Author's Note:
This is just a little insert to give you some background information. It's a chapter of notes and either a lot happens or nothing happens, depending on your perspective. Once you have read this, everything will start flowing and things will make sense as they happen. The next chapters will be longer. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Chapter three
Hermione opened the door to Harry's office and walked in.
"Harry, your owl post came to my tray again and…"
She looked up from the pile of parchment she had in her hands and frowned slightly. She was talking to an empty chair.
"Oh," she said. "I guess…I'll just leave them here."
She walked over to his desk and just as she was about to place the post in Harry's tray, she noticed a few sheets of parchment lying face down on his desk. The one on top had TOP SECRET written in neat cursive.
"Top secret?" she mumbled to herself.
She stared at the forbidden information for a few moments before letting curiosity take over. She glanced around furtively, then quickly put aside the post before reading what was written.
Her eyes widened as she took in what was there:
To:
Ministry of Magic
Auror Department
United Kingdom
Head of London Aurors: Auror Timothy Cooke
Attention: Harry J. Potter
Graduated: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry '97.
From:
British High Commission Underground
(Wizarding)
Date: March 14, 2007.
Five wizards found dead in Cardiff, Wales:
Jonathan Goldberg
Guruyati Manestep
Robert Goldberg
Forrest Sharp
Michael Von Touché
Notes:
They were the leaders of the organization of a coup to overthrow the dark Lord, Voldemort. These five dead people were considered to be Lord Voldemort's most trusted Death Eaters.
Rumor has it that Joshua Lustendam has taken over as the man in charge of Voldemort's most inner circle.
Not enough evidence to take to Wizengamot.
Seamus Finnegan
British High Commission Underground
Prague, Czech Republic.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Date: April 15, 2007.
49 wizards and witches have been massacred outside of the British High Commission (Muggle). It is said to be a suicide bomber. Auror department of Eastern Europe has come in to investigate. Explosive charm similar to Peter Pettigrew's in 1981 and a few killing curses.
Seamus Finnegan
British High Commission Underground
Prague, Czech Republic.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….................................................
April 17, 2007.
Dear Harry,
We cannot gather any evidence whatsoever to arrest Lustendam on the charges of murder, conspiracy or anything of the sort. It is not safe to walk the streets of Prague at night. Vampires are out by the dozens in the darkest corners you can possibly imagine. Muggles and magical folk alike have disappeared. The muggles have suspected something. There is a 9pm curfew for everyone, including officials. The only people working around the clock are those employed by the British High Commission Underground. We need the ministry's support. Voldemort's supporters are supporting the propaganda in the Eastern Europe newspapers. I have included a copy of an article that was published in The Wizarding Quarter. Harry, if we don't nip this in the bud…it will be another great war. Unlike the U.K, there are so many purebloods here that Voldemort could wage a full war right now against us! He is coming out of his shell. The newspapers here publish whatever will create controversy. Hence the article I have sent. These stupid newspapers do not realize that they are supporting Voldemort's cause without them even knowing it. We do not know who submitted the article to the paper, or if it is an inside job done by a Death Eater in disguise. To make it worse…the powers that be refuse to acknowledge Voldemort and that he is strong and ready to trick us all into going along with him.
Seamus
The Wizarding Quarter, Apr 16, 2007.
Lord Voldemort - He Who Must Not Be Named
A man with a vision. He Who Must Not Be Named, or Lord Voldemort has a dream to unite all wizards of true blood and heritage so that as a magical nation, a fight may be won and wizards can rightfully claim the freedom to walk without persecution!
Educated at the esteemed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Lord Voldemort brings a vast wealth of knowledge with him to the eastern sector of Europe so that purebloods may follow him and rid the wizarding world of those who are unworthy to practice magic.
Lord Voldemort wishes to re gain the respect for the magical world and once again make the muggles understand that it is they who should fear wizards and not wizards fearing discovery by them.
"Fear of the muggles only increases cowardice and further hiding!" says a supporter of the charismatic lord, who wishes to remain anonymous.
The time has come to stand up and defend what belongs to the magical world!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Date: May 15, 2007.
Rebellions. There was an attempted assassination of the muggle British High Commissioner. That is all the public knows. The media has been pressured into staying quiet about it.
Muggles and wizards are dying each day. We need something on Joshua Lustendam. Anonymous sources say that we need to get to him as he is the financial supporter for the Death Eaters. We can buy ourselves some time if we can cut the money feed.
Seamus Finnegan
British High Commission Underground
Prague, Czech Republic.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Date: June 15, 2007.
I have spoken with Timothy Cooke. We have agreed to get someone from our department to infiltrate Joshua Lustendam's home. It would be a safer, personal and more secure option than to have an Auror go in as someone who wants to join the ranks of the Death Eaters. Voldemort has been smart in the way he goes around to get power. But we will do our best to shut him down. I will let you know whom we have chosen to send in. Keep up with the reports.
Harry Potter
Auror Department, Ministry of Magic
London, England,
United Kingdom.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
***
Harry blew cool air across the surface of his coffee as he headed back to his office. He stopped short when he noticed that the door to his office was cracked open. He made his way over cautiously and reached into his holster to grip his wand tightly. Using his foot to gently nudge the door all the way open, he allowed himself a sigh of relief which stopped halfway when he realized that Hermione was reading the material leading up to the top secret mission the Aurors were about to embark on.
Hermione coughed slightly and Harry watched as she gently put the parchments back on his desk, the exact way they were before. She backed up a bit, and then turned to leave. Upon seeing Harry, she jumped and screamed.
"Shh!" Harry said, scowling and moving to shut the door quickly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He whispered angrily.
Hermione's eyes shut tightly in guilt. "I just…"
"Just what?" Harry demanded. "Why are you even here?"
Hermione waved at the tray. "I was just dropping off some owl post that made it to my tray again," she said softly with her eyes downcast.
They stood there in silence. Harry stood there stiffly, glaring at Hermione, with his coffee getting cold and Hermione repeatedly threw him nervous glances.
"I can't believe you would violate my privacy like that."
"I'm sorry…"
"No!" Harry walked over to his desk and rested his mug on the coaster before turning back to face her. "It said TOP SECRET Hermione! For someone who is as intelligent as you, you acted thick a while ago!"
Hermione's cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
"I know. I really am sorry."
Harry stared at her for just a while longer, and then sighed.
"Shit," he muttered.
Hermione walked over to him. "I won't tell anyone."
"I know."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Harry glanced at her. "Top Secret."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. When he didn't pull away, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I'm sorry I read the reports and I won't ever do it again. I wish I could help."
Harry smiled weakly and returned the hug.
"It's okay, Hermione."