The Royal We
Gary Seven walked into Gringotts. As was common, very soon after getting into the same line as every other customer, a Goblin arrived and invited him back to meet with his account manager – which, in this case, was Ragnok, the head of the local bank.
"Good afternoon. How can Gringotts help you today?" the surly creature asked.
Gary bowed as though meeting an equal – which was considered quite complimentary as the goblins were well aware of his divine status. "Good afternoon. I have come here to arrange for a team of Gringotts warders."
Ragnok looked at the young God with curiosity. "Is this service for you or one of your personal projects?" They were more accommodating in serving Gods than wizards.
"In this case – not really, though I am involved. The team will have to be accompanied by one who has sufficient authority to negotiate price. As soon as the price is set, the warders will need to begin," Gary explained calmly.
"And with whom will Gringotts be negotiating?" he asked.
Giving a small smirk Gary replied, "A Muggle."
With this, Ragnok did not look very happy. "While we accord you many courtesies and favorable considerations due to your status as well as how much business you have brought us, in this you go too far! Certainly you know that the Statute of Secrecy prevents Gringotts from dealing with Muggles!" Ragnok was very angry. Gary's smile didn't waver.
"Oh – I think you'll deal with this one."
Knowing that this God was not frivolous, Ragnok answered, "Then bring this Muggle here so that we can negotiate."
Gary, still smirking, replied, "I don't think that is feasible. It would … create too much of a distraction?"
Curious despite himself, Ragnok asked, "And who is this Muggle that their mere presence would prove too much of a distraction?"
Without pause Gary replied, "Elizabeth II of the House of Windsor, successor House to the Houses of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, also known as Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor," Gary paused, "or if you prefer it in English: Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith." Gary watched Ragnok's reaction calmly.
To his credit, Ragnok did not so much as flinch. He did pause before saying, "Yes. This particular case might require a different approach than the one we use for wizards."
Gary chuckled. "Damn. I bet Albus Dumbledore that I could make you speechless when I came here or at least to react with some emotion. Now I owe him a tin of those damn lemon tarts that he is addicted to."
Ragnok gave a full grin, his teeth showing. "Betting against my people is traditionally a poor choice."
Gary nodded his acknowledgement. "Something I'll remember in the future. Still, it might be fun to see how many of your warders we can put into shock."
Ragnok considered that. "I will come and negotiate – no one below me has the authority to deal with a Head of State. I will bring a team of 8 warders and 4 guards. Only the youngest warders will react – but only minimally."
"We'll see. I don't know if I want to bet on it – betting against Goblins is traditionally a poor choice," Gary replied. Ragnok smirked briefly.
"How will we arrive?"
"Well, I can create a portkey or I can flash one of your people to the place we are to arrive so that they can create a portkey. Your choice."
Ragnok nodded. "We will accept a portkey from you – our faith extends that far at least … even if you were stupid enough to bet against me with the Hogwarts Headmaster."
Gary chuckled.
Gary was allowed to stay with Ragnok as he made arrangements. Besides the team being retrieved and records of any previous wardings being gathered, tools to complete an inheritance right were also gathered as well as ledgers for the accounts dealing with the Royal houses going back to the founding of Gringotts. An inheritance test would be necessary to see if any of the family accounts were to be inherited in addition to verifying magical inheritance of the throne which would allow the Royal account to be used to pay for it.
Gary was interested that it was necessary as no Royal had visited Gringotts to review the accounts since William of Orange and Gringotts recognized the difference between House accounts and the Royal account – just because she was Queen did not mean Elizabeth would inherit any of the accounts that were not specific to the throne.
At 7:55, after everything and everyone was gathered and all had eaten, Gary took a rope and created a portkey, making it rigid enough so that it wasn't flopping around.
At 7:59, the portkey was activated and the entire group arrived shortly to Sandringham.
The meeting between Ragnok and Elizabeth was cordial. Both respected the other's position and neither were condescending to the other – a vast improvement over the way Goblins were treated by wizards. Ragnok said as much, which prompted Elizabeth to invite Ragnok to the meeting that would take place two days later regarding Voldemort – she wanted to see first hand how the Magicals dealt with the Goblins.
After the warding was negotiated for all Royal properties as well as the properties owned by the Royal family specifically (such as Sandringhams and Balmoral Castle), the Queen had one more deal to work out with the Goblins. Ragnok, hearing the proposal, was quite generous with terms. This would be fun.
It was December 30th, and Albus Dumbledore had gathered the Director of the DMLE, the Minister for Magic and the current Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot together. They had been informed of the meeting two days earlier and had made room in their schedules.
They had gathered in a conference room at the Ministry.
When all were assembled, the Minister, Madam Eugenia Jenkins, asked, "Okay, Dumbledore. What is this all about?"
The Headmaster sat back in his chair. "This meeting has to do with Voldemort and his current plans. It also has to do with Hogwarts and keeping it safe from conflict. You all are aware that Hogwarts cannot refuse students because of family connections to those that oppose the Ministry?"
The Head of the DMLE answered, "Actually, I know of no such thing. It isn't something that has been considered but I don't see why the Ministry cannot prevent those that might oppose the Ministry from attending."
Albus sighed. "I was worried about this. Does anyone here know who owns Hogwarts? Have any of you ever read the Hogwarts Charter?"
The Chief Warlock considered that. "I know that the Ministry oversees the testing of its students for OWL and NEWT level. The Board of Governors, appointed by the Ministry have long been the body overseeing the operation of the school. What am I missing?"
Albus replied, "While you are correct in what you stated, the Charter is very specific. The Earldom of Hogsmeade, which contains the Barony of Hogwarts, the Barony of Hogsmeade, and the control of the Forbidden Forest, is – from a management standpoint – completely separate from the Ministry for Magic."
There was some protest from each of the MInsitry executives present. "Hogwarts is subject to the same laws as the rest of Magical Britain! It has always been that way."
Albus stood up. "Actually, it hasn't, even if we've treated it that way. We need to include one more person and, as that person does not have easy access to the Ministry for Magic, we shall have to go to them."
"And who is this person that has to be included?" the Chief Warlock asked.
"The single entity which has ultimate jurisdiction over Hogsmeade and Hogwarts – the Queen of Great Britain and therefore Scotland. Let us go – we are expected."
Despite the Ministry workers wanting to protest, Dumbledore didn't give them time. He led them to an apparition point and put out an item. "Portkey – everyone grab hold."
Very soon the gathered magicals were being led into the presence of the reigning monarch and the manners drilled into them as children kicked in.
"Your Majesty," Albus said, "as I was explaining to my colleagues, we are here to discuss the safety of Hogwarts during the conflict with the magical terrorist that we discussed in our last meeting."
The Queen nodded. "And has the situation been explained fully to them as of yet?"
"I was just beginning."
"Introduce these and then carry on," Elizabeth stated.
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Albus bowed to the Queen and then turned. He introduced each one present and then said, "As I began to explain, Hogwarts – due to treaty and its charter – has a peculiar set of requirements. Hogwarts operates independently of any government save in the matter of the Ministry administering examinations to ensure educational standards are met. Technically, Hogwarts – and Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest as well – does not even fall under the Statute of Secrecy. The Ministry has no jurisdiction."
The Minister asked, "How can this be? All magical governments are subject to the Statute according to treaty."
The Queen interjected then. "As our Headmaster has indicated, the Hogwarts Charter is very specific. In exchange for complete autonomy from control by Our government in any form, Hogwarts must fairly, and without bias for any government, teach the youths of Great Britain to standards as set by the Crown through our Councils as set by law. Regardless of the fact that the Magicals of these land perform in semi-autonomy, the Treaty of London is very specific: The Wizengamot operates as the lawful Council setting laws for all Magicals within our borders. This was set by the original Wizarding Council as set up by William, the Magna Carta, and finally the Bill of Rights of 1689. The Treaty of London of 1695 resolved the normal responsibilities of both the English and Scottish Crowns toward their citizens following the passage of the Statute of Secrecy by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1692. As set by Charter, the Crowns' only authority over Hogwarts is ensuring students are tested and ensuring rebellion against our Crowns is not taught or encouraged. This is the only matter which allows intervention."
"So what does that mean?" the Chief Warlock asked.
"Hogwarts is not part of nor controlled by the Ministry. And the Ministry only operates within the borders of the Earldom of Hogsmeade by the sufferance of its rightful Lord, the Lord Gryffindor, Earl of Hogsmeade." The Queen's statement was definite and final.
The Head of the DMLE protested, "But there is no Lord Gryffindor currently."
Elizabeth replied, "That may or may not be true. We have retrieved two others that await their inclusion which have standing within this meeting as well an another who has information vital to the security of our Magical and non-magical realms." She motioned her Guard and soon those present were joined by the Prime Minister, the Head of Gringotts, and the Lone Traveler.
As luck would have it, the Queen noticed the sneer that the Chief Warlock had as Ragnok entered. She wasn't one to let things go quietly. "We would remind you, Chief Warlock, that these are our guests and that this is our home. Whom we consult in matters regarding the security of our realm is a matter of our choice and no other. You will treat our guests with respect."
The man murmured with some embarrassment, "Yes, your Majesty."
She turned to Ragnok. "We thank you for your presence here, regardless of the opinion of some others. Your input and time is valuable and we acknowledge the boon of your presence."
Ragnok bowed briefly with a gleam in his eye, "Thank you, your Majesty."
"Now," she addressed the gathered wizards, "is it or is it not the case that, unless otherwise specified by a will, Gringotts Bank has ultimate authority in the recognition of inheritance in our Magical realm?" There were murmurs of agreement. "And correct us if we are wrong, this includes all types of inheritance; economic and political included." There were more murmurs of agreement.
"Please indulge my curiosity: Why is it that a matter so vital to the security of our magical realm is left with beings that are, to all effect, uninvolved in the management of our Magical realms?" Ragnok had been warned of this and took no offense.
There was some embarrassment within the ranks of the Ministry contingent. "Your Majesty, there were … instances in the past where the Ministry and the Goblins were at odds. In one such conflict, a part of the resolution was that Gringotts would be the recognized authority in matters of inheritance because they alone, of all magical beings, practice blood magic and can thereby recognize such things. In exchange for their utter neutrality in Wizengamot politics, they are given authority in this matter." The Minister looked quiet nervous about the matter for some reason.
"Interesting. And by what authority does the Ministry for Magic claim jurisdiction over Goblin territory?" she asked.
"The Statute of Secrecy of 1692 was agreed by all member states of the ICW. One part of this documents gives each Ministry the jurisdiction within their borders to ensure that the goblins presence does not cause knowledge of the Magical world to fall to the non-magicals. Included in the statute is an office which manages such." The Chief Warlock was quite confident in this answer.
The Queen looked at the Ministry contingent curiously. "And were the Goblins signatories to this agreement?"
"It is the International Confederation of Wizards! Not the International Confederation of Magical Be … Beings." The Chief Warlock and the Head of the DMLE looked affronted while the Minister seemed neutral.
The Queen looked less than impressed. "And so you try to claim sovereignty over these Magical beings without even a 'by your leave'? What gives you the right?"
The Chief Warlock sputtered, "It's tradition!" HE really had no more arguments that seemed effective.
"We will return to this matter after we discuss the real reason we have asked the Headmaster to bring you here." She paused. "Now, it has come to our attention that our Magical realm currently has been under attack by a criminal who styles himself Lord Voldemort. Is this correct?"
At this, the Ministry looked embarrassed. "Yes. He has killed many Muggleborns and has now also started killing families that disagree with his views," the Minister said.
With a fairly blank face the Queen asked, "And for how long has this criminal been operating within these shores?"
Dumbledore answered this. "By review of the Muggleborns killed before even attending Hogwarts – five years." This statement did not make the Ministry employees happy.
"And what has the Ministry for Magic done to catch and prosecute this man?"
The Director of the DMLE answered this. "Well, he has really only recently truly come to the attention of the Ministry. We have begun by protecting the records of where Muggleborns live which is collected by the Misuse of Magic office. Until he started killing recognized magical families … well, no one really paid much attention."
"And when did this become known to the Ministry for Magic?" she asked again.
"Only in the last 9 months."
"And has any of his followers been detained and questioned? How many within the Minsitry support this man's views?" the Queen asked with a wintry look.
"Well, we don't really know, per se. When it was just Muggleborns, few in the Wizengamot really paid much attention. It was difficult to get support in allotting resources. We haven't really caught anyone yet. His followers wear masks to hide their identities."
It was quite obvious that the answers were not to the Queen's satisfaction. "So, we have a magical criminal which has been operating within Britain for at least five years. And only for the last nine months have you put in any effort to curb this. And this is only because this criminal has begun killing members of recognized families. Do we have an accurate understanding of what you are saying?" With some embarrassment, there were nods from the Ministry faction. "And are there means magical to insure the veracity of a criminal's statement as to their innocence."
Gary interjected here, "There is a truth potion which is considered near-infallible, as long as a counter-agent has not been taken. But it's use is under extremely limited control. No prisoner can be forced to take it as it violates the rules against self-incrimination." After a pause he added, "Well, as long as the suspect is from a pureblood family that is."
The Queen asked, "And if they come from a family without magic?"
Gary answered with some aplomb, "They don't have the same presumption of innocence." He was getting the stink-eye from the Ministry workers but he really didn't care.
The Queen took a deep breath to calm herself down. "And so the real troubles become obvious." She looked at the Ministry contingent. "Pray tell: Why should I not, at this moment, declare the Treaty of London of 1695 violated and take back direct control of all that is Magical within Britain?"
The Minister and her fellows looked horrified. "You can't do that!"
With a certain amount of venom the Queen replied, "Oh yes, we could. And if I find that the Magical Ministry continues to be so ineffectual that our subjects suffer murder and rape and other crimes against them without any effective containment, we will. We already have just cause! All matters magical, by the Treaty of London, shall be a matter for the Ministry for Magic so long as the freedoms and rights of the Non-magicals are not infringed upon. Should any Magical act outside of Magical Britain, the Ministry for Magic will act expeditiously to contain the matter to ensure that the Statute of Secrecy is maintained. Minister? Director? Chief Warlock? You have utterly failed us to this time. And we will not have it!"
The Minister and those with her quailed under the Queen's regal and quite just statement. Finally the Minister asked, "What would you have us do?"
With her most regal bearing the Queen replied, "Hear now Our Proclamations!"
The scribe who was close by was suddenly far more alert. The Queen rarely made verbal proclamations but when she did it was his job to ensure they were fully recorded. He used both a recorder and his skills in shorthand to ensure every word was taken down to that a formal document could, in short order, be issued.
"By Order of the Crown;
"Whereas Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry operates Royal Charter of the Scottish Crown and has done so since its inception;
"And Whereas the Earldom of Hogsmeade does not fall within the authority of the Ministry for Magic except to ensure educational standards are maintained;
"And Whereas, the lack of a recognized Earl of Hogsmeade Lord Gryffindor, Baron of Hogwarts Lord Ravenclaw, Baron of Hogsmeade Lord Slytherin, or a Landholder of the Forbidden Forest Baron Hufflepuff, the regency of these lands has never been legally delineated;
"Therefore, Let it be known that until such time as a recognized holder of these Baronies and Earldom steps forth, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shall be solely responsible for ensuring the security and safety of these lands. Should any violate the laws as set forth by common law or recognized Council the Ministry for Magic may receive and prosecute lawbreakers from within these lands with the agreement of the Headmaster.
"The Autonomy of the Headmaster shall be recognized as long as the Charter is maintained, including the stricture that states that any rebellion against the Crown is quashed and prevented forthwith.
"Should there be any whom is rejected by the Wards of Hogwarts because they have ill intent, they shall only be allowed to attend Hogwarts under a contract guaranteeing their neutrality against Hogwarts, its people, its students, and the lawful government of Great Britain both Magical and non-Magical whilst they attend. Otherwise they shall not be allowed entrance to Hogwarts and must seek other avenues of magical education and examination.
"Set by my hand and command, the 30th day of December, in the Year of Our Lord 1975.
"Elizabeth Regina"
She turned to the Ministry contingent. "Do any of you have any questions thus far?"
The Chief Warlock stated, "There will be protests against this within the Wizengamot."
Elizabeth replied, "And to that we say: We care not. Hogwarts is sacrosanct unless the charter is violated. Any who wished to protest can find themselves violating our Royal writ." She smirked at this. "Which brings us to our next proclamation:"
"By Order of the Crown;
"Whereas we, through Law and Custom, hold the Crown of Great Britain and the Commonwealth; and,
"Whereas by law and custom all citizens within these lands are subject to the laws and customs that hold sway; and
"Whereas the Rule of these realms has traditionally included all humankind within these borders; and,
"Whereas the Goblins of Gringotts have never, by agreement or treaty, accepted the rule of their persons by any Crown held by any human; and
"Whereas the Goblins that reside within the British Isles have always held the sovereignty of the lands upon or within which they live; and
"Whereas the Goblin people are not and have never been subject to Royal law;
"Therefore;
"The Sovereignty of the Lands upon which sits Gringotts Bank and the tunnels below the Lands rules by Our Crown which are inhabited by those known as Goblin-kind is not subject to the laws and customs created by the Crowns within the British Isles or their legally recognized Councils; and
"The lands and tunnels which are occupied by those known as Goblin-kind are recognized by the Crowns which we hold as subject to the laws and customs of Goblin-kind and not human law; and
"Any Goblin which visits or lives within those areas which are subject to our Crown and its legally recognized Councils must be treated as a foreign national and subject to the laws that obtain within these areas, including the Statute of Secrecy, the Treaty of London of 1695, and other legally recognized treaties, laws, and customs. And
"Any Goblin which lives outside of the lands and areas legally controlled by the Crown and its legally recognized Councils as well as outside of the lands and areas legally controlled by Goblin-kind shall be subject to the laws that obtain within the areas and not by any treaty or law that exists between the Crown and its councils and Goblin-kind."
"Set by my hand and command, the 30th day of December, in the Year of Our Lord 1975.
"Elizabeth Regina"
The Head of the DMLE asked, "What does that mean?"
With a small but imperious smile the Queen replied, "That means, Gentlemen and Lady, the Ministry for Magic has no control over what occurs within Gringotts bank outside of the agreement to legally run the bank which they control and to without bias manage inheritance law within the Magical realm. Any agreement or treaty limiting the rights of Goblin-kind cannot, by law, hold any sway within Gringotts or within the Goblin-made tunnels under the Earth. It also voids any treaty which prevents Goblins from living within Hogsmeade as these treaties did not have Royal Sanction nor the agreement of the legally-recognized Lord Gryffindor."
The Chief Warlock sputtered, "But the Statute of Secrecy gives the Ministry control …"
Elizabeth interrupted, "over the citizens and areas that are Magical that fall within the control of the Crown and its Councils, which include the Wizengamot. Neither Gringotts nor the Earldom of Hogsmeade have any non-magical elements within them and therefore are not subject to the Statute of Secrecy."
Ragnok, who had only a bare inkling of what the Queen had planned to do, asked, "But what of the lands that were lost following the … disagreement of 1612, between wizards and Goblin-kind? These included lands within Hogsmeade."
"Was fair recompense given and accepted by your people as regards these lands?" she asked.
Ragnok considered that. "For much of the land: Yes. To assist in trying to quell the disagreements, some magical families purchased lands that previously were owned by my people so as to minimize the disagreements with the Wizengamot and Wizarding kind. But the treaty which followed that conflict resulted in the Ministry laying claim to several plots which my people had legally purchased and controlled within the Barony of Hogsmeade."
"The answer is simple then: The Ministry for Magic must return the lands or their equivalent within the Barony of Hogsmeade. If they do not have current ownership of sufficient lands to compensate you, they must pay a fair market value to you for these lands or buy lands sufficient to recompense you at fair market value and turn control of these lands over to you. You must accept the option they choose as this is only fair."
The Minister, after the collective apoplexy had diminished, asked, "And what does this have to do with the Voldemort issue?"
The Queen replied, "By solemn agreement between the Crown and Goblin-kind, should any magical terrorist be caught committing the crimes of rape, murder, or torture within the non-magical world, within the Earldom of Hogsmeade, or within lands controlled by the Crown directly, we have agreed to turn these over to Ragnok's people for trial and punishment. The rules regarding those captured is as follows: Each criminal shall be tried by a Panel of Judges three; one Wizard or Witch appointed by the Ministry, one Judge appointed by the Crown, and one judge appointed by the Head of the Goblin people, currently Ragnok. The innocence or guilt of any such criminal shall be determined by the laws as set forth within the area they were committed. If the Wizard or Witch in question is found guilty, the Ministry shall only be allowed to take control of the convict if they give solemn agreement to follow the ruling given by the Panel of Judges. If the Ministry refuses, then Gringotts shall ensure they are punished according to Goblin law for a fee paid for by the Royal accounts." She gave a wintry smile. "There will be no bribes or declaration of innocence accepted in these cases. Once caught, they will be tried. And if convicted, they will be punished. And if the Ministry or Wizengamot refuses, the Crown shall declare the Treaty of London of 1695 broken and control of all lands shall fall to the legally recognized government of all of Great Britain. Do you have any questions?"
Seeing that the Ministry workers could say nothing, the Queen then said, "Now, to the final matter: Mr. Garrick Septimus. You have a report of a crime planned by the one who calls himself Lord Voldemort. You shall report it to these officials and plans will be made to counter this criminal's plans."