A/N: Thank you to all those that have been reviewing. I'm open to suggestions to the story so please R/R. Thanks to my betas Shadowssongs, Rivenn, haydenrocks14, and IamSiriusgrl. The leaders here I just made up so I don't really know who the leaders of the centaurs are but for the sake of this story it'll be Ronan.

Disclaimer: I wish I could be as good as JK Rowling but I'm not. This is her stuff and not to mention the influence that this story took from various fanfics.

Chapter 31
The Alliance of Magic

The day of the meeting arrived and it was decided that it would take place down in the main courtyard at Hogwarts to make it easier for the centaurs. A tent was erected to shield everybody from the elements should it rain or get too hot or cold that day. Inside of the tent looked like a beautiful gallery. There was a large round table with enough seats for everybody with the exception of the centaurs because they were going to stay on their hoofs the entire time. In the middle of the tent above the round table was a beautiful glass chandelier. From the inside, you can see through the tent out into the open field around the meeting area so the meeting will not feel restricted.

Harry, Kayla, and Ginny showed up first dressed in the Patriots uniform accompanied by Tonks and Remus dressed in formal black robes. The Order showed up next with Dumbledore accompanied by McGonagall and Kingsley while dressed in the uniform for the Order of the Phoenix. The Order's uniform was a light blue trimmed in white with a screaming attacking phoenix on their cloaks in white. The name of the person wearing the uniform was on the back above the screaming phoenix. The centaurs arrived next dressed in camouflage that covered most of their body to blend in with the forest. The house elves showed up shortly after the centaurs with all of them very well dressed and clean all of which wearing completely white outfits. The ministry showed up next led in by Arthur Weasley with all of them dressed in formal robes. The last group to show up was the goblins with the head goblin dressed in an all gold outfit and his head assistant in silver with the last one dressed in bronze.

Harry spoke up first and said "I want to welcome everybody to this meeting to discuss an alliance to fight against Voldemort." Nobody shivered except for McGonagall, Kingsley, and the Ministry, which did not reflect well on them with all the other groups gathered.

Houseman spoke up first and said "Harry Potter, it is to my understanding that you are not on good terms with the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix." Harry nodded and he continued to say "Why is it that you wish to allow them to participate in this treaty?"

Harry said "Please everybody call me Harry, just Harry. Although I am not on good terms with the Ministry and the Order, they both negotiated a chance to voice their opinions here today because I am unable to leave the school."

The magical creatures nodded their understanding and the head centaur Ronan said "Harry, I have no problems aligning myself with you or with the goblins and house elves because we were all treated poorly by the Ministry so I wish to discuss that first before we allow the Ministry or the Order to enter in our treaty."

Mr. Weasley stood up and said "My name is Arthur Weasley, the new Minister of Magic. I understand that all of you have been treated poorly by the Ministry and it is my wish to fix those problems. I offer our apologies for all the discrimination done in the past."

Alpha said "We have heard that rhetoric many times already and will address that after the goblins, centaurs, house elves, and Harry have addressed our terms to each other first."

Harry nodded his agreement and said "The Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic are to be excluded until the first treaty is set between the goblins, centaurs, house elves, and the group I'm associated with the Patriots. The Order and Ministry can witness the negotiations for the treaty but will not voice an opinion."

After all groups nodded their agreement with some hesitation from the Ministry and the Order, Harry asked "Who would like to start by stating their wishes dealing with guidelines of obligations to the alliance?"

Houseman said "If you all don't mind, I would like to express the wishes and offers of house elves but in general the elves as a group." After nobody objected, he continued on to say "The elves would like for equal representation in this group and for members of this group to help protect the rights of house elves in particular in reference to wizards. We just ask that house elves no longer be mistreated and acknowledge that our elves desire to continue to work for wizards but not to be persecuted and executed by wizards at their leisure anymore. A house elf should receive equal judicial protection before being executed and tortured. We did not interfere in political matters before but wizards in particular the pure bloods under Voldemort are getting out of hand. We ask that they be permitted to leave those houses of service and enter another one of their choosing."

Harry asked "If they were to go to another house, would that pose a security concern for any groups involved?"

Houseman said "No that will not be a problem. They will be bound by the same order of secrecy and obedience to their new masters. They are unable to leave now because of an old form of magic performed by pureblood wizards that bind them to their respective households. What was unknown until recently was that if another wizard deemed to be worthy by the Alliance of Elves then house elves can switch their lineage over to that person only if he agrees. This can only be done once every one hundred years. We have also secretly contacted the house elves being mistreated and all have come to the same conclusion. They agree that Harry, you are an honorable man and based on Dobby would like to be bound to you not as free elves. We ask that you defend them should the time come and allow them to bind themselves in service to the Potter family."

Harry said "I don't wish to be anyone's master. I only wish to be part of a family and care for my friends. I will be honored to have those elves bind themselves to me. I would have defended the house elves even if they were not in service to me. I promise to protect and treat the house elves with dignity and respect."

Houseman said "Thank Harry. We will perform the bonding ceremony later after the meeting. In return, we promise to protect you and your loved ones in this war. We also pledge the defense divisions which are the strike elves in this war to you. There are approximately three hundred house elves ready to fight on your command."

Harry replied, "Thank you for your commitment to this war effort. I in turn pledge to do all I can to help the house elves."

Houseman nodded his approval and sat back down. After a short silence the Ronan from the centaurs said "The centaurs express similar wishes as the house elves. Our terms are different and ask that you help defend the centaurs politically and physically, in turn we pledge our loyalty to you in this war. Since you have allied yourselves with the elves, we will also pledge protection to the elves."

Harry said "In return for the centaurs' aid, I will provide all the help I can provide to you as an individual and on behalf of the Patriots. I hope that this satisfy you?"

Ronan said "It is acceptable."

Houseman said "The elves will protect the centaur nation also."

Ronan replied "The centaurs will protect house elves in return."

The three groups nodded and Alpha stood up. Alpha said "We ask for political and physical protection also similar to that of the centaurs just asked. We offer the services of those in our banking industry and our own military. The Goblin's and Wizard's have had a dark history and we don't desire to repeat another Wizard and Goblin war."

Harry replied "I offer you the same in all the aid that I can provide along with the aid of the allies. Are we all in agreement that we will all defend each other both physically and politically?"

All the groups nodded their agreement to the terms. Harry asked "In the future, the possibility for conflicts of interest will arise in our group. How will we handle disputes among members of our group?"

Alpha said "I propose an alliance where each of us will have three members representing each group. Each member will be given a single vote and will be allowed to vote how he or she wishes without fear of persecution in this assembly. The majority will rule and a meeting can be called to assemble this alliance whenever there is a threat to any group or disagreements between the groups. A meeting can be called by a president to be elected by us as a group based on majority and the president will remain so until removed by a 2/3 vote of no confidence. By the end of this war, we will meet again to change how this group functions and organized or to disband this alliance. Since the president will have authority then that group will lose his power to vote. Also a 2/3 vote can over rule anything the president decides to do. If there are any changes to be made to the group then we will vote on a 2/3 majority. Is that agreeable to the group?"

Everybody agreed to this and Harry was elected as the leader shortly after because he was the one with the most experience in fighting against Voldemort and all members knew that they could trust him to be fair. Harry hesitantly agreed to this and the group decided that they were to be called, The Alliance of Magic or the Alliance for short. After a few more details to be ironed out like Harry will have advisors. One person from each group will serve as the liaison for the respective groups. After the details were completed the Alliance decided to let the Ministry and Order participate in the meeting.

The Ministry and Order were listening in on the meeting and two thoughts were running in the group. Mr. Weasley realized that the Ministry has wronged the magical community for too long and to exclude the Ministry from such talks while placing the political burdens on a sixteen year old teenager that has only been a member of the magical community for six years. Dumbledore saw more of his control slip and new how much the magical world depended on house elves and goblins. He knew that Harry would not try to use the power maliciously but didn't like the idea that Harry was holding so much power.

Dumbledore was the first to speak up when he was allowed and said "I'm not sure if this alliance would be best placed in the hands of student."

Alpha said "If you do not believe that Harry can handle it then who do you believe will be better suited to lead the Alliance?"

Dumbledore replied "I believe that it would be best placed in those that are more familiar with leadership responsibilities on a grander scale and somebody who is older and knows more about strategy like the Minister of Magic or me."

Ronan said "We have placed our trusts many times in both of you but you both failed to look out for our interests for how many years, and this sixteen year old kid who is now the President of The Alliance of Magic, managed to promote more change or push the people in the direction of change more than both of you combined."

Houseman said "The compassion he expresses to all those around him is unmatched by any other wizard or witch with the possible exception of the two witches at his side right now. Since the beginning when he realized what house elves were, he took it upon himself to care for Dobby even when the house elf took the wrong path in protecting Harry."

Dumbledore sighed and said "I understand your reasoning but we urge that you reconsider. With Mr. Potter's help we will be able to help you just as much."

Alpha said "You speak as if you are part of the Alliance."

Mr. Weasley stepped in and said "I speak on behalf of the Ministry and wish to join the Alliance."

Kayla spoke up and said "Mr. Weasley, you do know that if you join the Alliance then you will be placing your Aurors under Harry's command."

Mr. Weasley said "I ask to join the Alliance but can not give up control of the Ministry or its Aurors over to someone else. I can only join and offer non classified intelligence and offer the Ministry opinion by voting and as a member of the Advisory group to Harry."

Ronan said "I don't believe that that would be good enough. Right now, we don't have enough trust in the Ministry to form an alliance with you all."

Harry said "I'm sorry Mr. Weasley but I can not allow the Ministry of Magic to join The Alliance of Magic. There may be times when our interests or should I say missions will overlap and will need to work with one another but that can only be judged on a case by case basis. The Ministry has done nothing to make us feel any safer or trust the Ministry."

Mr. Weasley said "Harry, I know that you know that you can trust me."

Harry replied "I'm not too sure about that. I'm sorry to say that Mr. Weasley but your close tie with your Order kind of clouds my judgment on that issue and the only person that I truly trust in your family is Ginny. I also know that it will not be easy to gain her trust also because she feels that when the Order betrayed me they also betrayed her at the same time especially with Professor Dumbledore's little obliviating trick of his."

Mr. Weasley responded "I understand Harry. I'm not too sure of what I will be able to do but I will do what I can to gain your trust again."

Harry nodded and Professor Dumbledore said "Am I safe to assume that the Order of the Phoenix will not be allowed to enter the Alliance either?"

Harry looked at all the members of the Alliance then he said "I'm sorry Professor but the Order of the Phoenix will not be allowed to join the group. As I said to Minister Weasley, there may be an occasion when we run a mission together that will require help on both sides but that will be judged on a case by case basis."

Harry paused a moment to let the message settle into both the Ministry and the Order then said "If the Order and Ministry will please leave so the Alliance can discuss some other business."

The two groups reluctantly left and once they left, Harry placed the strongest privacy charms on the tent so nobody could listen in on the meeting. The liaison members were decided and methods of communication were discussed. This was where Harry added an extra feature to his watch, along with Ginny and Kayla's watch which gives a small sliding mirror that remains attached to the watch. It would appear cosmetic but it was really a two way mirror similar to the one that Ginny and Harry used. Harry gave all the other delegates a watch including Remus and Tonks who would be allowed to be members with no voting powers but only as advisors.

The members also decided to have a strike force of a minimum of twenty-five ready to be sent out at a moments notice. The goblins and elves agreed to be the strike force with rotating shifts every week. The centaurs were out because they were pretty much confined to the forests and the Patriots were confined to Hogwarts. The commander of the strike force would also receive a watch and the watch would be handed off to the next commander in the rotation. This was setup so that Harry can send out a strike team as quickly as possible until help could arrive.

A network of spies were also setup mainly composed of centaurs with respect to the forest, the Patriots with respect to the spies in Slytherin, and the house elves with respect to their master's homes. Since the centaurs, goblins, and house elves already knew about Potter Mansion, the command center for the War was going to be setup there until a new place could be settled.

After the meeting, Houseman performed the bonding ceremony which took about fifteen minutes. He bonded approximately fifty house elves to Harry. When Harry agreed, he didn't realize that there were going to be so many house elves joining him and had problems at first determining what to do. The elves stayed under the tent to await his orders and after consulting with the house elf advisor and with Kayla, Ginny, Remus, and Tonks, it was decided that twenty five elves will go to Grimmauld Place and help guard the headquarters to the Order of the Phoenix. Twenty elves will go to Potter Mansion and help care for the estate and its security. Five house elves will stay with Harry in both Harry's and Ginny's trunk to have a fast and dependable method for transferring messages.

After every delegate left, Harry banished the tent and headed back up to the castle. They didn't realize that they were in the tent for so long that it was already dinner time. The group changed back into their Hogwarts uniform and made their way to the Great Hall for dinner. At the Head Table were Dumbledore and McGonagall didn't look happy and that was due to the Order being evicted from a powerful alliance. The Patriots in general knew about the meeting and were receiving a summary through their watches about who they were now allied with and their new roles.

The next day there was a loud commotion in the Great Hall when the Daily Prophet arrived that morning. The trio was confused when they arrived about all of the noise which was generated by mostly Slytherin students with Pureblood backgrounds. Harry was given a copy of the Daily Prophet by Susan Bones.

House Elves Abandon Post

By Georgia Willow

For unknown reasons yesterday evening, approximately fifty house elves abandoned their posts. Most of the house elves belonged to influential pureblood families. This has caused a panic in other families who are afraid of losing their house elves and vital facilities like St. Mungos and the Ministry of Magic. The Minister was quoted saying, "There is no need to panic. Based on the information that the Ministry has received, the house elves that have left their posts were leaving from abusive houses and have bonded with another wizard."

The question now becomes who was it that the house elves have bonded with and how many more house elves will abandon their posts in the near future. We at the Daily Prophet believe that although a house elf is technically a slave to their master, they should still be treated with respect. It is a good thing that the house elves at the Daily Prophet have been receiving better treatment ever since new initiatives started by Harry Potter at the beginning of last summer in his campaign for magical equality.

When Harry finished reading the article the bickering between Hermione and Ron could be heard going at full force. Hermione was arguing that this proved that house elves wanted to be freed but Ron was saying that they did not want to be freed; they just wanted to be a slave to somebody who treated them better. Most of the school was used to this happening and ignored the two of them when they fought.

After breakfast, the trio was leaving to go to class when across from the Great Hall the annoying voice of a familiar Slytherin yelled "Potter! I know that you were responsible for this."

This quieted the Great Hall down and attracted the attention of everybody including the staff who made no move to stop the fight that was about to break out. Harry said "It's not my fault if your house elves can't stand your slimy ass."

Malfoy made his way over to Harry and yelled "You will treat me with respect or you'll be handled just like that mudblood mother of yours!"

Harry responded in a calm cold voice "Just the thought of my mother is more than you are allowed to do. You would do better not to mess with the big boys or you might find yourself in some kind of fatal accident."

Malfoy was taken back for a moment but since the teachers were there he sneered and said "Do you honestly think that I'm afraid of you Potter?"

Harry said "I don't think. I know… Your dear Head of House doesn't dare stand in my way nor does your pansy of a master whose men parade around wearing white masks."

Malfoy said "Don't dare insult Slytherin house or I'll just have to teach you a lesson."

Harry replied with a smile "Really? I always wondered what kind of punishment a Slytherin can do considering all they ever do is run to their daddies or kiss the hem of a half blood. The half breed tyrant that can't beat a one year old baby not to mention a sixteen year old man that is now ready to fight back."

Malfoy pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry who didn't even bother to pull out his wand. The two of them were pretty much face to face but at arm's length. Snape was looking on with glee that Potter was going to be taught a lesson. McGonagall wanted to say something but Dumbledore was holding her and the rest of the staff back from saying anything. Dumbledore was thinking, if Harry gets beat then he might concede that he isn't as invincible as he thought. Dumbledore was also gambling that Malfoy wasn't going to use anything too harmful and probably won't considering all the students and teachers watching.

Harry found that it was interesting that none of the professors came to his aid. He motioned for Ginny and Kayla to lower their wands which they reluctantly did. Remus and Tonks were livid with Dumbledore and were making their way down to Harry. Malfoy thought that Harry was conceding that's why Harry told his two friends to lower their wands. Malfoy said "So you're finally learning Potty. You now know that you're no match for me." He continued to give a look of triumph.

Harry yawned then said "You didn't win anything Malfoy. Considering that none of the professors here are stepping in on what is happening, I guess I get the same free liberty with you." Harry said that loud enough so that everybody could hear.

Malfoy replied just as loudly "It would seem that way mutt. It just shows that the staff here wishes you were dead."

Harry said "I am inclined to think that also but I have a proposal. A duel between the two of us right now, there are no rules to the duel as anything goes and ends when one person is dead or begging for the other person to stop. We can start the duel just as we are standing right now. Do you agree?"

Malfoy couldn't believe what he was saying. Harry just consented to start a duel where anything goes and already has a wand pointed at him. Malfoy said "Agreed."

Ginny was watching with anticipation and so was Kayla. They were wondering what Harry had up his sleeve. Harry said "We can begin once you say start and make sure everybody hears it so that they all know not to interrupt a duel."

Harry made sure that they all heard what he said and knew that Malfoy would play along since he had the clear advantage. Malfoy yelled "Start!" He started to say "Redu…" but was cut off.

Harry had managed to spin his body to the left while using his right hand to grab Draco by his wand hand and pull him close. In the middle of his spinning, Harry managed to generate enough force to flip Draco over onto the floor and make him loose his grip on his wand.

Harry pulled out his wand placed a silencing charm on Draco and kicked him in the stomach. While Draco was holding his stomach with all the expression of pain on his face, Harry walked over to pick up Draco's wand and waved it in front of the fallen Slytherin. He said mockingly and loudly "Look Draco. It's not a good thing to drop your wand in a duel. Did you know that I can snap your wand if I wanted to considering that this is an anything goes duel?"

Draco's eyes widened with fear as Harry held the wand in front of him just out of arm's length. Harry snapped the wand with one hand and tossed it into the air and shot two fire spells at it which lit both parts of the wand on fire. Harry then transfigured a large hanging bird cage in the center of the Great Hall. He slipped his wand back into his pocket and dragged Malfoy under the cage.

Harry said "There's one thing I have learned is that physical injury will heal but the emotional scars will always stay with you." He looked over at Snape and smiled at him when he did his next move. Harry pulled out his wand again and levitated Malfoy into the air and turned him upside down revealing his underwear which at the time was a pair of pink briefs.

Most of the students were laughing at Malfoy and most had a suspicion that he was wearing Pansy's knickers. Harry then made a sweeping move with his wand and Draco was now only wearing his pink underwear. Harry then levitated the boy into the cage and sealed it with the strongest spells that he could think of along with one special spell just in case all of his spells broke. There was a small swing in the cage that Harry placed him in and placed a sticking charm on his butt cheeks so that he wouldn't be able to get off the swing. For the final move, Harry set a permanent slow swinging charm on the swing to keep Draco swinging forwards and backwards while on the swing.

Snape was angry with Harry for the embarrassment that he caused to Malfoy and reminding him of the nightmare that Harry's dad did to Snape. Snape yelled "Potter, you will release Mr. Malfoy this instant!"

Harry turned to him and gave the man a look like he was stupid then said "This is a duel if you didn't realize. It's not my fault that the Prince of Slytherin is nothing more than a fraud which is probably why he's your favorite." Harry paused a moment then said, "I know that Malfoy hanging upside with his knickers showing reminded me of something but what was it. Do you know professor?" He asked the last point with a look of innocence.

Snape yelled "You will release him this moment as duels are not allowed in this school!"

Harry responded "The Headmaster himself didn't see fit to end this little argument that turned into a duel so now when it doesn't turn out the way you want, you want it to stop. How typical of a Slytherin to do something like that. I tell you what, if you can get Malfoy out of that cage in five minutes then this duel will end."

Snape was insulted by the challenge but didn't know of any other way out. Harry added at the end "If you fail to open it in five minutes then you will have to join Malfoy in the cage with your undergarments showing just like Malfoy."

Snape responded "If I can open the cage then you will have to let Mr. Malfoy out and be subject to what you just did to him."

Harry nodded and said "Your five minutes starts now."

Snape was muttering charms after charms trying to break all the spells that Harry placed on the cage. At the end of the first minute, Harry mockingly said "How disappointing for a professor not to be able to undo what a sixth year Gryffindor did."

Snape wanted to insult Harry but knew that he needed to get Draco out of that cage as quickly as possible. At the end of the second minute, Harry mockingly said "I guess the job requirements for a potions master at Hogwarts isn't much, considering you don't have to be able to teach or know how to do magic."

Snape turned his wand at Harry and said "Shut up Potter!" Harry just yawned at him and tapped his watch to remind Snape that the time was ticking away. Snape turned back to the task at hand.

At the end of the third minute Harry said "I guess Professor Flitwick is a better professor than I thought. He can teach and use magic better than you." Professor Flitwick looked on with glee that his student was so proficient. Snape was starting to lose hope.

When the fourth minute rolled by Harry said "Look at the time. There's only one minute left. Do you need some help Professor?" At the taunt, Snape started yelling all of the spells that he could think of hoping that the added energy would be enough to open the cage.

Harry started to count down near the end of the last minute "Five, four, three, two, one." Harry shook his head as the potions master while Snape was lowering his wand in defeat. Harry said "That's pretty pathetic that you couldn't unlock a simple cage."

Harry looked up to Professor Flitwick and mocked Snape while he asked, "Professor Flitwick, I think that I have it down now and correct me if I'm wrong but the wand movement is swish and flick. I believe the incantation is Wingardium Leviosa."

Flitwick nodded as he wanted to bust with laughter. Harry did the levitation charm and the door to the cage lifted slightly before it opened up. Most of the students and a few of the teachers were trying to hold in their laughter at Harry's taunting.

Dumbledore came to Snape's rescue and said "That's enough. Mr. Potter, you've had your fun for the day and now is time for class."

Harry shook his head and said "Professor Snape failed to fulfill what he had agreed to do and now must suffer the consequences. I didn't make him do it. It's not my fault that he couldn't do something as easily as open the door to a bird cage."

Dumbledore responded "If you used some kind of unknown locking charm than it was an unfair challenge."

Harry said "I can see your point in that but even that is up to debate because he shouldn't have taken the challenge if he couldn't finish it. All I did was lift the latch on the cage." He motioned to the latch on the now open cage door. The latch pushed the door down into a groove along the bird cage but when it was opened, the door would pop up and open.

Dumbledore sighed that something so simple was the answer to something that seemed so complicated. Harry was betting on the fact that Snape thought that he used every locking charm possible which paid off. Harry started to levitate a defeated Snape into the air. Dumbledore on the other hand lifted his wand to lower Snape.

Harry backed off and allowed for Snape to be lowered to the ground and the Headmaster and student stared at each other so intensely that their magical auras could be felt by everybody in the Great Hall. The sheer power was awe inspiring yet frightening if the two of them did release it and go head to head.

Harry decided that there was no purpose in challenging the Headmaster so he backed off much to the relief of all those gathered. He said "Since it was your potions master and your student that failed then I'll leave it up to you to clean up this mess." He then walked out of the hall followed by Ginny and Kayla who were laughing at Draco's shocked expression of not being let out of the cage. Most of the students made to follow and most of them also broke out laughing when they were out of view from the staff.

By lunch time had come around, Dumbledore had managed to undo all the transfigurations work and charms work that Harry had done to create the cage and protect the cage in the Great Hall. Although McGonagall was not pleased at Harry's blatant disrespect, she did admire his transfiguration ability and Flitwick admired his charms ability.

A/N: Thank you to my reviewers once again. Many have asked about Durmstrang and they will be making a return in the next chapter which should be out this weekend. I will try to continue to update twice a week but I guess that's not working out all too well right now so how about an average of 1.5 per week. This gives my betas time to edit and me time to write. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.