Getting Closer Every Day

"Well," Brian said, finally speaking after having remained quiet for all this time. "As I see it, the things right now that it appears that both Forbes and Grindlewald want most are Khaat and Robert. I suggest we give one of them to them. Perhaps Khaat sinice he will perceive her to be more vulnerable and less formidible than Robert. I believe Khaat had your trust at least at one time, Majere. I don't know where that stands now, but it was public knowledge. Why should Grindlewald not believe you are skilled enough to resurrect a friendship with her enough to haul her in as bait, perhaps in an attempt to solidify your own post in the ministry or in his good graces? You do have a reputation that preceeds you for your skills. Maybe we need to make use of them. Unless...Emof, you would prefer to look as though you are bringing him the other real prize. In which case, you would bring him Robert yourself. After all, is it not my wife and father in law whom Grindlewald himself put on the most wanted list? He's, in effect, told us who he wants. The real coup de grace here seems to me to be the Lupins.. Why should we not use them as bait then? If they appeared to be subdued, perhaps after some conflict , since it is public knowledge that we are back in England, perhaps you should consider capitalizing on that and using one of them. My guess is that they would be a rather tasty incentive for him. And I feel fairly safe in speaking for my family when I say that they would volunteer to be the worm at the end of the proverbial hook for us. But you do as you like."

A rowling soft growl came from Leah's throat. She was laying on a modern couch that sat on a brick wall behind Silvyr's work desk. He looked up from his notes, suprised by her sudden outburst. Then it hit him. He looked down to his watch. "Ahh, Shit." He thought to himself,as he pushed the chair away from the desk and checked to make sure everything was on his that he would need.

He was wearing a beauiful armani full black suit that fit him perfectly. He had put it on that morning having forgotten about the meeting later that night though he couldn't help but want to change into a lesser outfit, though being rushed he had no time to change. He knew he would be standing out some what at the meeting but he didn't care. To him the meeting was a picnic for old minds stuck in old ways, who's ideas were stail to say the least..

He checked to make sure that his wand was on him while he spoke, not looking in Leah's direction. "I will be back later tonight. You know where to go if I don't return." He finished speaking. After the final words had come from his mouth his body seemed to colapse within itself as if being sucked into a black hole that sat where his heart should have been.

He had gone over with Leah many of times what she was to do in the event of his passing though he doubt she would listen. She seemed to be as loyal to their cause as he was.

_______


He found himself close to the wood line where he had sat a few weeks ago before meeting with Mira. He made sure not to think about how fast the time was flying.

The walk was short as he moved with a quick pace dow to the front door of the old house. He made his way inside and before rounding the corner to the dining room he could hear muffled voices. Though when he walked through the door way the voices became crisp and clear. He found no reason to scan the room for faces he knew. The only people he cared about where far away from the Shrieking Shak. He wanted more than anything to be able to say the same. He made his way to a seat and waited in silence gathering everything that he would need to know. He was sure that it would become clear what the plan was soon enough.

Ne'Os did not argue her objections well. She knew Grindelwald had an ego, but it was not nearly as arrogant as Voldemort's, who the plan may have worked for. She thought what made Grindelwald different was his brain. He didn't underestimate his enemies- it was almost respect, scarily enough- and that made him more formidable. And plus the lightning... how was that going to work?

But before she could argue, Jess cleared up the points Jack wanted to make. She nodded to show her support, knowing that having Zada signal would be far less risky. She'd leave the detainment to the big boys to decide. She doubted she would be included in that, seeing as Zada may recognize her, but she would help if she was asked.

Jess turned to her and asked her a question. Nodding, she said. "Mikaela could follow them in, I suppose, and could patiently watch the door. That might be better. She could claim to hear a noise and glance outside, give a signal somehow, and then return. I am not in control of her though, so that would have to be worked out with Aaron."

Jess frowned momentarily as Jack mentioned Aaron, quickly catching himself and recomposing his demeanor before anyone noticed, he hoped. In all honesty, he didn't know, and he didn't trust the man, mainly because of his allegiance... really, he didn't trust any of the Death Eaters. If all had gone his way, he'd have preferred Jack or Silvyr to have taken control of Mikaela... that said, if all had gone his way he'd have preferred to not have ever entered this alliance. Alas, desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Grindelwald may see them as being his top goals, but I don't see how it would benefit the plan that Ne'os has lain out here," he replied. "The goal is not to draw Grindelwald out of his office, but rather to bring us into it, unravel the defences surrounding it then attack en masse. That's why we captured Mikaela, so that we can use her to summon Zada and catch her off guard. If she arrives at the staging point with her mind closed off and ready for a fight with Robert or Khaat, she will put up far greater a fight than if she's contacted by one of her own calling fora reinforcement to attack one who she sees as being less of a threat, so no. We will not use Khaat and Robert as bait, the offer was a good one, but it was a possibility I had considered before Ne'os and I decided on the plan to capture Mikaela and use her," he told Brian with a slight shrug and a tilt of his head.

It wasn't that he didn't feel that Brian's idea was a good one, but merely, in his opinion, it was unnecessary, if not risky. A plan had been formulated, and it seemed to have been finalised, all that remained was to put it into action.

He was distracted, momentarily, when Silvyr entered. "You're late," he said not unkindly, "Please, join us. We're just discussing the final part of our plan," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Being late, and generally not upholding the standards needed this far into the game was a dangerous play, in his opinion. It put him on guard, and it made Silvyr seem just a little bit less reliable to him...

At least he had shown up though, it was more than he could say for some others.

He then turned his attention to Jack and nodded. "That could work, as long as Mr. Marcheti chooses to join," he said with a grin. "I was thinking a single partronus to the bulk of us... we could wait somewhere close by in London, then apparate directly into his antechamber," he suggested. "This way we will all be together. Numbers are our strength, if we can subdue him before he calls on his fighters then our job will be that much easier," he told them all, his mouth setting into a thin line as he finished speaking. All this business of subduing, enslaving, killing... it really got a fella down.

Kingsley frowned as Vincent Majere entered the room. He wondered why the man, so obsessed with power, joined an alliance which he would get little from. He tilted his head slightly in reply to his greeting, again not replying. Unlike what Majere probably thought, Kingsley did not harbour any special animosity towards him. Shacklebolt just treated all Death Eaters like that. He was aware that his cold attitude to them probably wouldn't help the alliance much but he couldn't help it, he had lost too many friends because their actions in the past.

Kingsley shook his head at Jess' suggestion. "Forbes might be a talented witch, but don't worry, I will deal with her. If I have trouble, Emof can help. Two more for such a simple mission is two too many," he replied firmly. Kingsley was aware he wasn't sounding particularly polite, but he had a reason. The last time he had fought alongside an ally in a battle, he was defeated by Vincent while trying to defend his companion. Bringing Ne'os along was better, because Kingsley did not feel compelled to defend him.

As for what to do with Forbes once they had her under control, Kingsley was still thinking of a good plan, so in the mean time he let the others have their discussion.

Kinglsey's response was a fair one, Jess knew the story of his previous defeat all too well, it wouldn't do anyone any good to have history repeat itself. He was being naive himself in thinking that Kingsley and Ne's couldn't cope with themselves, especially with Mikaela at their backs to at least provide a distraction.

"Sorry," he said, nodding his head at Kingsley, "You're right, the three of you - Mikaela will be there too, just under Aaron's control -" he added, "will be more than sufficient to overpower her I'm sure. Ne'os, you've indicated that you'd be happy to act as our hostage. Would you mind, Kingsley, summoning us all to one location when Ne'os and his entourage leave to meet the man himself?" He asked, "That way we can all be together and ready when the time comes," he told them, a sad expression crossing his face.

The expectation of a looming battle did little to excite Jess, as it might others. The thought that his friends could be harmed, that his people may be lost, or that their cause could come to nothing... all these gave him a great feeling of apprehension, one which darkened his mood considerably.

Jack really had nothing more to contribute. Any concerns she might have had been voiced; any ideas she could offer had a counter. And her feelings on the subject she was sure were shared by herself and herself only. She was the only one in the Order, it seemed, who did not mind the Death Eaters- hell, she was more comfortable with Aaron than she was a good few of the Order.

Except Ne'Os of course. She couldn't stand him. But that was her own problem.

Silvyr came in and Jack glanced up and briefly caught his eye, tilting her head into a nod of recognition. Working with Silvyr and Aaron had made Jack feel like part of a unit. They were not companions, but it reminded her of being back on a Quidditch team, putting your heads down and working through difficult circumstances, but enjoying the challenge. It was nice to feel apart of a team.

She sat back. It seemed all planned then. They were going to do it. Grindelwald would fall.

Hypothetically.

This meeting as far as Ne'Os was concerned was going as planned. Sure it had the hiccup of Jack opposing him for reasons he did not know. but other than that it was working. He had as usual ignored most of the babble that had no real use in this planning as far as he was concerned it was going to happen the way it had been planned with or without their input. He noticed Jess's sad face. He thought it funny how different the two of them were it appeared Jess didn't enjoy what he did. Ne'Os however, lived every moment of his life for battle.


"Well, It looks like we are nearly there just one last thing? When you all come to save the day how do we plan to do this? Do we kill the man or do we throw him back in his prison cell and throw away the key?" he asked not really caring his plan was to have killed Grindelwald long before the order or his fellow death eaters came to help.

"If we can answer that then I am ready to get this show on the road" he said drawing his wand and twirling it around his fingers.

Aaron was entirely too late for this meeting. He had been aware that it was happening, and he also knew that he kind of needed to be there, but he went over schedule trying to finish up making Whights wand for him. When Aaron began something, he dedicated everything to it, and keeping track of time was the least of his worries. When he realized the time he cursed loudly and, as quickly as he could, gathered the needed things and apparated.

He landed with a loud crack in mid stride. He was walking as fast as he possibly could and he could only imagine the things that were going to be said to him. He was not one to worry or fret, but now was not the time for him to be making foolish mistakes like this. He was a crucial part to this plan, and this plan played an even more crucial part in his, so he could not afford to make mistakes.

He did not have time to think of many excuses, but they would more than likely not reprimand him. If they did, he would accept it. The response he would love to give was to inform them that he was the one who controlled the woman and they should just shut it and accept he was late, but he would not dare let those types of words exit his mouth. He had to be as diplomatic as possible.

He entered the room quickly but quietly. Everyone would know he was there, but he did not care. He strode in with the usual look of determination and vigor in his eyes.He quickly walked around the table and found a seat. "Business ran longer than expected." he interjected as he pulled his robes off. "Couldn't leave my faithful customers." He said, a small smile forming as he stared across the room to Jess, whom he knew would be most angry about his lateness.

"But I do have good news for everyone present. Mikaela is ready to do whatever. She has been doing her normal routines and no one suspects her, so whatever needs to be done with her I am ready." He glanced over at Neos and he nodded his head. He wanted Neos to know that even though he was late, he was still doing him right.

Jess paused to consider his options, secretly wishing that he'd been the one to ask the question, not Ne'os. Between the two of them, they held almost all of the power in the room, at least in this matter. By choosing to shed that power and ask Jess, Ne'os had put him in a situation where right or wrong, all accountability could, and probably would come back to him.

Which would be all well and good if everything went well, and the decision was a good one. No one ever complains or even acknowledges when it is the right decision, but if it were wrong... oh boy, heads would roll... Heads. Would. Roll.

He opened his mouth to reply, but was saved, thankfully, by the arrival of Aaron. Jess let go a sigh of relief for a second, which quickly turned into a small grunt of annoyance (more for appearances than anything else). "Fair enough, try not to let it happen again next time though," he responded.

"In fact," he began, "there wont be any trying. If you're late next time, and this goes for anyone here, you will more than likely be late for what will be the aim of all this business. You will let down everyone in this room, not to mention the thousands of witches and wizards out there," he told them, before shrugging slightly and returning to his original topic.

He opened his mouth... then closed it, a look of irritation crossing his face for a second before he started again. "Well, here's how I see it. From what I've been told from those who were with Grindelwald when he was still making his claims for power, he was resurrected via use of a horcrux. Correct?" He asked, not pausing to wait for an answer. "So, let's just make a quick assumption here. If we kill him, he could possibly have more. The chances are slim, but it's been known to happen. So, rather than start this whole cycle again, I would propose that we aim to detain Grindelwald, not kill.

"Of course, if an accident should happen, or he fights back with stronger resistance than we've anticipated, then the situation may call for extremities such as... killing him. Basically, don't be a prat about it," He said with a shrug.