Chapter 4: 10 seconds
Quantus Portkey International Connections was located in what most wizards considered 'muggle broom transportation', only slower, larger and more expensive – and with more probing. Muggles however, called the building an airport – Heathrow International to be specific. QPI was not so much in Heathrow so much as it was Heathrow. The integration of magic and muggle worlds was invented seventy years ago by a distant relative of Nicholas Flammel. This magical pioneer and architect reportedly took the Elixir of Life for two-hundred years in order to finish his masterpiece. It had spread widely across most of the known wizarding world including Hogwarts Express and St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Simply put, Quantus Connections was Heathrow Airport. One needed only to enter any of the washrooms on the left side of the doorframe holding the tip of his or her wand – and then enter the world of wonders and madness. Little did either world know that these two establishments inhabiting the same space also carried vastly different reputations. One of them was fine and pristine – the other was decidedly not.
"Why can't I just apparate across the Channel?" Harry asked again.
Tonks rolled her eyes. "For the fifth time, the wards! International Apparation is a serious crime, laid down by the ICW and enforced by every recognized magical nation. If you try to apparate across the channel, you'll go through the 'Processing Ward' as we like to call it. You'll be tossed around Britain at ungodly speeds until your vomit's vomit wants to vomit. Then you'll somehow end up in a holding cell at the Ministry. Trust me, it's not pleasant – it was sort of an Auror initiation thing. Though, it's better than trying to apparate over the Atlantic. Ha, those Americans put up the Hard Ward. Many a wizard has tried to Apparate across the ocean only to fall out halfway through and drown in the middle of the Atlantic."
"So there's absolutely no way of doing it?"
"Well technically no ward is completely impenetrable," Tonks mused. "I suppose I might be able to get around maybe one international ward at most – but I would have to know the patterns of the ward completely and concentrate for hours and hours just for a single apparation.
"And you said catching an international floo connection is only authorized on a dozen or so fireplaces in Britain," Harry reasoned slowly. "So unless we want to break into Fudge's residence or something, I guess Porkey is the best way."
"Not just any Portkey," Tonks reminded him. "A 10-second portkey – made for those who must frequently cross international borders. Less paperwork. Once the doors open, there is only a ten second window where the Portkey is still operational. Passengers file into the connection chamber and place a hand on the Portkey-rail. At the end of the tenth second, it activates. Quick, legal and meticulous."
"And if we miss the window?"
"Then that particular connection is gone for good."
"What's to stop some random person from walking into the connection chamber and taking a free Portkey?"
"The doorways are warded according to your wand signature," Tonks explained. "No one else can get into the chambers except for those who have purchased the ticket."
It was early evening at Heathrow. There was still a surprising buzz in the airport. Harry and Tonks stopped in front of a woman's washroom – Harry invisible as always. Tonks winked and then with her hand grasping the wand in her pocket, strolled through the left side of the washroom entrance and around the corner. Harry looked nervously up at the women's washroom sign but followed Tonks.
As soon as Harry rounded the corner, he couldn't help but stare agape at the scene before him. Either he was at Quantus Connections or Heathrow Airport had the largest and most secure toilets in the world. They were in a lobby of sorts whose high ceiling of glass was held with deep ebony beams. Light poured in through all directions. Around him, near other walls were set doorways, where a constant stream of people was now appearing through other Heathrow bathrooms. The lobby was entirely bathed in light and its soft whiteness exuded both an uncharacteristically ultramodern ambiance for the magical world and a sense of undisturbed professionalism. Harry leaned against part of the nearby wall with Tonks by his side.
Harry took in the scene with awe. If this was Quantus Connections on a quiet day, Harry didn't fathom to think how this grand lobby would look on a busy one. He gazed directly in front of him, where beneath an enormous archway of glass and black metalwork were aligned in a row, many dozens of small gates, manned by pretty ladies. Beyond this 'check-in', the lobby funneled out into the secured area, where laid many small teahouses and the vast array of connection chambers. Harry watched as each wizard would present his or her documents to the concierge at the gate. The gates were no so much barred by steel or wood as they were barred by water. A gentle blanket of water flowed endlessly from the top of the gate to the floor, never making any splash or puddle. Tonks informed him that it was a security enchantment appropriated from the goblins, which would destroy any and all magical concealments. Behind the concierge and the gates, stood tall men and women with blue robes and heavy ominous staves. Harry guessed it must be the security – he didn't like the look of those staves one bit.
"If Kingsley really is the snitch," started Tonks. "And if all this is an elaborate trap…"
"Then we'll both be cursed half way to hell as soon as we tell the concierge these fake names that he gave us," Harry noted cheerfully. "But at least I'll be mature while it's happening, right?"
"Remember the non-verbal Confundus charm I told you," Tonks whispered. "We might need it if Kingsley's turned."
Tonks made her way to the front desk on the left, where a handful of witches and wizards were gathering hastily to purchase last minute connection spots. Tonks at the moment was sporting golden locks that fell near her back and blue eyes that put the sea to shame. She smiled prettily at the onlookers, much to Harry's chagrin. Dazzled wizards hastily made way for Tonks, who with a few bat of the eyes managed to cut a path between the crowd towards the front desk. Harry followed, now grateful he was spared weaving through the crowds.
"Good afternoon," she spoke in a high pitch voice. "I'd like to verify the reserved seats I made a few days ago."
The concierge nodded dutifully. "Names for the reservation?"
"Ella Williams."
The concierge repeated those names and an enormous leather-bound ledger flew open onto a precise page. She read it carefully. Both Harry and Tonks tensed. Harry was twirling his wand lazily around his fingers. A drawn wand was slightly strange, but nothing extraordinarily unusual. He solemnly hoped he did not have to confound the receptionist. So far however, she looked calm as if it were business as usual.
"Miss Williams, I have two of your spots on a 10 second connection to Pamplona – chamber 22 at eight in the morning tomorrow," reported the concierge.
"I've had a change of heart," Tonks replied sweetly. "You can only watch running bulls so often before it gets rather bland. I was hoping we might get a transfer to…say Paris?"
The woman muttered more words. "You're in luck Miss Williams, we just opened up another Paris connection, same time as before. 10-seconds, as usual, at chamber 68 tomorrow. Will that do?"
Tonks nodded gratefully with her golden locks swishing back and forth. "Oh and…do go ahead and reserve all the spots on that connection for me."
The concierge was taken aback. "All – all of the spots? Miss, that is quite a large sum of money…"
"I paid for our tickets with a Credit Oath correct? Redeemable at Gringotts? Well put it on the same tab," Tonks smiled with a hint of cruelty. But she didn't feel too bad. Kingsley made way more than her anyway – loads more than he ought to.
The arrangements were made. Harry shuffled around nervously, minding anyone who came too close for comfort. The concierge did not look distressed, but nevertheless Harry held his wand close, ready for an army of Aurors to come bursting through the walls at any moment.
They had exited Quantus Connections and were now in a busy parking lot, leaning against empty cars. Harry, veiled in the Invisibility Cloak once again, was laughing nervously. His anxiety was screaming.
"I suppose this means Kingsley's not the snitch," Harry reasoned.
"Maybe. But we haven't connected yet. The Aurors may already know and plan on tailing us, who knows? Maybe slap on another charge of illegal international portkey travel? We're not out of the woods yet. I probed the receptionist's mind – didn't see any panic or alarm there, but I'm no Legilimency expert by any means."
"Which is why you booked all the spots in the Paris connection for ourselves."
"Exactly. Can never be too careful. Constant Vigilance, right? If everything goes right, we can avoid being tailed to France, at least for a little while."
Harry tried to calm the exciting feeling in his stomach. He was finally doing something. Granted, he was running away from the authorities, but these plans were his own – he was the one setting this in motion. It felt satisfying and terrifying.
He spoke again. "And if Kingsley is planning on arresting us before we board?"
"Why, Harry, that's why we have Percy."
This was Tonks' idea, and Harry was less than comfortable with it. After Tonks had told Harry of the situation between Percy and his family, he thought of only one word – prick. Percy was a spineless prick – perhaps it was in poor form to say this of a man who had lost his family, but it was the truth. And Harry was unsure if the Weasley would be thinking clear enough to help them.
Funny, Tonks thought the same of me…
"I still don't trust the git."
"Death changes people, Harry. You should know, more than anyone."
I went from a brat to less of a brat. I suppose going from a git to less of a git can't be that much of a stretch.
They had left Heathrow for a nearby downtrodden Motel. Tonks checked the remainder of their Polyjuice – enough for an hour maybe and it wouldn't get them through that Thief's Downfall gate. Ten seconds. That was their entire window. If they didn't make it between that unforgivably brief interval of time, they were done. 10 seconds would decide the rest of his life – whether he was to go on fighting or if he was to be locked up in a Ministry cell waiting for the Death Eaters, the Triads or the law to get to him. He had to be on the right side of the chamber doors on those 10 seconds.
That night, Harry hardly slept at all. His body was coursing with adrenaline. Tonks was lying on the opposite bed, already breathing softly in sleep. He thought on his new companion. Much of the ill-will he bore her had subsided. The condescension and the loftiness had slowly left her voice and she was viewing him as Harry desired to be viewed. An equal…a partner. This was his ship and he was bound to screw it up somehow. He had to rely on this feisty Metamorphmagus to steer clear of the rocks. The storms would batter him, the waves would smash him and the sheer breadth of the sea would swallow his hope. But he had to push on, and reach that new shore – the decidedly French shore.
Anywhere you think to go, they know. Do not stop running. Do not stay in Britain. Do not go to France. Do not stop running.
The words replayed in Harry's mind. Whoever it was giving him the messages had to be working with the Triads in some capacity. But then why did this guy want to save him? Better yet, why were the Triads after him at all? Harry groaned slightly in frustration. Cho Chang was the only Chinese person he could think of having interacted with – and she had lived most of her life in Britain! He couldn't recall hearing about Cho Chang from Ravenclaw using unorthodox magic. His mind was getting hazy in a slow fall into slumber. He drifted away from the pretty Asian Ravenclaw girl onto the stout Hufflepuff champion of Hogwarts, a smile etched on his face. And a green jet of light. And then to a surly seeker, bulk with muscle and giving no quarter to anyone. Then last to a girl with silvered hair commanding the beauty of the world. And sleep found him at last – as he retired from the day.
The following morning had come. Tonks had doused Harry in water in order to make sure he was awake. A very wet and angry Harry Potter had stormed into the washroom, intent on changing his clothes. Their morning meal was a tenuous affair, both minds thinking on the challenge to come. They had gone over the plan several times, each time wearing Harry down. Tonks had grabbed him quickly and with a quick crack, they had appeared in a deserted parking lot before Heathrow. The doors were soon before them and Harry paused to collect his wits.
7:00
"Are you ready for this?" she asked him.
Harry took a deep breath, quelling his erratically beating heart. He nodded to her.
"Alright then, Harry," Tonks began her way towards the front doors. "Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix."
The doors opened wide and Tonks stepped in, followed by Harry wearing the face of a thin sandy-haired fellow with grey eyes and a slackened jaw. The closest washroom was a few hundred paces away. But Tonks' pace had slowed as she scanned the sea of faces. Something was already horribly wrong and a sickening feeling crept into her gut. Before they had even started, already the situation had descended into a nightmare of a situation. She took Harry's hand, beckoning him to stop. Turning to him, she whispered into his ear.
"Do you see the man in the leather jacket with the green cap?"
Harry scanned the crowd before finding him. The man was leaning on a wall but looked anything but leisurely. Harry nodded ever so slightly.
"And on the opposite wall, the one with the red ponytail and glasses?"
Harry found him and nodded again – nervousness beginning to set in properly.
"Death Eaters? Or Triads?" he whispered.
"Neither," Tonks hushed. "They're my coworkers."
Harry observed more carefully and realized something was amiss. There were a dozen people, stationed all around the airport lobby, all stationary, all waiting for something. Every once in a while, their lips would move as if saying something to no one. The crowds went by, but they never moved – only their eyes.
"Dawlish, Grimes, Iverson…" counted Tonks softly. "Sanderson, Gibbs, Bayes…wait here Harry."
Before he could protest, Tonks had vanished from his side. The man with the green cap had gone into one of the washrooms on the right hand side – avoiding entering Quantus Connections. Harry nearly gasped as Tonks followed him right in.
Her mind was thinking on the fly as she followed Maynard Bayes into the men's bathroom. In the blind corner, she morphed back into her pink hair and pale skin. Tonks rounded the corner, catching Bayes' eye. His eyebrow shot up in surprise.
"Tonks?" he called. "Hold up."
The washroom was empty and the Auror waved his wand from his pocket, muttering enchantments to ward off eavesdroppers. He looked back to the pink-haired Auror. "Kingsley told me you were on vacation."
"They pulled me back for the operation," Tonks spoke, irritated. "Is Kingsley here?"
"Nah, he's hitting Heckman International. Keaton is on North Star Port and Scrimgeour is taking King's Key. So they assigned you here, eh? Well sorry about the vacation…not likely Potter will show up here."
"Scrimgeour is hitting four Key providers at the same time?" Tonks asked, trying to hide her bewilderment. Bayes looked momentarily suspicious.
"No…he's hitting all of them…weren't you briefed?"
"Like I said, I was pulled back and they just tossed me here," Tonks said hastily. "What's the situation now?"
"Nothing right now," the Auror sighed, fiddling with his cap. "Had a row with the Quantus manager. Scrimgeour's got the warrants for the other thirty or so Key providers. We're still waiting on ours so we can't go in yet. But that doesn't mean we can't stay in the entrance in case Potter walks by."
Percy…you sly thing…
Bayes ordered her to blend into the crowd with the other dozen Aurors and lay low. Dutifully, she exited the washroom morphing and returned to Harry who was nervously tapping his foot on the ground, right where she left him. This was bad – the Aurors were already here. She leaned against Harry.
"Don't freak out. But the entire Auror division is hitting the Key providers," she hissed softly. "We've got a lucky break – they haven't gotten a warrant yet on this one. They're not being allowed into Quantus – the best they can do is guard the bloody washrooms. Come on, we can do this. Steady your hands, breath deep…go time."
7:15
At that moment the bespectacled man with the red ponytail walked dangerously close to them. Harry felt a sick sensation in his gut – cold and terrifying. He felt paralyzed with fear. This was one of the worst scenarios they had planned for – but the had planned for it. He tried to remember that, overcoming this brief panic and think back to the plan – a plan he had concocted. He swallowed deeply and made for the washroom. As he rounded the corner, he saw the Auror Bayes on his way out. Harry almost yelped in alarm, but quickly the Auror vanished and Harry was now in Quantus Connections grand lobby.
He laughed nervously trying to calm himself more than anything. "Murphy's Law right?"
"What?"
"Nevermind. It's 7:20. Come on, our connection is in fourty minutes."
The line was manageable as they waited to enter the gates. Harry found himself fidgeting more and more, Tonks having to berate him sternly.
"Have you ever done something like this before?" Harry asked tentatively, talking was the only thing that seemed to soothe his nerves.
"Of course not."
"Perfect," Harry breathed out again. "Bloody perfect."
He felt a firm hand clasp him on the shoulder. He spun a bit too quickly and saw a friendly old wizard giving him a grin. "Don't you fret, son. Never taken an international key before? Easier than walking, it is. Nothing to fear! Ha!"
Harry shared a chuckle with the wizard and turned back to the line. The gates of water caught his eye. Tonks called it the Thief's Downfall. Most of their planning had revolved around beating this one enchantment. The problem was, as it was made of goblin craft, no one truly knew the limitations of the Thief's Downfall and the goblins – little bastards as Tonks would say – weren't so eager in revealing their secrets to wizards and witches.
I'm not a thief. I haven't stolen anything. I paid for my own damn ticket…or Kingsley did at least…
"We'll be fine," he said, more to himself. We can beat this.
Tonks rolled her eyes again. "Thanks, I really needed that."
7:25
Any muggles so fortunate as to be at Heathrow at quarter to eight on a Friday morning would have been blessed to the odd sight of one gruff authoritative figure, a towering black man and a particularly tall and handsome suited man grab a loiterer in a green cap and almost drag him into the woman's washroom.
"Fuck off, Keaton," barked Bayes, batting away the other Auror's hand.
"What the hell is going on?" Scrimgeour snarled. "You are supposed to have this place locked down, Bayes!"
"It's not my fault," protested the Auror in question. "I didn't get a warrant like the rest of you!"
Scrimgeour's eyes narrowed. "I made sure that Malfoy's office was to sign warrants on all Key providers – Quantus was most definitely included on that list."
Bayes gave an exasperated look to Kingsley. "Well did you get him?"
Kingsley shook his head. "Nothing yet. All other thirty-two Key providers are locked down. Yours is the only one left."
Bayes suddenly felt small and incompetent. But it wasn't his damn fault that some intern at the Chief Warlock's office had lost his warrant!
Scrimgeour leaned over a sink and thought silently. "All our warrants went through…all of them except Quantus."
Neither of the three veteran Aurors spoke, though Bayes swore he could see a bead of sweat on Kingsley's brow – a man known for his determined poise.
"Well Shaklebolt?" Scrimgeour demanded. "You still think we should have placed Quantus at the end of the list?"
Kingsley started, "With all due respect sir-"
Scrimgeour interrupted him gruffly. "He's here. Potter is here, I know it. Why else would our warrant mysteriously have gotten lost? And only this one? Somehow he must have blocked the warrant."
Bayes looked outraged. That line of thought would never have been acceptable in any other situation – hardly a line of inquiry worthy of further investigation. But Scrimgeour, it seems, was playing his own game, investigative professionalism be damned. Once a man known for the scalpel-like precision of his investigative work, was now content to be a bull in a china shop. Maynard Bayes realized how insignificant Potter actually was in this situation. In fact, Potter had done Scrimgeour a favor if he actually had turned up at such an internationally prestigious Key provider as Quantus. This could cause career-ending fallouts.
"Potter's just a boy! How can he influence the Chief Warlock's affairs? Besides, we've been here since six," Bayes replied. "Haven't seen anything unusual."
"We're standing in Heathrow," Keaton admonished. "Dumbledore in his pointy hat could have been here and you wouldn't have noticed."
"Enough," growled Scrimgeour. "We're going in."
Almost before Scrimgeour had spoken, Kingsley had protested again. "Sir, we don't have the authority! Lets just send a message to the Chief Warlock's office, clear up the confusion and we can do this cleanly as soon as we get the warrant."
"That's just the sort of delay he's looking for!" Scrimgeour snapped loudly. "I want him found. And I want him found now! Bayes, move your men into Quantus Connections."
Bayes picked at his wand hesitantly and even Keaton looked uncomfortable. "They've stationed security wizards right outside the doors. Without a warrant sir…"
"Fuck the warrant. I've got an official directive from the Minister to apprehend Potter at all costs. I do as my superiors tell me and if you value your careers, so do you. Go in with force, wands drawn. Make it clear to the security wizards that if they try to stop us, they will be willingly aiding a fugitive and be treated as such."
There was raw power and…ambition in Scrimgeour's voice. Keaton nodded vigorously, ever the yes man. Bayes was finally persuaded and he exited swiftly, eagerly followed by Keaton. Scrimgeour made to enter Quantus himself, drawing his black wand.
"This won't go well with the Minister," cautioned Kingsley, taking out his wand.
"No," said Scrimgeour. "No it won't."
7:35
Tonks had reached the front of the line. She gave Harry a confident look and upon the security witch's bidding, she stepped through the gate of water. It dashed her hair and cascaded down her shoulders and slender form. Tonks emerged the other side, still the large-eyed mousy brunette she had been using. Harry had on more than one occasion, eyed her Metamorphmagus talents with envy. She was completely dry, not a drop of water on her. It was Harry's turn. He gulped, hoping his nervousness was not showing.
"Sir?" asked the witch. " Would you please step through the gate?"
Harry nodded numbly, handing another witch his documentation. His wand, as protocol was clearly seen in his right hand. He muttered the enchantment in his head once more. And then he prepared to beat the damn thing.
Angry voices could distantly be heard to the right of Harry. They escalated. And then…
BANG
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw one of the navy robed security wizards go to the ground, stunned into sleep. Over his body stepped an assortment of figures, large intimidating and all openly brandishing wands. Quantus Security reacted immediately, their staves in hand, alarm and danger on their minds. Screams were hurled even before the Security guard hit the floor. Those on the floor erupted in a frenzy. A deafening alarm screamed overhead, echoing in the vast arches of Quantus Connections.
"Aurors!" cried a loud voice. "Stand down! Stand down! Everyone stay put! Drop the staffs! Drop them!"
Security Wizards looked conflicted but the customers, thinking they were in the middle of a raid or a soon-to-be firefight were in a terrified panic. Harry protested suddenly as someone inadvertently shoved him forward. He stumbled unprepared. He could see everything as if time had slowed – the plan was falling apart. He felt gravity tug at him and he uselessly flailed his arms as he tripped and fell – fell into the Thief's Downfall.
7:45
No! I haven't gotten it ready yet!
He caught Tonks' gaze, a look of desperation, even as her form was wavering behind the curtain of falling water. He felt it hit his head first. Harry felt something impossibly sticky slide off him– definitely not normal water. The Polyjuice was ruined. He braced his fall with his arms as he toppled through gate, on his hands and knees. His heart stopped and he wondered how long it was before he was behind bars.
Then nothing happened. Shivering in the unknown, he raised his head. None of the security wizards were looking at him. They were preoccupied with the growing phalanx of Aurors shouting and approaching. Harry was forgotten for a moment, only for a moment. He forgot to breath and let out a heavy sigh. Somehow, impossibly over the roar of the siren, a Security Wizard beside him gazed down. The Security Wizard saw the only thing he'd ever have to see – a lightning scar atop green eyes.
But his staff was bulky, meant for brute enforcement and power. Harry's nimble wand, already drawn, pointed at the man's chest. With nothing more than a flick, Harry saw the security wizard drop his staff and shake his head as if in a daze. Harry got to his feet, flying towards Tonks as now the crowds were growing more frantic.
"You never saw me," he whispered to the utterly confused Security Wizard.
Nonverbal confundus charm, check.
When he reached Tonks his heart was beating at dangerous levels and blood was pounding in his ears. His pace slowed, trying to act normal. The Quantus lobby was behind him, as was perhaps two dozen Aurors and many more Security Wizards. He mastered the urge to look back at the frenzied scene. Tonks gathered him and they walked as fast as they could without drawing attention. Tonks forced his head low as she heard staffs falling to the ground – Security Wizards finally acceding to the Aurors.
7:50
"Merlin, Harry," muttered Tonks, her own voice between fright and excitement. "To hell with Felix Felicis, I'm keeping you for good luck."
Harry could hear a loud angry voice behind him.
"Deactivate the connections!"
"How dare you! A raid on these poor people and attacking my security? Warrantless? You'll be looking for a new job after this Scrimgeour!"
"I said close off your Portkey connections!"
"I can't!" The smugness was so thick it could have been chewed. "Portkey maintenance is done offsite, specifically for situations like these!"
"For the love of – Bayes take your men and bar the entrances! Keaton, find out how to shut the Portkeys down. The rest of you with me! The first morning connections haven't yet gone! Potter's still here somewhere!"
Tonks and Harry were walking away more rapidly now, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the lobby as possible. Tonks brushed past many surprised customers, curiously looking back at the lobby – grateful they had come early. They were now in a great hallway that ran off forever, with many intersections with side avenues. High ceilings were still maintained and there was too much light for comfort – hardly a shadow to be seen and certainly not conditions for sneaking around. And floating in mid-air semi-translucently, were a great many signs, all directions for connection chambers. All this was guesswork on Harry's part. He couldn't actually see anything but his own two feet as Tonks was shoving his head down as much as possible. Any more and he thought his neck would snap. They heard a definite splash behind them. Aurors had forced their way through gates. The goblin craft did not take kindly to the intrusion and the Aurors were left drenched.
The Aurors were behind them, several hundred feet away, but nonetheless, with a clear viewing of them. Most other people had pressed themselves against the wall, trying to avoid the Aurors' inquisition. In hindsight, it would probably have been better to have copied them.
7:55
Harry could feel Tonks shivering in alarm – or perhaps he was the one shivering. Nevertheless his nerves were being fried by anxiety as he waged a continual war to keep his head from looking back – wondering if the Aurors were within arm's reach. He glanced up for a moment. He saw a nearby sign.
CHAMBERS 50 – 100
At that moment, his heart leapt as an Auror was now shouting out down the hall.
"You there! Wait!"
Tonks muttered something inaudibly and marched forward faster. The tension was about to eat him whole.
"I said stop!"
Harry saw the Metamorphmagus' knuckles were white as she gripped her wand like a lifeline. They were about to be found – he knew it.
"Sir! I think I have som-"
Tonks had spun around quicker than Harry could even follow. In one fluid motion her wand was drawn and she had sent a red jet of light towards their dear Auror tracker. The Auror, though shocked, blocked the first stunner but could not raise a shield to stop the second. It hit him in the shoulder and he crumpled to the ground. Without looking back, Tonks grabbed Harry.
"Run."
All bets were off. The Aurors knew and Harry could be seen as plain as day. Spells and charms flew over their heads as Aurors from afar had spotted them. Tonks was brilliantly casting off silver-hued walls of ethereal light that were absorbing the incoming charms and refusing to shatter.
"Come on Harry!" she urged him.
His legs were aching as they raced forward. They cut into a side hallway, now with access to chambers 50 to 100. Their chamber was closing in. The Aurors were hot on their heels – already rounding the corner.
"Stupefy!"
"Impedimenta!"
"ALAI TALAE!"
They had broken through Tonks' silver shield wall and were hurling things at the pair with all fury. Harry fired several curses back at them, though his aim was dreadfully off. They cut into another hallway again, trying to break the line of sight. Harry could already here footsteps.
7:57
"You remember when I mentioned Murphy's Law?"
"Yeah?" Tonks yelled back.
"This is it," Harry shouted. A sudden feeling came on him and he lifted his wand. "Expecto Patrononum."
A great silver beast had shot out of Harry's wand at frightening speed. It was not a stag – or anything like it. It was flying. Two Aurors rounded the corner and they yelped in alarm as this mighty silver bird came flying towards them – harmless as they were. Tonks used the distraction and fired off two expertly placed hexes. Upon being hit, both men collapsed to the ground, their legs flailing about them as if they were marionettes under a mad master.
"Good thinking."
Now they heard footsteps before them as well. Tonks cursed and pushed Harry into yet another small alley of Quantus. Harry longed to catch his breath, but the thought of angry Aurors whipped him over the head.
This place was an utter maze. How could anyone find their way around here?
"They're cornering us in, Harry!" Tonks cried over the alarm. "Listen, we've got to buy you more time to get you to chamber sixty-eight! I think this is where we part!"
Harry turned to her and almost lost his footing as he was now staring back at a mirror image of himself. "No. Whatever you're thinking…"
"I prepared you the best way I knew how," Tonks spoke to him in earnest. "Remember, wizards are made of mettle, not by spellwork. You'll be fine! Keep your head down and your wits about you. I'll find you. Oh! And remember, if you get in trouble with the French, just say 'va te faire foutre' – they'll love that!"
"Tonks…I can't…"
"You can do this Harry!" she shouted. "I know you can! You've got a ten second window! Don't blow it!"
She pressed her wand against Harry's forearm. It stung him and for a moment left a small yellow glowing circle on his arm before disappearing. Tonks' wand did the same. "So I can find you in Paris."
Harry nodded as they ran. The thought of her leaving made him feel weak at the knees and uncomfortably cold. Just as soon as she'd come, she'd have to leave. This was truly his fight – he couldn't count on her forever. Aurors had rounded the corner. Tonks eyes widened. Scrimgeour himself was leading the men. Even the grim-faced Head Auror let his emotions betray him as he momentarily halted and gazed upon two Harry Potters – identical in everyway. The alarm was growing even louder as the chamber numbers grew. Harry saw the sign above.
LEFT FOR CHAMBERS 60 – 69
RIGHT FOR CHAMBERS 70 – 100
The intersection was right before them. Harry was going left. It made him shiver to think Tonks had to go right.
"I never imagined having to visit Paris under an invisibility cloak," Harry laughed one last time before he reached the intersection.
"Well then it's a good thing you're a Metamorphmagus!" Tonks hollered, already dashing away in the opposite direction.
Wait…what?
But Tonks was already flying in the opposite direction – and if Harry wanted to catch his connection, he'd have to run for his life.
7:58
"Sir!" bellowed Keaton, who had now joined the fray. "There are two of them!"
"I can see just as well as you can!" shouted Scrimgeour furiously. "You go left, I go right!" How on earth had this little schoolboy gotten past the security?
Harry was panting hard. Already without Tonks beside him he felt insecure and embarrassingly forlorn – a silly thing to feel, especially in a moment like this. His body forced more adrenaline into his system and he powered through the burning sensation of his muscles.
7:59
Harry winced aloud. Only two Aurors were following him. The rest must have somehow realized that the other Harry was the more dangerous threat. Despite the peril of his situation, he took the time to feel peeved and indignant. At that moment, however, Harry yelped audibly. His arm had been clipped good with a particularly potent Stinging Jinx. His arm was already inflamed in irritated red skin – luckily it was not his wand arm as he was sure that was the aim. Over his shoulder he fired a Reductor at a polished stone bench. It exploded asunder and the flying shrapnel at least slowed his attacker down.
He had made his way back to a larger hall with chamber doors on the walls. A few people were huddled together, unsure of what to do. Harry flew past them. He was cutting it close. They had planned it out this way, only arriving just in time for the connection. But neither of them had anticipated it would come down to mere seconds. He had less than sixty seconds now.
63, 64, 65…
8:00
Like clockwork, the doors to the upcoming chamber 68 swung open, their rich black carvings now showered in new light. The chambers were opened, beckoning on customers to rich new lands and exotic experiences to be had.
Ten seconds.
Another Stinging hex was fired over Harry's head. He ducked and threw himself into the chamber. It was empty save for the likes of him.
Tonks should be here.
But at least he had made it. Just that sparse thought was enough to make Harry whoop in joy. He made sure to grab the Portkey rail tightly. A flurry of footsteps was heard. The two Aurors pursuing Harry had spotted him. Seconds were ticking away. Furiously, the Aurors charged at Chamber 68 only to be thrown back by an invisible force. They were thrown back to the opposing wall and laid there still and unconscious. A desperate few seconds remained. Harry quickly fired off Confundus charms as powerful as he could. Hopefully they'd at least forget what chamber they had found him in. It would buy him a day maybe. In the final seconds, he veiled himself in the Invisibility Cloak he had kept in his pocket.
I hope Tonks is okay.
Just as the thought came to mind, the 10 seconds had finished. The Portkey activated. And Harry's body was whisked away, far away, out of London, across the channel and into the heart of France.
8:03
"I take it back," Tonks muttered to herself, sprinting down hallways. "I could really do with some liquid luck."
She glanced up at a nearby clock. It read 8:03. 10 second Portkeys operated every five minutes on the minute. A blue beam of light was sent at her, courtesy of Scrimgeour, hot on her heels. She redirected it and the poor clock was reduced to pieces.
"STOP POTTER!" her boss roared at her.
Behind her boss, many other Aurors were chasing her down. Nymphadora Tonks was in her element – not a clue what to do. She thrived on the seconds of chase and her mind and experience were better equipped than any of these Aurors to conjure up a plan easier than Snape could conjure up a vial. She had missed her 10-second connection to Paris, courtesy of her dear boss. Never did she account for Scrimgeour ignoring the lack of a warrant and going ahead with the raid. It was completely out of character for him. Now, if luck was on their side, Harry was in Paris, hopefully keeping his head low. Tonks wanted to spare another moment's thought on the young man, but turned her attentions to her own dire matters. 8:05 was the next round of 10-second connections. Only, she no longer had the wand authorization to pass through the chamber wards.
Briefly she considered surrendering. By now, Harry had to be safe away in France. She had hoped to join up with him later and protect him as she had sworn, but he was already becoming more able than even he knew. She had safely gotten him out of the country while the Aurors were hunting him. That alone made her feel proud – just as proud as closing a case with the Aurors. But if she were caught…aiding a criminal and attempting international portkey theft, losing her job would be the least of her concerns. She'd face Azkaban for sure and leave a distraught mother and weakened father behind. And she'd leave Harry behind.
No surrender for Nymphadora Tonks. My blood is Black. I'm bloody unstoppable.
8:04
Spells were being fired with reckless abandon. The hallway was nearly empty – people were fleeing to the lobby now. She spotted one small lady, hiding underneath one of the many stone benches, as Tonks again had to dive out of the way of fire, returning curses of her own.
"Sorry lady," Tonks yelled, as she ran past her. "Expelliarmus."
Both wand and ticket flew into Tonks' hand. Tonks read it desperately. "Chamber 81…8:05…Valencia…perfect!"
Tonks spun around. "ALAI TALAE."
She was gambling that there was enough ambient energy for her to cast the same silvered wall for the second time. Luckily it held, though it was noticeably thinner than the first. With the hall now divided between her and Scrimgeour's enraged face, she dashed forward again. Her eyes were glancing at every doorway and sign for chamber 81.
10
Scrimgeour had cut down the wall much too quickly. It made a screeching sound as the defenses broke.
9
Tonks had twirled and casted the strongest wide Bludgeoner she could. It had caught them off guard and swept three nearby Aurors off their feet, though Scrimgeour had wisely ducked.
8
She saw it! She saw chamber 81. Its doors were already opened. She had even less time than she thought. Wordlessly, she casted Shield charms at her back, knowing they would do little to stop the powerful attacks of Scrimgeour.
7
Tonks took aim at more stone benches and banished them towards the two remaining Aurors and her boss. It didn't even look like Kingsley tried to dodge it, and he fell away rather suddenly.
6
Dawlish was more stubborn, but he too would wake up in a couple hours with a broken face.
5
She was going to make it – she just knew it. A triumphant grin was on her face as she let loose another Stunner which was powerful enough to make Scrimgeour stumble as he redirected it back towards her.
4
The rogue stunner blasted into a nearby stack of Quantus customer satisfaction leaflets, sending flocks of flapping paper into the sky.
3
Tonks gripped the cold doors and thrust herself inside, feeling satisfied as the wand she had taken from the old lady had allowed her entrance. There were more than a dozen people already in the chamber, terrified and ready to leave Britain.
2
She launched herself and grasped the rail. At the last moment, she looked back at Scrimgeour, feet away from her, outside the chamber with the strong wand…he was also holding two wands.
Wait, where did he get the second wand?
Tonks eyes went wide upon what could come next.
1
She felt a hand grip her leg an instant before the Portkey whisked them all away.