Chapter Seventeen

Dashing and Daring

At first, the morning was still. A gentle breeze rustled through the silent streets, carrying with it a scattering of leaves and air that was fresh from an overnight mist. A lone bird began to chime out in the darkness, bold and bright, as if he alone summoned the sun as it began to lighten and purple the sky. As it turned to orange, other birds felt brave enough to join in, and by the time the sun finally managed to rise over the treeline, a full chorus welcomed it.

Fragrant smells began to permeate the air, warm and alluring. Many of the small birds began to hop down off the trees and eaves of the shops in Hogsmeade to wait expectantly in front of the bakery door. The lights in the back room had been on for some time; and as the sun rose, the front lights were turned on as Mitch pulled out a cart full of baked goods to fill the case with.

On the bottom-most rack were a few stale buns from the day before. He crumbled them to form sacks of breadcumbs and set all but one in a small basket. He carried the last sack outside.

"Good morning, little ones!" Mitch greeted the birds. They crowded around, eager to find out what sort of crumbs they were getting today. "Busy day today, it's Hogwarts day, you know," he informed them, spreading the crumbs and watching as they eagerly pecked at them. Then he turned his sign over to "Open" and stepped back inside.

Pretty soon the light came on in the Three Broomsticks, followed by Willowby's and Honeydukes. After that, the sun grew so bright that the shop lights were no longer distinguishable. Instead it was the shop owners that garnered the most attention as they brought in crates of goods or turned around signs.

Anticipation was in the air and sleepiness was replaced with excited energy as Hogsmeade prepared for its awaited guests. Delivery Owls flew out of the Owlery above the Daily Prophet, while a newspaper man hurried from shop to shop to deliver papers before setting up the small newsstand in front of the newspaper building.

Nevera Hagrid greeted him warmly as she and her daughter passed, stepping into the bakery. A few minutes later, Sharon Carnegie and Holly Hagrid ran back outside and down the street, while Nevera opened the tea room door and flipped the sign over.

It was not long after that when Severus, Jennifer, Quintin, and Serendipity stepped out of Corey's shop and walked over to become Nevera's first guests of the day.

"Good morning, Professeurs and family! Am I right in guessing you want the table inside next to the window?" Nevera asked.

"It is the main reason Jennifer insists on coming so early," Severus agreed.

"Now, don't you get mischievous on me," Jennifer scolded him. Nevera laughed merrily, helping Seren with her chair and making sure they were settled. "Tea and a selection of Mitch's best, Nevera, and some juice for Seren, of course."

"I happen to have some fresh apple juice from the Haven's Row orchard, freshly pressed. Would you like to try it, Seren?" Nevera asked her.

"I like apples and tea!" Seren replied.

"Yes, I'll put it in a teacup for you," Nevera promised with amusement, and in no time was back again with their tea tray. "So how is Laura holding up?" she asked conversationally.

"Oh, she's much better, thank you! Nearly back to her old self again thanks to Severus making her a special blend of tea to steady her," Jennifer replied.

"Then you must share me your recipe sometime with me, Professor. It sounds like a very handy one to have," Nevera said.

"I'll write it down and send it to you," Severus promised.

"Merci, Professeur! Now, I will be right back with your pastries," Nevera said, walking away again.

Severus became aware of Jennifer attempting to bore into his mind for a hint to exactly what herbs he had put in those tea bags. He used the newspaper on the tray as a distraction.

"This is interesting," Severus said, pretending not to notice the scrutiny. "Rumor has it that the Dashing Doppler has left London and has gone north. Some are even speculating that he could be heading for Hogsmeade."

Quintin's jaw dropped at that and put his head down, trying to slip his glasses off without his mother noticing it.

"Well, he won't get far up here, there are too many Truth Seekers," Jennifer replied, turning her attention to Seren. "Make sure to say please when you ask Nevera for something, Seren. Let's practice. May I have some juice, please?"

"I have juice," Seren pointed out, showing her the cup.

"Seren, what would Sir Hat say if he wanted juice?" Severus asked.

"Sir Hat drinks tea," Seren replied.

"Then what would he say if you gave him tea?" he inquired.

"May I please have some lemon?" Seren mimicked, so totally failing at the Hat's accent that Quintin couldn't help but chuckle at it.

When Nevera came back with the tray, Seren watched her intently until she set it down.

"There we are! Still have hot water? Do you need anything else?" Nevera asked.

"May I please have some lemon?" Seren asked. Nevera blinked.

"With apple juice?" Nevera asked. \

Before Jennifer could try and explain, Seren tried again.

"May I please have some lemon biscuits?" Seren asked.

"Oh!" Nevera said, glancing at the tray and realizing there wasn't any. "I will be right back."

"I don't know about you, but I would count that as progress," Severus commented to Jennifer.

Quintin gazed out the window as his parents became distracted with his sister, watching the wizards and witches that walked by as he wondered if any of them were the Dashing Doppler. If only he was farther along in his training, he might be able to tell, he thought with frustration. Perhaps his mother would spot the Dashing Doppler...

"Quintin, you'd best get something to eat. We have a lot to do today," Jennifer told him.

"Yes, Mum," Quintin said.

"Here we are!" Nevera said as she brought a small plate with a lemon biscuit and set it in front of Serendipity.

"Seren, what do you say?" Jennifer asked.

"Oh, thank you! Lemons are much better than frogs," Serendipity mimicked Sir Hat.

Nevera blinked.

"Really, Seren," Jennifer said, blushing slightly, while Quintin held his nose to keep from laughing.

"She has a point," Severus offered.

"Mais oui, but I think my husband would disagree with you," Nevera decided.

"Is Halbert coming today?" Jennifer asked hopefully.

"Not until much later this afternoon, Jennifer. He had to work this morning," Nevera replied.

"That's a shame, we'll be done here by noon. I'll catch him next time then. Thank you, Nevera!" Jennifer beamed.

"Enjoy!" Nevera replied with a smile, then went to greet other guests as they began to arrive for breakfast.

"Let's try not to take all morning about breakfast, especially if Quintin wants to go to Honeydukes first. I'd prefer to get that and Pitch Plus over with before the bus arrives," Severus said, seeing how slow they were eating. "Any other shop requests?"

"Toby's, of course, and perhaps a quick peek in Lasting Impressions," Jennifer replied.

"And just how long does a 'quick peek' generally last?" Severus inquired. "I don't mind you taking your time when we're alone, but when Seren is with us, it becomes a very trying experience."

"Oh... um... ten minutes?" Jennifer suggested with an innocent smile.

"Then we will go before lunch and head to the deli while you browse. Quintin, you will let me know if she isn't back within the allotted time," Severus suggested.

"Yes, Dad," Quintin said, and Jennifer made a face at Severus.

"Speaking of time, let's try to finish up within ten minutes as well, shall we?" Severus added, and Quintin began paying more attention to his scone rather than who was outside of the window.

Had he been looking, he would have caught sight of Anna and Jeremy coming out of Corey's shop and turning down the side street towards the Pig's Pannage.

"I'm starting to get a nervous stomach," Jeremy admitted to Anna.

"That's normal. It's another good reason to have all of your questions written down beforehand too, so that your brain can go on autopilot until your adrenaline kicks in... or at least your curiosity," Anna replied. "Besides, I'll be there to make sure things stay safe... and to take the fall when the Ministry finds out about this. You were wise to tell him you would need an escort from the start, by the way."

"Are you going to get in trouble for this?" Jeremy asked with a frown.

"Nah, more than likely just yelled at," Anna grinned. "Draco and I go all the way back to before he became Minister. He won't fire me from BELA and Alex doesn't have the power... but I bet she's going to give me an earful about it." Jeremy chuckled softly at that and followed her inside.

He stood in the doorway and stared at an old-fashioned pub that had a very large encased wooden bar on one side and a line of wooden booths on the other. He'd been in pubs a number of times, but he had never been in a Dark Wizard's pub before...

"Hey, Brogan," Anna greeted as she walked up to the bar. The she turned to the old wizard sitting on one of the stools. "Hey, Rinan, aren't you starting a bit early? Do you even have a liver left?"

"It's a hangover cocktail. Stop talking so loud," he muttered.

"Here, Brogan, get him a full breakfast... the food will help him more than that drink will," Anna suggested, putting some coins on the bar.

"With extra hot sauce," Rinan grunted.

"You're welcome," Anna replied, unconcerned by the lack of gratitude. "Can we go on through to the back? We're expecting one more person to show up."

"Sure, go ahead. Who are you waitin' for?" Brogan asked curiously.

"No clue. Send back whoever shows up asking for Jeremy Miller," Anna replied.

"Okay," Brogan said with a shrug. Anna led Jeremy to the back room. It had a wooden table with a tea set which look like it had seen better days.

"Tea? For some reason, I was expecting something a bit more exotic," Jeremy said, checking to make sure the water was clean.

"I will take you to the Brooms for a butter beer after we're done. We're not here for the drink selection," Anna reminded him, pulling out the chair next to her so he would sat down.

They hadn't been waiting for very long before Jeremy frowned.

"Do you think he'll even show up?" Jeremy asked flatly.

"Why wouldn't he after you went through all that trouble to make arrangements?" Anna inquired.

"Did you see the paper this morning? Maybe it made him skittish," Jeremy speculated.

"Have some tea," Anna suggested.

"Shouldn't we wait for the tea?" Jeremy asked.

"Not if you don't think he's coming," Anna pointed out.

Just then the door opened and Corey came in, smiling at them before shutting the door behind himself.

"What are you doing here?" Anna asked, then noticed he still had his work apron on.

"I was invited," the wizard replied, looking between them before smiling and bowing in a very un-Corey-like way before taking out a rose. "For you! It is very nice to meet you again!"

"You're the Dashing Doppler?" Jeremy asked unsurely.

"If you insist," the Dashing Doppler replied. "Did you want me to sit down?"

"Oh, sure, sorry! I was just so surprised! You really do look exactly like Quintin's big brother," Jeremy said.

"Would you prefer someone else?" he inquired.

"Maybe what you normally look like?" Anna suggested.

"Which one is that?" the wizard pondered, but then shrugged. "You've seen me in so many other forms, my lady, that I don't know which one you think of as normal."

"As far as I know, I've only seen you one other time, when you were posing as the street magician," Anna reminded him.

"Ah!" he said brightly, and immediately morphed into a pleasant older gentleman with a scarecrow build and a pleasant smile. "Better?"

"Yes, but what did you mean by my seeing you in many other forms?" Anna asked suspiciously.

"Your pardon, my lady, but aren't you supposed to be the escort and isn't this young wizard the one with the questions?" the Doppler asked. Anna frowned and clamped her mouth shut. "Perhaps you should pour the tea while I talk to the boy?"

"Fine," Anna said icily, and poured them each a cup.

"Would you like to start first?" the Doppler inquired.

"Start first?" Jeremy repeated.

"It's only fair, isn't it? I answer your questions, and you answer mine. After all, I'm a wanted man, am I not? That's what it says in the papers," the Doppler said.

"I guess I'll answer your questions... if I can..." Jeremy said. "I may not be able to answer them all."

"Oh, same, same, I'm sure," the Doppler agreed, gesturing to him with an open hand.

"Okay, so what's your name?" Jeremy asked, getting out his notebook.

The Doppler stared blankly at him. Then he pulled out the newspaper, perusing it a moment before folding it and putting it back down again.

"I'm the Dashing Doppler," he replied.

"In other words, you won't tell me your name," Jeremy said bluntly.

"Sorry," the Doppler said with a mischievous smile. "Perhaps you'll have better luck with the next question," he suggested.

"Alright then. How come you keep sneaking into the Ministry and impersonating people?" Jeremy asked.

"Ah that.. hm. Ah!" he said, putting up a finger as he thought up something. "I have an objective, and to accomplish that objective, I must go to the Ministry. But they won't let just anyone wander about the Ministry in hopes of accomplishing objectives, you know. The lady at reception wouldn't let me in for that reason, because I have no badges and things. But I noticed that she never questioned certain people on whether or not they have badges and things. So, I realized that if I look like one of them, I had no trouble at all getting in."

"Wait, why are you telling us that now?" Anna interrupted in surprise. "Don't you realize now that you've told us that, I can tell security to start asking everyone no matter who it is?"

"It's no trouble. I have other ways in now," the Doppler shrugged unconcernedly. Anna squinted. "Anything else?"

"Do you know Ludo Bagman?" Jeremy asked.

"Oh, yes, he's that man that's always in the papers," the Doppler acknowledged. "Sometimes his name is featured before my name comes up, but typically he's in the back. He always gets top billing on the Wanted Wizards page, though. On the Wanted Wizards page, they always show me wearing this face. Do you like this face?" he suddenly asked, gazing at Anna intently.

"I guess. Who did you steal it from?" Anna asked.

"A street performer in Paris," the Doppler admitted. "I thought it such a kind face, and his audience was so receptive that I thought I'd bring it to London so others here could appreciate it as well. He also earned a great deal of tips, and so did I. It's such a shame that you and Alexandria Clemmons decided that I was breaking the law somehow! Don't you think it'd be nice if you'd both forgave me and take it back?"

"You were using real magic in front of non-magical humans... and you've been using your ability to spy on the Ministry..." the Doppler cut her off with a tsk, holding up an open hand.

"Those are two different topics, is it not? Apples and oranges, as they say," the Doppler protested. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Miller. May I take a moment to address this?" he inquired. "No, no, you needn't get up, I don't mind you hearing my reply."

"I was just thinking of ordering some snacks," Jeremy suggested.

"Ah, how thoughtful! But I should warn you that I don't eat meat," the Doppler informed him.

"Eggs and milk?" Jeremy inquired.

"Fine... as long as the eggs aren't fertilized and the milk is humanely gathered," the Doppler said.

"I wouldn't want fertilized eggs either," Jeremy said, making a face of disgust before going to the front long enough to put in their order.

"Now, then... might I speak candidly about your work, my lady?" the Doppler asked. "You see, I have read some of your books."

"My books?" Anna repeated, a bit confused. "Do you mean some of my articles, perhaps? The only books I've written are class materials for my Muggles Studies courses."

"Yes, those. I found them quite fascinating, and extremely puzzling considering your title as head of the BELA department, even though you only go into the office on Saturdays and Sundays... except for today, of course..."

"Okay, so you've researched me," Anna replied flatly.

"I always take interest in those who take interest in me," the Doppler explained. He paused as Jeremy came back in and sat down with a basket of fried bread, honey, and jam, curious as to why Anna suddenly looked like she was on the defensive.

"Sorry, they didn't have much, this is a Dark Wizard pub," Jeremy explained.

"This is lovely, thank you kindly," the Doppler reassured him politely. "Tell me, my lady... I'm sorry, how would you like me to address you?"

"Anna," Anna said evenly.

"Thank you, Anna. Which one is the real you?" the Doppler asked seriously. "Because it's like heads or tails, and I've not a clue which side you're really on. Are you the woman who exists in your books, who writes articles about how Americans view non-magical humans compared to Brits and what the differences are? Or, are you the head of the BELA, an organization of suppression, one that helps the Minister of Mysteries investigate organizations like the Elderflower Society who are secretly helping Muggles, and the woman harassing people who refuse to conform to the Ministry's Secrecy Act, such as myself, a simple street performer? Those two halves of your life don't seem to mesh very well, Anna, they are very much cross-purposes to each other.

"Oh, yes, I know... the entire reason this BELA department started was to provide an alternative to the inhumane use of the Obliviation spell. At that point, BELA was a necessary evil and was progress compared to how things had been done in the past. But now it does nothing but impede further progress, and I can't help but wonder just where your convictions lie since you are stopping the progression of changes that you so fervently write about. It is as if you have become your own worst enemy, Anna. Your actions do not match your words, and it makes it so that a poor fellow like me can't fathom who you are as a person... more than likely because you have lost sight of it yourself. Tell me honestly, now. Are you really so alarmed by the fact that I use a little magic to bring joy to the masses that I must be arrested for it?"

"That hardly excuses spying in the Ministry, does it?" Anna retorted.

"Well, no, that it doesn't. I admit to that readily," the Doppler confessed. "It's your own fault, you know... you and Alexandria Clemmons. If the two of you hadn't routed me that day, I probably wouldn't have turned to a life of espionage. But now that I have, I'm hoping to become the greatest super spy who ever lived."

"Like James Bond?" Jeremy asked.

"Do you like films?" the Doppler asked with interest.

"I love them!" Jeremy agreed enthusiastically, and the Doppler morphed into Sean McConnery.

"Do I look like the sort of man who would be trouble?" he asked, his voice as accurate as his looks.

"Brilliant! Can you do Roger Moore? No wait... Pierce Brosnan!" Jeremy requested.

"Focus, Jeremy, he isn't a sideshow," Anna said with exasperation.

"I was a street performer," the Doppler corrected, turning back into the older gentlemen again. "But now I've become Alexandria Clemmons' greatest challenge!"

"Are you working for Ludo Bagman?" Jeremy asked, trying to get him back on track.

"I work only for myself," the Doppler replied.

"Well, who do you share your intelligence with?" Jeremy pressed.

"Ah, now, that's the question, isn't it?" the Doppler said with a wink. "It would depend on what's offered in exchange."

"So you're an information broker," Jeremy concluded.

"If you like," the Doppler replied.

"So you'll work with anyone?" Jeremy said.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say that," the Doppler replied. "I'm actually quite discerning, but I'll entertain offers from anyone. I simply won't accept them all."

"I see," Jeremy said, writing it down. "Have you ever considered turning yourself in?"

"Turn myself in? At this stage of the game? That would be quite premature," the Doppler protested with a smile.

"They'll likely throw the book at you even harder if they have to catch you, you know," Jeremy pointed out.

"To that I say this, and you may quote me," the Doppler said. Jeremy pointedly put his quill to his notebook. "The only person capable of catching me is the Minister of Mysteries, Alexandria Clemmons, and she won't ever catch me unless I want to be caught. Did you get all of that?" he inquired, watching intently as Jeremy wrote it down. "Show me that you wrote it down correctly," he insisted, and Jeremy turned it around so he could see the entire interview. He perused the entire thing, then nodded with a smile. "As to the last question you wrote down, Jeremy Miller, I would like to say that I am indeed quite dangerous, when it comes to anyone who would stand in the way of my obtaining my objective."

"Which is?" Jeremy pressed.

"It's better if no one knows what it is just yet," he decided, picking up one of the fried breads out of the basket. "Thank you for the chat! I shall be going now."

"Thanks for the interview!" Jeremy replied. "But didn't you say you wanted to ask something as well?"

"Oh, don't worry, I'll be in touch," the Doppler said with a smile, changing back into the semblance of Corey Willowby before stepping out the door.

The two of them stared at the door for a moment.

"That was awesome!" Jeremy declared enthusiastically. "Was he not cool or what? Man, if he wasn't a criminal, I'd even say he's the coolest guy I've met ever! Don't you think so? Um... Anna?" he asked, wondering about her troubled expression. "Is something wrong? Did I miss an important point?"

"No, it's not that," Anna assured him, pulling herself out of it before getting a piece of the bread for herself. "I guess we know why he agreed to the interview now."
"To get attention?" Jeremy inquired, getting a piece himself.

"And to send a message to Alex," Anna replied.

"That too," Jeremy agreed, looking over the quote. "You don't think this is going to start another spy war, do you?"

"If it does, it won't be like the last one," Anna replied. "Ludo's motive was retaliation and revenge, where the Doppler seems to be singularly focused on this objective of his. Factoring in what little we know about his personality thus far, I get the feeling that this man won't kill unless he has no other way of achieving his objective."

"Whatever that is," Jeremy said with a shrug. Anna sighed.

"Unfortunately, I think there's only one person who can figure that out, and that's Alexandria herself," Anna admitted.

"But will she find out on her own or because he wants her to?" Jeremy asked. "Do you think it's a trap of some kind? These sorts of challenges are often traps in spy movies."

"This isn't a spy movie," Anna pointed out. Jeremy pondered that.

"I could make a case for it," Jeremy decided. Anna rolled her eyes.

"Eat your fry bread," Anna told him, shaking her head at him before doing the same.