Disclaimer: I do not own nor am I affiliated in anyway with the wonderful JK Rowling; I only play with her characters from time to time.
This is part three of the Alliance series, you will need to read The Alliance: Reborn and The Alliance: Just Another School year for this to make any sense.
Important information: This story takes place in Harry's fifth year so Kayleigh (Slytherin) and Eike (Slytherin)long with their year are in their 7th and final year at Hogwarts, Samantha (Hufflepuff) is in her 6th year, Mark (Hufflepuff) is in his 5th year, Natalie (Gryffindor) is in her 4th year and Michael (Ravenclaw) is in his 3rd year. All of their parents know who they truly are and Michael is still Sirius' adopted son.
Chapter one
A summer nightmare.
It had been by mutual agreement of the Alliance and their parents that they would all spend the summer holidays living at the Alliance Manor, one it would allow the group to perform the tasks they required and two it offered some of the best protection that was available. Though the community had been alerted to the fact of the Dark Lord's return many sat on the fence not believing a word of it, the self-titled Dark Lord himself so far had been quiet it was as many who had lived through the previous war knew the calm before the storm. The calm that lulled you into a sense of security allowed you to let your guard down just a little, but for 7 people it was a calm that put them on the edge waiting for the first strike, waiting for that peace to be shattered waiting for the world to realise they were back at war and there was something within that calm that told them it would be worse than the war before, it would be a bloody battle and where some believed it fell onto the shoulders of one single boy who did also reside within the manor they believed it was never one person's responsibility it was the whole communities.
The holidays had barely begun when they sat down for the first time with Amelia, where once again they addressed the question of what they should do, where did they start now? They wanted to train Harry not because they believed the hype of him being the chosen one, because they knew no matter what Riddle would go after the boy like he had done previously but for them to do that they needed special permission from the Ministry, they needed permission for Harry to be able to use magic outside of school. Though the wards at the Manor did stop the normal trace all underage witches and wizards had on them, they did not want to go behind the Ministries back. With approval sought and gained, the boy-who-lived found himself facing a tough training regime one the 7th years faced daily along with the members of the Alliance.
July 30th1995, Alliance Manor, 9:30am
"The Dark Lord wants his faithful followers back, he is putting plans into place as we speak," Severus spoke darkly to the group who sat around the table that held their normal meetings, "How he plans on doing it has not been divulged yet he will keep it close and secret until the last minute as to prevent a leak. Albus has called together an Order meeting for tonight to take place at the castle as always with Albus he keeps his ideas and cards close to his chest, unless he wants you to know something you will not know it. He is still boarding under the delusion that Harry is the Chosen one the boy of the prophecy, last I heard him say he was going to post guards at the Department of mysteries."
"But it is not there," Mark looked slightly confused, "We got Harry to collect it and move it."
"Those transcripts may have gone slightly missing," Amelia smirked from her seat, "It seems the records department had a mishap."
"So as far as anyone is aware it is still in place," Samantha grinned, "Do we let the Order play guard duty for nothing?"
"It would allow us to know what they are doing," Eike spoke from his seat, "But Amelia that is really up to you, if you want them in the Ministry in secret."
"Providing they do not attempt to get into the Department I have no problems with them standing there," Amelia answered, "But we will keep an eye on them just in case."
"Sir," Kayleigh looked up from her spot, "When you say he wants his faithful followers back, do you believe he plans on breaking them out?"
"I would assume so," Severus sighed, the faces around the table paled.
"The Goblin nation has offered their help, a war for them would have dire consequences," Remus spoke.
"At what cost?" Natalie asked, "I mean they always have a cost."
"50% of the takings of the vaults of any person we bring to them," Remus answered.
"So we get a look at the vaults first?" Severus asked glancing once to Amelia, "What would the Ministry say upon this?"
"We have never has the chance to go through the vaults of those who are sentences the Goblins always refused us entry," Amelia answered carefully, "Providing we got a look at the vaults first then as the Minister of Magic I have no problem with the deal, what would happen to the other 50%?"
"Compensation fund," Michael suggested, "use the confiscated funds for families who have been affected by the last war and the one that is upon us, many people had their lives destroyed by the first wizarding war."
"Speak to them again Remus and find out if we can check the vaults first, no doubt there would be dark artefacts within them those need to be destroyed," Severus leaned back in his seat, "What would they do with anyone we sent them?"
"The Goblin nation has their own court system and High security prison," Amelia paused, "Are they to be tried within the nation's court system?"
"I can request Ragnor comes through," Remus added the question to the parchment in front of him; "We will need to draw up a contract if we decide to proceed."
"The less people who know about this though the less chance there is of a leak."
"If we cannot trust Ted to draw up this contract then we do not sign anything," Remus reasoned.
"Very well," Kayleigh nodded, "See if Ragnor can join us and Ted, I would rather have this problem dealt with swiftly than spend days on it, the sooner we can move then the safer everyone is."
"I will see to it now," Remus nodded standing up.
"I do have a question," Amelia spoke when they were alone again, "Where is Sirius?"
"Spending some time with Harry out of the country for a few days," Michael answered, "Albus is trying to recruit Sirius back into the Order so he needed a break."
"My parents are part of the Order," Bill spoke from his spot, "As Albus asked me to join as well, Charlie is recruiting for them overseas, Percy well he is happy at the Ministry and believes you will handle it, he is under the impression that to work with Albus is treason."
Amelia laughed softly, "Your brother Bill is a ministry employee through and through, but I do not see working with Albus as treason his ways may be questionable but he wants what we all want."
"Albus moved Mum and Dad and everyone into Hogwarts, Hermione is there with them as well."
"Has anyone seen to Miss Granger's parents?"
"We have," Severus nodded, "We organised for wards to be placed around their home, and they will alert us if anyone is to approach or attack."
"What about other muggleborns?" Mark asked.
"We have a meeting set with the Muggle Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales this afternoon to discuss placing the required wards over those areas, but we have to be careful on that fact too many wards could have the undesirable effect to alert the Dark Lord of where they live," Severus answered.
"Any muggleborn who is of age is not going to sit back and do nothing to leave their families unprotected," Eike spoke, "As it is any muggle born in our year as already seen to just the basic wards around their homes."
"We are putting out a press release for those who live in a muggle area to see to it that they place rudimentary wards around their properties and to include their neighbours," Amelia opened one of her folders handing around a sheet of parchment to everyone, "This is the draft press release."
A knock was heard at the door making all eyes turn to it, the Alliance glancing once at each other before taking their potions to change their appearance, "Enter," Kayleigh called out clearly adjusting her robes.
"My lady," Ted appeared stepping through the door, "Lords and Ladies, Minister," he bowed at the table, "Remus said you wished to speak with me?"
"We do," Severus answered, "Please sit down, did Remus say if anyone else would be joining us?"
"He has gone to collect…" before Ted could finish a knock was sounded on the door once more.
"Enter," Severus spoke as Remus and the Head of the Goblin nation entered the room, "Ragnor," he nodded in respect to the Goblin the Alliance following suit.
"High Lady, Lord and Ladies, Minister," Ragnor nodded in return before taking a seat at the table along with Remus, "Mr Lupin informs me you have questions in regards to the deal that is to be struck."
"We do," Kayleigh addressed the Goblin with respect, "Mr Tonks is here as our legal counsel in this matter given we all believed it would be prudent to draw up a formal contract."
"Agreed," the Goblin bared his teeth, "Our requirement for housing these criminals is 50% of their vaults."
"We shall agree to that on the following conditions, we are allowed to inspect the vaults before it is divided and any dark artefacts are to be destroyed with by the Goblins with someone from this table or Lord Black as witness or we shall destroy them with a Goblin witness."
"That is agreeable," Ragnor nodded once.
"Secondly given your own court system as these criminals to be retried?" Amelia asked.
The goblin studied the table his teeth bare once more, "If you require, are penalties are a lot higher than your own."
"You have the death penalty for murder," Severus spoke coldly.
"We do Lord Proclotect," what could only be described as a feral smile crossed the face, "If we are to retry them, then they could face it, just like you Milord have the power to order execution."
"Ragnor," Kayleigh spoke softly her hand partly raised to stop anyone else from speaking, "If we agree to retry them within your own systems as due to the fact you are agreeing to this leads me to suspect they have also committed crimes against the Goblin Nation, then I would ask that all sentences that are handed out which involve the death penalty be produced to us with the supporting evidence of why they are facing such a penalty and we may have a say in whether it is carried out."
Ragnor studied the woman leaning back in his seat his claw like fingers pressed together, "For that we would require another 10% of their vaults."
"3%," Kayleigh countered, "We plan on using the other funds to support families who have been affected by the last war and the one that is upon us."
"7.5%," Ragnor lent forward again.
"4%," Kayleigh shook her head.
"5% or you have no say."
"deal," Kayleigh nodded, "Ted please add to the contact that information, and if we do not feel the death penalty is justified they gain an extra 1% of the vaults to cover the costs of housing the convicted for the rest of their life, if that is agreeable."
"Agreed."
"Then we shall move forth," Severus took control once more, "We would like to remove these high risk prisoners to you as soon as possible, when would it be possible for you to receive them."
"The moment the contract is drawn and signed," Ragnor answered, "The contract is to be signed in blood."
"Agreed," Kayleigh answered cutting everyone else off, "The contract though is never to make public light until after this war, unless you wish for the community to know of the new rules of high risk and maximum security prisoners losing all of their funds."
Ragnor nodded once, "Mr Tonks draw the contract up."
The contract took two hours for it to be drawn up and worded all parties in agreement with what it entailed, the vaults would not be subjected to inspection until after the prisoners had been moved to the Goblin nation court system as well as given they were already convicted they would not have access to legal counsel for the charges once more which was on par with both legal systems but completely out dated in the muggle side. The blood quill was placed upon the table as the contract was finished, Kayleigh nodding once moving to the document and quickly signing her name in blood before handing the quill off to Severus. One by one the Alliance signed their names followed by Amelia and finally Ragnor, Remus and Bill signing the document as witnesses, "We shall expect your prisoners, our court will run tonight and tomorrow."
"Thank you may your gold always flow," Kayleigh bowed to the Goblin once more in respect, "And your enemies struck down."
The table was silent as Ragnor left along with Ted who took an oath not to repeat what had been drawn up, "We need to move on removing the maximum security prisoners," Amelia broke the silence, "Without the world's knowledge."
"Sleeping potions," Severus growled, "Place it in their evening food."
Amelia nodded, "The guards at the prison though could become a problem if they were to notice that they were missing."
"Move 12 of the medium security up to the maximum security most are facing life sentences anyway," Kayleigh spoke softly, "Pardon 12 prisoners with minor offences, then the numbers will match what they should be."
Amelia stood from the table, "I will see to it, Remus, Bill fancy a trip?"
"Of course," Remus stood glancing once at those still seated seeing the nods.
"Inform us how it went when you get back."
"Excuse me," Kayleigh spoke once they were alone again standing from the table, "There is nothing else we can do until they get back."
"Kay?" Eike went to stop her.
"I'm fine I just need to think," Kayleigh shook her head, "I will see everyone later."
Alliance Manor, 7:20pm
It was after 7pm when Remus and Bill returned to the manor, the deed done 12 high security prisoners now in the control of the Goblin Nation, Remus found Severus standing by the windows looking out onto the grounds, "Is it done?" he asked a growl in his voice.
"It is," Remus answered, "They were going to begin the court proceedings immediately, I was informed to expect rulings from tonight."
"I do not know if they can make this decision," Severus shook his head, "I do not know if I can make it, I would have been one of them Remus."
Remus nodded, "But you are not Severus, you are not a traitor to our community you did what had to be done."
"Severus?"
"Natalie?" Severus turned to face the girl.
"The Prime Minister agrees with you on not wanting to alert Riddle to the locations of muggle borns but he did suggest maybe placing wards over various suburbs instead which may or may not house a muggle born student."
Severus nodded, "Speak with Bill about it and draw up some plans, we can discuss it more tomorrow."
"I will," Natalie answered her eyes glancing to Remus, "It is done?"
"it is, we will address it later," Remus answered.
"I'll let everyone know," Natalie nodded leaving the two along again.
Remus turned his gaze back to Severus who was looking out the window once more, "There are always going to be hard decisions Severus, the more hard decisions they have to make now the easier it will be later. Would you really want them running free in the community?"
"Of course not," Severus growled.
31st July 1995, Alliance dining room, 7:30am.
It was not a pleasant breakfast conversation that was going on around the table, the parents of the Alliance remaining silent as they listened to the arguments breaking out all because twenty minutes ago a letter had arrived whatever it was they had no idea but it had started the arguments, "Enough!" Kayleigh slammed her hand down on the table bringing it to silence, "We agreed to this yesterday."
"But Kayleigh we…"
"Here is not the place to discuss this," Kayleigh cut Eike off. Breakfast after that become tense with no one speaking, the moment it was over the group filed out heading back into their main meeting room the doors being closed and wared shortly after.
"It is the 12 of them!" Eike ranted the moment the door was closed.
"You expected any different?" Kayleigh sighed sitting down, "I agree with their ruling," she spoke softly her eyes studying the table.
"You…" Eike paused before sitting down, "Kayleigh are you sure?"
Nodding Kayleigh looked up, "They are high risk, their crimes are so great, I trust the Goblins as much as one can trust the Goblins but we cannot afford to have these people getting out into the community we cannot take the risk."
"No one has ever escaped from the Goblins before," Natalie reasoned.
"There are seven of us," Michael spoke from his seat his voice soft, "We vote on Aye or nay."
"Agreed," Mark nodded along with Samantha.
"I agree as well," Severus nodded, "Everyone write their vote on the parchment in front of you then we shall read the verdict," Severus wrote his own answer down before collecting the parchments, "I will be the only one who knows who wrote what."
"No," Kayleigh shook her head, "Call Remus in here he can read them."
Remus entered the room seeing the white faces before Severus handed him seven pieces of parchment, "Vote one Aye, vote two Nay, Vote three Nay, Vote four Aye, Vote Five Aye, Vote six Nay, that is three Ayes and three nays with one vote left, Vote Seven…."