Bab 21: WIll this be the eve of War?
June 2, 1998
St Petersburg, Russian Empire
Alain landed in the international portkey hub at the bazaar. He wasn't pleased to see Patrice Sint Clara waiting for him. He had expected to find Ulis, his daughter and Harry here as they needed to talk about the mirror call that had brought him here before they made it back to the palace and all the intrigue, spying and trouble.
More worrying was the cadre of six Russian Guards with Sint Clara.
They would only be here if he was going straight to the palace and not the ICW compound on the edge of the Zolotoye Mesto. Sint Clara gave him a rather curt bow. The man thought himself above his station, and normally Alain would not care, but they were on a formal diplomatic mission.
"Hello, Aide Sint Clara," he greeted. "Where are my daughter and her betrothed?"
Sint Clara let a look of annoyance cross his face. "They are at a luncheon with Prince Dmitri and the royal family. Junior members should not be at such an important event."
Alain's eyes narrowed. He did not like the man's tone. Alain did not disagree that his daughter and Harry should not be at such an intimate session like that yet, but it was not this man's place to be so forthright with him. It wasn't' the first time Alain had had issues with this man, but Sint Clara had some connections high up in the ICW that Alain had not wanted to upset yet.
If Sint Claire wasn't careful, he would soon find himself as a junior member in the Austrian courts and the man would find out what his attitude would quickly earn him. It was about time he took on Sint Clair's benefactor. Wilke of Luxembourg was growing too bold and had managed to get his nephew instilled as the head of the newly formed F troop. The twenty-five-year-old man was not ready to lead a company of two hundred Aurors. A squad or platoon, yes, but not the whole company.
Alain knew what might be coming and the man could get a lot of good men and women killed before he learned to properly lead.
Alain focused on why he was here instead of the intrigue back in Stockholm. The fact Harry and Gabrielle had been called to this luncheon was his main concern at the moment. Things here were worse than he thought, or he was reading the situation wrong.
"Aide Sint Clara, I would wait to talk about this. Take me to the Zolotoye Mesto immediately," he demanded.
For once the man seemed to get that Alain was in no mood to put up with any political game or attitude.
The guards came to attention and the captain bowed to him. Alain returned a curt nod before being led to the royal carriage with two beautiful Granians. The guards let him in before moving off to the other carriage.
Once in the air, Alain levelled a look to Sint Clara. "Tell me what is going on. Leave nothing out."
Sint Clara sat up tall. "Adjutant Potter and Delacour," the man said, not keeping his distaste for the two teens out of his voice, "have set back our negotiations and endangered the current mission. The prince is using Potter as a pawn to wriggle concessions out of us and the boy is too inexperienced to realize it."
Alain bristled at the man. "I don't think Adjutant Potter is as naïve as you seem to think he is. Tell me what happened!"
The man sniffed. "Prince Dmitri held a grand ball the night the two adjutants arrived. He named Potter a Duke. A duke! Can you believe it. The man declared him part of the royal family and one of the privy council. He is only a boy."
"A boy that has seen more of life than you probably have!" Alian snapped at the man. "And for your information, Seigneur Potter does have Romanov blood in him. It's eight or nine generations back, but he could still be considered part of the Royal Court."
Alain had not known that until yesterday. He wasn't even sure if Sirius or Harry knew. If Alain had known, he never would have allowed Harry to go.
He knew Harry had Black blood in him, but who usually cared about a Princess in their line eight generations back? Gabrielle could be considered part of the Russian royal court as well. His own great-great-great grandmother had been a countess, the daughter of a duke. His daughters were only five generations separated from the direct line of the Romanovs.
Then there were her links to Austria, as Appoline was the daughter of a prince of the Austrian empire. Even if she wasn't recognized, they still had royal blood in them.
Even with those links, Dmitri had no grounds to exert his control over the families. The bloodlines were there, but the dominant in most magical nations was the male line. Harry and him would have supremacy over their magic and houses, but that did not mean that there were not ways to gain control. Eliminating Harry and him after an heir was born would be the most direct way.
He had expected Dmitri to pull something, but not this.
Alain was sure that Dmitri was playing this as wanting a strong man for his daughter, as well as a power play for the Delacour seat. Having a direct seat on the senior council instead of just being a formal ally or signatory to the ICW would play well into the man's hands. It wasn't a large secret that Dmitri wanted to expand his influence, and possibly his boarders, especially into the splintered Russia held by the ex-communist enthralled wizards. Skirmishes and incursions along that boarder were common and often and annoyed the Muggle government that there was a sub government in its territories that it could not subvert.
Sint Clara, at his exclamation, leaned back. "You are saying the boy is a Russian citizen?"
"Of course not, you fool! Harry is a British citizen. He will be recognized as a French citizen as well once he marries Gabrielle. Prince Dmitri may grant him Russian citizenship, but that would not supersede the other two, especially since he is a peerage member of the British wizards and will become a peerage member of the Assemblée and ICW. He would have to willingly give those up to be subject to the prince. I do not think he realizes the quagmire he is opening," Alain said.
The ICW would not take well to this blatant manipulation. It could drive them into open conflict with the Russian Empire, instead of making a bond of alliance.
His only question was is why? Was this a manipulation by the Leder to splinter them or was this just blind ambition by Dmitri? Or was another party or power involved?
Sint Clara pursed his lips. Alain was sure that this was the first time the man was considering the full implications. Sint Clara was a good head-of-staff, but the man lacked the proper deviousness to understand the backstabbing of politics and the larger implications of how the chess pieces moved.
After a moment, Alain said, "What would happen if the prince pushes for Adjutant Potter to become a full citizen?"
"Nothing good," Alain told him.
When they landed at the palace, Alain was led into the labyrinthine structure. It covered acres of land and most likely could house thousands when fully occupied. He had been here three times before and this time was probably the one that worried him the most.
He had expected to be led directly to where Harry and Gabrielle were with Ulis. Instead, he was surprised to be led to the private family wing. He was handed off between guards. Once the door opened, he had to school his face.
Prince Dmitri was standing in the hallway with Prince Konstantine. Two house elves, three wizards and a dozen Royal Guards were around a set of doors that showed some damage. The house elves and wizards were working to repair the doors and attach them to the hinges, but not looking successful at doing so.
Sint Clara, for once, had the presence of mind to keep his trap shut and act like the proper Aide-de-Camp he was. Alain followed the four guards, with four behind him, until he was before the princes. He gave them a respectable full bow. They may be about the same rank in the hierarchy of European society, but Alain was in their country, in their palace and in their private wing.
The princes both returned a half bow. A sign of deep respect, but they would not debase themselves in their own home. "Representative Delacour, it is nice to see you."
"It is a pleasure and honour to allow me into your private sanctum, Prince Dmitri. Prince Konstantin, a pleasure to see you again," Alain greeted.
"It has been a few months. I would ask you to join us at our table, like you hosted me last time, but I'm afraid there had been a disturbance," Konstantin commented, waiving toward the doors.
Dmitri didn't look incredibly pleased. "Yes. Whatever Duke Potter has done, it has destroyed all wards and other enchantments on the doors."
The man switched to Russian. "Fyodor, that is enough. Take them away so that the doors can be properly repaired and have the ward stones replaced."
One of the wizards in blue robes stood up and bowed to the prince. It was a good thing Alain understood Russian. "Yes, Prince Dmitri. The rune masters are on their way and should be here within the hour. It may be a few days to rebuild the stones. They are cracked and the power runes are all disintegrated."
The man's demeanour didn't change. "Very well. It is of immense importance to have this done as soon as possible." Dmitri turned his sharp brown eyes to Alain before switching back to French. "Representative Delacour, is it true that when Duke Potter marries your daughter he will be taking on your blood line as well?"
Alain made sure to keep his back straight. "It is."
The prince regarded him before turning to his brother. "Call the council. I need to talk with them now."
"Prince Dmitri, am I to understand that Seigneur Potter," he was not going to acknowledge the prince's power play to make Harry a duke, "caused this?"
Prince Dmitri turned back to him. They stared each other down for a long moment. "Duke Potter," the man stressed, "is a dangerous man that needs to be tamed. I think your daughter and her creature tendencies are not helping the situation. When he marries my daughter, he will be trained to control himself. If he has the power to do this," the prince said, indicating the doors the house elves were carrying away and the ward stones the wizards were extricating from the floor, "then we will need his battle prowess against your Leder issue, not to mention the insurrection in Poland and the incursions on our eastern border."
Alain had to dampen his anger before he stated to shake with rage. "I do not know what you are talking about, Prince Dmitri. Harry is engaged to my daughter, who is not just some creature. I warn you, you do not know what you are dealing with with Seigneur Potter, his family, the ICW or the British. Seigneur Potter is not a duke of your nation and cannot just be ordered around."
The prince rose to his full stature. The guards around them all moved to make their weapons or wands easy to get at. Konstantin looked slightly amused while Sint Clara made a choking sound behind him.
"You will not threaten me in my own palace, Representative Delacour! Duke Potter willingly set foot on my soil. He is of royal blood and has a duty to this nation. I call him to that duty. I will call your daughter the creature she is, for she is obviously having an influence on the boy," Dmitri coldly stated.
Alain held his ground. "You have no clue what you are doing." Alain indicated the six crumbling rune stones visible on the floor through the doorless entrance. "That young man has yet to come into his full power. He has suffered and is far more restrained than he could be for his upbringing. To bring him to lose his temper like this, you must have really upset him. Seigneur Potter is committed to my daughter. If something should happen to her or any of his family or close friends, he will respond. I am barely keeping him in line, and he trusts me and my family. The boy took on ten fully trained and deadly wizards and came out of the fight still walking and able to cast. Do you think twenty of your guards could do the same? I have seen the prowess of the Death Eaters, and most could easily take on three or more of your guards. What do you think he would do if he was forced into something?"
Dmitri glared at Alain.
"Immediately, Sasha," the man commanded before turning and storming off down the hall. Six of the royal guards followed. The others were still eyeing Alain suspiciously. Konstantin had a slightly amused look.
"Representative Delacour, I will warn you that you tread on perilous grounds." The man looked at the three wizards putting the ruined ward stones onto pieces of canvas. "But I fear you are correct. My brother does not understand the implications of the games he is playing. I fear that the war he has been hoping for will come, but not in the way he envisions. Please pass along my heart felt feelings that Seigneur Potter and Heiress Delacour recover from this. I know Dmitri will not be pleased and will most likely be calling for them again soon."
Alain's eyes stayed locked on the younger man. "We will be prepared."
The man nodded, then returned a respectful quarter bow. Alain gave him a half bow.
"Escort the representative to the ICW suite, captain," Konstantin gently ordered in a crisp tone.
Alain didn't say a word until he was led into the wing. The guards slammed the door behind him. Alain wanted to rage against whatever was going on, but he really needed to understand what was happening here. He had just threatened the man that had the largest magical army in Europe.
Just the other day there was a disturbing memo that had crossed his desk. The Russian Empire was a relatively closed off nation, but enough intel always leaked. Somehow, it was unknown for almost two years that Dmitri had made service in the Guard compulsory. Where most thought the Empire maybe had four hundred or so guardsmen, the numbers may be closer to five thousand. For a country with a hundred thousand wizards, that was an incredibly large force. Not since the days of Grindelwald had there been standing armies that large.
The ICW was building up to five hundred. Vastly different from what Russia had. And if Russia was building its forces, then he wondered how many others would be as well?
Alain was concerned.
He did not want a war like the Great War.
He had to consider what would happen though should it happen.
It was estimated that the ICW member nations could probably muster an additional two thousand Aurors in brief time, but it would not match what the Russian Empire already had. It would be a year to three to build up a five thousand wizard strong army. He had a feeling, though, if Dmitri did go after a senior council seat, Alain would be able to convince many to oppose the man.
If Riddle didn't push the world in that direction, this power play by Dmitri might.
As he had thought about it, he had a feeling that Dmitri's ambitions were a little closer to home… for now. He had not heard of the issues in Poland referred to as a resurrection yet, or to know that the issues on the empire's eastern boarder may be worse than thought was a revelation.
Ulis greeted him just inside the door. "Director Delacour, I'm sorry you've had to come out here."
He greeted the woman. "Natasa, it is long overdue that I come. Not to mention, you know how I feel about family."
The woman frowned. "Things have grown worse since we talked last night."
Alain nodded. "I have gathered as much. Dmitri had me taken directly to him before I met you." There was much meaning in what he hadn't said.
"I see. Please, come into my office. We are as certain as possible it is fully warded. Patrice, please give us some time," she said.
The pale man didn't look pleased, but didn't argue as Alain joined her in the largest office of the wing.
Alain joined her in the nice chairs by the fireplace. There was a table between them with two tumblers, a bucket of ice and bottle of top end brandy. It was obvious she had already been drinking. He reached for the brandy, poured himself a few fingers then sat.
Natasa was nursing her own glass with ice in it.
"Before we get anywhere else, tell me that my daughter and Harry are alright?"
Natasa shook her head. "They were not hurt. Did you see the doors?"
He nodded. "Harry broke the ward stones as well."
Natasa pursed her lips. "They are in their room. I have ordered all the staff to leave them alone."
"How bad is it?" he asked.
"I should never have suggested letting them come. I thought it would finally have the prince move on our suggestions. He was adamant we bring Potter here. He said he wanted to thank him and offer him training. He had made mention of establishing an international corps and I thought it a prime opportunity to give him and your daughter a valuable experience in politics and potentially get him the training you were talking about. Merlin, Alain, I've never been led into a more perfect trap," she said.
Alain could tell she was extremely bothered by this. Natasa was one of his senior representatives. One of the ones he trusted above all others. Only Sirius and Erick Norseman, his representative to Austria, were more trusted. She was also a very seasoned diplomat. Even so… "I don't think either of us saw this coming. I thought I would just have to raise a fuss to get them out of this, but I'm afraid I've already walked us close to open war."
Natasa snorted. "I don't think it was you, Alain. My goddess, the boy practically glowed with power. It was stifling. I've never been in a room with so much raw magic from just one person. Your daughter called her fire, and it didn't even touch Potter. I think if any of us cast anything at either of them, you would already be at war with the entire Russian empire with the Romanov family dead or severely injured. Potter probably would have levelled the palace to get him and your daughter out of here."
Alain let out a long breath, took a long sip, then asked, "What happened?"
He was frowning by the time she was done explaining. Inside he was fuming. "He really wants to draft Harry and has already decreed that he will marry the younger duchess?"
"He said right after he marries your daughter, but after today, I don't think he wants anything to do with the Delacours, but he still wants Harry," Natasa told him.
He took another sip. "I threatened him that the ICW and Britain will go to war if he presses the issue of making Harry a duke. I also don't disagree with you. Harry would bring the entire nation down if they hurt Gabrielle or his family."
They sat, nursing their brandies as they both thought about the situation. After a bit, Natasa asked, "What are we going to do?"
"We are going to keep towing the line that my daughter and her scion are not recognizing this honour. They are not Russian citizens. It doesn't matter that Harry and my daughter are both linked to the Romanovs, the direct line to the royal family is broken and they are not bound to the family. Harry is bound to my family. He may be recognized as an adult, but he is still bound to his regent until he is twenty-one, and I will not approve of any other marriages. We need to find a way to get them out of the country before the prince can force the issue of his daughter and Harry," he told her.
She nodded after a moment. "I am unsure how to get him out of the palace. We are kept under guard day and night. There are guards walking the grounds. At least four are always outside the wing," she said.
"It is a dozen now," Alain told her.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"A dozen guards outside the wing. It is a kilometre or more to make it to the edge of the lawns. Rumour has it the wards go all the way to the edge of the forest. That is several kilometres away, not to mention the few towns and farms on the palace grounds before you get to the Muggle world. I highly doubt any form of magical transportation will work aside from the Granian drawn coaches, so that distance would have to be done on foot. We can't even call personal elves here," she informed him.
"I was afraid of that. We will figure out something," he assured her. "I should check in on my daughter and Harry."
"Alain, we are all trapped in here until the prince allows us to go elsewhere."
He nodded. "I figured as much. Where is their room?"
"End of the hall. I had then put down there so that they don't disturb the rest of my staff when they are going at it," she said.
Alain winced. Yes, he had had to enhance the charms around Gabrielle's room since they had become active. "I'll have a talk to make sure they cast the appropriate charms."
She gave him a quick, wry grin. "Let them have their fun. We all remember what it is like to be that young." Natasa became serious. "I think they will need it, Alain. I've never met anyone that attracts trouble like your future son-in-law."
"If you only knew the half of it, Natasa."
-oOo-
That night…
St Petersburg, Russian Empire
Harry was nervous as he knocked on the door the private dining room next to Representative Ulis's office. They knew that Alain had arrived shortly after his explosion, but they had not been called to see him or anyone else since he had stormed back into the small room he was sharing with Gabrielle.
Gabrielle squeezed his hand before letting it go when the door opened.
Inside the room, they found Alain and Natalia sitting at the table. Harry was thankful that Patrice wasn't there. Harry wasn't sure if he was calm enough yet to deal with the man without putting him through a wall.
Alain nor Natalia said anything as they stepped in, and the door quietly closed behind him.
"Please, have a seat," Alain offered to the two chairs across from him. A few platters of food were already on the table and the smell would have been mouthwatering if Harry wasn't worried about upsetting a man he had come to respect as much as Sirius. Harry held the man's gaze.
"Papa," Gabrielle said.
Alain held up a hand and indicated the seats.
Harry held out Gabrielle's and sat when she was settled. He felt a little more formality might be needed right now. Something in the man's eyes had Harry hold his tongue.
"I understand that you had a rather exciting day," Alain said rather conversational as he reached for a glass of wine.
Harry snorted. "I wouldn't exactly call it exciting."
"It was horrible! That… that… man! He wants to whore out his daughter to Harry! He accused me of being a creature that is influencing Harry! He accused us both of being animals. Harry should have brought the entire palace down on that cochon!" Gabrielle exploded.
Harry put a hand on her thigh and squeezed. "Gabrielle, I think we need to be calm, like you have been telling me to be all afternoon."
Alain had to suppress a smile. There was no denying that his daughter had the hot blood of a veela. She was much like her mother when roused and today had pushed both teens to their limits.
"I will not calm down! They were pressing you for details that you did not want to talk about. They didn't care about what happened to Ronald and all the others. They only cared about your power and that you were going to fuck that girl to give them a child so the prince could steal our seat in the ICW and power outside of this accused country," Gabrielle spat. "Tell me I am wrong in thinking that, papa?!"
"Gabrielle, I know you are upset. I am too," Harry said in as calm a voice as he could, even if he wasn't really feeling calm.
Alain held up his hands. He turned to Natalia. "Natalia, I don't think they are in the right mind for the conversation I originally had planned. Can I have the room for a bit to talk with them?"
The woman nodded and silently left the room.
When she had, Alain turned to them. "Natalia explained to me what happened, but I don't think she understood the importance of some of what was said. Can you be calm enough to tell me what happened?"
Gabrielle huffed. The sleeves on her blouse began to smoke.
"Gabrielle, please calm down. Let me explain."
She glared at Harry before shooting up. She started to stalk around the small dining room. Alain pursed his lips. He knew this was bad, but seeing how Harry and Gabrielle were reacting, it had to be worse than he had thought.
Harry met the dark eyes of Alain. "Prince Dmitri invited us to a private luncheon with the royal family. It turned into a disaster…"
Alain patiently listened as Harry told him about the luncheon. His face grew longer as he listened to Harry, who was often interrupted by the fiery veela-blood pacing around the room who was close to calling her fire. The sense that Harry's temper, and power, were not far from the surface made the room rather oppressive.
"And that was when you blasted the doors off the frame?" Alain questioned.
The dark snort had Alain fearing there was more. "It was when he told me that I would have to fight for him and then wed the duchess was when I finally lost it."
Alain let out a long breath.
"Harry is not marrying that harlot and he is not some weapon for the brat of a prince to use," Gabrielle ordered.
Alain placatingly held up his hands. "He is not, my little golden bird. As much as the prince may think Harry is his subject, international law does not accept that. We can test if magic recognized the claim, but I doubt it."
A sign of worry crossed Harry's face. "You don't think I'm really one of the arse's subjects?"
"No, I do not, but without magic recognizing it, the prince may not believe it," Alain said.
"I doubt he will believe it then. Alain, I want to leave. We are getting married next month. We can't be involved in this. I refuse to fight like some grunt. I will defeat Voldemort and his minions so that I can finally be done with this damned prophesy, but I refuse to be controlled or led around by the nose. I had too much of my life that was never in my control, I will not let it happen again," Harry told him.
The boy's magic responded by pulsing out. The magic around them responded. Alain thought the wards of the palace would attack him, then they backed off. Alain's brow rose up. Harry's power had grown substantially, even since Christmas or April. It was like it was responding to his need and the challenges presented to him.
"You will marry Gabrielle next month when you agreed too. You will also not fight for this country. We are trying to find a way to get you away. I just need you to understand that if we do, you will probably never be able to come back here, and it will probably cause an incident that could poison any relations between the ICW and the Russian Empire." Alain's hands were still up to calm the two teens. "I am not sacrificing you or anyone to satisfy the whims of a child. I just want you to understand what we will be dealing with."
Harry let out a long breath. He closed his eyes and for the first time the tension in his shoulders lessened. Leaning back in the chair, Harry put a hand on the back of his neck. "Thank you, Alain. I was afraid I might have to go through with this."
Gabrielle had stopped her angry stomping about. Looking at him, she asked, "Papa, what would happen if the ICW does not make an alliance with the Russian Empire?"
Alain dropped his hands. The two of them had finally turned their brains on. "I don't know, Gabrielle. At best, they could be neutral as things on the continent keep degrading. At worst, they could declare war on the ICW, France or any number of nations."
Harry closed his eyes. "Brilliant," he muttered.
Gabrielle moved to Harry and put her hand on his shoulders. Harry put a hand over one of hers. "Papa, you don't mean another Great War?"
"I don't know. I think it will depend on us finding the Leder, what the Death Eaters do and what happens here," Alain said, being nothing but truthful.
Harry took in a long breath. He squeezed Gabrielle's hand. When his green eyes were open, they looked pained. "Are you saying that if I don't marry the duchess and fight for the prince, then this could be a new war?"
"It is a distinct possibility. It is not only you, Harry. There are many things that have been pushing this way for a long time. Tom Riddle, the Death Eaters, the gangs in Poland, the unrest and now civil war in the Southern Council, the uneasy truce between the Muggle backed Russian Separatists and the Russian Empire… There are any number of conflicts that have been stressing peace. There always is," he told them.
This was a much harder truth than he had wanted them to come to at such an early age. Harry was a young man that was far more mature than he should be, but he was still only seventeen, almost eighteen. The maturity forced on him didn't replace decades of experience that only life could give you.
"There are a few truths and morals that I, France and the ICW will never compromise on," he told them.
"First, people are not bargaining chips. We will never support any type of enslavement, trafficking of any sentient being or protected creature or animal, forced soldiering or bondage.
Second, we do not negotiate with people that violate our laws.
Third, there are peaceful ways to resolve all issues. The ICW and France will fight when needed, but it is not our primary response."
He regarded Harry for a moment. The young man looked troubled.
"But people could die because of me? Am I being selfish," he asked in a smaller voice. Alain had never heard him be so uncertain.
Gabrielle wrapped her arms around his neck. "Non. You are not being selfish. It is our right to live the way we want. As it is the right of everyone else to live the way they want."
"And that is why the ICW has rejected all other entreaties for the Russian Empire to join. Enslavement and serfdom are still allowed here. The empire is known to trade in illegal wares and have farms to raise such things as basilisks and nightshade trees. They are the deadliest creature and plant around with very few positive effects. It was rumoured that basilisk parts could be used in healing potions, but the few I know or are only used in very dark rituals. Such a creature born in darkness can only be used with darkness. This is most likely true because basilisks can only be made from very dark rituals. I know that parseltongue can be used in healing to significant effect, but that does not always mean all snakes or creatures can be used for good.
The alliance that the ICW is seeking with the empire would force them to phase out their slave and serf laws, but that would fifty years into the future before they would be totally gone. It is a long-term solution that some of us are willing to accept, but we will not allow citizens of ICW countries to be forced like you are being.
If this turns into a war, it will not be your fault, Harry. It will be Prince Dmitri that forces this," Alain told him.
Harry's eyes started to burn again. "How many will die?"
Alain let out a long breath. "I do not know."
"How many died in the Great War?" Harry asked.
"Tens of thousands of witches, wizards, creatures and intelligent magicals," Gabrielle said.
Anger flitted across Harry's face.
"And if I were to go along with this marriage and become a duke? Would that stop this?"
Alain shook his head. "I doubt it. We just recently discovered that the Empire has built up a large force. Large enough to threaten all its neighbours, but not the same size as when Grindelwald started his war. They are also not backed by the Muggles. I would worry about the Muggles of Russia though. The ICW thinks they are being controlled by the Russian Separatists, but we cannot infiltrate their ranks, and their army is almost as large as the Russian Empire. The ICW cannot take either one on at this time, let alone both. I fear though, Dmitri wants a fight and will get one. He wants you to be on the front lines."
"Harry will not fight for that madman! Why didn't you tell us, papa?" Gabrielle accused.
"I didn't want to scare you. Issues like this rarely ever get to the point of war. There might be regional conflicts, but since the Great War, there has only been two large scale civil wars in Europe. One was the Blood Wars in Britain, and the other is the escalating one in the Southern Council. We are thinking one of the sides is being supported by either the Polish oligarchs or the Russian Separatists," Alain said, giving them intel that few knew.
"So, no matter what we do, there will probably be war?" Harry put to Alain.
"I hope not. Our job is to prevent war where we can," Alain told them.
The three of them were silent for a few. Alain was studying his daughter and her beau. There was some type of silent communication between them. Alain was pleased to see them getting to that level. It meant their connection was far more than the physical.
Gabrielle finally asked, "How do we prevent it here, papa?"
Alain didn't have an answer. "We will figure it out, my little golden bird. If you are ready to be calm enough to talk like adults, I can call Natasha back in, we can eat this dinner and go over what we know so that we may figure out our next step."
The two shared a look. Gabrielle moved to sit next to Harry again. After a nod, Harry turned to look at him. "I don't want to do this, Alain, but I don't want to be responsible for people dying because of me."
"If there is death, it will not be because of you, Harry. Prince Dmitri is looking for a fight, and I don't think he knows where to find it yet. If he decides to go after the ICW, he will not win," Alain said defiantly. The ICW had stood for nearly four hundred years, and it would stand for the next four thousand if he had anything to say about it.
-oOo-
June 3, 1998
Cracow, Poland
Tom was looking out the window of the cement block building that he and his Woodsmen had managed to obtain. The floating sphere with the black smoke and glowing red eyes that he never kept far from him was darkly chuckling.
"They don't believe you, do they?"
"If you would give me the secret to the blasted marks, then they wouldn't need to believe me," Tom snapped.
The shadow was enjoying this. Tom had been able to convince the Death Eaters that he was Voldemort, but there had been some dissention and scepticism that he still had the power to force them into submission. Malfoy was their new defacto leader and was holding a larger grip on the fifty-eight in the group than Tom would like.
With eighty people, he could begin the process of taking over a government and raise an army. Norway was the most likely place now. He had a firm support base there. He had hoped to gain the SEC to raise and army of a few hundred and then help the people that wanted Norway to be free and out of ICW control. With two countries, he could start his real campaign to take over the ICW, then further afield.
"The only way you will learn all my secrets is to let me in," the shadow told him.
As much as Tom had been fighting that for the better part of three years now, he was starting to think he might need too. He was afraid though, that if he did, then the original prime piece would take over and everything that Tom had worked for would be in ashes, not to mention the rest of the world.
He knew the shade wanted to see the world burn for what happened to him.
Tom had learned the lessons of the past.
Grindelwald lost because he had repressed and killed to many. The resistance to him grew to the point that Dumbledore got involved and the man lost everything.
Voldemort had failed because he did not want to rule, he only wanted subjugation. The terrorism the man had espoused had nearly broken the British wizarding world, and if it had spilled across the channel, then there had been the possibility the rest of the world would have broken as well.
It would have been the death of all magicals.
Norway and a few other countries were deeply against the ICW because they were still protectorates after the ministry had been decimated in the Grindelwald wars, as well as being large supporters of the man.
Norway, and the entire Scandinavian Peninsula, was his primary goal. He owed the men and women that had sided with him and still showed him loyalty. If things had gone the way he wanted, he would have had the forces to free the people, reform the Kalmar Union, then free his own country. After that, he wanted to bring the ICW under his rule. He wanted to stop the repression of people like those of the Kalmar Union.
Tom had ambitions, but he found himself more realistic than the megalomaniac that had spawned him.
He was sure it had to do with the morals of that silly Ravenclaw that had found the diadem, but the loyalty he inspired by having his followers willingly follow him was more than the insane loyalty of the Death Eaters.
Unfortunately, he didn't know how to meet his goals without them.
He had hoped the syndicates would give him fighters, but he was questioning that decision now.
"Leder?" a man said in Norwegian.
The black mist turned towards the man. Tom had to exert his control to prevent Voldemort from probing the man. He had made that mistake once and the shade had almost escaped.
"Yes, Olaf?"
"An owl came for you." Tom turned to see a big man holding an envelope. "There is no return address. We have suppressed the portkey."
Tom had expected something like this.
"You should take it," the shade said.
"I am not an idiot," Tom calmly replied.
He walked over to take the envelope.
"Leder?"
He looked up to the blonde hair, blue eyed hulk. "Yes?"
"The men grow restless. They want to go home, even if it's only for a week or two," Olaf told him.
Tom nodded. "Let me complete my business here, then we will go back."
He owed the people that had been loyal to him at least that much.
"Thome thinks we can recruit more. The ICW has imposed another tariff and increased the Auror patrols. Unrest is growing," Olaf told him.
Tom thought of that for a moment. "I need to think on that for a few days and see if I can get the Death Eaters or the syndicates moving. We need a distraction if we are to gather the forces needed and force the ICW out, not to mention topple the Swedish ministry."
The man nodded. "The men and woman are behind you. They just wish to see their loved ones."
"I will conclude our business as fast as possible here. When we go back, we go back for good."
"May I tell them?" Olaf questioned.
"Let me determine what we can get out of here. I promise to talk to everyone within the next few days," he promised.
Olaf nodded his acceptance.
He had not heard about the increased patrols, but he knew sympathy had been building in the small Norwegian wizarding enclaves. He wanted to keep his promise of freeing the oppressed, but at best, there may be ten to twenty thousand witches and wizards in their homelands. There was that many in Britain alone, and hundreds of thousands across the rest of Europe. If they did this wrong, the ICW, Russian or the Austrian Empires would easily crush the rebellion.
If he had been able to recruit the four or five hundred he suspected he could have in the SEC within two years, then it would have been a different story.
He just didn't know how many would follow the call to freedom.
Of course, that freedom included him as king, and he had a feeling he would get that. He would not oppress his people. People who still strongly thought of themselves in the Viking traditions. The most important part of the Scandinavian Peninsula was the creature and magical preserves. They were the largest in Europe, providing most of the dragon, unicorn, graphorns, hippogriffs and selmas parts and potion supplies.
Control of those resources would give him a solid base to negotiate or bring to heal other countries…
He had to shake his head.
World domination was too large. Even if he lived forever, he would never be able to control everything without destroying most of it and building it in his own image. That was the megalomaniacal dreams of the shade.
"Get out of my head," he snapped.
The shade chuckled.
Tom snarled at the shade before looking at the letter. After running his wand over it a few times, he finally opened it. After a moment, he grinned. "It would appear your loyal minions aren't all as loyal as you thought."
The shade roiled and two red orbs came to rest on him.
Tom held up the parchment. "I have a meeting with the Chmura tomorrow arranged by Avery."
He felt the dissatisfaction from the shade.
-oOo-
The same day…
London, England
"Good morning, Regent Bones. Please come in and join us," Sirius said to the rather austere woman with a monocle, cane and a pronounced limp that she did not have a few months ago. After the attack on her house and the ministry, the woman's luck had finally run out and a dark curse had removed the lower part of one of her legs. The replacement didn't clunk like Moody's, but it didn't look comfortable either. Why St Mungo's didn't try to use muggle prosthetics he didn't understand.
The greying hair woman nodded to him. "What is with this regent shite? It's Amelia."
Sirius grinned as he closed the door behind her.
Another old biddy cackled. "You tell him, Ami."
"There is a certain decorum that we should at least pretend at," a man a few years older than Sirius said.
"Decorum is when you are acting for the poppin' jay's," Augusta Longbottom scoffed at Anders Greengrass.
"Here. Here," Sirius chimed in. He helped Amelia sit at the table. He was surprised she didn't fight him on that but sighed when she was able to stretch her leg. Kreacher was at her side a moment later to offer her tea and snacks.
"While Ami is getting herself sorted, what did you want us here for?" Augusta demanded.
"I think that is why my grandfather always liked you. You always got down to business," Sirius commented, taking his own seat.
"Arcturus was not a patient or talkative man, but he was cunning and knew what he wanted," Augusta said. "I'm just sorry that Milania got to him first."
Amelia chuckled. "You were also five years his senior."
"Bah. If we were to marry when he was twenty, like my father wanted, that wouldn't have mattered," Augusta said.
Anders sipped at his tea. "For someone that likes to get to things, you are pontificating."
Sirius chuckled. Two of the main factions were represented at the table, and Sirius was hoping to be a third with Harry and a few others. If he could get them all to cooperate, then the Wizengamot would essentially be theirs, and then Fudge would be gone.
"Don't you give me pontificating, young man. It was not me that held up the last moot for two days with that trick you pulled with your block to wear everyone down on the new tariffs and changes to the blood laws," Augusta said.
"Sirius, this is a wonderful tea," Amelia said in a way that told him they were going to have to wait for the two to wear themselves out.
"Those changes are needed. It is essential to preserve our blood purity and families of long standing," Anders replied.
"By making it so that anyone of pureblood status could only marry half-bloods or purebloods? You must have known that would never have passed," Amelia calmly pointed out.
"It would have if you had not swayed Chang and the young fool MacMillan," Anders said.
"We did nothing to MacMillan. You do know his grandmother was Muggleborn, don't you?" Amelia questioned.
Anders frowned. "His great uncle was a pure blood."
"His great uncle is one of the Death Eaters that were found in the purge after Pettigrew was found. Are you saying that you would prefer them to be back?" Sirius asked in a deadly tone.
Anders looked to him. The man was bothered before schooling his face. "Of course not. I would never. I lost family to those monsters," Anders cooly replied.
"Anders, we know where you stand on blood politics, but I do not think that is what we are here for today, are we Lord Black?" Augusta questioned.
Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "I think it's a relative conversation. You know who my wife is and who my godson will be marrying. Both women are purebloods, but the blood laws do not protect them from others of our laws. This is something I wish to change," Sirius told them.
Anders pursed his lips. Augusta didn't do anything to make her opinion known. Amelia looked at him interestedly. "Are you saying that the rumours they are veela is true?"
"Quarter veela, but by our laws they have enough of their ancestors' blood to be considered creatures, and purebloods. The question is, which law overrides the other, since I have heard the purebloods say the creature laws do, but my argument is if that is the case, then all the pureblood laws are defunct," Sirius replied.
Amelia pondered that for a moment. "There is precedence for that argument."
Anders started to choke on his tea. Sirius moved to pat the man's back. When he recovered, Augusta looked amused while the man sputtered, "You can't be serious!"
Amelia still looked to be deep in thought. Sirius smirked on the inside. He had thought it would take them a long time to get to this point, but the opening had been too good.
"Sirius, I think I can see where you are coming from, but I would like to understand what you think of this," she said curiously.
Sirius grins and looked at his notes. It paid to have underlings. "Of course, Andi. As we all know, Britain is one of the lead signatories of the ICW. The only reason we do not have a family on the high council is because the Shafiq's married into the Wilkes from Luxemborg and then the main family line died in the Grindelwald wars."
"What does this history lesson have to do with the Pureblood laws," Anders demanded.
"I'm getting there," Sirius said as he flipped a page. "As a signatory of the ICW, Britain is required to adhere to the four base statutes established in sixteen ninety-two. The ICW adopted the United Kingdoms' definitions of the Beings and Creatures right act of sixteen-forty-three, you are either a wizard, a being, a creature or non-magical, which was well before the Beings definition established in eighteen-eleven by the Wizengamot."
Anders started to pale.
"The ICW has never enforced the Magical Beings Statute because of infighting in the ICW about this," Sirius said.
Augusta was curious. "And what is the difference between the two definitions and why would the ICW care now?"
"An excellent question, Gus. Can I call you Gus?"
Augusta gave him a glare.
"Right, Augusta, then. Well, in the original statute, the goblin rebellion of sixteen-sixty-five had not happened yet. Before then, the goblins had a seat on both the ICW and the Wizards Council because they were recognized as wizards. You see, beings originally meant all those that could not use a magical focus," Sirius said. "While wizards were those that could."
"You can't be serious. If we allowed the goblins to have wands…" Anders said in a horrified whisper.
"Did I say wands? Ami, did I say wands?"
"You did not, Sirius."
"Good, because I thought I said magical focus. You see, not all peoples able to use magic are capable of using focuses. But there are those, especially if they have mixed wizard and other blood, that can use magical focuses. This would me that some of the peoples of our world classified as beings or creatures, are actually wizards," Sirius said with a grin. "And do you know now how pure their blood would be?"
Anders had gone white.
Augusta was highly amused. She chuckled. "Oh, I like him, Ami. Representative Black, what is the ICW thinking of to enforce their will?"
Sirius dug through a pile of parchments before pulling out three and then putting them on the desk. "Nothing major. Some tariffs. Taxes and some bans on goods. Travel restrictions to anyone denying good citizens their rights." Sirius shrugged as Anders took up the papers. "Nothing that needs to happen."
Anders' lips pursed. After frantically looking through the parchments, Anders looked up. "You would bankrupt my family and most of the old families."
"These only apply to those that do not follow he ICW statutes," Sirius said, working hard to keep his grin in.
"This would affect you and your ward," Anders replied, anger starting to replace his fear.
"Ah, I thought we would get to this," Sirius said.
Amelia primly sipped her tea. He had a feeling she was jumping in joy inside. For years, Augusta and her had fought against the more restrictive laws and powerplays that had been dominating the Wizengamot, even after the purge a few years ago.
When Sirius didn't say anything else, Anders questioned, "And how would this not destroy the Black or Potter families? Not to mention the Longbottoms and Bones? You all fall under the Pureblood laws and I know the Longbottoms are my family's largest competition in exports of herbs and specialty plant products."
"As you can see, this affects those actively denying the others their rights. Harry and I are not only English citizens, but I have a dual citizenship in France, my wife is part-veela and you will find that I sold off all the Black business that would apply to this. A few years back, to be truthful," Sirius said.
"Harry has been denied his rightful place on the Wizengamot, so he has not been able to prove one way or the other where he lies, but his family has a history for fighting for the rights of all, and he will become a dual French citizen next month."
Sirius waved his hand towards Amelia and Augusta. "These two fine ladies have a history of voting, hiring and working with those of all races. They have been put on the approved list."
"What is the approved list?" Amelia asked interestedly.
"A listing of families from all countries that have been found to be aligned with the ICW mandates. One of the sticking points the ICW has always had in enforcing this statute is in how to apply it as the signatory governments are independent of the ICW. But, the ICW does have a lot of sway in international commerce.
As a representative of the Magical Cooperation Department, I have worked with my boss and others to find ways to enforce the statute. This has been approved by the high council. As it is one of the core statutes, it does not require a vote of the members," Sirius informed them.
Anders was shaking in anger. "We will fight this."
Sirius had a slightly malicious grin. "Again, I ask, do you support the Death Eaters or other terrorist organizations?"
Anders eyes widened. "And I have already said I oppose the Death Eaters, but this will not be tolerated. You threaten most of our society."
"You mean he threatens the purebloods and your followers," Augusta said. She leaned forward. Sirius was happy that he had managed to get on his side. "I don't know if you have seen the latest figures from the finance offices or the department of records, but the Purebloods are dying, Anders. At one time those of pureblood made up about forty percent of our population. Due to your beliefs, arses like that upstart Riddle and Grindelwald and inbreeding, that had dropped. Purebloods make up only twenty-nine percent of our population now, and it is dropping.
In the last few decades, there are four times more Muggleborn being born than Purebloods. They now make up thirty-seven percent of our population and will only keep growing at this rate. How long do you think it will be before they revolt in some bloody revolution like ripped through France nearly two-hundred years ago, or simply leave our world? What will your business be like if you lose most of the shops you supply with goods and herbs?" Augusta put to him.
Anders frowned. "Things surely aren't that bad…"
"These are the same numbers the finance and records departments have had in their reports for a few years now," Amelia said. She rose a brow at the incredulous look on Anders face. "You must read those reports? You vote for the budget and policies that are dependent on those reports."
Anders pursed his lips. "I have my assistants give me summaries."
"Well, your assistants are not telling you the true or are filtering things. I read the reports. Gus is right," she said with a smirk as the old woman gave her a glare. Sirius bit his tongue to keep from laughing.
"And what do you want? I assume you are telling me this to blackmail me into something?" Anders demanded to Sirius.
Sirius spread his hands. "Blackmail? Not at all. Give you fair warning…" Sirius shrugged. "What I want is simple, and you can decide which ever way you want. I want equal rights per the ICW statutes and for my godson to get his rightful spot on the Wizengamot. If Fudge denies Harry his seat again, with your support like you have the last two times, then I will have to give a fair report back to my boss in the ICW."
Anders eyes were narrowed slits.
After a few minutes, the man stood up. "I will talk with my allies."
Sirius gave him a magnanimous nod. After the man left the office with a slam of the door, Augusta let out a laugh. "Morgana's tits, I've never seen the man so flustered!"
Amelia chuckled. "I admit, I did not know what to expect when I was invited, but that was magnificent. Is the ICW really enforcing the Magical Rights Statute? I know that has been in contention since it was adopted."
"There are changes happening. Some I don't like, some that will help. This was just the side show though," Sirius said, his demeanour becoming serious. "I know things have been heating up here, but there is the potential for another Great War brewing. The ICW is looking for all the allies it can, and if it can get the goblins and others on their side, it may be the tipping point we need."
Amelia pursed her lips. "I have been working with the ICW, but it is really that bad?"
Sirius took out a thick stack of parchments. "I know that you have been working with the security forces from Alain's office, but we have recently come into intelligence that is rather disturbing."
"How disturbing?" Augusta queried; her own mirth having disappeared.
"For the first time in fifty years, there are two standing armies on the continent, the ICW is actively recruiting a thousand more Aurors and what happened in the Southern Council is just the tip of the iceberg. The countries of the council have dissolved the council and there is open civil war as of a week ago," Sirius told them. "Some of it is being disguised with the Muggle war going on, but it has drawn off an entire troop form the ICW. The ICW is proposing an international force of Aurors to help with the peacekeeping. There are the rumours of unrest in Poland, the Russian Empire and the Russian Separatist states."
Amelia was looking through the report.
Augusta looked to Amelia. "What does this mean?"
Amelia had a deep frown forming. "Merlin, is this accurate?"
"We believe so. Captain Franco will be here next week. He will be the official liaison between the ICW and your department. He will have a contingent of one hundred to be attached to my offices. Moody will be the group leader. Amelia, we think the Death Eaters will move against the ministry soon. We can't afford to have it fall," Sirius told her.
Amelia looked up. "But we have purged all their old supporters."
Sirius nodded towards the door. "You saw Anders reaction. There are many of the old families that didn't support Riddle and his sycophants, but still believe in Pureblood supremacy. The attack in Hogwarts a few months ago shows that. I'm not saying they will follow Malfoy and his ilk, but they are getting restless with the changes coming through. This move by the ICW may push some over the edge. It's not just here, either. Alain has let me in on other grumblings. There are many out there not pleased with their lot."
Augusta waited for Amelia to nod. When the old battleaxe turned to him, there was a light in her eyes that had him pity anyone that it was turned on. "You know what happened to my Frank and Alice. Neville is growing into a strong man, but he is not a fighter, and I want him and his betrothed to give me great-grandchildren. What do you need from us?"
"I need Harry to be able to take his seat. We need more funding for the Aurors. If the Purebloods don't revolt, then I meant it that the Muggleborn and Half-bloods might. Neville has more influence than you think, Augusta. Harry and Hermione told me he's not been shy in letting others know about the Pureblood laws and there is a sentiment growing in Hogwarts against the privileged Purebloods," Sirius replied.
"What are you proposing?"
"We need to get rid of the Pureblood laws. It will upset them, but as you said, their influence is already starting to wane. We need to ensure that everyone is equally involved. I'm not saying that there may not still be some type of conflict, but it might be more manageable if we can get ahead of it."
Amelia was still looking at the report. "If it's not too late already."
"Merlin, I hope not," Augusta said. "The last war nearly broke us."
"If war breaks out, it probably will. I'm hoping to prevent an all-out-war."
"You have our support, and I will make sure our members get inline," Augusta vowed.
"Harry and I are fully committed."
"Speaking of which, when will he be here? I would like to meet him before the moot later this month," Amelia told him.
"He's on a mission in the Russian Empire right now. He should be here next week," Sirius told them, hoping that the issues over there would get better by then.
Status Power Mingguan
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