The investigation in France had been completed. Roland and Robert would have to return for an inquest. The authorities were very confused about the details of the attack. The forensic investigators insisted that there were more intruders who had not been accounted for. The conclusion, which satisfied no-one, was that some intruders evaded capture and escaped.
An emergency conference was called at 15 Purbeck Square. Harry waited at the kitchen table until till everyone was seated. Present was Lady Blake, Graham Proud, Roland, Robert, John, Mary, Jonathan from Dr Zaitseva’s laboratory, and the Pimlico Security London Supervisor, who never revealed his proper name. “Just call me Super” was the best they got.
Harry started talking. “I have got something to tell you about Leo.”
“At last, is he alive?” Louisa was shaking.
“Yes, he is.”
“Oh! Thank God! Where is he?”
“He is being held prisoner by a wizard lord in the USA.”
“If we know this, can’t the police over there rescue him?”
“No Graham, if we involved the police at this stage, they would not find anything. The wizard lord can hide the place from outsiders. He has also been able to keep the wizard authorities out of his realm. He is a First Nation Medicine Man; he calls himself a Protector. His land is like a little kingdom, he has absolute authority, he doesn’t have to take any notice of MACUSA.”
“If this place is so secret, how do you know about it?”
“This is where Dr Zaitseva and Jonathan have saved us. The computer system which is at the centre of the uncontrolled magic happening at Imperial College, has been replicated in California. Dr Zaitseva had to send a copy of her system to Professor Fischer in California. He has installed the system and has been running it. He has also done something which has given us our chance. He has moved the system into the First Nation Protector’s land. We guess that he didn’t know that he was doing this.”
“So, what happened?”, The security supervisor was getting impatient.
“The Protector has control of a flow of natural raw magic in his land to give him the power needed to keep MACUSA out. When the computer package started it did a similar thing to the system in Imperial College, it started talking to the flow of raw magic which then did whatever it was asked to do.”
“The uncontrolled magic that MACUSA was concerned about.”
“Yes, and that is giving us our chance.”
“What can we do?” The super was looking worried now.
“Jonathan has taken control of the computer over there. The programmes Dr Zaitseva put together have back doors which the systems on different computers use to share information. This mechanism also gives the original system, made by Dr Zaitseva, control over the other systems. We can command the system in California to perform magic tasks without anyone there being aware of it. It is like having a powerful wizard ready to do whatever we ask it to.”
“But, what can we do?”
“We can break into the Protector’s kingdom. We asked the natural magic flow if it will stop if we ask it to through the computer. It replied that it would.”
“You can communicate with it?”
“Yes, in a simple way. We have done that already with the raw magic flow that broke out in Imperial College. Jonathan asked it to stop and it stopped. The computer that we were using to perform magic here just stopped performing magic when we asked raw magic flow to stop.”
“So, how are we controlling the computer over there?”
“The control is not done by magic. It is done by everyday computer technology.” Jonathan was looking worried. “We are able to do this and break into the Protectors land as long as he is not aware of what we are doing. We can assume that as soon as the flow stops, he will be aware of it. The wizard law enforcement will have to be ready at the boundary to move in as soon as the barrier goes down. I have no idea if the raw magic flow will start again if the Protector commands it, we can ask it not to start for him, but we don’t know if that will work.”
“We have to be there ready to act as soon as the barrier comes down. Which brings us to the reason why I am telling this group about this.” Harry waited for any comments.
The lack of understanding around the table was obvious.
“OK, what is it?” Graham was not used to such long and involved scene setting.
“You are not wizards and witches, apart from the security super and me. This means that the Protector will not see you as a threat when you turn up at the place where Leo and Dr Zaitseva are being held. The suggestion is that you will all play at being lost tourists. Of course, you will be armed and have the latest details of the layout of the place. Your job will be to snatch Leo and Anastasia back. The super and I will go after the Protector.”
“What about MACUSA, can’t they do that?”
“Yes, but I don’t have official support for this job. The Minister is under a lot of pressure to sack me. He can’t send out aurors out to do this or get MACUSA involved. This plan involves too many muggles for the traditional Ministry wizards. Nobody has another plan, so I have taken leave and we have to use whatever resources this group can muster.”
“Can we get help from MACUSA anyway? You know, ask them for help once we are there?” The super was not happy.
“We can see what works out once we are there. There is probably a team of MACUSA aurors at the border waiting for a chance to get in. They have wanted to get the Protector arrested for many years.”
“How are we getting there? I assume this has to be done today.” John was ready to go.
“We won’t use magical transport, too much official oversight. The super has arranged for a Pimlico Air Freight plane to take us to the nearest airport. We will all be listed as company employees. I have visas ready for you all. I’m still allowed to do magic. Pack a bag, be ready to go to the freight depot in an hour.”
“Why are you taking me?” Louisa asked.
“Two car-loads of men is suspicious. At least one lady in each car will cut the suspicion a bit.”
“Good, my bag is ready. I’ve been ready to go since they snatched Leo.”
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