Disclaimer: 4 1H + 2 e → 4He + 2 neutrinos + 6 photons
*****
To both Harry and Neville's vocal surprise, the portkey brought them to Hogwarts' Station rather than returning them to the castle proper.
"I've been informed that there are people that wish to meet with you both before you return to the castle," Dumbledore had explained.
"Why not just have them meet us at the castle?" Harry asked.
"Alas, the wards make such meetings difficult for some people," Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid fixing that issue has not been a priority for the board of governors."
The sound of the Hogwarts Express approaching cut off further conversation and it wasn't long before the train pulled into the station looking a bit different than it usually did thanks to the addition of flat cars covered in sandbags and machine guns.
"Harry!" Luna cheered, leaping out of the front passenger car before it came to a stop. "It is good to see you again."
"Good to see you too, Luna," Harry replied. He looked around and was gratified to see several dozen concealed guard posts around the station. "Did you have a good errand?"
"Good enough that I am hopeful it will be quite some time before Hermione and I are called upon to repeat it," Luna replied proudly.
"Juliette!" Neville exclaimed in shocked pleasure.
Harry turned to see a girl that bore a strong resemblance to Hermione's mother disembark from the front coach.
"Neville!" the girl called out, taking three quick steps before she forced herself to take a slower more measured pace.
"Professors," Neville said, taking the girl by the hand. "Please permit me to introduce my girlfriend, Juliette Featherstone-Hugh."
"A pleasure, Ms. Featherstone-Hugh," Dumbledore spoke for the group. "I'm sure Neville was too modest to inform you himself, but he was awarded the most prestigious potions prize in our world today for his work in furthering the field."
The look she shot him was pure adoration.
"He should be proud of the achievement," McGonagall stated. "Mr. Potter is the only one I can think of that has managed to be awarded a similar prize in their age group."
Next to disembark was Hermione's uncle who the car with a strange woman on his arm.
"Cousin Ada?" Neville exclaimed in surprise.
"Cousin Neville." She nodded to the boy before turning to the professors. "I'm afraid I must impose on you for the use of your floo later."
"Of course," Dumbledore agreed. "I trust your post Hogwarts life has been good, Ada?"
"Eventfully, anyway," she replied.
Hermione's uncle reclaimed his arm and walked up to Harry. "Harry, I have a few things I need to discuss with you and a couple small favors to ask."
"Name them."
"The first is a bit of time for your assistant," Jim stated. "Her husband is on the train."
"Steven's here?" Flint said hopefully.
Harry turned to look at the woman. "You're off until he's back on."
"Thank you, chief," she said happily.
"What else?" Harry asked.
"Have you heard that I've been moved to a desk job?" Jim asked.
"I think I heard something along those lines," Harry agreed. "Why?"
"They have me working on dreadfully boring stuff. I was hoping you'd allow me to join your organization in an advisory role."
"Sure." Harry shrugged. "Not like I can't fire you if you're too useless."
"You've been spending a bit too much time around my brother in law, Harry," Jim laughed. "Being useless is the main part of the job for family members that talk their ways into positions with your business."
"We're not family."
"Not yet." He took a moment to admire the blush on the boy's face. "Now, since I'm your advisor, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I were to take stock of the resources you have available."
"Not yet."
"Hmm?"
"Not until you formally resign your former position," Harry explained. "Wouldn't be fair to Charlie otherwise."
"You are absolutely correct, lad. Good spot. Along those lines, I was hoping you wouldn't mind bringing Ada in as well."
"As what?"
"A combination minder and researcher for the girls," Jim stated.
"I'll pay for her time as a minder, the girls can pay for the research time," Harry said after a moment of thought.
Jim beamed. "Smashing. Thank you, Harry, you've brought peace of mind to more people than you know."
"Explain to them that they owe me for that and that I will collect at some future date. Her hiring is on the condition that she also tender her resignation before she begins as well," Harry added. "I don't know who she works for, but it wouldn't be fair to them either."
"Already done." Harry's head whipped around, wand appearing in his hand. He forced himself to relax when his brain processed who it was. Just when had she gotten behind him and how had she done it without him noticing? "My previous employer was happy to agree that my time would be best spent providing a bit of adult supervision after I explained how precocious the girls are."
IIIIIIIIII
While Detective Constable Wood's face was impassive as she stepped into her new superior's office her mind was going a thousand miles a minute trying to think of which of her many sins might have come to light and speculating just how bad an ass chewing she was about to receive.
"Ah, you must be Wood," the man said with a smile. "Come in."
"Thank you, sir."
"Have a seat."
She did so.
"To start with, I want you to know two things. The first is that I requested you personally, you have a reputation as being one of our absolute brightest."
"Thank you, sir." She didn't let any of her relief show. Looks like they hadn't figured out who'd been pepper spraying the toilet paper in the senior officer's water-closet after all.
"The second-" he sighed. "Are you aware of what we've been tasked with investigating?"
"I was not briefed, sir."
"You haven't done any poking around, chased down any rumors?" His eyebrows went up in shock. Perhaps things had changed a bit since his day.
"I may have heard a few things, sir," she said cautiously. "I dislike sharing any information I haven't been able to verify."
"Wonderful attitude. Share it."
"Rumor is that you have been ordered to find a way for the senior ranks to take credit for the recent drop in crime, sir," Detective Constable Wood stated, trying to hide her distaste.
"Close," he agreed. "I've been tasked with finding a reason for the recent drop in crime so that we can continue doing whatever it is that caused it. The senior ranks weren't stupid enough to explicitly state that I was to find a way for them to take credit or that I was not to find a reason that would keep them from taking credit."
"I see, sir."
"You disapprove?"
"I have always understood that the purpose of a detective was to find the truth, sir, no matter what it might be."
"Good. Exactly the reason I requested you."
"Sir?"
"I need people that will find the truth, bugger what the senior ranks want," he said bluntly. "I also need people that are closed mouthed enough to do so without leaking anything that would get the investigation shut down early."
"I see, sir."
"Doesn't mean I won't try to give them what they want, even if it is a fig leaf over the real reason, of course, don't want to end either of our careers early. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Any problems with how I intend to do things?"
"No, sir."
"Congratulations on your promotion, Detective Sergeant Wood. We've been allocated five Detective Constable to help with our investigation, do you have any names you'd like to suggest?"
IIIIIIIIII
James stole a cigar from the box on his former superior's desk as he watched the man process what he'd just been told.
"You're resigning?" Charlie exclaimed in shock.
"I thought it best for everyone if I were to resign before taking another position," Jim agreed, clipping the end off the cigar.
"What other position?" Charlie demanded.
"Young Harry's organization has grown a bit quicker than anyone imagined," Jim replied, pulling out his lighter. "I offered to give the lad a bit of help."
"I see."
"Speaking of whom." He lit the cigar and took a couple experimental puffs. "I would strongly suggest that you pull some strings to get him an appointment at Dartmouth. Use whatever enrollment they normally use for foreign cadets."
"Why not try to get him a commission?"
"It would be awkward to have a commissioned officer moonlighting as the commander of a foreign military force in these times for one. For two, it risks severely annoying my niece which is something I think we would both agree is to be avoided in light of recent events."
"True." Charlie shot him a glare as he selected his own cigar. It took a bit before his mind caught up with what he'd just heard. "What foreign military force?"
"Goblins have given him command of at least several hundred of their regulars."
"Ground forces?" Jim nodded as Charlie prepared and lit his own cigar. "In that case, why not Sandhurst?"
Jim replied with a look of utter disdain.
"Yes, I suppose that was a stupid question," Charlie agreed. "Don't want the boy to pick up any bad habits." Charlie frowned as a thought occurred. "Did Hermione offer to let you play with her giant robots? Is this why you're leaving? You son of a bitch! If this gets out then we'll lose every man we've got to the Granger family."
"I would advise you to watch your tone or you can just forget about seeking an appointment with new employer so that you can get a chance to play with them." Jim grinned. "I was thinking of telling Q about some of the things my lovely young niece has been doing on my way out of the building. Do you think he'd be interested?"
Charlies horrified face would live in Jame's dreams for months.
IIIIIIIIII
Daphne's heart beat faster and faster as she went though the pictures her father had sent her. The Malfoy Manor was a lake as were several other pureblood country houses. Townhouses had not been destroyed quite so completely, but it was still the rare one that still had a wall more than two stones high.
"Looks like we picked the winning team," Tracy said cheerfully.
"How can you be so calm about this!?" Daphne demanded.
"Because we're on the side that did that," Tracy replied. "You think the other side could do something like this? Why wouldn't I be calm?"
"Yes," Daphne agreed, letting out a deep breath. "You are quite correct, cousin. Please forgive my lapse."
Tracy snorted in amusement at her cousin's acting. "Explains what happened to Draco, ponce is probably still running."
"Show's a lot more sense than I ever expected from him."
IIIIIIIIII
There was a frown on Hermione's face as she and Luna approached Harry. She and Luna had seen something that morning, something that made no sense that they could fathom.
"Hello, Harry Potter," Luna chirped. "How are you today?"
"Well, Luna, yourself?"
"Confused," Luna admitted. "Hermione and I were hoping to learn why the goblins are digging out the canal?"
"Ah. It's so we have access to the ocean," Harry replied. "Couple more units are expanding some of the canal network down south."
"Thank you, Harry," Luna said cheerfully.
"Harry, I can understand why it might be useful to have a better connection to the ocean, but why should we bother with any other canals?" Hermione asked. "Canals don't do anything that trains can't do faster."
"We should bother because it's a cheap way to expand our transportation network," Harry explained. "Most of the canals are in good shape, the ones that aren't just need to get some quick work and a fill. Much easier and faster than laying new track that likely wouldn't get more than a few years of use anyway."
Luna cocked her head. "Why wouldn't they get much use?"
"Because I would be surprised if it took you two long to figure out how to make a network of vanishing cabinets for instant delivery," Harry replied with a grin. "It's just a modification on something we already have."
"That isn't used because of all the magic it uses," Hermione pointed out. "Transport magic isn't used for cargo because it siphons magic from the object being transported."
"It has been known to disenchant items," Luna agreed. "It's fine if it's being carried by someone that can provide enough magic, but it's terribly inefficient. We get around this with our long distance coal engines by switching out firemen. The transportation magic drains the firemen fairly quickly and only works because it also syphons energy from the engine itself so we need to have a large number of them which, coupled with the energy loss from the engines, makes the whole system terribly inefficient."
Harry stared at the two girls for a few seconds. "Can either of you tell me why it is that electrical devices don't work at Hogwarts?"
"Because of the anti-lightning wards," the girls replied.
"Correct. What happens to the electricity?"
The two girls glanced at each other for a moment. "The electricity is routed into the wards to make them stronger."
"Also correct," Harry agreed. "So we know electricity can be converted into magical energy. What was that big project you two were working on again?"
Luna's eyes went wide with alarm, surely he didn't suspect? "A fusion reactor," she blurted, remembering their cover story.
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Which can produce almost limitless cheap energy that we were going to use with similar wards to run magical reactions. Why didn't we see this before? Harry, you're an absolute genius!"
"That's what they keep telling me," Harry laughed. "All I'm doing is pointing out the obvious though. Doubt there's even a need to make electricity with your reactor, just convert the light and heat directly if you can. Use that and you have a massive supply of magic to pump into a transportation network to move supplies around the country."
"That's right! That's how we powered the-" Hermione's mouth snapped shut.
"The what?" Harry asked innocently.
"The secret project we'll tell you about later," Luna replied airily.
"We can really do this," Hermione said, hoping to distract the boy. "We can connect the world if we want to."
"Why stop there?" Luna asked brightly. "We could connect the world or even-"
"-other worlds," Hermione finished the thought. "This might work even better than . . . . Luna, we have work to do!"
"Right!" the little blonde cheered. "Harry, tell the Professors that we shan't be attending classes for a while."
"Harry Potter sir is getting boats?" a familiar voice asked the second the girls were gone.
"Hi, Dobby." Harry wondered how long the elf had been listening. "Yeah, looks like it."
"Boats that always haves tasks to be done and things to be cleaned?"
"So I'm told," Harry agreed.
"Dobby will tell the other elves!" Truly, Harry Potter sir was the best master ever!
Harry glanced around to confirm that, yup, he was as alone as he ever got these days. "Hammerknee."
"Yeah, chief?"
"What do I have scheduled today?"
"Hermione's Uncle Jim wants a meeting later today to discuss keeping the girls safe," the goblin replied. "Most of the researchers are ready to submit their findings so we've had multiple requests that you do something interesting so they have something new to study. I've had one researcher ask me to poke you with a stick to see if you do something unusual."
"It doesn't work like that," Harry sighed. "I can't just wave my hand and-" He cut off when sparks shot out of his fingers. "Damn it, do you think anyone saw?"
"Afraid so, chief. Think I saw at least three of them watching you."
"That was just normal accidental magic!" he yelled. "Nothing unusual at all about it!"
"I don't think they believe you, chief."
"Damn it."
IIIIIIIIII
Neville settled the chair in front of the fireplace and waited patiently for the flames to turn. While he hadn't been sure about his gran's and Hermione's mum's plan to set him up when they'd first suggested it, he was honestly happy that they had.
"Neville? Are you there?"
"I'm here," he replied. "Can you hear me clearly?"
"I can," Juliette agreed. "Neville, I've been doing some thinking since we last saw each other."
"Less than twenty four hours ago," Neville supplied cheerfully.
"Yes."
"What have you been thinking?" he prompted.
"Well, you're very good at potions, aren't you?"
"I just thought of a couple things that other people find interesting," Neville said modestly. "Really I'm just someone who likes to dabble a bit."
"No, you didn't and no you aren't," she disagreed firmly. "You got an award for your work. An award my cousin tells me is one of the most prestigious in the world. So, Neville, you're very good at potions, aren't you?"
"Apparently," he admitted.
"Have you considered capitalizing on that?"
"In what way?"
"I was thinking you could form a pharmaceutical company. Possibly one that crosses over into the non-magical world if we can discover properties of non-magical plants that can be used or if you can find a way to replicate the effects using entirely non-magical ingredients."
"Oh. I hadn't really thought about opening my own business," Neville admitted. "It's not like I'll ever want for money."
"It's not about the money, Neville, it's about helping people that are sick and hurt using your potions to make them better. Imagine if you could cure a disease or if you could cure someone's blindness! There's no end to the possibilities."
Neville went very still, his thoughts whirling.
"Neville? Neville? Are you still there?"
"I'm here," Neville assured the girl. "Why don't we talk about how I could make potions that could help people."
"I knew you'd see the sense in my idea," Juliette cheered. "First of all-"
IIIIIIIIII
James smiled at the assorted group around the table. Goblins, magicals, house elves, and himself a non-magical. Retirement was going to be a blast.
"Let me start by thanking you for agreeing to meet with me before young Harry gets here," Hermione's uncle stated. "As I'm sure you all know, young Harry has accepted my offer to provide my experience and expertise to his enterprise. To aid in my new task, I was hoping you would be willing to share some of your capabilities and areas of expertise with me. Ms. Ballcracker, if you wouldn't mind starting us off."
James' thoughts were racing as the other beings gave him brief rundowns of their abilities and powers. Retiring was looking like the best decision he'd ever made, better even than the day his much younger self had decided to take the Queen's Shilling.
Something one of the house elves said caught his ear and he found himself staring intently at the odd being. "Wait. Mr. Kreacher, am I to understand that house elves are able to find anyone they've ever served?"
"Master Blackest's Hermy's Uncle Jimmy understands rightly," the old elf agreed.
"What an extraordinarily interesting bit of information," James stated cheerfully. He nodded to Harry as the boy entered the room with his aide.
"Started early?"
"At my request," Jim replied. "They were kind enough to take the time to educate me on some of their capabilities."
"Good." Harry grinned. "Thank you all for agreeing to do that."
Unnoticed, a smile appeared on Kreacher's face. Once he'd have disapproved, once he'd have loudly proclaimed the unnaturalness of a master thanking a servant. But that was all before Kreacher learned the true character of his master. Blackest of Blacks, darkest of wizards. The Master was a masterful actor, one who never broke character, not even when surrounded by his closest servants. The light sided fools would never suspect him until it was far too late.
Harry cleared his throat. "First item for consideration is that we've scheduled a date for the reactor test. I want double security and I want the house elves to step up surveillance of anyone with knowledge of the test. Nothing can be leaked, absolutely nothing. Anyone who talks outside the secure areas or to anyone not cleared is to be immediately detained along with anyone not cleared." There was a murmur of agreement around the table.
"Please forgive me for interrupting," Jim spoke up. "Am I permitted to ask what reactor test you are referring to?"
"Nuclear Fuzon, I'm told it's like having a sun in a jar," Harry spoke. "The girls tell me that, assuming the numbers and calculations are correct, that scaled up it will produce an almost limitless supply of cheap power."
"Fusion, perhaps?" Jim smiled. "Might I make a few suggestions in regards to security?"
"Please do," Harry stated.
"To start with, I am told the girls have a plan to set up a research station on Mars?"
"They do," Harry agreed. "We're being a bit more open about that one. Phil has started construction of a spaceport on one of the guano islands in the Pacific. We've let it be known that we expect to begin rocket testing some time at the end of the next decade if all goes well."
"How close are we really?" Jim asked intently.
Harry laughed. "We're hoping to have our first colony on Mars by the end of the year if another one of the girls' projects bears fruit. Within the next five if not."
"I was rather hoping you'd say that," Jim stated. "My suggestion is that we maintain absolute secrecy until our Mars colony is self sustaining and large enough to evacuate everyone to in a worse case scenario."
"Phil had a similar suggestion," Harry stated. "I agree."
"Wonderful." Jim sighed. "Please permit me a day or two to go over the rest of your plans before offering up more suggestions."
"Of course," Harry agreed. "Ballcracker, how are things going with your department?"
"We are still building our network in the muggle world," the Auditor stated. "Dobby and the other house elves have been good enough to agree to aid me in the retrieval of some assets that would be useful for this endeavor."
IIIIIIIIII
Philip put a smile on his face as Amelia stormed into his office. Seemed she'd been informed of his plans for the Ministry.
"You sold the Ministry of Magic out to the Muggle government," she growled. "Why?"
"Sold out the Ministry?" Philip's smile deepened. "I believe you mean to say that I gave Her Majesty's government the tools and resources to force the magical part of the government to abide by their obligations under the law."
Amelia's jaw tightened. "Why?"
"The Ministry of Magic was a danger to my daughter," Phil said bluntly. "A danger that at best would have treated her as a second class citizen. Why do you think?"
"Things were getting better," Amelia pointed out. "Do you honestly think we couldn't have pushed real changes after the war was won?"
"Let me put things another way, Amelia," Philip sighed. "Imagine you had a choice; Would you rather I dealt with things as I have, or would you rather Harry took care of things his way?"
Amelia took a seat on one of the chairs across from his desk. "Harry would have burned the Ministry to the ground with half the government trapped inside and then pissed on the ashes while the other half cheered him on."
"Probably," Philip agreed. "Not just cheered, I have no doubt that the other half would have given their enthusiastic help."
"No doubt," Amelia echoed. "Have you had any luck on convincing him not to be so damned bloody minded?"
"I am afraid not," Philip laughed. "Harry seems to have two ways of dealing with a problem, any problem."
"To ignore it or to utterly destroy it," Amelia agreed. "So what now?"
"You've already done most of the work needed to separate the wheat from the chaff. Everyone you bring has a guaranteed job with the alliance and a generous pension from her majesty's government. Everyone that chooses to stay with the Ministry of Magic and agrees to swear an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty will receive a rather substantial pay raise."
"What alliance?"
"The major players have agreed to extend our arrangement and Her Majesty's government has agreed to abide by its treaties with the goblins."
"So we're all goblins now?"
"Nominally under their government to keep Her Majesty's Government happy."
"There's more, isn't there?"
"Of course," Philip agreed. "But I am afraid that will have to wait until after you have agreed to join us."
"There was never any question I would," Amelia snorted. "I'm just annoyed that you managed all this under my nose."
Phil tried not to look insufferably smug. He failed.
IIIIIIIIII
The Prime Minister's eyebrows rose when the Cabinet Secretary, his nominal subordinate, strode into his office with a grin on his face.
"Good afternoon, Prime Minister. I have come to inform you that I have just been informed that the first stage of the first part of the plan, by which I mean of course the plan to bring our nominal colleagues in the magical side of the government back into the fold, that is to say under the actual oversight rather than the current state of de facto independence of the magical government from the the more mundane parts of Her Majesty's government, your government, is in the final stage before completion at which time we will be ready to begin the second stage of the first part of the plan, Prime Minister."
The Prime Minister's eyes crossed for a split second. "Wonderful. I trust everything is going smoothly."
"Of course, Prime Minister," Sir Humphrey said with a wide and condescending smile. "You will be pleased to hear that nearly sixty percent of their branch of the civil service has chosen to accept our offer to grant civil service pensions upon their resignation."
"What?" The Prime Minister exclaimed in shock. "Sixty percent?"
"Perhaps as many as eighty percent or as little as thirty, Prime Minister," Sir Humphrey said blandly. "It's hard to tell due to how poor their paperwork is after the attack."
"Attack? What attack?!" the Prime Minister squawked.
"The terrorist that's been giving them trouble chose to invade their building. I'm told the ones that chose not to evacuate put up one hell of a fight and killed nearly every one of the invaders in a series of horrifically brutal and bloody fights. A credit to the service they are. Stout lads, men and women that will be shining examples that will no doubt inspire many future generations of Her Majesty's civil servants." Sir Humphrey puffed his chest out proudly. "We are quite fortunate that none of them chose to continue employment."
"What?" The Prime Minister frowned. "Sir Humphrey, you just said they were credits to the service, did you not? And . . . and inspirations . . . "
"I did, Prime Minister."
"If that's the case, why wouldn't we want them working for us?"
"Because, Prime Minister, they're the ones that showed courage and fortitude in a difficult situation. The ones that showed that they could be counted upon to do their duty under difficult circumstances. Men and women that would fight and die on their feet rather than suffer the indignation of living on their knees. In other words, exactly the sort that would resist the changes we hope to implement and, thus, exactly the sort that we are well rid of."
"So what does that leave us with?"
"Those civil servants that understand the importance of maintaining continuity of government no matter how challenging the situation might be," Sir Humphrey stated with a wide tremendously condescending smile.
"What?"
The nation's senior civil servant sighed. "While the ones that stayed and fought could be a problem, those who ran, on the other hand, were also the ones that appeared quite willing to come back to work the next day to continue their jobs under the terrorist, should he have won. They'll keep their heads down, they'll keep their mouths shut, they'll take their pay, and most importantly they will do as they are told."
"I see. I suppose that puts a whole new spin on the situation, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Prime Minister, it does."
"Have you considered who might be the best person to take the position of Permanent Secretary for the Department of Magical Affairs?"
"I rather thought I would delay finding someone until after we've had a chance to bring the magical civil service completely to heel, Prime Minister. In the meantime, I thought I would keep that responsibility myself."
"Of course." The Prime Minister gave a fake smile. "Will you be able to do so without the extra duties negatively affecting your current duties, Sir Humphrey?"
"Set your mind at ease, Prime Minister, I believe that I have found a more than able assistant to help me deal with the extra burden."
"A normal assistant or . . ."
"A magical, Prime Minister. Good lad, apparently comes from a good family. One with a long history in the civil service. Shows exactly the right sort of attitude and instincts for a career in the civil service."
"I take that to mean he'd be willing to sell his own mother for a chance at promotion," the Prime Minister muttered.
"What was that, Prime Minister?" Sir Humphrey asked. "I'm afraid I didn't catch what you just said. If you would care to repeat it a bit louder?"
"I said that I would be delighted to meet the boy, Sir Humphrey. Do be sure to bring him by some time."
"Of course, Prime Minister, I'm sure young Percival will be delighted at the opportunity to meet someone as august as yourself."
"Good, now that we've covered that matter, there still remains the matter of the soon to be former Minister of Magic."
"I rather thought that you might choose to leave him in his position for a bit longer, Prime Minister," Sir Humphrey said blandly.
"That spineless weasel? Whatever for?"
"It's quite simple, Prime Minister, in my research on the customs, policies, and laws of the magical government I came upon the shocking fact that the terms of remuneration for our magical colleagues had not changed since Victoria was on the throne. Giving my new subordinates a quick lesson on the pay and benefits afforded to non-magical civil servants along with the promise that all magical civil servants would enjoy the same completely alleviated any ill feelings on the part of the employees that chose to continue their employment under us."
"So . . . let me think, it wasn't until nineteen ten that-"
"Nineteen eleven, Prime Minister," Sir Humphrey interrupted. "Yes, your supposition is correct, Prime Minister."
"The Minister of Magic is an unpaid position?"
"Completely, Prime Minister. I took the liberty of having a report made on Minister Fudge's income from . . . shall we say 'unofficial' sources and I was surprised to learn that his unofficial remuneration amounts to less than half the basic remuneration for members of parliament."
IIIIIIIIII
Hermione's uncle carefully swept the room for bugs and hidden peep holes, his guest Ada did the same. His club was supposed to be one of the most secure locations in the nation but it was also absolutely filled with his sort so he found it prudent to take precautions.
"I'm not finding anything," Ada announced.
"Nor am I, my dear," Jim stated. "I hope you don't mind eating at the club. I'm afraid I've been advised to avoid public places until my replacement begins making a name for himself."
"Not at all," Ada purred. "I'll have to remember to bring you to mine at some point in the future." She sighed in annoyance when some inconsiderate began pounding on the door. "Shall I put up silencing charms or should we see what they want?"
"No sense delaying things," Jim murmured.
A flick of her wand undid the locking charms and Hermione's godfather burst into the room immediately afterward.
"How the hell did you do it, you rotten son of a bitch?" Charlie demanded.
"Do what?" Hermione's uncle asked mildly. "I'm afraid that I haven't done anything yet, I'm just getting started with the preliminary work."
"So far as we can tell, SPECTRE has been destroyed," Charlie announced. "Every one of them dead or in custody."
Jim snorted. "They've pulled that dodge before."
"True. But they never delivered copies of their records and research before, or the locations of all their secret facilities."
Jim's usual careful expression of polite disinterest cracked. "What?"
"The mountain of corpses is old hat, but it was usually provided by you or one of your predecessors. They've never been considerate enough to do themselves in before."
"DNA verification?"
"Will arrive as soon as we can get it, likely several months to several years with how long the test takes and just how many samples we have to run."
"Congratulations," Ada said with a smile. "While not an organization I ever had personal dealings with, I understand that their passing will not be mourned by any."
Charlie turned to her. "Thank you, dear lady and please forgive the appalling lack of manners I showed in your presence. The only excuse I can offer is that your companion is both a blackguard, a rogue, and a cad. One who's very presence often vexes me to the point that I often forget that I am a gentleman due to the fact that the stupid smug look on his face enrages me to the point that I can think of little else but wiping it off in the most violent possible way."
"Please think nothing of it, good sir," Ada laughed. "I'm told he has that effect on quite a lot of people."
"I salute your courage and wish you luck in dealing with him. Your dossier suggests an abundance of both so I believe my old friend is in good hands. Let me again offer my apology for disturbing your meeting." He gave a deep bow before exiting the room.
Ada counted thirty seconds after the door closed before reapplying her privacy charms and turning back to her companion. "A bit loose lipped around me, wasn't he?"
"One moment please, my dear." Jim began rechecking the room. "It would be just like that bastard to plant a bug while he was here."
"Oh, Jim, you know the most fascinating people."
"Aside from how smug it would make my sister, another thing that makes me hesitate to suggest making our arrangement official is the thought that your interesting people might meet mine and the carnage it would bring."
"A terrifying thing to consider," Ada laughed. "Why, they might work together to bring ruin to our nation's enemies."
"For a week or two before they ran out. Then they'd get bored and start looking for other things to occupy their time." Jim nodded in satisfaction. "Clear so far as I can tell."
"The same according to my charms," Ada agreed. "Also as secure as I can make us without raising permanent wards."
"To answer your question; your very presence here and with me grants you clearance to a certain level of information."
"I see. A rather more efficient system than I am used to," she stated. "Young Mr. Potter's elves, do you think?"
"I informed them of the organization, but I did not in my wildest dreams think that they would be so fast or so efficient."
"I suppose they tailor their response based on the level of potential danger," Ada mused. "Terrifying to think of what they're capable of." She laughed. "More so for me than you I would suspect."
"Oh?"
"While you did not grow up around house elves, I did. You can imagine what a shock it is to learn that the creatures most of my society view as nothing more than slightly dim domestics is capable of when given the right leadership and direction. I must say that I simply can not wait to see what what else your niece's young gentleman has in store."
"Immortality, I'm told," Jim murmured.
"What?" she stared at him in undisguised shock.
"I have two nieces involved with magicals," James pointed out. "The one your cousin is so enamored with is working on a serum to retard the aging process using completely mundane materials. I'm told the results he's getting are quite promising."
"I trust you've ordered an appropriate amount of security for them both?"
"And then doubled it," Jim agreed.
IIIIIIIIII
The girls watched with barely concealed excitement as the last bits of their test reactor went together. It was tiny, barely five meters across, but if successful their little device would completely transform the world.
"How are things going, Sprocket?" Hermione asked.
"Well, mistress. The wards should be completed by the end of the day tomorrow and we hope to have them charged and ready for the first test within the next seventy two hours."
"Does that include the time needed to raise the wards?" Luna spoke, her gaze locked on the device.
"It does, mistress," Sprocket agreed. "If all goes well, we should be ready to go hot within the next seventy two hours."
"Why so soon?"
"Partly due to the size of the device and partly due to the advances made during the locomotive project, mistress."
"Are you pondering what I'm pondering, Luna?" Hermione whispered.
"I think so, Hermione, but I think domes would be more thematically appropriate for our Martian colony than the underground base we have in development."
"Patience, Luna, we promised to wait until we're ready to go public before we break ground on our first dome."
"Nothing in our promise said we can't start designing it now," Luna pointed out reasonably.
"You are correct, Luna," Hermione laughed. "Sprocket!"
"Yes, mistress?"
"Luna and I shall be in our office doing preliminary work on our first Martian dome!"
"I shall oversee things here until you return, mistress."
"COME!" Hermione said grandly. "To the drafting table!"
"Narf!" Luna cheered.