Madam Amelia Bones was quite unhappy with what she was being forced to do. There were a fair few others with her.
She was seated within Gringotts Bank, waiting for a delegation which included a witch which annoyed her to no end. Even the fact that her niece had been graciously invited by the witch in question didn't relieve her annoyance. In fact – it made it worse.
At 1:57 PM, on a Saturday in mid-April, Hermione Granger was led in a Goblin guard with her entourage.
The meeting was supposed to be arbitrated by the Account manager in charge of the Ministry's accounts but instead was being watched over by Ragnok, the head of Gringotts. He had two other with him, including the head of the Minstry's accounts.
When all were seated, Ragnok said, "Everyone state your name and your purpose in this meeting. I will begin. I am Ragnok. I am acting as Arbiter at the request of the Ministry. They paid a one-time fee for my services. My assistants today include Rockbeam and Smartfang." He nodded at Madam Bones.
"Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I have with me Percy Weasley, Senior Clerk of the Wizengamot and Magical Law expert." Truthfully, she wanted someone with more experience but she had a hard time finding experts willing to deal with this witch. "Also the Warden of Azkaban Prison, Uther Peasegood."
"Head of the Unspeakables, Codename Croaker." This came from a wizard fully covered and whose identity was hidden. "Magical Expert."
From the side a well-recognized voice said, "Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot." Dumbledore had asked both witches to monitor the proceedings to advise on laws that had to be reviewed changed, overturned, or enacted. Mostly, he intended on watching.
Hermione was almost smirking as she said, "Hermione Granger, Head of Witches for a Better Tomorrow, legally-registered Philanthropic and Political group. With me are Doctors Granger and Granger, Advisers and Health Experts. Daphne Greengrass, Deputy Chair of WiBeT amd WiBet Expert on the Wizengamot, and Pansy Parkinson, Secretary for the WiBet and WiBet Expert on the Ministry. WiBet-attached Observer for the DMLE, Susan Bones."
"Harry Potter, Head of the WiBeT Wizards' Auxiliary." Harry was smiling as he gave his title. "With me is WiBet Wizard's Auxiliary Expert on the Wizengamot, Draco Malfoy, as well as WiBeT Wizards' Auxiliary Expert on the Ministry, Ron Weasley." The two wizards didn't fully get along but were much better since Draco's … reeducation.
The presence of the members of such Dark families reinforced Amelia Bones' opinion about Hermione Granger and her goals.
"Luna Lovegood, Press Representative and Historian." Luna had a dreamy expression as she named herself.
"Ted Tonks, Solicitor for the Granger family in all matter personal and professional, and Muggle Law Legal Expert."
Ragnok nodded. "The record is marked. Madam Bones. You may begin."
Amelia had to work to remain polite as she said, "I've re-evaluated your advice to me from this past December regarding conditions at Azkaban Prison. I have received orders from the Ministry, originating from the Queen and the Prime Minister to rectify conditions to get them more in line with basic British Law. As you were the first to bring it to me and seemed to have some idea of the necessary changes, I have requested your … advice and input."
Hermione was a mask of cool professionalism as she said, "Thank you, Madam Bones. The most basic concern is that the prisoners of Azkaban prison are being illegally tortured due to the presence of Dementors. Also, all prisoners should be afforded basic medical care to ensure that they are being treated humanely."
Soon followed a major discussion on exactly what changes had to happen. When the basic idea was agreed to, the obstacles were brought up.
Amelia sighed. "The first obstacle is manpower and cost. We will need to replace the Dementors with Aurors. To do that, we will have to get the Ministry and Wizengamot to approve an increase in funds to pay them."
Hermione looked to two people in the room and then said, "I believe that our WiBet Experts can work with their contacts to lobby them. Daphne?"
Daphne Greengrass nodded. "I will speak to my father within the next few days about this."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you. Pansy?"
Pansy, who looked much better than years previously with her new bushy look, smiled and nodded. "Not an issue. I will owl my parents today."
Hermione smiled at Pansy and then said, "Draco?"
"My father will support it. I will ask him to use his … influence." Draco smirked. It was less supercilious than the others in the room were used to but it was still a smirk.
"Thank you, Draco." She turned back to Amelia. "Next?"
Amelia was trying to hide her annoyance. "Well then. The next will be the extra cost to rapidly train the immediately needed Aurors. While increasing the budget will pay for the new Aurors, expedited training will cost an amount that I don't believe we can get approved."
Hermione asked, "How much?"
Amelia shrugged. "25,000 Galleons or more. Maybe as much as 50,000."
Hermione considered that and turned to Harry. "Can the Philanthropic Budget support a donation?" Harry worked closely with the Finance Secretary Padme as he donated much of his excess income.
Harry grinned. "You can allocate 25,000 immediately. Another 25,000 can be available once Gringotts finishes with … that thing."
Ragnok was curious. "Which 'thing' do you speak of, Mr. Potter?"
"Er. Let me write this down. For a number of reasons this is currently confidential. Until it gets fully resolved." Harry took a parchment and wrote Basilisk Sale on it and then folded it to pass on the Ragnok.
Ragnok took the note and looked at it. A light of comprehension came on to his face. "I know of what you speak. It shall be finished by the end of the Hogwarts term, as per your original request. The associated expenditures will be ready to be delivered by then as well." The monies to the basilisk's victims had been a major concern for Harry when Hermione had suggested he sell the carcass and use the money from it.
Hermione smiled at Harry. "Thanks." She turned toward Ragnok. "Thank you as well." Ragnok nodded. She turned to Amelia and said, "So now we have to figure out what to do until the Aurors are ready."
Amelia was confused. "What do you mean? We just figured it out."
Hermione's face took on a steely look. "Just because we have plans for a year from now when the Aurors will be ready doesn't mean that the prisoners aren't currently being tortured. We MUST resolve that much more quickly."
"What are we supposed to do? It will take at LEAST a year to take care of all of the Dementors. Do you know how hard it is to get the Dementors to move when they don't want to? Once we start killing them, it will be much harder. It will take at least ten wizards who can cast a Patronus to get them to move in groups. And I don't know HOW long it will take to kill them."
Ragnok looked to his assistants who nodded back. "The Goblin nation will help with this. Our Warriors … Guards that is to say … hunger at times for a bit more action than guarding vaults affords them. We shall, for the sake of experience, kill the Dementors in combat. We only need help in moving them to the field of our choice on the Island of Azkaban. For a token 1000 galleons, we shall provide twelve guards at a time to watch the prisoners for one year. The very charitable price is solely due to the extreme good feelings my warriors will achieve for the change to fight such legendary creatures."
Ragnok grinned to himself at the thought of it. Warriors were always a bit restless. Such a fight would actually save much more money for the bank which would otherwise have to be used to buy sufficiently dangerous creatures to assuage their fighting instincts. There was much that the humans didn't know about what it took to keep Goblins happy.
The wizards and witches in the room were shocked at the stated generosity of Gringotts but all agreed.
Amelia said, "Now we just have to get enough wizards to move ten at a time or so."
Harry was curious. "What does it take to move that many?"
She sighed, "Well, finding enough wizards who can hold a Patronus long enough to get them to move is the problem."
Hermione and Harry looked at each other in confusion and then back to Amelia. Hermione said, "I've seen Harry hold off the whole lot of them who were at Hogwarts during third year with his Patronus. How hard can it be?"
Everyone in the room who understood was shocked except Harry, Hermione, and surprisingly Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster had an idea of exactly how powerful Harry Potter was.
Amelia was a bit shocked. "Can I see it?"
Harry shrugged. "I just need permission so I don't get in trouble. I'd like to get my fellow WiBet members to show theirs too … just to make the point."
Harry looked at Ragnok who was mightily curious. "I will give my permission, it this one instance only, for your group members to draw their wands within Gringotts to perform this one charm only."
Harry said, "Thank you. Madam Bones? Professor Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore nodded graciously. Madam Bones, very curious as well, said, "I will excuse any underage magic for this as well."
Harry said, "Can you put that in writing? I've had bad experiences with the Ministry in the past, you know."
Amelia sighed and did so, even as she cursed Fudge and Umbridge under her breathe. Thank Merlin someone took care of her over the summer.
Harry grinned as he read the permission form and then handed it around. Daphne took it to keep it for the files of WiBet. "Okay, Girls first."
Hermione, Daphne, Pansy, Millicent, and Susan all stood and drew their wands. With an almost synchronized voice they yelled, "Expecto Patronum!"
Suddenly around the room were several white shapes, gamboling about the group. Hermione's Otter was joined by an Alsation Terrier from Susan, a very bushy Raccoon from Pansy, a regal-looking Hawk from Daphne, and a very large and very cute Nundu Kitten from Millicent.
Harry clapped at the spectacle and the girls grinned as they released their Patronuses. He turned to his own two advisers and said, "Guys?"
Ron and Draco weren't quite as synchronized but both called out the spell. Ron's Jack Russell Terrier was joined by a large white ferret from Draco. The girls looked at Draco with some surprise. As Ron snickered, Draco said, "Yeah. It was a surprise for me, too."
Harry grinned at the byplay and then drew his own wand. Without standing up, and in a very quiet but certain voice, Harry called, "Expecto Patronum." His quiet voice almost reverberated within the chamber for some reason.
Out of Harry's wand came his stag, the most majestic and solid looking Patronus that anyone in the room had ever seen. Even Dumbledore's phoenix paled in comparison to it. Even as he dispelled it, he blushed at the shock and awe from the others in the room. "It's kind of my thing now. Almost as much as the Expelliarmus charm." The other students gave him knowing smirks at that.
Amelia took a moment to settle herself. She finally cleared her throat and said, "Well if Mr. Potter assists us, it becomes much more achievable I suppose."
Hermione interjected, "Just as long as he's compensated for his work."
There were looks of protest from the adults on the Ministry side of the room, approval from the Goblins, and 'Duh!' looks from the WiBet side – except from Harry. He was confused. "Er. Hermione? Can we talk a moment?"
Hermione nodded and turned toward Ragnok. "Director? Can you put up a privacy charm between the two sides?"
Ragnok nodded and did so. Now the Ministry side of the table couldn't hear a word, even though Ragnok could. That didn't matter because he was supposed to be neutral.
"Why should I ask for compensation? After all, you know where the money that's likely to pay for it will be coming from."
Hermione's face took on a resolved look. "I think I'm getting tired of you and us, but mostly you, taking care of the Ministry's and Hogwarts problems and getting nothing in return except being bad-mouthed. It's the principle of the thing! If you do the job, you will get paid for it. That. Is. Non. Negotiable."
The Slytherins in the room were nodding at their leader in agreement with her even as the Gryffindor boys looks disagreeable. But neither wanted to oppose Hermione when she got that look – it just wasn't worth it. "Fine." Even the adults looked approving at Harry's agreement.
Hermione smiled and turned back to Ragnok. "Thank you."
Ragnok nodded. He refrained from saying out loud the beginning of his sentence: 'Now that the studid wizard's lack of basic business sense has been corrected,' was the unspoken portion. Out loud he finished, "We can now continue."
Ragnok highly respected Harry Potter as a warrior. Everything that the Goblin nation had learned about the Boy-Who-Lived indicated that he was a warrior without peer. As a result, much could be forgiven. But his basic lack of business sense was considered a liability. Usually they would treat such a wizard with disdain but – as mentioned – this wizard was at least a warrior. And he was mostly quite respectful.
Any warrior culture knew that stupid but powerful warriors had to be coddled at times.
Ragnok, and the rest of those who dealt with the wizard, were glad that the much more sensible witch (Hermione Granger) seemed to be taking the wizard under her direct management. Exactly what method she used to manage him they didn't care about. They only cared that it would avoid their having to deal with his stupidity in the future.
Amelia Bones sighed, "How much?"
Not really seeing the point of it, Harry let loose with his first idea. "Er. I'll let Hermione work that out with you; less trouble for me." The adults on Hermione's side and the goblins nodded in satisfaction.
Hermione snickered internally. Harry could be such a child at times.
Once the details had all been worked out, the two sides made sure Luna knew exactly what could be reported and they all went on their merry way.
Harry and Hermione asked their enterogue to wait outside as Harry had once more think he wanted to bring up with Ragnok.
"Er. I was wondering. You seem to look forward to fighting Dementors cause they're a challenge, right?"
Ragnok nodded. "That's correct."
"How would you feel about Acromatulas?"
"Oh?" Ragnok tried to look bored, as did his advisors. Inside they were almost aquiver.
"Well, I know where there is a nest that's out of control. If you want, we can work with the wizard who originally started the colony and make arrangements for them to be moved to a farm for their silk and we can all split the profits. I think me and Hermione can get him to agree to it. And I'm sure that actually collecting them up and controlling them would be quite the challenge even for seasoned warriors. And quite profitable for all of us."
As Ragnok listened to the Potter, he conceded to himself that even stupid warriors could have flashes of brilliance. Thank the Goddess of Earth for the influence of the witch.
The families of the witches in WiBeT were meeting together to review the report in the Quibbler regarding the negotiations between WiBeT and the Ministry regarding Azkaban.
Most in the room were quite impressed with the apparent skill their new Dark Lady had at negotiating. One item impressed them more than any other.
"You see?" Narcissa Malfoy pointed at one item in the story. "She gets the Ministry to kill all the Dementors because such creatures might prove a threat to her in the future if the Ministry realized how powerful she is becoming; AND, she gets the Ministry to pay HER and her family for LEGAL torturing of the prisoners under 'Required Dental Care'."
The families all nodded in agreement. Their new Dark Lady was a force to be reckoned with.
