Chapter 40 - Back to school
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The welcoming feast was as always great food the only difference was Dumbledore's Golden Throne was empty and McGonagall was the master of ceremonies. Bellies full we all headed to our common rooms where I received a very cold reception. The decision was made so I headed upstairs, shrunk my trunk and put it in my pocket. I closed the curtains around my bed, transformed and headed out the window to my cottage.
The commute was not that far and I was a fast little Raven. However my empty bed must have been reported because...
"Mr. Pelleas please report to my office after breakfast." I hoped McGonagall was not picking up any bad habits from Dumbledore.
Later in the Headmaster's office:
Mr. Pelleas it has been reported that your bed is not being slept in, would you explain why this is and where are you sleeping?" McGonagall didn't look like she was joking.
"With all the threats that I have been getting I found a safe place to sleep. Waking with a knife in your back would just ruin your whole day."
"This is no joking matter, where are you sleeping?"
"First all, if I told you it wouldn't be safe…"
"Quite running your arrogant mouth and tell the Professor where you are sleeping." I was surprised that Snape had kept his mouth shut this long.
"Oh I am sure you knowing would make me ever so safer."
"Tell us now you brat!"
"Or what?"
Snape drew his wand but found it in three pieces and his mouth sealed shut.
"I believe you will need to call the DMLE as I am going to press charges for his attacking me."
"Mr. Pelleas I will not be ordered around by a student." McGonagall gruffly stated.
"Your school your problem, see you later Professor." I left the room and jumped out the first window available in my Raven form. I headed into Hogsmeade and the Post Office where I posted an owl with my complaint to the Board of Governors and another to Madam Bones requesting that charges be brought for attacking me. I then laughed and sent a third owl thinking that it was more a joke than anything. They wouldn't have any idea about magic nor be capable of doing anything but it made me feel good. I had just broken the reasonable restriction of magic.
Returning to Hogwarts I was just in time for charms and jolly Flitwick. "Today class we will be working on a hair coloring charm. That is when I started to panic. My blond hair was part of my sleight of hand. Changing my hair color might give someone a chance to recognize my true name. I raised my hand and said I was sick and needed to go to the hospital. Flitwick just nodded and I fled. I only postponed that charm work as we would probably be working on it for the whole week.
/Scene Break/
That evening in the Great Hall my great friend and compassionate professor came over and sneered. "Pelleas you will report to the headmistress office where you will be taken care of in the least polite way."
When I arrived I saw what Snape meant. McGonagall and Snape had a lynch mob waiting. Minister Fudge was there with Undersecretary Umbridge. Malfoy Sr. was there from the Board of Governors. Madam Bone and Shakelbolt rounded out the mob. Malfoy Sr. had apparently lied and bribed his way out of trouble again.
Fudge started right in, "We are tired of your constant whining and Dumbledore is not around to protect you lying snot. He is out looking for the other trouble maker Potter. You complaints to the Board of Governors are here-by rejected as tripe from a troublemaker. Your complaint to the DMLE is considered making a false statement to law enforcement. You are hereby put on notice that one more complaint and we will snap you wand and expel you from Hogwarts."
"Why thank you your dumbness I had not thought of that as a solution to my problem with you shits. So before Snape makes up another tale of ignorance that you will jump to agree with, please snap my wand and expel me."
"Why you little…" The 'floe' lit up and Weatherby's head appeared, "Minister it's an emergency. You have been ordered back to the Ministry immediately. We have a rather large problem."
"Weatherby what do you mean ordered! Fudge bellowed.
"I am sorry Sir but I have been ordered not say anything about the emergency and tell you to get back to the Ministry."
"Headmistress, we will take this inconvenience back up tomorrow. Everyone back to the Ministry and let's see what this emergency is about."
As Madam Bones walked by she whispered, "I don't like this but if I object they have threatened to fire me."
They all left and Snape started, "Well you little shit its time you learned who your betters are, you will now tell us now where you are sleeping or I…"
"Oh put a lid on it Snevelus, I will be letting them snap my wand in the morning and you can have this asylum."
"Mr. Pelleas I will not have a student talking to a Professor like that, detention with Filch tonight."
"Not in you wildest dreams…"Snape drew his wand and found it in three pieces.
"Golly Gee look at that the Professor has a second busted wand, want to try for three Snapee-poo?"
I laughed and ran to the open window and jumped. I transformed and flew to The Three Broomsticks and 'floed' to Gringotts.
"So Lockjaw that's the plan are there any pitfalls?"
"None that I can see as you have not committed any crimes for which they could bind your magic after they snap your wand. The same goes for 'Obliviating' you about magic but you might watch out the Ministry doesn't always follow the law."
"Thanks Lockjaw but right now I think I will head out and get a night sleep. I think tomorrow is going to be real fun.
/Scene Break/
I actually got good night sleep and took a leisurely flight to Hogwarts. After buzzing Hagrid I transformed on the front steps and walked to the Great Hall. As I entered I was impressed by the level of talk that was going on, that is until they saw me and the Hall went dead silent. I guessed that the rumor mill had me expelled already.
Professor McGonagall broke the silence, "Thank Merlin you're here the Ministry has fallen."
"Who? Voldemort?" I was somewhat stunned at the change of attitude by McGonagall, this usually ment trouble.
"No, to Her Majesty the Queen of England
That was not the best place to make the announcement as the majority of Slytherin house leaped up to take back the Ministry from those filthy Muggles. Many at other table also joined in the shouting. This however must have been the signal as the door behind the podium opened and twenty Aurors took up positions around the walls of the Great Hall. Following them were six men in military uniform sporting fully automatic weapons. The last out was a man dressed in a muggle suit and tie who quickly stepped up to the podium.
"Sir Pelleas, Students and Faculty of Hogwarts it is my duty as Lord Smythe of the Queens government to inform you that Martial Law has been declared by Her Majesty over the Ministry of Magic and the Magical community. The Ministry of Magic will only offer essential services and the Wizengamot is suspended. Our patience with your Tom Riddle has been exceeded and Martial Law will stay in place until he is dealt with. Your Headmistress will conduct a briefing and answer questions. Please heed her warnings. Now if Sir Pelleas would be so kind as to accompany me to the Ministry we have some planning to conduct.
Where was a betting window when you needed one? Draco was up and shouting, "I will not listen to some filthy mudblood, we will deal with you…" The red light of the stunner finished his sentence.
I turned to see if the other boob was going to do something. His ears were red and food was spewing from his mouth. The fork in his hand was jabbing towards people as he used it to make his point. What he was saying could not be heard as I was too far away and his words were muffled by the food in his mouth. I kept my eye on him as I followed Lord Smythe from the hall.
Nothing was said between us other than 'after you' or 'thank you' type words. We then 'floed' to the Ministry. Arriving in the atrium I notice military armed guards were also posted around the area. We took the lift to the 1st floor and sat around one of the little round tables in the conference room. Madam Bones and Fudge joined us after a few minutes.
"Sir Pelleas please call me Nigel and yes my real name is Nigel." I caught that turn of words as he smiled. "Now what would you like to be called? Harold or Harry?
I thought that he was playing with me, "Harry will be fine Nigel."
"Good now for your opinion on a few matters. We have already fired the Undersecretary along with other Ministry and Wizengemott members. Right now we would like your opinion on Minister Fudge."
It was out of my mouth before my brain engaged, "The pompous windbag couldn't find change in his own pocket."
"Well that…" Nigel was cut off by a Fudge rant similar to Snape's. Fudge got an escort out of the building.
"So Harry what is your opinion of Madam Bones?"
"I have found her more than capable in doing her job if people leave her alone."
"So would you trust her with your secrets?"
"I don't know you or her that well and what do you know of my secrets?
"Why don't we get Madam Bones to swear an oath not to repeat what she hears here so long as it's not illegal? Then we can discuss things without having to worry about what we say."
Madam Bones swore the oath and immediately asked, "What are you two talking about without saying anything?"
"I insist that you go first Nigel." Smythe laughed at my cautiousness.
"I see you don't trust many people in your life as Lord Potter Black Gryffindor Slytherin Pelleas."
Madam Bone's monocle fell on the table and I laughed, "It's a mouth full to be sure but how did you know?"
"The Magical world thinks they are hidden from the world of muggles, when in fact it is not possible for them to hide from the muggles. Think of the muggle family that has a magical child and they invite their sister or brother over for tea and the magical child summons it favorite teddy bear from across the room. They can't call in an Obliviation team so the brother or sister is sworn to secrecy. So the three are now four who know of magic but can that sister or brother keep that from their spouse? Obliviation is done only when someone is trying to yell it from the tree tops. The Queen is the ruler of all of England including the magical, she just allows you to govern yourselves but now this Riddle chap has been terrorizing the muggle side of the realm and knowledge of magic is getting harder to keep quiet from the masses. Economically, politically and just for the magical's safety this must stop.
"You still haven't said how you know about me, my name, or my titles."
"Oh yes, sorry, the Goblins notified us that a historic line had been activated, that being the Pelleas line. Little blighter's wouldn't say who. Regardless the dainty purebloods on either side of the aisles have squib or magical children or relatives. Those people end up working in government offices so secrets leak. Your emancipation was filed with your full name in the Ministry of Magic and leaked to the Queen's people. A pureblood on your board of governors had a friend who has a relative in MI-5 so your formal complaints have leaked out."
"So this means what?"
"Well based on your endorsement Madam Bones is now in charge of the Ministry of Magic under this Emergency Order Act. Madam Bones we do hope you will fund for more Aurors."
"Let me rephrase that, so how does this affect me?"
"Oh, sorry old boy, you have been appointed temporary Regent over the magical community of Britain."
"Huh?"
"You have been appointed Regent which means you are the ruler or Emperor of the Magical community in the absents of the Queen. You rule over the magical Ministry, schools, government services, etc."
I couldn't help it but if I had a mirror I would see the largest smile that had ever graced my face. Although the smile would be a tad evil around the eyes which reminded me and I pulled out the phony blue contacts, I would not need them anymore