Harry Potter
and
The Exchange Students
Harry Potter, the universe of Harry Potter and characters are all copyright of JK Rowling.
This is for fun.
Story Note: The story begins shortly after the events of the Tri-wizard Tournament.
Chapter I
The Two Ministers
The morning clouds had begun to part and sun now slowly entered the window of the Prime Minister's private office. The Prime Minister had just gotten into the office, put the mornings papers onto the desk on-top of the American security briefing memo and began to sit down when a tiny cough came from across the office. The Prime Minister blinked. No, surely not. He thought to himself, as he looked at the ugly portrait of a squat man on the wall opposite of him. He quickly looked at his wrist watch which read 08:30 and looked at the portrait again. Sadly, no sooner then he had looked at the portrait of the ugly man, it began to speak.
"To the Prime Minister of the Muggles, urgent message. Urgent request to meet with Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic immediately. Please reply," said the portrait in an uninterested tone. The Prime Minister blinked, checked his watch again, 08:32. He knew he had a meeting with the two Americans from the US 09:00 to discuss diplomatic, security and an up coming summit.. Well, what he wants to talk about cannot be that bad, he saves those meetings for the evenings.
"Yes, yes of course. Make it quick," he replied to the portrait. No sooner had he finished the sentence, a swooshing sound had come from the fireplace despite no fire being lit. Green flames erupted and out came out Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic. He was his usual "suit" and bowler hat.
"Mister Prime Minister, good morning. How do you do? No need to look so concerned!" Fudge exclaimed, catching the look of dread on the Prime Minister's face. The Prime Minister's expression did not change, and Fudge reassured him.
"No need to be worried! Under Wizarding Law, I must tell you that the imported creatures brought for the Tri-wizard Tournament have safely left the country. The three Dragons and Sphinx are being transported back to their countries of origin. Apparently, one Muggle Prime Minister had a fit when she wasn't told that dangerous creatures that were brought into the country were no longer a threat!" Fudge exclaimed with a light smile, attempting to make it sound funny. The Prime Minister relaxed, that had indeed been on his mind since the Fudge had told him that months ago.
"Ah, I bet Mrs. Thatcher didn't like not being informed. Thank you for informing me. How did this Tri-Wizard thing go anyway? You seem to be a bit grim and rattled despite telling me there is no need to be concerned," said the Prime Minister. Although finally revealed to get some good news from Fudge, Fudge did not look altogether happy. He also wanted to show some interest, he did not like being kept out of the loop. Information is power and control – something that Fudge always had at these meetings. It frustrated the Prime Minister to know end.
"Well, there was a small accident at the Tournament, a student died. On top of that one of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's loyal followers turned out to be impersonating a teacher at Hogwarts after escaping Azkaban prison a decade ago. No conce-"
"It is my concern, Fudge. You told me Lord Voldemort was gone, now one of his followers was out about a decade ago, this Serious Black fellow and then there was that event after the Kedditch World Cup," interjected the Prime Minister, not caring that Fudge flinched at the sound of Voldemort's name.
"Mr. Prime Minister, we don't believe those incidents were connected, despite what Dumbledore's 'alleged theory'. The Muggles were treated and are fine. It turned out that Sirius Black had no role in his escape. Not that it matters. He's been dealt with. I can assure you all is well for the non-magical community," Fudge replied after recovering at the name of Voldemort. Fudge quickly turned towards the fireplace. The Prime Minister looked on, still no satisfied. Fudge's story seemed well rehearsed, as if he had been on the defense about it. The Prime Minister had hundreds of thoughts running through his head: "'Despite Dumbledore's alleged theory'", What was that suppose to mean? That there was something going on? People disagreed with him? Dumbledore? Wasn't he the one that Voldemort feared most? If that means..., thought the Prime Minister.
"'Despite Dumbledore's Theory'? What does this mean Fudge? Don't hide it from me! We share this country together!" Shouted the Prime Minister as Fudge had stepped into the fireplace. Fudge turned around and got out of the emerald flames with a cold expression.
"Dumbledore believes that HE-WHO-MUST-BE-NAMED," Fudged replied a little angry now, but continued. "has returned and Sirius Black is actually innocent. He does believe the recent discovery of one of the followers of the Dark Lord was connected to the Quidditch World Cup fiasco. I assure you, this is utter non-sense. There was no proof at the World Cup, there are hundreds of witnesses in the case of Sirius Black and only the word of thirteen year old student at Hogwarts. I assure you, the matter is resol-"
"Did you interrogate this.. this follower? Did you even cross examine the student?" interjected the Prime Minister.
"No, the follower was..." Fudge stopped and turned pale and shivered. He thought about his words carefully. "He was... for all intents and purposes...was executed when he discovered. As for the student, no. There was no need, eye-witness accounts and a teacher at Hogwarts confirmed it last year when we nearly had Black cornered. The Professor confirmed the boy in question was hoodwinked by Black, magically. Now, I have a Ministry to run. Good-day," said Fudge and he stepped back into the fireplace.
"Did you even check?" asked the Prime Minister, shocked to discover that his "counterpart" didn't seem to be bothered with a proper investigation, that a criminal man was executed on the spot. The only thing to unnerve him more was that Fudge implied he wasn't really executed but something worse.
"No, now good-day!" Shouted Fudge in a twinge of anger before a bright flash of emerald green flash. Fudge had disappeared. The Prime Minister was outraged at Fudge's view of justice and investigation and that Fudge was hiding things from him. The Prime Minister's mind was racing with thoughts for several minutes, but before he could act upon them he heard a knock on the door.
"Prime Minister?" asked his secretary as she came in.
"Yes, Nancy?" he replied.
"The Security meeting in three minutes. The Americans are here, Mr. Cornell is on the phone with MI6, he'll be a few minutes late. Should we wait for Mr. Cornell?" asked Nancy.
"No, I'll be out now. Might as well get started," replied the Prime Minister. He was looking forward to getting out of this office and put Fudge out of his mind. He headed out of his private office, closing the door with a little more force than was warranted.