"Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good. It was natural, perhaps, that they formed their own small communities within a community. Many small villages and hamlets attracted several magical families, who banded together for mutual support and protection."
— Bathilda Bagshot, A History of Magic
But During the German Rise, Grindelwald shattered it.
The Strongest Organization in the World stepped forward to offer Global Security…
The Magical World prepared for another war with the Catholic Church… When a Muggle from New York stepped forward with an Idea.
Jacob Kowalski knew the Risks of Facing the World of Magic. While, Yes, The Normals would win in the End… the cost would be beyond reckoning.
The Great Minds of the World came together for talks. While Albus Dumbledore tried to join these talks… He was needed to oversee the rebuilding of England's Magical Society…
Jacob Kowalski was called forward as an expert witness and Voice of the Wizen. He made no secret that his Wife was a 'Witch' while he was a 'No-Maj'.
It was decided that no one branch of Government, global or otherwise, should have say over the 'Maj'.
As Such the 'Accords' were Drafted…
As each 'World Recognized Nation' had something recognised as a Council of Magical Practitioners, and most were a Member of the ICW… A Global Security Council of Magical Practitioners was Ordained. They Answered to the United Nations and Interpol.
G.S.C.M.P. The Council for Short.
Their Attack Dogs were the Blackstaff Corp.
The Blackstaff Corp took in Orphans of Magic Wars and trained them for a life of Service.
But like any Global Organization… after twenty years… cracks appeared, things fell through these cracks… sometimes filling the cracks, sometimes making them bigger/worse.
In Nineteen Sixty, America went through a social shift. And as all eyes were looking at the slumbering giant thrashing through their 'growing pains', no one was watching England's answer to the same.
When the World noticed… the Dark Lord Voldemort had the nation in a grip of terror… and just before he made his Move to become a Global Player… he Vanished. The People declared that he was destroyed.
The Council watched…
Sirius Black was accused of Betraying the Potters, but when he was sentenced to Azkaban… a Squad of Blackstaffs investigated… and demanded that Black actually sit trial. In that time, little Harry Potter Vanished. By the time Sirius Black was exonerated, Harry Potter was placed where his acting Guardian thought he would be safe, and he refused to surrender the location.
Lord Black, the Grandfather of Sirius Black, Demanded that Albus Dumbledore answer for his crimes of Kidnapping the Heir of one of England's Ancient and Noble Houses. Because Hogwarts was an Accorded Sanctuary, Albus Dumbledore was untouchable as long as he was Headmaster… but he was condemned to Die on those Grounds.
Now this is where things get sticky.
You see, Albus Dumbledore tried to Hide Harry under the Fidelius Charm, and thinking himself Clever, he made Harry the Secret Keeper.
"Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived."
Sirius Black was not looking for 'Harry Potter'. He was looking for his Pup, little Pronglet.
Remus Lupin was not looking for 'Harry Potter', he was looking for his Cub… his Alpha.
Albus Dumbledore forgot where he had put the brat. But he knew that on the Boy's Eleventh Birthday, he would receive a Letter from Hogwarts.
BAHP
A burst of accidental magic brought an Auror Patrol by number four Privet Drive.
One Vernon Dursley objected to their presence… until he learned that they would take the Boy away.
An Hour Later, Harry Potter was in the Ministry, getting a health check up, before being sent to the Council run orphanage… while Vernon and family forgot about the boy.
At the age of ten Harry Potter was tested… and found to be a craft user.
He was entered into the 'Witch Hunter' program. Three out of five craft users are sheeple. Good, God(dess) fearing people just trying to eek out a living. The other twenty percent are split between Law Enforcement, mercenary exploration and dangerous animal handling.
By Global Accorded Agreement, No Nation, State, City, or Person other than the Council was allowed to Man, Equip, or Board Military Craft Users. Schools around the World that had a School Charter dated Nineteen Fifty or older were allowed to keep their doors open…
So, July Twenty-fifth, of Harry's 'tenth-eleventh' year… a tawny bodied barn owl arrived with a letter with a green glittery ink that changed colours as the light played across it.
HARKON J. POTTER
Dorm: 6D
Rapheal Hall
Adalbert Academy
Prague
Harry took his letter, unopened, to the Corporal in charge of 'Raph Hall'.
He was sent to the Commandant of the Academy.
He was ordered to open the letter… he drew his Atheme* to ease open the envelope without excess damage.
First page
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc.)
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been recognized as a Legacy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Second page
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Harry sighed as he passed over the letter.
(all speech is in Turkish)
The Commandant sighed. "Well that is a beneficial find. We have been trying to get someone into Hogwarts for the last decade. There is no legal way for us to interfere with how the old fool runs his school. But with him inviting you in… that changes things. How are your Classes coming along?"
"As you no doubt know, my Combat Mastery is my best class. I am holding my own in languages, having mastered the basics of Spanish, French, Russian, and Mandarin. I can translate Latin and Crilic and Greek. I could use a little help in Math… and my sciences…"
"Yeah… when you do anything but read the books… things go…" the scared faced man sighed
"Boom." Harry grinned.
"Still wondering what you did to that water bottle…"
"I just shook it to get a read on the balance weight before throwing it like the others." Harry looked straight ahead.
"Something to figure out later…" the man leaned forward. "Master Sergeant Riker will take you to London where you can owl Hogwarts. You will leave right after Lunch. Have your Ruck packed. Wear your civies, we are not announcing that you're training to be a Blackstaff. You will want to talk to Gringotts if, as your letter says, you're a Legacy." He handed the pages back. "Dismissed."
BAHP
Just after Lunch rush, Tom noticed the Door to London opened as a boy led a Squib into the Tavern. "Can I help you, Gents?"
"Young one got his Letter." the squib grumbled. He sounded like Hagrid looked. "Instructions said this was the first test." Both had walking sticks.
"Most have trouble finding the front door." Tom grinned. "That door over there leads to the Back… You either find your way through… or wait for someone to show you the secret." He tossed his head towards the back.
The two moved through the crowd with ease, the Lad carrying a canvas bag on his back… a bag bigger than half his size.
As they exited, Minerva McGonagall entered with three foundlings and their parents. "Afternoon, Professor. One of your flock found their way in here. I just sent them out back. I doubt either has a wand."
The prim Professor led the way to the Door to the Alley.
BAHP
Trusting her 'foundlings' to follow along quietly, Minerva moved with a practiced grace to the Alley door… to find a pair of males exchanging ideas about this next hurdle. Only they were not speaking English.
"Good Afternoon, Might I help you?" Her Scottish bur sounding almost like a purr.
The two males broke off and, as the younger lad looked at her, a face from the past was in front of her…
"James!" The name was out of her lips before she could stop herself. She was quick to Correct herself. "Sorry. You reminded me of your Father, Mister Potter."
"My Father?" The lad shifted his walking stick, a blackthorn Shillelagh, to his off hand.
"Come Mister Potter, I presume that you have your letter…" Her wand fell into her hand as she stepped past them and tapped the wall… causing it to fold back and away.
"Cor!" gasped the Black lad behind her.
"Really, Dean." The bushy haired lass behind her sighed. "You act like you never saw …" Her voice caught in her throat as the Alley opened up before them. "Okay… I will see your Cor and raise you a 'Blimly'."
Harry looked around at the busy street. "Okay… I think I am all in."
"You all are out of your minds." A snobby male who was dressed like he was high middle class or low high class peerage.
Minerva exchanged looks with Riker.
He Grunted, as He moved to secure the Alley before 'Harry' joined him.
Miss Granger, having already introduced herself to the others, fell into step with Mister Potter. "Hello. I am Hermione. And you are?"
"Harkon." He nodded back at her, his eyes always moving. "Most Call me Potter."
"You look a little…"
"When the Council Found me, they sent me to Boarding School just outside of Prague." He flashed her a grin. "Striker is my Self-Defense instructor."
"Council?" She stepped closer. "You mean those Witch-hunters?"
"They are the People whose job it is to prevent Mundane and Maji from going to war. They are overseen by a tribunal of three members of the United Nations, Three members of the Holy Church, and Three members of the ICW. And you know, no doubt, that one of the definitions of Insanity is 'Ruling by Committee'."
The two Witches listening snorted.
"So you are Council?" Hermione asked.
"No… Council does not recruit until after your twenty-first birthday, and I am not even eleven yet." Harry grinned.
"No." McGonagall smirked, "Your Birthday is next week."
Potter and Riker turn to look at her.
"I was your Father's Godmother." She smiled softly. "And he was a real scamp. He Held the record for the maximum Detentions, with only his best mate right behind him." She looked away. "Now they have challengers for the title…"
Riker growled while glaring at the Lad.
"Yes Sir."
"But he did not say anything." Hermione frowned at the lad.
"Not in English." 'Harry' looked away. "But the meaning was clear. He did not want me to try to attempt my Father's record. Or I will be taking my next Advancement Test. Early… and often."
Riker grunted.
Hermione's father snorted.
"No!" Harry snapped around to look at the gruff and scared man. "If you want to bond… Use your words. I am not afraid of going over your head. She does like to know about our outings."
Riker grunted and looked away.
Mr. Granger hummed in sympathy, and patted his shoulder.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"Your Father and my… supervisor are bonding over demanding females right now. I won't be surprised if they don't share a beer and war stories when we are done… unless you have to get home right after."
"How do you know?"
"Many of my teachers are recovering Witch-hunters." Potter sighed as he resumed his way to Gringotts. "Not all 'Craft Users' are benign citizens."
"But the Stories…" She began.
"The same stories I heard about the British Military… the SAS?" Harry offered a soft smile… even as he noticed Mister Granger stiffen. "One part propaganda, two parts Fishing Story, three parts third hand witness accounts." He bumped her shoulder with the knot of his Shillelagh. "These same stories will paint me as the Next Dark Lord of England." A cauldron from the shop they were passing cracked in twain… spilling its contents on the street.
They were Passing the Magical Menagerie.
All animal droppings were charmed into said cauldron, and it was waiting for pickup by the Tanner's Guild.
But the group was climbing the steps of the Bank before it even reached the street… and because Divination is such a wooly subject… No one saw portent for what it was.
Inside the Bank, McGonagall pointed out the different tellers. "Those three Lines are for Accounted Business. The two over here are for Muggle type banking."
'Harry' sighed, before he joined the closest line.
Riker stood to the side.
Hermione, curious as the preverbal cat, joined Potter. "What-cha doing?"
"As you probably heard, my Father was a wizard. That means I most likely have an account with the Bank. I need to identify myself to them… and prove it."
"Next." The Teller called.
Harry stepped up. "Good day, I am Harkon Potter. I was led to believe that you might have an account in my name."
TBC
