Edward Tonks wasn't an athletic man. He preferred books and calm afternoons. A cup of fresh grounded coffee with a bit of cinnamon if he truly wanted to enjoy himself. He was a scholar, a man who could run laps around the best Law-Wizards in Europe, and thanks to Ezekiel he had. If it weren't for the stress involved in the whole thing, he'd actually say he enjoyed it.
What Edward Tonks certainly wasn't, was a runner. Which was why he was a sweating, completely out of breath mess when he dashed through the hospital doors of Gringotts.
"Ted! Over here!"" He heard Ezekiel's voice calling him but he was too tired to turn. Ted felt Ezekiel's hand on his shoulder, his soothing voice calming him down.
"Ted, calm down. They are alive." Ezekiel said placing himself in front of his uncle. "Deep breaths, Ted."
"You-koff-" Ted failed to finish his sentence.
"Gather your breath, Ted." Ezekiel soothed him while he guided them to a nearby seat.
"What happened?" He was finally asked when he recovered his breath.
"There was an incident." Ezekiel sighted. "Something happened at Ollivander's."
"What. Happened?"
"I don't know." Ezekiel shook his head. "There was a tremor, I hear screams and by the time I got there..."
The memory of the shop hit Ezekiel, taking his breath like a punch to the gut. There was no doubt Harry had been the origin of the incident. The room had been destroyed, not a single piece of furniture had been spared. Broken wands were spread across the floor. Pieces of broken glass filled the empty spaces along with debris from the collapsed ceiling. The scene spoke volumes of the violence that had taken place. The only place that was spared was the center almost as the center of a hurricane, where an unconscious Harry laid.
Dread filled every fiber of his being as Ezekiel looked around for Dora or Andi. The lack of blood stains nothing to ease his worries as for all he knew his they could be laying under the debris with their necks broken. Quickly rushing in to check on Harry, Ezekiel took out his wand and started casting spells around them. Three small mountains gave a dim silver glows but before he managed to check them a group of people barged into the room. Their response time should've been an immediate red flag for him but he was too distracted, too emotional.
The newly arrivals on the other hand were quite level headed. By the time Ezekiel tried to draw his wand eight different stunners had hit him on his head, both shoulders and chest. The impacts were all different, the one on the head threw it backwards with enough force to hurt his neck. The ones on the shoulders were harder, more concentrated and strong enough to force his limbs out of their sockets, leaving Harry's unconscious body on the floor. The ones on the chest were the more common kind, just to disable him. By the time Ezekiel woke up he found Harry hadn't been moved, laying exactly where he had fallen. The mountains of rubble had been partially removed, at least enough to reveal the bodies beneath them. The Black Magic dispersed the fog blocking his sight revealing both Dora and Andi.
"And they just left them like that?" Ted asked between horrified and furious.
"They were clearly there for Ollivander. The man is perhaps the most famous and influential wand-maker of this century. He must have foreseen something like this might happen or maybe someone in the Ministry did. I managed to call for Gringotts Healers and they gave them the basic treatment before moving them here. But Ted, there's something you need to know."
"What is it?"
"It's Andi."
"I-is she..." Ted.
"No." Ezekiel shook his head. "She's alive but her injuries are severe. They Goblins are going to put her on a healing chamber."
"What's that?"
"A medical facility with the power to heal. It also has a long-term stasis function that can be activated and maintained until healing is complete." Ezekiel replied tiredly. "She'll heal but it might take some time. Dora is already awake and speaking with her."
"They're awake?" Ted interrupted him.
"Yes." Ezekiel assured him. "They're both conscious. Andi is with a neck brace until they put her to sleep for her treatment."
"Is it safe?"
"Absolutely, but the chamber only works once you isolate the patient. Figured you might want to talk to her before her treatment." Ezekiel replied as he guided Ted towards one of the rooms.
Ezekiel waited outside in silence as Ted walked into the room to have what could very well be the last conversation they might had in a very long time. The seconds turned to minutes which turned into hours. He stood outside the corridor with the same calm as a guard dog.
"There you are." Dora's voice sounded besides him. Turning around Ezekiel could see she was sitting on a wheelchair.
"Are you supposed to be outside this right now?" Ezekiel asked raising an eyebrow.
"They gave me a couple a snacks, I'll be fine once I get a full meal."
"You need to rest, Dora."
"Not before I speak with you." Dora replied much to Ezekiel's surprise.
"Ted is right there with Andi." Ezekiel pointed at the room. "Can't it wait?"
"No, it can't." Dora replied serious. "Zeke, Harry can't have a wand. It's just too dangerous, we have no idea what might happen."
"But we do know what will happen if he doesn't."
"Ezekiel you weren't there." Dora replied "What he did in there..."
"Felt unnatural, wrong." Ezekiel continued asto he kneeling next to her and lowering his voice to a whisper. "I know. But if Cohen is right and we do nothing Harry's condition will worsen. Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything else. From this point forward I'll handle everything concerning Harry's health and magic."
"And what if he does something to you again? Then what, wait a couple of months and start all over again?"
"I'm not saying there's no danger but-"
"You could die! Don't you get it?" Dora interrupted him but Ezekiel continued.
"I willnot die at the hands of a Potter, Dora."
"Could you please take this seriously and keep your precious pride in the back for a moment?"
"What do you want me to do? Hand him over to the Unspeakables?"
"NO!" Dora replied appalled. "Merlin, no."
"Then what, Mungo's? He'll be back in Dumbledore's hands in ten seconds or less. Listen, I know you're scared. I felt the same way too but Harry will need all the help I can give him if he wants to have any hope to improve."
"And what if he's hopeless? If he can't get better?"
"You heard the Healer, even if everything else fails Harry can stay with me."
"For the rest of his life?"
"I'll find a way to help him." Ezekiel replied confident. "You just focus on healing and relax. I'm not gonna ask any more favours in this regard, Harry is my problem now."
"And he might become everyone's problem if you keep lying to yourself that this is gonna have a happy ending."
"I'm no fooling myself, Dora. Harry is a unique case, hypothetically speaking things could go either way. We have a plan."
"You don't have an idea, it's a concept at best."
"As with all the new and unexpected cases. So far Cohen has been nothing but right and Harry's magic is only a problem when he loses control over it."
"It's not his magic, it's his power. Merlin, it's like a baby trying to control a truck."
"I know, I was there when he turned my house into a disaster flick. I'm not saying a wand will..."
"You were going to say 'magically', didn't you?" Dora teased him
"Shut up. The wand is just the first step, there's still a long road ahead of him. None of it will involve you, Ted or Dora."
"Isolating him also doesn't work!"
"I'm not going to isolate him, he'll go to school just like any other child. I gave him my word and my word is my bond."
"And what about the Crown, do you think they'll let you do whatever you want with him?"
"The Crown is inconsequential, don't worry about them. I have a plan."
"Zeke..." Dora warned him
"I. Have. A. Plan."
"You can't go against them. I know it, you know it and they know it better than anyone."
"Rebelling against the Crown? Lèse-majesté?" Ezekiel replied looking at her with mocking horror before breaking into a laugh. "No, what I have in mind is far too different from what I usually do."
Their conversation was cut short when the door opened and Ted came out.
"Your mother wants to see you."
"Good, I'll check on Harry then." Ezekiel said raising to his feet.
"Both of you." Ted said as he walked away.
"I'll talk to her once she gets better..."
"Don't be a knob and wheel me into her room." Dora cut him off with a slap on his thigh.
Andromeda was lying on her hospital bed. She was currently wrapped as an egyptian mummy and thanks to Ezekiel's wealth, treated as royalty. This did nothing to hide the pain on both of her children as they saw the neck bracer and other devices used to keep her body in place.
"Why couldn't they just make like they did with Harry?" Dora asked.
"Harry is young." Ezekiel whispered. "His organs weren't too damaged thanks to his magic. If they even try to vanish a bone her muscles might tear. She's powerful but not enough to sustain herself to that level."
"She's also not deaf." Andromeda croaked.
"Mum, how are you?" Dora asked.
"All in all, pretty good actually."
"Is the medicine working? Do you feel any pain? I can talk to the Healers if you want." Ezekiel asked one question after another.
"Son, I have no idea what they gave me but I'm high as a fucking satellite." Andromeda replied smiling. "I need to talk to you two, it's about Harry."
"I was just telling Zeke about it." Dora said. "I think Harry shouldn't have a wand."
"No." Andromeda replied. "He must. And you two need to help him."
"Mum, don't you remember what he did? We almost died just being in the same room."
"And the only reason we didn't was because Harry managed to control himself." Andromeda replied. "I was closer to him than you or Ollivander, I saw Harry. It was just a moment but he managed to control his magic. It's the only reason we are alive. He needs to learn how to control himself before the Queen hears of this or he'll be under her thumb until the day he dies."
"I've already made plans on how to deal with that." Ezekiel said.
"Of course you did." Andromeda said proudly.
"But Ted and Dora don't need to do anything else. It'll be too dangerous for them."
"I already spoke with Ted." Andromeda replied. "He'll stay away when it comes to the magical stuff but he'll help any way he can."
"Mum!" Dora exclaimed.
"If the royal family learns of the power Harry wields they'll enslave him. They already use Ezekiel as their own weapon. If they find out about a more powerful wizard that's already under their control it'll be a matter of time before the power goes to their heads. Ezekiel knew what he was getting into, Harry is a sweet boy who needs all the love he can. And he doesn't heal like Ezekiel.
We've survived all this time, we thrived thanks to the lack of meddling from the Royals. They haven't ruled in centuries and they no longer know how. They are a disaster waiting to happen."
"Fine." Dora agreed. "I'll do what I can. Do you know how long it will take you to heal?"
"A few weeks, if everything goes as it should." Andromeda replied yawning. "One more thing, you need to... you need to..."
"Andi?" Ezekiel asked concerned.
"It's the meds." Andromeda explained trying to focus. "I'm going to... sleep for the whole thing. But... find...Ollivander...he... knows."
"We will." Dora said softly. "Don't worry Mum. You just get better."
"Ollivander...knows." Andromeda repeated before finally falling asleep.
A group of Healers and goblins entered the room as if waiting for their queue and promptly took the bed with them. One Healer briefly assured both of them Andromeda would receive the best care on and under the earth before leaving them alone.
"Well... I guess we're together in this again." Dora said looking at the door.
"You know you don't have to..."
"If you even try to tell me to break the promise I made to Mum." Dora interrupted him. "We're gonna test how much you can heal your testicles."
"Suit yourself." Ezekiel replied. "But what does Ollivander know?"
"Not much, really." Dora replied. "I only told him Harry was powerful enough to need a wand."
"Is that all he knows?" Ezekiel asked raising an eyebrow. "Did anything happened when you three were at his store?"
"Well..."
"C'mon, hurry up!" Dora said slurring her words as she walked to Ollivander's.
"Nymphadora wait a minute for Morgana's sake." Andromeda replied running behind her with Harry in hand.
"What?" Dora finally turned around and waited for them to catch their breath. "He won't wait for too long."
"We can't run like you do, Dora." Harry said breathing heavily.
"Wimps." Dora chuckled.
"Nymphadora Tonks, you watch that tone and sober up right now or I'll walk right into the Ministry tomorrow with your baby pictures."
"Yes, ma'am." Dora said straightening up with a shiver. Her complexity changed back to a normal tone and her eyes focusing on her mother. "Done."
"Better." Andromeda said nodding. "Now, would I be wrong if I assume the man we're about to meet will be in a similar state as you?"
"Err..." Dora replied looking around to check the people in the Alley. "No, I don't think so."
"Nymphadora." Andromeda said annoyed.
"He told me he had a purging potion, he'll be fine. Promise." Dora replied raising her hand.
"This is a mistake." Andromeda shook her head.
"No, listen. Harry needs this, the guy is willing to help. Everything is fine, you'll see." Dora said grabbing both Harry's and Andromeda's hands walking towards the shop.
They found the lights still on and Dora almost pushed them trough the door. The shop was narrow and shabby with peeling gold letters over the door of the shop read: Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. The inside was tiny, empty except for a single, spindly chair in the corner. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop, and the whole place had a thin layer of dust about it. Only the noise of an elderly man snoring loudly as he laid resting over a table in the back.
"Garrick?" Dora shook the unconscious man. "Gar? I'm here with Harry, like I promised. Gary? GARY!"
"Wha-what?" The man jumped on his seat in surprise.
Garrick Ollivander was an old man with pale silvery eyes and white skin. Andromeda would've explained to Harry how every child yearned for the opportunity to meet this man, had it not been for the fact he reeked of alcohol.
"Gary, it's Dora. Remember me?"
"Of courshe!" Ollivander slurred with a silly smile as he tried to rise from his seat. "I remember EVERYONE! Wait don't tell me, don't tell me. Thirteen, nonono, fourteen inches, yes?"
"Yeah, listen Gary we don't really have time." Dora tried to focus him but Ollivander continued.
"Flexible!...Rowan and unicorn hair." The man finished with pride.
"Bugger me, he actually got it right." Dora said surprised to her mother and Harry.
"I hardly find any of this impressive, Nymphadora." Andromeda replied with little patience.
"That's because you don't know how much he drank. I swear, we could hold a candle in front of him to see if his breath fires up."
"That's it, we're leaving." Andromeda said grabbing Harry by the hand.
"No, wait!" Dora panicked turning to Ollivander. "Gary, where's the potion?"
"Potion?" Ollivander replied confused.
"Yes, the purging potion. Remember you told me when I get here with Harry to give you the potion so you could work?"
"Work? YES, WORK!" Ollivander said with renewed vigor. "Mada'am, I'm afraid I'll have to ashk you to leave. I'm going to meet with a very important customer. The mosht imp-hick-importhant one!" He said pushing them towards the door. "I must be ready for Harry Potter!"
"Gary, I just brought you Harry Potter!"
"You did?" Ollivander blinked surprised as he inspected the group. "Oh, mister Potter of course! Allow me to apologize for my current state, I'll fix myself but first let me shake your hand."
"Gary that's not-"
"Oh my, what soft and firm hands you have mister Potter. You have the hands of a Healer if I say so myself."
"Actually." Andromeda replied dryly as she released her hand from his grip. "I'm a medi-witch but thanks anyway."
"Okay, Gary?" Dora asked grabbing Ollivander by the face. "I really need you to focus here, mate. The purging potion, where is it?"
"Potion?"
"Yes, potion. Where?"
As Dora guided Ollivander towards the back of his store, Andromeda turned towards Harry who was halfway between shocked and amused.
"Harry, I think it'll be better if we leave now and try another day."
"But Dora said it was the best time to do it. We might not get another chance." Harry pleaded.
"The man might be a genius but right now he can barely walk, let alone sell a wand."
"Please?" Harry begged.
"...Okay, we'll wait until he finishes his potion. If by then he's not sober enough, we leave. Understood?"
"Okay, but what's a purging potion?" Harry asked curious.
"It makes you-" Andromeda's explanation was interrupted by the loud sounds of Ollivander's barfing. "Vomit. You vomit any substance that's not supposed to be in your body and cleanses your system. It helps for poisonings mostly and given alcohol isn't good for you... You get the point."
"Oh, my apologies for my behavior before Madame Tonks." A pale looking Ollivander said walking out a few minutes later followed by a disgusted Dora. "Thirteen inches, Hawthorne and unicorn hair, unyielding."
"Correct." Andromeda replied. "And no need to apologize, sir. I know my daughter tends to forget not everyone can follow her on many occasions."
"I'm grateful for your understanding, madam." Ollivander said with a small bow before turning to Harry. "Now, mister Potter. Yes, I see what you mean. You young man are certainly powerful but there's something else, isn't it? My apologies, sir." He said looking at Harry's uncomfortable face. "I didn't mean to pry into your matters, I beg your pardon, sire."
"It's fine."
"Very well, given what I can see I most certainly think you need a wand. If you'd step in the middle of the room while I fetch my measuring tape, we'll be done in no time. "
Harry stood in the center of the room as Ollivander measured his arms, speaking to himself.
"Very well, mister Potter." Ollivander said placing a wand on Harry's hand. "Twelve inches, maple." His explanation was cut short as the wand exploded into a dust.
"Harry!" Both Dora and Andromeda launched to check him.
"I'm fine, it's just dust." Harry assured them.
"Curious." Ollivander said as he studied Harry from different angles. "Very curious indeed."
"It's alright Harry, things like this happen all the time when you look for a wand." Dora assured him.
"Really?"
"No, not at all." Ollivander replied behind him. "You, mister Potter are a very picky customer,. But don't worry, I know we'll find the perfect wand for you."
One after another, Ollivander continued to place one wand after another on Harry's hand. While some turned to dust, some of them exploded the boxes around him when he waved it around. Ollivander observed this phenomenon with an unreadable expression.
"Too soft, nono. Perhaps... no, too bland. No, that one's too temperamental. Perhaps... nah, boring." Ollivander whispered, tapping his chin as he spoke to himself.
"Master Ollivander, I believe we might be wasting our time here. It's clear Harry isn't suited for a wand at the moment." Andromeda said.
"No, no, he's certainly in need of one." Ollivander said waving his hand. "He just needs something...special. Yes, indeed." Nodding to himself, he quickly left them as he marched to a room on the back. He quickly returned carrying a brown box with great care. "This one. Try this one."
"Sir, I don't think another wand will work." Dora said. "We can pay for all the other ones but..."
"Please, let him try this one." Ollivander said. "Holly, eleven inches. Nice and supple. Phoenix core. Give it a try."
Mother and daughter covered her eyes to protect themselves from the latest cloud of dust but as much as they waited, they couldn't feel anything.
"Harry, is everything alright?" Andromeda finally asked.
"I'm fine, I feel... warm." Harry said excited.
Andromeda and Dora uncovered her eyes as a current of warm air ran across the room. Harry was smiling at them while his new wand shined with a golden glow.
"Well, mister Potter." Ollivander satisfied. "I believe we have found your wand."
"You think Ezekiel will like it?" Harry asked happy.
"Harry, this isn't something Ezekiel can like or dislike. A wand is something personal for a witch or wizard." Dora explained.
"Oh." Harry said.
"But, yes he's gonna like it." Dora finished with a smile.
Their glee was cut short as Harry's wand began emitting a small humming sound.
"What's that sound?" Andromeda asked concerned.
"I...have no idea." Ollivander replied as he approached to examine the wand.
The humming noise began to rise in intensity and volume in waves. The more it grew, the more difficult became to breath and move.
"Andi?" Harry asked scared.
"Harry, please." Andromeda said gasping for air. "You need to calm down, okay?"
"I-I can't. Andi, help me. Please." Harry begged terrified as the humming became a roar and the building began to shake.
Andromeda fell to the floor clutching her chest. Ollivander was frozen where he stood, unable to move an inch. Dora felt her bones tense as her body recognized it needed to be stronger in order to survive. Her muscles increased as she pushed herself towards Harry, dead set on removing the wand from his hand. By now the roaring on his hand had been eclipsed by the golden storm with white hot blazes which began pouring. Dora had barely managed to put a step when Harry screamed and everyone were shot backwards.
"And that's it?" Ezekiel asked.
"What else do you want, a dance scene?" Dora replied annoyed.
"Is there's anything else you might remember?"
"No." Dora shook her head. "Once Harry threw me like a ragdoll I lost consciousness. Next thing I know some Healer is casting spells on me."
"Right, I need to find Ollivander. If Andi is right and he says a word of what happened then I'm not sure how long it'll be before the Queen orders me to hand Harry over."
"Call the goblins, they might know where he is holed up."
"I will. Say, would you mind if I leave you with Harry while I'm dealing with all this?"
"Tell them to put me in the same room as he is." Dora replied.
"Will do, did they found your wand?"
"Everything is here." Dora replied patting the side of her wheelchair.
Ezekiel began wheeling Dora into Harry's room. Harry for his part was deep in sleep, exhausted after using his magic again.
"My Lord?" A goblin asked entering the room.
"Yes?"
"This letter has been delivered by a swan for Harry Potter but given his state..." The goblin said holding the letter in his hand to Ezekiel.
"I'll take it, thank you."
"Also Sire, His Majesty would like to let you know he has send a new set of clothes for 're being moved to your house as we speak. Don't worry, we have your measures. Of course, a new revolver will be waiting for you as well." The goblin said with a smile.
"Give the King my most sincere thanks." Ezekiel replied dryly. "Now, I'd like my cousin to be moved to this room. She'll keep Harry Potter company until his recovery."
"As you command, Sire." The goblin said quickly leaving the room.
"I really wanted to got to Savoy Street. Bastard knew it." Ezekiel muttered as he read the letter. "Well, ain't this a surprise."
"What?" Dora asked shifting on her chair.
"The Queen demands Harry's presence at the Buckingham Palace."
"Isn't that nice?"
"Are you sure you'll be fine?" Ezekiel asked concerned.
"As long as you keep paying for the meals, sure. How bad do you think it'll go at the palace?"
"What do you mean? They love me there!"
"What are you doing here?" Prince Charles asked with disgust.
"Meeting your mother, what else Charlie?" Ezekiel replied as he entered the throne room.
"I ordered Lord Potter to attend here, Black." The Queen said sternly. "Is there any reason why he chose to ignore my summon?"
"Your Highness." Ezekiel said bowing to her. "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding, as there isn't a Lord Potter yet."
"The boy has a responsibility towards the Crown." The Queen replied. "He is to learn his duties for when he assumes his rightful place in my court."
"I seem to recall, Your Grace, a promise you made to Harry Potter." Ezekiel replied. "You promised to wait for him to choose if he wished to be a part of the magical world or the Muggle one."
"That was before We learned of the suffering of the magical community. To think that in these day and age there wouldis be people without access to electricity or basic services is unacceptable."
"And does Your Majesty happens to know why?"
"Why, it's because they don't know better." Prince Charles replied. "The little lizard told us."
"I imagine the Goblin King won't be too happy if he learns the names you use to refer to him."
"That creature is no king!" Charles replied angry. "Just because we indulge his delusion doesn't mean we acknowledge him and his so called 'kingdom'."
"Then I recommend you get your affair, sorry, affairs in order. In case you haven't heard that 'creature' as you called him has the backup of every nation on the planet. Not to mention he can have his people rattle up the fault lines beneath the country and turn it into Atlantis."
"Can he really do it?" The Queen asked as she raised a hand to silence her son.
"The goblins have spent almost as much time underground as the dwarves. If they say they can do it, it's not bragging but a warning." Ezekiel replied serious. "Also, the Underground Kingdom is deep enough to be considered international territory and they've claimed it already. It is a recognized country in it's own right."
"I see." The Queen said nodding to herself but Ezekiel hadn't finished.
"Do you now? Because it seems to me you're severely misguided on where you actually stand on the world stage. They aren't just recognized by all the world, they are backed by them too."
"That is enough, Black." The Queen silenced Ezekiel with a wave. "This still doesn't explain why you are here when I asked for Harry Potter."
"Except you didn't asked for him, Your Grace. You demanded him to come here."
"I'm not going to argue semantics with you, Black." The Queen replied as her goodwill began to vanish from her eyes.
"Yet that's what we're going to do, Your Grace." Ezekiel replied with an icily smile.
"That's enough of you, you arrogant..." Charles replied.
"Charles, enough!". The Queen interrupted him impatient. "Where are you going with this, Black?"
"You gave a Royal Command to a Harry, Your Grace. It almost killed him."
"That's absurd." The Queen scoffed. "I have given no commands to that child."
"You're the Queen, he's the last member of one of the most powerful aristocratic families on this country. Any command you give to him will be a Royal Command."
The room felt silent as the royals began to grasp the consequences of what Ezekiel had said.
"Is the body going to be okay?" Charles asked softly.
"He's in a magical hospital, they're taking care of his wounds." Ezekiel replied, as this wasn't a complete lie he'd be able to twist it enough for them to shut up for a bit.
"A magical hospital, you said?" The Queen asked curious. "Where is that?"
"Hidden, like all matters related to magic. Tell me, Your Grace, have you ever wondered why wizards stay away of big cities?"
"Why, because they don't know better of course! When that crea- the Goblin King told me the things they teach in that so called school of yours, it was clear to me those people were severely undereducated."
"While I agree with the latter, Madam." Ezekiel replied hiding his surprise. "That's not entirely true. May I?" Ezekiel asked pointing to a lamp over a table on one of the sides of the room. The Queen merely nodded with some interest as Ezekiel turned it on while avoiding to touch it as much as possible. Then without much ceremony, he picked it up. The lamp quickly fizzled before a popping noise was hear following smoke from it's lightbulbs. "As you can see, magic and electricity don't mix. That's why many of us don't live in big cities, but it doesn't mean we're cut off from any services. We have schools, hospitals and banks. Some of them are even better than the ones the Muggle world."
"Muggle?" The Queen asked.
"It's the way wizards call those who don't have magic." Ezekiel explained.
"Your kind has a name for us?" Charles asked in disbelief.
"The term is used for any human beings unable to wield magic, not just you." Ezekiel clarified.
"This is all quite interesting." The Queen noted. "It'll be one of the things you'll have to teach the newest batch of agents."
"Agents?" Ezekiel asked already fearing the answer.
"Yes, agents." The Queen replied. "One of the many things the Goblin King told us was of the countless Dark wizards inhabiting this country. That is beyond unacceptable."
"Stop." Ezekiel interrupted her. "Just. Stop."
"Excuse me?" The monarch replied surprised.
"You heard me, Elizabeth." Ezekiel replied to the increasingly shook of the royal family. "I don't know what you heard from the Goblin King, or what you choose to hear but you'll stop right now."
"You dare to order us?" Charles replied with a chuckle.
"This isn't Disney, you idiot. Things aren't black and white. Dark wizards, for the most part, don't choose to be one. They are born this way."
"And so they stay." Charles replied furiously. "If they had any sort of decency, they'd stay away from people until they turn into something decent. Instead they cluster in that alley your family provided for them while you profit from their depravity."
"That alley is the only thing preventing the Dark part of the wizarding community from going insane. Or would you rather have a bunch of wizards specialized in offensive magic running around unchecked?" Ezekiel replied in a barely calm whisper. "And nobody in this room has anything to say about profiting from other people's sins."
"Lord Black, that's enough." The Queen cut Ezekiel off. "Charles, wait outside."
"What?" Charles replied surprised. "Mother, you can't."
"I can, I am." The Queen replied mater-of-factly. "Now leave us."
To his credit, the old prince managed to leave the room in a dignified manner as he gave a small bow to his mother, barely holding his anger and humiliation.
"Now that we have calmed down, Black." The Queen said once Charles closed the door leaving them alone. "Who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?"
"I'm the only one who has lived in the world you're thinking of ruling."
"Which is why your knowledge will be needed for the new force we'll be creating. The agents..."
"Witch hunters." Ezekiel interrupted. "Call them what they are."
"I cannot allow those who practice black magic running around as they please."
"Unless they are under your command, isn't it?"
"Lord Black." The Queen replied in a cold tone. "I've allowed your insolence far beyond what anybody would consider proper. Do. Not. Forget. Your. Place. This force you'll train will protect the people of both worlds, they'll ensure peace."
"Aurors." Ezekiel replied.
"What?"
"Those you're describing are Aurors. The police of the magical world. They enforce the policies of the Ministry of Magic. Aurors."
"I... haven't been aware such a thing existed." The Queen confessed.
"Tell me something, Your Highness. What exactly did you hear when you met with the Goblin King all these months?"
"He spoke to me about so many things, people living almost in the Dark Ages. Darkness and Light, it seemed like something out of a novel." The Queen remembered.
"It ain't." Ezekiel replied. "This is the real world, with real people. If you start chasing people who you don't know just for their magic, you'll bring back an age of hatred which hasn't been seen in almost a decade."
"Which is why Harry Potter must be prepared for when he takes his rightful place!" The Queen said vigorously. "He will lead the magical world back into an age of peace as my right hand."
"Harry Potter is just a boy." Ezekiel replied. "A boy who has been neglected, hurt and victimized for as long as he remembers. He's not a pawn to use as you please!"
"He's of noble blood! The blood running trough his veins comes with great privileges and greater responsibilities!"
"Of which he has seen fuck all of the first, while getting his teeth kicked in by the latter."
"You'll behave like a member of this court, Black. I'll no longer tolerate your disrespect." The Queen said standing in front of Ezekiel.
"Except I'm not a member of your court, aren't I?" Ezekiel replied staring into her eyes trough his sunglasses. "I'm the one nobody talks about, unless the conversation is about how to kill someone or something."
"You, your father and all the previous Lords of that demented House swore fidelity towards the Crown as penance for the crime you committed." The Queen replied sternly. "You should thank the Lord for the mercy which was granted that day, on your knees every single morning and night."
"And how generous was 'The Lord' with you and your family, then." Ezekiel walked almost touching the Queen. "Who then gave you an edge over the rest of the countries and let you build an empire unlike any other seen in history. Truly that must've been an unprecedented act of kindness which raised himself and his descendants above mankind!"
"You're nothing but a murderous monster." The Queen said with contempt.
"I'm the monster?" Ezekiel replied with mocking surprise. "Do you really think I would've gone to all those places, tracked down all those people and done all the things I did, if you hadn't pointed me at them?"
"Don't you dare to compare me to you, you soulless creature!"
"Compare us." Ezekiel laughed as he began pacing around the room. "We started this little trip together. Oh, yes I'm the muscle here. I break the bones, tear the flesh and shatter the spirits. I make no apology for it, I'm even proud of some of the things I've done. But never forget: you said yes. Everything I've done, everyone I've hurt, everything I've taken might've been done under the order of others but I wouldn't have moved a muscle without you approval."
"Those orders weren't written by me." The Queen denied it. "Whatever you've done it has nothing to do with me."
"Sure, you tell yourself that." Ezekiel nodded. "Leave Harry alone, Elizabeth. What happens between you and me is only about us. Harry is off the limits."
"You are in no position to threaten me, Black. I can take him from you with a Royal Command." The Queen replied confident.
"Absolutely." Ezekiel agreed. "But can you keep him? How would you hide him from those on my world, who wish to take him for their own ends? How would you hide him from the press? An orphan from a county you've never set a foot on, living with the royalty? I can't imagine one scenario where someone doesn't end up filtering it to the press. They'll eat you and your family alive, if the real Dark Wizards don't try to kill Harry and everyone here just to make a point."
"Then it's a good thing I have such a loyal servant, aren't I?" The Queen replied.
"Maybe, but nothing lasts forever." Ezekiel replied. "In the end it's all up to Harry. He knows this by the way, I made sure to tell him. This is your first and final warning, stop what you're planning with Harry or I'll stop you." Ezekiel threatened her.
"And you're so arrogant to believe I'll run with my tail between my legs just because you said so? I own you, Black."
"Any other being on or below this earth would've died." Ezekiel said in a low whisper but the Queen heard him as loud as if he had screamed it into her ears. "You get a warning. Do as you must, I'll do the same."
"My butler has your orders outside." The Queen said through her teeth. "Take them and leave."
"As you command, Your Highness." Ezekiel replied with an exaggerated bow.
The butler was already besides him once Ezekiel closed the door. This man, a different one from the one Ezekiel was used to see, carried a bulky envelope on a silver platter. Ezekiel's eyes widened a bit as examined it's contents, even giving a small whistle after reading some of the demands.
Ignoring the dirty looks he got from the servant, Ezekiel tucked the envelope on an internal pocket of his coat and parted to say his goodbyes at the Gringotts hospital.
Apparently, had a job to do.
I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.