Harry Potter and the Prancing of Ponies

by The Guy Who Writes

Chapter 59: The Adults in Diagon Alley

Harry rode the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley the next morning after he got back to Oxford, going back to the magical world after spending only a single night in the muggle one.

It felt… improper, somehow, that he wasn't living full-time in Muggle Britain over the summer. He'd come to start thinking of himself as the unofficial representative for muggle interests in Magical Britain, since so few other wizards care. Even the ones who think of themselves as 'progressive' only care about muggleborns, not the muggles themselves.

It also felt improper that, as an eleven/twelve/thirteen-year-old (depending on who you asked and if you factored in Time Turned hours), he wasn't relaxing over break. He wasn't getting further in his maths lessons, or taking a few more university-level courses from starving grad students. Well, not yet. Maybe later in the summer.

No, instead he was doing adult things. He was going to Gringotts to negotiate with the Grand Manager. He was meeting up with the Malfoys at Mr. Bester's. He will be there when 'Monroe' wows, whips, and submits to the Wizengamot, and he will be helping.

The only thing that might be considered a 'childish' activity was visiting his 'training grounds' for the foreseeable future. Professor Monroe hasn't explained what he meant by that one, but he had explained that, while it might be fun, it won't be leisure.

Oh, and they will also be bringing his dad to Mr. Bester – who will be paid much, much more than his usual fee. Trying to train a muggle in Occlumency, which might or might not even be possible, and taking on a temporary assistant (Hermione Granger, whose burgeoning Legilimency should make step one of his dad's Occlumency lessons easier) would both warrant increased pay.

Which meant bringing his father to Diagon Alley. His mother, when she heard this, with a great will of courage said she would go as well – not to sign up for lessons, just to be there with her son and husband.

And so the three of them rode the Knight Bus.

Professor Michael Verres-Evans liked the Knight Bus about as much as Harry did two days ago. Petunia Evans-Verres liked it even less, closing her eyes the whole time and clutching her husband's hands while chanting in a small whisper that it will be alright.

"I was scared at first too, Dad," said a child who looked like Dean Thomas.

"Is it easier for wizards?" his father asked.

"No," said the apparent muggleborn. "Don't worry too much. This bus has been around since buses came to muggle London, and it's never gotten into a single accident."

"Even… if that's true," said his father, pausing for breath, "just knowing that isn't enough."

"Experiencing is different from knowing," Harry finished. "Yeah, I get it. I was the same way at first, but I had a good teacher. He said distractions help, then brought up a pretty good distraction."

"You mean… that man… who was with you earlier?" asked Professor Verres-Evans, seeming to calm slightly as he was given something to focus on other than the ride, though he still took deep breaths occasionally. Possibly to help with nausea. "The one… who said he's the world's most powerful wizard? He's a professor… from Hogwarts, right?"

"Yep," said 'Dean'.

"What does he teach?"

"Battle Magic," said 'Dean' without thinking. "Er, I mean, he teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Battle Magic, eh?" asked his dad with raised eyebrows. "You didn't mention that in your letters."

Crap. He shouldn't have let that slip. Or maybe…

"Yeah, sorry. I should have told you, but I was afraid you'd react like Hermione's parents did at Christmas. The class was called 'Battle Magic' all throughout history. Self-defense has always been the main point of the class, but the name wasn't actually changed to 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' until recently. It was a school board decision."

"That I understand," said the professor in a calm voice, though his eyes were focused on the window again, and his hand still clutched Mum's.

Ordinarily, 'Dean' wouldn't say what he was about to say, but since he was trying to distract his dad from the bus ride…

"He also declared me the most dangerous student in the classroom on the first day of lessons, then he gave me a test in lateral thinking to prove it."

"Oh?" asked Dad. "What test?"

"He told me to name ten unaccustomed uses for items in the room for combat."

"Dare I ask what you suggested?"

"Sure, but not while Mum is here," said 'Dean'.

"Ah," said Dad knowingly. "How did he react to your ideas which, I'm sure, were very creative?"

"He tore into me for how impractical they all were," said 'Dean'. "He was right, too. Removing the floor for a spike trap is a stupid idea in that setting. I'm a lot better about it now."

"You learned a lot from him?" said Dad, still with that knowing look.

"More than you can imagine," said 'Dean'. "And he learned a lot from me, too."

"That's good to hear," said Dad with a smile. "You said his name is Quirrell, right?"

"I said that in my letters, yes, but I should have given you an issue of the Daily Prophet to get you up to speed. He was only pretending to be Quirinus Quirrell for… let's call it political reasons. If his real identity was known, he wouldn't have been able to properly teach his lessons."

"What's his real name?"

"It's complicated. If you get a copy of the newspaper from two days ago in Diagon Alley, you can read up in your own time. I'm sure there are still plenty of copies floating around." 'Dean' grinned. "Of course, that means you'll have to buy it. The first stop is the bank; I'll withdraw an allowance for you."

His father wasn't amused. "You seem to forget, son, who the adult is in this relationship. I'll buy it myself."

"I haven't forgotten," said 'Dean', still smiling. "But how do you plan to buy it without any money?"

"I'm sure the bank will exchange pounds for wizard currency," said Professor Verres-Evans with certainty.

He was right, of course, and that's exactly what he did while Professor Monroe and his student went off for a private meeting with a Gringotts representative.

The boy was mildly worried that something might happen, but honestly, with his ability to revive anybody if he got to them quick enough, combined with Professor Monroe's traces and warding, he was fairly certain his parents were safe.

At least Harry – yes, now Harry, the Thief's Downfall would have taken care of his disguise if his mentor hadn't first – at least Harry now knows what it feels like to be a parent. It is the constant contradiction of worrying about their safety and wanting them to otherwise be as independent as possible.

---

"Right this way," said Griphook – Harry's vault manager – as he opened a door to a room that was much more well-ornamented than the debtor's room.

Harry Potter and 'David Monroe' sat down in the two seats at a circular table that did not imply higher or lower status depending on where you sat. All three chairs looked exactly the same.

Not five seconds after they sat down, a goblin Harry didn't recognize walked into the room and sat in the unoccupied seat. The Potter and Monroe Vault Managers stood off to the side as witnesses and consultants.

"You wished to discuss the matter of the Dark Lord's bounties, Lord Monroe?" asked the goblin with a neutral expression. "Mr. Potter?"

"Yes," said Professor Monroe, "but if you don't mind, we would like to discuss something else first. The stated purpose of bounty collection was partly a ruse to prevent public suspicions about our other purposes here."

"And what would those purposes would be?" asked the Grand Manager of Gringotts with a sharp smile.

"Mr. Potter has discovered something that might be of interest to the Goblin nation that should be kept quiet even if it's verified."

The goblin raised its eyebrows, then looked at Harry.

Silver Wing had casually discussed the topic of arbitrage with Riddle Tome in Equestria, and on the way to Gringotts this morning, Professor Monroe had described to Harry in vague terms (in case of eavesdroppers) how to put that information to proper use.

"Before I say it outright," said Harry, "I'd like to know if the Goblin nation knows the current silver-to-gold exchange rate in the muggle world."

"Ten parts silver to one part gold," the goblin quoted without hesitating.

Harry frowned. "That's off by about a factor of eight. It's much closer to eighty to one." He had checked over the previous winter break just to be sure, which was over a year and a half ago from his perspective, but it shouldn't have changed much since then.

The goblin's eyes did not widen, they narrowed. "You are certain?"

"Yes. It's why I asked Griphook if you coined raw metal, and why I asked him to spitball the goblin metal coining rate… let's see… almost ten months ago."

The Grand Manager looked to Griphook.

Griphook nodded confirmation. "He promised not to hold Gringotts to the estimate I gave."

"And I still won't," said Harry easily. "If I'm being honest," which his mentor said he should be, "I planned to arbitrage," a term which his mentor said the goblin nation would understand, "but then I realized this is the proper way to put the information to good use. I apologize for my desire to exploit the goblin nation in the process."

The goblin inclined its head. "No need to apologize for legal profit-seeking, Lord Potter. You were doing as any goblin would have done in your place. It would have been a failing on our part if you could use us to arbitrage. But I must ask again. Are you certain that eighty-to-one is the true silver-to-gold exchange rate in the muggle world?"

"I checked this morning," said Lord Monroe, drawing the Grand Manager's eyes. "It is exactly eighty-one point nineteen to one, according to multiple members of the London Stock Exchange. It fluctuates, but it's been at least twenty-five to one for most of the century, except for a span of years in the twenties and another span in the late sixties, where it did dip to ten-to-one. I could show you a memory to prove it, or use a Patronus Charm. I'm afraid we're both immune to Veritaserum," he said with a gesture to himself and Harry.

"Not necessary," said the goblin with a frown. "I will contract a new third party for independent verification. One that is not an Occlumens."

"And one who is powerful enough to avoid ambush, read-only Legilimency, Obliviation, and false memory-charms, which Thief's Downfall cannot remove or detect. Nor do Unbreakable Vows to honesty guard against genuinely believed false memories."

The goblin's eyes narrowed further. "Indeed."

Neither party said out loud the obvious – that if the claim turns out to be true, then the current third party who deals with muggle precious metal sellers (since goblins could not do so themselves), or someone manipulating that third party, had managed to defraud the goblins out of a lot of money.

"Assuming it is true," said the goblin, "you will have performed a great deed for the goblin nation by bringing this to our attention."

"So we shall have," said Professor Monroe. "In exchange, we will not ask for Goblin Metal, or anything material. Only… forgiveness is not the right word. We ask for understanding."

The Grand Manager tilted his head slightly. "Understanding regarding what?"

"I will need to withdraw a few wands from my robe to show you. I am afraid I need them for demonstrational purposes; I promise not to use them in any way while I'm in this room without express permission."

The goblin inclined its head, looking both confused and curious. "Very well."

Monroe drew and placed three Elder Wands on the table, the original along with two replicas. The goblin did not snatch and inspect them, for grabbing another's weapon would have been a great display of disrespect to a patron who was offering lucrative friendship. Not to mention the laws against goblins handling wands, and goblin customs about taking others' weapons outside of combat. But the instinct to pick them up anyway was clearly present on the creature. The goblin clearly recognized its kin's forgery in at least one of them, even if the outside was all knobbed grey wood.

"I acquired the Elder Wand," explained Monroe, "figured out how it was made, and in the process of replicating the power, I stumbled upon the secrets of goblin metal, along with an unclaimed vein of raw material."

More like an unclaimed motherlode, in the form of the entirety of Equestria. Natural deposits of silver stewing next to natural wells of magic for hundreds of years is needed for mithril to form on its own. On earth, that meant only a few sources, and the goblins have probably found them all by now. On Equestria, where natural wells of magic are about as common as natural springs of water, mithril is only slightly rarer than ordinary silver.

Harry saw an indecipherable emotion on the Grand Manager's face when he learned what they were implying.

Professor Monroe continued speaking without missing a beat. "We stole nothing from your nation, and we mean no ill will. We have no intention of sharing the secrets of goblin-forged weaponry with the rest of wizarding society, but I ask that you respect our independent discovery. We did not mean to circumvent Gringotts, and we do not wish to offend. We offer the knowledge of the muggle economy as an apology, if you are insulted, and as a request for neutrality, if you feel as though we have encroached on your nation's secrets."

"Now I would like a Patronus Charm to verify your sincerity," said the Goblin. "From both of you. I will inform the guards not to attack. You have permission to use your wands only to send truthful messages."

This was done, the goblin watching carefully all the while.

The Grand Manager nodded firmly afterwards. "I will exercise the utmost prudence in verifying your claims about the exchange rate. If they prove true, the Goblin nation will acknowledge your independent discovery. And as a matter of due gratitude, we shall not charge your vault fees for the next one-hundred years."

"Um…" said Harry. "Thank you very much, but… why?"

"Our 'understanding' is not commensurate with the information you have provided, assuming it is true," said the Goblin. "We strive to treat our allies fairly. Two-hundred years of vault fees is knuts compared to the exchange rate. If we cannot offer you a gift of metal, we can at least offer that. If there's anything else, do not hesitate to ask."

That was another thing suggested by Monroe. By asking for something so monetarily minor, the Goblins would likely become friends, or at least business partners – a feat that is normally impossible to achieve for a wizard unless they seek you out.

"We have nothing else to ask but the matter of bounties," said Lord Monroe. "We would like the contract to be drawn up such that our exact wording is recorded for future reference, and we would also like the amounts of each bounty, and their sources, to be carefully recorded in such a fashion that the record can be easily referenced in the future."

So that, Harry had suggested earlier, in case the truth about Voldemort ever came out, the bounties could be returned to those who had issued them. Except Perenelle's bounty on the Dark Lord, which was both the biggest bounty by far and the only one that wouldn't be refunded. Not because it was the biggest, but because it was Perenelle.

"And there's also the second matter," Lord Monroe said when the preliminary contracts regarding the bounties had been set in motion, "which isn't so much a request as it is a statement."

"That being?"

"About the philosopher's stone… actually, I think I shall make it a request after all. Could you retrieve your Unbreakable Vow team? The Vow I have in mind will not impose on you or your nation, and I will pay the expense myself, but I would like as many witnesses as possible, and you shall appreciate the contents, I think…"

---

It didn't take long to find his parents with Professor Monroe leading the way.

"How's the paper, Dad?" asked Harry.

"Insane," said Professor Michael Verres-Evans, closing it and standing from the bench he'd found, Petunia standing with him. "There's a big part of me that's still insisting on dragging you home. If I could."

"You not being able to is why I'm staying," said Harry as Professor Monroe led them down the alley. "Well, sort of. One of the reasons, anyway. Muggle parents should have a say in the magical world one day, but that won't change without legal effort."

"I maintain that you're too young to be worrying about politics," said Professor Michael Verres-Evans.

"It's the right thing to do, Dad," said Harry. "If I can improve the world, I'm going to do it no matter how young I am."

His dad sighed. "Sometimes I question my own parenting decisions. You could have stuck to math and lived a quiet, safe, productive life. But no. I just had to let you know about the Stanford Prison Experiment."

"Don't forget Milgram."

His father flinched.

"And the Holocaust," Professor Monroe helpfully contributed. "And Communist China. His comments on Hitler and Mao were helpful to me."

Professor Michael Verres-Evans looked at Professor Monroe with some apprehension, as if he'd just remembered the common refrain that people who work in the cursed Defense position are often evil. "What exactly has my son told you?"

"Nothing I didn't already know, at least when it came to history," said the wizard. "He only adjusted my perspective on established facts." The man turned into the building Harry recognized as Mr. Bester's office, cutting off further conversation.

When Harry made it inside, he saw that Hermione and Draco were already there, along with Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy.

Negotiations went about as well and as poorly as expected.

Mr. Bester didn't like all the conditions and complications, but he couldn't exactly turn down the absurd amount of money they were offering. In the end, he agreed to train Harry's father to the first stage of entry-detection if it was possible; after that, however, Hermione would stop 'helping'.

Which worked out well enough. Hermione's Legilimency would probably be too far along by that point to be easily-detected. If Harry's father made it that far in a reasonable amount of time, the lessons would continue.

Draco, however, declined help from the 'learning Legilimens' (he didn't know it would have been Hermione) after he had been told that the help would not be Obliviated. Draco signed up for the standard lessons, under the standard Vow that Mr. Bester would be Obliviated and wouldn't reveal anything.

(Mr. Bester would also, in a later and more private meeting, agree to tutor one other student. Even if that student's mind is not yet capable of Occlumency, that student should be highly motivated to do what it takes to learn.)

On Professor Monroe's insistence and payment, Draco Malfoy would be getting special attention in the form of extra hours of mind-reading, which Monroe claims will help him become Mr. Bester's fastest student thus far. If Draco's ambition is to become an Occlumens – and hear Harry's secrets – before the start of next term, this is the necessary step to take.

"Hard work is not only for Hufflepuffs," said Professor Monroe to Draco as he exited the office. "It is sometimes necessary to achieve a Slytherin's ambition."

"Indeed," said Lucius Malfoy, not a step behind him. "Did you need anything else, Lord Monroe, or shall we see each other at the Wizengamot?"

"I need nothing," said Monroe. "But I believe your son shall be needing some muggle clothes soon enough." He tapped his own robes with his wand, causing them to change to a business outfit.

"Impressive," said the Lady Malfoy, walking beside her husband.

"I'll deliver your complements to the enchantress," Monroe inclined his head to her. "After you buy the outfits, I can arrange for them to be linked like mine for seamless changing."

"We have a supply of muggle clothes," said Lucius Malfoy. If he felt disgust at the notion, or at Monroe's current attire, he didn't show it.

"I mean no offense, but I must voice my skepticism." Professor Monroe looked to Mrs. Malfoy. "Lady Malfoy?"

The woman who had spent years in the muggle world nodded. "It would be a prudent way to spend the morning." She faced Lucius. "Our muggle wardrobe is… a bit out of date, my love."

"Truly?" asked Lucius Malfoy.

His wife nodded. "Muggle fashion changes quickly, but worry not. I know just the look for Draco. The only difficulty will be finding the right store…"

A piece of paper appeared in front of Monroe, with words seeming to be burned onto it by whisps of smoke. "Ask the Knight Bus to take you to these addresses," he said, floating it to Narcissa, "which should prove appropriate to the occasion. The children are going to a movie."

"You know?" Harry asked.

"Half of Hogwarts' first year has already been roped into attendance," he replied.

Harry blinked. "That many?"

"Not quite," the Defense Professor replied. "I suspect more will join as young siblings tell older siblings. I'm thinking of requisitioning official oversight from the DMLE, to have an auror trio maintain notice-me-not charms and general security for the whole outing. I doubt all wizard-born children will acquire suitably subtle attire."

"Maybe we should just buy out the theatre for the day," said Harry.

"Maybe we should," said Monroe.

"If you keep throwing around your money like that," said Professor Verres-Evans to his son, "you'll run out."

"I concur," said Lord Malfoy. "The payment you offered Mr. Bester was extreme enough. At this rate the Potter and Monroe vaults will be empty before the end of the summer."

"Maybe under ordinary circumstances," Harry agreed. "But I think we'll take care of the money problem this afternoon. Besides, I'm still in the mood to celebrate, and that won't last much longer. Also… say, professor. Do I still have that other bank account I opened way back when?"

"Other bank account?" asked Professor Michael Verres-Evans.

"You still have it," answered Professor Monroe. "And it's been earning more than just interest. Your method has been earning royalties."

"Royalties?" asked Draco Malfoy.

"Cool!" said Harry.

"You're welcome," said Professor Monroe. "The situation was annoying… but also amusing to deal with."

"Thank you," said Harry sincerely.

Professor Monroe smiled and nodded.

"You helped my son open an illegal bank account without my permission?" asked Professor Michael Verres-Evans in a stern voice.

"No," said Harry. "I opened it myself… mostly. Well, I did have adult help, in fact I had royal help, but not his help. I just told him that I had it afterwards. And it was perfectly legal. Don't you trust me?" he asked with innocent eyes.

"When it comes to the law?" asked his father. "And basic common sense? Not since the Science Fair."

His mother nodded firmly.

"I didn't know that was illegal!" Harry protested.

"And you didn't suspect it either?" asked his father.

"Look," said Harry, not answering the question, since the truth would have sounded stupid (the science fair is the reason he respects the idea of underage magic laws), "I consulted the proper authorities about the bank account. I'll tell you the details when you become an Occlumens. Happy?" The question was asked with hopefulness, as an olive branch.

"No," said his father.

"I'll be happy if you tell me," said Draco.

"I'm sure you would be," said Harry. "Become an Occlumens and we'll see."

"And if I can't become an Occlumens?" asked his father.

"I have a contingency for that," said Professor Monroe.

Attempts to inquire into this mysterious statement went nowhere.

"Is this how you always are, Harry Potter?" asked Lucius Malfoy, a considering look in his eye.

"You didn't pick up on that from our last few meetings?"

"I was hoping that mundane circumstances would temper your… eccentricity."

"Nope." Harry smiled widely. "Eccentricity is the mark of a powerful wizard, right? By the way, I've been thinking about who the Potter Wizengamot representative should be until I pass my O.W.L.s. Lord Malfoy, do the laws explicitly state that members of the Wizengamot must have magic?"

The left eye of Lucius Malfoy began to twitch.

Draco let out a strangled laugh.

"There is such a thing as too soon, Mr. Potter," said Professor Monroe. "Remember that the other members must approve your requested representative. Push it too far and they will decline. And I believe there is a law about that somewhere."

Harry crossed his arms and pouted. "That is not fair."

Professor Monroe shrugged. "As a future member of the Wizengamot, it is your job to make it fair. Though if you're looking for a good candidate to keep the muggle perspective in mind as they vote, I would suggest Lady Malfoy be the Potter representative."

"Huh," said Harry, uncrossing his arms. "That might actually be a good idea. Assuming you're fine with it, Mrs. Malfoy?"

Narcissa Malfoy blinked as eyes turned to her. "I would not mind," she said. "Lucius? What do you think?"

Lucius Malfoy seemed to suffer a sort of whiplash from swapping so quickly from a suggestion that disgusted him to one that intrigued him.

"The Wizengamot can be a stressful place, my love, and you have not been trained to handle that stress…"

"Then by all means train me," said Narcissa with a daring smile. "We can't turn down such a wonderful opportunity for such a trivial reason."

Her husband smiled and kissed her. "It's been so long, I almost forgot why I married you."

Draco gagged at the public display of affection between his parents, while Hermione clasped her hands and said "Awwwww". Harry just smiled a little.

---

They stopped at Mary's Place for breakfast, in Mary's Room.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Harry reached into his pocket and withdrew a pouch containing forty-five galleons. "Here, Draco."

Draco took it without thinking. "What is it?" he asked, then his eyes widened when he saw the contents.

"My forty-galleon debt, paid in full. I've included an extra five as thanks for the short notice, and the delay in repayment," Harry said. "No need to stay in debt now that I have… some control over my finances. And while we're on the topic, got any ideas for that favor I owe you?"

Get out of debt as fast as possible, always. If there was any lesson to be had from Spring of last year, it was that.

"Think you can find the Chamber of Secrets?" Draco asked for his favour.

Lucius coughed and set down his drink, while Narcissa giggled.

Monroe's eyebrows rose. So did Harry's.

"Um…" said Harry. "Would it settle the debt if I did?"

"And took me to see it," Draco nodded. "Or I'll think of something else later if you can't."

"The Chamber it is," said Harry. "Sounds like fun."

"Indeed," said Professor Monroe. "An excellent challenge for he who was sorted into Slytherin, just kidding, Ravenclaw, to solve. By himself."

Harry looked at his mentor in betrayal.

Monroe smiled. "I wonder if you shall succeed before the Chamber is discovered and turned into a historical sight, given that it can no longer serve its old purpose. Good luck."

---

"The first full session of the two-hundred and tenth Wizengamot is convened at Lord Malfoy's request," said Chief Warlock Bones. "The topics for discussion," she said without preamble, "are referendum on our last vote and the matter of the Philosopher's Stone, which we were interrupted from reaching the last time. Lord Malfoy, you have the floor."

"Thank you, Chief Warlock," said Lord Malfoy. "But even before we have our referendum, there is a matter of seating that must be addressed. House Potter's vote, once held by Dumbledore, must be reassigned. Harry Potter wishes to appoint a new representative until he comes of age. He is also here today to offer his request for transfer of guardianship, since Dumbledore is indisposed for that as well. May I yield the floor to Harry Potter?"

There were confused whispers, especially from Lord Malfoy's own faction. Not confusion that the prompt was being made, but that Malfoy was making it. Many were asking themselves why Malfoy is hurrying along the process that will hurt his own faction's voting power.

"The boy was quite disruptive the last time he was here," said Madam Bones in a neutral tone. "If he promises to restrain himself to speaking only at appropriate times," she gave a stern look to the Boy-Who-Lived, "I will allow it."

Harry was mildly annoyed at the rebuke, especially given that she knew he's the real holder of the Line of Merlin. Was she still angry at how much she was interrupted in the last session? His mentor had shown him that enjoyable memory. Or was she simply calling Harry out for appearance's sake, to appease the rest of the Wizengamot?

"I promise to speak only when necessary," said Harry Potter to Chief Warlock Bones.

Madam Bones nodded, then said, "Name your new legal guardian. This hall will discuss your proposal."

Harry was sorely, sorely tempted to say, 'My parents,' but his mentor had explained, in careful detail, how that would work out. "David Monroe," he said instead.

Nobody in the room seemed to be surprised, and many seemed approving.

"Lord Monroe," said Chief Warlock Bones. "Do you accept the weight of this responsibility?"

"I do," said Lord Monroe. "And I suspect a show of hands should suffice for this vote."

Over four fifths of the hall raised their hands.

"The vote carries in favour," intoned the secretary. "David Monroe is the new legal guardian of Harry Potter."

The man stood. "With my ward's permission and full support, I propose that Narcissa Malfoy represent the Potter vote until Mr. Potter comes of age."

It was at that point that most of the hall noticed Narcissa Malfoy sitting not far from Harry Potter in the spectator's stand. Unlike the last one, this proposal did produce a great deal of surprise, and even some outright objections from the 'light' side of the room. The noise had to be silenced with a tap of stone.

"Mr. Potter," said Chief Warlock Bones, wearing a slight frown. "Please state for the record if you truly support your new guardian's proposal."

"I do," said Harry Potter. "If it's okay with everyone, I'd like Draco's mother to say where she's been these past ten years." He chose his phrasing carefully; 'Draco's mother' now carries a different meaning from 'Lady Malfoy'. "She doesn't have to say anything else if she doesn't want to, though."

No official protests were made at the request, partly because both sides were curious at the answer.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Potter," said the soon-to-be-Madam Malfoy. "But it is unnecessary. Living as a muggle wasn't as damaging as I would have thought twelve years ago. Yes," she said after a click of stone stopped the hall's noise. "It is true. My memories were sealed, and I was sent to Australia. I must admit, muggle residences are… not quite as squalid as I once thought they would be."

Objecting and disbelief came from the blood purists, at least until Lucius asked if they were calling into question the honor of House Malfoy by doubting the honesty of his wife's testimony.

This was when the slightly more reasonable inquisition began, asking for details of how she lived – in relative comfort, if not luxury, she answered, for she had no servants and lived by herself, but she got along well enough – and eventually someone asked how she came back.

"I was returned two days ago, after the Dark Lord's final vanquishment. You can all guess who was responsible."

The Chief Warlock did not silence the following arguments for a good while. When she finally did, she immediately asked, "Would you like to press charges, Lord Malfoy?"

The Lord Malfoy heaved a heavy sigh. "Not at the moment." He visibly hesitated. "I must admit that I did many things I wish I had not while under the Imperius. House Dumbledore was acting in vengeance of its own by taking my wife from me. That aside, Dumbledore himself has already suffered a fate he would see as worse than anything else, even death. I will content myself with that for now. The honor of House Malfoy is not quite sated, but… so long as Dumbledore is gone, we do have closure. With a powerful foreign nation on the horizon, I will not raise such a divisive vote. Not unless Dumbledore returns, in which event I shall demand trial."

There were a few grumblings of "dishonorable" from those who believe the Imperius lie, but everyone else was glad to drop it.

"Do we need time to deliberate the requested representative for House Potter?" asked the Chief Warlock, reminding everyone why Narcissa's involuntary exile was even being discussed in the first place.

They did need time, and they debated, and the vote was closer than the guardianship vote, but at the end of the day Malfoy has the votes. Madam Malfoy was declared Harry Potter's voting representative until he attains his majority, at which point he may take the seat himself, or allow the current seat holder to continue representing his interests.

Madam Malfoy stood from the spectator's stand and walked to the upper block to sit next to her husband. A few seconds of wandwork from Lord Monroe turned her robes from a beautiful and elegant black into a formal and dignified plum, with a perfect 'W' in the proper place – a feat of magic that impressed many present. He had, of course, obtained permission from Madam Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy first.

"Thank you, Lord Monroe," she said as she took a seat next to her husband. She was positioned so that she was closer to the 'light' faction than her husband. She was not in between Lord Malfoy and the other 'Imperiused' Death Eaters.

Lord Monroe inclined his head. "I believe that is all the preliminary housekeeping," he said to Chief Warlock Bones, and sat down.

"Indeed," said Madam Bones. "Now that our affairs are in order, we may hold a referendum on our last vote – which, despite not being proposed in this hall, was unanimously approved for discussion. Do we need time for deliberations?"

"I do not," said Lord Malfoy.

"Nor I," said Madam Longbottom.

"Nor I," said David Monroe.

"I would like some time, Chief Warlock," said Madam Umbridge.

"Very well," said Madam Bones. "You would open the floor to anyone who wished to argue against you, including me. How much time do you need?"

Madam Umbridge seemed to hesitate, then looked to Lord Malfoy, who was glaring at her, and Lord Monroe, who seemed quite amused, and Madam Longbottom, who was glaring at her. Umbridge looked to Fudge, who shook his head slightly and gave her a stern look of clear warning. She looked back to the Chief Warlock, who maintained a neutral demeanour.

"I rescind my request," said Madam Umbridge in a slightly shaky tone, and sat down.

"Does anyone else request time for deliberations?"

There was silence in the hall.

"Very well. I call the vote. In our last session, the creature known as Prince Excelsior was declared an enemy of the state. This is a referendum on that decision. Those in favour of upholding the prior decision, raise your hands."

Pause.

"Those against?"

Pause.

"The vote carries against," said the secretary. "The Wizengamot acknowledges that Prince Excelsior is not an enemy of the state."

There were murmurs in the hall that were overridden by the Chief Warlock's own voice, though not a tap of the line. "I would like the hall to approve charges of assault against a government official, disruption of the Wizengamot, disturbing the peace, use of the Imperius on a citizen of Britain, and contempt of court as debts owed to House Bones, to be repaid by community service. I suspect he may actually respect that punishment. You may deliberate on the hours owed. If anyone objects to this notion, please speak now."

There was a brief pause of surprise, then there were a few objections, but none to the notion itself. Only to the fact that the debt should be owed to Britain, not House Bones.

The Chief Warlock said she honestly didn't care to whom it was owed, and that the members may debate the point if they wish; this way would simply be easier.

The objectors didn't seem to have enough traction to argue the technicality, especially when others argued that House Bones bore the brunt of the initial offense, and especially after Amelia Bones herself swore that the oath of service Excelsior would be swearing shall be made to Britain and its chief Warlock, not House Bones.

Some objectors then said that the creature should be thrown into stockades and subjected to a public flogging. 'Community service' was not nearly punishment enough.

This caused much more debate.

At one point, David Monroe was asked his opinion.

David Monroe said that he was reluctant to say it, but the Prince himself would prefer the flogging. He values his time, and he can endure physical and mental anguish with relative ease.

Some questioned if he was being truthful.

Even Harry Potter – who requested permission to speak – impugned David Monroe. Was trying to use reverse psychology so they wouldn't vote to flog Prince Excelsior?

David Monroe didn't seem to mind the question. He said that he was being truthful, and he was reluctant to speak because he was afraid that he would influence the Wizengamot away from flogging. It was the best solution. The Prince's time is indeed valuable, not just to himself but to his country and ours. Wasting a hundred hours on community service compared to a single day of flogging would do more harm than anyone could guess, unless it was sufficiently delayed and spread out. And even if it was delayed it would be hated. If the hall is looking for the punishment he would loathe the most while still serving it, the intuition of Madam Bones had been spot on. A hundred hours of community service would be the most disliked punishment, not flogging.

It was decided and approved by most of the hall, after Harry Potter pointed out that a hundred hours isn't enough, that Prince Excelsior owed a thousand hours of community service to Magical Britain.

And a public flogging.

"Will you inform Prince Excelsior of our decision, Lord Monroe?" asked Warlock Bones.

"Already done," said Lord Monroe, to the confusion of almost every wizard present. "And I should mention that he has already been preparing to serve our community." Monroe withdrew a pouch from his robes. "On a related note, now that we've effectively continued the previous session, the fourth item on the agenda is the Philosopher's Stone."

He thew the pouch forward and it fluttered all the way to the ground at the bottom of the circular hall. Once there, an invisible force picked it up, lip faced downward. The lip widened, and widened, and widened further, then the pouch slowly lifted, revealing the shine of gold. When the pouch finished 'throwing up' the full item, there sat a massive cube of solid metal in the center of the Wizengamot.

"That is Prince Excelsior's monetary debt, of exact weight to satisfy a million galleons, based on current goblin coining charges."

The hall was still silent, having trouble believing their eyes. A few finite incantatums from multiple purple robes did nothing to the block.

"It was not I who discovered how to duplicate the Philosopher's Stone," said Monroe. "Though I did contribute. Prince Excelsior has agreed that they are to be used at my sole discretion, and he has offered the services of a certain alicorn alongside himself to Magical Britain as a sign of friendship. He has consented to have the hospital built on the border of the Hogwarts Wards, within the protections of our founders but close enough to the edge that emergency cases can still reach the healers in time. Alastor Moody has been designing the security for the past two days-" there were a few widened eyes in the room "-and Prince Excelsior has been building the physical structure and warding scheme. It took about fifteen hours of magical labour – which I suggest we subtract from his current sentence as a courtesy – and it is almost complete. As soon as it is, we will recruit a few healers who will begin using the stone to restore health and youth to all – wizards and witches, of course, but also centaurs, goblins, merfolk, and parents and close relations of muggleborns, so long as the Statute is not threatened."

The outrage was silenced by two taps of stone.

"Lord Monroe has the floor," said Chief Warlock Bones. "Please wait until he is finished before voicing your grievances."

"Thank you, Chief Warlock," said Monroe. "I repeat that I am simply conveying the will of the one who duplicated the stone. If I choose poorly, we all lose the service. And it was made extremely clear to me that if the state attempts to regulate or control the stone, the duplicator reserves the right to deny state affiliates that service." He made eye contact with a few wealthy bureaucrats. "Or simply charge extra."

There were angry expressions in the room, but nobody objected verbally, as per Madam Bones's request.

"Of course, there is a reason beyond simple announcement that this must be addressed. The healers will require complicated Unbreakable Vows to prevent them from stealing or otherwise abusing the Stones, among other things, and the hospital guards shall require Vows as well, which is why I originally asked for this topic to be brought before the Wizengamot. While I am willing and able to pay the usual expense for the Vows, I have a slightly different approach in mind, one that would require approval from this hall, and it will have many applications beyond this case…"

---

"That went well," said Harry. He glanced at his watch. "And it's only four o'clock."

"We don't have time to waste," said his mentor. "The sooner we solve the politics, the sooner we save the world."

"I don't like that we're doing it this way in the first place," said Harry. "It's too slow."

"We shall have our trustworthy staff by tomorrow afternoon. Be grateful the bureaucracy did not take longer. This will prevent problems in the future."

"Yeah, I know. I just hope nobody dies while we're setting it up." The world's magical population is smaller and more robust than the muggle one, but still… "Or if they already have, I wish nobody had died."

"Wish granted."

Harry blinked. "Huh?" Then, he got it. "Did you…?"

"Recruit a few capable unicorns to sneak into every magical hospital I knew about and heal all critical cases my first night back? Make announcements to every magical community about the Stone's availability for extreme cases?" His mentor smiled a rare smile.

Harry felt the odd impulse to hug the man. "You’re amazing, you know that?"

"Not as amazing as Ms. Sparkle," said his mentor. "She has come to rival my abilities, you know."

"I did not know," said Harry. "How'd she get so impressive?"

"She developed the ambition to become Mistress of Magic, and stayed true to it. She is now the Alicorn of Magic. And she's only half my age."

"Wow," said Harry. "Makes sense, I guess. But to be honest I was expecting her to become the Alicorn of Friendship, if anything."

"She very well might have, if not for you."

"Me?"

"She was rather distraught at your disappearance," said Professor Monroe. "She was told by Celestia that you were taken by Memory's phoenix to a different Time and Space, and so she decided to challenge Time and Space themselves, just to see you again and help you if you were in trouble."

"Oh," said Harry.

That's… he knew Twilight would be a little affected, but not that much. He couldn't have afforded to risk the redemption scheme by telling her not to worry about him, or even by saying goodbye, but…

"Don't feel too bad for her, Mr. Potter," said his mentor. "She knows the truth now, and her ambition encouraged her to study the Philosopher's Stone and save the lives of everypony in Equestria, and everyequus beyond, among other things. She wasn't too upset after she heard the details. She simply asked that you give her a visit once you finally could. We'll stop by her residence today. You can catch up while I take care of a few things. Then we'll establish your admittance to your training grounds and call it a day."

"My training grounds will be in Equestria?"

"Unless you want to violate underage magic laws."

"Ah. Right."

Comments

[keybounce]

"And one who is powerful enough to avoid ambush, read-only Legilimency, Obliviation, and false memory-charms, which Thief's Downfall cannot remove or detect, now would an Unbreakable Vow consider it lying if the false memories were genuinely believed."

Typo -- "now" should be "nor"

Oh, I love the ending. Avoiding the under age magic law.

[Fireeaters]

Man, it'd be a real dick move if tom brings harry back to equestria and it turns out tom laid waste to the whole place, and has been faking it.

[Booster Spice]

Twilight decided to challange Time And Space?

Well, it was that, or trying to analyze Pinkie Pie.

[harts fire]

and the stone work for the new and improved magic world is laid down.

[Greenhorn]

"and so she decided to challenge Time and Space themselves, just to see you again and help you if you were in trouble."

Does this mean Twilight, as she is now, would have no problem handling Starlight's time travel shenanigan?

[The Guy Who Writes]

11455255
Well, challenging isn't the same as utterly mastering and manipulating to her every whim. She got as far as she could, given the inherent limitations of the universe. And since, for HPMoR at least, those limitations mean that the past beyond six hours can't be changed - even if, theoretically, it might be possible to access information from further back, as Discord probably does when he claims he can 'snap' up a dinosaur from the past: a 'copy paste' function, not a 'cut paste' function - I'll probably have to handle the Starlight Glimmer episode differently. Maybe have it be an oracle machine or something, a simulation, not reality, with Starlight herself being ignorant of that tidbit. Or better yet, it could just be the mirror showing her the consequences of her 'stop the sonic rainboom' desire directly, like it presumably does when it shows people their extrapolated coherent volitions. Or maybe something else. I haven't decided yet.

Thanks for the question, though. I'll probably go with the e.c.v. option, now that I've considered it explicitly.

[Poparakelis]

Yay, back to equestria

[Black--Soul]

"Of course, there is a reason beyond simple announcement that this must be addressed. The healers will require complicated Unbreakable Vows to prevent them from stealing or otherwise abusing the Stones, among other things, and the hospital guards shall require Vows as well, which is why I originally asked for this topic to be brought before the Wizengamot. While I am willing and able to pay the usual expense for the Vows, I have a slightly different approach in mind, one that would require approval from this hall, and it will have many applications beyond this case…"

Will magic used up be returned once it's no longer needed to be reinforced?
Example:
(A) pays magic 1% to keep a unbreakable vow activ, (B) is bonded by it. Will (A) get back the amount payed to (B) in his lifetime with (B) passing away and making the environment unnecessary and impossible?