I don't own Harry potter or any of the known characters
Azkaban.
Harry entered the Ministry hallway and got his wand weighed. He couldn't understand why it had to be weighed. He didn't ask though as it would only draw attention to himself. He quickly took a lift to Percy's floor and slowly walked down the corridor catching snippets of conversations from the offices as he passed. Most seemed to be dull beyond belief, and Harry decided then and there that he was never going to join the Ministry if this was the norm, especially in a time of war. One conversation though did catch his attention, and he slowed right down to hear it.
"Did you hear that Weasley prat this morning, he really thinks highly of himself," the first male voice said.
"Yea blathering on and on about how Harry Potter was coming this morning to see him, and that everything must be just right, and that no one was to bother him or Harry Potter. Like I want to have anything to do with that prat. I try and keep out of his way as much as I can as it is. Now Harry Potter him I'd love to bother what a dish," a second female voice said sighing at the end.
"Calm down Alison I expect he has a different girlfriend each night ,so you may get your day with the Chosen one if you're lucky," the first voice replied laughing.
"Oh do you think so, last thing I heard he was dating the Weasley girl, lucky cow," Alison said.
"No, no he dumped her right in the middle of Dumbledore's funeral, can you image that. What was he thinking of?"
"Oh I expect he had his reasons, what he needs is a more experienced women to teach him the ways of the world not some slip of a girl." Harry decided he didn't want to hear any more. He was glad that his supposed break up with Ginny was now common knowledge, and saddened that Percy was about as popular at work as he was at the Burrow. Stopping outside a door with Percy's name on it he collected his thoughts together before knocking, and was surprised to hear a female voice saying come in. Entering he discovered that he was in a waiting room with a sofa, a coffee table, and what was obliviously Percy's secretary smiling at him.
"Mr Potter what a pleasure to see you. I am afraid Mr Weasley is talking to the Minister at the moment, and I am not sure how long he's going to be, please take a seat," Harry thought if she smiled any more her face would split apart. He sat down on the sofa and closed his eyes taking the opportunity to practise Occlumency, but he didn't get far as the outer door opened shortly and Percy came in.
"Hello Harry, it's nice to see you again under better circumstances than our previous meetings." Harry wasn't quite sure what to make of this. Even when he was trying to be friendly Percy could still get under your skin.
"Nice to see you to Percy. I see that Magical Maintenance are looking for a pay rise again," he said pointing at Percy's window which was showing a thick fog interspersed with flashes of lighting and rumbles of thunder.
"Yes it's very distracting, being going on a month now, but their attempts at blackmail won't work the Minister is very firm about that. A strong character and a man of his word."
"The Ministry and many of its employees have not been kind to me Percy so I'll make my own judgement on Scrimgeour," Harry said locking eyes with Percy. For a moment Harry wondered if he felt a wave of shame emanate from Percy. He watched Percy take in a deep breath.
"I was wrong Harry about everything, except perhaps you being dangerous, things happen around you and to those with you. I know there's very little evidence to support me or back me up, but I care about my family, and I want to protect them if I can."
"If you can admit to me that you've been wrong why won't you go and make up with them?" Harry asked.
"It's not that simple Harry, some of the things I did and said are unforgivable. I still believe that giving the Ministry full support is the right thing to do, it's the Ministry that will defeat you-know-who, and his Death Eaters."
"Percy your family is far more important than the Ministry of Magic, and your family has done far more to defy Voldemort than your precious Ministry has, or is likely to as far as I can see. Tell me three things that it's done to defeat Lord Voldemort." Percy shuddered for the second time at the mention of his name.
"We've given out advisory notes to the population on how to protect themselves, issued protective cloaks to all employees, and you're not to breathe a word of this to anyone, but we've begun proceedings to confiscate the assets of proven Death Eaters, like the Malfoy family."
"If that's the best you can come up with then I suggest you send a letter to Voldemort and surrender. Honestly Percy those notes were pathetic, your own brothers invented those cloaks you're so proud of, and why are only Ministry employees being offered them. Bankrupting the Malfoy family! I can really see Voldemort quivering in fear at that. You can't even hear his name without shuddering in fright."
"These things take time Harry, everything must be done properly and deliberately, not rushing around without thought or a plan to keep to."
"I have a plan and I'll do it as quickly as I can, without waiting around for Voldemort to die if old age, because trust me he won't."
"Harry you should let the Ministry help you, we have great resources at our disposal." Harry bit back the retort on the end of his tongue despite his best wishes he did indeed need them.
"Percy I need to see Mundungus Fletcher a thief who is now locked away in Azkaban. Your father told me you're responsible for granting visiting rights."
"Well Harry normally you're correct, unfortunately anything to do with you has to go straight to the Minister. He'll want to talk to you in person in fact that's what I was doing when you first got here." Harry sighed inwardly he knew deep down that this was going to happen, but he had held vague hopes that for once things could be simple.
"Shall we go and see him then?" Harry asked.
"He said any time would be fine, we can go now unless there something else I can help you with."
"It seems the Minister is the only person that can do that Percy, but if you put in a good word for me maybe I can do the same for your family. I have a lot of influence over Fred and George." Percy raised his eyebrows at that, but declined to comment further. Leaving the office Percy declared in a loud voice to his secretary that he and Harry Potter were off to see the Minister. He was in the corridor at the time so everybody had the pleasure of knowing how important he was. Harry had thought about insisting that the Minister come down to Percy's office, but he thought that might inflate his head too far.
The Minister's office Harry noticed to his amusement had the same weather outside his window as Percy's, and he had expected to find an opulent room full of fine furniture and grand paintings. What he saw surprised him. Fudge would never have put up with the bare essential that Scrimgeour had, maybe he wasn't as attracted by the trappings of power as Fudge had been, or maybe that took time to happen.
"Please sit down Mr Potter what can I do for you?" so Harry explained what he wanted, that Mundungus had stolen many things from him and Sirius, and he wanted to retrieve as many of them as possible.
"Mr Potter I've been in law enforcement most of my career it is very unlikely that you'll be able to get him to admit to stealing these items, much less that he'll inform on those he sold these items to."
"I understand that but I must make the effort, so can you give me the permit to see him."
"I am sure there's more to this than your telling me, but I'll leave that for the moment, the answer is yes I can give you the pass, but I need something from you in exchange. I need your support, as I've told you before. I'm trying to change the way the Ministry is run, and that's taking too much time, and in order to complete the reorganisation I need to remain in power. My position is not secure despite what you may think, and I'm spending far too much time holding on instead of reorganising the Aurors, and other departments for what is to come."
"Well I didn't really expect anything else, so I'll give you some support, no press conferences or interviews, but you have my permission to say that we are working closely together. Even if we aren't, and that we are in regular contact about a range of issues. I also want you to release and drop any charges against Stan Shunpike.You can gave him a reprimand for being an idiot if you want, and finally I want Delores Umbridge sacked, and all her pension rights taken away. If this last demand isn't met I'll inform the public how she sent two dementors to kill me and my cousin, and tortured pupils at Hogwarts with an illegal blood quill."
"Weasley is this true about Umbridge," Scrimgeour asked he seemed genuinely shocked at what Harry had just said.
"I don't know Minister, I heard rumours about a blood quill, but I didn't believe them. This is the first time I've heard about her sending dementors though."
"Do you not believe me Minister?" Harry asked as he offered the back of his hand where a faint scar still showed I must not tell lies. The Minister looked appalled and shook his head.
"Mr Potter I believe you. Weasley I want you to issue an Azkaban pass for Harry, but I insist an Auror accompany you," he said looking at Harry. "Then I want you to release this Stan Shunpike, but first send Umbridge to see me, escort her here right now. Mr Potter I want you to do me a favour in return. The Muggle Prime Minister has been getting, how shall I put this, agitated whenever I have to visit him which is far too often these days. I want you to come with me and see if we can't ease his troubles for him." Percy left the office without another word.
"I not sure how a seventeen year old boy is going to impress the muggle Prime Minister, Minister," Harry replied rather bemused by this suggestion.
"Just tell him a few of your exploits, and answer some of his questions. I have difficulty getting through to him. You were muggle raised you may have better luck, but we can't afford to have him breakdown, it would be one complication to many."
"Fine Minister," if only Uncle Vernon could know he thought, he'd have a heart attack.
"Now I understand that you had an audience with the Chairman of Gringotts, a few days ago, can you tell me about it?"
"Not much to say, he wanted to know if I was happy with their service, and did I trust you," Harry said keeping eye contact with Scrimgeour who's face remained impassive. When Harry added nothing more the silence hung heavily in the office.
"So what did you say?" Scrimgeour eventually asked.
"I said trust has to be earned, and you don't have it, yet." The Minister nodded his head slightly and gave a small sigh.
"I shall endeavour to gain it Mr Potter. I made assumptions about you which were wrong, and I underestimated you. I won't make that mistake again. Did the Chairman give any indication of which way the goblins are going to lean in our battle with Lord Voldemort."
"No Minister I expect them to stay on the sidelines, unless something happens to change their minds. He seemed quite prepared to meet me in the future."
"Well that's more than I hoped, less than I want but it will have to do. Their active support would be an enormous help, but at least they're not against us that would be a disaster."
"I don't really understand the goblins, but I guess that they'll always do what's right for them, and that probably means doing whatever is most profitable. I suppose we should ask ourselves what Voldemort can offer them that we can't," Harry replied.
"Well that's another way to look at it if we can offer them some way to make profits then I am sure they'll stick with the status quo." There was a knock on the door and Percy entered.
"I have Umbridge waiting outside is there anything else you need before I get onto the other matters?" he asked.
"Yes I'd like you to send a message to auror Tonks to get in contact with Mr Potter here as soon as possible. She'll be escorting him to Azkaban. When you go Mr Potter will be up to the two of you to decide, but I must insist she goes with you. Mr Weasley you can send Umbridge in now." Harry felt a tingle of revulsion run up and down his spine at the thought of being close to that woman again. However there was also a thrill in knowing that he was going to be responsible for what would probably be the second worse moment of her life.
She entered the office with the same sickly smile that he remembered, and she obviously had no idea what was coming. Harry was not the vindictive sort, and he never enjoyed seeing other people's misery but in Umbridge's case he was going to make an exception.
"You wanted to see me Minister," she said in her high pitch girly voice.
"Yes I did Delores you know Mr Potter of course. I am afraid he's said some very disturbing things about you and your behaviour at Hogwarts the other year," he paused for a moment and Umbridge leapt right in.
"Well I am sure he has Minister he was the most disruptive and disobedient pupil at the school. Without doubt the collapse of discipline was down to him, and the Weasley twins. I was far too easy on them."
"But you did punish him?"
"Of course I did, and I supervised his detention myself many times, although he never learned from his experience."
"Please tell the Minister Delores why I was in detention?" Harry asked knowing that using her first name would infuriate her. She turned to look at him for the first time since entering the office. She still had the same sickly smile on her face, but her eyes were blazing with fury It had finally dawned on her that she was in trouble.
"He was spreading lies and false rumours around the school and the wizarding press. He was blackening the Ministry's reputation so I took the correct action at the time."
"I didn't lie though did I. Voldemort was back just as I said, so are you going to apologise?"
"Certainly not I did the right thing with all the information I had at the time."
"Well I'm not surprised, how about apologising for making me and others use a blood quill?"
"I consider that to be a perfectly correct method of punishing disobedient students."
"So you admit you used an illegal form of torture on students," the look of horror on her face gave Harry a warm glow as she realised what she had admitted to. "How about apologising for sending two dementors to kill me, will you do that?"
"I did no such thing," she said but it was clearly an unconvincing lie. Harry had noticed beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead, and so had the Minister.
"Miss Umbridge I have been an Auror for many years, and you are quite clearly the one of the worse liars I have come across. A lifetime sentence to Azkaban would seem to be in order. If not a one way trip through the Veil. In my position what would you do?
"I did not send those dementors, and you can't prove that I did," she retorted her podgy face turning an Uncle Vernon puce.
"Miss Umbridge I'll give you a choice, a full trial by the Wizengamot, or as Harry here has suggested your sacking and loss of pension rights, remarkable generous of him don't you think?" Umbridge was struck dumb her life had been torn apart in just a few minutes. The colour drained from her face she knew that a trial would find her guilty, but without her job or the prospect of a pension she would be destitute. She had never been able to save money.
"I'll resign Minister," she said in a low mutter.
"No Miss Umbridge you're fired, sacked, and dismissed in disgrace. You have one hour to clean out your desk. If you are still in the building after that you will escorted out under guard, do I make myself clear."
"Yes Minister," she stood up turned and left the office but not before giving Harry a look of pure hatred.
"Well Mr Potter does that meet with your approval?"
"Thank you Minister, now when do you want me to see the muggle Prime Minister?"
"Could you be back here at two o'clock. That'll give me time to arrange a meeting with him, we'll have to floo from my office fireplace it's the only one that's connected to number ten."
"I'll be here Minister, although I have no idea what I am going to say to him."
"I shouldn't worry about that he's a politician, and I expect he'll do most of the talking. I want to thank you the Ministry has become very unwieldy and resistant to change under Fudge, and it's been very difficult to change attitudes and remove anyone. The dismissal of Umbridge should help in concentrating minds, and make all the changes I want that little bit easier." Harry shook his hand and walked into the reception area where he was greeted by a cheery.
"Wotcher Harry, how's it going?"
"Tonks you were quick."
"Well when the Chosen one demands my presence, I thought I better drop everything and come running to serve him, besides I was in town to see Remus."
"Remus is back from... well you know I'd like a quick word with him if that's possible? Oh and any more of that Chosen rubbish and I may have to resort to using your Christian name Tonks."
"Come and have lunch with us Harry, and you can chat with Remus and tell me why you've summoned me O great one?" she said with a mischievous grin on her face.
"I'd love to Nymphadora, but I wouldn't want to be a gooseberry. I have quite enough experience of that already," Harry said giving her a small glare which was returned with interest.
"No Harry we've got the whole day, I am sure we can spare you a couple of hours and from your comment I gather Ron and Hermione have got together finally, and not before time." Chatting amiable together they walked into the atrium and flooed to the Leaky Cauldron to meet Remus. Harry decided that he preferred the old cheeky and fun loving Tonks to the miserable one she had been last year. The world was a better place for her being happy and when he saw the smile on Remus's face he knew he wasn't the only one. Remus looked well groomed, fit and never happier and greeted Harry with enthusiasm which Harry returned in kind.
"It's good to see you Harry I must say you're looking well, not going to school obviously agrees with you," Remus said beaming from ear to ear in a manner that Harry had never seen from him before.
"I could say the same for you Remus, Tonk's is obviously the tonic you've needed all these years. I paid a visit to Godrics Hollow the other day, and well let's just say that it was very therapeutic. The reason I wanted to see you was sort of related. I am now the proud owner of two houses and several other properties, but I have no intention of ever living at Grimmauld Place, so I want you to be the secret Keeper, and live there rent free for life." There was a stunned silence from both Remus and Tonks, and Harry began to feel uncomfortable until Remus finally found some words.
"Harry this is far too much, you don't owe me anything, and if Tonks and I want to live there we would insist on paying a fair rent. I have my pride," Remus replied with Tonks nodding in agreement.
"I have to disagree with you Remus, you saved my life and Sirius's by teaching me the Patronus charm, and then I go and get him killed leaving you without his friendship. The only reason I haven't given you the house is that I knew you would refuse to accept it. Sirius should have left it to you in the first place, at least then you would have had to deal with Kreacher and not me."
"Harry teaching you the Patronus charm was the least I could do to repay the kindness of your parents, never mind my duty as a teacher. If you must blame someone for Sirius's death then I am guilty of not stopping him coming with us. Tonks can be blamed for not stopping Bellatrix Lestrange. Dumbledore can be blamed for not arriving earlier, and you can also blame Sirius himself for coming, and then losing the fight against his cousin."
"Well none of us would have been there if I hadn't believed the visions that Voldemort sent me, and that still doesn't stop the fact that I want to do this and it's the right thing to do." Harry could see that Remus wasn't about to let this go, and was relieved when Tonks interrupted him.
"Harry this is a very generous offer, and I promise we'll think about it, regardless of whether we accept it or not. I am sure Remus won't mind being the Secret Keeper, especially if the Order of the Phoenix starts to meet again."
"Ok I'll leave it there but if the Order does start up again, it would be good to have two order members living there. So what's been going on with you two in the last month?"
"My undercover days are over Harry, word got back to the werewolves that I was involved in defending Hogwarts. I expect Snape gave away my activities, fortunately another member gave me a warning. In fact you might have seen him at St Mungo's when visiting Ron's dad, he'd only just been bitten, and he was grateful for my advice." Harry thought back and had a dim recollection of someone in another bed, but it seemed a lifetime ago and his mind at the time was on other matters.
"Well I am glad. You were taking a terrible risk, no wonder Tonks is in such a good mood," Harry replied watching Tonks beaming face.
"The trouble is that I am no longer useful and out of work again, and I don't like sponging off Tonks."
"Don't be silly Remus that's what partners do they look after each other, things will change and until then we'll cope," Tonks said.
"Who's in charge of the Order now?" Harry asked Remus and Tonks looked at each other to see who was going to answer.
"Harry since Dumbledore's death there hasn't been a meeting," Remus replied.
"Perhaps its time to call one Remus, and if you place a drop of your blood on the secret keeper papers you'll even have a place to meet," Harry said pulling the papers out his robes and unfolding them onto the table.
"Ok I'll be the secret keeper Harry, and I'll call a meeting of the remaining members to discuss our future," Remus said as he pulled a small pen knife out of his pocket.
"So Harry are you going to tell me why the Minister wanted me to meet up with you?" Tonks asked.
"Yes I need to go a see Mundungus Fletcher," Harry replied.
"He's in Azkaban, Harry."
"Yes I know, and that's why the Minister insists I need an escort, I'd like to go tomorrow morning if that's ok with you. I've got to go and meet the muggle Prime Minister this afternoon."
"Fine by me Harry," then she blinked, "and what on earth are you doing meeting the Prime Minister."
"Yes I'd like to know that too," Remus added.
"Its part of the agreement I made with Scrimgeour, he gets to say to the public that we're working together, and increase his popularity and I get a pass to Azkaban, oh and that toad Umbridge gets sacked."
"You got Scrimgeour to sack somebody. Blimey Harry reminded me to never get on the wrong side of you. In all the years he's headed the Aurors I never heard of anyone influencing him about anything. I'm well impressed, you couldn't get me a pay raise next time you chat with your new best mate."
"To be honest Tonks I think he wanted to sack somebody as an example to the rest of the Ministry. That it was Umbridge is a bonus."
"Don't sell yourself short Harry, once everybody hears that you got her sacked they'll all be bowing and scraping to please you," Remus said. Harry held his head in hands like he needed more notoriety in his life he thought.
"Cheer up Harry influence is no bad thing; it's how you use it that counts, so why do you need to see that old thief Mundungus?" Tonks asked.
"He stole a very important artefact from Grimmauld place, and it's very important that I get it back." Neither of them questioned Harry further the look of fury on his face was enough to know he was serious about this. From then on they enjoyed their meal and trivial conversation, until Harry left the lovebirds to return to the Ministry.
The grapevine worked quickly in the Ministry, about the only thing that did, and the change in attitude when Harry returned was most noticeable in the entrance hall. The usually bored security clerk who weighed the wands saw him coming, and waved him on saying there was no need for him to bother to register his wand anymore. When he reached the Minister's office he was offered coffee, tea and biscuits which he politely refused, bemused and not a little irritated at other peoples sudden change in behaviour towards him. In the back of his mind he remembered a quote he had once heard, something like everybody is motivated by either greed or fear, well fear was winning today.
Harry concentrated hard when flooing to 10 Downing Street as he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the Prime Minister, fortunately both Ministers were talking to each other and failed to notice his slight stumble as he exited the fireplace. The PM was looking a little disconcerted at their appearance, but his election winning smile soon came back once Scrimgeour had introduced Harry. It was a surreal moment for Harry, and he had to admit that he had had a few of those in the last six years, and he still wasn't getting much better at handling them. The politician in the PM though soon had him at ease, and the conversation was casual to start with until Scrimgeour suddenly stood up handed Harry some floo powder, and announced that he had to leave but he should stay for awhile and answer any questions that the PM wanted to ask, both the PM and Harry looked a bit alarmed at this.
"Harry what can you tell me about this Lord Voldemort I gather your something of an expert on him, you don't mind me calling you Harry?" the PM asked once Scrimgeour had spun out of the fire grate.
"No Harry's just fine and as to being an expert on Lord Voldemort well I suppose I am, and that's a scary thought in itself." For the next two hours Harry explained all that had transpired while the PM asked questions along the way. Harry avoided the whole Horcrux issue, and the full details of the prophecy.
"So Tom Riddle and your fates are intertwined. I can't imagine how you can begin to deal with that, if there is any help my government and I can give you just ask. I know we have little in common, but any resources I can supply are yours to command," the Prime Minister said.
"There is something that may help, any information that you can dig up on Tom Riddle, and a Tobias Snape who married a witch called Eileen Prince, would be extremely helpful."
"Good and anything I find out I'll hand over to Shacklebolt, and I am sure he can find a way to pass it on to you," he said quickly scrawling the names on a pad."
"Prime Minister is it possible to make an appointment through Shacklebolt, and then I won't have to come via Scrimgeour office which is the only way in due to the anti-apparation wards on this building." The Prime Minister agreed once Harry had explained all about apparation, and he had got over the shock of the possibility of wizards appearing out of thin air.
Reappearing back in the Minister's office he interrupted the conversation the Minister was having with another official, he said just enough to not to appear rude and made a dash for the door. With a quick stop at Gringotts to leave Grimmauld Place's deeds he appararted to the Burrow were he was greeted by a fretful Molly Weasley.
"Harry where have you been all this time. I was expecting you back for lunch and I was beginning to worry, sit down and let me get you something to eat you must be starving," she said.
"It's alright Mrs Weasley I had lunch with Tonks and Remus. I'm just tired from meeting and talking to all these politicians."
"Really I thought you were just going to talk to Percy, how is he by the way?"
"He's fit and well, but I don't think he knows how to say sorry give him time Mrs Weasley he'll work it out."
"Oh I do hope so, he was always the odd one out of the family, but I still miss him."
"I think Hermione would say he has to forgive himself first, after all he did say and do some unpleasant things."
"Who's done some unpleasant things?" Ron said walking into the kitchen with Hermione.
"Mundungus Fletcher," Harry said quickly not wanting to set Ron off on what a prat Percy was.
"O him, did you get the pass you needed to visit Azkaban," he asked.
"Yea it cost a bit though, still needs must."
"I am sorry Harry did you say you had to pay for a pass to visit Azkaban, that's outrageous what is the Ministry coming to when corruption is so blatant," Mrs Weasley said getting up a head of steam.
"No, no that's not what I meant. To get the pass I had to make a deal with Scrimgeour. That's what I been doing all afternoon, he wanted me to talk to the muggle Prime Minister."
"You what," shouted Hermione.
"I been with the Prime Minster all afternoon," Harry said trying to give the impression that he did this sort of thing ever day, and to his great pleasure Hermione took the bait, launching into an endless series of questions about what had been said. Ron looked on bemused by the whole thing, and when Harry winked at him he added a few more comments to set her going. Harry had noticed that despite them being an item Ron still couldn't help himself when it came to winding Hermione up. Harry though saved the best part of his story till the end.
"Well that about sums up my day, although I did get one more concession out of the Minister, but it was only a small one not worth worrying about," he said a small smile on his face.
"Well go on Harry what was it?" Hermione asked knowing it was something major.
"Oh you won't be interested, and it doesn't help us in our task," he replied the smile getting wider.
"Come on Harry do we have to threaten you, spill the beans or do I have to call the twins in," Ron demanded.
"George and Fred is that the best you can do, I have power over them that you know not," Harry replied laughing.
"Harry please tell us," Hermione begged.
"Well since you asked so nicely and said please, I got Umbridge sacked, and her pension rights revoked." The uproar was instant all three of them shouted questions at him. Ron couldn't decided who to tell first the twins or Ginny. Mrs Weasley, who had nursed a secret hatred of Umbridge, sorted that by flooing their shop and telling them in person. She soon regretted that when they decided to send Ginny a free box of fireworks to celebrate the glad tidings at Hogwarts. Harry felt mental exhausted but went to sleep that night with a satisfied feeling of a productive day, and he hoped that the next day would be even more productive.
After breakfast Harry left again for the Ministry to met up with Tonks in the Ministry atrium, from there they took a Portkey to a security centre where Harry's pass was checked out, and then they took another Portkey to the prison itself. Landing on a flat roof Harry looked around. September was always one of the better months for weather, and today was no exception, bright blue skies blazed down on a choppy North Sea. Harry wouldn't have minded staying here if each day was like this. The fresh sea air filled his lungs and the salt air assailed his senses. The prison itself was perched on a rock protruding from the water that only magic could have kept it from collapsing into the sea, and no doubt it was magic that kept the muggles and the sea birds from seeing and landing on it.
"Harry come on stop staring like a tourist and lets get on with why we're here. This places gives me the creeps although the atmosphere has improved since the Dementors left," Tonks said giving him a poke in the ribs.
Following her off the roof via a trapdoor Harry started to think of how he would approach Mundungus, perhaps this was the time to experiment with what he had learned about Legilimency over the summer. He had never tried to use it on his friends or strangers because it was such an invasion of privacy. He hadn't even considered asking one of his friends in case one of them agreed. He wasn't sure he could handle what he might find in their minds. Mundungus he felt would make a good test case, if it all went wrong well too bad. His decision made he raised his head to see where he was being lead. Being taller than Tonks he looked over her head and down a long grey corridor which curved round to their right.
"How far does this corridor go on for Tonks?" Harry asked after about five minutes of walking.
"We're about half way to the guard house, wishing you brought your broom Harry?"
"No Tonks I was just worried about your short little legs. I wouldn't want to tire you out, but it seems a long way though considering we landed on the roof of the prison."
"It's an additional security measure this is the only way out so anyone escaping, would be delayed giving the dementors more time to discover them, unless of course you're an animagus, and less of the cheek little boy." Harry smiled at the thought of Sirius bounding down this corridor on the way to freedom. A short while later they came to a large steel door which Tonks banged on with her fist.
"What no magic?" Harry asked.
"No they try to keep the magic to a minimum we'll have to hand our wand in for safe keeping once we enter the main prison, just in case someone tries's to grab them." This was news Harry didn't want to hear, would he be able to perform the Legilimency spell without a wand. He supposed he was going to find out, if that murdering swine Snape could do it then he would have to.
Harry found that walking without his wand or his invisibility cloak made him feel very vulnerable, and he made an effort using the skills he had learned doing Occlumency to calm these feelings away. He could see the same in Tonks by her nervous mannerisms. He thought about mentioning it but stopped himself, she was after all a trained and experienced Auror what advice could he give her that she didn't already know. The guard lead them into an interview room which consisted of a table and three chairs. There they waited while the guard went off to collect Mundungus Fletcher from his cell.
"Tonks I should have asked this earlier is there anything from Grimmauld Place you or your parents would like to have, after all you're more a Black than I could ever be?" Harry asked as they were waiting.
"Harry that's a lovely thought, but no Sirius already made that offer soon after it became the meeting place for the Order. We didn't want anything then and we still don't, but thanks for asking," she replied.
Prison didn't seem to have made a great deal of difference to Mundungus he still looked dishevelled, and carried a faint unpleasant odour of cheap tobacco, and something Harry couldn't place and wasn't sure that he wanted to.
"Sit down Fletcher," the guard ordered pushing down on his shoulder forcing him to sit in the third seat facing Tonks and Harry across the table. "I'll be waiting outside the door, when you're ready to leave," he added before leaving the room.
"Enjoying you're little holiday then Mundungus," Harry asked glaring directly into his eyes, and casting the Legilimency spell under his breath.
"Hello Harry it's nice to see a friendly face. The sea air is pleasant enough it's a shame about the view though my cell doesn't have a window that you can see out of." Harry was trying to see if the spell was working but he didn't seem to be getting anywhere, perhaps a few test questions to see if he was lying.
"Right lets do this properly your full name is Mundungus Fletcher?" he asked.
"Yea that's right," he replied, but Harry sensed something wrong with that answer.
"Your lying aren't you?"
"No that's my name," this time Harry was certain he was lying.
"I know your lying, what's you're full name. I want the truth or I'll see about you getting a cell with no window and added damp."
"You'll be surprised how much influence Harry has these days," Tonks added.
"Alright or alright, my full name and please don't repeat it to anyone is Mundungus Clarence Fletcher, go on have a big laugh about it, but in my circles that name could get you beaten or hexed into a lump." Harry managed to prevent the laugh escaping, but even more important though was that he knew he was telling the truth, and he was beginning to master the spell. Tonks on the other hand nearly fell off her chair from laughing so hard, and when she caught Harry's eyes he felt the waves of happiness wash over him, causing him to laugh as well.
"Right thank you for sharing that with us Mundungus. I think we better come to the point, the reason I am here is to retrieve everything that you stole from Grimmauld Place. I want names and places of who you sold goods to, and places where you've hidden what you haven't got rid of yet," Harry demanded staring into his eyes again. Mundungus tried to break away but felt compelled to return the stare."
"I haven't been able to get rid of the silver despite my best efforts the family crest won't come off, there must be a spell that I can't remove preventing it. It's all under my floorboards in my bed sit. I am sure Tonks will be able to get it with all the breaking and entering skills she must have picked up at Auror training. The glassware I sold to a man in the Three Broomsticks. I didn't get his name I'd never seen him before, and I don't suppose I'll ever see him again."
"You expect us to believe that Clarence," Tonks said with an edge to her voice.
"It's the truth Tonks I don't know any way to convince you, the man paid me in galleons when I told him what I had to offer." Harry tried to insert his mind into Mundungus's, and what he gleaned from it was that he had been telling the truth but a name kept popping up Zale don't tell them about Zale.
"It's all right Tonks I believe him, now you've explained about the silver and the glassware, but what about various bits of jewellery that are missing."
"I didn't take any jewellery Harry I swear, most of the stuff there was too recognisable or cursed in some way or other."
"That's a lie Mundungus," Harry suddenly shouted leaping out of his chair at him. Mundungus and Tonks sat back in shock at this outburst, but in the seconds before both of them had recovered Harry had delved deeper into Mundungus's mind probing for references about Zale.
"Easy Harry we don't want any accidental magic," Tonks said alarmed at his sudden outburst, but Harry was never more in control of himself than at that moment.
"Mundungus tell me all about Zale and your relationship with him?" he asked calmly.
"What, who I don't know anyone by that name," he said stumbling and confused by Harry's changing moods.
"Yes you do, he's a muggle and you don't want to tell me anything about him, so come on tell me what you don't want me to hear, or things will be getting very unpleasant for you." Harry said this staring deep into Mundungus's eyes the chill to his voice convincing him that he not only meant it but was able to carry out his threat. It also helped that Harry was inserting the phrase tell him, tell him over and over again into his mind confusing him further.
"Alright, alright I'll tell you about him not that I know that much. It seems you already know about him, unless you're reading my mind," he said with a chuckle, Harry just raised his eyebrows at this but let it go.
"I am listening," he replied.
"Well he's a muggle, just like you said, and he's fascinated by magic and the occult. How he found out about our world I don't know, but over the years I've sold him several artefacts, and given him a nonsense story along with them. In fact the last thing I sold him was a locket that I said once belonged to Merlin, he believed me without a murmur. I couldn't sell it to anybody else because it wouldn't open and who wants a locket that you couldn't put anything in, so I told Zale that Merlin had imprisoned an evil warlock in it, and he wasn't to try to release him and the fool believed me." Harry had difficultly keeping his face calm at this Mundungus would probably never guess how close his story came to the truth.
"Tell me where I can contact him and we'll be leaving you alone?" Harry said.
"I send him an owl he understands about them he thinks they're quaint and old fashioned, but he's happy to use them, says they're probable safer and more secure than emails, whatever they are," he answered.
"Write down his address for me then," Harry said taking a small piece of parchment out of his robes along with a quill. With the address safely on him Harry began to leave turning at the door to ask just one more question.
"How much did he give you for the locket?"
"Two hundred pounds, can you believe it more money than sense some people."
"Mundungus, you could have sold it for at least twenty thousand pounds and I doubt he would have blinked, you're the idiot not him," Harry replied smiling because he knew that would spoil his day if not his week.
It wasn't until they were both walking down the long corridor that Tonks couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Blimey Harry you're going to make a great Auror with an interview technique like that. I really thought you were reading his mind and how did you know about this Zale bloke."
"I got it from his mind Tonks, he was desperate not to tell me, and I wanted to know who he was."
"Never, you were reading his mind Harry that's really impressive and he didn't even know."
"You have no subtlety Tonks only muggles talk of mind-reading," Harry replied in his best effort of imitating Snape, "but yes I can sense some feelings and memories in his mind."
"You've not been exploring my mind have you Harry?"
"No Tonks, although when you were laughing at our friend Clarence, we did have eye contact for a bit, but all I got was you laughing. I am sorry about that but the spell works best with eye contact, and I caught yours by accident. I am still learning, in fact this was my first attempt I haven't wanted to practise on anyone I know. Having had lessons with that creep Snape I know how personnel it can get."
"Thanks for telling me Harry, I have nothing really to hide, but I don't want anyone to dive into my thoughts for any reason, why didn't he want to give up Zale's name."
"It's pathetic really he didn't want to share him with anybody because he thought he was a source of easy money, the dumb idiot."
"It's something most criminals have in common Harry, their stupidity," she said just before they portkeyed back to the Ministry.