Chapter 6: Preparation

Harry apparated to the Burrow with Athena. Athena then used the advanced thought charms to invite Hermione to join herself and Harry in the Living Room.

After Hermione's arrival, Harry wordlessly cast a silencing charm. Hermione appraised the facial and body structure of Athena and seemed rather impressed.

She looked at Harry and winked in good humor, "Wow Harry! If your field trips involve your meeting with such stunningly beautiful people, it must take a lot of control to remain faithful."

Harry nodded, "I feel honored to be in the august company of 2 of the most intelligent witches in the Modern History of England. Athena is certainly the most beautiful lady I ever met but her physical features fade into irrelevance once you know why she is here and how she got here."

Harry continued, "But before we start there is something I need to ask. Can you arrange 3 million Galleons for us in the next 48 Hours?"

Hermione nodded, "Cash or bank transfer?"

Harry gaped at Hermione with a wide open mouth, "You won't even ask me why? You have so much faith in me?"

"I trust you more than I trust even myself, Harry. I am sure you have a vital reason for asking this amount and if it is worthy of sharing the reason with me, I am sure you will."

A small strand of tears escaped Harry's eyes and he went over to her, locking both her hands in his bigger ones. "I am a lucky person to call myself your friend. My life could have turned out like Voldemort owing to my anger but your and Ron's presence shaped my life. Even Ron was at times fickle minded (4th and 7th year) but you always stuck by me. My current status in life owes a tremendous gratitude to you. Thus far, I have never said it expressively because I knew you understood. However the nature of this mission may mean the end of any of us here. You ought to know the truth right now Hermione: Your presence is like a foundation to my building, a root to my tree. Thank You for everything and making my life beautiful."

He pulled her into a tight embrace. Hermione responded with a kind pat of her own.

Harry then continued, "This narrative is about a rather profound set of events in the past that has a major impact on the present and future. Would you prefer to hear this alone or with people you consider close to you?"

Instead of replying, Hermione called in Draco, all the Weaselys (including Ginny), Zabini, Katie, Neville and Pansy. "We are all a team and an extended family. If something major concerns me, they all have a right to know."

Hermione begged to be excused and she and Draco sent away her Muggle guests. Earlier that day, Draco and Ron placed sound charms in such a way that all Magical Discussion would be deafened out with Muggle Pop music. Hermione thanked all her Muggle guests and sent them on their way, citing urgent work necessity.

Hermione and Draco returned and she asked Harry to begin.

Harry revealed the entire history in minute detail from Athena's birth to Tom's death including his wish about Hermione. By the time he finished, all the women with the exception of Athena were weeping. Harry looked at Hermione in surprise, "So even you are having a feeling of sympathy for him then, Hermione?"

She shook her head, "I am weeping for his wrong choices, a great life and loyal friendship sacrificed and all his victims. It also gives me a rare perspective on humanity. We should never judge a person on face value basis. Even monsters have a story. We ought to eliminate the cause and defend against the effect. Tom, Bellatrix and all the Death Eaters are the effect, Lucas is the cause."

Harry nodded to all, "That is why this mission is critical. Hermione is not just our dearest friend and chief brain; she is now the Minister of Magic. Access to her by Lucas can lead to unprecedented disaster. The problem before us is that our enemy is unseen. Hermione, Athena and I are the chief targets because we are on the frontline. The real source of vulnerability is the rest of you guys. In ancient war strategy, enemies used to ring around the formidable generals of the conquered and attack the backline, who then were without leadership and were taken completely by surprise. Athena and I leave with comfort because we are confident of all your abilities to protect Hermione. What is also important is for you to protect yourself. Each of you ought to know one unique fact about the other but never spell it except provide hints, just in case your memories are hacked. You also ought to realize that certain thoughts absolutely do not belong to your domain and if they come, you are now thinking his thoughts. We are taking on a war against the most powerful wizard in history but I have complete faith in you. Even if all 3 of us die in this Mission, let us all vow to dedicate our life to finding this power and encapsulating it forever."

All wizards and witches took a solemn oath to capture Lucas. Next, Athena briefed all of them on the theory and practice of force field charms, their chief weapons against Lucas. Athena also spelt out his pleasing charismatic personality and signs to look out for his presence in friend, foe, guests or John Doe.

Hermione, Ginny, Katie and Pansy were the first to pick up the skills in practical force field casting followed by Fleur and Penelope. The boys were left red faced as all their bravado came to nothing against the concentration, focus and intelligence of the women folk. The successful casting by Narcissa and Molly was the final nail in the boys' coffin. They were further ribbed by Fred and George, after they were the first amongst the boys (apart from Neville, who was the expert) to successfully learn the art. At one point, Harry, Zabini and Ron growled at Fred to shut up or face a dueling round with their other skills.

Athena pushed Harry and Draco in particular but did not spare the rest of the menfolk either. According to her, the people closest to Hermione had the greatest responsibility to protect her and themselves. While dueling, she also explained the invisible force field covering Hermione once she took office. No spell could be cast 2 meters around her. Everybody was impressed by her beauty and intelligence. Unlike Hermione, who was quiet, she was also assertive and screamed out leadership. To lighten up the mood, she also shared funny anecdotes of her interaction with Muggle Scientists and their astonishment at her intelligence.

Even now in 2010, she knew more about Conservation Genetics and biological restoration than stalwarts' decades older to her. Fred winked at her and declared that had he not known her story, he would have proposed to her. All were taken by surprise at his candid admission because Fred and George were the only people who had thus far shown no keen interest in the opposite gender other than simply make them laugh.

It took a little longer than 8 hours for Harry, Zabini and Draco to finally get things right and they were followed shortly by Ron, Arthur, Bill, Charlie and Percy.

Athena then called them back in a circle.

"Okay, we know that most probably the first interaction of Hermione with Lucas, either in disguise or in person, would be the Quidditch match in less than 1 week. Prior to that Ron, Harry and Draco have done their homework and no new person, wizard or Muggle have met Hermione without them checking things thoroughly. Hermione also has 24 hour protection from a SWOT team dedicated to her safety. Her official position affords her Z Grade security and with you guys near her, she would be safe till then. This week, you concentrate on protecting yourself so that you do not become the weapon in his hands. Harry and I would concentrate on tracking him down. The means we would use would remain between us but we will continually update Ginny and Hermione about our whereabouts. In the unlikely event of an emergency, 4 Witches and 6 Wizards (excluding Hermione) ought to keep themselves ready for combat at 5 seconds notice. You can decide amongst yourselves as to who would come and condition your training accordingly. Remember that this man is the master of Voldemort. You ought to respect him completely."

Harry embraced all his comrades and bid them goodbye. He then nodded to Hermione, "We will collect the amount at dawn tomorrow and proceed on our way to the first lead. Kreachera will keep tack on us and would prepare our meals, wherever we are. My patronus will inform you and Ginny. Take care, Hermione. Now you know that you are the target. I also want to clarify one thing: If you are possessed by his powers and try to turn into Bellatrix, I would be the first person to cast the killing curse on you. Athena was brave enough to do that but Tom had already made his first Horcrux, which does not apply to you. It will break my heart but I would rather see you die in my hands than like a hunted criminal, which pacifies Lucas. The same goes for Ginny and rest of you people. You all are my Comrades and like my extended family but I will not compromise with the integrity of my duty. I am the son of England first and then your friend. This applies to Athena and me as well. Should I be possessed, have no second thoughts on killing me or her. Just verify our credentials first though because a tired mind can also give nonsensical answers and raise suspicions. If you are certain about Lucas using me, just finish me immediately. I do not wish to lead Voldemort's life and kill you. That would be my greatest tragedy."

Everybody in the room echoed the same feelings.

Harry continued, "Enough with the serious stuff. I will part here with a smile. I have some happy news of my own. Dudley Dursley is all grown up now and regularly keeps in touch with me. Each year he sends me a Christmas card, thanking me for saving him from the Dementors. Today, he has invited me to an elaborate breakfast on his marriage anniversary with him. I thought about postponing in light of Hermione's party yesterday but in hindsight I am glad I didn't. I didn't have much food here last night. Even Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon have forgotten their old grudges and have baked me a white forest cake to prove their reconciliation intentions. They were never much of a family but they ensured that the protective charm was maintained till I was 17. It always feels good when bitter relationships turn for the better."

Hermione, Draco, Ginny, Arthur, Ron, Fred and George agreed and the rest simply nodded because they never knew the extent of the torturous childhood Harry had.

Athena spoke up, "Before we wrap up here, there are certain talents we can utilize among you guys. Pansy is a historian and she can research the historical patterns of rise and fall of evil wizards and witches and their location of rise to prominence. We would try to identify a pattern, based on her feedback that Kreachera will bring us. Meanwhile Neville can train Ron and Draco, the 2 main people to guard Hermione after Harry and I leave. His botanical Fields research places him at the top of the pile with respect to this skill. Ginny, Penelope and rest of the Weaselys would form the second ring of guard around Hermione. Also vital is to think and decide your unique identification mechanism with each other without spelling it out. Katie and Zabini would act as a bridge between Hermione's Guard and us, the first point of contact for Kreachera. I would also suggest that all of you practice thought projecting and display charms."

With determination and confidence, Harry and Athena parted ways from the Burrow and his magical family. Hermione wired him early that morning about collecting the funds by midafternoon after she pressed home to the Magical Finance Board on an urgent ultra-secret crisis. Harry's very name convinced them to disburse funds without a second question.

Harry smiled at Athena, "Before we leave for our mission, I have one more stop to make. Would you like to come along?" Athena nodded her approval. They apparated to 4, Privet Drive and knocked on the fireproof front door. Standing smiling before Harry and Athena was a slim young man in Tennis Attire whose one palm was locked with his Surgeon wife (She was the country's Sports Medicine Advisor at FIFA panel in Geneva). Both took their breath in sharply when they saw Athena. Both Harry and Athena were by this time used to such reactions.

Harry smirked, "Am I at the correct house or have the hosts gone away on a vacation?"

"I am indeed Dudley, hard as it may be to believe the changes in me since our teenage days. My brainy wife is also a fitness and diet expert and I have followed her advice to the letter."

"It suits you well. Who could predict this change in you?!"

"Welcome Harry! Who is your friend here?"

"She is Athena. We are going abroad today directly after meeting you. I would never miss your anniversary for anything, though."

Dudley was clearly touched and engulfed both of Harry's palms in his own. "Thank You, Harry. Your arrival here is the perfect gift on my 6th Anniversary. Please settle in and make yourself comfortable. My parents are not here though. They left at dawn to attend a golf tournament in Russia after wishing us. Mother did bake you another dark chocolate cake and dad bought you a childhood book series you always browsed but never requested him to buy. Which juice would you both prefer?"

As Harry and Athena settled in comfortably to the once hated dining room, they found before them a gargantuan breakfast spread that had a variety of cold cuts, eggs, mushrooms, sausage, bacon, pies and pancakes. This was followed by an assortment of French pastries. Both were delighted because they were practically starving. After stuffing themselves to glory, they sat facing the hosts.

"I ate more food today than perhaps what I had in a full year when I was living with you. I am amazed by this hospitality."

Dudley nodded and looked at Harry with deep sincere eyes, "My hospitality is the least I can do. What I wish to particularly do now is to actively assist you in your mission."

Athena and Harry stole a concerned glance before Harry asked, "What Mission?"

Dudley smiled, "Brother, I may have been stupid earlier but years of being a corporate detective have made me an authority on facial expression. The determined and serious look in your eyes tells me that you are about to embark on a risky mission. We have a good enough relationship these days so I would have understood had you just called up and wished us instead of coming here the morning after a party with your best friends. You ate enough to suggest that whatever you did since last night did not include much of culinary experience. If people don't eat enough at Best Friends' parties, there is something seriously important. I only wish to make you a small suggestion. If you are at a risk of being followed and observed, as is always the case in any mission, Muggle or Wizard, it is better that it happens in safe areas that Athena and you can react to. I will give you my lifetime first class airline, hotel and dining guest card. Travel, stay and tour as a Muggle but track as a Wizard. Reserve the Hotels in your own name and bait them wherever you go across the globe. My chain of hotels are in 2000 towns and cities in 200 countries. Stay, tour, dine and travel first class. Each day with a prior notification of 3 hours, I will send you all Muggles who are staying at my Hotels and travelling in your airline. Any additional person is your man which Athena and you can easily pick out. I know that I have no right to ask about your Mission but this is the least I can do for you."

Harry looked at Dudley in stunned silence before asking, "Why would you do this, Dudley? I mean, your ideas on helping us on our mission are not just noble but also pragmatic and safe. Yet, why this gesture all of a sudden?"

Dudley looked at Harry as his eyes shone with emotion, "That is because it is not every day that a person gets to do something useful for a little brother that saved his life and then 10 months after the war is over, invites his hated foster family to return to their childhood home, magically restored to full original glory. It is also rare that a person gets a chance to atone for the years of hell I have given to my own cousin. All said and done, I am just doing what I can because try as I might, I am unable to erase my 16 years of sadism that made your life miserable and the guilt I feel for that period."

Harry and Dudley embraced each other tightly as Athena and Celia (Dudley's wife) looked away, overcome with emotion. Athena and Harry then decided to share the mission background in minute detail-taking full responsibility of including a Muggle in their plans-which Dudley and his wife heard with rapt attention.

Dudley nodded "I can be your Muggle post and ensure protection for the loved ones of Hermione so that he can get no entry through them. I can also analyze the various pathways that he can gain access to Hermione posing as a Muggle. This information I can periodically pass on to her in person or through her trusted messenger which ought to be Draco, Weaselys or any specific member of DA/Order of Phoenix. Celia can check the background of the Muggle medical teams that would accompany the Slovenia Team, they being under the impression that this is an inaugural baseball world event. We can coordinate all relevant details with Draco and Ron."

"Thank you, Dudley and Celia. Your effort would help me concentrate on my mission better because Hermione now has both Muggle and Magical Protection."

Embracing again, Athena and Harry parted ways with Dudley and proceeded to pick up 3 million galleons worth bearer bonds that was exchangeable freely for Wizard cash anywhere in the world. Their core circle of Hermione, Ron, Draco, Fred, George, Athena and Harry met briefly in Hermione's office to discuss the latest developments and the new players.

Harry then apparated back to Grimmauld Place, packed his suitcase and headed out as a Muggle to Heathrow British Airways First Class Lounge, joined there by Athena. As she discussed with him about their first lead, an airport security person handed over 2 ordinary looking sunglasses but the moment Harry and Athena wore them, they had ever vital detail of all co-passengers and all guests at the Westin Group in Dublin. Dudley would type out the data with his thoughts and authorize data display from packet chips collected from different computers across the globe which then instantaneously reached Harry and Athena through a pre activated secure code in their glasses. Harry felt like he was an MI agent.

Harry smiled-their mission preparation had gone well to the T. Now it was all about the execution.