THE TRIBULATIONS OF CORNELIUS FUDGE
By Nekropher O'Mans
PROLOGUEIt was a warm June evening, and the birds were singing in the trees – though a large willow remained birdless, for some reason. Nevertheless, the wildlife of Hogwarts School seemed determined to overcome the depressed mood that had swept over the grounds these last few hours. Their efforts were interrupted by a screech of horror, and the birds, giving in, fled the scene.
Near the Entrance Hall, Cornelius Fudge was being soundly berated.
"I am appalled, Cornelius! You brought one of these – these things to Hogwarts?"
"Come now, Minerva, under the circumstances I would be foolish to enter the school unprotected-" stuttered Fudge.
"Unprotected?" cried Minerva, "Do you think we would simply stand by while Crouch had his way with you? Do you think us utterly incompetent?"
"The fact remains," continued Fudge, "that I have been asked to interview a dangerous prisoner, and it is Ministry protocol that I have a Dementor present whenever I may be in danger."
"And it is Hogwarts protocol that Dementors do not enter the grounds! Surely you remember last summer – the creatures nearly took a student's soul!"
"Never proven-"
"Minister," said Minerva, "neither Albus nor I will tolerate your introducing Dementors to Hogwarts. Is that understood?"
Fudge found himself trapped in a glare, and slumped. "Oh, very well." He waved his wand vaguely at the hooded figure, muttering an incantation. A metallic cloud emerged from the end of his wand, forming itself into a silver vole, which shepherded the figure away from the school. Minerva looked on, a stern expression on her face.
"Now, Minister, shall we enter?"
*
Author's comments: In the canon, of course, Fudge did not dismiss the Dementor, and Crouch was rendered soulless as a result. This is the divergence from our world.
I gave Fudge a vole Patronus partly as a result of Redwall's characters – their voles always seemed quite fussy and concerned with the rules, and a mental picture of a vole in a green bowler hat and a pinstripe suit confirmed it. I await your Howlers.
