Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Cornelius Fudge was furious at what that freakish creature had proclaimed for the whole Wizarding population to see in the Prophet. If he really wanted an alliance with the Ministry he should have kept it quiet until the alliance had been agreed or disagreed to. He didn't even understand how it had happened considering the amount of shares Cornelius had bought in the Prophet before his campaign for Minister. It meant that the owner of the Daily Prophet had made it quite clear to Cuffe to support the Ministry's statements in any and all articles that so much as touched on the Ministry of Magic.
However, since Skeeter had been employed Cornelius saw more and more articles that painted him and the Ministry in a negative light. Cornelius wondered what Skeeter had Cuffe or the owner that meant they disregarded Cornelius. He really was going to have to deal with her sooner rather than later.
Cornelius had just paid a visit to Amos Diggory the current Head of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures who had confirmed the fact that the article was true a hundred percent true. It turned out that the Elf Trade Division of the Department Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was an out of Ministry Office located in Edinburgh. They had slave traders who caught the House Elves, and Ritual Masters who bound the elves to a wizard before they were sent back to the main Ministry where they were sold on to Elf Traders who sold them to wizards as slaves.
Cornelius wondered why this had been kept from him. He wouldn't have opposed it. Those filthy creatures got what they deserved in his opinion. Cornelius like any decent pure blood wouldn't have anything to do with those beasts or any other kind of beast. He was glad that there was no cross breeding in the House of Fudge! They were Wizards all the way.
Cornelius had never heard that he like all wizards was descended from Being or he wouldn't have any powers. No pure human had ever been or would ever be born with magic. It was something that was passed down from a Being ancestor.
The Fudge family themselves had descended primarily from Dwarves. However, the Fudge family being so old meant that all but the lowest levels of magic remained. Really Fudge's nephew needed to breed with creatures to bring power into the family or they'd Squib-Out. Already Fudge's children had all been Squibs.
However, Cornelius thought if the Dark Elves joined You Know Who as Shadowmage had suggested it would mean anarchy. Cornelius was well aware of how powerful they were it was why he detested creatures so much. He was the pure-blood wizard. He should have the power. However, he barely passed the practical courses of Hogwarts. It was only Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Herbology, Potions and History of Magic that allowed him good enough grades to get into Law Enforcement. He'd wanted to be an Auror but with an average acceptable in transfiguration and charms that was impossible.
Cornelius knew if you put the vampires, werewolves, elves and the Death Eaters on one side they could probably defeat the Ministry within a few months. Cornelius shuddered it was bad enough with just the werewolves and Death Eaters. Only a couple of days ago Albus had informed him that the vampires had joined up.
It seemed Albus and Dolores had been right with his warnings that creatures and dark wizards should have been killed years ago. Okay Dolores never said anything about Dark wizard but went on about creatures often enough. However, with the number of Dark wizards on the Wizagamot Cornelius had known he'd never get that bill passed. True he could have done it illegally as with the house elves but Cornelius feared the political backlash should it become known as was happening.
Cornelius was determined he wouldn't take the fall for this mess. The only question was what to do now. If he did nothing and let the slave trade continue half the Wizarding population would hate him for taking away the freedom of a light species. However, if he did get involved the other half would hate him.
Cornelius decided that he would arrange a meeting with his advisors. Albus had already arranged a meeting this morning. Dolores and Bones would both be working so they were no problem. The only person he needed now was Lucius Malfoy who would be sure to want to be involved considering his army of house elves he risked loosing.
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Lucius had arrived at the Ministry as soon as the Minister had Fire Called Narcissa. Lucius knew what Fudge wanted. It wasn't exactly a question considering what had been in the paper that morning. Lucius had contacted the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord had told him to stop the Ministry giving into the Light Elves demands; the Dark Lord didn't want the Light gaining any powerful allies at the Light Elves would be. It wouldn't exactly be hard with Dolores so firmly against creatures.
Lucius didn't know what the Dark Lord would do with their own question of alliance with the Dark Elves. Lucius feared that he would be forced to give up their elves for the possible alliance with the Dark Elves. Lucius could see the point; having the Dark Elves as allies would not only boost their numbers but attract other creatures to their cause.
Lucius could even see the point of making sure the Light Elves didn't get their alliance with the Ministry or Dumbledore. It may possibly push them towards the Dark. Lucius doubted it, however, considering that the Dark was allied with the Light Elves enemies, or almost at least.
Lucius was the last one to arrive as he had taken time to speak to the Dark Lord first. He could see Fudge sitting comfortably behind his desk looking flustered with Dolores at his right hand. Dumbledore was surveying him from under his half moon spectacles from his flowery pink armchair that he had obviously created. It wasn't like Fudge would have anything like that in his office, Dolores possibly but not Fudge. Bones was scowling at him not even bothering to hide the hatred she felt to him and the fact that everyone in the room but Fudge knew he was a Death Eater.
'Ah so you've all arrived, good,' Lucius nodded.
Lucius didn't bother to try and excuse his lateness, there was no point. Dolores would have already spoken to the Dark Lord before she had left for work that morning whilst Dumbledore and Bones were aware where his allegiances lay and would have guessed whom he had been speaking to. Fudge, on the other hand, wouldn't care and would be too intimidated to ask if he did.
'Well you're here now,' Fudge spoke quickly. 'The question is what do we do about the elves?'
Dumbledore smiled that annoying wise smile that he did when he wanted people to obey him. Lucius had to stop himself from sneering at the stupid man. Lucius would be glad when the Dark Lord destroyed him.
'I believe we should give in to the Elves demands for the sake of our people,' Dumbledore said.
Lucius pondered the phrasing that Dumbledore had employed. Of course, he was saying what people expected him to but he was saying it in a way that made it sound as though the Light Elves were black mailers. It was almost as if Dumbledore didn't want the Light Elves to be on the side of the Ministry.
Lucius almost chuckled when he realised what Dumbledore was doing. Of course, Dumbledore didn't want the Elves to be on the Ministry's side. No he wanted the alliance all for himself and his Order. He couldn't directly come out and say that so he phrased it in such a way that everyone else in the room considered it a threat. He would then leave it up to Lucius and Dolores to convince Fudge not to give into the alliance. Lucius hated that he was going to have to give into what Dumbledore was doing.
'The Elves have every reason to be angry and bitter towards us. To hate us for what we have done to his people,' sighed Dumbledore.
Lucius was amused. Dumbledore was appearing to side with the Elves but he was saying it in such a way that would make the cowardly Puff that Fudge was fear the Elves. Saying that a powerful species was angry and bitter towards the Ministry and Fudge would be terrified that the Light Elves would try and destroy the Ministry. If they were going to do it they would have done it when the Ministry was crumbling in the last war. They were clearly just desperate for allies if they were reaching out for the race who hunted them. It appeared elves feared the Dark as much as Light wizards.
'Let's turn to the first demand,' Dumbledore said once more emphasising the word demand. 'They have demanded that anyone in your employ, a benefactor,' Dumbledore gave Lucius a pointed look, 'or allies must return their elves to the Elves.'
Fudge frowned at this, 'I can't do that! I'd loose all my funding. Never mind I can't force anyone to give their possessions away!'
Lucius inwardly smirked. Already Fudge was falling right into his plans. Then the feeling of elation vanished when he realised that Fudge was falling right into Dumbledore's hands too. It would be better the Light Elves allied to the Ministry than Dumbledore.
'Second demand is that the Binding and Trade of House Elves is to be illegalised,' Dumbledore said.
Dolores sneered, 'slavery is all those foul little beasts deserve!'
'All they are asking for is their freedom,' argued Bones, 'which we took from them! Besides which we need allies.'
Bones looked like she wanted to say more about the war but wasn't about to with Lucius around. Bones was the one threat to his plans. Lucius knew he had to stop her from getting her former house mate to listen to her.
Bones had been the one to attempt to introduce conscription. She had bee the one behind the Auror office. Bones was probably one of the very few high ups in the Ministry that was non-corruptible and actually had a head on her shoulders.
'Madam Bones does have a point,' Lucius appeared to agree with his rival.
Dumbleddore nodded, 'as you are aware I also got a letter from Dlartanseer. I have already arranged with the De Lucs to hand over our house elves. There is a Wizagamot in session on Thursday I will be proposing illegalising slave trade.'
Fudge would likely go for this option as it made sure that the Wizagamot who had voted him in were the ones who would be deciding what happened. It meant that they would feel that Fudge was a Minister who did what was best for his voters. It would also make it seem to Light Elves that Dumbledore was doing his part of the agreement.
If the Wizagamot agreed the end the House Elf Trade it would mean that both Dumbledore and the Ministry would become allies with the Light Elves as long as they gave up their own House Elves. That couldn't be allowed to happen. Lucius had little influence in the British Wizagmot although his House did hold a couple of votes at the French Court where the Malfoy family originated. True Narcissa acted on behalf of Rodolphus as the closest relative to the Earl of Norfolk (who was not sentenced to Azkaban).
Lucius knew that those sided with the Dark Lord – or who could be bought off – would vote against House Elf illegalisation. The rest, however, it would depend. Those on the Order's side would vote as Dumbledore wished them to. It didn't help that despite the fact that the Potter boy was missing presumed dead Dumbledore was still acting as Head of the Potter family so all the boy's votes were in Dumbledore's control. Those on the Ministry or who were Neutral it would depend on whether their sense of morality, Lucius thought with a sneer, or dependence on slaves came up as most important.
As expected Fudge liked the idea of leaving it up to the Wizagamot to decide the fates of the Elves so it would be decided on Thursday whether not an alliance between the Ministry and the Elves would go ahead. Lucius stayed longer than everyone else pushing a velvet bag into the Minister's hands. Lucius couldn't have the Minister vote for House Elf Freedom.
'I am sure you are aware of the difficulties that having no House Elves would mean,' Lucius said coolly. 'I am sure this will help for those who are dependent on House Elves.'
If anyone asked Lucius would say that he wanted a new department set up that would help those missing their slaves the basics in house elf charms and money to employ squibs as servants. You couldn't have human slaves even if they were powerless. However, both Fudge and Lucius knew that Lucius was bribing Fudge to not back the House Elf vote.
Lucius then left feeling the burn of his right arm. His Master was calling him. Lucius knew he would expect good news from the Ministry. Lucius hoped that his bribing Fudge would stop any punishment that the Dark Lord may visit upon him.
Lucius arrived in his Dining Hall that the Dark Lord had graced to make the Dark sides headquarters. He was lounging in the throne like chair at the head of the table that had long been reserved as the Head of the House's chair. The Dark Lord as Lucius' liege lord was the one person who was able to sit in the chair apart from Lucius, himself.
'My Lord,' Lucius said.
Lucius dropped to the floor kissed the hem of the Dark wizard's robes before standing up again. There may be dozens of seats but his Lord hadn't bid him sit down. He knew what happened to people who acted without permission in the Dark Lord's presence.
'Ah Lucius,' the darkly sibilant voice hissed out. 'What is the Ministry planning?'
'Fudge on Dumbledore's advice has decided to call a vote at the Wizagmot on Thursday, my Lord,' Lucius said.
'Ah good,' smirked the Dark Lord.
Lucius wanted to ask what the Dark Lord was planning to do about the Dark Elves requests but wasn't stupid enough to ask. He hoped that they wouldn't give up their House Elves but knew that in the grand scheme of things it would be better for them if they did. The chance to have allies as powerful as the Dark Elves was intoxicating.
The look the Dark Lord was giving him clearly meant he was dismissed. Lucius left quickly before the Dark Lord began torturing him. Lucius hated that curse especially when it came out of the wand of the Dark Lord.
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Voldemort would first speak to those of his followers who held seats inside the Wizagmot. His seats were of no use to him considering he was the last of his line and he was not able to use his seats due to being a known terrorist. He would never trust anyone to act in his place.
The twenty two titled Death Eaters who held a fifth of votes within the British Wizagamot. That didn't even include the Wizagamot members that they bribed to vote as Voldemort wanted them too. In total they had under half the votes.
If Voldemort and if Snape hadn't been killed Voldemort would have had access to his seats they would have had near half the votes. Of course, it wasn't all losses the young Malfoy heir might inherit the Prince fortune seeing as he was Snape's godson. The potions master's will hadn't been read yet so it was hard to tell.
Then there was the ten percent of the Wizagamot who varied who they voted with who were always very unpredictable. They were the ones who could decide the vote when it was the Ministry and Dumbledore's voters against Voldemort's as both sides had about the same amount of votes. This didn't happen often as the Ministry and Dumbledore rarely voted together.
Then there was a quarter that supported the Ministry and Fudge. Ironically that didn't include Fudge as he was on Lucius' payroll. In fact it was Amelia Bones and Amos Diggory who were the biggest spokes people within the Ministry of Magic.
Then there were Dumbledore's people who made up another quarter of the Wizagamot. Dumbledore had been elected as the Chief Warlock in 1981 whilst those who were known Death Eaters had been arrested and their titles suspended until their trials. That, also, meant that those they bribed weren't voting the way the Dark wanted them to either leaving only Dumbledore's followers and the Ministry who naturally elected their hero.
'You will vote against the House Elf Liberation Act that will be proposed on Thursday,' Voldemort ordered.
'Yes, My Lord,' the Death Eaters bowed.
'Pay off any Wizagmot member susceptible to bribes discretely,' Voldemort said sharply.
'Yes, My Lord,' the Death Eaters intoned.
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Miles away Harry frowned at what was going on in the Dark Lord's mind. The Ministry was easily enough to deal with. The Wizagamot would be in session and with Dumbledore and Voldemort's lot on the same side they would never vote in House Elf Liberation. It was Voldemort who was the problem now.
Voldemort actually planned to give into Harry's demands. That meant that he couldn't end the alliance without Voldemort's fury. He needed a way to end the alliance without making out it was his fault. Harry closed his eyes once again to see the most probably future.
Harry had entered Gringotts through the entrance on Magic Alley. Harry had been greeted by the goblins that he already knew. Harry had attended sword fighting and physical defence classes with more than one of their children.
Harry was lead to a small meeting room where he instantly felt the magic suppressors clamp down on him. Harry felt it affect his whole body. He felt weak. The kind of weakness that Harry hadn't felt since he had been a small child whose magic was bound by the Lord of the Light so that he couldn't fight against his abusers.
Harry shivered he hated that feeling. Harry quickly got himself under control. Harry couldn't let the Dark Lord seem him struggling with his past like that. Any sign of weakness and the Dark Lord would utilise it to his advantage.
Also, Harry could not reveal to Voldemort of the fact that Harry was the one prophesised to defeat him. Add in the fact that trying to kill Harry had lead him to exist in a horrific state between life and death for almost eleven years would mean that Voldemort would go to war with the elves whether or not Harry agreed to help him. They had a lot of bad blood between them.
Actually that would be a good way for their alliance to be over before it begun if it came to that. Voldemort would never ally with the Boy Who Lived no matter what it would give him. If Harry gave his identity in a sign of good faith and Voldemort took it the wrong way then it would have been seen as Voldemort's fault.
Harry smiled opening his eyes. Harry had a plan he now just had to stick with it. He would have to wait until he'd got the freed House Elves out of the backdoor before he revealed who he was to Voldemort. Then he would and the alliance would be over.
That night Harry got three letters. One was from Rosalie De Luc. The second one was from Amelia Bones. And the third one was from Voldemort. He knew what the three letters contained but read them anyway.
Dear King Dlartanseer,
I am dreadfully regretful for what has been done to you by the Ministry of Magic. Had I known what had happened I would have worked to illegalise the trade of House Elves many years ago. As it is the Minister and the Chief Warlock have become involved.
I hope you understand that the chances are that with the Dark Lord's power over the Ministry despite the fact that his seats have been frozen there may be no help from the Ministry. The Chief Warlock has decided that the Wizagamot are the best one's to decide the law which I believe is what you requested. The fate of your people will be decided on Thursday.
If the vote should fail I request a meeting to hand over to your people all the House Elves in the property of the Bones family. I know you have no reason to trust me so I let you decide the place and time. I do ask it to be in Britain as it would be very difficult for me to arrange and international portkey and time off given the state of the Britain.
Good Luck
Amelia Bones
Harry had known all this already. It was hard to say as of yet as the Wizagamot had not yet been informed of the vote which meant that the possible futures were too many to say what would happen. Harry suspected that as Dumbledore and Voldemort didn't want the elves on the Ministry's side that their sides would be united against the vote meaning that House Elves would still be enslaved.
The fact that Amelia had wanted to return his people to him was a little bit of a surprise as she thought it would be. That was the reason that Harry had announced the news of alliance to the press so that many of those who fought for freedom would feel sympathy with their plight. Harry knew that it was likely that the Ministry wouldn't have the meeting in Switzerland so he would have to set up a location allowing any of those not affiliated with Dumbledore or the Dark Lord to hand over the elves that they wished to. It wouldn't end the slavery of his people put it would help him.
Dear Madam Bones,
You have no idea how much this gladdens my heart to hear you agree to giving over my people. If I could save only one elf then it would make coming out of Avalon worth it. I hope that you are not the only one to hear the sad story of the once proud Elvin people and reach out to us so I ask you to gather any elves from like minded individuals who are not affiliated with either Dumbledore or Voldemort.
I understand your request for remaining in Britain but I am sure you understand my dislike at the notion of entering the Wizarding World. It would be best therefore to meet at a place in the Muggle world. I will be sure to wear glamour's as the Muggle world is not ready to find out about us.
Meet me at 12.30 on the Friday the week after the Wizagamot should the vote not go in my people's favour. If you feel you need more time to gather support of those who wish to hand over their elves I will be happy to change the date. There is a Muggle restaurant called the Angelus Restaurant where a private dining room can be booked so no one has to question what we are speaking about. Make sure you glamour the House Elves to look human.
Yours Sincerely
King Dlartanseer
Harry sent the letter to the Ministry witch hoping that the witch would get in contact with as many House Elf owners as she could. Harry didn't know how many would support her and how many wouldn't but it was done now. Harry opened the next letter from Voldemort.
King Shadowmage,
I agree to your terms and will consent to meeting you at the predetermined location tomorrow.
Lord Voldemort
Harry blinked at the letter. Never be said that the Lord of the Dark wasted words thought Harry amused. Harry suspected that the Dark Lord would have said more if he was trying to recruit Harry as the Dark Lord believe Harry was already firmly on his side he wasn't bothering to woo him to the Dark side.
Finally, Harry came to the third letter. Harry smiled brightly when he realised the letter was from Fleur Delacour. He had been in regular contact with Fleur since he was eight years old and she was eleven. They'd been best of friends since then.
Harry could remember a few months ago when she had written to him talking about William Weasley who she had discovered was her mate. Harry had been very happy for her but a bit wary that someone so firmly in Dumbledore's camp was her mate. It hadn't surprise Harry when Dumbledore had used Fleur's relationship to one of his Order to gain an alliance with the De Luc Veela.
Harry,
How's being the King of the Elves going? Why am I not surprised that you've already caused an uproar amongst the British wizards. I still remember when we first met and managed to spike the alcohol with veritserum. I can still remember the tanning that mama gave me that night. I still blame you.
Bill and I have begun planning our wedding. We're going to hold it in the De Luc palace. Some of Bill's family are a bit worried about having to come over to France because of their role in the war but Arthur and the twins have convinced them all to come if for a break. I think Arthur would like it if we moved to France and got out of the war.
Molly's still being a bitch. Honestly all wizard's are descended from Beings just because I'm closer than most doesn't mean anything. In France having Being genes is a title worthy of respect. Goddess I hate that women. I am this close to cursing her. Just because I'm a Light Being doesn't mean I'm above removing that woman from the planet.
Ronald and Ginevra are as annoying as ever although Ginevra is getting a lot better. I think Ginevra's main problem is the fact that she's jealous. I've had a lot of that over the years. Ronald's isn't really his fault. He just has no resistance to my allure.
Dumbledore isn't very happy with you and has demanded to know everything I know about you. I haven't told him much. I've mainly filled him in on the trouble we got into as children which Sirius found very amusing.
I suppose this gets onto the subject of your alliance. Dumbledore plans to bring Remus Lupin – the werewolf I told you about, Sirius Black – the prankster who still acts like a child, Nympadora Tonks and Alastor Moody – who are Aurors. Grandmere proposes next Monday for the meeting.
love
Fleur Delacour
Harry smiled at his friend who although cold and aloof to those who did not know here was steadfastly loyal to anyone else. Harry and Fleur had gotten into all sorts of trouble as children. Harry was pleased with the date. It would mean that all the "alliances" would be done by a week on Friday.