Author's Notes at the end:

Chapter Eighteen: Articles of Federation

Will Riker paced his office with a scowl that sent all but Tom running for cover.

Tom, having worked several years under Admiral Janeway, was used to mercurial tempers and took it in stride. Moreover, this time he understood Admiral Riker's concern. "Commander," an ensign in communications said, "a signal came in. It was a thirty-second burst on subspace coming in from Vulcan."

"Undoubtedly it's been redirected through a whole bunch of nodes," Paris said. "Try tracing it anyway. In the meantime, please put it through."

It was an audio-visual communication, but there were no moving images. Instead, it was an image of Deanna Riker's face close up. She had dried blood on her chin and a darkened ring around one eye. Only when they saw her nostrils flair with breath did they realize this was a live feed.

"The Doctor is not feeling well," a voice said from an unidentified location. "She might begin to feel better if our demands are met. And our demands are simple. Give us Harry Potter. You have twenty-four hours to decide. If you decline, then Dr. Riker will die, and we will choose another to replace her."

The message ended abruptly. "It was an encrypted data burst," Tom said as communications forwarded the findings of their research. "There was no live feed for them to trace."

"Of course not," Riker muttered. "Where is Potter?"

"He is in Geneva, sir."

"Geneva? Why there?"

"The Prime Minister has granted Mr. Potter asylum under Earth law."

Riker ground his teeth. "This is not a local matter. What is Jean-Luc playing at?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Inform Captain Straal that I'm going to the surface. I need to have a talk with my old friend."

"Yes, Admiral."

It was dark in Geneva when Admiral Riker stepped off the transport pad. He was met by a pair of Starfleet security officers and Fleet Admiral Strein himself. Will's step stuttered. "Admiral Strein?"

"Admiral Riker," Strein said. The fleet admiral was a tall man, even taller than Riker, with thinning gray hair and very bright blue eyes. His voice was deep and dripped command. "Walk with me."

"Yes, sir."

The two left the pad and walked through the small campus that Starfleet maintained in the capital city of Earth. "I saw the transmission you received. I can't tell you how angry it made me to see your wife in that condition."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate the help you've provided so far. I'm not sure why you are here, though."

"Things got complicated. I'm here along with Federation President Astrago. We've been meeting with Prime Minister Picard, his wife, Admiral Bashir of Medical, and Harry Potter.'

"Why, sir?"

"You'll find out."

They left the Starfleet pad and went by monotram to the Earth Capital, a compound comprised of two arc-shaped ten-story buildings encircling a large park. One building held Parliament, the other held the office of the Prime Minister. It was to that building the car flew them.

The two admirals and their security contingent were met by a set of dark-suited Terran guards and escorted to the lifts. Moments later they emerged on the top floor executive conference room that took up a good portion of the floor.

"Will!" Jean Luc Picard said as he stood up from the table. The man still looked vital and every inch the former Starfleet captain even at the age of eighty-seven. "How are you?"

"I've been better," Will admitted.

"I know," Jean-Luc said with open sympathy and his own grief. He and Deanna had also been very close while she served on the Enterprise. "Admiral Strein, thank you for being here as well. Please join us."

The two men walked to the table and snapped to attention as President Astrago stood to meet them. The Denobulan smiled broadly at them before returning to her seat. Will's eyes instant travelled to the other side of the table and the strange contingent that sat there.

The boy who had to be Harry Potter sat in the center of five beautiful young women, including Naomi Wildman. However, the seventh member of his party was a surprise. Beverly Picard was not sitting with her husband. She was sitting with Harry.

Bashir was there as well, looking around the table nervously.

"Now that everyone is here," Jean-Luc said, "I wish to be clear that our top priority is the safe recovery of Admiral Riker's wife, Deanna. However, I also understand that there are other considerations here. I would first like Admiral Bashir to describe his meeting."

Bashir told them all of his meeting with Section 31's Sloan. As promised he left out Starfleet Intelligence's role in the meeting. During Bashir's discussion, Will could see Harry Potter's expression darkening.

"So Green's Witch's Hammer group abducted your wife to try and force you to give me to them," Potter summarized.

Federation President Astrago cleared her throat. "My apologies, Witch's Hammer?"

"The literal translation of Malleus Maleficarum," Harry said. "It's fitting, really. Kramer and Sprenger, the two Inquisitors who wrote it in 1486, were both Squibs. Many of the worst of the inquisition against witches were performed by squibs, acting out the same rage that Green did."

"A dark period in Earth's history, Madame President," Jean Luc explained.

"And a foolish one," Harry said. "Very few if any real witches were ever caught, and those who were burned at the stake simply had to cast a charm to render the fire useless. There was one wizard, Wendolyn the Weird, who actually enjoyed being burned at the stake. He let himself get caught over forty times."

"Fascinating," Astrago said.

"This doesn't help get Deanna back," Riker said.

"Will, you don't understand," Jean Luc said. "Harry and his friends are not just mutations. They have presented evidence, irrefutable, that they were members of an entirely race of humans here on Earth. And the evidence strongly suggests that the governments of Earth participated in the genocide of this race."

Despite a lifetime of service in Starfleet, Will was not unfamiliar with Earth law. "You're talking reparations and war crime tribunals."

"Exactly," Picard said. "Though it was nearly four centuries prior, nonetheless this world is responsible for the elimination of Mr. Potter's people. We cannot undo what has been done, but we must acknowledge that a crime has been committed and do what we can to right that wrong.'

"This is a Terran affair," President Astrago said. "The crime occurred on Earth before the formation of the Federation. Even before human's first contact with life beyond your planet. The Federation has no jurisdiction at all."

"We can't turn Mr. Potter over to Starfleet," Jean Luc said. "We won't."

Will's stomach dropped. "Jean Luc, are you really telling me you would let Deanna, a woman who has been your friend for almost thirty years, die?"

"I'm saying that I will not compound what may be the greatest evil committed in human history by committing another evil," Picard said. "I'm sorry, Will. You can't imagine how difficult this is for me."

"We've scanned the entire planet, Jean Luc," Will said. "We can't find her."

From the other side, Harry said, "Admiral Riker, have you ever heard of scrying?"

"No," Riker said, perhaps too abruptly.

Harry looked at those around the table. "If I help, I want immunity from any type of possible prosecution."

"What are you talking about?" Admiral Strein asked.

"I'm a wizard," Harry said. "In a world that hasn't seen active magic in centuries. Your technology is not geared toward blocking magic, and I seriously doubt this group has the ability to cast wards. I can probably get her out. But if I help you, it will not just to recover your wife, Admiral Riker. It will be to remove a threat to my people."

"Your people consist of yourself and five young women," Admiral Bashir said.

"Actually…" Beverly began.

"Beverly apparently is even more talented than I thought," Jean Luc said with a fond smile. "Which is indeed saying something."

"It's possible there are thousands of us," Harry said. "Their magical cores have remained dormant because they were never exposed to magic. But that will change. I will change it. My very presence on this planet is changing it. I am powerful enough that even people on the other side of the planet will start having bouts of accidental magic in response to my magic. But I will not allow them or anyone else to be threatened by Malleus. And so if I go in to save Deanna, I will save her and remove the threat to us."

"You wish to kill them," Jean Luc said.

"Yes," Harry said.

"Neither the Federation or Earth advocates the death penalty," Jean Luc said.

"Penalty implies trial," Harry said. "They will not make it to trial. You won't even find the bodies."

There were uncomfortable shifts around the table. Even the women around Harry seemed a little concerned. Harry, though, continued looking at the officials across from him with a determined expression. Finally, he said, "Please do not mistake me for a child. I died for the second time in 2057. At that time, I was seventy six years old. I'll admit I don't feel my age—my body influences my behavior as much as my memories—I have fought in wars before. I have killed. I have been killed. I do not suggest death easily or lightly. However, I have also dealt with fanatics before. One who is truly fanatical for a cause would gladly give his or her life. And people who are willing to die for a cause are not willing to stop at the risk of imprisonment. Imprisonment is a badge of honor for that type of person. I will not allow this last remnant of what wiped out millions of wizards and witches to continue to exist in any form."

"Immunity from prosecution would be difficult," Picard said. "All Earth citizens are bound by law, and not even I as Prime Minister have the right to put one party above the law."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance," President Astrago said. She turned and studied Harry carefully for a moment. "I was not always a politician. Seventeen years ago, I was a Starfleet Captain. Like Jean-Luc and the Admirals you see around you, I fought in the Dominion War. The soldiers of the Dominion were known as Jem'Hadar. They viewed their commanders, the Founders, as Gods. They were genetically bred for nothing but war, and that is all they knew. Jem'Hadar did not surrender. The only way to defeat them was to destroy them utterly."

"Such is true with any true fanatics," Harry agreed.

"However, I am also familiar enough with Earth law to know that even their law enforcement officials are held accountable in the event of death. I do not believe immunity would be available to any citizen of Earth. However, a different set of rules apply to member species of the Federation."

"Madame President?" Riker asked.

"We are not human," Harry said, his eyes lightening up. "One of my wives once described us as Homo Magicus. We come from human stock and can even interbreed with humans, but then so can Betazoids."

"It is true that there is enough of a genetic gap that they could be classified as a separate species of hominid," Bashir said. "They are as genetically separate from us as we are from chimpanzees. The fact they can interbreed with us is a bit of a mystery."

"An interesting proposal," Jean Luc said. "And by registering them as a member species rather than a member planet, you are not forcing them to commit to any one location."

"What are the drawbacks?" Harry asked.

"You would no longer be citizens of Earth," Astrago said. "Which means that you are not eligible to partake in Earth government affairs, nor receive protection under Earth law as citizens. You would essentially become homeless."

"Madame President," Katherine Dunningham said hesitantly, "may I ask a question?"

"Of course, child."

"Could we petition the Federation Council for asylum as a member species?"

"And your name, child?" Astrago asked.

"Katherine Dunningham."

"Ahh, you were the one planning on entering Starfleet."

"At one point, yes, madam."

Astrago's grin crawled across her face in dimensions not possible for humans. "It is Starfleet's loss. Yes, as a species that has become endangered due to conflict, you may petition for and receive asylum, which includes where possible the settlement of a colony on any available world of your choosing."

"Moreover, as a member species," Jean Luc said, "you are eligible for diplomatic immunity from local law."

"And Article 14, Section 31 of the Starfleet Charter recognizes the occasional need for rules to be bent," Bashir finished.

"Of course, someone would have to be declared as the leader of your people," Astrago pointed out.

"At the time of my second death," Harry said, "I was the chief warlock of the British Wizengamut, the parliamentary body that oversaw wizarding England, and was the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards." He grinned. "I know the titles sound stupid, but they were valid. At the end, I was the elected or appointed leader of the wizarding world. In the absence of any other body, I retain those titles."

"This is all very interesting," Will said, "but what can this do to get Deanna back?"

"I will get her back," Harry said with absolute conviction. "I just don't want to have fight your whole planet in the process."

Astrago turned to Jean Luc. "Will Earth act as a sponsoring world?"

"We will, Madam President," Jean-Luc said.

Astrago tapped on her presidential com badge. "This is President Astrago. Lucy, are you available?"

"Yes, Madam."

"I need a petition drawn up for a new species to join the Federation as soon as possible. Please also include a petition for asylum."

"Yes, Madam. What is the name of the species?"

"Homo Magicus. The official representing the species is Harry Potter, Supreme Mugwump."

Lucy, on the other side of the connection, said nothing for a moment. "Very well, Madam."

"When it is ready, please beam it directly to this room."

A moment later two large bound books appeared. Harry blinked. "That's fast."

"The forms are standardized," Jean Luc explained. "Once the species name and representative name is entered, the form is generated instantly."

Harry stood and walked over to look at the two volumes. With one finger, he drew a rune on the cover of each. Everyone watched, entranced, as the odd shape glowed. Harry then held his hand over the cover and everyone fell silent as the ghostly images of words seemed to pour up out of the books and into the hand. Harry stood with his eyes closed, literally absorbing the contents of the books.

Finally, he nodded. "We can agree to this. In fact, it's very generous."

"What was that?" Bashir asked.

"That was cheating, as my former wife Hermione once called it," Harry said. "A method of transferring knowledge from books directly into the mind. During the height of my responsibilities I had more coming in than I could physically read, and so my wives invented this method to help. It is not recommended for normal reading as it requires mastery of a mental discipline known as occlumency. Even then, it gives a splitting headache."

He opened the book, removed his wand, and pointed it at each page that required a signature. His name appeared with a small flash. "This is a magically binding signature," he said. "This document has both the power of law and magic in it. Which means if I violate it, there will be repercussions to my power and health."

"And if we violate it?" Astrago asked.

"I thought it unwise to include any threats against your organization," Harry said. "It appears we are literally at your mercy."

The Federation President nodded in appreciation. She then removed an old fashioned ink-pen and went through the documents as well, signing in the appropriate spots. Both books were passed to Jean-Luc to sign as the sponsoring world and then to Admiral Strein as witness.

Finally, they were done. "Congratulations, Supreme Mugwump," Astrago said. "You are now a separate protected species with your own internal autonomy subject to the Articles of Federation. Once your population reaches a critical point, you will even be given representation on the council. Until that time, as the Sponsoring World, Earths' representative will also represent you."

"Thank you, Madam President," Harry said as he took her hand. He then turned to Will. "Do you have anything that belongs to her? I'll need something that she was particularly fond of but which can be destroyed."

Riker tapped his com badge. "Tom, are you still in the office?"

"Yes, sir."

"Please go into my office and find the box of Deanna's effects."

"I'm already there, sir."

"Beam it directly to me."

"It'll be there shortly, sir."

Riker turned to Harry. "What will you do?"

"I'll scry for her," Harry said. "There are different types of scrying dependent on the wizard's or witch's powers. The divination form is useless to me. I've never been a seer. However, the arithmantic form would work. Although I started late, I have a mastery in arithmancy."

"What is that?" Beverly asked.

"The manipulation of magical power through math," Harry said.

"Like how you can do so well in our thermal dynamics class when you knew bollocks about natural science," Susan realized.

"Your warp speed calculations are not so different from the calculations of spell creation," Harry said. "Math is the basic language of the universe and is used to describe all sorts of power, including magic."

The box of Deanna's affects arrived. With Harry's nod, Riker dug through until he removed a two-dimensional photograph. It included a younger Jean Luc, Beverly, Will Riker and several faces he did not recognize.

"This was her favorite picture," Will said.

"Then that should work." Harry took the picture and walked to a side table. The others stood and gathered around and watched as Harry started performing a dizzying array of movements. The passage of the tip of his wand left strange figures and numbers in its wake, as if he were drawing in the air itself.

Suddenly the picture, frame and all, glowed and disappeared, and in its place an oval shape appeared. "I've got her," Harry said. "I don't recognize the place."

Everyone else did, though. "Paris," Astrago said. "The capital of the Federation itself."

"Watch closely," Harry said. "I'm going to zoom in." He waved his hand and suddenly the image zoomed in to a series of warehouses, past the walls of a small, non-descript building, past the floor, and into a basement that had been configured into a command center. In one corner was an isolation pod, and in that pod they saw Deanna.

Harry started incanting in a language Jean Luc recognized as Greek, and suddenly the oval shape collapsed down into a tiny red speck at the end of a chain.

Harry picked up the chain. Slowly he turned to Jean Luc. "Mister Prime Minister, in accordance with the Articles of Federation, I hereby request permission to enter Earth jurisdiction in order to engage and neutralize a clear and present danger to my species."

"In accordance to the Articles of Federation, permission is hereby granted," Jean Luc said.

Harry looked at the young women. "Stay here, please," he said. "I need to know you're safe."

With that and a barely audible pop, he disappeared.

sp

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Author's Notes:

First and foremost, thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing. I cannot express my gratitude enough. Once again I find myself pressed for time, though, so will skip the listing of reviewers. I hope you don't mind!

Now to the part nobody likes: Questions and Comments

Q: Bah, Greenpeace will never be a threat. They get their arse kicked, routinely, by the *French*!

A: I kid you know, it is part of ST cannon that an environmental group (never named) becomes involved in the war!

Q: Are you at least going to have an enemy that can provide a challenge to Harry's near infinite power? Or will this be a case of him finding the enemy and just whooping them until they regret being born?

A: I tried my very best to let everyone know this was a far different story from its predecessor. The conflict is one of the main differences. There isn't a lot of fighting in this story, not really. As Harry said in this chapter, this is a world without magic. Stafleet has no real defense against a Dumbledore, a VOldemort, or a Harry Potter. The thrust is mainly Harry discovering what happened, and trying to figure out a way to move forward.

Q: Luis3007 (not going to try paraphrasing to save space)

A: All I can say is that's just not going to happen. I have a very Utopian view of post Dominion War Star Trek. Gene Roddenberry created it as an ideal universe. Hopefully I will still be able to pull enough drama in to make the remaining chapters enjoyable.

Q: I have to admit the last few chapters were rather frustrating, as they didn't really seem to get anywhere. Almost like they were half chapters instead. However, I'm still reading, so that should say something.

A: A legitimate complaint. This story is backward facing while the forward progressing drama moves slowly. I can't promise it gets that much better, but I hope you continue to read anyway.