Harry bolted from the room, the grey hood on his heels. The other fell in as he cleared the last three steps of the stairs. Xeno was on their heels as Bozo was three steps behind. They burst out into the village square wands drawn.
Four Cloaked and Masked Death Eaters were facing three Grey Guards. The GGs were trying to shield the people running for cover. The DEs were throwing fire bolts at people.
A large Guard carrying a Staff trotted in, but seeing the hoods and masks of the attackers, let out a roar of rage and shifted his staff to a combat holding and attacked the Death Eater closest to him. His roar and attack caught the wizard by surprise as the staff slammed into his head.
"Damn Viking!" Harry leaned on his cane. "I am supposed to be the overly violent one." Turning to one of the Hoods at his shoulder. "Medic, see to the downed wizard, I want to question him before he dies."
A green beetle landed on Harry's shoulder, as Xeno stepped up.
"Lord Potter, what about the rumors that you are trying to overthrow the Ministry?"
" I am not trying to overthrow the Ministry. Everyone under my present command is here, and half of them are Hit Wizards paying off a Debt to House Potter. That's one of the Reasons I claimed the Village. I need an income to provide my minions with the basics of living in comfort. That means three hot meals and a cot. Then there is the costs of potions, potions makings, clothing, both winter and summer, and any livestock."
Harry watched Viking duck under a red spell bolt and bring a staff butt into a wizard's neithers just as the spell bolt hit the third guy. As he stood up he causally clipped the groaning wizard with the staff as he turned to look at the last Death Eater standing.
Harry sighed before pointing his cane at the Death Eater…
[Stupife]
The wizard crumpled like a dropped snotrag.
"I almost had him?!" The mighty Hood snapped around to see Potter pointing at the last wizard.
"Yes, and I need them alive and functional for questioning before we either hand them over to the DMLE or sting them up like the goblins do. You are raging about swinging your staff. Two of them, you clipped them in the head, as the third was hit by a spell."
"Milord, the two with head injuries will live, but I have no knowledge of their mental states. The one that was spelled went down with an overpowered stunner… and then one you dropped… died sir. Your stunner was too …" the Medic reported.
"Bloody Hell!" Harry slammed his cane on the ground. "I just get comfortable in my skin, and now I have to relearn my control. Honeypot, I am going to need you to handle my charm spells, as I don't want to destroy half the Village. Medic, Alert St Mungo's. We have two head injuries and a spelled wizard. Then call the DMLE. Request Director Bones. It was self defense, but it resulted in a death. I will submit to questioning but that is the limit of my bowing to the Ministry." He turned to Xeno, ignoring the beetle on his shoulder. "And, I will not be including
You in that interview. So until they get here, let us return to our room, and finish up. Viking, are you coming with, standing guard, or returning to your project?"
The Hood thumped his staff as he stood stiffly over the downed wizards.
Harry nodded and slowly returned to the Three Broomsticks. Nodding to Madam Rosemerta, he slowly climbed the stairs. The Beatle lifted off his shoulder and vanished into the shadows. When he shouldered into the room Rita was scratching notes with her green pen.
As the Potter and Xeno retook their seats, Rosmerta bustled in with two butter beers, a gilly water , and a whiskey on a tray. As she passed out the drinks her sharp eyes flickered over those in the room. Her mouth in a pinched frown. "Milord, will there be anything else?"
"Not at this time." Potter smiled at her, "I will send Honeypot if I need anything."
The busty tavern keeper bustled out, closing the door behind her.
Harry turned to the two reporters. "Xeno, I believe it's your question."
" Potter. What can you tell me about the Rotfang Conspiracy?"
"Nothing at this time." Harry answered with a straight face. "First and foremost, it is a conspiracy and not involved in My reign. Two, anything I know will be Reported by your Ace reporter in the Field." He turned to look at Rita, "Your Question, Rita."
She puckered her ruby red lips, "The First Question my Witch Weekly readers are going to want to know, Is there a Lady Potter in the works, and who?"
"Is there a Lady Potter, No. Not yet. Nor is there a Lady Black. My Dual House situation requires me to take two Ladies. And because of contracts, I am taking two consorts. Both with Line Continuation clauses. This is Not, nor will it ever be, an open invitation to witches or their parental entities to flood me with proposals and inquiries. I am not interested in filling that position at this time. My Witches I am presently contracted to will scout, evaluate, and invite possible candidates into the Cursed Blessing of my Family Group. Do not Owl us, We will Owl you."
He turned to look at Xeno.
"Can you enlighten us as to the plots of the Ministry's plans to overthrow the Goblins and assume control of the Gringotts Bank?"
Harry snorted. "No, I can not as I have only second hand at best information from the workings of the Ministry's operations. Most of that is rumor to begin with. I will declare that most of the Hate and Bigotry from within the Ministry is the work of one Heinous Hag who habitchly spews harsh and hurtful words and beliefs. This batrachian bitch believes Bigotry beliefs bring British blessings of power. I find her detestable and repugnant." He took a swing of his butterbeer and breathed deep. Exhaled. "I am sorry to say that most of the Ministry Drones class do not feel this way for one reason and one reason only. They are too lazy. The rest are too busy with their lives and work to really care one way or another. It is from Her actions and efforts that the Werewolf population has been forced out of good honest work throughout the British Magical Empire. It is the reason that so many have turned to either working as labourers in the muggle side, or the criminal life. And it is why I am able to recruit and amass such a large and loyal following. Even as we sit here, my agents are spreading word that I am offering any Werewolf fair and equal pay to any who join my banner. I am not asking them to fight, but when those who threaten their new and better life come to oppose me, some will come to my aid."
"Follow up and clarify please. Why are you so not afraid of werewolves?" Xeno was doodling a sketch of Harry in his dark grey robes, with the grey Hood standing over his shoulder.
"Two reasons. They only turn into raging man-eating beasts one night out of twenty eight. Most witches take three full days, and not only do we accept them, we bind ourselves to them happily. And Second, with our knowledge, power, and skill, we should be able to provide either Potion or seclusion for our furry friends on their night. Instead you vilife the victims and ignore the cause. If we allow the wolves to run in massive enclosed fields, we would give them places to run as they will, and with no humans in range, they can not pass the curse on to others. Release a few sheep or goats in there for them to hunt, and they will be happy chappies."
Harry slowed his breathing, before he sipped his butterbeer. "Rita, your Question."
She made a show of licking her teeth as she scanned her notes. "Lord Potter, what can you tell us about the night of the third Task. Can you tell us something that allows the Ministry to hold to their beliefs that He…"
" A freebie for you. His name is Riddle. Tom Morvello Riddle. A Muggle raised halfblood of the Giant line by way of his mother. Until his fifth year, he thought he was a muggleborn, when he stumbled on the Secret of Slytherins House Secrecy. As he delved in the depths of his truth, he learned that his Uncle was alive as was his Father. He murdered his father, and his grandparents. And let his Uncle take the blame. His actions caused a death before he was ready, and he had to act quickly and abandon his current plans. He blamed the girl's death on Hagrid, who did have a poisonous and deadly familiar that he smuggled into the grounds. With his heroic actions, Tom was awarded a plaque for Special Services to the School. I am not certain of his actions between when he left Hogwarts and when he came knocking on our Door that fate filled Samhain."
"He or rather his ghost told me about his name and his achievements after his ghost possessed a young witch back in 92, 93. It has drug her down into the Chamber of Secrets and was going to leave her body to rot in the chamber. But
"I do Know that Black could not have betrayed us to the Dark Wanker, that was Pettigrew. Pettigrew cut off his finger when my Bloodsworn Godfather tracked his skeeving rat ass down. He blew up the street and vanished into the sewers. The Ministry did its Standard Operating Procedure, and screwed the victim and sent my innocent Godfather to that island paradise in the north. Pettigrew spent the next twelve years as the pampered house pet of a Loyal Ministry drone and he ran when Black broke out of his kennel."
"When We reported this little fact to the Minister, he declared us confounded and dismissed us out of hand… only for Black to slip under the fence once more." Harry smiled at Rita, "It was at this time that Cornholious Fudge-packed (pronounced: Corn hole ious Fudge packed). declared the Kiss On Sight order. I am even willing to bet that Malfoy paid our Minister a few gold for his reelection campaign to keep up the pressure. No Doubt he was under the impression that Black had not declared an Heir."
Harry breathed deep, sipped his beer, and looked at Xeno, before returning his gaze to Rita. "As to your question Rita baby, let's suppose that Riddle died and it is impossible to come back. Not saying that, but it is not outside the realm of improbability. If that is true, I repeat IF, then what I witnessed is even worse. Let me take you and your dear readers back to that dark and cool night in June. After finding the Beautiful Fleur suffering from Crucio exposure and Krum aiming for Diggory with the same spell, after deducing that Krum was under the Imperio, I stunned the big guy and sent up red sparks for them both. Diggory thanked me and went one way and I went the other. My path led me past the Sphinx, and into the last chamber of the maze. I was two steps in, halfway to the cup, when Diggory bursts out of the maze, on the far side of the chamber, backwards casting spells at an Acramila the size of a goat. He finally kills it and turns towards me, hobbling because of a bite to his calf… and misses the thestral sizes spider climbing over the hedge wall. I hit it with a pitcher, which he mistook for me firing at him as his wand snapped up. The spider clicked its mandibles and died from my piercing hex to its larger left eye.
"After he stopped the bleeding from his leg and squeezed what poison he could out of the wound, he hobbled over And we argued about who was to take the trophy cup. We finally agreed to grab it together and we were warped to a graveyard that I later learned was in Little Haggleton. I knew we were in trouble when I saw the name Thomas Riddle Jr. on a headstone. I whispered to Cedric that we needed to grab our wands and get out of there, when a shadow appeared.
"A voice, that to this day gives me shivers like you sheeple get when I speak his angiogram, commanded 'Kill the Spare!'. Before I could even blink the shadow cast the killing curse and Diggory was dead. I was quickly restrained against a tombstone and the shadow, who was revealed to be Petigrew, dropped what looked like a badly burned and twisted baby into a large boiling cauldron and then began a ritual that called for a bone of the father, flesh of the servant, and blood of the enemy. If the DMLE or the DOM what more details they can ask for me either at the front gate to the Village or the Three Broomsticks. The thing that arose from the cauldron called itself Lord Vol…" Harry stopped midway through the word. "You can insert your own name for the noseless bastard. He then summoned his faithful. He showed his power, and then criucoed me. Demanded that we duel so he could prove that he could beat me. Again the details of that match are for Law Enforcement and the Unspeakables. I will say that I did run, stopping only to grab Cedric and the cup, and return to Hogwarts."
Harry drained his butterbeer and signaled 'Honeypot' to get him a refill. "Xeno, your turn."
"I know that I am circling back, and We will most likely be cutting and pasting for best effect on our readers. My question; You mentioned Werewolf Rights and Laws… please give us an overview of what you plan on doing with and for them."
Harry breathed deeply. "First, any inflicted who shows up here, or at the reservation, will receive a hot meal, a full medical screening, and an offer of fair pay for fair labor. If they take it, they are welcome to do one of three things, join my Pack, join a pack that has allied with mine, or Declare themselves loners. Once I know where they stand, I will put them to work in the field that best suits them."
" A follow up if I may." Xeno leaned in closer. "Will you be training them to fight the Ministry?"
"A tricky question. Complicated answer." Harry accepted the Mug from 'Honeypot'. "Will I be training them? Those who request training and those who join the Guard, will be trained. Am I planning on attacking the Ministry? No. If the Ministry leaves us in peace, we will leave them in peace. If they try to cause trouble or undermine me and my reign, I will leave them in pieces."
" The common people of Magical Britain are safe from us. But attack another of my countrymen, and I or my troops will put you down. Attack my men, and I will put you in St Mungo's or the ground. As the school's motto says: 'dormiens nunquam titillandus Draco.' and I will add, numquam calcitrare dormiens Draco.'." Harry smirked, "Tickle me and you will get swatted. Kick me, and get stomped."
Rita frowned at the young Lord. "What of those who proclaim that He-" Harry cleared his throat. "Sorry, those who say that Riddle is the Dark Lord and back?"
"Most of those who are talking about Riddle being back are my followers and Dumbledore's followers. Those backing Riddle are keeping mum, so the Dark Wanker can grow in strength and power. Right now he is plotting his comeback and trying to regain his former military might. It is just a matter of time before he attacks Azkaban and frees his most devoted followers. When that happens, the Grey Guard will move to take down known Death Eaters, and find the Dark Wanker and his arse lickers. Those who are innocent of crimes not covered by the Ministry's Blanket Pardon of 82, We will pay on the shoulder, apologize, and leave in peace. Those who have either continued to break the Law, muggle or magical, or returned to the fold, will be broken and brought to Justice. Only by throwing themselves before the mercy of the Wizemgomot will they evade my hand."
He leaned forward resting his elbows on the table. "And if I suspect that they either bribed or blackmailed their way out… The Guard will come knocking."
Rita licked her quill in thought, before asking,"And what of the Corruption in the Ministry itself? "
"That falls to Director Bones. I know three Aurors that believe in what is right. Two who believe in the Ministry over all else, and three who believe that Law is above all. I have all seen four or five who use the Law as a stepping stone to bigger and better things." He smiled gently at Rita. "Bribery in the Ministry is like oil in a clock. A little lubes the cogs and shafts allowing for better, smoother operations. Too much clogs and gums up everything and can bring the whole thing to operation to the brink of self-implosion. We need a Department of Regulation for bribery. And if Fudge loses his next election, I would nominate him for the post."
Xeno scratched out a picture of a black dog howling into a microphone.
This action caused Harry to smile softly. "Let me guess, you want to ask about Stubby Boardman, formerly of the Hobgoblins?" Seeing Xeno perk up, Harry laughed. "Black is not Stubby, though they do look alike. Yes, I am in contact with the Black son of a bitch. He is, after all, my Bloodsworn Godfather. Those of your readers that know the old ways know the truth of this ritual. Black could no more hurt me than Xeno here could hurt our lovely Luna. Not only is it not in him to do so, but he is my sworn Godfather by a ritual oath that will strip him of his Magic and life force in the most painful way. There is no way on Gaia's green earth that mutt would turn on my father and mother, little alone me." Harry's face turned sour, "A word of advice, do Not ask Black to sing. I would rather listen to Granger's Beast sing for his females than Black try to sing … anything."
Rita licked her lips as she went in for the kill, "You mentioned Granger. What exactly is your relationship with her?"
"Granger, now sixteen, is my Voice of Reason. She is the one that told me not to kill the Toad that was torturing students up at the school." Harry traced the scars on the back of his hand, before showing the two reporters, and the cameraman. "Once we understood her priorities, she kept me fifth in every class but Potions, Herbology and Divination.
"Potions, because Snape doesn't like teaching beginning brewers. It would be best if he was only handling the duties of the Potion Master and teaching the NEWT students and those who are seeking their Masteries. Someone like the potion professor before him would have been better. I have heard the stories about ole Slughorn. I even heard about his Slug club and what it can do for the right person. I am giving a shout out to Potion Master Slughorn and am willing to invite him to Hogsmead Village to brew and weave his webs in the comfort he is due.
"Herbology, I was about seventh, because Neville Longbottom, who everyone called a Squib, can make the plants dance in their pots. He is in fact tapped to be
Sprout's apprentice and replacement."
"And then we have Divination. I am third in the class, because I can predict many of my adventures, and by taking them to the extreme, the Processor thinks I have the eye. The two witches ahead of me are better at the art of Divination as opposed to the Science of Divination. The difference has to do something with math."
Harry laughed, "I am sorry, you asked about Granger and my relationship with her. While she is not a romantic interest, she is a member of my Coven. If she decides that she requires my services she can demand them. In the meantime, she is my trusted advisor. If I have questions, I first turn to her. If it is not something she knows, she will do everything she can to learn it. For the old school traditions I first ask her , usually in the presence of my contracted witches. Right now she is overseeing the building of my Tower. I have always wanted a Wizard's Tower. Does that answer your question?"
" No, but I will wait until my turn to ask for further clarification." Rita scribbled notes on her scroll.
Xeno reread his notes, "I have nothing at this time. I will need to talk to my daughter about the … other things my paper covers. I reserve the right to ask questions later."
Rita smirked as she leaned in closer, "The whole nation of teen witches want to know what you want in a witch." Her eyes flashed acid green, with either lust or greed, Harry could not tell, "I know you said that you will be letting your witches decide your future Ladies, but there are many witches and their mothers that would like to improve their standing in your eyes. Give us what you want in a witch."
Harry smirked as he sipped his butterbeer. "Well Rita, I am looking for something I don't have. I have a cunning snake, both blond and brunette. A lovely redheaded badger, and a blonde from the House of Ravenclaw. From the Lions den, I have a Quidditch Witch and a witch that, like my mother, is the greatest of her generation. What more do I need?" Harry leaned back in his chair, lounging like Albus on his throne. "I have at least two purebloods, a half blood, and a witch that is either muggleborn or squibborn. I have a witch that is of every House of Hogwarts and every Blood Status. What more can I want?" He looked at the Grey Hooded witch before leaning close to Rita. $tell me little bug, what could I possibly need?$
Xeno and Rita pulled away at his hissing, as the quills wrote out Harry's answer including the parseltongue. Then Rita got a big grin on her face, "The one thing you don't have is a Parselmouth Witch. That and Twins. And we know which is easier to find." She leered.
Harry chuckled, "Thank you Rita, for reminding me. To the twins Patil, I must offer my deepest heartfelt apology. You both were beautiful and delightful dates to the Yule Ball and I ignored you. I was brooding because I was an emo berk. I have no idea what is wrong with Ron. I am offering the two of you a minor boon, that you will need to cash in before your NEWTs."
"I am sensing a story here." Rita licked her lips as she smirked.
"You had your chance during the Yule Ball, but you spent your time buzzing about the rose garden snooping into the backgrounds of people like the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts and the gossip of the date of Quidditch Star and Champion Krum. That was one night that several things went down, and you only reported on a love triangle and possibility of love potions, and the dangers of one of the gentlest men I know teaching the one course that he knows better than any three of his predecessors. You smeared two of my friends just to sell more papers. The only reason I invited you is because I have a need for the housewives and salary slaves to learn a few simple truths that Fudge does not want the public to know. And I am not talking about the conspiracy that Lovegood is tracking. That is a whole nother issue. No, I am talking about the fact that Fudge is trying to murder a Peer of our Society and most likely at the behest and payment of another Peer. That He has de facto become a murder for hire coordinator. I can almost smell his benefactor's cologne when he walks by."
Harry struggled to regain his composure. "Last question from each of you. The Director will be here shortly. I do invite you two to return next week to inquire about love as a Dark Lord."
Rita glared at the lad, "What do you think Fudge and Dumbledore will do now? "
"Fudge I am told is busy kissing ass and running the nation alone, as his hatchet toad has gone MIA. The few Aurors that are loyal to him above the Director have been trounced by my Guard and ripped a new one by the Director. Without looking stupid he can not do anything. He was the first to call me a Dark Lord Rising."
Harry drained his butterbeer and sighed. "Dumbledore is both easier to predict and harder. He has already done a drive by inspection of what I am doing here. He brought his two most trusted advisors and looked at the surface of what I am doing. I expect that a few of his more circumspect associates will be visiting the Village over the next few days, if not moving in directly. The details are not known to me, but the broad strokes I can see. He will sit back, watch everything, probe my operations, observe the results and plot on how to best take advantage of my being a Dark Lord. He will be disappointed, but will not do anything to directly affect me, as it would show his hand. I do not expect him to move directly against me as we have not harmed anyone not attacking us. The Aurors were waiting for us, and fired the first volleys before we even drew wands. It can be argued that we didn't even resist arrest as they were the aggressors, and didn't Identify themselves."
Xeno leaned forward. "Lord Potter, what are your plans moving forward from here?"
Harry breathed deep."Honestly, I have no solid plans, one way or another. This week we are building up the Village and the Tower. I have two weeks before the full moon, and depending on how many wolves take me up on my offers, I will be working on my reservation. Then there are the rumors of Riddle having returned, and because of my history with the Bastard, I might have to look into his movements. I hope that is enough for now. Like I said, you are welcome to come back next week for another round. Rita, you do a good job on this, I will invite you in for a life and history of Harry Potter."
He waved his hand and the four Quills fell still. He rolled up the first, and handed it to Xeno, the second and third he passed to Rita, one labeled Prophet, the other WW. The last he passed to the witch behind him. "I remind you, the interview is not to be taken out of context. An opinion piece separate from the story that does not contain any false or misleading information is your prerogative, and I welcome honest feedback and opinions." he bowed to them, "Thank you for coming. You are welcome to walk about and interview the villagers and the Guard if they are not busy. Good day."
As the three of the press people exited the room, a Grey Guard was waiting with a square jawed fading redhead with a monocle and a red dragonhide over robe.
"Milord. Director Bones. The three survivors were taken to St Mungo's, The DMLE wing, as the other was sent to the morgue." Medic reported. "Viking has given his report and decided to take some of his anger out on the line."
"Thank you, Medic. Would you please send word to Major. I do believe that she will want to be here for this. Director, please join us, can I get you anything?"
"No Lord Potter." She followed him into the room, sitting in Rita's seat. "I thank you for the chance to talk with Sue. Now officially, I must reprimand you for killing that piece of human scum, but Connie has confirmed that you only stunned him. I will be sending Tonks here as a tutor. Officially she will be on patrol here in the village, but if you are killing with a simple stunner, you are a danger to the public."
"Thank you Director. Now that our official business is covered, is there anything else?"
"Well, with Delores AWOL she has been declared MIA and Albus has hired an Auror on sabbatical. Shacklebolt has taken an undercover assignment to spy on you and the School, to bring the students back to the correct mindset. He is going to be running the students through their paces, to improve their health, both physical and magical."
"Some of the more traditional Houses are not going to like that." Harry chuckled. A knock on the door, brought his head around. "And that is my cue. Honeypot, are you staying here?" At her nod, he exited the room. Allowing the Hood there in as he left. "The room is yours for as long as you need it."
Alone he was walking about the Village, when a villager trotted up to his side.
"Milord, I have a question, if I may." The villager walked at his side. Harry grunted. "I have a restaurant out behind Honeydukes. I was wondering if you could swing by and look it over. The Three Broomsticks has been slowly stealing my customers from me. I am offering a place for couples and small groups to gather for meals and the like, but without the noise of the Inn, nor the …" the man shivered, "Of the Tea shop."
Harry had seen the offerings of the tea shop, shivered himself. "What are you asking for? Are you wanting a facelift, rebuild, or just a reason for more traffic?"
The Villager had a pained look on his Face… "Yes? Like all three?"
"I will have my Guard eat there tonight. Most of us are in small groups, so we should have no trouble with seating. Architect will look over your place as will Medic. They will collaborate and decide on what would help with your place."
Harry shook the man's hand and continued to the line where they were planning on building a wall.
Every cubit, a hole was in the ground. Punched by the pointed but of Viking's staff, before he would drop an acorn in the hole and take a step. As Harry caught up to the brute, he grunted.
"Let me know when you are going to raise the wall. I will lend you the power." Harry fell into pace with the Hooded Druid. Three paces of just the stump and step, Harry tried again. "So… how much dragon dung do we want?"
Three more steps, before Viking answered. "Three tons should do it. We will need to cut it with potting soil also. If you will order and pay for it upfront with Dogwood's, we should have it by next week. It will show that you are not only not taxing the Village, but providing a customer base as well."
"Speaking of patronizing the shops, I was just invited to enjoy a restaurant behind Honeydukes tonight. I think you should call it a night about an hour before sunset and wash up and take Honeypot to dinner. Just the two of you."
The brute looked about and slid the hood from his head. Neville frowned at Harry. "Is that an order?"
"No. A suggestion. Leave the hoods in the tent, and just be a couple of kids out on the town. You might want to swing through Honeydukes on your way out. I know I am taking Hermione and Daphne there on my way to the restaurant. Though I have no idea what I am looking for."
"I think you will be surprised. Gran told me about that place. It was where Dad proposed to Mom." Neville grinned before he pulled his hood up and continued to walk, pound the ground, drop an acorn, and stride on.
Harry patted the guy on the shoulder and broke away to talk to Dogwood's manager and Honeydukes. He had an evening to plan.
Tbc