Airs from a British Fantasia

Chapter 2: Surveillance Mission

Order of the Phoenix, the Diaries.

Date: July 26^th 1996

Name: N.T.

Dumbledore's words echoed through my head, 'this is to be a surveillance mission, you do understand?' Alright, I reminded myself, technically I'm to keep watch on the girl, technically that is. I stood in the hall - disguised as a maid - and kept the lookout, wand ready. But waiting was hardly fun. I rummaged through my pockets for a chocolate frog, but all I found was a long, pink, piece of gum, though I couldn't figure why I would have kept it. I frowned, and then - why hadn't I thought of it before? I didn't know... Fred and George really ought to join the Order: those kids are geniuses. Hear that Molly? Geniuses, I tell you. I slipped one of them in my ear and tried to make out their conversation. After all, this was surveillance, and I was beginning to like it.

Transcript:

MOTHER: '... so like that time you set that girl - Susanna, was it? Well you set her hair on fire...? Let's say it wasn't an accident, per se... It happened... Well you were cross... Strong emotions... Well, to put plainly: you made it happen.'

DAUGHTER: 'Right... so that's--Magic?!'

MOTHER: 'Hmmm, right.' (pause) 'Yes, Magic.'

DAUGHTER: 'And..?' (pause)

MOTHER: 'And, what?'

DAUGHTER: 'What else? What else can you tell me...?' (pause)

MOTHER: 'What else? What else?' (laugh)

DAUGHTER: 'Well... Isn't there-? I mean... Isn't it, like- like Hocus Pocus, or something?'

MOTHER: 'Hocus Pocus?' (laugh) 'Not quite. Not quite. Actually, not at all. This is all there is to it. Some people are Magic, others aren't.'

DAUGHTER: 'So-?' (pause)

MOTHER: 'What did you expect, dear?' (sigh) 'A magic kids school? (laugh) Brooms? Wands?' (laugh) 'Secret villages? People wearing cloaks, living in the Middle Ages? Writing with... with quills, and parchment?' (pause) 'Really, Beth!' (pause) '...Hocus Pocus! Silly... Sheer folklore... dear.'

DAUGHTER's response unrecorded.

Then I heard a fait 'pop' outside, and I shot a furtive look through the window. I didn't like what I saw. I did some quick thinking, balanced the odds: there was no time to contact the order - this was my cue to step in.

"ALOHOMOR--" I froze, mid-spell, the handle turned. I lowered my wand and stood a few feet from the door. The two of them hurried out, the older woman clutching a bag. "Oh, no you don't," I said.

"And you are?" The question hung the air for a second. Then I spoke again, quicker, sensing the urgency.

"Who I am doesn't matter. Right now the two of you have to leave. Now." The girl seemed confused and looked up at her mother.

"That's what we were about to do, now if you'd please excuse us -" There was a loud 'BAM' outside and I pointed my wand towards the window. Three hooded figures were entering the Motel. "Bloody Hell!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself... Now, you'll just have trust me. There's hardly time to argue." She sighed.

"What's your name?"

"Tonks." I answered, though it seemed pretty trivial, with Death Eaters circling the building.

"I trust you, don't make me regret it."

She threw a nervous glance outside, and then pushed the door back open, motioning for us to follow her in. The girl opened her mouth several times, as though she was about to say something, but then shut it right away, looking as confused as ever. There was commotion in the hallway.

"So tell me, erm, Tonks, what's Plan B?"