Chapter 13: Power play

Date: Friday, 7th July 2010

Time: 11 am, Lucas Conference Hall, Los Angeles

Hermione, Harry and Co left the room in a daze only to be stopped by a stunningly beautiful young woman of approximately 23 years. She had golden hair and striking blue eyes. She gave a graceful bow and then stunned everybody by aiming a wordless wandless tripping jinx at Hermione. Totally unprepared, Hermione was about to fall when Luna saved her with a counter jinx.

Steadying herself, she looked with angry flashing eyes at the young girl. Even dressed as Muggles, this was hardly model behavior. The offender was soon surrounded by Harry, Ron and Draco. In the commotion, Athena also arrived at the hall, followed by Jack.

Harry shook her arm angrily, "Who are you? I know for sure you are one of us."

The girl laughed. "Sorry for the ungraceful introduction. Petulant as I am, I could hardly ignore the power and grace of the first witch to lead the English Magical System, hence the bow. The subsequent action however was a show of one-upmanship. Hermione, you have been creating quite an impression in the Magical circles. You and Athena have already won over Jack, our No 2 man in the empire. Lucas has been following your activities ever since you joined Hogwarts. When we want to involve a wizard or witch, we follow them for years and then take the decision. Tom admired you and that sealed the decision for Lucas. What Lucas did not consider was the power structure within this empire. Involving you means an entourage of 66 people that includes the likes of Harry, Ron, Luna, Athena, Draco, Pansy and Neville. I am the No 2 person in this empire after Jack has essentially relinquished control by turning over to the good side. I will not stand a new person trying to push me down the pecking order. This will be a political power play till the end. All of you, mark this day in your calendars, for today you have met your chief nemesis, Adena."

She gave a dramatic bow as she finished, followed by a dazzling smile. As others looked at her with a mixture of surprise and admiration, both Hermione and Athena seriously considered the girl.

Athena smiled, "Wow! I have finally met a person who may actually compare to Hermione and myself. To rise at this mercurial place and manage an empire at just 23 is not just admirable, it is awe inspiring. Both Hermione and I admire intelligence, even if that is present in a rival. Before saying anything else, please accept our embrace."

Indicating Hermione with a slight nod, Athena warmly pulled Adena into a tight hug and Hermione followed suit.

Athena warmly smiled, "Welcome to the intelligence club, an attribute that has only recently been publicly appreciated. Harry secretly admired Hermione but publicly he was silent thanks to the ribbing of his classmates. We girls are no longer nerdy showpieces, but actual generals in war and men mostly execute our plans. If we consider Pansy, Penelope, Celia and Luna as well, we girls have quite a circle. Only Lucas can claim to be in our hallowed company."

A strong voice called out, "I hear my name."

Athena rolled her eyes, "Come off it, Lucas. You don't need to hide behind your force field every time you talk to us. We have only seen you once in person- today's speech. As chief research scientist, if I need to report my findings, will I speak only to the shadow of my boss?"

"Precaution is better than regret. I will devise a way for both of us to communicate. Friendly as we are, I can't but forget that you are my equal in every way. That is not why I am here, however. I came to apologize to Hermione in person. Hermione, you came here as my guest and what my team member has done is despicable. I never condone this type of behavior. Adena, I understand that you have the fiery power of youth but this type of action is not excusable. As No2 in my empire, I expect you to abide by certain ethical standards. Hermione is not just our guest, she is the biggest honorary witch in the official magical universe because she is Minister of Magic, England. You may feel threatened by her power but this is no way to act. Your fiery impetuousness is the only reason you did not replace Jack the moment you joined. Both of us know of your talents but we also know that you are still not calm enough to lead the empire. We both ought to be playing golf by now but you still have a lot to learn from us."

Adena huffed, "Hermione is just one aspect. I can't even agree with the fact that Athena is the chief research scientist. I was born in the Kruger National Park forest reserve and I spent my childhood tracking wildlife and ensuring their safety. I knew about forces harming nature even before things happened. I was the best person suited for that post which Athena now enjoys."

"I made that decision after a lot of consideration. You will be too busy managing the empire and this job requires 100% concentration. We are losing far too many species at an alarming rate and we can't hold anything back. Athena is the best hope for Earth's wildlife."

"You are right, Lucas!"

Lucas coughed, "Are my ears hearing things right? Did you just speak those words, Adena? On which issue am I right?"

Others smiled as she held a bitter pucker expression, "Don't push it, Lucas. You are right that given my other duties, Athena is the best hope for Planet Earth's Biological Reserves. You are also right about Hermione. I ought to apologize. My reservations however form firm basis from the fact that the equilibrium we now have with others would be misbalanced."

Lucas coughed, "We will talk on those issues at a more appropriate time, Adena. Hermione and group have still not decided to work with us and a lot of factors need to be sorted out at our end. I foresee no changes in current status till the end of the Quidditch World Cup Final. Lot of things can change between now and then."

Adena nodded, "I must do the right thing now. I am truly sorry, Hermione. I got too drunk in my desire for power to consider your official position. There are many better ways to assert my power and my method was too low grade even for my calling. After my hideous act, you both still included me in your club. It just proves what Lucas always says: Athena and you are true gems that the Magical World is privileged to have. I will always hold my own but I will act in a better way. Please forgive me, Hermione."

Hermione smiled, "It's OK, Adena. I forgive you. I was just unpleasantly surprised. On hindsight, you are still a baby in this world of magical administration. You are also a Muggle born just like me. All in all, if I had my current power trusted on to me 7 years back and someone threatened to take it away, I may have acted just like you. Harry may be the chosen one, but he was never too ambitious. On the other hand, when Arthur started grooming me for this position, I just went along with the flow. I never stopped him because deep down, I am also ambitious for power. The fact that I am kind and cooperative hardly conceals the fact that I am also power hungry and highly competitive, in addition to being a perfectionist. I completely empathize with you, Adena."

Tears dropped from her face as Adena embraced Hermione. After this, Athena and Co departed the hotel as Luca, Adena and Jack stayed back, citing conclusion to the meeting.

Lucas, Jack and Adena entered the Italian Restaurant at the hotel. As each of them enjoyed the intoxicating smell of the freshly prepared Tiramisu, Lucas took a hard look at Adena.

"Adena, can you please explain your actions today?"

"Lucas, my action may be uncivilized but I was trying to keep her away for her own good. I have foresight. If we invite her in, we may rule the magical world but the other forces that we have successfully kept pressed under our thumb would be free. They are much worse than Voldemort and it is our power that is keeping them under reins. If Hermione joins, I am not going to relinquish my power. If my concentration is on the new group of 66 brilliant wizards, witches and muggles, those other disruptive forces will begin to gnaw their way out. You know for a fact, Lucas that neither you nor Jack, have the energy or the willingness to push them back again. The magical Universe, which is now in equilibrium, will be completely destabilized."

Lucas pounded his fist in frustration. "I know that, damn it. You don't need to spell that out repeatedly. That is why I said, we need to work out many things at our end before we even consider this voluntary or coerced partnership. My focus is also on these elements first and we need to sort out things internally first before I take steps to bring in Hermione. How I am to do that, I am not yet clear. I see no changes before 4-5 years. Quidditch World Cup Final 2010 is just a significant date for a different reason. We have made our first major move on the announced date. Now we will wait for their move. At the moment, I am completely flexible. If their move negatively impact our plans, the three of us can do maximum damage control. With Jack having a friendship with their team and my own relationship with Athena getting better, both teams can work out a mutually beneficial solution that puts everyone on a higher utility curve."

The Burrow, England

Time: 9pm, GMT

Molly was supervising a feast for the famished and downcast group. They had also invited Dudley and Celia. Luna had earlier updated them on all the recent events.

Ron spoke up, "It is clear now. We can't use Dudley and Celia for any of our future missions. It is too risky for them. Lucas have observed all of us for a long time."

Luna shook her head, "We must not take hasty decisions, Ron. Celia and Dudley already knew what they were in for and clarified their stance even before they agreed to Hermione's Plan. We also ought to take the word of Lucas. He assured us that he will make no move with respect to this couple till Celia's baby is born and that give us a leeway of 7 months. Come what may, Lucas, for all his scheming nature, is a gentleman when it comes to his vows. He made his first move exactly today, not a day sooner or later. He has truly kept us in loop, be it as a challenge or a mark of respect. In these 7 months, with the help of Neville, I can bring Dudley up to scratch. I see no reason to change status quo."

Narcissa nodded, "I agree with Luna. We should not press the panic button now. Owing to Celia's condition, this couple is safe. What we need to ponder over more is how Athena's appointment impacts us. Can we take advantage of this and make Hermione's plan better or do we play it extra safe and abandon the other steps we have decided? A slip up by any of us can turn Hermione's Plan on its head and endanger not just her brilliant plan, but also our lives. Lucas and Co may be good people but they can hardly take us lightly if they get any idea of our total powers."

Hermione shook her head, "I think he knows that we are just displaying a mere iota of our true power and he wants maximum welfare of his empire by working with us rather than against us. My focus has changed with one word that Adena let out and Lucas quickly hushed her: other forces. With our unified intelligence, we can handle Lucas and his empire. We have already proven that. However, is Lucas our true target? Lucas may be the gate separating good and evil. If we take down this gate, our Magical world may be flooded with millions of Voldemort type Wizards and we would have the worst global war in our Magical Universe. These may be the type of forces that Lucas is keeping away from us by tying them down. Lucas with all his years of experience in dealing with evil, gains his power by thumbing them down. With our good way of dealing, we may not be able to achieve that. He is specialized in this. Think of a chess board. We may get the opponent Queen but expose our own King to an avalanche of attacks from the left end that their Queen was blocking. Our target is not their Queen but also our own safety. We thought that he was the King but Lucas is not that for sure. The King in a real world is always never an individual but a powerful invisible cartel. Until we get the identity of this cartel, we ought to work with Lucas and not against him. Give me 3 days, guys. I will modify my plans. Luna would continue to train Dudley in the meantime and Neville will train Draco, Ron, Harry and others on Force Fields. There is one more concern I have."

Katie asked, "What is it, Hermione?"

"Harry's suicide in the future was an event that was just between Harry, Draco and myself. How is Lucas aware of that? I am sure none of us shared this event with any of us let alone outside our team." Harry and Draco nodded.

Harry replied, "Lucas told you that he was observing you since joining Hogwarts."

"Yes, but how did he observe the memories? Unknown to any of you, I always cast a nonverbal spell before we discuss vital things that allows me to see who is observing us. I got nothing on Lucas unlike I get the names of my Z* group members who invisibly observe me. Can force field be so powerful that he never needs any AV devices? If so, it means he freely observes all of us all the time. Then he knows about all my plans and we are just a pawn in the massive chessboard of the magical universe. That means our game is up before we even began the play."

A sudden grieving hush fell over all 66 members in the Burrow garden as all of them seriously considered Hermione's statement. Suddenly Athena cheered up.

"Fear not, Hermione. It is not the case. Jack told me that as per Lucas's ethics, if he wants to actively start a strategic war, he withdraws his observing and monitoring force-fields from his enemies. Lucas withdrew his force-fields, a day before I met Harry. Jack confirmed that to me when he came to me. Else, I would have felt Lucas's alien power when I came with Harry to explain here at Burrow, after the party at your honor. He is sneaky but he is also a true gentleman. He is giving very chance to his opponent. He kept the latest AV equipment but he knew these can easily be detected by you or your Z* group. He knows nothing about your plan. We are on an equal footing."

Hermione smiled, "That is good to know, Athena. Then we can continue as per our earlier strategy. I will update my new steps this week. We are in an interesting power play with an intelligent opponent. Adena is much better than Bellatrix and truly deserves the No 2 position of this vast empire. Let us enjoy the meal that Aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur has painstakingly prepared for all of us."

Fred winked, "Once again, pretty Athena to the rescue."

Athena looked on amused, "Fred, are you flirting with someone older in age than your grandmother?"

At the last word, Fred made out an imaginary dagger and pierced his broken heart. Everyone laughed. The team was back to its top spirits.

Hermione looked around her and quietly told Harry, "Harry, we are a formidable team not just because of our intelligence and bravery. Others also have this. We are the first team in Magical Universe precisely due to our unity, fraternity and sense of humor. We laugh and cry with each other and are balanced in both victory and defeat. When we are conditioned this way, we can take on any ordinary or extraordinary challenge that comes our way. I love us, Harry."

Harry gave a tearful smile, "So do I, Hermione. So doth I."

Saying that, he pulled Hermione's face into his shoulder and put his arm around Ron's neck with his free arm. The Harry Potter story started with 3 friends before the 2nd Wizard War, but here was an entire battery of 66 generals, the most talented team in Magical Universe. Power play between teams and within themselves could change, but the power that bonded their team would always remain: utter selfless love.

A/N: Dearest Readers, Thanks for viewing, following and reviewing my story. Your feedback and following means a lot to me. From this point onward, the story would be more action packed and less strategic. Please keep following my story. You mean everything to me, just as Hermione does. Bitty celebrated Hermione, and I am just carrying on with the party!