House of Caliban

Chapter 22

Haylan wasn't going to get to see Blaise at all until after Dumbledore's sacrifice thanks to the bloody Order of Fried Chickens.

After Haylan had announced to the ICW what would be Dumbledore's punishment, chaos had broken out. Not just because of everyone's reactions to what would be done to the old war hero, but also because there were several members of the Order in the crowd watching the meeting.

One Elphias Doge fired a killing curse at Haylan which of course did nothing because of the peace wards that had been activated for the meeting. Chaos further broke out because Lord Elphias Doge tried to kill the Emperor in Dumbledore's name in front of hundreds of witnesses.

Two more order members, Emmeline Vance and Sturgis Podmore, apparated out of the ICW in response to Elphias being taken into custody and probably to warn the rest of the Order.

A threat that Supreme Mugwump Akingbade took very seriously.

Now the civilians had been evacuated and the ICW building was under lockdown, wards fully powered until Haylan could deal with Dumbledore and Doge.

Haylan sat on a rather comfortable leather chair, watching the ICW as they discussed how to handle the Order and how civilians may try to treat Dumbledore as a martyr. All things that Haylan had thought about, but it was nice to see some people coming at it from his perspective.

"Emperor Caliban, when and where are you planning to deal with Dumbledore and Doge?" Lady Metaxas of Greece asked politely.

"It will be done at Caliban Castle in the ritual room," Haylan said after taking a sip of his mint tea that desperately needed some milk in it.

"Will you need the Unspeakables to grant you passage to the veil in Britain after you have finished the rituals?" Lord Strongarm of the U.K. inquired.

"Oh no, the Calibans have had our own veil for centuries. The one housed inside the British Ministry of Magic pales in comparison to my family's veil." Haylan helpfully informed them, watching half of the ICW members pale at the thought of a more powerful veil.

"How will you make sure everyone knows about what you are going to do? If they do not see the ritual happen many will not believe it and will doubt your power. It will not be the deterrent you are hoping it will be." Supreme Mugwump Akingbade said curiously, not maliciously.

"Ah that will be a Caliban family secret, but everyone will see. Afterwards, I must prepare myself for the Order's retaliation. Although I have received several letters from a few who were in the Order detailing how they have left the Order and want no quarrel with me, several others have not been so sensible. Alastor Moody, Severus Snape, and Kingsley Shacklebolt have distanced themselves from Dumbledore's actions for some time now. The Weasley family has finally denounced their support of the old fool, and Mundungus Fletcher is a coward who wouldn't stick his neck out for anyone. Current members that continue to support Dumbledore are currently known as Elphias Doge, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, Arabella Figg, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Rubeus Hagrid, Hestia Jones, and Minerva McGonagall." Haylan informed them grimly.

"We can put out alerts on those members to make sure other member countries are aware. It might not help prevent any actions that they might take, but we might be able to keep track of them." Akingbade said with a firm nod.

"I will take my leave so I can begin preparations. The ritual must take place at sunset and it will take me a few hours to prep for a double sacrifice." Haylan spoke as he stood up from his seat.

"Let me know if you need any further assistance, Emperor Caliban," Akingbade said with a bow. Haylan responded with a nod before apparating back to the castle.