Disclaimer: I am not JK nor do I own any of the rites to the Harry Potter universe, I just like to play with them.


Chapter 1

Just an ordinary summer

Alliance Manor July 3rd 1994

Life was a normal as it could be for a group that held the ultimate secret from the world, without the threat of school hanging over their heads the group was enjoying the summer holidays of course there were still balls to attend, meetings to sit on, greeting foreign dignitaries when required but all in all they were trying to enjoy the summer holidays. They had agreed that given during the school year they did keep their duties when it could be helped to a minimum they would do the same over the holiday so as not to raise suspicion for themselves the last thing anyone of them needed was to put the pieces together.

A peck of owls had been acquired quietly as to allow free access from person to person as Alliance owls would raise more questions than it was worth if they were seen flying from house to house especially the houses of the other fifth year students. The group still did meet as often as they could mainly during the middle of the day when most parents were at work or in the dead of the night when the world slept.

It was an unusually stormy morning when slowly the manor started to fill, today was not going to be like any other day today for the first time the Alliance was holding interviews for possible new staff members and recruits, steadily over the last months of the school year application had been received some from soon to be graduating students, others from the community at large. Lord Sirius Black had already held the first round of interviews of those not about to graduate from Hogwarts and had with permission already hired two people to work within the research department, he had asked if they would be willing to hire a personal assistant for himself given the work load was steadily increasing as time went by and there was only so much one man could do.

Therefore an hour later the Alliance sat around the table with Sirius and Remus parchments laid out in front of them, "You are not returning this coming school year are you?" Eike asked addressing their previous defence professor.

"No I will not be returning," Remus shook his head.

"Then you can take the position of our overall defence Master and ultimate head of our security team," Kayleigh nodded writing it down on the parchment in front of her.

Remus blinked slowly, "Sorry?"

"We trust you Remus and you have helped all of us over the past year considering you are not returning to Hogwarts we want you to stay working with us, you already hold a Mastery in Defence and know the secret there is no other adult that we would trust enough to take that position there is no way we would hire an outsider to take that position," Natalie answered smiling, "And if you refuse we can all just order you to do it anyway."

"The only people you would answer to would be us," Eike shrugged, "You and Sirius already do a lot of work for us, Sirius in an official capacity and now you as well in an official capacity."

"What about the rest of your classmates?"

"We figured structure wise to be like the DMLE you have the head of the department which would be you, then you have your Seniors and supervisors below them you have just the general employees," Kayleigh answered, "Until we all finish school well at least for the next year our year would all hold the senior and Supervisors positions if we hire anyone else they would be general employees no matter what their background consisted of. They would handle the general security watch, maybe sweeps when we are to attend somewhere but there would always be a few seniors and supervisors with them."

Remus nodded, "It sounds all well and good if everything goes to plan."

"Good we will draw up your official contract of employment later today," Severus nodded, "Next?"

The morning was spent discussing the various areas and who would be in charge of each area along with how the structure would work employment wise. The only arguments came when they started to discuss what would become the potions department, it was one area that not only needed to be guarded but given the amount of potions they technically brewed to use most days they had to be very careful, "We could continue to brew our potions at school," Natalie broke into the argument, "That way the lab here and those working in it would not know about it."

"I would prefer if we left the potions department alone until your year Eike and Kayleigh have graduated," Severus shook his head.

"We can come back to potions it does not need to be filled straight away anyway," Sirius spoke, "And we will need to cut this discussion short here anyway, we will be having arrivals within the next 30 minutes."

45 minutes later found the Alliance sat within their finery at a long table a single chair sitting opposite them, their friends and guards were placed at strategic points throughout the room and by the doors as a single man entered looking nervous, "My High lady, Lords and Ladies," he bowed his voice partly nervous.

"Please take a seat Mr Jones," Sirius spoke from his position.

"Thank you," the man nodded taking his seat.

"Lord Black informed us of your application to work within our finances department," Kayleigh took the lead; "We have looked over your application and credentials. You gained a muggle business accounting degree?"

"I did Milady, during the war it was unsafe to…" the man faulted for a moment, "For someone like me it was unsafe to try and work in the magical community so I fled to the Muggle one."

"You are a Muggleborn correct?" Eike asked looking down at his papers in front of him.

"I am Milord," he answered softly, "Is that a problem?"

"Of course not," Mark smiled, "Not many people would have done what you did, leaving our world would have been hard but we do understand why you did it and instead of hiding you gained a degree that not many would think of doing, why?"

"With all due respect to you and our community the wirzarding world can be backwards, we hold only one bank due to treaties that were signed. I gained my degree given the fact I thought that when I returned it would help me to gain meaningful employment and if I could not return to this community it would help me gain employment in the muggle world."

"You previously worked in the finance department of the Ministry?"

"I did, but before Minister Bones came onto the scene I was let go and never moved above the position of a glorified quill pusher."

"Why were you let go?" Samantha asked curiously.

"I came across some discrepancies from the then Minister of Magic's office, I brought it to my heads attention, the following day I was told they were downsizing."

"Why did you apply to join us?" Michael asked.

Mr Jones held in his sigh, "When I saw within the paper that you were going to start recruiting I decided to try my luck, I will admit I had little hope that you would even call me in for an interview given there are no references I can give you as my previous employer flat out denied my request for one when I was let go. I applied mainly because I hoped that you might have a position for me even if it was just to be another glorified quill pusher."

Kayleigh laughed softly glancing at those next to her seeing the small nods of approval, "Mr Jones there is no way we would wish for you to be a glorified quill pushers as you say, given your degree you understand the muggle side of accounting as well that would include investments not only in properties but shares correct?"

"I do I gained my degree in accounting but I also studied finances and investments while at university."

"Very well," Kayleigh nodded still smiling, "Unfortunately at the moment we do not have…" she saw the man's face fall, "any under positions available," she continued on seeing confusion cross the face slightly, "But we do have an opening in that department and providing the security check that I will ask Mr Lupin to run comes back clean we would be more than willing to offer you that position."

"Milady?"

"If you would like to follow Mr Lupin he has some paper work that he needs you to fill out, the check should not take long an hour at the most once the paper work if completed you are more than welcome to have a look around the grounds or wait in the outer office."

Mr Jones nodded still confused as he followed Remus out of the room the door closing quietly, "He would do very well in that position, the ministries loss is our gain," Severus stood.

"Who is next?"

"Walter Phillips, he is one of the trainers at the Auror Academy," Sirius answered, "he is not applying for a job he is here to go over what we are looking for and help set up our own training system."


"Excuse the interruption," Remus stepped into the room pausing the discussion that was going on bowing slightly to the Alliance.

"It is fine Remus come and sit down we are finished anyway," Kayleigh answered smiling.

"You are the head of defence and security?" Walter asked as Remus took his seat.

"I am," Remus nodded.

"Then I will forward onto you our training programs," Walter nodded, "If you have any questions about then just ask, when are you looking at taking your first intake?"

"We are not sure at the moment, we already have our elite guards but even we realise that we cannot expect them to work twenty four seven," Sirius answered, "Even in the shifts they do currently work in."

"Well when you know let us know we would be willing to help, I was one of the Auror's stationed here over your Christmas ball and from what I saw you have most things already under control I would suggest though an ongoing continuous training program for everyone stops people becoming complacent."

"Thank you, we will take that under consideration," Kayleigh nodded smiling.

"Another piece of advice if you are willing to hear it," Walter collected his things seeing the nod, "A team is only as ever strong as their weakest member, something most people do not think about but knowing the weakness of those who work for you can only help you in the long run."

Kayleigh nodded still smiling it was sound advice, "Thank you for your time today, I know that the academy would be busy at the moment with the possible new influx of recruits."

"It was my honour My High lady, Lords and Ladies, Mr Lupin I am sure I will be hearing from you soon," Walter bowed before leaving the group along again.

"William Jones' security check came back clear on both sides," Remus spoke the moment they were alone.

"Then we have our head of accounting and finances," Severus nodded, "he will still answer to you Sirius."

20 minutes later they had a stunned William Jones sitting in front of them, "Mr Jones?" Sirius asked.

"You want me to be the head of the whole department?" William asked softly still stunned.

"If you are willing to take the potion, you would still answer to Sirius and any problems you have you would take to him. At the moment Sirius is the one who is running everything with our input but we wish to make life a little easier, your department would hold yourself and four others but if you require more staff we can arrange that," Severus answered the question, "The state of the Alliance affairs has been left unattended for a long time. Will you take up the position?"

"Yes of course, I never in my wildest dreams thought… yes I would be honoured."

The Alliance smiled also breathing a sigh of relief, "very well we shall organise an employment contract for you as to your staff Sirius will advise you of that situation tomorrow, if you could be here at 8:30am?"

"I will be," William nodded standing up, "Thank you for this opportunity I will not let you down."

"Until tomorrow Mr Jones," Kayleigh smiled as the man bowed.


10th July Alliance Manor.

A week later all of the key positions had been filled, it was 10am when their new department heads all took seats around the large table in the dining hall, Kayleigh of course was seated at the head of the table, Severus to her left and Eike to her right with Natalie and Mark seated next to Eike and Samantha and Michael next to Severus. At the opposite end of the table sat Sirius in the head seat Remus to one side and Bill to the other, William Jones was next to Bill followed by Cooper Goldwell and Anne Wright heads of research and Public relations respectfully. Next to Remus was Ted Tonks new head lawyer of the Alliance and Marissa Clemens muggle liaison, "I do hope everyone is settling into their positions well and thank you again for taking up these positions I know your jobs are not easy ones, Sirius has suggested that we hold regular meeting once a month to address any issues as a whole though you shall hall have weekly meeting with Sirius as well, the first order of business is addressing the office situation," Kayleigh managed to smile, "Sirius?"

"I would suggest a different location, I have been speaking to Remus and Bill there paramount issue is the safety of you all," Sirius pulled out a stack of parchments, "Having people even employees traipsing around the manor creates issues for everyone."

Severus nodded, "Where would you suggest?"

"London," Marissa spoke lightly, "London is a central point for everyone it is also close to the Ministry if we need to speak with them and the muggle government as well."

"What do our finances say about doing this?" Eike asked curiously.

"From everything I have gone over during the last week, we could easily afford to buy a building to house the offices," William answered taking out a sheet of parchments, "it would be a sound investment to make real estate is a good investment."

The meeting continued for another hour before the majority of the heads excused themselves leaving only Sirius, Remus and Bill at the table along with the Alliance, "Having everyone out of the manor would keep your identities safe," Sirius spoke the moment the privacy wards fell into place, "it would also keep your parents identities safe."

Kayleigh nodded leaning back in her seat, "You are all our advisors on this, and to them it may look like we understand more than we do…"

Sirius laughed softly, "We know which is why you need to trust us on this, Severus?"

"I agree with you not having people traipse through the manor everyday would make our life and my life a lot easier, though I would suggest we allow each of the heads continued use of the offices we have provided here it would be rude to shut them off completely."

"Agreed," Sirius nodded, "I will start looking for a suitable place this afternoon our next order of business is OWL results, I was speaking with Amelia yesterday and she informed me they were rather startling results they should be in tomorrow."

"How startling?" Samantha asked grinning.

"We will find out tomorrow," Sirius smirked


Alliance Manor 8:30pm

Loud music along with laughter sounded from the upstairs living room, all in all a celebration was going on. Gone were the alternate identities of the group, gone were the adult appearances instead a large group of teenagers were in their places enjoying a night of freedom, "it is good to see that they can still be themselves," Remus spoke softly from the door way glancing at Severus, "Good OWL results?"

"Some of the best seen in a hundred years," Severus answered nodding.

Remus smiled watching the group, "Sometimes I forget that they are just this, teenagers."

"Most of us do myself included; they handled the last year better than most adults would."

"Do we join them or leave them to it?" Sirius asked coming up.

"Leave them to it, they deserve to let their hair down for a while," Severus shook his head, "And where is Potter?"

"In there joining them," Sirius answered as the three men turned away.

Severus nodded making his way back down stairs and into the study waving his hand at Bill to stay seated, "We shall need to discuss with them at some point what subjects they will be taking next year as it stands they can all continue on with potions."

Remus raised his eyebrow along with Bill, "They all gained outstanding?"

"It seems that the potion they were required to brew was the one they have used for the year," Severus smirked, "And their written work had the marking body triple checking it before bringing in outsiders to also go over it."

Remus laughed softly, "What about Defence?"

"Outstanding's once again for all of them," Sirius answered shrugging seeing the looks, "The marking body asked for the Alliance's help, I went and looked over the theory work and went through a walk in a few memories you taught them well Moony."

The party lasted well into the night Severus only going to break it up as it reached towards 2am, watching as each of his students walked off towards bedrooms all still laughing a smiling, "we need to let them relax more often," he spoke softly to no one in particular shaking his head and heading off towards his own room.

Breakfast was held in the grand dining room to allow everyone to be seated there were still smiles on the faces and soft jokes being told, though a closer look also revealed slight resignation that the fun would soon end and it would be back to work, "Amelia informed me last night," Sirius grinned at the group, "That she would like the Alliance to attend the World Cup, she has offered tickets in the top box and of course knowing how security conscious we all are has also offered tickets for our now highly regarded security team."

Excited whispers broke out at the table the resinated looked disappearing as discussions were held about the world cup, "Before we accept and yes we shall accept," Severus raised his hand cutting off the whispers, "I shall need to know who will already be attending with their families?"

"Dad got tickets of Ludo Bagman," Fred piped up, "For us, Ron, Percy, Bill and Charlie not to mention Hermione and they were going to ask Harry to join us."

Severus nodded conjuring parchment and writing the names down, "Who else is already going?" Slowly one by ones those who were already going answered the list growing leaving only a quarter who were not attending for various reasons, "Very well those who are not going are you interested in going?"

"Of course!"

Severus smirked nodding again, "Then I shall inform Amelia how many tickets we need, Remus we shall need to do a security check of the area."

"I will see to it tomorrow," Remus answered.

"Those of you already going we shall discuss protocol with Remus in the next few days, those of you who are coming with us we shall have a briefing in the morning."

"Another thing we need to discuss, is we have been talking to the IWC and the Russian Ministry they are willing to start peace talks with each other and as you all know have requested that we play mediator between the parties," Severus looked around the group seeing some of the excited smiles fade.

"When?" Kayleigh asked pushing her breakfast away.

"The last two weeks of the school holidays for the start at least, it will be an invite only event though as a gesture of good faith we shall need to hold some formal function along the lines of a ball."