Brief Overview (does not include major engagements) 1997 The Dark retreats from England, realizing that it can't marshal its forces within its home country of England. Cooler heads than Voldemort's prevail, insisting that scorched earth tactics cannot be used on the United Kingdom if the Death Eaters hope to return and take control of the government. Recognizing the possibility for economic stimulus after a conservative wave of wizarding elections, the country of Portugal extends an invitation to the Death Eaters to set up base. Portugal agrees to an alliance where the wizarding government retained much of their autonomy but accepted Voldemort as a higher authority. Essentially, the government that begins to form is that of a devolved state which is dubbed "The Legion."
1998 As an outcome of the alliance with Portugal, Spain is assimilated into the Legion. A power base is solidified with the slow spread of informational and gradual economic manipulation. Manufacturing and productive industries begin to grow - the year is spent in preparation as the Legion negotiates terms of peace with France, England, and Germany.
1999 An international incident is manipulated in such a way that it appears France broke the terms of peace. War is declared - England sides with France and Italy, while Germany insists on neutrality.
1999 - 2002 The war in France lasts three years - England's war is across the nine months following before occupation begins.
2002 War in France ends. War begins in England, Wales and Scotland. Ireland is left untouched due to its island status and relative detachment from the mainland, so as to avoid fighting the war on multiple fronts. It remains neutral.
2003 The war in England is won. It is a short and furious war during which full force is launched against England to overwhelm it. Neither France nor England are a part of the Legion. They are forced into reparations and treated as occupied countries. War criminal trials and subsequent executions, interrogations, and imprisonments take place. During this time, Ron Weasley disappears into the prison system. He is rumored to have died as part of an interrogation gone overboard but this has never been confirmed.
2003 - 2006 This is a period of internal reform with a growth towards stability. Reparations towards occupied countries are harsh but not unbearable. France bears the brunt of the war's aftermath.
2006 The Resistance begins to form, networking and creating units of resistance across the UK, using support gathered from independents. No open support is given through Ireland which publicly declaims any support or aid to the Resistance. The Resistance spends the next two years simply trying to build base and power structures.