The path not taken
Albus was observing the reactions towards the last reading. Some of the reactions were predictable. Such as people looking at Ronald Weasley with a mixture of disdain and disgust. This caused him to sigh as he knew the boy was clinging onto the coat tails of harry. This was an attribute of the boy that he himself had been exploiting. The promise of fame and glory was more than enough to get him motivated as his greedy little mind only saw the galleons that might come his way.
Some of the students, especially those that were from raven claw were considering the ramifications of such laws and how it would effect things. The witches seemed to be all for it but it was clear that some of the schools populace were uneasy about such laws.
The thing that amused him however was that the minister was moving with an unusual urgency in his bearing. He could only assume that the idea of loosing such a world as an ally was enough to get him to start to seriously do his job.
From what he could see he was in deep discussions with Lucius about something. Normally he would be against the Malfoy patriarch being involved due to his, questionable, acquaintances. However the man was a pragmatist, and truly did what he thought was best for his family. There was a reason why he was the leader of the dark upon the wizengamot. That along with his business acumen would only lead to a positive outcome as he would not taint such a deal with politics. It was purely business.
The potter clan were angry. Along with their friends. The Weasley's had been close friends since their days within the order. This was one of the reasons that harry had become Ron's friend, they had essentially grown up together as the potters had considered the Weasley family to be trust worthy enough. This however had been thrown into doubt. The revelation of what had been planned by Ronald and his actions had also caused an almost irreparable damage to their relationship.
Harry himself was conflicted. His friend had essentially assaulted him. It was another version of himself true, but it was still him. Just the thought made him feel queasy. This then brought up the question of whether or not he would do such a thing to his little sister if he had the chance? No, harry was not in the best of places at the moment.
Chapter 10: Human howler monkeys are loud.
A Chuckle broke out as people guessed at what some of the contents of the next reading would be from the title. It was not exactly hard to guess considering the number of howlers that had been sent to a pair of red haired pranksters.
The fact that the book had opened within molly Weasley's grasp only made it worse.
It was the day after the... incident with Ronald Weasley, and Dumbledore was stalking into the hospital wing before breakfast. The conversation with the boy's mother last night did not go well, which made him even more irritable.
This caused a sigh from Albus and unknown to him several other of the staff. All of whom had had the great misfortune of having to try and deal with molly. Despite her intelligence, a fact that was overshadowed by other of her personality traits. She was hard headed, opinionated, and stubborn. These were the ones within which she operated most of the time. The one which got on every ones nerves was how she felt that she had the right to mother any one who was not of age.
She completely disregarded most of what the children said due to her being the adult thus must know better. This unfortunate combination of traits were some of the reasons that some of her sons had all but fled the first chance they got.
Ron had just finished getting dressed when Dumbledore came in.
"Sit," the old man said.
Ron was about to protest when he noticed the expression on Dumbledore's face, and so he meekly sat on the bed.
"What were you thinking!?" the old man roared.
This shocked most within the hall, Albus did not shout, he explained, he wheedled and many other things but it was such a rarity for him to shout that no one other than Minerva had seen him do such.
"What? I didn't do anything wrong! She just hit me nor no reason!" the redhead whined.
"What about you Groping her? Or kissing her against her will? Or how about saying you were going to kill her sister and take over her nation?" Dumbledore replied.
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.
"For some reason you seem to believe that you had a right to do these things. Let me say right now, you don't. The idea of you marrying her, especially after what you did is ludicrous. You have been banned from her nation upon pain of death, and she said she won't hold back next time."
"But you said..." Ron started.
The old man shook his head and replied, "I said I would try to get you engaged to her, not that I would succeed. You, by your actions, made it pointless even to try. I have told your mother about your actions as well."
Those from gameindustri glared at the man for even thinking such a thing until Chloe explained that it was a traditional part of alliances within the magical world for them to be sealed by a marriage from members of each side. In other words politics which naturally caused the CPU to groan as much as they wanted to avoid the curse that was politics it always inevitably crept its way into everything.
Those who were from the magical world either were horrified at the idea or if they were from a magical family understood where the idea came from as they had been taught that such a thing might be necessary at some point. The thing that confused them was Why Ronald?
"What? Why? All I did was try and get to know my future wife better!" Ron exclaimed, paling.
"You groped and forced a kiss from the sister to a leader of a nation! One that you had no business even touching! You are not engaged to her, and I'm not going to even bring up the idea. If you touch her, or any other female, like that again you will be expelled. You are already on thin ice after being held back, so don't push me on this," with his piece said, Dumbledore left for his morning meal.
Ron quietly seethed for a few minutes before he realized that he might miss breakfast, and ran out the door.
Groans could be heard at this as it was a well known fact that the boys world revolved around the meal times. As it was said he was a simple being and a highly predictable one at that.
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Breakfast soon started, and Chloe along with her friend were eating, and then an old owl flew in, dropped a red letter in front of her, and flew out after taking a dump in a redhead's food.
Curious, the candidate ignored the warnings that were getting sent to her by the rest of her house.
The letter tore itself from her gentle grip and formed a pair of lips, that started shouting:
HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY SON YOU WHORE! AND HOW DARE YOU GET ME ARRESTED! YOU SHOULD FEEL...
At that point Chloe grabbed the letter, crushed it, threw it in the air and shot it with a fire-bolt, a pissed expression on her face.
At the head table Dumbledore had his face in his hand, he wasn't expecting that Molly Weasley would do this, after all it was the reflexive action from what her son was doing that caused it. The fact that Chloe destroyed it before it could make thins worse was a blessing, until Chloe spoke, and her words set the family against her, "How dare that bitch scream at me for what's her son's damn fault, assuming that her son is the asshole from yesterday." she then turned to Dumbledore and formally asked, "Can we meet later headmaster? I would like to discuss what would be the appropriate response to this, as the younger sister of the goddess of Leanbox."
"Very well Chloe, come to my office tonight at seven, I will also discuss this with the one who sent the Howler."
The boys of the Weasley family went through an interesting range of colours brought on by an odd mix of rage and embarrassment. Molly however seemed to be in agreement with her others actions. The fact that those around her were looking at her in disgust was irrelevant.
It was well known that she had used a love potion on her husband, hell she had even said it herself many times and nothing had ever come of it. The fact that Arthur had already been in love with her and there was a contract between the families being the sole reasons for that meant nothing to her.
The mere idea that this action could have destroyed her relationship with the potters did not even cross her mind.
What caught most peoples attention however was the professional stance that the headmaster was taking in the situation. No talk of forgiveness, no trying to convince the girl of taking another course of action. It was strange for those that knew the old man.
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Classes went oddly for Chloe, as she kept overpowering her spells. Instead of turning a matchstick into a needle, she ended up turning it into a metal spear a foot thick and twelve feet long, almost skewering the professor.
She ended up with a detention and the loss of ten points, despite it being and accident.
She didn't know it but the incident was just an excuse McGonagall used to punish her for injuring one of her lions.
It was a grumpy Chloe that made her way to charms, after a quick lunch.
It was a mortified Chloe that ran to get the mediwitch after she blinded her entire class with a light spell.
Minerva blushed at this. She was normally more fair and level headed. She was however known to on occasion be a little biased towards the lions. This would normally not be an issue but since she was also the lions head of house and the deputy head it was hard to get her decisions over turned.
It was one of the reasons that until her very few deputies had become so without relinquishing their head of house duties first. To avoid conflicts of interest.
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At seven Chloe made her way with Cyberconnect2 to the headmaster's office, and they both started working on some letters. Normally Dumbledore wouldn't do this, but Chloe is also a high ranking member of a foreign government, which meant that a response would be needed, if only to sooth ruffled feathers.
Dumbledore recommended two letters, one to Molly Weasley, and one to Arthur.
After bouncing wording off each other for an hour they had two letters.
Chloe and CC made a trip to the Owlery before heading back to the dorms. After all tomorrow was the fist weekend, and they planned on heading home, so that they could get some questing done ,and Chloe had blitz-ball practice, they would leave right after breakfast.
The slytherins and other more political minded amongst the students nodded at this. It was true that Chloe being a person of high interest and influence would force the issue if only to get some sort of appeasement for the insult to her honour.
Albus as the head of the wizengamot and knowing for a fact just how strong the beings and nations with which they were dealing would have to work fast and with care to avoid any situations with which could have been avoided.
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Breakfast at the Weasley residence was a quiet affair, with their children either at school, or work. Two school owls flew in and deposited letters in front of the two occupants.
They both opened them, and both went red in anger, although the anger was directed at different people.
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Arthur read the letter with increasing anger, both at his son, whom he taught better than that, and his wife.
To Arthur Weasley:
My Name is Chloe, Goddess Candidate of Leanbox. On the second of September your son accosted me in an inappropriate manner, that constituted sexual harassment and molestation. He grabbed my chest and as I was stunned by his audacity, he kissed me against my will. I reflexively took a swing at him, and at the last second held back enough not to kill him.
I am not sorry for this, as he should've known better than to do such things.
To continue, I had agreed to let the injuries be the punishment, but your wife sent something called a howler , which I destroyed before the third line came out, but heavily implied I should be honoured to have received such attention from your son, despite the fact that I'm technically the second in command of my nation.
This also doesn't take into account your son's plans, by which I got directly from his mouth. He planned to, assuming he could either marry, which will not happen, or complete his plan, which is not likely, kill my sister, and take over my nation.
On the first of September, your wife grabbed me while I was heading towards the platform. She then attempted to drag me off somewhere.
This is unacceptable, the same with the actions of your wife.
They have both been banned from Leanbox upon pain of death.
If I see that owl come with another shouting letter, I will fire-bolt the letter, and not care if the owl gets it as well.
I will be out of Hogwarts until late Sunday, if you have a reply, or questions, I will be available to answer them after I get back.
Sincerely,
Chloe, Goddess Candidate of Leanbox.
"Molly, please explain yourself," he said tightly.
The pure-bloods within the room were quickly gaining respect for the young CPU. The letter whilst written differently from a normal grievance letter sent to the heads of house, was succinct and formal enough to put the slight differences down to the culture and country in which she came from. They all had similar ways of doing thing just the layout being different.
The screen however was showing something that very few had ever seen in person. The normally calm and gentle man known as Arthur Weasley in a calm rage.
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Molly was shaking in fury at the letter in her hand, and was vowing to write another howler to the ungrateful girl.
To Molly Weasley:
Your shouting letter this morning was not appreciated. By what right do you have to send it? Due to a reflexive action that your son precipitated? Your son had no right to touch me like that, or to kiss me, but you act like I should be honoured to have had it happen.
Then came your actions the day before, what right did you have to grab me?
You and your son are banned from Leanbox, upon pain of death.
Sincerely,
Chloe, Goddess Candidate of Leanbox.
She was about to stand up and get hew howler supplies, when her husband spoke, "Molly, please explain yourself."
Once again the pure bloods were impressed straight to the point and firmly laid out the grievances. True it was blunt but all of the traditions for such things had been completed. What caught their attention was the difference in tone within the letter. It seemed that she was holding not the entirety of the Weasley's to blame but only molly and Ronald.
That was rare as normally it was assumed that the head of house had agreed with such an action to be taken or had failed in his role to raise his children properly. They supposed however it might be something to do with the different cultures. Which was acceptable as some were more harsh and others less. It was not an unknown occurrence.
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Molly Weasley, normally used to running her household with an iron fist, knew when her husband was in a take charge mood, and she could tell that he was in such a mood today.
"Arthur, she put hour son in the hospital wing," she explained.
"And the fact that you implied she should be honoured that he molested her? Or that you grabbed her? I taught him better than that, and you had no right to touch her," Arthur's reply came out harsher than his normal tone. He then continued before his wife could speak. "You will write an apology, which I will deliver personally Monday, along with my own apologies, as well as an order that no revenge will be taken on the girl."
"An apology!?" Molly screeched. "Why? She attacked..."
"Molly," Arthur said as he slammed his fist on the table, bruising it badly. "that girl is high up in her nation's government. Molesting said person is bad enough, insulting her, and implying that she should be honoured by the attention makes it much worse. You will write the apology, and you will be sincere about it, and you will ignore the fact she exists from now on.
We have an emergency session today, about whom to send as an ambassador to this Leanbox. It was decided to push it to today so that Dumbledore could get a handle on how to handle the current representatives he has at his school, as well as talk to them. I was told that since I knew the most about Muggles I might be sent, but now that promotion is out of reach because you decided to run your mouth. Ron could've started a war and you think he was in the right."
Leaving a speechless wife behind he headed for the session.
"You are correct in such assumptions Arthur" came the voice of fudge. In all likely hood as whilst he would rather have Lucius to do the role he needed him with him for advice. Arthur was well known for his love of the muggles and thus in a mixed culture he would be more likely to flourish and understand what was happening. It was a promotion that he could support but given what had happened between the family and the candidate he could not afford such a thing.
The slytherins were looking at the head of the Weasley house with a bit more respect, he had taken charge and dished out what was required in a manner they could respect. True it was not enough for them to fully gain respect they had once had but it was a beginning.
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Two hours. They had been arguing on whom to send for two full hours.
Arthur, whom was their first choice because of the fact he worked with muggle objects, bowed out as he explained that his son and wife weren't allowed in Leanbox.
Some others like Lucius refused to go because of personal reasons.
Mainly because of the loss of influence.
Eventually the minister put his foot down.
"Enough, I will send Deloris Umbridge to be our ambassador, at least to start with. That way we can take our time, combing through personnel files."
Dumbledore spoke up with an objection, "Objection, she isn't the most... tolerant of different people. We want someone whom won't insult them for being different. I also have a list of laws that the ambassador will need to read, and they need to understand that they don't believe in diplomatic immunity, since each nation has the same basic laws."
This caused a wince amongst the adults of the room as diplomatic immunity was implemented to avoid misunderstandings from vastly different cultures and laws. The fact that all of the nations had the same fundamental laws neutralizing the need for such was understandable.
This was also the reason why Umbridge, whilst only being temporary, was not the most ideal candidate for such a delicate job. Umbridge herself however did not seem to be aware of the almost pained looks upon the faces of the lords within the room. She was too busy making her own plans.
"Nonsense, she had my complete trust, she'll do fine, she's just temporary anyway," Fudge replied, not noticing the glare his undersecretary was giving him. "I think all departments should look through their files and submit between one and three for consideration. Now a Vote, Deloris Umbridge for the position of Leanbox Ambassador."
Wands were lit, and with a very slim majority she won the position, and went home to pack. An hour later she, the candidate, and her partner were taken by the phoenix, whom decided to step up his plan to get Chloe with his cousin, so he wouldn't have to transport Pepto-Bismol woman again.
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The day after Chloe left for her school, Vert started construction on a dimensional transporter, based off one that was in Histoire's pages. The same one that Neptune and Nepgear used to return from Uzumi's world. She estimated that it would take two weeks to complete.
The fact that Histoire had such a device made Vert smash her head into a wall... repetitively. As they could've had it made two years ago.
She was just glad the first week was a short one, so she wouldn't have to do too long without her sister.
There was a series of snickers coming from the guests table. It was not uncommon for Histoire to have some information on a obscure topic hidden away within the grimoires pages. She usually needed time for such fine detail searches due to the sheer amount of information that had been gathered over the years. Something she had been doing much more frequently since she had met the walking trouble magnet known as Neptune.
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Back to the present, Chloe was talking a deep breath of her home air, and feeling invigorated by the much more plentiful shares present in her nation.
CC was happy to be home as well, she was also getting stiff from not smashing monsters on as near daily occurrence.
Umbridge had her face in a sneer as she took in the city, a city so unlike what she was used to.
The sneer deepened as Vert ran out of the Basilicom and gave her sister a giant hug.
After the hug Vert turned to the Ambassador and said, "Hello, My name is Vert, and I'm the goddess of Leanbox. We have a guest suite set up for you. I will lead you to it."
Umbridge opened her mouth and said...
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Those within the room were not sure whether to be thankful or scared about the fact that it had cut off when it did. They knew her to be one of the most intolerant people they had known as well as a highly dislikable person. Most only put up with her due to her position and being at the centre of the corruption that was spread throughout their community. If it was not for that she would never have gotten where she was.