{THOUGHTS} For example: {She called me a what?}
I'm flattered at the comments and the number of people following this. Thank you.
A quick note on this chapter and the next. When I first began writing this tale, I had no idea I was going to change Percy and Ron so much. Everyone likes a good "bad guy" but these two are not even that- they're just jerks. Since I need to pick on someone- they're elected. But by the time the complete story is done I fully expect both of them to be redeemed.
Anyways - Instead of rambling let me get to it - I actually hadn't planned on this scene quite this way but I'm satisfied with it and it will make for a better story in the long run.
Anyways - please continue to comment- Let me know how I'm doing. Recent comments pointing out errors - Thank you! By the time you read this - they should all be fixed.
bob.
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It was the next day when the minister had come in smiling and greeting everyone. Deloris was following, just as normal, in his wake briefing him about several issues. Most of which he didn't care about.
"Ahh, Mrs. Clearwater. Just the lady we wanted to see."
Percy's smile froze on his face as he thought, {"Now I'm a lady? I've got to fix this."} He answered, "Good morning Minister. I'm happy to see you. I believe there's some confusion about..."
Cornelius wasn't going to get sidetracked today. Things were looking up. He wanted to keep focused and moving in the right direction. "No confusion whatsoever. You've been doing a marvelous job here. Helping out the other ladies in the personnel office, even as you fill in ably for Mr. Crouch. He's had nothing except good things to say about you. Isn't that right Deloris."
"It's true sweetie. I spoke to him just a few days ago, he was telling me how he helped you decide to come out, as it were as Mrs. Clearwater." (A/N: No she didn't. She's lying. No one has spoken to him in over a month. But every politician is going to swear they spoke to Crouch because he is still a power in the ministry. Imagine the political ramifications: But Barty Crouch is for it! I spoke to him just the other day! ECT.) "He had decided that since you've done such an admirable job wearing two hats, both as his assistant and here with the other girls; we decided to keep you here."
She changed the pitch of her voice, intending to keep the conversation between the three of them, but since the other ladies "loved" little Percy all work had stopped and they were listening intently anyway.
"All the girls here think you're great. And even in the rest of the ministry. But until you look a bit more...er... feminine, it's best if you stay on this floor and continue to use the ladies locker room and loo here."
{SHIT! HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS?}
"That's something best discussed with you ladies. You certainly don't need a man's opinion on how you girls work that out." Cornelius winked and sidled closer to Percy. He never saw it coming. He gave an involuntary, "eep!" And jumped just a bit as the minister pinched his arse. For some reason that made him blush, as all of the girls smiled. Fudge was known for pinching any female rear he could reach, and it was high time Percy found out about it.
FLASHBACK:
It hadn't been a good week for him. "Percy? Are you here?"
"Penny? Did you work late again?"
Talk about obvious questions. She looked as if she hadn't slept in four days. Her clothes were rumpled, her hair which was normally done up in a tight, beautiful braid was now hanging loose.
She snapped her answer back a bit more harshly than she intended. "What do you think? We are the only source of food in the magical world. I mean there are other restaurants that have access to muggle supplies, but everyone is ordering pizza. Both stores are running full tilt, open to close. We've even hired new employees."
"Damn Potter freezing everything just so he can make a few extra galleons."
"Stop!" She ordered as she fell into the easy chair. "I've heard a lot of the reasons why this is occurring. Quit blaming Harry for everything." Trying to change the subject, "What's for dinner? I haven't eaten all day long. And I don't want to hear the words Italian and food in the same sentence."
He stammered, "I.. I've ..cooked all week long, and I thought it was your turn?"
It was more of a hopeful plea than a question. But he knew right away it was the wrong thing to say.
"I've been working every single day since we've returned without a day off. Some days have been 18 hours long, and you get off at what time again?" Her voice really did sound dangerous.
"Umm 1700?"
"So you work from 0900 to 1700 with a lunch break of an hour and a half. I work on average from 0800 to 2000 sometimes without a break and I'm supposed to make dinner? Does that sound fair?"
"Not really." He didn't mean to, but the next thing he said sounded like a whine, she hated whining. "But I don't know what you want!"
"Percy." He looked at her. He could see her reign in her temper and he calmed as well.
"You're right." He manned up. "Sometimes I want it to go back to the way it was before." He sat next to her and hugged her. "I've got to admit, I feel emasculated. Here, at work. Sometimes I just don't know who I am anymore."
She ran her hands through his hair. "Percy darling. Be honest with me. Before you became Mrs. Clearwater. Before you became my wife. Was it working?" He sat and watched her beautiful eyes and remembered how unhappy she was, and how dissatisfied he was. She continued, "I love you Percy. But I can't go back to that. If you want to leave me I'll understand. Or at least try to. But I won't be that happy little house witch. We're making money hand over fist, and you are finally getting somewhere in the ministry."
"The girls, the ladies. They say they like me, but I feel as if I am the butt of all their jokes." They continued to snuggle and she indicated for him to continue. "You know, it's the strangest thing. I've had to use the loo, a lot. It seems as if there is always a line. Anyways, one of the few times I got in there first, I pulled up my robes and was peeing. When the girls came in they saw my feet under the door and heard... Anyway, they started to yell at me and wouldn't stop until I told them that I would sit. I was going to complain to Deloris, but she was right there and listened to the whole thing. She even made a duplicate of the seat my mother made and made one of the girls sit and explain everything in detail. I was so embarrassed."
Penny laughed, almost. "Think about it. It makes sense for you to sit. You know very well how messy guys are. There's splash back and outright misses. How would you like to sit in that?" It must have been rhetorical because she continued, "Besides your not sitting may by one of the reasons why they resent you."
Sighing, "My life is just so weird."
Her laugh still made his heart skip a beat. While she laughed she pushed him onto the floor. "I know sweetie, but our lives are weird together. Besides I like the new Percy," {"There she goes again. It sounds like Prissy."}
"Clearwater. Do me a favor my little sweet. Take my shoes off and give those sore tired feet a massage. Will you?"
The two young lovers talked and discussed what Perce would make for dinner when he was through. Her eyes had been closed for most of the massage, just luxuriating in the feel of the magic fingers.
"I almost forgot. You know tomorrow is my day off. So I'll deal with dinner." she held up a hand forestalling any complaints. "You deserve a break as well. I know you work hard as well. And I was not minimizing what you do with the girls. Everyone knows it's you girls in the administration and personnel departments that keep the ministry going." He sat up straighter feeling validated by her words. He didn't even catch that he was now included with the girls. She just wanted to kiss Tonks but didn't swing that way. "Anyways, after dinner, we have a meeting at the Witch's Council."
"Don't you mean you?"
Her head shake had his stomach doing flip flops all of a sudden.
"Can't you... you know. Thank them and tell them I'm ill or something?"
"Perce."
{There it is again. Priss.}
"No sane person declines an invitation from the witch's council. And you've been invited. You wouldn't last long at the ministry if you ostracize the council."
"Okay. Do I need to bring anything?"
"No, darling. Not a thing. Nothing at all. You will be okay. Do you understand?"
Feeling at least a little better about it, "Okay. Not a problem."
"Great darling. Thank you for not making a fuss." She turned her feet first one way and then the other as they rested on his lap. He wasn't sure if she realized what that little jostling did to him. "Tell me my love. What color do you think would look good on my toes?"
Forty-five minutes later a thoroughly snogged Percy stood up. "Let me go whip something up in the kitchen, but first I have to pee."
"Thanks, honey. Great job on the toes. Oh and by the way. It will make it easier at work to remember to sit if you sit here too."
He sighed but didn't say anything. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, he would have argued but would wind up doing it her way in any case. He had a fleeting thought before sitting of sticking his head in the toilet and drowning himself. But he realized magic was funny. {With my luck, I would wind up being the first pregnant male or something. Better leave well enough alone. But what the hell, it couldn't get worse. Right?} (A/N No Preg males in my fic!)
WRONG.-
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NEXT EVENING WITCHES COUNCIL (STILL IN THE FLASHBACK).
Penny side along apparated them into a part of the ministry that Percy had never seen. He hadn't been there long, but one of the first things he had done was to examine the various areas and departments very carefully. The best suckups never had to ask for directions. In his mind, if he already knew everyone and knew where everything was, it made him that more valuable.
"Where are we?"
"A hidden part of the ministry. No male knows the location of it. Most don't even know it exists. So don't even mention it to anyone. Not even other witches. Divulging the secret could get you obliviated, or worse." She stressed the "or worse" part. "A lot of them are clueless as well. You are special, receiving this invitation." She took both of her hands in his and locked her gaze onto his. "Don't disappoint me here tonight. Please. This is very important, for the BOTH of us."
"I won't." He squeezed her hands to show his sincerity and kissed her chastely on the lips.
Passing through a blank wall in between the statue of a witch with her wand sticking straight into the air and a tapestry of a witch, one Dame Kensington leading some wizards into battle; they arrived in another corridor. A short hallway, it was only ten feet in length. At the end of the corridor was a heavy steel door. The door was flat gray steel with no adornments other than an indentation for a palm.
"No handle?"
She snorted, "Of course not. Men have a need for physically subduing everything. Women work around, or through things. A physical confrontation of any sort should be the last option."
"Well said, Ms. Clearwater."
He turned and saw three other witches there. Two of them much older, one about their age.
Penny colored, "Forgive us for holding you up madam," she responded with a quick dip.
"Not at all. Take your time. Show your wife everything."
"Yes, ma'am." With another dip.
Perce could see this witch was someone of importance. He was careful to keep all comments to himself.
"Place your right hand in the spot there. Leave it there while it "reads" your magic. It may sting the first time, try not to pull your hand away."
It did more than sting. But having been warned, especially since there was now a line growing behind them, he let the device take and store his magical signature. He felt/heard the completion of the rite.
"Go ahead and walk through the door. I'll be there in ten seconds. It only takes a minute the first time. There's an alcove to your left as you enter. We'll go through and let these ladies precede us."
He stepped through and went to the left. He had felt her hand on his back gently pushing him. Just as she had mentioned, there was a small alcove with three chairs and a table. She did mention only being ten seconds behind, so he just stood and waited.
True to her word she came in and smiled which eased some of the trepidation he felt. He was very mindful of her earlier warning and the importance to her. The elder lady he had expected did not immediately come in. The line must have gotten long because many witches came in. There were many that he knew and many that he didn't. He noticed that Penny would give a quick curtsey to many of the older witches. So he began to half bow to them.
"What are you doing," she hissed at him? Her voice suddenly venom filled.
"You were dipping to a lot of the ladies. So I was bowing." His tone was clear he was confused.
"This is the WITCH'S COUNCIL. There are no men here," she stressed. "You curtsey here. As an acolyte, you are the junior member. If you are accepted."
The elder witch came in about that time and caught the tail end of her lecture. She saw Penny wagging her finger in Percy's face and read the surprise on his face.
"Is there some trouble here?"
"Lady Kittworth." Penny turned to her and once more curtsied. this time a bit deeper.
After a moment, a resigned Percy did the same thing. His dip wasn't as smooth, but he did make the effort.
"No trouble ma'am. I was just giving some clarifying instructions to my wife."
She smiled and Penny visibly relaxed. "You appear to be doing a good job. How is her training?"
Percy wanted to take offense at her words, and at any other time may have said something. But Penny's earlier warnings and instructions held him back.
"She is doing well in most areas but needs further help in others. We'll keep working at it."
Once again Lady Kittworth smiled. "Excellent. We're keeping an eye on you, Ms. Penny." She turned to Percy. "We know this is very confusing for you. We are not displeased with your progress. You did enter into this union freely, and you bound yourself to this witch; and not the witch to the wizard." Her gaze was penetrating.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Do you regret that?"
"No, ma'am. It sometimes seems as if I'm in a dream where everything is familiar but it's not. Most have treated me well but..."
"But you can't say because you are now unsure if they're treating you ill because of you or because you are now a witch."
Almost hesitatingly he asked, "Am I a witch though?" His voice was soft, unsure.
She waved his question away. "You bound yourself to the witch. Not the witch to the wizard. That makes you the wife of a witch. And a wife that can do magic is called..."
"A witch," he finished for her.
She turned back to Penny. "There is still 10 or 15 minutes left until we start. We expect great things from you Penny and from you Mrs. Clearwater."
This time Percy dipped smoothly.
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After the small meeting - instructional session there were a set of doors eight in number starting with white at the nearest end progressing through the colors of the rainbow culminating with a black door.
"Here, we're in the white door." Without hesitation Penny walked through the door, immediately followed by Percy. Inside were lockers, benches, showers, and toilet facilities. Without comment, she began to disrobe. He opened one of the lockers, he found it already had some women's clothing in it so opened another. And found that one empty. He opened another and found that empty as well, and then a third.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get undressed."
She was already down to her bra and panties. "You mean naked?"
She stopped what she was doing and looked at him like he was from Mars. "That is the result of getting undressed. Yes, naked. Now please."
He plopped down onto the bench. "Is everyone getting undressed?"
With exaggerated patience, "Yes Percy. Everyone is getting undressed. Everyone will be naked. Why are you hesitating?"
"You could have told me." He said accusingly.
Her sigh told him she was running low on patience. "I did tell you. Yesterday. Do you not remember?"
His head shake told her he didn't. "You asked me what you should bring. Do you remember that?"
Not trusting himself he nodded. "Good," she continued. "And I answered, 'No darling. Not a thing. Nothing at all. You will be okay.' Do you remember?"
His voice was very quiet, still freaking out about being naked in front of Merlin knows how many witches. "So when you said, 'not a thing.' You meant..."
"Not a thing." Now naked, she sat naked next to him. Percy."
{Can she at least try to say it right?}
"It will be fine. Most of the time you'll be right next to me. And don't forget they'll all be naked as well."
"But what if... Most of the time?"
"Strip! Now!"
As he disrobed, she noticed he neatly folded all of his clothing and placed into the locker next to hers. "And don't forget. you are to curtsey to any who address you directly."
He looked at her, hoping she was teasing him.
"No, I'm serious. It's only polite. You remember the conversation we had with Lady Kittworth."
"Yes, she said she was pleased with my progress." He was down to his underwear while he answered her.
"No. She said she was not displeased. That's an entirely different thing. You have a lot to prove. Remember don't embarrass me here. It's very important for our future."
"I'll remember," he answered still a bit sullen and unsure of this whole situation. He wanted to turn around get dressed and never look back. But he couldn't do that to her. Not to her. Grabbing him by the hand she pulled him to the entranceway and paused.
"One last thing sweetie. Do not react if someone should take you from my side. I promise you'll be safe. Even if they grab you and lead you away. And Perce, when I say grab you I don't mean by the hand."
"But if I get hard?"
"Then you get hard. There will be no sex in there. Even if there is accidental emission, just ignore it, everyone else will as well. Do you understand?"
He nodded yes. {Just what in Merlin's name have I gotten into now? All of this because Potter thought I was Crouch's date.}
He sighed and then squared his shoulders as Penny grabbed him, (by the hand), and pulled him through the portal.
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Percy kept his mouth shut and his eyes up. He frequently found women were checking him out. If he was forced to tell the truth, he did see plenty of attractive women there, and plenty of others definitely less so. He was surprised when he saw Matron Augusta. He even remembered to curtsey towards her. She smiled but continued her conversation. Surprisingly, she was in good shape for a witch her age.
Penny had wandered away, speaking animatedly with a brown haired witch with a pixie haircut. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite remember who she was or when he had met her. She winked at him though, and he was cowed enough to once more dip politely. He enjoyed her smile at that, but he was unsure if it was a victory smile or the smile of a shark right before she devoured her meal.
"Prissy!"
There he heard it. Plain as day. He didn't care where he was, someone was going to hear about it.
Before he could growl an answer out, he had a very attractive, very naked witch in his arms hugging the stuffing out him just like mum. {"Wait! Just like mum?"}
She backed off a little. "Ginny! What are you doing here?"
"I'm a member of the council. A junior member, but a member nonetheless."
"Is that unusual?" He was trying real hard not look. She was gorgeous, and he didn't remember her growing up, or out.
"It is unusual. But our brothers are unusual and have a thriving business while still in school. And as you know I'm their business manager." She stopped. "Percy," she said softer but more insistent. His eyes found hers instead of the top of her head.
"Go ahead and look. It's okay. No one will take offense unless you stare and/or drool. I'm a good looking woman. So take a look, I'm not a baby anymore am I?"
He stepped back and acceded to her request. She wasn't exaggerating or being vain, she was gorgeous. Her breasts had developed nicely, he wasn't going to guess what size, it didn't matter to him. She was his sister and everything was proportioned nicely. "Oh look! Our toes match."
She was right, they did.
"I um... that is we were.."
"Look Priss. Yes, I'm calling you Priss here. And no I don't mean it as an insult. We can with mum and Penny discuss what name to call you soon."
His face turned red, thinking himself humiliated. "Stop," she commanded. "Look at me." There were tears in his eyes. "Do you remember what I said when we getting you ready for your wedding? What I said about embarrassing you."
"That you never would."
"I will never embarrass you intentionally. Got it? I love you. Penny loves you. We want you to be happy."
He allowed himself to believe her.
"Now a couple more things," she said looking around people were beginning to find their seats. "Come on, follow me."
Not giving him any choice she grabbed him, and not by his hand.
"Ginny!" He hissed.
"Stop it," she hissed back. He had grabbed her hand to stop her from groping him. Once more she grabbed his penis and tugged him to the back of the room.
"Listen. People are going to say mean things about men in general, and maybe you in particular. They are going to try to embarrass you and embarrass Penny. Do not let them. You'll find that women can be just as earthy and crude as guys. Do not react to anything. Just be the sweet demure witch. Believe it or not, you are not the first male to get admitted to the Witch's Council. It's rare, but it does happen. And grabbing a male by his ...member is a long standing tradition. It establishes dominance."
He wanted to ask some questions but a gavel brought the meeting to order. It was a long hall with comfortable benches on either side. Ginny sat with him, he spied Penny standing in the wings close to the lone long bench that three witches sat behind. One was the aforementioned Lady Kittworth, next to her was Matron Longbottom and he didn't know the identity of the third witch.
There were no wands in sight, nothing was allowed in the chamber. Penny had mentioned even wrist or thigh holsters were not allowed. Nor was carrying it concealed in any other place. She had said that with a smirk, and it took Percy a minute to figure out what she meant. He almost blushed when he did.
She interrupted his reverie. "We'll be called up in a moment. Once again I'll be grabbing you by your dick. And by the way, stop hiding it. Yes I know I got it excited. Just try not to let it spit at me." He saw she had a smirk as she said that part.
He tried not to blush. "It's not like I have much control over that you know."
"Shh. Here we go."
From the table, "Who sponsor's the newest acolyte?"
"I do Lady," Ginny answered standing. She grabbed Percy, he was ready for it this time, it didn't help any, but he at least expected it by this time. Later he would reflect and wonder why she didn't think it was gross or something. And just when did she grow up to be so self-assured?
She led him forward, he kept his head high and his eyes straight. Ginny had been right, there were more than one lewd comment and other offers. Some of the things suggested he didn't think were possible, but from the laugh of the surrounding witches, he gathered they would all like to try it with him. He kept his mouth shut despite his red face.
"Percy Clearwater." The voice called. "Why do you want to join the Witch's Council? You are obviously not equipped like every other person here."
Augusta broke in. "It's a fair question. Are you a homosexual? Do you wish to enjoy life like the majority of us here?"
The third unidentified witch posed a question of her own. "Did the council of wizards refuse entry? Are we some kind of fall back option? A second place trophy perhaps?"
Percy didn't remember being this nervous when he performed for the NEWT examiners. He thought furiously, while the crowd behind him began to grow louder, and bolder.
He opened his mouth to speak but her tightening hand on his penis reminded him. He dipped first and felt her grip loosen a little. He was glad that he had spoken to Lady Kittworth before the meeting. She had given him a clue and he didn't even realize it.
"I married Penny Clearwater, taking her name. I bound myself to her and everything that she is. I am her wife, so in essence, I belong here. To the question as to whether I am a homosexual. I don't know how to answer that one. Physically I am male, but now I'm told I'm a witch. As far as sex is concerned, the only person I wish to have sex with is Penny Clearwater. Call me what you will. I am hers, she is mine."
That earned him more than one person applauding.
"As to any other organization, I've never heard of a Wizard's Council. That is pretty telling in and of itself. Here I see witches from every social stratum mixing to help one another, which in turn helps everyone. The only time you get a bunch of wizards together is if they're in a pub somewhere."
The smiles on their faces told him he got that part right. "So why do you suppose," Lady Kittworth asked, "why everyone is naked?"
He didn't even have to wait to answer. He had been asking himself why since he found out. "I believe ma'am, it's a visual reminder that everyone here is equal. It could also be that clothing acts as a type of armor. By stripping us of our armor we are literally laid bare before everyone. Subject to the same vagaries of time."
"Well reasoned," she answered with a smile. "I'm satisfied? Do either of you need to ask her anything else?"
Seeing their head shake, "no," Lady Kittworth rapped her gavel. "All those who support the admission of Penny Clearwater and her wife heretofore known in this chamber as Prissy Clearwater please rise."
Penny came to stand next to "Prissy," by this time he paid almost no attention to Ginny's hand still gripping Mr. now called Miss Happy. At least in this chamber.
There were several voices complaining, but the vast majority of almost 100 witches rose and began to applaud. Ginny's hand once more reminded him, but after another squeeze let him go. Both Penny and he curtseyed to both the ladies at the table and then turned around and dipped to the witches in the gallery.
"My daughter is bigger than he is!"
The gavel rap silenced almost all of the laughing. "Prissy is now a member of the Witch's Council along with her lady. And yes Madam Bulstrode we have all heard how large your daughter is. And we'll be glad to comment on it, as soon as she qualifies for the council. Remember though, she'll need to first graduate Hogwarts. From what I gather, that is not a guarantee." The crowd loved that rejoinder and Madam Bulstrode quickly quieted. Bragging about physical attributes was one thing, intelligence and desire to learn quite another.
The lady rapped her gavel again. "Quiet now. We'll be here all night unless we move forward."
Ginny led Penny and Percy to the side to some unused seats. "Now Priss. No matter what side you agree with here. Do not speak, if there is any vote neither of you has sufficient tenure to vote." Her voice carried some urgency to it.
"Why? What's going on?" This time it was Penny's hand that gripped him and silenced him. He wondered if he could shut the two of them up later by grabbing a boob.
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Another gavel rap. "The Witch's Council calls for Witch Tracey Davis, Witch Hermione Granger, Witch Daphne Greengrass, and Witch Luna Lovegood."
Perce was surprised to hear some "boos" from the audience.
The four came from the same side that Penny had stood on. Just like everyone else, they were naked except for some rings and necklaces that sparkled with reflected light. Ginny whispered, "They have the right to wear the enchanted jewelry. But everything else is the same."
Sitting on the side, he took the leisure to study the four. All very attractive. But even more, he noticed each had muscle definition and sported what the muggle's term a "six pack." It didn't detract from the beauty at all. They each moved with an easy grace and as one dipped to the ladies at the table.
Before another word was spoken, Augusta stood and left the table and another witch took her place. Percy recognized her. This was Griselda Marchbanks. It was said that she was older than Dumbledore and still as sharp as she had ever been.
"Thank you for coming ladies. The reason we summoned you is the obvious difficulty we are having just providing for our families. The council would like to ask you how we could help resolve this. What will it take for your lords to loosen the stranglehold they have so the wizarding world will not perish?"
A voice from the back, hidden by others spoke. "Potter is the author of all of this. Take the girls hostage! That's the only way! They can't control those two pricks. They're too full of themselves."
The sharp rapping throughout the diatribe did nothing to stop the rude person. Everyone heard it, and many voices rose in agreement.
"The boorish question does have some good points," Miss Marchbanks temporized. "What control do you girls have on Lord's Potter and Longbottom?"
They had already planned on letting Daph and Trace do the majority of the talking. Everyone already knew Harry was target number one. The majority of the vitriol would be directed at Hermione and Luna. Besides Hermione was already beside herself in anger, Luna was sending her waves of calming love, but those were kind of blunted because she too was tired of the animosity.
Daphne tossed her head back and threw out her chest. "We have more control over our Lord's than most. Despite your marriages, or maybe because of them your husbands and lords run roughshod over you. We charge you," she pointed to the council and to all of the witches surrounding them, "with the same. It's your fault you let the men strangle and stifle our world until it almost dies!"
This was met with cries of indignation, no matter what you thought of the embargos. Cries of, "Liar!" or "Prove it!" continued for a few minutes before the crowd was quieted finally by the angry rapping and threats of punishment by Lady Kittworth.
"Bold statement by a fifteen-year-old girl. You can well imagine the common disbelief."
"Did you forget? We are soulbound. Tracey and I with Lord Longbottom. Hermione and Luna with Lord Potter. None of us are at the last stage in the binding. But emotions, love, concern run freely through the bonds. Their first thought in the morning and their last thought at night is our well-being."
"That's all well and good. but what does that have to do with having your lords loosen the death grip on the economy?"
Hermione had had enough. "What part of this do you not understand? She just told you. Our lord's primary concern stands before you."
A cry of, "Shut the mudblood up." Once more came from the back of the room.
"Why don't you come here and shut me up bitch? Our lords will keep you from having to fall to your knees and kissing Voldemort's hem. Or are you already past that?"
It was Luna's turn, "You stupid fucks."
"Lady Luna!" Griselda tried to admonish. "Your mother would be shocked to hear a young lady speak that way."
"Stop it. I know what she said here. I have the same gift and curse as she. But let us focus on Harry. Did you know the entire school owes him a life debt? If not the whole of, then the majority of it. As a second year he was reviled and called the heir of Slytherin. And all of that by those that owed him fealty! He killed a 60' basilisk in the Slytherin's secret chamber with a sword saving everyone." She turned to her sisters, "I'm done, girls. I can't talk to them anymore."
Tracey was the only one facing the head table. Few there knew why the other girls each faced a different direction, they were covering each other's back.
"You want answers? You want the trade restored? Then you do your job. Do you know how many times Luna has almost died? Just this year alone there have been numerous attacks on her, on Hermione. Do you know why he hasn't declared blood feud on those assholes? It's because Hermione and Luna are two of the nicest people there are. Pleading for the lives of the stupid, stupid children that keep attacking his ladies."
There was an angry susurrus of conversation that quickly stopped when Kittworth rapped the table. Daphne turned back for a moment, "You told Mrs. Clearwater how this was to the betterment of the magical world and all of its children. You've failed that utterly. How many of you know your children have been the victim of a controlling potion in their system all year? How many of you know that Voldemort possessed the DADA professor our first year? And once again Harry killed him? Did you know even while he was being called the heir of Slytherin he killed still another incarnation of Voldemort? Get your own houses in order before you accuse House Potter and House Longbottom of misdeeds. You come to us next time. Have some answers. Come as supplicants to your Lords."
They strode out side by side, heads held high. Hermione stopped and turned back, "Insult and vilify the Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Longbottom to your heart's content. But imagine if you will two of the world's strongest mages armed with Sword of Gryffindor. Magical Britain would burn to the ground in a month."
The firestorm caused by Hermione's parting words wouldn't burn itself out for several minutes. The witches at the head table gave up trying to get the meeting back on track, at least for the moment. It allowed Percy to get caught up.
"Is that true? I mean the part about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"You didn't listen the past few summers?" Ginny looked almost hurt.
"I was possessed by Voldemort. Harry saved me. My first year. Malfoy snuck a cursed diary into my books and I was a stupid girl and wrote in it. All about my unrequited love for Harry Potter. And Voldemort wrote back and slowly took over my mind. Don't you remember?"
He blushed, remembering. He should have seen she was having trouble. Penny just squeezed his hand and indicated for Ginny to continue.
"And Ron's first year. Remember his story about getting hurt while playing chess? And the rest of the story he told about him saving everyone from Voldemort?"
"I knew he was telling a tall tale."
"Part of it is. Him saving everyone from Voldemort, that was Harry again, but Ron did get hurt playing chess, allowing Harry to get to Voldemort."
"You know you shouldn't say his name!"
"Why not? Will that keep him away? I'm known as a blood traitor just because I'm a friend of Harry's. Penny's a target too."
"But Potter is so arrogant. Even those girls are getting that way. Did you hear them snub the council?"
"Priss. You're already a better witch than I am."
He started to object but Ginny kept going. "I've been listening to you say theses things for a while now. Just what makes him arrogant? Or are you just parroting things everyone else is saying?"
About this time the ladies finally got control of the meeting. It took threats of expulsion but decorum finally reigned.
Lady Marchbanks vice rose first. "Amelia? Are you here Amy? What do you say to these charges?"
Amy stood and walked forward. Percy saw she was toned. Her years as an Auror left her scarred, but her fitness was plain to everyone. "I'm here Griselda. I heard everything those witches said, and as far as I can tell, they're all true."
Once again chatter rose as everyone had to speak to their neighbor about her pronouncement. A couple of gavel raps once more quieted everyone. Lady Kittworth took over. "Why are we just hearing about this?"
Amelia worded her answer carefully. "A lot of what you heard I got through secondary sources. It wasn't until Lords Potter and Longbottom received their Lordships that we were allowed into Hogwarts. Dumbledore insisted that Hogwarts was an entity unto itself because of its existence before the ministry."
"And Dumbledore insisting on no witch from the school being in the Witches Council is another way for him to control the information in and out of Hogwarts," Kittworth said disgustedly.
Amy agreed, "Probably. Minerva said he insisted from his first year as headmaster on that stipulation in the contracts."
Someone from the gallery yelled, "What does this have to do with our families starving?"
The gavel fell several more times, people yelling back and forth. Some wanting to hear what was going on at Hogwarts and others wanting to know how to get their economy going again.
Percy sat quiet and learned. He still had to answer Ginny's question to his own satisfaction. But that wasn't going to happen here.
Ginny smiled as Penny absentmindedly stroked Prissy... She would stop them before things got serious. But she could already see the new dynamic taking place. Her handling him while he sat quietly and leaned into her side.
"It wasn't until Lord Potter gave me permission to go to Hogwarts was a lot of this made plain. From my interviews, several things have been verified, but some of them are secondary sources, so they are not relevant in the courts."
Griselda asked, "What facts? What have you discovered?"
Percy sat and but instead of listening, he stared at the third witch at the table. She didn't look familiar, but at the same time, there was something about her.
"Pay attention Prissy!" Ginny had no compunction about squeezing Miss Happy, hard! She added sotto voce, "You're lucky I didn't squeeze your bollocks! This is important."
Amy sighed, she didn't want to get into this here, but probably should have prepared for it. "What I've discovered interviewing several people, some of them sitting here among us, is Harry Potter has faced Voldemort at least four times. Incurring at least one life debt. Although a case could be made as Witch Lovegood stated for the whole or greater part of the school owing a life debt from the 60' basilisk. But that's neither here nor there. Lord Potter and Lord Longbottom wanted to declare blood feud on those that attacked their ladies. Coincidentally many of the recent attacks have been families that have sworn fealty to Potter and Longbottom. The four ladies managed to convince their lords not to do so because the vast majority of the school has been dosed with a potion called Antipathy. If anyone is not familiar with that particular potion, its name should be enough of an indicant as to what it does. That's why they blamed everything on the ladies and sires of the children. The girls have told me they wore jewelry which indicated if something is poisoned or not. They also mentioned how some," she paused so that everyone would know who she was speaking to, "not of the supposedly friendlier houses were also clear of the potion, being trained since birth to recognize and avoid it."
Griselda drilled down to the crux of the matter. "When you learned of this, whom did you tell? Did you try to flush this Antipathy from the students?" The third witch asked, "Your own niece goes to that school. Did you at least get her free of the potion?"
Amelia shook her head. "No. for several reasons. First of all, just as I reported; this is Hogwarts. I have very little authority there unless Potter, Longbottom, or Dumbledore authorize it. Since Dumbledore is the one most likely dosing everyone... It would be fruitless to flush everyone's system just to have them dosed again." She rubbed her tired eyes, "Oh and by the way, even the staff were dosed with the potion."
"But Albus is a great man!"
Now Percy thought he knew who the third witch was. She obviously wore some kind of glamour.
"Albus is a very powerful man, and I agree with you madam, at one time he was a great man. But now we have a situation normally out of my purview but is affecting all of magical Britain. I have no authority except for House Bones. And while not my liege lord, there is still a matter of an honor debt between us. They are greatly offended by the way my niece and all of her friends have treated him and the others. This is a mess, but not one for the DMLE to fix."
The witches talked for another hour without resolving anything. They could and sometimes did reign in other witches who were dangerous to their community. But they were mostly impotent when dealing with house politics. They made a strong recommendation to have their children checked by someone independent of Hogwarts and urged all the witches aligned with Potter and Longbottom to get with their husbands and to approach the young lords to resolve this quickly.
END FLASHBACK
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
"I'm glad you came minister, Miss Umbridge. I have that information that you requested."
They went into Umbridge's office. "Dear little Priss. When it's just us girls you can call me Deloris."
"What's this Priss?"
She smiled and winked at Percy. "I've heard from a little owl that Priss is her temporary name until her wife and she picks a new one. I'm told that that is an important day for a new girl."
Cornelius patted Percy's hand as his mind whirled so fast he felt dizzy. He hadn't seen her at the Witch's Council and he knew Penny or Ginny wouldn't give her the time of day. {Shit, Shit! How did I get into this? If I tell them I don't want this then not only would it hurt Penny, but I would be fired and she would leave me and lose her spot on the Witch's Council. I'm well and truly buggered!}
"Well we're happy to help you," the politician said. "You've done a wonderful job while going through your transitioning."
{Transitioning? Morganna, Maeve, and The Morrigan. What the hell is that?}
"Oh, she's just starting that. Wait until Miss Penny has her dressing in some more feminine robes and makeup. I'm told her toenails are a lovely shade of pink."
Fudge chuckled, "Well you and the girls can take some time to discuss that. But you had that report for us. Didn't you sweetie?"
{Sweetie?} "Yes Minister. This is what I've discovered. Most of this is a matter of public record, it just took some time to ferret it out. This is not all encompassing but it does give us a better indication of why there are so many shortages these days. Again I want to stress that when we refer to 'cornering the market' in a given area, we are taking 80% or more. The Daily Prophet is a good example. Many own 2% or 5% but no one or no group owns any significant percentage of that. In fact, somehow the ministry owns 15% of the paper although that is technically against the law."
The two indicated for him to carry on. He gave them each a copy of his findings.
"This list isn't exhaustive, but it will give us an idea of the scope of it."
Longbottom & Greengrass: Plants and potions. Between the two families own upwards of 80% of the commercially available potion ingredients.
Davis: 75% of the commercially available paper products. That includes both the parchment used here in the ministry and at Hogwarts and the bog rolls.
Lovegood: Ink 95% of the available ink and paints is controlled by the Lovegood family.
Bones: This is an interesting one. As recently as 20 years they were heavily involved with food production, vegetables, (along with Longbottom and Greengrass), but started to move away from that. Most of those concerns are now held by the Potter family. Along with a very large percentage of the real estate.
Minister, there is a lot more as you can see. What's not listed are a lot of the processes that have been frozen, for a lack of a better term. For example, the food preservation processes used by the Abbott family. Another example, the owls are all procured from Black family. While the owls can be bought by families, the magic that enables them to find specific individuals is a Black family secret. So far Lord Black hasn't frozen that."
Deloris interjected, "He may not be aware of that. Azkaban does funny things to people."
"Do we know where he is?"
"We suspect that he is at the Potter's. But there are a half dozen Black residences he could be in as well."
The minister looked tired even though it was early. "Anything else Mrs. Clearwater?"
"Two things. First, and I don't have a lot of detail on this, but I'm told that all of the above families are investing in the muggle world heavily. Expanding their financial base. The last is more of a question. Were you briefed on Lord Potter and Longbottom's betrothed's meeting?"
Doris quickly intervened. "I briefed the minister about the last Witch's Council. See me later about that."
Her look was not unkind, but it was a dismissal and Percy knew it. He stood up to leave.
"Don't get the wrong idea Prissy. This is a good report. But anything dealing with the council should come from Deloris. We don't want our newest witch getting in trouble do we?"
Deloris stood and walked with him to the door she whispered into his ear. "You're not in trouble dear. Don't worry about it, but that's one of my duties." Her voice then added a bit of steel into it. "Just as a reminder, when you leave the room and every time I see you for the rest of the week, you turn and curtsey." Before she let him go she slapped his rear and pinched him hard. He jumped a little in surprise and pain but got the message. All of the ladies in the office saw him dip towards the minister. He could only color as all of the ladies tittered.
{Shit! I've got to talk to Penny. I don't know if I can keep this up.}