Shadow Council 130D

****

Xander held back as Harry forced himself to mingle, smirking as his friend’s utter misery at the prospect. Not that he really blamed him for it, Xander couldn’t much see the point of it all either, though he recognized that Harry’s situation was different.

“Scarhead looks like someone’s got a wand to his head,” Draco said beside him, the blond was rolling his eyes. “It’s just a party.”

“I think this is the second party Harry has ever been to,” Xander shrugged, “after the yule ball last year. With the Queen in attendance, he’s probably wound up pretty tight.”

Draco’s eyes flickered to where the old woman was standing, surrounding by a protective detail.

“I don’t see what the big deal it, she’s just a muggle.”

“Asking the wrong guy about that,” Xander shrugged, “I’m an American, the most I think of her is that she’s a cool old broad that I wouldn’t want to mess with. You brits are the ones with the monarchy.”

“Don’t count me with this muggle trash,” Draco snapped, irritated. “She’s not my Queen.”

“Your mother seems to disagree.”

Draco started to respond, but snapped his mouth shut as he considered that.

“Yeah, I don’t get that,” He admitted a moment later.

Xander shook his head, “Like I said, wrong guy to ask anyway. How’s Harry doing?”

Draco glanced over, “Other than looking like he’d rather duel the Dark Lord?”

*****

I would rather face the Dark Lord, Harry thought miserably as he tried to smile while shaking the hand of some Duke or something he didn’t fully register.

Everyone wanted to chat quickly with the latest Knight of the Realm, the more so it seemed because nobody apparently had any idea where he’d come from. Hereditary Knighthoods were rare in the modern world, almost to the point of nonexistence.

The Black Knight, The Green Knight, and a fraction of a handful of others remained in circulation, not including Baronets. The reemergence of the Mage Knight was apparently something of a big deal.

Harry was incredibly grateful that the press were not admitted to this particular party, though they would be provided with photographs, video, and other such materials from the Royal Family’s professional media team.

“Sir Harry.”

“Yes?” Harry half turned, noticing that Tonks had beaten him to it and slipped partway between him and the approaching man.

“Her Majesty extends her compliments,” The suited man said casually, ignoring Tonks’ actions without so much as a flinch.

Harry wondered if that meant he didn’t know that her hand was poised to whip out a wand, or if he was just that composed.

“Of course,” Harry forced himself to smile, laying a hand on Tonks shoulder. “We’d be delighted.”

Tonks relaxed, and the man simply nodded and gestured.

“This way, Sir Harry.”

*****

“Scarhead is moving.”

Xander nodded, “Pace him. Probably nothing, but we stay close.”

Draco snorted, but did as he was told.

Harry and Tonks were being guided deftly through the crowd, anyone aiming to chat with the newly revealed Mage Knight was being deflected by men and women in suits.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out where they were headed.

Xander noted the guards moving to head them off as they got closer to her Majesty’s position and briefly showed his hands.

“Just shadowing Sir Harry,” He said softly as one of the guards got close. “Our job.”

The woman nodded curtly and gestured, “Stand there. No closer.”

Xander nodded in response and followed instructions. They were positioned where they could see Harry, but far enough that no one could easily hear what was being said, particularly given the noise and hubuib of the party.

“This is interminable,” Draco complained.

Xander ignored him.

***** 

“Presenting Sir Harry of Potter, your Majesty.”

The old woman nodded graciously and smiled at the young boy, “Welcome to the gardens, young Harry. How are you doing this evening?”

“Honestly?” Harry asked with a barely masked grimace.

She chuckled low, it wouldn’t do to be overly loud after all. People would most certainly talk.

“I’m lead to believe that it gets better in time,” She said casually.

“Does it?”

“When it does, I will let you know.”

The slump in the boy’s posture almost tore another peal of laughter from her, but with long experience she kept the urge contained.

“It is good that you came,” She told him seriously. “Had you not, we would be having a very different conversation in the days to come. Barring emergencies, of which I do understand there may be ones of significance, you should attend at least four of these parties per year.”

“Four?” Harry asked piteously.

“Four,” She told him firmly, despite her amusement. “One during the harvest season would be advised, as well as Yule of course. You may choose the remaining two from the list I will see that your representative receives.”

Harry sighed, “Of course, your majesty.”

“Now,” the Queen glanced at Tonks, “are we secure from… prying ears?”

Tonks discreetly shifted, flicking her wand as she glanced down, then she nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Very good, well Sir Harry, what can you tell us of the current situation on your side of things?” She asked softly, but the steel underlying the words could not be mistaken.

Harry hesitated, but took a breath, “Voldemort has returned.”

“From the dead?” She asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Not sure he ever was dead,” Harry admitted. “Not entirely I guess. He’s begun making moves, but nothing overt… nothing…”

Harry grimaced.

“Nothing actionable, I believe is the term you’re seeking,” The Queen said softly. “A frustration I am quite familiar with. You will keep me informed then.”

Harry bowed slightly, “Of course.”

“Very well, We will speak again another time,” She told him, gesturing mildly. “You may go.”

Harry didn’t quite flee, but there was a definite hint of flight to his motion as he gratefully headed back for the party with Tonks following with amusement painted across her face.

“Running for the hills?”

“Shut up, Xander,” Harry growled as he bustled past his friend.

Xander just grinned after him as he and Draco fell into pace behind the fleeing Boy-Who-Lived.

*****

Watching the young man as he left, the Queen frowned to herself as she considered what he had said. She and her aide stepped away from the crowd and headed back in toward the palace.

“I believe that We will need to… ask some very careful questions of Our representative to the Ministry of Magic,” She said finally. “What we have been told does not match with what young Harry just said.”

“He is a child, Ma’am.”

“Perhaps,” She admitted, but there was a shake to her head, “However his statement seems to better reflect what we are seeing than the Ministry’s, does it not?”

Her aide sighed, but nodded in agreement.

“We will have the representative in Our presence. Shortly.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

*****