I do not own Harry Potter. But i do own a pocketwatch. Not a magical one, but a pocketwatch all the same.

Chapter 40

"This is Lee Jordan Royal Correspondent reporting live from the Ministry of Magic where moments ago the Boy Who Lived, Lord Harry Potter shot and killed the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge." Lee Jorden reported over the Wizard wireless.

"The incident happened as Her Majesty the Queen finished addressing the Wizengamot. Minister Fudge stood up with his wand raised and Lord Potter fired a muggle gun hitting the Minister twice in the forehead."

"Lord Potter has been disarmed, arrested and removed from the chamber. Her Majesty the Queen has returned to the Robing Room and is under close guard from members of the Household Cavalry and several Aurors." Lee continued speaking into a magical microphone as cameras flashed around him.

"It is unclear at this time if the remainder of the Royal Visit will be cancelled or at least postpone. However, I can tell you that a member of the Ministry Benche, who has asked to remain anonymous believes they heard the Minister begin to cast the Killing curse at Her Majesty. If that is true and that spellhitst hom,e one can only imagine the trouble that would cause the strained relationship between the Magical and Muggle governments."

"Aurors have completed their preliminary investigation of the scene and the body of Minister Fudge is being removed to an undisclosed location where a magical autopsy will be conducted. Lord Potter will most likely remain in custody and be questioned throughout the day, but if Minister Fudge was casting the killing curse it may be deemed that Lord Potter acted completely appropriately."

"For the moment the Ministry is acting without a Minister. It is expected that either SeniorUndersecretaryy Dolores Umbridge or Chief Warlock Amelia Bones will be sworn in as the Interim minister within the next few days."

"We will bring you more on this alarming situation as it comes in. I am Lee Jorden for the Wizarding Wireless Network at the Ministry of Magic."

Harry had been left in a holding cell for most of the day. A goblet of water and some bread was brought to him but he could not bring himself to touch it. He had demanded his solicitor be contacted, but he didn't know if Ted had been summoned, or even if he would consent to come. Thoroughly miserable in his surroundings the only solace that he had managed to find was that Fudge was about to cast the killing curse and in that situation, Harry had no choice but to act. But he could have used his wand and disarmed Fudge. Why did he use the gun? Why had he even brought it with him? He didn't know the answer to those questions, but he was sure that those answers would be required of him before the day was out. But no matter the consequences, no matter the method and no matter the necessity, he had taken a life, and not in the heat of battle. Harry Potter was a killer.

The cell door was opened and in the frame stood Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"My Lord." Kingsley said, "Would you be so good as to follow me."

"What's happening Kingsley?" Harry asked. "Where are you taking me?"

"You will find out when we get there," Shacklebolt said motioning for Harry to follow. "Can I trust you not to do anything foolish My Lord?"

"Like shooting the Minister of Magic?" Harry asked. "They took my wand."

"This way My Lord." Shacklebolt nodded. "No sudden movement you hear ?" Kingsley led Harry away from the cells. They walked in silence past the interrogation rooms and into the custody suite where the desk sergeant watched on silently. Kingsley led Harry out of the custody suite up a flight of stairs and into the Aurors office. They continued past all the desks with Aurors staring at Harry.

"What is going on?" Harry demanded. "I want to speak to my solicitor."

"All in good time My Lord," Shacklebolt said. "Keep going."

Kingsley led Harry from the DMLE and to the lifts where Tonks was awaiting them.

"I've kept the lift for you," Tonks said.

"Thank you, Tonks," Kingsley said. "Inside My Lord."

Harry entered the lift followed by Kingsley and Tonks. Tonks pressed a button and the lift began to rise.

"I know you're both in the order," Harry said. "And I order you to fucking tell me what is going to happen to me!"

"Simply put My Lord," Kingsley said gravely. "You are to be put to the sword."

"WHAT!" Harry yelled. "That can't do that. I am a Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter! I demand a trial."

"You can demand all you want," Kingsley said. "But you are wasting your breath, My Lord. The die is cast."

Harry felt the lift rise and the three stood in silence as the floors whizzed by.

"First Floor." A disembodied voice declared. "Executive Offices including Senior Undersecretary and Minister of Magic Office."

"This way My Lord," Shacklebolt ordered taking Harry by the left arm, Tonks taking him by the right. They led Harry along the corridor to the large double doors of the Minister's office. Percy Weasley stood next to the doors and opened them.

Inside the Minister's office, Amelia Bones stood to the left of the empty chair and Dumbledore to the right.

"You have really caused a lot of trouble, My Lord." Bones said, her face straight. "You killed the Minister of Magic, in full view of the Wizengamot. For God's sake Potter you shot the man live on air on the wireless."

"He was going to assassinate the Queen." Harry protested. "What should I have done?"

"Oh, I don't know. Used your words? Shit used your wand!" Bones snapped. "You have put us right up shit creek Potter and now you are going to have to face the consequences."

"So that's it then?" Harry spat. "I saved the Queen of England's life, I stopped the Muggles from wiping us out, which they fucking well will have. And you fucking pricks bring me here to what? Execute me on Fudge's desk? Well fuck you both and the broom you flew in on. I hope Voldemort obliterates you!"

"Whoever said anything about execution?" Dumbledore asked.

"Shacklebolt told me that I am to be put to the sword."

"Kingsley said that?" Dumbledore demanded. "I do believe there has been a misunderstanding."

"Very soon I expect Dolores Umbridge to come in here and attempt to take over as Interim Minister." Bones said. "I don't think that is something we want to happen. If Umbridge gets that kind of power I believe she will come for you right away. Therefore I think the first thing we need to do is establish why you acted the way you did."

"The man stood up with his wand in hand." Harry protested. "Everyone heard him begin to cast the curse."

"That is true. But you seemed poised. Ready to act." Bones pressed, years as an investigator taking over.

"I had been watching him," Harry said. "When Fudge came into the chamber he looked utterly defeated. His eyes were unfocused like he wasn't even listening to the speech. Then all of a sudden his eyes came back into focus and he seemed very determined. He sat up straighter."

"Would you be willing to submit to taking Veritaserum and then allowing Auror Sergeant Shacklebolt to extract your memories of the event?" Bones asked.

"I suppose. When?" Harry asked.

"Well, now I suppose." Bones said. "Time is of the essence."

"What about my solicitor? Shouldn't Ted Tonks be here for something like this?"

"Ted is awaiting you in another room should you wish to discuss this with him," Dumbledore told him. "But this is a very sensitive matter so I would like to recommend that you engage me to act as council in this matter."

"All right," Harry said. "Let's do it."

Bones administered the potion.

"When one is given Veritisrem and supplies a memory" Dumbledore explained "The memory will be the exact truth in every single detail."

"Now Lord Potter." Kingsley said taking his wand out, "I want you to focus on the events that took place in the Wizengamot chamber this morning." Kingsley placed his wand at Harry's temple and began to draw a silvery memory strained out of Harry's head and directed them into a pensive on the desk.

"With your permission Lord Potter, Shacklebolt, Dumbledore and I will enter the memory." Bones said.

"Do whatever the fuck you want," Harry said. "I don't give a shit. Railroad me, don't railroad me, you need me and you fucking know it."

"I think Lord Potter is still feeling the effects of the veritaserum," Tonks smirked.

"And I think Nymphadora is a bloody stupid name," Harry responded. Tonks continued to giggle as she pored the antidote for Harry.

After a few moments of observing the memory Bones, Dumbledore and Shacklebolt came back out of the pensive.

"Very well Lord Potter, after careful consideration of this evidence as Chief Warlock, and Albus concurs as one of the Ministerial Magistrates, I find that you have acted entirely appropriately in the circumstances. Your quick thinking almost certainly saved the life of the Queen." Bones told him matter-of-factly. "You are free to go."

"Thank you," Harry said. "How is the Queen?"

"Her Majesty, while shocked, has experienced no ill effects," Dumbledore said. "We have been invited to call upon Her Majesty at your earliest convenience."

"Who me?" Harry spluttered "Why?"

"Yourself and I." Dumbledore smiled. "As to why I am unsure but I would assume Her Majesty would like to extend personal thanks to you for your timely intervention."

"I need to talk to Hermione." Harry said, "She was in the Chamber so she will be freaking out."

"Miss Granger is well Harry," Dumbledore told him. "And You will be able to see her very soon."

"Right then," Harry said. "I suppose we are going to Buckingham Place.

Whilst Harry and Dumbledore travelled to Buckingham Palace Bones stayed behind at the Ministry. She was sitting behind the Minister's desk going through the draws when Umbridge entered the room.

"Oh Amilia dear, you already here," Umbridge said with a sickly smile. "We can get the swearing-in over and done with, you can be on your way and I will get on with sorting this mess out. Potter will stand trial of course. Is he still in the Dementor cell?"

"No Dolores Dear." Bones responded matching Umrbidge's tone. "Lord Potter has been released without charge and has been summoned to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Queen. And I am not here to swear you in."

"As Senior Undersecretary it is my role to step in for the Minister," Umbridge argued.

"That is not entirely accurate." Bones told her matter of factly. "If for whatever reason a Minister of Magic is unable to execute their duties then yes, the Senior Undersecretary does take control, but that is in case of illness or if the Minister is away on business. However, in this situation, we currently do not have a Minister of Magic." Bones explained.

"Of course we do." Umbridge insisted. "Cornelius Fudge was elected as Minister for Magic. He appointed me his Senior Undersecretary."

"That is true. But unfortunately, Cornelius Fudge is dead." Bones said bluntly. "He is no longer the Minister for Magic. As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, it falls to me to sit as Interim Minister until an election can be organised."

"There isn't due to be an election for several years. Are you seriously saying that you will be squatting in the Minister's Office all that time?"

"Of course not. I will be meeting with the Prime Minister and the Palace officials over the next few days to organise the next step, but I believe an election may be called as early as February. You are welcome to stand Dolores, but it will not be as incumbent acting Minister."

"This is outrageous." Umbridge snapped stamping her foot.

"This is politics." Bones smirked "And Dolores, I would like your resignation on my desk by tomorrow morning."

"Resignation?"

"Yes, you couldn't possibly think you would be allowed to remain as the Senior Undersecretary the way you have behaved recently. Your obsession with Lord Potter notwithstanding, you have so far failed as an Inquisitor and at just about everything else you have put your mind to whilst in your post. If you do not give me your resignation by tomorrow morning I will be announcing your sacking to the media at lunchtime. I am allowing you to bow out gracefully. You should take it."

"You have not heard the last from me, Amelia!" Umbridge shrieked as she fled from the Office.

"No." Bones agreed. "I rather think I haven't."

The limousine ride from Whitehall to the Palace was short and uneventful. If the footman of the Palace household found it strange that people in robes suddenly started having a Royal Audience they did not pass comment, at least in public, but they did share a look at Harry's rather dishevelled appearance as he accompanied Dumbledore into the palace. The Headmaster noticed the glance exchanged by the footman and then he looked at Harry's wrinkled and dirty robes.

"Ah. yes." Dumbledore muttered. He directed Harry into a corner of the entrance. "Scourgify." he cast discreetly waving his wand at Harry. Harry's robes instantly became clean and pressed with a slight hint of lavender. "Right. This way I think."

Dumbledore led Harry to the official throne room of the Palace, where Queen Elizabeth the Second sat beside her husband on a dais. In front of the thrones, there were a few rows of chairs filled with various people including Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Fred and George Weasley and Professor McGonagall as well as Mr and Mrs Granger. There were others there that Harry did not recognise except from newspapers and television including the Prime Minister.

"Please come forward, Lord Potter." Prince Phillip beckoned. "Now it is not often that I am granted permission to speak at these affairs, such is the life of the man behind the woman so to speak, but today I watched you assess a threat quickly and decisively act to neutralise that threat. You saved the life of the Queen, and your country owes you a debt of gratitude. More importantly my young friend, you saved the life of my wife and I owe you a personal debt of gratitude. You have my Thanks."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Harry responded.

"I am merely a Highness dear boy, but I thank you for the promotion." Prince Phillip quipped.

"I would like to also extend my thanks to you My Lord." The Queen said. "My ancestors have often faced assassination attempts, but today was the first time I have ever looked down the barrel of the metaphorical gun. I know that you already have the honour to be the Earl of Somerset but I wonder if you would accept a further honour from me?"

"It would be my honour, Your Majesty," Harry responded.

"Splendid." The queen said standing. "If you would please kneel"

Harry did as he was asked.

"Now usually when I knight someone I use my father's sword. But the esteemed Professor Dumbledore has informed me that this one may be more appropriate." She picked up the sword of Gryffindor that a footman presented to her on a scarlet pillow. "The noblest order of the Garter is the greatest honour I can bestow upon you and is entirely at the discretion of the Sovereign." The Queen explained. "I dub thee Sir Harry Potter, Earl of Somerset, Knight Companion of the Most Noble order of the Garter." as she spoke the Queen gently tapped Harry's shoulder with the sword. "Arise Sir Harry."

Harry stood up and a blue Garter was tied around his right leg. A blue sash draped over his left shoulder and a star hung at his right hip.

"You will of course receive the customary investiture at Garter Day in June, but for now this ad-hoc ceremony will do." The Queen went on. "As the only magical Knight Companion you will act as my messenger to your Wizengamot. I would also take it as a favour if you would act as an advisor to the Prime Minister."

"I'm just a school kid." Harry objected.

"My dear Sir Harry." The Queen said. "You are more than just a schoolboy. You are a warrior and a politician. You are going to do great things."

"Is that a Royal Command Ma'am?" Harry asked smiling

"Bloody well right it is!" Phillip chuckled. "And you would do well to heed it young man."

"Then how can I refuse." Harry agreed reluctantly, "I will do whatever I can to help."

"Thank you, Sir Harry." The Prime Minister smiled shaking Harry's hand. "I am sure we will be in touch. Any help you need in the fight against Voldemort please just ask."

"I will." Harry agreed.

With that statement a flash of there was a sudden flash and a golden glow encased Harry's amputated arm and a new magical arm attached itself to the stump. The gold changed to flesh colour as Harry wiggled the new fingers.

"You are ready for the next stage now Sir Harry." The disembodied voice of Merlin echoed through the room.

"Well, I do believe that we have been blessed." The Queen murmured. "That was truly a miracle."

"That, Your Majesty." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Was Magic it's self paying a debt."

The gathering continued for a short while before an owl arrived to recall Harry and Dumbledore to the Wizenagamont.

"ORDER" Bones called slamming the staff down on the floor of the chamber. "It is my duty to update this chamber on the dramatic events of this morning. Healers, magical pathologists and necromancers have examined the remains of Cornelius Fudge and they have determined that he was indeed under the Imperious Curse at the time of his death." A loud and shocked gasp resonated throughout the chamber.

"As we are currently acting without a Minister of Magic I have under the Ministry Charter been installed as Interim Minister until such time that an election may be organised, as such it would not be appropriate for me to stand as Chief Warlock."

This was to be expected. And the leaders of the various political branches had already discussed this likelihood and how best to proceed. "Therefore, as is the tradition, as the outgoing Chief, I would like to nominate Albus Dumbledore to return to this position which he has always undertaken with great honour. All of those of the same opinion say, Aye."

A near-unanimous response of Aye rang throughout the chamber.

"Those to the contrary say nay!" There was no audible Nays. "Then the Ayes have it. The Ayes have it."

Dumbledore stood from his position and took the Staff of Merlin from Bones who then took up the position of the Minister of Magic.

"Thank you, friends," Dumbledore said with his head bowed. "We shall once again meet on the morrow to discuss the many issues that this country currently faces. Until then, go in peace and harmony. This session is concluded."

Dumbledore banged the staff on the floor dismissing the chamber.

A dark cloud still hung over the United Kingdom, the threat of Voldemort loomed ever closer and new threats of discovery and interference from the Muggles had begun to peek over the horizon, but now, perhaps for the first time sinceVoldemort'ss first downfall, Albus Dumbledore felt hope. Hope that not only would Harry Potter rise to his destiny to destroy Voldemort, but that for the first time in many centuries, the Magical and Muggle communities could, if not reunite, then at least co-exist together.

Authers Notes:

Well this is it! The final chapter. The end of the road. This tail is told. Their is more story to tell, but not in this file.

This has been some what of a life long dream for me. I have started many storys over the years, fan fictions, short storys, novels and I have never been able to keep up the pase and finnish them. Well I wont be able to say that any more! I started to write this story five years ago when I was on furlough during Covid as my way of copeing with the boredom and I cant belive the response I have had. 40 chapters 130,00 ish words loads of followers and reviewers. I am so thankful to every one who has interacted with this work.

At this point i would like to acknowlage every one who has helped over the years. If you have Beterd for me in the past and you are still, by some mirical reading this thank you so much. And ofcorse most recently I have to thank Kevin who has been invaluable in finnishing this story, his work on my spellings and grammor has been amazing. He has also helped with composision and rephraiseing. Thank you Sir, you are a scholor and a Gentelman.

Hudy Leak613: Their you go the next, and final chapter! I do hope you enjoyed it!

Charlee56: Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed it. I have had that particular plot twist in mind when i first started writeing this story all those years ago.

FenreldStormblade: It was a bit evil wasnt it? is it worse for you to know that I've actually had this chapter written since the day i posted the last one but complitely forgot to send it to my beta? you could have been reading this at least a week ago.

Blind-Phionix: Is this what you thaught would happen?

Thank you to every one who has reviewd this story I do appreciate you all.

I have allready started working on the sequal, but it is in the early stages and it is very VERY rough, so it's no where near ready for publication. but please do hit that like and subscribe button (look at me being down with the kids) for updates. Now I'm off to change the status of this story to complite and then have a beer. Please do continue to leave reviews I do appreciate them!

Chris