Chapter Text
One day ago…
MACUSA – although a world leader in the magical enclaves – was very much like its non-magical counterpart. Young.
None knew this better than Marigold Oleander. At the age of thirty-seven, she was one of the youngest acting presidents to serve under MACUSA since the 1800’s. With a very liberal point of view despite her southern upbringing, she was seen as quite the mover and shaker. The exact type of person that will lead the country this new millennium. One filled with tolerance and hope.
The current situation with one Hermione Granger was doing everything to destroy that image and she was not about to stand it!
Her current campaign manager and head of PR, Astrid Greene, a half-blood with far too much determination and the moxy of any New Yorker from Brooklyn could muster was literally pulling at her dark curls. The tight 4C tresses were elongating and springing back with every forceful pull and it was both fascinating and concerning. “This cannot be happening!”
Marigold knew that technically she was the boss, but she had known Astrid since they were roommates in Pukwudgie at Ilvermorny. She was starting to spiral and she needed to stop her before her panic attack triggered her own anxiety. “Rein it in girl! What are you?”
Astrid’s response with automatic as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I am a babbling brook, flowing through nature. Cool and calm.”
“Be the brook. Feel that flow,” Marigold replied as she too took in a deep breath.
The women exhaled at the exact same time and their tense shoulders relaxed.
“Alright. I am calm,” stated Astrid as she opened her dark eyes. “Now we need to address this situation with the MMD. I have sent a Patronus to Alrick and he should be arriving any moment now.”
Alrick Allegory the Fourth. The bane of Marigold’s existence and – according to Astrid – a man with the most punchable face in the entire world. He was a remnant of the previous presidency. Old, stuffy and absolutely insufferable. He was the type of person that spoke simply because they enjoyed the sound of their voice.
Had it been up to Marigold, she would have fired him long ago. Unfortunately, certain positions within the administration were elected and he had won his position fair and square.
“What is the meaning of this skullduggery!?”
Marigold almost rolled her eyes. Astrid had not such qualms and did so with a pointed look that had both women gathering their patience.
“Hello Alrick. Please do come in,” said Marigold dryly as she watched the old wizard storm into her office without knocking.
“Please sit down and make yourself comfortable,” added Astrid in that same dry tone as she watched him plop himself down in front of the President’s desk and begin grumbling under his breath.
“Now see here young lady! I do not know what flim-floozle has been whispered in your ear, but I will not have my good name besmirched! Besmirched I say!” He exclaimed with all the bluster of an old pipe organ.
Marigold was pretty sure flim-floozle wasn’t a word, but she really wasn’t going to examine that further. “Alrick. Your department is being carefully examined. Documents and scrolls are being thoroughly searched as we speak for any whisper of foul play.”
“Now see here missy-“
“Alrick, I will remind you I am your superior. I am everyone’s superior in this governing body so you will address me by my proper title,” she cut in, her southern drawl sharp and warning.
Alrick let out a long breath, his bushy mustache fluttering slightly. “Apologies Madame President, but I still maintain that we have done nothing wrong.”
Marigold’s smile was sharklike. “Then there is nothing to fear.”
Alrick let out a wobbly smile.
Astrid’s grin was positively gleeful!
12 hours ago…
“I am going to strangle that man the next time I see him!” Astrid yelled within the office of the President. Thank Merlin for Silencing charms because her voice was rising with every document she read detailing decades of embezzlement and bribes going back all the way to Alrick Allegory the First!
The Allegory family were quite prominent in American politics. Their name was practically synonymous with MACUSA and they have served in various posts in numerous positions. Alrick the First was actually the second acting Vice President. That they had been able to get away with centuries of theft was appalling and Marigold was going to see that everyone involved be punished within the full extent of the law! “This is unacceptable!”
She was currently draped in deep green robes of olive and gold, the color offsetting her natural blonde locks and pale skin that was currently flushed with anger. As she looked out upon the gathered members of her cabinet, she let her voice carry throughout the room. “We will be conducting thorough reports and investigations. Any perpetrators will be getting a lovely room in the basement of the Woolworth Building.”
Many gathered gulped at the threat.
One man looked ready to pass out.
“Now, I suggest that you all ensure that everything is correct!”
Present …
“Another $5 says that he passes out in the next 10 minutes.” Said Collin.
“You’re on!” Answered Brady.
Hermione pinned the young cousins with a stern look that had them avoiding eye contact and shuffling in place.
Harry snorted from his place on the couch. He knew exactly how the two felt.
“So, are we just going to wait around for another magic person to come over? In the meantime, can we have snacks while waiting?” Quil asked as he rubbed his stomach.
Sam would have reprimanded him, but he was also feeling hungry.
“Share with your brothers,” said Joy as she gestured towards the pantry that was stocked full with chips, dips, crackers and jerky.
Quil’s smile was blinding as he dove towards the double doors and started passing out food items to everyone present.
“None for you! You suck,” said Quil as he stuck out his tongue at a still whimpering Stanley.
It was a testament to how much this man was disliked as nobody said anything to reprimand him for his poor manners.
Kingsley looked at the pack of Doritos that was being offered to him by Harry curiously, before taking one and observing it critically.
“Um, it’s a Dorito,” said Collin.
“Do you not have those in England?” Questioned Brady.
Harry jumped in seeing that Kingsley was looking a bit flustered at the attention. “Wizarding food is a bit different. Actually, there are no non-magical brands available in our world.”
“Oh! It. Is. A. Dorito. A. Delicious. Snack,” said Brady slowly enunciating each word. He then proceeded to place one in his own mouth and rub his stomach in large circles. “Yummy.”
Collin hit him upside the head. “He’s a wizard, not an alien from outer space!”
Brady rubbed his head. “Rude.”
Mary rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Forgive them Minister. They’re not the best representation of the pack or American education. I swear our schools on the reservation, although somewhat rundown, are quality.”
Emily looked a strange mix of relieved and embarrassed. Considering she was the main teacher for the reservation school; she had every right to be.
Kinglsey chose to eat the Dorito. His dark brows shot up as he looked incredibly pleased and intrigued by the taste. “There are more of these muggle snacks?”
Minerva smiled from behind her tea. Where she got tea was anyone’s guess.
“Wait util I introduce you to takeaway Kings,” said Harry with a grin.
Leah might have swooned. She did. She most definitely did.
It was at that moment, the doorbell rang.
Hermione looked so very pleased.
Embry laughed. “Gee. I wonder who is at the door?” He questioned as he looked at the now cowering Stanley.
Quil was already bounding across the way, opening the door with anticipation. And when he saw who was on the other side, they did not disappoint.
Now he was not quite sure if there was an equivalent of a power suit in the wizarding world, but whatever this woman was wearing, this had to be it!
Draped in a dress of stunning creams and golds, she had a wide brim hat on her head. Her golden curls were artfully coiled at the nape of her neck as she dragged a long cigarette holder with a diamond stud at the end along the hem of her dress that brushed her knees. She flicked it once and then Quil realized it was actually a wand and watched in fascination as she pointed it towards her shoes to remove the bit of dust that had soiled the otherwise pristine cream heels.
“Hello darlin’,” Marigold said, laying on the southern charm. “May we come in?”
Quil said nothing and gestured for her to enter, along with another woman wearing a three-piece suit in mustard yellow with a crisp black shirt. Her dark eyes were lined in khol and her hair was in tight bantu knots. Her skin was a rich shade of chocolate and looked as if she highlighted it in gold as it seemed to shimmer.
All in all, these two women were stunning as well as intimidating.
Quil blanked for a moment. Were all witches like this? From his experience, yes.
Marigold and Astrid strode into the room, their clothing very muggle in style, but with a bit of a wizarding flair. Hermione noted the cut of the Presidents dress included wide sleeves reminiscent to traditional robes while her companion’s suit had a paludamentum on her left shoulder that draped down her back in a deep shade of ebony.
“Madame President. Ms. Greene. Thank you for arriving so promptly.”
The last bit of color left Stanely’s skin as he realized the true magnitude of the situation before him.
“Oh sugar, the pleasure is all ours,” came Marigold’s sweet voice called out like honey.
Kingsley rose from his place and offered a proper bow towards the President and her aide. Reaching for her offered hand, he placed a gentle kiss on the back that had the President blushing lightly. “Madame President.”
“Minister.” If possible, her southern drawl become even more pronounced and sultry.
“Astrid,” came the droll tone of the statuesque black woman that did not look very impressed by the blatant flirting between the two.
Marigold gave her friend a bland look before sighing. “I see that Mr. Shiverpost is present.”
“Madame President,” the man simpered, only to be halted by her glacial stare. He gulped audibly.
“We will discuss your punishment later Mr. Shiverpost. Know that you and your superior Alrick Allegory will be tried for various crimes and will stand trial this weekend. I suggest contacting your lawyer.”
As she said this, two men seemed to appear behind her. They were dressed in pressed charcoal robes, denoting their position as Auror's.
Stanley Shiverpost, now former Senior Vice President of the MMD, fainted.
Brady made a sour face at his cousin as he placed a crumpled five-dollar bill into a smiling Collin’s hand.