Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 19 - Good News, Bad News, Worse News

Before he'd become Minister for Magic Arthur Weasley had always looked forward to Fridays and the prospect of spending the weekend with his family (if they were at home) or in his shed tinkering with his latest acquisition.

Since becoming Minister however Arthur had come to dread Fridays as he'd quickly came to the conclusion it was the worst day to receive briefings on as unlike the rest of the week when he had briefings to take his mind off the briefings he'd received the day before on Friday he had two days at home to worry about them.

So it was a worried Minister of Magic who stepped into his secretaries Office that Friday morning to be informed by his senior secretary, Mrs Moon, that his first meeting was in a few minutes with Amos Diggory and Walter Timnus of the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures.

With a nod of thanks to Mrs Moon, Arthur now stepped into his Office and chucked his briefcase onto his desk before removing his cloak and hanging it up. Then he moved off to a counter on the far side of the room and started to fill his coffee machine, the solitary Muggle device he kept in the Office.

Within a few moments the machine (powered by an electricity generating charm Arthur had devised himself) was `phut-phut-ing' away to itself and Arthur now turned to the artificial windows which were showing dark grey clouds and a light drizzle.

"If that isn't an omen I don't know what is," muttered Arthur as he shoved his hands into his robe pockets just as there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," called the Minister turning around as the door opened and Amos Diggory walked in followed by Walter Timnus, a tall balding man whose remaining hair was iron grey and a stern expressions on his face which was mirrored on Diggory's.

"Minister," said both men together causing Arthur to wince.

"Will you two stop that!" he muttered. "You know I hate it!"

"Well you took the job Artie old boy," chuckled Timnus as a grin spread across his face while Amos allowed himself a wry smile.

"Only because Dumbledore asked me too," grumbled Arthur. "If I hadn't we'd probably still be trying to find one!"

"That's probably true," agreed Amos as Arthur waved them over towards the fireplace where four chairs and a sofa where arranged in a horseshoe with a coffee table in the middle.

"Coffee?" asked the Minister as Amos took a seat in one of the chairs whilst Timnus made his way over to the fireplace.

"Love a cup," replied Amos.

"Wally?"

"Don't mind if I do," replied Timnus as he pulled out his pipe and a bag of tobacco and held them up. "Mind if I light up Arthur?"

"Go ahead," said Arthur with a nod as he set about filling three mugs with hot coffee. "So, what's the bad news."

Neither Diggory nor Timnus seemed surprised at the Minister's assumption and merely shared a look at which Amos nodded indicated for Wally to speak first.

"Five more attacks I'm afraid," said the tall man as he puffed on his pipe. "Two in Germany, one each in Slovakia and Italy and the last was in Ireland."

"Ireland?" exclaimed Arthur looking over his shoulder. "Bloody hell!"

"That's what we thought you'd say," said Amos with a grim smile as the Minister now walked over with the three mugs on a tray.

"So how many were killed?" he asked as he put down the tray.

"Seventy-three all told," said Timnus as he gave a puff on his pipe.

"Merlin," hissed Arthur as he slumped into his chair. "This isn't going to help us in getting them to talk to us is it?"

"Not really," admitted Timnus. "Not that the Centaurs were talking to us before these attacks started!"

"True," agreed Arthur glumly. "I take it was Werewolves again?"

"We've not got any confirmation yet but I would say that's extremely likely," allowed Amos as he pulled out his wand and held it over his coffee and allowed a trickle of cream to dribble from the end of it before giving a flick of his wrist.

"The worst thing is we can't even predict the attacks now that their not even waiting for a full moon," added Timnus as he bent down to pick up his mug. "Last time around we only had to worry when it was a full moon but this time their attacking whenever they feel like it."

"Look, I'm sorry about this but dark creatures were never really my specialty," said Arthur leaning forward. "I thought a Lycan's strength and bloodlust were tied to the phases of the moon."

"For most Lycans that's true," agreed Amos. "But there's also a fair number who don't seem to need any moon."

"We're not sure why that is either," added Timnus. "St. Mungo's is looking in to it for us but so far they've drawn a blank."

"And what about our Werewolves? Do we know where they are?"

"We know where everyone on the Wolfsbane list is," said Amos. "But that only accounts for seventy percent of our werewolf population. The other thirty percent have gone underground, presumably either to Voldermort or into hiding."

"Plus we've had seven of those on the Wolfsbane list turn up dead themselves," continued Wally causing Arthur to nod.

"Yes, I read Kingsley's report. All of them had their throats crushed and exhibiting signs of silver burning right?"

"That's right," replied Timnus before he and Arthur both turned to Amos whose face had suddenly gone blank.

"Amos," said Arthur gently causing Amos's head to snap around.

"Sorry Arthur," replied the Head of the Department with an embarrassed smile but Arthur merely waved a hand.

"You have nothing to apologise for old friend. I just apologise we had to bring….him up!"

Silence filled the air for a couple of moments before Arthur turned his gaze back to Timnus.

"And what about the Centaurs? Any sign of them yet?"

"Nope," replied Timnus. "I sent a couple of lads up to Hogwarts last weekend to nose around but they couldn't find anything and Hagrid's come up with nothing too. `Cause, given the size of the forest that's not surprising really. They could still be in there but we just can't find them!"

"Not like they could leave the country," added Amos at which Arthur nodded thoughtfully before speaking again.

"Alright, what's next?"

"Oh, you'll love this," grunted Amos with a sarcastic snort. "Dragons!"

"Dragons?" replied Arthur slowly before he took in a deep breath. "Merlin's beard! Are you telling me that Voldermort's got hold of dragons?!"

"We don't think Voldermort's got them," said Timnus quickly. "At least he hasn't yet!"

"So what happened?" said Arthur with a great deal of unease. Here Amos took up the story whilst Timnus turned and looked back into the fire.

"The Romanians where monitoring a nest of Razorbacks they discovered near a Muggle village. Anyway, the night team handed over to the day team as per normal but when the evening team turned up to take over they found the day team all AK'ed and the eggs all gone!"

Here Arthur swore loudly whilst reaching up and pulling a hand across his face.

"Sorry chaps," he muttered apologetically.

"Don't worry, our thoughts were along the same lines," replied Wally without pulling his gaze from the fire.

"So," said Arthur leaning forward slightly and with trepidation in his voice. "How bad are they?"

"Well," said Amos with a sigh. "Their not as bad as Horntails as Charlie would tell you but their still vicious buggers!"

"Of course," continued Timnus finally pulling his gaze from the fire. "There is another reason that Voldermort would love to get his hands on those eggs."

"Do I really want to know?" sighed Arthur.

"Probably not," snorted Timnus. Here Arthur sighed and stood up and walked over to the window.

"Alright, tell me!"

Here Timnus and Diggory shared a look before Amos took a breath and turned to Arthur.

"It's not something that we ever been able to confirm ourselves but there are reports that Razorbacks breed in captivity have been tamed enough to allow them to be ridden!"

Here Arthur spun around and stared at the two with an expression of pure horror on his face.

"Are you saying that Voldermort could just turn up in Diagon Alley on the back of one of these things?"

"It's a possibility yes."

"Gryffindor's ghost!" muttered Arthur pulling a hand through his hair. "Is there any GOOD news?"

"A little," offered Amos leaning back in his chair. "For a start Voldermort, or whoever's got the eggs at the moment, won't get eight dragons. Only four or five of the eggs will actually hatch, not even magic can change that."

"Plus their not exactly well armoured," added Timnus. "Don't get me wrong, it still wouldn't be easy taking one down but it is doable!"

"Well I suppose that is something," sighed Arthur. "And do I really want to ask about the giants?"

"As far as we can tell their still where their supposed to be," said Amos. "Thankfully they won't deal with Voldermort without Macnair and he's still in Azkaban,"

"For now anyway," added Timnus.

***

After his meeting with the two officials from the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Arthur slumped back into his chair as Mrs Moon hurried in.

"Mr Pepperstone from the Wizengamot Prosecution Office will be up in half an hour Minister and some files for your attention," she said briskly as she dropped a few files into Arthur's in tray.

"Hmm, oh thank you Mrs Moon," replied Arthur thoughtfully but as his Secretary started towards the door he turned towards her. "Mrs Moon?"

"Yes Minister?"

"Send Mr Pepperstone a memo; tell him I'll come to him. I could do with the walk."

Mrs Moon merely gave a small nod and hurried out as Arthur now leaned forward and took one of the files Mrs Moon had just brought in and started to read.

***

Half an hour later the Minister left his Office and made his way down to the Department for Magical Law Enforcement on the second floor where he headed straight for the office of Finlay Pepperstone, the Chief Prosecutor of the Wizengamot and an old school friend of Arthur's.

"Morning Fin," said Arthur as he poked his head around the open door and ducked quickly to avoid a memo that went zipping past his head.

"Oh, hello Arthur," said Pepperstone looking up from his desk with a broad smile. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"You said you needed to see me," said Arthur with a chuckle. Pepperstone might be a legal genius but out of the courtroom he was almost completely scatterbrained.

"Did I?" murmured the Prosecutor for a moment before his eyes widened and he snapped his fingers. "Oh, oh yes! So I did! Take a seat Arthur."

Arthur took a seat in a rather battered looking but incredibly comfortable armchair whilst Pepperstone pulled out a file which he now flourished with a triumphant smile.

"Delores Umbridge!" he stated cheerfully.

"Ah," said Arthur suddenly sitting straighter in his seat. "Are you finally ready to present to the Wizengamot?"

"Indeed," replied Pepperstone. "And I'd like to see dear old Delores slip her way out of all of them!"

"Don't underestimate her Fin!" said Arthur with a grim smile. "She's a crafty so and so and she's still got a few friends on the Wizengamot!"

Pepperstone merely grinned as he sat down on the edge of his desk

"Don't intend to Arthur. And as for her friends, well I doubt any of them will want to be associated with someone who threatened a student with torture!"

"So how many charges have you brought her up on?" asked Arthur curiously.

"Take a look for yourself," said Pepperstone offering Arthur the file which he took and opened up.

The Wizengamot of the British Isles versus Delores Jane Umbridge

Docket No. 510993-A-45

Under the previsions of the Magical Law Enforcement Act (1542, rev. 1656,1745,1879,1933,1990) Delores Umbridge, formerly Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic, Professor (Defence Against the Dark Arts) Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts High Inquisitor, Hogwarts Headmistress and Member of The Wizengamot of the British Isle is hereby requested and required to answer the following charges:-

1. That in violation of article 4.2(b)ii of the British and Irish Quidditch Association Regulations she placed an unauthorised lifetime ban on:-

1. Harry James Potter

2. Frederick Matthew Weasley

3. George Thomas Weasley

1. That in violation of article 6.4.2 of the Hogwarts Charter she did knowingly attempt to use Veritaserum on a student, namely, Harry James Potter

1. That in violation of article 3.5.3(i) of the Hogwarts Charter she did knowingly use an illegal punishment (a Blood Quill) on the following students:-

1. Harry James Potter

2. Lee Robert Jordan

3. Dennis Richard Creevey

4. Susan Amelia Bones

5. Yvonne Grettings

6. Frederick Matthew Weasley

7. George Thomas Weasley

8. Mark Lester

9. Edward Timms

1. That in violation of article 23.3.1 of the Magical Law Enforcement Act (1933 Revision) she ordered and participated in unauthorised assaults on:-

1. Minerva Helen Freda McGonagall

2. Rubeus Oswald Hagrid

1. That in violation of article 45.3.12(iii) of the Magical Law Enforcement Act (1961 Revision) and article 32.1.2(xxxi) of The International Statute of Secrecy she ordered two Dementors to attack:-

1. Harry James Potter

2. Dudley Vernon Herbert Dursley+

+ Please note for the record that Mr Dursley is a Muggle

1. That in violation of article 7.4.4 of the Magical Law Enforcement Act she threatened use of an Unforgivable Curse (Specifically the Cruciatus Curse) on a student, namely, Harry James Potter.

1. That in violation of article 12.3.3 of the Magical Communications Act (1794 rev. 1868, 1921, 1978) she illegally interfered with the Owl Postal Network by ordering the search of all incoming and outgoing Owls from Hogwarts.

1. That in violation of article 4.3.1(iv) of the Protection of Magical Creatures Act (1595 rev, 1702, 1895, 1970) she attacked Centaurs in Hogwarts Forest.

These charges are to be answered on the 30^th October this year

Signed

Finlay Jacob Hamish Pepperstone

Chief Prosecutor of the Wizengamot of the British Isles

Arthur now looked up from the parchment and leaned back in his chair whilst giving a low whistle.

"Merlin Fin, you were right! She's going to have a hell of a time worming her way out of all of these charges!" Pepperstone merely shrugged a happy grin on his face.

"Just doing my job Arthur old chap! Just a pity you and Amelia won't be able to sit on the bench for this."

"Pardon?" said Arthur looking up with a frown.

"Well, two of your boys were victims of hers and so was young Susan so that means…"

"That means we can't sit on the bench," finished off Arthur with a slow nod. "Oh well, I would have enjoyed watching her squirm but I suppose we can't have everything can we?" Here he passed the file back to Pepperstone who was grinning broadly. "So what's she looking at?"

"Well under normal circumstances she'd be looking at a minimal of eighteen months in Azkaban," replied Pepperstone as he reached up and scratched his neck.

"But these are far from normal circumstances right?" supplied Arthur at which Pepperstone nodded.

"Agreed. This is why I'll be asking for thirty-six months wand restriction!"

"Great jumping jarveys!" exclaimed Arthur as his eyes widened and gave a low whistle. "Even with all the evidence you've got it's going to be hard to persuade the Wizengamot to….," here he suddenly trailed off before raising an eyebrow.

"You're not expecting them to agree to this are you?"

"Not in the slightest," admitted Pepperstone. "But then it's not the wand restriction that I'm really after. It's the conviction!"

"I'm not sure I…," for the second time in as many minutes Arthur trailed off as realisation dawned on his face and it must have been obvious to Pepperstone that he'd worked it out as the Prosecutor was now grinning.

"Of course, if she's convicted she won't be allowed to hold any position within the Ministry!"

"Right you are," confirmed Pepperstone. "And for someone like Delores Umbridge that is the worst kind of punishment imaginable!"

***

The meeting with Pepperstone put Arthur into a buoyant mood which lasted right through lunch and most of the afternoon until Mrs Moon hurried into his office to inform him of two unexpected arrivals in the forms of Alastor Moody and Remus Lupin.

"I take it this isn't a social call," said Arthur grimly after the two had been shown in and Mad Eye had cast a few additional security charms of his own design over the room.

"I'm afraid not Arthur," growled the ex-Auror. "I got called to see Dumbledore this morning and he had some grim news from Snape. Voldermort's planning to go Azkaban in the next few weeks."

"I thought Dumbledore said that Voldermort couldn't control the Dementors over distance just yet?" replied Arthur feeling puzzled.

"No, I said Voldermort's going to Azkaban!" growled back Moody. "He's taking the Dementors there himself!"

"Good grief!" exclaimed Arthur, his face going white.

"Indeed," offered Lupin. "Of course, this means all the ward strengthening I've been doing is useless, Voldermort will tare them to shreds."

"But why?" asked Arthur. "Dumbledore was sure that Voldermort would only send the Dementors to drive off our people and then leave his people to work their own way back to him!"

"We're not entirely sure why the change in plan but Dumbledore thinks that Voldermort's got a surprise planned for Halloween and he wants to make sure his Death Eaters can take part in it," said Lupin slowly.

"On top of which Albus thinks that Voldermort wants to make Azkaban his headquarters!" added Moody. "Pretty sensible actually, it is one of the most defensible places and we'd have no chance of launching a sneak attack on it!"

"So do we know when the attacks due?" asked Arthur slowly.

"No," said Moody gravely. "Snape either didn't know or wouldn't tell. But it's gonna be soon! And then Voldermort's gonna have all his most trusted people back and this war's gonna heat up might quick!"

This isn't my best chapter by a long shot but I felt that I needed a little non-Hogwarts filler to move the story on and after a couple of false starts this is what I came up with.

Originally there was a scene with Tonks and her best friend in but this was from an idea I scrapped in the end but I hope to use the scene in a later chapter

But for now…

HAPPY EASTER

And may you all eat as many chocolate frogs as your bellies can hold!

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