Chapter 40

Harry gave Lucius a considering look while Lucius smirked as though he'd just been made Governor of Magica. Harry didn't want to outright dismiss the idea of having Lucius in the government, because Lucius was a seasoned politician who knew his way around a ministry. He was also loyal to Tom, up to a point. But Harry couldn't see Lucius as the Head of Law Enforcement because Harry was quite sure that Lucius would turn it into his private paramilitary group of thugs before long.

No, Harry had a different position in mind for someone as ambitious as Lucius.

"I'm sorry," Harry said with an entirely insincere smile. "But I've already hired someone as Head of Law Enforcement."

Lucius's smirk all but fell off his face and he gave Harry a questioning curve of his brows. "Who, if I may ask, have you hired for this job?"

"Patroclus Macmillan," Harry said, unable to keep the humour out of his voice. "He spent many years in the field as an Auror, and after that became Head Auror and Head of Magical Law Enforcement for the British Ministry. Patroclus is exceptionally well suited for the position, I assure you."

"He's dead," Lucius countered with the kind of finality that Harry simply didn't understand.

"I don't see the problem." Harry shrugged and crossed his arms while brushing his thumb against the bloodstone around his neck. Patroclus appeared at once, giving Harry a nod in greeting and then sneering when he noticed Lucius Malfoy standing not three feet away.

"Patroclus," Harry said as he gestured between Lucius and his great-grandfather. "I was just telling Lucius here that you're the new Head of Magical Law Enforcement here on Magica."

Without missing a beat, Patroclus played along, even if Harry hadn't discussed any of this with him yet. "Naturally," Patroclus said in a no-nonsense voice. "There is no one better suited on this island than me to whip a new generation of Aurors and hit-wizards into shape."

"Exactly," Harry agreed with a smile aimed just at his great-grandfather. "Now don't be too disappointed, Lucius, because I have another position in mind for you."

Lucius did indeed look a bit miffed and he wrinkled his nose as he brushed invisible dirt off his sleeve. "What would you have me do instead?"

"I'd like you to be Head of Taxes," Harry said as sincerely as he could. Lucius was filthy rich and as far as Harry knew the man was not easily swayed by a bag of gold. Meaning he could be trusted to handle it on behalf of Magica. Not to mention Lucius was clever enough to set up a system for tax collection, and he was diplomatic enough to work with the goblins of Gringotts for banking purposes. Yes, the more Harry thought about it, the more he realized Lucius was a great choice for that position.

Lucius blinked a few times as he obviously considered his options and then a sly smile appeared on his face. "Very well, I accept." Lucius held out a gloved hand and Harry shook it with a firm grip.

"I'll let you know when our first meeting is to set everything up," Harry said as he walked Lucius to the door. "In the meantime you're welcome to hire a few members of staff you'll expect to need in the future."

"I will do exactly that. Good day." And with a flourish of his cloak, Lucius swept out of the door.

"You'll do it, right?" Harry asked his great-grandfather the moment he closed the door.

"Of course I'll do it, at least to help everything get set up," Patroclus assured him and then chuckled. "Though eventually you'll want to hire someone that can actually hold a wand."

"Yeah, yeah," Harry said with a dismissive little wave. "How is Hogwarts?"

"A little less broken than yesterday." After it became clear who Moody really was, Patroclus had taken to patrolling the whole of Hogwarts and keeping an eye on everyone in the castle, not just Barty in disguise. "The renovations are coming along, but I believe it will take a few weeks at least before they can reopen."

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised. "The damages hadn't seemed that extensive considering they have magic with which to fix everything."

"That's what you'd think, yes," Patroclus agreed with a little sigh. "But since they don't know the exact reason why the castle fell apart, they're taking much longer to put it back together." This was said with a rather pointed look at Harry.

Ducking his head, Harry couldn't quite hide his sheepish smile. "Yeah, yeah, my bad. But this will ultimately work in our favour, that Hogwarts is apparently not as safe as everyone assumed if it just falls apart for no reason at all."

Snorting, Patroclus shook his head and gave Harry a glance that said a great deal about how he truly felt about his great-grandson's actions.

"Okay, great seeing you, we'll keep in touch," Harry said quickly and with a brush of his thumb across the stone he dismissed Patroclus back to Hogwarts.

"So how long have you been spying on me?"

Harry just about jumped a foot in the air at suddenly hearing Tom's voice behind him. He'd completely forgotten Tom was even in his castle.

"Blind fool, blind fool," V cawed from his spot on the chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

"Er…" Harry turned around and gave Tom his most disarming smile. "What makes you say that?"

Tom didn't seem too upset, thankfully, just a bit exasperated and vaguely amused. "Don't, Harry. Just don't. I've seen you summon your family members, even if you try to hide it. And your conversation with Patroclus just now confirms that he can visit Hogwarts without anyone seeing him." Tom stepped up to Harry and gave him a level look. "Now, please answer my question."

"From the moment I learned you were still alive," Harry finally said with a defeated sigh. The niffler was out of the bag so there was no use trying to pretend Harry hadn't done the things he'd done.

"Who did you have spying on me?"

"Auntie Eustice," Harry said, and then quickly added, "it has to be said she's been your biggest fan right from the start, been singing your praises ever since she met you. That's probably because of the size of your personal library, but still…she adores you and always has."

Tom ducked his head a little, his lips curving up in a tight smile, as though he was trying to hide it. "And can I assume that since Eustice is currently spending all her time teaching Kashvi all about charming broomsticks that her spying mission has come to an end."

"Yeah," Harry whispered, reaching out a hand to brush his fingers along Tom's arm. "I've not had anyone spy on you in a while. I would apologize, but I'm not actually sorry, Tom."

Chuckling, Tom shook his head. "I would have done the same in your shoes, I'm sure." Tom got a sharp glint in his eyes as he stared at Harry. "Do you have your whole family spying on people right now?"

"Pretty much," Harry said with a grin. "Bernadine and Henry are keeping an eye on the Ministry, specifically Fudge and Bones. Charis and Dorea are taking turns with Dumbledore. Fleamont is switching between McGonagall and Karkaroff, I believe. Lily is spending a lot of time with Snape, but I do believe that's less about the spying these days and more about catching up with her old friend."

"Impressive." Tom nodded and finally reached for Harry's hand with his own. "And knowing that a true Necromancer possesses this kind of power makes it easier to understand why governments around the world seem so determined to wipe them out."

"We're the ultimate spymasters if we want to be," Harry agreed in a serious tone of voice while giving Tom's hand a soft squeeze. "We can command those souls loyal to us to spy on others, and we can force the souls of our deceased enemies to spill all their secrets to us."

Tom's eyes were becoming more and more heated. "I want to fuck you so badly right now," Tom finally breathed and Harry grinned while he pulled Tom closer.

"We really don't have time right now, but tonight I'll tell you all about how I used souls to spy on my enemies when I was a teen while you fuck me until I lose my ability to speak, all right?"

"I'm going to keep you to that, Harry." Tom gave Harry a fierce kiss.

"Looking forwards to it. Now I really do have to get to work." With another, much softer kiss, Harry said goodbye to his boyfriend and went to meet with Sabrina at the as of yet empty Ministry. Harry flew to Spellbridge and decided to walk through the town's centre, which was positively bustling. It was a mild, sunny day though the wind was a bit crisp but that didn't stop Magica's residents from curiously checking out all the new shops that had opened.

Partridge Bread and Pastries was open and looked quite busy with at least five customers in the small shop. Elmer Branch was working hard on his nail salon and he gave Harry a cheerful wave when he spotted him. Libby Patterson was doing the same with her hair salon and Harry vowed to visit her as soon as her salon was opened. His hair could definitely do with a professional trim.

Harry walked through High Street on the way to the Ministry building. There he saw that the Muggle Emporium was under construction, and he spotted a shop he hadn't known was coming to their small town.

Winston Family Butchers.

The shop looked almost completed and Harry pushed the door open to be greeted by a burly man with greying hair in his forties.

"Hi," Harry said by way of greeting. "Are you interested in some rare breed pigs in six months? I've got some piglets just born."

The man perked up and stepped up to Harry with his hand held out. "Mr Potter, great to meet you. Raymond Winston. And yes, I'd most certainly be interested."

Harry shook his hand. "Excellent. I've got more litters on the way. I'll also have some Highland cattle available for slaughter in the future. I'm thinking of getting some more commercial breeds as well to graze the countryside."

"I recommend English Longhorn cattle, if you can find some," Raymond said with an eager look in his eyes. "They give the best beef of any breed of cattle, I guarantee it."

"I'll add them to the list," Harry said, happy to have received advice on what to buy. "Thanks. I've got to go, but I'll stop by later to have a proper chat."

"I'm looking forwards to it." Raymond waved him off with a friendly smile.

As Harry continued his walk to the Ministry building he felt pretty chuffed that they now had an official butcher and Harry had a way to market his pigs and cattle.

Harry had expected perhaps a few people to drop by the Ministry building after Sabrina had posted the wanted ads for Ministry personnel in The Daily Snitch, but there was actually a line going out of the building.

Sirius stood in that line.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Harry asked while he stared at Sirius with wide eyes.

Sirius jumped out of the line at once. "Harry, you've gotta give me this job."

"What job?" Harry asked, completely flummoxed by his godfather's strange behaviour.

"Head of Magical Games and Sports, of course." Sirius gave Harry his brightest grin. "James told me last night he had suggested you create that department and you'll need someone to lead it."

"You're already Mayor of Spellbridge," Harry pointed out slowly.

Sirius waved Harry's remark away with an impatient gesture. "Hold an election for someone else to take over, Harry, because I'd much rather run Games and Sports."

"Yeah, all right," Harry said with a sigh. "You're hired."

Sirius bumped a fist in the air and followed Harry into the building, where they found Sabrina standing in front of the line, holding it back until Harry got there to interview people. That explained why Lucius had come to Harry's home that early in the morning. He'd probably seen the writing on the wall and refused to wait in line with the common riffraff.

"I'll be using that office," Harry said, waving to one of the few offices that actually already had walls. "Send people through one by one, please, Sabrina."

Corban Yaxley was first through the door while Harry was still conjuring a desk, some chairs, a perch for V and some quills, ink and paper.

"Whatever you have available," Yaxley answered when Harry asked him what job he was applying for. "I've worked in several departments of the British Ministry, so I'm experienced enough in all manner of issues."

Harry made a quick lists of departments that still needed heads. Yaxley was loyal to Tom, of course, but he was also an experienced Ministry employee. Harry figured he'd do well as a Department Head. "I'd like you to take the position of Head of the Department of National Affairs and Accidents."

Yaxley nodded slowly but Harry could tell he wasn't quite sure what that meant.

"It's the department that will be in charge of all affairs on the island itself," Harry explained as best as he could. "Everything from issuing licenses where needed, organizing festivals to dealing with accidents and inclement weather."

Yaxley looked genuinely interested in all those things. "It'll have a bit of diversity in my day to day job. I appreciate that."

"You're hired," Harry said with a grin.

Next through the door was Theodorus Nott, and Harry knew exactly what to do with him. Theodorus was a smart, patient and cunning man.

"I'm making you Head of Education," Harry said without even asking Theodorus why he was there. "Tom's been working on some plans for that, so you should definitely talk to him, but I trust that you can set up the Department of Education without any issues."

"I certainly appreciate the challenge," Nott said with a grateful smile.

After that there were only two departments left that still needed heads, since Harry was promoting pretty much every officer who'd worked for him so far. Remus obviously became the Head of the Department of Immigration, and Sebastian became the Head of Construction and Planning, and so on and so forth.

But Harry needed Heads for Muggle Affairs and for Housing and Financial Aid. To counter all the purebloods he'd hired, Harry selected two muggleborn witches to take the jobs. Amira Saidi became the new Head of Muggle Affairs. She was the daughter of Moroccan immigrants and she wore a hijab in Gryffindor colours. She spoke four languages and seemed quite diplomatic in nature, which Harry figured made her good in dealing with all manner of people.

For Housing and Financial Aid he chose a witch named Paloma Villenueva, whose father was Spanish while her mother came from Aberdeen. Paloma had worked at an Accountant's Office as an assistant, and she was very good with numbers and had great attention to detail. Something she'd need in that department.

Most of the other applicants got jobs as staff to work in the new departments, though Harry left most of the details up to the new Heads. Sabrina immediately scheduled a meeting with all the Department Heads for later that week to make sure everyone knew what was expected of them.

Harry went home for lunch with Tom, who had spent the morning filling out the ICW applications for receiving an independent status. "I got the package this morning," Tom said when Harry raised both eyebrows at the pile of forms on Tom's desk. "They're certainly thorough. You'll need to sign some things as well as the Governor."

After a quick meal of some roast beef sandwiches, Harry and Tom flew to Spellbridge and waited outside the empty bank building for Stormaxe to arrive.

At one on the dot the portkey activated and Stormaxe appeared with a few other goblins. Introductions were made and then Harry stepped back and gestured to the large, white building behind them.

"This is just a placeholder," Harry explained quickly when he noticed the unimpressed look on Stormaxe's face. "You can tear it down and build your own bank, or you can renovate this to fit your own desires."

"We'll tear it down," Stormaxe said bluntly, though he did soften his words by adding, "We prefer to build our own structures with our own magic."

"I completely understand," Harry agreed, and he did get why the goblins wanted to create their own homes. Wizards had never treated them as equals, so goblins were a suspicious bunch by nature.

"Will your people be living at the bank?" Tom asked with a diplomatic smile that said nothing at all. "You're welcome to, of course. But if you and your kin desire some more fresh air, we have a stretch of land on the coast reserved for you and your people."

Stormaxe got a contemplative look on his face. "For now we'll remain within the bank, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of my people would enjoy living above ground eventually." Stormaxe chuckled in quiet amusement. "We've simply not had the opportunity to do so in many centuries."

"We'll keep the land reserved," Tom assured him with a deep nod. "Whenever it is needed, it will be there for you and your people."

"My thanks." Stormaxe started walking towards High Street, which started opposite the bank. "I see that there's plenty of commerce already. Goblins will be allowed to open shops, yes?"

"Oh yes," Harry said quickly. "We've just started putting together Magica's Ministry and our Housing Department will be in charge of dispensing residential and commercial properties. Any goblin interested in starting a business just needs to drop by and sign a contract and they'll be given a building."

"And if they want to build their own shop?" a young goblin asked with a bit of a challenge in his eyes.

"Then they'll be given the land to build on," Harry told him, not at all put off by his attitude. He understood that relations between goblins and humans would take time to recover from centuries of inequalities between them.

After a walking tour through Spellbridge, which the goblins seemed to enjoy quite a bit, Tom pulled a scroll out of his inner cloak pocket. "This is the contract for the building and the land. We've signed it, and you're free to take it home with you and study it before adding your own signature."

Bloodaxe accepted the scroll with a solemn nod. "We will have this returned to you within a few days and we'll want to start construction of our newest bank right away."

"Excellent," Harry said and there was an exchange of bows and nods before the goblins apparated away.

"Are we getting a Gringotts location?" Libby the hairdresser asked as she stood in the doorway of her new salon. When Harry nodded, she said, "Thank Merlin. I was already worried where I was going to put all my earnings every day. I hate keeping large amounts of gold in the house." She laughed at herself. "I'm not that good with wards."

"The goblins will have their bank up and running in no time," Tom told her with a warm chuckle.

"We have time for a quick dinner before the town meeting tonight," Harry said as he and Tom took to the sky right there and then, much to Libby's surprise if her sudden shriek was any indication. Harry was just grateful that V had kept his mouth shut during the meeting with the goblins. Thankfully, for all that V liked to stir shit up, he did understand the importance of diplomacy in certain situations. He was a piece of Tom's soul, after all.

They ate a quick meal of chicken a la cacciatore over pasta and afterwards they barely had time to freshen up a bit before they had to be off again.

"We need to enlarge Town Hall," Remus said in a bit of a panicked voice the moment Harry and Tom entered the building.

"I'm on it," Tom said, whipping out his wand and joining Regulus who was already inscribing runes left and right.

"How many people are we expecting then?" Harry asked while he gave Remus a dubious look.

Remus remained quiet for a few thoughtful moments before he shook his head and gave Harry an amused smile. "I don't think you realize how quickly we've grown as a nation, Harry."

Harry shrugged while he looked around the already large room. "I guess we'll see."

As it turned out, even with the enlargements Tom and Regulus had put in place, the room was still packed once everyone got there. Harry and most of his officers stood on the podium and even they barely fit on there since their numbers had grown as well.

"Welcome everyone," Harry called out. Before he could do anything, Tom aimed his wand at Harry's throat and cast a sonorous. "Sorry, let's try that again. Welcome, everyone!"

Now people could hear him clearly, even in the back and everyone quieted down as they focused on Harry.

"Thank you all for coming. We have quite a bit to go over this evening, so I'll get started right away." Harry gave everyone a few seconds to pay attention to him before he continued. "We're getting a Gringotts. Construction will begin in a few days." This was met with lots of mumbling which for the most part sounded as though people appreciated that news.

"We're also getting anti-apparition wards." That was received with much less positivity. Harry quickly held up a hand to ward off the worst of the complaints. "Apparition within Magica's borders will remain possible, of course, as will apparating out of Magica. But apparating into the country will only be possible from out Apparition and Portkey Terminal behind our Ministry building in the very near future. This is for security purposes because we have received signals that the world at large will probably find out about us quite soon."

The people seemed to understand the importance of that and accepted this news, though some still grumbled.

"We have a few plans to keep growing Magica," Harry continued. "First, I'd like to encourage everyone to recruit from abroad. Meaning from anywhere in the world that isn't Britain. I'm sure some of you will have contacts with werewolf packs all over the world. Please do contact them and tell them about Magica. That also goes for any family you may have. And please remember that squibs are welcome here, too."

People were nodding thoughtfully and telling each other about their magical friends in Romania or this specific werewolf pack in Denmark they were sure would love to come live in Magica.

"I'd also like you all to keep an eye open for any healers or wandmakers who would be interested in moving here, because those are two professions we desperately need at this moment. Another way we are going to be growing our population is through a way that will ensure we will not become inbred over the next few generations." Harry inhaled a deep breath, understanding that for some people this subject would be a bit controversial perhaps. "We're asking all those who are willing, to donate sperm to Muggle sperm banks. This way there will be in an influx of magical births around the world in the years to come, and we will monitor those children and eventually invite them to go to school in our great nation."

The reactions were as Harry expected. Some thought it brilliant, some had clear reservations, but most seemed to think this was a perfectly acceptable idea as long as no one was forced to partake. There were plenty of mostly single men who volunteered to donate in the future.

"Marvolo Gaunt is leading this project right now, and in the future the Department of Muggle Affairs will take over, led by Amira Saidi." Harry gestured at Tom and Amira so the people knew who to talk to.

"We also need a new Mayor of Spellbridge." Harry waved Sirius over, who stepped up to him with an endearing grin, waving at the crowd. "Sirius here has accepted a new job at the Ministry. Thanks, Sirius for the three weeks or so you were Mayor. We appreciate it and we'll buy you a pint in the Cock after we're finished here."

This earned Harry some laughter from the crowd. Harry gave people a moment to calm down before he continued. "We'll elect our next Mayor and everyone is welcome to run. So, if you're interested in becoming the Mayor you have one month to campaign because on February 1st we'll hold the elections." Harry raised both hands to silence people. "We'll hold two elections, actually, because our amazing construction crew is going to start on creating Hexport soon and that town will need a Mayor as well."

There was some applause for that announcement. People seemed happy to know that anyone could run and that Harry's promises about future democratic processes were being honoured.

"And now for the bad news." Harry grinned at the groans he heard around him. "Taxes."

Immediately there was booing and Billy Malone shouting, "That wasn't in the brochure!"

Harry laughed just as loudly as most other people. "I know, I know, no one wants to pay taxes. I get it, I promise. But the truth is that if we want Magica to become a real country, we're going to need a real government with real people, and those people need to eat. So far I've been picking up the tab and I've paid people out of pocket but for obvious reasons that is not sustainable."

There were more than a few understanding nods, thankfully. Harry didn't want to deal with a revolt just because people couldn't be bothered to pay their taxes.

"In the coming weeks we're going to put together the numbers and you'll all receive letters detailing how to pay your taxes. I know it sucks, but it's got to be done." Immediately Harry slung an arm around Sirius, who was still standing beside him. "To soften the blow of that news, our former Mayor has some good news."

"We're having a broom race!" Sirius shouted, raising both arms over his head. Lots of cheering and whistling could be heard around them. "This Sunday in fact. You can register with the beautiful Kashvi at Broomstix, where you can also rent a broom just in case you don't have your own. The winner will receive 100 galleons plus a gift basket with some products that are for sale in the shops here in Spellbridge. Second place gets 50 galleons plus basket and third place gets 30 galleons plus basket."

Those were generous prizes and at once there were lots of people making plans to join in the race. Harry was glad to hear that because it would be a great event to get people out and about and doing something together as a nation for the first time.

"That's all we've got!" Harry shouted over the crowd's noise. "Next town meeting will be in two weeks!"

The noise around them was deafening, just from hundreds of people loudly talking about their chances of winning the upcoming broom race.

"Nicely presented," Tom said as he stepped up to Harry. "You balance the good and bad news really well."

Harry grinned at Tom and then gave him a cheeky wink. "It's not my first time telling a crowd of people they're expected to pay taxes in the future." Back in Santika, when he'd been setting Sildar up, Harry had made plenty of mistakes in running a country. Thankfully, he had learned from those occasions and nowadays he knew how to approach sharing news of any kind with a crowd.

They joined a large chunk of the crowd at the Irish Cock for a pint or two but they didn't stay beyond that. "I haven't forgotten the promise that you made this morning," Tom whispered in Harry's ear before playfully biting at his earlobe.

"Yeah, we're going," Harry said with a wave at Remus and Regulus. He'd had a busy day and he could do with a good fuck before getting a good night's sleep.

But when they arrived at their home, someone was waiting for them in the entrance hall.

"Harry," Bernadine said with an urgent look. "Henry is still at the Ministry, keeping an eye on things but I had to tell you right away."

"What?" Harry asked, before leaning over and shouting down the hallway. "Igor, wine for two!" Harry already knew he needed alcohol for whatever Bernadine was going to tell him.

"Eurgh!"

"It's Amelia Bones," Bernadine said with wide eyes. "She's heard the rumours about Magica, including how to apply for citizenship. She's sending in an Auror to go undercover."

"Who is she sending?" Tom all but demanded, face set in a dark frown.

"A young witch named Nymphadora Tonks," Bernadine said with a grave look. "She's a metamorphmagus. She can look like literally anyone."