Chapter Fifty-One – Who Can Take These Tainted Titles?
We all went back to Hogwarts. Cissy came with us. "I don't really want to go home and be with just myself and the servants, whom I now know are Squibs who father took advantage of. My whole family is in jail. You should know that my brother was completely wrong about my father murdering my mother. That is just something that Bruce latched onto to get worked up about. It bothered me enough when he first told me about his suspicions that I checked with the doctor and nurses. My mother died giving birth to me. The rest is Bruce's delusion. In a way, I'd like Bruce's version to be true, so that I am not somehow responsible for killing her. On at least that one point, my father is blameless."
We looked up Professor McGonagall to fill her in on the conclusion of our adventures. She said, "I'm pleased that you've done your part in bringing Bruce and Lord Montaigne to justice and preventing that nasty Ruppasta from overthrowing King Goblanze, but I still want those explosives out of my school."
Hermione promised that they would be gone within the day. Professor McGonagall reminded Hermione that it was only two days until her lecture. Hermione complained that she had gone from not enough information to way too much information and had a lot of thinking to do.
Harry picked a tough time to ask a favour of Professor McGonagall. "I have a major favour to ask," he began. "You know how King Goblanze looks down on Wizards as not being as inventive or artistic as Goblins? Now that he knows that we all know his masterpiece was a copy, I'd like to bring him to Hogwarts to show him our hidden art gallery. That should convince him that he underestimates Wizards and that by going along with Lord Montaigne as head of Gringotts, that he has a large share of the blame for stifling the progress of the Wizarding community."
"After bringing a bomb to Hogwarts, I'm surprised you even ask permission for a little thing like that," Professor McGonagall replied. "I think it a fine idea, however. I think our Board of Governors needs to see our museum, as well. They and the Hogwarts staff have also done our part to crush the creativity of young Wizards.
"By the way, while you were finishing your adventure, I was successfully recruiting the artist Witch to join the faculty next term. She'll be moving in within the week. We have much to discuss about how best to integrate her efforts into the curriculum. We're going to involve the first and second years in art instruction, but I'm not sure what we can do with the upper level students. I'm sincerely interested in the views of all of you in revamping the curriculum."
Harry's cell phone rang, and he answered it. I was perhaps overly proud of Harry for learning how to use the thing. Harry did a lot of listening and then replied "if it's necessary for good intergovernmental relations, then I'll certainly do it, although I'm sure it is going to get me into trouble. We'll meet you at your office at 9:00 A.M. and travel together from there. Yes, I'll pick up King Goblanze on the way. I want to show him our little art museum, anyway…. Yes, you're welcome to see it as well. I'll see you tomorrow, Sir."
I gave Harry a look and then moved closer, when he refused to tell us about the phone call. He replied, "it's a matter of state security," and moved to the other side of Professor McGonagall's office. "It's been a really long day and I'm off to bed," Harry declared, making a quick escape. "Ginny, Ron, and Hermione – I have an early errand - if you and Percy can meet me at the Minister's office at 9:30, it would be great. It's important that you bring Cissy with you."
The next morning, I lingered in the common room, waiting to walk to breakfast with Harry, but finally left without him. He wasn't in the Great Hall, either, and by then I had wasted enough time that I had to quickly finish my breakfast to join the others for the trip to the Ministry. Percy was not thrilled to be taking even relayed orders from me but was assuaged by the thought of a meeting in Dad's office. We all arrived in Dad's ante-room a few minutes early. His receptionist was surprised to see us, telling us that, "the Minister is meeting with Director Shacklebolt. I'll check if they can be disturbed."
I heard Dad saying in a loud exasperated tone of voice, "yes, I wanted to see Harry today, but I certainly wasn't expecting him to just pop in now, and certainly not with his whole circus…. No, no, you might as well tell them all to come in. We'll all wait to see what Harry has planned. It had best be good, or I'm going to be very annoyed."
That prediction was a certainty, as Dad clearly was already annoyed. As we were entering the office, Shacklebolt was soothing Dad "Harry and his gang are certainly brash and prone to going outside the lines, but you have to agree they've gotten good results. Without them, we'd still be facing Voldemort, LeDoux, Hyack, Bruce, and Lord Montaigne, and Ruppasta would be the new Goblin King. These youngsters are a force of nature, but one that has been blowing down the opposition for us. Relax and go along with the ride."
"I suppose you're right, Kingsley, but these uncoordinated actions can really complicate my work. I fear Harry has achieved a good result, but harmed relations with the Muggle government, in the process. I don't think it appropriate for the Minister of Magic to just go along for the ride. Even if it might be appropriate under some circumstances, I just don't like it."
"Nonsense, I'm sure Harry was very polite and deferential toward the Prime Minister."
"He took a Goblin with him. Can you imagine the Prime Minister's shock to hear a pop, look up expecting to see me, and instead seeing Harry and a Goblin?"
"We're sitting right here Dad, while you and Director Shacklebolt are talking about us," Ron remarked.
"I can only hope that you would continue to sit in silence."
I was afraid Ron was about to say something untoward, when Prudence stuck her head in and said, "Prime Minister Blair wants to see you, immediately, Sir."
"That's alright Prudence, we can find our way in," Harry said from the other side of the door. We were then confronted by Harry, King Goblanze, and Tony Blair."
"Ministers Scrimgeour, Shacklebolt, and yourself were always just popping into my office with bad news. Harry showed up with more bad news, yesterday, but, unlike you, he also brought a Goblin. I insisted that Harry keep this visit a secret, on pain of bad intergovernmental relations. I just wanted to see what it felt like to just show up at your office with a Goblin. I think my office is nicer, by the way. I'm here to report that I think we got your request of yesterday sorted out. The National Gallery is now showing a different drawing as the 'Creation of the Universe', both on display and on-line. Harry alerted me that the drawing also appeared in at least one book. The museum staff is tracking that down and we'll see if we can round up the loose copies. If the emergency is over, Harry has promised to show the King and me the little art museum back at his school. The King has shown me his drawings and I think they're quite good. Diagon Alley and Gringotts Bank are amazing places.
"It's certainly good to see you again Arthur, and you too, Kingsley. I'm sure you realise that we are going to need a good story to explain the disappearance of Lord Montaigne and his son. I'm assuming his daughter Cissy will be assuming the title, although she is obviously a little young for the Lords. I was thinking that perhaps the Montaigne's could have been lost in a sailing or mountain climbing accident. You'll find out what sport they like and start laying the groundwork to explain their outing and accident, I'm sure. We'll need credible witnesses. This is Bob from my protective squad, by the way. He's pledged to secrecy. Sorry to just duck in and leave, but I have a busy schedule and a school to visit.
"Oh, my guys have nothing new on your man Fudge. If you say he always travelled with a wand, I can tell you that we couldn't find it. All his wounds and broken bones were consistent with a fall into a quarry. It is officially suicide, identity unknown. Perhaps you can find the culprits. I understand that he might have been in possession of an ancient seal, which is of great importance to you. We didn't find that, either."
"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Ginny, Sir," Harry was saying as he walked up to me and put an arm on my shoulder to ease me toward the Prime Minister. {[panic] Call Professor McGonagall and tell her we're coming.}
"Hermione and Ron, why don't you come along and help me explain the art. Oh yes, this gentleman edging forward is my chief aide, Percy."
"Pleased to meet you, Prime Minister."
"We'll Apparate from my ante-room," Harry announced to the room in general, as he and his guests departed.
"That certainly qualifies as a strange meeting," Dad observed, "but at least the Prime Minister seems to be in a good mood. And, Percy, you don't just sidle up to the Prime Minister. Aides are supposed to be invisible, unless called upon."
"He made Harry promise to keep this little intrusion a surprise," I apologised to Dad. "I have to alert Professor McGonagall, now. Can I borrow your phone?"
I didn't see much point in staying at the Ministry to be the focus of any unhappiness Dad felt with Harry. It was much better to leave that job to Percy, so I departed as soon as I had completed my call. By running all the way from the gate, I was able to reach Professor McGonagall's office just a few seconds after Harry and his guests.
"Prime Minister, King Goblanze, it is a pleasure to show you around our school. Harry had suggested he would be inviting you, I just didn't expect it to be…. this soon."
"I'm afraid that I insisted that Harry bring us today. I also strong-armed Harry into participating in a little practical joke I wished to play on your Minister. All in all, the morning has been quite successful, thus far. I understand you have a museum to show us."
"Yes, we do, Prime Minister. I must apologize in advance for the rather unorthodox path that we must travel to the museum. I think we'll go by way of Gryffindor, if you'll lead the way, Harry. Trew and I will follow."
"My, that's enough to give one a bad case of sea-sickness," the Prime Minister observed, as the stairs perversely decided to rotate and swivel as we were climbing them. I adroitly skipped to the proper stairs as they drifted toward us, while Harry and Ron gave the Prime Minister a hand over.
As we were about to enter the Gryffindor common room, Draco and Pansy were leaving with their customary picnic basket. I don't know where they had left Narcissa. Suddenly, Draco stopped after passing us and whispered far too loudly, "Pansy, that's the Muggle Prime Minister and the Goblin King."
"I've never quite understood what a Muggle is, young man, perhaps you could explain it to me?" the Prime Minister intoned stiffly, looking directly at Draco. "Don't I know your father, by the way?" Draco just turned and ran, leaving Pansy to mumble, "Muggle is the term we use to describe humans without magical ability."
We continued into the common room, just as Narcissa was preparing to leave.
"Ah, I had guessed it was something of the sort. Hello, Narcissa, I was just attempting to speak to your son, but he appears to have run away."
"Oh, hello Mr. Prime Minister, King Goblanze. I apologise for my son, he must be in awe, just running into both of you like this. I had hoped that we had taught him better manners than that."
We walked through the common room and Professor McGonagall edged Harry aside to place her ring against the knot hole. The door opened and the Professor was surprised to find where Hermione had hidden the plastic explosives. She stepped around the pile, turning to warn "careful walking around the explosive, Prime Minister. I wouldn't want you to think we're radical bomb throwers here at Hogwarts. Those were the explosives that were removed from Lord Montaigne's bomb and for some odd reason my students felt this was an appropriate place to bring them. You're more than welcome to have your security associate take them away with you. I'm told they lack the part that could cause them to explode."
The security guy stopped to examine our bomb parts, saying "It's plastic explosive, Sir, but there are no detonators or battery. I see where they've removed the detonators."
"I'd prefer not to leave it here," the Prime Minister instructed him.
"Yes," Harry said. "I guess since you're here, we may as well show you the site of the intended bombing, as well. You'll find the timer and detonators there. But the art museum is far more enjoyable."
"Considering how amusing it has been simply getting to it, I'm sure the museum will be most interesting."
We all helped in showing our guests around the museum and reading some of the poetry from the cabinet. Luna arrived with George, having fetched the old Hogwarts drawings and paintings from the library. Harry smiled when King Goblanze commented, "I wouldn't have believed Wizard children were capable of such remarkable work. I do hope you allow the students to paint again. That manuscript left by your ancient art Professor brought tears to my eyes. I'll certainly do my part to help you push the Wizard community along the path of progress. I'm sorry I let Lord Montaigne persuade me to help him block new businesses. You should know, Prime Minister, that some of the Wizard families used to be among the chief British merchant traders, but Gringotts bank drove them out of business."
"My administration would welcome your people's increased participation in the local economy, as long as they don't let ordinary Britons know that they are Wizards. I'm sorry, but I don't think our people are ready to deal with Goblins. You'll most definitely have to remain hidden. Now if we can pay a quick visit to the scene of the attempted bombing, I need to be on my way."
"You know," the King said to Harry and the Prime Minister, "other than THE drawing that I entered into the Selection Tournament, all the drawings on my office walls are original. I admit they don't rise to the greatness of what I borrowed from Gauguin."
"I liked all of your drawings," Harry reassured the King. "I meant what I said about THE drawing. I didn't call it a copy, because it wasn't a copy. It reminded me of the Gauguin in mood and attitude, as if it was projecting the Wizard perspective on the birth of the Universe. I think you were inspired by Gauguin, but you didn't copy him. Many Muggle artists are inspired by other artists, but their work is still regarded as fully original."
"That's why the Muggles speak of schools of painting," Hermione chimed in. "Gauguin was one of many impressionist artists. They all drew inspiration from each other, as did Picasso and the other cubist painters. Someone has a new way of representing the heart of reality and others extend that concept."
"You are very generous to try to ease my conscience," the King replied, "but to Goblins most everything beyond the vision that the artist is portraying is regarded as mere mechanical execution. I saw the Gauguin while wandering the Muggle Museum one fine night. I have visited many museums after closing. I agree that there are quite a few differences between my drawing and the Gauguin, some of content and others of style, but I stole the essential vision from Gauguin. I know what you mean about schools of Muggle painters sharing an approach and basic vision of how the real world is best represented in art to capture its essence. I see the similarities as well as the differences in their work.
"We Goblins take a stricter view of what is original. It is more the view that Muggles take on writing, only a little more so. I read Muggle mystery stories. Arthur Conan Doyle owned Sherlock Holmes. It would have been illegal and totally unoriginal for any other writer to write a story that used Holmes as a character, even if the plot were totally original, it was set in Minnesota instead of London, and the mood of the work was altered. Years later, the Muggles do allow imitators, but they are recognised as imitators of some originality, but far lesser than Conan Doyle. To a Goblin, Conan Doyle would own not only Holmes and Watson, but the style of that mystery. The Maltese Falcon, which I love, would be counted as original, because the characters, style of solving the mystery, settings, and mood are all different from the Conan Doyle style. The Maltese Falcon, if set in the London or the moors depicted by Conan Doyle, would not be counted as original by a Goblin. It most certainly would not be acceptable for the purposes of the Selection Tournament. I recognise my error and continue in office, on questionable moral terms, only because I've always known what a terrible disaster Ruppasta would be as a leader. I am trying to think of an honourable way out of this dilemma."
We all linked arms and then we were standing in the middle of the Reception Hall. The room wasn't in that bad shape, considering recent events. There was a rail car sitting part way into the room, bearing its dud bomb. Harry showed the bomb to the security guy. "We substituted modelling clay for the plastic explosive," Hermione beamed. It certainly fooled Lord Montaigne. He just stood here pushing and pushing the detonator button and getting redder and redder in the face, until he was arrested."
"It is modelling clay, Sir," the security guy reported, allowing the Prime Minister to take a closer look. King Goblanze took this opportunity to approach the Prime Minister and comment, "almost all of the art in this room was created by Goblins."
"And very fine work it is," the Prime Minister assured him, nodding to Harry that it was time to go. George brought the security guy a sack filled with the plastic explosives. Security guy Bob put the detonators in his pocket, slung the sack over his shoulder, then Harry, the King, the Prime Minister, and Bob joined hands and were gone. Several minutes later Harry was back.
Professor McGonagall gave him a look, but said only, "a most interesting spontaneous visit, Mr. Potter. I think Hermione needs to go work on her lecture, and Trew and I also have work to complete." She and Trew turned and left us mumbling to ourselves. Harry excused himself to return to the Ministry and whatever problems awaited from Dad.
Harry returned for dinner in a high state of excitement, joining us in the common room a half hour before dinner. "The Minister and the Goblin King have called upon the Wizengamot to strip Lord Montaigne of the Keepership. I somehow missed this in my pre-election civics study, but such a call takes absolute precedence and the hearing begins tomorrow morning. Some of us will be called as witnesses. I'm sorry, Cissy, but you will likely be called to testify."
"I'm willing to testify, but if they think I have a lot of damning evidence to give about my father, over and above what you'll be able to tell them, they are going to be disappointed. I learned of the failed bomb attempt after you did. I leaned about the possibility of Muggle explosives during my brother's ramblings in court."
"I realise that, and I expect that they'll treat you gingerly, in deference to your family loyalty. There will be two questioners, by the way, Madam Bones and King Goblanze. Nobody knows exactly what the King's position will be, but he clearly was feeling guilty about letting your father blackmail him.
"That's not all, or even how we'll be spending our evening. It would be wrong to speak among ourselves about our memories of the events, before we testify tomorrow, anyway. The Minister wants to follow the Keeper trial with the Elven Rights Bill and asked me to make sure it is ready to go in two days. How are you coming with that, Hermione?"
"Well, I'd be farther along if I hadn't spent today finishing my lecture on Gryffindor and Peverell Houses. I had some questions to ask you, anyway. First, I assume that there will be a system of old-age pensions for the Elves, especially the very old elves, who are to be freed. Who will pay that in the case of Elves owned by Wizard families who have sustained economic reversals?"
"I think you should provide for a minimal level of old-age pension to be guaranteed by the Ministry."
"What about House Elves who are privy to embarrassing or legally harmful secrets of the family that now owns them?"
"Yes, I can see that could be a problem. I think you should say that the Elves cannot testify in court about matters they learned about in the service of their prior owner and that they are subject to civil legal action if they reveal damaging family secrets."
"Okay, although I think they should be allowed to speak their minds."
Draco, who had been listening in on the discussion, added his opinion. "You'll have far more opposition to the bill, without that provision. All the owners of Elves know that the Elves know harmful or embarrassing things about them. Well over half of the Wizengamot members own Elves. Even Harry owns an Elf."
"Not anymore," Harry replied. "Kreacher said he wanted to properly close up Grimmauld Place, and then he's coming to live with your mother, within the next few days. He's a free Elf now, and he has a pension."
"You always were a complete softy. You're paying a pension to an Elf whom you've owned for less than two years of his long life?"
"I inherited the responsibilities that go with the house, when I inherited the house. It is the only responsible position."
"Getting back to my questions," Hermione testily stepped back into the discussion, "what about the elderly Hogwarts kitchen Elves?"
"I think Hogwarts can afford to fund their pensions," Harry replied.
"What about Elves who claim their freedom, but are too young for a pension and yet can't find employment?"
"I can see including a provision for a few months of transitional pay from the Ministry and allowing them to apply for jobs on a non-discriminatory basis, but I don't see how the Ministry can guarantee them a job. We don't guarantee jobs for Wizards."
"I think that's harsh, but it may be the only approach that will sell. I'll talk to McGonagall about the possibility of the school hiring displaced Elves, if necessary."
"Talk to Viktor and Monsieur Delacour, as well, they say Elves have no problem finding jobs on the Continent."
"What about Elves who don't want freedom?"
"We can't force them to be free, but we can say they have the right to ask for their freedom at any future time. In the meantime, they are free to work out whatever arrangements they want to with their current owner or anyone else. Perhaps we should provide a mandatory counselling session to explain their rights under the bill to all Elves.
"Going back to your question of Elves right to express their views: they should be free to say they didn't enjoy working for their prior owner, or the owner was a mean owner, but they shouldn't be allowed to say their prior owner cheated on his taxes. I don't know if you've included this, but free Elves would still be subject to the International Secrecy Statute and could not reveal themselves to Muggles or allow knowledge of the magical world to be revealed to Muggles."
"Alright, Harry, now what about education for Elves?"
"I don't even know how Elves are educated now. Do you know?"
"I'm embarrassed to say I don't, I'll have a chat with the kitchen Elves after dinner."
"Speaking of which," I prodded them, "we are late for dinner."
As we walked down to dinner, I asked Harry, "How did Dad treat you after the Goblin King's prank."
"He didn't seem very upset, since the Prime Minister appeared to be in a good mood. He was a bit upset when I told him that Prime Minister Blair and his security aide took the bomb away with them. He said it was evidence that would be needed for any trial of Lord Montaigne, and he was concerned about what explanation the Prime Minister would have to give to account for returning to the office with a bomb. I reassured him that the security officer certainly would take the bomb somewhere other than the office, and that they would have a plausible story to explain its provenance. I told him that we were in an awkward situation and the security officer didn't want to leave the bomb with us, while Headmaster McGonagall wanted the bomb out of Hogwarts. He said that, under the circumstances, that was not the headmistress's decision to make."
