Chapter 3: 3. One Small Pebble & Thousand Ripples
[EARLY WARNING: If you are a British national and love the queen to the heart, then you might feel offended in a few chapters, I'm saying this because someone did get offended. She is going to act like a normal human would when threatened. She will get angry and act against the threat. She is also young at this point. But, know this. SHE IS NOT A VILLAIN. SHE WILL HAVE A BIGGER AND BETTER PART IN THE STORY.]
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A team of wizards arrived at Buckingham Palace. The team included a young newly recruited clerk at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The Minister for Magic, Nobby Leach, also came as he was the first Muggle-born Minister for Magic to ever hold office and knew about the muggle world and its royalty. With them were a few more people who were from the low-level office of the Ministry of Magic.
Queen Elizabeth II sat in her chair at the end of the table. "Mr. Leach, can you tell us about what magic this is and why couldn't your talented wizard guardians find out about this earlier?"
Nobby nodded his head. But he was also cursing at the queen inside. ~What do you mean why? This has been in your family for hundreds of years. It was you who banned wizards from entering the palace.~
"Your Majesty, I checked the stone tablet. It is the most intricate work with Charms I have seen in my life. As it said, this tablet belongs to King Arthur and is enchanted by Merlin.
"This magic was made to be hidden and no one in the world could find it because it was cast by Merlin. You must have heard about his legends, they are facts for us in the magical world." He explained.
The Queen took a long breath. If this was true, then the tablet was also most likely real. "Is there any way to find out who this new supposed king is?"
~She wants to kill him so she can secure her line?~ Nobby thought.
Nobby thought for a second and spoke, "No, not at the moment. This kind of magic is very powerful, it may have already changed the inheritor's identity and name magically to what we can guess. But the best bet is to look through all the muggle registries and search for a surname of Pendragon.
"If you find him, take him to Gringotts and make that child take an inheritance test. Yes, there is a vault under King Arthur's name there. Or, if the child is magical, then the name could already be in the Book of Acceptance at Hogwarts."
"Book of acceptance?" Queen inquired.
"It records the name of every magical child born in Great Britain and Ireland. It records the name the moment the child practises accidental magic." The Minister for Magic explained it to her.
"Then... is it possible to check the name there?" She asked with a hopeful expression.
*Cough*
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but that's not possible. This book is the property of Hogwarts and only the headmaster and deputy headmaster can read it. It is only used to send acceptance letters to children when they turn 11." He sternly told her.
"Can this man, Dumbledore... be talked to..."
Nobby's eyes widened. ~She wants me to go against Dumbledore or bribe him? Is she crazy?~
"No, Ma'am, you may not know but he is known to be a big war hero and he is also a very influential man in the magical community. He will not help you in this matter as it goes against the rules." He quickly denied her.
She was getting frustrated, "Then tell me, if this child is found, will he truly have the highest claim to the British throne?"
Nobby looked at the stone tablet and its words. He shuddered to imagine a curse from the greatest wizard to ever live be put on him. He already had his plates full.
"Ma'am, If he really turns out to be the true heir and passes the inheritance test of the goblins. Then I'm afraid you will have to concede the throne to him. Otherwise, this curse may very well forcefully remove you." He bluntly revealed what he thought.
"Is there a way to get rid of the curse?" She inquired hastily.
"Not without seeing what the curse is in the first place, even then, I don't have high hopes. Merlin was taught by Salazar Slytherin, another great wizard of ancient times, he is one of the strongest dark wizards in our history. He was an expert in curses." The meaning behind his words was clear to the queen.
"So we will have to get hit by the curse first for you to remove it... thank you for taking your precious time out for me, Minister Leach. Please enjoy the refreshments before you leave."
She left the room and rushed to her study. She called her assistant. "I want every single registry to be searched for anyone with Pendragon in their name."
She was hyperventilating from frustration. All the work she had done, all the hard work of her family for generations was now threatened. She was desperate.
"HE MUST BE FOUND AT ALL COST." She ordered loudly.
...
10 Privet Drive
Meanwhile, Magnus had reached his home and was already devouring his favourite food.
"How is it, Mag? Is it tasty?" Grace asked her son warmly.
Magnus gave her a big smile with his mouth still stuffed, "Yes, mummy is the best. I love chocolate waffles."
"Haha, good, then wash up after eating and go to sleep. You must be tired." Adam told his son.
"Okay, Dad." He happily ate his food. His parents were both Army officers. But thankfully they were not in the infantry.
Grace was a heart surgeon and Adam was a Mechanical Engineer. Although the salary was not a lot in the military it was enough to live a healthy life. Magnus' parents weren't from a rich family. Both of them fell in love in school but they planned their future from there and both joined the army after college.
Magnus knew that his mother's dream was to one day own her own hospital and his father's dream was to help his wife fulfil her dream. But they both knew the astronomical amount of money it takes to build a hospital.
*Kiss*
Grace tucked Magnus into his bed and kissed his forehead. "You scared me so much yesterday."
Magnus guiltily averted his gaze, "I'm sorry, mummy."
"It's okay, honey. Now sleep." She stood up and started to leave his room.
"Mummy..."
She looked back.
With a big smile, Magnus said, "When I grow up, I will build you the biggest hospital. I promise."
Grace smiled uncontrollably, "I believe in you, Mag. Now sleep, you must be tired."
She closed the door, leaving Magnus alone. He was looking at the ceiling with his bright blue eyes. Excited about growing up and making his parents happy.
After having one last look at his favourite superhero's poster on the wall he closed his eyes and fell asleep under the slight ambient light coming from the window.
...
Minister for Magic, Nobby Leach was a man who was hated by many purebloods. The day he took the office, lots of purebloods resigned from their posts in the ministry.
But, now he had somehow caught an unknown disease. He was suspicious that it was Abraxas Malfoy but he couldn't be sure and even if he accused him nothing would happen.
So, he went to his only hope, Dumbledore. He was going to exchange information for a possible cure. He had also decided to resign from his post. He had made a statement by becoming the first Muggleborn Minister for Magic and there was no need to put his life in harm's way now.
...
Hogwarts,
Dumbledore looked as old as ever with his neatly combed and tied long white beard. Wearing a wizard conical hat and white robes. He was keeping this old look as it made him look wise in the eyes of the people. It had just been 4 years since he took over the position of Headmaster so he was still trying to broaden his reach slowly.
So, he went to greet the muggleborn minister himself.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Minister Leach. I wasn't notified of your visit." Dumbledore greeted him.
"Ah, Dumbledore, this visit is a bit personal so there is no need for formalities. Just call me Nobby." He said. He didn't like being called Leach. He had endured it when the queen called him this, but no more.
Dumbledore nodded with a confident face as if he already knew everything, "Then perhaps, my office will be suitable for talks and a cup of tea."
Both of them went to the headmaster's office. Dumbledore poured two cups of tea and asked, "So, what can I do for you, Minister Nobby?"
[A/N: This will be the original Dumbledore. Just like in the movies, neither good nor evil. Just a bit cynical.]
[You can see the Magnus' Room and Dumbledore on my Discord - https://discord.gg/DgHkrAn OR see them on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mister_immortal_novel]
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Special thanks to *Douglas Flower* *Umar Latif* *Julian Rocamora* *Darrien Steely*
Thank you for your support!