Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. I have a miraculous three days off and nothing to do, so I wrote this lovely chapter. I've got good news and bad news also! Next quarter is coming up and I get to take less classes than normal since I'm pretty close to graduating, which means more free time to work. I've also been laid off my night job, which is the bad news. So I've got some free time that I didn't think I'd have. I'm going to try and make either longer chapters that take about the same amount of time to update as I've been managing previously, or I'll keep it the same length and update a bit quicker hopefully. Also I hadn't noticed before now but the page breaks I use don't actually appear when it's posted to the site. I'll rectify that soon.
Let me know what you think, and as always a round of applause to my lovely beta Pixel and Stephanie Forever. (I have hidden a little joke for the scholars in the room – Pixel) Be forewarned, there's another jump in this chapter.
Enjoy.
Thetford, Norfolk
28 July, 1991
Royal Junior Thetford Academy
Dormitories
Harry and Walter had just awoken late on a Sunday morning when they heard a loud and incessant tapping on the window. Their first inspection showed it to be a tawny owl, with a large yellowed envelope tied to its foot. Walter opened the window cautiously and left it open when the large bird hopped through and proffered its leg to Harry. Harry was glad the other two boys that he and Walter shared a room with had already left for breakfast, they were both squibs that held a certain animosity toward Harry for being a wizard. Walter didn't much care since he'd known Harry for so many years, but there was still a lingering anger towards wizards in general that Walter had.
Harry cracked the wax seal on the envelope and unraveled the letter.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwamp, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.
Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry skimmed through the second page of the letter, making note of the materials he didn't have already: Robes, gloves, wand, telescope. When he was done he looked over to Walter who was grinning as he watched the emotions rush over Harry's face. There was happiness, excitement, and then sadness. Walter understood why his friend was sad, but he knew it wouldn't last that long.
"Congrats Harry, this place just won't be the same without you. It'll be terrific." Walter smiled to take the edge off of his words. Harry smirked at his friend.
"At least I'll finally get a night's sleep without having to worry about you keeping me up by snoring mate." He and Walter shared a laugh before slipping off of their beds and getting dressed before heading off to breakfast.
"So how's your grade in Sergeant Kensington's class?" Walter asked as they walked down toward the Mess Hall for breakfast.
"I've got a B." Harry said, rubbing his shoulder where the Sergeant had hit him particularly hard during their last sparring session.
"That's better than I did when I went through her beginner's course. I'm having a real pain with my potions essay, are you going to have time to look it over before it's due tomorrow." Walter nodded to a passerby, heading into the Mess Hall.
"I should, unless something comes up. If worse comes to worse I bet Flora would look it over, she's a wiz at potions." Harry said with a smirk, knowing his friends thoughts on the eldest Carrow sister.
"You know she scares me mate, and not because she threatened to rip my bollocks off with a serrated blade, you know her parents were Death Eaters." Harry gazed at his friend disapprovingly.
"Yes I do know, because she and Hestia told us. Besides you aren't scared of Hestia in the slightest." Harry grabbed a few pieces of bacon and toast as they sat down, grabbing an apple and making himself an omelet as he went.
"Yah well, Hestia is Hestia, she couldn't hurt a fly if she wanted to." Walter was beginning to get defensive, and glared at Harry angrily. Or as angrily as he could considering there was porridge dripping out the side of his mouth.
"Helps that you fancy Hestia." Harry said with a mischievous grin.
"I don't fancy her!" Walter gasped around his spoon.
"Who does Walter fancy?" Hestia asked as she sat down next to him, leaning her head on one hand and giving Walter her full attention.
"Indeed who could it be?" Flora said mirroring her sister. Walter sent a pleading look at Harry, silently begging him not to continue his teasing.
"Why ladies it's rather simple." Harry took a measured breath as the twins leaned in and Walter silently promised him pain. When he was sure he had their fullest attention he spoke, "It's a secret." The twins startled forward and slapped Harry on the back of his noggin.
"Don't abuse Harry too much girls." Hannah cut into their conversation as she sat down. Harry grinned cheekily until Hannah continued speaking. "That's my job."
"Hannah!" Harry whined. The table broke out into laughter as the two friends began poking each other in revenge. They sat in silence for a while after the laughter died down, calmly eating their breakfast.
"I finally got my letter." Harry said taking a bite of his omelet.
"Congrats Harry, I think we're supposed to go to Diagon Alley to pick up whatever we need next week." Hannah nodded in agreement with Flora.
"That's good, I only need a few things but…" Harry trailed off as Colonel Jameson walked over to their table.
"Cadet Potter with me." His CO barked as he kept walking to the door. Harry stood up quickly and made to follow his superior.
"Congratulations on the promotion, Sir." Harry said in his 'formal voice' as he caught up to the man.
"Thank you Potter. What we feared has come to pass. The Wizengamot has decided they don't like the Crown being able to relocate their orphans and unwanted into a muggle system and they also seem to be taking an exception to their being magical advisors in Her Majesty's military and in Parliament." They had swiftly made their way to Jameson's office and stepped inside.
"Why Sir?" Harry inquired as his CO gestured for him to sit down.
"At the pressuring of one, Lucius Malfoy the Wizengamot has decided that they have more power than Her Majesty and thus should be completely autonomous from our government. They're already left to their own devices but they want to be able to work without the limitations of the Treaty of Kent, which prohibits them to the Crowns rule and decides that their Minister must report to the Prime Minister at least three times a year. "Jameson sighed before continuing "They have been persuaded by money and cunning that it is best that non-magicals have no ability to oversee them or step in if they overstep their boundaries."
"I understand Sir." Harry nodded, "I assume I will be asked to speak before the Wizengamot?"
"Indeed, but be warned there will be a large number of politicians present - and most will try to use anything they can to prevent us from stopping this Bill. We leave in an hour." Jameson said, sorting though some papers.
"What does the Bill say exactly Sir, if I knew then I could be better prepared." Harry asked.
"Very well." Jameson said pulling two sheets of paper from his desk. "In short. Article 1: The Royal Junior Thetford Academy is to be disbanded and its children placed in appropriate homes or orphanages. Article 2: Any magical citizen will resign from any muggle employment. Article 3: The Ministry of Magic will have complete autonomy from its muggle counterpart. Article 4: The muggle government will not be allowed to perform actions inside the Wizarding World."
"Sir, I just remembered. Isn't there a part of the Treaty of Kent that prevents any Bill from being enacted without the Queen and Prime Minister's approval?" Harry asked, the proverbial lightbulb going off above his head.
"Indeed, however the Queen and PM understand that there isn't any reason for the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot to acknowledge that part of the Treaty if they're already trying to secede from British society." Jameson said with a frown. "On the plus side we're going in with a few important politicians, namely the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Home Secretary. That means we get a dozen armed Special Forces coming in with us in case they try something." Harry nodded absentmindedly, still puzzling over what he was going to say to the Wizengamot.
"Sir, what prompted this move by the Wizengamot?" Harry asked, his face scrunched up in confusion.
"There has been a slight revival of the 'Pureblood Only' dogma that was birthed by Voldemort, except it has taken to form of 'Wizards Only'. With that revival I would guess that the wizards that supported Voldemort managed to gain a better foothold in the world again and began trying to push this through." Harry nodded, again in deep thought. "I have notified your instructors, you may wish to go and get changed into your dress greens, and I'll send word when we have to leave." Harry nodded and stood, turning on his heel and marching out the door.
Harry hurried back to his dorm and began organizing his dress uniform that had been issued to the cadets for inspection purposes. He finished grabbing his really uncomfortable dress shoes before disrobing and beginning to slide his beige trousers on. He was halfway finished putting on his slightly too large overcoat when Walter and the three girls walked in. They took a minute to process what Harry was doing before Walter spoke up.
"Harry I know you want to look nice for me but you could save it for formal events." Harry responded by flipping his friend the bird.
"The CO and a few politicians are going to speak at the Wizengamot, and, since they believe that I'll have some sort of sway with them, I'm being asked along." Harry explained, slipping his longer socks and then his dress shoes. The information that the wizarding government was likely to try and interfere with the school was common knowledge at this point, and thus needed no explanation.
"I mean I understand why you're being asked to go, but what are the wizards trying to accomplish?" Flora had a confused look on her face, biting her lower lip as she tried to make rhyme or reason for the Wizengamots political maneuvering.
"Autonomy. They think that the non-magical folk have too much sway in their government. At least that's what the Colonel told me, I'm sure there has to be another reason but for the life of me I can't think what it is." Harry said, scrounging around his bed for the cap he had dropped. Once he had picked it up, he took hold of his clip on tie. Although most of the cadets wore the standard tie, Harry had special dispensation for something differing due to a psychological reasons stemming from when he was at the Dursleys.
"Well they could just be testing the waters, seeing what sort of political response they get from our end and theirs, or they could be planning to kill whoever comes to represent the Queen. One way or the other it'll be a hostile situation by any meaning of the word." Hannah had a worried look on her face as she gave her ideas on the situation.
"I had considered the idea of an ambush, but they wouldn't waste their time with a Colonel and a few relatively minor politicians. Besides we have a dozen Special Forces that are escorting us at all times, we'll be fine." Harry spoke quickly to quite his friend's fears. "I'm afraid I probably won't be able to take a look at your potions essay Walter, but as I said Flora would probably help if you asked nicely." Harry grinned as his friend gulped and looked over at the eldest twin.
"I don't know Harry, he'd have to ask reeeally nicely." Flora said with an almost predatory grin.
"I still have about a half an hour till the Colonel will call me down, so who's up for a game of chess?" Harry said glancing at his watch.
"I'll play I guess." Hannah shrugged.
"I'm gonna go work on my potions essay, good luck Harry." Walter quickly made his way to the door, followed shortly by Flora. Hannah and Harry set up his chess set, while Hestia settled into a chair to watch.
London, England
28 July, 1991
Backseat of a Land Rover
Harry and Jameson were situated in the back of a lightly armored Land Rover Discovery for their trip to the Tower of London where the original Ministry of Magic was located. Before the newer and more widely used facility came into existence, the Ministry held power in a deeply warded area under the Tower. Despite the centuries of near dis-use, it still was used for its sole courtroom – Courtroom 1. It was the courtroom that used for the meeting of every single member of the Wizengamot. Otherwise, the DMLE used it for training purposes. The four politicians that were coming to represent Her Majesty were split up into two other cars with a compliment of four heavily armed SAS per vehicle. They were heading to the direct entrance of the Ministry of Magic. Five of the Special Forces men hopped out of the SUV's and scanned the area with weapons drawn before finally giving the all clear. The rest of the group exited their SUV's and began making their way to the doors, four SAS leading the group and four behind with the other four fanned out around them. Needless to say they made it into the building without any sort of complication. They were then led into an elevator that took them downwards into the Atrium of the Ministry. They made their way through and met up with a tall balding black man.
"I am Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, and I will be guiding you down to the Wizengamot's chambers." He said as an introduction, his baritone as smooth as gravel. He eyed the soldiers guns with some fear and a little awe, before turning and leading them towards a large lift in the back of the Atrium in a room labeled as 'VIP access only'. Once underground, the group walked along darkened passageways that had quite some dust and debris. They made their way down to a doorway labeled 'Courtroom 1' which bore the legend 'Te Amare Volo'inscribed in faded gold over the doorwayand were led inside by Auror Shacklebolt. "We've been meaning to get that changed" he said.
"Why have you not done so?" asked Harry.
"Budget cuts"
"Well…" Jameson said with sympathy, "That is something we have in common in both our worlds". As per the way they entered the building, the SAS entered first and fanned out - covering all of the doors in the room and having a good eye on all of fifty members of the Wizengamot. The group was led to a large table on the left side of the court, they had to squish together slightly but they managed. On the other side of the room there were three men seated, one with long blonde hair and an arrogant smirk on his face, the second man was short and balding continuously ruffling the papers in front of him. The last man was portly with a small green bowler hat that he kept twiddling nervously.
"I believe we can begin early since everyone has arrived?" A tall woman wearing a monocle questioned the room. There were murmurs of acceptance throughout the room, she nodded and stood. "We are called here to observe the proposal of Bill 19021, on the further segregation of the Wizarding World from its muggle counterparts. I am Amelia Bones acting head of the Wizengamot in lieu of Albus Dumbledore, we will being with the Ministry of Magic." She announced, her eyes peering inquisitively at the three.
"Thank you Madam Bones." The blonde man stated rising from his chair. "As this august body knows, the Wizarding World has many secrecy acts to prevent our citizens from revealing us to the wider world, in an attempt to prevent the witch hunts that occurred not too long ago. Recently the British Government has made those laws next to worthless by hiring wizards and witches and opening a school to educate those of our population that have been displaced. If this is allowed to continue, I fear it could be the end of our civilization as we know it." His voice was as silk as he addressed the audience, but Harry wasn't paying that much attention observing the crowd, watching them react to the man. "We hope that with this Bill we can cease this integration that may in the end cause our society great harm." The man bowed slightly at the applause he garnered before retaking his seat. With a nod from Madam Bones the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs stood and began his opening speech.
"Esteemed members… As you all know the Treaty of Kent gave the Wizarding government the right to be mostly autonomous in exchange for keeping its citizens policed and the Prime Minister of the British Government informed of what is occurring in the Wizarding World. We respect that autonomy, and have never tried to encroach on that right. However before and since the fall of the Dark Lord Voldemort." He was quieted by the gasp that rushed through the chamber. Not even some of the most hardened members of the DMLE spoke his name openly. "There has been a larger influx of magical citizens crossing into our side of the world and an even larger number of magical orphans being left in the non-magical world, and we have accepted them as we would any other British citizen. We established the Royal Junior Thetford Academy to educate these children that had fallen through the cracks into our world, in order to help them and give them a fighting chance in the world." He paused for breath, surveying what appeared to be a hostile crowd. "There are more than fifty thousand magical citizens living and working in the non-magical community, they make up a healthy portion of our population and will never be turned away by our government." From that point on Harry lost most interest in the proceeding, but from his casual observations he noticed a large number of the Wizengamot appeared to be swaying to the Secretary's arguments. Harry hoped for a brief moment that he wouldn't have to actually say anything during the meeting, but alas. "We have with us one of the students from the Academy to testify about the schools effectiveness and general necessity." That was one of the other politicians with too long of a title, motioning to Harry as he spoke. Harry sighed and stood when motioned to do so.
"What is your name young man?" Madam Bones' voice was strong but gentle. Harry braced himself for the storm that was sure to follow saying just his name.
"My name is Harry James Potter, and I am a cadet at the Royal Junior Thetford Academy." He spoke with a strong voice, not showing the nervousness he was feeling. When the Wizengamot finally registered whom was actually speaking, pandemonium broke out. It took several bangs from Madam Bones' wand to quiet the crowd.
"If I may ask, how did you end up at this Academy?" There was a shocked curiosity to Bones' voice.
"My muggle guardians, with whom I was placed after my parents were murdered, lied to a recruiter for the Academy in an attempt to rid themselves of me. I have spent four years at the Academy and have never been happier." Harry said with a tight smile as the room focused on him.
"What sort of classes do you have at the Academy?" came a question from the far right of the gallery.
"When we were younger it was the common classes you would find at any primary school: math, writing, reading, and science. Because most of the student base are magical we also had basic potions lessons and lessons in magical theory. As we've gotten older the classes have progressed and we've been allowed to take classes on tactics and strategy, as well as more advanced magic classes that do not require wand work."
"Do students have hard times adjusting to the school when they first arrive?" Harry looked pensive for a moment.
"Some more than others, two of my roommates are squibs and have a hard time in general being around loads of magic users. Those purebloods and half-bloods who wish to attend the Academy have a hard time getting used to the manual work we have to do on a day to day basis. In general after a while the students do adapt to one another's strengths and weaknesses." Harry said motioning for any more questions.
"Why did your muggle relatives want you gone?" Harry sighed at the predictable question. Colonel Jameson made to rise and reprimand the man but Harry turned and told him it was fine.
"My muggle relatives were very hateful of magic and by connection myself for reasons I do not know. They saw magic as something freakish or an abomination of nature. In the end they never asked to take me in and from what they have said I was just left on their doorstop on the first of November." Harry sighed and ruffled his hair "My case is not terribly different to many of my classmates, who lost their parents in the war, or were rejected for being squibs, or had relatives abandon them once they were discovered as magical. This is why the Academy is necessary, because children fall through the cracks and end up in horrid environments that can be harmful to their growth." Harry finished his minor rant and returned to his seat after being prompted to do so by Madam Bones.
"Well done Potter, I think you just brought most of the chamber to our side in a few minutes." Jameson said with a chuckle as Harry relaxed in his chair while the Secretary took to the floor again. After another ten minutes of bureaucratic bullshit it came down to a vote.
"Esteemed members of the Wizengamot I now ask you to cast your anonymous vote, which will be collected and counted after the votes are cast." Madam Bones called out to the chamber, and motioning to the little box in front of each member. After another five minutes the votes were tallied. "The votes have been tallied and in a vote of thirty eight to twelve Bill 19021 has been struck down. That adjourns our meeting for today, thank you all for attending and please have a safe journey." She said as the courtroom began to empty. Harry and his group made a quick exit in case any of the opposition wanted to try something, but thankfully they made it back to their cars and back on the road without incident. There was very little discussed with Harry, but the boy thought about how difficult Hogwarts might be if there were some of these secessionists' children there in his year and above.
Well kiddies that there is the end of the longest chapter I think I've ever written for a fanfiction. I hope you all enjoyed this little show of how the magical population is reacting to the Academy. As always another thanks to the lovely Pixel and Stephanie Forever (Hard worked, under paid and badly worn out – Pixel) for being the beta of this fictional piece. Now that you've finished this lovely chapter, I'd like to make a recommendation to a fic that I just re-discovered that I enjoy immensely called 'Harry Potters Army: A Generals Lament' by Sharptooth. It is exceptional and something that inspired this fic.
Toodles.
