Sleep Tight

"Ze forest 'az already frozen, and eet eez full of all sorts of nasties. Traversing eet will not be easy. You must stay on your guard, do you understand?"

"Crystal," Harry said, shielding his eyes with a hand.

The first place Apolline brought him was to the last location Maxime had been heard from. It was a short trip by Apparation, just at the edge of a coniferous forest that, even at midday, was dim and rugged. Harry could feel each breath like daggers up his nostrils. The frigid air threatened to give him a bloody nose. Over the tops of the trees he spotted mountain peaks with heavy snow caps.

"Welcome to ze Ural Mountains," Apolline said. "Zey are just as rugged as zey look."

"I had my suspicions," Harry said with a heavy sigh. "And Maxime was certain that this is where the giants are?"

"Most azzuredly."

Harry nodded. He knew for a fact that Maxime was right, but it would seem strange if he accepted it too easily. Apolline, after all, wouldn't understand that he'd gotten the whole story from Hagrid years ago, who never left Britain in this world.

"Well, thanks for arranging that Portkey," Harry said. He checked the strap of his bag was fastened properly, tightening it slightly to be sure. "I heard it was your connections that let the Order get a hold of one."

"Zat is ze least I could do for Maxime," Apolline said.

"Still. Wouldn't be right if I didn't thank you for it." Certain that he was ready, Harry approached the trees.

A second set of footsteps crunching the frost-ridden twigs made him stop and turn back.

Apolline tilted her head, a platinum blond strand escaping her hood to hang across her right eye. "Why 'ave we stopped?"

"We?" Harry asked.

"Oui."

"Like… oui to we?"

"This is silly." Apolline crossed her arms. "Zhere eez no time to waste. Maxime eez waiting for us."

It was Harry's turn to cross his arms.

"No," he said. "There's no us in this. Thank you for all your help, really. But this part is my job."

"I cannot accept zat," Appoline said. "I won't leave Maxime's fate in ze 'ands of a stranger."

Harry bit his tongue to stop himself from groaning. He didn't know Apolline all that well, but Fleur had been a close friend for a decade and a half. As wonderful as she was, her stubbornness was legendary. Looking at Apolline's expression, Harry had an awful suspicion where she got it from.

Harry was first to uncross his arms, rubbing his face and releasing a sigh. "Look," he said, "this isn't something I was planning on. It's clear there's been a misunderstanding. So let's head back to Minsk for lunch and figure things out there. Maxime is a tough woman. Waiting one extra hour isn't going to make a difference."

He would use that time to talk Apolline out of this. He appreciated her concern for a friend, but she wasn't trained for this kind of undertaking. Motivation alone wasn't enough to always get what you wanted.

Harry expected her to pitch a fit, or to at least argue against it. Instead, a predatory smile spread on her face.

"Very well," she said. "We shall do zat."

Harry wondered what he was missing.

O-O-O

"Un table for two, merci."

Apolline had to nudge Harry with her foot to follow the waiter to their table. He was a bit distracted by the scenery, to be honest. Even though he'd traveled a good deal in his time, there was no end to the amazing places out there to be found.

Apolline had taken him to a wizarding enclave within Minsk. Hidden from the Muggle public behind an illusory office building, the courtyard was swarming with wizards going about their business. Restaurants and cafes were laid out in a horseshoe shape around ten enormous statues even taller than the pine trees Harry would soon be hiking through. When they reached their table, Apolline shed the parka she'd been wearing. An enchantment kept the air here thirty degrees warmer than the rest of Minsk.

"Zis is ze best food in all of city," Apolline declared. "Ze stews are worzzy of dying for."

"Good to know," Harry said.

He gave the menu a quick once over, spotting something that looked palatable and making his choice. Without really trying he noticed lots of passing wizards wearing the same burgundy robes, many of them with badges affixed to the front, heading in and out of a looming building at the end of the courtyard. Even just entering the plaza required Apolline to identify herself to a uniformed guard.

"Is this the Belarussian Ministry of Magic?" Harry asked.

"Oui, though technically we are outside of ze premises," Apolline said. "Still, zhey restrict entry a dezzent bit."

"But you can get in."

"Of course. I am a foreign official." Apolline dipped her head, laying a hand over her sizeable breasts. "Apolline Delacour, diplomat of ze French Ministry of Magic, at your service— on a short trip to Belarus. Official buzziness only, of course."

She lifted her head enough to wink at him.

"Right," Harry said.

That explained how she had the connections to procure an extra Portkey. The waiter returned to take their orders, delivering waters for the table. The moment he was gone, Apolline's pretty blue eyes locked onto Harry.

"Well," she said, "shall we begin? I am abzolutely itching to know why I must stay in Minsk."

"It's nothing against you," Harry assured her. "This kind of mission is dangerous. It won't be like anything you've experienced at your job."

"Yet you are a teacher." Apolline sipped her water. "Dumbledore told me a bit about you. 'Ogwarts newest staff member. A professor of Muggle Studies, even." 

"I worked as an Auror in the past."

"Quite ze fascinating career path," Apolline said. "But… I do not judge. I seemply ask the same of you. Show me a bit of faith."

"It's not about faith," Harry said. "It's about being prepared and knowing what's out there."

"So you are saying zat I will slow you down."

"Yes."

Apolline shrugged. "Zen I will go faster."

"That's not how it works. Not everything is about effort."

"Oh, I am well aware of zat," Apolline said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But when Maxime's 'ealth eez at stake, I will force eet to be enough. If zat still fails, I give you permission to leave me behind."

"I'm not doing that. I'd never be able to face Fleur again."

"Zen think of zis from my perspective," Apolline said. "If I stay here, as you weesh me to, and Maxime does not return, I will never 'ave the courage to face a mirror ever again."

She was very good at keeping her emotions under control. Harry could tell she wanted to scream— not so much at him as about the situation. Yet she kept her tone collected and smooth. Her volume only rose slightly.

But even that was enough to attract attention.

"Apolline! Ve have caught you at a bad time to find you so vorked up."

Harry quickly scanned the new arrival. He was wearing the burgundy robes of a ministry worker, but his were of a noticeably higher quality. His long beard was well maintained. Harry wasn't a fan of his shifty eyes, and he was even less of a fan of the five other strangers standing behind the man. They were clearly guards, wearing heavy long-sleeved robes despite the plaza's temperature regulating charms.

"Diplomat Novik," Apolline said, her tone even more carefully controlled. "I don't believe zat we were intending to meet eachozzer today."

"No, ve had nothing planned, but sometimes luck smiles in unexpected vays," Novik said. "Though I vish that you vould call me Henadz, as I requested."

Apolline merely inclined her head.

"And who is this?" asked Novik, shifting his attention to Harry.

"Zis is 'arry Potter," Apolline said. "An associate from Britain."

"Potter. A good lineage, I believe," Novik said. He glanced behind himself, getting a nod from one of his bodyguards. "Vell then, it is good to meet you."

Harry shook his hand, but no sooner were they done than Novik was focused on Apolline.

"As always, your skin shines like the purest snow in vinter," Novik said. "If you vere interested in a meal you should have sought me out. My personal chef in particular is very talented, if you vould just pay my manor a visit."

A couple of his guards snickered.

"Your english is very good," Harry said.

Novik glanced at him. "I am an envoy by trade," he said, "and I have many friends. Though I confess, right now, it is only Ambassador Appoline I vould like to be closer with."

"Our relazzionship eez perfectly professional," Apolline said.

"That is my issue," Novik said. "We could be so much closer still. You know, my friends have told me rumors. Your husband does not treat a prize like you as he should. Surely, he vould not miss you for a night."

Crack!

Apolline at least had the reflexes of an Auror. Even Harry barely saw her move as she rose and delivered a brutal cross-body slap. Novik touched his reddening cheek right above the edge of his beard. His bodyguards went for their wands, but Novik raised a hand to stop them.

"Apologies. It seems I have made a mistake," Novik said, smiling politely. "I hope you can forgive me, Apolline. I vill take my leave for now. Though, before I go, you should know, this restaurant is not to my taste at all. I like my food vith a bit of spice."

They left as quickly as they arrived, Novik leading his group to another restaurant on the other side of the plaza.

"Apologies." Apolline was still standing, looking down at the tablecloth. "I 'ave exposed you to something unsightly."

"I'm here to visit a giant camp," Harry said. "One stuck-up diplomat isn't enough to make my stomach churn."

"Novak is more than that," Apolline said, taking her seat again. "'E is quite ze big deal in zis place. 'E 'as 'is fingers in— how do you Brits say eet? Many pies. Zat man is used to getting ze things zat he desires. Unfortunately, I find myself as one of zose things. But zat eez not what we were discussing—"

"One moment, Apolline," Harry said, standing up. "I've got to run to the men's room. I'll be back quickly, I promise. We'll finish our talk then."

Apolline allowed the delay with a grudging nod. Harry passed the waiter bringing their food, which certainly smelled good. But he had something to do before he could eat.

Instead of going to the restaurant's restroom, Harry cut across the plaza, using the crowd of bodies to generally hide himself from being noticed. He tracked Novak with his eyes. Apolline wasn't lying about his status. Wherever he walked, people cleared his way. Although that might've been to do with the five mean-looking wizards walking close behind.

When Novak arrived at his restaurant of choice, they met up with five more people (three wizards and two witches) dressed in the same heavy robes as his guards. That made for ten total.

Snape had been true to his word. Death Eaters, all of them.

Not only was it the exact number that Harry said he could handle during their conversation, there had been other signs. Novak had looked back at them to confirm the Potters were purebloods, meaning his guards were familiar with British politics. Then, there was the fact that all of them were wearing long sleeves. The regulated temperature here was in the mid seventies, yet none of them would shed a single layer. Almost like they were trying to keep their forearms covered.

Harry skulked close enough to hear their conversation, grateful that they were sitting outside. 

"—do you see in that half breed?" one of the Death Eaters was asking Novak.

He lifted a glass of wine that had been prepared for him ahead of time. Swishing it around, he sipped it before answering.

"Vat is the point of asking that?" he said. "You all saw her."

At least three of the men chuckled.

"She's definitely beautiful," one of them agreed.

Novak smirked. "Forget the face," he said. "Did you see her body? Not even robes can hide it. I cannot imagine how good she must look vearing nothing. Though… I von't have to imagine it for long."

"Are you sure? It didn't seem like she liked you much," said one of the men.

"I always get vat I vant," Novak said. "She vill be mine, even if she insists on doing it the difficult way."

Harry stepped back from the group, carefully controlling his expression. He pulled his wand while using the crowd of bodies to keep from being obvious, turning his attention behind him.

The closest of the five statues that dominated the courtyard experienced a sudden change. People noticed one by one, raising their voices in alarm as what was most likely a national landmark shrunk to the size of an action figure and disappeared into the crowd. It whizzed into Harry's palm, who covertly tucked it under his arm. While people crowded around the other statues, Harry went the opposite way. Novak and the Death Eaters were also looking at the commotion, Novak himself shooting to his feet when he saw what was going on. None of them noticed the miniature statue — now Disillusioned and tagged with a powerful tracking charm — fly out and stick itself to one of the Death Eaters' backs. Even the man who'd been tagged didn't notice. Putting his head down, Harry returned to his original restaurant. 

Since it was located further from the abducted statue, the atmosphere here was still calm. Apolline had already eaten half of her food. When Harry approached, she immediately looked up.

"Finally," she said. "I was beginning to worry zat you 'ad left by yourself. Zat would be a mistake. When you find ze giants, you will need someone accuzztomed to negotiating—"

"We'll go together," Harry said, retaking his seat.

Apolline blinked. "You are not against eet?"

"I don't think I can convince you otherwise," Harry said. "If I leave you, I get the feeling you'll follow anyway. Better to go together at that point."

Unsaid was that he couldn't leave Apolline behind in Minsk. Novak was even more dangerous than she realized and the man wanted her badly. With so many Death Eaters backing him, Harry was worried that something drastic could happen as soon as tonight. Strangely, the frozen wilderness might actually be safer for her.

"It's going to be hard," Harry warned. "Even together, this will be dangerous."

"I will not make you regret zis," Apolline swore.

She was so excited that she barely noticed the Belarusian Aurors arriving on the scene of their lost landmark, speaking to each other in their language with lots of wild hand gestures. When they finished their food, Harry and Apolline Apparated back to the Ural Mountains. This time, instead of turning back, they trekked forward. Together.

O-O-O

Harry extended his hand, reaching down the boulder he'd crested. Apolline grabbed his forearm with both hands, allowing him to haul her up.

She stood bent over for a moment, panting, but after a few seconds wiped her face and straightened. "Eet eez still further, non?"

"We're not even close yet," Harry admitted.

"Do not mind me," Apolline said. "Keep going."

They'd been hiking for four hours already. As the season approached winter, night was dawning early, and Harry could already see the warnings of its arrival. The thickest part of the forest was behind them at lower elevations, but the snowy peaks still looked distant. Harry could hear Apolline panting as they trekked over the rocky, slippery ground.

"I know it's hard," Harry said. "Giants are sensitive to magic. After wizards killed so many of them, they picked up a sixth sense about it. If we use too much while trying to find them, they're liable to find us first."

"I am aware," Apolline said. "Maxime told me as much. Before, obviously, she took zis mission. I know what I 'ave gotten myself into. I will not turn back now."

They walked another hour and a half. Apolline literally pushed herself until her legs gave out. When Harry found a cave for them to stay overnight in, she collapsed onto the hard-packed dirt with a tremendous sigh, massaging her calves.

"I will be ready to walk again by tomorrow!" she promised Harry, even as she groaned with relief.

"I know," he said. "I believe in you."

He ventured outside and snapped branches off of the nearby trees. They were rugged things to be able to grow so high up, and their gnarled branches weren't the best fuel Harry had encountered, but they would do. He brought them back and used Muggle matches from his bag to start a fire. 

Harry sat down next to the flames, sighing as he enjoyed their warmth. Apolline dragged herself to sit closer as well. As they both huddled next to the flames, they ended up closing the distance between them.

Outside the cave, a deep sound traveled across the valley. It sounded like a cross between a male baboon and a jet engine. Soon, other voices responded in similar tones. 

"What is zat?" Apolline asked, pulling out her wand.

"Giants," Harry said. "We must not be as far as I thought. 

The noises continued, competing with each other like an ominous tribal chant. Apolline scooted closer to Harry— so close that her hand landed on top of his.

Harry cleared his throat. 

"I know it's a little unnerving, but I promise we're safe here," Harry said. "So…" 

He looked down at their hands, and Apolline followed his gaze.

"Oh my," she said. "'Ave I embarrassed ze world's first Muggle Studies Auror?"

"I just don't want to cause any marital problems," Harry said, looking out over the fire.

Apolline stopped. She suddenly laughed, smiling mirthlessly. "You are a good man, but eet eez a bit too late for zat."

Harry wasn't sure what to say next, so he stayed quiet. "We should eat something," he said eventually.

He got no answer.

"Apolline?"

When he tilted his head to look at her face, he found her eyes shut. She listed sideways, her head landing on his shoulder. Harry sighed. He didn't have the heart to move her.

"She wasn't lying about putting in all her effort," Harry said. "She should have eaten before sleeping, though. She'll be hungry when she wakes up."

Without Apolline's voice the cave became very tranquil. Giant bellows were still echoing around, but they were distant and almost soothing from so high up. The fire crackled softly. Harry squinted out of the entrance to the cave, then nodded to himself. He broke his own rule and cast a warming charm over the cave to make the night more comfortable. There was no reason to avoid magic now that it had come to this. 

"You can come out!" he said. As he spoke, he conjured a thick pair of noise canceling earmuffs over Appoline's head.

Nothing happened for a moment. Five hooded figures appeared in the entrance to the cave.

"Only half of you?" Harry said. "That was a bad choice."

The Death Eaters from minsk were in full uniform now, with their skull masks on and their hoods drawn. Even when they'd been in regular robes Harry hadn't recognized any of them. They were rank-and-file Death Eaters through and through. Unexceptional, in other words.

"Were you waiting for us to go to sleep?" Harry asked. "Probably. Your associate must want Apolline alive. I doubt there were any orders about me."

Three of the Death Eaters stayed just outside of the cave while the other two moved inside. One of the two in front lifted his wand.

"Avada—"

Harry didn't even cast a spell; he just canceled ones he'd used earlier.

The stolen statue popped off of a Death Eaters at the back and exploded to its full size. All three Death Eaters outside the cave were forced to dive aside to keep from being crushed. Tremors from the heavy statue's landing unbalanced the two in front, interrupting the killing curse.

Harry shot two perfectly-aimed stunners to take advantage of their lowered guards, but only one landed. While one of the two-man vanguard slumped, the other one hid behind a powerful shield. Rather than try to break through, Harry focused on what was happening behind him.

Harry shrunk the statue again. Instead of going all the way down to the size of an action figure, this time it was reduced to the height of a man. An animation charm breathed life into it the way McGonagall co-opted suits of armor for the battle of Hogwarts.

The statue — enchanted to prevent vandalism from its time as a landmark — turned to the side and knocked a Death Eater out with a mean right hook. The other two outside blasted it with spells, but the most they could do was chip its surface. The statue grabbed them each by the side of the head and brought their skulls together, knocking them out of action.

As it turned to the last enemy, the Death Eater who'd raised a shield realized that he had to choose: fight his way out past the living statue and report that he failed, or take out the wizard who cast the animation charm and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

He picked the second option.

"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted, successfully completing the spell this time.

As soon as Harry saw that the enemy dropped their shield, he anticipated what spell they'd use. He lifted a burning log out of the fire, levitating it into the path of the emerald curse. The log exploded in a haze of embers. Before they could bathe him and the sleeping Apolline, Harry banished the embers back at the wizard, burning through the front of his robe. The Death Eater extinguished them hastily, but by the time he did Harry's stone ally had arrived. The statue tackled him to the cave floor and pinned him in a headlock.

Harry casually conjured ropes around the other four Death Eaters and summoned the ropes toward him, creating a Death Eater pile at the entrance to the cave. He'd never gotten up, nor had he woken Apolline.

Although he wasn't sure he could take credit for the second one. He had created a localized earthquake with the statue trick. She just managed to sleep straight through it.

"Right then," Harry said, addressing the Death Eater pinned beneath his statue. "I've got some questions, and since you're not going anywhere anytime soon… Why not offer up some answers?"