Power Plays Chapter 52

AN: We've reached the end of Part 2 of Power Plays. It's been a long time coming, and I'm grateful for your continued support. The third and final part will be starting up in April. I will be taking March off to work on my outline for the final part. It should wrap up a number of lingering plot points and, hopefully, deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story.

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Dumbledore had once been the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. It was an elected position by the members of the International Confederation of Wizards, and the holder became the official chairman and leader of the confederation. After Voldemort’s resurrection, Dumbledore had been stripped of his title after a brutal smear campaign from the press and became succeeded by Babajide Akingade, a famous African wizard who once taught History of Magic at Uagadou and later took on the role of Director of the Educational Office at the International Confederation of Wizards headquarters in Switzerland.

Harry disliked the man from the moment he first shook his hand.

Oh, Babajide seemed like a fine man. He was tall and slim and wore dark violet robes that were expertly made without seeming too ostentatious. He had a warm smile and a firm handshake, but behind it all, Harry saw that same calculating look behind his eyes that so many politicians had.

That alone wasn’t enough to make Harry dislike him, but combined with the fact that he took over Dumbledore’s post and never made so much as a suggestion of returning to him once he was proved to be right about Voldemort’s return, Harry couldn’t help but feel a deep-seated distrust for Babajide.

They stood upon a stage erected within a grand ballroom within one of the International Confederation of Wizards principal bases of operation. The confederation moved its governing body to a new nation every decade in order to promote peace and fairness within its system.

The room was packed full of ambassadors, members of the confederation, and important officials from various magical governments throughout the world. Naturally, the French and British representatives were seated up front due to them being the primary actors in this ceremony.

A golden microphone hung suspended in midair in front of Babajide, who’d already turned back to face the crowd to continue his speech. “Head Auror Harry Potter has dedicated his life to combating dark witches and wizards in Britain, and this recent joint venture between the British and French governments has shown that he’s willing to go beyond borders to help all those in need.”

His words, spoken in Yoruba, were magically translated by special pins on everyone’s robes so that they could understand the words in their native language. A gentle applause rose up as Babajide gestured towards Harry again, giving him the spotlight. Harry smiled brightly to the room, putting his best face forward as cameras flickered in the back of the room. Tomorrow, his face will be in newspapers all across the world.

“It is rare to find a man so dedicated to his work as Head Auror Potter is,” Babajide continued. “He worked tirelessly to vanquish the evil forces plaguing France and did so in coordination with France’s Head Auror, Sebastian Delacour!”

Sebastian wasn’t there to receive his award. Harry had heard from Kingsley that he’d penned a letter giving a heartfelt apology that he was dealing with private family matters at the time and would be unable to attend. Harry wouldn’t have been surprised if Minister Liliane herself told Sebastian not to come to this ceremony.

The fact that Sebastian was still on leave pending an internal investigation into his handling of this case was politely being ignored by everyone in the audience as they applauded him. In his stead, Minister Liliane stood up from her seat at the table and climbed the steps up onto the stage. Her hand felt cold to the touch as she shook Harry’s hand, and the smile on her lips was anything but pleasant.

“Thank you,” Liliane said to the audience. “My apologies that Head Auror Delacour was unable to attend this evening, but know that all of France is grateful for his contributions to ending these senseless attacks against innocent civilians.”

A wash of anger rushed over Harry at Liliane’s duplicitous words, but he stopped himself from letting them show on his face. Sebastian deserved to be here far more than she did.

“The hard work of both of our Auror Departments has resulted in the eradication of the villainous organisation known as the Death Eaters,” Liliane continued. “Once and for all, we have shown that good will always triumph over evil. I would like to once again thank Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt. Without his assistance, none of this would have been possible.”

From the British table, Kingsley gave a polite nod as the room applauded. His exhaustion had only grown in the past two weeks since Harry had spoken to him last.

Babajide clapped along with the crowd and subtly manoeuvred himself back in front of the microphone. “It is my honour as the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards to award Harry Potter and Sebastian Delacour with the International Cooperation Award for their bravery and valour in the fight against evil.”

This time, the audience all stood as they applauded and cheered. Two small black cases magically appeared in Babajide’s hand. Golden light soared out as they opened, revealing two distinguished medals. They were round, golden medals inlaid with an etching of the globe on it. A thick sheet of parchment was tied to the ceiling of the case, detailing the awards and who they were given to.

Harry accepted the case from Babajide and smiled at the crowd as he held it up for all to see.

“You were wonderful,” Daphne told him when he climbed down from the stage. She looked positively gorgeous in her emerald-green dress robes that matched his eyes perfectly. And at her side, holding onto her hand, was Delphini. Like Daphne, she had a similar set of dress robes.

“Thank you,” Harry said before he gave her a kiss. Then, he crouched down next to Delphini. “Are you still doing alright? If this is too much, we can go home anytime.”

“No,” Delphini replied quietly, shaking her head. “I’m fine.”

She was still so timid since the attack. All of this change had to be quite a lot for her.

“All right, but let me or Daphne know if that changes,” Harry replied.

As he stood back up, Daphne leaned in close to whisper into his ear. “She’s been getting a few looks from some of the diplomats here, but none of them have the courage to keep it up when I glare back at them.”

“Good,” Harry chuckled. “Serves them right.”

The tables that everyone had been seated at were cleared to the sides of the room to give everyone a chance to roam around and mingle. Naturally, Harry was swarmed instantly.

A loose crowd formed around Harry, Daphne, and Delphini. Delphini stayed close to Daphne’s side, inquisitively staring up at everyone around her without making so much as a sound. Daphne kept holding her hand reassuringly while helping Harry to manage the countless diplomats that came up to congratulate him, make a joke, or even offer to have him come visit their home countries.

Throughout it all, Harry smiled and chatted away with ease. When everyone was pretending to be his friend, it was far less of a challenge to deal with subtle politicking. Daphne chimed in with helpful comments here and there and made plenty of positive impressions herself thanks to her political knowledge on a variety of topics around the globe.

It was in moments like these that Harry remembered what a good partner Daphne was for him. Even if they weren’t in love with one another, their skills complemented each other beautifully. Harry was a deft duellist, detective, and leader while Daphne was an expert politician, socialite, and diplomat. He could talk about nuanced issues within his field while Daphne maintained a broader knowledge about so many political topics that Harry couldn’t even begin to count. And hers wasn’t a surface-level knowledge either; Daphne knew how to speak intelligently about almost any subject.

This would be their future together. Once Daphne became the British Minister for Magic, they’d be invited to quite a few more international events like this. Harry loved the thought of standing by her side throughout it all.

Eventually, the crowd began to wane as people moved on to speak with others, but there was a trio that approached them that raised everyone’s interest again. Harry noticed other clusters of people subtly shifting closer towards Harry’s to overhear the conversation that was about to take place.

“Congratulations again, mister Potter,” Babajide said as he, Kingsley, and Liliane stepped forward. The two Ministers each had their own respective smiles, but they each seemed forced to a degree. If Babajide noticed that though, he ignored it. In fact, he seemed to ignore any form of social niceties as he continued with a wink. “Or should I say future Minister for Magic Potter?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at the man. “Kingsley is my Minister.”

“Please,” Babajide laughed. “Minister Shacklebolt was just telling us about his intention to step down from his post later this week. As far as I’m aware, there aren’t many other viable candidates for the post.”

“I must admit that I have decided against running for the post anytime in the near future,” Harry said.

“Really?” Liliane said curiously. Harry could only imagine the relief running through her at this very moment that she wouldn’t have to deal with him as her equal.

“Really,” Harry confirmed.

“Then are you planning on throwing your support behind someone else?” Babajide asked. He seemed disappointed that Harry wasn’t planning on running.

“I will indeed,” Harry said as he took Daphne’s free hand into his own.

Kingsley was the first one to clue in on what Harry’s gesture meant. His eyes widened in surprise slightly. “Lady Greengrass?”

“It’ll be Lady Potter soon enough,” Daphne replied smoothly as she lifted her and Harry’s hands and flashed her engagement ring. “Harry and I discussed it and we believe it will be for the best if I run instead.”

“I’ve heard the name Greengrass before,” Babajide murmured to himself.

“Likely my father,” Daphne said. “Either from his trade networks throughout Europe and Asia or his recent incarceration for aiding the Death Eaters in their plots.”

“Ah,” Babajide grimaced. “I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories.”

Daphne smiled brilliantly like it wasn’t an issue at all. “It’s quite alright. I helped put a stop to him and inherited my family’s seat on the Wizengamot. I’ve been working there since to help transform Britain into a better place for everyone.”

“She certainly has a quick mind for politics,” Kingsley told Babajide and Liliane. “I’ve worked with her nearly a year ago now on an important matter. It’s rare to find someone so able to drum up support like she did.”

“Then I wish you the best of luck,” Liliane said as she offered Daphne her hand.

Daphne had to let go of Delphini’s hand to shake Liliane’s, and Harry noticed Delphini finally showed a little sign of uncomfortableness. She looked like she wanted to hide behind Daphne’s skirt, so Harry crouched down next to her.

“Is it okay if you hold my hand for a bit instead?” He asked her gently.

Delphini nodded and took his offered hand gladly.

“And who might this be?” Babajide asked with a warm smile. “I dare say she’s a bit old to be either of yours.”

“This is Delphini,” Harry said. “We’re her guardians for now until we get married and can officially adopt her.”

At speaking her name, a chill seemed to run through the room. Both Babajide and Liliane’s expressions looked a touch pained as they eyed Delphini warily, like she could suddenly transform into a dark lady and strike them down with little more than a thought. Kingsley, at least, had the decorum to remain pleasant.

“It’s good to see you, Delphini,” Kingsley told her. “How are you enjoying staying with Harry and Daphne?”

“It’s nice,” she replied shyly. “Cousin Draco and Astoria are there too now.”

“Of course they are,” Kingsley chuckled. “It’s good to have so many people around to help take care of you. I… I’m sorry about what happened to Narcissa.”

Delphini automatically glanced down at her feet, like not looking into Kingsley’s face would make him forget that she was even there. Harry squeezed her hand comfortingly.

“Thank you,” Harry replied. “We’re taking things day by day at the moment.”

“I see,” Kingsley grimaced knowingly. “If there’s anything I can do to help…”

“We appreciate it,” Daphne said. “I’m sure our lives will start to get a bit hectic once the race to become the next Minister for Magic gets underway.”

“It’ll be worse than you can ever imagine,” Kingsley said grimly before shaking the negativity off. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to dissuade you from it.”

“Not at all,” Daphne replied kindly. “I know that the past few months haven’t been easy for you.”

“Try years,” Kingsley said. “Excuse me, I ought to be off back to Britain soon. Lots to do in such little time. Babajide, Liliane, always a pleasure to see you two.”

Babajide shook Kingsley’s hand firmly. “If you’re ever looking for work, the International Confederation of Wizards would love to have you.”

“Thank you, but I’m planning on taking an extended vacation to reset mentally and physically.”

“No one would begrudge you that,” Liliane said as she shook Kingsley’s hand.

As Kingsley left, Babajide glanced around the room everywhere except at Delphini. “It was truly a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances.”

“All three of us, you mean,” Harry interjected sharply.

“Ah, yes, of course,” Babajide smiled awkwardly as he finally looked down at Delphini again. “I do hope to meet with you all again at a later date, but for now, I must be off. Plenty of people to speak to and hands to shake.”

Daphne and Liliane chuckled along politely at his words, but Harry didn’t offer the man a single sign of peace. When Babajide walked off, Liliane finally dropped the mask she’d been wearing and looked at Harry with the annoyance she’d shown back in her office when he’d held Emile’s location hostage in exchange for his continued involvement in the case.

“Please take no offence, but I sincerely hope that we do not have cause for another joint Auror mission anytime soon,” she told Harry.

He replied with a sardonic smile. “Then I sincerely hope that France is able to handle its security better going forward.”

“We will once Delacour is out for good,” Liliane snapped at him.

“Or you’ll be all the poorer for it,” Harry replied.

Daphne interjected before it could get any further. “It was nice to meet you, Minister, but we must be off as well.”

Apparently, some of Liliane’s frustrations with Harry boiled over onto Daphne because she barely managed a nod before she walked off to some other group. The tenseness in the air must have been plain for everyone to see because no one approached Harry, Daphne, and Delphini right away.

“Well, that was fun,” Harry said sarcastically to Daphne.

“You shouldn’t have antagonised them like that,” Daphne chided him gently.

“I’m already a lost cause with Liliane, and Babajide rubbed me the wrong way.”

“That’s how you feel about most politicians,” Daphne replied in amusement.

“Except for you,” Harry grinned cheekily. “There’s no sense in wasting our time here anymore. Besides, we have an important event to plan, don’t we?”

“My nomination speech?” Daphne asked rhetorically. “Hermione’s already written three drafts of it with my corrections added in.”

“How did you rope her into helping you?” Harry asked curiously.

“Promises of a nice position in my government,” Daphne answered. “And another dinner between the three of us.”

“Ah,” Harry replied, nearly snorting at the coded language she used around Delphini. “Are you ready to go home too, Delphini?”

Her long black curls bounced around her head as she nodded in agreement. “Can we have chicken for supper again? And gravy?”

“Of course,” Daphne laughed softly.

Harry and Daphne walked on either side of Delphini, each holding onto one of her small hands. Cameras flashed as they headed for the exit, snapping photos of them together. There’d be articles all over the front pages of newspapers decrying the simple, kind-hearted act by those who’d punish Delphini for the sins of her parents, but Harry couldn’t care less about them.

This was his family now, and he was going to do anything to keep them safe.