"It goes very well, in actuality, Mr. Geoffries. The past couple of months have been exceeding my patience limits. But, thus far the magical community of Great Britain are acting as expected. How was your trip?"
The man sighed and said, "hard on the old bones, Mr. Potter, I have not felt that bad since the Geneva Convention. So, down to business."
Harry nodded.
"As I stated in my letter, Mr. Potter, the United States believes Voldemort to be a threat. Because of this, we believe that it is in our interests to see him destroyed. Therefore, we would like to offer an alliance. We have also attained assurance from France, Germany and Austrailia, whom will assist in the future actions taken against Voldemort.
Because of this, we will need amnesty for crimes that are sure to come up. Voldemort and his so called 'Death Eaters' will be swiftly taken care of, if you wish."
Harry smiled. "I do in fact hope we can, then, reach an agreement. I do not expect your country to do this for free, so in purely financial terms, how much are you requiring?"
"The sum, in purely financial terms, is fifteen million galleons. Other areas we will require is assistance in starting a Department of Mysteries, and other areas, such as Hit Wizard training areas.
We would also like for an embassary to be set up on your soil, and an ambassador to set up political arrangements for our countries."
"I can guarantee the amnesty, but as for the other areas of your request, I'll need the approval of my cabinet. Of course, the Department of Mysteries do have projects that we would require your assistance on and a binding oath to follow the command of our Aurors in conflicts that do not stray from our borders."
THe man sat back in shock. "I would have thought you'd not ask for that, Mr. Potter." the man said simply. Harry shrugged. "We've not had the best time with Loyalty or Death Eaters, which brings me to my next point. Each of the Aurors that are stationed here will submit to a check for the Dark Mark, I've finally gotten the Ministry cleared of spies, and cannot risk anyone, even with the best of intentions, infiltrating. I don't expect anyone to show with signs of being a Death Eater, especially since the American Ministries are so closely tied to muggle relations.
And, of course, those that do, will fall under your jurisdiction."
The man nodded. "And about the Embassy?"
"The Ministry of Magic doesn't have the authority of creating an Embassy, that is held through the Muggle World, however, as a separate branch from both, I will impress upon the Prime Minister the need for an embassy to be built."
The man smiled. "Alright, Mr. Potter, that is the best I can hope for. A question I've wondered though, is why you fall under the Crown?"
Harry smiled. "The answer is simple. Merlin created the Ministry of Magic when King Arthur still in control of Camelot. As such, Merlin knew the law of treason of the time, and placed in Arthur's hands the decision of the Ministry. Arthur, being the kind King he was, decreed that the Ministry of Magic would be an equal governing body, whose head would fall under direct command of the King, or Queen, of the country. Our power, therefore, falls under the crown, instead of the Parliament.
That means, of course, that we could be called to war, but we've signed an agreement of non-Militial action with the Crown in 1713, a law that, under Merlin's Law would be upheld, because it is an agreement with the Crown, who is stated as our main governing body."
"Of course." Geoffries said. "And of course, I will agree with the security checks. Also, any Death Eaters that escape to America will fall under our jurisdiction."
Harry nodded. "Well, then the only thing to agree upon is how many Aurors you'll need."
"Seventy-five, I've increased our Aurors to five hundred, and intelligence shows the Death Eaters have a little over that number. With the Aurors from your country, we will be able to successfully declare war on the Death Eaters. We will consider your help in this a Military Action of the International Confederation of Wizards."
The man nodded, "that is acceptable Mr. Potter, I agree to your terms. Also, if it makes you feel any better, I will contact the Prime Minister and ask him on behalf of the Wizarding American States, and notify him that this meets with your full approval?"
Harry nodded, "thank you sir."
When he arrived back at the school, Harry's robes dropped to the floor, and he fell forward onto the bed. His auror contingent had disbursed, and he could tell that Tonks was still in class. The treaty had been signed, and now, within the next fourty-eight hours, approximately eighty aurors would show up, and he would start issuing the command to go to war.
When the door opened to his suite, Harry could feel his magic lash out, and bond to that of his wife. He turned and saw her, wearing her base form, and smiled as she climbed into bed with him.
His shoulders were tense, she noticed as she ran her hands over his back, and knew without a doubt that he was tired. The slight grin that adorned his face sent a shiver throughout her, and she sent that feeling back to him.
"Nym" Harry said as she started to fall asleep.
"Hm?" she asked.
"Let's do something tomorrow. I don't care what, but I need to get away, and forget about the stress of the government for just one day."
She nodded and, without warning, they fell into a peaceful slumber.
The next morning came early, so early in fact that the sun streaming inside the window was barely strong enough to wake the metamorphmagus silently sleeping. In fact, the only reason she was awake was that her husband's scent had changed. It was one of passion, instead of the now usual pain she was used to.
She felt his hand, groping her left breast, as his fingers played with her right, the slow, shallow breathing notifying her that he was still asleep.
She smiled, and fell back asleep, the combination of warmth and tranquility luring her.
A few hours later, the two were up and had taken their shower, when Harry turned to his wife and said, "dress comfortably, and meet me at the apparition point, alright. And, you'll want to bring a set of dress clothing for tonight."
She nodded and dressed for an outing, having no idea where they were going. When she arrived at the apparition point, Harry kissed her on the cheek and apparated, as he clutched to her hand.
They appeared inside of a castle with high, barricaded walls, and soft, glowing stone. Harry grabbed her hand a moment later, and pulled her through a magical wall. The sight before her was exotic. The high, hanging banner of a lion, paws in the air, it standing on its hunches, hanging magnificently.
She gasped a moment later as Harry tapped his wand to her shoulder and whispered, "change".
Her clothes were replaced a moment later with the silk, velvety black dress that she had chosen for their dinner, and his too changed, an exquisite three piece, black suit.
The table before them was filled with dinner, a candle-lit dinner for two. She looked at him curiously, and he shrugged, "didn't want anyone to know we were going for a date" his silent answer. She smiled as he pulled the chair out for her, the stone of the chair not felt as the comfort charms did their work.
He sat at the opposite side of the table, and reached under to hold her hand, as the meal before them uncovered.
Silently they ate, making small talk about insignificant things.
"Nym... I brought you here for a special reason," he said quietly. She looked up silently, anticipating his question.
"I... I first got the idea when we married, about how I didn't want to live up to the expectations of my family, or yours. At that time, the only property we had was my family estate, or the Black estate, and when we decided to stay in the Mansion, I was happy because we'd be together. But... but I stated looking for a place of our own.
When I became Minister, knowledge suddenly became available to me, about all the property available for purchase, and one in partcular got me curious.
As... as you know, I have the right to see the Queen at any time I chose, because my Authority falls under hers, and I immediately requested audience. The line is kept secret keeper for this property, and when I offered to buy it, she asked why.
I told her I wanted to start a family here, and she smiled, and we came to terms. It was surprising, I bet, when the government suddenly had a twenty-million pound increase from the personal funds of the Queen."
By this time her breath was hitched, and she was trying to go through a list of places that it could be. Suddenly, Dobby appeared with a second course, and she wondered briefly if she should be worried.
"Welcome home, Nym."
Silently urging him to continue, Harry waved his hand and, when a shimmering sword appeared in a Stone on the banner, she gasped.
"Welcome to Camelot."
"You... how?" she asked, and Harry smiled. "The Ministry of Magic is based in the old Parliament building, and everyone has assumed that Buckingham Palace was renamed Camelot after Arthur's death. What no one cared to realize is that Merlin, before Arthur's death, and before his, made Camelot disappear, lost throgh all the ages.
The reason is that he bound the secret, through a charm of his creation, to the lines of the Minister for Magic, and the Monarchy, the Minister for Magic would know the location, and the Queen the name. This charm is used today... and was last used on Grimmauld Place last year."
She gasped, "the fidelius?"
Harry nodded, "and what better way to make sure no one would want it, then to name it after a muggle estate, the Pendragon estate, only a Minister of mixed origin would recognize the significance. But... but Merlin was, if anything, anti-political, and bound the secret, until a Minister could pass the one test.
Answer a single question.
Wny?"
She smiled. "Why, in leiu of the choices the Minister had for housing, would you want to purchase a new house. Until I entered the Wards, I had no idea to know it was an all or nothing chance. Corneilus, as with all other Ministers throughout history had tried to purchase this Muggle estate, the only estate muggle in the entire choice. And, as before the answers were all the same, "I need it to hide from my political opponents.
The answers were political, selfish in their own right, and no one, not even Merlin, would allow for that. So... when you answered wrong, the knowledge was stricken from your memory, stricken from the thoughts of your reign, no matter if you were re-elected fifty times over.
Do you know why I'm here, and no one else?"
She shook her head.
"You, and our family. I knew better than anyone Merlin's Law, and his attitude with Politics, and I know, better than anyone, his view on family, having read the diaries over and over again. Just like Arthur was meant for the sword displayed in the Coat of Arms hanging above, I was meant, we were meant to own this place, the Pendragon Estate.
Why? Because I wanted a safe place to protect my family, protect my children, my heir to the Potter's and Black's."
It is here, other than Avalon, where King Arthur is lain to rest, it is here Merlin's final resting place, and it is here we will find the knowledge to defeat Voldemort once and for all. And, after that, it is here we will raise our family together, the same family that we are hoping for now. And why? Because it is here hope will rise up and fall from the ashes."
She sniffled as his words washed over her. And, as the course ended, she stood and grabbed Harry by the arm, and pulled him too his feet.
The castle was beautiful, the old food court, once the central figure through the town, now derelict due to age. And yet, peaceful.
The rooms emaculate, as if they had been thoroughly cleaned and polished. The master bedroom was large, a portrait of the great King hanging above them, a small grin adorning his face as if he were privy to details no one else could know.
And the library, full of tombs written by Merlin himself, full of knowledge and grace, and larger than the school library, had the first editions of several tombs, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and the original scroll of Siddhartha Gautauma's declarations for enlightenment just to name a few.
Every book throughout history, on every subject pertaining to fairness, and righteousness, was on display. And, if they weren't mistaken, a few books yet to be published.
The knowledge was overwhelming.
The grounds were as emaculate as the castle itself, a thousand acres in every direction, as well as the lake fabled to hold the Sword Excallibur.
Forests, holding plants thought extinct, animals thought dead, and predators that had grown to outnumber the entire continent of Austrailia, were finally released back into the wild, after millenia.
"And, think, my wife, that this is all ours, to hold our family, after this war is done, and over with."
She sighed. It was good to know.
They spent the day traveling the grounds, setting the new wards, and exploring their new home.
The next day came early, and they traveled back to Hogwarts to see Aurors and the Cabinet all on the grounds. As they passed through the wards, a large, inornate glow filled the area and attention drew to the gates, where they stood. Aurors sighed, and Harry could just barely make out the American Flag on their shoulder helm.
The English Aurors stood down, and Harry sighed, as his wife grabbed his hand, squeezing lightly.
It was time to get back to work.
"I see things have picked up, and that Minister Geoffries has already sent his contingent." Harry stated easily. The Auror in command nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't here, we were looking at the new estate and wound up sleeping there last night."
"It's alright sir, we were simply worried when we arrived and a nationwide hunt was on for the Minister for Magic. I'm Auror In Charge Thomas Scully."
He was about to answer when a voice came from behind him, and cleared his throat. Harry turned. "I'm Rufus Scrimgeour, the Head of the Auror department, Ministry of Magic. I just got notification that the Minister was back, and that he was talking to foreign aurors. My department is still reeling from the changes, and would like to apologize."
Scully nodded and said, "it's not a problem. Actually, we came due to the panic that his disappearance caused. I... It seems that you had the nation in an uproar, Minister."
Harry blushed and apologized to everyone, shrugging slightly. It wasn't like he asked for the position. "I'm sixteen, didn't know there was a protocol to follow, and wanted to show my wife something."
Nym blushed and said, "it was mightily impressive Harry."
Harry smirked, catching her mood, as the people on the ground blushed as if practiced. When Minerva came out of the doors, she saw the blush and said, "I was expecting you back last night."
"We fell asleep, the grounds were bigger than I thought."
She shrugged. "It's alright. But hurry up, you've got classes."
At the sudden intake of breath, she looked as if for the first time noticing the Aurors, and said, "Minister."
Harry wanted to laugh, but pasted an annoyed look and muttered, "the things I go through."
Once inside, the trio set out laughing, and the mood for the day was set.
A month had passed, and Harry was kept under harder surveilance than ever before. It didn't matter that he wanted private time, each and every movement he took was recorded, as ordered by the Wizengamot. A permanent tracking charm was placed on each of his clothes, and a spell was placed on his wand to automatically place a charm in the event they purchased or conjured new clothes.
That morning, however, he was awoken at an urgent Floo call from his Ministeral staff, an attack had just been committed on Whitshire. The Dark Mark hung over the city, and there were a hundred muggles as well as three non-pureblood families dead. It was the first major attack since he took office, and the Aurors got there just as it ended. They caught five of the Death Eaters, and now reporters were barging at the doors, wanting an explanation.
Remus was in a delicate situation, Werewolves had participated in the attack, and so had Vampires, so Aihblin was also under scrutiny. Some old prejudices never died.
When Remus' face appeared in the Floo after he was awake, he said, "you need to come in."
He woke Nym and, after they showered, Floo'd through.
"Report" Harry commanded as they got through. Remus sighed. "One hundred dead, another fifty are brain-dead to overexposure to the Cruciatus, and the Wizengamot has convened to the ushering of Malfoy, to overthrow your new government, stating that if the Werewolves wanted rights, then they should prove themselves sufficient at having them. The Alpha's are in an uproar, they've basically been told they should prove that they're human, and want your support, while the Vampire nation has been attacked by Death Eaters, and drained completely. The Wizengamot wants to enact an effective law that will employ the use of Vampire Hunters effective immediately, and have moved to force Aihblin's resignation.
There is a meeting of the Wizengamot, and a Mr. Geoffries has called on the Floo in your office."
Harry nodded and apparated to his office and said, "Theodore, I'm sorry for the delay, I was asleep when the attack happened and only just arrived."
The man sighed and said, "I heard they've convened your Wizengamot. Need any support?"
Harry nodded, knowing he'd need it. The man came through and the sensors glowed white, showing he was clean. Harry stood and took his hand, and said, "how did you know?"
The wizened man smirked, and said, "simple, Scully floo'd me and said and I quote, "the kid and his hot wife may need your support come morning, the Death Beat-off-ers," here he snorted, "got randy with an entire city, where the Malfoy estate used to be."
Harry nodded. "That's true, and you're right. They've convened at Malfoy's ushering and I need to get there now."
The man nodded and, placing his visiting Minister's tag on his robes, strode down the hall as Merlin's Staff and Megingord appeared on their sides.
The doors opened, and Amelia was being withstrained by manticles as Malfoy and his friends held the Wizengamot under fire. He was grinning from ear to ear, and had called for a vote. Geoffries, seeing no other choice, said, "HALT!"
The Wizengamot, ready to 'vote' did as the projection in Theodore's voice froze them in his track. The Death Eater wands trained on them, and a voice from the back, clearly that of Draco Malfoy's said, "I will not have any interference! Crucio!"
Theodore dodged as Harry did the same, to the other side, they both stood, drawing their wands and holding them in the same position. The door suddenly glowed with a red fog, and Malfoy said, "Ministers Geoffries and Potter, an honor it must be for two mudbloods to be in our esteemed company. Now mudbloods, dance."
They smirked, and dodged by jumping backwards. Theodore drew the staff on his side and twirled it above it's head. Harry took the hammer on his side and channeled magic into it.
They smirked at each other and at once said, "Well?"
The five Death Eaters in the room threw Killing curses indiscriminately. The good thing about his Hammer though was that it was unbreakable. He swung it in front of him, and then learned something that surprised him. When the Hammer hit a Killing Curse, it threw it back. Not to be outdone, Theodore swung his staff in a wide arc and sent a wave of pure magic at Malfoy, and knocked the Death Eater into a wall. Harry placed his hand on the wall, and Aurors flowed in, looking at the American Minister with suspicion until Scully smiled.
Harry sighed and said, "want to make an appearance?"
The man shook his head and said, "nope, I got to do this at home. I'll stand by you, though, to show unity. Then you can do the same in the America's."
Suddenly, reporters flowed into the room, and Harry looked at the Wizengamot. "I declare this meeting of the Wizengamot closed."
They sighed a collective sigh, and Harry turned his attention towards the reporters, as Nym grabs his hand.
"Minister, what can you tell us of what happened?"
Harry looked at the reporters and said, "at seven-thirty this morning, approximately, Draco Malfoy, and by default, Lord Voldemort, ordered an attack on Whitshire, where nearly two hundred muggles and muggleborn families were killed, or driven to insanity. We didn't learn until later that this was a coup by the Death Eaters in custody to force a vote of no confidence. With the aid of the American Aurors in attendance, as well as my friend, Minister Theodore Geoffries, we fought back the attack, and are working towards clearing up this threat.
The Vampire and Werewolf communities were also affected in this attack, and I have already heard mutterings of dissent among Ministry workers. My cabinet members, Aihblin Barabal and Remus Lupin have already been urged by department heads to give me a resignation.
I will not accept them. The vampires involved have been caught, and according to vampire custom, have been executed. The werewolves, again due to custom, have been executed by Alpha males that declared the attack non-sanctioned. This attack was to disturb the stability of the new Government, and I will say now that it DID NOT WORK.
The Ministry of Magic will be working, by my directive, to find a cure to the insanity, and the Death Eaters caught today," he was handed a note, "whom I can verify were Vincent Crabbe, Bellatrix Lestrange, Severus Snape, Theodore Nott, and Draco Malfoy," a cheer went up, "will be stripped of their lands and monies, and compensation will be given to those families affected. Also, they will be executed, according to the decree set, after a fair trial that I will attend personally, to make sure justice is served.
Severus Snape will also face the added charges of treason against Hogwarts, while Bellatrix will face charges on the death of Albus Dumbledore."
He was about to continue when Fawkes appeared on his shoulder.
He sighed. "I also hereby declare that the Ministry of Magic will be working together with the Order of the Phoenix, who my own familiar Fawkes, represents. It was a group created to face Voldemort, and the Ministry will provide support."
He looked at Theodore, who nodded. "My guest here is American Minister for Magic, Theodore Geoffries, whom I negotiated an alliance with two days ago. He provided help, and will be more than happy to try any Death Eaters he, or his aurors catch. His aid was invaluable this morning, and he responded at risk of his own life.
Now... I need to play politics with Theodore, so I will let you all go."
After delivering a nearly verbatim speech in the America's, Harry and Theodore posed for photos that would be distributed in the Daily Prophet, and the american equivalent, "the 24-Hour Oracle".
"Harry," Nym called as he appeared in his office, which was currently hers, if the papers she was marking were to be looked at. "I have here your assignments for today, they'll be due in three days, and you'll be excused from classes for as long as you need."
He slipped off his shoes and pulled her close to him. "I haven't been very attentive lately, have I?"
She shook her head, and said, "no, but I understand. You've been busy."
He smiled and said, "I... I don't know what happened. But the carnage I had to see today scarred me. Not scared, but scarred. It was... unimaginable."
She sighed and pulled him close, placing her lips on his.
"Harry... the Death Eaters attacked innocent people, and it does not get easier. That type of carnage should never be seen, but sometimes, it can't be helped.
And, I understand. You love me, as evidenced by last night, and the morning before. Missing a little physical proof of your love isn't going to hurt me. I know better than anyone that you can't feel after something like that.
Now sleep."
Soon, he fell asleep, dreaming of a society that was death eater free.
End Chapter
