Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Assassin's Creed, or the Railway Series. Thank you that is all.
The Brotherhood and the DCMO
In the Ministry of Magic at the same time Yzma was doing her early morning counselling session, the Chief of Staff Alaric Bones was having a word with Amelia Bones, his cousin and head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Rufus Scrimgeour, head of the Auror Office, Alastor Moody, the best Auror of the British Ministry, Barty Crouch Senior, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and his deputy head an Inari Fox monster girl wearing a business suit complete with a tie was there. The fox was named Haruna and she was married to Alaric's younger brother Eric Bones a Dragon Racer in school who served as a lawyer for Gringotts. He was also joined by the McGowan Brothers with Jarvis the youngest brother as the Head Unspeakable, Adam the oldest brother as the Deputy Head Auror, and Bede, the middle brother as the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement alongside Arthur Weasley the newly promoted head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad who had yet to select a deputy head since the previous head was moved to the Auror office by Alaric Bones.
"Alright everyone listen up," The Chief of Staff began, "The Dark Wizards and Witches that see Kai Malfoy as a leader have gotten bolder and the pure-blood supremacists in the ministry are all lining their fangs to support Kai should he decide to dispose of me by sending a monster to eliminate me or sending in somebody to kick my ass and take my position in a challenge for position duel."
"Sounds like a classic Malfoy tactic," Alastor grumbled, "The entire lot of them are cowards. Too afraid to face you in battle."
"Careful Alastor," Haruna the Deputy Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation Spoke, "The Dark Faction all want you retired because you are the only one who is not an Arkeyan who could possibly have any chance of defeating Kai should Kai defeat Alaric and take over as Chief of Staff. That and the fact that they want you gone because you were responsible for the capture of numerous Death Eaters. And you're aware of the curse upon the planet as we speak. If anyone insults the Leader of the Death Eaters or speaks his name or insults the Malfoys or those they consider their in laws we'll be up to our eyeballs in minions and monsters that will come at us in waves until we're all dead."
"Thank you Haruna," Barty Crouch Senior said, "As you all know the virus in France has begun to spread to the American Magical Community and Witch Weekly along with numerous magazines have numerous articles about how impotent the French Ministry is due to the attack considering all but the Purebloods and the magic only raised half bloods were all affected by what we can now confirm as a dangerous and powerful virus. The comments go on to state about how the blood purists say that France wouldn't be in this position due to the fact that most of the department heads are Veela and that the French Chief of Staff needs to remove them at once."
"I figured as much," Alaric sighed, "And let me guess anyone who tries to cure the virus or break the curse becomes infected along with the entire clan Barty?"
Barty Senior nodded which let the Chief of Staff know that his problems got worse.
"Cousin isn't this the time you mention that project you've been working on with the Potters and the Blacks?" Amelia said, "The one that's supposed to help change the Ministry and bring about real justice."
"What project?" Arthur questioned, "Alaric are you and Amelia keeping secrets."
"I called you all here because the Ministry needs a new department," The Chief of Staff said, "We need a department to help get real justice, a department that will operate off site and at the highest levels of discretion, above the politics and bureaucracy that's undermining the integrity of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Auror Department and the Magical Law Enforcement Squad and poisoning the ministry as a whole for the record."
"You're right about that lad," Alastor said, "While the laws and bills you've managed to get passed are slowing the corruption there is one bylaw in particular that we need. But we have another problem. Lucius Malfoy wants to send me into retirement because he hasn't forgotten how many Death Eaters I've caught and that's the main reason he wants me gone."
"What other reason could Lucius possibly have to get rid of you?" Haruna asked. "Umbridge wants me removed from the ministry just because I'm an Inari regardless of my merits and credentials."
"Have you forgotten that his cousin Kai Malfoy is in town?" Alastor retorted, "With Kai in town Saint Mungo's and the Non-Magical hospitals are gonna have their hands more than full should anybody be brave enough to stand up to him. Now the rats are gonna come crawling out of their holes soon enough."
"He's right Alaric," Rufus said, "If I have to lose my best Auror to the new project of a department then at least it's better than seeing Alastor being sent into retirement by the political parties that be."
"I know which is why I'm calling the new department the Department of Magical Covert Operations," The Chief of Staff explained to everyone present, "Or the DMCO for short."
"So basically, the new department is intended to be independent of Ministry bureaucracy in the pursuit of Justice; including against those who typically operate above the law?" Alastor asked to which Alaric nodded, "Good to know but have you found a suitable leader for the new department yet?"
"That's where you come in Alastor," Alaric said, "I know that you have no love for the way the top brass of the Ministry does things despite my efforts to deliver real justice. Unfortunately, my efforts to help Amelia ensure that real justice is being delivered are being blocked by the viper's nest as you call it which is why I want you to lead the Department of Magical Covert Operations as Director. You are the only one that I can trust to do the job but know that as a department head the Ministry top brass cannot get rid of you by sending you into retirement. Only the Chief of staff can remove you which means as long as I'm Chief of Staff you're not getting the boot."
"Thank Merlin for that," Rufus said before questioning Alaric, "But what of the Staffing issue?"
"That's Alastor's call. As Head of the DMCO he has the full freedom to choose whoever her deems worthy," Alaric spoke before explaining further, "That means he can pick his recruits from the Auror Office, the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, the Department of Mysteries, the Global Federation of Magical Creatures and even another group."
"I like the sound of that already," Alastor said already having some candidates in mind before asking, "But you mentioned another group. What is this group and where can we find them?"
"You, Amelia, Haruna and I are going to go see them in person," Alaric said, "Arthur can I count on you and Rufus to keep an eye on things and support the McGowans in their duties while we're away? And Can I count on you two to make sure nobody outside of those present finds out about this new department?"
"You can count on us but what of Barty Crouch Senior?" Arthur asked, "Why is he here to begin with? I man no disrespect but considering who you plan to meet and considering the fact that he's a stickler for rules I figure he'd have something to say about this and object to the idea of a department that operates above the Ministry."
"I'm glad to see and hear that you're being honest but I need Barty Crouch Senior here because when the time comes I will most likely need him to replace Delores Umbridge as Senior Undersecretary," Alaric said, "As the chief of staff I'm well informed about her thanks to my years as a clerk in the ministry. However, for those who don't know I will tell you what I know. Delores Umbridge unfortunately is a pureblood as she claims to be but here's what makes it worse, her mother is a Selwyn but the only good thing we've got on her is that her father was a lowly janitor in the ministry."
"That explains why she only talks about her mother's side of the family," Said Rufus, "And to think she was an unremarkable student based upon what Christina and Mina said about her in school and still say about her and about her family."
"As head of the International Department of Magical Cooperation I know about the Umbridge Family and I'm well informed about them and how they fell from grace," Barty Crouch Senior said before turning to Amelia and Alaric," But for the rest of us present why don't you two explain all that you know about Umbridge and her dad's side of the family."
"Long story short Umbridge has a grudge against the LeClercs, the Delacours, and the DeVilles because they were the ones who exposed her family's plot to eliminate Joan of Arc after she made a difference by helping France to win the Hundred Years War," Amelia said, "Yzma Milano, my cousin Corina's godmother mentioned that the houses in question exposed the plot but were unable to save Joan of Arc from being burned at the stake. However, they did manage to make Umbridge's ancestors pay for the murder by having their wealth and social status stripped from them. However, the Delacours, the LeClercs, and the DeVilles were unable to find the ones in France who handed Joan to the Umbridge Family to begin with but they did make sure that the King of France would listen to their advice and not to the nobles who only wanted to keep their power."
"So now you know why Toad Face hates the clans we mentioned the most and why whenever they screw up or something bad happens to them Delores somehow manages to bad mouth those three clans in the process," Alaric added, "And why I suspect that the Virus hit the Delacours, the DeVilles, and the LeClercs the hardest."
Everyone present was shocked at how and why Umbridge had so much hatred for Yzma Milano and even more so whenever she took on a Muggleborn or a Monster Girl as her assistant for Defense Against the Dark Arts and somehow the curse would hit them harder than usual despite the way Yzma worked the contract. It could also explain why she had been spouting out insults against the magical creatures and tried to pass new laws to limit their rights especially the rights of the monster girls and the Veela until the Global Federation of Magical Creatures put an end to such bigotry when the Arkeyans found out about it but that didn't stop Armando Dippet from expelling Rubeus Hagrid after Hagrid had been framed for opening the Chamber of Secrets. Fortunately, despite Hagrid's death the GFMC managed to clear his name but it was only a matter of time before the Arkeyan Empire would be pissed off enough to invade the earth and go on another rampage yet again.
"That explains so much and why Christina and Mina's informants said that Delores called the Delacours filthy creature lovers and the LeClercs and DeVilles filthy blood traitors," Alastor said before turning serious, "We however have no time to waste on idle chit chat. We have another group to meet and not a lot of time to find them which means we better move."
As if on cue a swirling vortex of energy appeared in Alaric's office and Alaric knew that this was their ride.
"That would be our ride," Alaric said to Amelia, Alastor, and Haruna, "Time to go."
Amelia, Haruna, and Alastor followed Alaric into the vortex and to the potential new recruits.
On the other side of the vortex Amelia, Haruna, Alastor, and Alaric found themselves standing in a locomotive roundhouse which had been upgraded and updated so that minor repairs could be done there and save the main repair shops the trouble. Currently they could see staff cleaning and preparing steam locomotives of various types and all were in different colors and had faces which wasn't a surprise to most of the group.
"I know I'm going to sound like a dumbass for asking a stupid question such as this Alaric but are we in the right place and where is everyone else," Haruna asked confused on where they were.
"And people say that Nicole the GNR C1 Small Boiler Atlantic has a potty mouth. Then again she is the foulest mouth of the Eastern Region," said a wise voice causing them to see Lord Arkwright showing up with Lords Roberts and Perkins at his side, "Anyway welcome to Sodor. Tidmoth well technically Tidmoth Sheds to be precise. I'd introduce you to everyone but some of you already know who each other are considering the forces of darkness terrorized the British Isles for over eleven years and their reign ended nearly twelve years ago. Either way we have a situation. My daughter in law Brooklyn Arkwright nee Prewitt was chased across the Island of Sodor by the Forces of Darkness last night. The creatures responsible for the attack were none other than undead warriors from Dante's Freezer."
Everyone present, including Murdoch, Belle, James, Gordon, Henry, Edward, and Diesel who was only present due to the fact that Duck's replacement at Tidmoth was in the shops at Crovan's Gate being examined at the moment due to the attack having damaged him in the process.
"So basically, the undead attacked my driver's wife?" Henry asked shocked and annoyed.
"I'm afraid so Henry and they went after the rest of her relatives and her in laws including myself," Lord Arkwright continued, "Fortunately, we managed to repel the attacks with help from the group that Alastor Moody is here to meet. The Assassin Brotherhood."
Before anyone could comment two engines arrived. One was Thomas a Blue E2 with six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler, and a short stumpy dome. The other was Richard a Southern Railway Z Class Tank engine with a Large boiler, a large dome, a big funnel, and eight drive wheels. The two looked well rested despite the long travel from Crovan's Gate all the way to Tidmoth Sheds.
"Sorry if we're a little late," Richard said, "Athena needed to examine me and Thomas a bit more after the bullets damaged my boiler and Thomas was having some repairs."
"You're just in time," Sir Steven Hatt the current Fat Controller who was also present said, "Lord Arkwright was about to introduce our guests. He did prepare a pamphlet about the attack but you missed that part. Fortunately, we can catch you up on what you both missed."
"No need for that Sir," Thomas said, "Athena was examining us and one of the other Greek gods showed us what Lord Arkwright was telling you lot."
The Greek deities in question nodded as Lord Perkins spoke up.
"Then that just saved us a lot of time and headache but we have another headache," Lord Perkins said, "Last time the Ghouls showed up was when the Power Team arrived on a request and summons from Yzma for help. If Ares wasn't there then we'd be wondering what mess the British Ministry would be in and what Alaric would tell the MACUSA why four of their citizens were attacked on British Soil or worse murdered. I need not remind you lot what Fudge and his views are like."
"We all know what Fudge is like," Alaric said annoyed at the mention of Fudge, "Lucius Malfoy only put him into office to serve as a puppet to do his bidding. Lucius despises me because of my recent policies in hiring and firing employees at the ministry. I've clearly been listening to and following Charity Burbage's advice."
"And we see the effects of that advice," Alastor said, "Bagman's finally gone but Ezio has had to clean up the chaos in the Magical Games and Sports Department due to Bagman's incompetence as a department head. Alaric over here had to send Crouch Senior to help Ezio fix it and get it running properly."
"Just so we're clear you keep mentioning the Assassin Brotherhood but what is it that they do and why bring Alastor Moody into this at all?" The Fat Controller asked everyone present.
"Long story short the Assassin Brotherhood have existed since the beginning and they've bene protecting the human race from the templars," Lord Roberts said knowing they were on a time clock so they had to make the explanations short.
"Okay but who are the Templars?" Richard the Z Class Tank asked.
"The Templars Richard were once a powerful order but with the arrival of the Arkeyan Empire in the time of Ancient Egypt and the Arkeyan Weapon Masters siding with the Assassin Brotherhood the Templars were forced to go deep underground," James the Red engine said using his knowledge of the group from his pre Sodor days, "Now they're going under the guise of Abstergo Industries, a multibillion dollar company that spans across many nations and includes subsidiaries such as Abstergo entertainment and Abstergo Medical among others. The Arkeyan Empire learned through their allies that Abstergo is trying to work on a new project codenamed the Animus."
"That explains the recent activities lately," said Gordon, "The coaches overheard the passengers saying something about locating descendants of the Templar's enemies but with the Arkeyans protecting the Assassins and their descendants it's nearly impossible to do so."
"Okay that answers two questions but brings up another," Richard spoke, "What does any of this have to do with Kingsman Tailors?"
"I'll take that question," Henry said, "Since 1849 Kingsman Tailors which was founded by the Bennetts and still owned by them to this day have clothed the worlds most powerful individuals. By 1919 over 70 years later a great number of them had lost their heirs and heiresses and friends to the horror of World War One."
"That sounds like what we just went though over twelve years ago," Amelia said, "But what does a tailor shop and single malt scotch have to do with assassins?"
"The Assassin Brotherhood at the time were looking for a new purpose now that the templars were forced completely underground at the hands of the Arkeyan Weapon Masters," Gordon continued, "At the same time the Arkeyans spoke to those who lost their heirs to the first world war as well as the Assassin Brotherhood and the Bennett family."
"They all realized that they had a powerful desire to protect the innocent, preserve life and peace," Edward spoke next, "So they all combined their resources, their wealth, their magic, their skills, and their influence to begin the Assassin Brotherhood's new venture."
"And what venture is that?" Alastor asked already wanting to get to the point.
"The Brotherhood of Assassins is now an independent, international, intelligence agency operating at the highest levels of discretion," The North Western Railway's Number 2 said, "They operate above the politics and bureaucracy that undermine the integrity of government run spy organizations. The Bennetts are still the owners of the tailor shop but the Milanos brought their knowledge of beer, wine, and liquor to the table by purchasing a chain of Scottish distilleries."
"So basically, you're saying that the Assassin brotherhood has branches all over the globe and they don't answer to any government in the pursuit of peace and getting justice?" Alastor asked to which everyone present confirmed, "Then in that case I look forward to working with you lot and with the Assassin Brotherhood as Head of the Department of Magical Covert Operations. Alaric came up with the new department and placed me in charge."
"You do know that our enemies will challenge Alaric to remove the department once they find out not to mention put more pressure on Fudge to remove Alaric as Chief of Staff in the process right," Diesel's Driver Sly Cooper, wife of Coi Cooper nee Milano pointed out, "And with Duncan unable to act until my mother in law wins her challenge those who want to take over among the pureblood supremacists will surely run to Kai Malfoy to eliminate Alaric and all of us in the process."
"Diesel's driver is right," Lord Arkwright said, "Which means we will have to be very careful. This attack was in response to one of my grandchildren standing up to Draco Malfoy and his gang at Hogwarts by following the Power Team's advice."
Everyone present knew that as long as the threat of Kai's minions and monsters was active they were at grave risk of elimination with the entire Malfoy Clan and those related to them by blood or law immune to action against them due to the bylaws.
At that point, Ares, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Athena decided to speak up.
"I get that we're in a seemingly unwinnable situation with no way out," Athena said, "But the bylaws are on our side. We can't go after the Malfoys or Kai's empire but we can still defend ourselves and Duncan Rosenblatt can still put the blood purist bigots in their place. Hopefully it will take a lot of the stress off of Yzma. Even so he cannot do the job alone and neither can Yzma, what they need is our support."
"So, what are we supposed to do about it?" Diesel's driver asked, "We can't take on Kai as we are but perhaps we could get one of the other Greek gods to beat him Athena."
"Unfortunately, we are forbidden to do anything beyond supporting Yzma and the Assassin Brotherhood," Athena said, "But we have another set of problems."
"Yeah Rita Skeeter for one," James said, "She was the one who wrote that article about Hermione's humiliation not to mention the slander in all of France about the attack."
"And Abigail can't get rid of her or Kai Malfoy will have her and her entire family beaten to a pulp," Murdoch the resident BR Standard Class 9F spoke up to the surprise of the Ministry employees, "The Forces of Darkness are getting bolder if the monster is about to attack America but then again this is where the new department comes in handy."
"You've been silent so far Murdoch," Lord Roberts said to the Standard class 9F "Ad so have you Belle. I was expecting you to be a bit chattier."
"Normally would be but we still have to worry about Yzma," Belle said.
"Belle's right Lockhart is the issue," Steven Hatt said, "No offense but the guy is completely useless."
"We already know that," Lord Perkins said, "My grandchildren in the same year as Harry all say Lockhart is a clear fraud. He gave a quiz that contained questions that were all about him and he then acts like Cornish Pixies are the foulest creatures known to man."
"I take it the situation gets even worse," Ares said knowing this was very unpleasant.
"I'm afraid so Ares," Lord Perkins continued, "As soon as Lockhart opened the cage the classroom was turned into a battlefield of chaos and discord. The students fled as books were thrown off of desks while my grandson led the students to flee the classroom with their schoolbooks. Lockhart tried to cast a spell to undo the chaos but he lost his wand to the pixies who used it to destroy the chain holding the skeleton that was hanging from the celling causing it to fall as another pixie dumped the contents of an open inkwell onto the dimwit before the door to the classroom closed on him."
Seeing that Lord Perkins needed to catch his breath form the explanation Sly decided to finish the explanation.
"After that my son went to go find Yzma Milano, my mother in law to tell her what happened and needless to say she was quite annoyed when she saw the state the Defense Classroom was in," Sly cooper, Diesel's driver said, "She froze the pixies in mere seconds and called Kronk, her family's head house elf to round up some of the Hogwarts house elves to fix the damage and clean the mess. However, most of the inventory was destroyed beyond repair spells and it was quite costly to replace all of it. She's stressed if Lockhart can't handle a simple practical lesson involving Cornish Pixies of all creatures."
"I think this is part of Kai's plan," Haruna said, "The stress Lockhart's incompetence is causing could be enough to weaken Yzma. That and the fact Yzma now has two Muggleborn first years in her house both of whom are not easily intimidated and clearly follow the Power Team's advice on what true power is could cause a lot of friction if they're not careful."
"Well, this is just great," Lord Roberts said, "On the other hand our grandchildren are starting to find their strength in defense against the dark arts. Joel and his friends, Damon, Trondo, and Anton are finding their voices among their housemates considering they're tutoring the 1st years in the subjects each of them do best in before they come together to discuss matters of Hogwarts as a team."
"Well at least that's something," Richard said, "Anyway who is briefing the rest of the staff? We'd be idiots to leave them vulnerable and the railway cannot survive a legal assault if an employee dies on the job not to mention its reputation will take a nose dive."
"My sister is already briefing the crews and station staff," Lord Perkins said, "Well all of the staff that are members of the Brotherhood of Assassins at any rate."
Everyone present knew full well that Lord Perkins' big sister was not somebody to cross and that she was super strong and very powerful in terms of magic. The staff and fleet also knew full well that due to a bylaw the Arkeyans slipped during World War One Lord Perkins' big sister had defeated the current Fat Controller's predecessors in battle which meant that she was in charge for at least one year which is why they were stuck with her as their boss three times in the railway's history before the Fat Controller returned to the position of Controller after Aurea Dumbledore faced and defeated Lord Perkins' big sister in battle after the year was up.
"I still remember the last three times Lord Perkins' Big sister was in charge and for some of us it was a good thing while for some of us it was a nightmare," Lord Arkwright said.
"Thank the sweet lord above Steven Topham Hatt has not made any serious mistakes that would warrant a visit and a beatdown at the hands of my big sister yet," Lord Perkins said putting emphasis on yet before checking his watch, "Speaking of which my big sister should be here soon with the staff and my wife Adara and her friends should be arriving after they've finished checking up on the rest of the railways of Sodor and the rest of the cities and towns. The Sodor Council of leaders is gonna want a word with us about the recent attack."
Those present understood considering it was almost time for work. Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis returned to Olympus to give Tana a progress report before they would return to Hogwarts on a rotational basis to support Yzma and those who were hoping she'd win her challenge. Alastor, Amelia, Alaric, and Haruna returned to the Ministry to discuss what happened but what they didn't know was that the Shadowkhan heard everything and reported the information straight to Kai Malfoy, his wife Fumi and to the one person that Kai and Fumi knew would make sure the new department would fall on the spot and remove anyone and everyone who supported the department, Delores Umbridge.
At Malfoy Manor, Kai, Fumi, and Delores were watching the giant toad monster terrorize the MACUSA and the United States or as Umbridge called it the Colonies before the beast headed north to Ilvermorny to wreak even more havoc and destruction just as it did upon all the cities in its path. Before the trio could comment Shadowkhan ninjas arrived and played a recording of the conversation that happened earlier which included the recent attack and the forming of the Department of Magical Covert Operations.
"Seems the monster is making progress Umbridge," Kai said, "And the Virus its spreading is doing it's job by attacking anyone and everyone you despise the most which is pretty much Muggleborns, Muggles, and Magical Creatures."
"Which means our plans are going ahead in style and nobody can stop now," Umbridge said, "We're invincible. Who is gonna be stupid enough to stand up to one of your monsters?"
As if on cue the Monster arrived and already began spreading its virus at Ilvermorny but before it could attack a wall of flames erupted burning the virus wave. The toad monster glared as Belloc King of the Kaiju himself appeared to defend the school. The monster launched its virus to bring down Belloc but the virus itself had no effect upon the king of the Kaiju as he was invincible before Belloc countered with a flamethrower. The Toad Monster jumped away and unleashed a wall of water upon Belloc but Belloc countered with his flame breath which not only blocked the water attack but turned it into steam before Belloc roasted the Toad on the spot.
"I don't believe this," Umbridge yelled, "A monster created by two powerful purebloods defeated by a filthy lowly beast! This is an insult to all Pureblood Wizards and Witches everywhere!"
"The monster may have been destroyed but by destroying the monster it only helps us in the long run because now the virus has spread into the winds causing it to scatter across the entire planet," Fumi said, "And the best part is that there's no cure for this virus. In the mean time warn Cornelius that the so-called Great Alliance is creating and funding a new department or better yet I will send the warning in an even faster way while you warn the rest of the pureblood supremacists in the ministry. In the mean time Kai and I will have something planned out."
Umbridge nodded and headed to the ministry leaving Kai and Fumi to talk.
"As much as I tolerate Umbridge I don't want her here when I call the Shadowkhan," Fumi said to her husband, "Either way, Lance and Shelinda have written back about the situation at the schools they attend and neither one has a so-called truth will out bylaw. Good thing we warned Armand about that and he's warning the children who are not only purebloods but who also hold the correct political and social views."
"So basically, they and their parents are pureblood supremacists," Kai summed up to which his wife nodded, "Still the GFMC is interfering with our plans if they destroyed my new monster. Of course, nobody knows the monster belongs to us but still that's risky. Either way Voldemort has been moved to his other headquarters and it's located where his birth mother grew up so we have a new base. We renovated it over the years and it took one of his most faithful servants to get everything set. He was pleased we had the base in question set and that we got a set of artifacts from our benefactor. Some we can use but some we mostly have so that they cannot be used against us. The only real trouble however is making sure that Yzma fails her challenge but Voldemort says that he's got something planned and the timing picked out for maximum effect."
Fumi nodded as she summoned the Shadowkhan to deliver messages to the Pureblood Supremacist families and sent the Shadowkhan Ninjas to deliver a warning message to her son Armand.
"It's set now all we have to do is wait and let Armand do what he does best while our curse unleashes it's full power and the best part is that it's linked to the curse on the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," The Asian Pureblood Dark Chi Witch said, "There is no removing it or the curses linked to it and anyone who tries is gonna wind up in the hospital. Anybody who tries to cross the Malfoy Clan will be beaten into submission along with all of their relatives and the more the curse triggers the stronger it gets until even that pets Duncan Rosenblatt will be forced to bow before us."
"Once again Fumi we make a great team," the French Lord Malfoy said, "But first let's talk about Lockhart. His idiocy and incompetence is making out job to put lots of stress on Yzma easier in the hope that she loses her challenge and extends our immunity to do whatever we want."
Fumi nodded as she summoned a house elf to cook them some lunch while they discussed.
In the Ministry of Magic Alaric Bones was going over the files of all the ministry staff and was expecting a visit from one of the department heads to let him know how things were going or even from his wife Minako a Youko with Arkeyan DNA but what he got was a visit from Delores Umbridge the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic.
"What do you want this time Toad Face?" Alaric said not bothering with the manners since in his mind the bigoted old toad wasn't worthy of them," Come to bore me about how the Ministry is being considered a laughing stock in the eyes of the so-called proper wizards and witches?"
Umbridge seethed with fury as the Chief of Staff mocked and insulted her and showed no fear in the process.
"Enjoy yourself now because your days as chief of staff are numbered," Umbridge warned knowing that Kai Malfoy would be able to defeat Alaric and replace him with a chief of staff that did things the way she thought a chief of staff should do which meant hiring only purebloods and pureblood supremacists while sacking muggleborns and the monster girls, "There will come a day when somebody defeats you in battle and takes over."
"Gee you're one to talk considering Christina Potter defeated you in battle," the Chief of Staff said showing no fear of the bigoted pink toad, "Do us both a favor and make like the toad that you are and hop away. I said this before and I'll say it once again. You bring nothing but tension and bigoty to the ministry so by removing you the ministry will benefit with the removal of some of that."
"Kai Malfoy defeated Christina and he will certainly find out about our discussion soon enough," the pink toad hissed, "Need I remind you who his cousin is?"
Alaric knew full well that Kai Malfoy was Lucius Malfoy's cousin which meant that without Duncan able to act should Kai challenge him for the position of Chief of Staff there was a good chance he would wind up in the hospital or share Christina Carlin's fat. Still, he wasn't going down without a fight nor would he yield.
"I'm not afraid of you or the Malfoys," Alaric retorted knowing Duncan would assist him, "People like you and the Malfoys are cowardly whiners hiding in the shadows."
Seeing that the Chief of Staff was clearly not afraid of her because he had full faith in Yzma Milano and in Duncan Rosenblatt meant that the pink toad would have to eliminate Duncan Rosenblatt first in order to intimidate Alaric before tipping of Kai to let him dispose of Alaric once and for all.
Later on, Alaric, Amelia, Haruna, Alastor, Barty Crouch Senior, and Christina Payson Carlin nee Potter were discussing Alaric's meeting with the senior undersecretary.
"Figures the pink toad would try to threaten you considering the state of things," sighed Christina, "And my defeat at Kai's hands has made her bolder which means she can run to Lucius and Lucius will tell his cousin Kai and he will send in a ton of minions after anyone and everyone brave enough to cross her and all of their relatives. Basically, it's bullying and intimidation."
"here's an idea," Haruna said, "Why doesn't my brother-in-law just fire Delores Umbridge already?"
"Believe me I want to but since Delores is a part of the Office of the Minister for Magic I can't sack her without the Minister's approval," Alaric sighed to his brother Eric's wife Haruna, "Which means we're stuck with her."
"Well, that's just great," Barty Crouch Senior grumbled, "Alaric over here can't fire Umbridge and if anyone brave enough stands up to her then they'll be crushed by Malfoy's cousin."
"Which means we need the Department of Magical Covert Operations now more than ever," Amelia said, "I fear things in the Ministry are gonna get worse and don't get me started on the news my children, nieces, and nephews have written to me lately."
"Seems your children, nieces and nephews have good instincts and are quite observant," Alastor commented, "They'd make excellent Aurors or members of the Department of Magical Covert Operations."
"Yes they would but still we see that the conservatives in Magical Britain are frightened by the ideas that are being brought to Hogwarts and the Ministry," Haruna said, "And now there's a good chance Umbridge could eliminate us before we start work on the Department of Magical Covert Operations. Thank the sweet lord above a ministry loophole allows the Chief of Staff to create one new department if the situation requires it and this situation requires it not to mention the bylaws says the Minister can't block it."
"At least that's some good news about the Department of Magical Covert Operations," Alastor Moody said, "Which means we can make some progress and Remove Umbridge from her position once we get some proper recruits. Arthur Weasley has been making some good observations on potential members in the ministry for the new department. Kingsley Shacklebolt is a prime candidate for the job."
"Indeed, he is and Dora Tonks has sent me some owls about potential new candidates to join the Auror Department," said Amelia, "Thank Merlin Yzma managed to get Snape to set the entry of N.E.W.T. level potions back to Exceeds Expectations and he's only teaching the two highest years in potions and the three highest years in defense. Defense has become a thankless job due to the curse but now I'm worried."
"So am I but I think Snape's happier to have students with Exceeds Expectations in his potions class because his wife Victoria Bathory is the one teaching the fifth years and below in potions," said Christina, "I've gotten an owl from my son Payson about Victoria's classes and they're on the same level as those of Slughorn's but she's much more gentle and very skilled in the art treating potions like cooking food and mixing drinks. Although she's quite strict with the 6th and 7th years. Still considering how dangerous potions is I can see why and at least the soon to be new Aurors are gonna at least have a firmer grasp on Dark Creatures."
"I'm well aware of that which is why Yzma, mum, and Dumbledore have a plan set into motion," Alaric said, "Yzma has asked Remus Lupin to teach defense next year to the 4th years and below and after careful consideration he agreed. For the year after Remus' tenure as defense professor I'll need you and your team to provide Security at Hogwarts and I'll need you to teach defense class to the 3rd years and above. Yzma's hands are going to be full helping to train the recruits for the Department of Magical Covert Operations and even more so due to Barty's plan."
"And what is Barty Crouch Senior's plan for the year that Alastor takes over as Defense Professor?" asked Christina, "More to the point does Fudge know about any of this?"
"I plan to present this plan to Fudge but I need to get Ezio's help," Barty Senior Spoke, "Ezio and I need to make some final adjustments and then there is that Umbridge Woman. It's a shame we can't sack her."
"I know but once we get the Department of Magical Covert Operations up and running and fudge is removed and replaced with somebody competent then I can remove Umbridge after a year," Alaric said.
"Why do you have to await a year after a new minister is elected?" Christina questioned, "Surely you can just simply sack Umbridge once Fudge is voted out."
"Ministry bylaws state that employees cannot be sacked for one year after a minister is elected," Amelia said annoyed that Umbridge was still in the ministry despite her world views.
"The only other way to get rid of Umbridge is a challenge for position duel," said Alaric, "And as long as Kai is around we cannot risk challenging Umbridge yet."
Everyone groaned knowing that Yzma winning her challenge was their only hope.
Later that day at Malfoy Manor Umbridge, Kai, and Lucius were discussing the state of affairs.
"So basically, there's a new department created by the Chief of Staff?" Lucius Malfoy remarked annoyed, "And that blood traitor Weasley is part of it?"
"Yep and Alastor Moody is going to lead it which means sending him into retirement is going to be impossible," Umbridge said, "We cannot allow this to continue. The ministry needs to get back to serving its true purpose of serving us purebloods."
"Which means I must defeat Alaric Bones before Yzma's challenge ends," Kai said, "That way I can replace him with somebody to our liking like Corban Yaxley."
Umbridge and Kai knew that to prevent the new department from rising and making moves against them they'd have to defeat Alaric in a challenge for position duel and wipe out anyone who shared Alaric's world view before the school year ended.
Author's Note: As you can see I'm sorry for the lateness but even so I'm back and I'm present and I hope this chapter was too your liking. Thank you that is all.