A Birth day

Aria had just finished setling some people into a tent when she saw Marcus walk out in his mission wear she smiled at how hansom he looked she took out her wand and transphigured her clothing to mission wear and walked over to behind him. " so, we going to sort out this...Witch" she aid holding back from using the B word just as two children ran past them and into the tent. " must say that look realy suits you" she whispered to him with a smirk as she fell in step with him.

Jess nodded her agree ment " would come in handy should and I am with you on this, hope we never do, get any cases like this." she looked at Fenrir taking the now empty mug from him " would you like some more?" she asked him holding it as she waited.

"Thank you," Marcus smiled. "I think we should go early because I really don't want Gelding to get the drop on us."

At that moment, Michael walked over to them carrying a plain brown paper shopping bag

"Robert's sending you with these," Michael said, handing the bag to Marcus. Marcus peered into the bag and saw a wide assortment of potions, all with St. Mungo's labels. "Coach the boys to hold tight to not explaining their methods of getting in and out. Tell them that they need to refuse to answer it because if they answer her it makes them less valuable to her, and they're to tell her they need the money. They're to act as though they want her to have to rely on them for future jobs. Any other behavior on their part would tip their hand to her."

"Agreed," Marcus said. "Should I ask what the surprise is?"

"No. Robert says we shall all know in due time. So you know, though, Daniella has been alerted in case Gelding releases any in Paris, and our ministry as been alerted as well."

"That sounds ominous," Marcus said.

"It does, doesn't it? Let the boys make the exchange, and then after the exchange is made, you two should transport the boys straight to the auror's department at the Ministry. There will be someone there who will move the boys and their families into hiding. They'll be eventually given new identities, new homes, the whole bit. We'll have to hide them to keep them safe once this exchange takes place. We cannot risk Gelding getting ahold of them after tonight."

"Understood," Marcus said.

"Once you transport the boys back to the aurors' offices, your job is done. We'll take it from there," Michael said. "We'll have to wait for Gelding's next move in order to stop this business with them, but Daniella's people are ready and waiting for that. We expect the next stage will be taking these potions to that lab in the Paris subway tunnels. I'm sure you won't need to be told when Suzanne's made her move. I'm sure it will be quite obvious. You both ready?"

"We are," Marcus said.

"Good luck. Let us know when you're back, won't you?" Michael asked.

"Certainly," Marcus said. He looked at Aria. "Next stop, Puddlemere. Ready?"

Aria stood and listened to the men talking when the bag was offered she reached out and took it holding it tight so she would not drop it, but thinking about it she shrunk it and placed it in her pocket. Hearing Marcus talk to her she nodded "As ever" she told him and smiled "Let's make her regret messing with our family" she said and looked at Marcus knowing she meant every word.

Jess fixed the blanket on Fenrir and moved to pour a fresh glass of water to place close to him should he need a drink. Sitting down she picked up her bok and began reading while keeping an eye on him she could hear the noise from outside and some people talking even some, but a few laughing as they talked around the fire close by. " you have a good strong pack" she said not looking up from her book.

Marcus took Aria's hand and apparated her to Puddlemere, and when they arrived, he saw the boys starting to walk towards the coffee shop.

"They're nervous," Marcus told her quietly. "They're heading without us. They have plenty of time. Let's go see if we can calm them a little." Marcus walked over to the boys.

"We thought you weren't coming," Hugo told Marcus.

"You're early," Marcus replied.

"We got an owl. She wants us there early," Archer said.

"Doesn't surprise me," Marcus said. "She doesn't get everything she wants, though. Come with us. We're going to make her wait just a little."

"But what if..." Hugo started.

"Calm. She'll wait. Trust me," Marcus said. They arrived a block away, on a different street, and Marcus looked at Aria. "I think we should touch base with our friends and see if they've seen much movement yet." He headed towards the back of the coffee shop, and he could pinpoint, even in the hidden places that there were several more agents there than Aria would have ever put there. The men would have been hard to spot even for the most experienced auror's eyes, but, as an espionage specialist, Marcus was used to looking for such things.

"I think we've certainly had company already," Marcus told her.

"I don't see nothin'," Hugo said.

"I know," Marcus said. "Some people specialize in not being seen. Stay close." He walked up to a random looking bush and stood with his back to it. "What's happened?" Marcus asked.

"She's here with four inside and four outside," A voice came from behind the bush. "Got here about ten minutes ago."

"Okay."

"We've got a couple inside. There are three civilians inside that aren't part of our operation. One single and one couple. The younger couple is civilian. The elderly couple is ours."

"Got it," Marcus said. He looked at the boys. "Now, listen. You won't be alone. Go meet her, give her the goods. Tell her you nicked them from St. Mungos, just as you said you would do. Do not give her any more information. It's important that she thinks you aren't going to give her any information because you want more jobs from her and you aren't going to tell her anything that will help her to be able to do what she hires you for. Got it?"

"Yeah. Got it," Archer said. "What if she wants more potions?"

"Tell her it's going to cost her--double or nothing. She's getting off cheap as it is. If she tries to get you to lower your price, don't let her dicker you down. Hold firm. She'll bend, I think, if she really wants more. If she doesn't bend, then she doesn't want more right now. Don't let it throw you. Get your pay and get out. Come right back here. Don't run. Be calm. Be glad for your pay. Can you do that?"

"Yeah. We got it," Archer said.

"Go, then," Marcus said. "We've got you covered." The boys looked at Marcus and Arian, and Marcus nodded. The boys took the bag and headed into the coffee shop. Marcus looked at Aria. "And so now we wait to see if they can pull this off."

Aria took hold of Marcus hand and let him port them to Puddlemere once there she let go and looked around " I see them" she said softly to him reatching onto her pocket she brought out several small peices of paper to a muggle they would have looked like scrap paper but the were folded in the shape of birds , enlarging them she gently blew on the whispering the names of the people she knew were watching the area . When Marcus said there were more around she smiled " daniella's doing I am guessing" she said as she sent the bird papers into the air to the men. She watched as she saw the two boys walk towards the cafe , walking with Marcus she let him stop them and move them to a secluded area taking out the bag she renlarged it and handed it to one of the boys " here " she said then let Marcus explain what was needed.

She turned her head slightly when she heard a soft whisper come from the buses behind her talking to Marcus and nodded they had heard his report, Hearing Marcus she nodded " if shes as stupid as I have ben told she'll fall for it, it wasn't a moment later she saw the two boys walk out holding several coins each then quickly ran off " yep she is as stupid." she said and folded her arms across her chest.

"I don't think so," Marcus said. "If I were a betting man, I would say this is largely Robert's doing and probably orchestrated and put into motion by Michael. I recognize a couple of these faces. Even with your time at the ministry, you're not supposed to know them. The two I know are Department of Mystery specialists. Colleagues of Michael's that seem to have some specific magical training in enchantments to not be seen. I sort of get the feeling it is some sort of a weird variation of transfiguration that allows them to either change themselves temporarily into inanimate looking objects or projecting an illusionary image of an inanimate object. I don't know the specifics, but I can tell you that there's a bloke that either is doing an impersonation of a post box or he's got some sort of illusion that he's not standing behind the post box. One or the other."

Marcus watched the exchange happen and watched the boys leave the coffee shop and take off like they'd been shot out of a gun. He thought for a moment they'd forgotten their instructions to return to him and Aria, but, the cheeky little buggars came up behind him and Aria a moment later.

"Did we do alright?" Hugo asked Marcus from behind. Marcus turned around and was pleased to see them both right behind them.

"We made a dash through a couple alleys to throw those numbskulls she brought off the scent," Archer said.

"Aren't you two a couple of clever fellows? Well done," Marcus said. "Well done indeed."

"Can we keep the cash?" Hugo asked.

"Absolutely," Marcus said. "Now, come with us."

"We were hoping we could get a bite to eat. We're hungry," Archer said.

"You want a bite? Alright. That's fine," Marcus said, actually glad for it. If they agreed to take them to eat, they could take them to the Ministry and get them a bite in the Ministry cafe and then connect them to their families. "That works for us, I'm sure. Right?" Marcus looked at Aria. "Come with us. We can hook you up with a couple of good cheeseburgers and some fresh chips."

"Cheeseburgers! Nice!" they said.

"Have you ever apparated before?" he asked. They shook their heads no. "Take hold," Marcus said, taking Hugo's hand. "Take hold, Archer. Don't let go. Aria, do you mind?" He was hoping that if he had a tight hold on the boys, she would apparate the four of them to the cafe inside the Ministry.

Ari\ looked over at the men she didn't recognise and chuckled " ah explains why I don't know them, good choice though" she added softly seeing the boys dart away then apear behind her and Marcus she chuckled softly " yeah nice job" she said not tewlling them she ahd heard them when they entered the ally. but said nothing. watching Marcus with them she smiled and watched as he took hold of both boys hands " of course" she said wrapping her arms around his waist as she apparate the four of them to the cafe inside the Ministry.

Smriking she let go of him and looked up at him " you had your hands full" she said knowing full well she could have apperated them bu holding his coat but she felt this was a more fun way to get there, fun for her. Seeing a table empty she motioned to it " theres a table and a booth which do you want?" she asked

"Table is fine," Archer said. The boys picked out a table and sat down and opened menus to browse through them.

"I did have my hands full, didn't I?" Marcus laughed. He joined the boys at the table.

"What are you getting?" Archer asked Hugo.

"Cheeseburger. Chips. And looks like they have colas," Hugo said. "I'm starving."

"What are these things called Sliders?" Archer asked, pointing to an item on the menu.

"They're very small sandwiches. They come on small bread rolls," Marcus said.

"Oh, no way. I'd need about ten of those things," Archer replied. "Who thought of that ridiculousness? Must be an American thing."

"Actually, I think it might be," Marcus said. "There is a chain of burger places that supposedly first created the little tiny burgers. Quite honestly, the burgers themselves are actually quite foul. Nasty things. In fact, an American told me that the little burgers are called sliders because the original ones are such a greasy mess that the customers called them sliders."

"That just sounds disgusting."

"Those, at that place, truly are disgusting. Now, though, any little tiny sandwich that size is now referred to as a slider, though. The meaning now is about the size of the sandwich, not about the quality."

"I'll try to remember that. You must travel a lot."

"Yes, we both have," he replied, meaning Aria and himself.

A young waitress came over, and Marcus let the boys order and then he ordered a cornish pasty for himself and tea. "You should get something to eat. It's been a rather long day, and I don't know how busy we might be when we get back. It wouldn't hurt to tuck into something decent."

"By all means, do that," said a voice. Walking up to the table was Michael. He was dressed in dark trousers, a white button down that was open at the neck and a suit jacket. He looked at the waitress. "The tab is mine," he told her, sitting with them. "And tea for me, please."

"Yes, Sir," she replied. The boys were watching Michael, not knowing who he was.

"This is a friend of ours," Marcus told them. "This is Mr. Tremaine."

"Is he here to toss us in the nick?" Hugo asked.

"Not tonight," Michael said. "The Ministry thanks you boys for your help in this matter. We appreciate it. The reason we asked you to come here is because the people you got involved with are very dangerous and we do not want them to have any way to reach you or your families ever again."

"She told us she's gonna have more work for us," Archer sighed. "We're never gonna be able to get out."

"Actually, yes. You are, because we're going to see to it. She's not going to have more work for you because we're going to move you and your families away from Puddlemere and give you new names and a new start. She won't find you, any of you."

"What? Away from Puddlemere? All of us? Mums and Dads too?" Archer was confused.

"Yes. You'll all have entirely new identities, and she isn't going to be able to find any of you."

"Away from Puddlmere?" Archer looked at Hugo.

"Fine by me," Hugo said to Archer. "Puddlemere ain't ever done nothin' for me. I say good riddance to it." Archer thought a moment and nodded. Hugo was right.

Aria chuckled as they made their way to the table and sat down she sat next to Marcus but as she looked at the menu she heard a male voice above her and looked up to see a face knew but had never introduced. He stood in dark trousers, a white button-down that was open at the neck and a suit jacket.

When Marcus spoke to him and said the name she smiled and nodded to the boys. " all right, I'll have a cheese burger with fries and a soda" She watched as the man sat down next to the boys and spoke she nodded as he said they would be relocated and kept safe. She glanced at Marcus and then at the man "I'm Aria Barrett by the way, the better half of this duo" she said motioning to Marcus and herself with a smile. She looked to the boys again as she spoke.

"He's right though, these people are not good and will not stop if they think you double crossed them, Thats why all this secrecy and the move for your family.." She smiled as she said they both nodded their heads and as Archer said Puddlemere had not done anything good for them she chuckled "Well, make the most of the second change we're giving you, okay?" she said softly to them as the waitress placed down their drinks and a small pot of tea with some milk and sugar.

"Well, its about time we actually met," Michael said to Aria. "Nice to have you on board."

"How are we going to tell our mums and dads about all this?" Archer asked.

"Already done," Michael said. "They'll be arriving shortly. It's a lot to adjust to, we know, so we're assigning you a team to help you all get your things moved and to get your affairs in order and to help you adjust to it all...."

As Michael was speaking, he saw a man walk through the atrium, wearing a full length black coat, black gloves and carrying an umbrella.

"Marcus, go fetch him, would you?" Michael asked, nodding towards the windows of the cafe at the man who was passing by.

"On it," Marcus said. He got up and left the table and came back a moment later with Lee Shepherd. Lee's umbrella and his coat were both wet. Lee took off his coat and draped it across a chair at a neighboring table for the moment, and he sat down with Michael

"Rain?" Michael asked Lee.

"Pouring back home," Lee replied.

"This is the man in charge of your teams, Lads," Michael told the boys. "This is Mr. Shepherd. Lee, this is Hugo and Archer. Miss Barnett, this is Mr. Shepherd. his team is already here. Mr. Shepherd is a trifle behind them."

"Pleasure meeting you all," Lee said.

"So how is all this going to work?" Archer asked.

"We'll take you to your families when they arrive," Michael said, "and we'll introduce you to the teams that are assigned to your families. They'll take you all to a safehouse for tonight, and then the teams will help get you moved into your new homes in the next day or two."

"Sounds like we've ruined our lives for our entire families," Hugo sighed.

"No, no," Marcus was quick to respond. "Understand that these people are extremely dangerous, and they're very good at committing crimes on innocent people. We just do not want these people to ever be able to take advantage of you again. This is not your faults. This is entirely their fault. You yourselves said that Puddlemere hasn't done you any favors, so maybe your entire families get an opportunity for a fresh start."