Chapter II—His Butler, Secret
Modern era
Queen Elizabeth the second of England was sat in her favourite sitting room drinking tea. One of her dogs was sitting at her feet while the other two were snoozing in a corner. The Queen was very distressed at the moment. For three years the mad wizard Voldemort had been terrorizing her good subjects, both muggle and magical alike. What made it worse was that this man had been presumed dead for a decade before his return. Elizabeth had wanted her magical ministry to hunt the man down and ensure he did not return, but they did not. No, they had written him off as dead before checking the facts and now the man was causing more terror than he had over a decade past.
"Your Majesty, the Ministers of magic and Brittain," said Mycroft Holmes in the doorway. Contrary to popular belief, the gentle, proper man was much more than just the shadow government. NO, although the parliamentary system appeared to be the true power in the government, it truly was not. Queen Victoria had decided to create the illusion otherwise, at the end of her reign, to allow the people the comfort of feeling themselves self-governing. However, the position of Shadow government was created, this individual would be the true government, and ensure the Queen's orders and decisions were carried out in the guise of parliamentary procedure.
Mr. Mycroft Holmes was the current shadow government, but he was also more than that, he was the Queen's butler. Certainly there were butlers in the palaces, but the Queen's butler help different duties. Such as being the Queen's shadow government, and the one who knew all the secrets of her subjects. Holmes had proven to be indispensable, and perfect for the roles.
"Thank you, Mycroft. Send them in, please. Also, join us for a cup, we insist," said her Majesty. Mycroft gave a small smile and bowed before showing the two men in. Her British minister had proven to be quite capable in his role, albeit he felt snubbed once he'd learned he held no real power, and that Mycroft could overrule his efforts with no trouble. Still, he had calmed down over the years, and the two got on rather well now. Fudge, the minister of magic, as most of the magic ministers, still didn't fully understand Mycroft's role, and looked down upon her dear friend and loyal subject.
"Gentlemen, please join us for tea," her Majesty said. Mycroft tilted his head before sitting by her side and serving himself tea. Fudge and his muggle counterpart did the same, although they sat across from the Queen and her dear Mr. Holmes. Fudge frowned at where Mycroft was sitting.
"Now, we have learned that the wizarding rebellion of one Voldemort is still raging, this is distressing," said the Queen before drinking her tea. "Will you tell us of how our dear loyal subjects are faring under this revolt."
There was a single beat of silence when Fudge opened his mouth before Mycroft spoke.
"Your Majesty, your non magical subjects are worried over the recent "accidents" that have been occurring over the past three years. They are growing restless and minister Fudge's cover ups will soon have no effect upon them. I fear if this is not resolved soon, his ministry will take to mass memory altering, which had severe repercussions," Mycroft told his queen. Her Majesty frowned over this information.
"Really, Mr. Holmes, that is an exaggeration. My ministry has been handling this rebellion fine. What is making it difficult is the trials that we must go through to determine innocence or guilt, and that numerous break outs have been occurring during those times. They really have no respect. Unfortunately, due to the ministry being the law, we very well can't do away with procedure—"
"No indeed, minister Fudge. Pray, then, tell us how you are dealing with this predicament of total disregard for our laws," the Queen interrupted the man. Her voice was stern, and Fudge felt sweat prickle his brow.
"Well, I have appointed one of your best warlocks, Albus Dumbledore, to head a group that are allowed to subdue these rebels without needing to follow procedure."
"So you've sanctioned vigilantes, without Her Majesty's approval," said the British minister. Fudge started as he heard the voice next to him. The man was always quiet during these meetings with the queen and that blasted Mr. Holmes.
"Would that not cause more problems, after all, it allows for those who are guilty to worm through the system and escape due to the fact they were not apprehended by those with the actual authority to do so,' the quiet man continued. "Not to mention, that they distress those under my responsibility, as they are not trained, nor worried over muggle casualties."
"Your decisions regarding this rebellion are distressing to us, minister Fudge. Tell us, how does this group get on," Queen Elizabeth II said in a neutral voice.
"The Order of the Phoenix, as Dumbledore named them, actually are doing rather well, they are handling the skirmishes in the Wizarding World, and that allows the ministry to handle skirmishes in the mug—British world," Fudge said.
"Really, from the reports, I have here, there are numerous casualties both British and magical, as well as the destruction of several major sights, which suggests they are doing rather poorly, as are you," Mycroft said as he read from his Blackberry.
"Now look here—"
"Minister Fudge, these rebels, who are practically a cult, are committing terrorism, murder and rape on massive scales both in the non-magical and magical areas of our Queen's realm. How do you excuse your lack of control of this situation?" Mycroft Holmes said sternly. He was a patriotic Englishman and completely loyal to his Queen. She appointed him to a prestigious position while he was far younger than the norm and he refused to fail her in his duties. Nor, for that matter, would he forgive incompetent politicians for failing her either.
"Mycroft that is enough. Thank you gentlemen. We shall tell you of our thoughts at a later date, Mycroft, have the servants show the ministers out," said the Queen as she petted her dog. Mycroft nodded at stood to follow the order. Queen Elizabeth stared into her cup as the men left her alone. She wondered how her predecessors would be handling this rebellion. The Queens had truly ruled England for centuries, allowing their Kings to partake in the decisions but willing to override their husbands if need be. The only exception to that had been Victoria, who had married her beloved butler and made him a prince. He had followed her orders without questions or hesitation.
"Your Majesty, is there anything you wish me to do before I depart for my office?" Mycroft said, starting Elizabeth from her thougths. She gave him a soft smile.
"Please sit, dear Mycroft… I am quite unhappy, although I've no doubt you've noticed. This whole situation, these rebellions this man has lead… Ten years ago I felt helpless to save my people from him, and when a babe did what all my decisions could not, I felt as though I had utterly failed my subjects."
"Your Majesty, it was not your failure, but those you gave them to. They were incompetent. This time is different, I will ensure, this ends swiftly," Mycroft said.
"Thank you, my dear Mycroft. I logically know that you are right, but I cannot help but feel as I did then. Powerless, a failure to my people. This uprising is worse than the last, and Fudge and his Dumbledore will us lose to this mad monster, I will not have it!" said the Queen rising suddenly. Mycroft scrambled after her. She strode to the large window which looked out over a beautiful garden.
"I thought the ministry of magic could handle this Voldemort during the last uprising, however they could not. I will not trust them again with such important things. I am so distressed and unhappy in this circumstance, Mycroft… I see no other option, contact my sweet little boy. He will handle this rebellion. Have him handle this Voldemort. I want this monster out of my realm, I know sweet little Ciel will do it. Make sure he knows he can count on your assistance, Mycroft."
"Of course, your Majesty. I shall contact the Earl immediately," said Holmes. "I know he will do everything to ensure you have your peace again."
"Thank you, Mycroft. Now, I wish to go see my family."
Victorian Era
A seven year old Ciel was working on his Latin in his father's office. He abhorred history and politics, but Latin was more entertaining for him. Not that he didn't excel in those two subjects as well; he was his father's heir and would not disappoint the man who gave him everything.
In the two years Ciel had been a Phantomhive, the staff and his father had all but forgotten his strange arrival and the truth of his lineage. Tanaka and his father were the one two besides himself who remembered; although, sometimes Ciel wondered if even they forgot. He never would, his father had told him that although he was a Phantomhive, and had always been one, it was important to remember the past. Ciel had nodded and promised his father he would never forget what had been done to him.
There was knock on the dark wooden door before Tanaka stepped into the room with a silver plate bearing a letter. Vincent stopped in his paperwork and Ciel watched in curiosity.
"My lord, a letter for Her Majesty has arrived," said the elderly man. Ciel's eyes widened in awe. He'd been told on his last birthday about his father's duty to the Queen. A duty that would one day be his. It was why Ciel forced himself to excel in everything he was taught, he had to fill his father's shoes someday, and he would make sure he would do well.
"Thank you, Tanaka, leave it there then go back to your duties. Tell, the Countess that Ciel and I will be taking a late lunch," Vincent said. Ciel felt his mouth slip open and quickly closed it. Tanaka gave a smile before setting the letter down and leaving.
"Ciel, come here," said his father. Ciel closed his book on Horace and went to his father's side. Vincent picked his son up and settled him in his lap.
"Do you remember, when I told you of our duty?"
"Yes, Papa. Does this mean you want to teach me about it?"
"Yes, Ciel. For now I only want you to see what kind of problems we must solve for Her Majesty, but later, you'll see how we solve such problems. Now, open the letter," his father said with a smile. He watched his son use the letter opener as he did, the action warmed his heart. Ciel unfolded the thick paper.
"I'll read it," Vincent said before clearing his voice.
"To my dear earl Phantomhive,
We hope this letter finds you and your family well. However, we are writing not for pleasantries. There had been trouble that has greatly distressed us, and we can only count upon you, dear Earl, to ease our fears. There had been unrest among certain individuals in the magical community. Someone had been abducting students of Hogwarts, the learning institution, and these students are being found either mutilated in a most atrocious manner, or turned into walking corpses that mock the living. The families of these poor souls have written to the ministry, who have told us in turn, of their grief and anger. These crimes have caused fear, unrest and an uprising in crime among our more unique subjects. We are in mourning for those poor families and their lost loved ones, and we are distressed over the lack of progress in these cases. So, dear Earl, we turn to you, as we always have, to help us in our time of need and bring peace and justice to our realm.
Queen Victoria"
"Papa, does the Queen mean magic like where we went last month without Mama?" Ciel asked. Vincent closed the letter and placed it upon his desk.
"Yes Ciel, just like the bank we went to to ensure you are forever recognized as our son. No tell me, what do you think we do for the Queen?"
"We solve problems for Her Majesty that no one else can. What did the letter mean, Papa? What's Hogwarts, and walking corpses?"
"Hogwarts is where most of the wizards and witches of England go to learn and train in magic. Families such as ours, though, are trained at home, as we must learn other things as well. Our duties prevent us from spending so much time away solely for training in magic. You will learn magic from myself and certain tutors I will hand pick.
"As for the letter… It would seem that someone versed in the Forbidden Arts had been abducting students from Hogwarts and either using them in Forbidden rituals, or turning them into inferi."
"What's inferi?"
"A person who was murdered and then their corpse is reanimated by their murderer to do their bidding. Usually they are used to torment the living and destroy… Now come, we must lunch and then return to our studying and paperwork. The next letter I receive from her majesty I will have you read," Vincent said setting his son onto the floor and standing. This would be a difficult case, but his son had shown great promise. All the questions asked had been for more information, to clarify his understanding of the problem. Perhaps his son would progress faster in his training than he had.
Rachel will not be pleased he is starting so early, but it is necessary. He must know the basics of his duty by the time he can learn magic. After all, we never know what could happen to me, Vincent thought as his clever son ran ahead of him.