As much as I wanted to hide our relationship with Hermione Granger from everyone, up to a point of course, but the Headmistress had to explain everything, otherwise no one would have let me attend an emergency meeting of the teachers and Headmaster. In general, in my opinion, I had nothing to do here, as the Headmaster and McGonagall had insisted, but I had the right, so they could only persuade, not refuse.
I wouldn't have come here myself, but I need to know if anyone has any bright ideas on how to save my station, because I need to be prepared. Fortunately or not, no one had a bright idea, and the whole "emergency" meeting was reduced to Dumbledore's long speeches on his favorite subject: "Don't worry, because I am me, so everything will be cool!" and everyone nodding and agreeing, including the headmasters.
You'd think the Slytherin Headmaster would be gloating, at least in his heart: the Mudblood had been stolen to an unknown destination, but both the boy and the girl were neutral. Well, at least that's not bad, as long as there's no open aggression. The Headmaster's speech flowed smoothly into the "we have the power, so let it do the work", i.e. "I'm cool, and there's no doubt about it, but if there are Aurors, let them do the work" or something like that: "The horse has a big head, so let it think.
The longer I was in the room, and this meeting was not in the Headmaster's office, and I even had the feeling that we were being overheard, the more I realized the absurdity of the situation. In fact, none of those present, mages and wizards, were able to help the girl, but everyone made an important appearance, I even remembered a cartoon from my past life.
It was the same here: none of those present had any way of influencing the girl's situation, and no one wanted to do anything, but everyone acted as if something depended on them. The only thing that deserved attention was the work with children, i.e. to prevent panic among the masses, and after the obligatory assurance that the event is a force majeure, and in general it's all a dream. Well, and for the most extreme case: it's all the fault of the corrupt government, which did not have enough money for a normal number of Aurors on the streets.
It's a mess. I listened to these people and I realized I wasn't going to get anywhere with them. Not at all. These "important" gentlemen had already written off the girl, had agreed in advance to her death, or a worse fate, only if their tiny, cozy world remained untouched, quiet, comfortable. They are magicians and wizards, they should be able to work miracles, but even Sam just sighed sadly, blinked with his glasses and then really calmed down, he made it.
Everything else is on the government's conscience. I wonder: is he like this in life, or has he decided to use the moment to return to politics, to strengthen his position? As the current government is not able to protect us, but I am Light, I will save and protect everyone!
As for me, I am frankly uncomfortable with where the girl is now, and for every moment of her fear and tears, the guilty will pay with blood and lives. Irreparable damage has already been done. Yes, I managed to steal the necessary three hours, and through the light of Hermione's soul, I was able to trace the kidnappers' path to their final destination, and even saw the Gryffindor girl herself.
I'd go rescue her now if I could, but if I do, the culprits will escape — it's impossible to do everything necessary to create an impenetrable perimeter, an effective assault, and a capture on my own, so I'm waiting for Junko and some of the Chinese fighters to arrive. As for my men, we had planned an operation for tonight, but because of what I saw, I had to urgently take care of reinforcing the strike team, otherwise there will be casualties. So I'm waiting, listening to these... wizards, damn them.
Thanks to the spirits, the meeting ended quickly, and I could breathe again and go to my house in London, where the rendezvous of our forces was planned. And on the spot, near the "factory of death", there are now observers and also my spirits. To the girl I have separately assigned two dark spirits, evil, dangerous, but strictly bound by contract, so that she cannot do more harm than she has already done. I wasn't exactly relieved after that step, but I didn't need to go there right now.
I was intercepted by a group of Gryffindors as I made my way down the stairs to the castle exit. I was surprised, pleasantly so. There was a determined frown on the faces of the group of students and they all looked at me expectantly. I didn't even think that Hermione had really managed to fit in so well, because in the movie the girl had always been an 'acquaintance' but not a 'friend'.
Harry and Ron were at the front of the group, and while the redhead looked as usual, he was a little paler, Potter had a bandage on the left side of his face and a bow on his left arm. But that didn't take away the fire of confidence that burned in both teens' eyes, and those behind them had no doubts. Is the Gryffindor spirit still alive, no matter what?
— You're going after Hermione, aren't you? — The boy, now missing his usual glasses and squinting a little, stepped in. — We're coming with you. — Not a question, a statement.
— Yes, I'm going after my station. — There was no point in denying it, especially since in a few hours this event would be splashed all over the newspapers, not only in magical Britain. — But there's nothing you can do.
— We can help you! — The red-haired twins shouted in unison, and the people next to them murmured.
— You are all students, none of you have an Auror's diploma or anything like it, so your participation is out of the question. This business is no joke, no fun, and a mistake in ignorance could result in death.
— We are members of a dueling club, and we will certainly do no harm. — I can't remember her name, but she seems to be a Quidditch player: short (though there aren't many really tall girls here), slender, very agile, with a pretty face, though dark-skinned people aren't my type.
Next to her was her longtime friend, a fellow student. — And we want to be Aurors. Please. — We stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds, and I tried to find a bit of doubt in them, as well as reckless bravado... which I didn't, especially since the girls really felt the fear, and that was the right thing to do, even useful.
— Okay, you two come with me, we'll talk to the professors later, — I looked at the outraged group of teenagers. — If nobody reports it first. — These words caused more outrage, but I ignored it.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, and I thought of the girls' names, because it wasn't nice, really.
— I hear you girls play Quidditch... — I looked at Angelina Johnson.
— Yes, I'm taking over the captaincy when Oliver leaves, but that won't be until next year. — The girl explained. — And Alicia will take the position of the hunter. — The other girl nodded in agreement. I remembered that they had another friend, a white girl with dark eyes and slightly wide cheekbones, but not ugly, just average and the same height as her friends.
— So you've got the physical fitness thing down. — I'm paying attention to exactly what's important in this situation. — I'm not going to ask you what curve led you to become an Auror. And I won't tell you that it's not a job for women. — I saw the girls tense up out of the corner of my eye. — In fact, not much depends on gender, and not only a man can be a strong fighter. — The girls were in disbelief, but they decided to listen to me. — My mother is a good example, for I have seen very few fighters who could defeat her one-on-one. — I spoke in a calm tone, so the Gryffindor girls' suspicion was almost gone.
— I'm taking you with me because I want to give you a chance that I never had: I want to show you what the job you've chosen for your future is like. I want you to see the reality, not the romanticized bullshit that the average person is fed. — After a short pause and a sidelong glance out of the corner of my eye to gauge the girls' reaction, I continue. — In fact, no one is going to let you in the fight, — the emotions were resentment and indignation.
— You have nothing to do there, but you will be able to look at this kind of work from the outside to judge whether you can handle it yourself in the future. — And I also want the right rumors to be spread by the powers of two young ladies, which will be corrected in a special way in the right direction. No, I really care about these two, and my actions are not very profound, but if I have a chance to help two good girls choose the right fate, why not?