Chapter 133: Not Everything Goes According to Plan
"Draco, we have visitors."
"Um..."
I looked at Bella, confused. She seemed very gloomy.
"...and what is the problem?"
"The problem is that this visit is somewhat unpleasant for us."
"Well..."
I shrugged.
"...pleasant or not, if someone has come and you're telling me about it, that means we have to meet them, so I don't see any point in putting it off. At least tell me who's come to see us?"
"A representative of the ICW and a representative of the Ministry."
"Um..."
I blinked, confused.
"...well, all right. Should I be polite?"
"Yes... as much as I'd like to tell them to go away, we should hear what they have to say and figure out a polite response."
I shook my head slightly, thoughtfully.
"Well, all right..."
We went to a different building on the border of our Quarter. It had a suitable negotiating room, so I sat down in a comfortable armchair and gestured for the guests to be brought in.
The employee who opened the door was the first to peek in. Then a little barrel on legs literally rolled in. He wore a black suit, his neck was nearly as thick as his face, he was short, and his arms and legs were surprisingly thin. The second was Umbridge.
"My name is Sam Haggis, representative of the ICW, or more precisely, the U.S. envoy to the ICW, and you must already know my dearest companion."
Umbridge smiled sweetly at her companion's words and cast hateful looks at me.
"Well, I suppose you already know who I am, but I'll introduce myself anyway. I'm Draco Black, future head of the House of Black and future administrator of this district, and this is my mother, Bellatrix Black."
I fell silent for a few seconds, studying the visitors.
"So, what brings you to me?"
"Ahem... actually, I was expecting to meet with Miss Bellatrix and Miss Narcissa, not with you, young man. Don't you think that meddling in adult matters at your age... Surely you don't think that without your valuable opinion, your mother can't manage the Quarter?"
"I think your assumptions are your own problem. If I'm here, then I have the right to be, whatever you think."
"Ahem..."
Umbridge coughed.
"Mr. Black, adult matters will be discussed here now. I don't think..."
"And you don't think at all, Miss Umbridge. If the Queen asked me to spare you last time, that doesn't mean she'll stand up for you this time."
The toad froze, bulging her beady little eyes at me.
"As for you..."
I looked at the representative of the ICW, who was really just hiding behind his position. In reality, he had come to solve the United States' problems.
"...you may either begin speaking or leave us. The choice is yours."
I smiled, showing him that I was the one in control of the situation, not the two guests.
"Ahem... as far as I know, you are forcibly holding a U.S. citizen, and I have come to demand that you release her."
"Seriously?"
I looked at the little man questioningly.
"Yes."
"Well... let's suppose so..."
I shrugged indifferently.
"Um..."
The little man looked at me somewhat uncertainly.
"Mr. Black, generally, after demands are mentioned, the other side says something. Though you are still young, so it's forgivable that you don't know such simple things."
"Miss Umbridge, you are no longer so young, so perhaps you have problems with your hearing, or with your memory..."
The toad twitched at my words.
"...but so be it. Without the slightest respect for your gray hairs, I will explain. Mr. Haggis said that he came to make a demand, but I still have not heard his demands. Because demands generally imply not only what is wanted from the other side, but also... certain conditions, threats, proposals..."
I smiled slightly.
"...so far, none of that has been voiced."
"Mr. Black, you are forcibly holding a U.S. citizen on your territory. We demand that you release her. Otherwise, we will be forced to take certain unpleasant measures."
Mr. Haggis, a U.S. citizen, ordered his mercenary to kill a British citizen. This was done afterward, in front of many witnesses, so under international magical law, which, incidentally, remains unrepealed despite the lifting of the Statute, we are within our rights. "No, of course, you can try to pressure us..."
I fell silent, as if considering the prospect.
"...however, you simply have nothing to use against us."
"Mr. Black, there is a representative from your Ministry here for a reason. I think she'll find something to press you with..."
After those words, the toad turned pale.
"Ahem... I thought I was here only as a witness to your conversation..."
"They didn't tell you?"
"I'll allow myself to interrupt, since this is all quite interesting, but the Ministry has nothing to pressure us with. You see, we have several mini-states within one, and we all answer to the Queen. The Ministry's mini-state, which once truly governed, has no way to pressure the others."
Haggis looked at the toad in confusion, and she nodded quickly.
"But... that's nonsense."
"It's not nonsense..."
I shook my head.
"...it's the result of the Ministry's shortsighted policies, after it buried its head in the sand for too long. However, that doesn't concern you, and if that's all, then..."
"Perhaps we can't pressure you through the Ministry, but we still have the ability to pressure you through the ICW."
The man smiled triumphantly.
"Well, you can try, but what can you do to us?"
"We'll forbid the use of international Portkeys, for starters, and not just for you, but for all Britons."
"Oh, seriously?"
I pretended to be frightened.
"Yes."
"Well... I don't even know..."
I shook my head.
"...that's so unexpected and frightening..."
"Young man, stop being sarcastic!"
Barrel on legs, stop being stupid! If you want the bitch who wanted to kill me, offer something in exchange. However, I can show you how I react to your pressure right now.
I slowly took out my wand so as not to make the guests nervous, and, aiming it toward the wall, summoned a Patronus.
"Mother, throw out all representatives of the United States who are studying with our Summer. Of course, they have already managed to learn something, but clearly not everything."
The Patronus ran off.
"The ICW has the knowledge base created by you with Summer's help."
The man smiled.
"I know... but ask any battle mage if it's possible to gain skills in battle magic by relying solely on theory, without any practice. And they'll tell you it's impossible. Of course, no one can stop you from practicing, but without mentors to guide you down a well-trodden path... it'll take you three or four times as long. So when EVERYONE is ready, you will not be ready. Yes, you can hire representatives from other countries, but again, that will be later, and they're needed right now."
"Ahem... Mr. Black, I suggest we not get too heated..."
Umbridge remembered that she was, in fact, a representative of some kind of authority and tried to smooth things over.
"...most likely, our guest from the United States became a bit overexcited, which is why he spoke so firmly and rashly."
"Well, that means the United States made a mistake sending us such a shortsighted politician. Incidentally, copies of my memories will be sent to the ICW and the U.S. embassy, and from there, they'll reach all interested parties. After that, they'll send us a more suitable negotiator."
"You do not understand..."
The man tried to step back a little and made it clear through his demeanor how much he regretted starting the conversation on the wrong foot.
"...the lady who is in your captivity is highly respected, and her death, or even her failure to return to her homeland, may turn many sentients against you. We simply will not be able to control their actions. They may well hire mercenaries and..."
"And that would be wonderful."
Bella, who had grown tired of sitting like a stone idol, decided to take part in the conversation.
"You know, initially I assumed you had come precisely for our prisoner and was even considering the possibility of persuading Draco to give her to you, but as it turned out, you came not to negotiate, but to demand. So I will be glad if your mercenaries come crawling to us, because they can be taken alive and sent to the altar."
The little man went pale.
"You... you... how can you?!"
"Easily and without strain..."
I shrugged.
...or were you counting on something else? You know, I was initially not inclined to give the prisoner to anyone, but if you had behaved appropriately...
A sigh of disappointment escaped my lips.
...then perhaps everything would have been different. But now her fate is sealed. First, she'll go to interrogation, and then to the altar.
But...
The conversation is over. Kreacher, throw the guests out beyond the Quarter.
With pleasure, Master.
The house-elf appeared behind the guests with a loud pop and, snapping his fingers, threw them out.
Well, now we wait for problems...
I sighed.
No, Draco...
Bella shook her head.
...there's no need to expect trouble yet. That little man will certainly try to paint us as the villains, but we'll send copies of the memories to the ICW and the U.S. embassy. From there, they'll reach all interested parties, so afterward, they'll send us a more suitable negotiator.
I looked thoughtfully at Mother.
Well, if he truly acts reasonably and negotiates, rather than making demands, then perhaps I might even agree.
That's correct.
Mother nodded.
But first, we need to discuss exactly what we should get for her, since she can't be handed over for nothing.
First, we need to go to the tournament, because in two hours I have a fight with the silver medalist of the adult group.
Are you planning to defeat him with cunning too? That dragon of yours was extremely realistic. Not in physical appearance, but because it seemed like a genuinely large spell that could breathe fire, not just a common illusion.
That was the calculation.
I nodded.
"The area, oversaturated with magical energy after the opponent's spell broke, was meant to make it seem like it wasn't a simple illusion."
Do you already have plans for how to handle today's opponent?
No...
I shook my head, showing some uncertainty.
"...strong, fast, and technical. I was able to count five well-practiced schemes that he combines when necessary. Except, as my previous opponent said, he doesn't really like overly long spell combinations. But will I be able to play on that?"
"Well, you can try, but did you really not notice anything else?"
"Small problems with fire spells, and his shields are slightly weaker against lightning. He likes using earth, from an elemental perspective."
"Well..."
Bella nodded in agreement.
"...then you really did notice everything about your opponent, and you only have your skills to rely on."
"Yes..."
I nodded, rising from the armchair.
"...but I'll still flounder a little. The main thing is to start first, and I even have a small plan."
"There... that's the right attitude!"
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