Hogwarts: A Home

Chapter 15 | The Art of Disapparation

October 3, 1998

As the last traces of their dinner were being cleared away, Draco and Blaise found themselves interrupted by Dean's approach. His words were brief but loaded with a sense of urgency, directing them to conclude their meal swiftly and convene in the Arithmancy classroom for an emergency meeting with the aurors. The both of them nodded silently while he strode away.

"Be careful, yeah?" Theo said, looking between each of them with a poorly concealed gleam of worry in his eyes.

"Come now, Theo. With me out of the picture, maybe you'll actually stand a chance with the birds around here," Blaise said with a smirk before rising to leave. Draco could tell Theo's responding laugh had been forced. He looked directly at Draco with that same worry, "see you later, brother." It wasn't a request.

"Later," Draco agreed.

Daphne also gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder and with that, he and Blaise set off. Draco was surprised to see the gathering in the classroom now serving as an office for Shacklebolt. A quick survey of the room revealed that it wasn't only their own team in attendance, but all three of the special reconnaissance teams, as well as the rescue and recovery squads. They joined Tracey who nodded her silent greeting. Draco scanned the room, taking notice of the nervousness ebbing off everyone. It appeared as if no one was quite sure why they'd all been summoned.

Robards and Shacklebolt were positioned in front of the desk, surveying the witches and wizards that were present. Draco surmised they were checking that everyone they'd summoned had arrived before they began. As McLaggen and Bones sauntered in last, closing the door, Robards announced that it was time to begin. Silence fell over the small crowd.

"We've received intelligence that requires immediate action. In a few hours each and every one of you will play a part in executing an extremely important mission. Tomorrow morning, Tom Riddle will be meeting with representatives of the Spanish Ministry and their Minister for Magic. It has been confirmed that this meeting is an assassination attempt on their Minister disguised as a peace treaty proposal. We fear that there is a mole inside the Spanish Ministry at the moment so we are hesitant to notify them of the information. Instead, SR Team 3 will be traveling to the north port safe house in two hours to meet with a few of Fleur Weasley's contacts from Beauxbaton's to strategize our infiltration. They'll have a portkey for us to arrive in Barcelona. Our contact has also informed us that during this meeting, Riddle plans to have a legion of Death Eaters attack the oceanfront borders of Portugal in an attempt to take control of Lisbon. We successfully sent word to Portugal to expect the attack. RR Team 2, you'll be leaving within the hour via broomstick. You should arrive by morning. Auror Proudfoot has already been briefed on where you'll be coalescing with the Portuguese forces. Please go to the Headmistresses' office. She has met with her direct reports to take on volunteers to assist in the mission. You are dismissed so you can make preparations for your departure."

Shacklebolt nodded at Auror Proudfoot who led the charge out of the classroom with Bell, Goldstein and one of the other Weasleys in tow. Draco felt Dean stiffen next to him. Draco was sure he was assuming that Finnigan would be one of the volunteers.

"With the knowledge that Riddle's forces will be split and concentrated abroad, we will take advantage and execute two attacks of our own. SR Team 1 and RR Team 1, you will be attacking the Dufftown weaponry we've been monitoring. Your mission is to immediately incapacitate any guards so they cannot send word of the attack as well as recover as many stolen weapons as possible. If you're not able to breach the weaponry, you have permission to destroy it all together."

Draco watched Potter and the Weaselette exchange a look before entwining their hands. Shacklebolt nodded at them in dismissal and they filtered out of the room along with Longbottom, the remaining Weasleys, Johnson, Jordan and Auror Savage. Looking around, all that was left in the room was his team and RR Team 2: Auror Dawlish, Tracey, McLaggen and Bones. This time, Auror Robards gave the mission details.