Chapter 32: Agree or Not
The Burrow, 8th December 2010, 1900 GMT
The Burrow kitchen was an unusual sight this evening. It was Fred, George and Fleur in the kitchen, even as the rest of the Order of Phoenix alongside Celia, Dudley, Athena, Adena, Veena and Natalie looked on in amusement.
Analogous to Harry earlier, this time Arthur suggested a change of scenery. They had a lot to discuss but it was best done on high spirits and full stomach. To ensure safety, the whole group sent numerous representatives to fortify the Burrow. In addition to invisible Z forces and visible Y Forces, 2000 X Levels forces surrounded the 2 miles perimeter surrounding the property. All of them were supervised by Y Level personnel to serve as early warning system to the Burrow diners.
This time the menu theme was Italian, starting with salad in Olive Oil, Artichokes, hoes-DE-oeuvre, chicken and meat lasagna, antipasti, bologanese spaghetti with meatballs, Penne Carbonara, Tri Colored Pasta with mushroom and shredded chicken, and ending with Tiramisu and Tri Colored Chocolate Mousse Pudding.
After the feast, they stayed back in enlarged rooms overnight and convened for breakfast the next day.
As Hermione took a bite of a delicious Mexican Omlette, she looked at Adena and Athena. "The much awaited first post leadership communication has arrived from the Dark Side. They want an invisible share of decision powers and control on the Magical World. Ander is playing the long game. Money and other things have no particular value in his eyes. Adena and Athena, who in the Dark Side is both a visionary and flexible enough to negotiate with?"
Adena took down a gulp of freshly squeezed orange juice as she replied, "On this point, there is no doubt what-soever. Ander is the best person who we can negotiate with. Others are far too engrossed with their own petty agendas. At the same time, he is no easy person to fool around with. We must prepare meticulously and give solid reasons against any counter-arguments which he is sure to put up."
Hermione agreed, "In that case, I nominate Neville and Penelope to carry out the negotiations on our behalf. Neville will transparently spell out his role as future Minister of Magic. There will be no trickery involved, what-so-ever. We are dealing with the most intelligent person in the history of our planet. At the same time, both of them are strong enough to stick to our position and elegantly place our point in the face of hostility."
Harry nodded, "There is no doubt that these are the best people to move us forward. However, I also suggest that we take inputs from Natalie on how to handle other hostile members of the Dark Side."
Hermione smiled, "That was a given. We trust no one better than Natalie to provide us an accurate feedback of the Dark Side members."
Natalie returned Hermione's smile. She was feeling lesser and lesser as a captive and more like an extended stay house guest. Erwina adored her and Aurelian also freely spent time with her during his visits home.
Hermione continued, "As we all agreed yesterday night, our stand is clear. Penelope will present our views to them. Nathan has already agreed to meet us on the North Scottish coast. Neville and Penelope will go there at 1100 AM and meet them."
"Can I say something, Hermione?" Natalie asked timidly.
Hermione smiled, "Of course, Natalie."
Natalie smiled, "Nathan will come only as an emissary and will escort them to the Dark World den. When they reach the den, insist on speaking only with Ander and the 3rd in command. None of the others are stable enough to negotiate. All weapons will be trained at both of them, so please, no smart moves. Have an attitude of respect, even though no one comes even close to the way you have treated me, Hermione. Insist on the Good World viewpoint but don't antagonize them. Bow and leave respectfully. There will be plenty of time for negotitation but one's life is infinitely more precious than mere ideology. Now is the best time to free Molly, in exchange for agreeing to accede to one of their lesser potent demands."
Fred and George looked at Natalie with newfound respect, as did Hermione, Adena, Athena and Harry. None of them had even thought of the Molly aspect.
"How will they agree, with you still here? Forgive me, Natalie. As much as I respect you as a person, you are still our biggest Bargaining leverage. We can't let you go so soon," confirmed Hermione.
"They might agree because of 2 factors: Ander wants to be on your good books in the long term for mutual benefits. Neville can say that Molly's spells have permanently sealed the DNA Yellow box. If it serves their ego, they can keep hold of Molly. Alternatively, Hermione agreeing to one of their lowest potent demands can give them far bigger incremental benefits. They have pretty much surrendered to the fact that I can't join them before a permanent peace treaty is agreed between all 3 worlds with the seal of Magic. Then the question remains if I even want to rejoin them, but that is something irrelevant at this stage."
Hermione, Athena and Adena gave her a quizzical but kindest smile. They hadn't at all missed her final point.
Neville and Penelope bowed to Hermione and the Rest of th Order before landing on the Northern Coast of Scotland at land end of UK near Durress. The scenic beauty blew their minds away.
As it was anticipated by Hermione, Nathan and Wolff simply bowed to them and asked them to follow them to their Den on a side-along Apparated Mechanism, taking away both their wands.
Neville and Penelope were stunned to see an underwater cave glowing with Natural Lights from the rock formation and the water itself. They deduced that they were in Mid Atlantic Ocean.
As soon as they went in, they were welcomed by a platter of the most delicious Mediterranean cuisine and finest fruit juice, served by Elves in shining blue Hue. They helped themselves with some of it to honor the host.
After the meal, they were led to an inner chamber, where both of them faced a semi-circle of 17 masked leaders, at the center of whom, covered with a unique golden mask, sat Ander. Even without the unique mask, he was unmistakable and Neville pointed this out as he bowed to Ander.
"Kindly forgive a personal observation from me, but in this room, I feel a unique magnetic energy emanating from you. In my life, I have felt this from only 2 people: Hermione and Athena."
Ander acknowledged this, saying, "The greatest minds think alike and are closest in tune with the Source energy, giving them a shining and glowing personality, something others find instantly magnetizing. Moving on, I assume both of you are important members in Hermione's team, because she decided you would be the first people to face the Dark World, face to face."
Neville nodded, "I am the future Minister of Magic, after her retirement in 15 years or earlier. I am being trained by Hermione in all respects related to my expected portfolio. Penelope is a par excellent Negotiator and one of our group's most intelligent people, which says a lot, given that we have Hermione, Athena, Fred, George, Adena, Luna, Pansy and Veena."
Ander nodded, "OK, what did the good world decide on my proposal?"
Neville stepped aside, "We would like to address this to Ander and the 3rd in command." Ander nodded and both stepped in front.
Penelope spoke, "We agree that Dark World must have a say in the most critical decisions facing the Magical World. We have decided that for all decisions which have a financial impact beyond 1 Million Galleons, Dark World will be represented by Natalie and 2 other members of your choice. Until things don't normalize between the 3 sides via a final written and permanent Truce, you can have 1 more person represent your side. As a goodwill gesture, Hermione has decided to set aside 5% of the Annual Budget to benefit families and loved ones of people affected by Good World action against the Dark World Members. However, we don't agree to the Veto proposal and this is primarily because, Hermione herself does not incorporate that power, neither do Adena and Athena. All decision by the Majority of the Core Committee by Vote stands binding. Your 3 members will be part of that Core, representing 30% of the group numbering 10 in Total.
Additionally, we request you to consider freeing Molly. She has no utility to your side, unlike Natalie, who is of immense value to ours. You can't open the Yellow Box, because it has been permanently sealed and any forced attempt will cause it to self-destruct. In exchange for this, we agree to allow Nathan to meet Natalie each week and freely hear about all inner discussions within the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore Army. As of now and in the foreseeable future, Natalie is part of all our group discussions. That saves you valuable resources, used to monitor the Good World."
Both Ander and the 3rd in command deeply pondered over the proposal and then discussed with the team. There were some raised voices but by the time Ander replied with a smile, all were calm.
"We are disappointed that all our reasonable demands are not met, but at the same time we appreciate that both sides have made a reasonable attempt to reach a middle ground, however unstable. We will mull over your poroposal and send our reply on all points inclusive of Molly, this evening. Before you leave, kindly partake a Spanish Lunch. We have specially prepared this meal for you. It is from my birthplace."
Neville and Penelope honored the wishes of their host, went back to Scotland with Nathan and Wolff, took their wands back and Apparated back to the Burrow.
A faint light of hope was flickering but a lot more needed to be done.
Neville and Penelope met every person in the Drawing Room with a big smile.