A/N: In answer to reviewers: Harry was being a nosy busybody and, yes, I deliberately left it canon with Bashir sleeping with the woman. Bashir was a bit of a horndog in DS9. Harry certainly enjoys sex but I'm not covering all of his relationships. I'm now old – talking about sex just to talk about it isn't as fun as it used to be. To be honest, Julian's tendency to sleep with his (ex-)patients was always kind of squicky to me. But then again, what choice does he have? EVERYONE on the station is technically his patient. Doctors go out with former patients – I've gotten over it. Still, the time periods aren't separate enough for my morals. Besides, the way I wrote it Harry really didn't like her that much – he was just being nice when he gave her the potions. Besides, he already brewed them and it wasn't a potion he kept on hand – why I don't know. He does still have the other doses of Strength Potion.

Krim arrived to Deep Space 9, having completed all responsibilities he had from his time in the Militia. Harry was waiting for him as he arrived. "General Krim. Welcome back to Deep Space 9."

"Thank you." Krim gave a slight smirk. "It is a more pleasant welcome than the last time I arrived."

Harry laughed. "I imagine so. At least you know where everyone is."

Krim have a minute shrug. "A much less unnerving presentation." He became a bit more serious. "Thank you for giving me time after making your offer. A number of issues as regards Minister Jaro and his work out of the public view had to be clarified. Those dealing with Jaro wanted every detail I could provide."

The two men started walking toward Harry's quarters. Harry glanced around. "Do you mind if I enact security?" Krim indicated no so a spell was cast. "Anyone attempting to listen in will hear unidentifiable buzzing."

Krim looked impressed. "Useful."

Harry nodded. "Can I ask what you knew of the Circle's activities before you resigned?"

Krim sighed. He had promised to give a full explanation, so he repleid, "I was aware that there were weapons being gathered – I was not aware where they were or who was providing them. I testified as to how the final arming was planned." Krim paused. "There was another matter I wanted to express my gratitude on."

"Oh?" Harry asked curiously.

Krim gave a sardonic smile. "The Ministers were … quite interested that I was removing myself from Bajor and its surrounds. In the end, the decision was made that my new employment was, in effect, me accepting exile. I believe that they stopped attempting to incarcerate me because of that."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That's just the politicians being idiots." He glanced at Krim. "Do you know why I am hiring you?"

Krim said, "Why don't you explain?"

Harry smiled. "I am hiring you because you are a man of principle. When the government wanted to interfere with our work with the reclamation, you took the less convenient approach of increasing the guards, even though this pulled people from other concerns. But you did it because it was better for Bajor and its people. You were loyal until you those you were loyal too proved faithless. And instead of violently taking revenge, you declared yourself. I prefer the people I work with being up front."

"Up front?" Krim asked.

Harry recognized the normal reaction to having used an idiom from the twentieth century. "Not hiding behind a façade; honest in presentation."

Krim said with his sardonic tone, "Unlike Jaro hiding behind the image of being loyal to the people."

"Unlike most politicians."

Krim nodded in understanding. "However one looks at it, I am now free – as long as I make my way away from Bajoran space as soon as is opportune."

Harry smirked. "Right. You will be traveling to Earth space. There you will report to the man who is overseeing my interests."

"And that is?" Krim asked.

"You have already met him: Prince William Windsor."

"Ah. That is … unexpected."

Harry was confused. "I don't know why that is surprising; you knew of my relationship when we met."

"You told me of the interests of the Royal Family and their work on the project. All I was aware of was that you answered to King Charles of Great Britain as regards the project."

Harry sighed. "Weren't you told my history when you were sent to speak to me?"

"The relevant aspects as regards the reclamation project were explained," Krim said.

Harry covered his eyes briefly. "Merlin's beard! How incompetent could they be?"

Krim was confused. "I don't understand."

Harry removed the privacy spell and then activated his badge. "Potter to Kira."

"Go ahead."

"Major? Do you have a record of the briefing that you sent the Bajoran government as regards my appearance in this timeline somewhere accessible?"

There was a pause. "I did keep a copy in my private files but they aren't generally accessible due to security. Those would have to be accessed with my permission and within Ops or another secure place on the station."

"I have Krim Aldos who is now working for me. I thought he was given the full briefing – he wasn't. Would you be willing to let him read/listen to what you have so he knows who he's working for?"

Kira's voice was amused. "Sure. Send him up to me."

"Thank you, Major. He'll be there soon." He turned off his badge. "Do you remember the way to Ops?"

Krim nodded. "I will be back after seeing the reports."

"Good. When you're finished, ask Major Kira how to get to my quarters so we can finish our conversation."


An hour later Krim arrived to his door. After opening it and inviting him in, Harry asked, "Was that informative?"

Krim was a bit wild eyed. "It was a very informative report."

Harry motioned him to the table. "I've cook a meal – Major Kira likes most of this and I hope it is acceptable for you." Krim nodded and quickly sat. "Anyway. I take it you now are aware of more information."

"Yes." Krim looked at the drinks. "What are these?"

"A dry white wine, a sweet bubbly drink called cola, a sweetened citrus drink called lemonade, and plain water. Take your pick. Whatever you don't drink will stay fresh so nothing will be wasted."

Krim actually poured himself some wine and some water. "What is this?" he asked after the food.

Harry pointed at the various portions. "This is called potato – a root vegetable that can be cooked in a number of ways but I have them mashed here because it is easy. I've added a bit of olive oil and an herb called chives on top. This is cooked broccoli, a type of vegetable related to Earth cabbage, prepared with grated parmesan, a type of cheese, on top. This is a basic salad made with spinach (the leafy vegetable), mushrooms (a fungus widely eaten on Earth), cherry tomatoes (the red fruit), green onions (the green non-leafy bits), and black olives (a small pitted fruit). That is mildly sweet oil and vinegar dressing which you can add to taste. Salt and ground peppercorn can be added to taste as well, though small amounts were used to cook the meal and you likely won't need to add more. The main entrée is called sirloin steak from an Earth cow. It is cooked medium rare, a slight pinkness to it so that it's still a bit juicy. And, if that isn't enough, for afters I have a tapioca pudding with ground cinnamon and nutmeg added."

Krim looked at the spread. "A generous meal."

Harry chuckled. "Thank you but it's nothing compared to what would be available if my elves were not on assignment to Vulcan." Krim looked skeptical but Harry's expression indicated that he was not exaggerating.

The two men didn't speak as they ate the meal. And when it was done, Krim sat back. "That was ... quite a meal."

Harry smiled. "Thank you. I cooked it as a 'welcome to my employ' gesture." Harry pulled his wand. "Let me clear up." Harry cast the spells and Krim watched in some small amazement as everything disappeared into the kitchen area and even the dishes starting washing themselves.

Harry poured a bit of the wine. "Now, to verify: You are now apprised of my arrival and abilities?"

Krim replied, "Yes. I was more skeptical before that little show."

Harry grinned. "I know – one reason I did it. I should ask Sisko to show you what I gave him before your attempted takeover."

"What did you give him?"

Harry chuckled. "I can't tell you without his permission. Even I am limited by my magic."

Krim sat back and took a sip of his wine. "I was a bit surprised that you were not here when the Militia was sent to take over, given your claimed skills."

Harry sighed. "My king had me in detention – he wanted to chide me for acting without permission."

"In what manner?" Krim asked.

Harry said in a dry tone, "I cloaked a Federation runabout with my magic, flew to Cardassia IV, invaded the Hutet labor camp, transported all Bajoran prisoners out, flew back out of Bajoran space and, having provided some basic care en-route, came back with Li Nalas and the other freed prisoners to Deep Space 9. All without having alerted the Cardassians that I had even been there."

Krim stilled completely. He then asked in a careful tone, "You did this all alone?"

"No," Harry scoffed. Krim relaxed a bit too soon. "I brought Kira Nerys as a co-pilot although I didn't tell her where we were going until we had already left Deep Space 9. And I had my elves helping as well – they could have done all the rescuing without me if I had asked them to but I wanted to make sure they didn't suffer any accidental damage."

Krim looked at Harry as though trying to gauge his honestly. When he saw Harry's utter sincerity he dropped back in his chair. "I see that there was more than just the source of the weapons which wasn't explained to me."

Harry half shrugged. "Politicians … what can you expect?" He casually took another sip of his drink.

Krim quickly reordered his perceptions and the assumptions he had made regarding his new employer. "What will my duties be?" he finally asked.

"Chief of Security to Sir Harry Potter of the Royal Household of Great Britain."

"Royal household?"

"I was named Knight of the Thistle on Earth before I arrived to this timeline. The current head of the British Royal family confirmed my status when I reported to him." Harry took a sip of his wine. "King Charles was also quite interested in the vast stores of seeds I had brought from my home. World War III and its aftermath decimated Earth and caused widespreak extinction of Earth plants."

Krim was curious. "Earth is famous for being, perhaps, the richest planet in the known galaxy in terms of diversity of plant and animal species."

Harry nodded. "On the Earth I come from, four centuries removed from this one, there were hundreds of thousands of plant species. And 90 percent of them were flowering types."

"How many species did you bring?"

Harry sighed. "Only about thirty thousand."

Krim was impressed. "Thirty thousand?"

Harry chuckled. "The woman who helped me prepare to jump was extremely detailed in everything she did. I was provided with enough species to recreate any ecosystem which might be appropriate. Admittedly, for the vast majority of species, I have only about a hundred seeds or so. For food plants, I have much more. Anything in wide use I have a lot of. I can't tell you how much grass seed I brought. I had a few hundred apple seed types, numerous tomato seed types, etc, etc. A lot of what I had brought had been lost. And much of what I had was concentrated from Great Britain, the exact area Charles wanted to reseed.

"Hermione also created seed sets for numerous different environments. I brought hundreds of cacti seeds, for example, for desert environments. I have aquatic sets, both salt and fresh, cold environment sets, tropical, sub-tropical, rain forest – those are large collections – and others too. Hermione wanted to make certain no matter where I ended up I could have a touch of home."

Krim said, "This must have cost a fortune."

Harry shrugged. "I come from money. And Queen Elizabeth, an alternate to King Charles' own ancestor, was quite supportive." Harry looked away and in a thoughtful tone said, "I think I knew I was not going back and was enthusiastic about bringing it all with me." He lost that distant tone. "Nevertheless – Charles was impressed with what I had brought and immediately added me to the Royal Household."

"Royal household? How does that work?" Krim asked intently.

"The Royal House of Windsor is the traditional ruler of Great Britain. Since the Eugenics Wars, England had no king, or had pretenders. When matters were finally resolved, the descendants of the Royal House of Windsor, kept safe by loyal Britons, were returned. But it was decided that they would not rule, even in the limited fashion they had before the wars. They were honored as the traditional head of the Kingdom and Commonwealth, given the power to verify honors, and other than that, pretty much ignored."

Harry smirked. "They took their status as royalty seriously. They began to work to recover Great Britain and to ensure it was cleaned up and thrived. All of the families who were acknowledged by the Windsor family were of a similar type, a type that still believed in noblesse oblige, the belief that those of noble birth had a responsibility toward those they led and those who were less privileged. As a result, they became acknowledged as the caretakers of Great Britain and other places as well."

"A family of true nobility," Krim observed.

Harry chuckled. "We had a saying: Blood will tell. It was usually used to acknowledge that bad families tended to stay bad. But it also was a tacit belief that good families stayed good. Britons used to believe in the idea of a noble class. It wasn't a caste system – the Indians used to have that, much the same as Bajor used to have. Class can be achieved, caste is forever. I tend to agree with the rejection of the concept of caste."

Krim sighed. "It isn't politically sound to say this but if there was one thing the Cardassians did do for the Bajoran people, it was to completely destroy the caste system. We did not begin to achieve our freedom again until we let go the idea that only certain people could fight."

Harry nodded and with some empathy said, "You could honestly say that it wasn't the Cardassians that destroyed the caste system – it was your people recognizing the fundamental truth that all of your people were fundamentally equal."

"Perhaps," Krim acknowledged. He sipped his drink in contemplation.

After a few moments, Harry focused the meeting again. "Anyway. I was made a part of the Royal Household and given diplomatic status. I don't enjoy the same level as Federation ambassadors and so forth, but I do enjoy a certain freedom. Part of that is my unique skill set. My elves, as my retainers, also enjoy a diplomatic status."

Krim worked that into his mind and finally asked, "Would I have a diplomatic status as a part of your household?"

Harry grimaced slightly. "In name but not with much practicality. You know how the Federation tends to respect the races they deal with, but are fundamentally arrogant as regards their superiority?" Krim raised a sardonic eyebrow. "I know – not polite to mention but true to a certain degree. I managed to get my diplomatic status, and that of my elves, approved by the Federation as what I brought was useful to them as well. You don't enjoy the same level of recognition, but you will be acknowledged as working for a free agent of some status. That will open a few doors, but not many."

Harry considered. "Come to think of it, it will probably be the equivalent of being a high-ranking member of the Bajoran militia when dealing with non-Bajoran governments."

Krim thought about it. "I guess I can live with that. So what will my official title be?"

"Chief of Security to Sir Harry Potter, a Knight of the Thistle, member of the Royal Household of the House of Windsor, Great Britain, Earth." Harry paused. "Chief of Security to Sir Harry Potter in the short form."

"And my salary?" Harry gave a number. "Although you will receive different currencies including Federation credits, Bajoran Lita, and even gold-pressed latinum. Somehow, the Ferengi are on the way to becoming the money-changers of the galaxy and they prefer latinum. It spends in almost every society. Even Klingons, who prefer their talons and darseks, accept equivalent value in latinum."

Krim considered. "Well, it will be a long time until I will be free to return to Bajor. Perhaps it is best to keep things in Federation credits. Although a guarantee in terms of exchange would ease my mind."

Harry replied, "I can do that. I have a contract which you may want to get reviewed by a legal expert of your choice." He mused that lawyers would always exist – much like cockroaches.

Harry pulled a small isolinear chip out. "It's Federation but I figured Cardassian isolinear rods, such as are common on DS9, might not be your preference."

Krim accepted the chip. "I will contact a Federation lawyer as well as have a Bajoran lawyer review it."

"I expected that." Harry pulled a small pouch out. "This is a small fee for your time. We've pretty much agreed to your position – we're just working out details. This will allow you to get a room and eat while the process completes."

Krim said in his normal sardonic tone, "I do have my own currency."

"Yes – but you're basically working for me now. Expenses are a part of what has to be paid for."

Krim handed the pouch back. "I will expect the expenses covered – after the contract is signed. I cannot act as a free agent if you are paying for my needs."

Harry sighed as he accepted the small pouch. "I am hiring you because you're a man of principle. I should have expected this response."

Krim stood up and put out his hand. "Thank you for your time, Sir Harry."

"Thank you for your interest, General Krim." General was a courtesy according to the rules of etiquette and Harry used it now to acknowledge Krim's point about still being a free agent.


Two days later, Krim showed up again. "I have determined that the contract is acceptable," was his only comment.

"Good." Harry got the quill out. "I'll need you to sign with this. I will also use this quill." He did so.

Krim quickly signed his name. "Why this quill?"

Harry made a copy and gave it over. "Because it uses a tiny bit of blood and makes it binding."

Krim commented without emotion, "You did not tell me this beforehand."

"Yes. But the contract does explain that I may require you to use magical devices and/or techniques. This is one of them."

Krim considered that and then nodded to concede that was true. "What affect does this have?"

Harry said, "If you deliberately violate the contract, everything you learned of me, my elves, and my plans will disappear. It also prevents telepathic species from scanning you as regards what is covered. Your pay will be affected as stated in the contract in case of a breach. But I am also constrained – I will also be forced to be faithful to you by my own signature."

Krim considered that. "That actually gives me some ease." He paused. "I noticed you said deliberate violation."

"If you are going to accidentally violate it, you will get an immediate sense of unease and a prickling sensation where you felt the signature."

"I see. So. Why is security so important?"

Harry stood up. "I have something I want you to see. And then I will answer."

"What am I to see?"

Harry grinned. "It's a form of Earth entertainment from centuries ago. It's called television."


Harry provided snacks and drinks while what he wanted to show was viewed. They watched four hours.

When it was over Krim looked at Harry. "That was quite the show. Rather low-tech in it's making."

Harry nodded. "It was made on my version of Earth before they could do anything more than launch satellites and send one or two into space. We didn't have artificial gravity technology. If you need a break take one now, I want to show you something else."

Krim spent a short time in the refresher and then watched the additional video. When it was done he said, "I don't understand."

"The first was a redo of this program. But what I really wanted to show you was the ship."

Krim turned and looked at Harry. "Why did I need to see the ship?"

Harry sighed. "There is something coming. There is going to be wide scale war. And I am not the type to be able to stay out of it. While I want a personal ship, as promised by the King, which I can fly around and use to help those that I wish to help and move things I wish to move, what I really want to do is to get designed and built a version of the ship we saw on the screen."

Krim was shocked. "Ignoring a number of problems, that would take billions of credits."

Harry nodded. "One reason I have involved myself in a number of profit making ventures. And what I really need to do right now is to allow the Engineers back on Earth to work out what magical shortcuts can be made to create the ship. Already Lars has come up with a rune sequence he wants me to test which should be a magical version of a bussard collector to collect interstellar gasses. Sometime in the next months, I will be coming back to Earth to power up a number of magical inventions. Lars has also thought about creating a magical version of a magnetic bottle."

Krim asked, "Why would that be important?"

Harry said, "Because if he's right, my ship wouldn't need to have a powered system to contain anti-matter. Anti-matter containment accounts for the vast majority of warp-core breaches. The ships using magical tech will hopefully be much less susceptible."

Krim was utterly speechless for a long moment. Finally he said, "That would change everything."

Harry nodded grimly. "And this is why I need absolute secrecy. I want to get a very large ship designed and built and ready to utterly scare the crap out of whatever power is coming – because there absolutely is something coming."