Authors note: So, so sorry for not having anything new in quite a long time, But alas I ran into a incredibly long streak of being really busy and getting/got engaged to the love of my life, the Hermione to my Harry, the most amazing, wonderful girl in the world. And whilst that hasn't really slowed down, I have had the next few chapters rolling around in my head for a few days now and if I don't write them down now I'll forget them. I hope you all enjoy where this story is heading, as always please review, and without much further ado the continuation of allies...
"So, Harry let's go over tomorrow's time line again." Hermione stated as she continued to pack a ruck sack full of essential's she thought she and Harry may need during their trip to America. Harry, handing Hermione the shrunk down tent, started to rattle off the events.
"We arrive at the Ministry at precisely 0400 hours." Pausing, unsure if she understood, he elaborated. "that's 4 a.m."
"I know very well what military time is Harry" Hermione quipped.
"Right... Sorry, anyway, once we reach the Department we will be given a second, smaller, briefing than the one we got today. That's expected to last till 0430. Then it's off to the States, we'll find out more about the 'how' during the briefing"
"Well we'd obviously need a portkey for the distance wouldn't we, it's too far to try an appariting."
"Hmm I don't think so, whilst a portkey would do the trick it tends to leave people sick over distances that long. And we can't have muddled minds when going into a possibly dangerous situation. I believe the Department may have other travel arrangements."
Harry turned smiled at his wife. While she always been sort of a know-it-all there were still things in the magical world Hermione never knew about until recently, and Harry was sure there were more surprises to come in the next few days.
As a silence and rhythm fell over the pair during their preparations. Harry handed Hermione the advanced potions making kit, along with a few medical supplies both magical and muggle, when he cracked a small smile. Hermione, noticing Harry's change in demeanor, gave him a questioning look.
"Been quite a while sense we needed to be packing this sort of bag, albeit we're taking more with us this time around... And I don't have a lunatic trying to hunt me down... Almost feels like old times though, eh 'Mione"
Hermione responded the only way she could think to at a moment like this.
Leaning up she placed a very light kiss onto his lips. Hermione knew that when Harry started to reminisce about the old days, the war, the friends lost, the years following and their complexities and pain he could become introspective for quite a few hours, sometimes days. Harry had seen a muggle psychiatrist who at one point and time suggested Harry suffered from a small case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yet he managed it well, never lashing out or forgetting the amazing life he now lead. It became her resolve to break the possibility of him falling into introspective behavior whenever she caught him and usually a small peck on the lips was enough to bring him back. The two stared into each other's eyes a few moments longer before Harry exclaimed.
" Ahh bollocks 'Mione, We forgot to owl Hogwarts and the kids"
"You mean" she began poking him in the chest "You forgot, I owl'd the kids hours ago telling them we'd be leaving the country for a bit, on urgent business and for them to hold all their owls till they hear from us. The letter I sent to Headmistress McGonagall was to be mindful of world developments, kind of a semi warning without being too candid or breaking any vows... and to ensure our kids safety should we..."
Harry wrapped a soothing hug around his wife to cut off her little tirade that began in jest but had quickly turned into an emotional frenzy of worry and fear.
Hermione calmed down and steeling her nerves and intellect looked into her husbands eyes.
"Do you suppose what Malfoy said is true Harry... that.."
"Shhh love, we've faced worse and you know it. And hell, we were only 18 at the time!- We've grown, we know more now then we did then and were stronger for it... Just remember constant vigilance, keep your head on a swivel and watch each others back, thats how were going to make it through this."
Hermione gave a curt nod and, turning to back to the ruck sack, continued to pack with Harry running around the house and gathering other things they may need for the trip.
3 A.M. came faster then Hermione would of liked, the alarm clock on the night
stand blaring reminded her of the fact that they were about to throw themselves into the unknown, yet again. Unceremoniously she flopped her hand on top of the off button and rolled over to Harry's empty side of the bed. Slightly alarmed and with the early hour adding to her confusion she sat up in their bed fully alert. Straining her eyes to see in the dark and her ears to hear the slightest of sounds she came to the conclusion that her husband, always the early riser, was in the in the bathroom seemingly taking a shower, safe. The danger wasn't even present as of now, in the safety of their home, and yet she found herself falling into old habits of hyper vigilance. Calming down she finally found the strength to pull herself from the warmth of the covers and proceeded to get their clothes ready and laid out before Harry emerged from the bathroom.
Harry stopped, and leaning against the door frame noticed how his wife was busying herself with laying out their clothes. He loved this women more then anything in the world, their kids a close second, if not a tie. He couldn't help smiling to himself; he really would follow him any where., He recalled many times when being his friend, let alone her husband couldn't of been the easy choice, yet it was one she made never the less.
"Morning beautiful."
Hermione gasped jumping a little, then angrily hissed:. "Prat, a little warning next time, just about scared me half to death."
"Sorry, didn't realize that wishing your beautiful wife a good morning would get a bloke chastised."
Grunting and gathering her clothes Hermione walked over to her husband and gave him a slight peck. "Morning to you too."
Pushing her way past him to their bathroom for her own shower and the promise the rejuvenating hot water held. Harry giggled at his wifes early morning crankiness and proceeded to slowly get dressed in the dimly lit room. Once dressed, and ensuring his wands holster was not noticeable under his muggle clothing Harry drew his wand and preformed a few basic housekeeping spells to tidy up the room a bit from last nights hectic packing.
-Almost as soon as Harry finished cleaning up the room Hermione emerged, hair still wet in a tight bun, but fully dressed and ready for whatever lay ahead of them. Smiling sadly at each other Harry holstered his wand, grabbed the ruck sack they left near the door and with one last look at their bedroom they left.
The Ministry of Magic was an erie place at 4 A.M. the main atrium was void of any people and only half the candles in the chamber were lit. Harry and Hermione quietly and quickly made their way across the main floor to the far right lift. As they approached the lift doors screeched open, the sound they made amplified by the vacantness of the atrium chamber and added a tension in the air so thick they could feel it enter their lungs. Harry and Hermione entered the lift and once the doors made their loud protest of closing once more they were on their way to the Department. Each could sense that there was truly no turning back now.
Once the lift came to a halt the quiet and dark they grew comfortable in came to a crashing end. A combination of projectors and bright overhead muggle style lighting flooded their visual senses, not to mention the loud cacophony of witches and wizards click-click-clicking away on their enchanted computers, whist others seemed to be on telephone calls adamantly talking into the receivers barking orders or receiving them.
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and led her to a small corridor off to the left of the main chamber away from the offices she had grown accustomed to the previous day. about half way down the corridor they reached a glass door with
the word 'briefing' etched into it. Before opening the door Harry turned to his wife and with a look of concern on his face silently asked her if she was okay with this, she just nodded to him in return. Harry cracked a small, sad smile and opened the door.
Before them was a long and rather ornate oak table. Percy, seated at the head of the table, stood.
"Good morning Senior Agent Potter..." Nodding to Hermione "Agent Potter.
Please have a seat were ready to being."
Without pause Percy began,
"First things first... introductions, Agent Potter here just came into the Department yesterday and while she doesn't have any field experience per say, she is a decorated war hero from the second wizarding war and an excellent healer, and a wicked scary duelist if I remember correctly. She'll be going with you gents on this mission as your field medic, I trust everyone here will greet Agent Potter and make her feel welcomed."
Hermione gave a bashful smile towards the team and timidly waved her hand.
"From right to left we have Agent Moriarty"
"No relation to the evil villain from Sherlocks era I assure you" He quipped while everyone laughed a little at his automatic response.
Percy giving him a impatient glance continued.
"Here is Agent Douglas, Agent Kraus, and Agent Mendoza" Upon hearing their names mentioned, they each raised a little in their seats flashing Hermione a little smile.
"Right then onto business. As of last night there has been no further progress in trying to establish contact with the United Magical States of America. And if that wasn't scary enough our New York office and Los Angles office are still out of contact. Their situation as of right now is unknown and presumed either in critical need or fully compromised... And we can assume without support of the UMSA."
Percy looked over the agents sitting in front of him assuring himself they understood the gravity of the situation. Once satisfied he turned to Harry and continued.
"It was determined last night that the weather in New York was not conducive to our primary mode of transporting you lot over there. So we'll have to fall back on plan B."
Harry's team nodded in understanding as Hermione gave him a confused look, leaning over Harry whispered "I'll explain later."
"Harry your team will be transported to MAF Henlow, there you will rendezvous with UKM-1 and two shadow escorts." Pointing and following the picture of UKM-1 on a wall projection of the east coast of the United States Percy continued.
"Travel time is approximately 3 hours in air to the drop point some 370 kilometers off the shore of New Jersey. There you will be picked up by a Mr. Biggins in his fishing vessel, and taken the rest of the way to land by such...
Pausing again to ensure the team was absorbing the information he continued.
"Mr. Biggins is not a official Department member but rather the cousin of one of our very own, Tech Analysts Dawson, should Mr. Biggins fail to reach you or pick you up, you should be able to safely apparate the rest of the way to a random location of your teams choosing, however be mindful apparation in the UMSA is CLOSLY monitored and may very well compromise your teams position."
Looking around for one last time Percy asked
"Any questions?..." After waiting a few moments he continued "Alright then, portkey to MAF Henlow leaves at precisely 0445 hours in portkey room two, Merlin-speed everyone."
As everyone stood and started to flow out the briefing room, Hermione's head was buzzing, she turned to Harry.
"What's on your mind 'Mione?" Harry asked before she could even voice her questions.
"Well for starters what was the original plan to get us there that we had to switch over to using the UKM-1 and shadow escorts. Not to mention what is UKM-1 and shadow escorts"
Harry laughed at Hermione's need for knowledge, always the attentive one in any class or meeting she's ever been in. She didn't miss a beat of what Percy was telling his team.
"Well 'Mione its kind of hard to explain, the original plan used a sort of transport we call lightening drops. It basically uses the magical energy from an electrical storm to transport agents over great lengths. But the storm didn't hold out long enough for us so we had to switch over to more conventional methods. UKM-1 Is a retrofitted WWII era plane, magical of course, and the shadows are pretty much fighter planes but invisible, only blokes who's ever even laid eyes on them are the pilots themselves, not even trainees get to see them, very elite group. They are the best of the best when it comes to flying, and will be there to protect us on our journey."
Hermione nodded accepting all the information Harry was explaining to her. Smiling the only response she could find while her mind and insatiable curiosity of how magic worked left her wanting to seek more information on these lightening drops at the earliest connivence. Harry simply chuckled as they made there way to his office for a cup of coffee before their portkey was scheduled to leave.
Harry, Hermione and their team were being strapped into the belly of the old plane that seemed like it was a relic meant to be in a museum rather then sky worthy. Hermione was the only one who seemed hesitant about the planes ability to fly when Harry turned to her and smiled.
"She may look old and beat up, probably because she is but the protective wards and the magical components on this ol' bird are the best of the best 'Mione. She'll get us there safely and in record time"
The comforting words soothed Hermione's worries only a little as the engines roared to life. The plane lurched forward a little, causing the doubts to come racing back into Hermione's mind. She never did like flying and as if Harry suddenly remembered her fear, he reached out and grabbed her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. Within moments they were air borne and well underway.
After nearly two and a half hours of flight Harry finally let go of Hermione's hand, as he unstrapped his harness he looked at his wife.
"Be back in a tic 'Mione, just going to check in with the flight crew to see what our progress is."
Harry slowly made his way to the flight decks door almost tripping over everyone's gear and the webbing that made up the interior of the small air craft. Finally after a few moments of stumbling he made it to door that separated the crew from the the team. Opening the door and squeezing through he couldn't help but overhear the joking words of the pilot, his voice all too familiar. Harry gobsmacked smiled a huge grin and snuck up behind the captains chair.
"Well I'll be Merlins Uncle. Oliver Wood... here... Piloting UKM-1!"
Oliver abandoning his previous joke to his co-pilot spun his head around nearly
knocking his headset off, eyes as wide as saucer plates.
"HARRY POTTER! What in the name of all that is magical are you doing here?!"
"Well it could be because that's my team back there you right ol' git."
"Well if I didn't believe the gravity of the situation and mission before I certainly do now!"
"Ahh get off it mate... So this is why you disappeared from the pro-quidditch circuit eh?"
"For Queen and country my old friend" Oliver jested with a half attempted salute and sloppy grin.
"Quidditch got boring... Wanted to go on more adventures so..."
"Ahh didn't take you for that kinda bloke mate... So, status... How much further till the drop?"
Turning to look at his gauges and verify his readings he responded:
"Bout 15 more minutes mate... wait... Lieutenant" Oliver pointed to what looked like a tiny old television screen and quickly asked "what's that on radar, coming from the west?"
"I don't know Sir... looks like it could be United States Magical Air Force if the signatures are right... Wait... Their course has changed to intercept ours!"
"Oliver..." Harry implored in a questing manner.
"Harry, get back to your seat, strap in and tell the others to keep calm, hopefully they will buy our cover story... If not, we may be in for a bumpy ride."
Without further comment Harry left the cockpit and did as he was told.
Oliver Wood knuckles were turing white from gripping the controls so tightly. He was tense, he had a plane full of Agents, who's very lives could depend on his actions and he was instantly regretting taking on this mission. He only had a few moments to calm himself when he heard over his headset the challenge from the approaching USMAF fighters.
"This Is USAF Three Niner Two Echo calling Un-identified aircraft, heading two six zero degrees please identify yourself, and your intentions, OVER."
Oliver steeled himself and responded.
" -USAF Three Niner Two Echo this is UK dash One, we are en-route to Monterrey, Mexico requesting permission to enter U.S. Airspace, OVER."
"UK M dash One this is US M AF Three Niner Two Echo Request has been denied, please change your heading to avoid entering U.S. Airspace, OVER."
The added use of the M's confirmed Olivers suspicions that both parties knew the other were of magical origins.
"USMAF Three Niner Two Echo this is UKM dash One, if we change our heading we will be bingo on fuel before arriving at our destination, requesting we be allowed to resume course and proceed, Over."
Static... That's all Oliver Wood heard for three painstakingly long minutes before a reply came back over the radio.
"UKM dash One this is USMAF Three Niner Two Echo, Permission has been granted by U.M.S. Centcom, You may proceed on original course and speed, with reminder that your aircraft is of WWII make and model, and are advised to fly within speed and altitude of aircrafts designation once entering muggle populated zones USMAF Three Niner Two Echo, OUT."
Oliver sighed a huge sigh of relief. Smiling slightly to his Lieutenant he pushed the intercom button and announced to the team in the back
"Sorry for the delay mates. Them yanks wanted to give us a hard time, but we finally got permission into...what Lieutenant...Oh SHIT!"
Just then the old plane pitched very hard to the right and was dropping at an alarming rate, Everyone in the back, too scared to scream, just held onto their harnesses for dear life while Oliver continued to shout over the intercom and into the radio.
"BREAK BREAK BREAK! UKM dash One to USMAF Three Niner Two Echo, PLEASE BREAK ATTACK, WE'RE NON COMBATANT AND CARRY NO ARMS!" Oliver repeated to scream that into the radio, then pausing for a moment he shouted to his Lieutenant.
"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE THE SHADOWS!"
"NO CLUE SIR!"
"SHIT! Harry get your team ready when I level off and give you the green light, you know what to do!"
"OLIVER..." Harry started to protest but Oliver shouted back.
"HARRY THIS IS NOT A NEGOTIATION GET YOUR TEAM OUT WHEN I GIVE YOU THE LIGHT, OUR WARDS ONLY LAST FOR SO LONG BEFORE THEY WILL BLOW US OUT OF THE SKY!"
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand on his left and Douglas's on his right, whom had linked his only free hand with the other team mates across the cargo hold. Harry then looped his foot around a big yellow bag in the middle of the cargo hold. Hermione noticed what Harry was doing and did the same thing to their ruck sack. Harry quickly turned to his wife and shot her a quick smile and mouthed "I love you"
The plane speed through the air and dropped even more altitude till finally Oliver shouted "THIRTY SECONDS TILL DROP"
Harry broke from Hermione's gaze and steeled himself, he had to focus on picturing the ocean below him. He was going to have to use every ounce of concentration he could muster to get his whole team out of this plane and safely into the water below without splinching anyone or re appearing hundreds of feet too high. Once calmed he opened his eyes to view the little red lit and unlit green bulbs on the wall. The second the red light turned off and the green light lit up they would be able to apparate past what remained of the protective spells and wards but at great personal risk to the aircraft. Just as Harry thought the light would never turn green it did.
Simultaneously a few things went very wrong, The plane was hit with a fatal blow, a magical missile had blow off the right engine leaving the plane severely crippled, Harry lost contact with Douglas's hand. Douglas had been knocked unconscious and now hung limply out of Harry's reach. The three members of Harry's team were screaming at him to wake up, if Douglas couldn't grab Harry's hand then the other half of the team would be doomed to go down with the plane. Amongst all the confusion the plane was quickly loosing altitude and therefore the wards would be coming back on any second now to try and save what was left of the crew as it plummeted into the ocean below them. Giving Harry only a few precious seconds to make a decision. Ensuring his foot was still in the yellow bags strap and tightly gripping his wifes hand he screamed to his team.
"IM SO, SO SORRY! FORGIVE ME" and with a loud violent pop he and Hermione were transported into the icy waters of the atlantic ocean.
The yellow package around Harry's leg had been, in fact the teams raft. Upon hitting the water it instantly inflated and after much struggle Hermione managed to get the ruck sack off her feet without letting it sink. She was then miraculously able to heave the heavy pack over the side of the raft. Harry having helped Hermione into the raft and then pulling himself up over its side, was just over the edge of the boat in time to hear the blood curdling whomp of the explosion and to see the retina burning fireball that was UKM-1 being hit with a second magical missile just seconds before it actually hit the water of the atlantic ocean itself.
A short plump man by the name of Romines sat at the operations console in the brightly lit Department of Mysteries main floor. Hearing his phone ring he picked up the receiver and gave his usual monotone greeting
"Operations desk, Agent Romines speaking how may I help you sir or ma'am?"
What he received from the other end of the call caused the man sit up in his desk chair and quickly spin towards the red magical fax machine. Receiving a few pieces of paper from the machine he continued to listen to the caller until they were finished speaking. Upon not hearing any more information from the caller he hung up the phone without bidding the other party fair well, jumped from his desk chair and half ran to the Directors door, bursting in without knocking he strode over the the directors desk to a rather cross looking Percy, looking up from the files in front of him. Silently Percy's question of "well what is it" caused the operations to slightly stumbled over his words.
"Sir forgive my intrusion... but MAF Henlow tower... just called to..."
"Romines I don't have all day spit it out!"
Romines took a deep breath and continued much calmer and faster now.
"MAF Henlow tower just called to report that they lost contact with shadow 1 and 2 at 0750 hours, and ten minutes later at 0800 hours they lost contact with UKM-1 they're dispatching Search and Rescue but given the situation won't be able to have assets in the area for at least 48 hours."
Percy just grabbing the piece's of paper from Romines outstreched hand and read the information for himself on the official dispatch.
Dropping the papers on his desk he picked up a red phone on his desk labeled Minister of Magic. With a wave of his hand he excused Romines.
"Minister... Merlin help us..."