I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 7: The Assembly of United Magicians

After a final checkpoint, Harry marveled at all the extra security, they were ready to board the train that would take them to the Assembly of United Magicians, which was located in Iowa. This train was quite a bit like the one that took them to school each year. It was a huge red steam engine with many Pullman cars. The difference was that this train was also outfitted with sleeping compartments, a restaurant car, and several of the cars had been converted into lush offices. Tala had explained that since the United States was such a large country they often had to sleep, eat and do business on the train. Her father had his own car, currently at the station in New Mexico, which he used when he was on business for the ministry.

Plymouth was a very busy starting off point for many travelers coming to the United States, and Harry could see, as he wandered off to take a better look, loaded down with varying degrees of luggage, almost a hundred witches and wizards wandering about.

While he was looking around, waiting for Tala to return with their boarding passes, he was asked for directions by a harried looking witch in green robes and a lopsided orange hat, an old wizard in a checkered suit and a cloak decorated with silver suns and moons, and a young woman who had a crying child at her hip. He wasn't sure why they thought he knew his way around the place, so he pointed each of them to the information deck. The station was large and palatial, with marble columns holding up the palisade and wide steps leading up to the docks and down to the train platform. He could see people boarding busses which were painted orange, and, unlike the Knight Bus, were only one deck. In several places he saw launches for brooms and apparation points. In one section along the east wall, were a line of fireplaces, where, like in the Ministry of Magic, people were forming lines to leave, and others were appearing covered in soot and looking a little dazed. Another person approached him, and Harry, without thinking, lifted his arm to point at the Information Desk again. But this wizard did not speak to Harry, he merely looked closely at him, and Harry, realizing a moment late, hastily tried to smooth his hair down over his forehead.

"Are you Harry Potter?" The young Wizard said loudly, and several people turned to stare at him. "The Harry Potter?"

Harry couldn't see the point in denying it, so he nodded his head. The man rushed forward to shake his hand. "I can't believe it! What are you doing here in America, touring?"

"No, I just..." He stammered.

A crowd was now forming, and he heard whispers and exclamations. "Is it really him?" "The one who ended all that trouble over in England?" "Didn't you hear, You-know-who came back." "Are you here to get reinforcements, Mr. Potter?" "Best not ask the Session, it'll be ten years before they can make a decision whether or not to change their robes, let alone this." A rustle of laughter, and Harry found himself getting his hand shaken over and over. He looked desperately around for assistance.

"Er...I mean...I really just..." He said, getting claustrophobic with the group now gathering in closer and closer.

"Make way, coming through! Move it or I'll hex you! No, I'm not kidding." Moody was pushing his way through the crowd, causing several angry exclamations. He grabbed Harry's arm and towed away, his forbidding looks frightening off all but the most determined. "I thought I told you to stay with the group." He said angrily.

"I just wanted to look around." Harry replied fretfully. The train was now coming back into view, his friends standing there with worried looks.

"Didn't you stop to think that Voldemort just might have supporters here too?" Moody demanded. Harry hadn't thought, so he shook his head, chastened.

"Harry, we were worried." Hermione said as they approached, Moody still with a death grip on Harry's arm.

"I'm alright," He muttered.

"Professor Lupin went off to look for you...oh, here he comes." Hermione continued, as the form of their former DADA professor emerged from the crowd, moving at a fast pace towards them.

"I'm just glad that Harry's snake was transfigured, otherwise it might have attacked." Moody rumbled. Harry stared at him, he should have known that Moody's eye could see what was wrapped around his wrist. Did Moody think that he had acquired Cord for extra protection? "A little unorthodox, I admit, Harry, but it might come in handy if you keep it under control. Thinking outside the box is a good trait in an Auror." He grunted approvingly.

"Snake," Ginny asked nervously, "What snake?" She had had a fear of the creatures ever since her ordeal in her first year at Hogwarts. Hermione looked at him through narrowed eyes, suspecting that it wasn't as clear-cut as Moody assumed. Particularly since he had kept it from her.

Harry looked at Ginny, then pulled back the sleeve of his robe to expose the Cord bracelet that Lupin had transfigured. "I call him Cord." He said, attempting to keep his tone light and nonchalant. "You don't have to worry," He continued, addressing his statement to the group so Ginny didn't think he was talking only to her. "I have him completely under control. I'll introduce you when the Professor changes him back." He glanced at Lupin, who was nodding slightly.

Just then, Tala rejoined them. "Everyone ready?" She said, holding out their boarding passes. They all nodded and took them, though Ginny was still eyeing Harry's wrist apprehensively. They followed Tala onto the train, lugging their bags, brooms and various animal cages with them. She showed them their sleeping compartments, which were in divided boxcars, one for the boys, one for the girls, in one car, one for Moody, and one for Tala and Remus in the other.

They were surprisingly spacious and even had two armchairs apiece aside from the beds, and a small table from which they could eat their meals and watch the scenery passing by. The dividers between the two spaces were plush burgundy velvet curtains and the blankets on the beds were monogrammed with the words "Assembly Express."

"It won't take too long to get to The Assembly," Tala told them, "It's the only stop. We should be there in about ten hours." She smiled at them. "So try and keep yourselves occupied and get some sleep. After Iowa, we will be taking the train to Ambersville, then to broom for the short hop to the Facility. See you in a bit, I'm going to try and get some sleep and recover from that ghastly boat trip." She turned, then paused and looked over her shoulder, her hand on the door to the next car. "The restaurant car is three down, in case you're hungry." Then she slid the door open and disappeared through.

They looked at each other and sighed.

"How many games did we get in in five hours, do you think?" Ron asked Harry through a mouthful of Pumpkin Pasty. They had slept the other five.

"Too many." Harry murmured, poking at a package labeled, 'Camplin's All Meal Bars.' He ripped one open and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully as he contemplated the board.

"Get a move on!" One of his knights yelled at him. He had named that one after Sir Cadogan. The flavor of a salad with Caesar dressing filled his mouth.

"These things are odd," He said thickly, as the taste of warm, creamy lemon soup replaced the salad.

"Let's have one." Ron said, and Harry tossed him another. He moved one of his rooks, and the knight groaned. 'Now we're done for.'

"I could use a bit more support!" Harry grumped at him. He now seemed to be chewing a piece of delicately and perfectly cooked filet mignon.

"Hmm..." Ron said thoughtfully as he chewed, "So, that's what that lobster bisque we had in fourth year tasted like. I should've had some." Harry chuckled.

"How are Fleur and Bill getting along?" He asked, as he finished up the bar with a spectacular bit of chocolate cream pie.

"Swimmingly." Ron replied. "They've moved in together, which mum doesn't like, but they're planning to get married, which she does like. She has Fleur in a right state with meddling in wedding plans. And she keeps tearing up and talking in an undertone about all her babies growing up and having babies of their own."

"Sounds like fun."

"Nerve racking is more like." Ron stated, making a move on the board that made all his pieces murmur appreciatively.

Harry tried to concentrate on the board, half-listening to the advice his intrepid knight was giving him. He and Ron had had a mild confrontation with Hermione earlier over his keeping Cord a secret. She had castigated Ron for not telling her, and Harry for taking the snake in the first place, for she had dragged the entire story out of him. Ron had gotten very red in the face and for once, hadn't been able to come up with an argument in his defense. When Hermione had stormed off, he went after her, and returned a while later with a disgruntled look on his face. Harry decided not to press him for details on the incident. He hoped that the two of them would work things out. He was glad that they seemed on the road to couple-dom, but with how bumpy that road was, he also hoped that they would survive.

Tala and Lupin seemed to have things right, they supported each other, and, while their arguments could be explosive, Harry had seen but one, they were quickly over and everything soon went back to normal.

Tala had been acting secretive ever since they had gotten off the boat, and he wondered if they had a surprise in store for him and the others. She would make allusions to it not being long now, and Harry didn't think she was referring to arriving in Iowa or New Mexico. Lupin was acting a little strangely as well, talking about a big day ahead, and grinning while turning a bit red along the cheekbones.

He decided to bring it up to Ron and found that he hadn't even had a clue that something was going on besides the trip. Just then, he heard Hermione make that, oh, so familiar, tutting noise behind him.

"Well, going to clue an apparently clueless boy in?" He asked her, twisting around to see her pulling back the curtains.

"Why should I?" she said stubbornly. "I mean, it's not like you tell ME anything."

Harry scratched his head, while Ron kept his eyes on the board, his mouth in a line. "I told you I was sorry, Hermione." He said. "Forgive me?" He looked at her in a deliberately overdone, pleading manner.

She tried to keep her disapproving expression, but Harry could see a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, just tell him, Hermione," Ginny said suddenly, appearing at her shoulder and winking at Harry, "With those puppy-dog eyes he's giving you I'm surprised you haven't buckled already. Tell him or I will."

Harry grinned at her, he liked her mischievous side. "You heard the lady, Hermione."

"Oh, fine." Hermione moved over and perched herself on the arm of Ron's chair. "They haven't said as much, but I'm suspecting they are going to New Mexico to get married."

"Married!" Ron yelped, forgetting to pretend that he wasn't listening. "Why didn't they just tell us?"

Hermione shrugged, "Maybe it's a wolf thing." Ron grimaced at her. "Don't look at me like that," She said crossly, shoving him in the shoulder. "It's either that, or they're not sure that they CAN get married, so they wanted to wait to tell us until they were sure."

"Why wouldn't they be able to?" Harry asked.

"Well, I was reading a book on werewolves, and it had a section on marriage legislation. It gives the right of dissolution to the spouse of anyone who gets lycanthropy. And it also had a brief blurb about needing the signature of a certified expert on the condition on the marriage license in order for the union to be legal." Hermione frowned terribly. "They apparently didn't think that that it would be used very often."

"That's awful," Harry scowled, "Having to get permission. No wonder Lupin was so put out by the check-in he had to do before we left England."

"And guess who wrote the law." Harry stared at her, realization dawning. "Yes, Umbridge."

"That..." Ron spluttered, lost for words.

"Well, it's no wonder he hates her, then," Ginny commented wryly. She had moved to sit cross-legged on Harry's bed. "I would hate anyone who forced me to get permission to like someone and want to marry them. Plus, didn't she draft that legislation that makes it nearly impossible for him to find work?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded, "You should hear Tala expounding on the subject sometime. She's been fighting for werewolf rights since she was old enough to speak, I think."

Ginny had been staring at the chess board. She leaned over and whispered to Harry, "He'll have you check-mated in two moves."

"See! See!" His knight howled. Harry groaned and buried his face in his arms.

He was saved from humiliating defeat by a disembodied voice that echoed through the cabin, "We are now approaching the Assembly of United Magicians. Please make sure that you collect all your belongings and prepare to disembark."

Harry leaned past Ron to look out the window.

"What do you see?" Ginny asked.

"Looks like corn." He replied.

"That's it?" Ron peering out as well, "Oh, wait, I think I see something." They were rounding a slow bend. "Looks like a mountain." A moment later. "Looks like we're going inside." It got dark in the cabin and the lanterns flashed on.

"Welcome to the Assembly of United Magicians," The voice echoed. "We will be disembarking shortly."

"Are there supposed to be mountains in Iowa?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Not to the best of my knowledge." She said with a raised eyebrow. "But I've read that the Assembly is supposed to be huge, as it incorporates both the wizards of the east coast and the wizards of the west coast, who have historically been separated into contending factions. The Assembly was only built about a hundred years ago, when they decided they should share their knowledge instead of keeping it to themselves." Trust Hermione's encyclopedic knowledge of all things magical.

Just then Lupin entered, fully dressed in his best robes, blue and silver, which Tala had purchased on his behalf, and with his case in his hand. He looked very serious. "You can leave everything here, as we'll be taking this train on to Ambersville. This should not take too long." He led them down the steps to where Tala and Moody were waiting. "I'm going to make a short speech to the Session, to prepare them for another group who is going to come and try and further preparations in the States against Voldemort." He continued, outlining what he was going to say, but the young people were barely listening, even Hermione, who always paid attention.

It was massive. It was, as Ron had put it, a veritable mountain. The part that they were in was open to the very top and they could see floor upon floor of offices surrounding it on all sides, most with wizards and wizards busily rushing around. At the front desk, which was fully twenty feet around, they surrendered their wands for checking, and Lupin spoke briefly to the wizard who was checking them in. The old man nodded and scribbled on a piece of paper, which he tapped once with his wand, saying, "Session Office," and set it at the mouth of a tube behind him. It rushed away. They were given back their wands, and they walked off, following Tala, who knew the way, their feet adding to the clatter on the highly polished wooden floors, and their eyes trying to see every which way at once. Everything was polished dark wood, gleaming marble and gilding, gargoyles peered at them from every shadowed corner and every fifty feet there was a fountain, each showing a mystical creature in motion and adding more noise to the clamoring air.

A few of the Assembly members recognized Tala and hailed her briefly. She nodded to each of them, adding a dazzling smile, before letting them know she was in a hurry. The people that greeted her were as varied as Harry had seen at the world cup, some dressed in buckskin, with coppery faces like hers, some of Asian descent, with silk robes in colorful hues and soft slippers, Scandinavian, blond and tall, African, who favored the conical, flat-topped hats and striped colorful robes. It seemed every nation's wizarding community was represented here.

There were many doors leading off of this, the main chamber, staircases, some of them moving like the ones in Hogwarts, and various lifts. A few people, particularly those who had offices on the top floors, just Apparated rather than facing the climb. And those parts of the walls that didn't contain doors were occupied with pictures of famous witches and wizards. Harry even saw a portrait of Dumbledore on one of the walls. The painting gave him a wink, then disappeared into the side of his frame.

Harry wondered what Dumbledore was up to at the moment. He had received a few letters from him over the summer, but the old wizard was still secretive over his activities. Harry understood a little better this year, and, though he still wished that Dumbledore would be completely honest with him, he was glad he could at least look him in the eye again.

He snapped back to attention as the group stopped in front of a pair of doors, intricately carved with spiraling patterns, with the entire solar system raised and gilded. Remus took a deep breath, and pushed them open. The room they reveled was a circular amphitheater, the lower tiers filled with witches and wizards in formal robes. But in this room, unlike the rest of the building, the occupants were all Americans. As this was the American Session, this was to be expected. But when Harry looked up, he saw many other magicians from many other nations, filtering in and leaning over the rails expectantly. Tala gave Remus a kiss on the cheek, then led the others into seats in the back row, where they could watch.

A quiet sort of pride filled Harry as he watched Professor Lupin stride confidently down the aisle between the seats, the assembled falling into silence when he assumed the podium. He knew that this must be an effort for Lupin, who was a private man by nature. He glanced at Tala, who was gazing down at him, the same pride that Harry was feeling shining from her intent face.

A tall and venerable looking wizard with long sweeping brown hair stood, his golden robes shimmering in the lights of the lamps, and even those few who were still murmuring fell silent. "We have the great pleasure of welcoming you here today, Professor Lupin, and I assure you we will listen to your words with great attention." He looked around at the assemblage, "We have called Session today to address the issue of one Lord Voldemort," Harry saw a few people flinch. "There are few here that do not remember the terror that, for thirteen years, this one dark wizard wrought on the country of England. And even as he was thrown down, now proven temporarily, he was developing support in other countries, sadly, including our own. Now we have been given proof that he has regained his power, and is once again seeking followers to continue his evil work. We must listen carefully, and judge our hearts, and hopefully come to a conclusion that we should not make the mistake of once again waiting too long." He sat down to tumultuous applause.

Professor Lupin cleared his throat. "I thank you for your kind introduction, President Godfreight. And I will try to keep my remarks brief, as I will soon be journeying on to New Mexico." He paused, and smiled directly up at where those who had accompanied him from England were sitting. "To marry one of your own, a Miss Tala Snowfoot." There was scattered applause and murmuring, and Harry saw Tala stifle back a choked laugh. "She has great pride in you as a governing organization and as a country, and from her tales, I hope to share her pride."

He turned back to the Session. "I have come here today, to assure you that it is indeed true that Voldemort has returned, and, even in his return, he has added to the lives he had taken and destroyed. I am here to assure you that, even now, we are readying ourselves for a battle to prevent the taking of more. And I am here to implore you to steel yourselves, and lend us aid before the infection that is the trademark of Lord Voldemort, destroys our country, then moves on. For he will, you can be assured that he will. As he is allowed to gain in power and influence, he will spread it. How can we allow this? Have not enough lives have been lost? Have we not sacrificed enough? The list of those who have fallen before the influence of Voldemort is extensive, The McKinnons, the Bones, the Prewetts..." He continued on, naming name after name. Some Harry had known of, many more that he had not. Harry felt his throat tighten and he had to swallow a sob. "Benjy Fedwick, Caradoc Dearborn," He had seen the faces of these people, knew the remainders of these broken families, "...the Potters, and only their son Harry, whom I am sure you know the story of, remains of that great, old family.

"His supporters tortured the Longbottoms into insanity even after his powers had been broken and he had fled. He killed a witch after breaking her mind, Bertha Jorkins. And on the night of his return he murdered a young man, a fine young man whom I once had the pleasure of teaching," A muscle worked along his jaw, "for simply being unnecessary. Cedric Diggory, remember Cedric. The members of the Hogwarts school have made it a saying, a motto, to steel themselves against Voldemort. Students, children, already under Voldemort's shadow. Remember Cedric.

"And even in the past few months we lost a very dear friend of mine, whose life had been torn apart by Voldemort before his temporary defeat, and was just beginning to mend when he was murdered by his own cousin. Family and friends have no meaning to those who follow Voldemort. Make your name a reality, stand united with us, and we will stand against this threat to our entire world. Remember this, remember those names, remember Cedric."

Harry was finally able to turn his eyes away from his professor, and he looked around. Hermione was quietly weeping, and Ron, whose face was very pale, had his arm comfortingly around her shoulders. Tala had tears running down her face, her tilted green eyes still fastened upon her soon-to-be husband. Ginny was shaking beside him, and he, without thinking, reached over and squeezed her hand, she looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, then grabbed his fingers in her own, holding tight as though gathering strength from the contact. Harry could see tear-shining eyes in every tier, faces set in grim lines. A few of the witches and wizards were weeping openly.

Lupin had only one more statement to make, simple so as not to take away from the main message. "I thank you for your time." The entire session, and even the wizards and witches in the viewing balcony, rose to their feet as one in a sign of silent respect as Lupin made his way back down the aisle, gathering his group as he strode out the door.

"Oh, Remus." Tala said tearfully, before embracing him and holding him tightly. He looked exhausted.

"Professor?" Harry said timidly. Lupin looked at him questioningly. "Well done, sir." Ginny nodded beside him, still holding his hand.