Chapter 10 Monarchy and Mayhem at the Wizengamot
Harry and I stood outside the Wizengamot doors, alongside us was another man looking completely out of place in this place in the Ministry of Magic. Whilst the normal mode of dress in this place was robes, this individual was wearing a black pinstriped suit and carrying a ceremonial mace in his hands. This mace was essential to the order of procedure today although no one else except for Kingsley in the chamber even knew it was on the premises. The mace was from the House of Commons, the chamber where the British parliament sat when in session. This mace had to be present for parliament to sit in the chamber, it was only here today and in the hands of the muggle beside us with permission from her majesty. Although it dated from the end of the civil war in England there were parts of it that dated back to the time of William the conqueror, it was the direct descendant of the staff of the first Court Mage.
"Are you really sure about this, I feel such a fool carrying this thing? I had to get permission from her majesty to remove it from the Houses of Parliament. She was a little reluctant to allow it, although she did seem very accepting about magic, not like myself. It would almost seem as if she knew about it before!"
"She does, Mr. Blair, her family is a pure-blooded squib family that occasionally produces a child that is able to attend Hogwarts and play a more active part in our society, the last magical child born to the royal family was a Prince John born in 1905, some childhood illness prevented him from attending Hogwarts, but he was a wizard. Her family also has a vault at Gringotts that is currently in lockdown as no magical descendants are alive to access it. Although her majesty was made aware of these things as she grew up, she probably just thought of them as fairy tales until you brought up the subject for us. Is she ready to play her part in this later?"
"She assures me she is; she is always very calm about these things. I swear I haven't seen anything phase her in the entire time I've served as her Prime Minister. When I told her of the need to speak to the Wizengamot, the wizard government of this country and why, she seemed to go quiet for a few seconds and then informed me that she would be ready."
Meanwhile in the Wizengamot chambers.
"Honourable members of this chamber," said Kingsley, "today we are to see the swearing in of two new members of this honourable establishment, one of whom is the first of his family to do so, having been declared a Wizarding Lord by the Court of Charlemagne earlier this year. I have checked through the hall of records to establish the proper procedure for this event, and must announce that we will have several other people in attendance. These people are important and respected individuals in the muggle world and I ask that you behave as the solemnity of this occasion requires."
"Kingsley, are you honestly saying you have invited muggles into the Ministry and are proposing to allow them access to this chamber. I really think you must be out of your mind if you think this chamber will allow such a thing."
"You really have no choice, the first person to enter into this hallowed chamber will be a muggle, but he holds the position of Court Mage to her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. If you know your history, you will know that we were given the right to govern our own affairs by the Monarchy of this country in the Magna Carta, signed by the Monarch at Runnymede in 1215, under certain conditions. We were to protect the non-magical subjects of these isles from the dangers our society contains, hence the reasons for charms around the Dragon Reserves, why we actively contain any magical beasts that break into muggle areas. If the second of the persons due to be present decides so, she can declare the Statute of Secrecy in abeyance, remove all charms around magical sites in this country and could even declare a civil war against us, believe me we could not win such a war."
"Surely you are not saying muggles are superior to us, I admit they've made some advances, such as this internet thingy and these mobile telephones, but we are more than able to defend ourselves?"
"My noble Lords and Ladies, in this you are mistaken, the current wizarding population is about 45000, the current muggle population of this country is approximately 60 billion, even without their weapons, they could defeat us just by force of numbers. It is quite possible for her Majesty for us to declare us oath-breakers if she believes we have not met our obligations to the Monarchy, and such are the clauses written into the Magna Carta that if she did so, we would be worse than squibs. Squibs are more than capable of becoming the parent of magical child; she could strip us all of our magic and prevent any magical children being born in the future. Such is the power she has."
"Good grief, this really cannot be tolerated, Kingsley, the fact that a muggle should have so much power over us. We need to do something about it."
"I welcome you to try when I bring the first of our visitors into the chamber, he may be a muggle, but the office he holds mean he is far from powerless."
"Preposterous, I say bring him in and we will deal with this muggle upstart, and then get back to governing ourselves as is our right."
"I tried to warn you, Lord Nott. On your own head be it. Steward, if you open the doors to the chamber and admit our first guest." The steward nodded and flung the doors wide, "honourable members of the Wizengamot please be upstanding for the Honourable Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Court Mage to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II"
The doors opened and the steward of the chamber announced our companion to the assembled members of the Wizengamot, he gave a glance at us, nodded and walked into the chamber, the doors closing shut behind him with a boom.
Mr. Blair looked around the Wizengamot chambers and steeled himself for the task ahead of him. "Noble members of the Wizengamot I thank you for this opportunity to address you today, I am here to act as steward and escort…"
"Shut up muggle, if you think you have any authority here, you are mistaken. Stupefy"
A red light shot from the wand of the speaking wizard and towards Mr. Blair who just stood there looking shocked. The light hit the staff he was holding and was reflected back towards the wizard who cast it, who fell to the floor with a moan. "I see," said Mr. Blair. "It seems some amongst you are not happy with my presence here." He turned towards Kingsley Shacklebolt, "Kingsley, who is the individual who just cast a spell at me?"
"Lord Nott, Theodore Nott!"
"Very well, I Tony Blair as Court Mage to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II do hereby bind the magic of Lord Theodore Nott for one month, if during that time he presents himself to myself or the British parliament to apologise for his actions, his magic will be returned to him, if he does not adhere to these conditions then his magic will remain bound for the rest of his natural life. Does Lord Nott have an heir?"
"Yes, a son, also called Theodore. "Very well, if Lord Nott does not apologise for his actions, I appoint his son to his title and position within the Wizengamot." There was a gasp from the assembled members of the Wizengamot and a moan from the slumped form of Lord Nott. "Now that that unpleasantness is behind us I hereby as Court Mage to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II do call upon magic to raise wards in this chamber to prevent magic from being cast whilst her Majesty is present in the Chamber and hereby say that anyone who attempts to cast a spell during that time will be charged with attempted treason and tried in a British Crown Court for the said offence. Under the laws of the Magna Carta, this is still a capital offence for wizarding subjects of her Majesty."
Again there was a gasp from the floor as this announcement sunk in; a visible shimmer could be seen around the walls at his words and the air became charged as if there was a thunderstorm about to start. Mr. Blair reached into his pocket and took out a small slip of paper, which he read from, "Ego, iudicium Mago, quid peto, ut per hoc ei, rex, Regina Elizabeth II est locus ille Bersabee, ad hoc quod fiat Wizarding ei subiecta." The doors to the Wizengamot chamber opened to show the atrium outside, there was an audible gasp from the members present as a large golden coach appeared there, surrounded by several men with red uniforms and large furry hats on their heads. As the coach finally materialised a foot man stepped down from it and lowered a step and then opened the door. A tall gentleman dressed in military dress with several medals on his chest, descended from the carriage and turned to assist the queen from her carriage. The guards moved from around the carriage and filed into the chamber and stood facing the assembled members. Her majesty was dressed in ornate robes with a crown sitting on her head, she slowly and calmly walked toward the Ministers chair at the front of the Wizengamot. Kingsley stood aside and allowed her to take his seat, bowing to her as he did.
"Noble members of the Wizengamot, my representatives in the wizarding world, I thank you for this opportunity to address you and this honourable body today. It has been a long time since a reigning monarch spoke with their wizarding subjects, since you cut off ties with the Crown at the end of the Civil War, that these ties were not re-established after the restoration of the Monarchy is a matter that lies heavily on our heart. It is neither the fault of your noble selves or our Royal self that this occurred but the part of both, I am confident that now this has been rectified, the matter will not be brought up between us again."
"We have been informed that today is the Oath-taking ceremony of a New Wizarding Lord, the first of his line to be elevated to this noble office and is our right and privilege we are here to accept his oath of service to ourselves and the realm. It is also my fervent wish that you noble members of the Wizengamot will reaffirm your oaths to myself and the realm at this time."
There was a slight hum of conversation, from the sitting members of the Wizengamot at this announcement, but it was unclear if it was in agreement or dissent.
Kinglsey's nodded to the steward who opened the doors to the chamber and announced, "Harry James Potter, Heir to the title, Lord Potter; Dudley Vernon Dursley, First Lord Dursley, make your presence known to her Majesty.
As the doors the Wizengamot opened for a second time, we heard the steward requesting our presence in the chamber. With a nervous glance at Harry, I made my way in to the Chamber of The Wizengamot for the first time.
We walked forward to stand before her Majesty and bowed to show our respects. "Are you ready to make your oaths before, myself, her Majesty, and this body?" asked Kingsley.
I nodded nervously, Harry doing the same at my side. "Harry Potter do you swear to serve me with fealty and honour, to bear arms against my foes, to protect myself and the realm with your life and magic?"
Harry stepped forward and knelt before her Majesty, "I, Harry James Potter, do hereby swear with fealty and honour, by my life and magic to serve her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, this do I swear in the sight of the Gods, and the noble of Her Majesty's Wizarding Government."
The Queen received sword from the tall gentleman standing just behind her, (in case you haven't guessed as this may not have been realised by the Wizengamot. This Gentleman is The Duke of Edinburgh, Husband to the Queen). She took the sword with a nod and touched Harry on the Head, "I, Queen Elizabeth, do hereby grant unto Harry James Potter, the title of Lord Potter of Her Majesty's Wizarding Government, and do affirm in him all the rights and privileges that that noble office. May you continue to give good service to my realm, as you have done in the past. In recognition of past actions by yourself, in ridding my realm of the wizarding terrorist known as Lord Voldemort," there was a loud gasp at the mention of the Dark Lord's name from the assembled members of the Wizengamot. They still feared his name, he'd been dead for eight years. "Do hereby, dub thee Sir Harry Potter, knight of the realm, may you by your actions defend the right and protect the innocent." There was a flash of gold light that travelled from her Majesty, down the sword and lingered for a moment about Harry's head.
Harry rose to his knees and bowed to the Queen and took a step backwards. At a glance and a nod from her Majesty I made my way forward. . "Dudley Dursley do you swear to serve me with fealty and honour, to bear arms against my foes, to protect myself and the realm with your life and magic?"
I stepped forward and knelt before her Majesty, "I, Dudley Vernon Dursley, do hereby swear with fealty and honour, by my life and magic to serve her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, this do I swear in the sight of the Gods, and the noble of Her Majesty's Wizarding Government."
The Queen again took the offered sword from the Duke of Edinburgh, and touched it to the top of my head. , "I, Queen Elizabeth, do hereby grant unto Dudley Vernon Dursley, the title of Lord Dursley of Her Majesty's Wizarding Government, and do affirm in him all the rights and privileges that that noble office. May you give good and honourable service to my realm?" Again there was a flash of light that travelled from her Majesty and down the sword to linger around my head. The Queen handed the sword, back to the Duke of Edinburgh, and looked at me, still kneeling at her feet. "You may rise, Lord Dursley!"
I looked at her, "your majesty, if I may ask a boon?"
She looked hard at me, trying to discern what I was about to ask. "If it be within my power and does not go against the oaths we have sworn or the kingdom, I will endeavour to grant your boon."
I nodded, Majesty, there is one who has recently sworn service to my house, and I would ask that he be allowed to swear service to your Majesty as Vassal Secundus, in his own right, this would right a wrong long done to his people and allow for a better future for them henceforth."
Kingsley looked at me, "Dudley, I understand that you recently took a house elf in service to your family, are you really asking that a house elf give oath to her Majesty?"
"Not exactly, minister, do you or any members of this noble body know how house elves were originally bonded to serve wizards?"
There were collective mutters of, "it's always been so," and "who cares about house elves anyway," from the floor. Her Majesty looked around in disapproval at the members of the Wizengamot and placed a finger to her lips, there was a violet flash and silence was the only sound to be heard.
"Am I to understand that you know the story behind this bond of servitude that these poor creatures endure? Pray enlighten us." I told the story as I had heard and understood it from my house elf, Elrond, and about the transformation that had occurred when he took service with my family. "we must admit to curiosity, Lord Dursley, we have heard the poem, by Rudyard Kipling but we were given to understand by that that the Battle of Dymchurch happened about three or four hundred years ago, you speak of time longer than a millennia."
"Yes, your Majesty, Rudyard Kipling was retelling an old story and no reference was given as to when it occurred, so some artistic license was used, but that is the tale as I was told by Elrond, the first of his race to be broken free of this curse and the first free Eledhel to be born to the world in over a millennia."
"Very well, Lord Dursley, I will take your elf as Vassal Secundus, if that is his wish. I hereby request and require that the Eledhel, known as Elrond, present himself to ourselves before the Wizengamot to offer his oaths to the realm, if he so wish it!"
There was a faint pop and Elrond appeared before me, he bowed, "Master Dudley, where has I been summoned, and why is I here. I was attending to the duties around the house when I was pulled here. What magics do you know that could do that, over and above the bond of service I gave you?" I nodded to him and pointed behind him. He turned, gasped and fell to his knees, face planted firmly to the floor.
"Elrond, Eledhel, it has been requested by Lord Dursley, your liege lord that we take your oath as Vassal Secundus to the realm. Is it your wish to do this?" Elrond turned his head to look at me, and I nodded.
"I is honoured, your Majesty, and would willingly offer my humble self's vow to her Majesty as Vassal Secundus to herself via Lord Dursley.
"Very well, Kneel good elf," Elrond rose to his knees facing the Queen proudly. "Do you, Elrond, first free member of the Eledhel race, offer fealty to my house, after your oath of fealty to Lord Dursley to defend my realm with your life and magic?"
"I Elrond, first free member of the Eledhel race offer my oath as Vassal Secundus to her Majesty, may I be bound to this oath, by my life and magic."
"I, Queen Elizabeth, do accept this elf Elrond as Vassal Secundus to my realm and further I appoint him ambassador of his people to my realm and name him Lord Elrond of the Court of Charlemagne and admit him as a full member of this, my wizarding government."
There was a collective gasp from the floor of the chamber, which the Queen silenced with a look.
Elrond rose to his feet and stood behind me, looking extremely pleased and nervous at the same time. Her Majesty gave a discreet cough and looked around the chamber. "Noble members of my wizarding government, today the first step has been made in righting a wrong that has been perpetrated for a long time. It has been brought to my attention, through Lord Dursley and this elf that there are magical subjects of my realm that are not accorded their full rights under the terms of the Magna Carta. It is therefore my Royal Decree that all races of magical Britain be accorded full rights as persons of this realm. It is the task of Lord Dursley, and his noble elf vassal to approach these peoples and to make them aware of their new status within our realm. It was never given to our wizarding government to subdue sentient creatures, and supress their rights within this our realm. This ends now. I now request and require that the noble lords, and family heads of this assembly swear fealty to myself and my realm, by their life and their magic. And let it be known that We will be vigilant in our future contact with you my wizarding subjects."
As a group the members of the Wizengamot rose to their feet and swore by their lives and magic to serve her Majesty and the realm, the only exception being Lord Nott, who at this time still had no magic. "I thank you noble lords, for this renewed tie between our worlds and as a sign of good faith do I say that the Statute of Secrecy will remain in place, the only amendment to this law being that although you maintain your secrecy, and hidden places within our realm, you must make arrangements for the areas of our realm that are hidden from common sight be unhidden, you will be allowed to ward these areas from casual trespass by muggles, but they must be in plain sight. If any of our subjects, learn of your world, they are to be welcomed as equals, whatever their blood status. All wizards and witches within our realm are equal in the eyes of the law, whether they be first generation, that is to say muggleborn or pureblood since time immemorial. There is to be no discrimination on this matter henceforth."
I looked at Harry, and saw the same look on his face, confusion and a certain amusement.
Her Majesty then took the hand of the Duke of Edinburgh and walked back and into her carriage, the Soldiers stood to attention and moved swiftly out of the chamber and stood around the carriage which then faded from view. Tony Blair stood in front of the Ministers chair that her majesty had recently occupied. "Kingsley, I look forward to our next meeting, this has been a most interesting day." He bowed to the members of the Wizengamot, "Noble Lords!" He then vanished from the chamber.
There was a loud muttering from the floor at this, Kingsley looked at me, "Dursley, what the hell are you going to do next? You are setting our world on its collective ear and you don't even plan to do it."
I could only nod meekly, and wonder what would be the next thing I would do to wizarding Britain…
A/N the Latin in this chapter says 'I, Court Mage, do hereby request that her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II be brought to this location for the Oath taking of her wizarding subjects.' Blame Google translate if it's wrong not me.
I don't know where Harry's Knighthood came from, that just seemed to happen under my fingers as I was typing this chapter, but that's Monarchs for you. Dudley's request about Elrond also came as a surprise as I was typing, but it seemed to fit in with how Dudley operates.