"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."
~Samuel Adams
11.
Harry had just entered the pub to Floo over to the werewolf settlement. "Hey Lex," he greeted.
"Hey Light," the bartender replied, giving Harry a smile. "Tired too, huh?"
"Oh yeah," Harry said, shaking his head. "Been running back and forth and everywhere in between these past few days."
"Gellert, waaaaaaaaaaaaait!" A voice shouted.
Harry turned, tilting his head and letting out a loud, "OOMPH!" as someone crashed into him.
His head also ached with the hit of the cane.
"Owwwww..." he groaned.
"Oh thank goodness I caught up to you," Bathilda said, looking pleased as they stood. Well, more along the lines of Lex practically picking her up and Harry slowly standing. "I've got something for you!"
"You've got something for me?" Harry repeated, raising an eyebrow. What now? Was it more tea?
Oh dear God, if she tried another date with Dumbledore, he was going to learn to Apparate early and stay with Dudley. No, no and well, there just frankly weren't enough words for nooooooo!
But seeing only Bathilda made Harry relatively sure he had no idea what she was planning. Then again, he hadn't really said much as he had eaten. He felt a twinge of guilt at that, since he didn't want Bathilda to think she was alone or anything. He remembered what she had said, that first night...
'I don't want to die alone.'
He couldn't forget the little old lady who had let him stay with her. Yes he was busy, but he had to make time for her too. "I'm sorry Bathilda, I left without even checking. That was rude. Let's get back and I can see, shall we?"
"Of course! Did you think I'm so forgetful? How could I forget what today is?" She took Harry by the hand and all but dragged him back to the cottage.
"What today is?" Harry repeated, not understanding.
"Oh Gellert!" Bathilda grinned at him. "You're such a busy young man that you forgot your own birthday?"
"My... my birthday?" Harry echoed. His birthday was in July.
Except Bathilda didn't call him that. She called him... wait a second...
Today was Gellert Grindelwald's birthday? Harry blinked, surprised, and remembered that he had to write to the man.
Wait.
Who better, well besides Voldemort obviously, to help him with the horcrux problem? Harry felt like an idiot. And he still had to ask about what the man had meant about the whole intention with magic bit.
They reached the house and Bathilda beamed proudly as she presented Harry with a tiny box. "I thought, since you're always busy and doing so much, sometimes you get people that don't agree." She looked sad and rubbed Harry's arm, "I thought I would try to protect you the best I could. But don't worry, it won't embarrass you, it's so lovely!"
Harry smiled, "I'm sure it's lovely Bathilda." He unwrapped the box. It reminded him, once open, very much of his Aunt Petunia's jewelry boxes. Harry slowly lifted the lid and couldn't help but stare at it.
A snowy owl charm on a chain.
"I didn't want goblin-made," Bathilda said. "They always want it back. I got you elf made!"
"Thank you," Harry said, hugging her tightly as he looked at it. In the box, a tiny card mentioned what it was made of. Elf-made white gold, the owl's perfectly white parts made of the purest pearls found by Merpeople, the black onyx that made the specks Harry was familiar with due to Hedwig found by dwarfs, amber eyes that seemed ancient... It wouldn't stand out too much, hidden under his shirt. When he put the chain on, he could feel the energy from it: warm, comforting, protective... right.
He smiled at it. He felt like he had Hedwig with him and it felt good, knowing that. It wasn't the same as having his owl, his first friend, there with him but it was a little better.
"I need to go get something," Harry said, hugging Bathilda again. "Thank you so much."
"Happy Birthday Gellert!" Bathilda beamed happily at him and ruffled his hair before going inside. Harry chuckled as he heard her turn on the radio and begin to sing with it.
Harry tried to tune it out, but hearing, "Oh, my sweet cauldron, it aches with my looooooooooooooove! Ooo, ooo, ooo, a cooking pot doesn't compare to youuuuuuuuuu!" was rather hard to ignore. Especially when Bathilda's voice was so utterly off-key...
Instead of going right to the pub, Harry went to a few stores. He bought a birthday card, a small cake, and some candy (both Magical and Muggle, because darn it, he still liked Mars Bars and if Grindelwald would like them too, then all was well), since he was pretty sure wherever Grindelwald was didn't have sweets. He had been a prisoner at the Dursleys for most of the summer before and that hadn't been fun at all.
And he had those questions...
The summer breeze blew gently around him. Harry sat under a tree and looked up, unable to resist smiling. Much like Hedwig, Ariel seemed to know when she was needed, because she had flown next to him.
"Are you all right with a little package?" Harry asked. "I'll make it lightweight."
The little bird ruffled its feathers importantly and looked at Harry with steely determination.
"All right then. Let me just do this..." He took out a pen and began to write.
Gellert,
Happy Birthday! I sent you a little gift. I hope you like it. And the diversity will be good for you with the sweets, it'll show that you've changed enough to appreciate the delicious goods that are Muggle sweets.
Thanks for your help. The Hold wasn't for anything bad, just for some knowledge folks really shouldn't know just yet. But it raised questions. Well, for me anyway.
What did you mean when you said intentions for magic? I don't quite understand that. I mean, I know you have to want the spell and picture it and all of that, but somehow I don't think that's what you were talking about.
The other thing... what do you know about horcruxes? Specifically, how to destroy them. I know remorse is one method, but if it has to be destroyed by someone that didn't make it, is there a way? Since you can guess that because remorse won't work, it's not mine, if you were thinking that.
Harry stared at it and decided to write the question that nagged at him.
Speaking of though... you didn't... make any horcruxes, did you? I don't mean to offend, but... well... I guess I'm just curious.
Harry looked over the letter and decided to continue.
Things have been hectic here. We have a new Minister of Magic and he's getting a lot of... I don't know, doubts would be the best word I suppose. He's young, only a few years older than me, but he's been making changes already. There were a lot of things I didn't know that I learned, like Dementors being considered inhumane for prisons. But you didn't use them for yours, did you? So what did you use?
If you don't like talking about it, I understand. I was just curious.
Thanks for everything and try to have a pleasant birthday.
Harry signed the letter and put everything in a package before making it lightweight and sending it off with Ariel. He watched the bird fly for a bit until she was out of sight, then, glancing at the snowy owl on his chain, Harry smiled and walked to the pub.
Finally, he reached the werewolf settlement. He noticed it was oddly empty and silent and saw Callahan glowering over the lake.
Glowering. It was a look to rival Snape's glare, or perhaps even beat it. Harry felt scared of the usually kind man and almost didn't approach him. "C-Cal?" He stammered.
That glare was turned to him, "I will ask you once." His voice was so soft and yet Harry heard every word.
Were he and Snape related? They sure acted the same when angry...
"W-What is it?" Harry asked.
"Did you take anything of mine?"
"What? No!" Harry looked at him with surprise. "Why did you think that?"
"All of my... personal... things are missing." The man looked positively furious still. "Everything. From my wigs to my mascara to my foundation to my conditioner!"
Oh. Crisis averted. Harry had thought it was something important. "Did you ask the girls?"
"Do you think that you have to be female to want to look attractive?" The man demanded.
"Er, you know, gotta run, lots to do, bye!" Harry was not going to get into any kind of discussion on that with the man. The last thing he needed was for that to come up some other time and Bathilda to hear it. Wasn't it bad enough he had a little old lady trying to ensure that him and... Harry couldn't repress the shudder at the thought of Bathilda trying to get him and Dumbledore together for another tea time. If she heard Harry talking about makeup or anything, there would be absolutely no saving his sanity.
He entered his cousin's tent to be met with a wand pointing directly at his face. "Um... hi?" Harry offered, holding up his hands to show he came in peace.
If he was interrogated about makeup...
Scrimgeour looked at him, "Oh, it's you."
"Hey Light," Dudley said, looking over. "Come on in."
Harry could see the others there, looking pleased about something. He noticed Madam Bones and Percy were there too. Both gave him polite smiles.
"Take a look," Dudley indicated the long scroll of parchment on the table before them.
Percy yawned, covering his mouth with his hand, "We've been working on it for a few hours now. Let us know what you think."
Harry walked over to the parchment and glanced at Dudley, "Did you take his things?" he asked in a low voice.
Dudley shook his head, "He's been hunting since he got back. Nobody here has them."
"Personally, I suspect a charm or something that went off when he got back," Grace said, thinking. "And it wasn't you, so we're out of ideas."
"It's like someone's just messing with him," Blades said, stretching and looking thoughtful. "Not trying to hurt him or anything, just mess with him a bit."
Just mess with him a bit... the words echoed in Harry's head as he looked over the parchment before his eyes widened.
Oh no.
A charm. Someone messing with him.
For some reason, Harry didn't suspect the twins, but he had a suspicion that old habits could die hard... but what would Sirius do with someone's makeup and the like?
Why did he have the sneaking suspicion he was going to find out sooner or later?
He pushed the worries of makeup being stolen from his mind before pursuing the actual important matter of the parchment in front of him. There wasn't too much legal or political jargon, surprisingly; it was all rather straight-forward, much like he and Percy had discussed. Registering with the Ministry actually made sense, since they would be making sure everyone got the Wolfsbane. Education, helping with jobs and the like... basically just treating them like normal people.
It made Harry want to cry. Years of inequality and the like taken away so easily, by a small group? Why hadn't anyone else done this?
He could mope over the past or be glad that he was helping to change the future. Harry decided to go with the second option.
"Remus also said he'll take the job," Dudley said, giving a weak smile.
Percy looked tired, "He practically begged me to put him into Azkaban after he learned about what he had done to those Centaurs and the risk to the first years. But we convinced him that we'll have people around to make sure it doesn't happen again. And well, I don't really want to regulate things too much, but what are first years even doing in a forest at night serving a detention unsupervised? They're eleven." The irritation was obvious in Percy's voice and on his face.
Harry had a very vivid recollection of coming face to face with Quirrelmort when he had been in his first year. And he could remember that poor dead unicorn. Percy was right. What had the teachers been thinking, assigning them there? He had gotten lucky. What if Firenze hadn't shown up, if he had listened to the other Centaurs?
The idea of what-ifs made Harry shudder. He had been lucky, but... but Myrtle hadn't been. It could really have been luck of the draw. Wasn't one student's death one death too many? And the Triwizard tournament... Cedric's death... another school event. Admittedly, that had been for students of age and there had been precautions and the like, but from what Harry could see of the Minister's office, how had it been authorized? Percy had even asked how the tournament went on with his papers still unread.
What if there had been something regarding his being in it that had been ignored? Harry knew it was too late to fix it, but still, it made him wonder.
"This is excellent," Harry said, nodding. "I'm glad-"
Everyone turned, hearing the tent open. Scrimgeour had his wand pointed at someone that Harry didn't recognize.
"Peasegood, what's going on?" Madam Bones asked, looking concerned. Harry could see that Scrimgeour had raised an eyebrow, just as confused.
"It was sheer dumb luck," he said. "The Dementors were none-too-happy when we got rid of them. They've been flying all around, causing a right mess of things and keeping us busy."
Percy shut his eyes, looking tired. "I'm sorry-"
"Don't apologize Minister, you did the right thing." The man grinned at Percy. "Anyway-"
"How?" Harry asked, confused. "Muggles can't see Dementors."
He knew that first-hand.
"No, but they can see a patronus," Peasegood answered. "And that's exactly what happened. So I had to go to the Forest of Dean and I was going to obliviate two people when they said their daughter went to Hogwarts. Muggleborn! Well, before I could say anything, someone said, 'It's true sir' and there was Harry Potter!"
"Harry Potter? He's all right?" Percy had stood, looking concerned.
Harry could see that it wasn't just a political concern, which was nice. When all was said and done, no matter how he might deny it, Percy cared about him a little.
"The Dementors didn't... do anything, did they?" Percy asked.
"No sir," Peasegood answered. "Harry Potter drove them away. Had his owl with him too. Said he was going to send her to his friends. Figured I'd come here and let you know."
Percy looked at Dudley, "Would you like to meet your cousin?"
"Would I?" Dudley managed to look excited, "Hell yeah."
Harry thought for a brief moment. How had Sirius gotten his wand? Oh. He knew how. Hedwig. She wasn't exactly a dumb owl. He felt affection for his pet and hoped that she wouldn't be too upset with him basically leaving her for a bit.
"Let me get Callahan, he'll want to meet him too." Dudley rushed out and a few moments later returned with Callahan. "All right, how are we going to get there?"
"I'm presuming that someone made a portkey?" Percy inquired.
"Yes sir, left the paperwork on your desk."
Percy nodded and accepted the box that Peasegood held out. Dudley gave Harry a look and he put his hand on it. So did Callahan, Dudley, Madam Bones, and Scrimgeour. Soon, they were gone and in a rather gorgeous forest.
Harry could see that his cousin liked traveling by portkey about as much as he did, meaning not at all.
He could see Dr. Granger, Dr. Granger, and Sirius. The Grangers smiled at them and Harry felt a surge of affection towards Hermione's family. She had probably just told them a friend needed their help and they hadn't hesitated.
"Percy?" Sirius asked, after glancing at Harry who gave a brief nod. "What are you doing here?"
"I... heard you were here," Percy said, sounding more unsure than Harry could remember him sounding. "It's a bit of a long story." He looked amused at this and Harry couldn't help but smile himself. He noticed a few of the others were doing the same as well.
Sirius nodded, looking around. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"I have no doubt they will be here sooner than I expect," Percy said, a wry grin on his face. "Along with Headmaster Dumbledore."
Harry noticed Scrimgeour gripped his wand tighter and even Madam Bones looked a little more grim. Why was the Ministry so against the Headmaster?
Sirius nodded once more, "So who are these people?"
Percy introduced all of them, leaving Dudley and Callahan for last. "And this... this is your cousin, Dudley Dursley, and his guardian, Alchemist Thomas Callahan."
The urge to applaud the reaction was barely held back. Harry watched as Sirius just stared at Dudley as if they had never met, the sheer longing for family obvious on his face. It went away quickly, with Sirius looking at the ground before looking back at Dudley and Callahan.
"It's... it's good to finally see you, in person," Dudley said, swallowing hard and just looking at Sirius with awe.
Harry wondered if his cousin had taken theater in school.
He watched as the two shook hands and it turned into a hug.
And then heard footsteps. He turned. Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore stood there, Ron and Hermione looking a bit sick. Harry wondered if they had held on while Apparating. It'd explain the queasy looks.
Callahan seemed to instinctively take a step away from the Headmaster. Harry noticed that both Madam Bones and Scrimgeour seemed to take a step closer to Percy and both had their hands on their wands.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," Percy said, sounding unsurprised as he nodded his head politely. "I thought we'd see you."
"Minister Weasley," Dumbledore answered, also nodding to him.
"Ron, Hermione!" Sirius smiled at them.
"Harry!" Hermione ran and hugged him tightly, making Harry rather grateful he had such good friends. Ron walked over and patted Sirius, both talking.
"I think we should go," Madam Bones said quietly to Percy.
Harry felt eyes boring into him and noticed Dumbledore looking directly at him. It wasn't the kind of look he was used to from Dumbledore, not at all. It seemed like his blue eyes were made of flames, and Harry had the distinct feeling that he would have been incinerated on the spot from the look. Dumbledore did not like him, that was obvious from the look.
Percy must have noticed too, since he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and looked back at Dumbledore, "Light will be present at our meeting later today, Headmaster. He is still in school and can offer other opinions that those of us outside of it may have forgotten or not thought of."
A quick risk at Percy revealed that he looked extremely serene, extremely calm. It was as if he and Dumbledore had switched places and it felt quite strange to Harry.
"Of course, Minister." Dumbledore's voice sounded calm and he seemed the self that Harry knew as he looked at Percy.
"If you want to talk or anything, just use your owl," Dudley was saying to Sirius.
"I will," Sirius said, shaking his hand. "I... It was really good, to meet you. Both of you."
Callahan gave a smile and clasped Dudley's shoulder. Soon, they all left, returning to the werewolf settlement. "Are you really meeting with him tonight?" Harry asked.
"I am," Percy answered easily. "And I meant that, if you would come. Any of you, actually." He indicated everyone. "How many beings here have the gift of magic that won't be allowed into Hogwarts? I lifted that in the agreement. I'm sure he'll agree, he always talks about equality."
"Talks," Callahan muttered so softly that Harry knew he was the only one that heard it.
"It was an honor to meet with you," Percy said, shaking Dudley's hand and doing the same for everyone. "If you need me or anything, please come get me. If you can't reach me, Madam Bones or Rufus can help you too. I might be going all around, but if you need me..."
"If we need you, we'll be in touch," Dudley said with a smile.
"... Where are you going now?" Blades asked, curious.
"I'm meeting with the Goblins," Percy said, looking tired. "They're feeling pretty anti-wizard at the moment."
"Nothing new there," Scrimgeour muttered.
Percy gave him a mild glare, before he turned back to the others, "Ragnok, their leader, hasn't stopped raging about the Bagman business. He only agreed to meet with me because I did put out an order for arrest regarding Ludo Bagman. He said that he had thought that the Ministry did a cover-up, since the Goblins never got their gold from him." Another wry grin, "I did tell him that my brothers also had money stolen from them courtesy of Ludo Bagman. That stopped the raging long enough for him to grunt an agreement for a meeting."
"But goblins hate witches and wizards," Grace said, shaking her head. "My father always said they never wanted to compromise."
Scrimgeour and Madam Bones both nodded. Harry glanced at Percy, who was looking up into the sky. Finally, he looked back at everyone, looked around. "Ever since 1612, tensions between the groups haven't been pleasant. It was even worse after 1631."
"What happened in 1631?" Dudley asked, looking surprised. Harry understood why. How could grudges be carried for so long?
"The Wand Ban." Percy said it quietly.
"Well, that makes sense, only people that can fully do magic really need wands for control reasons," Jinx said, waving her hand dismissively.
The youngest Minister looked older than anyone there at that moment as he explained, "Not exactly. The Wand Ban forbids Non-Human Magical Beings such as house-elves or giants to carry a wand. Now yes, goblins can do magic without wands, but many view that as immaterial."
"Why?" Harry was curious now.
"Because they feel that so long as we Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, we are denying them the possibility of extending their powers."
Scrimgeour scoffed, "If they weren't so bloody vicious, they could be trusted."
Percy said nothing, looking instead over the lake.
When the silence stretched from seconds to minutes, everyone began to look at him.
Even Madam Bones was looking at him and said, with a tone akin to almost panic, "Minister, you are not thinking about trying to overturn the Wand Ban. That's just madness!"
"... When you work hard for something," Percy said, his voice shaking, "then you deserve it. You trust the Goblins with your money and your relics but not a wand? You wouldn't be vicious and angry if you were second-class citizens?"
Nobody spoke. Harry didn't know what to say either. He had never thought of it that way.
Percy looked at Harry and Scrimgeour first before he looked at everyone around him. "I said before that I thought the Fountain of Magical Brethren was a lie. I had it removed. If you think I've really lost my sanity, tell me now. Among people smarter or younger or in the same boat. Tell me one good reason we are denying our fellow beings equality."
"Percy," Dudley said, looking at him worriedly. "Look, you're... you're definitely going to be one of the best Ministers we have. You want fair rights, don't you think that..." He looked around.
Tweak said it quietly, "Don't you think you're committing political suicide? You won't have a career after this. You're finished. Is that what you want for your future? For our future? They'll just overturn these things and you won't have any influence..."
"It's a sad day when doing the right thing is called political suicide," Percy said simply. "Thinking only about my future made me a selfish idiot." He took a deep breath and continued, "Besides those reasons?"
Silence. Even Scrimgeour looked thoughtful, and he asked the question that everyone was thinking. "Do you really think that you can overturn centuries of legislation, centuries of bigotry, in your short term? Do you think that... that... Minister, you're one person. You can't possible imagine changing everything in a few months."
"You're right, if I try to operate alone," Percy confirmed, giving him a smile. "But I'm not alone." He indicated everyone around him. "You... no." He made a face, "If... If V-Voldemort is back, then he will want the Ministry. Dumbledore wants the support of the Ministry. So obviously we've got power. We have power as a group."
"People will protest," Madam Bones said quietly. "Even within the Ministry, people won't agree and anyone that wants to get elected..." She stopped and realized what she had just said and began to laugh. "That's what you're saying, isn't it? Anyone willing to stand with you has to be willing to lose their position. Very well. It's been so long since we've had anyone with courage lead us. Let's try to change the world, Minister."
Harry felt a knot in his stomach.
Not alone. But they were hiding things from Percy, important ones. He could see Dudley looking at him.
They would have to talk about this later.
"Our job's to fight dark wizards and injustice," Scrimgeour said, shrugging. "I was hired to do my job. Just hope I can take the fighting. I'm not as young as you lot."
"This is cool," Jinx said, making everyone turn. "What? We're living in a time that's definitely going to go down in history no matter what."
Everyone chuckled, and Harry nodded. She was right.
"Well," he said, looking at Percy. "Is it okay if I go to the meetings and stuff with you?"
"It's fine with me," Percy said, nodding. "You represent the werewolves, after all. Economy is important to you too."
Harry looked at Dudley, who nodded, and his friends, who did the same. Callahan just clasped his shoulder briefly.
"Minister. It's time for us to go," Madam Bones said. "I shall present this to the Wizengamot." She lifted the scroll of what they had discussed regarding werewolves.
"Thank you," Percy said. "Light, are you ready?"
Harry nodded and got ready for the queasy sensation of side-along Apparation as he gripped Scrimgeour's arm.
Yes. It still felt strange.
"Enh..." He muttered, looking around. The sight of Diagon Alley met his eyes.
"You all right?" Scrimgeour asked, looking over him.
"Yeah," Harry said, turning.
He could see the snowy white building that towered over the other little shops. Standing beside its burnished bronze doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was a goblin. They walked up the white stone steps toward him. The goblin was about shorter than Harry. He had a swarthy, clever face, a pointed beard and, Harry noticed, very long fingers and feet. He bowed as they walked inside. Now they were facing a second pair of doors, silver this time, with that warning engraved on them. Harry still felt disturbed by it.
A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these. They made for the counter.
"Good afternoon," Percy said politely to a free goblin. "We're here for our meeting with Ragnok."
The goblin looked at them and wrinkled his nose, "And you are?"
"My name is Percy Weasley. These are my associates. Ragnok knew they'd be here for our meeting."
The goblin on their right, who had been weighing a pile of rubies as big as glowing coals, turned and spoke before the one helping them did. "Percy Weasley? The new Minister of Magic?"
Percy said nothing, choosing to just nod, his attention obviously elsewhere.
Harry turned to see what he was looking at.
Oh.
Bill Weasley was standing across the room, looking at his brother.
"Right this way, Minister," the goblin said.
"Come along, Minister," Madam Bones said briskly.
"Duty calls," Scrimgeour said, prodding Percy gently with his walking stick.
Percy nodded and followed the goblin.
Harry could see a look flicker over Bill's face, a look of pain, before he looked at Harry and glared. What was going on here? First Dumbledore and now Bill Weasley? Harry hadn't even met Bill while disguised! He caught up to Percy, "You know him?" He asked quietly.
"My brother," Percy answered back, following the goblin still and not looking at any of them. "My oldest brother, Bill. He works here."
Harry just nodded and soon they were shown into an office. It was expensive and fancy, too much so to really be memorable. Harry found he preferred Percy's simple office full of papers. It showed work got done, at the least.
"I wasn't expecting so large an entourage," the goblin behind the desk said, staring at them with very dark, slanted eyes that seemed full of suspicion. He said something that Harry wasn't familiar with.
Percy obviously was, because he responded in kind. Then he spoke in English, introducing everyone.
"Sit," Ragnok said. He looked amused at something, as he curled his lip. "Weasley. I have someone here that looks like you. He works for me. William. Perhaps I should have had you deal with my human instead."
Harry didn't understand, but Percy looked irritated. "Your business is not our business." The words couldn't have been colder. "We'll see ourselves out." He turned and walked to the door, leaving Harry, Madam Bones, and Scrimgeour gaping in shock. He had been the one to want to negotiate!
"Percy," Harry tried.
"No," he said flatly, opening the door. He had walked a few steps, not looking back or turning.
Ragnok said something, in the other language, Gobbledegook, but Percy didn't even pause. Finally, the goblin said, loudly so that Percy could hear, "I apologize, Minister. I've let internal prejudices get the better of me."
He stood in the hallway, not turning for a time. Harry risked a look at Ragnok, whose face was a blank slate. When Percy returned, so was his. He sat, silent, nothing revealed on his face. Harry wasn't sure whether to be impressed or worried.
Harry waited for someone to talk, but neither Percy nor Ragnok seemed inclined to speak. He glanced at Madam Bones and Scrimgeour, both of whom shrugged. Harry glanced back at Percy, who was just staring Ragnok down. The goblin was staring steadily back.
Finally, after what really seemed like ages-Harry didn't have the nerve to check the time-Ragnok spoke, "You got rid of the lie."
"The house elves did."
"At your request."
"I cannot deny that," Percy answered.
The goblin gave an odd smile, a cunning one. "You are a strange wizard, Minister Weasley. Why have you come today?"
Percy withdrew a folder and put it on the desk. Harry recognized it-the file on Goblins. "I want to know what of that is pertinent. I also wanted to inform you in person that Ludo Bagman will be found and placed into prison."
"We saw that. You did not cover his deeds up. We were most... surprised."
"I bet."
Harry didn't understand why Percy was taking such a sarcastic tone. What was with him?
Ragnok smiled again, leaving Harry confused. He didn't understand how these negotiations were going. Good or bad, he didn't know. But Ragnok chuckled and began to read the file. He would point at some of the parchment and it'd be gone. Soon, the thick file had been culled quite a fair bit and Ragnok looked at Percy.
"You want to remove the wand ban."
Silence. Thicker and heavier than any blanket than Harry had ever seen, the silence enveloped the room.
"Why?" Ragnok asked, eyes gleaming and his pointed teeth showing. He was on his desk and a sword was pointed at Percy's throat.
Harry hadn't even realized his wand was out until he noticed that everyone except Percy had theirs out.
"What game do you play human?" Ragnok snarled, the sword pressed to Percy's throat. "You may kill me or arrest me, wizards, but your boy will be gone."
"Minister-"
"Put your wands down," Percy said, almost tiredly. "He's got nothing to gain by killing me and we both know it."
"Nothing to gain! Minister, you are-" Madam Bones began.
"You misunderstand," Percy said easily. "There is no financial gain. No granting of rights. If anything, there will be more discrimination and more riots. No, he is only seeing how sure I am, how much I really want peace. Now lower your wands or leave."
The sword stayed at his throat and Harry couldn't seem to make himself lower his wand. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Perce, are you sure about this?"
"If you can't comply, go on," Percy answered calmly. How could he be so calm? Harry didn't understand but, his hand shaking the entire time, he gradually lowered his wand. He could see Madam Bones doing the same.
Scrimgeour didn't.
"My duty is to protect the Minister, Goblin," he snapped. "Lower your blade."
Ragnok pressed the sword closer.
"Ex-"
"Expelliarmus." Percy said it, pointing his wand at Scrimgeour, causing the Auror's eyes to widen as Percy caught his wand.
It was silent once more. "Your guards are not protecting you. You are at my mercy, human."
Percy was silent. Harry could see why-the point was obvious. What needed to be said?
It was a very long few minutes before Ragnok took the blade away from Percy's neck and sat back down, staring at him.
"... You will live in interesting times," the Goblin said slowly, not looking away from Percy. "If we have wands, one day we may be greater than you wizards."
A smile touched Percy's lips. "No," he said, and Harry could see he was being completely honest, "because whatever we do, we'll do it together. Human, Goblin, and every being that is in our community. We give our knowledge, far later than we should have, I will admit, but we will give it and it will continue."
"Strange. You are not like the other one. The heart of a lion, he has, but still very... very much to learn. You... you are interesting, for a human. We shall keep our eyes on you, Minister Weasley." Ragnok smiled once more and said something in Gobbledegook.
Percy stood, replied something back and said, in English, "You will know when Bagman is caught and Madam Bones will be filing the motion regarding the wand ban soon."
"And when there are complaints?" Ragnok asked.
A smile that rivaled the Goblin's was on Percy's face, "You control the economy. Why don't you remind them of that fact?"
Ragnok's eyes widened and he did something that surprised Harry.
He laughed.
"You are interesting, Percy Weasley, Minister of Magic! Then we shall do that. Good day, sir."
"And to you, sir." Percy led the way out, Harry unsure about what to do or say. He could see both Madam Bones and Scrimgeour utterly gaping at Percy and both were completely silent until they got out of the bank.
"Sir, I say this with the utmost respect but are you insane?" Scrimgeour demanded as they got outside.
"No, why? Oh, here's your wand back." Percy handed it back and Scrimgeour practically snatched it.
"Why? Why?" Scrimgeour was just staring at Percy with complete disbelief. "You just sat there and let a goblin threaten you! You disarmed me when I tried to defend you!"
"It's a Goblin tradition for their leaders," Percy said giving Scrimgeour a look. "I want to say if the sword draws blood it shows the leader is lying. It's something along those lines. If you had hit him with a spell, he would have lost control of the sword and I probably would have died."
"You seem really calm about that," Harry said nervously.
"I was petrified," Percy admitted. "But I knew the risks going in. Now come on..." He looked at his watch. "We have to get back for that meeting with Dumbledore. I swear, if it's not paperwork, it's meetings. Why would anyone want this job..."
Harry just chuckled, remembering all of the times Ron had said that Percy's dream was to be Minister of Magic. Well, it seemed he didn't like the reality of it very much, but at least he was actually working on things, unlike Fudge.
They reached the Ministry Atrium, Harry groaning at the feel of Apparating yet again.
"You know," he complained to Percy as they walked. "Why can't you lower the age to fifteen so I don't have to keep clinging to someone?"
"Surprisingly, you are not the first person to ask about that," Percy said, glancing at Harry. "A lot of Muggleborn parents have written about younger Apparation laws and complaining about the Trace."
"Really?"
"The way it works is strange. I'll have to tell you about it later, but a few people have suggested fifteen as the age, the logic being if people can have career advice at age fifteen, why not the ability to at least travel places as well?" He led the way and stopped, looking where the Fountain of Magical Brethren used to be.
What was there now was utterly gorgeous. It seemed as if it were all water, but so delicate and fine that Harry wondered if it were crystal. The shimmers caused by the motion and the lights and shadows almost made it seem like a show of some sort and it seemed every time he looked, something else drew his attention.
"Like it?"
"It's gorgeous," Harry admitted, looking at it for a few more moments before walking with Percy. But he could see he wasn't the only one who liked it; there seemed to be far more money tossed into the fountain than Harry had seen before.
They went to Percy's office, which Harry noticed seemed halfway clean now. Percy really had been busy. He was helping Percy with the paperwork once more when Dumbledore showed up.
"Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore," Percy said, standing up.
"Good evening, Minister Weasley," Dumbledore answered, shaking Percy's hand.
"Please sit and don't mind the paperwork, I have a fair bit to catch up on."
Dumbledore nodded, "I can see that." He smiled, though Harry noticed that it was lacking its usual warmth when the Headmaster looked at him. "And you've been making quite a few changes." There was no smile now, only a cool statement, "For the greater good, I believe the newspapers said?"
It was strange how he was glancing more at Harry than at Percy when he said that.
What was with the Headmaster?
"You understand better than most about doing things others don't agree with," Percy said, looking at Dumbledore. Harry had the strange feeling that it was a silent duel. He could see Scrimgeour and Madam Bones standing, both looking ready to whip their wands out on a whim. "Anyway, I have a reason for having requested this meeting, if I may get to it?"
"By all means, Minister."
"Before Minister Fudge left, he made a number of educational decrees that were passed." Percy slid a file to Dumbledore, "I made a copy for your convenience since my predecessor conveniently forgot that you needed a copy."
"Thank you." Dumbledore took the file.
"I've also taken the liberty of talking to someone for your open Defense Against the Dark Arts position. I have no doubt he will have your approval, seeing as you hired him before." Percy smiled, "I'm referring, of course, to Professor Remus Lupin."
Dumbledore looked, for the first time that Harry could recall, surprised. "He agreed?"
"Yes, though I did assure him that I would be sending a minimum of two Aurors to patrol the grounds at all times. That would be one of the other reasons I asked you to come here today."
"Two Aurors at all times? Surely you don't think that Hogwarts is unsafe?" Dumbledore seemed surprised.
"I do think that it is unsafe," Percy said, looking at Dumbledore. He took a deep breath and then began, "A few years ago, a troll got in and could have killed a few first year students, one of which was my brother. And later that school year, my youngest brother's best friend was almost murdered by a teacher- twice if I recall. A cursed book caused my sister to sic a sixty foot Basilisk on Muggle-borns while in school before she was dragged to the Chamber of Secrets where my youngest brother and his best friend had to rescue her, mind you, not a member of the staff. There wasn't security so Professor Lupin, when going to save my brother and his two friends yet again, forgot his potion injured some of the Centaurs and could have killed some first years! Incidentally, who assigns eleven-year-olds detentions after curfew in a forest which you have said repeatedly is forbidden? Last year, a boy died in a tournament, my former boss died on the grounds, there was an impostor for the entire year teaching while the real professor was locked up in a trunk inside of the school and you think your school is safe?" He was practically shouting when he finished, angry.
Dumbledore looked... stunned. He was silent for a long time before saying, "You are judging the entire school's safety based off a handful of incidents?"
"A handful of incidents?" Percy's voice was so soft that Harry knew he was trying to keep from shouting.
"I understand that you are closely related to the people involved in most of these incidents-" Dumbledore began.
"Isn't one incident one too many, Headmaster?" Harry interrupted, looking at Dumbledore.
The Headmaster spared him a long look, "I don't think you are authorized to judge, young sir."
"And I do," Percy said softly. "Where he goes has yet to have any of these incidents and many of the students would not have been accepted into Hogwarts, where the standards are, supposedly, higher. We are not discussing issues like that for them because they do not have any."
"Surely you can understand that some students have a knack for trouble finding them."
"And one would expect that you, understanding this, would actually request security," Percy argued back. "In fact, it is your job as headmaster to ensure the safety of the students, is it not?"
Dumbledore seemed to have nothing to say to that, merely touching the tips of his fingers together in front of him and contemplating the words for a few moments. "I am concerned. The last time the Ministry thought we needed extra security... well, you were a student. I'm sure you remember all of the problems with the Dementors."
Percy narrowed his eyes, "The Ministry no longer associates itself with such creatures. It is why we are offering the services of Aurors. Most of them went to Hogwarts, actually, so one would expect you to have more faith in your graduates."
"I know what our graduates are capable of, Minister," Dumbledore said, looking a bit sad. "Not all of them have done good things."
"And those that would be don't have the education to help." Percy said it outright. "History is a joke. And if there's one thing we need, it's that. At this point, I'm tempted to ask you to put cultural courses into your curriculum. People know nothing about the other beings we share our world with. According to most students, Divination is a joke as well. And Defense Against the Dark Arts-mind you, you're the one going around telling everyone that V-Voldemort is back! And you haven't even removed the jinx on the job to have a regular teacher! That really shows how seriously you're taking this threat, sir, no offense."
"I have personally on seven occasions tried to remove the jinx and have asked for the help of curse breakers twelve times. The curse breakers and I are quite baffled on how the jinx was put on the job. By all rules of logic, the job shouldn't be jinxed if you take a look at the wards and enchantments on the castle and its grounds."
Scrimgeour raised an eyebrow, "But it's affecting people?"
"Well, yes. We haven't been able to have a teacher in that position last more than one school year since I became Headmaster. Some have died, some had horrible accidents, some had family emergencies, others just resigned. Very few come back to teach again and even then it's at least after one school year has gone by. A few have claimed they felt they were going mad, but... that does not help the problem."
Why did that sound familiar? Not the jinx, every Hogwarts student knew those rumors. But... the effects...
They spoke about the position for a bit, but Harry's mind was somewhere else. Why...
Dark objects, curses, and effects on people... c'mon Potter, think...
And something, somehow, Harry didn't know exactly what it was, but Hermione's words came back to him. What Dark Wizard wanted immortality and would've made horcruxes? Hogwarts had had a basilisk sleeping in it for centuries and nobody had known! What if this horcrux was affecting the school? And Voldemort had gone to Hogwarts, he would know places to hide things! He could even have hidden it in the Chamber of Secrets!
"What if it's not exactly a curse or a jinx?" Harry asked slowly, making everyone look at him.
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore asked, looking almost suspicious.
Harry thought about how to phrase it without saying horcrux. He would have to tell the others to look for... something. "What if it's an object?"
"You seem to have put a bit of thought into making sure things that cause effects like that stay hidden," Dumbledore said, looking at Harry with outright suspicion.
Percy spoke, "I don't like the insinuation, Headmaster. Have you looked for objects that might be doing it?"
"Not as such, since I don't really know of anything that could cause such things to happen. Do you?" It was said to Harry.
He shook his head, "No. It was just a thought."
"Just a thought to you, young man?"
Harry gave him a look, one that had all the irritation and anger he could muster. "Just. A. Thought."
"I would have thought someone like you would have put thoughts into actions by now. Perhaps... looking hard for people to help you on your way?" Dumbledore was giving him that fierce glare once more.
And it clicked. It had taken a while, but it finally clicked.
Dumbledore saw the disguise but not Harry. Every time he looked at Harry, he saw a young Dark Lord. Aberforth had even told Harry that his disguise looked just like Gellert Grindelwald, that Dumbledore had a past with him.
Oh this was just lovely.
The last thing he needed right now was suspicions regarding horcruxes. But how was he supposed to get around it? And Dumbledore kept saying something, kept... implying that he knew something.
That day at Bathilda's house, had the Headmaster gone through his things?
Harry wouldn't have thought Dumbledore capable of such a thing, but if he had... then he might have seen the cloak and the ring...
Wait.
Sirius had said that Dumbledore had thought he was dead, because of the cloak. He had said that there was a boy following in the footsteps...
Oh dear.
Dumbledore thought he was trying to be a Dark Lord?
Perhaps taking the silence as a victory, Dumbledore continued, "So you have found a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and will be increasing security. Are there any other changes?"
"One," Percy admitted. "I've been contacting the ICW a bit. I asked if one of their education specialists would mind inspecting the school, since the authorization calls for a High Inquistor, but I don't think things are that horrible just yet."
"I quite agree," Dumbledore said.
"Although it's strange," Percy said, one hand on Harry's shoulder. "Only Hogwarts has these issues. The state schools are inspected yearly."
Harry smiled, knowing what Percy was doing. He was showing solidarity, showing that he had seen how Dumbledore was acting towards Harry and that he was on Harry's side. "But I was a student there myself. I know that most of the teachers are good, though some could use lessons in being fair or interesting. However, as I said, I would suggest cultural additions. Also, we might lower the Apparation age to fifteen, but that has yet to be decided. If it is changed, you will be informed."
"Thank you." Dumbledore stood up, "Good luck, Minister."
"And to you as well."
They watched the Headmaster leave and Percy turned to Scrimgeour, "I meant to ask, have you picked the Aurors to be assigned there?"
"Yes," Scrimgeour answered. "Nymphadora Tonks is young, the students will relate better to her and she's a metamorphmagus. She'll be able to blend in if need be. The other will be Kingsley Shacklebolt, since, if Sirius Black is innocent, we can use his resources elsewhere. And either way, Black was at Hogwarts before, and so was Pettigrew if your brother was right. Those two seem to work well together and won't mind basically living at Hogwarts. Tonks in particular will probably love the food aspect..."
Harry bit back a laugh, imagining an Auror agreeing to something just for the food. It sounded very much like something Ron would do.
Percy smiled as well, "And just in case... have you someone for the Muggle Prime Minister? Nice man, when we met. I'd hate for anything to happen to him."
Scrimgeour nodded, "Hestia Jones. A bit young, but she's excellent at her job."
"All right then." Percy looked exhausted, "I'm going to get back to this. Thank you, for staying here and everything."
"It's our job, Minister," Scrimgeour said, amused.
"Besides, the real problem will be when some people begin to protest... I can hear other members of the Wizengamot now..."
"That's something I meant to bring up," Percy said quietly. "I noticed that out of fifty seats on the Wizengamot, only about seven are elected?"
Everyone nodded and Madam Bones explained, "The others are appointed by the Minister or inherited."
"I was thinking... maybe we need more positions on it," Percy murmured.
Harry remembered Fudge's trial and the ones he had seen in Dumbledore's pensieve. He slowly chuckled, "We're really going to turn this place upside down, aren't we?"
Percy just smiled and the two began to work on paperwork, Harry curious as to when exactly his life had really gotten so hectic.
It was late as usual when he returned to Bathilda's cottage. He took out his pensieve and siphoned quite a few thoughts into it. He wanted to make sure he remembered this day clearly, remembered how the goblins had acted and what changes would be for the werewolves...
And maybe figure out how to show Dumbledore he wasn't dark.
It took a while, but Harry felt calmer after knowing the jumble of thoughts he had had in his head for the past few days were sorted out.
His head touched the pillow and sleep had found him.
And the dream... a dream that was no dream. Harry could feel it through the connection, and...
Voldemort was irritated, looking out the window at the night sky.
"This boy is causing more trouble than I thought him capable of."
A Death Eater looked at the wall, saying nothing.
"Isn't he a politician? Just bribe him."
A voice, familiar to Harry, the voice of Lucius Malfoy, said, "Someone tried that sir. Clifford Nott did and was put into Azkaban for it."
"A politician that doesn't accept bribes?" Voldemort was very obviously surprised. "No matter. Get close to put him under Imperius, then."
"We cannot, sir. He is always with others. They will not leave him alone. Even when he met with the old fool today, he had people with him."
"Names, Lucius," Voldemort said softly. "I want names."
"Madam Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour and that boy, the blond-haired boy," Lucius Malfoy answered quickly. "The werewolf ambassador, the one they call Light."
"The other two are high profile. Find that boy."
"We cannot, my Lord. He is trailed by... by Dumbledore. The old fool watches him. We do not know why."
Voldemort was furious and snapped, "The old fool's Order has taken over the Ministry, then?"
"No, my Lord. Quite the opposite."
"Then what is this boy of a Minister after?" Voldemort was irked still, "What does he gain from going to werewolves and goblins and lobbying for them? What does he gain from associating himself with them?"
"We do not know, sir."
"Then bribe the Wizengamot. Get them under our grasp. And do it swiftly, Lucius."
"Yes my Lord!" Lucius Malfoy all but bolted from the room.
Voldemort paced the room, furious, and hissed, so loudly and full of anger that it made Harry bolt upright in his bed, gasping.
That was one angry Dark Lord. But if he was angry, then they were doing something right. So Percy really was serious about what he was doing, about making sure things got done right, meaning no bribes. Good to know.
Harry made sure his disguise was on before he went to his window, looking out it. Mr. Malfoy had said Dumbledore was watching him.
He was still irritated from their meeting earlier and perhaps that was why he did it. He breathed onto the window and wrote, backwards so that anyone watching him would be able to read it: I see you.
A clump of bushes seemed to move in a way no wind could make them, as if someone were jumping, and Harry had to bite back a laugh. So people really were watching him. But he couldn't imagine Dumbledore making it obvious like that, so maybe it was someone in the Order that he had been told about.
He stayed there for a few seconds before he went to the pensieve, putting the memory of his vision into it. He didn't want it to fade and him to forget it.
After a few moments, he returned to the window. Godric's Hollow looked exactly as a small village would be expected to look in the early hours of the morning. All the curtains were closed. As far as Harry could see through the darkness that was turning into the early gray of dawn, things seemed normal.
He nodded. For his life now, this was as quiet as it was going to get, wasn't it? But he was sure that if he went somewhere, someone would be awake. He stretched, turned and opened his wardrobe. Without glancing at his reflection he started to get dressed before going down to make some breakfast.