Black Dawn – Book 2 (Exodus)
Chapter 8
--------------------------------------------- Department of Magical Affairs – Washington D.C., United States ----------------------------------------------
The uniformed soldiers who stood guard over, as they referred to it, "The Room", never questioned the sudden appearance, nor strange dress or mannerisms of the people who entered or exited "The Room". Today would be no different.
They stiffened slightly as they heard the all too familiar 'pop' noise indicating someone was about to walk out. A tall man with mostly red hair and a striking woman with grey streaked black hair stepped out of the room, and appeared to stare at the wall for a few minutes. The tall one turned to the nearest soldier. "Good, er morning. I'm Minister Weasley."
"Yes, sir. What can I do for you?" They sergeant asked.
"I ah, that is we need to see your department head."
The young soldier nodded. He knew the answers to all the questions. "That would be Senator Joe Paulus."
"Thank you young man." The couple walked off in the direction the sergeant had pointed.
"Hey Paul." The sergeant's companion said after they were out of earshot.
"Yeah?"
"Ever wonder…"
Paul cut him off. "No Joe, I don't."
Joe made a noncommittal noise and went back to waiting. All they knew was there was a button on the desk in front of them, and if the red light ever glowed they were to push the button and shoot anyone who exited the room.
--------------------------------------------- Senator Paulus's Office – Pentagon -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe Paulus was a man reaching middle age rapidly, his once muscular body had become bulky in ways that made him feel uncomfortable. His youth spent playing football, and other sports had toned him up, and his stint in the military had certainly kept the athletic form he had enjoyed as a youth. The death of his wife and children had torn him apart, and left adrift from what everyone else had claimed was real. Joe's wife never knew he was a wizard. To her he was a congressman who had ties to the military complex and spent most of his time in a Pentagon office.
In reality, Joe would never be voted out of office, he was the sole voice of four million witches and wizards in the United States and their protectorates. Simply put, he was quite possibly the most powerful wizard in the world short of Ivan Kerchov, of the Волшебное Министерство Существований, the Soviet Union's Ministry of Magical Beings, who presided over seven million witches and wizards.
Joe and Ivan had lunch on Tuesdays, typically catered in from café's all over Europe and the Americas. Today was such a Tuesday.
"Ivan, what have you heard about Australia?" Joe asked carefully.
"It is a small country in the South Pacific, Joe." Ivan answered poking at the dish in front of him. "What is this?"
"Um, it's a traditional French dish." Joe said reading the card and staring glumly at his own plate.
"Made the call Joe, I refuse to eat this." He pushed the plate away. "Tell her Ivan wants the big burger and fries." He rubbed his hands together like a child at Christmas.
Joe picked up the phone and waited for his secretary to answer. "Carol, could you run down to Mc's and get us something decent to eat? Ivan wants a super-sized Big Mac." He listened. "Right, get something for me and yourself too. No, I'll buy today. Thanks Carol."
"Why do you always subject me to nasty food Joe, I thought we were friends?" Ivan's humor was old news to Joe.
"I'm trying to kill you off; I'm hoping your successor isn't as pig-headed."
Ivan laughed. "Joe, Joe, Joe I will take much more than bad cuisine."
The door to Joe's office opened, and both men looked up in shock. "I'm not to be disturbed!"
A man and woman obviously magical were standing there. "My apologies Senator Paulus." The woman said extending her hand in greeting. "Chairman Kerchov, how lovely to see you again."
"Julia?" Joe sat down staring at the woman and then something clicked. "You must be Arthur Weasley."
"Yes, yes I am." Arthur extended his hand.
"We were just discussing you." Ivan said. Joe shot him a warning look. "Joe it's not like its secret, hell my friend they are the only ones who can explain it to me." Ivan crossed his arms over his chest. "So the lovely Minister of Australia and well, frankly I have no idea what you call yourself Weasley, have come to America to talk to Joe Paulus. Would you be offering something? Explain this please."
Joe picked up his phone and dialed "Carol, pick up two more meals and clear my schedule for today. No visitors, no calls." He put the phone down. "Now then, what is going on in the Pacific Rim, and what has it got to do with us?"
Julia sat down leaving Arthur the focus of attention. "Gentlemen; thank you for listening, however it's time that listening is set aside. I am sure you all know my son in law?" He paused and pulled out his wand flicking it out and an image of Harry and Ginny came into focus. "Harry Potter." He let this settle a bit.
"Harry Potter is dead." Ivan said. "He was on a ship; it went down in the Bay of Bengal. No survivors."
"Oh, I assure you the Merlin's Beard went down. But there were no survivors because no one was on the ship at the time. I was with Harry when we made our trek out of England." He paused. "Recently it has come to the attention of many of us that the path we are on is one of doom, and destruction. We have been hiding from the muggles when all that is doing is creating a society of elitism. It's time to tear that structure down.
"Earlier this month, Telisin Colony was established. The Colony is designed to become the global seat of government for al of the magical beings, and act as the primary point of contact and liaison with the muggle governments."
Ivan stood. "You are mad Weasley."
"No, you misunderstand Chairman Kerchov. I have no intent on waging a war. I ask you simply to join us as friends and equals. Come and see what Telisin is offering. I am sure you will be surprised." Julia dropped a pair of plastic strips on the table. "They are one-use Portkeys into the Ministry Building. Please feel free to visit us."
Ivan looked at his. It had his named woven into the fibers of the plastic. "You knew I'd be here then?"
"No I knew." Julia said. "I have worked with Joe for several years; I knew Tuesdays were your lunch days. So I brought yours as well."
Arthur looked a bit surprised, but recovered gracefully. "Yes, well then, please take any opportunity to visit. Now, I'd like to discuss some things…"
They talked about various aspects of the new government, and potential re-opening of the floo, Portkey, and owl post. After an hour they stood and Arthur and Julia bade their good byes, heading for "The Room". Joe and Ivan discussed the visit for several hours following the departure of the two wizards from Australia.
--------------------------------------------------- Ministry of Magical Beings – Kiev, Soviet Union ----------------------------------------------------------
The drab office interior was just like Chairman Kerchov liked it. It was plain, almost barren. On his desk was a picture of a woman in her late forties, surrounded by children. They waved whenever Ivan's eyes slid over the picture. Today the rolls of parchment were far more numerous than ever before. The English Minister of Magic had actually had the audacity to demand that he bend to her will. They should band together to defend their way of life from the upstart Weasley.
He fingered the plastic band for the hundredth time that day. With a sigh, Ivan stood up and walked to the fire dropping in a pinch of powder, and in his deep voice "Katrina Kerchov."
His wife's loving face hovered in the fire. "Ivan dear, what is the matter?"
"I am going on a short trip Katty. I'm not sure I'll return in time for dinner."
"You are going to see Arthur Weasley then?"
Ivan looked at the plastic band. "Yes. I must hear them out at least. The English Minister of Magic is becoming forceful."
His wife smiled. "I'll keep something warm Ivan. Be careful."
He smiled back, and closed the connection. "Marrik! Get your shifty ass in here!" He bellowed.
A young wizard opened the door. "Yes Chairman Kerchov?"
"Marrik, I'm going to Australia. I will be returning tonight. Do not allow anyone in my office. Understood?"
The wizard bowed. "Yes Chairman Kerchov." The door shut. Kerchov sealed it from his side, and activated the Portkey.
---------------------------------------------------- Department of Magical Affairs – Washington D.C., United States ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Senator Paulus…" Susan Bones was cut off.
"Minister Bones, I fully well understand your plight, however at this time, the United States is taking a wait and see attitude to the Australia problem. We will not be engaging in another war so soon after that whole Voldemort – thing."
"But this could be far more devastating." Her tone had become steadily harsher
"Ah, Minister Bones! How lovely to see you again." The words came from the doorway. "Senator Paulus and I have lunch meetings on Tuesdays you see."
"Yes Chairman Kerchov, I am aware of that fact." Susan said almost exasperated.
"Then you won't mind showing yourself out?" Ivan said more as a statement of command than as a question.
"I see, yes I think that would be appropriate about now." Susan gathered her supplies and left.
Ivan pulled out his wand and cast a silencing charm on the room, he then opened a leather bag and pulled out a series of devices setting them on Joe's desk one at a time, consulting them until he felt comfortable. "I am sorry Joe; one cannot be too safe some days."
"Ivan, you've not been like this since the Cold War." He looked at his friend with obvious worry in his eyes.
"Another war starts soon Joe, what side are you taking?" Ivan asked simply. "The united States cannot remain neutral."
Joe sighed and age seemed to creep into him. "I know. I have asked the Governors, and they in turn are asking their people. It's all very democratic you see, California wants to remain neutral and succeed, the east coast wants to remain with the old loose Federation, and of course the Midwest states think we should throw in with the new Confederation."
Paulus sighed again and toyed with a quill. "Honestly Ivan, I don't know what we are going to do."
Ivan looked at his friend. "It's a republic."
Joe glared. "It's a democracy."
"Republic."
"Democracy damn you! Everyone has a vote!"
"Republic, you don't listen to the votes, you listen to the representatives, it is therefore a republic."
"Does this have any bearing on the problem with the Confederation?" Joe snapped.
"No, but it does raise the point of why you are short with me after almost twenty years of working together for peace and you can't keep a civil tongue in your mouth since Cathy passed on." Joe's open mouth clamped shut. He had crossed the line he knew, but he also knew what was at stake. "You have shut yourself up in this god forsaken office, and the only people you see is myself and Carol, bless her soul, you can put up with you for more than five minutes at a time."
"How dare…" Joe's voice dripped with malice.
"Joe, kindly shut up." Ivan placed a document on the desk and passed it to his friend. "You and I have been friends far too long, and now it's time you listened for once. The Soviet Union has pledged to follow Arthur Weasley. I know you haven't gone yet, come now. Allow me to show you why."
Joe looked at the document signed less than a day ago, pledging the might of the Soviet Union to aid the new Confederation. "What about Cristen?"
Ivan's laugh startled Joe. "Cristen signed the day they left here. We are all sick of hiding." He placed a large hand on Joe's shoulder. "My friend, I do not wish to oppose you in a war."
Joe reached into a drawer and pulled out the plastic band. "So what do they eat there?"
"Ah, I believe it's called Shrimp On The Barbie. I've no idea why, but it is amazing."