First step towards a better World

"Severus, come in. Have some Lemon drops?" Jolly Headmaster asked the Slytherin head.

"No thank you. And yes, I have some news you would like to hear."

Dumbledore leaned forward in interest, "Oh, and what that would be?"

"Grey lady is back."

"Hmm, Bloody Baron did tell me he and other ghosts saw her before sorting but I was not sure she would remain here. It is odd, I had no idea ghosts could even come and go out of the castle. On the other hand, how are things with our minister?"

Snape sneered, knowing Dumbledore, he knows what minister is doing better than anyone but told him anyways, "He is propagating that he will not let ICW pass the law. He was in Hogsmead just now and will be soon leaving for speech in Diagon alley and then at Ministry. He is trying to bolster the support for himself, propagating he will not let Ember's law pass. The law not passing is a foregone conclusion but still, when that happens, Fudge will hord all the credit."

"That may be but we can never be too sure," Dumbledore said, absently rubbing the edge of a letter.

Dumbledore changed the topic, "And any progress on rings?"

"No, no portion worked on anyone who wore them, and as far as mind spells go, leave confundus, even imperious just slid off."

"Just remove them."

"I could not touch the rings in any way."

"Humm just cut off the finger," Dumbledore said calmly, "If Ember enchanted them, you will not get past their defense any other way."

"I can not go around the school cutting fingers of all mud...of everyone who wears the ring.", Snape replied back, looking more exasperated than reluctant, he was no stranger to doing dirty work for Dumbledore.

"Roundabout way then. But rings can wait till we deal with Ember. It will be in our favor that we do not underestimate her."

Snape nodded, "I will do so when an opportunity presents. If that is all, I will take my leave."

Dumbledore's grandfatherly smile dropped the moment the door was closed and his eyes went to the letter in his hand. Goblins had a visitor who was not too happy by the fact entire Potter fortune and Heirlooms were 'missing'.

Ragnarok was clear that their joint stunt made Goblin nation enemy of Ember Ravenclaw and Mage tower, something they were not too happy about. Also, the letter delivered a message she addressed straight to him, and it said,

"You will Pay."

This simple message frightened him to no end. Harry Potter had the most powerful wards he had ever known to hide his presence from the magical world, and especially Ember but her message made it clear, she knows what he did. She somehow broke through the obscuring wards and not only that, she knows he was behind them despite it was not him who cast them. She knows he cast the blood wards and they are slowly killing her godson.

His gaze fell on the empty perch of Falkes, making him remember how he lost both is dignity and his phoenix.

Suddenly he smiled and it was not pretty or grandfatherly, "Let her come. I am now on the path to ascension, no longer a weakling human like before. Let her come."

____________________________________________________________________________________________

UN Conference Base, Former Axis bunker, Somewhere in the Alps

Ember's grey eyes watched as leaders and representatives of every country on Earth sat in their seats in a large auditorium repurposed from bomber hanger used by Hydra near the end of World War 2. In the upper gallery sat hundreds of reporters from every country in the world sitting behind double plane bulletproof glass.

Preparations were being made as soon as one of the defining moments of the twenty-first century was about to start. After years of preparation and political maneuvering, she had finally got what she wanted. All UN-affiliated nations had gathered for the vote for forming an independent international peacekeeping organization which, unlike S.H.I.E.L.D., will deal exclusively in maintaining peace between various supernatural and normal factions around the globe, an organization that will deal with threats from Rogue mutants to alien invasions and everything between.

Earlier the entire week was spent on debating and after a long debate, votes were cast this morning. Not that she had any doubt about the result, most nations were simply not aware of the extent of supernatural elements present in the society and assumed she was setting up an additional international agency to counterbalance S.H.I.E.L.D., who had not proved itself more than a glorified spy agency for its investors i.e. the US.

Not that she clarified their doubts, it is easier that way. S.H.I.E.L.D. was a well-intentioned project but its actions snubbed a lot of toes. The discontent of other nations was what made this possible so soon, especially with the USA gearing for another invasion, they want a counterbalance in place to keep its international influence in check.

Soon everyone was present and it was the moment of truth. Secretary-General of UN, an Indian woman in traditional saree got up and stood behind a podium, tapping the mike twice to get everybody's attention.

"Esteemed dignitaries, I invite you to take your seats" the hub-hub in the hall died down.

"Thank you, the plenary meeting is resumed and the results for the establishment of International Department of Extranormal Affairs is as follows,"

"Number of ballot papers, one hundred and ninety-three; Number of Invalid ballot, zero"

"Number of valid ballots, hundred and ninety-three; abstentions, zero; vetos, zero" A small cheer passed after hearing the last bit. The fact that the permanent members of the UN security council had their veto rights despite it not being a security council meeting, was not a well-liked move among nations.

"Required two-third majority, hundred and twenty-nine. The results of the voting are as follows,"

"Votes in favor, one hundred and sixty-three, vot..." her speech was cut off as applause and cheers began, and despite knowing the results beforehand, Ember could not keep a smile off her face, clapping along. Her assistant, usually calm and composed Sage was beside herself with joy, applauding along with the crowd.

Secretary-General allowed the cheering to die down, before continuing in even voice, "As I was saying, votes in favor, hundred and sixty-three; votes in opposition, thirty; neutral votes, zero. As of today, 8 September 2001; the International Department of Extranormal Affairs is established under the helm of former Judge of International Criminal Court, Ember Ravenclaw."

Ember rose up to the applause of dignitaries and moved to the podium. The Security General shook her hand, congratulating her before leaving the stage for her.

Ember stood in front of representatives from every nation on the Earth and took a moment for herself. Before she could begin, a floating text interrupted her.

[Quest Complete- First step towards a better World]