A Tale of Covert Magical Reconnaissance Chapter 3
A/N – Geez… It's been like 2 years. Sorry everyone! Well, I'm not super happy with this chapter – I feel like it's pretty clunky in some areas, but I've reviewed and rewrote it multiple times so I think it's the best its going to be for a while. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
Earth – Charing Cross Road, London
August 11, 1991
11:40 AM
Aurora Sinistra sat on the patio of a small muggle café, sipping at her coffee as her eyes scanned the surrounding area for the three muggleborn students, and their families, she would be introducing to the magical world today. The astronomy professor had been assigned to help integrate the new muggleborn students for a few years now and was well practiced in spotting the families she would be escorting today.
Aurora sipped her coffee again as she contemplated her position as "Official Muggleborn Integrator". The position was often rotated between professors who posses the select qualities of: professionalism, current and up-to-date knowledge of the muggle world, patience and the ability to blend in with muggles. The position of Integrator was not a necessarily a hard job, but it was an important one and Aurora took the position very seriously. Even if it did slightly interfere with her summer vacation. As a half-blood herself, she had predominately grown up in the magical world. However, her muggle mother was adamant that her daughter knew how to navigate the muggle world with ease. Even now as the Astronomy Professor at Hogwarts, she kept in touch with the muggle world through her mother and even rather enjoyed escaping to the muggle world every now and again.
Finishing the last of her coffee, Aurora finally spotted the first of the muggleborns to arrive. The Grangers were the first to arrive, Hermione holding her mother's hand as they looked around the street. After throwing her cup in the garbage, Aurora headed towards the family.
"Good morning! I'm glad you've decided to attend Hogwarts after all." Aurora said as she approached them.
"Yes. It's not often that our daughter gets invited to study at a school of magic. We wouldn't deny Hermione this opportunity, since she very clearly wants to attend." Mr. Granger responded with a small smile, patting Hermione on the head. Hermione smiled back up at him and nervously smoothed the front of her summer dress.
"Excellent! We are just waiting for two other muggleborn students and their families, and then we'll begin our day." Aurora explained. "They shouldn't be too long, as it is now 11:50."
Fifteen minutes later, Aurora found herself sitting at one of the large tables in the Leaky with the three muggleborn students, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, and Justin Finch-Fletchley, and their families. Dean Thomas, a tall boy with short dark hair and dark skin, had come shortly after the Grangers with his mother. Like the other muggleborns, Dean was dressed in muggle clothing consisting of dark jean shorts and a West Ham football jersey. His mother, Lina Thomas, was similarly dressed in blue jeans and a white tank top under a green cardigan.
Justin Finch-Fletchley and his parents, John and Karen Finch-Fletchley, were the last to arrive. Unlike the Thomas', they were dressed much more formally. Justin and Mr. Finch-Fletchley were both wearing black slacks and polo shirts; white and blue stripped for Justin and solid light green for Mr. Finch-Fletchley. Mrs. Finch-Fletchley was wearing a pale blue sun dress, which as accented by a large, silver necklace and matching earrings.
Like the other years Aurora had done the orientation, the muggles and muggleborns stood out like sore thumbs among the wizard robes that the rest of the patrons of the Leaky Cauldron wore. While it wasn't uncommon to see muggle attire in the Leaky Cauldron, especially near the start of the school year, the group still drew a fair amount of attention to their table.
"Now that we are here, I would like to say thank you for coming here today and to welcome you to Diagon Alley and Hogwarts!" Aurora began. "Before we begin making our way through Diagon Alley, I'd like to discuss the shopping itinerary first and what to expect in Diagon Alley."
Seeing her charges nod, Aurora continued, "First, we will go to Gringrotts Wizarding Bank. Most shops in Diagon Alley do not accept muggle currency, and as such, you will have to exchange your pounds for wizard money. We use coins as our currency and they come in three different values: Knuts, Sickles, and Galleons. There are 29 Knuts to a Sickle and 17 Sickles to a Galleon. I believe the current exchange rate is £4.93 for a Galleon [1]. Any currency exchanged will be returned to circulation in the muggle world by the employees. Be warned, Gringrotts is owned and operated by goblins, so do not be alarmed when you see them. Goblins are a small, but intelligent hominid race and can be rather unpleasant to interact with. Just be polite to them and they should be polite to you. Any questions?"
Aurora paused them, searching the table for any confusion. Unsurprisingly, all she got were wide-eyed stares. Just as she was about to continue, she noticed that Mrs. Finch-Fletchley seemed to be frowning disapprovingly at something behind her. Aurora around to the entrance to see a tall woman with mint green hair accompanied by two young girls; one with striking red eyes and long blond hair tied into pig-tails, and one with auburn hair, also tied into pig-tails, with bright blue eyes. They were all looking around the pub in wonder.
Before Aurora could process anything further, Mrs. Finch-Fletchley spoke up. "Is outlandish hair, like that woman over there, a common thing in the wizarding world?"
Still slightly surprised by the presence of the newcomers, Aurora absentmindedly respond, "Sometimes. There are common colour changing charms that are easy to cast. Most of the time if someone has unusually coloured hair, it's because someone has pranked them."
There was a brief moment of silence at the table before Aurora quickly excused herself from the able and made her way over to the newcomers. She glanced towards the bar and noted that Tom seemed preoccupied with a few customers. Concentrating on the small group in front of her, Aurora smiled and addressed them.
"Hello. You look a tad lost. Can I help you?"
Arthra – Geosynchronous orbit above Uminari City, Japan
August 11, 1991
11:45 AM
Private First Class Nanoha Takamachi and Junior Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown stood before Admiral Lindy Harlaown and Captain Chrono Harlaown in the Arthra's teleportation bay. They were moments away from starting their first reconnaissance mission and were performing their final check before teleporting to Earth.
"Nanoha, Fate. Do you have everything ready?" Lindy asked as she observed her young subordinates. They seemed prepared, as they were already wearing their civilian clothing and showed no obvious signs of nervousness. If anything, they seemed excited.
"Yes ma'am!" Nanoha responded promptly. "Everything is packed and we've spent the last 10 days learning all we could about spy missions!"
Nanoha was, of course, talking about their crash course in reconnaissance missions. Due to the time constraint of the mission, the regular two-year introduction to reconnaissance training had been reduced to most important aspects related to the mission. They had been taught how to redirect suspicion, control conversations to gather information, observe their surroundings and most importantly, how to blend in with the crowd. When they weren't learning reconnaissance skills, Nanoha and Fate were researching the current events on Earth, specific to the United Kingdom, and practicing their English. By the end of the intense 10 days of training, both girls possessed the minimum skills to avoid detection and the tools to continuously improve during their deployment and were up-to-date with the current happenings around the world. Even more impressively, Nanoha managed to improve her English by a significant amount, allowing her to hold basic conversations and understand the gist of what said to her.
"Excellent, then we'll begin the mission then. Remember, we'll be transported about two blocks away from the meetup area. Hopefully we'll be able follow them into this 'Leak Cauld'." With that, the trio of mages stepped into the transporter and vanish from the Arthra's teleportation bay.
Earth – Alley near St Martin's Court, London
August 11, 1991
11:45 AM
Lindy, Fate and Nanoha reappeared in a deserted alley near St Martin's Ct moments after they disappeared from the Arthra. They briefly looked around the alley to make sure no one saw them before exiting and making their way towards Charing Cross Road and the 'Leak Cauld'.
Walking North on Charing Cross Rd, it only took the group a few minutes to reach the muggleborn meeting area. They immediately spotted a large group gathered near a small café. Based on the similarity of three of the group members to the description of the Grangers that Lindy had received from Gil, she assumed that they must be the group that they are looking for.
Nudging Fate beside her, Lindy nodded in the direction of the Grangers and quietly said, "I believe that's the group that we are looking for."
Nanoha nodded silently while Fate murmured, "They seem like they're still waiting for people."
"Mhm." Lindy agreed while scanning the area around them. "Let's go into the café and wait for them to leave for their destination. We're assuming that they'll head to the strange pub, but we have to be sure."
Lindy, Nanoha and Fate didn't have to wait long for more muggleborns and their families to arrive. A young boy and his mother arrived while Lindy was ordering a coffee for herself, and a wealthy-looking family arrived the moment they sat at table. Lindy quickly glanced at her charges before sighing and standing back up, leaving her untouched coffee on the table. The trio casually followed the large group, heading in the direction of the unusual pub. Lindy was glad that her assumption that the pub was the final destination was correct when they watched them disappear into the pub.
Cautiously approaching the pub, Lindy could see why the scouting team had deemed the pub suspicious. If she had just been passing by, should would never have given it a second glance. Now, as she looked at it longer, the front seemed to flicker from rundown too well-used. The previously broken windows were now slightly grungy looking, but intact, windows. The peeling paint was now a faded black, and the pub's name was slowly appeared.
Looking away from the magical building, she addressed Nanoha and Fate. "Alright. This is it. Let's begin."
Nodding, the Nanoha quickly began the act of slightly confused, but excited, child. She grabbed Lindy and Fate by the hand and began to pull them in the direction of the entrance. "Look at this building Fate-chan! It's flickering!"
Earth – The Leaky Cauldron
August 11, 1991
12:07 PM
"Hello. You look a tad lost. Can I help you?"
At her greeting, the mint haired women turned to face her and in accented English said, "Oh! Yes, please. What's the name of this building? My daughter and her friend insisted we come in when the front appeared to have a… what it called?"
There was a slight pause before the blond-haired girl quietly supplied, "a hologram."
"Yes! A hologram! They said it kept flickering between an abandoned building and an old restaurant."
"This is The Leaky Cauldron, a … niche pub." Aurora responded carefully. "Were you able to see the... uhh… hologram?"
"Unfortunately not, but I must have just missed the flickering. The girls were so insistent though, and I didn't see any harm in letting them explore a bit," the lady responded. "But I must ask, why try to discourage people from coming into a pub? Wouldn't you want more customers?"
"Well – err – it's not my pub actually. I just happened to see you looking lost and decided to help." Aurora evaded, thinking frantically. It seemed like the girls in front of her were muggleborn witches who had somehow stumbled into The Leaky Cauldron with no knowledge of the wizarding world. The girls looked about eleven, but if they were going to Hogwarts then she would've met them earlier to deliver their letters. She briefly entertained the thought that they would be going to a different school, but she quickly dismissed the thought. If they were going to a different school, they probably would have already known about magic. "My name is Aurora Sinistra, by the way."
"Lindy Harlaown. And this is my daughter Fate," the mint haired lady said as she placed a hand on the blond girl's head. The girl gave a shy smile as she leaned closer to her mother. Mrs. Harlaown put her other hand on the auburns girls head and continued, "and this is her best friend Nanoha Takamachi."
Nanoha gave Aurora an excited wave as she was introduced. Aurora thought she was much less shy than her friend, and was proven correct when Nanoha excitedly asked, "How does the hologram work? I didn't know they existed yet!"
Aurora's smile became strained after Nanoha asked her the question. While not unexpected, she had been hoping that she would be able to redirect them and get them to leave without telling them about magic. Aurora glanced back at Tom; he was still dealing with some customers and was of no help right now. Knowing she had to get back to her group soon, she had to make a decision quickly. Either keep lying and hope they leave soon or tell them about magic and invite them to join the orientation. On one hand, it wasn't her job to deal with a situation like this. On the other hand, she really didn't want to leave the newcomers to their own devices. While their presence in the pub wasn't a huge cause for concern, the problem would be what they would do once they left. Without knowing about the Statute of Secrecy, they could very well reveal the Leaky Cauldron to the muggle world. She wished Dumbledore was here.
"Well…" Aurora began, stretching out the word to give herself a few more seconds to think. Finally deciding on a course of action, she continued, "it's not a hologram actually. It's magic."
Aurora could see the disbelief on their face as she told them it was magic. She quickly continued before they could say anything, "and I know that sounds impossible, but it's true. Here, let me show you."
She quickly pulled out her wand and pointed it at a nearby chair and clearly saying, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The chair rose a few off the ground before hovering about a foot off the ground. Aurora placed the chair back on the ground before addressing the newcomers again. All three of them were staring wide eyed at her.
"Now Mrs. Harlaown, the reason that you couldn't see the 'hologram' is because you are not a witch. This pub has multiple spells in place to discourage non-magical people from entering. One of those spells makes the exterior look like an abandoned building to people without magic. It seems like your daughter and her friend are witches, which allows them to see through the spell."
By the end of explanation, Mrs. Harlaown was unsurprisingly still gaping at her. Nanoha and Fate's disbelief had turned into excitement as Aurora told them that they were witches. The adults always took the news that magic existed so much harder than the kids.
"Now I know this is very shocking and overwhelming, but you actually have very fortunate timing. I'm a professor at a magic school and I'm currently giving an orientation to the new students from non-magical families. Would you like to join us for the day and then afterwards we can figure out the next step?"
After a few moments of silence, Mrs. Harlaown was brought out of her stupor when Fate pulled on her hand. She looked down at her daughter, then at her daughter's friend before sighing. Both Fate and Nanoha were enthusiastically nodding yes.
"Yes, I guess so." Mrs. Harlaown approved. "Might as well learn as much as possible since magic apparently exists."
"Excellent!" Aurora exclaimed. "Just follow me to the table back there and you can join the others."
After Mrs. Harlaown, Fate and Nanoha joined the table, Aurora addressed the table, "I'm very sorry about the delay. We have some unexpected guests that will be joining us today. Please welcome Lindy Harlaown, her daughter Fate, and her daughter's best friend Nanoha Takamachi."
While muggleborns and their families seemed confused about the recent developments, they respectfully introduced themselves to the newcomers. Once everyone had quieted again, Aurora continued with the orientation.
"Now as I was saying earlier, witches and wizards have their own currency, so our first stop will be Gringrotts Wizarding Bank. You will be able to exchange your pounds into Galleons, and open a vault if you wish. Opening a vault is not mandatory and can be done at any time. Next, we will head to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to get your Hogwarts robes fitted. You'll have to pick them up at the end of the day as the alterations will take some time. Following that, we will go to Ollivanders to find a wand." With that, the children at the table cheered. Wands were always the most exciting for new witches and wizards.
"Yes, yes, I know. Wands are the most exciting part of the day. After we get your wands we'll head to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a quick break. After that we'll head to Scribbulus Writing Instruments, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Potage's Cauldron Shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium and Magical Menagerie. We'll end the day with getting out textbooks at Flourish and Blotts. Does that sound good?"
Everybody was nodding their head – Aurora can't remember a time when someone had a problem with the plan. Satisfied they had at least some idea of what was going to happen, she turned to the Harlaowns.
"Now since you've just found out about the magical world and aren't currently enrolled at any school, you don't have to buy anything." Aurora explained.
Mrs. Harlaown was nodding. "Alright, although I'm sure the girls wouldn't mind getting a wand. And I'd like to pick up some books about the wizarding world."
"Feel free to ask me for recommendations when we get to Flourish and Blotts."
With the meeting at the Leaky Cauldron over, Aurora led the group of muggleborns to the brick wall behind the pub. She tapped the bricks and then turned to watch the group's reaction to Diagon Alley.
That's it for this chapter! Let me know what you think of the switching perspectives. After this chapter, it will probably be mostly 3rd person limited from Nanoha and Fate POV with occasional input from someone else in the HP universe.
[1] Information found on the Harry Potter Wikia in the Wizarding Currency section.
