When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 63

A Battle on Two Fronts

The representatives of the ICW had taken very little time in their deliberation to find Fontaine guilty of being a traitor, for willingly passing on information to the enemy, and being responsible for the loss of lives the forces had suffered.

Harry had looked on dispassionately as the Frenchman had been sentenced to twenty-five years in Azkaban, his recommendation to Abreo having come to fruition, and the ICW seemingly agreeing to house prisoners in establishments across the alliance.

There had already been cooperation on this prior to the war, but now a new precedent had been set, a warning sent to any would-be saboteur who had been considering similar actions to Fontaine.

Azkaban was about the worst prison one could be sent to, the dementors being creatures that none would wish to be hosted by.

"I am quite surprised that the ICW could be so callous," Sokolov, the leader of the fighting Russian men commented.

His words were not said with disgust, but almost admiration.

"What are the Russian prisons like?" Harry asked curiously.

Sokolov smirked.

"We may not have dementors, but we have other ways of making life miserable for those that break the law," he explained. "Death would be kinder than some of our prisons."

"Then remind me not to break the law in Russia."

Sokolov chuckled.

"I do not think you need to be concerned about it, Commander Evans," he replied. "The people in Russia are your friends, are we not?"

"Well, I hope so," Harry returned with a grin. "It makes it difficult to fight with people you are unsure you can trust."

Sokolov nodded.

"That is where my country finds itself," he pointed out. "Before the war, we would not have been welcomed in the ICW without agreeing to outlaw some of our more traditional practices."

"Traditional practices?"

"Nothing so despicable, but we refuse to ban studying topics the ICW frowns upon."

"What topics?" Harry asked curiously.

"All of them," Sokolov shrugged. "The ICW has banned blood magic for the most part, many potions, and magic they consider to be dark. I admit, some of it is quite distasteful, but what better way to fight something by having a true understanding of it."

Harry nodded.

"That is true," he agreed. "People tend to fear what they don't understand and choose to distance themselves from it."

"Da, but it is foolish to shy away from these things," Sokolov sighed. "Maybe one day the world will not be run by cowards, and wars like the one we are fighting can be avoided. I think you understand this, Commander Evans, and I am honoured to fight with you."

Sokolov offered his hand almost nervously, though Harry smiled and accepted the gesture.

"It's Harry," he corrected, the Russian having begun to grow on him.