Chapter 31: Surrender?

Malfoy Manor, 4th December 2010, 0600 GMT

Hermione called out, "Patrick!"

There was a loud crack and the smartly dressed Elf appeared before her and gave her a low bow.

Despite herself, she felt proud to have the personal services of a free elf, who chose to be in her service and now shared her essence.

Hermione smiled at him and asked "You had your breakfast? I have some important tasks for you, that might take you away for a long time. Have a heavy meal, if necessary."

Patrick bawled his heart out, "I have had a lots of assignments in the past, but no one ever bothered to ask about me or my welfare. It is my greatest honor to serve you."

Hermione smiled, "Very well, Patrick. You need to send the core group at our breakfast in at most 20 minutes. Then you must go to Azkaban and ask the Head Warden to visit me here in the next hour itself. I will not accept any excuses he makes. If he does not agree to come, you must think of any ingenious means to get him here. After bringing him here, you will visit Gringotts Bank Head Goblin and similarly make him meet me after 2 hours. Finally, you will visit my LAB and ask my Research Assistant to meet me in 3 hours. No one can refuse, even if the Universe is coming to an end today. After your breakfast, your first task immediately after conveying my message to the core group is to wake up Natalie, Veena, Adena, Athena, Penelope, Luna and Celia and have them meet me at my Private Sanctuary Room 7 in 40 minutes. Neville and Pansy are to meet me at 1000 GMT, followed by Katie, Zabini and Arthur at 1100. At 1200, all the rest of the order led by Ginny, are to see me. After all this hectic work schedule, you can take your lunch, following which you help Pernie prepare my favorite Brazilian and Hawaiian Feast. I will have that at the Private resort in Waikiki. We all need a change of scenery to recharge our batteries. You will send the entire list of names to Draco and ensures that he gets the required International Clearance for all of us to Apparate there."

Patrick gave a smart bow and got going.

In 12 minutes flat, Fred, George, Harry, Ron and Draco joined her at Breakfast. They smiled seeing her upbeat mood. Menu had the full English Breakfast of Butter and Toast, Sausages, Saute Mushrooms, Grilled Tomatoes, Black and White Pudding, Fried Bacon, Ham cold cuts, Fluffy Omelet with Ham and Cheese, ending with Belgian Waffles with heavy whipped cream. All silently enjoyed the feast but after that, they started to discuss things.

Hermione began by updating her instructions to Patrick, following it by, "After the developments yesterday, I did a lot of thinking last night. It is obvious that either in a physical or mental war, the intimidation factor can only be possible if Ander displays before us an Invincible Dark Team. Most of the best Dark Members are already in Azkaban. Recruitment would be his number 1 priority. I am sending Patrick to the Head Warden at Azkaban and he will provide me all the Dark World members housed there. Our work is to make a top priority list of who would be their targets. Loyalists would be first, followed by opportunists who served both the Good and the Evil, just like our Dad, Draco. Then we focus on the unlisted spells which our labs have detected and our means to counter them with defensive as well as offensive spells. Finally, we will set up an arrangement to transparently communicate with the Goblins of Gringotts if they suspect that large withdrawals are made by the Dark Side for potential terrorism. Coming back to targets, I think WE can extract some core information about Ander from our Dad in exchange for progressively lesser punishment and eventually set him free."

Draco's eyes glistened when Hermione addressed his father as OUR dad. At the end however, he looked at her with his mouth gaping open. How could she even contemplate setting Lucius free, after all his deeds?

Anticipating his thoughts, Hermione smiled, "Even though he walks free, he can't come back here. One lesson I have deeply absorbed from Athena. Dark Side people eventually rejoin their Dark Team. We can't subject our Mom to a torture of rising hopes followed by dashed dreams. It will be too cruel on her."

Draco fully agreed.

Then Hermione smiled at Fred and George, "Have you done your heart and blood experiments, so that Poly-juice Potion can take effect in less than 30 seconds? Neville lent you his force-field research to complement our research and you had some critical inputs from Celia and Natalie."

Fred nodded, "We had already completed 70% of it but with Celia and Neville input, we have a 100% fail-proof results. The only issue is the dependence on DNA for closest accuracy. If DNA is old, the match won't be too good."

Hermione gave a satisfied smile, "This is where my Muggle Oncology research pays off. I studied methods to preserve fertilized eggs in the presence of Ovarian Cancer, by using latest techniques in Crypto-genetics. We can easily replicate those conditions far more cheaply with our spells. That way we can collect the entire gene bank stored at Azkaban, store it in a high quality way and keep it for our own use, later."

George laughed, "I sometimes forget that I am talking to one of the most intelligent people in the Muggle and Magical world. We will definitely take in your research inputs. As regards replication, you leave that to us."

Fred patted her arm affectionately, even as Draco, Harry and Ron applauded her.

Then Hermione turned to Harry and Ron after informing Draco about the picnic later in the after noon. "Harry, you and Bill must shoulder the responsibility for tactful negotiation with the Goblins. We can't antagonize their ethics but still firmly put across our point. Ron, from now onwards, you also need to keep your eyes sharply open for "minor" injuries caused by spells that are reported to Law Enforcement but are not listed at St. Mungos. These spells are the special focus of research for the Science Geeks here."

Harry and Ron both nodded and all of them exit the scene, knowing that Hermione had back-to-back meetings lined up. By then, the Ladies Force had filled themselves up with the same delicious feast and had a fresh shining look on their faces as they joined her in the living room.

Hermione appraised Adena, Veena and Athena first. "The 3 of you backed up by Penelope, Luna, as well as partial inputs from Natalie and Celia are the crux of my knowledge force. I am extremely grateful for Natalie for providing us research inputs for the pure sake of knowledge even though we are in rival camps. Celia has already made critical contributions to our Mission. Unfortunately Ginny, Fleur and other girls are not that inclined to Science. Pansy could have been a good choice but she has fully specialized herself in History and Anthropology. Our main focus as a group is to take feedback from Ron and work on means to counter unlisted spells. Adena, Veena and Athena, where do we stand in terms of water medium spells?"

Adena answered, "We have researched the listed as well as non listed spells in descending order of lethal effects. The matter slightly complicates itself because water involves effects of atmosphere, it's own flow and chemistry as well as the environmental effects of the spell itself. It is taking time to isolate the real effect of the spells alone."

Hermione nodded, "I appreciate your honest feedback. It is indeed challenging and that is why I have entrusted my best brainy team on this. Natalie, Penelope, Luna and Celia, kindly continue to research comparative biology and see the effects of these spells on other Marine Life. That input is not only a critical data for our research, but also a feedback for potential marine life relocation and their resettlement in most Natural Conditions. I have a gut feeling that our next war would be water based, because of so many uncertain factors. That is why the Dark World portal is also in the Pacific. That enhances their chances."

All of them agreed and left. The Head Warden of Azkaban readily agreed to give out information on Dark World prisoners. Goblins were not so enthusiastic about sharing sensitive financial data but they told her that their loyalties were with her, owing to their best treatment in her era than any other time in their history. They would share Appropriate information with Harry and Bill, if they suspected wrong-doing.

At 1000 sharp, Pansy and Neville entered the room.

Hermione smiled at them, "Thanks for taking a break from Hogwarts and joining me here. Pansy, as you might have guessed, I want you to research previous major incidents in Magical History, national and international, when high profile prisoners escaped and the timeline and methods used by them to create an impact. History can very much repeat itself, disguised by new faces and new technology."

Pansy smiled and bowed to her before she went back to Hogwarts.

Neville spoke first, "Hermione, before we discuss any work related thing, I want to thank you for even considering me as your successor. You saw potential in me that even I never saw in myself. You have told me earlier that I stood up to the 3 of you and you had to hex me, despite being miserable. I also killed the second last Horcrux. Such incidents of courage were interspersed with years of self doubt and misery. I don't know what happens after 15 years, 15 months or even 15 days. You must only know this. As long as I am alive, in every single moment, in my mind's eye, I put you at the top pedestal for inspiration, irrespective of your official position or even you being alive. I would work closely with Patrick and ensure your legacy continues forever."

Hermione's eyes glistened and she embraced Neville in a tight hug. She repeated her instruction to him to continue focusing on herb based hallucinating spells, and updating their effects to her Lab Assistant and Chief Scientist, Ariana.

"She already told me earlier this morning that based on your input and Team Adena, they are working day and night to conjure healing potions, defensive as well as counter attacking spells," concluded Hermione.

Penultimately she met Katie, Zabini and Arthur to talk about international incidents concerning the Dark World and Death Eaters, taking detailed feedback on patterns of attack, their timelines and types of Response from Good and Middle World. Finally she met Ginny and she assured Hermione that she and the rest of the order were keeping a close eye on Magical Sports events which included Quidditch at the top of the list and every aspect of risk from such mass events were their primary focus, teaming up with a special Y-Level task force set up by Malcom.

Wrapping up all the work related affairs, Hermione and the entire Order of the Phoenix with the Elves as well as Adena, Athena, Natalie, Celia, Dudley and Veena gathered at the Manor and Apparated to Waikiki beach resort in Hawaii. After swimming in the coolish Pacific Azure and having a Brazilian and Hawaiian BBQ feast, they had temporarily forgotten the world and all it's challenges. Fred and George had once again taken on the mantle and kept the whole group in splits with humorous and witty incidents from real world events, enabled by their sharp observation.

Just as they were settling in for a beach side nap, a blue light on the beach put all of them on high alert. This time they recalled their earlier incident in England and protectively covered Hermione. She was determined but barely concerned over her own safety. She was more curious than afraid.

Nathan and Wolff emerged from the light, right in the middle of the ocean and glided to the shore. There they bowed to Hermione and others, carrying a white flag prominently above their blond hair. They even offered their wands to Hermione who gave a nod and Draco retrieved it. They had no doubts with respect to Nathan and Wolff but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Hermione, we have a message to Natalie from Ander."

Hermione nodded, "Nathan, the bands which are on Natalie's wrist, they record all information. Last time I burned those bands but with increased stakes at this point of time, my team and myself, we will hear the message and take appropriate steps."

Nathan smiled, "I appreciate your upfront honesty. Every action of yours are inspiring to all 3 of us personally. Ander expected this decision of yours and he is absolutely fine with it."

Wolff looked meaningfully at Nathan and he took Natalie away on a short walk. None of the Order followed Natalie, giving her some private time with her love. After a 12 minute walk, Nathan and Wolff glided back to the middle of the ocean, took their wands back and disappeared into the blue portal.

The picnic was over in effect and they all Apparated back to the Malfoy Manor. After filtering out the romantic exchanges between the 2 lovers, the actual message from Ander was just 90 seconds long.

With all their combined intelligence, Hermione expected to get to the message in a jiffy. Boy, were they wrong! It took 96 hours of sweat and combined pooling of knowledge from more than 300 books to finally decode his message. He had used a language used in the Dead Sea scrolls. That language had no reference what-soever in the Magical World and even Muggles had rare books on the same. It was Penelope who recalled that Ander was impressed by Jesus and wanted to use an early inspiring biblical language. On top of it, the whole message was encoded with a mathematical algorithm. It took Athena 12 more hours to crack it. All of them with the exception of Natalie were literally sweating buckets, with even Hermione, hardly able to recollect a prior time when she racked her brains in such an intense manner.

The message was transcript-ed as this, "Hermione, you might have guessed that this message was for you. Whatever you can do, I can easily replicate, if not do it better. At the same time, I didn't want to insult your intelligence with a ridiculous puzzle code. The fact that you have solved this riddle speaks volumes of your intelligence and your team leadership. You can already make out that I have enormous respect for you. I offer you an option to surrender. You keep your official title but effectively transfer 40% decision making authority to our core team here. We will have no war and no bloodshed. We do not seek credit or wealth. We just want to stamp our authority so that the world becomes a better place to live in and only the Dark World has that power. If you resist or feel otherwise, I will have no option but to rack my intelligence against yours and open a can of worms. None of us want to go there and harming you, mentally or physically, will cut us apart from within. Whatever your decision, kindly communicate through Natalie and Nathan by the next weekend. They are aware of the process. You need not let her go, she would still communicate with Nathan."

The whole Order bore a pensive look as they contemplated on the next steps. As much as they wanted to continue Status Quo, Ander was making things more and more challenging.