Things to Come
"Minister, we are on the verge of a radical collapse if the goblins call in their debts. All international banks will reduce our credit rating if that comes to pass." The finance minister announced, and Gloria reigned in an annoyed groan.
"The pureblood families have all but reduced to support the ministry. They state that the forcible conscription of their children during the war was enough of a contribution." Another said.
"The fact of the matter is, we are dangerously close to bankruptcy if an urgent course correction isn't undertaken." The finance minister said. "We have no choice but to introduce new austerity measures."
"Are you mad?" Viktor Epcott said. "People will be rioting in the streets if there are any more hardships placed on them."
"And if the goblins-" The finance minister started but was interrupted but a vulgar cry of, "FUCK THE GOBLINS!"
"Hear! Hear!" The others chanted in unison.
"How dare they place us in this predicament? Don't they know of the sacrifices we have made during the war?!" One of the attendees shouted. "English blood by the gallons has been spent to stop the genocide of all magical creatures. If anything, they should be bloody well grateful for us saving their arses."
"The goblins don't see us that way. To them, we are all some kind of a monolithic entity. Britain's conflict with Grindelwald was irrelevant. All that matters to them is Grindelwald was a wizard. We are wizards. Ergo, we are responsible." The finance minister replied.
"Kick down their doors and grab the ruddy gold!" One member shouted and the entire meeting devolved into a verbal slugfest. The minister slapped her hand repeatedly on the table to regain order.
"Are the goblins willing for negotiations? Political rights? More domains? Anything in exchange for gold?" Gloria asked and the advisors hesitated.
"That is the strangest thing, minister. Before the war, the goblins would have jumped at the opportunity for such political concessions." He replied.
"And now?" Gloria asked.
"For some reason, they appear too supremely confident. Arrogant even. All they want to discuss is gold payment. Nothing more. Nothing else. In fact, they even laughed at the prospect of us acting as a direct liaison to your office." He said.
"Something else is at play here…" Gloria muttered before dismissing the meeting. She needs better eyes on the ground here.
Blackmail
Gloria stared off at the unexpected visitor from across her. Still, summoning her political charm, she stifled her annoyance and smiled pleasantly at the man. "It's been a while, Owl. You have been gone for long."
You have a lot of nerve showing back here after going AWOL.
An elf popped up and placed refreshments beside them before popping away. Nicholas reached for one of the tea saucers and generously poured himself a drink.
"It seems your administration has fallen into trouble lately, Gloria," Nicholas commented while putting several sugar cubes into it. A vulgar gesture by someone who claimed to represent the very highest of societal norms. Gloria's eye twitched at the insult.
"Reconstruction is a hard job when people refuse to chip in their generous share, Lord Flamel." She said, refusing to acknowledge Flamel's status as the Director of Arcane Intelligence Bureau. As far as she was concerned, Viktor Epcott had taken up that post. He was the new Owl.
"Ah yes, the Goblins," Nicholas commented.
"Even more so than the Goblins are the families that have for some strange reason, refused to cooperate. Such wealth sitting around, not being used, just blatant hoarding…it does give one strange idea." Gloria said.
"Oh?" Nicholas said.
"Like why have most of the families tightened their purses? Most would be pouring money to seize on the rebuilding contracts alone." Gloria said. "It is strange, no? I wonder who or what convinced them. Viktor has his theories…."
Gloria said trailing off at the implication and Nicholas's sly smile confirmed her fears.
"I am sure given appropriate assurances; they can be brought around," Nicholas said.
"I am all ears," Gloria said at which Nicholas placed a folder in front of her. Gloria raised an eyebrow and read it. Her face grew incredibly pale as she read through the documents.
"I know you oversaw the coverup when the Petrov boy murdered the old retired auror. A sworn statement by his accomplice, Rupert, has proven it as well." Nicholas said.
Gloria stammered before tightening her resolve, "I did what needed to be done. Harry Petrov's actions had led to the capture of several of Grindelwald's agents operating in Eldermoor. I will add that all of this was perfectly legal."
She said and tossed the folder back to Nicholas. "Honestly Nicholas, I expected something a lot stronger from you."
Nicholas smiled, "Oh I have no doubt that it was legal. But given how respected the old bastard was in the community, I have no doubt that your own former sub-ordinates in the DMLE will find this interesting."
"You are wasting time here, Nicholas. Leave." Gloria icily said.
"I have a deal for you Bones. Revoke Petrov's privileges. All of them. He can keep his ceremonial titles, but you will brook him no real political power. As for his cabal, you will launch a formal investigation into it." Nicholas said. "And in return, I shall see it that appropriate funds from all sides are made available to your administration."
Gloria laughed at that, "Investigation for what? Helping people?"
"For the intention of starting a vampire cult," Nicholas said and that made Gloria pause as she stared at him wide-eyed.
"What?!" She snapped but Nicholas was unfazed.
"Oh, you didn't know? The hero of all your magekind is a vampire?" Nicholas faux pouted, "How tragic."
"W-what in the blazes are you talking about?!" Gloria yelled but Nicholas was unfazed.
"There is much you have yet to learn little Bones. You are not the Bones matriarch. You are a petulant little girl playing at being a statesman. And a terrible one at that too." Nicholas sneered. "You couldn't defend Britain. Couldn't even get to power through the popular vote. You made a deal with a devil whose malice you can't even begin to understand."
Gloria sat stunned in her seat at that, "Tell me do you know who even his Mistress is? Do you know who Morrigan Gaunt is? Do you know what the Technocratic Union is? Do you know Petrov has led muggles to our doorstep and refused to do anything about it? Do you have any idea that the Statute of Secrecy has been dead for the last 4 years?!"
Gloria didn't reply and Nicholas sneered again. "Of course you don't."
He leaned back and took a few deep breaths. "Our demands are perfectly valid here, Bones. Empower us to deal with the Petrov threat."
"If not?" Gloria asked, teary-eyed.
"If not, we will expose your government for collaboration and collusion with muggles supremacists, traitors, underworld criminals, and being a puppet of a vampire. Furthermore, several corruption cases pertaining to money laundering, illegal smuggling, and bribery will be opened against the House of Bones." Nicholas spat. "Rest assured Gloria, I will drag your entire family behind bars if I must."
A stunned silence followed between the duo before Nicholas spoke again. "And reinstate my position as the director of Arcane Intelligence Bureau, won't you? Somebody will be needed to coddle you again through the Gringotts mess."
Gloria could only weakly nod. Nicholas snorted and vanished from the room. A few silent seconds paused before Gloria was overcome with rage and punched her ornate desk.
He might have won this round, but it wasn't over. Gloria had sacrificed too much for too long to accomplish this. To secure her spot at the top. She didn't lead the nation against the immortal legion and Grindelwald just to lose to a two-bit hack alchemist.
Even if it means losing the ministry, I will ruin him. Gloria vowed.
Forbidden Forest
"Well woven. Now focus the magic inside the object, feel it synchronize within its reverberations." Morrigan commented from the side as she tutored Harry.
Morrigan forced the screaming howling soul of former Grandmaster of the Black Hand into a corpse. Harry tugged at the blood magic coursing through the zombie to force its organs to operate in a perversion of normal life. Synchronizing the pulsing of the soul with Harry's blood magic, the soul was forcibly woven into the zombie-like construct. The zombie then came to life and saluted the duo before being put on standby by Harry. Morrigan conjured a lawn chair behind her and plopped down on it due to exhaustion. Harry followed suit and then lay next to her.
The zombie, a heinous construct of cris crossing surgery scars, odd limbs, and fang-like teeth stared at the duo. It was a large creature with sickening levels of unnatural muscle woven over it. Harry was briefly reminded of all the steroid-addicted bodybuilders he saw in his past life. The heat and humidity of the forest were getting to them and cooling charms cast were of limited effect. Harry sent a thought pulse to the zombie, and it immediately grabbed a large fan from nearby and started blowing it towards them.
"Ohh… that hits the spot." Morrigan groaned and patted his cheek in affection. "You are getting better at this blood magic business, Harry."
"I had a good tutor," Harry replied and Morrigan grinned.
"That you did." She said. "That you really did."
The wolves howled in the distance as the afternoon set began its descent into the night sky. The chittering in the forest grew more extreme. There were several reasons why they had opted to move to the forbidden forest. For one, it granted them an immeasurable level of privacy from the ravenous hounds that were now circling their lives i.e. the media and foreign spies. The media wanted round after round with the dynamic duo. The bureaucrats and party members were pestering Harry to formally join Gloria Bones's government to shore up her poor approval ratings. The foreign spies wanted nothing more than to raid their libraries to find out rare spells, confidential letters, or any other military secrets. The Russians were particularly annoying in their desire to find a kompromat for the young couple.
However, that is not what provoked Harry to shift their operations.
It was the lack of movement on Flamel's part that troubled Harry. Nicholas wasn't an amateur like the rest of these losers. He was a true player of the game. Harry feared that he might be spying on them from some arcane, which means that neither he nor Morrigan could gauge. As such, he had decided to create a fake residence in Eldermoor while maintaining a real one in the Forbidden Forest. The duo had placed countless nasty wards to deter any hostile actions. Blood magic woven into the trees combined with lethal herbology created a hostile, sentient ecosystem that would skewer anyone, courtesy of Harry.
Lethal soul magic wards were carved into the ground to burn the soul of any who tried to attack or snoop on their homespace via astral means, Morrigan took a particular delight in carving those.
If all else failed, Nanzi had laid eggs and established a thick web network a few kilometers from their domain. Moreover, she had taken over the acromantulas of the forest after murdering the resident king. Nanzi had vowed to tear apart any who dared harm her masters. In contrast, an annoyed Nargulith had protested the existence of the acromantulas. He regarded the creatures as vain, focused only on their hunger. Meanwhile, while glorious serpents like him, had guarded Hogwarts for untold centuries. Thus, the couple had been forced to concede some territory for Nargulith to occupy as well when he wasn't resting in the Chamber of Secrets.
Trees had been shaped into creating a comfortable triple-story house that reminded Harry of the infamous moving house of the Russian witch Baba Yaga. Unfortunately, Morrigan wasn't too delighted at the prospect of retreating into the shadows. She was confident in her magic and might. Why should she fear Nicholas when they had brought down the mighty Grindelwald himself? Especially when Harry was now the so-called "Master of Death" after uniting the Deathly Hallows.
Harry disagreed. Flamel might not have the raw power of Grindelwald or Dumbledore, but he knew things. Dangerous secrets buried since the dawn of time. That, in Harry's eyes, made him the most lethal among the trio.
"We should take the fight to him. The ministry is ripe for the taking." Morrigan said and turned to him. Looking him straight in the eyes, "This is everything we have ever worked for, lying just beyond our grasp!"
Harry shook his negative.
"Force alone doesn't guarantee rule. Even the mightiest dark lord can be brought down by mere insurgencies. Considering you have analyzed Tom Riddle's life with a fine comb, you of all people should know that. Fear alone, will never be enough." Harry said.
"For a prince, it is better to be feared than loved." Morrigan quoted.
"And yet the same man said that also said love outweighs fear. Funny how people always forget that last bit." Harry said.
"I will not be denied my destiny…..my birthright… Harry." Morrigan snapped and Harry sighed.
"And I have no intentions of doing that. However, we must be patient here. Nicholas knows that we are stronger than him in a straight-up fight. That's why he would never dare battle us in the open." Harry said. "However, that's not where the trap lies, Morrigan."
"What?" Morrigan said and Harry turned the resurrection stone three times around his finger. A gaunt image of Imperator Octavian emerged by his side and bowed respectfully to Harry.
"The people's love is our ultimate sanction against Nicholas. His actions are precisely what will lead us to victory here. His ham-fisted reinstatement efforts at the Bureau have already pissed off many agents who were deeply suspicious of his absence." Harry said. "Meanwhile, Rita tells me all our approval ratings are through the roof."
"That still doesn't explain why we need to wait? Everything is with us!" Morrigan said.
"Any government that's going to rebuild will need to apply harsh austerity measures to ensure rebuilding," Harry said. "It is a guarantee that the incumbent government will not win an election. Meanwhile, we will be free from such scandals with people demanding we take over. A stark difference from the current mood where we are merely loved."
"The people's love will buy any throne you desire, lord. They will hand over the keys of the city and dare the optimates to contradict them." Octavian said with a heavy accent. Harry nodded at him and dismissed the figure. It bowed again before vanishing.
"All the powerful mages you can summon, and you take lessons from a muggle." Morrigan snidely said. "Where oh where did I go wrong in raising you, my boy?"
Harry laughed at that before wagging a finger at Morrigan, "Evolution happens far faster in the Muggle world than ours, my dear. They have gone through many trials of fire and blood to figure out a worthwhile social contract between them and their rulers. They have far more experience than us in such matters."
Morrigan looked unconvinced before she snorted and looked at the blue sky again.
"Besides, if nothing else, it gives a chance for our allies to recuperate. The house of Black is nearly destroyed. Only now, your friend Cassiopeia has had a chance to establish control. Same with Charlus. The war has taken a lot from their coffers, it will take a while for them to replenish." Harry said and Morrigan couldn't help but concede that point. It had merits.
"Meanwhile, we will move forward into organizing the Cabal into a formidable political force the likes of which the British political landscape has never seen," Harry said.
"You imply that our enemies too won't grow stronger while we lick our wounds," Morrigan said. "Tell me dear, do you honestly think Flamel will sit idly while we operate in the shadows. He struck us first when Grindelwald wasn't even dead."
"When the werewolf, centaur, and troll reinforcements didn't arrive when the second circle was breached, I knew it then and there that somebody had betrayed us," Morrigan said.
"I knew it when the Flamels dragged their feet during the construction of Leviathan. I spotted many deliberate, lethal mistakes that could've resulted in a catastrophic accident." Harry said and Morrigan laughed.
"That is not the worst flaw in your plan, dear." Morrigan harshly said and Harry made an inquiring gesture.
"You forget, the muggles too march for war. All these other fools are distraction, the archenemy too gathers power." Morrigan said. "For how long you are going to postpone confronting Nexus?"
"I haven't postponed anything. It has all been strategic." Harry said.
"Honestly pathetic. Is it your upbringing in the muggle world that prevents you from confronting them directly?" Morrigan mocked.
"Careful," Harry warned and Morrigan continued as if she hadn't heard him.
"We can hide all we want in the shadows, doesn't mean our enemies will return the favor. They gather strength at a rate that is beyond belief." Morrigan said and a thick book conjured near Harry and dropped with an audible thump on the wooden floor.
Harry took the book and peered inside. It was a history of the last 50 years of Muggle weaponry and technological advancement. It also painted a picture of future trends and analysis. Curiously, it was drafted by muggle professors working at an institution called, "Harvard University".
"Where did you get this?" Harry asked.
"You are not the only one who has taken a keen interest in the muggle affairs and the dangers they pose us, Harry. Just think, if I can acquire this, what else can others do?" Morrigan said.
"Nice of you to keep this secret from me," Harry said and Morrigan looked at him in annoyance.
"You are the last person from whom I want to hear about withholding information," Morrigan said and Harry begrudgingly acknowledged that.
"We are at an impasse," Morrigan said as Harry skimmed through the document. "What do you recommend?"
"The society isn't ready for mass-scale wars on par with muggles. The conscription alone broke the social contract between the people and the ministry." Harry said. "Also, we are not strong enough to do the things we think we want. We haven't even completely mastered our artifacts nor the powers of blood and soul magic."
"Agreed." Morrigan sighed.
"It would seem to me, that going on the offensive, would be the best bet to buy time," Harry said and Morrigan smiled for the first time since the evening. "If we have our problems, it seems only fair that our enemies have problems too."
"Now you are talking my language," Morrigan said. "What do you have in mind?"
Consolidation
"And for the resolution numbered #2409, may I have your votes?" The chief warlock announced. "Mind you this is for the elevation of Morrigan Gaunt to the rank of Marshall of the United Kingdom's Magical Forces."
The votes piled in. Crabbe Sr raised a toast as he saw the resolution pass with an overwhelming number despite opposition by the Potters, Blacks, and Epcott.
"We have success gentlemen!" Crabbe announced.
The resolution was originally designed to award land and titles to Grindelwald's vanquishers i.e. Harry Petrov and Morrigan Gaunt. However, simply removing them from public view wouldn't amount to too much given their popularity. Morrigan was a legend in the uniformed military. Harry Petrov was a legend in the spy world and beyond. Thus, it was deemed wise to give them toothless roles that amounted to no real power.
Morrigan, by formal decree, would be elevated to the formal role of Marshall. A position that was ranked high above all but commanded no real troop divisions or armor. At best it would be used to pin medals on the chest of mages who wielded actual power.
"A fitting punishment for a bitch who dared to look too high." Monty Lestrange commented, and others murmured in agreement.
"And for the resolution numbered #2410, may I have your votes?" The warlock said. "Mind you this resolution is for requiring all welfare groups to register with the Ministry of Magic for continued operations."
The votes piled in. Only the political blocks hastily organized by Blacks and Potters opposed the movement.
"Another success!" Goyle sr. "You have really outdone yourself here, Flamel!"
However, Nicholas wasn't amused. In fact, he was worried. He expected that Harry's allies, the Potters and Blacks would be overly supportive of him. As such, the historically dark families would expose their new political leanings and be exiled from their pureblood halls until they repented. Nicholas had calculated that Harry would've cajoled Morrigan to use her political allies as well. Thus, they would've been rid of the whole bunch in one strike. Unfortunately, Morrigan's allies had overwhelmingly voted for Nicholas's sponsored resolutions. Something was amiss here. No matter, this wasn't the only poison in his arsenal. The Petrov boy had overplayed his hand. Nicholas was almost disappointed.
I thought you would have a bit more fight in you, my apprentice. Nicholas thought to himself.
The final resolution was called in, Nicholas's greatest coup d'teat. Not even the minister was aware of it. He looked towards where the minister was seated, and she looked supremely confident. A beast of anxiety gnawed at his heart and Nicholas felt that something had gone horribly wrong. Still, he steadied his beating heart and put on a stoic display. He was the captain of this ship, he needed to appear brave for his troop's sake.
"And for resolution #2411, the amendment to introduce the office of High Lord to share the responsibilities of the office of the Minister of Magic to ensure the smooth running of the government." The Chief Warlock announced. "Please cast your votes now."
To Nicholas's wariness, the resolution was passed unanimously. Even the boisterous Crabbe looked peeved at Potter and Black's support for the resolution. Minister Bones gestured for the Chief Warlock to grant her the floor. The Warlock acknowledged her, and she rose, "Esteemed members of the Wizengamot. I congratulate you all on the revolutionary measures you have passed. Truly the unity of our country is at an unparalleled, unprecedented level."
The applause rumbled on and Nicholas was on edge.
"In spirit of such a momentous occasion, I would like to put forth a resolution." Minister Bones said. "For the position of High Lord,
Nicholas sharply turned to Crabbe, "She is planning something. Get the warlock to call for a recess or something."
"Doubt he can do anything." Monty said fearfully, "The minister is speaking, all eyes are on him."
"Damn it!" Nicholas said as he slammed a hand against the marble railing.
"I would like to nominate a decorated veteran of the great war, a young man who will provide a generational shift and represent the voice of the youth, an heir of a great house – Lord Abraxas Malfoy!" Gloria said and internally cackled as she saw the conservative bloc pale and start bickering amongst themselves. This wasn't who Nicholas Flamel had told them to vote. But now that they were exposed, afraid of pissing off Abraxas Malfoy wasn't something that could be done lightly.
Nicholas's mind raced as he tried to understand the play here while votes poured in for Lord Malfoy. The pureblood block had been broken 50/50. Malfoy would've lost if not for the last-minute intervention of Viktor Epcott's muggleborns who unanimously voted for their political arch-nemesis. Gasps broke out in the entire Wizengamot as results poured in for everyone to view. Abraxas had won the vote with a decisive majority.
What is going on here? Nicholas thought with maddening fury. Applause broke out on the entire floor as people streamed to congratulate the Malfoy lord. Malfoy appeared on a large magical mirror as he addressed the entire crowd. Nicholas's eyes narrowed as he spotted the Malfoy lord wearing a familiar brooch hidden under charms. Nicholas knew the charms were specifically made so that only he could see beneath them. It was the symbol he had seen outside the Hogwarts's walls.
A ghastly serpent coiled around a grinning skull.
Fin.
Author Notes: People, please vote in the poll. I ain't asking for much. Its available on my profile.
Read and Review!
