Storms of Fate

Part 3: Between the Heaves of Storms

Angus McFadden looked at the matching stunned expressions on the faces of his newest recruits. "Because of your unique qualifications and the extenuating circumstances, the regulations have been bent to admit you prematurely into our ranks."

He held up a hand to stop Ginny from interrupting. "This doesn't mean that you wouldn't have been approved under normal circumstances. This isn't preferential treatment. You both passed the recruitment tests at the top ten percent and you come highly recommended by your supervisors. Normally you would be sent to a training facility and placed with a mentor. But with the latest outbreak at Azkaban and the escalation of the Dark Wizarding League you'll be foregoing sanctioned training."

"What about our partners, sir?" Blaise asked. Since his sixth year at Hogwarts he'd watched Neville's back and he wasn't about to stop watching it now. Especially with Bellatrix on the loose. He and Neville had talked about new partners when he'd put in his application for the Hit Wizard Program but that would have been after a month of specialized training.

"Your partners have been temporarily reassigned until we can pair them up with their new assignments. Longbottom is with Tonks and Kingsley and Finch-Fletchley is with Dagilyn and Wolfe."

Ginny's stomach fluttered as she listened to McFadden. She'd been paired with Justin since their days in the DA and he'd been the one to encourage her to send in her application for the Hit Wizard Program, it was going to be very hard to see him with a partner that wasn't her.

McFadden signaled for everyone to take a seat at the small conference table. "Your acting supervisors will be Cassiopeia and Malcolm until Amber Alert has been downgraded and then you'll be reassigned to your permanent supervisors. Due to the extenuating circumstances you've been assigned to each other as partners."

Ginny felt like she had been hit with a bludger to the stomach. Partners... with Blaise. Her eyes swept over to the dark haired man. It wasn't that she didn't trust Blaise, she did. He'd proven himself long before the final battle with Voldemort. If he hadn't, the fact that Neville and Luna had made him godfather to their daughter would have been enough to earn her trust. It was his ability to make her feel like her eleven-year old self that caused her to bristle whenever she was near him.

Blaise looked at Ginny out of the corner of his eye to see how she was taking the news. He wasn't quite sure how well he was taking the news himself. You had to be able to trust your partner and he didn't think Ginny would be able to untwist her knickers enough to trust him. With Bellatrix free and the Dark Wizarding League stepping up their attacks, he needed someone that he wouldn't second guess or that wouldn't second guess him. There was no doubt that he enjoyed matching wits with Weasley and any occasion where he could twist her knickers further he would take advantage of it. But as a partner, he wasn't so sure.

The tension between the new rookies filled the room and Cassey's eyes flitted between the two. She wasn't sure if it was due to something in their past or the Dark Wizarding League's latest escalation but they would have to get over whatever it was and fast. She didn't have any doubts that it wasn't due to being thrust into a life and death situation. The clearance level needed to know the details of their background was enough for her to know they were well acquainted with the dark side of the war.

Angus flicked his wand and a small replica of Knockturn Alley appeared in the center of the table. "The last confirmed sighting of Bellatrix was here a half hour ago. She is believed to have Apparated from here to an unknown location. Nicholas Crewes is diagnosing her Apparating trail and should have leads to report shortly. Teams of Hit Wizards have been sent to stake out known sympathizers and the Red Floo Network has been buzzing with possible sightings."

McFadden waved his wand and Knockturn Alley was replaced with a topographical map of Bulgaria. He pointed to one of the snow capped mountains, "I believe Bellatrix is on the move to Bulgaria. There is a strong contingent of the Dark Wizarding League that has taken root there. There have also been rumors about the possible escalation of violence in this area. Your assignment in Bulgaria is to not only track Bellatrix but to also watch the League's activities there."

Malcolm tossed two envelopes across the table to Ginny and Blaise. "Here are your documents and maps of the area. Your Passports and Wizarding Certificates have been updated with your new information."

Ginny opened her envelope and wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Borovets? We're going to a resort in Bulgaria?"

"We suspect the Borovets Resort to be a cover for top level League meetings. Unconfirmed reports have stated that Rabastan LeStrange had been spotted in the surrounding area." McFadden pushed his glasses down his nose and peered over the top of them at Ginny and Blaise. "Because of who you are and your involvement in the Second Wizarding War it is unlikely that you will go unnoticed by most and especially the League's top level."

Cassiopeia drew out two small packages and slid them across the table to Ginny and Blaise. "These two have been charmed with the latest spell developed in our labs. It has been field tested and approved for our department's use only. The charm is similar to the Transfigure and Obliviate charms. The object will Obliviate the memories of those that see you and recognize you. It also will allow you to transform your appearance in their eyes after they've been Obliviated. You'll need to wear them at all times."

Ginny wrinkled her brow as she took her package from Cassiopeia. "Um, how exactly does this work? I mean if we wear these and they're charmed won't it prevent anyone from recognizing us even each other?"

Cassey smiled as she envisioned her fellow Wizards running around confused and suspecting everyone to be in league with the Death Eaters. "It acts like a port key, in that you need to activate it. There is a dial on the back that will start it and the range it affects differs by how far you turn the dial. You can obliviate or change your appearance for an entire room or just a few around you. You won't actually change appearance but those that it affects will think you have."

Blaise's mind was working furiously. The Dark Wizarding League would kill, probably literally, to get this kind of charm. Anyone from the DWL could infiltrate the highest level of power if they were to ever use this charm. "Merlin, can you imagine if someone from the League got their hands on something like this?"

McFadden nodded, "which is why only six people know of its existence and five of them are in this room. I authorized the study, Cassiopeia's father developed it, and then she and Malcolm field-tested it. Shortly, there will be a leak that the Department of Mysteries is in the testing stages of a Top-Secret Transfiguration Spell. Two Aurors will be sent as bodyguards to accompany the research personnel on their trip to Bulgaria. We believe the bait will be big enough to bring out the top level members of the League in the area."

"But if Blaise and I are the Aurors why do we need the charm? Bellatrix and the others are aware that we became Aurors."

Malcolm smirked and sat back in his chair. "The League is more aware that Cassey and I are Hit Wizards. Which means you two get to be from the Department of Mysteries and we're your Auror bodyguards. Your scores in Potions, Charms, Transfiguration and Defense were near the top of your class making you both prime candidates for this assignment. Your acts during the Second Wizard War proved that you could think on your feet in tight situations." His eyes twinkled as they lit on Ginny. "And you're not afraid to take risks."

Ginny chanced a glance over at Blaise and mentally kicked herself in the arse. She needed to get over her feelings for him if they were to work together as partners. She had been dreaming of going into the Hit Wizards Squad when she had overheard Moody and Kingsley talking about them in hushed tones at Grimmauld Place the summer of her fourth year. There was no WAY she was going to let her feelings or Blaise's unique talent for being a git to get in the way of her first assignment with the Hit Wizards.