A/N: I just want to put it out there that I am NOT British (see my user name) and have no personal relationship with the Royal Family. I simply do a lot of Internet research, so anything that sounds a little 'off' may not be intentional. (This IS an alternate universe, after all.)
"Mr. Wisseldon, I presume that the witnesses were taken care of properly?"
"Yes, Ma'am." The security chief's jaw clenched, adding to his stern military mien. "Except, upon Her Grace's orders, the young miss who caused the contretemps."
"My daughter-in-law has assured me that the 'contretemps' was precipitated by my scamp of a grandson. However, leaving Miss Granger her memory of the event means that we have inadvertently interfered with the practices of the Other Ministry."
"Do you wish me to see to the matter now, Ma'am?"
She shook her head slightly. "No, I will not issue a countermand in an attempt to close the barn door after the horses have fled. Since she has knowledge which would not have been imparted for three more years, we shall determine how best to reward and protect one who prevented severe injury to a young man close to our heart."
"But–"
She held up a commanding hand. "We are well aware that our 'special' physicians would have him getting up to his usual mischief within a day. No, Diana is most insistent that we prepare the child for her introduction to an alien world so that she is not dropped in unawares." Her Royal Highness took a deep breath and murmured, "She sees some parallels, and who is to say that she is incorrect?" Her voice rose, "Your mission, Wisseldon, is to provide me with an up-to-date prospectus on the current state of our less mundane realm."
"Shall I bring the Prime Minister into the loop?"
"Not necessary. That might actually slow down the reconnaissance mission, as Mrs. Thatcher has little patience with wizards. From my predecessors' notes, that, added to a good sense of humour, is of paramount importance in dealing with the leaders of our somewhat backwards community. A decade ago a social-climbing would-be despot caused a bit of a ruckus the year before we found ourselves involved in Operation Corporate. With my second son following his mother's example and putting himself in the line of fire during wartime, followed by a veritable population explosion from my three eldest, the magical realm, to our shame, was given little attention. That is why, Mr. Wisseldon, that a more detailed report is required besides, 'Everything is just fine'."
"And if everything is not 'just fine'?"
"If that is the case, we shall consider other options, and I will take responsibility for informing the Prime Minister. Good day."
"Mama?" The woman dipped a curtsey before taking a seat. She stared at the thick binder on her mother-in-law's desk. "Is that the report on the state of the magical world?"
"Unfortunately so." Her Majesty handed the document to the Princess of Wales. "It is fairly dreadful; for the high–or rather, the low–points, read the marked pages." She busied herself with other duties of the realm, and the only sounds in the room for the next half hour were the scritches of her pen and the rasp of turning pages.
Finally the younger royal set the dispatch on the desk with a moue of distaste. "And we are to send that delightful child who saved Harry a not inconsiderable amount of pain to that primitive, bigoted society?"
"According to the Charter, that is where she belongs." She removed her reading glasses and rubbed her eyes, a brief moment of weakness for someone who always must appear strong.
"She will be mocked and persecuted from the moment of her arrival!" Diana protested. "Why, those so-called 'Purebloods'–they are worse than the rakehells from two centuries ago."
"I regret that I must agree with you."
"You cannot allow that! Why, I will take her myself to protect her from those–those barbarians!"
"Peace, dear." The queen smiled slightly. "While we rule them by divine right, the Boleyn blood which runs in both our veins grants us even more leeway in this situation. After all, a witch or wizard could have popped up at any time in the royal family. Which brings an interesting story to mind... It is not widely known," she winked, "that the execution of our multiple-great aunt Queen Anne did not occur as reported."
"Pardon?"
"Another prisoner was given some sort of magical draught to resemble her. Anne herself fled to the school for magic in Scotland and taught there for several decades. It is rumoured that she even attended her daughter's coronation; in disguise, of course."
Diana's breath huffed, and she jerked her chin forward. "Well, if my wombat or Harry were magical, I'd be dashed if I would send them to that benighted world."
"The experiences of a person of royal or noble heritage would greatly differ from those of your young protégée," she reminded her before halting the incipient protest. "No, do not argue with me on this. Miss Granger must enter this world to be trained to handle her powers. However," she glared at the thick book, "changes will come to pass. What exists there is insupportable in our kingdom."
"Have you some idea to engineer those changes?" The younger woman's eyes narrowed before she smiled. "You do!"
The Queen nodded. "This blighted society which lives in the past will be whipped into shape by an unpleasant lesson from our history. Conventional warfare lost us the American colonies; we will conquer these stubborn wizards with guerilla tactics." She pressed a hidden buzzer. "Now we must request another report from my special services."
"What's that you say, Pet?" Vernon Dursley could not believe his ears. "The brat's gone?"
A shrill gibbering could be heard through the telephone receiver.
"The Queen?" he snorted. "I'm sure someone was just pulling your leg, but as long as he's out of our lives, who cares?"
More blathering.
"That so-called wizard protection on the house was a bunch of crock? Just goes to show we were right in not trusting that bunch." He slapped a meaty hand onto the solid wooden desk in delight. "This is a momentous day. Let's have dinner out tonight, anywhere you choose," he added magnanimously. "Go ahead and make a reservation, and we can celebrate our freedom from the freak."
"In addition to the girl and the Potter boy, I believe we should select at least two more from this society for our cadre of young magicals. Have you any preferences, dear?"
Diana pulled a sheet from the sheaf of parchment. "This one also has a less than optimal home life, but what intrigues me is that the will which Lily Potter placed in her Barclay's safe deposit box states that his mother was to have custody of Big Harry." In addition to becoming accustomed to having plenty to eat and no chores, the orphan had been 'adopted' by two younger brothers, thus the need for differentiation between those who shared a name.
"A most unfortunate turn of events. One guardian incapacitated, one incarcerated, and one with a chronic illness which has the potential to endanger others. Yet, honestly, any of those would be an improvement over what he endured. If we ever get our hands on that slippery fool who placed him with those magic-hating relatives…"
"I know, Mama. It was kind of you to make him a Royal Ward."
"His mother was born into the non-magical part of my kingdom. That gives any who would argue the issue no leg to stand upon."
The Princess of Wales giggled. "Not to mention the fact that you outrank all of them."
"Well stated." An eyebrow raised in approval at the comment. "Primacy does have its perks. The only problem I foresee is that these three would most likely be agreeable to our plans. We should select a fourth as an antagonist to them so that we may best judge our opposition." She narrowed her eyes as she read a family summary. "Now this young man's father has aspirations so overly high as to be Icarian. Once we show him what real power looks like, our game will be afoot."