Chapter 35
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Bloody hell," murmured Harry sleepily as he reached over and slammed his open palm onto the top of the alarm clock. He turned over and thought about the day ahead of him. It was a Sunday. He'd agreed to meet with Kingsley to talk with several foreign dignitaries about the fall of Voldemort. He was also going to be doing a press release later that day about his parents and he and Kingsley were going to discuss it before the political meeting.
That's why the bloody alarm clock is going off so early on a Sunday, Harry thought miserably. He put on his glasses and rolled out of bed and stumbled towards the door.
After his shower he wandered down to the kitchen for some toast and tea before having to leave.
As he neared the door he heard voices.
"Oh, Harry was a good student. I believe he was in the top twenty-fifth of the class. He just didn't apply himself to the classes where it was hard to keep attention, like History of Magic, or Divination."
"Well, I can't blame him there, very fishy subject, Divination. I remember the old bat who taught while we were there always tried to predict someone's marriage, or in most cases lack of marriage and therefore life of loneliness. I'm just glad I had an older student tell me to take Arithmancy instead."
"Oh, I just loved Arithmancy!" cried Hermione. He had realized the voices came from his mother and Hermione. He heard his mother sigh.
"I just worry that Harry might get used to people handing him things, like jobs and such. I'd rather he went back and got his NEWTs so he at least knows when he deserves something, like the prestigious job of an Auror. I've seen a few things he's done from his memories, but…am I being irrational, Hermione?" she asked.
Yes, thought Harry.
"No," said Hermione.
Traitor! thought Harry angrily.
"I think you have every right to want Harry to have his NEWTs and succeed in life, but I think you should wait to tell him that. He's very proud of his job as an Auror. It's what he's wanted to do since our fourth year. When Kingsley asked him to join the academy so soon, Harry actually did a happy dance, then stopped and thought about it seriously. Whether it was a good idea to take a job like this without finishing school, and whether it would reflect on him as a person if he took it so soon. But Kingsley assured him that everyone at the academy believed in Harry and wanted him there, so Harry decided to make a go of it. He loves it there so far," finished Hermione. Harry could almost imagine the pride in her smile.
Okay, maybe not a traitor, he thought.
"Well, I'm glad you told me this. The last thing I want to do is alienate my son. I know he wants to tell his story in order of his years at school, but I just can't wait to hear about the last year and the end of the war."
Harry looked at his watch and saw that if he didn't leave soon he'd be late, so he waited a second, and then walked through the kitchen door.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Harry," said Lily and Hermione together. "Do you want me to make you something to eat?" asked Lily.
"Actually, I'm running late. I figured I would just eat something a little later, but I will take a cup of tea with me," he replied.
"Where are you going? You work on Sundays?" asked Lily. As soon as Harry opened his mouth to answer, Hermione gasped.
"Oh, your meeting with Kingsley is today isn't it! I can't believe I forgot!" she cried.
"It's alright Hermione, I remembered, I just took a little too long in the shower. I've got to run, but Hermione can tell you what this meeting is about, Mum. I'm going to fire call at about half past two, part of my meeting today is about the press release about you and dad being alive. You'll have to be at the Ministry today at about three, but I'm not sure if we're having you show up in disguises or not, that's why I'm going to call here before you leave. Alright?" he asked. Lily nodded as she handed him a disposable Muggle coffee cup she transfigured from a chipped tea cup from the back of the cupboard.
"Alright, I'll let your father know. Have a good day," she said. He reached over and gave her a peck on the cheek, then did the same to Hermione before walking to the fireplace and calling Ministry as he stepped into the green flames.
He was whisked away and into a bustling Ministry atrium. Two fireplaces over Percy and Arthur Weasley stepped out of another hearth.
"Percy! Arthur! Good timing. I just thought I'd warn you, the press release about…you-know-who should be later today. I think about three, can you let Molly know? And the others?" he asked them.
"Oh for sure Harry, they wouldn't want to miss it. Big news, big news!" said Arthur. After they shared a few pleasantries they all headed in their own directions.
Harry arrived in a reception area outside the Ministers office and walked up to the elaborate desk, where a young woman named Agatha was seated.
"Hello, I'm here to see Kingsley, I'm Harry—"
"Potter. I know. Kingsley stepped out for a moment but he should be right back. Can I get you anything? Tea, pumpkin juice, water?" she asked him.
"Oh, nothing please. Should I just…take a seat then?" he asked. Suddenly the door opened and Kingsley walked in carrying a large flat box.
"Ah, Harry! Good timing it seems. Agatha, please hold all memos and take all my calls out here, please. Only interrupt if the foreign ministries get here, okay?" he said. She nodded and he asked Harry to follow him into the office.
"I just decided to jump out into Muggle London for a moment and pick up some pastries for the meeting. Some of the Ministers are coming at weird hours for them, I believe the Minister from America is coming at about seven in the evening her time, since she's coming from Hawaii. Japan's Minster is about eight hours ahead of us, and Brazil's about three hours behind us. There are several others, but I'm completely sure who is coming. I figured pastries were a good choice, would you care for a bear claw?" asked the Minister of Magic for Britain. Harry chuckled.
"Sure, one with sprinkles, please," said Harry.
An hour later they had the press release planned out and ready, the media was being informed and they both had the story straightened out between them. Just as they sat back and started talking about nothing important, Agatha poked her head in and let them know the first Minister called and was on their way.
"Now, Harry, I want you to stay quiet unless asked a direct question. I know these people are coming to hear your story, but they always have ulterior motives for such a large gathering. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't want your famous temper to ignite and blow our foreign relations. Let me handle them, okay?" Harry was about to bristle when the door opened and he sighed.
Kingsley was smiling broadly, his abnormally white teeth gleaming. Harry had fallen for the jab at his temper and Kingsley had seen. Harry nodded as a tall, African man strolled into the office wearing elaborately patterned and colored robes of red, yellow, orange, blue, and green. He also had a small hat, that matched his robes, perched on his bald head. A shorter woman followed him. She was wearing similar robes, just not as brilliantly colored.
"Minister Shacklebolt, this is Minister Ezeoha Gueye and his assistant Sauda Jabali from the South African Ministry," said Agatha. Harry and Kingsley stood and shook hands with Ezeoha, while Sauda stood back and hunched over a clipboard. She glanced up and saw Harry staring at her and she smiled and looked away.
"Good morning, Kingsley, it is good to see you again, and as Minister even!" said Ezeoha emphatically. Harry could tell this man was energetic and a loud, boisterous personality.
"Ezeoha, it's wonderful to see you again as well. Let me introduce Harry Potter, our country's resident hero." Harry was smiling until the last part of Kingsley's introduction, which he frowned at and glared at his old friend.
"Watch it Kingsley, you know how I like that H-word," he warned. Ezeoha laughed loudly.
"He's got a spunk we don't see much in our country, King. I like him," he said with a chuckle. Harry tried to stop his grin, but couldn't. He definitely liked this man.
Just then Agatha returned with another man and woman and introduced them.
"The Minister Tis-see-woo-na-tis Aldaine and her assistant Jason Miles from North America."
"Please, call me Tissy, my mother is part Native American and takes that small part very seriously," said the tall woman as she and Kingsley shook hands. She didn't look like the traditional Native American Harry had seen in picture books from grade school. She had red-brown hair and a creamy, ivory skin with a hint of a tan and some freckles across her nose.
"Welcome to Great Britain, I'm Kingsley and this is Harry Potter," he said. Harry shook her hands and she smiled widely at him with a hungry look in her eyes. Harry finished shaking her hand and stepped back.
"Ezeoha, it's good to see you again," she said with a coy grin.
"Yes, Tissy, it's been – what? – four years? The ICW of nineteen ninety four?" he said with a frown.
"ICW?" Harry whispered to Kingsley.
"International Confederation of Wizards," Kingsley whispered back.
"These two got piss drunk on night four of the ICW meeting, and, um, well they had 'relations' if you get my meaning," whispered the young man who had came with Tissy.
"Really?" asked Kingsley with a chuckle. "He doesn't seem to happy to see her."
"No he wouldn't, he's married with a seven year old girl back home," whispered the man.
"Introducing Minister of Japan Nobuyuki Mori and his assistant Kurochi Nakamura," said Agatha making Harry jump.
Harry looked at the old man wearing an elegant kimono of deep blue silk, and funny wooden sandals with socks that had the big toe separated from the rest and a strap between the big toe attached to the wooden platform. His assistant was wearing similar outfit, but made of lighter blue cotton instead of silk.
"Ohayō gozaimasu, Minister Shacklebolt-san," replied the old man.
"Konnichiwa, Minister Mori-san. O genki desu ka?" asked Kingsley. Harry wondered at the man, where had he learned Japanese?
"I am of fair health, Kingsley. I see you've been practicing," said Mori in English as he smiled. Kingsley smiled right back.
"Not really, I only remember common phrases. Mori-san, please let me introduce Harry Potter," Kingsley pulled Harry away from behind him.
"Konnichiwa, Potter-san," he replied with a low bow.
"Er, it's nice to meet you…Mori-san," said Harry as he also bowed. Mori smiled.
"You are a quick learner, Potter-san." Mori moved away and sat down at the large table. His assistant gave Harry a strange look before following and kneeling behind Mori's chair.
"Harry, he showed you a huge sign of respect by bowing so low to you. When you bowed right back at the same level, that showed him that you respect him just as much as he does you. A very good move also by calling him Mori-san, and not Mr. Mori. I'd hoped you'd follow suit," said Kingsley quietly.
"Really? How do you know all that?" Harry asked.
"I spent two years just out of Auror training in Japan learning some martial arts, and about their culture in a transfer option. Mori-san was the Head Auror then and was my personal mentor. We only have about three more countries to show up then we'll get started."
Harry stood and thought about what he was about to do while he waited. He knew that they all had come to meet him and hear his story, but he didn't understand why they couldn't just pick up a paper and read about it. He thought it was a bit excessive to travel all the way to Britain to hear a story. He figured Kingsley was right, there was something going on.
Harry's musings were interrupted by a small group entering the room.
"Introducing Minister Alejandro Santos and his assistant Claudenize Pereira from Brazil; Minister Maegen Brown and her assistant Brodie Williams from Australia; and Minister Balahali Kebasso and his assistant Ravi Verma from India." Agatha sent a short nod to Kingsley and he stepped forward.
"Welcome everyone. I'm Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Great Britain and this is Harry Potter. Now that we're all here, lets take a seat and get this meeting started. Mr. Potter and I have a press release at three, so we have about five hours before we need to leave to prepare. A luncheon will be served for us at eleven thirty, but for now we have pastries and tea or coffee for anyone who wants them." He waved his wand and three large plates filled with doughnuts, crullers, fritters and funnel cakes scattered across the large table. Coffee and tea pots spread themselves over the table with stacks of cups next to each pot.
Harry sat down and took a large cream filled doughnut and a cup of tea. He took a bite and looked around the table and saw that all the foreign Ministers were watching him greedily. He swallowed painfully and thought, this is going to be a long day.
Ministers/Assistants* (pronunciation)
Southern Africa: Ezeoha (Ee-z-o-ha) Gueye/ Sauda (Sow-da) Jabali
North America: Tis-see-woo-na-tis Aldaine, aka Tissy/ Jason Miles
Japan: Nobuyuki Mori/ Kurochi Nakamura (both are pronounced like it's spelled)
Brazil: Alejandro (Ah-lay-han-dro) Santos/ Claudenize (Claw-den-eeze) Pereira
Australia: Maegen (May-gen) Brown/ Brodie Williams
India: Balahali Kebasso/ Ravi Verma
*Assistants are there for note taking, and minor protection, and in some cases translation. They have little purpose to the story other than explaining things to Harry (Jason Miles) or giving him a bad feeling (Kurochi Nakamura). I'd suggest if your bad with names, just copy and paste this little subsection to a separate document for you to refer too, since I won't be pasting this to each chapter they are in. I tried to pick names that fit the regions they are from, but if I messed up I'm sorry.
a/n: Wow, okay so i know this chapter kinda came out of no where (and a day late), but i needed more plot, so...mysterious foreign people acting suspisious...it shouldn't take too many chapters to get through this sub-plot but i kind of see the end of this part of the story coming to an end soon. Maybe several more chapters left maybe a dozen, idk. don't worry, if i feel up to it, i might continue in a sequel! But i really need to get back to my other story, i'v e neglaced it for too long. Maybe a short sequel of a prank war, since i didn't get to it in this story...Of course, even in a story with a prank war there would have to be some kind of melodrama...i even have an idea forming...Please review!