Chapter Text
...
Harry was exhausted, it was a few days after the crazy Halloween that had happened. His injuries still twinged with every movement. He had a new set of scars to join the others, but at least the people of the city were safe. For now at least. It was a thought that was bothering him, the White Council would never have come in time if he wasn't constantly there. Hell, they wouldn't have even been able to fight the Necromancers without him. And yet here he was, the Regional Commander of the Wardens, more specifically Chicago.
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. The people that had wanted him dead for most of his life had him join them. He hated it. But maybe, just maybe, he could use this to his advantage. There was a reason the Supernatural Community didn't turn to the White Council. They could barely defend their own places of power, much less other ones. If Harry could get the backing of the community, then maybe, just maybe he could break the ties that had been binding him to the White Council since his trial.
So instead of resting Harry was sitting in MacAnally's going over his copy of the Accords. He had taken his usual seat in the back where he could see everything and would see everyone coming in. There was an untouched pint on the table that had gathered condensation. If Harry looked up he would find Mac frowning at him in consideration.
"What are you looking for, Harry?" asked Mac startling him.
"How to remove Chicago from under the White Council without leaving it unprotected," he answered honestly.
Mac was one person, or being, that Harry knew he could trust. He held one of the Neutral Grounds within Chicago. However he'd always had Harry's back when it was needed. Including being the first friend Harry made in Chicago. When Harry couldn't afford to eat, Mac would always make sure he was fed at least once. He'd also had his ear to the ground and his eye on the Supernatural Community. If anyone would know how to do this, it would be him. Or at least have an idea of where to start.
"It'd need to become a Free Holding Terrority under the control of a Free Holding Lord or group," mused Mac and Harry blinked at how much the other spoke at once, "Your presence as Regional Commander would prevent a group from declaring so it would need to be a Lord."
Harry chewed on a fingernail in thought as he switched to the section about Free Holding Lords. They had a lot of the same responsibilities and the protections of one. Though if it was a single Lord, they typically had some kind of Protector. He should call a meeting of the Supernatural groups within Chicago. This was not a decision he should make alone.
...
John was sitting at his desk when Gard knocked on his door. Her face was neutral, though her stance suggested she had something to say. With a raised eyebrow, John invited her in. She nodded her thanks before closing the door behind her.
"You requested that I keep track of the movements of the practitioners within Chicago," she said in a tone that said it wasn't a question, "I have news and its a little odd. You are aware that the Wizard, Harry Dresden, has a preferred bar that he frequents. It is a Neutral Territory under the Accords. Over the last two days, several members of the Supernatural Community have visited him there. Mostly those who have avoided him in the past."
John sat up. That was very curious behavior, especially from the Wizard. For the most part, Dresden kept to himself. The only time he'd seen him gather people together was during times of crisis. And the city was still recovering the Necromancer attack. Was there another attack coming? Something else to worry about? He knew that Dresden wasn't finished healing. He should have gone to the hospital, not taking care of it himself.
"Do we know what he's doing?" asked John, getting ready to send someone to the bar.
"No, however, he was spotted reading a copy of the Accords," answered Ms. Gard.
Now that was interesting. What was the Wizard planning?
"Keep an eye on the situation," he ordered, "Let me know if something changes."
"Yes sir," agreed Ms. Gard.
What are you up to Dresden?
...
A week later found everyone agreed on representatives to go to McAnally's. There were about a dozen of them. Most were the leaders of the various small groups. Practitioners without the strength to gain the protection of the White Council or one of the Courts. Billy and Georgia represented the Alphas. Rawlins was acting as the representative for SI, as Murphy couldn't make it. Given how this might go, it was probably for the best.
The tension was thick in the air and the sound of a pin dropping could have been heard. Mac had closed down the pub, giving them privacy. So that meant no sounds from the street, either. Everyone was watching him and it made Harry's skin crawl. He hated this. But it was the only way to protect the people of his city from the threats that came their way.
"Thank you for coming," he said, starting the meeting, "I am hoping to have a conversation on the future of Chicago and its protections."
"Chicago's got its own Warden," snorted a middle aged man, "Dresden why are we here really?"
"Because unless its a Warlock or the world ending," answered Harry, "The White Council won't send back up. It would be just me and SI against whatever the threat is."
That brought about disquiet. While Harry was a force to be reckoned with, there had been plenty of threats that could have killed him if he didn't have help. And while SI did its best, its not their responsibility. That and the fact that SI had a tendency to change members quickly. It took time to bring new members up to speed. That didn't include those who thought the rest were insane and were just riding out their time.
"So," a young woman spoke up, "You want to take us out from under the Council's Protection? That will just make things worse Dresden. At least there is some protection with things as they are now."
Harry glanced over to the young woman. Her name was Charlotte. She was a hedge witch that had recently lost her mentor to a Red Court attack. She had a talent in potions and veils. Though she wouldn't survive in a fight. Which is why her fear didn't surprise him.
"Not without protection completely," he corrected, "Under the Accords we could make Chicago a Free Holding Territory. But in order to do that, we need a Free Holding Lord. They would need to be someone who can handle the duties as well as the politics that go with it."
The last part was added in case anyone thought he was trying to take the position. Harry was many things, but a politician he was not. In fact, his temper and inability to hold his tongue would make him a terrible candidate.
Bock had a look of consideration on his face as he asked, "Who do you have in mind, Dresden? You wouldn't have brought us here if you didn't already have someone in mind? And MacAnally, you know the Accords better than anyone here. Is he right?"
Mac nodded, agreeing, "He is. The city would benefit greatly from a Free Hold. Someone who considers the good of the city and the people not just the world."
"Well?" demanded the Hedge Witch, "Who are you considering?"
"The only one that fits the criteria," admitted Harry, "Is Gentleman John Marcone. I'm not thrilled with the idea. However, he's always tried to put the safety of the people of the city above his own. Hell he's gone into battle alongside me even though he has no magic of his own."
"During the Halloween event?" asked another who's name he wasn't sure of.
"No about two years ago," admitted Harry, "A man with a Fallen Angel, decided he was going to start the plague here in Chicago. Long story..."
There were a few explosive outbursts. Harry waited for it to calm down. It wasn't a well known story. In fact, the only ones who really knew what happened were the ones who were there. And none of them were in the room.
Once it was quiet he continued, "I know most wouldn't want a vanilla mortal trying this. I was against it at first but..."
Harry closed his eyes. He remembered his Soul Gaze with the man. The sheer determination and stubbornness in him. Not to mention how he refused to let his fears of the supernatural stop him from doing what needed to be done. Harry never really hated Marcone, he didn't approve of his methods. However, the man had shown a loyalty that was unmatched to the innocents of the city. Unlike the White Council, Marcone didn't allow harm to befall children.
"I've had a Soul Gaze with him," he admitted, "John Marcone would do anything to protect this city. Even if its not in his own best interest. Unlike the White Council, he wouldn't allow children to be harmed."
"No more kids," came the whispers.
Everyone fell into a contemplative silence. Everyone had lost something. Some had lost a parent, child, sibling, or friend. But it was the loss of the children that hit hard. Everyone hated the White Council's stance when it came to children. They wouldn't tell the others about the Laws of Magic. Nor would they give a child a chance to prove that their use of their magic was a mistake. No, instead the White Council would send a Warden to execute the kid. The only chance of survival being if someone was willing to put their life on the line. Harry's own situation had been the rare exception.
"I agree with Dresden," said the guy whose name he wasn't sure of, "But he would need someone that is a Supernatural whether its a wizard or something else to be apart of his inner circle. As a vanilla mortal he wouldn't have the protections the rest of us have."
There were murmurs of agreement. However no one spoke up in offering to be that person. He didn't expect them to. While he was searching for a solution to the issue he knew what it would come down to. It seemed that Marcone would get what he'd always wanted. Harry by his side. At this point there was no way to prevent it. Not if he wanted this to work.
"I'll do it," he declared.
Everyone's heads whipped around to look at him. Billy and Georgia exchanged a look. They had been there during the Lupe-Garou incident and had seen how Harry was willing to go to prevent himself from falling into Marcone's circle. Now, he was saying that he'd join the mobster willingly. Even Mac was staring at him now.
"Dresden," called Rawlins, "You realize SI can't officially have anything to do with you, if you do that right?"
"Of course," he replied, knowing that this could mean the end of his relationship with Karrin, "However I will still help as I can. For Chicago."
Rawlins nodded before offering his hand. Harry took the offered hand and shook it. The others agreed soon after with that he could start actually making plans. He would need two more Signatories to agree before he could approach Marcone.