Audacious
t was well after midday the following afternoon before they all got back together, this time with Monty. Tara was even more amused to observe that where James had inherited his mother’s dark looks and warm smile, the spectacles and easy charm were all his father. Sirius had explained that Monty was a foreign diplomat with the ministry of magic and Tara had no doubt that he was extremely good at disarming people with his wit and knowledge without coming across as arrogant or sycophantic. As with Effie, Monty had made Willow and Tara feel welcome immediately. His eyes lit up when they presented him with their challenge.
“Give me a couple of days I’ve got an idea where to start but need to check it out first.” Monty said. “Don’t worry I won’t say what I’m looking into.” He added when he saw the worried looks on the faces around him.
“Never thought you would,” grinned Sirius “What should we do in the meantime?”
“Hmmm. See how much you can remember of the spell - write it down without saying it though. And how many of the ingredients you can source. Lily and Effie should be able to help you with those.” Monty suggested.
“And Pandora. She had a great section on obscure herbs in her book.” Willow added.
“What book?” James asked.
“Ooops. The book she hasn’t written yet.” Willow said.
“Maybe this is how it starts.” Tara smiled.
—-
True to his word, Monty caught up with the four of them as they returned from another flying and quidditch lesson. This time they had been joined by Remus and Lily who had shouted encouragement from the waterproof picnic blanket on the ground.
“Hi Monty.” They chorused
“Hey kids. How’s the flying going?” He asked as they trooped into the kitchen.
“Slowly.” Willow admitted. “I can totally see why you teach this to kids and not adults.”
Monty laughed. “I bet you learnt to ride a bicycle when you were young,” he said “Same thing,” he said when Tara and Lily nodded.
“How do you know about bicycles? I thought wizards were generally ignorant of the muggle world?” Lily asked.
“Oh they are. Especially those that consider themselves as purebloods and look down on others who wish to understand muggles.” Monty replied.
“What’s the difference between a bicycle and a motorbike?” James asked
“Bicycle - skinny frame, two skinny wheels, needs to be peddled. Motor bike - bigger, wider, nosier because it has a very loud motor. Sirius is obsessed with them. Secret’s in the name.`` Remus said ”Or have you never noticed the difference when in the village or city?”
Monty chuckled as James flushed. “You asked for it, son. Go dry off and join me in the study when you’re ready.”
———
Clean and dry once more, the group carried mugs of tea into the study where Monty had arranged a large table covered in paper, parchment and quills.
“Excellent. Pop your mugs on the desk and come have a look at what I found.”
Excited, they did as they were asked. The paper turned out to be photographs of various places and plants, as well as maps from all over Europe,
“Right. I want each of you to grab some parchment and a quill and write down the name and corresponding number of everything you recognize. Ok?” They nodded. “When you’ve done that we’ll go through it all and why I’ve asked you to do this.”
After some trial and error, Willow and Tara quickly got the hang of using the quills. “Not unlike a fountain pen.” Willow observed, and wondered if she could bring some back with her.
It took a while before the six friends had sorted through the maps and photographs, the scratch of quills and quiet chatter filling the warm study. Once everyone had declared they were done Monty gathered their lists together.
“Right then. The images of the underground chambers were recognised by everyone. James and Sirius are not to be trusted when it comes to separating medicinal herbs from poisonous ones. Luckily the others know their stuff.” Monty looked at the two young men. “Did you two simply sleep through four years of herbology at school? Madam Rose would be rolling in her grave if any of us produced such a woeful understanding of herbal lore.”
Sirius grinned. “I believe James was too busy watching Lily to pay attention.”
“I’m sorry. I never noticed” Lily said so sweetly that Monty laughed.
“James had a crush on Lily for, how long? Five years? Maybe six? Refused to accept that his feelings weren’t reciprocated. Total optimist that boy” Monty explained in a loud whisper to Willow and Tara.
“Hey. It only took five years to work it out.” Said James
“Which left him two years to make up for all that pining and he dated half the girls in the school,” said Sirius
“Not quite half.” James acknowledged “I had to leave the rest for you. And Slytherins only date Slytherins so that ruled out quite a few of your relatives.”
Sirius blushed. His escapades tended to be more public and widespread than James’s. He’d also dated a Slytherin a couple of years older only to find out she was a second cousin twice removed. Way too close for comfort.
“What’s so special about these photos” Tara asked
“The plants are the most common ones used in various summoning, healing, poisoning or vanquishing potions and spells depending on quantity and combination. The tunnels and caves are all parts of different labyrinths across Europe. I was curious to see if there were ones which drew you more than others and if you all experienced the same setting.” Monty explained.
“And?”
“And you’ve all identified the labyrinth under Buda Castle in Hungary.” Monty said. “Willow, it will take some time to gather all the ingredients you and Tara have identified. I think that with the chant you wrote down we may be able to replicate the spell you used. I do want some precautions in place so that we can get you to the right place and timeline. Effie and I will work on that.” He looked around the group. “In the meantime, how would you lot like to go on a field trip to Hungary?”
“Work?” “Uni?” Lily and Remus said together
“When do you finish exams Remus?”
“December 10th. I managed to get mine all in the first week.”
“Lily, there’s a conference in Budapest for magic healers if you’d like to attend that, and go exploring with the others.”
Impulsively Lily threw her arms around Monty and hugged him.
“Woah girl. First my son now my husband!” A playful voice came from the doorway..
Lily jumped back in embarrassment.
Effie laughed “I thought you would like some more tea and biscuits.” She said entering the room. “I take it that it was a yes?”
Lily nodded, still blushing furiously.
“Certainly from Lily.” Monty teased, “Everyone else.”
“Absolutely”. “That would be wonderful.” “Anyone speak Hungarian?” Chorused the rest.
——
“Monty, what’s the real reason you’re sending us to Budapest?” Sirius asked when afternoon tea had been demolished.
Monty smiled his disarming smile.
“Good point. Why aren’t we going back to Cornwall given that’s where everything happened?” James studied his dad. There was definitely more happening here.
“What do you know about muggle and wizard politics at the moment?” Monty asked
“There’s political unrest throughout Europe. In Britain the unions are struggling against changes the government are trying to impose which will affect jobs and wages. In Eastern Europe it’s even worse with riots happening on an almost daily basis in different capital cities.” Remus replied. James looked at him. “I read the newspapers. And it’s all over the uni.”
“Remus is correct. On top of the muggle unrest a wizard had emerged calling himself Lord Vol de Mort. We’ve questioned those of his followers we have in Azkaban but they’re not cooperating.”
“But we saw his body.” Said James ‘and who killed him.’ He thought
“So did I and I can verify it was the real person. I need you to investigate the rumours as well as the place.”
“What’s our cover?” Lily asked, suspecting the answer.
“You’re researchers looking into the efficacy of different healing plants and comparing them to muggle medicine.” Said Monty, expanding Lily’s original thoughts.
“Which is why we have wizards and muggles working together.” Lily grinned, then frowned. “But isn’t six a rather large group to send? Usually it’s only one or two from a team.”
“It is. I’m thinking the most plausible option is Lily, Willow or Tara - not sure who would be better suited -, and Remus are the researchers, with the others as your partners. Which is mostly true.”
James reached out to hug Lily. “Don’t get any ideas Potter. I’m taken.” She said, batting him away.
Monty tilted his head. Lily blushed. Sirius whooped. Remus nodded approvingly.
“Dammit. And here I thought it was the perfect opportunity to fulfil all my dreams.” James pouted
“And may we know who has taken you?” Effie asked, amused at the carry on.
Willow jumped slightly. How did she manage to forget Effie was there? Effie saw the reaction and smiled “Lots of practice.” She said quietly. “You find out so much more when people stop paying attention to you. I leave being the centre of attention to Monty. He’s very good at it,”
“So is James, I’ve noticed.” Willow said in the same hushed tone, then added thoughtfully “and me more than Tara.”
“James, leave the poor girl alone. I still haven’t found out who the mystery person is.” Effie admonished lightly.
“Pandora Rosier.”
“Rosier? As in major Voldemort supporter Rosier?” Monty queried, not bothering to keep the worry out of his voice.
“Yes and no. Pandora is Evan’s second cousin but was raised by her Grandmother who hated all things political and lived exclusively in the country. They were both a year behind us at Hogwarts.” Lily replied.
“Do I want to know how you met? Last time I saw you, you were still grieving.” Monty said gently.
“Cornwall. Pandora’s friends with Regulus.” James said.
“Ahh. You did mention that they helped you defeat a god and the dark Lord.” Monty said, looking at Effie who inclined her head in confirmation.
Lily blushed. “She’s very different to Sam, but it turns out they knew each other quite well. They were in the same house and used to discuss how to create new potions. Pandora loves experimenting and has all sorts of crazy ideas.”
“Hmmm. No matter.” Monty turned to his son “James you are forbidden to flirt with Lily from now on. Also, no flirting with anyone else. It might lead to something serious. I’m too young to be a grandfather.”
Everyone giggled at the agonised face Monty pulled and the discussion turned back to the practicalities of planning the trip