The Lord of Stone Tower
Chapter 8; Ronald Weasley
For weeks after the reappearance of Harry Potter the newspapers launched article after article about the man. Rumours spread across the world. Reactions across the world were extreme in the differences.
It was common knowledge that the Ministry of England was furiously against Potter. The daily prophet sang with headlines like;
"Potter Returns To Rule."
"Potter Proves His Evilness."
Splits began to form between the major powers of the world. But Britain's Wizarding community was the strongest in the World and not many countries would go against it. The Wizarding council of America however launched full enquiries into the situation. Looking into the circumstances of both his disappearance and his reappearance and his actions since then. They looked into everything he had supposedly down before he disappeared and then what he had done since reappearing. When all the evidence was looked at they contacted many more councils across the world who agreed with them on the issue but there was nothing they could really do. The International Confederation of Wizards was half controlled by British Wizards and therefore didn't dare go against Minister Fudge.
America decided to move on its own. It made its intentions clear.
"October 1st Edition of The International Wizarding Newspaper.
America Declares Their Intentions.
Yesterday Evening in a summit in Salem; USA, the home of the American Wizarding Council which governs the joint magical community of the muggle continents of North and South America, the American Council declared their intentions with regards to the situation with Harry Potter.
The AWC has to this point refused to give into English Minister Fudge's requests for support on the supposed fight against Harry Potter and yesterday they finally took their side. It was announced with no uncertainty in the Council Chairman's voice that America refuses to side with a corrupt Ministry no matter how powerful they were.
They have said that after a full investigation into Harry Potters actions they give their support into a full pardon to Harry Potter and have given him asylum into their lands if he wishes it.
This decision has enraged England's Minister for Magic who after hearing the news stated, maybe irrationally, that if they sided with one of England's biggest enemies they were in fact siding against England.
Many other Magical communities across the world went into legal proceedings today to discuss the situation and many have yet to declare their intentions but we believe that one way or another the Councils of this world will have to decide whether they side with Britain or with America on this issue.
We are sure that the next few days will be tense as results from these proceeding occur and will keep you posted.
We ask all of our readers to let us know how they feel. Do you believe in the once prestigious Harry Potter or do you believe that he has in fact turned evil?"
Somewhere in the Italian Alps
Ronald Weasley threw the paper on the desk. That damn Potter was going to cause more problems. He drew his wand in a instant and threw a spell against a dummy on the wall made to look like Harry Potter. The Dark spell blew the dummy into little more than inch long strands of cloth and stuffing. The many knife holes inconsequential now.
The cave dwelling he stood in was lined with book shelves of Dark and Evil books that Ronald had been studying over the last three years in order to exact revenge on his old friend.
He sneered at the thought of his once being friends with that traitor. Not once had he thought that maybe he himself was the traitor.
He never took into account that the walls of his own cave could be spying on him. Harry had spent weeks following his old best friend and each evening he had returned here to read his books and test out Dark spells against the numerous dummies around the cave.
Oblivious to this spy he went about taking his anger out on many objects until he was interrupted by his makeshift fire flaring green with an incoming floo call. Only one person knew this address so he knew immediately who it was. He turned to address his caller.
Stone Tower
"So Albus, how do you think Hogwarts is getting along without you?" Neville asked his old headmaster.
"I believe under both Minerva and my apprentice Miss. Granger, that it will flourish. Those two will achieve wonders with the learning in that school."
"Do you miss it?" Harry asked him.
"Hogwarts was my life but I have achieved what I could there, it is time someone else took up the reigns of the old place."
Harry laughed drawing the looks of the other three in the lounge of the Master bedroom. Draco, Neville and Albus looked at him as if he was going mad. Between his laughter he got out his words, "Hogwarts says it resents being called old! And it says it has plenty of time left… you old fart! That's a direct quote that last bit!" All three of them joined Harry in his laughter which continued until they were interrupted by one of the Dark Elves.
"My Lord, one of the scouts brought this in the local Wizarding town and believed you would wish to see it."
"Thanks you, and give my thanks to the scout." He said as he stood and took the Newspaper from the Elf. He carried it as he got another drink from the pot on the table and as he poured it out he read it.
After he read he turned to meet the interested gazes of the other men in the room. "I don't usually keep tracks on the World Politics. I should think that through again." He passed the newspaper into Neville's outstretched hand and turned to Albus. "What's your view on the American Ministry?"
If Albus was surprised he didn't show it. He summed up his views briefly, "Nothing like our own, they have no one leader but a joint council which rotates its Chairman for different issues. They tend to be better at seeking the truth and tend to act much better than our own Ministry. But they do not have the power to go against Fudge. Britain more or less controls the International Confederation. If you are thinking of getting them to help you I would have to suggest against it."
"No need Albus, look at that article."
Albus read the article and this time did show surprise. He thought for a few minutes and sipped on his tea as they all sat again.
"Really there is two possibilities here. Either they believe in your innocence enough to risk a conflict with Britain and if so have put themselves in a risky situation. Or it is a trap by our own government to lure you out to somewhere they can fight you, but if that is the one then they are putting a lot on the line in order to do it. Chances most of the Wizards in the World have read this and are now deciding for or against the British Ministry." Albus finally concluded.
"I think I will go to America and see what they think. I wouldn't mind having another Allie, especially one like America. But I need to find out what they really think first. Draco, you up for being a Slytherin again? I need you to go to Salem and spy for a couple of days, find out if they truly want my allegiance or if they are being a puppet for Fudge." Harry said, switching into his devious side.
"Finally, something to do, I was beginning to think I would die or boredom in this place!" He ignored the looks and quickly vanished to start his short journey to the Americas.
Before Harry could say anything more his eyes clouded over for a brief second. After his eyes cleared he began to move. "Albus, Neville, I need you to find out what you can from this paper. Find out what the other Communities decide. Find out who is willing to believe the truth and who is under Fudges control." He said in one breath before leaving the room after calling over his shoulder that he had somewhere to be.
Ron's Cave in Italy
Ronald and his caller didn't notice the arrival of their visitor as he arrived. Harry appeared from the ground on the other side of the cave and quickly called up shadows to hide him from visual sight. Something that the Shadow Master had taught him in the Forgotten Realm.
It was clear that he hadn't missed much as Ronald was still flattering his caller. Of whom Harry had yet worked out the identity of and had missed the formal introductions. The stones that had been ordered to spy for him had sent for him as soon as he had received a floo call but had not been able to understand the conversation, being stones.
"I believe I have been training and studying long enough." Ron said into the fire.
"Watch your tone boy, remember who you are talking to! I will forgive your little mistake however as time is pressing. You are to receive your first task. You are a member of the Order of the Phoenix, our only spy there, you are to get into the headquarters and destroy however you please. Casualties does not matter, just the significance, so make it dramatic. Do it on the 5th of this month. I have one thing though that must be done. Capture the new Muggleborn initiated that you told me about, Alex Firestorm, he should be at the Headquarters, he was injured recently so should be there. Bring him back here afterwards and I will send someone to meet you and bring you to me."
"Of course my Lord it will be done." Harry suddenly realised who Ron was talking to. Voldermort. The call ended and as Ron stood Harry left to prepare. His plan already forming in his mind. But he need Albus' help. He had to take Alex Firestorms place and go to the Headquarters.
A/N: What do you all think?