Chapter 18:

We had another planning meeting. I said, "We leverage, we use persuasion. We strike like snakes. We do not line up and have a fair fight across a battlefield."

We went over the details and all agreed to a plan.

I started a global newspaper called, Wizarding Today. It included news throughout the world plus a small section of events in many different magical ministries and non-magical countries. It had a daily front page editorial. It also had continuing education sections to teach the readers about certain developments. The price of the paper was subsidized by my enterprises, which were its only advertisers, and kept low. There were occasional offers to buy something from my enterprises and get a free subscription as a bonus.

I had educational articles about nuclear weapons, chemical warfare, biological warfare. More and more urgent articles about how with recent changes in the non-magical world, there is more proliferation of these weapons, and not under the control of only a few so far responsible governments. A lot of attention to the recent upheaval in the Soviet Union in 1991 suddenly having their weapons not under a clear line of control.

I was reviewing some of the now months long plan with Khan, "I was looking at this non-magical book published in 1992 entitled, The End of History. He says that there will be no more history and that the Western liberal democracy will be the final form of human government.

I will wait until the proper time and see what this Mr. Fukuyama thinks."

Khan asked, "While we will indeed make history soon. How will history see us?"

I replied, "History is written by the victors."

Khan added, "Largely, but there is usually the revisionist view of history. I think what that we will build would be too brittle if we try, and I repeat try to suppress revisionist views. It did not work for the recently overthrown communist nations."

I answered, "You don't sound like yourself in that future video yelling about how we brought them order."

Khan added, "Order yes. Trying to stop every insult would make us look ridiculous. We would be chasing down graffiti artists."

I said, "That didn't work out in the end for Ceaușescu. For that matter, we should review the Romania, Moldova, and Transnistria plan."

Draco scaled up his training regimen at Hogwarts. He now had tutors arriving to teach magical fighting, martial arts, magical strength, and fighting against muggle weapons.

The classes were outdoors and made into a public spectacle. The fact that it looked like fun caused a lot of students to join. Given the Hogwarts Charter rules he was using, he couldn't turn anyone away unless they misbehaved in this activity.

They arranged some safe ways to train with firearms, blades, and explosives. Draco was training an army. One of the lessons was in using standard NATO and Soviet style rifles, specially modified to hold also a wand. They were doing basic training and learning small unit tactics and how to incorporate magic in ways not visible to non-magicals.

Each participant had magical devices in their ears to allow communication with each other and to shield their ears from loud noises. It was designed to look like a fairly advanced non-magical device.

They also learned to combine martial arts with wandless strengthening and damage resistance spells. It was all very entertaining but also taught them various fighting methods, and how to follow orders and operate as a unit.

Tutors also provided special lessons to use what was being taught in Defense against Dark Arts in Draco's year and previous years. They would practice those spells in simulated combat conditions.

The potions tutor was still teaching a small group advanced potions theory. He also had a larger class to teach the rapid and accurate production of combat potions. Those would be potions needed in the field by a magical army and its medics.

While the entire group was being taught to be a field medic, those with interest and ability in that area were being given more in depth training.

Dumbledore and McGonagall were watching a class. The instructor was dressed as a British drill sergeant. The students were wearing British army camo pattern fatigues. The training dummies were human shaped but had an obvious appearance of a robot.

The instructor said, "Don't worry son, it is shooting blanks at ya. The magical scorecard will show if you are hit. You are shooting blanks also, so while don't aim at your fellow recruit, no harm will come to him if you do.

Today we are going to practice using hidden magic against non-magicals. You move your rifle just like your wand, since your wand is in its holder.

You are taught silent magic in sixth year, but I want all of you to try to learn it as soon as you can. Also learn to cast without wand gestures. I have a book for each of you to take at the end of today's lesson.

Today's lesson. Aim at the enemy rifle, transfigure all explosives to sand. You've seen the cartridges taken apart, so you know what to visualize. Whether it is NATO or Soviet style you know where they are found. Don't forget the one in the chamber. Don't forget his spare mags and where he carries them.

While you are doing that, the defense member of the fire team casts a colorless shield.

Move out!"

The students went to their assigned places and the exercise started. Some were tagged by enemy fire, but most succeeded.

"Tomorrow we will learn to respond instantly to grenades. Next week we will work on artillery and aerial bombing."

Draco was essentially daring Dumbledore to try to shut it down, but he was well covered by the fine print of the Hogwarts charter and had the support of the Board of Governors.

As we expected, Dumbledore called me in for a meeting. "I knew I wouldn't get anything out of your son, except him quoting the Hogwarts charter, so I asked to speak to you.

Is it really necessary to train an army of child soldiers?"

"Albus, we know that there are trends of non-magical technology that might make the Statute of Secrecy collapse. We have to prepare the wizarding world to defend itself if that should be needed."

Dumbledore answered, "Lucius, are we preparing?"

I answered, "Albus, I am looking out for the future survivability of witches and wizards, and as well to prevent catastrophes from happening to the non-magical part of humanity.

I also came to know that there are advanced space-faring civilizations in nearby star systems. Earth will need to be united to face the challenges that contact with them will bring. It will also need to develop technologies we cannot even contemplate now. The wizarding world alone is not capable of this, and while the non-magical world alone might be, it would do far better with magical help. The future of humanity is at stake here."

Dumbledore looked to be at a loss for words, "Are you prepared to offer evidence of this?"

I answered, "Not yet. I will do so when that is possible.

Albus, not all of your ideas when you and Grindelwald were together were incorrect. He had a hatred of non-magicals that tainted his endeavors. I think we can do better, and that we cannot leave the status quo alone."

Dumbledore said, "Is conspiring with criminals the right pathway to a just future?"

I answered, "When the status quo cannot abide, and will not easily institutionally change, by definition, one must become a law breaker. I ask you to search deeply into your own ideals and see where the common good might lead. Is adherence to law based on non-magical technology of 300 years ago going to lead to that common good?

You are a Griffyndor. Think boldly. Think beyond the status quo, and we might be able to come to a mutually agreeable partnership.

Obviously you are going to be wary of my goals and interests, since I do look after my own interests and do not believe in being bound by law. Rest assured, I want a future for my family, and a future for wizard-kind that will prosper in the coming centuries. 100 years from now will look nothing like now, no matter how much we might wish it be so. The best we can do is guide that evolution instead of being caught blindsided by sudden changes in our planet's circumstances.

There are also non-magical developments that we must be ready for. Networked cameras. Nuclear weapons becoming more common and not just under the control of a few well established governments. Biological warfare. Did you know that diseases will soon be able to crafted to attack those of us with magic?"

Dumbledore said, "When you have something to ask of me, I will listen. I cannot say what my response will be."

I told him, "Do you understand what the greater good actually means? Wait, don't answer that.

I'll tell you what it does not mean. It does not mean standing by before non-magical trends crash onto themselves in destruction. It does not mean waiting for witch hunts to commence.

It does mean that we look after humanity, both magical and non-magical."

Dumbledore said, "Those are nice words. Gellert Grindelwald also had similar nice words.

I answered, "Grindelwald saw the horrors that advances of non magical technology applied to warfare would bring, before the non-magical Second World War. Those abilities have only increased, and increased by factors of thousands, in the last half century, and will likely increase yet again in the next half century.

He was driven to destroy non-magicals as a goal. I want to guide them away from horrors, and towards productive use of their extraordinary collective ability of invention. Earth will need to prevail in space. Wizarding society has not shown the innovation ability nor rapid increase in technology, that the non-magical society has. Combining those, whether secretly or openly, will give us that chance.

You were led astray by Grindelwald. With me you are being given the chance to help see that I uphold the same ideals you expressed as a youth.

I encourage you to study the recent developments of non-magical science and technology in areas of space travel, computers, biotechnology, mass production, and many others. You should also understand the incredible power of non-magical weapons and how the present era of breaking down of empires paradoxically is causing those weapons to be in looser control than they were.

Work with me. Be my conscience, my better voice. There are tasks to be done to secure a good future for all.

I do not want to be your enemy. I want your advice, I want your help."

Dumbledore answered, "What you are asking for is madness."

I said, "I want an official ICW resolution to give us authority to accomplish what needs to be accomplished."

Dumbledore asked, "To give official cover to private ventures?"

I answered, "You have done the same. Your burnt bird group wasn't exactly above board."

Dumbledore chuckled, "That was to fight against you and your boss. Will I need to do the same again?"

I answered, "No. I want a good outcome for all. Yes, I might want my finger in the money pie, but that is a minor indulgence. I do want the common good. I will admit that I also want the personal good. I think together we can accomplish more common good than not.

Think about it. I and others will be presenting a resolution to the ICW. If your wisdom and influence can help the success of the future of wizarding and the safety of non-magicals, it is what I want, instead of an unnecessary conflict."

Dumbledore asked, "What do you hope to achieve in the next 100 years."

I answered, "That time is well within a wizarding lifespan. Long before that time I want a stable non-magical society that is prosperous, peaceful, and has a significant presence in space. I want magic to help them with their lives, and I want their technology to help with ours. I want those with magical ability to be considered just that, not to be feared, but as those who have a role in a peaceful society with certain abilities."

Dumbledore said, "I will await to hear exactly what you want from the ICW.

I note that you didn't issue veiled threats, but I suppose they are implied."

I answered, "Like I said, I do not want to be your enemy. Contingencies would presumably exist. You yourself defeated Grindelwald, and no I have no intention of breaking him out of Nurmengard, he has nothing that I want to learn from him.

The greater good will not be served by defeating the agents of change. Change is scary, I understand, but the status quo cannot hold. Remove me and my associates and the ponderous inertia driven society will be blindsided by the world changing around them. I seek your counsel, not your enmity."