Chapter 9

A quick note on Timelines

I am aware that I have shifted some events around if we are using a strict timeline of events in the Late Republic. This was a choice, and, in this case, I can honestly say that the reason was that a 'wizard did it'.

Harry has caused a ripple effect of changes to the events that he knew. We are entering AU territory and I'm loving the challenge.

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Last Time:

The Boni sat, waiting for the other consul to intercessio the motion or any of their bought Tribunes of the plebs to veto it. To their horror it passed in solemn majority.

Bibulus grimaced at the look on Cato's face.

"Not here, my house as soon as possible. Only people you trust." He managed to whisper to Cato. The looks he was getting from his political enemies and even some allies were concerning.

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Rome was angry.

Cicero liked to think that he was a man who knew Rome. He knew how the system worked and more importantly he listened to the voices of the people to better judge their mood.

Outside his domus Rome was seething with anger.

Cicero didn't hate Caesar despite their political disagreements. And he did not believe that the man wanted to be the next King of Rome. What absolute rubbish. In truth he was disappointed in Cato and Bibulus. The two men had crossed from political opposition to what he could only describe as insanity. Attacking Caesar and Pompeius…what were the two fools thinking? Both men were successful generals of a sort that only came along rarely.

He was in no way a military man and his military service had been stressful until he had met Pompeius. The blonde young man had been the opposite of the new man and very un-militaristic Cicero. Pompeius was the son of a soldier. He enjoyed soldiering and it showed. The other men loved him, the older men treated the young Pompeius as a nephew. Teaching him lessons that he immediately applied. Things Cicero struggled to understand Pompeius seemed to somehow instantly master. Why this golden young warrior bothered with him he could not understand.

The natural soldier had seen something in a skinny young man that could barely hold a sword.

One day he had summoned his courage and asked. He was surprised when Pompeius had laughed. "Men who can fight I can find everywhere. Men with brains are far harder to find. You might not be able to fight but your smart and can write reports, add up and tell me all the things I should have paid attention to when I was running around with a wooden sword."

Cicero had found his military service tolerable. He had spent nearly all of it in the headquarters as a military secretary helping with logistics and supplies. As well as being the personal aide of Pompeius. He had never forgotten that kindness. Despite their differences, of which there were many, he considered the man his friend to whom he owed a debt.

To hear that someone had tried to kill his friend had shocked him. To know it was his political allies…it was appalling. He didn't doubt that Pompeius and his large extended family were well on his way to join Caesar. He was half-way ready to…no, he wouldn't flee Rome. Rome needed him. He may not be a fighter but by Jupiter he knew he was one of the best speakers in Rome. It was time for him to repay his old friend.

"Tiro, please prepare my Toga and a litter. There are people that I need to see."

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Harry had finally sat and spoken with Cassandra. Since fleeing Rome, he had been growing more and more worried about the changes he had both willingly and unwittingly made to what he knew of the historical events. He had been trying to decide on a course to steer but a solution was not jumping out at him.

Had he changed events to the point that what he knew was useless?

If Caesar and Pompey were on the same side in the civil war…what happened? If they won would that mean a new version of history? Hermione had once tried to explain the true peril of the use of time turners and time travel in general. She had been horrified to realise just how dangerous time travel could be. Which is why the actual time turners were restricted by powerful magics. Which obviously had been fucked up somehow because, well Ancient bloody Rome.

She had said something about timelines which he really, really wished he had paid more attention to. If he was remembering correctly (big if, he privately admitted) then because he had changed events he was now on a new timeline. The old past/future was still there…maybe? There had been something about multiverse theory…and that was all he remembered.

Which hadn't really helped.

Bugger it.

Cassandra had been the voice of wisdom. He lived here now. Unless some Gods granted miracle occurred, he was here for good. He had a family and a baby on the way, and she knew…knew that he was a good man who would do the right thing.

In truth, he hadn't really thought about going home for months now. His life was here. Even if Hermione appeared right now, he'd stay. Which meant that solving his dilemma was more important than ever.

He left his family asleep in the small wooden building Caesar's officers had allocated and went in search of some answers. Which had led him to the larger building in the military camp that housed the large Pompeius brood.

He hadn't expected Caesar to be there and had been about to leave before he heard Pompeius speaking. It was in a different building than the one Pompeius had been in earlier and something made him stay where he was.

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Caesar was expressionless as Pompeius told him of the events that had played out in Rome. In another man he might have taken it as disinterest, but he knew that his wife's father was one of those men whose anger ran to stillness. Pompeius knew how he felt, he had spent the entire journey to Caesar's camp reining in his renowned temper.

"I see," said Caesar. "For what it is worth, I think it was wise to leave and bring your family. For them to undertake this…madness out of spite. If they had stuck to the courts or political attacks, I would have worked around them. We are now looking at another civil war." He shook his head and Pompeius could see Caesar's rigid posture relaxing. 'He knows we'll win,' was his conclusion. A conclusion he happened to agree with. The idiots that were forcing their hands were academic generals…most couldn't organise a party much less a military campaign. He had read Caesar's reports to the senate. He could see just how skilled the campaign planning had been and he knew that Caesar's subordinates were for the most part good solid men. His legions would follow their General. Just as his own men would rise for him. He had once joked that all he had to do was stomp his foot and Legions would spring from the ground. It was a jest but there was truth in it. His men had never forgotten their General and like Caesar's men, they would be hardened veterans aplenty.

"You are right, I think," Pompeius shrugged, "There are a few sensible men in the senate. But I doubt that they'll be able to do enough. If they send envoy's…" He trailed off.

Caesar raised an eyebrow, "I'll listen. If they are smart, they'll send someone with enough clout and brains to actually find a solution we can all live with. If they send a gaggle of idiots…We will know that they want a war."

Pompeius laughed but there was not a lot of humour in it, "With you and I…we'll eat them for breakfast."

They both turned at the sound of a knock on the door frame. Harry Potter stood there clad only in a tunic and cloak.

"I'm sorry, if you are busy, I can come back."

Caesar gestured for him to enter, "It is good to see you again Harry." He smiled slightly as he considered their unexpected visitor. "I'm pleased to hear that you have found your feet." The smile faded away as his expression grew serious. "And I owe you a debt for your part in this."

Harry hid a wince. Damn it, why was this so hard?

"I did what I could to help. If I am not interrupting, might I have a word with you both?"

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Caesar found sleep impossible as he thought through the story Harry had shared. It sounded like madness but also terrifyingly possible. He had once boasted that he didn't want to know what happened in the future. Knowing what might happen was dangerous and Harry had admitted that he was no scholar of history.

Still, a civil war and with Pompeius on the other side. That would be a problem if he allowed it to come to a civil war. He was not convinced that it was unavoidable. Although he would truthfully admit that the possibility was growing more likely. Unlike that other future, here Aurelia and Julia lived…Pompeius was a firm ally and they had time to work with.

He had listened in horror to the 'future' Harry could remember. Pompeius was pale and looking slightly ill as Harry's story unfolded. Murdered at the whim of some Egyptian eunuch. He didn't want to believe, but he did.

When Harry had finished, he looked like a man awaiting execution.

"Thank you, Harry. I understand that telling us was difficult and I do not hold the delay against you. But if you would, can you give Pompeius and I time to talk?"

It hadn't been a question, but Harry seemed to have understood.

The discussion with Pompeius after Harry left had been…different. They had agreed that time was needed to…digest the news. Pompeius had left several hours later with some parting words that had Caesar reconsidering what he knew of the older man.

"When I was young, I glorified war. I was nicknamed Adulscentulus Carnifex. The Teenaged Butcher and I revelled in it. Well, I don't want to be the Butcher of Rome, Gaius Julius. If it does come to war, we need to end it as quickly as possible. Rome won't forgive us if we drag it out. I know you want to be the First man in Rome, and I am sure that you will be in your proper time, but I'll be damned if I'll allow some teenaged tyrant to make himself a king."

Caeser frowned at that; Octavian was something he could not have foreseen, but it was something that he would need to deal with. Pompeius was it seemed a man of more substance and wisdom than he had previously thought. Caesar did not want to be King. Gods, he didn't ever want the dictatorship. That had ruined Sulla. The proscriptions, the murders and informers had blackened his name for all time. Instead of being the first man Sulla was barely remembered for beating his great rival Marius. Instead, he was known for reaping bloody revenge.

No, he would fight only if he had to. But as Pompeius had wisely stated, it would have to be quick…and clean.

He would save Rome from itself.

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Aurelia was very pleased to see her son was well even if she was very worried after the meal the extended family had shared. There Gaius Julius and Pompeius had spoken extensively about the problems that they faced. It seemed so insurmountable, but she trusted her son.

She was just settling in for the evening when a rider reached the camp. Intrigued but cautious she watched as the rider passed a leather tube to her son. The man was in uniform so obviously it was an official message. To her surprise a second tube was handed to Harry Potter.

The first was a message from the Rome. If it was about the current situation, then it must have been sent by the swiftest of courier ships to have caught up with them.

"It's from the senate…although it's written by Cicero and signed by many senior senators," announced Caesar as they gathered once more. "It appears that some common sense has broken out in Rome. They are sending a senatorial delegation to speak with both of us." He suddenly grinned, "Led by Cicero himself. It appears that good old Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus tore into the 'good men' for their stupidity and threatened to take it to the Plebs if they didn't desist. He always had teeth and more importantly he has always worked for the good of the Republic. Even if he and I don't really see eye to eye I can respect the man." The good humour disappeared as he read on. "Ah, it appears that there is still trouble in Rome despite the Senates stand." He looked over at Pompeius and then Harry. "We will need to speak on these dark magi. They have interfered with Rome's affairs and attacked my family. They must be dealt with."

"Agreed," said Pompeius with a frown of remembrance. "As you say, they are enemies of Rome that need to be destroyed root and branch."

Harry nodded, truthfully, he was uncomfortable being here. He wasn't a leader of men or an elected official.

Caesar seemed to sense some of Harry's discomfort. "Pax my friend. You have given great service to Rome and our families. I will not forget but I think that you are aware that you have another role to play."

The talk after that shifted to the upcoming delegation from Rome and Harry allowed his attention turn to the Vampire who seemed to be behind much of what had happened.

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Rome – Domus of Bibulus

The Optimates met in secret to avoid the growing anger and fear in the City. What alarmed Bibulus was the small number of those gathered in his atrium.

He knew that their path was just and right. Caesar, it always came back to Caesar. As far as he was concerned Caesar's evils were clear and evident. He was a popularist of the worst kind. Appealing to the head count and corrupting Rome's laws and traditions to achieve his evil ends. Caesar and to a lesser extend Pompeius had been behind the offensive redistribution of land to their veterans. People followed the would be king even as he walked the same traitorous path as the Gracchi brothers. Land reform…pah, it was not about reform it was about power.

No, every day since the ruined consulship as Caesar's junior Consul he had woken wanting vengeance. Wanting to tear the monster down. It had been a shock when his fellow conservatives had turned on him. No, Shock wasn't enough to describe it.

After that meeting in the Senate, he had called his allies in and been dismayed to see that so many had abandoned his…their cause. Only Cato had stood firmly with him. Even the others gathered in his house were wavering.

"We might need to leave Rome…" began one of the men who had applauded his words not a week ago.

"No!"

Cato's strident voice was loud.

"Never, flee like a coward, I would rather die with a sword in my hand. Then I might take Caesar Rex with me."

More than a few winced but none spoke until Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio broke the silence. "Give me men and I will beat him. He is as hollow as a reed."

Bibulus tried to hide a frown. He knew Scipio well enough to know that the man was a braggard who was as despicable as he was incompetent. He had failed to distinguish himself in his service with the legions. His noble name and ancestors won him respect that that he had never been able to personally win. He was however obscenely rich and fancied himself a leader of the Optimates.

"No, we cannot fight him yet. We would be the guilty party," Cato explained in his harsh voiced way. "I have been working on those in the Senate who we can trust or bribe. If I have to, I will force my way on to the delegation going to…"

Bibulus winced, Cato had clearly not heard about recent events. But before he could say anything another of the idiots in the room beat him to it.

Lucius Pontius Aquila called out in his usual braying voice, "They've already left…this morning…" he trailed off when he saw Cato's face.

"What!"

Bibulus stepped forward, "It is true, I have just heard myself." It wasn't strictly true, but he needed Cato to be using his intelligence not his anger.

"Those curs…traitorous fellators," Cato was literally tearing out his hair.

"We need a plan before they make peace with Caesar," insisted Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

A figure dresses in a black cowled robe stepped out of the shadows of the portico.

Bibulus knew who it was, the sibilant voice and foreign accent gave the figure away. His unknown presence in his home filled Bibulus with alarm or more truthfully fear. The Stryxian Magi was a dangerous monster. One that he thought he had controlled, now he was not so sure. The witch he had used to contact the being that called itself Umbra Mortis had assured him that the Stryx could not enter a domus uninvited.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Cato demanded his face still flushed with anger.

"A friend."

"Who are you?" Cato insisted.

"As I said, a friend. One that will help you with your current situation."

Bibulus wanted to warn his friend, but he found himself unable to form the words.

"Well, what is it you suggest," demanded Cato.

The figure through back it's cowl to expose a pale bearded face. "I will kill Pompeius and Caesar."

Cato studied the newcomer, "And what shall be your price assassin?"

The figure's thin lips turned up into a cruel smile, "I have little need for riches…let us say a favour owed?"

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