Published: February 21st 2025, 3:39:09 pm
The portal whooshed into existence as the stargate activated, connecting it to Elysium’s gate.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing that happen.” Amelia Bones muttered, her eyes trained on the gate with a wary look.
“Oh, I think you might become accustomed to such things sooner than you think, Minister Bones.” said Harry. “Shall we…”
Amelia jerked her head and followed Harry into an entirely new planet. The concept itself was alien to her. She never imagined she would come across an opportunity to travel to another planet, or it was even possible to do so. But her senses didn’t deceive her. As she stepped through the gate, Amelia found herself experiencing a similar experience of portkey teleportation before she found herself in a massive clearing.
The gate shut down behind her with a distinct hissing noise. She looked around in wonder at the massive clearing surrounded by rows of hills around her. The sun barely felt on her face, and it became clear that the climate was not so different from back home. It was cloudy, cold and wet, which reminded her of home.
“I don’t suppose you have any reason why you left the gate undefended?” Amelia asked, seeing the obvious security flaw.
“There is nothing to worry about, Minister Bones. From the instant the gate was activated, the planet’s defensive mechanisms have been observing the gate.” Harry assured her before he fished a pair of Omnioculars and handed it over to the Minister.
Amelia observed the hills to which Harry pointed with the Omnioculars. Her eyes widened minutely as she saw long-barrelled giant guns, the likes of which she knew muggle military used being trained on her position.
“If that is not enough, the gate is also protected by a shield which can only be taken down by a wizard or a witch.” Said Harry before he waved his right palm in the general direction of the stargate.
A shimmering blue shield sprung up, sealing the iris of the gate behind an energy barrier.
“How did that…?” Amelia trailed off, seeing how fast the shield sprung up.
“The materials used in the gate’s construction are highly compatible with our magic. It’s almost too easy to use magic to gain access to higher functions of the gate. I have some theories regarding why, but some of our best researchers are working on the materials used as we speak.” Harry explained.
“I see. You’ve already gone ahead with the program, then.” Amelia said, keeping her tone light to avoid showing her approval or disapproval.
“It was the only option before me as you refused to provide more support.” Harry looked pointedly at her.
“You should know better about my position, Mr Potter. I’m a wartime Minister forced to make some hasty choices to win the war. My political enemies will use even the slightest misstep to bring me down, and I have come too far to make such a juvenile mistake when the elections are so close.” said Amelia with a shake of her head.
“I’d say you have misplaced priorities, Minister.”
“And I’d say you have an obsession with this planet and all that it entails, Mr Potter. Sometimes, it’s better to remember your roots and focus on that before you lose your footing entirely.” Amelia warned.
“I’m not the one at risk of losing the footing, Minister.” Harry stared at the woman, unimpressed by her insistence on hiding behind local politics. “While I understand your position, you must understand the threat of rapid technological advancement of muggles. With the prospect of alien technological advancements within their reach, they’ll grow at a terrifying pace.”
“Elysium offers a new beginning for our people, far removed from the danger of an advanced overwhelming muggle population. We can rebuild and thrive in Elysium while on Earth, we’ll be forced to hide and live in fear of discovery.”
“I’m not ignorant of what the future on this planet can offer us, Mr Potter. Trust me, I’m aware. Show me more of Elysium.”
Harry looked at the Minister’s eyes searchingly before nodding. He offered his hand to Minister Bones, and when she took it, he apparated away from the clearing, taking Amelia with him. With a whoosh in space, he appeared miles away from the Stargate of Elysium to a newly built settlement.
“This is the new settlement we’re building.” Harry showed the newly constructed buildings with a flourish.
Amelia’s mouth dropped open at the sight before her. Ahead of them, a city was rising from the ground, a breathtaking fusion of ancient architecture and futuristic design. White stone towers gleamed in the sun, their surfaces inscribed with intricate patterns that seemed to glow faintly with an inner light. With a start, she realised it was runes of some sort. Massive cranes, powered by an unseen energy source, lifted entire sections of prefabricated structures into place. Hovering transport platforms carried materials and workers across the city, moving with an efficiency that spoke of both advanced technology, magic and meticulous organisation.
Her eyes took notice of the number of workers going about their work.
“Are they…?” Amelia asked hesitantly.
“Yes, they’re muggles from the engineering corps of muggle militaries from across Europe. The Flamels have been quite accommodating in this regard.”
“And they’re of use to meet the needs of Elysium?” Amelia asked curiously.
“Quite a lot, actually.” Harry admitted with a nod. “We were able to maintain this pace of infrastructure development thanks to the muggle workforce. The House Elves were also immensely helpful in this regard.”
“I see.” Amelia hummed, observing the fast-paced work going on before her eyes before she turned her attention to Harry, “I read through the request you put forth. Before I make a decision, explain it to me in person. I want to know everything about it in detail.”
“Sure.” Harry nodded with a sigh and led the Minister to the lab built beneath the city.
From within the lab, Harry brought forth a small container with a number of vials containing a clear, viscous liquid and showed it to Minister Bones.
“What you’re seeing is the building blocks of our race used by Merlin to seed our planet with the first of our kind.” Harry explained as he handed over the container to Amelia. “This concoction is a serum designed to make forcible evolution within the genes of muggles. Those who undergo the procedure will end up creating wizards and witches as their offspring.”
“Muggleborns! You’re talking about creating more muggleborns.” Amelia said with wide eyes.
“These genetic markers have been inherited in muggles, and they have caused the creation of muggleborns on Earth. I’m proposing we use it selectively within the muggle workers in Elysium and use them to raise the number of wizards and witches.”
“Why? For what purpose are you suggesting something like this?” Amelia asked, looking revulsed at the idea of using muggles as breeding stock.
“Because we are so few in numbers, Minister. It’ll be a miracle in itself if we manage to secure the cooperation of more Ministries. But let’s not pretend they’ll be so happy to give up their people outside their sphere of influence. This is merely a precaution if the other Ministries refuse to cooperate with Pax Elysia. After all, we need sustainable population growth to maintain a growing civilisation on this planet.”
“I’ll be frank, Mr Potter. I dislike the idea of using muggles as cattle to further our purposes, but I understand the necessity. So long as you keep Elysium's secrets from the general public, I won’t interfere with your work. But keep in mind that the Ministry is not the sole party powerful enough to throw hurdles in your way. The Goblin Nation is ever watchful and distrustful of wizards. If they get any idea of what you’re doing here, they’ll threaten our economies, and then chaos will come your way.”
“I assure you, Minister. Secrecy is our utmost priority for now. Only the top political leadership of some select Ministries know of Elysium’s existence.”
“Keep it that way for now.”
“Then may I ask for more support. I need more settlers from the wizarding community. The faster I can help them become accustomed to Elysium and Lantean knowledge, the better.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Amelia said noncommittally. “Now, let’s continue the tour. I need to know what else you’re doing in this budding city you’re building.”
“Follow me, Minister. There is much you need to know.”
******
Though he had a good working relationship with Amelia Bones, her reluctance to give her full support behind Pax Elysia made Harry realise he needed other ways to secure the future of Elysium. He was hesitant to ask for more help from the Flamels as they no doubt would gain disproportionate influence in the affairs of Elysium if he let them run amuck.
Even now, more German, French and Russian wizards were inhabiting Elysium, asserting their dominance on the planet. Harry was forced to assert his influence by proxy, using the muggles he had recruited as the workforce due to a lack of enough British wizards on the planet. Even now, with the addition of some of his fellow Knights, the number of British wizards in Elysium was just twenty-two. Even the French had nearly forty wizards and witches representing them. Already, they had taken a substantial portion of the city as their base of operation.
The same could be said about the Germans and Russians. The other Ministries were lagging behind in their commitments, like Britain. It was bound to come to bite them on their ass once the Elysian High Council and the House of Representatives were formed by the end of August. The idiots in the British Ministry couldn’t be bothered to ensure their voices were properly heard in the House of Representatives because they were busy with local politics.
If that was the case, Harry had to ensure his interests were protected through other means.
“Dobby.”
“Sir called Dobby.” Dobby immediately popped by his side with a happy smile.
“Please inform Neville and Daphne to gather two teams and meet me near the gate.” Harry said.
Dobby nodded before departing immediately via teleportation.
His trusted elf looked far healthier now that he was on a different planet with lots of work to do that pays handsomely. Harry had made the decision to start a new settlement exclusively for the House Elves once he realised their departure from Earth only benefited them in the end. The opportunity to start anew in Elysium offered him a way to secure certain rights for the House Elves. He was still working on it by approaching the other magical groups and advocating for the rights of House Elves and other magical creatures.
It was essentially a simple affair as far as he was concerned. He was just advocating that all magical creatures be recognised as citizens of Elysium, thereby granting them an equal footing with wizards. This would enable all magical species to coexist with the same laws governing them all. He had already convinced a better portion of the newly arrived wizards and witches to support his pitch. Strangely enough, the flamels were also in favour, but he suspected that they’d ask for something in return for their tactic support when the time came.
‘It’ll be a worthy compromise if the House Elves get representation and the protection of citizenship. It’ll pave the way for protection from abuse… hopefully.’ Harry thought, appreciating the vibrant magic he could feel rolling off from Dobby once the elf returned to his side beside the gate.
“How’re the rest of the elves taking to their accommodations, Dobby?” Harry asked curiously.
“Oh, we love it here, sir. Harry Potter’s planet is good for us, Elves. We grow stronger each day, and there is so much work we Elves are so happy and full and… and…” Dobby’s eyes gleamed with such excitement that Harry worried his elvish friend would just spontaneously combust from sheer happiness.
“I get it, Dobby. You’re all happy here.” Harry smiled, patting the little head of the elf.
“Dobby was wondering, sir… the other elves as well, sir… whether more of us will be brought here.”
“Is that a significant concern amongst your friends, Dobby?” Harry asked.
“Some have asked, sir, and Dobby is curious as well.” Dobby blinked his large tennis balls at him innocently.
Harry grinned slightly at the vibrant changes in Dobby and some of the elves in Elysium. Whatever compulsion forced them to maintain servitude to the wizards and witches on Earth was no longer working in Elysium. The planet was restoring their individuality and thereby breaking the chains on their magic and soul itself. He had already known a planet hosted an individualistic magical power of its own, but he had never considered it could change a magical species in ways like this and that, too, in a short time.
“Yes, Dobby. I mean to bring all the House Elfs to Elysium and offer them a new way of life away from perpetual servitude.” said Harry.
It was his fervent wish to do so now that he knew the House Elves would thrive in Elysium by exercising agency of their own.
‘This means there is a strong chance the werewolf curse will cease to exist in Elysium.’ Harry mused.
If true, it offered an excellent opportunity for the werewolves shunned by the wizarding community to thrive in Elysium. Werewolves and vampires were his next targets, along with merpeople. There were vast seas and sunken islands that’d be perfect for the merpeople to set up their new homes. If not that, there were abundant freshwater bodies on the planet for the merpeople to thrive.
His musings were put aside when Neville and Daphne arrived, leading two groups. Neville managed to book a good portion of the former Griffindor team, including the Weasley twins, Angelina and Alicia, while Daphne picked up Tracey, Cedric, Luna and Terry Boot.
“Nope, you can’t be on this one.” Harry pointed a finger at Cedric.
“See, I told you he’d refuse.” Cedric folded his hands while staring unimpressed at Daphne.
“Why? Cedric is…” Daphne started to ask.
“Because what he’s doing is more important, and it needs to be finished in a timely manner. Cedric, you may return to the work at hand.”
“Thank you.” Cedric said happily before apparating away.
“What exactly is he doing? And why aren’t we allowed to get in on whatever the pretty-boy is doing?” Tracey asked with hands on her hips.
“Well, you all failed to grasp the entirety of the data packet. It means your mind is not strong enough to disseminate the information module.”
“Well, that’s…” Tracey started to protest.
“Have you finished the Occlumency exercises I gave for you?” Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Is there any difference? Can you recall any additional information?” Harry asked, to Tracey's annoyance.
“No.” she murmured morosely.
“Then you’re not ready to know.” Harry clapped to get everyone’s attention.
“Now, we have a mission at hand and let me tell you, it's not going to be a simple one because we’ll be walking into a hostile environment. So, I’ll be running through a simulated environment in the RoR. Neville, your group’s task will be to unearth a stargate and keep it active while Daphne, your group, will be scouring the planet for anything salvageable in molten lava.”
“How are we going to survive a planet filled with lava?” Neville asked after exchanging a wary look with Angelina.
Harry took out a headgear and a crystal data bank.
“Oh, no! Not that thing again.” Alicia commented with a groan.
“Yes, I’m afraid.” Harry shrugged, offering the gear and the data crystal. “Those who can successfully survive the simulation will be allowed to go on the actual mission. The two teams will have 12 hours to complete the simulation successfully, and the best-performing team will be accompanying me for the mission.”
After Harry’s declaration, everyone began packing to weather a hostile planet. Dragonhide boots, cloaks and gloves were a must. They also took care to spell each article of their clothing to weather the supposed harsh conditions present on the planet. With that done, the two teams were sent straight through the stargate back to Earth and from there to Hogwarts, where they underwent the simulation under Harry’s watch.
******
“Well, this is nice. The Man Who Conquered treating little ol’ me with dinner. Colour me impressed, but I know you’re not the type, so what do you want, Potter?” William Gardner asked, sitting across from him with loose brown hair and shifty yellow eyes.
The muggle inhabitants of the diner went about their business, completely ignoring their table.
“You’ve upheld the terms of our alliance to the letter. I like people who hold to their word.” said Harry, drinking his tea in a relaxed manner.
“You here to give me a medal?” Will asked with a scoff.
“No, I’m here to uphold mine. I offered you a place where you and your people can live freely without discrimination.”
“Don’t tell me you also have the power to take away the fears of thousands of people with a wave of your wand, Potter.” Will said with a snicker before wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Look, I know what you promised but reality can be a prissy little tot that drives people mad to no end. I knew it would be impossible to make the Ministry change its laws in a jiffy. You were the better of the two options, and I hated the Dark Lord.”
“You’re quite pessimistic.” Harry observed.
“Only way to survive in this world.” Will shrugged.
Harry nodded in understanding.
“I won’t say I understand your plight.”
“You don’t.” Will said with a pointed look, making Harry sigh.
“You’re right in saying it’ll take too long to change the Ministry, which is why I’m forcing them to adapt. My offer still stands, and in addition, I do have the capability for you to live in a society where there is no prejudice. If you’re interested in learning more, you can come with me and see it for yourself. After that, only if you’re convinced, you may bring your fellow werewolves to this place I have for you.”
Will stared at him for a long moment, and Harry unflinchingly stared back with confidence.
“You’re not pulling my leg.” Will said, leaning forward in his seat.
“I’m not.” Harry said shortly.
“Where is this supposed place?”
“A long way from here. So, are you interested?” Harry asked, but he already knew the answer from the look on Will’s face.
The man was extremely interested in what he had to offer. It was a good sign, and now he just had to convince merpeople, vampires, centaurs and many other sentient magical creatures.
‘I’ll save the Goblins for the last… greedy buggers.’ Harry thought.