The door to Madame Bones office slammed open twenty minutes later, expelling five aurors with wands raised. Shacklebolt and Iverson split to the left while Cattermole and Edwards split right. Proudfoot held the middle as they all scanned the room, searching for and identifying any potential threats. Cattermole quickly subdued Auror Dawlish, stunning and binding him. He was nothing but a miserable flunky who worshiped the very ground Fudge walked. Shacklebolt held Mad Eye Moody at wandpoint, as they were unsure of his exact loyalties. Moody held his eyes in a calculating gaze before placidly surrendering his wand, grip first.
"I'll be expecting an explanation for this or I'll have you run the gauntlet till you can do it blind." Moody grunted
Proudfoot, Iverson, and Edwards all returned at that moment, each carrying a handful of wands taken from the remainder of aurors currently present in the ministry as well as several members of other departments and two reporters chasing quotes for whatever story they were writing. Proudfoot handed his wands off to one of the other aurors in his group before returning to the office door and speaking to the occupants inside.
"We're secure, Boss."
From the office behind him, Madame Bones strode out and stood in the center of the room. She stood tall and proud, monocle firmly in place. "You all may be wondering why you were just disarmed without warning." She began speaking, voice carrying out over the department. "You were disarmed because at this moment all of you are considered security risks. After the conclusion of the Wizengamot meeting I am soon to call, myself, the aurors who subdued you, and one other person will be interviewing each of you individually to determine whether you may keep your position as an auror and keeper of the peace. For now, it is my honored duty and pleasure to announce that Avalon has a king again. The sword has been pulled from the stone. We are on our way to inform the Wizengamot of that very fact, and to remove those corrupt individuals who wish to deny the crown its due. Presenting His Royal Highness, Hadrian James Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon, King of Avalon, Defender of Magic,Lord of Camelot, Lord Hogwarts, Lord Potter,Lord LeFay, Lord Emrys, Knight of the Round Table. The Boy Who Lived. And the one who has final say over all of your fates."
Madame Bones bowed as did a large majority of those conscious in the department once their shock had worn off. The few who didn't were quickly and efficiently subdued by the five aurors who were standing defensively around their young boy King. Harry stood regally, framed in the office door, as he surveyed the auror department.
"Rise, please. And relax." He spoke, voice calm and measured. "I am well aware how much of a shock this must be. I ask that you are all patient as we endeavor to secure this ministry and Avalon herself from those who seek to usurp my authority or even outright deny it." Harry paused, seeing the look one person in particular was directing at Madame Bones. "Also, please do not blame Madame Bones for the secrecy and security surrounding today's events. My personal guard insisted that we move forward as we are doing for my own safety. She trusts each of you implicitly, save a select few. Who have already proven her suspicions correct it would appear. Now please, return to your duties. Say nothing of these events. We shall hold a proper press meeting once this ugly business is complete."
Seeing her aurors immediately following the orders of their new monarch, Madame Bones quickly stepped over to where Moody was slowly trying to get up from the floor where he had knelt as soon as King Hadrian appeared.
"Can I trust you to protect him? Even if it's Albus?" she asked lowly, as she helped him up.
Mad Eye started at the question. But, seeing the severity in her eyes, sighed, resigned to the truth.
"Aye, lass. I'll hold to my oaths. Even against my oldest friend. Even against my husband." He grunted slowly, praying to whatever God would listen that Amelia was wrong and Albus wasn't one of the ones trying to overthrow the throne. Madame Bones nodded, satisfied, as she returned Moody his wand and told him to follow along. She could use his help.
Nodding to King Hadrian to indicate both Moody's allegiance as well as their readiness, Amelia sent out the memo to summon the Wizengamot. Once that was done, she assumed a position at the front of the group along with Moody and led the way to the lifts. Iverson and Cattermole each took up positions at the side and Shacklebolt and Proudfoot guarded the rear. Harry was safely in the middle with a still concealed Atreus.
Together, the group of six aurors, a department head, a hidden bodyguard, and a king all stepped onto one of the lifts. Proudfoot, being closest to the panel, hit the button for level nine where the Wizengamot would meet. They rode silently, each of them contemplating how the impending meeting would resolve. Moody, Bones, and Proudfoot, all older and experienced, tightened their grips on their wands, preparing for any eventuality. Shacklebolt, Iverson, Edwards, and Cattermole were more relaxed, still holding onto the naive belief that the Wizengamot would happily surrender power once those few dissidents were apprehended. Hidden underneath his concealment charm, Atreus was calmly preparing an array of weapons, checking the condition,and sometimes ammo of each one, before replacing them in the many hidden holsters and sheaths he carried.
The group all jolted back to awareness as the lift ground to a shaky stop. Madame Bones immediately stepped off the lift once the doors opened, closely followed by Moody. Hadrian drew a series of deep breaths before squaring his shoulders and nodding. He followed Bones and Moody off the lift and down a narrow corridor to the large, dingy courtroom used for meetings of the Wizengamot, and high profile criminal trials. The remaining members of their little group followed closely behind, each of them keenly aware of the surroundings, looking for any potential threats to the young King.
They all relaxed marginally as the last member of their group entered the room, door slamming closed behind them. With a wave of her wand, Madame Bones sealed the door.
"We only have a few minutes before members start arriving. Moody, Proudfoot, you stay by the King. He must not be harmed. Your Majesty, The throne will reveal itself only to you so I need you in place before I can place my aurors."
Hadrian nodded and began to survey the room. He saw about fifty chairs arranged in a horseshoe around the edges of the room. Near the center of the far wall, about thirty feet from the wall was a much more elegant chair on a slightly raised dais. Behind that was a high platform on which rested an ornate throne, set so that the occupant could survey the entirety of the room without needing to do more than slightly turn their head. He knew immediately that it was the missing throne. He quickly began to climb the carpeted steps, closely followed by his hidden guard and the two senior aurors. Reaching the top, he realized he was at least ten feet above the heads of those still on the floor. With royal composure, he turned and sat confidently on the newly rediscovered throne. Images of King's long past flooded his head as ancient wards, long dormant, sprang back to life, filling his mind with information.
Hadrian waved a regal hand and the Seat of the Warlock, once a fine, almost throne-like chair itself, was banished to be replaced by a simple padded armchair, identical to the other chairs around the room. Another wave and the entire platform he was on was cloaked in shadow, only detectable if you were already aware of its presence.
"Arrange your aurors along the wall just inside the doors, Madame Bones. Then we shall await the arrival of the Wizengamot. Let us see just how many of my Lords and Ladies are loyal to the crown and Avalon. and how many have allowed the seeds of corruption and greed to take root within them."
The various members of the Wizengamot soon began to file in, confused as to the reason behind the sudden emergency meeting. Fudge and his numerous lackeys all sat together grumbling at the thought of doing any actual work. One of the most vocal complainants was a squat, toadlike woman, wearing a horrendous shade of putrid pink. The sight of her robes made Harry feel sick and he made a mental note to request a stomach soother after this meeting. As the final member filed in, that member of course being the Chief Warlock himself, and found their seat the doors to the Wizengamot Chambers were magically sealed, unable to be reopened until the session ended.
Settling himself into the strange seat which stood in place of his normal throne, Dumbledore seethed. He was much too busy to have to deal with whatever pathetic problem had arisen. Everyone knew that today, of all days, he had to be at Hogwarts, ready to welcome the students to a new term of magical learning. Not to mention that this was the year he would finally see if all his plans were going to come to fruition. Harry Potter was finally coming to Hogwarts, and if his charms and curses had held, he would be a pathetic waif of a boy, desperate for any kind of acceptance and willing to do whatever he was told.
Pulling himself from his private musings, which unbeknownst to him hadn't been as private as he thought, Dumbledore quickly rapped a gavel against the desk and Called the meeting to order.
"Madame Bones, you were the one to send out the emergency summons. Could you please enlighten us all as to why you felt the need to summon this body, today of all days?" he spoke, putting on his kind, grandfatherly act, with just a hint of reprovement to show his displeasure.
Amelia Bones stood gracefully, back straight and strong, and monocle firmly in place. She spoke with authority. "Lords and LAdies of the Wizengamot, today is a joyous day. Not only is it the beginning of a new Hogwarts year, but I have been presented proof from no less than three separate sources that what we long thought impossible has occurred. A King has risen to the throne of Avalon once more."
Chaos erupted as every member competed for their voice to be heard. Fudge and his lackeys were screeching that it must be lies, whilst members who had never agreed on a single piece of legislation in all their years of serving on the Wizengamot embraced each other in joy. Dumbledore sat plotting, desperately trying to find a way to turn this to his advantage. Whoever this new King was, they had to be one of his new students. He just had to discover which one so that he could properly manipulate, i mean mold them, into a leader of the light. "Yes, " he thought, "with my guidance, the wizarding world will prosper under this so-called King."
Dumbledore allowed the noise to continue for several minutes until finally letting off a series of cannon blasts to quieten the room once more. Seeing that he now had the attention of the room once more, Dumbledore turned to Madame Bones and inquired "What is the name of our new young King, and where is he currently? Should he not be here, to assume his Duties?" Dumbledore was smug, thinking that the boy must be on the Hogwarts Express, meaning he would have a chance to get close to the boy before any of the more dark or even neutral members could turn him against the agenda of the light. His agenda. This smugness lasted right up until a strong, young voice sounded from behind him.
"Ego Hadrianus Jacobus Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon, sancte iuro vitam meam et magicam tuendam et defendendam Imperium Avalonis ac omnibus eius finibus. Iuro recte, iuste, et sine studio imperare. Si hoc iusiurandum prodo, di me opprimant." (I, Hadrian James Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon, solemnly swear on my life and magic to protect and defend the Empire of Avalon and all its territories. I swear to rule fairly, justly, and without bias. If I betray this oath, may the Gods strike me down.)
The charms surrounding Harry dropped the moment he began to speak. He stood in front of his throne, Excalibur raised in front of him,his familiars standing in a line behind him, a perfect image of strength and regality. A flash blinded the members of the Wizengamot as magic accepted his oath.
"I am right here, Mr. Dumbledore. And as you have just witnessed, I have assumed my duties as King. As for my name if you didn't catch it, I am Hadrian James Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon, King of Avalon, Defender of Magic,Lord of Camelot, Lord Hogwarts, Lord Potter,Lord LeFay, Lord Emrys, Knight of the Round Table. And I am most wroth with many within this Body. For too long has corruption and backroom dealing been the primary source of legislation and rule over MY empire. I will find the root of this corruption and I WILL remove it. Starting Now!"
Seeing that he had the room's full attention, Harry sheathed Excalibur before continuing to speak. "Many here are guilty of corruption, embezzlement, bribery, murder and more. Aurors, you are to detain the following Lords and Ladies until such a time as I am able to deal with them.
Fudge
Umbridge
Ogden
Diggle
Greengrass
Prince
Ollivander
Mulpepper
Mclaggen and
Dumbledore.
All of these are guilty of numerous crimes, as attested by Avalon herself. All will see judgment before the throne. But I find I do not have the time to judge them today. For despite being King, I am also a soon to be Hogwarts student and I must leave if I am to attend the opening feast and be sorted. I bid you all a Good Day. Be assured that I will return to discuss my intentions for my kingdom and to begin the selection of my advisory council."
Having said what needed to be said, Harry quickly descended from his throne, familiars and guards following close behind as the Wizengamot watched in stunned silence.
As soon as Harry had cleared the doors to the Wizengamot chamber, the room descended into chaos. Shouts of amazement as well as shouts questioning how the ministry was supposed to function now that their leader was an eleven year old boy rang out, each voice fighting to be heard in all the noise. Only two people remained silent, Madame Bones and a tall, silvery blond man, who carried a snakehead cane, both stood silently as the chaos around them continued. They stared at each other across the room, silently communicating. With a mutual nod, they seemed to come to an agreement to work together towards the betterment of Avalon as a whole. Madame Bones began to withdraw from the room, as the blonde man began to make his own voice heard at last, calling for peace amongst the remaining members of the governing body, which was now essentially defunct with the revelation of their new King. As she finally managed to exit the room, Bones could hear his razor sharp tongue ripping to shreds the idea of the Wizengamot continuing on in an advisory capacity until the King was of legal age.
"Your majesty, I believe you have somewhere else to be. If you were to leave now, you should reach Hogwarts with enough time to alert the staff to your status as well as any changes that will need to be made before the express arrives in approximately three hours," Madame Bones spoke, seeing King Hadrian calmly waiting in the corridor, surrounded by his guards. His familiars had all returned to rest inside the magically expanded case the King was currently using to transport them. Except for Zarek. She could see the occamy shrunk down and draped over the King's shoulders, likely as an added level of protection. Of his familiars, Zarek was the easiest to conceal, given his ability to change sizes with a thought.
Harry nodded his consent and was quickly escorted back to the lifts and up several floors to the wall of floos. As he had recently arrested the Headmaster, it was decided to floo to his office. Allowing Atreus to go first, and closely followed by the aurors loaned from Madame Bones, Harry stepped confidently into the floo before calling out in a strong, albeit young voice, "Hogwarts Headmaster's office". With a spin and a flash of green flame, Harry was finally on his way to Hogwarts.
A/N : Sorry for the long wait. Life has been conspiring against me. I've been sick and now i'm on the verge of losing my house. But work continues. I"m already writing the next chapter and hope to have it out soon. Read and Review but most importantly ENJOY