Disclaimer: The rights of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.
Chapter 7
Beginning
Harry wasn't in a good mood that day. He had just read an article on him in the Daily Prophet where he was skewered for his approach in coming out as an opposition to the Minister. Seriously, he didn't have any staff yet and he's already had to deal with fires. Ilena worked with today with solemn silence unless she had to say something work-related, it was almost as if someone died.
"Okay, this is ridiculous," said Harry after four hours of Ilena tip-toeing around Harry with her demeanor. "I just got one bad article. It's happened before, you know."
"Oh," said Ilena, flustered. "I didn't say anything."
"You didn't need to," said Harry. "You look like you're in mourning. Speak up."
"I'm just wondering... sir..." she said, pausing now and again. Harry's raised eyebrow pushed her to continue, "whether you've lost your mind or not. Sir."
"Now that's better," said Harry, going back to his notes. "And no."
"Good to know," said Ilena. "I didn't want to go job-hunting at the moment."
"Very funny," said Harry dryly. "If I win, you may be going job-hunting anyways."
"In that case, sir," said Ilena. "I know my job is safe."
She brought out an envelope, and put it on Harry's desk. Harry opened it, and found a short note.
Harry,
I found a possible source of support to begin with. Will arrange an afternoon meeting if you're not busy.
Reply quick.
Percy
Harry scribbled a quick note saying he was free.
"Ilena," he said. "When you're going to put some paperwork of yours in delivery, could you put this along as well? It's to Percy Weasley in the Cleansweep company."
"Sure," said Ilena. "I have some letters I need to send anyways."
She left the office to do the job. The door swung open after a moment.
"Forgot something to mail?" said Harry.
"Nope," said the voice at the door. Harry looked up.
"Hermione," he said. "What can I do for you?"
"Just wondering what you thought about the present," she said.
"I loved it," said Harry. "Thank you so much."
"I'm going for lunch," she said. "Want to join me?"
"Yes, just give me a moment," said Harry, who stacked a few pages of parchment and put the stack into a folder. He scribbled a quick note for Ilena and left it at her desk. "I told Marissa I'd come to her place, would that be fine for you?"
"Sure," said Hermione.
As they sat in the restaurant looking at the menu, which was in a muggle location (it was a muggle restaurant which wizards and witches would come to as well), they continued the small talk.
"Did the kids enjoy their presents?" said Harry.
"Yes," said Hermione. "They liked yours, too."
It was a small restaurant, one of those establishments you walk by without realising a few times before you stop one day and wonder if you should give it a chance. A waiter stopped by and asked if they knew what they wanted.
"Is Marissa cooking today?" asked Harry.
"Yes, she is," said the waiter.
"Could you tell her Uncle Harry says to surprise him?" he said.
"Along with his companion?" said Hermione.
"Sure," said the waiter. "And to drink?"
A moment after the waiter entered the door to the kitchen, they saw Marissa's head stick out. Upon seeing them, she grinned and went back in.
"Percy's got me for a meeting with a potential supporter," said Harry.
"That quick?" said Hermione. "Either he's very good, or the Minister has her enemies."
"I know," said Harry. "Though I bet I'm going to have my enemies and I haven't had a high-profile job like her."
"Have you come up with a plan yet?" asked Hermione.
"No," said Harry truthfully. "I'm making it up as I go along. I've talked to a few people in the Prophet to prepare an interview when I think I'm ready."
"You're going to need a staff," said Hermione. "Campaign manager, communications and so on."
"I'm already considering someone for one of the jobs," said Harry.
"Really?" said Hermione. "Who?"
Harry looked at her, opened his mouth and then shut it.
"Come on," she said. "Spill."
His pause lengthened.
"I'm..." he said. "I don't think I should say so right now. I haven't asked him yet and he should be the first to know."
"Fine," she said. "I understand."
They stopped talking as the waiter brought a tray of the food, and they went to work on it.
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"Where is that man?" said Percy in annoyance.
"Sorry," gasped Harry, who looked like he ran his way up to there. "I couldn't get out of a meeting with someone."
"Well, next time get out of the meeting," said Percy. "When you're meeting a supporter, especially for the first time, you never want to insult them by being late. Don't burn bridges with the money source."
"Sorry," said Harry.
"Never mind," said Percy. "Let's not keep him waiting."
They entered the lobby of a hotel.
"Could you tell me why we're meeting in downtown London?" Harry asked. "In a hotel, no less."
"The person doesn't want to be seen with you before he's decided to support you," said Percy as they made their way through the lobby to the restaurant across. "And since the person is a pureblood, then being in muggle environment is rather fitting in not being seen by the people he usually associates with."
"You said money source," said Harry. "Right now I'm starting my way through. I'm not thinking money yet."
"You're going to have to think about money from day one, Harry," said Percy.
"Yes, but I don't want to risk showing my hand this early for a Galleon."
"Trust me," said Percy. "With this guy, you won't be needing money for the first month. You'll have the resources to start your campaign and look for other support more subtly."
"That deep pockets?" said Harry.
Percy nodded, and then nodded towards in front of him. Harry looked forward, but couldn't see who was being indicated. He kept looking as they continued to walk, moving around and through people. He glanced to his right and left and couldn't see anyone who stood out. Until...
"Him?" said Harry, raised eyebrows.
"Him," said Percy. "The Minister's previous legislation has resulted in him having to fire half of the workers in one of his companies."
"What Minister goes about angering company owners?" asked Harry. "That doesn't strike me as smart."
"She's got support from others," said Percy. "Also, she feels like she had little choice, and it was made easier with her having few opponents of the stature to defeat her."
"So you want me to side with them for economic reasons," said Harry. "So I can get to go up against her in crime legislation?"
"Hmmm," said Percy in the affirmative, but he could say no more as they reached the table.
"Harry Potter," said the person at the table. "Never thought this would come about."
"Neither did I," said Harry. "Neither did I."
"Funny, what politics throws together," said the person.
"I wouldn't know up until now," said Harry. "But I'm beginning to understand it if I'm asking for help from Draco Malfoy."
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Ron rushed down the hall, pushing past every person who stood in his way. He reached the cell in question and stopped in front of it. A small group of guards surrounded the cell-door.
"Could someone explain what the hell happened here?" he said.
"Sir, the prisoner somehow got access of a guard's wand while being transported to the dining hall," said a guard. "And we had to stop him."
"And this is one of the Atlantean prisoners?" said Ron. "What's the status on the guard?"
"He's in St. Mungo's," said the guard.
"I'm sending some extra Aurors here," said Ron. "I do not have jurisdiction in giving orders in Azkaban, but I suggest you keep constant vigilance on the Atlanteans as the trial continues. The Aurors to come will have one role and it is to assist in guarding this group, and no other."
"Yes, sir," said the guard.
"Don't let me keep you, then," said Ron.
As Ron walked out, he saw Clarkson seated quietly in his cell. Emotionless, almost serene, he sat facing the wall. He showed no indication he noticed anything that was happening outside nor of Ron passing by, but Ron knew he was watching.
"Try that again," said Ron, growling across the bars. "And I'll find a reason to snuff you with a spell and claim self-defence in my report."
Clarkson did not turn, did not show that he heard. He continued to stare at the wall ahead. His black hair was flecked with white, his face wrinkled making him look older than he was, and his brown eyes alight.
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"So, you're committed to the fight ahead?" said Malfoy. "I have no interest in showing public support to you, only to watch you fold at the first sign of pressure. It's going to get ugly, and I want to know you know that."
"My stubbornness hasn't lessened," said Harry.
"You think the Minister is going overboard with the crime legislation," said Malfoy.
"Yes, I think this will only serve to wreck people with harsher sentences than considered acceptable," said Harry. "It's reactionary. You don't have a problem with that?"
"Of course not," said Malfoy. "With some of these legislations, I would've been locked up in Azkaban for a good number of years myself after the Voldemort war. All I want is your assurance that you'll fight to send some of Britain's goods overseas or show the same resistance in letting their goods in as they do to ours. That's good enough for me."
"That, I can assure you of," said Harry.
"Contact me as soon as you're ready for a fundraiser," said Malfoy. "I know of some people who wouldn't hesitate but throw support behind you."
"Much appreciated," said Harry.
"It's mutual," said Malfoy. "Trust me. Since we've gone past politics, would you like something to eat?"
"Just ate, sorry," said Harry. "But I could do with some coffee."
"Coffee it is," said Malfoy. "Staying, Weasley?"
"I want to," said Percy, looking at his watch. "But I have a meeting to get to."
"I'd like to have a word with you when you're free," said Harry.
"Sure," said Percy. "I'll contact you."
"Harry Potter," said Malfoy, leaning back and sipping his coffee. "Who would've thought we'd be working on the same side on something?"
"Not me, for one," said Harry. "How are the wife and kids?"
"They're fine," said Malfoy. "Astoria is doing fine, and Scorpius is in Auror-training."
"You better hope he doesn't bump into Ron anytime soon," said Harry.
Malfoy chuckled. "I told him to try to avoid Weasley, though the head won't be concerned with recruits."
"You would hope so," said Harry.
"I hope you're doing well, though," said Malfoy.
"I'm..." said Harry. "... okay."
"It's not my place to pry," said Malfoy. "And I won't."
"I've got to go," said Harry. "I have to talk to someone about something."
"Hope to meet you later on," said Malfoy. "When it'll be harder to catch a moment with you."
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They sat in a bar that was crowded. Harry set down his Butterbeer.
"So," said Percy. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I'm not going to beat around the hippogriff," said Harry. "I want you as my campaign manager."
"Harry," said Percy, putting down his drink. "I'm flattered, really. But I have a stable job. I'm tired of the hectic life of politics."
"I don't know anyone else more suited to helping me," said Harry. "Besides, you miss it. Otherwise you'd have simply told me to arrange a meeting with Malfoy and left it at that. Instead you arrange the meeting and came along."
"Perhaps I wanted to ease my brother-in-law into it," said Percy.
"Was that what you wanted to do?" asked Harry, who didn't say anything as Percy didn't answer at first, waiting until Percy opened his mouth to speak again.
"Okay, no," said Percy. "I wanted to see it in action, but only for a bit."
"Come on," said Harry. "Win or lose, you can always go back to your normal job. But if you miss it, you may regret it. Have you ever worked with such an underdog as myself?"
"You know, Harry," said Percy. "You're not an underdog, not exactly."
"How come?"
"Well, you're Harry Potter," said Percy. "We can skip the initial stage of having to introduce yourself to the people. You're more famous than the Minister anyways."
"We?" said Harry, smiling. "You're on board?"
"Yes," said Percy. "But you're going to have to explain to my wife why I'm going to be disappearing frequently, again."
"Say the time," said Harry. "What's the first step?"
"An interview," said Percy.
"I figured as much," said Harry. "I already got a few people in the Prophet I know to get prepared for one. Got some negative press today morning."
"Don't," said Percy. "Negative press is fine this early. You've got to be in the news, period."
"Don't what?" said Harry.
"Don't do anything else," said Percy. "I'll talk to them and get them to get you reporters you don't know."
"Eh?"
"Think," said Percy. "We don't want your personal ties to the wizard or witch that interviews you, you can bet the Minister's people will pick on that immediately. Anything said in the interview would then be lost in the midst of the argument of friendly quid pro quo."
"Fair enough," said Harry. "We're going to need a staff, and volunteers."
"I'll try to look for a staff," said Percy. "But if you know anyone who would drop their current work to help out, give me the name and if I approve, you can ask him or her."
"Things are going to get messy, aren't they?" said Harry.
"You can bet Puddlemere's trophies they are," said Percy.
