Chapter 2: The UMN
The lobby of the United Magical Nations functioned as both a lobby and as the central hub of activity and operations within the organization. The room was shaped as the interior of a hollow pyramid (although from the outside it looked only like a large warehouse) a fitting design given its location in Cairo, Egypt. This location had been chosen due to Egypt's significant role in the history of the magical world, up to and including the present era. Each wall of the intricately designed pyramid showed a scene from the history of one of the four quarter-spheres of the world and all member nations from that part of the world had an office with a door that led to the lobby and a fireplace with constant connection to the nation's government headquarters. The design, which leads to quick access between governments, had already been pivotal in avoiding conflict three different times during its short two year history. The center of the room contained a staircase which led up and across the room to enter the main assembly chamber of the UMN.
Normally, the lobby would be bustling with activity as nations interacted with each other. But today was not normal. Today, the lobby only saw Harry Potter emerge from the British office door and run as fast as he could toward the staircase and into the already assembled assembly. Today, Harry Potter had to help Secretary Zimmerman convince the assembly to allow the Americans to raise an army to defend themselves from Adam Travers and his army of undead. But Draco had held him up for longer than anticipated, and therefore he was very late, he only hoped he wasn't too late.
The assembly room contained a desk for each of the member nations positioned in a semicircle around a central podium from which the Prime Minister of the UMN ran the floor of the room. In front of his desk was a podium from which anyone who the Prime Minister recognized could address the assembly. Behind the Prime Minister was a wall which magically changed to reflect the appropriate and decided upon design representing the speaker's home nation. The wall was black at the moment because Ruth Zimmerman was speaking and the United States of America was not a member of the Assembly and therefore did not have a design. Harry made eye contact with Minister for Magic Percy Weasley, an unspoken conversation which gave Harry permission to say what he wanted to say: the Americans needed the shock he had up his sleeve.
"We are certain that Travers will strike again. We do not know when, but we do know where. The force which we will raise to defend a hallowed institution of magical learning is for the purpose of defense and this purpose only. We are hoping that this explanation and olive branch on our part and the part of our friends across the Atlantic will avoid international incident. Thank you for your time," she finished and sat down.
Percy stood up. "Prime Minister, I request that the floor be given to my countryman, Harry Potter, before voting on this subject."
The Prime Minister stared at him for several minutes before relenting and allowing Harry to step up to the podium. As soon as he arrived, the wall behind him changed to a flowing Union Jack flag with the Hogwarts seal in the middle. Harry wanted one for his bedroom wall, but Ginny wouldn't allow it.
Harry took several moments before beginning. "I apologize if I am repeating anything that Ms. Zimmerman said," he finally began, "I was held up in England and only recently arrived. As you know, England has not had the greatest relationship with the United States for several years now. In fact, just three years ago, our two nations had begun to mobilize for war, a situation which created both this fine assembly and the treaty we are here to discuss violating today. If any nation would be wary of the creation of an American army, it would be us. That is why I am here today to urge you to approve its creation.
"I have personally seen the devastation that Adam Travers and his army can bring. I was there when he attacked Marshall School of Alchemy and Magic and I agree with the Americans in believing that it is not if but when he will attack again. But I was also there when Travers kidnapped and almost killed a British wizard just ten months earlier. During those ten months he raised an army of over 800 witches and wizards and trained it to battle.
"However, this is not the most concerning thing for me. Adam Travers no longer has to lead this army personally; he has raised from the dead a new general, one who had plenty of time to think about how to lead inferi." Harry stared right at the European nations and said, "Gellert Grindelwald."
Immediately the room broke into an uncontrollable frenzy. Several of delegates began to call him a liar, others were demanding that the UMN raise an army immediately to hunt down and destroy Grindelwald and Travers. Apparently Zimmerman had failed to mention this. Harry wasn't surprised, the Americans didn't have his actions scarred into the very fabric of their being the way that British wizards did.
Finally, the Prime Minister was able to get order and Harry continued. "This is the fact which weighs heavily in my mind and it is why I am advocating the creation of an American Army. However, I am also here today to advocate for the creation of a British Army. Travers has responded to the British presence at the Battle of Marshall. He has split the fragile American-British alliance which was forming. He has raised an army in England. An army far more powerful that the army of undead operating in America." Harry paused, making sure that he had exactly the correct words before finally continuing. "Adam Travers has raised Tom Marvolo Riddle, known to the world as Lord Voldemort, who has reclaimed control of the surviving death eaters."
The eruption which followed this statement made the first one look like child's play. It took the Prime Minister almost ten minutes to calm the crowd and allow Harry to continue. Harry spent most of that time passing unspoken messages of support to his brother-in-law Percy who had just learned of this new development. Harry had told him that he thought Travers might try it, but he had not confirmed that Travers had actually done it.
After the Prime Minister had gotten control, Harry continued. "I am pleased to hear calls for united action against Travers. He is a criminal and his case could prove to be the defining moment for this Union. However, Travers is ready and poised to strike now. The treaty which forbids any nation to raise an army of wizards for any reason must be withdrawn until a UMN force can be raised and deployed. The United States, The United Kingdom and any other nation which feels that it is in danger or wishes to help the cause must be allowed to mobilize against Travers and by extension Grindelwald and Voldemort. I move for this advice to be passed."
Harry stepped off the podium and was pleased to hear Fleur Delacour say "I second." He took a seat next to Secretary Zimmerman, the decision out of his control. The two didn't speak, but simply nodded encouragingly to each other, the decision was too important for words.
The secretary of the assembly stood. "Please vote," he said. Almost every wand went in the air, and the wall behind the Prime Minister displayed the word passed, 81%. Secretary Zimmerman let out a deep breath, thanked Harry and left before the assembly decided to raise a permanent law enforcement force to deal with any future incidents. Harry was pleased with the decision, but he knew that it would be years before such a force was ready for battle. Travers wouldn't wait.
Harry found himself sitting opposite Percy in Percy's office just a couple hours after the assembly adjourned. Dean Thomas, the British delegate to the assembly, and Fleur Delacour, the Mistress of Magic in France, had joined them.
"So it is confirmed then, Travers has raised You-know-who?" Percy asked.
"It had always been confirmed; but yes, a second person has acknowledged it to me. That was why I was late," Harry replied.
"Who?" Percy asked. Harry just smiled in response.
"But what 're we to do?" Fleur asked.
"Exactly what I said to do, raise and train an army to combat the Death Eaters. Voldemort is nothing without his henchmen," Harry said.
"He is fear," Thomas said. "You-Know-Who operates on fear. And news of his return will reach the people. That fear will return, just like last time."
"Obviously," Harry said, "You two have stopped using his name."
"He's right. We have to strike first on the propaganda front, assure the people that they remain safe," Percy said.
"We will raise an 'rmy to 'elp," Fleur said.
"That would be greatly appreciated," Percy said.
"I have to brief my department and decide where to go from here. I will keep you both updated," Harry said, walking to the door. "Have a good night, we may not have too many for a while." He walked out the door and Fleur and Dean soon followed.
"Grogan," Percy said to a portrait on the wall, "notify the Muggle Minister that I am coming. Tell him to settle in, I have a lot to tell him."