Chapter Twenty-Seven
High Noon
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."
- Old Greek proverb
Albus Dumbledore could almost feel the calming potion lose its effect at the sight before him.
The Wizengamot session where he was calling for a declaration of war with the Seelie and Unseelie Courts of the Fae had been interrupted by one of them.
Worse, it was a woman he'd wanted to curse for over fifty years, that upstart American muggle farm girl, Princess Dorothy of Oz! At least she didn't bring her dog with her.
Who she did bring, though...
Hermione Granger was Harry Potter's best friend and had been vital to keeping him alive through the trials Dumbledore had set before him to test his strength. Fortunately, she hadn't been able to improve the boy's study habits over the years, despite her best efforts. Dumbledore needed him as ignorant as possible, to fulfill his destiny as a sacrifice for the greater good.
He also needed complete control of the boy to condition him to be a willing sacrifice, which was the true reason for this session. That dark witch and Seelie Court Fae, Andromeda Black-Tonks, had spirited Harry away and made him her ward. Thus, it was necessary to commit Wizarding Britain to war with the Fae on top of the war they were already in with Tom. Dumbledore was forced to use deception and appeal to the worst aspects of Wizarding Britain, its fear and bigotry, to convince enough of the Wizengamot to support this war, because he couldn't tell the full truth of how and why he'd been raising a child as a pig for slaughter. Even the well meaning among his most devoted allies wouldn't understand.
Damn the Fae for what they were making him do! And now, they had taken another of his pawns, and were no doubt filling her head with all sorts of harmful ideas!
Before he let that so-called Princess know the price of her interloping, he cast a glance to Andromeda Black-Tonks in the gallery, looking so smug in her serpent form.
Cissy looked at her sister, who was looking like the cat that swallowed the canary... or more like the snake that swallowed... something it found tasty.
"Andy," she asked, "what's going on?"
"Oh, just watching how the curse Hermione and I put on Dumbledore last night is taking effect," Andromeda replied.
Draco could just quietly ask, "Granger?" and wonder when exactly the world went topsy-turvy.
"YOU!" Dumbledore bellowed at Dorothy.
"Me," Dorothy replied, smiling. "Why, you look as mad as a mule chewin' on bumblebees."
"How dare you invade these chambers?"
"Well, you've been sayin' all sorts of nasty things when all we've been doin' is helping you out with your troubles with that Voldie fella. Keep it up and I'll cancel your birth certificate."
Dumbledore couldn't hide his confusion, but pressed on, declaring, "You will surrender, at once!"
"Nope, you've been tryin' to start a war with me and mine when, like I said, all we've been doin' is helpin', so I'm gonna say my piece. You're lyin' like a rug about us, and that really stirs my stew!"
"What?"
Hermione, who had discussed this strategy with Dorothy earlier, and was thus prepared, said, "If I may translate American Southern to English? She said that you're being dishonest and that angers her."
"I'm going to go huntin' if it hair-lips the world!" Dorothy continued.
"She's going to do as she pleases regardless of the consequences."
"Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. You're as crooked as a dog's hind leg! If brains were grease, you couldn't slick the head of a pin! You're actin' crazier than a sprayed roach, bless your heart!"
"You're a liar, corrupt, stupid, and irrational. Go to hell." Hermione hoped she translated that last one correctly. 'Bless your heart' had a few meanings depending on context.
"You couldn't figure out how to poor piss from a boot if there were instructions on the heel!"
"You're really stupid."
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore raged. "I realize you are an ignorant American farm girl turned a perverse, sinful, lesbian, but you will use proper English in this chamber!"
"OK, OK," said Dorothy. "But, just one more thing they say in the States: Chinga tu madre!"
A few gasps were heard from those who could translate it. Dumbledore wasn't one of them.
"What did she say?" he asked Hermione, his eyes narrowed.
Hermione replied, "It has different meanings depending on context, tone -"
"What. Did. She. Say?"
Hermione looked to Dorothy, who nodded and said, quietly, "Duck behind me, quickly."
Hermione looked Albus Dumbledore in the eye and said, "Fuck your mother."
Dumbledore saw red as Hermione quickly followed Dorothy's instructions.
"YEARRRGH!" he yelled as he drew his wand and sent a curse at Dorothy, who casually blocked it with her fairy wand. He immediately found himself with several wands from Magical Law Enforcement pointed at him, including Amelia Bones's.
"Lower your wand, Chief Warlock," said Amelia.
"What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore demanded.
"You're under arrest for casting a curse in the Wizengamot chamber during a session."
"I was provoked! You heard what she said!"
"Nevertheless, you know the law."
"When the Chief Warlock does it, it is not illegal!"
Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour spoke up. "Chief Warlock, you are well aware that the law applies to you as much as it does anyone. Please put down your wand before someone gets hurt."
Dumbledore was frantic. How could these fools be so obsessed with the letter of the law with so much at stake? How could they do this to him when he was only trying to save them? He had been proven right just two months before about Tom's return, and they were still questioning his leadership and guidance! Why could they not simply accept that he, and only he, had the wisdom and ability to save them?
He could escape, he thought. But that would cost him Hogwarts again, and he likely wouldn't be able to win it back, soon enough. He couldn't regain control of Harry as a fugitive. How had the enemy, and the traitors serving them, put him into this situation?
He heard that hated American accented voice say, "If I may interject?"
Dumbledore turned his attention to Dorothy.
She continued, "Now, you look like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
"You look nervous," Hermione translated.
"But, since I did, as you say, provoke you, how about I offer you a way out of the hoosegow?"
"Prison."
"I won't press charges... if you agree to a little something."
Dumbledore stared at her, but lowered his wand. It seemed he had little choice but to listen.
"What do you propose?" he asked.
"Well, Ozma... my queen, companion, and wife," she enjoyed Dumbledore's eye twitching with that last word, "and I have been looking over your laws. It seems you can still settle disputes with duels of honor. Kind of archaic, I think, but useful for us today, wouldn't you say? You and me, Diagon Alley, tomorrow, noon."
"The stakes?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, let's look at what you were really after, today, why you called this session and tried to get these folks to go to war with both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts when you're already in one you not only haven't been able to handle, but we've been helping you with. It's all about you wanting control of and custody over Harry Potter."
"It is not!"
"What did I say about pissing on my leg and telling me it was raining? Here are the stakes. I win, you stop trying to remove Harry from his legal guardians. You win, you get him."
Dumbledore couldn't believe it. The Fae were going to hand him victory, just like that? The stupid American barbarian muggle farm girl's arrogance would finally be her undoing! She may be a Fae now with pretensions of being a princess, but he wielded the Elder Wand! With it, he was invincible! The fools! He would have Harry under his control again, and finally, after over fifty years of desire, be able to put this muggle in her place, teach her of her betters!
"I accept your terms, Fae," he said with a sneer, not hiding his contempt.
"Will the Ministry make arrangements?" Dorothy asked. "We want this done good and proper."
"Of course," said the Minister. "I'll even be the judge."
"Great!" said Dorothy, cheerfully. "Dumbles, tomorrow, me and you are gonna mix. You better give your heart to Jesus, because your ass is mine!"
Hermione added, "I'd say that doesn't require a translation."
Dumbledore glared at her and said, "Miss Granger, I must say that I'm terribly disappointed in you."
"The feeling is mutual, Mr. Dumbledore."
"Check," said Andy. Yes, the best curses are the most subtle. Why kill an enemy when you can get them to dig their own grave for you? The beauty of it was it required Dumbledore to continue trying to exert a negative influence on her life. If he would just leave her and hers alone, nothing bad would happen to him.
She did warn him ahead of time not to tread on her...
Dumbledore was, despite not getting what he came for, ecstatic. Victory would be his, tomorrow. Kingley accepted his request to be his second.
Leave it to Alastor to try to dampen his good mood.
"You're being set up," he told Dumbledore.
"Well, we can expect treachery from their ilk," Dumbledore replied, "but Kingsley will watch for any of their trickery, and I hope you will, as well."
"Of course, but that's not what I meant. Albus, they played you."
"Why do you say that?"
"First, there were the goblins at Doge's press conference, and Andromeda Black-Tonks bein' in her snake form. That got you wound up. Then, Dorothy shows up with the Granger girl. That wound you up even more. Then, she starts baitin' you, and you did something I never thought I'd see you do and that's let it work. You sent a curse at her right there in the chamber in the middle of a session! What the hell were you thinking?"
"Hmm... I suppose I did let her make me lose my temper... But, for Bones to try to arrest me... Such blatant treason!"
"Doin' her job? You didn't give her any choice!"
"She should have supported me!"
"You broke the damn law, Albus. You know better! But what I'm gettin' at is that they could have had you locked up and outta their hair for a while, but they let you off if you agreed to this duel. They set this whole damn day up to manipulate you into a position where you had to accept the challenge. You should be wonderin' why that is. What do they want that this'll give 'em where locking you up won't?"
"Obviously, they wish to publicly humiliate me. And that foolish girl thinks she can win. Some people, due to past successes, convince themselves that they're unbeatable. They have to learn the hard way."
"Yeah... that they do," Moody said with resignation.
Dumbledore returned to his office at Hogwarts. There would be a crowd to witness tomorrow's historic duel, he knew. He would trounce her, show the world that she was nothing more than a slightly above savage American muggle farm girl. He would prove to wizards that they, not these monsters, were the dominant race on Earth. He would prove that he was not only who the wizards of Britain, but the world, should follow. Moody's grumbling didn't matter. Nothing could take away his happy... What was this?
Someone had been in his office. They'd moved things on his desk.
Then, a frantic portrait told him who had been there and what they'd been doing.
Harry, and that Lovegood tramp, and that traitorous Tonks had been here, desecrating his very desk! Harry and that cursed Fae had dared to fornicate in Dumbledore's sanctuary! While Tonks took pictures! Then... then... Tonks diddled herself on his desk while Lovegood took pictures!
Seething, he turned to the Sorting Hat and yelled, "Why didn't you stop them?"
"How could I," the Hat replied casually. "Besides, it's not the first time this has happened, if you'll recall. Harry's own parents -"
"I KNOW THAT!"
"Oh, good. I was afraid your memory was slipping."
Dumbledore glared and replied, "I suppose I can expect no better from you. Even though you were Godric Gryffindor's hat, your mind is still three quarters of the other Founders."
"Ah, I remember how Godric and Sorcha consecrated these very grounds when they built the school -"
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore turned to Fawkes and asked, "Why didn't you stop them?"
He didn't understand the chirping response, but someone else did. Unfortunately, it was someone Dumbledore hated that had been often visiting him of late.
The, as always during her visits, nude apparition of Morgan le Fay said, "He saw no reason to stop it. There was so much love in the room. He likes that."
"You can understand him?"
"Of course. I was an eagle animagus, remember? I commanded birds. I speak their languages. My daughter will be an eagle as well, and will have the same ability."
Fawkes chirped some more, and... Was that a wolf whistle?
Morgan chuckled, and chirped with Fawkes before turning to Dumbledore and saying, "He really likes my daughter, and can't wait to see her in her eagle form."
"You lie! Fawkes is a creature of the Light! He couldn't possibly feel anything for your disgusting spawn except contempt!"
Fawkes responded with some chirping that seemed flippant, with another chuckle from Morgan. Dumbledore decided that Fawkes's rudeness couldn't possibly be directed at him, or he was misunderstanding the chirps as flippancy. Surely, Fawkes couldn't betray him, too. A phoenix seduced by the Dark? Impossible! Or... Were the dark powers of the Fae so strong that the infernal Morgan's child could seduce even Fawkes?
Dumbledore shuddered.
Morgan asked, "How many mood swings have you gone through today, anyway?"
"Your daughter may have followed your lead and seduced Harry into sin today in this place -"
"Blame his mum for that one, not me."
"And she may have seduced even Fawkes -"
"Now, now... She hasn't even learned how to be an eagle, yet. So it is physically impossible for her to have seduced a phoenix."
A strange sound came from Dumbledore's throat, followed by turning a bit green and developing a slight twitch.
"You're not looking well," said Morgan. "Maybe you should visit the hospital wing?"
Without a word, Dumbledore shuffled out of his office. He'd need an especially strong calming potion.
From an alcove, Severus Snape watched as Dumbledore walked down the hall before he disillusioned himself. Disillusioned was an appropriate word, he thought, as that was how he was feeling.
He moved quickly, as there was no telling how soon the Headmaster would return. He gave the gargoyle the password and entered Dumbledore's office. Except for the Sorting Hat and Fawkes, he was alone.
He found what he was looking for on the desk, Dumbledore's dish of lemon drops. He took a few and put them in a container he'd brought with him. He then left for his lab to examine these candies, to see if there was something there that shouldn't be.
In his cell in Nurmengard Prison, Gellert Grindelwald found another copy of the Daily Prophet with another note from the mysterious person who had taken an interest in his family.
Dear Sir,
Here is this morning's Prophet. As you see, Albus Dumbledore continues his attacks on your family.
If you wish to do something about this, please be prepared to leave your current residence for some traveling. Have whatever you want to keep ready to go, as my representative will be visiting you, tomorrow.
Yours truly,
R
When everyone had returned to Thelema from their various activities, Hermione was introduced to Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte. Xeno excused himself to go write the article for the Quibbler on the Wizengamot session, and those remaining that were there updated those that weren't.
Dorothy said, "Dumbles hates me for a lot of reasons. I'm a Fae. I'm not only American, but a farm girl from the Kansas planes, so I'm an uneducated, uncultured, barbarian in his eyes."
"And oversexed," Ozma added. "Don't forget that."
"Yeah. Plus, I wasn't born as what he defines as magical. Then, there's my relationship with Ozma... So, Hermione and I threw all that in his face. Got him really riled up. What Samedi and Brigitte did to him kicked in, and we had him right where we wanted him."
"But," said Harry, "how can you be sure you'll win, tomorrow?"
"You wanna tell him, Hermione?"
Hermione answered, "That's one of my main jobs with Harry," and explained why Dorothy would win.
"Brilliant," said Harry, all his worries now gone.
"Would you be my second, Harry?" asked Dorothy.
"It would be an honor," he replied.
"So," said Hermione, "what did you get up to, today?"
After Harry recounted his latest adventure, a laughing Hermione said, "Wish I could have been there."
"Me, too," Harry replied. "As great as it was watching Dora alone, watching her with you would have been fantastic."
"Get those pictures developed. You and Luna also promised me a sex magic demonstration."
"And you'll get it, but we'll want to see you and Dora, too."
"Of course." The thought of Harry watching her and Dora make love sent a thrilling shiver through her. "Tomorrow night? I have to go home, but I can spend the night, tomorrow."
Luna said, "It's a date!"
Samedi and Brigitte rose, with the Baron saying, "I'm afraid we must go, as well."
Brigitte hugged Harry and said, "I'll see you again in a couple of weeks... as time passes on this plane, anyway."
Samedi tipped his hat, bowed, and said, "We bid you adieu." They then faded from view.
The next morning, Dumbledore took his breakfast, potions, and morning paper in his quarters. The front page of the Prophet was, naturally, all about the Wizengamot session, the disaster that was Doge's press conference, and today's scheduled duel. They expressed concerns about his conduct during the session, his lack of self control, and his statement that the laws didn't apply to him when he was acting as Chief Warlock.
Hmmph... They would be crawling back to him after today's duel. His plans may have been delayed, but he would now be in a stronger position than he'd been. Today, Dorothy Gale, tomorrow, the so-called Blessed Grove.
He entered his office to find Fawkes, the Sorting Hat, and Morgan chirping with each other.
"You speak that language?" he asked the Hat, surprised.
"Of course," the Hat replied. "Part of my mind comes from the Ravenclaw, remember?"
Fawkes chirped in what sounded like a concerned manner.
The Hat said, "He's asking you to reconsider this duel. He still cares for you, even if you're being a berk."
"How touching. What were the three of you chatting about when I came in?"
"The Founders and Afal... and the Gentle One."
"A prophesy that shall not come to pass when I destroy that grove and evict that Dryad."
"You would be violating the Hogwarts Charter."
"It will be for the greater good."
Morgan said, "You still think you can stop her from coming. All you're doing is creating the circumstances that will bring her."
"Nonsense. You and your evil race will learn today that you are mistaken about a great many things. And Fawkes... you must reject these seductive eagles seeking to tempt you into sin!"
"Chirp?" asked Fawkes, his head tilted, looking at Dumbledore like he was crazy.
Morgan shrugged and chirped something in response.
"And put some clothes on, you hussy!" Dumbledore demanded to Morgan.
Fawkes squawked something at him.
The Hat said, "He says he's never worn clothes, and isn't about to start, now."
Morgan added, "I know you're a prude, but to demand a phoenix wear clothes..."
"I WASN'T TALKING TO HIM!" One more calming potion before he left for Diagon Alley...
The Weasley twins placed a sign on the door of their shop announcing they'd be opening late, that day. It wasn't as though there'd be any business until after the duel, which they wanted to witness, themselves. So they, Angelina, and Ron headed down the street, Ron wanting to chat with Harry and Hermione, and hoping they knew what they were doing.
He was shocked by the reports of the Wizengamot session. He could never have pictured Hermione confronting Dumbledore like that, given how much she used to admire the Headmaster. The twins thought what she and Princess Dorothy did was a brilliant prank.
As they walked, Angelina told him, "You know, by being seen with them, you'll publicly be declaring where you stand."
"Will that be a problem for you or the twins?"
"Nah. We're expecting you're going to have to live with us for a little while."
"Mum and Dad will come around, eventually."
"Are you going to be OK with things until that happens?"
"Don't have much choice, do I?"
"Of course, you do."
"Nah. I know too much."
Fred said, "And that's something else we thought we'd never see besides Hermione challenging Dumbledore's authority, our little brother knowing too much."
George added, "It's usually that he knows too little."
Cissy was worried. Draco, for his part, was just confused. Cissy could just hope Andy knew what she was doing. If she did, though... Anything that weakened Dumbledore increased her son's chances for survival. In the end, that's what mattered, most.
If Draco had an issue with anything that benefited Harry Potter, he'd just have to deal with it.
As a journalist, Rita Skeeter had become quite good at reading people.
The crowd in Diagon Alley was filled with nervous anticipation. Wards were being set to protect the spectators from the spells that would be flying. The WWN had set up their remote unit broadcasting the event live to Wizarding Britain. Yes, Rita thought, this might well replace Dumbledore vs. Grindelwald as the Duel of the Century, if for no other reason that, unlike that previous duel, there would be so many witnesses and the world would know exactly what happened.
And all present knew that there was so much more at stake here than the fate of Harry Potter. This was about the future of Wizarding Britain and their way of life.
Dumbledore had a lot of support. He represented the old order of their world. Most here saw him as their rock. Scrimgeour had plenty of support, too, as Minister, but as he was relatively new as a public figure, the common people didn't believe in him the way they did Dumbledore. Then, of course, there were the people who supported the terrorists, but they didn't matter, today.
No, today was about everything Wizarding Britain had long held as articles of faith. The invincible Dumbledore losing a formal duel to a member of an "inferior" race would shatter so much of what British wizards held true. Even You-Know-Who had never beaten Dumbledore in a one on one fight.
Scrimgeour's political future, meanwhile, was depending on Dumbledore's defeat. So too, Rita realized, was her own future, as the Chief Warlock would almost certainly crack down on those he saw as his enemies.
The Thelema group arrived at Gringotts. Waiting for them were the Goblin King and Queen, and their entourage from yesterday, as well as Afal and Neville. Together, they made an impressive entrance to Diagon Alley.
Ron quickly ran to them and warmly greeted his old friends. He received a Hermione Hug, but not one from Harry. Wouldn't be very English of them to have such a display of affection, after all.
He told Hermione, "What you did, yesterday... That was bloody brill!"
"Thanks," she replied.
"You're not going to gripe at me for saying 'bloody?'"
"Fuck it. Just don't say it in front of your mum."
"Bloody hell! You said 'fuck!'"
"I said it in front of the fucking Wizengamot, so my language doesn't really fucking matter, now."
Harry said, "That's a good fucking point."
"Fucking right," agreed Ron.
Luna stepped in and said, "May I remind you three that certain words lose their impact if you overuse them? Save them for the right moment."
'Sorry," said Hermione. "I'm just feeling this sense of freedom, now."
Dumbledore arrived in Diagon Alley with Kingsley and Hagrid. He'd wanted Minerva to accompany him, but she had gone home yesterday after she'd finished her work at Hogwarts, and said she couldn't come. Something was bothering her, he could tell. He'd find out later what it was.
Elphias and Alastor met them, with Alastor telling him everything was secure and Elphias telling him that he had the support of most of the crowd.
Well, of course he did. He basked in the eyes of the people. Yes, he was their light, their guide, their... What was Ron Weasley doing with them?
He found the Weasley twins and marched up to them, saying, "It gladdens my heart to see this show of support during these troubled times. But, why is your brother over there consorting with Harry and Granger? She has joined the enemy that I must rescue Harry from, today."
"Oh," said Fred, "he's there to talk some sense into her."
"Yeah," said George. "He's trying to bring her back to the Light and stuff."
"Ah!" said a beaming Dumbledore, with understanding. "Very good. I knew we could count on him. Now, I will prove his, and your, faith in me correct."
After he left, Fred and George exchanged looks.
"He bought that?" asked Fred.
"Damn, we're good," said George.
When the Minister called the duelists and their seconds together for the formalities, Dorothy and Harry didn't make for an imposing sight facing off with the taller Dumbledore and Shacklebolt. Indeed, Dumbledore looked down at the pair, condescendingly. Harry couldn't help but notice, however, that the Headbastard wouldn't look him in the eye. Shacklebolt, for his part, was unreadable. But then, he'd encountered Dorothy, before.
"Nice to see you, again," Dorothy told him. "Looks like I got what I was after that night, eventually, huh?"
Shacklebolt said nothing, but Dumbledore said, "Gloat now, but we'll see who's gloating after this, you little freak."
Harry glared and said, "Of all the words you could have used, you had to pick that one, didn't you?"
After the rules were explained, Dorothy and Dumbledore stepped back the necessary distance, while the Minister and seconds moved behind the wards.
Harry smirked as he watched, knowing why Dumbledore was so certain he'd win. He wielded the Elder Wand, created by Death according to legend, and unbeatable in a duel. Dumbledore didn't believe Death created it, thinking it was the wizard who first wielded it, but it had certainly proven unbeatable against wands created by and for wizards.
Harry, however, knew the truth of the Elder Wand, told to him by the Goblin Queen Sarah, weeks before. It was created by her husband, King Jareth. And, as Hermione reminded him earlier, it was a fairy wand, capable of channeling more magic than a wizard's wand, but not more than another fairy wand.
In this situation, it came down to the comparative power and skill of the duelists.
At first, they seemed evenly matched, with Dorothy blocking spells with her fairy wand and using her speed and agility to dodge others, making her dueling style look like a dance while sending a few spells of her own. Dumbledore lacked her agility, but had plenty of knowledge and power.
However, it soon became apparent that she was toying with him. In his prime, he might have given the Fae that was, despite her youthful appearance, almost as old and experienced as he was a fair bit of sport. He was far from his prime, now. He was tiring.
He decided to end this with an overpowered disarming spell, knowing that his enemy's fairy wand wouldn't be able to withstand the Elder Wand.
To his astonishment, she not only casually withstood it, but sent her own magic against it. And it was somehow pushing back!
Harry was reminded of his own duel with Voldemort, when their spells locked because of their brother wands, the colorful streams of magic pushing against each other, fighting for dominance. The crowd was shocked as the magic was slowly being pushed to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore couldn't believe it. He was sweating, tiring, pouring everything he had through the Elder Wand, while that cursed Fae was driving it all back with a predatory smile. This couldn't be! The Elder Wand could not be beaten! This was impossible!
With a loud crack, Dumbledore flew backwards as the Elder Wand was pulled from his grasp, landing in Dorothy's dainty outstretched hand as Dumbledore landed hard on his back.
Gasps were heard from the crowd, which then fell into stunned silence.
"Checkmate," said Andy.
Harry ran to Dorothy and gave her an embrace that would have done Hermione proud. She returned it, laughing merrily.
"Going to teach me that?" he asked.
"Yep. Oh, and here," she said, handing him the Elder Wand. "It's yours as soon as Jareth takes that silly enchantment off of it that makes it change owners all the time so it will work for you."
"Thank you."
As Kingsley reached Dumbledore, still laid out where he'd landed, the old man looked dazed, and said, quietly, "Impossible."
Kingsley performed diagnostic spells to insure that Dumbledore wasn't seriously injured, though he still needed medical attention. Hagrid arrived with tears in his eyes and held the Headmaster.
"I couldn't have lost..." Dumbledore muttered.
"I'm afraid you did," Kingsley replied.
They moved Dumbledore into a sitting position. He looked at his enemies in rage as he saw Dorothy and Harry happily talking, then Queen Ozma arriving and embracing the other woman. And Harry... That bitch had given him the Elder Wand!
"No," he whispered in horror, realizing what he had just lost, and, almost as bad, who was now in possession of it.
Alastor and Elphias arrived as Harry said something to Dorothy and Ozma, who turned to see Dumbledore watching them. They then smiled at him, and kissed one another passionately. Some of the crowd was scandalized. Others had a... different reaction.
"That's hot," said Ron.
"Yes," agreed Hermione, huskily.
"Huh?"
Draco was shocked to see Dumbledore beaten, then disappointed to see that the man was still alive. For a moment, he thought his burden might have been lifted. Still, he now felt something he'd not felt since his father was captured and sent to prison and he learned the reality of the Dark Lord was something far different than he'd been raised to believe: Hope.
That, and the Queen and Princess of Oz making out was really hot.
Doge exclaimed, angrily, "That's disgraceful! They're rubbing it in our faces!"
"Mm," said Moody, "I wouldn't mind 'em rubbing it in my face..." At the glares he received from Doge and Hagrid, he said, "What?"
Dumbledore said, "My wand... Help me to my feet. She cheated, clearly."
Doge said, "Yes! The decision must be reversed, and Albus declared the winner!"
"How do ya figure that?" asked Moody.
"She won," said Dumbledore, "which is impossible. Therefore, they did something outside of the rules. Kingsley, what did you observe?"
"Nothing outside of the rules," Kingsley replied.
"Alastor?"
"She just beat you. I did warn you, Albus."
"Well," said Hagrid, "that all-seein' eye of yours must've just missed somethin'!"
"Thank you, Hagrid," said Dumbledore. "I know I can always depend on you, my friend." With difficulty, he walked to Harry and the Fae, motioning the others to stay back, mainly because the boy or those shameless scarlet women might say something he didn't want them to hear, but they'd think it was to protect them.
"Harry, my boy," he said in his grandfatherly tone.
"I'm not your boy," Harry replied.
"It saddens me that you feel this way. But, I must ask that you return my wand."
Dorothy said, "Jack, Jack, no trade back!"
"What?"
Harry said, "She says you can't have it back."
Ozma added, "Given the enchantments on that wand, it would no longer work for you, anyway."
"But..."
"As much as we'd love to stay and chat, we must go celebrate our victory."
Harry said, "Yeah, Luna and I need to take up where we left off in your office. Maybe get another show, too."
Dumbledore emitted another choking sound as they walked off to their loved ones.
Ron had to return to the shop, so he couldn't join the group at Thelema. Harry and Hermione thought it just as well, as neither thought their friend ready for the details of their new lives. Neville and Afal joined them, however.
Dora decided to teach them another use for the Patronus Charm. It seemed it could be used for communication over great distances as well as for driving off Dementors.
At Hogwarts, Dumbledore was treated for his injuries, but nothing could heal his feelings. Today had been a complete disaster. He had not regained control of Harry, and he'd somehow lost the Elder Wand. That clearly corrupt Minister refused Elphias's demand that the decision be reversed, Dumbledore declared the victor, and Harry turned over to him! He even demanded to know what basis they had for their claim that the Fae had cheated! Wasn't Albus Dumbledore not winning proof enough?
And Moody... How could he not detect any wrongdoing on the part of the Fae?
He couldn't even fully trust Fawkes, now.
He consoled himself with one thing, though... "At least this day can't possibly get any worse."
Harry said, "So, now we need to test this thing over a long distance."
Afal said, "I can help. I'll go to the Blessed Grove, and you can send me a greeting."
Everyone agreed that would be a good test, so, with a rustling sound, Afal disappeared, transporting herself to her original grove.
After giving her a moment, Harry concentrated on his will, cast his stag Patronus, and said, "Hello. Did you get this?" The Patronus left for its destination.
Elsewhere, the sharp eyes of a beautiful dark haired woman saw something quickly fly overhead.
A Patronus being sent over a huge distance flies so fast that very few can catch a glimpse of it. Almost all of those that do are unable to make out what that brief streak of light was, and quickly dismiss it and forget about it. Among those few beings in the world that can actually make out its shape, almost none can actually track it.
She was one of those very few that could.
She saw a white stag, and whenever the huntress saw one, she had to pursue it. Not that she had ever caught it in all her many years, but it was a compulsion.
So, enthusiastically, the Gentle One began the hunt and chase.
At the Blessed Grove, Afal felt a change in the magic, like a breeze.
She smiled.
A/N: As some of you noticed, Dumbledore unintentionally paraphrased Richard Nixon when describing whether or not an action is illegal if it's a high ranking Government official doing it.