Chapter 36: Hermione Security and Insecurities

The Malfoy Manor,12th December 2010, 0600 GMT

Athena put a sympathetic arm on Hermione, assuring her that everything will be all-right and asking her to forget her fear and relish her victory in the present moment.

Even though she was eternally 25, she almost felt a mother-child affection for Hermione. She had seen so many situations like this in the past and wanted to assure Hermione that everything turns out fine.

Even with nothing being said, Hermione felt a wave of Gratitude towards Athena, who understood exactly how she felt.

She smiled at Athena, "Have you ever been in a Catch 22 situation, where every choice has negative connotations?"

"I have been in these many times in my life, Hermione. My biggest one was Tom. If I opposed him, I would lose my best friend. If I supported him, I would lose my soul. Either way, I lost something. In the end, he understood my viewpoint with a lot of sadness, as he explained in the Garden of Liverpool. Ultimately, we must listen to our own soul, no matter what the pain to ourselves or others. What we can do is to sweetly convey our point, minimizing pain to others."

"Thank You, Athena. I really needed to hear this. If I lash out at the team, I will destroy the fragile equilibrium. If I don't, I lose my self respect. Either way, I lose out."

Athena gave her kindest smile, "Try for a win-win synergy and hear out their side with empathy. A third solution may present itself which maybe far better than what either of you imagined initially."

Hermione nodded with a big smile and fully focused on a specially prepared Irish Breakfast feast that was prepared by Patrick and Pernie.

Once she got to work, she called in her core team and asked Veena to stay back.

"Since you idolize me, it is within your rights to know about some critical changes to our overall security structure. However at this point of time, the scope of discussion is only with the core team. I will fully involve you at the opportune moment."

Veena nodded with a big smile.

Hermione looked at core team and said with a slight sneer, "Please sit down, all of you!"

Harry gulped and others looked at each other nervously. They knew from previous history that any meeting that began with sit down was never a pleasant one and her ire would make them wish to do anything but sit.

Harry took a reconciliatory initiative. "Hermione, we have an idea of why you are upset. If we were in your shoes, we would be equally livid. However, kindly allow us some time, to tell our own story."

Hermione looked like she had sucked a bitter lemon, however her tone was artificially laced with honey as she replied, "Harry, your perception and sixth sense is admirable. If only you had developed this in Hogwarts, your academic record would have been equally laudable."

Harry laughed appreciatively, "What can I say, Hermione? My association with the shining star of brilliance began in earnest only once we started working together post the second war."

That bit of praise pleased Hermione a bit and she calmed down a bit.

Harry smiled, "Flattery always works when you know what to flatter about. In case of you, it got to be your brains. Jokes aside, I am completely aware of why we are here and why you are upset. You have every reason to be mad and so are we, at ourselves. Critical information that was the subject of our core team discussion, it leaked to become Dark World grapevine and Lucius only confirmed that. If this is upsetting to you, it was no less than catastrophic to me. I have made myself the Head of External Security and Dark World counter-terrorism. If this can slip by me, who can you really trust?"

Ron gave a consoling pat, "Don't beat yourself too much over this, Harry. Draco, Fred, George and me are equally vulnerable and responsible. In fact, I met Fred and George via floo network and informed them about this leak. Upset is very mild word. It felt that our very foundations were shaken up. I am sure Draco didn't have a very good time either."

Draco gave a stoic reply, "After coming back, we should have been celebrating the fact that Hermione managed to elicit some level of cooperation from my father, with all of his prejudices. Instead, she did not even come up. She held herself back with iron control, refusing to make me the first target of her backlash. Even if as a husband, I missed comforting my wife, as a team member, I was glad not to face my boss, because I had a big train of thoughts to sort out before that."

Harry spoke up, "After moping about this, I decided to find out the cause. Since I met you (Hermione) from our first case before the 3rd War, I have been immaculate in maintaining Diary Logs. I poured through my interactions for the past 4 days since Hermione discussed this at 12pm, 4 afternoons back. Unfortunately they didn't reveal the answers. There was not even a single occasion to discuss the Dark World, either personally or professionally. Even with Ginny, with whom I share my life, all I could discuss was the upcoming domestic quidditch tournament finals. She had nothing else on her mind as the Harpies coach. Try as I might, I am of no help."

Ron looked at Fred and George and replied sadly, "We recollected every single hour since that Afternoon. Weasely folk are legendary for great memory, when need arises. Fred and George were at various laughter clubs and they had Z grade security accompanying them. Any talk about Dark World was out of question. In my case, all my case investigations involved the law enforcement and there was no one remotely involved in any discussion of the Dark World. From our side also there is a blank."

Draco thought a bit before he replied, "In my case, I am neither gifted with great memory nor am I immaculate in records like Harry. My unique profile means I need neither. All interactions of the External Affairs Ministry are automatically recorded in official transcripts, including logs of Apparition to different countries. I am also of no help Hermione, I am sorry."

Hermione contemplated in silence before replying, "In that case, the only logical alternative is that we were bugged."

At this, all except Draco shook their heads with vigor.

Harry spoke for them, "It is logical but not possible. Our very job profile mean that before we interact with anyone, we are scanned for bugs, physical, mental, emotional or energetic. I am sure Draco has similar procedures. Moreover Ron and me, we are overall in charge of security. IF we are responsible for getting bugged, you may forgive us but we can never forgive ourselves." Ron grimly nodded his head in agreement.

Draco was lost in deep thought, "Actually, there is no such protocol. External Affairs Ministry is all about Diplomacy and not security. We don't get scanned for bugs, at any level. In fact, now I recollect a strange incident. Just before I came in that afternoon, I was bumped from behind by a teenage girl in blue overalls. I immediately felt a light-headedness. After our discussion, that feeling lasted for half an hour more. I now think that it must have been an energy bug. Because everything about us is recorded, no one can think that we can have security leaks, but energy bugs are a different ballgame."

Hermione looked at Draco with utter shock, "Didn't you ask her?"

Draco shook his head, "She seemed to fall down from the impact. I only asked about her well-being. She looked so young and vulnerable. One can hardly associate that with evil."

Hermione looked at Draco and sighed, "History repeats itself. It is only criminal, if we don't learn the earlier lessons. We lost Jack due to similar chivalry from Lucas. I also could never associate a vulnerable teenager with ulterior motives and I let my guard down in the restroom. Enough is enough. I am sick of the underhand tactics of the Dark World. We offer them prosperity and peace for all 3 worlds. We can't do that when they have no faith. They HAVE to negotiate or they will face the consequences. I am changing the complete game-plan now. I need my team to be with me. I will explain everything in 5 minutes, if you don't already understand. Patrick!"

As the elf appeared with a cracking sound and bowed to her, she gave a precise set of instructions: "I want Adena, Athena, Lucas, Penelope, Pansy, Neville, Katie/Zabini, Arthur, Luna, Bill, Percy, Ginny, Molly and Charlie, all of them gathered here in next 15 minutes. Ask them to drop whatever they are doing are and come here immediately. I will go with Malcom and the entire team and take Board Approval for Code Z199 in the next 10 minutes. You and Pernie, also get Natalie and Celia in side along Apparation. Be very delicate with Celia, given her condition."

Patrick bowed to her again and disappeared. She asked her team to stay back and asked Malcom and her entire security team to appear physically.

As Malcom and the Z* Team of 15 bowed to her, Hermione spoke to them in a quick but efficient manner: "I need you all to come with me in visible form to incorporate Z199 protocol. Veena, you already know the specifics. Do they need to give any specific inputs to the Emergency Board?"

Veena shook her head, "If they need additional security or budget, they can convey the same to you. They need not be directly involved with the Board. You are only taking them to show the board, the overall team in charge of the protocol."

Hermione nodded with a smile and then slashed her wand to display 3 red lions. The lions flew around her thrice and then dissipated, even as Harry and team watched on in utter fascination.

"You folks need to wait here. I will explain everything after I pass on my instructions!"

Hermione and her entire security team proceeded to the Main Board Hall and returned 15 minutes later with a smile.

She looked at Veena and her team and announced, "We have the Budget Approval for Operation Z199. One immediate rule change is that no once can meet any member of the core team and myself before a comprehensive security scan of all levels of bugs. From this minute until the next 5 years, our team and the security department will have access to 150% of GDP in funds. That is more than 75 times their current annual budget. They will setup teams and backup teams to monitor these teams. They will plug out every source of leak to the Dark World and will plant their own moles in the Dark World. Our own team will monitor the incoming information from the Dark World with all groups coordinating with Harry and Ron. All of us will have funds set up to the tune of 65-80 times salary, and 10% of that amount will be distributed each month. If there is any death, double the amount is deposited to the loved next of kin with assurance of lifelong job, education and the 7 other basic necessities of life. We will start the 9 necessities provision immediately and publish this prominently. Other details are to be shared as soon as the other arrive."

All of them arrived as soon as she spoke and Hermione magically enhanced the room to accommodate so many extra people. They looked around Hermione's office with pure admiration.

Hermione looked at each person and passed on her comments.

"Adena, I have officially incorporated Z199 protocol. Our all girls team of Athena, You, Luna, Penelope, Veena, Pansy, Katie and Myself with Neville the only Wizard are already aware of the protocol and I will update others soon. Can you now start to squeeze them hard, economically and non-economically? We need the Dark World to come to the negotiating table. It is high time."

Adena simply nodded with a smile.

"Everything we discuss here is in addition to our current profile. Veena, so far in Magical History, India was the only country to successfully implement this protocol and that has meant 45 years of relative peace, after achieving victory in 1965. Unlike Muggle India, Magical India is firmly considered a second world nation. However, you guys did not have anywhere close to our Budget. Did you suffer a lot of losses?"

Veena smiled,"We purely studied other nations who tried to impose this protocol and reverse engineered where and why they failed and incorporated those lessons BEFORE implementing the protocol. We did suffer painful losses for nearly 4 years before the Dark World agreed for permanent truce. Theoretical analytics aside, on the field the reality is very different. The advantage you have is a plethora of Brains. If you all work together, there will be far lesser losses."

Hermione thanked Veena before turning to Lucas and Athena, "You have immensely helped us with your knowledge resources and force-field protections. You have also agreed to give inputs to our various teams as and when they have questions, provided they do not violate core principles. We can never thank you both enough. We just have one task for you. Please spread the word on the grapevine that the main purpose of Z199 protocol is not to harass the Dark World but to bring them to the negotiating table in a win-win-win arrangement."

They smiled in agreement.

Hermione then turned to Natalie and Celia, "We truly appreciate your medical and scientific inputs. Additionally Natalie, even if it seems odd that we are including you in this operation, we fully intend to honor our commitment that this protocol will be completely bloodless from our end and in the end, if the Dark World agrees, all 3 parties to the agreement will win handsomely."

Natalie burst into tears and tenderly embraced Hermione. After signaling Patrick, both of them went back.

"Penelope, Pansy, Neville, Luna and Charlie, you will be the chief coordinators of Science and Research inputs and decoding STEM research from the Dark World. Arthur, you will aid Pansy because she has too many things on her plate. Molly, you will aid Ginny and pass on all critical inputs from us and the Dark World to the children in code. Katie/Zabini, you are the primary resource for all direct inputs from Dark World moles. Your first point of contact is Veena who in-turn updates Ron and Harry with her own Security related Analytics. Bill, the Dark World may try to legalize and reroute a lot of its financial assets in desperation. I am assigning you and Dean for all suspected investigations. My core team will continue to specialize in their core responsibilities and coordinate with others, as and when necessary. Draco in particular, must be prepared for Diplomatic Interference and I am sure, he can handle all the salvos without my involvement, unless it is urgent. My own research focus will be on both Defensive and Attack spells."

Hermione continued, "We are embarking on a journey that will benefit the entire Magical World. However some of their immature or egoistical members, do not share these visionary ideals. We must be prepared for their severe response and even some losses. As long as we stand together as a team, the Good and Middle World will be able to convince Dark World to come to the Negotiation Table with a clean mind and heart."

All of them applauded for Hermione. She set up everything with the expert guidance of Veena and her team and by Christmas Eve, the whole implementation structure was ready.

As Hermione and others looked forward to a festive Holiday season, they also had goosebumps with respect to a potential Dark World response.

A/N: With this, we now enter the final third of this fan-fiction. This fan-fiction celebrates, the Greatest Fictional Heroine.