The Dirty Side of Politics
Three days later, Harry got a letter from the so-called Hierarchy. He was in the Great Hall with Daphne as they were finishing their breakfast when a brown owl landed in front of him and dropped a pair of letters.
Frowning, Harry picked up the letters before noticing that one had Daphne's name on the envelope. Handing hers over, he passed a strip of bacon to the Owl, ignoring how it started to nibble on it furiously before he opened his letter.
Immediately, he sighed. It was succinct, notifying that they would meet at 5 in the evening in an abandoned classroom on the fifth floor.
The fifth floor was the emptiest of the lot, with no classroom and students only going up to isolate themselves from the regular hectic life of the Hogwarts populace or to study in silence.
Harry turned to look at Daphne when she was done and nodded.
The day passed with nothing of note happening unless one counted the nasty looks Malfoy kept giving him and Daphne. The pair ignored the ponce expertly, but Harry couldn't deny that he felt tempted to bash the cunt's head in whenever he stared too long at Daphne. However, Daphne was the one who told him to ignore him since he was not worth the effort. He was already a pariah around the school anyway.
As classes ended, they parted ways from Tracey and Hermione, who were going to the library. Together they walked up to the fifth floor to get this meeting out of the way. Privately they had speculated on what the meeting could entail and had already made an initial decision. The rest would depend on whatever they came to know in this meeting.
Five minutes before five, they reached in front of the door to the classroom wherein the meeting was supposed to take place, and Harry tapped his wand against it. The door opened instantly, and they walked in.
Heads turned as the pair walked in, and they saw six people inside – three wizards and three witches. It was an even group with one witch and one wizard from each Hogwarts house apart from Ravenclaw.
"Potter, Greengrass, welcome. Please have a seat," Rosier smiled and gestured towards a pair of chairs placed side by side. They walked over and watched the others take their seats with their respective housemates and took theirs.
"Alright. Now that you are here, we may begin. However, before that, let me introduce you to everyone else here," Warrington began with a smile, "as you already know, I am Cassius Warrington and this is Olivia Rosier. We are fifth-years and plan to continue beyond our NEWTs for our masteries."
They nodded and waited for Warrington to continue. The dark-haired wizard gestured towards the pair clad in the yellow blazers.
"Richard Abbott and Hestia Jones – they are fourth-years and they also plan to continue beyond NEWTs at Hogwarts," he introduced, and they smiled back at the pair who smiled at them in welcome.
"And finally Julia Prewett and Justin McLaggen – third-years and similar to all of us, they also plan to take their masteries."
Harry and Daphne nodded at the pair before they looked ahead. They had already decided to keep Harry's lordships a secret and went about their introductions accordingly.
Once they were done, Warrington smiled and clapped his hands once.
"There. Now that we are done with the introductions, let me explain a bit more. As you can see, we have six members right now, a pair from each house. Every witch and wizard you see here is at the top in both academics and application in their respective years and comes from powerful magical families. By power here, I am referring to political power. Each house has a hereditary seat on the Wizengamot and is a member of the Neutral faction.
"Now, House Greengrass has been a member of the Neutral faction for a long time, but the same cannot be said for House Potter. Your father, Potter, could not take up his seat on the Wizengamot due to the wartime situation in Britain all those years ago, and your grandfather withdrew from the Wizengamot years ago with Lord Arcturus Black, rendering the Potter seat empty."
Harry nodded.
"This is common knowledge, Warrington. I'd like for you to get to the point already, if you can."
Warrington smirked. He liked the outspoken young man.
"The purpose of the Hierarchy is simple, Potter, as we told you in that letter. We aim to form an alliance of likeminded individuals for co-operation in Hogwarts and in the Wizengamot when we join the legislature. The British magical society has been stagnant for decades now, and as much as it was controversial at that time, your grandfather was right in walking out of the Wizengamot. We aim to drag this society forward, even if it doesn't want to. So far, the Neutral faction has managed to sustain the right balance between the Progressives and the Conservatives. We plan to improve upon it further."
"A noble idea," Daphne nodded.
"I'm glad you think so, however, it is not as simple as I make it sound. There would be challenges from both extreme factions in the future. The war took a massive toll on the pureblood society, with entire houses wiped out. Even our houses were not spared. Julia here lost her uncle Gideon and almost lost her father Fabian. The Prewett line would have ended if it had not been for his luck. The same holds for Hestia and Justin here. Our society has still not recovered entirely, and it would be a huge obligation for the future generation to fix the problems otherwise things would surely become dire."
"You want an alliance with our houses then?" Harry asked finally. Warrington looked around and took in everyone's faces.
"It's not that simple. Alliances are formed for a common cause, and I doubt we have one between us. All I ask for now is a simple pact of co-operation which I hope will one day transform into an official alliance when we join the Wizengamot. There will be no binding oaths and you will be free to leave whenever you choose. However, if you so choose to join the Hierarchy, you can count on six capable wands to come to your aid. Similarly, you would be expected to lend your wand to aid any and all of us as well. Equal exchange."
Harry nodded.
"Your prospect is intriguing, I won't lie," he began, and everyone gave him their undivided attention.
"I have been away from the magical society for years now, and I am only finding my footing as of now. My parents' journals have certainly helped plug in many holes, and I have trustworthy allies of my own who are doing a marvelous job in bringing me up to speed. I know that it is foolish to think that I would remain away from all the politics that surrounds the members of old houses such as ours, and I am aware of the responsibilities on my shoulders. Your proposal of furthering the magical society of our country is indeed admirable, and I won't lie and say that the idea of aiding one another in Hogwarts and beyond is foolish either. However, I can't help but feel that there is more."
"You're a sharp one, aren't you?" Olivia remarked from beside Warrington. Harry shrugged.
"Indeed, there is more, Potter," Warrington nodded, "The goal of the Hierarchy, in addition to a future alliance in the Wizengamot and aiding one another in matters of conflict, is to keep all negative rumours away from the members."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked with a frown.
"Hogwarts is a place of learning, but it can be a very unforgiving one," Abbott began for the first time, and they turned to look at him.
The wizard looked at them and continued, "By now you must be aware of the existence of something known as the Hogwarts Rumour Mill. It is an entirely unavoidable aspect of Hogwarts that can have much more serious consequences for someone than one can even fathom. Just imagine. One small rumour of a wizard being an abusive partner or a witch being a slut, and even if they are innocent, it would become a wildfire. It has the power to affect someone for their entire life."
Justin took over from there, "Many witches and wizards have had their reputations sullied so much that they couldn't even find a decent ministry job after graduation. This happened only to those who were either not pureblood or were from a non-influential family, but the fact that your future prospects can be affected simply based on the reputation you gain by being a victim of the Hogwarts Rumour Mill is something one cannot take lightly."
Harry and Daphne frowned.
"It's that bad?"
Olivia chuckled mirthlessly, "You have no idea. All it takes is one vindictive individual to spread a rumour, and the sheep gobble it up and vomit it out with added flavour. The fact remains that it stinks, and becomes more venomous as time goes on."
"There was a case in Hufflepuff a few years ago," Hestia began solemnly, "rumour spread across the school that a certain witch had been preying on other women's boyfriends and spreading her legs for others. Initially, people tried to ignore it but soon it escalated so much that she was getting bullied away from everyone's eyes for months on end. Attacks became common but no one was found out. Assholes targeted her at every turn, spewing shit and mocking her to do unmentionable things with them until finally, she couldn't take it anymore and attempted suicide. She was a muggleborn, so nothing happened."
Harry and Daphne stared at the Hufflepuff with wide eyes.
"That's why there is such a strict rule against bullying," he whispered. Hestia nodded.
"There is no way to eliminate the Hogwarts Rumour Mill, Potter. And you can bet that it can get ruthless. The sheep will believe what they hear, and it's the sheep that matters a lot. They have the most numbers, afterall," Prewett muttered scornfully as she glared at the floor, and Harry wondered if there was some personal story involved. They watched on as McLaggen rubbed her back in comfort.
"So I'm assuming that the Hierarchy can do something about it then?" Daphne asked finally.
Warrington nodded.
"Being part of this organisation means we need to keep our names clean. Our reputation needs to be impeccable. Everyone here is regarded among some of the best to have graced Hogwarts' walls in the past decade or so, and it needs to remain as such for every member of the Hierarchy if we are to command power and respect in the future, because you can rest assured that even if someone adheres to your words in fear of your House, they will mock you behind your back if you carry such a reputation due to the infamous Hogwarts Rumour Mill. Such power doesn't stay for long. Ask Bagnold if you want."
Harry exchanged a look with Daphne.
"The Hierarchy protects its members. Any rumour that arises in this school comes to the notice of a member of the Hierarchy first. We all have our resources spread around who actively participate in the rumour mill. This gives us two powers – to counteract any rumours that might be unfavourable to us," Rosier smirked, "and to initiate new rumours against someone we would like to target."
Harry leaned back with a smirk as Daphne looked sideways at him. He turned towards her and saw the glint in her eye. Yep, they were on the same page.
"And I take it that all your resources co-ordinate together to spread or quash any rumour?" He asked with a chuckle.
Warrington smirked.
"Naturally," he replied.
"So you are basically saying that the Hierarchy can destroy someone socially without losing a breath."
"Precisely."
Harry smirked and exchanged a look with Daphne before he looked at the others.
"Where do we sign in?"
Eyes widened around them as they all looked at each other before looking at the smirking pair.
"You're ready to join us then?" Abbott asked searchingly. Harry looked at the wizard.
"Well, your goals are admirable, so that's a plus. What you are asking of us in return isn't much either. And the perks are very enticing as well. Seems like a sound investment to me," Harry replied as he leaned against Daphne. Everyone saw how Daphne subconsciously leaned against him and they looked at each other with meaningful gazes once again.
"You don't think inciting rumours against others is morally wrong?" Warrington probed further, wondering what Harry would say. If he was expecting a politically correct answer, he was sorely disappointed as Harry scoffed.
"We are basically politicians here, Warrington," Harry began, "I don't give two shits about some asshole who would target me or mine. You can rest assured that when I'm through with them, they won't be able to show their face in any dignified place. Am I a hypocrite? Or selfish? Fuck yes. Everyone is. I just have the courage to accept what I am."
He felt Daphne take his hand and give a soft squeeze and bumped his shoulder with hers. Both knew what he was talking about.
"Well then," Warrington began with a deep breath, "I look forward to working with you two."
Everyone else chimed in with similar shit which Harry tuned out, his attention solely on Daphne.
"Yep. Not a bad investment at all," he whispered, and Daphne's smirk widened.
XXXXX
Night fell when Harry and Daphne finally left the classroom. The meeting thereafter had been relaxed with them getting familiar with everyone.
It turned out that Warrington and Rosier were indeed set to marry once they left Hogwarts after their mastery. That further solidified the alliance between the two houses.
Julia Prewett, as it turned out, was none other than Weasley's cousin on his mother's side. Her father had been injured in the war and lost his twin, Gideon – something that he had struggled with for years until her mother had helped him come out of his shell.
Hestia was the younger sister of Gwenog Jones - the star chaser and captain of the Holyhead Harpies, a professional Quidditch club that competed in the English top flight. Richard had a younger sister in their year – Hannah if he recalled correctly from the sorting.
Finally, Justin McLaggen came from a family that could trace its ancestry to the founder Godric himself, and he commanded a lot of respect in his house for that fact. He had a younger brother – Cormac McLaggen – a second-year Gryffindor and also a bit of a brat. To the exasperation of everyone in his family, the second son had let their ancestry get to his head, something that didn't endear him to his fellow Gryffindors or convince Justin to propose his name for membership in the Hierarchy.
"That was something," Daphne remarked as they walked towards the Great Hall for dinner. Harry chuckled.
"That it was. It's good that we don't have to keep meeting like some sort of secret society and have to co-ordinate information," he replied. Daphne nodded.
"So they have resources in the rumour mill," Daphne noted.
"Think Tracey would be up to it for us?" He asked. Daphne chuckled.
"She's gonna love it," she replied. Harry smirked.
"Thought so. Although I had severely underestimated the power of this rumour mill," Harry noted with a frown. Daphne nodded.
"Me as well. Our parents' journals simply dismiss it as nothing more than hogwash, but it seems it has grown much more serious since the war," she replied.
"The power of propaganda is massive, Daphne," Harry began as they walked down the stairs, "you don't need even an iota of truth. People will gulp it all down hungrily as long as you give them something interesting. It's the most powerful tool in politics."
Daphne nodded with a frown, looking sideways at him. Harry noticed her look and frowned.
"What is it?"
Daphne sighed and pulled him inside an alcove behind the stairs.
"We're going to venture into very murky waters now," she whispered softly, and Harry looked at her. Daphne took his hand and looked up at him.
"Promise me that whatever we'll have to do, we'll always be honest with each other. I don't want any politics between us."
Harry brought her hand up to his mouth and dropped a soft kiss on her knuckles. Daphne sighed.
"I will remain nothing but honest with you, Daphne. I care too much for you to deceive you," he whispered with a sincere smile. Daphne closed her eyes and nodded.
"I meant what I said, Daphne," Harry continued, "if I care about someone, I care too much. That's who I am, and that's never going to change. We will do things that would be ethically or morally wrong. That is inevitable. However, what we have between us, that will remain pure. Always."
Daphne clutched his shirt as he brought her into a soft embrace, resting his chin on top of her head. She held their hands clutched over her chest and her forehead against his chest, sighing softly.
"Thank you."
XXXXX
"You two are, as they say, fashionably late," Tracey commented as they took a seat opposite her. Their food appeared in front of them instantly, and Harry started to put whatever he wanted on his plate.
"So, what kept you two?" Tracey probed further.
"Remember the letter from three days ago?" Daphne responded. Tracey's eyes widened slightly in recognition and she nodded. That was enough for her.
"We'd like to discuss something with you," Harry looked at the brunette, who put her fork down and nodded. Daphne waved her wand and erected a privacy bubble around them. Tracey leaned closer.
"Is it something to do with this Hierarchy?" She asked. Harry nodded and relayed the information about the resources in the rumour mill.
"And you want me to be your resource, as you put it?" Tracey asked with a raised eyebrow as she stared at Harry.
"More like our associate, but yes," he rephrased. Tracey chuckled.
"I don't have any problem, per se," she replied, before looking at him with a glint in her eye, "but I believe I should get something in return. I will basically be your PR manager, to quote the muggle term."
Harry exchanged a look with Daphne, who frowned at Tracey.
"What do you want then?"
Tracey smirked.
"Let's say I'd like a favour from you two in the future," she took a bite of her food and chewed it patiently while the pair in front of her frowned.
"A favour from each of us, that is two favours?" Daphne asked.
Tracey shook her head.
"I'll ask for something you two can do for me together. Don't worry, I won't ask you to murder an innocent or something like that."
Harry frowned, "I hope you understand my reluctance with agreeing to such a proposal, Tracey."
Daphne didn't look too happy either, as she stared at Tracey.
"Don't give me that look, Daphne. You know very well how these things work. Did you honestly expect me to do this heavy-duty work for you two without getting anything in return?"
Daphne didn't say anything for a few seconds and simply stared.
"It is the ambiguous nature of your demand that I have a problem with, Tracey. Just state something specific and we can at least negotiate," she replied firmly.
Tracey sighed.
"Look, I am not going to ask for anything evil from you two. I am looking out for myself here. If word somehow got out that you have me managing rumours around here that have severely affected someone, I will be the easy target," she replied evenly, before looking at them with a sardonic smile.
"You are high-profile people here, while I am nothing but a half-blood from a normal magical household. I do not have the protection you two can command. So forgive me for looking out for myself a bit and asking for something in return," she added sarcastically. Daphne sighed.
Harry listened to everything Tracey said with a severe frown on his face before he nodded.
"Allow us a moment, Tracey," he said, before erecting another privacy bubble, this time around himself and Daphne. Leaning closer, he told Daphne what he was going to do, and the blonde's eyes widened. Tracey saw Daphne looking down at the table with a frown before she looked up at Harry and said something. Harry nodded firmly. Daphne sighed and gave a nod.
"So what did you two talk about?" Tracey asked when Harry brought down the privacy bubble, and the emerald-eyed wizard looked at her firmly.
"I am not going to grant you a favour from both of us unless you specifically mention what you want right now. I guess you're not going to do that?" He asked.
Tracey shook her head.
Harry nodded and exchanged a look with Daphne, who gave him a nod.
"Alright then," he began, looking firmly at Tracey, who gave him her undivided attention, "I'll make your house a vassal to mine. That would give you political safeguards which you currently lack. You know what it entails, I assume?"
Tracey's eyes widened as she stared at him before looking at Daphne, who was gazing evenly at her.
"Holy shit you're not joking," she whispered. Harry leaned back and looked at her.
"Send a letter to your father after dinner, explaining everything to him and tell me what he says tomorrow. I hope that's enough time for you to get a reply for him. We can talk afterwards."
Tracey could only stare at him as he went about eating as if nothing had happened before staring at Daphne who gave her a small nod and started eating as well.
"Okay," she whispered and looked down at her plate.
The rest of the dinner passed in silence. None of them was in the mood to talk after what had just unfolded. Their walk back to their common room was also without any words. They ignored the students sitting in the common room and walked up the stairs to the floor that housed their rooms.
Right before they were about to go in to retire for the night, Tracey turned towards them.
"I hope you're not angry with me. I explained why I asked for something in return, and I hope you understand."
Her bit said, she entered her room and softly closed it behind her. Daphne sighed and looked at Harry, who was staring at the floor with a frown. Her hand closed around his and she pulled him inside her room before shutting the door behind her.
Leading him over to her bed, she made him sit down and took her seat beside him.
"Talk to me," she instructed firmly, and Harry looked at her.
"I understand that she was looking out for herself," he began, "and I can't blame her for it, but she didn't ask us to protect her in the future from any problems she might face."
"She asked for a favour – something in return for helping us out," Daphne replied.
Harry nodded.
"I wouldn't have had any problem if she'd asked us to protect her. Hell, I would've done that without her even asking for it, but the fact that she asked for a favour…"
"It was a transaction for her," Daphne completed his sentence with steel in her voice. Harry balled his fists.
"I was coming to see her as a friend, you know? I don't blame her for asking for something in return, but that's not how friendships work," he intoned firmly.
A few seconds of silence followed as the pair sat there, pondering upon what had happened in the Great Hall.
"This is just the beginning, Harry," Daphne began, and he turned to look at her. She smiled softly and took his hand, relaxing his fists and interlacing their fingers together.
"We have so much to learn. It's good that we learnt this lesson so early," she smiled, before adding with steel in her voice, "if she wants to keep this purely transactional, then I have no problem with it. Whatever suits her."
Harry nodded with a sigh. Daphne turned to look at him with a frown.
"Why didn't you propose to bring her under your house's protection like you'd initially said to me?" She asked.
Harry released a breath and looked at her, "That would've created an obligation only on my part. Now that the proposal of vassalage is on the table, she would see it as a form of protection, but it is much more than that. Now the obligation is on both sides."
He held her hands firmly and sneered at her, "If she wants it to be transactional, it better be entirely transactional, with obligation of both sides. Quid pro quo, as they say. I will keep her safe, as long as she does what she's been bid to and remains loyal to us. One step out of line from her and I will absorb her house into mine, and she can live out her remaining life as a nameless witch."
Daphne stared at his face for a long moment before nodding firmly. They might have lost one friend today, but it didn't matter as long as they had each other. They had made their first foray into the political sphere and had already learnt a very important lesson; one they would never forget.
'It was quite a game – Politics. You had no permanent friends, and no permanent enemies. Only shared interests.'
Visit patreon.com/Vedros if you would like to read chapters in advance and more fics. Also, there are character artworks available as well, so check it out if you're interested. Thanks for reading!
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