Sorry about the wait. I'm still not satisfied but well it isn't getting better so I published it. Also if you feel like leaving a review I'm thinking about bringing Mab back later during Umbridge's inspection of classes either Hagrid or Trelawny.
Chapter 2
When Harry left the dungeon, he found a pale faced and extremely worried looking Mr Weasley who asked, "What on Earth happened in there?".
Harry chose to give the good news first and said, "Well, I got off the charges unanimous vote if you believe it,"
Mr. Weasley looked and said, "How on Earth did Dumbledore do that?"
Harry considered what happened and replied, "The tall man that came in, he's called Dresden, bullied them into it not sure how he did it though," after a beat he continued, "he's from some prison in America, going to be the new Defense against the Dark Arts professor. "
"Two pieces of good news and it isn't even lunch," said Mr Weasley, a genial smile which didn't quite remove the concern in his eyes, "but, what about the woman who was attacked."
Thinking what had happened made Harry's ears ache. He needed a few calming breaths before talking about it, "Queen Mab, the tall woman that was with Dresden, did that to her for being insulting."
Harry was going to ask Mr Weasley what a shee is and how they are related to fairies, when the doors to the court opened. Fudge, who had worked himself back into a fury, nearly ran to Mr. Weasley and spat in a venomous tone, "You better hope that Dumbledore's game doesn't blow up in our faces Weasley," then in a more icy tone, "If it does I'll make sure the Wardens know about the things you've done to all those muggles" then Fudge left moving as fast as person could without running to the elevator.
At Fudge's words Mr Weasley turned as pale as his freckles would allow. Other members of the Wizengamot a streamed passed them while Fudge had been talking, no Harry corrected himself threatening Mr Weasley. Now some members said quick greetings to Mr. Weasley others said nothing. All looked pensive. When the hallway was clear again Mr. Weasley, his face white as a sheet, turned to Harry, "You said the man was from a prison".
"He is," Harry responded, a bit hotter then probably should have "Queen Mab said he was the warden of some place called the White Council". Harry was starting to feel nervous, as if he was absorbing some of the fear radiating from Mr. Weasley. Thinking about it White Council would be a strange name to call a prison and the nervous feeling grew. "If he isn't, then what is the White Council?" Harry asked.
"There's no time to explain, let's get you back safe and I'll explain the situation to everyone. Then I'll come back to the Ministry and find out what the official response will be" said Mr. Weasley as if he was telling himself as much as he was telling Harry what the plan would be.
"What about the jinxed toilet?" asked Harry.
"I'll get to it eventually, might have to let the dawn erode it away", Mr Weasely replied dismissively.
When they came to the entrance hall Harry saw Fudge speaking to a tall blond man Harry recognized. It was Lucius Malfoy and he was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters perhaps even Voldemort's top lieutenant. Fudge must have been informing Malfoy of the events of the trial because Malfoy looked positively green. If, the trail had not been overshadowed by other events, Harry and Malfoy would have traded barbs but, because of the rush to get out they didn't even trade glares. When they got close to the exit someone from a small knot of people that seemed to know Mr. Weasley and called out to him but Mr Weasley cut him off, "No, I'm going get the whole story from Harry and explain some things to my wife and children first. When I get back if they're still treating the rest of us like mushrooms, I'll tell everyone what I know but not until then".
After leaving the public toilet Harry asked, "treating you like mushrooms?"
Mr. Weasley looked a bit embarrassed and said sheepishly, "Ah, well um kept in the dark and uh well never mind the rest"
After informing everyone that Harry had been acquitted everyone was overjoyed, Ron and Hermione both gave assurances that they knew he would gotten off all a long and the twins Fred and George along with Ginny started dancing and chanting, "He got off, he got off". The chant however was stopped almost as soon as it began by Mr. Weasley, "Would you shut up and get Sirius something else happened during the trial and he needs to know now" so forcefully that it sent all the Weasleys, even Mrs. Weasley, into shocked wide eyed silence. While it was a common thing for Mrs. Weasley to shout the number of times Mr. Weasley had done so could have been counted on one hand. Ginny quickly turned and ran out to get Harry's godfather.
When Sirius entered he quickly demanded, "Whats happened Arthur, whats wrong"
"Harry should explain, he actually saw it" replied Mr Weasley.
So Harry started at the beginning of the trial. When Harry got to the part when Dumbledore introduced Queen Mab, Kreatcher, who had be lurking by the door, fell over. "Young Master mustn't say her name, she could hear you! She could take it as an invitation!" Kreatcher shrieked. The thought of Queen Mab suddenly appearing behind him starring down with her cold empty eyes made Harry visibly shudder. Kreatcher continued, "If you must speak of her speak of her tittles". Everyone around the table seemed shocked and unnerved that the foul tempered elf had been helpful.
"Why are you so afraid Kreatcher?" Hermione asked in a kindly voice
Before Kreatcher could say something nasty Harry cut in, "Because she's evil".
This put Harry on the receiving end of skeptical expressions that made his face go red.
"You didn't see her, she has eyes like a cat, vertical instead of round and about as much compassion as a shark" Harry said with anger in voice. "This Umbridge woman insulted the Winter Queen, calling her a fairy, which she really hated, so she ripped off Umbridge's ear." said Harry his voice moving from anger to something more defiant. This, got the response Harry was looking for and, so he drove the point saying, "When she was done, she licked the blood of her hand like it was frosting from a cake".
"Tell them about the man's job" said Mr Weasley gravely.
This confused Harry, why was everyone at the ministry was focused on the man, after all how many times does someone like Queen Mab walk into the ministry nearly kill someone and walked out as they pleased. "Oh he's going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Queen Ma..," but Harry caught himself and said, "the Winter Queen, found him for Dumbledore".
"The other one Harry" said Mr Weasley a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"Um, the Queen told everyone about some stuff he'd done, like start a war with vampires, fought some heirs to this necromancer guy, Kessler or something and he is a famous warden of some white council place."
"They don't exist" said Fred quickly.
"Yeah, just stories parents tell kids to make them behave" said George
"Don't sneak out at night or the Wardens will get you" Fred chided in a good impersonation of Mrs. Weasley.
"Don't take someone else's wand or the Wardens will get you" George chided in the same way.
Mr Weasley looked grave and said, "They are very real boys and, well I'll give you a run down since accurate information isn't really known outside of the various magical law enforcements". After a deep breath Mr. Weasley continued, "Ages ago the Merlin created a group to fight and prevent the dark arts. This group would be populated by the strongest witches and wizards of the entire world. They created seven laws and decreed that all the world would have to follow them" Mr Weasley paused to think what to say next and after a few beats said, "But there was a problem with our people, the wand people they call us, wanted to keep to themselves and not have the council interfering. So the Council faced a dilemma they could let us be an exception or they could force us to follow them but, both solutions would destroy the council. Give us an exception and the Council looks weak, if they tried by the strength of arms internal division would spring up since a goodly number of the original council had family and friends among our people. Either way the Council would be strangled in its crib." Mr Weasley took a sip of water from a glass, that had been brought to him while he spoke. "A compromise was reached where our people would enforce the laws of magic among themselves and the Council wouldn't stick its nose in all the time."
"That doesn't sound like a big deal the Ministry has loads of Aurors, and if it's about You-Know-Who this council sounds like people we should be calling for help.", said Ron a bit confused.
"I was getting to that Ron" said, Mr Weasley "You see, our people and the council have different ideas about quite a few things. They see dark magic everywhere to the point where Mad-Eye thinks that they are dangerously paranoid." Mr Weasley let that sink in for a moment. It was a rather disturbing idea that there were people out there even more paranoid then Mad-Eye, who was widely know for being that trait himself. "Then there are their ideas about trials and punishment, which are don't bother and cut off the off the head of anyone they suspect."
"Arthur you aren't exactly convincing me that contacting the wardens isn't a great thing, I think I might pay to see death eaters get their just desserts." said Sirius, a cold mirth in his voice.
"Oh?" replied Mr. Weasley, "How much would you pay to see mine?"
The silence that fell on the room was deafening.
"What do you mean Arthur you never hurt one in your life" said Mrs. Weasley, who was wide eyed and voice was high pitched and fearful.
"If you have a modicum of common sense sure but we are talking about a Warden and they think a memory charm is one of the darkest forms of magic around."
Nothing could have been more shocking to the people sitting at that table. Memory charms were a routine simple spell Mr. Weasley used to prevent muggles from finding out about magic. In fact, much of the ministry did them regularly. Harry just could not understand why someone like Mr. Weasley who spent his life trying to do good would be treated like Voldemort by people fighting dark magic.
Mr. Weasley explained, "It has to do with the third law of magic, Thou shalt not invade the mind of another. They say that memory charms an irredeemable type of magic and must never be done. They also think wards to guide muggles away from magical sites are deeply suspicious"
"But how do they maintain the Statute of Secrecy without memory charms?" asked Hermione.
"That isn't part of laws of magic so it doesn't concern them" Mr Weasley said acidly.
"Why did Dumbledore bring in a Warden in if they'd kill a load of innocent people?" asked Ron.
"I don't think he did, given what Harry told us about the Winter Queen, starting a blood bath might be her idea of a joke." said Mr Weasley tiredly as if explaining everything had been a marathon. Mr. Weasley seemed older then he had this morning, the lines of his face seemed deeper, the gray seemed to cover more of what hair he had left. Then he took a deep breath and stood up, "Right, I've got to get back to the ministry to find out what's going on there". There was deep determination in his voice as if all the worry he was feeling was an everyday occurrence.
"But, Arthur" Mrs Weasley began but was cut off by Mr. Weasley, "Molly, Dumbledore and even if it was the Winter Queen's doing he'll still be able to work past it, have faith." and with that Mr. Weasley left for the ministry. He did not return before Harry and the others went to bed.
When he finally came back to Grimmauld place near the end of breakfast, Mr Weasley looked utterly exhausted. When he sank into a chair, Mrs Weasley already had a cup of tea in front of him. "Thanks, Molly" he said as he drank, relaxation flowing into him.
"So what is the Ministry going to do?" asked Mrs. Weasley, straining to kept her voice even and free of fear.
"Nothing could be decided. For a while we talked about burning documents but then came how to do it. Some were afraid, that if we did it will spell fire that they would be able to reconstitute from the ashes." said Mr Weasley wearily and then he continued in a more annoyed tone, "Then they had me talk for over an hour about how muggles make fires and then the whole idea was scrapped because we became afraid that the wardens would notice all the missing files if they did come in."
"They made you stay all day and nothing was done?" Mrs Weasley said a bit tersely.
"Did find out that Dumbledore has a letter that will be published about the warden today. That's why the Prophet hasn't shown up yet. After I see it I'm going straight to bed." said Mr Weasley consolingly.
As luck would have it it was barely a minute later that the post arrived. The top of the page was dominated by DUMBLEDORE WRITES OPEN LETTER. It was a fairly long letter and read,
Dear parents of students and other concerned peoples,
I am not sure how fast the information has spread but doubtless by now at least some have heard that a new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts has been filled by a Harry Dresden of Chicago, United States of America. Alas I regret to inform you all that he has flatly refused to work more then this next term. He feels that his current duties as a Regional Commander of Wardens of the White Council, especially during the war, are too important to leave permanently.
The purpose of this letter is to allay the concerns about a Warden teaching at our school. Many of you may remember stories from your youth where the Wardens usually are depicted as merciless villains who murder children. Warden Dresden does not dispute either the charges that they have murdered children or that they lack mercy he does strongly object to them being cast as villains. It his opinion that the children the council executes have unfortunately become too steeped in the Dark Arts to be saved. An unfortunate side effect of the Masquerade for children who have talent in the Art but are not wand users. However, after talking with Warden Dresden though I am convinced that the curriculum of Hogworts does not run afoul of the White Councils laws. If any parent so wishes I will meet them in their home and swear an unbreakable oath that their child will not come to harm by Warden Dresden.
During my conversation with the Warden, we also discussed the issue of testing students to become members of the White Council. Becoming a member would have many advantages including extended life, wealth, and a mastery over the art of magic that even I have not obtained. However I have insisted that testing must be voluntary and Warden Dresden has agreed that only fifth years and up will be considered for Warden training. Parents of students should not be worried that a child who passes will be carried off to never be seen again. Warden Dresden explained that the training for apprentices, who will not be Wardens, is a rather free form and they would even be allowed to stay at Hogworts to complete their education. Students becoming Wardens would face a more intense training but even they would have time to visit family. After becoming full Wardens they would have more freedom to visit then most other profession would be able to offer.
Another concern that many may face is the cost associated with his hire. Queen Mab is known for driving hard bargains and the one I have entered into is no exception. In return for finding a candidate Queen Mab has received a small cottage that lies in the center of the Forbidden Forest and the contents within. As the area of land in question is less then 1 acre I did not need to involve the board of governors with its sale. I am afraid that no inventory of cottage could be made as I nor any member of staff could compel themselves to enter that dark place.
I will gladly accept any letters or comments and I will respond to them as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
After he finished reading the letter Mr Weasley laughed long and hard, "I knew he would have a plan, it's brilliant"
"What are you talking about dad? What's his plan?" asked Ron.
"It's about that war with the vampires isn't it!" exclaimed Hermione, "The White Council needs new recruits because of their war, that's why when the Warden was the trial he was so keen to get Harry enrolled in the Wardens he was absolutely desperate."
"Thanks Hermione" Harry said flatly.
"Oh you know what I mean, you're exactly what they want a fighter to throw at the vampires" Hermione said reproachfully.
"Won't the Wardens still kill dad if they find out about the memory charms?" asked Ron.
"Not if they want to get recruits, if half the ministry ends up on a chopping block every single student at school will lose an aunt or second cousin or have a friend that will and never want to join. So to be safe the warden is going to avoid looking for big trouble." Hermione said gleefully.
"That's not going to stop Voldemort or the Death Eaters though" said Harry and he rolled his eyes as everyone else flinched at the name.
"Yes but it is still another year to prepare and if everything go pear shaped we could get him" said, Mr Weasley and as he stood up continued "would you wake me for lunch dear?" and Mr Weasley left the room.
Hermonie had gone back to reading the newspaper and all the Weasleys looked, well they didn't looked quite as happy Mr. Weasley but compared to their expression before breakfast they seemed positively giddy.
"Reading the letter again, Hermione?" Ron asked.
"No, the Ministry's response is on the next page" Hermonie replied.
"And how are they spinning it to make Dumbledore look incompetent?" asked Fred.
"Well they're talking mostly about him making a deal with Queen Mab and if what they say she's done is true then they might have a point", Hermoine said
"What's she done then?" asked George.
"Well according to the Prophet, in the 13th century when she was at a dinner party hosted by the leaders of a goblin rebellion she killed thirty five people who attacked the hall and supposedly in the 11th century she cursed the head of a Scottish clan to be a werewolf, who killed his entire family, 73 people, after he broke faith with her." said Hermione.
"No way she'd be a thousand years old if that were true" said Ron.
"The article says she is at least 20,000 years old." replied Hermoine.
This shocked everyone into silence. Harry had known that Queen Mab was immortal but knowing she was older then civilization or even the hills was another thing entirely.
"What else do they say" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Nothing about the White Council, probably too afraid to disrespect them. They do mention that Umbridge woman Harry talked about yesterday, the one that Mab beat. Apparently she was going to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor" said Hermione. After she read some more of the article she told the rest of them, "Since she can't be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor she's going to come as an Inquisitor to assess Hogworts' teaching".
"Well that can't be good" said Fred and George concurred with his twin with a vigorous nod.
Mrs. Weasley end the conversation by informing them that there was quite a lot of cleaning to do.
Over the next few weeks good to her word there was a tremendous amount of cleaning. When Ron compared themselves to house elves they got a rather large earful about S.P.E.W, Hermoine's pet cause which Harry and Ron were technically members of. While Grimmauld Place was the headquarters for the only people against Voldemort very little actually happened. When anyone came by to talk Mrs. Weasley made sure that they were out of ear shot even with the extendable ears.
The week before the summer holiday ended the letters from Hogworts arrived. While they said to buy 2 more books, The Standard Book of Spells Grade 5, by Mirranda Goshawk and Elementary Magic by Ebeneezer McCoy, the exciting news were the two Prefect's badges that came with them. To no one's surprise one went to Hermoine and to everyone's surprise the other went to Ron. Fred and George were naturally a bit upset that another one of their brothers had been lost to the rule enforcing opposition, Mr and Mrs. Weasley were nearly bursting with pride and Harry was left feeling a bit disappointed. Harry knew that he should be happy for his friend, there were still mean spirited thoughts that lurked in his head that he should have been made prefect. It wasn't as if he was the only one thinking it either, almost everyone came up justification for why Harry wasn't chosen. Feeling sullen Harry decided to leave the party early. On his was to his room he heard crying coming from the drawing room and so he stopped to investigate. Harry stood transfixed by what he saw, Mrs Weasley lying on the ground sobbing and in front of her Ron dead. But wait Ron was down stairs how could he be hear?
"R-r-riddikulus!" Mrs. Weasley sobbed, pointing her shaking wand at Ron's body.
Crack
Ron's body turned into Mr. Weasley kneeling and a tall man that was vaguely like Warden Dresden did who then hefted up a large sword and cut Mr. Weasley's head off.
"No!" Mrs. Weasley moaned. "No... riddikulus! Riddikulus! RIDDIKULUS!"
Crack dead twins. Crack dead Percy. Crack dead Harry.
Harry tried to convince Mrs. Weasley to leave but couldn't get through to her. When Lupin came followed quickly by Sirius and then by a limping Mad Eye. Lupin looked from the dead Harry on the ground to Mrs. Weasley and instantly realized what was going on, pulled out his own wand and said, "riddikulus"
Crack. The dead Harry turned into a silvery orb and then disappeared into a wisp of smoke.
It took a few minutes to calm her down and she told them that she dreamed about her family dying on a regular basis. While she tried to say it was just silly to break down like that because of a boggart Harry thinking of his own parents thought it wasn't a silly fear at all. After that he felt tired and older and the worries about who got a prefect's badge remote and unimportant.