Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Magic Break Can't Be Seen
Harry Potter
September 12th, 2017
Hot, was Harry Potter's first thought about Egypt, with dry followed closely behind. He was grateful that he didn't need to spend much time outside, that his only real duties could be done within the Egyptian Ministry of Magic, with its cold air. Otherwise, he might turn into a raisin.
Still, the Egyptian's central government was located in a fascinating place to Harry. Underneath the Pyramid of Khafre, the second-largest pyramid in Egypt, lay a dense, underground city, constructed thousands of years ago, to hold the Egyptian magicals. It was so massive and complex that new tunnels and wings were being discovered every year, and it could, theoretically, hold every magical within Egypt with room to spare. It was an impressive feat of ancient magical engineering and kept safe from the muggles above through extensive use of magic.
Personally, Harry would have preferred being above ground, or at least able to see the sky. His love of flying had never abated, and he made a point to fly once a week if only to relax. But claustrophobia was not a fear known to him, a youth spent locked in a cupboard under the stairs assured that.
The chamber where the ICW was meeting was rather impressive if you liked ancient statues, carvings, and stone furniture. Harry felt the gold inlay was a bit pretentious but preferred it over the drafty courtrooms the British Ministry of Magic used when it was their turn to host the ICW. Only the hosting Mugwump had an assigned seat, and Harry joined the rest in filling the remainder.
He was unsurprised when Nicolas Flamel joined him a moment later. "Well, you got me here, Nicolas. I hope your plan works."
Nicolas patted his knee in a friendly manner. "You worry too much, Harry. You'll get wrinkles."
"You're one to speak. You're one giant wrinkle," Harry muttered. Nicolas shot him a grin but refrained from speaking, as the Supreme Mugwump stood.
Ahmed Zol was a man who reminded Harry of Kingsley Shacklebolt, both in size and temperament. He was one of the handful of wizards Harry knew of who was willing to hunt rampaging Nundus, and he was ever rarer among that number for possessing all of his limbs. Zol was a wizard that Harry could respect.
"I call this meeting to order," Supreme Mugwump Zol said, letting off a minor Fire-Cracker Charm to settle everyone down and gain their attention. Those few still standing quickly found seats. "Thank you. We'll begin with the Roll."
Harry allowed his eyes to wander over the chamber, occasionally making eye contact with the other Mugwumps. Russian, Polish, Canadian, Australian, after a while, their faces began to blend, their names half-forgotten in his mind. Harry almost missed standing for his call, so bored he was by the proceedings. Politics would never be exciting.
"Harry Potter, Mugwump for Britain," he said, before sitting back down.
The roll continued, and Harry had to resist the urge to yawn. It must have been noticeable since Nicolas jabbed him with an elbow a few minutes later, waking him from a lull, the alchemist rolling his eyes.
Zol finished with the Roll. "Now, as a point of order, we shall continue our discussion into the border dispute between MACUSA and Canada, that was postponed from our previous meetings. Would the respective Mugwumps take the floor?"
Harry sighed and settled further into his seat as the witch and wizard made their way down. What followed was not a discussion between the representatives of two countries, nor was it a spirited debate. The Mugwumps bickered like an elderly couple, bringing up slights done to their respective countries from decades, if not centuries ago. It was, in Harry's opinion, pointless drama.
Nicolas leaned in close. "See how they fight? Squabbling over lines on a map? There is nothing of value there, not even people, they just want to be seen as important by their governments, valued. Magicals aren't valued in this day, Harry, just fools who prop up their own legends."
Harry said nothing but thought on Nicolas' words. Was that not Lockhart, stealing the good deeds of others and using it to sell books? Even Ron, his arguable best friend, liked to embellish their misadventures at Hogwarts, inflating his own self-importance. Harry always bore it with good humor, but it did make him wonder.
It seemed Nicolas wasn't done speaking, as he leaned in again. "See how everyone is getting restless? This is not what magicals are meant for, but only fools argue otherwise. We were meant for something greater."
Something caught Harry's eye, and he turned his attention upwards. Around the top of the room was a balcony where the press and magical citizens could watch the proceedings behind Silencing Charms. The thing that caught Harry's eye was a man, taller than those around him by a full head, and packed with muscle. Old scars littered his flesh, and he stared down at the bickering Mugwumps with an almost predatory look. Something about him tickled a memory in Harry's mind, but he couldn't remember what.
"It's time, Harry. It's time to change our world," Nicolas said, before rising.
"The floor does not recognize the French Mugwump," Supreme Mugwump Zol warned. "Please return to your seat."
"The French Mugwump must speak for it is for the safety of our world I must act. We can wait no longer for the honorable Mugwumps from Canada and MACUSA to finish," Nicolas said, joining the pair on the floor.
"Mr. Flamel, please return to your seat-" Zol began to say.
"Or you'll censure me? It wouldn't be the first time this body has done so. Granted, it led to the last financial collapse when they ignored my words, but that's neither here nor there. It's not like I'm trying to warn you of the danger we're in," Nicolas said with a smile. The gathered Mugwumps began to murmur.
"Canada will yield the floor to the French Mugwump. We value his wisdom," the Canadian Mugwump said. The MACUSA Mugwump scowled at the Canadian witch.
"We also yield the floor. The Immortal Alchemist has long had our respect," the MACUSA Mugwump said, not to be upstaged. More of the surrounding Mugwumps began to voice their agreements.
Supreme Mugwump Zol frowned but reluctantly nodded to Nicolas. "The French Mugwump has the floor."
"Thank you," Nicolas said, and silence fell in an instant. Harry admired the respect his mentor commanded. "I am concerned, my friends. Concerned for us, our countries, and the entire Wizarding World. We are in danger every day, from threats both near and far. And I'm concerned we've lost sight of them."
The room was silent as Nicolas Flamel began to pace, making eye contact with every Mugwump. "We all know the Muggles advance every year; their technology has spread throughout every corner of their society. It is not surprising they pursue it so rigorously, they lack magic! Of course, they would look for a way to better their lives. But this is a danger to us."
Flamel gave Harry a wink when they made eye contact but did not pause in his speech. "The Muggles surveillance capabilities have surpassed our own!" he claimed boldly, drawing angry mutters. He held up his hands to settle them.
"I know, I know. It is a bold claim, but not one without proof. We are all aware of the Muggle cellphones, their internet. They possess an unprecedented ability to connect with one another, one that was long held by ourselves. Even Magical Britain, with their famed map of Britain, has been usurped by the Muggles, and even they have had incidents with concealing our world."
Harry almost frowned when it became apparent Nicolas was waiting for him to agree. He stood, reasoning this was the moment his mentor needed him to voice his support. "Nicolas is correct. Every year our Obliviators struggle more and more to handle the threat of exposure. It is a numbers game, and we are losing."
"Indeed, we are!" Nicolas said, smoothly cutting Harry off. "Which is why something must be done by us, the representatives of our nations, our people. Among our number, we have Ministers, Head Aurors, Headmasters of our institutions; we are the ones our people look to for guidance! Which is why I say we must act!"
The gathered Mugwumps began to cheer, agreeing wholeheartedly with Flamel's words. Harry, though, frowned heavily as he considered his mentor's words. Something about this whole situation unsettled Harry in a way he wasn't quite sure he liked.
"I agree!" the East African Mugwump, Uunta Banoo shouted, rising to his feet. He was the headmaster of the Uagadou School, in Africa. "I stand with Nicolas Flamel! I stand with Harry Potter!"
More and more took up the cry, rising to their feet. The wizard on Harry's left, from Norway, dragged Harry to his feet, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, his new comrade. Soon, only Supreme Mugwump Zol remained sitting, his face carved from stone. He left off a burst from his wand to regain order.
"Order! I will have order among this body!" The gathered witches and wizards collected themselves and returned to their seats, leaving Flamel standing alone. "What is your intention here today, Flamel?"
None of the gathered witches and wizards missed the fact that the Supreme Mugwump addressed Nicolas by his last name and not his title. Nicolas grinned up at him.
"It's time for the nations of the Wizarding World to unite as one people. A global ministry, one government to lead our people to the future, in safety. Obliviators responding globally without delay, Aurors no longer being prevented from acting by red tape. A safe Wizarding World for all!" Nicolas said. The gathered Mugwumps began to cheer once more. "Who among you say aye?"
"AYE!" Hundreds of voices called out as one.
"Nay!"
Silence. The gathered witches and wizards looked around, turning toward Zol, but even he was confused. But then a voice spoke from above.
"I say nay!" the man that had caught Harry's eye said, rising from his seat. He easily towered over the witches and wizards near him, his body covered in muscles. And then Harry belatedly realized the man had somehow overcome the spells that kept the gallery silent.
"And who are you to speak before us?" the German Mugwump, Leeroy Fitz, demanded angrily.
"My name is Mikael, and I am the Alpha of the Werewolf Nation!" the now identified Mikael proclaimed. Dead silence answered him.
Magic Break Can't Be Seen
Mikael
September 12th, 2017
Mikael eyed the witches and wizards below him, contempt filling his veins. Rage burned in his belly, demanding he rip and tear and kill. But he was not a mindless beast, he was a predator, and he would not succumb to these lesser beings.
"What Werewolf Nation?" one of the witches demanded. Mikael grinned, showing off his elongated canines.
With barely a thought, he stepped over the railing in front of him, falling ten meters to the ground. Mikael cast no magic to arrest his fall, his faith in his superior body held firm. For all the impact he felt, he might as well stepped off the bottom step of a staircase.
"My Werewolf Nation," Mikael said, standing across from Nicolas Flamel. The ancient alchemist looked surprisingly fit for being over six hundred years old. He even had a backbone, standing not four meters from him.
"This body recognizes no Werewolf Nation!" a man shouted. The other Mugwumps took up the cry. Mikael clenched his fist and called upon his magic.
Silence. And horror. Mikael watched as the gathered witches and wizards felt what he had done, had done without a wand. He grinned dangerously as he began to circle Nicolas Flamel.
"My Werewolf Nation," Mikael began, "stretches from North America to South America, made from the wilds you dare claim your own. My people, herald from the castoffs of your society, united in our cause to a united world. But not under your banner, no. Under ours."
Another flex of magic burnt a crimson crescent moon into the floor between Mikael and Flamel, destroying the carvings and gold in its way. Mikael could smell the fear in the room thicken as the gathered witches and wizards realized the potential of his wandless abilities. He continued.
"For far too long, wizardkind has scorned the gifts werewolves possess. Our strength, our speed! You fear us because we are better than you!"
"That's not true!" Uunta Banoo said, having broken the Silencing Spell with his own magic. Mikael was not surprised; the Uagadou School was infamous for its ability to teach its students wandless magic, a method they keep a jealous secret. That its headmaster had the skill was of little consequence. "You are beasts! An infection upon our world! You hunt us, trying to pass on an illness that has no cure!"
Not all gathered agreed with Uunta's words, but enough did, nodding their heads as they dispelled the Silencing Charm that bound them. Mikael paid them no mind and gave Uunta a sharp, vicious grin.
"Your justifications are as weak as your magic, wizard! No longer will the werewolves suffer this oppression; no longer will we be cut down like beasts. We will meet insults with tooth, spells with claw, and we will stand united against the threat that you wizards present!"
"Enough of this. Aurors! Put down this mongrel beast," Uunta ordered. Robed figures moved forward, wands at the ready, to surround him.
Rolling his eyes internally at how slow wizards were to react to a threat, Mikael only eyed Uunta for a moment before shifting. His bones broke, his muscles tore, and his skin shredded itself as he freed the beast within. He rose to his full height in his proper form.
Mikael knew what the wizards could see. He was no mere werewolf, a sickly and wretched thing missing great clumps of fur. No, Mikael was even taller and stronger now than his human form, covered in thick fur and sharp claws. Long experience told Mikael that he was just as comfortable on all fours as he was standing, and he roared his superiority to the world.
More than one wizard lost control of their bowels, Mikael's nose told him that. He gave the frozen Aurors a wolf-like grin, amused that they were so small before his might. And then, he moved.
He tore through the Aurors as if they were made of paper, not flesh and bones. Mikael slashed one witch so violently she was cut in half, sending a spray of blood to soak part of the audience. Only one wizard got a spell off, and Mikael let it hit.
The Blasting Curse smashed into his chest, sending him skidding back. The Auror looked down at Mikael's chest in surprise as if he couldn't believe he had managed to hit the werewolf. But when he looked back to Mikael's face, he blanched at seeing the wolf-like grin looking back at him. Mikael stepped forward.
Suddenly, two shield spells popped into existence in front of him. Nicolas Flamel and Harry Potter stood side by side, their wands aloft and ready. Mikael let himself shrink back into his human form, unashamed of his nudity.
"You will soon learn to fear my name, alchemist, Man-Who-Won. If you yield, recognize me as your Alpha, I might even personally turn you," Mikael offered. He was amused to see how both men stiffened.
"Funny, I was going to offer you mercy if you surrendered," Harry Potter said. Mikael let out a harsh laugh.
"Why would I surrender? I am not even close to being captured," Mikael said, and his body blurred once more.
A pillar of black smoke swirled where he once stood and began to float above and away from the shields holding him in place. The Caligo spell was a bastardized flight spell at its core. It allowed the castor to ignore most spells with ease but was weak to specific elemental attacks. It could move at a steady pace but was limited by range, only able to go a few hundred meters before failing. Fortunately for Mikael, that was all he needed as he floated out of the chamber.
After all, he had his own plan to unite the world under one banner—a banner with a crimson moon.
Magic Break Can't Be Seen
Daphne Greengrass
September 14th, 2017
Daphne turned the page of the Daily Prophet, reading about the newest threat to the Wizarding World, Mikael the Werewolf. The paper vilified him, of course, he was a beast in their mind, but Daphne was far more curious about the global response to this new threat:
All of the world's magical governments somehow unified overnight.
In an impressive feat of politics, spearheaded by Nicolas Flamel and Harry Potter, the Mugwumps of the world had united under a single banner, with their respective ministries following soon after. After the revelation of a Werewolf Nation, it seemed not a single magical government was willing to risk their citizens to be infected and had voted unanimously to join together.
But to the three former Slytherins living in Malfoy Manor, the whole situation stunk of backroom deals, bribery, and heavy-handed threats. While Astoria thought that Harry Potter might have spearheaded this movement, Daphne and Draco disagreed, claiming it went against his character. Draco even went a step further, claiming that Nicolas Flamel was the architect of this new government, although for what ends, he didn't know.
But what it did mean was that the ICW was turned into a Global Wizarding Ministry, and every government was being restructured to fit into the new system to combat the threat of the werewolves. The most significant and notable change this brought forth was the unification of every Auror Department on the planet, forming a global police force.
Daphne put aside the paper and quietly contemplated what this meant for the immediate future. Flamel, who was sworn in as the world's first High Chancellor, quickly appointed Arno Chang as his general, ordering him to restructure the world's Auror Departments into combat-ready divisions, with Obliviator Squads assigned to each. Harry Potter, it seemed, was out of a job, as his position was absorbed into the new government.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear following one of the Malfoy House-elves. Harry Potter stood in the doorway of the sitting room, looking very uncomfortable and stressed. Daphne smiled mockingly.
"What's wrong, Potter? First time committing a coup?" she asked. He flinched but glared at her.
"That's not what happened," he said.
Daphne shrugged. "The most powerful witches and wizards in the world banding together to combat a threat? Pulling the governments and the people they represent along with them? It's a coup, Potter, no matter how suspiciously bloodless it might have been."
Harry frowned. "Where's Draco? I need to speak with him urgently."
Daphne rolled her eyes and gestured to the still waiting House-elf. "Please inform Draco that he has a guest," she commanded. The House-elf bowed before popping away, leaving them alone. Daphne watched Harry fidget for a moment before speaking.
"So what you going to do now that you're out of a job?" she asked.
Harry flushed. "I have a new job," he said, before clamping his mouth shut tightly.
Daphne found herself privately amused by his reluctance to speak. "Which is?" she asked, prodding for more information. She almost smiled with how Harry struggled to say it.
"I'm the Senior Undersecretary to the High Chancellor," he finally managed to say. Daphne couldn't help giggling at how offended his face was.
"Ah, should I start calling you Madame Potter? Perhaps buy you some horrid pink robes?" Daphne asked, full of mirth. Harry scowled at her. "Peace, Potter. One hag was enough. I don't doubt you'll be far better than she ever was."
"Thank you," Harry said. Silence fell once more, and Harry began to fidget again. Daphne watched in interest as he dug a pair of coins from his pocket and began to play with them. One of them was quite familiar, after all.
"Trying to solve it?" she asked. Harry gave her a confused look, so she nodded toward his hand. "The Riddle Coin?"
Harry seemed surprised to find the two coins in his hand. "No." He shook himself, putting both coins back into his pocket. His eyes fell upon her. "Actually, I was wondering if you had any more information that you could share with me about the circumstance of your disappearance."
Daphne shrugged, amused with how Harry's eyes tracked how her hair slipped off her shoulders by the action. She had a feeling his wife Ginny was not as feminine as she. "Unfortunately, no. My lips remain sealed."
Harry was prevented from answering by the entrance of Draco, who looked quite harried. "Yes, Potter? What is it?" he asked in a rush, eager to get back to what he was doing before Harry's unannounced arrival.
For a long moment, Harry said nothing, merely eyeing Daphne out of the corner of his eye. Finally growing tired of it, Daphne rolled her eyes and rose gracefully to her feet. "Perhaps I'll go check in on Astoria?" she asked rhetorically.
The two men nodded, and so she swept from the room. Unseen to both of them, Daphne left behind a Listening Charm, cast wandlessly, on the lamp near the door. The voices of Draco and Harry echoed softly in her ear.
"Potter, what the hell are you doing here?" Draco's voice said. Daphne slowed her pace to listen in.
"We need to talk, Malfoy. What do you know about the werewolves?" Harry's voice asked.
"Nothing more than what I've already told you. They've been vanishing for months, and even Pucey noticed before he went off on his bender. Did you ever find out why he did that? He was a tosser, don't get me wrong, but he wasn't suicidal."
"Spell residue was inconclusive. All we know is what the eyewitnesses report, and they all say he was ranting about Muggles and Muggle-borns."
Draco sighed. "It just feels so weird. I saw him that morning, and he was fine!"
"Sometimes, people do bad things, Malfoy. I think we both know that well enough."
"Only you would bring that up now, Potter."
"I find beating your past mistakes across your skull helps in getting them to stick."
"Going to curse me again?" Malfoy asked. Daphne frowned, when did Harry curse Draco?
"No, you're far less annoying than you were in Hogwarts. Have any of your darker contacts mentioned anything about this werewolf, Mikael?"
"No, he came out of nowhere. But I've heard some disturbing rumors, Potter, is it true he's not like a normal werewolf? That he could turn at will?"
Now it was Harry's turn to sigh. "Worse. In human form, werewolves look sickly, unhealthy, on account of how the transformation wrecks their bodies. But Mikael, he was the fittest wizard I've ever seen, and magically gifted too. He was proficient with wandless magic."
"Merlin, where the hell did he come from? Are all the other werewolves like him?"
The pair were silent as they considered Draco's question. Daphne purposefully took a wrong turn, taking the longer route to where she knew her sister to be at this time of day, so she could continue to eavesdrop. She nearly froze at Harry's next question.
"Have you noticed anything off with Daphne?"
"Lots of things. She's lying to everyone."
"How do you know?"
"What, can't you tell when Granger and Weasel lie to you?"
"Yes, but they're my best friends."
Daphne rolled her eyes, and despite being unable to see Draco, she didn't doubt he did as well. "We're Slytherins, Potter; we spent years studying one another for weaknesses. We all know each other's tells."
"What's Daphne's?" Harry sounded far too interested in that.
"She doesn't have one," Daphne smirked at that. It fell when Draco continued. "But Astoria tells me everything. And Daphne told her."
As much as Daphne wanted to feel betrayed by that, she couldn't hold it against Astoria. It spoke highly of how much Astoria trusted her husband, though. Although, Daphne wondered if Astoria knew that Draco and Harry were sharing information. Somehow, she didn't doubt it.
"Go on," Harry's voice ordered.
"She helped create the Riddle Coins, although why I don't know. She does want Astoria to solve it, though, quite badly. She mentioned there being a cure for the blood curse that afflicts their family."
"Daphne told me the people who made the coins were studying magic. Although she could have meant studying the magic behind the blood curse."
Draco scoffed. "Try to keep the scale in sight, Potter. There are tens of thousands of people missing still. You wouldn't need that many to break a blood curse, even if it weren't an esoteric concept. No, somebody is doing something that needs bodies, something massive."
"Like an army massive?"
There was a pause before Draco answered. "You think the missing werewolves are connected to the Riddle Coin?"
"I'm starting to," Harry said, far too calmly. Daphne frowned as she stood outside her sister's study. Surprisingly, Draco disagreed.
"This is Daphne we're talking about. She wouldn't push Astoria into anything that would put her at risk. Werewolves are dangerous at the best of times, let alone with a maniac like this Mikael."
"So, you believe her?"
"I do. There's definitely more Daphne isn't telling us, but I believe her."
Harry sighed, "I suppose that's something, at least."
Daphne knocked on her sister's door before opening it slightly, just enough to slip in. Astoria barely twitched from where she was seated by the window, staring intently on her Riddle Coin, and mumbling under her breath. Daphne joined her by the window, taking a stray book that lay there and opening it. She focused back on Draco and Harry's conversation.
"How are things in the new government?" Draco asked. Harry groaned.
"Miserable. I thought being in charge of the DMLE was miserable; it's only been one day, and I already want to quit. Nicolas is using me as a buffer for the more public government offices, while he leans on Arno to streamline the various Auror Departments around the world into one. He just started negotiations with the Goblins to keep things stable when I left."
"So you ended up a Ministry poster boy after all," Draco joked. "Hey, watch where you're jabbing that thing!"
"Be glad I didn't curse you," Harry muttered. "It's not all bad. Presently my only tasks are to gather the heads of various departments, introduce them to one another, and then order them to merge their personnel and resources."
"And if someone resents that? And resists?" Draco asked.
"I remove them. There are dozens of department heads applying for the same job essentially. Nicolas gave me carte blanche to assign who I saw fit, so long as they all are willing to work with the new government without reservation."
"And that worked?" Draco sounded amused, and Daphne almost smiled herself.
"Of course not, when have you ever known wizards to be logical? Chang showed up halfway through the first interview, posted an Auror, then told everyone if they didn't cooperate, he'd authorize Veritaserum to weed out the foolish."
"Merlin, where's Chang from? Russia?"
"Canada."
"You're joking."
"Nope. Surprised the hell out of me too. I can see why Nicolas assigned him the job, but the entire thing makes me uncomfortable."
"Figures, Saint Potter is afraid to dirty his hands with politics."
"Some of us don't want to be politicians, Malfoy."
"Then you shouldn't have bounced a Killing Curse off your forehead as a child. This is your lot in life; you might as well accept it."
There was a sudden, tense silence. Daphne twitched, wondering if somehow the spell had failed, but then Susan Bones' voice reached her ears. She wagered it must have been from a Patronus.
"Potter, you need to get back to the Ministry pronto. There's been an attack in Africa, a massive attack. Early reports say it was werewolves."
Daphne released her hold on the spell, allowing it to fade. It would seem that Mikael had made his first move. With idle hands, she stroked her necklace, the miniature icicle that Alexander had made her years ago, at the Yule Ball. Unseen by all, even her sister, Daphne smiled.
Magic Break Can't Be Seen
Alexander Dantes
Fifteen Years Ago
Alexander sat on the edge of the balcony, one leg swinging gently over the ocean roaring below, while the other was kicked out in front of him. Leaning into his side was Daphne, his arm wrapped around her, and a blanket covered them both. Daphne was dozing while Alexander's gaze focused on the water below, and the figures there, watching their progress.
Down below, dozens of golems pushed blocks of stone through the water, following paths they had walked hundreds of times before. The waves meant nothing to them, the weight of their burdens even less. They pushed their burdens to the ocean and across a bridge that Alexander had them built, and then they pushed their loads into the depths.
Underneath the waves, Alexander had painstakingly built a magical scaffolding that would guide the sinking stone along a set path, stacking them like blocks. This scaffolding helped keep the blocks in place, and would, theoretically, be able to hold the immense weight Alexander intended to place them under.
He had done this for months with no visible result to show for it. But today was the day his patience was to be rewarded, with the stones almost visible under the waves. Only a few dozen more and the pillar he had been building would finally be complete. And then he could move on to the next.
Their home had changed very little over the past few years, other than Alexander removing the railing that lined the balcony so that they could have moments exactly like this. Daphne often joined him there, occasionally helping with the building, but mostly just keeping him company, reminding him why he was doing this.
A pop startled them both, causing them to share a confused look. Footsteps approaching alerted them that they were not alone, and they turned, seeing a dark-skinned young man staring at them, clutching a Riddle Coin. He was wearing Hogwarts robes and was a Slytherin.
"Welcome!" Alexander said. He and Daphne rose to their feet.
"Hello," the young man said. "Where are we? What's going on? Who are you?"
Daphne smiled gently at him. "This is Alexander, and I am Daphne. You're at Cape Horn, and you're the first person to solve a Riddle Coin. Congratulations."
His face lit up. "I did? Yes!"
Alexander eyed him curiously. "What's your name?"
"My name is Devin Mirr!" Devin said. He examined Alexander closer. "Do I know you? You seem familiar."
Alexander wasn't sure. Devin did look familiar, in a vague sort of way. "Perhaps you were one of the Muggle-born I helped evacuate a few years ago," Alexander offered.
Devin's eyes grew wide. "You're the one who taught me Free Transfiguration in my first year!"
Now it was Alexander's turn to be surprised. He tried to remember back to his fourth year, the only time he had ever taught anyone, save Daphne, anything. "I think I remember, weren't you one of the ones who covered his soldier in mud?"
Devin nodded excitedly while Daphne quietly laughed beside them. "Told you the first person to solve it would be a Slytherin," she smugly said.
Alexander rolled his eyes. "I was the one who claimed it would be a student." Daphne rolled her eyes at him.
Devin glanced around at Cape Horn with bright, intelligent eyes. "So, what happens now?"
Alexander clapped a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Now, we talk," he said, leading the young man to the balcony. He sat on the edge overlooking the ocean and patted the stone next to him. Cautiously, and mindful of the height, Devin joined him.
"You sit on the edge of the world, Devin," Alexander began. "My coins were designed for a purpose, to search out magicals who had qualities that resonated with me. Those who were bright, curious, and adventurous. Those who wanted to search for new frontiers and explore them. I didn't want parasites here, to drag us down, slow us down. I wanted those who would be willing to build with us."
Alexander pointed to the line of golems below, pushing their rocky cargo into the ocean. A few stones pierced the waves, touching air. "You see, when I was a young boy, I was bullied. I was beaten, cursed, and ignored by those who should have stopped it. It taught me to solve my own problems, to not be reliant on a higher power to save me."
He chuckled darkly. "Of course, when the war against Voldemort broke out, I wasn't expecting myself to become a freedom fighter. I chose to save my fellow Muggle-born because I remembered what it was like to suffer at the hands of others, and I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least try. So I did. And I succeeded. I saved thousands of men, women, and children from the horrors of war."
"But the war ended. And the world went back to what it was doing. There were those who tried to make a better one, championing the rights of the oppressed, but their actions were hampered by their unwillingness to truly fight for what they claimed to stand for. They allowed corruption and oppression to live, so sure of their moral high ground that they didn't need to dirty themselves with actually stopping evil." Alexander looked Devin in the eye. "You cannot stop evil unless you are willing to fight."
"So I, like many Muggle-born, left the Wizarding World. But what I found in the non-magical world wasn't any better. Pollution, corruption, war. Criminals allowed to walk free on technicalities, the very earth below us being poisoned, the air and water becoming foul. The non-magicals it seemed, were no better than the wizards."
"Which leaves me, Daphne, and now you. You see, originally, I was going to live with Daphne, alone, and wait out the inevitable demise of humanity, safe behind our magic and defenses. I was and still am going to build an Acropolis, a fortified place of safety for us to live while humanity murders itself into extinction. But then Daphne convinced me to allow others, those who are like-minded, to join us."
"And here you are. You passed the test. The Acropolis isn't finished yet, but you are more than welcome to join us. But if you do, all I ask is that you assist in the construction, and vow to protect it from those who would destroy it," Alexander finished.
The two men sat in silence, the call of the sea the only sound to be heard. Daphne stood a ways behind them, out of sight, ready to use her magic to stun and Obliviate Devin should he be a threat. Finally, the young man spoke.
"If you're going to build this Acropolis, why don't you save humanity? Is it not within your power?" Devin asked.
Alexander sighed. "I did try. I vanished the trash that filled polluted rivers, only to find it once more filled a month later. I sought to filter what pollutants I could from the factories, but they only blessed their fortune and increased production. I tried bribing titans of industry, offering them gold and wealth, to find safer ways, less destructive ways to run their businesses. They took the money and carried on. And the wizards? They would label me a dark lord should I begin to fix their governments."
"I tried solving the problems of the world, but I could not. Their societies run off of greed, envy, and jealousy. Humans would have to change on every single possible level to stop their oncoming death. But as a whole, they won't, so I will focus on those, like you, who will."
"You feel it, don't you, Devin? The need to fight this injustice, to push against the boundaries society set up. You want to right the wrongs, save the world, and that's a good thing. But humanity doesn't want to be saved. It just wants to feast and slowly choke to death."
Alexander could see how his words hit the young man, only a few years younger than he, beside him. The inner turmoil was practically visible, and Alexander could see the exact moment where Devin conceded to his logic, agreed with it.
"It just seems like we should be able to save it," Devin mumbled, upset. Alexander wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"We can. By building the Acropolis. The rest of humanity may fall, choke itself to death to sate its greed, but here we can build something that will become great, that can survive. We will become the new humanity, and we will learn from our past mistakes, to make a society capable of being saved," Alexander passionately said.
Devin nodded, slowly coming around to Alexander's viewpoint. "We can protect those who are willing to change."
Alexander grinned in approval. "Exactly, my friend, exactly!"
Devin grinned back. "So, where do we start?"
Alexander held up Devin's Riddle Coin in his hand, allowing it to slowly float in front of the young man who sat there with wide eyes. "Tell me, Devin. How would you like to learn wandless magic?"
Magic Break Can't Be Seen
AN: Writing politics is annoying. I can't shove my head through a wall, so getting into the mindset is difficult. Still, I'm pleased with how this chapter turned out.
Daphne and Astoria's mother: I forgot about her because of how unimportant I viewed her. She's either arrested and with the other Death Eaters in Azkaban, or died off screen, same as Draco's parents. They don't really matter to be honest.
ICW and Supreme Mugwump: Apparently it rotates between member states for who can host it(canon). The Supreme Mugwump is the Mugwump's whose country is hosting it (fanon), which makes Dumbledore's claim of being Supreme Mugwump in canon a little iffy, but I figured with how easy magic makes it to move around the world, they could hold weekly meetings without issue, constantly changing the location for "security".
Mikael: Like politics, it's difficult to write arrogant characters. Hopefully he came across that way. He's not a typical werewolf he's *redacted*. You'll just have to wait to see.
Harry being so passive: It's not every day you're used for a coup. Despite his interactions with Lupin, he is aware of how dangerous werewolves can be, so he is in agreement that Mikael needs to be handled. Making him Undersecretary was because of many reasons, but I loved the irony of him taking Umbridge's position in the new government. Apparently it's an important job, where they act as the Minister's hand in certain tasks. Very important, not that it doesn't annoy the hell out of Potter.
The Coup: I mentioned it in Daphne's section, but Nicolas DID use threats, bribery, and other such tactics to basically conquer the world. Wealth can achieve a lot in politics, and he's built his wealth for centuries. As for why he waited so long to act? The Muggles needed to reach a point where they could be a realistic threat. Cellphones, nuclear bombs, etc. prior to the 2000's they just weren't there yet.
Arno Chang: A new OC. French mother and Chinese father, born and raised in Canada. A funny idea I had, usually because it's Americans or Russians who are advertised as the "hyper competent military leader". Arno fought in the Great Moose Rebellion of 2003, and if you don't know what that is, I can't tell you. It's still classified.
Daphne: She's a Slytherin, of course she's going to listen in. She also isn't angry that Draco is suspicious of her, as it is another Slytherin trait to expect betrayal. I'm trying to show off how she isn't a damsel in distress, she's a witch who is exceptionally competent. There will be more of it later.
golems/construction: It takes a long time to build the structure I teased at the end of Alexander Dantes. Especially since Alexander is smarter than the average wizard. He's not making something that can be dispelled by a stray Finite, he's making a stronghold that can withstand the stupidity of the human race.
Alexander: Yes, he's an environmentalist. Any exceptionally intelligent person is. I also wanted to show how in this chapter he and Daphne aren't rushed. They both have Philosopher Stones implanted in their chests, allowing them to live for another thousand years easily. So him building his future home, brick by brick, isn't unrealistic.
Devin: Another new OC. He won't be used much, I just wanted to bring back one of Alexander's original students from his fourth year. The timing was slightly off for canon, until I realized it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility that the other years that attended during 97 school year would also need another year of study. So he's another Year 8 student, and one of the ones that Alexander already taught. This is the reason why he was the first person to solve the Riddle Coins.
I hope you're all enjoying the story! I know some of you want more and want it faster, but I'm currently working on multiple projects, and this is one of two that doesn't earn me any money. You'll just have to be patient and WAIT for the NEXT UPDATE in THREE DAYS. Thanks for the interest though!