Chapter 22
The Yule Ball. Harry had purposefully tried to repress the thought of it whenever it came up in the past four years. It wasn't just the fact that he didn't get to go with whom he wanted or that he had a bad time. It was simply the whole palaver of getting a date, learning to dance, turning up, being the centre of attention and… well, Harry hated the whole thing.
"If you do not smile, people will zink we are not 'appy."
Harry gave a snort as he turned to his beautiful date who had a smile forced onto her face as they stood outside the doors of the hall in their dress robes.
"Since September '91 I have been doing my best to make sure I am happy. Screw the rest of the world."
"What about my 'appiness? Or Dudley and ze girls?" She asked, maintaining that smile.
"Them being happy makes me happy. Nothing to worry about there." Harry said assuredly.
"And moi?"
Harry looked at her with a small smile. He could hear a hint of apprehension. "I have been looking forward to this year simply to meet you and Viktor. You were my friends. But… 'friends' doesn't quite seem to be our sole destination. But you won't hear me complaining."
"Awwwww."
Harry sagged defeatedly as he heard his girls behind them. They had declared their duty to attend their Lord and his Lady as their handmaidens for the night.
Except Tracey who had offered to accompany Viktor to protect him from the vapid fangirls.
"Aren't 'Handmaidens' supposed to be inconspicuous?" He grumbled.
"My Lord, you have never cared about 'supposed to'." Gemma grinned.
"Alright Ladies and Gentlemen." Minerva said briskly as she walked up in her own formal dress robes. Harry had tried to convince her to wear an actual dress, but she had insisted it was her duty to make sure students could find her. "Everybody is now waiting for us. Form a line of couples and I will announce you."
She indicated that Harry should join her for a private conversation so he slipped away with a nod to Fleur.
"Harry, Albus has gone missing."
"Kidnapped?" Harry asked as his body began to prepare for conflict.
"No, he said he would be leaving for a few days but not why. He always lets me know where he is going and how to contact him." She said with frustration.
"Phoenix." Harry called and the mother of his own phoenix flamed in. "Can you find out if Albus is ok? Aunt Minnie is worried about him."
Phoenix tilted her head, closed her eyes and let out a low note.
Then she opened her eyes and trilled to Harry before flaming out.
"She checked with Fawkes." Harry explained. "Albus is safe, and that was all she would tell me." He frowned. "She seemed to know more and wasn't too happy about calling him 'safe'."
"I do not like this, Harry."
"Me neither. But I trust Phoenix. Fawkes would sacrifice himself before he let Albus get hurt. We'll give him another day and if he isn't back we can ask Phoenix to deliver a letter."
"I'm beginning to wish Ember was old enough to flame. Her over eager manner of transporting you is what we could use." She said wryly.
"She is old enough to flame." Harry said with a grumbly pout. "She flamed on to my bed last night. Set the whole damned thing alight. I spent the rest of the night trying to sleep whilst Blinky laughed at me."
Minerva suppressed a smile, vainly. "Come, we should begin."
The ball managed to fair pretty well. The champions had opened the event with their dance and then the meal was served. Harry was seated between Fleur and Amelia so he was set for company and conversation.
But then Fudge decided to go and spoil the whole evening.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!" He said with a beaming smile. "I am happy to be able to give you some wonderful news."
Harry frowned. He didn't like this one bit. He had no idea what was coming.
"Due to the appalling standards of education found at Hogwarts these past few years, the Ministry is proud to announce that it has appointed Mister Theodore Nott Senior as the Head of Magical Standards."
Harry's expression darkened further.
"His role will be to ensure that the teachers are educating our children appropriately and that our children are aware of their place in our society."
Amelia and Fleur both hand a hand on Harry who looked like he was ready to draw wands and throw down.
Unfortunately for Fudge, someone very close to Harry could feel his emotions and did not like it.
The entire assemblage of magical humans gasped as Fudge was attacked by a very familiar tiny phoenix.
"Get off you bloody bird!" Fudge screeched as Ember landed on his head in a burst of flame and began pecking at his scalp. She couldn't fly yet but that didn't stop the determined hatchling.
Nobody moved to help Fudge. Nobody was dumb enough to be seen fighting a phoenix. A creature of light.
Due to Ember's immature body and lack of mobility, Fudge was soon able to make contact with the bird and Ember went flying over the tables and students.
There was a loud crack as Harry vanished from his chair only to reappear to catch Ember.
There were several flashes of fire and three phoenixes, including Ember's mother, appeared hovering over Harry as they glared angrily at Fudge.
Several students also stood and drew their wands as Harry's Girls took custody of Ember and began a thorough check up with her mother.
"Questions must now be asked, Cornelius." Harry enunciated slowly. "Not only were you attacked by a phoenix, you also attacked a phoenix.
"I am sure the citizens of Britain and the rest of the magical world will want to know if Britain is under the thumb of the Dark. Lord. Fudge."
Regardless of the gravity of the situation and the stoniness of Harry's voice… many attendees had to cover their mouths to laugh at Harry's insinuation.
Fudge was obviously flustered. "Outrageous! I was clearly unaware of who was attacking me!"
Nicholas saw an opportunity and pounced on it like a kitten with a piece of string. He just hoped he could hold onto it better than a kitten.
"Irrelevant!" He declared as he stood. "A phoenix has declared against you! Britain must take action immediately or they will face trouble from the rest of the world."
Nicholas was trying to surreptitiously catch the eye of one of his co-conspirators. Fortunately he got through.
Frank Longbottom, Lord of Longbottom stood gravely. "As a member of the ruling body of Great Britain, I call upon my fellow members to call for a vote against Cornelius Fudge. Furthermore, we throw our support behind Lord Harry James Potter of Slytherin and call for his ascension to the throne."
Now the gasps were for a different reason.
"Preposterous!" Nott Senior shouted angrily. "The throne has been vacant since Arthur died and the sword was lost. It is the very reason we have our illustrious Wizengamut." He said haughtily. "Perhaps your time as a vegetable has left your brain addled." He smirked.
"Oh Theodoooore." Harry cooed. "You just insulted my family in my home. Unless you want to face me on the piste, I suggest you hike up your skirt and run."
"I will gladly face you." Theodore said gravely. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. His chance to defeat the boy and elevate the House of Nott to its rightful place. "You have insulted our Minister and made fraudulent claims to the throne. I will face you on behalf of the British people!"
"That is something you are unable to claim, Mister Nott." Came the snarling voice of Sirius Black. "You are not even a member of the ruling government. Furthermore, the children of Great Britain are all here now, along with many of our peers. Each of them would favour Lord Harry over you."
"This can easily be settled." Came the wizened tones of the elderly alchemist. "We will adjourn to the Glastonbury Tor. There Lord Harry shall retrieve the sword of King Arthur, proving his claim to the throne."
"Nobody has been able to find the sword!" Fudge scowled. "People have been searching for centuries, even to this very day!"
"Only the worthy may find and wield the sword." Nicholas said gravely.
"Sir Nicholas, I suggest you and I head to the Tor immediately and secure it from non-magicals." Frank spoke up again. "Lord Harry can stake his claim at sun rise and any who wish to witness may do so after a good night's sleep."
"And give you the chance to ensure that no one but the brat can find and wield the sword?" Nott scoffed. "No, we will go now and end this farce."
"Very well." Nicholas frowned. "But you will see that the majority of the Wizengamut is present to witness the event."
"I will send a messenger." Nott said, clearly not willing to allow them any advantage.
"Which of you two miscreants wants to fill me in on this whole Glastonbury sword deal?" Harry muttered quietly as he walked between Frank and Nicholas towards the castle gates. The entire school was following along with the guests for the ball.
"Don't you pay attention, Harry?" Nicholas snapped in hushed tones. "Ganos said that you needed to claim the sword if you were going to conquer Britain."
"You never mentioned that and neither did Ganos. Are you sure you didn't inhale a bad potion?" Harry asked him suspiciously.
"I certainly did! Frank was there. We had a whole discussion on whether or not to make the event public."
"Nicholas, Harry wasn't there for that." Frank pointed out reluctantly.
"But I remember him being there and being entirely inappro- oh." Even in just the light of the wands of the students and guests, the blush on Nicholas' face was evident. "We were testing the polyjuice… "
"You. Are. The. Absolute. Worst." Harry growled before stomping off ahead.
"What happened now?" Perenelle asked as she jogged up from behind. Unlike Nicholas, she didn't bother with aging glamours. She just slapped whoever questioned her and lectured them on questioning a lady about such personal matters.
"More repercussions from the polyjuice incident." Nicholas said unhappily. He was probably going to spend the next six hundred years making it up to the boy.
It was twenty minutes later and the professors were still bringing the children to the Tor via Portkeys provided by Frank, Penny and Nicholas.
"We don't have all night! Let's get this going." Fudge scowled impatiently. He wanted a crack at the sword and a chance to claim the throne.
"You are an impatient fool." Everyone gasped as Ganos appeared surrounded in a bright white light that lit up the area.
"Wh-who are you? I- I demand you i-identify yourself!" Fudge stammered as he tried not to look like the coward he was.
"I have gone by many names." Ganos looked at him as though he were a bug. "You would only have heard of me as Morgan Le Fay."
There were more gasps.
"PREPOSTEROUS!" Fudge screamed. "I have had enough of foolish claims of Arthur's sword and long dead witches! Aurors! Arrest this woman and Potter!"
"I had always thought humans were foolish and ignorant." Fudge turned on the spot. Arrayed behind them was a goblin army.
Ragnok was the one who had spoken.
"So far that seems to only apply to British wiggles." He sneered.
"What's a 'wiggle'?" Came the confused question from Bagman. The rest of the school was giggling away whilst the adults felt resigned to being called wiggles for the rest of their lives.
"Its short for witch or wizard." Frank spoke up. "And completely irrelevant to the here and now."
"Only the worthy may access Avalon." Ganos announced loudly. "Only the true king may pull the sword from the stone and claim the throne of Albion and her territories."
"Well? Where is it?" Fudge demanded impatiently. He didn't think it was wise to try and attack the woman or Potter. Not with an army of goblins and dragons looking for an excuse to act.
"If you do not know, then you are not worthy." Ganos informed him.
"Well you must have told the brat!" He accused.
"He knows only what you know with regards to the location." She said calmly, trying very hard to ignore his slights against her apprentice. "As my apprentice, he has begun to learn the secrets of Merlin and myself."
And there were more gasps at the revelation that Harry Potter was the apprentice of Morgan Le Fay. It was like all those fantasy books come to life.
"You've been teaching the boy the secrets of Merlin?" Nott asked incredulously.
"If you can teach the brat you can teach me! I am the Minister after all." Fudge said importantly.
Ganos glared at him. "Why would I trust you with the secrets of my family when you have so thoroughly managed to ruin the glorious kingdom that Merlin and I helped craft for Arthur?"
Fudge looked indignant but Ganos ploughed on, turning to address the ever increasing crowd.
"The kingdom of King Arthur ranged from the very south of the island to the very north. It spanned from the east of the main island to the west of the Celtic Isle.
"There were many fiefdoms, each ruled by their own king. But they all answered to Arthur Pendragon, The High King.
"There was much strife, as you should expect for a time when communication between settlements could take days and medicine was frowned upon, but Arthur's reign was steadfast and loyal to the people and ensuring their safety at the very least."
She turned back to Fudge and the Wizengamut who had gathered behind him. "What have you done except pocket the taxes of the people so you can live in luxury? You accepted bribes from murderers and let them walk amongst the weak and vulnerable.
"What have you done to earn my trust? To earn my secrets?" She demanded.
"You expect us to believe that a pubescent brat has managed what you claim we can't?" An old man asked with a sneer. "We have kept this country up with the very sweat of our backs!"
"There were no politicians or lawyers during Arthur's reign." She said sadly. "There was no one to twist the truth or spout lies. If the Knights of the Round Table were unable to resolve issues then it was brought before Arthur, Merlin and myself and magic was used to reveal the truth.
"Now you fools use gold to wash the truth away.
"Enough!" She said suddenly. "Enough of your manipulations. We are here to witness the return of the High King of Albion. We stand upon the Glastonbury Tor, resting place of Avalon. If you believe you are worthy you may try to access it and claim the sword."
With that she vanished in a slow bloom of light.
Once the expected gasps died down, everyone turned to look at Harry.
"Tell you what." He said as he twisted his mouth thoughtfully. "I'll give you all until sunrise. Anyone who wants to try and access Avalon can do so until then. At sunrise I will access it myself, claim the sword and head off to bed."
No one moved.
"That means you've got about eight hours." Harry said pointedly as he tapped his watch.
There was a sudden rush as wands were drawn by two thirds of the people there and diagnostic and revealing spells were cast.
Harry just snorted and turned away.
"What if one of zem gets in?" Fleur asked worriedly as Harry approached the group.
"Then they still have to draw the sword from the stone." Harry shrugged. "There are probably a bunch of other tests and conditions."
Fleur frowned before Nicholas translated for her.
"Did Ganos teach you how to access Avalon and claim the sword?" Tracey asked curiously.
"Nah, other than her dire warnings that I will be busy for decades, she has only been telling me what is possible. Not how."
"And have you achieved any of what she has alluded to?" Perenelle asked.
Harry grinned. "Now that would be telling."
"Potter! You're a bigger fool than I thought."
"Good to see you too, Ragnok." Harry greeted the Goblin King sarcastically. "Are you part of Nicky's conspiracy?"
Ragnok looked a bit confused. "You were the one who told me you were going to conquer the country."
"I'm talking about the whole Avalon bit."
"I thought that was part of your plan after the old fool came and warned me."
"No, the Old Fool needs to learn better communication skills." Harry glared at the Old Fool.
Despite the desire to watch the old men try and access the legendary Avalon, many of those present were very tired. Getting ready for the Yule Ball had been a lot of work and the following excitement took a further toll. So Harry enlisted the professors, along with the upper years to transfigure or conjure beds for people to nap if they wanted.
A few professors and prefects were tasked with taking students back to Hogwarts if they wanted.
"Harry… is that Sirius?" Dudley asked hesitantly.
Harry followed Dudley's pointing finger to where a large black dog was digging into the tor.
"I regret that you are correct, Dudley." Came the resigned sigh from Remus. "I don't think he believes he can get into Avalon, I just think he wants to be able to say he tried."
"Why don't you give it a shot, Moony?" Harry grinned at the former werewolf.
"Because even if I was worthy, I have no desire to wear the crown and rule the land. I just want to teach my classes and relax." He said wistfully.
"What about you, Dud?" Harry asked as he conjured a shovel. "You could be the next King of England."
"Don't you have to be a wiggle?" Fiona asked from Dudley's side. Harry had also had the professors transfigure the clothes of the Ball's attendees so they weren't in robes or fancy dresses. Fiona was in a comfortable jeans and blouse with a long coat to ward off the chill February air.
"Ganos says that it is all based on genetics. Dudley could have a recessive gene considering we are blood related. There is also a chance you could have one too. There are probably millions of people with the gene in Britain alone."
Fiona just snorted. "No thanks. Not unless you all agree to call me the High Queen of Scotland."
"You'd be the High Queen. You can order them to call you what you want." Harry pointed out.
The three males were amused as Fiona put on a mock thoughtful face. "Nah. Too much work."
"What are the Durmstrang students doing?" Harry asked curiously.
They were busy setting up tents and camp fires.
"Penny says it is going to snow soon. They retrieved their emergency supplies from their ship and are setting them up." Remus explained.
"I hope it settles." Dudley said happily. "Luna and I can continue our competition."
Fiona was lost so Harry explained. "When Dudley and Luna first met when they were about eleven, it was snowing at Hogwarts and the students were having a snowball fight.
"It was Dudley's first trip from the Home. Luna and Dudley wound up challenging the rest of the students into building the tallest snowman. They have yet to lose."
"Do they use magic?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Dudley scoffed.
"Actually, they are allowed to use magic, just not on the snow. They can use magic to ward off the cold and help them get higher but they can't use it to levitate snow or make it stick." Harry corrected.
"Yes, I remember the amusing sight of little Luna Lovegood levitating this monster of a young man high into the air to pile on more snow on their seven foot tower." Remus laughed. "Filius said he was accosted by Miss Lovegood after the last class of the Autumn Term and forced to teach her how to levitate people."
"Yeah, he spent a night in Poppy's care with a concussion because Luna used a bit too much power." Harry grinned.
By five in the morning the number of people trying to access Avalon had dwindled to around ten. Some of the older ones had collapsed due to simple fatigue. One had actually died.
A few, like Fudge, had managed to expend all of their magical reserves. They were currently at the level of squibs.
The rest had simply conceded defeat and conjured beds and chairs to rest on until sun rise.
Sirius was happily digging away.
Filius and Minerva had insisted that the children go back to Hogwarts. They had promised to bring them back before sun rise so they could witness Harry's attempt.
Even Harry had gone back to catch a nap.
At seven fifteen in the morning the students of all three schools began popping in via portkeys.
"You've got around fifteen minutes before I make my attempt." Harry announced.
Of the five individuals still attempting to find an entrance, four glared at him hatefully and the fifth whined pitifully from the bottom of a deep hole.
Harry just rolled his eyes at his godfather.
Fifteen minutes later and the armed goblins ushered the four Pure bloods to the side whilst Remus approached his friend with a leash. Sirius was so tired he didn't even bother struggling.
Harry walked over and looked down at his godfather's attempt. It was an impressive hole.
He jumped in.
Sirius transformed back into a human. "Looks like I got the closest." He said smugly. "Urk!"
Remus returned that smug look as he brandished the other end of the leash still attached to the animagus.
There was a sudden noise, a strange noise followed by flashes of light from Sirius' hole. Remus and Sirius ran to check on the boy.
"Harry?" Sirius called into the dark hole. It was nearly thirty feet deep. Remus had had to levitate him out.
"I can't see him." Remus said quietly. He then touched his watch and said Harry's name.
"Hey Remus, no worries. I am fine. Avalon is… a little bit dull." Came Harry's voice. The other spectators began to gather closer to hear.
"Dull?" Remus queried.
"There is a cave with bad lighting. There is also a sword embedded in a stone."
"I demand you open Avalon so the rightful leader of Magical Britain can claim the sword." Fudge said imperiously.
"Haven't you been paying attention you half-wit?" Sirius sneered. "The 'Rightful Leader' would have been able to get in themselves."
"I refuse to accept that that brat is- eep!" Fudge froze in fear as a goblin spear poked right up his nose.
"Potter doesn't have an army yet. But he does have allies." Ragnok said pointedly as he stood behind one of his guards who was holding the spear.
"You will violate the treaty!" A man in his forties said scandalised.
"The treaties were violated years ago." Ragnok scoffed. "As usual it wasn't the goblins who broke it, but the humans." He began smile evilly. "Of course, as per the treaty, we took recompense as permitted."
The man's eyes widened. "How much?" He asked in a hoarse whisper.
"If Potter doesn't claim the throne, you are all doomed." He said tauntingly.
"Ok, so Merlin left a message." Harry continued, unaware of the sweaty palms up top. "Apparently I have to pass a few tests before I can go for the stone."
"What sort of tests, Harry?" Filius shocked most of the group as they hadn't noticed him at their elbows. "Can you bring someone down to help you?"
"I can probably bring someone down, but I don't know if that would invalidate my efforts."
"Then at least maintain communication with us." Remus instructed.
"That's fine. I've reached what appears to be the first test." There was a sound of grinding stone. "Oh bugger."
"Harry!?" Sirius said frantically. The older men, not part of Harry's family were shoved aside as his girls crowded around in worry.
"There's a bit of a time limit." Harry was speaking loudly. "See if old Fudgy still wants to attempt this. The penalty for failure seems to be death by squishing."
"Squishing?" Gemma asked with fear.
"Harry, please!" Tracey pleaded. "Have Ember get you."
"Relax." The rumbling stopped. "All done, see? It was just a little mind twister. On to the next one. There were two corridors so I assume there are only two tests before I try the sword."
"But what if you can't figure out the next test?"
"Pansy! Are you saying you don't believe in me?" Harry said in mock hurt.
"I'm more worried about what happens to our contracts if you die." She sneered, but her fear was clear.
"That's my Pansy." Harry's grinning voice said. "Well, my will is up to date. All of your contracts will be passed to Sirius Black, Lord of the House of Black. In a sense he agreed to be your godfather."
The girls looked at the now slightly embarrassed man. "I couldn't just risk you being taken advantage of."
Daphne and Gemma smiled sadly and hugged him.
The rumbling stone sound came over the watch again. "Ok, second test."
Most of the crowd held their collective breath. Most in hope for Harry's success. A few in hope of his horrible and messy death.
"Seriously! I really should have let Fudge take this test. He'd be killed instantly and out of my hair. It's pretty much a morality test."
"Can you solve it?!" Filius demanded impatiently.
"Already have. The ceiling is now retracting. Time to try the sword."
"Make sure you stretch before you enter the room." They all jumped as Yoshiko spoke up with authority from behind them. "You should expect to be tested on using the sword."
"You might want to tell Poppy to prepare her bag then." Harry sighed.
"Maintain your focus, remember your training and above all… DON'T DROP THE SWORD!" She screamed.
"One time! It was one time! It was also the only time I beat you." Harry grumbled.
"The point of the lesson was to learn how to use a sword." The Kitsune grumped back. "It defeated the purpose when you stopped using it."
"Yeah, yeah."
They could hear Harry grunting as he stretched.
"You've been teaching him how to use a sword?" Sirius asked in amusement.
Yoshiko grinned. "And guns and spells. Harry gets into all those little adventures. I've been helping him train. When he goes on his next one I hope to come along."
"I was hoping he would grow out of them." Filius sighed.
"Alright, I'm pulling out the sword." There was the sound of blade on stone. "Bugger. There's a knight in armour. Talk to you in a bit."
"Harry!" Remus called into the watch.
"Let him be." Yoshiko said sternly. "He needs to focus. He is good with a sword. Not a professional or master, but he manages."
"How much of a problem will Fudge and the Wizengamut be if they oppose Harry's success?" Remus asked Sirius quietly.
"That depends on how well they think they will fare against a goblin army." Sirius snorted.
"Not to mention that Toyotama-hime instructed me to inform her if Harry needed aid." Yoshiko added. "She's taken a liking to the boy." She grinned.
Ten minutes later and there was a loud crack as Harry apparated up. He looked exhausted, but he was holding an English made, medieval sword. He marched up to Yoshiko with a scowl.
"This is not a katana." He grumbled as he waved the blade around.
"The basic principles are the same, Harry-kun. Pointy end goes in fleshy bastard." She shrugged.
"Aurors! Arrest him." Fudge had a smug grin as he marched up. "I'll be taking that sword, Potter."
Harry closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before releasing it. He then raised the sword and swung it at Fudge's neck. "YEEEEAAAARRRRRHHHH!" He shouted.
Nearly the entire population of magical Britain, as well as various visiting dignitaries and guests, witnessed Lord Harry attempt to decapitate the sitting Minister of Magic with a sword.
But nothing happened.
The sword passed through the fat man's neck.
But nothing happened.
Well, the area around Fudge grew particularly rank in smell.
"He attacked the Minister! Arrest him!" Nott Senior declared with smug look.
"Stand down Aurors." Sirius glared at them as he stepped forward in full 'Lord Mode'. "You stand before King Harry of Albion. He has claimed the sword of Arthur and with it, the throne of England." He turned around to face Harry and dropped to one knee with his head bowed.
Remus, Filius and the girls were quick to follow, most of the Hogwarts contingent followed suit, the foreigners merely bowed.
"Anyone who wants to end up a squib like Fudge… please, step up." Harry said as he brandished his sword.
"Everybody saw the Minister casting spells a few hours ago, Potter." Nott smirked.
"Behold, Caledfwych! Also known as Excalibur. It is the key to Magical Britain… or, the Key to the Magic of Britain." Harry grinned darkly.
The look of greed on the Pure blood's faces was disturbing.
"EXPELLIRAMUS!"
Harry just stood there looking Nott straight in the eye. The spell had hit Harry, but it did zip.
"Incarcerous."
Nott fell to the ground bound by rope.
They all turned to look at Pansy who stood there, wand out and no remorse. "That man is guilty of treason against the Crown. I believe the current laws mandate a death sentence."
"Absolutely correct, Lady Pansy." Frank stepped forward. "Aurors, you are expected to take into custody, anyone who defies the king. Unless of course you wish to join Mister Nott in his cell."
"What are you waiting for?" Nott snapped at the aurors from the floor. "That is the Minister of Magic." He pointed at Fudge who was staring at his wand with a look of horror. "And that is some upstart brat who needs to learn his place."
"Having a little problem are we, Cornelius?" Harry asked the sitting Minister with a grin. "Performance issues, perhaps?"
"M-M-My magic." Fudge looked completely lost and broken.
"Anyone who is willing to swear fealty to the crown, stand over there." Harry pointed to the goblins.
About fifty people moved, and rather quickly. A few were Aurors.
"Alright then. You refuse to respect the throne so you are banished from magical Britain. Your magic is forfeit." Harry raised the sword and charged.
The offending wizards were not idle as they drew their own wands and began sending curses and hexes at the charging boy.
Harry was hit by numerous spells, but not a single one had any effect. He ploughed through the crowd, swinging his sword as he went, the sword passed through each of them, seemingly harmless.
Eventually all that was left was a bunch of men and women shouting meaningless words at him. It quickly died down as they realised nothing was coming out of their wands.
"Aurors. Take them into custody." Frank ordered again. "They will be held until they have been charged or cleared by His Majesty's Courts."
This time the Aurors began to move.
"The rest of you, fix the surface of the Tor." Harry ordered the magicals that had moved. "I will make announcements over the Wizarding Wireless as needed."
