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INTERLUDE - THE REWARDS OF VIRTUE


(Three weeks ago.)

Benjamin Greyson, the American liaison between British and American aurors sent to Britain to help in the fight against Voldemort, stood beside his ambassador and watched the movers and shakers of English wizarding society from the sidelines. Or rather, he watched them as the ambassador, a lean, silver-haired wizard of immense dignity, provided a brief thumbnail sketch of who was who and what was what.

"English society is nothing like ours," began the ambassador. "While they purport to be a democracy, and make much of the two-house system of Parliament, one thing you will find is that, while the ministers control the government, there is usually always someone in the shadows, controlling the ministers."

Here he smiled thinly, cynically. "And perhaps someone behind the controller, also."

Ben took a moment to sip his champagne, wondering with distaste why events that took place under brilliant chandeliers and in the public eye always had so many shadows and undercurrents. Ben didn't like depths, undercurrents or shadows - he had no tolerance for deception or politicking, and he had made it well known. A blue-eyed, sandy haired man, the very image of the all-American male, he had a reputation for forthright, blunt dealing and for sticking to the rules - it had earned him the label of Boy Scout, more than once. And he was proud of it. England was a hot bed of politics and plotting, but he was determined not to be dragged down into the muck.

The ambassador continued. "You'll need to know the ministers, of course - but more importantly, you'll need to know the main players in the shadows, you know, who controls what and whom." He inclined his head to the right. "There - by the window - the pale blonde man, and the dark haired man next to him. Lucius and Luc Malfoy, respectively. They control a coalition of aristocrats called the High Clan, because two or three thousand years ago the ancestors of the High Clan swore allegiance to the first Lord Malfoy."

Ben blinked. "That's a long time to hold to an allegiance."

The ambassador laughed. "Oh, there've been infights since then - the Malfoy have just never been ousted." He looked away from the brothers Malfoy, then focused on another group of well-dressed, supremely confident guests. "The leaders of the High Clan, under the Malfoy - Rayden Lestrange," (a proud white-haired man with an earring) "who took over when his elder brother was sent to Azkaban; Dirk Courtney," he indicated a golden haired man with an insolent smile, "Luc Malfoy's right-hand man - and a very influential man in his own right..."

He went on, eyeing a black-haired, languid man lounging on the sofa. "Brandon Avery - who despite his apparent ennui is a very, very effective intriguer - don't ever get on his bad side, Grey. It's not worth it."

He paused. "There are others, of course - but most of them aren't worth mentioning, and you'll meet them, soon enough. Shan Andahni, Lestrange's cousin - he's not a major player, but he fits in so well with the rest of society, you can find yourself getting closer to him than is prudent. Rosier, McNair, Parkinson, Zabini and Bulstrode - they're all bit players, nothing on the scale of the Malfoy or Lestrange, Courtney and Avery - those four have the lineage, money, land and charisma to really influence. They're the dangerous ones."

The ambassador held his champagne up to the light, watching the play of the bubbles on the glass. "And there is one other." Taking a sip, he looked pensive for a moment. "Severus Snape, who could very well be one of the leaders of the High Clan - Lord knows he's got the lineage and the intelligence..." He smiled wryly. "However, for all that, he spends his time immured in the dungeons at Hogwarts, terrifying children and teaching Potions. In that order."

"Why?"

"Because he confessed to being a Death Eater. All these others," he made a gesture that encompassed the whole of the High Clan "they were all suspected of being Death Eaters - it was well known, but couldn't be proven - but Snape actually confessed. So while the others are feted, fawned over and enjoy all the benefits of money, power and position, Snape spends his life virtually imprisoned at Hogwarts teaching uncaring and unappreciative students."

His smile turned razor thin. "The rewards of virtue..."

Ben scowled. "That's not right."

"No, but that's the way the world works, Mr. Greyson. Look at Luc Malfoy. He is a bastard son of the Malfoy, but he controls the House of de Sauvigny - and not because his mother's husband chose him to follow after him. Luc fought his way to the top, using his Malfoy blood and the backing of the rest of the High Clan. Anyone who stood in his way died, until eventually he was the only candidate capable of ruling the House. All the others were dead, of accidents or Death Eaters. They were forced to choose him - even though he would, normally, not even have been considered for the position."

"I can see why," Ben murmured. "The House is now joined irrevocably to the Malfoy - no doubt the original founder would be rolling in his grave. So if they know that he got rid of them, then why hasn't he been arrested?"

Snorting, the ambassador scowled. "That knowledge only came from hindsight - years after Luc became tai-pan. By then, it was clear that he was a capable administrator, the books were showing a record profit and scions of the de Sauvigny were being treated with a new respect, for fear of Malfoy reprisal. The House was willing to forgive any old misadventures now that Luc was looking after them so well. So nobody wanted to face the combined backing of the House and the Malfoy to arrest him when there was absolutely no proof that he had anything to do with those deaths."

There was also the fact that it was in the Ministry's best interests that Luc remain tai-pan - he had adopted a policy of co-operation with the ministry that had led to great profit for them both, and since the next in line was a child, they didn't want to lose that lucrative partnership. It was best all around if Luc Malfoy, despite whatever sins he may have committed in the past, remain in charge and not someone else who might upset the satisfactory status quo.

Something the ambassador had said was troubling Ben. "The High Clan don't control all the Ministers, do they?"

"No, and not even most of them. They used to, but since Voldemort's rise, people are more wary of them."

"Then who controls the others?"

The ambassador smiled. "Albus Dumbledore."

"What? He's the Headmaster, not a political player."

"He doesn't need to be. They follow him out of loyalty."

"So the High Clan oppose Dumbledore?"

"Surprisingly not, or at least not all of the time. In fact, to further illustrate this, Dumbledore has hired Luc Malfoy to be this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I'm told it's a great honour, and a great show of co-operation."

"What?!! My son is going to attend Hogwarts this year. How could Dumbledore tolerate a man like that on his staff?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure he has a good reason. He's a very deep man, but he has his student's best interests at heart, in every decision he makes."

"You trust him."

"Oh yes," mused the ambassador. "I would trust him with not only my life, but my soul as well...your son will be safe at Hogwarts."

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