Quoth the Raven
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reveiws are welcomed, flames are not. Special thanks to our Brit-speaker for his tweaking of this chapter. Thanks Phil!
A/N: A bit of a history lesson here. Not sure how accurate it is according to HP Canon. However, it does fit. Also, to help with the setting, I watched the opening of Parliament 2012 to get a feel on what should happen. -GF
Chapter 42: Back Into The Chamber Turning
An emergency meeting of the Wizengamot was called a week after the attack on Hogsmeade. Harry and his advisors had expected it.
Cornelius Fudge, at the urging of many of his pure-blood patrons, and Albus Dumbledore, had no choice but to call the meeting. Everyone wanted answers, and many also wanted a scapegoat. Most of the twenty dead Death Eaters were from pure-blood families, and they had been literally gunned down in the streets of Hogsmeade by Muggle-borns using Muggle weapons. In the eyes of many, that was against the very tenets of the Wizarding World. Someone had to take the fall and, in the eyes of the pure-blood aristocracy, that someone was Lord Potter.
Unnoticed that morning, the Ministry was quietly invaded. Men dressed in dragon-hide armour strolled into the Ministry, locking down department after department. The witches and wizards from each office were escorted by hooded men and women from the Department of Mysteries to a central holding area.
The first targets to be locked down were the Floo and Magical Trace Departments; next were the DMLE and other high-level security. A secondary sweep collected the remaining clerks and maintenance personnel.
Amanda Kensington, head of the Muggle Liaison Department, was the only person who realised just what was going on. She slipped away and went with those wearing the dragon-hide uniforms, whom she knew to be part of Her Majesty's special forces. She explained to many of the confused pure-bloods that yes, these people had the right to shut down the Ministry, as they had a writ from the only person with the authority to do so – HM Queen Elizabeth the Second, rightful monarch of Great Britain. She also explained that failure to obey that writ could see the Treaty of 1692 become void, causing the Wizarding World to be absorbed into the Muggle world.
That threat stopped the protests. Within an hour, the Ministry was secured.
In the now vacant Atrium, a party of twenty men in ornate red uniforms with tall, black woolly hats appeared. Each shouldered a heavy assault rifle. On command, they fanned out into a semi-circle facing outwards.
A moment later, a horse-less black and gold carriage with wide clear glass windows appeared in the circle. A coachman wearing a red and gold uniform with a long whip sat in the driver's seat. Two footmen stood at the rear of the carriage.
0o0o0o0
The Hall of the Wizengamot was centuries old. It pre-dated William III. It fact, the Treaty of 1692, including the Statute of Secrecy, was signed in this chamber, though many had forgotten that fact. Also carved into the very foundations of its stone walls were protective runes that could be called upon by any lord who feared vengeance, retribution, or fatal threats while presenting a case to the Wizengamot. However, Magic is a fickle mistress, and to call upon her if the need is not just is to turn her wrath back on the supplicant. It is for this reason that the practice of calling upon Magic in these chambers had fallen into disuse and, eventually was lost to time.
"This emergency session of the Wizengamot will now come to order," intoned Minister Fudge, dressed in the traditional robes of his office. "Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, presiding. Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, you are brought here to consider the testimony of Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, on what happened last week in the village of Hogsmeade. Lord Potter, you will present yourself and give testimony."
Lord Potter, knowing what was at stake, had been staring up at the intricate carvings adorning the walls of the chamber when his name was called. The young lord stood and made his way to stand in front of the Wizengamot. He was dressed as a peer of the magical world in the finest Acromantula silk with the arms of his heritage prominently displayed. In passing, he gave the chair with the manacles and chains a look of pure disgust. There was no way he would allow these fools to treat him as a common criminal when all he did was save innocent lives.
A hush fell on the chamber, broken only by murmuring and whispers that raced through the galleries of Wizengamot members and the press. Many had not been present when the young wizard had made his presence known last summer. A few thought the tabloids and rumours didn't do him justice.
Standing in front of the governing body of the magical world, Lord Potter surveyed them with the barest hint of contempt. He had been well groomed for his duty to the Crown and his heritage since he caught the eye of the Queen at the tender age of five.
"Lord Potter, what do you have to say for yourself regarding the slaughter of wizards that took place in Hogsmeade?" Albus Dumbledore asked, noting the fact that this wasn't going the way he had hoped. The young lord standing before him showed no signs of fear or awe.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter," he invoked, his voice ringing through the chamber, "do call upon the wards and magic imbued within this chamber for protection and justice. I call upon the ancient protections to forbid all magic within this chamber until such time they are no longer needed. I ask this by right of my title. So mote it be."
A flare of gold light surrounded the young lord as magic weighed the need. Satisfied, an ethereal female voice echoed through the chamber: "So mote it be!"
The members of the Wizengamot stood as one; the cacophony of protest was deafening. Fudge and Dumbledore banged on their lecterns for silence to regain control. Lord Potter stood at parade rest, waiting.
"Lord Potter," a stern-looking, elderly woman in purple robes, addressed him as the noise slowly died. "Was that really necessary?"
"And you are, madam?" he asked, turning to face her.
"Lady Augusta Longbottom, Regent to the Head of the House of Longbottom until my grandson is of age."
"Yes, Madam Longbottom, it was," he informed her. "You see, a very important personage is even now entering the Ministry. Her safety had to be insured. There are many here that would object most violently to her presence. I, myself, owe her more than one life-debt. As she is also my guardian, I furthermore owe her my allegiance and my loyalty. I was charged with securing this chamber, and the best way to do that was to invoke the old magic."
"But Harry, my boy..." Dumbledore started to say. Clearly, he needed to get things back on track.
"Chief Warlock! You are out of order!" Madam Longbottom shouted. "Are you becoming so senile that you forget protocol? To address this young lord so informally in this chamber is a high insult! One which could see you in a blood feud! Be silent!"
Harry gave a slight bow again to the stern, elderly woman. "Madam, I thank you for that. It is refreshing to see that the old forms have not completely died out." He turned back to the aged headmaster. "We all know how much the Chief Warlock values the old ways."
A twitter ran through the chamber. Many had indeed heard Dumbledore's views on how the old ways were dead and how they needed to be replaced.
"Lord Potter," Fudge said, calling attention back to the matter at hand, "Can you please explain what happened in Hogsmeade?"
"What is there to explain!?" shouted one member of the Wizengamot. "It was cold-blooded murder! This so-called Duke of Gryffindor should be sanctioned. He knowingly violated our laws about the use of Muggle weapons in our world!"
"He brought Muggles into our world! He violated the Statute of Secrecy!" shouted another.
"But he and those Muggle-borns saved countless lives! Including my grand-daughter!"
Suddenly, the chamber doors opened. Several men in gold and red uniforms, the designs of which dated from the 17th century, marched in, led by two men in gold bearing bugles. They lifted their draped horns and trumpeted a fanfare. Following them, six pairs of soldiers in red and white uniforms marched in with their arms extended and rifles over their shoulders. An order was given and they stopped. Another order and they parted to stand on either side of the aisle.
Lord Potter moved to stand to one side at the head of the aisle. He raised his voice and called: "I, Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, do invite Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of this Realm and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, into this august council as is her right as Queen. All will rise and pay homage. Any who refuse will face the judgement of Magic for dishonouring their liege-lady and their sworn fealty to the Crown. So mote it be!"
Albus Dumbledore was many things, but a fool he was not. Even he could see history in the making here. It has been centuries since a reigning monarch has visited these chambers. She was taking a terrible chance. Many on the Wizengamot were Death Eaters, marked or unmarked. The invoking of the old magicks now made sense.
Fudge gulped and moved away from the dais. Two carved stone thrones magically appeared behind him. Merlin! How could this be happening? How could he stop it? More importantly, was the Treaty being revoked? He could think of no other reason for her august presence.
Another fanfare rang out. A couple walked down the aisle. All of the Wizengamot stood - reluctantly, but they stood.
The few Death Eaters objecting were struck silent by Lord Potter's words. They had no doubt that a duel would be the least of their worries. Everyone could feel the ancient magicks in the air. It spoke to them of duty, honour and a call to the old vows of allegiance. To ignore the old magick meant the loss of their personal magic at the least, and a death sentence at the worst.
The Queen was dressed in a long, flowing, silver-white gown. Her gold necklace of state draped from her shoulders. A crown adorned her silver hair and a long cloak of royal purple trailed behind her. Two ladies in white carried the hem of the opulent garment.
The gentleman escorting her was tall and very distinguished in his a formal dress military uniform, with a plethora of medals on his chest. With regal courtesy, he offered his hand to the Queen as she took the throne.
They were followed by another six pairs of uniformed soldiers bearing assault rifles. These men stopped at the base of the thrones before they fanned out to form a barrier between the royal couple and the wizards and witches present. It had not gone unnoticed that these men were also wizards, for they were wearing the dragon-hide robes of Hit Wizards over their uniforms, and it was obvious they meant serious business should anyone step out of line.
Lord Potter stepped in front of the thrones and bowed formally before straightening once more. "Your Majesty. May I present to you, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore and your Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge?"
Her Majesty gave a slight nod to the Wizengamot and the room in general. "Pray be seated."
Both wizards stepped forward. Fudge, who had dealt with Her Majesty before, bowed and started to stammer a welcome. Albus, of course, did nothing.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, looked disapprovingly at the gathered Wizengamot before her gaze swept over the two men before her. In her hand was a prepared speech. The chamber was almost chilling in its ominous silence. Then, in a clear, commanding voice, she began:
"My lords and ladies of the magical government known as the Wizengamot, it is has not been since the reign of my ancestor, William the Third, that a royal presence has graced these halls. That is an oversight that shall now be amended.
"Minister Cornelius Fudge, Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore, and members of this magical government, I remind you; you stand for the Crown in all matters, judicial and legal. Although you are, for the most part, hereditary holders of your offices, much as the peerage in the mundane world, some of you are elected by a vote of your peers. Nonetheless, it is the Crown you serve, and we are most displeased with your services. Your records within this body have been made known to us. There is no such thing as the 'Greater Good'; it is the good of all of our citizens that must be sought.
"The attack on the village of Hogsmeade was an unpardonable affair. Where were our Aurors? Why did they arrive too late to be of service? Why did it take a team of our Special Forces to subdue these terrorists? That three children were killed that day is totally unacceptable to us! We cherish all of our children and will not stand by while they are killed!
"To condemn in your mediaour Special Forces for protecting your own children, is unacceptable. They answered the call of Queen and Country and faced death to protect the innocent. We commend them. That is more than we can say for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the wizards and witches of magical Britain." Here, she stopped to peer over her glasses with a sweeping glance of contempt for those seated before her.
"We are also displeased in what has been transpiring within these halls. We were led to believe that you were mature enough to be allowed to govern and police yourselves, without direct interference of a royal presence. The magical government was given limited autonomy by the Treaty of 1692, when the Statue of Secrecy was signed into law. Our royal predecessors hoped that by doing so, our peoples could live in peace and harmony.
"That does not seem to have happened. You may be magical, but you are still part of our Realm, and still subject to our laws and rules. After perusing the treaty, we had no choice but to come here in person.
"Despite your misconceptions, this body answers to the Crown, and we are that Crown. You, as a people, swore on your magic to keep this treaty with the Crown of Great Britain. It is surprising to us that you still have said magic."
Muffled gasps could be heard from the seats.
"You can thank His Grace, Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, who interceded on your behalf. This is your only warning. The Treaty of 1692 is hanging in the balance. We will not accept any more failures to police your own. If you cannot bring to justice this terrorist you call a 'Dark Lord', then be assured we will see it done!
"Furthermore, you will remove any laws that contradict the Common Law of Great Britain.
"You will give equal rights to all sentient peoples, be they human or not, so-called pure-blood, half-blood, or muggle-born.
"You will uphold the laws, both in your world and in the mundane.
"You will work together to bring peace and harmony to our lands.
"You will bring to justice this upstart terrorist, this half-blood Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, along with his followers, marked and unmarked, known as the Death Eaters. We will no longer tolerate his reign of terror. You will enact laws and uphold those already in place to bring this terrorist to justice.
"This is your only chance. If our Special Forces are required to become involved, then we will call the Treaty of 1692 in abeyance, void your autonomy and declare you oath-breakers. The choice is yours. May God have mercy on your souls."
There was absolute silence in the chamber for a few stunned moments as the white-faced members registered her words. Then all hell broke loose.
0o0o0o0
Sorry for the cliffy but no worries. 43 is almost done and should be ready soon.
So we got our gun info a tad off. The Slytherins did not know this. Why give out more info to the enemy than necessary?
For those reviewers that asks questions and don't sign in so we can reply, the answer is 42.
Until next time. – GF and the Frau
