Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. JKR does. And she has an army of people making sure no one makes any money out of her work without people knowing.
AN: Here it is at last. I just got back from a trip to Turkey in the hopes of "broadening my worldview" and "enriching myself culturally". Or maybe it was just for sightseeing. I'm not really sure. I know some of you might have expected me to start the reunification of Ionos, militarily speaking, but I felt this chapter was needed to buffer that event form the last one. Hope you guys enjoy and click on the Review button way down there.
Chapter 3: A visit to the Weasleys
The Burrow…
Molly Weasley nodded to herself in satisfaction, as she ate breakfast. Nobody would be going hungry due to lack of food anytime soon. Of course, with the completion of their morning meal came with her next great challenge of the day: keeping their home from falling apart. The Twins were notorious pranksters and some of their tricks weren't so mild. The same could be said for the retaliatory pranks that were sent by those on the receiving end of the Fred and George's jokes. She shuddered involuntarily as she recalled the last "Prank War" as her children had dubbed it. It was up to Molly to make sure her children didn't blow anything up.
Fortunately for her, it was summer time. And while it was still fairly chilly outdoors, the children loved to play Quidditch. Percy was the only exception it seemed. Then again, Percy was always more studious than any of his brothers. It's strange why Percy doesn't seem to like flying anymore. He used to love flying as a child. Perhaps he outgrew it after going to Hogwarts. Molly pondered as she watched her children idly.
She was brought out of her musings by the tinkling of the wind chimes attached to the door. She turned around to see who had arrived. The slits of her eyes visibly widened. "Harry! I thought you were at summer school? Your mother told me so herself." She blurted out, clearly surprised at the raven haired boy's visit.
Harry frowned slightly. "It's hardly a school, Mrs. Weasley, more of an apprenticeship really. This morning's lessons were cancelled due to urgent matters requiring his attention. And it's not as if I'm their prisoner." Harry said, shrugging. Molly's eyes softened. Heaven only knows what sort of horrors the boy might have gone through in Azkaban. She thought. "Is Percy around, Mrs. Weasley? I was hoping to talk to him before I had to go back."
She blinked in surprise yet again, wondering why he would want to talk to her eldest son still in Hogwarts. "Oh, he's in his room. Take a seat, while I call him." She said as she started making her way up the stairs.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Harry replied, but nonetheless remained standing. He moved to Molly's previously occupied spot. Through the window, he saw a familiar mass of red hair moving in the fields. He observed them with slight interest. They seemed to be playing Quidditch; or some sort of simplified version of it at least. Ginny, he noted silently, was smiling. It was unsurprising that they let her play after the game last summer in which she almost singlehandedly delivered a crushing defeat to her brothers. The numerous visits of his sister, Katy, he had tagged along with to the Weasley's were filled with these "bragging rights" episodes, as Ginny called it. Harry chuckled at the thought. Those particular incidents, whenever they happened, were always rather comical for him.
The sound of footsteps alerted Harry that Percy was coming down. He turned to face said red head. "Harry, it's nice to see you again." Percy said, nodding to him in greeting, before turning to speak to his mother. "Mum, we'll be out at the orchard for a while to talk."
"Alright Percy dear, but do be careful about the Poison Ivy." She said in a motherly tone. "Harry, will you be joining us for lunch?"
Harry hesitated to answer. He wasn't expected back at Ionos, in all honesty, 'til sundown. His guards, hidden as they were, wouldn't know of his change in plans. That problem could easily be overcome, however, with a discreet and inconspicuous discussion with his men after his talk with Percy. The Guardians were trained to be a self-sustaining party during active duty, so the concern of his men starving during lunch was gone. "I wouldn't want to impose on your family, Mrs. Weasley."
"Nonsense Harry, you're a family friend. Besides, I always prepare too much food then my boys and Ginny can eat. It would be our pleasure to have you over for lunch."
"In that case, it would be a pleasure to eat lunch with your family Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for having me." Harry replied in perfect pureblood etiquette. Molly nodded and sent them on their way to the orchard for their "talk".
They walked in silence side-by-side 'til the bushes conspired to obstruct them from the sight of the rest of the Weasley Clan. "So why did you come here Harry? You're not particularly close to my family and your appearance here creates suspicion where it matters." Percy hissed.
"I need information of the Ministry's operations. Your recent promotion as Interim Junior Undersecretary of the Minister in that summer job of yours has positioned you to be the ideal candidate for what I require."
"My promotion was completely due to your connections who have connections in the Ministry; the most prominent being Lucius Malfoy, if I am not mistaken. Couldn't you have told me what you needed via owl post?" Percy questioned.
"The owl post could have been intercepted all too easily for my liking, especially when it concerns espionage. I had to come personally to ensure without a doubt that you received the message directly. Too much is at stake for us to have this knowledge intercepted by the Ministry. After all, you're probably breaking a dozen or so laws by agreeing to spy for me, treason being one of them." Harry emphasized.
"You're going to go through with the plan then? You're going to oust the Minister and his staff?"
"Oust is such a harsh word. I prefer the term 'legally replace'. And not all of the Minister's staff will be thrown out. Some, such as yourself, will remain in power. I do not intend to take over the Ministry; think of it as…cleaning out the trash."
"Yes, well that's fine and all, but I sill have to work out an excuse to stop Fudge from firing me. If he suspects treachery, he would not hesitate to ruin me politically." Percy said.
"Ah, speaking of our dear Minister, tell me how has he been faring with the public these days?"
"The public is out for his blood. People don't like it when their government misuses its power. It all too easily turns into hate when they find out the trust they placed in the Ministry was spat back in their faces the moment an innocent child is sent to Azkaban. To make matters worse, they have yet to compensate you.
"This should blow over in a few days. That is, if you weren't a descendant from of the Noble Lines. The purebloods are rather angry right now. Despite your being a half-blood, they consider you as one of their own based on your lineage. It is unheard of for a pureblood to be thrown into Azkaban based on such flimsy evidence, and more so when the judgment was influenced by personal vendettas.
"The fact that, in recent years, you have become an internationally recognized figure due to your actions in saving Flamel's Artifact does not help the Ministry's case. Most of their efforts are currently focused on trying to get you to speak about them favorably in an interview. Those hopes were dashed when their effort yielded no results so far. They've given up on the prospect of finding you altogether, I believe." Percy explained.
"And, hypothetically speaking, they'd be rather pleased with whoever brought them news of a scheduled interview with me, correct?" Harry asked.
"Where are you getting at Potter?"
"What I'm getting at, Percival, is this: tell the Minister that the reason I, Harry Potter, came to visit you is because I want to have a little chat with our head of state. Tell him I'll be meeting him in private next week, with the presence of one, and only one, reporter along with a photographer to witness our talk. And you, my dear red-headed associate, are getting your excuse at being seen with me as well as the favor of the Minister by delivering this little tidbit of information. We are, as the muggles say, hitting two birds with one stone." He instructed.
"Figures, I should have expected you to use this interview to further my position in a Ministry we despise instead of just letting blood flow in the streets. Really Harry, it would be much simpler if you just left the Ministry to the fate they deserve."
"A storm of hate, when not weathered, brews a sea of violence. Yet, when channeled properly, can be used as a powerful weapon on whomever it is directed towards." Harry replied sagely.
"You and your bloody metaphors." Percy muttered, shaking his head. He straightened up and retrieved an envelope from his robes. Harry eyed the package curiously, before lifting his eyes to look at Percy. "Your brother told me to give you this." He said, handing the envelope to him.
Harry accepted it, thanking Percy for holding it for him. He hadn't heard from his brother in nearly half a month. Word from him, whether good or bad, was a welcome development compared to the feeling of helplessness Harry felt in his ignorance. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer to be alone for a while." Percy nodded, understanding his need for privacy. Harry tore the envelope open and eagerly unfolded the letter.
Harry,
If you're reading this, then it means that you've visited Percy, as I expected you would. It also means that you're "visit" to Azkaban hasn't completely robbed you of your sanity intact and your mind is still relatively undamaged. That's good.
Normally, I'd have sent this letter to you directly. But seeing as the Ministry has failed to locate you, I very much doubt an owl could. I assume you are in a heavily warded area plotting your revenge on the Minister? And that you came to Percival for information? After all, why else would you visit…unless of course you're here to see that girl, Ginny wasn't it? Ah, but what a silly way to expect an answer to my questions, writing rhetorical questions in a letter that would be received at a much later date.
But back to the reason why I had your spy deliver this to you. I'm writing to you Harry, because my time with you is quickly coming to an end. Come September, I plan to take my NEWTs in advance. Afterwards, I will be accompaniying in some of his travels to "broaden my horizons". Suffice to say, we won't be having any face to face conversations during that time. I dare say it will be rather difficult to communicate at all. Owls aren't exactly ideal for intercontinental travel, mind you.
Bloody hell, I'm still on the same country with you, but at the level of research he's making me do, I barely have time for anything else except for what I require to survive. One of the things I've learned from this is that becoming an alchemist is going to be much harder than I thought. I suppose this is my farewell to you, as I doubt we'd be able to see each other before I depart. I'll try to keep in touch with you while I can.
I'm sorry to spring this on you, Harry. I had planned to tell you at the beginning of summer, but then you left before I could talk to you. As my last bit of advice to you Harry, don't spend all your time training and studying. Talk with your friends more, socialize with your peers. I'm not saying that you should stop training altogether, but do try to loosen up a bit. Live your life while you can, it's the only one you've got.
Forever your brother,
Alex
Harry frowned noticeably. Alex is leaving…maybe I can talk him out of it. Master Flamel would understand; Alex is my brother after all. There's still time to change his mind. Harry thought hopefully. But in the back of his mind, Harry knew Alex had made up his mind. He wouldn't back down, not now. There was too much at stake for the aspiring and ambitious Potter. I have to try.
"My Lord," A voice suddenly spoke out behind Harry. Harry didn't need to look behind him to know who it was. Only a Guardian would address him as such for miles around. "Should we head out as planned?" He asked respectfully.
"There's been a change of plans, Captain. Inform the men that I will be spending lunch with the Weasleys today. We will head to Vertic Alley in two hours." Harry answered.
"Very well, my liege." The Captain said, saluting to his King, as the monarch advanced towards the Burrow without looking back. The Captain sighed. Better start on setting up a perimeter. It shouldn't be too difficult with the three squads I have; courtesy of the manpower increase in the Guardians these past few weeks.
The Ascension of the King had boosted morale and nationalism in the country unprecedented for almost centuries. The results were simply staggering. Economy had improved exponentially with the money from the treasury, finally freed from the deadlock of the Imperium Council in past years, funding massive public works. The Army, though poorly trained and ill-equipped, were preparing for an invasion for the first time in two centuries. The reserves were called up into active duty in full force. Funds had flooded into the Army of thirty-thousand strong in an effort to arm them before sending them off to battle, a day rapidly approaching.
The Guardians, acting as personal bodyguards to the King himself, were held with awe after their existence was revealed. They could no longer keep themselves hidden as soon as the King ascended, after all. A fortunate result of this was the massive transfer of men from the Army and the Dragon Elites, allowing them to more effectively safeguard the King. Unlike before, they now had the backing of the government and enough trained men to handle the enormous responsibility. The Dragon's Guard would be ready for a field test soon.
Ionos, Montfortal...
A single speckled owl flew through the window of the castle, a letter with a wax seal tied to its leg. The seal had no designs on it but a shattered sword in the middle and ashes scattered about it. It was an Ionian standard, Rigan knew, and the implications of such a sign were important, depending on who had sent it. Rigan picked it up and wasted no time in opening it.
Council Lord,
I must thank you for your kind offer to our request, but both of us know only the King can decide whether or not I go to jail. I only ask that, in return for my support in his plans, is that you spare the lives of my men. They are not to blame for this insurrection; that weight falls on my shoulder alone. It was I who convinced them to rise in arms against the Council, a decision I regret now. That was before the King ascended. The moment they heard of the King, they immediately wanted to come here and surrender. It was only after convincing them of the impracticality of it all that they decided to stay on and wait. Indeed, I very much doubt that my men could have breached the outer walls of the castle before all of us were arrested or executed.
Forever Loyal to the King alone,
Verian Clave
"...The Ionian Seal of Surrender...The shattered sword represents the loss of the will to fight. Usually, this is also related as being crushed by military might. The ashes indicate that their 'fire' or rather their enthusiasm or passion in their cause has been extinguished. It is considered that this sign is associated with a defeat in philosophy, a loss of belief in their cause, or, in the rare case, an admission to being in the wrong in a particular conflict. Each one can be represented alone as a seal of surrender, but the reason for each seal is different. When combined together, it becomes the seal of ultimate surrender. It is a show of total and absolute surrender in no uncertain terms. It is a silent agreement to whatever terms the enemy might proclaim, negotiated beforehand most of the time. In recent times it has become a given that the surrendering party is given more lenient terms when using this seal as it is an assurance that there is no chance for treachery in the agreement..."
-excerpt from: The Ionian Code of Conduct, Chapter III: Recognizing Seals, by George Watson
AN: For those wondering why Alex is suddenly supporting Harry in socializing, I'll explain. Alex, if you might have noticed by now, is the person Harry talks to the most. Alex's sudden disappearance from Harry's life might induce him into a sort of depression. Knowing that, it is most likely that Harry would train to fill his time, sinking into depression even more. Alex is attempting to ease Harry into the process by getting him to socialize more, hoping that that would fill the gap, I suppose you could say. I don't know about you guys, but if I had a little brother I liked, I wouldn't want him sinking into depression because I decided to live abroad or something.