As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 35 Meet the Ambassador 2
In his office Tony Blair walked over to the odd painting than hung on the wall by the fireplace and talking directly to the painting said, "Inform the Minister of Magic his presence is requested."
"I am sorry to report the minister is not in."
"It is now 7 am. Do whatever it is you do and inform him I expect him in my office at 8 am today if not sooner." Blair said turning and heading to his desk.
Promptly at 8 the painting made a noise like a ringing phone prompting Blair to open the door and escort the guests in his office to his outer office for a moment. Once he was alone the painting started saying, "The right Honorable Cornelius Fudge Minister of Magic wish's…" only to be cut of by Blair saying, "Tell that pompous windbag to get over here. I summoned him remember."
Moments later the fireplace flared and out stepped Cornelius Fudge lime green bowler hat and all. "I am not accustomed to being summoned like some house elf." He said puffing out his chest in self-importance.
"Do shut up Connie. I am the Prime Minister after all not one of your underlings. Now I want you to sit quietly in that chair and listen to the briefing I am going to receive. After they leave you and I will talk." Blair said motioning to an empty chair in an out of the way corner before taking his own seat. Once Fudge was seated Blair pressed a hidden button and his office door opened and the two individuals re-entered. "Sorry for the delay now what has managed to get both MI-5 and MI-6 concerned?"
"Prime Minister?" the lady in front of him asked motioning toward Fudge sitting by himself.
"He is a consultant. Now given where we are meeting and the brief I received I believe this is not a national security problem. I asked him here to give me a different insight to the problem. Now if you don't mind." Blair replied in what was obviously a get on with it tone.
"Yes Prime Minister, We are experiencing a problem with people disappearing."
"That happens every day." Blair responded.
"Not like this. The summary you received contains a lot of statistical backup for this but the it is the opinion of MI-5."
"And MI-6," the woman said speaking up for the first time.
"That these disappearances are the work of a yet unknown group. The reasons for their actions and ultimate aims are unknown."
"How did MI-6 get involved?" Blair asked.
"My department lost one of its top analysts. She carries a cell phone that would allow us to contact her anywhere in the world with in seconds. A secondary feature of this phone is our ability to track it anywhere and I do mean anywhere in the world."
"I take it she is the one mentioned in my summary."
"Yes sir, she, along with her entire family, has disappeared off the face of the earth. When she didn't show up for work we tried to call then tried to locate her phone. We were unsuccessful at either one. A team was then dispatched to her home where they found some interesting scorch marks on the wall that are being analyzed and a meal waiting to be eaten on the table their luggage was in a closet and empty, and there was nothing else unusual."
After several more minutes of discussion Blair rose saying, "Thank you both for making me aware of this. If anything changes or we lose more people of note let me know at once. On your way out would you inform Mr. Tonks in my outer office to be on the lookout for anything that might come in from this as yet unknown group."
His two guests got up and left leaving Tony Blair alone with Cornelius Fudge. "Okay you've heard all about this is it possible it could be someone from your side of the house doing this?"
"That you would even suspect us of doing something so preposterous is beyond belief." Fudge blustered.
"Connie, do your politicking in front of your voters not me. Now I talked with both James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher who were Prime Ministers during the little problem you had in the late 70's to early 80's and they informed me that it was not uncommon for something of this nature to happen then. Now would you care to answer the question?" Blair said ending on a hard note.
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had never been put on the spot like this by any of the more recent Prime Ministers. They had all been in awe of his abilities, not this one. Twirling the bowler hand in his hands he again tried to dodge the question, "Tony…" only to be cut off sharply.
"My first name is reserved for my friends and family, I will ask you this one last time is it possible that your constituents are the ones doing the abducting?"
"Y…Yes Prime Minister it is possible. The group that caused the problem in the seventies has resurfaced, but I assure you my Ministry has everything under control."
Blair managed to avoid shaking his head only due to long years of practice. "Obviously they do not have everything under control if I am having my voters, not to mention ministry workers being abducted by that group. Get them under control or you may just find out how much power the Prime Minister has!" Tony Blair threatened.
Fudge was not a total fool and he knew a dismissal when he heard one. It took him only seconds to turn and pull a small jar of floo powder out of his pocket and leave the office. While Tony tried to figure out how to tell the queen this latest development without looking like a total incompetent.
At the same time as Fudge's meeting with the Prime Minister there was a second meeting going on in the Hogwarts Headmaster's office. "I am becoming upset at you two constantly leaving this school like it is a boarding house that you are staying at. As Bill informs me this meeting has been set up weeks before, I will allow you this one last trip." Dumbledore said emphasizing the last portion of his statement.
Hermione felt Harry tense beside her quickly replying, "Thank you Headmaster, we will be back after the evening meal," while leaving to meet Bill in the enter hall.
"What took you two so long we were due to leave ten minutes ago." Bill said as he hustled them out the door.
Harry snorted before saying, "Dumbles just wanted to say how happy he was that we were leaving."
"He will be even less thrilled when you return." Bill said urging them along the path.
Entering Gringotts they were met by Griphook and a fully hooded and hidden goblin. "Bill and Jimhook will go with me. Janehook you will go with…" Griphook said motioning towards the hooded goblin.
Once the males were out of sight Hermione asked, "Harhook is that you?"
"Yes Janehook if you will go with me we will get you changed and robed for your meeting."
Fudge was pacing in his office upset at his treatment by the muggle Prime Minister when a knock at his door drew his attention, "What is it?" he bellowed.
"Sir the Goblin Ambassador is here for that ceremony." His assistant said from the doorway.
"Right duty calls then." Fudge said puffing himself before entering his outer office, where he was greeted by the sight of the Goblin ambassador standing in his office with a taller individual totally cloaked in goblin robes standing beside him with two goblin guards standing behind them.
"Ambassador, I believe the agreement with the goblins allows you only one guard in my presence." Fudge said officiously.
"You are correct I only have one guard, the second guard is for our new Ambassador at Large who is also entitled to a guard."
"Weatherby get a group of Aurors in here. And what's this about an Ambassador at Large?"
Percy Weasley sent a gold tone paper airplane memo off to summon the additional Aurors before standing and whispering in Fudge's ear, "I checked when they requested the meeting. The information was in the briefing folder on your desk."
"I am much too busy to ready briefing folders. They are always full of useless information. So how many Ambassadors can the goblins have?"
"The Goblins are allowed the two although the second one has not been filled in over two hundred years. The last one…" Percy stopped as Fudge waived his hand at him cutting him off.
"Am I permitted to see your new ambassador?" Fudge asked.
Narnok said, "It is time," and the individual beside him uncovered their head.
"Hermione Granger?" Percy asked in shock.
"Hermione Janehook Granger Potter to be totally accurate." Hermione replied.
"What is the meaning of this?" Fudge bellowed just as the requested Aurors appeared. Drawing their wands at tone of Fudge's voice.
A composed Hermione gazed around at the assembled Aurors thinking this would be all through the ministry by lunch before she replied, "There is no overt meaning in this Minister Fudge. I have been adopted by a Goblin family and was asked to be their ambassador at large to the magical and muggle world. I have no specific responsibilities. The Representative of the Goblins to the ministry is still Ambassador Narnok. I am tasked with assisting and providing a different prospective of anything he might observe and be curious about. My intent is to insure there are no problems caused by misunderstandings. As the Ambassador at Large allow me to present my credentials and certification of appointment."
"Very well, Weatherby will take your credentials and such." Fudge said gesturing to Percy who stepped forward and removed the documents from Hermione's hand.
"We expect Mrs. Potter to be treated as you would treat me Minister." Ambassador Narnok said in a neutral voice.
"What do you mean by that." Fudge snapped.
"You misunderstand my intent Minister. It is to prevent misunderstanding like this that we have appointed Janehook Potter. Janehook perhaps you should explain." Narnok said smoothly moving her into a position of speaking for the goblins.
"I believe what Ambassador Narnok meant was I will need the same papers from you he has, the ones allowing me to have a guard with me at all times. It would not do for me to be confronted by a group of Aurors for have armed goblins with me. The papers would protect both my assigned goblin guards and the Aurors both of whom are only trying to do their jobs." Hermione said smoothly.
"Very well, Weatherby handle it." Fudge directed.
"Minister she is also a student at Hogwarts perhaps you could…" Narnok said
"Of course, Weatherby did you catch that."
"Yes Minister."
"I don't mean to brush you off but I have a number of important papers waiting on me." Fudge said turning and retreating into his inner sanctum thinking if he had to deal with that prick Blair it was only right that he got to annoy Dumbledore even if it was by proxy.
It took only a few minutes before Percy followed Fudge into his office quickly returning with the signed permits for Hermione.
Hermione took the permits saying, "Thank you for your assistance Mr. Weasley is there any message I can convey to your family?"
He looked startled for a moment before hurriedly saying, "No not right now, perhaps later."
"Very well. If I can be of assistance in the future let me know after all one of the jobs of an ambassador is to act as a go between when two parties are having difficulties." Hermione said raising her hood and following Narnok out the door.
Hermione and Narnok picked up the rest of their guards when they passed the security desk where they had to stay. It amazed her how quickly people moved out of their way as they approached one of the fireplaces.
Coming out of the fireplace in a Gringotts' meeting room Hermione looked around spotting her husband standing with her parents who had not recognized her. Silently communicating with Harry she watched in amusement as he said, "Mr. and Mrs. Granger may I present the new Ambassador at large for the Goblins. Janehook or as you might know her Mrs. Hermione Potter."
As he finished she lowered her hood saying, "Hi, mom and dad."
"What?" Jane Granger said grabbing her chest while her husband asked, "Janehook."
"Yes, Harry and I were adopted by a goblin couple. He's Jimhook." Hermione replied her eyes starting to twinkle.
"My daughter the Ambassador." Jane said the pride evident in her voice.
"Unfortunately that is not something you can use at the country club. They don't even know Goblins exist let alone have ambassadors." Harry said joining the conversation.
"We have mother and daughter things to talk about." Jane said grabbing Hermione's arm earning a growl from deep within the throat of the nearest goblin guard.
"She is my mother and allowed." Hermione announced quieting the guard before allowing her mother to lead her to a quiet section of the conference room.
"How did she get chosen and not you?" Alan Granger asked Harry.
"I am not sure but it was her they wanted from the outset. I'm just window dressing. How's the golf game."
"Starting to rust. I miss my playing partner." Alan replied.
"Oh, my. Forgive me Alan there are people you should meet." Harry said before concentrating and sending a message to Hermione who looked at him then followed his eyes. As the three parties approached Harry asked, "Griphook if we could find a private room would it be possible for everyone to meet?"
"I will get the room." Maalhook replied stepping over to Ragnok and speaking for a moment before returning and leading the group into a side room shutting the door behind them.
"Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet the goblin family that adopted us. This is Maalhook the head, and his son Griphook. Maalhook these are my parents Jane and Alan Granger."
As they greeted one another Hermione was surprised to see Deklhook and Harhook lower their hoods. "If they are your parents they are family." Deklhook said looking at Hermione.
Jane could detect the excitement in her daughter's voice when she said, "Mother, this is Deklhook, Maalhook's mate and my adoptive mother and Harhook my sister."
Noting he was not included in the introductions Alan Granger kept silent while his wife greeted the two females. "You may stay in here while lunch if served if you wish." Maalhook said looking at his wife.
"Leave us we will have female talk then decide." Deklhook said causing Maalhook to nod and open the door. The goblins rejoined the discussion while Harry took Alan aside saying, "You must keep quiet that you have seen Deklhook and Harhook. It is their custom that all females must be hidden at all times."
Alan looked at the earnest face of his son in law saying, "I don't understand but I will do as you ask."
After about fifteen minutes the door to the side room opened and four individuals emerged two hooded and two not.
Ragnok looked around saying, "It is time for lunch if you will all take your seats."
Harry looked at the table noticing that Alan and Jane Granger were given places of Honor beside Harry and Hermione who were seated just down from Ragnok with only the head of goblin security Gartogg and Ambassador Narnok between them and Ragnok.
The conversation around the table was light only occasionally touching on the news conference that was scheduled right afterwards. Hermione watch carefully noting the hoods that Deklhook and Harhook wore allowed them to eat without being seen. Once lunch was over the four ladies again disappeared back into the side room emerging five minutes later. Deklhook and Harhook then disappeared through the door they had entered from while Maalhook approached Harry and the Grangers. "We will be moving to the large conference room where the reporters are waiting. Jimhook and the Granger's will be introduced as you stand off to the side. Harry do not answer any questions except how it feels to have an Ambassador as your wife. The same goes for you Mr. and Mrs. Granger. We need to keep this tightly focused in order to avoid problems later on."
"Understood. Maalhook." Harry answered for all three of them.
The remaining group then moved to the conference room where Ambassador Narnok moved to the front of the area and faced the reporters saying, "Witches and Wizards of the press you have been called here to allow us to introduce to you our newest Ambassador. Administrator Ragnok has decided to fill an office long left vacant by appointing an Ambassador at large to the Magical and Muggle world. With his permission may I introduce my fellow Ambassador Mrs. Hermione Janehook Granger Potter."
The announcement did not surprise the majority of the press most having received the news during lunch from their contacts in the ministry.
"Will Mrs. Potter answer questions?" A reporter asked.
"A few." Hermione allowed stepping forward.
"How did a muggle born witch end up a goblin Ambassador?" a witch yelled out.
"That I do not know perhaps someday Administrator Ragnok will see fit to enlighten me. For now I am comfortable with the arrangement we have."
"Mrs. Potter care to tell us how you managed to go from being unattached at the end of the school year to being married and pregnant now?"
"Rita what a pleasure to see you, how are you." Hermione replied.
"Fine now about your change in status." Rita asked a slick grin on her face.
"I am the Ambassador at Large basically it means I get to handle any task Ragnok or the Ambassador ask of me." Hermione replied.
"Mrs. Potter I was referring to your pregnancy." Rita countered.
"I'm married, it happens occasionally to married women. Now I am sure someone else has a question," Hermione replied cutting her off and moving on.
A few questions later Rita tried again, "May we ask Mr. Potter a question?"
Hermione turned as Harry stepped up beside her placing his arm around his wife, "Yes Rita?" He asked calmly.
"Would you care to comment on your wife's condition?" Rita asked.
"I believe the Goblins could not have made a better choice. The new ambassador is smart, a quick learner, and will represent them well." Harry replied.
"What about her pregnancy?" Rita finally yelled.
"Dear are you pregnant?" Harry asked looking over at Hermione.
"Yes, I told you days ago." Hermione replied chuckling at the little routine they were running on Rita.
"Oh so you did. Rita, I was informed of that days ago, that's old news." Harry said his eyes starting to twinkle.
"Does anyone have questions for our Ambassador at Large that concern her duties as Ambassador?" Narnok said speaking up.
"Could we have a picture of the new Ambassador alone then both of them with her family?" one of the photographers in the back asked.
"Of course, we will take them against the wall over there." Narnok said leading the group over and positioning Hermione and himself on either side of Ragnok. Once the pictures were taken he spoke up saying, "Thank you all for coming. We look forward to seeing your coverage of this," as the doors to the room were opened by armed goblin guards who made a point of growling at any of the reporters who were hesitating to leave.
"Ambassador could we get a picture of Mrs. Potter with her family?" the photographer with Rita Skitter asked.
"I'm sorry some of your compatriots have left and it would not be fair to them to allow a special photo session for you, good day." Narnok said dismissing him.
It took only a little persuasion from the guards to clear the room of the remaining reporters. "That was quite skilled of you. I can see you have much to teach me." Hermione said to Narnok.
"I don't believe you have that much to learn. You will find the guards make it much easier to be gracious to the press." He replied with what passed for a goblin's grin.
"What is left to do?" Hermione asked looking around.
"Nothing, you have presented your credentials and we have announced you as our Ambassador to the press. You are free to do as you please." Narnok said.
Maalhook noticed her glances and the expression on her face. "Janehook, why don't you and Jimhook take this opportunity to visit with your folks. I'm sure Bill will supply you with a port key that will take you, Jimhook and your guards to your parents house then on to Hogwarts when your visit is finished."
"Can muggles use the key?" Harry asked.
Bill raised his eyebrows looking at Ragnok who replied, "I believe they can. Jimhook should have enough power to accommodate them."
"That's okay dear we can catch a cab to the train." Her mother replied.
"Nonsense, if Ragnok says it is safe then you should come with us." Harry said taking the odd looking port key from Bill and holding it out. He soon saw the reason for its odd construction as each of the six goblins pulled a thin string from their belt and looped it around one of the knobs on the port key before turning and facing outward from the circle around the port key. With a tap of his wand Harry activated it.