The dark crown

Chapter 7

Building Bridges

Harry stood on the balcony of his Ministry office, surveying the sprawling city of London below. The ongoing trials of the Death Eaters cast a long shadow over the atmosphere, creating an unyielding tension that seemed to hang in the air. It was imperative for him to exude a sense of stability and resolve—not only for the people he had vowed to protect but also for the international magical community keenly watching his every move.

As he turned away from the view, he noticed Luna Lovegood entering the Ministry cafeteria, her radiant smile brightening the room. She waved enthusiastically, and Harry felt a flicker of relief at the sight of her. They had been friends for years, and her perspective always provided him with a refreshing outlook on their tumultuous world.

“Harry!” she called as she approached, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I’ve heard about your plans to meet with the neighboring countries. How exciting!”

“It is,” Harry replied, gesturing for her to sit. “I’m hoping to build alliances and promote cooperation on the treatment of magical creatures. It feels like the right step forward.”

Luna nodded thoughtfully, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder. “I believe it’s a wonderful idea. The countries you’ll be visiting—Feralith, Eldrune, and Verenthia—have rich histories with our own. They might be more open to cooperation than you think.”

“Yeah, I hope so. But I know some are still hesitant. Their scars from the war run deep,” he said, his brow furrowing as he thought of the challenges ahead.

“Change takes time,” Luna replied, her voice gentle. “Sometimes, it’s the small gestures that build the strongest connections.”

They continued their lunch, discussing their thoughts on the trials and the future of the wizarding world. Harry felt invigorated by Luna's insights, her unique ability to see beauty where others saw chaos giving him hope.

After finishing their meal, Harry and Luna stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. The sun shone brightly, and Harry momentarily lost himself in the warmth, grateful for this brief respite.

Just then, a loud commotion echoed from the courtyard below, followed by the unmistakable hiss of curses slicing through the air. Harry’s instincts kicked in immediately. He turned to see his personal guards—Mason, Riley, and Flynn—staggering back as a flurry of green lights shot past them, narrowly missing his shoulder. Harry’s heart raced as he realized they were under attack.

“Duck!” Harry shouted, instinctively pushing Luna behind him as he raised his hands. His magic surged through him—raw, untamed, and desperately hungry. The sound of curses reverberated in the air, each one faster, more precise, and more deliberate. Across the courtyard, not one, but several cloaked figures stood, each casting curses with practiced ease. They were organized, coordinated—this was no random assault.

“King Potter!” Riley called out, regaining his balance, but as he turned to assess the threat, a curse grazed his arm, forcing him to stagger. “I’m alright!” he called, though his voice was strained. “We need to get you out of here, King Potter!”

Harry’s pulse quickened, but his mind was already racing through a dozen possible countermeasures. “We can’t run. We need to neutralize the threat and protect the people.” His voice was firm, his mind as sharp as ever. He turned to Luna, who stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. “Luna, go!” Harry urged, not waiting for her reply as he gently pushed her toward the Ministry’s entrance.

Luna snapped out of her daze, nodding quickly. “Right!” she said, her voice a mixture of determination and anxiety as she darted inside.

Harry’s mind never stopped calculating. We can’t let them disrupt everything we’ve worked for, he thought, fire burning in his chest. He had been through so much, faced so many battles—this would be no different. “We need to protect the people,” Harry said aloud, his resolve hardening.