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Selias

The dwarves aren't that important to the story just yet, but they will be involved later.

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The First Gothic - Book Two - A Wizard In Practice

Part 10

The Ministry of Magic – The Wizarding World.

"You and I should talk," the head of the DMLE told me rather bluntly.

I wasn't in the mood for another meeting as I'd just spent the morning going from one department to another in an effort to not only legalise my House Elf delivery service, but also to get the permits I needed to rebuild a magical village in Wales.

"Can we just book an appointment?" I asked "I've got a rather full day planned and...".

My sentence died under the head auror's gaze and it's funeral was nothing more than squeak. This was a scary woman.

"You have an appointment and it's now" Susan's aunt told me, before taking my arm and leading me to her office.

As soon as the door closed I expected her to lay into me about what I'd done with her niece the other week, but that wasn't the case.

"Okay, start talking" Amelia Bones ordered "Why are you planning to rebuild a village people abandoned during the seventies. And don't tell me it's about making money because you can do it other easier ways".

I could lie and just say it was something to keep me amused, but Susan's aunt was no fool, she'd see through a straight up lie so I had to tell at least part of the truth.

"Because of the war" I answered.

Which was the truth, it just wasn't the whole truth in that I wasn't going to mention the fact that I planned to start the war at some point.

"There is no war" said the head auror

Which was also true as Voldemort was long gone, and most of the Death Eaters were dead. Sure their children might rally around a leader, but they just didn't have the numbers or the influence that they used to.

"The Muggleborn rebellion" I clarified "or the last Blood Purity War if you want to call it that".

Amelia Bones said nothing so I kept talking.

"Purebloods are dying out" I said "but those that are left own nearly everything and have most of the money".

I could actually be counted as one of those people as I owned a lot and had loads of money. But I wasn't really one of them not in the way it mattered.

"My concern is that eventually the Muggleborns will get sick of the way things are run and they will do what all oppressed masses do when they get sick of being oppressed. Which is to rebel and then chop off the heads of all the wealthy land owners".

It had happened in revolutionary France, and who could forget the American War of Independence. People on the other side of the pond had gotten sick of nobles too. They'd wanted democracy for everyone not just wealthy land owners.

"As a wealthy land owner I don't intend for my head to be chopped off" I went on to say "So I'm going to help make things better for the oppressed masses. The village I want to restore is going to be for Muggleborns who want to live like magic users and not have to hide who they are from their neighbors. I'm going to give them a place to live were they can be safe and free. Away from Purebloods who look down on them all the time".

The Head of the DMLE finally said something.

"So you're not planning to take down the Ministry".

I was shocked to her actually say that I was unable to hide my surprise, but somehow I was able to recover.

"No I just want to make the world I live in a better place" I explained "I'm actually trying to make the Muggleborns feel more like they are a proper part of our society".

Which was also true and it worked as part of my master plan because I didn't intend for their to be an actual war. Sure the Wizarding World needed to be torn down and rebuilt but it needed to be in such a way that it didn't expose magic to the mundane peoples. Plus I didn't think this civilization could survive a full blown rebellion. There weren't that many wand wavers in the British Isle as it was if we started killing each other in a civil war that would be the end of an entire culture.

"But that doesn't work then ten years from now or even a hundred years from now there will be a war and I'll still be alive to see it so I plan to be well prepared with a Sanctuary for people who don't want to fight but could be still be victims of a war" I then said.

Which could happen as while the Purebloods were a dying lot they weren't dead yet and while they didn't have the numbers to win a conventional war they could still destroy this society before they met their final end.

"Alright, Mason" the head of the DMLE said "You've got the right idea. I'll help you set all this up, but I want something in return".

She didn't seem the type of person to take bribes so I did not reach for my money bag.

"And that is?" I asked.

"I want Susan to have a home" was the something she wanted in return "A safe home".

Well that was easily done as I'd been planning to build her one as she couldn't spend her whole life in flat above a shop.

"You might want to live here, too" I told her "the battle lines will be drawn at some point and I'd like Susan only remaining relative to at least have a roof over her head".

I couldn't tell if she was just playing me or not, but I felt it unlikely she would try that as I knew her niece. If Amelia Bones truly suspected I was going to led the Muggleborn in rebellion then she would try to keep Susan away from me not ask me to put her up in a nice house.

"Couldn't afford it" the Head of the DMLE

Most likely due to not taking bribes.

"That's not a concern" I replied "Muggles have this thing when they can't afford to buy a house they take out a loan and then pay it back a little at a time. But because the Goblins control our finances I can't offer them. So I plan to get around that by just letting people buy the houses from me a little at a time. There would be no rush to pay me back because I've got an obscene amount of money and the loan has a small interest rate so I'd get more back as long as I wait. But the contracts don't give me the houses back just because you miss a payment and you can spread out the payments so you can afford to pay me back what you can pay back. Sell me your old house and I'll deduct the value of that place from the house you want to buy. They aren't even built yet so I can even let you decided what size house you want and such".

The Head of the DMLE thought things over for a while before she spoke to me again.

"Thank you very much" she said "That would be perfect. Although I wonder who would buy my old house?"

That was a good question as unless I could sell that home I'd be making huge losses.

"I don't know" I said "But it doesn't really matter in the long run. I have ways of making more money and I won't be giving everyone this kind of deal I just happen to care a great deal about Susan".

Amelia sighed at this point.

"I should have gotten you to agree to a marriage contract with Susan back when you first became friends" she said.

That wouldn't have worked as Luna had gotten her claws into before my first Christmas in this world. Sadly for young women like Susan there was a young man shortage due to past events.

"Sadly I'm already taken" I reminded her.

"Oh?" the woman said with a raised eyebrow. "So, you're strictly a four-woman guy?"

"Sorry what" I replied, acting as if I didn't know exactly what she was talking about.

"Everyone knows about Miss Granger being your girlfriend despite the fact that your married I assure you, there is no hotter topic in our world just now. Then there are the rumours about you and the Carrow Twins, that one does the rounds now and again".

Which just went to show that people in the Wizarding World really did have isolated lives. My sex life really shouldn't be a topic of discussion.

"What happened with Susan was..." I started to say.

"Better happen again" the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement "That poor girl has very few friends and no gentlemen callers. She hides it well but she'd very lonely and it's only a matter of time before Hannah gets around to marrying Neville Longbottom and then sadly my niece's best friend will start drifting way. I've seen it before. So while I don't approve of what you get up I do want Susan being hurt so if your going to go on dates then go on dates. Don't leave her waiting".

It almost sounded like the chief of the magical police was telling me to shag her niece.

"Just try to be discrete next time" Amelia Bones requested "Take her out to the Muggle World if you can I don't want to hear so many snide comments about Susan in the future".

Luna hadn't cared about me fucking Susan, and that didn't surprise me as my wife wanted me to have a harem, and Hermione, if she knew, didn't seem to be worried either. I wondered how they'd become the sort of people who tolerated me sleeping around and then realised that it had to be my doing. I had indeed corrupted many young minds, that or something else had I had a horrible feeling I knew who was behind it.

"If she had other options I'd be upset" Amelia Bones then added "But sadly she doesn't, so be very good to her or I will find a reason to lock you away. Do you understand?"

I just nodded and then left the office. It seemed the wise thing to do.

(Line Break)

Wilderness. Skyrim.

When J'zargo had asked to me help him with his research project this wasn't exactly what I'd had in mind.

"No. No, no, absolutely not, this is ridiculous. I refuse to be led into a den of vampires by a talking mutt" I said

J'zargo smirked at me before saying.

"Where is the harm, friend? Imagine, if he is who he claims to be".

I knew for a fact that the dog was exactly who he claimed to be, and that was the problem.

"Then all the more reason we should stay away from it" I argued "Do you know what happens to people who make deals with demons?"

It never ended well.

"There is no deal. We are simply reuniting this poor, lost dog with his master. A good deed, nothing more" J'zargo pointed out.

Already I could see that there was no talking him out of this. J'zargo was set on his path and nothing sort of controlling his mind would prevent the cat man from acting so foolish. Either he'd get suckered into a bad deal or he'd be killed by vampires. I had to prevent that.

Plus I would like to kill some leechs. Skyrim's own breed was a nasty lot with no of the subtly of vampires of other worlds and they weren't that hard to kill either.

"Fine I'll go with you" I said "if only to stop you from getting your fool self killed".

Or worse he could get turned into a vampire. That would be even worse as J'zargo was a pain in the ass to live with and didn't much fancy him living forever.

(Line Break)

Shrine To Clavicus Vile. Skyrim.

Just like in the game there really was a shrine to Clavicus Vile deep inside a network of cave. The stone statue of the Prince was carved elegantly from marble, by someone of great skill.

"Clavicus Vile," J'zargo said once we reached the shrine "We come to make a request".

"He has" I corrected "I'm just visiting".

"By all means, let's hear it" said the prince "Go on. It's the least I could do, since you already helped me grant one final wish for my last worshipers. They were suffering from vampirism, you see, and begged me for a cure. Then you came and ended their misery! I couldn't have planned it better myself".

When vampires didn't feed for a while they went somewhat feral and more monstrous. They also became very flammable. J'zargo and I were rather good with firebolts so we'd not had much trouble burning the vampires who hadn't been at all subtle in their attacks.

"You just make him take the dog back" I reminded J'zargo.

Apparently the prince could hear me despite the fact that I hadn't been trying to make contact with him.

"That insufferable pup? Forget it. Request denied. No deal".

Which was fine with me but J'zargo didn't let it go, but the Prince ignored the cat man and focused on me.

"What about you, Mage, do you want anything? Tell me your heart's desire, and I will make it so."

That was never going to happen.

"I'm no fool, Vile. I know what happens to those who make deals with you" I replied.

Demon deals were of the bad.

"So there's nothing you want? What a shame. I suppose a Dark Lord like you has quite enough power already, hmm?"

I winced upon hearing that as while I knew some of the princes had an interest in the planet I lived on they didn't seem to be interfering with the Wizarding World, and I would have liked to keep it that way, but it seemed that Princes were at least keeping an eye on the magical folks.

"Just take the dog, Vile" I said in an angry tone.

"I already said that there's no way I'm taking that mutt back. I'm glad to be rid of him, even if it does mean I'm stuck in this pitiful shrine in the back end of… Nowhere".

J'zargo was looking at me, but I just ignored him. I could only hope that he put the 'Dark Lord' part of this conversion down to Vile being a dick.

"Well, perhaps there is a way for him to earn his place back at my side. Maybe. But no promises" the Prince then said.

"What is it?" J'zargo asked eagerly.

My fellow apprentice wanted to study a Deadric Artefact for his project and I had promised to help him get one. Now I was regretting doing so.

"There's an axe, an incredibly powerful axe. It's powerful enough for me to have quite a bit of fun, indeed. Bring it to me, and I'll grant you my boon. No strings attached. No messy surprises—at least, not for you."

"Lord Vile, this one would be pleased to retrieve this axe." J'zargo said while giving the prince an exaggerated bow.

"As I recall, it's resting in Rimerock Burrow. Barbas will lead you right to it. He might even earn his place back at my side."

With that the voice faded away, but I still felt like we were being watched.

(Line Break)

Rimerock Burrow. Skyrim

The Rueful Axe was an impressive looking weapon all ebony and silver. Surprising tasteful and even from a few meters away I could sense the axe's power. It radiated magical energy. Also the axe had been placed on an altar and surrounded by flickering candles

"You think he's really going to take the axe and let you go?" I asked of my fellow apprentice.

I wasn't worried about me. My soul was damaged in such a way that no demonic creature could claim it and I was pretty sure that the Traveller owned it anyway, but my friends spiritual existence was in danger.

"Of course," replied J'zargo. "We have a deal."

It wasn't as simple as it sounded. With deadra it never was.

"The deal is for him to take back this damned mutt" I reminded my fellow student "You don't get anything out of it. But of course, it still counts as a deal, so it binds you to Vile and he will us that"

That was when Barbas spoke up.

"Don't worry about it. Clavicus has his own sense of honour; he's just really peculiar about it. Just don't let him trick you into changing the deal and you will fine".

So far Barbas seemed to be rather reasonable and for some reason I trusted the canine even if I didn't much like him.

"See, friend" the cat man said "J'zargo will be fine, and you will be there to help, J'zargo".

I thought things over before answering.

"Fine let's just loot this place and then I'll teleport us back to the shrine".

The quicker this was over and done with the better.

(Line Break)

Shrine To Clavicus Vile. Skyrim.

"Almost seems a shame to give a weapon like that away, doesn't it? I suppose I could be persuaded to let you keep it—but only if you use the axe to kill Barbas"

J'zargo fixed Barbas with a predatory stare and tightened his grip on the axe. The dog yelped in protest and I readied myself to stun the cat guy.

"Wait a second! What did I tell you about changing the deal? Kill me, and you get to keep the axe—but give it to him, and the Masque of Clavicus Vile will be yours"

Which was the powerful artefact that my friend wanted to study. It's a helm that endows the wearer with the legendary persuasive power of the Prince himself, certainly more useful than an axe at least to a Mage.

"Go ahead and spoil my fun, why don't you? Why do I even keep you around?"

We all waited for the prince to give in.

"Oh fine I'll honour the deal"

Barbus soon vanished and appeared in statue form next to his master, and the axe was gone to. Then my friend has an artefact to study.

"Come along then, mutt. There's a whole new world just waiting for me"

"What did he mean by 'new world'?" wondered my fellow student.

I had a bad feeling about this.