Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Chapter 14 – The Round Table

"Are you sure that you want to do this Ginerva?" Severus asked as he steadied her shoulders. They were about to enter the meeting that would decide the fate of the entire wizarding world of Europe and Ginny was doing her best not to vomit.

"I'm positive. It is the best way to assure peace." Ginny answered as she nodded.

"Then we best get in there. I do believe the animals are getting restless." Severus said as the guards held the doors to the conference room in the newly built Hogwarts open for her.

Rebuilding Hogwarts was one of the first projects that Ginny set to motion when the Dark conquered England. It was finished before the wars end, providing the women and children of England with safe refuge. As each country in Europe fell she set up similar systems in other schools. The children were the future and she was not going to let anything harm them anymore than the war was already disrupting their lives.

Now that the war was over, the school was still served as protection and housing for woman and children ages newborn to 18. Most importantly the school would serve as the base for the Counsel of Europe.

'Draco Malfoy' walked into the conference room followed by 'The Dark Queen' Ginerva Weasley-Snape. The former Death Eaters in the room stood at her arrival while the former Order members looked on in astonishment.

'Why are they showing Ginny this level of respect?' Hermione wondered.

The Order members tentively rose as Ginny was one of their agents in the war even if she did not have a high rank.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen." Ginny said as she approached the round table. "Today I offer you a proposition in which you would be in a position to exert influence on the wizarding world of Europe. I have called each of you here since I believe that you have the best interest of the wizarding community in your heart. My intention is to heal the scars that the war left on Europe by forming a counsel consisting of former Death Eaters and former Order members. If you decide to embark on this journey you will have to leave your allegiances behind. The war is over now is the time to rebuild." Ginny said as she looked at each member of the assembly in the eyes.

"And what would you have us do?" Remus Lupin asked. He knew Ginny as a student and as a friend. She guided the resistance and the trio through the war so he figured he would at least hear her out.

"You will be my cabinent as I now rule over the ministries of Europe. When issues come up between the ministries or when a new threat to peace rises we will meet to discuss the best options to handle the situations. This will not be an easy task, but it will be rewarding. I must ask for your vote now. Any who do not wish to commit themselves to this counsel is free to leave." Ginny said then she looked each one of them in the eyes.

"'Draco Malfoy'?" Ginny asked.

Severus looked up at Ginny with an unreadable expression. It was the first time anyone called him by that name. "I'm in." Severus replied.

"Gregory Goyle?" Ginny asked.

Greg looked Ginny in the eyes and said "Count me in."

"Percy Weasley?" Ginny asked.

"In." Percy replied with a smile.

"Remus Lupin?" Ginny asked as she looked at her old mentor.

Remus looked Ginny in the eyes and saw nothing but sincerity reflected in them. "I'm in. Remus said.

"Hermione Granger?"

Hermione looked at Ginny and new that only Ginny's command kept her, the other muggleborn, and the other Order members alive. She shot Ginny a hopeful look and said "I'm in."

Ginny smiled at Hermione in response. She knew how hard it had to be for the girl to be in the room with some of these people and was greatful that Hermione was willing to give the Counsel a chance.

"Bill Weasley?" Bill was peering at Percy with contempt. He knew that Percy had to be a Death Eater and for that he could not figure out how his sweet, innocent sister could involve the traitor in such an uptaking. Then again he couldn't quite understand how Ginny could rule Europe. He knew what the Headmaster's portait had told the Order. He knew that Dumbledore had set her up to play both sides against the middle so she could affect the outcome of the war. He was still angry with Dumbledore for putting her in such a position, but he knew that if Ginny was willing to involve the Order in the management of Europe that the Death Eaters could not have corrupted her completely. Bill smiled a his baby sister and said "I'm in."

Ginny smile in response and then waved her hand. Contracts appeared in front of the new counsel members. "These are your contracts that detail your involvement with the Counsel. I suggest that your read through the contract as well as the booklet of rules that accompanies the contract before you sign. If you chose not to sign the contract, then your memory of this meeting will be wiped. The war may be over, but this is still treacherous times. I cannot afford to have any information leak that may cause another outbreak after all I am sure that most former Death Eaters would kill the former Order members before they let them have a crack at presiding over Europe's issues."

The new members read the book of rules and the contract. They then signed the contract. After they were signed the contracts automatically rolled themselves up and placed themselves in front of Ginerva.

"Thank you for joining the team. I am sure you will not regret it. Now take the day to yourself. I am sure that you all have many issues that you would like to discuss, but we will begin tomorrow in our deliberations." Ginerva said. Then she stood up and the former Death Eaters stood up as such manners were ingrained into them from birth. The former Order members followed suit.

Ginerva left the room with Severus on her side. The new members were buzzing with activity, some snipping at each other and some postulating ideas. Ginerva and Severus entered Ginerva's private office where she placed the scolls on her desk as Severus gathered her in his arms.

"You know we are missing the fireworks." Severus said as he nipped her ear.

"They need to agrue themselves out before tomorrow. The spells from the contract protect them from killing each other so I am sure that we have nothing serious to worry about." Ginny said. "I for one am more interested in the fireworks happening in here."

Severus kissed Ginny soundly. "Yes they are quite fascinating. Maybe we should investigate this more." He said as he picked Ginny up in his arms to carry her to her connecting chambers for their victory celebration.

I know this was on the short side, but I wanted to get the counsel founded. Don't worry the new one will be longer. With a lot more tension on part of the counsel members.

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