Authors Note and Disclaimer
This story was originally published as an NC-17 tale called the Guildmaster. After some considerable delay (Chapter 4 was a killer) it s now being reposted in line with FFN's new restrictions and after a considerable amount of re-working and polishing (I hope). I would like to thank my original reviewers Martha & Squirrel, Starlight and Zebee who I hope will enjoy revisiting the story. All feedback is always welcome!Please note that this was written before OotP so there will be inconsistencies with canon.
Harry Potter's universe and all it contains is the brainchild and property of JK Rowling. No infringement or disrespect is intended.PHILOSOPHIES OF LIFE AND DEATH By Chetwood
Prologue
"A History of Crime and Punishment in the Wizarding World" By Heroditas Snape
… The great number of death penalties envisaged for war criminals after the conclusion of the Great Wizarding War and the defeat of Grindelwald in 1945 led to calls for a review of the Wizarding penal code. The Ministry of Magic's War Crimes Inquiry recommended that 'execution' of the soul rather than the body and a more austere prison regime at Azkaban would answer public concerns for reform and appropriate punishment. The subsequent introduction of Dementor Guards at Azkaban and the 'Dementors Kiss' as a humane form of capital punishment was part of the 1945 Penal Reform Act and dealt the final blow to the long relationship between the Wizarding World and The Guild. …
…The Guild of Gaia, a muggle organisation, was initially formed in 963 to protect muggle born witches and wizards from persecution during their childhood years. By 1137 its role of protectors to the vulnerable and persecuted had developed and The Guild additionally took on the guardianship of the newly built prison of Azkaban. By 1230 the Guild had been requested by the Great Wizarding Council of Callanish (convened 1207-1234) to provide one of their number as an executioner to the Wizarding World. This individual was colloquially called the 'Red Cord' after the principal means of execution a red silk garrotte. After the Penal Reform Act of 1945 The Guild controversially severed all official links with the Ministry of Magic although it is still believed to exist albeit in a much reduced form. …
***
With a barely audible 'pop' Albus Dumbledore apparated into the stone circle. Callanish stood eerie in the pale light of a summer evening in northern latitudes; it was a fitting spot for this meeting he thought. A place created by muggles but resonating with magic till it fairly hummed in the air. A dark cloaked figure seemed to emerge from the stones to his left. He smiled to himself as he thought that perhaps Severus had a rival in the dark mysterious figure stakes. He welcomed the newcomer.
"Greetings Guild Master."
"Greetings Minister Dumbledore, and to what do I owe the pleasure of this summons", a soft voice replied.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and paused, uncharacteristically hesitant in his reply. "I am here on behalf of the Ministry to petition The Guild for help. With the end of the war against Voldemort and the grave losses our society has suffered there has never been a greater need for The Guild and your particular expertise."
The Guild Master sighed, " Forgive me Minister if I sound a little sceptical, but my understanding was that in 1945 The Guild's expertise was found to be old-fashioned, in-efficient and in-humane. Are you telling me that only now, 60 years later, the Ministry has discovered it was wrong?" The figure shook it's head sadly before continuing in a mocking tone, "Of course it must have been a shock when they discovered that Dementors were dark creatures, whose idea of humane treatment would be to release all those Death Eaters from custody. I'm sure the Ministry could never have foreseen such an outcome."
Dumbledore's expression grew grave as with this retort the Guild Master turned to walk back towards the stones.
"Wait!" The figure stopped and Dumbledore continued, "I'm well aware that the Ministry has been stupidly short-sighted in its dealings with The Guild over the past 60 years. You and your colleagues have every right to be both sceptical and angry about that treatment, but now is the chance for a new beginning. Wizarding society has had its eyes opened. We know we cannot stand isolated and alone from the wider world any longer, we must draw from all humanity's strengths muggle and magical to rebuild what has been lost."
"Fine sentiments Minister and I am sure you are quite sincere." The Guild Master shrugged and turned back to Dumbledore. "I cannot promise anything but the Guild Council will consider any requests you make most carefully. You will understand that we will not be quick to trust, but The Guild was formed with the sole purpose of protecting the vulnerable in the Wizarding world, we know we cannot do that without some co-operation with the Ministry."
With these parting comments the figure slid silently back into the shadowy stones.
Dumbledore smiled wryly, heaving a quiet sigh of relief. Dealing with The Guild was always going to be difficult but he was surprised at how well this first meeting had gone. At least he had not received an outright refusal to his approach, now he just had to push things through at the Ministry. Sometimes he thought winning the war was far harder work than fighting it.
Chapter 1 – Dramatis Personae
The Penal Reform Committee had quickly become the graveyard of lost hopes for the Ministry of Magic's Secretariat. For a start the Chief Auror chaired it and whilst everyone acknowledged Severus Snape's invaluable contribution in the late war his people skills had not improved with the Peace and could best be classed as abrasive. Secondly the principal committee members were an explosive mix of personalities. There was of course the 'Boy-who-Lived', Harry Potter now Head of the Department of Mysteries; Alastor Moody the ex-Chief Auror; Arthur Weasley, Head of the Muggle Affairs Office; Mafalda Hopkirk, Chief Officer of the Improper Use of Magic Office and Oliver Wood the acting Governor of Azkaban. Toss in Arabella Figg and Draco Malfoy as co-opted members and it was not surprising that most committee meetings became loud and heated. Matters had become so bad that the only person now willing and able to act as secretary to the committee was the Chief of the Secretariat herself Ginny Weasley and she had only done so on the condition that all wands were handed to herself for safekeeping before the meeting started. Now after nearly a year they had still only managed to agree the first quarter of the new Penal Reform Bill and they had less than a month before it had to be presented to the Minister for his approval. Ginny Weasley despairing of making any further progress had now decided to call in the big guns.
"That's it I've had it with the lot of them!" she stormed as she slammed her papers down on her desk. "Serge!" she yelled through the open door into the outer office for her assistant.
"You screamed" came back from a grinning face as it popped around the doorframe. "I assume it's safe to say that the committee meeting was less than productive" he commented as he came into the room with a large mug of very black, very strong coffee. Ginny grabbed the coffee and slumped into her chair with a sigh whilst Serge made himself comfortable on the corner of her desk.
"I've tried everything, and let's face it I have the advantage that I'm either related to, engaged or best friends with half of them and still we're not getting anywhere. Snape couldn't chair a congregation of saints without getting up someone's nose let alone that bunch and we're rapidly running out of time." She slurped her coffee despondently.
"You've tried logical reasoning?"
"Yes."
"Appealed to their better natures?"
"Non-existant."
"Bribery?"
"Yes."
"Threats?"
"Yes."
"Sexual Favours?"
"For the Lady's sake, Yes! Nothing works they just enjoy annoying each other too much to agree on anything and normally I wouldn't mind so much but this is very important legislation and we can't delay it much longer. Well I suppose there's nothing else for it."
"You're going to have to call in the big guns."
"Yes. Ring Chloe and see if she can fit me in for lunch tomorrow. We'll have to see what Hermione and Albus can do with this mess and Serge…"
"Yes, Gin"
"Thanks. I'm sorry I yelled."
***
Dr Alexandra Houghton tiredly climbed the five flights of stairs to her top floor flat cursing the weight of case, laptop and handbag and the fact that Edwardian buildings did not allow space for the installation of lifts. The sunny flat had wonderful views over Kew Gardens but at times like this she seriously thought about moving. Finally reaching her front door she rescued her keys from the bottom of her handbag and opened the door. Dumping her bags in the hall and kicking off her shoes with a relived sigh she walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on.
"Peace at last"
"Sorry to disappoint you Lexi"
Alexandra jumped as a familiar voice came from the hallway behind her.
"Bloody Hell Nikki! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Where'd you spring from?"
Nicola Adams smiled wryly at her travel worn best friends look of chagrin.
"I've been waiting for you to get back, you know I've got keys. Where've you been?"
"International Symposium of Criminology and Psychology in Rome. I just flew back into Heathrow a couple of hours ago. I know this must be important, but I'm warning you I'm brain dead at the moment. Three days listening to Psychologists drone on about deviancy kills grey cells more effectively than alcohol you know."
"I'll keep it simple then. There's an emergency Guild Council Meeting tomorrow morning at 10am. Dumbledore contacted us again two days ago and the meeting is to discuss his requests. I've left the file with all the details on your desk in the study."
Alexandra groaned, "Gods first Psychologists now Wizards what did I do to deserve this."
Nikki laughed replying, "You accepted the nomination as Guild Master".
"Thanks Nikki big help but that was a rhetorical question actually. Now do you want coffee or tea or are you going to let me collapse in peace."
"Tea please and then you can tell me all about those delicious Italians."
***
Hermione Potter winced as she checked the Minister's diary for the morning and realised that it was time for the Chief Auror's weekly briefing. As the Minister's Cabinet Secretary and the chief civil servant at the Ministry she was now a person of some considerable power and authority but she still could not throw off her old Hogwarts reactions to Severus Snape. He continually managed to make her feel like an insecure schoolgirl and she sighed as she realised he probably always would. Gathering her papers for the meeting she made her way into the adjoining office smiling at Chloe the Minister's private secretary.
"Is the Minster ready Chloe?"
"Yes Mrs Potter he said to send you straight in, the Chief Auror is already with him."
Hermione grimaced inwardly, now she was in for her weekly dose of Snape sarcasm. He would probably target her timekeeping, when she knew full well that she was on time and he was early - Oh well, best to get it over with. She opened the door to Dumbledore's office and walked into the middle of an unexpected Snape tirade.
Albus Dumbledore sat placidly behind his desk, blue eyes twinkling whilst Severus Snape proceeded to curse and rant with his customary icy anger, wicked sarcasm and basilisk looks. Hermione had not witnessed such a display from Snape since the height of the War and discreetly tried to retreat from the room before she was noticed, but Dumbledore acknowledged her presence with a smile.
"Good morning Hermione, I hope you are well – How's Harry? Please excuse Severus he is somewhat upset over my ideas on the Penal Reform Bill."
