Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Albus had been forced to call an emergency Order meeting that morning something he hadn't been planning on doing until Albus had decided on a plan of action. Albus hadn't been sure what to do about the letter he had received last night. He knew that he needed the Light elves on side especially if the Dark Elves were going to ally themselves to Voldemort. It was bad enough that the werewolves and vampires were already on Voldemort's side. It had never occurred to Albus that through pushing the Dark creatures and wizards away from the main body of the Wizarding World it left resentment that had been building until civil war broke out.
The prospect of an alliance with the reclusive elves had been completely unexpected and considering Albus' way of manipulating the situation that was saying something. Usually Albus was the one to decide alliances even if his allies believed it was there idea. Truly he had manipulated them into broaching the alliance.
There had been little that had shocked him over his long life. The first was when Arianna had died because of his plans. The last had been when Harry Potter went missing. And now he had the Elves involvement to deal with.
There was the fact that the Dark Elves were planning to join Voldemort. Albus didn't worry about that. It wasn't like the Death Eaters would willingly give up their slaves although Voldemort may punish some of his servants who had failed him.
It meant was a distraction from locating Harry Potter. Both the Dark and Light Lords had spent may years attempting to locate Harry Potter. It didn't even occur to Albus that it was for the same reason.
Albus needed Harry Potter to win his war and die for them. The boy was a symbol of Light despite the darkness that Albus had sensed all those years ago. However, he couldn't have the boy eclipse him so he needed to die. Many people who had lost hope in Albus due to his failure to protect the boy would come back to him if the boy was at least seen to be on his side. Plus he couldn't allow the Dark to get to him first.
The Dark wanted him for much the same reason. It actually scared Albus how similar the two children's stories were. Both boys were half-bloods who had been abandoned in the Muggle world abused for what they were.
Albus knew that if Tom got hold of Potter he'd attempt to recruit the teenager. The fact that Albus didn't know the boy at all meant he had no idea whether or not the boy would side with Voldemort against those who had hurt him. All his plans had gone down the drain thanks to those damnable Dursleys.
Albus knew that the boy hadn't joined the Dark, human or not. If the Dark had Potter they'd announce it to the world. After all if it was known that their hero was on the Dark side it would be a crushing blow to Light supporters the world over. Never mind those of Neutral standing may side with the boy saviour.
Albus shook his head. The boy was dead. He had to be. Otherwise at least one of his contacts would have found out where he was. But the boy had seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. He was dead, he had to be.
Albus turned his thoughts back to the most pressing matter. If Albus played his cards right he may just be able to get the Light Elves to join him hopefully. Albus knew that the Ministry would never change their laws so it was doubtful King Dlartanseer would put his alliance with the Ministry. However, he could "try" and get the law changed and return some of the house elves back to the Elves.
He couldn't return them all, obviously. Hogwarts wouldn't be able to function without the house elves keeping things running. Never mind they made excellent spies as they would only be seen when they were ordered to be seen. Albus had used his person and Hogwarts house elves in this manner since he had started teaching at Hogwarts. It meant when children of Death Eaters spoke in the "safety" of their Common Room he knew everything that was going on. It was one of the reasons apart from Severus that he was able to foretell attacks on the Muggle and Magical worlds. He wasn't going to change his ways now as the Muggle saying went you can't teach an old cat new tricks.
That left only one option. He was going to have to trick the Elves into believing he was doing as he was asked which wouldn't be easy considering how suspicious of humans they were. Albus knew that he would be able to pull it off. He didn't need to tell the Order that he wasn't doing as they asked. After all few apart from the ghosts and Granger knew that Hogwarts even owned house elves. It would do nothing for his image if it was known that the Great Albus Dumbledore employed an army of slaves.
Albus knew that Black would be overjoyed at getting rid of Kreacher without risking Voldemort finding out their plans. He knew most of the Order would agree now that they knew how the house elves came to be. That meant he could convince the Order to give away all their elves. The only ones who would be left were the Hogwarts House Elves. That didn't bother Albus it wasn't like they were unhappy. It didn't even occur to Albus that the Elves could not show their hatred, disgust and anger at being enslaved in this way.
However, now that the world knew what house elves really were the Ministry may be forced by popular vote to get rid of Elf Slavery. It would mean that the Light Elves may ally themselves with the Ministry as well. It wouldn't be the end of the world but it would be more beneficial if Albus kept them solely on the Order's side especially if it came to be known that Albus had not got rid of the House Elves in the care of Hogwarts.
Albus entered the long kitchen of Number 12, Grimmauld Place where his Order was already assembled. Albus always made sure to wait until everyone else was there to make an entrance. Of course, Albus would claim it was so nobody missed out on anything rather than making an impression.
Albus looked at the table where many people had Rita's latest Daily Prophet article out. Albus could see King Dlartanseer displayed majestically in all of them truly like a king from Arthurian tales. Albus could easily see why he had made such a strong impression on the infamous Rita Skeeter feared by the famous everywhere of being able to tear down a reputation with one well put article.
It was this reason that she was either kept out of social gatherings out of fear what she would write about the gathering. Or invited knowing that she would what she could write to them out of spite. Albus had felt the sharp end of her quill after the Harry Potter story came out and she pointed out it was Albus who left the boy in the care of his abusive guardians.
Albus knew that the woman was neutral and would write about either the Dark or the Light. She had almost been killed by Voldemort on several occasions. How she was still alive Albus would never guess.
'Is it true?' asked Lupin frowning.
Albus knew straight away why it hit the werewolf harder than most considering how werewolves were rightfully treated by the Wizarding population. The werewolf would instantly sympathise with the elves as he too had known how wizards treated disgusting creatures such as them. They might be useful but were really best as slaves.
Albus sighed sadly, 'from what I have managed to find out, yes. It truly saddens me how callous we can be to our brethren.'
'And I thought the werewolf situation was bad,' Lupin sighed pain in his topaz coloured eyes. 'When are we going to hand over the elves?' demanded Lupin not even considering the idea that they were not going to hand over the elves.
'Soon as possible,' Black said with a sneer reminiscent of his family. 'I can finally get rid of Kreacher.'
'Sirius,' reprimanded Lupin sharply. 'Kreacher has been enslaved it's not his fault that he's turned out like that!'
Albus could honestly say that he'd rarely seen the werewolf as angry as this in his human form. Albus supposed that it hit Lupin more than most as this was a sort of worst case scenario for what might happen to the werewolves if the Ministry had their way. Albus knew this would never happen as who wanted a werewolf in their homes!
Black nodded stiffly, 'suppose,' the ex-convict relented to his friend.
'I will be speaking to the Minister about changing the law,' Albus lied through his teeth. 'Then we will decide a time to meet. Fleur you can help arrange a time, as your people are the neutral party?' he asked the beautiful part Veela.
Fleur nodded with a graceful smile, 'of course, Dumblezorr.'
Albus had no intention of giving away the Hogwarts house elves but naturally the Order didn't need to know that. Albus knew that if either Fleur or Lupin knew about that they would stop supporting him. If he lost Fleur he lost his Veela and French allies. If he lost of the werewolf he'd loose any inkling on what the werewolves were planning.
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Fleur had rarely been as happy as she was right now. She hoped that the British Elves would come out and help them. She understood why they had hidden from the persecution and had nothing but sympathy for their plight.
The French had eighteen Light Elvin clans. Fleur had attended Elvin feasts which were spectacular with representatives from all the creatures of France. Her family attended with her grandmother who was the Elder of their Clan.
She had actually met the young King of both the Dark and Light Elves. Haralith, known as Harry, was intelligent, kind, politically savvy. In short everything that one needed to be the leader of a once warring nation. Fleur may be three years older than the young Elf but she could easily respect him.
This was the reason that she hadn't mentioned that King Shadowmage and King Dlartanseer was the same person. She didn't know what the young elf was up to now that he had been crowned as the King of the Dark and Light Elves of Britain. But whatever it was she going to sit back and watch the events unfold. Fleur like the rest of her people could only hope that Harry's involvement would force the British Ministry Magic to have the same standard for creature and being rights as the rest of the ICW.
Fleur suspected that the reason for Harry keeping the two identities separate was because of Britain's appalling segregation of Light and Dark. The rest of the world accepted that Light didn't necessarily mean good whilst Dark didn't mean evil. It was the choice of the witch, wizard or being themselves.
Fleur didn't agree with the way the British Ministry of Magic handled things. However, the Dark Lord was quite simply evil. His policies on the extermination of Muggles and Muggleborns, the enslavement of creatures had to be stopped. It was the reason Fleur had offered an alliance with Dumbledore although it may change should as Fleur now suspected Harry be creating a third side, or was it fourth if you counted the Ministry and the Order separately.
Fleur made her way through her palace home. There was a reason that Fleur was more than a little self assured. Growing up in De Luc palace the French coast with there own private beach had done nothing for her ego. It was only when competing against two boys who were clearly much more advanced than she was that had changed her perspective quite sharply. Afterwards her grandmother had requested that she become the ambassador for the Veela people in the Order of the Phoenix. Fleur knew what the British thought of those of non-human blood but didn't let it bother her.
'Fleur,' smiled the veela.
'Grandmother,' Fleur smiled back.
'Now, granddaughter, what brings you back here?' asked the older woman.
Fleur began spoke about Harry, the proposals and Dumbledore's request to hold the meeting here. Rosalie De Luc frowned and nodded at the key points of her granddaughter's story. After Fleur fell silent Rosalie looked at the letters once again.
'You are correct, granddaughter,' Rosalie said. 'King Haralith Dlartanseer-Shadowmage is indeed creating another side. I have already been contacted by his people.'
'So where do these alliances come in?' asked Fleur.
'Dlartanseer-Shadowmage does not expect the wizards to honour his requests,' Rosalie sighed. 'And I'm sorry to say he is most likely right.'
'Then why request the terms?' asked Fleur.
'Dlartanseer-Shadowmage does not need the alliances of wizards considering the number of creatures who will flock to him. His loyalty to his people, however, is astonishing. Dlartanseer-Shadowmage believes that if even one of his people are returned to him because of the offer of an alliance it will be worth it,' Rosalie replied.
'Do you think any will be returned to him?' asked Fleur.
'Enough to make it seem like they are genuine,' replied Rosalie.
'They're going to trick Dlartanseer-Shadowmage?' Fleur asked disgusted.
'They are going to try,' corrected Rosalie causing Fleur to frown. 'Do you know where the name Dlartanseer comes from?' asked Rosalie.
Fleur shook her head, 'grandmother?'
'The first Head of the Dlartanseer was an elven male who was half Fire Elf called Dlar although his powers all came from his Light elven side he maintained his mother's tanned complexion. He was a famous seer who became known as Dlar the Tanned Seer. He was the first Light Elf to migrate to Britain and so became the Light Elvin King of the British Isles and started his own Clan which became known as Dlartanseer's clan by most,' Rosalie explained. 'Dlar's descendants have almost always been Seers of astonishing prowess.'
Fleur understood, 'tricking Harry is impossible.'
Rosalie smiled, 'completely. The wizards are going to get a shock when they realise they've been played,' chuckled Rosalie.
'How can they miss such an obvious thing?' demanded Fleur. 'It's in his name.'
'A name is just a name to a wizard,' Rosalie said softly. 'To an elf a name describes their family's power or history. Now how many of the Order will be attending as we will have to let Dlartanseer-Shadowmage know.'
'Dumbledore naturally, Remus Lupin-'Fleur continued.
'The werewolf?' asked Rosalie.
Fleur nodded, 'he has the most experience with magical beings and his mate Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius Black and Alastor Moody.'
'Five,' Rosalie seemed satisfied at this number. 'There will be likely the same number of Elves. 'Add that to myself, your grandfather, your parents and yourself who will act as mediators in this meeting no matter what will happen. It will mean that in the unlikely event that anything untoward should happen we will have to keep the peace.'
'You don't expect anything violent to happen?' asked Fleur frowning.
From everything her grandmother had said Fleur could expect that when those who had been saved from slavery were removed, the treachery of Dumbledore revealed and Harry refusing an alliance there would be fury on both parties side. Fleur was naturally on the elves side. Not only because she too was a magical being (or at least a quarter) but also because she was long time friends with the young king.
Rosalie smiled in that reminiscent look that she Fleur often equated with her grandmother remembering her childhood or friends who have already passed into the goddesses embrace whether by natural causes or violence. For a woman like Rosalie De Luc it could be either. Rosalie was the woman whom Fleur respected the most.
'Fleur I knew your friend's grandfather for many years before the war took him. If young Haralith Dlartanseer-Shadowmage is anything like his grandfather he will have already seen any and all possibilities for the meeting before so much as a date is set probably as soon as he had this idea. He would have looked into the future to See what would occur if he should take this course of action compared to other actions. This has to be the one with the greatest chance of succeeding for his aims. What his aims are yet to be seen. Dlartanseer-Shadowmage will See the changes to the future as those involved make their own decision. I wouldn't put it passed him Seeing us,' warned Rosalie. 'The only thing that could possibly go wrong with a Dlartanseer involved will be if there is split second decisions made in the heat of the moment especially out of anger.'
'Black's not the best person to bring along,' muttered Fleur. 'His temper's always been a little unstable. I don't know if it's the effect of staying in Azkaban or the fact that his parents were cousins. You should have seen Black and Snape's fights. Only Remus could calm him down.'
Rosalie frowned, 'I will be sure to take that into account. Now is there any date requests by Dumbledore or the Order?'
'Before Hogwarts term begins on the first of September,' Fleur replied, 'although he would wish it to be in about a fortnight so he'll have time to add the Elves into Hogwarts safety precautions.'
'He's sure that the elves will side with him?' asked Rosalie worried.
Fleur was amused at this remark, 'he thinks that he'll be able to play on their fear and hatred of the Dark.'
Rosalie laughed, 'he's going to get a shock when he finds out the truth about Haralith.'
Fleur nodded with the amused look still on her face, 'it will probably be idea for Harry too if they were to meet on in a fortnight. It will mean it's before Avalon High term begins so it won't clash with his schedule. How do you think Harry will manage being both King and student?'
'Avalon is a day school,' Rosalie reminded her granddaughter.
'I know but not everything can be done in the evening and on the weekend,' Fleur pointed out.
'The school will make allowances considering his family had pretty much paid the teachers salaries for the last a thousand years,' Rosalie said. 'And if it comes to it your friend can more than afford a tutor. Dlartanseer-Shadowmage may be only fifteen years old but he will be concerned about the pressures of being the King of the Light and Dark Elvin clans of Britain and Ireland than school work,' was the sharp response. 'He may be your friend but his responsibilities have aged him.'
'I don't think that's the only reason,' muttered Fleur.
Fleur had heard the story of the missing Heir to the throne many times. Fleur didn't know where Harry had lived before but knew that Harry refused to so much as talk about his early childhood. Fleur had the feeling that he had been hurt badly by someone or something both physically and emotionally. Fleur had pushed and pushed when she was younger but he had flipped and she had ended up almost strangled by the shadows. It was then that she realised where the name Shadowmage came from.
Rosalie looked at her granddaughter oddly but didn't question it. Fleur knew that Rosalie mainly spoke to Undion Dlartanseer who as regent was the one with the political power. True over the last few years Undion had been having Harry with him more and more so that he had the political allies and know how when the time came for him to take over.
'How long do you think Harry's been planning this?' asked Fleur.
'With a Dlartanseer you will never know,' Rosalie said softly. 'The problem with immortals is that they are incredibly patient people even those as young as your friend. You are correct that the chances that this plan was thought of yesterday are very slim. Probably since the Dark Lord returned in 1992.'
'I can't believe he's only fifteen,' Fleur said softly.
'He's been brought up from the age of seven to be the King of two warring nations,' Rosalie pointed out.
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Harry had been in Magic Alley all day and was exhausted. Just because he was the king of two nations doesn't mean he was spared from the joys of shopping. He had just received his school lists and had decided whilst he was waiting for the Ministry, the Dark and Light Lords to get back to him along with the fact he had no meetings currently to get his school stuff.
Harry didn't know if he'd be able to continue at Avalon. Harry knew that Undion would be able to act on his behalf as he had done for many years but the fact was he couldn't make a reputation as a just and fair king from behind his guardian's robes. This meant he'd have to work school around his duties. The chances were he'd have to employ a tutor out by the end of the year which was something he didn't want to as the majority of his closet friends went to Avalon.
Harry knew he didn't need his grades but he wanted them. Harry had always tried to go beyond what was expected of him. Harry knew it came from his childhood of never being able to do anything to please his so called aunt, uncle and cousin but he couldn't quite drop it.
He wanted to prove to the world that he was more than just a child born as the heir to two thrones. He wanted to prove that he was intelligent and could have become anything he wanted should he have had the choice. As it was he was stuck in the job as king until he died or decided to abdicate when he had children. Of course, he'd need a mate first.
Undion had always said that he put to much pressure on himself to prove himself. Undion used to worry about it before Draughuddon had been taken. But now he had changed he went through life on automatic pilot.
That was when a phoenix flashed through the room. Harry sighed tiredly just when he thought he had a free moment the Fire Elves or Sprites had contacted him. Or so he thought but he frowned when he realised that it was Bál, the Fawkes that had been gifted by Godric's mother, a Fire Elf of the Fireshield Clan. There was a reason that Gryffindor was always pictured with flaming red hair. The fact that his father may have been of Muggle nobility his mother was not human. It was why Gryffindor was so powerful.
Godric had bounded the phoenix to his school to protect the students and teachers from external threats. It was why the phoenix was forever bound to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. The fact that Dumbledore was using a noble phoenix as an owl disgusted the young elf to no end.
Mister Dlartanseer,
It pleases me that once more our species are allied against the forces of darkness. It would gladden me immensely to help your people's problem. I too have come across the Ministry of Magic's prejudice but alas I do not have the power to do so. I will attempt to change the Ministry of Magic's standing but be warned I cannot control the way the vote goes.
I have contacted a De Luc Veela to act as intermediates during the signing of the Contract of Alliance. We will hand over our house elves on that day. I hope that you are successfully able to rehabilitate your people.
Yours Faithfully
Lord Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Head of the Dumbledore House, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and Chief Warlock of the Wizagamot
Rosalie had already been in touch to say that they would meet on the twenty second of July. They would still have to discuss the finalities of their alliance if both kept their sides of the bargain for the initial stages of the alliance. Harry knew Dumbledore would not honour Harry's wishes.
Harry closed his eyes as he expected Dumbledore had no plans to give up the Hogwarts house elves. He would have all his Order give theirs up and most of them were happy to. He wondered what Remus Lupin would think of what Dumbledore had done considering how personally involved in Being rights he was.
It also left Harry with a dilemma. Would he reveal who he was to those present? If he did it would mean a great deal of Dumbledore's allies and many other wizards besides would support Harry because of his past? However, it would bring Harry and his people into conflict with Voldemort far quicker than would happen otherwise and gain the Ministry and Dumbledore's attention. True in an attempt to recruit him they may or may not end up changing the laws for him.
The problem was that Harry could see too many possible futures some more or less likely than others. Until he set a path into motion Harry couldn't see the final result. Harry knew the probable outcome to his offer of alliances already.
The chances were that he would save some of his people but have very little to show for it in the political game. He would also have gained notice from Dumbledore and Voldemort as both a potential ally and a probable threat. They would continue to try and get him on side without changing their own believes in reality although they would pretend to.
The Wizarding people of Britain, however, would not be as happy. The Elves had long been painted as the ones who sold their own people to the Wizarding World. To find out that the opposite was true was already beginning to shake their wavering trust in the Ministry after the appalling story of Harry's childhood and disappearance had come out.
In short there were a lot of decisions to be made before the meeting and his people would just have to hope that Harry made the right one. Because it was them who would be the one's who suffered if Harry made the wrong choice. The pressures of being a king once again were getting to the young elf.