Before more could be said, an elf Auror rushed up. "We are doing damage control, but we are unsure as to how long it will be feasible."
"That means they're using magic to mask all the shit that just went down," Romeo explained in response to Arthur's perplexed expression. "Thank the gods we have elf Aurors now, as covering up something this huge would be far more difficult without their particular brand of magic."
"What, you didn't have elves previously," Arthur asked.
"Oh, we had them, just not working as Aurors," Romeo explained. "Before our faction took over the Ministry, elves were slaves."
"Damn," Arthur exclaimed. "But how did that work if their magic is better?"
Romeo nodded. "Exactly."
Very smart for a Muggle, Bellatrix thought. That was good, because if this were any reflection of King Arthur and he wasn't smart, that would be a big letdown.
"So what are you going to say happened here," Arthur asked.
"Any ideas," Kereston asked.
Arthur glanced around, taking in the rubble that used to be the White House, a thoughtful frown on his face. "I'd go with an earthquake if you can manage it, or terrorism."
Kereston nodded. "Got it."
Turning to the elf she said,"I require transport to the British Muggle Minister. Not sure if anyone in charge here even made it, so he'll have to sort it."
Turning to Gellert she added, "You're in charge here until I return."
Gellert frowned, but Kereston and the elf Auror vanished before he could even draw in a breath to protest. He obviously enjoyed organizing battles more than being in charge of the aftermath, Bellatrix observed, amused.
"That is amazing," Arthur said, staring in astonishment at the empty spot where Kereston had just been standing.
"What are you going to do about everyone without magic who saw the goblins and elves and magic and Bellatrix killing people with my car," he asked Gellert.
"The elves and goblins used enough befuddling and clouding magic that no one still living other than you should've registered any of that," the blonde replied.
"How was I able to," Arthur wanted to know.
"Because you were inside the sphere of influence with us," Gellert replied. "Also as you were talking with the Lestranges and Hydra, your mind was left untampered with as well."
Arthur nodded. "What now," he asked.
"Well you can speak to the Muggle authorities whenever Kereston returns with the story we decided upon. She, the Muggle Minister, and whoever in this country is truly in charge must sort that out," Gellert replied. "If you just corroborate it with any Muggle who asks, that would help a lot."
Arthur nodded. "Sure, it seems this Delphini person was causing a lot of shit, and helping to clean up the fact that you all made it stop would be my pleasure."
Gellert flashed an approving grin. "Now that's my kind of Muggle! There aren't nearly enough like you."
"That is true," Arthur said. "Too many people have gone stupidly soft, ignoring reality and logic in the name of 'wouldn't it be nice if…'"
"Believe it or not, some wizards are the same way," Gellert said regretfully. "In that, magic won't cure stupid."
Arthur grinned. "It's nice to know that wizards don't have everything perfect. Now I don't have to be too envious."
"Hell, if we had everything perfect, we wouldn't have had Delphini," Romeo said.
"Speaking of imperfect," Arthur said. "As I can't simply magically transport myself, when am I getting my car replaced? Even if you lot believe I'm the closest thing this world has to King Arthur reborn, I have no Merlin to take me places magically."
"I'll pop back to London and pay a visit to the bank now," Rabastan said, and Rod gave him a grateful look.
"Thanks, Bro."
"How much do you need to replace the car," Rabastan asked Arthur.
"Around two hundred thousand," Arthur replied.
Rabastan nodded and waved one of the elf Aurors over. "I'm going to need a bit of help getting to Gringotts and back here quickly," he said, and the two vanished.
"So much better than a car," Arthur said, staring at the empty spots where Rabastan and the elf had just been standing.
"Definitely," Bellatrix agreed. "But cars, at least the Porsche, are really fun for killing people."
Arthur's lips twitched in a dry amusement, but he made no comment.
"Damn," Cassius said suddenly. "I wish I'd thought to have Rabastan drop Lyra off at home." As he spoke, he shifted Lyra's inert form in his arms.
Bella supposed having to hold someone that long, even if a charm were used to make her weigh nothing, had to put a strain on the arms and shoulders.
"Oh...that…I suppose she can wake now," Rodolphus decided. Drawing his wand from a sleeve pocket in his robe, he flicked it in a sharp, short gesture at Lyra. Her eyes popped open, and she squirmed out of Cassius's arms.
"What the hell!" she shouted, throwing herself at Bellatrix. "You could've gotten killed! You'd have left me for a second time."
It took a moment for Bella to realize that her daughter was embracing her, rather than attempting to violently tackle her to the ground.
"Why do you have to do crazy things like that," Lyra asked. Her voice cracked on the last word and she buried her face in Bella's shoulder. "You don't have the right to leave me again. You don't!"
"Good thing she missed the car bursting into flames," Arthur mused.
"What," Lyra shrieked.
"I'm fine. I'd never leave you. I knew what I was doing," Bellatrix assured, awkwardly patting Lyra on her back.
Fortunately, Rabastan returned then. "Here you are," he said, passing a hefty looking burlap Gringotts sack over to Arthur. "I hope you're alright with gold bars. There wasn't enough Muggle money available, and we didn't want to short change you."
Arthur gaped. "That was fast...gold bars are fine. Thanks."
"I'm mad at you and Cassius too," Lyra declared, drawing back from Bellatrix and giving Rabastan a dirty look. "For letting him put me to sleep." She jerked her head to indicate Rodolphus.
"It was a wise idea," Rabastan said, giving her an amused grin. "Perhaps in twenty or so years, you will agree."
The elf Auror who'd taken Kereston to the Muggle Minister appeared before Gellert with a crack. "They decided on an earthquake to save political clean up, but for an earthquake to register, they need to actually cause one. Kereston is sending an earth mage to attend to it, but she wants everyone cleared out, so you are all to return to our Ministry."
Gellert nodded, glancing to Arthur. "I think it would be safer for you to come with us for now. We'll see to getting you back home later."
Arthur's eyes widened. "I get to see the wizard side of things? Sure, that'd be great!"