Of America
Chapter 2: The Stranger
In Boston, just off the waterfront, lies Faneuil Hall Marketplace. For muggles, it is simply a tourist attraction and shopping center. For wizards, it is the center of their world in New England. In the marketplace, there are tunnels made entirely of brick running through the buildings separating the marketplace from the next street over. There are several of them, but one is different from the rest. It is hidden from no-maj eyes by spells and wards. Even if someone, somehow, wandered into the space, they would find nothing other than a single barrel, and the strong sense they needed to be somewhere else. However, if a wizard or witch taps the barrel with the bottom of their wand, the bricks will part, and Faneuil Alley shall be revealed.
Compared to Diagon Alley, Faneuil Alley is smaller, as New York is close by and it has one of the largest wizarding alleys in the world. Faneuil is a bit cleaner and more open than the other two alleys and tends to be less crowded. With the Quidditch World Cup going on, it was busier than usual with all of magical peoples who had come to Boston for the group stage. Looking around the alley today, you could see supporters of the different teams in Group D marked by their distinctive wizarding robes and outfits. The Italian and English supporters could be hard to distinguish as their styles were very similar, but the Japanese and Egyptians stood out. The Japanese wizards wore robes similar in style to a kimono while the Egyptians wore short sleeves with a cape in place of the usual wizarding robes. There was also a good amount of people just in muggle clothing, particularly the younger wizards and witches. This new generation that was just reaching adulthood was a lot more integrated with the muggle world than the older ones. Harry and Ginny tended to wear muggle clothes most of the time, especially as they planned to spend some time in muggle Boston today.
Harry and Ginny were currently sat outside of a cafe eating breakfast. Ginny had the day off today before her last match of the group stage tomorrow night. All England had to do is win the game and they would move on to the round of 16. If they lost to Japan, the Japanese squad would move on, and England would go home. Harry was confident Ginny and her team would prevail. Japan's win had also come against Italy and had happened mostly by luck. The snitch had almost literally flew into the hand of the Japanese seeker, ending the match after only a half hour. England had been the favorite to win the group outright, but the Egyptian team was also very strong and had upset them. Their seeker, Rawya Zaghloul, was an emerging young star and was even being called, 'the female Viktor Krum.' She far outclassed England's seeker and is why England lost their match against them.
Harry was currently reading the New York Ghost as he ate his breakfast. He had filled Ginny in on his conversation with the aurors last night and was looking through the paper to see what was said about the attack. The main page was taken up with news about the cup. Ginny and her 'chosen one' (he still can't escape that nickname) had made page two. Krum and Zaghloul had made the third with a feature on the seekers of note in the world cup. Then, back on page four, the explosion in last night's match was finally found.
Explosion at England Vs. Italy Match
After the conclusion of England's victory over the Italian team, an explosion rocked the luxury box section of the stadium. Though there were a few minor injuries and two hospitalizations, there were no casualties. Authorities are blaming the blast on faulty fireworks that exploded while in transit to the top of the stadium where they would be let off. Security personnel and Aurors were quickly on the scene to ensure the public's safety and put out the small fires that had started. It is even rumored that Harry Potter was spotted assisting quenching the flames. He was also, reportedly, talking with some of his American Auror colleagues. Mr. Potter is of course a member of the British Auror Corps. and has been ever since…
The rest of the article rambled on about his time as an Auror back in England, bringing up some of his more high profile cases, including the capture of the last Death Eaters who had been free after the war. To the uninitiated, it seemed like just another article in the paper, but Harry was familiar with this kind of distraction as the Daily Prophet had been famous for this during the war. The Magical Congress of the United States of America had influence over this paper and was obviously trying to downplay the seriousness of the attack, just as Auror Bartlett said they would. Harry let out a grunt of frustration.
"What's wrong love?" Ginny asked.
"The explosion was hardly even mentioned and I take up most of the story about it," Harry replied with frustration in his voice. "It's just like how the Daily Prophet was back during the war, hiding the fact that anything is amiss. Instead they cover it up and blame it on faulty fireworks."
"From what I've heard, the Congress here is much like how the Ministry was before the war. It is very corrupt and is run by people with money who buy power."
Harry was silent and gave no reply. Ginny gave him a nudge on the shoulder before saying, "It's not our problem, we're only here until the end of the Cup. Then we get to go back home and get married."
Harry smiled instantly at this reminder and he leaned over the table, giving his fiance a kiss. Their conversation moved on to the subject of quidditch before they were interrupted by the vibration of his Mirror Comm. It showed that he had a connection request from Ronald Weasley. Curious as to why Ron would be calling him on his honeymoon, he answered. Ron's face appeared on the surface, his face was red from sunburn. Looking over his shoulder was Hermione who was very tan, but unburned. Their exposure to the Egyptian sun was evident.
"Good morning Ron, hi Hermione," Harry said. "How is Egypt?"
"It's morning there?" Ron asked. "It's mid-afternoon here. Man these time-zoner things are confusing."
"It's time zones," Hermione corrected, rolling her eyes at her husband. "Egypt is very lovely Harry. Egyptian culture and history is fascinating. The Library of Alexandria is astonishing. There is so much knowledge stored here. Did you know that the first real civilization, the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, were largely witches and wizards? With their help, the basis of modern civilization was born. Also..."
Ron rolled his eyes before he interrupted his wife. "Hermione, slow down. You can tell them all about Egypt when we get to New York. Aren't you forgetting the reason we called?"
Hermione huffed in annoyance at being interrupted. "You're right Ron. We heard about the explosion at the match and wanted to make sure both of you were okay. We were worried that Harry would get himself into trouble without us around."
"I was across the stadium when the explosion happened," Harry replied innocently.
"Yeah, and then you apparated straight to the scene and got yourself right into the middle of the action," Ginny cut in. "Then he goes off with some aurors to give a statement. He's supposed to be on vacation."
"Well that's fine, according to the news, it was an accident," Hermione said.
"Except it wasn't. It was a deliberate attack and apparently not the first of this type according to Harry's new auror friends. The government is covering it up so that the World Cup could go ahead. They may have had trouble hosting if word had got out, especially after what happened in the muggle world last fall."
"The terrorist attacks in New York last year already are having an impact," Harry said. "The wizarding community is having to be much more careful about how we are traveling. The muggles are very alert to any weirdness right now, worried that another attack may happen."
"What exactly did the aurors tell you?" Hermione asked.
Harry explained his conversation with Auror Bartlett. Once he finished, he told Ron and Hermione to be careful once they arrived in the US. The newlyweds agreed and wished Ginny luck in her match on the following day. Soon enough, the pair would be in the United States as well. They would be coming in a few days time to attend the International Quidditch Ball. They would then be staying for the rest of the Quidditch World Cup.
After breakfast, Harry and Ginny left Faneuil Alley and headed onto the streets of no-maj Boston. This was the one free day they had and the couple wanted to see the city. They went to the Boston Common and walked through the city for a while. They saw the Common, USS Constitution and other landmarks. In the afternoon, they attended a baseball game at Fenway (both didn't understand the attraction of the game as it was so slow paced when compared with quidditch). Finally after eating dinner together, Harry walked Ginny back to the English team's hotel where she would sleep and rest before the final match of the group stage.
The couple kissed passionately before they parted, loath to be parted even for such a short time. Harry then makes his way back to his hotel room, enjoying his walk through the city. He waves to the people at the front desk before taking the elevator up to his floor. Arriving at his door, he unlocks it with his key card and steps inside.
As he flicks the light on, he realizes that he is not alone. Sitting in the office chair, facing away from him, looking out the window, is a man. Harry immediately flicks his wrist, his wand shooting into his hand, and trains it on the figure. The man slowly turns before raising his hands, showing that he is not holding his wand. The man standing before him is tall, with a face angular and serious. He holds himself with a weight, an importance. It is a presence that commands attention.
"Peace Mr. Potter," the stranger says, his voice deep and soothing. "I am here to talk to you about what is happening right now."
"Forgive me if I don't take your word for it," Harry replies sarcastically.
He quickly casts the standard set of revealing charms that Aurors are trained to cast when confronted with an unknown person. He also notes that his sneakoscope, which he keeps on him at all times, had not gone off. Curiosity getting the better of him, he decides to let this play out and see what the person wants.
"Who are you, and what is happening right now?" Harry asks.
"Who I am is not important," the man states. "What I stand for, and what is going on here, in the American wizarding community, that is. MACUSA and the rest of the world stood by and watched what was happening when Voldemort returned. It was truly terrible and you have my condolences for the innocent lives that were lost."
"What does that have to do with what is happening here?"
"The MACUSA is rotten to the core, just like your government was. Corruption and greed run deep and the few who actually do care are quickly brushed aside. It wasn't always like this."
The man turns back to gaze out of the hotel room window, out across the Boston waterfront. His tone grows pensive as if he is recalling a bygone age.
"Back during the early 20th century, the MACUSA looked very different. It was run by either decedents of Native American magicians or some of the early European colonizers who had adopted their ways. Much of the world's magical community has been influenced by European wizards. As they No-Maj's expanded, so to did their wizarding counterparts. They spread their ways and demonized and destroyed thousands of years of traditions. We had remained mostly unchanged, choosing which innovations we allowed into our community."
The stranger took a deep breath and seemed to be collecting his thoughts. He turned back to look at Harry before continuing.
"It was this way until Grindelwald's rise to power. As he began his war alongside the muggles, the MACUSA was seen as a safe-haven. We had seemingly fought him off and even at one point captured him, though he ultimately escaped. Wizards and witches from all across Europe immigrated here. We welcomed them with open arms as most who came were relatively wealthy. We gave them seats in our government and helped them establish new lives here after being forced from their old ones. For a time all was well, but before long, greed overtook the newcomers. Using the wealth, they began to buy out seats, gaining a majority over our government. They began making us more like systems across the Atlantic. Some changes were good, even I will admit that, but the core became black and sick. Bribery and blackmail became the ways to power. Much of our own identity was lost. Now our system is broken and no one can fix it because those in power will never let it go. Your war was good for you and your system, it cleaned out the infection."
"Nothing that Tom did was good, it was only evil and for his own selfish gains," Harry stated confidently.
The man began to pace along the window, glancing occasionally over to where Harry stood with his wand still drawn.
"That is what he intended, but what about after the war? What your ministry and the wizarding community have achieved since the war ended is amazing. You have done away with hundreds of years of oppression and corruption within your system. You and your friends have been elevated to positions of power and influence due to the fact that your competition was essentially wiped out during the war. You are personal friends of the Minister and are quickly making your way up the chain of command in the Auror office."
Harry bristled at this statement and began to object. The stranger made a calming motion before continuing.
"I'm not taking that away from you. You have achieved much since joining the Aurors and would be moving up anyway. Your fame is aiding you though, as well as your friends. Take Ms. Granger, sorry, Mrs. Weasley now. She is a muggleborn and before the war likely would have had trouble getting even a base level job in your ministry. Now because of the changes and the fact that she is a part of your trio, she is quickly rising through the ranks and could even one day become minister. Her husband, your soon to be brother in law is co-owner of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes which most of the world will soon own one of their Mirror Comms. My point is that what Voldemort did was evil, but the ending has resulted in some good."
The figure walked a bit closer to Harry and looked him in they eye. Harry noticed his amber colored eyes and sensed the intelligence behind them.
"All I want is to put the right people in power. Unfortunately, all of my group's attempts to do this 'the right way' has been thwarted by the rich bribing various officials. So we devised a plan, cause chaos. Make the MACUSA notice us and force them to take action. Expose those people for what they truly are."
The man paused his monologue, letting Harry think about what he had said. Harry, thinking quickly about everything the stranger had said, as well as everything he had learned from the Aurors yesterday, quickly came to a realization.
"How is bombing public places getting you towards your goal?" Harry asked.
"Have you noticed they have been covered up? I'm sure that you were unaware of any attack before coming here and seeing the one last night. The MACUSA had kept a tight leash on any information getting out about the attacks. They have been using their control over the newspapers to keep things quiet. We have our own newspapers and magazines that are being published with what is being covered up. These sources have a small following now, but it is quickly growing as people realize that they are telling the truth."
"What about the innocents who have been hurt by your attacks?" Harry questioned.
"Do you not think it strange that with so many large attacks, there have been no deaths?" the man asked. "We choose our targets carefully and ensure that it is property damage for the most part. Some injuries are unavoidable and are for the greater good. Your mentor Dumbledore understood that."
Harry's blood ran cold at those words. In the years since the war ended, he had read more about Dumbledore from history books as well as his own personal diaries, which he had discovered were put in the Potter vault after Dumbledore died. His readings had led him to completely change how he looked at his old headmaster.
"We just want a chance to make our world a better place. We are holding a rally three days from now. I would like you to come and see it for yourself. You can even bring your fiancé along. I promise you both safety."
"Why would I want to attend?"
"Your curiosity will get the better of you, think of all the information you could gather. I am well aware you will go straight to the Aurors."
The man walks up next to Harry, ignoring the wand still pointing at him. He offers a piece of paper. Harry reaches out with his left hand and takes it. He looks down at the writing. The writing on it is neat and tidy. It says, 'Shoreline Rd, Warehouse 3.'
"Don't bother trying to share the location with anyone else other than Ms. Weasley, it has been protected. I do hope you will accept the invitation."
"Why shouldn't I arrest you right now for trespassing?" Harry asks the stranger.
"You could try, but once again, your curiosity about our movement will prove stronger. Have a good night Mr. Potter."
With that, the stranger slides past Harry, opening the door and making his way out of his hotel room. Harry lets out a sigh of relief now that he is alone. He sits down on the edge of the bed and thinks on what has just occurred and the ramifications of the stranger's statements.
Author's Note: Here it is finally. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Sets up a lot of stuff. More to follow.