Making Plans
The first thing Daisy registered was a pounding in her head and other aches. Nearly her whole body ached. But before she opened her eyes, she reached out with her senses - determining who was around her. She wasn't sure where she was or who would be there when she opened her eyes.
"Daisy?" she heard her mother asked hesitantly. Daisy's eyes flew open and she immediately recognized the ceiling of her old room at the country house. She turned her head and saw her mother and father seated next to her bed. Wills stood behind there where he had been pacing only moments before. Gingerly, she pushed herself up.
"What happened?" she asked. "The last I remember I fell off my broom and Hardwick was flying towards me."
Iris looked at Oliver and then Wills, who nodded.
"I caught you before he did and managed to get us here," he said. "Apparated just before he caught up to us on the ground."
"Where's everyone? Are they okay?" Daisy asked immediately, too tired to check through her connections.
"No one died," Iris said carefully. She went silent after that.
"Something's wrong," Daisy said, trying to probe her mother's mind but hitting blocks.
"I wasn't there… I didn't see it," Wills offered. "Otherwise I would have done anything to stop it."
"See what?" Daisy demanded. She turned her eyes to her father, looking into his mind as she knew he couldn't block her. She then gasped as tears filled her eyes.
"Toby…" she murmured. "YOU LET THEM TAKE TOBY!"
"No one let anyone do anything," Wills said. "It was utter chaos."
"After you disappeared, it wasn't but five minutes before the Network started to disapparate. No one could tell much of anything. We didn't even know until we all got back here that he was taken," Iris said. Daisy dropped her head in her hands, fighting hard to control her anger and tears.
"They took him…" she said. "We have to get him back!" She looked at the three, immediately noting the looks on their faces. "What is it now?!"
"We should go downstairs," Wills said.
"She's not recovered. She took a bludger bat to the head," Oliver said, glaring at Wills. "She needs to rest."
"I apologize, Coach. But she deserves to know and the sooner the better. We are dealing with a deadline here," Wills said, his voice strong. Daisy looked back and forth between the two before hopping off the bed and wobbly standing. Wills helped her stay standing and the two started for downstairs, Iris and Oliver following.
"Everyone ended up coming back here afterwards," he said, helping her down the stairs.
"How long have I been out?" she asked, glancing up at him.
"Couple hours. Victoire checked you over and said you were fine, though you'll likely have a bit of a headache for a while. And a nasty bruise. Couldn't give you much pain potion until you woke up," he said. Daisy nodded. She could hear voices coming from downstairs.
"Everyone's in the living room," he said. Daisy nodded and cleared the last stair, walking into the crowded living room. The noise died out as they stepped in. She took in everyone, noting that besides some bumps, bruises and minor cuts, everyone seemed fine.
"What happened to Toby?" she asked, her eyes falling on Teddy, who was standing in a corner with Richards, Harry, Chris, Tori and Nikos.
"It was shortly after Wills got you away… he was fighting with me and Tori," Chris said, stepping towards. "They started disapperating, so we thought it was over. But then…" He stopped and looked back at Richards. "One of the MACUSA aurors - Martins - grabbed him and disappeared."
"They sent a note after that so it obviously wasn't a last minute decision," Teddy said.
"I want to see it," Daisy demanded. Everyone shared a look before Teddy stepped over, holding the parchment out. Daisy snatched it from him and looked it over, the color starting to drain from her face. "He proposed a trade. Me for Toby. I am to respond through my connection to Toby by sundown."
"Yea, it appears as though Martins was the mole… and this was a contingency plan in case Hardwick couldn't snatch you," Teddy said, frowning. "I still can't believe we didn't see this coming…"
"It's not your fault," Harry said. "None of us suspected they would go after her at a match. I mean, they had to have been planning for months. We've had ridiculous security at each one."
"And they had Hardwick and Martins helping them from the inside," Tori said glumly. Daisy swallowed as she wiped at the tears on her cheeks, reading over the note again.
"I'll do it," she said. Everyone was silent for a few moments before the room exploded into noise.
"You'll do no such thing!" Oliver shouted.
"That's mad, Pix! You can't give up yourself!" Wills shouted at the same time.
"We won't let you," Remus said.
"I didn't die just so you could go off and get yourself killed!" Alan shouted. Daisy stood calmly in the midst of it, saying nothing as the shouting continued around her. She looked over, meeting her mother's eyes. Iris' were already filling with tears.
"You know I have to do this, Mum. I can't let them hurt Toby. Not because of me," she said. Iris just stared at her.
"We need a plan," she said. "I can't let you go in there without some sort of plan to get back out. And I know you, you'd rather die than do what they want you to." Daisy looked down at her feet and back up at her mother.
"We'll come up with one, but I won't let them keep Toby," she said, the resolve evident in her voice. Iris nodded slowly.
"Everyone shut it!" Jamie shouted, stunning the room into silence. Daisy looked over at him. He sighed and shook his head, obviously hearing the conversation between Daisy and Iris.
"You won't stop me," Daisy said.
"I know… but Mum is right. We need a plan," he said.
"You must be mad! You can't think we're going to let her give herself up to the Network!" Wills shouted.
"I agree! She's not going!" Oliver said. Daisy rolled her eyes. Of course, this would be the moment those two decide to put their differences aside and be on the same team.
"Perhaps, we should hear what Aleka and Alekos have to say first," Nikos said. "It would seem them have much news to share." Daisy looked over at the twins. She had forgotten they were in Greece following the Network.
"Did you find them?" she asked. Aleka nodded.
"We have discovered their headquarters and as far as we are aware, they do not know that we know," she said. "More than discovering their plan to take you during the match, we found out much, much more." She looked over at Alekos.
"They plan to use Daisy to get through the veil and bring back Grindelwald and others… then shortly after, they intend to launch simultaneous attacks on muggle and wizarding governments around the world. The attacks are set to happen the day after tomorrow," he said. Aleka quietly pulled out the various pages she had taken from the safe house and spread them out on the coffee table as the group moved around to inspect them.
"They have not taken all of them, but enough that they could move forward," Aleka said. "They were banking on the rest to fall in order after that." She glanced up at Daisy. "But I think this new development… we can use this to our advantage."
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked. "Don't tell me that you're intending to use my daughter as bait." Aleka glanced over at Alekos, then over to Nikos and Christos. Daisy raised her eyebrows, hearing the plan going through their minds.
"It would work," she said calmly. "Bring the fight to us on our turf." Nikos nodded.
"It will take a lot of planning… and we would need nearly everyone of fighting age in the village to pull it off along with the aurors. We must move quickly," he said.
"We would take them unawares," Christos said, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Would someone please share with the rest of us who can't read minds?" Richards asked, sounding annoyed. Nikos turned to look at him.
"While Daisy is making the exchange, we attack headquarters - quietly - then catch the others before they launch the attacks. Instead of us walking into a trap, they will walk into one," he said. "It is the best way to take down the entire network in one go."
"You think this could work? That there's no way they could know that you've learned their plan?" Teddy asked, looking at the twins.
"I am sure," Aleka said. "We did not leave any trace behind of our presence. And they did not see us arrive at the stadium until after the attack started. There's no way they could know."
"What's more, he does not know of our gifts and what we can do," Alekos said. "Only that we have been tracking them."
"So, this could work," Teddy said.
"It will," Daisy said. She took a deep breath and looked at Nikos. "Quickly, we must come up with a plan so I can contact Toby. We don't have much time." Nikos nodded and motioned for her to follow him into the dining room, a small group including the twins, Tessa, Christos, Teddy, the aurors and Iris following him. Wills started to go with them, but Teddy stopped him.
"What? I need to be there," he said. "I'm going with her."
"No, you're not," Daisy said, stopping in the entryway. "I'll fill you in later." She then turned and continued out. Wills stood there, shock on his face.
"Don't worry, Wills. She's in good hands. They'll come up with a plan that will get Toby back. And she won't be taken," Jamie said. Wills looked over at him, worry filling his face.
"You look like you need a drink," Oliver said, stepping up to him. Wills went silent, not used to the coach being thoughtful. He nodded silently as Oliver motioned for him to follow him into the library. They walked out of the living room, through the hallway and kitchen, and into the library. Wills looked over, seeing the double doors that led to the dining room shut and soundproofed. It was an odd sight as the Wood house was usually open.
Oliver walked over and pulled open a drawer, taking out a bottle of aged firewhisky and two glasses.
"I keep this in here for late nights… when I can't sleep," he said, pouring the liquor. "I don't like to bother Iris. She's already lost enough sleep worrying about me over the years." He held the glass out to Wills, who took it quietly and sipped at it.
"From the war?" Wills asked quietly. Oliver nodded.
"It left me… changed. I got better for the most part, but I still have my bad nights. Dare say all of us from that generation do," he replied. "Harry and Iris got the worst of it, though. She had a tough life before that and Harry, well, you know his story."
Oliver looked over at the doors, frowning as he imagined just what plan they were coming up with behind them.
"I didn't want this for them. I didn't want them to know what war was like… it was only supposed to be something they read about in history books or heard the occasional story from us," Oliver continued.
"This wasn't your fault," Wills ventured to say. Oliver looked over at him and nodded.
"I know. It's not Iris' either, but she certainly blames herself for it… as though she had done something to gain her gifts and then pass them on," Oliver said with a sigh. "But we all know it's bollocks. They were all given them for a reason… and it seems our family is always destined to be in the middle of everything."
"Do you ever get used to it?" Wills asked. "The worrying?" Oliver smiled sadly and shook his head.
"Sometimes I think I have, but truth is I'll never stop worrying about any of them - Iris, Daisy, the triplets," he said. "You probably won't either." Wills nodded and took another sip.
"I always knew she was headstrong and going to do whatever she set her mind to, but still… this is more than I thought it'd be," Wills said softly, looking at the doors. "And I always thought I'd be at her side."
"She's going to do everything she can to make sure you and the rest of us aren't there tomorrow," Oliver said.
"And I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I'm there," Wills said, looking back over at Oliver. He nodded and walked over to the chaser, putting his hand on his shoulder and squeezing slightly.
"Keep her safe. Bring her back to us," he said. Wills nodded.
"I will."
"Sir… she's replied," Tobias said, stepping into the room. Magnus turned from the fireplace and smiled.
"Very good, Tobias," he replied, stepping passed him and out of the room. He walked down the hallway into another room where Toby was tied up in a chair, sporting a black eye. "What news do you have from our little Pixie?" Magnus asked cheerfully.
"Against my warning not to, she's agreed to the exchange," Toby said, breathing heavily. "But she has some conditions."
Magnus walked closer to him, still smiling.
"Pray tell, what does she ask?" he said.
"She wants to set the time and location. And she wants you there for the exchange," Toby said. Magnus raised his eyebrows.
"Is that so? What else?" he asked.
"She said I'm not to be harmed any more than I already am," he continued. Magnus nodded.
"Who is coming with her? I assume someone will be there to make sure you are taken back safely," he said. Toby took a deep breath and met his eyes.
"Just her mother and Teddy," he said. "No one else." Magnus chuckled.
"I'm supposed to believe that? Surely there will be some Prostatis or aurors hiding in the shadows to launch an attack once you are safely in their custody," he said. He glanced over at Martins, who was standing in the corner, his arms crossed in front of him. "He telling the truth?"
Martins focused on Toby, narrowing his eyes at him. Toby winced slightly. Martins didn't have the finesse of the Woods or Prostatis when reading minds but could do it nonetheless.
"He is," Martins finally said as Toby breathed a sigh of relief once the intrusion ended. Magnus studied Toby a bit longer before nodding.
"Very well. I agree to those terms," he said. He looked at Martins. "Get the details from him and then come meet with me to finalize the plans." He looked at Toby. "Tell her no tricks or I will kill you." Toby met his eyes boldly.
"There's no way she'll do what you want her to," he said. "Besides, she can't anyway." Magnus chuckled.
"She will. You'll find I can be very persuasive, Mr. Davies," he replied. "And you can stop with that. We all know what she can do. The fact that all three of her brothers are alive tells me that she brought whichever one it was that I killed back from the dead."
"She can bring the dead back… but only the newly dead. If there is no body for them to return to, they cannot come back," Toby said. "So, your grand plans to return Grindelwald are all for naught." Magnus frowned slightly and stepped closer to him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It is a powerful gift, but there are limitations," Toby said. "Those who have been gone too long cannot return. Even if she could, though, she wouldn't." Magnus stepped closer and grabbed Toby's chin, forcing him to look up at him.
"We shall see about that, Mr. Davies," he said. He then shoved him away and looked at Martins, nodding to him before walking out of the room.
"Sir… what if he's telling the truth?" Tobias said, quickly catching up with him.
"Of course, he's not," Magnus said.
"But what if-"
Magnus stopped and spun around, glaring down at Tobias.
"We will continue with our plan," he said through gritted teeth. "Daisy Wood is important to our cause, even if she cannot bring back Grindelwald. We will be triumphant. We've gone too far to stop now." Tobias nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir. Forgive me," he said, looking down at his feet. Magnus turned back around and walked to another door, screams of pain coming through it.
"Now then, let us check in on our dear friend Hardwick, shall we," he said brightly. "Knew he'd screw this up. At least Martins had the forethought to come up with a back-up plan." Tobias nodded silently and followed Magnus into the room.
Daisy stood on the back porch, looking out across the backyard and hills beyond. She could make out the hoops and bleachers on the quidditch pitch in the moonlight. She was supposed to be sleeping - tomorrow was a big day and she'd had to leave early to get to the meeting spot. But she couldn't settle.
She had waited until she heard Wills start to snore before sneaking downstairs - passed the many guests camped out there - and out to the porch, hoping the night air might clear her head. She walked over and sat in one of the chairs, a blanket wrapped around her to fend off the early spring chill.
She was nervous about tomorrow. Even though they had gone over the plan a million times and she had communicated with Toby, happy to hear that he was alive though a bit beat up. He assured her that they weren't torturing him, and he would be fine. He then relayed back to her that Magnus had agreed to her terms and they would be at the meeting place at the appointed time. And that he would be there for the trade off himself.
They then had gone through the ordeal of convincing the rest of the family not to be there - agreeing it was more a liability. Iris and Daisy would be there with Teddy, Nikos and other Prostatis hidden until the right time. Richards and another team of aurors and Prostatis would be in wait to raid headquarters at the same time.
By the end of tomorrow, it would all be over if everything went according to plan.
"Thought I'd find you here," Alan said as he walked out. Daisy looked over at him and smiled slightly.
"Here I thought I was good at sneaking out," she said.
"Can't sneak passed the kings of sneaking out," he replied, walking over and sitting in the chair next to her.
"Apparently not," Daisy said, looking over and seeing Jamie and Remus making their way to the door.
"You ready for this?" Alan asked as the two walked out and sat on the ground in front of them. Daisy sighed and looked back out at the mountains.
"As ready as I can be," she replied. "Can't help but worry… that Magnus is going to do something underhanded. I keep checking the connection to make sure Toby is alive."
"If anything, we know that we can't trust him," Remus said, frowning slightly. "I don't like not being there."
"It's for your own safety," Daisy said, looking at him.
"What about your safety?" he replied.
"I'll be fine. Mum and Teddy'll be there. So will the Prostatis. He's not getting me," she said. "We've gone over the plan a million times already."
"Still… I think we'd all feel better if we were there with you," Jamie said. Daisy looked over at him.
"I know I would," Alan added.
"Why? So you can get yourself killed again?" Daisy retorted.
"We know you'd bring me back," Alan said lightly. Daisy sighed and shook her head, leaning back in her chair.
"The point is to avoid having to bring anyone back," she said with a huff. "And to finally bring Magnus in though I'd rather not." The brothers looked at each other, shocked by her darkness.
"You don't mean that, Pix," Jamie said softly. She looked at him.
"You know I do. I'll do anything to keep you all safe," she said. "If it means ending him once and for all, I'll do it. Aleka agrees with me."
"Aleka is scary," Remus said.
"But I do feel better knowing she'll be there tomorrow," Alan said lightly. Remus and Jamie scowled at him. "What? Admit it. You do as well."
"She does seem intimidating," Jamie conceded. "And she's a good fighter."
"I'll be fine," Daisy said. "By tomorrow night, everything will be over and we can finally move on."
"They won't go down without a fight," Jamie said.
"Good thing we're all good fighters," Daisy said with a small smile. "Don't look so glum. We're nearly done with this."
"Just… be careful, Pix. Don't do anything too rash," Alan said seriously. "We lose you, we lose everyone." Daisy nodded.
"I won't," she said. "Someone's got to protect you all."
Remus put his hand out and looked around the group of his siblings.
"Woods against the world?" he said. Daisy smiled and leaned forward, putting her hand on his and waited until Alan and Jamie followed.
"Woods against the world."
Seriously... Woods against the world... All that is left to finish is the epilogue...
cjconnor326 - In the family box fighting elsewhere. But both will try their best to be there in the end.
Thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
