Cast Aside

Desperate Plays and International Travel

A,N Now I'm all caught up. I have 1k words of the next chapter done. I know what comes next, but the immediate scene is giving me some trouble. Here's hoping I get it done soon!

Chapter 32

Three cryptic letters and one illegal Portkey found all four Prewetts standing in a deserted alley near the edge of the Iranian capital city, Tehran. A few appearance-altering charms and they were making their way to the appointed tea house.

Since they couldn't speak openly by owl post, they hadn't been able to disclose their plan to Yuri. Not at all sure the Russian expat would approve, all they could do was hope he'd agree to help them.

Hermione tugged anxiously at her black chador as they walked. It had taken more than one sticking charm to keep her hair properly covered, her curls continuously slipping free around her face as if by magic. Her modern, western sensibilities had much to say about the recent oppression of Iranian women, but that wasn't why they were there. She could respect local customs if it helped them defeat Voldemort.

It was the recent revolution, in fact, that made Iran appealing for this meeting. With the magic and muggle governments still in conflict, none of the magical officials would care about one fugitive Russian wizard. Since they had offered to come to him in a bid to earn his good will, he'd chosen the one place close to home where he didn't have to dodge Russian Ministry agents.

Yuri saw them as soon as they stepped through the door. He was sitting beside a low table surrounded by brightly coloured cushions. They hadn't altered their appearances overmuch, hoping their darkened complexions and transfigured clothing would disguise them as non-westerners. His dark eyes were curious as he tracked their movement through the crowded room.

Before any of them spoke, the subtle shimmer of magic fell around them with a flick of Yuri's wrist. He beckoned for them to sit with him and poured them tea.

"What was that spell?"

The Russian wizard gestured vaguely. "It would be trouble if locals hear us speaking English. Now they hear only casual conversation in Persian. Now..." He crossed his arms over his wide chest. "Tell me, my English friends. What is it you need from Yuri, eh?"

Having decided it would be best to be direct, Hermione got straight to the point. "How well do your radiation containment spells work in practice and do you think you could help us get ahold of some radioactive material?"

Dark eyes narrowed and flicked between them—reassessing, considering. He did not speak for several agonizing seconds and Hermione feared he would get up and leave. Instead, he closed his eyes, sighed and picked up his tea.

"What is plan?"

"Remember that Dark Lord we mentioned?" Gideon set his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his hands.

Yuri nodded. "He is one with horcrux?"

"Yep. We need to take him out, and the horcrux he keeps on his person at the same time. Problem is, any magical means we've thought up ends with him likely still alive and many others dead."

Yuri cut him off, waving a hand. "What you are asking, it could leave countless dead."

"We know that." Hermione sat up straighter meeting the gruff man's eyes. "That's why we want your help. The radiation, that is something Voldemort won't be able to fight against. It's not a projectile he can arrest, not a spell he can redirect, not a poison he can detect. We've seen the future, Yuri, and what it will take to kill him."

Thinking of Harry, of her younger self yet to be conceived, of her parents, of Fred and everyone else they had lost, she banished the tears that threatened as George slid his hand into hers. "The cost was so great. If we can end him and his followers in one fell swoop, we have to do it."