Rufus Scrimgeour was towering behind his podium like a massive gnarly statue erected for the sole purpose of throwing a grim shadow across the hall. The windowless room was structured with dusty grey stones and lit methodically by periodically placed lanterns. The graduated rows of seats made the ceiling look higher, giving it the impression of being the single largest room in the building. The aurors filed in through the entrance, filling in the benches starting from the very back of the room by order of seniority. Tonks saw that a good number of folks from her department had turned up; mostly new recruits, but some of the more senior members in their sweeping magenta robes were also occupying the backmost benches. They towered above the rest of the occupants with a severe kind of solemnity, leaning toward each other and whispering with urgency.
There was an accompanying sense of foreboding with this observation, and, pushing past gaggles of young aurors, Tonks slipped in quietly next to Bert in the second row.
"What do you reckon?" She muttered as people took their seats around them in a hushed bustling. Scrimgeour continued to stand stonily and watch over the proceedings.
Bert gave her a sidelong glance. "Rather obvious. It's about the Diggory case."
The Diggory case was, naturally, the only Ministry concern that could've demanded an immediate auror debriefing session. It had hit the papers a week ago; the only articles The Prophet was running currently centered on the rumors surrounding the death of Cedric Diggory and the dramatic culmination of the Triwizard Tournament. It was chaotic at the Ministry of Magic, and people were thrown into frenzy. The Department of International Magical Cooperation was currently a harrowing place to be, what with the unending discussions and debates regarding the continuation of the Triwizard Tournament and regular summits with international leaders, and the sight of foreign wizarding government officials striding in and out of the Ministry door became familiar to Ministry employees. In addition, the unexpected disappearance and presumed death of their most senior member, Barty Crouch Sr., was a crippling blow to the already unstable Ministry department. Fudge was cast dubious looks by both the Bulgarian and French ministers. The aurors' office had also been involved in the investigations surrounding Cedric Diggory's death, though come to think of it, Tonks realized, only the top officials seemed to be invested in the inquiries. The staff at St. Mungos had been given permission to determine the cause of death of Cedric Diggory, yet they refused to pass comment on whatever their findings happened to be. Fudge had made a number of public appearances, assuring the crowds that things were being sorted out, and yet, the people could sense a chunk of information was being withheld.
And then there was Dumbledore. And of course, Harry Potter.
That's when things got slightly messier.
It was a rather paramount issue, and the scandal behind Alastor Moody's abduction was the most alarming of its kind that the Auror's had come across since the last war, but it was Dumbledore's interpretation and dubious explanation of all that had passed which had somehow cast an ominous air over it all that the Ministry was attempting its best to dispel. There was a lot of talk about Harry Potter as well, though oddly enough, the mass media did not quote him. In fact, he had mysteriously been indisposed of since the end of term at Hogwarts, and this perhaps may have done more damage than good, for now the press was free to interpret his silence in whatever way they pleased.
But Dumbledore was more vocal than ever before, and some of the things he had said recently in the papers …
Tonks didn't get the time to dwell further on this, for at that moment, the people in the hall fell silent, and all eyes were trailed on Rufus Scrimgeour as he met their gaze dead on.
When he spoke, his voice boomed through the hall.
"It is with a sense of grim premonition that I summon all of you here today. As you might have inferred, the subject of this session does not fall under those of conventional debriefing, but that there is a matter at hand, a grave issue, that requires urgent addressing."
Scrimgeour let his words sink in and draw out the stirring curiosity of his audience. The fresh batch of aurors leaned forward in their seats, caught up in the gravity of what they were hearing. Scrimgeour's lips pursed as his menacing gaze swept across the length of the hall before he continued in his gruff, booming voice.
"You have heard, of course, of the recent events that found their venue at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry not more than a week ago; the regrettable and wholly unexpected death of seventh-year student Cedric Diggory during the final task of the Triwizard Tournament, as well as the illegal detainment and impersonation of Auror Alastor Moody, to name a few. Not to mention, the disappearance of Mr. Barty Crouch Senior a month ago, of whose whereabout we have yet to discern. The Ministry, as you know, has been investing all of its wholehearted efforts in restoring order and providing satisfactory reasoning for and justice to the situation.
"However. We are not wholly united as a wizarding community. While differences of opinion are always to be expected for the healthy functioning of any society, a radical, illogical and unchecked spread of dissent can undermine our government and cast us into instability. With this in mind, the Ministry is highly concerned regarding the published word of certain legion of people who do not appreciate our efforts in dealing with this crisis, and find themselves of the opinion that our interpretation of these regrettable, though entirely accidental, events provided by the Ministry, is not sufficient in their explanation. As such, you may hear alternative accounts of how these events unfolded that are, after thorough examining, far-fetched, and though you may be tempted to accept their verity by virtue of the good reputation of their advocates, I strongly advise you to think on your own two feet and decide for yourselves what is or is not true.
"The guilty persons who have made such claims are people who the Ministry has always had the utmost respect for. Yet there are instances, unfortunately such as this one, where we must beg to differ and fight irrationality with logical steadfastness. The Ministry has taken a stance, therefore, against these claims, and attempts have been made to implore the opposing faction into adopting reasonable thought. However, the aforementioned faction of people has started to develop more … radical methods of resistance and opposition that the Ministry highly disapproves of."
He cast a penetrating gaze across the room, the muscles in his jaw twitching as he gripped the edge of the podium in his bear-like hands. Aurors exchanged glances. The expression on the faces of the senior officers darkened considerably. Scrimgeour continued forcefully.
"As harbingers of peace and safety, it is our duty to debunk falsities, some of which are of a magnitude that could potentially deal a crippling blow to the very pillars of our government. In the process of carrying out our duty to society, we may find ourselves face to face with men, women, and others, the brilliance of whom though is not in doubt, who have previously fought by our sides in the face of a threat to our common world and yet presently refuse to cooperate with our efforts. I implore you, then, not to give in to bouts of sentimentality, but to adopt a stoic resolution to stand your ground till reasonability is restored, as painful as it might be, for our cause tends to that of the good of society, and it would do you well to remember that.
"With that thought in mind, I would like to present you with the brief and true account of what occurred on the 24th of June this very year."
He paused after his long tirade to look them all in the eye. His stance was suddenly less defensive and more clipped and he spoke with detached interest. A scary sort of silence swept the room as the attention of all converged on the man at the podium. The importance of what he was about to say was not lost on Tonks; this was the very first account of the incidents that they would be hearing straight from the mouth of the Ministry. What Scrimgeour said to them now was crucial, almost pivotal; the fate of the Ministry rested on what stance they had chosen to take on the issue.
"Choosing not to address the irregularity of the number, as per the Triwizard Tournament rules four chosen champions had their names selected by the Goblet of Fire at the beginning of the academic year. These four champions, having successfully completed the first two tasks, where scheduled for the third task on the 24th of June; a maze of hedges harboring basic, Ministry-approved obstacles to be fought against and defeated in order to secure the prize at the end – the Triwizard Cup. Out of the four that entered this maze, two returned in defeat at the end of twenty minutes, which left two more – Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter – to persevere at the task.
"It so happens, reasons at first unfathomable yet consequentially revealed, that sometime during the duration of the task, Cedric Diggory met with a fatal accident. It has been concluded that he was physically hurtled at great velocity during a confrontation with a sphinx, collided with a hard surface, and suffered from a head injury that lead to his subsequent and immediate death. Harry Potter, who was quite understandably shaken by the entire ordeal, appeared with Diggory's body at the head of the maze along with the Triwizard Cup, following which Ministry officials at the scene immediately took control of the situation.
"As it happened, another unfortunate turn of events was revealed the very same day, and I speak of the impersonation of Auror Moody, who had been abducted from his home before the beginning of his teaching term at Hogwarts. It was confirmed on questioning and investigation that Mr. Moody had been detained against will for the duration of the year by Mr. Barty Crouch Jr., previously thought to have died in Azkaban."
In spite of having read about the same countless times in the paper, the sensational nature of this development inspired a few heads to shake in awe at Scrimgeour's words.
"To make this deduction more lucid, I take you back a couple of years to the event of the execution of Mr. Barty Crouch Jr. The Wizangamot had sentenced him to lifetime imprisonment, under the order of Mr. Barty Crouch Sr. himself, and as per records, Mr. Crouch Jr. died during his sentence at Azkaban. It was found that Mrs. Ulga Crouch had surreptitiously and illegally taken the Polyjuice Potion and impersonated her delinquent son. Barty Crouch Jr. was taken home the same day as Ulga Crouch was imprisoned under his name and face, and he was tended to in clandestine by his father for the years that followed.
"One year ago, Mr. Crouch Junior abducted Auror Moody, and took a place amongst the staff of Hogwarts School under guise. His motives are believed to be fueled by the instability of his mental health, which was in the least, questionable. However, it is quite clear that he sought to harm Mr. Harry Potter and having failed in this particular aspect, attempted to attack the Minister of Magic on being approached, and for the security and well-being of the Minister, the Dementors were released upon him. He was bestowed with The Kiss."
There was another tiny outburst of murmurs. Tonks exchanged a significant look with Bert, who had the same questions and baffled surprise etched in his eyes. Scrimgeour overrode their mutterings easily with his thundering voice.
"He is currently and permanently of no further use or value to our investigation. It was a very fortunate coincidence, then, that we do not require his input to aid our inquiry into the Diggory case for it has been established that there is no connection between the two, nor is there any connection between the deaths of Cedric Diggory and Barty Crouch Sr., who was confirmed to have developed a mental illness before his death, having displayed questionable behavior even before his disappearance. However, Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Mr. Harry Potter continue to claim that the two have a very definite connection, that Barty Crouch Jr. killed his father, who was being controlled by a powerful exterior force and that Cedric Diggory was murdered, both of which accounted for by none other than You-Know-Who himself."
The entire hall gave a collective, violent jerk, but nobody spoke, wildly unsure what they were to say if they did decide to open their mouths. You-Know-Who? The name had died a decade ago along with the now-forgotten and eagerly buried terror of his return. But it was no use denying that the last four years since Harry Potter entered Hogwarts, the world had seen a multitude of increasingly abnormal events unfold in the wizarding community and at Hogwarts. Hushed talks of You-Know-Who's return had sprung up in public, but people turned a blind eye to these radical claims. They were a long shot, and nobody who had lived through the war wished to even consider having to revert back to the blinding fear of living under You-Know-Who's presence. The comfort offered by denial had a tendency to cloud the rational mind and deflect attention from the frightening prospect of weighing the possibilities of his return.
Scrimgeour however, seemed perfectly calm in the face of this macabre declaration. "Understandably, the Ministry does not find any reasonable requirement to believe or fuel such claims, brash and untrue as they are. Our investigations, aided by the brightest and most capable under our employment, has agreed that there is nothing to substantiate this thesis in any way. We thus have a good reason to believe that Mr. Potter and Mr. Dumbledore have ulterior motives, and we urge you to put it out of your mind."
"What?"
Bert immediately jabbed Tonks in the ribs, hissing at her to hush as people whirled around to stare at her, some in disapproval and some in tacit agreement with her sentiments. But Tonks couldn't care less, her mind whirred in shocked disbelief. Ulterior motives? Tonks stared at the shadowy figure of Scrimgeour incredulously, wondering if she was actually hearing correctly. But Scrimgeour plowed on, oblivious to the bewilderment of his audience and he threw out his winning lines magnificently and with gusto.
"The Ministry of Magic's Auror Office has been graced with the presence of an uncountable number of venerable witches and wizards, all whom have stepped up to the mantle with noble intentions and lasting visions of the betterment of society. The men and women who have fought with the intention of laying down nothing less than their lives had a clear sense of judgment and no room for pity or violent romanticism to mar their reasoning. These are the men and women whose ideas and memories continue to inspire our department to strive for the best, day by day, so that our loved ones and the children of our community can sleep in peace. We are the ancestors of a great and powerful line of aurors. I call upon that very judgment today, I beseech you to evoke that rationality that they treasured within them and treasure it within you, treasure that spirit that has kept this department, this Ministry, this world, on its feet and I ask you to question that which has always been taken for granted as correct, turn it in your minds, and arrive at a conclusion as to where your loyalties truly lie."
The silence was deafening at this point. Scrimgeour's face twisted in a menacing scowl.
"And for the sake of our Ministry, I hope you choose well. You are dismissed."
Tonks frowned, leaning back in her chair.
She went over the Diggory case in her mind for the umpteenth time. It was rather rough around the edges, with doubts and flaws in reasoning such as was not usually expected from Rufus Scrimgeour. He was not the head of the Auror Office for no reason. His legendary perfectionism and ruthless dedication set an example for everybody. True, they hadn't finished their inquiry into the matter, but there were certain points and courses of action that had been taken which struck Tonks as rather … unusual.
Then there was Dumbledore and the Potter boy, who presented another vague theory, rather outlandish, but it was a theory all the same, and basic auror training demanded that all theories be considered possibilities and remain so until firmly proven as fallacious. Never leave a kink in the wire or your contraption will fail. Basic auror training.
It was rather doubtful, she felt, that Dumbledore was heading a clandestine operation behind such a heavy excuse. The idea of Dumbledore running a sort of secret underground organization to topple the Ministry made her snort to herself at the ridiculousness. He didn't need to be tactful; he could break into Fudge's office and turn him into a peacock without a blemish on his own skin. Yes, in her mind, that was quite, quite heavily in doubt. From the ample time spent in Dumbledore's office and the occasional sentencing to Fudge's office she had two very distinct images of both. Fudge struck her as somebody who was hungry to use power he could not wield, while Dumbledore quite clearly had power that he did not normally want to use.
Yet the alternative was rather formidable as well – that Dumbledore was right. That You-Know-Who had returned.
She continued to mull the case over in her head, running her metaphorical fingers across its metaphorical surface, and frowning each time she felt unfamiliar patterns, dents, and irregular topography. There were holes, tiny bite-sized holes, but they gnawed at her peace of mind till all she found herself thinking of was those tiny little holes all the time.
She had approached Bert about them, but he had waved her off in disinterest, reading some new book by the Lupin man that had sanctioned his undivided attention for the week. She needed another mind to apply its intelligence on the conclusions she drew in case she had missed some crucial bit that could perhaps placate her doubts. That was when she came up with a simple experiment. Aided with the knowledge that the move would result in her win whatever be the outcome, she had carried out her simple experiment and had run into a dead end.
But this dead end was exactly what she had been waiting for. She'd approached a notoriously Ministry-worshipping colleague in the department, and, with a few well-placed, probing questions regarding the Diggory case, found herself in a situation that she had not only predicted, but one that watered the doubts and uncertainty she was nursing till they blossomed and established fixture in the garden of her mind, making her even more determined to get to the bottom of this.
The dead end manifested itself as Rufus Scrimgeour and a very, very odd reaction he had expressed regarding her enquiries into the case.
He had been severely displeased, almost angry, that she had abandoned the work given to her and dallied about poking her nose in a case which was obviously being taken care of, or 'did she doubt the proficiency of the Ministry'? Did she, a young auror fresh out of training (a one-year veteran actually, sir, Tonks had interrupted) think that she would do better at solving the case than a whole task force of senior aurors who had been undertaking such cases for the better part of their lives?
'No', she had mumbled, and her mind whirred with this new development, the oddity of his reaction which she found was uncalled for when all she had done was ask a few harmless questions. Cases were discussed openly in their department like the weather, more frequently than the latter, in fact, and how could the head auror expect a case of this magnitude to not be discussed, dissected, and analyzed by people who were trained to do just that?
She was intrigued.
After that, she did not approach anybody. She knew Scrimgeour would be watching her closely for days, but she gave the appearance of having lost interest. She hazarded a guess that she wouldn't be trailed for long however, for nosy rookie aurors were hardly the most pressing things on Scrimgeour's mind.
What was on his mind then? Tonks found herself wondering as she watched him clamber around the hall shaking his mane. If the case is settled and quite confidently dealt with, then what bothered him so?
Perhaps not a very valid question, for he was the head of the Auror Office after all, but when one sees inconsistencies and harbors doubts, one often ends up either uncovering very well-layered and hidden ploys or more often than never, falling into the category of paranoid.
Tonks was willing to take her chances, for satiating her thirst for explanations far outweighed the prospect of being labeled as paranoid. She was odd and clumsy and paranoid didn't sound all that out of place amidst these descriptive words.
Estimating that she had given the incident with Scrimgeour a wide enough berth, she made up her mind to pick up where she had left off.
And thus, she set out on her Quest to Fulfill her Thirst.