Disclaimer: Coups are cool but it's never a good idea to be on the loosing side.

Züriputsch

"Ah, Major Potter." The man in the grey suit said with a smile. "I'm told you succeeded?"

"Yes I did," Harry agreed. "You wanted to speak with me about something?"

"You've confirmed his death?"

"I've seen his body," Harry said. "He came back once, not sure if he can do it again."

"Good enough," he waved off Harry's concerns. "I have a message to you from the PM."

"Yes?"

"You are to root out any corrupt officials and Death Eaters that might be infesting the Ministry of magic," the man in the grey suit said firmly. "You are then to assume the temporary position of Military Governor until such time as an interim civilian government can be put into place."

"Thank you," Harry said calmly. "Sergeant Major."

"Yes sir."

"I need to speak with you."

"Coming sir."

"One more thing Major," the man in the grey suit said with a feral grin.

"What is it?"

"Catch." He tossed a small bag at Harry's chest. "Enjoy."

"Mixed nuts?"

"I promised Fudge I'd use 'nuts' on the winner," he explained. "I always keep my word."

"Heh," Harry ripped open the package. "Right."

"What do you need sir?" Smythe asked after the man in the grey suit had left.

"Madame Bones and the Order still tied up?"

"Yes sir," Smythe replied. "You want us to sit on them till we get things done?"

"I want you to sit on them," Harry corrected. "Under the command of Lieutenant Longbottom."

"Sir, I . . . ah."

"It's you or McLain," Harry said with a smile. "And I want McLain with me when I do this."

"And you want Longbottom to keep his hands clean," Smythe sighed. "Sure I can't talk you out of this?"

"Sure you trust someone else to babysit your lovely granddaughter and that green Lieutenant of mine?"

"He's not that bad sir."

"He's an excellent combat commander," Harry agreed. "Credit to his unit."

"But still green," Smythe agreed. "I'll do it sir, but I don't like it."

"If it makes you feel better Sergeant Major, neither do I."

"Good luck Sir."

"Carry out your orders Sergeant Major," Harry replied. "See you soon."

"Sure you don't want me to do this for you sir?"

"No," Harry said sharply. "I need to keep the regiment clean."

"Get up you lot," Smythe turned away from his young commander and began yelling at the troops. "Column of Twos. Put the Prisoners in the center." Smythe took his place at the side of the formation and gave one last sad glance back to his Commander before marching the men through the goblin doorway.

"McLain."

"Yes sir?"

"Ready to change the world?"

"Ready to change our little part of it sir," McLain agreed with a grin. "Truth be told, I've been wanting to do this for a long time."

Hermione was standing nervously in front of the doorway when the men began to arrive, nervously waiting for Harry's return.

"Neville," Susan screamed joyfully as she threw herself into her boyfriend's arms. "I was so worried."

"Don't be," Neville said with a smile. "It's over, it's all over."

"You mean?"

"Harry did it," Neville confirmed. "He really did it." She replied by squealing and giving him a soul searing kiss.

"Would it be possible to inspect the body?" Dumbledore asked hopefully.

"Not now," Amelia growled at the Headmaster. "Can't you see that they're busy."

"Of course." Dumbledore had the good grace to blush. "Forgive me."

"I don't think they heard you," Amelia said with a smile towards the young couple.

Hermione's anxiety grew as the last men came through the gate. Hands shaking, she marched over to her great grandfather.

"Hello my lovely granddaughter."

"Where's Harry?" Hermione demanded nervously. "Where's Harry damn it?"

"Calm yourself lass," Sergeant Major Smythe said with a smile. "He's fine."

"Then where is he?" Hermione persisted, the girl was close to tears.

"He's got one more thing to do," Smythe said calmly. "My orders are to sit on the Order and Madame Bones."

"Why didn't he bring me with him if he's going to do . . . that?" Hermione started to calm. "I helped him with the plan, doesn't he trust me?"

"Wanted to keep your hands clean," Smythe explained. "I'm afraid that this last bit has the potential to get very dirty."

"That's why Neville is here isn't it?" Hermione sighed. "Harry you dummy."

"We need to leave one dashing young hero to be fawned over," Smythe said with a smile.

"And Harry hates to be the center of attention," Hermione said, not noticing the flat look on her great grandfather's face. "What now?"

"Now we wait," Smythe replied. "The last bit shouldn't be too difficult, trust that the Major knows what he's doing."

"Think we should join the group?" Hermione indicated the crowd that had gathered around Neville.

"Nah, let them have their moment."

Ron hovered in the background watching his charge. He'd felt as if someone had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart when his best friend had failed to show. He'd felt a profound sense of relief when the old man had assured his friend that Harry was still alive, but still . . . a sense of unease had lingered. Why hadn't Harry returned with his men? What was so important that required his personal attention so soon after winning the war? What did they mean about keeping Neville's hands . . . Ron froze. For the first time he realised the deadly potential posed by the crescent of soldiers covering Dumbledore and the rest of the Order.

"Thought I was the chess master," Ron muttered to himself. "Well done Harry."

"You say something lad?" Smythe asked with an odd look on his face.

"I . . ." Ron took one last glance at Dumbledore. "I was just thinking about chess," Ron replied. "I think Harry might be able to give me a decent game next time we play."

"Gonna tell anyone?"

"Nah," Ron said with a smile. "Harry's my friend, it'd be rude to ruin the surprise."

"Good boy," Smythe whispered.

IIIIIIIIII

"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen," McLain said with a smile as he walked into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "If I could please have your attention."

"What is it?" Kingsley Shacklebolt growled. "And why are you in this office?"

"We're here to check you all for the Dark Mark," McLain replied. "Security measure, we've already rounded up the other Departments."

"And what if we say no?"

"You loose your job," McLain replied with a shrug. "And I'd guess that your former colleagues might have some questions for you."

"What do you want us to do?" Another Auror asked.

"Just give your wands and any magical items over to my friends over here," McLain replied. "You may recognise them all as former members of this Department."

"I assume that they've already been checked?"

"They have," McLain agreed.

"Bout time," Kingsley said with a smile. "Don't get me wrong, I know there isn't a man here that I can't trust."

"But it would look bad if we gave you special treatment," McLain finished with a feral grin.

"Let's form a line people," Kingsley ordered. "Sooner we get this started the sooner we get this over with."

McLain confirmed that everything was going well and prepaired to things over to the Senior magical auxiliary. "Jones," McLain said sharply. "Where's the Major?"

"Waiting for you at the door of the Minister's office," Jones replied.

"Smart enough not to do this alone anyway," McLain said with a satisfied smile.

"Hawk."

"What is it McLain?" The old ex-Auror asked.

"You got things here? I've gotta go babysit the Major."

"I got it, have fun."

"Loads of it." McLain walked up the hall and rejoined his Commander.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Ok," Harry took a deep breath. "Let's go."

"Sure you don't want me on point sir?"

"No," Harry said honestly. "But I don't want him dead. With any luck, he won't try anything stupid. If he does, I want him focused on me."

"Sir?"

"Much as it pains me to admit it," Harry began with a smile. "You've got better reflexes."

"Understood sir." McLain frowned unhappily.

"Minister Fudge," Harry said as he walked through the door. "You're under arrest for treason."

"You can't do this to me," Fudge screamed. "Guards."

"They won't be giving you any help," Harry said with a smile. "Get up."

"Go to hell," Fudge shouted as he pulled out his wand and threw a spell in Harry's General direction.

Harry felt a sharp pain in his face and heard the sound of a pistol being fired. "Sorry sir," McLain whispered. "Guess my reflexes aren't as good as they used to be."

"Don't worry about it," Harry gasped. "Still better then mine are."

"I want Harper, Bones, and Dumbledore in that order."

"I'll see to it sir."

IIIIIIIIII

"Dr. Harper."

"What is it corporal?" The regimental surgeon asked.

"Major Potter needs you now," the man replied firmly.

"Ms. Granger," the Doctor called out.

"Yes?" Hermione asked with a calm she didn't feel. She'd noticed the looks the men had shot her as they came.

"Come with me," Dr. Harper said. "Let's go." She took the girl by the hand and followed the men back to the Ministry.

"Harry," Hermione said in alarm when she saw the condition of his face. "Oh god."

"It's ok Hermione," he said calmly. "Here, sit next to me." Hermione sobbed into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. "Doctor, if you wouldn't mind?"

"Of course Major," she agreed.

Harry did his best to calm his friend as the Doctor went to work on his ruined face. "How is it Doctor?"

"I'm afraid I had to remove your left eye Major," Dr. Harper said sadly. "The damage was too great."

"That's fine," Harry said calmly. "I still have one left . . . one I lost was the bad one anyway. Thank you for your time Doctor, when can I return to my duties?"

"Six months."

"Give me something more realistic," Harry demanded.

"Harry be quiet," Hermione sobbed. "How can you be so calm about this?"

"I'll panic later," he offered. "When I have time."

"Stupid."

"Well Doctor?"

"So long as you don't exert yourself, then I don't see why you can't get this business done with."

"Tell Daphne to get ready," Harry requested. "Could you ask McLain to have Madame Bones meet me in Fudge's office?"

"I will Major," Harper agreed.

"Hermione."

"What is it Harry?"

"Could you go get Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "I need to meet with him."

"Why can't you send someone else? I don't want to leave you."

"I'd rather you not see what I did," Harry said bluntly. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok Harry," she said. "I'll go."

IIIIIIIIII

"Hello Amelia."

"Ambrose," Amelia said in delight. "You joined Harry's band of misfits I see?"

"Not too old to do this sort of work," the man agreed. "Major Potter wanted a meeting with you if possible."

"Of course," Amelia agreed.

"One thing . . ."

"What's wrong Ambrose?"

"I'm going to have to ask you to give up your wand," Ambrose said firmly. "Don't try anything Amelia."

"What's this about?" Madame Bones demanded.

"Everything will be revealed in time."

"Here you are." She flung her wand at her old friend. "Let's get this over with." She kept her lips pursed as the man led her into the Ministry and into her boss's . . . former boss's office.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Madame Bones," Harry said with a smile.

"What do you want?" Bones demanded, her eyes fixed on the body of the former Minister of Magic. "Gonna kill me too?"

"Not if I can help it," Harry said calmly. "Would you like to keep your job?"

"So you can use me to crush any resistance to your rule?"

"So the government runs smoothly when I step down," Harry corrected.

"Step down?" Bones asked in shock, "then why did you." She gestured towards Fudge's body.

"He wouldn't go quietly so . . ." Harry raised his hands. "I'm here on the orders of the Prime Minister to find and remove any corruption and root out any death eaters from the wizarding government."

"But . . . but he's a muggle," Amelia gasped.

"Yes he is," Harry agreed.

"So what happens now?"

"You will be interrogated under truth potion to confirm your innocence, if you have not committed any crimes you will be allowed to return to your office or resign." Harry explained. "Any questions?"

"How soon before you step down?"

"I hope to have an interim civilian leader in this office within the week," Harry replied. "After that the Prime Minister has expressed his desire for the Wizarding world to hold an election to confirm or refuse his appointed candidate."

"I see . . . one more thing Major."

"Yes?"

"Did Neville know anything about this?"

"I don't believe so," Harry said after a moment of thought. "I did my best to keep him out of the dirty side of this."

"Thank you Major Potter," she said with a small smile. "Come on Ambrose, I have work to do and I can't waste anymore time then necessary."

Harry took a deep breath as he prepaired for his next meeting. "Hello Professor."

"Harry."

"Could you wait outside Hermione?"

"Ok Harry," she agreed reluctantly.

"So it's come to this has it?" Dumbledore asked sadly. "You let power corrupt you as so many have before you."

"I've cleaned up your mess like I have so many times before," Harry corrected. "As it was, as you let it become. Our world was a breeding ground for Dark Lords."

"So it's ok to set yourself up as Dictator?" Dumbledore demanded. "To save us from what might happen?"

"Have you ever heard of George Washington?"

"What?"

"George Washington," Harry repeated. "The Commanding general during the revolt of the colonies?"

"What about him?"

"After the war ended, a group of his officers grew tired of the treatment they were receiving at the hands of the new government so they proposed to march on congress to make their complaints in person." Harry explained. "Several of them suggested making George Washington, the man who had led them in times of war. The leader of their new nation."

"I fail to see where this is going."

"He refused," Harry said. "He gave a speech begging them to stand down. He did his best to safeguard the civilian leadership."

"And they listened?"

"They did not."

"Then why . . ."

"He pulled out a letter and could not read it and apologized to his men," Harry continued. "He said that he'd grown grey and blind during the fight for independence."

"And that's when they listened," Dumbledore sighed.

"Yes, that's when they listened." Harry agreed. "Later after Washington had been elected and served as president, he did the greatest thing he'd ever done in his life. Do you know what that is Professor?"

"I must admit I'm at a loss," Dumbledore replied. "Enlighten me Harry."

"The greatest thing he ever did wasn't leading his armies in battle and it wasn't getting power. It was giving it up."

"You don't intend to keep power then?"

"No I don't," Harry agreed. "I hope to be gone within the week after the Ministry is ready to be handed over to the Prime Minister's appointed interim Minister of Magic."

"What then?"

"Then an election will be held at some later date," Harry said.

"I see . . . why did you wish to meet with me Harry? Was it to assure me that you intended to step down?"

"No," Harry said. "It was to ask for your support."

"Why would I give it?"

"Two reasons."

"Well?"

"You don't want anymore bloodshed then I do."

"And my cooperation would help prevent it," Dumbledore agreed. "What's the second?"

"Severus Snape," Harry said coldly. "Is a Death Eater and the fact that he may have been your spy does nothing to excuse the crimes he committed."

"You're willing to let him go then?"

"I'm willing to leave him for the civilian government that follows me," Harry corrected. "What they may or may not do is none of my concern."

"Agreed," Dumbledore said looking as old as Harry had ever seen him. "What happened to you Harry?"

"Life."

"I see, can you tell me anything about the temporary Minister?"

"Daphne Blake, until recently she was the Minister's representative to the muggle government."

"Yes I remember Ms. Blake," Dumbledore mused. "Any hints on what her policies are?"

"I believe that she intends to grant werewolves goblins, and other . . . creatures the right to vote."

"Stuffing the ballot box?"

"No, they'll only get it if she's confirmed as Minister."

"Ah . . . Harry, as noble as her ideals are. It is unlikely that she will receive much support," Dumbledore said with a hint of his old grandfatherly smile. "The purebloods would never stand for it, not even light families such as the Weasleys."

"Her reelection is none of my concern," Harry said with a boyish smile. Let the old man figure it out himself. "This mess is out of my hands after the hand over."

AN: I think that the history is a bit off here but it's close, I went from memory and so did Harry. This came out a bit sooner then I expected but when the urge to write hits, the urge to write hits. I don't think the events in this chapter came as a surprise to anyone did they?