bannon laughed sarcastically. "What I mean is, you can alert the Order."
"I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out." Tonks shifted her weight to one side and gave him another one of her patented wry grins.
Tiny jolts of electricity raced through O'Bannon. He kept his eyes fixed on Tonks. My God, but that quirky smile made her look so hot.
"So, any more information on this Longathian Tunnel?"
Tonks' question snapped O'Bannon out of his reverie. He prayed the young woman didn't know he'd been ogling her out.
"Not really. Headmistress Esmeralda just said it's located somewhere in New England. The Guild's tracking it down on our side of the Atlantic, but if they couldn't find it in time, they wanted to make sure you guys had fair warning."
Tonks nodded thoughtfully. "Any idea when these reinforcements will be sent?"
"Two, maybe three days."
"That doesn't give us much time." Tonks chewed on her lower lip. "I'll get to Order headquarters right away. Hopefully we can find the tunnel in time, or hopefully the Guild will save us the trouble."
"Do you want us to come with you?" Rosa asked.
"Sorry." Tonks gave her a sympathetic look. "But the fewer people who know the location of our headquarters the better. Please don't take offense to that."
"None taken," said O'Bannon. "After all the lectures we've gotten from Guild members, believe me we know all about the importance of security."
"So now what?" Artimus rotated his head, taking in the little group. "We can't fly back to the States from Glasgow Airport. After what happened with the security guards there, they're probably looking for us."
"Nevermind Glasgow." Rosa turned to him. "From what Lump-dweedle or whatever said, we can't go to any airport in this country. Fudge probably has agents at all of them."
"So basically, we're trapped here." Anger lines dug into Jared's face.
O'Bannon grunted and thumped a fist against his side. His mind churned, searching for another way out of England. Ferries? Surely a country like England must have boats going back and forth between here and Continental Europe. Maybe they could get on one and use an airport in France or Belgium to return home.
Scratch that. If Fudge's gang is watching the airports, they're probably watching the ports as well.
"You know where the Weasleys live, don't you?" Tonks asked O'Bannon.
"Yeah. Outside Ottery St. Catchpole."
"Right. Make for the Burrow. I'm sure Mister and Mrs. Weasley will let you stay there until we figure out how to get you out of the country."
"You got it." O'Bannon expected to be more worried. Not only were they trapped in England, but no doubt the Ministry had aurors and other agents out looking for them. Heck, the Muggle authorities probably wanted them, too. O'Bannon doubted those guards would just forget about what they did at Glasgow International. But a sense of calm, of satisfaction, washed over him. He'd told Tonks about the Longathian Tunnel, and she'd tell the rest of the Order. The odds just doubled for the good guys to find the tunnel and stop Voldemort's reinforcements.
Damn, we did it. Despite all the headaches and unexpected crap hurled at them, they succeeded in their mission. With that knowledge, he could worry later about finding a way out of England.
Tonks cast a Summoning Spell to retrieve the quartet's wands. Once they had them in hand, Tonks let out an audible sigh. "Well, I wish this reunion could have lasted a bit longer, but I'd best get on with alerting the Order. It was good seeing all of you again. Take care."
Tonks smiled at them. O'Bannon swore her smile and gaze lingered on him a bit longer than the others.
You're dreamin', man.
"It was good to see you too, Tonks." O'Bannon returned her grin. "Best of luck and be car-"
"Protego!"
O'Bannon snapped his head in Rosa's direction. Before he could ask why she erected a Shield Spell, a red bolt exploded in the air a few feet behind Tonks. She whirled around, wand at the ready. O'Bannon stared through the trees into the night sky.
Three shadowy figures on brooms soared above them. More colorful bolts sliced through the darkness. O'Bannon cast a Shield Spell. His arms shook as two red bolts collided with his shield.
"Behind!" Jared cried out.
Two more robed, flying figures dove toward them.
Jared and Artimus fired off Stunning Spells and Impediment Jinxes. The incoming wizards blocked them all.
"Who the hell are they?" Rosa's Stunning Spell barely missed one of the figures.
"Probably aurors." Tonks answered. "Dammit! I bet the Ministry sent them when Lumwhittle and Dawlish took too long reporting back."
Tonks shot off a couple different spells. One auror flailed wildly. He slipped from his broom and crashed through a leafless tree, getting hung up on a large branch.
"Go! Go!" Tonks erected a shield as O'Bannon and the others ran deeper into the woods. He and Rosa cast some Stunning Spells. Every one either missed or was blocked.
A chunk of the tree next to O'Bannon exploded into splinters. He threw himself on the ground and rolled on his back.
An auror weaved around the trees. He cast another Battering Spell. Artimus blocked it with a Shield Spell. The auror reared back on his broom and flew over the shield. He banked right and narrowly avoided a Stunning Spell from Jared. O'Bannon briefly wondered if this guy had played Quidditch considering the way he handled a broom.
The Battering Spell that impacted a foot from him wiped away that frivolous thought.
O'Bannon rolled out of the way of a second spell. He heard and felt a rush of wind as the auror's broom passed above him.
"Freezium!"
A chalky white beam shot from O'Bannon's wand. A block of ice encased the rear of the broom. The extra weight took the auror by surprise. The back of the broom scraped the ground. The auror tried to right himself, but wound up flipping head over heels. He crashed to the ground and stirred listlessly.
"This way!" Tonks rushed past them, still casting a Shield Spell.
Multi-colored bolts sizzled around the quartet as they ran after Tonks. A ditch appeared ahead of them. All five jumped into it.
The aurors converged on them, some on brooms, others on foot. Artimus and Jared erected shields while O'Bannon, Rosa and Tonks fired back. Rosa summoned a large fallen branch from the ground and used it to club an auror on the head. He crumpled to the ground.
"Tonks! Apparate out of here!" O'Bannon cast another Freezing Charm, turning the ground in front of the aurors into a sheet of ice. They easily melted it.
"I'm not leaving you lot on your own to fight aurors." Tonks deflected a Body-Bind Curse.
"Tonks!" O'Bannon grasped her upper arm. "You have to warn the Order about the Longathian Tunnel. That's all that matters. We can take care of ourselves. Now go!"
He turned back to the approaching aurors, shooting spell after spell. He wondered if they really could take care of themselves against, what now, six, seven aurors. It didn't matter. So long as Tonks got away and told the Order of the Phoenix . . .
"Jimmy!"
He turned to Jared, who nodded to his left.
Tonks was still there.
"Dammit, Tonks! Go!"
"I can't."
"I told you, we can take care of ourselves!"
"That's not what I mean. I've tried three times to Apparate back to headquarters. Something's preventing me from doing it. We're stuck here!"
TO BE CONTINUED