Disclaimer: Harry Potter, its characters, and the Harry Potter Universe belong to JK Rowling. I only lay claim to the situations I am about to put them in for your entertainment. I hope you enjoy my writing but warn you it will sound different than JK Rowling's style.
Chapter 4: Negotiations
As dinner was wrapping up, Kingsley walked into the Great Hall looking exhausted, but in better spirits than this morning. While no physical or magical work was needed at Hogwarts, the emotional damage was extensive. Kingsley had visited the sick that remained at the castle and made sure the plans to transition the patients to St. Mungo's were finalized. This constituted the care of a total of fifteen patients and their family members. The most critical patient's were transferred already, but the remaining patient's would be moved over the next two days. The reason for the move was not for better care, but simply due to the lack of supplies. While well stocked on healing potions and remedies, the vast number of patients requiring treatment taxed even Hogwarts stores. With over fifty lives lost in the battle, the rest of Kingsley's day was spent consoling family members. Since the hard part of his day behind him, his mood lightened up as he approached the table that currently held the Weasleys along with Harry and Hermione. "Good evening, do you all mind if I borrow Ron for a while?"
"Actually Kingsley mate, you'll be getting the three of us to start" stated Ron confidently after washing down the last bit of dinner with some pumpkin juice. As he finished speaking, Mrs. Weasley's astonishment was palpable by all at the table. She was clearly appalled by her youngest son's behavior. While in the process of standing up to lecture her son Kingsley cut in. Mrs. Weasley had to quickly put her pointing finger down, take a seat, and save the lecture regarding Ron's unchecked behavior for later. "As you wish, it will probably speed up the process anyway." stated Kingsley with a sigh. With that he gestured to follow him as he headed to the room behind the staff dining table.
On their way there, Harry hesitantly asked Kingsley to send for Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey as well. Kingsley looked perplexed, but went to ask an Auror to complete the task.
The trio continued into the room to await everyone's arrival. Hermione paced nervously as they waited. Harry seemed to be calm on the surface as he anxiously rehearsed what he would say in his head. He had once heard that all good plans are only good until you engage the enemy, so he focused on his opening discussion.
Kingsley arrived moments later, followed by a perplexed Professor McGonagall. "This is quite out of the ordinary Mr. Potter. What do you wish to discuss?"
"I would prefer to wait for Madam Pomfrey to arrive before we go into specifics if you don't mind Headmistress. While we wait can you tell me what the plan is for Hogwarts next year? Will classes resume as usual?" inquired Harry.
"I am sure the board of governors will see fit to open the school once again next year. That being said I fear that many students will not want to return. I do believe our enrollment will be down." Professor McGonagall stated somberly. She seemed to look up at the trio with hope, but they cast their eyes to the floor avoiding any forms of nonverbal confirmation. The silence was broken by Madam Pomfrey joining the group.
"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, and Miss Granger now that we are all here let's get started" stated Kingsley confidently.
Based on his past interactions with Mrs. Weasley, Harry knew how critical it was to interrupt before Kingsley could get too much momentum. "Actually, Sir, before we continue I have some stipulations prior to the conversation going any further. It is no secret that the ministry and I have had our differences. While I know that was your predecessors, I would like to protect the public by limiting access to the information we are about to discuss. I have two conditions for sharing this information with you and I feel they are fair to all involved. Once the conditions are agreed to, I will tell you all you want to know. After which I also have a request I would like to make of you."
"Mr. Potter, you realize I am the Minister for Magic. We can do this the easy way or the hard way if necessary." threatened Kingsley in a calm tone of voice.
Even though it made him nervous, Harry pressed on, "And you make my point for me, Kingsley. The ministry has used me, my family, and my friends long enough. You have not even asked to hear my terms and you are already casually trying to intimidate me, please don't make the mistakes of your predecessors. As far as the hard way, that won't be an option. Let's just say I have safe guarded the information and you wouldn't want to have to explain why Harry Potter was killed while under interrogation by the ministry." Harry poignantly countered, even if he was bluffing. He had played his cards, now all he could do was wait. He turned to Ron who looked about as bold as a Chihuahua hiding between its owners legs and hoped he was personally putting on a better front. Hermione wasn't much help as she kept nervously switching her weight from one foot to the other. If Harry had to guess, she was about a minute away from getting sick in the nearest bathroom.
After another twenty seconds, Kingsley dryly asked "And what are your terms Mr. Potter?"
With a sigh of relief, Harry continued "Thank you Kingsley. The first is that Hermione and I would like to finish our educations at Hogwarts. There are two subjects that Hermione and I would like to study outside of the normal curriculum that we wish to take in addition to normal classes. Hermione has an interest in learning more about healing and I would like to study wandlore. My understanding is that Hogwarts had a rough year last year, and I believe continuing our studies could help rebuild some confidence that Hogwarts is once again a safe place to send your kids. In addition we would like to work with Professor McGonagall over the summer to determine if any of the three of us have the ability to become an animagus. " Harry paused to see how this first demand was going with Minister as well as Headmistress. From the looks of it Professor McGonagall was ecstatic, her smile was larger than a kid's on Christmas morning. Kingsley seemed to be waiting to see what the second demand was going to be before providing a reaction.
"The second demand will be slightly harder to swallow. If Professor Dumbledore was here, he would have explained to me that I have witnessed darker magic than any seventeen year old should have had to. I can tell you he would have been correct. Because of the nature of our mission, I will require an unbreakable vow from anyone who wishes to hear the tale. I have requested Madam Pomfrey be one of these people so she can assess the after effects of the magic involved. The vow I require would be one in which any specific information about the magic involved could not be shared with others and will not be used personally. Also any magical artifacts mentioned will not be discussed with others nor will you pursue attaining the objects under any circumstance. These are our terms. Please feel free to add some of your own if you feel it is necessary." Harry said with a sigh of relief.
"Are these terms truly necessary Mr. Potter? We both know that Professor McGonagall will welcome you back with open arms and gladly provide the training requested. Hermione is one of the best students Hogwarts has ever seen, so I am sure that we can extend her education farther than the average student. Your interest in wandlore has grabbed my attention, but I feel that after your rescue of Garrick Ollivander, he would be inclined to accept you as a student. This leaves the only real issue as the unbreakable vow. These are not to be used lightly. So I must ask again, is it truly necessary?" Kingsley finished his sentenced and just stared into Harry's eyes awaiting a response.
Without hesitation, Harry answered with a simple "I would swear an unbreakable vow that it is necessary. I am also willing to swear a similar oath to the one I am requiring from you. All three of us will." Once his answer was complete, Harry had to wait through the silence. Harry and Kingsley seemed to be locked in a staring contest.
Professor McGonagall was the first to answer "If you say it is necessary, I will make the vow. I have learned not to underestimate you and I will not do so this time. I will also accept your academic terms if Mr. Ollivander is willing accept you as an apprentice."
Madam Pomfrey was the next to respond "I look forward to working with you this next year Hermione. If this vow is truly necessary, you could gain some once in a lifetime healing experience. I will swear the vow, it isn't that different from patient and healer confidentiality."
Everyone waited on Kingsley. While the others had paved the way for Kingsley to agree, they all knew his was the final say. He sighed as he broke eye contact with Harry. "I will agree to your terms..." he stated, but then re-engaged in his and Harry's battle of wills with a stare that would make most people take a step backward, "but I do have some terms of my own. The first is that you will have to be seen working with the ministry, I know you won't like it, but we need country to regain its faith in the ministry again. This will require an award ceremony as well as your attendance at multiple governmental meetings and affairs over the summer. The second is that any information you give will be as complete as you are able to properly recall. I will also want to use a pensive to witness and understand events at periodic times. You will need to be willing to provide the memory necessary for viewing. The final term is that you will need to let your grudge with the ministry die with this agreement. I am not my predecessors, but I am the minister. I will do everything in my power to serve as the minister the people deserve. I will protect our citizens and part of that duty will require me keeping some secrets, but I will never try to use you without your knowledge. Do we have an agreement Mr. Potter?"
Harry could tell by the continued use of his proper name that he had crossed the line with Kingsley, but he had achieved his goals and based on Kingsley's last sentiment the relationship could be rebuilt. "Because it is you that is the minister, Kingsley, I will accept your terms. I will try to put Fudge and Scrigeour's political maneuvering in the past. To start my new relationship with the ministry off on the right foot, I hope you will give careful consideration to my last request after we sort through the events that lead us to being here today. Let us begin."
Professor McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, and Kingsley took the required oath and waited with bated breath for the story to begin. Harry's description started a cascade of information that covered nearly fifty five years of history starting with Voldemort's initial horcrux. Kingsley wanted to see the destruction of each horcrux and the trio happily obliged when able. This included Hurry's eye witness account of his own "destruction". The tension in the room during this particular moment was palpable. Hermione broke down in tears along with Professor McGonagall. Ron just turned a slight shade of chartreuse and didn't speak for five minutes or so. Kingsley took the moment to take a more accurate assessment of the wizard standing in front of him. The story continued until Voldemort was destroyed by the Elder wand.
"I understand the need for secrecy now, Mr. Potter. That was the darkest of magic and you are definitely in possession of some magical artifacts that many would kill to posses. Your pursuit to understand wandlore is also clearer. I apologize for my behavior earlier, but I think we both know you expected such a response. You may have spent too much time around Albus. I also want to formally commend you on your actions." Said and exhausted Kingsley.
Harry interrupted the minister again, "Not just my actions minister. Dumbledore, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Crabbe, & Voldemort himself all helped to ruin Lord Voldemort's immortality. Regalus Black had tried to fight back, so did his house elf Kreature based on Regalus' command. Dobby gave his life to protect us well. While Crabbe's intentions were to help Voldemort, it could throw some chaos amongst the remaining Death Eaters to know Vincent Crabbe, with the support of Gregory Goyle, played a part in their master's destruction. There are of course countless others, but that was a roundabout way for me to ask you to please focus on everyone's part, not just my own."
"Understood Harry. Now my curiosity is getting the better of me, what else would you request from the ministry?" inquired Kingsley.
"First, are there any other questions about recent events?" Harry looked around and everyone seemed to be satisfied. "Then if you could excuse the minister and me, we have some further matters to discuss."
Everyone knew that they had been summarily dismissed and filed out of the room. Only Harry and Kingsley remained. "My final request may not be something you can help with Minister, but it is worth asking. Hermione is interested as well, so I speak for the both of us when I say that we would like to become Unspeakables when we graduate."
"Harry, my boy, you do know those ranks are chosen for scholars and researchers. I understand Hermione's interest and I would guess she is already on their list of potential initiates. This is one area I cannot meddle in as Minister. That being said, I am confused since I thought you wanted to be an Auror."
"I do want to be an Auror, but can I not be both?" questioned Harry.
"You propose a curious question, often not asked by those going into the Auror ranks. In fact there is only one member of the Unspeakables allowed to be from a warrior background at any point in time. Prior to accepting my position, I had been approached to consider the role. Through discussion I found my future to be that of the Minister for Magic, and not that which they asked me to fill. The positions are mutually exclusive and are in fact the reason that Professor Dumbledore could never seek the role of Minister for Magic. While he was not an Auror, he was considered a fighter and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix which fulfilled the requirements of the position. You now know the extent of information that I have about the topic. I will get word to the Unspeakables that you are interested. If they have not filled the void they may approach you once you are out of school. I suggest you take care to focus on your classes and get the best marks you can if you want a chance at being chosen. You have the fighting background, prove your merit in education and learning. This is all I can do for you. Do not speak of the Auror limitation to anyone else, it is a closely guarded fact that few realize. Please relay to Hermione that she is likely among the initiates upon graduation, but I cannot guarantee it. That is the best I can do, Harry."
Harry expected such a response, and reached out to shake Kingsley's hand. "Thank you Kingsley, I appreciate it." Following their long day, and even longer debriefing both appeared to be drifting off. "It's getting late and we've both had a long day. I am going to bed, let me know if you have any other questions you need answered and I will be happy to fill in any remaining gaps." Harry said as he turned to walk back to his dormitory.
"Good night Harry! And thanks..." Kingsley said as Harry. As Harry turned the corner, Kingsley softly added "For everything" knowing Harry had been willing to give everything, even himself, to protect the world from a foe that was nearly immortal.