The Cold Moon

Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, Harry Potter. All characters, and other related texts are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates as the copyright holders. I have made no money from the publishing of this story.



The Cold Moon



A sequel to New Years From Sète



Chapter 3: Freedom begins.



Harry, Draco, the two elder Malfoy's, Minister Pitan, and U.S. Magical Ambassador, John Thornberry, arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry had hired the same security firm through Banque Transatlantique, and the same ten guards surrounded the group to escort them inside. Once they entered the pub, every patron’s head turned sharply to stare at the group. Harry gave a huge grin, and directed the group towards the rear of the building. When they reached the door that led to the entrance of Diagon Alley, Harry noticed again that several rushed from their seats towards the huge fireplace in the pub. Harry snorted at this, retrieved his wand, and tapped the bricks on the wall that hid the alley.



"Well son, I see that you have wasted any time". Lucius stated as he patted Harry on the shoulder, and looked at all the workers who were remodeling several of the buildings along Diagon Alley.



"No Lucius, I did not. I wanted these buildings brought up to date, and modernized to draw the customers inside. It's a shame that the other buildings will look shabby which set beside them, but that is there problem, not mine". Harry explained.



"And"? Lucius enquired.



"Well, when they start losing business over their antiquated buildings, they will most certainly want to modernize, and I will be happy to loan them the money". Harry finished with a smug grin.



"At a higher interest rate of course"? Draco asked.



"Why of course my dragon. I would not be a businessman if I didn't take advantage of the situation now would I"? Harry asked.



Draco pulled Harry into a chaste kiss in front of the public whom were shopping in the alley; daring anyone to say one word. "I love you my lion, I really do. Now, let's have a look around, and make our way to Gringotts. I'm sure the minister and the ambassador would like the grand tour".



As the group proceeded to walk down the cobblestone alley, minister Pitan turned his attention to Harry. "Mr. Potter, how long do you think it will be before the reporters spot us"?



"Oh, I would venture to guess that they already know we’re here". Harry explained. "They are scared of the security firm that I have with us. You see, the last time, they practically imprisoned the reporters inside their own buildings to keep them out of my hair. After we visit Gringotts, I'll have the head guard to inform the Daily Prophet that we will accept an interview".



"Now, I must say that I really like your style Mr. Potter"! Ambassador Thornberry exclaimed with a laugh. "The reporter-bastards in the U.S. will hardly leave you alone long enough to take a piss in the john, never the less give you time to flush"! Thornberry finished with a sigh. "You know, the freedom of the press and all of that. By our laws, we can't control them, and if we try it, they will take it to court".



"We don't have that here Mr. Thornberry, but in a way, that law is a good thing. Here, the Ministry of Magic controls what most of the papers print, and they hide the truth at every turn. The new minister though, swore he wouldn't do that, and hasn't so far. Under the last two ministers, that YAG groups letters would have never been published". Harry explained, and the three Malfoy's, along with minister Pitan, agreed.



"When our forefathers wrote the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, they drew from their experiences here. That is why we have the freedom of the press, but it can cause major problems. I guess we're better off, but sometimes one wonders". Ambassador Thornberry went on to explain.



"Ah, here we are gentlemen, Gringotts Bank! Shall we step inside and see what progress has been made"? Harry asked as the guards opened the two large bronze doors.



0-0



"Minister Shacklebolt, I just received word that we have important visitors"! Percy Weasley stated as he almost run into the minister’s office.



"Really Percy, show them in". Kingsley said as he looked up from a stack of documents.



"Not here minister, they’re at Diagon Alley, and touring the businesses. The editor at the Prophet just flooed me saying it's Potter and the Malfoy's. They also brought the French Minister for Magic, and an ambassador from the states with them".



"Ah bollocks". Kingsley said with a sigh. "Tell the editor that I will be at Diagon Alley shortly, as I have to change my robes to something more appropriate".



"Yes sir, right away. Uh sir, I might want to forewarn you that some of my family is supposed to be there today". Percy stammered out.



"Who"? Kingsley asked with a piercing stare.



"Uh, well you see.... Well, Ginny and Ron were supposed to visit George at the store today". Percy stuttered.



"Fuck it all"! Kingsley growled as he leapt from his seat and started to change his robes. "Try to keep them away from the group Percy, we don't need any more bad press about bigotry, and believe me, if they open their mouth, Potter and the Malfoy's will use it to their full advantage".



"But minister"... Percy stuttered.



"Listen Percy", Kingsley said after a huge exhale of breath, his bald head popping out of the new dress robes collar. "No offence or anything, but your brother is one of the biggest bigots I've ever met, and your sister is delusional to the point of insanity when it comes to Potter. If they run their mouths again, and the French or U.S. media gets hold of it, it will sink us. Do you understand this"?



Finally, Percy grimaced, and ran back to the floo in his office to contact the paper. He also hoped to contact George afterwards before it was too late.



0-0



"Ah look, minister, ambassador, here come the media". Lucius said as he looked out onto Diagon Alley as they left Gringotts.



As soon as the words left Lucius's mouth, there were two loud cracks from apparation. The group looked to where they heard the noise, and saw Kingsley along with Percy looking around. When the two spotted Harry's group, they started to make their way over to them.



Another loud noise sounded through Diagon Alley, before the minister made it to Harry, when the double-doors of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was flung sharply open, and they banged against the wall on either side. At this, both groups looked toward the shop, and watched as Ron and Ginny Weasley stormed outside.



"Damnit Percy, I thought you told George to stop them"! Kingsley growled under his breath.



Percy paled at the sight of his sister and brother, and began to stammer. "I did Minister Shacklebolt, and George said he would try to stop them. I wouldn't doubt if one of them stunned him, or tied him up".



At Percy's reply, both Kingsley and Percy hurried over toward the group, trying to cut off Ron and Ginny.



"Well, well, look what we have here! Two bleeding faggoty poufs, two death eater scum, and the rest of you lot must be as bad, because you're hanging out with them"! Ron shouted as he folded his arms over his chest and scowled at the group.



Harry, Draco, nor the elder Malfoy's never let their air of indifference drop, but they could all see that Minister Pitan, and the US Ambassador were thoroughly insulted. Finally, Harry turned around and greeted Kingsley.



"Ah, Minister Shacklebolt, how are you today"? Harry asked with a slight smirk. "We were just showing Minister Pitan, and US Magical Ambassador Thornberry around Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade".



"Minister Shacklebolt"! Minister Pitan ground out as he glared at Ron and a smirking Ginny Weasley. "Do all your citizens act this uncouth and ill-mannered? They act as if they have been raised in a barn, and it looks like they are two very prejudicial bigots if you ask me".



"Well you see Minister Pitan...". Kingsley stuttered as he glared at the two red heads.



"You know, the trade treaties that were passed between our countries back in 1986 includes a provision whereby we can place severe trade sanctions on countries that allow this type of prejudicious hatred and bigotry to occur. I think my colleague and I need to discuss this, as France and the U.S. may have to take action against your country rather swiftly, if this be the case". Minister Pitan finished with a haughty sniff at the two siblings.



"You gonna let these faggot loving freaks get away with that Kingsley"? Ginny shouted. "Wait until dad hears about this, he'll raise hell with the Wizengamot because you know we don't want their kind here"! She finished and then spit on the ground in their direction.



"Must have not liked our Christmas card, you recon"? Draco whispered to Harry in which he received a grin in return.



"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, you will cease and desist at once, and you will leave Diagon Alley! If you do not, I will have no choice but to arrest you for sedition, inciting a riot, and disturbing the peace"! Kingsley bellowed out. "I have never heard such hatred and bigotry muttered about in all my life, and now I wonder just how fit your parents were to rear you. If this is what you were taught growing up, I think I may have to question your fathers, and your fiancé's placement in the ministry, Mr. Weasley"!



"Are you threatening our family Shacklebolt? I'll have you know we are an old pureblood family, going back several centuries, and we will not allow you to threaten us! You're nothing but a faggot loving, spear chucking, over-rated, Kaffir"! Ron snarled out as he sneered at the entire group.



"Really Minister Shacklebolt, are you going to allow this to continue? In the US, he would have already been put down by a hit wizard, and carted off to a mental facility". Ambassador Thornberry commented. "I can now see my colleague's concerns with your people here, and I will have to recommend the sanctions from the US".



At the ambassador’s comment, Kingsley had had enough, and summoned several auror's with his Patronus. Within seconds, there were four loud cracks from apparation, and the four auror's walked up to stand beside Kingsley and Percy.



"Auror's, do your duty and arrest Mr. and Mrs. Weasley on the grounds of sedition, inciting a riot, and disturbing the peace. Take them to the ministry holding cells and do not release them to no one, including any law wizard’s". Kingsley calmly ordered his men, as they looked on at the two youngest Weasley's.



Ron and Ginny both pulled their wands, aiming them at Draco and Harry. Before they could utter one spell, four stunners took the two red heads down, two to each person, and they fell hard to the street. The auror’s then collected the two limp bodies and were just about to apparate when a loud screech came from the door of the Weasley's shop.



"Kingsley Shacklebolt, you release my children at once! They have done no harm, and I cannot for the life of me see why you would take up with the people you have now. Everyone of those people are vile human beings, and do all sorts of unnatural acts; I will not have it"! Molly Weasley shouted in her high-pitched screeching voice.



By the time the last word left Molly's seething mouth, a red spell came from the back of the group and stunned the elderly Weasley woman. After they watched an auror grab her before she fell to the ground, they quickly turned to see who had fired off the hex.



"I've always wanted to do that"! Narcissa Malfoy exclaimed with a smirk, as she slid her wand back inside her sleeve.



"Take her with her two children Auror Bailey, and lock them up. I will tend to them when I am back at the ministry". Kingsley stated as he watched the auror’s remove the three red heads.



"Now, what I was wanting to say before we were so rudely interrupted, was that a new law was put before the Wizengamot in an emergency meeting yesterday evening. It was voted on, and the new law passed. The new law will come into affect on Valentines Day this year, and it is a law banning any and all bigotry in wizarding Britain. This includes race, creed, colour, sexual orientation, and national origin. It also includes laws protecting squibs, muggle-borns, half-bloods, and the handicapped". Kingsley announced to the growing crowd, and the reporters who had finally gathered around. "There is also a provision to allow same-sex marriage, and give the couple the same rights as any traditional male-female married couple.



"The minimum sentence for breaking this law is ninety days in Azkaban, with a maximum of ten years. If it is a hate crime, and someone is assaulted, the time in prison grows to a maximum of fifty years in Azkaban. There is also a fine of no less than 5,000 galleons, and no greater than 2,000,000 galleons. Copies of this new law are now being sent out to all of Britain’s wizarding media for reprinting.



"Now, I would like to thank my esteemed colleague's, Minister Pitan, Minister for Magic of France, and US Ambassador for Magic, Mr. Thornberry for coming here today for this announcement". Kingsley finished his speech and turned to shake both men’s hands.



Camera flashes went off everywhere, and finally, Kingsley looked at Harry. "Mr. Potter, Harry, if you would, could you and your husband find time today to meet with me at my office? Once you are through with the minister and the ambassador of course".



"Yes minister, give us another two hours, as we still have to dine, and after seeing off Minister Pitan, Ambassador Thornberry, and my future in-laws, we will see you there". Harry said, as he led his group off to the Leaky Cauldron. The security group easily parted the crowd, and the five wizards, and one witch followed them safely to their destination.



0-0



Kingsley clasped his hands in front of him, his elbows resting on his desk, and his chin resting on top of his entwined fingers. He set there for several moments, looking at the two young wizards sitting in front of him before he spoke.



"Well Harry, how do you like the new law that I practically had to shoved through the Wizengamot"? Kingsley asked.



"It's a fine law minister, it really is. It's just a shame it took so long, and all this trouble that happened to cause it". Harry calmly stated.



"Yes Harry, about that. I have a theory on this activist group named YAG, would you care to hear it"? Kingsley enquired, and with a nod from Harry, he continued. "You see, I don't think it was a group per se, but only one person, maybe two at the most. Oh, there were several who came out and publicly bragged about being a member, but from what we found, nobody lifted a finger that we had under surveillance.



"You see, the buildings that were destroyed were only ex-ministry buildings that belonged to the main lien holder at the time of their destruction. That same lien holder never did file any complaints or charges against the said group. That lien holder happens to be sitting in my office at this minute.



"There were no laws technically broken, as any contents in these buildings wasn't removed after the eviction came about, so any destruction of ministry property can't be brought up, and technically, the ministry no longer owned it.



"There were also no injuries in any of the explosions, as anyone that was there at the time was removed, and their memories were modified. Shame that, that they couldn't tell us anything at all, so that placed us back at square one.



"However, that brings me back to my theory that the lien holder was involved in this, and that lien holder happens to be you Harry. Would you know anything about what happened? Anything at all"?



"Wouldn't know a thing minister, I was in France the entire time". Harry answered with a solemn expression on his face. ‘What kind of a dumb arse does he take me for’, Harry thought.



"Minister, you wouldn't be accusing my fiance of these bombings would you? If you are, or have any questions, you should contact our solicitors in France, you know this. Really, Harry shouldn't be here with his protection order and all, and anything he would say would be declared null at any hearing because of it". Draco stated with a tinge of anger in his voice.



"No Mr. Malfoy, I'm only stating an opinion". Kingsley replied. "One thing I would like to ask you though Harry, and it would be a hypothetical situation of course, would be why they left only one room alone in the old Department of Mysteries"?



"Oh, I would say it was love Kingsley, love for the wizards and witches who have been shat upon for centuries". Harry replied with a small smile on his lips.



That answer told Kingsley all he wanted to know. "Harry, do you know what this letter is"? Kingsley asked as he held up a roll of parchment.



"No sir, I really have no idea". Harry stated truthfully.



"It is my letter of resignation as the Minister for Magic, and it will be effective on the first of March". Kingsley answered. "I, like you, Harry, despise bigotry, and we all saw what the Weasley's spouted out today. Me, being a black man, have had my share of it, and you two, being who you are, will also have had it. Therefore, I cannot see into being the minister any more, and will let Percy take the rings after March, until an election is run.



"I will go back to being a plain old auror, but with one exception; I fully intend on enforcing this new law to its fullest extent. I think I will enjoy my time there until my retirement.



"Lastly, I hear your wedding is set for Valentines Day. I wonder if you both would do me the favor of allowing me to preside over it, and I will see to it that you are the first couple married under this new law. What say you both to this"?



Harry quickly looked over to Draco, and at the blonds nod, Harry turned back to Kingsley. "Yes minister, we would love the opportunity, and we’ll take you up on that. We will hold it at Malfoy Manor then, at noon that day, and you have the first British invitation to it".



"Great, great"! Kingsley said as he stood and shook both of the wizard’s hands. "I really look forward to it. Oh, and Harry, thanks for all you've done. I was an arse about it at first, but it did achieve the desired result".



Both young wizards gave Kingsley a slight nod, turned, and walked out of his office.



0-0



Ron Weasley threw down that morning’s addition of the Daily Prophet, barreled off the cot in his cell, and slammed his fist into the stone wall by the barred door. "God Damnit, look at what they're allowing now! That fucking Shacklebolt is allowing all those fuckin poufs to marry now, and Harry and Draco will be the first couple! You caused this Ginny, you running your big fat pie hole"!



"Fuck off Ron, you’re just as much of a bigot as I am. I'm the one who lost out, not you. I had millions of galleons at my fingertips, and I lost them all over you mouthing your bull shite to Harry about Draco. I could have won Harry back, but no, you had to keep running your fuckin trap. Just wait until I'm outta here, I am going to castrate you with a rusty fucking serrated blade"! Ginny screeched from her adjacent cell.



"Enough"! Molly Weasley shrieked. "I lost the opportunity of having a new house in London over this, and your lazy, good for nothing father wouldn’t of had to work for it! When I get you both home, you will not see the light of day for a bloody year"!













Thanks again for all the reviews!



I'm sorry for the slow update, but I ended up having to have another round of those shots the week after the first round was over. Afterwards, I've just felt too bad to write much, but I will finish this all up when I get feeling well.



.