Chapter 12: Crystallization

Date: Sunday, 27th June 2010

Time: 8am, Lucas Office

Lucas had a hearty laugh as he looked at Jack. He had sent Jack back to the refreshment cabin for 2 days of pampering treatment after Jack came back to Lucas's main office.

Lucas spoke, "Well, well, finally you look human."

"I feel human, Lucas. However, my state of body and mind are of least importance to the most pressing matter today: you gave a complete bluff to Hermione and Co about making a major move today but are completely clueless as to what would be your move. Without making a move, you would lose your face against your worthiest group of rivals in 170 years. However, you can take heart from the fact that they also bluffed. They can't even touch the whiskers of your organizational setup in 5 months, let alone bring the entire organization down, which will take a minimum of 6-7 years without any move from your end. As you see, I am speaking for both sides now."

This time Lucas laughed with genuine mirth and the feeling was so pure that Jack also caught it and had his share of rich genuine laughter for the first time in months.

Lucas smiled in admiration, "You read me like a mirror, Jack. You are Birbal if I am Akbar."

"Who are they, Lucas?"

"You do know that our Muggle society were long time colonial masters of a country with richest cultural legacy-India (Jack nodded). I have noted a lot of information about this period of colonization and the entire history of India. Akbar was the most famous king of the Mughal dynasty and Birbal was his witty sidekick. He was one of the 9 jewels Akbar had, which included legendary singer Tansen. You are my witty sidekick, Jack. It matters least to me if you side me or not but I need to have you around to keep my brain juices flowing."

Jack nodded, "I know that, Lucas. Anyway, to get back to the moot issue, since you have agreed to let me be away from your activities till my brother is alive, what else do you plan to do today that involves me?"

"I am a bit hurt that you think I was completely bluffing them. Honesty is the core strength of our organization and we extend the courtesy even to our adversaries. I have planned a major move and it does include you, but it is not in the way you imagine."

"Now I am curious."

"You should be Jack. I have always told you that I believe strongly in your leadership ability and administrative control. I want you to be the CEO of my new Muggle initiative known as Southern Hemisphere Conservation Genetics LLC. Our focus would be conservation and restoration of all endangered mammals, birds and marine life in the southern hemisphere. You can be the administrative head and control finances. You have full freedom to use Magic to quicken your work. By doing this, you would be assisting me and doing something good. Your brother would be happier with your new activity."

"Thank You, Lucas. This does indeed solve my issue. However, I still don't understand how does it constitute to be your move today?"

"Well, it is this way. I am inaugurating this company today at 8am Pacific Standard Time (8 hours from now) and I would invite Athena to be the Science Director."

Jack nearly chocked on his juice. "Are my ears playing tricks on me? (Lucas shook his head in reply) You are calmly planning on inviting your archrival? How does this have any semblance of benefit for you? Why should she or anyone in her camp even agree to this?"

"Keep patience, you will get all your answers today evening or rather today morning in the Pacific Ocean at Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica."

8am, Malfoy Manor:

Hermione looked tentatively at her group, all of whom were sitting nervously on an edge, "Guys, I don't know about you but I am having knots in my stomach. I am desperate to see what would be Lucas's announced move and how it will impact or plans henceforth. Each passing minute makes me even tenser so please forgive my snappy mood."

Harry smirked, "Thanks for effectively spelling out and summarizing the group mood, Hermione. I must admit that even Harry, the chosen one can get Goosebumps and I am getting them now."

Athena spoke, "Nervousness in you people is only natural because it is the first time you are dealing with such an intelligent adversary face to face. This is a good nervous energy that will keep you alert. Despite your small victories, this game is just about to start. What makes me more worried is that when Lucas spoke up about volunteering collaboration, I thought about it despite being his arch rival and being the one to start this mission. He has that level of influence on everybody."

Harry, Draco, Ginny, Arthur, Neville and rest of the Weaselys all affirmed that they also mulled over Lucas's proposal and still had not come to any conclusion whereas their mind ought to have out rightly rejected any such move that endangers Hermione.

Hermione could not bear to see a roomful of glum faces as she was herself on the edge. She spoke out, "Please do not feel guilty. I was the one who planned out things with Athena and Luna and even I fell for his charm. I seriously thought that if we have his resources and our brains and we get full freedom to do our actions, both Muggle and Magical worlds will benefit immensely. I believe that open engagement helps both parties and if we can reform them or weaken their evil resolve while being inside their organization, we can achieve a painless victory with every person benefitting. This has been thus far a pure war of wits and strategy but if we aggravate them, it can turn too bloody too quickly. If 70% of his team are equivalent or stronger than Tom Riddle, we better be careful. We have Morgana's ring but why should we even suffer the pain?"

Athena nodded, "We shall decide on that when the appropriate time comes. Even I wanted to forgive Lucas when he said Tom became an embarrassment to the ideals of Lucas. For now, our focus should be completely on Lucas's announced move and how much we need to modify Hermione's plan. Dudley's schedule also changes and that can be handled by Luna (Luna nodded)."

All of them settled back into a nervous breakfast when Lucas's thought message on Hermione's plate startled them all: Good morning, Hermione and Co. I am sure you know the significance of today. I am ready to make my first major move today, as announced. Your challenge is to identify and witness that move and deduce my true motive. I want all of you adults to be in Shutters of the Beach Conference Hall at 8am sharp, Pacific Time. You must wear Muggle Clothing."

At the appointed time all of them Apparated in muggle formal clothing to the vicinity and proceeded to the conference room as delegate invitees. They were in the room with 200 other delegates, all of them passionately speaking to each other. It was clear even at a cursory glance that this was a muggle conference. They did recognize Jack however and Luna pointed out a few other wizards and witches from their obvious discomfort in Muggle Clothing.

Lucas arrived as the Chairperson of the new company and gave an inspiring speech on how the entire team would change Muggle conservation landscape. Even Hermione and Athena could not but help to genuinely applaud Lucas's mission and vision. Others in the room which included Luna in particular were moved to tears. All of them forgot for a moment that this was their arch rival. Their senses immediately came back when he asked Hermione and group to stay back.

Once everyone left, he requested Harry and Draco to cast silencing charms and asked Hermione to foolproof the spells because they were in a muggle locality. After the requisite formalities were done, they were ready for the talk.

Lucas spoke to Athena first, "You have just noticed that I made my first major move. Can you spell it out, please?"

Athena smiled, "You setup a major conservation focused company. I fail to understand, how does that become a move?"

Lucas laughed questioningly, "I can't see you as that naïve, Athena. This company, as you say, is nothing but a vehicle. It is my extending further power over Muggles via a cause deeply emotion engaging for many of them. The Muggle world comes further under my thumb and the revenues from here will finance my other branches-both legal and illegal, whether we define legality in Muggle terms or Wizard."

Harry interjected, "Still, how it is a move if it does not directly affect us?"

Lucas smiled, "Patience Harry, you will know things very soon. You are directly affected because I am inviting Athena to be our Science and Biological Research director."

Analogous to Jack that morning, Athena nearly choked on a piece of cheese she was enjoying. Others were not so lucky because nearly all of them spilled their fruit juices over their own clothes and their neighbors in absolute shock.

Athena recovered sufficiently fast as she asked, "Are you in the mood for jokes, Lucas?"

"Athena, as jovial as I may seem to you, I am 100% committed to each cause I champion. My ethics are the foundation of my organization's global success. Try as I may, there is simply no Muggle or Wizard as qualified as you are in this niche. Genetic diversity of Argentina's Penguins have gone up for the first time in 47 years owing to your brilliant research. I keep myself updated on latest Science news, so I know that this is no exaggeration because I checked it out. Work wise, you are the best qualified person, hence I have no hesitation in inviting you. The other reason is however, quite different. I am presenting you an open challenge to save Hermione. I am absolutely truthful when I say that this company would be my vehicle to carry out bulk of my future plans and many of those revolve around Hermione. By keeping my biggest enemy close, I will try to analyze your thought and behavioral patterns and keep you at bay. At the same time, you have the chance to observe me and my main man from close quarters and try to deduce our moves and in the process try to stop me in activities unrelated to the core area of conservation that involve targeting Hermione. Hermione needs all the protection and you are free to share all information with your group. We can be partners by choice or I can change external situation so drastically that Hermione and Co would be forced to partner with me. Such coercive dirty tactics are truly painful for someone of Hermione's gentility. As the chief scientist here, you can put a stop to these painful tactics which I am sure to apply at some point of time. If Hermione crumbles down, rest of the group is morally doomed. Harry will attempt suicide as he did once in past and once in future (Harry and the rest gasped), your x-factors Dudley and Celia will perish mentally-I am only waiting for her to deliver her baby because any move of mine during her current condition would be heartless on my part- (Again all gasped) and rest of you can offer very feeble resistance physically when your inner mind is shattered. This is a war that is based on intelligence and Hermione, Pansy, Luna, Penelope and Athena are the main players here. If I get one, the other pillars would wobble. It will be my sweetest victory if my biggest rival cannot stop me despite being in my own den. What do you think now, Athena?"

Athena smiled stiffly, "You have left me no choice Lucas. I also sincerely believe that purely on work front, no one can handle conservation and biodiversity restoration science research better than me. I accept your challenge to protect Hermione while working in your den."

"Excellent, Athena. Jack will furnish you with the Salary and perks details."

Lucas continued, "Hermione, we will take your leave now. I am sure this must be a lot to absorb at this moment. You ought to seriously consider joining me voluntarily. Your brains and my money can create wonders. You then have the chance to stop me from within or reform my team. A war at close quarters with greatest stakes would be the greatest war ever. This is the sort of challenge I posed Tom so that he can rule the Magical world with his brain but he chose violence and death and became a hated monster. My path was worse than Athena's noble path but he became far worse off than I made him. His movement perished with Bellatrix but the master is still flourishing. Dumbledore was not the only sad person when Tom died Athena, my heart also broke.

From today, we have crystallized this strategic war from mere talk to a visible dimension. The chess ground is prepared. Now the moves can begin from either end. As long as you remain nonviolent, we retain a bloodless strategy but things change if you wish to physically harm us. If you make the first violent move, I can't guarantee any peaceful war henceforth. Au revoir, see you soon. I will wait for your major move at the Quidditch World Cup final that will end our organization. It may end sooner if you join us voluntarily and reform my team to act on the good path. You may be the angel for my team just as Cody's impending death was a wakeup call for Jack. The pathway you choose is completely your discretion."

Hermione and Co were too numb to speak and requested Athena to come back later as they wanted to desperately go back to the comforts of their familiar home and discuss further strategy.