Chapter 14: Madam Amelia Bones
Breakfast was a rather loud affair the next morning. After a good night sleep had by everyone, there a lot of energy to start burning off. "Harry, I spoke to Kingsley and he was able to get me a few minutes with Madam Bones. Anyway, I setup a meeting with her for today at 11am here at the castle. She was wondering if she could bring her niece, Susan along with her."
Harry smiled at the clumsy Auror for a moment, "Sure Tonks, let her know that she needs to apparate to these coordinates, it's the goblin check point. No one gets in without checking with them." Tonks nodded and head off to the fireplace in the entry hall to place a fire-call to Madam Bones. Harry finished his breakfast and headed off to his office. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Neville, and Remus followed him a few minutes later.
Everyone settled into the office to get some school work done. Remus was rewriting his DADA lesson plans while Hermione was tutoring Luna and Ginny in transfiguration. Ron, who was actually a Charms genius, was working with Neville. Harry was at his desk reading reports and answering mail.
"Well it looks like many of the teachers like what I am doing around here. I've got requisition orders sticking out of my ears. Charity Burbage is heading to Canada to live with the Muggles for a year, she is leaving early to get settled…Well that will work out for her. Oh Remus, I need to have your request for an apprentice ASAP. You and Severus are the only two whom I don't have."
Remus smiled over at Ron and answered, "Well I already have my choice, providing his isn't stolen from me, I want Ronald Bilius Weasley." The entire room went dead quiet, who would have thought that Ron would make it into the apprentice program?
Well Harry did for one; he knew Ron was a better student then what everyone thought. "Well Ron, do you accept?"
Ron just looked at Harry for a moment, attempting to speak before he squeaked out, "Only if Hermione is an apprentice. I've waited to long for her and I'm not going to lose her now I have her."
It was probably the most romantic thing Ron had ever said, and he got a great response from his girlfriend. Hermione launched herself at him and knocked into him so hard that she sent them flying over the couch.
Ginny, who was laughing so hard her sides hurt, spoke up, "Ron, Hermione was the first apprentice selected. She'll be working with Minerva in transfiguration." Ron and Hermione were both very, very happy with this news.
At 10:45am Dobby Potter apparated into the Harry's office, "Harry Potter sir, Madam Amelia Bones and Miss Susan Bones have arrived and are at the goblin checkpoint."
Harry just nodded, "Thank you Dobby, once they have finished with the goblins, please meet them at the front doors an escort them here…and please ask Winky to inform the Headmaster."
With a pop, Dobby was gone, Harry looked over the others in the room "Sorry folks, but I have a meeting here in a little bit, if you'll excuse Ginny and me."
Everyone nodded at the dismissal and left, Harry & Ginny ran to change into some descent robes. As Harry was stepping out of his chambers, Albus walked out of the fireplace.
"Ah Harry, sorry for not announcing myself, I was delayed for a few more minutes then I thought I would." Albus was actually blushing, and Harry knew why. He saw lipstick on his neck and cheek, the same shade as Minerva's.
"It's alright Albus; I understand when the wife wants to give you extra incentive to hurry back." Albus blushed redder then Harry had ever seen him blush before. Ten minutes later and Dobby knocked on the office door. "Harry Potter sir! May I present Madam Amelia Bones and her niece Susan Bones."
Two women walked in behind Dobby. The older of the two women had on a dark blue business robes and carried a dragon scale briefcase. The younger woman was wearing Hogwarts robes with the Hufflepuff House crest.
"Thank you Dobby, can you please ask Winky for tea please?" With a small bow, Dobby exited the office, closing the door behind him.
"Madam Bones, it is a pleasure to see you again, especially I am not accused of performing underage wizardry. My I present the President of the Hogwarts Advisory Council, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, my wife Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Potter, the Lady of Hogwarts, and of course I am Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter, High Lord of Hogwarts, and Head of the Potter and Black families." With a formal bow, Madam Bones and Susan both bowed as well.
Amelia smiled and then replied, "Thank my Lord; it is honor to met with you today in your ancestral home." Susan then turned to Harry and Ginny and bowed again and sat down behind her aunt.
"Susan, please move your chair up here, I may be the head of two of the oldest families in Britain, but I am more of the modern vain. So Madam Bones, what would you like to know?" Harry looked at Madam Bones and gave her one of his thousand watt smiles.
"Lord Potter—" Harry cut her off.
"Please call me Harry when meeting in private."
"Ok Harry, Fudge is going on a rampage right now. He has arrest warrants for you, Albus, Minerva McGonagall, all the Weasleys, and Hermione Granger. He has ordered Board of Governors to remove Albus from the Headmastership. I do believe you, and so do a number of people both in the Ministry and the on Wizengamot. From what I have heard from Auror Tonks, you have some sort of plan and I would to know what it is."
Harry stared at Madam Bones, he was searching her eyes for any sign of dishonesty, and finally he decided to trust her. "Madam Bones, I plan to have the Wizengamot remove Cornelius Fudge from his post as Minister of Magic and have him thrown thru the god damn Veil in the Department of Mysteries!
"I have proof of his involvement with bribery, obstruction of justice, consorting with known terrorists, attempted murder and murder. I am also going to have Delores Umbridge thrown thru the Veil for use of unforgivable curse on a minor, sending two dementors to attack me last year, public harm and endangerment, belonging to a known terror group known as Death Eaters, carrying the mark of a known terror group, using a government office to embezzle millions of galleons, and that's jus to start my list.
"Once they are dealt with, as the head of the Potter and Black families, and heir to Hogwarts, I will use my eight seats to nominate you as the new Minister of Magic, providing you do a top to bottom cleaning of the Ministry. Then I am going to propose a law, that will pass, that will remove any person(s) from the Wizengamot and the Ministry if they work with or support Death Eaters or Voldemort. I am also going to propose another law that will send those people convicted of being death eaters through the veil immediately.
"But before any of this, I am going to embarrass Fudge and expose him as a death eater supporter. If Voldemort wants a war, then I am sure going to give him one. I have already sent a copy of everything I have had my people gather to the International Confederation of Wizards, and they will be filing cases against Fudge, Umbridge, and the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain. Here is a copy for you to look over."
Harry passed a good size file folder over to Madam Bones while he, Albus, Ginny, and Susan talked.
"Susan, did you happen to receive a school owl yesterday or early this morning?"
Susan nodded, "As you have heard, I am planning on helping your aunt to fix the Ministry while I make some serious changes here at Hogwarts. One thing I am doing is reinstating the Assistant Professor/Apprenticeship program. Ginny and I will be the running the program, all the information is in the packet we sent you.
"You have a number of professors interested in you. Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Herbology, and Madam Pomfrey does want you in the hospital wing too. Go ahead and think about it. If you are interested, just reply by the date on the application."
The four individuals talked some more before Madam Bones spoke up and redirected the conversation back to her. "Albus, have you seen some of these offenses?"
Albus nodded his head slowly, "Yes Amelia I have and I still cannot wrap my head all of this. Fudge has a lot to answer for." Amelia agreed she wanted to clean up the Ministry because she believed that government should be for the people; those who worked there should care more about serving the public then lining their pockets.
However Amelia knew there were strings attached here, she had not become head of the department of Magical Law Enforcement for nothing. "Harry what do you get out this, besides some vengeance on Fudge and Umbridge. I think there is something else you want, I would like to know what it is."
Harry nodded in approval of Madam Bones' logical conclusion, "Your reputation precedes you Madam Bones. You are correct; there are a few things I want out of this deal. Fudge and Umbridge gone are important to everyone, as well as cleaning out the Ministry and Azkaban, but what I want is some equality. Amelia, ma'am, what I have in place will forever change how the Wizarding World sees the other magical races.
"As you know, there are currently two battalions of goblins here at Hogwarts. Tomorrow morning, I will have I also have a battalion ready to secure St. Mungo's Hospital, the Ministry of Magic Building itself, and Azkaban Prison. I am doing this because we need all the help we can get. With these locations protected, we can concentrate on more important matters. Also please be aware that the goblins sent to Azkaban will also reopen long sealed portions of their prison. Yes, I said their prison; the goblins built it and ran it for a number of years before the Ministry did something stupid.
"The goblins are doing all of this free of charge to the Ministry, all they want is to be treated fairly, as equals. If you think you can do this Madam Bones, then you will be the next Minister of Magic."
Madam Bones was dumbfounded by what Harry wanted; he wanted the goblins to be treated as equals. This would piss off many people in the wizarding community, but the benefits would be worth it. "You make tall promises Mr. Potter; if it was anyone else, I would laugh them out of my office. But from you, I feel like you can do this and more. As long as Albus and your wife agree, Mr. Potter you got yourself a deal." With that they shook hands and talked about what would happen the next day.
With arrest warrants issued for Albus and Harry, no matter how bogus they are, they have to be very careful how they entered tomorrow. It was decided that a few members of the ICW, who were not British citizens, would ask the Wizengamot for a moment to address the body. This will of course be approved and then the Chair of the ICW would step up and explain that Harry and Albus were both under the protection of the ICW and the Goblin Nation.
Harry and Albus would then enter and demand for an immediate hearing on their charges brought up by the Minister. The ICW will then demand that the hearing take place at once. Fudge won't like this because the charges that he threw up against Harry and Albus are totally bogus. Due to the nature of the charges and who filed them, Albus, the Minister of Magic and his Senior Undersecretary will not be allowed to chair this special session of the Wizengamot.
The ICW chairwizard, whom will be in attendance, and Amelia, as the head of the department of the magical law enforcement, will preside over this special session. Harry and Albus will be escorted in by Mackrack, and 2 squadrons of the Goblin Elite Guard. After promising to setup everything that needed to done on her end, Amelia and Susan left the castle and headed home.
During lunch, Ginny asked Albus if it would be ok for Harry to go shopping in Muggle London. He had no decent clothes. Albus gave him a good once over and agreed with Ginny's desire to get him into some new clothing.
"Where would you like to go in Muggle London? It is a big place."
Ginny had no idea where they would have to go to. Ginny looked a little downcast at this thought. However, Albus then made a counter offer which surprised Harry.
"Ginny, if you and your husband can wait for 20 minutes, I believe that we all would like to join you. Many of us are in need of new clothes, and I know just the place to go. A friend of mine is the General Manager of Harrods; he carries a large variety of Wizarding robes. I'm sure if he knows we are coming, then he'll have someone there who can take care of us."
Twenty minutes later Harry, Ginny, Albus, Minerva, Hermione, Fleur, the Weasleys, Luna, Neville, Remus, Tonks, Filius, Severus, and Augusta Longbottom all grabbed a hold of the rope Albus had made into a portkey and were gone in flash of light. They landed in a private parlor on the top floor of Harrods department store. Before them stood a short man, about 5'6" with a good natured smile. He saw Albus and moved towards him.
"Albus! How are you doing my friend? I haven't seen you in years, what can I do for you today?"
Albus turned to the group, "This is my friend William Knight, he's an American Wizard whom I have shared many a drink with. William may I present my lovely wife Minerva; Mrs. Augusta Longbottom, Matriarch of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom; her son Neville and his girlfriend Luna Lovegood; This Molly and Arthur Weasley; their eldest son William with his girlfriend Madam Fleur Delacour; this is their next oldest Charles; here we have Percival and his girlfriend Penelope Clearwater; the twins Fredrick and George; the Weasley's youngest son Ronald and his girlfriend Miss Hermione Granger; over here we have Remus Lupin and his life mate Nymphadora Tonks; and of course you know Filius Flitwick and Severus Snape."
Albus took a moment for handshakes to be made before he continued, "These two are the reason we came here today, may I introduce to you Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter, High Lord of Hogwarts and his wife Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Potter, Lady of Hogwarts."
Mr. Knight was in awe of Harry and Ginny. They were true royalty and he knew it. Harry decided to get the ball rolling, "Mr. Knight, first please call me Harry; next we all need different items, I need a completely new wardrobe, both muggle and wizard. I also need to contact Gringotts—"
Suddenly Griphook appeared out of nowhere, "Ah Harry, how good to see you again. Headmaster Dumbledore called and informed me that you would be doing some shopping today for a new wardrobe. I thought you may need some gold to make your purchases, so here I am. Besides, I want to observe Wizards attempting to make themselves more goblin-like. You do know Wizards only started robes after they had met Goblins?"
Everyone shook their heads while Griphook laughed "Wizards, you have forgotten half your own history! No wonder Dark Lords rise in every generation." Mr. Knight had one sales associate for each member of the group.
Four hours later, all the muggle shopping was complete. Harry had bought fifteen pairs of jeans, khaki pants, dress pants, tee shirts, oxfords, dress shirts, and sweaters of various colors. Ginny also insisted on jackets, hats, scarves, ties, and four brand new suits, two of them black, one dark blue, and one gray. As they were heading back to the Wizard's parlor, Harry spotted the leather good collection. He picked out three leather trench coats, two bomber jackets, two more dress leather jackets, four sets of leather vests, two pair of leather pants, and three pairs of leather boots. Ginny liked them so much; she picked up similar items for herself.
When everyone was back in the private parlor, they began to get fitted with new robes. To make every thing easier, everyone received the same general order; 10 sets of everyday robes, 3 blue, 4 black, 3 brown; those who would be joining the apprentice program received 10 sets of apprentice robes; everyone also got three sets of dress robes.
Harry and Ginny's orders were a little more complex then the others. They also ordered five sets ceremonial robes, one set in matching Gryffindor colors, one set in matching Ravenclaw colors, one set in matching Hufflepuff colors, one set in matching Slytherin robes, and one set of matching black robes. Harry also ordered battle robes for everyone along with Dragon Hyde Boots. While he was finishing up, he asked about Dragon Hyde trench coats. He was surprised when Madam Maulkin turned around to answer him.
"By the look on your face Mr. Potter, you are surprised to see me here. Well, when my dear brother calls, I answer. And don't worry about me telling anyone, Billy and I entered an unbreakable vow many years ago that prevents me from discussing anything I see here. Besides that, I think Fudge is a moron and I know you are doing what you feel is best. But in response to your question, what we have is a hybrid between a muggle trench coat and a set of over robes. With what you are going to be getting into, I would recommend that you get them made from a Hungarian Horntail, the base of their magic is in their Hyde, wouldn't you agree Charles?" Charlie nodded and went back to the chess match he was playing with Percy.
"Ok then, all of the Dragon Hyde items I want to have made from a Hungarian Horntail, and throw in these robes for everyone as well. Do you have any idea on how long till they'll be in?"
Madam Maulkin moved towards her brother for a moment to confer then returned, "How about 45 minutes Mr. Potter; Billy has a contact in Germany who actually makes most of the dragon hide items I sell. He'll have your order delivered here; he thinks its heading to the MLE in the United States."
An hour later, the entire group left Harrods with their purchases. Even with their purchases shrunk, Albus and Harry had to send packages back to the castle using magic. Each person had met with Griphook and signed a draft bill for Harrods.
Harry and Ginny's were 15,000 galleons each; the most either of them had ever spent on clothing. Since it was near dinner time, Harry had invited Griphook and Mackrack to dinner. They had accepted and would be there shortly. Harry asked Dobby and Winky to arrange for everyone's purchases be put away and then joined everyone else for dinner. It was an exciting affair, the house elves, knowing that there would be goblins, had prepared some goblin dishes that everyone enjoyed. After dinner and chit chatting, everyone headed off to bed early. The shopping had taken a lot out of them all ad tomorrow would be a big day.