Agent Potter Ch.14: A Level Seven (Patreon)

Dozens of pages fluttered across the room, cataloging themselves neatly in multiple files by themselves while the agents wrote more, having chosen a place for themselves around the room to work. Harry signed the parchment he had filled with a tired scrawl, placing the sheet on a piece of machine and pressing two buttons on it.

Four sheets of parchment, all copies of the original, flew out of the machine, soaring across the room to file themselves in relevant sections. Harry plucked the original copy and sent it to De Luca’s desk who signed on it and stamped it in the middle before the page too flew away and filed itself in a hard, thick file.

“Welcome to the prep of level seven, Harry.” Natalie grinned at him as she pressed a parchment onto the machine, multiple copies flying out of it and darting around the room. “Always remember. The higher the level, the more the paperwork.”

“This is going to take all night, isn’t it?” Harry sighed, continuing to fill out another form, documenting the location of one of the Liberator’s illegal operations as per Rookwood. “Do we have to make a record of every single thing? For Merlin’s sake, Faizal and Daphne are still documenting what we confiscated from the warehouse. Every. Single. Item. Why?”

“Because we do not need someone to take these out and sell them for a small fortune without us knowing.” Horus said, hunched over a report. “With all that we confiscated— including the refined Trivian Pearls, we are looking at materials worth around half a million galleons at a conservative estimate. And that is just the warehouse.”

“What’s the actual estimate?” Harry asked quietly.

“If you factor in what an enchanted magical device the guns would make as an exclusive weapon… anywhere around a million galleons at least.” Horus ran a hand through his hair. “These things would sell on the legal market for thousands of galleons each if they sought to sell it to ministries to arm their Auror force. If you get into the black market with even one such gun…”

“There would be some asshole waiting to buy it for a nice five-figure sum.” Natalie said quietly. “A good ten times what this is actually worth at that.”

“That’s… insane.” 

Harry glanced at the multiple crates around Daphne and Faizal, who were labeling the silver guns and keeping them back, writing out the details on the forms before repeating the whole process.

‘Are they even aware that what they are holding is a fortune of thousands of galleons?’ Harry felt his gaze linger on the silver guns. ‘A fortune bound to go to waste. Because no one should have such a weapon.’

“To many it is but a small number.” Horus shrugged. “Including you, I believe.”

“That’s not a small number but I could afford it, yes.” Harry corrected. 

“The point is that these operations, especially the big illegal ones, run on a lot of money. More money than most would see in a lifetime,” Natalie said. “It is also a part of how we fund our own operations in addition to the ICW giving us money. Many confiscated items like those pearls will be slowly sold off once the case is over and the trials are done. The money then will be funneled straight into W.A.N.D’s coffers.” 

“That is also why we are documenting each thing so thoroughly.” Horus added without looking up from his papers. “If the case ever reopens, we will have evidence needed. And that too, multiple copies at that to ensure something is not destroyed in a mishap.”

“That’s neat.” Harry plucked another empty form and filled it, consulting the file in his hand. “What happens once all this is over? Also, why are we doing the paperwork now and not after we are done with the raids.”

“Because it will be turning into a level seven case, of course,” Horus said. “Unless it is an immediate world-ending threat, all prior evidence needs to be properly recorded and cataloged. The reason for it? Level seven cases are not approved by Mage but by the Secretary of Defense and the Supreme Mugwump.”

“Wait, what?”

“Level Seven, Harry. It goes above and beyond anything you’ve seen.” Natalie shook her head. “And by anything, I mean anything. The last time there was one, I believe, was about six years ago.”

“What happened?”

“Classified.” Horus said smoothly. “If there is a need to know, you will know.”

“As everything level five and above are.” Natalie nodded in agreement. “A need-to-know basis.”

“Right.” Harry placed the page he had written in the machine and pressed a button, a single copy shooting out of it and soaring across the room. With a flick of his wand, the original went flying to De Luca’s desk. “So, once the level seven is approved, we proceed? Attack all their bases at once?”

“That will be planned, but yes.” Horus said. “I think De Luca might have some work for you and the other combat specialists before that.”

“Is that why Valkyrie is not here?”

Horus turned to Natalie who raised a cool eyebrow at him. “To quote you, classified. That is, till she returns. I cannot tell what she is doing.”

“She has not gone after Cadros, has she?” Harry frowned.

“No. You will be on the Cadros mission.” Natalie said. “There are more than thirty-six hours to go. And a lot of work needs to be done. Why do you think the first thing we did was stock up on coffee, pepper-ups, and super-sleep potions?”

“Wait, has she gone to get… him?” Horus suddenly asked, his eyes brightening. “That’d piss him off.”

Natalie remained stony face but the corner of her eyes crinkled.

“Who is him?”

“If Horus wants to tell you, he could.” Natalie said quietly. “His guess is pretty bang on.”

“Is it the seventh team member of their team?” Harry motioned toward Horus. “Don’t think I didn’t notice they were only six. So has Daphne.”

“Agent Quetzalcoatl is on special leave.” Horus stifled a chuckle. “With a very graphic threat that he’d kill us all if we dared to interrupt him.”

“What does he specialize in?” Harry asked. 

“Old Quetzal? His specialty is twofold. One is in muggles, equipment handling, and theoretical magic much like your Agent Niffler is. The other… is blowing things up. Spectacularly.”

“And he is on leave because?”

“I was in the middle of my wedding preparations,” a loud voice said from behind Harry, and he turned. A man, taller than any human Harry had seen, was glaring at everyone in the room, trying to burn them down with his stare. “You motherfuckers. You all are uninvited.”

“You’ve made your displeasure quite clear, Quetzal.” Valkyrie entered the room, her robes scorched, and her hair singed. “Vividly so.”

“Not enough. You are interrupting my wedding.” Quetzalcoatl huffed. 

“My apologies.” Valkyrie’s eye twitched. “But I believe introductions are in order.”

“I am Agent Quetzalcoatl. You can call me Quetz, Quetzal, Coat, and all the variations you can think of. If you can’t, fuck off. Get back to work and let’s get this over with. I have a fucking wedding on my head. And my fiancé is going to kill me if I postpone it even a minute further.”

“Agent Quetzalcoatl, welcome back.” De Luca cleared his throat, rising from his desk.

“Hippogriff.” Quetzalcoatl nodded. “Tell me you will free me before Monday. I have my wedding on Tuesday evening.”

“I will ensure you are freed up.” De Luca shook his hand. “But it is going to be a tough two days.”

“As long as you don’t make me postpone my wedding, it is fine. I have already postponed it enough.” Quetzalcoatl threw a scowl at Valkyrie. “I’ll never know how they cannot make it a week without me. Ever.”

“Let’s get to work.” De Luca glanced between Valkyrie and the new agent. “Agent Quetzalcoatl, take Agent Felix’s place. Felix… let Valkyrie get ready and then go with her. You are going to Cadros’ residence to arrest her if she is there.”

“Wait…” Quetzalcoatl frowned. “Cadros is your old team leader, right? Why are you arresting her?”

“You, my friend, have a lot of catching up to do,” Horus said. “I will get you up to speed. But first things first: Paperwork.”

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Valkyrie tugged at the coat of her new suit, adjusting her hair as she strode into the lobby, a silver knife glinting at her belt. Daphne turned, shifting to broaden her shoulders and stand taller as she saw her.

“You coming with us, Khione?” Valkyrie waltzed past them, toward the elevator. “I thought it was only Potter and I.”

“De Luca thought it would be best if you had one more with you in case Cadros resists.” Daphne responded coolly.

“Very well, come along then. Do you have the disguise equipment with you?” Valkyrie asked as the elevator doors dinged open.

“Of course.” Harry tapped his wand against the silver bracelet on his wrist and felt a ripple of magic wash over his face. “Do you have the portkey?”

“Yes, but we are first taking the floo to a safe house in New York. After that, we will portkey to New Jersey and then, apparate to Delaware where Cadros’ last known residence was.”

“New Jersey?” Daphne’s forehead creased. “Wasn’t New Jersey the place where the guns were caught and confiscated by MACUSA?”

“It was, leading all the more credence to our theory.” Valkyrie leaned against the mirror in the lift. “Mind you, I had to get Mage to sign off on revealing her location but it checks out.”

“Why Mage?” Daphne frowned. “Does it have anything to do with this case turning out to be the way it is?”

“All personal information of agents, current and retired, are put under a level seven classification— accessible only by Mage and the Secretary of Defense. Well, the team leaders know the locations for their own team but that’s a different matter.”

“What is accessible to normal agents then?” Harry’s voice rang over the ding of the doors as they opened again.

“Normal information that may be needed. Certain things are and will always remain classified on a need-to-know basis. That is why there is a designated information retriever on every team. For yours, it is Sher and Crystal.”

Harry nodded absently, his gaze turning around the room to take in the looming huge fireplaces made of black obsidian that rose all around, flickering with emerald flames. In the center, a lone desk stood, a wizard seated on it, a newspaper in his hand.

The wizard looked up as Valkyrie walked toward him, flashing her golden ring.

“Agent Valkyrie.” She pressed her ring onto the WAND insignia on the table. A light on the guard’s desk flashed green with the letters VI appearing on a screen. “I need access to a place in New York. Off-grid.”

“You have the clearance.” The wizard nodded, pulling up a file and flipping through it. “Give me a moment please.” He walked up to a panel and traced his lines along a few runes, before turning back. “Is this a passing visit or a staying visit?

“Passing.”

“Floo three then, Agent Valkyrie,” he said. “Floo will not open back. In case—”

“I am aware of the protocols, thank you.” She smiled at him, striding toward the fireplace with a golden III hanging over it. 

“Go on, Potter.” Valkyrie said.

“What do I say?” Harry took the floo powder from a container next to the fireplace, allowing the excess to roll out from between his fingers.

“You don’t say anything.” Valkyrie’s lips quivered into a smile. “I keep forgetting this is still pretty much your first mission that exceeded beyond limits. To a level seven, no less.”

“Anything Potter touches fails to remain normal.” Daphne snarked. “Don’t make a special journey across the floo, will you?”

“Knowing me, I am going to shoot straight out of Cadros’ floo instead of the safe house.” Harry grinned. “So, I just throw the powder in and step through?”

“Yes.” Valkyrie shot him an exasperated look.

“See you in America.” Harry threw the powder into the flames that rose to engulf him. 

The world spun, green flames licking his vision before he felt his feet slam into hard ground and stumbled out into a quaint, modern home. The lights flickered on and he flicked his wand into his hand, scanning his surroundings.

‘Just automatic lights.’ Harry walked to the window, glancing outside.

Tall buildings and narrow roads stretched out in front of him, muggle cars honking as the traffic moved at a snail’s pace below. The sun hung high in the sky, blaring at the pedestrians who walked by the sidewalk below. A flash of emerald caught his eye and he spun around to face the fireplace as Daphne appeared, dusting the soot off her robes.

“No need to get twitchy, Potter. Just me.” She eyed the wand in his hand. “Save the fighting for Cadros.”

“If she is there, that is.” Harry muttered, pushing his wand back up his sleeve.

The floo flared with green flames again and Valkyrie walked out, the soot on her robes disappearing with a flick of her wand. “Let’s get going. We are on schedule, and we have to do a couple of things on the way.”

“What things?”

“I have a contact in New Jersey.” Valkyrie removed a handkerchief from her pocket. “Usually, we wouldn’t bother with such things, but MACUSA has a very interlocking grid to detect magic not performed by authorized wizards— namely, their citizens. We need to bypass that grid and we don’t have time to do so ourselves.”

“For that, we would need to be keyed into the grid.” Daphne said. “At least our wands will have to.” 

“Or the grid be turned off.” Harry narrowed his eyes.

“Delaware is a small place. No one will notice till it is too late.” Valkyrie’s lips tugged into a smirk. “It is the fastest way. We are in a massive time crunch. Now, take hold of this and do not do any wanded magic unless your life is in peril, okay? Jersey storefront. Activate.”

The handkerchief glowed and Harry felt a tug behind his navel as he was whisked away, appearing in a narrow, dark alley, nearly crashing into Daphne as they landed. Valkyrie tugged the cloth out of their grip and set it aflame with a wave of her wand, dropping it to the ground without a care.

“Follow me.” Valkyrie walked toward the main street, her robe turning to a normal travel cloak. 

Harry and Daphne followed her lead as they walked onto the main street, no one around giving them a second glance. Valkyrie casually pushed the door of an electronics store open and walked in.

“Good morning. How may I help you today?” A balding, stout man smiled at them, his belly straining against his brown coat as he neared them.

“I am afraid I need to meet your boss.” Valkyrie said. “Official business from the house.”

The man’s eyes widened a fraction. “Come, I will lead you to him.”

They followed him to a door in the back, where he motioned them to go forward. Harry felt a tingle of magic run over his body as he walked through the door.

‘Wards.’ Harry smothered the urge to draw his wand, choosing to look at where they were.

It was a dingy, dusty room, filled with various kinds of things ranging from wands to bubbling potions, to muggle items like knives, axes, and bows. 

“I was wondering when I’d be seeing another one of you again.” A soft voice called from Harry’s right.

A woman stood atop a ladder, a metal string held in her hands. Her graying hair was tied in a braid that laid over her shoulder. 

“Madam Houdini.” Valkyrie smiled. “We are in need of your services.”

“That’s why you people ever come around here.” Madam Houdini rolled her eyes. “What do you need?”

“The magical grid over Delaware should be disabled for the next few hours. We do not need MACUSA interfering today.”

“That can be arranged.” She nodded. “It will set you back a little. About five. Six if you want it to last more than an hour.”

‘She means five grand. Five thousand galleons. Merlin.’

“We should be good with an hour.” Valkyrie said. “The money will be transferred to your account before sundown tomorrow.”

“Anything else?”

Valkyrie’s eyes moved around the room. “No. We should be good.”

“Give me ten minutes. Feel free to look around till then, I suppose.” Madam Houdini walked away, disappearing through a door.

“Who exactly is she?” Harry whispered to Valkyrie. “Ex-Agent?”

“Independent contractor.” Valkyrie picked up a switchblade from the table, pressing the button on it and a blade popped out, its edge gleaming in the room’s light. “We usually hire them for tasks that we don’t want to be caught doing under the ICW logo.”

“Like infiltrating ministries and disrupting operations.” Harry raised an eyebrow.

“Exactly.” Valkyrie put the blade back and moved to examine an ax on the wall.

“That is a thunderbird core ax, agent.” Madam Houdini strode back into the room. “It can shoot lightning bolts and chop down an enemy. Its blade can even absorb weaker spells.”

“Interesting.” Valkyrie said. “Is my work done?”

“Give my men a little time, agent,” she scowled. “We ain’t got super speed. I have sent the message and they are now on their way. Disabling the grid without raising the alarm takes time.”

“Get it done as fast then.” Valkyrie threw her nose up. “We are on a timetable.”

“That you always are, girl.” Madam Houdini snorted. “Now unless you want to buy something from my shop, wait outside.”

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Mage ran a scrutinizing eye on the three agents in front of him, his eyes glinting in the harsh light of the room. Across Mage, a witch and a wizard sat, reading through a file with rapt attention. 

“Agent Hippogriff.” Mage’s voice cut through the silence of the room with the sharpness of a dagger. “Where’s Agent Valkyrie?”

“On a special task with Agents Khione and Felix, sir.” De Luca glanced at the other two people in the room from the corner of his eye. 

“She is your second in command on this mission if I am not mistaken.” The witch tugged at her collared robes, stretching out the ICW logo on it. “She should be present.”

“If you would forgive my insolence, Madame Secretary, the mission was more important and the target we were going after was no ordinary witch.”

“Your ex-team leader, Agent Cadros.” The Secretary of Defense gave him a piercing look. “One might wonder if your team is fit to handle a case with a personal stake in it.”

“That is why you will find that Agent Valkyrie is leading her capture, with two agents, one of whom has never interacted with Cadros and another who was only acquainted with her.” De Luca shifted, his expression hardening. “And the latter is only going as a backup just in case they fall short.”

“This is most unusual.”

“Madame Secretary, respectfully, my agents’ personal stake in this part of the case has been handled, I would say.” Mage leaned forward. “And we are not here to discuss the aspects of their relationship but the case itself.”

“Which is a factor we cannot ignore within the case, I am afraid.” The other man spoke for the first time, his hands folded on his lap. “While I do not question the decision they have made— an admirably wise one at that, we cannot ignore the fact that they have a personal stake here. Do they wish to make their old friend see the light? Do they wish to apprehend her, as is protocol? And if things go south, are they prepared to take the call that needs to be taken?”

“With all due respect, Supreme Mugwump. It will not be my call to make today.” De Luca said. “It will be Agent Valkyrie’s.”

“Perhaps a more pertinent question will be, are you or are you not involved with Agent Cadros and her operation? She led you—”

“Madame Secretary, you were called here to assess the case and not speculate if I am not mistaken.” Mage rose to his feet. “The loyalty of my agents is not in question here. They have worked tirelessly on it and I do not doubt them.”

“It is a possibility, Director Mage. A possibility that I as the Secretary of Defense cannot ignore.” The woman pursed her lips. “Agent Cadros led the team for more than a decade. Except for his two new agents, every person on his team has had a working relationship with Cadros for a very long time.”

“So have I, Madame Secretary.” Mage gave her a piercing look. “And if I am not mistaken, so have you. Not as long as theirs but even you have had prolonged contact with Agent Cadros and her whole team two and a half years ago, if I am not mistaken.”

“What are you implying, Director?”

“That you and I can be as connected to this plot as Agent Hippogriff and his team are, you even more so than me given Agent Cadros saved your bloody life not once but twice. Am I wrong, Agent Hippogriff?”

“No, sir.” De Luca’s voice rang through the room. 

“So, tell me, Madam Sec—”

“That’s enough, Director Mage. Your point has been put across.” The Supreme Mugwump raised his hand. “Now, if we ignore the personal connections, there are several questions I have for you, beginning with who is this man known as the Liberator and what is his motive?”

“We do not know, sir.” De Luca said softly. “But it is something we intend to find out.”

“What makes you think that this organization is as big as you even say? Big enough and dangerous to threaten a global crisis that we’d have to declare a level seven here?”

“Sir, they have over a score of establishments and have goons armed with weapons capable of mass destruction.” De Luca pointed at the photo of the silver gun attached in the file. “A month ago, a wizard who had not even qualified as a NEWT wizard used one of these guns to slaughter two hit wizard squads, scores of witches and wizards, over a dozen goblins, and a hundred plus muggles. Alone.”

“And how many of these weapons would they have?” The woman asked.

“We have confiscated over seventy such guns so far, Madam Secretary.” De Luca said. “And when we raided the warehouse, more were in the process of being made. And the case of the guns aside, the person who heads this also heads multiple other illegal rackets and operations. When the first container was confiscated, it broke through eight cases across this organization— six active and two dormant.”

“So, in your opinion, the level seven is very well justified at this point.” The Defense secretary raised an eyebrow. “Something it was not two days ago?”

“This is more of a tactical decision than a threat assessment, Madam Secretary.” De Luca said “If we hit all bases of operation one by one, there’s a chance a lot of it will disappear before we reach there. We are but fourteen people and we can only strike two locations at once. Maybe three if we really stretch ourselves out there.”

“All seven teams on the other hand will mean that a huge racket and a potential hazard to the society will go down in a single go.” Mage chimed in. “Even in case this Liberator is not caught, my teams will cripple an international racket and arrest hundreds of criminals. We just require permission and manpower from you.”

“The peacekeepers,” she bit out. “You want them to accompany you.”

“Only to see the arrests and evidence gathering through.” De Luca said. “If we are to hit multiple locations in a short span of time, I am afraid we cannot wait around to put everyone behind bars, take in evidence, and scour the place clean. We will go from one base to another.”

“You want to cripple it in one go.” The Supreme Mugwump said. 

“Yes.” De Luca inclined his head.

“And what is your opinion on this, Director?”

“It is a sound plan.” Mage said. “Once you officially turn this case into a level seven, we shall be ironing out the finer details. In addition, it does warrant such attention, given the weapons they wield. With the numbers they might have, with the guns, they can wreak havoc across any country, muggle or magical. It is imperative that we nip the problem in the bud.”

“Very well,” The Supreme Mugwump nodded. “Agent Hippogriff, you and your agents can leave the room. Director Mage will inform you of our decision soon enough. Till then, I believe you have work to get to.”

“That we do sir.” De Luca said. “I hope you make the best decision today. For both our sakes.”

Saying so, De Luca strode out of the room, followed by Natalie and Ares, the former with a smirk on her face.

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A dull crack rang amongst the trees, dissolving amongst the rustle of leaves through which bars of sunlight streamed onto the ground. 

“Is this the place?” Daphne whispered, straining her neck.

“We should be half a mile— okay, I misjudged. We are only a little over a quarter mile away from her residence.” Valkyrie looked at the tablet with a frown. “Remote scans show that she has some serious wards, which is not really surprising all things considered.”

“Should we have brought De— Hippogriff in that case?” Harry asked.

“No, we don’t need subtle work here. Cadros is both skilled and sensitive enough to detect a shift in her wards.” Valkyrie shook her head. “We will take her wards down with a bang. I’ve brought a top-of-the-line ward detonator with me. Between that and us three, I don’t think it will be much of a task to tear them apart.”

“Of course. You have all the equipment?”

“I do.” Valkyrie took out a small beaded pouch, removing a large, black case from it.

‘That’s exactly like the pouch Hermione has.’ Harry smiled slightly. 

“We have the anti-apparition bubble,” Valkyrie removed four pieces of rune-carved triangular stones and placed them on the ground. “A ward detonator, of course. Extreme tranquilizing gas, comms, gas antidote— here, take them.”

She handed both Harry and Daphne their earpieces and a vial of peach liquid.

“Drink the potion, Potter.” Daphne uncorked the vial and gulped the potion down, grimacing and coughing.

“It tastes bad, doesn’t it?” Harry pinched his nose and drained the potion, gagging slightly as the aftertaste hit him. “This is horrendous.”

“Yes, it is.” Valkyrie agreed. “Now, how do we want to do this?”

“Overwhelm her?” Daphne’s forehead creased. “Last time trickery didn’t work and neither did attacking her from both sides. All it did was make her desperate.”

“Which led her to unleash Fiendfyre of all things.” Harry said. “And last time I had a whole sea next to me. I won’t have that luxury this time, I reckon.”

“The river is half a mile behind us.” Valkyrie said. “So, no, you won't. That's why we will have to be very careful. If needed, take her out. We cannot afford to let her escape again.”

“Right.”

“You might be in for the fight of your lives, kids. You’ve faced her before. And this time, she might be waiting for us.”

Harry nodded grimly.

“Ready? Let’s go then. She lives only a little distance away.” Valkyrie strode forward, taking the lead.

Soft loam squelched beneath Harry’s boots as he trudged through brambles, the rustle of branches and leaves filling his ears. Leaves crunched and brambles snapped as Daphne stumbled, walking behind Valkyrie who was weaving between branches and roots, despite her height.

‘On top of the height, she is keeping an eye on the tablet.’ Harry eyed her movements. 'No wonder she is said to be the best WAND has.'

“We’re here.” Valkyrie said softly after a few minutes of walking, holding up her hand in a fist. “The wards are only fifty meters away. So, this is an ideal place to fire the detonator from.”

“Should I go inside first and look around?” Harry stepped forward. “I can go through the wards and pull off a surprise attack on her.”

“She’ll be ready for you.” Valkyrie said. 

“She has not seen me. She will be wary even if I am there.” Harry pointed out.

“All the more pressure, I would say.” Valkyrie smirked. “She’ll be wary if not afraid. And she might expect four. If three are there, she is bound to think there’ll be a fourth waiting for her. An invisible assailant who nearly burst her mage shield with a single spell the last time she faced off against him.”

“Hopefully, she will just surrender." Daphne muttered. "She doesn’t know we don’t have the rest of the team with us. We could play on that.”

“She will know that we don't have the rest of the team the moment we blast apart the wards instead of taking them down.” Valkyrie snorted. “It might've been a good tactic on someone unfamiliar with our procedures. But that is not the case here. So, we should not play that angle here. Cadros will call out our bluff in a second flat.”

“Alright.” Harry cleared his throat. “You take the lead, we’re right behind. If she tries to escape from the backdoor, we can intercept her by apparating. You’ll have thermal imagery, right?”

“Once our wards are up and hers are down, yes.” Valkyrie waved her tablet.

“Excellent.” Harry said.

“Khione, set up the wards, please. I will prepare the detonator. Felix, be prepared just in case.”

“Okay.” Daphne apparated away with a slight crack.

Valkyrie removed a huge gun— one with a long tube and a sturdy stand, set it up on the ground, and pointed in the direction of the wards. She removed another few pieces and fiddled with them, attaching them where required, while Harry tapped his foot against the ground, digging circles with his heel.

A sharp crack drew his attention as both he and Valkyrie whirled around, their wands shooting into their hands.

“It’s me!” Daphne scrambled behind a tree. “Don’t shoot!”

“Don’t scare us, Khione.” Harry hissed. 

“Are the wards in place?” Valkyrie rose from the ground, dusting her robes.

“Last stone.” Daphne walked a few feet and dropped the triangular stone to the ground, nudging it with her foot. “Should I activate it?”

“On the count of three,” Valkyrie said. “Once the ward detonator hits, Felix, you will fire a very powerful blasting curse at the wards, just in case. And be ready to charge forward and even shield if needed. Going in, both of you be wary of your surroundings. If you feel that you are in mortal, activate your emergency portkey. Am I understood?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Prepare yourself.” Valkyrie knelt next to the gun and Daphne touched her wand to the stone while Harry pointed his wand at the wards, tugging at his magic. “Three— two— one.”

Something thick and black shot out of the gun on the floor, arcing ahead in a sizzle of magic, before hitting the wards with a tremendous bang. Harry slashed his wand, a purple curse blasting forward, ripping the trembling wards apart like a needle through a bubble.

Harry felt a cyclone of magic whip through the forest as an old cottage appeared in a grassy clearing, smoke curling out of its chimney.

“Go, go, go!” Valkyrie yelled, striding forward. “EX-AGENT CADROS. THIS IS WAND. PLEASE COME OUT AND SURRENDER! I REPEAT, COME OUT AND SURRENDER, WITH YOUR HANDS ABOVE—”

Valkyrie froze as her tablet beeped. Multiple red dots covered the screen and color drained out of Valkyrie’s face. 

“Shit.” Valkyrie thrust her wand forward, golden flames curling into runes, which turned into a golden dome just as dozens of curses soared toward them from all directions, at incredible speeds, hammering into her shield.

Through the haze of magic, Harry saw gunmen appear around the property, their silver guns gleaming in the sunlight as spells roared from their nozzles.

They had just walked into a trap.

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

cackles evilly. I know. I love these little cliffhangers. Stay tuned to find out what happens next! 

A huge thanks to Mughil, Nanu, and Anax for betaing this chapter.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. And don't forget to drop a like if you enjoyed the chapter!

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